Something strange is happening between Hollywood and China, and it’s starting to feel less like business and more like a warning shot. No official ban has been issued, no grand statement handed down from the Chinese government. But whispers have started bubbling up from people close to the top—industry insiders and influential voices making it … Continue reading Avatar 3 and Superman Could Be Blocked from China and Here’s Why
Physical Media Isn’t Dead. It Just Moved to Walmart and Thrift Stores
There’s something quietly apocalyptic about watching the movie section at your local big-box store shrink year after year. What used to be a couple aisles packed with DVDs and Blu-rays is now a sad little endcap tucked between seasonal socks and discount phone chargers. Best Buy already walked away. Target barely pretends to care anymore. … Continue reading Physical Media Isn’t Dead. It Just Moved to Walmart and Thrift Stores
Stop Reading Comics. Just Watch the Movies.
Superheroes are our modern myths. They're cultural icons, vessels for generational values, endlessly reinterpreted and repackaged. And right now, their stories dominate the box office. You’d think comic books would be riding that same high, right? But they’re not. Despite superheroes being more mainstream than ever, comic book sales in the West have been steadily … Continue reading Stop Reading Comics. Just Watch the Movies.
If Fortnite Gets a Movie, It Could Make Avatar Money (Seriously)
Hollywood is finally figuring out how to make good video game movies, which feels like something we should’ve cracked decades ago. The Super Mario Bros. Movie crossed a billion dollars without breaking a sweat. HBO’s The Last of Us cleaned up at the Emmys and had people ugly crying over fungal zombies. Even Minecraft—yes, Minecraft—just … Continue reading If Fortnite Gets a Movie, It Could Make Avatar Money (Seriously)
Regal’s CEO Thinks Weed Will Save Theaters. That’s the Problem.
I wasn’t shocked. I didn’t clutch my pearls or gasp or drop my popcorn in stunned disbelief. I just sighed and thought, “C’mon… really?” When I heard Regal’s CEO Eduardo Acuna joke about maybe testing out things like texting-friendly auditoriums and selling weed in theaters to attract younger audiences, it didn’t even register as outrageous—it … Continue reading Regal’s CEO Thinks Weed Will Save Theaters. That’s the Problem.
Superman Looks Defeated… And So Does DC’s Marketing Strategy
I’m a Zack Snyder fan. Let me get that out of the way right now, because I know how this is going to sound to some people. Man of Steel isn’t just a movie I like, it’s in my top five favorite films of 2013. I think Batman v Superman is an underrated classic that … Continue reading Superman Looks Defeated… And So Does DC’s Marketing Strategy
AI Art Is “An Insult to Life”… Unless It’s Selling Out Ghibli Films in IMAX
When Princess Mononoke hit IMAX screens in a new 4K restoration, it felt like a gift. A chance to see one of Studio Ghibli’s greatest achievements the way it was always meant to be experienced: big, loud, and breathtaking. And despite only playing in a limited number of theaters, it crushed expectations, pulling in over … Continue reading AI Art Is “An Insult to Life”… Unless It’s Selling Out Ghibli Films in IMAX
Want to Save Movie Theaters? Meet in the Middle
Theater owners got an earful this week at CinemaCon, and honestly, it was overdue. Paramount’s distribution head Chris Aronson took the stage and told exhibitors what many of us have been shouting from the back row for years: change the damn model. Cut the trailers down, extend matinee pricing to 6 PM, offer mid-week discounts, … Continue reading Want to Save Movie Theaters? Meet in the Middle
The Nintendo Switch 2 and Theaters Want You to Pay More—Or Stay Home
I don’t want to sound like an old man yelling at clouds, but it’s getting harder to ignore the feeling that the entertainment world is slowly pricing out the very people who kept it alive in the first place. You know, the regular folks: the families, the broke college kids, the underpaid workers who just … Continue reading The Nintendo Switch 2 and Theaters Want You to Pay More—Or Stay Home
The Minecraft Movie Dropped Without Its Creators—And It Shows
The Minecraft movie is finally hitting theaters, and on paper, it looks like a win. A projected $140 million global opening weekend, $65 million of that from the U.S. alone. That’s a solid launch for any film. But considering this is Minecraft we’re talking about—the most successful video game of all time—it feels strangely muted. … Continue reading The Minecraft Movie Dropped Without Its Creators—And It Shows
Hollywood After Dark 