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☆ $2 to cut a sandwich in half: The outrageous rip-offs targeting tourists in Italy
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( Barbie Latza Nadeau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

– plate near Portofino in northern Italy, and 10 cents for a sprinkle of cocoa on a cappuccino at a Lake Como coffee bar. Easy targetsOutrageous charges, like 2 euros for slicing a ham sandwich, have been labeled "crazy receipts" by the Italian media. High fuel and energy prices have made it an incredibly expensive summer. Worst offendersSome of the highest price hikes in Europe have left a vacation at home too expensive for many Italians. “We had this trip planned before Covid and have been dreaming about it even though we read the headlines about expensive prices.

Persons: Rome, Rome CNN —, Stefano Mazzola, Giorgia Meloni, ”, Furio, Truzzi, Francesca Volpi, Sharm el Sheik, ” Paolo Manca, Betsy, James Cramer, ” Betsy, “, Alberto Pizzoli, Antonio Coviello, Daniela Santanche Organizations: Rome CNN, CNN, Bloomberg, Getty, Italy’s National Research Center Locations: Italian, Lake Como, Ostia, Sardinia, Portofino, Italy, Como, Albania, Montenegro, Ukraine, Europe, Puglia, Egypt, Piazza Navona, Rome, AFP

☆ Opinion | Margot Robbie’s Sly Interpretation of the Feminine Ideal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( Jessica Grose | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

In particular, I continue to marvel at the performance of Margot Robbie, who played the titular heroine — Stereotypical Barbie — and who I think isn’t getting enough credit for holding the movie together. She must journey to the real world, leaving an army of other Barbies behind, to get back to a state of unquestioning bliss. She grudgingly takes Ken (a perfectly doltish Ryan Gosling) with her, and in the real world he discovers the concept of patriarchy. A movie called “Barbie,” and Barbie didn’t always feel like the main character. I also kept thinking about Robbie as Stereotypical Barbie.

Persons: Barbie, Barbie ”, Margot Robbie, Barbie —, Ken, Ryan Gosling, Manohla Dargis, Ken’s, Robbie, Weird Barbie, Kate McKinnon, — didn’t, Allan, Michael Cera, Barbie didn’t, — Organizations: House Locations: America

Barbie-maker Mattel, which has a large production base in Asia, is grappling with higher labor costs and has raised prices for its products. Nike, which makes most of its shoes in Asia, flagged in June that its product costs had gone up because of higher labor expenses.

Persons: Barbie Organizations: Mattel, Nike Locations: Asia

☆ An influencer who got paid to promote TV and movies is pivoting to music content and more UGC on TikTok and Snapchat to earn money as the Hollywood strikes continue
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Shriya Bhattacharya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Creators who were paid to attend TV and movie premieres are trying to make money in other ways. One influencer is now posting sponsored content for music artists and festivals instead. He also said he wouldn't attend any other premieres or post TV or movie-related content until the strike was resolved. "It was at that point I decided it might just be better to completely shift away from that kind of content," Arujo said. Snap stories, TikTok challenges, and music festivals have been his new go-tosThe 19-year-old has shifted his content focus from TV and film to music amid the strikes.

Persons: Joseph Arujo, didn't, Arujo, he's, DMing, Omar Apollo, I've, it's, He's, Hollywood, I'm Organizations: Hollywood, SAG, Writers Guild of America, influencers, Disney, Netflix, Recording Academy, Creative Locations: Los Angeles

☆ China box office smashes summer records, Hollywood contributes little
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

So far, four films have surpassed the 2 billion yuan benchmark at the box office, another record for the summer film season, including suspense thriller "Lost in the Stars" and crime drama "No More Bets". According to the China Film Administration, this year's summer film revenue, which covers June to August, has surpassed the previous record of 17.78 billion yuan achieved in 2019. Margot Robbie-starrer "Barbie", which has performed well in global markets, brought in just 246 million yuan after almost a month on screen. Tom Cruise's "Mission: Impossible–Dead Reckoning Part One" made about 350 million yuan in more than a month of screening. ($1 = 7.2869 Chinese yuan renminbi)Reporting by Sophie Yu, Casey Hall; Editing by Devika SyamnathOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Margot Robbie, Tom Cruise's, Sophie Yu, Casey Hall, Devika Organizations: China Film Administration, HK, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China

☆ 'Barbie' faces DC's 'Blue Beetle' in a late summer box office showdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

In this article WBD Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNTXolo Mariduena stars ase Jaime Reyes in Warner Bros.' "Blue Beetle." Warner Bros. As "Barbie" continues a historic run in theaters, a little-known superhero called "Blue Beetle" is looking to take the top spot on the charts this weekend. "Blue Beetle" arrives in theaters after several DC Comics-based films have flopped at the box office and while the studio undergoes a major creative regime change. Fury of the Gods," "The Flash," "Blue Beetle" and the upcoming "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom."

Persons: Jaime Reyes, Barbie, Robert Thompson, Thompson, haven't, Paul Dergarabedian, Will, Knight, Shawn Robbins, Robbins Organizations: Warner Bros, DC, Syracuse University, Warner Media, Disney's Marvel Studios, Galaxy, Marvel, Justice League Locations: U.S, Canada

☆ Their Baseball-Card, Sneaker and Barbie Collections Are Their Emergency Funds
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Anthony De Leon | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/finance/investing/collectibles-market-investment-sales-money-29aacd43

Persons: Dow Jones

☆ 'Dune: Part Two' is supposed to come out this year. The strikes could change that
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

As two Hollywood strikes rage on, movie writers and stars aren't permitted to hype their projects, due to strike rules. The longer the work stoppages keep going, the more likely it is studios will delay releases as production shutdowns choke the movie release pipeline. "Dune: Part Two," a science fiction epic based on Frank Herbert's seminal novel, could end up the biggest title to move. Warner Bros. didn't immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment. While the Writers Guild of America has returned to the bargaining table with producers, negotiations are moving slowly.

Persons: aren't, Ethan Coen's, Emma Stone, Frank Herbert's, Barbie, HBO Max, Paul Dergarabedian, didn't, haven't, AFTRA, Steven Schiffman Organizations: ANGELES, Warner Bros, American Federation of Television, Radio Artists, HBO, Comscore, Writers Guild of America, SAG, WGA, Georgetown University, National Geographic Locations: U.S

☆ 'Barbenheimer', rains in Northern Europe spur Kinepolis sales
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Olivier Sorgho | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Aug 17 (Reuters) - Belgian cinema operator Kinepolis (KIPO.BR) said on Thursday July was one of its best months in terms of sales as blockbuster films "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer", along with rainy weather in Northern Europe, lured people into cinemas. "Here in... Northern Europe, we essentially had in the month of July good cinema weather, meaning a lot of rain," Duquenne said. Duquenne said that in Spain, where Kinepolis owns 10 cinema complexes, people "often come to the cinemas because we do have air conditioning". On Thursday, Kinepolis posted record half-year sales, as attendance at its cinemas grew 22.8% year-on-year to 16.8 million visitors. That figure still fell short of pre-pandemic levels, standing at 74.8% of the attendance in the first half of 2019, excluding the cinemas Kinepolis took over and inaugurated.

Persons: Oppenheimer, Eddy Duquenne, Mario, Barbie, Duquenne, Kinepolis, Olivier Sorgho, Devika Organizations: Mario Bros, Thomson Locations: Belgian, Northern Europe, ., Belgium, Netherlands, United States, Spain

☆ Margot Robbie will reportedly earn $50 million in salary and box office bonuses for 'Barbie'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Will Gendron | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Margot Robbie will earn about $50 million for starring in and producing the film, Variety reported. The film has grossed more than $1 billion at the global box office. The film — which grossed $160 million domestically during its opening weekend, according to Box Office Mojo — crossed the $1 billion mark at the box office earlier this month. That's good news for Margot Robbie, the film's star and producer, who is set to earn about $50 million in salary and box office bonuses, Variety reported, citing three individuals familiar with her deal. Greta Gerwig — the film's director and co-writer, who became the first woman filmmaker to solo-direct a $1 billion movie — will also receive bonuses due to the film's success, according to Variety.

Persons: Margot Robbie, —, Greta Gerwig, Robbie, Barbie, Uno, Polly Organizations: Variety, Morning, Collider, Mattel, Warner Bros

☆ Bosnian girl creates 'folklore Barbie' as film wins doll new fans worldwide
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Daria Sito-Sucic | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Esma Gljiva, an 11-year-old Bosnian girl, shows dolls that she dresses in traditional Bosnian costumes, hoping that her folklore Barbie will reach many, as the frenzy surrounding the launch of the "Barbie" movie spreads across the world, in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, August 15, 2023. Acquire Licensing Rights Read moreSARAJEVO, Aug 16 (Reuters) - A Bosnian girl is making traditional Balkan costumes with headdresses and decorative aprons for Barbie dolls, hoping to create interest in her folklore Barbie as the new "Barbie" movie wins fans worldwide. Eleven-year-old Esma Gljiva from Sarajevo started her project more than a month ago after seeing poor quality figures in a souvenir shop. Esma has yet to see the Barbie movie, but her friends and family say she embodies the spirit of female independence and entrepreneurship that dominates the film. She says she would name her dolls the "Bosnian Barbie dolls"and she is planning costumes for a Bosnian folklore Ken.

Persons: Barbie, Esma, Ken, Daria Sito, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: Reuters, Christian, Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson Locations: Bosnian, Sarajevo, Bosnia, Herzegovina, SARAJEVO, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Turkmenistan, Norway, Britain, Adana

☆ 'Barbie' is Warner Bros.' highest-grossing domestic movie ever
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

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☆ Top Buffett stock bulks ups its carbon capture business as demand grows for this technology
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Occidental, which is a top holding of Warren Buffett 's Berkshire Hathaway , is one of a handful of companies eyeing the capture, use and storage of carbon as a long-term business venture. The company expects to align the Canadian air capture company with the work of 1PointFive, the Occidental-owned business already working on the technology. Bilson said the acquisition should help speed up Occidental's timeline for releasing a global carbon removal offering. Wall Street firms are also watching a handful of other companies such as Baker Hughes , Weyerhaeuser and Bloom Energy as potential winners amid the growing focus on carbon technology. Interested in learning more about carbon capture and the major stocks in the space?

Persons: Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway, Gordon Haskett, Don Bilson, Bilson, CCUS, Wood MacKenzie, Goldman Sachs, Baker Hughes Organizations: Occidental Petroleum, Carbon Engineering, Occidental, Wall, Weyerhaeuser, Bloom Energy, CNBC Pro Locations: America, Occidental

☆ 'Barbie' star Margot Robbie has made $50 million from success of $1 billion film: report
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The runaway success of "Barbie" at the worldwide box office has resulted in a massive payday for producer and star Margot Robbie. The 33-year-old actor has reportedly taken home $50 million in salary and box office bonuses, according to a report in Variety which cited three sources with knowledge of her deal. "Barbie" recently became the 51st film to sell more than $1 billion worth of tickets at the global box office, and this week surpassed 2008's "The Dark Knight" as the highest-grossing film ever released by Warner Bros. And her pay is expected to grow as "Barbie" continues to perform well at the box office. "She'd take money out of the house mortgage and lend me money," Robbie told CBS Sunday Morning.

Persons: Margot Robbie, Barbie, Sandra Bullock, Robbie, Tom Cruise, I've, Warren Buffett Organizations: Variety, Warner Bros, Hollywood, CBS

☆ 'Barbie' beats Batman, becomes Warner Bros.' highest-grossing domestic release
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

On Tuesday "Barbie" topped $537 million, making it the highest-grossing domestic movie in Warner Bros. The bubblegum pink collaboration between filmmaker Greta Gerwig, Mattel and Warner Bros. has collected more than $1.2 billion at the global box office since its July 21 release. It is the first billion-dollar film for the newly minted Warner Bros. Universal's "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" has topped $1.3 billion since its April debut. Box office analysts expect "Barbie" to continue to collect box office receipts in the weeks to come, as it faces limited competition from new releases and rides a wave of positive word of mouth.

Persons: He's, Christopher Nolan's, Greta Gerwig, Mario, Nolan's, Oppenheimer, Barbie, Margot Robbie Organizations: Warner Bros, Mattel, Warner Media, Discover, Mario Bros, Comcast, CNBC Locations: NBCUniversal

☆ Halle Berry celebrated her birthday with a Barbie-themed party
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Marianne Garvey | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Halle Berry channeled her inner Barbie for her 57th birthday. “My mini me (but not so mini anymore) and my VanO took me to the World of Barbie for my B-day!” Berry wrote. And….I highly recommend it,” Berry captioned a post of several photos of her birthday outing. Lena Waithe wrote, “Happy birthday! Love you.”Berry shares Nahla with her model Gabriel Aubry.

Persons: Halle Berry, Barbie, Van Hunt, Nahla, ” Berry, “, Berry’s, Julianne Moore, Philip Bloch, Berry, Lena Waithe, Gabriel Aubry, Maceo, Olivier Martinez, David Justice, Eric Benet Organizations: CNN Locations: Santa Monica, Calif

REUTERS/Mike Blake/File PhotoLOS ANGELES, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Xolo Mariduena quickly learned that he and his character in the latest DC Studios film "Blue Beetle" have one big thing in common — they cannot hide anything from their families. "There's no hiding from mom and dad that I'm Blue Beetle. "Blue Beetle" arrives in theaters on Friday and also features comedian George Lopez as Uncle Rudy and Susan Sarandon as the main villain. Last week, Variety reported that 27 Latino Hollywood organizations signed an open letter calling on the community to amplify Latino work, especially "Blue Beetle." Mariduena believes that "Blue Beetle" is "just the first step" to hopefully open the door for other Latino superheroes to reach the big screen.

Persons: Mike Blake, Mariduena, Kai, Jaime Reyes, Jaime, George Lopez, Uncle Rudy, Susan Sarandon, Angel Manuel Soto, Gareth Dunnet, Soto, Danielle Broadway, Rollo Ross, Mary Milliken, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: REUTERS, DC Studios, Reuters, Screen Actors Guild, Palmera City, Puerto, Warner Bros, Variety, Hollywood, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S, Palmera, Puerto Rican

☆ Xuxa era a Barbie do Brasil. Será que foi um erro?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Ana Ionova | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Durante seu reinado, que coincidiu com a expansão econômica do Brasil, as taxas de cirurgia plástica dispararam para as mais altas do mundo, com muitas pessoas se submetendo a ela ainda na adolescência. Mas o Brasil e seus guardiões da cultura agora adotam novas definições de beleza, que celebram cabelos cacheados e crespos, corpos curvilíneos e tons de pele negros.

☆ She Was Brazil’s Barbie. Now She’s Saying Sorry.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Ana Ionova | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In the 1980s and 1990s, Maria da Graça Xuxa Meneghel, known universally as Xuxa (pronounced SHOO-shah), was Brazil’s biggest television star. Generations of children spent mornings watching her play, sing and dance for hours on her wildly popular variety show. “I was a doll, a babysitter, a friend to these children,” Xuxa, 60, said in a wide-ranging interview. “A Barbie of that time.”“She came with a pink car,” she added. “I came with a pink spaceship.”Like the famous doll, Xuxa, too, is thin, blond, blue-eyed and white.

Persons: Maria da Graça, ” Xuxa, “, Barbie, ”

☆ US retail spending picked up sharply in July
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

It was also the fourth straight month that retail sales increased. Retail sales, which are adjusted for seasonality but not inflation, rose 0.7% in July from the prior month, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday. Spending rose on nondurable items, such as clothing and sporting goods. Excluding spending at gasoline stations, retail sales rose 0.8% in July from the prior month. “Goods consumption is holding up even as services spending has taken up an increasing share of household’s wallets.

Persons: —, TJ Maxx, ”, Nikki Baird, Barbie, Taylor, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Gregory Daco, haven’t, Wells Organizations: DC CNN, Retail, Commerce Department, Commerce, Walmart, Target, Federal Reserve, Wall Street, Fed, “ Retailers Locations: Washington, EY

☆ In Barbie lore, Allan was actually the father of pregnant Midge's unborn baby
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

In "Barbie," Allan appears as a kind but lonely man who just wants to hang out with the Kens and Barbies. But in Mattel lore, Allan was actually married to Midge and had two children with the doll, despite him not interacting with her in the movie. A few months later, in early 1964, the toy company began producing a red-haired boyfriend for Midge, Allan Sherwood, named for Handler's son-in-law. "Allan shares wonderful adventures with Barbie and her friends," including going on double dates as Midge's partner with Barbie and Ken, a advert from 1964 proclaimed. Allan was the same size as Ken, meaning that he could share his clothes, as was the case with Barbie and Midge.

Persons: Barbie, Allan, Midge, Greta Gerwig's, Allan Sherwood, Handler's, Ken, Allan's, Michael Cera, bendable, Brad, Ruth Handler, Alan, Mattel, Ryan, Nikki –, nathanmychael Organizations: Service, Mattel, Families, Walmart Locations: Wall, Silicon, Gerwig's

☆ Will Hollywood Learn These 5 Lessons From ‘Barbie’?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Kyle Buchanan | More About Kyle Buchanan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

But can the runaway success of “Barbie” reshape Hollywood? I’m too cynical to think studio executives will learn all the right lessons from it. Still, “Barbie” proved at least five things to be true, if decision makers are willing to think outside the pink box. A summer movie can be smartly writtenWe count on summer movies to deliver spectacle, but how many also come with a witty, thoughtful script? “Barbie,” by contrast, feels totally thought through instead of frantically rewritten.

Persons: Greta Gerwig’s, Barbie ”, Mario, it’s, Jim Carrey, “ Barbie, they’ll, “ Barbie ”, “ Frances Ha ”, America, Gerwig, Noah Baumbach, Barbie Organizations: Mario Bros

☆ Algeria bans 'Barbie' movie, media and official source say
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Margot Robbie attends the European premiere of "Barbie" in London, Britain July 12, 2023. REUTERS/Maja Smiejkowska/File PhotoALGIERS, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Algeria has banned the movie "Barbie," which had been showing at some cinemas in the country for several weeks, an official source and the local 24H Algerie news site said on Monday. The official source said the film "promotes homosexuality and other Western deviances" and that it "does not comply with Algeria's religious and cultural beliefs." Starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Barbie and Ken, the movie sends Mattel Inc's (MAT.O) doll on an adventure into the real world. Reporting by Lamine Chikhi, writing by Angus McDowall, editing by Sandra MalerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Margot Robbie, Maja Smiejkowska, Ryan Gosling, Barbie, Ken, Mattel, Lamine Chikhi, Angus McDowall, Sandra Maler Organizations: REUTERS, Ministry, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, ALGIERS, Algeria, Algerie, Lebanon, Kuwait

☆ In Retail’s Top Echelons, Female C.E.O.s Lose a Bit of Ground
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Jordyn Holman | More About Jordyn Holman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

“It reminds me of the Barbie movie,” said Kimberly Lee Minor, who is the chief executive of the consulting firm Bumbershoot and has been working in the retail industry for 30 years. Of the 86 retail companies in the Fortune 1000, 13 had a woman as chief executive as of July 2023, down slightly from the year before, according to the executive recruiting firm Heidrick & Struggles. Retail executives have long been quick to note that purchases are largely driven by women, who make most of the spending decisions for their households. Seventy-two percent of cashiers are women, and about half of retail salespersons are women, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That tends to perpetuate previous hiring decisions and lead to companies seeking those with experience leading a turnaround.

Persons: ”, Kimberly Lee Minor, Bumbershoot, “, haven’t, Kathy Gersch Organizations: Fortune, Retail, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Kotter Locations: U.S

☆ Banned in Kuwait, ‘Barbie’ Sparks Delight, and Anger, in Saudi Arabia
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Vivian Nereim | More About Vivian Nereim | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

On Friday night, Mohammed al-Sayed donned a pale pink shirt and denim overalls to join a friend at a movie theater in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, where the men settled in to watch a film about a doll on a mission to dismantle the patriarchy. They watched as the movie imagined a matriarchal society of Barbie dolls where men are eye candy. They laughed when a male character asked, “I’m a man with no power; does that make me a woman?” They snapped their fingers in delight as a mother delivered a monologue about the strictures of stereotypical femininity. Then, they emerged from the darkened theaters to contemplate what it all meant. “The message is that you are enough — whatever you are,” said Mr. al-Sayed, 21, echoing the Ken doll’s revelation.

Persons: Mohammed al, Sayed, “ Barbie, ”, Barbie, “, Ken doll’s Locations: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

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