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☆ Shopify stock skyrockets 25% on revenue beat, rosy holiday forecast
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-12 | by ( Annie Palmer | In Annierpalmer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Shopify shares popped more than 25% in Tuesday morning trading after the Canadian e-commerce company posted better-than-expected revenue for the third quarter and gave an optimistic forecast for the holiday shopping season. Revenue: $2.16 billion vs. $2.12 billion expected by LSEGShopify said it expects revenue in the current quarter to grow at at a percentage in the mid- to high-twenties. That surpassed Wall Street's expectations of 22.8% for revenue growth, according to FactSet. Shopify sells software for merchants who run online businesses as well as services such as advertising and payment processing tools. Shopify shares are up about 45% year to date.

Persons: LSEG Shopify, FactSet, Gross, Harley Finkelstein, Vera Bradley, Hanes, Finkelstein, Jeff Hoffmeister Organizations: Walmart, Lionsgate Entertainment, Reebok, Nasdaq

☆ ‘Venom 3’ leads box office again, A24’s ‘Heretic’ scares up $11 million bebut in sleepy weekend
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-11 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Variety-Live-Blog-Byline-Image.Png | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

“Venom: The Last Dance” is looming over the domestic box office in its third weekend of release. As a result, overall domestic box office revenues remain down more than 11% from 2023 and nearly 27% from 2019, according to Comscore. “Heretic,” featuring “Notting Hill” star Hugh Grant playing against type as a villain, notched third place with $11 million from 3,221 venues. The well-reviewed family film has endured at the box office with minimal week-to-week drops (this weekend was down only 11%), earning $130.2 million domestically and $292 million worldwide so far. Ticket sales declined 52% from its soft $5 million debut, bringing the Robert Zemeckis-directed film to $9.3 million domestically.

Persons: “, ”, Hill, Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East, Grant, Critics, David A, Gross, Dallas Jenkins, Judy Greer, Pete Holmes, Lauren Graham, Tom Hardy, Eddie Brock, ” Gross, Dwayne “, ” Johnson, Paramount’s “, ” “, Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Robert Zemeckis, Ralph Fiennes, Paul Dergarabedian Organizations: Rotten, Entertainment Research, Sony Pictures, Everett, Universal, DreamWorks, Miramax, Sony Locations: Hollywood, North America, New York

“And then this oppressive atmosphere in the town and the control that the Church exerts over the whole of society. “Small Things Like These” may appear to be a small, quiet film, especially when compared to Murphy’s Oscar-winning blockbuster “Oppenheimer,” but the film’s hero is on an epic moral journey. Despite having the feel of a period movie, this Irish story has not yet been consigned to the past. This is the first film for Murphy’s production company, “Big Things” and is executive produced by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. “Small Things Like These” releases in theaters in the US on Friday and is already out in cinemas in the UK.

Persons: Cillian Murphy, Oscar winner’s, Yvonne McGuinness, Murphy, Claire Keegan’s Booker, Ireland’s Magdalene laundries, “, didn’t, Enda Walsh, Peaky, Tim Mielants, ” Murphy, Bill Furlong, Enda Bowe, Furlong, Bill, Emily Watson, Murphy’s Oscar, “ Oppenheimer, ”, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck Organizations: CNN, Catholic Church, Lionsgate, Ireland, Roman Catholic Church Locations: Ireland’s, Northern Ireland

☆ Hollywood goes conservative as an economic shift fuels a turn toward faith and family-based shows
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-06 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

After playing to the coasts, Hollywood is leaning toward faith and family-based shows and films. The Prime Video series will be the first to come out of Amazon's deal with The Wonder Project, a Christian-focused production company, for faith-based films and TV shows. After playing to the coasts with shows that embraced progressive themes, Hollywood is leaning into broadly appealing fare. That shift has included a combination of undeniably faith-based, conservative-themed, and family-aimed entertainment, agents, producers, and industry experts say. "Conservative, faith-based, family, is not a bad place to look," Thompson said.

Persons: —, David, Vernon Sanders, Jennifer Salke, Nick Barnes, UTA's, Kevin Costner, Bob Iger, Tyler Perry, DeVon Franklin, Ruth, Boaz, Mary, Anthony Hopkins, Tim McGraw, Jim Caviezel, Jesus, Dallas Jenkins, Jon Erwin, UTA's Barnes, Jesus of Nazareth, Angel, Robert Thompson, Thompson, Hilary Swank, Jamie McCarthy, That's, Jason Blum, Taylor Sheridan, Barnes Organizations: Netflix, Service, Amazon MGM Studios, Paramount, Heartland, Disney, Angel, Angel Studios, Wonder, Networks, Cable, Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Public Communications, Center for Television, Popular, Conservative, York, Kingdom, Co, Lionsgate, UTA, Ampere Locations: Hollywood, UTA's Nashville, Los Angeles, American, California, America, Yellowstone, Georgia , Texas, Tennessee

☆ Hollywood bets on Thanksgiving rebound: Will ‘Wicked,’ ‘Gladiator II’ and ‘Moana 2’ revive the sluggish Fall box office?
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-05 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Variety-Live-Blog-Byline-Image.Png | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

But multiplex owners are hoping that “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” achieve something close as the pink-and-green musical and the Colosseum-set action epic land in theaters on Nov. 22. “The industry is looking at ‘Wicked,’ ‘Gladiator II’ and ‘Moana 2’ as a Holy Trinity of moviegoing,” says Robbins. Overall domestic box office revenues are down more than 11% from 2023 and nearly 27% from 2019, according to Comscore. Newer attempts like Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” remake, Chu’s “In the Heights,” “Dear Evan Hansen,” “Cats” and “The Color Purple” all fizzled at the box office despite being based on popular productions. “Gladiator II,” too, must prove to audiences there’s a reason to return to the arena a quarter century after the first film became a Colosseum-sized blockbuster.

Persons: Wesley Snipes, ” There’s, Barbie ”, “ Oppenheimer, ’ ”, Shawn Robbins, “, King, ”, ’, Robbins, —, Chris Aronson, “ Ralph, Grindelwald, Thanksgivings, Marvel’s, Chris Randleman, Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt’s, Guy ”, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Glinda, Barbie, Jon M, Steven Spielberg’s “, Evan Hansen, Ridley Scott, Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Indiana Jones, ” Aronson, we’ve, Dwayne Johnson’s Santa Organizations: Trinity, Paramount, Disney, Denzel, “ Locations: ‘, moviegoing, Turkey, Texas

☆ Funding 'John Wick' kick-started Eva Longoria's investing career. Now, it's her day job.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( Jason Guerrasio | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Eva Longoria stepped in at the last minute with a $6 million investment that saved "John Wick." AdvertisementTen years ago, Eva Longoria became the unlikely savior of "John Wick." I love David saying, "They went to people with bankroll." What have you made off that $6 million investment? AdvertisementLooking back, how significant was the "John Wick" investment in your investing career today?

Persons: Eva Longoria, John Wick, she's, Longoria, —, Chad Stahelski, David Leitch, Gabrielle, Leitch, Stahelski, Eva, Michael Park, Keanu Reeves, Reeves, She's, Natalie Portman's, David, I've, you've, Keanu, I'm, Chad, Alexandra, You've, Bob Iger, Willow, Orlando Ramirez, Getty, Angel City, Natalie Portman, Al Tylis, Sam Porter, Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, Rob, Ryan, Garza, Gonzalo Marroquin, Eva Longorias, that's Organizations: Service, CAA, Hyphenate Media Group, Apple, Natalie Portman's Angel City FC, Del, PepsiCo, Business, Lionsgate, Keanu, Angel, FC, Disney, Club Necaxa, Liga MX, Premier League, Angel City, Wrexham AFC, Wrexham, Pepsi, Casa, CNN, Hyphenate Media Locations: Hollywood, Natalie Portman's Angel, Del Sol, Chad, Angel, United States, Wrexham, Aguascalientes, Texas, Mexico, Spain

☆ Comcast's potential cable networks separation will test the appetite for media reconfiguration
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( Alex Sherman | In Alex-Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Comcast is thinking about separating or spinning off NBCUniversal's cable networks. NBCUniversal's cable networks aren't growing anymore. That vision never materialized, in part because the media world's attention shifted from traditional pay TV to streaming, which devalued cable networks. The small media company wants to be the vehicle for a cable network rollup, CNBC reported in 2022. But even if Starz doesn't achieve its vision of a cable network rollup, it's possible a private equity firm may have interest in harvesting a group of cable networks for cash.

Persons: Mike Cavanagh, we'll, John Malone, Malone, Dolan Organizations: Comcast, Syfy, USA Network, MSNBC, CNBC, Lionsgate, Starz, AMC Networks, E Networks, Hearst, Disney, Warner Bros, Discovery, Warner Bros . Discovery, Equity, Apollo Global Management, Paramount Global, Yahoo

☆ Eva Longoria had 'no idea' how investments worked when she put $6 million into 'John Wick.' 10 years later, she still gets checks in the mail.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( Jason Guerrasio | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Eva Longoria stepped in at the last minute with a $6 million investment that saved "John Wick." "I want to be making money while I'm sleeping," Longoria said of her investment philosophy. AdvertisementTen years ago, Eva Longoria became the unlikely savior of "John Wick." I love David saying, "They went to people with bankroll." AdvertisementWhat have you made off that $6 million investment?

Persons: Eva Longoria, John Wick, she's, Longoria, —, Chad Stahelski, David Leitch, Gabrielle, Keanu Reeves, Michael Park, Reeves, Stahelski, Leitch, She's, Natalie Portman's, David, I've, you've, Keanu, I'm, Eva, Chad, Alexandra, You've, Bob Iger, Willow, Orlando Ramirez, Getty, Angel City, Natalie Portman, Al Tylis, Sam Porter, Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, Rob, Ryan, Garza, Gonzalo Marroquin, Eva Longorias, that's Organizations: Service, Hyphenate Media Group, Apple, Natalie Portman's Angel City FC, Del, PepsiCo, Business, Lionsgate, Keanu, Angel City FC, Disney, Club Necaxa, Liga MX, Premier League, Angel City, Wrexham AFC, Wrexham, Pepsi, Casa, CNN, Hyphenate Media Locations: Hollywood, Natalie Portman's Angel, Del Sol, Chad, Willow Bay, Angel, United States, Wrexham, Aguascalientes, Texas, Mexico, Spain

☆ 20 Years of Impossible Choices in ‘Saw’
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Annie Aguiar | Joyce Ho | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +9 min

It can be hard to remember two decades later that the original “Saw” was less interested in gore than morality. In “Saw,” Cary Elwes’s character verbalizes the tension and appeal of the franchise: “He doesn’t want us to cut through our chains. “I’m going to try something else you haven’t seen before.”The classic tropes within “Saw” — serial killers, haunted detectives, creepy puppets — are mashed together and inverted around the undeniable binary of its core choice. In “Cube” (1997), an offbeat Canadian science fiction horror film, prisoners in a mysterious jail travel through rooms rigged with traps. Wan never directed another “Saw” movie, while Whannell contributed to “Saw II” and wrote the screenplay for “Saw III.”In the decades since “Saw” was released, Wan has directed tentpole franchise entries like “Aquaman” (2018) and “Furious 7” (2015).

Persons: Cary Elwes, ”, Shawnee Smith, ” Cary, Lionsgate Elwes, Westley, “, James Wan, Leigh Whannell, Wan, ” Wan, “ I’m, Rube Goldberg, David Edelstein, Eli Roth’s, John Kramer, Tobin Bell, Kramer, ” Bell, ” Whannell, Stacey Testro, Testro, Evolution Entertainment — Gregg Hoffman, Oren Koules, Mark Burg —, ” Burg, David Fincher’s “, “ Se7en, Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Whannell, Se7en, —, Elisabeth Moss, ” Billy, Freddy Krueger Organizations: Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Shawnee, Lionsgate, Evolution Entertainment Locations: “, London, New York, Wan, Hollywood, United States

☆ I'm a horror fan who's seen the first 9 'Saw' movies. Here are the 3 you must watch and 6 you should skip.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-25 | by ( Amory Rose | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Watch: "Saw" (2004) lives up to its horror fame, especially for viewers who don't know the major twists. The Jigsaw Killer puts his victims through deadly games. Lionsgate FilmsThe first "Saw" movie became an instant classic in the horror genre. Its biggest draw is the mystery of who the Jigsaw Killer (Tobin Bell) is, plus it has two major plot twists that feel genuinely impossible to predict. The film also had interesting hints to look out for, unlike later "Saw" movies that complicated information.

Persons: Tobin Bell, — Cary Elwes, Danny Glover, Bell —, Amanda Young's, Shawnee Smith, Lawrence Gordon's, Elwes, Billy Organizations: Lionsgate Films Locations: Shawnee

☆ 'John Wick' at 10: Directors discuss fighting for Keanu Reeves' beard and how Eva Longoria saved the movie
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-21 | by ( Jason Guerrasio | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +20 min

At Fantastic Fest, Stahelski, Leitch, and star Keanu Reeves wove through the packed lobby filled with rabid Reeves fans. AdvertisementKeanu Reeves cleverly got Stahelski and Leitch to direct 'John Wick'Keanu Reeves in "John Wick." Nico Tavernise/LionsgateIs it true you guys had to fight with the financiers to keep a beard on John Wick? We felt live or die, it doesn't matter, it's John versus John Wick; that's the story we're telling. Another "John Wick" movie?

Persons: John Wick, Chad Stahelski, David Leitch, Eva Longoria, —, Keanu Reeves, Stahelski, it's, Leitch, Reeves, Jamie McCarthy, Getty, John Wick dusts, Keanu, Lionsgate Chad, David, Dave, Kelly McCormick, Derek Kolstad, Tolkien, Basil Iwanyk, Chad, Jason Statham, Derek, Lana, he's, Nico Tavernise, Jonathan Sela's, John, Basil, Jon Kopaloff, Getty David, Ed, Shane, It's, Kristy Sparow, You'll, Eva, Basil said, We've, we've, Marmont, I've, Cindy Ord, WireImage, you've, Hobbs, Shaw, Guy Organizations: Service, Lionsgate, Guild of America, Fest, DC, Marvel, Navy SEAL, Hong, Leitch, CAA Locations: Austin, Los Angeles, Stahelski, Russian, Chad, Hong Kong, I'm

☆ 'John Wick' at 10: Chad Stahelski and David Leitch on fighting for Keanu Reeves' beard and how Eva Longoria saved the movie
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-21 | by ( Jason Guerrasio | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +20 min

At Fantastic Fest, Stahelski, Leitch, and star Keanu Reeves wove through the packed lobby filled with rabid Reeves fans. Chad Stahelski, David Leitch, and Keanu Reeves at the premiere of "John Wick." AdvertisementKeanu Reeves cleverly got Stahelski and Leitch to direct 'John Wick'Keanu Reeves in "John Wick." We felt live or die, it doesn't matter, it's John versus John Wick; that's the story we're telling. Another "John Wick" movie?

☆ Anna Kendrick on Her Movie Roles: 'Twilight,' 'Pitch Perfect,' 'a Simple Favor'
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-18 | by ( Olivia Singh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

It's the exact kind of self-deprecating candor Kendrick is known for, with her scene-stealing turns in movies like the "Twilight" series and the "Pitch Perfect" films. On being a 'bystander' to the 'Twilight' pop culture phenomenonAnna Kendrick as Jessica Stanley in "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1." Summit EntertainmentIt's been 16 years since the first "Twilight" movie came out. On the 'Simple Favor' sequel having even more plot twists than the first filmAnna Kendrick as Stephanie Smothers in "A Simple Favor." AdvertisementBut yeah, that Shondaland, they're really excellent at keeping you absolutely hooked in because even if something terrible happens, it's like, I can't look away.

Persons: Anna Kendrick, Kendrick, candor Kendrick, Paul, Alice, Darling, Sheryl, they're, Rodney Alcala, Alcala, Cheryl Bradshaw, she's, Jessica Stanley, —, It's, George Clooney's, Rebel Wilson, Amy, Universal Pictures George Clooney, George, Anna Camp, Elizabeth Banks, They're, that's, Meryl Streep, Chris Pine, Meryl, Clooney, Stephanie Smothers, I'd, John Schwartzman, I'm, Claudia Jessie, Eloise Bridgerton, Liam Daniel, John Krasinski, John, Goddammit Krasinski Organizations: Air, Universal Pictures, Lionsgate, Netflix Locations: Hollywood, I'm

☆ 'Joker: Folie a Deux' is this year's latest box office flop. Here's what else has disappointed
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-18 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

And it's not the only blockbuster-budgeted film to disappoint at the box office this year. "A combination of hits and flops are a hallmark of every box office year," said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore. But for more traditional media companies, that have long traded off their successes at the box office, shareholders still want to see a big theatrical return on investment. UniversalEstimated production budget: $80 million$80 million Global box office: $100 million$100 million Release date: Feb. 14, 2024 Sony's Spider-Man universe films have been hit-or-miss at the box office for years. However, despite solid reviews — a 90% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes — the film failed to explode at the box office.

Persons: Joaquin Phoenix, Arthur Fleck, It's, Todd Phillips, it's, Paul Dergarabedian, Shawn Robbins, Robbins, Arthur Fleck's, Lady Gaga, Harley Quinn, Eli Roth's, Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ariana Greenblatt, Blanchett, — Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Henry Cavill, John Cena, Samuel L, Jackson, Howard, Elly Conway, Guy, Ryan Gosling, Barbie, Emily Blunt, Oppenheimer, Colt, Jody Moreno's, Blunt, Cassandra Webb, Max, George Miller, Chris Hemsworth, Francis Ford Coppola, Cesar Catilina, Adam Driver, — Adam Driver, Dustin Hoffman, Giancarlo Esposito, Laurence Fishburne, Jon Voight, Coppola Organizations: Warner Bros, Universal, Lionsgate, Sony, Hollywood, Netflix, Apple, Arkham State Hospital, Audiences, Rotten, Fury Locations: Lionsgate's, Dua Lipa, New York City, Australia, York City, New Rome

☆ Jennifer Grey is waiting for 'Dirty Dancing' sequel to be nailed down: 'It has to be right'
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-15 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Variety-Live-Blog-Byline-Image.Png | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

It’s been four years since a sequel to “Dirty Dancing” was announced, with Jennifer Grey set to reprise her role as Frances “Baby” Houseman from the 1987 original. Recently, Grey shared an update on the long-delayed “Dirty Dancing” sequel at the BFI London Film Festival premiere of her latest film, “A Real Pain.”“I can’t tell you much about ‘Dirty Dancing’ as I’m not going to make promises,” Grey told GamesRadar+ and other reporters at the “A Real Pain” premiere in London on Sunday. Back in 2020, Lionsgate announced that a new “Dirty Dancing” installment was in the works, with Grey attached to star and executive produce. “While the original ‘Dirty Dancing’ has always been one of my favorite films, I never imagined I would direct the sequel,” Levine said in a statement in May 2022. We will tackle the assignment with sophistication, ambition, and, above all, love.”Set in 1963 at a Catskills resort, the original “Dirty Dancing” follows a young woman named Frances “Baby” Houseman (Grey), who falls in love with the resort’s dance instructor, Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze).

Persons: It’s, ”, Jennifer Grey, Frances “ Baby ” Houseman, Grey, I’m, ” Grey, “ I’m, Jonathan Levine, “, ” Levine, Jennifer, Johnny Castle, Patrick Swayze Organizations: Lionsgate, BFI London, GamesRadar, “, Variety Locations: London, New York

☆ 'Joker 2' stumbles at box office with lackluster $40 million debut
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-07 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Variety-Live-Blog-Byline-Image.Png | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

“Joker: Folie à Deux,” a genre-bending sequel to the billion-dollar comic book smash, hit a sour note at the box office even as it opened to No. That’s a problem because the R-rated sequel carries a substantial $200 million price tag (the first film was produced for a trim $65 million). So, “Folie à Deux” needs to generate at least $450 million to break even, according to sources familiar with the film’s financials. Muted buzz for “Folie à Deux” began at Venice Film Festival, where “Joker” took home the fest’s top prize in 2019. Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga attend the Los Angeles premiere of "Joker: Folie a Deux" on Sept. 30.

Persons: ”, “, Jeff Bock, Warners, tentpole, haven’t, Joker ”, Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Matt Winkelmeyer, WireImage Todd Phillips, Arthur Fleck, Harleen “ Lee ” Quinzel, Gaga, Martin Scorsese, ” “ Todd Phillips, Bock, Lionsgate’s, Jacob Tremblay, Julian, Bryce Gheisar, Sony’s, Pharrell Williams Organizations: Warner Bros, Phoenix, Bron Creative, Warners, Venice Film, Los Angeles, Lionsgate, DreamWorks Locations: Danish

☆ Hollywood's franchise frenzy: More than half of top studios' 2025 movies are existing IP
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-06 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The 2024 box office has been inundated with sequels, prequels and remakes, with the top 10 titles of the year all coming from existing intellectual property. Looking at the current 2025 calendar, between 50% and 70% of the movies from the six major studios — Universal , Disney , Warner Bros. , Paramount , Sony and Lionsgate — will be related to existing IP. Craig T Fruchtman | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty ImagesEven before Hollywood was disrupted by the pandemic and the meteoric rise of streaming content, the domestic box office was heavily reliant on franchise titles. While that's a 11.3% drop from last year and lags 25% behind pre-pandemic levels, the haul is better than box office analysts had expected. "Some of the most well-received box office hits in recent memory have been sequels or films based on existing brands and there is still a variety of original content out there."

Persons: There's, Paul Dergarabedian, Guy, Bob Marley, Craig T Fruchtman, Kung, Dergarabedian, Kraven, Hunter, King, Shawn Robbins, Bridget Jones, MEGAN, Downton, Michael, John Wick Organizations: Marvel, Disney, — Universal, Warner Bros, Paramount, Sony, Lionsgate, Comscore, Getty, Hollywood, Universal, Century Fox, Warner Locations: Shanghai, China, Kingdom, New York City, Peru

☆ Indie movies are having a surprising comeback in a bleak time for Hollywood
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-28 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

AdvertisementDespite all the doom and gloom in Hollywood, there's optimism coming from a surprising place: indie films. "Longlegs" barely promoted its biggest star, Nicolas Cage, and is the year's biggest indie film, grossing over $100 million worldwide. AdvertisementThe case for hope for indie filmsRecently, there's been a spree of pieces predicting the death of indie films. Brands like Procter & Gamble and Neutrogena are taking a bigger role in film financing, too, providing another source of hope for indie films. Indie films can also be a bargain to rent or buy on streaming compared to big studio films.

Persons: Thelma, —, There's, Nicolas Cage, Dennis Quaid, Reagan, Matt Walsh's, Shawn Robbins, Seth, there's, Ampere, Jonathan Glickman, Neutrogena, Michael Messina, Ken Kao, They're Organizations: Service, Magnolia Pictures, Conservative, Blue Harbor Entertainment, Hollywood, Netflix, Ampere, Miramax, Waypoint Entertainment, Partners, Brands, Procter, Gamble, Toronto Film Locations: Hollywood, Seattle, Eastern Europe

☆ Francis Ford Coppola borrowed over $100 million against his wine business to fund 'Megalopolis.' He's projected to earn less than $10 million back opening weekend.
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-28 | by ( Palmer Haasch | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Francis Ford Coppola spent over $100 million to fund his film "Megalopolis." AdvertisementFrancis Ford Coppola famously self-funded his newest epic "Megalopolis" — but unfortunately, it doesn't seem likely the film auteur will recoup the millions he invested. The film has received extremely mixed reactions from critics, with The Wall Street Journal calling it a "spectacular catastrophe." Lionsgate FilmsIn his new interview with The Wall Street Journal, Coppola explained how he funded the film by leveraging his own wine business, the Francis Ford Coppola Winery. Coppola told The Wall Street Journal.

Persons: Francis Ford Coppola, Coppola, —, It's, he'd, Palme, Adam Driver, Cesar Catilina, Nathalie Emmanuel, Julia, wasn't Organizations: Service, Street, Cannes, Wall, Lionsgate, Lionsgate Films, Wall Street, Sentinel Locations: New York City, Delicato, Inglewood, San Francisco

☆ Francis Ford Coppola's 'Megalopolis' cost $120 million and took decades to make. Critics say it's a 'spectacular catastrophe.'
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-27 | by ( Jason Guerrasio | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Francis Ford Coppola's "Megalopolis" opens in theaters Friday after decades in development. The film, set in an imagined New York City, stars Adam Driver, Aubrey Plaza, and Giancarlo Esposito. AdvertisementThe saga of Francis Ford Coppola bringing his epic new movie "Megalopolis" to the big screen is almost as long and winding as the movie itself. Coppola even commissioned a symphony for the movie almost two decades before a single frame of it had been shot. The movie also stars Nathalie Emmanuel, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, and Dustin Hoffman.

Persons: Francis Ford Coppola's, Adam Driver, Aubrey Plaza, Giancarlo Esposito, —, Francis Ford Coppola, Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, Coppola, Cesar Catilina, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, Dustin Hoffman Organizations: Service, Cannes Film, Lionsgate, Rotten Locations: New York City

☆ GLAAD finds overall decline in LGBTQ representation in major studio films
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-17 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

GLAAD, the LGBTQ media advocacy organization, has released its 12th annual Studio Responsibility Index tracking films released during 2023. Despite “a huge increase in LGBTQ characters who were front and center in their own narratives,” the study found the number of films with LGBTQ characters dropped in 2023. The survey looked at 256 films from 10 major distributors and their subsidiaries and streaming services. Those 70 films included 170 LGBTQ characters, of which 46% were characters of color, representing an increase of 6% from the 2022 study. If LGBTQ representation continues to decline in major releases, these companies will lose relevance with a crucial buying audience.

Persons: GLAAD’s Vito Russo, Sarah Kate Ellis, ” Megan Townsend, GLAAD's Organizations: GLAAD, Amazon, Apple, Lionsgate, Netflix, Paramount Global, Sony, Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros, Discovery, NBC, ”, Queer Creative Summit, Equity, Media, Entertainment Initiative, GLAAD Media Institute Locations: Mexico

☆ Lionsgate Financing Partner Breaks Down Film and TV Funding Venture
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-28 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Film and TV investor Content Partners just announced a new financing arm at a time when some institutional investors are fleeing Hollywood. It kicked off with a deal providing debt financing to Media Capital Technologies to support its backing of Lionsgate's film slate. Content Partners Capital (CPC) is targeting up to five deals a year of up to $100 million each in debt financing for film and TV companies. Lordo said Content Partners saw a void to help entertainment companies that are stuck in a financing bind, unable to get bank or private-equity backing. The era of Peak TV is over: Big entertainment companies have reduced spending as streaming hasn't made up for losses in linear TV.

Persons: there's, Alphonse Lordo, Lordo, they've, Mark Cuban, Todd Wagner, It's Organizations: Service, Content Partners, Media Capital Technologies, Lionsgate, Starz, Business, Content Partners Capital, CPC, Truist Securities, Partners, Monroe, Fortress Investment Group, Media, Revolution Studios, CSI television Locations: Hollywood

☆ 'The Crow' reboot was 16 years in the making. It's finally out, and critics say it's 'tedious' and 'unfathomably awful.'
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Eammon Jacobs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewIt took 16 years to make "The Crow" reboot, but now it's finally out, critics say the Bill Skarsgård-fronted comic book movie is "repulsive" and "unfathomably awful." "The Crow" was finally released on Thursday, and the reviews are terrible. The Guardian's Benjamin Lee described the reboot as "unfathomably awful," and criticized Skarsgård and Twigs' performance. However, that isn't always the case — especially for comic book movies. AdvertisementUnfortunately, "The Crow" appears to fall into that category rather than reaching the heights of the beloved 1994 movie.

Persons: —, it's, Skarsgård, Eric Draven, Shelly, It's, James O'Barr's, Brandon Lee, Draven, Jason Momoa, Luke Evans, Bradley Cooper, Eric, Kirsty Puchko, David Rooney, Witney Seibold, Benjamin Lee, Christopher Nolan's, isn't Organizations: Service, Business, Lionsgate, Hollywood, Witney Locations: Hollywood

NEW YORK — In the Ryan Reynolds-Blake Lively box-office showdown, both husband and wife came out winners. Reynolds’ Marvel Studios smash “Deadpool & Wolverine” remained the top movie in North American theaters for the third straight week with $54.2 million in ticket sales according to studio estimates Sunday. “Deadpool & Wolverine,” though, was closely followed by “It Ends With Us,” the romance drama starring Lively, which surpassed expectations with a stellar $50 million debut. In 1990, Bruce Willis’ “Die Hard 2” led the box office while Demi Moore’s “Ghost” came in second. Meanwhile, “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which co-stars Hugh Jackman, continued its march through box-office records.

Persons: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Reynolds, Wolverine ”, it’s, Deadpool, Lively, “, Bruce Willis ’, ”, Demi Moore’s, Eli Roth, Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, “ Deadpool, Hugh Jackman, Shawn Levy, Colleen Hoover, Lily Bloom, Justin Baldoni, Brandon Sklenar, Tilman Singer, Hunter Schafer, Dan Stevens Organizations: Reynolds ’ Marvel Studios, Lionsgate, Rotten, Marvel, Columbia Pictures, Wayfarer Studios, Sony, Audiences Locations: Boston

☆ Here are Friday's biggest analyst calls: Nvidia, Apple, Amazon, Intel, Morgan Stanley, Square, Coinbase, Lululemon and more
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Wells Fargo downgrades Morgan Stanley to underweight from equal weight Wells Fargo downgraded Morgan Stanley and said the "upward premium re-rating seems over." Morgan Stanley initiates Lionsgate Studios at overweight Morgan Stanley said it's bullish on shares of the movie studio company. Morgan Stanley reiterates Tesla as a top pick Morgan Stanley said it's standing by the stock following an analysis of July auto sales. Morgan Stanley upgrades Mobileye to equal weight from underweight Morgan Stanley said the risk/reward is more balanced for the auto supply tech company. " Morgan Stanley reiterates Nvidia as overweight Morgan Stanley says it's sticking with its overweight rating on the AI chipmaker.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Goldman, Morgan Stanley, Apple, Q, Gildan, Wells, downgrades Morgan Stanley, it's, TD, TD Cowen, Cowen, Raymond James downgrades Crocs, Raymond James, CROX, Oppenheimer, Tesla, Rosenblatt, Lululemon, LULU, K's Organizations: TEAM, Apple Intelligence, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, Amazon, Big Cap Tech, Stifel, Bank of American, Bank of America, Lionsgate, Lionsgate Studios, Intel, of America, TD Cowen, Dynamics, U.S, EV, 7M, UBS downgrades, UBS, Nvidia Locations: California, USA

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