Category: Movies & Videos

Movie Review: BlackBerry

by Fred Fuld III

Are you looking for a great movie to watch over the long weekend? Check out BlackBerry, currently available as an Amazon Prime Video.

Does anyone remember the BlackBerry smartphone? Do young people even know what a BlackBerry is?

The riveting true story of BlackBerry takes us on a whirlwind ride through the ruthlessly competitive forces of Silicon Valley. With excellent pacing and a well-written screenplay, the two-hour runtime flies by. Jay Baruchel and Glenn Howerton deliver outstanding performances, supported by a talented cast. The cinematography and score are top-notch, immersing us in the captivating narrative.

BlackBerry tells the tale of Mike Lazaridis (Jay Baruchel), the genius behind the world’s first smartphone. Joined by Jim Balsillie (Glenn Howerton) as Co-CEO, they navigate the highs and lows of the company’s journey. The film unveils surprising behind-the-scenes details that kept me engaged throughout.

Adapted from the novel by Matthew Miller and directed by Matt Johnson, the stellar dialogue holds our attention, even in quieter moments. It offers a fascinating exploration of the cutthroat business world. Baruchel and Howerton deliver career-defining performances, especially Howerton.

BlackBerry impresses with its editing, direction, and music choices. As a Canadian film starring Canadian actors, it deserves recognition. The film strikes a balance between serious storytelling and clever satire, making it even more enjoyable. I cannot recommend BlackBerry enough – a must-watch

Will Movie Theater Stocks Become Blockbusters?

People are going back in to the movie theaters to see the big screen. Over Christmas weekend, Avatar: the Wave of Water pulled in $64,000,000 in box office gross, and has brought in a total gross of $261,681,686 so far.

by Fred Fuld III

Over Christmas weekend, Avatar: the Wave of Water pulled in $64,000,000 in box office gross, and has brought in a total gross of $261,681,686 so far.

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish generated $12,420,000, Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody sold $4,765,000, and Babylon brought in $3,600,000 over the same weekend.

People are going back in to the movie theaters to see the big screen.

Unfortunately for the theater companies, their performance over the last year has been miserable.

For example, Cinemark (CNK) has dropped by 46% year to date and is down over 20% just in the last week.

However, Texas based Cinemark,  operates over 500 theaters with more than 5,800 screens in the United States, and South and Central America. 

The stock has a forward price to earnings ratio of 23, and has an earnings per share expected growth rate 0f 127% next year. Quarterly revenue growth was 49.6% year over year.

It also has a very favorable price to sales ratio of 0.45. (Remember, a P/S of less than 1 is good, above 2 is not so good.)

Marcus (MCS), which owns and operates movie theaters, along with hotels and resorts, is down 22% so far year to date.

Marcus has a nosebleed high P/E ratio of 422, but a more reasonable forward P/E of 26. Earnings per share this year were up 70.4%.

The price sales ratio is a great 0.64, and the stock is even selling below book value with a price to book of 0.96.

The stock even pays a dividend with a yield of 1.44%.

There is also Reading International (RDI), the owner of theater chains, which is down 30%, and of course the famous meme stock, AMC Entertainment (AMC) which has tanked by 74% this year.

StockSymbolYTD Price
AMC EntertainmentAMC-74%
CinemarkCNK-46%
MarcusMCS-22%
Reading InternationalRDI-30%
IMAXIMAX-22%

Will any of these stocks bounce after year end tax selling? It is impossible to know, but maybe one of these will win an award for Best Stock.

Disclosure: Author didn’t own any of the above at the time the article was written.

DIAMOND HANDS: THE LEGEND OF WALLSTREETBETS

MSNBC Films and NBC News Studios will premiere “Diamond Hands: The Legend of WallStreetBets”

on MSNBC Sunday, April 10 at 10:00 p.m. ET and will be available to stream this spring on Peacock 

The Broadcast Debut Follows the Global Premiere at SXSW Festival

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DIAMOND HANDS: THE LEGEND OF WALLSTREETBETS 

https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/watch/diamond-hands-the-legend-of-wallstreetbets-teaser-135194693826

“Diamond Hands: The Legend of WallStreetBets”, directed by Zack Canepari and Drea Cooper, gives an edgy, inside look at the GameStop downfall and features a number of analysts and investors like Mike Novogratz and Andrew Left; and retail investors Jeff Amazon, Sir Jackalot and Alisha Woods, all who help connect the dots for the events that played a major role in the craze that rocked the stock market a year ago.

Directed by Zack Canepari & Drea Cooper, Executive Produced by Amanda Spain (VP, Longform Acquisitions MSNBC)

MSNBC Films and NBC News Studios will premiere “Diamond Hands: The Legend of WallStreetBets,” on MSNBC Sunday, April 10 at 10:00 p.m. ET, following the global premiere at SXSW on March 13.

Diamond Hands was coined by traders within the social media community of Reddit’s r/WallStreetBets.  On this subreddit, where users post stock and option trading, the term caught on specifically when r/WallStreetBets initiated a short squeeze on GameStop last January. Directed by Zack Canepari and Drea Cooper, the doc features a number of analysts and investors like Mike Novogratz, Andrew Left and retail investor Alisha Woods and Reddit users who go by “Jeff Amazon” and “Sir Jackalot.” They all  help connect the dots for the events that played a major role in the craze that rocked the stock market a year ago. “Diamond Hands” is produced by NBC News Studios and ZCDC Films. The film is set to stream later this Spring on Peacock.

The documentary explores the collective jaw-drop when GameStop shares soared 1700% in January 2021. Major hedge funds and other investors were so sure that the 90s-era, mall-based retailer was doomed that the size of the bet against the company was 140 percent the size of the company itself. r/WallStreetBets became so much more than a subreddit where participants discussed stock and option trading, quickly becoming notable for its aggressive trading strategies, colorful and profane jargon. r/WallStreetBets turned into a subculture with its own language, its own moral compass and a value system that thrives on gamesmanship and sowing chaos at every turn.

“This film and its subjects are irreverent, witty and at the same time incredibly informative. This film gives a front row seat to the younger generations’ world view and their attempt to change financial institutions they feel were never meant for them,” said Amanda Spain, VP of Longform Acquisitions, MSNBC Films. “I am inspired by their willingness to hold up their middle finger to the status quo and their relentless fight to change the system.”

“The decision to make “Diamond Hands” was an easy “bet” for us,” said Liz Cole, president of NBC News Studios. “While most people followed the wild ride of GameStop’s stock a year ago, this film explores the fascinating human stories behind those headlines and gets at the generational frustration that led so many people to rebel against the system. Zack and Drea were dream partners in crafting the distinct tone of this film, and we’re thrilled to show it to the world at South by Southwest next month on MSNBC in April and later on Peacock.”

MSNBC recently revitalized its long form programming under the banner MSNBC Films led by Amanda Spain, Vice President, Longform Acquisition. In 2021, MSNBC Films’ broadcast premiere of Memory Box: Echoes of 9/11, a co-production of Yard 44 and NBC News Studios production, drew more viewers than any other 9/11 documentaries in September 2021. MSNBC Films also acquired acclaimed French artist JR’s Paper & Glue and the short documentary, Seth Freed Wessler’s “The Facility,” which was on the 2022 Oscar shortlist. Most recently, MSNBC Films aired “Love & The Constitution,” about representative Jamie Raskin, which premiered on MSNBC February 6th.

“Diamond Hands: The Legend of WallStreetBets” is an NBC News Studios & ZCDC production, Produced and Directed by Zack Canepari and Drea Cooper; Produced by Gary Kout and Myles Estey, Molly O’Brien; Co-Produced by Erica Fink; Consulting Producer Stephanie Ruhle, Associate Producer Nick McElroy; Edited by Carter Gunn, Drea Cooper, Sebastian Hernandez; Director of Photography Megan Stacey;’ Composer Matt Joynt. Executive Produced for MSNBC Films by Rashida Jones and Amanda Spain. Executive Produced for NBC News Studios by Elizabeth Fischer, Molly O’Brien, Andy Berg, Liz Cole and Noah Oppenheim.

AMC Doubled Today: What About the Other Movie Theater Stocks?

by Fred Fuld III

In case you missed it, the stock price of AMC Entertainment (AMC), the company that owns the chain of movie theaters, doubled today.  Well, OK, it was up only 95.22%, but it is up another 5.20% in after market trading, as I am writing this.

AMC chart

To think that you could have both AMC for $2 a share back in January, and now it is over $62.

Of course, AMC is one of the “stonks”, a stock that has a large group of traders buying the stock to take advantage of the fact that the stock is heavily shorted, creating a major short squeeze. So the substantial increase today has nothing to do with the company’s earnings, revenues, or anything else.

However, it does point out the fact that the number of American’s that have been vaccinated has been on the rise and the COVID-19 infection rate is dropping. It also means that people are more willing to get out and go to a movie theater. Especially a nice air conditioned theater during the hot summer.

Cinemark Holdings Inc. (CNK), based in Plano, Texas, operates over 500 theaters. It has a market cap of $3 billion, and is generating negative earnings. It does not pay a dividend.

The Marcus Corporation (MCS) owns theaters in 17 states with the brands Marcus Theatres, Movie Tavern by Marcus, and BistroPlex. Earnings are currently negative. It has a market cap of $710 million.

Cineworld Group PLC ( CNNWF) is a UK based company that operates such theater chains as Regal, United Artists, Edwards theatres, Cineworld, and Picturehouse. Earnings are currently negative. The market cap is $1.8 billion.

IMAX Corporation (IMAX) offers theater software and equipment to theaters. Earnings are currently negative. The stock trades at 25.7 time forward earnings, and does not pay a dividend. IMAX has a market cap of $1.3 billion.

Let’s see if any of these stocks become blockbusters.

Disclosure: Author didn’t own any of the above at the time the article was written.

Blast from the Past: The Pretender – Film Noir about an Investment Manager who Steals his Client’s Money

Here is a Blast from the Past. A film noir movie about an investment manager who steals from his client because he keeps getting margins calls from the stockbroker who handles the trades.

The movie is called The Pretender, and was filmed in 1946, starring Albert Dekker and Catherine Craig.

If you like film noir, you will enjoy this one, as it has a few unexpected twists and turns.

The Pretender is available on Amazon, and is free to watch if you have Amazon Prime.

15 Stock Market and Wall Street Related Videos for the Holidays

Are you looking for a few videos to watch during the holidays? Or maybe you are looking for a great video gift for a friend who is interested in investing and the stock market. Pick up a couple of these interesting videos, a few of which you my not be familiar with.

Limitless is about an author who takes a new drug which causes him to become extremely intelligent  and astute. He becomes a stock trader who turns $12,000 into $3 million in a week.

Wall Street, a classic Wall Street movie starring Michael Douglas.

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps is the sequel.

Wolf Of Wall Street is the extreme Martin Scorsese movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio, about Jordan Belfort, the infamous pump-and-dumper.

The Wolves of Wall Street is about a Wall Street guy who turns into a werewolf. Not my kind of movie, but if you are into this kind of campy genre…

Startup.Com is an interesting documentary about the rise and fall of govWorks.com, during the dot com boom and bust.

Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room is an expose on the Enron scam, and the people behind it.

Mugshots: Enron – Wall Street Scammers is another good documentary about the Enron crooks.

The Crooked E: The Unshredded Truth About Enron is a movie, not a documentary about what else, Enron.

Too Big To Fail is a movie about the financial crisis of 2008, starring James Woods.

Unraveled is a documentary about a financial con man.

Inside Job is an Academy Award winning documentary about the financial crisis of 2008, Starring Matt Damon.

The Flaw is a documentary about the credit bubble and economic crash.

The Startup Kids is a doc about the young startup founders of Vimeo, Soundcloud and Dropbox.

Boiler Room is  a movie I really enjoyed, since it is based on a true story and gives insights into how a stock brokerage firm operating as a boiler room works.

Have I missed any? Any investment related movies that you would recommend? If so, enter it in the Comments section below.