Entertainment
New 'Captain America' film flies into Trumpian headwinds
The latest in the Captain America film franchise which premiered in Hollywood Tuesday presents a vision of the United States out of step with the Trump era, with a diverse cast, a core message about unity and an endorsement of international diplomacy. Written and filmed before Donald Trump's return as… Read
Chinese animated blockbuster breaks records, prompts patriotism
Animated Chinese blockbuster "Ne Zha 2", based on traditional mythology, has smashed multiple box office records on its way to becoming the country's most successful movie ever. The tale of a rebellious young deity who battles dragons is the first movie to earn over $1 billion in a single market,… Read
Federal appeals court upholds singer R. Kelly's convictions and 30-year prison term
R. Kelly’s racketeering and sex trafficking convictions, along with a 30-year prison sentence, were upheld Wednesday by a federal appeals court that concluded the singer exploited his fame for over a quarter century to sexually abuse girls and young women. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan ruled… Read
Shakira kicks off first world tour in seven years
Shakira launched her first worldwide tour in seven years from Rio de Janeiro this week for her latest Grammy-winning album "Las mujeres ya no lloran" (Women Don't Cry Anymore). The Colombian singer-songwriter treated fans at the 46,000-capacity Nilton Santos Olympic Stadium to the top hits from her 12th album on… Read
Paris workshop delivers ultra-realistic film prop babies
In a workshop outside Paris, Celine Lallement stitched hairs into a silicone baby's skull -- the latest creation from a studio specialised in making ultra-realistic infants for the film and TV industries. Founded in 2008 and based in a north Paris suburb, "Cinebebe" produces props that can take more than… Read
'White Lotus' returns with steamy Thailand romp
Frisky tourists, searing heat and monkeys: Thailand was the perfect setting for the new season of HBO's "The White Lotus" to explore the dark secrets and base desires of the jet-set class, its creator said Monday. After visits to Hawaii and Sicily, season three of the smash-hit steamy satire about… Read
Kanye West's account on X goes dark after hate-filled rant
Kanye West's account on X has been deactivated after a days-long rant on the platform that included vitriolic, anti-Semitic outbursts. It was not immediately clear if the artist and entrepreneur, who legally changed his name to Ye, deactivated the account himself or if X took it down. "I'm logging out… Read
Berlin film festival to try to keep politics at bay
The Berlin Film Festival, which begins this week, is set for a challenge faced by the entire Western arts industry: how to stop politics from taking over the conversation. The first major European film festival of the year saw its 2024 edition overshadowed by a row about Israel's bombardment of… Read
Overflowing sewage stops Bryan Adams concert in Australia
Overflowing sewage caused by a "large blockage" of fat, grease and rags has forced organizers to cancel a Bryan Adams concert in Australia, citing a threat to the arena's toilets. The Canadian singer-songwriter's Sunday night event fell victim to the sewers of Perth, Western Australia, "due to the risk of… Read
Super Bowl commercials rely on comedy and nostalgia to avoid potential missteps
The Philadelphia Eagles dominated the Kansas City Chiefs on the field in this year's Super Bowl, while laughter dominated the commercials. Eugene Levy’s eyebrows flew off and buzzed around after he ate some Little Caesars. Four old ladies went on a joy ride in a commercial for WeatherTech, while sloths… Read
