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Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee’s expletive-riddled tirade at a staffer for fumbling a calendar reminder has made at least one new fan of the Democratic congresswoman from Texas – Fox News “Primetime” host Jesse Watters.

Lee’s voice can be heard berating an employee in an audio recording that was leaked this week — just as the Democratic House rep’s candidacy for mayor of Houston comes to a head. While everyone from conservative X commentators to the hosts of “The View” dragged the congresswoman’s tyrannical takedown of an underling, Watters is fully onboard.

“If I was a Houston resident, I would put a Sheila Jackson Lee sign in my yard and a bumper sticker on my truck,” Watters said Monday night. “It’s not like the Republicans are going to win in Houston anyway.”

Watters suggested that Lee’s lashing lecture represents a bygone type of bare-knuckles bossing he’d like to see become normal again.

“That’s the kind of leadership I want in a politician!” he said of the brutal berating. “That kind of leadership is dead today. Everyone is too afraid of HR! Too afraid of feelings.”

Watters said “Primetime” reached out to Lee’s staff for comment, was told they would get back to them with a statement — then never did, only further justifying her rip-roaring reprimand.

“And if you need more evidence that I’m on the right side of the issue, ‘The View’ disagrees,” Watters said, cutting to a clip in which the ABC hosts call Lee’s tempestuous tantrum “verbal abuse” and “toxic.”

“‘The View’ is a toxic work environment!” Watters yukked. “Ask any of the last seven ‘View’ hosts who cried themselves to sleep until they got fired.”

Watters also suggested that the leak came from inside the office of the notoriously noxious boss, not her “political rival” as she suggested: “Congresswoman, I hate to break it to you, but the fox is in the henhouse. Your staff leaked it. It’s imperative you clean house.”

Watch the entire exchange in the video above.


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October 24, 2023 @ 1:56 PM Rep. Sheila

Entertaintment

Four years ago, Taylor Swift included the song “Cruel Summer” on her album “Lover.” It became a fan favorite, and had been in line to be released as a single in 2020, before the Covid-19 pandemic changed all plans. “That is something that happened that stopped ‘Cruel Summer’ from ever being a single,” the singer said a few months ago.

But this year, Swift played the song on her record-breaking Eras Tour, and it was belatedly given the proper promotional push. After breaking into the Top 10 in July, “Cruel Summer” has finally made it to No. 1, becoming Swift’s 10th track to top Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.

Over the last week, Swift went all out to promote it. She discounted the track for digital sales and released an EP containing a remix and a live version, “so we can all shriek it in the comfort of our homes and cars,” as she announced on social media.

Last week, “Cruel Summer” had nearly 19 million streams in the United States, sold 41,000 downloads — up from around 2,500 the week before — and had 78 million “airplay audience impressions,” a measurement of a song’s popularity at radio, according to the tracking service Luminate.

On this week’s album chart, Bad Bunny sailed to the top with his latest album, “Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana” (“Nobody Knows What Will Happen Tomorrow”), which the Puerto Rican superstar released on Oct. 13 with just a few days’ notice. The album, his third to reach No. 1, opened with the equivalent of 184,000 sales in the United States, including 240 million streams and 7,500 download sales, according to Luminate.

Bad Bunny, who was the host and musical guest on “Saturday Night Live” over the weekend, released “Un Verano Sin Ti” last year — a surprise, like “Nadie Sabe” — and it went on to top the Billboard album chart 13 times; he was also the world’s top touring artist in 2022.

Bad Bunny’s success bumps Drake to second place after one week at No. 1 with “For All the Dogs.” Also this week, the K-pop quintet Tomorrow X Together opens at No. 3 with “The Name Chapter: Freefall,” which sold 106,000 copies as a complete package and drew about 12 million clicks on streaming services.

Zach Bryan’s self-titled LP is No. 4, and “Set It Off” by Offset, of the Atlanta rap trio Migos, opens in fifth place.

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Four years ago, Taylor Swift included the

DCU

Summary

  • Natalie Dormer’s fan art as Poison Ivy sparks speculation about her potential portrayal of the iconic Batman villain in upcoming movies.
  • Poison Ivy is a deserving character for redemption on the big screen, as previous portrayals have not done justice to the complex and powerful villainess.
  • Both Batman: The Brave and The Bold and The Batman – Part II have the opportunity to explore Poison Ivy’s challenging role as one of Batman’s adversaries, showcasing her powers and her connection to other characters like Harley Quinn.


New Batman fan art imagines what Natalie Dormer could look like as Poison Ivy in the DC Universe. Batman continues to be one of the DC Comics heroes to have his mythology retold over and over again, whether it be in live-action or through animation. The next few years will be some of Batman’s biggest ones yet as The Batman – Part II is in the works while James Gunn’s DC Universe has Batman: The Brave and The Bold coming up as part of the new interconnected franchise.

While details are being kept under wraps on both The Batman – Part II and Batman: The Brave and The Bold, the world is still speculating on what villains may be featured in those movies and who will end up playing them. One scenario that audience members are imagining is Game of Thrones’ Natalie Dormer as Poison Ivy as Steven Defendini shared new artwork of how she could look like the iconic Batman villain.

While several Game of Thrones actors have gone on to take roles in the DC Universe and Marvel Cinematic Universe, Dormer has yet to take on a major comic book role. Outside of her minor role in Captain America: The First Avenger, Dormer has continued to be brought up in numerous fan casting lists for DC and Marvel roles.

RELATED: How To Watch Batman Movies in Order (Chronologically & By Release Date)


Why Poison Ivy Is A Perfect Villain For Both Upcoming Batman Movies

While several Batman villains have been portrayed in past DC movies, Poison Ivy is still one who has only had a single film appearance, played by Uma Thurman in Batman & Robin, which was a massive disservice to the character. Even the questionable approach that Gotham had with their Poison Ivy (who literally got aged up through storylines, leading to multiple recasting moves) is more digestible than what Batman & Robin did, where the powerful villainess was made into a joke. Whether it is in Batman: The Brave and The Bold or The Batman – Part II, Poison Ivy is due for a big-screen redemption where she gets to shine.

Batwoman season 3 is a solid example of how powerful and formidable she can be when the writers take her seriously, as shown through Bridget Regan’s depiction. With Batman: The Brave and The Bold being set in a reality with fantastical elements like superpowers, Gunn’s DC Universe shouldn’t have problems in fully realizing Poison Ivy’s status as one of Batman’s most challenging opponents. Even Matt Reeves’ The Batman universe could depict her in a grounded way by leaning into her status as an eco-terrorist if they were to portray her without her actual powers.

Related: All 28 DC Universe Characters Confirmed In Canon By James Gunn

It’s also worth noting that technology has now come a long way, meaning that if they displayed Poison Ivy’s powers, it would be incredible through the VFX capability that exists today. There are also other story opportunities to explore with Poison Ivy as simply one of Batman’s big bads, whether that is the iconic romance with Harley Quinn or her role as part of the Gotham City Sirens. For now, time will tell if any of the upcoming Batman movies will give Poison Ivy a proper opportunity to fight the Dark Knight on the big screen.

Source: Steven Defendini/Instagram

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Summary Natalie Dormer's fan art

Comics

Hasbulla has been a mysterious figure within the UFC for quite some time, with his small stature earning him big love from around the globe. However, his cameo in the most recent UFC game has fans wanting to head into the Octagon with him as a playable fighter.

Tweet via @HasbullaHive on X (formerly known as Twitter)

In a post shared by Hasbulla fan page @HasbullaHive, fighter Islam Makhachev makes his way to the Octagon with Hasbulla making a surprise appearance alongside him. Not only is this a great cameo, since the two can be spotted in real life together rather often, but the digital renderings of both look fantastic. Players, on the other hand, are hoping that Hasbulla makes it from ringside teammate to a fighter in the near future. In a fight between Hasbulla and Georges St. Pierre, my money’s on Hasbulla.

Reply by @MikeWoz_YT on X (formerly known as Twitter)

While it would be hilarious to watch Hasbulla get into the ring with some of the other UFC icons, there may have to be a few special rules put into play to make the grounds more competitive. Maybe the addition of his sworn rival, Abdu Rozik, as another DLC fighter could be in the near future? It’s hard to say since Hasbulla hasn’t been seen training in the ring before, but this could lead to bigger things in the future.

I mean, UFC 4 did have a Hasbulla Vanity Bundle that you could purchase to deck out your character as a caricatured version of the iconic sports personality, but we can only hope that you can bring the fighting spirit to life with the man himself soon. It’s something I didn’t know I wanted until now, and I’m hoping that EA sees the demand for this little man to make his big debut in the ring.

About the Author

Shaun Cichacki

As a fan of RPGs, Action & Retro titles, Shaun has been gaming since he was a young boy. With an overwhelming obsession involving Metal Gear Solid and Pizza Tower, you know you’re in for a wild ride when it comes to things he’s writing about.

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Hasbulla has been a mysterious figure within

Festivals

This is day 103 of SAG-AFTRA strike.

The actors were back out on the picket line in full force Tuesday — the same day their union was set to resume negotiations with the AMPTP.

Thesps walked the line on both coasts, with actors like Sarah Paulson, Zachary Quinto, Betty Gilpin, J. Smith-Cameron, Carrie Preston and Ke Huy Quan marching in the Big Apple while Allison Janney, Geri Ryan, Rick Gonzales (Law & Order: Organized Crime), The Continental stars Mishel Prada and Adam Shapiro, Breaking Bad’s Charles Baker and Myles Grier and Jury Duty‘s Trisha LaFache pounded the pavement outside of Warner Bros. in Burbank.

Members of the American Federation of Musicians also came out to the WB picket line Tuesday to support members of SAG-AFTRA.

“Today is back to the table, day one of negotiations,” said Ryan to Deadline. “I want to send a message to all our negotiating committee members that we’re with you, we love you, stand strong. Go get ’em.”

Disney’s Bob Iger, Warner Bros Discovery’s David Zaslav, Netflix’s Ted Sarandos and NBCUniversal’s Donna Langley, have been participating in efforts to close an agreement with the actors union for the past several weeks. It was the studio bosses who asked the Guild for the talks to restart today, we hear — an offer that was accepted in short order. That intel was confirmed in a post the Guild put up on social media not long after the second round new talks were announced.

“How do I feel about the negotiations? I’m optimistic,” added Gonzales. “I think what I love about my union is that we’ve always been ready to negotiate at the drop of a dime. And I think what we’ve been asking for has been nothing short of fair and equal to both sides.”

Added The Continental‘s Shapiro, “If the AMPTP walks away again, we’ll just be back on these picket lines like we have been for the last 103 days. Every day we are out here we get stronger, so it’s up to them to finish this thing.”

Tuesday’s SAG-AFTRA picket in downtown Manhattan stretched the length of the block connecting Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery. Picketers chanted loudly to beats from a three-person percussion line that included actor Jill Hennessy on tambourine and they cheered every sympathetic honk of the horn from passing vehicles.

Rebecca Damon, president of SAG-AFTRA’s New York local and Lowell Peterson, the outgoing executive director of the Writers Guild East, also marched Tuesday.

Gondelman, who belongs to both unions, reminded picketers that the overlapping writers and actors strikes have spanned more than 170 days. “The studios should be embarrassed that we’re still out here yelling at them six months in,” he shouted through a bullhorn. “They should be humiliated because they should have put a fair deal on the table already.”

Meanwhile, writer/actor Josh Gondelman addressed the picket outside Netflix/WBD in NYC. “This energy is incredible out here today. I love seeing everyone out here,” he said. “We should not have to be out here anymore. The studios should be embarrassed we are still out here yelling at them.”

“I don’t want to get my hopes up because they were dashed the other week,” actor Quincy Tyler Bernstine told Deadline. “So it’s cautious optimism. I’m so inspired by the numbers of people that have come out. I was here yesterday as well and was blown away by all of the support. So we’ll stay out here as long as we have to. I’m crossing my fingers and not holding my breath.”

John Carroll Lynch told Deadline expressed some optimism about today’s talks. “I hope that the AMPTP and, more specifically, the corporations that make up that trade organization understand that we’re not going away. This is not a circumstance where performers can back down. We need to get these protections from artificial intelligence … we need to get a raise, and we need to change the business model.” 

A handful of picketers likened the impasse to an internal family disagreement. “You have to come back to the table because you’re family,” actor Sevans Martinez told Deadline.

Dann Fink, a voiceover actor, compared the two sides to feuding siblings: “Your parents make you sit down and shake hands at the end. And I kind of feel like that’s the moment that we’re in.” 

Hennessy, a regular presence on the New York picket lines, told Deadline that while “it’s kind of scary to hope,” her hope is that the AMPTP is really ready to talk after a two-week walkout,  similar in length and timing to one the writers confronted before a deal was finally reached.

“Nothing gets done when people don’t talk,” Hennessy said. “I don’t care whether it’s a family, a country or unions.”

“As to what will happen, I have no clue,” she added. “To be honest, hitting the line is good for my sanity. I get to hang with my community. I get to know them better. And there’s a lot of people who are hurting right now. One of the guys that plays drums with me, he works night shifts on two other jobs so he can be here every day to play a snare drum, just to keep people’s spirits up.”

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 24: SAG-AFTRA members on strike on October 24, 2023 in New York City. The strike, which began on July 14th, entered it’s 100th day on October 21st as the actors’ union and Hollywood studios and streamers failed to reach an agreement. (Photo by John Nacion/Getty Images)

John Nacion/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 23: Betty Gilpin is seen at the SAG-AFTRA picket line on October 23, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 23: Ke Huy Quan joins SAG-AFTRA members on strike on October 23, 2023 in New York City. The strike, which began on July 14th, entered it’s 100th day on October 21st as the actors’ union and Hollywood studios and streamers failed to reach an agreement. (Photo by John Nacion/Getty Images)

John Nacion/Getty Images

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This is day 103 of SAG-AFTRA strike.

Film

UPDATE: House Majority Whip Tom Emmer‘s bid for speaker of the House is already over, after he was unable to win over a group of GOP holdouts and after Donald Trump weighed in against him.

Emmer, a congressman from Minnesota, was the third Republican nominated for the post since Kevin McCarthy was ousted three weeks ago. He dropped out of the race during a 4 p.m. ET meeting of the GOP conference, per CNN.

“It looks like he’s finished,” Trump said of Emmer this afternoon.

Although Emmer had emerged the winner after five rounds of secret balloting in a closed-doors meeting of the Republican conference. But he was viewed as too moderate for some 26 holdouts in the GOP caucus, having backed legislation last year to codify same-sex marriage into federal law and having voted to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election in favor of Joe Biden.

CNN’s Jake Tapper, who is anchoring from Israel, called the latest development “utterly embarrassing.”

Tapper told viewers, “I’m covering life and death issues, serious tragedies, serious momentous occurrences here in Israel and of course in Gaza. And of course we have to interrupt this for one moment to cover the complete and utter clown car that is the House Republicans speakers race back in Washington, D.C.”

The latest wrinkle in the speaker’s race drew coverage on the three major news networks, but it did not dominate the day in the way it did in past weeks. Rather, the networks devoted more time to the Israel-Gaza crisis and to Trump’s legal troubles, a signal that the story is getting old even to a Beltway-focused media.

Emmer’s moment in the limelight lasted just a few hours before it became clear that he would have a difficult time obtaining the support of 217 Republicans to win the speakership. He garnered 117 votes on the fifth ballot, enough to be nominated, followed by Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA), who received 97 votes. Johnson is expected to run again in a new effort to find a nominee who can win on the floor of the House.

PREVIOUSLY: Just as House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) was working to win over holdouts to his bid to become House speaker, former President Donald Trump weighed in against him.

Trump wrote on Truth Social, “I have many wonderful friends wanting to be Speaker of the House, and some are truly great Warriors. RINO Tom Emmer, who I do not know well, is not one of them. He never respected the Power of a Trump Endorsement, or the breadth and scope of MAGA—MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! He fought me all the way, and actually spent more time defending Ilhan Omar, than he did me—He is totally out-of-touch with Republican Voters.”

Trump added, “I believe he has now learned his lesson, because he is saying that he is Pro-Trump all the way, but who can ever be sure? Has he only changed because that’s what it takes to win? The Republican Party cannot take that chance, because that’s not where the America First Voters are. Voting for a Globalist RINO like Tom Emmer would be a tragic mistake!”

Emmer won the Republican conference race to become their nominee for speaker earlier today, and it looked as if Trump would stay out of the race. On Monday, Trump told reporters he talked to Emmer over the weekend, and the former president declined to endorse anyone and indicated that he would stay out of the race. But now that Emmer is facing the uphill climb of convincing 26 Republican holdouts to vote for him if and when his nomination would make it to the House floor, Trump took to his social media platform to try to scuttle his chances. Trump has been in a New York courthouse today to watch his civil fraud trial, where his former attorney Michael Cohen is testifying.

Republicans are breaking for the next couple of hours before meeting again.

PREVIOUSLY: House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) today won the Republican nomination to be the next Speaker of the House, but he now faces the uphill challenge of garnering the 217 votes needed to be elected in a floor vote.

Emmer is the third GOP speaker nominee in as many weeks, as House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) each were tapped by the Republican majority yet failed to get elected. The protracted battle has exposed bitter rifts and bad blood within the Republican conference, and has left the House at a standstill at a moment of international crises and the prospect of government funding running out next month.

Emmer drew 117 votes on the fifth secret ballot of the House Republican conference, which met behind closed doors today at the Capitol, according to CNN. Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) generated 97 votes. Other candidates received five votes and one person voted present. Republicans then held a closed door roll call of members on how they intended to vote on the floor for speaker, and Emmer still fell short, with 26 lawmakers saying they would vote for someone else.

Emmer is regarded as more moderate than Johnson, having voted for legislation last year to codify the right to same-sex marriage and, more recently, for a bill to extend government funding into November. He also voted to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election, something that has helped make him a target of backers of Donald Trump. Steve Bannon railed against Emmer on his podcast, although Trump himself declined to weigh in against him on Monday. “He called me yesterday and he told me, ‘I am your biggest fan,’” Trump told reporters.

Assuming all Democrats remain united behind their choice for speaker, Hakeem Jeffries, Emmer can only lose four Republican votes given the GOP’s narrow majority. That proved elusive for Emmer’s predecessors: Scalise dropped out of the race after it became clear that he would not be able to consolidate support, and Jordan went through three floor votes last week before Republicans dropped him as their nominee.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was ousted as speaker earlier this month when eight Republicans, led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), backed a motion to vacate.

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UPDATE: House Majority Whip Tom Emmer‘s bid

TV

Jean-Claude Van Damme claimed in a recent interview with The Telegraph that Vin Diesel was not interested in having him star in the “Fast & Furious” franchise. The ongoing action series has employed action movie veterans such as Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham over the years, and Van Damme said the franchise was also interested in getting him on board. It was Diesel who allegedly said no.

The Telegraph notes: “Van Damme has also missed out on a role in another mega-franchises. ‘They want me in “Fast and Furious,”‘ he says. And what a bit of casting that would be. But Vin Diesel said, ‘No, I don’t want him.’”

Variety has reached out to Diesel’s representatives for comment. Van Damme did not not disclose which “Fast & Furious” project he was potentially being courted for.

Instead of joining “Fast & Furious,” Van Damme got involved in another Hollywood action franchise when he appeared as the villain in 2012’s “The Expendables 2.” The film included a climax in which he faces off against Sylvester Stallone, another veteran of the action movie genre.

“People have been driving Tesla on the screen,” Van Damme said. “Beautiful, perfect CGI. And maybe some people want to go back to the stick shift for a while. Some people. You know what I’m saying as a metaphor? I’m a stick shift.”

The Telegraph adds: “The latest installment, ‘The Expendables 4,’ has just tanked at the box office. Van Damme doesn’t know why. Perhaps because Van Damme isn’t in it, I suggest. He was killed off in the second film, but Stallone teased that Van Damme might return at some point as Jean Vilain’s twin, Claude – a nod to Van Damme’s twin roles in Double Impact. ‘Yeah! That’s what Stallone told me,’ says Van Damme, laughing. Well, there’s always Expendables 5. ‘Or 25,’ he says.

As for “Fast & Furious,” the most recent installment in the franchise, “Fast X,” opened in May and grossed $704 million at the worldwide box office. While domestic interest in the series has waned (“Fast X” only grossed $145 million in North America), the franchise remains incredibly popular overseas ($558 million global).

Universal will release the 11th “Fast & Furious” movie in theaters on April 4, 2025

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Jean-Claude Van Damme claimed in a recent

What to Watch

Netflix subscription is required to watch on Netflix

 

Great news! “Minions” is available to watch on Netflix USA!

 

Date Added: 24th April 2016

Want to keep forever? Try looking for ‘Minions’ on Amazon (paid link)

 

History:

   04/24/2016: Added to Netflix

   10/25/2017: Removed from Netflix

   10/24/2023: Streaming Again

 

Description:

Travel back in time with Kevin, Stuart and Bob in this prequel that follows the Minions as they try to win the favor of supervillain Scarlet Overkill.

 

Certificate: PG
Action and rude humor

 

Year: 2015

Duration: 1hr 30m

Audio: English – Audio Description, English [Original]

Subtitles: English

– English Audio Description

 

Cast and Crew

Director: Kyle Balda, Pierre Coffin

 

Cast: Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm, Michael Keaton, Allison Janney, Steve Coogan, Jennifer Saunders, Geoffrey Rush, Pierre Coffin

 

Production & Box Office Details:

“Minions” was produced by Illumination and Universal Pictures with a budget of $74m. With it’s initial release on June 17th 2015 it made approximately $1.16bn at the Box Office.

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Watch the trailer for “Minions”

 

RATINGS:

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Available on Netflix USA!

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Awards

In early 1991, 20-year-old Tupac Shakur was torn between ambitions of acting and rapping, and struggling to catch a break on both fronts. He had studied theater at the Baltimore School for the Arts and toured with the west coast hip-hop collective Digital Underground, but acting opportunities were scarce and he had yet to finish the demo tape that would launch him to stardom. His luck would turn when Digital Underground’s road manager, Sleuth, received a call from Cara Lewis, the group’s booking agent at William Morris. A film director named Ernest Dickerson was looking for actors for a movie called Juice and they invited Money-B, a fellow member of the collective, to audition. Dickerson had earned acclaim for his work as Spike Lee’s director of photography on a run of films, including She’s Gotta Have It, School Daze, Do the Right Thing, Mo’ Better Blues, and Jungle Fever. Now he was writing and directing his first feature film, a portrait of inner-city life and a coming-of-age drama about four teenage boys growing up in Harlem.

While Tupac and members from Digital Underground rolled through the streets of New York in a limousine, attending New York’s New Music Seminar and doing various press junkets, Money-B read through the script. He scanned the lines that were written for Steel, the part he was slated to audition for, but as he read, one of the other characters caught his attention. Money passed Tupac the script. “Look at the character Bishop. This dude is just like you,” he told Tupac. “You should just come to the audition and read for this other part here.” 

This article is adapted from Tupac Shakur: The Authorized Biography, by Staci Robinson (Crown).

Crown Publishing Group

Tupac’s friend Treach (from Naughty By Nature), whom he had just met on the road months before, had been recommended to the casting agents by Queen Latifah, who would also be cast in the film. The next day, Money, Treach, and Tupac strolled into the William Morris Agency. Only Money and Treach had an official audition. They sat patiently and waited alongside the actors gathered to read for the various parts. “In our minds, if it all worked out, I’d have been Steel, Tupac would have been Bishop,” Money-B recalled. “Treach would have been Q. We would have been real friends being friends in the movie, which would have been dope.” 

Money-B went in first and got a quick thanks-but-no-thanks. Treach auditioned next, and although he didn’t snag one of the leads, he did end up cast in a smaller role. Dickerson then spotted Tupac in the waiting area and asked him if he wanted to audition. A few moments later, Tupac found himself in a room filled with casting agents and producers reading for the role of Q. 

“What’s your name?” they asked him.

“Tupac.”

“Oh, that’s an interesting name. What is that?”

Tupac proudly explained that he was named after Tupac Amaru the last Sapa Inca of the Neo-Inca State, the final remaining independent part of the Inca empire.

As soon as he was finished reading for Q, Dickerson had an idea. “Can you stay longer? Can you read for this role?” Dickerson asked while handing him sides — short snippets of dialogue to study. It was dialogue for Bishop, the character that had reminded Money of Tupac. Tupac nodded, glanced at the paper, and stepped outside to study for a bit.

When he’d prepared himself, he went back in and stood in front of Dickerson and the rest of the filmmakers who held the fate of his dreams in their hands. “I read cold turkey, walked in there, picked up the sides and just read,” he remembered later. “And I got that part. That was God.”

“Tupac goes in the room,” Money remembered. “All of a sudden you hear cheering. And people standing up and whistling and everything.”

Dickerson and the others exchanged glances as Tupac left the room. They knew they’d found their Bishop. “The thing that he got that nobody else got was the pain,” Dickerson recalled. 

Producer David Heyman, who would go on to produce the Harry Potter films, was there and remembered that after the audition, “[Tupac] walked out of the room and he stuck his head back in and with a little wink and a smile, because he was mischievous, he says, ‘You better give me the part because I know where y’all live,’ and then he shut the door and walked out.” 

The film’s producers invited the four potential leads to dinner together to see if they had chemistry. At the table with Tupac that evening were Jermaine Hopkins, who had appeared in the classic Lean on Me and was being considered for the role of Steel; Omar Epps, a student of LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts who would be cast as Q; and Khalil Kain, who had been an extra in New Jack City and had auditioned for the role of Raheem. By the end of the dinner, the producers were sold on the four young men’s rapport. It was the perfect combination. 

While Tupac waited for an official confirmation that he’d been cast in Juice, his manager, Atron Gregory, continued to circulate his demo to record labels in New York and in Los Angeles. As the list of rejections continued to grow, Atron received some hopeful news. “Jeff Fenster of Charisma Records was the only man in the industry who got Tupac [at that point],” he said. But the hope was quickly dashed. Fenster could not convince Charisma’s execs to make an offer. 

Amid these rejections, Ernest Dickerson came through with a resounding yes — Tupac had officially landed the role in Juice. In a full-circle moment, Juice would shoot in his hometown of Harlem, just a short distance from the Apollo Theater, where six years earlier Tupac had gotten his first bite from the acting bug in A Raisin in the Sun. At a time when theater screens across the country were filling up with cinematic portrayals of life in the hood — especially that year, as films such as New Jack City and Boyz n the Hood opened to mammoth success, Juice seemed poised to break out.

Production began on March 14, 1991, less than two weeks after motorist Rodney King was beaten violently by four Los Angeles Police Department officers following a high-speed pursuit. The beating, captured on video and repeated endlessly across all news platforms, marked a watershed moment in race relations in America. Many Black Americans were ready to revolt against the racist oppression behind this reprehensible act. Tupac, angered as well, and sick and tired of the police continuing to misuse their power, wanted nothing more than to see these officers charged, hoping the world would finally start to see some change. But things would get worse in Los Angeles before they got better: Two days after filming started, Black teenager Latasha Harlins, a Westchester High School student, was shot by a Korean grocer over a $1.79 bottle of orange juice. Harlins had placed the bottle of juice in her backpack as she approached the register, two dollar bills in her hand, with the intention to pay. The city was a powder keg, ready to explode. 

A coast away, Tupac settled in and prepared for his debut movie role. The film’s producers rented him an apartment on the ninth floor of a building at Fifty-First Street and Seventh Avenue for the duration of the shoot. The pad soon became a hangout spot for some of his castmates, as well as a place to reconvene with friends he had met on tour, like Yo-Yo. 

At first, Tupac’s daily trips to the set went without a hitch. He showed up on time, for the most part, except a few early mornings when he disregarded the call sheet and kept the entire crew waiting. Cast members recalled conversations about this behavior, but Tupac shrugged it off. “Pac would get mad and walk off the set,” Jermaine Hopkins recalled. Hopkins said that Tupac would tell his castmates, “They need us more than we need them. Do you know how much money it would cost to replace one of us right now and have to do this shit all over again?”

More often, though, Tupac left the selfish behavior at home and showed up to the set congenial and accommodating. The production shot outside most days, and many of the cast and crew noticed Tupac’s natural propensity to engage with lookie-loos and homeless people. Bothered by periodic homelessness since he was young, he didn’t hesitate to check on their well-being, talking with them and doing what he could to offer them words of encouragement. Some days he even made friends with passing fans as they walked by the set.

Social as he could be, when it came to acting, Tupac was focused. He dove deep into the role of Bishop, the film’s antagonist, a character with a checkered past who harbored deep pain from a severely dysfunctional family life. His training from BSA and his short stint in Tam High’s drama department shone through as producers watched the dailies. One of them, Preston Holmes, remembered how his initial skepticism melted away: “I was more than a little surprised, to put it mildly, that Tupac was so serious about the craft of acting. I guess I assumed this guy was just a rapper that they were sticking in this movie because he sold a few records and the headache of dealing with this on a day-to-day basis would be ours to deal with, but the truth was that this guy was a consummate pro. He was superb. He blew all of us away.” 

Tupac found a way to infuse his own life experiences into his thunderous performance, tapping into his deep reserves of anger. Tupac later explained his process: “When I get a part, first I just try to find out, you know, how does this character feel? Like I make the person up in my mind, what does he look like? Try to put a face to him, even though it’s my face. I give him a walk. Give him an attitude. All you really have to do is relate to the character.” In another interview, he recalled, “I am real . . . I stay real, I am never a story, never a script, never a character. Even when I’m playing a character, I am really that character. There is nothing fake. I just took everything and internalized it.” 

Tupac also tried to tap into what he believed to be the sentiments of many young Black men in America at that time. “You have to understand that character. He came from a broken home,” he explained of Bishop in an interview. “No models, no role models, no real models. Nobody sat him down. All he did was eat breakfast at home and go in the street and get all of his education.” In another interview, he said that Juice was “the story of today’s young Black male and it needs to be told because police beating up brothers in the street. All that stuff still happens. And all this needs to be told.” Speaking from Bishop’s point of view, he explained, “I have no role models. That’s why I went over the edge.” At the height of Bishop’s dramatic arc, he delivers the classic sinister lines: “I am crazy, but you know what else? I don’t give a fuck! . . . I don’t give a fuck about myself.” Those lines captured the hopelessness that sometimes suffused not only Tupac’s soul but the souls of so many across the country.

Tupac’s portrayal of Bishop was so convincing that it would eventually blur the lines for some of the film’s viewers, who collapsed the aggressive qualities of the character onto the actor. But the interplay was far more complex. Tupac’s castmate Jermaine Hopkins spoke about Tupac’s role as Bishop: “Was Tupac Bishop? No. Was Bishop’s attitude inside of Tupac? Yes. Were there certain situations that could bring the Bishop out of Tupac? Yes. Bishop was a character on a piece of paper. The personality of a Tupac Shakur in lifestyle and upbringing and trials and tribulations through life brought Bishop to life as a character. Those words on the script is just words on a script without putting any feeling behind him.” 

The production of Juice was not without drama. Tupac’s movie trailer — his private space to get dressed and relax between scenes — was an active hangout, with friends and castmates coming and going, weed smoke wafting through the air inside the small space. According to his family, Tupac never liked to be alone and often surrounded himself with friends and family. Sometimes he even welcomed curious movie fans and passersby onto the set. But one afternoon his friendliness cost him. A few hours after inviting a stranger onto the set, Tupac realized that all of his gold jewelry was gone. 

Tupac went off the rails at this violation of one of his mother Afeni’s cardinal rules: Never steal from another. Ernest Dickerson tried to calm him down by assuring him that they’d reimburse him for everything that was taken, but Tupac told him he would take care of it. Days later, someone spotted the suspect lurking around the perimeter of the set. Tupac and his friends ran toward him, grabbed him, and beat him up in the middle of the street before he finally was able to escape and run away. 

After the incident, Tupac felt he needed a protector, a watchful eye. He called on a friend who had quickly become an integral part of his life. Randy “Stretch” Walker was a fellow rap artist and producer. He and his brother, Majesty, were recording artists signed to Tommy Boy Records, performing under the name Live Squad. Stretch and Tupac had hit it off instantly when they met in Oakland and discovered their common love for rhyming about the realities of the streets. In Stretch, Tupac found a friend whose lyrics came from the same foundation as his own: the ills of crime-ridden urban communities and how they adversely affected the psyche of young Black children.

The two soon became inseparable. “Everywhere they went, they had to go together,” Shock recalled. “They loved each other so much, they were crazy. They would stand in the living room kickin’ each other with their arms locked. One faced one way and the other faced the other way. We’d watch for a minute and then we’d get back to playing dominoes. It would go on for twenty minutes straight.” Stretch had already been hanging out occasionally on the set of Juice. Now Tupac asked him to help ensure no one else came into his trailer for the remainder of the shoot. Stretch took the responsibility seriously. Once he and his six-foot-seven presence started to show up every morning, everyone was sure that no one else would be stealing from Tupac.

On set, Tupac spent his downtime reading the daily newspapers.  One morning, he came across a story about a young mother who had thrown her newborn baby boy down a trash chute. He followed the story closely as the week went on, shaken by the details. He read that the girl was only twelve years old, and that the pregnancy was the result of her cousin raping her. Tupac was not only discouraged that the story didn’t get front-page placement, but he couldn’t understand how anyone who heard or read about it didn’t stop to acknowledge the gravity of this horrific tragedy. The incest, the baby thrown in the trash — it was all too much for him to forget. He talked about it with castmates and crew throughout the day, and eventually grabbed one of his notebooks and began scribbling lyrics. “Pac was so troubled, like, the whole morning,” his Juice co-star Omar Epps remembered. “Like, how could a woman do that? And so a few hours later he was like ‘Yo, O, come here. He starts kickin’ his rhyme.”

The song was “Brenda’s Got a Baby.” “It was in my trailer while we was filming Juice,” Tupac recalled. “In between shots I wrote it. I was crying too. That’s how I knew everybody else would cry, ’cause I was crying. It takes a lot to move me. But I was in tears because this little Black girl was all by herself and the next page I’m hearing about little debutantes and shit. That shit was just getting to me too much.” Production for Juice wrapped mid-April. On the last day on set, the cast and crew gathered in celebration, hopeful about the film’s future on the big screen. Still waiting on a record deal, Tupac would head back to California to continue to record. As he left the set, one of the film’s producers, Neal Moritz, congratulated him for his performance and teased him about spending so much of his money on gold chains and rings. Tupac quoted a few lines from his favorite Robert Frost poem: “So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay.” 

Moritz reassured him that he was going to be a big star in ten years. But Tupac, who had no illusions about the harrowing homicide statistics that plagued America’s young Black men, had already formed his own grim self-fulfilling prophecy. 

“I’m not going to be alive,” Tupac responded.

Adapted from the book TUPAC SHAKUR: The Authorized Biography by Staci Robinson. Copyright © 2023 by Amaru Entertainment, Inc.. Published in the United States by Crown, an imprint of Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. All rights reserved. 

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In early 1991, 20-year-old Tupac Shakur was

Docs

NOW IN THEATERS! In 1887, Oscar Wilde penned a humorous short story concerning a cowardly ghost coming face with any Brits’ worst nightmare: A family of American industrialists. Thus do we have Shout! Kids factory’s production of The Canterville Ghost. For 300 years, Sir Simon de Canterville (Stephen Fry at his bombastic best) has kept people from residing in his beloved Canterville Chaise. Along come Hiram and Lucretia Otis (David Harewood and Meera Syal, respectively) and their children Virginia (Emily Carey) and twin boys Kent (Bennett Miller) and Louis (Jakey Schiff). Whereas in the past, Sir Simon was more than up to the task of scaring any would-be resident of his estate, these Americans prove intractable and immovable. In point of fact, Kent and Louis spend a fair amount of time pranking both Sir Simon and their parents’ guests.

This leads to Sir Simon feeling very down, apart from the time he spends growing a friendship with Virginia. She is a modern woman of 1900—very forthright and determined. Virginia initially arranges with Sir Simon to terrorize her family so as to convince them to return to America. When that plan fails, Virginia comes to learn of Sir Simon’s plight. He has been stuck here as a ghost, for he was a coward in life. To achieve his eternity, Simon must deal with Death directly.

At the same time, Virginia meets Henry, the current Duke of Cheshire (Freddie Highmore). There exists great animosity between the House of Cheshire and Sir Simon. What that exactly is and how to redeem Sir Simon from his personal purgatory are mysteries I shall permit the film to reveal to you when witness it, gentle reader.

“…a cowardly ghost coming face with any Brits’ worst nightmare: A family of American industrialists.”

The Canterville Ghost has had many cinematic and televisual adaptations across the decades and generations. It has even been prepared as puppet shows and stage plays. Rarely has a wry short story so fully captured the imagination of Humanity as this one has. I tell you now, this iteration of The Canterville Ghost is a hoot fit for the entire family to watch together.

It has been imbued with the perfect balance of gentle humor and rousing action. There is a fencing duel in the third act that is simply marvelous. Special mention must be made of Miranda Hart’s positively dotty Ghost Catcher. Here, we have a genteel Victorian version of a rookie ghost hunter. I found her scenes vivacious and batty—very fun stuff.

But what of the ghost, I hear you ask? Well, every production of The Canterville Ghost rises and falls on the energy and pizzazz – dare I say razzle-dazzle? Aye, I dare – razzle-dazzle of the actor tasked with portraying the hauntingly and cowardly Sir Simon de Canterville. Well, gentle reader, I’m here to tell you Stephen Fry is positively wonderful as the voice of Sir Simon. The whole film gained greatly from the energy of his presence, and truly, his scene-chewing was epic in scale.

The writers, directors, and animator teams all deserve to give themselves a pat on the back. They were instrumental in crafting this utterly warm and endearing family animation. The 3D animation possessed a likeness of claymation, only smoother and better rendered. I simply cannot wait to watch it again in a movie theater.

As should you. There are so precious few great family entertainments these days you can feel comfortable taking all your children too. Parents and children of all ages seek The Canterville Ghost at your local movie theater. You’ll be very glad you did. That’s a Professor Franz guarantee.

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NOW IN THEATERS! In 1887, Oscar Wilde

Global

Last weekend, humanitarian relief supplies finally started trickling into Gaza as Israel’s aerial bombardment intensified. The combined total of 34 trucks bringing desperately needed food, water and medical supplies amounted to just 3% of Gazans’ previous meager average daily commodities imports.

Distribution remains patchy, with some hospitals reporting having received body bags and medical equipment, others not yet. The main U.N. relief organization in Gaza said on Tuesday that it would have to cease operations on Wednesday if it did not receive fuel.

The delivery of humanitarian aid during war is always fraught. Swimming against the tide of war can prove frustrating and even futile; hard-fought gains can be swept away by a single errant bomb. Ongoing hostilities can make logistics of delivery nightmarish, especially in places like Gaza’s northern “evacuation zone.”

One of the most common humanitarian quandaries, however, is a kind of moral hazard. It involves making concessions to unsavory local governments in order to get aid to the people in need.

This is not specific to Gaza, where Israel is understandably concerned that aid could support Hamas’s continuing attacks. Humanitarians often have to work with distasteful governments, “nonstate armed actors” and warlords to gain access to the people in greatest need. The terms set by such actors will naturally benefit them in some way.

Moral hazard questions gave rise to the modern humanitarian landscape. When Biafra declared its independence from the rest of Nigeria in 1967, Nigeria imposed a military blockade and starvation campaign. An estimated 1 million to 3 million people died between 1967 and 1970 as a result.

Doctors and supplies were dispatched to the conflict by the International Committee of the Red Cross. It and other groups organized an airlift into the territory, paying “landing fees” charged by Biafran authorities — fees that were then used to fund the war.

Some doctors felt frustrated by the aid organizations’ injunction against speaking out against this corruption. Some believed that their very presence might ultimately be doing more harm than good. Ultimately, they quit the Red Cross to found the more activist Doctors Without Borders in 1971.

Since then, the Hippocratic oath to “do no harm” has been incorporated into the humanitarian lexicon. But recent revelations about aid embezzlement fueling further conflict abound — from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Ethiopia to Yemen.

In Gaza, numerous instances of aid diversion have been reported over the 16 years that Hamas has run the government. Hamas agents have dismantled EU-provided water pipes for rocket fuselages, and they have stolen food and fuel from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.

Hamas has also benefited from aid less directly. The relief agency, funded on a voluntary basis by other countries, including the U.S., has delivered education and healthcare services via 284 schools and 22 hospitals. It thereby lessens the discontent of the Gazan population and allows Hamas to channel scarce resources into missiles instead of medicines.

Here in the U.S., Republicans such as Sen. Rick Scott (Fla.) seem to think the answer to the risk of aid diversion in Gaza is not to give it at all. Their party has taken that view on numerous occasions. In 1987, President Reagan’s GOP passed the Anti-Terrorism Act aimed at cutting off aid to the Palestinian Liberation Organization. In 2003, Sen. Mitch McConnell opposed President Bush’s proposed $20-million aid package to the PLO, warning that Hamas might benefit. In 2006, most U.S. foreign aid to Palestinians was cut in response to Hamas’ election victory. And in 2018, President Trump signed the Anti-Terrorism Classification Act and slashed aid to the Palestinian territories citing in part textbooks adopted by Hamas (but funded by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency) that some said glorified jihad. Another instance of aid organizations having to make nice to gain access.

On the other hand, the foreign aid largely channeled through that agency has been a lifeline in a territory forced to endure brutal economic isolation. The upsides to the interventions have been enormous: more than 500,000 students enrolled in any given year, 1.9 million Palestinians provided with healthcare services, not to mention the 22,000 local UNRWA jobs that do all that and more. And now, the agency has become an important provider of humanitarian assistance during this conflict.

Despite the long-established U.N. presence in Gaza, the U.S. effectively needs Israeli permission to deliver aid there. President Biden’s proposed $10-billion aid package for Israel outstrips the humanitarian aid package he is offering to Gaza by 100 times, sweetening an otherwise bitter proposition. (And yet Israel is a developed country with a per capita GDP roughly 14 times higher than among Palestinians; the U.S.’ proposed military aid would represent only around 30% of the Israel Defense Force’s budget for 2023.)

We don’t know the terms of the deal Biden struck with the Israelis to allow some aid to flow, but we do know that the trickle has begun. We also know that the suffering of the people of Gaza far eclipses the aid headed their way. The U.S. will continue to play a role, and it can ensure future terms with Israel include more and more concessions to help civilians in the war zone.

Topher McDougal is a professor of economic development at the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies at the University of San Diego.

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Last weekend, humanitarian relief supplies finally

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Image Credit: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock / Shutterstock

Jada Pinkett Smith dropped bombshell after bombshell in her recently released memoir, Worthy. And now, she’s welcoming Britney Spears to her club! In an October 24 Instagram post, the 52-year-old actress shared a fun throwback video of herself with Britney and gushed over Brit’s new book in the caption. According to PEOPLE (via a 2004 Entertainment Weekly report), the video appeared to be a skit played during tour dates in 2004, when Jada’s band Wicked Wisdom opened for Britney in the U.K. for several performances.

“Welcome to the ‘Bad Ass Women Memoir Club,’” Jada captioned the video on the day of The Woman in Me‘s release. “@britneyspears welcomed me to open for her on the Onyx tour with my band Wicked Wisdom with open arms. She was so sweet and supportive. Who knew we would be back on a different stage, sharing our journeys on the page. I can’t WAIT to read your book Britney and I’m sending you love on your pub day … congrats.”

In the clip, Jada literally materializes in an alleyway rocking a glittering tank top, capturing the attention of a fedora-wearing Britney. Intrigued, the pop star approaches Jada to ask, “who are you?” Jada reaches her arm out to magically open what appears to be a portal and asks, “you wanna join me?”

Jada’s sweet congratulatory post comes on the heels of her own memoir release on October 17. The book contained bombshell after bombshell, including the fact that she’d been separated from husband Will Smith since 2016, and how the infamous Oscars slap actually helped the stagnant marriage. In a stunning confession, she also claimed that Chris Rock had asked her out amid divorce rumors. 

Ahead of Brit’s memoir, which drops today, excerpts were released revealing stunning details about her life, including that she had an abortion after becoming pregnant with ex Justin Timberlake, and that she drank alcohol with her mom Lynne Spears when she was in the eighth grade.

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Image Credit: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock / Shutterstock Jada Pinkett

Tech

A rebound in digital advertising led to an uptick in revenue and profit for Alphabet, Google’s parent company, but investors were underwhelmed by its cloud computing business, which badly trails those of rivals Microsoft and Amazon.

Alphabet reported $76.7 billion in quarterly sales, up 11 percent from a year earlier, and roughly in line with analysts’ estimate of $76 billion, according to data compiled by FactSet.

The internet giant said that its profit jumped 42 percent to $19.7 billion, exceeding Wall Street expectations of $18.5 billion.

“Investors were disappointed by the relatively weak performance at its Google Cloud Platform, which is at risk of falling further behind” Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services, Jesse Cohen, an analyst at investing.com, wrote in a note.

Alphabet’s share price was down more than 5 percent in after-hours trading on Tuesday evening.

Google has focused on generative artificial intelligence, the technology that caused a splash when OpenAI released the A.I. chatbot ChatGPT last November. Google said in July that it would pour more resources into developing that technology while cutting other spending. In the last month, Google has shed hundreds of its recruiters and reorganized other parts of the company.

As of Sept. 30, the company had 182,381 employees, compared with about 119,000 at the end of 2019. Like other tech companies, Alphabet binged on hiring during the pandemic, and began to unwind those habits in January, when it cut 6 percent of its work force, or 12,000 employees.

Google Cloud, the company’s division that offers software and technology services to other businesses, recorded sales that increased 22 percent to $8.4 billion. Analysts, though, had estimated $8.6 billion. Google has invested in making its cloud division a destination for artificial intelligence software, and the quarter’s performance disappointed investors who had hoped A.I. could be a launching pad for the unit. The division posted a profit of $266 million in the third quarter.

Google’s quarterly performance contrasted with results also announced on Tuesday by Microsoft, which far outpaced expectations.

Revenue from Google’s search engine and related services, its largest business, rose 11 percent to $44 billion in the second quarter, narrowly topping analysts’ estimate of $43.3 billion.

Advertising sales at YouTube, Google’s video platform, climbed 12 percent to $7.95 billion, just ahead of the $7.8 billion expected by analysts.

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A rebound in digital advertising led to

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Human connection isn’t just a part of sales and marketing, but at the core of a discussion platform like Reddit. At the Variety Studio presented by Canva at Advertising Week in New York City, Emma Rathe, Reddit Inc. head of event marketing, and Paulita David, Reddit Inc. senior managing director of large customer sales, spoke about Reddit’s use of artificial intelligence, online community and what it’s like to build a brand centered around human connection.

“People go to Reddit because it is so much about the vulnerability you can bring to a platform like Reddit that you’re not bringing anywhere else,” Rathe said.

That vulnerability is a naturally integrated part of the platform, which focuses on connecting users across the world through shared interests, or communities called “subreddits.” On these subreddits, Redditors are able to ask questions about topics ranging from skincare to the construction industry.

“This trans man came on r/MakeupAddiction, which is like a 4 or 5-million person sub[reddit community], and said, ‘I’m learning how to do my makeup. Can you please give me constructive criticism?’ I don’t know where else that’s happening on the Internet, but there’s something really, really beautiful about that,” expressed Rathe. “Seeing all the other people on r/MakeupAddiction come in and give this person meaningful makeup advice is really touching.”

Due to the amount of conversations happening on Reddit, sometimes in real time, the site also offers a plethora of data about trending topics and issues. David emphasized the importance of AI for Reddit’s sales team. AI, according to David, has many uses, particularly with measuring the relevancy of ads and their performances. Another element that AI assists with is evaluating and sorting existing data.

“At Reddit, we sit on the largest repository of human conversation in the world. It’s an 18-year-old company that’s just all conversation,” stated David. “So you can imagine the sheer depth of the insights that we have. In order to really pull those out and capture what we like to call ‘moments’ to show what’s happening in the world and culture and society, we use a lot of AI for that.”

David brought up the Korean beauty industry (K-Beauty) as an example of AI’s important role in tracking prospective trends even before they occur. For David, K-Beauty’s global popularity today can be traced back to Reddit.

“[K-Beauty] was on Reddit five years before it was in Target,” David said. “That’s a good example of Redditors always being ahead of the curve, being early adopters. So we use AI to surface all that for our clients.”

“People’s content on Reddit today is powering the AI of tomorrow,” added Rathe.

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Human connection isn’t just a part of

Entertaintment


By Radhamely De Leon

The Ultimatum: Marry or Move on got off to a messy start when it premiered with Season 1 earlier this year. In this dating experiment, five couples put their relationships to the test after their partners give them the ultimate ultimatum: either marry me or get out. The Ultimatum gives these couples the opportunity to date amongst each other and take a three-week-long break from their longterm partners with the hopes of either rekindling their feelings for each other or finding a new fling. Season 1 of this messy series is full of drunken arguments, some light cheating, and many poor decisions, resulting in a highly watchable season of television with many surprises.

Photo: Courtesy Of Netflix

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By Radhamely De Leon The Ultimatum: Marry or Move

Movies

Last Updated: October 24, 2023, 21:55 IST

Take a look at all major developments of the day

From Angad Bedi’s note for his father to Ranbir Kapoor talking about Alia’s lipstick statement, here’s major happening of the day.

Angad Bedi penned a heartbreaking note after his father, legendary cricketer Bishan Singh Bedi passed away. He died on Monday, October 23, at the age of 77. Taking to Instagram, Angad shared a picture of his late father along with a heartbreaking letter. He said that his father’s death took everyone by surprise, much like Bishan’s balls. The actor said that while he and his family are in a state of shock by Bishan’s death, he is finding solace in knowning that Bishan lived a fulfilled life.

For more info: Angad Bedi In Shock by Bishan Singh Bedi’s Death: ‘Isn’t It Completely in Dad’s Character To…’

Ranbir Kapoor has won everyone’s hearts with his performances. Fans are eagerly waiting for his next film Animal. Well, today as a surprise, the actor was seen interacting with his fans and he opened up on many things including dealing with negativity around him. He said negativity is very important especially because then that creates a balance.

For more info: Ranbir Kapoor BREAKS Silence on Alia’s Lipstick Statement: ‘I Read Article About Being Toxic And…’

Malaika Arora has turned a year older on Monday, October 23. While she received wishes from all corners, it was her boyfriend Arjun Kapoor’s wish that caught everyone’s attention. He took to his social handle to wish his “baby” a happy birthday with also shared a beautiful photo and a heartwarming note. Malaika Arora also reacted to it. This quashed any remaining breakup rumours about the couple. Recently, Malaika also addressed the rumours in an interview.

For more info: Malaika Arora Finally Addresses Rumours Of Break-Up With Arjun Kapoor: ‘I’m At A Stage Where…’

After five days of festivities, it’s time to bid Ma Durga adieu. Bijoya Dashami, also called Dussehra, is significant Bengali festival celebrating Goddess Durga’s victory over the demon king Mahishasura. Actress Rani Mukerji, on the special day, channeled the Bengali in her and opted for a traditional look. The actress dropped a series of photos in Bengali traditional beiger and red sari

For more info: Rani Revels In Sindoor Khela, Dances To Beats Of Dhaak On Bijaya Dashami, Video Goes Viral; Watch

Shahid Kapoor has finally revealed that his new buzz cut look is for a cop film titled Deva. The actor took to Instagram to announce his new film on the occasion of Dusssehra. He also shared the first look which has left fans excited. Shahid appears to be playing the role of a police officer in the movie. In the photo, Shahid was seen flauting his short hairdo while holding a gun in his hand.

For more info: Shahid Kapoor Is New Cop on the Block, Announces Deva With a HOT 1st Look; Locks Dussehra 2024

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Last Updated: October 24, 2023, 21:55 ISTTake

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What on earth does it mean to be an “espooky?”

If the (now fallen) HBO show “Los Espookys” was any indication, it’s those who come alive at twilight; those who derive more comfort from horror films than rom-coms; and those for whom Halloween is every day.

As we inch closer to All Hallow’s Eve — followed by the collective day of ancestral reverence that is Día de Muertos — the veil between the material world and the spiritual plane is only growing thinner. In the tradition of those who came before us, we don’t use this time of year to shy away from the shadows; instead we embrace them for one night of mischief and another of magic.

Being the official Head Bruja of De Los and all, it’s only right that I prepare you with a playlist of 15 spanking new songs and classic, haunting hits by Latinx artists who are not afraid to lean into their dark sides. To my fellow goths — Los darks, Los espookys! — this power hour is for you.

Ministry, “Every Day Is Halloween”
Before he was known as the anarchic captain of industrial metal act Ministry, Al Jourgensen was a weird Cuban kid who signed a deal as a pop singer for Arista Records. As was the style of the time, he adopted a faux-British accent and recorded Ministry’s first album: a 1983 new wave classic called “With Sympathy,” which he since described to me as his “s— 80s pop record.” Jourgensen switched gears in 1984 and wrote the gothic teen anthem, “Every Day Is Halloween,” which is imbued with a Miami-after-dark feel.

The Soft Moon, “Become the Lies”
Cali post-punk torchbearer Luis Vasquez squarely faced his family traumas and alchemized the resulting pain into the Soft Moon’s steely 2022 LP, “Exister.” In the evocative dance track “Become the Lies,” Vasquez tries to exorcise the memory of his absent father, whose spirit lingers doggedly behind him like a shadow.

Matte Blvck, “Midnight & Angel”
It was by chance that I happened upon Matte Blvck performing live at the Coffin Club, a delightfully macabre venue in Portland, Ore. There they have a coffin you can just lounge in. It’s great. I was posing for a photo when I heard faint traces of what sounded like Depeche Mode in the distance; I descended into the basement and was pleasantly surprised to see this trio of Latinos from San Diego just grooving onstage in the purple smoke.

El Búho feat. Bomba Estéreo, “Brujería”
Don’t hate me — El Búho is not Latino! He’s an elusive English beatmaker who went to university for Latin American Studies. I was pretty skeptical when I first sussed it out, but this track with Li Saumet from Bomba Estéreo is absolutely spell-binding. I’ve enjoyed Li’s evolution from electro-cumbia riot grrrl to mystic earth mama in the last few years.

Mexican Institute of Sound, “Killer Kumbia”
Mexico City DJ and producer Camilo Lara has famously soundtracked a number of films, including “Y Tu Mamá También,” Pixar’s “Coco,” and most recently “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Lara’s project, Mexican Institute of Sound, provided the blueprint for countless electronic-folk fusion records from Latin America, and continues to reverberate through the sounds of today.

Sonido Gallo Negro, “The Model”
Calling all tropidarks: the CDMX players of Sonido Gallo Negro finessed this hair-raising cumbia rendition of Big Black’s creepy classic from 1987, “The Model.”

††† (Crosses), “Light as a Feather”
If you enjoyed Deftones at their most yearning and spectral — take shoegazey cuts like “Teenager” and “Sextape” — it’s worth wading into the gauzy dreamscape of Crosses, the side-project of Deftones vocalist Chino Moreno and his childhood friend, producer Shaun Lopez.

Tainy feat. Alvaro Díaz, “Paranormal”
Bad Bunny producer Tainy is not just a pop genius; he is the Puerto Rican prince of darkness. Befitting for ghosts of both the romantic and spiritual kind, “Paranormal” features crawling synths and vocals by emo-reggaetón cult star Alvaro Díaz.

Rubio, “Lo Que No Hablas”
Rubio is the alias of the ethereal queer pop artist from Chile, Francisca Straube. They concoct an enticing mystery with the hushed sensuality of “Lo Que No Hablas,” from their 2023 album “Venus & Blue.”

Espectro Caudillo, “El Temible Grupo Jaguar”
Real ones may recall the 2010s Tijuana brass of Los Macuanos, a band that Vice once called “Mexican Kraftwerk.” (Realer ones may have recognized their music on HBO show “Los Espookys.”) Keyboard-synth player Reuben Torres is resurfacing this fall with a sinister new project called Espectro Caudillo. Driven by brisk, frenzied beats and the suspense of a true crime novella, Torres’ upcoming album, “La Liturgia del Tigre Blanco,” was inspired by the biography of controversial Mexican billionaire Jorge Hank Rhon.

Boy Harsher featuring Mariana Saldaña, “Machina”
The voice of Mariana Saldaña, who also sings in the L.A. synth-pop band Boan, invokes chills in this collab with darkwave outfit Boy Harsher. This song was featured in Boy Harsher’s 2022 experimental horror film, “The Runner,” which stars Kris Esfandiari of doom rock band King Woman.

Pelada, “Punto de no Retorno”
Formed in 2014, Pelada are an electro-punk duo from Montreal, whose latest LP “Ahora Más Que Nunca” dropped in September. As if their beats weren’t incisive enough, the righteous protest chants led by front-person Chris Vargas cut through complacency as they stress the doom of our ballooning climate catastrophe. The band will touch down in L.A.’s Globe Theatre on Nov. 3, for the annual “independent dark” festival Substance.

Neon Indian, “Halogen (I Could Be A Shadow)”
Singer-songwriter and chillwave pioneer Alan Palomo may have retired Neon Indian for good this summer — but his 2011 album, “Era Extraña,” lives on as a dark pop gem, haunted by the apparition of a young love lost.

Ivan Cornejo, “Está Dañada”
Having made his start as an emo foo playing sierreño covers in his bedroom, Riverside native Ivan Cornejo has made excellent strides in regional Mexican music. While his new song with Becky G, “2NDO CHANCE,” is as dreary as it is gorgeous, it’s simply not espooky enough for this playlist; so instead, I’ll share his lovesick breakout hit from 2021 “Está Dañada.”

Mazzy Star, “Ghost on a Highway”
I’m closing out with a Mazzy Star deep cut, from their 1990 album, “She Hangs Brightly.” Hailing from East L.A., singer-songwriter and spectral enchantress Hope Sandoval remains the patron saint of Latina sadgirls. I chose this song because it shines light on her roots in California’s psychedelic revival scene, a.k.a. the Paisley Underground; in “Ghost Highway” she channels the spirit of Jim Morrison, as if he were singing through a Ouija board.

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What on earth does it mean

MCU

Amidst reports of Marvel Studios’ offscreen drama, MCU fans are now learning what went wrong with Secret Invasion. 

Despite being Marvel’s first “crossover event” series, its compelling comic book inspiration, and an all-star cast led by Samuel L. Jackson, Secret Invasion was found to be directionless, confusing, and wasteful with characters, becoming the first MCU project to receive a “Rotten” score from both audiences and critics. 

Months after the Disney+ series’ frustrating finale, news of what went on behind the scenes is now being revealed.

Secret Invasion’s Offscreen Drama Disclosed

Marvel

Via The Hollywood Reporter, a Marvel insider explained the cause for Secret Invasion‘s preproduction drama. 

Due to the pandemic and the MCU’s increasing number of Disney+ shows, Marvel Studios chose to bring in new blood to help with the strain, which directly affected Nick Fury‘s Phase 5 show. 

For instance, writer and producer Kyle Bradstreet was replaced after working on Secret Invasion for a year, making way for writers and directors Brian Tucker, Thomas Bezucha, and Ali Selim. 

While the behind the scenes details are unclear, Secret Invasion‘s troubled preproduction actually crippled production in the summer of 2022 thanks to factions, power struggles, and “weeks of people not getting along, and it erupted.”

As a result, Marvel Studios tapped Jonathan Schwartz, a member of its famous “Parliament,” to right the ship as Secret Invasion was about to lose some of its stars due to filming delays and scheduling conflicts. 

By September 2022, Secret Invasion‘s team had been overhauled. One of its directors, Thomas Bezucha, left due to prior commitments, and Marvel executive Chris Gary was reassigned and is reportedly out the door when his contract expires. 

Can Fans Trust Marvel Studios After Secret Invasion?

While it’s true that Marvel Studios released several successful films and Disney+ shows since the start of Phase 4, still, few could deny that Marvel Studios was off its game. 

But due to the pandemic and its challenges, coupled with the introduction of MCU streaming series, and Disney CEO woes, Marvel Studios’ missteps were excusable, for a while. 

However, Secret Invasion‘s poor quality, atop Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania shock and news of the red brand’s rejection of the television model for its television shows, was what proved to audiences that the real problem was internal. 

In the same report detailing Secret Invasion‘s behind-the-scenes drama, Marvel claims to have (finally) recognized these problems.

In addition to scrapping and redoing Daredevil: Born Again, Marvel Studios is hiring actual showrunners and executives solely dedicated to television, as well as allowing writers more creative control. 

Yes, Secret Invasion was a huge disappointment and clearly a frustrating experience for its creatives and crew. But if it accomplished anything good for fans and the MCU brand, at least it proved to the powers that be what needs to change. 

The real question now is whether these adjustments will come too late and how the MCU will incorporate its subpar series into its new vision. 

All episodes of Secret Invasion are available to stream on Disney+. 

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DCU

Summary

  • Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom director James Wan refutes reports of production disaster, stating that the news does not reflect his experience.
  • Wan emphasizes that he had creative control and there were no serious problems with reshoots for the sequel.
  • Despite changes in leadership, Wan felt his vision for the film was not compromised and remains open to directing a third Aquaman if given the same freedom.


Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom director James Wan is speaking out against reports that the production on the DC sequel was a disaster. While chatting with Empire Magazine, the filmmaker told the outlet that the news regarding alleged onset drama does not reflect his experience shooting the movie. Additionally, the Aquaman director stated that he was given plenty of creative control, noting that there were no serious problems with reshoots.

While 2018’s Aquaman proved to be a massive success for DC, its sequel, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom has experienced a number of issues including Pandemic related delays, James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC takeover, and plenty of rumors regarding the film’s stars Jason Momoa and Amber Heard.

Still, Wan dismissed this narrative, stating that all the news surrounding the film is not reflective of his experience. Wan said:

“I’ve had to learn to be more Zen in dealing with all the noise around me, for sure. I’m a pretty private person. I don’t get on social media and have fights, but it’s difficult because this narrative has emerged that is not the reality. The noise is fun to write about, and it gets clicks, but people don’t know the truth.”

The Malignant director went on to imply that despite DC’s change in leadership, he never felt like his vision for the sequel was compromised.

“Look, I’m a collaborative filmmaker—I welcome people’s thoughts and opinions. But ultimately, I feel I have more than proven myself. So, it was like: ‘This is the movie I want to make.”

RELATED: Jason Momoa Allegedly Arrived Drunk on Aquaman 2 Set Dressed as Johnny Depp


James Wan Said That Reshoots Were “Nothing for a Movie of This Size”

Warner Bros. Pictures

The filmmaker went on to say that the reshoots the sequel underwent were common and expected for a film like Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Wan stated:

“We probably did seven or eight days. Which is nothing for a movie of this size. It was just spread out because it’s so hard to get your actors back once you’ve finished the initial shoot.”

The Conjuring director then noted that when it comes to being a creator, he accepts that his films won’t turn out exactly the same as his initial vision.

“I’m not the kind of person that says, ‘This movie has turned out exactly how I planned it on day one.’ Your art will never be organic if you’re locked into that mentality.”

Additionally, the director told Empire that he still hasn’t dismissed the possibility of continuing the franchise with a third Aquaman if Gunn and Safran are interested in the idea.

“I haven’t directed a third movie [in a series] before, so I’d be open to doing another [Aquaman] if I got the same freedom I’ve had on these first two. I’m not sure what direction [Gunn and Safran] are going in, thought, so who knows? I’ve learned to never say never.”

Directed by James Wan from a screenplay by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, and starring Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry, aka Aquaman alongside Patrick Wilson, Amber Heard, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Nicole Kidman, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is scheduled to be released in theaters on December 20th.

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Summary Aquaman and the Lost

Comics

WTMG’s Kyle Nicol: “My Friendly Neighborhood is a very surprising game, taking elements from the mascot horror genre and actually making use of its potential. Whilst it’s not really a horror game, and you shouldn’t be expecting much in the way of scares, it’s unique atmosphere and homage to the Resident Evil franchise are worth celebrating. The story, setting, gameplay, and level design all work well together to deliver a unique experience.”

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WTMG's Kyle Nicol: "My Friendly Neighborhood is

Festivals

Snap, parent company of Snapchat, turned in better results than Wall Street expected for the third quarter of 2023, as the company touted improvements to its ad platform.

Overall, Snap posted Q3 revenue of $1.19 billion, an increase of 5%, and a net loss of $368 million (or 23 cents per share). Analyst consensus estimates for the company were $1.11 billion in revenue and a net loss of 24 cents per share, according to FactSet. Shares of Snap were up more than 5% in after-hours trading on the beat.

Snapchat gained 9 million daily users in the period, to stand at an average of 406 million. That compares with Wall Street’s projection of 405.8 million daily active users for the app, per FactSet.

“Our revenue returned to positive growth in Q3, increasing 5% year-over-year and flowing through to positive adjusted EBITDA as our reprioritized cost structure demonstrated the leverage in our business model,” CEO Evan Spiegel said in a statement. “We are focused on improving our advertising platform to drive higher return on investment for our advertising partners, and we have evolved our go-to-market efforts to better serve our partners and drive customer success.”

During Q3, Snap said, it implemented more than 17 major machine-learning ranking and optimization improvements for app, web and Dynamic Product Ad (DPA) platforms.

In announcing the results, the company said COO Jerry Hunter had notified Snap that he will retire. Hunter joined Snap seven years ago and served “an important role in building the company’s engineering and business structures,” according to the company. Hunter will “continue to support Snap through July 1, 2024 to help ensure this transition is effective,” Snap said.

More to come

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Snap, parent company of Snapchat, turned in

Film

“NFL on CBS” scored strong viewership numbers with its Week 7 telecast, CBS says.

As the Kansas City Chiefs took home another win this week, taking down the Los Angeles Chargers 17-31, the National Game delivered a historic high as CBS’ most-watched Week 7 game window in 10 Years with nearly 24.4 million viewers and was the most-watched program of the week on any network.

It also marks the most-watched week 7 regional game since 1998, when NFL programming originally returned to CBS, with almost 16 million viewers thanks in part due to the Bills-Patriots game, which took place at 1 p.m. ET. With Sunday’s double header, the network averaged 19.732 million viewers for the evening.

In comparison, the Kansas City Chiefs Week 5 game vs. the New York Jets averaged approximately 27 million viewers on NBC across Peacock, NBC Sports Digital, and NFL Digital platforms and national TV household rating of 12.9/35. Viewership peaked at an estimated 29.4 million viewers between 9:30-9:45 p.m. ET as the Jets climbed their way within eight points of the Chiefs in the second quarter of the game.

The Week 7 game marked Taylor Swift‘s return to Arrowhead Stadium as she continues to show support for Travis Kelce amid their reported romance. The “Cruel Summer” singer previously showed up to cheer on the Chiefs in their previous face off against the Denver Broncos on Oct. 12 amid her own busy schedule as she prepared for the premiere of her “Eras Tour” film. The singer was present for the LA premiere, which took place on Oct. 13 in LA, along with a slew of other notable stars including Beyoncé, Adam Sandler, Julia Garner, Maren Morris, among other names.

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“NFL on CBS” scored strong viewership numbers

TV

Sofia Coppola; Jacob from Twilight
Photo: Emma McIntyre (Getty Images), Screenshot: Summit Entertainment

Breaking Dawn—Part 2 is an exceptionally weird movie about a grown man who falls in eternal and unbreakable love with the most busted CGI baby to ever grace the big screen. Okay, so the final film in the Twilight series may be about a little bit more than Jacob the werewolf claiming to have fallen in deep and undying love with Bella and Edward’s daughter before she was even out of the womb, but this is the plot that’s lingered in the culture for an obvious reason (the fact that it’s absolutely insane).

Surprisingly, there won’t be any Elvis songs in “Priscilla”

It shouldn’t come as a surprise, then, that Sofia Coppola—whose upcoming film Priscilla thoughtfully explores the relationship between Elvis Presley and his much younger beau—elected to stay as far away from the Cullens and their weird dynamic as possible.

In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, the Marie Antoinette director revealed that she was in very brief talks to direct the franchise’s final film—or more specifically, “we had one meeting, and it never went anywhere.”

“I thought the whole imprinting-werewolf thing was weird. The baby. Too weird!” she continued. “[P]art of the earlier Twilight could be done in an interesting way. I thought it’d be fun to do a teen-vampire romance, but the last one gets really far out.”

Still, the idea of Coppola dabbling in genre film isn’t too far-fetched. “I think it’d be fun to do sci-fi and I think it’d be fun to do, not like gory, but I like gothic horror. I don’t have an idea, though,” she said.

Whenever that idea does come, fans can be safe in the knowledge that the auteur isn’t interested in selling out or appealing to the masses any time soon. “I was in a boardroom and some development guy said, ‘What’s gonna get the 35-year-old man in the audience?’ And I just didn’t know what to say,” the director said of a since-shelved Little Mermaid project. “It happens a lot because usually the people financing things are straight men… [Y]ou’re trying to explain, like, ‘People, not everyone’s gonna be into what you’re into,’ but I just wanted to make things that appeal to me and express that.”

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Sofia Coppola; Jacob from TwilightPhoto: Emma McIntyre

What to Watch

 

Great news! “Conviction: Murder in Suburbia” is available to watch on Netflix UK!

 

Date Added: 24th October 2023

Known expiry dates are shown above as well as on the Last Chance page.

Want to keep forever? Try looking for ‘Conviction: Murder in Suburbia’ on Amazon (paid link)

 

Description:

After Linda Razzell vanished in 2002, her husband, Glyn Razzell, received a life sentence for her murder. An organization takes a new look at his case.

 

Certificate: Parental Guidance suggested

Year: 2018

Duration: 2 Episodes

Available Seasons: Season 1 (2 Ep)

Audio: English [Original]

Subtitles: English

Episode Length: 59min

 

Cast and Crew

Production & Season Details:

Status: Ended”Conviction: Murder in Suburbia” was originally broadcast on BBC Two (United Kingdom) and premiered on June 19th 2018. “Conviction: Murder in Suburbia” ended after 1 seasons and a total of 2 episodes. The final episode aired on June 20th 2018.

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Awards

A day before a court hearing that could determine if the domestic violence case against Jonathan Majors goes ahead and to trial, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office made some damning accusations against the defense and also said the UK police are now a part of their prosecution.

Details of the London Metropolitan Police report from over a year ago are unknown. However, “medical Records from the United Kingdom, photographs taken by medical providers, and correspondence with medical provider” related to a September 2022 incident were also among the new evidence prosecutors have acquired, their Oct 13 filing in the criminal case revealed.

Though the trial has been delayed a number of times, Majors is facing misdemeanor charges stemming from an incident in and around the actor’s Chelsea apartment on March 25. Although he was the one who called 911 in the spring, NYPD officers on the scene found a number of marks, “a laceration” and a finger fracture on now ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari and arrested Majors – who was released within hours after a hearing in front of a judge.

Majors is looking at up to a year behind bars if found guilty on claims being prosecuted by D.A. Alvin Bragg’s office. It is unknown right now if the not-guilty pleading actor will be present, either virtual or in-person, in Judge Michael Gaffey’s courtroom Wednesday.

Rejecting a defense motion to dismiss the whole matter, DA Bragg and Assistant D.A. Keli Galaway  also now accuse the  Priya Chaudhry, Seth Zuckerman and David Winkler-led defense of “fictional” and “meritless” allegations against their office in an attempt to take the case off track. They also allege that the defense of spreading misinformation about non-existent video footage of the March incident, and claiming charges were coming against Jabbari for supposedly attacking their client. The D.A.’s office adds that Majors defense lawyer have been distributing a “wanted flyer” against  Jabbari in an effort to shift focus on the matter.

“While defendant claims the People did not investigate Ms. Jabbari, a thorough investigation was conducted into the facts of this case and, in doing so, the People have chosen to prosecute Jonathan Majors,” the DA’s office noted in their filing. “Simply because defense counsel does not agree with the People’s use of prosecutorial discretion, it does not follow that an investigation was not conducted.”

Despite the activation of an investigatory card by the police, the DA’s office says that it has strongly recommend to NYPD detectives that they not to arrest British citizen Jabbari based on the cross complaint from Majors in June – and if the cops did arrest Jabbari, it would go nowhere fast. “On September 8, 2023, and September 12, 2023, the prosecution informed the NYPD that the People would decline to prosecute any charges brought by the NYPD against Ms. Jabbari related to the belated allegations made by defendant regarding the incident on March 25, 2023.

Jabbari is intended as a witness for the prosecution and the DA stated today that their office is paying for her to fly over from UK and they are paying for her lodging while in the USA for the trial – whenever it actually starts.

While Majors does appear in the recently premiered second season of Disney+’s Loki, the actor was dropped both his management company, Entertainment 360, and publicist, The Lede Company in April. Various ad campaigns featuring the WME-repped Majors, such as one for the Texas Rangers MLB team were also quickly cut short soon after his arrest.As numerous roles dried up for Majors in the aftermath of the charges this spring, the likelihood for an Oscar campaign from Searchlight Pictures for his acclaimed performance in the Sundance debuting Magazine Dreams looks more and more unlikely.

The Manhattan D.A.’s office had no comment today on their filing of a week ago.

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A day before a court hearing that

Music

Last Thursday, I had the absurd good fortune of going to Racket — a 650-capacity club in Manhattan that one recent Google review called an “intimate venue, perfect vibe to see a small concert — to see a seven-song set by … the Rolling Stones.

I know. I know. To quote the lead single from the band’s new album “Hackney Diamonds,” don’t get angry with me.

The show was technically a release party for “Hackney Diamonds,” the Stones’ first album of original material in nearly two decades. (Jon Pareles spoke to them about it last month.) And though rumor had it the band would be playing, I did not believe it until I was standing several people back from a stage onto which Mick Jagger — 80 years old; unflagging; approximately a women’s size 00 in both jeans and leather jacket — strutted and announced, “We’re going to play old! We’re going to play new!” Even then, I did not quite believe it.

They greeted our fair city with “Shattered,” that eternal anthem of New York squalor and survival. (I wish the song sounded more dated 45 years later, but alas there are still rats on the Westside and bedbugs uptown.) Ronnie Wood shredded exuberantly; Keith Richards strummed coolly in purple silk; Jagger shadoobied in fine form. They sounded — miraculously — just like the Rolling Stones.

Well, with one obvious absence: Charlie Watts, the band’s longtime, quietly virtuosic drummer, who died in 2021. Steve Jordan, who was Watts’s personal pick to take over, meshed well with the group’s live energy, though. (The bassist Darryl Jones, the keyboardist Matt Clifford and the backing singer Chanel Haynes — who had a particularly impressive turn on “Tumbling Dice,” rounded out the lineup.)

The set, as Jagger implied, pulled from the fresh and the classic, which is appropriate for a show introducing “Hackney Diamonds” to the world. There’s a throwback spirit to the album, but it also sounds rooted in the present tense, thanks in part to the production of the 32-year-old Andrew Watt. “Hackney Diamonds” at times also plays like an A-list rock ’n’ roll revue, featuring contributions from Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney and Lady Gaga — who, at Racket, came out for a transcendent encore of “Sweet Sounds of Heaven,” clad in a glittery jumpsuit that matched the smoldering fireworks display of her vocals.

I’m still reeling from this show (did it actually happen?), so consider today’s playlist a postscript to it. I wanted to place some of the highlights from “Hackney Diamonds” in conversation with older Stones songs, to chart certain progressions and recurring sensibilities.

Also, my dad has had familial Stones bragging rights for my entire life for seeing the “Exile on Main St.” tour in 1972. Please allow me my long-awaited hour of boasting.

Listen on Spotify as you read.

There’s an easy but irresistible simplicity to the leadoff track from “Tattoo You,” a bare-bones Stones classic: two verse chords, that chunky little riff, steady but shuffling percussion. The brilliantly low-concept music video — an early MTV staple — is also a master class in rock star charisma. (The cutaways to a smiling Watts are the best.) (Listen on YouTube)

Similarly, the Stones don’t overcomplicate things on “Angry,” the first single and opening track on “Hackney Diamonds.” I like the negative space in this song, which puts all of its elements — grumbling guitars, fleet-footed beat, Jagger sass — in stark relief, really making them pop. (Listen on YouTube)

A musical highlight of the Brian Jones era (some crucial marimba playing here) marred by some of the more controversial lyrics in the Stones’ catalog, “Under My Thumb” tells the spiteful story of a sexual power struggle — well, one side of it, anyway. (Listen on YouTube)

“I invented the game but I lost like a fool,” a heartbroken Jagger sings on this mid-tempo ballad, sounding uncharacteristically regretful and even repentant. The change has come: He’s under her thumb. (Listen on YouTube)

Though some found the lyrics incendiary when it was first released in the tumultuous year of 1968, “Street Fighting Man” sounds less like a call to revolution than a cheeky, somewhat self-deprecating show of support from the sidelines: “What can a poor boy do ’cept to sing for a rock ’n’ roll band?” Jagger sings atop Richards’s spikily textured rhythm guitar. “’Cause in sleepy London Town there’s just no place for a street fighting man.” (Listen on YouTube)

The Stones revisit those London streets on this menacing rocker, though they don’t sound quite so sleepy this time around: “The streets I used to walk on are full of broken glass,” Jagger sings, referencing the image from which the new album gets its name. (“Hackney diamonds” are the shards of debris left over after a robbery.) The members of the Rolling Stones are obviously a long way from the shadier streets of Hackney now, but on this song they sound nostalgic (at least in theory) for a more hardscrabble past. (Listen on YouTube)

An ominous, era-defining anthem that Jagger once called “kind of an end-of-the-world song,” “Gimme Shelter” is all about Richards’s serpentine riffs and the explosive guest vocals of Merry Clayton, the only female singer to be prominently featured on a Stones album for 54 years. At least until … (Listen on YouTube)

… this gospel-tinged “Hackney Diamonds” highlight, which finds Lady Gaga and Jagger pushing each other ever higher into the stratosphere. (As if that weren’t enough star power, Stevie Wonder also plays keys on the track.) As the album’s producer Andrew Watt said, “She joined the band on that song. She’s almost embodying Merry Clayton.” (Listen on YouTube)

The influence of blues artists — especially Black American blues artists — looms large over the Stones’ entire discography. That’s explicitly apparent on the ambitious double-album “Exile on Main St.,” particularly on this grimy rework of a 1937 Robert Johnson song. (Listen on YouTube)

The finale of “Hackney Diamonds” is this back-to-basics take on the Muddy Waters song that inspired the band’s name all those years ago. As Pareles put it in his profile, “It’s just Jagger’s voice and harmonica and Richards’s guitar, unadorned in real time, circling back to the love of the blues that brought them together as teenagers. It could be a career postscript or a reaffirmation.” (Listen on YouTube)

Look at me, I’m in tatters,

Lindsay

Listen on Spotify. We update this playlist with each new newsletter.

“The Rolling Stones, Past and Present” track list
Track 1: “Start Me Up”
Track 2: “Angry”
Track 3: “Under My Thumb”
Track 4: “Depending on You”
Track 5: “Street Fighting Man”
Track 6: “Whole Wide World”
Track 7: “Gimme Shelter”
Track 8: “Sweet Sounds of Heaven” (featuring Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder)
Track 9: “Stop Breaking Down”
Track 10: “Rolling Stone Blues”

Over the weekend I saw Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” — a great, challenging, heartbreakingly gorgeous American epic that I cannot recommend highly enough. I was especially moved by Robbie Robertson’s score (completed before his death earlier this year), which fuses blues and folk with the music he heard growing up on Canada’s Six Nations Reserve. It’s a fitting coda to a singular career, and luckily much of it appears on the soundtrack released last week. Give it a listen.

Also, I avoided reading much about the movie before seeing it, so I had no idea that singer-songwriter Jason Isbell was in it (?!), let alone that he played such a prominent role. He was great! And he’s hilarious in one particular scene with Leonardo DiCaprio — if you’ve seen it, you know the one.

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Dear listeners,Last Thursday, I had the absurd

Docs

Internet video giant YouTube larded its coffers with $7.95 billion in ad revenue for third quarter of 2023, representing a 12.5% year-over-year increase, as parent Alphabet overall topped Wall Street forecasts.

Analysts had projected YouTube advertising revenue to come in at $7.81 billion for the quarter, per FactSet. The stronger-than-expected results come after YouTube fell short of expectations in the year-ago period, when ad revenue dropped 1.9%.

Alphabet reported $76.69 billion in total revenue (up 11%) and net income of $19.69 billion ($1.55 per share) for the period ending Sept. 30, reflecting a healthy bump in Google‘s core digital ads business. Wall Street consensus estimates were for $75.97 billion in revenue and earnings per share of $1.45, per to Refinitiv data.

In its earnings reports, Alphabet breaks out only YouTube ad sales. That excludes subscription revenue from YouTube TV, YouTube Premium and YouTube Music, as well as revenue from YouTube’s exclusive multibillion-dollar deal for NFL Sunday Ticket out-of-market games package.

In the last few years, YouTube has faced stronger competition from popular video entertainment app TikTok, which spurred the platform to introduce a copycat feature called YouTube Shorts. More than 2 billion monthly logged-in users now watch Shorts; on average more than 70 billion YouTube Shorts are viewed daily, according to the company. Meanwhile, the company recently said it will shut down Google Podcasts in 2024, as it doubles down on making YouTube Music the preferred destination for podcast creators and listeners.

YouTube is currently led by CEO Neal Mohan (pictured above), who took over the post from Susan Wojcicki earlier this year.

As of Sept. 1, Ruth Porat, formerly the CFO of Alphabet and Google, assumed the new role of president and chief investment officer. She continues to serve as chief financial officer while the company searches for a replacement.

“The fundamental strength of our business was apparent again in Q3,” Porat said in a prepared statement. The Q3 results were “driven by meaningful growth in Search and YouTube, and momentum in Cloud. We continue to focus on judicious capital allocation to deliver sustainable financial value.”

Alphabet’s total headcount during the third quarter dropped 2.4% year over year, to 182,381 employees, after layoffs earlier in 2023.

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Half of food service companies are operating at a loss or just breaking even, a new survey of restaurant owners in Canada has found.

Sales have improved in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic but profits are down “due to soaring operating costs” and low foot traffic that never recovered from pre-pandemic levels, writes Restaurants Canada in its Foodservice Facts 2023 report.

The industry group calls the situation a “mirror version” of the pre-pandemic scenario. Before March of 2020, it says seven per cent of restaurant companies were losing money and five per cent were breaking even.

“At that time, 36 per cent of restaurant operators had a pre-tax profit of 10 per cent or more. Today, just 12 per cent are realizing double-digit profit margins,” states the report published Monday.


Click to play video: 'Calls to extend repayment deadline for pandemic business loans'


Calls to extend repayment deadline for pandemic business loans


According to the report, as of March this year, 34 per cent of restaurant companies were operating at a loss with 17 per cent breaking even.

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Nevertheless, last year, Restaurants Canada says the food service industry surpassed the $100-billion sales mark for the first time, with some 22 million Canadians buying dine-in or takeout every day. In 2023, the report projects that sales total will grow to $110.2 billion.

Adjusted for menu inflation and population, however, the report says real per capita sales are on par with 2012, while food service spending remains nine per cent below 2019 levels.

“As a result, 75 per cent of table-service restaurants and 51 per cent of quick-service restaurants surveyed were still in debt due to the pandemic,” writes Restaurants Canada.

“One in four independent table-service restaurants said they do not expect their business to recover from the debt incurred due to the pandemic unless current conditions change.”


Click to play video: 'Small businesses struggling to repay CEBA loans'


Small businesses struggling to repay CEBA loans


The findings come amid a renewed push for the federal government to once again extend the repayment deadline for the pandemic-era Canadian Emergency Business Account (CEBA) by another year. Hundreds of thousands of small businesses and non-profits, including restaurants, accessed up to $60,000 in CEBA loans during lockdown.

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Last week, premiers across the country called for a year-long extension on CEBA repayment, including B.C.’s David Eby. The deadline — already extended — for CEBA loans to qualify for partial loan forgiveness is Jan. 18.

“Canadians are feeling squeezed by the rising cost of housing, groceries and other daily essentials. It’s no different for small businesses,” said Eby said in a Friday news release.

“Just when many small businesses are starting to find their feet after the pandemic, they’re now being walloped by rising inflation and interest rates.”

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According to the B.C. government, 122,890 businesses across the province were approved for CEBA loans worth more than $6.6 billion.


Click to play video: 'COVID-19: Federal government extends CEBA until 2023'


COVID-19: Federal government extends CEBA until 2023


Restaurants Canada has previously said bankruptcy filings in the food service industry have increased 116 per cent since 2022, and more restaurants are expected to shutter in the coming months. Nearly 20 per cent of restaurants that haven’t repaid CEBA yet won’t be able to — partially or at all, it said.

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The advocacy group has also called on Ottawa to provide struggling small businesses with a three-year extension on CEBA repayments with a “scale-down model” on the forgivable portion.

The federal government has extended the CEBA deadline twice — first from Dec. 31, 2022, to Dec. 31, 2023, and then from the end of this year to Jan. 18, 2024.

According to the federal government, $20,000 will be forgiven and no interest will be charged on a loan of $60,000 as long as $40,000 is repaid by Jan. 18. Similarly, $10,000 will be forgiven on a $40,000-loan if $30,000 is repaid by the deadline. Other forgiveness scenarios are outlined on its website.

Afterward, interest of five per cent per annum will take effect, with the principal due on Dec. 31, 2026 — an extension on the Dec. 31 ,2025 deadline.

The government says partial loan forgiveness may be given to those who have submitted a refinancing loan application to the financial institution that provided their CEBA loan by Jan. 18, but require a grace period in order to finalize the payout — if the outstanding principal other than the amount of potential debt forgiveness, plus any interest, is repaid by March 28.

An Oct. 17 report from the Parliamentary Budget Officer found that these extensions, already granted, will cost $52 million.

&copy 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

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Cher and Alexander ‘AE’ Edwards. Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Cher and Alexander “AE” Edwards‘ romance has been a topic of conversation — and that is exactly how they like it.

The couple took their relationship public in November 2022 after they were spotted spending time together in Los Angeles. Although Edwards’ admitted to cheating on his ex Amber Rose, Cher let fans know that she was not fazed by his past actions.

“BABE ENGLISH IS MY FIRST LANGUAGE,” she wrote in response to fan criticism via X (formerly Twitter) in November 2022. “IM [sic] IN ♥️NOT BLINDED BY IT. KNOW WHAT I KNOW….SMOKE DOESNT [sic] ALWAYS MEAN?.”

A source told Us that the “If I Could Turn Back Time” songstress was not letting the online noise affect her.

“Cher knows full well that there’s a lot of skepticism about this romance but she couldn’t care less,” the insider told Us that same month. “She’s reveling in the attention and saying that she and AE have something very special going on that’s made her feel more alive and sexier than ever.”

Scroll down to relieve Cher and Edwards’ romance:

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AMD is hoping to make AI more accessible to developers and researchers by adding support for PyTorch to its Radeon RX 7900 XTX and Radeon Pro W7900 graphics cards.

Based on its RDNA 3 GPU architecture, these are some of the best GPUs out there, and they can now let users establish a private and cost-effective workflow for machine learning training and inference. Previously, users may have needed to rely on cloud access to compatible GPUs for such AI workloads.

“We are excited to offer the AI community new support for machine learning development using PyTorch built on the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX and Radeon Pro W7900 GPUs and the ROCm open software platform,” said Dan Wood, VP of Radeon product management. “This is our first RDNA 3 architecture-based implementation, and we are looking forward to partnering with the community.”

Making the most of ROCm

With the PyTorch machine learning framework now supported on its most powerful graphics cards, AMD is hoping to crack open access to AI workloads for users who don’t have the means or infrastructure that you’d otherwise need.

Anybody hoping to take advantage of PyTorch can also use the Radeon Open Compute (ROCm) software stack for GPUs – which spans general-purpose computing, high-performance computing (HPC), as well as heterogeneous computing.

With AMD ROCm 5.7, users of machines with RDNA 3-based GPUs, as well as CDNA GPU and AMD Instinct MI series accelerators, can also use PyTorch.

Because ROCm is open source, developers may wish to take in all kinds of different directions and add support for their own particular AI processing needs. There is, for example, a huge amount of appetite out there to get Stable Diffusion running on AMD accelerated processing units (APUs).

One user, for example, turned a 4600G APU into a 16GB VRAM GPU that could run AI workloads – including on Stable Diffusion – without too much of a hitch, according to a video they posted on YouTube.

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Just a day before Jonathan Majors returns to court for a pretrial hearing in his domestic violence case, prosecutors have filed a massive, 115-page document that lays out specifics of the allegations and rebuts several narratives related to the matter. Among other items, it counters reporting that Grace Jabbari, Majors’ girlfriend at the time of the alleged assault, was herself to be charged in the incident.

It also discusses a previously unreported incident that allegedly occurred in London in September of 2022. Prosecutors are trying to procure a police report for that alleged incident, that involved Jabbari receiving medical care, which would have occurred while the actor was in London shooting the second season of Disney+’s series “Loki.” Majors was arrested on March 25 in Manhattan and stands accused of assault and aggravated harassment following an alleged domestic dispute with Jabbari.  

On March 25, Jonathan Majors and Jabbari were – according to the filing — taking a private car service from a Brooklyn party to their Chelsea apartment. Jabbari, who worked as a movement coach alongside Majors on Marvel Studios’ “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” saw a text message on Majors’ phone that. She allegedly took the phone out of his hands to see who sent the message.  

Majors then “began grabbing the right side of Ms. Jabbari’s body and prying Ms. Jabbari’s right middle finger off the phone, causing bruising, swelling, and substantial pain.” The filing continues that Majors “then grabbed Ms. Jabbari’s arm and right hand and proceeded to twist Ms. Jabbari’s forearm, causing substantial pain to her finger and arm. The defendant then struck Ms. Jabbari’s right ear, causing a laceration to the back of her ear and substantial pain.” 


The filing alleges that after he retrieved his phone, Majors exited the vehicle and Jabbari attempted to follow him. That’s when “the defendant grabbed her, picked her up, and threw her back inside … [and] sustained substantial pain, including a fractured finger, bruising about her body, a laceration behind her right ear, and a bump on her head.”  

This filing calls into question a number of prior media reports painting Jabbari as the aggressor in the altercation. Majors’ criminal defense lawyer Priya Chaudhry has alleged it was Jabbari who assaulted Majors, and “not the other way around.” 

The Wednesday court appearance was expected to be among the final pre-trial hearing before the judge rules on whether to proceed with or dismiss the case. The 115-page document is in response to Major’s motion to dismiss, although it does not entirely lay out the prosecution’s case. It does, however, provide enough detail to move the case forward to the trial stage. The document also offers new details on the events that the D.A. claims led to the “Creed III” and “Harder They Fall Actor” being arrested.  

Chaudhry has maintained there is evidence clearing Majors, including surveillance video that shows Jabbari “completely unharmed” after the alleged assault. The new filing claims that the “surveillance video referred to by the defense actually shows Ms. Jabbari visibly upset, crying, and seeking help from strangers to get an Uber cab home.” 

Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.


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Just a day before Jonathan Majors returns

Entertaintment

Rent or buy on most major platforms.

Crime and corruption are rampant in the fictional Japanese metropolis of Kaiko City: The underworld kingpin Gojo (Lily Franky) is running for mayor to redevelop an impoverished neighborhood into a high-stakes nightlife denizen of gambling. The only person who can stop him is the disgraced former cop Torada (Hitoshi Ozawa). Released early from prison by desperate prosecutors to be captain of Special Investigation Division Zero, he is willing to work outside the law to get the job done.

The director Kensuke Sonomura’s background as a stunt coordinator proves an asset in the pulpy confines of “Bad City.” Torada and his team spend the film chasing baddies and other mob bosses through noir-tainted streets, leading up to a mall brawl between the cops and several rival gangs: It’s a breathless scene composed on a massive scale, intertwining vast, complex choreography with a precision and visceral intimacy that is impossible to shake.

Stream it on Hi-Yah!

Qi Junyuan (Shaofeng Feng) is an elite killer in army of hired swords from Ghost Valley. He arrived there as a child, after his parents were murdered in the search for a golden treasure map. After their deaths, the map disappeared. But now it’s back and Prince Rui Chai Kang (Jack Kao) wants it. Junyuan goes rogue to solve the mystery of his parents’ demise only to uncover a thorny conspiracy that leads back to the prince’s palace.

The Chinese director Daniel Lee’s film contains many moving parts, pulling it from melodrama to espionage thriller, but what really surges it forward is showmanship. One theatrical trap sees a piece of string used to decapitate dozens of men in a kill room. A robust mix of slow motion and heavy metal needle drops add a flourish to sword fights staged on an impressive scale. The assassination scene, which employs a ceremonial dragon, is a mass of flying, careening and spinning men that transitions from bruising to poetic.

Stream it on Tubi.

Kang Do-young (Kim Rae-won) was once a beloved submarine commander. But after his vessel took a hit from a missile, he was forced to make a difficult decision that still haunts him. A year later, a ghost from his past has come for revenge. A terrorist has planted bombs throughout the city that will explode if the sound around them reaches a certain level. And the man has picked Kang to diffuse them. The locations of these weapons are also tied to the people closest to Kang, his wife and his daughter.

“Decibel,” from the Korean director Hwang In-ho, is a smart hybrid of the submarine movie, by virtue of flashbacks to the events leading up to the tragedy, and a procedural action-thriller like “Speed.” Smart set pieces tethered to the solving of complex puzzle-like bombs build a sense of dread. And the feelings of grief and remorse at the heart of Kang offer the perfect mix of action and melodrama.

Equipped with a cane and a moral uprightness, Deputy Tabby Temple (Nikki Amuka-Bird) arrives back to work at her quaint police station carrying a fractured family burden: The single mother’s endangered son Monty (Zack Morris) might be dealing drugs. Her personal land mine becomes part of a chain reaction when a killer in search of evidence from a drug bust arrives to raid the station. Alone and injured, Temple must survive the night defending herself, the evidence and her son.

Keen eyes will notice how closely the writer-director Will Gilbey’s “Jericho Ridge” hews to “Assault on Precinct 13.” And yet, his film isn’t a full-on copy: The presence of a Black woman fighting for the precious life of her Black son, as she lays her life on the line for policing is a sly political choice that gives these choreographed shootouts in close quarters an extra layer of thematic tension and racial anxiety that thunder louder than a hail of bullets.

Rent or buy on most major platforms.

World building is an essential element to the directors Johannes Hartmann and Sandro Klopfstein’s Swissploitation epic “Mad Heidi.” It begins with Switzerland’s dystopian power structure: Nazi-inspired soldiers are ruthless strongmen for a dashing dictator (Casper Van Dien) angling to rule through mind-controlling Swiss cheese. An unassuming mountain girl named Heidi (Alice Lucy) witnesses her protective grandfather and her boyfriend (Kel Matsena), a Black pimp illegally selling cheese in cocaine packets, murdered by soldiers.

Heidi’s eventual detainment by soldiers, forcing her to train as a gladiator in the Alps before she breaks for freedom, recalls the early Blaxploitation prison narratives that launched Pam Grier’s career. A dash of propulsive spaghetti western music and hilarious one-liners like “Yodel me this,” used to punctuate Heidi killing a man with an accordion, add other indelible ingredients. Also, did I mention there are cheese zombies? Every second of “Mad Heidi” is rip-roaring Gouda time.

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Movies

Burt Young, a burly Queens-bred actor who leveraged a weary gravitas and bare-knuckled demeanor to build a prolific career as a Hollywood tough guy in films like “Chinatown,” “Once Upon a Time in America” and, most notably, “Rocky,” for which he was nominated for an Academy Award, died on Oct. 8 in Los Angeles. He was 83.

His death was confirmed by his daughter, Anne Morea Steingieser, who said the cause was not yet known.

With his bulldog build and his doleful countenance, Mr. Young amassed more than 160 film and television credits. He often played a mob boss, a street-smart detective or a bedraggled working man.

But even when he played a villain, he was no mere heavy. Despite his blood-and-guts background as a Marine and a professional boxer, Mr. Young brought layers of complexity to his work. The acting teacher Lee Strasberg, who once coached him, called Mr. Young a “library of emotions.”

With his no-nonsense approach, he found a kindred spirit in another Hollywood tough guy, the filmmaker Sam Peckinpah, who directed him in “The Killer Elite” (1975), starring James Caan, and “Convoy” (1978), starring Kris Kristofferson and Ali MacGraw.

“Both were mavericks and outlaws, with a deep respect for art,” his daughter said in a phone interview. “They understood each other because of the intensity and honesty Peckinpah demanded. He had no tolerance for lack of authenticity.”

Throughout the early 1970s, Mr. Young made memorable appearances on television shows like “M*A*S*H” and in movies like the mob comedy “The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight” (1971) and “Cinderella Liberty” (1973), a drama about a sailor (James Caan) who falls in love with a prostitute (Marsha Mason).

He also proved a scene stealer in a powerful, if brief, appearance in “Chinatown” (1974), Roman Polanski’s neo-noir masterpiece, as a cuckolded Los Angeles fisherman who becomes entangled in a tale of incest and murder.

His true breakout came two years later, with “Rocky,” the story of a low-level hood and club boxer (Sylvester Stallone) who gets an unlikely bout with the heavyweight champion, Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers). Mr. Young played the combustible Paulie, a butcher friend of Rocky’s and the brother of Adrian (Talia Shire), the introverted woman who becomes Rocky’s girlfriend.

Although “Rocky” would propel Mr. Stallone, who also wrote the screenplay, to stardom, Mr. Young often said that he had been the bigger name in Hollywood before the project began. “I was the only actor that didn’t audition in the first ‘Rocky,’” he said in a 2017 interview with The Rumpus, a culture website. “And I got the most money for it.”

Mr. Young remembered his first meeting with Mr. Stallone, in a studio commissary. “He kneels down next to me,” he recalled. “He says, ‘Mr. Young, I’m Sylvester Stallone. I wrote Rocky,’” — and then, Mr. Young said, he added, “You’ve got to do it, please.”

“He’s trying to twist my arm,” Mr. Young said.

The film, a gritty and often somber human drama directed by John G. Avildsen, was a far cry from its sometimes cartoonish sequels, all but one of them directed by Mr. Stallone, in which Mr. Young also appeared. “It really wasn’t a fighting story, it was a love story, about someone standing up,” he said of the first movie in a 2006 interview with Bright Lights Film Journal. “Not even winning, just standing up.”

“Rocky” became a 1970s landmark. It received 10 Academy Award nominations, including Mr. Young’s for best supporting actor, and won three Oscars, including for best picture.

“I made him a rough guy with a sensitivity,” Mr. Young later said of Paulie. “He’s really a marshmallow, even though he yells a lot.”

Burt Young — he adopted that name as an actor; sources differ on his name at birth — was born on April 30, 1940, in Queens. His father was a sheet-metal worker, an iceman and eventually a high school shop teacher and dean.

Growing up in a working-class neighborhood in the Corona section of Queens, Mr. Young got an early taste of the streets. “My dad, trying to make me a gentler kid, sent me to Bryant High School in Astoria, away from my Corona pals,” he wrote in the foreword to “Corona: The Early Years,” (2015), by Jason D. Antos and Constantine E. Theodosiou.

“Soon, however, I got thrown out, and it was on to St. Ann’s Academy in Manhattan, getting booted out after one term,” he continued. “Finally, it was the Marines at 16, my pop fibbing my age to get me in.”

He started boxing in the Marine Corps and went on to a successful, if relatively brief, professional career under Cus D’Amato, the boxing trainer and manager who shepherded the careers of Floyd Patterson and Mike Tyson. He had a win-loss record of about 17-1 — his own accounts varied — when he quit the ring.

In his late 20s, he was laying carpets and doing other odd jobs when he became infatuated with a woman who tended bar, and who told him that she dreamed of studying acting with Mr. Strasberg. “I didn’t know who Lee Strasberg was,” he told Bright Lights. “I thought it was a girl.”

Mr. Young set up a meeting for the two of them with Mr. Strasberg, the father of method acting, and ended up studying with him for two years. “Acting had everything I was fishing for,” he recalled. “In my life till then, I’d used tension to hold myself upright. Lee’s great gift to me was relaxation.”

His many other film credits ranged from “Last Exit to Brooklyn” (1989), a harrowing adaptation of the scandalous 1964 novel by Hubert Selby Jr. about lost souls from the underside of midcentury Brooklyn, to the 1986 Rodney Dangerfield comedy “Back to School.” Mr. Young also wrote and starred in “Uncle Joe Shannon” (1978), the story of a jazz trumpeter whose life implodes before he finds redemption.

In addition to his daughter, Mr. Young is survived by a brother, Robert, and a grandson. His wife, Gloria, died in 1974.

Mr. Young also had a long career in theater, including a role alongside Robert De Niro and Ralph Macchio in “Cuba and His Teddy Bear,” a play about a drug dealer and his son that opened at the Off Broadway Public Theater in Manhattan in 1986 and later moved to Broadway.

Mel Gussow of The New York Times praised Mr. Young’s humor-laced performance as Mr. De Niro’s partner and lackey. He singled out one scene for praise in which Mr. Young, he wrote, was “sheepishly pulling up the wide waistband of his loud shorts while insisting that he is not fat but has ‘big bones.’”

Mr. Young was an avid painter who sold his work, and whose moody portraits showed the influence of Picasso and Matisse. “I don’t think you can put me in a bottle as an actor or an artist,” he said in a 2016 video interview. “Perhaps the acting, I’m a little more structured.”

In acting, he added, he zeroed in on precise emotional cues to express, say, greed or anger — to “fatten up” his characters.

Little wonder, then, that his Paulie in “Rocky” leaped off the screen with volcanic eruptions — tossing his sister’s Thanksgiving turkey into an alley in a fit of rage, smashing up her house with a baseball bat.

“Paulie was a pretty ugly guy many times,” he said. But, he added, “they miscast me.

“I’m a lovable son of a gun. It’s just that I go astray here and there.”

Alain Delaquérière contributed research.

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Burt Young, a burly Queens-bred actor who

Latest News

Dan Gordon, the screenwriter of “The Hurricane” and “Wyatt Earp,” resigned from the Writers Guild of America on Tuesday over the guild’s silence on the Hamas attacks on Israel.

A 56-year member of the union, Gordon is also a veteran of the Israel Defense Forces. He grew up in Israel and the U.S., and holds citizenship in both countries and in Canada.

He wrote a letter to WGA West leadership on Tuesday saying he will elect “financial core” status. In an interview, he noted that the guild had previously taken stands in support of Black Lives Matter and the #MeToo movement, and that its refusal to condemn the Hamas attacks is “appalling.”

“We had no trouble, as we should not have had, weighing in after George Floyd was killed. We had no problem, as we should not have had, weighing in on the #MeToo movement. No one said at the time, ‘I don’t want to offend Bill Cosby,’” he said. “And yet you’re witness to nothing less than the worst slaughter of Jews since Nazi Germany and you can’t find a word to say to condemn it.”

Writers who opt for “fi-core” status cannot vote in WGA elections, participate in awards, or enjoy other benefits of membership. They still pay a reduced dues rate and work under the same economic terms as apply to guild members. The guild does not allow members to rejoin after they elect “fi-core” status.

The Hamas attack on Oct. 7 killed more than 1,400 people. In the days following the attack, many celebrities and entertainment industry institutions — including the Directors Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA — issued statements denouncing the attacks.

The WGA, however, opted to remain silent. In a lengthy apology on Tuesday, the leadership of WGA West explained that they drew a distinction between domestic social justice issues — which they have spoken out on — and international tragedies, which they generally have not.

“We are American labor leaders, aware of our limitations and humbled by the magnitude of this conflict,” the leaders stated. “However, we understand this has caused tremendous pain and for that we are truly sorry.”

Gordon said the WGA has a moral duty to speak out.

“We’re not the union of pipefitters. We’re not the plumbers union,” he said. “We’re the Writers Guild. We stood up to McCarthyism. We stood up to fascism. It’s part of our job to bear witness.”

Some 383 writers have signed an open letter condemning the attacks and blasting the WGA for failing to issue a statement.

On the other hand, more than 300 members of the WGA, SAG-AFTRA and DGA have urged the guilds to reject pressure to issue a statement, which could be seen as endorsing Israel’s response to the attacks.

“While we fully appreciate the diversity of opinions within our guilds, we firmly believe that if our guilds release such statements, they must be rooted in a deep commitment to justice and human rights FOR ALL,” the group stated in its open letter.

The signatories opted to use initials, rather than their full names, as the organizers said they feared losing their jobs or being blacklisted for their stance.

Gordon’s letter of resignation from the WGA West follows.

October 24, 2023

To Patrick Cannon

CC Ellen Stutzman

Notice of Objection – Election of Financial Core Status

Dear Patrick:

With great sadness I hereby resign my membership in the WGAw and elect financial core status. Accordingly, please notify me of the portion of dues owing and when it is due.

I have been a member of the Writers Guild of America west for 56 years. Lest anyone think I am no longer an active writer I will have had four feature films premiere this year including Irena’s Vow, the story of a 20-year-old Polish Catholic girl who hid twelve Jews in the basement of a German major’s house without his knowledge for almost a year during World War II. Her selfless courage and moral clarity saved them all.

On October 7th, Jewish men, women and children ranging in age from nine months to ninety years were slaughtered, raped, decapitated and burnt alive, while hiding, like Anna Frank, from ISIS-like terrorists who subscribe to a fanatical ideology no less explicit in its genocidal intent toward the Jewish people than that of Nazi Germany. This is from the Hamas covenant: “Judgement day will not come until Muslims fight Jews and kill them, when the Jews will hide behind rocks and trees, and the rocks and trees will cry out ‘O Moslem, O Servant of Allah, there is a Jew hiding behind me, come and kill him.’”

What about that ideology is unclear?

The failure of the Guild’s leadership to issue even the mildest condemnation of the worst massacre of a religious minority in the Middle East since ISIS carried out similar atrocities against the Yezidis is appalling. It is corrosive to me as a writer and repugnant to every fiber of my being as a person of conscience.

I am resigning my membership not because I wish to work on non union projects nor cross any picket line, but because I no longer wish to be a fellow traveller with those who hide behind the fetid veil of a morally bankrupt wokeism and stand silent in the face of unadulterated evil.

Dan Gordon

Screenwriter – The Hurricane (Denzel Washington), Wyatt Earp (Kevin Costner), Murder in The First (Gary Oldman, Kevin Bacon), Irena’s Vow (Sophie Nelisse)

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Dan Gordon, the screenwriter of “The Hurricane”

MCU

Spider-Man 2 on PS5 featured a whole swath of character deaths, some expected and some not so. 

PlayStation first-party studio Insomniac Games returned to the world of Marvel’s wall-crawler with the highly anticipated sequel. 

The super-powered epic earned rave reviews, tackling classic Marvel Comics stories like the beloved Black Suit Spider-Man arc and Kraven’s Last Hunt. 

While the first game (and its Miles Morales-centric spin-off) sported some pretty big-name deaths, Insomniac upped the ante for its latest web-slinging adventure.

Who Dies in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2?

Warning – The rest of this article contains spoilers for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.

Scorpion

PlayStation

After serving as one of the villainous Sinister Six in Spider-Man 1, the dastardly Mac Gargan (aka Scorpion) returns for Insomniac’s sequel, but not in the way some may have expected. 

As a show of just how dangerous the newly-introduced Kraven the Hunter is, the bloodthirsty killer goes about killing some of the iconic figures from throughout Spider-Man’s prolific rogues’ gallery. 

For Scorpion that means, after breaking out of the Raft maximum security prison, Kraven takes on the armored villain, snapping off his poisonous tail and stabbing him with it. Peter Parker watches this from afar by way of a camera feed in one of Kraven’s bases.

Shocker

Shocker Spider-Man 2 PS5
PlayStation

In another demonstration of his power, Kraven also kills off fan-favorite Spidey villain Shocker (aka Herman Schultz). 

Shocker played a big part in Insomniac’s first Spider-Man title but never physically appeared in the sequel. 

Instead, he is killed off-screen in Kraven’s crusade across the Big Apple with Mary Jane being the one to come across his file on a Kraven-owned computer, with the character’s iconic helmet and Shocker gloves sitting destroyed on the table beside the monitor. 

Vulture

Vulture Marvel's Spider-Man PS5
PlayStation

Vulture/Adrian Toomes is also absent from the proceedings of Spider-Man 2, but his presence is felt. 

No, Vulture’s death is not overtly shown on-screen, and he does not get a clear “DECEASED” listing like his supervillain cohort Shocker, but it is assumed the character was skilled at the hands of Kraven. 

In the same base where it is revealed Shocker is dead, Vulture’s mechanized wings can be seen hanging like a trophy with a recording of Kraven describing his murder of the iconic Marvel big bad.

Electro

Electro Spider-Man 2 PS5
PlayStation

Also displayed as a trophy, alluding to the character being another victim of Kraven, is Max Dillon (aka Electro). 

While wandering a decrepit zoo as Mary Jane in search of Dr. Kurt Conners, the Daily Bugle investigative reporter stumbles upon the equipment of the electrified villain. 

The character was seemingly killed off-screen by Kraven the Hunter, as the Spider-Man antagonist aims to complete the ultimate hunt.

Peter Parker (Almost)

Peter Parker Death Spider-Man 2 PS5
PlayStation

While making it to the credits alive, Peter Parker clung to life for a brief moment in Spider-Man 2. 

After going up against Kraven for the first time at the abandoned zoo, Peter is mortally wounded by the brooding hunter, with the big bad stabbing his knife deep into Pete’s abdomen. 

However, while things look dire, the Symbiote comes to Peter’s rescue leaving Harry as a host and healing the titular wall-crawler, granting him the infamous Black Suit.

Kraven

Kraven Spider-Man 2 PS5
PlayStation

Serving as one of the primary antagonists of Spider-Man 2 is Kraven the Hunter, and given the bloodshed seen at the hands of the dastardly killer, it was assumed Mr. Kravinoff would meet his untimely demise at some point in the sequel. 

However, how it happened was anything but expected. Instead of getting a final confrontation with Miles and/or Peter, Kraven is brought down by Harry Osborn/Venom. 

In a shocking twist, gamers take control of the central Symbiote and go up against the renowned hunter in Time Square. At the end of a lengthy fight, Venom picks Kraven up and puts his shark-like set of teeth to use devouring the hunter’s face. 

Scream (Symbiote)

Scream Spider-Man 2 PS5
PlayStation

Jaws dropped and heads were turned when it was revealed toward the end of Spider-Man 2 that Venom was not the only Symbiote that was going to pop up in the sequel. 

For a brief time, the all-consuming alien goo infects Mary Jane Watson, transforming her into the Symbiotic villainess, Scream. 

However, this does not last for long, as Peter Parker takes on Scream and eradicates the Symbtioe from his one true love, seemingly killing it in the process. 

Venom (Symbiote)

Venom Spider-Man 2 PS5
PlayStation

After terrorizing New York City and pushing both Miles Morales and Peter Parker to their limits, Venom is ultimately taken down and thrust from the body of the ailing Harry Osborn. 

To take Venom out, Peter takes on a new Anti-Venom power set along with Miles’ electricity-based abilities, hopefully removing the Symbiote from Harry without killing Harry himself.

In the Emily May Foundation, Peter, Miles, and MJ use a shard of the meteor that brought Venom to Earth, super-charging Harry’s newly-built supercollider to blast the Symbiote from its host. 

Harry Osborn (Almost)

Harry Osborn Spider-Man 2 PS5
PlayStation

Following the removal of the Symbiote from his body, it seems as though Harry is dead (and he technically is). 

That does not last for long, though, as Miles uses his electricity powers to resuscitate Peter’s longtime friend and bring the character back to life. 

Not all is solved, however. Harry may still be alive, but his degenerative disease is back and his father, Norman, looking again for another miracle cure. The last fans see of the character, he is lying in a hospital bed clinging to life, with doctors questioning if he will ever wake up. 

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is available on PlayStation 5 now. 

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DCU

Josie Campbell, a writer on several recent animated projects released by DC, weighed in on the difference between Superman and Batman.

It’s the perennial question: Batman or Superman? Some fans may flock to the Crusader for his enormous wealth, cool cars, and high-tech gadgets. Others might find the appeal in Kal-El’s friendly face and unwavering sense of optimism.

And there’s no mistaking that when it comes to the big screen, Bruce Wayne has a bit more experience than Clark Kent. But exactly why has Bats been such an enduring figure in cinema history while Superman’s movies just haven’t broken through as effectively?

DC Creative Discusses Superman and Batman’s Popularity

DC

My Adventures with Superman producer Josie Campbell (who has also worked on other DC projects like Justice League: War World and Teen Titans Go!) was asked by The Comics Cube why there have been more Batman movies made than Superman movies.

Campbell broke down the Dark Knight’s rise to mainstream icon status in the 1980s and ‘90s as a deluge of Bat-Media was released: 

“I feel like it’s like the eternal question of just, ‘What makes something hit?’ And I think some of it is, we got into this area with Batman, especially in… the ’80s and ’90s, where I think the grittier, Frank Miller-inspired version of him hit and we all liked that. And we got that Bruce Timm version, which is very inspired by that, and it’s that film Noir, and there’s this grittiness to him that differentiated him in a way… I love the ’60s Batman, but it’s completely different. It is like its own thing.”

Campbell then turned her attention to Superman, noting the lack of direction that some claim has been an issue with the character in recent decades:

“So I think it took a while, but we as a culture were like, ‘This is fun. This is what we like.’ I think for Superman, Superman out the gate was popular. People love Superman. Superman was fun, Superman was funny, optimistic. And then we kind of hit the slew where people weren’t sure what to do with him.”

She remarked on a rising and falling action with regard to the two superheroes’ popularity levels, noting that “people gravitate towards different things at different times:”

“And I think it’s around the same time that you’ve got Batman rising and Superman falling. And I think what we were trying to do is get back to that optimism, and that joy, and that faith, and that heart. And people gravitate towards different things at different times.”

The producer expanded on her comments, stating that audiences are beginning to respond a bit more to Superman’s old-fashioned kindness and sense of right and wrong, and his role as an “earnest, corn-fed, Kansas boy:”

“In the ’90s, I was loving the stories where like Superman’s getting beaten up by Doomsday, which is a very different flavor. But I think now is a time where people really do want that earnest, corn-fed, Kansas boy who knows right from wrong to come in and save us, whether it’s the world around you, whether it’s the pandemic we just went through, whatever is going on in your life I think, there’s like a want for that again in a way that we haven’t culturally, at least for America, we haven’t needed or wanted in a while.”

Campbell circled back around to her original point: “Nobody really quite knows why something hits,” but that the spotlight could start to swing toward Superman, as the character just seems to appeal to fans in a certain fashion:

“So that’s a very long way to also say, nobody really quite knows why something hits and something doesn’t. I just think like the cultural moment for Superman is coming back.”

The Difference Between the Kryptonian and the Bat

Suffice it to say, some fans continually decry Superman as “lame” and a “boy scout.” And sure, Clark can be a bit of a goody-two-shoes at times, something that Batman certainly isn’t.

But there can indeed be something captivating about Supes’ niceness. While Bruce Wayne is all wrapped up in anger and broken pieces, Clark often seems to have it more “together” and is better fitted for his status as a beacon of hope than Bruce ever could be.

And that’s not even close to saying that Batman isn’t a great character and hero in his own right. His steadfast commitment to fighting crime in Gotham and his rigid unwillingness to kill are certainly something to be admired.

Many simply just seem to respond better to Bruce’s “cool factor.” After all, the guy seems to have all the tricks and toys; access to the Batcave, the grapple gun, keys to the Batmobile. It’s hard not to be enraptured by that.

But as Josie Campbell said, “the cultural moment for Superman is coming back.” With all the division and hate in the world perhaps we need a dose of Superman now and then.

Hopefully, James Gunn’s upcoming film Superman: Legacy can clue people on to the greatness of the character when it hits theaters on July 11, 2025.

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Comics

Dreams and LittleBigPlanet developer Media Molecule is to lay off 15-20% of its staff, according to a new report.

Sports Illustrated‘s GLHF says the studio held an internal meeting today and told staff that it planned to lay off around 20 of its 135 employees.

The news comes a month after Media Molecule ended support for Dreams, which was released in early access in April 2019 before officially launching in February 2020.

Update – Layoffs confirmed

Media Molecule has confirmed the layoffs:

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In an article posted on the game’s official website earlier this year, the studio explained it had “made the difficult decision to discontinue live support for Dreams after September 1, 2023 to shift our focus to an exciting new project”.

Players are still able to play, create and share content on the game, but it will be receiving no further updates. Players also now have a 5GB storage limit for any new creations.

The Media Molecule layoffs are the latest in a long string of mass layoffs taking place across the games industry this year.

Earlier this month it was reported that Telltale Games laid off a number of employees, and that Team17 is planning “significant” job losses as part of a company restructure. Last month it was announced that Epic Games would be laying off 16% of its staff, consisting of “around 830 employees”.

Earlier this year Microsoft confirmed plans to lay off approximately 10,000 employees, including some at Xbox and Bethesda.

CD Projekt Red also announced plans in July to lay off around 10% of its staff, with CD Projekt CEO Adam Kiciński stating that the company wants to have “teams that are more agile and more effective”.

Layoffs have also recently been occurring at a number of other companies, including Unity, Riot Games, Blizzard, Crystal Dynamics, Bioware and The Callisto Protocol studio Striking Distance.