Film: The Garfield MovieCast (voice): Chris Pratt, Samuel L. Jackson, Harvey Guillen, Nicholas Hoult, Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein, Bowen Yang, Ving RhamesDirector: Mark DindalRating: 3/5Runtime: 101 min. Created by Jim Davies in 1976 for the comic called ‘Jon’ in the little-known locally published Pendleton Times, the greedy orange cat with a heart of gold, way back in 2002, featured in 2570 newspapers worldwide with 263 million readers. So Garfield’s popularity was never in question and the opportunity to translate that success into cinema was a lure that never really went away. This second film to feature the orange cat Garfield, has the Monday-hating, lasagna-loving indoor cat have an unexpected reunion with his long lost father Vic (Samuel L. Jackson) - after which Garfield (Chris Pratt) who appears to have abandonment issues, and his canine friend Odie, are forced from their perfectly pampered life into joining Vic in a high-stakes heist. This is a kind of origin story. We see baby Garfield being left behind by his father Vic and Jon (Nicholas Hoult) adopting him and later, adding Odie (Harvey Guillén) as the two members of his small family. Things come to a head when Garfield and his inseparable buddy Odie are kidnapped by crazy cat Jinx (Hannah Waddington) and her two mean service dogs Roland and Nolan. Vic’s role in all that comes to the fore when Jinx puts forth her proposition. The script gets a little wayward, but is funny enough and carries a simple message on family ties. The plot is a little far-fetched, the story is weird - but since we’re dealing with cats it’s all kosher. The film feels a little disjointed as the storyline goes to extreme lengths to justify some laughs. Garfield is a fun character, but here it’s Odie makes more of an impression without even trying. He barely utters a word but as an audience we want him to have a say too. The film may not be as good as the animated series “Garfield and Friends” but it manages to be likable nevertheless. The Voice cast is competent and the sound design, and editing are fairly proficient. John Debney’s background score which also includes the Mission Impossible theme, provides quite an impetus for involvement. The animation is good - given to cartoon effects and the humor relies on cat jokes to get in the laughs. The drawing style is reminiscent of the comic strip. Slapstick humor is what counts here. In one highlight sequence we see Garfield watching ‘Catflix’ while relaxing after a heavy meal and even at the end credits we see funny cat movies livening-up the humor quotient. This is a fairly decent outing for the pasta-loving cat and is likely to keep the kids entertained.
17 May,2024 05:44 PM IST | Los Angeles | Johnson ThomasFilm: IF (Imaginary Friends)Cast: Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski, Fiona Shaw, Catherine Daddario, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Steve Carell, Sam Rockwell, Richard Jenkins, Awkwafina, George Clooney, Bradley Cooper, Blake Lively, Louis Gossett Jr.Director: John KrasinskiRating: 3/5Runtime: 104 min A thought-provoking mix of live action and animation, this film tells the story of a young girl, Bea (Cailey Fleming), who suffers a great irreparable loss (of her mother) at a young age. We see that 12-year old Bea and her father (John Krasinski) have subsequently returned to New York and Bea is expected to stay with her Grandmother (Fiona Shaw) in her Brooklyn apartment, while dad is in hospital having to undergo some medical procedure. Bea appears to have developed her own coping mechanism to deal with her grief and loneliness. She begins to see Imaginary Friends. Fortunately, the former clown Cal (Ryan Reynolds) who lives upstairs is also dealing with the same kind of hallucination. He even knows what’s going on. They are seeing imaginary friends who have been left behind as their real-life friends have grown up. In order to save these ‘IFs’ from extinction Cal and Bea come up with a plan to reunite them with their former human friends. The themes of coping with grief and loss as a child, losing your imagination as an adult and thoughts about mortality make the narrative a little heavy. Krasinski who has written and directed this movie, tries to make the experience light enough with several dabs at magic, humor and light-weight amusement. The characters are colorful and some of the jokes manage to score laughs. The movie takes a bit of time to come into its own though. The kids might get restive because other than the imaginary friends there’s little here to get them completely ensnared. Even for the adults the narrative may seem a bit confusing because it’s only when the twist occurs ( almost 90 min into the film) that all the holes in the story appear to get filled up. The themes are largely adult even though we see a child in the midst of them. There are of course bits of subject matter that would definitely appeal to children. The movie makes magic realism it’s forte offering up a seamless blend of live-action and animation with realistic locations. The colorful animated characters are endearing too - giant Blue (Steve Carell), chirpy Blossom (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) & Lewis (Louis Gossett Jr.) who set up the retirement home for abandoned ‘IFs,’ are some of the characters that reach out and touch you. Then there is a unicorn , a pink alligator, a detective shadow, and even an invisible Keith, who are equally quirky, odd, and adorable. The extensive A list voice cast includes Emily Blunt, Bradley Cooper, George Clooney, and Blake Lively to name just a few of the vocal cameos. The narrative does get a little slow and sentimental and the pace lags while the music score tries to charge-up the emotions. The screenplay takes the slow approach to making the experience meaningful. Animation, character design, color distinctiveness, Cinematography and CGI are excellent. The narrative takes a melodramatic turn once the big reveal is done. But even so, while scoring heavy-duty emotion towards the end, it doesn’t make for complete satisfaction. While the movie may not be compelling as an experience, it does invoke some thought and provokes emotional responses that have remained hidden for want of facilitation. This film has effective strategies within that could help train students regarding the psycho-social aspects of childhood. Some of the kids might be happy with the imaginative storyline, vibrant, colorful characters and an eventual happy ending while the adults might get involved in the exploration of adult and child psychology. Overall, this film is an original experience with some gratifying humor and could even get you to shed a few tears. The film is life affirming and just a little too cute to be soulfully entertaining though.
17 May,2024 05:34 PM IST | Los Angeles | Johnson ThomasSony Pictures has lifted the curtain on the much-anticipated trailer for 'It Ends With Us,' offering viewers a tantalizing glimpse into the world of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's tumultuous romance. Based on Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel, the film's journey to the screen has been fraught with delays and setbacks, but its arrival is now imminent. Watch Video Initially slated for a February release, the film faced a roadblock when production came to a standstill amidst the Writers Guild of America strike. Subsequently, a June 21 premiere was deferred, leading to the current debut date of August 9. Set against the poignant melody of Taylor Swift's 'My Tears Ricochet,' the trailer succinctly encapsulates the essence of the plot. Following the life of Lily Bloom (portrayed by Blake Lively), the narrative unfolds as she navigates the complexities of love, trauma, and resilience, as per Deadline. A chance encounter with the charismatic neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid (played by Justin Baldoni) ignites a passionate connection, yet shadows from Lily's past resurface with the return of her first love, Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar). Directed by Justin Baldoni and produced by Alex Saks, Jamey Heath, and Christy Hall, 'It Ends With Us' boasts a stellar cast including Jenny Slate, Hasan Minhaj, and Amy Morton, reported Deadline. Christy Hall, adapting Hoover's novel, breathes life into the screenplay, promising audiences a captivating cinematic experience. As the trailer tantalizes viewers with glimpses of heartache, passion, and the indomitable spirit of its protagonist, anticipation for the film's release mounts. 'It Ends With Us' emerges not merely as a romantic drama but as a poignant exploration of love's complexities and the resilience of the human spirit. 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
17 May,2024 02:25 PM IST | Washington | ANIThe 1996 golf comedy 'Happy Gilmore' is getting a sequel and actor Adam Sandler is all set to return, reported People. Netflix confirmed Adam Sandler, 57, would be returning as the titular character he played in the beloved 1996 golf comedy. "Happy Gilmore is back! Adam Sandler will reprise his iconic role in a brand new movie coming to Netflix," the streaming service wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter). Sandler later said in a video on X, "It's been 25 years since I've done this," as he took to the golf course. "Let's see what happens, I'm scared! Shooter McGavin this is for you... that went pretty well, you're dead Shooter!" he added, referencing Christopher McDonald's character in the film. McDonald is best known for playing the villainous professional golfer Shooter McGavin in the 1996 comedy Happy Gilmore. McDonald, 69, confirmed back in March that Sandler was working on a sequel to the hit flick. While speaking to Audacy's 92.3 The Fan, McDonald said, "I saw Adam about two weeks ago, and he says to me, 'McDonald, you're gonna love this.' " "I said, 'What?' He says, 'How about that?' and he shows me the first draft of Happy Gilmore 2," the actor added. He continued, "Maybe you should cut that out because I don't want to be a liar, but he did show me that, and I thought, 'Wow, that would be awesome.' " Drew Barrymore, Sandler's 49-year-old pal, stated in April that she emailed the actor about the potential sequel when addressing McDonald's comments on The Drew Barrymore Show. "Are you kidding me? I want it, I need it, and I stayed up last night with my daughter watching Billy Madison," the actress said while noting another of Sandler's classic '90s comedies. "I sent Sandler a video of that, and then he sent me another video back and I'm waiting to see if he's confirming about the Happy Gilmore 2 script." "So this just in, breaking news: I'll just say this, from my source, that it is in process," Barrymore later added, presumably after receiving a response from Sandler himself. "There is a process and that process is in process," reported 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
17 May,2024 02:18 PM IST | Washington | ANIThe Cannes Film Festival hosted the world premiere of the epic science fiction drama 'Megalopolis', written, directed, and produced by Francis Ford Coppola, reported Deadline. This star-studded ensemble cast marks Coppola's return to the Croisette, where he previously premiered both Apocalypse Now (1979) and The Conversation (1974), winning the prestigious Palme d'Or for each film. Coppola was accompanied by the film's actors, Adam Driver, Shia LaBeouf, Aubrey Plaza, Laurence Fishburne, Grace Van der Waal, Chloe Fineman, and Giancarlo Esposito, who walked the red carpet at the Grand Theatre Lumiere. Coppola looked graceful in a black suit. Nathalie Emmanuel dazzled in her white dress, Adam Driver stunned everyone in his white coloured suit, while Aubrey Plaza looked gorgeous in her white dress. Other guests who attended the gala included Jury Members Omar Sy, Nadine Labaki and President of the Jury Greta Gerwig, Teyana Taylor, Zaho de Sagazan, Sergei Loznitsa, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Yseult, and Irene Jacob. Megalopolis is a Roman Epic story set in a fictitious modern America. Cesar Catilina (Driver), a genius artist who seeks to leap into a utopian, idealistic future, and his opponent, Mayor Franklyn Cicero (Esposito), who remains committed to a regressive status quo that perpetuates greed, special interests, and partisan warfare, clash. Socialite Julia Cicero (Emmanuel), the mayor's daughter, is torn between them, her love for Cesar dividing her allegiance and compelling her to find what she feels mankind deserves. It features a large ensemble cast that includes Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, Talia Shire, Kathryn Hunter, Grace VanderWaal, Chloe Fineman, D.B. Sweeney, and Dustin Hoffman, reported Deadline. 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
17 May,2024 08:16 AM IST | Cannes (France) | ANIIn a grand spectacle of cinematic anticipation and excitement, George Miller's latest instalment in the Mad Max saga, titled 'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,' made its world premiere at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. The audience at Cannes' Palais des Festivals was treated to a visual extravaganza that left them on their feet, applauding for a staggering 7 minutes and 50 seconds as the credits rolled, reported Deadline. (WATCH) Chris Hemsworth enjoys the ovation after ‘Furiosa’ premiere at #Cannes2024 (📹 @BazBam) pic.twitter.com/zgTKrIbGyc — Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) May 15, 2024 The star-studded cast, including Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, and Tom Burke, graced the premiere with their presence. Baz Luhrmann, who himself is no stranger to Cannes, described the film as "a steampunk, Wagnerian opera," capturing the essence of Miller's unique vision. Following the screening, George Miller expressed his gratitude to the audience, acknowledging the hard work put into the film. "Thank you. We worked very hard on this film and it is very interesting to see what you make of it," said the acclaimed director, as per Deadline. 'Furiosa' delves into the origins of its titular character, exploring her journey from the Green Place of Many Mothers to the treacherous Wasteland. Anya Taylor-Joy, who portrays Furiosa, spoke of the challenges of embodying such a complex character. "By nature, of how arduous the shooting schedule was, I was very often alone, and (Furiosa's) a character that's very much in her head and she's very, very quiet," Taylor-Joy revealed to Deadline. With its gripping storyline and breathtaking visuals, 'Furiosa' promises to reignite the Mad Max frenzy that captivated audiences with 'Fury Road.' As per Deadline, George Miller's dedication to the franchise is evident, as he confessed at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, "because they're very addictive." As the global rollout of 'Furiosa' approaches, fans eagerly await the opportunity to immerse themselves once again in the dystopian world of Mad Max. 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
17 May,2024 08:00 AM IST | Cannes (France) | ANIGame of Thrones’ star Sophie Turner revealed that she was not sure about stepping into motherhood in her early 20s and even considered terminating her first pregnancy. Turner spoke about how she considered not keeping the child and discussed the situation with her estranged husband, Joe Jonas. In Bali, Turner found out she was pregnant and said that she sat on the news for a week. “Because I was young, I sat on it for a week,” the actor told a British publication. She said she threw the pregnancy test at Joe Jonas, asking, “What do you think we should do? Do you think we should have it?” Turner shared that she didn’t know if she wanted to be a mother at the time and even spoke to therapists about her feelings. “When you’re in your early 20s, life is so frivolous,” she said. But after discussing it with Jonas, “something changed” in her. “I just knew I had to have [the child],” the Dark Phoenix star said.Jonas and Turner welcomed their daughter, Willa, in 2020. Two years later, they had another daughter, Delphine. 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
17 May,2024 05:11 AM IST | Los Angeles | AgenciesTaylor Swift is doing much more for British Swifties than just performing their favourite hits this summer—her Eras Tour is now projected to boost the UK economy by nearly one billion pounds. According to The Hollywood Reporter, new report from British bank Barclay’s says that Swift, who has just kicked off the European leg of her popular tour, will bring around 997 million pounds ($1.26 billion) into the UK economy, thanks to fans spending an average of 848 pounds to see her live. The report also said that attending one of Swift’s 15 UK tour dates is expected to be more than 12 times the average cost of a UK night out, projected to be 67 pounds, and even higher than the cost of a bachelor or bachelorette party 779 pounds. Apart from the tickets, fans also spend on accommodation, travel and clothing for the big night. Almost a fifth buy new outfits, especially for the concert, Barclay’s said. More money is expected to be spent on official merchandise at the four tour stops: London, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Cardiff and pre-gig meals will also boost restaurant sales near the venues. Almost 1.2 million fans are projected to attend across the 15 dates. A behavioural scientist at Barclay’s likened Swift’s impact to the fan crazes associated with Elvis Presley and The Beatles. 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
17 May,2024 04:13 AM IST | Los Angeles | AgenciesIn Mumbai, citizens noticed buses decorated with posters of Taylor Swift's newest album, 'The Tortured Poets Department.' When these pictures started circulating on the internet, Swifties were thrilled. Many shared their excitement in the comments, with some even speculating if India might be added to her ongoing Eras Tour. Taylor Swift's 'The Tortured Poets Department' buses spotted in Mumbai Images of buses covered in posters for Taylor Swift's album 'The Tortured Poets Department' were shared on The Taylor Swift Society fan page on X on May 15. Interestingly, one of the buses had a QR code that led to the new album. Those TTPD themed buses are in Mumbai too? #TTPDBusHunt pic.twitter.com/6ZPcGtLbcS — Shubham⸆⸉ (@shubham_patil__) May 15, 2024 📷| "The Tortured Poets Department" buses have been spotted in Mumbai 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/a6PZAajAra — The Swift Society (@TheSwiftSociety) May 15, 2024 Is this hint she might tour in India — Nick (@MidnightsAOTY4) May 15, 2024 oh i thought she forgot abt india after folklore — dus | Migraine Department (@datceladus) May 15, 2024 Taylor 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. 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." Taylor Swift's boyfriend's mother opens up about their relationship NFL star Travis Kelce's mother Donna Kelce has opened up on the shared attributes that contributed to the strength of American footballer's relationship with music icon Taylor Swift. In an interview obtained by E! News, Donna highlighted loyalty and kindness in both Travis and Taylor. Describing the couple as friendly, generous, and loving individuals, Donna expressed her optimism about the future of their relationship. "Time will tell," she said during the interview. Donna Kelce's admiration for Taylor Swift extends beyond their familial connection. Attending Kansas City Chiefs games together during the NFL season, Donna has also been vocal in her praise of Taylor's musical prowess. (With inputs from ANI)
16 May,2024 03:13 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFans were eagerly awaiting the release of Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1. Netflix's period drama, Bridgerton, has captivated audiences globally and is gearing up for its third season. This instalment will delve into the love story between Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton, a storyline that has kept viewers on their toes since the first season. Take a look at the excitement viewers have bubbling: "dearest gentle reader, did you miss me?" OF COURSE, I DID. IT HAS BEEN 2 YEARS 😩 #BRIDGERTON #BridgertonSeason3 pic.twitter.com/bev7ntLEr8 — May🍒 (@mynicoelena) May 16, 2024 EVERYONE UP BRIDGERTON SEASON 3 PART 1 IS OFFICIALLY OUT NOW AFTER 3 YEARS OF WAITING LET'S GOO #BRIDGERTON#BridgertonSeason3pic.twitter.com/63S7ZQxctd — sara⁷ (@ot7enthusiast) May 16, 2024 How y’all go to sleep I can’t my brain running rampant with polin #bridgerton pic.twitter.com/YuSzhQ5ifb — Aza✨Bridgerton s3 spoilers (@rinachances) May 16, 2024 “Dearest Gentle Reader…” #BRIDGERTON pic.twitter.com/Po5fSReOBC — Caroline Renard (@carolinerenard_) May 16, 2024 So gang, after watching #BRIDGERTON S3 tomorrow, are we gonna feel Like or Likethis? this? pic.twitter.com/HWL0VTEo9h — 💜✨Wisteria✨💜 (@dreamingofuuuu) May 16, 2024 This scene will have me laughing on the floor but also crying bc poor babes 🥹💀#Bridgerton pic.twitter.com/KEtiI3V6jY — 🪞𝐕𝐢𝐯𝐢 ౨ৎ | Polin/Bton S3 Spoilers ♡ (@AlexaAdoresIt) May 13, 2024 OHHH COLIN IS ALREADY LOSING IT WITH JEALOUS AND WE ARE JUST STARTING!!!!! 😭🤭😳🫣 #BRIDGERTON #polin pic.twitter.com/FA5gxNAK2O — In my 'Polin' ERA (@smoakcwarrow) May 15, 2024 Make way for Benedict Bridgerton's entrance in #Bridgerton season 3! pic.twitter.com/wrVycPPVQa — luke thompson gifs (@lukethompsongif) May 14, 2024 COLIN’S RETURN OH WOW #Bridgerton pic.twitter.com/8qAYXZZSnw — Sarah | polin era🪞bridgerton spoilers (@sydglenx) May 14, 2024 Fans can look forward to exploring Anthony and Kate's married life in the upcoming season. If you're eager to watch the highly anticipated Netflix series, here's what you need to know: Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1 will premiere on Netflix on May 16 at 12:30 PM IST. Cast: The cast includes Nicola Coughlan, Luke Newton, Julie Andrews, Julie Andrews, Jonathan Bailey, Simone Ashley, Jessica Madsen, Claudia Jessie, Luke Thompson, Polly Walker, Bessie Carter, Ruth Gemmell, Adjoa Andoh, and Golda Rosheuvel
16 May,2024 01:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMessi, a Border Collie, became famous after appearing in the movie Anatomy of a Fall, which won an Oscar. He even attended the awards show with the celebrities. It looks like Messi is loving his new life, as he confidently strutted down the red carpet at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. He's the first dog ever to do so at the most prestigious event in the French Riviera. In a standout moment, Messi grabbed everyone's attention instantly by standing on his hind legs and waving at the crowd with his front paws. He even held a selfie stick in his mouth to film videos. Messi's trainer, Laura Martin Contini, was by his side during the event. Besides snagging an Oscar, Anatomy of a Fall premiered at Cannes last year, where it bagged the top prize, the Palme d'Or. Messi the dog at 2024 Cannes Film Festival Messi the dog being the best thing could happen to Cannes ever pic.twitter.com/FoCoBBWp1h — Shafey Is in Love With a 2X Academy Award Winner (@ahmedelshafey4a) May 14, 2024 Messi the dog at the opening ceremony of the Cannes film festival. pic.twitter.com/Jro69mmWb4 — جوزفين (@JosphineMamdouh) May 14, 2024 During the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, Messi also clinched the Palm Dog award, given by journalists to the best dog at the event. A row of photographers in tuxedos snapped pictures of Messi as he strolled past and ascended the stairs of the Palais des Festivals. He sat down, raised his front paws, and waved to the crowd like a seasoned movie star. Messi held everyone's attention for nearly 20 minutes as he mingled before the arrival of big-name stars like Meryl Streep, jury president Greta Gerwig, Jane Fonda, Juliette Binoche, and the cast of the opening film, The Second Act. Greta Gerwig as head of jury It was earlier revealed that 'Barbie' director Greta Gerwig will serve as the head of the festival jury. "I love films," Gerwig said in a statement. "I love making them, I love going to them, I love talking about them. As a cinephile, Cannes has always been the pinnacle of what the universal language of movies can be." "Being in a place of vulnerability, in a dark theater filled with strangers, watching a brand-new film is my favorite place to be. I am stunned and thrilled and humbled to be serving as the president of the Cannes Film Festival Jury. I cannot wait to see what journeys are in store for all of us."
16 May,2024 12:04 PM IST | FranceADVERTISEMENT
