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The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
The 40 kid-friendly & free activities that you can do on EVERY day of the school holidays this summer – starting today!
THE school holiday season is upon us and we have six weeks to keep everyone in the house happy without going bonkers or broke. Never is the demand for snacks, activities and attention greater than in the UK summer break, and many parents find themselves juggling jobs and kids, while keeping their cool in the heat. Advertisement 9 Wheelgate theme park in Nottingham is a good choice for children under 12 Credit: Instagram 9 Park Run is a great way to get outdoors and stay active during the holidays Credit: Getty 9 Ruislip Lido is one of London's best-kept secrets, with a beach and huge play area. Credit: Alamy Coming up with new things to do every day can sometimes be as exhausting as the actual task of Luckily, there is so much going on over the holidays, you can take your pick of Advertisement To help give you some inspiration on how to keep the clan busy, here are 40 cheap and cheerful things to do with kids from toddler-age to teens in summer 2025. Fun things to do outdoors with kids 1. Something really fun to do in summer is take a picnic and some foldaway chairs and watch a movie on an outdoor big screen. There are open-air cinemas popping up all over the UK this year, and some of them are completely free. Screen on the Green in Newcastle, which is in Old Eldon Square, will be showing two or three films a day from 21 July to 31st August, as well as some key sporting events. If you're closer to Manchester, Screen on the Square in Deansgate has a similar vibe and will be showing old favourites like Back to the Future and Cool Runnings as well as kids films like Frozen and Sing. Open until 14 th September. 2. A cheap beach day is always a summer holiday go-to, but if you want to ensure no one gets bored relaxing on the sand, pick a beach where you can go Advertisement The best places in the UK to go fossil hunting are Lyme Regis and Charmouth on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, Compton Bay on the 3. If you don't want to travel too far, and live inland, there are still opportunities to get on the water. Look for lakes with natural or man-made beaches in your area, such as Cotswold Country Park, Loch Morlich in Scotland, Rutland Water in the Traveller has great money saving hack that also allows you to experience destinations better 4. For those who don't own their own paddleboard or kayak, you can rent one from Decathlon for £35 for the day and test your skills. Boards start from £99 to buy, so this is a great way to see if SUP (stand-up paddle) is for you without shelling out for your own. 5. If you're in London but you fancy a beach day, head to 6. As part of the Advertisement 7. At the 8. In Nottingham, the 9. There are three huge playgrounds, a small zoo, a water park and an indoor soft play. Tickets are cheaper when purchased in advance, with entry starting from £10.50 for the day and £6 for toddlers, seniors and children with additional needs. If you have a Gaby's Dollhouse fan in the house, she too will be visiting on August 5th 2025. 10. If you haven't booked a holiday this summer, you can still take the kids on a mini adventure with a Advertisement Plus, they often have free events and workshops for kids centred around the area, so you get even more than just a stay at a regular hotel 11. The Southport Air show on 9 The Gruffalo Trail in Essex is a fun way to explore your children's favourite stories. Credit: 9 Southport Airshow is always a spectacle and a great day our for families Credit: Alamy 12. Children's farms are a simple and wholesome day out, and many of the best ones are free. Advertisement 13. Go for a ride on an open-top tour bus in London with hop-on-hop-off stops around the city. You can go for a general sightseeing tour, which takes in all the major sights, and there is also a kids-themed one that cuts out all the 'boring' adult bits. Book online for up to 35% off tickets 14. Camel Creek in Cornwall is another fun, family theme park that has over 40 rides and an affordable ticket deal if you think you'll go more than once. Entry tickets, from £20, are valid for seven days' entry, meaning you can go back in as many times as you want to. But when you upgrade to the annual pass, you can visit all year for £35. If you want to make a full holiday out of your visit, check out the new glamping pods. 15. Ever taken out a family canoe? At Canoe Wild in Kent, you can take out an old-school canoe, big enough for the whole family and spot wildlife along the scenic River Stour for only £27. Plus, if you need a little 'me time', kids 8+ can join the every Wednesday for fun, games, and learning new paddling skills. This is a drop-off session, so grown-ups can relax or even enjoy a peaceful paddle of their own while their kids are safely looked after. 16. If you have kids that love fantasy stories, there is no greater legend than the Loch Ness Monster. If you are based in the north of England or in Scotland, head to the famous loch to hunt for 'sea creatures' on a little build-your-own adventure. Stop in at the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition, visit Urquhart Castle and take on the Loch Ness 360 Trail for free while you are there. Advertisement Family festivals and outdoor events 17. Queens Park Arena in Glasgow has a full summer programme for 2025, including movie screenings, concerts and dance and fitness classes. Movie screenings, with favourites like Mean Girls, are perfect for teens, and until 1 st August, you can get two free tickets per person. 18. Follow the 19. Nottingham Beach is returning to Old Market Square from Wednesday 16th July - Sunday 31st August. This pop-up festival has sand, rides, music, arcades and games on an 'urban beach' right in the heart of the city centre. Ideal for all ages 20. Take a seat on Bournemouth Beach or anywhere along the seafront and watch the Summer Fireworks light up the sky over Bournemouth Pier. Spend the day at the beach and then grab some fish and chips on the front and enjoy the free show, which takes place at 10pm on Fridays from 1 to 29 August 2025. 21. If you have an active clan, you can join one of hundreds of Junior Park Runs around the UK this summer. Shorter than the usual Park Run distance, families can run, walk or jog an official 2k route with lots of other children and grown-ups, usually on Saturday or Sunday mornings. Advertisement Events include Riverside junior parkrun in Ballymoney, Phear Park junior parkrun in Exmouth and Alyn Waters junior parkrun in Wrexham. 22. Another upbeat activity that is free to join is one of many Park Tennis events hosted by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and Barclays Bank. You need an LTA membership, but it's free to join. Then, just search for an event near you, with extra sessions being added every day. 23. If you're not feeling sporty but still want to stay active and help the kids learn a new skill, Dobbies Garden Centres have a summer programme of Little Seedlings Children's workshops for children aged four to 10 years. These are free and teach - not just kids, but adults too - about growing plants, vegetables and other garden friends like insects and birds. There are also some additional, special events like a Prehistoric Plants and Summer Scents smell workshop, which can be booked online in advance. Kids also eat for £1 at Dobbies Gardening Centre cafes at breakfast and lunchtime, so you can spend a large part of the day hanging out there with lots to do and bargain grub. 24. Advertisement 25. They also offer orienteering sessions for adults and older children, which might be more suitable for the big kids 26. If you like Beatrix Potter, the 27. Summer is colourful at RHS Garden Bridgewater, where families can take on The Great Woodland Adventure—a programme of outdoor fun running from 23 July to 31 August. From den building challenges and tree climbing to storytelling adventures and woodland crafts, there's something for every young explorer. 28. The Bridgewater Forest School has thrilling hands-on experiences like fire lighting and tool mastery from £5. The 29. For a more extended experience, children can join Advertisement 30. The annual Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is a free event where you can marvel at 100 hot-air balloons floating in the sky above the outskirts of the city. This year, from 8-10 August, you can watch the balloons take off twice each day, at around 6am and 6pm. 9 The Sky Garden in London is free and has amazing views of London but you do need to book an entry time because it's very popular. Credit: Getty 9 A city bus tour is an easy way to hop on and hop off at the sights and kids love the open-top. Credit: Getty 31. Lavender fields are not only a social media dream - so, therefore perfect for teenage girls wanting to post pretty pics - butmost have more than just beautiful fields of flowers to admire and pick. Mayfield Lavender, famed for its organic Banstead lavender farm has a brand-new visitor experience this summer: the Secret Lavender Garden. There will be time sessions in the morning and afternoon for visitors to explore the fragrant lavender, an apple orchard, over 500 fruit trees and local wildlife. There is a tall tree-lined avenue that leads guests to a second hidden lavender field, which boasts amazing countryside views and even the skyline of London is visible. Advertisement 32. The Greenwich Fair, a much-loved south London festival, is reopening this year after a few years off where it was unable to run due to lack of budget. However, a crowdfunding effort has brought it back to life over the weekend of 23-24th August 2025. The free event in Greenwich Park has dancing, theatre, acrobatics and family games. Things to do indoors this summer 33. Between Friday 25 th July and Thursday 28 th August 2025, Cineworld are offering £1 cinema tickets for kids and adults on selected movies, including Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and A Minecraft Movie. Book online and pack a little movie picnic to have before the film to make a day of it. 34. Pets at Home offer free workshops for kids called My Pet Pals. Here, 35. In London, you can get a brilliant view of the city from many indoor rooftop observatories completely free. Both 36. The Liverpool Central Library is free to enter year-round and a great activity for families in the summer. There is lots to explore, but don't miss the beautiful Discovery Room, which is perfect for younger children to explore too. The rooftop terrace has amazing views across St George's Quarter . Advertisement 37. At the National Space Centre in Leicester, you can learn about rocket launches, space shuttles, the Earth and environment in a huge display of 'out-of-this-world' immersive displays. Tickets start at £18.95 but you can go back and visit as many times as you like in 12 months, so it works out great value for budding astronauts. 9 Paddleboarding is a fun family activity and you can rent boards for the day to see if you and the kids can tackle it. Credit: Getty 9 Beach days can be a cheap day out for families wanting to spend quality time together. Credit: Getty 38. Kids and adults can take on 'The Monster' , an enormous Families and young thrill-seekers aged 6+ can book daytime sessions, but if you are a big kid - go back in the evening where it is open to adults-only. Advertisement 39. David Attenborough has launched an immersive film about the evolution and future of humanity and the environment at the 40. One final way to not lose your 'marbles' this summer is a visit to the House of Marbles Museum between
The Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
The 40 kid-friendly & free activities that you can do on EVERY day of the school holidays this summer – starting today!
THE school holiday season is upon us and we have six weeks to keep everyone in the house happy without going bonkers or broke. Never is the demand for snacks, activities and attention greater than in the UK summer break, and many parents find themselves juggling jobs and kids, while keeping their cool in the heat. 9 9 9 Coming up with new things to do every day can sometimes be as exhausting as the actual task of entertaining the family for the summer stretch. Luckily, there is so much going on over the holidays, you can take your pick of fun days out to enjoy as a family - with many on the list below less than a tenner for the whole family, or completely free. To help give you some inspiration on how to keep the clan busy, here are 40 cheap and cheerful things to do with kids from toddler-age to teens in summer 2025. Fun things to do outdoors with kids 1. Something really fun to do in summer is take a picnic and some foldaway chairs and watch a movie on an outdoor big screen. There are open-air cinemas popping up all over the UK this year, and some of them are completely free. Screen on the Green in Newcastle, which is in Old Eldon Square, will be showing two or three films a day from 21 July to 31st August, as well as some key sporting events. If you're closer to Manchester, Screen on the Square in Deansgate has a similar vibe and will be showing old favourites like Back to the Future and Cool Runnings as well as kids films like Frozen and Sing. Open until 14 th September. 2. A cheap beach day is always a summer holiday go-to, but if you want to ensure no one gets bored relaxing on the sand, pick a beach where you can go fossil hunting. Kids love searching for little mementoes from history, and it's educational too. The best places in the UK to go fossil hunting are Lyme Regis and Charmouth on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, Compton Bay on the Isle of Wight, and Whitby in North Yorkshire. 3. If you don't want to travel too far, and live inland, there are still opportunities to get on the water. Look for lakes with natural or man-made beaches in your area, such as Cotswold Country Park, Loch Morlich in Scotland, Rutland Water in the East Midlands and Gaddings Dam in Yorkshire. Traveller has great money saving hack that also allows you to experience destinations better 4. For those who don't own their own paddleboard or kayak, you can rent one from Decathlon for £35 for the day and test your skills. Boards start from £99 to buy, so this is a great way to see if SUP (stand-up paddle) is for you without shelling out for your own. 5. If you're in London but you fancy a beach day, head to Ruislip Lido. This lesser-known hangout has a huge beach with water sports, a pirate ship adventure playground and a miniature train ride, so it's ideal for families. There are a few cafes and facilities on site, so you can easily go for the whole day. There is also a forest area, with lots of shade if you want to get out of the sun. 6. As part of the National Rail 200 celebrations, marking 200 years of railways in the UK, Churnet Valley Railway are giving children FREE tickets on the Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire. On weekends and Wednesdays from until the end of September, you can go for a steam train adventure — and up to four children ride free with every full fare-paying adult. 7. At the Epping Ongar Railway in Essex, kids are only £1 to ride steam trains and diesel engines, and there is a calendar of special events throughout the holidays and beyond, including a visit from Paddington and Real Ale and Cider Festival (with plenty for kids to do too). 8. In Nottingham, the Victoria Embankment paddling pool has reopened for summer until the 1st September 2025. The much-loved sunshine spot has been here since 1938 and has just been given a huge makeover. Open from 10am and 6pm every day. So you can wear the kids out and have a jolly good time watching them 9. Wheelgate Theme Park in Nottinghamshire is a smaller, family-run amusement park which is ideal for children under 12. The rides are smaller than the major theme parks and many can be ridden without adults. There are three huge playgrounds, a small zoo, a water park and an indoor soft play. Tickets are cheaper when purchased in advance, with entry starting from £10.50 for the day and £6 for toddlers, seniors and children with additional needs. If you have a Gaby's Dollhouse fan in the house, she too will be visiting on August 5th 2025. 10. If you haven't booked a holiday this summer, you can still take the kids on a mini adventure with a cheap stay at a hostel. The Youth Hostel Association has budget accommodation at beauty spots, beaches and major cities across the UK and sometimes for less than £10 per person. Plus, they often have free events and workshops for kids centred around the area, so you get even more than just a stay at a regular hotel 11. The Southport Air show on Southport Seafront near Liverpool is always a family favourite with air displays, entertainment, stalls and music over the weekend of 30-31st August 2025. Go out on a high with free tickets for under-16s 9 9 12. Children's farms are a simple and wholesome day out, and many of the best ones are free. Bath City Farm has children's activities and workshops, such as a posy-making workshop, green wood carving and summer holiday clubs for eight –13 year olds from 18–22 August, 10am–3pm each day. These include animal feeding, farm jobs, games, and quizzes. 13. Go for a ride on an open-top tour bus in London with hop-on-hop-off stops around the city. You can go for a general sightseeing tour, which takes in all the major sights, and there is also a kids-themed one that cuts out all the 'boring' adult bits. Book online for up to 35% off tickets 14. Camel Creek in Cornwall is another fun, family theme park that has over 40 rides and an affordable ticket deal if you think you'll go more than once. Entry tickets, from £20, are valid for seven days' entry, meaning you can go back in as many times as you want to. But when you upgrade to the annual pass, you can visit all year for £35. If you want to make a full holiday out of your visit, check out the new glamping pods. 15. Ever taken out a family canoe? At Canoe Wild in Kent, you can take out an old-school canoe, big enough for the whole family and spot wildlife along the scenic River Stour for only £27. Plus, if you need a little 'me time', kids 8+ can join the Young Paddlers Club every Wednesday for fun, games, and learning new paddling skills. This is a drop-off session, so grown-ups can relax or even enjoy a peaceful paddle of their own while their kids are safely looked after. 16. If you have kids that love fantasy stories, there is no greater legend than the Loch Ness Monster. If you are based in the north of England or in Scotland, head to the famous loch to hunt for 'sea creatures' on a little build-your-own adventure. Stop in at the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition, visit Urquhart Castle and take on the Loch Ness 360 Trail for free while you are there. Family festivals and outdoor events 17. Queens Park Arena in Glasgow has a full summer programme for 2025, including movie screenings, concerts and dance and fitness classes. Movie screenings, with favourites like Mean Girls, are perfect for teens, and until 1 st August, you can get two free tickets per person. 18. Follow the Adventure Trail at Eldon Square in Newcastle and you could win tickets to see Disney on Ice. Families can pick up a magical map from the booth outside Fenwick and collect stickers from a selection of treasure spots by following clues. Find every letter and take it back to the booth at the end for a sweet treat and the chance to win Disney tickets. It's free to play, but the organisers are suggesting a £2 donation to to support the charity. 19. Nottingham Beach is returning to Old Market Square from Wednesday 16th July - Sunday 31st August. This pop-up festival has sand, rides, music, arcades and games on an 'urban beach' right in the heart of the city centre. Ideal for all ages 20. Take a seat on Bournemouth Beach or anywhere along the seafront and watch the Summer Fireworks light up the sky over Bournemouth Pier. Spend the day at the beach and then grab some fish and chips on the front and enjoy the free show, which takes place at 10pm on Fridays from 1 to 29 August 2025. 21. If you have an active clan, you can join one of hundreds of Junior Park Runs around the UK this summer. Shorter than the usual Park Run distance, families can run, walk or jog an official 2k route with lots of other children and grown-ups, usually on Saturday or Sunday mornings. Events include Riverside junior parkrun in Ballymoney, Phear Park junior parkrun in Exmouth and Alyn Waters junior parkrun in Wrexham. 22. Another upbeat activity that is free to join is one of many Park Tennis events hosted by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and Barclays Bank. You need an LTA membership, but it's free to join. Then, just search for an event near you, with extra sessions being added every day. 23. If you're not feeling sporty but still want to stay active and help the kids learn a new skill, Dobbies Garden Centres have a summer programme of Little Seedlings Children's workshops for children aged four to 10 years. These are free and teach - not just kids, but adults too - about growing plants, vegetables and other garden friends like insects and birds. There are also some additional, special events like a Prehistoric Plants and Summer Scents smell workshop, which can be booked online in advance. Kids also eat for £1 at Dobbies Gardening Centre cafes at breakfast and lunchtime, so you can spend a large part of the day hanging out there with lots to do and bargain grub. 24. Forestry England celebrates the story of the Gruffalo with free Gruffalo trails in locations around the UK. Have fun in the forest and gain useful skills with a Gruffalo-themed challenge. Pick up a map for £1.50 and find the twelve Gruffalo markers hidden in the deep, dark wood and answer questions along the way to get a certificate at the end. 25. They also offer orienteering sessions for adults and older children, which might be more suitable for the big kids 26. If you like Beatrix Potter, the Essex Wildlife Trust has a Peter Rabbit Woodland Trail in Langdon. The hard surface paths make the trail suitable for everyone, including buggies and wheelchairs. Visiting the reserve and car parking is free, the activity map is £1.50 ,and donations to the charity are always welcome. 27. Summer is colourful at RHS Garden Bridgewater, where families can take on The Great Woodland Adventure—a programme of outdoor fun running from 23 July to 31 August. From den building challenges and tree climbing to storytelling adventures and woodland crafts, there's something for every young explorer. 28. The Bridgewater Forest School has thrilling hands-on experiences like fire lighting and tool mastery from £5. The Big Den Build special event is £10 per child and £5 and should be booked in advance. 29. For a more extended experience, children can join The Woodland Tribe camp from 7-9 August for three days of hands-on building to create an epic woodland castle with The Big Den build. Little ones can also join Wild Wings to come face to face with owls and birds of prey, join a 'tree-ific' trail and wildlife-spotting walks and get hands-on with seed planting. 30. The annual Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is a free event where you can marvel at 100 hot-air balloons floating in the sky above the outskirts of the city. This year, from 8-10 August, you can watch the balloons take off twice each day, at around 6am and 6pm. 9 31. Lavender fields are not only a social media dream - so, therefore perfect for teenage girls wanting to post pretty pics - butmost have more than just beautiful fields of flowers to admire and pick. Mayfield Lavender, famed for its organic Banstead lavender farm has a brand-new visitor experience this summer: the Secret Lavender Garden. There will be time sessions in the morning and afternoon for visitors to explore the fragrant lavender, an apple orchard, over 500 fruit trees and local wildlife. There is a tall tree-lined avenue that leads guests to a second hidden lavender field, which boasts amazing countryside views and even the skyline of London is visible. 32. The Greenwich Fair, a much-loved south London festival, is reopening this year after a few years off where it was unable to run due to lack of budget. However, a crowdfunding effort has brought it back to life over the weekend of 23-24th August 2025. The free event in Greenwich Park has dancing, theatre, acrobatics and family games. Things to do indoors this summer 33. Between Friday 25 th July and Thursday 28 th August 2025, Cineworld are offering £1 cinema tickets for kids and adults on selected movies, including Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and A Minecraft Movie. Book online and pack a little movie picnic to have before the film to make a day of it. 34. Pets at Home offer free workshops for kids called My Pet Pals. Here, kids over the age of four can pet some of the animals and learn about how to look after their own pets. At the end, they get a special certificate. On from Saturday 5th July to Sunday 17th August in Scotland and NI, and from Saturday 19th July to Sunday 31st August in England and Wales. 35. In London, you can get a brilliant view of the city from many indoor rooftop observatories completely free. Both Sky Garden and Horizon 22 have almost 360-degree vistas of the capital and cafes with a grand view. Entry doesn't cost anything but tickets do need to be booked in advance, and the time slots do fill up, so check the website in advance. 36. The Liverpool Central Library is free to enter year-round and a great activity for families in the summer. There is lots to explore, but don't miss the beautiful Picton Reading room, which looks like it's straight from the set of Harry Potter. There is an interactive Discovery Room, which is perfect for younger children to explore too. The rooftop terrace has amazing views across St George's Quarter. 37. At the National Space Centre in Leicester, you can learn about rocket launches, space shuttles, the Earth and environment in a huge display of 'out-of-this-world' immersive displays. Tickets start at £18.95 but you can go back and visit as many times as you like in 12 months, so it works out great value for budding astronauts. 9 9 38. Kids and adults can take on 'The Monster', an enormous inflatable assault course in Braintree Village, Essex, from 19th July – 31st August. Packed with more than 40 obstacles to conquer, including the 18-metre Mega Slide, chaotic Exterminator and epic House of Hell, The Monster is the largest inflatable course in the UK. Families and young thrill-seekers aged 6+ can book daytime sessions, but if you are a big kid - go back in the evening where it is open to adults-only. 39. David Attenborough has launched an immersive film about the evolution and future of humanity and the environment at the Natural History Museum. Entry to the museum itself is completely free, but booking is recommended to avoid long lines. If you want to watch the special film, tickets start from £10 and a designated time should be booked in advance to guarantee a seat. 40. One final way to not lose your 'marbles' this summer is a visit to the House of Marbles Museum between Exeter and Plymouth, Devon. In this unusual and surprisngly interesting museum, you can see marbles and glass being made, with fascinating handmade glass marbles and trinkets on display. Kids, especially, will love the interactive marble runs, including the largest in the UK. houseofm a
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Superman (2025) Review
Superman is back! The Man of Steel is making his way back into theatres this week! As comic book films all too often go through nowadays, the film will likely be divisive, mostly between the lovers of the previous iteration of the franchise and those who are excited about the franchise's new direction, and it is a new direction, almost a 180-degree turn. But, after five previous supermen in the last 40 years filled with Film and TV projects, this refresh of the Superman franchise was, frankly, refreshing. The story in Superman hits the ground running. We are told that Metahumans have existed on Earth for 300 years, and we find Superman (David Corenswet, The Politician, Twisters) at the back end of a battle that he has lost. Conflict between two fictional nations resulted in Kal El's intervention, and this doesn't sit well with a number of interested parties. Among them is Supe's longtime rival, Lex Luthor, who seeks to remove Superman from the equation and replace him with his own brand of Metahumans. On Superman's side, as always, is his girlfriend and stalwart reporter Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Amateur), backed by the crack team of journalists at The Daily Planet, including Editor Perry White (Wendell Pierce, The Wire, Treme), Jimmy Olson (Skyler Gisondo, Vacation, Santa Clarita Diet), Cat Grant (Mikaela Hoover, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Suicide Squad) and Steve Lombard (Beck Bennett, SNL, Sing). Also on Superman's side, but really more adjacent to our hero, is the superhero team known (at least by one member of the team) as The Justice Gang, consisting of The Green Lantern, Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion, Firefly, Castle), Hawk Girl (Isabella Merced, The Last of Us, Madame Web) and Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi, StartUp, For All Mankind) who, while not directly aligned with Superman, definitely have a history with him and appear to have some common ground. 'But, after five previous supermen in the last 40 years filled with Film and TV projects, this refresh of the Superman franchise was, frankly, refreshing.' And yes, I may have buried the lede a bit for those who have seen the early trailers, Superman has other allies as well. Krypto, the Super Dog, makes his presence felt throughout the movie as an animal who feels very much like my own pain in the butt dog, only with superpowers and a team of robots who tend to the Fortress of solitude and aid Kal El when needed, a nod to Superman's relationship with robots in the comics. I won't spoil it for you, but watch the credits for who voices these robots. Standing against our heroes is the notorious Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult, Mad Max: Fury Road, The Menu) with his mysterious thug, Ultraman and his hand-picked ally, The Engineer (Maria Gabriela de Faria, The Exorcism of God). You'll also find a number of other familiar names to DC fans that are sure to get people excited. The way that Superman presumes that its audience doesn't need the whole origin story and allows you to join these characters in the progress of their journey was a pleasant change to most Directors, who want the ability to put their stamp on those iconic story points. It's not to say that aspects of Kal El's beginnings aren't referenced, they are. In fact, there are some changes in there that tell a different story about the last Kryptonian and his purpose on Earth, which might rub Superman purists the wrong way, but I enjoyed it as an original story point. 'The way that Superman presumes that its audience doesn't need the whole origin story and allows you to join these characters in the progress of their journey was a pleasant change…' David Corenswet's Superman felt like the largest fundamental change to what we have seen from Superman on the big screen. There was a more fleshed-out humanity in this version that had never been fully realized in any of the previous film versions. There was humour and vulnerability found in Corenswet's version of the character that had just been missing previously, and, with a character who is usually written to be invulnerable and infallible, was presented as slightly flawed and charming in the most refreshing way. The staff of the Daily Planet had what felt like a much different role in the film than in previous versions. Usually, you are dealing largely with Clark Kent, Lois Lane and Perry White, with some interjections from the young and naive Jimmy Olson. The chemistry between Kent, Lane, and White is there and wonderful, but this Jimmy Olson has some traits that I won't spoil, which is a fun departure from the Jimmys of old. Add to that the levity from Beck Bennett and Mikaela Hoover, and you have a fun Daily Planet on your hands. Superman's interactions with both the Justice Gang and Lex Luthor also lead you to a story that has been underway long before we joined it. Superman and Luthor know each other well, and the Justice Gang has clear opinions on what it is like collaborating with the Man of Steel when it happens to come up. The actors are playing off of each other well (and tell me that David Corenswet doesn't occasionally look like Nathan Fillion in the film), and it makes for a dynamic that will be the driver of the newly established DCU. With composers David Fleming and John Murphy, the Superman score is modernized while still paying homage to John Williams' original score. You hear his influences throughout the movie, but the music still very much exists in the sensibility of these composers, pushing the action, the love and the chaos perfectly when needed. The themes in a Superman film are generally easy to pare down but are so well blended together that, like most great films, the music is very much the story. One place where Superman doesn't shine is in its inconsistent effects. While some things look flawless, others I found to be quite clunky and the success of the good effects really tell on the stuff that isn't so great. You'll find it more in the areas where more effects shots were needed or more CG characters are present at once. It's by no means the worst effects I've seen in recent blockbusters, but the disparity between how well done certain things are compared to other things warrants some attention. 'With composers David Fleming and John Murphy, the Superman score is modernized while still paying homage to John Williams' original score.' The biggest thing that Superman gets right, though, is what the feeling of a Superman film should be. The first time I saw him take to the skies, I got goosebumps. It may be my favourite Superman flying effect in all of his existence. His relationship with his Earth parents, Ma and Pa Kent, brought me to tears, particularly his conversation with his Dad at his lowest moment. His relationship with his Kryptonian parents also remains incredibly important, as does how that relationship evolves throughout the film.\ Superman hits theatres on July 11, and I expect it to have a massive impact, being to the DCU what Iron Man was to the MCU. While it is certainly a unique Superman film when compared to the Donner or Snyder versions in the past, no part of it feels like anything but an authentic Superman movie, and that's thanks to James Gunn telling this story with a lot of heart and remaining true to who the hero is at its core. Gunn has created a fun film that doesn't take itself too seriously and hits all the right notes for this moviegoer. On a side note, stick around for mid-credit and post-credit scenes. I feel duty-bound to make sure you don't miss out. Solve the daily Crossword
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Book excerpt: 'Sing, Dance, and Lead' by Hindol Sengupta
Book excerpt: 'Sing, Dance, and Lead' by Hindol Sengupta Prof. Dr. Hindol Sengupta is a celebrated historian, journalist, and author of 12 acclaimed books. A World Economic Forum young global leader, Dr. Sengupta, combines deep expertise in history, international relations, and economics. His work explores India's rise in the world and how it weaves together culture, politics, and spirituality with rare insight. In his latest book titled 'Sing, Dance, and Lead', Dr. Sengupta very carefully navigates and bridges the gap between the modern, ambitious society and age-old spiritual wisdom. He delivers a thought-provoking reflection on how spiritual values can and should shape modern leadership and decision-making. Dr. Sengupta urges his readers through this book to look at their personal and professional lives as offerings to the divine, drawing his inspiration from Srila Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON, well known as the Hare Krishna movement, which became a respected global organization. This book will clear your mind, widen your horizons, and enable you to view leadership not merely as a role but as a responsibility rooted in service and empathy. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How to Trade ETH/USD Without Holding Ether IC Markets Learn More Undo What makes 'Sing, Dance, and Lead' stand out is its insistence that embracing spiritual truth does not mean it will hinder our greatest ambitions but will enhance them. Dr. Sengupta's expertise in history, faith, and economics offers a fresh perspective on how individuals can thrive even without losing their faith in the supreme power above. Here's an excerpt from the book 'Sing, Dance, and Lead' by Prof. Dr. Hindol Sengupta, published with permission from Penguin Random House. Excerpts from the book 'Sing, Dance and Lead' Chapter - Hurry, Hari Bol! Book Author - Prof (Dr.) Hindol Sengupta We often view our lives less as experiences to cherish and more as careers to pursue, a ladder to climb. The role of this book is to help turn our gaze towards eternal things and to encourage every reader to think that there are greater elevations that await them. Like how the early disciples of Srila Prabhupada promised 'the high of Krishna' to the hippies of the flower power generation to wean them away from intoxicants and towards bhakti, this book urges an understanding of peace and the purpose of God realisation. It was written to break the illusion that any talk of incorporating spirituality into what we think of as our work life is esoteric, whimsical or even impractical. With each step and chapter, this book shows that there are deeper dimensions to many of the key principles that govern institutions, their building and management, and notions of success. It seeks to highlight that embracing the higher spiritual truth takes us closer to our greatest possible achievements and dreams, and not away from them. This is because anything that is done as an offering to the Divine taps into a higher purpose and calling. The success of such a task touched by grace could attain immeasurable heights. Simply put, God can take our plans to destinations and heights that we cannot imagine, and therefore offering our endeavours as service to Him is a resonant teaching of Srila Prabhupada. One of the ways we could create space for this recognition is to schedule reflective time—time spent chanting, offering obeisance to a Deity at home, or during a visit to a shrine or temple that appeals to us. It is important to note that perhaps, we live in the first period of history where we have, in many ways, cut away all space and time for anything spiritual or meditative. In earlier generations, people usually had space and time for a temple visit, a fast associated with some ritual or an altar at home. There was a palpable sense of understanding the role of God in our lives—an act that taught us humility and a deeper realization of our position vis-a-vis the Divine. The primary tool that this book offers is the understanding that leadership is a by-product of empathy and a definite sense of self-effacement. True leaders seldom put their needs above those of the organization or people who work under their instructions. Leadership, therefore, is about cultivating a rooted conviction of service, the ability to see goals and aspirations beyond limited personal milestones and work for targets that might subsume or negate personal achievement markers. Leadership is also about understanding and explaining the idea of purpose and a fundamental sense of honesty—what needs to be done must be done with the greatest integrity. The common understanding is that certain kind of ethical and moral frameworks given to us from the world of spirituality could be critical in the way we build institutions, including those related to business. Sociologist Max Weber spoke of the 'protestant work ethic' and how its virtues, such as, hard work, honesty, relentless focus and undistracted belief helped capitalism flourish. But Srila Prabhupada's teaching goes much deeper. He is not encouraging us to seek the Divine because of mere material benefits or financial success. According to Prabhupada, that would be limited and futile. He is instead urging us to have a much deeper comprehension of what life truly is and who grants us the grace to lead a fruitful life. Prabhupada teaches that the answer lies in our own understanding that the best kind of performance in any activity, not just a job, is when that activity is conducted and presented as an offering to the highest level possible—a tribute to the Divine.
Leader Live
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Ed Sheeran fans from around the world queue overnight for homecoming concert
The 34-year-old is due to perform three shows at Portman Road, the home of Ipswich Town, the football club he supports and has previously sponsored, from Friday to Sunday, with fans coming from as far away as the US to see the singer. Hayley Judge, who is from south London and was at the Suffolk venue in the early morning, and claims to be the world's only female Ed Sheeran tribute act, told BBC Radio Suffolk that she was looking forward to hearing the singer's new songs which she was 'loving', but added that 2011's The A Team 'never gets old for me'. A post shared by Ipswich Town FC (@ipswichtown) She said: 'I used to run an open mic, and one of the guys came to the open mic one night, and he played The A Team, and I'm like, 'Oh, that's an amazing song'. 'And then that's how I started following Ed and just started learning his songs and bought a loop station, the little one that Ed used to have. I think the first loop song I ever did was Small Bump all those years ago, and it's just sort of progressed from there.' Judge has met Sheeran on three occasions, with the latest coming when she won a competition to join the singer on a pink bus which drove around London to celebrate the release of Azizam earlier this year. She added: 'We spent a good hour-and-a-half just going around London, really intimate gig with him playing on the top deck of the bus, and then afterwards, he came round and just spent like five minutes with everyone on the bus and just chatted. 'That's when he said, 'I've seen your cover of Azizam, how's the tribute stuff going?', and I did say to him on the bus, I said, 'One day Ed, me and you'll do a duet', and he shouted back, 'Yeah, let's do it today', but unfortunately, obviously it was a very busy day, so we didn't get to do it then.' Sheeran will be supported by Myles Smith and Tori Kelly for the July 11 show, before Busted and Dylan open on July 12, and James Blunt and Maisie Peters complete the line-up on July 13. The shows come after he announced his eighth studio album Play would be released in September. Fan Debbie, who has travelled from Indiana in the US for the concert, told BBC Radio Suffolk: 'Actually, I didn't know who Ed was until 2020, because I had a hearing loss and I didn't listen to music, and with my hearing aids, Ed got me into music again, so I'm a latecomer.' Sheeran was born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, but moved to Framingham Earl in Suffolk as a child and has owned a minority share in nearby football club Ipswich Town since last year, with the club being relegated from the Premier League at the end of the 2024-2025 season. He has had 14 UK number one singles and eight UK number one albums, and the singer's best known songs include The A Team, Lego House, Sing, and Don't. On Thursday, the singer launched an exhibition of his Cosmic Carpark Paintings in London's Heni Gallery. Gates open for the shows at 4.30pm, with a curfew at 10.30pm.
