Entertainment – International

Taylor Swift wins groping trial against radio DJ

DENVER, Colorado (Reuters) — Taylor Swift won a federal court trial on Monday (Aug 14), with the jury awarding her the symbolic $1 she had sought from a Colorado DJ she accused of grabbing her bare bottom during a photo shoot. The eight-member US District Court jury found that radio personality David Mueller had assaulted and battered her during the “meet-and-greet” photo session. The same panel, which deliberated for less than a day, rejected Mueller’s […]

“Annabelle:Creation” expected to scare up $30 million at the box office.

(Reuters) — Warner Bros.’ horror film “Annabelle: Creation,” a prequel to the 2014 ‘Annabelle’ and the latest in the Conjuring film series, is expected to bring in $30 million dollars to top the weekend box office in North America. Christopher Nolan’s World War 2 epic “Dunkirk” is expected to add another $12 million dollars to its earnings, topping $150 million dollars domestically. Animated Sequel “The Nut Job 2: Nutty By Nature” from Open Road Films […]

Taylor Swift tells of shock over alleged groping

DENVER, United States (AFP) — Music superstar Taylor Swift told a court Thursday of her shock as she realized she was being groped during a photo opportunity ahead of a gig in the United States. Swift, 27, said there was no doubt in her mind the radio personality she was being photographed with ahead of a Denver concert in 2013 reached under her skirt and fondled her buttocks. “It was a definite grab… a very […]

Oscar-winning Coen brothers to bring Western anthology series to Netflix

LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) — Oscar-winning filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen are transitioning to the small screen with a new Western anthology for Netflix, the online streaming company said on Wednesday (August 09), the latest talent to join the platform’s growing roster. The Coen brothers, known for witty crime thrillers such as “Fargo” and “No Country For Old Men,” will write and direct “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs,” a six-part anthology series set in the American […]

Disney unveils streaming TV services, including one for sports

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Walt Disney Co. said Tuesday it is launching two new streaming television services including one for its ESPN-branded sports channel, while ending its deal with Netflix as it shifts towards direct content distribution. The media-entertainment giant called the move “a strategic shift in the way we distribute our content” in an industry moving to online services. Disney said in a statement it would offer a “multi-sport video streaming service” […]

Calvin Harris tops Forbes list of highest-earning DJs for fifth year

LOS ANGELES, United States (Reuters) — Scottish musician Calvin Harris ruled Forbes’ annual list of electronic cash kings on Tuesday (August 8) as he was named the highest-paid DJ for the fifth consecutive year, outpacing Dutch DJ Tiesto and newcomers The Chainsmokers. Harris, 33, brought in $48.5 million between June 2016 and June 2017, with earnings from residences in Las Vegas and festival performances as well as from producing pop hits such as his latest […]

Japan actor who played original Godzilla dies at 88

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Haruo Nakajima, the actor who played Japan’s iconic city-wrecking monster Godzilla in the original 1954 movie, has died, film studio Toho said Tuesday. He was 88. Nakajima, who went on to appear as the iconic creature a dozen times, died of pneumonia on Monday, said a spokesman for the studio that produced the Godzilla films. Originally a stuntman, Nakajima at the age of 25 first took on the role of the […]

Taylor Swift heads to court for groping case

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Pop superstar Taylor Swift is expected in court in Denver this week for a trial pitting her against a DJ accused of groping her at a gig. Jury selection was due to commence on Monday afternoon and Swift, 27, could take the stand to give details of the alleged assault during a meet and greet four years ago. Swift says radio DJ David Mueller grabbed her by the buttock […]

‘Dark Tower’ leads at box office but casts a short shadow

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Sony’s sci-fi production “The Dark Tower” led ticket sales in North American theaters this weekend, but its estimated three-day take of a modest $19.5 million fell on a notably sluggish August weekend. “Tower,” co-produced by independent film studio MRC, had the lowest box-office-leading weekend take of the year, HollywoodReporter.com noted. The film, based on a series of best-selling novels by horror and fantasy master Stephen King, stars Tom Taylor […]

Marvel hits back at early ‘Inhumans’ criticism

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Studio executives hit back at early criticism of the upcoming ABC series “Marvel’s Inhumans” on Sunday, describing it less than a month before its premiere as a “work in progress.” Based on an early version of the first episode made available to reviewers, journalists at a Television Critics Association panel in Beverly Hills voiced concerns that the show did not match Marvel’s usually high standards. Among the complaints was […]

British actor Robert Hardy dies aged 91

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Actor Robert Hardy, a familiar face on British television who also played the minister of magic in the Harry Potter franchise, has died aged 91, his family announced on Thursday. “It is with great sadness that the family of Robert Hardy CBE today announced his death, following a tremendous life: a giant career in theatre, television and film spanning more than 70 years,” a statement from his children Emma, Justine […]

“The Dark Tower” expected to stand tall at US box office

(Reuters) — Columbia Pictures’ “The Dark Tower” – based on the popular series by author Stephen King – looks set to hit the top spot of this weekend’s United States box office, according to box office site boxofficemojo.com. The film, which stars Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey, is expected to make around $20 million over the weekend. Falling from last week’s top spot to second place is Christopher Nolan’s “Dunkirk” which looks set to make […]