Entertainment – International

Jolie unveils Khmer Rouge film in ‘second home’ Cambodia

https://youtu.be/pDY9ZKNWp-Y   (Agence France Presse) – Angelina Jolie unveiled her new film on the horrors of the Khmer Rouge era on Saturday at the ancient Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia, a country the star shares a deep affinity with through her adopted son Maddox. Cambodia’s king and survivors of the communist regime were among hundreds of people invited to the debut screening of “First They Killed My Father”, directed by Jolie and based on […]

Denzel Washington and cast on Oscar-nominated drama ‘Fences’

LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) — Denzel Washington is excited. Not so much because he is an Oscar front-runner for his role in “Fences,” but because bringing the award-winning stage play about blue collar African-Americans to the big screen has been a long-held dream. The film has been nominated for four Oscars namely Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best FIlm and Best Adapted Screenplay. “It’s brilliant. It’s like, why would they make ‘Hamlet’ a movie? Why […]

“Moonlight,” “Arrival” writers win top Writers Guild of America awards

(Reuters) — Writers for the films “Moonlight” and “Arrival” won top Writers Guild of America awards on Sunday (February 19), boosting the films’ chances in the upcoming Academy Awards, Hollywood’s biggest honors. Barry Jenkins and Tarell McCraney won the original screenplay award for “Moonlight,” a drama about a young black Miami man’s life and struggle to forge an identity. Eric Heisserer took the Writers Guild of America’s prize for adapted screenplay for the science fiction film […]

First look at official Oscar after party

LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) — Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck and the creative team behind the annual Governors Ball unveiled their lavish plans and creations on Thursday (February 16) for the official Oscars after party. Puck has created Oscar night menus for over two decades. He said he never tires of preparing the annual feast. “I think I love madness. I don’t want to get bored, so every year we come up with new things, serve […]

Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ tops record 33 million sales mark

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” the biggest album in history, on Thursday notched up another mark as it was certified as selling 33 million copies in the United States. The Recording Industry Association of America gave the new sales total for the 1982 work one year after the group started to factor in streaming. “Thriller” — which produced all-time hits such as “Beat It” and “Billie Jean” — appears unlikely to […]

‘Miss Saigon’ returns to its original home on Broadway

NEW YORK, United States (Reuters) — “Miss Saigon” returns to its original home at The Broadway Theater in New York City after two years in London. The long-running musical, which debuted in 1991 and ran for nearly a decade, is a tragic love story set during the Vietnam War. “Miss Saigon” star Jon Jon Briones said the play’s themes are still current today. “When this first opened, it was, the Vietnam War was kind of, […]

Actor Hugh Jackman treated for skin cancer again

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Australian movie star Hugh Jackman has undergone treatment for skin cancer again and renewed his warning to wear sunscreen. The 48-year-old posted a picture of himself on Instagram with his nose covered in plasters, and local media reported it was his sixth such treatment. “Another basal cell carcinoma. Thanks to frequent body checks and amazing doctors, all is well,” his Tuesday post read. “Looks worse with the dressing on than off. […]

Artist makes NY fashion week debut… on a bus

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Fashion shows are frequently staged in opulent, grandiose settings, but one designer chose Monday to make her New York catwalk debut on a school bus parked on a snowy street. Amanda Mehl sent models sashaying down the narrow aisle of a standard American yellow school bus in vertiginous gladiator-style laced-up stiletto boots in school girl cool, all short skirts and hoodies. And where did she choose to park it? […]

‘Lego Batman’ beats ‘Fifty Shades Darker’ at US box office

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — “The Lego Batman Movie” dominated “Fifty Shades Darker” in a battle of new releases at North American box offices over the weekend, industry data showed on Monday. The Warner Bros spinoff of the “Lego Movie” finished on top with $53 million, against $46.6 million for the second in the steamy franchise based on the novels of E.L. James, box office monitor Exhibitor Relations said. Featuring the voice of Will […]

Adele wins big at Grammys with five awards

by Shaun TANDON Agence France-Presse LOS ANGELES, California (AFP) — Adele on Sunday triumphed once again at the Grammys with five awards for her latest blockbuster album of ballads, but she paid glowing tribute to her rival Beyonce, calling her an idol. The English balladeer swept up the top prizes of the night at the music industry’s biggest night — Album, Record and Song of the Year. Beyonce walked away with two trophies. And in […]

Jazz singing great Al Jarreau dead at 76

by Shaun TANDON Agence France Presse LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Al Jarreau, the affable jazz singing great who reached new audiences by seamlessly merging styles and through television, died Sunday days after announcing his retirement. He was 76. The seven-time Grammy winner — a rare artist to win in jazz, pop and R&B categories — died in a Los Angeles hospital where he had been treated for fatigue, his manager said. Jarreau, who […]

“La La Land” picks up five British Bafta awards

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Hollywood musical “La La Land” picked up five British Bafta film awards on Sunday, including best director and actress, paving the way for Oscar success later this month. The dreamy tribute to the heyday of Hollywood musicals was named best film, while also picking up gongs for cinematography and original music, in the ceremony at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Accepting the award for best director — beating off competition from […]