Eva Vik’s ‘Serpentine’ Starring Barbara Palvin To Make European Premiere at TaorminaEva Vik’s short film Serpentine, starring supermodel Barbara Palvin, will make its European premiere at the 69th edition of Italy’s Taormina Film Festival, running from June 23 to July 1. Czech writer and director Eva Vik explores the possibilities of interspecies development in the film, which was previously nominated for the X Award at the Tribeca Film Festival. Set within a mysterious snake cult, the stylistic body-horror follows attempts to initiate a snake-human hybrid through genetic engineering – creating an extraterrestrial higher power intelligence as a new influential force. Palvin is joined in the cast by Soo Joo Park, and Luke Brandon Field. The film’s official partner is Bulgari brand, and it was produced by Evasion Pictures. The film will play in Taormina’s Influential Shorts program, a special gala event curated by Bella Thorne. “I look forward to welcoming both Eva Vik and Barbara Palvin to the Taormina Film Festival later this month. The short is thought-provoking and we are excited to be presenting it as part of our Influential Shorts evening,” said festival co-Artistic Director Barrett Wissman.
Lauren Daigle on Working With Mike Elizondo, Bringing ‘Kaleidoscope Jesus’ Into Mainstream Pop, and Discovering Her True Voice Coming Into Her 30s
23.05.2023 - 15:07 / variety.com
Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic Imagine Adele happy, and you’re at least part of the way toward understanding the appeal of Lauren Daigle, the powerhouse singer whose self-titled third album — and first with Atlantic Records — came out May 12. Of course, making a joyful noise has been something of a mandate for Daigle, who became arguably the biggest star to arise out of the Christian music scene in the last 10-15 years before entering pop crossover territory. But even if peacefulness and positivity weren’t part of the job description up to this point, Daigle is someone who naturally exudes good vibes, in and out of song. As she puts it, quoting her friend Natalie Hemby, Daigle has a “little hippie thing” going on, which she attributes in part to her Louisiana upbringing, that has erupting in perpetual grins to go with her inner groove.
The new “Lauren Daigle” record goes the furthest toward any of her records to date in capturing that. On her previous album, “Look Up Child,” which established a high profile for her in mainstream pop (and made her a staple for guest appearances on shows like “The Voice” and “American Idol,” as well as seemingly every Recording Academy-related all-star event), the drama was heightened to the point that Daigle really did sound like a soaring but downcast Adele, even if the lyrics reflected spiritual angst rather than lost love. The current album has more of that, as heard in the initial single, “Thank God I Do,” a triumph-over-despair power ballad if ever there was one. But, with producer Mike Elizondo (Fiona Apple, Twenty One Pilots, 50 Cent) at the helm, she spends a good portion of the album loosening up, too, with some stylistic variations that go a long way
Susan Boyle Delivers Powerful Performance After Suffering a Stroke and Losing Her Ability to Speak
Susan Boyle is defying the odds. The 62-year-old singer returned to the stage to deliver a powerful performance just one year after she says she suffered a stroke that left her unable to speak or sing. Boyle made the shocking revelation after joining the West End cast of for a performance of the song that made her a star, «I Dreamed a Dream.»«It feels great,» she said onstage.
Belinda Carlisle on Her First Solo Pop Record in 27 Years, Why the Go-Go’s Are Finally Over and Being ‘Born Without the Fear Chip’
Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic Of all the things Belinda Carlisle has been mad about in recent years, her career as a pop solo artist has not been high up there, from all appearances. That changed with the May release of “Kismet,” a five-song EP that finally found Carlisle dipping a toe back into the recording studio with her first new collection of English-language pop music since 1996, including a single titled “Big Big Love,” which really did have the beat (as opposed to her last album, a mantra record). But if there’s any pop star of her generation that hasn’t cravenly coveted the spotlight, and isn’t likely to start now, it’s Carlisle, who seems like she’d be perfectly content even if Diane Warren hadn’t talked her into finally reentering the studio for a new batch of songs. Long an American expat and constant traveler, the singer seems quite content to spend most of her time with her husband of 37 years, Morgan Mason, at home in Mexico City, with only occasional forays onto the road. She’s not making any promises one way or another about whether this EP presages a full solo album… though Carlisle will offer assurances that the Go-Go’s are “done,” having gone out on top, in her estimation, with a long-, long-awaited Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.
Gogglebox's Pete Sandiford welcomes second baby and introduces her on show
Gogglebox's Pete Sandiford has welcomed his second child with wife Paige Yeoman.The reality TV star shared the news that the pair had welcomed a baby girl during Friday night's episode of Gogglebox.Their baby joy was revealed right at the end of the show when Pete was seen holding his little girl. He also revealed his daughter's name. While his sister and Gogglebox co-star Sophie was in another room, he shouted: "Hey Sophie, have I told you her name? We think we're going to call her Evie Sylvie Sandiford." Sophie quickly shared her excitement and approval of the name and shouted to her brother: "Oh I love it!" Gogglebox fans were quick to share their excitement of the baby news and congratulate the couple.
Scheana Shay Claims Raquel Leviss Kicked Friend Out Of Hotel Room To ‘Hook Up’ With Tom Sandoval During Her Wedding Weekend
Raquel Leviss and Tom Sandoval did whatever they could to hide their affair from everyone, including kicking out one of her and Scheana Shay’s friends from a hotel room during the 37-year-old’s wedding weekend!
Janelle Monáe Announces U.S. Tour for Late Summer and Fall Behind ‘Age of Pleasure’ Album
Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic Singer-actor Janelle Monáe will be bringing her “Age of Pleasure” principle to North American theaters and amphitheaters this late summer and fall, with a nearly two-month tour that begins Aug. 30 in Seattle and wraps Oct. 18 at the L.A. area’s YouTube Theater. The Live Nation-backed 26-city tour will follow a couple of months on the heels of Monáe’s first album in five years, “The Age of Pleasure,” which comes out June 9. It’s been preceded by a new single and music video, “Lipstick Lover.” A Verizon presale begins Thursday at 10 a.m. local time, with other targeted presales happening throughout the next week before a general ticket sale one week from today, June 7, also at 10 a.m. local time.
Shania Twain Has Her Army of Cowgirls and Boys Come on Over to the Hollywood Bowl: Concert Review
Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic “It’s been about 25 years since I stood on this stage,” since Shania Twain, not long after the kickoff to her set Sunday night at the Hollywood Bowl. She had that figured about right — the calendar shows she last played America’s most favored amphitheater on May 6, 1999. That was a few weeks shy of the moment that her signature song among all signature songs, “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!,” peaked on the charts. When she pulled it out as her inevitable final encore number Saturday, it still felt like it was cresting. It’s a song that may never have truly peaked until all the generations represented at the Bowl this Memorial Day weekend have passed away and/or the day the prerogative to have a little fun has been codified into the criminal as a felony. For as long as there are women, and gay men, and straight men relaxed with themselves enough to buy “Let’s go, girls” T-shirt and diode-blinking pink cowboy hats, Twain will own rights to the ultimate ladies’ night anthem, just as surely as she owns the federal trademark on exclamation points. (She does, doesn’t she?)
‘American Idol’ runner-up Megan Danielle breaks silence on claims show was ‘rigged’ for Iam Tongi
competition was rigged.“I would say that it isn’t just because, you know, I feel like God made all of this happen for a reason,” the 21-year-old said in her first public comments about the controversy. “Even if I was first, second, last, whatever … I feel like any of us really deserved it.”The former waitress gushed about winner Iam Tongi, who took the No.
Ed Ames, ‘Daniel Boone’ Star and Ames Brothers Singer, Dies at 95
Pat Saperstein Deputy Editor Ed Ames, a member of the Ames Brothers singing quartet who starred in TV series “Daniel Boone” in the 1960s, died Sunday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 95. Ed Ames and his brothers Vic, Joe and Gene had a hit with their version of “Rag Mop” in 1950. As a solo artist, he had hits with “Who Will Answer?,” “My Cup Runneth Over” and “Try to Remember.” In the 1950s, they had a syndicated TV program “The Ames Brothers Show” and had 49 songs that charted before they broke up in 1963. He then launched an acting career, which included off-Broadway performances in “The Crucible” and “The Fantasticks,” as well as a starring role on Broadway in “Carnival!” He starred with Kirk Douglas, Gene Wilder and William Daniels in the Broadway production of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”
Kelly Rowland Reveals Her Son’s Favourite Destiny’s Child Track, But Admits ‘He Shouldn’t Be Listening’ To It
Kelly Rowland’s 8-year-old son Titan likes Destiny’s Child’s music, but his mom isn’t sure whether that’s a good thing.
Beyoncé Mourns Tina Turner's Death and Thanks Her For Paving the Way -- Read Her Tribute
Beyoncé is paying homage to her hero, Tina Turner, just hours after the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll died peacefully on Wednesday at her home in Switzerland. She was 83.Queen B posted a touching tribute on social media and on her website with a 2008 photo of the duo's epic performance at the 50th GRAMMY Awards in Los Angeles. «My beloved queen.
Ariana Madix Reveals If Tom Sandoval Misses Her, If She Threatened to Harm Herself When Tom Wanted to Break Up, If He Cheated Before, & More: 12 New Bombshells Revealed
Ariana Madix is not holding back on Call Her Daddy.
‘Vanderpump Rules’ Producers Have Mixed Reaction to Huge #Scandoval Ratings: ‘There’s a Human Cost, Not Just a Joyous Celebration’
Marc Malkin Senior Film Awards, Events & Lifestyle Editor About an hour after Bravo released the ratings for the Season 10 finale of “Vanderpump Rules” on Tuesday, producers Lisa Vanderpump and Alex Baskin were in Hollywood campaigning for Emmy consideration at an FYC event. The finale scored big, ending on a series-high with a combined audience of 4.1 million viewers on Bravo, on-demand and the Peacock platform within three days of its May 17 airing. No doubt interest in the show skyrocketed because of #Scandoval, the drama stemming from Tom Sandoval cheating on his girlfriend of a decade, Ariana Madix, with her best friend, Raquel Leviss.
‘Ken, Remember When We Began?’: U.K. Folk Icon Donovan on Working With Ken Loach on His First Feature Film
Christopher Vourlias On a recent morning in Cannes, Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan sat over coffee at the Hotel Martinez and recalled a phone call he received nearly 60 years ago, not long after he’d made a splash on the British folk scene. On the other end of the line was a rising screenwriter and director called Ken Loach. “He said he was making his first feature…and would I help him with the music?” Donovan told Variety. The film, a kitchen sink drama called “Poor Cow,” based on a novel by British playwright and author Neil Dunn, tells the story of a working-class single mother leading a hard-luck life in the slums of London. It’s a movie that set the tone for the type of social drama that propelled Loach throughout a remarkable, prolific career.
‘American Idol’ Crowns Season 21 Winner
SPOILER ALERT: This article contains details of the winner of American Idol Season 21.
‘Nuggets’ Classics From the ’60s Get Dug Up by Susanna Hoffs, Lenny Kaye and Seminal Garage-Rockers for L.A. Benefit: Concert Review
Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic “More stars than there are in heaven!” crowed Peter Zaremba, lead singer of the Fleshtones, taking a cue from MGM’s famous slogan of the 1930s and ’40s as he boisterously extolled the cast of performers taking part in Friday night’s tribute to the garage-rock of the middle and 1960s. The salute took the form of a semi-reconstruction of the 1972 compilation album “Nuggets,” put together by the Wild Honey Foundation as one of its annual autism benefits at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, with the original compiler of “Nuggets,” Lenny Kaye, on board as emcee, resident historian, cheerleader and intermittent singer-guitarist.
‘Black Flies’ Review: Sean Penn and Tye Sheridan Are Paramedics Cruising Through the Inferno in a Drama That Thinks It’s More Real Than It Is
Owen Gleiberman Chief Film Critic In “Black Flies,” a movie that keeps working to get high on its own intensity, Sean Penn and Tye Sheridan play paramedics who spend their nights driving through hell (I mean, Brooklyn). There are countless shots of the two in their EMS van, riding along under the tracks of an overhead subway train — the exact kind of grungy Brooklyn boulevard that Popeye Doyle went smashing through in the famous “French Connection” car/subway chase. As Rut (Penn) and Cross (Sheridan) patrol the borough neighborhood of Brownsville, one of the poorest and most crime-ridden sections of New York City, those overheard tracks become part of the film’s meticulously oppressive visual design. The two have so little breathing room they can barely see the sky. After a while, though, you start to think: Don’t these guys everdrive down a side street? Like everything else in “Black Flies,” those subway tracks are stylish signifiers of doom that are a little too in-your-face.
Tom Sandoval Admits to Cheating on Ariana Madix With Miami Girl and 1 Other Woman Before Raquel Leviss Affair
Tom Sandoval’s relationship with Raquel Leviss wasn’t the only indiscretion exposed on the season finale of Vanderpump Rules.
Billie Eilish and Jesse Rutherford Break Up After Less Than a Year of Dating
Billie Eilish and The Neighborhood's Jesse Rutherford. ET has confirmed they've broken up after less than a year of dating.«We can confirm Billie and Jesse did split amicably and remain good friends,» their reps told ET in a statement. «All cheating rumors are false.