What's UP At The Movies ? by Seymour Flix

Nose Candy In Movies - What Is It?

Pacino stares at pile of  'fake' coke in 'Scarface'

There are lots of movies in which drugs are a major component of the storyline. 'Stoner' films from dramas to comedies showcase drugs as a central theme - which means actors must 'get stoned' by snorting white powder.

So, what is required is a substitute for cocaine - a drug stand-in, if you will.  In the 1980s and through the '90s powdered milk and/or baking soda were the standard replacements for real drugs on movie and TV production sets. In recent times, these were replaced with a white powder called Inositol - which is Vitamin B in powder form.  As is turns out, Inositol is really used as a cutting agent for actual cocaine, but being a vitamin can actually give you a slight 'energy lift'.  For example, Vitamin B is the main ingredient in most 'energy shot drinks' so when ingested it gives you a 'kick' - some people get more of a kick than others.

The problem with Inositol is that for some folks the side effects can be, well, intoxicating. So, the fact that it is not a 'real' drug does not mean there can't be serious problems by snorting it.  For example, Al Pacino has often commented that snorting 'fake coke' in 'Scarface' really messed up his nasal passages for years after the movie was made.

So, when you see actors snorting, know it's not close to being real, but it's not, necessarily, healthy either just because it's a vitamin.


Chinese Keep Investing In Entertainment

The Wanda Group, the Chinese entertainment and real estate conglomerate, has inked a deal with Dolby Laboratories to build 100 advanced cinema theaters in China.

The theaters will feature Dolby's Vision Laser-powered projection and the Dolby Atmos totally immersive cinema sound systems.  To be constructed over the next five years, these cinemas will render IMAX cinemas obsolete, as the Dolby equipped cinemas offer the next generation in the cinema-going experience - and cinemas must kept evolving as competition from other entertainment options looms larger and larger.

Wanda had previously announced that it was going to upgrade 100 of its AMC owned cinemas in the U.S. with the Dolby advanced cinema systems.  The Chinese cinema market keeps expanding in production, distribution, and exhibition.  The commitments with Dolby further strengthens Wanda's movie exhibition capabilities and sets the stage for the next step in the movie-going experience.

Pope Goes Tinsel

Francis with new H'wood bud, DeCaprio

Rumor has it that Pope Francis may resign the Papacy in lieu of an acting career.  Pope Francis will be making his acting debut in the film 'Beyond The Sun' - it will be a first in Papal history.

'Beyond The Sun' is being described as 'a family adventure movie'.  It will be based on Gospel writings and one that the Pope requested be made, so as to "communicate Jesus's message to children". And, if you are going to deliver a spiritual message what better messenger than the Pope, himself.

No distributor deal has been inked, as yet, but the movie will have global appeal and reach. Production is to began before the end of March and it will be filmed in Italy.  The movie follows on the Pope's foray into the hip-hop world with the recent release of a song, entitled, 'Wake Up! Go! Go! Forward!' which is a mix of his inspirational lyrics narrated to an EDM beat.

CMG wishes his Excellency all the best on his new singing and acting careers.

Just saying,
S. Flix