Row K’s Underfunded
Interesting and odd story. At first glance, it seems that Penske has been paid for ads and is going after the company. But then the sourcing seems deeper and angrier. I have to say, other, long-established companies have failed to pay consultants for longer than Row K has been in business. So that reads unpleasant but odd. Seems like someone’s on Team Apatow and CAA are pissed. I don’t think it’s in the story, but Row K committed to a group presentation at CinemaCon next month, which is not cheap. I am rooting for Row K, especially for the execs involved. The idea that it was so undercapitalized that it’s in real trouble 4 movies in is horrifying, if true. https://t.co/SZnoQWowEE
Pentagon Budget Set to Surge Past $1
“The U.S. Pentagon budget for fiscal year 2026 is projected to reach approximately $961.6 billion, combining discretionary and mandatory funding. As of March 2026, proposals are being made to drastically increase this to over  $1.5 trillion for fiscal year 2027...
Money Wins: Ellisons Unlikely to Dump WBD Deal
I wish I could agree with The Ankler position on the PSKY acquisition of WBD “one good push and the thing unravels.” But money changes everything. Pretty much always. Governments flex a lot… rarely pull a trigger. Do we really think...
Awards Don't Define Film Success, Metrics Miss Reality
“The fests flailed, the Globes didn’t matter and A24’s ‘Marty’ season from hell” The fests didn’t flail, the Globes have Never mattered, and A24 had a home run with Marty Supreme even if Timmy didn’t win. The effort - and this...
Baseball Classic Not Major Factor in Oscars Ratings
The use of The World Baseball Classic as an excuse for the Oscars ratings is much like saying that a movie didn’t open better than $20m because there was a competing movie that opened to $8m. The market is too...
Oscars Are a Survey, Not a Critics’ Consensus
It’s really simple. When your non-industry friends talk about what films they loved last year, how does the conversation go? “Well, I loved X and Y. I still haven’t seen Q or H and I hear amazing things… but this...
Oscars Need Real Reform, Not Cosmetic Changes
I take no pleasure in the failure of the Oscars to build an audience. But The Academy has to do more than move the deck chairs around if they care about changing it.
Oscars Set for Feb 7, 2027 Between NFL Finals
Oscars should be on February 7, 2027. The team should stay in place after 2 years of experience and 2 solid shows. Nomination voting on Thursday, January 8. Nominations on Thursday, January 14. Final voting on January 25-29 Oscar Show on Sunday, February...
Sean Penn's Oscar‑Worthy Range Shines in Two Roles
With respect, there was no performance more worthy of an Oscar this year in any category than Sean Penn. Winning for Harvey Milk and for Lockjaw is one of the great shows of range imaginable.
Regal LA Live IMAX Tickets Cost $5 Extra
Surprised to find out that the tickets at the new IMAX at the Regal at LA Live is $5 more than any other IMAX in LA.
YouTube, TikTok Eclipse Traditional TV; Shows Canceled
Sad for those who have lost a job. Daily infotainment really has been eaten alive by YouTube and Tik Tok. Yet, people have a tendency to focus on areas that really can’t be and not the ones that really are...
Oscar Race Hype: Experts Spout Empty Clickbait
"We’ve Never Seen an Oscar Race Like This Before" Uh... yes we have. A bunch of them. What we haven't had is as many "experts" claiming to know the state of the race in a way no one actually an writing so...
NYC Iconic News Anchor Ernie Anastos Dies at 82
RIP to one of those NYC media faces that felt like he would be there with great hair forever. Ernie Anastos, Longtime New York City TV News Anchor, Dies at 82 https://t.co/HK5BZUwnfe via @thr
Universal Extends VOD Window, Aiming 60 Days by 2028
"3 Steps. Today, Universal led the way on the first one… no more VOD window under 30 days…. then 45 days. Hopefully by 2028, that will be 60 days and we can stop fighting over the issue." THB #811:...
2025 Ticket Sales Reach Only 62% of 2019 Levels
We should remember that “tickets sold” is an estimate based these days on details coming from outside analytics companies that don’t have access to all the facts.
Support Voter ID with Funding, Oppose Political Rule Swings
I would be fine with voter ID is it was introduced with a 3 or 4 year window and a fully funded campaign to let everyone get their IDs, like Real ID. I am not ok with changing the rules...
AppleTV’s “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” Delivers Stellar Performances
Pretty sure it’s still embargoed, but AppleTv’s Margo’s Got Money Troubles is pretty great. The leads are at their best. Offerman is glorious. Pfeiffer hasn’t been this loose on camera in years. Fanning keeps surprising.
Breakout or Bust: Navarrette and Barker’s Film Stakes
This will either be a breakout movie for Inde Navarrette (the girl) and Curry Barker (director) and truly be great or it will be a very disappointing opportunity lost. https://t.co/hxF9t0h9dC
Chalamet’s Oscar Hopes Survive Despite Modest Box Office
1. Was never a lock. 2. Movie didn’t and likely will not get to $100m domestic 3. Still might win.
Ellison Masks Emptiness with Cruise’s Secret Paramount Promo
I hope it’s fun. But this is exactly what you do when you have nothing tangible to show. So far, that is Ellison’s modus operandi. Tom Cruise Shoots Secret Video for Paramount Celebrating Studio’s Legacy and New Era (Exclusive) https://t.co/75hJPsagFD...
Oscar’s Theater Rule Contradicts Remote Voting Practice
"Simply, if a movie has to play in a movie theater to qualify for Oscar consideration, but Academy voters do not have to spend a single second inside a movie theater to vote fully for Oscar, the claim...
Oscar Rule Bars Pre‑Vote Private Events Funding
"Prior to the end of the final voting period, private Oscar-related events and gatherings may not be funded, organized, or endorsed in any capacity by motion picture companies." Unenforced Academy Rule
Not Every Event Needs to Be All‑In
“Hoppers had a nice and a little surprising opening. Was it the big Pixar comeback? No. Did it redefine the role of Original Animation? No. Every event doesn’t have to be all in or all out.” THB #809: It's Okay To Just...
Network's 70s Warning Echoes in Today's Media Takeovers
Dear F-ing God. Watching the Criterion 4K of Network - looks great, but looks like it was made in the 70s - and it could not be more relevant, not just to television and Chayefsky’s genius insights and that news...
Wuthering Heights Drives The Bride More than Netflix Frankenstein
PS on The Bride open… Wuthering Heights likely had more of a “repetition” effect on The Bride than Netflix’s Frankenstein. Wuthering did ok, but was expected to be a sensation. The female empowerment vibe is what repeated less than a month...
Weak Opening Stems From Misaligned Casting Focus, Not Marketing
Why didn’t The Bride open? People saw the trailer and were not drawn to the material, no matter how aggressive the campaign got. I would say that part of that is that Christian Bale is the opener of the cast...
PSKY Stands Out as the only Sensible Deal
Everything is terrible… except PSKY. Ha. I disagree and am much more concerned about PSKY, but I am open to the argument. Picking sides and then pretending to be objective is… well… don’t matter now. But…
Paramount Lot Sale Rumors Remain Unverified After 15 Years
The gossip around the Hollywood lots of WB and Paramount may turn out to be true. But at this point, it's 100% gossip. The media has been selling the Paramount lot for 15 years already.