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“It was just so original,” she told Reuters, and her co-lead, “Umbrella Academy” actor Ritu Arya, could not agree more. When Lena drops out of art school and quickly gets engaged, Ria and her friends plan a bride-heist of epic proportions. Director Nida Manzoor's first feature film scored a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes after premiering at the Sundance Film Festival. Critics have praised the quirky martial arts film for its inspiring and unconventional representation of compelling women and girls. “Strong women come from strong women,” Kansara said.

☆ A new Netflix docu-series from the producers of 'Queer Eye' dives into the world of professional mermaiding
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The producers of "Queer Eye" explore underwater performers in a new docu-series, "MerPeople." Scout Productions executive-produced it; Oscar-winning Cynthia Wade directed. The creators of "Queer Eye" are turning their lens on the world of underwater performers for a new docu-series on Netflix, "MerPeople." Executive producers were Scout Productions' Michael Williams, David Collins, Joel Chiodi, and Rob Eric, along with photographer Andréanna Seymore; Roland Ballester, known for "Halston" and "30 for 30"; and Wade. Scout Productions has become known for richly shot, inclusivity-themed unscripted TV projects like ballroom competition series "Legendary" and streetwear design contest "The Hype" on HBO Max, in addition to "Queer Eye."

☆ Apple TV+ has 2 big disadvantages compared to Netflix, Disney+, and other streamers as a Hollywood writers' strike looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Reed Alexander | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

But ahead of a potential Hollywood writers' strike, the streamer faces two key vulnerabilities. Hollywood is bracing for a possible writers' strike that could begin on May 1, following an overwhelming strike authorization by members of the Writers' Guild of America West and East earlier this month. But, by comparison, Prime Video, Netflix, and Discovery+ offer viewers thousands of TV series, according to ReelGood data from the end of 2022. "They're building a long-term brand of Apple TV+, which is something apart from all their devices and their cool software. It would not damage the perception that people have of Apple TV+."

☆ Fashionphile founder and CCO explains why that 'ludicrously capacious' bag from 'Succession' had a 310% spike in online searches
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-23 | by ( Celia Fernandez | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Since "Succession" character dubbed this Burberry bag "ludicrously capacious," search for the brand has spiked. One of the show's central characters, Tom Wamsgans, scoffs at the luxury bag, describing it as "ludicrously capacious." Tom Wamsgans' comment about another character's "ludicrously capacious" bag in season four of "Succession" went viral. Macall B. Polay/HBOIn the weeks since the episode aired, searches for "Burberry tote bag" have jumped 310%, according to virtual fitting room company 3DLOOK, per Harper's Bazaar UK. Searches for "Burberry handbag" are up 180%, while "Burberry tote" increased 25%.

☆ Volkswagen takes on China's EV market with a higher-end car and $1 billion investment
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Volkswagen's ID.7 is set for release in Europe and China in the fall of 2023, and in North America in 2024. CNBC | Evelyn ChengBEIJING — German automaker Volkswagen is investing about $1 billion in China for electric car development, and releasing a vehicle targeted at a higher end of the market. German investment in China grew by nearly 61% in the first quarter from a year ago, China's Ministry of Commerce said Thursday. Overall, foreign investment in China grew by 4.9% year-on-year in the first three months of the year to 408.45 billion yuan ($59.33 billion). Vehicles for China will be produced locally, while those for Europe and North America will be produced in Germany, Volkswagen said.

☆ 'Queen Charlotte': 'Bridgerton' character gets her own spin-off
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Natasha Mulenga | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Maja SmiejkowskaLONDON, April 21 (Reuters) - Regency-era London took over the British capital's Leicester Square on Friday as the "Queen Charlotte" cast premiered the first spin-off from hit Netflix (NFLX.O) period drama "Bridgerton" dedicated to the fan favourite character. "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story" is an origin story of the "Bridgerton" monarch, explaining her rise to power and love life. With two timelines, Golda Rosheuvel reprises her "Bridgerton" role as the monarch while India Amarteifio plays the young Queen Charlotte. Showrunner Shonda Rhimes, also behind "Bridgerton", said it was "very exciting" to make Queen Charlotte the centre of her own story. "Queen Charlotte" begins streaming on May 4.

☆ A Swinging Duo of Duke Ellington Films
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Will Friedwald | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

John Lamb on bass, Duke Ellington on piano, Johnny Hodges on alto sax and Lawrence Brown on trombone at Grace Cathedral Photo: Bettmann ArchiveDuke Ellington is between sets in his dressing room at San Francisco’s Basin Street West. “Do you want the snore in there?” he says, as he starts to lie down for a nap. Then, surprisingly, he chooses instead to engage with the interviewer—the music critic and television producer and host Ralph J. Gleason —and the camera crew who, by that time, have been trailing Ellington for a month. He also demonstrates a piece that he is in the middle of writing with his musical partner, Billy Strayhorn . It’s a rare example of a very candid Ellington letting the rest of us into his world and creative process.

☆ Review: In ‘The Thanksgiving Play,’ Who Gets to Tell the Story?
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Jesse Green | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In mesmerizing moments like this, FastHorse neatly sets up the tension between identity and the performance of identity — a tension she doesn’t resolve but upgrades over the course of the play to a full-scale paradox. FastHorse, a member of the Sicangu Lakota nation of South Dakota, gradually introduces the horrifying undertow of that fact with filmed segments screened briefly between the live scenes. Distressingly, these segments are based on Thanksgiving projects that real teachers have posted online. In one, adorable young children performing “The Nine Days of Thanksgiving” are made to list the many things, like “six Native teepees,” that Indians “gave” the Pilgrims. Though this is crucial to the play’s project of undoing centuries of racist mythologizing, I was left a bit queasy thinking about the young performers.

LONDON, April 20 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Film and TV adaptations of video games have a chequered history. But Nintendo’s “Super Mario”, along with HBO’s “The Last of Us”, is flipping the script. Jefferies analysts estimate that the “Super Mario” movie could add $350 million to Nintendo’s operating profit – equivalent to around 8% of its total for the year ending March 2022. The success of recent adaptations may lead media giants like Walt Disney (DIS.N), Comcast and Netflix to wonder what other goodies lie in video game companies. Follow @olivertaslic on TwitterCONTEXT NEWS“The Super Mario Bros. Movie”, an animated film co-financed by Nintendo and Universal Pictures, was released in North America on April 5.

☆ A filmmaker risked sniper fire to capture the Ukraine war for a powerful documentary, and the new trailer just dropped
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Russia's unprovoked war in Ukraine has been ongoing for nearly 14 months. Levy, 74, filmed on battlefields across the country — from Kharkiv in the northeast, Kherson in the south, and the capital city Kyiv. Insider also interviewed Levy this week to discuss his experience while reporting in Ukraine, what he observed on the ground, and his overall thoughts on the war. Courtesy photoQ: Ukraine has sustained huge casualties in defending itself, as you document. Courtesy photoQ: Are you concerned that support for Ukraine is becoming increasingly unfashionable in France and the West more generally?

☆ Film 'Peter Pan & Wendy' reimagines familiar tale
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Hanna Rantala | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Cast member Alexander Molony attends the world premiere of the film 'Peter Pan and Wendy' in London, Britain April 20, 2023. "Peter Pan & Wendy" is based on Scottish author J.M. Barrie's beloved characters and the 1953 Disney animation "Peter Pan". Directed and co-written by David Lowery, the film stars Jude Law in the role of Captain Hook, Yara Shahidi as Tinker Bell, Ever Anderson, 15, as Wendy, and Alexander Molony, 16, as Peter Pan. "Peter Pan & Wendy" starts streaming on Disney+ on April 28.

LOS ANGELES, April 19 (Reuters) - "Evil Dead," the popular zombie film franchise, is back for a fifth installment with a mother possessed by a parasitic demon that talks, taunts and devours souls. This twist in "Evil Dead Rise," from traditional mute zombies, is something that director Lee Cronin enjoys. The film follows Ellie, played by Alyssa Sutherland, and her three young children in their Los Angeles apartment. In a dark comedic turn, an evil spirit possesses Ellie and turns her against her family. Reporting by Rollo Ross and Danielle Broadway; Editing by Mary Milliken and Richard ChangOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ A Dancer’s Life: Chita Rivera on Working Hard and Learning From the Best
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Juan A. Ramírez | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

“She makes you feel immediately part of a team,” Benanti said. “She’s not just out there for herself. “When you hear Chita, you see Chita. When you work with somebody like that, their range is so enormous that there’s nothing you can’t write,” he said of developing characters with Rivera. This constant work is all she knows, Rivera said, though it has left her with a slight blind spot when it comes to the business she so loves.

☆ Jake Gyllenhaal and Jamie Lee Curtis spent the Covid-19 lockdown together
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( Marianne Garvey | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —It’s sourdough bread and handstands for Jake Gyllenhaal and Jamie Lee Curtis. Curtis, who won best supporting actress Oscar at lthe 2023 Academy Awards, is friends with Gyllenhaal’s parents, director Stephen Gyllenhaal and screenwriter Naomi Foner. He and Jeanne lived in the house next door that I have. “He made a lot of sourdough bread, a lot,” Lee said. It also stars Alexander Ludwig, Antony Starr, Bobby Schofield and Jonny Lee Miller.

☆ Mischa Barton joins 'Neighbours' reboot
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( Amarachi Orie | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Reece will be an American that is new to the area and “not quite who she appears to be,” according to the show’s producers. The long-running drama series began almost four decades ago in 1985 and ended in July. The new season, which began production in Melbourne on Monday and is set to premiere in the autumn, will inaugurate the revitalized series’ new phase. “I’m excited to be part of this iconic show’s next chapter, and I am really looking forward to being back in Australia – a place I know and love,” said Barton in the release. Guests Ian Smith (as Harold Bishop), April Rose Pengilly (as Chloe Brennan) and Melissa Bell (as Lucy Robinson), will also reprise their roles.

☆ 'Love Is Blind' is hell on earth: Contestants say producers deprived them of food and sleep, preyed on their anxieties, and refused to let them quit
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( Katie Warren | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +29 min

After the 10 days, cast members must decide whether they want to get engaged to another contestant sight unseen — or go home. The season-two contestant Nick Thompson said "Love Is Blind" didn't adequately support its cast members — during or after filming. Many cast members believed "Love Is Blind" would be a cut above other reality shows. The first evening in Cancún, producers told Ruhl she couldn't attend a party for all the newly engaged couples because they thought she might have COVID-19. In a later episode he again became infuriated and threatened to leave when Reed came home late from clubbing with other cast members.

☆ VW, Rivian, Nissan, BMW lose access to US EV tax credits
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Aly Song/File PhotoApril 17 (Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury said on Monday that Volkswagen, BMW, Nissan, Rivian, Hyundai and Volvo electric vehicles will lose access to a $7,500 tax credit under new rules for battery sourcing. VW said it was "fairly optimistic" the ID.4 SUV will qualify for the tax credit. Treasury also disclosed General Motors Co (GM.N) electric Chevrolet Bolt and Bolt EUV will qualify for the full $7,500 tax credit. GM said earlier it expected at least some of its EVs would qualify for the $7,500 tax credit under the new rules, including the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq and forthcoming Chevrolet Equinox EV SUV and Blazer EV SUV. Treasury in December said EVs ineligible for the $7,500 consumer tax credit could qualify for a commercial leasing $7,500 credit.

☆ VW, Rivian, Nissan, BMW lose access to U.S. EV tax credits
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Aly Song/File PhotoApril 17 (Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury said Monday that Volkswagen, BMW, Nissan, Rivian, Hyundai and Volvo electric vehicles will lose access to a $7,500 tax credit under new battery sourcing rules. Treasury also disclosed General Motors (GM.N) electric Chevrolet Bolt and Bolt EUV will qualify for the full $7,500 tax credit. GM said earlier it expected at least some of its EVS would qualify for the $7,500 tax credit under the new rules, including the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq and forthcoming Chevrolet Equinox EV SUV and Blazer EV SUV. Earlier, Ford Motor (F.N) and Chrysler-parent Stellantis (STLAM.MI) said most of their electric and PHEV models would see tax credits halved to $3,750 on April 18. Treasury in December said EVs ineligible for the $7,500 consumer tax credit could qualify for a commercial leasing $7,500 credit.

☆ Volkswagen just unveiled its long-range, Tesla-fighting ID.7. See the electric sedan.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( Nora Naughton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

We still don't know how much the ID.7 will cost. VW is positioning the ID.7 to take on Tesla's popular Model 3, but without pricing it's hard to know how the cars will stack up against each other with shoppers. The new VW ID.7 sedan is on stage at the Motorenwerk for the model's world premiere. The car, which is just under five meters long, is expected to achieve ranges of up to 700 kilometers in its higher equipment variant and will be offered with modern networking and display technology. Monika Skolimowska/picture alliance via Getty Images

☆ 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' celebrates premiere of fifth and final season at NYSE opening bell
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via Email'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' celebrates premiere of fifth and final season at NYSE opening bellAmy Sherman-Palladino, Daniel Palladino and Rachel Brosnahan of 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' join 'Squawk on the Street' to discuss the overall experience, the relationship with Amazon and more.

How to watch The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel in the USFor Amazon Prime members in the US, watching The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is a breeze. If you don't want a full Prime membership, Prime Video is available on its own for $9 a month. Amazon Prime Video Monthly Subscription Prime Video has thousands of movies and TV shows, including popular original series and films you won't find anywhere else. How to watch The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel in the UKUK fans of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel can catch the final season with a Prime membership or individual Prime Video subscription. Amazon Prime Video Monthly Subscription Prime Video has thousands of movies and TV shows, including popular original series and films you won't find anywhere else.

☆ Wes Anderson, Ken Loach among big names competing at Cannes Film Festival
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( Marie-Louise Gumuchian | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] 72nd Cannes Film Festival - Photocall for the film "Sorry We Missed You" in competition - Cannes, France, May 17, 2019. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard/File PhotoApril 13 (Reuters) - Wes Anderson, Ken Loach, Todd Haynes and Wim Wenders are among the directors who will compete for the top prize at next month's Cannes Film Festival, where a spate of Hollywood stars will also premiere their latest works on the famed Croisette waterfront. At a press conference on Thursday, festival director Thierry Fremaux announced the line-up for the 76th edition of major cinema showcase from May 16-27. "It's a competition that will mix young filmmakers competing for the first time with veterans whose names and works we know," Fremaux said. Adventurer Indiana Jones will also return to the festival 15 years since his last appearance in Cannes.

☆ Harry Potter series, another 'Game of Thrones' prequel coming to Max streaming service
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Lisa Richwine | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Neil Hall/File PhotoLOS ANGELES, April 12 (Reuters) - Boy wizard Harry Potter is headed to streaming television in a new series based on the beloved books by author J.K. Rowling. Warner Bros Discovery (WBD.O) announced the series on Wednesday as part of the company's plans for its Max streaming service, which combines HBO Max with unscripted programming from Discovery. The seven Harry Potter books have sold more than 600 million copies worldwide. Harry Potter fan blogs and actors including Radcliffe objected to her remarks. Other new shows coming to Max include a new "Game of Thrones" prequel, titled "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight," with author George R.R.

☆ Jeremy Renner walks red carpet just three months after his near-fatal accident: ‘I feel very grateful to be here’
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Actor Jeremy Renner made his first red carpet appearance since he sustained serious injuries after being crushed by a snowplow near his Nevada home in January. Renner attended a premiere screening in Los Angeles for his new Disney+ reality series, “Rennervations.” In the show, which was filmed prior to his accident, Renner “reimagines” decommissioned government vehicles and donates them to serve children in communities in need. Jeremy Renner (C) and family attend the Los Angeles premiere of Disney+'s original series "Rennervations" on April 11. “I feel like everyone is in on the joke now about what I’ve been doing with my time. During a discussion hosted by Jimmy Kimmel following Tuesday’s screening, the late-night host jokingly asked Renner if he plans to repurpose “that f—ing snowblower?”“It’s a snowcat,” Renner responded.

☆ Leaked Amazon memo shows plans to reduce employee stock awards in 2025
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( Asia Martin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Leaked Amazon memo shows plans to reduce employee stock awards in 2025. The company is considering increasing the cash portion of compensation to help cushion employees against its stock price going down in the future. In other news:The late Cash App founder Bob Lee. Cash App creator Bob Lee died after a reported stabbing in San Francisco Tuesday. Silicon Valley is grieving the loss of the founder of Cash App and the former chief technology officer at Square.

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