'Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle' opens to $70M, biggest anime debut to claim top box-office spot
LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle” carved out a place in box office history this weekend, slicing straight to No. 1 to outpace the horror sequel “The Conjuring: Last Rites.” The Sony-owned Crunchyroll release shattered expectations with a mighty $70 million debut in North America, according to Sunday estimates from Comscore. That haul marks the biggest domestic opening ever for an anime film, surpassing “Pokémon: The First Movie,” which opened with $31 million in 1999. The film also opened in 49 international markets, earning a global total so far of $178 million. “The Conjuring: Last Rites” took the No. 2 spot at the box office, earning $26 million in North America.
'Hamnet' wins TIFF's People's Choice Award
Chloé Zhao’s drama “Hamnet” has won the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film explores William Shakespeare's marriage and the death of their 11-year-old son. Historically, winners of this award often land a best-picture Oscar nomination. “Hamnet” stars Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, and has received emotional reactions at screenings. It’s adapted from Maggie O'Farrell's 2020 novel and is set to release on November 27. The runners-up for the award were Guillermo del Toro's “Frankenstein” and Rian Johnson's “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.”
Fox News' Brian Kilmeade apologizes for saying mentally ill homeless people should be executed
Fox News host Brian Kilmeade has apologized for advocating the execution of mentally ill homeless people. His earlier remarks, made on “Fox & Friends” Wednesday, began receiving wide circulation online over the weekend. On Sunday, Kilmeade called his remarks callous. Kilmeade and Fox colleagues had been discussing the August murder of a woman in North Carolina, for which a mentally ill homeless man was arrested. Fox host Lawrence Jones said such homeless people who don't accept public services offered to them should be jailed. Kilmeade responded that they should be given an “involuntary lethal injection, or something." He added: “Just kill 'em.”
Key things to know about the 2025 Emmy Awards which are being hosted by Nate Bargatze
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Emmys are here. The 77th edition of the awards honoring TV's best airs on CBS at 8 p.m. Eastern, hosted by comedian Nate Bargatze. “The Studio” is a heavy favorite to go big in categories including best comedy series and best actor in a comedy for co-creator Seth Rogen. “Severance” brought in the biggest number of nominations this year and is competing in the top drama categories. Noah Wyle could become a first-time Emmy winner for “The Pitt.” And 77-year-old Kathy Bates could become the oldest woman ever and the first woman from a network in a decade to win best actress in a drama.
Bobby Hart, co-wrote 'Last Train to Clarksville' and other hits for the Monkees, dead at 86
NEW YORK (AP) — Bobby Hart, who co-wrote some of the Monkees' biggest hits, has died. He was 86. Along with Tommy Bryce, he was a key part of the Monkees' multimedia empire. Boyce and Hart wrote hundreds of songs and were a top team in the mid-1960s, especially for the Monkees, the made-for-television group. They wrote the Monkees' theme song and the hits "Last Train to Clarksville" and "I'm Not Your Steppin' Stone." The Monkees' debut album included six songs from Boyce and Hart. Hart also helped write tunes such as “Hurt So Bad,” for Little Anthony and the Imperials.
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Brazilian musician Hermeto Pascoal, known as ‘The Mad Genius,’ dies at 89
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Hermeto Pascoal, the eccentric Brazilian multi-instrumentalist known as “The Sorcerer of Sounds” and “The Mad Genius,” has died. He was 89. His family announced his death on Instagram, without specifying the cause or location. Pascoal was famous for his wild mane of white hair and his music that defied labels, blending jazz, samba and more. He used unconventional objects like beer pints and live pigs to create sounds. Born in Brazil's Alagoas state, he taught himself music and later worked with Miles Davis. Tributes have poured in, with many praising his influence on Brazilian music and culture.
Oscar-winning Palestinian director Basel Adra says his home in West Bank raided by Israeli soldiers
JERUSALEM (AP) — Palestinian Oscar-winning director Basel Adra has told The Associated Press that Israeli soldiers have conducted a raid at his home in the occupied West Bank. Adra says they were searching for him and going through his wife's phone Saturday. Adra says he wasn't home when troops entered. He was at the hospital assisting two brothers and one cousin injured by a settler attack on his village earlier in the day. Adra says soldiers arrived in the village while the attack was ongoing and sealed it off. Israel’s military says soldiers were in the village after Palestinians threw rocks and injured two Israeli civilians. The military says its forces were searching the area and questioning people.
Belgian festival's decision to cancel a concert led by an Israeli conductor draws criticism
BERLIN (AP) — Belgium’s prime minister has traveled to neighboring Germany for a concert led by an Israeli conductor whose appearance was canceled by a Belgian festival. His gesture added to strong criticism of the decision. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz thanked Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever in a social media post Sunday for his “strong signal of solidarity” after he attended the weekend concert given in Essen by the Munich Philharmonic and conducted by Lahav Shani. De Wever said he strongly condemns the cancellation of a concert in Ghent “solely on the basis of the origin of conductor Lahav Shani.”
With ‘The Grand Finale,’ ‘Downton Abbey’ is really coming to an end
Julian Fellowes has been saying goodbye to “Downton Abbey” for nearly as long as it has existed. The creators are really saying a final farewell with “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale,” which opens in theaters nationwide Friday. Fellowes said in a recent interview with The Associated Press that it is sad and that it has been a huge chunk of his life. “Downton Abbey” was conceived by producer Gareth Neame as a kind of spinoff to “Gosford Park.” It was in many ways an improbable hit. The first two features grossed more than $287 million at the worldwide box office.
Sean Astin, who starred in 'Lord of the Rings' and 'Rudy,' is elected as SAG-AFTRA's new president
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The union that represents tens of thousands of actors and other entertainer and media professionals has elected Sean Astin as its new president. On Friday, SAG-AFTRA elected Astin — who starred in “Rudy” and “The Lord of the Rings,” among other roles — to succeed Fran Drescher as its president. Astin is the son of the late Academy Award-winning actress Patty Duke. He defeated Chuck Slavin in a 79% to 21% vote. Michelle Hurd was elected secretary-treasurer. SAG-AFTRA brings together Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, program hosts and others.
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