Page 796 - Entertainment Culture

'Pakhi': Amateurishly crafted and tedious to watch (IANS Review, Rating: *)

Film: "Pakhi"; Director: Sachin Gupta; Cast: Anamika Shukla, Sumeet Kant Kaul, Anmol Goswami, Tanmanya Bali; Rating: *

'A Star is Born' gets India release date

Actors Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga starrer "A Star is Born" will release in India on October 12.

Cary Joji Fukunaga to direct 'James Bond 25'

The new 'James Bond' film will be directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, with Daniel Craig reprising his role as the iconic spy, for the last time reportedly.The 25th Bond instalment will begin shooting in London, at Pinewood Studios, on March 4, 2019. It will release worldwide on February 14, 2020, a few months after its original target release date, reported Variety.Fukunaga, who was critically acclaimed for the 2015 war film titled 'Beasts of No Nation', replaced Danny Boyle, who had exited the movie last month due to creative differences with producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. Meanwhile, star Daniel Craig. Fukunaga will be the first American director for the Bond franchise."We are delighted to be working with Cary. His versatility and innovation make him an excellent choice for our next James Bond adventure," said Broccoli and Wilson on Twitter.Fukunaga won an Emmy award in 2014 for directing the entire first season of the crime series 'True Detective' and giving it a ...

Iceland selects 'Woman at War' for 91st Oscars

Iceland has picked 'Woman At War' as its official entry for the 'foreign language film' category at the 91st Oscars.Directed by Benedikt Erlingsson, the story revolves around an ecological activist who sabotages and destroys her country's electricity grid in order to preserve its breathtaking landscapes, reported The Hollywood Reporter.The film first premiered in the Critics' Week section at Cannes in May, this year and later it was screened at various other international festivals, including Melbourne, Haifa, and Hamburg. Beta Cinema handled the world sales for the movie.Iceland has been submitting movies to the Academy Awards since 1980 but has never won an Oscar. 'Children of Nature', which was directed by Friðrik Þor Friðriksson, earned a nomination back in 1991.On the same day, Denmark chose 'The Guilty' as its entry under the same category. The film is directed by Gustav Moller and the story is about a policeman's race against time to save a kidnapped woman, with a phone as his .

Ashley Judd to pursue Weinstein blacklisting case

American actor Ashley Judd has been allowed by a judge to pursue her allegations against director Harvey Weinstein, who was accused of blackballing the former after she had allegedly refused a sexual favour.In April this year, Judd sued Weinstein, alleging that he had ruined her career by asking director Peter Jackson not to cast her in 'The Lord of the Rings' in 1998, reported Variety.However, U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez dismissed Judd's sexual harassment accusation against the producer, finding that it would be unprecedented to apply the law or ruling to a prospective employer."We are very pleased that today the District Court held that Ashley Judd can proceed with her lawsuit against Harvey Weinstein and continue her effort to vindicate the wrongs he committed against her among so many other women. The law should not tolerate this abuse of power to damage another's career," said Judd's attorney Theodore Boutrous.The 50-year-old actor was one of the firsts to raise voice ...

Michael B. Jordan to play Tom Clancy character John Clark

American actor Michael B. Jordan is all set to play late American novelist Tom Clancy's hero character John Clark in a new film series.Paramount is developing two movies based on the Clancy books named 'Rainbow Six' and 'Without Remorse' and, in both the novels, Clark is the lead star. The 1993 novel 'Without Remorse' will be the first film, which will serve as an origin story for the character, reported Variety.Jordan will also be producing the movie alongside Akiva Goldsman, Josh Appelbaum, and Andre Nemec. Paramount is currently in talks with writers and directors for the project.This came after Amazon and Paramount TV recently released a rebooted 'Jack Ryan' series, starring John Krasinski, which received positive reviews.Clark is an ex-Navy Seal-turned-operations officer for the CIA and had first appeared in the 1988 novel 'The Cardinal of the Kremlin' following which the character appeared in 17 novels. He was mainly seen as a secondary character who helps CIA analysis Jack Ryan

My wife, my hero: Maniesh Paul

Host-actor Maniesh Paul says his wife Sanyukta has been his constant support since their kindergarten days.

'Equalizer 2': An enjoyable vigilante film despite mediocrity (IANS Review, Rating: ***)

Film: "Equalizer 2"; Director: Antoine Fuqua; Cast: Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Ashton Sanders, Bill Pullman, Melissa Leo, Jonathan Scarfe, Orson Bean; Rating: ***

Vicky Kaushal's no watch funda

Actor Vicky Kaushal says he doesn't like to wear a watch while shooting for a project.

Pop Night with Alisha Chinai ft Anupam Amod at The Junkyard Cafe today

The Queen of 90's Indian Pop is ready to sing off at The Junkyard Cafe. Join the crowd with us and let's make it a night to remember. Get set to enjoy your weekend at The Junkyard Cafe, where we are set to welcome weekends with nostalgic music by Singing sensation Alisha Chinai ft Anupam Amod.Enjoy the journey of music with Alisha Chinai; songs which we have grown up to. Groove up yourself to the beats of Made in India, Dil ke badle, Ruk Ruk Ruk, Tinka Tinka, Kajra Ra Re and more.Umang Tewari says, "From the very beginning I decided that Live gigs at The Junkyard Cafe will be on the new high level all together. Right from Live bands, singers and international artists, The Junkyard Cafe has been providing all sort of entertainment to customers. This weekend, the fun and entertainment at The Junkyard Cafe is all set to go bigger, better and More Musical, as there are memories you will relive. Alisha Chinai has been the biggest sensational singer, and her event at The Junkyard Cafe will .

'Ishqeria': An out-dated and poorly written love story (IANS Review, Rating: **)

Film: "Ishqeriaa; Director: Prerna Wadhwan; Cast: Neil Nitin Mukesh, Richa Chadha, Raj Babbar, Manish Anand, Rating **

'Manto': A moving biopic, astutely told (IANS Review, Rating: ***1/2)

Film: "Manto"; Director: Nandita Das; Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Rasika Duggal, Tahir Raj Bhasin, Tilottama Shome, Divya Dutta, Rishi Kapoor; Rating ***1/2

'Kiss' to bid adieu to fans with 'End of the Road World' tour

American rock band 'Kiss' announced their final 'End of the Road World' tour.On Thursday, the band's singer Gene Simmons took to Instagram to bid adieu to the fans.He wrote, "By the way, we just announced the One Last, KISS End of The Road World Tour! It has been an amazing journey with you all. We couldn't leave without saying goodbye...This show will have the most explosions, the most hits and be the loudest yet! Go to @kissonline for details on how to come celebrate one last tour with us. #endoftheroad #kiss"Prior to announcing it on the social media sphere, they made an official announcement during an appearance in 'America's Got Talent'.The band which is famous for songs like 'Detroit Rock City' and 'Tears are Falling' , has sold over a 100 million records worldwide. And on April 10, 2014, the band became a part of the the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Metallica to raise money for its charitable organization

American heavy metal band Metallica is set to perform to raise money for their charitable organisation 'All within My Hands Foundation'It is scheduled to take place in San Francisco on Nov. 3, reported Page Six.Metallica formed the foundation for tackling the issues of "hunger and workforce education". After the first few months, the organisation donated USD 750,000 to food banks around the world.Notably, the band pays for the organisation's extra expenses.Earlier this year the band organised a charity service where fans volunteered at food banks. Here the fans served food to their respective communities.Nine-time Grammy award winner Metallica is well known for songs like 'Nothing else matters', 'Fade to black' and 'Turn the page' and has been consistently ranked by Time Magazine at no. 61 on its '100 Greatest Artists of All Time list'.

Chris Pratt doesn't believe Hollywood is anti-religious

Actor Chris Pratt denied rumours of Hollywood being anti-religious in the films they produce.Instead, he confirmed that the Hollywood is rather "pro" about the religious movies they make, reported Fox news.The actor who is known to be vocal about his faith in the past, revealed his spiritual self to the audience public while giving a speech at a recently concluded MTV award show.He literally preached to the audience and said that God loves all. He even asked the audience to not ever forget about praying to God, as "It's easy" and good for the "soul".His refusal of the anti-religious rumours comes at a time after Michael Che and Colin Jost hosting the 70th Annual Emmy Awards on Monday sparked rumours when they said that only "white people that thank Jesus are Republicans" and former drug addicts.

Need for serious cultural policy for arts preservation: Ratan Thiyam

Theatre being considered as a part-time, amateur activity has compromised its quality, senior theatrist and Padma Shri awardee Ratan Thiyam said here during a lecture, stressing the need for a serious cultural policy to preserve arts.

Harvard's Hasty Pudding casts first women in 175 years

Harvard University's Hasty Pudding theatre troupe has cast its first women after nearly two centuries of all-male productions. The group says six women have been chosen to perform in the 2019 show, accounting for half the cast. New cast member Ashley LaLonde says she's especially proud to be the first black woman in the cast, adding, "We really are making history." Hasty Pudding is known for comedic revues that feature men in drag playing female characters. It was founded in 1795 and has been staging productions since 1844. The troupe announced it would begin casting women last January amid pressure from students and some critics off campus. Group President Grace Ramsey says men will continue to portray some female characters, adding that the troupe will still be a "no-holds-barred burlesque.

Need for serious policy for arts preservation: NSD Chair

Pointing out that consideration of theatre as a part-time, amateur activity has compromised its quality, NSD Chairperson Ratan Thiyam has said that the need of the hour is to formulate a serious cultural policy to preserve the arts.

Korean boy band BTS to address UN

K-Pop sensation BTS will address the United Nations on Monday for the launch of a campaign by the UN children's agency UNICEF as world leaders prepare to open their annual General Assembly debate. BTS will be speaking at the launch of "Generation Unlimited," a new partnership to promote education, training and employment for the world's youth, said a UNICEF spokesperson. Among South Korea's best known and most lucrative musical exports, BTS made music history this year by becoming the first K-Pop group to top the Billboard 200 music charts. The septet will bring its "Love Yourself" tour to New York for a series of concerts next week including its first-ever stadium performance. World leaders on Tuesday will begin six days of high-level debate at the General Assembly during which the new thaw in relations on the Korean peninsula will be a top agenda item.

'Creed II' not just about revenge: Michael B Jordan

Actor Michael B Jordan has said his upcoming film "Creed II" has more to its story than just a man seeking revenge for the death of his father. The new film is a sequel to Rocky series spinoff "Creed". Directed by Ryan Coogler, "Creed" featured the 31-year-old actor as Adonis Creed, the son of boxer Apollo Creed, who was the arch rival and friend of Sylvester Stallone's Rocky Balboa. In the sequel, Adonis will go up against boxer Viktor Drago, son of Ivan Drago, who had killed Apollo in the boxing ring over thirty years ago. In an interview with Toronto Sun, Jordan said Stallone insisted on having a villain in the sequel but stressed the film is much more than just a revenge story. "Sly was very adamant about this one having a villain. Drago was so huge in 'Rocky IV' and he really (put a stamp) on the franchise at that time, so we wanted to make a sequel that was bigger... "We didn't have a real villain the first time around. That was more of an origin story with Adonis fighting ...