Why Was The Interview Christmas Release Cancelled?

[russ_watters]

In canceling he Christmas day release, Sony released a statement saying, "In light of the decision by the majority of our exhibitors not to show the film The Interview, we have decided not to move forward with the planned December 25 theatrical release.

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2014/12/17/us-government-saw-interview-approved-theaters-upping-security/

So disappointed in the gutless theater chain owners that they would bow to North Korea's fake terrorism threat.

 

[Bystander]

They may be bowing to their finance department --- TV ads didn't generate enough interest, so we'll "hype" it a bit.

 

[jim hardy]

Is it the theaters, or Sony ?

I can't blame Sony - how would they explain if some crackpot did blow up a theater? It'd be another Lusitania.

Does N Korea still harbor resentment over Japanese occupation during WW2?

 

[lisab]

It's insane. Giving N Korea the impression that they have any sort of power in the world just plays into their leaders' psychosis.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

I think it's pretty amazing they are doing this. Granted the first reviews of the movie have been terrible so we're not losing out much. I also can't believe Sony was hacked by DPRK. I mean, I know they did, but wow. Someone was not doing their job.

 

[Bystander]

first reviews of the movie have been terrible

Another vote for the "Rushdie" effect --- I've seen Satanic Verses sitting on a lot of bookshelves, but no one's ever read it, just bought it to irritate Khomeni.

 

[russ_watters]

Is it the theaters, or Sony ?

Ostensibly it is the theaters: Sony instructed them that they didn't have to screen the movie if they didn't want to (let them out of contracts, I assume), a bunch took them up on that, and with few theaters left to show it, Sony pulled the moot plug.

I can't blame Sony - how would they explain if some crackpot did blow up a theater? It'd be another Lusitania.

They'd only have something to explain if it is a real threat. My main concern is that this opens up a door for others to walk through.

Does N Korea still harbor resentment over Japanese occupation during WW2?

N Korea hates everyone and Japan is near the top of the list. From what I've read, this movie is absolutely terrible, which makes me wonder if the movie was initiall green-lit by an exec with a grudge.

 

[jim hardy]

Korea Air lines inflight TV played the Japanese surrender on Missouri when i flew them in 2000... i wondered if N Korea feels the same.

I wonder if somebody's baiting Kim to do something really stupid.

 

[Silicon Waffle]

Incredible! It's just a enjoyable movie not even a documentary one.

 

[256bits]

Is it the theaters, or Sony ?

I can't blame Sony - how would they explain if some crackpot did blow up a theater? It'd be another Lusitania.

Right on the money. Crackpot blows up theatre playing the movie.
Sony and theatre chain wide eyed in wonder.

Did you know that after 911, sports venues have their insurance sponsored by the US government for acts of "blowing up the stadium" - my quote. The bill, renewed every several years is up for adoption. I believe about 2 weeks left before the sports industry is without insurance.

Insurance for movie theatres might have a parallel in this instance.

 

[nitsuj]

Ostensibly it is the theaters: Sony instructed them that they didn't have to screen the movie if they didn't want to (let them out of contracts, I assume), a bunch took them up on that, and with few theaters left to show it, Sony pulled the moot plug.

They'd only have something to explain if it is a real threat. My main concern is that this opens up a door for others to walk through.

N Korea hates everyone and Japan is near the top of the list. From what I've read, this movie is absolutely terrible, which makes me wonder if the movie was initiall green-lit by an exec with a grudge.

Theaters are for profit corporate entities...not patriotic ones. The threat of some jack-ass "joe blow" using the media attention of this to do some "terrorist" stunt is way way way too high.

No kidding N.Korea is an empty threat, surely The Dark Knight shooting is still very real.

 

[Astronuc]

https://www.yahoo.com/movies/feds-link-hack-to-north-korea-as-sony-cancels-the-105477374742.html

Earlier Wednesday, Regal Cinemas, AMC Entertainment and Cinemark Theatres — the three top theater chains in North America — announced that they were postponing any showings of The Interview, . . .

Sony had offered theaters the option of bowing out, and when so many of them did (other chains included ArcLight Cinemas, Cineplex Entertainment and Carmike Cinemas), it left Sony little choice for the release of The Interview.

While NK apparently threatened some physical violence, the theater chains may be more concerned with being hacked.

Clearly that hacking of SONY was significant.

Folks should be more careful about links in emails. Clearly, some companies need better security.

 

[nsaspook]

The whole thing sounds like a PR stunt for a bad movie. They edited most of the only good thing in the movie. (The death scene of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un)

 

[StatGuy2000]

I had already made a comment on this in another forum, but I am greatly dismayed by Sony's actions on this (even taking into account that they may have been acting out the wishes of the theatre chains). It's important to keep in mind that the so-called "threats" on theatre chains were, according to reports from Homeland Security and the FBI, were not credible (I highly doubt that North Korean agents would be able to carry out such threats). Furthermore, Sony was far more concerned about how the nameless hackers/criminals (ostensibly working under North Korea) were threatening to release terabytes of data that they had hacked and stolen from them if the movie was released into theatres, essentially giving into blackmail. But what is stopping these hackers from releasing the data anyways, or selling the data to the highest bidder to anyone, be they cyber-criminal, rival company, etc.?

Frankly, I'm worried that Sony's actions may set a precedent where other hackers may target large companies or other organizations (if they haven't already). I should also note that this whole incident should serve as a giant wake-up call for companies, governments, NGOs and other organizations on the importance of cyber-security, and investing in cyber-security. From what I've heard in the news, Sony's cyber-security measures were an absolute joke -- sensitive data were not encrypted, basic password management were non-existent, etc.

[As an aside, I was not even particularly all that excited about seeing this movie to begin with. I wouldn't be surprised that all the press attached to this movie will mean that, (a) pirated versions will become available online, and (b) once the film is released, expect to have record sales on opening week, or DVD sales to hit the roof because of the notoriety.]

 

[Q_Goest]

I hardly ever watch movies, but I'm going to watch this one now just because.

 

[lisab]

I hardly ever watch movies, but I'm going to watch this one now just because.

I think a lot of people are saying that!

A cynic might think Sony planned it this way all along, but that cynic would be ignorant to the reality of how business operates these days. I think the way Sony has handled this has been an absolute train wreck.

 

[256bits]

Frankly, I'm worried that Sony's actions may set a precedent ...

That's the whole problem that has been re-occurring, since Salomon Rushdie ( or maybe before that but his case gleaned attention worldwide ) - attempts at organized censorship, and limitations on free speech, not particularily governments controlling the actions of its own citizens, but by groups who feel they are acting in the best interest of ... ( pick a selection ) , by vehemently showing their displeasure, hoping that others will latch on and/or act on their behalf. ISIS is doing it. Anonymous has done it. Danish artist lost his life over expression. Now someone has done this to Sony. Lawyers, risk assessment, bombastic dictators, henchmen, and the mis-guided are taking their toll.

 

[nitsuj]

There was an incident similar to this "terrorist oppression" here in Ottawa, Canada.

The shooting at parliament hill inside our "house", one gunman using an "old time" bolt action rifle.

Initial reports and intuition was this was a "terrorist" attack, this was at about 10:00am. The official announcement of the "terrorist" being shot and killed (by real life hero Kevin Vickers) at 2:00pm...

The Toronto Maple Leafs were in Ottawa for an evening game, waiting at a downtown Ottawa hotel under "lockdown". The NHL subsequently postponed the game.

So at the time it appeared as though Ottawa experienced a terrorist attack. In my opinion it would have been very defiant and patriotic to have still played our hockey game.I would have been filled with pride seeing the team be escorted from the hotel to the stadium in order to maintain the schedule of our daily lives.

In some sense professional sports (mass entertainment) are a pinnacle of a free society. NHL, NFL, NBA, CFL, PGA, multinational sports teams making incredible money through our freedom to choose how we spend our excess monies from our hardwork. I was saddened to see our city "cave" to the oppression of a threat of violence...imagined in our minds. Because in hindsight, this was some mentally ill (diagnosed) individual, with an old timey gun. Also note it is still classed as a terrorist attack lol (think funding for security at the Hill, RCMP) Note our parliament has(had) no Active outside security.

The threat with this movie, the media attention and the US domestic terrorism threat (stupid people with guns/bombs 'n emotional issues) makes this situation far more serious and likely. Unlike the delusional fears Ottawa had with it's lone gunman who killed one person, the similarity to an actual terrorist attack was happenstance.

Seen a video of a Crimean lady yelling at a "band" of [russian?] gunmen/soldiers telling them to get out of her community. They yelled back, she yelled louder, they slammed their van door and drove away lol. That took "balls" and got her results, the band of gunmen left her community (obviously no macro impact).

Perhaps for the US it's too easy to "give up" this mere freedom to congregate en-mass for entertainment, after all it's not like gunmen are in your (U.S.) communities. Oh wait...oppressed by the 2nd?

 

[jim hardy]

One becomes what he idolizes as a kid.
When in popular culture Butch Cassidy replaced Hopalong the die was cast.

btw I support our 2nd. And i noticed ca 1984 when one of your convenience store owners in Montreal shot a robber, putting an end to a string of violent holdups, he became a local hero.

 

[Astronuc]

Sony Pictures Hack May Be Costliest Cyberattack Ever
https://www.yahoo.com/movies/sony-pictures-hack-may-be-costliest-cyberattack-105530367442.html

The attack is possibly the costliest ever for a U.S. company, said Avivah Litan, a cybersecurity analyst at research firm Gartner. “This attack went to the heart and core of Sony’s business and succeeded,” she said. “We haven’t seen any attack like this in the annals of U.S. breach history.”

Sony emails show a studio ripe for hacking (Studio network unsecure)
http://news.yahoo.com/sony-emails-show-studio-ripe-hacking-081527097--finance.html

Lesson - do not include passwords (or sensitive information) in emails, and try not to access emails or website on public (unsecure) networks/WiFi.

Interestingly - Sony executives say North Korea comedy 'desperately unfunny'
https://www.yahoo.com/music/s/forge...ea-comedy-desperately-041833732--finance.html

 

[nitsuj]

One becomes what he idolizes as a kid.
When in popular culture Butch Cassidy replaced Hopalong the die was cast.

btw I support our 2nd. And i noticed ca 1984 when one of your convenience store owners in Montreal shot a robber, putting an end to a string of violent holdups, he became a local hero.

There is nothing wrong with someone owning a gun, not in the slightest. lol 1984.

I'm happy with a criminal leveraging their power over me with a gun, as opposed to it being known I may also be armed, and in turn only those with "nothing" to lose doing the violent crime, effectively making gun duels a reality, or an I'm crazier then you, or I am more manly than you type of stand off.

Only because of the gun control was it so powerful when a store clerk/owner actually shot back

For example if Kevin Vickers was not armed how many more casualties would there have been?

I think it'd be cool to own a gun*...but it is far too much work for to obtain one.

*not at all interested in owning one.

Your first comment, I am missing what you're saying.

My comment saying "oppressed by the second?" is hyperbole, but stands as a point in this case in my opinion.

 

[.Scott]

Sony has only said that they won't release it on Christmas as planned.
Certainly Sony will release it, and it will be much more popular than if there had been no threat.
And that's the precedent that will be set (or underscored) - that attacking a film will make it more popular.

 

[jim hardy]

Your first comment, I am missing what you're saying.

I believe mass entertainment shapes mass behavior.
In "Thomas Crown Affair" ( the Steve McQueen/Faye Dunaway version not that pitiful remake), the hero stole the money out of his own bank.
Scarface shoots up the town. Superheroes invoke superhuman powers to vanquish and exact revenge on their tormentors.
As this deviant behavior becomes less unacceptable life becomes more like the movies. In the old days bad guys always lost. Hollywood should be careful .

That's all I'm saying. Be careful what examples we set for our kids in their formative years.

old jim

 

[nitsuj]

Sony has only said that they won't release it on Christmas as planned.
Certainly Sony will release it, and it will be much more popular than if there had been no threat.
And that's the precedent that will be set (or underscored) - that attacking a film will make it more popular.

I think that is emergent from a crappy business situation. hindsight yes it will likely have a better gross. But the day of the theft must have been tragic from an investment perspective...how brazen it would be for a company to try and use this as a model for releasing future movies.

That said I think you have a great point with respect to our freedom of speech being at risk via tight controls by movie distributors with respect to what movies they are willing to distribute. If this film turns out to have financially benefited from such "international controversy", surely the path for similar future films is more promising, perhaps one staring Muhammad.

 

[Bystander]

From the Fox news ticker just now: Barack Obama says, "The U.S. can't be censored by dictators." The interns updating that ticker aren't the best at transcribing remarks, but if he really made a remark to that effect, we are in deep trouble given the track record of his mouth elsewhere in defense of other nations.

 

[jim hardy]

PS i realized the name "Hopalong Cassidy" may be unfamiliar.
He was the hero in a 1950-ish children's cowboy show. He always caught the crooks.

Butch of course was an outlaw, portrayed favorably in a 1969 movie.

 

[nitsuj]

PS i realized the name "Hopalong Cassidy" may be unfamiliar.
He was the hero in a 1950-ish children's cowboy show. He always caught the crooks.

Butch of course was an outlaw, portrayed favorably in a 1969 movie.

Yup, I think I get the gist of what you are saying. I see value in the "Robin Hood" story. Or more specifically, just because one has the right authority doesn't make one morally right. Though not an "attainable" concept for some, perhaps a dangerous concept for some...depending on ones subjective opinion on "right".

But maybe Butch was just a badass people thought was cool, & not necessarily morally wrong.

 

[jim hardy]

But maybe Butch was just a badass people thought was cool, & not necessarily morally wrong.

I must confess - i kinda liked Tony Soprano...

as you said, dangerous concept for some. Look at the wannabe gangsters nowadays.

 

[russ_watters]

From the Fox news ticker just now: Barack Obama says, "The U.S. can't be censored by dictators." The interns updating that ticker aren't the best at transcribing remarks, but if he really made a remark to that effect, we are in deep trouble given the track record of his mouth elsewhere in defense of other nations.

Not sure what you are getting at with that last bit, but I liked his remarks a lot:
http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/19/politics/fbi-north-korea-responsible-sony/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

Sony CEO's response to Obama pantsing him (wow, he's had a rough month!):
http://money.cnn.com/2014/12/19/med...ponds-to-president-obama/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

 

[Bystander]

Not sure what you are getting at with that last bit,

If he's coming out in public as being on the side of the U.S., we're in as much trouble as everyone else he's "supported" over the past six years.

 

[nsaspook]

Not sure what you are getting at with that last bit, but I liked his remarks a lot:
http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/19/politics/fbi-north-korea-responsible-sony/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

+1 for Obama.

Like he said, two can play that game.

 

[Astronuc]

Sony Pictures CEO Michael Lynton says the studio "did not capitulate" to hackers, and that its actions have been misunderstood.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way...tures-did-not-capitulate-is-exploring-options

Meanwhile - BitTorrent To Sony: Let Us Distribute ‘The Interview’
https://tv.yahoo.com/news/bittorrent-sony-let-us-distribute-000201338.html

@BitTorrent - Battle stations!

 

[OmCheeto]

Sony Pictures Hack May Be Costliest Cyberattack Ever
https://www.yahoo.com/movies/sony-pictures-hack-may-be-costliest-cyberattack-105530367442.html

The attack is possibly the costliest ever for a U.S. company...

Screeeetch...

I just saw a comment, 11 hours ago:

Sony Pictures is a division of the Sony Corporation, which isn’t an American company. It’s a Japanese corporation with world headquarters in Tokyo. And there’s still no clear evidence linking North Korea to the cyberattackers who hacked into Sony Pictures, stealing its intellectual property and emails. Yet the White House says it’s treating the cyberattack on Sony as a "serious national security matter," and the National Security Council is considering a “proportionate response.” I agree we should guard America against cyberattacks, but why, exactly, is the attack on Sony our concern? Should we be protecting every global company?

all bolding mine

I also entered into an argument on FB, with a retired career Air Force major friend. We were actually on the same side. It was her daughter that sided against us. Which is odd, as my friend and I usually can never agree on anything.

Anyways, I jumped in, at the end, after they had argued for a few minutes.

My response:

I know we don't usually agree on anything, but I think we're on the same side here. I hadn't even heard of the movie, until it was canceled. When I saw the plot, it kind of made me sick to my stomach. A comedy about assassinating a current leader? Real funny... Maybe it's because we were both in the military, and have badges of "Defender of the Right to Free Speech", on our chests, that somewhere, in the back of our minds, a voice is saying; "Sick LOLZ movies are not the kind of free speech I was willing to die for, nor would ever want to see a single soldier die for, now, or forever".

I got a thumbs up, from her daughter. Yay!
Major major didn't respond. I think she just likes arguing with me, and was shocked.

I should probably leave out my past thoughts on the somewhat similar Rushdie incident, as, that experience is probably the basis for my current bias. But, of course, I can't resist; "Have book sales been sluggish?"
Rumors have it, that it cost the British government 10 million pounds to protect him from the people, he knew he'd offend, in order, to make a buck.

 

[Astronuc]

I believe Reich is incorrect.

"Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. (SPE) is the American entertainment subsidiary of Japanese multinational technology and media conglomerate Sony. Based in Culver City, California, it encompasses Sony's motion picture, television production and distribution units. Its group sales in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 has been reported to be of $8.054 billion." - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_Pictures_Entertainment

It is very much an American company owned by a Japanese company, much like IBM, GE or Coca Cola own subsidiaries overseas. Some records indicate SPE is a privately held company incorporated in California (that might have changed since 1991 - possibly to Delaware). If it is incorporated in the US, it is US company, subject to US law. Its offices are in Culver City, CA, and much of its real property is in CA.

 

[Dotini]

Here is some skepticism that NK is responsible for the hacking:

http://touch.latimes.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-82344233/
...it may be wise to stay cautious; some cybersecurity experts who were skeptical of the North Korean connection are still skeptical.
The North Korea/"Interview" narrative is comforting in several ways. It feeds into the tendency to attribute almost God-like capabilities to an adversary, especially a secretive one; that's very much a scenario favored by Hollywood. (Think of the all-time definitive James Bond movie line, from "Dr. No": "World domination--same old dream.") And it helps Sony executives deflect blame -- how could anyone expect them to defend against an attack by such a sinister, all-powerful enemy? You can expect to see more coverage, like this piece from CNN, about North Korea's shadowy "Bureau 121," purportedly its Cyberattack Central.

There are great dangers in mistaken attribution -- it shifts attention from the real perpetrators, for one thing. A counterattack against North Korea could needlessly provoke the regime, wrecking the few diplomatic initiatives taking place.

Here's a rundown of the counter-narrative.

--"Whitehat" hacker and security expert Marc W. Rogers argues that the pattern of the attack implies that the attackers "had extensive knowledge of Sony’s internal architecture and access to key passwords. While it’s plausible that an attacker could have built up this knowledge over time ... Occam’s razor suggests the simpler explanation of an insider," perhaps one out for workplace revenge. (N.B. "Occam's razor" is the principle that the simplest explanation for something is often the best.)

--The assertion that the attack was uniquely sophisticated, which is an element of the accusation against North Korea, is both untrue and incompatible with the North Korea narrative. It presupposes that a nation-state without a native computer infrastructure could launch an unprecedented assault. More to the point, very similar hacking technology has been used in earlier hacks in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere. The consulting firm Risk Based Security has a discussion of these and other aspects of the Sony affair.

It's worth noting that Risk Based Security's team isn't entirely convinced by the FBI statement. In an update to their commentary Friday, they observed that the agency has "not released any evidence to back these claims." They add: "While the FBI certainly has many skilled investigators, they are not infallible. Remember, this agency represents the same government that firmly stated that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, leading the U.S. into a more than ten year conflict, which was later disproven.

--Attribution of responsibility for attacks is much harder than laypersons believe. Kim Zetter of Wired observes, "Skilled hackers use proxy machines and false IP addresses to cover their tracks or plant false clues inside their malware to throw investigators off their trail." Evidence pointing to North Korea, Zetter writes, is also consistent with attacks by "hacktivists," who attack institutions for political motives of their own.

For more skepticism, see these posts by hacker Grugq and Jericho.