Latest news with #Betamax
Pink Villa
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Peter Dinklage Debuts Gruesome Mop-Wielding Superhero in The Toxic Avenger Unrated Comic-Con Preview
Peter Dinklage stepped into Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday and unleashed a mop-wielding monster. The Game of Thrones alum stars in The Toxic Avenger Unrated, a bold reboot of the cult 1984 gorefest, and fans were treated to an exclusive first look at the film's unrated carnage. Dinklage plays Winston Gooze, a down-on-his-luck janitor who becomes the disfigured antihero Toxie after a run-in with toxic waste. The panel featured co-stars Elijah Wood, Jacob Tremblay, Taylour Paige, and director Macon Blair, who joined producer Lloyd Kaufman (creator of the original film) to preview what Blair called a 'goopy' yet 'sweet' reimagining. From toxic waste to mutant hero According to People, Dinklage described his decision to take the role as 'an easy yes,' citing Kaufman as a longtime influence. The actor recalled watching the original on Betamax in New Jersey and being captivated by its crude humor and environmental satire. In the reboot, Winston's transformation into Toxie comes via a gruesome chemical accident—a scene partially shown during the panel, with censored violence and bleeped profanity. Though Dinklage lends his voice and mannerisms, he revealed that stunt performer Luisa Guerreiro physically embodied the mutated Toxie in full prosthetics. 'Over 70% of my performance is not me,' Dinklage admitted. 'She studied all my movements like a hawk and does a better me than I do.' Sincerity beneath the slime While the film promises outrageous violence—director Blair teased a practical effect involving a head lodged in a car engine—the panel took a surprisingly earnest turn. Elijah Wood, who plays villain Fritz Garbinger, praised the film's creativity and the emotional thread between Winston and his son Wade, portrayed by Tremblay. The younger actor admitted he had to 'pretend [he] didn't to absolutely love' Dinklage while filming. For Blair, capturing the chaos and charm of the original without copying its plot was key, per Variety. The Toxic Avenger Unrated opens in theaters August 29.
Business Upturn
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
Why is TXXX integrating artificial intelligence into it's website?
The adult entertainment industry has often served as a technological bellwether. From the rise of VHS over Betamax to the early adoption of live streaming and virtual reality, adult platforms have frequently driven—and tested—the boundaries of digital innovation. Now, the industry is undergoing another seismic shift, this time powered by artificial intelligence. AI has already reshaped mainstream tech—from how we browse Netflix to how we interact with search engines. In the adult content space, the shift is no less transformative. Deepfakes, algorithmic recommendations, and AI-generated performers have moved from niche experiments to central features across many platforms. Enter TXXX—a high-traffic adult video aggregator and streaming site known for its wide range of free content and ease of access. Quietly but steadily, TXXX has begun to weave AI into the fabric of its site, transforming everything from how content is categorized to the kinds of videos it hosts. This integration, while subtle to the casual viewer, signals a broader trend: AI isn't just an add-on for the adult industry—it's becoming its infrastructure. TXXX's AI Integration At a technical level, TXXX is leveraging AI to improve both user experience and backend operations. One of the most visible applications is its video categorization system. By training machine learning models on metadata, tags, titles, and even visual content, TXXX has automated much of what was previously a manual tagging process. This means videos are sorted more accurately and efficiently, allowing users to discover niche content with greater precision. Complementing this is a smart search and recommendation engine, most likely built on a combination of natural language processing (NLP) and collaborative filtering algorithms. NLP enables TXXX to interpret and respond to complex user queries—even slang or vague descriptions—and return relevant content. The recommendation system learns from user behavior, watch time, and clicks to refine suggestions dynamically, creating a personalized browsing experience. Another subtle but impactful use of AI lies in thumbnail generation. Rather than relying on random or static preview images, TXXX uses AI to analyze video segments and select high-engagement frames. These frames are often optimized for visual clarity and attractiveness, increasing the likelihood of clicks. On the customer interaction front, TXXX appears to be experimenting with AI-driven chatbots. While not as visible as other features, some users report encountering automated responses in customer service chat interfaces. These bots handle basic troubleshooting, account queries, and navigation guidance, freeing up human agents for more complex tasks. AI-Generated Videos on TXXX One of the most provocative areas of AI adoption is in video generation. While TXXX does not appear to produce original deepfake content itself, it hosts a growing number of user-uploaded AI-generated videos. Tools like DeepFaceLab, Synthesia, and D-ID are commonly used by amateur and semi-professional creators to generate deepfake-style clips, many of which are then uploaded to TXXX. The presence of these videos raises important questions about labeling and transparency. TXXX does not currently flag AI-generated content in a consistent or visible manner. Unlike some platforms that include watermarks or disclaimers, many of the AI-created videos on TXXX are indistinguishable from traditionally shot content unless a user closely examines the creator description or comments. Popular categories involving AI-generated content often mimic celebrity lookalikes, anime-style avatars, and entirely synthetic virtual performers. These videos have carved out a significant niche, particularly among younger users interested in digital fantasy and novelty-driven erotica. However, TXXX has not publicly disclosed any internal guidelines or policies regarding the hosting or moderation of AI-generated content, leaving a regulatory and ethical gray area. Audience Response & User Behaviour User engagement data suggests that AI-curated and AI-generated content is driving higher interaction rates. While TXXX does not publish internal analytics, third-party tracking tools and user forum discussions suggest that AI-generated thumbnails and personalized recommendations increase time-on-site metrics. Platforms like Reddit and adult content forums frequently host discussions around AI in porn. Subreddits such as r/deepfakes and r/NSFWdeepfakes often mention TXXX as a go-to aggregator for finding AI-assisted videos. Sentiment is mixed: some users praise the quality and innovation, while others express concerns over realism, ethics, and consent. One Reddit user noted, 'I came across a video that looked so real, I had to double-check whether it was a deepfake. TXXX didn't label it, which is kind of sketchy.' Others, however, are enthusiastic about the immersive quality of synthetic content, with comments like, 'This is the future. I can get exactly what I want, even if it doesn't exist in real life.' This division suggests a growing need for transparency and user education, particularly as the line between real and virtual becomes harder to distinguish. Market Disruption & Industry Impact TXXX's AI integration is emblematic of a broader market trend. Free and premium platforms alike are in an arms race to adopt AI as a competitive differentiator. Premium sites such as Naughty America and OnlyFans are also investing in machine learning, but TXXX's open model and scale allow it to iterate faster and more widely. This is pushing both technical innovation and ethical debate to the forefront. AI tools lower the barrier to content creation, enabling anonymous or small creators to compete with established studios. At the same time, they challenge long-standing norms around authenticity and consent. Historically, the adult industry has catalyzed many tech movements—including the normalization of streaming, early mobile optimization, and VR content. AI may well be its next legacy. TXXX is not alone, but its integration of AI into core features makes it a case study in how this transformation is unfolding in real time. Ethical, Legal, and Privacy Concerns The rise of deepfake-style videos on TXXX and similar platforms brings urgent legal and ethical concerns to the surface. Most notably, the unauthorized use of real people's likenesses in AI-generated porn is a growing issue. While some countries are exploring legislation to combat non-consensual deepfakes, enforcement remains fragmented. TXXX currently lacks a clear, publicly available policy on how it moderates or flags deepfake content. This absence leaves both users and subjects vulnerable to exploitation or deception. For instance, a user unaware of a video's synthetic origin may form false perceptions, while individuals whose likenesses are used may have little recourse. There are also broader concerns about the erosion of trust and reality. As AI-generated content becomes more convincing, users may begin to question the authenticity of everything they see. This could have psychological effects not only on viewers but also on human performers, whose value may be perceived as diminished. Some users on forums have called for mandatory disclaimers, while others argue that part of the fantasy is not knowing what is real. TXXX has an opportunity—and arguably a responsibility—to lead in setting ethical standards in this space. The Future of AI Porn & TXXX's Role Looking ahead, TXXX is poised to play a pivotal role in the evolution of AI-driven adult entertainment. The platform's scale and openness make it an ideal testbed for new forms of AI integration, from fully synthetic performers to customizable interactive experiences powered by generative AI. One emerging trend is the monetization of AI content through targeted advertising, premium upsells, and bespoke video generation. Platforms could offer users the ability to design their own scenes, characters, and dialogue using AI tools, turning viewers into creators. Whether this novelty will wear off or become standard is still unclear. However, if current trends hold, AI-generated content is not a temporary fad. It represents a shift in how adult content is produced, personalized, and consumed. For TXXX, this could mean greater user retention and lower operational costs, but it will also require navigating a complex web of ethical, legal, and reputational challenges. Conclusion TXXX's integration of artificial intelligence marks a critical moment in the adult industry's ongoing transformation. From smarter search algorithms to the controversial realm of deepfake videos, AI is not just reshaping how porn is found and viewed—it's redefining what porn is. As TXXX and its peers embrace these technologies, they stand at the intersection of innovation and responsibility. The choices they make today will shape not only the future of adult content but also set precedents for how AI is adopted across digital media landscapes more broadly. Whether viewed as a technological marvel or an ethical minefield, one thing is clear: the age of AI porn is here, and TXXX is one of its architects. (Business Upturn does not promote or advertise the respective company/entity through this article nor does Business Upturn guarantee the accuracy of information in this article)
San Francisco Chronicle
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
One of Napa Valley's oldest winemaking families debuts a major tasting room transformation
It's a story made for Hallmark Channel: Tired of the hustle in Hollywood, a screenwriter returns to his sleepy hometown, realizes the story of his career was right in front of him all along and decides to tell it through the revitalization of his family's historic wine business. It sounds scripted, but that's exactly what Greg Pestoni has spent the past decade doing. Now, the transformation of St. Helena's charming Pestoni Family Estate Winery is ready for its premiere. Pestoni credits famed director and winery owner Francis Ford Coppola for inspiring his move from his native Napa Valley to Hollywood after high school in the 1980s. Since the third grade, he was friends with Coppola's son, Roman, and recalls watching rough cuts of 'Apocalypse Now' on a Betamax before it was released. Napa was a quiet agricultural valley, and he was anxious to get out. 'You didn't idolize (your friends) who worked in the vineyard,' said Pestoni.'It was as sexy as picking walnuts.' But after 27 years in the film industry and two discouraging Guild strikes, the screenwriter, who worked on 'The Godfather' movies, returned to a very different Napa Valley, one that felt a lot more like Hollywood than when he left it. There, he found a story he desperately wanted to tell: His family's 130-year-old wine journey. 'This was an unsung period of winemaking,' Pestoni said. 'When you think of the 1890s and the bunch that was making wine, who is still here doing it? Just a few.' In the 1880s, the Swiss-Italian Pestonis arrived in Napa Valley. In 1892, Greg Pestoni's great-grandfather, Albino Pestoni, planted vineyards and built a winery in the Eastern hills on Howell Mountain. The winery shut down due to Prohibition and was sold in the early 1920s; a few years later, Greg Pestoni's grandfather, Henry Pestoni, purchased a property on Whitehall Lane in the Rutherford wine region, now the home of Pestoni's Sauvignon Blanc vineyard. Like many wine families, the Pestonis picked up other agricultural pursuits during Prohibition. Over the years, the family raised chickens, hogs and dairy cows, but it also grew grapes and made bootleg brandy. Henry Pestoni allegedly sold his brandy to staff at the Napa County courthouse and, in return, they'd tip him off about upcoming federal raids. Greg Pestoni's uncles also owned a Napa Valley winery and bootlegged alcohol; the original stone building is now the home of Ehlers Estate. In the early 1960s, Greg Pestoni's father, composting pioneer Bob Pestoni, founded the Upper Valley Disposal Service, revolutionizing winery waste recycling. He went on to own a second operation, the Clover Flat Landfill just south of Calistoga. (The family sold both companies in 2023; last month, federal prosecutors closed an investigation into environmental crimes and obstruction of justice related to both properties, now owned by a company called Waste Connections.) The family went decades without commercially producing wine, but they continued to grow and sell grapes. Then, in 1994, the winery next door came up for sale. Bob Pestoni bought it, and Greg Pestoni's brother, Andy Pestoni, became the winemaker. They named the winery Rutherford Grove after a eucalyptus grove on the property, but it created confusion with two other local businesses, the Rutherford Grill restaurant and Rutherford Hill Winery. 'Someone would ask if we served the duck burger,' joked Greg Pestoni, adding that he felt the name 'sounded like a big operation,' when the winery only makes a few thousand cases of wine a year. Shortly after Greg Pestoni returned home in 2014, he convinced his father to change the name to Pestoni Family Estate Winery. He called relatives to compile old family photos and wrote up the family's history for the website. 'It helped make it a much more personal experience,' Greg Pestoni said. 'I think what's really missing in Napa these days is the people behind something and the story behind something.' The winery has been one of the last remaining embodiments of a down-home era in Napa Valley, before luxury resorts, Michelin-starred restaurants and multi-million-dollar tasting rooms, like its flashy new neighbor, Bella Union. 'You get the feeling of going to somebody's house or being in somebody's yard,' said Greg Pestoni. 'People would say, 'You're like a Sonoma winery in Napa.' They don't want the secret to get out of this place, they don't want to tell anybody.' But remaining a secret isn't good for business, especially during a global downturn in wine sales. Despite Pestoni's prime positioning off Napa Valley's busy Highway 29, the winery has remained under the radar, and like many of the region's older wineries, the family decided to renovate. 'We're in Napa,' Greg Pestoni said. 'We needed to step up.' They started with the large, grassy picnic area surrounded by eucalyptus and redwood trees, which became a COVID-19 pandemic hot spot. 'Saturdays and Sundays were bananas. We were serving on picnic tables and our staff were crossing the lawn in 100-degree heat,' recalled Aimee Pestoni, Greg Pestoni's wife. 'People wanted to be outside, and they still do.' Pestoni kept its picnic lawn — one of the few kid-friendly spots in Napa Valley — but built a new pavilion for more formal tastings. The striking cedar pavilion, featuring a bar, tables and heaters, was designed by the same architect behind San Francisco's Rolex boutiques. Yet a much more significant transformation took place inside the 1995 tasting room. 'There were no seats, you'd slam (the wine) down and go on your way,' said Aimee Pestoni. While the lawn maintains Pestoni's classic, old Napa feel, the new tasting room interior catapults visitors to the present: It's moody, sophisticated and edgy, designed like a cozy study found within a luxurious mountain escape. The space features dark wood, a stone fireplace, velvet bar stools and leather armchairs with fur throws. Geometric fur rugs look like tile from a distance, while custom wallpaper features layers of burlap, hand-painted and then fringed, by an Alaskan artist. The change is a jarring departure from the family's humble roots, but upon closer observation, visitors will find ties to the Pestoni story in every nook and cranny. There's a wall of black and white family photos, including a 1919 capture of Henry Pestoni at his coming home party from World War I, taken at the William Tell Hotel in St. Helena. Historic documents sit underneath the glass top of a coffee table, including the assessment taxes for the original 1892 winery ($2 for four gallons of wine) and a corn sales ledger. A bookshelf displays an antique winemaking tool and remnants of a wooden backpack, which Albino Pestoni made and used while herding in the Swiss Alps in the 1870s. Noted Napa Valley designer Erin Martin also incorporated eclectic homages to the family's history, like an ornate, hand-carved cuckoo clock that nods to their Swiss-Italian heritage. The centerpiece is a massive chandelier constructed from a round, wooden form, which was used to make wine casks in the 19th century. A black crow sculpture sits on the chandelier, a quirky tribute to Joe, Greg Pestoni's pet crow that the family rescued and fed when he was growing up. Andy Pestoni recently retired, so his brother hired renowned consulting winemaker Aaron Pott to help craft the wines, which include classic Napa grapes like Petite Sirah, Sangiovese and Barbera. Fancier tasting experiences ($50-$125) launched with the renovation, but the winery can still accommodate walk-ins and kids. Those looking for something casual can opt for a self-guided tasting at a picnic table ($45) and bring their own provisions, which most Napa Valley wineries don't allow. 'We want to keep that vibe,' said Aimee Pestoni.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
90% of Startups Fail – Here's What's Going Wrong
Private-equity funds want to spend their clients' capital on startups with favorable odds for exceptional financial returns. But 90% of startups eventually fail, according to Startup Genome, highlighting extreme risk that balances the prospect of enormous profits. To improve their odds, these firms perform due diligence, identifying and discarding proposals from that majority, while they look for the next big thing. With that in mind, let's examine five common reasons most startups fail. Don't Miss:Invest where it hurts — and help millions heal:. Startups need to prove the market needs them. They may have great ideas that would make Einstein blush but lack grounding, direction or the demand needed to scale into major production. This proof requires detailed demographic and industry studies that explain how the startup can capitalize upon that market. A review of scaling issues and opportunities is also needed. For example, if 5,000 customers buy their innovative product or service, can they prove a similar market for 50,000, 500,000 or 5 million? Startups rely on seed capital from investors who are looking for progress as their business plans unfold. When an enterprise hits an inevitable roadblock or delay, some funds may bail on the next cash infusion, leaving the startup with insufficient capital to successfully accomplish its short-term goals. This is especially critical if the startup underestimates customer acquisition costs, which can burn cash faster than product development. Trending: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: . Major market opportunities attract major competition. For example, startups focused on AI cinema creation have saturated the space in 2025, yielding competing technologies and business concepts. Markets will eventually settle on the most popular approaches, but the majority will probably get left behind. The battle between VHS and Betamax in the 1980s video format wars offers a perfect example of this tech adaptation process at work. A comprehensive business plan is the first job for entrepreneurs seeking private-equity fund capital to pay for their startups. A flawed plan not supported by a mountain of data, spreadsheets and demographics can doom the startup before it gets off the ground. Even worse, flaws may not show their power until after the product or service moves into production, increasing investment example, Beyond Meat (NASDAQ:BYND) went public to great fanfare in 2019, rallying into triple digits. The stock now trades around three bucks, with plummeting consumer demand for plant-based meat alternatives. In addition to a bad call on consumers, Beyond also underestimated the public's rejection of questionable ingredients, including methylcellulose, canola, palm oil, and sorbitol in their 'healthy' products. Startups are living organisms, requiring constant attention to redirect goals and allocate resources. It's a group project performed by many talented folks, but the corporate structure may place too much power in too few hands. At the top of the list: business decisions made solely by founders that lack group vetting. This my-way-or-the-highway approach can lead to dead ends, detours and cash burn that portends disastrous outcomes. After all, not everyone is Steve Jobs or Elon Musk. Read Next: Can you guess how many retire with a $5,000,000 nest egg? . Image: Shutterstock UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? BEYOND MEAT (BYND): Free Stock Analysis Report This article 90% of Startups Fail – Here's What's Going Wrong originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
CairoScene
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Saudi Rock Band Sound of Ruby Drop New EP ‘Jaxx Invasion'
Saudi Arabia's pioneering rock band just dropped a live record, with over 30 new tracks on the way. May 30, 2025 Sound of Ruby, one of Saudi Arabia's first and longest-running rock bands, have just released 'Jaxx Invasion', their first official live album, and are currently working on a four-LP project featuring over 30 new tracks. This new phase follows a string of recent releases - 'Rock Puffs' in 2022 and 'Betamax' in 2024 - which marked their return after a long hiatus. Now, the band is entering one of its most active and creative periods yet. Formed in the Eastern Province in the 1990s by vocalist and composer Mohammad Al Hajjaj, Sound of Ruby helped shape Saudi Arabia's underground rock scene. Despite lineup changes over the years, the group has stayed true to its raw, DIY ethos. Guitarist Nader Al Fassam and producer/multi-instrumentalist Kamal Khalil have long been part of the band's core, and drummer Faris Al-Shawaf recently joined, continuing the legacy of his brother, Talal. Blending punk, noise, and local influences, Sound of Ruby's music draws from American acts like Black Flag and The Butthole Surfers, while also referencing Saudi folk artists like Fahad Bin Saeed and Bashir Shannan. Beyond the music, the band played a key role in building Saudi's alternative scene. In the 2000s, Hajjaj and Khalil launched S.A. Metal, one of the country's first online forums for heavy music, and organized underground gigs that laid the groundwork for future scenes.
