Category: Entertainment

2023 was a pretty lackluster year for moviegoers. While there were a few standouts like Godzilla Minus One, and a few big hits like the “Barbenheimer” combo (Barbie and Oppenheimer), there was not much else to write home about.

How about 2024? What movies do we have to look forward to? This year is looking to be all about sequels, prequels, and spinoffs, and reboots. We have a Mad Max prequel, another Godzilla movie (not by the makers of Minus One unfortunately), Bad Boys 4, Kung Fu Panda 4, and Despicable Me 4.

There are many more, such as a squeal to Gladiator, and interestingly another Karate Kid with Ralph Macchio reprising his role as Danial, and Jackie Chan reprising his role as Mr. Han from the 2010 Karate Kid remake.

So far, the ones I am excited for are Dune: Part Two and, with some apprehension, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim. Deadpool 3 will also probably be good if you like that kind of movie.

Are there any particular movies you are excited for? If you want to see a list of “anticipated” movies scheduled for release this year, you can find them below. (You have to scroll down a bit after opening the link)

Jewel Kilcher, the multi-platinum singer-songwriter, recently released her new album, “Freewheelin’ Woman,” in 2023. The album has garnered significant attention for its empowering themes and catchy melodies. Along with the album release, Jewel also launched the #NotAloneChallenge in partnership with iHeartRadio to raise awareness for mental health and provide resources to those in need.

The #NotAloneChallenge aims to bring together a coalition of over 120 mental health advocates, including leaders in technology, media, finance, entertainment, sports, and more. The campaign’s mission is to remind people that they are not alone during challenging times, offer free mental health resources, and raise funds to make mental health support available to those in need.

Jewel has been open about her own struggles with mental health and her experiences growing up in a difficult environment. She has used her platform to inspire others and provide tools for self-improvement through her music and her non-profit organization, “Inspiring Children”.

Blackstone, (not to be confused with BlackRock) one of the world’s largest investment firms, has once again released its annual holiday video, and this year, they’ve gone all-in on their love for Taylor Swift. The video, titled “The Alternatives Era Tour,” is a parody of Swift’s highly successful “The Eras Tour.”

The video features Blackstone executives showcasing their humor while paying homage to the pop sensation. It has has certainly garnered attention. But the question remains: is it cringy or funny?

Opinions on the video have been mixed. Some find it to be a lighthearted and entertaining way for the company to celebrate the holiday season, while others believe it to be a cringe-worthy attempt at corporate humor.

Blackstone’s holiday video tradition began in 2018 and has become an annual event for the company. Each year, the video is themed and allows the executives to showcase their comedic side. This year’s Taylor Swift theme certainly seems to have made an impression.

One thing I am sure of, it looks like the team at Blackstone had a lot of fun making the video. Whether you find it cringy or funny, it’s hard not to appreciate the effort that went into creating a unique and memorable holiday video.

Nicolas Puech, the 80-year-old heir to the luxury clothing brand Hermès fortune, is reportedly considering an unconventional way to distribute his wealth. According to the Swiss publication Tribune de Genève, Puech is thinking about naming his former gardener and handyman, a 51-year-old man of Moroccan descent, as his heir. With a net worth estimated between $10 billion and $11 billion, Puech may pass on a significant portion of the Hermès fortune to this individual. The legal proceedings for this arrangement have already begun.

Puech, the fifth-generation heir of Thierry Hermès, the founder of the fashion house, has faced family challenges, particularly during the acquisition of 23% of Hermès by LVMH in 2014. He resigned from the supervisory board at that time due to conflicts within his family.

That gardener must have done an exceptional job at taking care of Puech’s plants!

“Godzilla Minus One,” the 33rd installment in the Japanese franchise Godzilla, has exceeded expectations in the U.S. box office since its release on December 1st. Despite an extremely small $15 million budget, the film has grossed over $15.7 million in ticket sales in the U.S. and earned a 98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. This brings the current Worldwide Box Office to over $42 million.

Directed, written, (as well as supervising VFX) by Takashi Yamazaki, the film explores post-World War II Japan and its reaction to Godzilla arrival. Yamazaki aimed to recapture the original spirit of Godzilla while focusing on the impact of war on individuals, specifically on the lead character, former kamikaze pilot Kōichi Shikishima.

“Godzilla Minus One” has generated interest in action movies, especially those with reused characters, reinforcing the view that franchise films can still be well received if the quality is high. The film’s success has created lots of buzz where audiences appreciate its freshness and creative approach.

Looking ahead, we will see if the upcoming release of “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” can keep up. Clearly, quality and creativity still resonate with U.S. audiences, despite concerns about franchise fatigue.

You can find tickets here.