
Nathan Waddell, The Conversation
'Nineteen Eighty-Four' might have been inspired by author George Orwell's fear of drowning
The novel isn't typically associated with fear of water. Yet it's filled with references to sinking ships, drowning people and the dread of oceanic engulfment.

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Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Who are Galactus and Silver Surfer? Meet MCU's new villains in Fantastic Four: First Steps
Fantastic Four: First Steps: Marvel is about to reintroduce the Fantastic Four, but this time, it's not just about stretchy arms or invisibility. The real buzz is around the cosmic villains, Galactus and the Silver Surfer. They're not your average bad guys. These two come from the far ends of space, and their presence signals a big shift in the MCU's tone. Instead of another city-level threat, Marvel is aiming for something way bigger, older, and stranger. If you're wondering who these two are and why the internet is so hyped, here's a quick, easy breakdown. Galactus: A god-like force of nature Ralph Ineson, known for his deep voice and serious screen presence, plays Galactus. But don't expect a typical villain. Galactus is older than the universe. He doesn't want to destroy — he needs to. He feeds on planets to survive, like a cosmic predator. As Ineson put it, "He's not evil. He's beyond good and evil." Galactus in 'THE FANTASTIC FOUR' Director Matt Shakman described Galactus as a '14-billion-year-old vampire,' which tells you a lot about the movie's tone. He's not going to give speeches or throw punches. He'll loom, he'll consume, and he'll make the Fantastic Four feel small. Visually, this Galactus looks more like the comics. No more cloud nonsense like in the 2007 version. He's huge, armored, and alien, with glowing eyes and a voice that could shake space. Silver Surfer: Tragic, powerful, and not who you expected Julia Garner plays Shalla-Bal, not the usual Norrin Radd. In the comics, she's from the same planet as Norrin and is often his love interest. In this version, she is the Silver Surfer — Galactus' herald, searching for planets he can consume. The first look at Silver Surfer in THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS Garner says her Surfer is quiet, conflicted, and tragic. 'She doesn't speak much,' she explained in a recent interview. 'You feel her pain just from her body language.' She's not just a shiny alien on a board. She's someone who's lost everything and now serves a being who eats worlds. This version of Silver Surfer adds mystery to the film. Is she loyal? Is she planning something? Can the Fantastic Four reason with her? That tension runs through the film and adds more emotion to all the action. What is The Fantastic Four: First Steps about? Marvel hasn't released the full plot, but this isn't an origin story. The movie is set in the 1960s, on an alternate Earth. It picks up with the Fantastic Four already formed and working as explorers and scientists. According to early leaks and set reports, they get pulled into something cosmic, something way beyond science. That something turns out to be Galactus, the planet-eater, and his mysterious herald, the Silver Surfer. While Reed Richards and team try to stop them, the story also plays with themes of sacrifice, duty, and survival. Expect space travel, a retro vibe, and more serious emotions than your typical superhero flick.


Pink Villa
3 days ago
- Pink Villa
TWICE is all set to renew their contract with JYP Entertainment for 2nd time ahead of 10th anniversary, report
Popular K-pop girl group TWICE recently made their much awaited comeback with their 4th full-length album, THIS IS FOR. The group has also kicked off the first leg of their world tour, with two sold-out shows at Incheon's Inspire Arena on July 19 and 20. Amidst the success of their recent comeback, all nine members are poised to extend their contracts with JYP Entertainment, as reported by MHN Sports on July 21. TWICE members extended their contact with JYP Entertainment 3 years after first-time renewal TWICE 's Jihyo, Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu are set to renew their exclusive contracts with JYP Entertainment for another term. It is the second time they bestowed their trust on the agency. Their first contract renewal took place in July 2022, ahead of their initial contract expiration in October 2022. This second-time union extension marked a significant milestone for the girl group. The girl group members overcame the industry's 'seven-year curse', a phenomenon where many K-pop groups disband or experience lineup changes or switch agencies after seven years. TWICE was already past the phase long back and now they are preparing to celebrate their 10th anniversary. They officially debuted on October 20, 2015, with the release of their first EP, The Story Begins. Despite the growing buzz surrounding TWICE's alleged contract renewal, JYP Entertainment has yet to issue an official statement confirming the reports. About TWICE's latest comeback album and world tour TWICE's new album THIS IS FOR consists of 14 tracks, including the titular song, opening music Four, group songs– Options, Mars, Right Hand Girl, Peach Gelato, Hi Hello, Seesaw, and Heartbreak Avenue, and unit releases– Battitude, Dat Ahh Dat Ooh, Let Love Go, G.O.A.T., and Talk. Additionally, nine solo tracks have been created for each member solely for their world tour acts, and are not included in the album. The THIS IS FOR Part 1 World Tour started with domestic shows and will end with Bangkok concerts at Impact Arena on December 13 and 14. Amid the tour, TWICE is also set to bring the house down at Lollapalooza Chicago on August 2.


India Today
12-07-2025
- India Today
TWICE drops empowering, high-energy music video for This is For
K-pop powerhouse TWICE has officially returned with their most empowering album yet. On July 11, the nine-member girl group released the music video for the title track, 'This is For', from their fourth full-length album of the same name. The song is nothing short of a bold, beat-driven celebration of with playful choreography, dramatic cityscapes, and confident styling, the music video sees Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung and Tzuyu dancing through towering skylines and subways, hyping not just themselves, but everyone watching. It's TWICE like you've never seen them before, powerful, poised, and playing the role of hype women for a generation that's ready to be seen. View this post on Instagram A post shared by TWICE (@twicetagram)advertisementThe track is danceable and upbeat whilst echoing themes of self-love and self-worth. 'This is for all the ladies, who don't get hyped enough. If you have been done wrong, then this your song so turn it up,' the group sings, turning the song into an empowering anthem. If anything, the only complaint we have is that the song is criminally short. A two-minute-14-second drop? Too short! The music video follows a teaser campaign by JYP Entertainment that hinted at a tonal shift. Gone are the candy-coloured visuals. In their place are cinematic scenes, dramatic lighting, and a darker, more mature aesthetic that aligns with TWICE's evolving musical the song video here: This Is For headlines a 14-track album also released Friday, which includes songs like Four, This is For, Options, Mars, Right Hand Girl, Peach Gelato, Hi Hello, Seesaw, Heartbreak Avenue. There are a few subunit songs as well like Battitude [Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Mina), Dat Ahh Dat Ooh (Sana, Jihyo, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, Tzuyu), Let Love Go (Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Tzuyu), Talk (Nayeon, Jihyo).TWICE is also set to take this message global, with a stop at the Philippine Arena this October as part of their This is For world tour. Meanwhile, members Jeongyeon, Jihyo and Chaeyoung continue to extend their presence globally with Netflix anime-inspired action film K-Pop Demon this album is more than a musical experiment; it is an anthem, and the message is loud and clear, THIS IS FOR- YOU!- EndsMust Watch