Page 1268 - Entertainment Culture
'Star Trek 4' eyes first female director in SJ Clarkson
Director SJ Clarkson is in talks to helm the fourth installment in the "Star Trek" franchise for Paramount Pictures. If the deal is closed, she would become the first woman director to take charge of a movie in the long-running series, EW reported. Clarkson's directing credits include TV series such as "Jessica Jones" and "Defenders". She has also directed episodes for "House", "Dexter", "Orange Is the New Black", and, most recently, the entire BBC Two and Netflix miniseries "Collateral". In July 2016, the studio had announced that the next "Star Trek" chapter would see Chris Hemsworth return as George Kirk, the father of Captain James T Kirk (played by Chris Pine). Hemsworth's character was killed in the opening minutes of "Star Trek" 2009 reboot. The new movie will be a separate project from the more recently announced Quentin Tarantino film.
Spielberg felt 'resentment and anger' shooting 'Schindler's List', 'Jurassic Park' simultaneously
Steven Spielberg says filming two of the most memorable films of all time - "Schindler's List" and "Jurassic Park" - simultaneously was a burden for him as the veteran filmmaker had to channel the emotional weight from one film to another, back and forth. The 71-year-old director said the writer of the Holocaust drama, "Schindler's List" Steven Zaillian had come up with the best draft of the script around the same time he was already deep in production for sci-fi hit "Jurassic Park", EW reported. Spielberg said he was at the crossroads as he did not want to let go of the winter setting in Poland for the iconic period film. "It was the best draft had written after (writing) multiple drafts. (So my wife) Kate said, 'You're making this movie right now, aren't you?' And I said, 'Yeah, right now!' "I was making 'Jurassic Park' right now. That was the problem. (But) I didn't want to miss the winter. I knew I had to be shooting (Schindler's List) in January (on location) in Poland, so it ...
James Wan cut Jason Momoa's kids cameo from 'Aquaman', says actor
Actor Jason Momoa has revealed that his children's cameo in "Aquaman" has been edited from the upcoming DC film. The 38-year-old actor is reprising his "Justice League" role of the superhero Aquaman in the James Wan-directed film. Momoa, who has two children with Lisa Bonet -- Lola, 10, and nine-year-old son Nakoa-Wolf -- said they were "sad" to hear the news, according to Contactmusic. "They were in it but James Wan cut them out... They were these beautiful little kids in a Sicilian village and he cut them out. "They were so sad, I was like James, you need to figure something out, bro. They were so sad, it was the first time they were in something, (he) cut them out," the "Game of Thrones" star said. The film also stars Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Nicole Kidman, Willem Dafoe and others.
Guy Pearce, Claes Bang and Vicky Krieps join 'Lyrebird'
Actors Guy Pearce, Claes Bang and Vicky Krieps have boarded the cast of the film "Lyrebird". The project, which will be helmed by Dan Friedkin, is backed by producers Imperative Entertainment and Ridley Scott, Variety reported. The film narrates the true story of Dutch folk hero Han Van Meegeren, who swindled millions of dollars from the Nazis by selling them forgeries of Johannes Vermeer paintings. He is considered to be the most successful art forger of all time. The film will also feature Danish actor Roland Moller, who last appeared in Charlize Theron's "Atomic Blonde". "Iron Man" scribes Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby have penned the script, along with John Orloff. Bang recently starred in Ruben Ostlund's "The Square" and is currently awaiting the release of "The Girl in the Spider's Web". Krieps recently appeared alongside Daniel Day-Lewis in Paul Thomas Anderson's Oscar-winning period drama "Phantom Thread".
Filming 'Avengers: Infinity War' was 'bizarre', says Tom Holland
Tom Holland has said filming for the "Avengers: Infinity War", which features arguably the largest gathering of superheroes, felt like a "bizarre" experience. "To be 21 and to get the chance to work with people like this is amazing," Holland said according to Contactmusic. "It was just a real whirlwind to walk on set and see 30 of your favourite actors dressed up like superheroes, just having a coffee and hanging out. It was so bizarre," he added. Holland reprises his role of Spider-Man in the new Marvel film, which also features Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Pratt, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Chadwick Boseman and others.
TV series on cult group Nxivm in the works
A new TV series about the cult group NXIVM is in development at Annapurna Television. The show will be based on Barry Meier's New York Times 2017 expose, "Inside a Secretive Group Where Women Are Branded", according to The Hollywood Reporter. The news comes close on the heels of "Smallville" actor Allison Mack's arrest in connection with the cult group and its leader Keith Raniere, that allegedly included sex trafficking. Mack has been released from on a bail bond of USD 5 million. The series will follow the lives of women who join a secret sisterhood created to empower them, only to find themselves psychologically enthralled and horrifically sexually enslaved to its leader. "Westworld" actor Shannon Woodward will executive produce the project, along with Annapurna's Megan Ellison, Sue Naegle, and Susan Goldberg.
Sambhavana Seth's musical appearance in 'Agnifera'
Actress Sambhavana Seth will be seen performing an item number on "Aa re pritam pyaare" in an upcoming sequence of TV show "Agnifera".
Sanchez goes gaga over George Mackay
Director Sergio G. Sanchez loved working with actor George Mackay on "Marrowbone", and says he is committed to his work.
'Avicii could not go any longer, wanted to find peace'
The family of prominent Swedish musician Avicii, who was found dead last week, have released a second statement, saying that the "fragile" famed DJ could not go any longer and wanted to find peace."Our beloved Tim was a seeker, a fragile artistic soul searching for answers to existential questions. An over-achieving perfectionist who travelled and worked hard at a pace that led to extreme stress. When he stopped touring, he wanted to find a balance in life to be happy and be able to do what he loved most - music," the Variety reported, citing Avicii's family as saying, in a statement."He really struggled with thoughts about Meaning, Life, Happiness. He could not go on any longer. He wanted to find peace.Tim was not made for the business machine he found himself in; he was a sensitive guy who loved his fans but shunned the spotlight," the statement added.Avicii, whose real name was Tim Bergling, passed away at the age of 28, on April 20.A statement from his publicist Diana Baron read, .
Chris Hemsworth doesn't understand Spanish
Australian actor Chris Hemsworth says he has to "pretend" to understand his wife Elsa Pataky when she tells their children off in Spanish because he is the only member of their household not to speak it fluently.
Avicii's family releases 2nd statement about late son
Avicii's family says the late performer "could not go on any longer" in a second statement released this week. The Grammy-nominated electronic dance DJ, born Tim Bergling, was found dead last week in Muscat, Oman at age 28. Details about his death were not revealed. His family says Thursday that "our beloved Tim was a seeker, a fragile artistic soul searching for answers to existential questions." Avicii retired from touring in 2016. His family says after he stopped, "he wanted to find a balance in life to be happy and be able to do what he loved most - music." They also say their son "was not made for the business machine he found himself in." Instead, "he was a sensitive guy who loved his fans but shunned the spotlight.
'Daas Dev': Meticulously mounted in a convoluted plot (IANS Review, Rating: **1/2)
Film: "Daas Dev"; Director: Sudhir Mishra; Cast: Richa Chadha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Rahul Bhat, Saurabh Shukla, Vipin Sharma, Anurag Kashyap; Rating: **1/2
Case registered against Pawan Kalyan
A case has been registered against Telugu film actor and Jana Sena founder Pawan Kalyan for allegedly levelling allegations against a Telugu news channel to defame it, police said today. Some members of the Telangana Union of Working Journalists in a complaint filed with Banjara Hills Police station on April 21 accused the actor of allegedly sharing a morphed video on social media which purportedly showed an actress making objectionable remarks against him. They said the channel had muted the (abusive words) in the video and telecast it and alleged that the actor and his followers had fraudulently deleted the censored objectionable remarks to defame them (the channel and journalists). Banjara Hills Police station Inspector K Srinivas said as per the complaint, the management and the staff of the channel were getting abusive and threatening calls from the actor"s fans. A case was registered under IPC sections 469 (Forgery for purpose of harming reputation)," 504 ...
'...Infinity War' sells over a mn tickets before its release
Highly-anticipated Hollywood film "Avengers: Infinity War" sold over one million tickets on Indian online ticketing platform BookMyShow before its release on Friday.
NYT journalists behind Harvey Weinstein expose to get a film
Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey's, the New York Times reporters who won a Pulitzer Prize for their expose of producer Harvey Weinstein, are now the subject of an upcoming Hollywood movie. Brad Pitt's Plan B and Annapurna Pictures have picked up the screen rights from the reporters and The New York Times to tell a behind-the-scenes account of one of the biggest sexual harassment scandals in Hollywood's history. The film will be in the tradition of journalism dramas such as "All the President's Men", which was about the Watergate scandal and "Spotlight", the Oscar-winning movie about The Boston Globe's investigation into child sex abuse by Roman Catholic priests. The film will focus on how the reporters worked in the face of threats and intimidation to bring out one of the most important stories of the decade. Kantor and Twohey's won a Pulitzer Prize for their coverage of Weinstein's alleged abuses that they shared with Ronan Farrow for his work for The New Yorker. The New York Times' ...
TWC owes Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep over $100k
Embattled production house, The Weinstein Company, owes over USD 100, 000 each to Hollywood star Jennifer Lawrence and veteran actor Meryl Streep. According to court documents obtained by The Blast, the company, which was founded by disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein along with his brother Bob, owes USD 142,965 to Streep and USD 102,623 to Lawrence. The company worked with Streep, 68, on films such as "The Iron Lady" and "August: Osage County" while Lawrence starred in "Silver Linings Playbook", for which she won an Oscar for Best Actor. Other celebs who are owed money include John Legend, Julianne Moore, Pierce Brosnan, Jerry Seinfeld, directors Michael Bay and Sir Peter Jackson and author Stephen King. The company also owes money to Malia Obama, the daughter of former US President Barack Obama. Last month, TWC had filed for bankruptcy in the wake of a massive sexual harassment scandal involving co-founder Harvey Weinstein. The allegations against Harvey, first documented by the New
Bhardwaj's 'Talvar 2' to explore the Gurgaon school murder case
Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj is taking forward the "Talvar" franchise with a sequel that will revolve around the recent murder of a seven-year-old Gurgaon school student. The director, who is also writing and producing the film, has joined hands with Junglee Pictures for the second time after "Talvar". "'Talvar' was about much more than the heinous crime itself, the film held up a mirror to society and exposed several loopholes in the system. "Such crimes shake the very moral fabric of society and need to be analysed in a much deeper sense. The world is not just black and white, there's more to a crime than just victim and perpetrator. "That's why we have decided to continue making true crime procedurals like Talvar," Bhardwaj said in a statement. The first film, directed by Meghna Gulzar, was a fictional account of true-life events revolving around Aarushi Talwar-Hemraj murder case investigation while the sequel will explore the story behind the murder of the class 2 student, whose body
Karan Johar used to think he is 'different'
Filmmaker Karan Johar, who along with Y-Films introduced a specially-abled teens band 6 Pack Band 2.0, says as a child there were times when he used to feel different from others.
Every time I see my films I feel there is a scope for improvement: Karan Johar
Karan Johar is proud of his 2010 blockbuster "My Name is Khan" but the director says if he had a chance to revisit the film he would have made some technical changes to make the movie look better. The film was about an Indian Muslim man Rizwan Khan (Shah Rukh Khan), with Asperger's syndrome who embarks on a journey to meet the President of the United States of America and attempts to change people's perception about his religion after 9/11 attacks. Johar said if he had the chance to revisit the film he would have directed the 'hurricane' sequence again. "When a film is made you do get a chance of evaluation of what is right and what is wrong. Every time I see my films, I feel there is a scope for improvement. There is a hurricane section in the film where I felt in a direction I did not do it well. It was my mistake. So, if I had (the chance to) revisit I could have changed that 15 minutes scene. "I am proud of the communication of the film, I am proud of the context of the film. I am
Wasn't planned as big expose: Usha on 'Bollywood's Dark Secret'
Well-known Marathi actress Usha Jadhav has created a stir with her confessions on BBC World News documentary "Bollywoods Dark Secret" where she has spoken about being sexually exploited in exchange for work.