分类: entertainment

  • ‘God of War’ TV series: Cast, story details, and what we know so far

    ‘God of War’ TV series: Cast, story details, and what we know so far

    Amazon Prime Video’s ambitious live-action adaptation of the iconic ‘God of War’ video game franchise is rapidly progressing toward production, with significant developments emerging about the highly anticipated series. The streaming giant has committed to a two-season order for the project, which is scheduled to commence filming in Vancouver later this year under the guidance of Emmy-winning director Frederick E.O. Toye.

    The narrative foundation will draw from the critically acclaimed 2018 soft reboot and its 2022 sequel, ‘God of War Ragnarök,’ focusing primarily on the emotionally charged journey of Spartan warrior Kratos and his son Atreus within the harsh landscape of Norse mythology. While casting for Atreus remains undisclosed, the production has assembled an impressive ensemble of established actors to portray key mythological figures.

    Ryan Hurst, recognized for his performances in ‘Sons of Anarchy’ and ‘The Walking Dead,’ transitions from voicing Thor in the games to embodying the lead role of Kratos. The supporting cast features Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as the tormented God of Thunder, Teresa Palmer as Sif, Max Parker as Heimdall, and Mandy Patinkin as the manipulative All-Father Odin. Notably, Alastair Duncan will reprise his game role as Mimir, marking the first actor to portray the same character across both mediums.

    Creative oversight falls to Ronald D. Moore, celebrated for his work on ‘Battlestar Galactica’ and ‘Outlander,’ who serves as showrunner, writer, and executive producer. This adaptation represents Amazon’s continued investment in video game properties, joining successful ventures like ‘Fallout’ alongside upcoming projects including ‘Tomb Raider’ starring Sophie Turner and ‘Life is Strange.’

  • Grammys 2026: Bruno Mars to perform at event, joins star-studded lineup

    Grammys 2026: Bruno Mars to perform at event, joins star-studded lineup

    The Recording Academy has officially announced that 16-time Grammy winner Bruno Mars will take the stage at the 2026 Grammy Awards, marking a significant addition to an already spectacular performance roster. The revelation came through the Grammys’ official Instagram channel, generating substantial buzz among music enthusiasts worldwide.

    Mars enters this year’s ceremony with three prestigious nominations: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for his collaborative track ‘APT’ with BLACKPINK member Rose. This recognition continues his remarkable Grammy legacy, which includes four awards won as part of Silk Sonic in 2022, plus previous triumphs in 2016 and 2018 where he secured both Album and Record of the Year honors.

    The performance announcement coincides with Mars’ preparation for his highly anticipated solo album ‘The Romantic,’ scheduled for release on February 27, 2026. The artist will subsequently embark on an extensive seven-month global tour beginning in April, demonstrating his continued dominance in the music industry.

    This year’s ceremony, hosted for the final time by Trevor Noah, will broadcast live from Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena on February 1, 2026. The event will feature an impressive array of performers including Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Rose, and Sabrina Carpenter. Additionally, the show will include a special ‘In Memoriam’ segment honoring recently departed music icons Ozzy Osbourne and Roberta Flack.

    The 2026 Grammys will also feature prominent presenters such as Harry Styles, Charli XCX, and Queen Latifah. Notably, this ceremony represents the final broadcast on CBS before the prestigious awards show transitions to Disney platforms starting in 2027, marking the end of an era in Grammy television history.

  • ‘RRR’ and ‘Peddi’ star Ram Charan, wife Upasana welcome twins: a baby boy and girl

    ‘RRR’ and ‘Peddi’ star Ram Charan, wife Upasana welcome twins: a baby boy and girl

    In a joyous development within India’s entertainment industry, acclaimed actor Ram Charan and his entrepreneur wife Upasana Konidela have welcomed twins—a boy and a girl—marking a significant expansion of their family. The announcement was formally made on social media by Ram Charan’s father, veteran Telugu cinema icon Chiranjeevi, who expressed profound gratitude for the overwhelming support received from well-wishers.

    The veteran actor’s official statement emphasized that both newborns and the mother are in excellent health, describing the arrival as a moment of ‘pure joy and divine blessing’ for the entire family. This event marks the couple’s second and third children, following the birth of their first daughter, Klin Kaara, in 2023, whom they have notably kept out of the public spotlight.

    Social media platforms have been inundated with celebratory messages from fans, industry colleagues, and admirers nationwide, reflecting Ram Charan’s substantial popularity following his global recognition through the blockbuster film ‘RRR.’ The actor’s professional trajectory continues its upward climb with the anticipated release of his forthcoming project ‘Peddi,’ scheduled for global distribution on March 27, 2026. Directed by Buchi Babu Sana of ‘Uppena’ fame, the film features an ensemble cast including Janhvi Kapoor and represents another significant milestone in Charan’s evolving career.

  • ‘Mardaani 3’ review: Rani Mukerji’s cop action drama stumbles

    ‘Mardaani 3’ review: Rani Mukerji’s cop action drama stumbles

    The highly anticipated third installment of the Mardaani franchise delivers a mixed bag of gritty social commentary and disappointing narrative execution. While Rani Mukerji returns with compelling intensity as the formidable Inspector Shivani Shivaji Roy, the film struggles to maintain its initial momentum, ultimately collapsing under the weight of convoluted plotting and underdeveloped antagonists.

    The narrative opens with promise, exploring the disturbing phenomenon of girl child trafficking through the mysterious disappearance of two young victims—one from privileged diplomatic circles, another from impoverished circumstances. This setup effectively establishes the film’s central theme: the stark disparity in institutional response based on social status. The introduction of a female antagonist, Amma (Mallika Prasad), provides fresh dynamic to the franchise, suggesting a nuanced exploration of gender and villainy.

    Director Abhiraj Minawala demonstrates competent handling of the first act, crafting tense sequences that highlight both Shivani’s investigative prowess and Amma’s menacing presence. Prasad delivers a chilling performance that nearly matches Mukerji’s commanding screen presence, creating several electrifying confrontations between the two formidable women.

    However, the film undergoes a dramatic tonal shift post-interval, introducing an additional male villain whose cartoonish villainy and absurd scientific experiments undermine the grounded realism established earlier. The screenplay fractures into multiple disjointed directions, abandoning its social critique for generic action tropes reminiscent of 1990s Bollywood melodrama. What begins as a thoughtful examination of systemic violence against women degenerates into conventional masala entertainment, complete with exaggerated monologues and predictable set pieces.

    Despite these narrative flaws, Mukerji’s performance remains consistently excellent. Her portrayal of Shivani continues to resonate with authenticity and emotional depth, particularly during scenes where she confronts institutional indifference toward marginalized victims. The film’s production values and technical execution maintain professional standards throughout, though they cannot compensate for the fundamental storytelling deficiencies.

    The supporting cast receives minimal development, with most characters functioning as mere props to highlight Shivani’s heroism. This represents a significant departure from previous installments, which featured memorable antagonists that challenged the protagonist in compelling ways. The final product suggests a franchise struggling to balance social relevance with commercial expectations, ultimately satisfying neither objective completely.

  • Video: Firing reported outside director Rohit Shetty’s Mumbai home; probe underway

    Video: Firing reported outside director Rohit Shetty’s Mumbai home; probe underway

    Mumbai police have launched a comprehensive investigation following a security breach at the residence of acclaimed Bollywood director Rohit Shetty. Unidentified assailants discharged approximately four rounds of gunfire outside the filmmaker’s residential complex in the upscale Juhu neighborhood early Sunday morning, according to official police statements.

    The incident prompted immediate deployment of heightened security personnel around Shetty’s residential tower, with forensic experts conducting meticulous examination of the premises. Law enforcement authorities have cordoned off the area while gathering evidence to determine the circumstances surrounding the alarming event.

    Police officials confirmed that no casualties or injuries resulted from the shooting, providing some relief to the concerned film community and local residents. Investigators are pursuing multiple angles to establish motive and identify perpetrators behind the targeted attack on one of India’s most prominent cinematic figures.

    Rohit Shetty, renowned for blockbuster action-comedy franchises including ‘Golmaal’ and ‘Singham’, represents a significant figure in contemporary Indian cinema. The incident has raised questions about celebrity security protocols in Mumbai, India’s entertainment capital.

    Authorities have assured thorough investigation into all potential connections, including possible professional disputes or attempted intimidation. The film industry has expressed solidarity with the director, awaiting further developments in this concerning security breach.

  • Melania director Brett Ratner pictured cuddling woman in Epstein files

    Melania director Brett Ratner pictured cuddling woman in Epstein files

    Newly unsealed court documents from the Jeffrey Epstein case have revealed compromising photographs featuring filmmaker Brett Ratner in the company of the convicted sex offender. The images, released by the U.S. Department of Justice on Friday, depict the “Rush Hour” director seated alongside Epstein and two unidentified women on a sofa, with all female identities deliberately obscured for privacy protection.

    These documents form part of a massive trove of evidence pertaining to Epstein, who died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. The release coincides with the controversial debut of Ratner’s latest project, “Melania: 20 Days to History,” a documentary offering behind-the-scenes access to the former First Lady during the transition to her husband’s presidency.

    The timing proves particularly challenging for Ratner, marking his professional return since facing multiple allegations of sexual misconduct during the peak of the #MeToo movement in 2017—claims he has consistently denied. His documentary has already faced significant criticism from both film reviewers and political analysts concerning its connections to the Trump administration and its funding sources.

    Beyond Ratner, the documents shed new light on Epstein’s associations with numerous high-profile figures, including business magnate Elon Musk, former UK Cabinet Minister Lord Peter Mandelson, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, and Prince Andrew (formally known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor). Among the most striking revelations are images apparently showing the former Duke of York in a compromising position with a woman.

    The document release also revisits the case of Jean-Luc Brunel, the French modeling executive who was found dead in his Paris prison cell in 2022 while under investigation for allegedly procuring young women for Epstein. Brunel, who co-founded modeling agencies with Epstein’s financial backing, appeared alongside both Ratner and Epstein in previously released photographs from the same location.

    Legal provisions mandate that all released files undergo thorough redaction to protect victim identities and preserve ongoing investigations, though victim advocates have noted some survivors’ identities were inadvertently disclosed.

  • Watch: Sukhoi 57, F-16 model jet perform high-speed loops, rolls in Dubai skies

    Watch: Sukhoi 57, F-16 model jet perform high-speed loops, rolls in Dubai skies

    The skies above Dubai became an arena for high-performance aviation during the Model Aircraft Airshow Dubai (MAAD), where scale-model fighter jets demonstrated breathtaking aerial capabilities that rivaled their full-sized counterparts. Over two days at Sky Hub RC in Lisaili, hundreds of spectators witnessed meticulously engineered replica aircraft, including Russian Sukhoi-57 and American F-16 models, executing precision maneuvers at speeds exceeding 350 km/h.

    Veteran pilot Michael Dressendoerfer, with three decades of model aircraft experience, showcased a 42kg F-16 replica generating 420 newtons of thrust. The aircraft performed sharp turns, rapid rolls, and controlled dives that elicited enthusiastic applause from the audience. The event featured diverse aircraft designs spanning historical wartime planes to cutting-edge fighter jet replicas, each requiring months of precise engineering and testing.

    First-time attendees expressed astonishment at the performance level. Dubai resident Ahmed Hassan noted, ‘When the jet passed close to the ground, everyone went silent. Then people started clapping. It actually feels like a real airshow.’ Maria Lopez, a visitor from Spain, added, ‘I thought these were just small toy planes, but the skill involved is unbelievable.’

    The aviation spectacle transitioned to ground-based excitement with high-powered drag racing demonstrations featuring burnouts and tight turns that filled the arena with smoke and engine roars. Behind the scenes, engineers emphasized the painstaking construction process, with Friedrich Huffman explaining, ‘Everything has to be exact. Even a few millimeters can change how the plane behaves in the air. We test it many times on the ground before it ever flies.’

    The event successfully demonstrated that advanced aeronautical engineering and piloting expertise transcend aircraft size, delivering a comprehensive entertainment experience that blended aerial precision with ground-level adrenaline.

  • Pegasus fondant artwork ushers in Year of the Horse in Shanghai

    Pegasus fondant artwork ushers in Year of the Horse in Shanghai

    Shanghai has unveiled a spectacular culinary masterpiece to welcome the upcoming Lunar New Year—a monumental 4-meter-tall Pegasus sculpture crafted entirely from fondant. The breathtaking artwork made its debut on January 30, 2026, representing an extraordinary fusion of traditional Chinese cultural elements, heritage craftsmanship techniques, and contemporary artistic expression.

    The magnificent white winged horse, requiring over one ton of fondant material, stands as a symbolic tribute to the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac cycle. Master sugar artist Zhou Yi, nationally celebrated as China’s ‘Sugar King,’ led the ambitious project utilizing intangible cultural heritage techniques passed down through generations.

    Zhou and his dedicated five-member team invested nearly four months of meticulous work to create the masterpiece from initial concept to final execution. The Pegasus installation forms part of Shanghai’s broader initiative to establish itself as a global cultural metropolis, seamlessly blending commercial appeal with artistic innovation while honoring traditional Chinese cultural motifs.

    The fondant sculpture represents more than seasonal celebration—it demonstrates how ancient craftsmanship can find renewed relevance through modern artistic interpretation, creating cultural dialogue between past and present while captivating public imagination through edible art on a monumental scale.

  • Chaka Khan, Cher, Whitney Houston, Fela Kuti get Grammys Life Achievement Awards

    Chaka Khan, Cher, Whitney Houston, Fela Kuti get Grammys Life Achievement Awards

    LOS ANGELES — The Recording Academy bestowed its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards upon an illustrious group of music icons during Saturday’s Special Merit Awards ceremony. Chaka Khan, Cher, Carlos Santana, Paul Simon, Fela Kuti, and the late Whitney Houston were recognized for their extraordinary contributions to the music industry at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre event, held preceding Sunday’s main Grammy Awards.

    Chaka Khan emerged as the sole honoree to personally accept her award during the emotional ceremony. Dressed in a radiant sea green gown, the legendary vocalist reflected on her five-decade career with profound gratitude. “Music has been my prayer, my healing, my joy, my truth,” Khan expressed. “Through it, I saved my life.” Her acceptance speech acknowledged both the brilliant collaborators and occasional “cuckoos” she encountered throughout her journey.

    The ceremony featured poignant tributes to posthumous recipients. Family members accepted honors for Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, who passed in 1997, and vocal phenomenon Whitney Houston, who died in 2012. Pat Houston, Whitney’s sister-in-law and former manager, movingly declared: “Her voice — that voice! — remains eternal. Her legacy will live forever.”

    Kuti’s children received his award, recognizing him as a “producer, arranger, political radical, outlaw and the father of Afrobeat” — marking the first time an African musician has received this honor. Femi Kuti emphasized the significance: “It’s so important for us, it’s so important for Africa, it’s so important for world peace and the struggle.”

    Absent recipients contributed through video messages. Cher humorously recalled her childhood aspirations: “The only thing I ever wanted to be was a singer. When I was 4 years old I used to run around the house naked, singing into a hair brush. Things haven’t changed all that much.” Carlos Santana, represented by his son Salvador, delivered an inspirational message: “The world is so infected with fear that we need the music and message of Santana to bring hope, courage and joy to heal the world.”

    The Trustees Award recognized non-performers including Bernie Taupin, Elton John’s longtime lyricist, who humorously noted waiting “57 years for one of these” despite co-writing numerous hits. Taupin shared his songwriting principles: “avoid cliches,” “never write songs in cubicles” and “don’t say you’re going to die if she leaves you — because you’re not.”

    Additional honorees included Latin jazz innovator Eddie Palmieri (posthumously), Sylvia Rhone (the first Black woman to lead a major label), and technical pioneer John Chowning. The ceremony also celebrated educational excellence with Jennifer Jimenez receiving the Music Educator Award and Raye’s “Ice Cream Man” earning the Harry Belafonte Song for Social Change Award.

  • Ms. Lauryn Hill returns to the Grammys to pay tribute to D’Angelo, Roberta Flack

    Ms. Lauryn Hill returns to the Grammys to pay tribute to D’Angelo, Roberta Flack

    The 68th Annual Grammy Awards, held in Los Angeles, evolved into a potent fusion of artistic celebration and political advocacy, with immigration policy emerging as a central theme. The ceremony honored musical legacies while witnessing historic victories and pointed criticism of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

    Kendrick Lamar cemented his status in hip-hop history by securing his 26th Grammy for the rap album ‘GNX,’ surpassing Jay-Z’s longstanding record. ‘Hip-hop is always going to be right here… We’re gonna be having the culture with us,’ Lamar stated in his acceptance speech.

    The night’s most resonant moments, however, were politically charged. Upon winning Song of the Year for ‘Wildflower,’ Billie Eilish declared from the stage, ‘No one is illegal on stolen land,’ before adding, ‘(Expletive) ICE.’ This sentiment was powerfully echoed by Bad Bunny after his win for best música urbana album for ‘Debí Tirar Más Fotos.’ He began his speech in English, proclaiming ‘ICE out’ to massive applause, and asserted, ‘We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans.’

    The anti-ICE messaging extended beyond the main awards. Songwriter of the Year Amy Allen and first-time winner Kehlani, who took home trophies for R&B performance and song, wore ‘ICE Out’ pins. Backstage, music icon Gloria Estefan expressed fear over the current political climate, noting, ‘There are hundreds of children in detention centers… I don’t recognize my country.’

    Artistic tributes formed a core part of the evening. A powerful in memoriam segment celebrated the late D’Angelo and Roberta Flack. In a highly anticipated return, Ms. Lauryn Hill performed on the Grammy stage for the first time since 1999, joining Wyclef Jean for a Fugees medley honoring Flack. Other notable performances included Post Malone and rock legends paying homage to Ozzy Osbourne with Black Sabbath’s ‘War Pigs.’

    The 2026 ceremony was also marked by a record number of first-time winners. Olivia Dean, named Best New Artist, emotionally dedicated her win to her immigrant grandmother, stating she was ‘a product of bravery.’ The award for best contemporary country album went to Jelly Roll for ‘Beautifully Broken,’ while Lady Gaga won pop vocal album for ‘Mayhem.’

    In a surprising pre-show development, the Dalai Lama won his first Grammy for an audiobook narration, and director Steven Spielberg achieved EGOT status by winning for the music film ‘Music for John Williams.’ The show was broadcast live on CBS and available via major streaming platforms.