Latest news with #Mission:Impossible—FinalReckoning
Korea Herald
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
'The Pact' taps former first lady's controversies for box office surprise
Political thriller outperforms Hollywood blockbuster despite limited release On the eve of South Korea's presidential election, an unlikely contender has made waves at the box office. "The Pact" — a darkly provocative occult thriller — claimed second place in nationwide ticket sales Monday, an unexpected showing for a low-budget production with a partisan political agenda. According to the Korean Film Council's latest box office data, "The Pact" drew 60,140 viewers on its opening day Monday, narrowly edging out $400 million Hollywood juggernaut "Mission: Impossible — Final Reckoning" (59,953 admissions) and trailing only the homegrown comedy "Hi-Five" (75,614 admissions). These numbers were despite the film's relatively limited theatrical release: Just 1,296 screenings on 536 screens nationwide, roughly a third of its competitors. "The Pact" follows an ambitious woman named Ji-hee (Kim Gyu-ri) who climbs the social ladder through plastic surgery, identity fraud and dark rituals to eventually set her sights on controlling the entire country. Whether directly stated or not, audiences swiftly made the connection to Kim Keon Hee, the wife of ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose impeachment following his shock Dec. 3 martial law declaration led to Tuesday's snap presidential election. Allegations of the couple's involvement with shamanistic practices have dogged them since the earliest days of Yoon's political ascent — from the Chinese character for "king" mysteriously appearing on Yoon's palm during televised debates to their controversial decision to abandon the Blue House in Seoul for a new presidential office about 6 kilometers south. Suspicions swriled throughout Yoon's tenure that spiritual advisers introduced by the first lady were pulling strings behind the scenes in major policy decisions. The film's Korean title, "Shinmyung," is the most glaring reference: It's Kim's given birth name (Myung-shin) backwards. The former first lady legally changed her name to Keon Hee in 2008. The nature of the production also points to the work's political intent. The film was bankrolled by progressive YouTube channel Openmind TV, which has faced multiple defamation lawsuits from public figures, and lost on one occasion. While producers claim their story draws from verified investigative reporting, the clearly fictionalized story frequently veers into unsubstantiated territory, depicting graphic shamanistic rituals taking place in the presidential office — scenarios for which no concrete evidence exists. "The Pact" is not the first purported expose on the former first lady to hit theaters. In December last year, documentary "The First Lady," exploring corruption allegations surrounding Kim, sold 84,888 tickets in its theatrical run — an impressive figure for low-budget independent cinema.
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First Post
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
How 'Mission Impossible' star Tom Cruise manages to stay fit even at 62: Decoding Hollywood's star diet regime
The Hollywood superstar was recently seen on the big screen in Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning. But what's the secret behind his fitness and persona? read more Tom Cruise is 62 and even at this age, he has one of the most charismatic and captivating screen presence. The Hollywood superstar was recently seen on the big screen in Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning. But what's the secret behind his fitness and persona? Men's Health Magazine has spilled the beans As per the magazine, his daily food consumption happens to be around 1200 calories. He prefers 'steamed white fish and vegetables without oil, butter, or sauce' and chooses to have 15 snacks a day. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He chooses to consume alcohol free drinks when he steps out. When he's craving for anything sweet or salty, he opts for fruits instead of chocolates or chips. The actor has strictly prohibited processed food and his personal chef ensures the star is served low temperature meals. Cruise's plate often looks like this- salmon, raw oats, dark chocolate (the good kind), blueberries, ginger, beets, spinach, tomatoes, broccoli, olive oil, and plenty of nuts. Three years after flying into the Cannes Film Festival with 'Top Gun: Maverick,' Tom Cruise again kicked up a storm on the Croisette with Wednesday's premiere of 'Mission: Impossible — Final Reckoning.' Christopher McQuarrie's latest 'Mission: Impossible' installment was the biggest Hollywood tentpole wading ashore in Cannes this year. It, and Cruise, stirred a frenzy at the French Riviera festival, which again played eager host to the American movie star. Just his arrival outside the premiere, beamed onto the screen in the Grand Théâtre Lumière, drew a response. When Cruise stepped out his car, oohs and applause reverberated through the theater. Cruise spent several minutes signing autographs for fans lined up on the Croisette.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cannes promotional stunts, once a feature of the festival, go missing
CANNES, France (AP) — You can get nostalgic about almost anything at the Cannes Film Festival, even Jerry Seinfeld on a zip line in a bumblebee costume. For many years, Cannes has played host not just to an endless stream of artistically ambitious movies, but also to some of Hollywood's most extreme promotional gambits. With so many films packed into the 12-day festival, and with much of the world watching, there are high stakes to standing out in Cannes. But in recent years, the Cannes marketing stunt has turned into an endangered species. Hopes that Tom Cruise might revive a dormant tradition passed with the relatively sedate premiere Wednesday of 'Mission: Impossible — Final Reckoning.' Would Cruise parachute into the Palais? Could he ride an airplane wing to the premiere? Nothing so elaborate came to pass. Cruise and company walked the red carpet while serenaded by an orchestra playing the 'Mission: Impossible' theme. Along the Croisette this year, there's a noticeable lack of the kind of grand advertisements Hollywood has often trotted out for the festival. Paramount Pictures has a 'Mission: Impossible' installation outside the Carlton Hotel, but — as has been true for several years — Hollywood rarely still seeks to make big marketing splashes in Cannes. Even though Universal Pictures' upcoming Formula One action drama 'F1' might seem like a natural fit, with the Monaco Grand Prix just days away, 'F1' — at least so far — has made no pit stop in Cannes. Things could change. Cannes runs until May 24. Someone might yet arrive by parasail over the Mediterranean, as T.J. Miller did in 2017 for 'The Emoji Movie,' or do ninja kicks with a troupe of giant pandas, as Jack Black did in 2008 for 'Kung Fu Panda.' But for years, the circus-like quality of Cannes has been in decline. That's owed partly to budgetary constraints and shifting marketing priorities for major studios. For Cruise and 'Final Reckoning,' Cannes was just one stop on a worldwide tour. Plus, some of those who were most devoted to bringing Hollywood entertainment to Cannes are no longer regulars here. While head of DreamWorks Animation, Jeffrey Katzenberg made sure his films left a mark in Cannes, whether with models wearing 'Trolls' wigs or Seinfeld's 'Bee Movie' zip line. Is the absence of such things anything to lament? Probably not, but they did add to the crazy-things-will-happen nature of Cannes, giving the festival the feel of big tent extravaganza. It could be counted as one small, superficial way that movies aren't quite the carnivalesque show they once were. For now, though, we can say we'll always have when Sacha Baron Cohen, for 'The Dictator,' rode a camel down the Croisette. Ah, the memories. ___ Jake Coyle has covered the Cannes Film Festival since 2012. To prepare for this year, he practiced eating crepes on the run and interviewed filmmakers on three continents who are in competition for Cannes' top honor, the Palme d'Or. ___ For more coverage of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, visit
San Francisco Chronicle
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Cannes promotional stunts, once a feature of the festival, go missing
CANNES, France (AP) — You can get nostalgic about almost anything at the Cannes Film Festival, even Jerry Seinfeld on a zip line in a bumblebee costume. For many years, Cannes has played host not just to an endless stream of artistically ambitious movies, but also to some of Hollywood's most extreme promotional gambits. With so many films packed into the 12-day festival, and with much of the world watching, there are high stakes to standing out in Cannes. But in recent years, the Cannes marketing stunt has turned into an endangered species. Hopes that Tom Cruise might revive a dormant tradition passed with the relatively sedate premiere Wednesday of 'Mission: Impossible — Final Reckoning.' Would Cruise parachute into the Palais? Could he ride an airplane wing to the premiere? Nothing so elaborate came to pass. Cruise and company walked the red carpet while serenaded by an orchestra playing the 'Mission: Impossible' theme. Along the Croisette this year, there's a noticeable lack of the kind of grand advertisements Hollywood has often trotted out for the festival. Paramount Pictures has a 'Mission: Impossible' installation outside the Carlton Hotel, but — as has been true for several years — Hollywood rarely still seeks to make big marketing splashes in Cannes. Even though Universal Pictures' upcoming Formula One action drama 'F1' might seem like a natural fit, with the Monaco Grand Prix just days away, 'F1' — at least so far — has made no pit stop in Cannes. Things could change. Cannes runs until May 24. Someone might yet arrive by parasail over the Mediterranean, as T.J. Miller did in 2017 for 'The Emoji Movie,' or do ninja kicks with a troupe of giant pandas, as Jack Black did in 2008 for 'Kung Fu Panda.' But for years, the circus-like quality of Cannes has been in decline. That's owed partly to budgetary constraints and shifting marketing priorities for major studios. For Cruise and 'Final Reckoning,' Cannes was just one stop on a worldwide tour. Plus, some of those who were most devoted to bringing Hollywood entertainment to Cannes are no longer regulars here. While head of DreamWorks Animation, Jeffrey Katzenberg made sure his films left a mark in Cannes, whether with models wearing 'Trolls' wigs or Seinfeld's 'Bee Movie' zip line. Is the absence of such things anything to lament? Probably not, but they did add to the crazy-things-will-happen nature of Cannes, giving the festival the feel of big tent extravaganza. It could be counted as one small, superficial way that movies aren't quite the carnivalesque show they once were. For now, though, we can say we'll always have when Sacha Baron Cohen, for 'The Dictator,' rode a camel down the Croisette. Ah, the memories. ___ Jake Coyle has covered the Cannes Film Festival since 2012. To prepare for this year, he practiced eating crepes on the run and interviewed filmmakers on three continents who are in competition for Cannes' top honor, the Palme d'Or. ___
Toronto Sun
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Cannes promotional stunts, once a feature of the festival, go missing
Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. CANNES, France — You can get nostalgic about almost anything at the Cannes Film Festival, even Jerry Seinfeld on a zip line in a bumblebee costume. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Article content For many years, Cannes has played host not just to an endless stream of artistically ambitious movies, but also to some of Hollywood's most extreme promotional gambits. With so many films packed into the 12-day festival, and with much of the world watching, there are high stakes to standing out in Cannes. But in recent years, the Cannes marketing stunt has turned into an endangered species. Hopes that Tom Cruise might revive a dormant tradition passed with the relatively sedate premiere Wednesday of 'Mission: Impossible — Final Reckoning.' Would Cruise parachute into the Palais? Could he ride an airplane wing to the premiere? Nothing so elaborate came to pass. Cruise and company walked the red carpet while serenaded by an orchestra playing the 'Mission: Impossible' theme.
