Former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, whose name became synonymous with the #MeToo movement, will continue to be detained in New York as he awaits a retrial for rape charges. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the decision was reached on Thursday, as the courts deliberate whether Weinstein should remain in New York or be extradited to California, where he faces another conviction. Weinstein's retrial, scheduled after Labor Day, is the result of the overturning of his 2020 conviction on rape charges by the New York State Court of Appeals on April 25. The court must now determine whether he should stay in New York or be transferred to California to serve his 16-year sentence for a separate conviction. During a brief court hearing, Weinstein's legal team denied consent for his extradition to California, effectively keeping him in New York for the time being. As per The Hollywood Reporter, Attorney Diana Fabi Samson stated that California must produce a warrant signed by the governor before any extradition can take place. Weinstein, who recently left a New York hospital, appeared in court in a wheelchair wearing a dark suit. Samson emphasized his need for medical care while in custody and underscored the procedural requirements for extradition.Following his conviction in 2022, Weinstein was initially sent to an upstate New York prison but was transferred to the Rikers Island jail complex after the recent appellate court decision. His next court appearance in New York is scheduled for May 29, with another appearance related to the Los Angeles case set for August 7. 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
11 May,2024 10:44 AM IST | New York | IANSAfter the widespread acclaim of 'Baby Reindeer' and its recognition as one of Netflix's top titles this year, the real-life Martha aka Fiona Harvey, has come forward with allegations against the show's creator and lead actor, Richard Gadd. She accuses him of distorting events to portray her as a stalker and labels him as "psychotic." The series depicted Martha's story, culminating in her incarceration for stalking and sexual assault against a man. Gadd, a stand-up comedian, both created and starred in the miniseries, which was adapted from his autobiographical one-man show with the same title. Real-life Martha aka Fiona Harvey denies stalking During an interview with Piers Morgan, Fiona Harvey mentioned that apart from the media and "stalkers on social media," no one has reached out to her after the Netflix show premiered, a show she claims she hasn't watched. When asked about her opinion on Richard Gadd, Fiona described him as "psychotic" and criticized his behavior, "“I think he is psychotic. Anyone going along being in that play, doing this to somebody, I find this behaviour outrageous.” In response to Gadd's perspective of her character possibly needing help rather than being portrayed as a villain, she suggested that he should reflect on himself and his own mental well-being. “Well, maybe he should look a bit closer to home, at himself as someone who needs help. He is mentally unwell, always was.” When confronted with her past tweets, which were seen as evidence of her excessive communication, she expressed surprise, stating that she never considered the person she was communicating with to be capable of behaving like a "complete psychopath" and attacking her in such a manner. “My view is, it is all about the money. His preview play wasn’t making any money, he had failed as a comedian, failed as an actor and therefore (he thought), ‘Let’s make some money sell this to Netflix.’ He is making money out of untrue events. He has been the ultimate misogynist.” Fiona Harvey announced her intention to pursue legal action against Netflix and Richard Gadd. She mentioned that she's presently in a relationship with a lawyer, but clarified that neither she nor her partner will be directly filing the case. Instead, they've engaged lawyers to explore their options and identify potential defendants.
11 May,2024 08:53 AM IST | MumbaiIt has been over a month since Monkey Man opened in US theatres, and subsequently was available on video-on-demand platforms internationally. But Dev Patel’s maiden directorial venture has yet to arrive in Indian theatres. Now, it has come to light that after the initial plan of April 19 India release did not materialise, an application was filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, seeking that the decision of Central Board of Film Certification’s (CBFC) Examining Committee and Revising Committee be made public. On May 9, the request was dismissed, with the CBFC stating in its reply, “There is no larger public interest that warrants the disclosure of such information, and hence the requested information cannot be provided.” A copy of the CBFC’s response to the RTI application has been doing the rounds of social media since Thursday. As soon as the news reached the film industry, trade circles were abuzz with how Patel’s action thriller won’t see the light of day here. A trade insider, on condition of anonymity, told mid-day, “Since its theatrical release is in dispute, a CBFC clearance will be required to even stream it on OTT platforms in India. So, in all likelihood, Indian viewers might not even be able to catch it online. One way ahead could be to take the matter to court, but since India is not its main market, it’s highly unlikely that Universal Pictures and Warner Bros will take that step.” The film, fronted by Patel and also starring Sobhita Dhulipala, examines corruption in India.
11 May,2024 07:04 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuBoonie Bears: Guardian CodeCast ( voices): Patrick Freeman, Joseph S Lambert, Paul Rhinehart, Kally Khourshid, Chris Boike, Olivia Seaton-HillDirectors: Yongchang Lin, Heqi ShaoRating: 2.5/5Runtime: 96 min The first-ever 'Boonie Bears' film from the universally loved global animation franchise to be released in India, and the 11th overall, Guardian Code is about an android-based mom of two baby bears, whose corrupted memory when rectified shows her up as a deeply loving mother to her two bear-kids. The dominant theme here is appropriate for ‘Mother’s Day’ celebrations for those who think going for a movie is befitting the occasion. The story begins with the two baby bears Briar (Patrick Freeman) and Bramble (Joseph S Lambert) being left behind when the mother goes to investigate what looks like a fire and doesn’t return. Thereafter it gets way too complicated for the young minds it is targeted at. With themes of eco-friendliness and surrogate love at the centre of it, the narrative flounders quite a bit before it can make sense of what it wants to say. The abandoned orphans who miss the idyllic life in the Pine Tree Mountain forest that they shared in the care of their loving, lullaby-singing mother Barbara (Kally Khourshid), never give up hope of seeing her again. But it’s only when they’ve grown up considerably that they get the chance to encounter a bear that looks very much like their mother. Long-winding and mysterious, the narrative is replete with underdeveloped characters and themes. The plot highlights how technology can replace humans - even a mother, with an android mom pre-programmed to be loving and caring. Basically, the story builds on assumptions that AI can replace humans. Characters like Charlotte (Olivia Seaton-Hill) who possesses a necklace that belonged to the orphaned bear cubs’ mother and the cubs’ logger friend Vick (Paul Rhinehart) have little to do here. Then there’s the villain, leader of the scrap-Rebel gang, the maniacal Leonard and a Dr. Roland (Chris Boike), a famed roboticist who is in awe of Charlotte’s equally famous, late mother Dr. Sue ( Nicola Vincent). The storyline is not exactly kid-friendly and the treatment save for a round of mechanical throws of pastries by a robot, doesn’t have anything to really laugh about. The animation though is well rounded, distinctively Chinese looking and eye-pleasing. The flashback midway through the narration destroys coherence. Thereafter everything seems a little bizarre. The pace is pretty frenetic and the narrative gets relentlessly inventive but it’s certainly not suited for young kids whose attention span is suspect. The film is enjoyable if one can overlook all the storytelling faults and concentrate only on the eye-thrilling character dynamics.
10 May,2024 06:00 PM IST | Los Angeles | Johnson ThomasFilm: The Boy and the Heron (Japanese with English Subtitles)Cast (Voices): Soma Santoki, Masaki Suda, Aimyon, Yoshino Kimura, Takuya Kimura, Shōhei Hino, Ko Shibasaki, Kaoru Kobayashi, Juin KunimuraWriter/Director: Hayao MiyazakiRating: 3.5/5Runtime: 124 min Japanese Master animator Hayao Miyazaki’s (Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke) latest, The Boy and the Heron, is yet another great work that is both visually impressive and emotionally resonant. Among the greatest artists alive, director Hayao Miyazaki, already has an impeccable legacy that the world appreciates. The Boy and the Heron marks Miyazaki’s return after a ten-year hiatus, ostensibly, to make a film for his grandchildren to remember him by.The story which appears to have autobiographical components, is a little too deep for the regular animation film target groups. The complicated narrative seamlessly delves on childhood issues dealing with loss of a parent, other familial bonds, and adapting to a major displacement. Set during World War II, we see in the opening minutes itself, a fire engulfing the hospital where Mahito’s mother works as a nurse. We then see the young Mahito racing through the Tokyo streets, ignoring the words of his father, in hopes of getting to the hospital in time to save his mother. But it’s too late. Mahito, thereafter has to deal with his father getting married to his mother’s sister, Natsuko and their consequent move to her estate out in the country. Out there, Mahito is heckled by a grey heron that keeps poking at him incessantly. The heron speaks to the young Mahito, telling him that he knows that his mother is still alive. He follows the bird into the woods and discovers an abandoned, sealed tower. Then one fine day, Natsuko goes missing. Mahito suspects the heron is in the know of her disappearance. He decides to go into the forbidden tower to seek answers. It’s not a straightforward narrative. The fantasy elements in the telling are typical of a Miyazaki picture. When Mahito enters the tower he finds himself in an alternate universe that is both extraordinary and freakish. Bubble-like spirits, Warawara, that become souls of newborns, Giant parakeets who are enemies of humans, and many other strange discoveries confront him. This imaginative story about acceptance, redemption and healing has Miyazaki’s trademark elements of magic, folklore, stoic characters, spirits and guides, flying elements and characters running through claustrophobia inducing spaces. This insightful film about human copability may not be as epic as his earlier works but it still manages to fascinate and entertain. For the audience, the alternate world may seem a little confusing but for the curious Mahito it’s a magical, enthralling place to get lost in. Mahito’s journey exemplifies the experience of loneliness and pain through heavy symbolism and abstract ideas. The lesson here is that no matter how much pain you are going through or how lost you feel, there is always family to help us embrace it all and make us stronger. It’s these bonds that make us stronger and help us achieve our potential as a human being. Miyazaki’s film heralds the resilience of children and how despite great odds, Mahito learns to cope with distress that even mature adults find difficult to manage. Mahito may not be developmentally equipped but his imagination allows him the levity to think up scenarios that help him adapt to the great loss and displacement while experiencing the stages of grief. The creatures we see represent the difficulties he experiences in expressing his emotions. With The Boy and the Heron, Miyazaki is basically paying stirring tribute to a child’s ability to come up with coping mechanisms that help him spiritually and emotionally while grieving. This is an unusual profound adventure that is both bewitching and informative.
10 May,2024 05:11 PM IST | Los Angeles | Johnson ThomasFilm: Kingdom of the Planet of the ApesCast: Owen Teague, Freya Allan, Peter Macon, William H. Macy, Kevin Durand, Dichen LachmanDirector: Wes BallRating: 3/5Runtime: 145 min This fourth instalment in the newly rebooted franchise has a brand new cast of characters with a timeline that has moved several decades ahead. The modern world is in ruins, reclaimed by nature, and the intelligent talking apes are now the dominant species, living in clans and tribes scattered across the new world. The theme though remains the same - ‘Ape. Together Strong.’ It’s been carried through several sequels and this one too has an obligatory reference to the prophetic words signed off by Andy Serkis’ Caesar in 2011’s hit prequel ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes.’ This current instalment that continues the trend of putting primates front and centre, brings renewed life to the franchise with its perfect craft, intelligent sub-plots and entertaining action. The film has emotional depth and moral complexity too but the path it treads feels familiar and repetitive. The story begins with the coming-of-age, rites-of-passage task of chimpanzee Noa of the Eagle Clan (Owen Teague) who along with his friends Soona (Lydia Peckham) and Anaya (Travis Jeffery) are out in the mountains searching for eagle eggs to bond with and nurture as their own. But just before the ceremony, his clan is attacked by rival apes and taken to a new location for enslavement. Noa, who narrowly misses out on being taken, sets out on a journey to rescue them, and, along the way, encounters a wise Orangutan, Raka (Peter Macon) and a strangely intelligent, scavenging human, Mia (Freya Allan), and the three join hands to stay safe from the predators en route. The narrative takes giant leaps ahead in time with a new setting and characters. Josh Friedman’s script has some new ideas fuelling its storyline but it largely feels like a revisit to the same old ‘Apes Versus Humans’ conundrum. The world-building though is exemplary and there are a few themes here that keep the interest going. At 145 min, this is the longest instalment and even though there is a fair amount of balance in the action beats and the plotting, the narrative does feel as though some of the ideas and themes had to be cropped for the story to move forward. The theme that finds greatest fluency here though is the idea that Caesar’s teachings have now been twisted way beyond recognition, over time, to suit the new world order. It’s a fairly clever reference to current politicians twisting and misusing old-world values as institutionalised by our forefathers. The narrative strength lies not in the story beats but in the character development and creation. Every simian individual who inhabits this post-apocalyptic world looks distinctive and well-realised through impeccable motion capture performances. The high-on-detail textured visual effects and exquisite design is the best we’ve experienced so far. While the film is not exactly action heavy, the visual effects still look a cut above those of other CGI heavy film experiences. The focus here is on character and plot and the action merely appears when there’s some major conflict. Wes Ball’s direction never allows the plotting to get dull and even the low-key moments feel necessary. When action kicks in gradually, it’s beautiful to watch. The action choreography is masterful and the camerawork, simply breathtaking. We see flashes of beauty in the post-apocalyptic ruins and the images thereof are quite haunting. The attention to detail in creating the ape characters is amazing. The visual effects bring to life the Ape dominant world with stunning realism. Some of the deeper themes may not be fully explored but they hint at complex dynamics that might find fruit in future installments. Kevin Durand’s Proximus Caesar is imposing but we never get to know much about him. Quite a few key characters are introduced and dispatched without any development to speak of. We also don’t experience much tension or edge as the narrative plays out. The final act also doesn’t rise up to the occasion. It’s the technical specs that fascinate here. The seamless, impeccable imagery and the exacting finishing craft are an unparalleled experience to behold. Wes Ball might not have been able to sharpen the tension here but he manages to compensate with stunning visual effects, and emotional heft. The setting, characters, and themes are resplendent and the tech aspects are terrific.This film may not garner an adrenaline gush but it definitely is as entertaining and immersive as its predecessors.
10 May,2024 04:48 PM IST | Mumbai | Johnson ThomasTaylor Swift kicked off the European leg of her Eras Tour in Paris on May 9th. It's the first time she's performing songs from her latest album, 'The Tortured Poets Department,' for her fans. About Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in Paris Pictures and videos of Taylor's captivating La Defense Arena in Paris have been spreading like wildfire online. The moment the Hollywood pop icon stepped onto the stage, the crowd erupted into loud cheers as she sang seven new songs from the album. These include "But Daddy I Love Him," "So High School," "Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?," "Down Bad," "Fortnight," "The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived," and "I Can Do It With a Broken Heart." Fans react to Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in Paris taylor swift just did this and im supposed to what? go to work tomorrow? pic.twitter.com/SLm22QgBpu — hayl ⸆⸉ 🪩🪷 (@inmydream1and) May 9, 2024 if you were to tell me a year ago that taylor swift just debuted a brand new set, for her brand new album, to the eras tour, where in which she opens it w singing about her wedding while inferring an nfl player who worships her like god herself. in paris pic.twitter.com/OtgLhl0VZv — hayl ⸆⸉ 🪩🪷 (@inmydream1and) May 9, 2024 POV: Taylor Swift enters The Tortured Poets Department Era infront of you with But Daddy I Love Him pic.twitter.com/fbqQNaevjv — The Eras Tour Singapore (@TSTheErasTourSG) May 10, 2024 taylor swift replacing the tolerate it table with a TTPD one for fortnight... this woman is clinically insanepic.twitter.com/ncewDW12DC — dex (@antiherodex) May 9, 2024 Taylor Swift performing Fortnight for the first time tonight! pic.twitter.com/zAOAfCZIJT — 🏁 (@concertleaks) May 9, 2024 “people died” and it’s just taylor swift performing the smallest man who ever lived pic.twitter.com/LjufRu6nxA — isabella⸆⸉ (@i_justlikecats) May 9, 2024 taylor swift you'll always be iconic pic.twitter.com/B2vbszLhFI — best of swift ❁ (@besttofswift) May 9, 2024 i’m literally obsessed with taylor swift pic.twitter.com/JJcdHbMSpv — ava (@thinktayvis) May 10, 2024 Last month, the Grammy-winning artist released her highly awaited 11th studio album. What was expected to be a 16-track album turned out to be a massive double album with 31 songs. Aside from concert footage
10 May,2024 03:24 PM IST | ParisAfter a highly successful collaboration on 'Pam & Tommy', actors Sebastian Stan and Lily James will now be seen together once again and too in Let the Evil Go West, a psychological horror thriller from director Christian Tafdrup (Speak No Evil). north.five.six. reps the film's international rights and will introduce it to buyers at Cannes, while CAA Media Finance and UTA Independent Film Group arranged the financing and will handle the domestic sale, as per Deadline. Let the Evil Go West follows a railroad worker who stumbles upon a fortune under deeply disturbing circumstances. As horrifying visions and manifestations drive him toward madness, his wife becomes convinced that an evil presence has attached itself to their family. In Pam & Tommy, Stan and James played the 1990s couple Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee during a whirlwind marriage over four days in Cancun, where their privately recorded honeymoon sex tape was stolen by a disgruntled electrician and released online. 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
10 May,2024 01:36 PM IST | Los Angeles | ANIIn a move that’s sure to delight fans of both The Big Bang Theory and its prequel series Young Sheldon, Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik are set to reunite on screen for the series finale of Young Sheldon. The beloved actors will reprise their iconic roles as Sheldon Cooper and Amy Farrah Fowler, respectively marking their first on-screen appearance together since the finale of The Big Bang Theory in May 2019. The official Instagram page of Young Sheldon CBS confirmed the news, sparking excitement among viewers who have eagerly followed both series. The Young Sheldon family at prayer While details of Parsons and Bialik’s appearance are being kept under wraps, anticipation is running high for what promises to be a memorable reunion of the beloved on-screen couple. The Big Bang Theory fans will recall that Sheldon and Amy’s journey reached a pinnacle in the series finale, where they were awarded the Nobel Prize in physics. Now, viewers will have the opportunity to see them once again in action, albeit in their younger incarnations on Young Sheldon. Throughout its run, Young Sheldon has paid homage to its predecessor with several references to The Big Bang Theory. Notably, stars like Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, and Bialik have lent their voices to the prequel series, further enriching the connection between the two shows. News of Parsons and Bialik’s reunion comes hot on the heels of CBS’s confirmation of a spin-off featuring Emily Osment and Montana Jordan’s characters, Mandy and Georgie, ensuring that The Big Bang Theory universe will continue to captivate audiences. Behind the scenes, Young Sheldon is helmed by creators Chuck Lorre and Steve Molaro, along with an esteemed team of executive producers, including Parsons himself. The series boasts an ensemble cast, including Iain Armitage, Zoe Perry, Lance Barber, Annie Potts, among others. As the countdown to the series finale begins, fans can mark their calendars for May 16, when they will have the chance to see Parsons and Bialik grace the screen once more in the farewell episode of Young Sheldon. 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
09 May,2024 06:27 AM IST | Washington | AgenciesHollywood star Robert Downey Jr is set to make his Broadway debut with McNeal, a new play by Pulitzer Prize winner Ayad Akhtar. Downey Jr, who recently won his maiden Oscar trophy for Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer (2023), will play the titular author in the play, which is being staged by Broadway giant Lincoln Center Theater at its Vivian Beaumont Theater. Directed by Bartlett Sher, McNeal is described as a “startling and wickedly smart examination of the inescapable humanity and increasing inhumanity of the stories we tell”, according to a press release by Lincoln Center Theater. “Good writers borrow, great writers steal. Jacob McNeal (Downey Jr) is a great writer, one of our greatest, a perpetual candidate for the Nobel Prize in Literature. But McNeal also has an estranged son, a new novel, old axes to grind, and an unhealthy fascination with Artificial Intelligence,” the official synopsis read. Downey Jr will also produce the stage show through his banner, Team Downey in collaboration, with Lincoln Center Theater. McNeal will begin previews on September 5, and will play a strictly limited engagement from September 30 to November 24. Downey Jr currently stars in HBO’s miniseries, The Sympathizer, an adaptation of author Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same title. 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
09 May,2024 05:25 AM IST | Washington | AgenciesBAFTA-winning French actor Isabelle Huppert is set to head to Italy as she will preside over the main jury of the upcoming edition of the Venice Film Festival.The actor has a long-standing rapport with the festival as she has won Venice’s Coppa Volpi for Best Actress twice, first with Story of Women in 1988, and subsequently with La Ceremonie in 1995, both directed by Claude Chabrol. The actor has made eight films with Chabrol, and also has a close bond with the Cannes Film Festival where in 1978, she won the Best Actress statuette for Chabrol’s Violette. Venice Film Festival is the oldest film festival in the world and is included in the ‘big three’ European film galas and ‘big five’ film festivals across the world.In 2005, she was honoured by Venice with a Special Golden Lion for her titular role in Gabrielle, Patrice Chereau’s costume drama about an imploded marriage. 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
09 May,2024 05:22 AM IST | Los Angeles | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
