Latest news with #Monsters
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Urgent warning to British parents over viral Labubu toys
Parents have been warned to be wary of buying fake Labubus after several of the viral toys were seized from shops. The highly sought-after collectables were found in Yorskshire in a crackdown on 'dangerous counterfeits' - as it's feared they're being flogged all over the UK. The grinning toys have been inspired by the illustrated book series The Monsters, created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, in which Labubus are a tribe of female elves. The characters have become the must-have item for thousands of young adults, teens and children. The fake versions of the toothy looking elves could pose a choking hazard for children, Hull City Council's Trading Standards team said. Rogue traders are cashing in on their popularity by selling poor-quality versions with small parts which can easily detach. Hundreds of them have been seized around, but it is said there could be many more still on sale across the country. The figures retail from around £17.50, but price varies depending on size, edition and rarity - with some fetching up to thousands of pounds from resalers. The dodgy dolls tend to have matt packaging rather than glossy, more or less than the nine teeth the original Labubus have, and a different shape or size of the mouth can also be an indicator. The quality of an inauthentic Labubu will also be of poorer standard, like wobbly limbs and odd colours. To really know if you've got the real deal, buyers of newer editions will find a UV-detectable seal on the right foot. Under UV light, you should see a silhouette of the specific Labubu model. It comes after the craze for the toys saw a group of masked burglars steal an estimated $30,000 worth of the high-demand dolls during a smash-and-grab break-in at a small toy store in California, US. CCTV footage from inside the store shows at least four masked individuals smashing through the front door and bypassing electronics, the cash register, and other merchandise.
New York Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Jason Mott Doesn't Get the Love for Cormac McCarthy's Last Books
In an email interview, the National Book Award-winning author of 'Hell of a Book' celebrated 'Lord of the Flies' and a graphic novel called 'Monsters.' SCOTT HELLER Describe your ideal reading experience. At home on the couch somewhere around 6 or 7 in the evening. Dead of winter. We don't get much snow where I live, so I'll settle for a light rain. Just a quiet, soft, chilly winter's day. What books are on your night stand? 'Catch-22' and the collected edition of Alan Moore's 'Swamp Thing' run for DC Comics. What book has had the greatest impact on you? Either 'Lord of the Flies' or 'Grendel.' What's the last great book you read? 'A Different Drummer,' by William Melvin Kelley. It's the story of a fictional county in the South in which all of its Black residents suddenly pick up and leave without any explanation. Its tone and technique could easily be defined as magical realism and, obviously, given the themes of 'People Like Us,' it was both encouraging and saddening to realize just how long this style of fiction has been used to explore the idea of leaving a land that perpetually tells you that you are not equally a part of its being or destiny. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
San Francisco Chronicle
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Dave Franco responds to being fan-cast as Luigi Mangione: ‘I'm open'
After nearly a year of online buzz, Dave Franco has finally weighed in on potentially playing Luigi Mangione on the big screen. Fans on the internet wasted no time pointing out the uncanny resemblance between the Palo Alto native and Mangione, the primary suspect in the murder case of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, since the 27-year-old was arrested in December. Many suggested that Franco would be a great candidate to play Mangione in any future movies or made-for TV shows reenacting the crime. When asked about the discourse during a recent appearance on Bravo's 'Watch What Happens Live,' hosted by Andy Cohen, he admitted he wouldn't be opposed to the idea. "No one has approached me about it yet," he told one viewer via video call during a Q&A portion of the episode, which aired on Tuesday, Aug. 5. "Let's just say I'm open if it's the right people, and let's leave it at that." Franco, who was on the late-night talk show to promote his new body horror film ' Together,' in which he stars opposite his real-life wife Alison Brie, also mentioned that this is far from the first time he has heard about being compared to Mangione. 'More people in my life reached out about this exact thing than anything else that has ever happened,' he said. Mangione, who has ties to Stanford University, was taken into custody on Dec. 9, in connection with the killing of Thompson. Police found several handwritten pages expressing a 'disdain for corporate America' and frustrations with the United States' healthcare system on Mangione when he was arrested. He has pleaded not guilty. From the moment his name and mugshot were released, social media users dug into Mangione's online presence, from Linkedin to Spotify and Letterboxd accounts. A vocal subset of the internet has viewed Mangione as a martyr, urging for his release, making fancam videos of him and even dubbing him 'America's Sweetheart.' In addition to advocating for Franco's involvement in a potential on-screen project, several online have suggested that television writer and creator Ryan Murphy should be involved. Murphy has a history of creating series and film adaptations based on real-life headline news, from 'American Crime Story,' which chronicled the death of Gianni Versace and earned San Francisco native Darren Criss a Golden Globe; O.J. Simpson's murder trial, which starred Stanford alum Sterling K. Brown; and the Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky scandal, to 'Monsters,' which has run through the stories of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer and the Menendez Brothers murder case. But while Hollywood may not have jumped in yet, the case has inspired several documentaries and a San Francisco play, ' Luigi: The Musical.' Earlier this week, the production announced a run at Edinburgh Fringe Festival from Aug. 19-23, its first set of shows outside of San Francisco.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
As the world goes gaga over Labubus, TWICE singer Jeongyeon thinks they're overhyped: ‘Don't fall for trends'
If the never-ending Labubu obsession is starting to feel like a jump scare, you're not alone, because now even K-pop idols are starting to roll their eyes. The latest to speak out? TWICE's Jeongyeon. While fans continue to scramble for the elusive, wide-eyed figurines, Jeongyeon's recent airport moment and reported response on social media has sparked a fresh wave of debate around trend culture and consumerism. TWICE singer Jeongyeon; Labubu What happened at the airport? A video from TWICE's recent airport appearance is currently making the rounds online. In it, a fan can be seen handing Jeongyeon a Labubu — a viral collectable that has recently taken over social media (and shelves). She accepted the gift and walked off with it, but later, on the fan messaging platform Bubble, she shared what she really thought. 'I'm not interested in dolls.' she allegedly wrote, adding, 'Don't fall for trends.' It didn't take long for the screenshots to explode across X, TikTok, and fan forums. While some fans praised her no-nonsense approach and dubbed her an 'anti-capitalist queen,' others weren't so impressed. Critics pointed out that her words might have hurt the fan who gifted the doll, with some saying another idol might have been torn apart online for the same comment. So, what's the deal with Labubu anyway? Labubu dolls are part of the Monsters series by Hong Kong-based brand POP MART, in collaboration with artist Kasing Lung. With their mischievous grin and slightly creepy-cute elf-like faces, these dolls have become the must-have accessory — especially among Gen Z collectors. They're typically sold in blind boxes, which makes every purchase a gamble (and drives up resale prices when rarer versions appear). The Labubu craze first took off in China and gained global traction after celebs like BLACKPINK's Lisa were seen carrying them. Recently, Lady Gaga debuted her own custom Labubu, handcrafted by fashion designer Marko Monroe. Whether or not you agree with her, the TWICE member's message was clear: trends don't always deserve your wallet. And for fans who've been secretly side-eyeing the Labubu mania, it's the validation they've been waiting for.
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Monster Captain/Blue Jackets Forward Stefan Matteau Reportedly Hired As Monsters Asst. Coach
A little over two months after Monsters forward Stefan Matteau announced his retirement, it's being reported that the 13-year vet will now be an assistant coach for Cleveland on Head Coach Trent Vogelhuber's staff.
