‘Stranger Things’: season 5 “halfway” done after 24 weeks of production

Switzerland’s Locarno Film Festival returns this week with what is perhaps the strongest lineup festival director Giona A. Nazzaro has conjured up during his short but impactful four-year tenure. Across the festival’s official competitions, you can find new works by arthouse leaders like Hong Sang-soo, Wang Bing, Radu Jude, and Ben Rivers — all world premieres. Hollywood will also be present on the Piazza Grande with an expansive retrospective titled The Lady with the Torch set to be mounted at the fest to celebrate the centennial of Columbia Pictures. 

Lauryn Goodman has fiercely defended her daughter's name amidst the ongoing drama with footballer Kyle Walker.The 33 year old influencer was left disappointed after losing a legal battle with the Manchester City player, 34, when a judge criticised her for seemingly treating the father of her children as an "open-ended cheque book". Lauryn fiercely criticised Judge Edward Hess for stripping away the opportunity to publicly reveal her daughter Kinara's name - previously referred to in court documents as K.W. Yet, she has now taken to Instagram to "officially" introduce her little girl, who she calls a 'future Lioness'.

Last week, fans were shocked to learn that General Hospital‘s Cameron Mathison and his wife Vanessa were divorcing after over 20 years of marriage.

JLS singer JB Gill has been confirmed as the second celebrity to join the Strictly Come Dancing 2024 line-up. BBC bosses have started announcing this year's class of contestants who are hoping to waltz their way to success. During Monday's (August 5) episode of This Morning, presenters Josie Gibson and Craig Doyle were tasked with exclusively revealing the first two famous faces set to battle it out for the glitterball trophy later this year.

UTA has made an intriguing move into the world of European production.

EXCLUSIVE: Media veterans Jeff Bewkes, Howard Stringer and Jeremy Fox have launched Thoroughbred Studios. Their fledgling business has galloped to an overall deal with iHeartPodcasts and scored a second season order for its first project, a BBC audio drama about the CIA.

House of the Dragon have expressed their disappointment at the lack of narrative progress in the finale of the show’s second season.The eighth and final episode aired on HBO last night (August 4), although numerous scenes from it did leak online several days earlier.Titled ‘The Queen Who Ever Was’, it saw Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) finally take back her throne, with her husband Daemon (Matt Smith) at her side.After the episode, fans of the show took to social media to share their thoughts, with some stating that they felt underwhelmed by the climax and its lack of narrative closure.”We all just watched a 66 minute trailer for S3”, wrote one X user.we all just watched a 66 minute trailer for S3 #HouseOfTheDragon #HOTD pic.twitter.com/cCRFSEnCS3— ⚡ (@UTDCJ_) August 5, 2024“House of the Dragon Season 2 successfully replacing GOT season 8 as the most disappointing and poorly executed seasons of television,” said another.House of the Dragon Season 2 successfully replacing GOT season 8 as the most disappointing and poorly executed seasons of television. #HOTD #HOTDS2 pic.twitter.com/zWG8OnDlIS— The Bravo Watcher (@TheBravoWatcher) August 5, 2024See some further reactions below:This amazing build up and now we have to wait 2 years for Season 3 #HouseOfTheDragon #HotD #HoTDS2 pic.twitter.com/vTm1D3j5YL— Tyler Calvert (@ItsTylerCalvert) August 5, 2024No dragon fights, no battles, no squabbles, no casualties.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, has reportedly been released from the ICU in a Los Angeles hospital following an e-bike accident.Per People today (August 5), Pax was released from intensive care following last week’s unfortunate events – the 20-year-old was riding his electric bike in Los Angeles when he reportedly crashed into the back of a car.TMZ reported that he was taken to hospital with head injuries after the accident, which took place on Los Feliz Boulevard in LA. It is said that he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.A source tells People that Jolie-Pitt suffered “complex trauma” and will begin “the long road of recovery and physical therapy”.

Taylor Swift‘s ‘The Tortured Poets Department‘ has returned to Number One on the Billboard 200 chart, marking its 13th week in the top spot.Initially, the album spent its first 12 weeks on the chart at Number One, then fell briefly to Number Four for two weeks. It’s now returned to pole position for the 13th consecutive week – which Swifties will appreciate, given 13 is famously Swift’s lucky number.It’s a new record for Swift, whose previous offerings ‘Red’ and ‘1989’ spent 11 total weeks at Number One.‘THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT’ by Taylor Swift returns to #1 on the Billboard 200 for a 13th week with 71k units.

A young holidaymaker has disappeared in Thailand as he made his way to the airport to fly home.

EXCLUSIVE: Adrienne Roark and Jennifer Mitchell will take on expanded roles as part of a new leadership structure at CBS News and Stations, the latest changes at the division.

Marta Balaga Ramon Zürcher’s “dysfunctional family portrait” “The Sparrow in the Chimney” (“Der Spatz im Kamin”) has debuted a trailer ahead of its premiere in Locarno’s international competition. Produced by his twin brother Silvan Zürcher for Zürcher Film, “The Sparrow in the Chimney” was co-produced by SRF Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen / SRG SSR, while Cercamon handles sales. In the film, Maren Eggert, Britta Hammelstein, Luise Heyer, Andreas Döhler and Milian Zerzawy star as family members preparing for a birthday party and getting more than a generous helping of cake once old traumas start coming to the surface.

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent Internationally celebrated Icelandic actors Ólafur Darri Ólafsson and Hera Hilmar are set to star in “Reykjavik Fusion,” an Iceland-set crime thriller series that is rapidly racking up pre-sales in multiple territories. The series’ deals underscore an increasingly attractive financing model, at least for selectively produced foreign-language shows, based on tying down partners and pre-sales among local broadcasters in Europe rather than waiting for a U.S.

A West Lothian biker is appealing for information after claiming his garage was broken into with a number of items stolen.

BTS‘ Jimin has dropped live performances of two songs, ‘Rebirth (Intro)’ and ‘Slow Dance’ with Sofia Carson, from his new album ‘Muse’.Jimin dropped the video him performing the two ‘Muse’ songs live on August 4, with Sofia Carson making a special appearance in the video to perform ‘Slow Dance’ with the BTS member.For the first half of the clip, Jimin performs ‘Rebirth’ on his own, accompanied by a live band on a Seoul rooftop. Jimin begins the first verse of ‘Slow Dance’ on his own, before Carson joins for the chorus.“I just wanna slow dance / Baby, you can take my hand / Don’t rush, just feel our tempo / Just you and me, our favourite song / Slow dance,” they harmonise together.Jimin dropped his sophomore album ‘Muse’ in July 19, a year and a half after his debut record ‘Face’.

HBO’s The White Lotus.The clip was released as part of a showreel of HBO Max’s upcoming new season for 2024-25, which also included first glimpses of The Last of Us season two, The Penguin, Dune: Prophecy and Game of Thrones spin-off A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.See the showreel below:New luxuries await you in Thailand. Season 3 of the @HBO Original Series #TheWhiteLotus is coming soon to Max.

Charli XCX recently celebrated her 32nd birthday, and she had some of her ‘Brat’ co-conspirators by her side at a party.Last Saturday (August 2), Charli XCX hosted her birthday party at a private event in Los Angeles – commemorating both turning 32 and the ensuing success of her latest album.At the star-studded shindig, which boasted attendees like Rosalia, Anya Taylor-Joy and Glen Powell, Charli was joined by Lorde and Billie Eilish as they played their collaborative tracks over house speakers.Footage shared by fans on social media show Lorde singing along to her confessional verse on ‘Girl, so confusing’ alongside Charli, with the crowd joining in on the line “Let’s work it out on the remix”. Later on, Eilish joins Charli for their ‘Guess’ remix, which was released last Friday (August 2).Fans also commemorated the first new pictures of Lorde and Charli together since 2014, when both were in attendance at that year’s MTV Video Music Awards ceremony.girl, so confusing at charli’s bday w lorde omg pic.twitter.com/mOnB0mTArF— se@n.

Royal friends of the Prince and Princess of Wales have shared their joy over the latest addition to the Jordanian Royal Family.

A bride-to-be has caused quite a stir online after she decided to give her mother-in-law the boot from her wedding for not adhering to her dress code.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Meg Ryan will receive the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo Award at the 30th Sarajevo Film Festival in recognition of her contribution to the art of film. Ryan will also present her latest film, “What Happens Later,” a romantic comedy that she directed and wrote, and in which she stars opposite David Duchovny.

Shaun Rooney has told how he has gone from the freezer to the Fjords after sparking St Mirren’s Euro dream night.

Clairo has shared a wrestling-inspired music video for ‘Juna’, marking her first in six years.After going viral in 2017 with the homemade video for ‘Pretty Girl’, Clairo has been seemingly reluctant to film more, although she has appeared in other artists’ videos, like Bleachers’ ‘Alma Mater’ in 2023.The ‘Juna’ video will be the first time a track from one of her albums has been given visuals, which see her at Beyond Wrestling’s Wrestling Open in Worcester, gazing at the chaotic scenes as the song plays.The track comes off her latest offering, ‘Charm’, which she recently announced on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon she is set to take on a 2024 North American tour. Check out the music video and find all upcoming tour dates below.SEPTEMBER06 – The Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, CA 07 – The Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, CA 08 – The Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, CA 10 – The Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, CA 11 – The Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, CA 14 – Webster Hall, New York, NY 15 – Webster Hall, New York, NY 17 – Webster Hall, New York, NY 18 – Webster Hall, New York, NY 19 – Webster Hall, New York, NY 27 – The Factory in Deep Ellum, Dallas, TX28 – White Oak Music Hall, Houston, TX30 – ACL Live at the Moody Theater, Austin, TXOCTOBER01 – ACL Live at the Moody Theater, Austin, TX 03 – Mesa Amphitheatre, Mesa, AZ04 – The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, San Diego, CA06 – Frost Amphitheater, Stanford, CA07 – Santa Barbara Bowl, Santa Barbara, CA09 – McMenamins Edgefield, Troutdale, OR 10 – The Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WA11 – The Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WA13 – The Great Saltair, Magna, UT14 – Mission Ballroom, Denver, CO 16 – The Salt Shed, Chicago, IL 20 – Kemba Live!, Columbus, OH 21 – The Anthem, Washington, D.C. 23 – Massey

If you're in need of a foundation which can last you all day, sometimes it can be difficult to know where to start.

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent TaleFlick, the online story discovery platform launched by “White Noise” producer Uri Singer and former Netflix executive George Berry, is opening its doors to poets in a move it says is driven by a desire to welcome submissions that “capture the essence, history, and vibrant traditions of Saudi Arabian culture.” Storytelling in the Arab world is traditionally tied to oral history and poetry. The stated goal of opening TaleFlick – which provides writers with a chance to showcase their work to producers and studios – is to build a bridge between Saudi poems and Hollywood.

BBC Breakfast's Ben Thompson was caught unaware as he was hosting the popular morning programme live on-air.

Lollapalooza over the weekend, Deftones played an intimate show in Chicago, where they broke out the first performance of ‘Passenger’ in five years. Check out footage below.Taking place last Thursday (August 1), the intimate show came as the band performed at one of the Chicago festival’s aftershows at the Metro – just one day before playing a huge set at Lolla 2024.News of the gig was announced at the last minute, and was quick to capture the attention of fans in the area as it would see Chino Moreno and co. head to a venue that only had a 1,100 capacity.On the night, the hits from across their discography came in thick and fast, opening with ‘Feiticeira’, and continued with hits like ‘Change (In The House Of Flies)’, ‘My Own Summer (Shove It)’ and ‘Be Quiet And Drive (Far Away)’.However, the highlight of the night undoubtedly came 11 songs into the 18-track setlist, when the band surprised the crowd by breaking out the first live performance of ‘Passenger’ in five years.

Meghan Markle has revealed her deepest fears about parenting in her and Prince Harry's first joint interview in three years.

Oasis reunion, saying that his dad Liam wants it to happen.Speculation about the iconic Britpop band reforming has been brewing over recent years, and came to a head at the start of 2024 as their breakthrough album ‘Definitely Maybe’ marked its 30th anniversary.While nothing has been officially announced, the members have been adding fuel to the fire when it comes to rumours – each expressing an on-and-off approach to the concept in past interviews.Now, Liam’s son – and Noel’s nephew – Gene has also weighed in on the debate, and explained in a new interview that his dad is wanting the reunion to come to fruition.“I get the feeling my dad wants it, too. Let’s hope it happens.

being hospitalized for a swimming incident in Ibiza.The “Dirty Grandpa” actor, 36, posted a message on his Instagram Stories on Sunday, alongside a photo of himself exercising shirtless.Efron wore a bathing suit as he lifted a pair of weights while laying on a pink exercise ball. “Happy and healthy.

Prince George was spotted making an adorable yet mischievous comment during Trooping the Colour last year, while he was riding in a carriage with his family as part of the festivities.

Junior Andre has sparked speculation among fans about whether he's had cosmetic surgery following a peculiar Instagram post by his mother.

A police constable has described the 'sickening moment' thugs attempted to set alight a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham in South Yorkshire.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief “By the Stream” (aka “Suyoocheon”), the latest work by prolific South Korean minimalist director Hong Sang-soo, is set to release in North American theaters next year. Rights were acquired by Brooklyn-based distributor Cinema Guild from sales agent, Seoul, Korea-based Finecut. Both companies have handled many of the director’s previous works. The picture will have its world premiere in competition this month at the Locarno Film Festival.

Adele has kicked off her residency in Munich by breaking out her first live rendition of ‘Chasing Pavements’ in seven years. Check out footage below.The singer started her 10-night residency in the German city on Friday (August 2) – marking her first shows in mainland Europe since 2016.Taking place at the purpose-built state-of-the-art Munich Messe arena, the venue can accommodate 75,000 fans, and is playing host to the singer’s first shows since she wrapped up her recently extended ‘Weekends With Adele’ residency in Las Vegas.During the opening night, Adele played a 20-track set packed with her biggest songs, ranging from breakthrough hits ‘Hometown Glory’ to songs from ‘30’, including ‘Easy On Me’ and ‘Hold On’.It also saw the Brit break out her first live performance of ‘Chasing Pavements’ in seven years.Taken from her debut album ‘19’, the sing hasn’t been played live since 2017, and Adele used the gig on Friday to explain why she often refuses to incorporate it into her setlists.“The reason I don’t sing this song very often — and I shan’t sing it again after this Munich residency — is because the way I pronounce the words in this song when I was 19 years old, I sound like I’m 19 years old,” she told the audience.“And when I sing it now I still sound 19 years old and it annoys me.

Lily Allen has discussed the topic of education, and admitted that she can go into a “self-hared spiral” over her lack of qualifications.The pop singer opened up about her lack of traditional academic education while on the latest instalment of her Miss Me? podcast – which she hosts with her longtime friend and radio host Miquita Oliver.During the episode, the two got onto the theme of intelligence, which led to the ‘Smile’ singer admitting that she still feels self-conscious about leaving school at age 15, without having any academic qualifications under her belt.“I’m not educated,” she said. “I left school when I was 15 and I don’t even have one GCSE, not one qualification, and I am ashamed of it.”She also recalled how she can get lost in a “self-hatred spiral” about the topic – namely when she hears other people talk about going to university.Co-host Oliver went on to question if more degrees or qualifications would actually make a difference to either of them at this point in time, to which Allen added that she may not have returned to the music industry if she had other options available.This, she said, arose particularly after she suffered the stillbirth of her son, George, in 2010.“I would have thought, I’m actually gonna go and be a lawyer [for instance],” she explained.

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent Focused on projects, producers and pics from smaller territories in Latin America, Locarno’s 2023 Open Doors showcase suggested a revolution is working through Latin America filmmaking. This year’s titles explore other facets of this next generation makeover. Four takes on the 2024 line-up: The Genre Revolution Many younger Latin American filmmakers are embracing genre.