For Disney and Netflix Woke Don't Work

In their quest to appease ultraliberal social norms and dictates both Disney and Netflix have gotten on the wrong side of history.

Last year I authored an essay entitled "Woke Don't Work" , in it I explained that adoption of woke causes does nothing to enhance a company's revenue and may, in fact, hurt it. How much pain will Disney and Netflix suffer from their woke posturing is significant.

Let's take Disney first. Over the last decade, Disney has become more liberal in embracing social causes and woke positions. Yesterday, that all came to a head when the Florida State Legislature passed a bill ending Disney's special tax privileges and self-governing perks that were established years ago when Walt Disney was building Disney World. Repealing these corporate perks will cost Disney tens of millions.

This all occurred last month when Disney went full-out in denouncing a State law that prohibited elementary schools from teaching sex education to children 8 and under. Disney received wide condemnation for this. Why Disney management feels the need to get involved in these woke issues is beyond reason.  However, they will suffer the consequences. Disney stock has gone from a high of 185 to its current price of 121 or a 35% loss in value over the last 12 months, my prediction is that it will trend lower given its social posture and the inflationary economy we find ourselves in - which is principally due to the Biden administration's war on fossil fuels.

Netflix has faired much worst. Their capitulation to Hollywood's wokism by producing content that is geared toward the left politically has gotten Netflix a decrease in subscriptions for the first time in its history. Its stock price bears this out. Over the last year Netflix stock price has gone from $687 to $218 or an eye-popping 69%. 

Corporations need to learn that taking on social or political issues is risky and does not to enhance their bottom line or their acceptance by consumers. Being good corporate citizens is a must for any company of size but totally embracing left-leaning political causes is dangerous and demonstrates a high degree of mismanagement.

Wokism can be used as a marketing tool but with the caveat that its use rquires carefull research and a light touch.

Jim Lavorato

Captain America Comic Fetches $3.1 Million

 

An 'almost' mint #1 issue of 'Captain America' sold for $3.1 million last week. At 82 years of age, the comic's cover depicts Cap America 'powing' Hitler.

Captain America is the story of a weak-kneed man, Steve Rogers, who is injected with a serum that transforms him into a super-soldier. An instant hit, upon its debut, only three copies in near mint condition exist of the thousands published in 1940. 

The $3.1 million price tag is the 3rd highest recorded. A comic featuring the first appearance of Spider-Man sold for $3.6 million in 2021, while an Action Comic #1 sold for $3.2 million in 2014.

China Gives Hollywood The Bum's Rush

 

For years, Hollywood studios have wooed China - and the CCP knew just how to play them. Like dangling a pork chop in front of a hungry dog China promised a huge box office. And, like many industries before and now, there wasn't a Chinese apple that wouldn't be shined or a boot that wasn't licked as the studios aided China in building new production facilities, readopting plots, rewriting scripts, edited films, and generally kowtowing to every Chinese censors' wish. Now, Chinese-produced films are breaking box office records while Hollywood films are shunned. 

You can blame it on a new wave of Chinese nationalism but this scenario has been played out many times before. In 2021, only 20 U.S. titles were released in China, representing only 12% of the total Chinese box office. In 2012, for example, Hollywood films garnered 48% of the box office and in 2016, 36%. It has been a steady downtrend which will continue.

There was much hype over the scale of the Chinese market by H'wood. The studios sadly and naively thinking they would dominate it. Now, the few Western films that are screened are highly censored and their releases as to when and where are dictated. 

There is no doubt that the Chinese movie market is the largest on the planet but in reality, the notion of  Hollywood grabbing a large share of it is but a dream! Perhaps the studios will finally learn that the CCP doesn't care for their social views, and wokeness even if they bow to or dismiss China's multitude of social, moral, political, and environmental sins there is still no room for them at the table.

China has given Hollywood the bum's rush and deservedly so. Fiascos, such as the 'slap' incident at the Oscars, or Amy Schumer suggesting that President Zelensky leave Ukraine to make a speech at the Academy Awards while waging a war with Russia demonstrate how out of touch with reality the Hollywood glitterati is.

"Sorry,  I can't make it I'm in the middle of a war"

One would have thought that Western companies have learned their lessons when it comes to conducting business in China - but I'm afraid that's not the case. Just yesterday, the CCP informed Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, that Apple would have to produce the chips that run iPhones in China, hmmm sounds familiar. 

 

RUST ...The Saga Continues

 As a follow-up to our other posts on the 'Rust' movie and Alec Baldwin, the latest news is that the Directors Guild of America issued orders to all of its members to stop working on a related project.

Baldwin with the backdrop of the 'Rust' movie set

Citing safety concerns, the Guild issued a directive to stop work on the teen genre film 'Oak' being produced by Thomasville Pictures, one of the companies behind 'Rust'.

The Guild informed its members that they should stop work on "Oak' and leave the set or face union discipline. 

Representatives of the Guild informed the producers of specific safety requirements that needed to be satisfied for the film to be covered under a Guile agreement. According to a spokesperson for the Directors Guild, "The producers failed to meet those conditions".

And so the sage of 'Rust' continues. Baldwin has now disavowed all responsibility for the on-set shooting in which one person was killed and another severely injured - although he was the shooter. CMG will continue to follow this story as events unfold.

Mission Impossible's Real-life Mission

 

Six films and two to go - #7 & #8 Missions

The Mission Impossible franchise has raked in close to $4 billion in admissions. That is six films about a super spy, Ethan Hunt, played by Tom Cruise. The MI franchise is based upon an American TV series of the same name which was created by Bruce Geller. Then in 1996 the first (in the now 8 film franchise) was released and from that point on the films have been one of Paramount's best moneymakers.

However, things aren't so rosy between Cruise and Paramount these days, as his lawyers have notified the studio that he was not happy with the 45 days theatrical release window - much shorter than his usual three-month cinema release - before streaming to Paramount+. 

So, the production of MI #7 was put on ice, and filming of MI#8 started. MI 7s release has been postponed four times and is now scheduled for release in July 2023, but on hold pending resolution of the release issue while working on #8. 

Cruise, who has creative control over the films, wants the longer cinema release window for both films. So, the notion that the studio has control over Cruise and the films' budget is wrong. Cruise is a guy that is incredibly detailed and willing to put an enormous amount of time and effort into every detail of the films. But, the still-unfinished #7 has already blown through $290 million as there is a relentless drive for bigger and better stunts and more and more shooting locations. 

At this time, Paramount has no other big, surefire franchises and #7 and #8 (both untitled as yet) will be big moneymakers. So, Cruise has Paramount under a barrel, and Paramount, like all other studios, is desperate for tentpoles.

Looks like we'll have to wait until 2023 to see another MI, but it should be worth the wait.

Monroe Biopic Gets NC-17 Rating

 The Motion Picture Association of America has given the new Netflix biopic on Marilyn Monroe an NC-17 adult-only rating.

The film stars Ana de Armas as the iconic Monroe and the rating was based upon sexual content. It is no surprise that a well-made depiction of Monroe would carry this rating. Monroe was not adverse to nude pictures of herself, she was the pin-up in the first issue of Playboy. She was a Hollywood sex kitten and liked playing that role. 

                                          Ana de Armas and Monroe

'Blonde' was "a demanding movie and one of true depiction. It's an NC-17 movie about Marilyn Monroe, it's kind of what one would expect," says Director Andrew Dominik. 

CMG agrees. A film of Monroe's life, if depicted truthfully, would be rated as an adult film. Try to catch the film at your local 'art' cinema as mainstream theater circuits are wary of screening NC-17s. I can't wait to see it.

Can The Academy Resuscitate The Oscar

 This year's Oscar Awards show represents a pivotal point in its history. This year is meant to "be a fun and engaging telecast for all viewers", according to Will Parker, this year's show producer. Really!

The Oscar is going to need a lot more than a snort of coke to revive 

The show will have three hosts, (Regina Hall, Amy Schumer, and Wanda Sykes - all three old-school SNL-type comics which makes for a big yawn) so you start with this as a challenge from the get-go. Additionally, there has developed a major riff regarding the Academy's decision to pre-record eight 'craft' awards and disperse them throughout the show. Many in the industry strongly feel this degrades the work of filmmakers in general.

All of this aside, the fact remains that no matter how the Oscars are presented, in what format, who hosts, what awards are given live and which are not - the show has no relevance to fans.

The Oscars have to have a whole make-over from top-to-bottom. Award the relevant films no matter the genre. This show should be all about entertainment and should be aired as an entertainment property. 

The Academy misses the point on the relevance of the Oscars. It is not a night to honor celebrities it is a night to honor moviegoers. The emphasis should be placed on the user and not the provider.

A core group is going to watch the show no matter what, but that core gets smaller each year. Viewers and movie fans have many choices and their choice is to be entertainment not to view a half-assed, pretentious, forced-humor, social-speak fashion/award show of the same old.

Oscars...Trying To Span The Disconnect

There exists a chasm between the Academy members and the moviegoing public. This divide is wider and deeper than it has ever been and is reflected in the viewership of the Oscars which has been on a downward trajectory over the last 15 years and reached an all-time low of 9.5million viewers last year.

OUT OF TOUCH WITH MOVIEGOERS

The  Academy needs to get relevant and lose the elevated snobbery that the brand projects, particularly when it comes to nominating movies that very few see and which generate little to no box office attendance.  If nothing else it should be taken as a monetary problem, as the Oscar telecast is a major source of revenue for the nonprofit organization - and this continues to drop. 

So, to alleviate the problem, this year the Academy has decided to present a 'the Twitter Award', in an attempt to reverse the course of non-interest on the part of film fans.

Twitter users will be able to tweet their submissions up to 20 times a day using the hashtag #OscarsFanFavorite. The film that receives the most fan votes by March 3rd will be recognized during the March 27th broadcast.

CMG believes that this 'scheme', to get younger moviegoers interested in watching the Oscars, will fail. It is the latest, there have been many, to hold on to the cultural importance it once had. The Oscars have become a boorish event for the Hollywood glitterati to backslap and pontificate on their wokish political views.

Only when the films that generate the bulk of the box office gate will film fans return to watching the Oscar awards --- and not before that.

No Vac or Mask for Oscar

In Los Angeles, all moviegoers MUST be fully vaccinated and masked before being admitted to a cinema to enjoy a movie... yet those mandates do not apply for attending the Academy Awards.

Yes, the mandates have been waived for the Hollywood hotshots and the glitterati will be free to congregate vac and mask free during the Oscar presentations.

The Academy confirmed that attendees to the big show would not be required to show vac status nor wear masks.

No need for masks or vacs at Oscars

With standing-room-only at the event, tinsel-town elites see no reason why they should be burdened by trivial mandates reserved for the common folk. 

So, an unvaccinated person in L.A. cannot go to a cinema, gym, restaurant, or bar without showing proof of being fully vac'ed. It occurs to me that of all the public places one can visit a cinema is the safest!  There is distance separation, the seats are sanitized, and there is very little co-mingling of patrons. Not so at the Oscars, where thousands will be packed into the Dolby Theater and I guarantee you the only people wearing masks will be the paparazzi.

What about masks you say? Well, it seems that masks will not be required at the Oscars either. CA State officials announced this week that the indoor mask mandate will be lifted on February 16th. The Oscars will be aired on March 27th.

So at cinemas, it's No Pokey No Showy. For Oscars: No Pokey Who Cares - let the games begin.

No need for the glitterati to be vac'ed of masked

 

Old Stars and Songsters Have No Relevance

 Whether Neil Youn, Joni Mitchell, or Barbra Streisand why on earth do they believe they are still relevant and can sway public opinion and cancel others that pose different views than their own.

To their credit, Spotify did not capitulate to demands by these older, non-relevant music artists to cancel podcasters that didn't agree with their held beliefs.

The term Covidians (those that have elevated the COVID crisis to a religious level) is what these anti-free speech retro-artists represent.

CMG believes people have the right to any beliefs regarding the pandemic or any other topic. If businesses give in to unfounded demands by others - they will lose in the long run.

Wokeism is a cultural trend that will become irrelevant because of its ridge and unflexible posture. If more companies, follow Spotify's example the current cancel culture which pits people against each other will die out.

Call For Gun Safety on Film Sets

 New Mexican Republican State Senator, Cliff Pirtle, introduced a bill that would require all film and TV production personnel who handle firearms to complete a gun safety course with the New Mexico Game & Fish Department.

Spurred on by the Alec Baldwin shooting that took the life of cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins while filming the movie, 'Rust', it was unclear if the bill will gain support in the Democrat-led legislature and Dem. Governor, Michelle Grisham, had no immediate comment on the proposal.

Senator Pirtle, in a statement, stated, "Unfortunately, to the Hollywood elite, the talk around guns is all too abstract. This is  a simple bill to bring  some gravity back to the use of firearms  on production sets."

CMG agrees with Senator Pirtle and other States should follow. There definitely needs to be a higher sense of awareness regarding firearms on film and TV production sets. 

Movies In Outer Space - Literally

 Space Entertainment Enterprise announced last week that it is planning to have a full-blown movie production studio and sports arena in space! The company said they are aiming to build a space station module by December 2024 that "would host films, television, music and sports events and enable artists, producers, and other creatives to produce content in a low-orbit, micro-gravity environment."

 Axiom Space, which received NASA's approval in January 2020 to build a commercial component on the International Space Station, is supposed to undertake the construction of the SEE-1 project.

Thin-skinned Chinese Take Aim At Keanu Reeves

 Tibet is a national issue for the Chinese. They believe that the nation of Tibet is part of the greater Middle Kingdom - and they are very put-off by any mention of their right of ownership. 

To this point, a Chinese Nationalist Group called 'little pinks', has requested the Chinese government ban the movie 'The Matrix Resurrections' because its star, Keanu Reeves, supports Tibet House (a pro-Tibetan non-profit that supports the Dalai Lama - the exiled spiritual leader of Tibet). 

Reeves promoting Matrix Resurrections

Reeves isn't the first Hollywood star to be castigated for supporting Tibetan independence. Past actors have included Richard Gere and Brad Pitt.

The social wires were ablaze in China as the anti 'Matrix' movement went viral. Many Chinese, towing the 'little pinks' Communist line, expressed "shock and dismay" at Reeves saying they would quit being fans.

And so it goes. China is becoming annoying. For such a large and 'modern' nation to be this petty clearly demonstrates their thin skin when dealing with issues pertaining to their national aggression.   

 

Timepieces as Props: Real or Fake? You Decide

 In many films, timepieces and watches are very often used as center-piece props. Are they real or fake? It all depends on the movie.

In the photo above, taken from the movie "Don't Look Up", Johna Hill is wearing a Richard Mille RM52 Skull Tourbillon. The watch is prominently displayed in the scene but it is fake - the real Mille sells for $600,000. This did not go unnoticed by watch aficionados who filled the internet with posts regarding the 'counterfeit timepiece'.   

Fake watches are often substituted for real ones in movies, one because of the cost to rent the real ones, two because of the risk of them 'going missing' from the set, and third, they may be damaged during filming.

However, there are times when nothing but the real will do. For example, in "Crazy Rich Asians" a pivotal scene occurs where only the best, and real, could be used. In this case, the borrowing of a Newman Rolex Daytona (one was last sold at auction for $17.8 million). It is sometimes the details that make the film much more realistic.

Newman with Rolex Daytona

Sometimes studios will make deals with manufacturers, making them the official timepieces of the movie, for example, Omegas used in the Bond films. Unless you're a watch geek you wouldn't have noticed that Elvis wore a Hamilton Ventura (a Swiss watch that Presley wore for years) in "Blue Hawaii". In fact, many watches are sold based, in part, because they were viewed in a favorite movie.

 

Elvis sporting Hamilton Ventura

So, the next time you're at the movies check out the watches and other timepieces. Can you tell the difference between real and fake?

Ugly People - A Short Post

 Someone quipped, "Politics is show business for ugly people" and from the looks of our politicians, this is very true.

What was ugly in 2021 was the movie box office. At $4.4 billion, and representing a 91% increase over 2020, it still has a long way to go.

The good news is that the cinema's ugliness will be overcome and it will rise again as the preeminent means of viewing films and the emotion they bring to the viewer. As for our politicians - no such luck!

People are returning to the cinema

 According to a recent poll by Nielson, when asked where would you prefer to view a new movie, 58% of people within the age of 18 to 58 responded 'in a movie theater'!  People want to go to the movies. They know the value of viewing a film in a movie theater vs. at home and they will return post (or sort of post) pandemic.

Movie Theaters Will Rise, Phoenix-like, in 2022

 'Spider Man' was an echo of the past as the last two years were hell to the movie exhibition industry. 

Movie theaters will rise phoenix-like in 2022

2021 ended with a bang as 'Spider Man' grossed over $600 million in N. America and over $1 billion globally. Shortened theatrical release windows, day-and-date streaming content, and pandemic restraints were huge challenges never faced before by cinemas.

What was demonstrated however was that cinemas still reign supreme as viewing venues which can not be replicated in the home.

Although movie exhibition continues to wrestle with COVID-induced issues, the U.S. box office was much improved over 2020 - as total gross admissions for 2021 topped $4.4 billion, a 91% increase over 2020. 

The good news is that frequent moviegoers (those that attend at least once per month) have returned. People are fed-up with pandemic restrictions - we've had enough. Additionally, it has not gone unnoticed by the movie studios that films released in cinemas and streamed simultaneously, ie. The Matrix, lose out on the box office revenue stream.

By and large, movie theaters are much safer places for patrons to visit than bars or restaurants - and this fact should be widely advertised by each and every cinema.

Considering the beating cinemas underwent over the past two years, most endured, with only 5% of U.S. screen closing. It will take time for audiences to return in full and for cinemas to adjust to a shortened release window - but in reality, most admissions occur in the first three weeks of release.

It's funny, but the fate of cinemas rests not with the studios or the cinemas but the moviegoing public and their decision on whether or not to 'go to the movies' and view films the way they were meant to be seen.

The AMC Saga: The Best Hollywood Story of the Year

 

Being resurrected from the brink of bankruptcy was only the start of this entertainment saga.

More than 4 million retail investors betted billions on AMC's future as the entity was rocked and battered by COVID and content streamers.

Amassing on social media, these retail investors took AMC's shares price from $2.20 to $76.02 and the new 'crowd' investors ended up owning 80% of the company. Empowered by Robin Hood, Webull, and other online investment apps, that have made stock trading easy and cheap, the mob rescued the faltering movie house. 

Robin Hood founders: Vladimir Tenev and Baiju Phatt

Not guided by Wall Street's normal financial investment motives, these retail investors were moved by internet buzz. AMC and video game retailer Game Stop were 2021 'mob' favorites. Fancied a populist revolt against Wall Street take-over predators who had bet heavily on both companies' demise.

"It was the 99% against the 1%. I love the movies, we would go every week. I knew there was a bunch of people that would come together for this battle", stated Kathy Larsen, a 40-year-old bartender from Oceanside, CA. 

Larsen, and her mates, call themselves 'apes', a reference to the film 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes'. The apes made AMC their cause, and AMC CEO, Adam Aron, climbed on board. To appease the apes, AMC began accepting cryptocurrencies and hosting mixed martial arts tournaments.

$2 billion had been raised but Aron felt he would need double that to survive the impact of the pandemic but the new 'owners' shot down that idea. Led by several leaders, including Trey Collins, a 24-year-old Army officer, the apes told Aron to "forget about AMC's business fundamentals" and instead put trust in the ape collective.

Now, looking in from the outside, Wall Street analysts cited AMC's pandemic losses, a $5 billion debt load, and the changing consumers' viewing habits make AMC's performance outlook extremely dim.

Numbers don't lie, and AMC's share price currently stands at $29.12 (as of 12/18/21). The apes did allow AMC senior executives to become rich however as they unloaded their shares - to the tune of $80 million. 

Trey Collins and other ape influencers tell AMC mob investors to hold their shares - predicting the stock will soar again.

The apes vs. Wall Street, there can only be one winner. Who do you think will come out on top?

"I Didn't Pull The Trigger"

 Things got a lot worse for Alec Baldwin this week as a warrant to search his cell phone was issued. 

In the continuation of the investigation of the fatal shooting on the set of 'Rust', the lead investigator, Santa Fe Detective Alexandria Hancock stated that she had asked Baldwin and his attorney to voluntarily turn over the phone, but her request was refused. She was told by Baldwin's attorney to "get a warrant." Which she did!

Hancock also indicated that in a search of Halyna Hutchins' (the cinematographer that was killed) phone found conversations regarding the protocols during the production of 'Rust' that went back to July 14th. 

                                 Alec Baldwin in a world of hurt

The affidavit for the warrant included details of Baldwin's initial interview with detectives. In that interview, Baldwin stated that he had exchanged emails with Hannah Reed, the armorer of the production, about what type of gun was to be used and that he selected the Colt .45 used in the fatal shooting.

In an interview on ABC, Baldwin stated, "it's highly unlikely that I would be charged with anything criminally."  Hmmm...not so fast Alec. So far no charges have been ruled out and criminal negligence and 2nd-degree manslaughter are not far-fetched charges in a case such as this.

The warrant included all voice, text, photos, videos, call history, contacts, and GPS date regarding anything to do with the 'Rust' production.

CMG thinks Baldwin is in a world of hurt.

In a related story, the Head of Lighting on the 'Rust' production has filed a lawsuit over Baldwin's fatal shooting, alleging negligence that caused him "severe emotional stress that will haunt him forever."

                             Serge Svernoy and attorney

Serge Svetnoy, said the fatal bullet, that killed Hutchins, narrowly missed him.

The suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, names many, including Alec Baldwin, who was a star and a producer of 'Rust". Svetnoy stated that he had seen guns setting unattended in the dirt and had warned the people responsible for them.

"I felt a strange and terrifying whoosh of what felt like pressurized air from my right. I believe I felt gunpowder and other residual materials strike the right side of my face."

Clooney Blasts Baldwin

 "I've been on sets for 40 years and the person that hands you a gun, the person that is responsible for the gun, is either the prop person or the armorer, PERIOD." quoted George Clooney.

                                Clooney very outspoken on 'Rust' shooting

In the case of the fatal shooting on the set of  'Rust', assistant director David Halls handed the gun to Alec Baldwin - who never checked the gun. Supposedly, Halls told Baldwin it was a "cold gun". Clooney called that a term, "I've never heard".

Clooney was very outspoken about the fatal shooting. "Every single time I'm handed a gun on the set... I open it, I show it to the person I'm pointing it at, I show it to the crew. Every single take, you hand it back to the armorer when you're done and you do it again for every take. For the life of me, this low-budget film with producers who haven't produced anything wouldn't have hired, for the armorer, someone with experience is insane and infuriating."

                                   Baldwin is in a heap of trouble

Alec Baldwin, who was one of the producers of 'Rust', is now claiming he never discharged the gun that fatally shot Halyna Hutchins and wounded Joel Souza.

"Every film/TV set that uses guns, fake or otherwise, should have a police officer on set, hired by the production, to specifically monitor weapons safety", says Baldwin. 

No Alec. You just need to follow the protocols and be smart and not cheap-out on crew and staff. Hire good and experienced prop people and armorers and make sure the person holding the gun checks it BEFORE it is used. This is basis 101 gun safety. NEVER point a gun at anyone no matter what and ALWAYS check to see if it is loaded and with what.

The great irony of all this is that an activist group, BLD PWR, an arm of Black Lives Matter, demanded that the studios stop using police on all movie and TV sets. Citing police brutality and racism. The Group wants Hollywood to divest itself from the use of police ties and push the industry to invest more in black productions. 

CMG says, if black or other ethnic films made money, they would be produced all day long. Fact is, the color Hollywood is most concerned about, like all businesses, is GREEN. Another fact, the black community is the worst of all moviegoing demographics.                           

IATSE's Contract Negotiations with Studios & Streamers Ends

 

The long and very bitter labor contract negotiations between the Union and studios and content streamers ended as it started contentiously. 

On Monday, the Intl' Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, ratified the agreement by 256 delegates voting "yes" and 188 voting "no". However, of the 40,000+ general membership, 50.4% voted "no".
This left many union members angry and have asked for the resignation of Matthew Loeb, President of the Union. Based in NYC, many members (who are based in Los Angeles) felt Loeb was "out of touch with our situation."

The contract includes some member gains - a 54 hour weekend rest period, as well as, increased penalties for working longer than eight hours without a lunch break. But, working hours and improved funding of the health care and retirement funds were not addressed.

Many members have vowed to continue pressing for their demands for "humane work schedules" and more contributions from the content streamers.

Best Western Movies EVER!

 Recent, British entertainment media company The Independent issued their list of the 20 Top Western Movies of all time. Here we reprint their listing and CMG's top picks.

      Indendendent's Selections          CMG's Selections  

20.    Ride Lonesome (1959) Randolph Scott               Buck & The Preacher (1972) S. Poitier

19.    Vera Cruz (1954) B. Lancaster, G.Cooper          Little Big Man ( 1970 ) D. Hoffman

18.    Winchester 73 (1950) J.Stewart                           Big Hand For A Little Lady (1966) H. Fonda

17.    One-Eyed Jacks (1961) M. Brando                      HUD (1961) P. Newman

16.    Rio Bravo (1959) J. Wayne, D. Martin                Nevada Smith (1966) S. McQueen

15.    My Darling Clementine (1946)) H. Fonda           The Professionals (1966) L. Marvin

14.    The Ox-bow Insident (1943) H. Fonda                 Hang 'em High (1968) C. Eastwood

13.    Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid (1969)         Hombre (1967) P. Newman

12.    The Gunslinger (1950) G. Peck                             The Appaloosa (1966) M. Brando

11.    Ride the High Country (1962) R. Scott                 Shalako (1968) S. Connery

10.    The Magnificant Seven (1960) Y. Bryner             One-Eyed Jacks (1961) M. Brando

Alan Ladd - 'Shane'. 

9.      Red River (1948) J. Wayne                                    True Grit  (1960) J. Wayne  

8.      High Noon (1952) G. Cooper                                 Once Upon A Time in The West (1968)

7.      Stagecoach (1939) J. Wayne                                  The Magnificant Seven (1960) Y. Bryner

6.      Once Upon A Time in The West (1968)                The Cowboys (1972) J. Wayne

5.      Shane (1953) A. Ladd                                             The Wild Bunch (1969) W. Holden

4.      Unforgiven (1992) C. Eastwood                            Unforgiven (1992) C. Eastwood

3.      Good, the Bad, The Ugly (1966) C. Eastwood     The Good, The Bad, The Ugly (1966) 

2.      The Wild Bunch (1969) W. Holden                       The Searchers (1956) J. Wayne

1.      The Searchers (1956) J. Wayne                             Shane (1953) A. Ladd 

      

 There you have it. The choices for the Best Westerns EVER!          

         

IATSE vs. Studios & Streamers Contract Up For Vote

 

In our continuing coverage of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees union contract negotiations with the major film studios and content streamers, members will vote on the current leadership negotiated contract on November 15th.

But, there is not only discontent within the general membership but the 23 candidates running for the Board of the Editors Guild (Local 700 of IATSE) are all opposed to the pending agreement. 

The current Board of the Editors' Guild is urging members to ratify the new contract (as are the leaders of IATSE) but many of the rank-and-file don't like the agreement reached with the studios and streamers.

The sticking issue revolves around getting streaming residuals and more funding for retirement and health plans.

There is a 50/50 chance that the agreement will not be passed and a strike would then be eminent. 

Disney+ To Stream Old Marvel Films in IMAX Formet

 Starting Nov. 12th, Disney+ subscribers will be able to stream 13 previously released Marvel films in an IMAX Expanded Aspect Ratio (see photo).

Black Panther is expanded format

The films include: 'Captain America', 'Doctor Strange', 'Thor: Ragnarok', and 'Black Panther', and others, but all of which have already played on broadcast TV, many times. So, nothing new there.

The expanded format is 1.9:1, meaning that in certain scenes more action is visible on-screen vs. regular HDTV format of 16:9.

Batman: Expanded vs. HDTV format

Marvel films virtually saved IMAX from bankruptcy. Over the last decade, IMAX has grossed over $1.6 billion globally playing Marvel products, without which IMAX would be a relic of history.

As of July, Disney+ had amassed 116 million subscribers worldwide - 40% of which came from India, Indonesia, and Malaysia. However, subscriptions, to the two-year-old service, have dropped off substantially in recent months. Disney believes the IMAX format will give Disney+ a boost in subscriptions.

CMG doesn't think so, the films offered are essentially old products. The format isn't really that significant in terms of on-screen image (see photos) and who really cares?