Page 1387 - Entertainment Culture

Lucas Hedges to essay Shia LaBeouf in 'Honey Boy'

Actor Lucas Hedges is on board to essay the younger version of Shia LaBeouf in the family drama "Honey Boy".

Strange times for Hollywood, says Barbra Streisand

Veteran singer and actress Barbra Streisand says Hollywood is going through a strange time in terms of the ongoing gender debate.

He is doing great, says Adam Scott on 'lovely guy' Aziz Ansari

"Big Little Lies" star Adam Scott has said that comedian Aziz Ansari is "doing great" in the aftermath of the sexual misconduct allegations against him. Ansari, 35, and Scott, 44, starred in "Parks and Recreation" together from 2010-2015. Scott portrayed the role of Ben Wyatt while Ansari played Tom Haverford in the NBC comedy. "I don't know what to say on the record about Aziz. I don't want to say anything that would be misconstrued. I'll say this: Aziz is doing great. He's a great, lovely guy," Scott told Vulture. After the sexual harassment scandal, involving Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, blew up, a 23-year-old Brooklyn-based photographer came forward and recounted her date with Ansari that she called as "the worst night of my life" in an interview with Babe.net. The woman said she "used verbal and non-verbal cues to indicate how uncomfortable and distressed she was". She added that her reticence to engage in the act was "ignored" by the actor. Responding to the claim, ...

Do movies with roles needing big preparation turn into big flops? (Column: Bollywood Spotlight)

Just reading and knowing about the preparation that Alicia Vikander undertook to play Lara Croft takes our breath away. But at the end of it all, what has she got to show?

Lucas Hedges to play young Shia LaBeouf in 'Honey Boy'

Actor Lucas Hedges has been roped in to play the younger version of Shia LaBeouf in "Honey Boy", with LaBeouf playing his own father. "Honey Boy" was LaBeouf's childhood nickname, reported Variety. The story revolves around a child star attempting to mend his relationship with his law-breaking, alcohol-abusing father over the course of a decade, It is loosely based on LaBeouf's life. Alma Har'el is directing the project, which will be produced by Automatik's Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Daniela Taplin Lundberg of Stay Gold Features and Christopher Leggett of Delirio Films.

'The Beatles reinvented themselves in Rishikesh' (IANS Interview)

In February 1968, members of the legendary rock band, The Beatles, arrived in Rishikesh for a "momentous" sojourn. A teenage rebel -- a diehard Beatles fan himself -- watched them with keen interest. Five decades later, he has compiled an account of their stay here, and maintains that the three-year period that marked their affair with India was particularly significant in the life of the band.

Teacher gets three-year jail for molesting minor girl

A court here has awarded three-year rigorous imprisonment to a 30-year-old music teacher for molesting a minor girl in 2016. Additional Sessions and Special (POCSO) Judge A S Bhaisare also slapped a fine of Rs 1,500 on the convict Sanjay Patil, a resident of Majiwada. Additional Public Prosecutor Shilpa Talhar told the court that Patil, a music teacher, was running his own institute and simultaneously teaching in another music class at the Vrindavan Society here. On December 9, 2016 Patil showed obscene videos to the victim, while she was waiting after the music class, for her parents to come and pick her up, the court was informed. Patil also molested the six-year-old girl, who had joined the music class on December 6, 2016, Talhar told the court. In his order issued on March 14, the judge noted that the prosecution has proved all charges beyond reasonable doubts and sentenced Patil for three years rigorous imprisonment.

Ava DuVernay to direct DC's 'New Gods'

Filmmaker Ava DuVernay has come on board to direct "New Gods" at Warner Bros as part of the studio's DC Extended Universe. "New Gods", based on the DC Comics series of the same name, is aimed at creating a new universe of properties for the studio, reported Variety. Created and designed by Jack Kirby, the comic was first released in 1971. For DC, the movie marks the second major superhero tentpole directed by a woman, after Patty Jenkins' "Wonder Woman." The New Gods are natives of the twin planets of New Genesis and Apokolips. New Genesis is an idyllic planet ruled by the Highfather, while Apokolips is a dystopia filled with machinery and fire pits ruled by the tyrant Darkseid. New Genesis and Apokolips call themselves gods, living outside of normal time and space in a realm known as the Fourth World. DuVernay directed Disney's "A Wrinkle in Time," becoming the first woman of colour in Hollywood to helm a live-action film with a production budget of USD100 million. The director ...

'Film Stars Don't Die In Liverpool': The one that Oscars ignored (Film Review)

Film: "Film Stars Don't Die In Liverpool"; Starring: Annette Bening, Jamie Bell; Director: Paul McGuigan; Rating: *** (3 and a half stars)

Meera Deosthale had a crush on Param

"Udann" actress Meera Deosthale says she had a "tiny crush" on actor Param Singh when he used to do the show "Sadda Haq".

Will be tough on Russia: US

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders has said that Russia needs to determine "whether or not they want to be a good actor or a bad actor."According to CNN, Sanders dodged the question when she was asked directly if the Russian President was "a friend or a foe.""I think that's something that Russia's going to have to make that determination," Sanders said."I think you can see from the actions that we've taken up until this point, we're going to be tough on Russia until they decide to change their behaviour," she added.The White House remarks came on the same day when United States President Donald Trump administration announces new sanctions on Russian individuals for meddling in the 2016 US election.Earlier on Wednesday, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley Russia over the poison attack that left a former Russian double agent and his daughter comatose on a park bench last week.

Milo Ventimiglia appreciates bad reviews

Actor Milo Ventimiglia says instead of fretting over bad reviews, he appreciates and respects them.

Academy President accused of sexual harassment

Just weeks after the 90th Oscars and in the midst of Hollywood's sexual harassment reckoning, the president of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is under investigation.According to Variety, three complaints of sexual harassment were lodged against John Bailey.In its statement, the Academy did not specify allegations against Bailey, stating only that the governing body "treats any complaints confidentially to protect all parties. The Membership Committee reviews all complaints brought against Academy members according to our Standards of Conduct process, and after completing reviews, reports to the Board of Governors."The Academy stated there will be no further comment until "the full review is completed."The 75-year-old cinematographer, best known for his work on films like 'American Gigolo,' 'The Big Chill' and 'Groundhog Day,' was just elected president of the Academy in August.The 2018 Oscars became a significant flash point for decrying sexual harassment and abuse, ..

Pacifying a crying child is hard: Mohsin Khan

Actor Mohsin Khan says shooting with a baby is fun, but it comes with its own challenges.

Academy President under investigation for sexual harassment

John Bailey, the president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, is under investigation for allegations of sexual harassment.

Illegal procurement of CDR: lawyer arrested

The Crime Branch of Thane police arrested a Mumbai-based lawyer tonight for allegedly illegally obtaining call detail records (CDR) from private detectives. Police had earlier arrested 11 persons in the case, including woman private detective Rajni Pandit. Police had summoned Advocate Rizwan Siddiqui for recording his statement after his name came up during the probe, but he failed to turn up, said Sukhada Narkar, spokesperson of Thane police. Police went to his house in Mumbai tonight and took him in custody, she said. Siddiqui has represented several celebrities including Bollywood actors. Pandit, a well-known woman detective, was arrested in the case on February 2. She got bail recently. The racket, which involved illegal procurement and sale of CDRs, came to light in January this year. Last week the Thane police had said that they had also summoned actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, his wife and his lawyer in connection with the investigation. Deputy Commissioner of Police ...

Attorney for porn star says she faced physical threats

An attorney for a porn actress who allegedly had an affair with President Donald Trump says she was threatened with physical harm. Michael Avenatti tells MSNBC's "Morning Joe" that Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, wants to "tell her story" of the affair with Trump before he became president. Asked if Daniels was physically threatened, Avenatti said "yes," but did not provide details. Avenatti said that more detail would be revealed in an interview taped with CBS' News "60 Minutes." He says: "There's the act and the cover-up and the American people are going to learn about both in the interview and beyond." The actress wants to invalidate a nondisclosure agreement under which she was paid USD 130,000 not to give details of her encounters with Trump.

NSD to host 8th Theatre Olympics in Mumbai

The National School of Drama (NSD) will host the eight Theatre Olympics' here later this month. The Mumbai chapter of the 8th Theatre Olympics is organised by the NSD in collaboration with the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Maharashtra, organisers of the event said. Theatre and film veterans like Shabana Azmi, Paresh Rawal, Manoj Joshi, Himani Shivpuri, Seema Biswas and Saurabh Shukla will also take part during this grand theatrical treat. The megapolis will play host to 28 performances from March 24 by presenting a diverse range of theatre forms from all over the world. The last leg of the festival will take place in here with a concluding show on April 8, they said. "We have been working on this for the past three years and it's a huge thing to get the Theatre Olympics to India. This initiative will help us put Indian theatre on the world map," Director, National School Drama, Waman Kendre, told reporters here. "I feel sad when I am asked if theatre still exist in India? It

'A Billion Colour Story' screened to a standing ovation in Singapore

Director Padmakumar Narasimhamurthy screened his critically-acclaimed film "A Billion Colour Story" to a standing ovation by the Indian community here. The film was screened as part of the Indian film festival. Shot in black and white and told through the eyes of a child, its story revolves around the theme of Hindu-Muslim unity and religious harmony. The film has been screened in international film festivals such as Busan, London and Mumbai. "Emerging generation (of Indigo children) is in huge number. (They are) most creative, imaginative and wonderfully gifted generation ever seen. This indigo generation - they are the inventors, artists, creators, scientists. They will do something special if we allow.They will do wonder in the years (ahead)," the director said at a session after the screening. Padmakumar featured his then 11-year-old son in the one hour 55 minute film, which has been produced by Satish Kaushik. The director said the original idea behind the film came from this ...

I'm getting offers every second day: Kitu Gidwani

Veteran actress Kitu Gidwani says her age doesn't act as a barrier in getting roles.