Box Office: ‘Project Hail Mary’ blasts off with $80.5 million, a best for Amazon MGM, and the year
Studio estimates on Sunday say Amazon MGM's “Project Hail Mary” has topped the North American box office charts with $80.5 million in ticket sales. It's the biggest opening for the studio and the second biggest ever for a non-franchise film, behind only “Oppenheimer.” The film was directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller and stars Ryan Gosling. Hollywood’s other big new opener, “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come,” a Searchlight release, has landed in a distant fourth, behind Disney and Pixar’s “Hoppers” and the Bollywood sequel “Dhurandhar: The Revenge.” Universal’s Colleen Hoover adaptation “Reminders of Him” has rounded out the top five.
The media may have unmasked Banksy — again. That's angered some art fans but not ruffled dealers
LONDON (AP) — Banksy’s mystique is taking a hit after a report about his real name. And fans and experts are debating what that means. Art dealers in London predict that demand for Banksy's work and its top-shelf prices will survive the unmasking. Some fans say the reveal ruins the magic. Others say the work still carries power. Reuters ties its reporting to past clues and court records and said naming Banksy is in the public interest. The story says a man thought to be linked to Banksy traveled to Ukraine in 2022 just before new murals appeared.
'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' actor Nicholas Brendon dies at 54
Nicholas Brendon, an actor best known for his role as a loveable underdog sidekick on the hit television series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” has died. He was 54. Brendon’s family announced the death in a statement posted on his social media accounts Friday. They said he died in his sleep of natural causes, but did not say where or when it happened. Brandon played Xander Harris, a close friend of lead character Buffy, on the show that ran from 1997 to 2003. Brendon had also appeared on the TV show “Criminal Minds” and alongside Bradley Cooper in the Fox sitcom “Kitchen Confidential.”
'Saturday Night Live UK' aims to take a comedy hit across the pond. The first verdicts are in
LONDON (AP) — A British version of “Saturday Night Live” has debuted to largely positive reviews. The first episode of “SNL UK” was hosted by Tina Fey, a veteran of the American show, and stuck closely in format to the U.S. original. It mixed topical sketches, fake ads and a “Weekend Update” segment, as well as performances by musical guest Wet Leg. British reviewers expressed surprise that it was, largely, pretty funny. The Telegraph newspaper called it “shockingly competent” and “occasionally hilarious.” Many critics praised the cast of up-and-coming UK comedy talent. The series runs for eight episodes on Sky One and NOW.
Chappell Roan pushes back after soccer star Jorginho alleges his daughter was mistreated
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Chappell Roan pushes back after a Brazilian soccer player says a guard mistreated his young daughter at a hotel. Jorginho says his 11-year-old recognized Roan at breakfast in São Paulo and got excited. He says she stayed quiet and asked for nothing. He says a security guard then spoke aggressively to his wife and child. On Instagram, Roan says the guard is not her personal security. She says she never saw a woman and child. The Rio mayor also jumps in and criticizes Roan publicly.
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Police video of Justin Timberlake's 2024 drunken driving arrest released
NEW YORK (AP) — Police have released body camera footage from Justin Timberlake's drunken driving arrest in New York’s Hamptons in 2024. The release by Sag Harbor Police late Friday came after the village and Timberlake's lawyers agreed to release a redacted version of the footage. The pop star’s lawyers had sued to block the release of the video saying it would “devastate” Timberlake’s privacy and cause “severe and irreparable harm” to his reputation. Timberlake was arrested in June 2024 after Sag Harbor police said he ran a stop sign, veered out of his lane and got out of his BMW smelling of alcohol. He ultimately pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.
K-pop sensation BTS returns with a comeback concert in Seoul after a 4-year hiatus
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — BTS has returned as a full group with a huge, free concert in Seoul after a four-year break. The K-pop band played new songs and big hits, and fans packed the streets and waved light sticks. On Saturday night, police shut down roads and transit near Gwanghwamun Square, and ran tight security checks. Members have recently finished South Korea’s mandatory military service. The management company said the group released its fifth album, “ARIRANG,” on Friday, and it sold nearly 4 million copies in one day. Netflix streamed the show live, and BTS thanked fans for waiting.
Music Review: BTS’ long-awaited comeback album ‘ARIRANG’ is an exciting experiment
NEW YORK (AP) — The game-changing K-pop boy band BTS has returned after a nearly four-year musical hiatus. The 14-track album from the septet is here. It is titled “ARIRANG” after a popular, traditional Korean folk song. BTS is RM, Jin, Jimin, V, Suga, Jung Kook and j-hope. “ARIRANG” is the band’s first full-length release since all seven members completed South Korea’s mandatory military service. In her review, Associated Press Music Writer Maria Sherman writes that “ARIRANG” is appropriately massive. She says the stadium-sized album serves as both a reintroduction to the band and as a keen reminder of their place atop popular culture conversation.
Noah Wyle tells hearing that 'The Pitt' shows TV and film production in the US can be revived
BURBANK, Calif. (AP) — Noah Wyle says his Emmy-winning show “The Pitt” is a domestic success story. He spoke at a hearing Friday on keeping film and television production in the United States. Wyle says the HBO Max series he stars in has taken advantage of state tax incentives to shoot at the Los Angeles-area Warner Bros. studios. Many shows have shifted to Canada or Europe for more favorable economic conditions. The hearing was hosted by California Sen. Adam Schiff in Burbank, home to most major studios. Schiff and others who spoke said they were especially worried by the pending merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. and its effects on production.
Chuck Norris, martial arts master and actor whose toughness became internet lore, dies at 86
The martial arts grandmaster and action star Chuck Norris has died. His roles in “Walker, Texas Ranger” and other television shows and movies made him an iconic tough guy, sparking internet parodies and adoration from presidents. He was 86. Norris died Thursday, in what his family described as a “sudden passing.” They didn't release details about his death. Before he would become a star in movies and on TV, Norris was wildly successful in competitive martial arts. His toughman image became the stuff of legend, sparking “Chuck Norris Facts” memes. He was also outspoken about his Christian beliefs and his support for gun rights, and backed political candidates for years.
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