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☆ As ‘The Phantom Menace’ turns 25, six (non-Jar Jar) things the ‘Star Wars’ prequel got right
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The teeth-gnashing aspects of “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace” have been chewed upon for a quarter century, from Watto to Anakin Skywalker’s Midi-chlorian count (and miracle birth) to almost everyone’s favorite punching bag, Jar Jar Binks. Think of them as creative building blocks, which overcame clunkier parts of the script and awkward performances to influence the rest of the “Star Wars” timeline. Ray Park as the villainous Darth Maul in "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace." It’s also likely a key reason why “Star Wars” has continued to flourish as parents pass it on to their kids. “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace” will play in select theaters beginning May 3.

Persons: Anakin Skywalker’s, George Lucas ’, Dave Filoni, “ Obi, Wan, They’re, Darth Sidious, Ian McDiarmid, Lucas, credibly, Mace Windu, Samuel L, Jackson didn’t, Ray Park, Darth Maul, Filoni, “, Ewan McGregor, Liam Neeson, Obi, Wan Kenobi, McGregor, Neeson, Wan –, John Williams, It’s, ” Organizations: CNN, “, “ Star, Lucasfilm, Force Locations: Watto, Republic

☆ Searching for your Irish ancestry? Guinness’ archives could help you reconnect with your roots
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Catherine E. Shoichet | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

“It’s, unfortunately, one of the biggest barriers to Irish family history research,” says Crista Cowan, corporate genealogist for Ancestry. The 1.6 million records come from what might sound like a surprising source: the archives of Ireland’s famed Guinness brewery. The Guinness brewery has a storied pastResearchers combing through the newly released files might stumble upon some celebrity connections, too. Courtesy Guinness Archive, Diegeo IrelandArthur Guinness signed a 9,000-year lease on a Dublin brewery in 1759. Courtesy Guinness Archive, Diageo IrelandWorkers generally entered the Guinness workforce at age 14, according to a description of the records on the company’s website.

Persons: “ It’s, ”, Crista Cowan, they’ll, Patrick’s, Cowan, ” Cowan, “, who’s, John O’Brien, Liam Neeson, Graham Norton, Bono, Arthur Purcell, who's, Purcell, Arthur Guinness, “ Guinness, …, Eibhlin Colgan, ” Guinness, Guinness, ‘ Organizations: CNN, Public Records, Ireland’s, Guinness, Diegeo, Records, Brewery, Diageo, Diageo Ireland Workers Locations: Dublin, St, Ireland, Diegeo Ireland, United Kingdom, United States, Diageo Ireland, James’s, James's

“ Lisa Frankenstein ” didn’t come to life at the North American box office in its first weekend in theaters. Universal Pictures oversaw the North American release for the streamer, where it is playing in 3,605 locations. Focus Features released “Lisa Frankenstein” in 3,144 locations. A 1980s-set teenage riff on Mary Shelly’s classic tale, “Lisa Frankenstein” was the directorial debut of Robin Williams’ daughter Zelda Williams. “Lisa Frankenstein,” $3.8 million.

Persons: “ Lisa Frankenstein ”, Diablo Cody, Kathryn Newton, Cole Sprouse, ” Matthew Vaugn’s “ Argylle ”, it's, Lisa Frankenstein ”, Mary Shelly’s, Robin Williams ’, Zelda Williams, AP’s Mark Kennedy, Cody, Karyn Kusama, ”, “ Wonka, Liam Neeson, Paul Dergarabedian, there’s, Dergarabedian, Bob Marley, ” Dergarabedian, Comscore, “, “ Lisa Frankenstein Organizations: American, Universal Pictures, Rotten, Super

☆ Netflix DVDs, Scorsese and Me
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Gabe Cohn | More About Gabe Cohn | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

The DVD service was particularly handy when I decided to embark on a career-spanning marathon of all Martin Scorsese’s movies. The most rented movie overall was “The Blind Side” (never saw it) and the most rented TV show “Dexter” (a video store rental for me in 2010). The “Tár” outlier speaks to one of the beautiful aspects of the Netflix DVD. (Don’t sleep on De Niro’s deliciously unhinged performance in “The King of Comedy.”) For all Netflix DVD users, though, De Niro rests at a healthy but comparatively modest fifth place. In this way, the DVD service acted more as an overstuffed old-school video store.

Persons: Martin Scorsese’s, Bertha ” —, ‘, Dexter ”, Tom Cruise, ”, “, Cate Blanchett, Paul Newman, weren’t, Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, Liam Neeson, Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Niro’s, De Niro, Meryl Streep, Catherine, Clint Eastwood, Eastwood, Steven Spielberg, Catherine Scorsese, Marty, Mark Wahlberg Organizations: Netflix, D.C, Washington , D.C, Gran Torino ’, Hulu, Disney, Apple Locations: ’ Washington, Washington ,, Scorsese’s, The

☆ Retired Israeli general who rescued his family under siege from Hamas is being compared on social media to Liam Neeson's character in 'Taken'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-14 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

On the way, Tibon helped kill Hamas militants and then fought his way onto the kibbutz to save his family. AdvertisementAdvertisementA former Israeli general's rescue of his son's family from Hamas fighters attacking their kibbutz is being compared to Liam Neeson in "Taken" on social media. Noam puts them in his car, and Amir's mother then took the wounded soldiers to the hospital. He's with these soldiers," Amir told his wife. Noam had joined up with a cohort of Israeli soldiers sent to liberate the kibbutz.

Persons: Noam Tibon, Liam Neeson's, Tibon, —, Liam Neeson, Amir Tibon, Noam, Amir, Galia, Saba, Bryan Mills, Mills, Miri, Amir texted, Israel Ziv, It's, Israel Organizations: Service, NBC Nightly, Hamas, New, New Jersey Turnpike, Street Journal Locations: Israeli, Nahal Oz, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Carmel, Sderot, Hamas, New Jersey, Israel

☆ Actors' strike stalks Venice film festival from start to end
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Crispian Balmer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Actors went on strike in July, joining writers who had walked off the job in May, to demand that streaming sites and film studios improve their contracts and impose curbs on the use of artificial intelligence. SOLIDARITYVenice's artistic director Alberto Barbera had predicted that the actors of just three of the 23 films in competition would not be able to come to the festival because of the strike. No official reason was given, but one festival insider said she believed it was out of solidarity. Without their actors, the directors did most of the talking and were regularly quizzed about the dispute. Some of the actors who did make it to the festival wore T-shirts promoting the strike, as did the president of the main jury, Oscar-winning director Damien Chazelle.

Persons: Oscar, Jessica Chastain, Chastain, AFTRA, " Chastain, Alberto Barbera, Emma Stone, Michael Fassbender, Bradley Cooper, Maestro, Lea Seydoux, Penelope Cruz, Liam Neeson, Ava DuVernay's, I'm, Sofia Coppola, Priscilla, Wes Anderson, Henry Sugar, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dev Patel, Ben Kingsley, Damien Chazelle, it's, Hanna Rantala, Alison Williams Organizations: Hollywood, Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television, Radio Artists, Thomson Locations: Venice, VENICE, Hollywood

☆ Opinion: ‘I wouldn’t swim in that water at gunpoint.’ Paris locals aren’t the only ones dubious about Olympic plans
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( David A. Andelman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Paris CNN —Back in the 1980s, when I first began living in Paris, I once had to clamber onto the tiny exterior staircase that surrounds the Eiffel Tower and is used to paint or repair it. Still, at that time, nothing could have impelled me to risk a swim in that other iconic Parisian sight — the Seine River — not without a full biohazard suit. Today’s Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, has made a similar promise, and local authorities have put 1.4 billion euros ($1.55 billion) behind it. Paris has indeed made strides in cleaning up its famous river — water samples from June showed “excellent results” in complying with European regulation, according to city hall. In 1972’s “Last Tango in Paris,” Marlon Brando and Maria Schneider first meet on a Seine bridge.

Persons: David A, David Andelman, “, ”, Mort Rosenblum, who’s, Pont, he’s, Mort, Jacques Chirac, he’d, ” Brice Lalonde, Anne Hidalgo, he’ll, Hidalgo, Chirac, doesn’t, Emmanuel Grégoire, Pierre Rabadan, Louis, Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant, Leslie Caron, Gene Kelly, ” Marlon Brando, Maria Schneider, Roger Moore’s James Bond, Liam Neeson, ” Chris Tucker, Jackie Chan Organizations: CNN, French Legion of, The New York Times, CBS News, Paris CNN —, David Andelman CNN, CBS, acrophobia, International Herald Tribune, Concorde, of, Today’s, Paris, Olympic, Paralympic Games, ”, Twitter, “ Locations: Paris, gunpoint, Seine, French, Hidalgo, Montebello, “ An American

☆ GOP Rep. Andy Ogles claimed to fight international sex crimes and be an economic expert. Like George Santos, his real resume tells another story.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | by ( Katherine Long | Bryan Metzger | Jack Newsham | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) claims he's a real estate magnate, policy expert, and sex crime investigator. Ogles' business experience seems to be limited to owning two restaurants, a short-lived travel agency, and becoming licensed as an insurance agent. Ogles' supposed experience rescuing sex trafficking victims helped propel him into national headlines in his first week in Congress. During one debate during his campaign, Ogles described himself as "a former member of law enforcement" who worked "in international sex crimes, specifically child trafficking." Fighting international sex crimes and traffickingWhen discussing his support for a more militarized border with Mexico, Ogles has repeatedly referenced his involvement in combating human trafficking and working to fight international sex crimes.

☆ ‘Love Actually’ director feels ‘a bit stupid’ about movie’s lack of diversity
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Every year, as the days grow colder and Christmas draws nearer, “Love Actually” quickly becomes a festive favorite on people’s television screens. But nearly 20 years on from the release of the 2003 romantic comedy, the movie has faced scrutiny over its story lines and lack of diversity. He was speaking to Diane Sawyer as part of a documentary on ABC News titled: “The Laughter & Secrets of Love Actually: 20 Years Later.”“Love Actually” features interweaving story lines, following several romantic relationships. Hugh Grant plays the British prime minister who falls in love with his assistant, played by Martine McCutcheon. Universal/Dna/Working Title/Koba/ShutterstockNearly 20 years on, “Love Actually” remains popular, becoming a staple of the holiday season.

☆ Analysis: ‘Welcome to Chippendales’ strips down a true crime origin story
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-26 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

So in the coming weeks, we shall be switching things up and putting a little meat on the bone. Three things to watch‘Welcome to Chippendales’Kumail Nanjiani in a scene from Hulu's "Welcome to Chippendales." This new limited series, starring Kumail Nanjiani and Murray Bartlett, among others, also doubles as a true crime tale. Let me grab my dollar bills now, because the first two episodes of “Welcome to Chippendales” are streaming now. Grime is a British genre of hip-hop/electronic music, and Stormzy is one of its best-known stars.

☆ ‘Love Actually’ cast to reunite for 20th anniversary TV special
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —One of the most beloved modern Christmas classics is turning 20 next year, and to mark the occasion, cast members from the landmark 2003 romantic comedy “Love Actually” are reuniting for a TV special to air on ABC next week, the network announced Tuesday. Hugh Grant, Laura Linney, Emma Thompson, Bill Nighy and Thomas Brodie-Sangster are taking part in the special, along with the film’s writer-director Richard Curtis. The new reunion is not the first time the actors from “Love Actually” – who also include Keira Knightley, Liam Neeson and Colin Firth – have come together again. In 2017, a short sequel to the film was produced for NBC in honor of Red Nose Day, a charity for children in need created by Curtis. “The Laughter & Secrets of ‘Love Actually’: 20 Years Later – A Diane Sawyer Special” airs Nov. 29 at 8 p.m.

☆ Cele mai așteptate filme ale anului, din nou amânate
▼ + stars: | 2021-01-21 | by ( ) www.jurnal.md time to read: +3 min

Cele mai așteptate filme ale anului, din nou amânateO nouă serie de filme programate pentru lansarea în cinematografe în februarie, martie sau aprilie sunt amânate sau vândute serviciilor de streaming, în condițiile în care cazurile de Covid-19 rămân la niveluri ridicate în SUA, relatează Wall Street Journal. Executivii spun că se așteaptă la o cascadă de reprogramări care se va întinde pînă în vară. Paramount Pictures a programat premiera „Top Gun: Maverick” pe 2 iulie și a spus că nu se așteaptă ca această dată să se schimbe. Asta anticipează încă câteva luni dureroase pentru un Hollywood care a rescris calendarul de lansare de mai multe ori de când Covid-19 a închis cinematografele în martie. Doar o treime dintre cinematografele din SUA sunt deschiseAproximativ o treime din cinematografele din SUA sunt deschise în prezent și multe funcționează cu capacitate redusă.

Persons: Executivii, James Bond, Maverick, Liam Neeson, Statele Unite vs . Billie, Chris Pratt Organizations: Wall Street Journal, Sony Pictures, Sony, Walt Disney, Paramount Pictures, Salt Lake City, Disney, Universal Pictures, Academiei Locations: SUA, Hollywood, America, Salt Lake, Statele Unite vs, and

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