Page 1103 - Entertainment Culture
James Bond's teenage to get comic book treatment
Questions of all the fans about James Bond's life are about to be answered!A new comic book series, titled James Bond Origin, will explore the teenage years of the deadliest secret agent.The story will begin in March 1941, where a teenage Bond visits a family friend, where he is interrupted by one of the most devastating German attacks on the U.K. during World War II, confirmed The Hollywood Reporter.The book will also produce titles spotlighting supporting characters like Moneypenny and Felix Leiter.Written by 'Future Quests' Jeff Parker, the series will come about through Dynamite Entertainment.James Bond Origin No. 1 will be released digitally and in comic book stores in September.
Martin Scorsese to receive Lifetime Achievement Award at Rome Film Fest
Veteran director Martin Scorsese will be conferred with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Rome Film Fest. The announcement was made by director Antonio Monda and Laura Delli Colli, the head of the Fondazione Cinema per Roma, the festival organisers said in a statement. Italian director Paolo Taviani will present the award to Scorsese, who is best known for modern American classics such as "Taxi Driver", "Raging Bull", "Goodfellas", "The Aviator" and "The Departed". "I am extremely honored to bestow the Lifetime Achievement Award to a Cinema Master," Monda said. "I am thrilled and moved to celebrate Martin Scorsese, not only as a great director but also for his extraordinary and priceless contribution to the rediscovery of great classic movies and, most of all, of Italian Cinema," he added. Scorsese has long had ties to Italy as his grandparents on both sides had emigrated to the United States from Palermo, Sicily. His 2002 film "Gangs of New York", featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and .
Santa Barbara Film Festival to run in Feb 2019
Santa Barbara International Film Festival, which has now become one of the most important stops on the annual road to the Oscars, is all set to run from January 30 to February 9, 2019.The Hollywood Reporter quoted Roger Durling, the fest's executive director, as saying, "It's extraordinary and a cause for celebration that SBIFF is heading into its 34th edition. We love that after this past difficult year, Santa Barbara is anxiously ready to welcome once again more world-class filmmakers."The fest is best known for its full-evening tributes to artists during the Oscar voting period.The 2019 event will be held at sites throughout Santa Barbara, including the historic Arlington Theatre and the Riviera Theatre.
Robert Zemeckis to direct 'The Witches' adaptation
American filmmaker Robert Zemeckis has been finalised to direct Warner Bros.' adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic dark fantasy novel "The Witches," reported the Variety.Zemeckis will also write the script, with his partner Jack Rapke.The story, based on the 1973 novel, revolves around a seven-year-old boy who has a run in with real-life witches.Earlier, the Warner Bros. had adapted the book in 1990 in which Anjelica Huston playing the role of Grand High Witch.As per sources, Zemeckis' upcoming version will be more original, as compared to Huston's loose adaptation.Zemeckis is known as an innovator in visual effects. Credited as "one of the greatest visual storytellers in filmmaking", he first came to public attention in the 1980s as the director of 'Romancing the Stone' (1984) and the science-fiction comedy 'Back to the Future' film trilogy.
Orlando Bloom had a crush on Cate Blanchett
Actor Orlando Bloom says he had a major crush on actress Cate Blanchett while they were filming for "The Lord of the Rings".
'Mere Sai' title track singer tries for 'Indian Idol'
Pune-based Jaydeep Vaidya, the voice behind the title track of television show "Mere Sai", has auditioned for reality TV show "Indian Idol". He hopes to become a finalist.
'Sollers Point' bags Champs-Elysees Film Festival Jury Prize
Matt Porterfield's Baltimore-set drama 'Sollers Point', received the top jury prize for an American independent feature at the 7th annual Champs-Elysees Film Festival, reported the Hollywood Reporter.The film was released in the U.S. by Oscilloscope Laboratories last month.Starring McCaul Lombardi, Jim Belushi and Zazie Beetz, the film revolves around a 24-year-old drug dealer who is newly released from prison and living with his father under house arrest in Baltimore.The drug dealer struggles to re-establish himself in a community scarred by unemployment, neglect, and segregation.Meanwhile, Yen Tan's '1985' nabbed the audience and student jury award which is about a young gay man returning to his conservative Texas town.The Champs-Elysees fest, set in a handful of movie houses on Paris' most famous boulevard highlights independent films from the U.S. and France.
Prosecutors decline Scott Baio's assault charges
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has officially decided to not file charges against American actor Scott Baio, saying in an evaluation that the statute of limitations had expired.Baio's former 'Charles in Charge' co-star, Nicole Eggert, had filed a police report against him in February, claiming that he sexually assaulted her while she was a teenager and working with him in the 1980s sitcom, reported the Hollywood Reporter.Scott had however rebuffed all the allegations and said that he and Eggert were in a consensual relationship when she was of legal age.Baio's Spokesperson, Brian Glicklich, referred to an interview that Eggert had given years ago where she said that working with Baio in 'Charles in Charge' was fun and that she would be happy to work with him again.
Walt Disney names creative heads of animation studios
(Reuters) - Walt Disney Co on Tuesday split the role of its outgoing creative head John Lasseter and appointed two Academy award winners to spearhead its two animation studios.
Tamil Nadu girl Anukreethy Vas is Femina Miss India 2018
Anukreethy Vas, a 19-year-old college student from Tamil Nadu, has been crowned fbb Colors Femina Miss India 2018 in an extravagant ceremony held here, hosted by filmmaker Karan Johar and Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana. Meenakshi Chaudhary, 21, from Harayana was declared the first runner-up while Andhra Pradesh's Shrey Rao Kamvarapu, 23, stood as the second runner-up in the beauty competition. The crowning ceremony saw performances by Bollywood stars like Kareena Kapoor Khan, Jacqueline Farnandez and Madhuri Dixit, and also by Miss World 2017 Manushi Chillar. The judges panel included names of cricketers -- K L Rahul and Irfan Pathan -- actors Bobby Deol, Malaika Arora and Kunal Kapoor.
Shah Rukh Khan to co-produce Amitabh Bachchan's 'Badla'
Superstar Shah Rukh Khan will be teaming up with Amitabh Bachchan after almost a decade, this time as a co-producer for the megastar's upcoming crime-thriller "Badla". Khan will be co-producing the film through his Red Chillies Entertainment along with Sunir Kheterpal and Akshai Puri, Azure Entertainment. Directed by Sujoy Ghosh, "Badla" also features Taapsee Pannu and is an official remake of the 2016 Spanish film 'Contratiempo' also known as 'The Invisible Guest'. The shoot of the movie started in Glasgow, Scotland today. "When you get an actor like Mr Amitabh Bachchan, half your battle is won. He is every director's delight and I am very excited to direct him. Also I have been trying to work with Taapsee for a while and this is the perfect story to collaborate with her," Sujoy said in a statement. "And above all my excitement is doubled that it is produced by SRK. Couldn't have asked for a better team and now it is time for work," he added. Khan and Bachchan were last seen sharing
Twitterverse celebrates 3 years of 'ABCD2'
The twitterverse is celebrating three years of Remo D'souza directorial 'ABCD2'.The hashtag #3YearsOfABCD2 is trending on Twitter.A user wrote, "Vinnie, we adore you! ?@ShraddhaKapoor ??#3YearsOfABCD2"Another user posted a picture of Shraddha Kapoor and Varun Dhawan saying, "They look adorable together ? @Varun_dvn @ShraddhaKapoor #3yearsofABCD2"A twitterer posted a picture of ABCD2 promotion featuring Remo D'souza and Varun Dhawan with the caption, "Varun Dhawan With Remo d' Souza Sir At The Time Of Promoting ABCD2 #3YearsOfABCD2"'ABCD 2' was a biographical dance drama film directed by Remo D'Souza and produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur under Walt Disney Pictures. The film stars Prabhu Deva, Varun Dhawan and Shraddha Kapoor in lead roles with Lauren Gottlieb, Raghav Juyal, Punit Pathak and Dharmesh Yelande in supporting roles. It is the sequel to the 2013 film 'ABCD: Any Body Can Dance'; ABCD 2 released on 19 June 2015.
42 artistes selected for Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards
The Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's national academy for music, dance and drama, on Tuesday announced that a total of 42 artistes have been selected for the prestigious award.
India, China ink 'Extraordinary' film deal
Finnish film director and producer Renny Harlin's China-based production house 'Extraordinary Entertainment' signed a deal with Indian production house B4U entertainment to co-develop three movie projects.The deal was unveiled at the Shanghai International Film festival on Tuesday, following a series of lecture and keynote speeches about the film collaboration between India and China, confirmed The Hollywood Reporter.The first venture of the two production houses 'Operation Wild', written by Brian Brightly, was revealed at the Film festival."I was thoroughly impressed with [Renny and DJ's] emphasis and detail behind the human emotions that underpin the storylines of their slate of Indo-China films," said B4U's CEO, Ishan Saksena. "I think these films will highlight the emotional bond and cultural values that are common between the people of China and India."Harlin said: "I firmly believe that these combined markets will be the most potent force for storytelling in the world, breathing
It's official: Amitabh-Taapsee to reunite for 'Badla'
Red Chillies Entertainment has made it official; 'Pink' co-stars Amitabh Bachchan and Taapsee Pannu will be working together for the new film 'Badla'.While the actors have been very vocal and active about the film and its looks, the makers were yet to make any confirmation.In a tweet on Tuesday, the motion-picture company wrote, "Red Chillies Ent. is excited to announce its next film #BADLA, in association with Azure Ent., starring the legendary @SrBachchan & the very talented @taapsee, helmed by acclaimed director @Sujoy_G. @iamsrk @VenkyMysore @sunirkheterpal @_GauravVerma @RedChilliesEnt @iAmAzure".The film will be made in collaboration with Azure Entertainment.Helmed by noted director Sujoy Ghosh, the film will be produced by Shah Rukh Khan and Akshai Puri.
Irrfan Khan's note on cancer battle leads to outpouring of support
Actor Irrfan Khan's fans and the Bollywood fraternity came together to support him after he penned a heartfelt note on his battle with cancer.The 'Madari' actor, who is in London for his Neuroendocrine tumour treatment, wrote about his struggles with the ailment and his journey of recovery in a note published by a leading daily."The entire cosmos becomes one at that moment - just PAIN, and pain felt more enormous than GOD," he wrote, adding, "This realisation made me submit, surrender and trust, irrespective of the outcome, irrespective of where this takes me, eight months from now, or four months from now, or two years. The concerns took a back seat and started to fade and kind of went out of my mindspace."People took to Twitter to extend wishes for his speedy recovery, with critically acclaimed writer Rangan Baradwaj writing, "This is so sad, and yet so beautiful You are one of the good guys, Irrfan Khan. Fight on."This is so sad, and yet so beautiful You are one of the good guys, ..
Priyaka Chopra writing memoir on her 'private' journey
Actress Priyanka Chopra is writing a memoir, titled "Unfinished", which will be published simultaneously in India, the US and Britain next year. In the memoir, Priyanka said, she is ready to write about her feelings during the course of what has been a fascinating journey.
'Sanju' team looks peppy in new still
A new still from the Sanjay Dutt biopic 'Sanju' has surfaced online, and the gang - Ranbir Kapoor, Karishma Tanna, and Vicky Kaushal - looks sprightly retro.Sporting black goggles and bright colours amidst blazing lights, the trio posed for a cheery photo.The picture was shared by Tanna herself on her Instagram. While sharing it, she wrote, "Happy faces one frame!!! Watch out for more!!;) @hirani.rajkumar @vickykaushal09 #ranbirkapoor #karishmatanna #ktians #sanju #Repost @filmfare with @get_repost."Based on the life of Sanjay Dutt, the film gives an insight into the crazy and hardships of his life.Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani has been introducing the various facades of Dutt's life with varied posters, introducing the closest people in the yesteryear actor's life.After giving an insight into the crazy love life, emotional father-son bond, untold friendship and heartwarming mother-son relationship, spousal love and support, Hirani shared a still showing 'Jaadu Ki Jhappi' between Dutt ...
'Panipat' shooting to kick-start this November
Ashutosh Gowariker's much-anticipated period drama 'Panipat' is all set to go on floors this November.The news was shared by Gowariker himself on social media.The 'Mohenjo Daro' director tweeted, "Contrary to RUMOURS - Kiran Deohans was never considered for the Cinematography of #Panipat My #DirectorOfPhotography is - C. K. MURALEEDHARAN. Prep is ON across all fronts. Filming begins in November. Excited!! @duttsanjay @arjunk26 @kritisanon @RohitShelatkar".The noted director also clarified that C.K. Muraleedharan, not Kiran Deohans, is the Director of Photography for the film.'Panipat' is an upcoming 2019 Indian Hindi-language historical period drama film, which tells the story of the third iconic Battle of Panipat.The film stars Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Kapoor, and Kriti Sanon in pivotal roles.It is slated to hit the theaters on December 06, 2019.
Priyanka Chopra to come out with memoir in 2019
Actor Priyanka Chopra will come out with her memoir next year in which she will write about things which she has never spoken before. "Unfinished" is a collection of personal essays, stories and observations of the actor, producer, activist and UNICEF goodwill ambassador, publishers Penguin Random House India announced tonight. The book will be published simultaneously in the US by Ballantine Books and in the UK by Michael Joseph. The UK and Commonwealth (including India) rights were acquired at an auction from Siobhan O'Neill and Fiona Baird, on behalf of Mel Berger, of William Morris Endeavor. "The flavour of the book will be honest, funny, spirited, bold, and rebellious, just like me," says Chopra. "I have always been a private person; I've never spoken about my feelings during my journey but I am ready to do so now," she says about the book. According to Chopra, she was raised to be fearless when it came to opinions. "I would like to tell my story in the hope of inspiring people -