As a precursor to the Oscars, the 51st Golden Globe Awards were held on Saturday, January 22.
Simon and Janet returned from New York on Friday, as usual with no plans to attend the Golden Globe Awards ceremony. They only intended to appear at the Igret Company's after-party following the ceremony.
This year's Golden Globes, and the upcoming Oscars, were actually without much suspense.
Steven Spielberg's "Schindler's List" was set to be the big winner of the awards season.
It was unstoppable.
With the end of the busy year-end season, the momentum of the major blockbusters gradually waned.
As of January 20, the three major blockbusters from last year's end-of-year season, "The Lion King" in its 9th week, saw a 27% drop in weekly earnings, bringing in $10.11 million, with a cumulative box office of $279.53 million, just $20 million short of the $300 million mark. The North American total is expected to be around $310 million.
Moreover, "The Lion King" performed even better in the overseas market. Despite many overseas markets still yet to open, the overseas cumulative box office of this 3D animated film had already surpassed North America, reaching $360 million. Combined with North America, the global cumulative box office exceeded $670 million, and industry predictions suggested the film's global total would fall between $800 million and $900 million.
Merely relying on box office revenue, Daenerys Entertainment would earn over $200 million in net profit from "The Lion King." The tremendous success of the second 3D animated film had also broken Disney's monopoly on animated films, firmly establishing Daenerys Entertainment's position in Hollywood's animation industry. The upcoming release of "Toy Story 2" in late 1994 had also become one of the most anticipated films of the year.
In its 8th week, "Mission: Impossible" continued to earn $5.51 million with a 37% weekly drop, reaching a cumulative box office of $170.96 million, with the North American total likely locked at $180 million. "Mission: Impossible" also saw overseas earnings surpass North America, recently reaching $230 million, with a global cumulative of $410 million.
The global success of "Mission: Impossible" made its lead actor, Nicolas Cage, another top-tier Hollywood star.
With the recent rise of new generation stars like Keanu Reeves, River Phoenix, Brad Pitt, and Nicolas Cage through the DC movie universe and other blockbusters, the popularity of 80s icon Tom Cruise began to wane rapidly, leading to fewer opportunities and resources. Recent high-quality projects had begun favoring the up-and-coming stars of recent years over Cruise.
The DC movie universe film "Cyborg" saw a 37% drop in its first post-holiday week, earning $35.52 million from January 7 to January 13. The following week, January 14 to January 20, it saw a 31% drop, bringing in $24.51 million. In its fourth week, "Cyborg" reached a cumulative box office of $192.63 million.
Given "Cyborg's" fourth-week box office base and current trend, the film's final earnings were projected around $260 million, surpassing "The Flash," but falling short of the $300 million mark.
As the blockbuster heat subsided, attention shifted significantly to award season films.
As the biggest contender of this awards season, "Schindler's List" began expanding its release in mid-January. From January 14 to January 20, the film's screen count increased to 256, earning $4.67 million for the week, with a per-screen average still at $18,000.
In its sixth week of release, without a wide release yet, "Schindler's List" had already reached a cumulative box office of $15.65 million.
Dume Cape Manor.
In the dining room of the Shell Villa, the atmosphere was lively during dinner, albeit with a notable female majority, even with the maids dismissed.
At the dining table, Janet was predictably seated next to Simon. Opposite them were Veronica and Jennifer, with the now fully weaned Melbourne between them. The little one, facing his parents, was behaving well, no longer climbing onto the table or throwing plates around for the sound. Picky eating was also not allowed.
Such details were the result of Simon and Janet's strict corrections.
Lately, Simon found Jennifer far more suitable for looking after the children than Veronica. Besides the two little ones, Jennifer also managed Melbourne well, without spoiling him like Veronica. She patiently guided him on what he should and shouldn't do, and had recently started some early education with various picture blocks, subtly enhancing his cognitive abilities.
Veronica seemed a bit disheartened by this.
Simon, however, didn't dare let her take care of Melbourne further. Veronica's attitude towards the child was too indulgent, risking raising a spoiled brat.
A television mounted on the wall played the live broadcast of the Golden Globe Awards ceremony, but the conversation centered around building a private school for the kids in Malibu.
Jennifer had been looking into several education experts and scouting potential school locations.
Simon valued primary and secondary education more than university education because it was crucial for developing children's cognitive abilities and personal character. Once key qualities were established before adulthood, university became less critical.
On TV, "Schindler's List" won another Best Screenplay award. Simon glanced at it briefly before turning his attention back to Jennifer, saying, "The school shouldn't only be for children of Westeros system executives. Once it's built, it should be open to the entire Los Angeles area. I want Melbourne to have a wider social circle."
Jennifer nodded.
Janet interjected, "Too large a circle isn't good. Melbourne doesn't need to meet people he won't interact with."
The little one, hearing his parents mention him, looked up confusedly, then habitually turned to Veronica.
Veronica wiped his mouth and softly explained, "Daddy and Mommy are talking about your school."
The child, clearly not grasping the concept of school, pushed away his bowl of pumpkin porridge, sneakily asking Veronica for chocolate.
Caught in the act.
Janet glared, "No chocolate. Do you want a spanking?"
He had indeed been spanked before.
Deeply impressed.
The child pouted but didn't dare cry. Veronica, reluctantly, glanced at Janet, not daring to comfort him, knowing from experience that speaking up often attracted Simon's attention.
"You scared him."
Simon didn't react, but Jennifer glared at Janet, who said it calmly and picked up the child to feed him personally, promising a chocolate reward for finishing the pumpkin porridge and brushing his teeth himself.
As dinner was about to end, the Golden Globe Awards ceremony on TV was also nearing its conclusion.
"The Lion King" won the Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, followed by Spielberg winning Best Director.
After dinner, Jennifer handed the child to Veronica and, after some coaxing, got Janet to help with the dishes. Janet protested, saying it was the maids' job, but a glare from Simon sent her reluctantly into the kitchen, soon followed by the sound of breaking dishes.
Jennifer's voice followed, patiently saying it was fine and that they could buy new ones tomorrow.
Then came Janet's non-stop complaints about how tough it was to earn money and do chores.
Simon just smiled, listening to their occasional bickering, and finished watching the awards ceremony, where "Schindler's List" unsurprisingly won Best Motion Picture – Drama.
When the dishes were done, Janet jumped back into Simon's arms, showing a finger and pouting that it was cut by a shard of porcelain.
Simon looked at it, saw only a slight red mark without a cut, kissed the finger, and said, "There, disinfected. It'll heal soon."
Janet, smiling, held up the finger again, "Kiss it again?"
Simon swatted her hand away, "Don't be greedy."
Janet squinted and leaned closer, "Kiss it again, and I'll kiss you tonight too."
Jennifer, coming out of the kitchen, heard Janet's suggestive comment and teased, "Simon doesn't like waiting too late. Maybe you should fulfill your promise now."
Janet immediately grabbed Simon's hand and planted several quick kisses on it, then held up her finger again.
Simon kissed it again.
Jennifer, watching Janet's antics, asked Simon, "Shall I have Neil prepare the car?"
Simon nodded, "In half an hour." He then turned to Janet, "Are you coming?"
"No," Janet shook her head, "I'm doing my beauty treatments and going to bed early. So, you don't need to come back tonight." She stood up to check on Nick and Seal.
After Janet left, Jennifer approached, placing her arms on Simon's shoulders and resting a leg on his knee. She kissed him and said, "The kids will be with Janet tonight. I'll stay in the west villa."
Simon nodded, "Okay."
Jennifer, hinting dissatisfaction, whispered, "You must come back. You've been away for a week."
Simon, pulling her into his lap, laughed, "The week isn't over yet, is it?"
Sensing the playful tone, Jennifer said nothing more, just hugged him and whispered, "I'll go prepare your clothes."
Simon let her go, "Do you want to come with me?"
Jennifer didn't get up, "Aren't you afraid I'll keep an eye on you?"
Simon shook his head, "Not afraid."
Jennifer kissed him again, "You might not be afraid, but I am. Things are already messy enough. I don't want any more trouble."
This year's Golden Globe Awards saw Daenerys Entertainment triumph.
"Schindler's List" received six nominations and won three: Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director, and Best Screenplay
.
"The Lion King" received four nominations and won three: Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Original Song, and Best Original Score.
The summer hit "What's Love Got to Do with It," distributed by Gaumont Pictures, won the Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy award.
In the Best Foreign Language Film category, Daenerys Entertainment had two films nominated: last year's Berlin Golden Bear winner "The Wedding Banquet" and Cannes Palme d'Or winner "Farewell My Concubine."
Historically, "Farewell My Concubine" won this Golden Globe. This time, Simon valued "The Wedding Banquet" and its director Ang Lee's potential in Hollywood. Ang Lee's second film, "Eat Drink Man Woman," was also produced by Gaumont Pictures, so efforts were focused on "The Wedding Banquet," which won the award.
MGM, also part of the Westeros system, won the Best Actor award for "Philadelphia," Tom Hanks' second Golden Globe for Best Actor, setting a strong stage for the Oscars in March.
On TV, Daenerys Television productions "Desperate Housewives" and "Seinfeld" also won big.
In recent years, reality shows have become more popular. Daenerys Entertainment had pushed for Golden Globe awards in this genre but hadn't succeeded, although the Emmys had established specific awards for reality shows.
Daenerys Entertainment's dominance in Hollywood was undeniable, making it impossible to hide. Thus, there was no more pretense.
Given the undeniable quality of its productions, both "Schindler's List" and "The Lion King" deservedly won their respective Golden Globe categories.
The after-party hosted by Daenerys Entertainment was held at the Century Plaza Hotel, not far from the Beverly Hilton, where the Golden Globe Awards were held.
When Simon arrived, it was already close to 10 PM, and the party was still very lively.
Not only the award-winning film creators but many stars who attended the ceremony also came over.
Simon mingled with a glass of wine, congratulating Spielberg, John Lasseter, Tom Hanks, and others. After half an hour, Amy Pascal approached him.
"Steven's agent talked to me this afternoon," Amy said as they found a booth at the edge of the hall. "Steven has decided to take a year off to spend time with his wife and kids."
Having delayed for a year, Spielberg likely realized that Daenerys Entertainment didn't want him to direct the "Jurassic Park" series, so he found an excuse to bow out.
This was good for both parties.
Simon nodded, "When will this be announced?"
"Not until after the Oscars," Amy said. "And Steven also mentioned he won't be involved in the 'Jurassic Park' sequel."
In the original timeline, Spielberg remained an executive producer for the "Jurassic World" reboot many years later. He was also involved in series like "Men in Black" and "Transformers," showcasing his high standing in Hollywood.
But in this timeline, much had changed.
Spielberg's refusal to be associated with the "Jurassic Park" sequel indicated lingering resentment towards Daenerys Entertainment. It was well-known that Spielberg could hold grudges, and the final film project under Universal would likely be indefinitely postponed.
Simon, however, had no intention of altering Daenerys Entertainment's established strategy to appease any filmmaker.
Such a move would be harmful.
Just like in the original timeline, Sony constantly appeased Happy Madison Productions, only to end up being a support player earning meager profits. They even faced the Sony hacking incident due to an ill-considered film about assassinating a foreign leader. Paramount's constant indulgence of Michael Bay led to the eventual collapse of the "Transformers" series.
Disney, which thrived, didn't have such issues.
When they felt George Lucas was outdated, they completely excluded him from the "Star Wars" series. When Joss Whedon became too demanding, they fired him after two successful "Avengers" films. This decisiveness contributed significantly to Disney's strength.
While the creativity of filmmakers is precious, countless instances have shown that excessive indulgence leads to disastrous outcomes.
Thus, Simon maintained a strong dominant approach in running Daenerys Entertainment. He wasn't overly harsh on filmmakers but wouldn't constantly indulge them based on past successes.
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