Citing safety concerns following escalating protests, USC announced today it has canceled the “main stage” commencement ceremony that had been planned for May 10 and will require tickets for people to attend any other commencement activities.
The university will continue to hold “dozens” of smaller commencement events, including the individual school ceremonies — such as that for the School of Cinematic Arts — in which graduates are announced and walk across the stage to receive their diplomas.
“To ensure we host commencement activities and celebrate our graduates safely, we will be implementing additional security measures,” reads a message from the university. “These include ticketing of all commencement events taking place on May 8-11 and directing all campus access through specific points of entry.”
Details on the ticketing process were expected to be posted online by Tuesday.
The announcement came one day after nearly 100 people were arrested on campus following a daylong “occupation” by pro-Palestinian protesters in Alumni Park,...
The university will continue to hold “dozens” of smaller commencement events, including the individual school ceremonies — such as that for the School of Cinematic Arts — in which graduates are announced and walk across the stage to receive their diplomas.
“To ensure we host commencement activities and celebrate our graduates safely, we will be implementing additional security measures,” reads a message from the university. “These include ticketing of all commencement events taking place on May 8-11 and directing all campus access through specific points of entry.”
Details on the ticketing process were expected to be posted online by Tuesday.
The announcement came one day after nearly 100 people were arrested on campus following a daylong “occupation” by pro-Palestinian protesters in Alumni Park,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
I'm sorry, I can't right now, I'm going through a breakup - well, my fave celebrity couples are. And I'm in mourning.
So far, 2023 has felt unprecedented in terms of long-term, fan-favorite Hollywood relationships ending. Left and right, our social media feeds have been overwhelmed with the gut-wrenching "so-and-so called it quits after XYZ years together" announcements, and my fangirl heart simply can't take it anymore.
"It still hurts like we've been personally victimized by the breakup."
Sure, every year high-profile Hollywood romances end. But for millennial and Gen-Zers, this year has been particularly cruel. Take a walk down (painful) memory lane, and you'll see why. The whirlwind started in March, when Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth parted ways after nearly 12 years of marriage. The same month, Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix broke up after nine years together, and "Scandoval" rocked the pop culture zeitgeist for months afterwards. Mere weeks later,...
So far, 2023 has felt unprecedented in terms of long-term, fan-favorite Hollywood relationships ending. Left and right, our social media feeds have been overwhelmed with the gut-wrenching "so-and-so called it quits after XYZ years together" announcements, and my fangirl heart simply can't take it anymore.
"It still hurts like we've been personally victimized by the breakup."
Sure, every year high-profile Hollywood romances end. But for millennial and Gen-Zers, this year has been particularly cruel. Take a walk down (painful) memory lane, and you'll see why. The whirlwind started in March, when Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth parted ways after nearly 12 years of marriage. The same month, Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix broke up after nine years together, and "Scandoval" rocked the pop culture zeitgeist for months afterwards. Mere weeks later,...
- 10/2/2023
- by Ali Faccenda
- Popsugar.com
There’s a new trailer for World on Fire, the Masterpiece war drama from The A Word’s Peter Bowker that bows Sunday, October 15, on PBS.
The series looks at World War II through the eyes of ordinary people from all sides of the conflict. The new seven-episode season will follow the first year of the war, starting with the German invasion of Poland in September 1939 and ending with the Battle of Britain.
The cast includes Lesley Manville (The Crown), Jonah Hauer-King (The Little Mermaid), Ahad Raza Mir (Resident Evil), Mark Bonnar (Guilt) and Gregg Sulkin (Runaways).
In 2019, PBS joined the BBC for a second season of the drama that starred Helen Hunt as a war correspondent. Season 2 has already dropped in the U.K, where viewers have noticed the absence of Hunt, as well as Sean Bean, Arthur Darvill and Brian J. Smith — due to a combination of scheduling...
The series looks at World War II through the eyes of ordinary people from all sides of the conflict. The new seven-episode season will follow the first year of the war, starting with the German invasion of Poland in September 1939 and ending with the Battle of Britain.
The cast includes Lesley Manville (The Crown), Jonah Hauer-King (The Little Mermaid), Ahad Raza Mir (Resident Evil), Mark Bonnar (Guilt) and Gregg Sulkin (Runaways).
In 2019, PBS joined the BBC for a second season of the drama that starred Helen Hunt as a war correspondent. Season 2 has already dropped in the U.K, where viewers have noticed the absence of Hunt, as well as Sean Bean, Arthur Darvill and Brian J. Smith — due to a combination of scheduling...
- 8/21/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Billy Porter is back on the market.
In a new interview with the Evening Standard, the “Pose” star opened up about single life after filing for divorce from husband Adam Smith last month.
Read More: Billy Porter & Husband Adam Smith Split After 6 Years Of Marriage
Since then, the 53-year-old has been living it up in London, staying with friends and working on projects, while adding that the trip has been “a respite from some other s**t!”
That “other s**t” is, of course, his divorce, which Porter announced in early July, in a statement from his rep which explained that he and Smith had “made the sad decision to end their marriage after six years.”
Opening up about the split, Porter joked, “The whole world knows I’m getting a divorce! Y’all want to talk about my divorce and Ricky Martin’s at the same time?”
Read More:...
In a new interview with the Evening Standard, the “Pose” star opened up about single life after filing for divorce from husband Adam Smith last month.
Read More: Billy Porter & Husband Adam Smith Split After 6 Years Of Marriage
Since then, the 53-year-old has been living it up in London, staying with friends and working on projects, while adding that the trip has been “a respite from some other s**t!”
That “other s**t” is, of course, his divorce, which Porter announced in early July, in a statement from his rep which explained that he and Smith had “made the sad decision to end their marriage after six years.”
Opening up about the split, Porter joked, “The whole world knows I’m getting a divorce! Y’all want to talk about my divorce and Ricky Martin’s at the same time?”
Read More:...
- 8/11/2023
- by Corey Atad
- ET Canada
Billy Porter and Adam Smith are calling it quits after six years of marriage, People exclusively confirmed on July 5. "I can confirm that Billy Porter and his husband Adam Smith have made the sad decision to end their marriage after six years," said Porter's rep Simon Halls in a statement to the outlet. "The decision was an amicable and mutual one and was made after much consideration. They continue to love and support each other as they embark on this next chapter. There will be no further comment from either parties and it would be appreciated if their privacy be respected."
Speaking to the Evening Standard in August, Porter further opened up about the split, saying, "The whole world knows I'm getting a divorce! Y'all want to talk about my divorce and Ricky Martin's at the same time?"
"It's bittersweet," he added. "But relationships are hard. I will always love him.
Speaking to the Evening Standard in August, Porter further opened up about the split, saying, "The whole world knows I'm getting a divorce! Y'all want to talk about my divorce and Ricky Martin's at the same time?"
"It's bittersweet," he added. "But relationships are hard. I will always love him.
- 8/10/2023
- by Eden Arielle Gordon
- Popsugar.com
Actor Billy Porter, who is known for films such as ‘The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy’, ‘Cinderella’ and ‘Pose’, has said that amid the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, he is being forced to sell his New York home, despite his new film ‘Pose’ being a critical and commercial success.
As reported by the Daily Mail, the actor told the Evening Standard: “I have to sell my house. I don’t know when we’re gonna go back to work.”
Billy, who is in England promoting his music career, explained: “The life of an artist, until you make f***-you money, which I haven’t made yet, is still check-to-check.”
Back in 2021, the actor told Conde Nast Traveller that his house which sits on one-acre of land is the first home he has ever owned and further told Evening Standard that two of his upcoming projects have...
As reported by the Daily Mail, the actor told the Evening Standard: “I have to sell my house. I don’t know when we’re gonna go back to work.”
Billy, who is in England promoting his music career, explained: “The life of an artist, until you make f***-you money, which I haven’t made yet, is still check-to-check.”
Back in 2021, the actor told Conde Nast Traveller that his house which sits on one-acre of land is the first home he has ever owned and further told Evening Standard that two of his upcoming projects have...
- 8/9/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Kat Graham and Darren Genet have split.
Graham took to social media on Wednesday to reveal that she and her former fiancé had decided to call it quits a few months ago.
The “Vampire Diaries” star wrote, “Hey everyone. After many years together, Darren and I have chosen to no longer be together.
“The engagement ended a few months ago. He’s a great guy and we wish each other nothing but the most happy and beautiful life.”
Read More: Billy Porter & Husband Adam Smith Split After 6 Years Of Marriage
Hey everyone. After many years together, Darren and I have chosen to no longer be together. The engagement ended a few months ago. He’s a great guy and we wish each other nothing but the most happy and beautiful life.
— Kat Graham (@KatGraham) July 12, 2023
The news comes after it was revealed in May 2022 that the pair — who had been...
Graham took to social media on Wednesday to reveal that she and her former fiancé had decided to call it quits a few months ago.
The “Vampire Diaries” star wrote, “Hey everyone. After many years together, Darren and I have chosen to no longer be together.
“The engagement ended a few months ago. He’s a great guy and we wish each other nothing but the most happy and beautiful life.”
Read More: Billy Porter & Husband Adam Smith Split After 6 Years Of Marriage
Hey everyone. After many years together, Darren and I have chosen to no longer be together. The engagement ended a few months ago. He’s a great guy and we wish each other nothing but the most happy and beautiful life.
— Kat Graham (@KatGraham) July 12, 2023
The news comes after it was revealed in May 2022 that the pair — who had been...
- 7/13/2023
- by Becca Longmire
- ET Canada
Billy Porter and his husband of six years, Adam Smith, have decided to end their marriage.
Porter’s representative confirmed their divorce and said that the men have asked for “privacy” while dealing with the logistics.
Their split was “amicable” and there is no bad blood between the two. He additionally added that neither will comment on the divorce publicly.
The couple first met back in 2009 while at a dinner party and dated for a year before breaking up. Five years later, they decided to get back together and tied the knot on January 14, 2017, just 16 days after Porter proposed in London.
The couple said at the time that they chose to get married so quickly because they wanted to get married while Barack Obama was still president. They had a small and intimate wedding in Manhattan with about 45 guests.
Their marriage was especially important to both of them as Porter...
Porter’s representative confirmed their divorce and said that the men have asked for “privacy” while dealing with the logistics.
Their split was “amicable” and there is no bad blood between the two. He additionally added that neither will comment on the divorce publicly.
The couple first met back in 2009 while at a dinner party and dated for a year before breaking up. Five years later, they decided to get back together and tied the knot on January 14, 2017, just 16 days after Porter proposed in London.
The couple said at the time that they chose to get married so quickly because they wanted to get married while Barack Obama was still president. They had a small and intimate wedding in Manhattan with about 45 guests.
Their marriage was especially important to both of them as Porter...
- 7/7/2023
- by Nina Hauswirth
- Uinterview
Billy Porter and his husband Adam Smith have decided to go their separate ways after being married for more than half a decade.
The Pose star’s rep confirmed the duo “have made the sad decision to end their marriage after six years.”
“The decision was an amicable and mutual one and was made after much consideration,” Simon Halls said in a statement to People. “They continue to love and support each other as they embark on this next chapter. There will be no further comment from either parties and it would be appreciated if their privacy be respected.”
The Hollywood Reporter has reached out for comment.
Porter and Smith met in 2009 and dated for about a year. It wasn’t until five years later, in 2015, that they decided to give their relationship another chance. Then, after getting engaged at the end of 2016, they got married two weeks later on Jan.
The Pose star’s rep confirmed the duo “have made the sad decision to end their marriage after six years.”
“The decision was an amicable and mutual one and was made after much consideration,” Simon Halls said in a statement to People. “They continue to love and support each other as they embark on this next chapter. There will be no further comment from either parties and it would be appreciated if their privacy be respected.”
The Hollywood Reporter has reached out for comment.
Porter and Smith met in 2009 and dated for about a year. It wasn’t until five years later, in 2015, that they decided to give their relationship another chance. Then, after getting engaged at the end of 2016, they got married two weeks later on Jan.
- 7/6/2023
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Billy Porter and Adam Smith have decided to end their marriage.
People has confirmed that the “Pose” star and his husband of six years have separated.
“I can confirm that Billy Porter and his husband Adam Smith have made the sad decision to end their marriage after six years,” Porter’s rep, Simon Halls, said in a statement.
Read More: Billy Porter Reacts To Getting ‘Magical’ Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame
“The decision was an amicable and mutual one and was made after much consideration. They continue to love and support each other as they embark on this next chapter,” added Halls.
“There will be no further comment from either parties and it would be appreciated if their privacy be respected,” his statement concluded.
The couple first met in 2009, and dated for a year. They broke up, but then rekindled the romance in 2015, and tied the knot in...
People has confirmed that the “Pose” star and his husband of six years have separated.
“I can confirm that Billy Porter and his husband Adam Smith have made the sad decision to end their marriage after six years,” Porter’s rep, Simon Halls, said in a statement.
Read More: Billy Porter Reacts To Getting ‘Magical’ Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame
“The decision was an amicable and mutual one and was made after much consideration. They continue to love and support each other as they embark on this next chapter,” added Halls.
“There will be no further comment from either parties and it would be appreciated if their privacy be respected,” his statement concluded.
The couple first met in 2009, and dated for a year. They broke up, but then rekindled the romance in 2015, and tied the knot in...
- 7/5/2023
- by Brent Furdyk
- ET Canada
Lashing rain, deadly floodwaters and vast power outages walloped California from top to bottom Tuesday — and though most of the megastorm’s fury focused on Northern California, there was plenty of rain to go around in the southern half of the state, bringing evacuation orders to celebrity enclaves like Santa Barbara and Montecito, disrupting film and TV production and drenching an already dampened Golden Globes.
Heavy rain at this time is an annual occurrence for the state — typically the stuff of jokes about California drivers in the rain or shots of people “white water” rafting on overflowed roads in rain water that is nowhere near to being white. In fact, we sorely need rain as Southern California has been in emergency drought status for three years. But this storm, by most experts’ accounts, won’t help with that drought status. It just seems to be wreaking havoc — but of a very serious level.
Heavy rain at this time is an annual occurrence for the state — typically the stuff of jokes about California drivers in the rain or shots of people “white water” rafting on overflowed roads in rain water that is nowhere near to being white. In fact, we sorely need rain as Southern California has been in emergency drought status for three years. But this storm, by most experts’ accounts, won’t help with that drought status. It just seems to be wreaking havoc — but of a very serious level.
- 1/11/2023
- by Josh Dickey
- The Wrap
Click here to read the full article.
The global economy might be on the brink of shambles, but the celebrity-entertainment industrial complex shows no sign of slowing down. Big stars, who have already amassed fame and fortune in front of the camera, are increasingly securing generational wealth for their work behind the camera.
The latest move comes courtesy of Plan B Entertainment, the production company owned by actor Brad Pitt, which has been sold to French media conglomerate Mediawan, the companies announced Friday afternoon.
Mediawan said that it has acquired a majority stake in Plan B in a deal that reportedly values the studio in the low hundreds of millions of dollars. Pitt will retain a minority stake in the firm, which was behind films like She Said and Moonlight and TV shows like The Underground Railroad and The Oa. Mediawan backers Kkr, Atwater Capital, Bpifrance, MacSf, and Société Générale...
The global economy might be on the brink of shambles, but the celebrity-entertainment industrial complex shows no sign of slowing down. Big stars, who have already amassed fame and fortune in front of the camera, are increasingly securing generational wealth for their work behind the camera.
The latest move comes courtesy of Plan B Entertainment, the production company owned by actor Brad Pitt, which has been sold to French media conglomerate Mediawan, the companies announced Friday afternoon.
Mediawan said that it has acquired a majority stake in Plan B in a deal that reportedly values the studio in the low hundreds of millions of dollars. Pitt will retain a minority stake in the firm, which was behind films like She Said and Moonlight and TV shows like The Underground Railroad and The Oa. Mediawan backers Kkr, Atwater Capital, Bpifrance, MacSf, and Société Générale...
- 12/9/2022
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In just over a year, YouTube Premium and YouTube Music have gained a collective 30 million paying subscribers.
That means more than 80 million people are now forking over money for one or both of YouTube’s subscriptions: YouTube Music, its answer to platforms like Spotify and Apple Music; and YouTube Premium, which used to be the only way to watch its original productions, but now is mostly a “make the ads go away” service.
Lyor Cohen, YouTube’s global head of music, attributes the growth spurt to new (or new-ish) YouTube Premium perks like its “exclusive access” to some livestreams via “Afterparties,” as well as YouTube Music’s library size (100 million songs) and mix of non-song content.
He also credited YouTube’s establishment of “meaningful global partnerships” with companies and entities like Samsung, Vodafone, and SoftBank.
“These partners were critical in helping us reach this 80 million subscriber milestone and will continue...
That means more than 80 million people are now forking over money for one or both of YouTube’s subscriptions: YouTube Music, its answer to platforms like Spotify and Apple Music; and YouTube Premium, which used to be the only way to watch its original productions, but now is mostly a “make the ads go away” service.
Lyor Cohen, YouTube’s global head of music, attributes the growth spurt to new (or new-ish) YouTube Premium perks like its “exclusive access” to some livestreams via “Afterparties,” as well as YouTube Music’s library size (100 million songs) and mix of non-song content.
He also credited YouTube’s establishment of “meaningful global partnerships” with companies and entities like Samsung, Vodafone, and SoftBank.
“These partners were critical in helping us reach this 80 million subscriber milestone and will continue...
- 11/9/2022
- by James Hale
- Tubefilter.com
Exclusive: In the wake of AMC CEO Adam Aron’s announcement during a recent earnings call that he’s raised ticket prices specifically on The Batman, there are some studio executives and producers who are miffed.
It’s an audacious move at a time when moviegoing is desperate for a rebound following a financially disastrous pandemic, which saw circuits shutter for arguably a year.
However, there are an array of opinions on this topic, ranging from Aron’s move being a “nothing burger” to filmmakers and producers thinking that a new caste system of movie classification is on the horizon, i.e. if you’re not the director of a Marvel Cinematic Universe or DC title, well then you’re Ed Wood, and there’s no reason for the greater populous to buy a ticket to your movie.
Let’s all calm down.
First of all, AMC’s price surge on The Batman is nothing new. In fact, Regal and Cinemark already hiked prices during Spider-Man: No Way Home’s opening weekend (see the chart from Box Office Analytics firm EntTellgence below), and they did so again for The Batman. Note, the major studios have no input or sway in regards to what exhibitors charge ticket-price wise for movies.
And if you’re pondering, ‘Well, duh, high ticket prices kept people from seeing Batman this weekend’, the answer is absolutely ‘No’.
The Batman with $128M is the second best opening of the pandemic behind Spider-Man: No Way Home‘s $260M (that movie already the 3rd highest ever at the domestic B.O. is heading toward an $800M U.S./Canada take).
EntTelligence reports that 20 million people stateside saw Spider-Man: No Way Home during weekend one versus 9.5M for The Batman. The disparity in box office openings boils down two different types of IP and their demand, not pricing: One is a reboot of a popular dark superhero, and the other a carnival which is the crossroads of the Marvel Cinematic Multiverse. Batman is also 25 minutes longer than Spider-Man, which arguably means more showtimes than the near 3-hour Matt Reeves directed The Batman.
As you can see, No. 2 theater circuit Regal was charging $13.73 on average during Spider-Man‘s opening, above their average ticket price of $12.91. Cinemark was charging $11.19 on average for the Jon Watts-directed title vs. $10.63 while AMC that weekend charged an average of $13.92 to a regular price ticket of $13.21. This weekend for Batman, AMC’s average ticket price was $14.50 (vs. $13.22 regular ticket price), Regal’s was $13.44 (vs. $12.67) and Cinemark’s $11.25 (vs. $10.25).
Now, breaking this down:
–We’re in an inflation economy. And I can think of more heinous surcharges going on right now, i.e. four sandwiches at Jersey Mike’s totaling $70, filling your gas tank to north of $60, and the continued ala carte surcharges which the major airlines wield in luggage and seat assignments. A dollar extra at the theater for a popular movie that was projected to make $100M, isn’t a venial sin, in fact it’s common sense given the times that we’re in and the pandemic that these exhibitors have weathered. Many are upside down and in the red, and AMC and others’ decision to spike prices slightly (even for eight days which is the No. 1 circuit’s situation here) is arguably more Adam Smith-invisible-hand economics than it is price gouging.
–AMC implemented this price surge very early on for Batman. Imax’s first day of screenings in 350 sites last Tuesday sold out weeks ago. Presales heading into the weekend were great at $50M spread across the weekend and not front-loaded. Sticker shock? I don’t think so. Distribution sources tell me that when it comes to non-frequent moviegoers losing their hair at the movies, it’s with the cost of concessions, not ticket prices. Anecdotally speaking, I can tell you that the same group of hot dogs, popcorn, soda and pizza for a party of 3 during a preview of Venom in 2018 cost me $75 at AMC Burbank, easily $20 more than what Regal was charging at their Valencia, CA stadium in my neighborhood.
–The whole notion that exhibitors don’t want to approach a situation where two moviegoers sitting next to each other were charged two different ticket prices, well, that’s already happened with Spider-Man and Batman. This superhero surcharge is clearly an attempt to fill any loss of cash from exhibitors’ monthly subscription programs.
–To those film content creators concerned that their movies on the marquee aren’t nearly as prized as a superhero movie, here are some things to consider. Would you like traffic at your indie movie, or not? A lower price could possibly create demand. Should we pay premium prices for a small indie film? I will say that the most I ever spent to see a movie, was for a specialty title, that being Focus Features’ Tina Fey-Paul Rudd 2013 comedy Admission at the iPic Pasadena. I shelled out $27, enormous by today and then standards. As much as I enjoyed the movie, it didn’t deliver the same experience as say Antman in Imax. I’d argue the ticket price was too pricey for that type of movie. But what I was paying for was the cushy recliner seat, free popcorn, a blanket (which I wasn’t allowed to take home), and what was then this whole new luxe dine-in experience.
However, the price hike is a touchy subject for studio execs and filmmakers, but just like studios have squeezed windows, gone theatrical day-and-date, or cut the wide release pipeline on their own power, exhibitors need to make money someplace, and that being for the weekend’s most highly valued commodity. If it eases filmmakers’ concerns, there’s some much tiered pricing going on in any given day at a major Metropolitan multiplex between dayparts and luxe seating that we’re well beyond the days when it’s one static price for an evening show for any one movie.
–“Who the heck announces they’re raising ticket prices!?” yelled one distribution boss at me. Well, Aron does. Sure, not the best form of publicity as Regal and Cinemark have kept quiet about raising their prices, but it’s no secret that AMC is mired in debt, and the after-effect of his announcement saw an increase in post-market in the circuit’s share price, +4% on March 1, and +1.2% the following day. Aron serves his shareholders. When reached earlier this week on the topic, AMC didn’t provide any further comment on the whole topic of Batman price upticks.
–Still some distribution sources argue that Aron’s announcement of price surging “sends a dreadful message to the consumer right now.” That there’s no give-and-take for the consumer. I.E. if prices are going up on Batman, it only stands to reason to drop prices on rival titles. Will the major circuits rise their tickets on an upcoming popular family title? That’s one area where the whole ticket price surge subject gets slippery.
So Batman cost around $1 more among the major circuits. Did it curb business? Hard to argue that it did given that people literally made an appointment to see the movie far in advance. Close to 60% of Batman‘s moviegoers bought their tickets before opening day per Comscore’s PostTrak, while 76% of them bought them online (vs. at the theater). We hear that AMC repped close to a third of the $100.3M Batman grosses in its first two days, Regal 20% of that number and Cinemark 15%.
Is there bound to be more movie ticket price increases for highly-anticipated $100M-plus grossing movies moving forward? I think we can easily say, ‘Yeah’, given that Batman was the second in an inflation steeped economy.
But still, price increases didn’t stop anyone from seeing Spider-Man: No Way Home or The Batman.
It’s an audacious move at a time when moviegoing is desperate for a rebound following a financially disastrous pandemic, which saw circuits shutter for arguably a year.
However, there are an array of opinions on this topic, ranging from Aron’s move being a “nothing burger” to filmmakers and producers thinking that a new caste system of movie classification is on the horizon, i.e. if you’re not the director of a Marvel Cinematic Universe or DC title, well then you’re Ed Wood, and there’s no reason for the greater populous to buy a ticket to your movie.
Let’s all calm down.
First of all, AMC’s price surge on The Batman is nothing new. In fact, Regal and Cinemark already hiked prices during Spider-Man: No Way Home’s opening weekend (see the chart from Box Office Analytics firm EntTellgence below), and they did so again for The Batman. Note, the major studios have no input or sway in regards to what exhibitors charge ticket-price wise for movies.
And if you’re pondering, ‘Well, duh, high ticket prices kept people from seeing Batman this weekend’, the answer is absolutely ‘No’.
The Batman with $128M is the second best opening of the pandemic behind Spider-Man: No Way Home‘s $260M (that movie already the 3rd highest ever at the domestic B.O. is heading toward an $800M U.S./Canada take).
EntTelligence reports that 20 million people stateside saw Spider-Man: No Way Home during weekend one versus 9.5M for The Batman. The disparity in box office openings boils down two different types of IP and their demand, not pricing: One is a reboot of a popular dark superhero, and the other a carnival which is the crossroads of the Marvel Cinematic Multiverse. Batman is also 25 minutes longer than Spider-Man, which arguably means more showtimes than the near 3-hour Matt Reeves directed The Batman.
As you can see, No. 2 theater circuit Regal was charging $13.73 on average during Spider-Man‘s opening, above their average ticket price of $12.91. Cinemark was charging $11.19 on average for the Jon Watts-directed title vs. $10.63 while AMC that weekend charged an average of $13.92 to a regular price ticket of $13.21. This weekend for Batman, AMC’s average ticket price was $14.50 (vs. $13.22 regular ticket price), Regal’s was $13.44 (vs. $12.67) and Cinemark’s $11.25 (vs. $10.25).
Now, breaking this down:
–We’re in an inflation economy. And I can think of more heinous surcharges going on right now, i.e. four sandwiches at Jersey Mike’s totaling $70, filling your gas tank to north of $60, and the continued ala carte surcharges which the major airlines wield in luggage and seat assignments. A dollar extra at the theater for a popular movie that was projected to make $100M, isn’t a venial sin, in fact it’s common sense given the times that we’re in and the pandemic that these exhibitors have weathered. Many are upside down and in the red, and AMC and others’ decision to spike prices slightly (even for eight days which is the No. 1 circuit’s situation here) is arguably more Adam Smith-invisible-hand economics than it is price gouging.
–AMC implemented this price surge very early on for Batman. Imax’s first day of screenings in 350 sites last Tuesday sold out weeks ago. Presales heading into the weekend were great at $50M spread across the weekend and not front-loaded. Sticker shock? I don’t think so. Distribution sources tell me that when it comes to non-frequent moviegoers losing their hair at the movies, it’s with the cost of concessions, not ticket prices. Anecdotally speaking, I can tell you that the same group of hot dogs, popcorn, soda and pizza for a party of 3 during a preview of Venom in 2018 cost me $75 at AMC Burbank, easily $20 more than what Regal was charging at their Valencia, CA stadium in my neighborhood.
–The whole notion that exhibitors don’t want to approach a situation where two moviegoers sitting next to each other were charged two different ticket prices, well, that’s already happened with Spider-Man and Batman. This superhero surcharge is clearly an attempt to fill any loss of cash from exhibitors’ monthly subscription programs.
–To those film content creators concerned that their movies on the marquee aren’t nearly as prized as a superhero movie, here are some things to consider. Would you like traffic at your indie movie, or not? A lower price could possibly create demand. Should we pay premium prices for a small indie film? I will say that the most I ever spent to see a movie, was for a specialty title, that being Focus Features’ Tina Fey-Paul Rudd 2013 comedy Admission at the iPic Pasadena. I shelled out $27, enormous by today and then standards. As much as I enjoyed the movie, it didn’t deliver the same experience as say Antman in Imax. I’d argue the ticket price was too pricey for that type of movie. But what I was paying for was the cushy recliner seat, free popcorn, a blanket (which I wasn’t allowed to take home), and what was then this whole new luxe dine-in experience.
However, the price hike is a touchy subject for studio execs and filmmakers, but just like studios have squeezed windows, gone theatrical day-and-date, or cut the wide release pipeline on their own power, exhibitors need to make money someplace, and that being for the weekend’s most highly valued commodity. If it eases filmmakers’ concerns, there’s some much tiered pricing going on in any given day at a major Metropolitan multiplex between dayparts and luxe seating that we’re well beyond the days when it’s one static price for an evening show for any one movie.
–“Who the heck announces they’re raising ticket prices!?” yelled one distribution boss at me. Well, Aron does. Sure, not the best form of publicity as Regal and Cinemark have kept quiet about raising their prices, but it’s no secret that AMC is mired in debt, and the after-effect of his announcement saw an increase in post-market in the circuit’s share price, +4% on March 1, and +1.2% the following day. Aron serves his shareholders. When reached earlier this week on the topic, AMC didn’t provide any further comment on the whole topic of Batman price upticks.
–Still some distribution sources argue that Aron’s announcement of price surging “sends a dreadful message to the consumer right now.” That there’s no give-and-take for the consumer. I.E. if prices are going up on Batman, it only stands to reason to drop prices on rival titles. Will the major circuits rise their tickets on an upcoming popular family title? That’s one area where the whole ticket price surge subject gets slippery.
So Batman cost around $1 more among the major circuits. Did it curb business? Hard to argue that it did given that people literally made an appointment to see the movie far in advance. Close to 60% of Batman‘s moviegoers bought their tickets before opening day per Comscore’s PostTrak, while 76% of them bought them online (vs. at the theater). We hear that AMC repped close to a third of the $100.3M Batman grosses in its first two days, Regal 20% of that number and Cinemark 15%.
Is there bound to be more movie ticket price increases for highly-anticipated $100M-plus grossing movies moving forward? I think we can easily say, ‘Yeah’, given that Batman was the second in an inflation steeped economy.
But still, price increases didn’t stop anyone from seeing Spider-Man: No Way Home or The Batman.
- 3/6/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Gun violence is rampant in Washington, D.C. Fox News is pushing the idea that “pot usage” is to blame. The network is a little confused.
D.C. Police Chief Robert Contee addressed the crime wave in a lengthy press conference on Friday, citing a number of contributing factors, including the pandemic, too many guns in the city, and insufficient resources for officers. He also cited marijuana. “We have taken on a mindset that marijuana is not really a big issue in our city,” Contee said. “I can tell you that...
D.C. Police Chief Robert Contee addressed the crime wave in a lengthy press conference on Friday, citing a number of contributing factors, including the pandemic, too many guns in the city, and insufficient resources for officers. He also cited marijuana. “We have taken on a mindset that marijuana is not really a big issue in our city,” Contee said. “I can tell you that...
- 7/26/2021
- by Ryan Bort
- Rollingstone.com
Washington — Almost three months to the day after the deadly January 6th insurrection, a car rammed into a barricade at an entrance to the U.S. Capitol and its driver lunged at police officers with a knife. According to the Capitol Police, at least one officer has died as a result of the attack and a second officer was badly injured.
The suspect was reportedly killed in the confrontation with police officers on duty. The attack happened at a northern entrance to the Capitol building.
Police officials identified the deceased police officer as William Evans.
The suspect was reportedly killed in the confrontation with police officers on duty. The attack happened at a northern entrance to the Capitol building.
Police officials identified the deceased police officer as William Evans.
- 4/2/2021
- by Andy Kroll
- Rollingstone.com
In his going-on four years in office, President Trump has tapped a swamp’s worth of loathsome figures to fill high-ranking federal positions. But unfortunately for his determination to ensure the government is stocked with as many racists, loyalists, incompetents (or all of the above) as possible, many of these nominees are subject to Senate confirmation.
Such was the case with Anthony Tata, a retired Army general-turned-Fox News talking head whom Trump originally picked to be the Pentagon’s new under secretary of defense for policy. Then in June,...
Such was the case with Anthony Tata, a retired Army general-turned-Fox News talking head whom Trump originally picked to be the Pentagon’s new under secretary of defense for policy. Then in June,...
- 8/3/2020
- by Ryan Bort
- Rollingstone.com
Get ready for a Fairy Godmother like no other.
Billy Porter plays the iconic character in the upcoming “Cinderella” remake. He describes his take on the Fairy Godmother as “genderless” and “non-conforming.”
“Magic is genderless,” Porter said during on an appearance on “Variety Live” on Tuesday night. “We have all these sort of genders that we’ve put on things and it doesn’t actually matter. It’s not about sex. It’s not about sexuality. It’s not about gender. It’s about magic. It’s about being somebody’s fairy godmother, father, person, whatever you want to call it. That’s what it’s about.”
The “Pose” star had already completed his work on the movie before production was shut down in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. He was tightlipped about what song he’s singing in the film, but he did tease his costume. “It’s gold and there are pants,...
Billy Porter plays the iconic character in the upcoming “Cinderella” remake. He describes his take on the Fairy Godmother as “genderless” and “non-conforming.”
“Magic is genderless,” Porter said during on an appearance on “Variety Live” on Tuesday night. “We have all these sort of genders that we’ve put on things and it doesn’t actually matter. It’s not about sex. It’s not about sexuality. It’s not about gender. It’s about magic. It’s about being somebody’s fairy godmother, father, person, whatever you want to call it. That’s what it’s about.”
The “Pose” star had already completed his work on the movie before production was shut down in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. He was tightlipped about what song he’s singing in the film, but he did tease his costume. “It’s gold and there are pants,...
- 4/22/2020
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
On July 10, 2019, Democratic congressman Adam Smith wrote on Twitter that Fox News host Tucker Carlson "spews racist, bigoted, and xenophobic views that make our country worse."
On Wednesday night, the Washington State congressman appeared on Carlson's primetime show to advocate for the expansion of coronavirus testing and the mass production of personal protective equipment.
“What I really hope that you and other leaders at Fox News, within the Trump administration, focus on is really marshaling the power of this country to get the testing regime that we need, to get the production of Ppe ...
On Wednesday night, the Washington State congressman appeared on Carlson's primetime show to advocate for the expansion of coronavirus testing and the mass production of personal protective equipment.
“What I really hope that you and other leaders at Fox News, within the Trump administration, focus on is really marshaling the power of this country to get the testing regime that we need, to get the production of Ppe ...
When it comes to a series as legendary as the Baldur’s Gate franchise, every PC gamer and Dungeons & Dragons fan has a story to tell about their first experience with the ’90 RPG series that put developer BioWare on the map. Now that the first new Baldur’s Gate game in more than a decade is set to hit Steam Early Access later this year, players are feeling more nostalgic than ever for the iconic series. So, what does Baldur’s Gate 3 writer Adam Smith remember about his first Baldur’s Gate playthrough?
“Baldur’s Gate came out just around the time I moved out of my family home,” Smith tells Den of Geek during a Baldur’s Gate 3 press event in February. “At the time, my sister and I played pretty much every game together, so Baldur’s Gate was the game we played when I visited her.
“Baldur’s Gate came out just around the time I moved out of my family home,” Smith tells Den of Geek during a Baldur’s Gate 3 press event in February. “At the time, my sister and I played pretty much every game together, so Baldur’s Gate was the game we played when I visited her.
- 3/16/2020
- by Matthew Byrd
- Den of Geek
Rob Leane Feb 27, 2020
Wondering how combat, character creation, and everything else will work in Baldur’s Gate 3? Look no further than our in-depth preview!
In February, Den of Geek descended into a dungeon-like underground bar in Paris to take part in a preview event for Baldur’s Gate 3. Journalists sat on pews in a chapel-like room to watch Larian studio head Swen Vincke play through a few hours of the highly anticipated RPG. We didn't get a chance to go hands-on with the game ourselves, but a lot of fun was had in watching the new game at work (especially when Vincke got stuck in situations that he couldn’t immediately solve and everyone started roasting him).
The first thing we saw was the game’s truly epic opening cutscene, which is presented in a similarly CG-heavy visual style of that eye-catching reveal trailer from E3 2019. The scene introduces the main villain,...
Wondering how combat, character creation, and everything else will work in Baldur’s Gate 3? Look no further than our in-depth preview!
In February, Den of Geek descended into a dungeon-like underground bar in Paris to take part in a preview event for Baldur’s Gate 3. Journalists sat on pews in a chapel-like room to watch Larian studio head Swen Vincke play through a few hours of the highly anticipated RPG. We didn't get a chance to go hands-on with the game ourselves, but a lot of fun was had in watching the new game at work (especially when Vincke got stuck in situations that he couldn’t immediately solve and everyone started roasting him).
The first thing we saw was the game’s truly epic opening cutscene, which is presented in a similarly CG-heavy visual style of that eye-catching reveal trailer from E3 2019. The scene introduces the main villain,...
- 2/27/2020
- Den of Geek
When you see Billy Porter on the red carpet, you probably first focus on his incredible fashion choice, then quickly pan to spot his husband, Adam Smith, who is almost always there by his side. Adam has been a huge part of Billy's journey as the two met back in 2009, but he is much more than just the lesser-known spouse of a celeb. He's a successful businessman who co-owns a luxury eyewear brand and has a pretty interesting story. If you're curious to learn more about the man who stole Billy's heart, we've got you covered. Here are 10 things you should definitely know about Adam.
- 2/10/2020
- by Amanda Prahl
- Popsugar.com
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival has announced the lineup for its 35th edition, which will take place from January 15 to 25. There will be 47 world premieres and 71 U.S. premieres, with 50 countries represented overall, in addition to starry tributes that serve as an awards season stop for top Oscar contenders. Among those feted in their respective categories will be Renée Zellweger (American Riviera Award), Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver (Outstanding Performers of the Year Award), Laura Dern (Cinema Vanguard Award), Brad Pitt (Maltin Modern Master Award), along with the winners of the Virtuosos Award: Awkwafina, Taron Egerton, Cynthia Erivo, Beanie Feldstein, Aldis Hodge, George MacKay, Florence Pugh, and Taylor Russell.
The Sbiff is also unique in its yearly celebration of below the line talent. The crafts artists who’ve won the Variety Artisans Award this year are Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (“Frozen II”), Michael Giacchino (“Jojo Rabbit”), Kazu Hiro...
The Sbiff is also unique in its yearly celebration of below the line talent. The crafts artists who’ve won the Variety Artisans Award this year are Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (“Frozen II”), Michael Giacchino (“Jojo Rabbit”), Kazu Hiro...
- 12/31/2019
- by Christian Blauvelt
- Indiewire
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (Sbiff) announced on Monday the lineup for the 35th edition, which will run January 15 to 25, 2020. The festival will feature 47 world premieres and 71 U.S. premieres from 50 countries, along with tributes with the year’s top talent, panel discussions and free community education and outreach programs.
Sbiff 2020 will start with the Opening Night Film on Wednesday, January 15, at the historic Arlington Theatre with the U.S. Premiere of “A Bump Along The Way” directed by Shelly Love and starring Bronagh Gallagher, Lola Petticrew, Mary Moulds, Dan Gordon and Brendan Farrell.
“A Bump Along The Way” is female-led, feel-good, comedy drama set in Derry, Northern Ireland, about a middle-aged woman whose unexpected pregnancy after a one-night stand acts as the catalyst for her to finally take control of her life and become the role model her teenage daughter needs and craves.
Also Read: Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver...
Sbiff 2020 will start with the Opening Night Film on Wednesday, January 15, at the historic Arlington Theatre with the U.S. Premiere of “A Bump Along The Way” directed by Shelly Love and starring Bronagh Gallagher, Lola Petticrew, Mary Moulds, Dan Gordon and Brendan Farrell.
“A Bump Along The Way” is female-led, feel-good, comedy drama set in Derry, Northern Ireland, about a middle-aged woman whose unexpected pregnancy after a one-night stand acts as the catalyst for her to finally take control of her life and become the role model her teenage daughter needs and craves.
Also Read: Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver...
- 12/30/2019
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Democratic congressman and Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Adam Smith (D-Wash.), said Republican Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) will “quite likely” and “without question” face an ethics investigation regarding new allegations that have surfaced this week regarding Nunes and Ukraine.
MSNBC’s Joy Reid asked Smith whether or not the allegations that Nunes met with former Ukrainian prosecutor Victor Shokin in Vienna last December with the aim to dig up dirt on former vice president Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, would lead to ethics investigation, Smith answered,...
MSNBC’s Joy Reid asked Smith whether or not the allegations that Nunes met with former Ukrainian prosecutor Victor Shokin in Vienna last December with the aim to dig up dirt on former vice president Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, would lead to ethics investigation, Smith answered,...
- 11/24/2019
- by Peter Wade
- Rollingstone.com
No, that wasn’t a parody sketch on “Saturday Night Live” with an unemployed woman (Aidy Bryant) who splurged on crazy-expensive paint from Farrow & Ball.
Farrow & Ball really is a “high-end British paint company that offers unparalleled depth and colour,” as Bryant’s character Beth said, and its paints comes in cans that look like the one she showed to her brother Tom (Beck Bennett) and sister-in-law (guest host Kristen Stewart) in the sketch.
“It sounds like you’re saying ‘color’ but with a U in it,” Stewart’s character tells Beth about her Brit-style pronunciation of the word.
“Well, I am,” Bryant’s Beth replies, who goes on to put the stress on the second syllable of words like labor and squalor.
Also Read: 'SNL': Kate McKinnon's Elizabeth Warren Explains Her Healthcare Plan, Dunks Hard on Beto and Biden (Video)
And yes, the premium paint costs $110 a gallon...
Farrow & Ball really is a “high-end British paint company that offers unparalleled depth and colour,” as Bryant’s character Beth said, and its paints comes in cans that look like the one she showed to her brother Tom (Beck Bennett) and sister-in-law (guest host Kristen Stewart) in the sketch.
“It sounds like you’re saying ‘color’ but with a U in it,” Stewart’s character tells Beth about her Brit-style pronunciation of the word.
“Well, I am,” Bryant’s Beth replies, who goes on to put the stress on the second syllable of words like labor and squalor.
Also Read: 'SNL': Kate McKinnon's Elizabeth Warren Explains Her Healthcare Plan, Dunks Hard on Beto and Biden (Video)
And yes, the premium paint costs $110 a gallon...
- 11/3/2019
- by Thom Geier
- The Wrap
It's called fashion, sweetie. Pose's Billy Porter is taking that motto to a whole new level, as he takes over London Fashion Week with his fierce and fabulous ensembles. In fact, the 49-year-old actor came to slay the runways, because he made four outfit changes in one day. And since the night isn't over, there's a chance he just might squeeze in one more. Hitting up several shows with his husband Adam Smith, including Fashion For Relief, Stephen Jones Millinery's presentation, Halpern and Sharon Wauchob, Porter most certainly dressed for each occasion. What's more? Each ensemble was entirely different from his last, making it all the more exciting. The...
- 9/14/2019
- E! Online
Dmc Film — the production outfit founded by Michael Fassbender and Conor McCaughan — has signed a first-look deal with Brian Oliver's New Republic Pictures.
Dmc, which also includes producers Daniel Emmerson and Theo Barrowclough, was behind Justin Kurzel’s Macbeth, Adam Smith’s Trespass Against Us and the movie adaptation of game Assassin's Creed.
“We are thrilled to be in business with Michael, Conor and Dmc Film. At Nrp we strive to align ourselves with partners who are looking to broaden their influence on the industry in innovative ways,” said Oliver and vp production and acquisition Angus ...
Dmc, which also includes producers Daniel Emmerson and Theo Barrowclough, was behind Justin Kurzel’s Macbeth, Adam Smith’s Trespass Against Us and the movie adaptation of game Assassin's Creed.
“We are thrilled to be in business with Michael, Conor and Dmc Film. At Nrp we strive to align ourselves with partners who are looking to broaden their influence on the industry in innovative ways,” said Oliver and vp production and acquisition Angus ...
- 4/16/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Dmc Film — the production outfit founded by Michael Fassbender and Conor McCaughan — has signed a first-look deal with Brian Oliver's New Republic Pictures.
Dmc, which also includes producers Daniel Emmerson and Theo Barrowclough, was behind Justin Kurzel’s Macbeth, Adam Smith’s Trespass Against Us and the movie adaptation of game Assassin's Creed.
“We are thrilled to be in business with Michael, Conor and Dmc Film. At Nrp we strive to align ourselves with partners who are looking to broaden their influence on the industry in innovative ways,” said Oliver and vp production and acquisition Angus ...
Dmc, which also includes producers Daniel Emmerson and Theo Barrowclough, was behind Justin Kurzel’s Macbeth, Adam Smith’s Trespass Against Us and the movie adaptation of game Assassin's Creed.
“We are thrilled to be in business with Michael, Conor and Dmc Film. At Nrp we strive to align ourselves with partners who are looking to broaden their influence on the industry in innovative ways,” said Oliver and vp production and acquisition Angus ...
- 4/16/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In budget negotiations this week, congressional Democrats seem to have brought knives to the Republican gunfight. This time, the issue was defense spending.
The Democrat-controlled House Budget Committee voted 19-17 Wednesday to move a bill sponsored by Chairman John Yarmuth (D-ky) out of committee.
Called the “Investing for the People Act of 2019,” it’s essentially the Democrats’ answer to Donald Trump’s radical budget proposal from early March. As expected, the legislation gives the Pentagon a raise.
The Trump budget proposes a fundamental re-configuration of America’s spending priorities.
The Democrat-controlled House Budget Committee voted 19-17 Wednesday to move a bill sponsored by Chairman John Yarmuth (D-ky) out of committee.
Called the “Investing for the People Act of 2019,” it’s essentially the Democrats’ answer to Donald Trump’s radical budget proposal from early March. As expected, the legislation gives the Pentagon a raise.
The Trump budget proposes a fundamental re-configuration of America’s spending priorities.
- 4/4/2019
- by Matt Taibbi
- Rollingstone.com
Washington — President Trump’s response to the initial findings of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s final report has been misleading, claiming a full exoneration while Mueller offers no such thing. But more than that, Trump has used Attorney General William Barr’s brief summary of Mueller’s report to launch an all-out attack on his critics that bears the hallmarks of an authoritarian strongman.
“There are a lot of people out there that have done some very, very evil things, some bad things, I would say some treasonous things against our country,...
“There are a lot of people out there that have done some very, very evil things, some bad things, I would say some treasonous things against our country,...
- 3/26/2019
- by Andy Kroll
- Rollingstone.com
On most red carpets, it's the ladies who get all the buzz and attention, but at Sunday night's Oscars, one of the biggest red carpet showstoppers was actor Billy Porter. The Pose actor arrived on the red carpet alongside husband Adam Smith wearing a stylized tuxedo gown that was classic tux on the top and massive velvet ballgown from the waist down. His look is fantastic - and so is his career.
Porter is already halfway to an Egot, with a Grammy and a Tony to his name. Both of those awards came for the same role: his 2013 turn in the Broadway adaptation of Kinky Boots. The musical, adapted from a 2005 British comedy, tells the story of Charlie, a strait-laced and somewhat hapless young man who inherits a shoe factory from his father. Porter played Lola, a deeply fabulous drag performer who teams up with Charlie to produce a line...
Porter is already halfway to an Egot, with a Grammy and a Tony to his name. Both of those awards came for the same role: his 2013 turn in the Broadway adaptation of Kinky Boots. The musical, adapted from a 2005 British comedy, tells the story of Charlie, a strait-laced and somewhat hapless young man who inherits a shoe factory from his father. Porter played Lola, a deeply fabulous drag performer who teams up with Charlie to produce a line...
- 2/25/2019
- by Amanda Prahl
- Popsugar.com
Exclusive: Irish actor Barry Keoghan has signed with CAA.
Keoghan first cut his teeth in the Irish soap Fair City back in 2011. At the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, he transfixed global audiences with his gripping turn as an offbeat kid with fatal powers in Yorgos Lanthimos’ drama thriller The Killing of a Sacred Deer, holding a considerable amount of sway over Nicole Kidman and Colin Farrell’s characters. That same year Keoghan also starred in Christopher Nolan’s Oscar-winning WWII epic Dunkirk which grossed over a half billion at the worldwide box office.
Keoghan was recently nominated at the BAFTAs in the prestigious Rising Star Award category. He was also nominated for a 2018 British Independent Film Award in American Animals and at last year’s Independent Spirit Award in the Best Supporting Actor slot for Sacred Deer.
Keoghan will next be seen in FX’s Y: The Last Man. His other...
Keoghan first cut his teeth in the Irish soap Fair City back in 2011. At the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, he transfixed global audiences with his gripping turn as an offbeat kid with fatal powers in Yorgos Lanthimos’ drama thriller The Killing of a Sacred Deer, holding a considerable amount of sway over Nicole Kidman and Colin Farrell’s characters. That same year Keoghan also starred in Christopher Nolan’s Oscar-winning WWII epic Dunkirk which grossed over a half billion at the worldwide box office.
Keoghan was recently nominated at the BAFTAs in the prestigious Rising Star Award category. He was also nominated for a 2018 British Independent Film Award in American Animals and at last year’s Independent Spirit Award in the Best Supporting Actor slot for Sacred Deer.
Keoghan will next be seen in FX’s Y: The Last Man. His other...
- 2/22/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Helen Hunt has lifted the lid about playing a “complicated” war correspondent in forthcoming British war epic World on Fire.
Hunt plays Nancy, a female Us war correspondent who can’t find peace unless her life is at risk, in the BBC One drama, which is produced by Victoria producer Mammoth Screen.
The drama is written by The A Word’s Peter Bowker; it is a multi-stranded drama that looks at World War II through the eyes of ordinary people from all sides of the conflict. The first seven-episode season will follow the first year of the war, starting with the German invasion of Poland in September 1939 and ending with the Battle of Britain.
In an interview with Deadline, Hunt said that Nancy is the first person to see 1,000 German tanks moving into France. “She’s smart, she’s funny, which is good in a story that’s not funny much of the time,...
Hunt plays Nancy, a female Us war correspondent who can’t find peace unless her life is at risk, in the BBC One drama, which is produced by Victoria producer Mammoth Screen.
The drama is written by The A Word’s Peter Bowker; it is a multi-stranded drama that looks at World War II through the eyes of ordinary people from all sides of the conflict. The first seven-episode season will follow the first year of the war, starting with the German invasion of Poland in September 1939 and ending with the Battle of Britain.
In an interview with Deadline, Hunt said that Nancy is the first person to see 1,000 German tanks moving into France. “She’s smart, she’s funny, which is good in a story that’s not funny much of the time,...
- 2/21/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Washington state officials passed a bill to rename a post office near Jimi Hendrix‘s hometown of Seattle to honor the guitar god.
Both of Washington’s U.S. senators, Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, supported Rep. Adam Smith’s bill to rechristen Renton Highlands Post Office as the James Marshall “Jimi” Hendrix Post Office. The bill was signed into law last week after it passed unanimously.
The post office, located in the Seattle suburb of Renton, is less than a mile from the Jimi Hendrix Memorial in the Greenwood Memorial Park cemetery,...
Both of Washington’s U.S. senators, Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, supported Rep. Adam Smith’s bill to rechristen Renton Highlands Post Office as the James Marshall “Jimi” Hendrix Post Office. The bill was signed into law last week after it passed unanimously.
The post office, located in the Seattle suburb of Renton, is less than a mile from the Jimi Hendrix Memorial in the Greenwood Memorial Park cemetery,...
- 12/30/2018
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings star Sean Bean is joining the cast of BBC One drama World on Fire.
The actor will star alongside Helen Hunt (As Good As It Gets) and Lesley Manville (Phantom Thread) in the seven-part World War II epic.
Also joining the cast is A Very English Scandal and The Inbetweeners star Blake Harrison, Yrsa Daley-Ward (Today Will Burn), Ansu Kabia (The Long Song) and Ewan Mitchell (The Last Kingdom).
The Mammoth Screen-produced drama is written by The A Word’s Peter Bowker. It is a multi-stranded drama that looks at World War II through the eyes of ordinary people from all sides of the conflict. The first seven-episode season will follow the first year of the war, starting with the German invasion of Poland in September 1939 and ending with the Battle of Britain.
Polish Academy Award-winner Zofia Wichłacz (Warsaw 44) and Brian J. Smith...
The actor will star alongside Helen Hunt (As Good As It Gets) and Lesley Manville (Phantom Thread) in the seven-part World War II epic.
Also joining the cast is A Very English Scandal and The Inbetweeners star Blake Harrison, Yrsa Daley-Ward (Today Will Burn), Ansu Kabia (The Long Song) and Ewan Mitchell (The Last Kingdom).
The Mammoth Screen-produced drama is written by The A Word’s Peter Bowker. It is a multi-stranded drama that looks at World War II through the eyes of ordinary people from all sides of the conflict. The first seven-episode season will follow the first year of the war, starting with the German invasion of Poland in September 1939 and ending with the Battle of Britain.
Polish Academy Award-winner Zofia Wichłacz (Warsaw 44) and Brian J. Smith...
- 11/27/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
A bipartisan commission has determined that President Trump’s recent record defense bill is insufficiently massive to keep America safe, and we should spend more, while cutting “entitlements.”
The National Defense Strategy Commission concluded the Department of Defense was too focused on “efficiency” and needed to accept “greater cost and risk” to search for “leap-ahead technologies” to help the U.S. maintain superiority.
The panel added that Defense is “not where most of the money is.” It said Congress should be focused on “domestic entitlement programs” and “interest payments on...
The National Defense Strategy Commission concluded the Department of Defense was too focused on “efficiency” and needed to accept “greater cost and risk” to search for “leap-ahead technologies” to help the U.S. maintain superiority.
The panel added that Defense is “not where most of the money is.” It said Congress should be focused on “domestic entitlement programs” and “interest payments on...
- 11/15/2018
- by Matt Taibbi
- Rollingstone.com
Helen Hunt is to star in Mammoth Screen’s BBC One WWII drama World on Fire.
The As Good As It Gets and Mad About You star will lead the cast alongside Phantom Thread’s Lesley Manville and rising British stars Jonah Hauer-King (Little Women) and Julia Brown (The Last Kingdom).
The epic drama is written by The A Word’s Peter Bowker. It is a multi-stranded drama that looks at World War II through the eyes of ordinary people from all sides of the conflict. The first seven-episode season will follow the first year of the war, starting with the German invasion of Poland in September 1939 and ending with the Battle of Britain.
Also joining the cast is Polish Academy Award-winner Zofia Wichłacz (Warsaw 44) and Brian J. Smith (Sense8) along with Parker Sawyers (The Autopsy of Jane Doe), Tomasz Kot (Cold War), Bruno Alexander (Eden), Johannes Zeiler (Faust) and...
The As Good As It Gets and Mad About You star will lead the cast alongside Phantom Thread’s Lesley Manville and rising British stars Jonah Hauer-King (Little Women) and Julia Brown (The Last Kingdom).
The epic drama is written by The A Word’s Peter Bowker. It is a multi-stranded drama that looks at World War II through the eyes of ordinary people from all sides of the conflict. The first seven-episode season will follow the first year of the war, starting with the German invasion of Poland in September 1939 and ending with the Battle of Britain.
Also joining the cast is Polish Academy Award-winner Zofia Wichłacz (Warsaw 44) and Brian J. Smith (Sense8) along with Parker Sawyers (The Autopsy of Jane Doe), Tomasz Kot (Cold War), Bruno Alexander (Eden), Johannes Zeiler (Faust) and...
- 10/10/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Does this sound familiar? A meteor crashes to Earth, near human habitation, “something” comes out of the meteor and proceeds to run amok among the local human populace. Or it could be a human built space craft, returning from Mars, Venus or the moon and “something” gets loose near a city or small town and creates mayhem every where it goes. Or it could be an alien spacecraft, or even big seed pods.
My point being, this is one well used concept in science fiction movies, especially science fiction monster movies. You wouldn’t think there was much film makers could do to return to that story and do something new with it. The fine Irish film crew that created Grabbers did exactly that.
Part of my post duty orders here at We Are Movie Geeks is to shine a spotlight on little known and largely unseen moves that deserve a larger audience.
My point being, this is one well used concept in science fiction movies, especially science fiction monster movies. You wouldn’t think there was much film makers could do to return to that story and do something new with it. The fine Irish film crew that created Grabbers did exactly that.
Part of my post duty orders here at We Are Movie Geeks is to shine a spotlight on little known and largely unseen moves that deserve a larger audience.
- 10/1/2018
- by Sam Moffitt
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
President Trump was in Tampa, Florida, Tuesday night to support Rep. Ron DeSantis’ campaign for governor. As is the case with all of the president’s endorsement rallies, the appearance was less about the candidate and more about Trump’s accomplishments, those crime-loving Democrats and, of course, the dishonest media. After his speech concluded, his supporters dutifully harangued CNN’s Jim Acosta, whom Trump famously rebuffed as “fake news” during a press conference in London last month.
Just a sample of the sad scene we faced at the Trump rally in Tampa.
Just a sample of the sad scene we faced at the Trump rally in Tampa.
- 8/1/2018
- by Ryan Bort
- Rollingstone.com
Michael Scott and Adam Smith were already in Thailand when the story of the missing boys soccer team broke. Smith lives in Thailand, and Scott, whose wife is Thai, spends most of his summers there. And, the faith-based producers tell TheWrap, that deep connection to the country provides their motivation to “respectfully” make a film about the “miracle” rescue effort that has captured the world’s attention.
“We think the advantage we have, being here on the ground, having a connection to this place and contacts here that we’ve worked with, is we know how to respectfully tell this story,” said Scott, founder of PureFlix Entertainment, the studio behind the “God’s Not Dead’ series.
Also Read: All 12 Thai Boys, Soccer Coach Rescued From Harrowing Cave Ordeal (Video)
The 12 boys and their coach went missing June 23 after being trapped in a cave system near the Myanmar border that was flooded by sudden rains.
“We think the advantage we have, being here on the ground, having a connection to this place and contacts here that we’ve worked with, is we know how to respectfully tell this story,” said Scott, founder of PureFlix Entertainment, the studio behind the “God’s Not Dead’ series.
Also Read: All 12 Thai Boys, Soccer Coach Rescued From Harrowing Cave Ordeal (Video)
The 12 boys and their coach went missing June 23 after being trapped in a cave system near the Myanmar border that was flooded by sudden rains.
- 7/11/2018
- by Trey Williams
- The Wrap
Michael Scott, PureFlix managing partner and producer of “God’s Not Dead,” is already on the ground in Thailand, working on turning the story of the Thai boys soccer team who were trapped in a cave for weeks into a major motion picture.
Scott was in Thailand, at the foothills of the Tham Luang mountain cave system near the Myanmar border where the boys were trapped, on Tuesday conducting interviews. He told the Aap newswire in Chiang Rai, “I see this as a major Hollywood film with A-list stars,” according to Australian outlet News.com.
Scott and his co-producer Adam Smith said they’re already planning to bring in a screenwriter to talk to key players from the team of foreign rescuers, Thai Navy Seals, the victims and their families to seek exclusive rights to their stories.
“There’s going to be other production companies coming in so we have to act pretty quickly,...
Scott was in Thailand, at the foothills of the Tham Luang mountain cave system near the Myanmar border where the boys were trapped, on Tuesday conducting interviews. He told the Aap newswire in Chiang Rai, “I see this as a major Hollywood film with A-list stars,” according to Australian outlet News.com.
Scott and his co-producer Adam Smith said they’re already planning to bring in a screenwriter to talk to key players from the team of foreign rescuers, Thai Navy Seals, the victims and their families to seek exclusive rights to their stories.
“There’s going to be other production companies coming in so we have to act pretty quickly,...
- 7/10/2018
- by Trey Williams
- The Wrap
Music documentaries are center stage at this year’s Sheffield Doc/Fest with the launch of films including Neil Young-directed Milford Graves Full Mantis and Stuart Swezey’s Desolation Center, which opened with a live performance from Sonic Youth frontman Thurston Moore. It also emerged during the festival that The Fader’s Tyler The Creator-associated online music doc project Summer of ’17 is on the brink of becoming a linear series.
Vice UK’s Head of Music Alex Hoffman, who runs music channel Noisey, Rollo Jackson, the filmmaker behind Stormzy’s doc Gang Signs and Prayer, former Fader creative director Robert Semmer and Jacqui Edenbrow, Head of Video at arts organization Frieze, talked about the future of the format at Music Docs: New Forms and Platform at the Netflix Crucible Studio on Saturday afternoon.
Semmer, who is Head of Content at filmmaker agency Premier, said that platforms are starting to...
Vice UK’s Head of Music Alex Hoffman, who runs music channel Noisey, Rollo Jackson, the filmmaker behind Stormzy’s doc Gang Signs and Prayer, former Fader creative director Robert Semmer and Jacqui Edenbrow, Head of Video at arts organization Frieze, talked about the future of the format at Music Docs: New Forms and Platform at the Netflix Crucible Studio on Saturday afternoon.
Semmer, who is Head of Content at filmmaker agency Premier, said that platforms are starting to...
- 6/10/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
The film will tell the story of Richard Kylea Cowie, aka Wiley, and the grime movement.
Pulse Films has announced the production of a new music biopic, Wiley, about the life of the successful London-born grime artist.
The feature drama, which will be directed by Adam Smith (Trespass Against Us) and developed with music publishing company BMG, will tell the story of Wiley – real name Richard Kylea Cowie – from his early days as an unknown Mc and producer on London pirate radio to his career on the world stage.
It will also take in the birth of the grime movement,...
Pulse Films has announced the production of a new music biopic, Wiley, about the life of the successful London-born grime artist.
The feature drama, which will be directed by Adam Smith (Trespass Against Us) and developed with music publishing company BMG, will tell the story of Wiley – real name Richard Kylea Cowie – from his early days as an unknown Mc and producer on London pirate radio to his career on the world stage.
It will also take in the birth of the grime movement,...
- 5/14/2018
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Welsh drama Hidden is heading to the U.S. after Acorn TV struck a deal with All3Media International to pick up the eight-part series. The drama, which is produced by Severn Screen for S4C and BBC Wales, stars Hinterland and Requiem’s Sian Reese-William as Dci Cadi John, as she is drawn back to her childhood home by the faltering health of her beloved father, and finds herself policing the precinct and people of her youth including the search for the killer of a local woman is found in a remote mountain river.The series will air on the Svod service in July. It has also been picked up by international broadcasters including Dr (Denmark), Kro (Netherlands) and Vrt (Belgium). All3Media International boss Louise Pedersen said, “We knew that the pedigree of the team behind Hidden would result in a very distinctive series – Welsh Noir is now on the international map.
- 5/14/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Grime, the British-originated urban music genre, is coming to the big screen with “Wiley,” a biopic of the musical pioneer from Pulse Films and BMG. Wiley is one of the most influential musicians of his generation and is known as the “Godfather of Grime.” He has also had several crossover hits, including “Wearing My Rolex.”
Adam Smith (“Trespass Against Us”) will helm the picture, which will tell the tumultuous life story of Wiley, whose real name is Richard Kylea Cowie. It will cover his early days as a struggling producer and performer on pirate radio in London up to when he began making a worldwide name for himself. The film will also trace the growth of grime from its underground U.K. roots to a genre that has resonated around the world.
“This is my life, my highs and lows, but it’s not really all about me,” Wiley said.
Adam Smith (“Trespass Against Us”) will helm the picture, which will tell the tumultuous life story of Wiley, whose real name is Richard Kylea Cowie. It will cover his early days as a struggling producer and performer on pirate radio in London up to when he began making a worldwide name for himself. The film will also trace the growth of grime from its underground U.K. roots to a genre that has resonated around the world.
“This is my life, my highs and lows, but it’s not really all about me,” Wiley said.
- 5/14/2018
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
Author: Competitions
An incredibly engrossing British crime thriller, Trespass Against Us, stars Michael Fassbender and Brendan Gleeson, and comes to Blu-ray™ and DVD July 3rd and Digital Download on June 26th . We’re celebrating the release of this unmissable, action-packed film by giving 2 of you the chance to win Trespass Against Us on Blu-ray™.
The first film directed by Adam Smith following his Doctor Who success, Trespass Against Us was initially selected to be screened in the Special Presentations section at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival and is written by Director-turned- writer Alastair Siddons, known for Inside Out: The People’s Art Project and Turn It Loose.
Trespass Against Us follows three generations of the notorious Cutler family, living as outlaws in the Cotswolds, the heart of Britain’s richest countryside. The Cutlers live by their own rules, practising their own way of life—poaching, pilfering and provoking the police.
An incredibly engrossing British crime thriller, Trespass Against Us, stars Michael Fassbender and Brendan Gleeson, and comes to Blu-ray™ and DVD July 3rd and Digital Download on June 26th . We’re celebrating the release of this unmissable, action-packed film by giving 2 of you the chance to win Trespass Against Us on Blu-ray™.
The first film directed by Adam Smith following his Doctor Who success, Trespass Against Us was initially selected to be screened in the Special Presentations section at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival and is written by Director-turned- writer Alastair Siddons, known for Inside Out: The People’s Art Project and Turn It Loose.
Trespass Against Us follows three generations of the notorious Cutler family, living as outlaws in the Cotswolds, the heart of Britain’s richest countryside. The Cutlers live by their own rules, practising their own way of life—poaching, pilfering and provoking the police.
- 6/27/2017
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Author: Andy Psyllides
Ending with a ludicrous freeze-frame straight from an eighties-tastic Us sitcom, this debut feature from director Adam Smith is all over the shop. With little rhyme or reason it veers uncomfortably between gritty family drama, whimsical comedy and full-blown heist thriller. Smith – a frequent collaborator with the Chemical Brothers – never seems to get a complete handle on what he wants the film to be. It’s a shame, as this lack of a clear, concrete vision means powerful moments and committed performances from a cast that includes Michael Fassbender and Brendan Gleeson largely go to waste.
Fassbender is Chad Cutler, a prominent member of a close-knit travelling community currently camped somewhere in the West Country. Their accents are thick as molasses, they call everybody “mush” and afternoons are wiled away by piling into a beat-up station wagon and chasing rabbits through open fields. It’s not all fun and games,...
Ending with a ludicrous freeze-frame straight from an eighties-tastic Us sitcom, this debut feature from director Adam Smith is all over the shop. With little rhyme or reason it veers uncomfortably between gritty family drama, whimsical comedy and full-blown heist thriller. Smith – a frequent collaborator with the Chemical Brothers – never seems to get a complete handle on what he wants the film to be. It’s a shame, as this lack of a clear, concrete vision means powerful moments and committed performances from a cast that includes Michael Fassbender and Brendan Gleeson largely go to waste.
Fassbender is Chad Cutler, a prominent member of a close-knit travelling community currently camped somewhere in the West Country. Their accents are thick as molasses, they call everybody “mush” and afternoons are wiled away by piling into a beat-up station wagon and chasing rabbits through open fields. It’s not all fun and games,...
- 3/1/2017
- by Andy Psyllides
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
With a seemingly endless amount of streaming options — not only the titles at our disposal, but services themselves — we’ve taken it upon ourselves to highlight the titles that have recently hit platforms. Every week, one will be able to see the cream of the crop (or perhaps some simply interesting picks) of streaming titles (new and old) across platforms such as Netflix, iTunes, Amazon, and more (note: U.S. only). Check out our rundown for this week’s selections below.
Closet Monster (Stephen Dunn)
Writer/director Stephen Dunn’s feature debut Closet Monster cares little about convention to tell the story of Oscar Madly (Connor Jessup) growing up with a psychological revulsion to his sexual urges, all thanks to an extremely disturbing event witnessed as a child. This prologue glimpse at his youth (played by Jack Fulton) is a mash-up of tough coming-of-age-dramatics and a dark-edged imaginative whimsy that intrigues to draw you closer.
Closet Monster (Stephen Dunn)
Writer/director Stephen Dunn’s feature debut Closet Monster cares little about convention to tell the story of Oscar Madly (Connor Jessup) growing up with a psychological revulsion to his sexual urges, all thanks to an extremely disturbing event witnessed as a child. This prologue glimpse at his youth (played by Jack Fulton) is a mash-up of tough coming-of-age-dramatics and a dark-edged imaginative whimsy that intrigues to draw you closer.
- 1/20/2017
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
Trespass Against Us director Adam Smith has praised stars Michael Fassbender and Brendan Gleeson over their work on the film — describing the pair as “brilliant”. The first-time feature film director said they were so good that once he had cast them there was little else for him to do to mould them into the characters he wanted. Trespass Against Us is set in Britain and stars Fassbender as traveller Chad Cutler, who is torn between loyalty to his father Colby (Gleeson) and creating the opportunity of a crime-free life for his children. Smith — who has worked on TV shows including Skins...read more...
- 1/19/2017
- by Anne Brodie
- Monsters and Critics
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