Latest news with #TheAviator
News18
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Scorsese & DiCaprio Reunite to Produce Action Thriller Carthage Must Be Destroyed
Last Updated: Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio are producing 'Carthage Must Be Destroyed,' directed by Ted Griffin. Filming starts in Rhode Island in October. Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio are teaming up once again, but this time they're not making a movie together as actor and director. Instead, they'll be producing an exciting new action thriller called Carthage Must Be Destroyed. The film will be directed by Ted Griffin, who is best known for writing Ocean's Eleven. The story follows a mysterious stranger who arrives in a rundown city that's controlled by criminals. Using his brains and strength, he begins to stir up trouble, turning people against each other to take down the corrupt leaders who run the place. It's expected to be a fast-paced, clever film with a dark, gritty setting. Filming is planned to begin in Rhode Island this October, and the team is currently looking for actors to bring the story to life. Although the cast hasn't been revealed yet, with such a strong production team behind it, fans are expecting big names to be involved. The movie is being made by several production companies, including Scorsese's Sikelia Productions and DiCaprio's Appian Way, along with Verdi Productions and Ketchup Entertainment. Alongside Scorsese and DiCaprio, producers Chad A. Verdi, Jennifer Davisson, Gareth West, and Christopher Donnelly are also helping to bring the project together. Chad Verdi, one of the producers, called the movie a 'powerful and exciting project" and said it was an honour to work with such a talented team. He believes that Ted Griffin's strong screenplay will make for a gripping film. Scorsese and DiCaprio have worked on several big movies together in the past, like The Wolf of Wall Street, The Aviator, and Shutter Island. While they won't be directing or acting in this one, their influence will be felt behind the scenes. First Published:
Pink Villa
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Leonardo DiCaprio's 15 Best Performances From Titanic to The Revenant
For more than three decades, Leonardo DiCaprio has defied expectations. Starting out as a teen heartthrob, he's grown into one of Hollywood's most respected and versatile actors, known for throwing himself into roles that are intense, demanding, and often emotionally devastating. While some stars coast on charisma, DiCaprio digs deep, bringing complexity to even the most broken of characters. From his Oscar-winning survival epic The Revenant to the jet-black satire of The Wolf of Wall Street, DiCaprio has made a career out of reinventing himself. Whether working with Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, or Steven Spielberg, he elevates every project with a signature blend of charm, physicality, and raw emotional fire. Here are 15 of his very best performances: 1. The Revenant (2015) Role: Hugh Glass Director: Alejandro G. Iñárritu Release Year: 2015 IMDb Rating: 8.0 Genre: Adventure, Drama Where to Watch: Disney+ Hotstar Leonardo DiCaprio finally won his Oscar for The Revenant, a brutal, nearly wordless performance that tested the limits of physical endurance. As frontiersman Hugh Glass, DiCaprio crawled, grunted, and bled his way through the wilderness in one of the most intense roles of his career. It's not his most layered performance, but it's easily his most primal. 2. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) Role: Jordan Belfort Director: Martin Scorsese Release Year: 2013 IMDb Rating: 8.2 Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama In The Wolf of Wall Street, DiCaprio delivers one of the most electric performances of his career. As Jordan Belfort, he's a fireball of greed, ego, and manic energy, never once asking the audience to like him. The performance is equal parts comedy and chaos, with DiCaprio mastering both high-octane monologues and slapstick breakdowns with astonishing ease. 3. The Aviator (2004) Role: Howard Hughes Director: Martin Scorsese Release Year: 2004 IMDb Rating: 7.5 Genre: Biography, Drama Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video Playing eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes, DiCaprio walked the tightrope between genius and madness. Directed by Martin Scorsese, The Aviator gave DiCaprio the room to go big, and he delivered, channeling both Hughes's obsessive brilliance and his mental unraveling. It was the role that proved Leo wasn't just a star, he was a serious actor. 4. Shutter Island (2010) Role: Teddy Daniels Director: Martin Scorsese Release Year: 2010 IMDb Rating: 8.2 Genre: Mystery, Thriller Where to Watch: Netflix One of DiCaprio's most underrated performances, Shutter Island finds him slowly unraveling as U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels. The movie's final twist is powerful, but it's Leo's slow-burn portrayal of grief and denial that gives the film its emotional punch. He carries the movie with aching vulnerability, all while the ground crumbles beneath his character's feet. 5. Inception (2010) Role: Dom Cobb Director: Christopher Nolan Release Year: 2010 IMDb Rating: 8.8 Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller Where to Watch: Netflix In Christopher Nolan's cerebral heist thriller, DiCaprio brings surprising emotional depth to what could have been a cool, distant role. As Dom Cobb, he grounds the film's dream logic with real stakes, a man haunted by the death of his wife and the children he may never see again. It's blockbuster acting at its best. 6. Django Unchained (2012) Role: Calvin Candie Director: Quentin Tarantino Release Year: 2012 IMDb Rating: 8.5 Genre: Drama, Western Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video As plantation owner Calvin Candie, DiCaprio went full villain and relished every moment. Though his performance isn't as sharp as others on this list, it's unforgettable for its sheer audacity. He's unsettling, charming, and just plain terrifying. Not everyone can steal scenes from Christoph Waltz and Jamie Foxx, but Leo holds his own. 7. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) Role: Rick Dalton Director: Quentin Tarantino Release Year: 2019 IMDb Rating: 7.6 Genre: Comedy, Drama Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video In Quentin Tarantino's love letter to old Hollywood, DiCaprio plays fading actor Rick Dalton with a vulnerability that's rare in his career. There's humor, melancholy, and a surprising amount of depth as Dalton wrestles with his fading relevance. It's one of DiCaprio's most human performances and one of his most rewatchable. 8. Revolutionary Road (2008) Role: Frank Wheeler Director: Sam Mendes Release Year: 2008 IMDb Rating: 7.3 Genre: Drama, Romance Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video Reuniting with Titanic co-star Kate Winslet, DiCaprio explores the collapse of the American Dream in Revolutionary Road. His performance as Frank Wheeler is full of desperation and suppressed rage, a man who feels trapped in a life he doesn't understand. It's a bleak, mature performance that shows how far he'd come since Jack Dawson. 9. Catch Me If You Can (2002) Role: Frank Abagnale Jr. Director: Steven Spielberg Release Year: 2002 IMDb Rating: 8.1 Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama Where to Watch: Netflix Long before he was known for heavy dramas, DiCaprio showed off his natural charm in Steven Spielberg's breezy con-man comedy. As teenage fraudster Frank Abagnale Jr., Leo balances swagger with vulnerability, showing us the scared kid behind the bravado. It's one of his lightest roles and one of his most likable. 10. Blood Diamond (2006) Role: Danny Archer Director: Edward Zwick Release Year: 2006 IMDb Rating: 8.0 Genre: Adventure, Drama, Thriller Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video DiCaprio earned another Oscar nomination for Blood Diamond, where he played a South African mercenary caught in the world of conflict diamonds. It's a muscular performance, and while the film itself is overly earnest, DiCaprio gives it grit and urgency. His accent might be debatable, but his commitment isn't. 11. What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993) Role: Arnie Grape Director: Lasse Hallström Release Year: 1993 IMDb Rating: 7.8 Genre: Drama Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video At just 19, DiCaprio stunned audiences with his performance as Arnie, a teenager with developmental disabilities. It could have easily been a showy, awards-bait role, but Leo approached it with empathy, nuance, and authenticity. It was his first Oscar nomination and a powerful sign of what was to come. 12. The Departed (2006) Role: Billy Costigan Director: Martin Scorsese Release Year: 2006 IMDb Rating: 8.5 Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller Where to Watch: Netflix As undercover cop Billy Costigan, DiCaprio holds the moral center of Martin Scorsese's violent crime saga. Surrounded by showy performances, Leo plays it tortured and real, a man slowly buckling under the pressure of living a lie. It's an intense, jittery performance that anchors the entire film. 13. Titanic (1997) Role: Jack Dawson Director: James Cameron Release Year: 1997 IMDb Rating: 7.9 Genre: Drama, Romance Where to Watch: Disney+ Hotstar Sure, Titanic is a love story, but it's also a showcase for DiCaprio's natural movie-star charisma. As Jack Dawson, he became the face of a generation. While his later roles would be darker and deeper, Titanic remains a cultural milestone and the performance that launched him into global superstardom. 14. The Great Gatsby (2013) Role: Jay Gatsby Director: Baz Luhrmann Release Year: 2013 IMDb Rating: 7.2 Genre: Drama, Romance Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video In Baz Luhrmann's maximalist adaptation, DiCaprio gave Jay Gatsby a wounded soul beneath all the glamour. His now-iconic champagne toast scene is pure movie magic, but he also brought heartbreak to a character often reduced to a symbol. Gatsby's longing and delusion were safe in Leo's hands. 15. Gangs of New York (2002) Role: Amsterdam Vallon Director: Martin Scorsese Release Year: 2002 IMDb Rating: 7.5 Genre: Crime, Drama Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video Leonardo DiCaprio shed his heartthrob image to take on a gritty role as Amsterdam Vallon, a young man seeking revenge in 19th-century New York. He held his own opposite Daniel Day-Lewis, delivering a performance full of intensity and emotional depth. Leonardo DiCaprio has received significant recognition for several other performances. He won a Golden Globe for The Aviator (2004) and earned Oscar nominations for Blood Diamond (2006) and The Aviator. His role in J. Edgar (2011) also brought critical acclaim, even though it didn't lead to major wins. His environmental documentary work, including Before the Flood (2016), also won him a 2017 Environmental Media Award. These projects further cemented his range and impact beyond mainstream acting roles. Leonardo DiCaprio's career is a masterclass in longevity and reinvention. He's played icons, villains, dreamers, and broken men, often within the same film. Whether crawling through the snow, yelling across a trading floor, or floating on a door in the middle of the Atlantic, one thing remains consistent: he's always acting.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Harvey Weinstein's Accuser Gets Emotional As She Takes The Stand Again After 5 Years
Harvey Weinstein's accuser, Miriam Haley, faces her fears once again. The alleged sexual assault survivor is back on the stand to detail her painful experience at the hands of the producer as his retrial commences. Harvey Weinstein was hit with multiple sexual assault allegations in 2017 from various women who claimed he abused, raped and sexually harassed them. Haley became visibly emotional during her second testimony regarding the incident in which she alleged he sexually assaulted her in his Manhattan apartment. She went into detail about the alleged rape incident from 2006, describing how Weinstein had invited her to his Manhattan apartment. Haley claimed it happened after he provided her with a ticket to the premiere of "Clerks II" in Los Angeles, an invitation she accepted. She recalls sitting with the producer on a sofa when he suddenly charged at her and attempted to kiss her. Haley added that he eventually pinned her down and forced her to a bed, where he then raped her. Haley allegedly informed Weinstein she was on her period and had a tampon in, but it did little to deter him from pulling out the tampon and proceeding with the rape. According to TMZ, the accuser noted that she was aware of what was happening and how bad it was, but "just decided to check out and endure it." Haley testified that she first met Harvey Weinstein at the 2004 premiere of "The Aviator" in London, where he helped her secure a position as a production assistant on "Project Runway." She mentioned that their relationship did not turn sexual until the alleged rape in July 2006. Haley is one of three women testifying against Weinstein in his New York retrial, and her testimony aligns with her previous account from his original trial five years prior. In 2020, Weinstein was convicted of sexually abusing the former production assistant and actress Jessica Mann. However, those convictions were later overturned after an appeals court ruled that his constitutional rights had been violated during the trial. Now, prosecutors are pursuing another case against him while he maintains his not-guilty plea. On April 18, The Blast shared that a judge approved Weinstein's request to be transferred from Rikers Island to Bellevue Hospital ahead of his retrial hearing. The former film producer sought this move due to concerns over poor living conditions and the mishandling of his health issues while in prison. His attorney, Imran Ansari, along with prison consultant Craig Rothfeld, successfully argued for the transfer, which was granted on April 17. Weinstein was billed to remain at Bellevue until his hearing, scheduled for April 24 at 2:15 PM ET. This retrial comes after his 2020 rape conviction in New York was overturned following a successful appeal. The allegations against Weinstein sparked larger agitations toward justice for victims of sexual abuse in the film industry and workplaces. It ignited the #MeToo Movement and what has been termed the "Weinstein effect," as numerous other influential men faced accusations of similar misconduct. Weinstein also requested $5 million in damages from the Bellevue Medical Center. Despite having a history of treatment at Bellevue over the past year, he included them as part of his claim. The filmmaker criticized the hospital for discharging him back to prison before he fully recovered. Weinstein's legal team argued that his experience in prison has caused him both physical and psychological harm. His lawyers also attributed his suffering to the poor living conditions at Rikers Island. The petition's implications extend to the City of New York and its agencies, as Weinstein argued for compensation due to what he describes as "horrific" treatment. Weinstein's lawyers argued for his transfer to a medical center, claiming Rikers could not meet his healthcare needs and had mismanaged his deteriorating health. Weinstein's legal representatives further raised significant concerns about the medical care he is receiving at Rikers Island, alleging that the medical staff has misdiagnosed at least one condition. Attorney Ansari emphasized that the mismanagement of Weinstein's health issues could potentially lead to dire consequences for the film producer. Weinstein's medical challenges include a range of severe conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and extensive coronary artery disease, alongside chest pain attributed to reduced blood flow to the heart. Additionally, he also suffered from obstructive sleep apnea, thyroid problems, obesity, chronic pain in his lower back and legs, anemia, hypertension, and more. Ansari continued that his client endured "freezing" conditions without clean clothes, worsening his health. The legal rep criticized NYC officials for their role in his client's suffering and mentioned his efforts to transfer Weinstein from Rikers to Bellevue Hospital, which were ignored. He emphasized that this transfer was vital to prevent Weinstein's premature death. Which way will the trial swing this time for Harvey Weinstein?
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Harvey Weinstein Accuser Miriam Haley Tells Jury of 2006 Assault: ‘I Just Decided to Check Out and Endure It'
Miriam Haley began to break down in tears on Wednesday as she told jurors about the moment she realized that Harvey Weinstein was about to sexually assault her. 'I just decided to check out and endure it,' she said. More from Variety Harvey Weinstein Accuser's Former Roommate Testifies About Alleged 2006 Sexual Assault Can Miramax Bounce Back? Inside the Post-Weinstein Makeover That Includes Reboots, Remakes and Sydney Sweeney Harvey Weinstein's New York Retrial Begins With Opening Statements; New Accuser Identified The former TV production assistant is the first of three accusers to testify at Weinstein's retrial in Manhattan. Recounting testimony she gave at his first trial five years ago, she alleged that Weinstein assaulted her at his SoHo apartment on July 10, 2006. Prior to that visit, Weinstein had invited her to attend the 'Clerks II' premiere in L.A., an invitation she accepted. He later asked her to stop by his apartment to meet, and she agreed — explaining that it felt awkward to refuse after having just accepted the invitation to the premiere. Haley said that, after a driver sent by Weinstein dropped her off and led her to the hallway of the SoHo apartment, he left — and there was no one else inside. While she and Weinstein were sitting on a sofa, he suddenly 'lunged' at her and tried to kiss her. She rejected him, but he persisted, 'smothering me with advances.' Haley said that he used his body to push her toward a bed in a dark bedroom. 'He was grabbing me and touching me,' she said, adding that she was 'trying to get him off me.' However, Haley recounted that Weinstein repeatedly pushed her back onto the bed. As she struggled, she started to fear that he might become violent and that her chances of escaping were slim. 'I realized that I'm getting raped,' she thought in that moment. According to Haley, she had mentioned to Weinstein that she was on her period and had a tampon in. 'He took out my tampon and orally forced himself on me,' she continued. Haley said she was 'mortified' and 'in disbelief' during the incident, and that she didn't want anyone to place their mouth on her vagina, as she was 'un-groomed and having her period.' 'And certainly not him,' she noted, referring to Weinstein. Haley later told her then-roommate, Elizabeth Entin, about what occurred at Weinstein's apartment, and remembered Entin telling her 'it sounds like rape.' Haley added, 'I felt trapped in what to do about it.' The following day, Haley did not attend the 'Clerks II' premiere, explaining that she didn't want to after the alleged assault. 'I was still trying to navigate my own feelings and my options,' she said. Haley first took the stand Tuesday and recounted first meeting Weinstein at the London premiere of 'The Aviator' in 2004, where her friend, the late 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' producer Michael White, introduced them. She said Weinstein joked that he would name his next company after her, later clarifying that his mother's name was also Miriam. (Miramax is a combination of Weinstein's parents' names, Miriam and Max). She also described several meetings with Weinstein prior to the alleged assault in 2006, including one that took place in a hotel room in France, after they reconnected at the Cannes Film Festival. Haley explained that she had hoped to discuss potential job opportunities in New York. When asked earlier by the prosecutor whether she had any romantic or sexual interest in Weinstein, Haley responded, 'No, I did not.' However, instead of focusing on professional matters, Weinstein 'quickly started talking about other things.' According to Haley, he commented on her legs and asked if she could give him a massage. 'I felt taken aback. I felt humiliated,' she said. Despite rebuffing his advances, Haley did receive a job in 2006 as a production assistant on 'Project Runway,' which Weinstein produced. After the third season of the reality competition series wrapped, she met Weinstein to have a conversation in the lobby bar of a Manhattan hotel in late June — just weeks before the alleged sexual assault. During the conversation, they discussed her work as a production assistant on 'Project Runway.' According to Haley, Weinstein offered to write a letter in support of extending her work visa, as she was not a U.S. citizen. When the prosecutor asked whether Weinstein had done anything during that meeting to make her feel uncomfortable, Haley said no, describing him as 'respectful' and 'quite charming.' However, she asserted that she was not flirting with Weinstein, and the interaction did not take a romantic turn. 'I was looking for work,' Haley said. Weinstein is charged with committing a first-degree criminal sexual act against Haley. He has pleaded not guilty. Haley's attorney, Gloria Allred, sat in the court gallery on Tuesday to watch the testimony. The disgraced movie mogul was convicted of sexually abusing Haley and another accuser, actor Jessica Mann, at his initial trial in 2020. Those convictions were later overturned. Last Thursday, two women who were friends with Haley in 2006 — Entin and Christine Pressman — testified that Haley had confided in them shortly after the alleged assault by Weinstein. 'He raped my friend, and I am not happy about that,' Entin said at one point while being cross-examined by the defense. Meanwhile, Pressman told the courtroom that, after hearing Haley's story in August or September 2006, she advised Haley not to contact the authorities. 'I said, 'Harvey Weinstein is the king of New York. He's extremely powerful; you are not. Just let it go.'' In addition to the charge related to Haley, Weinstein faces another count of committing a first-degree criminal sexual act and one count of rape in the third degree. He pleaded not guilty to those charges as well. Best of Variety What's Coming to Netflix in May 2025 New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in May 2025
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Miriam Haley testifies against Harvey Weinstein once more
Five years after she tearfully told a court that Harvey Weinstein sexually assaulted her, former "Project Runway" production assistant Miriam Haley took the stand again Tuesday to revisit the ordeal she alleges she endured at the hands of the disgraced movie mogul. Haley was back testifying because New York's highest court last year overturned Weinstein's landmark 2020 conviction, which defined the #MeToo movement and helped turn Weinstein into a Hollywood pariah. Haley had barely started testifying when Weinstein's lawyers began raising objections to her recounting the abuse she says she suffered as a child while she was being raised in Sweden. Weinstein's defense team had been expected to closely watch the testimony of Haley, who says Weinstein forcibly performed oral sex on her in July 2006, because both she and actor Jessica Mann testified at the 2020 trial. Mann says Weinstein raped her in 2013 in a Manhattan hotel room. Weinstein is charged with one count of engaging in a criminal sex act in connection with Haley's allegations and one count of third-degree rape in Mann's case. This time around, Weinstein is also charged with one count of engaging in a first-degree criminal sexual act, accused of assaulting a Polish former model named Kaja Sokola. Sokola, who was not part of the 2020 trial, claims in a lawsuit that Weinstein performed oral sex on her without her consent at a Manhattan hotel in 2006, when she was 16. Weinstein, 73, has denied assaulting the three women. Haley, 47, said she first met Weinstein in 2004 at the after-party for the movie premiere of "The Aviator." "I introduced myself, saying, 'I'm Mimi,'" she said. Haley said that several years later, she reconnected with Weinstein at the Cannes Film Festival in France. She said she was looking for an opportunity as a production assistant in New York and agreed to meet him at his hotel. Once they were there, Haley said, Weinstein commented on her legs and "asked whether I could give him a massage." She testified she said no and later burst into tears. "I felt taken aback, humiliated," Haley said. Asked by Assistant District Attorney Nicole Blumberg whether she had any interest in Weinstein 'romantically or sexually," Haley replied: 'No, I did not. I was there to try and find work.' Still, despite being rebuffed, Weinstein did arrange for her to work on "Project Runway" even though she lacked a U.S. work visa, Haley said before court was adjourned for the day. Haley is expected to be back on the stand Wednesday and reprise her 2020 testimony about the alleged assault. During the 2020 trial, Haley testified that not long after she finished working for the show, she visited Weinstein at his lower Manhattan apartment, where, she said, he pinned her down on his bed and forced oral sex on her. On the stand, Haley told jurors that in the midst of the alleged assault it occurred to her, 'I'm being raped.' Unsure what to do, Haley said, she weighed her options. 'If I scream 'rape,' will someone hear me?' she said. 'I checked out and decided to endure it.' Haley testified at the retrial a week after her former roommate and close friend Christine Pressman told jurors that Haley confided in her back in September 2006 that Weinstein had assaulted her. 'I was staying at Lorne Michaels' house in East Hampton, and Miriam was there, as well," Pressman said, referring to the "Saturday Night Live" creator. "She was distraught, crying, very upset, obviously; she was very animated and had a lot of intensity. She said it's Harvey Weinstein. She was in shock. She described what happened, and it was disgusting." Asked what she advised her friend, Pressman said: "I told her to move past it and not to go to the police at all. I told her she should not to go to police or the authorities about being raped by Harvey Weinstein." Another former roommate, Elizabeth Entin, said Haley also told her Weinstein assaulted her. But she said she gave Haley different guidance. 'He raped my friend, and I am not happy about that,' Entin said. 'I told her to call a lawyer to navigate the system. I despise anyone who has raped my friend. She is not my only friend that has been raped." In her opening remarks, Assistant District Attorney Shannon Lucey said Weinstein was a serial sexual predator who used his power as "a titan" in the movie industry to prey on young women, and she then described in graphic terms what he is alleged to have done to them. 'They stayed quiet for years,' Lucey said of the accusers, out of 'their fear of what he might do to them.' Weinstein's lead attorney, Arthur Aidala, insisted in his opening statement that Weinstein's sexual encounters with the accusers were 'transactional" and 'consensual.' "The casting couch is not a crime scene," he said. This article was originally published on
