Amazon to Pay $2.5 billion to Consumers

 Amazon has paid $2.5 billion to settle claims it enrolled millions of consumers in Prime subscriptions without their consent, and made it very difficult to cancel enrollment.

Under the settlement, Amazon will pay the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) $1 billion in civil penalties and $1.5 billion in refunds to consumers "harmed by their deceptive Prime enrollment practices."

An estimated 35 million consumers have been impacted by Amazon's unsolicited Prime enrollment. According to the FTC, affected consumers will be receiving a check for $51.

Amazon is getting away cheaply. Many of the 35 million consumers will keep their accounts as they receive free shipping on all Amazon purchases and the Prime streaming platform, among other benefits. 

U.S. TikTok Users Cheer Trump

TikTok is now U.S.-owned, as President Trump signed an order requiring an 80% ownership by U.S. investors.

It wasn't reported who the investors were. What we do know is that  Larry Ellison, CEO of Oracle, Michael Dell, of Dell Computing, and Rupert Murdoch are on the list. The deal values TikTok at $14 billion. The deal was struck to allow TikTok to remain available to the millions of American users while protecting their personal data.  

ByteDance, the Chinese owner of  TikTok said in a statement, "We thank President Xi and President Trump for their efforts to preserve TikTok in the U.S. ByteDance will work in accordance with the applicable laws to ensure TikTok remains available to American users."

The Agreement reduces ByteDance's ownership to 19.9% and includes not only TikTok but also the ancillary Lemon8 and CapCut applications.

 Lemon8 is a TikTok lifestyle-focused app. A place to scroll through curated posts on fashion, beauty, food, travel, and wellness - while also sharing your own. Launched in Japan in 2020, the app has experienced huge growth worldwide.

CapCut is a free video editing app developed by ByteDance. It allows for quick editing of smartphone videos into professional-quality content by cutting, speed adjustments, music integration, etc. CapCut is a powerful video editing tool, and its popularity has grown exponentially.

This deal has been long-awaited by millions of U.S. TikTok users. It is not only a social platform but a robust online retail platform for millions of e-commerce entrepreneurs. 

Presidents Trump and Xi 

This is good news for all parties involved and a very satisfactory outcome.

So True!

 

A CMG Public Service

"TV is a Terrible Consumer Experience" says WB-Discovery CEO Zaslav

 David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, is not a fan of TV. According to him, "the marketplace is really challenged with too many players in the market. When people turn on the TV, it's a terrible experience. There are just too many choices, and many aren't outstanding entertainment."  I agree; quality content on both small and silver screens has become increasingly rare to find. 

Makeup of the Warner Bros. corporation    

Zaslav is in the process of splitting Warner Bros. Discovery into two separate companies, which should occur by April 2026. After the split, Zaslav will be in charge of Warner Bros. studio, DC studio, HBO, HBO Max, and the TCM channel. Gunner Wiedenfels, Warner's current CFO, will run the Discovery and Turner platforms, which include TNT, TBS, CNN, the Cartoon, and Food networks, and HGTV.

Skydance, the media and entertainment company (which just purchased Paramount Inc. for $8 billion) has put in a bid for Warner Bros. Discovery for $20 billion (its current market value is around $11 billion). 

Consolidation of the entertainment industry is needed, and it will happen. There are too many players chasing the same eyeballs, and creative, quality content is what is needed both on TV and in cinemas.

David Ellison, CEO Skydance - David Zaslav, CEO Warner Bros.

World's Best Film Fest

 As the Cannes, Venice, Toronto, Tribeca, and Sundance Film Festivals become more devoted to process vs. art.  Where political and social protests are the norm, and films are blackballed based upon their country of origin, enter the Deauville American Film Festival. Set in the Normandy region of France, the Deauville, now in its 51st year, is the best-kept secret in the cinema industry.

 

One of the Deauville Festival's venues

About a two-hour drive from Paris, the Festival is 10 days long and screens films 24 hours per day during that time. The Deauville highlights American films, but other countries are represented. It is by far the chicest and hippest film festival in the world.

And, surprise, the Deauville has hidden pleasures other fests don't come close to.

- Fans can dine with their biggest idols. Yes, there is a process whereby stars are given the ability to dine with pre-selected fans,

- Attendees enjoy, through movies, the special relationship America has with France culturally.

- The beaches at Deauville are among the best in Europe. And a stay at one of the ocean-side hotels is a special treat and well worth the price.

- Shop and eat among the stars as everyone at the Festival partakes in the local restaurants, from high-end eateries to inexpensive cafes.

One of the hotels at Deauville

The Deauville American Film Festival is currently the 'king of the hill' of film festivals. It continues to cement that position without publicising. It is not garish, not political, and is what a film festival should be - all about the films.

 Bar de la Mer, located on Deauville's shoreline 

If you are thinking of attending a film festival, make it the Deauville. Wrap it into a vacation and take in the historic WWII monuments, museums, and sacred grounds from the D-Day Normandy Allied invasion. 

Swift's Newest Venture

 Taylor Swift is in the news constantly. In addition to everything else, she will be returning to theaters with a 89-minute release of 'Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl' on October 3rd, the same day she will be releasing a new album, 'The Life of a Showgirl.' 

Cinemas will include all of the AMC Theatres and thousands of other screens across the U.S. and internationally. All of the screening will be simulcast at 3 PM EST on October 3rd.

The film will be priced at $12. Swift is superstitious, and her favorite number is 12. As fate would have it, this will be her 12th album, which contains 12 songs.

Tickets are on sale now. All attendees are welcome to sing and dance during the presentation. There will be no trailers or ads during the presentation. 

Swift has stated the film will include "cut-by-cut explanations of what inspired the music. Dancing is optional but very much encouraged."

Cinema operators have much to like about Swift. Her previous film, 'Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour' grossed over $262 million worldwide.

Skydance Media to Purchase Warner Bros. - Maybe

 Having just swallowed Paramount Global for $8 billion, Skydance Media, led by David Ellison, is currently in the process of biting an even bigger piece of the entertainment industry - with a $70 billion bid for Warner Bros. Discovery.

According to Warner's management, the company is scheduled to be split by April 2026 into two distinct entities: Warner Bros. (the studio and HBO Max) and Discovery Global (the TV networks including CNN, TNT, TBS, and Discovery). 

Hmmm...for Skydance an HBO Max coupled with Paramount+ would be a streaming giant, supplemented by two major film studios - Paramount and Warner Bros.

But not so fast. Others may enter in a bidding war, including Netflix, Amazon, Apple, and Sony.

Skydance's $70 billion bid is on the mark. Warner's stock soared 29% on the potential Skydance offer. Its current market value is $40 billion. 

Paramount Says Boycott of Israeli Films Bad for Industry

Over 3,900 cinema industry notables signed a pledge not to work with Israeli film makers - to which Paramount Pictures released a statement condemning the boycott.

Boycott demonstrators

"At Paramount we believe in the power of storytelling to connect and inspire people, promote mutual understanding, and preserve the moments and ideas that shape the world we share. This is our creative mission.: Melissa Zukerman, Paramount's chief communication officer, further added: "We do not agree with recent efforts to boycott Israeli filmmakers. The global entertainment industry should be encouraging artists to tell their stories and share their ideas with audiences throughout the world. We need more engagement and communication - not less."

Paramount is the first major studio to speak out against the boycott. The 3,900+ boycott pledgers were listed by Film Workers for Palestine. The pledge signers declared that they would refuse to work with Israeli companies or associations implicated with "the genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people." The signers included directors, actors, script writers, and producers. 

Boycotting the production of any art form is a door you may not want to open; boycotting Israeli filmmakers is a political stance not an artistic one. Blacklisting filmmakers during the 1950s based on political ideas and beliefs was wrong then and is wrong now.

Other companies being boycotted

I applaud Paramount for their stance against this artistic boycott and hope the other major studios follow suit.

Tom Hanks Gets Canceled

 West Point cancelled the Thayer Award ceremony which was intended to be awarded to Tom Hanks. The annual award is meant to celebrate an 'outstanding citizen', outside of West Point affiliation, that exemplifies, "Duty, Honor, Country" (West Points' motto).

Needless to say, Hanks represents the very liberal Hollywood elites, and it should come as no surprise that he was canceled.

Entrance to West Point

In their press release the West Point Association stated the "the decision to cancel bestowing the award to Hanks will allow West Point to focus on its core mission of preparing cadets to lead, fight, and win as officers in the world's most lethal force, the United States Army."

What they are saying is that Hanks' wokeness and liberal political views do not coincide with West Points' current views. 

Tom Hanks - too woke for West Point

 

In further West Point news, the portrait of Robert E. Lee (which was taken down during the Biden Administration) was re-hung in the West Point Library, where it originally hung. It should be noted that Lee as a West Point graduate and acted as its superintendent for 1852-1855.

Robert E. Lee's portrait 

In a statement regarding the Lee portrait, Rebecca Hodson, the Army's communications director stated, "under this Administration, we honor our history and learn from it - we don't erase it."

And so, it goes. 

By: Jim Lavorato

Is 3D Back?

 It looks as though there is a trend towards bring back 3D to cinemas; however, the problem is that it will be accomplished using AI.

The trend towards 3D reflects moviegoers' willingness to pay an average price of $18.50 for a 3D admission.

Also, the resurgence is based on the fact that AI technology can dramatically reduce 2D to 3D conversion costs. Estimates are that 2D-to-3D conversion for a tentpole movie would cost about $15 million, but AI usage would bring the cost down to less than $5 million. 

Who Was John Candy

 A documentary on the comedian John Candy, entitled "John Candy: I Like Me" will debut at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 4th.'

Directed by Colin Hanks and produced by Ryan Reynolds, the film follows the life of Candy, a Toronto-born comedian, who rose to fame on the show 'Second City TV'. He starred in a number of very successful films, including 'Spaceballs', 'Uncle Buck". 'Planes, Trains, and Automobiles', and 'Little Shop of Horrors'.  John Candy died of a heart-attack in 1994 at the age of 43.

The film presents a true depiction of Candy's life on and off the camera - featuring home videos and uncut interviews. According to Colin Hanks, this documentary is "the story of a son, husband, father, and friend, a professional driven to bring joy to audiences and loved ones which battling personal ghosts and Hollywood pressures."

Hollywood Celebs Invest Big in Major Sports

 Celebrities and other Hollywood moguls have long been associated with sports teams - but investment/ownership has now reached mega-levels.  

Jay-Z purchased a portion of the Brooklyn Nets over two decades ago but in recent times many new celeb investors have sprung up in soccer, pickleball, sailing, and the list goes on.

To put things in perspective, the average NBA team is worth $4.6 billion and $7.1 billion for an NFL team. And it's just not American teams but European teams and sports franchises are in the mix. 

Notable celeb investors include Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughn, Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Dwayne Johnson, Will Smith, Snoop Dog, Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman etc..... the list goes on. 

Although investment in U.S. teams is hot, European, Australian, and South American sports franchises also make for great investment.

Summer Camp for the Hollywood Elite's Kids

Shipping their children off for eight weeks of summer camp is the norm with Hollywood luminaries.

Sigourney Weaver and daughter Charlotte at Camp Vega

 

First, healthily food is a must and most of these camps offer all day-long salad and pasta bars, soup stations, and fresh fruit. Kids can take day-long courses in digital media, gourmet cooking, and culinary arts, and get coached in tennis, lacrosse, crew and polo from pro athletics.

According to Patti Roberts, who runs a summer camp advisory service which advises parents seeking the "right plan" for their offspring. Says Roberts, "the cabins are still basic at most camps, but what has changed are new activities. Pickleball, rock climbing, gardening, and wine and cooking classes are par for the course."

Camp Vega, located in Maine, grows their own organic for a kitchen that would put Spago's to shame. Trip Lake Camp, also located in Maine and Keewaydin Camp in Vermont are also known for instructing and producing gourmet meals which are taught by James Beard Award winning chefs. 

Aerial view of Camp Laurel

Camp Laurel, in Maine, stresses pro-level sports. The Camp boasts full-sized playing fields, 15 tennis courts, a gymnastics center, and full-sized hockey rink. However, the most protected amenity for any Camp is offering discretion and safety. For example, Camp Wisosuta, tucked away in the New Hampshire mountains allows invitation only access.

According to Patti Roberts, "what these camps also offer is snob appeal, an air of exclusivity and out of reach of most parents."

And exclusive they are - with most starting at $17,000 for the eight weeks stay.

Cherry Lane Theatre

 

The off-Broadway Cherry Lane Theatre in New York City was purchased in 2023 by the indie-film company A24 for $10 million - it is now ready to open after extensive renovations. 

The Cherry Lane is over 100 years old, and the plan is to offer film screenings, live plays, and comedy. It will have its grand opening on September 14th. The opening will feature an event entitled, "Sundays with Sofia", a film series hosted by Sofia Coppola.

The 167 seat Cherry Lane will include artist-led productions, emerging talent presentations, stage readings, and standup comedy. It will also have a bar/restaurant, on premises called the Wild Cherry.

Cherry Lane Theatre is located at 38 Commerce St. just west of Greenwich Village. We wish A24 all the best.

By: Jim Lavorato

First Ever Oscar for Papua New Guinea

 Papua New Guinea (PNG), an independent island State located in the Southwestern Pacific Ocean, just north of Australia., has submitted its very first Oscar nomination, entitled "Papa Buka.

The film follows an aging World War II veteran as he guides two Indian historians, who are studying the connection between India and Papua New Guinea. This Oacar nomination is auspicious as next year will be the 50th anniversary of PNG's independence.

Sine Boboro, plays Papa Buka in the film

"This is a historic moment for PNG cinema. This film embodies our traditions, our artistic voice, and we are proud to present it to the world through the Academy Awards", says Don Niles, PNG's Oscar Committee Chair.

The film is a co-production of PNG and India. The cast is led by 85-year-old tribal leader Sine Boboro, with supporting cast members from India and PNG. 'Papa Buka' is not just a film, but a building and instructional project. Over 40 PNG film students worked on the project alongside the international production crew.

'Papa Buka' is scheduled for theatrical release in PNG on September 19th, 2025, followed by Oscar campaign events in Los Angeles before the Oscar presentations - we wish them well.

'MUSK': The Full Story

 The 'MUSK' documentary will be an in-depth look into the world's richest and most brilliant man. The docu will have a theatrical release before moving to HBO for streaming.

"No biographical portrait has centered on an individual so at the crossroads of our society as Elon Musk". says Kent Sanderson, CEO of Bleecker Street., the film's distributor. 

Alex Gibney, the film's creator has indicated that this would be his best work thus far - which includes Oscar nominated 'Enron - The Smartest Guys in the Room", and Oscar winner, "Taxi To the Dark Side".

Take Off the Nose Ring

 

PETA, the animal rights organization, wants Nintendo to remove the brass nose ring from Cow, an animated character from Nintendo's latest video game. It's a painful reminder of the cruelty cows endure in the meat and dairy industries" says PETA in their press release.

Launched in June of this year, in a video game called, 'Mario Kart World', the game has sold over 5.6 million copies to date. Nintendo, thus far, has not issued a response to PETA's request.

If this is any indication of what PETA determines is their cause - it's totally off mark. Each year thousands of 'real' birds are killed by wind turbines around the world - yet not one peep from PETA regarding this carnage. 

Also, you see many people with nose rings. The baristas at the coffee shop I frequent have nose rings.

This is not the first 'run-in' Nintendo has had with PETA. In 2017 PETA wrote that "Nintendo had sold its soul by partnering with McDonalds to include a Super Mario toy in Happy Meals. Nintendo should stick to making video games, not cruel and unhealthy chicken nuggets."

Content Based on Your Zodiac Sign

 

Netflix's latest scheme to keep eyeballs on their platform has turned to astrology. 

'Your Zodiac Watchlist' let's members browse the Netflix catalog through the lens of their zodiac sign.

Starting, August 23rd (so you may have already seen this new content sorting mechanism on your homepage) the Zodiac Watchlist begins with the Virgo sign (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22). Netflix is betting that members will enjoy their content based on their astrological signs. Here are a few samples.

Virgos: 'Animal Kingdom', 'The Queen's Gambit', 'Now You See Me'

Capricorns: 'Suits', 'Hostage', 'Dept. Q'

Aquarians (my sign): 'Stranger Things', 'Resident Alien', 'Venom'

I'm not sure what the relevance between the zodiac signs and the content selected. It appears that many of the titles are of old content that many have already viewed and which Netflix wants to regurgitate.

If this is Netflix's latest attempt to boost customer engagement, I don't think 'Your Zodiac Watchlist' is going to work.

Metro Private Cinema - A New Concept in Moviegoing

 

A guest room at the Metro

Tim League, founder and former owner of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas (which was sold to Sony Entertainment in 2024) will be cutting the ribbon on a new cinema in NYC's Chelsea neighborhood.

Called the Metro Private Cinema, the 20plex's auditoriums will seat only four to 20 moviegoers but allow them to choose their movie and order a gourmet meal.

The concept of offering individualized customer service is intended to upgrade the moviegoing experience to a new level. It's a night out at the movies with dinner shared with family/friends.

Dinner can be served family-style

The Metro will offer both first-run films, as well as a choice of older movies which patrons can select with prior notice. And, if you want to view a movie that isn't in their library, they'll get it for you.

All of this service doesn't come cheap. A four-person auditorium for four hours will set you back $200, a 12-person booking $600. Food costs average $100/per person without beverages.

Major cities, with dense populations and smaller living spaces may work well for the Metro concept, which is expected to open in late August/early September.

We'll soon see if there is an audience for this upscale moviegoing experience. 

LG... The First in AI-generated Cinema Ads

'Radio Optimism' is LG's cinema ad campaign that inspires viewers into interactive human connection using AI-powered ad creation. Picture a cinema ad that makes the viewers miss someone and inspires them to write a song or poem. 

The ads center on an interactive platform that helps create personalized AI-generated songs transforming digital music into a shared emotional experience. Once created, the songs are automatically sent to the recipient - it's a new form of digital storytelling. 

The cinema version will be released in various screen formats. The flat format (1.85:1) uses black bands to display a QR code for immediate access. The cinemascope format (2.35:1) maximizes visual immersion.

LG is a global S. Korean electronics firm which was founded in 1958. It has over 142 locations worldwide and employees over 72,000.

LG's goal with Radio Optimism is to turn passive cinema viewing into active emotional audience participation. LG found that 68% of people struggle to form genuine friendships despite constant digital connection. According to an LG press release, Radio Optimism "is technology that enhances human connection rather than replacing it."

How to use Radio Optimism

- Users began by providing simple prompts describing their feelings or memories, i.e. 'missing my sister's laugh'.

- The platform then asks for the preferred music genre and mood.

- It then provides a unique AI-generated song along with album artwork to match. Users just see their feelings transformed into personal soundtracks tailored to their preferences.

Song with unique album artwork

With 'Radio Optimism" LG has moved from product to purpose. It's not trying to sell but connect and participate. Placing this experience in cinemas (where emotion lives in films) is very strategic for the LG brand.

"Cinemas are the perfect amplifier for the Radio Optimism platform", states Ali Elkara, LG Senior Account Manager, "we're using the big screen not for advertising but as a catalyst for human connection that extends beyond the cinema walls." 

LG's move to active advertising in cinemas is a first and a trend that will be copied and repeated by others. Look for these interactive ads at a cinema near you.

The Glitterati's Favorite 'Procedure' is Back!

 Yes, the skin stretch is back in full force. Facelifts have come a long way from the time when only aging movie stars got them. They were considered the last resort for stars who had aged out of their youth...but not any longer. 

The facelift is back in movieland 

Whether small enhancement or full-blown 'stretch' the facelift is back in vogue. New techniques are so advanced that a 'lift' is barely detectable. So, older stars, has-beens, current stars and would-be stars are flocking to get a lift.

There are two types: SMAS (superficial muscular aponeurotic system) and the deep plane. Think of SMAS as a surface level lift while deep plane goes deeper into the skin resulting in a more dramatic result. 

Highly skilled surgeons charge over $100,000 per procedure, while the norm is about $65,000. 

Smile.

Microsoft Exits the Digital Movie & TV Business

 

Without prior notice or warning, last week, Microsoft ceased all sales and rentals of movies and TV shows.

In a release posted on Microsoft.com. and Microsoft Store, the tech giant simply stated, "it would no longer offer new entertainment content for purchase." No further explanation for this decision was given. MS started the movie sales business in 2006, and it has been a money generator; however, it does not fit into their plans for the future, which will be AI driven.

Also announced was the reduction of 10,000 MS employees over the next several months. These layoffs are a direct result of MS's move into AI. Coincidently, MS's staff reductions coincide with Amazon's announcement to reduce their staff by 18,000 employees. 

AI is beginning to impact various sectors of the economy and companies are going all in on the efficiency and scope AI has to offer. Microsoft has stated it will be investing over $10 billion in AI development across all of its product lines. 

Present Day Hollywood Will Not Survive AI

Hollywood is not new to invisible labor. From the blacklisted scriptwriters of the 1950s to today's collaborative filmmaking where every developer has a posse of scriptwriters, consultants, fixers, ghost writers, etc. that share in the making of the film. 

Cinema is a collaborative art form. Even if Hollywood tries to sell the love of genius filmmakers. But now the story has a new collaborator. Not a ghost writer. Not a blacklisted screenwriter. But something more, AI.

AI is the perfect creative partner. It doesn't eat, take breaks, and, most importantly, it doesn't ask for creative credit sharing. AI is beyond efficient.

Movie writers, producers, and directors are already experiencing with the 'shift'. The jobs of filmmaking have turned from creation to refinement. Authorship is via algorithms. The process is clean, uncluttered, and idiot-proof. And to the moviegoer, transparent.

Call it technophobia, but we record history by who touched the work, who developed the process, who made the invention. Now, the creative line between human and machine is blurred.

The industry will insist that AI is just a short-cut. A helper. Another tool to assist in the creative process. But the truth is AI doesn't need to get credit, doesn't collect salary or fees, wants no residuals, and has no problem with or resistance to changes in what it produces. 

So, in the end AI ensures complete anonymity. But what is lost is the thread of who did what and who is accountable. 

By: Jim Lavorato