Latest news with #Sing2
Scottish Sun
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Sex in back row, filthy pick ‘n' mix and rats… cinema worker's confessions about the grubby goings-on at the pictures
One worker reveals why night-vision cameras come in handy at the cinema DIRTY MOVIE Sex in back row, filthy pick 'n' mix and rats… cinema worker's confessions about the grubby goings-on at the pictures WATCHING as the hordes file out of the cinema I gird my loins for what I might find during the clean-up – knowing it won't be pretty. Some of the sights are more X-rated and horror-filled than many of the films. 5 Couples used to come in for sex all the time and we'd find a used condom every couple of weeks, reveals our secret cinema worker Credit: Getty 5 Thankfully, romps are less often now since they added night vision to the cameras Credit: Getty In my five years working in a cinema I have cleared up everything from used condoms to a poo, which was by far the most revolting discovery. It was two years ago but still haunts me. I remember catching sight of it from the corner of my eye — it wasn't quite under the seat and they had half- covered it with an empty sweet packet, but the stench was unmistakeable. It had been a mid-afternoon midweek performance, so the screen wasn't crowded, but I still have no idea how or indeed why they did it. I immediately called in my co-workers and we argued about who should remove it. In the end I volunteered, on condition that I got paid time and a half and was allowed to go straight home. Thankfully that was a one-off. Next up has to be the rats. They make regular appearances and we have to get pest control in every month or so. 'Rats dart under the velvet seats' I once took the rubbish to the main big wheelie bin and was busy compressing it when I saw one so huge I thought it was a cat. It was terrifying. Other times I have seen them scuttling around screening rooms. It's horrifying to see them dart under the velvet seats. It's probably because we don't actually clean quite as thoroughly as we should. A lot of food is spilt by the audience and when there's a huge new release we only have ten minutes or so to clean a room where 400 people have been sitting, munching their popcorn and sweets, before the next lot come in. Baby girl born in cinema foyer during screening of Sing 2 given free membership for life If I'm in a rush, I just sweep it under the seat to be dealt with later, then forget where I did this. But, if I'm being honest, we're slapdash anyway. I started working in a cinema because I love films and get to watch them for free, not because I like cleaning up after people, so I don't scrupulously disinfect every cup holder. Thankfully used condoms are a rarer find than they used to be since we put in night-vision CCTV a couple of years ago and play it out into the foyer. Punters can see what goes on and it acts a deterrent as they wouldn't want to be projected to the masses. Before that, couples used to come in for sex all the time and we'd find a used condom every couple of weeks, just lying on the floor or under the seats. The first couple of times I was horrified, but I got used to it. We had one couple who visited weekly on a Tuesday morning and would get it on, full sex, in the back row. They didn't realise we knew what they were up to, as we once took someone in who was late for a screening and we saw what was happening. We checked on another Tuesday, and sure enough, they were going at it. Every week, they'd come out smiling and they were always snogging. If we were feeling mischievous, one of us would change out of uniform and go and sit beside them just to stop them in their tracks. 'We had sex in the popcorn cupboard' In fairness, they never left a used condom so we only spoilt their fun occasionally. I'll never forget the disappointment on their faces when they saw the CCTV playing in the foyer. 5 I've watched kids scurry over to the pick 'n' mix and pick up handfuls, only for parents to go and grab them out of their hands and put them back in the tub Credit: Alamy 5 Rats make regular appearances in the cinema and pest control is called in every month or so Credit: Alamy It wasn't them on the screen but they realised they couldn't do it any more. But some people still manage to as we find those used condoms under the seats and fight over who is going to clean it up. The couples must lie on the floor to evade the cameras. I have to confess that the cinema workers can be just as risque in staff previews of shows. I was dating a fellow employee and we'd discreetly sit in the back row to have our fun — we went all the way at least three times. It was before the CCTV cameras and in empty screens, so we never got caught. I also had sex with the same partner in the cupboard where we stored the food — including the popcorn. And I have to admit it's just one of the reasons I'd never eat the food in the cinema. The nacho cheese is often left out for hours at a time and the popcorn is reheated. But worst of all are the pick 'n' mix sweets. I've watched kids scurry over to them and pick up handfuls, only for parents — understandably worried about the horrific cost — go and grab them out of their hands and put them back in the tub. And the big tubs are never emptied, we just keep pouring new sweets on top of the old ones, though the scoops get a cursory wash every day. Talking of children, I was very glad when they stopped doing the kids' club. I was in charge of it for a year, greeting all the children and helping them find their seats. Their parents would often say they were popping to the loo but clearly saw me as a babysitter. They'd disappear for about half an hour leaving me with their child. 'I don't go looking for trouble' I'm only 23 and don't have children but did get nits constantly thanks to these movie goers. Young children aren't the biggest nuisance, it's the ones allowed in on their own, aged around 12. They think it's hilarious to have popcorn fights and I've had to chuck these children out several times. Generally speaking it's not a rowdy crowd and, bar the odd drunk at a late-night screening, we don't get too much aggro. I don't go looking for trouble and I rarely pull a customer up on something. 5 Parents would often say they were popping to the loo but clearly saw me as a babysitter when I was doing the kids' club Credit: Getty But I did have to stop a family who thought it was OK to bring in a full Indian takeaway — strong-smelling food might ruin the experience for other customers. One of the reasons we never turn the lights up full before the audience leaves is because we don't want them to see how stained the seats are. Suspicious matter would definitely be found on the fabric of a lot of our seats if anyone looked closely. I'm not too vigilant about checking ID for age-rated films. If they look near enough to 15 or 18 I'll let it go, unless they've been overly cocky, in which case I will demand to see it. My manager is pretty good at turning a blind eye too. If I'm meeting friends after a late shift I'll bring in a small bottle of vodka and pre-drink using the cinema slushies as my mixer, so I'm not too far behind my friends in drunkenness when I meet them. The manager knows and is yet to sack me thankfully as, despite the rats and the nits, I love working here.
The Irish Sun
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Sex in back row, filthy pick ‘n' mix and rats… cinema worker's confessions about the grubby goings-on at the pictures
WATCHING as the hordes file out of the cinema I gird my loins for what I might find during the clean-up – knowing it won't be pretty. Some of the sights are more 5 Couples used to come in for sex all the time and we'd find a used condom every couple of weeks, reveals our secret cinema worker Credit: Getty 5 Thankfully, romps are less often now since they added night vision to the cameras Credit: Getty In my five years working in a cinema I have cleared up everything from used condoms to a poo, which was by far the most revolting discovery. It was two years ago but still haunts me. I remember catching sight of it from the corner of my eye — it wasn't quite under the seat and they had half- covered it with an empty sweet packet, but the stench was unmistakeable. It had been a mid-afternoon midweek performance, so the screen wasn't crowded, but I still have no idea how or indeed why they did it. I immediately called in my co-workers and we argued about who should remove it. In the end I volunteered, on condition that I got paid time and a half and was allowed to go straight home. Thankfully that was a one-off. Next up has to be the rats. They make regular appearances and we have to get pest control in every month or so. 'Rats dart under the velvet seats' I once took the rubbish to the main big wheelie bin and was busy compressing it when I saw one so huge I thought it was a cat. It was terrifying. Most read in Fabulous Other times I have seen them scuttling around screening rooms. It's horrifying to see them dart under the velvet seats. It's probably because we don't actually clean quite as thoroughly as we should. A lot of food is spilt by the audience and when there's a huge new release we only have ten minutes or so to clean a room where 400 people have been sitting, munching their popcorn and sweets, before the next lot come in. Baby girl born in cinema foyer during screening of Sing 2 given free membership for life If I'm in a rush, I just sweep it under the seat to be dealt with later, then forget where I did this. But, if I'm being honest, we're slapdash anyway. I started working in a cinema because I love films and get to watch them for free, not because I like cleaning up after people, so I don't scrupulously disinfect every cup holder. Thankfully used condoms are a rarer find than they used to be since we put in night-vision CCTV a couple of years ago and play it out into the foyer. Punters can see what goes on and it acts a deterrent as they wouldn't want to be projected to the masses. Before that, The first couple of times I was horrified, but I got used to it. We had one couple who visited weekly on a Tuesday morning and would get it on, full sex, in the back row. They didn't realise we knew what they were up to, as we once took someone in who was late for a screening and we saw what was happening. We checked on another Tuesday, and sure enough, they were going at it. Every week, they'd come out smiling and they were always snogging. If we were feeling mischievous, one of us would change out of uniform and go and sit beside them just to stop them in their tracks. 'We had sex in the popcorn cupboard' In fairness, they never left a used condom so we only spoilt their fun occasionally. I'll never forget the disappointment on their faces when they saw the CCTV playing in the foyer. 5 I've watched kids scurry over to the pick 'n' mix and pick up handfuls, only for parents to go and grab them out of their hands and put them back in the tub Credit: Alamy 5 Rats make regular appearances in the cinema and pest control is called in every month or so Credit: Alamy It wasn't them on the screen but they realised they couldn't do it any more. But some people still manage to as we find those used condoms under the seats and fight over who is going to clean it up. The couples must lie on the floor to evade the cameras. I have to confess that the cinema workers can be just as risque in staff previews of shows. I was dating a fellow employee and we'd discreetly sit in the back row to have our fun — we went all the way at least three times. It was before the CCTV cameras and in empty screens, so we never got caught. I also had sex with the same partner in the cupboard where we stored the food — including the popcorn. And I have to admit it's just one of the reasons I'd never eat the food in the cinema. The But worst of all are the pick 'n' mix sweets. I've watched kids scurry over to them and pick up handfuls, only for parents — understandably worried about the horrific cost — go and grab them out of their hands and put them back in the tub. And the big tubs are never emptied, we just keep pouring new sweets on top of the old ones, though the scoops get a cursory wash every day. Talking of children, I was very glad when they stopped doing the kids' club. I was in charge of it for a year, greeting all the children and helping them find their seats. Their parents would often say they were popping to the loo but clearly saw me as a babysitter. They'd disappear for about half an hour leaving me with their child. 'I don't go looking for trouble' I'm only 23 and don't have children but did get nits constantly thanks to these movie goers. Young children aren't the biggest nuisance, it's the ones allowed in on their own, aged around 12. They think it's hilarious to have popcorn fights and I've had to chuck these children out several times. Generally speaking it's not a rowdy crowd and, bar the odd drunk at a late-night screening, we don't get too much aggro. I don't go looking for trouble and I rarely pull a customer up on something. 5 Parents would often say they were popping to the loo but clearly saw me as a babysitter when I was doing the kids' club Credit: Getty But I did have to stop a family who thought it was OK to bring in a full Indian takeaway — strong-smelling food might ruin the experience for other customers. One of the reasons we never turn the lights up full before the audience leaves is because we don't want them to see how stained the seats are. Suspicious matter would definitely be found on the fabric of a lot of our seats if anyone looked closely. I'm not too vigilant about checking ID for age-rated films. If they look near enough to 15 or 18 I'll let it go, unless they've been overly cocky, in which case I will demand to see it. My manager is pretty good at turning a blind eye too. Read more on the Irish Sun If I'm meeting friends after a late shift I'll bring in a small bottle of vodka and pre-drink using the cinema slushies as my mixer, so I'm not too far behind my friends in drunkenness when I meet them. The manager knows and is yet to sack me thankfully as, despite the rats and the nits, I love working here.
Mint
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Not just Priyanka Chopra, here are 5 other, very successful actresses you probably forgot released their own music
While Priyanka Chopra's foray into music - complete with an international record deal and collaborations with the likes of Pitbull and - made plenty of headlines, she's far from being the only actress who has dabbled in the world of pop, soul or rock. Here are six other actresses you probably forgot once tried (or are still trying) their hand at music. Before or between starring in Marvel blockbusters and winning critical acclaim for her acting chops, Scarlett Johansson made a bold move into music. In 2008, she released Anywhere I Lay My Head, an album of Tom Waits covers that surprised critics with its dreamy, atmospheric tone. While not universally praised, the record stood out for its artistic ambition. She later formed a girl group called The Singles and even collaborated with Pete Yorn for a more indie-pop sound. Her voice - husky, distinctive and layered - offered a totally different side of the star many knew only from the screen. In recent times, you must have heard her rendition of some absolute classics from the animated films 'Sing' and 'Sing 2'. You may know her best as Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl, but Leighton Meester was once making waves in the music scene too. She released singles like 'Somebody to Love' with Robin Thicke and 'Your Love's a Drug,' both of which showcased her pop sensibilities. In 2014, she pivoted to a more introspective, acoustic sound with her debut album 'Heartstrings'. The record, full of soft melodies and reflective lyrics, revealed a surprisingly sincere and singer-songwriter side of Meester. Long before she became Captain Marvel or won an Academy Award, Brie Larson was just another teenager chasing a pop career. In the early 2000s, she released an album called 'Finally Out of P.E.', full of Avril Lavigne-esque pop rock anthems. Though it wasn't a chart-topper, Larson's youthful angst and catchy hooks earned her a small but loyal following. Fun fact: she even toured with Jesse McCartney at one point. While her music career didn't skyrocket, it was a memorable chapter in her evolution as a performer. Kate Hudson's musical pursuits have flown largely under the radar - at least compared to her Golden Globe-nominated acting work - but they're no less interesting. In 2021, she surprised fans by announcing her debut single 'Talk About Love,' revealing a soulful, raspy voice that lent itself well to bluesy pop. Though not a full-time singer, Hudson has expressed a deep love for music, and her occasional performances (including on-screen musical numbers) reflect a passion that runs deeper than many realise. Before she was Rue in Euphoria or swinging across buildings in Spider-Man, Zendaya was building a career in music alongside her Disney Channel fame. Her self-titled debut album dropped in 2013 and included the hit single 'Replay,' which became a sleeper success and solidified her place as a promising pop-R&B act. While she's since focused primarily on acting, Zendaya has teased fans with musical collaborations and occasional performances that remind everyone she's still got those vocal chops. From smoky covers to teen pop to soul-infused ballads, these actresses prove that their talents extend far beyond the screen. And while not all of their musical ventures became chart-topping hits, they certainly make for an entertaining trivia trail of unexpected career moves.
See - Sada Elbalad
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Matthew McConaughey Addresses Return to Acting after 6-Year Hiatus with "The Rivals of Amziah King"
Yara Sameh On the first day shooting 'The Rivals of Amziah King,' Matthew McConaughey, his right eye swollen from a bee sting, walked onto the set, raised his hand, and asked, 'Is anybody else nervous except for me?'. The cast and crew let out a collective laugh. 'Alright, alright, alright, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't the only one,' the actor said, sounding like a mixture of a preacher and a surfer with his signature drawl. But McConaughey wasn't joking. He admits he felt creaky returning to the screen after a six-year hiatus, during which he wrote a memoir, 'Greenlights,' recorded a few voice roles in movies like 'Sing 2,' spent time with his family, and kept a lower profile. 'I needed to write my own story, direct my own story on the page,' McConaughey says of his time away from being in front of the camera. However, when he came across Andrew Patterson's script, which focused on the charismatic owner of a honey operation in Oklahoma and his relationship with his foster child, he was drawn to its originality and strong sense of place. The part fits like a worn-in pair of jeans. 'It's not where I grew up, but I know of these kind of people and these places and these kind of characters that live in the middle of the country,' McConaughey added. 'This group of people in southeast Oklahoma where the film takes place know the Constitution, they know the rules they are living by, and they're not looking for or getting approval from the rest of the world. I understand them.' Patterson had labored on the project for years, enlarging it at one point into a seven-episode mini-series, before shrinking it back down again. He always felt that McConaughey possessed the free-wheeling charm that he needed for Amziah, who has a roving band of bee-keepers and musicians who follow him like a caravan of apostles. 'I wanted an actor with the type of personality where he could just hang out with them for hours,' he says. 'It had to be somebody so disarming, who would just do their thing inside this world I was trying to evoke, and who could be comedic in a dramatic movie. There aren't many people like that.' Even on the phone, McConaughey, with his tendency to monologue, exhibits that kind of magnetism. He likes to digress, looping away from a question, before somehow gliding back toward an answer with an easy-going assurance that leaves you more interested in the journey than the destination. He doesn't want this to be a one-sided conversation, asking me what I thought the meaning was behind a certain scene or for my take on the film's rural backdrop. 'Well there you go,' he says encouragingly after I tell him my (not very original) thought that what I like about movies like 'The Rivals of Amziah King' is that they take you to places that are different from your reality. 'I guess for a New Yorker, you are pretty far removed from that world,' he says. 'So you might see a people and place like this and go, 'Oh, I didn't really know that existed, right?' Which absolutely is the best thing about movies.' McConaughey says that making 'The Rivals of Amziah King,' which opens at SXSW on March 10, helped him rediscover his love for his profession. 'I remembered a couple of things,' he says. 'One, how much I truly enjoy performing. Two, I remembered, hey, McConaughey, you're pretty damn good at this. And three, I remembered that acting is a vacation for me, and what I mean by vacation is that when when I'm performing, it's my singular focus. When I walk out the door in the morning, my wife says, 'go kick some ass. I got the kiddos. We're good.' That's vacation. Because I'm not multitasking. I'm not compartmentalizing. I'm fully focused on finding the truth of my character.' He thinks that writing the book, which saw him comb through pages of diary entries to assemble something that combined poems, prayers, and remembrances, also improved his acting. 'The memoir was extremely honest and it forced me to be honest with myself,' McConaughey continues. 'It cleared up things you've been thinking about for 35 years. And it makes you realize that's kind of who you are, Matthew. Let's admit that and shake hands. Bravo. That gave me even more trust in myself, because, you know, there was less to maybe hide about myself. I had shared it. So that's made it easier for me to be honest as an actor.' That honesty extends to his thoughts on the state of 'True Detective,' the twisty anthology series that helped kick off 'The McConaissance' when it debuted on HBO in 2014. After teasing the mystery of the Yellow King, it's continued for three more, intermittently successful seasons, the most recent of which, 'True Detective: North Country,' aired in 2024 and starred Jodie Foster and Kali Reis. 'I watched, I saw it. Yeah, there's a lot about it that I appreciated,' McConaughey said haltingly. 'My favorite season — and I feel like I can say this objectively — is Season 1.' He's picking up steam here, sounding tickled by his own admission. 'I happen to be in that one, so I thought that was incredible, incredible television and a great series. I watched it weekly, like everyone else, on Sunday night, and that was an event for me. And I got to sit back and enjoy that. I loved the water cooler talk on Monday morning. Even though I made it, I sort of forgot what was going to happen next. It was one of the great events in TV.' 'True Detective,' which found McConaughey sharing the screen with his good buddy Woody Harrelson, was a two-hander, one that required its stars to have an easy chemistry. The same is true of 'The Rivals of Amziah King,' with McConaughey noting the task of carrying the movie with newcomer Angelina LookingGlass. She plays Kateri, Amziah's long-lost foster daughter who he brings back into the family business. LookingGlass got the part after an extensive nationwide search with the production testing more than 200 indigenous actors. 'Angelina had the most infectious smile, but she can turn it on a dime and just stare a hole through a person,' Patterson raves. 'We knew the second she read with Matthew that the part was hers.' McConaughey can't heap enough praise on LookingGlass, enthusing about her abilities several times during our interview. 'She only knows how to do what so many of us actors forget to do when we learn to quote, unquote, act, which is listen and respond honestly to the truth of a situation,' McConaughey added. 'That's it. That's the secret. An actor doesn't want to get caught acting. Every actor worth their salt knows what I'm talking about.'
