Latest news with #RobinWilliams'
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'Hilarious' sequel to iconic Robin Williams comedy is streaming for free
Robin Williams' iconic nineties comedy gets a new lease of life in this 2017 sequel, available to stream now Fans of Robin Williams are in for a delight as a sequel to his legendary 1995 comedy, Jumanji, is now available for free streaming. Channel 4's on-demand service has recently added Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle to its catalogue, ready for UK viewers to enjoy. The 2017 film is a direct sequel to the nineties comedy, which featured the late actor alongside Kirsten Dunst, David Alan Grier, Bonnie Hunt, Jonathan Hyde and Bebe Neuwirth. The original film tells the story of two siblings who discover a mystical jungle-themed board game, with an unfortunate man trapped within. To liberate the man permanently, the children must successfully finish the game, which involves facing various jungle creatures. Robin, who sadly passed away in 2014, portrayed the unfortunate man, named Alan Parrish. In its 2017 reboot, the plot revolves around a group of high school students who stumble upon a magical video game, and are pulled into its fictional jungle environment. Each character plays the game as an adult avatar they selected, and can only escape by surviving the jungle's dangers and completing the adventure. This time, comedic actors Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Dwayne 'the Rock' Johnson take the lead roles, alongside Scottish actress Karen Gillian, reports the Express. The comedy film received a notable 77% Rotten Tomatoes critical rating upon its release, with audiences giving it an impressive 87% score. Critics praised the film, saying: "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle uses a charming cast and a humorous twist to offer an undemanding yet solidly entertaining update on its source material." Audiences also raved about the film, with one reviewer calling it an "underappreciated masterpiece." Another fan exclaimed: "Literally one of the best comedies of all time! HILARIOUS." A third viewer wrote: "Hilarious, action-packed return to Jumanji! Filled with entertaining adventure! "Actors did great and always make me laugh! Hats off to Jack Black! Watched the movie several times! "Never get tired of watching it! Perfect watch for movie night if you're craving something funny and adventurous." A long-time fan of the original Jumanji film shared their pleasant surprise at how well the new instalment turned out, saying: "As a long time fan of the original Jumanji film, it was a pleasant surprise to find out how good this one ended up being. "Honouring the original, but putting a modern spin on it, and going inside Jumanji instead of taking it to the real world, really gave the story a new perspective."
Hindustan Times
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Night at the Museum reboot announced, social media users slam the idea: ‘It's a big no'
The Night at the Museum franchise, which was brought alive by Ben Stiller and Robin Williams' comedic skills 20 years ago, is set for a reboot. However, the news hasn't exactly sparked excitement on social media, with many users even expressing disappointment about the revival of the film series. The Night at the Museum franchise kicked off in 2006. Night at the Museum set for reboot As per Variety, a Night at the Museum reboot is in the works at 20th Century Studios, with 21 Laps Entertainment getting Tripper Clancy onboard to pen the script. At the moment, the story remains under wraps, but it is believed that the film will narrate a fresh tale from the corridors of the museum with new characters. Shawn Levy and Dan Levine will produce for 21 Laps. Emily Morris will oversee the project for the company. The Night at the Museum franchise kicked off in 2006. It was followed up with three follow-ups: Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009), Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014) and the animated feature Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again (2022). ShawnLevy directed the first three films, while Matt Danner helmed Kahmunrah. Ben Stiller starred in the first three movies as museum night security guard Larry Daley, who discovers that the historical exhibits come alive at night. The franchise also featured late Robin Williams, Owen Wilson, Ricky Gervais, Mickey Rooney, Brad Garrett, Dick Van Dyke and Rami Malek also starred. The fourth film, which debuted on Disney+, featured a new cast including the voices of Joshua Bassett, Jamie Demetriou, Gillian Jacobs and Zachary Levi. The three live-action films grossed over $1.3 billion collectively at the global box office. Fans react Fans are voicing their discontent over the Night at the Museum reboot on social media, arguing that some classics should be left untouched. Some are calling for Hollywood to focus on creating original content rather than rehashing old favourites. 'Who asked for a night at the museum reboot,' wrote one, with another mentioning, 'As the cape movies continue to fail, Hollywood is pivoting to stale franchise remakes like Night at the Museum, National Treasure, and toy movies like Hot Wheels. They are totally flailing. Meanwhile streaming continues to eat their lunch'. 'There could never be a night at the museum without my kings robin williams and rami malek,' read one comment, with another reading, 'I enjoyed the night at the museum movies but this just seems unnecessary.' One fan shared, 'Hell no, DO NOT TOUCH NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM', with another sharing, 'New National Treasure, new Night at the Museum, reboots, 'readaptations', 'reimaginings'… can anyone get funding over $10mill for anything original?' 'No, absolutely NOT. I grew up with those movies and the creators are just going to ruin it all. The thought of any more parts died with Robin. It wont be Night at the museum without our loved characters. Stop remaking and adding parts to movies that DONT NEED it. It ended perfect,' one wrote. Another social media user added, 'A Night at the Museum remake is a big no no. It's a bad idea all around. Fricking Disney and 20th Century Studios! Come up with new ideas from this franchise. Instead of doing a remake of ANATM, do an animated series, spinoff movies, or prequel movies and some shorts'.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Robin Williams' ‘Popeye' movie ‘made while the set was snowed in cocaine'
Robin Williams' 'Popeye' film was made while the set was snowed in cocaine. The troubled comic, who took his life in August 2014 aged 63 after well-documented battles with drugs, alcohol and depression, starred as the spinach-gobbling sailor in the 1980 Robert Altman movie – and former movie boss Barry Diller has now spoken about the extent of substance abuse that went on behind the scenes. The 82-year-old media mogul, who served as CEO of Paramount Pictures from 1974 to 1984, made the comments during an on-stage conversation with journalist Anderson Cooper at the 92nd Street Y in New York while promoting his new autobiography 'Who Knew', saying there was so much cocaine on the set of 'Popeye' 'you couldn't escape it'. Barry added during the production of the movie, which also starred Shelley Duvall and was shot in Malta, the drug was so prevalent it was being transported alongside reels of film. He said: 'Film cans would be sent back to LA daily for processing the film. 'And we found out the film cans were actually being used to ship cocaine back and forth to the set. Everyone was stoned.' Diller added the influence of the drug may be apparent in the final cut of the film, which he described as playing like a vinyl record at an unnaturally fast speed. 'Think of… record speeds,' he said. 'If 33rpm is the standard speed for playing an LP on a record player, this is a movie that runs at 78 rpm.' The film's orchestrator, Van Dyke Parks, 81, previously recounted similar experiences during the production. In an interview with The Telegraph, he said: 'I was the hero of the regiment for opening up a walkie-talkie to change the battery and finding a bag of cocaine. 'I don't remember how much there was or to whom I gave it. But I remember that I recoiled, because I knew that it would be a component in the way people behaved, and the difficulties of the production right up to the top.' Van Dyke also recalled famed film producer Robert Evans, who was behind 'The Godfather' and 'Chinatown', narrowly avoided arrest when his cocaine-filled luggage went missing during the shoot. Robert was later arrested on unrelated cocaine trafficking charges while 'Popeye' was in post-production. Even though the charge was eventually cleared, Robert told an interviewer in 1994: 'Bob 'Cocaine' Evans is how I'll be known to my grave.' Robin Williams was very open about his struggles with cocaine addiction during the time 'Popeye' was shot.
Perth Now
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Robin Williams' ‘Popeye' movie ‘made while the set was snowed in cocaine'
Robin Williams' 'Popeye' film was made while the set was snowed in cocaine. The troubled comic, who took his life in August 2014 aged 63 after well-documented battles with drugs, alcohol and depression, starred as the spinach-gobbling sailor in the 1980 Robert Altman movie – and former movie boss Barry Diller has now spoken about the extent of substance abuse that went on behind the scenes. The 82-year-old media mogul, who served as CEO of Paramount Pictures from 1974 to 1984, made the comments during an on-stage conversation with journalist Anderson Cooper at the 92nd Street Y in New York while promoting his new autobiography 'Who Knew', saying there was so much cocaine on the set of 'Popeye' 'you couldn't escape it'. Barry added during the production of the movie, which also starred Shelley Duvall and was shot in Malta, the drug was so prevalent it was being transported alongside reels of film. He said: 'Film cans would be sent back to LA daily for processing the film. 'And we found out the film cans were actually being used to ship cocaine back and forth to the set. Everyone was stoned.' Diller added the influence of the drug may be apparent in the final cut of the film, which he described as playing like a vinyl record at an unnaturally fast speed. 'Think of… record speeds,' he said. 'If 33rpm is the standard speed for playing an LP on a record player, this is a movie that runs at 78 rpm.' The film's orchestrator, Van Dyke Parks, 81, previously recounted similar experiences during the production. In an interview with The Telegraph, he said: 'I was the hero of the regiment for opening up a walkie-talkie to change the battery and finding a bag of cocaine. 'I don't remember how much there was or to whom I gave it. But I remember that I recoiled, because I knew that it would be a component in the way people behaved, and the difficulties of the production right up to the top.' Van Dyke also recalled famed film producer Robert Evans, who was behind 'The Godfather' and 'Chinatown', narrowly avoided arrest when his cocaine-filled luggage went missing during the shoot. Robert was later arrested on unrelated cocaine trafficking charges while 'Popeye' was in post-production. Even though the charge was eventually cleared, Robert told an interviewer in 1994: 'Bob 'Cocaine' Evans is how I'll be known to my grave.' Robin Williams was very open about his struggles with cocaine addiction during the time 'Popeye' was shot.
RNZ News
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Clowning Doctors: Bringing theatre to the world of medicine
culture arts about 1 hour ago The phrase 'clown doctor' may lead to memories of Robin Williams' character in the 1998 film Patch Adams. It was a character who was based on a real person. Kiwi theatre maker Phoebe Mason is a real clown doctor at The Humour Foundation in Melbourne; taking theatre, fun, and laughter into hospitals. Several years ago, a nurse studying for her PhD looked at the work of clown doctors and their impact on patients and the working environment. The Royal Children's Hospital then reached out to the Humour Foundation asking for a workshop in which clown principles could be shared with the medical staff as a form of communication training. The results from those workshops have since been published in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. Phoebe Mason is also the creative director of Playback Theatre in Melbourne; a global practice where people's real life stories are shared and a group of performers and musicians improvise and perform it back to the group on the spot to create rapport and understanding. She spoke to Culture 101 about the role of clown doctors and running workshops with medical staff.
