Meyer Gottlieb, a Holocaust survivor who was the longtime chief of Samuel Goldwyn Films and produced such movies as Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World and 2013's The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, has passed away. He was 86. The news of his demise was shared by Meyer's wife Pattikay Gottlieb, as per The Hollywood Reporter. He breathed his last on Monday at his home in Los Angeles. Meyer was named president and COO of Samuel Goldwyn Co in 1988, having assisted Samuel Goldwyn Jr., son of the Oscar winner and legendary Hollywood mogul, in reviving the label a decade earlier. He served as a co-producer on Master and Commander (2003), a co-production with 20th Century Fox, Miramax and Universal that was directed by Peter Weir and starred Russell Crowe as a brash Royal Navy captain doing battle during the Napoleonic Wars. As an executive, Gottlieb also had a hand in such other films as Mystic Pizza (1988); Eat, Drink, Man, Woman (1994); The Preacher's Wife (1996), Lolita (1997), Tortilla Soup (2001), Super Size Me (2004), The Squid and the Whale (2005) and Amazing Grace (2006). Gottlieb was born in Poland in September 1939, shortly before Germany invaded his country; he and his family went on the run for months, retreating with the Russians before winding up in Ukrainian labour camps for four years. 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
01 January,2026 04:47 PM IST | Los Angeles | ANIActor Isiah Whitlock Jr, mainly known for playing the corrupt state senator Clay Davis on The Wire, has passed away. He breathed his last on Tuesday in New York at the age of 71, as per Variety. The news of his demise was shared by his manager, Brian Liebman. Taking to Instagram, he wrote, "It is with tremendous sadness that I share the passing of my dear friend and client Isiah Whitlock Jr. If you knew him -- you loved him. A brilliant actor and even better person. May his memory forever be a blessing. Our hearts are so broken. He will be very, very missed." Indiana-born Whitlock was a prolific character actor who was a frequent collaborator of Spike Lee, appearing in his films BlacKkKlansman, Da 5 Bloods, She Hate Me, 25th Hour, Red Hook Summer and Chi-Raq. Across many of his projects, he developed the catchphrase "sheeeeee-it", an elongated pronunciation of the word "shit". It started in "She Hate Me" and "25th Hour", and then the writers of The Wire began incorporating it into the HBO series. Whitlock said he could be stopped on the street two to three times per day by fans asking him to say the catchphrase. In a meta turn, Whitlock got to play a man obsessed with The Wire in the 2011 comedy "Cedar Rapids," as per Variety. Whitlock also appeared as a doctor in Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas and held roles in Chappelle's Show, Pieces of April, and Enchanted. He lent his voice to Pixar's Cars 3 and Lightyear and most recently to Hoppers, the studio's animated sci-fi comedy scheduled for release in 2026. 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
01 January,2026 12:38 PM IST | Los Angeles | ANIHollywood actor and filmmaker George Clooney has shared his plans to revive the iconic Ocean's Eleven, the original heist film, which was released in 2001. Clooney featured in the lead alongside actors like Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, and Don Cheadle. Speaking to Variety, Clooney teased a fourth film in the franchise, also suggesting that the original cast is likely to make a return - this time "older, but wiser." "There was something about the idea that we're too old to do what we used to do, but we're still smart enough to know how to get away with something, that just appeals to me. They've lost a step, and they need to find a way to work around their limitations," the actor said, as quoted by Variety. It also added that the team has been scouting for locations, with the shooting likely to begin in October 2026. Earlier this year, Clooney revealed that the film's budget had been approved at Warner Bros. Confirming the return of the original cast members, he added, "It's just scheduling, so it's just setting a start date for us," as per E! News. Ocean's Eleven featured George Clooney as the mastermind Danny Ocean, along with Brad Pitt's right-hand man Rusty, Matt Damon's pickpocket Linus, Don Cheadle's demolitions expert Basher, and Julia Roberts as Tess. The film was followed by sequels Ocean's Twelve and Ocean's Thirteen. In 2018, the spin-off Ocean's 8 was released, featuring Sandra Bullock as Danny's sister, along with Cate Blanchett, Rihanna, Helena Bonham Carter, Sarah Paulson, Mindy Kaling, and Anne Hathaway, among others. Apart from the next Ocean's Eleven film, a prequel is also said to be in development, with Margot Robbie in the lead, stated People. 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
01 January,2026 10:34 AM IST | Los Angeles | ANI‘Project Hail Mary’ Ryan Gosling headlines this ambitious sci-fi adaptation of Andy Weir’s bestselling novel, playing an unlikely astronaut tasked with saving Earth. Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the film blends scientific precision with emotional heft, making it one of the rare original studio films attempting blockbuster scale without franchise safety nets. ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’ DC Studios takes a tonal leap with a darker, more introspective superhero story. Based on the acclaimed comic, the film follows Supergirl on a cosmic journey shaped by grief, justice and moral reckoning. It’s a clear indicator that DC’s new cinematic universe is aiming for depth over spectacle-for-spectacle’s sake. ‘Dune: Part Three’ Denis Villeneuve continues Paul Atreides’ epic saga with the final chapter of his Dune trilogy, starring Timothee Chalamet and Rebecca Fergusan. Dense, philosophical and visually staggering, the film doubles down on the belief that intelligent, challenging science fiction still has a place in mainstream theatres. ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Marvel Studios goes all in on a hard reset. Bringing together heroes across timelines and realities, Doomsday is expected to reshape the MCU’s future. After a mixed post-Endgame phase, this December release is being pitched as a return to event cinema — the kind that once turned every Marvel opening into a global moment. ‘The Odyssey’ Christopher Nolan places his biggest wager yet by adapting Homer’s ancient epic for the modern screen. Headlined by Matt Damon and Tom Holland, the film follows Odysseus’ perilous, decade-long journey home after the Trojan War. Shot across multiple countries and designed for IMAX, The Odyssey positions itself as cinema meant to be experienced, not streamed. ‘The Devi Wears Prada 2’ Miranda Priestly returns in a sequel that reflects a drastically changed fashion and media landscape. With Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway reprising their roles, the film examines relevance, power, and survival in an age of influencers and algorithms. ‘Toy Story 5’ Pixar revisits its most cherished characters at a time when nostalgia itself is under scrutiny. As toys confront a world dominated by screens and smart devices, the film explores relevance, obsolescence, and emotional attachment — themes that resonate as much with adults as with children. ‘Michael’ One of the most scrutinised biopics in years, Michael charts the rise, reign, and controversies of the King of Pop. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson, the film carries enormous expectations — both as a tribute and a reckoning with fame, genius, and excess. ‘Tha Mandalorian & Grogu’ After redefining Star Wars on streaming, Lucasfilm brings its most successful modern characters to theatres. The film expands the Mandalorian mythos while preserving its intimate emotional core, signalling Disney’s renewed push to make Star Wars a big-screen priority once again.
01 January,2026 07:46 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamActress-singer Jennifer Lopez is focusing on being single. Nearly a year after the performer, 56, finalized her divorce from Ben Affleck, 53, it is revealed that she's not dating. She is focused on work and raising her family, reports ‘People’ magazine. A source told ‘People’, "It's all about work and the kids for her. She seems happy and content”. JLo shares 17-year-old twins Maximilian "Max" David Muniz and Emme Maribel Muniz with her ex-husband Marc Anthony. As per ‘People’, JLo began 2025 in the midst of a divorce, which was finalized in January, nearly 20 weeks after she filed for a dissolution of marriage on August 20. The Hustlers star filed for divorce exactly two years after her second wedding ceremony in Georgia, listing April 26, 2024 as the date of her and Affleck's separation. The ceremony in Georgia, held in front of family and friends, took place a month after the pair married in an intimate Las Vegas ceremony in July 2022. It was the second go-around for the exes, who, after ending their first engagement in 2004, rekindled their romance in 2021. Following their split, Lopez shared in an October 2024 conversation with Interview magazine that she was looking forward to the single life after being in "different challenging situations" throughout the years. She said, "Now I’m excited, when you say you’re just going to be on your own. Yes, I’m not looking for anybody, because everything that I’ve done over the past 25, 30 years, being in these different challenging situations, what can I do when it’s just me flying on my own. What if I'm just free?". Earlier in October, JLo shared that she doesn't plan to use dating apps because is old-fashioned. 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
31 December,2025 02:26 PM IST | Los Angeles | IANSActor Imran Khan who will soon be making his acting comeback went down memory lane on the last day of 2025. On December 31, Imran revisited one of his most cherished projects—a short film depicting India’s Mangalyaan mission. He turned director for the film. Imran Khan on film on Mangalyaan mission Sharing his thoughts on social media, Imran spoke about his fascination with the historic space achievement, the creative liberties he took to bring the story to life, and the talented team that helped turn his vision into a cinematic tribute. In his latest post on Instagram, he highlighted not only the scientific marvel of the mission but also the joy of storytelling. Sharing his photos, the Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na actor wrote, “Back in 2018 I signed on to make a short film depicting the story of Mangalyaan; India's mission to put a spacecraft into Martian orbit. A bit of a science nerd, I had keenly followed the events as they unfolded between 2013-2014, and was very excited at the opportunity to pay due respect to this remarkable achievement.” “I wanted to tell the story in a factual and science-accurate manner, while also treating the film like a suspense thriller, essentially giving scientists and engineers the 'hero' treatment usually reserved for gun-wielding protagonists.” “As such, I freely took liberties with the aesthetic of the film, dressing the characters in sharply tailored looks, constructing a slick control room set (Bindiya Chhabria) for which I specifically requested RGB gaming keyboards as a nod to my own fondness for video games, and generally dropping easter eggs and homages all over the place. Star Wars, Star Trek, Interstellar, Hitchhiker's Guide... they're all in there,” added Imran. “All films are the result of collaborative effort, and my intentions would be nothing without the incredible group of people who poured their energy and talent into the project. Producer punitdmalhotra always had my back, cinematographer anujdhawan13 brought cinematic style and mood to the screen... and a wonderful cast of actors breathed life into the characters and lifted them off the page. It was a pleasure to make this film, do check it out,” he concluded. Imran Khan to make acting debut after a decade Imran quit acting after his 2015 film Katti Batti, explaining that he had lost interest in mainstream roles and wanted to focus on his personal well-being. He has been teasing his comeback for a few years now and 2026 will finally see him return to the big screen. He will play a pivotal role in Aamir Khan's production Happy Patel: Khatarnaak Jasoos co-directed by Vir Das. The film will be released in theatres on January 16, 2026.
31 December,2025 02:19 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPop icon Beyonce has entered the billionaire club. The 44-year-old singer is following in the footsteps of Jay Z, her husband, as well as Taylor Swift, Rihanna, and Bruce Springsteen. Beyonce founded her own entertainment company, back in 2008, and the business "manages her career and produces all of her music, documentaries and concerts, fronting most of the production costs in order to capture more of the back-end economics", reports ‘Female First UK’. She has become the fifth musician to be declared a billionaire by Forbes magazine. The publication also explained how Beyonce's personal fortune has swelled in recent years. Her Cowboy Carter Tour grossed more than 400 million USD in ticket sales, as per Pollstar, and another 50 million USD in merchandise sold at the shows. And because her company produced it all, Beyonce was able to secure higher profit margins. Combining what she made touring with earnings from her music catalog and sponsorship deals this year, she brought in 148 million USD in 2025 before taxes, making her the third-highest paid musician in the world”. As per ‘Female First UK’, Beyonce previously explained that she has her own distinct definition of success. The chart-topping star told GQ magazine, "I’m drawn to authenticity. I don’t waste my time on something unless I’m deeply passionate about it. If I don’t wake up thinking about it and I’m not going to sleep dreaming about it, it’s not for me. My perception of what success looks like, for me, is very different than most. When I commit, I’m 100 per cent in. I prefer to focus quietly, uninterrupted by things that are a distraction to the authenticity”. “I believe everything can always be better. My job is to give until it is the best it can possibly be. I’m inspired by things that fill a void, solve a problem, or don’t already exist. Otherwise, I’m not drawn to the opportunity. I try to challenge myself and the people around me to think differently. I think a big part of success is your outlook on life. Every disappointment is an opportunity for growth. An opportunity to pivot. I trust God, even when it feels like I can barely see the light at the end of the tunnel. I know the earth is going to open up for me”, she added. 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
31 December,2025 10:36 AM IST | Los Angeles | IANSBritish actor Idris Elba will be feted with knighthood in the U.K. as he leads the list of names in the 2026 new year honours. Despite coming after another busy year for the actor, in which he, ironically, played both the U.S. president and British prime minister in House of Dynamite and Heads of State, respectively, Elba is being recognized for his charity work, notably an anti-knife crime campaign and the foundation he set up alongside his wife, reports ‘Variety’. Another top honour went to comedian, writer and actor Meera Syal. Meanwhile on screen, Cynthia Erivo is appointed an MBE (Member of the British Empire), with the ‘Wicked: For Good’ star saying it was “an honour I could never have thought would happen”. As per ‘Variety’, OBE (Order of the British Empire) honours went to Thursday Murder Club author and TV host Richard Osman, Little Britain comedian Matt Lucas, Last of the Summer Wine writer Roy Clarke, actor Sally Lindsay, comedian Bill Bailey, children’s TV star Paul Chuckle and Warwick Davis. “This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I’ve been in Star Wars”, Warwick said. Alongside the usual array of politicians, campaigners and athletes, other honorees in the annual new year list included singers Ellie Goulding and Eve Graham, TV chef Marcus Wareing, reality TV presenter Phil Spencer, sports presenter Gabby Logan and soccer commentator Clive Tyldesley. Idris Elba is known for his commanding screen presence and effortless charisma. Rising to global prominence with his intense performance as Stringer Bell in The Wire he later cemented his status through roles in Luther, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, and major Hollywood franchises like Thor and Fast & Furious. He blends physicality with emotional nuance, shifting seamlessly between gritty drama and blockbuster action. Beyond acting, he is an accomplished DJ and producer, often performing under the name DJ Big Driis. His career reflects a commitment to diverse storytelling, creative experimentation, and cultural influence. 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
31 December,2025 10:25 AM IST | Los Angeles | IANSKim Kardashian, an American celebrity, actress, and businesswoman, recently gave her four children—North, 12, Saint, 10, Chicago, 7, and Psalm, 6—their own pups for Christmas. On her Instagram Stories, the Keeping Up With the Kardashians actress posted a picture of the four puppies snuggling together along with the caption, "Each kid got a puppy." PETA slams Kim Kardashian PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has now criticized Kim for giving her kids pups. PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk attacked Kim in a statement released to PEOPLE on Sunday, December 28, saying, "Puppies are not plushies, and it's a damn shame that Kim missed the chance to be a spokesperson for shelter pups and instead is being rightly slammed on social media for that." Newkirk said that, similar to Kim, her sister Khloe Kardashian gave her family a puppy for Christmas and advised them to "call PETA or a local shelter the next time" they wish to expand their family. "(They can) try to make some amends now by sending their kids to volunteer at a local shelter or paying for a local shelter adopt-a-thon or at least one spay day to help stop the growing homeless puppy crisis," the founder of PETA stated. Kim's recent controversy Kim Kardashian, who has spent the previous six years studying law, disclosed that she failed the July 29 and July 30 California bar exam. Kim Kardashian then wrote on her Instagram story, "Well...I'm not a lawyer yet, I just play a very well-dressed one on TV. Six years into this law journey, and I'm still all in until I pass the bar. No shortcuts, no giving up - just more studying and even more determination.Thank you to everyone who has supported and encouraged me along the way so far. Failing short isn't failure - it's fuel. I was so close to passing the exam and that only motivated me even more. Let's go!" This isn't the first time Kim has been in controversy. The 41-year-old and her former partner, Tristian Thompson, have a 3-year-old son named Tatum and a 7-year-old daughter named True. Kim and her ex-husband, Kanye West, share all of her children. Along with the puppies, the Kardashians star posted a sweet family photo of her kids wearing SKIMS Christmas pajamas.
30 December,2025 02:30 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWhat felt like a scripted moment on paper in the comedy-drama Jay Kelly turned personal on screen, catching the Hollywood star off guard when one of his own clips was used in the film. Discussing a scene in which his character receives a lifetime achievement award in a packed theatre after watching a reel of his onscreen career, Clooney said he “was surprised” by film’s co-writer-director Noah Baumbach using clips from Clooney’s own filmography, reports deadline.com. “Oh, it was a surprise all right. I was surprised,” said Clooney on Entertainment Weekly‘s Around the Table, as co-star Adam Sandler added, “We were both surprised. We felt things that we didn’t expect to feel.” Clooney added, “We held hands. No, I didn’t know he was going to use sort of clips from my own actual career, which was a surprise. And you get to look at a lot of bad haircuts over the… mullets. “Don’t you laugh,” he quipped to Sandler. “You had a mullet.” Jay Kelly is a 2025 comedy-drama film. It also stars Laura Dern and Billy Crudup. The film follows a famous actor (Clooney) as he travels through Europe with his team and manager (Sandler), and reflects on his life choices, relationships, and legacy. The film had its world premiere in the main competition of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 28, 2025. It was then released in select theaters on November 14, 2025, followed by a global release on Netflix on December 5. Both Clooney and Sandler received acting nominations at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards for their performances in the film. In other news, Clooney on December 15 had shared that after having a discussion with his wife, Amal Clooney, about his age, he will no longer be “kissing girls” in movies. “I’ve been trying to go the route Paul Newman did — ‘Okay, well, I’m not kissing a girl anymore,’” Clooney, 64, had told Daily Mail, reports variety.com. He added, “When I turned 60, I had a conversation with my wife. I said, ‘Look, I can still play basketball with the boys. I play with 25-year-old guys. I can still hang, I’m in shape. But in 25 years, I’m 85 years old. It doesn’t matter how many granola bars you eat, that’s a real number.'” 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
30 December,2025 02:16 PM IST | Los Angeles | IANSHollywood actress Jennifer Garner has joined the “Felt Pretty” bandwagon. The actress took up the social media trend with her own hilarious twist. Jennifer shared a video of herself on Instagram on Sunday, reports ‘People’ magazine. The video begins with a clip of the actress, 53, looking glam in a sleeveless black dress, sparkling earrings, full makeup and an immaculate blowout. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jennifer Garner (@jennifer.garner) At first, the clip appears to be a fairly routine example of the “Felt Pretty” trend, in which social media users share photos of themselves during moments when they feel confident or beautiful. However, Garner hilariously subverted expectations, writing, “Felt pretty but then I opened my friend’s camera role”. As per ‘People’, the video then plays a montage of photos of the actress in a variety of goofy, laid-back poses, including napping on a couch, pouring chips into her mouth and a retro high school throwback photo. “Oh, well”, she captioned the post, while also shouting out hair stylist Clariss Anya Rubenstein. The photos served as a fresh reminder that Garner and her eldest child, daughter Violet Affleck, 20, whom she shares with ex-husband Ben Affleck, are looking more alike every day. In July, Garner and Violet were spotted out in Los Angeles as they twinned in nearly matching outfits. In 2022, the mother-daughter duo attended a formal White House event together, both sporting elegant black gowns. Speaking with PEOPLE in 2024, Garner opened up about parenting Violet, as well as her other two kids, Seraphina, 16, and Samuel, 13, as they have become older. She said, "They're really solid right now. I'm just watching them in this new phase of life where they're figuring out who they're going to be and what they're going to study. And I'm so interested in them. All the time, I'm interested in everything about them”. Asked if it's difficult to let her children make their own decisions, Garner admitted it's "so hard". "I mean, my parents did too, and I'm so amazed by that. I have a hard time not saying, 'This is what I see you as,' and 'I think you should. I really have to sit on my hands”, she added. 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
30 December,2025 01:48 PM IST | Los Angeles | IANSADVERTISEMENT
