Entertainment – International

Disney drops ‘Fox’ name from 20th Century film studio: reports

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Disney will rename 20th Century Fox to distance its legendary film studio from the assets of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, US media reported Friday. The entertainment conglomerate last year acquired most of the assets of 21st Century Fox group, including the film house, while former owner Murdoch and his shareholders kept several TV channels, including Fox News. Variety magazine reported that the entertainment giant decided to rename its subsidiary […]

‘Parasite’ wins Golden Globe for best foreign language film

LOS ANGELES, United States  (AFP)  — South Korea’s “Parasite,” a vicious satire about the rich-poor divide, on Sunday won the Golden Globe for best foreign language film, edging out a top crop of nominees. “Wow, amazing, unbelievable,” gushed director Bong Joon-ho as he accepted the award. “Once you overcome the one-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” The film bested France’s “Les Miserables,” Pedro Almodovar’s “Pain and Glory,” Chinese-American […]

Hollywood prepares to toast winners at Golden Globes

by Andrew MARSZAL Agence France-Presse LOS ANGELES, Unites States (AFP) — Hollywood’s biggest party, the Golden Globes, kicks off the showbiz awards season Sunday, with streaming giant Netflix expected to be popping champagne corks through the night. Stars will don couture gowns and extravagant jewels before they hit the red carpet at the luxury Beverly Hills hotel where the calendar’s second-most important — but rowdiest — prize-giving gala takes place. Victory at the Globes ensures […]

Golden Globes rev up award season with Netflix in pole position

by Javier TOVAR / Andrew MARSZAL LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Hollywood’s biggest stars gather Sunday for the glitzy Golden Globes, the first major awards show of a packed season that looks set to mark Netflix’s coming-of-age in Tinseltown. The celebrity-filled gala in Beverly Hills is billed as the most raucous event in the showbiz calendar, where success helps create buzz ahead of next month’s Oscars. Netflix garnered an overwhelming 34 Globe nominations across […]

Kyrgios to donate $140 for each ace to help bushfire relief

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Nick Kyrgios has pledged Aus $200 (US$140) for each ace he serves across the Australian summer of tennis to support victims of bushfires raging around the country, with the ATP Cup Friday also promising help. The temperamental Australian, a controversial figure in the sport with a bad boy reputation, has been at the forefront of rallying support among players to help. “I’m kicking off the support for those affected by the fires. […]

‘Star Wars’ stays aloft to again top N.America box office

Los Angeles, United States (AFP)-“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” stayed on a strong glide path in North American theaters, taking in an estimated $73.6 million for the three-day weekend, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday. The Disney film, marketed as a grand finale of the nine-film “Skywalker Saga,” has had mixed reviews and was down considerably from last weekend’s lofty $177.4 million opening. But it has compiled a strong domestic total of $364.5 million. It again […]

‘Star Wars’ TV series ‘Mandalorian’ confirmed for season two

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — “The Mandalorian,” the live-action “Star Wars” television series which introduced the world to Baby Yoda, has been confirmed for a second season. Creator Jon Favreau posted the news on Twitter Friday, the same day the first season drew to a close on streaming platform Disney+. “Season 2 of #TheMandalorian coming Fall 2020,” wrote Favreau, along with an image of a troll-like green space alien. While a second installment was […]

Force is still with ‘Star Wars,’ which has a big N.America opening

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The force is clearly still with the galactic good guys, as “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” opened with a massive estimated take of $175.5 million in North America, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday. The Disney film scored the third biggest December debut ever, behind only the two earlier chapters in the “Star Wars” sequel trilogy, “The Force Awakens” and “The Last Jedi,” according to Variety. “Rise of […]

‘Jumanji’ sequel bests ‘Frozen II’ to top N. America box office

Los Angeles, United States (AFP) — “Jumanji: The Next Level” iced out “Frozen II” at the North American box office this weekend, raking in an estimated $60.1 million in its debut, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday. Sony’s latest “Jumanji” sequel stars Jack Black, Dwayne (“The Rock”) Johnson and Kevin Hart as a group of friends returning to the dangerous but fascinating world of the Jumanji game. Disney’s “Frozen II” — a return to Arendelle […]

Bono on U2’s first PHL concert: “It took us four decades… We should have been here every year”

  (Eagle News) – For what Filipino U2 fans said was a “once-in-a-lifetime concert,” they braved hours of traffic and long lines just to watch the legendary Irish rock band perform at the 55,000-seater Philippine Arena on Wednesday night, Dec. 11. The sound and sights of the first-ever Manila concert of the band which has won the most Grammys in history at 22 awards, more than lived up to fans’ expectations. The band that was […]

Star Wars fans camp outside LA theater week before film opens

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Star Wars fans with sleeping bags and a portable movie projector have started camping outside Hollywood’s Chinese Theater, more than a week before the blockbuster begins playing. Roughly 20 sci-fi lovers were in place Thursday, seven days before doors swing open for the first preview screening of the much-hyped, saga-concluding “The Rise of Skywalker.” Organizers expect that number to swell to 150 in the coming days, with fans of […]

First-ever U2 concert in the country at PHL Arena promises unique visual-aural experience for fans

  (Eagle News) – U2 at the Philippine Arena. The combination sets fans’ imagination on fire as the popular Irish rock band known for its socially relevant songs stages its first ever concert in the country at the 55,000-seater Philippine Arena. With lead vocals Bono, drummer Larry Mullen Jr., bassist Adam Clayton and guitarist “The Edge,” U2 promises a unique visual and aural experience, going by their previous concerts where the latest digital and visual […]