Sony broadly releases 'The Interview' in reversal of plans

[webfact]

Sony broadly releases 'The Interview' in reversal of plans

LINDSEY BAHR, AP Film Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) Amid a swell of controversy, backlash, confusion and threats, Sony Pictures broadly released "The Interview" online Wednesday an unprecedented counterstroke against the hackers who spoiled the Christmas opening of the comedy depicting the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

"It has always been Sony's intention to have a national platform on which to release this film," Sony Pictures chair and CEO Michael Lynton said in a statement. "We chose the path of digital distribution first so as to reach as many people as possible on opening day, and we continue to seek other partners and platforms to further expand the release."

"The Interview" became available on a variety of digital platforms Wednesday afternoon, including Google Play, YouTube Movies, Microsoft's Xbox Video and a separate Sony website, a day after Sony and independent theaters agreed to release it in over 300 venues on Christmas. The wide digital release is the culmination of a set of deals that have been in the works since the major theater chains last week dropped the movie that was to have opened on up to 3,000 screens.

Seth Rogen, who stars in the film he co-directed with Evan Goldberg, cheered the decision.

"I need to say that a comedy is best viewed in a theater full of people, so if you can, I'd watch it like that. Or call some friends over," he tweeted.

A Sony executive close to the matter said that there is concern over whether the company will recoup the $40 million cost of the film and the millions more spent on marketing, but that affordability and wide access were their main priorities. The executive also said more providers could sign on in the coming days and weeks and the option is still there for more theaters to show the film down the line. The executive said it remained an option for the major theater chains to show the film, and that Sony was working to repair the symbiotic relationship that has eroded in recent days.

Decisions by Google and Microsoft to show the movie could open their sites to hacking. Microsoft reported technical problems with its Xbox sign-in system Wednesday, though it wasn't known whether it was the result of hacking. Microsoft declined to comment.

Sony's initial decision not to release the film was widely criticized, with President Barack Obama one of the harshest critics.

U.S. officials have blamed North Korea for the hacking, and White House spokesman Eric Schultz said Obama welcomed the latest development.

"As the president made clear on Friday, we do not live in a country where a foreign dictator can start imposing censorship here in the United States. With today's announcements, people can now make their own choices about the film, and that's how it should be," Schultz said.

Kim Song, a North Korean diplomat to the United Nations, condemned the release, calling the movie an "unpardonable mockery of our sovereignty and dignity of our supreme leader." But Kim said North Korea will likely limit its response to condemnation, with no "physical reaction."

Among the early viewers was 11-year-old Marco Squitieri of Washington, D.C. Squitieri had wanted to see "The Interview" since seeing a preview earlier this year and had followed the news about Sony pulling the movie, then permitting its release. Squitieri's family purchased "The Interview" from Xbox for $14.99.

"It's pretty funny," Squitieri told The Associated Press, laughing as he praised the chemistry of Rogen and Franco and adding that he could understand why the North Korean government wouldn't like it. "They make fun of North Korea a lot."

Amy Hurley, an executive assistant who lives in Detroit, paid $5.99 to rent the movie on YouTube Movies and was disappointed. A fan of Rogen and Franco, she found Franco's character "way over the top" and thought the jokes "were old and kept going on and on."

"It was kind of a mess overall," said Hurley, 42. "I was a little bummed because I was looking forward to seeing it."

The move to make the film available for rental and purchase before its theatrical release had never before been done with a mainstream film. Studios have released smaller indie and foreign movies simultaneously in theaters and on digital platforms, but analysts said the situation with "The Interview" left Sony little choice.

"This isn't being done because Sony wants to do it regularly, but rather out of necessity prompted by the exhibitor boycott," said Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter.

"Sony is in a delicate situation here since they normally never go this route with a major film, but theater chains also know this is a unique back-against-the-wall situation," added Gitesh Pandya, editor of BoxOfficeGuru.com.

While Pandya said that interest would likely wane in January, for now, the curiosity and enthusiasm is still palpable. Tyler Pulsifer, manager of the Hartford Spotlight Theaters in Hartford, Connecticut, said he had received 32 calls from people interested in seeing "The Interview" during the first 90 minutes the theater was open on Christmas Eve.

"I'd be willing to bet we're going to sell out," Pulsifer said. The theater has four showings on Christmas, and five each for Friday and Saturday nights.

"People want to see it because they've been told not to," he said.

For some, the decision to show the film hasn't been the smoothest process. Stephanie Putnam, assistant manager of the Greendale Cinema in Lawrence, Indiana, still isn't sure whether her theater will be able to show the movie on Christmas it hasn't received it from the distributor yet. As a result, tickets haven't been on sale, but there have been several calls from customers who have expressed interested in seeing it.

Releasing "The Interview" could potentially cause a response from the hackers, who called themselves the Guardians of Peace. There have been none of the embarrassing data leaks of Sony emails since the movie's release was delayed. In a message last week to the studio, the hackers said Sony's data would be safe so long as the film was never distributed.

Lynton said the release represented the company's commitment to free speech.

"While we couldn't have predicted the road this movie traveled to get to this moment, I'm proud our fight was not for nothing and that cyber criminals were not able to silence us," he said.

____

Frazier Moore, David Bauder and Hillel Italie in New York, Mae Anderson in Atlanta, Michael Liedtke in San Francisco, Josh Lederman in Honolulu and Cara Anna at the United Nations contributed to this story.

-- (c) Associated Press 2014-12-25

[Seastallion]

No surprise here.

Get a threat, pretend to take it so seriously that you withdraw, then relent after a week or two with a dignified stance.

Doubles the demand from viewers for what is probably a 2nd rate comedy.

[terryp]

the biggest PR campaign ever for a garbage movie even the donkey Obarmy was out in force.......people who belive this was a N Korean Hack need to seriously get in touch with whats really going on

N Korea even requested the US to conduct a JOINT investigation into the Sony hack , it was turned down?

Guess the Spook who was staying at the 5* Bkk hotel will have to go back to spy school and learn about wifi system logs

[Ulysses G.]

All indications are that it SUCKS as a film, but I'm glad that they released it anyway.

[HeijoshinCool]

Thais are not the only people that are scammers. Millions of fools will go see this sorry excuse for a film tomorrow, that otherwise would have suffered a loss and a panning by critics, if not for Sony defrauding the public.

[Publicus]

[Kooweerup]

All indications are that it SUCKS as a film, but I'm glad that they released it anyway.

The Blues Brothers was considered a bad movie and a flop at the cinemas but went onto become an absolute classic and a huge hit on video and re released in the cinemas making a fortune.

[Boon Mee]

All indications are that it SUCKS as a film, but I'm glad that they released it anyway.

Does Hollywood make any good movies these days?

[EyesWideOpen]

Smart move. A backfire for North Korea, as now many many more people will watch

the film. Sometimes it pays to just keep your mouth shut.....

PS Am now downloading from KIckass torrents.

Edited December 25, 2014 by EyesWideOpen

[anon467367354]

Fake a hacking job from a country that has only 4 international Internet cables into a country that has over 150,000 cables and while you're at it implicate Thailand just for fun because they'll believe anything. Create a stir so you get the stalled bill in the house that would give Obama complete control over the Internet a false sense of urgency to get passed. Then Sony can release their stupid movie as planned after a ton of free publicity about it. All in a day's work, now on to the next false flag.

The White House in order to make this sound somewhat believable said they wanted North Korea to compensate Sony ha ha!

[cruisemonkey]

Sony's genius scam hype - you can't buy 'advertising' like The Interview got because of the 'threat'... and cancellation... and reinstatement! Of course the movie will suck - it stars Seth Rogen. Ever see Neighbors? (what a waste of bandwidth that was to download)

[hawker9000]

Dear Kim Song,

Do yourself a huge favor and just shut up. If you guys were behind the hacking - bad plan (it would've been a dud; now it's a headline). If Sony was behind it, everything YOU and your psychotic leader say is still going straight to THEIR bottom line.

Oh, and have yourself a Merry Christmas!

Cheers

Edited December 25, 2014 by hawker9000

[harryfrompattaya]

View this as a threat to enemies of America by Obama using Sony

All countries should realize is showing its power

North Korea is going to do nothing

[Don Mega]

All indications are that it SUCKS as a film, but I'm glad that they released it anyway.

Watching it now, it is pretty crap.

[sweatalot]

No surprise here.

Get a threat, pretend to take it so seriously that you withdraw, then relent after a week or two with a dignified stance.

Doubles the demand from viewers for what is probably a 2nd rate comedy.

I cannot proove that you are wrong - but I feel sorry for those poor guys whose misled phantasy allows them only to see negativity and conspiration everywhere (never needing proof of course)

[EyesWideOpen]

If you want to watch it , it is here.

<removed>

Normally it takes a long time for a theater shown movie to be on a torrent site,

but this movie showed up instantly. So I suspect Sony put it there, and is indeed

having the last laugh at North Korea.....

Every Seth Rogen movie is crap, so I suspect this one will be no different.

Edited December 25, 2014 by Tywais
Direct link to copyrighted material removed

[Orac]

Smart move. A backfire for North Korea, as now many many more people will watch

the film. Sometimes it pays to just keep your mouth shut.....

PS Am now downloading from KIckass torrents.

And here was me about to give my credit card details to Sony to rent it for 48 hours since i have absolute faith in their internet security.

[american12bthai]

THIS IS A BLACK FLAG PROJECT.

does anyone know what also happened the same day this was made as huge deal.? how come all the other threats from north korea were just brushed off.?

dont be a freaking tool.

[aboctok]

Thais are not the only people that are scammers. Millions of fools will go see this sorry excuse for a film tomorrow, that otherwise would have suffered a loss and a panning by critics, if not for Sony defrauding the public.

Woefully lame, I couldn't even make it halfway through the trailer. I wish North Korea was good enough at hacking to block the digital release of such try-hard, lame rubbish. When you have nothing funny to say, just make some characters who find their own stupidity confusing. Repeatedly. God that's funny.

[EyesWideOpen]

THIS IS A BLACK FLAG PROJECT.

does anyone know what also happened the same day this was made as huge deal.? how come all the other threats from north korea were just brushed off.?

dont be a freaking tool.

So I guess North Korea was playing along with the black flag project ? Had no idea

they could be so cooperative with the US government. The opening of the movie

is pretty funny, with a cute Korean girl singing a song hoping for the demise of America.

[aboctok]

No surprise here.

Get a threat, pretend to take it so seriously that you withdraw, then relent after a week or two with a dignified stance.

Doubles the demand from viewers for what is probably a 2nd rate comedy.

I cannot proove that you are wrong - but I feel sorry for those poor guys whose misled phantasy allows them only to see negativity and conspiration everywhere (never needing proof of course)

When you write a word like conspiration, and the red line appears underneath it, what does that mean?

(Hint: It means something different from the red lines underneath proove and phantasy. Something extra.)

[Ulysses G.]

Thais are not the only people that are scammers. Millions of fools will go see this sorry excuse for a film tomorrow, that otherwise would have suffered a loss and a panning by critics, if not for Sony defrauding the public.

Woefully lame, I couldn't even make it halfway through the trailer.

Well, some one must think they are funny. They get huge salaries, but "This Is The End" certainly sucked. They were great in "Freaks and Geeks" - the TV show - but that was long ago and not really a comedy.

[Tywais]

All indications are that it SUCKS as a film, but I'm glad that they released it anyway.

Weird, IMDB has it at 9.5.

[Don Mega]

All indications are that it SUCKS as a film, but I'm glad that they released it anyway.

Weird, IMDB has it at 9.5.

I watched it a few hours ago, it is very typical Seth Rogan crappola.

[Ulysses G.]

All indications are that it SUCKS as a film, but I'm glad that they released it anyway.

Weird, IMDB has it at 9.5.

No wonder. The rave reviews I saw were just over-the-top pisstakes. Here is one example:

The movie was hands down the best cinematic experience I have ever had. It was a sophisticated roller coaster of emotion that flung and looped the the center of my being to places I have never been. It has romance,it has action, and such a splendor of visual effects that that I literally wept. To put it in perspective I love this movie like I love my wife, except I'd save this movie from a fire. Before I saw this movie I had cancer, saw the movie, no cancer. The movie was so fantastic that time actually stopped. It has a run time of zero minutes because the creative genius behind it was so great that the the fabric of time was effectively torn. This rivals the birth of Christ and I highly recommend this film.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2788710/reviews?ref_=tt_urv

[Choctastic]

How about releasing the history Americans are never told, of how North Korea developed as a 'Garrison State' mostly due to the holocaust from the air carried out by U.S. bombers and fighter planes against North Korean cities during the Korean War. American planes dropped tens of thousands of bombs and many hundreds of tons of napalm on cities in North Korea. Three million North Koreans died during this conflict, and 18 out of its 22 largest cities were 50 percent to 100 percent obliterated.

No wonder they are paranoid.

[Ulysses G.]

American planes dropped tens of thousands of bombs and many hundreds of tons of napalm on cities in North Korea.

Maybe North Korea should not have invaded South Korea. They started the war.

[hawker9000]

How about releasing the history Americans are never told, of how North Korea developed as a 'Garrison State' mostly due to the holocaust from the air carried out by U.S. bombers and fighter planes against North Korean cities during the Korean War. American planes dropped tens of thousands of bombs and many hundreds of tons of napalm on cities in North Korea. Three million North Koreans died during this conflict, and 18 out of its 22 largest cities were 50 percent to 100 percent obliterated.No wonder they are paranoid.

Gee, 'guess invading S. Korea was kind of a bad idea, huh...

"Holocaust from the air". Lol. Ok, if you say so. 555555

[EyesWideOpen]

American planes dropped tens of thousands of bombs and many hundreds of tons of napalm on cities in North Korea.

Maybe North Korea should not have invaded South Korea. They started the war.

Haha yes as many countries have found out, it is pretty easy to start a war, but in

the middle of the war bad things start happening especially when you are not winning

the war.....

[Choctastic]

"Holocaust from the air". Lol. Ok, if you say so. 555555

What do you think 32,357 tons of Napalm did to the population? Give them a nice suntan? I have little sympathy for NK. Only pointing out why they act as they do.