Category Archives: Arts and Culture

IMAX Earns $1Billion For The First Time

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By Creative Media Times

The IMAX movie format has reached a new milestone, surpassing the $1 billion mark at the global boxoffice in a single calendar year.

This is the first time the company has reached that mark in its 50-year history. This number was powered by a combination of Hollywood blockbusters as well as various local language films from China, Japan, Korea, Russia and India.

Leading the charge were Hollywood tentpoles such as Disney’s “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Black Panther” as well as Universal Pictures’ “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.”

Recently, “Aquaman” has led the global boxoffice for the third weekend and a great part of its success was the 1,227 IMAX screens which played the film worldwide, including 406 screens in the US. Both of these contributed to $16.4 million gross with a week more to go before 2018 comes to a close.

There’s a total of 1,443 IMAX systems as of September 30, 2018, 1,346 of which were in commercial multiplexes.

Here are top 10 films of 2018 on IMAX at the worldwide box office:
1. Avengers: Infinity War
2. Black Panther
3. Jurassic World
4. Mission: Impossible – Fallout
5. Ready Player One
6. Aquaman
7. Venom
8. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
9. Ant-Man and the Wasp
10.The Meg

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Netflix Keep “Friends” For Another Year With $100M Deal

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By Creative Media Times

Keeping Friends can cost you a lot, in fact it cost $100m in the case of Netflix.

Netflix is reportedly keeping the iconic TV show for another year to the tune of “around $100 million”, various sources are reporting including New York Times.

This deal is a huge leap from the $30m annually it cost Netflix to stream the show exclusively which was signed in 2014.

The streaming service made the announcement shortly after fans took to social media after discovering that show might be leaving Netflix in 2019.

“No, it’s not leaving in January,” Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s chief content officer told NBC News on Monday.

The deal is a somewhat a confirmation that the show is a big draw to Netflix, which reportedly has 57 million subscribers in the US and 130 million around the globe.

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Metallica Donate $100K To Aid California Wildfire Relief Efforts

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By Creative Media Times

As Metallica urges its fans to donate for the relief efforts, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers are doing their part by donating $100,000, made through their All Within My Hands non-profit foundation.

“Sadly once again communities in California are experiencing historically devastating wild fires in both the Northern and Southern parts of the state,” the iconic band wrote in a statement Friday on allwithinmyhands.org.

“All Within My Hands has made a $50,000 donation each to the North Valley Community Foundation and the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation; both agencies provide service to victims at evacuation centers and other much needed relief. We would like to encourage you to join us in supporting those in need and our first responders in any way you can by donating money, non-perishable food, clothing and other supplies or by giving your time volunteering or providing temporary housing. Every little bit helps.”

The foundation also posted on its Twitter page: “California is experiencing tragic wild fires. AWMH gave $50k to @NVCF & @LAFDFoundation. We encourage you to support those in need & first responders: donate money, non-perishable food, clothing, supplies or volunteer time/housing. https://nvcf.org http://supportlafd.org.”

If anyone is interested, you may reach out to to the North Valley Community Foundation and the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation.

The wildfires, which began on November 8, have so far reportedly claimed 77 lives with hundreds still unaccounted for, and destroyed structures in LA and Ventura countie, and tens of thousands of acres burned.

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“Wonder Park” Trailer Released

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By Creative Media Times

“When the park of her dreams needs saving, only June’s imagination can bring it back to life.”

Paramount Pictures’ upcoming animated comedy adventure features the voices of Brianna Denski, Jennifer Garner, Ken Hudson Campbell, Kenan Thompson, Mila Kunis, John Oliver, Ken Jeong, Matthew Broderick, Kath Soucie, and Norbert Leo Butz.

Wonder Park tells the story of young an orphaned optimistic, imaginative girl who discovers an abandoned fantastical amusement park.

After the film’s theatrical release, an animated series based on the film will debut on Nickelodeon. This will follow the footsteps of “Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius” and “Barnyard” as animated movies turned tv series.

Wonder Park is set for release on March 15, 2019 by Paramount Pictures.

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Tribute: John Rogers, Comic-Con International President, Dies at 57

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By Armando

John Rogers, San Diego Comic-Con International’s president, died on Saturday after a battle with brain cancer. He was 57.

Rogers is the longest-serving president of Comic-Con International.

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of John Rogers, President of Comic-Con,” the company posted on its social media and on its website this weekend. “John died on Saturday, November 10, 2018 as a result of complications from glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.

“As our longest serving president, first elected in 1986 and re-elected every year since, John’s tenure saw Comic-Con grow from a select gathering of fans to the largest and most prestigious convention of its kind in the world.”

Rogers was with Comic-Con from 1978 and before becoming its president, served both as a Technical Coordinator and Films Coordinator.

Though Rogers is somewhat low-key, usually ignoring interview appearances, he appears on the final day of Comic-Con, answering fan questions during “Comic-Con Talk Back” panel.

He is survived by his wife Janet Tait, a sister Barbara, and a brother David. “In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to The American Brain Tumor Association or the American Civil Liberties Union.”

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Comic Book Icon Stan Lee Dies at 95

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By Creative Media times

Legendary comic-book writer, editor, film executive producer, actor, and publisher passed away at the age of 95, various sources are reporting this morning.

An ambulance was reportedly called to his home at the Hollywood Hills this morning and was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Stan Lee’s daughter broke the news about her father’s passing to TMZ.

Lee started as an assistant in 1939 at Timely Comics, the earliest comic book arm of American publisher Martin Goodman. The entity would later be known as Marvel Comics in the 1960s.

Throughout this period, together with other great comic book artists Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he would create iconic comic book characters such as Spider Man, The Fantastic Four, Daredevil, Black Panther, the X-Men, The Incredible Hulk among many others.

Lee received a National Medal of Arts in 2008 and was inducted into the Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame in 1994.

He has also made cameo appearances in every Marvel movie.

Stan Lee is survived by his daughter Joan Celia “J. C.” Lee.

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166 Documentary Features Submitted For Academy Awards Consideration

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By Creative Media Times

Won’t You Be My Neighbor? – Focus Features

A total of 166 feature documentaries been submitted for consideration in the Documentary Feature category, the Academy announced today.

Among those submitted are Morgan Neville’s Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, Steve Loveridge’s Matangi/Maya/M.I.A., and Susan Lacy’s Jane Fonda in Five Acts.

A shortlist of 15 documentaries will be announced on Dec. 17 while the final list of nominees will be revealed on Jan. 22. The 91st Academy Awards is set to be held on Feb. 24 at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, CA.

There are some doc features that haven’t had qualifying Los Angeles and New York theatrical runs. Those that were submitted are required to comply with the qualifying requirements to move forward into the voting portion. Documentary features are also qualified for Best Picture and other categories.

Here is the full list in alphabetical order:
“Above and Beyond: NASA’S Journey to Tomorrow”
“Active Measures”
“Amazing Grace”
“American Chaos”
“Andy Irons: Kissed by God”
“Antonio Lopez 1970: Sex Fashion & Disco”
“Avicii: True Stories”
“Bali: Beats of Paradise”
“Bathtubs over Broadway”
“Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché”
“Believer”
“Better Angels”
“Bill Coors: The Will to Live”
Continue reading →

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Missy Elliott, Mariah Carey, John Prine Nominated For Songwriters Hall of Fame

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By Creative Media Times

Columbia

This year’s Songwriters Hall of Fame nominees have been announced for its 2019 induction ceremony. Among the nominees are Missy Elliott, Mariah Carey, Jimmy Cliff, the Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde, Tommy James, and others.

Elliott’s nomination marks the first time for a female rapper to receive the Songwriters Hall of Fame nom. This follows JAY-Z who last year became the first rapper to be inducted. Elliott has written for herself as well as other artists such as Whitney Houston and Aaliyah.

Carey on the other hand is responsible for either writing or co-writing most of her 18 number one hits including “Vision of Love” and “Hero,” and as well as the perennial holiday hit “All I Want For Christmas.”

Goldmind . Elektra

“The Songwriters Hall of Fame celebrates and honors the contributions of our great popular music songwriters, while developing new writing talent through workshops, showcases, scholarships, and digital initatives,” according to Songwriters Hall of Fame.

In order to be eligible for induction, a songwriter must have written and published notable hit songs for at leaste 20 years.

After eligible members of the Hall of Fame have voted, six of the nominees are set to be inducted at the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s induction gala in New York on June 13, 2019. The voting end on December 17.

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Jason Salmon’s “Force Of Nurture” Album Release And NYC Show

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Jason Salmon who you have seen on Orange Is The New Black and 30 Rock is releasing his debut full-length comedy album Force Of Nurture out October 23.

Jason will celebrate with a release show in NYC at Stand Up NY on October 22 (ticket link here) and then kicks off a European tour for US troops stationed overseas. Additional civilian tour dates to follow. A full listing of dates is available at www.jason-salmon.com.

Jason Salmon Biography:
Born during a freak hailstorm in Texas, Jason sensed early on that something was off. It turns out, that something…was Comedy. Jason’s mix of colloquial philosophy and absurdist observation have made him a must-see for comedy fans of all ages. His standup has been described as “…like getting the best advice you’ve ever gotten…from the dumbest guy you know.” He has headlined all over the US and performed abroad for the troops. Jason has appeared on Orange is the New Black and 30 Rock, and in numerous commercials. His sketch comedy can be found on Funny or Die and his eponymous YouTube channel.

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Chris Cornell Statue Unveiled In Seattle

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By Armando

A bronze statue of late rocker Chris Cornell was unveiled in his hometown of Seattle. The life-size status was erected outside the Museum of Pop Culture on Sunday, situated on its south entrance which is facing Fifth Avenue North.

“As an artist, my husband was not only one of the greatest voices in rock history but also one of the greatest and most prolific poets of his time- his contribution to music birthed a movement that would leave an indelible mark on popular music forever,” Cornell’s wife Vicky Cornell said.

Sculpted by artist Nick Marras, the status shows Cornell holding an electric guitar, in his signature leather jacket, boots and dog tag.

The Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman was found dead early morning last year, May 18, 2017 hours after a Soundgarden concert.

Cornell is widely regarded as one of the architects of the grunge movement of the 90s. He’s been voted one of the “Best Singers Of All Time” by Rolling Stone, and one of the “Greatest Voices in Music” by MTV.

He formed Soundgarden in 1984 together with original members Kim Thayil and Hiro Yamamoto who left and replaced on the bass by Jason Everman until the band got settled with Ben Shepherd. With the band, Cornell achieve worldwide commercial and critical success with their breakthrough fourth album ‘Superunknown’, which was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album in 1995.

In 1999, Cornell released a solo album “Euphoria Morning” which spawned “Can’t Change Me” for which he was nominated at the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance. Cornell was working on his second album when he decided to join forces with Rage Against The Machine members Tom Morello, Tim Commerford, and Brad Wilk to form Audioslave. The band proved to be another critical and commercial success, and in 1995 became the first American rock band to play outdoors in Cuba.

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