DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ ‘Franklin’ review: Michael Douglas can’t quite catch lightning as Benjamin Franklin in new Apple TV+ series
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

“Franklin” comes from “John Adams” writer-producer Kirk Ellis, with Howard Korder (“Boardwalk Empire”), director Tim Van Patten (“The Sopranos”) and former HBO programming chief Richard Plepler joining him among the executive producers with pedigreed connections to that network. Michael Douglas and Ludivine Sagnier in "Franklin." Yet unlike “John Adams,” it lacks the level of supporting players and driving tension related to the Adams-Thomas Jefferson dynamic to provide a strong sense of narrative momentum. But even those attributes, and Douglas’ interpretation of them, don’t quite prove inventive enough to compensate for its shortcomings. “Franklin” premieres April 12 on Apple TV+.

Persons: “ Franklin ”, “ John Adams, ”, Michael Douglas, Benjamin Franklin, “ John Adams ”, Kirk Ellis, Howard Korder, Tim Van Patten, Richard Plepler, Franklin, Tom Wilkinson, Douglas, Temple, Noah Jupe, Ludivine, Madame Brillon, John Adams, “ Ray Donovan’s, Eddie Marsan, “, ” Douglas, Liberace, –, Stacy Schiff’s, Adams, Thomas Jefferson Organizations: CNN, Air, Apple, HBO, Continental Army, Franco, ” Locations: France, it’s, Paris, American, Great Britain, Franklin

☆ Opinion: ‘Monkey Man’ knocks James Bond out of the ring
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-06 | by ( Opinion Noah Berlatsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

“Monkey Man” is set in a semi-fictionalized Mumbai, replete with homelessness, crime and swooping, askew camera angles. Action movies — even relatively gritty ones without fanciful superhero CGI — require a bigger outlay for location and stunts. “Monkey Man” was plagued by production difficulties and financial struggles. Mindless s**t. I wanted to give it soul.” That’s an admirable sentiment — and one that isn’t just restricted to action movies. “Monkey Man” growls and spits and beats its chest and leaps you’re never quite sure where.

Persons: Noah Berlatsky, …, Dev, Jordan Peele’s, Noah Berlatsky Noah Berlatsky, Peele, Patel, Dev Patel, Rana, Sikandar Kher, gyrating, John Wick, Gordon, James Bond, Chris Hemsworth’s Tyler, slogs, Paul Atreides, Jordan Peele, Vianney Le Caer, —, Bruce Lee’s, Carl Franklin’s, Alice Wu’s, Jordan, didn’t, ”, We’re, there’s, “, Peele hadn’t, ” Patel, you’re Organizations: CNN, Universal Pictures, Everett, Marvel Cinematic, Netflix Locations: Chicago, Mumbai, East Asia, South Asia, Eastern Europe, London, White, Hollywood

☆ Opinion | The Rage in ‘Carrie’ Feels More Relevant Than Ever
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Amanda Jayatissa | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

In their sophomore year, on the first day back after Christmas vacation, she came to school wearing newly fashionable clothes with a trendy hairstyle — but the bullying and teasing never stopped. “Carrie,” Mr. King’s first published novel, was released 50 years ago, in 1974. Many things have changed in the half-century since Mr. King’s novel was published, yet Carrie White remains a strikingly relevant and highly relatable figure. “Not really, not at the subconscious level where savage things grow.” I was hooked. What did Mr. King mean by “savage things?” I didn’t realize then that I would spend so much of my adult life thinking about this very question.

Persons: ” Stephen King’s, Dodie Franklin, “, ” Mr, King, “ Carrie, King’s, Carrie ”, Brian De Palma, Chloë Grace Moretz, Carrie White Organizations: Riverdale Locations: Riverdale ”, Sri Lanka

Ambassador Nikki Haley failed last month to mention slavery as the root cause of the Civil War. “Let me be clear, for those who don’t seem to know: Slavery was the cause of the Civil War,” he said. Chris Christie, who suspended his campaign on Wednesday, referenced the Civil War with a word of caution to Republican voters. The last time they were that relevant was the Civil War — which we know was caused by slavery,” Christie said. The intra-party jabs echo a broader debate over the legacy of the Civil War for policymaking today.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Donald Trump, “, ”, Jeff Kaufmann, Joe Biden’s, Biden, Kamala Harris, DeSantis, Kaufmann, Abraham Lincoln, Paul Peterson, Peterson, Haley, Carolina Sen, Tim Scott, —, Chris Christie, Benjamin Franklin, Christie, ” “ Benjamin Franklin’s, ” Christie, Eric Foner, Geoff Kabaservice, Kabaservice, ” Foner, ____ Matt Brown Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Republicans, Florida Gov, GOP, Party of, Reconstruction, ” Iowa Republican, Republican, Mother Emanuel AME Church, Florida Republicans, Iowa GOP, Republican Party, Education, Harvard University, Democrats, Trump, Former New Jersey Gov, Columbia University, Niskanen, AP Locations: Florida, Party of Lincoln, Iowa, Charleston , South Carolina, Carolina, “, America, American

On Monday night in Midtown Manhattan, Neil Patrick Harris, Nicky Hilton Rothschild and Michael Kors danced in their seats, as J. Harrison Ghee, the Broadway actor, sang Aretha Franklin’s classic “Freeway of Love.”Ghee’s performance opened the 17th annual Golden Heart Awards, the major fall fund-raiser for God’s Love We Deliver, an organization that provides medically tailored meals to New Yorkers affected by severe illness, which was founded in 1986 during the AIDS epidemic. “I think that we have to honor, and make noise about, organizations that can cut through the noise and make a difference,” said Mr. Kors, a co-chair of the event and a board member of the organization. The evening honored the Broadway star Ben Platt for excellence in the arts and the actress Scarlett Johansson for philanthropy and activism.

Persons: Neil Patrick Harris, Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Michael Kors, Harrison, Aretha Franklin’s, ”, Kors, Ben Platt, Scarlett Johansson Organizations: Broadway Locations: Midtown Manhattan

CNN —A hurricane watch has been issued for portions of Florida’s Gulf Coast as the state braces for Tropical Storm Idalia, which is expected to strengthen to a hurricane and make landfall this week. The hurricane watch stretches from Englewood to Indian Pass, including Tampa Bay, according to the National Hurricane Center’s Sunday afternoon update. In addition to the hurricane watch, a tropical storm watch has been issued for the Gulf Coast of Florida from Englewood to Chokoloskee and the Dry Tortugas. Idalia is forecast to drop 3 to 6 inches of rain on western Cuba, Florida’s west coast, the Panhandle and southern Georgia, with isolated totals of 10 inches, the hurricane center said. Anyone living in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, Cuba, and the northern Gulf and Florida coast should monitor the forecast in the coming days.

Persons: Idalia, ”, Ron DeSantis, Floridians, DeSantis, Joe Biden, Lagartos, Franklin, Storm Franklin, Hurricane Franklin Organizations: CNN, Hurricane, Channel, Carolinas, Wednesday, Florida Panhandle, . Florida Gov, National Guardsmen, Patrol, . Schools, White, Florida Division, Emergency Management, National Hurricane Center, NOAA, Air Force Hurricane Locations: Florida’s Gulf, Englewood, Tampa, Gulf Coast of Florida, Chokoloskee, Cozumel, Mexico, Yucatán, Cuba, Bend, Florida, Gulf, Gulf of Mexico, Florida’s, Georgia, Tallahassee, Hernando County, United States, Mexico’s Yucatán, Tulum, Pinar del Río, of Youth, Chokoloskee , Florida, Tortugas , Florida, of Mexico, Caribbean, Bermuda, Hurricane, East Coast, Franklin

☆ Last photos of doomed Franklin polar expedition party go on sale
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Sir John Franklin’s doomed expedition to the Arctic captivated the Victorian public with its mysterious disappearance, fruitless rescue missions and gory tales of cannibalism. Commissioned by Franklin’s wife, Jane, this set of daguerreotypes – the first successful form of photography – represents the last ever photographs taken of the 14 men and was assumed to be lost until now. Engraving showing the end of Sir John Franklin's ill-fated Arctic expedition, taken from a painting by W. Thomas Smith exhibited in the Royal Academy in 1896. Historia/Shutterstock“Lady Franklin having the foresight to memorialize this really important and historic moment of this expedition about to begin, it is very poignant in retrospect, of course, because then they disappear,” Bierman said. But after two years without contact from the expedition, Lady Franklin pushed the Admiralty in London to send a search party.

Persons: John Franklin’s, Franklin, Sir John Franklin, Emily Bierman, Franklin’s, Jane, Sir John Franklin's, Thomas Smith, Shutterstock, Lady Franklin, ” Bierman, ”, Bierman, “, John Rae, Jared Harris, Tobias Menzies, Ciarán Hinds Organizations: CNN, Royal Academy, Admiralty, Illustrated London, HMS, AMC Locations: London, Scottish

☆ The last photos of John Franklin’s doomed polar expedition party fetch over $545,000
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Editor’s Note: This article was updated with the final sale price and other details following the auction’s conclusion. London, UK CNN —Sir John Franklin’s doomed expedition to the Arctic captivated the Victorian public with its mysterious disappearance, fruitless rescue missions and gory tales of cannibalism. Commissioned by Franklin’s wife, Jane, this set of daguerreotypes — the first successful form of photography — represents the last ever photographs taken of the 14 men and was assumed to be lost until now. Engraving showing the end of Sir John Franklin's ill-fated Arctic expedition, taken from a painting by W. Thomas Smith exhibited in the Royal Academy in 1896. But after two years without contact from the expedition, Lady Franklin pushed the Admiralty in London to send a search party.

Persons: John Franklin’s, Franklin, Sir John Franklin, Emily Bierman, Franklin’s, Jane, Sir John Franklin's, Thomas Smith, Shutterstock, Lady Franklin, ” Bierman, ”, Bierman, “, John Rae, Jared Harris, Tobias Menzies, Ciarán Hinds Organizations: UK CNN, CNN, Royal Academy, Admiralty, Illustrated London, HMS, AMC Locations: London, UK, Scottish

☆ Aretha Franklin estate: Jury determines handritten will stands
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Virginia Langmaid | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The jury hearing arguments surrounding the disposition of Aretha Franklin’s estate on Tuesday determined a 2014 version of her will should stand as the document of record. Franklin’s fourth son, Clarence Franklin, has special needs, is under legal guardianship and was not involved in the case. Video Ad Feedback The hits that won Aretha Franklin 18 Grammys 02:24 - Source: CNNKecalf Franklin testified Monday that he believed the signature on the 2014 document is valid, particularly because it contains the smiley face “characteristic” of Franklin’s signature. Referencing the first few lines of the document, attorney Craig Smith, who represented Edward Franklin, said, “She’s speaking from the grave, folks: ‘This is my will.’”Attorney Craig Smith showing an enlarged copy of a 2014 document during closing arguments of a jury trial over Aretha Franklin's estate. Sarahbeth Maney/Detroit Free Press/USA Today NetworkDuring closing arguments, Smith also addressed royalties stemming from the Queen of Soul’s iconic hits.

Persons: Aretha Franklin’s, Kecalf Franklin, Edward Franklin, Ted White II, Clarence Franklin, Aretha Franklin, CNN Kecalf Franklin, Craig Smith, “, ’, Aretha, Sarahbeth, Smith, ”, Kurt Olson, Franklin, ” Franklin Organizations: CNN, Detroit Free Press, USA Locations: Aretha Franklin's

More than four years of family conflict over the estate of Aretha Franklin ended Tuesday when a Michigan jury decided what her family could not — which of two hand-scrawled wills represented the famed singer’s true wishes for how to divide her estate. The verdict resolved more than four years of uncertainty that caused a rift in Franklin’s family, and it sets in motion a plan for how income and assets from her estate should be divided. After the singer died, at age 76, her family believed she had no will. Under Michigan law, her assets would have been divided equally among her four sons: Kecalf, Edward and Clarence Franklin, and Ted White Jr. The sons unanimously selected a cousin as the estate’s personal representative, a position similar to that of an executor.

Persons: Aretha Franklin, Franklin, Kecalf, Edward, Clarence Franklin, Ted White Jr Organizations: Michigan Locations: Michigan, Pontiac, Mich

☆ Is Aretha Franklin’s True Will the One Found in the Couch or a Cabinet?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( Julia Jacobs | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

At issue in the trial is which document best reflects Franklin’s wishes before she died, at age 76, of pancreatic cancer. Two of her sons, Edward and Kecalf Franklin, assert that the document found in a spiral notebook under the couch cushions, which is dated March 2014 and substantially favors Kecalf, should be considered primary. Another son, Ted White Jr., contends that the papers found in the cabinet, dated June 2010, should take precedence. As a result, they will not be taking a side in the trial, said Joseph Buttiglieri, a lawyer for Clarence Franklin’s guardian. The total estate was estimated at about $18 million after she died, Mr. Smith said, though another appraisal suggested the figure might be lower.

Persons: Edward, Kecalf Franklin, Ted White Jr, Clarence Franklin, Joseph Buttiglieri, Clarence Franklin’s, Franklin, Smith Locations: Michigan

☆ Rosalind Franklin’s Role in DNA Discovery, Once Ignored, Is Told Anew in Song
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( Lauren Rosenfield | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

During the summer of 2020, the composer and lyricist Madeline Myers spent hours at the piano in her Manhattan apartment as she struggled to write three songs for her new musical, “Double Helix,” about the British chemist Rosalind Franklin. The challenge wasn’t strictly about marrying words to a score, but conveying the science of a crucial moment in the discovery of DNA’s structure — and making the songs entertaining. Franklin’s experiments, in which she successfully used X-ray crystallography to create images of DNA, became the basis for James Watson and Francis Crick’s groundbreaking 1953 discovery of the double helix structure. The breakthrough underpins our modern understanding of genetics and biology, but for years Franklin received none of the credit. (She died of cancer in 1958 at the age of 37; her male colleagues were later awarded the Nobel Prize.)

☆ Fact Check-Tweet about Aretha Franklin’s ‘Natural Woman’ featuring ‘anti-trans stereotypes’ originated on satirical account
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A Twitter account called “Trans Cultural Mindfulness Alliance (TCMA)” described itself as a parody account after one of its tweets regarding Aretha Franklin’s song “Natural Woman” gained traction online. The tweet said Franklin’s 1968 hit song was offensive to the transgender community. “Aretha Franklin's 1968 song "Natural Woman" perpetuates multiple harmful anti-trans stereotypes,” part of the post reads, adding it should be removed from streaming services Spotify and Apple Music (here). The Twitter account did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment. This tweet about a transgender rights organization wanting Aretha Franklin’s song “Natural Woman” removed from streaming platforms originated from a Twitter account that described itself as satirical.

☆ ‘The Contagion of Liberty’ Review: At the Start of the Spread
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Mark G. Spencer | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

In November 1736, Francis Franklin—Benjamin Franklin’s beloved 4-year-old son—fell ill with smallpox and soon died. Philadelphia at the time was in the midst of an epidemic, and the Franklins’ painful ordeal was one of an estimated 100,000 similar tragedies that played out in 18th-century America. In “The Contagion of Liberty,” Andrew Wehrman weaves together dozens of individual stories and their layered historical contexts to provide a fascinating account of smallpox in America, from colonial times through the early republic. Smallpox was one of the 18th century’s most feared diseases, affecting cities around the world and ravaging early American urban centers in recurring waves. The disease, highly contagious before and after the onset of visible signs of infection, was also deadly.

For Latin Grammy-winning singer Camila Cabello, tapping into "the most authentic version of yourself" is crucial for breaking into the music scene as a new artist. Gwen Stefani, Camila Cabello and Blake Shelton on "The Voice." Cabello had her big break on "The X Factor," another singing competition, a decade ago, when she was just 15. It includes bilingual songs and Latin music influences that speak to Cabello's Hispanic roots. Camila Cabello on "The Voice."

On key issues like abortion and election denialism, Tim Michels, the Republican nominee for governor of Wisconsin, is not moving toward the political middle down the homestretch to Election Day. Michels, following a pattern of other Republican candidates in governor’s races in states like Arizona and Pennsylvania, has not done so. "A change on the abortion issue might even be counterproductive, doesn’t help him with the base and doesn’t help him with moderates or independents." It lets him speak to the base and to independents at the same time.”Michels is locked in a close race with Gov. Michels campaign adviser Chris Walker did not respond to questions about Michels’ strategy on abortion or election issues.

Search resuls for: "Franklin’s"

16 mentions found