Latest news with #Wallace&Gromit:VengeanceMostFowl
Japan Today
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
2025's best movies (so far) include 'Sinners,' 'Sorry Baby' and 'One of Them Days'
By LINDSEY BAHR and JAKE COYLE Often the best movies of the second half of the year come almost preordained as the Oscars Industrial Complex revs into high gear. The first half, though, can offer more of a thrill of discovery. The first six months of 2025 have offered plenty of that, including indie gems, comedy breakouts and sensational filmmaking debuts. Here are our 10 favorites from the year's first half. 'The Ballad of Wallis Island' is the kind of charming gem that's easy to recommend to any kind of movie lover. It is goofy and friendly, has an armful of lovely folk songs, an all-timer of a rambling character, in Tim Key's eccentric and completely lovable Charles, Tom Basden's grumpy, too-cool straight man, and the always delightful Carey Mulligan. 'Wallis Island' is a film about letting go and moving on told with humor, wit and a big heart. Also hailing from the British Isles is the equally delightful 'Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl." (streaming on Peacock) —Bahr The big-screen comedy has been an almost extinct creature in recent years, but Lawrence Lamont's 'One of Them Days' gives me hope. Not only was this buddy comedy a surprise box-office hit, it is probably the exhibit A in the case of Keke Palmer Should Be in Everything. She and SZA, in her film debut, play Los Angeles housemates in a madcap race to make rent. (Streaming on Netflix) —Coyle There's a sequence in Eva Victor's delicate, considered and disarmingly funny directorial debut, 'Sorry, Baby' that kind of took my breath away. You know something bad is going to happen to Agnes, it's literally the logline of the film. You sense that her charismatic thesis adviser is a bit too fixated on her. The incident itself isn't seen, Victor places their camera outside of his home. Agnes goes inside, the day turns to evening and the evening turns to night, and Agnes comes out, changed. But we stay with her as she finds her way to her car, to her home and, most importantly to her friend, Lydie (Naomi Ackie). This is a film about what happens after the bad thing. And it's a stunner. (In theaters) —Bahr Arguably the best director-screenwriter tandem this decade has been Steven Soderbergh and David Koepp. They were behind the pandemic thriller 'Kimi' and another standout of 2025, the ghost-POV 'Presence.' But their spy thriller-marital drama 'Black Bag,' starring Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett as married British intelligence agents, may be their best collaboration yet. It's certainly the one with the most delicious dialogue. How has it taken the movies this long to make a dinner scene with spies dosed with truth serum? (Streaming on Peacock) —Coyle Celine Song's 'Materialists ' might not be the film people wanted it to be, but it's the film they need in this land of high-end dating apps, designer dupes and everyone pretending to live like minor socialites on Instagram. A thoughtful meditation on money, worth, love and companionship, this is a film that upends everything we've come to think we want from the so-called romantic comedy (the idea of prince charming, the inexplicable wealth that's supposed to coexist with middle class mores). Lifestyle porn will always have a place in the rom-com machine, but this is a populist film, both modern and timeless, that reminds us that love should be easy. It should feel like coming home. 'Materialists' is simply the most purely romantic film of the year. (In theaters) — Bahr Not only does the wait go on for Ryan Coogler to make a bad movie, he seems to be still realizing his considerable talents. There are six months to go, still, in 2025, but I doubt we'll have a big scale movie that so thrillingly doubles (see what I did there) as a personal expression for its filmmaker as 'Sinners.' This exhilarating vampire saga is ambitiously packed with deep questions about community, Black entertainment, Christianity and, of course, Irish dancing. (Streaming on Max) —Coyle In a world of woefully straightforward documentaries and biopics about musicians, Alex Ross Perry decided to creatively, and a little chaotically, upend the form with his impossible-to-categorize film about the 90s indie band Pavement. Blending fact, fiction, archive, performance, this winkingly rebellious piece is wholly original and captivating, and, not unlike Todd Haynes's 'I'm Not There,' the kind of movie to turn someone who's maybe enjoyed a few Pavement and Stephen Malkmus songs into a fan. (In theaters, streaming on MUBI July 11) —Bahr A rare and exquisite precision guides Dea Kulumbegashvili's rigorous and despairing second feature. Beneath stormy spring skies in the European country of Georgia, a leading local obstetrician (Ia Sukhitashvili) pitilessly works to help women who are otherwise disregarded, vilified or worse. This is a movie coursing with dread, but its expression of a deep-down pain is piercing and unforgettable. (Not currently available) —Coyle A visually, and thematically arresting marvel, Rungano Nyoni's darkly comedic, stylish and hauntingly bizarre film about unspoken generational trauma takes audiences to a place, I'm guessing, many have never been: A Zambian family funeral. And yet its truths ring universal, as the elder generation turns their heads from the awful truth that the dead man, Fred, was a predator and pedophile, while the younger wonders if things must stay as they are. (Streaming on HBO Max on July 4) --Bahr On TV, Tim Robinson and Nathan Fielder have been doing genius-level comedy. Fielder hasn't yet jumped into his own films, but, then again, it's hard to get an epic of cringe comedy and aviation safety like season two of 'The Rehearsal' into a feature-length movie. But in 'Friendship,' writer and director Andrew DeYoung brings Robinson, star of 'I Think You Should Leave," into well-tailored, very funny and dementedly perceptive movie scenario. He plays a man who awkwardly befriends a cool neighbor (Paul Rudd). While their differences make for most of the comedy in the movie, 'Friendship' — which culminates in a telling wink — is really about their similarities. (Available for digital rental) — Coyle © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
I Think Netflix's #2 Movie May Be My Favorite Animated Film Of The Year So Far, But I'm Still Bummed About One Thing
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. It may seem easy for us entertainment journalists to be jaded about the business, but I love when a movie can truly surprise me. While I knew that Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters was a pretty well received 2025 movie release, I didn't get around to watching it during its first week of release . However the movie's high spot on the domestic Top 10, as well as the character you see above - known as Derpy Tiger - drew me into the fray this past weekend. Having now seen this animated adventure for myself, I can say that it's definitely something to cheer about! At the same time, it also reminded me of something that I hope Netflix gets better about with its movies. With that, we need to talk about those angels and demons currently on my shoulders. Let's start with the good news: KPop Demon Hunters is, without question, one of the best animated movies of 2025. It's a hell of a claim to make seeing as this is the same year we've seen Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and The Day the Earth Blew Up hit the market. I'll stand by it however, as the Spider-Verse-inspired visuals paired with KPop's painstaking choreography and musical prowess alone are worth giving this PG-rated eye-popper a spin. Directors/co-writers Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans' flashy and heartfelt movie sees demon slaying/KPop trio Huntr/x face off against a boy band of demons known as the Saja Boys. While the ladies are trying to seal off the rift between the world of humanity and demon-kind, the boys are working to corrupt all of the progress they've made. The battle in this Netflix subscription booster gets physical, but it's also full of catch KPop tunes that are going to be stuck in your head. Now you're probably wondering what could be such a bummer considering how much raving I've done about KPop Demon Hunters? As it turns out, a very common occurrence with Netflix originals feels like even more of a slight in the case of this original animated hit. Apparently there was a limited theatrical release for KPop Demon Hunters, or at least that's what the official press page for the picture says in Netflix's media library. Only a week after its debut, I cannot find a theater showing this well tuned thrill ride. Despite most major theaters not carrying Netflix movies, unless some sort of special arrangement like Glass Onion's narrow theatrical window, I have a handful of indie theaters that definitely run their product. KPop Demon Hunters has a killer soundtrack and stunning 3D-ready visuals that would pop at the multiplex. As luck would have it, Sony Pictures Animation's gorgeous and emotional ride doesn't waste time proving my case, and the video that proves it is readily available. You can see what I'm talking about with the lyric video for the first track, 'How It's Done,' below: KPop is a worldwide phenomenon right now, and that's probably the biggest reason why I think KPop Demon Hunters should have gone to theaters. Unlike Elio's box office woes, having a cultural juggernaut to link to your original movie helps practically write the marketing campaign. While its success on streaming proves that fresh ideas can still find an audience, it would have made even more sense to let this picture slay at the multiplex. Taking advantage of the silver lining we have going for us, I highly suggest you watch KPop Demon Hunters, now streaming on Netflix. Should you be as taken with Rumi, Mira and Zoey's antics as Huntr/x as I am, don't be afraid to share it! Maybe if we make enough noise, a wide theatrical release could see our girls dancing up a storm in 3D, similar to how Disney brought Turning Red to theater screens after debuting it on Disney+. Or perhaps this continued traffic might greenlight a sequel that fulfills this would-be franchise's big screen promise. If you won't do it for me, then do it for Derpy Tiger!
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BBC to cut spending on new shows by £150m as streaming wars bite
The BBC is to spend £150m less on new shows in the coming year as it warned of an 'unprecedented' funding challenge for British television. The public service broadcaster said it plans to spend just over £2.5bn on programming in the current financial year, down from almost £2.7bn last year. It follows industry-wide warnings of a funding crisis for British programmes amid growing competition from streaming rivals such as Netflix. A gold rush of investment from US companies has driven up the cost of making shows, while TV executives have warned that streaming services are shunning co-productions as they look to retain full ownership of rights. The BBC has previously said that a number of its productions, including an adaptation of Douglas Stuart's award-winning novel Shuggie Bain, are 'stuck in limbo' owing to a lack of cash. The funding drought has prompted calls for a government intervention, with proposals including a shake-up of existing tax incentives or even a new 'Netflix tax' on streaming companies. In its annual plan published on Monday, the BBC said it was facing an 'unprecedented content funding challenge'. It added: 'Without intervention, it will be difficult to maintain the current ambition and volume of UK content.' It comes amid a broader funding squeeze for the BBC, which is now locked in discussions with ministers over the future of the licence fee. The corporation last year rolled out sweeping cuts to jobs and programming as Tim Davie, the BBC's director general, tried to plug a black hole in its finances of nearly £500m. Bosses said they had cut 2,000 roles over the last five years but warned this approach was 'no longer sustainable'. The BBC had said it expected to return to a surplus in the coming year. However, the broadcaster warned today that a further deficit of £33m is expected due to delays in some cost-cutting initiatives. The BBC forecast income of just over £6bn in the coming year, including roughly £3.9bn from the licence fee. That is up from £3.8bn last year, with an inflation-linked increase in the licence fee to £174.50 offset in part by a 1pc decline in the number of people paying the levy. The corporation said its budget was down by £1bn in real terms compared to 15 years ago. The BBC has been investing heavily in its streaming service iPlayer as it looks to stem an exodus of viewers to streaming services –particularly among younger audiences. The broadcaster said it 'remains a unifying force in a digitally fragmented world', pointing to major successes for Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Gavin & Stacey: The Finale, which both pulled in more than 20m viewers. It also attracted large audiences for major sporting events such as the Olympics, men's Euros and Wimbledon. The BBC also emphasised the importance of its news output at a 'challenging time for global democracy'. The corporation pointed to figures showing the British public has more trust in broadcast news than in social media, while the BBC remains the number one news source in the UK. Samir Shah, the BBC chairman, said: 'The BBC's role has never been more important, both here in the UK and around the world, to deliver trusted, impartial news in a world of disinformation; develop and promote the most compelling home-grown content; and be the place where people come together for unforgettable shared moments. 'The BBC board fully endorses this plan, as we plot the long-term future of this marvellous organisation and deliver for audiences for generations to come.' Mr Davie said: 'We are focused on our mission to deliver value for all, through our journalism, our storytelling and our unique ability to bring people together. 'The UK's creative industry continues to change rapidly, as does the world around us. This plan sets out how the BBC continues to evolve for audiences, both on and off air, but also how we will support and invest in the wider industry.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
31-03-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
BBC to cut spending on new shows by £150m as streaming wars bite
The BBC is to spend £150m less on new shows in the coming year as it warned of an 'unprecedented' funding challenge for British television. The public service broadcaster said it plans to spend just over £2.5bn on programming in the current financial year, down from almost £2.7bn last year. It follows industry-wide warnings of a funding crisis for British programmes amid growing competition from streaming rivals such as Netflix. A gold rush of investment from US companies has driven up the cost of making shows, while TV executives have warned that streaming services are shunning co-productions as they look to retain full ownership of rights. The BBC has previously said that a number of its productions, including an adaptation of Douglas Stuart's award-winning novel Shuggie Bain, are 'stuck in limbo' owing to a lack of cash. The funding drought has prompted calls for a government intervention, with proposals including a shake-up of existing tax incentives or even a new 'Netflix tax' on streaming companies. In its annual plan published on Monday, the BBC said it was facing an 'unprecedented content funding challenge'. It added: 'Without intervention, it will be difficult to maintain the current ambition and volume of UK content.' Funding squeeze It comes amid a broader funding squeeze for the BBC, which is now locked in discussions with ministers over the future of the licence fee. The corporation last year rolled out sweeping cuts to jobs and programming as Tim Davie, the BBC's director general, tried to plug a black hole in its finances of nearly £500m. Bosses said they had cut 2,000 roles over the last five years but warned this approach was 'no longer sustainable'. The BBC had said it expected to return to a surplus in the coming year. However, the broadcaster warned today that a further deficit of £33m is expected due to delays in some cost-cutting initiatives. The BBC forecast income of just over £6bn in the coming year, including roughly £3.9bn from the licence fee. That is up from £3.8bn last year, with an inflation-linked increase in the licence fee to £174.50 offset in part by a 1pc decline in the number of people paying the levy. The corporation said its budget was down by £1bn in real terms compared to 15 years ago. The BBC has been investing heavily in its streaming service iPlayer as it looks to stem an exodus of viewers to streaming services –particularly among younger audiences. The broadcaster said it 'remains a unifying force in a digitally fragmented world', pointing to major successes for Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Gavin & Stacey: The Finale, which both pulled in more than 20m viewers. It also attracted large audiences for major sporting events such as the Olympics, men's Euros and Wimbledon. The BBC also emphasised the importance of its news output at a 'challenging time for global democracy'. The corporation pointed to figures showing the British public has more trust in broadcast news than in social media, while the BBC remains the number one news source in the UK. Samir Shah, the BBC chairman, said: 'The BBC's role has never been more important, both here in the UK and around the world, to deliver trusted, impartial news in a world of disinformation; develop and promote the most compelling home-grown content; and be the place where people come together for unforgettable shared moments. 'The BBC board fully endorses this plan, as we plot the long-term future of this marvellous organisation and deliver for audiences for generations to come.' Mr Davie said: 'We are focused on our mission to deliver value for all, through our journalism, our storytelling and our unique ability to bring people together. 'The UK's creative industry continues to change rapidly, as does the world around us. This plan sets out how the BBC continues to evolve for audiences, both on and off air, but also how we will support and invest in the wider industry.'
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Flow',' 'the Wordless Cat Adventure Movie, Wins Best Animated Film at Oscars 2025, Making History for Latvia
Flow has drawn gold at this year's Oscars. At the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 2, writer-director Gints Zilbalodis, along with writers Matiss Kaza, Ron Dyens and producer Gregory Zalcman, took the stage to accept the Best Animated Feature award from presenters Andrew Garfield and Goldie Hawn. "I am really moved by the warm reception our film has had," Zilbalodis, 30, told the Oscars audience after also thanking his parents and his cats and dogs. "I hope it will open doors to independent animation filmmakers around the world."Flow is the third animated film to be nominated in the Best International Movie category and the second animated film to be nominated for both Best Animation and touched on the project making history as Latvia's first-ever Oscar-nominated movie. "It truly means a lot to us," he shared. The director ended his speech by sharing a heartfelt message with the star-studded audience. "We are all in the same boat. We must overcome our differences and find ways to work together," Zilbalodis nominated in the Academy's top animation category this year were Inside Out 2, Memoir of a Snail, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and The Wild Robot. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Latvian director Zilbalodis' Flow, which depicts a wordless adventure story about a cat and its animal pals surviving a fantastical flood, has gone toe-to-toe with animation heavyweights this awards season. Along with its Oscar honor, the film garnered Golden Globe and Critics Choice nominations. Related: How Flow, a Latvian Animated Movie with No Dialogue, Is Upending the Awards Race: The Story Is 'Universal' (Exclusive) Directed by Pete Docter, Inside Out 2 offers all-new emotional adventures within the now-teenage mind of Riley (voiced by Kensington Tallman). Amy Poehler reprises her role as the fun-loving, blue-haired Joy, joined by Phyllis Smith as Sadness, Lewis Black as Anger, Tony Hale as Fear and Liza Lapira as Disgust. Maya Hawke joins the cast as a new emotion for Riley to contend with — anxiety. The Australian stop-motion Memoir of a Snail features characters voiced by Sarah Snook, Kodi Smit-McPhee and Eric Bana. Making history as the second R-rated animated film to be Oscar nominated (2015's Anomalisa being the first), Memoir follows lonely misfit Grace Prudel as she navigates a series of misfortunes from childhood to adulthood. Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl saw the return of Wallace, Gromit and a familiar foe of theirs in the first feature-length Wallace & Gromit film since 2005's The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. Directed by Merlin Crossingham and Nick Park, the stop-motion animation follows the famed duo as they attempt to clear Wallace's name when he's framed as an "evil inventor" by the fearsome penguin Feathers McGraw. Related: Lupita Nyong'o Is Excited to Show Wild Robot to Nieces So They 'Finally' 'Understand What I Do for a Living' (Exclusive) Lupita Nyong'o voices robot Roz in Chris Sanders' The Wild Robot, which is based on the bestselling book series of the same name. The film follows Roz after their transport ship crashes onto an island populated only by animals, including Fink the fox (voiced by Pedro Pascal) and Pinktail the possum (voiced by Catherine O'Hara). Roz's initial programming, aimed to be useful in the human world, frightens the animals. When an orphaned gosling named Brightbill (Kit Connor) imprints on her, the robot softens and learns the meaning of community and PEOPLE's full coverage of the 97th annual Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O'Brien and airing on ABC. Read the original article on People
