Sony, Spider-Man, and the Statue of Liberty
Sound & Vision|August - September 2022
Spider-Man is a comic-book character that was created in 1962. The inaugural issue sold for 12 cents. Sony Pictures, which now owns the screen rights to the character, decided not to release the latest Spider-Man movie in the world's biggest movie market. That decision might cost Sony as much as $340 million.
KEN C. POHLMANN
Sony, Spider-Man, and the Statue of Liberty

Why on earth would Sony do such a thing? Spider-Man: No Way Home cost hundreds of millions of dollars to make and to market, and I am guessing Sony would appreciate a certain ROI (Return on Investment). Yes, the film has already grossed $1.9 billion and counting, was the highestgrossing film of 2021, and is the sixth-highest-grossing film of all time. But still-why walk away from those extra hundreds of millions? As you might guess, the reason has to do with China.

As you might also guess, the reason is censorship. Receiving permission to show a movie in China is hardly a fait accompli. In this case, reportedly, Chinese authorities did not approve of the film's finale. In particular, the final extended scene takes place on and around the Statue of Liberty. Apparently, Chinese censors initially demanded that Sony remove all images of the statue because of perceived patriotic connotations. Sony refused. Perhaps as an accommodation, authorities then reportedly asked for more subtle changes; in particular, it would be acceptable to partially obscure otherwise clear images of the statue. After deliberation, Sony declined to make any changes, and thus the film will not be shown in China. Various sources estimate that Sony will lose anywhere from $170 million to $340 million.

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The Big Clean
Sound & Vision

The Big Clean

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5 mins  |
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Planar-Magnetic Attraction
Sound & Vision

Planar-Magnetic Attraction

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10 mins  |
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Full-Featured 4K
Sound & Vision

Full-Featured 4K

THE QN95D is one of two televisions we went hands-on with on a recent trip to Samsung's New Jersey QA Lab, the other being the S95D quantum-dot OLED.

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10+ mins  |
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Party Animal
Sound & Vision

Party Animal

FOR ANY party, the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus Outdoor Bass Bluetooth Speaker is an essential invite.

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Sound & Vision

It's the End of the World. How About Popcorn and a Movie?

Attention all preppers! Today's column is right up your alley-or, more precisely-your tunnel to your underground bunker.

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3 mins  |
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Bridging the Analog-Digital Gap on a Recliner
Sound & Vision

Bridging the Analog-Digital Gap on a Recliner

When I shopped for a motorized recliner, I rejected models with their own Internet Protocol address and built-in speakers. No need. I had already placed a smart speaker on an étagère beside the space where I had planned to put the chair. I'd have a smartphone in my hand and the room would be bathed in Wi-Fi.

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4 mins  |
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BACK TO THE GARDEN
Sound & Vision

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AN AQUARIAN EXPOSITION in WHITE LAKE, N.Y.

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10+ mins  |
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Big Sound, Small Price
Sound & Vision

Big Sound, Small Price

DOLBY ATMOS, once a costly premium, is enjoying a surge of popularity across a range of new audio gear.

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10+ mins  |
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Classic Sound with Streaming Smarts
Sound & Vision

Classic Sound with Streaming Smarts

THE TWENTIETH century had its Roaring Twenties; welcome to the twenty-first's Streaming Twenties.

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10+ mins  |
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Stand and Deliver
Sound & Vision

Stand and Deliver

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9 mins  |
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