Paris ballerinas, kick up a fuss over pension plans

Ballerinas in white tutus danced scenes from Swan Lake on the forecourt of the Paris Opera on Tuesday to protest against President Emmanuel Macron’s plans to scrap their special pension benefits. Behind them were banners reading “Culture in danger.” reuters

Kylie invites politics-weary Brits to ’call on your friends in Australia’

Australian popstar Kylie Minogue has invited weary Britons to forget politics and “call on your friends in Australia” in a tourism campaign launched in Britain on Christmas Day. Britain, which is responsible for the fourth largest number of tourists to Australia, has had a tumultuous political year with deep rancour over Brexit and its first December election in almost a century. reuters

Cats : fans slam beleaguered film

The newly-released movie version of Cats suffered another embarrassing moment when fans noticed Judi Dench’s hand was clearly visible in one scene. Tom Hooper’s high-budget blockbuster, which was released last Friday, was panned by critics, with last-minute edits being made a day before the premiere. And the latest faux pax to hit the movie saw Judi, 85, in character as Old Deuteronomy in one scene with her hand - complete with what appeared to

Anton pens more Christmas songs

Veteran lyricist and media personality Anton J. Fernando has written new Christmas songs this year for several newcomers and veterans. ‘Tharu Pokuru’ is one such song Anton has penned on behalf of the Galaxies band. It is sung by Ajith Perera, Roy Fernando, Priyantha Nawalage and Chaminda Wimalasena.

Hiru Christmas Party live on Dec. 25

Hiru TV will hold its 2019 Hiru Christmas Party at Avendra Gardens Hotel in Negombo amidst a large number of stars from 9.30 am onwards on December 25. The star studded ‘Christmas with Hiru’ (Hiruth Ekka Naththal) programme conceptualized by ABC media Group Chairman Reynorr Silva, will be telecast on Hiru TV from 9.30 am on Christmas Day, sharing the joy with its audiences in the live programme.

ABBA’s Bjorn sends Sweden’s students SOS on fake news

ABBA’s Bjorn Ulvaeus has gifted books to high school students across Sweden to try to stem the flow of fake news. The musician, who together with ABBA sold more than 375 million albums and singles, said the initiative came about as he felt democratic institutions were being undermined by the spread of misinformation. Reuters

‘Jumanji: The Next Level’ Levels Up With $60 Million Debut

It’s shaping up to be a merry holiday season for “Jumanji: The Next Level.” Sony’s adventure sequel debuted in first place to $60.1 million, dethroning “Frozen” after three consecutive weeks as box office champ. Those ticket sales, at the higher end of industry projections, represent a healthy jump on its predecessor, 2017’s “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” ($36 million). It also marks the highest debut for a December comedy, as well as the best

The Sugar Shack’s Christmas Bake Sale is BACK!

On 24th December, The Sugar Shack is bringing back the most anticipated bake sale for the Christmas season! So hop on over to stock up on all your festive treats to celebrate with your friends and family. This year’s bake sale offers a promising range of freshly baked and festively decorated cakes, cupcakes, cookies and brownies along with traditional Christmas Cakes, Yule Log and Breudher to complete your Christmas table.

Jennifer Aniston Brad Pitt

They divorced in 2005. But Jennifer Aniston celebrated the Christmas season with her ex husband, Brad Pitt, over the weekend. The actress, 50, held her annual tree trimming party on Saturday, where she invited a number of stars over, including her former spouse, according to People. They have b

Torana releases three films in DVD

Torana Video Movies has just released three Sinhala movies including the yester-year box office hit Prema Tharangaya, Kathuru Muwath and Kiwulegedara Mohottala, in the DVD format. ‘Prema Tharangaya’ which includes some evergreen songs, has Hugo Fernando, Ayesha Weerakoon, Laddie Ranasinghe, Aruna Shanthi and Mark Samaranayake in the main cast. Directed by A. B. Raj, the movie was produced by S. M. Nayagam.

New movies unfolding in the CEL circuit

Two much hyped Hindi and Tamil films will be screened as CEL releases from December 20. The movies imported by Cinemas Ltd. are distributed by Cinema Entertainments (Pvt) Ltd – CEL.

Victorious Achievements

The gloom and doom and feeling of hopelessness that most of us felt last December seems to have disappeared this December. It is lovely to be greeted in the mornings with that nip in the air and the radio stations playing Christmas carols and the lingering aroma of the baking of Christmas goodies. Having good friends visiting also adds to the most joyous month of the year. To crown it all our young athletes’ ach

Swedish Roxette singer Marie Fredriksson dies at 61

Singer Marie Fredriksson of Swedish pop duo Roxette died on Monday at the age of 61 after having spent years battling cancer and the lingering effects of its treatment, her manager said. Roxette produced several international hits including four U.S. number ones with “It Must Have Been Love”, from the film “Pretty Woman”, “The Look”, “Listen to Your Heart” and “Joyride”. “It is with great sadness that we must announce that one of our biggest and

Tsunami-Vishama Bhaaga tussle creating waves?

The crisis-ridden Sinhala cinema industry has been gripped by another fresh crisis over the release date of Dr. Somaratne Dissanayake’s newest movie ‘Tsunami’. This film produced by Renuka Balasuriya was slotted for release on December 26 to coincide with the tsunami 15th anniversary. But unfortunately the globally award-winning director and producer are crying foul that injustice has been meted out to them by the EAP film circuit which has now l

EAP Films says their stance is clear

Commenting on the issue, EAP Films CEO Geevaka Pallegama told Daily Mirror Life that there was no clear agreement with them to screen ‘Tsunami’ on December 26. “Our agreement said Tsunami will be screened after ‘Rush’ but not before December 25. Rush is still being screened in our cinemas. We spoke to the Rush team and they agreed to sacrifice some showtimes to screen ‘Vishama Baagha’ from December 16. Vishama Baagha is a CSR project and I feel a

New NFC Chairman has challenging role to play

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Media Secretary Rohan Weliwita has now been appointed as the new Chairman of the National Film Corporation. We know that ambitious Rohan Weliwita is a man of many parts and is also a go-getter. He is the chairman of Fine Vision, a director of the Local Film Directors Association and has also excelled as a film and tele dr

‘It’s bittersweet’ Significant role for Princess Leia

The highly anticipated final chapter in the Skywalker film saga will feature a significant role for Princess Leia, the beloved “Star Wars” character played by late actress Carrie Fisher. Writer and director J.J. Abrams said he

The X Factor EXCLUSIVE

Simon Cowell has recruited former X Factor winner Leona Lewis to guest judge the first episode of his new show The Band. The music mogul, 60, has been hosting the ‘toughest auditions in years’ at his record label Syco, involving hopefuls performing in front of him and a crowd of industry professionals. Leona, 34, will join

Miley Cyrus sends fans an early Christmas gift

She’s on vocal rest following vocal cord surgery. But that hasn’t stopped Miley Cyrus from getting into the Christmas spirit, sharing a series of holiday videos on social media this week. The 27-year-old shared a throwback video from her 2015 rendition of Sleigh Ride with Bill Murray and George Clooney. ‘Wishing you ALL a very Murray Christmas!’ she captioned. A then 23-year-old Miley sported he

A NOTED CHRISTMAS

The all-female musical ensemble ‘Noted,’ will be presenting their debut show on the 16th December 2019 at 7.30 pm at the Methodist College auditorium. The show will be featuring great and predominant music from various genres including classical, modern pop, gospel and acapella as well. The choir was built up in 2015, with the intention to convey a message through anything that they perform, transferring harmonious melodies into emotions that wil

Narada Wijesuriya Clinches state award for best lyricist

Seasoned journalist, poet, author and lyricist Narada Wijesuriya recently clinched the state television award for the lyrics he penned for the tele drama ‘Thaththa’. Narada’s song ‘Hadannata Wehi Binduwak’ was nominated for the award together with veteran lyricists Mahinda Chandrasekara and Wasantha Kumara Kobawaka.

Int’l recognition for Sumitra Peries

The latest edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was held in Panjim, Goa held recently honoured, critically acclaimed and award winning Sri Lankan filmmaker, Sumitra Peries who was invited to grace the occasion to commemorate the first Golden Peacock Award winning film Gamperaliya by the late Dr. Lester James Peries. Dr. Lester James Peries´ Gamperaliya won the first ever Golden Peacock Award at the 3rd edition of the film fe

ULA LENI

Well known film producer Dr. Arosha Fernando’s latest movie production ULA LENI will be released in the CEL film circuit theatres including Regal Colombo, Lido Borella as a limited 2K gap release from December 6. Award winning Dramatist Hemantha Prasad ‘s maiden film direction features Sanjeewa Upendra, Chameera Liyanage and Gayani Gisanthika. “Ula Leni is a twisted psychological thriller,” said Dr. Arosha Fernando, while thanking CEL FILM CIRCUI

The Pussycat Dolls are Reuniting a decade after their split...

The Pussycat Dolls have announced they are embarking on a reunion tour next year 10 years after they revealed they were taking a hiatus to pursue solo careers. However one member of the band - Melody Thornton - won’t be joining them on the road, as it is revealed that they will be touring the UK and Ireland without her. Nicole Scherzinger, Ashley Roberts, Kimberly Wyatt, Carmit Bachar and Jessica Sutta will perform for the first time as a five pi

Never seen before audition tape emerges

His role as the villainous Loki has earned him household name status. Yet Tom Hiddleston has revealed that he never actually auditioned for his now-famous role and admitted that he really wanted to be lead character Thor. During an interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the host shared never-seen-before footage of Tom auditioning for the part of the God Of Thunder.

Thanuja starts Sri Lanka’s first Cash Taxi reality ride

Concepts of television reality programmes are more often designed based on social trends that emerge from time to time. The theory behind this is the ultimate objective to woo audiences to live, feel and relate to the television reality experience. Taxi or cab services have today gripped the lives of people globally, so much so that successful television reality shows conceptualised with taxis have surfaced in many countries. In Sri Lanka, Cash T

The Who are first honoured as London unveils Music Walk of Fame

British rock band The Who became the first act to receive a paving stone on the Music Walk of Fame in London on Tuesday, in the unveiling of a new cultural attraction that echoes the starry sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard. Following the presentation of the Walk’s founding stone, The Who’s two surviving members Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend posed by their own plaque, depicting a m

Ukrainian artist strikes a chord with matchsticks

Ukrainian Bogdan Senchukov wants to carve his way into the Guinness Records: by making the world’s biggest collection of musical instruments from matchsticks. Already, 15 of his real-sized instruments, including two guitars, accordions, violin and drums, are played by a band of musicians which prides itself as the only “match music band” in Ukraine. Reuters

That time of the year again !

With the joyous season of Christmas rapidly approaching, the “Silent Hands” theatre group will stage “Sorry Wrong Chimney” on the 29th and 30th of November from 7.30 pm onwards at the Lionel Wendt. Directed by Jehan Bastians and Neidra Williams it is definitely one to watch. Silent Hands, known for pulling off some great plays commenced in 2002 as a backstage group, led by Jehan and Neidra which “silently” helped people behind the scenes. Eventu

Friends reunion is happening! 

Twenty five years after those six iconic small screen Friends debuted on NBC, they are getting back together again. The Hollywood Reporter reveals that talks are under way for a Friends reunion special that would bring back all six main cast members - Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry an