Glow Up is back, and Thunderbolts* hits cinemas: What's coming up this week
Get ready for a Glow Up
From catwalk-ready looks to gory TV special effects, BBC Three's Glow Up has seen it all.The reality television show, hosted by model Leomie Anderson, sees aspiring make-up artists compete on various creative briefs and in challenges as they try to impress judges Dominic Skinner and Val Garland.I've had a sneak preview of the new series, which starts on Wednesday, and can tell you that the contestants are thrown in at the deep end from the start.Assignments include assisting on the set of HBO fantasy drama series House of The Dragon and working on a music video set with Nova Twins.Val told me the talent this series "really takes makeup to another level", and said people should "expect the unexpected".And there's a career-making prize awaiting the winner: a contract assisting some of the world's leading make-up artists.
Thunderbolts* hits cinemas
It's a big week for Marvel fans, with Thunderbolts* landing in cinemas on Friday.First reactions on social media have been positive, with many praising actress Florence Pugh for her role as assassin Yelena Belova.Matt Neglia of Next Best Picture calls it "some of Marvel's darkest material to date", adding: "It very much belongs to Florence Pugh, who carries much of the dramatic weight of the movie on her back."Film writer Mia Pflüger also praised the 29-year-old, writing on X that "the future of the new superhero generation is in good hands with her".Pugh previously appeared as Yelena in Black Widow in 2021.In the new film, her character embarks on a dangerous mission to confront the darkest corners of her past, alongside a team comprising Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster and John Walker.What everyone really wants to know, however, is what the asterisk is all about...
Another Simple Favour
On Thursday, black comedy mystery sequel Another Simple Favour is released on Prime Video.It sees Stephanie Smothers (played by Anna Kendrick) and Emily Nelson (Blake Lively) reunite on the island of Capri for Emily's extravagant wedding to a rich Italian businessman.So far, so good - but alongside the beautiful scenery and glamorous guests, murder and betrayal lie in wait.There have been months of speculation about a feud bubbling between the film's A-list co-stars but recently, the pair were seen posing and laughing together at the London screening, which went some way to dispelling the rumours.Lively, of Gossip Girl fame, is separately locked in a dispute with her former It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni, with both sides denying allegations made in lawsuits they have filed against each other.
Samantha Crain's new album
By Mark Savage, music correspondent
Contentment and creativity are awkward bedfellows. Conflict is a more reliable catalyst for music.Just don't tell Oklahoma singer-songwriter Samantha Crain, who's about to release her seventh album, Gumshoe.Full of bewildering beauty and life-affirming anthems, it was written over the last three years, as she unexpectedly fell in love."I spent much of my life as a lone wolf," she tells BBC News, "so hyper-independent that it became a defining trait.""But as I explored vulnerability and reciprocity in my relationships, I realised… we can change by the minute, and that's okay."In my ancestors' Choctaw language, there are no words for 'is' or 'are,' reflecting their belief that people, animals, and plants are not permanent or static. That's the biggest lesson of the past few years: I can be a lone wolf sometimes and still belong to a community."That realisation manifests in the lovestruck slacker rock of Dragonfly, and the finger-plucked Neptune Baby, with its refrain, "I'm a boat, and you are the water".Not that Crain's relationship was all plain sailing. Her new partner struggles with addiction, and a track called Melatonin finds her listing the items she brought them in rehab – "mint choc-chip ice cream, cigarettes, a watch"."You got it bad, but you got me," she reassures.It's an album of stunning poetic clarity and emotion – typified by the title track, an old-time country-rock ballad inspired by her love of detective novels."The word 'Gumshoe' has been in every writing notebook since I was a teenager," she says. "After watching The Maltese Falcon, I considered how detached detective characters are and imagined two loners finding love."Instantly, gumshoe came to mind—the perfect word for a song about unravelling the mystery of relationships."
Other highlights this week
Trump: The First 100 Days is out on BBC One and iPlayer on MondayP Diddy: The Rise and Fall is out on BBC Three and iPlayer on MondayMy Next Breath, a memoir by Jeremy Renner, is out on TuesdayGenius Game, with David Tennant, starts on ITV on WednesdaySuspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles De Menezes drops on Disney+ on WednesdayMan Like Mobeen returns on Thursday on BBC Three and iPlayerTaskmaster returns on Channel 4 on ThursdayThe Last Journey hits cinemas on Thursday
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The Guardian
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- The Guardian
Whiteboard warrior: Marvel is priming Mister Fantastic to be the new leader of the Avengers
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Scottish Sun
14 hours ago
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Six TV series to inspire your next getaway from European wine villages to exotic islands
The highlight is yoga and wine sessions in a remote vineyard OFF THE BOX Six TV series to inspire your next getaway from European wine villages to exotic islands Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ARE you struggling to think of where to go on your next holiday? How about getting inspired from your favourite TV show? Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 14 Emily in Paris has given every fan a number of TV hot spots to find in the French capital Credit: GIULIA PARMIGIANI/NETFLIX 14 White Lotus season three was filmed on Koh Samui Credit: HBO Whether you're a fan of the sun or want more of an active holiday, there are TV shows that have seen it all. Here are the top six TV shows that have us wanting to book a getaway ASAP, from tiny villages in Portugal to beautiful vineyards. White Lotus Aside from the murder, weird goings on and strange guests at the White Lotus resort, it's an incredibly enviable holiday destination. The very first season starring Jennifer Coolidge and Sydney Sweeney was filmed in the stunning Four Seasons resort in Hawaii. For season two, they moved production to the Four Seasons San Domenico Hotel in Taormina, Sicily. As for season three, it returns with eight episodes on February 16, 2025, where they filmed at the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui. Koh Samui is a small island off the east coast of mainland Thailand making it the best place for diving and snorkelling. The stunning desert paradise offers hillside villas, pools overlooking the ocean and personal residential assistants to help guests with whatever they need. The fastest way to get to Koh Samui is by flying to Samui International Airport (USM). You can fly from Bangkok, the UK, or other cities in Thailand. There are lots of attractions on the island, from a sunset cruise to visiting the Big Buddha Temple. You can stay in these six holiday homes from TV & Film 14 The fastest way to get to Koh Samui is by flying to Samui International Airport Credit: HBO 14 The series is set in the luxurious Four Seasons Resort The Good Ship Murder Much of the filming for this Channel 5 drama took place on the MSC Virtuosa, a cruise ship operating out of Southampton. The ship is used for all the location shots while still carrying fee-paying passengers. While there are a few murders, much of the show has a stunning backdrop because the majority is filmed in Malta. The island country in the Med is the perfect place for a getaway and there are plenty of filming hot spots to hit if you're a fan of the series too. Filming has previously taken place in the church in the village of Mellieha, Imġiebaħ Bay, St Christopher's Street, the Upper Barrakka Gardens, Victoria Gate which are all in Valletta, the country's capital. 14 The Good Ship Murder films on an actually cruise ship that goes out of Southampton Credit: Channel 5 14 The majority of filming in series one took place in Malta's capital city, Valletta Credit: Alamy Love Island: All Stars Reality fans are glued to the current Love Island series, but we're obsessed with the villa from Love Island: All Stars on ITV2. In the backdrop of the Franschhoek winelands is the beautiful villa, Ludus Magnus. If you don't need a resort, there are lots of apartments for rent around Franschhoek, which is an hour drive outside of South Africa's capital of Cape Town. Franschhoek is known for being one of the most beautiful wine villages in the world and stands out as the premier wine and food region of South Africa. There are lots of opportunities to explore the winelands and the neighbouring mountains by horse or tram. 14 The Ludus Magnus villa is in the Franschhoek winelands of South Africa Credit: ITV 14 Franschhoek is an hour drive outside of South Africa's capital, Cape Town Credit: Getty Emily in Paris Luckily for us, a trip to Paris is pretty easy thanks to the Eurostar. Emily and her French pals have given us plenty of places to check out. From the Bistro Terra Nera which doubles as Gabriel's Restaurant. Emily's go-to bakery is La Boulangerie Moderne, and her famous apartment is just around the corner on Place de l'Estrapade. As fans know, in season four, the characters ventured out of Paris and went to the French Alps. They stayed in the Haute-Savoie town of Megève which is the perfect place for a skiing break. 14 You can visit Emily's favourite haunts in Paris like the Bistro Terra Nera which doubles as Gabriel's Restaurant Credit: © 2024 Netflix, Inc. 14 The French town of Megève, Haute-Savoie is perfect for a skiing holiday The Split: Barcelona The Split spin-off in Barcelona aired its finale in December 2024. If you couldn't stop checking out the beautiful scenery, then make sure to book a trip to the Spanish capital. The characters are reunited at a wedding that takes place in a vineyard - one you can go to. The Torre del Veguer vineyard is in Sant Pere de Ribes. The vineyard is located about an hour and a half's drive from Barcelona. The vineyard offers lots of activities from yoga and wine sessions, wine pairing experiences and a tours of the vineyard which come before a wine tasting. 14 The Torre del Veguer vineyard is in Sant Pere de Ribes Credit: BBC 14 The vineyard offers lots of activities like yoga and wine sessions Credit: PA House of the Dragon The Game of Thrones spin-off used so many locations to create the other world of Westeros. A lot of the backdrop you see is actually filmed in Wales and Cornwall, but there are a few of locations outside of the UK too. Monsanto in Portugal doubles for Dragonstone, the ancestral home for House Targaryen, one of the forty dragonlord families, in the first season. The village is perched on top of a hill is famous for its ancient castle, boulders and is considered one of the most picturesque villages in Portugal. If you fancy a stay in the village, there are some charming Airbnb's available to rent for as little as £80 per night. 14 Monsanto in Portugal doubles for Dragonstone, the ancestral home for House Targaryen Credit: Home Box Office
