Box Office Milestone: ‘Super Mario Bros. Movie’ Crossing $1B Globally

Illumination and Universal’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie is checking off another notable milestone. The Nintendo video game adaptation will cross $1 billion at the worldwide box office sometime on Sunday, its 26th day in release. It becomes only the 10th animated film to achieve the feat, and is easily the first title of 2023 to do so.
Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/super-mario-movie-box-office-crosses-billion-1235475805/?source=Snapzu

James Corden’s bids farewell on last Late Late Show

James Corden’s tenure on The Late Late Show has come to an end. The British presenter hosted his final episode in the early hours of Friday morning (28 April), following an eight-year run on the CBS talk show. First, viewers were treated to a Carpool Karaoke special starring Adele, then Corden was joined by some of his favourite guests from over the years, including Harry Styles, Will Ferrell and Tom Cruise.
Read more: https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/james-corden-late-late-show-last-live-b2328594.html?source=Snapzu

CBS is taking some pretty drastic measures to cut its sitcom budgets

A few weeks back, we reported on a strange wrinkle facing the upcoming seasons of Law & Order and its variouis spin-offs, as NBC and Dick Wolf Productions attempted to find a way to keep the shows going despite budgets dropping all over the place in Hollywood at the moment. Their solution seemed pretty damn drastic: Cutting back individual season orders for almost all of the performers across the shows, meaning that none of them (except possibly major leads) would be in every episode of a season.
Read more: https://www.avclub.com/cbs-is-taking-some-pretty-drastic-measures-to-cut-its-s-1850385381?source=Snapzu

Peter Pan & Wendy is the most beautiful, moving children’s film of the year

Here are two things we’ve all had quite enough, thank you: screen adaptations of JM Barrie’s Peter Pan, and live-action remakes of classic Disney animations. So as both, this flesh, blood and pixel reworking of the studio’s beloved 1953 hand-drawn original looks, on paper, surplus to requirements twice over. In fact, it might end up being the most beautiful, moving and all-around-loveliest children’s film of the year.
Read more: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/peter-pan-wendy-review-jude-law-review-most-beautiful-film/?source=Snapzu

Ren - Hi Ren

Read more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_nc1IVoMxc?source=Snapzu

Chris Pratt Swore Off Marvel Auditions After Losing ‘Thor,’ ‘Avatar,’ ‘Star Trek’ and More: ‘I Definitely Don’t Have That It-Factor’

Chris Pratt revealed on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” that he swore off auditioning for Marvel movies after he lost out on roles in “Thor” and more superhero films. The actor would go on to headline Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise. “I auditioned for them all. I had a rough run with Marvel,” Pratt said. “I auditioned for ‘Thor,’ but not even to be Thor — but to be one of the sidekick guys, and I didn’t get a callback.
Read more: https://variety.com/2023/film/news/chris-pratt-marvel-movie-auditions-thor-avatar-1235597951/?source=Snapzu

At long last: Pirates' Maggi, 33, makes MLB debut

Drew Maggi, 33, appeared as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning Wednesday night, striking out in his lone at bat in his first major league game since being drafted in 2010.
Read more: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/36299706/pirates-drew-maggi-makes-major-league-debut-age-33?source=Snapzu

Amazon Lands Animated ‘Batman’ Feature and TV Spinoff

‘Merry Little Batman’ and offshoot ‘Bat-Family’ extend the streamer’s deal with Warner Bros. Discovery after the two-season order for ‘Batman: Caped Crusader.’
Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/batman-animated-film-tv-series-spinoff-amazon-1235402898/?source=Snapzu

Fox News Falling Apart?: Ratings Said To Be in Freefall While Late-night Comedians Continue to Poke Network

Things apparently have not been well at Fox News since the right-wing network ousted its star primetime host earlier this week. Ratings reportedly have fallen, while it's become a punching bag — both for some of the most strident figures on the political right as well as the late-night funnymen.
Read more: https://washingtoncurrent.substack.com/p/fox-news-falling-apart-ratings-said?sd=pf?source=Snapzu

Jerry Springer, legendary talk show host, dead at 79

Jerry Springer, legendary talk show host and former mayor of Cincinnati , has died, according to a statement from his family. He was 79.
Read more: https://www.wlwt.com/amp/article/jerry-springer-dead/43721918?source=Snapzu

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is the best Star Wars game since Knights of the Old Republic

From Respawn Entertainment and Electronic Arts comes Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, one of the best games of 2023 and a must-have for action-adventure gamers. Read our hands-on impressions of the one of the best Star Wars games of all time now.
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/reviews/star-wars-jedi-survivor?source=Snapzu

Ed Sheeran-Marvin Gaye copyright trial to begin in New York

British singer, 32, accused of violating copyright from 1973 soul classic Let’s Get It On in 2014 hit Thinking Out Loud
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/apr/24/ed-sheeran-marvin-gaye-copyright-trial-new-york?source=Snapzu

AI track Heart on My Sleeve is ‘just the beginning’ of robot music

The future is here, the ghostwriters are on the storm, and fake Drake is all too real. Earlier this month, a gloomy hip-hop track created with the help of artificial intelligence to jarringly replicate the voices of Canadian superstars Drake and the Weeknd went viral. Heart on My Sleeve was posted online by an anonymous producer using the name Ghostwriter who appears only as a person with a sheet thrown over their head.
Read more: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/article-ai-music-is-here-to-stay/?source=Snapzu

Harry Belafonte, singer, actor and tireless activist, dies aged 96

Chart-topping calypso singer who supported US civil rights movement and African initiatives dies following congestive heart failure
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/apr/25/harry-belafonte-singer-dies-actor-singer-activist?source=Snapzu

'Kraven the Hunter' Is Sony’s First R-Rated Marvel Movie

Sony Pictures made a big announcement during their presentation at CinemaCon, revealing that the upcoming Spider-Man spin-off movie Kraven the Hunter will be given an R rating. While there are other Marvel movies with this rating, this will be the first superhero film from Sony to receive it.
Read more: https://allaccesshub.com/kraven-the-hunter-is-sonys-first-r-rated-marvel-movie/?source=Snapzu

Calls to ban books hit highest level ever recorded in the US

Demands to censor, most often for gender themes or sexual detail, rose 38% year on year in 2022, with Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe being last year’s ‘most challenged’ title
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/apr/24/calls-to-ban-books-hit-highest-level-recorded-in-the-us-censorship?source=Snapzu

Tucker Carlson out at Fox News

It seems difficult to believe, but Tucker Carlson is no longer with Fox News. The announcement was confirmed by the network this morning.
Read more: https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/tucker-carlson-fox-news-out-rcna81147?source=Snapzu

Netflix to invest $2.5 bln in South Korea to make TV shows, movies

Netflix Inc said on Tuesday it plans to invest $2.5 billion in South Korea over the next four years to produce Korean TV series, movies and unscripted shows, doubling the amount the company has invested in the market since 2016.
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/technology/netflix-invest-25-bln-south-korea-make-tv-shows-movies-2023-04-25/?source=Snapzu

Harrison Ford Is Done With Indiana Jones After ‘Dial Of Destiny’ & Reveals He “Will Not Be Involved” With TV Series

Harrison Ford is revealing that Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny will be the last time he plays the archeologist. “This is the final film in the series, and this is the last time I’…
Read more: https://deadline.com/2023/04/harrison-ford-done-indiana-jones-after-dial-of-destiny-not-be-involved-tv-series-1235335672/?source=Snapzu

Tom Brady Threatens to Sue Comedians Who Impersonated Him in AI Comedy Special

Tom Brady wasn't laughing during this comedy special. According to comedians Will Sasso and Chad Kultgen of the Dudesy podcast, the retired NFL star's company TB12 sent a cease and desist letter after an hour-long animated comedy special showing an AI imagination of the athlete was uploaded to their Patreon.
Read more: https://people.com/sports/tom-brady-threatens-lawsuit-comedians-over-ai-generated-comedy-special/?source=Snapzu

'Super Mario Bros.' Continues Box Office Reign With Animation Record $58 Million 3rd Weekend

Universal/Illumination’s “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” continues to show “Top Gun: Maverick”-esque legs with $58.2 million grossed in its third weekend, pushing its box office totals to $434 million domestic and $871 million worldwide.
Read more: https://www.thewrap.com/super-mario-bros-third-box-office-weekend/?source=Snapzu

Texas House passes bill that aims to keep sexually explicit materials out of school libraries

Legal experts, librarians and some parents say House Bill 900’s language is so vague and broad that it could ensnare books that are not inappropriate.
Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/19/texas-libraries-books-schools-legislature/?source=Snapzu

Netflix reveals new timeline for its password-sharing crackdown

Netflix said a crackdown on password-sharing among U.S. subscribers is coming by the end of June, modestly delaying a plan that has caused consternation among many subscribers of the streaming service. In its quarterly earnings report this week, Netflix said it would launch a paid password-sharing program globally in the second quarter of the year, including in the U.S. The company had earlier said it planned to introduce it by the end of March.
Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/netflix-password-crackdown-timeline-sharing-paid-earnings-q1-2023/?source=Snapzu

Toronto Raptors fire head coach Nick Nurse, who led team to 2019 championship | CBC Sports

The Toronto Raptors have fired head coach Nick Nurse, the team announced on Friday. Nurse, 55, led the Raptors to their first-ever NBA championship in 2019.
Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/nba/nba-toronto-raptors-nick-nurse-out-1.6817887?source=Snapzu

Who will win 87,000 bottles of wine? 'Drops of God' is the ultimate taste test

If you're looking for the plot that's the surest to suck people in, you could do worse than centering on a contest. Be it Rocky, Pitch Perfect or Squid Game, such stories possess a built-in suspense and drama. They make us ask, "Who's going to win?"
Read more: https://www.npr.org/2023/04/20/1171008600/drops-of-god-review-manga-wine?source=Snapzu

5 reasons why DVDs still have their place, especially for serious movie buffs

Netflix ends DVD rentals, and movie lovers are the losers.
Read more: https://www.zdnet.com/article/5-reasons-why-dvds-still-have-their-place-especially-for-serious-movie-buffs/?source=Snapzu

Gwyneth Paltrow is not sure about returning to Marvel: 'A 64-year-old Pepper Potts? How great'

Gwyneth Paltrow said that she's not sure about appearing in future Marvel movies as she gets older. Paltrow starred in the first-ever Marvel Cinematic Universe movie "Iron Man" as the titular character's love interest, Pepper Potts. She has reprised the role in six more Marvel movies, with her last being 2019's "Avengers: Endgame," in which Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) sacrificed his life to defeat villain Thanos.
Read more: https://www.insider.com/gwyneth-paltrow-uncertain-returning-marvel-pepper-potts-2023-4?source=Snapzu

AI song featuring fake Drake and Weeknd vocals pulled from streaming services

The song, called Heart on My Sleeve, has been removed from TikTok, Spotify and YouTube for ‘infringing content created with generative AI’
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/apr/18/ai-song-featuring-fake-drake-and-weeknd-vocals-pulled-from-streaming-services?source=Snapzu

Redbox Owner Interested In Buying Netflix’s DVD Business

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment CEO Bill Rouhana tells THR he wants to buy the DVD business, though a Netflix source said it is not for sale, and will be wound down.
Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/redbox-wants-buy-netflix-dvd-business-1235392145/?source=Snapzu

What Makes ABBA So Timeless? Let Us Count the Ways

Almost a full year after the ABBA Voyage spectacle landed in London, the ABBA craze is stronger than ever.
Read more: https://www.thedailybeast.com/what-makes-abba-so-timeless-let-us-count-the-ways?ref=wrap?source=Snapzu

Seth Rogen, Keanu Reeves to Star in Aziz Ansari Movie ‘Good Fortune’

Aziz Ansari is readying a new feature film, tapping Seth Rogen and Keanu Reeves to co-star. Ansari will write and direct Good Fortune, in which he will star with Rogen and Reeves. Lionsgate is behind the comedy, which will begin filming next month in Los Angeles, with plot details being kept under wraps.
Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/seth-rogen-keanu-reeves-aziz-ansari-comedy-good-fortune-1235391018/?source=Snapzu

Hundreds of years after the first try, we can finally read a Ptolemy text

It was only natural for Alexander Jones to feel thrilled when he saw a sixth-century palimpsest at the Ambrosiana library in Milan for the first time. It happened in 1984 when Jones was working on his dissertation using manuscripts in Italy. With the tools at his disposal, including a portable ultraviolet lamp and microfilm, he could only read a few lines. But Jones’ interest was piqued because there were pages of the text that no one had succeeded in reading.
Read more: https://arstechnica.com/science/2023/04/hundreds-of-years-after-the-first-try-we-can-finally-read-a-ptolemy-text/?source=Snapzu

Raskal The Supersoniccruiser- The Man From The Future (Full Album) 2023

Are you in for some futuristic space jazz & funk?
Read more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLniCru9YA4?source=Snapzu

8 book adaptations we want instead of more Lord of the Rings movies

This week, we learned Warner Bros, New Line Cinema, and the Embracer Group have inked a new deal to make more Lord of the Rings movies. Will they be seq...
Read more: https://winteriscoming.net/2023/03/05/4-book-adaptations-we-want-to-see-instead-lord-of-the-rings-movies/?source=Snapzu

Americans Spend $48 per Month on Video Streaming Services — and Half of Those Surveyed Say That’s Too Much

“Subscription fatigue” among consumers is only getting worse, making it even more challenging for direct-to-streaming video providers to retain customers, according to Deloitte’s latest Digital Media Trends survey. As streaming video competition continues to intensify, subscription growth rates across the industry have slowed — and churn rates have increased, according to the Deloitte’s 17th annual Digital Media Trends report. On average, U.S. consumers pay $48 per month for subscription-video services...
Read more: https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/consumer-spending-streaming-services-svod-deloitte-digital-trends-1235582760/?source=Snapzu

'The wilderness of mirrors': 70 years since the first James Bond book, spy stories are still blurring fact and fiction

We don’t look to James Bond for accurate depictions of spycraft, but at least some of his adventures are grounded in reality.
Read more: https://theconversation.com/the-wilderness-of-mirrors-70-years-since-the-first-james-bond-book-spy-stories-are-still-blurring-fact-and-fiction-201373?source=Snapzu

The uncancelling of JK Rowling

Tide appears to be turning for the Harry Potter author ostracised for her trans views
Read more: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2023/04/15/jk-rowling-transgender-views-uncancelled/?source=Snapzu

‘The Tale of Genji’ Is More Than 1,000 Years Old. What Explains Its Lasting Appeal?

The book is often described as the world’s first novel and a touchstone of Japanese literature. But some of its themes, including its take on gender and power, have echoed over centuries.
Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/15/books/tale-of-genji-japan-women.html?source=Snapzu

If the Mario movie makes a billion dollars, we might really be screwed

Do you have any idea how many terrible video game movies are going to happen if Mario's unexpected blockbuster run continues?
Read more: https://www.avclub.com/if-the-mario-movie-makes-a-billion-dollars-we-might-re-1850340730?source=Snapzu

Kanye West’s School Is a Failed Tribute to His Mother, Ex-Teacher Says

Cecilia Hailey, who is suing Donda Academy for wrongful termination, tells The Daily Beast that her students were years behind in math and not allowed to learn about the Holocaust.
Read more: https://www.thedailybeast.com/kanye-wests-donda-academy-is-failed-tribute-to-his-mother-cecilia-hailey?ref=wrap?source=Snapzu

Hollywood writers vote on strike: ‘At stake is the viability of TV as a career’

Hollywood writers have until Monday to authorize their union to call a strike amid contentious contract negotiations with major studios. The authorization, based on a vote by guild members, would grant the leadership of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) the ability to call a strike if it can’t reach a contract with Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) by 1 May.
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/apr/15/tv-writers-strike-streaming-wga-amptp?source=Snapzu

It's time for a halftime huddle: 'Ted Lasso' Season 3 should refocus on relationships

There's a big difference between "it's not good" and "it's not for me." Most often, this difference comes up with genres: musicals, horror, romance, whatever. You could make the best slasher movie in existence, and it's not going to work on somebody who doesn't like slasher movies. But it can also apply to storytelling choices that make a show less compelling. Same talent, same hard work by people who clearly didn't abruptly become bad at their jobs.
Read more: https://www.npr.org/2023/04/15/1170074939/ted-lasso-season-3-review?source=Snapzu

HBO Max to Be Renamed ‘Max’ With Addition of Discovery+ Content, Launch Date and Pricing Revealed

It’s not HBO Max — soon it’s just going to be Max. Warner Bros. Discovery officially announced Max as the new name of its flagship streamer
Read more: https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/hbo-max-renamed-max-pricing-launch-date-1235532179/?source=Snapzu

Bruins Wrap: Boston Ends Historic Campaign With Win Vs. Canadiens

The Bruins ended their regular season on a high note, snagging a victory over the Canadiens on Thursday night, despite a few absences.
Read more: https://nesn.com/2023/04/bruins-wrap-boston-ends-historic-campaign-with-win-vs-canadiens/?source=Snapzu

‘True Detective: Night Country’ Trailer: Jodie Foster Solves Bone-Chilling Alaskan Mystery

Grab your warmest parka because “True Detective” is heading to Alaska for its chilliest mystery yet. Warner Bros.
Read more: https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/true-detective-season-4-trailer-night-country-1235580580/?source=Snapzu

The Tampa Bay Rays Can’t Lose

The Rays improved to 13-0 on Thursday, matching the modern era record to start a season. But can they also catch the 1884 St. Louis Maroons?
Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/13/sports/baseball/tampa-bay-rays-win-streak.html?source=Snapzu

Production begins on season two of House of the Dragon

Fantasy prequel to Game of Thrones, starring Matt Smith and Emma D’Arcy, being filmed at UK studio
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/apr/11/production-begins-on-season-two-of-house-of-the-dragon?source=Snapzu

TNT Sets Premiere Date for Long-Delayed Acquired Drama Series ‘The Lazarus Project’ (TV News Roundup)

TNT has announced an official premiere date for its scripted action thriller “The Lazarus Project,” which was previously set to come out earlier this year. “The Lazarus Project” will make its debut…
Read more: https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/the-lazarus-project-premiere-tnt-1235578375/?source=Snapzu

Super Mario Bros. Breaks Movie Theater Sales Records, And Beats Sonic

RIP blue blur fans, Sonic’s video game movie dominance was nice while it lasted
Read more: https://kotaku.com/mario-bros-movie-box-office-records-sonic-reviews-1850318954?source=Snapzu

Frank Zappa to David Bowie: "F••• you, Captain Tom"

On guitarist Adrian Belew’s Facebook page, he shared this hysterical story about a surly encounter between David Bowie and Frank Zappa: In 1978 I did my first tour of Europe as “stunt
Read more: https://boingboing.net/2023/04/10/frank-zappa-to-david-bowie-f-you-captain-tom.html?source=Snapzu