Even since Michael's heavenly ascend, not just the music industry but, quite frankly, the entertainment industry as a whole has been left with a massive void that I don't believe will be fulfilled in the near future or ever again. That man had a star power equivalent to three Galactuses at their most powerful. You will never witness someone like that ever again, not in this lifetime nor the next one. He was and still is one of a kind.

Happy Birthday 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊 To You

The Most Iconic & Loveable Blonde Haired 👱‍♀️❤ American Actress Of The 90's & The Best NBC TV 📺 Show Sitcom Of All Times. 

Aniston was born on February 11, 1969, in the Sherman Oaks neighborhood of Los Angeles to Greek-born actor John Aniston and actress Nancy Dow.

She is an American actress. She rose to international fame for her role as Rachel Green on the television sitcom Friends from 1994 to 2004, which earned her Primetime Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild awards. Since her career progressed in the 1990s, Aniston has become one of the world's highest-paid actresses.

The daughter of actors John Aniston and Nancy Dow, she began working as an actress at an early age with an uncredited role in the 1988 film Mac and Me. Her first major film role came in the 1993 horror comedy Leprechaun. She has since starred in a string of successful comedy films such as Office Space (1999), Bruce Almighty (2003), The Break-Up (2006), Marley & Me (2008), Just Go with It (2011), Horrible Bosses (2011), We're the Millers (2013), Dumplin' (2018), and Murder Mystery (2019). Aniston also starred in the acclaimed independent films The Good Girl (2002), Friends with Money (2006), and Cake (2014). She returned to television in 2019, producing and starring in the Apple TV+ drama series The Morning Show, for which she received a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Aniston has been included in numerous magazines' lists of the world's most beautiful women. Her net worth is estimated as $300 million, and her box office gross is over $1.6 billion worldwide. She is the recipient of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and is the co-founder of the production company Echo Films, established in 2008.

PLEASE WISH THIS ICONIC & LOVEABLE BLONDE HAIRED 👱‍♀️❤AMERICAN ACTRESS OF THE 90'S & THE BEST NBC TV SHOW 📺 SITCOM OF ALL TIMES, FRIENDS.  A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊 TO YOU

YOU KNOW HER

YOU SEEN HER ON THE TV 📺 SCREEN & ON THE BIG SCREEN 📽

& YOU HAVE TO LOVE HER SENSE OF STYLE OF HUMOR IN ROMCOMS & COMEDIES 😆 🤣

THE 1 & ONLY

MS. JENNIFER JOANNA ANISTON👱‍♀️❤ AKA RACHEL GREEN OF NBC'S FRIENDS ❤

HAPPY 55TH BIRTHDAY 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊 TO YOU MS.  ANISTON👱‍♀️❤ & HERE'S TO MANY MORE YEARS TO COME 

#JenniferAnniston #Leprechaun #Friends #TheIronGiant #BruceAlmighty #MothersDay2016 #TheMorningShow #RachelGreen

'Christopher Nolan's best movies, from Inception to The Dark Knight, are also among the best movies of the 21st century, which proves how essential he is to understand blockbusters today.

The British-American director has been working behind the cameras for over thirty years, delivering some mind-bending, eye-catching work. Nolan's movies have a common ability to always surprise viewers, usually thanks to time-twisting stories that are never what they seem.

That's also true for his latest movie Oppenheimer, an unexpected box-office hit (blame the Barbenheimer phenomenon) that has arguably been the most talked-about of his career to date, even ahead of his excellent Batman trilogy. It's also one of this year's biggest awards contenders, with enough Oscar buzz to potentially secure the Academy Award for Best Picture.

The three-hour biopic about the life of J Robert Oppenheimer became Nolan's third highest-grossing movie ever, behind only The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises. It's very close now to becoming Nolan's third billion-dollar movie.

But enough about the box office. The only ranking we care about is the quality of the movies...

10. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Rounding out Nolan's acclaimed Batman trilogy was never going to be easy post-The Dark Knight, and sadly, The Dark Knight Rises is more remembered for the controversy surrounding Tom Hardy's vocals than the movie itself.

Still, with standout performances from the likes of Michael Caine and Anne Hathaway, there are worse Batman movies out there.

Also, a near-perfect ending closes the door on Christian Bale's Dark Knight – hopefully not to return for the DCU's Multiverse.

7. Inception (2010)

Boasting Nolan's most A-list cast yet, Inception was like nothing we'd seen before when it debuted in 2010. Helping boost Joseph Gordon-Levitt's career, he plays brilliantly alongside Leonardo DiCaprio as the tragic Dom Cobb.

This Bond-inspired heist movie delves into the psyche of Cillian Murphy's mark, and as we go deeper, each layer is richer than the last.

Delivering one of the most debated endings of all time, we're still talking about whether that totem stopped spinning.

6. Dunkirk (2017)

Remembered alongside war epics like Saving Private Ryan, Dunkirk is probably the least Nolan movie in his catalogue.

Hitting the beaches of World War II, Dunkirk follows the famed 1940 evacuation on land, sea, and by air in three different timelines that offer up their own unique perspective.

Doing away with your typical tropes of a war movie, Dunkirk isn't afraid to get straight in there and hammer home the horrors of the war.

5. Batman Begins (2005)

Putting Christian Bale in the cape and cowl for the first time, Batman Begins ended the run of schlocky comic book movies of the early '00s to redefine the superhero origin story.

Restoring faith in the Dark Knight following Batman & Robin was no easy feat, but with Bale's Bruce Wayne channelling the darkness of Batman: The Animated Series, it defied expectations.

Also, opting for Liam Neeson's Ra's al Ghul as the villain instead of the Joker was a stroke of genius.

4. Oppenheimer (2023)

Combining the real-life history of Dunkirk and the theoretical physics of Tenet, Oppenheimer feels like the movie Nolan was always building to.

A dense three-hour biopic about J Robert Oppenheimer, aka "the father of the atomic bomb", it's a thrilling and thought-provoking watch with a never-better Cillian Murphy at its centre.

The movie's different timelines can be a bit confusing and Jean Tatlock's storyline is a bit questionable, but this is one of Nolan's best works.

Once watched, never forgotten.

1. The Dark Knight (2008)

Arguably the best comic book movie of all time and one of the best movies of all time, even superhero haters are hard-pushed not to be wowed by The Dark Knight.

Christian Bale is joined by Aaron Eckhart showing the softer side of the villainous Two-Face, while Gary Oldman's Jim Gordon is another highlight.

Of course, who could forget Heath Ledger's legendary performance as the Joker? For the opening bank heist alone, Ledger more than earned his posthumous Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.'

American Pie Duo Jason Biggs and Seann William Scott's Hilarious Reunion in DoorDash Ad - Watch Now!

American Pie Duo Jason Biggs and Seann William Scott's Hilarious Reunion in DoorDash Ad - Watch Now! American Pie Duo Jason Biggs and Seann William Scott's Hilarious Reunion in DoorDash Ad - Watch Now! In a heartwarming reunion, American Pie actors Jason Biggs and Seann William Scott come together for a hilarious DoorDash ad that will leave fans in stitches! The much-loved duo takes on the roles of delivery drivers who are determined to get their orders to customers on time, no matter how crazy things get. The Golden Age Of American Pie The American Pie franchise has been entertaining audiences for over two decades now, with the first movie hitting theaters back in 1999. Jason Biggs and Seann William Scott played the loveable high school students, Jim Levenstein, and Steve Stifler, respectively, and stole hearts with their hilarious antics. The movies went on to become huge box office hits, grossing over $1 billion worldwide. The DoorDash Ad Fast forward to 2021, and the two stars are back to entertain fans once again. DoorDash, the popular food delivery app, has recruited the duo for their latest ad campaign. The new ad features Biggs and Scott as DoorDash drivers, bringing food orders to customers' homes. The ad takes viewers on a wild ride as Biggs and Scott navigate their way through the city, facing one strange obstacle after another. From getting stuck in a treehouse to dealing with an angry opossum, the duo proves that they will stop at nothing to get their orders to their customers on time. The Chemistry Between The Duo While the ad is definitely funny on its own, what makes it so special is the chemistry between the two actors. Biggs and Scott seem to pick up right where they left off, weaving in and out of each other's lines seamlessly. The ad has a natural flow, which is a testament to the two men's acting skills and their friendship. The Success Of The Ad The DoorDash ad has been a huge success, receiving millions of views online. Fans of the American Pie movies were thrilled to see their favorite on-screen duo back together again, and the ad has brought back many fond memories of the movies. The Future Of Jason Biggs And Seann William Scott While fans of the American Pie movies will always have a special place in their hearts for Biggs and Scott, the two actors have both moved on to other projects. Jason Biggs has made a name for himself in the theater, starring in productions like The Graduate and The Heidi Chronicles. Meanwhile, Seann William Scott has appeared in a host of movies and TV shows, including the hit series Lethal Weapon. However, despite moving on to different projects, the two actors have remained close friends over the years. Their DoorDash ad is proof that their chemistry is still as strong as ever, and fans can only hope that they will work together again in the future. Conclusion In conclusion, the DoorDash ad featuring Jason Biggs and Seann William Scott is a hilarious and heartwarming reunion for fans of the American Pie franchise. The two stars bring their A-game to the ad, providing viewers with a wild and entertaining ride. The ad is proof that the chemistry between the two actors is still as strong as ever and will leave fans wishing for more collaborations between the duo in the future. #ENTERTAINMENT Read the full article

The Avengers 🎯

The Avengers premiered in Los Angeles on April 11, 2012, and was released in the United States on May 4, as the last film of Phase One of the MCU. The film received praise for Whedon's direction and screenplay, visual effects, action sequences, acting, and musical score, and garnered numerous awards and nominations including Academy Award and BAFTA nominations for achievements in visual effects. The film grossed over $1.5 billion worldwide, setting numerous box office records and becoming the third-highest-grossing film of all time at the time of its release and the highest-grossing film of 2012, as well as the first Marvel production to generate $1 billion in ticket sales. In 2017, The Avengers was featured as one of the 100 greatest films of all time in an Empire magazine poll. Three sequels have been released: Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019)....

"Exploring the Dark World of the Joker: A Psychological Thriller and Box Office Success"

The movie "Joker" is a psychological thriller released in 2019. It tells the story of Arthur Fleck, a failed stand-up comedian who later becomes the criminal mastermind known as the Joker. Set in Gotham City during the 1980s, the film explores themes of mental illness, societal inequality, and the consequences of an indifferent society. 🎥🃏

"Joker" received critical acclaim for its dark and gritty take on the character, as well as its examination of social and political issues. Joaquin Phoenix's performance as Arthur Fleck, which earned him an Academy Award, was particularly praised. The movie was both a critical and commercial success, grossing over $1 billion worldwide. 🏆💰

Despite its positive reception, "Joker" also faced controversy due to concerns over its portrayal of violence and the potential impact on real-world behavior. However, it remains a significant addition to the superhero genre, offering a fresh and introspective perspective on one of Batman's most iconic adversaries. 🎭

Read the original article on Bitcoin.com Related Hashtags: #Joker #DCComics #JoaquinPhoenix #Superhero

Avengers: Infinity War

Avengers: Infinity War is a 2018 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team The Avengers. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is the sequel to The Avengers (2012) and Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) and the 19th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, the film features an ensemble cast including Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Don Cheadle, Tom Holland, Chadwickman. . , Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Josh Brolin, and Chris Pratt. In the film, the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy attempt to stop Thanos from collecting the six all-powerful Infinity Stones as part of his quest to kill half of all life in the universe.

The film was announced in October 2014 as Avengers: Infinity War – Part 1. The Russo brothers came on board to direct in April 2015, and a month later Marcus and McFeely signed on to write the film's script, which drew inspiration from Jim. Starlin's 1991 comic book The Infinity Gauntlet and Jonathan Hickman's 2013 comic book Infinity. In 2016, Marvel shortened the title to Avengers: Infinity War. Filming began in January 2017 at Pinewood Atlanta Studios in Fayette County, Georgia, with a large cast consisting of mostly actors reprising their roles from previous MCU films, including Brolin as Thanos. Production lasted until July 2017, shooting back-to-back with the direct sequel Avengers: Endgame (2019). Additional filming took place in Scotland, the downtown Atlanta area, and New York City. With an estimated budget of $325-400 million, the film is one of the most expensive films ever made. Avengers: Infinity War premiered on April 23, 2018 at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, Los Angeles, and was released in the United States on April 27 as part of Phase III of the MCU. Critics praised Brolin's performance, visual effects, action sequences, dark tone and emotional weight. It was the fourth film and the first superhero film to gross over $2 billion worldwide, breaking numerous box office records and becoming the highest-grossing film of 2018 and the fourth-highest-grossing film both worldwide and at the time of release. USA and Canada. It received a nomination for Best Visual Effects at the 91st Academy Awards, among numerous other accolades. The sequel, Avengers: Endgame, was released in April 2019.

WISH appears to be tracking well. Pre-sales beating those of ENCANTO and STRANGE WORLD. The former, released as Delta was proving to be a problem, and the latter an neglected film.

But this is promising. Not that the old outdated box office model matters in the long run, but I want to see a Disney-released animated movie take this W for once. Pixar's ELEMENTAL merely eked by and was deemed successful by the company, so why not end the centennial year with another animated success? And from Walt Disney Animation Studios no less?

"No marketing" indeed. I heard that latest trailer racked up over 66m hits or something?

I guess WISH does have the juice. Maybe! While very-online people jeer at the way the villain song sounds, or complain about how much they can't stand the talking goat, or the art style, or just about everything else... If this thing opens very well, it'll just show who the marketing for these films has always been for... Not you, and not me.

Flashback to summer 2010... I had seen the teaser for TANGLED, the movie that arguably got this whole ball rolling. The first Disney Animation movie to truly make some big cash in the post-Michael Eisner/David Stainton era (as in, post-CHICKEN LITTLE). MEET THE ROBINSONS lost money, BOLT didn't really cut it, and THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG barely eked out. TANGLED became the studio's second highest-earning movie, unadjusted, behind THE LION KING.

I remember. I was 17 1/2 when I saw the teaser roll before TOY STORY 3... And I remember thinking that it looked pretty... Well... BAD! "She's been grounded for like... Ever!" What was this? Disney's embarrassingly belated answer to SHREK? A cynical and hip fairy tale adaptation? Never mind that I was already miffed at the sexist title change that had been reported earlier. The poster seemed to ram it all home, too, an image of Rapunzel and Flynn/Eugene looking like they had an attitude... I was afraid it'd be a step back from the progress that was made with ROBINSONS, BOLT, and FROG... A lot of people online at the time seemed to echo similar sentiments...

The proper trailer debuted around September. I also wasn't impressed.

Then I had taken a look at the Japanese trailer. Okay, this looks pretty good! Possibly great!

The ending to this story is very predictable. I ended up really liking TANGLED.

And as bad as I thought those trailers were, TANGLED opened pretty well and had fantastic legs during the holiday season of 2010. Audiences liked those trailers and TV spots and promo materials.

Lather. Rinse. Repeat...

For FROZEN. "What is this? TANGLED on Ice? TANGLED meets ICE AGE??" People on twitter **hated** that Olaf and Sven ice lake antics teaser... But when I saw it play before MONSTERS UNIVERSITY that summer, the packed auditorium howled with laughter! FROZEN went on to become one of the highest grossing animated movies of all-time.

Lather. Rinse. Repeat...

For ZOOTOPIA. "What is this? CHICKEN LITTLE?" "This looks like a DreamWorks movie!" ZOOTOPIA made a billion worldwide, rare for an original movie like that.

Lather. Rinse. Repeat...

For RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET. "This looks like Disney's EMOJI MOVIE!" "All this product placement!" RALPH BREAKS outgrossed the original and made half a billion.

You get my drift? The marketing materials are made for your average joe, not us. Getting them to give a cartoon the time of the day is the real challenge, and that's who Disney goes for. Sometimes they're quite successful at it: Every CG film they released from TANGLED to FROZEN II, 2010 to 2019, made a lot of money theatrically each time out! Sometimes they're not. BOLT didn't get folks interested in fall 2008, and STRANGE WORLD's few trailers and TV spots last autumn just didn't appeal to almost anybody. Throw in COVID's effects on everything, how Disney+ was the perfect storm for families tight on money and not willing to gamble on a probably shit theatrical experience, etc....

And if WISH opens pretty good, it'll show that they - the marketing department - did their job right for once. And without the actors - such as Chris Pine - to help promote the movie, at that.

But tracking is usually funky for animated movies, so it's hard to say how WISH will open. But in the cutthroat world of box office, a model that's still going today for some strange reason, it's gotta make a real impression in its first 3 days, 5 days because this is a pre-Thanksgiving release.

Anyways, I want to see a WDAS movie "break even" per this old-ass model, for once. We haven't seen a film of theirs do that since FROZEN II, four years ago. Which is also a Chris Buck-directed movie, also a Jennifer Lee-written movie.

Now to hope ELIO from Pixar, after ELEMENTAL barely making it through, does good this coming spring.

Blue Lock, Chainsaw Man, And Shonen Domination

In Ep. 566, Millennial Mike and I discuss Kodansha's Blue Lock as the highest-selling manga in 2023, "Fast X," surpassing $500M, Scott Adkins on Deadpool’s portrayal in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and more! Full Topics:

The Pokemon Company printed nearly 10 billion cards in 2022, setting a new record for the second consecutive year.

Kodansha's Blue Lock is the highest-selling manga series overall, followed by Chainsaw Man.

Shueisha announced a new imprint called Jump Toon, focused on vertically read manga for smartphones in full color, launching in 2024.

Scott Adkins reflects on Deadpool portrayal in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, stating it "could have been so much worse."

Top Gun: Maverick has grossed $101.5 million in the Japanese box office, making it Tom Cruise's highest-grossing film in that market.

"Fast X," the latest Fast & Furious installment, surpasses $500 million in ticket sales worldwide, becoming the third highest-grossing film of 2023.

Makeup artist Peter King defends his work on The Little Mermaid, responding to criticism of Ursula's makeup not being done by a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

Warner Bros. Discovery's Max streaming service faced backlash for removing specific credits and grouping them under the label of "creators."

The Flash director Andy Muschietti confirms Ezra Miller would continue in the role if a sequel were to happen.

FOLLOW/SUPPORT MILLENNIAL MIKE: @millennialmike (Mike's Vero) @TheExilesNet (Mike's Twitter) The Ronin Council (YouTube) As always, we appreciate your constructive Feedback, Suggestions, and Questions. You can also leave us an audio question on SpeakPipe. Thank you for the continued love and support! Enjoy the show. Daniel Podcast Awards 2019 || Games & Hobbies (Winner) Podcast Awards 2017 - 2018, 2020 - 2022 || Games & Hobbies (Nominated) Official Site FOLLOW US: - Twitter | @ReasonsImBroke and @TRIBPod - Instagram - Pinterest - Tumblr - Discord Lounge - YouTube Channel SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts / Stitcher / iHeartRadio / TuneIn / Overcast SUPPORT THE POD: Getting $1's worth of entertainment and information each month? Support us on Patreon or visit our TeePublic storefront! SPREAD THE WORD: If you're enjoying the show, please head over to iTunes and leave us a rating and a review! Each one helps new Brokettes discover the podcast. Contribute to the Hero Initiative to offer assistance to comic creators facing difficulties. Show your support for the AFSP's efforts by donating to the Autumn Snyder Tribute Fund. CREDITS: Opening/Closing Jingles - Alex Scott Show Logo By - Opanaldiova

The latest episode of The Reasons I'm Broke Podcast!

The 20 Best Summer Blockbusters of All Time: Epic Films that Shattered Box Office Records

What is summer without an action-packed blockbuster? For decades, crowds have been coming in from the heat to see the latest fun-time film. Summer blockbusters have it all: big-name cast, stunning cinematography, a plot that keeps you engaged, and plenty of surprises around every corner. Why not start summer off with a splash and enjoy these movies, which have thrilled crowds for years and have no intention of stopping now!

Jaws (1975)

Cast: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss

Plot: A menacing great white shark terrorizes a New England beach town, compelling the local police chief, a marine biologist, and a seasoned shark hunter to embark on a dangerous quest to stop it.

Box Office: Grossed over $470 million worldwide.

Why It Was Popular: Directed by Steven Spielberg, "Jaws" introduced the concept of the summer blockbuster and set a new standard for suspense and thrill.

Star Wars (1977)

Cast: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher

Plot: A young farm boy, a rogue smuggler, and a wise Jedi Knight join forces to battle the evil Galactic Empire and its Sith Lord, Darth Vader.

Box Office: Earned a staggering $775 million globally.

Why It Was Popular: George Lucas' space epic revolutionized filmmaking, transporting audiences to a galaxy far, far away with its groundbreaking visual effects and captivating story.

Jurassic Park (1993)

Cast: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum

Plot: A team of scientists is invited to a remote island where a billionaire has created a theme park filled with genetically cloned dinosaurs. Chaos ensues when the creatures escape.

Box Office: Grossed over $1 billion worldwide.

Why It Was Popular: Directed by Spielberg, "Jurassic Park" brought dinosaurs to life in a breathtaking manner, combining cutting-edge visual effects with heart-pounding suspense.

Titanic (1997)

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane

Plot: Set aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic, a young aristocratic woman falls in love with a poor artist, their romance unfolding amidst the ship's tragic maiden voyage.

Box Office: Surpassed $2 billion in global ticket sales.

Why It Was Popular: James Cameron's epic romance combined with a disaster film captivated audiences worldwide, earning critical acclaim and becoming one of the highest-grossing films ever.

The Dark Knight (2008)

Cast: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart

Plot: Batman faces his ultimate nemesis, the Joker, who wreaks havoc on Gotham City with his anarchic reign of terror.

Box Office: Earned over $1 billion globally.

Why It Was Popular: Christopher Nolan's dark and gritty take on the superhero genre, coupled with Heath Ledger's iconic performance as the Joker, elevated this film to legendary status.

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson

Plot: The remaining Avengers team up to undo the devastating effects of Thanos' snap, leading to an epic battle to save the universe.

Box Office: Surpassed $2.7 billion worldwide.

Why It Was Popular: Serving as the culmination of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Infinity Saga, "Endgame" offered a satisfying conclusion to over a decade of interconnected storytelling.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Cast: Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Dee Wallace

Plot: A young boy befriends an alien who becomes stranded on Earth, and together they embark on an extraordinary adventure to help E.T. return home.

Box Office Grossed over $792 million worldwide.

Why It Was Popular: Directed by Steven Spielberg, "E.T." captured the hearts of audiences with its heartwarming story of friendship and its exploration of themes like childhood, loneliness, and acceptance.

The Lion King (1994)

Cast (Voice Actors): Matthew Broderick, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons

Plot: A young lion prince named Simba must reclaim his throne and fulfill his destiny after the murder of his father by his uncle Scar.

Box Office: Grossed over $968 million worldwide.

Why It Was Popular: "The Lion King" captured hearts with its stunning animation, memorable songs, and a compelling story inspired by Shakespeare's Hamlet, creating an enduring Disney classic.

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Cast: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman

Plot: Adventurous archaeologist Indiana Jones embarks on a perilous quest to find the legendary Ark of the Covenant before it falls into the hands of the Nazis.

Box Office: Earned over $389 million globally.

Why It Was Popular: Directed by Spielberg and featuring Ford's iconic portrayal of Indiana Jones, "Raiders of the Lost Ark" combined thrilling action, humor, and an irresistible sense of adventure.

Minions: The Rise of Gru’ Looks to Illuminate July 4 Box Office With $70 Million Debut

Tiny yellow henchmen will attempt to spark fireworks at the box office over the July 4 weekend.

“Minions: The Rise of Gru,” the fifth installment in Universal and Illumination’s popular “Despicable Me” franchise, is headed for a first-place finish, with the family film expected to bring in $65 million to $75 million from 4,400 North American theaters during the extended holiday period. Though it’s the only new nationwide release, “Minions” will have to fend off holdover titles including Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis,” “Jurassic World: Dominion,” “Top Gun: Maverick” and Pixar’s “Lightyear.”

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The well-reviewed “Minions: The Rise of Gru” looks to test the viability of kid-friendly animated flicks on the big screen. Family audiences are huge drivers in box office revenues and therefore key to the movie theater industry’s revival. But as the box office has attempted to rebound from COVID-19, movies that cater to younger crowds have been a mixed bag in terms of ticket sales. Paramount’s “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” beat forecasts in April, debuting to $72 million over President’s Day weekend, but Disney’s less-embraced “Lightyear” fell short of expectations, launching with $51 million. These days, it can be tricky to predict the movies that’ll entice parents and their kids.

With any luck, “Minions” will score a bigger opening weekend than “Sonic 2” and “Lightyear.” But according to current projections, the newest goofy comedy about mischievous yellow critters is on pace to score the series’ lowest debut since 2010’s “Despicable Me” ignited the franchise with $56 million. After becoming a word-of-mouth hit, the first “Despicable Me” film ended its box office run with a strong $543 million globally. The saga of Gru and the gang reached a high with 2015’s spinoff “Minions,” which opened to $115 million and later crossed the billion-dollar mark. In and around that time, 2013’s “Despicable Me 2” pulled in $84 million in its debut and 2017’s threequel “Despicable Me 3” collected $72.4 million to start. Those films grossed $970 million and $1 billion, respectively. Those receipts indicate that even if “The Rise of Gru” gets off to a slower start compared to its predecessors, the film could keep playing in theaters to sizable crowds throughout the summer.

Pixar veteran Kyle Balda directed “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” which takes place in the 1970s as a young Gru (the baddie-turned-daddy from “Despicable Me,” voiced by Steve Carell) tries to test the waters of supervillain life. It goes awry at first, but Gru eventually finds his crew of scoundrels. C’mon, what did you expect for a guy whose first name is Felonious? Taraji P. Henson, Michelle Yeoh, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Julie Andrews round out the voice cast.

Variety’s Peter Debruge called the film a “delightfully silly sequel,” adding that Illumination delivers “another feel-good dose of bad behavior.” Debruge’s fellow film critics were mixed on “Minions 2,” which holds a 68% on Rotten Tomatoes, though reviews rarely matter for kids’ movies.

“Minions: The Rise of Gru” began its rollout at the international box office over the weekend, generating $3.7 million in Australia. The film opens in 61 additional markets in the coming days. The single-eyed creatures are especially popular overseas, where the first “Minions” spinoff generated a staggering $823 million — 71% of overall ticket sales.

Minions: The Rise Of Gru Review: Illumination’s Big Banana Is Officially Rotten Animated franchises sometimes have rather wild trajectories – especially when you take into account how long it takes to make a movie in a series like Despicable Me. One year’s hot property in family cinema can be another’s abysmal failure, and the time from one point to another depends on where your franchise peaks. Arguably, 2012’s Despicable Me 2 seems to be that summit for Gru and his pals, as the slow monetary descent started with 2015’s Minions and continued with 2017’s Despicable Me 3. If Minions: The Rise of Gru is any indication, just based on the movie alone, then Illumination’s big box office banana is officially rotten.

Shifting into the soulful ‘70s, this second spinoff picture in the franchise sees Kevin, Stuart, and formerly King Bob (Pierre Coffin) firmly buddied up with young super-villain in training Gru (Steve Carell). As the team had assembled at the end of the first film, Minions 2 sees the mini-boss trying to land his dream gig as a member of the supervillain team, the Vicious 6.

Headed by new leader Belle Bottom (Taraji P. Henson), the group laughs off Gru’s application, which naturally sends him on his despicable way. While it’s a natural point to launch this story from, what results is a nearly 90-minute movie that feels longer, more chaotic, and less charming than any other installment in the Despicable Me canon.

The latest Minions installment squanders every opportunity to be a decent movie, and there are plenty. The Minions were one of those cadres of sidekicks that were better off playing second fiddle to a lead like Gru. Yet Minions was still a pretty decent series starter. Just enough characters were added so that Kevin, Stuart, and Bob could expand their schtick, while the movie also maintained another story that could entertain the non-Minion enthralled audiences.

Minions: The Rise of Gru really does try to use that formula to amp up its bigger, louder sequel, but it fails in more ways than one. Apparently three central Minions weren’t enough, as the awkward Otto (Pierre Coffin) is now a fourth Minion with a name and a quest. Audiences are now treated to two separate Minion storylines, on top of the Vicious 6/Gru story that plays out. A lot more characters are expected to be doing things in Minions latest chapter, and they definitely do. But few of the angles can be considered a story worth following.

Perhaps the one and only prospect that would have made sense is the mentorship between Gru and recently ousted Vicious 6 leader Wild Knuckles (Alan Arkin). Showcasing the sweetness that Despicable Me’s protagonist would lose and regain in his own adventures, those moments simply come out looking the best when sifting through everything else Minions: The Rise of Gru has to offer.

Keep in mind, this is a movie that packs its cast with the likes of Lucy Lawless, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Michelle Yeoh, and Dame Julie Andrews. Yet for as talented as this cast is, barely any time is spent with most of those names mentioned, and you’ll probably be disappointed to learn that such a killer roster isn’t given enough time to be recognized in this mess.

This is a movie that wants to be a Despicable Me sequel, but isn’t allowed to be due to the branding power of Minions. Looking at the title itself, Minions: The Rise of Gru calls out its major problem before anyone even sees the movie: not all Minions fans want to see Gru’s story, and vice versa. At least in the Despicable Me trilogy you could expect both would be balanced, with Gru and his daughters maintaining prominence. The same cannot be said with Minions 2, as the result is so scattershot nobody gets what they want.

Now that the Minions have met Gru, you’d think that maybe Despicable Me: The Rise of Gru would have made more sense. After seeing the movie itself, I think that’s exactly what was intended from the beginning, as there’s tons of easter eggs and in-jokes with characters from the main series in the franchise appearing as younger incarnations. Three figures in particular appear throughout Minions: The Rise of Gru, standing out as moments that jab you in your side as if to say, “Remember them?”

Were this to unfold as Gru’s story, there would have been room for Minion mayhem to slide into the background and give everyone a movie that would have felt like an easier fit. That was never going to happen though, as it seems the marketability of the Minions was meant to mash some more bananas at the box office. Succumbing to the hold that these Facebook friendly fiends have, the returns that began to diminish after Despicable Me 2 plummet pretty far and pretty fast here.

Minions: The Rise of Gru was never going to win this franchise any new fans; but this may be the first entry to actively annoy loyal ones. Animated franchises tend to be critic-proof, as all the parents are hoping for with something like Minions: The Rise of Gru is something to entertain their children. But it appears that the well of ideas has finally run dry, as some jokes can only last so long, and the gibberish laden, PG-nudity filled antics of these yellow cretins can only entertain for so long.

While his name is in the title, Gru feels like an afterthought in his own saga, despite being the one character whose plot has the most laughs. That running total, the last I checked, was three. Outside of that, Minions: The Rise of Gru is a slog that tests the borders of franchise fatigue, bawdy family humor, and above all else, patience.

Whether you're looking for a movie focused on the Minions, or a story that centers itself around Gru, you’re going to get neither here. A tug of war of competing stories and “characters” is what winds up on the screen with Minions: The Rise of Gru. The resulting casualties are prime needle drops, a stellar cast that could have shone brighter, and a franchise that could see its next installment crushed before it has a chance to begin. Then again, these are the Minions; and they find a way of surviving when you least expect it.

'Oppenheimer has become one of 2023's most successful movies and, in the process, it has beaten a 7-year-old movie's box office record which may never be topped. Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer is one of the most talked about movies of the year and surpassed all expectations to gross nearly $1 billion. While Nolan himself is a draw, Oppenheimer's cast featured huge actors such as Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, and Robert Downey Jr. There were plenty of other big stars, but the movie's three-hour runtime alongside its biographical nature makes the fact it grossed so much all the more special.

While the movie made a lot of money, it was far from its only achievement. Oppenheimer set a new IMAX box office record and also managed to become one of the highest-grossing R-rated movies of all time. Its theatrical run may be coming to a close, but Oppenheimer leaves behind an unforgettable legacy and proved that non-franchise films can still thrive financially. Nolan's film certainly indicated that well-made, quality movies can find success, no matter their genre. However, one box office record that Oppenheimer holds is one it probably didn't want. Having beaten a 7-year-old film to claim it, Oppenheimer's new record shows its unprecedented success was slightly overshadowed.

Oppenheimer Is The Highest-Grossing Movie Never To Reach #1 At The Box Office

Despite all the film's positive records, Oppenheimer is the highest-grossing movie to never reach the number one spot at the domestic box office, according to Box Office Mojo. This doesn't take away from the film's achievements, but it is a record that feels somewhat bittersweet. The biggest reason Oppenheimer didn't reach number one is because it was released on the same day as Barbie. It took Oppenheimer six weeks to beat Barbie at the box office, and when it finally did, other movies such as Blue Beetle and Gran Turismo were released and secured the top spot.

It may seem that Barbie's success hurt Oppenheimer, but in reality, the opposite is true. The Barbenheimer trend managed to help both movies become so big and profit as heavily as they did. People wanted to see both because of their polarizing nature, resulting in some audiences watching the films back-to-back. This helped boost both movies' box office, although, in Oppenheimer's case, it did prevent it from reaching number one domestically. Despite Barbie hindering Oppenheimer's chance to reach the top spot, it is probably the sort of sacrifice Christopher Nolan and Universal Studios were happy to make in order to achieve so much success.

Why Oppenheimer's Strange Box Office Record May Never Be Overtaken

It is unlikely Oppenheimer's unique record will be broken due to the complicated nature of how it earned the record in the first place. The reason Oppenheimer never reached number one domestically was because of Barbie releasing simultaneously. For any movie to surpass this record, it would have to gross even higher than Oppenheimer while releasing alongside another huge blockbuster. Sing had held this record for seven years prior. It debuted at second domestically behind Rogue One, which actually was released the week prior. It took a big film franchise like Star Wars to stop Sing from reaching the top spot, just like it took Barbie to deny Oppenheimer.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding held the record from 2002 until Sing's release in 2016. With Oppenheimer grossing over $50 million more than Sing domestically, the record becomes very difficult to beat. The only real chance of this happening again is through studios trying to replicate Barbenheimer's success. The concept of releasing one big movie alongside another has become a lot more appealing, but Barbenheimer proved to be organic. The media craze was something orchestrated by fans, which is why it worked. Another film as big as Oppenheimer finishing second domestically and never reaching number one is something that is unlikely to happen again anytime soon.'

Japan Box Office: Shin Ultraman Beats Conan, Making Impressive No.1 Debut

    A silver giant from The Land of Light struck down the boy detective. The Shinji Higuchi (Attack on Titan live-action films, Shin Godzilla)-directed all-new live-action film Shin Ultraman, one of the most anticipated Japanese film of the year, was finally released in 362 theaters across Japan on May 13, 2022, then earned an impressive 730 million yen (5.65 million USD) on 450,000 admissions on its first Saturday and Sunday, easily becoming the No.1 film of the weekend.

  RELATED: Anno and Higuchi's Shin Ultraman Stomps Shin Godzilla in Its 1st 3 Days at JP Box Office

  The reboot film based on Tsuburaya Productions' first Ultraman TV series in 1966 was originally set to be released in the early summer of 2021, but has been postponed for a year to May 13, 2022, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

  In the first three days of its release, the 113-minute film attracted 640,000 moviegoers and grossed over 993 million yen (7.68 million USD). Compared to the three-day total gross of Higuchi's previous film Shin Godzilla in 2016, it drew 113.5 percent of moviegoers and 117.2 percent of box office gross.

  Only in the first three days, Shin Ultraman has already become the most successful film in the 56-year-old Ultraman franchise, surpassing the 2008 film Superior Ultraman 8 Brothers' total gross of 838 million yen (6.48 million USD). At Tsuburaya Fields Holdings' 2020 financial results meeting, Tsuburaya expected box-office gross in the 8-10 billion yen.

  Meanwhile, the film based on a screenplay by Hideaki Anno has received mixed reviews. It ranked fourth in Filmarks' first day satisfaction ranking with an average rating of 3.81/5.0 based on 11,244 reviews.

    Coming in second is Detective Conan: The Bride of Halloween, which earned 300 million yen (2.32 million USD) on 207,000 admissions in its fifth weekend and finally lost its No.1 spot after dominating four consecutive weekends. Its total box office gross has reached 7.5 billion yen (58 million USD) on 5.41 million admissions. It needs 150 million yen to become the third top-grossing film in the Detective Conam anime franchise by surpassing the previous 24th film, The Scarlet Bullet (2021 / 7.65 billion yen).

    After the worldwide streaming on Netflix on April 28, Tetsuro Araki's (Attack on Titan) original anime feature film Bubble was also released in 338 Japanese theaters on May 13 and made its ninth place debut with an estimated 55 million yen (425,610 USD). It ranked seventh in Filmarks' first day satisfaction ranking with an average rating of 3.07/5.0 based on 1,044 reviews.

        Weekend box office Top 10 in Japan (May 14-15, 2022)

(ticket sales basis)

   1 (new). "Shin Ultraman" - 993 million yen

 2 (1). "Detective Conan: The Bride of Halloween" - 7.5 billion yen

 3 (2). "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" - 1.6 billion yen

 4 (3). "Crayon Shin-chan the Movie: Mononoke Ninja Chinpuden" - 1.47 billion yen

 5 (new). "Rurou no Tsuki" - 132 million yen

 6 (5). "Shi ni Itaru Yamai"

 7 (4) "Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore" - 4.23 billion yen

 8 (6). "Radiation House The Movie"

 9 (new). "Bubble" - 55 million yen

 10 (8). "Free! the Final Stroke Second Volume"

      "Shin Ultraman" trailer:

    "Bubble" trailer: 

    RELATED: Japan Box Office: Detective Conan Beats Doctor Strange Even in Its 4th Weekend

    Sources: Eiga.com, Pixiin, Filmarks

  ©Tsuburaya Productions ©2021 "Shin Ultraman" Production Committee

©2022 "Bubble" Production Committee

  By: Mikikazu Komatsu

Star Wars: The Franchise

Back in the mid 70s around Modesto, California, it is doubtful that George Lucas could have imagined that his idea for a space opera would become the second highest grossing movie franchise of all time. There has been some questionable content, however, since the groundbreaking original, and the returns have not been as great. There were also some one-offs that a lot of the younger fans might not be aware of. For my own sanity and organization, here is a listing of all feature length movies in the franchise:

Star Wars IV: A New Hope (1977) -

Definitely the most successful film (heck, one of the most successful films of all time) that made almost a billion dollars at the box office worldwide...in the 80s. Amazing. The story mimics the hero's journey as described by Joseph Campbell, giving it basically the most satisfying story imaginable. Nobody except for friend of George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, thought it would be as successful as it was. This kind of popularity meant there was going to be some sequels and, since George Lucas was the man behind the whole thing, only one man was about to get tasked with future success.

Star Wars Holiday Special (1978) -

This was a TV movie that was made to cash in on the massive popularity of the first movie while the second one was in production. It is terrible. I generally try to hold back judgement and point out subjective opinions, but I think I can say that this made-for-TV movie is objectively bad. It is the equivalent of a variety show, a format which was popular at the time, and it was awful. It is widely considered to be one of the worst visual productions of all time. Just to give a hint of its awfulness, the movie follows the adventures of Chewbacca's Wookie family and they only speak in growls with no interpretation or subtitles. Laughably awful.

The Empire Strikes Back (1980) -

Arguably the best of the films as far as story and plot, this film was actually directed by Irvin Kershner with a George Lucas story adapted to the screen by Lawrence Kasdan. This film is legitimately fantastic and not just new and fun. It is so well written and directed with the famous reveal between Luke and Darth Vader. It also is incredibly downbeat at the end that perfectly sets up the next film. I personally think this is the best example of fine film in the franchise, although it doesn't have as much big action and no giant space laser. Well worth watching and makes the third film a must see.

Return of the Jedi (1983) -

Well, not as good as the first two, but still pretty darn good. This film introduced the Ewoks and the Endor moon battle. Many fans thought that the introduction of living teddy bears was a mistake that distract from the story. What really made the film, apparently, was the whole sequence at the beginning that takes place at Jabba the Hut's palace and involves Princess Leia in a metal bikini. We also find out that Luke and Leia are twins, so that kiss in the second film suddenly becomes kind of awkward. This becomes kind of a theme from here on out: should we disavow canon or put in throwaway lines and scenes to cover things that were mentioned in previous movies. It plagues the prequels.

The Ewok Adventure (1984) -

I get a lot of garbage about it, but I love these movies because I grew up with them. They are not that great and the copy that I saw over and over had ads from the early 80s throughout. Heavy nostalgia. Also, some of the Ewoks were played by established actors from what is now called Episode VI, Warwick Davis as Wicket and Tony Cox as Widdle. It was a lot of fun, but definitely a higher budgeted TV movie. It did become so successful that it got a theater release as Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure. This naming style stuck around for the spin off films that were made in the late 2010s.

Ewoks: The Battle for Endor (1985) -

Hot dang, they made a second one with Wilford Brimley! Both of the Ewok films were thought up by George Lucas and sold to ABC. Both films were also given special Emmy awards for special effects. I can't fault either Ewok film as far as visuals since both got the ILM treatment. I have stated that I liked both of these movies more than some of the prequels, and I stand by that.

The Phantom Menace (1999) -

The next three films followed the first three episodes in the Star Wars saga and are now generally known as the prequels. They are also pretty widely hated. One reason for that was the introduction of young Anikan Skywalker (eventual Darth Vader) and his growing attachment to Lord Palpatine (Darth Sidious). The problem with the prequels is that it was a path leading to a result that had been established over 20 years ago in the first film. They also introduced a character named Jar-Jar Binks who was just awful. There was a great pod racing scene and an epic Sith vs. Jedi battle that really were the highlights of the film. The music was also pretty epic, but the film was otherwise not that great. It was completely made under the helm of George Lucas and fans were suddenly starting to wonder if he was the genius they had thought him to be. What I consider to be the best YouTube deep dive movie review of all time, a group called Red Letter Media made a seven part review that explains why the movie was such a problem. You can watch the first part and it will auto load all seven here:

(1) Star Wars: The Phantom Menace Review (Part 1 of 7) - YouTube

Attack of the Clones (2002) -

Alright, here is where things really start to go down hill. There is a fine actor by the name of Hayden Christiansen that is just awful in this film. He is given nothing to do for the most part. He is supposed to be this amazing Jedi general, but he spends most of his time walking around speaking in a very monotone voice. He does have some fun piloting scenes, but he is written as such a whiny brat. There are two epic battles (the coliseum and Dooku vs. Yoda) and we get to see a bounty hunter in action. It does seem like a lot of fan service glued together by boring politics and horrifically bad acting.

Revenge of the Sith (2005) -

This is widely considered the worst of the prequel movies and generally laughable at some points. There is supposed to be an epic lava battle at the end, but it is just a bunch of screaming about a failed bromance. We get to see the end of the characters in the prequel and set up the original movies...that were now almost 30 years old. It was unsatisfying and not even slightly worth the wait. It was at this time that George Lucas said that there would never be a seventh episode that would follow the original trilogy.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) -

There was a very compelling series of Star Wars shorts in 2003 made by Genndy Tartakovsky that did very well. George Lucas saw this and decided that a lot of the most interesting Star Wars events had occurred during the time between the prequels and the original series. Lucasfilm put out an animated movie to test the waters and it was so successful that 7 seasons of great animated adventures were made to show the epic battles that were supposed to take place between the second and third episode. I honestly believe that this was the very best space action of the entire franchise.

The Force Awakens (2015) -

George Lucas sold the Star Wars franchise over to Disney and fans got a new movie that was never supposed to happen. Once Disney came on board, the brand became much more prolific. Until the pandemic, there were plans to put out a Star Wars movie every year for a decade. The first was episode seven and was made by J.J. Abrams. It was similar to the first film (episode IV) in so many ways that fans started to think it was just a remake. It even had a lot of the characters from the original trilogy. It was much better received by fans following the prequels and introduced a storyline that was not already spoiled by previous movies. There was a lot of unnecessary fan service for those who loved the original trilogy. This makes since because it involved Lawrence Kasdan, who helped with the screenplay for episode five and six from the original trilogy.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) -

A full big budget release of a Star Wars movie that wasn't one of the episodes was an interesting idea. It was an entire movie to explain a throwaway line from the original 1977 movie. I lot of people died to get some plans for the big weapon in the first film and people wanted to know exactly how that happened. Actually they didn't. But Disney thought it was a good idea and it seemed like it would make a lot of money (it did). It gave the producers a chance to make a movie with new characters and only mentions of the famous story (this was important because the other actors where making the next episode).

The Last Jedi (2017) -

This was an interesting change of pace from the rest of the films because it seemed to drop the idea of the "chosen one" and say that anyone could be a Jedi. It is basically one giant escape story and is closer to Mad Max in space than it is to the other Star Wars films. It was given in full by Disney to Rian Johnson and it shows. This was the first episode film that had nothing in common with any of the production group from the original trilogy. No Kasdan, no Kirschner, no Lucas, all Disney. It was not very well received.

Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) -

The worst performing of any of the Star Wars live action feature length films, this was the story of Han Solo. That's it. There is not a lot of history about the character and he is so cool, fans needed to have a stand alone movie about his youth. That's a lie, Disney wanted a movie to come out between episode eight and nine. This was the best that the suits could come up with and it definitely made money, but it is lame.

The Rise of Skywalker (2019) -

Well, the movie completely helmed by Rian Johnson was not popular enough so there was a total retcon situation and this film basically picked up where episode seven left off. It was the same team from episode seven (since that film was so much more popular) and they made a final film that wraps up with a bow. Sort of. There was definitely room in the film world for more Star Wars movies to be made (it is owned by Disney) and I really don't believe it is finished as a franchise.

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Just in case there are people who were nervous that this was the end of the franchise, there is currently a stand alone film called Rogue Squadron that is supposed to come out in 2023. Thank goodness. There was also the popular Mandalorian series on Disney +. But the franchise has been making huge films for almost 45 years now, so maybe it is time to stop. We have the MCU that has made almost twice as much money as the Star Wars universe, so most movie goers have picked their setting that they want to see. Maybe there could be a crossover (I am kidding, please no) and it would be the most watched film of all time.

ZAYN Releases New Single And Video “Better”

THE FIRST SINGLE OFF HIS FORTHCOMING ALBUM

Today sees the release of ZAYN’s new single and video “Better.” Co-written by ZAYN, “Better” is the first track from his forthcoming album, which is set to be his most personal project to date. With total creative reign on his third album, ZAYN is making the music he has always wanted to.

The “Better” video directed by Ryan Hope, who previously directed ZAYN’s “iT’s YoU,” is a captivating addition to ZAYN’s impressive video collection, which in total boasts over 3.5 billion views on YouTube.  ZAYN and Hope worked closely on the concept of the video, which features ZAYN being watched and monitored by unknown characters.

ZAYN’s debut album Mind of Mine saw him become the first male solo artist in the world to simultaneously chart at #1 on the UK and US album charts in the first week of release. The record was critically lauded upon release receiving widespread praise and adoration from fans. The album’s lead single “Pillowtalk” hit #1 in 68 countries around the world and was recently included in Billboard’s “Songs That Defined the Decade” list. His sophomore album Icarus Falls, which was released in 2018 and garnered over 5 billion worldwide streams across all platforms in its first 11 months of release. In addition to his album releases Mind of Mine and Icarus Falls, ZAYN has collaborated with a variety of artists including Taylor Swift on “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” and Zhavia Ward on “A Whole New World,” from the live action version of Aladdin, which grossed over one billion dollars at the box office. He also leant his vocals on “Trampoline” with Shaed, which received an iHeart Music Award for “Best Remix.” Alongside building a reputation as a world class music artist, ZAYN has become one of music’s biggest fashion icons. He has graced the cover of every major magazine from Highsnobiety to Vogue. In addition to being named “Most Stylish Man” at the GQ Man of the Year awards, he also was awarded “New Artist of the Year” at the American Music Awards and “Top New Artist” at the Billboard Music Awards. ZAYN’s forthcoming album will be released via RCA Records.

Listen to “Better:”

https://smarturl.it/xBetterx

Follow ZAYN:

Instagram

Twitter

Facebook

YouTube

For More Information on ZAYN, please contact Permanent Press at 718.766.2528

Kathryn Reilly: [email protected]

Ryann Hunt-Bila: [email protected]

(via RCA Records)

Box Office: ‘Black Widow’ Poised to Race Past ‘F9’s’ Pandemic Record Debut

When it comes to moviegoers, there are few that assemble as forcefully as the ones who pledge allegiance to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Yet for the past two years, superhero enthusiasts have been deprived of Spandex-filled theatrical offerings as the pandemic forced Disney (and Sony) to postpone “Black Widow,” “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” “Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” and “Eternals” over and over again. Sure, there has been a steady supply of Marvel-set TV spinoffs like “WandaVision,” “Loki” and “Falcon and the Winter Soldier” on Disney Plus to fill the comic book-sized void, but movie theater marquees have been without an all-important Marvel superhero tentpole since “Spider-Man: Far From Home” in July of 2019.

Enter Natasha Romanoff. After a year-plus delay, “Black Widow,” the standalone adventure starring Scarlett Johansson, is finally hitting theaters on Friday and is expected to have the best opening weekend of any pandemic-era release. Playing in 4,100 North American locations, “Black Widow” is currently on track to generate between $75 million to $85 million at the domestic box office over its first three days. It’s poised to make an additional $50 million internationally, where the film is playing in 46 overseas markets. In China, a critical moviegoing market for Marvel installments, “Black Widow” still doesn’t have a release date.

Should estimates hold, “Black Widow” will overtake “F9” and its $70 million domestic debut as the best start for a movie released during the pandemic. Making projections tricky, however, is the fact that “Black Widow” is premiering simultaneously on Disney Plus for a $30 rental fee. Disney has deployed a similar strategy for several big titles, including the animated adventure “Raya and the Last Dragon” (which opened to $8.5 million in early May) and “Cruella” with Emma Stone (which opened to a more impressive $21 million later in May), and will repeat the approach with “Jungle Cruise” on July 30. Yet the $200-million budgeted “Black Widow” is the first tentpole of this scale to launch on the big screen and at home on the same day, presenting a potential obstacle for the otherwise unrivaled commercial track record of the MCU.

The projected opening weekend of “Black Widow” would be a strong result for COVID times, but it would represent a steep decline from the debuts of recent standalone Marvel titles, like 2019’s “Captain Marvel” ($153 million), 2018’s “Black Panther” ($202 million), 2017’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” ($146 million) and “Thor: Ragnarok” ($122 million). The franchise’s every-hero-but-the-kitchen-sink mashup adventures, such as 2015 “Avengers: Age of Ultron”($191 million), 2018’s “Infinity War” ($257 million) and 2019’s “Endgame” ($357 million), tend to have stratospheric launches, a reason why Marvel movies regularly blow past the $1 billion mark at the global box office with ease. A start above $75 million wouldn’t be far off from 2019’s “Spider-Man: Far From Home” ($92 million) and 2018’s “Ant-Man and the Wasp” ($75 million), which each ended their theatrical runs with respectable global tallies and focused on a few key characters instead of a cavalcade of costumed vigilantes. Disney isn’t expected to disclose how many people opt to rent the film on its subscription-based streaming service, though it’s expected to put a dent in overall ticket sales.

Fandango, the online movie ticketing service, reported on Wednesday that advanced ticket sales for “Black Widow” are the strongest of the year, outpacing “F9” and “A Quiet Place Part II.” The company noted that “Black Widow” has eclipsed pre-sales for fellow Marvel titles “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and Doctor Strange,” both of which were released far before scientists were aware of the virus that would become known as SARS-CoV-2. For reference, “Doctor Strange” opened to $85 million in 2016 and “Spider-Man: Homecoming” pulled in $117 million in its inaugural weekend in 2017.

Fandango’s managing editor Erik Davis says “Black Widow” offers the kind of cinematic spectacle that demands to be seen on a large screen in a darkened cinema.

“This action-packed film delivers on every level, giving fans the immersive, big-screen summer blockbuster, they’ve come to expect from Marvel Studios, along with a compelling storyline, engaging humor, and a memorable cast of characters, including exciting newcomers to the MCU,” Davis said in a statement.

Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige echoed that sentiment last week at a “Black Widow” fan event in Los Angeles. He says the $70 million opening weekend of “F9” is an “amazing sign” for the movie theater industry, adding that “we want to root for other people’s success” as the business rebounds.

“Pre-release ticket sales [for ‘Black Widow’] are showing us that people are ready to have that shared communal cinematic experience, which is why Marvel movies exist,” he told Variety.

Movie theaters could use a hero. The film exhibition business has endured its most punishing 18-month period in the medium’s history, one that resulted in prolonged theater closures and endless release date delays. As of this weekend, 80% of North American cinemas have reopened but many in Canada, which accounts for a significant portion of domestic grosses, remain shuttered. At the same time, roughly 17% of international territories, including parts of Southeast Asia and Latin America, have closed again to help curb the spread of new variants of COVID-19. It may be a while before moviegoing rebounds to pre-pandemic levels, but at the very least, “Black Widow” should beget a much-needed boost in popcorn sales.

Australian filmmaker Cate Shortland (“Berlin Syndrome”) directed “Black Widow,” a spy thriller that takes place between the events of “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and “Avengers: Infinity War,” long before Natasha Romanoff (a.k.a. Black Widow) became one of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. In the standalone film, she’s forced to confront the darker parts of her past when she’s faced with dangerous conspiracy. Florence Pugh, David Harbour and Rachel Weisz co-star as other members of the Romanoff clan.