Latest news with #LightsOut
New York Times
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
‘Lights Out: Nat 'King' Cole' Review: Dimming a Great Talent
When Nat King Cole performed 'The Party's Over' on his NBC variety show, he did it with a smile, as he seemed to do everything. But the song bitterly resonated on that particular broadcast, Cole's final outing as a host, having quit after just over a year's worth of struggles finding national advertisers. 'It's time to wind up / The masquerade,' he sang. 'Just make your mind up / The piper must be paid.' Written by Colman Domingo and Patricia McGregor, the formally ambitious, if muddled, 'Lights Out: Nat 'King' Cole' takes place on that fateful Dec. 17, 1957, when the pianist and singer said goodbye to his audience. (Note that Domingo, who is famous as an actor these days, does not appear in the show.) The framing device is not unlike that of 'Goodnight, and Good Luck,' which is also set in a TV studio, and both shows look at a momentous taping as a mode of resistance against America's powers-that-be. But 'Lights Out' takes a very different tack from the George Clooney and Grant Heslov play's straightforward embrace of docu-like similitude . 'Some of you thought you were going to get a nice and easy holiday show,' Sammy Davis Jr. (Daniel J. Watts) informs the audiences of both the television studio and New York Theater Workshop, where the production is running. 'No! Welcome to the fever dream.' The musical unfurls in the minutes before Cole (Dulé Hill) is supposed to go on the air. Time dilates and contracts; guests and family members pop up; conversations are interspersed with musical standards. Davis, who had actually guest-starred on Cole's show a few months earlier, is ever-present here as a flamboyantly extroverted jester who might represent the id of the more restrained (at least publicly) Cole. The pinnacle of McGregor's production is a fiery tap number, choreographed by Jared Grimes, between the two men that lands halfway between duet and battle, and is set to 'Me and My Shadow.' Juxtaposing an irrepressible scratcher of itches and a debonair charmer as two forces of Black creativity, which the white establishment tried to contain in safe, acceptable boxes, is the show's best idea. Hill gives it life with a complex, layered performance as Cole, who is revealed to be channeling his anger and frustrations into a smooth, urbane exterior — a review of his show's premiere in The New York Times described him as having 'an amiable personality that comes across engagingly on the television screen.' (Both Hill and Watts were in the 'Lights Out' premiere in 2017, with the People's Light company in Malvern, Penn.) Unfortunately, the writing and direction do not match Hill's subtlety. Cole is jostled this way and that between past and present, fantasy and reality, as if he were on a runaway carousel, but his agitated free associating is written and staged in a herky-jerky manner. Guests including Peggy Lee (Ruby Lewis) and Eartha Kitt (Krystal Joy Brown) turn up, though their musical contributions feel perfunctory. The star's mother, Perlina (Kenita Miller), drops by. Cole manifests his younger self (Mekhi Richardson at the performance I attended), and also duets with his daughter, Natalie (Brown again), on 'Unforgettable' — a hit for Natalie in 1991, when she sang with her father via a recording he had made 40 years earlier. The intersection of personal history, politics and performance has long been an essential part of Domingo's work as a writer — he explored it successfully in his autobiographical play 'A Boy and His Soul' (2009), less effectively in the book he co-wrote for 'Summer: The Donna Summer Musical' (2018). Here he and McGregor resort to telegraphing in ways that may be intended to jolt but too often land awkwardly, as when Natalie cries 'I can't breathe' after she is brutally forced to smoke a cigarette from a sponsor brand. 'They are still digging Emmett Till's grave, and you're out here planting roses,' Davis hectors Cole, who replies that his job is to entertain. 'No, it's your job to reflect the times,' Davis continues. 'But, if that's what you are trying to teach the kids, young Billy Preston is waiting in the wings, ready to do his thing.' Lo and behold, the keyboard prodigy (Richardson, again), then 11, comes in for 'Blueberry Hill.' It's an excellent number, as many are in 'Lights Out,' though one wishes the money spent on a large, underused video screen had been dedicated to a few more musicians to better approximate the bold, pumping sound of Nelson Riddle's orchestra on the TV show. Still, it is in examinations of such performers as Cole that you find one of the keys to change and progress: a demonstration of unparalleled talent that could not be stifled.
The Star
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
'Until Dawn' review: Bloody fun romp in the woods
After his sequel got canceled, Pennywise was forced to accept whatever horror role he could get. — Handout Director: David F. Sandberg Cast: Ella Rubin, Michael Cimino, Odessa A'zion, Ji-young Yoo, Belmont Cameli, and Peter Stormare Director David F. Sandberg is back in his comfort zone – a remote cabin in the woods filled with terrifying monsters. After helming two Shazam! movies, the Lights Out and Annabelle: Creation filmmaker announced he was leaving superheroes behind and going back to the horror genre, and with his latest film, Until Dawn, it's obvious he's happy to be home. Like any good horror buff, Sandberg knows that the best horror films need only a few well-honed elements to work: a group of young people, the aforementioned scary cabin, and in this case, clowns. The script is based on a PlayStation game written by horror filmmakers Larry Fessenden and Graham Reznick, who took inspiration from movies like Evil Dead and Poltergeist, and the film adaptation indeed boasts that Evil Dead influence in its setting, characters and gore factor. But Until Dawn is also influenced by postmodern, self-referential films like The Cabin in the Woods and Happy Death Day that play with form and expectations. It melds horror tropes with the rules of video game play (repetition, multiple lives) resulting in a film that's part genre tribute, part choose your own adventure, part interactive haunted house. Anyone want to take bets on who survives until the end? A group of comely young adults arrive at a strange 'Welcome Center' while on a weekend trip to search for Melanie (Maia Mitchell), the sister of Clover (Ella Rubin), who has been missing for a year. Clover's friends Max (Michael Cimino), Megan (Ji-young Yoo) and Nina (Odessa A'zion) have come along for moral support, along with Abe (Belmont Cameli), Nina's new boyfriend. The ominously spooky vibes are off the charts, and things go very badly, very quickly for the friends. But then, an hourglass turns, time winds back. The friends are alive, battered and remember everything that happened. What horrific thing might kill them in the next time loop? 'Survive the night or become a part of it,' a crone whispers to Clover during her second loop, and therein lies the key to their survival. If they can manage to avoid getting killed until the sunrise, they'll be fine (relatively), it's just that every loop brings new nightmares, unknown dangers and different predators, never allowing the group to get ahead of things. They have to die, and die again, searching for a way out of this temporal maze. But how many chances do they have? You might want to try pointing that flashlight behind you once in a while. Sandberg works a familiar kind of schlocky groove, delivering well-worn horror stereotypes we've already seen too many times, before upending the whole thing with wild surprises. We've seen these players and the board before, but the filmmakers try to keep us on our toes with how the whole thing plays out. However, if you're expecting any of this to make sense in a real way, don't bother. But Until Dawn doesn't have to make sense to work. The movie universe has its own specific set of ironclad rules, and that's all that matters. The loop structure gives us more time with these characters too. Though they all slot into known archetypes – steely yet vulnerable final girl, condescending jock, sarcastic and sexy pal, sweet but sympathetic simp, kooky intuitive bestie – they're all fully formed characters, sardonic and self-aware. Sandberg isn't trying to elevate Until Dawn above its B-movie horror roots, and he embraces the good, the bad and the gory with his return to the genre, referencing the beloved horror films that set the pace and established the iconography for a film like this (he even nods to his own horror films in a couple of playful tributes). This one will likely only appeal to fans of the genre who appreciate reverence and twists on this kind of material, but it's bloody – if lightweight – fun for those who enjoy this kind of good old-fashioned romp in the woods. – Tribune News Service Bloody fun for those who enjoy this kind of good old-fashioned romp in the woods.
The Guardian
03-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Guardian
Gamechanging beauty products: 17 skin, hair and wellness essentials the experts can't live without
How often do you come across a beauty product that genuinely changes the game? Not just a nice-to-have, but something that actually works, solving a problem you'd given up on. The shampoo that really defrizzes. The foundation that lasts all day without creasing. The serum that calms, rather than irritates, sensitive skin. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. Most of us have drawers full of abandoned products: lipsticks that smudge, sunscreens that pill, serums that sting too much. So when something delivers, it's a big deal – often earning a permanent spot in your routine (and a place in your emergency backup stash). We asked people who really know their stuff – makeup artists, celebrity hairdressers, beauty TikTokers and YouTubers, brand founders, magazine editors and spa buyers – to share the products they swear by: the ones they recommend again and again, the ones that worked where so many others failed. Relevant Your Skin Seen Lights Out Resting mask £32 for 86ml at Sephora£32 for 86ml at Feelunique I've inherited Anglo-Yorkshire skin that's on the ruddy side of rosy, and I'd long resigned myself to that fact. (Your typical 10-minute cleansing and moisturising routine can only fix so much when it comes to evening out skin tone.) That is, until I discovered Relevant's Lights Out mask, which you apply at night and leave on while you sleep for an overnight glow-up. It quenches your skin and leaves everything a bit more even and radiant. Murray Clark, senior style editor, British GQ Davines Love Smoothing Anti Frizz Duo £47.50 for 2 x 250ml at Luxurious Look£47.95 for 2 x 250ml at Amazon As someone with thick hair that can get frizzy, I've tried lots of hydrating, de-frizzing shampoos and conditioners. Some helped, but none worked like this shampoo and conditioner from Davines. I have used them for a few years now, and they have transformed the quality of my hair in a way I didn't think was possible. They make my hair manageable as they are super hydrating and de-frizz like magic, even in London weather, which is no small feat. They are made using quality ingredients, and you can really feel it in the texture. They are also cruelty-free, which is important to me. I will continue using them for Federica Amati, nutritional scientist and author of Every Body Should Know This Bioderma Sensibio micellar water for sensitive skin £10.40 for 250ml at Boots£13 for 250ml at Sephora The ultimate multitasker for sensitive skin. I discovered it during the peak YouTube beauty blogger era in the 2010s, when everyone was French pharmacy obsessed, and it's been a gamechanger ever since. Many micellar waters have caused breakouts for me, but this has not. Its gentle micellar technology effortlessly removes makeup, dirt and sunscreen without stripping the skin. Nor will it make your eyes burn. With soothing ingredients like cucumber extract and a pH that respects the skin barrier, it leaves my face clean, calm and refreshed. It's so gentle and is even perfect for when my skin is sensitised from retinol Ewoma Ukeleghe, cosmetic doctor and beauty contributor for Elle Skin Rocks The Antioxidant £70 for 30ml at Skin Rocks£70 for 30ml at Space NK I'm big on vitamin C, in food and skincare. It's essential for collagen production, skin repair and overall health, but for years I couldn't find a topical version that worked for me. Most were too harsh for my sensitive skin, leaving it irritated or breaking out. Then I went on Caroline Hirons' podcast, and she gave me a bottle of Skin Rocks The Antioxidant serum. From the first use, I could tell it was different. No stinging, no redness – my skin just looked bright and even. Now I use it every morning after cleansing, followed by moisturiser and SPF. It has been the gentlest and most effective vitamin C serum I've tried, and I recommend it to anyone who's struggled to find one that English, nutritionist and author of Live to Eat Eléngé shea butter £50 for 350ml at Eléngé I'm someone who seeks out skincare products that are as natural as possible and feed my skin nutrients because it doesn't react well to lots of harsh chemicals. I heard about Eléngé's shea butter when a friend said it had helped to clear up her son's eczema. It's the best shea butter I've tried, and I have tried so many before, including lotions and creams. I've used it daily for about five years, all over my body, and my skin absolutely loves it. I rave about it all the time. It's moisturising and goes a long Ferrari, model, beauty editor and yoga instructor Differin 0.1% adapalene (prescription only) £28 for 45g at Boots Online Doctor£29.95 for 45g at the Independent Pharmacy I have what I call clog-prone skin. I've always had mild to moderate breakouts of flesh-coloured bumps, often triggered by using skincare and makeup products. In 2020, I used a moisturiser that gave me clogged pores. I started looking into retinoids, which I had previously disregarded because I was 24, and they have a strong association with older skin. They're actually primarily an acne treatment. I decided to try them. I started with a strong over-the-counter retinoid, 0.1% retinaldehyde. Retinaldehyde requires fewer 'steps' to convert into retinoic acid when it's on the skin. This makes it work faster, but means it can be more irritating. After using 0.1% retinaldehyde for two years, I decided to try tretinoin 0.015%, which is a prescription-only retinoid. While I liked it, I found it irritated my skin, so I moved to adapalene (commonly known as Differin), which is still prescription-strength but is known to be less irritating. If I have a breakout now, I don't have to endure it for long because the retinoid speeds up the skin cell cycle, so anything that happens to your skin is over much faster. It's like having your foot on the gas for skin cell turnover: scarring goes away faster, spots go away faster, spots don't happen as much in the first place. As a result, you get fresher skin. Since using adapalene, my skin has just got better and O'Neill, beauty content creator Garnier Body Repair 24H Restoring lotion £2.99 for 400ml at Superdrug£2.99 for 400ml at Amazon This incredible body lotion is my most used skincare product of all time. I've lost count of how many bottles I've got through. It has been around for 25 years, and my mum and nana used it almost as evangelically as I do. I cover myself in the stuff every morning, and it nourishes, smooths and conditions my skin without any stickiness. I've tried hundreds of body products on the market, from budget to luxurious, and this is the one I always return to. It's light and absorbs quickly, so you don't get a greasy residue that stops you getting dressed, and it isn't overly scented. For about a fiver, you can't go Hirons, aesthetician, writer and founder of Skin Rocks Water Meadow Breathing Balm £25 for 100ml at Liberty£55 for 100ml at Bertioli When I visited Thyme, a hotel and spa in the Cotswolds, I discovered its Bertioli products, including the Water Meadow Breathing Balm. In all honesty, I slightly rolled my eyes: I grew up in India, where pranayama (the breath work that is a crucial part of yoga practice) is fundamental and powerful; I couldn't imagine needing an accessory of any kind to support it. That is, until I popped open the lid and took a deep breath – the fragrance of mint and thyme soothes and calms me, virtually transporting me to an English garden. It's an immediate connection to nature via scent. And it's addictive. Nothing can compare with yoga for grounding the mind, body and soul, but this little jar of breathing balm is a great hack for when you're just too tired or jet-lagged, or need a pick-me-up on a long flight or car Thani, global editorial director, Condé Nast Traveler Calm Patches £15 for 10 at Ross J Barr£15 for 10 at Victoria Health A life-affirming addition to my daily wellness toolkit. As an acupuncturist who has distilled his 20-plus years of practising traditional Chinese medicine into his formidable lineup of wellness health patches, Ross J Barr has set the, well, bar for wearable wellness, and I have lost count of the number people in need of a bit of Zen that I have recommended them to. I wear them on flights for reassurance; when watching TV to maximise chill; or even if I need to sit down to write a feature and focus – they get me in the zone. Supplement patches have only been around for about five years, and even now they are a huge trend, with brands launching all the time, these will for ever be my go-to. Jess Diner, global beauty and wellness director, Vogue Sign up to The Filter Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. after newsletter promotion Alpha H Liquid Gold exfoliating treatment £11.99 for 30ml at Look Fantastic£15 for 30ml at Space NK This was the first discovery I made as a beauty blogger that made me properly sit up and pay attention. I'd had access to all sorts of skincare as a fashion model, but this liquid exfoliant, containing 5% glycolic acid, was in a new league. It's supercharged skincare that gives me an instant glow, an overnight facial – all of the cliches, but completely justified in this case. I still use this 15 years on (you can now get it with added vitamin C, which brightens skin and protects it from pollutants), and have lost track of the times I've recommended it to friends and family. I only wish I'd discovered it at the height of my modelling career – it would have worked wonders on my tired, oft‑hungover face! Ruth Crilly, beauty content creator and former model Got2b Glued 4 Brows & Edges 2 in 1 Gel £5.50 for 16ml at Superdrug£5.15 for 16ml at Amazon No other styling gel has better hold, and it can be used on your hair and your brows, keeping both tamed all day long – a godsend for when you're travelling and need to pack light. It's great for perfecting a slicked-back bun hairstyle, which I love. And when run through my brows, it leaves me feeling put together, even with no other makeup on. I've never found another product as good at doing Sienna, founder of Bambrows eyebrow salon Palmer's Coconut Hydrate body oil £5.92 for 150ml at Boots£7.35 for 150ml at Superdrug Palmer's Cocoa Butter Softens intensive body lotion £5.19 for 400ml at Boots£6.49 for 400ml at Superdrug I struggled with stretch marks in my 20s, and tried a Q10 body cream to tackle them – it didn't work for me. During my three pregnancies, though, I found a concoction that did. I used Palmer's coconut oil and cocoa butter body lotion, mixing the products in one hand before applying to the skin on my abdomen twice daily. It took a bit of time, but it was so worth it. I carried particularly big with my third son, but to this day do not have any stretch marks on my Coleman, aesthetician LED Light Therapy Face Mask Series 1 £299.99 at CurrentBody£299.99 at Amazon Bear with me. I appreciate that at almost £300, this infrared light-emitting face mask is expensive, but it is designed to reduce signs of ageing, saving you money on expensive facial interventions like Botox, laser or microneedling. I just wear it four times a week for 10 minutes, and it leaves me looking fresh every day in a way that even my multi-step anti-ageing skincare routine never has. My skin is plumper, fine lines are reduced, and my face looks more de Belgeonne, author of Soothe: The Book Your Nervous System Has Been Longing For Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm From £29 for 50g at Elemis£39.20 for 100g at Look Fantastic It is such a luxurious, nourishing cleanser and brings out the glow in my skin. What's really innovative, though, is the range of aromatic fragrances it comes in: lavender, mint, green fig, black cherry, and rose, my all-time favourite. As you scoop the product up and bring it to your face, it feels like an at-home spa cleanse rather than a functional skincare routine step. It has changed and redefined what I expect from a Sheridan, Champneys group spa director Acnecide Face Gel £7.49 for 15g at Look Fantastic£9.99 for 15g at Boots As a dermatologist, I often recommend the over-the-counter treatment Acnecide (benzoyl peroxide 5%) to patients with acne-prone skin. It's a gamechanger because, whereas other non-prescription treatments focus on exfoliation or oil control, this one treats the root cause of acne by killing the bacteria responsible (Cutibacterium acnes). It's relatively gentle. Many of my patients have struggled with spots for years, only to see dramatic improvements within weeks of using it. I have acne and keep a tube in my bathroom drawer to use between cleansing and moisturising when I have a breakout. A small amount on the affected areas, lightly rubbed in, is all you need. Dr Anjali Mahto, consultant dermatologist and founder of Self London NAD+ Optima Max dietary supplement £179.99 for 90 tablets at NAD Direct NAD+ has been transformative, dramatically improving my focus, reducing fatigue, and enhancing overall wellbeing. It's not just about looking good; it's about cellular health and optimising performance. I discovered NAD+ during a demanding period in my career, and I haven't looked back. It's the ultimate inside-out approach to Rosh, aesthetician Spacemasks £18.50 for five at W-Wellness£18.50 for five at Victoria Health My favourite wellness product is from a British brand called Spacemasks. They're self-heating scented eye masks, and I love to use them at the end of a busy day when I'm tired. They're totally different from anything else I've ever tried. Sometimes, I put them on in the bath and feel as if I'm having a relaxing spa experience. Because they're heated, there have been times I've even used them on the back of my neck as a heat compress. I find they're affordable, and each one of the four scents has different benefits. I've not found a better tool to help me let go of the stresses of my day. The warmth and heating effect is like a kiss on the Alibhai, osteopath Hand model: Roxanna E at Hired Hands. Manicurist: Sarah Cherry using Nailberry. Ring, £205, Giovanni Raspini. Perfume bottle, by Kalki Mansel, from Model: Emily I @ Nevs
Hindustan Times
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
David Sandberg reveals he got death threats from fans for Shazam Fury of the Gods, will never make another IP-based film
Fandoms in superhero universe can be brutal, as director David F Sandberg discovered a couple of years ago. The filmmaker recently revealed that he received death threats from fans after the release of his 2023 film, Shazam! Fury of the Gods. (Also read: Biggest box office bomb of 2024 lost $200 million, was beaten by $2 million indie film, director froze studio out) In an interview with GamesRadar, Sandberg candidly discussed his experience working on the Shazam! sequel and how it has now prevented him from seeking out IP-based projects. The director, known for films like Lights Out, said, 'Fans can get very, very crazy and very angry with you. You can get, like, death threats and everything. So, after Shazam 2, I was like, 'I never wanna do another IP-based movie because it's just not worth it'.' Shazam! Fury of the Gods was a sequel to the 2019 DC hit Shazam! Starring Zachary Levi, Asher Angel, Grace Caroline Currey, Jack Dylan Grazer, Rachel Zegler, Adam Brody, Ross Butler, Meagan Good, Lucy Liu, Djimon Hounsou, and Helen Mirren, the film focused on the titular superhero's fight against the Daughters of Atlas. The film was a critical and commercial failure. It received unfavourable reviews and holds an adverse 49% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. At the box office, it grossed only $134 million worldwide, way below its estimated break-even point. After the sour experience with Shazam, director Sandberg landed on the script of his upcoming movie Until Dawn, which he believes to be a "so good" script to pass. Based on a video game of the same name, the movie stars actors Ella Rubin and Michael Cimino in the lead roles. It is currently in the theatres.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
David F Sandberg receives death threats from fans following 'Shazam! Fury of the Gods' release
Director David F Sandberg has decided to move away from intellectual property (IP) based projects following the backlash he faced after 'Shazam' Fury of the Gods'. In an interview with GamesRadar, Sandberg opened up about how the intense negativity, including death threats from fans, deeply affected him. The experience left him questioning the value of working on existing franchises, leading to his decision to prioritize original or non-IP projects for the foreseeable future. Reflecting on the toll of fan expectations Sandberg, known for his work on ' Lights Out ' and 'Annabelle: Creation', revealed that the passionate, and sometimes aggressive, fan culture surrounding superhero movies took a heavy toll. 'After 'Shazam 2', I realized that working on IP-based movies just isn't worth the emotional strain,' he admitted. Despite initially loving the character and the project, the negativity he encountered after the sequel's release convinced him to rethink his career path. New beginnings with 'Until Dawn' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 3 Reasons to Plug This Into Your Home Today elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Learn More Undo Post, 'Shazam', Sandberg found a refreshing opportunity in the upcoming horror film 'Until Dawn', adapted from the popular 2015 video game. He expressed excitement about the project, particularly praising the script's creative use of a time loop concept that mirrors the game's decision-based mechanics. For Sandberg, 'Until Dawn' represented a return to storytelling he genuinely enjoys, blending horror with inventive narrative techniques, without the baggage of established fan expectations. A fresh take on a familiar game Rather than trying to directly replicate the game's experience, Sandberg appreciated that the script offered a fresh interpretation, maintaining the spirit of suspense and choice without attempting to cram a ten-hour game into a two-hour film. With 'Until Dawn' now in theaters, starring Ella Rubin and Michael Cimino, Sandberg looks forward to reconnecting with audiences on his own creative terms.
