Dear Warner Bros.,
Happy Halloween. I hope you've got a cool costume picked out for today. The hip guise to wear seems to be the Joker this year. Purple suit Joker. Nurse Joker. Cop Joker. Guess we got you to thank for that. But that seems like the obvious route if that's what you went as, so on second thought, find something else. It's too early for anything from Watchmen. Iron Man, perhaps?
Look, the reason I'm writing is because you have a good film on your hands. A
great film in fact. It's called
Trick r' Treat. Maybe you've heard of it? I know, I know...that was sarcasm, but you're acting like the movie doesn't exist.
The public should have seen
TrT (let me call it that for now) last Halloween when you gave the trailer prominent placement on DVD for
300. You stiffed us on a release, however. The trick, it seemed, was on us. Well, another October has gone by and now you're just acting like the old hag down the street in the big spooky house who denies children candy on Halloween night.
TrT still isn't being seen on a wide scale. If there was any time to release it in 2008, you've missed your window. And you certainly don't want to open it in November. That would look a bit weird if you put it up against your own
Four Christmases, yet
another tired-looking Yuletide comedy (Question: Where's Tim Allen, isn't he a fixture in these movies?).
I'm starting to hear you're considering a 2009 fall DVD release. Why? You gave Michael Dougherty a budget to play with and he came back with a vivid, visually stunning film that deserves to enjoy some sort of life on the big screen. Those screenings set up by Screamfest and the AICN this month proved that. And so did the numbers who filled the seats to see it. Granted, that's what is going to happen when you hold a film back then offer a one-time screening. Of course people are going to turn out. But you can't ignore the raves that followed. Save for one sourpuss or two who insisted it was just "good," everyone I've met who
has seen it love it. In the rabid sorta way.
But the critics' darling is being snubbed by its own home (that's you).
The reason for the hold-up is unknown to me. You've done a good job of keeping us press folk in the dark, but that hasn't prevented insiders from talking. One source told me a top dog within your walls despises
TrT. Too bad. I can't see the reason for the hate. The film is accessible across the board. It's fun. Scary. And it taps into a lucrative holiday. The promotion would be as easy as gutting a pumpkin. Open it in early to mid-October, work out the Halloween holiday tie-in promotions, enjoy a theatrical run and reap the decades-worth of profit in the home video release and (inevitable) re-releases.
To address the elephant in the room, yes, I'm aware there are a lot of dead kids in this film.
TrT earns its "R" rating. But the deaths are not exploitive, they're handled delicately and are no less shocking than any of the deaths presented in your
Harry Potter series. And sure, "if it's Halloween, it must be
Saw" - how about you prove that tagline different. Five films in, the Lionsgate franchise is still going strong at the box office, but have you seen the latest entry? Woof. There's plenty of room in October for more horror offerings and I think
TrT can easily take out any
Saw entry from this point on.
I don't expect you to make any decisions on
TrT's release this year, but I hope you'll consider giving
Trick r' Treat a deserving wide release. Horror needs a swift kick in the pants. And, believe it or, you own the film that could lead the charge in "original" genre offerings.
Thanks for your time. Now, go get some candy!
Comments
Posted by: Dgrunert on October 31, 2008 at 13:30:13
Beautifully written, Ryan! I still have not seen TrT, but I would run out and see it opening weekend no matter what! I hope WB listens to your plea (they're idiots if they don't)!
Posted by: Pearmont on October 31, 2008 at 13:54:23
Well articulated. It is a fine film that deserves a proper release, with due promotional support. I caught a dreadfully disorganized screening in NYC, and I loved the film despite having to stand throughout it. (The audience loved it, too.)
Posted by: Revenant on October 31, 2008 at 14:12:27
Yeah, I want to see this very very much cuz it looks amazing. What they should have done was put it out at the end of the summer so it would be out on DVD by Halloween THIS year. I don't care if I see it in theaters or DVD, I just know that I'm going to spend my money to see it either way.
Posted by: brandon_fear on October 31, 2008 at 14:22:58
I felt like jumping out of my seat, reading this Ryan. It's great man. Glad someone from the media stood up and told the truth!
I'm hoping WB gets the big swift kick in the pants for not releasing this. I mean, I don't know what goes on behind the scenes of a major company but what I can say is that WB's logic is inevitably ignorant.
I honestly believe they put all their work and energy into The Dark Knight and Watchmen and really that's all they're worried about. Don't get me wrong...I'm a comic geek and TDK was awesome, but as a horror geek as well...give your properties fair treatment WB. It's just ridiculous.
Posted by: Martin Bruyere on October 31, 2008 at 14:39:07
Nice letter Ryan. Keep us posted if you ever get a reply. I'M dying to see that movie.
Posted by: Roger on October 31, 2008 at 15:11:40
I haven't seen this film either but FOR GOD'S SAKE, RELEASE THE DAMN MOVIE ALREADY!! Who cares if the ass clown big wigs don't like it. Last time I looked, they aren't the only ones in the world who goes to the movies. Though, they may be blind, deaf and dumb because aren't horror movies the biggest genre right now(other then comic book movies, of course). RELEASE TRICK'R'TREAT NNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Space Monkey on October 31, 2008 at 15:30:01
I haven't seen anything for this movie yet. Although, I love the idea of it and I will play to see this if it comes out in theaters. If not, I will get the DVD. Just please, release the movies. There are DVDs that get released all the time, and some movies in theaters that make you think "really? Why did they even bother making this.". I'm sure TrT would be a decent flick worth releasing. You made the movie, so why not reap some profits off of it!!!
Posted by: Saad on October 31, 2008 at 15:30:50
That was nicely written Ryan,I hope this letter you sent out is read and responded to
as soon as possible. It's a huge shame Trick R' Treat isn't getting the right attention it deserves.
Posted by: Tim Gordon on October 31, 2008 at 15:31:09
Perfect. Really, SAW V and QUARANTINE are the only horror movies out there right now, both of which were pretty lame. LET THE RIGHT ONE IN isn't coming to Chicago until mid Novemember. At least I'll get to see that in theaters, unlike TrT. Boo.
Posted by: Dr. Doc on October 31, 2008 at 18:13:29
good job man, i really hope that this helps to get it released
WB has gotta know by know that people are dying to see it!!!
how is sitting on it this long a good business decision?
i hope it comes out next October, not straight to dvd or in the summer
Posted by: Phil Good on October 31, 2008 at 22:15:03
The title Trick'r'Treat turned me off the moment I heard of it. Then I saw Anna Paquin and Brian Cox and Dougherty were involved. Then I heard the concept. Then I saw the trailer. My blood has been boiling with excitement each and every time I hear something new!
Sadly, it settled after a time, and I had The Strangers to get excited for all over again. Now I need another fix of good writing and spectacular spooks and scares.
TrT sounds like what John Carpenter and Debra Hill planned for Halloween as an expanding franchise; exploring EVERY possibility this wonderful day holds. Why not give this flick the chance to do THAT?!? Release it! Show us the potential cash cow franchise WE, the horror fans, could make it!!! (please no crappy sequels)
I don't care WHEN it's released. Just RELEASE it.
...i've had too much coffee.
Posted by: Phil Good on October 31, 2008 at 22:24:21
p.s., i haven't seen Saw5 (but i will because Julie Benz is in it), but I don't think of Halloween as a time of torture/moral flicks.
I want ghost stories. dead kids. razorblades in apples. babysitter stalkers. zombies. demons. possessed parents.
I realise America's pressed for talent, but surely we can boast better than Halloween = Saw.
Screw that.
...i need more coffee.
Posted by: Pittarelli on November 1, 2008 at 03:19:52
This will NEVER be released in the Halloween timeline...films are already booked for Halloween time next year and SAW 6 is too (you must have seen the reality show Scream Queens by now)...no matter what the verdict is...your voice as well as ours will not influence this decision by the WB...
I caught a screening of Midnight Meat Train this past Thursday at The New Beverly in Los Angeles...the film was hosted and presented by Clive Barker himself...if a man like Clive Barker cannot get his glorious film released in a smarter manner (and his explanation of the idiots at Lionsgate is very similar, it only takes one *******)...why on earth do you think we can.
I hope the DVD release happens sooner...it is unforgivable thatTrick r Treat will not get a realistic release, but I do hope to see it sooner than later, in any format.
Posted by: Jeremy on November 1, 2008 at 08:48:22
First off, Ryan, great column! Polite but firm, great point about the 300 DVD (which not only featured the trailer but advertised the trailer's presence with a big orange sticker on the cover), just well done overall. Would you happen to know if this is another Midnight Meat Train, where WB would have to pay a fee if TrT hits a certain mark at the box office? Might be worth looking into.
And to Pittarelli: I think the column is as much Rotten's attempt at venting frustration over no release yet as it is a genuine attempt to sway WB's decision to let the the movie sit on a shelf. Is it likely to change their minds? Probably not, but why not give it a shot, see what happens?
By the way, do you have a list of those other horror movies in the so-called Halloween window aside from Saw VI? Or any other movies? In fact, you don't necessarily have to stick to just October. Lately, a good bit of horror movies have done well financially as far back as August (Freddy vs Jason and the Halloween remake are two examples). As much as I'd prefer seeing Trick R Treat in October, I wouldn't mind it at another time.
Posted by: HorrorKing97 on November 1, 2008 at 13:52:26
Well-said, Ryan. May somebody at Warner Bros. read this letter (-if it's at all possible-) and set a release date for this film. This'll make a lot of us horror movie fans very happy.
Posted by: Captain Arlong on November 1, 2008 at 14:22:28
Saw isn't a Horror film. Stop calling it that.
Posted by: sirchuggz on November 1, 2008 at 14:37:09
I just feel that this movie needs to be released. I mean for Christ's sake we are relying on new fu**ing Saw movies to come out and entertain us. F that running. I am so sick of these tortue pick your fate movies. It was cool with the first two, now theyre relying on the stupidity of this country to go out and buy fu*king tickets to go see absolute garbage. WB needs to figure out their Fuc*ing priorities and release what sounds like one of the best horror movies of this generation. So WB heres a big FU for not releasing it. Throw it on an unrated DVD and Ill be first in line.
Posted by: Xander Quinn on November 1, 2008 at 21:39:33
I thought this movie looked cool as hell when I saw the trailer, and I've even seen toy concepts for it that looked outstanding, but honestly, if the WB wants to just throw away their money, fine. With the time that has passed, I've pretty well lost interest in it. I would have seen it in theaters, but now I probably wouldn't even rent it on DVD. I'll just wait until someone posts it on YouTube.
That's what you get WB. YouTubed. Same with your next Batman and Superman pics. If you can't get your **** in gear and get these films made and then get them into theaters, I'll go see something from Fox or Marvel. Bite me.
Posted by: Steven Millan on November 2, 2008 at 04:21:53
Truly wonderful letter there,Ryan,for it completely baffles me upon why this film is being held up by its distributors,for sooner-or-later it'll eventually see the day of light,for this fate has happened to several decent horror films but they've all came out on top in the end,for when "Trick Or Treat" does get released you cna sure see a lot of fans being in complete awe of it.
Thanks for letting us know that this is a great and very worthy film,too. 8)8)
Posted by: Glenn on November 2, 2008 at 14:37:26
this film has been on the shelf for what, two years now? it's sad that a movie getting such good word-of-mouth from the people whom have seen it is being held back just because one guy in the company doesn't like it. it's almost Tom Rothmanian in its corporate douchery. come on, WB is not hurting for money. its pockets are lined with the profits of The Dark Knight and Harry Potter. could it really hurt them so bad to let this movie see the light of day and let another film take a crack at a holiday that has been owned by Michael Myers and Jigsaw for 30 years? and i do feel that it is a further injustice that TrT gets shelved while yet another destined-to-bomb Christmas movie gets a wide-release.
Posted by: ZOMBIE4PETA on November 13, 2008 at 20:54:17
They'll probably shelve this movie and go ahead and make a remake. Thats all those As# Clowns seem to know how to do these days anyway!
what?
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