Page 1283 - Entertainment Culture
Verne Troyer, Mini-Me actor in 'Austin Powers' films, dies at 49
Verne Troyer, who was popularly known as Dr Evil's sidekick Mini-Me in the "Austin Powers" movies, has passed away. He was 49. In early April, Troyer was hospitalised for a reported poisoning. The actor's friend who had called the police, allegedly told the cops that he was "extremely upset, drunk and suicidal". He had been placed on an involuntary psychiatric hold. The news of the actor's death was announced on his official Instagram page. No cause of death was revealed. "It is with great sadness and incredibly heavy hearts to write that Verne passed away today... Verne hoped he made a positive change with the platform he had and worked towards spreading that message everyday. He inspired people around the world with his drive, determination, and attitude," the statement read. The post, which also shared the actor's photograph, further read that though Troyer was born with the genetic disorder known as achondroplasia dwarfism, he never let physical constraints stop him from achieving
I dedicate my Dadasaheb Phalke award to Mira: Shahid Kapoor
Actor Shahid Kapoor, who bagged the Dadasaheb Phalke Excellence Award (Best Actor) for his performance in "Padmaavat", has dedicated the award to wife Mira Rajput.
James M. Cain's bleak view of human nature and relationships (Column: Bookends)
Why do we like evil, or rather, are fascinated by it, especially in its literary manifestations? Philosophically, evil is needed, for without it how can we recognise/do good, the fundamental underpinning of virtually all religions and moral systems? This may also hold true in the literary sense, where we also can experience a vicarious view of its course -- without the resultant consequences.
Had to go to therapy after shooting for 'Suspiria', says Dakota Johnson
Dakota Johnson said she was so disturbed after filming her new horror film "Suspiria" that she had to undergo therapy. The "Fifty Shades of Grey" star said the on-set atmosphere that added character to the reboot had shook up everyone on location. "(Filming 'Suspiria') no lie, f**ked me up so much I had to go to therapy... We were in an abandoned hotel on top of a mountain. It had 30 telephone poles on the roof, so there was electricity pulsating through the building, and everyone was shocking each other. "It was cold as sh*t, and so dry. The only thing that helped was dousing myself with oil every night. Now I can't get enough," Johnson told Elle magazine. The 28-year-old actor leads the revival of Dario Argento's classic 1977 horror, which was written with Daria Nicolodi and is based in part on Thomas De Quincey's 1845 essay Suspiria de Profundis. The film narrates the story of a ballet dancer who goes to an elite dance academy and stumbles upon its dark secrets. It also stars Chloe
Wendi McLendon-Covey in talks for 'What Men Want'
Actor Wendi McLendon-Covey is in negotiations to join the cast of "What Men Want". The film, which is a reboot of the 2000 comedy "What Women Want", will star Taraji P Henson and Tracy Morgan in the lead. If finalised, McLendon-Covey, who is best known for ABC comedy series "The Goldbergs", will be playing Henson's friend Olivia. Adam Shankman is directing the film, with a script from Alex Gregory and Peter Huyck with previous revisions by Tina Chism, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Will Packer and James Lopez are producing and Shankman executive producing the project. The original featured Mel Gibson as a marketing executive who suddenly has the ability to hear what women are thinking after a freak accident. In the remake, the roles are reversed, with Henson playing a sports agent who has been constantly boxed out by her male colleagues. When she gains the power to hear men's thoughts, she is able to shift the paradigm to her advantage as she races to sign the NBAs next ...
Ricky Martin says it was tough to come out
Ricky Martin says it was not easy for him to open up about his sexuality as he was unsure how his fans would react to the revelation. In 2010, Martin had said he was gay in a post on his official website, ending years of speculation about his sexual orientation. ''The amount of love I got when I came out was brilliant... The thing is if I had spent one third of the time that I spent manipulating my sexuality in front of the piano instead, I would be a concert pianist by now. It's not fair and I hope no one has to go through that again,'' Martin said, according to Contactmusic. The "Livin' La Vida Loca" hitmaker said though he had told his family and close friends about his sexuality, he was advised against coming out publicly by his inner circle as they feared it would affect his music career. ''I had come out to my friends and family. But everyone was like, 'Don't do it in public because that will be the end of your career.' You live with that fear, you've worked so hard to get where
Evan Rachel Wood admits turning down 'Mean Girls' role
Actor Evan Rachel Wood has revealed that she had turned down a role in "Mean Girls". During an appearance on the show "The Tonight Show", host Jimmy Fallon asked the "Westworld" star whether she auditioned for the hit film. To this, Wood replied, "No, it's even worse. I turned it down." "There's a good reason. The only reason is because I was already supposed to do a film called 'Pretty Persuasion' that was set in a high school, that was very Heathers-esque, and it was very similar (to 'Mean Girls'). And I was already kind of doing that. So I was like, I can't, I can't," she added. However, the 30-year-old actor did not disclose the role she was offered in the Mark Waters-directed film. "Mean Girls", starring Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Amanda Seyfried and Lacey Chabert, went on to enjoy a cult following over the years. Tina Fey, who also starred in the movie, had written the screenplay.
Charlize Theron open to dating again
Actor Charlize Theron said now that her kids are grown up, she can spare some time for dating. The "Tully" actor, who is a mother to two-year-old August and six-year-old Jackson, whom she adopted as a single parent, said she had ''no interest'' in finding a new partner while her kids were younger. But with her daughter getting a year older, Theron admitted she could change her mind. ''With both of my kids, the first two years, I had absolutely no interest in dating. It wasn't even a struggle - it was a case where my body chemistry and my mind just wanted to go to the place where I was 100 per cent satisfied with being a mom," Theron said, according to Contactmusic. ''And then... Well it kind of changes. My little one will be three soon and I'm starting to feel like, 'Ok, I'm not dealing with diapers and wipes anymore and you know something? Right now I'm really happy," she added. Theron, 42, said her friends are trying to set her up on dates but feels it was too much ''work'' to ...
New film from 'Conjuring' universe to arrive on July 3 next year
Warner Bros has announced a new horror film from the 'Conjuring' universe, which hit the theatres next year. The new film has a release date set for July 3, 2019. The studio, however, has not yet revealed additional details of the project. The franchise currently includes "The Conjuring" (2013), "The Conjuring 2" (2016) and spin-offs "Annabelle" (2014), "Annabelle: Creation" (2017) and "The Nun" (2018). "The Nun" will hit the theatres on September 7 this year. The studio also has "The Conjuring 3" and its spin-off, called "The Crooked Man" in the works. The new film could be one of the two new films.
Camila Cabello is 'extremely shy'
Singer Camila Cabello has said she is an introvert and sometimes gets overwhelmed from too much attention. The "Havana" hitmaker revealed she often "froze" in front of people and had to block everything to concentrate on her work. "Actually, I'm extremely shy. I've always been introverted. There is a picture from my ninth birthday where people are singing 'Happy Birthday' and there are tears in my eyes because I get emotional from too much attention. "It happened again this morning. I was being filmed for an interview and there were hair and make-up people in the room, and I froze. You have to stop, block everything out and focus on the job," Cabello said, according to Contactmusic. But the 21-year-old singer said she overcame her fears through music. ''When you love something enough you get over your fears, and with performing... I can't explain it. I get lost in the music and all of a sudden I'm not me anymore, I'm a vehicle for whatever the emotion is that I'm singing about. "I ...
John Carpenter to compose score for new 'Halloween' film
Director John Carpenter is on board to provide the background score for a new "Halloween" film, Blumhouse Productions founder Jason Blum has said. Blum confirmed the news on Twitter after a user asked whether Carpenter will compose the music for the film. He responded in a one-word reply, "Confirm!" The new "Halloween" film will be directed by David Gordon Green, who wrote the film with Danny McBride and Jeff Fradley. Carpenter had last year teased about the possibility of providing the film's score after he announced the new movie. "David and Danny both came to my office recently with Jason Blum and shared their vision for the new movie and... Wow. They get it. I think you're gonna dig it. They blew me away. I might even do the music. Maybe. It could be kind of cool," the filmmaker had said. Jamie Lee Curtis is reprising her role of Laurie Strode in the new film and is joined by Judy Greer as Laurie's daughter and Andi Matichak as Laurie's granddaughter.
'Namaste England' preponed for October 19 release
The release of Arjun Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra-starrer has been preponed for October 19 during the Dussehra weekend. Directed by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, the sequel to 2007's hit "Namastey London" was scheduled to be released in December. Owing to the smooth shooting schedule, the makers have decided to release the movie earlier to the planned date, a press release said. The team of "Namaste England" has been filming in never-seen-before locations of Punjab. They recently wrapped up their last shooting schedule. The film traces the journey of two young individuals from Punjab to England. Arjun and Parineeti are all set to reunite after "Ishaqzaade". Confirming the news, Arjun tweeted, "Entertain karne aa rahe hai thoda jaldi. (Coming to entertain you a bit early) #NamasteEngland releases this Dussehra!" "Dussehra it is! #NamasteEngland," wrote Parineeti. The film has also been shot at over 75 locations, including in Dhaka, Paris, Brussels and London. "Namastey England" marks Vipul's ...
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle attend Queen's birthday concert
The royal couple in the making, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, on Saturday attended a televised concert at London's Royal Albert Hall on the occasion of Queen Elizabeth's 92nd birthday celebration.In honour of the Queen's birthday, BBC One and BBC Radio 2 hosted a charity concert, which was attended by several members of the royal family, Entertainment Weekly reported.Prince Charles and Prince William were also present along with the Queen.However, absent from the festivities was the Queen's husband, Prince Philip, who is still recovering from a hip replacement operation.Kate Middleton, who is just days away from the birth of her third child, was also not present.Proceeds from the concert went to benefit The Queen's Commonwealth Trust, a new charity launched to help encourage young people in fields such as sports, education, health and the environment across the 53 Commonwealth countries.The Queen is the organisation's patron.
Kim shows rare PDA With Kanye
Reality TV star Kim Kardashian and her rapper husband Kanye West were seen getting up, close and personal at Kourtney Kardashian's birthday party.
Dadasaheb Phalke Excellence Awards quick list: Who won what?
It was a starry affair when popular faces from the silver screen attended the Dadasaheb Phalke Excellence Awards 2018 that was held here on Saturday.The award honoured the individuals from the entertainment industry for their outstanding contribution towards the growth and development of cinema and/or television.Here's the list of the winners:Best actor (male): Shahid KapoorBest actor people's choice award: Ranveer SinghEntertainer of the year: Kartik AryanBest actress (critics): Aditi Rao HydariLifetime achievement award: Simi GarewalPride of Indian cinema: Sanjay DuttPath breaking producer of the year: Anushka Sharma and Karnesh SharmaBest director: Ashwiny Iyer TiwariOutstanding performance male: Raj Kumar Rao, Rana DaggubatiOutstanding performance female: Tamannahh Bhatia, Kriti SanonPromising face of the year: Aahana KumraBest actor (male) Marathi: Vaibhav TatwawaadiBest actor (female) Marathi: Pooja SawantBest fashion designer of the year: Sanjukta DuttaSocially conscious ...
Actor Verne Troyer from 'Austin Powers' films dead at 49
Actor Verne Troyer from the "Austin Powers" movie franchise has died. A statement provided by Troyer's spokesperson that was also posted to his Instagram and Facebook accounts says the 49-year-old actor died yesterday. No cause or place of death was given, but the statement discusses depression and suicide, and Troyer had publicly discussed struggling with alcohol addiction. He lived in Los Angeles. Troyer became a celebrity and pop-culture phenomenon after starring alongside Mike Myers as "Mini-Me," the clone and sidekick of villain Dr. Evil, in two of the three "Austin Powers" films. He appeared in 1999's "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me" and 2002's "Austin Powers in Goldmember." He also had roles in 2001's "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and another Mike Myers film, 2008's "The Love Guru.
OneRepublic in India: They came, they sang, they conquered
American pop-rock band OneRepublic wrapped the much-awaited Mumbai concert with a power-packed performance to one of their most popular tracks - 'Counting Stars.'Saturday's OneRepublic concert at the NSCI Dome SVP Stadium located in Worli was their debut gig in India.ONEmpire, a local band, opened the show performing a cover of Coldplay's 'A Sky Full Of Stars'.Later, OneRepublic set the stage on fire with their greatest hits including 'If I Lose Myself', and 'Something I Need'.The band also performed a cover of Avicii's 'Wake Me Up', paying their respect to the late Swedish musician who passed away on April 20.The Grammy-nominated five-member band, comprising of Ryan Tedder, Brent Kutzle, Eddie Fisher, Drew Brown and Zach Filkins reached India on April 19.The band's frontman Ryan Tedder charmed the Mumbai audience by using phrases in Hindi such as ''kaise ho?'' (How are you?) and "shukriya'' (Thank-you).Tedder has also been active on social-media platform Twitter and Instagram, ...
OneRepublic pays tribute to Avicci on their maiden India concert
The American pop-rock band that enthralled Mumbaikars on their first ever live performance on Saturday night, paid a tribute to the young DJ Avicci, whose sudden demise shocked the music world.
Cell to address complaints of sexual exploitation in Tollywood
Amid the raging row over casting couch in Telugu film industry, the Telangana government on Saturday decided to form a special cell to look into complaints of sexual exploitation.
Shamita Shetty prepping up for 'The Tenant'
Actress Shamita Shetty is excited about her next film "The Tenant", which will be helmed by Sushrut Jain.