Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 514 Centralized Power

In the Western Conference semifinals, the Houston Rockets defeated the Seattle SuperSonics 4-2, and the Utah Jazz defeated the San Antonio Spurs 4-1.

The Houston Rockets and the Utah Jazz will meet in the Western Conference Finals, while the Chicago Bulls will face the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Notting Hill opened in North America and grossed $2700 million in its opening weekend, receiving rave reviews!

"Romantic comedies are definitely a good deal," Yaren said in his office at Dawn headquarters, quite satisfied with the opening performance of "Notting Hill."

Moreover, having been released in the UK a week earlier than scheduled, Notting Hill has already grossed over £1000 million at the UK box office.

It's worth noting that the movie "Notting Hill" only cost $4200 million to make, and this kind of movie doesn't have any set construction or action special effects scenes;
The main expense is the actors' salaries.

The Hollywood Reporter: "Notting Hill is a perfectly balanced romantic comedy that proves nothing is more captivating than a love story."

Rolling Stone: "Notting Hill is imaginative, light, refreshing, quirky, with lovely moments and memorable characters."

In the afternoon, Aaron, while attending the press conference for the start of filming of "Entrapment" at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, gave an interview to the Los Angeles Times, discussing the events in Indonesia:
"It's utterly outrageous; they're a bunch of butchers and executioners, completely devoid of humanity, compassion, and any semblance of human decency."

"The United Nations has turned a blind eye. The removal of this heavily corrupt executioner from office should not be the end; his family should be subjected to the most severe sanctions."

"In modern society, how could such an inhumane massacre still occur..."

Aaron Anderson, a highly influential entertainment mogul in the United States, quickly sparked a great deal of discussion with his almost crude accusations!
"What's wrong? You don't seem happy?"

In his hotel suite, Jack Wells was somewhat puzzled.

Aaron shook his head. "It's nothing, it's just that I can't quite accept it, after all, it's not like it happened in Africa."

Jack Wells shrugged and changed the subject, knowing that Aaron disliked Black people but had a favorable impression of China.

"The Rockets and Jazz are currently tied 1-2. Game 4 is on tonight in Houston. Want to go check it out?"

"Forget it, if we can't handle the Jazz, how will we have a chance to get revenge on the Chicago Bulls? I have faith in the Rockets!"

As he spoke, Aaron looked at the other person and asked, "Is it already decided that the season will be suspended after it ends?"

Jack Wells nodded. "The two sides are completely unable to reach an agreement, and the shutdown is a foregone conclusion."

It's already the end of May, and the season will be suspended immediately after the finals next month!
In the evening, Aaron attended a dinner party with the main cast and crew of "Entrapment," including director Martin Campbell, lead actors Pierce Brosnan and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

"The test screening of 'Chicago' seemed to go quite well, but this is probably not the final cut."

"The director has big ambitions for this film!"

In a Glenn neighborhood villa in Beverly Hills, Catherine Zeta-Jones lay on top of Aaron, her face flushed, looking alluring and seductive.

"I've seen the rough cut, and the filming of 'Chicago' is quite good!"

Aaron patted Catherine Zeta-Jones on the shoulder. “Filming ‘Entrapment’ will be a bit tough this time, as there are quite a few action scenes.” “However, you’ve filmed ‘The Mask of Zorro’ before, so you’ve accumulated a lot of experience.”

Catherine Zeta-Jones smiled and said, "Don't worry about that. The action scenes in 'Entrapment' certainly won't be as many as in 'The Mask of Zorro.' I can handle it."

The idea for "Entrapment" was personally adapted by Aaron Anderson, and Catherine Zeta-Jones was full of confidence!

"Notting Hill is a huge hit in the UK and is expected to replicate the success of Four Weddings and a Funeral."

Aaron nodded. "Notting Hill was indeed a huge hit, and The Mummy was also a blockbuster."

"The Mummy," starring Brendan Fraser and Kate Beckinsale, has grossed over $110 million at the North American box office and over $100 million in overseas markets!

"Yes, Kate Winslet and Kate Beckinsale are extremely well-known in the UK right now."

Kate Winslet was, of course, commenting on the phenomenal blockbuster "Titanic," while Kate Beckinsale was praising the "Scream" series and "The Mummy"!
"You will too. 'The Mask of Zorro' gave you a lot of popularity, and 'Chicago' will be released at the end of this year."

“Next year, there will be another episode of 'Entrapment',” Aaron said, smiling as he embraced and kissed Catherine Zeta-Jones…

At the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills, Aaron, attending a business cocktail party, ran into Howard Stringer, the newly appointed president of Sony America.

He was in charge of Sony's US operations and global film, music, and entertainment divisions, solely to revive Sony's struggling music and film businesses.

Howard Stringer was previously the president of CBS Television Broadcasting Group and only took over as president of Sony America last year!

Sony's "Godzilla," a blockbuster based on the Japanese monster, grossed $8000 million in North America after 10 days in theaters.
Roland Emmerich's $1.3 million blockbuster "Godzilla" is, in theory, doing quite well.

Unfortunately, this American version of Godzilla blockbuster was met with a collective backlash from Godzilla fans after its release.

Even the Japanese side is unwilling to admit that this guy is Godzilla!

Godzilla also received overwhelmingly negative reviews from the media:
The Chicago Tribune: "The film is so long, and the main character is that boring and unscrupulous lizard."

The Washington Post: "It is an exaggeration to say that any means of conquering such a massive monster would be used, and the film also lacks humor, making watching Godzilla incredibly boring."

The San Francisco Chronicle: "It's an exaggerated and enormous monster. There are no surprises, no excitement, and no thrills or excitement in the film."

As part of Howard Stringer’s big-budget film project at Sony, it’s clear that Godzilla was not a successful attempt!

Sony's president, Nobuyuki Idei, has finally become CEO, while Norio Ohga has stepped down as CEO and become Sony's chairman.
With Nobuyuki Idei serving as both president and CEO, he was finally able to initiate reforms, and the appointment of Howard Stringer, a foreign executive, was an important attempt at this.

"Sony, you release quite a few titles every year these days, don't you?"

Aaron thought to himself, "There are more than 20 films that have been released on a large scale, not even counting the low-budget art films that Sony Classics has released!"

(End of this chapter)