Tom Hanks Discusses 'Heartbreaking' Shift of WWII Film Greyhound From Theatrical Blockbuster to Apple TV+ Exclusive

[ChrisMoBro]

Kinda surprised Tom is so not appreciative. He always seemed less a hollywood ego type, guess that was all PR

Hanks had Covid and was evacuated out of Australia -- yet he still whines about having to stream and make many millions of dollars while likely getting even more people to see his film.

Everyone is so bloody cynical on this site. He worked hard and spent almost a decade of his life on this project. When you pour so much energy into a creative project and then most people will watch it on their phone or a TV with all the motion settings messing up the image, it’s going to be heartbreaking.

 

[jasonefmonk]

an absolute heartbreak. I don’t mean to make angry my Apple overlords, but there is a difference in picture and sound quality.

I certainly agree that this movie would be better served by the big-screen experience, but I think Mr. Hanks sees his films in too many reference-quality theatres.

The mass-market theatres I’ve found throughout most of Canada are typically 10-years behind the state-of-the-art. As it stands today, in any region you have to seek out the fancy-format single screen to get a properly bright extended-range image, projected in higher resolution than HDTVs, and with outstanding sound. If you don’t pay for those specific screens, you could very well have a superior home theatre in every measurement but screen size. I have no reason to believe this isn’t true for viewers and theatre chains in the US.

Apple TV+ has been independently tested and they apparently push higher bitrates than anyone else, even better than iTunes purchases or rentals. If you are set-up for it you could be watching a very high quality 4K HDR stream with Dolby Atmos audio.

For a number of people Apple TV+ could be the better viewing experience, not sure how many this represents though.

 

[AFPBoy]

I don’t mean to make angry my Apple overlords, but there is a difference in picture and sound quality.

I, for one, welcome our new Apple overlords.

 

[WannaGoMac]

Good for you, but he's obviously not speaking to the very few lucky enough to have setups like yours.

A basic 4k HDR TV is not expensive anymore so dont think its lucky few at this point.

 

[grandchester]

“Heartbreaking”...doesn’t Tom mean he’s sad he won’t make as much from it? Maybe he has a real skill that he can contribute to society then.

Because entertainers don't contribute to society. Who needs art, music, tv, movies, video games? Everyone should just work, eat and sleep.

 

[NT1440]

A basic 4k HDR TV is not expensive anymore so dont think its lucky few at this point.

Literally just helped a friend pick up a 50” TCL 4K HDR for $270.

 

[Zimmy68]

“I don’t mean to make angry my Apple overlords, but there is a difference in picture and sound quality.”

Not at my house Tom. 4K HDR with 5.2.2 surround sound. I’ll take my setup over a movie theater with sticky floors and overpriced snacks any day.

I won't disagree it is a great substitute, but if you are willing to pay, a full blown Dolby Theater production is tough to beat.
I think that is what he meant.

 

[bluespark]

“Heartbreaking”...doesn’t Tom mean he’s sad he won’t make as much from it? Maybe he has a real skill that he can contribute to society then.

It means that Hanks as an artist cares about the way his work is seen. It's very common among people in film (actors, directors, etc.) to worry about this for artistic reasons that have nothing to do with earnings. And given what Hanks has contributed, your "real skill" comment is highly misplaced here.

 

[w5jck]

Well certainly a large screened theater experience would be best, but only IF you could somehow stop all the babies from crying, the adults and kids from talking on the smartphones, the constant up and down from people going to the restroom and/or concession stand, the farts, the burbs, the mutterings, the audience conversations, and of course somehow corral the germs. That will NEVER happen. I gave up on going to movie theaters at least 25 years ago after I realized how terrible it was, not to mention expensive. I can buy the movie and watch it from my home whenever I want without all those annoying distractions and experience killers, and I’ll pay less than going to the theater! Quite frankly, I haven't missed going to the movie theaters far as many years as many reading this have been alive. Oh yes, and I can pause it to go pee or get a snack or do whatever other thing I want to at that particular time.

 

[nwcs]

It sounds like Tom Hanks got sick of being handled and was sending a friendly reminder to Apple that they need him (A-list talent willing to collaborate on major projects) way more than he needs them.

You mean they aren’t Bosom Buddies? Lol. Apple could always buy the rights to that...

 

[minivini]

Kinda surprised Tom is so not appreciative. He always seemed less a hollywood ego type, guess that was all PR

Hanks had Covid and was evacuated out of Australia -- yet he still whines about having to stream and make many millions of dollars while likely getting even more people to see his film.

I’m guessing you didn’t read the article. Nowhere in it does he complain about the payout. His concern as a filmmaker is valid - most people won’t be able to appreciate the final product on a television at home.
That said, I’d far rather miss a year or two of big screen “showings” than willfully expose my family to people who don’t even believe COVID-19 is real.
Streaming is real. COVID-19 has pushed forward the inevitability of at home screenings. Even though there will always be a place for big-screen theatrical releases, at home viewing new movies is now here.

 

[Sethal]

Some moveis should be seen in theatre - watching on a small screen seems like a rip-off.

If this is the case then release films at the same time on both platforms, streaming and theaters. Give the viewer the choice to see it where it fits them. COVID-19 aside, many people can't afford to take their whole family to the theater, or have trouble finding babysitters, weird work schedules, terrible theatres in their area or none at all, etc. Giving viewers a choice at the launch of the movie feels like a no brainer. There's been plenty of movies I've been excited to see and never make it to the theaters to see them and ultimately forget about them and by the time they come to streaming or digital there's something else to watch. If given the choice even at $19.99 or $24.99 to rent from my home on my own time I would have seen a lot more movies in the past view years.

 

[Regbial]

“Heartbreaking”...doesn’t Tom mean he’s sad he won’t make as much from it? Maybe he has a real skill that he can contribute to society then.

Maybe the movie sucks and this is all a PR stunt but... some things in life are more valuable to people than money... such as their art, or craft... legacy..

"contribute to society" is such a meme lol... 95% of all jobs don't "contribute to society" really, or to the planet... on the contrary.. but people love lying to themselves so...

 

[blacktape242]

Some moveis should be seen in theatre - watching on a small screen seems like a rip-off.

I dunno watching on an 85in TV is pretty sweet, but I see your point.

 

[eflx]

"Hanks rightly says, as if he’s in “a witness protection programme. But here I am, bowing to the needs of Apple TV.”

That was what's called a Freudian slip. It's because Hanks really is in a sort of "witness protection program".

 

[Craigwilliam]

As a filmmaker, I completely understand where he's coming from. You want your movies to be seen on the big screen with an audience and amazing surround sound. Not everyone has that even with everyone picking up cheap 4k 55 - 65-inch screens they could be watching it in torch mode with motion smoothing, or who knows what else. It's just not the same as seeing it in a good theater.

 

[vipergts2207]

Good for you, but he's obviously not speaking to the very few lucky enough to have setups like yours.

Awesome! IT WORKS FOR YOU!!! LETS CATER TO THE .001% WHO HAS YOUR SETUP.

Someone who cares about A/V quality in the first place probably already has a setup like mine. Otherwise the experience, theater or not, is lost on them anyway.

 

[DotCom2]

I’m not being funny but the visual and audio quality of most mainstream cinemas leaves a lot to be desired. My 65” OLED and custom sound solution is far better.

Not to mention the highly rated PAUSE button!

 

[now i see it]

Pfffft. That's ego talking. I watch all my movies on an iPhone regardless if they were in theaters or not. Sometimes a laptop.
Maybe the actors and producers & directors want to see their craft on the big screen — but I sure don't

 

[vipergts2207]

How did you hack Apple TV+ to output a lossless stream for you?

As with music, the audio doesn’t need to be lossless to sound good.

 

[Attirex]

IBF article gives dudes an opportunity to brag about their home theater setups--oh, wait.

 

[groundedUX]

We have entered the age of streaming. Adapt or die...

Why is it so hard for us to understand there is more than one context for most anything in this world? Adapt to what? ONE way for doing something?

“Adapt” doesn’t even have anything to do with his comment. What is the heartbreak that is being mentioned is the quality of the art translated through the new medium.

What Tom is saying about his art he helped create and what your comment is the equivalent to is illustrated by this example: a painter, lets say Picasso, having one of his paintings printed from a digital photograph, then having that repro framed and hung in a museum. Picasso agreed to this of course for certain reasons but mentions the (factual) reduction in quality and his feelings about spending ten years on what amounts to a repro of it. A museum patron, who has questionable judgement and atrophied critical thinking skills overhears this, thinks their viewpoint is the correct and only one, says, “get used to it” not realizing a main purpose and context of that form of art is to be seen in its INTENDED medium.

Someone that wants to see a Picasso doesn’t want to see a repro they could buy at Walmart. while repros have their place and context, it’s not the ONLY context. Our example’s patron now goes to the museum store, buys the fridge-magnet version of that painting and thinks they have “art” and the same exact thing. End of analogy.

Some video, like other forms of creation, is not necessarily art and doesn’t matter much (arguably) the medium nor worth arguing over. Other video IS art and is as important to see in the intended medium (for those who understand and care). Those of us who understand and care though, are probably the same stupid idiots that haven’t gotten it through our thick heads that printed books are dead and should adapt or die.

 

[sub150]

Is this coming to streaming because of Apple or Covid? Seems likes like Covid is the main reason. There aren't any theatres open!

I personally like watching movies in theatres. Huge screen, good sound, projector image instead of pixels, it's all just better. I don't care if you have a 90" 4k OLED with 8.2.4 surround, I'd rather go to a theatre.

 

[Adoniram]

Really looking forward to watching this on my 120" screen illuminated by a Sony 4K projector with 7.4.2 audio. Then again, Colorado is re-opening theaters. Maybe I should go there and enjoy the fellow patrons answering calls/texting, gum on the floor or under the arm rests, and public restrooms!

But I get it, most people don't have a dedicated theater in their house (I'm sure Mr. Hanks does). I still have many positive memories of going to the movies (before home theaters were really viable for anyone other than millionaires).

 

[Cayenne1]

Let me see,

"Platoon" on a living room 65" TV vs. the "Big" screen with ear blasting Dolby sound.
"Apollo 13" on a living room 65" TV vs. the "Big" screen with ear blasting Dolby sound.

How about "Ford vs. Ferrari" on an RPX screen with wrap around viewing a.k.a. Cinerama light.

Yes, the Popcorn is expensive so we share.

It's a different experience. In a movie theater you can find yourself immersed in the picture.

On the flat screen, you check your text messages, answer a call, let out the dog, carry on conversations, check another channel, forget the last scene, put it on pause and maybe turn it off. But, to each his/her own.