House of the Dragon returns for season 3 with renewed focus, balancing epic battles like the "Battle of the Gullet" with sharp character-driven scenes. New and returning characters, including Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower, navigate a power vacuum in Westeros.
A curated list of memorable queer characters in cinema, from the unapologetic to the complex, highlighting their impact on representation and storytelling.
Olivia Cooke discusses her role as Alicent Hightower in "House of the Dragon," the challenges of playing a divisive character, and her own experiences with fame and social media. She also reflects on her working-class background and the importance of arts funding for young people.
Sydney-based AI startup Coreflow, owner of OurDream, is under investigation for potentially breaching child sex abuse laws after AI-generated characters appearing underage were found on the site, despite its zero-tolerance policy
The romantic drama series "Off Campus" has captivated 36 million viewers globally, with season two in development. Praised for its sex-positive themes, focus on women's pleasure, and depiction of healthy masculinity, the show also sensitively addresses sexual assault and trauma, resonating deeply with audiences.
The Alice Springs Beanie Festival, known for its unique handmade headwear, is holding its 30th and final event. Organizers cite volunteer burnout and the time to end on a high note as reasons for its closure. The festival has showcased thousands of creative beanies and fostered community for three decades.
Marc Isaacs's new film, 'Synthetic Sincerity,' uses a fictional AI lab to explore authenticity. The documentary maker and writer Adam Ganz fabricated the university setting, admitting they haven't licensed Isaacs's work for AI. The film features Uyghur restaurant owner Ablikim Rahman and actress Ilinca Manolache as an AI avatar, questioning the nature of reality and truth in the digital age.
Pixi, a new startup, has launched an app allowing users to send AI-powered AR characters through iMessage. These characters interact with the recipient's surroundings and respond in real-time, aiming to enhance digital conversations with a greater sense of presence and spontaneity.
Historically, women have been prominent in film editing, often seen as subordinate roles. However, experts highlight their crucial creative contributions and skill, challenging the notion of editing as unskilled labor and noting the ongoing imbalance in creative leadership positions.
Yuhan-Kimberly's 42-year-old 'Green Our Country' environmental campaign is gaining traction among younger generations through AI-generated animal characters on YouTube and social media, achieving over 1 million views per video.
Nearly 20,000 people have signed an online petition protesting the White House's unauthorized use of Japanese anime and manga characters, including Naruto, Dragon Ball, and Yu-Gi-Oh!, in social media content. Petitioners argue this use violates the creators' original intent and the values of courage and friendship these characters represent. Pokémon Company International has also condemned Trump's use of their imagery.
A growing backlash in Japan targets Donald Trump's use of anime and manga characters in social media posts. A petition with nearly 20,000 signatures argues this infringes creators' rights and disrespects the characters' values of courage and friendship.
Anime and manga fans are petitioning Donald Trump to stop using copyrighted characters from popular series like Dragon Ball, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Naruto in social media posts. A petition signed by 20,000 people protests unauthorized use of imagery, with fans citing ethical and copyright concerns.
Actor Anthony Head, best known for his roles as Rupert Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Rupert in Ted Lasso, leaves a legacy of versatile performances across TV, film, and theater, showcasing his depth from heroic mentorship to villainous charm.
Polish director Jan Komasa's films, including "Corpus Christi" and "The Hater," explore themes of guilt, revenge, and the inescapable past. His latest, "Good Boy," presents a dark, nightmarish world critiquing modern society's violence and coldness.
The Japanese Ministry of Finance has begun considering legal revisions to allow the issuance of commemorative coins featuring domestic content like manga and anime characters. Currently, Japan can only issue such coins for national events like the Olympics or Expo, missing opportunities to leverage popular IPs like "One Piece" and "Hello Kitty" which have been minted abroad.
The new series 'The Witness' offers a harrowing perspective on the Rachel Nickell murder, focusing on her family's ordeal and the aggressive tabloid press.
Ash Koosha's "Dreams of Violets," an AI-generated drama about Iran's protest crackdown, premieres at Tribeca. Koosha used AI for all visuals and characters, citing safety and cost-efficiency, and believes AI will democratize filmmaking.
Richard Gadd's 'Half Man,' a companion series to Netflix's 'Baby Reindeer,' is described as a relentlessly bleak psychological thriller, not a comedy. The show features graphic violence and characters struggling with immense despair, drawing comparisons to 'Black Mirror' and 'The Leftovers.'
Tributes pour in for John Kear, a legendary figure in rugby league as a player, coach, and commentator. Known for his passion, positivity, and humor, Kear left an indelible mark on the sport, coaching England, Wales, and numerous clubs, including Hull FC, Wakefield Trinity, and Batley.
Actress Jun Ji-hyun discusses her role as biotechnology professor Kwon Se-jeong in the zombie thriller 'Colony', aiming to portray a grounded, trustworthy character rather than a 'special' one, and reflects on her career aspirations and the global reception of Korean culture.
AI-generated 'history influencers' like Chloe VS History are using YouTube and social media to make history engaging for younger audiences by vlogging their 'travels' through historical settings like Tudor London and ancient Rome.
Japanese manga artist Rumiko Takahashi's youthful bikini photos have gone viral, with fans noting her own stunning figure likely inspired her famously buxom female characters from "Urusei Yatsura," "Ranma 1/2," and "Inuyasha."
Writer Aline Brosh McKenna discusses the sequel to 'The Devil Wears Prada,' highlighting its shift from glamour to the harsh realities of modern journalism, fashion, and celebrity culture, shaped by layoffs, digital media, and algorithms.
