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Eduardo Williams’ opaque sequel follows a group of twentysomethings in Sri Lanka, Peru and Taiwan with a 360-degree VR camera Following his Locarno festival-winning experimental film The Human Surge in 2016 , Argentinian director Eduardo Williams apparently couldn’t be bothered with part two – which doesn’t exist – and skips straight to number three. That’s also the opaque MO with which he operates in this similarly continent-hopping odyssey; a bleary trail of hopeful and restless peregrinations and chat from three groups of twentysomethings in Sri Lanka, Peru and Taiwan, who often stray without warning into each other’s segments while declaring things like: “I want to see maps of nearby regions and listen to the dreams of my crazy friends.” Filmed with a 360-degree VR camera that orbits around these pilgrims, a full-blown digital-age existential crisis seems to be in force here. People bemoan bullshit jobs, parse language disparities, contemplate post-tsunami building methods in Sri

Ahead of Love Sex Aur Dhokha 2 teaser release, Dibakar Banerjee drops disclaimer, watch

Love Sex Aur Dhokha is among such films that is explicitly bold and appealing. While the makers brought an immensely intriguing film with the concept of love in the times of the camera, now they are coming up with its sequel, Love Sex Aur Dhokha 2 that will tap yet another relatable subject of love in the times of the Internet. As much as the first part was very bold yet sensitive, the sequel is surely going to raise the bar a notch higher, and director Dibakar Banerjee is pretty confident about the same, so he has a disclaimer for the audience ahead of the teaser drop. Director of Love Sex Aur Dhokha 2, Dibakar Banerjee is going to bring absolutely sensitive and shocking content that should be watched considering the personal concerns of an individual in today’s Digital age. Since the film caters especially to the youth of this generation, it will throw light on some realities that might be hard to digest. He also elaborated that Love Sex Aur Dhokha was about how people in those time

Is Athiya Shetty pregnant? Suniel Shetty's comment on Dance Deewane sparks rumours

Athiya Shetty and KL Rahul, who tied the knot in January 2023, have fueled speculation about expecting their first child. The couple themselves haven't made an official announcement, but a recent comment by Athiya's father, Suniel Shetty, has sparked rumours. During an episode of the dance reality show Dance Deewane, where Suniel Shetty is a judge, the host, Bharti Singh, playfully referred to him as a "cool Nana" (grandfather). In response, Suniel said, "Yes, next season when I come I will be walking on the stage like a Nana." This cryptic remark has ignited speculation that Athiya might be pregnant. Having said that, it is worth mentioning here that Athiya is an avid social media user and keeps posting her photos and videos. However, there were no hints of a baby on the way in any of her recent Instagram posts. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Athiya Shetty (@athiyashetty) Athiya Shetty and KL Rahul reportedly began dating in 2019. T

Dev Patel’s acclaimed film Monkey Man might not make it on April 19 in cinemas in India; might release a week later, on April 26

Earlier this year, the trailer of Monkey Man dropped on the internet and it created a sensation across the world. It is directed by Dev Patel of Slumdog Millionaire (2009) fame and he also features in the lead role. The action and violence in the trailer and also the treatment caught the attention and generated tremendous excitement. It had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 11 where it received a long standing ovation. The reaction at this film festival further added to the hype. It is all set to release in the USA and other major territories on April 5. In India, it was scheduled to release on April 19. But in the last few days, the assets dropped by Universal Pictures India on social media have stopped carrying the release date. Instead, 'Coming soon' is mentioned. Even on the popular ticket app BookMyShow, the release date of the film has vanished. It has led to fears that the film might not make it on April 19. A source told Bollywood Hungama, “The studio w

Louis Gossett Jr: king of Hollywood’s strong, silent types, from Roots to The Color Purple

- March 29, 2024

The Oscar winner was a trailblazer who was happy to share the spotlight – and part of a disappearing class of Black acting nobility Preparation went out the window when Louis Gossett Jr became the third Black person to win an Oscar, in 1983, for his supporting role in An Officer and a Gentleman. He had planned to accept the award with his seven-year-old son, Satie – but the boy got stage fright at the last minute and stayed rooted to his seat. The speech Gossett had in mind? “It’s no use,” he told the capacity crowd at LA’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. “It’s all gone.” So he kept things short and sweet, thanking his family before pivoting to his fellow nominees – a tough crowd that included James Mason and John Lithgow. “All you other four guys,” Gossett said, raising his statuette, “ this is ours.” That was Gossett in essence: magnanimous, dignified, always hitting the mark. After the announcement of his death on Friday, at age 87, Gossett was remembered as a trailblazer who never h

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire review – breezy, forgettable monster sequel

- March 28, 2024

There’s a likable, light-hearted zip to the monster mash follow-up but energy dissipates when we’re stuck with the humans It was a strange old time when the creature feature mash-up Godzilla vs Kong was released, the first major blockbuster in cinemas since Covid shuttered them all a year prior. Expectations were low, thanks to how rotten the last two Godzilla films had been, but thirst for something, anything , truly escapist was high and the big screen equivalent of a kid smashing his toys together became an unlikely saviour, both commercially and critically. Three years later with normality resuming, there’s arguably less audience demand for another instalment, although the industry could definitely do with another monster hit, the strikes leaving the first few months of 2024 a little weakened. There’s enough easily marketable simplicity to Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire that it should become a swift global hit (the film is tracking to make $135m worldwide in its opening weekend

T-Series calls Reliance Entertainment’s claims about non-payment of dues completely false and bogus, read full statement

- March 27, 2024

Production giant T-Series has now responded to Reliance Entertainment's claims about non-payment of dues and called it false and bogus. In a public notice, Reliance Entertainment asked T-Series to cough up Rs. 397 crore. However, T-Series, in a statement, said that Reliance Entertainment is violating two judgements of Bombay High Court. In an official statement, T-Series said, “The claims made by Reliance in its public notice are totally false & bogus. Reliance’s claims are also in clear violation of two judgements of the Hon'ble Bombay High Court passed in June 2023 and December 2023. In the first judgment delivered in June 2023, the Hon'ble Bombay High Court has clearly held in favour of Super Cassettes Industries Pvt Ltd (T-Series) - that the long form agreement is valid and subsisting and T-Series shall continue to have the copyright and the right to exploit and distribute the works, which have been listed by Reliance in their public notice. In the second judgement

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar set to premiere on Netflix on May 1

- March 27, 2024

Filmmaker extraordinaire Sanjay Leela Bhansali is all set to make his digital debut with the much-anticipated web series, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. At the special event on Wednesday, it was confirmed that the series is premiering on streaming giant Netflix on May 1. The release date of this ambitious project was unveiled in a drone light show event held at the Mahalaxmi Race Course in Mumbai. Joining the celebration were the stars of the show, including the talented ensemble cast featuring Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Sharmin Segal, and Sanjeeda Sheikh. Prerna Singh, CEO of Bhansali Productions, and Tanya Bami, Director of Series at Netflix India, also graced the event. Sonakshi Sinha expressed her admiration for Bhansali's visionary storytelling, describing the experience of working on Heeramandi as nothing short of enchanting. "We didn’t want to come out of his world, it was dreamy, stunning, and it was that captivating. For us as actors, it was an

Pratik Gandhi reveals why he said yes to Madgoan Express; says, “I am exploring this genre for the first time”

- March 27, 2024

Pratik Gandhi is currently being seen in Madgoan Express. He is kicked about the film. “It is an out and out comedy with lots of physical and situational humour amongst three friends. I am exploring this genre for the first time on screen. I love comedy and have explored different aspects of comedy on Gujarati stage. But I’m putting myself out there on screen with this genre for the first time and I am excited to see how far I can entertain the audience with this one.” Pratik believes that physical and slapstick comedy is a difficult genre. It requires a strong discipline and a completely objective approach on an actor’s part towards the performance while performing. An actor should know when to stop in comedy. I always wanted to explore this genre and when Kunal Khemu narrated the script I loved it could put my faith on his vision. Hopefully it reaches to the audience and they enjoy it.” Pratik is full of praise for his Madgaon Express director Kunal Khemu. “I have been following an

Anupam Kher onboards Japanese DOP Keiko Nakahara for Tanvi The Great

The upcoming Anupam Kher directorial movie Tanvi The Great has created good anticipation amongst the audiences. After the news of Oscar-winning music director MM Keeravani crafting the music, the makers have now announced that Keiko Nakahara as the DOP on Tanvi The Great which is quite exciting. DOP Keiko Nakahara shares, "When I read the script of Tanvi The Great, I connected with it immediately. The story's universal appeal beckoned me emotionally in a very special way. Now after being on board and working with Anupam Kher for over three weeks, I realised that as a Director, his vision also has a dimension of spontaneity that creates great momentum for our creative collaboration. And it is immensely satisfying for me to be able to capture that vision with all its energy." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anupam Kher (@anupampkher) Tanvi The Great is produced under Anupam Kher Studio. ALSO READ: Anupam Kher ropes in Oscar-winning music director MM Ke

Alia Bhatt to host her first charity gala in London on March 28

Actor, producer, and entrepreneur Alia Bhatt is poised to make her mark beyond the silver screen with the announcement of her first charity Gala. Scheduled for the 28th of March, this prestigious event will be held in collaboration with the esteemed Mandarin Oriental hotel group, taking place at the luxurious Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in London. Dubbed the "Hope Gala," the event carries a profound purpose, aiming to extend support to Alia's chosen charity, Salaam Bombay. This charitable organization is dedicated to empowering the most vulnerable children in Mumbai, offering them vital opportunities through in-school programs focused on leadership and advocacy, as well as after-school academies dedicated to skill-building. Through these initiatives, Salaam Bombay endeavours to nurture confidence, bolster self-esteem, and foster a commitment to education among these at-risk youths. The Gala promises to be an illustrious affair, attracting a distinguished array of indust

Saif Ali Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat to kick off second schedule of Jewel Thief in April 2024; final shoot to begin in Europe in May: Report

Bollywood actors Saif Ali Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Nikita Dutta kicked off the shoot for the high-octane heist thriller titled Jewel Thief in February 2024. With filming underway, the anticipation surrounding this action-packed venture, helmed by director Robbie Grewal of Romeo Akbar Walter fame, is palpable. Produced by Siddharth Anand under his banner Marflix Pictures, this project marks Anand's second foray into production following Fighter. Now, the team readies for its second schedule set to unfold in Mumbai come April, followed by the final leg slated to take place across the picturesque landscapes of Europe. As per a report in Mid-day, a source revealed, “The second schedule begins from April 7 during which Saif and Jaideep will shoot critical portions across real locations in south and suburban Mumbai. It will be a 20-day stint after which the unit will head to Europe for the final leg. The director plans to film some songs and an action sequence in the foreign stint. He

Cidade Rabat review – elegant, subtle study of a daughter’s grief

Portuguese director Susana Nobre explores the sadness of bereavement with deadpan obliqueness in this story about a woman’s reaction to her mother’s death There’s a studied impassivity to this elegant Portuguese movie about grief from Susana Nobre. It’s a film that maintains its near-affectless deadpan style from first to last, and declines to offer a conventional emotional payoff, or indeed the usual narrative shape that might lead to such a climax – although there is an emotional outpouring of sorts. It isn’t exactly that sadness finds its outlet in oblique or unusual ways (the heavy drinking we see is, after all, a commonplace symptom) but the way it is represented on screen is indirect. Helena (Raquel Castro) is a production manager on a film shoot, dealing with a difficult director. She is divorced, sharing custody of a teen daughter, and in a relationship with a musician who is away on tour. Her elderly widowed mother, who lives in a Lisbon apartment block called Cidade Rabat,

Panchayat 3 IMPORTANT plot point revealed: Aasif Khan of ‘Gazab beizzati hai’ fame replaces Jitendra Kumar as Phulera Gram Panchayat’s secretary

Since its inception, Amazon Prime Video in India has delivered several memorable shows, but Panchayat stands out. The show, set in a small village in North India, is loved for its simplicity, humour, performances and also because it appeals to audiences of all ages. The first season dropped in 2020 and became a huge hit. The second season which came in 2022 was as exciting and entertaining as part 1 and also got huge viewership. As a result, there’s tremendous excitement for the third season, which is ready and is expected to stream soon. At the grand Amazon Prime Video event last week, the attendees got a sneak peek of the teaser of Panchayat’s Season 3. It was quite loved as it unveiled an interesting plot point of the show. It turns out that the character of Ganesh (Aasif Khan) returns in Season 3. Ganesh was seen in Season 1 in an interesting cameo of a disgruntled groom who gets into a fight with Abhishek Tripathi (Jitendra Kumar), the lead of the series and secretary of Phulera

Hrithik Roshan – Rakesh Roshan to lock Krrish 4 plot over summer; shoot expected to kick off in 2025: Report

It has been over a decade since the release of Krrish 3 in 2013, and the absence of any concrete information about the next film has left fans eagerly awaiting news of its development. However, in a recent update provided by filmmaker Rakesh Roshan, it appears that progress is finally being made. After a long wait filled with anticipation, fans of the Indian superhero franchise Krrish finally have reason to rejoice. In 2023, it was reported that Rakesh Roshan hinted Krrish 4 wouldn't begin production until the end of 2024. Now, Mid-day reveals that both Rakesh Roshan and Hrithik Roshan are gearing up to kickstart the project sooner than expected. According to sources close to the production, Hrithik Roshan will be actively involved in conceptualizing the next installment of the superhero saga while simultaneously shooting for War 2. Collaborating with his father and their in-house team of writers, the aim is to solidify the primary idea for Krrish 4 this year. According to the pub

Scarlett Johansson in talks to lead new Jurassic World movie

The Oscar nominee could follow in fellow Marvel star Chris Pratt’s footsteps with a starring role in new dinosaur adventure Scarlett Johansson is reportedly in talks to lead a new Jurassic World movie. According to the Hollywood Reporter , the two-time Oscar nominated actor could follow on from her Marvel co-star Chris Pratt with a starring role in the latest installment of the dinosaur franchise. Continue reading... from Film | The Guardian https://ift.tt/idHc0jt via IFTTT

Taapsee Pannu ties the knot with Mathias Boe in Udaipur: Report

Actress Taapsee Pannu has been in a relationship with Mathias Boe for quite some time. Now, reports have emerged that the two got married on March 23. As per a report by News 18, the wedding took place in a private ceremony in Udaipur, which was attended by Taapsee’s near and dear ones. For the unversed, Mathias is a Danish badminton player and an Olympic gold medallist. A source told the publication, “The wedding took place in Udaipur and was an extremely intimate affair. The pre-wedding festivities kick-started on March 20. The couple was very sure that they didn’t want any media attention on their big day. Both of them are known to be very private and reserved people and they wouldn’t have had it any other way.” Speaking about the attendees, the source added, “Taapsee’s Dobaaraa and Thappad co-star Pavail Gulati joined the guests at her and Mathais’ wedding. Anurag Kashyap, who shares a rather close bond with Taapsee and has directed her in films like Manmarziyaan and Dobaara and

‘He was always voraciously watching’: Scorsese’s secret life as an obsessive VHS archivist

The Oscar-winning director has donated over 50 storage boxes of tapes that show a devoted interest in recording films and shows from the '80s to the 2000s In the basement of the University of Colorado Boulder’s main library, an 85-year-old stone fortress built in the Italian rural style, the archives of the school’s Rare and Distinctive Collections occupy rows of shelves as far as the eye can see. Here, amid yellowed books, historical maps and medieval manuscripts, Martin Scorsese has quietly made public a very private preoccupation. More than 50 storage boxes hold thousands of VHS tapes that contain films and television programs Scorsese recorded directly from broadcast television. The renowned director and film preservationist, it turns out, was also, for decades, a prolific guerrilla archivist. Long before YouTube and Netflix gave the world instant access to a deep repository of media, Scorsese began the project of amassing his own private on-demand video library. In each week

Cidade Rabat review – elegant, subtle study of a daughter’s grief

Kangana Ranaut and Arun Govil to fight on BJP tickets in the Lok Sabha elections 2024

The BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) has come up with its fifth list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections. Among them are two names from the entertainment industry in the form of Kangana Ranaut and Arun Govil. They will be fighting from the Mandi constituency in Himachal Pradesh and Meerut constituency in Uttar Pradesh respectively. Kangana has been a vocal supporter of BJP and its governance for years. After getting the news, the Gangster actress shared her happiness on her X (formerly Twitter) page by writing, “My beloved Bharat and Bhartiya Janta’s own party, Bharatiya Janta party (BJP) has always had my unconditional support, today the national leadership of BJP has announced me as their Loksabha candidate from my birth place Himachal Pradesh, Mandi (constituency) I abide by the high command’s decision on contesting Loksabha polls. I feel honoured and elated to officially join the party. I look forward to be a worthy karyakarta and a reliable public servant. Thanks.” My

Kind hearts, ladykillers and whisky galore: Ealing comedies – ranked!

Classic heist caper The Lavender Hill Mob is getting a cinema rerelease. But which of these 40s and 50s film fancies are slyly subversive, and which have dated less well? Anyone wanting a look at Dublin in the late 1940s might like this, but there’s not much else especially compelling about this weird Walter Mitty-ish comedy about a park loafer hoping to finance a one-way trip to the South Seas by helping rich people who have fallen over. Inspired by the anywhere-but-here mood of postwar privations, this is pretty charmless, and almost completely tone-deaf to the class/ethnic sensitivities of a crew of posh Brits rolling around the Irish capital. Not director Charles Crichton’s finest hour. Continue reading... from Film | The Guardian https://ift.tt/NpIqLkM via IFTTT

‘I wanted to humanise those lost in the statistics’: four directors on their new movies depicting refugee journeys

How does it feel to risk trafficking and torture to seek a better life in a strange land? Ahead of four films telling migrant stories, we hear from directors including Matteo Garrone and Milad Alami about tackling one of the most pressing issues of our time The telling of stories is an act of profound hospitality. Story is an ancient form of generosity, one that will always tell us everything we need to know about the contemporary world. It is fundamental to the communicative survival of the human species and has always been a welcoming-in; always, one way or another, a gracious meeting of the needs of self and other. The narratives we exchange don’t just validate all of us, they represent us much more truly than data or statistics or a passport ever will. Our individual selves transform in the telling into something shared and communal. This is because story is the opposite of an exclusion zone; by its nature, it’s always an inclusion zone, because a story that sets out to exclude wo

Isabelle Huppert: ‘I was never the woman behind the man… the only place I could take was the main place’

As brings to London a 90-minute monologue about Mary, Queen of Scots, the celebrated French actor talks about her extraordinary career, and why she’d love to make a film in the UK – or play a Marvel villain. Below, Guy Lodge chooses her finest screen appearances Isabelle Huppert is a force of nature. Two days before we meet, she has arrived in Stockholm from New York via Paris. Two hours after she touched down, she was on stage rehearsing. The next evening, she opened in Mary Said What She Said , an extraordinary one-woman portrait of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots. Then she walked back to her hotel in high heels, through five inches of snow. Now, she is sitting opposite me in an empty rooftop bar, especially reserved for our conversation. Drinking citron pressé, as the Scandinavian light seeps away through the early afternoon, she looks tired when she arrives but soon relaxes: her face is full of life. Continue reading... from Film | The Guardian https://ift.tt/SMTYPGx via IFTTT

Kartik Aaryan's entry scene in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 features 1000 dancers; exciting deets inside

- March 23, 2024

Kartik Aaryan is gearing up for the pinnacle of his career as he shoots for what promises to be the biggest song sequence in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 as his entry song. The film's creators, Bhushan Kumar and director Anees Bazmee, are leaving no stone unturned to make the sequel even more iconic than its predecessor. With a massive set erected in Film City and choreography by the renowned Ganesh Acharya, the stage is set for an extravagant and unforgettable musical spectacle. A source close to the project recently divulged details. “It is one of Bollywood’s biggest song shoots till date. 1000 dancers joined in yesterday and this is Rooh Baba's entry scene in the film. Kartik has been working on this for the past two weeks. His prep is flawless. The scale and extravagance of the set promise a visual feast for audiences. Ganesh and Kartik have tried something unexpected and never seen before. The shoot started this week and will continue into next week.” Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is set for a

Akshay Kumar – Tiger Shroff starrer Bade Miyan Chote Miyan trailer set to drop on March 26

- March 22, 2024

Pooja Entertainment's Bade Miyan Chote Miyan reveals its new poster, signalling the release of the heart-pounding trailer on March 26th! The makers have declared the trailer launch date for the action-packed spectacle of the year, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. The official poster showcases Akshay Kumar as Bade Miyan and Tiger Shroff as Chote Miyan, with Manushi Chillar and Alaya F adding to the star-studded lineup. Bade and Chote Miyan will lead you through some heart-stopping moments. This isn't just a movie - it's a rollercoaster of emotions, thrills, and excitement that will leave you asking for more. Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff shared on social media, "REAL ACTION ka ek bada dose lekar aa rahe hain #BadeMiyanChoteMiyan! #BadeMiyanChoteMiyanTrailer out on March 26!" REAL ACTION ka ek bada dose lekar aa rahe hain #BadeMiyanChoteMiyan!#BadeMiyanChoteMiyanTrailer out on March 26! ???? ???????? IN CINEMAS ON 10th APRIL! #BadeMiyanChoteMiyanOnApril10 #BadeMiyanChoteMi

Govinda said to be in talks with Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena to fight the Lok Sabha elections 2024; Swara Bhasker said to be on Congress’s wish list

- March 22, 2024

The election season is here and like every time, the political parties are attempting to get film stars to stand for elections to increase their chances of winning. It has come to light that the chief minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde, is in talks with actor Govinda to be Shiv Sena’s candidate from the Mumbai North West seat. Meanwhile, there are reports that Congress is wooing actress Swara Bhasker to fight the elections. There are conflicting reports on who was the first one to approach. Some reports claim that Eknath Shinde made the first move and met Govinda around 5 days ago while according to certain reports, Govinda called the CM on Friday, March 22, and asked for a ticket. It is also said that the other Shiv Sena faction, led by Uddhav Thackeray, has decided to give the ticket of the same constituency to Amol Kirtikar. Amol’s father, Gajanan Kirtikar, a sitting MP, is with Shinde Sena and he doesn’t want to fight against his son. Hence, Eknath Shinde zeroed in on Govinda.

Singer Lisa Mishra to make her acting debut in Call Me Bae; talks about working with Ananya Panday and Vir Das: "I am sure the series will become a favourite among all ages"

- March 22, 2024

Singer-songwriter Lisa Mishra is expanding her territory from music to acting as she is all set to debut in Amazon Prime Video’s upcoming web series Call Me Bae, slated for release later this year. Produced under the banner of Dharmatic Entertainment Pvt Ltd, the OTT wing of Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, the show marks the beginning of a new chapter in Lisa’s career in addition to her success as a renowned musician. The series also stars Ananya Panday, Vir Das, Gurfateh Pirzada, Varun Sood, Vihaan Samat, Muskkkaan Jaferi, Niharika Lyra Dutt, and Mini Mathur. With Call Me Bae, Lisa showcases her versatility and talent beyond the music realm. Her portrayal in the series promises to add depth and charm to the storyline, drawing viewers into a world of romance, drama, and humour. Expressing her excitement about taking on this noteworthy project, Lisa Mishra exudes, “‘Call Me Bae’ marks my first project as an actor, and I am so grateful it is with a director as welcoming and hardworkin

Alien: Romulus: first trailer for Ridley Scott-approved franchise restarter

Latest chapter in sci-fi series comes from Evil Dead director Fede Alvarez but has approval of those behind the originals The first trailer for franchise relaunch Alien: Romulus promises a return to the roots of the iconic sci-fi horror series. The film comes from the director of Don’t Breathe and Evil Dead, Fede Álvarez, yet has retained the director of the original, Ridley Scott, as producer and the Aliens director, James Cameron, as unofficial consultant. Continue reading... from Film | The Guardian https://ift.tt/v7I31l6 via IFTTT

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga set to premiere at Cannes

George Miller’s follow-up to Oscar-winning Mad Max: Fury Road, starring Anya Taylor-Joy, will make world premiere at May festival The eagerly anticipated action adventure Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is set to premiere at this year’s Cannes film festival. The director George Miller has returned to the world of his Oscar-winning Mad Max: Fury Road with a prequel exploring the origins of Furiosa, a character previously played by Charlize Theron. The prequel stars Anya Taylor-Joy in the role with Chris Hemsworth also starring. Continue reading... from Film | The Guardian https://ift.tt/zo4nap6 via IFTTT

‘I felt an urgent need for empathy’: the Iranian-American director uniting her two cultures in film

After 9/11, Maryam Keshavarz realised she wanted to change the way Muslims were portrayed in the US media. She explains why she drew on her childhood for her award-winning new movie When Maryam Keshavarz was a young girl growing up in New York City in the 1980s, she would spend her summer holidays travelling to Iran, from where her parents had migrated. As well as her luggage, she would fly with small plastic bags taped to her body containing objects she would smuggle into and out of Iran. The most common thing Keshavarz was asked to bring from the US was cassette tapes featuring American pop. “I would stick them in my underwear,” she says over video call from Los Angeles, “because it was an Islamic country. They were never going to check girls’ bodies.” Continue reading... from Film | The Guardian https://ift.tt/ayCLbMp via IFTTT

Shirley review – Regina King rises above dutiful, by-the-numbers biopic

The life and achievements of Shirley Chisholm, the groundbreaking Black politician, are told in a formulaic drama that boasts a winning central performance For all its broad strokes, Shirley, the new Netflix biopic on trailblazing politician and erstwhile presidential candidate Shirley Chisholm, has a point. Some things are not subtle. The film opens with a visualizer of the House of Representatives in 1968: of the 435 members, only 11 were women, only five Black, and no Black women. Or to put it more starkly: in the official congressional class portrait on the steps of the Capitol, Chisholm (Regina King) is the only Black female face in a sea of grizzled white male visages. The Capitol dome in the background may look obviously CGI-ed, but the image is effective: Chisholm’s mere appearance in the halls of power was radical, her fight steeply uphill. Said image is also fitting for Shirley, written and directed by John Ridley, which is insightful on Chisholm’s underappreciated signific

BREAKING: Sajid Nadiadwala to establish a state-of-the-art VFX studio; acquires prime plot in Andheri

Sajid Nadiadwala is on a roll. Last week, he made the big announcement that he’s collaborating one more time with superstar Salman Khan for an exciting action entertainer. The film will be directed by A R Murugadoss of Ghajini (2008) fame and will arrive in cinemas on Eid 2025. On Tuesday, March 19, he announced his association with Amazon Prime Video for his four upcoming films – Kartik Aaryan-starrer Chandu Champion, Ahan Shetty-Pooja Hegde starrer Sanki, the multi-starrer comic caper Housefull 5 and Tiger Shroff’s action entertainer, Baaghi 4. The association between Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment and the streaming giant was announced at a grand event held by Amazon Prime Video in Mumbai. And now, we have learnt that the reputed producer has one more exciting project up his sleeve. For many days, an under-construction project opposite Fun Republic in Andheri, Mumbai has caught the attention of several people passing by. This is because the gate proudly mentions NGI - Nadiadwala

Bade Miyan Chote Miyan duo Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff set to perform at IPL 2024 opening ceremony; Sonu Nigam, AR Rahman amongst performers

The 17th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is poised to commence with a spectacular celebration on Friday, March 22. The tournament will kick off in grand style at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Under the captaincy of MS Dhoni, the CSK squad is set to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in what promises to be an electrifying opener to the season. Adding to the fervour, the IPL 2024 will begin with a glittering opening ceremony at Chepauk, continuing the tradition of merging cricket with high-octane entertainment. The organizers have revealed a star-studded lineup that is sure to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar is set to perform ahead of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan release. Joining him is Tiger Shroff, fresh from his performance at the Women’s Premier League (WPL) opening ceremony in Bengaluru. Together, they are expected to set the stage on fire, especially as they gear up for their appearance in the much-anticipated Ali Abbas Zafar direct

M Emmet Walsh, Blade Runner, Blood Simple and Knives Out actor, dies aged 88

Character actor, who appeared in more than 220 roles across seven decades, died in Vermont on Tuesday M Emmet Walsh, the character actor who appeared in more than 220 film and television roles including Blade Runner, Knives Out, and the Coen brothers’ films Blood Simple and Raising Arizona, has died aged 88. Walsh’s manager Sandy Joseph confirmed to industry publication Variety that he died Tuesday in Vermont. His cause of death was cardiac arrest. Continue reading... from Film | The Guardian https://ift.tt/RTOuYNt via IFTTT

CBFC passes Madgaon Express with U/A certificate; asks makers to ‘suitably modify’ semi-nude shots and visuals of cleavage

The comic caper Madgaon Express is all set to release this Friday, March 22 and its hilarious trailer caught the attention of movie buffs. The film is significant as it marks the directorial debut of actor Kunal Kemmu. Starring Pratik Gandhi, Divyenndu, Avinash Tiwary and Nora Fatehi, the film’s censor process was completed on time. In this exclusive report, we’ll report on the changes asked by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) before handing over the certificate. As per the cut list, the Examining Committee of the CBFC asked the makers – Excel Entertainment – to ‘suitably modify’ visuals of cleavage in the second half. They similarly asked the producers to ‘suitably modify’ the visual of semi-nude girls that occurs in the first half of Madgaon Express. Then, at the beginning of the film, a foul word can be seen in the backdrop. This cuss word was asked to be removed. The film also went through audio cuts. Certain cuss words were used and they were replaced with acceptabl

Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai New Cast Promo: Rohit Purohit and Garvita Sadhwani join the show as Armaan Poddar and Roohi Poddar respectively

Just a day ago, reports of a major change in cast on the sets of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai left fans shocked. It seems that producer Rajan Shahi was left disappointed with Shehzada Dhami and Pratiksha Honmukhe for their misbehaviour towards the crew. Despite several warnings when they refused to change it, they were fired from the show despite playing lead characters. Now the latest update on that front is that Samriddhii Shukla, who plays the protagonist Abhira, will now be joined by Rohit Purohit and Garvita Sadhwani. In fact, the makers have also unveiled a short promo of the two actors dressed in ethnic Rajasthani attires. For the unversed, Shehzada Dhami and Pratiksha Honmukhe essayed the role of estranged lovers Armaan Poddar and Roohi Poddar, whose relationship turns even more complicated with Armaan marrying Abhira after the demise of her mother Akshara and Roohi marrying Rohit over extreme family pressure. The latest promo features Rohit Purohit and Garvita Sadhwani playing

Camera vendor files case against Maidaan producer Boney Kapoor; seeks injunction of the screening of Ajay Devgn-starrer due to non-payment of dues of Rs. 1 crore

The highly-awaited film Maidaan is finally releasing next month in cinemas after a long wait. The Ajay Devgn-starrer faced numerous delays as the team faced various challenges. With the release nearly three weeks away, the makers of the film have now faced one more hurdle. A vendor has filed a case against Maidaan’s producer Boney Kapoor over non-payment of dues of nearly Rs. 1 crore. As per a report in Mid-Day, the suit has been filed by Ninad Nayampally of Meherafrin Investments Private Limited at a civil court in Dindoshi, Mumbai against Boney Kapoor and also the other producers. Moreover, Ninad has even sought an injunction to prevent the release of Maidaan on Eid. Ninad Nayampally told Mid-Day that they provided camera-related equipment to the unit of Maidaan. He revealed that initially, their invoices were cleared but the situation changed from December 2020. Once the payments stopped coming, Ninad raised the issue with Boney Kapoor. Ninad stated that Boney, at that time, assur

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind at 20: a love story that’s impossible to forget

Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet forget they used to be in love in a wonderfully inventive and moving reminder of why romantic pain is an important thing to remember The greatest screen romances are usually about failure, not happily ever afters. Love sacrificed. Love unrequited. Love forbidden by social mores or bad timing or the tectonic forces of history. Think Casablanca. Brief Encounter. In the Mood for Love. The Age of Innocence. Moonlight. Considered another way, though, they’re powerful because they end so pristinely, before the banal hassles and petty fissures of everyday life make a mess of things. Give a relationship enough time and Before Sunrise turns into Before Midnight. One of the reasons why Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, now 20 years old, ranks among the best love stories of the 21st century is that it makes the unique argument that failure is an essential, precious part of romantic experience. It’s only human to want that pain to go away, but the film suggests t

Vidyut Jammwal announces Rs 2 lakh prize money for IBBFF Maharashtra Shree 2024 winner: calls for increased recognition of bodybuilding in India

The bodybuilding community Vidyut Jammwal applauds as he stands up for the athletes requesting organisers of contests to be generous with their prize amounts to genuinely recognise and support their efforts. Action superstar Vidyut Jammwal, known for being the flag bearer of pathbreaking on-screen action and martial arts in India, recently graced the IBBFF Maharashtra Shree 2024 bodybuilding championship in Mumbai as a special guest, showcasing his unwavering support for the participants and the craft of bodybuilding. He commended their dedication and hard work, embodying the spirit of a true fighter. Expressing gratitude towards the federation, Vidyut appreciated the increased prize money for the winners, which serves as a motivating factor for participants to strive for excellence. Despite the limited popularity of bodybuilding championships in India, organizations like IBBFF are striving to engage more young enthusiasts. In a generous gesture, Vidyut not only thanked the federatio

Christspiracy: The Spirituality Secret review – Jesus was a vegetarian and other entertaining tosh

Unsupported assertions and gormless naivety drive this mishmash of pseudoscience and manipulated religious doctrine Clearly scheduled to give vegetarians and vegans ammunition to shame carnivorous family members around the Easter and Passover dinner table, this passionate but unpersuasive documentary argues that Jesus was probably a vegetarian. Ultimately, the theory gets largely traced back to the apocryphal Gospel of the Ebionites , a text that’s been around since the second century; director Kip Andersen, however, makes a whole song and dance out of “discovering” this notion in a roundabout way, making for an entertainingly barmy quest. By the end, we’re informed that scientists have found the supposedly “happiest human on Earth”: a vegan Buddhist monk named Mateo Richard who spends most of his time meditating on compassion and has “high-amplitude gamma activity” in his brain which means it “fires on the highest levels”. This particular mishmash of pseudoscientific buzz words is d

Motherboard review – enthralling smartphone self-portrait of family life

- March 18, 2024

Copenhagen documentary film festival Victoria Mapplebeck’s documentary stitches 20 years’ worth of footage into a home video love letter to her son, whose whole life so far is observed Victoria Mapplebeck is a British director and lecturer who has worked in film, video, VR, user-generated content, and with her personal, revelatory projects she’s shown a magic touch with a smartphone camera: she won a TV Bafta in 2019 for her iPhone short Missed Call , about her life as a single mum, working out her relationship with her teenage son and his absent dad. Now she has developed this into a tender, intimate, funny and entirely absorbing full-scale feature documentary, the title of which is a reference to the central circuit board on a computer – meaning perhaps both the importance of the digital equipment she’s using to record everything, and her own central importance to the computer of their own family unit, the motherboard that isn’t allowed to go wrong or take a day off. Motherboard i

Calvinia review – jarringly nostalgic look at a South African childhood

- March 18, 2024

Ran der Merwe’s documentary returns the director to the Northern Cape where he grew up, but glosses over trauma and injustice Situated in the Northern Cape province of South Africa, Calvinia is a rural town blessed with a magnificently scenic landscape, where towering mountain ranges give way to far-reaching plains. It is also the birthplace of film-maker Rudivan der Merwe, whose documentary ode, with its triptych structure guided by childhood memories, is both a pilgrimage and farewell to his home town. Van der Merwe first fixes his camera on his parents, who were livestock ranchers. In contrast to the supposed quaintness of farm life, the presence of violence is also emphasised; one scene, for instance, lingers on a goat being slaughtered. There are other forces of violence at play as well. Conversations with a lesbian couple reveal the homophobia that runs deep in the town. Continue reading... from Film | The Guardian https://ift.tt/rDPhSso via IFTTT

Pierce Brosnan says he deeply regrets trespass at Yellowstone hot spring

Former James Bond actor, 70, who pleaded guilty to walking off trail at national park, says he ‘made an impulsive mistake’ Actor Pierce Brosnan has said he deeply regrets walking off trail in Yellowstone national park in the western US after he was fined by a court in Wyoming for getting too close to one of the delicate thermal areas Brosnan, 70, pleaded guilty to foot travel in a thermal area and was fined $500 and required to pay a $1,000 community service payment to the Yellowstone Forever Geological Fund, the US attorney’s office, district of Wyoming, said on Thursday. Continue reading... from Film | The Guardian https://ift.tt/zL5XF2P via IFTTT

Who you gonna call? Meet the real ghostbusters

Ghost hunting is having a moment... in graveyards, pubs, old houses, and on social media. Meet the new spirit seekers As far as the four-man ghost-hunting crew Paraletic Activities are concerned, ghosts have between the hours of 8pm and 11pm to make themselves known. “We’re getting too old for the paranormal all-nighters!” laughs Johnny Smith, 51, who by daylight hours is a commercial signwriter. At weekends he joins Neil, Luke and Nigel, three fellow 30- to 50-something Walsall Ghostbusters fans who have carried their childhood passion for the paranormal into middle age to form Paraletic Activities. They meet to drink real ale and explore the many reputedly haunted locations that litter the Midlands, from the ruins of Grace Dieu Priory in Leicestershire to spooky pubs such as The Four Crosses in Cannock. The crew’s technology, honed over a decade in the ghost-hunting game, includes “Old Faithful”, a meter that measures fluctuations in the electromagnetic field, and “Carol Anne”, a

‘You can’t always win in this industry’: Theo James

The actor found fame as the cocky finance bro in The White Lotus. Now, as he stars in Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen, he talks to Tim Lewis about being ‘irritatingly competitive’, giving up music for acting – and whether James Bond really is on the horizon... When Theo James read the script for the second season of The White Lotus , the British actor wasn’t immediately sure what he could bring to the part of Cameron. The character was “another finance bro”: cocky, suave and superficial. “Interesting,” he recalls, “but we’ve seen it a hundred times.” At the audition, though, the 39-year-old James was won over by Mike White, who writes and directs the hit HBO series, a comic psychodrama revolving around the employees and hyper-wealthy guests of the fictional White Lotus hotel resort. The first season was set on Maui. The second, with a mostly new cast, relocated to Sicily and was more explicitly carnal and lascivious. Cameron was part of a foursome, with his wife (played by Meghann Fahy)

Karnesh Ssharma’s Clean Slate Filmz and Netflix India end partnership; Anushka Sharma’s Chakda Xpress & Vijay Varma – Triptii Dimri’s Afghaani Snow in limbo: Report

Clean Slate Filmz, under the leadership of Karnesh Ssharma and Anushka Sharma, has spearheaded innovative storytelling since its establishment in 2013. Through their collaborations with Netflix India, they carved a niche for themselves, delivering content like Bulbbul, Qala, and Mai: A Mother's Rage. Their latest venture, Kohrra, continued this trend of excellence, captivating audiences with its gripping narrative. Anushka departed as a part of the production house with Karnesh leading the studio. However, the recent end of their partnership with Netflix marks a significant shift in their journey. As per a report in Peeping Moon, while the exact reasons remain unclear, speculations of creative differences and budgetary concerns hint at the end of the partnership. The report states that the end of their partnership has left their completed movies, including Anushka Sharma's Chakda Xpress, a biopic on cricketer Jhulan Goswami and Vijay Varma and Triptii Dimri's Afghaani Snow

The Flats review – a powerful look at the unresolved agony of the Troubles

Copenhagen documentary film festival: Alessandra Celesia’s urgent documentary about the residents of an estate in Belfast speaks to the lasting trauma of political violence Alessandra Celesia’s film is part seance, part news story: a documentary about the run-down New Lodge estate in what the BBC news used to call “Catholic west Belfast”. It is primarily about the families who still live with the unresolved agony of the Troubles a quarter of a century on, the psychic residue of political violence coexisting with sexism, domestic abuse, substance abuse and futile rage against drug dealers in working-class neighbourhoods. But there is something else too. Along with TV news stories about the Queen’s death there is the sensational revelation that for the first time, the Catholic community in Northern Ireland now outnumbers the Protestant . The thought can hardly be said out loud; could it be that times are changing and reunification – that concept which caused so much bloodshed – is act

Crew trailer: Sassy airhostesses Kareena Kapoor Khan, Tabu, and Kriti Sanon take you on a laughter-filled flight with cops and crimes

Fasten your seat belts as the trailer of Crew is here to take you on one heck of a hilarious and entertaining ride! On Saturday, March 16, the makers of this sassy laughter riot unveiled the trailer of this commercial family entertainer, which will bring together Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Kriti Sanon for the first time. Speaking of the trailer, audiences can brace themselves to see three hot actresses come together to entertain them with elegance, allure, and hilarious dialogues as they find themselves constantly stuck in uproarious situations. On the brink of their financial crisis, three air hostesses must find a way to survive to get themselves out of debt and lead a peaceful life. A sudden death which involves a lot of gold biscuits catch their fancy and while it all looks easy in the first go, things get complicated when other parties including the cops and customs get involved. The said trailer is a perfect blend of quirkiness and sheer madness which promise to leave audie

Yodha review – bone-crunching patriotism on display in adrenaline-fuelled thriller

Sidharth Malhotra fights like a machine in an Indian action film cut from similar cloth as the jingoistic Rambo series Depending on your age and perspective, you may or may not have fond memories of the three Rambo films. Where the first one was rather circumspect about America’s role in Vietnam, the sequels went all in on a might-is-right jingoism that combined adrenaline-infused action, rippling muscles and improbable set pieces with deeply queasy politics. New Hindi action-movie Yodha is cut from similar cloth. We’re introduced to our hero, Arun (Sidharth Malhotra) as a young boy who worships his soldier father, who is then promptly killed leaving some big Freudian boots to fill. Arun vows he will either live to be worthy of wearing the uniform of his dad’s badass task force, the “Yodha” of the title, or else his “corpse will be wrapped in our flag”. Many bone-crunching displays of patriotism follow over the subsequent two hours. These are facilitated by Arun’s ability to fight li

First photos: Kriti Kharbanda and Pulkit Samrat tie the knot in a lavish ceremony in Delhi