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The Spinoff
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Spinoff
The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending August 8
The top 10 sales lists recorded every week at Unity Books' stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 Invisible Intelligence: Why Your Child Might Not Be Failing by Welby Ings (Otago University Press, $45) Ings argues for an education system that doesn't pin children into a narrow academic view of intelligence and success. Bravo! 2 Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison (Penguin, $24) One suspects #BookTok has something to do with pinging this 1947 classic near the top of the Unity charts. 3 Aroha: Māori Wisdom for a Contented Life Lived in Harmony With Our Planet by Hinemoa Elder (Penguin, $30) Timeless yet urgent. 4 The Safe Keep by Yael van der Wouden (Penguin, $26) Perfect historical fiction. 5 The Book of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey (Te Herenga Waka University Press, $38) A spooky old house, identical triplets, medicines, Margate … don't miss this latest ripping yarn from one of the country's best storytellers. 6 James by Percival Everett (Picador, $27) Another ripping yarn that's rippling all the way to Hollywood. 7 The Unlikely Doctor by Dr Timoti Te Moke (Allen & Unwin, $38) A powerful new memoir. Here's the blurb: 'The extraordinary story of Dr Timoti Te Moke who – having endured a horrific childhood of beatings and abuse, then gang life, stints in prison and an unsupported manslaughter charge – became a doctor at the age of 56 and is a staunch advocate for Māori.' 8 Eurotrash by Christian Kracht (Serpents Tail, $30) The road trip novel about intergenerational trauma. 9 Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton (Canongate, $28) Stunning memoir of animal-human connection and transformation. 10 Rabbit Heart: A Mother's Murder, a Daughter's Story by Kristine S. Ervin (Counterpoint, $44) A couple of curious patters in this here list: two invisibles, one hare and one rabbit. WELLINGTON 1 In the Hollow of the Wave by Nina Mingya Powles (Auckland University Press, $25) The beautiful second collection of poetry by award-winning Powles is a glorious weaving of words about living between shorelines, the qualities of material and domestic life, and making art with them. Also wonderful to see poetry at the top of the charts ahead of National Poetry Day on August 22. 2 Holding the Heavy Stuff: Making Space for Critical Thoughts & Painful Emotions by Ben Sedley (Little Brown, $35) An illustrated guide to coping with worry, low mood and feeling stuck. 3 Welcome of Strangers: A History of Southern Māori by Atholl Anderson (Bridget Williams Books, $70) This is an updated edition of Anderson's 1998 book. Here's the publisher's blurb: 'Professor Anderson traces the origins of early Waitaha and Kāti Māmoe, and the later migrations, conflicts and settlements of the hapū who became Ngāi Tahu. Drawing on tribal knowledge, early written records and archaeological insights, he details the movements, encounters and exchanges that shaped these southern regions. He shows how people lived seasonally from the land and sea, supported by long-distance trade and a deep knowledge of place. These were the communities that the first Europeans in Niu Tīreni encountered, as whalers, sealers and missionaries made their way around the coast.' 4 The Unlikely Doctor by Dr Timoti Te Moke (Allen & Unwin, $38) 5 A Beautiful Family by Jennifer Trevelyan (Allen & Unwin, $37) 'A Beautiful Family is set on the Kāpiti Coast in the 1980s. We know this because Trevelyan is meticulous with her references to the time period: the child's prized possession is a Walkman through which she plays Split Enz; The Exorcist has aired on TV; there are Seventeen magazines with sealed sections; the child and her sister Vanessa get terrifically sunburned and only after getting blisters does their mother buy some SPF15. There is also casual racism at play in varying degrees of intensity. A Chinese family is talked about in grotesque terms; a Māori character is described as having 'skin the colour of burnt caramel'. It makes you grind your molars until you remember that this is the 80s and such clangers were horrifyingly commonplace.' Read more, right here. 6 A Different Kind of Power by Jacinda Ardern (Penguin, $60) Bumped from the charts in Auckland, still going strong in Wellington. 7 Underworld by Jared Savage (Harper Collins, $40) Savage's latest exploration of New Zealand's criminal underbelly. 8 Orbital by Samantha Harvey (Vintage, $26) Welcome back old friend! We can now start betting on the next Booker Prize winner as the 2025 longlist has been announced. 9 M ātauranga Māori by Hirini Moko Mead (Huia Publishers, $45) 'In Mātauranga Māori, Hirini Moko Mead explores the Māori knowledge system and explains what mātauranga Māori is. He looks at how the knowledge system operates, the branches of knowledge, and the way knowledge is recorded and given expression in te reo Māori and through daily activities and formal ceremonies. Mātuaranga Māori is a companion publication to Hirini Moko Mead's best-selling book Tikanga Māori.' 10 The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (Faber & Faber, $28) Another classic! Who can forget Plath's description of eating a shrimp cocktail? A brilliant, unsettling first and only novel. The Spinoff Books section is proudly brought to you by Unity Books and Creative New Zealand. Visit Unity Books online today.
USA Today
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Epic Universe's Monsters Unchained ride dares guests to face Frankenstein's legacy
Epic Universe's Monsters Unchained ride dares guests to face Frankenstein's legacy Show Caption Hide Caption See Universal's Dark Universe 'creepy' sneak peek at Epic Universe The Dark Universe at Universal Orlando's Epic Universe brings classic horror staples to life, such as the Bride of Frankenstein and the Invisible Man. ORLANDO, Fla. — Not everything is shiny and new in Universal Orlando Resort's new Epic Universe theme park. Some things are dark and twisty and rooted in Universal's legacy of classic horror films. Monsters like mummies and werewolves live on in Dark Universe, one of five worlds at Universal Epic Universe. Unlike Universal's Halloween Horror Nights, this world is more foreboding than scary, but as guests quickly learn from its can't-miss attraction Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, monsters still shouldn't be crossed. There are a few startling moments, but more than anything, this thrill ride is stunning. The queue alone, set in Frankenstein manor, is worth seeing with richly detailed rooms and next-level animatronics. The technology has been a talker since Monsters Unchained was first announced. Between the animatronics, massive practical sets and ultra high-definition graphics, it's hard to tell what's physically there versus on screen. However, the heart of the attraction is a thought-provoking original story: Dr. Victoria Frankenstein, a descendant of the same doctor who brought the first Frankenstein to life, is trying to clear her family's name. She's not only created a new version of the monster, named Henry, but trying to bring all monsters under her control, and Dracula is not going down easily. As their battle wages, guests grapple with a question posed in the ride's queue: Who's the true monster? Monsters Unchained has a 48-inch height requirement. Guests who are tall enough but unsure if they will fit the ride vehicles can test seats in two different locations: outside and a semi-private room mid-queue. The ride is also accessible to guests who use wheelchairs. Meet the monsters Guests who either can't or don't want to ride Monsters Unchained can still make memories by meeting monsters in person, like the Bride of Frankenstein and Dr. Victoria Frankenstein's new creature Henry. Those two have scheduled meet and greets, but other characters like The Invisible Man and Ygor roam throughout Dark Universe. Take the time to talk to them. The Invisible Man is a bit snarky and Ygor may hurry off to continue collecting body parts for Dr. Victoria Frankenstein, but it's all in good fun. The reporter on this story received access from Universal. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.
Business Insider
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
I spent a day at Universal's new Orlando theme park. These 6 things impressed me most — and 2 left me disappointed.
I visited Universal's newest theme park, Epic Universe, which opened on Thursday. The unique meet and greets and creative food and drink options really blew me away. However, I wish the park had more shade and didn't rely as much on mobile ordering for restaurants. Epic Universe, the newest major theme park in Central Florida in years, opened on Thursday. The Universal park consists of five themed worlds: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk, Dark Universe, and Celestial Park. After a full day in the park, I was blown away by how immersive it felt. I rode every attraction, tasted some of the many food and drink offerings, and met iconic characters. For those wondering if a visit is worth it, I've put together a list of things that impressed me most at Epic Universe — plus two of my biggest disappointments so far. I love how open and immersive the main corridor of Epic Universe is. After walking under the Chronos, the park's main entry structure, you're inside Celestial Park. This themed world is packed with star imagery, plus tons of greenery and flowers. I loved how wide the sidewalks are and how open this area feels. The floral landscaping and water features really do make it feel like a park or garden. All of this gave me a great first impression of Epic Universe as a whole. The park's meet and greets have some incredible characters. I love meeting characters from my favorite movies and franchises, and all around the park, there are opportunities to meet icons like Princess Peach and the Invisible Man. The one character you must see is Toothless, a dragon from the How to Train Your Dragon franchise. The interactive animatronic is impressively cute and lifelike. I liked how interactive the new Harry Potter-themed world is. There are several Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter throughout the world in places like California and Japan. Even so, the newest Orlando addition focused on the Ministry of Magic is exceptional. There are so many small details and interactive areas inside the world that you could really spend all day enjoying it. Even the queue for the ride Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry was breathtaking. Between the giant wizard banners, intricate statues, and lighting design, I felt like I was inside the movies. I also appreciated that this land had many spots where guests can use special wands to interact with "magical" objects and buildings. Dark Universe ended up being a hit for me, mostly because it's packed with entertainment. I typically don't like spooky, scary, or intense things, so I was surprised I really enjoyed Dark Universe. It's themed after famous monsters and creatures, from Dracula to Wolf Man. It has two rides, and I found myself especially impressed by how much walk-around entertainment was packed into this land. As I walked through, I passed tons of storytellers and characters ready to interact with guests and take photos. I especially loved meeting Gregor, a funny monster hunter who hangs around at the land's Burning Blade Tavern. I appreciated how easy it was to get to the park from my room at Universal Helios Grand Hotel. I stayed at the newest Universal Orlando hotel, Universal Helios Grand Hotel, during my visit. It opened earlier this year and has its own entrance into Epic Universe. Staying here meant it was incredibly easy for me to walk to the park. I was able to get from my room to Epic Universe in under five minutes. For me, it's always a win when theme parks have hotels just steps away. The inventive and fun food and drink options impressed me. I've been to many theme parks over the years, but I still found myself impressed by the creative and delicious culinary options at Epic Universe. My favorite sweet treat ended up being the DK Crush Float from Super Nintendo World. It's pineapple-and-banana-swirl soft serve in a waffle bowl topped with caramel popcorn and chocolate pieces that's loaded into a cup filled with pineapple soda. However, I wish the park had more shaded areas. As I walked around Epic Universe, I noticed it didn't have many shaded spots. This felt especially unbearable when the day was at its hottest in the afternoon. Light-colored paths throughout the park seemed to reflect the Orlando sun. Although there are some air-conditioned restaurants and attractions in Epic Universe, I could see this sun exposure being especially tough for young guests or those who struggle with the heat to navigate. I also didn't enjoy the fact that nearly every restaurant relies on mobile ordering. Most quick-service restaurants at Epic Universe rely on mobile ordering instead of having guests wait in line. Although this seems like it could be time-saving and efficient, I struggled to use this system during my visit. My phone wasn't able to get a strong enough signal for my order to go through or for me to input my table number in many spots throughout the park.
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Mr India' was originally conceived for Amitabh Bachchan and not Anil Kapoor, says Javed Akhtar: ‘If this voice is so popular, so effective'
Anil Kapoor 's 'Mr India' was one of the most popular movies of the actor. Over the years, it has remained iconic as it was way ahead of its time. Every song, the concept and Kapoor's performance continues to be spoken about, till date. But did you know that the film was originally conceived for Amitabh Bachchan after getting inspired by his baritone voice by writer duo Salim Javed ( Salim Khan , Javed Akhtar ). Operation Sindoor 'Pakistan army moving its troops in forward areas': Key takeaways from govt briefing 'Pak used drones, long-range weapons, jets to attack India's military sites' 'Attempted malicious misinformation campaign': Govt calls out Pakistan's propaganda In a recent interview, Javed Akhtar revealed how exactly the concept was developed but things didn't work out as Salim and Javed split. Later, Akhtar developed the script of 'Mr India', all by himself. He said, 'He had to do the mahurat, and because of some reason, they recorded the voice of Amitabh and played it during the muhurat shot. So, that gave me an idea — if this voice is so popular, so effective, why can't we make the Invisible Man with him? We wouldn't have to take his dates also. Most of the time, we could shoot and he would later dub his voice… That is how the idea started.' He further revealed that the children's angle was added as kids would be fascinated with the idea of an invisible man. When Javed developed the final draft, entire screenplay, dialogue alone after his split with Salim Khan, he did not find anyone who was ready to believe in the script and produce the film. Akhtar said, 'I developed it completely on my own, wrote the screenplay, dialogue. People were like, 'Arey invisible man… arey ye effect… yeh iss tarah ki films thodi chalti hai… it's a gimmick… woh thodi hit hoti hai… pehli bani Mr X, Ashok Kumar was the hero… then Mr X in Bombay… itna badi hit nahi hoti aisi films.'' (People said, 'Oh, invisible man… these kinds of effects… these kinds of films don't usually work, it's a gimmick… they get a little popular, that's it… there was Mr. X with Ashok Kumar, then Mr. X in Bombay, films like these never become major hits).' Boney Kapoor eventually decided to produce it as he liked the concept and wanted to make a film for his younger brother and a big actress like Sridevi . Regarding Bachchan's presence in the film, a while ago, in a book by Diptakirti Chaudhuri, titled 'Written by Salim-Javed: The Story of Hindi Cinema's Greatest Screenwriters', she had revealed that during a chat with journalist Anita Padhye, Salim Khan had said, that Amitabh Bachchan believed that this concept of invisible man wouldn't work as fans come to see him in theatres. However, the writers believed that Bachchan's voice would be the star of the film.
Indian Express
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Mr India was originally conceived for Amitabh Bachchan before Salim-Javed's split, Javed Akhtar reveals: ‘I developed it completely on my own'
It's hard to imagine Mr. India without Anil Kapoor, but veteran screenwriter Javed Akhtar recently revealed that he wasn't the first choice for the role. In a recent interview with Mid-Day India, Javed revealed that the original inspiration behind the film came from none other than Amitabh Bachchan, who is known for his baritone. Recalling how the idea was sparked, he said that during a film's muhurat (launch), that was to be done by Amitabh Bachchan, the actor was not available in person. So, it was decided that his voice would be played at the muhurat. 'He had to do the mahurat, and because of some reason, they recorded the voice of Amitabh and played it during the muhurat shot. So, that gave me an idea — if this voice is so popular, so effective, why can't we make the Invisible Man with him? We wouldn't have to take his dates also. Most of the time, we could shoot and he would later dub his voice… That is how the idea started,' he shared. He also recalled how he wanted to weave in a children's emotional angle, believing kids would be fascinated by the idea of an invisible man. However, the idea came to a halt after his professional split with longtime writing partner Salim Khan. Returning to the development of Mr India, Javed recalled writing the story, screenplay, and dialogue on his own — but initially, there were no takers. 'I developed it completely on my own, wrote the screenplay, dialogue. People were like, 'Arey invisible man… arey ye effect… yeh iss tarah ki films thodi chalti hai… it's a gimmick… woh thodi hit hoti hai… pehli bani Mr X, Ashok Kumar was the hero… then Mr X in Bombay… itna badi hit nahi hoti aisi films.'' (People said, 'Oh, invisible man… these kinds of effects… these kinds of films don't usually work, it's a gimmick… they get a little popular, that's it… there was Mr. X with Ashok Kumar, then Mr. X in Bombay, films like these never become major hits). However, things changed when producer Boney Kapoor came onboard. According to Javed, Boney liked the concept and wanted to use it to launch his younger brother Anil Kapoor alongside a big-name actress — which finally got the film off the ground. Also Read | Javed Akhtar recalls drinking '18 bottles of beer' in one sitting after getting allergic to whiskey: 'Koi hai toh achi baat hai, nahi toh main akele pee leta tha' Javed said that many believed that the reason behind his split with Salim Khan was his closeness with Amitabh Bachchan, but that wasn't the case, which is why he stayed away from working with Big B for the next decade. 'Many people thought, because I was very friendly with Amitabh Bachchan, because I was closer to him, so I parted because of that. So for the next ten years, I didn't do any film with Amitabh Bachchan. I had some offers, but I didn't take them because I didn't want this tag on me that I broke this partnership because of some support,' he said. In the book titled 'Written by Salim-Javed: The Story of Hindi Cinema's Greatest Screenwriters' by Diptakirti Chaudhuri, this incident is revisited in detail. As per the author, Salim Khan gave a lengthy interview to journalist Anita Padhye for her Marathi book 'Yahi Rang, Yahi Roop' where he spoke about the same. He shared that the director duo presented this idea to Amitabh but the Sholay actor wasn't keen on it. Apparently, Bachchan believed that the invisible-man concept wouldn't work as his fans came to the theatres to see him. The writers believed that Bachchan's voice would be the star of the show, and as per him, this triggered the end of their writing partnership.
