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• Writers Strike Nears End with Deal ✍️

• 'The Nun 2' Outperforms 'Expendables 4' 🍿

• Denis Villeneuve: IMAX is the Future of Cinema 🚀

• Prime Video Adding Commercials in 2024 😬

Daily US Box Office Estimates: September 23, 2023 💸

Writers Strike Nears End with Deal ✍️

Big news in the entertainment world! The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have finally struck a tentative deal on a new contract, potentially putting an end to a whopping 146-day writers strike. This comes after some serious, marathon-level negotiations.

While we don't have all the nitty-gritty details just yet (those will come out in the next few days), both sides are pretty pleased with the agreement. The WGA is calling it "exceptional" and says it's got some real wins and protections for its writers across the board.

Here's the process: The deal, which covers three years, needs to get the thumbs-up from WGA members. First, the union's negotiating committee gives it a look, then it's up to the WGA West's board and the WGA East's council to give their blessing. If they're on board, there's a vote to officially end the strike, with a date to be determined.

This strike, which began on May 2, caused all sorts of disruptions in the entertainment industry. Projects were halted or delayed, and it was a pretty tense situation. Now, we're waiting with bated breath to see if the WGA leadership and members give this deal their seal of approval. Stay tuned for more updates as the drama unfolds!

What's coming? 🤔

'The Nun 2' Outperforms 'Expendables 4' 🍿

This weekend at the box office, it was a battle between "The Nun 2" and "Expendables 4," and let's just say it wasn't exactly a blockbuster showdown. New Line/Warner Bros. claimed "The Nun 2" pulled in $8.4 million, while Lionsgate reported that "Expendables 4" managed $8.3 million. Now, you might think it's a tie, but not so fast. When you look at the bigger picture, it's evident that "The Nun 2" emerged victorious.

Why, you ask? Well, it all boils down to the genre moviegoers are most interested in, even during a slow weekend: horror. "The Nun 2" capitalized on the enduring appeal of horror films, raking in decent numbers. With a global tally of $204 million, it could even surpass "Annabelle Comes Home," which made $231.2 million worldwide.

On the other hand, "Expendables 4" didn't exactly explode at the box office. Its global earnings remain undisclosed, but in China, it did manage $20.8 million. In the grand scheme of things, it was a lackluster weekend at the box office, with total earnings reaching only $51.7 million, the lowest in 2023 and down 18% compared to the same weekend last year.

Famous Birthdays on September 25th 🎂

Denis Villeneuve: IMAX is the Future of Cinema 🚀

Denis Villeneuve, the director behind "Dune" and "Blade Runner 2049," is a big fan of the movie theater experience. He recently talked about the success of "Oppenheimer," a three-hour film about nuclear physics, and how it exceeded all his expectations. He credits part of that success to IMAX and 70mm screenings, which provide a unique and immersive experience you can't get at home. Villeneuve firmly believes that large formats like IMAX are the future of cinema because people want something special when they go to the movies, something that streaming can't replicate.

Although his next "Dune" installment got delayed to 2024, Villeneuve is already thinking about a potential third "Dune" movie. He wants to explore Frank Herbert's "Dune Messiah" and present Paul Atreides as a character who's more of a warning than a hero, aligning with Herbert's original vision.

In a nutshell, Villeneuve is all about preserving the magic of theaters, and he sees large formats like IMAX as the way forward to keep audiences coming back for that one-of-a-kind cinematic experience.

Movies and TV Shows Released on September 25th 🎞️

Prime Video Adding Commercials in 2024 😬

Get ready, because Amazon Prime Video is about to make a change. Starting in early 2024, they're adding commercials to their service. But here's the twist: the default option for Prime Video will become the ad-supported version. Don't worry, though, the regular Prime subscription price won't go up next year. If you want to keep enjoying Prime Video without ads, you'll have to pay an extra $2.99 per month. Amazon will give you a heads-up a few weeks before the ads kick in, along with instructions on how to stay ad-free.

This puts Prime Video in line with streaming giants like Netflix and Disney+, which have also introduced ad-supported options. The idea is to bring in that sweet ad revenue alongside subscription fees. Amazon says they'll keep the ad count in check, promising "meaningfully fewer" commercials compared to regular TV.

The cash generated from these ads will help Amazon keep investing in original content and live sports, including the NFL's Thursday Night Football, which costs them a cool $1 billion each year. If you're in the U.S., U.K., Germany, or Canada, ads will start on Prime Video in early 2024. Those in France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, and Australia will see ads a bit later in the year.

New Trailer / The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial ▶️

Still of the Day ⏸️