
Oscars group picks ‘A Star is Born' producer as new president
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences elected 'A Star is Born' film producer Lynette Howell Taylor as its new president, the group behind the Oscars said Thursday. Howell Taylor, who is British and also produced 'Blue Valentine' and 'The Accountant,' becomes the fifth woman chosen to run Hollywood's most elite group of filmmakers.
Academy members vote for the winners of the Oscars each year. CEO Bill Kramer praised Howell Taylor for 'revitalizing our awards work' during her time serving as an Academy governor. Howell Taylor also produced the 2020 Oscars ceremony, in which 'Parasite' became the first non-English language film to win best picture. Hollywood's most prestigious award show, the Oscars have seen a recent uptick in interest, with nearly 20 million watching the latest ceremony in March. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Oscars ratings sank to barely 10.4 million. The Academy Awards telecast regularly topped 40 million just a decade ago.--AFP
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Kuwait Times
9 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
Oscars group picks ‘A Star is Born' producer as new president
Oscars group picks 'A Star is Born' producer as new president The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences elected 'A Star is Born' film producer Lynette Howell Taylor as its new president, the group behind the Oscars said Thursday. Howell Taylor, who is British and also produced 'Blue Valentine' and 'The Accountant,' becomes the fifth woman chosen to run Hollywood's most elite group of filmmakers. Academy members vote for the winners of the Oscars each year. CEO Bill Kramer praised Howell Taylor for 'revitalizing our awards work' during her time serving as an Academy governor. Howell Taylor also produced the 2020 Oscars ceremony, in which 'Parasite' became the first non-English language film to win best picture. Hollywood's most prestigious award show, the Oscars have seen a recent uptick in interest, with nearly 20 million watching the latest ceremony in March. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Oscars ratings sank to barely 10.4 million. The Academy Awards telecast regularly topped 40 million just a decade ago.--AFP

Kuwait Times
9 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
Justin Timberlake says he has Lyme disease
Justin Timberlake performs onstage during the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards at Dolby Theatre on April 01, 2024 in Hollywood, California. --AFP Pop star Justin Timberlake told fans Thursday he has Lyme disease, a condition he described as 'relentlessly debilitating.' The 44-year-old former NSYNC frontman, whose world tour has just wrapped up, took to Instagram in reflective mood. 'This has been the most fun, emotional, gratifying, physically demanding, and, at times, grueling experience,' he said of a tour that was criticized by some fans as lackluster. 'Among other things, I've been battling some health issues, and was diagnosed with Lyme disease -— which I don't say so you feel bad for me –– but to shed some light on what I've been up against behind the scenes. 'Living with this can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically. When I first got the diagnosis I was shocked for sure. But, at least I could understand why I would be onstage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness.' Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria often carried by ticks that live in woodlands throughout North America and Europe. Symptoms can include widespread pain, fatigue, and muscle weakness. In serious cases, patients could experience damage to the tissues, joints and immune system. —AFP The 'Can't Stop The Feeling' singer was in legal hot water last year after being arrested for drunk driving in a small town near New York. Timberlake, whose tumultuous relationship with Britney Spears was the inspiration for his 2002 smash 'Cry Me A River' later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and was ordered to do community service. - AFP

Kuwait Times
16 hours ago
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‘Peaky Blinders' creator to pen new James Bond movie: Studio
English film director Steven Knight poses during a photo session during the 2nd edition of the Cannes International Series Festival (Canneseries) on April 8, 2019 in Cannes, southern France.--AFP Steven Knight, the creator of gritty TV crime series 'Peaky Blinders,' will write the highly anticipated next James Bond movie, studio Amazon MGM announced Thursday. Knight will work alongside previously announced director Denis Villeneuve ('Dune') to bring the world's most famous fictional spy back to the big screen after a prolonged absence. Amazon MGM Studios acquired creative control of the 007 movies in February, and has moved quickly to get one of Hollywood's most valuable franchises back into production. There has been no new Bond film since 2021's 'No Time To Die.' Knight is best known as the mind behind violent British gangster series 'Peaky Blinders,' which was set in industrial England at the turn of the 20th century and became a global hit. Running for six seasons, and with a Netflix film version currently in the works, 'Peaky Blinders' turbo-charged the careers of leading man Cillian Murphy, alongside a stellar supporting cast including Tom Hardy, Anya Taylor-Joy and Kingsley Ben-Adir. In addition to 'Peaky Blinders,' Knight also co-created the wildly popular television quiz show 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' and has penned four novels. The Birmingham, England-based screenwriter, producer and director's other TV credits include 'Taboo,' 'See,' 'This Town,' and 'All the Light We Cannot See.' The Bond films, based on Ian Fleming's novels, have earned more than $7 billion collectively at the global box office since debuting in 1962. No release date or title has yet been set for the film franchise's 26th installment. And despite frenzied speculation among fans, there has been no announcement on which actor will replace Daniel Craig as the suave British super-spy. Among the actors most discussed to be the next Bond are Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Tom Holland, Harris Dickinson, Jacob Elordi, and Ben-Adir -- but Amazon MGM has so far refused to disclose the franchise's most closely guarded secret.— AFP