Entertainment – International

Arnold Schwarzenegger held over luxury watch at Munich airport

MUNICH, Germany, Jan 17, 2024 (AFP) – Hollywood action hero Arnold Schwarzenegger was held at Munich airport on Wednesday for failing to declare an expensive watch, a customs spokesman told AFP. The Austrian-born actor and former governor of California, 76, was detained in the customs area on Wednesday afternoon after arriving from the United States, spokesman Thomas Meister said. Schwarzenegger was expected to be able to continue his journey later in the day but “the […]

‘Oppenheimer’ tops Golden Globes on bittersweet night for ‘Barbie’

By Andrew MARSZAL LOS ANGELES, Jan 8, 2024 (AFP) – “Oppenheimer,” Christopher Nolan’s drama about the inventor of the atomic bomb, topped the Golden Globes on Sunday — but its fellow summer smash hit “Barbie” missed out on best comedy film honors to “Poor Things.” “Oppenheimer” took five prizes including best drama, best director for Nolan, best score, as well as acting trophies for Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr. Nolan told journalists backstage he […]

‘Starsky & Hutch’ star David Soul dies aged 80

LONDON, Jan 5, 2024 (AFP) – US-born actor and singer David Soul, a beloved 1970s icon for his role as Detective Kenneth “Hutch” Hutchinson in the classic TV series “Starsky & Hutch”, has died aged 80, his family announced Friday. UK-based Soul, whose decades-spanning career included work as a director, producer and singer-songwriter, died Thursday “after a valiant battle for life in the loving company of family”, his British wife Helen Snell said. “He shared […]

Legal battles loom as first Mickey Mouse copyright ends

By Andrew MARSZAL LOS ANGELES, Dec 29, 2023 (AFP) – Almost a century after his big-screen debut, Mickey Mouse enters the public domain Monday, opening the floodgates to potential remakes, spin-offs, adaptations… and legal battles with Disney. The copyright on “Steamboat Willie” — a short, black-and-white 1928 animation that first introduced audiences to the mischievous rodent who would become emblematic of American pop culture — expires after 95 years, on January 1, under US law. […]

‘Parasite’ actor Lee Sun-kyun found dead

SEOUL, Dec 27, 2023 (AFP) – South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, best known for his role in the Oscar-winning film “Parasite”, was found dead Wednesday, police said. He was 48. The actor was found inside a vehicle parked on the street in Seoul’s mid-northern Seongbuk district, an official from the Seongbuk police station told AFP. “We believe his body has now been transferred to the Seoul National University Hospital,” he added. South Korea’s Yonhap news […]

Jo Koy to host Golden Globes awards: “I get to make my Filipino family proud”

LOS ANGELES, Dec 21, 2023 (AFP) – Comedian and actor Jo Koy will host the newly revamped Golden Globes, organizers announced Thursday, as the US awards show seeks a clean slate. The stand-up comedian said he was excited to be overseeing the party that kicks off three months of movie industry ceremonies. “I’ve stepped onto a lot of stages around the world in my career, but this one is going to be extra special,” he […]

BTS hiatus begins as final two members, Jimin and Jungkook, enter military

SEOUL, Dec 12, 2023 (AFP) – The last two members of K-pop superstars BTS to enlist for mandatory military service, Jimin and Jung Kook, were set to begin their training on Tuesday, South Korean media reported, resulting in the entire megagroup being on hiatus. All able-bodied men in South Korea must serve at least 18 months in the military. After a years-long debate about whether BTS deserved a rare exemption, Jin, the oldest member of […]

BTS’ RM and V begin mandatory military service in South Korea

SEOUL, Dec 11, 2023 (AFP) – Two more members of K-pop phenomenon BTS, RM and V, were set to start mandatory South Korean military service Monday, local media reported, with the final two members expected to enlist this week. All able-bodied men in South Korea must serve at least 18 months in the military. After a years-long debate about whether BTS deserved an exemption, Jin, the oldest member of the group, enlisted last year and […]

‘Barbenheimer’ tipped to dominate revamped Golden Globes nominations

LOS ANGELES, Dec 11, 2023 (AFP) – “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” — the unlikely pair of films that dominated the box office and spawned countless internet memes this summer — are expected to lead the newly revamped Golden Globes when nominations are unveiled Monday. Collectively dubbed “Barbenheimer” after their theatrical releases happened to fall on the same date, both movies are likely to score highly with voters for the Globes, which kick off Hollywood’s film awards […]

‘Love Story’ star Ryan O’Neal dead at 82

LOS ANGELES, Dec 8, 2023 (AFP) – Actor and heartthrob Ryan O’Neal, the Oscar-nominated star of “Love Story” who also appeared in “Paper Moon” and “Barry Lyndon,” has died, his son said Friday. He was 82. “This is the toughest thing I’ve ever had to say but here we go. My dad passed away peacefully today, with his loving team by his side supporting him and loving him as he would us,” Patrick O’Neal wrote […]

‘Are you not entertained?’ Taylor Swift named Time Person of the Year

By Gregory WALTON, Maggy DONALDSON NEW YORK, Dec 6, 2023 (AFP) – With a prolific musical output, a remarkably bankable tour and a name that’s headline catnip, it’s no surprise that Time Magazine has declared 2023 the Year of Taylor Swift. In its annual issue honoring a Person of the Year — a nearly century-old designation whose recipients include Volodymyr Zelensky, Martin Luther King Jr. and Greta Thunberg — the magazine called music’s reigning deity […]

BLACKPINK renews contract with YG, K-Pop shares soar

SEOUL, Dec 6, 2023 (AFP) – All members of the megastar girl group BLACKPINK renewed their contracts with YG Entertainment on Wednesday, the company said, ending speculation around their future and driving up shares in the leading K-pop label by over 20 percent. Rumours surrounding BLACKPINK — one of K-pop’s most successful girl groups — and their potential future plans have abounded since the quartet’s original contracts expired in August, with local reports even claiming […]