Global Pulse

分类： entertainment

  • Ariana snubbed and Chalamet supreme? Five Oscars takeaways

    Ariana snubbed and Chalamet supreme? Five Oscars takeaways

    The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences unveiled its nominations for the 97th Oscars on Thursday, delivering a mix of expected accolades, startling omissions, and historic milestones. Leading the pack is the psychological drama ‘Sinners,’ which shattered records with an extraordinary 16 nominations, positioning it as the undeniable frontrunner for the upcoming ceremony on March 15.

    Among the most discussed surprises was the complete shutout of the musical sequel ‘Wicked: For Good,’ which failed to secure a single nomination. This was particularly shocking for its star, pop icon Ariana Grande, who had earned a Best Supporting Actress nod for the first installment but was overlooked this year despite her expanded role. Other notable snubs included Chase Infiniti for ‘One Battle After Another’ and Paul Mescal for ‘Hamnet.’

    In a landmark moment for international cinema, a record four non-English language performances received acting nominations. The Norwegian dramedy ‘Sentimental Value’ propelled three of its stars—Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgard, and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas—into the spotlight, while Brazil’s Wagner Moura was recognized for ‘The Secret Agent.’

    The nominations also heralded a potential swansong for Warner Bros. as an independent studio. The century-old distributor dominated the field with its two flagship productions: ‘Sinners’ (16 noms) and the epic ‘One Battle After Another’ (13 noms). This triumph comes amid a fierce acquisition battle between Paramount Skydance and Netflix for the studio.

    A new category, Best Casting, made its debut, with nominations mirroring the Best Picture race and including ‘Hamnet,’ ‘Marty Supreme,’ ‘One Battle after Another,’ ‘The Secret Agent,’ and ‘Sinners.’

    Actor Timothée Chalamet, at just 30 years old, secured his third Best Actor nomination for his leading role in the ping-pong drama ‘Marty Supreme,’ which garnered an impressive nine nominations overall. His performance as a hustling player in 1950s New York and Japan, coupled with his credit as a producer on the film, solidifies his status as a generational talent, though he faces stiff competition from Leonardo DiCaprio.

  • Vampire film Sinners breaks Oscar nominations record

    Vampire film Sinners breaks Oscar nominations record

    In an unprecedented cinematic achievement, Warner Bros’ vampire horror film ‘Sinners’ has demolished the Oscar nominations record with 16 Academy Award considerations, surpassing the previous benchmark of 14 nominations jointly held by ‘All About Eve’ (1951), ‘Titanic’ (1998), and ‘La La Land’ (2018). This groundbreaking recognition defies industry conventions that have historically marginalized horror genre productions during awards season.

    The film’s remarkable nominations encompass multiple categories including Best Picture, Best Director for Ryan Coogler, and acting accolades for stars Michael B. Jordan, Wunmi Mosaku, and Delroy Lindo. Jordan received particular acclaim for his dual portrayal of twin brothers establishing a juke joint in 1930s Mississippi amidst vampire threats, while British-Nigerian actress Mosaku and London-born Lindo represent Britain’s strongest hopes for acting honors.

    Despite ‘Sinners’ historic achievement, Paul Thomas Anderson’s political thriller ‘One Battle After Another’ remains a formidable competitor with 13 nominations, including Best Actor for Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance as a revolutionary confronting an authoritarian regime. The film has maintained its position as awards season favorite for the top prize, though historical patterns indicate the nomination leader ultimately claims Best Picture only approximately 29% of the time.

    Other notable contenders include ‘Marty Supreme,’ ‘Frankenstein,’ and ‘Sentimental Value’ with 9 nominations each, while Maggie O’Farrell’s ‘Hamnet’ adaptation earned 8 nominations including Best Actress frontrunner Jessie Buckley. The nominations arrive during a significant transitional period for Warner Bros, currently undergoing potential acquisition negotiations that may include streaming giant Netflix.

    Industry commentators have highlighted the cultural significance of ‘Sinners’ achievement, with BBC Radio 1 film critic Ali Plumb noting: ‘The last horror film to win Best Picture was ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ over three decades ago.’ BBC culture editor Katie Razzall praised the film as ‘a perfect blend of revenge thriller and decadent musical journey exploring America’s race issues through vampire mythology and blues history.’

    The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will culminate the intense competition on March 15th in Hollywood, determining whether ‘Sinners’ record-breaking nominations will translate into corresponding victories.

  • Oscars 2026: Nominees list in full

    Oscars 2026: Nominees list in full

    The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has unveiled its nominations for the 98th Academy Awards, setting the stage for Hollywood’s most anticipated night on March 15th. In a historic achievement, the musical drama ‘Sinners’ dominated the field with an unprecedented 16 nominations, breaking the long-standing record previously held by ‘All About Eve’ (1950), ‘Titanic’ (1997), and ‘La La Land’ (2016).

    The epic war drama ‘One Battle After Another’ followed closely with 13 nominations, while ‘Marty Supreme,’ ‘Frankenstein,’ and ‘Sentimental Value’ each secured nine nods. The Shakespearean adaptation ‘Hamnet’ rounded out the top contenders with eight nominations.

    Notable acting categories feature intense competition. The Best Actor race includes Timothée Chalamet for ‘Marty Supreme,’ Leonardo DiCaprio for ‘One Battle After Another,’ and Michael B. Jordan for ‘Sinners.’ The Best Actress category showcases Jessie Buckley (‘Hamnet’), Rose Byrne (‘If I Had Legs I’d Kick You’), and Emma Stone (‘Bugonia’).

    Behind the camera, directing honors will be contested among Paul Thomas Anderson (‘One Battle After Another’), Ryan Coogler (‘Sinners’), and Chloé Zhao (‘Hamnet’), among others. The international feature category includes powerful entries like ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ and ‘Sirât,’ while animation contenders range from ‘Zootopia 2’ to ‘KPop Demon Hunters.’

    Comedian Conan O’Brien will host the ceremony, which promises to celebrate a diverse year in cinema spanning blockbuster franchises, intimate dramas, and groundbreaking international productions. The nominations reflect both commercial successes and critical darlings, with technical categories highlighting achievements in visual effects, sound design, and production across various genres.

  • Why do China’s cultural and creative products go viral?

    Why do China’s cultural and creative products go viral?

    China’s cultural and creative industries are experiencing unprecedented global recognition, with products ranging from traditional art reinterpretations to digital innovations capturing international attention. This phenomenon stems from a strategic national initiative embedded within China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), which prioritizes creative innovation as a cornerstone of cultural development.

    Professor Zhang Yiwu, a distinguished scholar of Chinese language and literature at Peking University, provides expert analysis of this cultural movement. He identifies the crucial balance between heritage preservation and contemporary reinterpretation as the driving force behind the appeal. According to Professor Zhang, successful cultural products maintain recognizable elements of traditional Chinese culture while incorporating fresh perspectives that resonate with modern sensibilities.

    The strategic approach involves transforming historical artifacts, literary traditions, and artistic practices into accessible formats that bridge generational and cultural divides. This innovative transformation particularly connects with younger global audiences who seek authentic yet novel experiences. The products span multiple categories including fashion, digital media, collectibles, and experiential installations, all carrying distinctive Chinese cultural signatures.

    This cultural export success reflects broader efforts to position Chinese creativity within global markets while maintaining cultural authenticity. The phenomenon demonstrates how strategic planning combined with creative execution can translate traditional heritage into contemporary relevance, creating products that feel simultaneously familiar and revolutionary to international consumers.

  • Watches: Omega unveils reverse panda Speedmaster Moonwatch for 2026

    Watches: Omega unveils reverse panda Speedmaster Moonwatch for 2026

    In a significant horological development, Swiss luxury watchmaker Omega has introduced two distinctive iterations of its legendary Speedmaster Moonwatch for 2026, featuring the highly coveted reverse panda dial configuration. This release marks a thoughtful evolution rather than a radical transformation of the timepiece that achieved historical significance during NASA’s lunar missions.

    The new collection showcases sophisticated 42mm chronographs available in contrasting material executions: classic stainless steel and exclusive 18K Moonshine Gold. The reverse panda aesthetic—characterized by its striking black main dial with contrasting white sub-dials—represents a deliberate departure from conventional color schemes while maintaining the Speedmaster’s essential design DNA.

    Technical excellence manifests through the watches’ meticulously engineered dial architecture, employing a stepped, double-layer construction. The polished black upper dial receives multiple lacquer and varnish treatments to achieve a profound, liquid-like appearance, while the white sub-dials mirror this glossy finish beneath. This architectural approach creates remarkable visual depth and heightened legibility.

    The stainless steel variant embodies utilitarian elegance with rhodium-plated hands and hour markers filled with white Super-LumiNova for optimal visibility. Conversely, the 18K Moonshine Gold edition represents horological luxury through Omega’s proprietary gold alloy implementation throughout the case, markers, and hands, complemented by a PVD Moonshine Gold chronograph seconds hand.

    Both models incorporate Omega’s advanced Calibre 3861 movement—a hand-wound Co-Axial Master Chronometer mechanism representing the pinnacle of the Speedmaster’s technical evolution. The timepieces feature the brand’s signature polished-brushed bracelet equipped with patented comfort release adjustment technology.

    Positioned as permanent collection offerings, these chronographs will become available through Omega boutiques and authorized retailers commencing late January 2026, with pricing set at Dh40,950 for the steel version and Dh194,150 for the gold edition.

  • Aviation sci-fi park Nantianmen to open in 2027

    Aviation sci-fi park Nantianmen to open in 2027

    Shanghai’s Lingang Special Area is poised to become home to the world’s first aviation science fiction theme park, with the highly anticipated Nantianmen Project scheduled for public opening on August 1, 2027. Spanning an impressive 80,000 square meters, this groundbreaking entertainment destination will transport visitors to a futuristic lunar military base for an immersive deep space experience.

    Developed by AVIC Global Cultural Communication, a subsidiary of the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China, the park builds upon the extensive Nantianmen intellectual property launched in 2017. The franchise has already generated substantial lore content exceeding hundreds of thousands of words and features over one hundred original weapon designs, creating a rich narrative foundation for the park’s attractions.

    According to Zhou Yixiao, General Manager of the Nantianmen Project’s Shanghai base, major construction milestones will be completed by the end of this year, enabling internal testing phases before the public debut. The park represents a significant fusion of cutting-edge military-industrial technology and creative storytelling, incorporating advanced artificial intelligence systems throughout visitor experiences.

    Ding Li, Editor-in-Chief of AVIC Global Cultural Technology, emphasized the project’s dual purpose as both entertainment venue and educational platform. ‘This ambitious venture not only presents a visionary future for aviation technology but also serves to promote aviation culture and provide public science education through immersive experiences,’ Ding stated in recent media briefings.

    Visitors will assume roles as recruits in a deep space defense force, participating in guided simulations of lunar base defense and attack scenarios. The park’s innovative design integrates actual aerospace technology concepts with science fiction elements, creating a unique blend of entertainment and technological inspiration that aims to set new standards for theme park experiences worldwide.

  • ‘One Battle After Another,’ ‘Sinners’ tipped to top Oscar noms

    ‘One Battle After Another,’ ‘Sinners’ tipped to top Oscar noms

    The film industry stands on the precipice of a historic Oscar nomination announcement, with Warner Bros’ cinematic juggernauts “One Battle After Another” and “Sinners” positioned to dominate the awards landscape. Industry analysts project both films could achieve an unprecedented nomination count, potentially challenging the longstanding record of 14 nominations jointly held by “All About Eve,” “Titanic” and “La La Land.”

    Paul Thomas Anderson’s revolutionary thriller “One Battle After Another” has generated exceptional momentum throughout awards season, already securing the record for most nominations from Hollywood’s actors guild. The film features Leonardo DiCaprio in a performance that virtually guarantees his seventh Academy acting nomination, portraying a retired revolutionary navigating a complex web of radical violence and white supremacists while searching for his missing daughter.

    Meanwhile, Ryan Coogler’s blues-infused period horror “Sinners” has emerged as a groundbreaking force in Oscar politics. The film’s exploration of racial tensions in 1930s Mississippi, featuring Michael B. Jordan in a dual role as twins combating vampires and racists, has been described by Variety’s Clayton Davis as entering “a statistical stratosphere no filmmaker has ever touched.”

    The Warner Bros dominance comes during a potentially transformative period for the studio, which remains the target of an intense bidding war between Paramount Skydance and Netflix. This corporate uncertainty adds dramatic subtext to what might represent the studio’s final independent distribution year.

    Netflix maintains its own formidable contenders including Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein,” the pioneering Western drama “Train Dreams,” and animated musical phenomenon “KPop Demon Hunters.” The streaming giant faces competition from international cinema, with three non-English language films—Norway’s “Sentimental Value,” Palme d’Or winner “It Was Just An Accident,” and Brazil’s “The Secret Agent”—potentially disrupting the best picture category.

    This year introduces the groundbreaking best casting Oscar, creating speculation about voting criteria for this inaugural honor. The nominations announcement, scheduled for Thursday at 5:30 AM PST in Los Angeles, will set the stage for the 98th Academy Awards ceremony on March 15th.

  • Blockbusters, battles and Brits: Hollywood gears up for Oscar nominations

    Blockbusters, battles and Brits: Hollywood gears up for Oscar nominations

    Hollywood’s awards season reaches its pivotal moment as the Academy prepares to announce Oscar nominations, with Paul Thomas Anderson’s politically charged thriller “One Battle After Another” positioned as the frontrunner. The film featuring Leonardo DiCaprio as a former revolutionary battling white supremacists could deliver Anderson his long-awaited Oscar after 11 previous nominations.

    This year’s ceremony introduces significant changes, including a new category for Best Casting and plans to move the Oscars to YouTube by 2029. The Academy is also implementing stricter viewing requirements for voters, mandating either streaming through official channels or documented cinema attendance.

    While blockbuster sequels like “Avatar: Fire and Ash” and “Wicked: For Good” achieved commercial success, they face diminished awards traction. James Cameron notably dismissed Oscar campaigning, stating, “You can play the awards game, or you can play the game I like to play and that’s to make movies people actually go to.”

    The acting categories feature intriguing narratives: Timothée Chalamet (“Marty Supreme”) leads a competitive Best Actor field against DiCaprio and Michael B. Jordan (“Sinners”). Potential first-time nominees include established stars like Adam Sandler (“Jay Kelly”) and Jacob Elordi, while Amy Madigan could secure her first nomination in 40 years for horror film “Weapons.”

    International talent shines particularly bright from Ireland, with Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal expected recognition for “Hamnet,” while British representation appears weaker with Wunmi Mosaku (“Sinners”) as the strongest contender.

    Netflix’s animated phenomenon “KPop Demon Hunters” dominates the animation category and could win Best Original Song for “Golden,” while the ceremony itself will be hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien on March 15th.

  • Dubai: Poets, musicians, performers open Emirates LitFest with nostalgic storytelling

    Dubai: Poets, musicians, performers open Emirates LitFest with nostalgic storytelling

    The 18th Emirates Airline Festival of Literature commenced on January 21st along Dubai Creek, launching an eight-day celebration of global literary arts with a profoundly local spirit. This year’s opening ceremony at InterContinental Festival City transformed into an evocative homage to pre-literate storytelling traditions, emphasizing memory and oral history over written texts.

    Emirati poets, musicians, and performers established the festival’s thematic foundation by revisiting an era when narratives traveled verbally through homes rather than libraries. The National Youth String Chamber Orchestra and Repton Al Barsha Choir provided melodic accompaniment while Dubai Police’s mounted cavalry and young drummers contributed visual rhythm, creating a multisensory experience that connected contemporary arts with cultural heritage.

    One of the most poignant moments featured Um Mohammed, whose recollections of old Dubai were preserved through the Erth Dubai heritage project. She described a tightly-knit community where open doors facilitated constant communication and the creek served as daily companion rather than tourist landmark. Emirati poet Shamma Al Bastaki later articulated poetry’s role as “a vessel for preserving lived experience,” drawing inspiration from her father’s nautical life and the celestial navigation methods of sailors.

    International voices echoed these themes, with children’s author Rachel Bright and poet Afra Atiq discussing poetry as “an act of belief” during a walk through Shindagha that inspired place-specific verse. Festival Director Ahlam Bolooki framed the evening as a reminder that “stories have always been part of who we are” long before they were committed to paper.

    The festival, featuring over 200 sessions and participants from 40 nationalities, will concurrently celebrate the 20th anniversaries of both the Sheikh Zayed Book Award and the Saif Ghobash Banipal Prize for Arabic Literary Translation. While promising diverse programming ranging from crime fiction to Nobel laureate conversations, the opening ceremony established literature not merely as written art but as living practice connecting generations through shared narrative traditions.

  • Is ‘GTA 6’ delayed after explosion scare at Rockstar’s Edinburgh studio?

    Is ‘GTA 6’ delayed after explosion scare at Rockstar’s Edinburgh studio?

    A sudden wave of concern gripped the global gaming community following early morning reports of a potential explosion at Rockstar North’s Edinburgh headquarters, the primary development studio for the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI. Emergency services responded to Holyrood Road at approximately 5:02 AM local time, establishing security perimeters and deploying multiple fire engines with specialized response units.

    Initial unverified accounts suggested possible structural damage originating from the building’s boiler room, prompting immediate fears among fans about potential disruptions to GTA VI’s development timeline. The gaming studio remained the focus of emergency operations for over four hours as authorities conducted comprehensive safety assessments.

    Subsequent investigations by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service revealed the incident resulted from a mechanical failure in a heating system rather than an explosive event. All emergency personnel concluded operations by 9:21 AM, confirming no injuries and only minimal property damage.

    Rockstar Games promptly issued an official statement clarifying the situation: “A technical malfunction occurred in one of our heating boilers at Rockstar North. We confirm all staff are safe and the studio maintains normal operations.” Employees returned to work the same day with development schedules remaining unaffected.

    The intense public reaction underscores Rockstar North’s pivotal role in gaming history, having developed the entire Grand Theft Auto franchise and the acclaimed Red Dead Redemption series. Recent industry layoffs and development tensions contributed to heightened sensitivity around any potential disruption to GTA VI’s progress.

    Crucially, Rockstar Games has confirmed the November 19, 2026 release date for Grand Theft Auto VI remains unchanged, with no anticipated delays resulting from this incident. The event ultimately concluded without casualties, structural damage, or impact on one of the most anticipated game releases in industry history.