Latest news with #CloseEncounters
Gizmodo
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
How Gareth Edwards Made ‘Jurassic World Rebirth' His Ultimate Spielberg Love letter
That Jurassic World Rebirth is the seventh film in a franchise started by Steven Spielberg should make at least one thing obvious. The film's existence alone is a tribute to the iconic director. And while previous iterations have honored the filmmaker's work in other ways, Rebirth takes things to a whole other level. 'In reading the script, there are scenes [and] descriptions where they're in a boat chasing a giant creature through the water. They're leaning forward at the front with a rifle. There's a giant fin. And you're like, 'This reminds me of another movie.' I don't know if you guys have ever seen this thing called Jaws.' That's director Gareth Edwards talking to io9 about the film's homages to the director of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T., Hook, and so many more. It was clear to Edwards early on that David Koepp had written a script with multiple direct references to Spielberg's work, so he took things a bit further. 'I started to play this game of, like, 'Well, I guess then it's like open season a little bit,'' Edwards said. 'Why not have a bit of Raiders in there? And so to me, it felt semi-sacrilegious, but I justified it by going, 'This is my big love letter to Steven Spielberg.' And so whenever there was a little vacuum or a little idea that was added, I always felt like, 'What's the Spielbergian way?' And I would never, ever, ever compare myself. He's the master. But how I got through this was because it was such an intimidating thing knowing you're in the shadow of those masterpieces, my way through it was to just consider this a love letter full of Easter eggs for other fans of his films.' And so there are the nods to the original Jurassic Park, Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, etc. Films Edwards grew up watching and loving. But it wasn't only watching Spielberg movies that helped the director make Rebirth into a self-fulfilled prophecy. 'There's a strange thing; it happened on Star Wars, and it happened on this movie as well, which is when you're a little kid, and you grew up playing with dinosaurs and spaceships, and then you learn that the world is not really built that way, and it's all a lie called cinema,' Edwards said. 'You end up quite disappointed, driving to work, doing tax returns, a bit frustrated that they lied to you. And then one day you're really lucky, and you end up in the middle of a jungle with dinosaurs, and you're like, 'Finally, what they promised in the first place.' And so [making this movie] felt very comforting. It felt like becoming a child again, like having a comfort blanket. So it sort of compensates for any anxiety you might have about doing a giant movie [because] it is suddenly this world that you just feel familiar with as a kid.' From playing in the backyard to watching Spielberg movies, Jurassic World Rebirth is a movie Edwards had been prepping for his whole life. It's now in theaters. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Metro
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
90s music icon 'finally on his way to being knighted'
Robbie Williams is reportedly well on his way to receiving a knighthood due to his tireless efforts fundraising for charity and his contributions to music. The pop sensation, 51, has had success both as a solo artist and as a member of the boy band Take That. Outside of the music industry, he created Soccer Aid in 2006, which has so far earned an eye-watering £106million for Unicef, where he has also been an ambassador since 2000. He had taken part in 11 Comic Relief events and founded The Heavy Entertainment Show Charitable Trust in 2019 alongside his wife, Ayda Field, which supports causes related to children, education, arts, and culture After his latest world tour, it was reported by The Sun that he donated £250,000 of the proceeds to charitable organisations. And now, the publication reports that the music icon has been nominated for a knighthood, which will now be put in front of the honours committee. Metro's WWE reporter and Robbie Williams superfan Alistair McGeorge on reports Robbie Williams will receive a knighthood: After decades of charity work and absolute bangers, Sir Robbie Williams has a great ring to it. On his Britpop European tour this summer, he's been branding himself the King of Entertainment, and he's more than earned his tongue-in-cheek bravado. For the music alone – Escapology is a top-five album of all time, and even this punk-rock fan won't hear any different – it's hard to argue with the legacy he's built. He's matched The Beatles' 15 UK Number 1 albums (with another coming this month) and has been a consistent presence in the charts for the last few decades. Back in 2006, he set a Guinness World Record after selling 1.6million tickets in just one day for his Close Encounters tour. Let that sink in. His legacy goes beyond hits like Angels and She's The One, and deeper cuts like Monsoon and Hot Fudge. From Comic Relief to the creation of Soccer Aid 19 years ago – which has raised £106m for Unicef so far – Robbie's charity work is as admirable as it is consistent. He's also been a vocal advocate for mental health support, helping people across the UK realise they're not alone. It's easy to write Robbie off or ridicule him – he'll be the first to do that himself, after all – but calls for a knighthood are absolutely deserved. Arise, Sir Robbie – and let him entertain you. From there, Sir Keir Starmer and then King Charles will sign off on the nomination, and then he will be Sir Robbie. He wouldn't be the first member of Take That to earn a title after Gary Barlow was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2012 for his services to the entertainment industry and charity. Robbie's contributions to music cannot be understated, with the Rock DJ hitmaker tying with The Beatles for the most UK number one albums. He had seven UK number one singles and 13 number one studio albums in the UK. In 2006, he got a Guinness World Record for selling 1.6 million tickets in a single day to his mammoth Close Encounters Tour. For the eighth year, 150,000 festival goers will descend on Glasgow Green from 11-13 July to see the liked of 50 Cent, Gracie Abrams and Biffy Clyro, and you could be there! Metro has teamed up with Rockstar Energy presents TRNSMT Festival to offer four VIP tickets to one lucky winner. For a chance to win this massive music prize, simply enter your details here. You have until midnight on Sunday 6 July 2025 to enter using the form below. Entrants must be 18+. Good luck! T&Cs apply*. Click here if form is not loading. * Open to legal residents of Great Britain (excluding Northern Ireland) aged 18 or over. Promotion opens at 18:01 BST on 2 July 2025 and closes at 23:59 BST on 6 July 2025. The promotion is free to enter; however internet access is required. Entrant must visit and when prompted by the form, submit their name, email, telephone number, date of birth and postcode. Acceptance of the terms and conditions is necessary to enter the promotion. There will be one (1) winner. The winner will win four (4) VIP weekend tickets for TRNSMT Festival, running from 11th – 13th July 2025 at Glasgow Green, in Glasgow ('Prize'). Proof of age and photographic ID are required for entry for all guests (the guests of the winner must be at least 16 years old at the time of entry). The Prize, including entry and attendance at TRSNMT festival, is subject to and governed by the Promoter's full ticket terms and conditions. 1 prize available. 1 entry per person. Full T&Cs apply, see here. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Across his career, he has received 18 Brit Awards, two Outstanding Contribution to Music awards, and an Icon Award for his lasting impact on British Culture. In 2014, he was even awarded the freedom of his hometown, Stoke-on-Trent, and had a street named in his honour. More Trending Last year, a biopic based on his life, Better Man, was released detailing his childhood, struggles with addiction, and rise to fame. Despite Better Man being deemed a commercial failure, Robbie has revealed that he's already working on releasing a sequel, which will pick up from around 2007 onwards. Speaking to Australian DJ Sean Brown, the pop icon said: 'There is so much that didn't make the movie, only because we couldn't fit it in.' He continued: '[It's not like] I was too embarrassed or ashamed to put it—there are many stories. It would have had to be a five-hour film to fit everything in.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: The shocking moment teenage boy punches woman unconscious at UK rapper's concert MORE: Liam Gallagher apologises after tweeting 'racial slur' ahead of Oasis reunion tour MORE: Not inspired by the Glastonbury headliners? These 6 acts blew me away
Daily Mirror
23-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
'I took my family to UK's dullest region - we'll definitely be back for more'
The East Midlands often gets a bit of a hard time. Regularly overshadowed by its more populated, better-connected sibling to the west, the region can sometimes feel like the motorway equivalent of a flyover state — somewhere to be driven through on the M1 rather than to be stopped in and enjoyed. The presence of several of its towns on various 'most boring places to live' rankings over the years hasn't helped. Grantham, the home of Margaret Thatcher, is one that regularly attracts the mirth of such list compilers, and arguably adds to the East Midlands' reputation. But, as I found out during a trip to the region during half-term, the East Midlands is a fantastic place to spend the week with your family, and one that is sorely overlooked. The Doyle family adventure to Leicestershire began in Snarestone, a rural village on the edge of the National Forest. In amongst the green field and winding lanes nestled our accommodation for the next two nights: a gleaming, modern lodge bordered by the Ashby Canal, a beacon of wildlife and tranquillity where villagers hold an annual fund-raising rubber duck race (£150 for the winner!). You could spend your time taking a stroll, visiting the wharf or eating the unexpectedly excellent fare at The Old Crown Inn , though our 5- and 7-year-old kids simply wanted to play with the two resident dogs, Theo and Fred, while we drank coffee on the verandah. Despite feeling far away from the hustle and bustle, we were only a 10-minute drive from some big attractions. The historic market and spa town of Ashby de la Zouch , including the ruins of Ashby Castle, is just five miles away. Also nearby is Conkers , 120 acres of indoor and outdoor pursuits, a train, aerial adventures, a 4D cinema and more. We opted for Twycross Zoo , having heard there is a new snow leopard in residence. We'd booked a mobility scooter in advance for my wife; it's a great option for anybody who wants to explore the whole Zoo without walking distance being a factor. We began our visit in The Gruffalo Discovery Land, an interactive trail through 'the deep, dark wood', with animatronics, scenery straight from the page and plenty of photo-worthy moments. Also new for 2025 is Close Encounters, a tropical habitat for some of the world's most endangered spiders and reptiles. It's a close-up look at fascinating creatures who scuttle, slither and hop, such as the panther chameleon with its goggly eyes and skin that gets red when annoyed. Nuri the snow leopard never did make an appearance but with so many other wonderful animals to see - special mention for the rainbow lorikeets and zebras - we left feeling like we'd had a brilliant day. The next stage of our trip took us from the lush countryside to the centre of Leicester city. Bewildering road system aside, the approach to the city was full of visually stunning murals and street art that made us feel excited about the cultural landscape that awaited. We dropped our luggage at The Gresham Aparthotel, where we stayed in a fresh 2-bed serviced apartment, which is a good alternative to a hotel family room when you're staying with young kids. If (when) you visit Leicester, make sure your first stop is the Visit Leicester Information Centre or visit in advance. You'll be stunned by the sheer number of events on offer, many of which are free. You can find historic trails, itineraries based on interest, and a whole host of attractions. Leicester certainly loves a festival, and there are lots of free options to choose from. There's the big weekender of Leicester Riverside Festival in early June, which spans sites and includes music, cinema, a fun fair, and watersports on the River Soar. There are also festivals celebrating cultures and interests from Mela, Pride, and the Caribbean Carnival, to walking, jazz and food. Take a look at the Leicester Festivals & Events Facebook page to keep up to date with the full list. Leicester Visitor Centre is also home to the King Richard III Visitor Centre , which includes the royal's grave site and two floors of fascinating exhibits about his life and the search for his final resting place. It's a paid attraction but well worth it for fans of both history and science, as our kids loved having a go at archaeology, DNA sequencing and facial reconstruction. We also really appreciated being offered ear defenders for our autistic daughter. Directly opposite is Leicester Cathedral , which also hosts cultural events and exhibitions and is currently displaying Luke Jerram's Mars: War and Peace, a giant planetary sculpture enhanced with light and sound. From there it was a walk down the tree-lined promenade of New Walk to the Leicester Museum & Art Gallery , home to dinosaurs, Egyptian mummies, international art and local history. Both are free to enter, but can be supported with a donation. If we'd been there on any other day than a Sunday, we could have made use of the Leicester Hop! , a free electric bus that takes a circular route around the city and stops close to all the places we visited. We finished the day at one of the many independent hospitality venues, doughWHAT , which is the only spot in the Midlands to make fresh Neopolitan and deep-dish pizzas in-house. The food was amazing and the staff were brilliant. When you have children with restricted eating, it can be difficult to eat out anywhere decent. But, with 24 hours' notice, the team at Dough What will accommodate any off-menu requests for kids in your party. And yes, that includes chicken nuggets. Next, we visited the Great Central Railway , where you can explore four stations by steam train that have been restored to their historical heyday of the 1910s, '40s and '50s. The Loughborough station has been the backdrop of numerous period films, and the children were especially interested to learn which cast members of the Paddington film had been there. Run by volunteers, the vintage train line offers events such as '40s weekends and dining experiences; you can even make a model Gromit with Aardman model makers. If history is your thing, then Leicester is a great choice all round. There is Leicester Guildhall , a Tudor-style Grade I listed building that promises '600 years of drama'. Bradgate Park hosts outdoor events and has the ruins of what is believed to be the birthplace of Lady Jane Grey. And opening in July is the Jewry Wall Roman experience , offering Roman finds and a multi-media exhibition. Leicester isn't just about the past; it's also home to The National Space Centre , where our activity-packed trip ended. It's a must-see for any space nut. Your ticket includes a show in the UK's largest planetarium dedicated to Sir Patrick Moore, an immersive orbit around Earth aboard the Terastar Spaceport, and a trip up the 42-metre-high space port to see the Blue Streak and Thor Able rockets - and a real piece of the moon - at close quarters. The Space Centre shares a car park with Abbey Pumping Station Museum , reminding you that, in Leicester, you're never that far away from the past, be it industrial or ancient. We loved the variety of things to do in Leicester and will definitely be back to see more. And to say hello to Theo and Fred.
Geek Tyrant
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Rare CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND Alien Mask Up for Auction – And It's Equal Parts Creepy and Cool — GeekTyrant
If you've ever dreamed of owning a piece of extraterrestrial cinema history, now's your chance, just don't expect it to phone home. Propstore has launched a new auction featuring an incredible lineup of film memorabilia, and one item in particular is drawing attention: An original alien mask from Steven Spielberg's Close Encounters of the Third Kind . One of the eerily sweet 'Gray' aliens that descended at Devil's Tower in the film's unforgettable final act. This rare piece is part of Propstore's sale of items from Planet Hollywood's vast memorabilia collection. The auction kicks off May 21 and runs through June 11, and the catalog is packed with movie treasures that also includes Gremlins puppets, Ghostbusters miniatures, and Spock ears from Star Trek . But the Close Encounters alien, complete with 'functional eye mechanisms,' is the standout. According to Propstore's listing, the production team crafted multiple alien masks during filming, including prototypes, static versions for wide shots, and mechanical masks capable of limited movement. This particular piece is one of the mechanical versions used for close-ups, and it's got a bit of engineering under the hood. It comes from the collection of Roy Arbogast, the Oscar-nominated special mechanical effects artist and longtime Spielberg collaborator. The listing explains: 'It features a foam latex-backed slip latex skin dressed over a fiberglass underskull and painted gray-brown on the exterior. The interior is inset with wide cast resin eyes painted with blue irises and black pupils. The eyes are designed to move from side-to-side via cables installed along the interior.' Arbogast's filmography is filled with classic films including Escape from New York , The Thing , They Live , and Return of the Jedi . Some 'sympathetic restoration' has been done over the years to keep it display-ready, though the listing makes it clear the piece is fragile and not meant for wearing. So, maybe don't go scaring the neighbors in your driveway. The starting bid is $2,500.
Gizmodo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
Summon Your Own Friendly Aliens With This ‘Close Encounters' Mask
Propstore's latest auction features a rare piece of memorabilia from the 1977 Steven Spielberg classic. You'll have to construct your own Devils Tower out of mashed potatoes (or garden dirt, depending on how much room you've got), but an authentic Close Encounters of the Third Kind alien mask is going up for auction, and it's equal parts cool, cute, and creepy. It's part of Propstore's auction of items from Planet Hollywood's extensive memorabilia collection (see the whole catalog here), kicking off May 21 and running through June 11. There's a Gremlins puppet, Ghostbusters miniatures, Spock ears from two different Star Trek movies, and lots more, but the Close Encounters alien—complete with 'functional eye mechanisms'—is the standout pick. According to Propstore's listing, the climactic Close Encounters sequence in which the musically inclined aliens land their ship at Devils Tower 'was achieved by dressing dozens of young girls as the friendly Grays. Multiple versions of their extraterrestrials masks were built by production, including a number of tests and prototypes, while two versions were ultimately selected for filming: non-articulated masks for wide or long shots of the aliens, and mechanical versions capable of a limited number of facial expressions.' This particular item, the listing explains, 'originated from Academy Award-nominated special mechanical effects artist and regular Spielberg collaborator Roy Arbogast. It features a foam latex-backed slip latex skin dressed over a fiberglass underskull and painted gray-brown on the exterior. The interior is inset with wide cast resin eyes painted with blue irises and black pupils. The eyes are designed to move from side-to-side via cables installed along the interior.' Arbogast's many special effects credits also include several John Carpenter films (Escape From New York, The Thing, They Live, and more) as well as Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. Some 'sympathetic restoration' has been applied to the mask in the intervening decades, though the listing notes it's in quite fragile condition. In other words, it's for display only—don't try to wear it around the neighborhood to freak out unsuspecting Richard Dreyfuss types. The starting bid for the Close Encounters of the Third Kind mask is $2,500—you can learn more about the auction and how to bid here.
