With all the doomsayer talk of the death of Hollywood, let’s put things into perspective. This has been a great year. My friends in the exhibition business are downright upbeat, something they haven’t been for years. Audiences are going to the movies. They say 2027 and 2028 will be even better. We’ve just seen two indie films from new directors do huge business, thanks to skillful & deft Hollywood distribution. Disclosure Day has done respectable business and like the film or not, it had people talking. And even if you didn’t care for it’s boomer perspective, it’s coming on the heels of Project Hail Mary, which was Hollywood doing what Hollywood does best, with traditional positive storytelling, also with aliens, and a pro humanity, pro morality, visually fantastic character study which explores our relationship with God. We have a new Paramount rising from the brink with the promise of 30 new films a year. There’s new and exciting storytelling tools available to all, heretofore unseen in history, which will certainly advance the medium. The year 2026 has been awesome so far. I can’t wait to see what’s next to come. Hollywood’s absolutely not dead.

@AVARY what do you think of the young horror directors being successful?

@AVARY Feels like this is coming from a guy who sells pumpkins a week after Halloween

@AVARY Let's hope there's some good screen writing in that mix.

@AVARY What genres of scripts are you looking to create or produce with your AI studio?

@AVARY Project Hail Mary was filmed entirely in the UK. The post production was done with UK, French, and Canadian companies. "Hollywood" isn't just the name on the studio, its jobs and creative talent.

@AVARY Well said! Hollywood Reporter type shit. Versus doomer Variety bretmoral 🤢😢

@AVARY The cultural shift has been enormous… movies in Hollywood just aren’t what they were 15 years ago… and because of that you’ve lost a couple of generations of moviegoers… I have three sons and they have never asked me to go to the theater.. I take them and they don’t like it

@AVARY Glass half full, what’s your next picture?

@AVARY And pro Christianity--I, too, gave meself stigmata. Hold on tight!

Hollywood keep making crappy stories with a mixed couple, and the brother of the black girl is gay, of course he is....I mean I hope it will change I am not anti woke, but all the time it's too much forced inclusion and for the series "the burbs" I love the original, don't need that and the inclusion is just going too far, too often, Disney has been criticized a lot on this point

Maybe it’s been a great year for exhibitor and crews in Canada, UK, and Europe. You try telling crews in the United States, in L.A., Georgia, and New Mexico it’s been a great year. Complete bullshit. You are missing a very heartbreaking human element here related to the crews who make the films in the UNITED STATES. it’s been terrible ever since 2020. As a 1st AD and episodic director, I’ve been ruined. I was good at what I did. Always received great feedback and reviews. But cannot now get a job to support my family. Not to mention I don’t fit into the DEI quote bullshit that is still getting pushed by studios, networks, streaming platforms, and the Academy. Your comment misses that part of the picture. Production is still WAY DOWN and most of what’s is happening is happening more outside the US.

Big Hollywood wont die but there are massive changes coming. AI is going to lower budgets and make studios more profitable but there will be w lot of crew needing to find new careers. AI will also create a new segment filled with indie filmmakers similar to how the 80s direct to video market did (i made my first movie in 1985).

@AVARY Hollyweird is dying. She/Her can never be allowed to reform.

I believe when many people say “Hollywood is over” they are referring to the golden age of true fame, major films (That aren’t CGI) and the glitz of it all. Hollywood was a bastion of celebrity and getting in was nearly impossible. While there are still levels of perceived talent anyone can be a star now. With social media and influencers, we’re seeing a different kind of fame. Many producers can now make a movie for $25-100k through Go Fund Me and get into film festivals. The sheer amount of movies out now I mind-boggling and many are, umm, just bad. Hollywood was a dream for a bold and in essence it is over. Maybe a better way of saying it, is that it’s evolved - but it’s fair to say it’s nothing like it used to be.

@AVARY AMC stock is currently dirt cheap. I’m thinking this summer’s box-office is going to be HUGE and it’ll help bring movie theatres back. I’m toying with the idea of buying 100 shares at a mere $2.75 a pop. everyone I mention this to thinks I’m nuts. what do you think?

@AVARY Hollywood has always morphed into something new. Big studios to independents to YouTube kids; there is now a mix of all of these and it's pretty exciting.

@AVARY Hollywood still needs to get rid of their wokeness, DEI casting, and liberal propaganda

I loved the heck out of both those movies and AI could help make things easier for new film makers and established ones to create great films more cheaply. If people are watching from home more instead of going to movies, it really may not matter as much. Because introspection will show that movie theaters can easily be converted into data centers! 🤣😅🤣

In my own personal experience as a frequent moviegoer, I’ve definitely noticed a significant increase after the post-COVID doom period, especially in the last 2-3 years. That’s great news, not just in terms of a healthy film industry, but because audiences seem to be craving again the in-person experience. Maybe we’re entering a new phase where streaming isn’t anymore the all-mighty entity destroying the future of movie theaters, but where exhibition and streaming are re-balancing each other out to reach a new equilibrium 🤞

@AVARY More movies from filmmakers like you telling great stories that don’t push an agenda and lecture the audience can bring Hollywood back. Most people just want to be entertained when they watch a movie.

@AVARY What you have to realize is people's economic lives are getting so much tougher that anything you held as sacred will become whipping post until their spirits are put at ease. It's lashing out via class divide and holy cows will be slaughtered leaving only the pure.

@AVARY I was in a packed theatre when I saw Darkrooms for the first time in many years. Obsession had my shoulders clenched up almost from 1st frame and the female lead's soliloquy will stay with me for life. Whatever you think of the film, some genius there. And we're discussing it.

I think between what you wrote and the reality of "Go Woke, Go Broke" will help shift things, but as someone of a certain age that cherishes being in a theater, there needs to be a reckoning that high ticket prices and high concession prices, mixed in with way too much advertising before a film is hurting business. When you have a 20 screen cineplex the entire industry does better with a higher fill rate. People need reasons to go more often, not incentives to stay home and watch their 75 inch TVs.

@AVARY What comes next is Supergirl and The Odyssey.

@AVARY It’s definitely looking like a good year for cinema, and the best thing about it is the surprise hits that are not remakes and sequels. New IPs that are attracting Gen Z to the theatres.