Celebrities Planning For The Future

Have you ever heard of famous music stars insuring their voice box (larynx) and a model’s legs being insured for millions of dollars? I think we all know who the Kardashians are and they are no different either. When Kim’s butt became famous and her most well known trademark she had it insured for a whopping 21 million dollars.  Well how about their whole life insurance policies? Something you don’t often see in the news is how super stars protect their assets and prepare their money for the end of life and for their beneficiaries. But whole life insurance isn’t just for the ultra rich and famous. Everyone should have some sort of life insurance in their back pocket.

Star of Winter Bones, Jennifer Lawrence is expecting her first child (with husband Cooke Maroney) and if she wants to ensure her child will be able to receive his/her inheritance tax free she will get, if she doesn’t already have, a whole life insurance policy. Many celebrities, high profile CEOs, and business owners make sure all of their ducks are in a row, by getting whole life insurance to ensure that their beneficiaries will receive tax free inheritance. 

Without a whole life insurance policy your beneficiaries may end up paying big that tax season after receiving their inheritance. Whole life insurance policies are paid over the span of your adult life and once you pass your beneficiaries receive a tax free inheritance. 

Whole life insurance isn’t just for your children though. For instance does your spouse make enough to cover the mortgage or to pay for your funeral if you were to pass suddenly? Whole life insurance policies also protect your spouse if you were to pass before them. After you pass your whole life insurance policy will continue to help them pay for things such as, living expenses, debts, mortgage payments, funding your children’s education and spousal retirement.

If Jennifer Lawrence’s character in Winter Bones had set up a policy for herself then the two children characters in the movie  wouldn’t be settled with her debts and the cost of her funeral when her character passes. 

But there are plenty of real people who have whole life policies to protect their loved ones in the event of their own deaths. From actors to writers to directors. Many people know the importance of taking care of those they love even after death and whole life insurance policies aren’t just for the extremely wealthy. I myself have whole life insurance so that my loved ones won’t have to worry about my mortgage payments or funeral costs or any of my student loans if I were to pass. 

Take the amazing director James Mangold for instance. He has 2 children and a loving wife named Cathy Konrad. What would they do if he passed away suddenly and they no longer had his income to support them, pay for their home or the children’s schooling? With a whole life policy he wouldn’t have to worry about what would happen to them if he died suddenly or even of old age being able to ensure his wife and two children would not need to worry about losing their home and being taxed that year on their inheritance. 

Another huge player in the world of television and movies is Walt Disney the creator of Disney, DisneyLand and Disney now his company owns Disney+. Walt Disney had a whole life insurance policy and used his policy to act as his own bank in a sort of way to liquidate funding for his dream (aka the Disney franchise). Walt borrowed against his policy in 1953 and because of that we have Disneyland. Broke and unable to get the funding for his dream he borrowed against his own life insurance to get the money to start his career which is now a global enterprise bringing joy to millions of people around the world. Without Walt Disney’s insurance policy we would have the DisneyLand we all know and love to this day. 

Walt isn’t the only huge player to use a life insurance policy though, McDonald founder borrowed against not one but two life insurance policies in order to pay employees in the beginning of his career so that he could keep his dream alive. Now there’s a McDonalds on almost every corner around the nation. His whole life insurance policy is what funded his hallmark branding campaign using the liquidity provided. 

Both of these amazing multi million dollar companies would have never been what they are today if those two men weren’t smart enough to invest into whole life insurance earlier in life. Whole life insurance policies have protected people and their families and businesses for years and will continue to do so for many more years to come. So if huge names like these know it works, what’s stopping you from doing the same? Protect your loved ones and investments. Invest in yourself today. Start looking into whole life policies and find one that’s best for you and your needs.

Most profitable movies of all time

What is the most profitable movie that Hollywood has ever produced? This is a common question among film buffs and fanatics. A profitable movie doesn’t just do great in the box office. It appeals to audiences around the world and turns out to be an all-time classic. This is our list of the X most profitable movies of all time.

1. My Big Fat Greek Wedding

This 2002 movie ranks at the top of most film profitability lists. It was created on a $6 million budget (adjusted for inflation) and grossed nearly $370 million in the Box Office. This was a whopping 6150% return on investment. Film producers can borrow a leaf or two from the gradual but certain growth of this film.

2. Paranormal Activity (2017)

This popular movie was made on a miniscule $15,000 budget, adding up to $215,000 with post-production bumping added. When it hit the Box Office, Paranormal Activity grossed $193 million worldwide, which was a whopping 897x returns on investment. Even better, the movie resulted in a lucrative franchise that grossed more than $850 million.

3. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

Steven Spielberg was already an immensely successful director when the created this 1982 movie. The director had made a big name for himself after producing Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Jaws, and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Upon hitting the Box Office, sales of the film went through the roof. It grossed $793 million, which was a 3172% return on investment given the production budget of $25 million (adjusted for inflation).

4. Pretty Woman

This 1990 movie was a comedy that starred Julia Roberts, Richard Gere, Jason Alexander, and Laura San Giacomo. It received amazing audience acclaim in the romantic comedy genre. The revolved around a wealthy business who hired a prostitute to serve as his date during various social and business events. Despite a production budget of $23 million, this movie generated more than $463 million in the Box Office.

5. Slumdog Millionaire

From distance, Slumdog Millionaire didn’t look like it would ever make it into any top-grossing films list. Warner Bro was so pessimistic about the film’s commercial success that they preferred to directly release it in DVD. However – once it premiered in 2008 – it created a buzz among audiences and ended up grossing nearly $378 million. That was a 2520% return on investment given the initial budget of $15 million.

6. Star Wars

In this 1977 film, The Heroes colluded with the Rebel Alliance and attempted to destroy the planet-destroying space station owned by the Empire. Despite being released in limited theaters in the United States, Star Wars turned out to be a blockbuster hit, inspiring a much wider release. The movie grossed more than $775 million in the Box Office, returning more than 1938% on its $40 million production budget.

7. The Passion of the Christ

This religious movie, which debuted in 2004, was directed by Mel Gibson. The film focused on the last 12 hours of Jesus Christ. When the film initially hit the theaters, it was bombarded with controversy and allegations of anti-semitism. Nonetheless, it proved to be good enough for millions of Christian audiences, grossing nearly $612 million in the box office after a production budget of $35 million.

Other movies that might easily make it into this list include American Beauty (1999), Home Alone (1990), Ghost (1990), and Grease (1978).

Greatest movie producers of all time

Beyond the idea, the first step to a great movie starts in the office of a producer. These often uncelebrated heroes initiate the large-scale production that brings together productions crews, visual effects artists, screen writers, as well as actors and actresses. In this article, we look at the X best movie producers of all time.

JAMES MANGOLD

James Mangold is a popular American film, screen writer and a producer who is popular for his intriguing drama movies that features day to day emotional and moral struggles that are faced in this world. Mangold is popular for the films Girl interrupted, (1999), Logan, (2017), Walk the line(2005),The Wolverine(2013),Cop land,(1997) and many more. He has been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and in 2019 he produced and directed Ford V Ferrari a sports drama film which was the reason why he was nominated for Academy Award for Best Picture.

KEVIN FEIGE

Since 2007 Kelvin Feige has been the president of Marvel Studios. He is the producer of Black Panther which was why he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2019.

DAVID HEYMAN

This English movie producer is also the founder of Heyday films. His best known work is the adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Fantastic Beast franchises. More recently, he scored big with ‘Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood”. Heyman’s work over the years has proved that he is undoubtedly one of the best film makers not just in the UK but worldwide.

Steven Spielberg

 This list of the greatest movie producers would not be complete without a mention of Steven Spielberg. He remains one of the most influential individuals in the history of cinema, and a household for many film-loving Americans. Steven Spielberg also happens to be one of the richest filmmakers worldwide, worth more than 3.7 billion US dollars. Some of his best movies include Schindler’s List, Jurassic Park, Jaws, Saving Private Ryan, Munich, Bridge of Spies, and Catch Me IF You Can, among many others.

Frank Marshall

Film producer Frank Marshall is known as the father of modern-day film franchises. He is behind major classics such as ‘Back to the Future’, ‘Gremlins’, ‘Indiana Jones’, and many other top hits. Marshall also teamed up with director Paul Greengrass and actor Matt Damon for the fourth ‘Jason Bourne’ movie. Marshall says that he once considered being a lawyer, and that he’s always looking for an interesting story.

John Woo

Mr. Woo is a famed film producer whose work speaks for itself. Born in Southern China, he grew up in Hong Kong and commenced his film career as an assistant director back in 1969. His first big movie was in 1973, and John has never looked back since then. Some of his best movies include Hard Boiled, Face/Off, The Killer, A Better Tomorrow, Mission Impossible II, Bullet in the Head, Hard Target, Red Cliff, and Broken Arrow.

There is not enough space on this space to list all of the world’s greatest talent in movie production. A few other names that deserve a mention include Michael Mann, Kathryn Bigelow, Dennis Villeneuve, and Luc Besson.

How Winter’s Bone was Made

Winter’s Bone: Soundtrack and Music

The music didn’t fail to capitalize on the significance of the location, which made the Winter’s Bone movie even more immersive. Most of the music was performed by musicians from the region. It included traditional mountain folk songs, hardscrabble honky-tonk tunes, gentle folk ballads, hymns. The soundtrack features two originals, one performed by the Tindersticks’ Dickon Hinchliffe, and the other by actor John Hawkes, who played the crucial role of Teardrop in the movie.

Furthermore, the dominant voice in those performances is none other than Merideth Sisco. With her mountain voice, she provided arresting vocals that captured the spirit of the movie. Whether it’s her rendition of “High on a mountain,” the divine “Farther Along,” or the traditional “Ballad of Jessup Dolly,” she and her band Blackberry Winter are lovely.

Where Was Winter’s Bone Filmed

The location of the Winter’s Bone movie is imposing, present, and strong. Set in the frozen Ozarks, It gives the viewer a sensation that it is a character in the movie. It’s almost like the location lived the characters rather than the characters living in it. No wonder the movie was nominated for four Academy Awards, including one for Best Picture.

While the landscape is beautiful, it is also dark. It’s isolated from the rest of the world. Just as portrayed in the novel, the small community is also as tough as the cold Ozarks. During the movie, the viewer learns to trust no one as the inhabitants of this world cannot be trusted. That is evident in how her hostile relatives warn young Ree from searching for her missing father. But she refuses to back down and she also becomes a folk hero.

Here in a secluded, drug-stricken community, Ree symbolizes the victimized yet strong women in the Ozarks. Certainly, the surreal effect of the invisible yet ever-present drug makes the movie feel like an Alice in Wonderland tale. A girl who is thrown in with challenges bigger than her, and she is must overcome them.

The location of the Winter’s Bone movie certainly boosted the realism, added depth to the storyline, and reflected the values the movie wanted to capture. It’s a testament to how untamed, raw, and brutal rural America can be.

Accolades for Winter’s Bone

Winter’s Bone Awards

In total, Winter’s Bone won 63 awards and earned 120 nominations. To name a few:

Wins:

AFI Awards: Movie of the Year.

Alliance of Women Film Journalist: Best Woman Director, Best Breakthrough Performance, and Outstanding Achievement by a Woman in the Film Industry.

Amazonas Film Festival: Best Film.

Nominations:

British Independent Film Awards: Best Foreign Film.

Golden Globes: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture.

Academy Awards: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role.

The Winter’s Bone movie is hailed as the turning point in Jennifer Lawrence’s acting career. Furthermore, it’s not a less important role for John Hawkes who played the role of Ree’s evil uncle.
Moral of the Movie

The burning question throughout the Winter’s Bone film is how Ree became so strong? Certainly, she didn’t get her personality from her parents, or anybody in her wretched community. It remains a largely unresolved issue.

The movie does deliver a message of hope and optimism in a grim world.

Is this what the filmmakers wanted to say with their movie?

Are humans born evil or good by nature? The movie isn’t about good and evil but it seems to ask the questions. If nobody raised Ree to be strong, is it then her human nature that drove her to face the impossible?

Perhaps, despite all the despair something good can be born.

Survival is another major theme in Winter’s Bone. This is a place where people hunt for food. And there’s a scene where Ree teach her young siblings how to use a rifle and hunt a squirrel.

Furthermore, the movie clearly depicts a clash of moral codes where people forsake their ethics to survive in a harsh world. It seems like deep down everybody knows the right thing to do but for some personal reason, they choose to stand by and do nothing.

In the end, it’s a movie that makes the viewer think. With many opportunities to be melodramatic, the movie managed to stay on course. At least, it is consistent.

“Winter’s Bone” will give you the chills!

First of all, the winter’s Bone movie is a curious blend of realism, gangster, and noir. If you’re curious about this movie, it’s a backwoods tale of a teenage girl who becomes entangled in some serious family drama. It’s a movie that takes “misery Loves Company” to new territories, to the Missouri Ozarks to be specific.

The movie is an adaptation of a 2006 novel by the author Daniel Woodrell.

Winter’s Bone Plot

Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence) is a teenage girl in a dysfunctional family. Her mother is sick and unable to move. Her father is a suspected drug dealer who went missing after signing up their family homestead as a bail bond collateral. After the local Sheriff Baskin (Garret Dillahunt) shows up at her doorstep warning her of eviction, she embarks on a quest to find her father. All the while taking care of her depression-stricken mother and younger brother and sister.

She considers joining in the US army, in hopes of collecting the $40,000 cash bonus advertised in the recruitment posters. Her father is nowhere to be found and is a suspected criminal in crystal meth manufacture. She only has one week to find him. In order to keep the tumbledown roof over everybody’s head, she must be the man of the family.

As the movie unfolds, Ree is racing with time to find her father but first, she must uncover untold family secrets.

The screenwriters Debra Granik and Anne Rosellini adeptly portray the wretched and intertwined world of a dysfunctional family. Everything from lighting to camera angles and special effects serves to intensify the sickening atmosphere. Thus, the viewer teleport to a gloomy world of suspense with every scene.