What Ne Zha Boom Tells Us About Chinese Consumers
Animated Chinese film "Ne Zha 2" has smashed domestic box office records, raking in over $1.4 billion, the most ever for a local production. Bloomberg Economics' Eric Zhu explains why the movie's success suggests a change in consumption and even dating patterns in China. (Source: Bloomberg)
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New York Post
20 hours ago
- New York Post
How 'Advantage Players' become winners in the casino and in life
Many casino gamblers expect to lose money. And they are rarely disappointed. But advantage players do the opposite. As detailed in my new book, 'Advantage Players' (Huntington Press), casino winners meticulously study the games, devise strategies, put up their money, play accurately, and go home with wallets fattened. The book takes a deep dive into the world of advantage players — people who play games advantageously. 'Advantage Players' delves into a secret society of professional gamblers who always aim to find an edge. Advertisement 12 Book author Michael Kaplan with magician David Blaine. Blaine is an advantage player when it comes to magic. Kaplan deployed advantage play thinking when it came to finding a treatment for his cancer. Tamara Beckwith/NY Post 12 A new book about the world of advantage play, in gambling and beyond. They do it through legal techniques that include card counting (tracking the dealt cards in a blackjack game to gauge the cards that remain), hole-carding (capitalizing on sloppy dealers who unwittingly reveal their hole cards) and shuffle tracking (following specific clumps of cards through shuffles, thereby knowing when they will be dealt). The most talented advantage players combine all three moves — or more. As one source, a veteran winner, gushingly told me, 'We out-house the house.' Advertisement Because casinos hate to lose and can kick out anyone for any reason, sometimes advantage players (or APs, as they like to be called) take extreme measures to stay in action. John Chang, a founding member of the famous MIT blackjack team, which was the subject of the movie '21,' told me about going far to keep from getting picked off by casino surveillance. 12 Kevin Spacey's character in the movie '21' was partly inspired by John Chang from the famous MIT card counting team. ©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection Advertisement 12 MIT kids, in the movie '21' and in real life, were serious advantage players, according to reports. ©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection He dressed up as a woman to hide his identity. Team members saw it as the only way to play without getting booted. 'Cross-dressing worked in the Bahamas and Illinois,' Chang said. 'But in Atlantic City, they looked at my hands. An Asian host whispered in my ear, 'We know who you are.' ' Security loomed and, as Chang rose to leave, a guard said, 'Lose the pearls, Esmeralda.' As Chang remembers it, 'I had to run around the casino in high heels and make sure they weren't following me.' Advertisement 12 Kelly 'Baccarat Machine' Sun alongside the actress Awkwafina, who is slated to play her in an upcoming movie. Courtesy of Kelly Sun More successful was his portrayal of the mega-rolling nephew of a Chinese computer mogul. Staffers at Caesars Palace were so impressed by Chang's 'lineage' that they let him log big wins on 11 straight occasions before cutting off his comps and play. Such is the life of a successful AP. Kelly 'Baccarat Machine' Sun and poker great Phil Ivey, both profiled in the book, teamed up to beat baccarat for tens of millions of dollars. 12 Woody Harrelson and the advantage playing gambler Don Johnson are seen living it up in the Hamptons. Getty Images for The Apollo 12 David Blaine uses advantage play thinking to be a better magician. Tamara Beckwith Sun trained her eyes to recognize minute inconsistencies on the backs of playing cards. After that spree, she pulled the ultimate advantage play: selling her life story to Hollywood. It is now being developed into a feature film set to star Awkwafina. Don Johnson (the gambler, not the actor) garnered headlines for being the biggest nightclub splurger in Las Vegas. But, he explained, that was a cover as he crushed high-stakes blackjack unhampered. Advertisement He worked with a crew of fellow APs who blended in with nightclub hangers-on and fed him information about upcoming cards while remaining unnoticed. 12 Stefan Simchowitz put an advantage-play move on the buying and selling of art. Courtesy of Stefan Simchowitz However, as is conveyed in the book, advantage players are not relegated strictly to gambling. Magician David Blaine, art dealer Stefan Simchowitz, smoked salmon slicer Silverio 'Jay' Benitez, and movie directors the Safdie Brothers all use advantage play techniques to find success in their professions. Advertisement The Safdies' AP move is to cast non-professional actors — such as retired NBA star Kevin Garnett and it-girl Julia Fox in the nerve-jangling 'Uncut Gems' — and get rave-worthy performances that ooze authenticity. 12 Benny and Josh Safdie are advantage playing movie directors, which is evident in their last movie, 'Uncut Gems.' Annie Wermiel/NY Post 12 Casting Julia Fox in 'Gems' was an advantage play on the part of the Safdie brothers, critics claimed. Courtesy Everett Collection 'We're not looking for actors who are responding to the back pages [of trade magazines],' Ben Safdie said. 'We're looking for people who are already playing the characters' lives. We transplant them into the films. I never understood doing it any other way.' Advertisement My own bit of advantage playing is laid out in the epilogue. Two years ago, I was diagnosed with stage-four Mantle Cell Lymphoma, a rare and incurable cancer. My original oncologist in New York steered me toward the standard treatment: brutal chemotherapy that would have left me hospitalized. It tends to work temporarily and often ends in death after five- to eight-year life-draining chemo regimens. Going into AP mode — I played on a high-stakes card-counting team, so I am no stranger to the mindset; plus, I was writing 'Advantage Players' — I found a better game at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. An oncologist there has helped to pioneer non-toxic treatments for the disease. 12 Michael Kaplan has not only written about advantage play, but he's used it in casinos and in life. Brian Zak/NY Post 12 Don Johnson used advantage play gambling to extract many millions of dollars from casinos around the world, according to reports. GC Images Advertisement I used AP aggression to wangle a quick appointment and wound up with a protocol that uses targeted drugs instead of chemo. I am treated this way by Dr. Peter Martin, a brilliant oncologist and researcher, at Weill Cornell Medicine in Manhattan. Currently, there is no cancer evident in my blood. The treatment has no side effects for me. Of course, the real APs are the scientists/doctors who outplayed cancer and came up with the cutting-edge treatment. As the book makes clear, sometimes being an advantage player means turning the tables on death. Other times, it leads to selling art creatively, raving about blackjack, or producing better movies. No matter what, though, I hope readers will be inspired to bring out their inner advantage players and be all the better for it.
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Miami Herald
Iconic Los Angeles-based Chinese restaurant and celebrity hangout closing after 42 years
If you've ever visited Los Angeles, chances are good that you spent some time on Sunset Boulevard, the historic Los Angeles street that spans practically the entire length of the city, from the Pacific Ocean to downtown. If you haven't visited L.A., you'll still recognize a particular section of Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, called the Sunset Strip. It's been a scene-stealer in probably 100 movies and is known for its massive billboards. The Strip has always been one of Los Angeles's most dynamic neighborhoods. A blend of luxury hotels, boutique shopping, nightlife, and celebrity appeal, the Sunset Strip has long been a cultural bellwether. What's hot here often sets the tone for greater L.A. For decades, restaurants and bars along this glitzy corridor have attracted tourists and locals alike. But lately, the Sunset Strip has become a cautionary tale about the challenges facing the hospitality industry, especially for independent and legacy restaurants. Changing tastes, rising rents, and post-pandemic behavior shifts have forced many once-thriving spots to close. And one of the Strip's most recognizable dining landmarks is the latest to join the list. Image source: TheChin Chin is closing on Sunset Blvd. after more than 40 years Chin Chin, the upscale Chinese fusion restaurant chain that helped define casual fine dining in L.A. during the 1980s and 1990s, will permanently close its flagship West Hollywood location on July 27, 2025. The announcement came via the restaurant's Instagram on May 31 and caught longtime fans by surprise, as reported in Eater. "After 45 unforgettable years in West Hollywood, we are heartbroken to announce that Chin Chin will be unexpectedly closing its doors at our Sunset Plaza location…" the post read. Related: One of Texas's oldest BBQ joints is closing permanently after 34 years Known for its Chinese chicken salad, potstickers, and California-style dim sum, Chin Chin opened in 1983 and quickly became a favorite among locals, UCLA students and A-list celebrities. Regulars over the years included Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, Megan Fox, and Sean Hayes, helping to elevate the brand beyond its menu and into L.A. lore. More Food: Applebee's brings back all-you-can-eat deal to take down Chili'sPopular Mexican chain reveals surprising growth plansStarbucks CEO shares plan for a whole new menu The Sunset Strip neighborhood has seen a surprising amount of turnover in the past year. Earlier in 2025, restaurants including the Den, Hudson House, Le Petit Four, and Rock & Reilly's abruptly shut down. French bistro Tesse closed in late 2024 after a six-year run, adding to the growing list of local casualties. A trend that's hitting legacy L.A. restaurants hard Chin Chin's closure may be the latest, but the closures on Sunset Blvd. collectively speak to larger industry trends. Independent restaurants, particularly those in high-rent, high-profile areas like the Sunset Strip, have been hit hard by rising labor costs, inflation, and shifting consumer preferences. Diners are increasingly looking for experiential, often tech-enabled dining or lower-cost convenience, putting pressure on traditional full-service spots. At the same time, landlords in trendy neighborhoods often favor new concepts that bring media buzz and high-volume traffic. That churn can push out older businesses, even those with strong customer loyalty and decades of history. Related: Beloved local family diner closing after nearly 40 years Still, it's not as if the Strip is dying. A major new food hall, Round 1 Delicious, is set to open with eight high-end Japanese restaurants under one roof. Michelin-starred chef Aitor Zabala also plans to reopen his acclaimed tasting-menu restaurant, Somni, just a few blocks away. These moves signal that while some businesses are being priced out or aged out, the area continues to attract bold new investment. As for Chin Chin, the outpouring of support online suggests the brand still has cultural cachet and plenty of customer demand. The restaurant launched a GoFundMe campaign to support staff and perhaps fund a future relocation. Chin Chin's other locations in Brentwood, Studio City, and Las Vegas will remain open, so you can still get your hands on the best Chinese chicken salad around. Related: Iconic Las Vegas Strip eatery permanently closes after long run The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Is This The Absolute Best Vogue Spain Could've Done with Kaia Gerber?
The industry continues to endorse Kaia Gerber like there's no tomorrow. Since her modelling debut as the face of Versace kids in 2012, the daughter of Cindy Crawford has walked a staggering amount of blue chip runway shows, became the face of mega brands like Chanel, Valentino, Celine and graced multiple editions of Vogue worldwide (including British, American, French, Italian, Chinese and Japanese). Therefore, it should come as no surprise to see Kaia Gerber take to the cover of Vogue Spain. Inés Lorenzo, who has served as head of editorial content since 2021, welcomes Gerber as the title's cover girl for June 2025. The model-turned-actress poses before the lens of Amy Troost for the occasion, and is styled by Max Ortega. Gerber gazes down Troost's lens wearing a top from Spanish high-street retailer Mango and a necklace from Sophie Buhai. 'It's good!' declared WAVES upon first look. 'Really?' replied forum member RMDV in a state of shock. 'On the very rare occasion… this cover needed more text. It feels lazy just slapping Kaia's name on the cover and calling it a day. No thought, no effort, no nothing. Always been a Kaia Gerber fan but I'm struggling to defend this. She looks vapid, lifeless, and completely devoid of energy,' voiced vogue28. Also majorly underwhelmed was Zorka. 'Aside from the cheap/amateurish set design and basic photography style, the whole wet hair look just ruins the whole thing for me. This is NOT Vogue cover material,' they declared. 'What a waste of Kaia Gerber. Ugh!' sighed prylvi. 'What do u expect?' asked Xone. 'Max Ortega is involved. He is terrible. Vogue Spain did much better covers with local talent.' See more of Kaia Gerber from the Vogue Spain June 2025 cover shoot and join the conversation, here. The post Is This The Absolute Best Vogue Spain Could've Done with Kaia Gerber? appeared first on theFashionSpot.
