Latest news with #Lovely
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Lovely Abella's husband Benj Manalo undergoes ACL surgery
Lovely Abella revealed that her husband Benj Manalo has undergone surgery for his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). On Instagram, the 'Hello, Love, Again' actress shared a photo of herself beside Benj, who was lying in a hospital bed, along with an update on his condition. 'Sa panahon ngayon, mapamasaya o mahirap na challenge sa buhay, nagpapasalamat kami kay Lord kasi hindi niya ibibigay kung wala kami matututunan at heto 'yung panahon na mas lalong magiging deeper pa ang faith namin sa [Kaniya]' Lovely wrote. 'Thank you sa lahat ng prayers ninyo nasa recovery area na ang asawa ko,' she added. According to the actress and comedienne, Benj had to rush his operation because he wanted to heal quickly so he could dance with their daughter on her 18th birthday. Lovely expressed how proud she is of her husband and assured him of her unwavering support as he recovers. 'Excited kami sa mga travels at fitness journey natin,' she added. Lovely also shared via Instagram Stories clips and photos of Benj after his operation. In one of the videos, he can be seen walking slowly with his bandaged left leg while a health professional watched over him. Meanwhile, on Instagram Stories, Benj shared that he's now doing well and can move his leg without any pain. 'God keeps His promises. I can testify to that. Grabe ka lang Lord. You said to me before surgery everything will be OK and now everything is OK,' he wrote in the caption. '90 [degree] range, walking without crutches, no pain, all faith. Thank you Lord,' Benj added. Lovely and Benj tied the knot in 2021, with Benj also proposing to Lovely's daughter, Crisha. Their first child, Liam, was born in 2023. —Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA Integrated News
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First Post
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- First Post
If you are in Japan, you can't name your baby ‘Pickachu'. Here's why
Japan has decided to outlaw overly flashy and unconventional baby names in the country, locally known as 'Karikari' names. For decades, parents have been naming their children after taking inspiration from anime characters, foreign languages, global brands, or the playful uses of kanji. But officials believe the trend has gone a bit too far read more While kirakira names may seem cute or creative, they've caused quite a few practical and social problems in Japan over the years. It has now chnaged its baby naming rules. File image/ Reuters 'Pokemon', 'Naiki', 'Kitty'… parents in Japan will no longer be able to give their babies names that sound like they've come straight out of an anime series or a pop music video. In a move that's got the internet talking, the Asian country has decided to ban overly flashy and unconventional baby names, known locally as 'kirakira' names. For years, these 'glittery' names have been a favourite among young parents wanting their child to stand out. But officials believe the trend has gone a bit too far, and that it might be causing more problems than it solves. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD So, what exactly are 'kira-kira' names? Why has Japan decided to step in now? What do the new rules mean for parents? And which other countries regulate baby names? Here's a closer look. What are Japan's 'kirakira' names? 'Kirakira,' translating to 'shiny' or 'glittery,' refers to a trend in Japan where parents choose unique, often unconventional names for their children. The trend first started gaining popularity in the late 1980s and has since evolved, often reflecting whatever is trending in pop culture at the time, say academics. These names typically draw inspiration from anime characters, foreign languages, global brands, or playful uses of kanji, the complex Chinese-origin characters used in written Japanese. Parents often get creative with how these characters are read, which can sometimes leave others completely puzzled. Some of the more surprising examples include names like 'Jewel', 'Lovely', 'Kitty', and 'Elsa' for girls, while boys have been named 'Prince', 'Naruto', and even 'Pikachu'. Others have taken it a step further with names like 'Pū', which sounds like Winnie-the-Pooh, 'Naiki', resembling the sports brand Nike, and 'Dorami', a nod to the character from Doraemon. 'Kirakira,' translating to 'shiny' or 'glittery,' refers to a trend in Japan where parents choose unique, names for their children. Some of the more surprising examples include names like 'Jewel', 'Lovely', 'Kitty', and 'Elsa' for girls, while boys have been named 'Prince', 'Naruto', and even 'Pikachu'. Image for Representation. AFP Then there are cases like Olympic legend Seiko Hashimoto, who named her children Girishia (Greece) and Torino (Turin), after the Olympic host cities from the years they were born. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Why have unusual names become a headache in Japan? While kira-kira names may seem cute or creative, they've caused quite a few practical and social problems over the years. Since parents often assign kanji with non-traditional or creative readings, it's left school records, medical charts, and government documents filled with names that no one knows how to pronounce, according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP). A long-term study on baby-naming trends, published in 2022, also found that the number of 'unique names' has risen dramatically over the past four decades. But it's not just paperwork that's being affected. There's rising concern that children with such unusual names could face social challenges, including ridicule or isolation from peers. Since parents often assign kanji with non-traditional or creative readings, it's left school records, medical charts, and government documents filled with names that no one knows how to pronounce. Image for Representation. Reuters One of the most notorious cases dates back to 1994, when a couple, Shigeru and Ayako Sato, named their newborn son 'Akuma', which means 'Devil' in Japanese. Shigeru defended his choice, telling reporters, 'There will only be one Japanese with this name. If you hear it once, you'll never forget it. It's the best possible name.' While officials initially accepted the name, they later reversed the decision, saying the child might be bullied and that the parents had essentially 'abused the right to name a child'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What do the new rules say? The Japanese government has amended the Family Registry Act. Under the revised naming guidelines, parents are now required to submit not only the kanji characters for their child's name but also the specific pronunciation they intend. If the reading deviates too far from traditional or commonly accepted interpretations, local authorities can ask for a written explanation. In cases where the name is considered too confusing or inappropriate, they even have the authority to reject it. Under the revised naming guidelines, parents in Japan are now required to submit not only the kanji characters for their child's name but also the specific pronunciation they intend. File image/Reuters Officials say one of the main reasons behind this change is Japan's push towards digitalising its administrative systems. Unconventional name readings have made this transition difficult, as systems often rely on standard pronunciations to function smoothly. But this move isn't just about making bureaucracy easier. Many see it as a cultural correction—an effort to preserve the integrity of the Japanese language and naming traditions. Critics of kira-kira names argue that while the intention may be to give children a unique identity, the outcome often leads to social discomfort, teasing, and long-term issues with identity and documentation. Other countries that regulate baby names Japan's move is part of a broader global trend where countries implement naming laws to protect children and maintain cultural norms: Germany: Names must clearly indicate gender and not negatively affect the child's well-being. Names like 'Lucifer' have been rejected. New Zealand: Maintains a list of banned names, including titles like 'King' and 'Prince,' to prevent names that could cause offence or confusion. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD China: In the Xinjiang region, names such as 'Saddam', 'Medina', 'Mecca', 'Imam', 'Islam', 'Quran', and 'Jihad' have been banned to curb what authorities consider 'extremism.' US: Names such as Jesus Christ, Adolf Hitler, Santa Claus, Messiah, King, and Queen have been deemed illegal, according to US Birth Certificates. With input from agencies
Pink Villa
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Big Ben OTT release: Here's when and where you can watch Anu Mohan, Vinay Forrt starrer Malayalam thriller online
Big Ben is a Malayalam mystery thriller film that was released in theaters in July last year. Almost 11 months after its premiere, the movie is now set to make its digital debut as the makers have finally secured a good OTT deal. Although it was initially expected to stream on digital platforms earlier this year, the producers have now made the official announcement. When and where to watch Big Ben Big Ben will start streaming on Sun NXT from May 30, 2025. Announcing the same on the OTT giant's X account, the makers wrote, "A ticking clock. A missing child. And a truth that may shatter everything. Find out what else unravels when a botched kidnapping brings everything to light!! Big Ben - Coming soon, on SunNXT!" Check out the official announcement post of Big Ben OTT release below: Official trailer and plot of Big Ben Big Ben tells the story of Jean Antony, a police officer from Kerala, who moves to the UK with his wife, Lovely. The latter takes up a job there and Jean accompanies her. Soon after arriving, he gets into a conflict with a colleague at Lovely's workplace. This confrontation leads to Jean's arrest. Following the incident, child welfare authorities intervene and take custody of their young daughter after claiming the couple is not fit to care for her. The rest of the film revolves around Jean and Lovely's attempt to reunite with their child. They struggle to understand and navigate the UK's legal system. With limited knowledge of British laws and mounting pressure, they begin a legal battle to regain custody. Cast and crew of Big Ben Big Ben features Vijay Babu, Aditi Ravi, Anu Mohan, and Vinay Forrt in prominent roles. The supporting cast includes Miya George, Jaffer Idukki, Chandhunadh, Shebin Benson, Baby Hannah, Biju Sopanam, Nisha Sarangh, and Bitu Thomas. The film is produced under the banner of Braintree Productions by Prajay Kamat, Eldo Thomas, and Siby Aranjany. It is written and directed by Bino Augustine. The cinematography is handled by Sajad Kaakku, while Rino Jacob takes charge of the editing. ALSO READ: Nizharkudai OTT release: When and where to watch Devayani, Vijjith starrer Tamil family drama online
New Indian Express
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Lovely Movie Review: A flying fantasy that never quite takes off
Mathew Thomas tries his best to act genuinely moved by an insect with a traumatic past. He brings loose charm in the early scenes and taps into emotional vulnerability later. But the script offers no natural progression. One moment, he is mildly amused by a talking fly; the next, he acts as if his entire life depends on it. That shift never feels organic. Supporting actors like Ganga Meera, Manoj K Jayan, Prashanth Murali, and Aswathy Manoharan show up, deliver functional performances, and vanish just as quickly. They all hover on the periphery without leaving any meaningful impression. Technically, the film has a few strengths. Aashiq Abu's cinematography, soft-focused and warm-toned, adds a lucid, dreamlike visual palette suited to the premise. The visual effects, especially the animated fly, are clean but too sterile to feel truly integrated into the world. Considering the budget, it is a decent effort. The much-touted 3D element is a non-event, offering no real enhancement to the experience. Where Lovely utterly collapses is in its writing. The script reads like a first draft nobody bothered to polish. Scenes drag without rhythm, tonal shifts jar the experience, and the dialogue is painfully on the nose. What could have been a surreal exploration of loneliness, friendship, or even redemption reduces to juvenile banter and clunky exposition. Subplots emerge only to pad the runtime. Even those that seem promising fizzle out with no payoff. By the time the climax arrives, Lovely has thoroughly tested your patience. Attempts at emotional catharsis feel unearned, and the supposedly feel-good ending lands more bizarre than uplifting. Even worse, a disturbing third-act choice by the protagonist is handled so offhandedly that it severs any remaining empathy for him. It is a shame. There is a bit of charm buried in the concept. But what we get is a film that mistakes quirk for substance and sentimentality for depth. In the end, Lovely is less a soaring adventure and more a clumsy crash landing.
Indian Express
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Lovely movie review: Stellar visuals can't save Dileesh Karunakaran and Mathew Thomas' thinly written 3D fantasy
Lovely movie review: A movie about a housefly and a human being who establish communication and eventually share an adorable bond. As soon as one hears this logline, it's almost impossible not to assume that we're talking about director SS Rajamouli's blockbuster Telugu fantasy actioner Eega (2012). But no, this actually forms the crux of director Dileesh Karunakaran's (formerly known as Dileesh Nair) 3D fantasy film Lovely, with Mathew Thomas in the lead. Unlike Eega, which blended action and romance too — featuring the male protagonist (Nani) reincarnated as a housefly to avenge his death and protect his lover (Samantha) from the villain (Kiccha Sudeepa) — Lovely is envisioned as a feel-good drama. While the Eega (fly) in the Rajamouli directorial was, in essence, a human being at heart, Lovely is, as Mathew Thomas mentioned during one of his interviews, 'a cute, next-door kind of (actual) housefly'. However, even though the movie is conceived as a feel-good story, does it actually leave the audience feeling good after watching it? Yep, that's the question. Soon after joining the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) as an LD Clerk through compassionate appointment, following the death of his father while in service, Bonny Baby (Mathew) finds himself embroiled in controversy after he mistakenly offers a packet of condoms to a female stranger. He is soon booked under Section 354 and remanded to judicial custody, after which he is lodged in the sub-jail. During his heartbroken days there, Bonny meets a fly, and to the shock of both, he can understand what she's saying. Though sceptical at first, Bonny gradually grows emotionally attached to the fun-loving, bubbly fly, whom he names Lovely — his only solace in the loneliness of prison. While his family works from the outside to secure his bail, Bonny and Lovely become close friends, and she even reveals why she has never attempted to leave the jail and live in the outside world. However, Bonny is eventually released on bail, severing their bond and leaving him devastated. Will they find their way back to each other? That forms the remainder of the story. Lovely is, simply put, one of those films where nearly every member of the technical crew has done an excellent job, but their efforts are ultimately wasted due to subpar writing. While Dileesh is also credited as the writer of Lovely, it's hard not to question why he's listed in that role for a film where the writing feels almost nonexistent. Or was it the makers' way of emphasising that no one but him was responsible for this wafer-thin narrative, where a string of pointless scenes are stitched together in the editing room despite them clearly lacking any cohesive flow? What's unfortunate is that, regardless of the efforts of others, not a single moment in Lovely stands out for its writing, and the contrived dialogues only make matters worse. From the very beginning, we're presented with scenes that not only fail to gel with one another but also make no effort to engage viewers or draw them into the story or its characters. The film even fails to make us care about Bonny, which prevents any emotional investment in him, his dreams of migrating to a 'top-tier' country like Canada or his reality of taking up a government job here out of necessity. Even when he lands in trouble, the lack of emotional depth and the poor character development leave the audience detached, wondering why we should care at all. Even after the arrival of Lovely and with a zillion possibilities to elevate the script, Dileesh delivers only silly, outdated and painfully undercooked scenes, one after the other. In fact, this also makes us question how and why Bonny and Lovely became so close in the first place. Not only are their conversations too plain, but beyond the initial 'wow' factor that he could have felt while meeting a talking fly, the film offers nothing meaningful to justify Bonny finding a best friend in Lovely. From lectures on arapaima fish, Canada, and the characteristics of houseflies to the age-old 'Gandhi also went to prison' joke, random characters appearing out of nowhere, and already established ones being completely neglected, the script only worsens as the movie progresses. As if hammering the final nail into the script's coffin, Dileesh even includes a sickening sequence towards the end in which Bonny contemplates molesting the woman who filed the complaint against him, just so he can return to jail and meet the housefly again. Although Dileesh's vision as a director — a role he returns to after over a decade since Tamaar Padaar (2014) — isn't quite as poor as his writing, he makes a significant misstep right at the beginning that severely detracts from the viewing experience. Instead of leaving the events open to interpretation as fantasy, the film opens with an unnecessary disclaimer, 'you are about to enter someone else's dream,' and this gratuitous explanation nips any sense of intrigue in the bud. As the film unfolds, even though whimsical, fantastical and dreamy sequences like the song 'Bubble Poomottukal' showcase flashes of his imaginative vision, the execution of the more mundane and dramatic moments falls miserably flat, undermining the entire narrative. If there's anything as clueless and misguided as Dileesh's writing, it's Mathew's performance. His portrayal of Bonny's lost-in-thought, dissociative moments makes one wonder whether he was attempting something unconventional that backfired or if he simply chose not to act. Even during his supposedly 'adorable' chats with Lovely, his performance feels stiff and artificial. The rest of the cast fares no better, with none of the performances standing out. Nonetheless, Sivaangi Krishnakumar's voice acting for the fly is commendable, even though the dialogues are weak. Despite the film's innumerable narrative flaws, the technical crew deserves immense credit for their exceptional work. Director Aashiq Abu, as a cinematographer, delivers outstanding and jaw-dropping visuals. Equally impressive is CGI director Aneesh Kutti's work and Kiran Das' editing elevates the visuals significantly. Not just that the fly appears believable, but the way it's integrated into the frames, making us almost sense its presence without any jarring or dizzying camera movements, is no small feat, especially for a 3D film. In fact, the makers could have easily made Lovely a 2D film and it would still have offered the same visual experience, thanks to the strength of the technical craftsmanship. Vishnu Vijay and Bijibal's music is also good, but unfortunately, it isn't enough to compensate for the film's narrative shortcomings. Lovely movie cast: Mathew Thomas, Manoj K Jayan, Aswathy Manoharan Lovely movie director: Dileesh Karunakaran Lovely movie rating: 1.5 star Anandu Suresh is a Senior sub-editor at Indian Express Online. He specialises in Malayalam cinema, but doesn't limit himself to it and explores various aspects of the art form. He also pens a column titled Cinema Anatomy, where he delves extensively into the diverse layers and dimensions of cinema, aiming to uncover deeper meanings and foster continuous discourse. Anandu previously worked with The New Indian Express' news desk in Hyderabad, Telangana. You can follow him on Twitter @anandu_suresh_ and write (or send movie recommendations) to him at ... Read More
