Entertainment

Taylor Swift concert organizer apologizes after Rio fan death

RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov 23, 2023 (AFP) – The chief executive of the company organizing Taylor Swift’s tour dates in Brazil apologized Thursday after a fan died in a searing heat wave during the pop superstar’s Rio de Janeiro show. Organizers have faced criticism after fans said they were forbidden to enter the stadium with water bottles at the concert last Friday, despite a heat index that hit 59 degrees Celsius (138 Fahrenheit) in the […]

Four remaining BTS members start military enlistment process: agency

The last four members of South Korean megagroup BTS who have yet to undertake their mandatory military service have begun the process of enlisting, the K-pop stars’ label said Wednesday. All able-bodied men in South Korea must serve at least 18 months in the military and, after a years-long debate about whether BTS deserved an exemption, Jin, the oldest member of the group, enlisted last year, followed by his bandmate J-Hope in April. A third […]

End of an era: ‘The Crown’ concludes with Diana’s death

By Germain MOYON LONDON, Nov 16, 2023 (AFP) – Netflix’s acclaimed series “The Crown” chronicling the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, draws to a close from Thursday, focusing on a subject still highly sensitive to the British monarchy — the death of Princess Diana. The sixth and final season of the award-winning but often-criticised show created by Peter Morgan is being released in two parts. The first five episodes will premiere on Thursday, followed by […]

Jimmy Kimmel to host Oscars for fourth time

LOS ANGELES, Nov 15, 2023 (AFP) – Late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel is returning — again — to host the Oscars for a fourth time, organizers said Wednesday. Kimmel will preside over Hollywood’s biggest awards show for the second consecutive year, after television ratings rebounded at last year’s well-reviewed ceremony. “I always dreamed of hosting the Oscars exactly four times,” joked Kimmel, in a statement issued by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and […]

Jordan aims to score big in global gaming industry

By Kamal TAHA AMMAN, Nov 15, 2023 (AFP) – For many, gaming is a waste of time. Hours lost staring at glowing screens. But Jordan is betting on its youth to capture a slice of a lucrative global market. At the Jordan Gaming Lab, Nasser Kasabreh, 21, sits behind his computer, working on a game he has been developing over the past months. He and two friends have already designed three video games including “Drift […]

‘The Marvels’ has a far from marvelous N.America opening

New superhero film “The Marvels” is making history, and not in a good way: its estimated $47 million North American take over the weekend marks the lowest debut ever for a movie from Disney’s normally money-cranking Marvel Cinematic Universe. “This opening is an unprecedented Marvel box office collapse,” said analyst David A. Gross. Second superhero episodes normally outperform the originals, he said, but this one is down 67 percent from its predecessor, “Captain Marvel,” and […]

Hollywood celebrates strike end as actors get back to work

By Andrew MARSZAL LOS ANGELES, Nov 9, 2023 (AFP) – Hollywood celebrated Thursday after actors agreed to end a crippling months-long strike, kicking off a race to get the cameras rolling and salvage next year’s movies and television shows. The Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) called off its 118-day strike after reaching a tentative agreement with studios for a new contract including higher pay and protections against the use of artificial intelligence. While the deal needs […]

Disney+ adds subscribers amid cost-cutting campaign

By Julie JAMMOT SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 8, 2023 (AFP) – Disney’s streaming service has attracted nearly seven million new subscribers, the company said Wednesday, reversing a period of decline that had raised doubts about its rivalry with industry leader Netflix. Disney has been under significant pressure ever since CEO Bob Iger left the company only to be brought out of semi-retirement a year ago after his replacement no longer had the confidence of executives and […]

Nintendo announces new ‘Zelda’ movie

LOS ANGELES, Nov 8, 2023 (AFP) – Nintendo is developing a film based on its hugely popular “The Legend of Zelda” franchise, the Japanese gaming giant announced, as it bids to capitalize on the blockbuster success of its recent “Mario” movie. The new, live-action “Zelda” movie will be directed by Wes Ball, who made the “Maze Runner” trilogy, and co-produced by Avid Arad, who has overseen several major “Spider-Man” films. Legendary Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto, […]

Actors’ union says no agreement on studios’ ‘final’ offer

By Andrew MARSZAL LOS ANGELES, Nov 7, 2023 (AFP) – The union representing striking actors said Monday it could not agree to studios’ “last, best and final offer” issued over the weekend in a bid to end a months-long stalemate that has crippled Hollywood. Negotiators for the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) have been mulling the proposal since Saturday, as studios seek to halt a damaging stoppage that has brought TV and movie production to a […]

‘Friends’ star Matthew Perry laid to rest in Los Angeles: media

LOS ANGELES, Nov 4, 2023 (AFP) – American actor Matthew Perry of the hit sitcom “Friends” was laid to rest at a Los Angeles cemetery on Friday during a private funeral attended by family and co-stars, US media reported. The 54-year-old, known for his role as Chandler Bing in “Friends,” which aired from 1994-2004, was found dead on October 28. “The service was held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles near Warner Bros. […]

Blackpink star Lisa removed from Chinese social media after cabaret show

SHANGHAI, Nov 3, 2023 (AFP) – K-pop singer Lisa of megastar girl group Blackpink has been banned from China’s Weibo social media platform, sparking speculation among fans Friday that the censorship was tied to a burlesque performance she gave in Paris. Lisa, whose full name is Lalisa Manobal, disappeared from Weibo this week, with her personal page replaced by an error message saying her account was “not viewable due to being reported for violating laws […]