A New Era For 007: Amazon MGM ‘takes creative control’ Of James Bond Franchise
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A New Era For 007: Amazon MGM ‘takes creative control’ Of James Bond Franchise

Although James Bond legend icon has been in the hands of the Broccoli family since they bought the franchise from author Ian Fleming in 1961, Amazon MGM Studios recently made the announcement that now they will have the right to determine 007. Amazon Takes Up The 007 Franchise Amazon MGM has released a surprising statement. The US production company has asserted that it now has complete ownership of creative rights to the iconic James Bond franchise. Once owned by Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson of Eon Productions, the couple has released a joint statement with Amazon MGM. Although they will maintain control of intellectual property rights to the iconic Ian Fleming character, Amazon MGM will have complete creative freedom on the story line. Mike Hopkins, Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios head, said, “Ever since he first appeared on screens more than 60 years ago, James Bond has been among the most legendary characters in film history.”. We would also like to thank the late Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli for taking James Bond to cinemas worldwide, and Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for their commitment and for continuing the franchise’s legacy, which has been loved by audiences worldwide. We are proud to carry on this beloved tradition, and look forward to introducing the next incarnation of the iconic 007 to audiences around the globe.” Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman purchased the rights to the sophisticated spy character in 1961 and brought the character to life with Sean Connery as Bond in the 1962 film Dr. No. Broccoli subsequently passed the franchise rights to his daughter Barbara Broccoli and half-brother Michael G. Wilson. The brother’s initial production union was in 1995 with GoldenEye. 25 James Bond films have been released on the big screen since 1962, and six actors have played Bond, the latest being Daniel Craig in No Time To Die (2022). Barbara Broccoli added in a statement, “My life has been spent to maintaining and adding to the unparalleled legacy entrusted to Michael and me by our father, producer Cubby Broccoli. I’ve been blessed to work closely with four of the remarkably gifted actors who’ve played 007 and with thousands of great artists in the industry.” Now that No Time to Die is over and Michael has said goodbye to us at the cinema, I think it’s time for me to focus on my other work. Who will be James Bond next? Amazon billionaire owner Jeff Bezos was not slow to come up with his next buy, either. On X (Twitter), the business tycoon asked: “Who’d you choose as the next Bond?” Well, from the very long list of names, Henry Cavill is most probable to get the new 007 showdown, and the debate is ironically going on for eternity. Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Idris Elba are also being considered, but Michael Fassbender, Chris Evans, Theo James, James McAvoy, and Tom Cruise were also mentioned in the discussion. Who Will Be The Next James Bond? Amazon billionaire founder Jeff Bezos was quick to show off his new purchase. Sharing a post on X (formerly Twitter), the tycoon entrepreneur asked, “Who’d you choose as the next Bond?” Top of the list is Henry Cavill, who has been debated for a long time. Other tops include Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Idris Elba, with Michael Fassbender, Chris Evans, Theo James, James McAvoy, and Tom Cruise making the rounds in the mix, well not so American mix. Daniel Craig Raises His Toast: Daniel Craig toasts (martini) a glass to James Bond’s long-time producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. The pair made their decision on Thursday to retire from the 007 franchise and hand over creative reins to Amazon MGM. My admiration, love and regard for Barbara and Michael never falter and never weaken,” Craig, who portrayed the urbane spy in five boxoffice-hit films, told Variety exclusively. “I wish Michael a long, peaceful (and well-deserved) retirement and whatever projects Barbara embarks upon, I have no doubt they will be magnificent and hope to be involved with them. Amazon, which bought MGM in 2021 for $8.5 billion, acquired the rights to distribute all James Bond films but only owned 50% of the franchise and was relegated to being a passive partner when it came to artistic choices. And since Craig’s fifth and final outing as the agent with the right to kill, in 2021’s “No Time to Die,” there has been constant press rumour-mongering about the future of the franchise but not a single statement about concrete next steps. Wilson, who has co-written several of the Bond scripts as well as produced them, has revealed he’s retiring from Hollywood. “With my 007 career now approaching 60 phenomenal years, I am retiring from producing the James Bond movies to devote time to art and philanthropic work,” the 87-year-old stated. Broccoli, 64, will remain active in the film business but concentrate her time and efforts elsewhere as a producer. “My life has been dedicated to preserving and adding to the phenomenal legacy which was left to Michael and me by our father, producer Cubby Broccoli.”. I have had the privilege of working very closely with four of the incredibly talented actors who have portrayed 007 and thousands of great artists in the industry,” she stated. “With the end of ‘No Time to Die’ and Michael retiring from the films, I think it is time for me to prioritise my other work.” Jeff Bezos Being All Glee About The Handover Jeff Bezos appears rather excited to be rubbing shoulders with 007. His Amazon’s MGM Studios will have creative control of the James Bond movie franchise under a new joint venture with long-time rights holders Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, it was revealed on Thursday. Later that day, Bezos tweeted to boast about his latest acquisition. The Bond series, whose latest film, ‘No Time to Die’ in 2021 took close to $800 million in worldwide box office collections, will remain co-owned by all the parties,

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Hollywood’s New Era: Diversity on Screen
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Hollywood’s New Era: Diversity on Screen

Over the past few years, gross changes have typified Hollywood as they propel it into a new age of unprecedented on-screen diversity. This shift is one of the great depths in the industrial landscape again, not something of a fashion, but it reflects a growing recognition of how much representation and diversity matter within storytelling. Shift in Narrative: Hollywood’s New Era Historically, one has criticised Hollywood for what appears to be an inability to move beyond the repeated use of specific actors in similar roles and for its tendency to ignore minority voices. Over the last ten years, this has dramatically changed. From blockbuster franchises to independent films, there is this new symbiosis showing a broader spectrum of characters, stories, and viewpoints. This change has been fanned by social movements, audience cravings, and a new crop of filmmakers committed to including diversity in their work. The #OscarsSoWhite movement in 2015 kicked things into gear. It put into the mainstream consciousness what is, frankly, an unbelievable fact that very few Academy Award nominees and winners were diverse in any way, shape, or form. This then sparked the much-needed conversation about inclusive representation to follow. Now, such conversations extend beyond the bounds of the award shows, taking hold throughout the larger entertainment industry, which shifts, in very concrete ways, how stories are told and who does the telling. Diverse Representation in Big Films and Series Perhaps one of the most visible signs of a changed Hollywood will be the diversified representation of characters and stories in big-ticket films and television shows. The movies, along with Black Panther and Crazy Rich Asians, have not only received their fair share of awards but have also proven that a film with an all-non-white cast can do wonders at the box office. It did the same thing Black Panther did by having an all-Black cast and representing African culture, while Crazy Rich Asians brought forward Asian culture and the different ethnicities among them. One also finds a wave of diversity in television. Pose, Schitt’s Creek, and Never Have I Ever are some of the shows that bring new insights just by including a major proportion comprising LGBTQ+ characters, different family dynamics, and immigrant parents’ children. The stereotyping of their respective characters has been broken, and more authentic portrayals, multi-dimensional, are portrayed through these shows which help bring in an inclusive culture and experiences among people. The Rise of Inclusive Storytelling Equally important has been the rise of diverse voices behind the camera. Filmmakers such as Ava DuVernay, Barry Jenkins, and Lulu Wang make varied stories accessible and enable more depth regarding their respective communities and experiences. Take DuVernay’s 13th: on its terms, it becomes a rallying cry for how race, justice, and mass incarceration converge, while Wang’s The Farewell gives a bittersweet glimpse into the immigrant experience and family ties through the lens of culture. Notable in this new era of opening up to diverse cultures and different perspectives is the role played by streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. These not only serve as a host for more varied content but also permit greater experimentation and diversity in storytelling. Diversity’s Impact on the Industry The Diversity Revolution Leaves an Indelible Mark. Myths are shattered, and audiences can see a much more detailed and nuanced world. By reflecting the real diversities of the human experience, Hollywood’s new era makes one empathise with its view, breaking barriers and building bridges across cultures. Greater on-screen diversity may also serve as an inspiration to a whole new wave of filmmakers and actors from under-represented backgrounds. Seeing like-minded people in lead roles and complex characters encourages them to take up careers in the industry and create a more diversified talent bank of skills and perspectives. Yet, while progress has been made, there is much more that should be done. It should continue controlling the under-representation of different groups, establishing more leadership from its ranks, and providing and sharing opportunities and resources equitably. It is important that Hollywood stays committed to diversity and ensures it is something other than a momentary trend but an intrinsic characteristic of its future. Conclusion Surely, the new age of diversity in Hollywood is one to be hailed as good—one that reflects a far greater shift in society and, at the same time, an ever-more voracious public appetite for diverse storytelling. The industry shall engage in this broadening of voices and perspectives, further deepening their stories and contributing to a society with more understanding and consideration toward different opinions. It’s a changing Hollywood. Embracing this change, celebrate it so that the screen tells exactly what it is: a diversified world that we live in.  

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Know What’s New On Prime, Netflix, And More—TV Shows
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Know What’s New On Prime, Netflix, And More—TV Shows

The universe of streaming services gets bigger day by day. It brought an extensive library onto our palms. So many options can be at times overwhelming, with the difficult task of keeping on track with new releases. But do not worry, as the article is here to guide you through the most updated and hottest TV shows hitting screens on Prime Video, Netflix, and other major streaming platforms. Prime Video The Terminal List (July 1)—An action thriller based on a novel by Jack Carr and starring Chris Pratt, about when a lethal ambush kills his entire Navy SEAL unit, leaving James Reece to struggle back home with contradictory memories of what really went down. Suffering from PTSD, he takes on quite a dangerous mission, fueled by guilt, to expose the dark truth behind the operation. Paper Girls—July 29th. In this sci-fi adventure, audiences will be hurled all the way back to 1988, where four paper delivery girls find themselves in the crossfire of a time war. Thrown forward in time, they now have to work out how to get home while being pursued by an enemy who never gives up. Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power—September 2nd. It is an epic and sprawling prequel thousands of years prior to “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings.” It gives a grand re-entry into Middle-earth.  Netflix  Stranger Things Season 4 (Volume 1: May 27, Volume 2: July 1)—It’s here! The fourth season of “Stranger Things,” long-awaited, finally dropped and is taking the Hawkins gang to bigger and scarier places. Now, six months past the Battle of Starcourt, our heroes are entangled with high school drama mixed with dark secrets from the Upside Down.  Resident Evil: A live-action series based on the smashing video game franchise, which explores the aftermath when the T-virus has already infected the world. The Sandman (5 August): Adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s much-liked series of graphic novels is one of the most awaited. Tom Sturridge essays the titular role of Morpheus, the Dream King, who breaks free from captivity to fix the chaos in his realm, the Dreaming.  Disney+ Hotstar Ms. Marvel—June 8th: In New Jersey, Pakistani-American teenager Kamala Khan discovers that she has superpowers. A huge Captain Marvel fan, Kamala learns to control her newly gained powers while struggling at school and balancing family pressures with her newfound identity as a superhero. Obi-Wan Kenobi Limited Series—May 27th to June 22nd Ewan McGregor reprises his unforgettable role as the Jedi Master in this limited series set ten years after the events of “Revenge of the Sith.” Obi-Wan Kenobi oversees a young Luke Skywalker on Tatooine while being pursued by the Empire’s Inquisitors. The Dropout —March 3rd: Based on the real crime drama of rise and subsequent fall of Elizabeth Holmes and her fraudulent blood-testing company, Theranos. Amanda Seyfried takes on the portrayal of Holmes as the story travels from an ambitious entrepreneur to a disgraced figure. Apple TV+ Severance (February 18th)—A psychological mind-bender thriller in which, in a world where some employees at a company called Lumon Industries are given the opportunity for a severance that surgically divides their memories between work and personal life, Mark Scout, played by Adam Scott, leads a team of what seems to be an enigmatic company with a dark secret.  Pachinko—March 25th: Based on a novel of the same name by bestseller writer Min Jin Lee, “Pachinko” is a sweeping historical saga of four generations in a Korean family throughout the 20th century. It follows their story about war, dislocation, identity, and resilience against the background of colonization by Japan in Korea and later historical events. HBO Max Westworld Season 4: 26 June— The android hosts come back in a fourth season for the critically praised sci-fi western series. Dolores is back for more—the indomitable android, as played by Evan Rachel Wood, goes on an odyssey of revenge against the human race. Bound with Caleb to the consequences of what he did last season, amidst the android hosts building their destiny in a world that is teetering into chaos, the line between human and machine becomes ever so thin. The Staircase—Limited Series: May 10th–June 14th: A true crime miniseries depicting the mysterious death of novelist Kathleen Peterson, found at the base of a staircase in her home. Her husband, Michael Peterson, was considered the prime suspect, following which the sensationalized trial ensued. This is just an infinitesimally small representative list of the ocean that TV series have become across streaming services. Whatever your taste, you will find something in this sea of options. So, grab your remote, get cozy, and let’s dive right into the newest and best stuff the world of streaming has in store!

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Password sharing for Netflix? No more! The US has banned the use of the streaming service.
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Password sharing for Netflix? No more! The US has banned the use of the streaming service.

The Netflix logo on display at the Netflix Tudum Theatre on September 14, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. On May 23, 2023, Netflix increased its crackdown on password sharing with people outside of their immediate family in an effort to shore up income at the largest streaming TV business. In a statement released on Tuesday, Netflix said, “A Netflix account is for use by one household.” (AFP) Many would-be Netflix subscribers will be dismayed to learn that the streaming giant is now actively against the practise of exchanging passwords. The corporation has announced additional methods to restrict access to members of the same home, thus blocking access to its service for users outside of the family who are located in the United States. Customers on the $15.50–$20 per month regular or premium plan are no longer permitted to give their login information to anybody outside their immediate family. However, for an extra $8 per month, Netflix also offers a family plan that allows two members of the same household to share one account, providing a savings of $6 per month compared to the individual basic plan. Netflix has not revealed how it will verify the identities of its subscribers, but it has promised that members of the same household will still be able to watch their shows and films whenever and wherever they like. Netflix’s resolve to tighten down on password sharing is the result of years of wasted money. The expected yearly loss to the corporation due to password sharing was $6 billion in 2021. With over 100 million users abusing shared passwords, Netflix lost out on a sizeable chunk of its income. Given the company’s lacklustre subscriber growth and massive customer losses (200,000 customers in the first quarter of 2022) this was an especially critical problem. Netflix’s original deadline for implementing the password-sharing prohibition globally was March 31, but the company now expects the transition to be complete in the United States by the end of June. Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, and Spain are just some of the nations where the corporation has started barring freeloaders. Netflix has developed new catalogues that may be accessed using genre-specific codes to help with the move. The business is also considering charging a premium for the ability to set up separate sub-accounts for individuals who live in the same home as a subscriber. Netflix’s crackdown on password sharing has hazards, despite the fact that the service’s stated goal is to increase income and get more people to pay for individual subscriptions. Netflix’s co-CEO Greg Peters said that some customers may cancel as a result of this move. The corporation is still committed to fixing the problem and protecting its clientele from future defection. It remains to be seen how users will respond as Netflix continues to adjust to shifting market factors, such as the launch of a $7 monthly package with advertisements. The increased price for non-subscribers is less than Netflix’s basic streaming plan, but it was implemented at a time when many Americans were cutting back on luxury purchases owing to soaring inflation. Market participants have reacted warily to Netflix’s recent move, sending the company’s stock down 2% on Tuesday afternoon. Investors clearly still have faith in the streaming giant’s capacity to adapt to the ever-changing entertainment business, as Netflix’s stock price has increased by 20% this year.

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Philadelphia From Home
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Philadelphia From Home

The only U.S. city on National Geographic’s 2020 ‘Best Trips’ list, Philadelphia is a sought-after destination for international travellers and global meetings alike. Here are some at-home, do-it-yourself experiences that will help you enjoy Philadelphia wherever you are during these times and help you prepare for your eventual visit. EXPLORE The Barnes Foundation allows virtual visitors to navigate one of the greatest collections of impressionist, post-impressionist, and early modernist paintings based on visual relationships, such as lines, light, space, and more, while the Independence Seaport Museum lets those with an interest in maritime history browse their expansive collection of artifacts, historic ships, and more. In 2019, the Penn Museum debuted re-imagined galleries featuring never-before-exhibited artifacts. The Penn Museum, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Academy of Natural Sciences regularly share objects from their collections on their social media channels. The Museum of the American Revolution in Old City has a robust online tour, which navigates throughout the museum’s immersive galleries and incredible replicas via 360-degree, high-resolution images. A virtual tour of Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens — one of the city’s must-see attractions and the largest work to date by mosaic artist Isaiah Zagar — is available online as well. For more remote museum moments, follow the #VisitFromHome and #PhillyFromHome hashtags on Twitter. LISTEN Whether it’s for a workout routine or just lounging around the house, be sure to round out your playlist with music by some of the most iconic performers from the Philadelphia region. Will Smith, The Roots, and Boyz II Men are some of the city’s essential hip-hop artists, with Meek Mill, Lil Uzi Vert, and Freeway offering more modern hip-hop to the mix. Jazz fans can find solace in John Coltrane albums, while rock and roll fans can jam out to music by Hall & Oates, The War on Drugs, or Kurt Vile. There are also punk and alt-rock artists such as The Wonder Years, Tigers Jaw, and The Menzingers. Those with a more classical taste can stream several albums by the Philadelphia Orchestra or view a recent performance at Verizon Hall online. Additionally, Opera Philadelphia provides an on-demand audio recording of a 2016 performance of Breaking the Waves on their website. Other iconic Philadelphia artists include female vocalists Patti LaBelle and Marian Anderson. Of course, no Philadelphia playlist is complete without the timeless anthem to Rocky, Bill Conti’s “Gonna Fly Now.” WATCH You can get your bearings for the City of Brotherly Love by watching one of the many films or television shows in which the city has played a supporting role in over the years. The Rocky and Creed series is an absolute must-watch, as Sylvester Stallone plays the titular boxer who perfectly personifies the underdog, never-give-up spirit of Philadelphia, all while training his way through Philadelphia’s Italian Market and eventually up the 72 eastern steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Director M. Night Shyamalan has a tendency for basing his films in Philadelphia, including Unbreakable, Split, and Glass, as well as the 1999 thriller, The Sixth Sense. Several scenes in the action adventure film National Treasure feature some of Philadelphia’s most iconic attractions — such as Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and Reading Terminal Market — and the comedic Trading Places shines the Hollywood light on Rittenhouse Square. More recent movies include the dramatic Silver Linings Playbook and the DC comic superhero film, Shazam! While Philadelphia only has a brief appearance at the beginning of Will Smith’s Fresh Prince of Bel Air, the city has more extended television roles in AMC’s Dispatches from Elsewhere, Apple TV’s The Servant, and the upcoming season of Queer Eye on Netflix. The city’s food scene shines on the small screen, too, appearing in a number of culinary shows such as Chef’s Table on Netflix and No Passport Required on PBS. EAT From grabbing a meal from one of the 80+ vendors at the historic Reading Terminal Market to enjoying dinner at the acclaimed Zahav, Philadelphia’s food scene alone is worthy of a trip to the city. However, some of the city’s essential eats can be enjoyed from afar. Pretzels, Tastykakes, Peanut Chews, and Bassett’s Ice Cream are a few of the most preferred snacks in the city. Thankfully, these delicious items are available to be shipped nationwide thanks to Pennsylvania General Store, who operates a stand inside the 127-year-old Reading Terminal Market. If you’re craving a classic Philadelphia cheesesteak, Campo’s Deli in Old City (214 Market Street) ships their delicious sandwiches nationwide, as does the iconic Pat’s King of Steaks in South Philadelphia. But if you’re looking to try your hand at cooking the perfect cheesesteak at home, Campo’s has provided a recipe to help guide you in the kitchen: Ingredients              1/2 cup yellow onion, chopped              1/3 lb shaved rib-eye steak, sliced to approx. 1/8th inch thickness              2 slices American cheese              2 tbsp olive oil              9-inch Italian roll              Salt and pepper to taste Cooking Instructions In a large saute pan or on a griddle, add oil and heat to medium-high. Add onions followed by a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook onions until soft (5 minutes), stirring occasionally. Add rib-eye and a pinch of salt and pepper. Let each slice cook for roughly 45 seconds, then flip and cook for another 30 seconds. Add slices of cheese on top of steak and cover to melt cheese (10 seconds). Transfer steak, onions and cheese onto sliced Italian roll. Enjoy! For dessert, you can treat yourself to a babka with help of a recipe from Camille Cogswell, Pastry Chef at Zahav. Philadelphia From Home

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