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Heretic movie review: A smart horror thriller that turns faith on its head

Movie: HereticU/A: Horror, thrillerDirector: Scott Beck, Bryan WoodsCast: Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East, Hugh Grant, Topher Grace, Elle Young, Julie Lynn-Mortensen, Haylie Hansen, Elle McKinnonRating: 3/5Runtime: 111 minutes Scott Beck and Bryan Woods (writers of ‘A Quiet Place,’) are back writing and directing this dramatic horror tale that follows young Mormon missionaries Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East) who are out knocking on doors. One of the doors that they knock on is that of Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), a seemingly harmless old man eager to have a discourse on religion with the two young and naive missionaries.  The two Sisters Barnes and Paxton, are hoping to convert Mr. Reed, but they quickly realise they have bitten off more than they can chew. He appears to know more about religion than they do and as the discussion stretches into the night with a storm raging outside and the sinister Mr. Reed holding them captive inside,the sisters find their faith tested and their lives at risk to a madman who has no limits.  The setup in the first hour or so is pretty good. The discussion gets deeply intellectual about the nature of religion bringing up Mormonism, Judaism, Christianity and several other world religions. There’s plenty of see-sawing tension and scary thrills to be had too. Even when things escalate, and events go out of control, the nature of the narrative changes to that of traditional horror, and there are enough surprises coming at you.  As the discussion shifts from religion to polygamy to fast food and comes back to rest on blueberry pie and the missing wife who seems to have excuses lined up for not being present, the Sisters realise their big mistake. They are entrapped and the Sisters begin to grasp how much danger they’re in. They seek to hide their panic, insist again on seeing the wife and hope to reason and work-their way out of this peril.  “Heretic” moves from diabolical intelligent horror to serial killer thriller conventions for its plot and rising suspense. Beck and Woods create a tense environment, assisted by a supple pace, great cinematography and thought-provoking dialogue. But eventually the film falters as religion gives way to genre conventions and the ending becomes predictable. Mr. Reed’s motivations make little sense thereafter and the character devolves into someone who serves the plot. Hugh Grant does well to look harmless and then make it to threatening in the blink of an eye. Thatcher and East do exceptionally well as two young women with different starting points on religion, undergoing a crisis of faith and safety. Heretic is a horror thriller that gets you thinking and that’s a rare beast from this genre!

13 December,2024 08:18 PM IST | Mumbai | Johnson Thomas
A still from The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim

The Lord of the Rings movie review- Not as exciting as expected

Film: The Lord of the Rings: The War of the RohirrimU/A: Anime, fantasy, adventure, actionDirector: Kenji KamiyamaRuntime: 134 minutesCast: Brian Cox, Gaia Wise, Miranda OttoRating: 2.5/5  Kenji Kamiyama’s anime film is basically a prequel to Jackson’s trilogy. Set nearly 200 years before Bilbo Baggins touched the ring, this is the first major film to take place in Middle-earth in a decade, and is an anime based on appendices written by J. R. R. Tolkien with no major celebrity voice actors lending support.  The War of the Rohirrim tells the story of Helm Hammerhand (voiced by Brian Cox), a legendary king of Rohan, and his family. Helm’s daughter, Hera (Gaia Wise), who is wilful, young and fearless refuses her childhood friend, Wulf’s (Luke Pasqualino) suit when he proposes to her. Helm himself has reservations regarding the match and ends up warring with Wulf’s father who eventually dies at his hands. Wulf forms an army to seek revenge thereafter. Hera is kidnapped and saved, Helm is trapped and mortally wounded and Rohan is being attacked from all sides. Wulf eventually forces Helm Hammerhand, and his people to make a daring last stand in the ancient stronghold of the Hornburg. The overall animation is not of a consistent quality. The 2D and 3D mixed textures don’t look seamless. The depth of field doesn’t feel right and there’s sloppiness when we see characters floating in the air while walking. The art style also feels at odds, the reduction in the action of characters and their movement, doesn’t look appealing. The graphics and visuals look floaty with little interaction between characters and environment. The story telling is not up to the mark either. The narrative fails to come across in an impactful, invigorating way.The voice acting is also not strong enough.  There was plenty of action in the first half. The eagles aren’t utilized well. They don’t seem to have any major purpose in the progression of the story. There’s quite a bit of drama in the middle but there’s not enough to sustain the momentum going forward. The climax fails to arouse much interest either. The scale feels like a let down. The War of the Rohirrim, though it tells a grounded story with fantastical elements, influences from Japanese anime and hand-drawn animation, doesn’t have either the consistency or the gravitating pull to hold your attention throughout. There’s no singularly impressive screen image to take your breath away and the runtime feels way too long and tedious.

13 December,2024 07:53 PM IST | Mumbai | Johnson Thomas
Adam Sandler and Eminem. Pics/AFP

Adam Sandler hints at big cameos in 'Happy Gilmore 2', including Eminem

Adam Sandler confirmed a major surprise for fans of his 1996 classic golf comedy 'Happy Gilmore'--Eminem will appear in a cameo role in the upcoming sequel, 'Happy Gilmore 2'. Sandler made the revelation during a recent appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, where he teased other celebrity cameos and shared insights on the sequel's production, as per People magazine. When host Dan Patrick inquired about potential cameos, he couldn't resist spilling the beans about the legendary rapper's involvement. "Can I talk about Eminem having a cameo?" Patrick asked with a laugh. Sandler responded enthusiastically, "Okay, yes, yes you can." He added, "Eminem was cool, he came by, he was great," as per People magazine. Though Sandler didn't give away specifics about Eminem's role in the sequel, he did share his excitement about working with the rapper. "I've known Eminem for a long time, he's a great guy and he came in and was funny as hell," Sandler said, adding, "We just hung out a day with Eminem and he just shot and shot, and he was insane. He said a million things we can use and a million that we're glad we have him on tape," as per People magazine. The rapper, known for his role in '8 Mile' and his iconic hits like 'Lose Yourself,' adds a unique twist to the film, although Sandler declined to elaborate on how he convinced the rapper to take part in the comedy. "I can't tell you all that," Sandler said, keeping the details of the cameo under wraps for now. In addition to Eminem, 'Happy Gilmore 2' will also feature several big names. Christopher McDonald, who famously portrayed the villainous Shooter McGavin in the original film, is returning to reprise his role. Other notable cameos include NFL star Travis Kelce, TV personality Dan Patrick, and actress Margaret Qualley. Sandler also hinted that renowned golf legend Jack Nicklaus, 84, would make a special appearance in the sequel, as per People magazine. The highly anticipated sequel to 'Happy Gilmore' was confirmed by Netflix in May, two months after McDonald let slip the news during an interview. Filming has now concluded, with Sandler sharing that the film will likely premiere in July 2025. While Sandler expressed excitement, he also noted the pressure of creating a sequel nearly 30 years after the original. "We've got a lot of good stuff, and we just want to make sure that it all comes together," Sandler said, adding, "We're definitely nervous, but we feel some sort of confidence." 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

13 December,2024 10:18 AM IST | Washington | ANI
Rebecca Hall. Pic/AFP

Rebecca Hall to be seen in series 'The Beauty'

Rebecca Hall joined the cast of the upcoming FX series 'The Beauty'. As per Variety, Hall will appear alongside previously announced series leads Evan Peters, Ashton Kutcher, Anthony Ramos, and Jeremy Pope. FX has given the show an 11-episode order. The series is currently in production, and it is based on the Image Comics series of the same name by Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley. More details regarding the characters and plot have not be disclosed yet. However, the description of the comic book states: "Modern society is obsessed with outward beauty. What if there was a way to guarantee you could become more and more beautiful every day? What if it was a sexually transmitted disease? In the world of 'The Beauty,' physical perfection is attainable. The vast majority of the population has taken advantage of it, but Detectives Foster and Vaughn will soon discover it comes at a terrible price." She will also appear in the Ira Sachs film "Peter Hujar's Day," which is due to premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. She is also known for her roles in films "Godzilla vs. Kong" and "Godzilla x Kong: New Empire" as well as "Christine," "The Town," and "Marston & The Wonder Women," Variety reported. Hall has found success as a writer and director, as well. She directed and co-wrote the 2021 feature "Passing" starring Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga and will next write, direct, and star in the film "Four Days Like Sunday," which is inspired by her own life. 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

13 December,2024 10:17 AM IST | Los Angeles | ANI
Eddie Redmayne. Pic/AFP

Eddie Redmayne joins Julia Roberts in Sam Esmail's 'Panic Carefully'

Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne is set to star in 'Panic Carefully', an intense new thriller directed by Sam Esmail, the creator of the hit TV series 'Mr. Robot'. The film, a Warner Bros. production, will feature Redmayne alongside Julia Roberts and Elizabeth Olsen in a story that promises to keep audiences on the edge of their seats, as per People magazine. The script, written by Esmail, is under wraps, but the film has been described as a paranoid thriller with tonal influences from iconic psychological films like Silence of the Lambs. The plot revolves around the hunt for a cyber-terrorist, bringing together elements of suspense, intrigue, and high-stakes tension. Esmail's sharp direction, coupled with the talented cast, is expected to create a gripping cinematic experience, as per People magazine. 'Panic Carefully' marks a reunion for Esmail and Roberts after their successful collaboration on Netflix's 'Leave the World Behind'. The movie also reunites the director with his 'Mr. Robot' collaborators Chad Hamilton and Scott Stuber, are producing the film. Alongside Esmail, other producers include Roberts, Marisa Yeres Gill, and Lisa Gillan, while Kevin McCormick and Chrystal Li are overseeing the project for Warner Bros, as per People magazine. The film garnered significant attention after a heated bidding war earlier this year, with its commitment to a theatrical release making it an attractive project for both filmmakers and audiences. Redmayne, who has been receiving acclaim for his role in 'Day of the Jackal' on Peacock, will bring his depth and range to the role in 'Panic Carefully'. The series, in which Redmayne stars opposite Lashana Lynch, debuted in November to rave reviews and quickly became a hit. 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

13 December,2024 10:07 AM IST | Washington | ANI
Selena Gomez. Pic/AFP

Selena Gomez opens up on her bond with mom Mandy Teefey

Selena Gomez recently reflected on her bond with her mother, Mandy Teefey, and how her mother protected her while navigating the entertainment industry. "My mom had me when she was 16," Gomez said, as reported by People. "I do feel that we grew up together, and that's a different perspective than someone who would wait until they're older to have a child," the singer and actress shared during a recent interview where she sat down with Saoirse Ronan. "I am so grateful that we were there for each other. It felt very Gilmore Girls," she added. Gilmore Girls is an American comedy-drama TV series created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, starring Lauren Graham (as Lorelai Gilmore) and Alexis Bledel (as Rory Gilmore). The show follows a 32-year-old single mother, Lorelai, and her teenage daughter, Rory, whom she had at the age of 16. Discussing how her mother supported her in the industry, Gomez said, "My mom was fantastic. She would never put me in a room by myself; she was very aware of things that I didn't know. For example, if I had to go to a premiere when I was 16, she'd say, 'You can't go to the after-party. You can have fun, and then you're going to go home.' Little things like that helped my sanity," she explained, as per People. Gomez has often spoken about her unique bond with her mother. "My mom gave up everything for me and had, like, three jobs," she said in a previous interview. Teefey has also been candid about the challenges she faced as a teen mother. "I was very judged for being a teen mom," she once said. "My neighbourhood was really rough, with gangs and all that stuff. When I got pregnant, I thought, 'Okay, I have another person depending on me. I need to get straight.' That's when I started pushing forward. I told myself, 'I'm not going to let her have the upbringing I did.'" Gomez, who "got to play a mom in Emilia Perez," described the experience as "very sweet" but admitted it was intimidating, as reported by People. On December 9, Gomez was nominated for two Golden Globes 2025 awards. She received nominations for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture for Emilia Perez and Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series -- Musical or Comedy for Only Murders in the Building. Reacting to the news, Gomez took to Instagram to express her gratitude to the teams behind both projects. She also shared a video on her Instagram Story capturing the emotional moment she learned about her nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for Emilia Perez. In the clip, Gomez is seen sitting on her couch as her name is announced. She covers her face with her hands and exclaims, "Oh my God!" before hearing Ariana Grande's name called in the same category for her performance in Wicked. Gomez then adds, "Oh my God, Ari! I can't believe [it]!" "I don't even know what to write," Gomez wrote on the video. "I'm so proud of @zoesaldana, and I am so grateful and honoured @goldenglobes." In another post, she expressed her admiration, writing, "Mi amor, I am so proud and grateful to know you!" The nominations mark a unique moment as Selena Gomez and Ariana Grande, two prominent musical stars, compete for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for Any Motion Picture, making this a rare instance of musicians vying against each other at the Golden Globes. 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

13 December,2024 07:52 AM IST | Washington | ANI
Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco! Here's her complete dating history

Selena Gomez, actress and singer, is happily engaged now! A year after making her relationship with record producer Benny Blanco public, the couple has announced their engagement. Gomez who is among the most followed celebrities on Instagram has a massive fan following. Having started her career as a teenager with Disney, the actress has excelled over the years with her craft. Apart from her acting and singing gigs, Selena has also made news for her relationships. Over the years she has been linked with several celebrities, a few of them confirmed by the star as well.  Complete dating history of Selena Gomez Nick Jonas (2008)  During their Disney days when Selena was part of the show 'Wizards of Waverly Place' and Nick a part of the famous 'Jonas Brothers: Living the Dream' series, the two met and dated briefly. Their relationship was short-lived. During that time, Gomez also featured in the music video 'Burnin Up'.  Taylor Lautner (2009)  Gomez briefly dated the Twilight star. They met when Gomez was shooting for 'Ramona and Beezus' and he was shooting for the second part of the vampire trilogy. The two parted ways on good terms after the public interest in their relationship got beyond control.  Justin Bieber (December 2009- April 2014) This era of Selena and Justin's life will not be forgotten by fans of the stars. In December 2009, Justin who burst into the scene with his song 'Baby' serenaded Selena with 'One Less Lonely Girl' during Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin Eve. While the two dodged questions about their relations, they were spotted together multiple times for meals and even on the red carpet. In 2013, the couple was seen kissing backstage at the Billboard Music Awards. Their relationship cracked when Selena saw pictures of Kylie Jenner on Justin's phone and they had a fight over it at Coachella in April 2014.  Orlando Bloom (April 2014)  They reportedly had a brief fling. It was said that they flirted to make Miranda Kerr and Bieber jealous. When confronted, Selena and Orlando denied being in a relationship.  Justin Bieber (June-Oct 2014)  Yes, they were back after a few dramatic weeks. Justin made it official by sharing a monochromatic picture with Selena which was captioned, "Our love is Unconditional". However they called it quits in October. It was reported that it was Justin's secret liasons with Kendall Jenner that caused their split.  Zedd (January -March 2015)  The two started dating when they were working on music together. They also made public appearances together. And if that wasn't enough, Zedd had posted a picture of Selena in bed. Years later while talking about dating Selena he had said, "Reporters were calling my parents. People were hacking my friends’ phones. I was pissed. [Although] I kind of knew what I was getting myself into.…She is one of the most talked about people in the world, but I had no idea how much that would change my life.” Niall Horan (December 2015) The actress was linked with One Direction member after they were spotted on a date at the Santa Monica pier. Reportedly, they were also seen getting intimate at Jenna Dewan’s 35th birthday party. Either way, Selena friend-zoned Niall when Entertainment Tonight asked if they were dating, saying, “Oh my god! No. I love him, I always have. He’s amazing.”  Samuel Krost (January 2016)  The actress briefly dated Gigi Hadid's friend Samuel Krost. He had confirmed their relationship in a now-deleted post, "Selena is a real girl with a real heart and real feelings. All you superficial who are just unhappy with your love lives, understand that love is real. Although we have ventured on separate paths, at least I know that love exists. I love you, Sel.” Charlie Puth (March 2016) They had a brief relationship but had always denied it at that time. Puth later admitted to it while talking to Billboard. He said that it was “very short-lived, very small, but very impactful. And it really messed me up. I’m trying to put this the best way possible: It wasn’t like I was the only person on her mind. And I think I knew that going in—what I was getting myself into.” Orlando Bloon (May 2016) Yes, it was time for Bloom 2.0. In photos obtained by TMZ, the duo was getting super handsy Interestingly, Orlando was reportedly dating Katy Perry at the time.  The Weeknd (Jan-Oct 2017)  The two broke the internet when they got spotted kissing near a dumpster in Santa Monica. They made their relationship Instagram official in April 2017.  They also attended the Met Gala together. They ended their relationship in October after being away from each other and unable to make it work.  Justin Bieber (October 2017-March 2018) Yes, it was time for Jelena 3.0. And we promise it is for the last time. A day before Selena broke up with The Weeknd, they were seen grabbing breakfast and attending a church service. While they did not shy away from being open about their relationship, it ended in March 2018. Justin then went on to date and marry Hailey Baldwin and Selena wrote two scathing break-up songs about him.  Drew Taggart (September 2022)  It was reported that Selena and The Chainsmokers's Drew Taggart were an item. However, Selena debunked the rumor herself pretty swiftly, confirming she is indeed single. Zayn Malik (March 2023)  In March 2023, Malik and Gomez were spotted having dinner together in the Big Apple. According to a viral TikTok video created by an N.Y.C. restaurant hostess, the pair walked into the establishment "hand in hand" and were seen "making out." Benny Blanco (2023)  Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco made their relationship public in December 2023 and have never shied away from PDA and admiring another in public. On December 12, Selena announced her engagement with Benny while flaunting her engagement ring.   

12 December,2024 02:47 PM IST | Mumbai
Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco

Selena Gomez gets engaged to boyfriend Benny Blanco, shares pics

Actress and singer Selena Gomez is engaged! The 32-year-old took to her Instagram stories to make the announcement and share pictures of the diamond ring given to her by her boyfriend Benny Blanco. The two have been dating for a while and would shower love on each other on social media.  Selena shared some pictures of herself flaunting her engagement ring. In one of the pictures, she is seen admiring her ring while sitting in a park during a picnic. It looks like the actress got proposed to in a mark. She also shared a picture of Benny hugging her with her ring on the finger.  Sharing the pictures, she wrote, "forever begins now.." Reacting to the post, Benny cheekily wrote, "hey wait… that’s my wife".           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) About Selena and Benny's relationship As per ‘Female First UK’, Selena and Benny confirmed their romance in December 2023, and the 'Emilia Perez' star explained that the pair made the decision to share some of their relationship publicly, a choice that has made her feel "safe" with her partner. She told ‘The Hollywood Reporter’, "I guess this is the safest I’ve ever felt in one, and I see a future with this person. When you put a little bit out there, people are not as hungry to hunt you down. Like, if they hear something, they're going to, but if you're like, 'I did it', they're like, 'Oh, well there's you, just going to Sushi Park'. But there's so much of my relationship people don't see, that's just mine”. Selena is content with the balance she has that enables her to maintain an element of privacy in her life. Asked if she feels she has a private life, she said, "I do, because I hang out with people who aren’t really in the business that much. I mean, I have both”. When earlier questioned about his future and his idea of becoming a father on The Howard Stern Show, Benny Blanco said, "That’s my next goal, to check the box. I have a ton of good kids; I’ve got a ton of nephews. I love being around kids." When asked if he wishes to have kids with his girlfriend Selena, Benny responded, "It’s always a topic of conversation for me every day."

12 December,2024 11:35 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Chris Evans. Pic/AFP

Chris Evans returns to Marvel for 'Avengers: Doomsday'

After a brief hiatus, Chris Evans is set to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) for the much-anticipated 'Avengers: Doomsday.' Directed by the Russo Brothers, Joe and Anthony Russo, the new film promises to reunite fans with some of their favourite characters, as well as introduce new twists and multi-universe elements, confirmed Deadline. While the exact role Evans will play remains under wraps, Deadline reported that Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson will also return as Captain America, continuing his journey in the iconic mantle. It's speculated that Evans may not reprise his portrayal of Captain America directly, but there is still a possibility of him returning as Steve Rogers, the character he so famously embodied for nearly a decade in the MCU. Evans' last appearance as Steve Rogers was in 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), which concluded his character's storyline with a heartfelt and heroic sendoff. However, recent developments have fans speculating about his return in some form. Evans also made a cameo appearance earlier this year in 'Deadpool & Wolverine', playing his earlier Marvel role as Johnny Storm from the 'Fantastic Four' films of the 2000s. As previously reported, 'Avengers: Doomsday' will feature multiple fan-favourite characters from the MCU, many of whom are original Avengers. Additionally, Robert Downey Jr. will return to the franchise, albeit in a completely different role, playing the iconic Marvel villain, Dr. Doom. The Russo Brothers, known for their work on 'Avengers: Infinity War', 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier', and 'Captain America: Civil War', will be bringing their signature storytelling style to 'Avengers: Doomsday'. The film is expected to feature an ensemble cast, including the new 'Fantastic Four' cast members -- Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Vanessa Kirby, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach -- who will join the Avengers in this multi-universe adventure. 'Avengers: Doomsday' is slated for release on May 1, 2026, followed by 'Avengers: Secret Wars' in May 2027, promising an exciting future for the MCU as it continues to explore new dimensions and crossovers between characters and universes. 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

11 December,2024 07:52 AM IST | Washington | ANI
Ryan Reynolds. Pic/AFP

Ryan Reynolds says staying away from kids makes him "die inside" sometimers

Actor Ryan Reynolds shared how challenging to stay away from family and revealed whether he'd ever take more time away from his four kids as well as wife Blake Lively to make a fourth 'Deadpool' movie, reported People. "My feeling is that character works very well in two ways. One is scarcity and surprise," Reynolds said as he discussed the third installment, Deadpool & Wolverine, which came out this past summer. "It had been six years since the last one and part of the reason is that it swallows my whole life. You can't take your hand off the stick all the way through development, through postproduction into marketing and promo, and then you kind of [stop.]" As he thought about his kids daughters James, 9, Inez, 7, and Betty, 4, and son Olin, whom he welcomed in February 2023 -- Reynolds noted, "I don't ever want to be an absentee, and I don't ever want to miss stuff," reported People. "I, like, kind of die inside when I see their face and they have a competition or they have a sports thing or something and I missed it," he added, as per People. Ryan Reynolds is unlikely to host the Oscars 2025, but he is open to the possibility in the future, reported People. He opened up on the reports about him and Hugh Jackman as the choices for hosting the award ceremony. "No, I don't, historically speaking, that is a difficult job, you know," said Reynolds, adding, "We've had people that have come before us that did it flawlessly, I think, and you've had people who are so talented and just based on what's happening out there in the zeitgeist you're like, 'Oh, that was hard. It's a very hard job.' " "It would be a dream to do it one day. I'll say that," he added. "I'm really just spending the year writing a movie for myself, Hugh Jackman and Shawn Levy to do that is not Marvel, and that's kind of it." In July, Jimmy Kimmel had declined to host the ceremony for the fifth time. Comedian John Mulaney also declined the gig. In October, Reynolds and Jackman were in talks to host the ceremony. Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler, and Dwayne Johnson had been approached as potential hosts, according to People. Jackman previously hosted the 81st Oscars back in 2009. He has also hosted the Tony Awards on four separate occasions. Meanwhile, Ryan and Hugh shared screen space in 'Deadpool & Wolverine'. The film showcases the immense popularity of the franchise and the star power of Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. The storyline kicks off with Wade Wilson, played by Reynolds, grappling with a mundane civilian life after hanging up his mercenary cape.However, when an existential crisis threatens his world, Wade must don the Deadpool persona once more, persuading a very reluctant Wolverine to join him on this chaotic adventure. Directed by Shawn Levy, the film features a stellar cast that includes returning favourites such as Morena Baccarin as Vanessa, Brianna Hildebrand as Negasonic Teenage Warhead, and Jennifer Garner as Elektra. 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

11 December,2024 07:49 AM IST | Washington | ANI
Jamie Foxx. Pic/AFP

Jamie Foxx opens up on his 'mystery illness' in his comedy special

Jamie Foxx has now revealed facts about his six-month absence from the spotlight due to a health emergency in April 2023, as per The Hollywood Reporter. At the time, Foxx was hospitalized for an undisclosed medical complication, with few details shared since to explain what happened to the Oscar-winning actor. Foxx's Netflix comedy special, 'Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was...', has a greater bombshell than its title suggests. (He even received an early 2025 Golden Globe nomination for the special.) Foxx tells what occurred to him to the best of his recollection, using fun, music, and grim truths to be truthful about his treatment and rehabilitation process. For the show, he returned to Atlanta, where he became ill while filming the Netflix comedy Back in Action, which also stars Cameron Diaz. He also discloses that Atlanta is where he began his comic career in 1991. So he's returning back to basics, describing how he saved his life from death as a "come-back-to-God" moment. The special begins with videos of fans speculating about Foxx's illness. His daughter Corinne Foxx then takes the stage to thank the audience for coming. "This is a special moment for me and my family. It is a blessing to even be here," she says, before introducing her dad with a rousing, "Give it up for my dad, the real Jamie Motherfucking Foxx." The curtain rises and there is Foxx with shades on and hands in heart emojis over his chest expressing his love for the crowd, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "You have no idea how good this feels," he said as he basked at the moment, shouting "Atlanta, I'm back" and dancing between tears. "I was fighting for my life, but I'm here in front of you." When he said, "Atlanta, saved my life," the crowd responded to his "God is good" and "all the time." The exchange is a recognition of his Black, Southern roots and that he is right at home. Foxx further shared, "we still don't know what happened to me" just over six minutes into the special. Recounting what happened to him on April 11, 2023, he said, "What had happened was..." and described how it all began with a severe headache. "I don't remember 20 days," he said. His tale is sympathetic because the first doctor rejected his sickness. But his sister, Deidra Dixon, saw he wasn't himself and drove him around looking for hospitals until she chose to stop at Atlanta's Piedmont, according to The Hollywood Reporter. There, a doctor wearing an L.A. Lakers jersey let her know that her big brother was having a "brain bleed" that led to a stroke and that he needed immediate surgery. Jamie Foxx shared how his sister helped him, "Sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying" and he does just that as he alludes to dying and coming back. What he describes is harrowing. The doctor told his sister that he may make a full recovery from the stroke, but it's going to be the "worst year of his life." He says that's why he disappeared from public view and credits his family for protecting him during his recovery. On May 4, he woke up and found himself in a wheelchair and had no idea why, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Accepting his situation was difficult, as he admits to first allowing his ego to impede his significant improvement throughout his stay in Chicago.. "That's old man stuff," he says of learning how dire his condition was. He depicts the hard road ahead, while at first joking about wanting to keep his "pickle" private from his female nurse before finding out she had already been bathing him for a month and a half, and crediting a superwoman named Holly for coaching him, Karate Kid-style, to find his will to fight. He eventually saw a psychiatrist, which led to in-depth interactions with God. During that exchange, he stated it took him a minute to change his attitude and fight back. To do so, he used the only way he knew how to get well: humour. "If I can stay funny, I can stay alive" became his mantra. Leaning into his humour, he impersonates Denzel Washington, Dave Chappelle, Mike Tyson, Jay-Z and even President-elect Donald Trump. It's a unique blend of pop culture, old and new, to deliver a personal testimony of sickness and healing. Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was... is now streaming on Netflix, according to The Hollywood Reporter. 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

11 December,2024 07:44 AM IST | Washington | ANI
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