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  • Monday, Feb. 12, 2024
On Super Bowl broadcast, "He Gets Us" ads featuring Jesus gain notice for change-of-pace message
This image provided by He Gets Us LLC shows a scene from “Foot Washing," the 60-second commercial from "He Gets Us" that debuted at the Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024. For the second year in a row, a religious Super Bowl ad campaign promised viewers that Jesus “gets us.” Two commercials shown Sunday night centered Jesus’ message to love your neighbors — even across ideological divides. (Julia Fullerton-Batten and Scott Mayo/He Gets Us LLC via AP)
By Tiffany Stanley

For the second year in a row, a religious Super Bowl ad campaign promised viewers that Jesus "gets us."

Two commercials shown Sunday night centered Jesus' message to love your neighbors — even across ideological divides. In one, people of different races, classes and gender expressions have their feet washed, including a woman outside a family planning clinic.

"Our goal is to really show that Jesus loved and cared for anyone and everyone," He Gets Us campaign spokesperson Greg Miller told The Associated Press on Monday. He said the campaign's website received 715,000 views in the previous 24 hours.

On social media, the ads drew criticism across ideological spectrum. Some conservatives contended they were overly "woke." Other critics noted that the campaign's welcoming and progressive messages seem at odds with some of its Christian funders, who have also supported anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-abortion causes.

Last year's ads were More

  • Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024
Box Office Slows Down On Super Bowl Weekend; "Argylle" Finishes First, "Lisa Frankenstein" Debuts In 2nd Place
This image released by Focus Features shows Kathryn Newton in a scene from "Lisa Frankenstein." (Michele K. Short/Focus Features via AP)
By Lindsey Bahr

"Lisa Frankenstein" didn't come to life at the North American box office in its first weekend in theaters. The horror comedy written by Diablo Cody and starring Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse earned $3.8 million, according to studio estimates Sunday. It debuted in second place on a very slow Super Bowl weekend, behind the spy thriller "Argylle."

Matthew Vaugn's " Argylle " got first place with only $6.5 million, which brings its running domestic total to $28.8 million in two weekends. The $200 million production is Apple's first major theatrical flop. Universal Pictures oversaw the North American release for the streamer, where it is playing in 3,605 locations. Globally, it's earned $60.1 million to date.

Focus Features released "Lisa Frankenstein" in 3,144 locations. A 1980s-set teenage riff on Mary Shelly's classic tale, "Lisa Frankenstein" was the directorial debut of Robin Williams' daughter Zelda Williams. Reviews overall were mixed More

  • Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024
Super Bowl more of a showcase for media companies instead of the network
This image released by CBS shows Justin Hartley, as Colter Shaw, in a scene from "Tracker," premiering Feb. 11. (Michael Courtney/CBS via AP)
By Joe Reedy, Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- 

Super Bowl Sunday used to be the one day for a network to showcase its sports division and launch a new show.

That is not the case anymore.

With media consolidation, the networks are now sharing the stage with its corporate siblings. That's been the case this week as Paramount showcased various programming and originated many of its shows from Las Vegas.

"The Super Bowl is the biggest media event of the year. I think you'd be crazy not to maximize it," said Josh Line, the EVP/Chief Brand Officer for Paramount Global. "I think we're doing it in our own unique way."

CBS Sports chairman Sean McManus, who will retire in April, has routinely touted CBS' synergy within Paramount. The best example is the sports division teaming up with Nickelodeon for NFL programming, including Sunday's Super Bowl.

CBS Sports was not alone in delivering programming from Las Vegas this week.

CBS had four sets overlooking the fountains More

  • Friday, Feb. 9, 2024
"Oppenheimer," "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" Among Film Winners At Advanced Imaging Society's Lumiere Awards
Cillian Murphy accepts the Lumiere Award for Best Live Action Feature Film on behalf of "Opppenheimer" and its writer-director Christopher Nolan (Getty Images/courtesy of Advanced Imaging Society)
LOS ANGELES -- 

The Advanced Imaging Society’s Lumiere Awards handed out statuettes for distinguished creative and technical achievement during its 14th annual awards luncheon on Friday (2/9) at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Among the film winners were Oppenheimer and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, while episodic TV recipients included The Last of Us and Star Wars: Visions Vol. 2.

The Lumiere Awards celebrated “Masters and Magic” this year, recognizing distinguished directors and professionals in film, television, and emerging media, voted for by members of the Hollywood creative and technology community. USC film historian J.D. Connor emphasized cinema’s unique blend of advanced technology and emotional intimacy, highlighting how innovation has long been a crucial element of cinematic storytelling. He stressed the importance of technological advancements in expanding the possibilities of storytelling, underscoring their More

  • Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024
Spike Lee, Denzel Washington reuniting for adaptation of Kurosawa's "High and Low"
Actor Denzel Washington, right, shakes hands with director Spike Lee before an NBA basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knick in Los Angeles on March 12, 2023. Nearly 20 years after their last collaboration, Lee and Washington are reuniting for an adaptation of Akira Kurosawa’s “High and Low.” (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
NEW YORK (AP) -- 

Nearly 20 years after their last collaboration, Spike Lee and Denzel Washington are reuniting for an adaptation of Akira Kurosawa's "High and Low."

Apple Original Films announced Thursday that it is co-financing the film, which A24 will release theatrically before it streams on Apple TV+. It marks Lee and Washington's first film together since 2006's "Inside Man." Their previous films include "Mo' Better Blues," "Malcolm X" and "He Got Game."

Kurosawa's "High and Low," released in 1963 and starring Toshiro Mifune, was adapted from the Ed McBain novel "King's Ransom." The film, a potent thriller rich in class commentary, follows a wealthy industrialist targeted by kidnappers.

Filming starts in March.

  • Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024
Coming in 2026: The Oscars will add Academy Award for casting directors
An Oscar statue appears outside the Dolby Theatre for the 87th Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 21, 2015. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, File)
By Lindsey Bahr

Casting directors are some of the most important creatives in entertainment but have never been celebrated as such on Hollywood's biggest night. Starting next year, however, that all changes.

The Oscars will add a new award to recognize achievement in casting for films released in 2025 and beyond, the board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said Thursday.

Not counting the short-lived " popular film Oscar " which never came to be, this is the first time the academy has added a category since best animated feature film was established in 2001.

"Casting directors play an essential role in filmmaking, and as the Academy evolves, we are proud to add casting to the disciplines that we recognize and celebrate," Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said in a joint statement.

The casting directors' branch was created in July 2013 and currently has nearly 160 members.

"This award More

  • Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024
Disney to invest $1.5 billion in "Fortnite" maker Epic Games to create games, entertainment
The Walt Disney Co. logo appears on a screen above the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Aug. 7, 2017. The Walt Disney Co. said Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, it is paying $1.5 billion for a stake in “Fortnite” maker Epic Games, working with the game developer to create a “games and entertainment universe” that will feature games, shows and characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar and more. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
BURBANK, Calif. (AP) -- 

The Walt Disney Co. said Wednesday it is paying $1.5 billion for a stake in "Fortnite" maker Epic Games, working with the game developer to create a "games and entertainment universe" that will feature games, shows and characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar and more.

"This marks Disney's biggest entry ever into the world of games and offers significant opportunities for growth and expansion," Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a statement.

Disney said the two companies have already collaborated on "Fortnite" content, including the Marvel "Nexus War with Galactus," which drew more than 15.3 million concurrent players.

  • Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024
"Moana 2" is coming to theaters for a Thanksgiving release
This image released by Walt Disney Animation Studios shows a scene from "Moana 2," expected in theaters November 2024. (Walt Disney Animation Studios via AP)
By Lindsey Bahr

Moana and Maui are sailing back to the big screen, very quickly. "Moana 2" is coming to theaters in November, Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger said Wednesday.

Originally planned as a television series, the movie finds Moana journeying on a dangerous mission to the far seas of Oceania after getting a call from her ancestors. It is, the company said, "an adventure unlike anything she's ever faced."

"Moana remains an incredibly popular franchise and we can't wait to give you more of Moana and Maui," Iger said in a statement. The film will open in theaters on Nov. 27.

"Moana 2" was directed by Dave Derrick Jr. and will feature music by Grammy winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Mark Mancina, and Grammy nominee Opetaia Foa'i. No details were given about the voice actors.

The first film made over $680 million at the global box office and has been streamed for over 1 billion hours on Disney+. Dwayne Johnson is also at work on a More

  • Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024
Disney posts solid 1st quarter results thanks to its theme parks and cost cuts
This Sept. 20, 2017, file photo shows a sign at the Disney store on the Champs Elysees Avenue in Paris, France. Disney reports earnings on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Francois Mori, File)
By Barbara Ortutay, Technology Writer
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- 

The Walt Disney Co. on Wednesday posted stronger-than-expected earnings for the final three months of 2023, boosted by cost cuts and growing revenue from its theme parks business.

Disney earned $1.91 billion, or $1.04 per share, in its fiscal first quarter. That's up 49% from $1.28 billion, or 70 cents per share, in the same period a year earlier. Excluding one-time accounting items, the company earned $1.22 per share in the latest quarter.

Revenue was $23.55 billion, roughly the same as last year's $23.51 billion.

Analysts, on average, were expecting earnings of 99 cents per share on revenue of $23.7 billion, according to a poll by FactSet.

Disney said it is making "significant cost reductions" and reduced its selling, general and other operations expenses by $500 million in the latest quarter. The company cut thousands of jobs in 2023.

The quarter's results will strengthen Disney CEO Bob Iger's hand as he tries to More

  • Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024
ESPN, Fox, Warner Bros. Discovery plan to launch sports streaming platform in the fall
This Sept. 16, 2013, file photo shows the ESPN logo prior to an NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers, in Cincinnati. ESPN, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery announced plans on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 to launch a sports streaming platform in the fall that will include offerings from at least 15 networks and all four major professional sports leagues. (AP Photo/David Kohl, File)
By Joe Reedy

ESPN, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery announced plans on Tuesday to launch a sports streaming platform in the fall that will include offerings from at least 15 networks and all four major professional sports leagues.

A one-stop app to view most sports should be a welcome sight for fans, who continue to navigate rising costs by subscribing to multiple services.

Kevin Krim, the president and CEO of the ad measurement firm EDO, compared the three companies teaming up for sports like what some networks did when Hulu started in 2008.

"My sense is knowing the cast of characters, they're looking at the original Hulu concept and thinking, 'Well, that worked out really well for us.' So let's do that again. But for live sports streaming," he said.

The three companies will each share one-third ownership in the joint venture. A name for the service and pricing will be announced at a later date.

"This new sports service exemplifies More

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