Next Tugg Test: Paramount Insurge Launches ‘Loved Ones’ and Drafthouse Opens ‘The FP’
The real test for the on-demand Tugg releasing model is films that have not been pre-sold via well-branded theatrical releases with ads and reviews. “The Tree of Life,” for example, is well past its first run, and is now reaching more moviegoers via Tugg. Exhibitors tend to be more gung-ho about filling up their theaters mid-week with on-demand programming, while distributors are keeping an eye on how this experiment plays out.
Not Alamo Drafthouse, which functions as both a burgeoning exhibitor chain and less cocky indie distributor. Thus maverick Tim League is willing to take some chances on this on-demand model. He’s already committed to release foreign Oscar entry “Bullhead” via Tugg alongside his own theatrical run.
The next Tugg test will be new release “The FP,” a microbudget dystopian gang actioner that debuted at Austin’s SXSW 2011 via Alamo’s own SXFantastic and goes out via both Alamo and Tugg on March 16. Starting today, fans can sign up to bring “The FP”to their theater. Moviefone calls the flick, in which gang wars are settled by the competitive dance video game “Beat Beat Revelation,” a “rare, ready-made cult hit,” while Indiewire called it “loud, furious & recklessly funny.”
And it’s no surprise that Paramount Insurge Pictures is jumping on the Tugg bendwagon with the release of horror flick “The Loved Ones” in theaters nationwide this June 2012. They’ve pioneered the on-demand model before, with “Paranormal Activity” and the releease of “Grease.” Fans can sign up today at to book a screening and invite friends to see one of the most buzzed about horror films of the summer. Those who sign up will be given notice when they can begin to set their June screenings.
Chosen by popular demand to be part of Tugg’s “Encore Screening Series” at SXSW 2012, “The Loved Ones” has been playing the midnight movie circuit. Written and directed by Sean Byrne, “The Loved Ones” was described by Flickside.com as “’Sixteen Candles’ meets ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’” and will screen at the festival on March 9th at 9pm at the Alamo Drafthouse Village in Austin, TX.
