The Daily Populous

Monday July 16th, 2018 evening edition

image for China's First $100M Film Pulled From Cinemas After Disastrous Opening Weekend

Late Sunday evening in Beijing, Asura's official social media accounts posted a simple statement saying that the film would be pulled from cinemas as of 10 p.m. local time.

After landing in theaters with limited fanfare, China's priciest picture ever would vanish from the scene entirely.

Asura is co-produced by Zhenjian Film Studio and Ningxia Film Group — two of the investors behind the successful Painted Skin fantasy franchise — along with Alibaba Pictures Group and other minority investors.

The statement announcing Asura's retreat from cinemas supplied no explanation for the unprecedented move.

A spokesperson for the film declined to comment when contacted by THR on Monday.

The film is an original dramatization of ancient Tibetan mythology, with a vast set of characters occupying different heavenly realms.

The film is the directorial debut of Hollywood stunt coordinator-turned-filmmaker Peng Zhang (Rush Hour 3, Twilight 1 & 2). »

The brain may clean out Alzheimer’s plaques during sleep

Authored by sciencenews.org

A 2017 analysis combined results of 27 studies that looked at the relationship between sleep and cognitive problems, including Alzheimer’s.

It would be easier to understand sleep deprivation if scientists had a better handle on sleep itself.

The brain appears to use sleep to consolidate and process memories (SN: 6/11/16, p. 15) and to catalog thoughts from the day. »

TIL when pirate Jean Lafitte learned that a $500 bounty had been placed on his head by the Governor of Louisiana, he responded by placing a $5000 bounty on the Governor's head.

Authored by famous-pirates.com

Jean Lafitte (born around 1776, died around 1823) is today remembered as one of the most successful pirates and privateers of the early 19th century.

For that purpose Lafitte was regarded as a great hero by the people who lived in that area, and a criminal by the US authorities.

During that battle Lafitte was wounded and died on after the dawn of February 5th. »