Latest news with #DavPilkey
Hans India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
OTT line-up shines bright with action, thrills and animated fun
The second week of August 2025 is set to thrill OTT audiences with a diverse slate of releases across genres and platforms. From DreamWorks Animation's lighthearted Dog Man on Jio Hotstar to Netflix's espionage-packed Saare Jahan Se Accha, viewers can expect everything from animated comedy to high-stakes spy drama. Sci-fi horror takes center stage with Alien: Earth on Jio Hotstar, while ZEE5's Tehran delivers tense international intrigue. ETV Win rounds out the week with Constable Kanakam, a gritty small-town cop drama headlined by Varsha Bollamma. Jio Hotstar Dog Man- August 11 DreamWorks Animation's Dog Man, an animated superhero comedy based on Dav Pilkey's beloved graphic novels, has charmed audiences worldwide. Directed and co-written by Peter Hastings, the Captain Underpants spin-off features voices from Pete Davidson, Lil Rel Howery, Isla Fisher, Lucas Hopkins Calderon, and Ricky Gervais. Produced by Karen Foster, Dog Man blends slapstick humor with heart, proving a hit for kids and nostalgic fans of Pilkey's universe alike. Alien: Earth- August 13 FX is set to unleash Alien: Earth, a highly anticipated American science fiction horror series from creator Noah Hawley, on August 12, 2025. Serving as a prequel to Ridley Scott's 1979 classic Alien, the series is set in 2120—two years before the events of the original film. Starring Sydney Chandler, Timothy Olyphant, Alex Lawther, Samuel Blenkin, Essie Davis, and Adarsh Gourav, the story follows the crew of the space vessel Maginot after it crash-lands on Earth. A young woman and a team of tactical soldiers make a shocking discovery that brings humanity face-to-face with its deadliest threat. Netflix Saare Jahan Se Accha- August 13 Netflix is set to release Saare Jahan Se Accha, a Hindi-language action thriller series created by Gaurav Shukla, in 2025. The show follows a resilient Indian spy who faces off against his formidable counterpart across the border in a tense game of wits and tradecraft, aiming to sabotage a dangerous nuclear program. Promising a gripping blend of espionage, strategy, and suspense, the series will delve into the covert world of intelligence operations, with high emotional stakes and a race against time. It marks Netflix's latest addition to its growing lineup of original Indian thrillers. Zee 5 Tehran- August 14 Tehran, an upcoming Hindi-language action thriller, is set to debut on ZEE5 on August 14, 2025. Directed by Arun Gopalan and produced by Dinesh Vijan, Shobhna Yadav, and Sandeep Leyzell, the film features John Abraham, Neeru Bajwa, and Manushi Chhillar in pivotal roles. Inspired by the 2012 attacks on Israeli diplomats, Tehran weaves a gripping tale of espionage, international intrigue, and high-stakes action. The film promises to deliver a tense, fast-paced narrative as it explores the shadowy world of covert operations against a volatile geopolitical backdrop. ETV Win Constable Kanakam- August 14 Directed by Prasanth Kumar Dimmala, Constable Kanakam marks a significant departure for actress Varsha Bollamma, who steps into her first serious role after a career in romantic and family dramas. The film's music is composed by Suresh Bobbili, with cinematography by Sriram Mukkupati. The story follows a determined small-town female cop who cracks a challenging case using her intelligence and perseverance. Rajeev Kanakala plays a pivotal role, while the film is produced by Kovelamudi Satya Saibaba and Veturi Hemanth Kumar on a modest budget.
India.com
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Latest OTT & Theatrical Releases This Week (August 11-August 17, 2025): KBC 17 To War 2, Coolie, Tehran - 7 News Shows & Films On ZEE5, Netflix, SonyLiv & More
photoDetails english 2944206 Updated:Aug 11, 2025, 07:00 AM IST Latest OTT & Theatrical Releases This Week 1 / 8 Latest OTT And Theatrical Releases In August 11 To August 17, 2025: A brand new pack of movies and web-series - from spy thrillers to fan-favourite quiz reality TV show- is hitting the OTT space along with theatres this time. Today, let's check out what is releasing or streaming this week for the cine lovers. Kaun Banega Crorepati 17 Premiere 2 / 8 Release Date: August 11 Where to watch: SonyLIV via OTTplay Premium Amitabh Bachchan is all set to host once again for quiz show, Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 17. The new season will start from August 11, 2025 and will be available for streaming on SonyLIV (OTTplay Premium) and Sony TV. It will air Monday to Friday at 9 pm. Dog Man 3 / 8 Release Date: August 11 Where to watch: JioHotstar Dog Man is a 2025 American animated superhero comedy film based on the children's graphic novel series by Dav Pilkey. It is a spin-off of Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (2017) and the second film in the Captain Underpants franchise. Saare Jahan Se Accha Release 4 / 8 Release Date: August 13 Where to watch: Netflix Saare Jahan Se Accha is an upcoming action thriller television series created by Gaurav Shukla. The series was developed by Netflix. Starring Pratik Gandhi, Sunny Hinduja, Suhail Nayyar, Kritika Kamra, Tillotama Shome, Rajat Kapoor, and Anup Soni, the series is full of suspense. Alien Earth 5 / 8 Release Date: August 13 Where to watch: JioHotstar Alien: Earth, the new science fiction series set in the Alien universe, will be available on streaming platforms in the US and India. Tehran On OTT 6 / 8 Release Date: August 14 Where to watch: ZEE5 Tehran is an upcoming action thriller film directed by Arun Gopalan. It stars John Abraham, Neeru Bajwa and Manushi Chhillar. The film based on 2012 attacks on Israeli diplomats. War 2 7 / 8 Release Date: August 14 Where to watch: In Cinemas War 2 is an upcoming action thriller film directed by Ayan Mukerji. Based on a script written by Shridhar Raghavan and Abbas Tyrewala, it is the sixth instalment in the YRF Spy Universe and sequel to War (2019). The film stars Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR and Kiara Advani in the lead roles alongside Ashutosh Rana and Anil Kapoor. Coolie Release 8 / 8 Release Date: August 14 Where to watch: In Cinemas Coolie is an upcoming action thriller film directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. The film stars megastar Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj, and Aamir Khan in the lead roles.
RTÉ News
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
10 books to get kids reading over the summer holidays (and beyond!)
The world of children's books is as wildly varied as any other genre. There are good books, bad books, middling books. There are books you'll happily read again and again, and ones that you discard after a single go. Books that you love and your kids hate, books that make you cry (raise your hand if you're a parent who's sobbed over Love You Forever) and books that make your heart soar from the first page. There are classics and modern classics that every kid should read; books that appear on shelves all over the world; forgotten gems that really ought to have found a wider audience. Disregarding the incredible-yet-obvious titles that are often intended for older readers, here are ten books - both new and old - to get (and keep!) younger kids reading over the summer holidays and beyond. 1. The Dog Man series by Dav Pilkey The graphic novel market is saturated with all sorts of weird and wonderful characters, from Jamie Smart's Bunny vs. Monkey to Aaron Blabey's Bad Guys and Dav Pilkey's Captain Underpants and Cat Kid series. Pilkey has proven himself a trailblazer of the genre, largely thanks to his joyful Dog Man books (recently turned into a film), which began life as a spin-off of Captain Underpants. They follow the crime-fighting escapades of a police officer who's half-dog, half-man, and his arch-nemesis Petey the Cat. The 14th installment, Dog Man: Big Jim Believes is released in November. 2. Squid Squad by Aoife Dooley Sadly, there isn't a huge amount of choice (yet!) of Irish titles within the kids' graphic novel world - which makes gems like Aoife Dooley's Squid Squad all the more pertinent. The Irish illustrator and author's latest tome is a striking, colourful exploration of friendship and what makes us unique, following BFFs Ollie (a squid) and Zing (a sea monkey). Aptly described as ' Spongebob Squarepants meets Bunny vs. Monkey ', kids from 5-8 will lap it up. It sounds like an obvious one, but it needs to be pointed out nevertheless. From The Gruffalo to Tiddler, Room on the Broom to Superworm and Zog to Stick Man, there is a story (usually with a big lesson at its heart) for all ages to be found within Julia Donaldson's canon. When paired, as her stories often are, with Axel Scheffler's marvellous illustrations, both the pictures and rhyming narrative are easy for kids to follow, too. Her latest book, Gozzle, was published in March. 4. The Lonely Beast by Chris Judge This book has been a huge hit in our house since the day it landed on our bookshelf - so much so that I can almost recite it word for word without looking at the pages. Just as well that it's so damned beautiful to look at. Chris Judge's vibrant illustrations leap off each page, as we follow the tale of the Lonely Beast, who embarks on a long journey to the city in order to make some friends. A gorgeous book for younger readers that's a real visual treat, too. 5. The Pigeon books by Mo Willems If you have young kids, you may already be familiar with this brilliant series by American author Mo Willems, packed with zany humour and minimalist illustrations. The Pigeon Needs a Bath! is a firm favourite that many smallies can relate to, as our stinky feathered friend is reluctantly cajoled into bathing; other jewels in the series include The Pigeon Wants a Puppy, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! and The Pigeon HAS to Go to School (which also comes in handy on those tricky Monday mornings.) 6. The Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer There are any number of fantasy novels for kids out there - it's become a booming business since J.K. Rowling's boy wizard unleashed his magic upon the world. One of the best (and perhaps most undersung), however, is Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl series. The Irish author's story about a precocious 12-year-old criminal mastermind and his nefarious dealings with fairy and elf kin as he attempts to regain his family fortune evolves and develops beautifully across eleven books. Colfer deals with his readers in an intelligent and empathetic manner - these are smart books for curious kids. Or, as they were once described, ' Die Hard with fairies'. 7. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney Even if you've never picked up one of these books, you'll have undoubtedly heard of them - they have sold over 250 million copies worldwide. The first book in Jeff Kinney's hugely successful series was published in 2007 (after first becoming an online sensation) and the most recent landed last year. Its protagonist Greg Heffley, the titular Wimpy Kid, is an anti-hero of sorts: a kid with plenty of flaws, but also some redeeming qualities. And he is certainly an entertaining (if unreliable) narrator. 8. These books by Roald Dahl It's no exaggeration to call Roald Dahl the GOAT of children's literature - this is a hill we're willing to die on. However, obviously not all of the late, great British author's books are suitable for younger readers, and some bits in certain books are even downright scary. The Witches? The Trunchbull in Matilda? The bad giants in The BFG? Let's be honest, even the Oompa Loompas are a little creepy. However, there are plenty of books to soft-launch your kid into the world of Dahl without mentally scarring them forever. George's Marvellous Medicine is a great starting point and a lot of fun; The Twits is super-silly, while Fantastic Mr. Fox is a fabulous tale of cunning and perseverance. Shorter books like Esio Trot and the picture book The Enormous Crocodile are also ideal starting points that don't require huge attention spans. 9. I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen Who says that kids' books can't entertain adults, too? You'll find it hard not to laugh at anything by the brilliant Jon Klassen, whose trilogy of picture books about hats (I Want My Hat Back, This is Not My Hat and We Found a Hat) are both beautifully illustrated and darkly humorous. The ending of I Want My Hat Back, which sees a disgruntled bear on the search for his missing hat, will make both you and your child laugh out loud. 10. Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers The Australian-born, Northern Irish-raised Oliver Jeffers has become one of the biggest names in children's publishing in the last couple of decades - and 2005's Lost and Found was arguably the book that put him on the map. An incredibly engaging story, this story will spark interest in pre-school readers, thanks to both Jeffers' gorgeous illustrations, and the heartwarming, simple story. When a penguin lands on a young boy's doorstep with no apparent owner, he decides to return it to the North Pole himself. They embark on a fantastic adventure, but messages of friendship, belonging and the importance of helping others are subtly interwoven into their exciting journey.
The Age
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Want to lift your children's reading skills? Get them to read to kittens
She said parents had reported their children were more relaxed reading to animals and that the experience had fostered a positive connection to reading even if some sessions ended up being more about playing with cats than reading to them. 'The main thing is that we want them to be positive about reading and if this is something that gets them there, then that's great,' she said. Loading Hume Libraries supply the books for the program, which is aimed at primary school-aged children. Almost all have animal themes. Among the popular titles are Dr Seuss' classic Cat in the Hat, books from Dav Pilkey's popular Dog Man series and books by Lynley Dodd – particularly those featuring a charming but cheeky black cat named Slinky Malinki. Lort Smith adoption centre manager Mandy Doolan said while some children brought their favourite book from home, others arrived shy but soon warmed up with a borrowed book. 'If they're not great readers, or they've picked a book that they're not that confident with, sometimes I say to them, 'Just sound it out or talk about what's on the page' and when they realise they can do that it makes a difference. 'It's just great because you see kids blossom, but you also see some cats who might have shut down come out of their shell. 'It's a win for the kids and a win for the cats.' She said watching a cat's personality emerge helped the adoption process because the centre could say with confidence which cats were comfortable with children. And the results aren't always predictable. 'Sometimes the cats that you think might not be good with the kids are the ones who end up sitting on kids' laps,' she said. Most of the children who come to the 30-minute sessions don't have pets at home, she said, either because a family member has an allergy or because the household doesn't want the ongoing responsibility of looking after a pet. Doolan said the Tales for Tails program, run for just five children at a time, allowed them to 'get their fix'. Kumar said her family currently just has pet fish. But she admits that that could soon change.
Sydney Morning Herald
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Want to lift your children's reading skills? Get them to read to kittens
She said parents had reported their children were more relaxed reading to animals and that the experience had fostered a positive connection to reading even if some sessions ended up being more about playing with cats than reading to them. 'The main thing is that we want them to be positive about reading and if this is something that gets them there, then that's great,' she said. Loading Hume Libraries supply the books for the program, which is aimed at primary school-aged children. Almost all have animal themes. Among the popular titles are Dr Seuss' classic Cat in the Hat, books from Dav Pilkey's popular Dog Man series and books by Lynley Dodd – particularly those featuring a charming but cheeky black cat named Slinky Malinki. Lort Smith adoption centre manager Mandy Doolan said while some children brought their favourite book from home, others arrived shy but soon warmed up with a borrowed book. 'If they're not great readers, or they've picked a book that they're not that confident with, sometimes I say to them, 'Just sound it out or talk about what's on the page' and when they realise they can do that it makes a difference. 'It's just great because you see kids blossom, but you also see some cats who might have shut down come out of their shell. 'It's a win for the kids and a win for the cats.' She said watching a cat's personality emerge helped the adoption process because the centre could say with confidence which cats were comfortable with children. And the results aren't always predictable. 'Sometimes the cats that you think might not be good with the kids are the ones who end up sitting on kids' laps,' she said. Most of the children who come to the 30-minute sessions don't have pets at home, she said, either because a family member has an allergy or because the household doesn't want the ongoing responsibility of looking after a pet. Doolan said the Tales for Tails program, run for just five children at a time, allowed them to 'get their fix'. Kumar said her family currently just has pet fish. But she admits that that could soon change.
