Entertainment – International

Despite illness, Celine Dion still keen to get back onstage

MONTREAL, March 16, 2024 (AFP) – Pop megastar Celine Dion, who is suffering from a rare neurological disorder, said in an Instagram post she looks forward to her return to the stage. Dion, 55, first disclosed in December 2022 that she had been diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome, which causes stiff muscles in the torso, arms and legs, with noise or emotional distress known to trigger spasms. “Trying to overcome this autoimmune disorder has been […]

Nolan’s masterpiece ‘Oppenheimer’ wins best picture Oscar

By Andrew MARSZAL HOLLYWOOD, United States, March 11, 2024 (AFP) – It is, in the words of its director, the story of the most important person who ever lived. And on Sunday, “Oppenheimer” completed its indomitable march towards Hollywood’s most important prize, winning the Academy Award for best picture. Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece — the story of the brilliant physicist who oversaw the invention of the atomic bomb, changing the world forever — is a grand, […]

Auschwitz drama ‘Zone of Interest’ wins best intl film Oscar

LONDON, March 11, 2024 (AFP) – The powerful Auschwitz-set psychological horror film, “The Zone of Interest”, which on Sunday won the Oscar for best international film, stunned critics with its penetrating study of the banality in the shadow of the death camp. The victory marks the first time that a submission from Britain has won the Academy Award in this category, which is open to non-English language films made by countries other than the United […]

Downey Jr wins Oscar for ‘Oppenheimer,’ 31 years after first nod

HOLLYWOOD, United States, March 11, 2024 (AFP) – Robert Downey, Jr on Sunday won his first Academy Award, a best supporting actor statuette for his villainous turn in “Oppenheimer” — a golden moment in a decades-long career of highs and lows, on and off the screen. The Oscar triumph for the 58-year-old American capped a glittering awards season, during which he snared a slew of prizes for his portrayal of Lewis Strauss, the jealous rival […]

Reliance, Disney announce giant India media merger

MUMBAI, Feb 29, 2024 (AFP) – India’s Reliance Industries and Walt Disney have agreed to merge their Indian media businesses, creating a $8.5 billion entertainment giant in the world’s most populous nation. India’s entertainment market is already one of the world’s biggest, with the merger expected to further shake up the multi-billion-dollar industry. The two companies had signed “binding definitive agreements” to form a joint venture that will combine the businesses of Reliance-backed Viacom18 and […]

Shock as Warner Bros Discovery shutters major N.Zealand news outlet

WELLINGTON, Feb 28, 2024 (AFP) – US entertainment giant Warner Bros Discovery announced plans to shutter major New Zealand news outlet Newshub Wednesday, in what the deputy prime minister called a “disaster for this country’s democracy”. Citing cratering advertising revenues, the US firm said it was closing “all Newshub’s multi-platform news operations” in June, with a reported loss of about 300 jobs. The announcement effectively spreads the impact of massive recent US media cost-cutting beyond […]

Pop star’s dad in assault claim: Photographer alleges attack after Swift concert

Australian police are investigating claims Taylor Swift’s dad assaulted a photographer when the star and her entourage were disembarking a superyacht in the early hours of Tuesday morning. “Police have been told a 71-year-old man allegedly assaulted a 51-year-old man at Neutral Bay Wharf about 2:30 am, before leaving the location,” police spokeswoman Alicia McCumstie told AFP. “The younger man reported the incident and inquiries are now under way by officers attached to North Shore […]

Baldwin blamed for “Rust” shooting in defense of armorer on trial

By Andrew MARSZAL SANTA FE, United States, Feb 23, 2024 (AFP) – Lawyers blamed Alec Baldwin for the fatal shooting on the set of Western film “Rust” in opening statements Thursday, as they defended the movie’s armorer from prosecutors’ allegations she was “unprofessional and sloppy.” Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins died from her injuries after being hit by a live round fired from a gun Baldwin was holding during a rehearsal in New Mexico in 2021. Baldwin, […]

BAFTA: “Oppenheimer” dominates with seven wins, including Best Film & Director

By Clara LALANNE, James PHEBY LONDON, Feb 18, 2024 (AFP) – “Oppenheimer”, Christopher Nolan’s epic movie about the creation of the atomic bomb, swept the board at Sunday’s BAFTA film awards in London, delivering a serious statement ahead of next month’s Oscars. The movie earned seven awards in total, including best film, best director for Nolan, best actor for Cillian Murphy and best supporting actor for Robert Downey Jr. Im the film, Murphy plays J. […]

Tom Holland’s ‘Avengers’ bonus sent to… actor Tom Hollander

LOS ANGELES, Jan 25, 2024 (AFP) – British actor and “White Lotus” villain Tom Hollander often gets mistaken for “Spiderman” star Tom Holland, but occasionally it works in his favor — like when he got the payslip for the other man’s seven-figure film bonus. Hollander, who also had turns in “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Pride and Prejudice,” at one time shared an agent with the younger Marvel star.   This week, the 56-year-old told […]

‘Oppenheimer’ tops Oscar nominations with 13

By Paula Ramon and Andrew Marszal in Park City, Utah LOS ANGELES, Jan 23, 2024 (AFP) – “Oppenheimer” — Christopher Nolan’s masterly portrait of the father of the atomic bomb — dominated the Oscar nominations Tuesday, earning an impressive 13 nods including for best picture. It was followed by “Poor Things,” a female-focused take on the Frankenstein myth, on 11, and Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” on 10, in the race for Hollywood’s […]

Schwarzenegger watch fetches $290,000

VIENNA, Jan 19, 2024 (AFP) – The Swiss watch that got Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger in trouble with German custom officials has been sold for 270,000 euros ($290,000), the actor’s charity said Friday. The action hero-turned-environmental campaigner was held at Munich airport Wednesday for failing to declare the bespoke Audemars Piguet timepiece that was being auctioned for his climate charity. Schwarzenegger called his brush with the law a “wild experience” at the charity dinner Thursday […]