Entertainment arts

Top Gun Maverick, then Elvis and now Thor: Love And Thunder: it’s got to be the best run of July blockbusters in living memory. We’ll be lucky to glimpse the sunshine. In the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thor (or rather, his movies) has carved out a niche as ‘the funny one’. That’s down to the utterly hilarious Thor: Ragnarok (2017), which, under the unique direction of Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit) played out like a super-hero sized send-up of itself. Thankfully Waititi is back and significantly more in control of his mega-bucks Hollywood behemoth this time round. A quick flashback reminds us of where Chris Hemsworth’s hero, the Norse god, Thor is now at. After basically everyone close to him has died (multiple times in the case of his brother, Tom Hiddleston’s Loki), Waititi’s narrator tells us how a lonely Thor has shaken off his ‘dad bod’ for an ever more awesome ‘god bod’, but he’s still a ‘sad bod’ inside. Thor still holds a candle for his one true … [Read more...] about Thor: Love And Thunder review – An obscenely entertaining rainbow highway straight to blockbuster heaven

Phillip Rhodes (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Kahungunu) is a husband and father of two. He grew up in Hawke’s Bay and was fostered by Henare and Pam O'Keefe. He left Aotearoa to study singing in Cardiff, after winning the Lexus Song Quest in 2007. With support from Dame Kiri Te Kanawa’s foundation, he managed to establish himself as a professional singer in Europe with regular appearances in the UK's leading opera companies, including Opera North, Scottish Opera, Welsh National, English National and the Royal Opera House. He’s now come back home for Wellington Opera’s La Traviata, which shows from July 9-16 at the St James Theatre. What is the show you’re involved with? I will be singing the role of Giorgio Germont. Giorgio is a man of his time, a father who loves his son, and dotes on his (betrothed) daughter. He is a father who, like many, is willing to walk into hell in order to save his children. But in order to rescue his daughter's marriage he demands the termination of his son's … [Read more...] about Phillip Rhodes returns to Aotearoa for star role in Wellington Opera’s La Traviata

Here comes the girl. In Marvel’s latest outing, Thor: Love And Thunder, Chris Hemsworth’s Asgard warrior sees old flame Dr Jane Foster pick up his hammer and gain superpowers. ‘It was definitely pretty radical,’ says Natalie Portman, who returns as Foster, adopting the new moniker the Mighty Thor. ‘I think Taika [Waititi, the director] and Marvel were like, “OK, so now you’re turning 40, let’s make you a superhero!” ‘Definitely unexpected that this would happen at this point in my life but very, very cool that it did.’ Portman is in London for the premiere of this latest Thor movie. So too is Waititi, who knocked it out of the park with 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok and does the same here on an exhilarating Guns N’ Roses-scored galactic adventure. Oddly, both have only now discovered that GN’R are currently touring the UK. ‘One of my big wishes is that they come see the film,’ says Waititi, sporting a flower-print jumpsuit and medallion. Portman agrees: ‘I definitely had a school … [Read more...] about Natalie Portman on ‘breaking boundaries’ and the ‘pervasive queerness’ in Thor: Love and Thunder

Nicole Kidman and her husband, Keith Urban shared a passionate kiss outside the Balenciaga show as they arrived at Paris Fashion Week in style. The Big Little Lies actress packed on the PDA with her musician husband as she put on a stylish display for the prestigious fashion event, having walked the show alongside Kim Kardashian and Naomi Campbell. The 55-year-old wore a sleek black outfit for the occasion with a chiffon blouse and leather alligator print skirt which she paired with oversized Balenciaga sunglasses. She finished off the look with pointed black heels and let her locks frame her face in loose waves to showcase her minimal make-up. Keith, 54, also looked stylish in a black shirt, jeans and chunky boots, alongside dark sunglasses. Photographers gathered outside the event could be heard shouting at the loved-up couple in a video. The couple succumbed to the request to share a kiss, but a short peck turned into a passionate embrace as Nicole held … [Read more...] about Nicole Kidman shares passionate kiss with husband Keith Urban after walking star-studded Balenciaga show

Bradley Cooper was spotted kissing Carey Mulligan as the pair filmed for Maestro in Central Park. The actors shared the sweet moment while shooting in New York City for the biopic by Netflix which tells the story of composer Leonard Bernstein . Bradley, 47, takes on the starring role of the American conductor, while Carey, 37, plays his wife Felicia Montealegre. Also starring is Matt Bomer, 44, who plays a clarinet player who composer Bernstein was romantically involved with . Photos show Bradley and British actress Carey looking world’s away from their usual selves thanks to prosthetics and costumes, with Bradley donning a grey wig and Carey a blonde. The A Star is Born actor looked dapper in a tan suit and pink shirt, holding a cigarette between his lips before taking it out and going in for the kiss. He placed his arms lovingly on the Promising Young Woman actress’ shoulders as they chatted, keeping eye contact. In between takes, Bradley was also seen … [Read more...] about Bradley Cooper kisses Carey Mulligan on set of Maestro filming in Central Park in New York City

R Kelly has been taken off suicide watch, something he had been suing the prison about, after being sentenced to 30 years for sex trafficking. The singer, 55, was removed from suicide watch after previously claiming that the protective treatment was a form of ‘cruel and unusual punishment’ as he denied being suicidal. Prosecutors had initially said that the measure was put in place for Kelly’s ‘own safety’ after a psychological examination, but attorneys for the US government said in new filings that it was no longer required. The filings stated, via PA: ‘Following a clinical assessment, plaintiff Robert Sylvester Kelly, also known as “R. Kelly,” was removed from suicide watch as of this morning, July 5, 2022. ‘Because plaintiff has already been removed from suicide watch, there is nothing more that the court can do for him.’ The I Believe I Can Fly singer is due to return to court on August 15 to stand trial on charges related to possession of child pornography … [Read more...] about R Kelly taken off suicide watch after suing prison following 30 year sentence for sex trafficking

Rita Ora and Taika Waititi looked more loved up than ever as they shared a sweet kiss on the blue carpet at the premiere of Thor: Love and Thunder. The I Will Never Let You Down singer was among the many celebrities getting a sneaky first look at the new Marvel movie ahead of its release in cinemas on Friday , and put on an affectionate display at the glitzy event in London on Tuesday night. The 31-year-old artist walked hand in hand with her fiancé, who directed the upcoming film, as she showed up in support of him. Rita radiated elegance in a silver Saab Haute Couture dress that was embellished with sparkly jewels. She wore a pair of metallic platform heels and accessorised her look with a pair of diamond chandelier style earrings. Meanwhile, Taika looked dapper in a blue suit with a black lapel and matching black bow tie. In one photo, the couple was pictured posing with one arm wrapped around each other, while another showed Rita planting a kiss on her … [Read more...] about Smitten Rita Ora plants kiss on fiancé Taika Waititi at star-studded Thor: Love and Thunder premiere

An update has been shared on the health of Carlos Santana after the iconic musician fainted on stage, before being taken to the emergency department for medical care. On Tuesday evening, the legendary guitarist was performing at Pine Knob Music Theatre in Detroit, Michigan when he collapsed during the performance. Medical workers were photographed attending to him on stage, with it being claimed by a local news anchor that the crowd were ‘asked to pray for him’ because of a ‘serious medical issue’. In a statement published on Santana’s website, it says that the 74-year-old was ‘over-taken by heat exhaustion and dehydration’ at the time, which is why he required urgent medical attention. ‘Rock Legend Carlos Santana was over-taken by heat exhaustion and dehydration during a concert Tuesday (July 5) evening in Michigan,’ it states. ‘The guitar great was taken from his show at Pine Knob Music Theatre (formerly DTE Energy Music Theatre), an outdoor amphitheater in … [Read more...] about Carlos Santana ‘doing well’ after legendary guitarist collapses from ‘heat exhaustion’ on stage

Piers Morgan has led celebrity reactions after Rishi Sunak resigned as chancellor and Sajid Javid quit as health secretary. On Tuesday, Mr Sunak said ‘the public rightly expect government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously’, adding ‘I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am resigning.’ In an incendiary letter, Mr Javid said the British people ‘expect integrity from their government’ but voters now believed Mr Johnson’s administration was neither competent nor “acting in the national interest.’ The resignations came as Mr Johnson was forced into a humiliating apology over his handling of the Chris Pincher row after it emerged he had forgotten about being told of previous allegations of ‘inappropriate’ conduct. Mr Pincher quit as deputy chief whip last week following claims that he groped two men at a private members’ club, but Mr Johnson was told about allegations against him as far back as 2019. Reacting to the … [Read more...] about ‘The party’s over’: Piers Morgan and Gary Lineker lead celebrity reactions as Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid resign

The highly-anticipated new Marvel movie Thor: Love and Thunder is only days away from being released in cinemas. What We Did in The Shadows creator Taika Waititi returns to direct what is sure to be a hilarious, action-packed space adventure and there are some very recognisable new faces. There’s a whole host of new cast members, including Russell Crowe and Christian Bale alongside the Thor: Ragnarok ensemble, as well as the children of Waititi and Bale, and also leading stars Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman . Hemsworth revealed that all three of his children appear in the movie with his eight-year-old twins playing the younger version of his own character, Thor . Meanwhile, his daughter India, 10, plays a character called Love. In an interview with Kevin McCarthy, he revealed that several of the lead stars’ children also feature in the movie. ‘It’s really cool, they really wanted to be in it,’ Hemsworth said about his kids’ involvement in … [Read more...] about Chris Hemsworth, Taika Waititi and Natalie Portman’s children appear in Thor: Love and Thunder