Hollywood, United States | AFP | Here are the winners in key categories for the 90th Academy Awards, which were handed out on Sunday in Hollywood. “The Shape of Water” was the big winner of the night with four statuettes, including best picture and best director. Best picture: “The Shape of …
Read More »NBA star Kobe Bryant wins Oscar for best animated short
Hollywood, United States | AFP | Retired basketball superstar Kobe Bryant — once the toast of Los Angeles for the Lakers — is now a Hollywood A-lister with an Oscar. Yes, you read that correctly. Nearly two years after leaving the NBA, the 39-year-old Bryant won the Academy Award for best …
Read More »‘Black Panther’ continues stunning romp in movie theaters
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | “Black Panther” continued its record-setting romp this weekend, passing the half-billion-dollar mark in only its third week out in North America as it stayed on track to be one of the highest-grossing films ever, industry analysts said. The Disney/Marvel collaboration, starring Chadwick Boseman …
Read More »World’s first hand-painted film vies for an Oscar
Gdansk, Poland | AFP | Vying for an Oscar, “Loving Vincent” is the world’s first animated feature film painted by hand — all 65,000 frames — in the distinct style of Vincent van Gogh. Centred on a probe into his untimely death, the film was shot on a shoestring budget of …
Read More »India says farewell to Bollywood icon Sridevi Kapoor
Mumbai, India | AFP | Thousands of heartbroken fans lined the streets of Mumbai Wednesday as India said farewell to Bollywood legend Sridevi Kapoor following her shock death from accidental drowning in a Dubai hotel bathtub aged just 54. Some carried roses while others held photos of the late screen …
Read More »‘Black Panther’ again slays North American box office
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | Disney’s “Black Panther” sunk its claws into the top spot once again this weekend at the North American box office, taking an estimated $108 million, industry estimates showed Sunday. Following a record-shattering opening weekend — raking in $242.2 million — the frenzy to see …
Read More »‘Unsolved’ re-examines Biggie and Tupac murder cases
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | The murders of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls not only robbed hip-hop of two defining artists but also uncovered allegations of conspiracy, bloody rivalries and police corruption — shining a light on rap’s criminal underworld. More than two decades later, with the killers …
Read More »New take on real-life hijack drama in ‘7 Days in Entebbe’
Berlin, Germany | AFP | The counter-terrorism plot seems more far fetched than many action thrillers, yet “7 Days in Entebbe”, which premiered at the Berlin film festival Monday, depicts a real-life airline hijack drama. The movie recounts what is often called the most audacious hostage rescue mission ever staged, …
Read More »French jazz violinist Didier Lockwood dies aged 62
Paris, France | AFP | Noted French jazz violinist Didier Lockwood, a disciple of the late Stephane Grappelli, has died of a heart attack in Paris, his agent said. Lockwood, who turned 62 on February 11, died early on Sunday morning. The night before his death, he had performed at …
Read More »Emma Watson gives £1m to UK women’s justice fund ahead of Baftas
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Actress and activist Emma Watson has donated £1 million to kickstart a new British fund to help women facing harassment and abuse at work, launched ahead of Sunday’s Baftas and backed by hundreds of female entertainment stars. The justice and equality fund was announced …
Read More »