Barbie and Oppenheimer success has reawakened America
“Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” maintained incredible momentum into their second weekends at the box office.
“Barbie” wore several hats this weekend, with domestic gross revenue of $93 million, and international gross revenue of $122 million, making it the No. 1 release worldwide. Among Warner Bros.’ domestic second weekend performances, it is the highest ever.
Comscore estimates “Oppenheimer” earned $46 million domestically over the weekend, bringing its worldwide total to almost half a billion dollars. According to Universal, which distributed the movie, Oppenheimer is Nolan’s biggest non-superhero film ever in 40 regions and his biggest film ever in 28.
Clearly, these numbers indicate both a high level of excitement and energy surrounding movies, as well as an appetite for the movie theater experience.
Michael O’Leary, president and CEO of the National Association of Theater Owners in the United States, said, “Barbenheimer wouldn’t happen on TV.” The experience can only be had at the theater, he said.
Box office earnings are also boosted by repeat viewings. In B&B Theaters’ 55 theaters, more than 2,100 people watched “Barbie” opening weekend and again this weekend, while almost 500 people watched “Oppenheimer.”
In O’Leary’s opinion, the United States has always had a thriving movie theater culture – just look at the term “Hollywood” that is interchangeable with “the movie industry.”
He said people are now looking forward to “sitting in a theater with world-class projection and sound systems, having an immersive experience alongside other people” after the pandemic.
By reminding people of “the best of what the theatrical experience can be”, “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” will trigger more and more people to attend movies. Added he, “It’s like a reawakening.”.
A British billionaire pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to orchestrating a “brazen” insider trading scheme by passing information about companies he invested in to friends, private pilots and a former lover.
A majority of the Tottenham Hotspur soccer team is owned by Lewis’ family trust. He entered his plea before U.S. Magistrate Valerie Figueredo in Manhattan.
Lewis will be released on $300 million bond secured by his yacht and private aircraft, according to prosecutor Nicolas Roos.
Patrick O’Connor and Bryan Waugh, two of Lewis’ pilots, pleaded not guilty to insider trading charges after being accused of illegally profiting from Lewis’ tips. A bail of $250,000 was set for each of them.
According to Forbes magazine, Lewis founded the investment firm Tavistock Group and is worth $6.1 billion. When he was arraigned, he wore a gray suit and was not handcuffed.
The lawyer for his client, David Zornow, said the prosecutors’ actions were an “egregious error,” and claimed his client traveled to the United States voluntarily to defend himself.
After the hearing, O’Connor and Waugh’s attorneys declined to comment.
“This is an unrelated legal matter, so we have no comment.” said a Tottenham spokesperson.
Lewis loaned each pilot $500,000 and encouraged them to buy stock in an oncology company before its clinical results were released in 2019.
Indictment says O’Connor texted his friend that he thought “the boss has inside information.”
Mirati’s stock price rose 16.7% in one day after its positive results were announced, and Lewis’ loans were repaid by both pilots.
In wiring Lewis the repayment, Waugh indicated it was a “loan repayment for MRTX.”
For alleged crimes from 2013 to 2021, Lewis faces 16 counts of securities fraud and three counts of conspiracy. He could theoretically spend decades behind bars.
Lewis controlled board seats at several companies, deputized employees to serve on boards, and obtained inside information he shared with others.
There was no need for all of this,” Damian Williams, the U.S. Manhattan U.S. Attorney, said. He is a wealthy man, Joe Lewis.”
Under his predecessor, Preet Bharara, Williams’ office began cracking down on insider trading in 2009.
Both O’Connor and Waugh, who live in New York and Virginia, are charged with securities fraud and conspiracy.