Cast: Helena Zengel, Finn Wolfhard, Willem Dafoe, Emily Watson, Razvan Stoica, Carol Bors, David Andrei Baltatu, Andrei Antoniu AnghelDirector: Isaiah SaxonRating: 3/5Runtime: 96 min. A charming family film that has an old-worldly charm, ‘The legend of Ochi’ works with original puppetry and is devoid of CGI manipulation. In a remote village on the island of Carpathia, a shy farm girl named Yuri is raised to fear an elusive animal species known as ochi. But when Yuri discovers a wounded baby ochi has been left behind, she escapes on a quest to take him to his home. Yuri (Helena Zengel) is the daughter of Maxim (Willem Dafoe), who is leading a hunt for the wild Ochi. Ochi are creatures that have simian features, are brightly colored and emit high-pitched sounds. It’s a night hunt, there are gunshots, and sounds of Ochi screeching and escaping. Yuri’s mom Dasha (Emily Watson) left some time ago, and Maxim won’t even say her name.Yuri has a caterpillar for a pet, feels lonely and unloved because Maxim, busy with his hunts, practically ignores her existence. Everything changes for Yuri when she finds a baby Ochi in the woods one day, its leg stuck in a trap. She releases the little Ochi and tends to its wounds, vowing to return it to its mother. After being bitten, Yuri discovers she can speak the Ochi’s language and a bond develops as the two begin their journey, that will take them across Dasha’s path as they’re hunted by Maxim and his team. The Ochi design looks like a cross between E.T. and a Gremlin. They have a handcrafted appearance and rely on realistic puppetry techniques. Saxon also creates a setting bathed in saturated hues, mixed with matte paintings and other practical effects, and nominal CGI. Saxon who has been making music videos for artists like Bjork, displays a craftsmanship that is unusual. The cinematography displays some visual flourishes that make it look impressive to simply look at. The film relies on live action, impressive production values and inventive story elements to tell its heartwarming story. Writer-director Isaiah Saxon’s imaginative narrative and visual flair lends this fantastical tale an originality that seems rare in the present digitally obsessed world.
02 May,2025 04:10 PM IST | Mumbai | Johnson ThomasCast: Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Wyatt Russell, David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, Lewis Pullman, Olga Kurylenko, Geraldine Viswanathan, Wendell Edward Pierce, & Chris Bauer.Director: Jake SchreierRating: 3/5Runtime: 126 min Thunderbolts are a bunch of misfits that hope to give ‘The Avengers’ a run for their money. Our heroes are a bunch of anti-heroes and even villains and the bad guys are something even worse. Bolts consist of a bunch of family who care two hoots for each other. Conflicted Yelena (Pugh), Scarlett Johansson’s sister from Black Widow, her obnoxious father Red Guardian (David Habour), Walker (Wyatt Russell), who was Captain America in The Falcon And The Winter Soldier, Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) The Winter Soldier and Ava (Hannah John-Kamen) aka Ghost, from the Ant Man-franchise. They are together only to battle with big bad, CIA-director Valentina de Fontaine (Julia-Louis Dreyfus), who wants to become ‘unimpeachable’ and dole out Justice as she sees fit. Geraldine Viswanathan as Valentina’s conflicted assistant Mel and Lewis Pullman as Robert Reynolds have interesting supporting roles. Yelena informs us about her life choices and the death of her sister while breaking into a highly secured lab in Malaysia. Afterwards, she visits Alexei her Russian Dad and later accepts another assignment from Valentina. Yelena then follows Ghost into an underground bunker where she is confronted by Captain America and a random guy, Bob. They all eventually realize that they have been sent to kill each other. Seeing no other way out, they team up to take Valentina down once and for all. The film details real-life mental health struggles, confronts past traumas but the mood remains upbeat. The action and humor provide vicarious relief. The tormented man Bob develops a special connection with Yelena and it’s through Bob’s character that real-life mental health struggles are depicted. By and large this comic book-inspired movie delivers real human drama. The plot is simple, not incoherent like most of the recent MCU outings. The script has characters with tortured pasts begin to respect each other (if not like) and become a stronger whole. They are basically outcasts, a group of lonely guns for hire forced to tolerate each other in unique circumstances. Director Schreier’s first entry into MCU is rather old-school and the big set pieces don’t look like they originated in CGI. The fight sequences are blood-and-guts aggravated, not exactly stylish or polished. Thunderbolts is fairly enjoyable. It’s one of the better Marvel editions to come of late. It’s not as bad as ‘The Suicide Squad’ and it’s not as much fun as ‘The Guardians of the Galaxy’ either, but it has a workable story, the script by Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo generates enough sparks and the direction from Jake Schreier is steady and lucrative. The actors play their roles well and the special effects help keep you entertained. Florence Pugh, has a commanding presence and makes every scene that she’s in, worthy. This may have been one of the most anticipated MCU films of this year but it’s definitely not going to bring the MCU back from the red. It might make money, but Marvel might still have to wait ignominiously to relieve its former glory of 10 years ago.
02 May,2025 03:28 PM IST | Mumbai | Johnson ThomasEnglish filmmaker Guy Ritchie is once again joining forces with actor Jake Gyllenhaal as he is set to direct the sequel to Road House. Gyllenhaal will reprise his lead role as ex-UFC fighter Dalton in the film. Road House 2 marks the third collaboration between Ritchie and Gyllenhaal, and their second for Amazon MGM Studios following Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant (2023). The filmmaker and the Oscar- and Tony-nominated actor also collaborated on the forthcoming action thriller, In The Grey. Will Beall of Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024) fame is writing the script for the sequel, plot details of which are being kept under wraps. As per reports, producers include Atlas Entertainment’s Charles Roven and Alex Gartner, as well as Gyllenhaal for his Nine Stories Productions with Josh McLaughlin. Ivan Atkinson will executive produce. Road House (2024) is a reboot of the 1989 classic starring Patrick Swayze, and followed Gyllenhaal as a former UFC fighter struggling to make ends meet. The movie was viewed as a success for Amazon MGM and the studio announced a sequel was in development last summer during its inaugural Upfronts presentation. The film launched on Prime Video last March and broke records for the streamer — attracting nearly 80 million worldwide viewers in its first eight weeks to become the studio’s “most-watched produced film debut ever on a worldwide basis,” per then-studio chief Jennifer Salke. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
02 May,2025 12:08 PM IST | Los Angeles | AgenciesHollywood star Robert De Niro said that he loved and supported Aaron as his son, and now he “loves and supports” daughter Airyn, who has come out as transgender. “I loved and supported Aaron as my son, and now I love and support Airyn as my daughter. I don’t know what the big deal is,” De Niro said in a statement. He added, “I love all my children.” Airyn discussed “stepping into this new identity,” during a conversation with a publication. She also talked about growing up as one of seven children in the De Niro household. “There’s a difference between being visible and being seen. I’ve been visible. I don’t think I’ve been seen yet,”” Airyn. She went on to say that “no parent is perfect, but I am grateful that both my parents agreed to keep me out of the limelight. They have told me they wanted me to have as much of a normal childhood as possible.” In the same interview, Airyn discussed her inspirations for going public with her transition. Among them was actor Laverne Cox. De Niro has been feted with various accolades, including two Academy Awards and a Golden Globe Award as well as nominations for eight BAFTA Awards and four Emmy Awards. He was honoured with the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2003, the Kennedy Center Honors in 2009, the Cecil B DeMille Award in 2011, the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016, the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2019, and will recieve the Honorary Palme d’Or in 2025. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
02 May,2025 12:04 PM IST | Los Angeles | AgenciesHollywood legend Tom Hanks, who was last seen in ‘Here’, is celebrating 37 years of his marriage with Rita Wilson. On Thursday, the actor took to his Instagram, and shared a picture of himself with his wife. In the picture, the couple can be seen near a water body presumably after their swimming or diving session. The actor wrote in the caption, “37 years married. Today! Love you, Mrs. Mr.THanks”. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) Earlier in February, the couple contributed to the relief efforts towards Los Angeles wildfires that ravaged through southern California. The Hollywood couple donated $1 million to the Los Angeles wildfires relief efforts, reports ‘Female First UK’. The couple’s $26 million Pacific Palisades home was reported to have survived the devastating blazes, which started in the upmarket area on January 7, however they were forced to evacuate. As per ‘Female First UK’, Los Angeles wildfires was a series of 14 destructive wildfires affected the Los Angeles metropolitan area and San Diego County in California, United States. The fires were exacerbated by drought conditions, low humidity, and a buildup of vegetation from the previous winter. The pair splitted the donation between several organisations, including the Motion Picture and Television Fund, the Los Angeles Fire Foundation, SAG-AFTRA Foundation Disaster Relief Fund, the American Red Cross and MusiCares. In a joint statement, they said, “Like so many of us, we see the loss and devastation wrought by the Altadena and Palisades fires. The challenge of the future of these communities is immense. "We are so very grateful for the first responders and firefighters, from all over, who fought with all they had in order to save homes and people”. They added, "Now we must all move forward to what is next for our city, communities, and neighbours. "We are donating $1 million between the following organisations to help support those in need and those who aided”. They signed off the letter posted to Instagram, “If you can, please join us in donating. Everything helps, right?”. Other stars to have donated include Leonardo DiCaprio, Beyonce, Paris Hilton and The Weeknd. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
02 May,2025 09:45 AM IST | Los Angeles | IANSBritish rock band Coldplay's concerts in Ahmedabad generated an estimated overall economic impact of Rs 641 crore including a direct boost of Rs 392 crore to the city's economy, with significant spending on accommodation, transport, dining and retail, said a report released on Wednesday. With 86 per cent fans travelling to the host city, Coldplay's 'Music Of The Spheres' concerts in Ahmedabad trigger a new paradigm for cultural tourism, city branding and mega-event infrastructure, the EY-Parthenon (EY-P), the leading strategy consulting firm and BookMyShow Live revealed. Dubbed India's largest-ever live entertainment spectacle, Coldplay delivered the two-night 'Music Of The Spheres' concerts in Ahmedabad. In a significant endorsement of India's growing concert economy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address at the Utkarsh Odisha - Make in Odisha Conclave 2025 said, "In a country with such a rich heritage in music, dance and storytelling, with such a large pool of youth and a massive consumer base for concerts, there are vast opportunities for the concert economy. In the past decade, both the trend and demand for live events have grown. You must have seen the incredible images from the Coldplay concerts in Mumbai and Ahmedabad in recent days. This is proof of how much scope live concerts have in India." Speaking on the report, Raghav Anand, Partner and Leader Digital, Media and Convergence, EY-Parthenon, said, "As we witness the dynamic growth of India's live entertainment sector, which has surpassed the Rs 12,000 crore-mark in 2024 and is projected to grow at a robust CAGR of around 19 per cent over the next three years, the increasing consumer spends are fuelling this transformative journey. This surge in consumer enthusiasm for world-class events reflects not just a rising disposable income but an evolving cultural fabric that craves immersive experiences". According to the report, Ahmedabad concerts delivered significant economic windfall, generating an estimated economic impact of Rs 641 crore in total, including a direct boost of Rs 392 crore to Ahmedabad's economy, with significant spending on accommodation, transport, dining and retail. It also contributed Rs 72 crore in GST revenue to the Government of India, underlining its powerful fiscal impact. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
01 May,2025 01:05 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIDwayne Johnson aka The Rock is back in the ring but this time not as the WWE player that he is well known as. The trailer of the upcoming film 'The Smashing Machine' based on the life of UFC legend Mark Kerr has been unveiled. Dwayne, aka The Rock, looked completely unrecognisable in the trailer of biopic about the two-time UFC heavyweight champ. The Smashing Machine trailer Benny Safdie, one of the two Safdie brothers who co-directed and wrote "Uncut Gems" and "Good Time," makes his solo directorial feature debut on the film, as per Variety. The film's cast also includes Emily Blunt as Kerr's wife Dawn Staples, Bas Rutten, Lyndsey Gavin and Oleksandr Usyk. The trailer of the film which is made in a documentary style opens with Dwayne Johnson as Mark Kerr sitting in a clinic, his face visibly battered, while an elderly woman stares at him. He asks if she’s wondering why he looks that way and whether she’s heard of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. She replies, “That’s the bloody thing they’re trying to ban.” The trailer then takes us through glimpses of Mark Kerr's professional and unknown side of his personal life. Emotions are running high in this action-packed sports biopic. Mark Kerr is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers and mixed martial artists of all time. View this post on Instagram A post shared by A24 (@a24) Netizens react to The Smashing Machine trailer Dwayne Johnson's look has taken people by surprise with its precision. Netizens are all praise for the actor's portrayal of Mark Kerr and also praised the make-up department for making Johnson look like Mark Kerr convincingly. A user took to the comment section of the trailer and wrote, "Absolutely amazing… except now I got 2 Mark Kerr’s I gotta deal with in life hahahahaha. Let’s gooooooo". "The Rock Oscar incoming," wrote another. "The Rock’s best movie yet. He’ll get nominated for this one," mentioned another netizen. "Whoever did the prosthetics and make up for this movie is getting an Oscar. I hear the Rock kind of but I don’t see him at all," wrote a fan. Another person wrote, "Taking this so serious because you can tell that the Rock made a huge effort to go beyond his usual persona." About The Smashing Machine 'The Smashing Machine' is Johnson and Blunt's second collaboration since Disney's 'Jungle Cruise' in 2021, and they're set to next team with Leonardo DiCaprio on a Hawaiian crime thriller from Martin Scorsese. Kerr was a mixed martial artist who fought from 1997 to 2009, winning four ADCC World Championships in his career. In 2002, Kerr was the subject of an HBO documentary also entitled "The Smashing Machine," which centered around his substance abuse issues and tumultuous relationships with his girlfriend and trainers. The film will be released on October 3.
30 April,2025 02:59 PM IST | Los Angeles | mid-day online correspondentHollywood star and filmmaker Ben Affleck has shared memories about his father Timothy as he talked about the first and the only time he saw his dad cry. In his visit to the Criterion Closet, Affleck selected some of the company’s cinematic offerings he considers favourites. David Lynch’s 1980 movie The Elephant Man, he recalled, “is the first and only time I ever saw my father cry.” Lynch’s hit film, which stars John Hurt as a deformed man and Anthony Hopkins as a doctor treating him, is a “movie about what it means to be a human being. And it’s heartbreaking and beautiful and it’s tied to a very personal memory for me,” said Affleck. Appearing to get emotional, the Oscar winner concluded, “That’s probably a good note to end on.” This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
30 April,2025 08:10 AM IST | Los Angeles | AgenciesHollywood actress Blake Lively had a minor makeup mishap at her latest film premiere but she handled it like a boss. Eagle-eyed fans noted the actress, 37, had some makeup, possibly self-tanner, transfer onto her gown at the premiere of 'Another Simple Favor' in New York City. Netizens notice Blake Lively's style malfunction A light brown stain was visible below her right armpit on the bodice of her pale, mint-colored, draped Tamara Ralph gown, which featured intricate geometric cutouts, reports 'People' magazine. The smudge was visible because Lively wore her hair down and parted it to one side. She accessorised her red carpet look with jewelry by Lorraine Schwartz. As per 'People', on Instagram, fans commented on the visible style malfunction, writing, "She got body makeup on the dress around her armpit area," and "Spray tan failure people!! Don't wear a light dress". However, plenty of fans found the moment relatable and shared their love for Lively's look. "She literally looks perfect!" one person wrote, while another chimed in, "She’s beautiful and I love the dress". About Another Simple Favor premiere Lively attended the premiere of the film with her husband, Ryan Reynolds, who sported a gray plaid suit with a baby blue pocket square as they posed for photos together. On the carpet, Lively also posed with director Paul Feig and her costars: Anna Kendrick, Henry Golding, Andrew Rannells, Elizabeth Perkins, Bashir Salahuddin, Michele Morrone and Alex Newell. Some of Lively's friends also showed up on the red carpet to show their support, including Emily Blunt, Blunt's brother-in-law Stanley Tucci, Hugh Jackman and Shawn Levy. Blake and Anna Kendrick play frenemies in this black comedy. The two travel to a wedding in Capri, Italy, where they get sucked into another mysterious web of murder and betrayal. The official synopsis of the project read, "Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick) and Emily Nelson (Blake Lively) reunite on the beautiful island of Capri, Italy, for Emily's extravagant wedding to a rich Italian businessman. Along with the glamorous guests, expect murder and betrayal to RSVP for a wedding with more twists and turns than the road from the Marina Grande to the Capri town square." Directed by Paul Feig, the film premiered at the South by Southwest Festival on March 7, 2025, and is set to be released on Amazon Prime Video on May 1. (with inputs from IANS)
30 April,2025 08:09 AM IST | Los Angeles | mid-day online correspondentActor Florence Pugh said that she “missed” Scarlett Johansson on the set of Thunderbolts and “hopes” that she has done her former co-star proud with her performance. The actor, 29, plays the lead character Yelena Belova in the new Marvel film. Yelena’s association with Marvel began with the film, Black Widow (2021). She told reporters, “My whole journey with Marvel was because Scarlett trusted me. She wanted me to join her movie [Black Widow], six years ago. So, I always miss her presence, and feel like it was such a mean thing to begin the journey with someone and then you never get to work with them again on it. It was kind of wild that [the film] was the first and the last time I would get to experience this world with her. I am genuinely always just hoping that she is proud.” Florence Pugh Pugh talked about her record-breaking stunt for the film, which saw her perform a 2,000 ft drop from Malaysia’s Merdeka 118 tower. She said that it wasn’t her own idea to execute it. “Anything that Tom Cruise does, stunt-wise and acting-wise, is totally impressive. I’d be mad if I didn’t want to pretend that I was him for two seconds,” she laughed. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
30 April,2025 07:13 AM IST | Los Angeles | AgenciesActress Salma Hayek says she and Penelope Cruz both offered huge support to one another as they tried to make it in Hollywood as actresses from Mexico and Spain, respectively. She said that female solidarity has been her strength, inspiration and her safe space. The 58-year-old actress first found major success in her native Mexico, starring in the telenovela Teresa, which aired for two years across 125 episodes, before stepping into Los Angeles in 1991. Hayek remembers how difficult it was to land roles as a Latino actress during the decade but she was lucky to have Cruz, who moved from Spain to America to make it in Hollywood, to lean on, and vice versa. In an interview with Italian publication IO Donna, Salma said: "In the 1990s, there were no roles for Latinos, I had to fight for every opportunity. It's true, luckily I was able to count on a community of extraordinary women at my side. Penélope Cruz ... We were a refuge and strength for each other. "Female solidarity has been my strength, my inspiration, my safe space. Without this network, I don't know if I would have had the same resilience. I think that friends are food for the soul, you learn from each other's courage." Hayek's first big screen roles were opposite Antonio Banderas in Robert Rodriguez's 1995 action film 'Desperado' and playing a vampire in Rodriguez's cult horror film 'From Dusk till Dawn' , which also starred George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino, Juliette Lewis and Harvey Keitel. It was the role of surrealist painter Frida Kahlo in Julie Taymor's biographical film 'Frida', released in 2002, that earned her critical acclaim and recognition and her performance made her the first Mexican actress to receive a Best Actress Oscar nomination. Hayek creates her own stories for Latin audiences via her own independent production company Ventanarosa, which provided viewers with hit series 'Ugly Betty'. The Hollywood Walk of Fame honouree says she created Ventanarosa in 1999 so she could create roles for other actresses like her. Discussing opportunities for Latino performers, she said: "There has been progress, but there is still a lot to do. This is why I continue to produce stories for Latin audiences, Argentina, Mexico. In 26 years of production, I have never thought only of myself. I wanted to create spaces for other artists, to bring work to Latin American countries. "Our latest project is a television adaptation of the popular 1989 novel 'Like Water for Chocolate' by Laura Esquivel: it took us six years to complete and when we consider that there are 600 million Spanish speakers in the world, it is easy to see the potential." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
28 April,2025 10:21 PM IST | Los Angeles | IANSADVERTISEMENT
