No Surprises In Star Wars’ Dominance Of The Box Office

Despite rather lackluster reviews, the film is on track to take in almost $400 million internationally. And wow, does that benefit Disney. “Disney said that it had booked The Rise of Skywalker into 4,300 cinemas in the United States and Canada, including 415 IMAX screens and 3,200 3-D locations. Theaters typically keep about 55 percent of ticket sales, with the balance going to studios. But Disney will receive about 65 percent of ticket sales for The Rise of Skywalker, in keeping with the onerous contracts it negotiated for previous Star Wars films.” – The New York Times

The Chaotic Glories Of A Real Department Store

Perhaps many of us – at least those who depend on Amazon and the wide world of other online shopping options – have forgotten, but department stores still exist. At least, a few do. “To study the decline of department-store retail is to study the erosion of the middle class. … Department stores provided one-stop shopping for consumers who had time and money to spend—just not too much of either.  But stagnant wages mean stagnant spending.” – The Atlantic

A Digital Update For ‘Cats’

Perhaps that won’t improve its dismal showing at the box office this weekend, but at least it might improve the moviegoing experience. Director Tom Hooper “has been upfront about the fact that he barely finished the CGI-heavy Cats in time for the Dec. 16 world premiere in New York City, and subsequently wanted to make more tweaks to certain effects, according to sources.” So it looks like he did. – The Hollywood Reporter

Abbey Simon, Pianist Who Interpreted The Romantics With Breathtaking Skill, Has Died At 99

Simon “was often called a pianist’s pianist — greatly admired by musicians and critics if not strictly a household name. Known in particular for his interpretations of the Romantic literature, he was lauded for the fleetness of his fingers, the lightness of his tone and the thoughtfulness of his interpretations.” – The New York Times

So How Exactly Did They Get Carrie Fisher, Who Died In 2016, Into The New Star Wars Movie?

The movie was supposed to be about her, or be “her movie,” according to The Rise of Skywalker director J.J. Abrams. But she died long before this one started shooting. The way it worked was a reminder to everyone, writers and photographers and videographers, to save edited scenes. “‘Originally the frustration I felt at cutting out these scenes that we had shot in ‘Force Awakens,’’ Abrams says, ‘were suddenly the relief that we needed in prepping ‘The Rise of Skywalker.’'” – Washington Post

Were The 2010’s The Best Ever Decade In Human History?

“We are living through the greatest improvement in human living standards in history. Extreme poverty has fallen below 10 per cent of the world’s population for the first time. It was 60 per cent when I was born. Global inequality has been plunging as Africa and Asia experience faster economic growth than Europe and North America; child mortality has fallen to record low levels; famine virtually went extinct; malaria, polio and heart disease are all in decline.” – The Spectator