Latest news with #post-Oscars
Express Tribune
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Pope Crave: Meme account inspired by ‘Conclave' goes viral during real papal election
As the world awaited the announcement of the new pope, one unlikely source delivered the news ahead of the Vatican's official channels—a meme account dedicated to the 2024 film Conclave. Created by Dallas-based artist Susan Bin, the account @ClubConcrave has become a viral hub for memes and live updates from Vatican City. Launched in 2024 following Bin's fascination with the film adaptation of Robert Harris's novel, the account built a niche community through humorous content and fan art. The platform, also known as Pope Crave, parodied pop culture news pages while focusing on all things papal. During the real 2025 conclave, it surged in popularity after sharing a meme-filled post about the white smoke moments before the Vatican made its official announcement. Speaking to New York Times Bin said, 'I am currently physically not in the Vatican, but metaphysically I am always in the Vatican and in their walls.' The account's popularity grew organically from fan interest, particularly after the film gained traction in Asian markets post-Oscars. A Discord server and a charity zine followed, establishing a global network of contributors, some of whom Bin claims are stationed within Vatican City. The account, which blends sincere curiosity with satire, has received little negative feedback. Bin added, 'It comes from a place of sincerity and humor… I think Pope Francis would enjoy these memes.'
Los Angeles Times
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times News Quiz this week: Ohtani's big swing back home, a new hotel ban
Welcome to the Los Angeles Times News Quiz. Your quizmaster Adam Tschorn here, back with another 10 handcrafted, California-leaning, multiple-choice questions riffing off the stories published in The Times (in print or online) over the previous seven days. This week those topics include a legally questionable hotel ban that's suddenly popular around California, the winner of this year's L.A. Marathon (and what makes him different from every other winner in the last three decades), the Broadway musical President Trump isn't a fan of, the perennially popular sitcom set at the Dunder Mifflin paper company, the new Corita Art Center in downtown L.A.'s Arts District and Conan O'Brien's just-announced post-Oscars hosting gig. If you've kept up on the news of the week, you should be able to answer these questions as easily as Ohtani hit that homer. Are you ready to have some fun? I am. Let's get started.
Associated Press
05-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Movie Review: A reckoning in surreal, riveting ‘On Becoming a Guinea Fowl'
Shula is driving home from a fancy dress party one night when she encounters an unusual sight in the middle of a country road: her Uncle Fred's dead body. But Shula, portrayed by Susan Chardy, does not behave in a way that we would expect. She doesn't cry out in horror or appear the least bit upset or shocked by the sight. Instead, we sit there with her in silence, her in sunglasses and a silver helmeted mask adorned with sparkling rhinestones. Shula looks straight out of a music video as she stares off into the distance. This, we realize quickly, is going to be a thing. At the very least, it's an inconvenience, ripping her out of her independent life and back into the throes of her traditional family, their patriarchal ways and all their crippling secrets. This is the opening scene of 'On Becoming a Guinea Fowl,' Rungano Nyoni's darkly comedic, stylish and hauntingly bizarre portrait of a Zambian family funeral. It is perhaps the first great film of 2025 — though it's technically been awaiting its moment in the United States since 2024. It premiered last year at the Cannes Film Festival and has already had a run in the U.K. And it's a post-Oscars treat to have something this great in the cinemas to shake audiences out of their end-of-the-road awards contender boredom. What better way to do it than with something so different, so vibrant and so unforgettable as 'On Becoming a Guinea Fowl,' only the second feature from the self-taught filmmaker. Nyoni centers this story around a dayslong funeral for this predominately Bemba family. Shula is in the middle of the generations involved, a reluctant but obedient participant in the rituals of the elders. The women organize all the things, make all the food, and then serve all the men who are sitting around doing nothing. Eventually, they'll all gather for a climactic, distressing scene in which they divide up Fred's assets and place blame for his death. It is, like everything else, deeply unfair and misogynistic, coming down to whomever shouts loudest. The elder women cry and wail and are cruel to Uncle Fred's widow for not taking care of him. But there is an open secret that's bubbling up to the surface now that Fred is dead: He was a predator and a pedophile whose abuse of the young women in his family stretches back decades. This is, most of the elders agree, something that should just be forgotten and buried along with Fred. 'Do you want me to dig up the corpse and ask it what happened?' Shula's dad asks when she confronts him with the truth. This is a society that remains bound to protecting the reputation and memory of a man whose actions continue to affect the women he violated: His wife; his young niece; Shula's grown, often drunk cousin (Elizabeth Chisela). The women are just supposed to compartmentalize and move on — something the matriarchs seem largely on board with. Shula reads one of her auntie's words, presumably for an obituary: 'You were not just a brother, but also a father figure. … Ever jovial and joyous. A person who was fair.' Done in quick succession with her young cousin Bupe's confession that she too was a victim of the deceased, words like 'father figure' and 'jovial' echo with malice. 'On Becoming a Guinea Fowl' shares some spiritual DNA with 'Women Talking,' in which mothers pass on traumas and secrets and the cycle goes on, despite even the best of intentions. Nyoni and her cinematographer David Gallego make this a transportive, stylish and unforgettable experience that powerfully transcends the specifics of its setting, while also taking audiences into an culture that's likely unfamiliar. The ending is not what one might call conclusive, but perhaps a litmus test for the individual viewer as to whether or not they'll exit with hope or dread for what's to come. And regardless, when you take a step back, 'Guinea Fowl' cements the exciting arrival of a true filmmaker. 'On Becoming a Guinea Fowl,' an A24 release in theaters Friday, is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association for 'thematic material, sexual abuse, suggestive references and some drug use.' Running time: 95 minutes. Three and a half stars out of four.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
American Idol's Carrie Underwood Was ‘Nervous' About Judging Her First Audition — How Did She Do?
ABC allowed Carrie Underwood to reintroduce herself on Sunday, offering curious viewers a taste of what she'll bring to the judges' table when American Idol officially returns for Season 23 on March 9 (8/7c). The 30-minute post-Oscars special kicked off with Underwood's 'first day on the other side of the table,' a mere 20 years after she won Idol herself. One of the biggest changes she noticed was the impressive quality of the golden tickets, a considerable upgrade from the 'yellow piece of paper' she recalled being handed back in 2005. More from TVLine The Rookie Cliffhanger: What Do You Think Happens Next for Nyla/James? (And Can It Not Be Cringey?) The Rookie: Season 7's Wiiildest Episode Gave Us an Iconic #Chenford Scene and 3-1/2 Other Big Twists Grey's Anatomy Enlists Lena Waithe for Multi-Episode Arc - What's Her Connection to Catherine? Underwood's first-ever contestant arrived in the form of 25-year-old Sonny Tennet, a mustachio'd Ed Sheeran type from the UK. The unassuming singer-songwriter had Underwood melting into her hands within seconds of his smooth, riff-riddled take on the Commodores' 'Easy.' Between this being Underwood's first time at bat, plus Tennet performing a song by fellow judge Lionel Richie, this audition could have gone south really quickly — but ABC wasn't about to kick off the new season with a flop. Richie was thoroughly impressed by Tennet, praising him for making the song his own before passing the mic to Underwood for her first-ever critiques. 'I felt my heart aflutter,' she said of Tennet's 'joyous' performance, calling it a 'perfect song choice.' Then it was over to Luke Bryan to wrap things up. So, what did we learn from Underwood's brief first time judging an Idol audition? For starters, she may be replacing Katy Perry, but she's not replacing her energy. Underwood's commentary is insightful, and there's a warm playfulness to her chemistry with both the contestants and her fellow judges, but she's considerably more soft-spoken than her predecessor. Oscars' Best, Worst and Weirdest Moments View List Underwood admitted to having first day jitters ('I don't know why I'm nervous, I'm not auditioning!'), so it's possible that she'll settle into her position as the season progresses. A montage of future audition episodes included several interesting teases, including one contestant being so scared of Underwood that Bryan dubs her 'Scary Carrie.' (To be fair, anyone who isn't at least a little bit afraid of her obviously hasn't seen the music video for 'Before He Cheats.' If she could do all that to a truck, just imagine what she could do to you.) Sunday's preview introduced a few more memorable contestants, including Thunderstorm Artis, whose original song about his wife made all the judges emotional, and Manhattan musician Amanda Barise, who left Underwood 'possessed' with her impressive take on James Brown's 'It's A Man's Man's Man's World.' What did you think of Underwood's judging debut? Grade it in our poll below, then drop a comment with your thoughts on all things . Best of TVLine Mrs. Maisel Flash-Forward List: All of Season 5's Futuristic Easter Eggs Yellowjackets Recap: The Morning After Yellowjackets Recap: The First Supper
Express Tribune
26-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Inside the 2025 Oscars gift bag: A $2M luxury haul for nominees
As Hollywood's biggest stars prepare to attend the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025, they won't just be competing for a golden statuette—they'll also be taking home an extravagant $2 million gift bag filled with luxury trips, high-end beauty treatments, and even plastic surgery offers. Photo: Distinctive Assets This year's Oscars swag bag stands out not just for its opulence but also for its philanthropic efforts. Due to the recent devastating wildfires in Southern California, nominees will be gifted: $1 million in disaster recovery support from Bright Harbor to help affected families. Complimentary home renovation project management from LA-based builder Maison Construction. A 50% discount on construction services for those impacted by the fires. Nominees will have plenty of options for post-Oscars relaxation, including: A four-night stay at JOALI Maldives or JOALI BEING, valued at $16,000, offering private butlers, gourmet dining, and spa retreats. A five-night luxury wellness retreat at Santani Resort in Sri Lanka, worth $6,000, featuring personalized spa treatments and holistic wellness programs. A five-star stay at the Cotton House Hotel in Barcelona, Spain, perfect for indulging in the city's renowned culinary scene and cultural experiences. Additionally, nominees will receive access to the 3D Wellness Retreat, an immersive virtual program designed to promote mindfulness, self-improvement, and stress relief. One of the most talked-about inclusions in this year's gift bag is plastic surgery offerings from ArtLipo, led by renowned cosmetic surgeon Dr. Thomas Su. The gift includes: Celebrity Arms Liposuction & Celebrity Legs Liposuction, valued at over $20,000, offering a 360-degree slimming effect with high-definition contouring. Nominees will also receive exclusive beauty treatments and skincare products, such as: A $500 Function Health membership, granting access to 100+ lab tests covering hormones, immunity, stress levels, and toxin exposure. $500 worth of Miage Skincare products, featuring the brand's RIT-5 Skin Renewal Complex. A $100 luxury toner from Danucera, providing exfoliation and hydration in one step. Ilia Beauty and L'Oréal Paris cosmetics and Vedi Beauty's long-lasting lipstick collection. A Swiss skincare gift set from INSTYTUTUM, worth $350, including anti-aging and brightening serums. To complement their red carpet-ready looks, nominees will also receive: A $300 Nomatic backpack, designed with 22 compartments and water-resistant materials. A $200 Sattaché Classic Bag, an eco-friendly and hygienic luxury shoe bag. A custom jewelry experience from OMGIGI, valued at $500, allowing stars to design their own exclusive pieces. The 'L.A. Strong' Stretchy Bracelet, created specifically for this year's gift bag to honor wildfire victims. In addition to beauty and travel perks, nominees will receive: Beboe luxury cannabis products, known as the 'Hermès of marijuana.' Dogwalkers cannabis pre-rolls, ideal for relaxation. Frontera Chilean wine, one of the best-selling wine brands in the U.S. A luxury tea box set from Brook37 The Atelier. $100 gift cards and exclusive merch from Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. A $250 Blanc Par Rouge maple-infused gourmet gift set. Cate Brown Studio's designer dog wear and handcrafted throw pillows, worth $500 each. Despite controversies surrounding some Oscar nominees—such as Best Actress contender Karla Sofía Gascón—event organizers have confirmed that all nominees, regardless of recent headlines, will be offered the gift bag. The Oscars 2025 will take place on Sunday, March 2, hosted by Conan O'Brien. While only a few will take home an Academy Award, every nominee will leave with a swag bag valued at more than most people's yearly salary—a luxurious consolation prize by any measure.
