Chapter 342: Chapter 342 Annual Champion


    “`


    “Ah! Ah! Ah!” A chorus of frenzied screams pierced the skies, and beneath the azure blue, a roller coaster packed with thrill-seekers roared along the serpentine tracks, twisting and turning.


    This was the Six gs Magic Mountain theme park in Los Angeles. It wasn’t Wang Yang and Jessica’s first roller coaster ride, but it was their first time nning to celebrate New Year’s Eve at the amusement park—celebrating not only her recent recovery but the uing New Year as well! Jessica had vowed to enjoy all the rides she could before getting pregnant. The mor of shrieks, the wind rushing by, the tter of the carriage on the track, and bursts of manicughter mingled together as she clutched the safety belt tightly, her hair neatly held back by a headband, surrendering to the exhrating thrill and screaming her voice hoarse, “Ahhh! Ahhhhh!”


    “Hahaha!” Wang Yang raised his hands high as if the slightest movement might sever them from his body, plunging downward and then shooting back up. Embracing the fierce wind head-on, he marveled at the expanse of blue sky and white clouds above, the barely discernible cityscape, and trees that shed by. The sensation was incredible! ncing at Jessica beside him, who was still screaming, he wondered what it would feel like to kiss mid-ride. Opening his mouth wide, he joined in the surrounding cries of excitement, “Ahh! Ahhhhh!”


    The whole world seemed to spin and retreat at high speed! As the roller coaster ascended once again, it was as if to release all the pressures and displeasures umted in 2004. Wang Yang screamed until his throat was raw, shouting randomly, “I’m the Captain!!! Ahhh—HELLO, beautiful world!!! I am a leaf in the wind, watch how I soar, soar—” Amid the thunderous noise, even Jessica couldn’t help but let go and bellow with a heart-stopping intensity, “I am a leaf in the wind!!”


    “The war is over, the war is over!” It was as though he could hear voices from another world. Wang Yang closed his eyes, then opened them again, feeling as if he was in the midst of the Battle of Serenity Valley, with the sky filled with images and information from every corner. Everyone had surrendered! Why surrender after all the talks of independence and autonomy? He blinked once more. Over the years, he had bought a Firefly-ss spaceship, recruited a few crew members, and asionally pulled robberies—fighting, beautiful women, bouts of drunkenness… Although he led a carefree life, he was always a loser!


    Mal, that damned man, had issued an order—the Reavers were the result of a failed experiment, and this presented an opportunity to overturn the Alliance. Many were hesitant, unsure whether to wade into this contentious mess. Attacking New Shanxi was likeying one’s life on the table!


    “15 years ago, at Serenity Valley, I already died!” Not sure whether the roller coaster had broken the sound barrier, Wang Yang was beset by illusions—it was themunication control room of a spaceship! Watching Mal’s firm expression and the hesitation of others to take a step, he shouted wildly, “Today, Ie back to life!! Mal, if I die again this time—if I die, please take me back to Serenity Valley!!”


    Jessica, still screaming, marveled at how Wang Yang could articte his words so clearly amidst the chaos. Wang Yang, caught in a frenzy, smacked the safety belt and danced erratically, spouting lines from his muddled “script”: “Ah! Ah! Fuck-you, you bastards, fuck! Keep being losers! Keep hiding in your Fireflies, cursing the world! Not me! This time, I’ll fight for myself, but I’ll exterminate you all!!! I swear, if I survive, I will exterminate everyst one of you cowards!! I vow, ALL!!! ALL!!!…”


    They made a pact, each one finding the courage—or perhaps reiming the resolve of years past. They all sprung back to life! For better or worse, they would attack New Shanxi!!<div>


    “Mal, we’reing to save you!!” Wang Yangughed heartily, gripping the safety belt as if it were the hatch of a spaceship, ready to plunge into battle with the Reavers and Alliance soldiers. This headwind, this speed, allowed him to feel what Top-Captain must have felt, an audaciousness no green screen or fan in a movie shoot could replicate! If only he’d known, he would’ve dragged Robert Downey Jr. and the rest of the crew to the amusement park for a day of roller coaster rides before filming!


    “`


    The entire sky was intertwined with the fires of war, as warships and spaceships continuously fell and exploded, people dying. Top-Captain was not afraid at all, without a single concern; dying after onest kiss with his beloved hot girlfriend would have been better, but it didn’t matter! To die was to die, no one in the independence faction that hade to New Shanxi was afraid of death, it was for glory, for freedom, for themselves, and for a better world, a world without the Star Alliance! Kill!!


    Hended on the ground, killed many, many plunderers and Star Allianceckeys, and died trying to save Mal, lying on the ground looking up at the sky where the fireflies of battle drifted. He seemed to return to Serenity Valley, that overgrown, bird-shitless but beautiful Serenity Valley, everything was just as familiar as it was 15 years ago. He believed that the independence faction would win the Battle of New Shanxi, believed that Mal would take him back to Serenity Valley, to forever apany those weeds and the fireflies of the summer nights.


    Just like Captain Mal, Blue Glove, the plunderers, and others, the story of Top-Captain too would hit the big screen next high summer.


    “Whew!” The roller coaster came to a stop at the end of the track, eliciting diverse reactions from the many tourists; some were unharmed, others felt nauseous and vomited, but nearly all needed to catch their breath resting on the seats. Stepping off the roller coaster, Wang Yang and Jessicaughed arm in arm as they headed to other attractions, with her saying, “You’re crazy! I was so afraid you’d fall off!” Wang Yangughed, “Weren’t you? I thought we were making love.” Jessica punched him several times, this guy was getting more and more fond of R-rated jokes, was he hitting a rebellious phase? And she felt a bit wronged, “Since when have I ever been like that?” Wang Yang’s look was suggestive, pretending not to understand, he shook his head, “Every time?”


    Jessica didn’t want to continue this subject, since she could never win against him, she asked with augh, “Darling! What shall we y next?” Wang Yang already had an idea, “Let’s go on ‘The Riddler’s Revenge’!” The Riddler’s Revenge was a stand-up roller coaster, over 1,300 meters long, very, very thrilling; it had been nearly a year since theyst went on it. Jessica yelled excitedly, “Wow, I love it!” With a swing of her arm, she shouted, “GO, GO, GO!”…


    The lively amusement park was bustling with visitors, their screams andughter were ceaseless. The couple truly enjoyed themselves in various theme parks all day long, feeling almost as if they were falling apart, or as Wang Yang’s R-rated words would put it, “more tired than doing it ten times in one night.” As they yed, night fell, and the New Year was about to arrive.


    “10, 9, 8—” Below the night sky, the Six gs square was packed with visitors, the countdown to the New Year echoing through the heavens, Wang Yang and Jessica stood hand in hand gazing up at the pitch-ck sky, shouting withughter, “7, 6, 5—”


    With each countdown, memorable moments from the soon-to-pass year 2004 shed before them. That year, “The Devil Wears Prada” achieved over $558 million in global box office amid a barrage of criticism from movie reviewers; they entered the hall and made vows to stay together for life, after an unforgettable honeymoon they began a happy married life; they and the entire production crew had put their utmost effort and heart into “Firefly”, her sudden illness dyed the shooting progress and their pregnancy ns, but he took care of everything with utmost detail, “Firefly” now only awaited the moment for the bud to bloom.


    After the bustling high summer came the TV fall season, “The Big Bang Theory” unleashed astonishingedic energy, brewing a greateback among geeks worldwide; at the end of the year to coincide with YOUTUBE’sunch, they had a good time pranking each other, kickstarting the spoof of husband/boyfriend VS wife/girlfriend, but even without YOUTUBE, no matter what others did, they were always so sweet and fun every day, right up to thesest few seconds of the year, spent in happiness.


    “4, 3, 2, 1! Happy New Year—”


    2005 had arrived! With a roar—as the countdown ended—the dark sky lit up with fireworks, the booming sounds of the blossoms climbing and exploding deafened the spectators, and streams of dazzling purple fireworks shot up before falling back down, roar—


    “Happy New Year!” Cheers and blessings of tourists filled Six gs Square, friends smiling and congratting each other, couples embracing and kissing. After sharing a tender, long kiss with Jessica, Wang Yang was about to say something with a smile, looking at her eyes full of love, but Jessica hurriedly sealed his mouth with hers again—this year, she would speak first! With a sizzling sound as their lips parted, she shed a toothy smile, “I love you!”


    He had been beaten to it! Wang Yang couldn’t help but frown slightly; this girl was too cunning! What to do? His eyes darted around, then he immediately said with augh, “I love you too! And I like you.” Beaten to ‘like’ as well! Jessica felt a bit annoyed that she hadn’t said it in one go, she nced at the brilliant fireworks in the sky, and also said with a smile, “I like you too! And I admire you.” Admire? Wow! Wang Yang couldn’t help but wrap his arms around her, lower his head against her forehead, and spin around amidst the crowd, “I admire you too! And I care about you.”


    Care—that word was too…! Sweetly considering it, Jessica replied with a smile, “I care about you too! And I apany you.” Apany? Okay then! Wang Yang’s grin stretched into a mischievous smile, “I apany you too, and I-FUCK-YOU!” Jessica was momentarily stunned, then she rolled her eyes with a snort, “Just kill me!” She went from whispering to shouting, “I also FUCK you, and I-HATE-YOU!” Wang Yang burst intoughter, “Doesn’t every kid hate Wang Yang? I don’t hate you, but I-HIT-YOU! Ha ha!” Jessica alsoughed raucously, it seemed he was going crazy recently due to being on birth control during the safe period, serves him right! She threw her head back with augh, “This isn’t fun, HEY! This isn’t fun!…” Her tone was somewhat reluctant, “OK, I also crash into you, and I KISS you!…”


    “What are we waiting for, then?” Beneath the dazzling fireworks, within the lively crowd, the two couldn’t suppress their overflowing affection, and passionately kissed each other.


    As a new calendar went up on the wall and the New Year chimes rang out, January 1st, 2005 officially began, and the 2004 filmpany’s North American box office share battle also came to a conclusion.


    Although “The Devil Wears Prada” had a North American box office of $235 million, it only contributed $58.73 million to me Film in 2004; another old movie, “Saw,” had $8,843 for one day of screening. Last summer, me Film unchallenged seized four weekend champions to be the summer champion. The box office of three movies was frighteningly high, with “Ice Age 2” grossing $230 million in North America and $730 million worldwide; “Furious Cars” grossing $195 million in North America and $557 million worldwide; “The Hangover 2” with $260 million in North America, and $623 million worldwide; “Saw II,” which hadn’t yet opened overseas, finished its North American run with $118 million; “Mr. Hughes 2,” screened for 22 days, contributed $91.49 million at the box office; “Crash,” as the closing film screened for 15 days, also had $31.26 million.<div>


    So, over the past 366 days, me Film swept a total of $986.13 million in North American box office with eight new and old films, that is, $986 million! The highest was $260 million, averaging $123.2 million per film; an average of $154.5 million per new film.


    Astonishing, magical, crazy—these words are not enough to describe this enviable report card. Just looking at “Alexander the Great,” which imed an investment of $155 million yet only earned a pitiful $28.6 million in North American box office, shows just how unpredictable the market is! me Film, bold as brass, treated the market as their own backyard, reaping what they sowed and collecting a staggering $986 million, cornering 10.2% of the market share. This figure solidly ced them in fourth position annually, looking down on all independent filmpanies and several traditional powerhouses.


    Last year’s total North American box office was a fixed $9.68 billion, with Sony/Columbia snatching the annual championship with total box office of $1.237 billion, a 12.8% market share. They released 24/17 films, the highest being “Spider-Man 2” at $373 million, averaging $51.5 million per film; Warner Brothers took runner-up with $1.151 billion, an 11.9% market share, the highest being “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” at $249 million, averaging $41.1 million per film (28/22); Disney’s distribution brand Buena Vista took in $1.109 billion, an 11.5% market share, the highest being Pixar’s “The Incredibles” at $248 million, averaging $39.6 million per film (28/20).


    DreamWorks ranked fifth, second among independent film studios, with a 9.1% market share, averaging $80 million per film (11/10); 20th Century Fox came in sixth, with a 9.0% market share, averaging $48.4 million per film (18/14); Universal Studios was seventh, with 8.5%, averaging $41.1 million per film (20/14); Paramount ranked eighth, with 5.7%, averaging $32.4 million per film (17/14); New Line Cinema ced ninth, third among independents, with 3.6%, averaging $24.8 million per film (14/10); and Newmarket was tenth, fourth among independents, with 3.5%, averaging $42.3 million per film (8/7).<div>


    Miramax Films at 3.4%, Lionsgate at 2.9%, MGM at 2.1%, Fox Searchlight at 1.8%, and Focus Features at 1.0% took the 11th to 15th ces respectively; their average revenues were respectively $16.4 million (20/13), $14 million (20/17), $10.6 million (19/15), $15.8 million (11/10), and $13.8 million (7/5).


    Therefore, the average box office revenue per film in 2004 once again crowned mes as the champion, DreamWorks as the runner-up, and Sony/Columbia in third ce.


    However,pared to DreamWorks’ precarious financial situation with earnings not covering interest payments, the financially mysterious yet healthy mes Film was so powerful! DreamWorks was like a feeble old man, drained and weak, while mes was a young, robust, and energetic muscle man with a stunningly high IQ of over 187! This meant that their charm was incredibly astounding.


    “mes Film Company has finally be the king of the independent film kingdom, heralding a new era in Hollywood.” — Yahoo Entertainment; “The rise of mes Film is hard to replicate, there’s only one Wang Yang in the world.” — The Hollywood Reporter; “The perfect executor of the Pareto principle and the long-tail theory, what will be mes Film’s next step?” — The Wall Street Journal; “It makes all the other filmpanies feel ashamed.” — Los Angeles Times…


    “Support mes Film! Looking forward to more amazing movies from you guys in 2005!” As soon as this good news was released, staunch mes film fans left messages of support on the official website and other ces, expressing their expectations and opinions for the new year. John223 wrote, “I won’t watch ‘Brokeback Mountain’ because I don’t support homosexuality, but I’m really looking forward to ‘Kung Fu Panda’ and ‘Firefly’.” Molly wrote, “I’ve been fascinated by the mysterious and charming Chinese culture since I was a child, ‘Kung Fu Panda’ and ‘Firefly’ will be one of the must-see movies for me this year.” Lovelucy1 expressed, “I’m interested in watching all six new films from mes this year, with ‘Firefly’ being my most anticipated, looking forward to an exciting viewing experience!” Cryssosa excitedly wrote, “Another year of Wang Yang’s movies, there were two each in 2000, 2002, and 2003, will 2005 be the same? What ns does mes have? P.S. I love Wang Yang!”…N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Lorne-L seemed to have stumbled upon the discussion by ident, asking on the message board, “I would like to know when mes is going to release the new DVD of ‘MIT-21-TEAM’? I heard there are many behind-the-scenes extras that haven’t been released, including Natalie Portman’s debate with Wang Yang, is that so?”


    “We are very grateful for the support mes Film has received over the past year, it’s your energy that has helped us achieve these surprising results.”


    Fiona Hasen, the spokesperson for mes Film, expressed heartfelt thanks to the fans through the media, adding, “mes Film will continue to strive in 2005, with a strict demand for film quality and satisfying our audience as our goal! We will introduce more outstanding new films and sequels.”


    “This year we have already confirmed therge-scale release of six films, including the animatededy ‘Kung Fu Panda’, carefully produced by Blue Sky Studios for more than three years; the $200 million budget sci-fi adventure film ‘Firefly’ directed and produced by Wang Yang; ‘Assassin’s Creed’, a return to action gun-fighting films by John Woo; sequels ‘Step Up 2: The Streets’ and ‘Saw III’; as well as the drama ‘Brokeback Mountain’ directed by Ang Lee, which is a deeply moving and emotional story. The six films have different styles and themes, and we believe everyone will not be disappointed.” (