Film: First loveCast: Diane Kruger, Nikolai Tsankov, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Jeffrey DonovanDirector: A.J. EdwardsRating: 2/5Runtime: 96 min “First Love” is a sincere but rather mundane romance sutured into a story about how capitalism has failed American middle-class families. This film is written and directed by A.J. Edwards, better referenced as being a protege of filmmaker spiritualist Terrence Malick. This third effort by him is a drama that lacks emotion and weighty byplay. Set during George Bush’s second term in the Oval office, in the aftermath of the financial collapse of late 2008, the narrative highlights the trials faced by one American family, the Albrights, who are now finding it difficult to readjust to drastically reduced economic prospects. The father, Greg (Jeffrey Donovan), gets laid off from a high-paying job in the financial sector and is unable to face the fact that he may never earn that kind of money ever again. His wife Kay (Diane Kruger) offers to take-up a second job after hearing about her sister-in-law doing the same but her husband’s foolhardy pride puts paid to that. The narrative focuses more than half its runtime on a rather inconsequential teen romance between Greg and Kay’s teenage son Jim (Hero Fiennes Tiffin) and his classmate Ann (Sydney Park). The cinematography and editing try, rather ineffectively to make the romance feel lyrical and dreamy in an effort to contrast it with the struggle of the parents. It just doesn’t work up any steam though. The complexity is missing and the lack of substance is galling. And neither of the stories are interesting. The parents struggle had promise but it remains underdeveloped. First Love is tepid and boring. It doesn’t play like a true-blue romance. The shot composition, the editing, the sound, the cinematography - all leave a lot to be desired. There’s no real tempo going into this economic distress drama so the audience is more likely to feel disconnected from what is going on even if they identify with the crisis that is central to this story. The dialogue sounds insipid and uninteresting. There’s nothing really intriguing or exciting here. to experience here. Aja’s efforts don’t really come good.
20 September,2024 06:08 PM IST | Mumbai | Johnson ThomasFilm: Never Let Go Cast: Halle Berry, Anthony B. Jenkins, William Catlett, Percy Daggs IV, Matthew Kevin Anderson, Christin Park, Stephanie Lavigne, Cadence ComptonDirector: Alexandre AjaRating: 2/5Runtime: 101 min Alexandre Aja’s Horror Fairy Tale is flaky and unprepossessing. The real horror here is the over-stimulated imagination of the principal characters - a mother and her two pre-teen non-identical twin sons Samuel (Anthony B. Jenkins) and Nolan (Percy Daggs IV) living in a desolate woodlands home in the midst of a rundown forest. Some kind of omnipresent evil has taken over the world beyond the stairs leading up to their home. The mother also called Momma (Halle Berry), reminds her sons of the need to stay together and connected to the rope tied to the basement window of the house. Apparently, that is the only thing that protects them from the malevolent spirits waiting to get them. Aja throws in a few disjointed hallucinatory images and a couple of utterly laughable jump scares in his effort to make this horror worthy. Snakes, zombified humans, demons fly upwind as Momma’s mind begins to unravel. The French director aims for a more serious, dark, psychologically entrenched horror thriller narrative where the mother and sons are desperately struggling to survive on the meagre pickings of a forest that lacks wild life and other food sources. They have a green house but no vegetables are grown there. It looks pretty derelict. The storage jars in the kitchen are running on empty. They are supposedly starving for want of food and the only time they step out is to forage for frogs, tree barks, rabbits, squirrels, snails, worms, crows etc. Hunger and desperation have taken a heavy toll on Momma’s mind. They are made to chant a rhyming incantation before venturing out and another for once they’re back inside, with their hands touching the sacred wood. Disobeying Momma’s instructions may have disastrous consequences. She either shuts them up in the cellar or holds a knife over their heads forcing them to chant the rhyme. The convoluted lore feels like it came out of left field, Doesn’t make sense or provide any sense of well-being to the characters. The narrative doesn’t play out in coherent fashion. Apparently the pet dog is unaffected by evil and has the freedom to roam the forest at will. He even looks well fed and hardy. When Momma decides that it was time to kill the pet dog for food, Nolan decides to rebel. That unexpected behavior leads to nihilistic consequences. The leanly plotted screenplay makes heavy weather of trivial incidents and even sets up the killing of an innocent hiker, in an effort to expand the blood and gore. But to no avail. The stress on the oft-repeated litany and repetitive calls for ‘Never letting go’ becomes irritating after a point. Aja’s exploration of bleak circumstances and ungainly attempt to tap into shared universal fears doesn’t have much teeth. The audience never really gets into the fear psychosis affecting the mother and as a result doesn’t feel connected enough to root for the trio’s survival. Aja’s longtime cinematographer Maxime Alexandre provides for brooding character definition and cinematography. The forest looks dense and heavily eerie. The eerie score by French indie pop artist Robin Coudert, aids the discomfort. Production designer Jeremy Stanbridge makes the house look threatening. The narrative is on slow-boil, the camerawork is beguiling enough but the lack of witchy intensity and dread coupled with a script that hides much more than it reveals, hampers the experience. There’s no claustrophobic unease or psychological torment to experience here. Aja’s efforts don’t really come good.
20 September,2024 05:56 PM IST | Mumbai | Johnson ThomasFilm: Transformers One (Animation/3D)Cast (voices): Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Isaac C. Singleton Jr.Director: Josh CooleyRating: 3/5Runtime: 104 mins Transformers One is an impressive update to the Transformers cinematic world. There’s an origin story to tell and enough sly references to the franchise’s past, to whet your appetite. This issue is a refreshing addition to the series, lending renewed vigour and beats that lend a whole new meaning to what transpired before. The untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, better known as sworn enemies, were once friends who bonded like brothers and they were the ones who triggered the changes on Cybertron. Directed by Josh Cooley, “Transformers One” written by Eric Pearson, Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari, is spawned from animated and live-action hit series and franchise based on Hasbro’s Transformers toys. The narrative encapsulates a social commentary about workers being crushed by corporate giants without being provided adequate benefits or due comforts. On the surface this film is about two best buddies Orion Pax and D-16, who dare to break conventions, learn a deep-seated secret about their existence and powers and finally turn on each other as a consequence of differing world views. We also learn of Sentinel Prime’s evil intentions and how it eventually decided the fate of Cybertron. Most of Transformers One takes place on Cybertron. Cybertron has been invaded by enemies, many of the Primes were killed, Energon has become scarce, and most of the surviving robots of Cybertron were forced into identured labour as underground miners, who are forbidden to go to the surface of the planet. Orion Pax, D-16, Elita-1 and B-127 – are all missing their “transformation cog.” So, initially they lack the power to morph at will into their secondary shapes. It’s a bleak period and only Orion Pax (Chris Hemsworth) is willing to stretch his abilities in order to reach for the truth. Some of the character arcs feel rushed and the origin story world building is not exacting enough. The voice performances though are pretty much in keeping with the animatronics. Cooley’s narrative has good pace and entertaining moments. There’s also a lot of action to go along with that. The sound engineering makes for momentous moments. The comedic elements work up hilarity for kids and adults alike. The 38 year gap between the first Transformers animation movie “The Transformers: The Movie” and this ‘One’ may have been unduly long but its been worth it. The action fits into the story seamlessly and the short runtime allows even kids to sit through it all comfortably. This is a prequel that is likely to lend renewed vigour to the franchise’s future aspirations.
20 September,2024 05:48 PM IST | Mumbai | Johnson ThomasWorld-renowned American host and TV producer Oprah Winfrey has reportedly paid a large sum to secure back the rights of a documentary made on her life She paid Apple TV to prevent the release of the documentary in public domains. She feels that the time is not right for it to be made public. Back in 2021, a documentary on the life of noted American personality Oprah Winfrey was announced with much fanfare. It was announced that the documentary would be directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Kevin Macdonald. The new doc will chronicle 25 years of American history through the lens of one show and one woman who rose from humble roots to become a globally famous talk show host, producer, actress and philanthropist. According to a report in Page Six, Macdonald who had teamed with Winfrey's longtime producer Lisa Erspamer on the documentary had clashed with the 70-year-old billionaire after the film was ready. It has been on hold ever since. Erspamer produced “The Oprah Winfrey Show” between 1999 and 2009 and is a longtime pal of the presenter. The report stated that Oprah did not like the film made by Kevin. When the filmmaker refused to make changes to the film, Winfrey paid back her fee to Apple to secure the rights to the documentary. Winfrey's content deal with Apple came to an end in September 2022. Apple and Winfrey's Harpo had inked a multi-year deal in 2018 which included 'The Oprah Conversation', 'Oprah’s Book Club' and 'Oprah Talks COVID-19', all of which are currently streaming on the platform. After the end of the deal, she paid the platform to get the rights of her film. A spokesperson for Winfrey said, "As the Apple TV+ deal was coming to an end, Ms. Winfrey bought back the rights to her docuseries and has since decided to put the doc on hold. “Ms. Winfrey believes Lisa Erspamer and Kevin Macdonald are incredibly talented filmmakers and is grateful for the time and energy they put into the project.” However, Page Six also attributed a source from Winfrey's camp who said that Macdonald did not refuse to make edits and that the host just decided that it wasn't the right time to do a documentary.
20 September,2024 02:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentHollywood star Chris Hemsworth, who has voiced the character of Optimus Prime in the animated film ‘Transformers One’, has lauded director Josh Cooley, and has said that the latter’s optimism, passion for the Transformers universe is contagious. ‘Transformers One’ delves into the deep bond between Orion Pax and D-16, shedding light on the events that ultimately led to their epic clash. Chris Hemsworth said, “Cooley’s unfettered optimism, passion and enthusiasm for this world was contagious, and the amount of knowledge he accumulated in his research was indispensable. The visuals are stunning and action-packed. The colours, the tones, the details all feel fresh and unique. Such complexity was put into designing the fight scenes and developing a distinctive style for each character”. He further mentioned, “It all adds up to a movie that is exciting, fun and wildly entertaining. But Cooley never lost sight of the heart of the story. The point of the story in the director’s eyes always remains two individuals and their parallel journeys of self-discovery. At times it’s a hilarious bromance about two best friends — who end up trying to kill each other. But up until that point, there is a lot of fun to be had”. The film also stars the voice cast led by Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, and Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi, Laurence Fishburne, and Jon Hamm. Unlike the live-action Transformers movies, ‘Transformers One’ presents a fresh narrative, revealing the character’s transformative journey. The film delves into the deep bond between Orion Pax and D-16, shedding light on the events that ultimately led to their epic clash. Paramount Pictures is set to release ‘Transformers One’ in India on September 20 in English & Hindi in 2D, 3D, 4D & IMAX (3D) formats. 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
20 September,2024 09:06 AM IST | Los Angeles | IANSPop star Justin Bieber's mother Pattie Mallette has expressed her excitement and joy about becoming a grandmother for the first time. This heartfelt announcement comes less than a month after Justin and his wife, Hailey Bieber, welcomed their son, Jack Blues Bieber, in August. In a recent Instagram Story, Mallette shared a video featuring Molly Shannon's beloved 'Saturday Night Live' character, joyologist Helen Madden. Accompanying the clip, she wrote, "How do you like being a Grandmother!" In the video, Shannon's character exuberantly declares, "I love it, I love it, I LOVE it! Every second of it--I love it!" Mallette, 49, has openly shared her affection for baby Jack, posting shortly after his birth, "Oh my heart. Welcome baby Jack!! I love you so much! Thank you, Lord. What a miracle!" Additionally, she celebrated the couple's new journey with a heartfelt tweet that read, "CONGRATULATIONS @justinbieber & Hailey. I LOVE YOU FOREVER BABY JACK!!" Hailey's father, Stephen Baldwin, also chimed in, replying, "Amen. Congratulations to you and may God continue to bless our family." Mallette has previously expressed her pride in watching Justin step into fatherhood. On Father's Day in June, she posted an emotional tribute on Instagram, stating, "You've always wanted to be a dad ever since I can remember. You have so much love to give. You're gonna be the best daddy ever. You already are. LOVE YOU!!" View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pattie Mallette (@pattiemallette) Though Justin, 30, and Hailey, 27, have maintained a relatively low profile since welcoming their son, they have been open about their aspirations for a family. In a 2020 appearance on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show', Justin mentioned, "I'd love to have myself a little tribe. I am going to have as many as Hailey is wishing to push out--it's her body and whatever she wants to do--I think she wants to have a few." The couple's journey began with a surprise engagement during a trip to the Bahamas in July 2018, followed by a courthouse wedding in New York City on September 14, 2018. They celebrated again in a larger ceremony in South Carolina with family and friends a year later. This year, they renewed their vows in a private ceremony in Hawaii, which also served as an announcement of Hailey's pregnancy. Justin Bieber and Hailey announced the arrival of their son, Jack Blues Bieber, with a touching Instagram post on August 23, featuring a close-up of Hailey holding their baby's tiny foot. 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
20 September,2024 09:00 AM IST | Washington | ANILady Gaga recently opened up on why she stayed silent on persistent rumours from earlier in her career that claimed she was actually a man. The pop superstar, who is also known for pushing boundaries, first addressed the rumour in a 2011 CNN interview, where she boldly stated, "Why the hell am I going to waste my time and give a press release about whether or not I have a penis? My fans don't care and neither do I." Now, years later, the 'Joker: Folie a Deux' actor offered more details during her appearance on Netflix's What's Next? The Future With Bill Gates. "When I was in my early 20s, there was a rumor that I was a man. I went all over the world for tours and interviews, and almost every time I sat down, they'd ask, 'There are rumors that you're a man. What do you have to say about that?'," Gaga explained to Bill Gates in the episode. Despite being constantly questioned, the singer-actress said she never responded because she didn't feel like a victim. "I thought: What about a kid who is being accused of that? Would they think that a public figure like me would feel shame?" Gaga said. "I've been in situations where fixing a rumor was not in the best interest of the well-being of other people. In that case, I tried to be thought-provoking and disruptive in another way. I used the misinformation to create another disruptive point," she added. Speaking about how over time, she has grown used to false stories about her, Gaga shared, "I've been used to lies being printed about me since I was 20 years old. I'm a performer. I think it's kind of funny." The Grammy-winning singer, who is often known for her fearless approach to music and fashion, later moved into acting with her role in in 'A Star Is Born (2018).' She will next be seen in the upcoming Joker: Folie a Deux, which is set to release on October 4. 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
20 September,2024 08:09 AM IST | Washington | ANIAnil Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapoor starrer popular Disney+ Hotstar series, 'The Night Manager', has been nominated for the Best Drama Series category at the 2024 International Emmy Awards bringing global recognition to the Indian adaptation of the British series of the same name. The crime thriller is set to compete against top international dramas, including 'Les Gouttes de Dieu' from France, 'The Newsreader - Season 2' from Australia, and 'Iosi, El Espia Arrepentido - Season 2' from Argentina. In a statement shared by his PR team, Anil Kapoor, thrilled by the nomination, said, "It's just been brought to my attention that our Indian adaption of the night manager has been nominated for an international Emmy. I remember when the offer came in I was conflicted." "It offered me the opportunity to play a character so complex , but also on the other hand the huge responsibility of trying to add a newness and an authenticity to a part that had been played so masterfully by Hugh Laurie. This validation from the emmys in addition to the tremendous love that we have received from fans worldwide is a worthy reminder that hard work always pays.. I am ecstatic and hungrier then ever before for what's to come," Kapoor added. The Indian version of 'The Night Manager', which is directed by Sandeep Modi also features Tillotama Shome, Ravi Behl, and Saswata Chatterjee in supporting roles. The nominations for the 2024 International Emmy Awards were announced on Thursday, with 56 contenders from 21 countries competing across 14 categories, as announced by the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Indian comedian Vir Das, who won an award last year for his stand-up special 'Landing,' will host the International Emmys in New York on November 25. 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
20 September,2024 07:27 AM IST | New York | ANIFrance has officially chosen Jacques Audiard's innovative queer crime musical, 'Emilia Perez', as its entry for the Best International Feature category at the upcoming 2025 Academy Awards. The news has been confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter. The film features a dynamic cast, including Zoe Saldana, Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz, and Spanish actress Karla Sofia Gascon. 'Emilia Perez' tells the compelling story of a Mexican drug lord, portrayed by Gascon, who seeks the assistance of a lawyer, played by Saldana, to undergo gender-affirming surgery. The film, which blends genres in a unique way, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, where it garnered significant acclaim, winning the Jury Prize and a shared Best Actress award for its ensemble cast. Director Jacques Audiard is no stranger to the Academy, having been nominated for an Oscar for his film 'A Prophet' in 2009. His previous works include acclaimed titles such as 'Rust and Bone' (2012), 'The Sisters Brothers' (2018), and 'Dheepan' (2015). France has a storied history in the Best International Feature category, having won the award 12 times. However, the country has not taken home the Oscar since 1992, when Regis Wargnier's 'Indochine' won. In recent years, France has faced challenges in securing nominations, with last year's entry, 'The Taste of Things', and the 2022 film 'Titane' failing to make the final cut. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Oscar selection committee in France has faced increased scrutiny to improve its track record, especially after opting for 'The Taste of Things', a foodie romantic drama, over Justine Triet's 'Anatomy of a Fall', which won the Palme d'Or and went on to receive five Oscar nominations, including one win for Best Original Screenplay. The submission deadline for the 96th Academy Awards is November 14, with the shortlist for Best International Feature to be revealed on December 17. Nominations will follow on January 17, 2025, leading up to the awards ceremony scheduled for Sunday, March 2, 2025.
19 September,2024 08:40 PM IST | Mumbai | ANIOn Wednesday, it was officially announced that the Global rock band Coldplay is all set to enthrall the Indian audience with a special concert in 2025. On Wednesday, BookMyShow Live, the live entertainment experiential division of BookMyShow, shared the update on their official Instagram handle with a small teaser. They are bringing their Music of Spheres World Tour to India. Date, venue and booking details of Coldplay Mumbai concert Now, Coldplay has put out the dates of the India tour and other countries. It looks like India will start the new year on a grand musical note with the band playing in Mumbai on January 18 and 19. The concert will be held at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The band will be performing on both Saturday and Sunday. Tickets will go on sale on September 22, 2024, at 12 PM IST on BookMyShow and the starting price for tickets is Rs 2,500. Fans will be able to purchase up to eight tickets per transaction, ensuring that large groups of friends and family can enjoy the concert together. The tickets will be available through Book My Show only as they are the official event partner. There will not be any pre-sale for bank customers. The tickets must be secured online as there is no sale of tickets at the venue. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Coldplay (@coldplay) Things to keep in mind before attending Coldplay concert in Mumbai The minimum age to attend the concert is 5. Children should be accompanied by adults who have a valid ticket for the show. The concert is expected to run approximately for four hours and once entered people cannot move out. If they wish to move outside the stadium before the show ends, re-entry would not be permitted. As with most large events, food and beverages will be available for purchase at the venue, though outside food will not be permitted. While the DY Patil Stadium is not air-conditioned, those who opt for the hospitality package will have access to air-conditioned pre-function areas.This package also includes premium food and beverage service, an elevated viewing deck, dedicated entry lanes, restrooms, parking, and a drop-off zone. Coldplay previously performed in India in 2016 as a part of the Global Citizen Festival in Mumbai. The band, which was established in 1997, consists of vocalist and pianist Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, and drummer and percussionist Will Champion. 'A Sky Full of Stars', 'Don't Panic', 'Viva la Vida' and 'In My Place' are some of the most hit songs of the band.
19 September,2024 10:18 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPamela Anderson will be honoured with the Golden Eye Award at the Zurich Film Festival on October 4 to recognise her career achievements. Subsequently, her new film, The Last Showgirl, with director Gia Coppola will be presented. Anderson plays Shelly, a 50-year-old showgirl, who faces uncertain future when her show in Las Vegas is cancelled after 30 years. That’s when she tries to mend her long-neglected relationship with her daughter, with the help of her colleague Annette, played by Jamie Lee Curtis. 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
19 September,2024 07:10 AM IST | Mumbai | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
