Page 358 - Entertainment Culture

Natalie Dormer to star in 'Penny Dreadful: City of Angels'

Actor Natalie Dormer is set to play the lead in Showtime's upcoming drama series "Penny Dreadful: City of Angels". Described as a spiritual descendant of the original "Penny Dreadful," the new series opens in 1938 Los Angeles, reported Variety. When a grisly murder shocks the city, Detective Tiago Vega is embroiled in a story that reflects the history of Los Angeles: from the building of the city's first freeways and its deep traditions of Mexican-American folklore, to the dangerous espionage actions of the Third Reich and the rise of radio evangelism. Dormer, 37, will play Magda, a supernatural demon who can take the appearance of anyone she chooses and manifests in a number of guises throughout the story. John Logan, creator, writer, and executive producer of 2014's "Penny Dreadful", will return in the same roles for "City of Angels". Dormer has previously starred in Showtime series "The Tudors".

Daniel Radcliffe resorted to alcohol to cope with 'Harry Potter' fame

Daniel Radcliffe has said he had started drinking to cope up with the feeling that he was "being watched" by Harry Potter fans. The actor, who found global fame after he played the title character in eight "Harry Potter" movies, made the revelation during "The Off Camera Show". "In my case, the quickest way of forgetting about the fact that you were being watched was to get very drunk," he said. "Then as you get very drunk, you become aware that, 'Oh, people are watching more now because now I'm getting very drunk, so I should probably drink more to ignore that more'," he added. He also said that "there is no blueprint" to deal with the pressures of "starting young". "That's like when people have a go at Justin Bieber and drag racing cars. I'm like, yeah, but stuff could be super crazy for him right now," he added. It took the actor "a few years and a couple of attempts" to quit alcohol. He said he has been sober since 2010. "Ultimately, it was my own decision. Like I woke up one ...

Disturbed by Liam Neeson rape revenge comments, says Steve McQueen

Filmmaker Steve McQueen, who directed Liam Neeson in his last film "Widows", says he felt "disturbed and upset" over the actor's his remarks that he wanted to kill a black man after his friend was raped. Neeson, 66, who has starred in multiple revenge dramas over the years, recently said in an interview that he once wanted to murder a black man with a cosh after the rape, adding he feels ashamed of the thought today. The actor had recalled his days wandering on the streets with a weapon hoping a black man would approach him and he would kill him. Neeson's comments did not go down well on social media where he was slammed by many, particularly by those from the black community. When McQueen was asked about Neeson's comments the filmmaker said on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, "My reaction was I was disturbed, I was upset and finally I was just disappointed." Asked if he had told the actor what he felt, the "12 Years A Slave" director said, "Well, he knows now... You never know what's ..

Salman Khan to reunite with Sanjay Leela Bhansali after 19 years

Superstar Salman Khan is set to work with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali after a gap of 19 years. According to Prerna Singh, CEO of Bhansali Productions, the actor-filmmaker duo are coming together for a love story. "Yes, Salman Khan and Sanjay Leela Bhansali are reuniting after 19 years for a love story. "Their collaboration is the best thing that can happen in terms of storytelling," Singh said in a statement. Bhansali is re-teaming with Khan, with whom he made his directorial debut in 1996's "Khamoshi - The Musical". The actor went to star in the director-producer's classic "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam" in 1999. Khan also made a cameo in Bhansali's "Saawariya" (2007).

'Space Jam 2' to release in 2021

"Space Jam 2", featuring professional basketball player LeBron James, has been given an official release date. Production house SpringHill Entertainment, which is co-owned by James, broke the news on Twitter, announcing the film will hit the US theatres on July 16, 2021. Filming on the long-anticipated follow-up to the Michael Jordan-Bugs Bunny hit is tentatively slated for 2019, during the NBA off-season. The film will be directed by Terence Nance and produced by "Black Panther" helmer Ryan Coogler. This will be James' first starring role after a successful turn as a supporting character in Amy Schumer's "Trainwreck" (2015). "Space Jam", released in 1996, was a live-action/animated film that mashed up Looney Tunes characters with basketball stars and aliens. Bugs Bunny is expected to return for the sequel.

Comedian Brody Stevens found dead

Comedian Brody Stevens was found dead at his residence near here, authorities said.

Oscars 2019: Diversity in spotlight after drama

No host, a historic push to a superhero movie, a backlash to plans to give away some awards off-screen: much drama surrounds the 91st Oscars even before the main show. But the question that lingers on is whether "The Favourite" and "Roma" -- the BAFTA winners -- will continue their golden run or will the Sunday's mega gala spring a surprise?

'Young Sheldon' renewed for two seasons

Comedy series "Young Sheldon" has scored an early renewal for a third and fourth season.

Don't have a problem working in multi-starrers: Riteish Deshmukh

Apart from being multi-starrers, there is another common thread which binds films like "Masti", "Housefull", "Malamaal Weekly", "Dhamaal" and "Apna Sapna Money Money" together -- actor Riteish Deshmukh.

Sachin Tendulkar biopic on Anil Kapoor's mind

Actor Anil Kapoor wants to star in cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar's biopic.

NTR Mahanayakudu proves Krish to be a master storyteller

Film: "NTR Mahanayakudu" (Telugu); Director: Krish; Cast: Nandamuri Balakrishna, Vidya Balan, Rana Daggubatti; Rating: ****

3,00,000 people attend Venezuela Aid Live concert in Colombia amid standoff

Around 3,00,000 people turned up for the Venezuela Aid Live concert here on Friday (local time), which is being organised by British business mogul Sir Richard Branson to raise USD 100 million in aid for crisis-hit Venezuela.The concert is being held at the border city of Cucuta, which is right next to where Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has heightened security and placed containers which block the highway, barring international aid from entering the Latin American nation which is currently in the throes of a political crisis.Branson told CNN that Venezuela's self-proclaimed President Juan Guaido asked him to organise the concert for Venezuela."He (Guaido) will be coming to the other side of the bridge with maybe a million of his supporters, and I suspect both of us, both sides, will be handing flowers to the military and the people guarding the bridge, and seeing whether they can be persuaded to do what they must realize is the right thing," the founder of the Virgin group ...

Enough is enough, says Vidya Balan on Pakistani artiste ban

With the Hindi film industry condemning the Pulwana terror attack and not releasing films in Pakistan besides banning all Pakistani artistes from working in India, National award-winning actress Vidya Balan on Friday said a strong stand needs to be taken this time.

Sexism exists not only in film industry but also globally: Vidya Balan

Bollywood actress Vidya Balan who is making her debut as a radio jockey with a new show that talks about various social topics including sexism, bullying, body shaming etc. on Friday said that sexism is a common phenomenon worldwide.

Telugu film director Kodi Ramakrishna dies at 69

Veteran Telugu film director Kodi Ramakrishna, who gave several hits to Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna and other leading heroes, died here Friday, film industry sources said. Ramakrishna, 69, died due to ill health, the sources said. The funeral would take place on Saturday. Born at Palakollu in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, Ramakrishna made his debut in 1992 with 'Intlo Ramaiah- Veedhilo Krishnaiah' starring Chiranjeevi. He went on to direct more than 100 films in varied genres in a career spanning about three decades. The ace director delivered several blockbusters with Balakrishna, including 'Mangamma gari Manavadu', 'Muddula Mavayya' and 'Muvva Gopaludu'. Ramakrishna's film 'Ankusam' with Rajasekhar in the lead was a big hit. The movie was remade in Hindi as 'Pratibandh' which marked Chiranjeevit's debut in Hindi films. He created a niche for himself with extensive use of special effects, revolving around spiritual and supernatural powers and films, including ...

Award-winning international, Indian photojournalists exhibit works in Delhi

Winning entries of 2018 Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest opened for public viewing on Friday at an exhibition here organised by the Russian embassy and Russian news agency Sputnik News.

Stalin, Rajini visit DMDK chief Vijayakanth

DMK president M K Stalin and top actor Rajinikanth Friday called on DMDK chief Vijayakanth who had recently returned from the US following medical treatment. With negotiations between the ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu and DMDK over a poll deal for the coming Lok Sabha elections proving inconclusive, the DMK chief's visit at this juncture assumes significance. When asked if he would welcome DMDK into his party alliance, Stalin said "I appreciate and thank you for your good intentions," but did not elaborate. The DMK chief said he did not visit Vijayakanth to discuss politics but to enquire about his health on humanitarian grounds. Days ago, BJP top leader and Tamil Nadu election incharge Piyush Goyal had met with Vijayakanth. Rajinikanth too said he visited Vijayakanth to enquire about his health. "He is a nice man," the top actor said, adding the DMDK chief has recuperated well and "is in good health." The actor, who is expected to launch a political party, said there was ..

I only launch deserving people: Salman Khan

Over the years, Salman Khan has become something of a godfather for industry newcomers but the superstar, who is now introducing Mohnish Bahl's daughter Pranutan and Zaheer Iqbal in "Notebook", says he gives chance only to deserving candidates. The actor has launched Sunil Shetty's daughter Athiya, Aditya' Pancholi's son Suraj, his brother-in-law Ayush Sharma and Warina Hussain in recent years. "I launch deserving candidates, not anybody," Salman said at the trailer launch of "Notebook", which he has produced. "She (Pranutan) did a screen test and she is on. She is amazing in the film. She is so good with her lines. He (Zaheer) was unable to get the right dance step. He rehearsed for five hours and next day he got it right. He is hard working." Zaheer said he is nervous about his debut but is confident that he has done a good job. "It hit me today morning that the world is going to see my work, they will get to see how good or bad I am. It is nerve wrecking. I personally feel I did a .

I'm uncomfortable about it: Vidya Balan on why she said no in cash for tweet sting

Actor Vidya Balan, who was among the four people who said no to cash for tweet in a sting operation, said she declined the offer because she was "uncomfortable" in using her social media handle for something like that. Over 30 Bollywood, TV and music personalities were caught on tape by Cobrapost reporters agreeing to promote the agenda of political parties in exchange for money. Vidya, Arshad Warsi, Raza Murad and Saumya Tandon were the only ones who refuses to do it. When asked about it, Vidya told reporters, "I can't pass a judgement on anyone else but all I will say is I'm uncomfortable doing it, which is why I didn't do it. To each his own. "May be they didn't even realise because today on social media, people are commenting on anything. May be they thought this was not big. We should not become judge, jury and executioners at the drop of hat. I could not do it so I didn't." She was speaking at the launch of her Radio show "Dhun Badalke Toh Dekho" on 92.7 Big FM. At the event, ...

Amit Trivedi feels it's all about right mentor, platform

National Award-winning composer Amit Trivedi says it is very important to have the right platform and mentor for an upcoming artiste.