Latest news with #BenedictCumberbatch
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Holly Willoughby and fellow stars anger locals with 'insane' Glastonbury choice
Glastonbury Festival regulars including Holly Willoughby have been accused of flying in the face of the event's eco-friendly message by taking helicopters to the Somerset site The organisers of Glastonbury Festival have consistently expressed their dedication to reducing the event's environmental footprint. Various initiatives have been implemented, such as prohibiting single-use plastic bottles, utilising renewable energy sources, and encouraging sustainable transportation options. However, Holly Willoughby, a regular attendee of the festival, appears to have disregarded this environmental focus. She faced criticism from Pilton villagers, who claimed they had "never seen" so many helicopters transporting VIPs between London's Battersea heliport and the festival site. The 44-year-old former This Morning presenter was photographed boarding a £13,950 helicopter flight from London to the festival. A local resident expressed their discontent to the Daily Mail, stating that the numerous VIP flights were "not in the spirit of Glasto." Meanwhile, several celebrities, including Benedict Cumberbatch, Andrew Scott, and Bella Ramsey, delivered passionate speeches on the Greenpeace Stage, highlighting the significance of climate activism in a rapidly warming world. Greenpeace aims to establish a platform to urge the next government to take climate change seriously. The origins of the Glastonbury Festival date back to the 1970s, when Michael Eavis, the owner of the Worthy Farm site, sneakily attended the Bath Blues and Progressive Music Festival to watch Led Zeppelin perform,. What began as a modest festival with only a £1 entry fee has evolved into an extravagant affair, where a basic ticket now costs nearly £400 and the high-end Tipi Tenthouse Suite package can skyrocket to over £30,000 for the entire weekend. Local residents are up in arms about the influx of affluent attendees arriving by helicopter: "We've never seen this many coming into the festival," remarked one local. "It's insane. On Thursday there was a cluster of five, one after the other." The growing disdain towards the airborne arrivals is palpable, with locals explaining: "It's getting ridiculous now and quite frankly the organisers need to get a handle on it – it's so anti-social and not in the spirit of Glasto." This sentiment isn't new; frustration has been brewing for some time. Post 2024's festival, one resident complained: "I live on the flight path for the private helicopters shuttling between Glastonbury and London and my God last weekend was like Apocalypse Now." They shared their exasperation, saying: "I was sat outside and kept shouting 'there's another one!' every few minutes. No doubt all full of virtue-signalling eco-warriors." During a Somerset Council meeting, Pilton parish councillor Nick Hall broached the issue of overlooked noise disruption caused by helicopters. His concern was clear as he quizzed the council: "Why is there no reference to the noise nuisance (and risk) from the helicopters and the helicopter landing sites that serviced the festival?". An irate local has counted a staggering 50 helicopters on a Monday morning, and it's been reported that an even higher number, 85 choppers, touched down the previous Saturday. The community member is challenging the lack of dialogue with nearby parishes as airborne arrivals to the festival soar, asking: "I counted 50 helicopters on the morning of Monday, July 1, and it was reported that 85 helicopters landed on the Saturday. Why hasn't there been consultation with the parishes around the festival site ahead of the growth of this mode of transport to the festival?". Meanwhile, Glastonbury's official line, according to their website, promotes more eco-friendly transit options: "The cleanest ways to travel to Glastonbury Festival is by bike and public transport, and over a third of ticket-holders travel to the Festival on coaches, trains or other forms of public transport." Adding advice for festival-goers, they appeal: "We'd encourage you to join them, and reduce your carbon footprint. Glastonbury Festival does not endorse or facilitate travel by helicopter, except for operational purposes." Yet, celebrity sightings and exclusive fly-ins persist.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Fans flock to Lorde's secret set at Glastonbury
Update: Date: 12:14 BST Title: Meet Glasto's most-resourceful: 'Luke and the Coneheads' Content: Katie RazzallCulture editor I think I have found the most resourceful festival-goers. Among the crowd at Lorde, "Luke and the Coneheads", as they introduced themselves. Luke is the decorated ironing board, named after a friend who couldn't make it. Laura Chambers (sporting the traffic cone hat) and her friends from Buckinghamshire are Glastonbury stalwarts. Laura told me the ironing board is "essential, it's key to the group, you can put your drinks on it". As for the cone head? "You can find your friends in a crowd… because you lose everyone but when you have the cone on, you can find everyone." Hats off to them (except it's too hot to do that). Update: Date: 12:07 BST Title: We're already being treated to a raft of surprise guests Content: Colin PatersonEntertainment correspondent, reporting from Glastonbury Surprise guest names are everywhere this morning. Over at the Greenpeace stage, Benedict Cumberbatch is putting on the first Letters Live at Glastonbury, the show where celebrities read out letters, both meaningful and humorous. So far actors Andrew Scott, James Norton, Bella Ramsey and Simon Pegg (with Rik Mayall's letter to Bob Geldof after he was turned away from the recording of Live Aid) have all been on. The jazz drifting in from another near by stage adds a surreal element to proceedings. Update: Date: 11:54 BST Title: What's the forecast for Glastonbury today? Content: After some rain last night, Glasto-goers will enjoy warmer weather and lots of sunshine on the first official day of the festival. Here's the forecast from Matt Taylor: This video can not be played Update: Date: 11:49 BST Title: Lorde emerges to strobes and synths for secret set Content: Mark SavageBBC Music correspondent, reporting from Glastonbury There's an almighty roar as Lorde takes the stage, proving all the rumours true. She emerges to strobe lights and a disorientating synth drone, before launching into Hammer, a single from her freshly-minted album, Virgin. The tent is over-spilling and sweaty. Glastonbury has just closed access to the Woodsies field. You can watch Lorde's performance live by hitting the watch live button above. Update: Date: 11:48 BST Title: What else is happening on Friday? Content: Aside from the big names on the Pyramid Stage, there's plenty of other acts to see across the festival on Friday. Here's a quick run-through the highlights: Whatever you choose, one thing is clear: you're spoiled for choice. Update: Date: 11:48 BST Title: Coming up on the Pyramid Stage Content: The 1975 are headlining the Pyramid Stage tonight - their first live performance since Matty Healy announced they'd go on an indefinite hiatus after their last tour ended in 2024 Update: Date: 11:48 BST Title: Three things I've learned from my 11 years at Glastonbury Content: Mark SavageBBC Music correspondent, reporting from Glastonbury The first time I went to Glastonbury, it was 2003, and I lost my fiancée in the crowd watching Radiohead's headline set. That night, someone relieved themselves on our tent as we slept. It wasn't an auspicious introduction. But there's something about it that keeps me coming back. Everywhere you turn, someone's having the best night of their year. They might be falling in love, they might be witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime performance (Dolly Parton for me), or they might be relieving themselves on a stranger's tent. However you get your kicks, I guess. This year will be my 11th Glastonbury as a journalist, and I've learned a few essential secrets. Firstly, the festival runs on Haribo. Seriously, there are bags everywhere. When it gets hot, they melt into one giant mecha-Haribo. Secondly, bands are way more relaxed doing interviews backstage than in their record company office or a TV studio. Liam Gallagher, a notoriously spiky conversationalist, once told me he liked my t-shirt on live television. Beat that, Graham Norton. Thirdly, there is no festival like it. I know, I know. You hear that so much it become meaningless. But honestly, there's a sense of humanity and kinship that sets it apart from the corporate blandness of the rest of the festival scene. I think it's because the whole event is a family affair. So many of the stages are run by generations of the same family that there's an intimacy and sense of humour that would be impossible to manufacture. Case in point: When Hurts played the John Peel Tent in 2011, they asked for 'two dozen pictures of models' on their dressing room wall. The team dutifully got the stage crew – all hairy men of a certain age - to strip off their t-shirts and pose for a series of black and white photos. The band's reaction is sadly unrecorded. Update: Date: 11:47 BST Title: The stage is set for Glastonbury 2025 Content: The gates are open, the tents have been pitched, outfits donned and acts poised to perform... Glastonbury 2025 is a-go. As the action builds at Worthy Farm, approximately 200,000 festival-goers are bracing themselves for a jam packed weekend. Though some people have spent two nights camping under the Somerset skies already, the official line-up of acts begins today with The 1975, Biffy Clyro, Alanis Morrisette and CMAT set to grace the Pyramid Stage. But Glastonbury is much more than just the Pyramid Stage - with more than 100 stages hosting talent from across the music landscape, there really is something for everyone. You can watch the acts live from the comfort of your home - no long walks between stages or battles to bag a good spot at the stage. We'll have five streams running, broadcasting all the action on the different stages. Just head to the Watch & Listen tab at top of this page to follow along.
Irish Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
The Movie Quiz: Who is the only Irish-born star to win a main acting prize at Cannes?
Who has not played or voiced the title character of a Dr Seuss adaptation? Benedict Cumberbatch Mike Myers Danny DeVito Bela Lugosi Who is about to be the next Frank Drebin? Liam Neeson Clint Eastwood Arnold Schwarzenegger Sylvester Stallone Who is something else? Trigger Balthazar Velvet Joey Which is the odd song out? We Have All the Time in World Underneath the Mango Tree Avenues and Alleyways All Time High Which movie is not set in Hawaii? Who was not accurately described by Wham!'s second single? Emilio Estevez Rob Lowe Lou Diamond Phillips Kiefer Sutherland Which is the odd adaptation out? Johnny Got His Gun (1971) Maximum Overdrive (1986) Tough Guys Don't Dance (1987) Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) Who can be heard in Primal Scream's Loaded? Peter Fonda Dennis Hopper Marlon Brando James Dean To date, who is the only Irish-born performer to win a main acting prizes at Cannes? Richard Harris Colin Farrell Saoirse Ronan Brendan Gleeson Which does not feature a Goon? The Rebel (1961) Casino Royale (1967) Oliver! (1968) Life of Brian (1979)
Digital Trends
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
3 underrated Netflix movies you should watch this weekend (June 27-29)
Netflix is one of the definitive sources of entertainment for modern moviegoers. Even if you know you want to watch something on Netflix, actually choosing a title can be more complicated than it sounds. The algorithm can't possibly surface everything on the surface, which can lead you to choose from a subset of what's actually available. We've pulled together a list of three underrated titles that are all worth your time and consideration. Check them out below: Recommended Videos We also have guides to the best new movies to stream, the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max, and the best movies on Disney+. The Power of the Dog (2021) Another Oscar favorite that has been forgotten in the years since, The Power of the Dog is a hugely intelligent thriller that almost demands to be seen twice. The film follows two brothers on a Montana ranch whose lives are upended when one of them decides to marry. As the other begins to torment his brother's new family, we begin to learn exactly why he's so malicious. Benedict Cumberbatch is revelatory here, and director Jane Campion creates one of the great modern westerns of the past 30 years. You can watch The Power of the Dog on Netflix. The Intern (2015) One of the gentlest and smartest 21st-century comedies, Nancy Meyers's The Intern tells the story of a retiree who decides to become an intern for a fashion startup. Because of his age, experience, and gentle demeanor, he forms a growing friendship with the company's boss and founder, who is trying to keep her comedy and her relationship alive at the same time. The Intern is smart, subtle, and anchored by two excellent performances from Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro. It's exactly the kind of gentle movie we need more of. You can watch The Intern on Netflix. Dunkirk (2017) Although there was plenty of love for Dunkirk when it first hit theaters, the movie has since been somewhat forgotten in comparison to Christopher Nolan's other great films of the past decade. If you never watched it in theaters or know you're due for a rewatch, Dunkirk is likely to be more bracing than you remember. The film tells the story of the British troops who were evacuated from Dunkirk after being surrounded by German forces and does so from three dueling perspectives. At turns terrifying, exhilarating, and moving, Dunkirk is a tribute to its characters and an honest attempt to remind us how terrifying their circumstances were. You can watch Dunkirk on Netflix.
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Netflix fans 'in tears' over 'haunting' war film about unsung heroes
The movie tells the real-life story of Alan Turing, who played a pivotal role in cracking the German Enigma code during World War II An A-list ensemble has come together to recreate the momentous tale of the Enigma code's decryption, hailed as a 'masterpiece' by enthusiasts and set against the backdrop of the Second World War. The Imitation Game, inspired by the true story of the esteemed mathematician Alan Turing, features Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead role as the computer scientist whose contributions were crucial to the war effort. Drawing from the accounts in his biography, the film portrays Alan Turing's success in cracking the codes used by German intelligence, significantly aiding the British government's wartime triumphs. Upon its release in 2014, The Imitation Game enjoyed a box office surge, amassing over $233 million globally, making it the most successful independent film of the year. Its critical acclaim was reflected in numerous nominations across prestigious award ceremonies. A Rotten Tomatoes critique reads: "I really enjoyed this movie. "What could have been a tedious subject - codebreaking - was dramatic and suspenseful. All of the actors were terrific, and you really care about them, especially Benedict Cumberbatch's character. "You admire his brilliance but sympathise with his difficulties relating to people. And the relationship between him and Keira Knightley is poignant. "I really think this is an excellent film." The film's enigmatic allure is further amplified by Kiera Knightley, who portrays Alan Turing's close friend and brief fiancée, Joan Clarke. Audiences have praised the "superb acting" for truly "bring it to life", and it's these stellar performances that earned both actors nominations for best actor and best supporting actress at the Academy Awards and Golden Globes that year, reports the Express. When Britain declared war on Germany in 1939, the brilliant Alan Turing joined the cryptography team to decipher the Enigma machine, which the Nazis were utilising for coded communications. The film captures the tense moment when Alan uncovers an imminent attack on a convoy, but any hasty reaction could expose their operation and alert the Germans to their decoded messages. Consequently, the computer scientist is faced with a tough choice to minimise the risk of detection. Above all, it's these authentic narratives of unsung wartime heroes that deeply resonate with viewers. One viewer commented: "The Imitation Game is a masterpiece that left me in tears. Alan Turing's brilliance and sacrifice are beautifully portrayed, reminding us of the unsung heroes who change history. It's a powerful story of genius and courage, and the actors did a fantastic job." Another review described the film as "haunting". They added: "A brilliant performance by Cumberbatch to honour a brilliant mathematician. "The film is so encapsulating that by the time the screen darkens, you will want to reach through it and hug Turing tight and tell him his work is worthy of the highest appreciation." For those in search of a poignant cinematic journey or eager to delve into the intellect that contributed to the defeat of the Nazis, 'The Imitation Game' on Netflix is not to be missed.
