Chapter 356

Oscar night in 2008 was a disappointment, but given the global stock market crash, it didn't matter much.

After Hollywood's seven major film studios fully supported Sony's Blu-ray high-definition DVDs, Toshiba finally announced it would stop producing HD-DVDs. The years-long high-definition DVD format war ended with Sony's Blu-ray as the clear winner.

Simultaneously, before the Oscars ceremony, Warner Bros. announced it acquired New Line Cinema, also a subsidiary of Time Warner.

The independent film company New Line, with a history of 40 years, finally met its end and became just another film label under Warner Bros.

Michael Lynn, the former president of New Line, joined Capet Entertainment as the COO of the film and television entertainment division.

In Beverly Hills, at the Capet estate, Charles read about the decades-long collusion between Hollywood and tobacco companies:

"A study of the secret cigarette promotion contracts from 1927 and 1951 revealed that Hollywood film companies and tobacco companies collaborated in at least 215 cigarette promotional activities. These included brands like Marlboro, Camel, Kent, and Winston."

Charles just chuckled. It was an election year, and the Republicans seemed to have no hope this time. Trying to hit Hollywood to influence Democratic fundraising?

This kind of dirt wasn't enough.

Soon, Jessica Alba, dressed in pajamas, walked over, bent down, and kissed Charles before asking, "Honey, why didn't you wake me?"

Charles put down the newspaper, held the sexy Jessica Alba in his arms, and said with a smile, "It's nothing, it's good to get some more sleep!"

Then, Charles slid his hand inside her pajama top, feeling the softness, as Jessica Alba kissed Charles's neck, looking very pleased.

...

Meanwhile, at Capet headquarters in Burbank.

The newly appointed Michael Lynn took a film rating report to Donna Langley's office.

"Donna, look, Slumdog Millionaire has been rated R," said Michael Lynn, who had come to understand Capet Pictures' projects after joining.

Except for The Pursuit of Happiness, Iron Man, and Transformers, most of Capet's films were rated R. But this rating for Slumdog Millionaire was over the top.

Donna Langley frowned. She had just received news of Taken's $24 million opening weekend box office and was in a good mood, which vanished immediately.

"They're getting out of hand," Donna Langley said, rubbing her temples. "Last month, we submitted a formal application to join the AA for voting rights; Only Sony and Universal agreed."

Michael Lynn knew it would be tough, "We'll have to resubmit it for review."

Donna Langley sighed, "Charles always wanted MGM's former membership, but the MPAA association consistently refused."

"Capet Pictures now has the performance and scale to join the top-tier, but entering the MPAA association needs a perfect opportunity," said Michael Lynn, who had worked for many years at New Line, a company that started with horror films.

Capet Pictures was different. It started with the Saw franchise and romantic comedies, then immediately began producing blockbusters, achieving significant success.

The rise was like a rocket, shocking all of Hollywood!

...

That night, Charles drove a Mazda RX-7 FD to South Pasadena, northeast of Los Angeles.

On South Pasadena Avenue, at Arlington Garden, he met Kristen Stewart. He was a bit surprised to see her in Los Angeles.

"Aren't you filming Twilight in Oregon?" Charles asked, looking at Kristen Stewart in the passenger seat.

"Oh, I heard Hillary was having a fundraising dinner in Pasadena and decided to attend," said Kristen Stewart, dressed in a black skirt, looking gentle and beautiful with her fair complexion.

"And, the scenes for Twilight in Oregon are done; now we're shooting some parts at the Capet studio and working on post-production."

Charles nodded. The budget for Twilight wasn't high, and it didn't have many special effects or action scenes.

"Attending Hillary's fundraising dinner?" Charles didn't know what to say. "You're only 18, do you understand political relations?"

"Yeah, Democratic candidate Hillary, one of the top two candidates, she could be the first female president in American history!"

"Never mind, let's go back," Charles, though he paid attention to the election, supported Obama instead.

On Super Tuesday, many states had already finished their primaries; only Hillary and Obama were left in the Democratic race.

"Charles, do you support Hillary?" Kristen Stewart asked.

"Who hosted Hillary's fundraising event in Hollywood?" Charles countered.

"Leonardo DiCaprio, with many big names like George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Steven Spielberg, Justin Timberlake, etc.," Kristen Stewart said honestly.

Charles nodded, "Last month, I remember Harvey Weinstein also held a fundraising dinner for her."

"Interesting!"

But Charles wasn't worried because the bigwigs supporting Obama were Somer Redstone, Charles Capet, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and David Geffen, among others, plus the black community led by Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith!

The Democrats had an overwhelming advantage. Charles found it a bit boring; an event like the US presidential election should have more Hollywood involvement.

MPAA won't give us membership? Raising ratings for Capet films?

This year's global financial crisis and financial turmoil made Hollywood's chaos fitting. The 100-day writers' strike had only caused economic loss, which wasn't enough.

It was time to take down Harvey Weinstein too. The economic crisis made people more irritable, and Hollywood's women's rights should voice out too;

The early "#MeToo" movement could seamlessly follow the post-strike chaos. How can Capet Pictures truly rise if Hollywood isn't more chaotic?

Stir up the water, then fish in troubled waters!

With this thought, Charles glanced at Kristen Stewart beside him, "Darling, I feel excited now!"

*****

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