"The decision represents a dramatic U-turn by Rishi Sunak's Conservative government to that of Boris Johnson, which was forging ahead with privatization proposals last year under then-culture secretary Nadine Dorries." - The Hollywood Reporter
E.U. regulators found that Meta’s decision to place the clause allowing it to collect personalized user data deep in its terms of service more or less forced users to consent. - New York Magazine
"Compared with 2013, the number of events has gone up by 2,000%, no doubt helped along in the past year by the COVID-driven rise in podcasting's popularity. … It seems the mark of success for a podcast or radio show now is whether or not it tours." - The Guardian
Cineworld has closed 23 theaters since filing and reached new lease agreements with 25% of landlords — a percentage that clearly failed to impress the judge. - Deadline
"Regal-owner Cineworld, the world's second largest movie theater operator, has denied reports that it has been in talks with AMC, the world's largest movie theater group, regarding the sale of its assets. Cineworld added that it intends to sell the group in its entirety, rather than break it up." - Variety
Leonard Whiting, who was 16 when the film was made in 1968, and Olivia Hussey, who was 15, are seeking damages from Paramount reported to be more than $500 million, claiming that they suffered decades of emotional distress and lost career opportunities. - Variety
"Inis Mór (Inishmore) and Achill Island, the islands where Martin McDonagh's black comedy was filmed, are marketing the locations, and a Tourism Ireland video about the making of the film has drawn more than 6m views." - The Guardian
"Artists who have been charged or convicted of sexual crimes can still be nominated for a César, and can still win the award. But they will not be allowed to attend the gala ceremony and, if they win, 'no one will be allowed to speak on their behalf.'" - The Hollywood Reporter
If you know, you know. And if you don't, well, read this list of 10 series you could catch up on at some point in 2023 while you're missing other new series for next year's lists. - Washington Post
It's the nerds, basically: "The model for modern language creation lies not in philosophy or international relations, but in the work of the Lord of the Rings author, J. R. R. Tolkien—that is, in fantasy." - The Atlantic
Last year's surprise global hit: "Men wrestle tigers and hurl motorcycles, entire armies are single-handedly subdued, the dance scenes are supercharged. Stylised, CGI-heavy, logic-defying, yet ingeniously choreographed and meticulously composed, it feels like something fresh and invigorating." - The Guardian (UK)
The two-hour special averaged about 5.1 million total viewers, which was up 18% compared to last year’s audience of about 4.3M. It was the No. 1 show of the night in terms of total viewership. - Deadline
"Unlike the schlockier disaster porn that precedes it, the technical disaster movie depicts a real or realistic catastrophe that is in principle avoidable. Their carnage and destruction are never existential horrors or acts of God; they are the consequences of human complacency, stupidity or resignation." - The Point
Critics hated it, audiences flocked to it, and some social media commenters and media columnists argues that it was immoral even to have written and made the show. Did they have a point, or did they miss the point? - BBC
