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Marvin Montanaro

Marvin Montanaro is the Editor-in-Chief of That Park Place and a seasoned entertainment journalist with nearly two decades of experience across multiple digital media outlets and print publications. He joined That Park Place in 2024, bringing with him a passion for theme parks, pop culture, and film commentary. Based in Orlando, Florida, Marvin regularly visits Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, offering firsthand reporting and analysis from the parks. He’s also the creative force behind The M4 Empire YouTube channel, bringing a critical eye toward the world of pop culture. Montanaro’s insights are rooted in years of real-world reporting and editorial leadership. He can be reached via email at mmontanaro@thatparkplace.com SOCIAL MEDIA: X: http://x.com/marvinmontanaro Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marvinmontanaro Facebook: https://facebook.com/marvinmontanaro YouTube: http://YouTube.com/TheM4Empire Email: mmontanaro@thatparkplace.com
Texas Film Incentive Bill Moves Forward with $1.5 Billion Investment, Positions State as Conservative Hollywood Alternative

Texas Film Incentive Bill Moves Forward with $1.5 Billion Investment, Positions State as Conservative Hollywood Alternative

by | May 28, 2025 | , , ,

The Texas House of Representatives voted 114–26 on Monday to approve Senate Bill 22 (SB 22), a sweeping measure that allocates $300 million in film and television production incentives every other year for the next decade. If fully funded, the program would represent a $1.5 billion investment aimed at attracting film, television, and multimedia projects to shoot and produce in Texas, with the goal of creating local jobs, expanding economic activity, and positioning the state as a competitive alternative to other major production hubs like Georgia and California.

Black Panther Game Canceled by EA, Team Included Former Sweet Baby Inc. Dev Who Bragged About Not Hiring White People

Black Panther Game Canceled by EA, Team Included Former Sweet Baby Inc. Dev Who Bragged About Not Hiring White People

by | May 28, 2025 | , ,

Electronic Arts has officially canceled its Black Panther video game and shut down Cliffhanger Games, the studio created to develop the project.

Announced in 2023 as part of EA’s multi-game deal with Marvel, the title had been in early development with no gameplay footage ever released. Its cancellation comes amid escalating controversy surrounding members of the development team and wider corporate restructuring within EA.

HBO Harry Potter Series Alleged to Cost Between $2-$8 Billion by Daily Mail, Budget Discrepancies Explode as Audience Challenges Mount From All Sides

HBO Harry Potter Series Alleged to Cost Between $2-$8 Billion by Daily Mail, Budget Discrepancies Explode as Audience Challenges Mount From All Sides

by | May 28, 2025 | , , , , ,

The upcoming Harry Potter television series from HBO could be one of the most expensive shows in television history with reports by The Daily Mail of an astronomical budget. According to The Daily Mail, each episode of the series is expected to cost a staggering £75 million, which is more than $100 million in USD. However, this figure contradicts earlier reporting by the outlet. 

The Last of Us Season 2 Finale Ratings Reveal Major Drop as HBO Spins 55% Audience Decline

The Last of Us Season 2 Finale Ratings Reveal Major Drop as HBO Spins 55% Audience Decline

by | May 28, 2025 | , , , , ,

The Last of Us Season 2 has officially wrapped, and while HBO is touting the series’ long-term streaming growth, the initial ratings for the finale paint a much different picture.

According to data shared by HBO and reported by Deadline, the Season 2 finale drew 3.7 million cross-platform viewers in the U.S. on its first night. While that number may seem strong in isolation, it represents a 30% drop from the Season 2 premiere, which brought in 5.3 million viewers. More significantly, it marks a 55% drop from the Season 1 finale, which drew 8.2 million viewers across platforms when it aired in March 2023.

OPINION: New Sony “Bad Actor” Detection Patent Feels A Lot Like a Digital Social Credit Score

OPINION: New Sony “Bad Actor” Detection Patent Feels A Lot Like a Digital Social Credit Score

by | May 28, 2025 | , , , ,

Protecting kids online is a goal we all support. Nobody wants young players harassed, bullied, or exposed to toxic behavior in games like Minecraft or Fortnite. That’s why tools like muting, blocking, and reporting exist—and they’re essential. But a new Sony “bad actor” detection patent floats an approach that goes far beyond moderation.

OPINION: Amazon Cancels Wheel of Time But Still Pretends Rings of Power Was a Hit With Transparent Syndication Plot

OPINION: Amazon Cancels Wheel of Time But Still Pretends Rings of Power Was a Hit With Transparent Syndication Plot

by | May 27, 2025 | , , , , , ,

Amazon is at it again—just days after canceling the much maligned Wheel of Time, the company is trying to convince the world that The Rings of Power is still worth its weight in mithril. After burning through more than $1 billion and facing a mountain of critical and audience indifference, the company has now decided the best way to salvage their beleaguered Tolkien spin-off… is to bring The Rings of Power to syndication.

Rotten Tomatoes Touts Critic Score for The Last of Us Season 2 While Ignoring Audience Rating of 39%

Rotten Tomatoes Touts Critic Score for The Last of Us Season 2 While Ignoring Audience Rating of 39%

by | May 27, 2025 | , , , ,

Rotten Tomatoes is highlighting The Last of Us Season 2 as a critical success, announcing this week on X that the show is “Certified Fresh” with a 94% rating on the Tomatometer based on 238 critic reviews. However, noticeably absent from the post is any mention of the show’s significantly lower audience score—currently sitting at 39%.

Lilo & Stitch Dominates Record Breaking Memorial Day Box Office, Outgrosses Snow White’s Entire Run in Four Days

Lilo & Stitch Dominates Record Breaking Memorial Day Box Office, Outgrosses Snow White’s Entire Run in Four Days

by | May 27, 2025 | , , , ,

Both Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning contributed to the biggest Memorial Day weekend in box office history.

Movie theaters across the country surged with foot traffic as Disney’s Lilo & Stitch and Paramount’s Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning powered an explosive $322 million box office total across all titles—a new high for the holiday frame.

Dragon Age Writer Blames ‘Anti-Fans’ for Game Failures While Ignoring Industry’s Role in Massive Flops

Dragon Age Writer Blames ‘Anti-Fans’ for Game Failures While Ignoring Industry’s Role in Massive Flops

by | May 27, 2025 | , ,

David Gaider, former lead writer on Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age II, and Dragon Age: Inquisition, is drawing new attention for comments made in a recent GamesRadar interview about so-called anti-fans.

In the piece, Gaider criticizes what he calls “anti-fans”—individuals who, he claims, actively work to see certain games fail as a form of punishment for creative decisions they disagree with.

Hollywood Undergoing Conservative Reboot — ‘Cultural Recalibration’ Leaves DEI Behind as Traditional Values Take the Spotlight

Hollywood Undergoing Conservative Reboot — ‘Cultural Recalibration’ Leaves DEI Behind as Traditional Values Take the Spotlight

by | May 27, 2025 | , , , ,

Hollywood isn’t just changing—it’s culturally recalibrating. Behind the glitz and glamor of red carpets and studio premieres, a new wave is sweeping through the entertainment industry. It’s not driven by flashy CGI or prestige Oscar bait, but by something far simpler: traditional values. Welcome to the rise of Conservative Hollywood—an evolving entertainment landscape where stay-at-home moms, cowboy hats, and Bible-quoting reality shows are no longer punchlines but primetime.

Former ESPN Host Slams Bob Iger for Asking The View to Tone Down Political Discourse and Trump Bashing

Former ESPN Host Slams Bob Iger for Asking The View to Tone Down Political Discourse and Trump Bashing

by | May 27, 2025 | , , , ,

Former ESPN host Jemele Hill publicly criticized Disney CEO Bob Iger over the weekend, speaking out against reports that he and ABC News President Almin Karamehmedovic asked The View hosts to cut back on political rhetoric—particularly segments targeting President Donald Trump. Hill, who previously worked under Iger during her controversial ESPN tenure, didn’t hold back.