Why Hollywood’s China Syndrome Is Both Meltdown and Opportunity

Emma Stone’s new film Poor Things includes a sex scene that had to be edited in order to fit in with UK law.The film, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos (The Favourite, The Lobster), includes a scene so contentious that if left uncut would have contravened the UK’s Protection of Children Act 1978.The darkly comedic fantasy film sees Stone’s character being brought back to life by Willem Dafoe, who plays a Frankenstein-like scientist in the film.In the scene in question, two young boys watch Stone’s Bella Baxter working as a prostitute, after their father has hired Bella to teach them how to have sex.The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), which is responsible for the classification and censorship of all films and video works exhibited in UK cinemas or released on physical media, is clear that the film could not have been shown, even with an 18 certificate, unless the scene had been modified.“We originally saw this film for advice. We informed the distributor we would be likely to classify the film 18 on condition that changes be made to one short sequence depicting sexual activity in the presence of children,” said a BBFC statement.“This is in accordance with the Protection of Children Act 1978.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor has spoken to NME about the resurgent success of her classic single ‘Murder On The Dancefloor’ after its feature in Saltburn – as well as the experience of watching the movie with her mother and teenage son.‘Murder On The Dancefloor’ was first released in 2001 from Ellis-Bextor’s debut album ‘Read My Lips’ – reaching Number Two in the UK singles chart at the time and going on to become a pop cult classic. Now, the song has found a new audience after soundtracking an already infamous nude scene in the 2023 hit film Saltburn, and is currently at Number Eight in the UK as well as breaking into the Billboard 100 in the US for the first time.Speaking to NME, the singer explained her shock after having “nothing at all” in terms of awareness or success in America until now.“That’s what’s been quite extraordinary.

The rumors are true. Filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson (“Licorice Pizza,” “The Master”) has a new film in the works, and the cast is absolutely stacked.

Frank Skinner, Caroline Rhea and Elaine C Smith are among those on the line-up for a comedy festival in the “funniest city in the world”, organisers have announced.

An SNP MP has blasted David Cameron for ignoring his letter about a Scots man who is being detained in India.

Lisa Riley has continuously stunned fans with her weight loss transformation that has seen her lose an incredible 12 stone.

Objections to a telecommunications mast in Brightons, Falkirk, will be considered by councillors next week.

A food pantry is coming to the rescue of vulnerable Scots residents and giving their customers dignity during the cost of living crisis.

TalkTV host Julia Hartley-Brewer has received 15,536 Ofcom complaints following a fiery exchange with a politician while discussing the recent assassination of Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri.

Mark Cuban, allowing him to expand his connections with people. “I’m used to thousands in physical groups, but to be able to connect virtually allows for thousands of people to come together from all over the world,” Henry explained.

sang the iconic “Frasier” theme song, “Tossed Salads and Scrambled Eggs,” during Tuesday’s episode of “The Kelly Clarkson Show.” “Y’all know how this goes,” Grammer, 68, said before singing the opening line: “Hey baby, I hear the blues a-callin’ tossed salads and scrambled eggs.” Clarkson, 41, then joined by harmonizing with the “Cheers” alum while her studio band played the jazzy tune. At the song’s conclusion, the “Breakaway” songstress smiled from ear to ear. “Thank you for jamming out with me,” Clarkson gushed to the Golden Globe winner, adding that the experience was “a dream come true” for her.“You have no idea.

Marvel’s “Madame Web” swings into theaters Valentine’s Day, and a first look at Sydney Sweeney’s Spider-Woman costume has just been unveiled.The “Euphoria” star, 26, appears in the superheroine flick alongside “Fifty Shades of Grey” star Dakota Johnson in the role of Julia Carpenter, a.k.a. Spider-Woman.The Chinese poster for the Sony-produced film features Sweeney donning a black and gray latex suit and a mask.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief French cinema icon Catherine Deneuve has begun filming in Japan of “Spirit World,” a fantasy-drama film directed by Singapore’s Eric Khoo. Deneuve portrays a singer who dies suddenly while on tour in Japan. But her spirit lives on and she embarks on a journey to find humanity in the after-world.

Steven J. Horowitz Senior Music Writer FKA Twigs is facing censorship over her appearance in a Calvin Klein advertisement in the United Kingdom.

Steven J. Horowitz Senior Music Writer Jennifer Lopez has officially returned with the release of her new single “Can’t Get Enough” and its accompanying music video.

BreAnna Bell “The Holdovers” star Paul Giamatti, Emma Stone (“Poor Things”) and “Rustin” star Colman Domingo were among the stars reacting to their Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations on Wednesday morning. Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani revealed this year’s noms via an early morning Instagram Live video. The awards cycle comes following the end of the SAG-AFTRA strike, giving the guild a chance to celebrate after spending much of last year on the picket line.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter “The Last of Us” Season 2 is continuing to build out its cast. Young Mazino is now the latest actor to join the hit HBO series, Variety has learned. Mazino will appear in Season 2 as Jesse, said to be “a pillar of his community who puts everyone else’s needs before his own, sometimes at terrible cost.” “Young is one of those rare actors who is immediately undeniable the moment you see him,” said series co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann.

Caroline Brew editor Subject Matter will award a grant of $25,000 to “Daughters” by Angela Patton and Natalie Rae. The documentary will have its world premiere in the U.S. Documentary Competition at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.

Thania Garcia Paramore is set to feature on the just-announced tribute album for A24‘s restoration of “Stop Making Sense.” Paying homage to Talking Heads, the record will feature 16 artists covering the band’s setlist from their 1984 live album “Stop Making Sense.” In a teaser clip posted on both Paramore and A24’s social channels, frontwoman Hayley Williams receives a box in the mail containing a replica of the jacket David Byrne wears on the album’s original artwork. At the end of the clip, AJ Gibboney and Paramore’s Zac Farro are credited as directors.

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music Tracy Hurley Martin — co-founder and CEO of the Morbid Anatomy Museum, comedy booking agent, film producer and publicist for Prince, George Michael, Depeche Mode, the Cure and others — has died following a two-year battle with cancer, her brother in law Michael Pagnotta confirmed to Variety. She was 53. She is survived by her husband of 20 years, Depeche Mode/ Yaz/ Erasure cofounder Vince Clarke (pictured above with her in 2016); a son, Oscar; a niece, Isabelle Pagnotta; and her identical twin sister, author and screenwriter Tonya Hurley. Clarke’s Erasure bandmate Andy Bell posted a tribute to Martin on social media: “There are no words.

Brent Lang Executive Editor Paul Thomas Anderson has assembled an all-star cast for his next movie, which will likely be the most expensive of his career. Oscar winners Leonardo DiCaprio, long rumored to be in the movie, and Sean Penn, who recently popped up in Anderson’s “Licorice Pizza,” will appear in the untitled film. They join Regina Hall, the “Girls Trip” and “The Hate U Give” standout.

OMG! Lisa Bonet and Jason Momoa have already finalized their divorce!

Omg. He didn’t?!?

And she’s out… again!

Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid are still going strong.

and through her real-world activism, has been standing up for survivors of sexual assault for decades. Now she's her own advocate.In a candid essay for , Hargitay revealed that, when she was in her 30s, she was raped. Like many victims, she said, she knew her assailant and describes a feeling of being “outside” her own body.

ITV is welcoming in the new year with a huge line-up of gripping dramas. Their latest offering, After The Flood, focuses on the secrets of a quaint village devastated by high waters.

With Marvel Studios having an incredibly rough 2023, you have to wonder if any of the previous films will get a bit of a reconsideration. The one that springs to mind most is “Eternals.” At the time, there were people who swore “Eternals” was the worst thing Marvel had ever produced.

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music Taylor Swift made up 1.7% of the entire U.S. recorded-music market in 2023, according to the year-end report from Luminate, the industry data partner formerly known as SoundScan. The news does not come as a surprise after a year in which Swift staged a world-beating global tour and was seemingly ubiquitous in nearly every form of media — the report estimates one in 78 on-demand audio streams in the U.S.

Prime Video and Amazon Studios will see layoffs affecting several hundred workers, according to an internal memo this morning from SVP Mike Hopkins.

Emmerdale fans have been sharing their love and support to James Hooton after he emotionally marked a milestone following his co-star's death. The actor, famed for playing Sam Dingle in the ITV soap, took to social media as he marked 29 years since he first appeared in the Dales.

Coronation Street fans have been jumping to the soap's defence after Billy Mayhew was seen making a decision to help his husband Paul Foreman end his own life when he chooses. There were emotional scenes in the ITV soap when Billy discovered what Paul had been secretly planning.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter A24 is developing a new documentary titled “Open Wide,” about an orthodontist whose controversial method of reshaping people’s jawlines went viral on TikTok for all the wrong reasons. Sara Goldblatt directed “Open Wide,” which will be available to watch Jan. 23 on Netflix.

With the amount of networks and streaming services available today, we often get dozens and dozens of renewal and cancellation decisions every single year.

Boston Calling just announced their star-studded 2024 lineup and this year’s edition is one of their most sonically diverse yet, spotlighting established and up-and-coming rock, Hip-Hop, pop, R&B and country stars.Just a few of the mega headliners scheduled to perform include arena rockers The Killers, soulful crooner Hozier, earnest pop star Ed Sheeran, Hip-Hop hero Megan Thee Stallion and Phish frontman Trey Anastasio.They’ll be joined by Tyler Childers, Leon Bridges, Reneé Rapp, Young the Giant and The Revivalists at Boston’s Harvard Athletic Complex from May 24-26.All in all, 51 acts will take the stage over the long weekend.Need tickets today?That can be arranged.Although the presale doesn’t start until Thursday, Jan.

Without a doubt, one of our most anticipated films of 2024 is “Mickey 17.” It’s Bong Joon Ho’s follow-up to his Oscar-winning film, “Parasite.” Not only that, the cast is led by Robert Pattinson, who doesn’t seem to do anything other than make interesting films. So yeah, March can’t come soon enough.