Award-winning music producer Timbaland has announced that he will be publishing his first children's book, "Nighttime Symphony", later this year, in collaboration with illustrator Christopher Myers.
According to Entertainment Weekly, the book is a melodious bedtime story which uses nighttime city sounds to create a lively lullaby.
"Music is in everything. We can experience the rhythms of life by just stepping outside and exploring our cities. Some people hear noise, but for me, the world is a catalog of sound.
"I want children to understand that the best way to be inspired is by closing their eyes and listening to the world around them," Timbaland said in a statement.
"Nighttime Symphony" revolves around a little boy whose father is getting him ready for bed. The sounds of a wild storm echo around him, lulling him to sleep. From the crash of thunder to the pitter-patter of raindrops to the beat of passing cars, the music of the city creates a cozy bedtime soundtrack in this picture ...

Timbaland to publish lyrical children's book

PTI Automatic

A new book celebrates the lives of 14 popular radio presenters in India - from the legendary Ameen Sayani to present-day RJs  who have been entertaining us via the airwaves.
"Let's Talk On Air: Conversations with Radio Presenters" by Rakesh Anand Bakshi features interviews and career advice from these presenters. It also serves as a comprehensive guide on radio-presenting in India.
Besides Sayani, among those RJs featured in the book are Yunus Khan, Rohini, Mamta Singh, Sayema, Hrishikay Kannan, Anuraag 'picture' Pandey and Anmol.
"This book can help shed light on intricacies of radio as a medium and the RJs behind the microphones, connect fans to their favourite RJs and, eventually attract more talent to be part of the industry," says Kartik Kalla, chief creative officer at Radio City.
Indira Rangarajan, national programming head at Second Frequencies - Mirchi Love, Radio Mirchi, says a book on RJs and their journey was long overdue. "I am so glad it's out at a time when the ...

Book chronicles journey of radio presenters in India

Actor Chad Michael Murray has joined the cast of Riverdale in a recurring role.
Murray will play Edgar Evernever on the popular teen drama, reported Entertainment Weekly.
Evernever is the enigmatic leader of the cult-like Farm. He arrives in Riverdale to spread his teachings and heal the ravaged soul of the once-wholesome town. He appears to be a charming and handsome guru, but underneath may lie his more sinister agenda.
Evernever has been discussed on the show many times but has not yet made an appearance.
"Riverdale" follows Archie Andrews (KJ Apa), Betty Cooper (Lili Reinhart), Veronica Lodge (Camila Mendes), and Jughead Jones (Cole Sprouse) in this reimagined spin on the Archie comics.
Its third season premiered October 10 and was renewed for a fourth installment in January.

Chad Michael Murray joins 'Riverdale' cast

Filmmaker Alexander Payne has set up his next directorial project, a comedic horror-thriller titled "The Menu".
Payne, who won two Oscars for his films "Sideways" and "The Descendants", will direct the new movie from a script by Will Tracy and Seth Reiss, reported Variety.
Director-producer Adam McKay will produce the film alongside actor Will Ferrell and Betsy Koch producing under the banner Gary Sanchez Productions.
Set in the world of high-end culinary culture, the film will chronicle the story of a young couple who visits an exclusive destination restaurant on a remote island where the acclaimed chef has prepared a lavish tasting menu, along with some shocking surprises.
Payne's last directorial venture was 2017 Matt Damon-starrer "Downsizing", about a couple who decide to undertake a newly invented procedure to shrink their bodies so they can start a new life in an experimental community.
There is currently no confirmation on the new project's cast, nor is there an expected ...

Alexander Payne to direct 'The Menu'

The "Gully Boy" team of Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, director Zoya Akhtar and producer Ritesh Sidhwani visited India Pavilion at the Berlin International Film Festival and released the IFFI 2019 brochure.
The film's team interacted with the visiting Indian delegation, who informed them about the efforts being made by the organisers for the golden jubilee anniversary of International Film Festival of India, which will be held in Goa later this year, said a press release from Press Information Bureau.
"Gully Boy" will have its world premiere at the 2019 Berlin Film Festival. The film will be screened at the Berlinale Special Gala segment.
The Indian Pavilion at Berlinale has been organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in association with Confederation of Indian Industry. Over 75 Indian film companies are participating at Berlinale 2019.
The Indian delegation members at Berlinale also met with over half a dozen film festival heads and key senior executives of the film ...

Ranveer, Zoya visit India Pavilion at Berlin Film Festival 2019

Actor Ellen Page has called out "Guardians of the Galaxy" series star Chris Pratt for attending an "infamously anti-LGBTQ" church.
Pratt, who identifies as a non-denominational Christian, recently appeared "The Late Show" where he told host Stephen Colbert about a recent fast he did through his church, Hillsong.
The church had infamously made headlines in 2015 after it said that it does not support the LGBTQ lifestyle.
According to Variety, Hillsong's global pastor Brian Houston had said that he "holds to traditional Christian thought on gay lifestyles and gay marriage" and "God's word is clear that marriage is between a man and a woman".
Page, who came out as gay in 2014 and is married to choreographer Emma Portner, took to Twitter to slam Pratt and Hillsong.
"Oh. K. Um. But his church is infamously anti lgbtq so maybe address that too?" she wrote.
A number of other Christian celebrities like Justin and Hailey Bieber, Kylie and Kendall Jenner and Selena Gomez, are also closely ...

Ellen Page slams Chris Pratt for supporting 'infamously anti-LGBTQ church'

After the mega success of superhero saga "Aquaman", Warner Bros is planning its horror spin-off, "The Trench".
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film will focus on deadly underwater creatures who battled Jason Momoa's Aquaman in the James Wan-directed 2018 hit.
The studio has hired Noah Gardner and Aidan Fitzgerald to write a script for the proposed project.
The film, set around the underwater kingdom known as The Trench, would be produced by Wan and his frequent collaborator Peter Safran. The project's budget is expected to be low.
The studio, however, has not yet announced a director.
The Trench creatures, created by Geoff Johns, first appeared as the antagonists in the Aquaman storyline in 2011. According to DC Comics, the Trench are the inhabitants of Atlantis before that continent was destroyed and submerged by Atlan, the Dead King.

Warner Bros developing 'Aquaman' horror spin-off 'The Trench'

"Game of Thrones" star Maisie Williams has boarded the cast of Julius Berg's thriller "The Owners".
The film's script has been adapted by Berg and Matthieu Gompel from a comic book by artist Herrmann and writer Yves H, reported Variety.
The story, set in rural England in the early 1990s, follows two friends, Nathan and Terry, who are tracked down by an out-of-town sociopath Gaz and forced to rob an elderly doctor and his wife.
Williams, 21, will play the girlfriend of one of the perpetrators who is dead set against the plan, which results in a deadly game of cat and mouse.
The project marks Berg's first feature directorial. He has previously directed TV series such as "La Foret" and "The Crimson Rivers".
Alain de la Mata at UK-based Bluelight is producing, while XYZ Films is executive producing.
The film is expected to start shooting from March in a Victorian mansion in Kent.
Williams is best known for her role as Arya Stark in HBO's hit epic fantasy show, "Game of Thrones". The ...

Maisie Williams to star in thriller 'The Owners'

Meryl Streep has revealed that she was "addicted" to hit HBO series "Big Little Lies" and that is probably the reason why she wanted to be a part of its upcoming season two.
During the Television Critics Association panel on Friday, the 69-year-old actor, who is playing Mary Louise Wright, the mother-in-law of Nicole Kidman's Celeste, in season two, explained why she boarded the show, reported Entertainment Weekly.
"I loved this show. I was addicted to it. I thought it was an amazing exercise in what we know and don't know about people  about family, about friends, about how we flirted with the mystery of things," Streep said.
"I wanted to do it to be in that world. The world they created was amazing," she added.
The original cast -- Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Zoe Kravitz and Shailene Woodley -- are all coming back for the show's sophomore run.
The "Big Little Lies" season two, consisting seven episodes, is directed by Andrea Arnold.
Kidman and Witherspoon also serve as ...

Meryl Streep was addicted' to Big Little Lies' before joining cast

Swedish star Noomi Rapace is all set to topline the new supernatural drama, "Lamb".
According to Variety, the feature will be directed by Valdimar Johannsson, who has also penned the script alongside author Sjon.
The story follows a childless couple, Maria (Rapace) and Ingvar, who are sheep farmers in Iceland. On Christmas Eve they find a newborn who is half human, half sheep. Longing for a child of their own they decide to keep the lamb-child and raise it as their own regardless of the consequences.
"A script like this is rare and I directly felt that I had to do it. I've never done anything like this before and I can't wait to start filming and go back to my roots in Iceland," Rapace said.
The film is expected to start shooting soon and it will be produced by Hronn Kristinsdottir and Sara Nassim alongside Piodor Gustafsson, Erik Rydell and Klaudia Smieja-Rostworowska.
Rapace is best known for playing Lisbeth Salander in the Swedish film adaptations of Stieg Larsson's 'Millennium' ...

Noomi Rapace to star in supernatural drama 'Lamb'

Michael Jackson's estate is calling HBO's decision to air a documentary that includes allegations from two men that the superstar molested them "disgraceful" and is urging the cable network to further investigate their backgrounds.
The 10-page letter released Friday offers a meeting with HBO executives to try to discredit the stories of the two men featured in the documentary "Leaving Neverland," Wade Robson and James Safechuck.
The estate contends the men are lying and court filings and story inconsistencies prove that.
The first installment of the four-hour documentary will first air on HBO on March 3, with the second half airing the following night.
Robson testified in Jackson's defense at a 2005 molestation trial that ended with the singer's acquittal.
An email seeking comment from HBO was not immediately returned.

Michael Jackson's estate assails HBO plans for documentary

Albert Finney, the charismatic Academy Award-nominated British actor who starred in films from "Tom Jones" to "Skyfall," has died. He was 82.
Finney's family said Friday that he "passed away peacefully after a short illness with those closest to him by his side."
He died Thursday from a chest infection at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.
Finney was a rare star who managed to avoid the Hollywood limelight for more than five decades after bursting to international fame in 1963 in the title role of "Tom Jones."
The film gained him the first of five Oscar nominations.
Others followed for "Murder on the Orient Express,"
''The Dresser," ''Under the Volcano" and "Erin Brockovich."
In later years he brought authority to action movies, including the James Bond thriller "Skyfall" and two of the Bourne films.
Displaying the versatility of a virtuoso, Finney portrayed Winston Churchill, Pope John Paul II, a southern American lawyer, an Irish gangster and an 18th-century rogue, among dozens ..

British actor Albert Finney dies at 82

Kangana Ranaut has once again slammed Alia Bhatt for not supporting "Manikarnika", a film which she says promotes "women empowerment and nationalism".
Kangana's response comes after Alia on Thursday said she will apologise to the actor on personal level if she was upset with her for not supporting "Manikarnika".
Kangana, in an earlier interview, had said while she had turned up for the screenings of "Dangal", "Secret Superstar" and "Raazi", Alia and Aamir Khan did not attend the screening of her film.
To which, Alia said, "I hope she doesn't dislike me and I don't think she dislikes me. I don't think I have done anything intentionally to upset her. If I have, I will apologise to her on a personal level."
When a leading daily asked Kangana about Alia's statement, the actor said, "...Hope she understands the true meaning of success and her responsibilities. Nepotism gang life is simply restricted to give and take favours. Hope she rises above that."
Kangana had earlier claimed that the .

Kangana attacks Alia Bhatt for not supporting 'Manikarnika

The India Pavilion at the Berlin International Film Festival, (Berlinale) 2019 was inaugurated by European Film Market Director Matthijis Wouter Knol.
The poster of International Film Festival of India (IFFI), 2019 was also unveiled during the inaugural ceremony by dignitaries, including Paramita Tripathi, the Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India in Berlin.
The event was attended by Additional DG, Directorate of Film Festivals, Chaitanya Prasad and Director, Films, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting G C Aron, who apprised the European Film Market (EFM) representatives about the significance of the Golden Jubilee celebration of IFFI this year and the recent policy initiatives of the government to ensure ease of filming in India.
On the occasion, Knol said the stakeholders of EFM would actively consider participating in the Golden Jubilee year of IFFI.
He also underlined that the participation would pave the way forward for a more proactive interaction between the Indian ...

India Pavilion inaugurated at the 69th Berlin International Film Festival

"Pet Sematary" co-director Kevin Kolsch says his upcoming horror film will terrify not just the kids, but also their parents.
The new film, starring Jason Clarke and John Lithgow, is an adaptation of Stephen Kings 1983 novel of the same name, which was also the basis for a 1989 feature.
The new adaptation has been directed by Kolsch and Dennis Widmyer.
Kolsch believes King is not just a writer of "great fiction, but great literary horror" and said his aim was to deliver something on the lines of "It", another King adaptation.
"It really respected the material, treated it like prestige horror, not schlock. And that's what we're doing, too. Our whole thing with this is to make people think.
"To make a movie that is going to scare teenagers because it's supernatural and there are classic characters like Pascow and Zelda. But also something that will scare parents, because of what happens. 'Pet Sematary' has always really worked on both those levels," Kolsch said in a statement.
Widmyer ..

'Pet Sematary' will scare not just kids, but also parents, says director Kevin Kolsch

His on-screen avatar may have survived Thanos' finger snap, but in real life, Oreo the Raccoon, the animal which served as the model for beloved "Guardians of the Galaxy" character Rocket, has tragically passed away at the age of 10.
Oreo helped animators capture motions and behaviours for Rocket Raccoon, who is voiced by Bradley Cooper in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The character, which debuted with James Gunn's 2014 film "Guardians of the Galaxy", most recently appeared in "Avengers: Infinity War". The character is scheduled for another appearance in upcoming "Avengers: Endgame".
The news of Oreo's death was announced by a Facebook fan page for "Guardians of the Galaxy" franchise.
"Rest in Peace to Oreo the Raccoon, the real-life model for Rocket Raccoon. Oreo was also the Raccoon that went to the red carpet with GotG director James Gunn when the movie debuted in Hollywood. Thank you for your awesomeness, Oreo!" the group wrote.
The page also shared a post by Oreo's owner  Quinta 

Oreo the Raccoon, model for 'GOTG' character Rocket, has died

Steven Soderbergh is surprised that his drunken Oscars speech in 2001 is being presented as the model for this year's nominees.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences wants to keep the broadcast to just three hours and the winners will be given 90 seconds to make their acceptance speeches or risk being escorted off the stage.
Soderbergh, who won the best director award for "Traffic", was also nominated for "Erin Brockovich".
Instead of thanking people associated with the movie, the director kept his speech short by paying tribute to the creative spirit.
"There are a lot of people to thank. Rather than thank a few of them publicly, I think I'm going to thank all of them privately. I want to thank anyone who spends part of their day creating," he had said.
At the annual Oscar lunch, Oscars producer Donna Gigliotti screened Soderbergh's 2001 acceptance speech as a model for nominees to prepare for their big moment.
Soderbergh said it was amusing to see his speech being singled ..

Steven Soderbergh surprised his drunken Oscar speech is considered gold standard

Bhumi Pednekar says she does not choose roles which present her in different avatars but focuses on the story of the films.
The actor, who made an unconventional Bollywood debut with "Dum Laga Ke Haisha" and went to on feature in films like "Toilet: Ek Prem Katha" and "Lust Stories", said she always has faith in a director's vision.
"I do not run behind any avatar, I run behind story. If the story is strong then I do it. A director and writer are the anchor and you put your faith on them," Bhumi told reporters at the promotional event of her upcoming film "Sonchiriya" here.
When director Abhishek Chaubey approached Bhumi for the film the actor was in two minds but later accepted the offer.
"When Abhishek said he is directing a film, I went weak on my eyes as he is on my bucket list, till then only 'Dum Laga Ke Aisha' had released. I met him and he told me it is a dacoit drama. I did ask him what will I do in it? When I heard the story I felt I should not leave this film.
"I was ...

Do not run behind any avatar, run behind story: Bhumi Pednekar

Sushant Singh Rajput "Sonchiriya" has been granted an 'A' certificate after the maker incorporated three changes that were suggested by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the film's producer said on Friday.
Shot in Chambal, the film is set in the 1970s and showcases a small town ruled and dominated by dacoits played by Sushant, Manoj Bajpayee, Ranvir Shorey and others. The film contains many expletives.
"The film is censored, the obstacle has been cleared. Let's not look for controversy. They (CBFC) loved the film and they had three suggestions and that is it. The film is set in a path. There were no issues," producer Ronnie Screwvala told reporters here at the promotional event of the film.
He was responding to a question about whether the film faced any problem from the CBFC.
Director Abhishek Chaubey said, "There were no issues and problems. The film has been censored and is releasing with an 'A' certificate."
The director, who has critically-acclaimed films like "Udta 

"Sonchiriya" gets A certificate, says producer

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television has announced that it will be honouring filmmaker Deepa Mehta with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Canadian Academy shared the news in a statement and said the Indo-Canadian film director will be presented the award during Canadian Screen Week, which stretches over six days and also includes the Canadian Screen Awards: Broadcast Gala.
"The Canadian Academy is proud to recognize the artistry of Ms. Mehta and the tremendous impact she has had on the fabric of Canada's entertainment industry," the academy said.
On Twitter, the director thanked the Canadian Academy for the honour.
"Thank you so much @TheCdnAcademy. You made my day - hell, my year!" she wrote.
Mehta was born in India but she had moved to Canada in 1973 after her marriage to documentary filmmaker Paul Saltzman.
Her film "Water", the third part of her Elements trilogy, was Canada's official entry at the 79th Academy Awards.
The director has previously received the Governor ...

Deepa Mehta to receive Lifetime Achievement Award from Canadian Academy

Veteran actor Michelle Pfeiffer, who recently signed up to photo sharing site Instagram, says she finds social media ''terrifying''.
The 60-year-old said it is hard for her to adjust to the attention celebrities get on social media as she has been a private person all her life.
''It's been terrifying for me, honestly. I've spent my entire life avoiding, doing as little as possible, in terms of exposure - literally the least that I could get away with as an actress," Pfeiffer told InStyle magazine.
The actor joined the platform after her co-stars posted a welcome message for her online when she signed "Maleficent 2".
''It was so sweet, and I wanted to respond, but I couldn't. I had no format. I didn't tweet. I didn't have Instagram. I had nothing. But I've started paying more attention. And I've been following other celebrities who I think are as private as I am, and even they are venturing into the Instagram world.
"So I'm dipping my toe in. I'll be very tentative in the beginning. ...

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