Cinema’s metonym and the U.S. film industry’s nerve center
Slate Auto has unveiled a no‑frills electric pickup starting at $24,950 and a two‑row SUV conversion from $29,950. The company has opened preorders with $300 deposits, said the base truck uses a 63 kWh LFP battery and rear‑wheel drive, and has increased its EPA range estimate to about 205 miles; production is scheduled to begin late 2026.
The June employment report has shown slower payroll gains and revisions to prior months, while wages continue to rise. The labor market remains tight, but participation has cooled and hiring is concentrated in a few sectors.
TikTok is expanding beyond social video to include shopping, travel bookings, and payments, signaling a move toward a “super app” model. Separate microdrama deals show investors betting on AI-assisted, mobile-first storytelling as a growing entertainment niche, while studios and networks explore vertical formats and creator-owned IP.
BBC and Independent report that Netflix’s Wonka’s Golden Ticket uses an AI-generated voice resembling Gene Wilder in a new reality competition. Fans say the move is disrespectful and lacking emotion; Wilder’s estate consent is cited. Series is set to release Sept. 23 with AI voiceover in the trailer.
A high-profile case in Sunland involves Nick Pasqual, an actor known for How I Met Your Mother, who has been found guilty of attempted murder, first-degree residential burglary with a person present, and domestic-violence-related charges after a May 2024 attack on Allie Shehorn. Shehorn survived multiple stab wounds and has since returned to makeup artistry with ongoing recovery. The verdict comes after a jury trial at the San Fernando Courthouse, with sentencing scheduled for June 2.
The Tribeca film festival marks 50 years since Taxi Driver’s release. Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster and Paul Schrader gather to reflect on the film’s loneliness and its relevance to today’s digital isolation. Schrader calls the screenplay “like a razor blade,” while Foster notes the antihero’s enduring pull and the film’s shock of its time.
Sotheby’s is listing Pelé’s match-worn No. 10 shirt from the 1958 World Cup final. The jersey, worn at 17 in Brazil’s 5-2 win over Sweden, is expected to sell for at least $6 million. The sale spans June 29–July 16 with a public exhibition in New York.
The U.S. Department of Justice has approved Paramount Skydance’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery after an eight‑month probe, concluding the merger is unlikely to harm competition in streaming, linear TV or theatrical film markets. The transaction still faces reviews by U.K. and EU regulators and possible lawsuits from state attorneys general.
Leaked records reveal the Dialog retreats’ invitation list, rankings, matchmaking, and topics from sessions on nuclear power, AI, and governance. The August Dublin gathering includes politicians, tech leaders, and cultural figures, with participants rated by wealth and influence and charged differently for events.
A Lineage Logistics fire in Boyle Heights has sustained smoky, unhealthy air across much of Los Angeles. Firefighters have progressed in containment, but authorities warn of ongoing risks from fumes and potential shelter-in-place orders while monitoring air quality.
Toy Story 5 has opened with an estimated $312m worldwide and strong domestic returns, marking a franchise record. At the same time, low-budget horror films made by YouTube creators — notably Obsession, Backrooms and Iron Lung — have posted surprise box-office gains, and Supergirl has underperformed against expectations.
A trio of indie horror films directed by young YouTube creators has posted surprising box office gains, signaling a shift in audience behavior. Backrooms, Iron Lung, and Obsession have outperformed expectations, with strong early sales and sustained weekend growth.
SpaceX has announced a senior unsecured notes offering to raise about $20 billion to refinance a bridge loan and fund expanding AI infrastructure, including Starship and Starlink. The move follows a record IPO and large cash reserves, but faces scrutiny over negative free cash flow and high capital needs.
The Academy has invited a slate of high-profile filmmakers and actors, including Jacob Elordi, Jenna Ortega and Stephen Fry, to join its voting membership. If all accept, the Academy will grow to 11,319 members with 10,338 voters, continuing a push toward diversity while extending new categories for awards.