Cannes Film Festival...Trying to Be Relevant

 

2025 marks the 78th year of the Cannes Festival which will be held from May 13-24th. Dubbed, "the festival with a conscience", this slogan embodies what this festival has become, arrogant and unforgivably boring.

For example, the Short Film Competition is described as being the 'discovery of the filmmakers of tomorrow and allow for a greater diversity of sensibilities and talent.'  What does this mean? It is so nebulas. 

The festival's website states, 'The secret of success lies in all the little stories that have built the festival into the film industry's highlight'. Really! The film industry's highlight?"

The trademark red carpet, instead of being tossed out each year is now being reused and repurposed. Who is the genius who thought of that? This should have been done years ago. 

The Cannes Festival has become a metaphor for the whole of Western Europe: boring, bloated, over-sold, old, bureaucratic, and very expensive. The glitterati will be out in full force. I expect there, as always, will be protests by 'whatever' groups advertising their cause du jour.

After 78 years one would think the Cannes fest would have mastered the purpose of any film festival, which is, to celebrate the art of moviemaking which documents the story of human history.

The average cost to attend the Cannes fest is high, expect to pay $25,000 on the very low side. Red carpet access alone is $10,000. To attend prestige events like the Varity Fair Party - $11,000. Lodging varies, but a good hotel like the Carlton or Martinez will run $30,000 for the stay. Villas can go as high as $450,000. Cannes is, by far, the most expensive of the major film festivals to attend as compared to Sundance, Toronto, Tribeca, Berlin, etc.  

The Cannes Festival has become 'the big yawn'. It's well-off people making films about poor people that are watched by even richer people. 

By: Jim Lavorato 

Rug Pull? Money Grab? ...You Call It

 I very rarely blog about my personal encounters. In fact, since CMG was launched in 2006, I have only written about a personal experience one other time. Yet, I could not dismiss the encounter I had yesterday when answering a phone solicitation.

A group called, The People's Union USA asked if I would like to join them in boycotting and in supporting the Group financially. My first thought was, how had they gotten my cell number? Regardless, I checked their website to find out they are a political/boycott group. Their mission statement reads, "We are not a protest group. We are a movement to take back control of our economy, our government, our country." WOW. Is that all?

Why would I want to support any group, from the left or right, that wants to control our economy and government and, by extension, my life? The Group states, "Our goal is to boycott retail stores, online platforms, private label brands, pharmacy and health services, finance services, warehouse club outlets, all grocery and delivery entities, and subscription services."  I'm speechless! 

Naturally, they sell merch. Tees are $20

The People's Union USA's weekly goal for April 7-14 is to boycott Walmart (past boycotts included Amazon and Nestle). At first, I thought, this is a joke, right? No, it's all true. The sad thing is that there are individuals who believe in this nonsense - rhetoric (however crazy) that provides fodder for their unfounded and misplaced beliefs in American culture, lifestyle, and inner workings.

For example, the Group states, "We want corporations to start paying their fair share of income taxes so there won't be any more federal income tax for the people"

Revelation: 40% of all federal income taxes are paid by the top 1% of taxpayers. 60% is paid by the top 10%. Most people pay very little federal income tax. The tax burden is mostly State and local income tax, sales taxes, property taxes, utility taxes, etc. 

In short, The People's Union USA is just another grift. A cash scheme. Unfortunately, many people, for whatever reason, believe we are living in a bad nation. They get caught up in the narrative of Groups like The People's Union and support them financially and/or through boycotting and civil disorder.

Sorry for the rant, but the call to arms from various groups and causes has reached a peak and is tearing at the fabric of our culture - proposing solutions founded on misconceptions or outright lies - The People's Union USA is just another money-grab Group.

By: Jim Lavorato

 

Lengthening the Theatrical Release Window...the Sage Continues

 On 4/4/25 I wrote, what now appears to be a very apropos topic, lengthening the theatrical release window to a minimum of 60 days - and stated my case as to why this one action would greatly bolster box office attendance. 

At last week's CinemaCon (Hollywood's annual trade show), which I normally do but did not attend this year, the topic of the release window was debated. It appears however that the digital streaming platforms, some of which are owned by the film studios, are against increasing the window. 

Calls from the exhibition community for a universal 45-day theatrical release window fell on deaf-ears, as the studios do not want to take the risk - well, at least three didn't. As it stands, the window is now 17-36 days for all studios except Disney which waits 60 days.

Some of the stars that attended the 2025 CinemaCon Show

Having a short window robs movie theatres of moviegoers. Sony is on board with a 45-day window, however, Universal will be tough to convince, as well as Warner Bros. and Paramount.

Pre-COVID there was a 74-day window to which Michael O'Leary, Head of the exhibition trade group, Cinema United says, "the movie industry cannot afford the loss of a percentage of moviegoers who went to the movies when the window stood at 74-days."

Having, at least, a 45-day window would somewhat ensure that the theatrical system is and remains healthy. Cinemas must have release exclusivity. A short window leaves audiences with the impression that the moviegoing experience is only for big blockbusters.

By: Jim Lavorato

LA Movie Production at Lowest Level EVER!

 

FilmLA, the nonprofit group that issues film permits for the city and county of Los Angeles, reported that the average occupancy rate for the 17 studios that operate film production stages was 63%, the lowest in recorded history

This serves as another data point that filming in the greater Hollywood area is down and not increasing as was widely thought after the union strikes of 2023. 

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For 2024, there were only 8,671 onstage shoot dates for 1,275 productions. The decline, however, was not from less moviemaking but from lower TV show production coupled with completion from other locations including the United Kingdom, New York City, Georgia, Ontario, etc. 

FilmLA spokesperson, Philip Sokoloski, stressed "the significance of California's plans on expanding subsides to the entertainment industry as very much needed to bolster both movie and TV production - and this is in the works." To his point, California is launching 'Stay in LA, an initiative which calls for emergency measures to restore LA's film and TV production.

By: Jim Lavorato

 

Coyote vs. Acme - The Movie, At Long Last

 

Yes, you wanted it and now it's coming. Ketchup Entertainment has acquired the worldwide rights to the film 'Coyote vs. Acme'. The live-action/animated hybrid feature will bring the iconic Looney Tune to life on the big screen - which was no small task as Warner Bros. had originally decided against a theatrical production and release. 

Ketchup and Warners finally worked out a deal. According to Gareth West, Ketchup Enter. CEO, "We're thrilled to have made the deal with Warner Bros. 'Coyote vs. Acme' is a perfect blend of old and modern storytelling. We believe it will resonate with both longtime fans and newcomers alike."

The theme of the film centers on Wile E. Coyote as he takes legal action against the Acme Corporation for the countless faulty products that have hindered his relentless pursuit of the Road Rummer.

Beep...Beep

Jim Lavorato

Disabled Moviegoers...Forgotten

Inevitable Foundation

65% of disabled moviegoers said they prefer to watch a movie at a theater vs. at home, but only 4% say that movie theaters meet their accessibility needs.

Inevitable Foundation, a disabled rights group, surveyed handicapped moviegoers' views on everything from seating to closed captioning. They found that 42% of respondents said that when they needed accessible seating it was not available to them, while a full 68% have been to cinemas without accessible restrooms.

As for captioning, the good majority of hearing impaired, at 58%, prefer on-screen subtitling over device provided captioning.  It was also found that, in many cases, assisted listening or film narration devices were unavailable or broken when requested. 

Various accessibility devices for movie theaters

The survey concluded, "By reimaging accessibility as an investment rather than a cost, theatre owners can foster loyalty, build trust, and capture an underserved market segment that holds $21 billion in discretionary income."

The Fab Four Return

Last photo of the Beatles together

Four films about The Beatles are scheduled to be released in 2028. A biopic on the historic English rock group has been labeled 'the first bingeable theatrical release',

"We need big cinematic events to get people back into cinemas" says Sam Mendes, who is directing the four films. Mendes, whose prior films include 'American Beauty' and 'Skyfall', has long wanted to bring the Beatles to the big screen. 

The films will be told from the perspective of each band member and will try and capture the improbably journey of four teenagers from Liverpool, England to the center of global pop culture. 

Musicmaking - and changing the world culturally

This whole project is a big bet as far as film production and distribution, but I suspect that there are many people from the sixties thru the two-thousands who will embrace this biopic.

Considered the most influential rock band of all time, the Beatles sold over 600 million albums and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. the Fab Four still have a huge fan base and I know I'll be at the cinema in 2028 to watch all four films.

Promoting 'Sargent Pepper' a transition rock album

The Beatles disband in 1970, and all moved on to successful solo musical careers. In 1980 John Lennon was assassinated in NYC, in 2001 George Harrison died of cancer. Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney are alive and hopefully will be able to view this biopic.

By: Jim Lavorato

To Increase Cinemas' Box Office - Do This!

The stalwart American pastime of moviegoing is under attack. Fewer people are 'going to the movies'. So, what can be done stop this box office bleeding, and more importantly, increase ticket sales. 

Get them back to the movies

Movie theatres' greatest competition are the streaming media companies, which is some cases, are owned and operated by the major studios. i.e. Disney+, Paramount+, Amazon Prime - in a sense competing against themselves by lowering movie attendance. 

There are 5,691 fewer movie screens then there were pre-COVID. Total U.S. movie theatres grossed $8.7 billion in 2024, a 26% drop from the $11 billion pre-pandemic level. This year the major studios will release about 110 movies of all genres, but movie theatres need more - as 20% of moviegoers have stopped 'going to the movies'.

To me, the most significant and quickest change to improve attendance is to reverse the lowered theatrical release window. 

A 60-day window is needed to boost ticket sales

Pre-COVID the window was 90 days before release to streamers, video, other media outlets. Now, that window is only 17 days! This must be expanded to, at least, 60 days before streaming, renting, or buying theatrically released movies.

Having a short theatrical release window keeps box office attendance down as potential moviegoers opt to wait a mere two weeks to buy or rent the streamed movie but a two month+ wait provides an impetus to view the movie at a cinema. 

IMAX, Dolby Atmos, and other premiere movie exhibition is booming. Leading one to believe that consumers want and are even willing to pay a high admission to see a movie. A lengthened theatrical release window would provide the needed boost to get people back into theatres.

By: Jim Lavorato

Personal Security is Booming in Hollywood and Everywhere Else

The personal security business is booming all over the world as executives, politicians, movie, music, sports stars, are hiring, in many cases, teams of security people to watch over them - if they can afford it. Security is not cheap and it's getting more expensive to get the best or even second best.

To give you an example, the ultra-rich employ 'tasters'. These are highly trained people that are members of a billionaire's advance team who is tasked with going into well-appointed kitchens (where food for a party is being prepared) or exclusive restaurants with a chemical kit which detects the presence of poison. Tasters are becoming the norm among the elitists of the Jetset.

The murder of Brian Thompson, CEO of United Healthcare in NYC established the new normal of executive security. Having no security is now out-of-the-question. Says, Chris Falkenberg, founder of Insite Risk Management, "The security business is the risk business. Real life attacks on the ruling class are becoming more prevalent, including President Trump's campaign season assassination attempts. Also in the crosshairs are the corporate elites, ala Elon Musk."

Some Costs

- Detection kit for poisons in food validated by the Dept. of Defense - $90

- Garrison Bespoke assassin proof menswear known for its style and secure bulletproof suits comprised of carbon nanotubes - $20,000 to start.

 - Miami Armored will outfit a Rolls Royce Cullinan SUV from attacks from grenades to high-caliber assault rifles - $700,000

With relatively easy access to firearms on a global basis and a growing disparity in income inequality the world is becoming a very dangerous place for the top 10 percenters and even those of lesser means. Historically, political figures, popes, and kings were prime targets for assassination. but today it's C suite occupants, and all the way down to influencers and podcasters. Mass media provides the information: names, photos, and even addresses of the Masters of the Universe.

Armored SUVs are the preferred mode of transport for security

All of these conditions have supercharged the private security industry in Hollywood. West Coast protection expert Gavin de Becker is in charge of protecting Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon. Bezos normally travels with nine bodyguards and three armed limos.

William Wilson, head of Wilson & Associates Security says, "We live in a world where there is a definite need for proactive security measures. Threats can come from anywhere, from corporate espionage to mentally unstable individuals who take up a gun and start looking to do somebody harm. I've worked with families that will spend $250,000 a year on protection, and companies that spend $15 million a year. Some corporate executives don't go anywhere without an armed protection detail and security drivers with armored SUVs"

So, it seems that the world is getting more dangerous for the rich and powerful and they are answering by upping their personal security and spend as much as they can afford. I think this trend will continue and even the less rich will find ways to protect themselves. 

By: Jim Lavorato

Bill Burr...Anything for a Buck

 Standup comic Bill Burr continues his babbling skits and non-funny take-offs on social issues, as if we don't get the nuance of what's happening around us.

This may be my own bias, but Bull Burr isn't funny. I've watched his specials. He takes the audience for idiots who need to be provided explanation on what is going on around them and impacting their lives. Burr's type of comedy has no lasting value. It's all about fake outrage and moral posturing - which provides him the convenance of playing both side of the political spectrum - rightist racists and leftist morons.

Burr's no Lenny Bruce or Richard Pryor but a comic who thinks he is funnier than he really is.

O'Brien to Return As Oscar Host

 

Yes, Conan will return for the 98th Oscars on March 15, 2026. He was a fresh and pleasant face and voice vs. Jimmy Kimmel, who brought nothing to the host function.

This year's Academy Show was made more upbeat, funny, and very entertaining vs. those of recent past. It was non-political and celebrated the nominees and the film community in general - as it should.

The recent Oscars show delivered the highest viewership in five years at 19.7 million coupled with 104 million social media views which surpassed both the Grammys and Super Bowl.

Also returning is the production team of Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan.

What Were the Goodies in This Year's Oscar Swag Bag?

Some of the presents in this year's bag

 Every year certain Academy Award nominees receive a gift bag. Those recipients, get to keep the bag regardless of winning an Oscar or not, knowing that they'll at least be receiving a six-figure gift for their efforts.  

The people receiving the "Everybody Wins" gift bags for 2025, included:

- The Host: Conan O'Brien

- The 5 Best Actor Nominees

- The 5 Best Actress Nominees

- The 5 Best Supporting Actors

- The 5 Best Supporting Actresses

- The 5 Best Director Nominees

The swag bags are the creation and work of 'Distinctive Assets', an L.A. based marketing firm. This year's bags were valued at $220,000 and included over 60 separate presents, such as:

- a $23,000 4-night stay at the Joali resort in Maldives

-  a one-year membership to Bright Harbor, an L.A. disaster recovery support group

-  a $50,000 certificate for project management services from Maison Construction.

-  $240 cutting board from John Boos

-  $400 gift card from Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas

-  $1,570 worth of luxury pocket squares from David Ashley

-  $700 worth of cannabis products

- a $5,250 stay at the Cotton House Hotel in Barcelona

and the list goes on.

Conan O'Brien received a bag for hosting this year's Awards Show

The bags are offered, and most recipients have representatives accept the bags on their behalf - but not every bag is accepted. Each year about one or two bags are not "claimed".

Distinctive Assets ensures that each bag has the correct delivery address before distribution, and it should be noted that Distinctive Assets is not affiliated with the Academy in any way. 

By: Jim Lavorato

Netflix 2025 Content Spend Will Exceed $18 billion

"We're not anywhere near a ceiling with respect to content spending", says, Spencer Neumann, Netflix's CFO." For 2025 content spend will reach $18 billion from 2024's $16.2 billion, a jump of 11.1%,

"We have pretty good predictability about our anticipated revenue stream", quips Neumann. Netflix ended 2024 with over 302 million paid subscribers globally, which translates to over 700 million viewers. This is still small in relation to market size. For example, in the U.S. Netflix represents less than 10% of total TV viewing.   

"Our objective is to deliver more and more entertainment value per dollar and improve the overall experience" says Neumann.

Netflix serves up a mix of TV shows and movies across multiple genres and formats produced in over 50 countries - live events have become a major growth area. Netflix views YouTube as a competitor but not as you might think. Neumann says, "We share in the creative and economic risk with our creators.... but think we're the home for the best creators and storytellers on the planet."   

For 2025 revenues are expected to exceed $44 billion. It announced price increases in January. The standard, ad-free plan is the U.S. rose by $2,50 to $17.79/month. Ad-supported subscriptions were raised to $7.99/month from $6.99.  

'Squid Games' Season 2 was Netflix's most viewed series with 87 million viewers but it represented only 1% of total viewings. 

     

Netflix's new logo

Netflix has pricing power. It can raise subscriptions prices easily and with over 300 million paid subscribers a $2 raise equated to $7.8 billion in higher revenues            

Even the Award Shows are Cost Cutting

 

Several of the 2025 Golden Globe winners

It's official. Helen Hoehne, President of the Golden Globes, give voting members the bad news last week - going forward, the Globes would not be paying the voting members their annual stipend of $75,000. 

The 50 voting members (who are all members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association) would be paid a one-time severance of $102,500 and all other compensation would end. The 50 voting members are a subset of the 300 members that make up the Globe. 

Helen Hoehne, President of Golden Globes 

It should be noted that other major award groups, the Oscars, Emmys, and Grammys do not pay their voting members, as it is considered an honor to be selected as a member of each group.

As a not-for-profit entity in 2024 the Golden Globes had expenses of $5.2 million, principally in salary and employee benefits costs and recently inked a five-year broadcast contract with CBS. There viewership for the 2025 Awards was 9.3 million.

It appears that payment for little work or non-work will no longer to be tolerated throughout many industries, governments, and non-profits and that's a good thing.

The King's Own Playlist

 

Young Charles kicking up his heels

Who would have thought it - King Charles has a pop music playlist that's coming out this month. Recording artists on the King's list include Kylie Minogue, Bob Marley, Grace Jones, Raye, and Davido, to name several.

To be released on Apple Music, under "The King's Music Room" his eclectic musical tastes go from disco to reggae, to Afrobeats and rock. "Throughout my life, music has meant a great deal to me. It brings great memories and lifts our spirits; it brings us joy" says the King.

Narrating "The King's Music Room" for the playlist

In the recording the King shares anecdotes about his encounters with some of the stars on the soundtrack. Rachel Newman, Apple's Head of Content, stated "We are honored that King Charles chose to share his personal playlist with us, and with music fans around the world."

"The King's Music Room" will have its broadcast premiere on Apple Music today, March 10th with additional broadcasts scheduled.

For Hollywood, DEI Morphs into Meritocracy: No Big Surprise

 DEI is dead in Hollywood, and it has nothing to do with Trump, it is just the natural evolution of our culture. Companies, including those in the entertainment industry, must shift as the culture changes.

Under the Biden Administration, DEI was front and center and therefore companies adopted those policies into their own management, now that has changed. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) now stands for 'Didn't Earn It'. 

DEI is now being replaced with meritocracy as the cultural pendulum swings the other way. Therefore, companies are changing their approach and policies - there's no other choice. Like all things, culture changes. What was culturally relevant and meaningful becomes passe'. Diversity moves on to meritocracy (which in itself is diverse).  

I believe companies will continue to adopt and recognize some form of diversity and inclusion. But the demands on society to adjust and accept evolving technologies force the hiring of people with specific skill sets. Meritocracy is color, sex, and ethnic blind. It's not who you are but what you can do.

'Facing War': An Extraordinary Documentary on NATO

 

Gulliksen filming NATO meeting and trying to stay 'invisible'

It's apropos given NATO's current huge crises over the Ukraine debacle that a new documentary film, 'Facing War', which opens March 19th at the Copenhagen DOX film festival, allows viewers a behind the scenes peek at the military alliance's inner workings.

Working alone, Tommy Gulliksen, after many months of trying, got access into the inner sanctum of NATO and its chief, Jens Stoltenberg. Gulliksen took over 200 hours of raw footage over 22 months of filming and boiled it all down to a 100-minute docu - that immerses the viewer into the power plays between the political and military leaders of our world. 

The film is remarkably timely given the current Ukraine/Russian War. "I knew that getting an independent camera in the war room would be unprecedented and tough, but I never gave up. Perhaps, at a time of fake news and mistrust of the media we were seen as transparent. I eventually signed an agreement which was very open and had few restrictions to filming and editing" says Gulliksen. "I had to become a fly-on-the-wall. I had to do everything myself - camera work, sound, setup, everything."

Gulliksen filming Stoltenberg on NATO surveillance plane

'Facing War' captures what isn't normally accessible and nothing was staged. Gulliksen leaves it up to the audience to make up their minds on what they see - pro or con NATO.

I don't know if I'll ever get a chance to view this film, but I'll make every effort to do so. It's a one-of-a-kind, behind-the-scenes look on the masters of the world in which we live.

By: Jim Lavorato

IRL Movie Club - Right for Your Cinema?

 

A film used for the IRL Movie Club

In Real Life Movie Club is a nationwide initiative to connect independent exhibitors through in-person screenings and conversations. 

Annie Roney is IRL's mover and shaker but credits social author, Robert Putnam for the idea behind her venture. IRL's premise is simple: for $5 at participating theatres, attendees get to watch an independent movie and then stay for a discussion with the rest of the audience. 

"Robert Putnam showed in his writings that when people stop gathering in social communities and talking to each other, democracy unravels", say Roney.  Also, a documentary filmmaker, Roney frequently thinks about the relationship between the decline in movie viewership to the state of our communities.

Many independent exhibitors often try to bring in filmmakers for post-screening discussion. IRL Movie Club is an excellent substitute for this, in what appears to be a win-win for the theatre and patrons. How it works is that IRL subsidizes participating theatres' event costs to keep the admission at $5. People who feel they belong tend to repeat their attendance, and many with friends in tow - again good for the theatre.

Nationally, since its inception in November 2024 starting with 23 participating theatres the number has grown to 67. 

You might want to get on-board with the IRL Movie Club. Look into it - everything and anything you can do to make your cinema more connected with the local community is a winner - and this initiative costs you nothing.

By: Jim Lavorato

2025 Razzie Awards

There's the Oscars and then there's the Razzie Awards - awards for the worst films of the year. The Razzies Awards are given out one day before the Oscars.

This year the Worst Picture was 'Madame Web' which won three Razzies in all, including Worst Actress (Dakota Johnson) and Worst Screenplay. According to Johnson, "I had never done anything like it before. I will never do anything like it again."

Worst Actor went to Jerry Seinfeld for his starring role in 'Unfrosted' which he also directed and co-wrote with Amy Schumer. She received Worst Supporting Actress Razzie.

Francis Ford Coppola won Worst Director for 'Megalopolis' but unlike the other Razzie winners he chose to accept the Award via Instagram saying, "it is a badge of pride." Jon Voight won Worst Supporting Actor in 'Megalopolis' 

On the flip side, the Razzies also award the Razzie Redeemer, an award given to a former Razzie winner who is then celebrated in future work - this year the Redeemer went to Pamela Anderson. She won a Razzie in 1996 for her performance in 'Barb Wire' but won the Redeemer for her award recognitions in 'The Last Showgirl'.

The Razzle, the members who vote on the award recipients, consist of 1,217 movie buffs, film critics, and journalists from the U.S. and 24 other countries. 

Escape.ai - A Platform Hollywood Should be Watching

 

John Gaeta, who won an Oscar for Best Visual Effects for 'The Matrix', has debuted a distribution platform for AI generated content - from short videos to movies - called Escape.ai.

The platform's goal is searching for edgy and different content which would emulate what is seen in the gaming world. It will provide AI content creators autonomy and growth by removing, what Gaeta calls, "the old system obstacles, increasing the visibility of new voices, harnessing emergent technologies, and enabling a community of creators, fans, and supporters to coalesce."

Escape.ai will allow creators to monetize their works through direct fan support, merchandise offerings, and specific subscription options. 

This, newest class of creators, will be using AI to generate all types of content and it is but the first AI shot across the bow of the entertainment industry. 

On March 1st, one day before the Oscars, the Escape Awards will be presented to AI centric films. AI generated films can be produced very quickly, with small teams and capital, and be of high quality. This fuels anxieties in Hollywood but Gaeta says, "Escape.ai is not competing with Hollywood, but building something new to use in filmmaking."

Hollywood's Paranoia with AI is Misplaced

 Hollywood has AI phobia. Even a hint of using AI in any film, for whatever reason, is a threat to jobs and artistic integrity. There is an AI zero-tolerance policy that has become fashionable for the tinsel-town elite. 

The studios and other movie distributors have been using "NO AI" labels on their films and "Made by Humans" can be seen in film credits. AI loathing on the part of the greater filmmaking community will have to change. 

If used correctly AI tools offer great efficiency and improved movie quality. For example, using AI to produce flawless voice dubbing from one language to another. This alone is a big improvement for international filmmakers who otherwise would never have gotten a U.S. theatrical release using traditional dubbing techniques. 

In movie 'Putin', AI was used to have Putin's face on actor throughout film

Outside the U.S., AI technology is being embraced as a means to reduce production costs and make films more adaptable and therefore more accepted into the international market. An example is the film 'Putin', the Polish produced film where AI was used to recreate the face of Russian President Putin over the body of an actor throughout the film. "AI use in 'Putin' allowed us to sell the film throughout Europe. Most independent films are made on a strict budget, and AI is a way to improve my filmmaking capabilities for very low expense" says Patryk Vega. director of Putin.

Movie creators and distributers can, and will, use AI overtime. The current anti-AI movement within the U.S. entertainment business to curtail the use of AI is shortsighted and non-workable. You can't stop technology; it must be embraced and used responsibly.  

AI is not the villain it's just another tool to assist people in producing a better product or service.

By: Jim Lavorato

United Airlines Offers Movie Production Services

 In an effort to expand and diversify their air and booking services United Airlines is catering to the production crews in the entertainment industry - called the 'United for Business Entertainment'. 

United works with film and television production crews, assisting with logistics, crew and equipment placement, obtaining local people to assist crews in remote and foreign locations - all delivered at reasonable cost.

According to Jon Purpura, director of UA's Entertainment Sales, "supporting film makers and producers in telling their stories is important to us and sets UA apart."

UA has continued to expand its locations worldwide. For example, it's the only U.S. carrier to fly to Mongolia and other less-served locations like Greenland, Faro Islands, Dakar, Madeira etc. If not a direct flight, United has a network of 25 partner airlines that offer flights to more than 1,150 destinations in 189 countries.

UA has developed a niche and very profitable sub-business with offering the entertainment industry a unique service. Getting production crews, cast members, and equipment to worldwide destinations is an essential part of the movie production process. 

Hollywood Turns to Ice

Claiming productivity and energy boosts, in addition to mood enhancement is the cold-plunge, and it's the latest rage in Hollywood. From Lady Gaga to Joe Rogan celebs are touting this invigorating endeavor.

Although the practice has been around of years, soaking in ice water has its skeptics, but proponents swear by its medical benefits - and the use of cold-plunges has a newfound cult with the Hollywood glitterati. 

In addition to the energy boosting benefits are blood sugar normalization, and the increasing of a user's metabolic rate and immune system. 

Cold plunge tub with water chiller

Cold plungers range in price from $1,000-25,000. The better ones have electric chillers, water filtration and sanitation features - no ice is required.

Used religiously by Chris Hemsworth, Justin Bieber, and Jason Momoa are you ready to take the plunge?

60's Kurosawa Masterpiece Films

There is no doubt that Akira Kurosawa, the Japanese filmmaker, has had a profound impact on moviemaking and film history. From the 1960's to the 1980's Kurosawa made one masterpiece after the other and was a major influencer to the new generation of filmmakers throughout the 1970's to today, including Spielberg, Lucas, Lee, Altman, Bergman, Fellini, and Kubrick.

Kurosawa with young American directors Francis Coppola and George Lucas

To rank Kurosawa's works is a fool's game. Given his films, it is in the eyes and ears of the viewer which masterpiece ranks over another.  For example, his 1960's film 'The Bad Sleep Well', based upon Hamlet, is a story of revenge set in the corporate world. Not usually ranked as a Kurosawa favorite it is nonetheless a masterpiece.

'Red Beard' (1965) is epic. This film explores the close and tension-riddled relationship between a medical student and his mentor. This three-hour classic is set in the mid-1800's and explores the relationship between doctor and student, doctor and patient, and doctor and medical staff. 

'Sanjuro' (1962) is a sequel to the more famous masterpiece 'Yojimbo' - but nonetheless can stand on its own as a very special movie. 'Sanjuro' is a samurai-based violent, bloody, death-riddled journey with the lead character assisting a group of young samurai take down corrupt individuals in their clan.

"Yojimbo' (1961) is the story of good guy taking on bad guys and is the basis for the Clint Eastwood spaghetti westerns. A timeless classic that is considered one of Kurosawa's best works.

 Kurosawa, the greatest visual Master of Films

Shifting gears, in 1963 Kurosawa makes a thriller, entitled 'High and Low', which is almost without peer. In fact, as I write this post, Spike Lee and Densel Washington are in the process of producing an updated version of this film - which many consider the best thriller movie ever made. 'High and Low' deals with greed, justice, corruption, and crime like no other. It demonstrates the art form of filmmaking and a top-tier film that should be viewed by every movie fan at least once.

By: Jim Lavorato

State of the $800+ billion Entertainment Industry

 It should be no secret to anyone that the $800+ billion global entertainment market is split in two. Legacy businesses - broadcast and cable TV, standalone videos, and the cinema are struggling, while streaming and online platforms are thriving and multiplying. 

Of the legacy businesses only, the cinema is ever so slowly moving toward higher attendance levels. We see this in Asia, especially in China where the cinema is booming. As for broadcast and cable TV, it is on a downward trajectory with no end in sight.

There is also a movement from legacy entertainment models that were national to streaming models which are universal in reach. This has had a major impact on content distribution as online entertainment is chasing after the same audiences creating massive market redundancy and overlap.

When speaking about the cinema, the exclusive theatrical distribution window is essentially over. This makes film distribution ever more complex. The saving grace for movies is that streaming platforms are not the premier form of viewing movies, that honor is still held by the cinema. 

For streamers, the focus is on advertising while retaining subscribers by the use of long episodical series spread over some timeframe. Whereas on the movie side the trend is for less production by the studios but content of higher quality and a significant increase in independent movie production for both fictional and documentary films. 

There has been a shift in funding as well. For movies the move toward multi-party funding for films vs. single source will grow - as for example the recent 30-picture deal inked between Paramount and Domain Capital. 

In summary, the massive global entertainment industry is currently adapting to a new playing field, where streaming will be king but other players, such as the cinema, will still be viable and significant.

By: Jim Lavorato

 

Diane Warren: Least Known but Most Heard

 

This year, Diane Warren's original song 'The Journey' for the film 'The Six Triple Eight' is her 16th Oscar nomination for that category - it is also the eighth year in a row and the tenth time in 11 years she has been nominated for best original song. However, and unbelievably, she has never won. 

At 68, Warren is the only person to be nominated more times in the same Oscar category without winning. 

It's not that she is unpopular. She is very well thought of in the movie industry and in the music community so let's chalk it up to bad luck. This may be the case this year as well, as her nomination was the only one received by 'The Six Triple Eight'.

I hope things break Warren's way. She really deserves the Oscar. But alas, she didn't win this year. Nonetheless, as a tribute to her 16 nominated songs, she composed a seven-minute medley - listen here.

Best of luck going forward Diane.

Which Genres Have Won Most Best Picture Oscars

Since its beginning in 1929, the best picture award has remained the highest honor of the Oscars. The best picture award has been bestowed on 96 films to date and winning was dependent upon the social trends of the time. Musicals, which dominated the best picture award during the 1950's and 60's, have not won a best picture award since 'Chicago' in 2002. 

So, let's take a look back and see how each of nine movie genres vied for and won the top prize. 

- Biographical Dramas explore the way individuals have impacted history. Over the years, nine bio-dramas have won best picture with 'Oppenheimer' the most successful. 

- Biopics stories about one person and how they lived. Only two biopics have won best picture awards. 'Ghandi' won in 1982 and 'The Life of Emile Zola' in 1937.

- Romantic Comedies have won best picture five times. The romcom 'It Happened One Night' is one of only two movies ever to sweep the big five awards: best picture, best director, best actor, best actress, and best screenplay, the other being 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'.

-Epic, a movie with a sweeping theme and big production budget. This genre has won best picture 21 times. Some of the winners had multiple parts, such as 'The Godfather'.

- Historical Drama, similar to bio dramas, this genre is defined as fictionalized accounts of specific events set in a distinct time period. Only four films have won in this genre with 'Mutiny of the Bounty' the most well-known.

- Horror, only seven horror films have ever even been nominated for best picture, including this year's 'The Substance'. Only one has won a best picture Oscar, 'The Silence of the Lambs'.

-Musicals, have won 10 best picture awards. The musical that won 10 of 11 Oscars it was nominated for and set the record for most awards won by a musical was 'West Side Story'.

- Thriller, a film with suspense and drama. Six have won best picture awards. 'Rebecca' (1940), the Hitchcock thriller, was the first to win in this genre.

- Sci-Fi movies have won only two best picture awards. It wasn't until 1971 when 'A Clockwork Orange' was nominated for best picture. It took another 46 years when in 1971 'The Shape of Water' actually won best picture. 

And there you have it.

By: Jim Lavorato

Rom-Coms: No Longer Movies to Take a Date

 

"People will watch this one at home", says Helen Fielding, the author who created Bridget Jones. "If you're Bridget's generation it will be with a bottle of wine and a tub of ice cream. If you're Gen Z, it will be with mineral water and slippers. But it's a good movie to watch on the sofa." That's Fieldling's view of the rom-com. "Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy" the latest in the Jones' series debuted on February 13th via the second-tier streaming service Peacock. 

The once highly valued film genre, the romance-comedy has fallen from audience grace. Making the careers of Julia Roberts, Reese Witherspoon, and Sandra Bullock, over the last decade moviegoers have abandoned the genre as these films now go directly to online streaming bypassing the cinema release completely.

What happened was that rom-coms became 'same old' and failed to reach the quality of an earlier generation of films. The funny thing is that outside the U.S. rom-coms are booming and still have theatrical releases which are followed by streaming. For the Jones' series of films, the global box office accounted for 89% of total ticket sales. Yet, in the U.S. online streaming is keeping the rom-com alive. Look to the Anne Hathaway led 'The Idea of You' or Amy Schumers' 'Kinda Pregnant' standout on the seemingly endless list of new streaming releases.

U.S. rom-com fans are hoping for a big-screen revival but to do so will require storylines that are inventive and captivating and cast with A-listers. Scott Meslow, author of 'The Rise and Fall of the Romantic Comedy' predicts, "In five years, the rom-com will be resurrected. People are charmed by these stories if they're unique and well made." 

Well, I guess, it's a wait and see. Rom-coms draw a specific demographic so to be mainstream the storylines need to be broader than just - boy-meets-girl. 

By: Jim Lavorato

Studios Have Become Risk Adverse

I love the movie award shows and festivals where the winners are always thanking their backers for their bravery and courage..."we're so thankful that the studio had the bravery and foresight to make this film."

But this isn't the case. If anything, risk taking in Hollywood has and will continue to diminish. This caution is caused by a several factors, from consumers' changing habits to the major content streamers growing into predictable and safe corporate entities. 

Many film scripts are now viewed as too socially correct or too political to be distributed let alone funded. Message films, which were once embraced by the studios are now taboo. Studios are no longer in the risk-taking game. The days of opening their checkbooks to totally unproven, nameless productions without obvious and immediate box office success - are gone. 

Film making is now a vicious circle... studios take fewer risks, so audiences see fewer risky movies, so studios take fewer risks, and so on. What you wind up with is the 'same old' on the marquee.

I believe this is a sign of the times in which we live. No one wants to take a risk with anything...it's all about risk aversion and it's unfortunate.   

By: Jim Lavorato

Netflix As Restaurateur...?

 

Netflix is opening up 'Netflix Bites' at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Netflix says they are opening this latest experimental project later this month as a full-service restaurant.

Netflix had previously opened a dinner only restaurant in Los Angeles in 2023 to mixed reviews and closed in six weeks. Netflix Bites will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner 7 days a week and offer dishes inspired by their iconic shows, including Stranger Things, Bridgerton, Squid Game, One Piece, Love is Blind, and Nailed It!

Netflix Bites is the streamer's push into live experiences, which will culminate later this year when it opens Netflix House, with locations in Pennsylvania and Texas offering food, retail merch sales, and experimental offerings.

"With Netflix Bites Vegas, we're taking fan-favorite shows from screen to table and turning that into a culinary adventure", says Josh Simon, Netflix VP consumer products, "We're excited to offer fans a new way to experience their favorite stories."

I guess my question is why? Netflix is by far the largest content streamer on a global basis - operating on over 190 countries and having more subscribers worldwide then all other streaming services combined. I can see trying to link their hit shows to a consumer experience but why restaurants with their huge cost of buildout, heavy, hands-on management, and extreme competition. 

Arguably, Netflix was the best stock to own over the last 15 years (with a total return of 11,554% over that time) but there must be other ways for them to parlay their success besides opening restaurants that sell merch.  The key to success, for any content streamer is to retain (and increase) your subscription base - which is becoming harder and harder to achieve. I believe a better way for Netflix to grow outside their core business is to purchase already successful podcasts and social media outlets which would help in cementing their subscriber base.

By: Jim Lavorato