America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

"This is the most entertaining film of all my movies,"

Scorsese said to the reporters in front of the theater. He then lowered his head, got into the car, and the black sedan drove towards the hotel where the crew was staying, followed by a truck hauling cattle.

The cattle would be shipped out overnight.

Martin and two others didn't take interviews and got into the same car.

Nicholson, who had been friends with the director for decades, said, "Scorsese is in good spirits, he's very satisfied with the film."

But Martin sighed.

Nicholson asked, "You don't think the film is good?"

"No," Martin said, recalling, "Just the three of us, we must have dropped over 200 F-bombs in the final cut, right?"

Leonardo thought for a moment, "No less than that."

Martin said, "You know why I sighed? I'm ashamed of our impoverished swear-word vocabulary."

Nicholson shook his head, "Your focus is really fucking unique."

Martin said, "Swearing is also an art form."

Back at the hotel, the three went to Leonardo's room for a drink. They hadn't finished half a bottle of whiskey when three different text message alerts went off simultaneously.

Martin took out his phone and saw that Warner Bros. had released the results of a survey scoring from the premiere audience.

Leonardo laughed, "The premiere audience gave it an average grade of A+, the best result."

"Indeed not bad," Martin said seriously. "I think I'll get very positive reviews."

Nicholson agreed, "Mainly thanks to Leo, this idiot here."

They had promotional events the next day, so none of them drank too late and soon went their separate ways.

Warner Bros. was confident in "Infernal Affairs," and they lifted the embargo on the film's various ratings that very night.

By the next morning, the Rotten Tomatoes freshness score was out, an impressive 95% fresh.

Later on, MTC's average media composite score listed "Infernal Affairs" with an average score of 87.

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Famed film critic Roger Ebert, who attended the premiere, offered his quick take in his column: "This is the best film by Martin Scorsese since 'Goodfellas' in 1990, and one of the best films of the year."

The film quality ensured, Warner Bros. only needed a little push, and the media buzz took off.

Moreover, through the years, Scorsese hadn't made any really bad films or been excessively commercial.

This kept him in good standing with critics.

By contrast, Martin's side was holding off since the film hadn't been widely released yet.

Surprisingly, due to his choice of arthouse films like 'The Reader,' the critical circle in Los Angeles held him in quite high regard.

Especially Kenneth Turan from "The Los Angeles Times."

He attended the premiere the night before and was quick to write a related review in his column.

Unlike Roger Ebert, Kenneth Turan focused on Martin.

"The critics in L.A. have always believed that Martin Davis is a gifted actor with artistic pursuits, which could be seen from his choice of 'The Reader' earlier this year. Last night's premiere of 'Infernal Affairs' confirmed this as well."

"Martin played a criminal who is an undercover in the police force. With his exquisite acting, he brought out the complexity of the character's inner world, showing us a complex character composed of desire, power, and betrayal. This complexity made it easy for the audience to empathize with the character and to deeply understand his decisions and actions."

"Hollywood has seen many talented actors emerge, and Martin will surely become one of them. He brought a special magic to Director Scorsese's new film with an outstanding character, and he deserves to gain something this awards season."

In the streets of Toronto during a promotional break, Leonardo saw the copy of "The Los Angeles Times" that the crew had delivered.

He asked Martin, "Be honest, did you have some sort of 'butt transaction' with that Kenneth Turan? That old bastard has bad-mouthed me for years, yet he licks your boots like this!"

Martin, deep in tone and far in gaze, said, "Can't help it, my artistic pursuit is higher than yours."

Leonardo despised the notion, "You have an artistic pursuit?"

Telling the truth, Martin said, "Whether I have it or not doesn't matter, what's key is that the critics and the Academy jurors think I do!"

Unable to hold back, Leonardo said, "Those people have problems in their heads. I didn't care about the Oscars back then, they resented me for not valuing the Oscars and not respecting art. Later, when I took steps to get closer to the Academy and the Oscars, actively campaigning each year, they thought I was deliberately chasing awards and still not respecting art."

He asked Martin, "Are they not cuckoo?"

"No, they're not cuckoo, they just look down on you," Martin revealed a brutal truth, "If an unattractive person chased you, no matter how they acted or what they said, wouldn't you have a hundred ways to reject her?"

Leonardo said, "I could find a thousand ways off the top of my head," and then realizing, he pointed to his nose and asked, "Am I the unattractive one?"

Martin shrugged, "Kate now understands how to become their moonlight."

Leonardo looked down at his belly and then pinched his increasingly wide face, understanding what being moonlight meant.

He sighed inwardly. What a bunch of freaks, wasn't it better to admire beautiful things?

Nicholson came by and said, "What is there to fear? Even if you turned into what I am now, the women who should throw themselves at you will still do so."

He glanced at Martin and chose to stand by Leonardo, "Even though you're 11 seconds, even though you're not as big as him, you are better than him..."

Leonardo interrupted, "Stop! Jack, don't say another word, or I'll be so embarrassed I'll have to jump off a building."

Martin immediately criticized Nicholson, "You're terrible, how can you say Leo is 11 seconds? Leo runs the 100-meter sprint in 11 meters, that sounds much better."

Leonardo nodded at them both, "The day I get that little golden Oscar statuette, I'll give each of you 50 ugly, dark, and tacky figurines, and even if you cry, you'll have to finish all those tasks!"

......

Los Angeles, Pacific Film Production Company.

Louise, accompanied by her assistant, sent off the Asian investor Wu Maoting and turned to enter another reception room.

Thomas was waiting here and, seeing her come in, said, "The premiere of 'Infernal Affairs' was a huge success with excellent reviews from all quarters. Martin's performance has been highly praised by the critics. Can we start our campaign now?"

Louise said, "The critics who have a good impression of Martin have always been managed by your side. Continue to handle that, and leave the Academy jurors to me."

There are over 1300 judges for the acting categories. Based on past experience, after nominations have been declared, securing about 200 votes would almost certainly ensure a nomination.

Not every juror votes in the nomination round.

Louise asked, "How are the discussions going with the members I outlined for you?"

Thomas responded, "They have clearly stated they will support Martin, and will also mobilize certain resources to back him."

Louise nodded slightly, "We can't neglect the work that needs to be done."

Thomas knew that Louise, along with that rich lady from Atlanta, had funded a professional PR team. He said, "The resources contributed by WMA are now in my hands, and Ari Emanuel will personally attend the key screenings to help canvass votes."

Louise felt it still wasn't enough, "At the critical moment of nomination voting, it would be best to have some eye-catching news. There are many jurors who, no matter how much you nudge them, won't watch the films. They just vote with their feet, casting their votes for someone they've recently been familiar with."

Thomas replied, "Martin has made some preparations."

Louise nodded, then added, "Praises from well-known figures can also influence a lot of people's choices."

Thomas said, "Martin will handle that personally."

Louise also pointed out a key factor, "We must be wary of smears from our competitors. Over the years, Martin hasn't stepped on a few others in his ascent."

The two then discussed this further.

Ever since Harvey Weinstein joined the game, not only has the amount of money spent on public relations increased exponentially, but every year there are scandals surrounding hot films.

The smear campaign against 'The Soldier' that year was considered a classic battle case.

After Thomas left, Louise returned to her office and made a phone call, "Rita, it's time to act."

Rita PR Company specializes in publicity and PR services for the entertainment industry, with award season being the busiest time.

Rita Baker, the company's founder and primary partner, was a college friend of Louise.

Upon receiving Louise's call, Rita immediately instructed her assistant: "Have Team One act immediately; send out all the prepared emails and mailers right away."

That same day, many members of the actors' guild, the film critics' association, and other preliminary award jurors received an email in their inboxes.

"Directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Martin Davis, the new film 'Infernal Affairs' will be released wide in North America on October 6th…"

A few days later, the same people found a physical copy of the same content in their mailboxes.

......

At the Beverly Hills Four Seasons Hotel.

Lukaku from the World News Report sat at the lobby lounge, seemingly reading a newspaper, but his gaze constantly drifted towards the hotel's main entrance.

As the automatic door opened, a familiar, portly figure entered the hotel.

Lukaku muttered, "Harvey Weinstein is here."

Azar picked up his bag and walked towards the lobby, following Harvey into the lift area and observed the entry of Courtois without saying a word.

The elevator 'dinged' and opened, Harvey stepped inside.

Azar, along with several others, followed him in.

He pretended to select a floor but retracted his hand as he saw the lights of their destination floor already lit.

The elevator ascended rapidly and stopped. Harvey stepped out.

Azar followed suit, turned out of the elevator bank, and headed down the opposite corridor from Harvey. He pulled out a special mirror from his pocket and secretly surveilled the situation behind him.

Some reporters of the World News Report possessed exceptional skills.

Seeing Harvey stop in front of a door to unlock it then enter, Azar turned back to check the room distribution map. After confirming the room number where Harvey constantly booked, he quickly went downstairs.

It was more convenient to carry out the following actions after confirming the room.