Amazon Studios said it will produce and acquire original movies for theatrical release and early-window distribution on Amazon Prime Instant Video starting in 2015.

Movies
“Boyhood” is the overwhelming favorite to capture best picture, best director and best supporting actress at the Feb. 22 Academy Awards, according to the odds posted by Johnny Avello, director of race and sports operations at Wynn Las Vegas.
On the surface, casting the “Avengers” star as one of the world’s pre-eminent computer geniuses sounds as ludicrous a creation as Christmas Jones, Denise Richards’ midriff-baring nuclear physicist from “The World Is Not Enough.”
The actor, who adopts a mud-thick West Texas drawl and disappears behind a beard, an array of sweat-stained baseball caps and an extra 40 pounds of muscle to portray Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, is astonishingly good in the best work of his film career.
Show business satire “Birdman” and colorful caper “The Grand Budapest Hotel” led the Academy Awards nominees on Thursday with nine nods apiece, including best picture, in the quest for Hollywood’s top film prize.
Director Michael Bay’s special-effects spectacle “Transformers: Age of Extinction” led all movies in ignominy with seven Razzie Awards nominations, including worst picture, screenplay and director.
| field | question | answer |
|---|---|---|
| i_1 | I'm staying on the Strip. What's a must-see attraction? | The Las Vegas Strip is full of iconic sights. We narrowed down the list to a handful that you can check out for free or at a (relatively) low cost. The attractions range from a free, 14,000-square-foot garden at Bellagio to riding a gondola through the Venetian, as well as The High Roller, Shark Reef, Sphere Experience, rides at the Strat and The Fountains of Bellagio. Check out the attractions. |
| i_2 | Where should I grab a drink in downtown Las Vegas? | As the downtown Arts District has grown in recent years, so has its bar scene. We highlight five of the best spots to grab a cold one or a high-end cocktail. This list has something for everyone, including a punk rock dive bar, a hidden experimental cocktail bar, locals' favorites and many more. Stop by Liquid Diet, Velveteen Rabbit, Berlin Bar, Rebar, Garagiste and others. Check it out. |
| i_3 | What are the most unique experiences in Las Vegas? | Plenty of gems throughout the Silver State await those who are willing to wander outside of the Las Vegas Valley. For those with desert wanderlust — or who would enjoy a skydiving free fall with views of Hoover Dam at 120 mph — the list is fodder for bucket lists and exploration. It also includes a hot spring in ghost town Gold Point, mining Nevada's state gemstone, climbing Mount Whitney near Reno, zip-lining the Fremont Street Experience and clear-boat canoeing on Lake Tahoe. Read the guide. |
| i_4 | What are some family-friendly things to do in Las Vegas? | The first day of school is fast approaching for K-12 students, but there’s still time for summer fun. Whether the family wants to get up close and personal with wildlife, explore nature, experience immersive art or cool off in a nice pool, Las Vegas offers something for everyone before school bells toll again Aug. 12. This includes seeing big cats at Lion Habitat Ranch, the Flamingo wildlife habitat, the "origins of Las Vegas" at Springs Preserve and more. See our guide. |
| i_5 | Which resort pools admit Las Vegas locals? | As the sun beats hotter and hotter on the Las Vegas Valley throughout the summer, locals without an easy way to cool down may find themselves jealous of the tourists relaxing on their poolside lounge chairs. But there’s no need for bad vibes. Several resorts around the Las Vegas Valley allow area residents into their resort pool areas — some even for free, like Palms and Park MGM. Get your swim on. |
| i_6 | I want to hit the club but don't know where to start. Where should I go? | Twenty-thousand-pound chandeliers, lighting rigs designed to look like spacecraft and $40,000 bottle service. No, there’s nothing quite like the nightlife scene in Las Vegas. But with so many high-end clubs vying for your dollar (dollars by the thousand, to be more accurate), where to begin? Right here with this guide to some of the biggest and best spots on the Strip: Drai's, Hakkasan, Marquee, Omnia and others. |