Film: Greedy People (Lionsgate Play)Cast: Himesh Patel, Lily James, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Traci Lords, Tim Blake Nelson, Uzo Aduba, Simon Rex, Nina AriandaDirector: Potsy PonciroliRating: 2.5/5Runtime: 90 min. Director Potsy Ponciroli’s twisty tale about the violent goings-on in a small island town, is something like a Coen Brothers fete but this one is no ‘Fargo.’ Set on a small island town, this Fargo-like tale involves a wide array of characters. All of them though seem to be given to involuntary trigger popping and habitual immorality. The script ends up getting almost all its characters killed off. It’s like taking out a card and seeing the domino effect happen. The convoluted plot involves two dumb cops. Will (Himesh Patel), a freshly inducted cop, responds to an emergency call, misreads the code, believes a robbery is underway and nearly shoots a woman (Traci Lords) who is just simply going about her business in her kitchen. Seeing him popping a shot which misses her by inches, She gets enraged and attacks him, and in the ensuing scuffle, winds up dead. Will’s partner Terry (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who was busy in an assignation with his married sweetheart at that time, decides to butt in…convincing Will to cover his tracks and blame the killing on a burglar — especially after they discover $1 million in cash in the house. Then it turns out that the woman’s husband, a rich shrimp dealer (Tim Blake Nelson), had already hired a hit man to murder his wife in order to marry his lover (Nina Arianda). A sleazy masseur (Simon Rex), his crazy mother, Will’s heavily pregnant wife (Lily James), “The Irishman” an assassin for hire (Jim Gaffigan), all get in on the act. Needless to say, it seems like everyone is out to kill the other for reasons best known to them. They make killing look easy and inconsequential. The no-nonsense chief of police (Uzo Aduba), is basically this film’s version of Marge Gunderson. Director Potsy Ponciroli fails to pull off the satire - instead the script feels ham-handed with its many sub-plots and the narrative isn’t stylized well enough to convince us about the escalating absurdities. The attempt at edgy dark comedy turns into one of nasty criminality. No one seems real here. It’s a flawed treatment. The cast is appealing, but the actors can’t make a bad set-up with an inconsistent tone look good. Himesh Patel, Lily James, Joseph Gordon-Levitt lend some class to the proceedings here. Ironically, the setting for this darkly comic attempt at cash grab is the South Carolina town of Providence. But that’s no comfort either. The nonlinear screenplay uses flashbacks to reveal the involvement of unseemly characters. What follows is both predictable and inevitable. Ponciroli, directing someone else’s script, basically borrows the ‘Fargo’ template without delivering any effect. The unconvincing coincidences, the lack of emotional heft, forgettable characters plague the narrative. This may not amount to a bad film by any measure, but it is not one that is thoroughly entertaining either.
23 November,2024 03:16 PM IST | Mumbai | Johnson ThomasFilm: Christmas Eve In Millers PointCast: Matilda Fleming, Maria Dizzia, Ben Shenkman,Francesca Scorsese, Elsie Fisher, Lev Cameron, Sawyer Spielberg, Gregg Turkington, Michael CeraDirector: Tyler TaorminaRating: 2/5Runtime: 106 min It’s already the time of the year to get-together as families and enjoy the upcoming Christmas season …or that is what Tyler Taorima’s film would have you believe. This film is neither a romance, a light-hearted comedy nor an emotional drama. It lies somewhere in between, unrealised in its potential, just waffling along suffused with seasonal gaiety and family dynamics. On Christmas Eve, the Balsano family gathers for what could be the last holiday in their ancestral home. There are no stars to power this, no familiar faces even, so it feels like we are watching a home video about a family coming together to celebrate Christmas. Set in the 1970’s, the large family Christmas gathering is happening in Millers Point, Long Island. Family members from all corners keep trickling in. We get to know whatever little bits of story there are from the conversations we hear. There are heated discussions about whether the family matriarch needs to be moved to an assisted living facility, if not who should take on the responsibility for her care, whether or not the family home should be sold, etc. The members all try to put their points across. There’s jostling around, joking, secrets, grudges, teens playing truant, a table load of food and sweets being prepared, gifts being carried over to the Christmas tree, rushing outside for the annual Christmas parade, caroling etc. That’s the usual stressful Christmas stuff. The kids have their bits of fun with a player piano, a pet iguana, an electric train, video games, and their dozing grandma on a chairlift being sent up and down just to keep her and themselves entertained.Some of the men escape to the garage for a cold beer, one uncle plays the piano and blasts out a Christmas carol, another uncle cooks up a storm and wants everyone willing to listen, to know how he does it. Another uncle sits with the kids and regales them with stories, yet another uncle, a budding writer, gets outed when his draft story gets read out aloud, some are watching home movies and some others are guessing and opening Christmas presents. Outside we see two goofy cops (Michael Cera, Greg Turkington), trying to pull off a comedy routine - which is way too obvious and unfunny. The narrative is teeming with people and a lot of talk but in actuality there’s nothing really dramatic happening here. We don’t know who is related to whom? Too many characters and too little involvement from the audience can ring the death-knell for a movie experience. You can see that the family members are having their own brand of fun but the audience feels alienated from it all. This is a strange, unconventional film that sits somewhere between a docudrama and a home video. Cinematographer Carson Lund lends a retro look and feel, the soundtrack is filled with 1960’s music - not the regular familiar Christmas tunes, and the writing doesn’t go beyond what is obvious. This film manages to capture the chaos of family gatherings well…but what's the point you may well ask? There’s no driving central narrative, no main character to root for, the camera just glides around capturing faces and spurts of conversation. There’s no room for the audience to get involved in any of the conversations or emotions. It all feels rather alien and uninviting. The best that can be said about this film is that it gets the aesthetics, ambience and mood right. There’s nothing else to it!
23 November,2024 03:15 PM IST | Mumbai | Johnson ThomasSinger-songwriter Shakira has made a commitment, and won’t lie about it. The singer recently announced that she would be giving away her customised purple car. The car, a Lamborghini Urus, holds deep significance for the singer, reports ‘People’ magazine. The singer is giving away her sporty ride to a fan in celebration of her latest single ‘Soltera’ (Spanish for single). The contest, which is in partnership with Univision, is also a gesture of gratitude from the Colombian star, 47, after the overwhelming love and support she's received. Shakira said in a press release, “This car was a gift to myself as I began my single life, but I realised that what truly matters is human connection”. As per ‘People’, she referred to her split from ex Gerard Pique. The ‘Hips Don't Lie’ singer added, “The car, the clothes, the material things — they don’t transform us. It’s the people we love and the connections we build that truly make a difference”. To enter the contest, fans will need to upload a dance to ‘Soltera’ on Instagram and TikTok with the hashtag #ElCarroDeShakira by November 29. Shakira will then select five finalists and the public will vote for the winner on December 5. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shakira (@shakira) The winner will be announced on December 6 on Despierta America. To enter, the fan must be at least 18 years of age. Shakira released ‘Soltera’ in September this year, and the track has already climbed to the Global Top 50 on Spotify. Meanwhile, her album ‘Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran’ (Women Don't Cry Anymore) recently earned a Grammy nomination for best latin pop album. In October, the singer-songwriter, who is kicking off her world tour in May 2025, reflected on the impact her seventh studio album had on her healing journey in a cover story interview with GQ Spain. She said, "For many months after my separation I had been silent, trying to begin my mourning, but I couldn't really begin to grieve until I started writing music”. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 November,2024 02:00 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSSinger-songwriter Shawn Mendes, who is known to deliver electrifying performances on stage with his guitar and piano, stunned the audience when he pulled out a harmonium. Videos of Shawn singing and playing the instrument have gone viral, particularly grabbing the attention of desi fans labelling him “Shawnu Nigam” and “Kumar Shawnu” after legendary singers Sonu Nigam and Kumar Sanu. Watch the video below. shawn with a harmonium??? desi king??? pic.twitter.com/9VAeFTbWEq — so ☆ (@zummerfeeling) November 19, 2024 Netizens react to Shawn Mendes playing the harmonium One user wrote, “Ustaad Shawn Ali Khan with his harmonium??”, while another added, “Shawn in his nusrat phase fr.” Another user commented, “I thought abhi “Maula mere maula mere” ka chorus shuru hoga.” “Mosquitoes at 3 am I'm sorry it's too funny,” wrote one user. A couple of netizens explained that the harmonium was originally a French instrument that was brought to India. Shawn Mendes to headline Lollapalooza 2025 in Mumbai Lollapalooza India organizers announced the line-up of the 2025 edition in September. It will take place in Mumbai from March 8-9, 2025. Shawn Mendes, known for his captivating performances and chart-topping hits like 'In My Blood', 'Treat You Better', and new single 'Why Why Why', returns to the live stage after more than two years. The third edition of the two-day festival will showcase an impressive lineup of renowned global artists, some sure to fulfill bucket list dreams alongside brilliant indie and popular Indian performers. The festival has become a showcase for live music, featuring an array of global and local artists across genres like pop, rock, hip-hop, EDM, and techno. Lollapalooza 2025 line-up in Mumbai Besides Shawn, American punk rock band Green Day will be making a historic India debut. Green Day's relevance persists through their enduring anthems - like 'American Idiot', 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams' and 'Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)', that continue to ignite passion and inspire, proving that their music is as timeless as it is powerful. Former member of the boy band One Direction, Louis Tomlinson, makes his highly anticipated India debut, which will have fans belting out every lyric, while Glass Animals, known for their hit single, 'Heat Waves', brings their hypnotic, genre-blurring sound to the stage. EDM powerhouse Zedd and the unstoppable John Summit. Indian rapper Hanumankind recently shot to international fame with his superhit English song Big Dawgs bringing raw energy and thought-provoking lyrics to the event. Other artists in the line-up include Louis Tomlinson, Raftaar, Dot., among others.
23 November,2024 10:53 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSinger-songwriter and actor Miley Cyrus opened up about her relationship with ex-husband Liam Hemsworth and recalled falling in love with him on the set of the 2010 film 'The Last Song', reported E! News. Cyrus mentioned that 'The Last Song' made it feel natural to collaborate with her boyfriend Maxx Morando on her new album, 'Something Beautiful'. She shared that she always like working with prople she love in her life. "I worked with my dad forever," said Miley, adding, "That's how me and my ex-husband met each other. I have always worked with the people that I love. And Maxx just inspires me so much." Miley talked about 'Something Beautiful', and emphasised that it "has a more experimental sound than her past work, describing it as "hypnotizing and glamorous," as per E! News. "It's a concept album that's an attempt to medicate somewhat of a sick culture through music," she explained. "The visual component of this is driving the sound. It was important for me that every song has these healing sound properties." The singer and the actor first met at the set of the film 'The Last Song' and got engaged later in 2012 and further ended their relationship in September 2013. Their romance rekindled in 2015 and they tied a knot in December 2018. Talking about her relationship with Maxx Morando, the duo first sparked romance rumours in November 2021 when they were seen getting cosy at Gucci's Love Parade runway show. In 2022, Miley Cyrus has confirmed her relationship with Maxx Morando. The couple was seen making out on Thursday while standing on a sidewalk in West Hollywood in photos, in which Cyrus, could be seen wrapping her arms around Morando as they passionately kissed, reported E! News. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 November,2024 08:39 AM IST | Washington | ANILongtime friends and iconic 'Titanic' co-stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet recently reunited at a special screening of Winslet's 'Lee'. Several pictures and videos from the screening went viral. In one of the clips, DiCaprio could be seen showering love on Winslet while introducing the movie. The two also shared a friendly kiss on the lips as she appeared onstage, PEOPLE reported. "Kate, my dear friend, your work in this film has been nothing short of transformative," DiCaprio said in the video; he also introduced her to the crowd as "one of the great talents of my generation." "I continue to be awestruck, I continue to admire your strength, your integrity, your talent and your passion for every single project you create," he added in the video. Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor also shared a video of the reunion of the Hollywood stars on her Instagram Story and captioned it with heart emojis. DiCaprio and Winslet famously costarred in filmmaker James Cameron's 1997 epic Titanic, which tracked a star-crossed romance between their two characters. They both have been close friends ever since they met on the sets of 'Titanic'. Titanic earned Winslet an Oscar nomination and catapulted her and DiCaprio as global superstars. The film held the record for the highest-grossing movie of all time until Cameron's "Avatar" surpassed it. It received a whopping 14 Academy Award nominations, and took home 11 total Oscars, including the award for Best Picture, and both actors still frequently address questions about the movie in interviews today. Speaking of Winslet's film 'Lee', it is a biographical drama about the American war correspondent and photographer Lee Miller. Set against the backdrop of Lee Miller recounting her wartime experiences in 1977 to a young journalist, portrayed by Josh O'Connor, through flashbacks, the film delves deep into Miller's indomitable spirit and enduring legacy. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 November,2024 08:37 AM IST | Washington | ANIOscar-winner Michelle Yeoh says she watched many Indian movies while growing up in a multi-racial society in Malaysia and hopes her new film Wicked clicks well with the audiences here as it is a musical. Yeoh, who won the best actor Oscar for her role in Everything Everywhere All At Once in 2023, reunites with Crazy Rich Asians (2018) director Jon M Chu for the big-screen adaptation of the hit broadway musical, Wicked. She stars as Madame Morrible in the movie, which is her first musical.“I grew up in Malaysia and we’re a multi-racial society and I have many Indian friends. In fact, I grew up watching a lot of Indian movies. Even when as a young child, I knew how to sing Indian [songs]. I’m familiar with Indian culture and cinema. I have many idols in the [Indian] cinema as well. I think Wicked will go down well with our Indian friends,” said Yeoh. The actor, 62, said while she was terrified at the prospect of singing in the movie, she has always loved musicals as a genre because of their ability to transport viewers to a different kind of world. “It’s a fantasy world where people, instead of talking, suddenly break out into song and dance, and I love that,” she added. One of the big reasons for Yeoh to star in the movie was Chu, whose film Crazy Rich Asians is credited for being the first major Hollywood hit to feature an entirely Asian cast in a modern setting since The Joy Luck Club (1993). Yeoh said she and many others have been fighting for this change for a long time and a lot of the credit goes to storytellers like Chu. She explained, “So many of us have been fighting to create these opportunities. Sometimes we demand to have these changes because I think we should have equal opportunities to be able to showcase our talent in front and behind the camera as well.” Wicked is inspired by the broadway show of the same name and serves both as a prequel and a relook at the classic film, Wizard of Oz (1939). This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 November,2024 08:28 AM IST | Los Angeles | AgenciesActor Anna Kendrick got candid about her directorial debut 'Woman of the Hour' and shared why she decided make this dark crime thriller. "Funny enough, I asked another director friend to read the script, and he said something along the lines of, "I'm so happy you're going to direct, but I have to confess I'm surprised that this is what you're drawn to...I can see there's a lot of really interesting themes around being a woman in the world and the challenges that come with that." He also specifically referenced the violence of the opening scene. So I really had to sit with that and give it some thought," said Anna in a statement shared in a press release. The 'Pitch Perfect' actor opened up on how she decided to make her directorial debut with this dark crime thriller, saying "I ended up saying that I can understand why a movie that opens with an act of violence doesn't really seem like it's in my wheelhouse, but I feel like I've been through experiences where I can relate to being with another person and suddenly discovering you're with someone deeply unsafe. And how earth-shattering it is to have that feeling of annihilation suddenly appear in a room that previously felt very safe and warm." She felt connected to the subject, "Those scenes where there's either violence or the threat of violence don't feel foreign to me, she shared, adding, "In fact, I had to fight for that opening scene. Some people wanted a very different opening. But I felt so attached to that scene despite most people knowing me as a comedy gal. So I understand why it would seem surprising, but for me, I felt very connected to the material." "A woman, her woes and her willingness to survive. 'Woman of the Hour' starring Anna Kendrick, dives into the spine-chilling true story of Sheryl Bradshaw, an aspiring actor who goes looking for love on a 1970s dating show. But, when her path crosses with Rodney Alcala (played by Daniel Zovatto ), a charming but notorious serial killer, Sheryl's quest for romance quickly spirals into a horrifying nightmare," as per the press release. 'Woman of the Hour' will be streaming on Lionsgate Play on November 29. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 November,2024 08:24 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIHollywood star Angelina Jolie has said that for her "nothing else matters" apart from motherhood because she's devoted to her six kids Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and 16-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne. During an appearance on 'Good Morning America', Angelina, who shares her children with former husband and Hollywood star Brad Pitt, spoke about playing opera star Maria Callas in new movie 'Maria', reports femalefirst.co.uk. She was also asked if there's anything in her life that compares to the late star's love of singing and the actress replied: "My motherhood ... It’s my happiness. You can take everything else away from me ... Nothing else matters." Maddox and Pax have been working behind-the-scenes in the movie industry while Vivienne recently helped her mother put together Broadway show 'The Outsiders' but the actress is rigid none of her kids want to be in the spotlight, reports femalefirst.co.uk. She explained: "None of my children want to be in front of the camera at this time. They are quite private. Shiloh's extremely private. They weren't born with privacy, right? So I hope they can have that as they grow." It comes after the actress said winning an Oscar for her role in the biopic would be a bonus. The actress, who already has an Academy Award for her role in 1999 psychological thriller 'Girl, Interrupted', had the "experience of a lifetime" starring in Pablo Larraín's new film and although the Oscar hype is "very nice", she feels like she has already been given "the greatest gift" of making a movie with an "extraordinary team of people" and anything else is a "dream". Talking about the Oscar buzz surrounding the film, she laughed to Best UK magazine: "It means a lot that somebody thinks you did a good job. Right? That means everything to me. That kind of stuff is exciting and very, very nice. But I'm just so happy we were able to do this film. I'm genuinely so happy. "I know it sounds like people say this, but really, this was an experience of a lifetime. I learned to sing and I embodied a woman that I respect. I was able to work with this extraordinary team of people. I feel like I've already been given the greatest gift. The audience seemed to respond well to it. So, anything else is a dream, but I'm so grateful already." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 November,2024 08:08 AM IST | Los Angeles | IANSFilm: Wicked: Part ICast: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Kristin Chenoweth, Peter Dinklage, Marissa Bode, Idina Menzel, Sharon D. Clarke, Adam James, Keala Settle, Bronwyn James, Bowen Yang, James Dryden, Andy Nyman, Grecia De la Paz.Director: Jon M. ChuRating: 3.5/5Runtime: 160 min Wicked, this first instalment of a two-part cinematic adaptation by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, of Gregory Maguire’s book, was apparently framed along the lines of the hit Broadway musical of the same name. Wicked opens with flying monkeys, a witch’s hat, and a yellow brick road followed by a song celebrating the death of the Wicked Witch of the West. Glinda/Galinda (Ariana Grande), confirms her passing. Going back in time, we hear of the birth of Elphaba, a green baby rejected by her father, the governor of Munchkinland (Andy Nyman). Their milkman was apparently The Incredible Hulk. Elphaba is eventually sent to Shiz University by her father to support her wheelchair bound sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode) and it’s here that she meets Galinda Upland, an entitled toxic mean girl used to getting her own way. Galinda and Elphaba end up as roommates. Ephaba’s natural flair attracts headmistress Madame Morrible’s (Michelle Yeoh) attention and she takes her under her tutelage. Galinda sets her eyes on a hunk named Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) who ends up becoming fascinated by Elphaba’s abilities. In the interim, a professor at the school, a goat named Dr. Dillamond (voiced by Peter Dinklage), also forms a bond with Elphaba. After several grandiose showstopping song and dance numbers Elphaba meets the great Oz( Jeff Goldblum) who has his own reasons for harnessing her magical powers. Over and above the plethora of song and dance numbers there’s some deeper subtext too. Elphaba deals with her Daddy issues and othering in her own inimical way. Galinda we find is also not all bad. She convinces a good-hearted Munchkin, Boq (Ethan Slater) to ask out Elphaba’s wheelchair bound sister Nessarose. She also puts in all efforts to make Elphaba popular. In a wonderfully poignant scene we see Ariana Grande-Butera lending energy and vitality while dancing and frolicking to a popular song. We see hints of racism, cruelty towards animals, systematic erasure of history, people being forced out of jobs and the dehumanisation of a community - all pointing to the topicality of this supple material. The world-building is pretty strong, the visuals are eye-popping and the tech aspects are worthy of fullsome praise. We don’t always see Elphaba and Galinda together. Both get to showcase their singing and dancing talents individually too. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande-Butera, both put on a great show. Elphaba is the author backed character and as such Cynthia gets to hog the show but Ariana Grande is no shrinking violet. Her vocals are strong and enlivening. Erivo and Grande’s performances are micromanaged beautifully to convey a relationship that feels stronger and well-developed. Their loathing gives way to sisterhood in spectacular fashion. Their feelings for Fiyero also make room for hilarity. The movie closes with the popular song “Defying Gravity.” The costumes, set design, make-up, styling are all top-notch. The rooms and grounds of Shiz University are alive with textures and details that enhance the impressive dance acrobatics on display within. Everything is not perfect in ‘Wicked: Part I,’though. The runtime for one can be very daunting and not all the songs have the power to keep you humming along. Even so, this is a fairly invigorating and thought-provoking musical.
22 November,2024 05:53 PM IST | Mumbai | Johnson ThomasActor Priyanka Chopra, on Thursday shared a glimpse to her fans of her 'Husband jacket kind of morning'. The 'Citadel' actor wore her husband Nick Jonas's black jacket and posted a mirror selfie on Instagram Story. She wrote, "A husband jacket kind of morning." Priyanka is currently shooting for her series 'Citadel 2'. He has been keeping fans updated on her busy schedule through her Instagram Stories from the sets. Priyanka and Nick tied the knot in 2018 and welcomed their daughter Malti Marie through surrogacy in January 2022. Meanwhile, on the work front, Priyanka has other exciting projects lined up, including 'Heads of State' alongside Idris Elba and John Cena, as well as a role as a 19th-century Caribbean pirate in 'The Bluff'. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
22 November,2024 04:48 PM IST | Mumbai | ANIADVERTISEMENT
