News Analysis India

Category: News

  • Ryan Phillipe, Emile Hirsch, Mena Suvari cast in Kalahari

    By Express News Service

    Actors Ryan Phillipe, Emile Hirsch, and Mena Suvari are set to feature in the upcoming action thriller titled Kalahari. 

    Backed by Vertical, the filming has been wrapped up.

    Written and helmed by Mukunda Michael Dewil, the upcoming film is about a young couple who are made to flee their Christian missionary post in the Kalahari desert, after their lives are endangered by an extremist militant group. 

    However their plane loses control and as it crash lands, the couple must survive by escaping harsh conditions and groups that hunt them down.

    The film also stars Dylan Flashner, Tristan Thompson, Jeremy Tardy, Michaela Sasner among others. 

    Actors Ryan Phillipe, Emile Hirsch, and Mena Suvari are set to feature in the upcoming action thriller titled Kalahari. 

    Backed by Vertical, the filming has been wrapped up.

    Written and helmed by Mukunda Michael Dewil, the upcoming film is about a young couple who are made to flee their Christian missionary post in the Kalahari desert, after their lives are endangered by an extremist militant group. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    However their plane loses control and as it crash lands, the couple must survive by escaping harsh conditions and groups that hunt them down.

    The film also stars Dylan Flashner, Tristan Thompson, Jeremy Tardy, Michaela Sasner among others. 

  • New trailer of Nolan’s Oppenheimer released

    By Express News Service

    A new trailer for Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer was released by the makers on social media on Monday. The film is set to release on July 21 in theatres.

    Set against the backdrop of a national emergency and race against the Nazis, the trailer shows the efforts of America to build a nuclear bomb. The film’s central character Robert Oppenheimer is seen justifying the development to the media, as we see glimpses of Emily Blunt, Matt Damon and others.

    The film stars Cillian Murphy as J Robert Oppenheimer, the American theoretical physicist who is called the ‘father of the atomic bomb’ and his role in the Manhattan Project during World War II. Oppenheimer has been credited as the director of the Los Alamos Laboratory, a place known for assembling bombs.

    Watch the new trailer for #Oppenheimer – only in theaters 7 21 23. pic.twitter.com/ZSrXov8Y3l
    — Oppenheimer (@OppenheimerFilm) May 8, 2023
    Cillian Murphy stars in the titular character, marking his debut as the lead in Nolan’s films. He has earlier appeared in the director’s Inception, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and Dunkirk, to name a few. Apart from Cilian, Oppenheimer also stars Florence Pugh, Robert Downey Jr, Gary Oldman, Rami Malek, Kenneth Branagh, among others.

    A new trailer for Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer was released by the makers on social media on Monday. The film is set to release on July 21 in theatres.

    Set against the backdrop of a national emergency and race against the Nazis, the trailer shows the efforts of America to build a nuclear bomb. The film’s central character Robert Oppenheimer is seen justifying the development to the media, as we see glimpses of Emily Blunt, Matt Damon and others.

    The film stars Cillian Murphy as J Robert Oppenheimer, the American theoretical physicist who is called the ‘father of the atomic bomb’ and his role in the Manhattan Project during World War II. Oppenheimer has been credited as the director of the Los Alamos Laboratory, a place known for assembling bombs.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Watch the new trailer for #Oppenheimer – only in theaters 7 21 23. pic.twitter.com/ZSrXov8Y3l
    — Oppenheimer (@OppenheimerFilm) May 8, 2023
    Cillian Murphy stars in the titular character, marking his debut as the lead in Nolan’s films. He has earlier appeared in the director’s Inception, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and Dunkirk, to name a few. Apart from Cilian, Oppenheimer also stars Florence Pugh, Robert Downey Jr, Gary Oldman, Rami Malek, Kenneth Branagh, among others.

  • Oprah tells class of 2023 to follow ‘still, small voice’ inside while filtering out noise of the world  

    By Associated Press

    NASHVILLE, Tenn.: Oprah Winfrey delighted graduates at her alma mater Tennessee State University on Saturday, telling the story of how she fell one credit short of graduating as she launched the media career that would make her a household name.

    Giving the commencement address at the historically Black university, Winfrey recalled that she was living with her father in East Nashville while attending college, helping out in his store, and presenting the weekend news at a Black radio station. That’s where the lead anchor of the local CBS television affiliate heard her voice. He called her at school to ask if she wanted a job.

    “I said, ‘No sir. TV? Not really, sir, because my father says I have to finish school, and school is just too important,’” Winfrey recalled.

    She then went back to class and related the conversation to her scene design professor who “looked at me as if I didn’t have the brains that God gave lettuce,” Winfrey said.

    He spoke to her father, and Winfrey took the job. Beginning the second semester of her sophomore year, Winfrey arranged to finish her classes by 2:00 p.m. so she could work at the television station from 2:30 to 10:30 and be home by her father’s 11:00 p.m. curfew.

    By the end of her senior year in 1975, Winfrey’s career was in full swing. So she wasn’t terribly distressed to learn that she was one credit short and would not be able to graduate. But her father would not let go of the topic, asking her for years, “‘When you going to get that degree?’” she said.

    Finally in 1988, she was allowed to write a paper and submit some of her shows for the final credit.

    “So I got my degree from Tennessee State, right around the time I got my third Emmy,” Winfrey said.

    Her success in life has come from God’s grace and from listening to what she called the “still, small voice” inside while filtering out the noise of the world. That way “you begin to know your own heart and figure out what matters most,” Winfrey said. “Every right move I’ve made has come from listening deeply and following that still, small voice.”

    Winfrey told the class of 2023 they are living in a difficult time in many ways.

    “Unfortunately, you are going to encounter people who insist that it’s not actually possible to make any difference,” she said. But she held up the examples of Tennessee state Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson who are “using their lives to prove the cynics wrong.”

    The Republican majority expelled the two young Black Democratic lawmakers last month after they breached decorum by protesting for stricter gun laws from the House floor. They were reinstated on a interim basis by their local city councils within days and now face a special election to regain their seats.

    The United States is “not a finished product,” she said. “Anything is possible. The wheels are still in spin. Saints walk among us. And as Nelson Mandela so brilliantly demonstrated, it’s better to be hopeful than fearful, if for no other reason than that hope brings us one step closer to joy.”

    NASHVILLE, Tenn.: Oprah Winfrey delighted graduates at her alma mater Tennessee State University on Saturday, telling the story of how she fell one credit short of graduating as she launched the media career that would make her a household name.

    Giving the commencement address at the historically Black university, Winfrey recalled that she was living with her father in East Nashville while attending college, helping out in his store, and presenting the weekend news at a Black radio station. That’s where the lead anchor of the local CBS television affiliate heard her voice. He called her at school to ask if she wanted a job.

    “I said, ‘No sir. TV? Not really, sir, because my father says I have to finish school, and school is just too important,’” Winfrey recalled.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    She then went back to class and related the conversation to her scene design professor who “looked at me as if I didn’t have the brains that God gave lettuce,” Winfrey said.

    He spoke to her father, and Winfrey took the job. Beginning the second semester of her sophomore year, Winfrey arranged to finish her classes by 2:00 p.m. so she could work at the television station from 2:30 to 10:30 and be home by her father’s 11:00 p.m. curfew.

    By the end of her senior year in 1975, Winfrey’s career was in full swing. So she wasn’t terribly distressed to learn that she was one credit short and would not be able to graduate. But her father would not let go of the topic, asking her for years, “‘When you going to get that degree?’” she said.

    Finally in 1988, she was allowed to write a paper and submit some of her shows for the final credit.

    “So I got my degree from Tennessee State, right around the time I got my third Emmy,” Winfrey said.

    Her success in life has come from God’s grace and from listening to what she called the “still, small voice” inside while filtering out the noise of the world. That way “you begin to know your own heart and figure out what matters most,” Winfrey said. “Every right move I’ve made has come from listening deeply and following that still, small voice.”

    Winfrey told the class of 2023 they are living in a difficult time in many ways.

    “Unfortunately, you are going to encounter people who insist that it’s not actually possible to make any difference,” she said. But she held up the examples of Tennessee state Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson who are “using their lives to prove the cynics wrong.”

    The Republican majority expelled the two young Black Democratic lawmakers last month after they breached decorum by protesting for stricter gun laws from the House floor. They were reinstated on a interim basis by their local city councils within days and now face a special election to regain their seats.

    The United States is “not a finished product,” she said. “Anything is possible. The wheels are still in spin. Saints walk among us. And as Nelson Mandela so brilliantly demonstrated, it’s better to be hopeful than fearful, if for no other reason than that hope brings us one step closer to joy.”

  • Priyanka Chopra describes filming ‘Love Again’ as terrifying experience

    By IANS

    LOS ANGELES: Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas was forced to cope with a “daunting atmosphere” on ‘Love Again’.

    The 40-year-old actress stars in the new romantic comedy film alongside Sam Heughan and Celine Dion but admits it was tricky to generate the emotions required as the picture was filmed in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

    “It was nuts at that time. It was tough, but it was a scary time in the world. As actors, we’re the ones that have to take off our masks on set. I was terrified, honestly, in the beginning. It was a very scary, daunting atmosphere, and we were doing a romantic comedy – we had to bring lightness and fun to set in this daunting atmosphere,” she recalled to Entertainment Weekly, reports aceshowbiz.com.

    “We really leaned on each other to create a fun environment on set with each other. We would laugh and crack jokes and try to find joy so that we could inspire and infuse ourselves as well. But it wasn’t easy.”

    Priyanka stars in the film as Mira Ray, who – struggling to cope with the death of her fiance – sends romantic messages to his old phone number, which has been reassigned to journalist Rob Burns (Heughan). Rob is drawn to Mira’s beautiful texts and seeks Celine Dion’s assistance to find her in real life when he is tasked with writing a feature about the ‘My Heart Will Go On’ singer.

    Sam admits that the pandemic was one of the main reasons he accepted the chance to play the male lead in the film.

    The ‘Outlander’ star said, “I think we were all ready for it. After the lockdowns and being in isolation, everyone was ready to feel joy again. That’s why this was such a well-timed movie to make. I think we all, certainly after the pandemic and everything else that’s going on in the world, needed this kind of movie and this kind of message.”Chopra describes filming ‘Love Again’ as terrifying experience

    LOS ANGELES: Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas was forced to cope with a “daunting atmosphere” on ‘Love Again’.

    The 40-year-old actress stars in the new romantic comedy film alongside Sam Heughan and Celine Dion but admits it was tricky to generate the emotions required as the picture was filmed in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

    “It was nuts at that time. It was tough, but it was a scary time in the world. As actors, we’re the ones that have to take off our masks on set. I was terrified, honestly, in the beginning. It was a very scary, daunting atmosphere, and we were doing a romantic comedy – we had to bring lightness and fun to set in this daunting atmosphere,” she recalled to Entertainment Weekly, reports aceshowbiz.com.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “We really leaned on each other to create a fun environment on set with each other. We would laugh and crack jokes and try to find joy so that we could inspire and infuse ourselves as well. But it wasn’t easy.”

    Priyanka stars in the film as Mira Ray, who – struggling to cope with the death of her fiance – sends romantic messages to his old phone number, which has been reassigned to journalist Rob Burns (Heughan). Rob is drawn to Mira’s beautiful texts and seeks Celine Dion’s assistance to find her in real life when he is tasked with writing a feature about the ‘My Heart Will Go On’ singer.

    Sam admits that the pandemic was one of the main reasons he accepted the chance to play the male lead in the film.

    The ‘Outlander’ star said, “I think we were all ready for it. After the lockdowns and being in isolation, everyone was ready to feel joy again. That’s why this was such a well-timed movie to make. I think we all, certainly after the pandemic and everything else that’s going on in the world, needed this kind of movie and this kind of message.”Chopra describes filming ‘Love Again’ as terrifying experience

  • Hollywood writers’ strikes inflamed by claim AI could do writers’ jobs

    By AFP

    LOS ANGELES: The Hollywood writers’ strike broke out this week over pay, but the refusal of studios like Netflix and Disney to rule out artificial intelligence replacing human scribes in the future has only fueled anger and fear on the picket lines.

    With their rapidly advancing ability to eerily mimic human conversation, AI programs like ChatGPT have spooked many industries recently. The White House this week summoned Big Tech to discuss the potential risks.

    As part of the weeks-long talks with studios and streamers that collapsed on Monday, the Writers Guild of America asked for binding agreements to regulate the use of AI.

    Under the proposals, nothing written by AI can be considered “literary” or “source” material — industry terms that decide who gets royalties — and scripts were written by WGA members cannot “be used to train AI.”

    But according to the WGA, studios “rejected our proposal,” and countered with an offer merely to meet once a year to “discuss advancements in technology.”

    “It’s nice for them to offer to have a meeting about how they’re exploiting it against us!” joked WGA negotiating committee member Eric Heisserer, who wrote Netflix hit film “Bird Box.”

    “Art cannot be created by a machine. You lose the heart and soul of the story… I mean, the first word is ‘artificial,’” he said on the picket line outside the streaming giant’s Hollywood HQ Friday.

    While writers already know this, the danger is that “we have to watch tech companies destroy the business in an attempt to find out for themselves,” he said.

    Not just scripts

    While few television and film writers who spoke on the picket lines believe their work could be done by computers, the apparent conviction of studios and streamers that it can have been an extra slap in the face.

    They fear that belt-tightening executives in Hollywood, where Silicon Valley companies have upended many traditional practices such as long-term contracts for writers, may seek to cut costs further by getting computers to write their next hit shows.

    Comments by top Hollywood executives at this week’s Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills will have done nothing to quell writers’ concerns.

    “In the next three years, you’re going to see a movie that was written by AI made… a good one,” said movie producer Todd Lieberman.

    “Not just scripts. Editing, all of it… storyboarding a movie, anything,” added Fox Entertainment CEO Rob Wade.

    “AI in the future, maybe not next year or the year after, but if we’re talking 10 years? AI is going to be able to do absolutely all of these things.”

    The studios’ own account of the breakdown in WGA talks offered a more nuanced take.

    In a briefing note shared with AFP, they said writers do not in fact want to outlaw AI and appear happy to use it “as part of their creative process” — so long as it does not affect their pay.

    That scenario “requires a lot more discussion, which we’ve committed to doing,” the studios said.

    Guardrails

    For Leila Cohan, a 39-year-old writer on Netflix smash hit “Bridgerton,” the only use of AI for writers is limited to “busy work” such as coming up with names for characters.

    But she predicted that studios “could start making incredibly bad first drafts with AI and then hiring writers to do a rewrite.”

    ALSO READ | ‘Stranger Things’ ultimate season faces delays due to writers’ strike

    “I think that’s certainly a very scary possibility… it’s very smart that we’re addressing this now,” she said.

    Indeed, the last Hollywood strike in 2007-08 won writers the right to be paid for online viewing of their shows or films — highly prescient, at a time when streaming was in its infancy.

    Back then, Netflix had barely started online viewing, and the likes of Disney+ and Apple TV+ were more than a decade away.

    Even for sci-fi writer Ben Ripley, who believes there is no role whatsoever for AI in writing, introducing legislation now “to put guardrails up” is “very necessary.”

    Writers “have to be original,” he said. “Artificial intelligence is the antithesis of originality.”

    LOS ANGELES: The Hollywood writers’ strike broke out this week over pay, but the refusal of studios like Netflix and Disney to rule out artificial intelligence replacing human scribes in the future has only fueled anger and fear on the picket lines.

    With their rapidly advancing ability to eerily mimic human conversation, AI programs like ChatGPT have spooked many industries recently. The White House this week summoned Big Tech to discuss the potential risks.

    As part of the weeks-long talks with studios and streamers that collapsed on Monday, the Writers Guild of America asked for binding agreements to regulate the use of AI.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Under the proposals, nothing written by AI can be considered “literary” or “source” material — industry terms that decide who gets royalties — and scripts were written by WGA members cannot “be used to train AI.”

    But according to the WGA, studios “rejected our proposal,” and countered with an offer merely to meet once a year to “discuss advancements in technology.”

    “It’s nice for them to offer to have a meeting about how they’re exploiting it against us!” joked WGA negotiating committee member Eric Heisserer, who wrote Netflix hit film “Bird Box.”

    “Art cannot be created by a machine. You lose the heart and soul of the story… I mean, the first word is ‘artificial,’” he said on the picket line outside the streaming giant’s Hollywood HQ Friday.

    While writers already know this, the danger is that “we have to watch tech companies destroy the business in an attempt to find out for themselves,” he said.

    Not just scripts

    While few television and film writers who spoke on the picket lines believe their work could be done by computers, the apparent conviction of studios and streamers that it can have been an extra slap in the face.

    They fear that belt-tightening executives in Hollywood, where Silicon Valley companies have upended many traditional practices such as long-term contracts for writers, may seek to cut costs further by getting computers to write their next hit shows.

    Comments by top Hollywood executives at this week’s Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills will have done nothing to quell writers’ concerns.

    “In the next three years, you’re going to see a movie that was written by AI made… a good one,” said movie producer Todd Lieberman.

    “Not just scripts. Editing, all of it… storyboarding a movie, anything,” added Fox Entertainment CEO Rob Wade.

    “AI in the future, maybe not next year or the year after, but if we’re talking 10 years? AI is going to be able to do absolutely all of these things.”

    The studios’ own account of the breakdown in WGA talks offered a more nuanced take.

    In a briefing note shared with AFP, they said writers do not in fact want to outlaw AI and appear happy to use it “as part of their creative process” — so long as it does not affect their pay.

    That scenario “requires a lot more discussion, which we’ve committed to doing,” the studios said.

    Guardrails

    For Leila Cohan, a 39-year-old writer on Netflix smash hit “Bridgerton,” the only use of AI for writers is limited to “busy work” such as coming up with names for characters.

    But she predicted that studios “could start making incredibly bad first drafts with AI and then hiring writers to do a rewrite.”

    ALSO READ | ‘Stranger Things’ ultimate season faces delays due to writers’ strike

    “I think that’s certainly a very scary possibility… it’s very smart that we’re addressing this now,” she said.

    Indeed, the last Hollywood strike in 2007-08 won writers the right to be paid for online viewing of their shows or films — highly prescient, at a time when streaming was in its infancy.

    Back then, Netflix had barely started online viewing, and the likes of Disney+ and Apple TV+ were more than a decade away.

    Even for sci-fi writer Ben Ripley, who believes there is no role whatsoever for AI in writing, introducing legislation now “to put guardrails up” is “very necessary.”

    Writers “have to be original,” he said. “Artificial intelligence is the antithesis of originality.”

  • ‘Stranger Things’ ultimate season faces delays due to writers’ strike

    By IANS

    LOS ANGELES: Popular series ‘Stranger Things’ has paused work on its final season, as series co-creators and co-showrunners Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer, known as the Duffer brothers, shared a statement announcing that starting production “is not possible” during the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike.

    EXPLAINER: Why Hollywood writers are striking and the immediate impactThe Duffers issued a statement from the Stranger Writers Twitter account, which has offered ‘Stranger Things’ fans a glimpse into the series’ writers room over the years. Writing on the fifth and final season commenced in August 2022, shortly after the fourth season premiered, reports ‘Variety’.”Duffers here. Writing does not stop when filming begins. While we’re excited to start production with our amazing cast and crew, it is not possible during this strike,” the Duffers wrote.”We hope a fair deal is reached soon so we can all get back to work. Until then – over and out. #wgastrong”

    Duffers here. Writing does not stop when filming begins. While we’re excited to start production with our amazing cast and crew, it is not possible during this strike. We hope a fair deal is reached soon so we can all get back to work. Until then — over and out. #wgastrong
    — stranger writers (@strangerwriters) May 6, 2023
    As the most streamed series of 2022, ‘Stranger Things’ now joins a growing group of Netflix series, such as “Big Mouth” and “Cobra Kai,” facing delays and productions pauses amid the ongoing writers’ strike.After the original “Stranger Things” concludes, fans can expect an animated series set in the ‘Stranger Things’ world, which is set to be produced by the Duffer brothers, Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen. England-based fans can check out the franchise’s venture into the theatre world later this year.’Stranger Things’ writer and co-executive producer Kate Trefry has penned a stage production spin-off, ‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow’. The stage production is set to premiere at the West End Phoenix Theatre in London.

    LOS ANGELES: Popular series ‘Stranger Things’ has paused work on its final season, as series co-creators and co-showrunners Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer, known as the Duffer brothers, shared a statement announcing that starting production “is not possible” during the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike.

    EXPLAINER: Why Hollywood writers are striking and the immediate impact
    The Duffers issued a statement from the Stranger Writers Twitter account, which has offered ‘Stranger Things’ fans a glimpse into the series’ writers room over the years. Writing on the fifth and final season commenced in August 2022, shortly after the fourth season premiered, reports ‘Variety’.
    “Duffers here. Writing does not stop when filming begins. While we’re excited to start production with our amazing cast and crew, it is not possible during this strike,” the Duffers wrote.
    “We hope a fair deal is reached soon so we can all get back to work. Until then – over and out. #wgastrong”

    Duffers here. Writing does not stop when filming begins. While we’re excited to start production with our amazing cast and crew, it is not possible during this strike. We hope a fair deal is reached soon so we can all get back to work. Until then — over and out. #wgastronggoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });
    — stranger writers (@strangerwriters) May 6, 2023
    As the most streamed series of 2022, ‘Stranger Things’ now joins a growing group of Netflix series, such as “Big Mouth” and “Cobra Kai,” facing delays and productions pauses amid the ongoing writers’ strike.
    After the original “Stranger Things” concludes, fans can expect an animated series set in the ‘Stranger Things’ world, which is set to be produced by the Duffer brothers, Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen. England-based fans can check out the franchise’s venture into the theatre world later this year.
    ‘Stranger Things’ writer and co-executive producer Kate Trefry has penned a stage production spin-off, ‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow’. The stage production is set to premiere at the West End Phoenix Theatre in London.

  • They make me vomit: Actor Richard Dreyfuss on Oscar diversity rules

    By IANS

    LOS ANGELES: Oscar-winning actor Richard Dreyfuss issued some criticism for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ new diversity and inclusion standards, saying that the updated requirements for Oscar contention “make me vomit.”Dreyfuss’ comments came during a wide-ranging interview on PBS’ ‘Firing Line With Margaret Hoover’, in which the actor discussed civics education in the US, partisan discourse and the Academy’s diversity inclusion initiative, reports ‘Variety’.”It’s an art. No one should be telling me as an artist that I have to give in to the latest, most current idea of what morality is. What are we risking? Are we really risking hurting people’s feelings? You can’t legislate that,” Dreyfuss said.”You have to let life be life. I’m sorry, I don’t think there is a minority or majority in the country that has to be catered to like that.”The four new diversity and inclusion standards were first announced in 2020; they will be instituted for the upcoming 2024 Academy Awards, with two of the four needing to be fulfilled for a valid submission for best picture.The four standards are described as expanding on-screen representation, themes or narrative; expanding representation among creative leadership and department heads; providing industry access and opportunities to underrepresented demographics; and expanding representation in audience development.Dreyfuss’ comments continued with a defence of Laurence Olivier’s performance in the 1965 feature ‘Othello’, in which the English actor played the Shakespeare lead in blackface.”He played a Black man brilliantly. Am I being told that I will never have a chance to play a Black man? Is someone else being told that if they’re not Jewish, they shouldn’t play (in) ‘The Merchant of Venice’? Are we crazy?” Dreyfuss stated.”This is so patronising. It’s so thoughtless and treating people like children.”Dreyfuss’ most prominent credits include ‘Jaws’, ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’, ‘American Graffiti’, ‘W.’, and ‘Mr. Holland’s Opus’.He won the Academy Award for best actor for ‘The Goodbye Girl’. The interview with Dreyfuss also touched on renewed efforts to control curriculum and ban certain books in public schools. 

    LOS ANGELES: Oscar-winning actor Richard Dreyfuss issued some criticism for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ new diversity and inclusion standards, saying that the updated requirements for Oscar contention “make me vomit.”
    Dreyfuss’ comments came during a wide-ranging interview on PBS’ ‘Firing Line With Margaret Hoover’, in which the actor discussed civics education in the US, partisan discourse and the Academy’s diversity inclusion initiative, reports ‘Variety’.
    “It’s an art. No one should be telling me as an artist that I have to give in to the latest, most current idea of what morality is. What are we risking? Are we really risking hurting people’s feelings? You can’t legislate that,” Dreyfuss said.
    “You have to let life be life. I’m sorry, I don’t think there is a minority or majority in the country that has to be catered to like that.”
    The four new diversity and inclusion standards were first announced in 2020; they will be instituted for the upcoming 2024 Academy Awards, with two of the four needing to be fulfilled for a valid submission for best picture.
    The four standards are described as expanding on-screen representation, themes or narrative; expanding representation among creative leadership and department heads; providing industry access and opportunities to underrepresented demographics; and expanding representation in audience development.
    Dreyfuss’ comments continued with a defence of Laurence Olivier’s performance in the 1965 feature ‘Othello’, in which the English actor played the Shakespeare lead in blackface.
    “He played a Black man brilliantly. Am I being told that I will never have a chance to play a Black man? Is someone else being told that if they’re not Jewish, they shouldn’t play (in) ‘The Merchant of Venice’? Are we crazy?” Dreyfuss stated.
    “This is so patronising. It’s so thoughtless and treating people like children.”
    Dreyfuss’ most prominent credits include ‘Jaws’, ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’, ‘American Graffiti’, ‘W.’, and ‘Mr. Holland’s Opus’.
    He won the Academy Award for best actor for ‘The Goodbye Girl’. The interview with Dreyfuss also touched on renewed efforts to control curriculum and ban certain books in public schools.
     

  • Two years of Stalin government: For women, free bus rides and much more

    The DMK government led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has launched many schemes for the welfare of women.

    MK Stalin first assumed the office of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on May 7 after winning a majority in the 2021 Legislative Assembly elections. Shortly after taking charge as Chief Minister, he cleared five important initiatives, including free bus rides for women.

    The DMK government, which continuously announces and implements important programs in various sectors, has introduced many important programs for women that have all been well received.

    The CM has mentioned on many occasions that the DMK government will proactively work for women’s rights and that women will soon achieve equality with men in the state.

    A look at some of the key measures and achievements:

    Free bus rides

    The free bus ride for women has probably been the most-talked-about measure in the last two years. Many working women have hailed the move and said it has helped them enormously.

    Last February, Transport Minister SS Sivasankar said that till then he free bus travel scheme had benefitted women 233 crore 71 lakh times and an average of 40 lakh free tickets were being issued every day.

    Monthly assistance

    The government will be rolling out the much-expected Rs 1000 honorarium for ‘eligible’ women heads of households in September.

    Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Higher Education Assurance Scheme

    The Rs 1,000 cash incentive given to girl students pursuing higher education under the Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Higher Education Assurance Scheme is being credited to their bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

    Rs 30,000 crore for loans women self-help groups

    A massive Rs 30,000 crore has been allocated for loans to be given to women self-help groups

    ALSO READ | ‘Self-less’ help group that saved village from clutches of usury

    First female odhuvar

    Suhanjana is now the only female odhuvar and is now at the Thenupureeswar temple at Madambakkam in Chengalpattu district.

    Maternity leave

    Recognizing the importance of motherhood, the Tamil Nadu government announced in March last year that paid maternity leave for women would be increased from 9 to 12 months. It is noteworthy that the Madras High Court welcomed this.

    Increased reservation for women in state jobs

    The 2021-22 budget increased the current reservation for women in state jobs from 30 per cent to 40 per cent.

    The DMK government led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has launched many schemes for the welfare of women.

    MK Stalin first assumed the office of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on May 7 after winning a majority in the 2021 Legislative Assembly elections. Shortly after taking charge as Chief Minister, he cleared five important initiatives, including free bus rides for women.

    The DMK government, which continuously announces and implements important programs in various sectors, has introduced many important programs for women that have all been well received.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The CM has mentioned on many occasions that the DMK government will proactively work for women’s rights and that women will soon achieve equality with men in the state.

    A look at some of the key measures and achievements:

    Free bus rides

    The free bus ride for women has probably been the most-talked-about measure in the last two years. Many working women have hailed the move and said it has helped them enormously.

    Last February, Transport Minister SS Sivasankar said that till then he free bus travel scheme had benefitted women 233 crore 71 lakh times and an average of 40 lakh free tickets were being issued every day.

    Monthly assistance

    The government will be rolling out the much-expected Rs 1000 honorarium for ‘eligible’ women heads of households in September.

    Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Higher Education Assurance Scheme

    The Rs 1,000 cash incentive given to girl students pursuing higher education under the Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Higher Education Assurance Scheme is being credited to their bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

    Rs 30,000 crore for loans women self-help groups

    A massive Rs 30,000 crore has been allocated for loans to be given to women self-help groups

    ALSO READ | ‘Self-less’ help group that saved village from clutches of usury

    First female odhuvar

    Suhanjana is now the only female odhuvar and is now at the Thenupureeswar temple at Madambakkam in Chengalpattu district.

    Maternity leave

    Recognizing the importance of motherhood, the Tamil Nadu government announced in March last year that paid maternity leave for women would be increased from 9 to 12 months. It is noteworthy that the Madras High Court welcomed this.

    Increased reservation for women in state jobs

    The 2021-22 budget increased the current reservation for women in state jobs from 30 per cent to 40 per cent.

  • ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ S2 to premiere on this date

    Express News Service

    The Summer I Turned Pretty, has been renewed for season 2. And the first three episodes will be launched on July 14, with new episodes following weekly until the season finale on Friday, August 18, 2023. 

    Based on the best-selling book trilogy from Jenny Han, season one of the series received wide reception.

    The series stars Lola Tung, Christopher Briney, Gavin Casalegno, Sean Kaufman, and Rain Spencer, recurring guest David Iacono, and Elsie Fisher, who joined the cast this season in a recurring role. Jackie Chung and Rachel Blanchard also star, with Kyra Sedgwick joining season two in a recurring role.

    The logline reads, “Belly used to count down the days until she could return to Cousins Beach, but with Conrad and Jeremiah fighting over her heart and the return of Susannah’s cancer, she’s not sure summer will ever be the same. When an unexpected visitor threatens the future of Susannah’s beloved house, Belly has to rally the gang to come together—and to decide once and for all where her heart lies.”

    Season Two of The Summer I Turned Pretty is led by showrunners Han and Sarah Kucserka. Han, Kucserka, Karen Rosenfelt, and Gabrielle Stanton serve as executive producers, along with Hope Hartman, Mads Hansen, and Paul Lee for wiip. The series is a co-production of Amazon Studios and wiip.

    (This story originally appeared on Cinema Express)

    The Summer I Turned Pretty, has been renewed for season 2. And the first three episodes will be launched on July 14, with new episodes following weekly until the season finale on Friday, August 18, 2023. 

    Based on the best-selling book trilogy from Jenny Han, season one of the series received wide reception.

    The series stars Lola Tung, Christopher Briney, Gavin Casalegno, Sean Kaufman, and Rain Spencer, recurring guest David Iacono, and Elsie Fisher, who joined the cast this season in a recurring role. Jackie Chung and Rachel Blanchard also star, with Kyra Sedgwick joining season two in a recurring role.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The logline reads, “Belly used to count down the days until she could return to Cousins Beach, but with Conrad and Jeremiah fighting over her heart and the return of Susannah’s cancer, she’s not sure summer will ever be the same. When an unexpected visitor threatens the future of Susannah’s beloved house, Belly has to rally the gang to come together—and to decide once and for all where her heart lies.”

    Season Two of The Summer I Turned Pretty is led by showrunners Han and Sarah Kucserka. Han, Kucserka, Karen Rosenfelt, and Gabrielle Stanton serve as executive producers, along with Hope Hartman, Mads Hansen, and Paul Lee for wiip. The series is a co-production of Amazon Studios and wiip.

    (This story originally appeared on Cinema Express)

  • Backstreet Boys deliver ‘larger than life’ performance in Delhi-NCR 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Long queues, a wait of several hours and the humid weather all felt worth it to the fans of Backstreet Boys as the popular American band wrapped the India leg of their DNA World Tour with an exhilarating performance in the Delhi-NCR region.

    After a gig in Mumbai, the boy band kept their date with Delhi-NCR fans intact with a performance spanning two hours at the Airia Mall in Gurugram on Friday.

    Fans from all age groups, including teenagers, those in their mid-20s and 30s, and even the elderly, gathered to witness the concert of the band that dominated the music scene with numerous global hits in the 1990s and early 2000s.

    The performance was scheduled to start at 7.30 pm but was delayed by a couple of minutes, leaving many desperate.

    Soon the stage came alive with a sound of thunder and flickering of strobe light.

    The crowd erupted in joy as the giant screen at the back of the stage displayed the names of the iconic quintet, comprising Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, Brian Littrell and Kevin Richardson.

    Backstreet Boys were indeed back! The group, who last visited India in 2010, got down to business quickly, starting with “I Wanna Be With You” which left the crowd of over 12,000 exhilarated.

    The first set included the songs that made the group a household name in America, — “The Call”, “Get Down (You’re The One For Me)” and “Don’t Want You Back”.

    With their groovy and synchronised dance steps, the band proved age is just a number for them.

    On multiple occasions, the quintet, dressed in all-black attire, would pause, only for the crowd to complete the lyrics.

    As the first set ended, Littrel addressed the Delhi-NCR crowd with a ‘namaste’.

    “I know it is not our first time in Delhi and it won’t be the last,” the singer said.

    “It is because of each of you tonight that Backstreet Boys still exist.” The singer promised a trip down memory lane for the fans who have been following the group since it was formed in 1993.

    R they original?? Yeah!!R @backstreetboys the only 1! AbsolutelyIs @nickcarter sexualll! U don’t sayThey r everything u need & they rocked #Delhi last night! My teenage heart is still nt over u #BackstreetBoys #DNAWorldTour #DNAWorldTour2023 #delhiconcert #BSB30 pic.twitter.com/cDhDOwtbDs
    — Madhumita Hota Channe (@TheDesiOtaku) May 6, 2023
    What followed was the bevvy of soothing and soulful tracks — ranging from “Incomplete”, “More than That”, “Crazy for You”, “Alive” and “Shape of My Heart”.

    During their entire performance, the group changed outfits on multiple occasions.

    Carter took note of the humid weather and took off his jacket on the stage, leading to huge screams from the fans.

    “Someone should have told me that it was going to be so hot tonight and that I should not have worn a jacket,” he said.

    The singer asked the crowd to chant with him ‘Backstreet’s Back’ to show their love for the group.

    In the next set, the band performed more favourites, including “Quit Playing Games” and “As Long as You Love”, for the crowd.

    After performing a few more tracks and changing outfits once more, the group gathered on the stage to reminisce about starting the band 30 years ago.

    “We all grew up together. You guys have started your families. We got three generations in here tonight.

    We definitely have started our families, we’ve a lot of Backstreet babies. We want to thank you for being part of the Backstreet family for 30 years now,” Richardson said.

    It was the singer’s maiden visit to the country.

    Mclean said that it has been a crazy ride. “How about 30 more years? There won’t be much dancing though,” he added.

    The band members revealed that they were teenagers when they came together to form the group; Mclean was 14, Littrell was 18, Dorough was 19, Carter was 12, and Richardson was the oldest at 21.

    For the final set, the band performed a fusion mix of their all-time hit track “Everybody”, inviting the crowd’s loudest cheers.

    More favourites such as “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”, “Chances” and “No Place”, followed.

    After their final act, the band exited the stage, leaving many fans to wonder if this was it.

    Some waited, while some made their way towards the exit.

    But then the stage came alive once again. Backstreet Boys were not done yet.

    Wearing silver outfits this time, the group performed one final song for the crowd — ‘Larger than Life’, accompanied by a spectacular fireworks display that outshone even the full moon.

    Backstreet Boys DNA World Tour was brought to India by BookMyShow along with Live Nation.

    NEW DELHI: Long queues, a wait of several hours and the humid weather all felt worth it to the fans of Backstreet Boys as the popular American band wrapped the India leg of their DNA World Tour with an exhilarating performance in the Delhi-NCR region.

    After a gig in Mumbai, the boy band kept their date with Delhi-NCR fans intact with a performance spanning two hours at the Airia Mall in Gurugram on Friday.

    Fans from all age groups, including teenagers, those in their mid-20s and 30s, and even the elderly, gathered to witness the concert of the band that dominated the music scene with numerous global hits in the 1990s and early 2000s.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The performance was scheduled to start at 7.30 pm but was delayed by a couple of minutes, leaving many desperate.

    Soon the stage came alive with a sound of thunder and flickering of strobe light.

    The crowd erupted in joy as the giant screen at the back of the stage displayed the names of the iconic quintet, comprising Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, Brian Littrell and Kevin Richardson.

    Backstreet Boys were indeed back! The group, who last visited India in 2010, got down to business quickly, starting with “I Wanna Be With You” which left the crowd of over 12,000 exhilarated.

    The first set included the songs that made the group a household name in America, — “The Call”, “Get Down (You’re The One For Me)” and “Don’t Want You Back”.

    With their groovy and synchronised dance steps, the band proved age is just a number for them.

    On multiple occasions, the quintet, dressed in all-black attire, would pause, only for the crowd to complete the lyrics.

    As the first set ended, Littrel addressed the Delhi-NCR crowd with a ‘namaste’.

    “I know it is not our first time in Delhi and it won’t be the last,” the singer said.

    “It is because of each of you tonight that Backstreet Boys still exist.” The singer promised a trip down memory lane for the fans who have been following the group since it was formed in 1993.

    R they original?? Yeah!!
    R @backstreetboys the only 1! Absolutely
    Is @nickcarter sexualll! U don’t say
    They r everything u need & they rocked #Delhi last night! My teenage heart is still nt over u #BackstreetBoys #DNAWorldTour #DNAWorldTour2023 #delhiconcert #BSB30 pic.twitter.com/cDhDOwtbDs
    — Madhumita Hota Channe (@TheDesiOtaku) May 6, 2023
    What followed was the bevvy of soothing and soulful tracks — ranging from “Incomplete”, “More than That”, “Crazy for You”, “Alive” and “Shape of My Heart”.

    During their entire performance, the group changed outfits on multiple occasions.

    Carter took note of the humid weather and took off his jacket on the stage, leading to huge screams from the fans.

    “Someone should have told me that it was going to be so hot tonight and that I should not have worn a jacket,” he said.

    The singer asked the crowd to chant with him ‘Backstreet’s Back’ to show their love for the group.

    In the next set, the band performed more favourites, including “Quit Playing Games” and “As Long as You Love”, for the crowd.

    After performing a few more tracks and changing outfits once more, the group gathered on the stage to reminisce about starting the band 30 years ago.

    “We all grew up together. You guys have started your families. We got three generations in here tonight.

    We definitely have started our families, we’ve a lot of Backstreet babies. We want to thank you for being part of the Backstreet family for 30 years now,” Richardson said.

    It was the singer’s maiden visit to the country.

    Mclean said that it has been a crazy ride. “How about 30 more years? There won’t be much dancing though,” he added.

    The band members revealed that they were teenagers when they came together to form the group; Mclean was 14, Littrell was 18, Dorough was 19, Carter was 12, and Richardson was the oldest at 21.

    For the final set, the band performed a fusion mix of their all-time hit track “Everybody”, inviting the crowd’s loudest cheers.

    More favourites such as “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”, “Chances” and “No Place”, followed.

    After their final act, the band exited the stage, leaving many fans to wonder if this was it.

    Some waited, while some made their way towards the exit.

    But then the stage came alive once again. Backstreet Boys were not done yet.

    Wearing silver outfits this time, the group performed one final song for the crowd — ‘Larger than Life’, accompanied by a spectacular fireworks display that outshone even the full moon.

    Backstreet Boys DNA World Tour was brought to India by BookMyShow along with Live Nation.