Across America, Starting with the Boxing Champion

Chapter 553 Christmas Dinner

 The second week after the public release of "Victory", Link Music released a MV on its YouTube account, featuring Link and the Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as a video of Lady Gaga performing live at Lincoln Center in New York. It was viewed 38 million times on the first day.

rave reviews.

In the second week, the global digital record downloads of "Victory" exceeded 20 million times, with 420,000 physical records and 116,000 vinyl records sold in the United States.

In the third week, Link Music released its second MV on its YouTube account. The main scene is the editing of the war part of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. On the first day, the global playback volume exceeded 100 million times, and the number of reprints was as high as 8.6 million times. Almost all You can see this MV and listen to this song online.

The Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, Le Figaro and other media called "Victory" a phenomenal symphony. Through this song, Link also showed that he did not give up music creation after retiring from the music scene. He was trying new things. style of music and achieved 'brilliant' results.

After hearing the song, acquaintances in the circle called him one after another to express their congratulations, compliments, and ridicules.

Link was a little surprised when he saw the sales of this song. Although he knew the song was good, he didn't expect it to be so popular.

On the day before Christmas, he announced through Link Music that all the income generated by this song within three years would be donated in batches to the United Nations Children's Fund, the World Wildlife Fund, and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The media estimates that the total amount of this donation is no less than 50 million US dollars.

"This guy Link is really a person that makes people want to beat him, but also have to admire him."

Lil Wayne sighed while looking at the news on his phone at the New York Black Metal Club.

"It's understandable that you admire him, but why do you want to beat him?"

asked 50 Cent, smoking a cigarette.

"This guy is so arrogant, don't you want to beat him up?"

"Why is Link so arrogant? He donates so much money to charity organizations. He is doing a good deed. What's wrong with that?"

"He can also win the number one spot on the singles chart by releasing pure music. Topping the singles chart is as easy as going home for him. Isn't this arrogant enough?"

Lil Wayne said unhappily.

When others release a single, they need to spend a lot of time and money to promote it. It often takes three or four weeks before they slowly reach the top 100 of the singles chart. Then they slowly accumulate popularity and break into the top 10 little by little. Only with good luck can the song be released. Chance to top the singles chart.

There are three to four thousand songs released every year, but only a dozen or so songs can top the Billboard singles chart, which is equivalent to picking one out of a thousand. Many singers have been singing songs for a lifetime, but they have not been able to win a single. List champion.

But every time Link releases a song, whether it's pop, rap, rock, or pure music, he can win the number one spot on the singles chart.

This will make people think that he is particularly powerful, and his peers will all become foils.

Lil Wayne is naturally upset.

"Link has this strength, what can you do?"

50 Cent said with a shrug.

When Lil Wayne thought about it, there was really no way.

"Although Link has left the music scene, his shadow still hangs over us."

Chris Brown lamented.

At the last American Music Awards, Selena complained that she was under the shadow of Link and felt a lot of pressure. Afterwards, the media ridiculed Link for bullying her cousin Selena. In fact, Link bullied not only Selena, but everyone was He bullied.

"Hey Kanye, have you listened to Link's new song and how does it feel?"

50 Cent shouted as he saw Kanye come in.

"No! I never listen to Link's songs."

Kanye put his pockets in his pockets and said with a wooden face.

At this time, Link's "Victory" sounded in the bar. Dang, dang, dang, it was just the beginning. Kanye shouted to the DJ, "Change the song." Hearing this every day, his ears are almost getting calluses.

50 Cent and Chris Brown looked at each other and laughed.

—

In its fourth week of release, "The Hunger Games 2" has grossed US$447 million in North American box office and US$516 million in overseas box office, with its total box office reaching US$960 million.

It successfully surpassed "Iron Man 3"'s 402 million and "Frozen"'s 393 million, becoming the top box office leader in North America.

In the global box office rankings, it is also ranked third behind "Frozen" with 1.25 billion and "Iron Man 3" with 1.207 billion.

However, "The Hunger Games 2" still has room for growth at the box office, with the global box office expected to be around US$1.1 billion.

In addition, driven by this movie, "The Hunger Games Part 1" received more than 37 million box office in North America within four weeks during its second screening, which is also a good figure.

In late December, Lionsgate’s last film of the year, “August: Osage County,” starring Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Lawrence and others, was released in North America. , tells the story of a troubled family’s grievances and resentments over generations.

The film was produced by Palm Beach Pictures with a production cost of 25 million U.S. dollars. It was screened in 8 theaters in North America during its initial release. It took in a box office of 1.02 million U.S. dollars in the first week, setting a new box office record for December.

The film was praised by numerous media outlets upon its release, and this praise was a spontaneous act by the media rather than the result of Lionsgate's public relations efforts.

"The Hollywood Reporter" commented that Meryl Streep once again gave a stunning performance, playing the hypocritical, vicious, pitiful and hateful central figure of the family to the core, and Julia Roberts also gave a stunning performance. Best performance since Never Give Up.

Surprisingly, when faced with Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts, the 23-year-old Jennifer Lawrence once again gave an amazing performance, which was not inferior to the two leading actors. Some people said that in "Behind the Clouds" Her performance in Silver Linings Playbook was not enough to win an Academy Award for Best Actress, but her acting skills and interpretation of the character were definitely worthy of an Oscar.

The "Los Angeles Times" commented that the most exciting part of this drama is not in the script, but outside the script.

Everyone knows that Meryl Streep and Jennifer Lawrence have conflicts. This movie brings the two together to play the role of a mother and daughter with fierce conflicts. It is a masterstroke. The rivalry between the two is also the most intense in the film. One of the highlights is that in the face of Meryl's strength, Jennifer did not give in or show any weakness. The scenes performed by the two together sublimated the whole drama.

The New York Times rated this drama as the most recommended female-themed literary film in 2013.

The whole story tells the various disputes and struggles that occur in a family. Watching it makes people feel a sincere sense of desolation, and the leading actors in the movie, whether it is Meryl, Julia, Jennifer, or Abigail , Julianne, Ewan McGregor, etc. all contributed superb acting skills, making this literary film deep and thought-provoking.

There are also newspapers such as "USA Today" and "The Washington Post" that have made positive comments about the movie. The overall media review has reached a score of 92 points, which is not inferior to "Dallas Buyers Club" in terms of word-of-mouth.

Touted by mainstream media, it grossed US$6.67 million in box office in 148 theaters in its second week, with an occupancy rate of 88%.

—

"I don't like this movie."

In the mountainside villa, Taylor said while looking at the news in the newspaper.

"Why?"

"This movie is about a family tragedy. It is very inappropriate to release it before Christmas. It seems very depressing." Taylor commented.

"You are right. Taking this into consideration, we chose to release it on a small scale to prepare for the Olympics. After the New Year, we can release it on a large scale so that it will not affect the emotions of the audience."

Link explained.

This movie is not a family movie. Due to plot issues, it was rated R-rated when reviewed by the MPAA and is not suitable for children.

"Are Oscar statuettes important? You don't even want a Grammy, so why are you competing for an Oscar?"

Taylor crossed her long legs and took a sip of hot coffee on the table.

"I've won a few Grammys, so it's not much of a challenge. I haven't won an Oscar yet, so I want to give it a try."

Link shrugged his shoulders and continued to accompany Alexander, Cynthia, and little Margarita to decorate the four Christmas trees, Christmas dolls, and colored lights. Listening to the chirping voices of the three little guys, it was very festive.

After a while, Selena and little Annie came, and the villa became more noisy, with little ones shouting everywhere.

Link and Ivaca started cooking Christmas dinner, and Taylor was chatting with Catherine, Mandy, Mr. Gomez, and little Annie's father in the living room, a lively family.

"Link, believe it or not, Margarita can also sing the female part of "Victory"."

Selena said as she pulled little Margarita into the kitchen wearing a Christmas dress.

"Little Margarita can sing? Did you teach her?"

Link asked, stopping his kitchen knife.

"Yeah! Margarita, start singing."

Selina poked the little guy's fleshy face and said.

Little Margarita immediately opened her little mouth and screamed, then giggled happily.

"How about it?"

Selina smiled evilly.

Link glared at her, "Go out and play! Don't teach them useless things all day long, or I'll beat you up."

"snort!"

Selena wrinkled her nose and shouted, "Margarita, let's go." The little guy ran behind her. After a while, there were several more screams outside.

"We can no longer let the little ones play with Selena, lest they be led astray by her."

Link said while cutting the meat.

"I think it's good. Selena is very patient with the children and the little ones have a lot of fun playing with her."

Ivaca wears a scarf and washes vegetables in the sink.

"I heard that the second generation of rich people tend to have rebellious children. What should I do if my children grow up to be too rebellious?"

Link asked.

Ivaca smiled slightly and pulled her hair around her ears, "Do you have any good ideas?"

"No, so I discussed it with you."

Link continued chopping vegetables.

"It's too early to discuss this issue now, and it makes the problem too serious. Those rebellious rich second generations you know are a very small number of famous people. Most of the children of wealthy families will grow up to be members of the society after receiving elite education. Elites, as long as we educate our children well and pay more attention to them, the probability of them becoming rebellious when they grow up will be lower, so there is no need to worry too much.”

Ivaca smiled.

Link nodded, agreeing with her statement as a rich second generation.

"How's the Christmas dinner going?"

Taylor came from the living room with juice.

"Are you hungry?"

"No, I'm just doubting what you said about Christmas dinner."

Taylor said, leaning against the counter.

"Don't worry, I guarantee you'll be full."

Link said while chopping vegetables.

"Need any help? I don't want to be freeloaders."

"No need, I can be alone, Eva, you don't have to hinder me here, just go out and play."

Link pushed Ivaca's shoulder.

Ivaca's cold face said with a bit of resentment: "I'm here to help you, and you say I'm hindering you?"

"You're distracting me."

Link shrugged and smiled.

Ivaca gave him a charming look, took off her apron, and accompanied Taylor out.

Link prepared the Christmas dinner by himself, but the speed was even faster. In less than three hours, he cooked a table of sumptuous dishes, including Christmas turkey, Christmas ham, Christmas salmon, Christmas pie, Christmas pudding, and bacon chicken. Rolls, large Christmas pizza, seafood soup, several children's dishes, many fruits and drinks, a full table, all decorated in a festive and lively style.

But before he announced the start of the meal, Selena, Taylor, Ivaca, and Ms. Mandy all took out their mobile phones to take pictures of the table, asking netizens to comment on his skills as a chef.

After they finished filming, everyone started to enjoy the Christmas dinner and chatted about work. With the four little guys chirping in the middle, there was never a moment of silence at the dinner table.

After the Christmas dinner, the sky gradually darkened, and Catherine and Mandy drove away.

Without adults around, the villa became even more noisy. Later, at Selena's suggestion, the group drove to the city's Universal Studios to watch the Christmas show, and went to the amusement park to hang out until little Margarita, Cynthia, and Alexander arrived. I slept in their arms before driving back home.

(End of chapter)