DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

April 5 (Reuters) - When actor Russell Crowe began reading about the history of real-life Catholic priest Father Gabriele Amorth, who claimed to have performed over 50,000 exorcisms, he was intrigued. Crowe’s portrayal of Amorth in Sony’s (6758.T) horror flick “The Pope’s Exorcist” is based on the books the late priest left behind, which chronicled 36 years of exorcisms and other work for the Vatican. However, unlike previous exorcisms, the demon feeds off the exorcist's own guilt and regrets. While he knows this depiction of a religious figure may cause criticism from some, Crowe was determined to stick to Amorth’s accounts. “Everybody is going to have their own opinion, but these are books which are written from first-person experience,” he told Reuters.

REUTERS/Lauren JusticeLOS ANGELES, April 3 (Reuters) - Actor Ben Affleck is hopeful for basketball legend Michael Jordan’s seal of approval after directing the biographical sports film, "Air," which is based on Jordan’s historic deal with the Nike (NKE.N) shoe brand. Affleck plays Nike co-founder Phil Knight and “The Woman King” actor Viola Davis portrays Jordan’s mother, Deloris Jordan. There was one key role that Affleck and Damon decided not to fill, and it was Michael Jordan’s. “The second you put the camera on an actor and say ‘Hey, it’s Michael Jordan’ and it’s not Michael Jordan, you’re going to lose the audience, so we knew. Michael’s just too famous and means too much to people to try to have someone else play him in a movie,” Damon said.

LOS ANGELES, March 24 (Reuters) - When Cassidy Jacobson was 13 years old, she posted a video of herself dancing on the popular app TikTok. Jacobson dreams of using her success on TikTok - an app used by 150 million Americans - to start her own curly hair care line and inspire others to love their natural curls. Last week, TikTok said the Biden administration demanded its Chinese owners divest their stakes or face a potential ban. Whether it’s creating all new content for YouTube reels or taking her TikTok content and transferring it over to Instagram, the influencer is making sure to diversify her content. Beyond popularity and fans, TikTok backers believe it provides livelihoods, paths to social change and a sense of community.

Cate Blanchett, best actress nominee for "Tar," wore a draped azure top over a black skirt with a train. Several attendees took advantage of the indoor lights to don shimmery silver dresses or gowns encrusted with reflective materials. Ana de Armas, best actress nominee for "Blonde," wore a silver column dress with a flamenco dancer-like flounce on the bottom. Education activist Malala Yousafzai, executive producer of documentary short film "Stranger At The Gate," wore a shimmery silver hooded gown. Several women opted for gowns with high-cut slits, including Nicole Kidman in a shimmery black gown and Cara Delevingne in a dramatic red dress.

Diverse creators are building incubators, their own production pipelines and venues where they can screen work and receive feedback and support each other. Of the 13,252 Oscar nominees since 1929, 6% are from underrepresented ethnicities, a USC Annenberg Inclusion at the Academy Awards report concludes. Located in Atlanta and Los Angeles, it creates collaborative spaces for diverse talent to support each other. As the most underrepresented group in the industry, Latino talent is also keen to change their narrative. There were 32 years without Latino nominees at the Academy Awards, with the most recent shutout in 2002.

[1/5] A general view of the grand opening of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City, Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 15, 2023. The theme park world is meant to ignite interest from both new and seasoned fans of the Mario games through an immersive experience. It follows in the footsteps of its predecessor in Universal Studios Japan, also owned by the Comcast Corp (CMCSA.O) unit. Super Nintendo World will also be added to Universal Studios Florida in 2025. The opening of the park will be followed by the “Super Mario Bros” movie, which arrives in theaters on April 7 and stars “Guardians of the Galaxy” actor Chris Pratt, who voices Mario.

[1/4] Director Peyton Reed poses at a premiere for the film "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" in Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 6, 2023. "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" is the first movie in phase five of Disney's Marvel Cinematic Universe. It takes the superhero and his resizing powers into the Quantum realm, a subatomic world where he meets new challenges. Reality melted away and brought her into the fantasy world that many children grew up reading about in the Marvel comic books, she noted. Disney artists assembled new environments, creatures, buildings and an entire internal history and logic to make the Quantum realm come to life.

☆ Shania Twain dreams up joyful new music for post-pandemic celebrations
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Rollo Ross | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LOS ANGELES, Feb 7 (Reuters) - After a life-threatening bout of COVID-19, five-time Grammy winner Shania Twain hopes to bring joy to the world with her new album "Queen of Me". But instead of navel gazing, Twain, 57, said she put herself in a playful frame of mind. That's the mode I'm in and I sense it with the fans as well," she said. "When I'm getting into the songwriting mode, I'm just dreaming. The country music phenomenon is ready to tour the world with her new album, starting out in Spokane, Washington, in April and finishing in Vancouver, British Columbia, in mid-November.

The video game industry also flourished during the COVID-19 pandemic as people increasingly turned to digital entertainment during lockdowns. However, video game music has not always hit all the right notes to be specifically recognized at the Grammys. But game music is breaking ground through technological innovation and new avenues for consumers to experience it. This includes live immersive video game concerts, video game scores across platforms like YouTube,Twitch, TikTok and Fortnite, remixes and collaborations, augmented and virtual reality and even eye-tracking technology. Collaborating with game developers and audio teams informs his ability to write music that can be smoothly integrated into a video game.

loadingThe motion picture is up for 11 Oscars at the March 12 Academy Awards, including best picture and lead actress for Michelle Yeoh. Both Jamie Lee Curtis and Stephanie Hsu are vying for best actress in a supporting role, while Ke Huy Quan is a favorite for best supporting actor. Kwan believes that without Yeoh, the film would not have been the success it is. "And I'm going through all these costumes, I'm like doing kung-fu, I'm like blowing up a cop's face into confetti." Reporting by Rollo Ross and Danielle Broadway; Editing by Mary Milliken and Sandra MalerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

LOS ANGELES, Jan 25 (Reuters) - "Naatu Naatu", the standout song in the Indian period film "RRR," has won a Golden Globe and a Critics Choice Award, garnered hundreds of millions of views on YouTube and spawned a TikTok challenge. Keeravani, songwriter of ''Naatu Naatu'' from the movie ''RRR'', which is nominated for best original song at the Oscars, poses for a portrait at the Reuters office in Culver City, California, U.S. January 13, 2023. "Naatu Naatu" and Keeravani are competing with some big household names in the best song category, including Lady Gaga's "Hold My Hand" from "Top Gun: Maverick" and Rihanna's "Lift Me Up" from "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever". In the action-Bollywood epic directed by S.S. Rajamouli, "Naatu Naatu" begins when the two leads, played by Ram Charan and N.T. Rahman won the Oscar for the Hindi song “Jai-Ho,” but that was for the U.S.-British production of “Slumdog Millionaire,” which was set in India.

☆ Box office hits 'Everything Everywhere,' 'Elvis' and 'Avatar' land Oscar nominations
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( Lisa Richwine | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

"Everything Everywhere," a science-fiction flick about an exasperated Chinese immigrant struggling to finish her taxes, landed 11 nominations, including best picture and four acting nods. Other films in the hunt for the top trophy at the Academy Awards included sequel "Avatar: The Way of Water," James Cameron's visual spectacle that currently ranks as the sixth-highest grossing movie of all time. Last year's Academy Awards ceremony, when Will Smith slapped presenter Chris Rock before winning best actor, drew about 15.4 million TV viewers, the second-smallest audience ever. Apple TV+ (AAPL.O) nabbed best picture last year for heartwarming drama "CODA." This time, Disney received the most nominations, a total of 22, for movies including "Avatar," "Banshees" and animated "Turning Red."

☆ James Cameron celebrated in Hollywood amid 'Avatar' success
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Rollo Ross | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] Director James Cameron and Producer Jon Landau pose after placing their handprints and footprints during an event at the forecourt of the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, California, U.S., January 12, 2023. REUTERS/Mario AnzuoniLOS ANGELES, Jan 12 (Reuters) - As "Avatar: The Way of Water" climbs the box office charts, director James Cameron stuck his hands and feet in cement outside the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on Thursday to commemorate his contributions to the film business. Longtime collaborator Sigourney Weaver tricked Cameron and producer Jon Landau into going barefoot for the ceremony. "Writing and designing the subsequent two films, it's now going to pay off, so that's a good feeling," he added. Reporting by Rollo Ross; Writing by Lisa Richwine; Editing by Chris ReeseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ This week's best performers include two airlines and a media stock expected to rally 48%
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

United Airlines has 5% upside to the average analyst price target and its stock is rated a buy by 48% of the analysts covering it. However, American Airlines average price target implies 4% downside and just 9% of the analysts covering it have a buy rating. Discovery to rally almost 49%, according to the average price target. The media company, which gained 16% this week, is rated a buy by 46% of the analysts covering the stock. Meanwhile, Royal Caribbean has 6% upside to the average price target and a buy rating from 42% of the analysts covering the stock.

LOS ANGELES, Jan 12 (Reuters) - The 2013 video game “The Last of Us” was a hit with critics and players thanks to a powerful narrative. Ten years later, that story is headed to television on HBO in what the industry hopes is a harbinger for artfully adapting video games to TV and film. The PlayStation game won numerous awards, including “Game of the Year” at the 17th Annual Design Innovate Communicate Entertain summit (DICE), which honors video game industry professionals. The TV series has received glowing reviews from critics, garnering a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes. "It shouldn’t be surprising that a drama based on a video game can have heart.

Host and comedian Jerrod Carmichael opened his monologue with a blunt assessment: that he was there because "I'm Black." Carmichael recalled being called by Golden Globes producer Stephen Hill and being asked to host the awards. On the silver carpet, this year’s Golden Globe winner for best actress in “Everything Everywhere All at Once” Michelle Yeoh and “Elvis” director Baz Luhrmann also expressed the importance of celebrating all the talented people involved in Golden Globes. “I think it’s important because this is an international Golden Globe, right? Luhrmann echoed similar sentiments, saying, “I think the Golden Globes has really walked the walk, not just talked the talk.

☆ Wells Fargo upgrades AT&T, says its growth forecast looks more attractive than Verizon's
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

AT & T is coming out on top in the epic battle between wireless companies to win over customers and gain subscribers, according to Wells Fargo. Analyst Eric Luebchow upgraded the telecom company to overweight from an equal weight rating, saying in a Tuesday note that shares look more attractive than Verizon 's and offer a superior growth trajectory. Luebchow also views AT & T as a way for investors to play defense in a difficult market and inflationary backdrop. The company's growth momentum looks better positioned than that of Verizon, which faces earnings risks from rising rates and consumer phone declines, he added. The stock outperformed in 2022, falling just 0.9% and is already up 3.4% in the new year.

[1/12] Angela Bassett poses with her award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" at the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California, U.S., January 10, 2023. REUTERS/Mario AnzuoniBEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Jan 10 (Reuters) - "Black Panther" actress Angela Bassett won a supporting actress award on Tuesday at the first Golden Globe awards since a scandal knocked the glitzy Hollywood ceremony off television. Bassett was honored for playing Queen Ramonda in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," a sequel that was rewritten after the death of star Chadwick Boseman. Ke Huy Quan was named best supporting actor in a drama film for his role of Waymond Wang in "Everything Everywhere All at Once." Among those voters, nearly 52% are racially and ethnically diverse, including 10% who are Black, according to the HFPA.

☆ Morgan Stanley upgrades Royal Caribbean, calls company the 'superior cruise operator' coming out of the pandemic
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Morgan Stanley is getting more optimistic on shares of Royal Caribbean after rough patch of sailing during the pandemic. Analyst Jamie Rollo upgraded the cruise stock to equal weight from underweight, calling it the "superior cruise operator" coming out of the Covid. fuel) vs peers," Rollo said. Along with the upgrade, Rollo raised his price target on the stock to $50 from $40 a share. His adjusted $11.50 price target from $13 a share means the stock stands to lose nearly 17% from Monday's close.

The comedy-drama is adapted from the 2012 Swedish novel “A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman that became the 2015 Oscar-nominated film. "A Man Called Otto", directed by Marc Forster, arrives in select theaters on Friday. “Look, I’m selfish. I’m a selfish actor and I’m competitive and I know a good role when I see one and don’t think anybody else was considered for the role," said Hanks. Reporting by Rollo Ross and Danielle Broadway; Editing by Mary Milliken and David GregorioOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ In 'Wildcat', Amazon fauna helps heal emotional wounds of war
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( Rollo Ross | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Their triumphs and travails are at the heart of "Wildcat", a documentary filmed deep in the rainforest that premieres on Amazon's Prime Video on Friday. Then they get a call from a friend that an ocelot kitten was found by loggers and little Keanu helps Turner out of his grief. The documentary came about after Zwicker shot videos documenting Khan's upbringing, hoping it would help other conservationists return cats to the wild. Directors Trevor Frost and Melissa Lesh came on board to document the lives of Turner, Zwicker and their animals after receiving Keanu. With proceeds from the reported $20 million Amazon Studios paid for the documentary, Zwicker is building up her conservation program Hoja Nueva, while Turner has set up his own charity, Emerald Arch.

☆ Faithless singer Maxi Jazz dies aged 65
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, Dec 24 (Reuters) - Maxi Jazz, the lead vocalist of British electronic music band Faithless and known as the voice in trance hits such as "God Is a DJ" and "Insomnia", has died aged 65, the band said on Saturday. He gave proper meaning and message to our music," the other two core members of Faithless, Rollo and Sister Bliss, said in a statement on Facebook. The band said on Twitter that Jazz had died peacefully in his sleep. He helped form Faithless in 1995, which then grew into one of the most popular dance bands in Britain and round the world. His words and performances touched so many of us," British DJ MistaJam wrote of Jazz on Twitter.

[1/4] Rapper Nas poses for a photo at Sweet Chick restaurant in Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 9, 2022. REUTERS/Mario AnzuoniDec 9 (Reuters) - As hip-hop prepares to turn 50 in 2023, U.S. rapper Nas wants to make sure the world understands its history, relevance and influence. Through his company, Mass Appeal, the native New Yorker is spearheading numerous events leading up to the anniversary. “Hip-Hop was never just music,” said Nas, adding it has always included elements of deejaying, dancing, fashion and other art forms. The dancing, rapping and deejaying elements grew out of an inner-city environment but it has since evolved into a multi-billion dollar part of mainstream global culture.

☆ Will Smith's 'Emancipation' scores mixed reviews so far
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Danielle Broadway | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Ben Foster, Jordyn McIntosh, Jeremiah Friedlander, Will Smith and Charmaine Bingwa attend a premiere for the film "Emancipation" in Los Angeles, California, U.S. November 30, 2022. REUTERS/Mario AnzuoniDec 1 (Reuters) - Apple TV+’s 2022 slavery drama “Emancipation", actor Will Smith's first film since his famous slap of comedian Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars, has received mixed early reviews from film critics. The movie has scored a 59% positive rating on Rotton Tomatoes so far, with 14 out of 24 reviewers applauding the film as of Thursday afternoon. The first batch of reviews have earned “Emancipation” the rotten label, as many reviewers voice their disappointment in the historical action film’s execution. “Emancipation devolves into a confused jumble of messages,” Lovia Gyarke from The Hollywood Reporter wrote.

REUTERS/Mario AnzuoniNov 23 (Reuters) - "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery," a sequel to 2019's "Knives Out," brings together a new cast in Greece for a fresh murder mystery and case for sharply-dressed detective Benoit Blanc, played by Daniel Craig. Rian Johnson, who directed both movies, helped peel back one of the franchise's biggest mysteries this week when he explained what "Glass Onion" means. He told Reuters, "Well it's a Beatles song first and foremost and it's kind of a Beatles song about a mystery that's not actually a mystery." He added: "I ended up working in the idea of the glass onion of this thing that seems densely layered but in reality, it's pretty transparent. "I can't think of a film that I've been in in quite a while where the costumes had such a presence in the film," Norton said.

Search resuls for: "Rollo"

25 mentions found