'Fahrenheit' to show up early on video

[cal04]

Sony, Lions Gate jockey to seize on pre-election interest
Sony Corp. plans to announce as soon as Friday an early home-video release of the controversial film "Fahrenheit 9/11" before November's U.S. presidential election, a move that's likely to boost sales while advancing creator Michael Moore's political agenda, according to people familiar with the matter. Sources close to Sony (SNE: news, chart, profile) said videotapes and DVDs of the hugely successful movie -- a scorching indictment of George W. Bush's presidency -- will be in stores before Americans go to the polls Nov. 2.

Most films are released to video in four to six months, and some take at least 10 months. The three-month timeline of an early October release is usually reserved for box-office flops that studios want to trot out quickly on the coattails of their theatrical-advertising campaigns. Released to theaters June 23 by Lions Gate Entertainment (LGF: news, chart, profile), the film is winding down a $100 million-plus box office run, a record for a documentary. Sony, which has home-video rights to the film, has given no official release date, though Oct. 5 is the projected release date currently listed online at Amazon.com (AMZN: news, chart, profile).

In hastening the movie to video roughly three months after its debut, Tokyo-based Sony is seizing on an unusual opportunity -- marked by cheap publicity in part because of heightened interest on the eve of the presidential election. If it waits until after the vote, home-video sales likely would be far lower -- especially if Bush loses, experts said. "If I had the marketing responsibility, I would much rather bring it out before the election," said Bob Alexander of Alexander & Associates, a home-entertainment research and tracking firm.Sony's early video release potentially would cut into any hopes Lions Gate has for maximizing its own box-office take.
Whatever the exact date of the video debut, a pre-election release is sure to please Moore.

Moore couldn't be reached for comment. However, he has made no secret of his desire to sway election with his film, a muckraking attack on Bush's family ties to Saudi oil interests, the war in Iraq and the disenfranchisement of African-American voters.
Moore has gone so far as to encourage people to illegally download the movie from the Internet to get the widest possible distribution.
Although "Fahrenheit 9/11" has broken box-office records, that kind of success isn't guaranteed in the home-video market, experts say.

http://cbs.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?guid=%7BE021C8D4%2D0304%2D49FB%2DA298%2D8EE34067A804%7D&siteid=mktw

[arcos]

1. It's been on Amazon for over a week...

it will be released on October 5th.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005JNEI/qid=1092392905/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl74/104-0654615-2558302?v=glance&s=dvd&n=507846

[cynatnite]

2. I'm Buying It

My mother pre-ordered 'Passion'.

She was on this thing for a while saying 'God Bless Mel Gibson'.

She quit when I said, 'God Bess Michael Moore'.

Cyn:)

[Citizen Daryl]

3. Why oh WHY is the SRP $28.95?

This DVD should have an SRP in the range of $9.95 - $14.95. People are going to want to buy large quantities of it. Michael has already pulled in over $100 million domestically, and with his low production and advertising budgets, has already turned a healthy profit on this film.

[Dem2theMax]

4. Ditto on the price. I wrote MM weeks ago asking if he'd have

discounts on large orders as I wanted to blanket the area with copies. As well as sending them to stupid relatives and friends who are too deaf/dumb/blind to *'s faults.

Seriously, he can jack the price back up AFTER the election. But for now, it needs to be as low as possible. I guess shopping around for the best deal is what we are going to have to do. And share what we find here.

I was also going to use this -
http://www.fundrace.org/neighbors.php

Put in a zip code and it will show you the name, address, job and amount of donation to a particular political party. It's a public record, so it can't hurt to look. And then maybe send a copy of F 9-11 to those people who sent * the big bucks. MM REALLY needs to get the price of the movie down. Send copies to churches and schools too.

[LTR]

5. This is the SMRP for most DVD's

Doubtful you'll ever see it for that much.

Likely, it will be the standard opening sale price of $15.99 at Best Buy, Target, Circuit City, etc. At most, $19.99.

Amazon has it for $18.82.

Don't worry about it.

[trogdor]

6. Verkeerd is Dutch for perverted, right?

German: Verkehrt (literally, "turned around", or thrown into reverse). I can see how the work might be used in that way, though.

[Kellanved]

9. not quite

It is pretty much like German "verkehrt", meaning "incorrect", "wrong", "nasty", "misstaken",...


Koffie Verkeerd is coffee with more milk than coffee.

[yellowcanine]

7. All right! Can anyone say "F911 House Parties?" I knew you could. This

is huge. Nothing like this has ever happened before. Proves the old adage that each election, just like each war, is different and has its own dynamic. Those who fight the last war or the last election usually lose and that is why Bush will lose, imo (influenced no doubt, by just a little wishful thinking).

[spooked]

8. LOOK at the NEW features to be added to the DVD version!

DVD Features:
"The Release of Fahrenheit 9/11" featurette

Montage: The people of Iraq on the eve of invasion

New scene: Homeland security, Miami style

Outside Abu Ghraib Prison

Eyewitness account from Samara, Iraq

Extended interview: More with Abdul Henderson

Lila Lipscomb at the Washington, D.C. premiere

Arab-American comedians: Their acts and experiences after 9/11

Condoleezza Rice's 9/11 Commission testimony

Rose Garden press briefing after 9/11 Commission appearance

[Mad_Dem_X]

10. Awesome! Can't wait to get this for

various family and friends who have yet to see it. :7

[skrunch]

11. I hope it also has...

The entire Booker School footage.

(would make a nice easter egg)

[Demonaut]

12. Using Capitalism to defeat the Worst Capitalist, love the irony..nt