Entertainment

A look at snubs, surprises of this year’s award ceremony

Published

2 years ago

January 8, 2024

Spread the love

[ad_1]

California [US], January 8 (ANI): The 81st edition of the Golden Globes took place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. From ‘Barbie’ losing the best comedy to ‘Poor Things’ to ‘Anatomy of a Fall’ beating ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’ for the screenplay, there were certain surprises that were witnessed during the prestigious event.

First-time host Jo Koy presided over the telecast, which took place, as always, at the Beverly Hilton, according to Variety.

‘Barbie’ loses Best Comedy to ‘Poor Things”Barbie’ lost best musical or comedy to ‘Poor Things’, capping off a disappointing night for Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie’s blockbuster.

According to Variety, instead, ‘Poor Things’ landed the biggest upset of the night on a show with very few of them. The film follows Bella Baxter (Emma Stone, who won female actor in a Musical/Comedy earlier in the night), a woman whose brain has been transplanted with an infant’s, as she develops her own peculiar outlook on herself, her sexuality, and the world.

In many ways, it is a companion to ‘Barbie”s unique explanation of what it means to be a woman in the world, and it is also very funny. We are so sorry that “Barbenheimer” fans and entertainment media headline writers were denied the opportunity to celebrate the dual victors in drama and comedy that this year’s Globes promised. However, Stone, who also produced, and director Yorgos Lanthimos will undoubtedly be pleased with their win.

‘Anatomy of a Fall’ beats ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’ for screenplayAccording to Variety, both ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’ earned their success and acclaim in no small part due to the daring and inventiveness of their screenplays, by Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, and Christopher Nolan, respectively.

But these two behemoths lost instead to the writers of “Anatomy of a Fall,” a French courtroom thriller about a novelist (nominee Sandra Huller) on trial for the death of her husband. Director Justine Triet and her co-writer Arthur Harari seemed genuinely floored to be winning.

The movie later went on to win the Globe for best non-English language film, an expected win, so that could have given it momentum. And while the Hollywood Foreign Press is no longer a thing, Globes voting body is still made up of international journalists. But still, this was a real surprise! (And in “Barbie’s” case, a portent of snubs to come.)Elizabeth Debicki beats Meryl Streep in TV Supporting ActressElizabeth Debicki may claim, “I beat Meryl!” regardless of anything else occurring in her career, to paraphrase Jennifer Lawrence from “The First Wives Club.” Indeed, Debicki’s portrayal of the tragic Princess Diana in Netflix’s “The Crown” final season won her the role.

It was predicted by oddsmakers that Streep would win the trophy for her performance in Season 3 of ‘Only Murders in the Building’, and if she didn’t, Hannah Waddingham might have won for her part in Season 3 of ‘Ted Lasso’.

A fascinating aspect of Debicki’s well-deserved win is that it is the second time a performer has taken home a Golden Globe for the same character. In 2021, Emma Corrin won TV Actress for her portrayal of Diana in Season 4 of “The Crown.”Ricky Gervais wins Stand-Up awardRicky Gervais got this award for his Netflix special ‘Armageddon’, demonstrating once again that he is a mainstream comedian and is in no way done with the business.

Gervais is currently at the period of his career where he mostly makes jokes about how controversial he is. In no way do we imply that Gervais’ five Globe hosting stints–2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, and 2020–put him above the rest of the field in the vote; after all, he defeated apparent front-runner Chris Rock for his own Netflix special, “Selective Outrage.”‘The Boy and the Heron’ beats ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ for Animated FilmListen, we’re kind of stretching at this point. Yes, “Across the Spider-Verse” was a gargantuan hit, one of the only successful superhero movies of the year, and just as critically acclaimed as its predecessor, 2018’s “Into the Spider-Verse,” which won the Globe in this category.

But the film that beat “Across the Spider-Verse,” “The Boy and the Heron,” was directed by Hayao Miyazaki, a living legend in animation who came out of retirement at 83 to make the most personal film of his career. And it made history by opening at the top of the domestic box office in December.

But this year’s Globes were so flipping predictable that we’re including it here anyway if only to recognize both of these films as two of the very best of the year, reported Variety. (ANI)

[ad_2]

Staff Reporter

Entertainment

Canada Super 60 set to dazzle with star-studded concert line-up at Vancouver’s BC Place

Published

1 week ago

October 9, 2025

Michael Gomes

Spread the love

The Canada Super 60 isn’t just changing the game; it’s creating North America’s newest entertainment spectacle. From October 8 to 13, Vancouver’s iconic BC Place will transform into a full-fledged cultural carnival, blending high-octane cricket with back-to-back music concerts.

Get ready for six nights of non-stop entertainment, headlined by some of the biggest names in Punjabi, Desi, and global fusion music. From the infectious beats of Harrdy Sandhu and Jassie Gill to the international flair of Mickey Singh, each night promises a festival atmosphere both on and off the pitch.

Concert Line-Up Highlights

Oct 8 – Harrdy Sandhu (9pm)
Oct 9 – Jassie Gill (9pm)
Oct 10 – Mickey Singh (9pm)
Oct 11 – Parmish Verma (9pm)
Oct 12 – Raf-Saperra (9pm)
Oct 13 – GirlsLikeYou x Indo Warehouse (6:15pm)

The entertainment bonanza runs alongside thrilling cricket matches featuring international stars and fan favourites. With Yuvraj Singh backing the league and legends like Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina on the field, Canada Super 60 is shaping up to be the ultimate blend of glamour, game, and groove.

“This is not just cricket; this is a lifestyle experience,” said a spokesperson for Canada Super 60. “Our entertainment line-up reflects the league’s ambition to unite cultures through music, sport, and community.”

Fans can expect full-scale stadium productions, food and cultural showcases, and plenty of Instagram-worthy moments, turning BC Place into Canada’s most happening venue this October.

About Canada Super 60

Canada Super 60 is the newest format in global cricket, a 60-ball showdown that delivers fast-paced action and festival-style entertainment. Backed by international icons and powered by music, sport, and cultural unity, it’s redefining how fans experience cricket in North America.

Entertainment

UAE students risk repeating a year if absences exceed 15 days, new rules state

Published

2 months ago

September 2, 2025

Michael Gomes

Spread the love

Public school students in the UAE could be required to repeat an academic year if their unexcused absences exceed 15 days, under new rules announced by the Ministry of Education.

The updated guidelines exclude absences related to illness, medical travel, official event participation, emergencies, or family bereavements. Students will now be allowed up to five unexcused absences per term, capped at 15 across the year. Any excess will trigger a review, with the student’s file referred to the relevant authorities and child protection services.

The ministry also clarified that absences on Fridays, or on days immediately before or after official holidays, will count as two days. A warning system has been introduced to notify parents on the first day of absence.

Special exemptions will apply to students of determination and those with chronic illnesses. Parents may also appeal within five working days of being notified, ensuring fairness in implementation.

The initiative is aimed at tackling absenteeism, which the ministry said has a direct impact on academic performance. Citing studies, it noted that missing 10 per cent of school days equates to a loss of half an academic year, while absences beyond 20 per cent amount to a full year’s loss in achievement.

Schools have been instructed to create individual support plans for students at risk of frequent absences, including counselling sessions, parent engagement, and incentive programmes.

The ministry added that it will be up to educational boards to decide whether these rules will also extend to private schools.

Announcements

Tickets now live for Dubai’s first homegrown musical spectacle

Published

4 months ago

June 14, 2025

Staff Reporter

Spread the love

A cultural revolution is about to begin. Tickets are now available for Once Upon A Time in Dubai, the most ambitious, emotional, and spectacular musical ever produced in the region. Opening this December at The Agenda in Dubai Media City, the show is already being called a once-in-a-generation phenomenon — and for good reason.

More than just a stage production, Once Upon A Time in Dubai is the first original large-scale musical entirely created in the UAE, blending Broadway-worthy storytelling with the energy and dreams of one of the world’s most iconic cities. Behind this bold vision is Stéphane Boukris, entrepreneur and cultural trailblazer, who has brought together an international creative dream team — including Universal Music Group MENA as co-producer — to craft a deeply emotional journey of love, ambition, and transformation, set in today’s Dubai.

“This show is a tribute to everything Dubai represents: ambition, diversity, and the power to build your own destiny,” says Boukris. “We are creating something people will never forget.”

A World-Class Team Behind the Curtain

The production brings together talents who have previously worked on global shows such as Céline Dion, Disney shows, and Arabs Got Talent (MBC). From lighting to choreography and technical design, every detail is crafted by artists and technicians at the highest international standards.

A Story That Speaks to a Generation

At the heart of the show is Will, a young English dancer who arrives in Dubai to search for Sophia, the woman he loves. Along the way, he meets artists, entrepreneurs, and dreamers from all walks of life, culminating in a celebration of courage, community, and reinvention.

The cast features rising stars Amanda Maalouf (X Factor) and Joe Woolford (The Voice UK) — with many of the lead vocalists and performers previously featured on international talent platforms, bringing an exceptional level of stage presence and vocal power. The musical includes over 20 original songs composed by Nazim Khaled, including already-viral hits like “Habibi”, “Stranger in the World”, and “Think Big”.

A City-Wide Movement

With over 150,000 spectators expected across 55 performances, the show is much more than an event — it’s becoming a movement. Once Upon A Time in Dubai is already making waves across the city with:

● Strategic brand partnerships: McDonald’s, Carrefour MAF, Careem, Accor, Mall of the

Emirates, Tilal Al Ghaf, GEMS Education, and more

● Immersive activations: Soundtracks in Hala taxis, QR codes in malls, music in retail

stores, and dedicated social media campaigns

● Youth engagement: Auditions and showcases for students across GEMS schools,

opening the stage to the next generation of performers

The show will be performed in English, and supported by a multicultural creative team led by stage director Johan Nus.

Exclusive Ticket Sale

Tickets are available exclusively via Fever, the global ticketing platform. Pre-sale access has already launched with selected partners such as GEMS, Muse by Chalhoub, and Accor’s ALL loyalty members — with thousands of tickets snapped up in just days.

🎤 Behind the scenes videos, interviews with the cast, and a full media kit are available upon request. 📸 Press passes for opening week are now being issued — be among the first to witness the birth of a new cultural landmark.