List of All Articles with Tag 'showbiz'

A Taylor Swift fan has recorded the moment her flight burst into song when it was delayed on the way back from the artist's concert in Colorado. Hannah Hazlett was one of those heading back to Salt Lake City, when those around her fired up into a rendition of 'Love Story' during the tarmac delay, as fellow fans waved their arms, and filmed on their phones. Crew members even got into the spirit of things, and played the song over the plane's intercom system so everyone could join in. Sign up to our new free Indy100 weekly newsletter

The same-day release of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer has sparked a frenzy on social media in recent weeks. But as cotton candy plastic pop meets death, destroyer of worlds on Friday 21 July, it’s worth pointing out that, incredibly, this has happened before. Fifteen years ago on 18 July 2008, dark versus light had another box office showdown, when Nolan’s The Dark Knight was released on the same day as Abba-inspired musical sensation Mamma Mia! Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Of course, social media was a very different beast back then. We can only dream of what the meme machine would have churned out with Christian Bale’s foreboding Batman and Amanda Seyfreid’s bride-to-be Sophie. Or what about Heath Ledger’s terrifying Joker and Pierce Brosnan’s smooth-as-you-like Sam Carmichael? The Dark Knight won the opening weekend by some distance, bringing in $158.4m in ticket sales compared to $27.7m for Mamma Mia! However, the Abba extravaganza clawed back some ground in the end, earning $611m in total, though still far less than The Dark Knight’s $1bn. Of course, theatre fans will point to the resounding success of Mamma Mia! the musical, which is the second-most successful production of all time with $4bn in total revenue, only lagging behind The Phantom Of The Opera. And beyond the numbers, news outlet Vulture even positioned the event as a good versus evil, light versus dark battle “for the soul of America” ahead of opening weekend. Sounds familiar, right? “It’s tempting to look at this weekend, in fact, as a mandate on how Americans feel about the state and future of our great nation,” the publication wrote at the time. “Is America optimistic? Do we essentially view ourselves as attractive, tan actresses frolicking on the beach to ABBA songs? Or is the soul of America chaotic and violent, like the deranged anti-hero whose electrifying presence animates The Dark Knight?” Twitter users tried to give the 15-year-old film pairing the Barbenheimer treatment. One person wrote: “Just realised the dark knight/mamma mia release day could have been called “Abbatman”. Why wasn’t I on Twitter in 2008?” It’s too early to say which of Barbie or Oppenheimer will come out on top on their opening weekend – though analysts have predicted a win for the former. But with the films hitting cinemas on 21 July, we don’t have long until we find out. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Barbie is everywhere. From Barbiecore becoming fashion's latest buzzword to billboards, to food and drink to merch collaborations – and still, the people demand more. Well now, Greta Gerwig's hotly anticipated film has secured a strong Rotten Tomatoes rating, proving it has style and substance. Barbie, set to hit cinemas on 21 July, has received an impressive 89 per cent score on the popular American film and TV review website, with film critics pleasantly surprised by the Warner Bros' production. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter "Life in plastic is fantastic indeed: Barbie is a sharp, hilarious and joy-contagious satire of gender roles," Mireia Mullor from Digital Spy wrote, while Andrew Gaudion from THN described the film as "a feminist fairy tale with lots on its mind about the modern world and the gender roles within. That, and it’s also exceptionally silly and funny." Barbie | Main Trailer www.youtube.com Alice Saville from Time Out added: "This is a wonderfully fun watch that somehow manages to simultaneously celebrate and satirise the Barbie brand, its feminism and girliness pairing like gorpcore sandals with a floaty pink skirt." One glowing review from Brian Truitt at USA Today read: "Barbie is really an insightful exploration of humanity, the meaning of life and the cognitive dissonance of a woman living in the patriarchy, all with a really big heart and style to spare." Meanwhile, New York Post critic Johnny Oleksinkski didn't hold back when offering his take, calling the film "exhausting, spastic, self-absorbed and overwrought disappointment." Greta Gerwig's Barbie, featuring Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Kate McKinnon, Will Ferrell, Micheal Cera and Issa Rae, is set to hit cinemas on 21 July. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

The internet going crazy for two films about kids’ dolls and weapons of mass destruction couldn’t have been on many people’s bingo cards. But with Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer set to come out on the same day, 21 July, you’d be challenged to name a more iconic duo. The hype around the movies could hardly have been more different. Barbie is, well, Barbie; it’s pink, pretty and plastic. Oppenheimer is the atom bomb: fire and brimstone, the destroyer of worlds. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Social media doesn’t see it that way, though. As cinemas gear up to show the movies back-to-back – and film-goers argue over which one to watch first – the meme factory has been working on overdrive. Here are some of the best Twitter has to offer: It recently emerged that the Barbie dream house had mysteriously appeared in Malibu. It comes complete with a pool, huge balconies and that signature pink finish. Oh, and you can stay there on Airbnb soon. Unfortunately, Oppenheimer fans had an idea for how they could counter the excellent work done by Barbie’s marketing team with a slightly more destructive piece of marketing of their own. They wouldn’t... Would they? People are already planning their entire days around the dual event. Are you Oppenheimer first, then Barbie? (Otherwise known as Oppenbarbie.) Or are you doing it the other, incorrect way? Because if you’re seeing Barbie in the morning followed by a chaser of atomic doom in the evening (Barbenheimer, apparently), you’re doing it all wrong, apparently. Which camp (or state) do you fall into? These two iconic houses in Santa Monica almost nail the difference in tone between the two films without even knowing it: Yes, of course, there is merch. And even the stars of the films themselves have joined in the fun: Instagram has even made a trailer. The good news is, whichever you go for – Barbenheimer or Oppenbarbie – there's one thing everyone can agree on... Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

It’s become one of life’s great predicaments: should you go Barbenheimer or Oppenbarbie? We’re referring, of course, to the burning debate over whether to watch Barbie or Oppenheimer first. The summer’s two biggest blockbusters will be released on the same day (21 July) and cinema buffs are gearing up for watching them back-to-back. But is it better to first treat yourself to the candy-coloured endorphin boost that Greta Gerwig’s comedy promises to be? Or save that as a kind of after-dinner treat for when you’ve finished Christopher Nolan’s three-hour masterpiece? Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Here, indy100 has devised a quiz to help you figure out where your loyalties truly lie… 1. You’re going on a date and don’t know what to wear, you… a) Just kidding! You always know what to wear, and you always look fabulous b) Wear the same outfit you threw off last night after work – you have more important things to be worrying about c) Cancel the date and stay home in your PJs 2. When you think about death… a) You realise you’re alone among your friends b) It’s because the lives of millions of people are in your hands c) You swiftly distract yourself by looking at cooking tutorials on TikTok 3. When you go out you always remember to bring your… a) Rollerblades b) Fedora c) Oh crap, you’ve forgotten already 4. Your ideal romantic partner would be… a) No one! You’re happy just having lots of friends b) You can’t quite seem to figure that one out c) Err... Jamie Dornan? Idris Elba? Someone like that... 5. Your views on politics are… a) Hang on, you’ll need to ask the president about that one (she’s a good friend!) b) Definitely left-leaning, which does get you into trouble at times c) Really not something you feel like getting into right now 6. Your ultimate goal is… a) World peace b) World peace c) To wake up tomorrow not feeling like you’ve been hit by a bus The answers Mostly As: Your pores are positively dripping with plastic, your feet are no doubt permanently arched, too – you definitely need to see Oppenheimer first. Take a break from all the fluff and glitter and spend three hours considering the very nature of war. Then, once you’ve had your fill of theoretical physics and Cillian Murphy’s piercing blue eyes, you can head straight back to your happy place and breath a sigh of relief. Mostly Bs: The world is weighing heavy on your shoulders, it feels like you have the very future of humanity in your hands – go see Barbie. Watch Ryan Gosling’s glistening abs and Margot Robbie’s ear-to-ear smile and try to feel glum, we dare you. Then, while you’re still high on hot pink and power ballads, go see Oppenheimer for a blast back to reality. Mostly Cs: Hun, are you OK? You’re clearly having a tough week and it sounds like you could do with a night in. Put on your pjs, snuggle up on the sofa, and save the cinema for another day. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

The internet going crazy for two films about kids’ dolls and weapons of mass destruction couldn’t have been on many people’s bingo cards. But with Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer set to come out on the same day, 21 July, you’d be challenged to name a more iconic duo. The hype around the movies could hardly have been more different. Barbie is, well, Barbie; it’s pink, pretty and plastic. Oppenheimer is the atom bomb: fire and brimstone, the destroyer of worlds. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Social media doesn’t see it that way, though. As cinemas gear up to show the movies back-to-back – and film-goers argue over which one to watch first – the meme factory has been working on overdrive. Here are some of the best Twitter has to offer: It recently emerged that the Barbie dream house had mysteriously appeared in Malibu. It comes complete with a pool, huge balconies and that signature pink finish. Oh, and you can stay there on Airbnb soon. Unfortunately, Oppenheimer fans had an idea for how they could counter the excellent work done by Barbie’s marketing team with a slightly more destructive piece of marketing of their own. They wouldn’t... Would they? People are already planning their entire days around the dual event. Are you Oppenheimer first, then Barbie? (Otherwise known as Oppenbarbie.) Or are you doing it the other, incorrect way? Because if you’re seeing Barbie in the morning followed by a chaser of atomic doom in the evening (Barbenheimer, apparently), you’re doing it all wrong, apparently. Which camp (or state) do you fall into? These two iconic houses in Santa Monica almost nail the difference in tone between the two films without even knowing it: Yes, of course, there is merch. And even the stars of the films themselves have joined in the fun: The good news is, whichever you go for – Barbenheimer or Oppenbarbie – there's one thing everyone can agree on... Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Barbie fever has officially hit the UK with its London premiere on Wednesday (12 July) to celebrate the upcoming arrival of Greta Gerwig's movie. Margot Robbie took to the pink carpet in a custom Vivienne Westwood gown, inspired by the Enchanted Evening Barbie from 1960. The pale pink gown had a corseted strapless top, floral detailing at the hip, a train and white opera gloves. She walked onto the red carpet with a ruffle around her neck – like the doll – which she later removed. Ryan Gosling, who plays Ken in the film, sported a 70s-inspired spearmint suit with a lighter-coloured shirt underneath. The event saw a host of stars, including Dua Lipa, Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa, Sam Smith, Leomie Anderson, Molly Mae, Andrew Wyatt, Rob Brydon and many more. With the film release just around the corner and the marketing team still putting in overtime to paint the world pink, some people's attention has wandered elsewhere with the very random, yet thought-provoking, question of how old the fictional doll is supposed to be. Now, on paper, the Barbie doll (formerly known as Barbara Millicent Roberts) has existed for over 60 years. The doll was first released in 1959, which would make her 64. Ken arrived two years later. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter However, in the past, Mattel has said Barbie is frozen at 19 years old. Given her impressive CV as a dentist, vet, chef, dancer, designer, and photojournalist, among many more, we'd argue she's not doing too bad. Not to mention her DreamHouse and car ownership, "My whole philosophy of Barbie was that through the doll, the little girl could be anything she wanted to be," Barbie creator Ruth Handler wrote in her 1994 autobiography. "Barbie always represented the fact that a woman has choices." Barbie is produced by Robbie’s company LuckyChap and will be released in cinemas on July 21. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Zayn Malik fans are struggling to believe how strong his British accent is after six years of no interviews, and moving out to Pennsylvania out of the spotlight. Malik originally hails from Bradford, England, so has a more northern regional accent than what fans across the pond are used to hearing. The star even revealed in his new Call Her Daddy interview that his dog is called 'Fumper' rather than 'Thumper' to reflect his hometown accent. Click here to sign up for our newsletters

Margot Robbie has recalled the one question that it took to convince John Cena to join the cast of Greta Gerwig's Barbie. The pair reportedly ran into each other at a restaurant, where Cena had paid for Robbie's bill, so she decided to shoot her shot. "He was shooting at (Warner Bros Studios) Leavesden where we shot the film as well and I was like, ‘That’s where we’re shooting Barbie’", she recalls. "I was like, ‘Do you wanna come be a Merman in Barbie?’ He was like, ‘Uh, yeah’ and I was like, ;surely he’s not gonna agree to it just like that.'" Click here to sign up for our newsletters

Music fans were left mind-blown last week when Drake was seemingly handed a book by a 'hologram' of his younger self during a concert in Chicago - but all is not as it seems. In fact, it turns out a real person was sat next to the rapper, which would make sense when it comes to physical interaction (and not by the power of magic). Instead, an AI hologram was reportedly placed over the actor's face, to make it look like he was Drake. Click here to sign up for our newsletters

Margot Robbie has been dropping hints about what Barbie fans can expect from the new Greta Gerwig film - including a few Easter eggs. The star appeared on the red carpet last night (9 July) for the film's premiere, where she reminisced over one of her favourite moments. "There's a moment where Ruth Handler, who created Barbie, and the Barbie I play meet and when she hands her a cup of tea our hands touch like the Michelangelo", she says, referencing the famous 'The Creation of Adam' artwork. Click here to sign up for our newsletters

Footage from behind-the-scenes of Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One is blowing people's minds - because every dangerous stunt you're going to see on screen was actually real. In the side-by-side of Tom Cruise filming vs the final edit, he can be seen hanging off a train which as it turns out, wasn't a green screen at all, and was filmed by the actor himself in Norway. Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One comes out on 10 July. Click here to sign up for our newsletters