Posts

Beast review – down-and-out MMA fighter film is predictable but still lands punches

Directed by Tyler Atkins and co-written by Russell Crowe, this Australian feature follows a familiar playbook – but you’ll find yourself surprisingly invested Ah, yes: the promising fighter who could’ve been a contender, could’ve been a champion. But then life intervened: bad decisions were made, promises broken, the wrong paths taken. But what if the past came knocking on his door? What if our long-in-the-tooth hero could have another crack, set things right, get in the ring one more time? To say that Tyler Atkins’ Australian martial arts drama Beast plucks moves from a well-worn playbook is putting it lightly. This is one of those genre films in which nothing surprises in broad terms; it’s the small pivots and deviations that matter. Given the ring of familiarity surrounding everything, I was surprised to find myself as invested in the film as I was, particularly because so many chest-thumping sports movies are already out there, many of which I find about as intellectually engaging ...

‘America’s sweetheart’: exhibition explores Marilyn Monroe’s complex relationship to stardom

The new exhibition at LA’s Academy museum features some of the star’s most intimate belongings that have never been available for public viewing There’s an unsettling moment in Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon , a new exhibition opening in Los Angeles this weekend, where some of the star’s last recorded words emanate from the gallery walls. Her voice, gentle and unassuming, is taken from a restored audio recording of her final interview, published in Life magazine the day before she died. Continue reading... from Film | The Guardian https://ift.tt/z9eSl4O via IFTTT

Deepak Tijori shuts down rumours surrounding Rahul Roy’s well-being: “He is perfectly safe and fine”

Actor Deepak Tijori has spoken out in support of his longtime friend and Aashiqui co-star Rahul Roy, dismissing recent speculation surrounding the actor’s health and well-being. Rahul Roy has been in the spotlight in recent weeks after several social media videos featuring him went viral. The clips sparked mixed reactions online, with some fans expressing concern about his physical condition and speech, while others criticized the content. The discussions gained momentum due to Rahul's history of a brain stroke in 2020, from which he has been recovering over the past few years. Amid the ongoing conversation, Deepak Tijori has clarified that there is no cause for concern and that Rahul is doing well. Speaking to IANS, Deepak said, “I am in regular touch with Roy. Roy is still my brother, my friend, and he is perfectly safe; he is perfectly fine. It's just people making news for no reason. There is no such thing that has been written about him.” The statement comes shortly after...

Hugh Skinner: ‘My most embarrassing moment? Walking on set naked when I wasn’t supposed to be’

The actor on his fear of pigeons, his dashed boyband hopes, and having a crush on the entire male cast of Neighbours Born in London, Hugh Skinner, 41, trained at Lamda and appeared in the BBC’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles in 2008. From 2014 to 2017, he played Will in the comedy series W1A; he also appeared in Fleabag and The Windsors. His films include Les Misérables and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. In 2024, he starred in The Importance of Being Earnest at the National Theatre. He reprises the role of Will in Twenty Twenty Six, and stars in the new BBC drama Two Weeks in August. He lives in London. What is your grea test fear? Pigeons. One got stuck in my flat once for quite a long time and it really changed how I feel about them. Continue reading... from Film | The Guardian https://ift.tt/8jAveOL via IFTTT

MEGA EXCLUSIVE: Vashu Bhagnani faces fresh heat; PVR Inox Pictures likely to initiate legal proceedings over alleged dues from Rs. 100 crore three-film deal

Vashu Bhagnani has been in the news over the past few weeks after initiating legal proceedings against the makers of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai over the alleged unauthorised use of the songs Chunari Chunari and Ishq Sona Hai from Biwi No. 1. The producer has claimed that the iconic tracks have been used without his authorisation, allegedly amounting to copyright infringement. Now, Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learned that the veteran producer may be staring at another major legal flashpoint this time involving PVR Inox Ltd. A source told Bollywood Hungama, “PVR Inox Ltd, which also has a distribution arm PVR Inox Pictures, had entered into a three-film arrangement with Vashu Bhagnani’s production house, Puja Entertainment. As part of the understanding, PVR Inox Pictures had reportedly paid around Rs. 100 crores as a refundable advance to Puja Entertainment and agreed to release Mission Raniganj, Ganapath and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. The understanding was that if the films failed...

Don 3 controversy: Ram Gopal Varma SLAMS “kangaroo court” FWICE over non-cooperation directive against Ranveer Singh; calls the decision “a massive PR Disaster”

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has weighed in on the ongoing controversy involving Ranveer Singh, Excel Entertainment, and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) over Don 3. The director took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his views on the dispute, expressing support for Ranveer Singh and questioning FWICE's decision to issue a non-cooperation directive against the actor. The controversy began after reports emerged that Ranveer Singh had exited Don 3, leading to a dispute with producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani's Excel Entertainment. According to reports, the production house alleged that the actor's withdrawal resulted in losses of nearly Rs 45 crores due to pre-production work, location scouting, and other development expenses. Following the disagreement, FWICE reportedly issued multiple notices to Ranveer Singh, asking him to present his side of the matter. After the actor's legal team questioned the federation's jurisdiction over a private...

Harpo speaks! New recordings reveal mute Marx brother chatting with audience

The comedy legend, who adopted his silent persona because of stage nerves, did occasionally address his audience, as revealed by a new archive release Groucho was the cigar-chomping wit with the improbable moustache, Chico was the piano-playing rustic grifter and Zeppo played the straight man and the lover. But as any Marx Brothers fan knows, Harpo was the pantomime, who cracked up the audience without saying a word, dressed in his tattered raincoat and curly wig. His persona was childlike and mischievous but also musical – he let his harp and his taxi horn do the talking. But now we get to see, or rather hear, a new side to Harpo Marx. A very special recording has been unearthed of Harpo in 1964 speaking to an audience, in character. Arthur “Harpo” Marx was born Adolph Marx in New York in 1888. He started performing with his brothers in 1910, and his nickname probably came about because of his instrument of choice – he was an entirely self-taught musician. By 1915, due to his nerves a...

Aneet Padda starrer Shakti Shalini wrapped up in Mumbai: Report

The Maddock Horror Comedy Universe is all set to expand further with its upcoming film Shakti Shalini, which promises a unique blend of horror, folklore, revenge, and comedy. The film stars Aneet Padda and Vishal Jethwa in lead roles and is already generating buzz for its intriguing storyline and supernatural backdrop. Adding to the excitement, recent reports suggest that the film has officially wrapped up its shoot. According to a Mid-Day report, on May 27, Shakti Shalini completed filming at Chitrath Studio in Powai after an extensive shooting schedule across picturesque locations in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The film reportedly went on floors in March and has now concluded production after months of elaborate filming. Speaking about the climax portions and large-scale setup created for the film, a source was quoted as saying, “Massive sets depicting a Rajasthani village and the interiors of a house were built. The sequence shows the village people, especially women, celebrating...

Rs. 400 crore SHOCKER! Vashu Bhagnani's Puja Entertainment sues Tips, Tauranis and David Dhawan; seeks Rs. 100 crore more over Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai song row

Bollywood Hungama has been at the forefront in reporting the feud between producer Vashu Bhagnani and the makers of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai over the use of the songs ‘Chunari Chunari’ and ‘Ishq Sona Hai’ from Biwi No 1 (1999). Now, it has come to light that Vashu’s production house, Puja Entertainment (India) Ltd, has filed a whopping Rs. Rs. 400 crore suit before Bombay High Court against Tips Industries Limited, Ramesh Taurani, Kumar S Taurani and filmmaker David Dhawan over the alleged unauthorized use and alleged exploitation of iconic aforementioned songs in the upcoming Varun Dhawan-starrer, slated for a release on June 5. As per the press statement, the suit, filed through Counsels V K Dubey Associates, seeks urgent and sweeping injunctive relief restraining the release, distribution, exhibition, streaming and further commercial exploitation of the film and its promotional material containing the disputed songs, including 'Chunnari Chunnari' and 'Ishq Sona Hai...

The Breadwinner review – Nate Bargatze’s dated dad comedy loses us entirely

The comedian makes an unconvincing bid for movie stardom in a largely unfunny and old-fashioned feature-length sitcom episode The popular standup comedian Nate Bargatze uses his appealingly deadpan demeanor to convey relatable, family-friendly jokes about his own middle-class doofiness. Funny as he can be, his affect doesn’t seem ideal for performing with others. Back in the 90s, an American sitcom would have been built around him anyway; today, the form isn’t quite so ubiquitous, and sold-out standup tickets have remained his bread and butter. Yet Bargatze has done surprisingly well as a two-time Saturday Night Live host, especially for more writerly pieces that other celebrities might not so perfectly underplay. For his film debut The Breadwinner, Bargatze takes cues from an earlier SNL player – specifically and unfortunately, the suburban dregs of Adam Sandler’s late-2000s/early-2010s middle period. As in vaguely sour-spirited Sandler vehicles like Grown Ups or Jack & Jill, Barg...