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☆ ‘Player Kings’ Review: Ian McKellen’s Juicy Assignment as Falstaff
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Matt Wolf | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The production offers a compressed version of the royal accession story that, in this version, runs nearly four hours. It is an opportunity to experience Ian McKellen’s unbridled love of performance. “Player Kings” — which runs at the Noël Coward Theater through June 22, before touring England — is the latest in a wave of recent high-profile Shakespeare productions in London. Uniquely among the other great British theater actors of his generation, McKellen still returns year after year to the stage, recently tackling Lear for a second time and playing an octogenarian Hamlet. In the “sweet creature of bombast” that is this play’s John Falstaff, McKellen has an especially juicy assignment — an outsized character whose appetite for life matches the actor’s own gusto.

Persons: Robert Icke, Shakespeare’s “ Henry IV, Ian, Coward, McKellen, Lear, John Falstaff, We’re, hasn’t Organizations: “ Player, “, Coward Theater, England — Locations: London, British

☆ 5 reasons to be unapologetically thrilled about this year’s Oscar nominations
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —The nominations for the 96th Academy Awards were revealed last week and – as they so often do – caused quite a stir. Co-written and directed by Triet, “Anatomy of a Fall” is nominated for five Oscars this year in total, including for best original screenplay and best picture. That gives Williams more Academy Award nominations than any other living person. According to the Academy, the late Walt Disney holds the overall record of career nominations, with a grand total of 59. Still, it seemed to be a role destined for Brooks, who received a Tony Award nomination in 2016 for playing the same character in the Broadway revival of the musical.

Persons: Barbie’s, Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, there’s, we’re, Justine Triet, Palme, Sarah Meyssonnier, Triet, Sandra Hüller, Barbie ”, Colman Domingo, Bayard Rustin, Rustin, David Lee, Steven Spielberg’s “, ” Domingo, “ Rustin, ”, Domingo, – Ian McKellen, Jodie Foster, Bonnie Stoll, Anthony Allen Ramos, ” Ramos, ” Cord Jefferson, Cord Jefferson, Claire Folger, Jeffrey Wright, Cord Jefferson’s, Jefferson, he’s, Trayvon Martin, Mike Brown, ’ ”, Percival Everett, Wright, Sterling K, Brown, John Williams, Ray Dolby, Michael Kovac, “ Indiana Jones, ” Williams, Oscar, Williams, Walt Disney, Danielle Brooks, Eli Ade ´, ” Brooks, Oprah Winfrey, Spielberg, Alice Walker, Brooks, “, Corey Hawkins, Harpo Organizations: CNN, Cannes Film, Reuters, “, Netflix, Orion, Jefferson, Hollywood & Highland Center, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Academy, Warner Bros, Entertainment Inc, Broadway, Juilliard Locations: Cannes, France, German, Steven Spielberg’s “ Lincoln, “ Nyad, Hollywood, Sofia, New York City

☆ Patrick Stewart says 'Star Trek' has saved people's lives
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Amanda Goh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Patrick Stewart says the "Star Trek" franchise has saved people's lives. Stewart plays Captain Jean-Luc Picard in "Star Trek" TV shows and movies. Advertisement"Star Trek" isn't just a media franchise — it has a positive impact on the lives of its fans too, according to Patrick Stewart. Through the years, many fans have even shared with Stewart how "Star Trek" has shaped their lives. In Stewart's memoir "Making It So," published in October, he wrote that his friend Ian McKellen had initially tried to dissuade him from joining "Star Trek."

Persons: Patrick Stewart, people's, Stewart, Jean, Luc Picard, —, Stewart —, Captain Jean, Ian McKellen, Ian Organizations: NPR, Service, Star

☆ How Dumbledore Became Michael Gambon’s Most Recognizable Role
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Julia Jacobs | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In the latter part of Michael Gambon’s long and storied acting career, some of the most animated analyses of his performances could be found not in theater or film reviews, but in forums for the “Harry Potter” fandom, where dedicated Hogwarts obsessives would dissect his every onscreen utterance as the wizard Albus Dumbledore. It wasn’t originally his role. Richard Harris, the eminent actor who was originally cast, died after filming the second “Harry Potter” movie. Several other well-known actors were initially considered to succeed Harris in the role, including McKellen, who demurred, and Peter O'Toole, who turned it down because of his long, close friendship with Harris. In the end the choice was Gambon, whose family said Thursday that he had died.

Persons: Michael Gambon’s, Harry Potter ”, Albus Dumbledore, Richard Harris, Harry Potter, Gambon, Alec Guinness, Obi, Wan, Ian McKellen, Gandalf, Harris, McKellen, Peter O'Toole, Harris’s Organizations: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft

☆ 'Lord of the Rings': Ian McKellen reveals major stars who turned down Gandalf role
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Ian McKellen is beloved as Gandalf in the “Lord of the Rings” franchise, but he almost missed out on the role. In an interview with Variety, the esteemed actor shared that he was not the first choice to play the character. I certainly wasn’t the first choice for Gandalf,” McKellen said. The new movie is set to debut at the Toronto International Film Festival. It was a tricky balance to strike.”The 48th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival kicked off Thursday and runs through Sept. 17.

Persons: CNN — Ian McKellen, Gandalf, “, ” McKellen, “ Tony Hopkins, Sean Connery, McKellen, ”, Jimmy Erskine, Nina Land Organizations: CNN, Rings, Variety, Toronto

☆ What Should I Wear to Officiate a Wedding?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Vanessa Friedman | More About Vanessa Friedman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Being asked to officiate for a friend’s or relative’s wedding is an honor. Sean Parker, of Napster and Facebook fame, reportedly asked Sir Ian McKellen to officiate at his 2013 “Lord of the Rings”-themed wedding dressed as Gandalf. When it comes to officiating, the wedding couple’s wishes come first. That means that when it comes to deciding what to wear, the first thing to do is understand the wishes of the couple. You would not wear the same thing to officiate at a beach wedding as you would a country club wedding as you would a backyard wedding; evening weddings demand different clothes than lunchtime weddings, and so on.

Persons: — Kathleen, Sean Parker, Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Ian Organizations: S.C, Napster, Facebook Locations: Columbia

LONDON, July 18 (Reuters) - King Charles will mark 400 years since William Shakespeare's plays were published in collective form on Tuesday, bringing actors and directors together to celebrate his love for the bard and a book hailed as one of the most important in English literature. Compiled by Shakespeare's friends seven years after his death, the Folio contained plays which had never before been published. Now he is sovereign, Charles, 74, wants to shape a monarchy fit for the future. He has been president of the Royal Shakespeare Company since 1991. At the Windsor Castle reception on Tuesday, actors will perform including Simon Russell Beale and Harriet Walter, two of Britain's greatest stage actors.

Persons: King Charles, William Shakespeare's, Shakespeare, Charles, Queen Elizabeth, Camilla, Julius Caesar, Macbeth, Ian McKellen, Judi Dench, Benedict Cumberbatch, David Tennant, Shakespeare's, Henry IV, Simon Russell Beale, Harriet Walter, Sarah Young, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: ROYAL, Royal Shakespeare Company, Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson Locations: Windsor, Britain

☆ Bearer of rare 'One Ring' card from 'Lord of the Rings' lore could fetch $2 million and face hefty tax bill
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

And the ring bearer — if they choose to sell the "precious" — may owe a hefty tax bill on the profits. Marta Iwanek | Toronto Star | Getty ImagesThe Canadian who acquired The One Ring card would most likely pay tax on half their profits. If The One Ring card were sold for 2 million euros — which appears to be the current top bid — then 1 million euros (about CA$1.46 million) would be taxable. Total Canadian tax bill is 'subjective'But what's Canada's tax rate on the profits? (In reality, the effective tax rate would be slightly lower since Canada's income tax system is progressive, as in the U.S., experts said.

Persons: Elijah Wood, Frodo, Misty, Sauron, Mount Doom, —, Roger Perzan, Marta Iwanek, Plaskett, Howard Gleckman, it's, Scott Plaskett, John Oakey, Oakey, Sir Ian McKellen, Gandalf Organizations: Coast LLC, Canadian, Toronto Star, Getty, Urban, Brookings Tax Policy Center, Total Canadian, Chartered Professional Accountants Canada, Canada Revenue Agency Locations: Rivendell, Toronto, Canada, U.S, Ontario, Scott Plaskett Toronto

☆ Twitter is taking 'extreme measures' to tackle its bot problem. It should verify everyone instead.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Hasan Chowdhury | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

It's a problem that might go away if Twitter verified all of its users. Remember when Elon Musk handed out free blue checks to some Twitter users after taking them away? "To ensure the authenticity of our user base we must take extreme measures to remove spam and bots from our platform," Twitter said in a blogpost. Bloomberg reported in April that around 4% of people who went to the Twitter Blue sales site ended up subscribing to the service. When announcing that ambition to Twitter employees last month, Yaccarino said "that's not an empty promise."

Persons: Elon Musk, LeBron James, Stephen King, Ian McKellen, Twitter, Linda Yaccarino, Yaccarino, that's Organizations: Elon, Twitter, Bloomberg

☆ Twitter descends into chaos as users lash out over Elon Musk's blue-check reversal for celebrities: 'Feel my wrath Tesla man!'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( Hasan Chowdhury | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Blue checks were reinstated on several accounts but users said they hadn't paid for them. Rapper Lil Nas X, whose blue check remained, tweeted that he didn't pay for Twitter Blue. Some users who had died, including Kobe Bryant and Anthony Bourdain, had blue checks on their profiles. The ongoing confusion highlights the challenges Musk has faced in getting people to sign up for Twitter Blue. Bloomberg reported that traffic data showed only 4% of people who visited the Twitter Blue sales website in March subscribed.

☆ New ‘Lord of the Rings’ Movies Are in the Works, Warner Bros. Says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( Gareth Vipers | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Ian McKellen, left, as Gandalf and Elijah Wood as Frodo in the Peter Jackson directed “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.”Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. is doubling down on Middle-Earth, announcing that a new raft of “Lord of the Rings” movies are in the works. The company has brokered a deal to make “multiple” films based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” books, chief executive David Zaslav said in an earnings call Thursday.

☆ I make fake snow for films like 'Fantastic Beasts.' It's fun to make but painstaking to clean up — now I never look at winter movies the same.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Jem Bartholomew | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Jon Llewellyn works at Snow Business International, a company that produces fake snow. I work at Snow Business International, where we make fake snow for all kinds of movie sets and more. There's a lot of secrecy around Christmas TV ads in the UKPeople talk, so we use code names to muddy the water. Jon LlewellynRecently, we cleaned up this entire area of fake snow on a shoot in Ireland. But it's funny because I thought it looked a bit unrealistic on the cars, even though it was real snow.

☆ Kurt Cobain's smashed guitar, Lennon's glasses hit the auction block
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Alicia Powell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

NEW YORK, Nov 9 (Reuters) - A Kurt Cobain smashed guitar is expected to fetch top dollar at Julien’s Auction’s annual Icons & Idols: Rock ‘N’ Roll Auction in New York. The taped-up instrument is considered by some a piece of rock and roll history and estimated to be worth $200,000 to $400,000. “This guitar was actually smashed in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, 1989," said executive director of Julien’s Auctions, Martin Nolan. Glasses worn by John Lennon are estimated to sell for over $80,000. “You sort of identified John Lennon as wearing those type of round granny glasses, as he called them himself.

☆ Netflix reportedly pitched a $250 million 'Marvel approach' to 'Lord of the Rings' TV shows, but it 'freaked out' the Tolkien estate
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-05 | by ( Travis Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Netflix pitched the Tolkien estate on "Lord of the Rings" TV shows before Amazon landed the rights. It took a "Marvel approach" that "freaked out" the estate, according to The Hollywood Reporter. HBO also pitched the estate on a TV series, THR reported, on essentially remaking the film trilogy. One source told THR that Netflix took a "Marvel approach, and that completely freaked out the estate." THR also reported that Netflix bid $250 million for the rights, which has been widely reported to be the number Amazon paid for the series.

☆ Playlist de vacanță de la Humans of Chișinău
▼ + stars: | 2015-04-13 | by ( Onixmedia Srl | ) diez.md time to read: +2 min

Playlist de vacanță de la Humans of Chișinău – Fiți mai aproape unii de alțiiE vacanță. E vreme frumoasă afară și e păcat să-ți petreci timpul în fața calculatorului. Echipa #diez ți-a pregătit, de data aceasta, un playlist în colaborare cu echipa Humans of Chișinău, care, cu mare plăcere, a propus muzica ce va spori productivitatea ta, dar și dorul de a ieși mai des la o plimbare. Pagina Humans of Chișinău a fost lansată la sfârşitul anului 2013 şi în acest moment sunt trei persoane ce fac parte din echipă. Echipa #diez și Humans of Chișinău îți urează audiție plăcută!

Persons: Ian McKellen, George Ezra ., Maria Răducanu, Îi Locations: Chișinău, Chişinău

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