Latest news with #TheCuriousCaseofBenjaminButton
Business Wire
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Moonvalley Hires VFX Trailblazer Ed Ulbrich to Lead Strategic Growth in AI-Powered Entertainment
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Moonvalley, an AI research company building foundational AI video models and tools trained exclusively on licensed content, today announced the appointment of visual effects industry veteran Ed Ulbrich as Head of Strategic Growth & Partnerships. In this role, Ulbrich will help shape the company's broader growth strategy while deepening Moonvalley's relationships across studios, brands, agencies, and creative communities. He will also collaborate closely with Moonvalley's studio arm, Asteria Film Co., to accelerate adoption and integration of its technology within professional filmmaking communities and workflows. Ulbrich brings over 30 years of experience driving innovation at the intersection of storytelling, production, and technology. His credits include some of cinema's most ambitious films including Top Gun: Maverick, Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and Titanic. He also produced the sci-fi epic Ender's Game and helped pioneer live digital human performances with the now-iconic 'Tupac Shakur hologram' at Coachella. Most recently, Ulbrich served as Chief Content Officer and President of Production at Metaphysic, where he worked with major studios, streamers, talent, brands, agencies, and labels to integrate generative AI into high-end production and post. Over three decades, he has led innovation in visual effects across film, TV, streaming, advertising, music videos, and live entertainment. Beyond features, he has delivered VFX for more than 500 commercials for global brands, earning honors including the Cannes Lions Titanium Award. He held senior roles at Deluxe and spent two decades at Academy Award-winning Digital Domain—co-founded by James Cameron, Scott Ross, and Stan Winston—where he also served as CEO. The announcement reflects Hollywood's evolving relationship with AI technology. Following industry strikes partly centered on AI concerns, studios are seeking partners who can deliver professional tools while respecting creators' rights. Moonvalley's approach of building models exclusively from licensed content directly addresses these concerns. "From his pioneering work on 'Benjamin Button' to leading AI adoption and integration at Metaphysic, Ed knows how to turn innovative technology into tools that actually work for filmmakers at scale,' said Naeem Talukdar, Co-Founder and CEO of Moonvalley. 'He knows what it takes to earn the trust of filmmakers and how to bring transformative technology into their workflows. We're thrilled to have someone with his expertise and relationships help us bring this technology to the studios and creators who will define its future.' Ulbrich's appointment follows Moonvalley's launch of Marey, the first high-quality AI video model trained exclusively on licensed content. Named after pioneering cinematographer Etienne-Jules Marey, the model proves that powerful generative AI can be built without exploiting creators' work - something tech giants have claimed is impossible. 'I've spent my career pushing the boundaries of how technology serves storytelling,' said Ulbrich. 'What drew me to Moonvalley is their respect for the craft, their use of clean, licensed data, and their focus on empowering creators without compromise. They're solving the right problems the right way, and that's exactly what the industry needs right now. This is the kind of company that can actually change how films get made, and I'm all in.' Hollywood is at a critical crossroads with generative AI. The technology could slash production costs and democratize high-quality content creation, but adoption has been slow over legal concerns about training data and tools that fall short of professional standards. Moonvalley's clean-data approach and focus on filmmaker needs position it to break through these barriers. About Moonvalley Moonvalley is an AI research company building next-generation models and tools for creative professionals. The company brings together talent from DeepMind, Google, Meta, Microsoft, TikTok, and leading entertainment companies, unified around advancing visual intelligence. Through partnerships with film studios, production companies, and brands, Moonvalley is proving that powerful generative AI can be built while respecting artists' and creators' rights.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Moonvalley Hires VFX Trailblazer Ed Ulbrich to Lead Strategic Growth in AI-Powered Entertainment
Hollywood Innovator Joins Visionary AI Company Building the First Fully-Licensed Video Generation Model LOS ANGELES, June 18, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Moonvalley, an AI research company building foundational AI video models and tools trained exclusively on licensed content, today announced the appointment of visual effects industry veteran Ed Ulbrich as Head of Strategic Growth & Partnerships. In this role, Ulbrich will help shape the company's broader growth strategy while deepening Moonvalley's relationships across studios, brands, agencies, and creative communities. He will also collaborate closely with Moonvalley's studio arm, Asteria Film Co., to accelerate adoption and integration of its technology within professional filmmaking communities and workflows. Ulbrich brings over 30 years of experience driving innovation at the intersection of storytelling, production, and technology. His credits include some of cinema's most ambitious films including Top Gun: Maverick, Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and Titanic. He also produced the sci-fi epic Ender's Game and helped pioneer live digital human performances with the now-iconic "Tupac Shakur hologram" at Coachella. Most recently, Ulbrich served as Chief Content Officer and President of Production at Metaphysic, where he worked with major studios, streamers, talent, brands, agencies, and labels to integrate generative AI into high-end production and post. Over three decades, he has led innovation in visual effects across film, TV, streaming, advertising, music videos, and live entertainment. Beyond features, he has delivered VFX for more than 500 commercials for global brands, earning honors including the Cannes Lions Titanium Award. He held senior roles at Deluxe and spent two decades at Academy Award-winning Digital Domain—co-founded by James Cameron, Scott Ross, and Stan Winston—where he also served as CEO. The announcement reflects Hollywood's evolving relationship with AI technology. Following industry strikes partly centered on AI concerns, studios are seeking partners who can deliver professional tools while respecting creators' rights. Moonvalley's approach of building models exclusively from licensed content directly addresses these concerns. "From his pioneering work on 'Benjamin Button' to leading AI adoption and integration at Metaphysic, Ed knows how to turn innovative technology into tools that actually work for filmmakers at scale," said Naeem Talukdar, Co-Founder and CEO of Moonvalley. "He knows what it takes to earn the trust of filmmakers and how to bring transformative technology into their workflows. We're thrilled to have someone with his expertise and relationships help us bring this technology to the studios and creators who will define its future." Ulbrich's appointment follows Moonvalley's launch of Marey, the first high-quality AI video model trained exclusively on licensed content. Named after pioneering cinematographer Etienne-Jules Marey, the model proves that powerful generative AI can be built without exploiting creators' work - something tech giants have claimed is impossible. "I've spent my career pushing the boundaries of how technology serves storytelling," said Ulbrich. "What drew me to Moonvalley is their respect for the craft, their use of clean, licensed data, and their focus on empowering creators without compromise. They're solving the right problems the right way, and that's exactly what the industry needs right now. This is the kind of company that can actually change how films get made, and I'm all in." Hollywood is at a critical crossroads with generative AI. The technology could slash production costs and democratize high-quality content creation, but adoption has been slow over legal concerns about training data and tools that fall short of professional standards. Moonvalley's clean-data approach and focus on filmmaker needs position it to break through these barriers. About Moonvalley Moonvalley is an AI research company building next-generation models and tools for creative professionals. The company brings together talent from DeepMind, Google, Meta, Microsoft, TikTok, and leading entertainment companies, unified around advancing visual intelligence. Through partnerships with film studios, production companies, and brands, Moonvalley is proving that powerful generative AI can be built while respecting artists' and creators' rights. View source version on Contacts press@
Pink Villa
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
10 Brad Pitt Movies to Watch Before F1: The Movie Releases
Brad Pitt is set to return to the big screens with his upcoming movie, F1. The actor will don the racer suit, as his character in the film, Sonny Hayes, takes up the sport thirty years after his career ended due to an accident. While there is no doubt about Brad Pitt 's performance in the new cinematic piece, as he has time and again proven his versatility. Ahead of the big F1 release, here are the top 10 Brad Pitt movies to stream. Sr. No. Name of the Movie Release Year Genre Character Name Synopsis 1. Money Ball 2011 Sports/Comedy Billy Beane Athletics manager Billy Beanes decides to challenge the old-school team selection method by building a baseball team using an innovative computer-generated analysis. 2. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button 2009 Romance/Fantasy Benjamin Button The Academy Award-winning movie is based on an elderly man who ages in reverse. He experiences love, heartbreak, and everything in between before he dies as a baby. 3. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood 2019 Comedy/Western Cliff Booth Rick and Cliff struggle to regain fame after being washed out from the industry in the 1960s. The twists and turns throughout their journey only make it difficult for them to get to their goal. 4. Fight Club 1999 Action/Crime Tyler Durden An unhappy and frustrated white-collar insomniac ends up in an underground fight with Tyler, a soap salesman. The duo then set up a venture together. 5. Ocean's Eleven 2001 Crime/Comedy Rusty Ryan Danny Ocean gets together with a group of associates to hatch a perfect heist plan. The team robs three casinos in Las Vegas in the midst of a big boxing event. 6. Babylon 2022 Comedy/Drama Jack Conrad The movie perfectly captures the essence of the rise and fall of the film industry. It undergoes the transition from silent pictures to the world of sound films. 7. Inglorious Basterds 2009 War/Action Lt. Aldo Raine Shoshanna wishes to avenge her family, who were killed by the nazis. While on her mission, she meets Jewish-American guerrilla soldiers who have a similar plan, and things change for her drastically. 8. Fury 2014 War/Action Wardaddy Wardaddy, along with his team, embarks on a mission, putting many lives in danger. The crew realizes that they are the target but still goes on to attack the nazis. 9. Wolfs 2024 Thriller/Suspense Nick A crime fixer finds himself in a spiraling situation after he has to work with an unexpected counterpart. 10. The Big Short 2015 Comedy/Thriller Ben Rickert A team of finance experts observes instability in the stock market. Through the research, they are able to discover the flaws
Hindustan Times
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
When Brad Pitt played chess on ghats, got his beard trimmed at barber shop in Banaras. See pics
Hollywood star Brad Pitt never fails to mesmerise fans with his good looks. A set of old photos that have resurfaced online is once again reminding people how the actor is one of the most handsome men in Hollywood. The pictures show the Oscar-winning star exploring the streets of Banaras (Varanasi) during the shoot of his 2008 film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. (Also Read: Brad Pitt reportedly reeling from divorce, but 'admitting that publicly would give Angelina Jolie…') In one of the photos, Brad is seen getting his beard groomed at a local barber shop. Another shows him reading a newspaper while the barber trims his hair. In yet another picture, the actor is spotted sitting on the ghats of Banaras, playing chess with a local. He was also seen posing with people while sitting under a tree and riding a bike through the city's narrow streets. Talking about his visit to the city, Brad Pitt had earlier told DNA, "On my last visit, I got to see a lot of India. There is no place like it. And it's so diverse — both the South and the North — that one cannot get to see all of it in a couple of weeks. But I found Varanasi absolutely staggering. I have never seen anything like it before. The city just spills into the river Ganges. It's a holy place where people go to die. It's really, really extraordinary!" The photos had fans swooning over his looks and simplicity. One fan commented, "How is he looking so magnificent doing normal everyday stuff in the same backdrop we all live in?" Another wrote, "Honestly, he looks like one of those college bachelors – the cool dudes of the group – who don't bathe for a few days but are still good looking." A third joked, "Plot twist: He aged backwards so fast, he ended up in a previous life in Varanasi." Another user wrote, "This dude is ageing like fine wine." And one summed it up by saying, "Ridiculously good looking and a cool dude at the same time." The American romantic fantasy drama, directed by David Fincher and adapted by Eric Roth and Robin Swicord from F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1922 short story, stars Brad Pitt as a man who ages in reverse and Cate Blanchett as the love of his life. The film also features Taraji P. Henson, Julia Ormond, Jason Flemyng, Elias Koteas, and Tilda Swinton. Brad Pitt will next be seen in F1. It is directed by Joseph Kosinski and will be out on June 27. He also has Heart of the Beast, directed by David Ayer. The American action-adventure film follows a former Navy SEAL and his retired combat dog as they attempt to return to civilisation after a catastrophic accident in the Alaskan wilderness. The film is scheduled for release in 2026.
Tokyo Weekender
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tokyo Weekender
Osaka's Best Restaurant and Bar Openings: Spring 2025
With Expo 2025 currently taking place in Osaka, there's a lot of focus on Japan's second city right now. With that in mind, we thought we'd take a look at some of the best bar and restaurant openings in the region this spring. List of Contents: Canes & Tales, Waldorf Astoria Osaka Sonata Bar & Lounge, Patina Osaka Sushidokoro Issekis ancho The Stairs Brasserie R égine, The St. Regis Osaka Time Out Market Osaka Related Posts Canes & Tales, Waldorf Astoria Osaka Canes & Tales, Waldorf Astoria Osaka An intimate 47-seat cocktail bar tucked away at the end of a dimly lit corridor, Canes & Tales is an extremely sophisticated place to drink inspired by the romance and mystery of the 1930s Golden Age of jazz. Located on the 28th floor of the Waldorf Astoria Osaka— a 252-room luxurious hotel blending New York glamor with Japanese design that opened on April 3 — it pays homage to the hideaway bars of Manhattan. The opening menu at Canes & Tales is based on Tales of the Jazz Age , with the cocktails named after F. Scott Fitzgerald's collection of 11 short stories. This includes 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,' which invites customers to choose the age of their whisky. Other highlights are 'Porcelain and Pink,' which mixes vodka and coconut rum, and 'Mr. Icky,' featuring shochu and Campari. Food offerings range from Japanese oysters to a Coney Island hot dog. See here for more information. Sonata Bar & Lounge, Patina Osaka Sonata Bar & Lounge, Patina Osaka Another luxurious hotel that opened in the city this spring was Patina Osaka, which is where you'll find the one-of-a-kind space, Sonata Bar & Lounge. Located on the 20th floor of the building, it boasts stunning views of Osaka Castle, particularly from the terrace. There's a wide selection of classic and signature cocktails to choose from, such as Moonshot with miso, shiso, cardamom and soda. The creative cocktails pair nicely with bar snacks and pintxos. In front of the bar is a large upcycled painting by Wataru Hatano titled 'Mud,' that incorporates soil unearthed during the construction of the hotel. What truly sets Sonata Bar & Lounge apart, though, is its listening lounge featuring a wall of Japanese-made vintage analog speakers. Every night, staff members take it in turns to play a selection of tracks from the bar's vast record collection, which includes jazz, soul and Japanese city pop. See here for more information. Sushidokoro Issekisancho Sushidokoro Issekis ancho A three-minute walk from Shin-Fukushima Station, Sushidokoro is the newest branch of the renowned Tokyo-based Issekisancho restaurant group. The concept of the eatery is 'affordable luxury.' It can achieve this by purchasing large quantities of high-quality seafood directly from fishing ports rather than going through traditional markets. Guests can choose from four courses, all of which feature a range of sumptuous sushi plates as well as chawanmushi, assorted appetizers and milkshake shaved ice. Tucked away in a back alley, the restaurant has a hideaway feel to it with an interior that's stylish yet cozy. Guests sit around the counter as the chef works his magic, incorporating subtle innovative touches to elevate the sushi plates. On June 22, the Issekisancho Club will open, transforming the sushi restaurant into a bar from 10 p.m. until 3 a.m. The menu will feature a variety of drinks, including original cocktails with plenty of seasonal fruits. See here for more information. The Stairs The Stairs Opened on April 3, The Stairs is a sophisticated rooftop bar in the upscale entertainment district of Kitashinchi, which is just a 10-minute walk from JR Osaka Station. With breathtaking views of the city skyline, it has quickly become a hot spot for visitors to the area. The bar was designed by Yasumichi Morita, a renowned interior designer known for his works all over the world, including in New York, London, Shanghai and Hong Kong. The Stairs can be enjoyed as a shisha bar or as a setting for some casual drinks and a bite to eat. In addition to the various champagne options, highlights on the menu include the bar's signature cocktails, such as the Mexican Herb Squash with homemade herbal tequila, grapefruit juice and tonic water, and Kitashinchi Bijin with tea gin, chai syrup, shochu, lemon juice and egg white. There are four nightly piano performances, starting at 7:30 p.m. See here for more information. Brasserie Régine Brasserie R égine, The St. Regis Osaka Opened on April 3, Brasserie R égine is a refined eatery with a classic Parisian ambiance. Housed within the elegant European-style hotel, The St. Regis Osaka, it features an open atrium, high ceilings and an impressive outdoor terrace. A restaurant that expresses the charms of both Osaka and Paris, it blends fine dining qualities with a more relaxed, accessible atmosphere, making it great for both special occasions and for casual dining experiences. The menu is overseen by Ryuta Iizuka, who trained at Michelin-starred restaurants in France before opening Ryuzu in 2011, which also received two Michelin stars. His dishes at Brasserie R égine honor the soul of traditional French cuisine yet are arranged in a way to suit modern sensibilities. Highlights include pate en croute, beef cheek braised in red wine with roasted root vegetables and mousse de fromage blanc with strawberry coulis. See here for more information. Time Out Market Osaka | Kisa Toyoshima Time Out Market Osaka The Grand Green Osaka South Building, which houses 55 shops and restaurants, opened on March 21. It boasts some great dining options, not least on the basement floor where you'll find the world-renowned Time Out Market. A concept that started with a single market in Lisbon in 2014, Osaka is its 11th location globally and first in Asia. It spans a huge 3,000-square-meter space with 17 carefully selected kitchens and two bars offering premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The market showcases Osaka's vibrant food culture. From Ayamuya — the first restaurant in the city to receive a Michelin star for its yakitori — to the Mexican fine-dining eatery, Saboten Taqueria, visitors have some amazing options to choose from, with dishes prepared by an all-star lineup of local chefs. Koala Shokudo, serving Osaka staples such as okonomiyaki and pork belly yakisoba, is another firm favorite. There are also regular events, such as Latin music nights every Friday. See here for more information. Related Posts Tokyo's Best Restaurant and Bar Openings | April 2025 24 Hours in Osaka The New York Times Names Toyama and Osaka as Top Places To Visit in 2025
