Latest news with #Wikimedia
The Age
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Classic films have never been harder to find. A free streamer offers hope
Despite the myriad streaming services that have landed in Australia over the past decade, finding classic films has often proved a problem – but a new service is now offering thousands of titles reaching back to the earliest days of cinema. And it's free. Established by the non-profit community behind Wikipedia, Wikibooks and Wikiversity, WikiFlix demands no subscription fee, no sign-up and no ads. It joins a growing number of free Australian streamers, some of which are ad-supported, offering non-mainstream films. WikiFlix offers more than 3,800 films from across the world that are in the public domain - not restricted by copyright - dating back to such early classics as Passage de Venus (1874), A Trip To The Moon (1902), Nosferatu (1922), Battleship Potemkin (1925), Metropolis (1927) and The Jazz Singer (1927). As well as Charlie Chaplin and Alfred Hitchcock films, it also offers the screwball comedy Charade, It's A Wonderful Life, Satyajit Ray's Pather Panchali and Ed Wood's Plan 9 From Outer Space. Developed in Germany, WikiFlix promises 'access to a vast library of freely licensed films and aims to provide an alternative to commercial streaming giants, while complementing public broadcaster media libraries'. Berlin-based spokeswoman Lydia Pintscher says an editor at Wikimedia, the community behind Wikipedia, suggested branching into film to build on its existing data. 'There are all these sources of those movies on the internet, like the Internet Archive, Wikimedia Commons and YouTube, of course, where you can watch all these public domain movies,' she says. '[The thinking was] let's make that more accessible to people and provide them with a friendly way of accessing [those films].' What has been under-represented as streaming services have multiplied is early cinema, as well as Hollywood and foreign-language classics up to the 1960s, especially in black and white. While the Hollywood side of that equation has improved, with HBO's Max including Turner Classic Movies, WikiFlix is a welcome arrival for cinephiles, filmmakers and students.
Sydney Morning Herald
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Classic films have never been harder to find. A free streamer offers hope
Despite the myriad streaming services that have landed in Australia over the past decade, finding classic films has often proved a problem – but a new service is now offering thousands of titles reaching back to the earliest days of cinema. And it's free. Established by the non-profit community behind Wikipedia, Wikibooks and Wikiversity, WikiFlix demands no subscription fee, no sign-up and no ads. It joins a growing number of free Australian streamers, some of which are ad-supported, offering non-mainstream films. WikiFlix offers more than 3,800 films from across the world that are in the public domain - not restricted by copyright - dating back to such early classics as Passage de Venus (1874), A Trip To The Moon (1902), Nosferatu (1922), Battleship Potemkin (1925), Metropolis (1927) and The Jazz Singer (1927). As well as Charlie Chaplin and Alfred Hitchcock films, it also offers the screwball comedy Charade, It's A Wonderful Life, Satyajit Ray's Pather Panchali and Ed Wood's Plan 9 From Outer Space. Developed in Germany, WikiFlix promises 'access to a vast library of freely licensed films and aims to provide an alternative to commercial streaming giants, while complementing public broadcaster media libraries'. Berlin-based spokeswoman Lydia Pintscher says an editor at Wikimedia, the community behind Wikipedia, suggested branching into film to build on its existing data. 'There are all these sources of those movies on the internet, like the Internet Archive, Wikimedia Commons and YouTube, of course, where you can watch all these public domain movies,' she says. '[The thinking was] let's make that more accessible to people and provide them with a friendly way of accessing [those films].' What has been under-represented as streaming services have multiplied is early cinema, as well as Hollywood and foreign-language classics up to the 1960s, especially in black and white. While the Hollywood side of that equation has improved, with HBO's Max including Turner Classic Movies, WikiFlix is a welcome arrival for cinephiles, filmmakers and students.
India Today
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
90s cartoon legends we want back after Lilo & Stitch's return. Reload the nostalgia
We're not crying, you're crying. Okay fine, we're all crying. Lilo & Stitch, the mischievous alien tale that made Ohana a household word, is getting the live-action treatment in 2025. And while some purists are side-eyeing the remake, most of us are screaming into our pillows out of sheer living in a world of remakes, reboots, and reimaginings, but not all of them hit where it matters- the heart. With the 2025 return of Lilo & Stitch in a live-action avatar, it's a reminder that some cartoon characters weren't just animated, they were emotionally made us laugh, cry, and believe in everything from friendship to flying cars. In a time of doomscrolling, hyper-edits, and AI-generated chaos, these characters deserve a comeback, not just to entertain a new generation, but to remind us millennials of what pure, pixel-powered joy felt like. The world doesn't just need content, it needs comfort. And what's more comforting than a cartoon hug from your childhood?But that got us thinking, if Stitch gets a second chance to wreak adorable havoc, what about the other animated icons we grew up with? The ones that shaped our humour, fuelled our snack binges, and made us believe the remote control was a sacred LILO & STITCH CAN RETURN, SO CAN THESE ICONS:Here's our ultimate wish list of cartoon characters that need to be resurrected, reimagined, and rebooted, because these legends still live rent-free in our COURAGE THE COWARDLY DOG Image: Wikimedia commons It was the OG horror-comedy show before Stranger Things. We had this pink paranoid pupper living in 'Nowhere'. Courage faced demonic cats, haunted mattresses, and cursed amulets, every night was a psychological it needs a comeback: With today's VFX and horror trends, Courage could finally get the terrifying visuals he deserves. Give him a Guillermo del Toro treatment, and we're sold.2. TOM AND JERRY (Image: Wikimedia commons) The eternal cat-and-mouse chase that somehow never got old. No dialogue, just pure slapstick chaos, visual comedy, and surprisingly deep emotional arcs, if you were paying it needs a comeback: We've rebooted them before, but never with heart. Think 2D animation meets Pixar emotions, a reboot where Tom and Jerry still don't talk, but finally get the emotional redemption arc they NODDY (Image: Wikimedia commons) Our favorite wooden boy with a bell on his cap and a red-yellow car was the unofficial ambassador of Toyland diplomacy. Every episode was a polite negotiation between friends, enemies, and that slightly shady goblin it needs a comeback: In a world of loud chaos, Noddy's quiet curiosity and conflict-resolution skills deserve a Gen Alpha upgrade. Picture a Studio Ghibli-style Toyland, soft pastels, life lessons, and tea with Big Ears. Wholesome, reloaded.4. OSWALD (Image: Youtube) A blue octopus with a bowler's hat and the patience of a monk, Oswald's world was a calm oasis of slow-paced joy. Every tiny adventure felt like a meditation app with it needs a comeback: In our hustle-burnout loop, we need Oswald more than ever. A reboot could be a gentle, animated mindfulness series; no villains, just vibes. Pair it with lo-fi jazz and you've got a preschool Ted BOB THE BUILDER (Image: Wikimedia commons) Yes we can! And yes, we did, build memories brick by brick with Bob, Wendy, and the whole machine crew. It was teamwork, trust, and toolbox-level it needs a comeback: Today's kids are coding robots, not just fixing fences. A new-age Bob could teach sustainability, smart tech, and empathy-led design thinking. Also, we miss Scoop's unhinged optimism.6. ED, EDD N EDDY (Image: Wikimedia commons) They were the kings of junkyard entrepreneurship. This chaotic trio turned cardboard boxes into rocket ships and scammed the entire neighbourhood for jawbreakers. Messy, loud, and endlessly creative, they were peak childhood it needs a comeback: A live-action series with a 'Home Alone' vibe could hit the nostalgia jackpot—slapstick, smarts, and suburban THE POWERPUFF GIRLS (Image: Wikimedia commons) The OG feminist icons before it was cool. Made from sugar, spice, and Chemical X, Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup fought monsters, went to school, and saved Townsville by 6 it needs a comeback: A proper live-action Powerpuff Girls that balances cute and kick-ass could inspire a new generation of girls to wear capes over pajamas.8. JOHNNY BRAVO (Image: Wikimedia commons) He was the himbo we didn't know we needed. With a pompadour higher than your future and confidence levels that defy gravity, Johnny was the clueless but lovable it needs a comeback: Cast someone like Chris Hemsworth and throw in a self-aware, woke twist? Comedy gold. Bonus points for Elvis-inspired dance breaks.9. KIM POSSIBLE (Image: Wikimedia commons) advertisementShe was always mission-ready and mid-exam. Kim juggled cheerleading, algebra, and saving the world, with a pager and a mole rat. She was every multitasking teen's role it needs a comeback: In a tech-savvy 2025 world, imagine her using AI, smartwatches, and drones, all while dealing with finals. Ron Stoppable still forgets his pants. Some things never change.10. DEXTER'S LABORATORY (Image: Wikimedia commons) Dexter was our favourite boy genius. He was an introverted nerd who had a secret lab, a mind too big for his tiny body, and a sister who could dismantle it all with it needs a comeback: A modern-day Dexter battling AI gone rogue? He could be the next 'Black Mirror' meets 'Spy Kids' 90S CARTOONS WERE NEVER JUST CARTOONSThese shows weren't 'just for kids.' They shaped how we see friendship, fear, fun, and even failure. In a world that now moves at hyper-speed, maybe it's time we returned to these slow-burn joys, one live-action reboot at a yes, Lilo & Stitch might be coming back, but we've got our eyes (and childhood hearts) set on the rest of the gang if you're listening, we have the nostalgia, we have the fanbase, and we have the memes. Let's make it happen.
The Journal
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Journal
Quiz: How much do you know about famous hats?
Cardinals adjust their mitre hats during a final pre-conclave Mass Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo THERE HAVE BEEN many ceremonial hats, or in this case mitres, on display as the largest ever conclave to elect the new pope gathered in Rome. Advertisement The Pope himself also has a raft of headware for different occasions, but how much do you know about these other well-known hats? This is a Yeomen Warder, what nickname do they have that is also the name of a well-known gin? Alamy Hendrick Old Tom Beefeater Bombay Sapphire This chef's hat is known as a what? Alamy A toque A poque A loque A roque In US academic tradition, tassels on mortarboards have different colours to signify different fields of study. Alamy True False The word 'sombrero' derives from the Spanish word 'sombra', meaning what? Alamy Sunshine Shade Wide Rounded This is the Fez, tradionally associated with which era or Empire? Wikimedia creative commons Roman Ottoman Greek Mongol This traditional Scottish hat is an example of a what? Alamy Bonnet Crabbit Lassie Bairn This mask shows a piece of striped head cloth worn by pharohs which is known as what? Alamy Horus Nemes Nebty Sceptre This hat won by Harrison Ford in the Indiana Jones franchise sold at auction last year for how much? Paramount $6,300 $63,000 $630,000 $6.3 million Brought back into fasion by Peaky Blinders, this eight-piece flat cap is known as a what? Wikimedia creative commons Newsboy cap Reporters cap Paperboy cap Fishers cap Colloquially known as the "Green Berets", what is this unit cofficially titled? Wikimedia creative commons National Guard of the United States United States Army Special Forces United States Marine Corps United States Navy SEALs Answer all the questions to see your result! You scored out of ! A Top of the class! Share your result: Share Tweet Shutterstock You scored out of ! B Lovely result Share your result: Share Tweet Shutterstock You scored out of ! C 'I'll take it' Share your result: Share Tweet Shutterstock You scored out of ! D You just about scraped it! Share your result: Share Tweet Shutterstock You scored out of ! No mortar board for you Share your result: Share Tweet Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Good news for free speech!
The Supreme Court (SC) of India made an important decision on Friday. It said that people should be allowed to talk about court decisions. Why? Because it helps keep judges fair and honest. If people aren't allowed to question or discuss what courts do, mistakes might go unnoticed. Here's what happened: There was a fight between a news agency called ANI and a website called Wikimedia (the group that runs Wikipedia). A court in Delhi told Wikimedia to remove a page that explained what was happening in the case. The court thought keeping the page up was 'contempt of court,' which means showing disrespect to the court. But Wikimedia didn't agree. They went to the Supreme Court. The SC said the Delhi court was wrong. It said courts should not tell the media what to delete or what to keep online. People have the right to know and talk about what's happening in courts—especially in a democracy like India. The Supreme Court also said that open discussion helps courts improve. When people can see and talk about how courts work, it builds trust and makes the system better. This is great news for free speech and for everyone who believes in fairness and honesty! Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
