Film: The Wild RobotCast: Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Mark Hamill, Catherine O'Hara, Ving RhamesDirector: Chris SandersRating: 3.5/5Runtime: 102 min. Oscar-nominated filmmaker Chris Sanders who made his directorial debut at Walt Disney Animation with ‘Lilo & Stitch’ in 2002, takes a wonderfully tender, compassionate break from animation stereotype with Dreamworks’ ‘The Wild Robot.’ This film has a beautifully streamlined uncluttered story and is immensely captivating because of it. The screenplay by Sanders, adapted from the acclaimed children’s books by Peter Brown, is both emotionally moving and humorously entertaining. There’s also a whole lot of messaging hidden within its folds - some of which are conveyed with an unapologetic heavy hand. Teamwork, cooperation, coexistence, acceptance of those different from you, nurturing, surrogacy, adoption of those less fortunate, choosing love and caring over violence, protection of the ecosystem for survival of the species - are just some of the messages that come through powerfully enough. A bot named Rozzum 7134 or Roz(Lupita Nyong’o), gets washed ashore on an island populated entirely by anthropomorphic critters. Its packaging has come apart so it escapes from its box, and greets the eager ‘beavers’ and other wildlife with its pre-programmed eager-to-please opening statement. Roz is searching for a master/owner and when it questions the animals around, “Do you need assistance?” their curiosity turns to fear and they run away. Roz is stranded and literally a fish out of water. She is programmed to receive instructions and complete tasks but the animals around her are ill-equipped to understand that. Roz wanders off into the island’s wilderness, accidentally destroys a Goose nest leaving just one undamaged egg which it fights to save. Committed to caring for the lone surviving egg, Roz duels with a scheming, hungry fox Fink (Pedro Pascal) who sees the egg as food. Eventually they come to an understanding, the egg hatches and out emerges a tiny gosling Brightbill (Kit O’Connor), who follows Roz around. The three misfits later on form a family of sorts. Stephanie Hsu lends voice to threatening bot Vontra, Bill Nighy to Longneck, Catherine O’Hara to mother opossum Pinktail, and Mark Hamill to Thorn the grizzly bear. Eschewing toonish chaos, Sanders tells his story like a fairytale. The thrills here are underlined with tender human feelings and emotions. Sanders’ affection for the animal kingdom is doubly emphasized because of the lack of human characters here. The villains are all manufactured factory produced bots who are assigned the task of bringing back Roz from the wilderness. In a refreshing eye-pleasing break away from Animation tradition, Sanders and team with Jakob Hjort Jensen as head of animation leading the creatives, use an original paintbrush style to embolden the look of storybook illustrations. The forest island’s lush landscapes and untamed wilderness are brought to life with gorgeous onscreen imagery in a unique manner. The titular android is remarkably resilient, self-sufficient, a linguist with an ability to talk to animals and uses intuition to save the day. The film has vivid colorful computer animation, accompanied by quirky characters with realistic design, a moving original score by Kris Bowers and an impressive voice cast lending sync support. The action set-pieces are spirited and rousing and the humour keeps you interested and involved. Go for it!
18 October,2024 10:02 PM IST | Mumbai | Johnson ThomasFilm: Smile 2Cast: Naomi Scott, Kyle Gallner, Rosemarie DeWitt, Lukas Gage, Miles Gutiérrez-Riley, Peter Jacobson, Raúl Castillo, Dylan GelulaDirector: Parker FinnRating: 3/5Runtime: 127 min. Smile 2 picks up right where Smile left off. It’s six days later… and for those who haven't seen ‘Smile’ it’s not a problem because this sequel has a standalone story. In the opening long-take shot itself writer/director Parker Finn calls attention to what he is all about. This disorienting story of a megastar experiencing mental health issues merges with the terrors of a communicable horror body invasion. The narrative is effectively horrifying even when it fails to deliver on consistency and tempo. We follow the trail of the communicable entity at the center of the Smile universe. The victim of horror here is global pop icon Skye Riley (Naomi Scott), who is returning to the gruel of a performing artist after a period in rehab and a lengthy hiatus due to a gruesome car crash that left her mentally scarred and killed her actor boyfriend Paul (Ray Nicholson). About to embark on a new world tour, Skye is traumatized by increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the pressures of fame and the added horrors of possession, She is forced to face her dark past in order to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control. The superstar protagonist is rarely alone, constantly surrounded by managers, hangers-on, assistants, fans, etc. Finn packs in characters that increase the threat perception for the megastar. Whatever happens to her happens in the full view of the public…Skye may not have touched booze or coke since her recovery, but her dependence on prescription painkillers because of her severe injuries from the crash, makes her seek out her old high school drug dealer who happens to have been infected by the demon in the opening sequence. The dealer Lewis (Lukas Gage) bashes his own head open with a 35-pound weight, and after, things begin to go haywire. Thereafter, Skye begins to have visions of Lewis as well as that of Paul and the ‘smiles’ that indicate a demonic possession is not far off. Finn creates visually dazzling sequences to fit in with the popular expectations of a megastar performing live - dazzling over-the-top costumes, dancers performing energetically highlighted by brightly colored lights and all. Interspersed with that are sequences laden with shocking gore. The disparate contrasts play on your mind. Skye is in a waking nightmare, unable to tell the difference between the real and the imagined and Finn panders to that effect time and time again before withdrawing back to reality. As a result, even though Scott’s performance is convincingly real, the audience fails to feel all that sympathetic towards her plight. Towards the end we start feeling cheated by the pointless trickery that Finn employs to put forward the addiction demon metaphor. ‘Smile 2’ had a great concept but the repetitive overloads by Finn and team put a damper on the horror stakes.
18 October,2024 07:41 PM IST | Mumbai | Johnson ThomasFirst Monkey Man, then Punjab ’95, and Emergency—in each instance, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has pulled out its scissors, much to the dismay of the concerned filmmakers. Now, another movie has been subjected to the CBFC’s snip-happy attitude. Ali Abbasi’s The Apprentice, which was scheduled to hit Indian theatres today, has been postponed. It is heard that the filmmaker, known for his uncompromising stance on creative integrity, has refused to comply with the censor board’s recommended cuts. With Sebastian Stan playing Donald Trump and Jeremy Strong, his lawyer Roy Cohn, the biopic chronicles the former US President’s early years as a real-estate mogul. It opened in US cinemas on October 17, while its India release hangs in the balance. So, which scenes in the biopic are in contention? A source from the CBFC shared the details, stating that the suggested snips make it a 122.42-minute affair. “The cuts weren’t drastic. The CBFC requested for the deletion of nude scenes wherever they appear in the film. This was more than a minute-long content. What upset the director was the CBFC’s request that the scene, which depicts Trump having non-consensual sex with [then] wife Ivana Trump, be reduced by 75 per cent. The board members also asked the studio to provide the source from where this information has been obtained. Abbasi and the studio countered that the scene has been put for a reason and not with the objective of titillation. The filmmaker, through his representatives, made it known that reducing the sequence takes away its impact altogether. The word ‘Negro’ was also instructed to be dropped, while the standard disclaimers in drinking and smoking scenes were asked to be added.” Examining officer Govind Mishra had presided over the CBFC viewing. Ali Abbasi PVR Inox Pictures has partnered with the makers to bring The Apprentice to India. A source from the studio revealed that the film now stands indefinitely pushed. “Making cuts to the film is something Abbasi ethically stands against. We thought we could probably negotiate and release it a little later, but there is no scope for it. He believes that these cuts would diminish the impact of his work. He would rather halt the India release than agree to them,” said a source. mid-day texted Abbasi, who did not respond till press time.
18 October,2024 10:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuAs fans worldwide mourn Liam Payne's passing, a source has shared that Taylor Swift might pay tribute to him on the first night of the final leg of her Eras Tour. The 34-year-old singer is said to be deeply upset by the former One Direction member’s death. Liam Payne Death: Taylor Swift to pay tribute at Eras Tour? Taylor Swift, who gained fame alongside the band from 2010 to 2016, is reportedly heartbroken over the news. She and Payne were close friends, partly due to her past relationship with his bandmate, Harry Styles. Sources say she plans to honour Payne during her tour, which kicks off today in Miami. An insider revealed to DailyMail.com, "She is really sad about this because she came up with those boys and she had a lot of love for Liam. He was always good to her." About Liam Payne's Death Former One Direction singer Liam Payne, 31, was found dead on Wednesday after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, according to local officials. Police in Buenos Aires reported that Payne fell from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Palermo neighbourhood, a popular area in Argentina's capital. The fall caused severe injuries, and medics confirmed his death at the scene. Pablo Policicchio, the communications director for the Buenos Aires Security Ministry, told The Associated Press that Payne "jumped from his room's balcony." Police responded to an emergency call around 5 p.m. local time about an "aggressive man possibly under the influence of drugs or alcohol," he said. In a 911 call obtained by the AP, the hotel manager can be heard saying they had “a guest who is overwhelmed with drugs and alcohol ... He’s destroying the entire room and, well, we need you to send someone, please." The manager's tone became more frantic, mentioning that the room had a balcony. Alberto Crescenti, the head of the state emergency medical service, told Argentina’s Todo Noticias TV that authorities were looking into the details of Payne’s death and performing an autopsy. After the news spread, dozens of One Direction fans from around Buenos Aires gathered at the Casa Sur Hotel, forming lines that extended into the blocked-off street where police were stationed. Forensic investigators were seen leaving the hotel, and Payne's body was taken away about three hours after the fall. Heartbroken fans, mostly young women recording on their phones, were in shock as a memorial with candles and flowers quickly formed outside the hotel.
18 October,2024 09:54 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn a candid discussion at Wondermind's inaugural Mental Fitness Summit, Selena Gomez revealed the profound impact her mental health challenges have had on her personal life, particularly her relationship with her bedroom. The summit held virtually on World Mental Health Day, served as a platform for Gomez to share her experiences and insights into her ongoing mental health journey, according to E! News. Gomez, the star of 'Only Murders in the Building', spoke openly about why she no longer feels comfortable sleeping in her own bedroom. "I spent too much time in my bedroom that I actually don't even sleep in my bedroom anymore," she explained, adding, "I associate it with such a really dark time." The 32-year-old artist described the debilitating nature of anxiety, reflecting on how it kept her from leaving her bed for years. "You have to believe in yourself and do the work that will truly enlighten you a little bit," she emphasized, underscoring the importance of personal growth in overcoming mental health challenges. During her talk, Gomez recounted a particularly restless night leading up to the summit. "As recent as last night, I was in bed and I couldn't fall asleep 'til about four, and it was just because my mind was simply racing," she said, adding, "I just kept saying over and over again, 'This will pass. Just let it go through your body and it'll go away,' and of course, eventually, I fell asleep." Having previously opened up about her battles with anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder, Gomez highlighted the value of discussing her struggles with trusted individuals. She expressed gratitude for the support of her mother, Mandy Teefey, with whom she co-founded Wondermind. "I still have days where I need my mom, like, my mommy," Gomez shared, adding, "And then there are also moments for me, I just allow myself to be vulnerable and cry and just talk it out." Gomez also spoke about the liberation she found in sharing her mental health journey. "I tend to isolate. There are moments, of course, where you need to be on your own and feel things," she noted. "I didn't accept help; I just wouldn't. And I found complete freedom in sharing everything I've been walking through because I know that other people feel that way too," the 'Rare' star added, as per E! News. She concluded by emphasizing the importance of acknowledging mental health struggles. "I hope no one ever looks at me and thinks, 'Oh, her life is perfect.' Because that's just simply not true," Gomez stated, adding, "We're all humans, and feelings are very real. I think it definitely needs to be talked about, and we need to educate people more about it." 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
18 October,2024 08:45 AM IST | Washington | ANIIn a lighthearted revelation, actress Zendaya shared her reasons for not wanting to take dance classes with her boyfriend, Tom Holland. During an interview reported by E! News, the 'Euphoria' star expressed her reluctance to hit the dance floor alongside the 'Spider-Man' actor, citing his impressive skills as a primary concern. "He's too good, it would piss me off," Zendaya admitted, highlighting her preference for a dance partner who shares a similar level of ability. "I would want to take someone who could be equally as bad as me," she added. Fans may recall Tom Holland's viral performance of Rihanna's "Umbrella" on Lip Sync Battle in 2017, which solidified his reputation for captivating dance moves. In a previous interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he humorously noted, "I've really worked hard in my career, and I've really been calculated in deciding what it is I do and when I do it." The 'Spider-Man' actor said, "And for all the movies that I'm incredibly proud of, the Lip Sync Battle is what I get the most compliments for." Despite her talent--having showcased her dancing skills on 'Dancing with the Stars'--Zendaya indicated that she would prefer to share the dance floor with someone less experienced. "You know who would be fun at it? Honestly, my little niece who's 8. I would like to take a dance class with her. That would be fun," she remarked. While Zendaya may shy away from dance classes, she is open to trying a kayaking date with Holland. She explained that kayaking requires teamwork and synchronization, which could lead to some amusing moments. "With the kayak, you have to be in sync with the person," she said, adding, "And I think it would be hilarious because we are both very controlling and we both want to be in charge. So it would be funny to watch us be like, 'No, we're going to go this way. No, we're going to go that way.' And I think it would be a good story after the fact." 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
18 October,2024 08:43 AM IST | Washington | ANIVeteran Canadian filmmaker and producer, Alvin Rakoff, best known for directing Laurence Olivier in 'A Voyage Round My Father', is no more. He passed away at the age of 97. The cause of death was "old age," his agent told Variety. He died on October 12 at home, surrounded by his family. Over a career spanning more than four decades, which began when television was still only available in black-and-white, Rakoff was involved in over 100 television, film and stage productions as well as writing novels. According to his representatives, he was still working into his '90s. Rakoff was the third of seven children born to Sam and Pearl Rakoff in Toronto in 1927. His parents owned a dry goods shop but the director grew up in poverty after the Great Depression hit in 1929. He would later recount the experience in his novel "Baldwin Street." After seeing his first film in a theatre at the age of 6, his love of film and television was ignited. He went on to graduate with a degree in psychology from the University of Toronto before becoming a journalist. But it was watching Marlon Brando in a stage production of Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire" that changed the course of his life. After leaving the play, Rakoff vowed to build a career in show business. He went to work for the Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) as a writer, which sent him to the U.K. when he was 25. 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
18 October,2024 08:14 AM IST | Los Angeles | ANIThe former One Direction members shared on Thursday that they were heartbroken by the news of Liam Payne's passing after a tragic fall from a hotel balcony in Argentina. In a statement, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Harry Styles expressed, "In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say, but for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly. The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever.” A day after the incident, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik posted heartfelt tributes on their social media. Liam Payne Death: One Direction members honour singer Zayn Malik View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zayn Malik (@zayn) Zayn Malik shared a throwback photo of himself and Payne, both much younger and asleep in a car with Malik’s head on Payne’s lap. In the next slide, Zayn wrote, "Liam, I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me, I can’t help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives,” Malik wrote alongside a throwback photo of the pair sleeping in a car. I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life. Even though you were younger than me you were always more sensible than me, you were headstrong, opinionated, and gave no f–ks about telling people when they were wrong. Even though we butted heads because of this a few times, [laughing emoji] I always secretly respected you for it.” Malik called Payne his “brother” and said, "I can’t explain to you what I’d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly.” Harry Styles View this post on Instagram A post shared by @harrystyles Harry posted a picture of Liam from behind, looking toward a crowded arena and wrote, “I am truly devastated by Liam’s passing. His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it.” He added, “The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend.” Louis Tomlinson View this post on Instagram A post shared by Louis Tomlinson (@louist91) Louis posted a picture of himself along with Liam on stage. The Back To You singer wrote, "I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul. I first met Liam when he was 16 and I was 18, I was instantly amazed by his voice but more importantly as time went on I got a chance to see the kind brother I’d longed all my life for." Talking about how Liam was the most important part of 1D, he said, "Liam was in my opinion the most vital part of One Direction. His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on. Thank you for shaping us Liam." Louis even wrote a message directed to Payne, "A message to you Liam if you’re listening, I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye. I’m so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours, reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I’d have with you for life. I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be." "I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was. I wish I got chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you. Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. Sleep well X," he concluded. About Liam Payne's death Former One Direction singer Liam Payne, 31, was found dead on Wednesday after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, according to local officials. Police in Buenos Aires reported that Payne fell from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Palermo neighbourhood, a popular area in Argentina's capital. The fall caused severe injuries, and medics confirmed his death at the scene.
18 October,2024 08:04 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentHollywood star Sydney Sweeney is all set to essay the role of boxer Christy Martin in an upcoming biopic. In the film, she sports a 1990s mullet and has added some muscle to play the former athlete. The actor shared a few pictures of her avatar as the boxer in an Instagram post. She wrote, “Well, the cat’s out of the bag thanks to some paps in the bushes, so here’s a little BTS from my film I’m working on right now.” As per reports, the yet-untitled sports biopic is directed by David Michod and they have recently started production. Martin is a former professional boxer who competed from 1989-2012 and was the world champion in the super welterweight class in 2009. In 2010, she also survived a murder attempt by husband James Martin. He stabbed her multiple times and shot her at their Florida home, but she survived. In 2012, James was convicted of attempted second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison. “Over the past few months, I’ve been immersed in training to bring to life the story of an incredible woman—a true champion who fought battles both inside and outside the ring. Her journey is a testament to resilience, strength, and hope, and I’m honoured to step into her shoes to share her powerful story with you all,” Sweeney wrote. The cast of the upcoming biopic includes Ben Foster as James Martin, Merritt Weaver, Katy O’Brien, Ethan Embry, Jess Gabor, Chad L Coleman and Tony Cavalero. 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
18 October,2024 07:15 AM IST | Los Angeles | AgenciesHollywood star Angelina Jolie will be honoured with the Maltin Modern Master Award at the 2025 Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF), the organisers have announced. According to reports, the award was established in 1995 to honour filmmakers, who have changed the movie industry through significant contributions and impact. It was renamed the Maltin Modern Master Award in 2015 to honour long-time SBIFF moderator and film critic Leonard Maltin. “Angelina Jolie makes bold choices, both as an actor and as a director. She sets the bar high in both disciplines and always comes through. I look forward to reviewing her career with her in Santa Barbara,” said Maltin. Previous recipients of the Maltin Modern Master Award include Jamie Lee Curtis, Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, Robert Downey Jr, Denzel Washington, Cate Blanchett, George Clooney, Christopher Plummer, Christopher Nolan, James Cameron, Clint Eastwood and Peter Jackson. The 40th edition of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival will run from February 4 to 15, 2025. Jolie, who won an Oscar for best supporting actor for Girl, Interrupted (1995), will next be seen in Pablo Larain’s Maria, about the popular American-born Greek opera singer Maria Callas. 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
18 October,2024 07:14 AM IST | Los Angeles | AgenciesFormer One Direction singer Liam Payne, 31, was found dead on Wednesday after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, according to local officials. Police in Buenos Aires reported that Payne fell from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Palermo neighbourhood, a popular area in Argentina's capital. The fall caused severe injuries, and medics confirmed his death at the scene. Liam Payne Death: Former One Direction member passes away Pablo Policicchio, the communications director for the Buenos Aires Security Ministry, told The Associated Press that Payne "jumped from his room's balcony." Police responded to an emergency call around 5 p.m. local time about an "aggressive man possibly under the influence of drugs or alcohol," he said. In a 911 call obtained by the AP, the hotel manager can be heard saying they had “a guest who is overwhelmed with drugs and alcohol ... He’s destroying the entire room and, well, we need you to send someone, please." The manager's tone became more frantic, mentioning that the room had a balcony. Alberto Crescenti, the head of the state emergency medical service, told Argentina’s Todo Noticias TV that authorities were looking into the details of Payne’s death and performing an autopsy. After the news spread, dozens of One Direction fans from around Buenos Aires gathered at the Casa Sur Hotel, forming lines that extended into the blocked-off street where police were stationed. Forensic investigators were seen leaving the hotel, and Payne's body was taken away about three hours after the fall. Heartbroken fans, mostly young women recording on their phones, were in shock as a memorial with candles and flowers quickly formed outside the hotel. Liam struggled with alcoholism Earlier, in 2023, Liam had opened up about his struggle with alcoholism and journey to being sober, "I just kind of feel like I've got more of a grip on life and everything that was getting away from me, I just feel like I've got more of a handle on it," Payne, 29, said. "I just needed to take a little bit of time out for myself actually because I kind of became somebody who I didn't really recognize anymore. And I'm sure you guys didn't either. I was in bad shape up until that point and I was really happy to kind of put a stopper to life and work." While in recovery, Liam Payne was completely cut off, he said, "I didn't have my phone for nearly 100 days," The singer further said, "I didn't connect with the outside world at all. Upon leaving, the hardest part was turning the phone back on because it was a little bit scary."
17 October,2024 04:28 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
