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Black Adam Tops Box Office Takes Rakes in $67Million

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Warner Bros.’ “Black Adam” debuted, raking in an estimated $67 million, giving Dwayne Johnson his best box-office weekend as a leading actor and launching the DC Comics character he spent a decade bringing to the big screen.

“Black Adam” was a $200 million attempt to disturb the power dynamic in the DC Extended Universe, dominated by characters like Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman.

Even with the significant draw of Johnson playing in his first superhero film, the $67 million debut fell far short of that mark. Nonetheless, “Black Adam” had the greatest opening weekend since “Thor: Love and Thunder” arrived in July with $143 million.

“Black Adam,” starring Johnson as an ancient Egyptian called to the current day, has been plagued by negative reviews (40% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes). The film received a B+ CinemaScore from moviegoers. It garnered $73 million abroad for a total of $140 million.

“Black Adam” took a roundabout path to theatres. The character was supposed to debut as a villain in 2019′s “Shazam!” before executives decided to give Black Adam his own film.

The sillier “Shazam!,” which cost more than $100 million to produce, debuted with $53.5 million in ticket sales and grossed $366 million worldwide.

But the stakes were higher for “Black Adam.” While promoting the film, Johnson has made no secret of his ambition to follow up “Black Adam” with a confrontation with Superman. But it’s questionable whether “Black Adam” sales are sufficient to justify that. Warner Bros. is rethinking its approach to DC Comics adaptations under new leadership.

Warner Bros. distribution president Jeff Goldstein told The Associated Press the results as his best for Dwayne Johnson outside of the “Fast & Furious” films and a PG-13 film with broad appeal that people responded to better than reviewers.

Still, Warner Bros.′ restructuring DC branch is upheaval as the studio pursues more Marvel-sized successes. In March, “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” will be released.

“It all comes down to crafting terrific movies.” “It’s all about getting the appropriate scripts,” Goldstein explained. “Our studio is undergoing a substantial reworking of our production leadership, style, and strategy.” I believe we will be able to break this nut. We’re committed to doing so.”

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“Ticket to Paradise,” a romantic comedy set in Bali starring Julia Roberts and George Clooney, was an excellent counterprogramming choice.

The Universal Pictures picture debuted with $16.3 million, well exceeding recent sales for rom-com, which have struggled at theatres in recent years.

The picture is already a success in other countries, where it has been in theatres for a month and has grossed $80.2 million in ticket sales.

Universal Studios R-rated “Bros,” an LGBTQ milestone in the genre, was released earlier this month with a disappointing $4.8 million.

“Ticket to Paradise” had a significant edge in its two stars, and it notably appealed to much older audiences; 64% of ticket buyers were 35 and up, according to the studio.

“It became an event film this weekend for all audiences, but notably for older audiences who can be tough to get into cinemas,” said Jim Orr, Universal’s head of distribution. “We all know this isn’t a demographic that rushes to see movies on their opening weekend. That gives us much hope for the coming weeks and months.”

According to Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for data firm Comscore, it was the first weekend since July with a $65 million opening weekend and more than $100 million in total domestic ticket sales. He attributed this largely to star power in the popularity of “Ticket to Paradise” and “Black Adam”.

“Despite some movement forward in terms of the D.C .brand and this not being as well-known a character,” Dergarabedian said, “he was the motor that propelled this box office.” “This is a strong start for Dwayne Johnson in the DC Comics mix.” He’s like a supercharger for the box office.

Rotten Tomatoes score 40%, but people want to see Johnson on the big screen because he is larger than life.”

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“Halloween Ends,” last week’s #1 film, plummeted dramatically in its second weekend. The Universal horror sequel, released on Peacock, fell 80% to $8 million.

Meanwhile, Paramount Pictures’ “Smile” defied the usual drops for horror movies. “Smile” came in third with $8.4 million in its 4th week of release, bringing its total domestic sales to $84.3 million.

Searchlight Pictures’ “The Banshees of Inisherin” opened with one of the year’s top pre-theatre averages as more respected award contenders hit theatres.

The Martin McDonagh movie, starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, debuted at four theatres with $181,000, for a per-theater average of $45,250. Charlotte Wells’ “Aftersun,” featuring Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio as a father and young daughter on vacation, launched in four theatres with a $16,589 per-theater average for A24.

Comscore estimates ticket sales for Friday through Sunday in US and Canadian theatres. The final domestic data will be provided on Monday.

1. “Black Adam,” $67 million.

2. “Ticket to Paradise,” $16.3 million.

3. “Smile,” $8.4 million

4. “Halloween Ends,” $8 million.

5. “Lyle, Lyle Crocodile,” $4.2 million.

6. “The Woman King,” $1.9 million.

7. “Terrifier 2,” $1.9 million.

8. “Don’t Worry Darling,” $880,000.

9. “Amsterdam,” $811,000.

10. “Triangle of Sadness,” $600,000.

Source: The Associated Press, VOR News

 

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Hey YouTube Creators, It’s Time To Start Labeling AI-Generated Content In Your Videos

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YouTube Slowdown: The Culprit Might be Adblock Plus

Beginning Monday, YouTube producers must indicate when realistic-looking videos were created using artificial intelligence as part of the company’s larger attempt to be transparent about content that may otherwise confuse or mislead users.

When a user uploads a video to the site, they are presented with a checklist that questions whether their content causes a real person to say or do something they did not do, modifies footage of a genuine place or event, or presents a realistic-looking scene that did not occur.

youtube

Hey YouTube Creators, It’s Time To Start Labeling AI-Generated Content In Your Videos

The disclosure is intended to help users avoid being deceived by synthetic content amid a flood of new, consumer-facing generative AI tools that make it quick and easy to create captivating text, images, video, and music that are frequently difficult to discern from the real thing. Online safety experts have warned that the development of AI-generated material could confuse and mislead internet users, particularly ahead of elections in the United States and worldwide in 2024.

YouTube creators will be forced to identify when their films contain AI-generated or otherwise modified information that appears realistic so that YouTube can attach a label for viewers. If they fail to do so regularly, they may face sanctions.

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Hey YouTube Creators, It’s Time To Start Labeling AI-Generated Content In Your Videos

The platform indicated that the upgrade would be available in the fall as part of a bigger deployment of updated AI policies.

When a YouTube creator discloses that their video contains AI-produced content, YouTube will add a label in the description to indicate that it contains “altered or synthetic content” and that the “sound or visuals were significantly edited or digitally generated.” Videos about “sensitive” issues, such as politics, will display the label more prominently on the screen.

The firm announced last year that content made with YouTube’s generative AI tools, which were released in September, would also be prominently identified.

YouTube will only require creators to label realistic AI-generated videos that may mislead users into thinking it is real.

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Hey YouTube Creators, It’s Time To Start Labeling AI-Generated Content In Your Videos

Creators will not be required to reveal synthetic or AI-generated content that is manifestly unrealistic or “inconsequential,” such as AI-generated animations, lighting, or colour changes. According to the platform, creators will not be required “to disclose if generative AI was used for productivity, like generating scripts, content ideas, or automatic captions.”

Creators who repeatedly fail to utilize the new label on synthetic content that should be declared may face penalties such as content removal or suspension from YouTube’s Partner Program, which allows them to monetize their content.

source – (CNN)

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Celebrity

Celine Dion Says Living With Stiff Person Syndrome ‘Has Been One Of The Hardest Experiences Of My Life’

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Celine Dion focuses on her family and the future while she deals with health issues.

On March 15, the iconic artist commemorated International Stiff Person Syndrome Awareness Day with an Instagram post in which she addressed her autoimmune illness, stating that it “has been one of the hardest experiences of my life.”

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Celine Dion Says Living With Stiff Person Syndrome ‘Has Been One Of The Hardest Experiences Of My Life’

Dion said she is “determined to one day get back on stage and live as normal a life as possible.”

A picture of Celine’s three sons—René-Charles, Nelson, and Eddy—accompanied her heartfelt letter.

Celine had three children with her late husband, René Angélil, who died in 2016.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, stiff person syndrome (SPS) is an uncommon neurological disorder that causes spasms and muscle rigidity. It also causes increased sensitivity to stimuli such as sound, lighting, and emotional discomfort, which can trigger muscle spasms.

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Celine Dion Says Living With Stiff Person Syndrome ‘Has Been One Of The Hardest Experiences Of My Life’

Dion first disclosed her diagnosis in 2022. She has ceased touring and performing live.

A documentary about the “My Heart Will Go On” singer, due to premiere on Prime Video, will follow her return to the stage.

On Friday,Celine stated in her caption that she is offering “encouragement and support to all those around the world who have been affected by SPS.”

“I want you to know that you can do it!” “We can do it,” she concluded.

Celine Dion is a powerhouse vocalist from Canada. She’s sold over 200 million albums worldwide, making her one of the best-selling artists ever.

Dion shot to fame after winning the 1988 Eurovision song contest.

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Celine Dion Says Living With Stiff Person Syndrome ‘Has Been One Of The Hardest Experiences Of My Life’

Her hits like “My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic and “Because You Loved Me” showcased her incredible range and emotional delivery. Despite taking a break to care for her late husband René Angélil, Dion remains a Vegas headliner and touring force.

Her voice and resilience inspire fans globally.

SOURCE – (CNN)

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Model And Actor Cara Delevingne Devastated After Los Angeles Home Is Destroyed In Fire

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Los Angeles — On Friday, A fire-damaged model and actress Cara Delevingne’s Los Angeles home.

According to Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Nicholas Prange, one firefighter was brought to the hospital in fair condition with unspecified injuries, while one unidentified person from the property had minor smoke inhalation.

delevingne

Model And Actor Cara Delevingne’s Los Angeles Home Is Destroyed In Fire

Delevingne posted many Instagram posts about the incident after TMZ reported that the property in the Studio City area that went up in flames before morning belonged to her. Delevingne is now performing in a production of “Cabaret” in London’s West End and was not at home.

When firefighters arrived at the two-story residence, they saw strong flames in the rear that had burned a room and spread to the attic, according to Prange. After ensuring everyone was out of the house, firefighters formed a defensive posture, and the roof collapsed. It took them about two hours to extinguish the flames.

Hours later, Delevingne posted a video of a street packed with fire trucks and lights blazing.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the firefighters and people who have come to help,” another Instagram post stated.

A third Instagram post featured a shot of two kittens with the remark, “My heart is broken today, I cannot believe how life can change in the blink of an eye, cherish what you have.” In another post, she emphasised that her animals were unharmed in the incident.

The residence is similar to one featured in an Architectural Digest article for 2021. The white brick house with two pools and two trampolines in the backyard was erected in 1941 for the Von der Ahe family, who founded the Vons grocery business.

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Model And Actor Cara Delevingne’s Los Angeles Home Is Destroyed In Fire

Delevingne and her designer included whimsical aspects such as a costume room for dress-up parties, a David Bowie-themed bathroom, poker and billiards rooms, and a ball pit.

“If I’m having a bad day, I just hop into the ball pit,” Delevingne told the magazine. “You can’t really cry in a ball pit.”

Delevingne’s agents did not immediately respond to emails with comments.

The cause was being investigated.

The 31-year-old London-born Delevingne rose to prominence as a fashion model in the early 2010s before transitioning into acting, appearing in the 2016 DC Comics blockbuster “Suicide Squad” and filmmaker Luc Besson’s 2017 feature “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.”

delevingne

Model And Actor Cara Delevingne’s Los Angeles Home Is Destroyed In Fire

She also participated in the Hulu series “Only Murders in the Building”, starring Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez in 2022, and FX’s “American Horror Story” in 2023.

SOURCE – (AP)

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