Latest news with #KillBill
Metro
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
SZA proves Glastonbury flop was a fluke but still dwarfed by Kendrick Lamar
SZA hasn't had the easiest time when it comes to UK live performances. Who could forget her Glastonbury headliner slot two years ago? But her London gig with Kendrick Lamar has been a redemption. Having seen the Kill Bill hitmaker fail to make an impact on the Pyramid Stage, the Grand National Tour announcement admittedly left me a little apprehensive. How could she match up to the Humble legend, whose own Glastonbury headliner slot was met with rapturous applause? But SZA held her own, for the most part. Splitting their sets back and forth was the perfect way to make sure the energy kept flowing in Tottenham Stadium. First up was Kendrick, opening the show with a string of energy boosting tracks like Squabble Up and TV On (cut teasingly just before the crowd could scream 'Mustard'). SZA's introduction prompted huge applause from the crowd but this adoration couldn't quite last her entire performance. While the Kiss Me More singer has some stunning vocals and catchy tunes, being K Dot's counterpart didn't serve her well. Kendrick is simply an absolute juggernaut on stage. It's hard to imagine anyone being able to match him in sheer presence — the stadium came alive every time he walked out. It didn't help that SZA seemed to take a minute (or 30) to warm to the gig, choosing not to interact with fans until much later and only really letting her playful personality shine in moments when they were both on stage. Her early sections opted for set pieces over movement around the walkway, and this was unfortunately to her detriment, putting up barriers between herself and the audience. This mirrors her choices at Glastonbury and we all remember how that went. As the London night two gig went on, the clunky sets cleared and SZA appeared to relax into it. We've teamed up with Camp Bestival Dorset to give one lucky Metro reader and their family the chance to win family weekend tickets, worth up to £1,172! Created by families, for families, Camp Bestival combines all the fun of a fantastic family camping holiday with everything you would expect from a perfect and action-packed festival adventure. Headliners include music legend Sir Tom Jones, pop icons Sugababes, plus a carnival-filled live show from electronic music duo Basement Jaxx. Simply enter your details here to be in with a chance of winning four tickets to this epic experience. You have until midnight on 23 July to enter. Good luck! * Open to GB residents (excluding Northern Ireland) aged 18+. Promotion opens at 18:01 on 16/7/25 and closes at 23:59 on 23/7/25. Entrant must submit their first and last name, email address, date of birth and postcode when prompted via the entry form available on (available here). 1 prize available of a family weekend camping ticket, including two (2) adult tickets and up to four (4) child and/or teen tickets in any combination as chosen by the winner to attend Camp Bestival (Lulworth Castle, Dorset) from 31st July 2025 to 3rd August 2025. Maximum 1 entry per person. Attendance is governed by the Camp Bestival Terms and Conditions. Full T&Cs apply, see here. For many fans, her input has sadly been overlooked. The might of Kendrick, especially after his explosive fame after his viral Drake beef, cannot be ignored. And it's not just in his lyrics that he's slamming his rival; according to Viagogo, 47% more global fans searched for tickets to Kendrick than Drake, who headlined Wireless. The difference in numbers could have reportedly filled the O2 Arena 10 times over. Ouch. The weight of this feud could be felt as the entire stadium shouted 'a minor' during Not Like Us, a volume only reached when we finally got to shout 'mustard' later in the gig. It's no surprise then that SZA couldn't quite match Kendrick's presence, although her popularity is rising with her page views tripling on the day the UK tour was announced compared to the day before. Despite her own sections falling short of Kendrick's, their few duets were really where the collaborative tour concept shone. All The Stars was a visual highlight of the show, with the duo elevated on platforms singing to a room lit with tiny stars (also known as phone torches). SZA and Kendrick have an undeniable musical chemistry, as well as an onstage ease with each other that only adds to the harmony. Once you've seen them on stage together, you're left wondering why they ever perform apart. Aside from the sheer dominance of Dot, the show was surprisingly let down by the staging, which remained simple other than the occasional car and a ride-on giant ant (named Anthony). My main gripe is that several songs were sung at the very back of the stage, between the screens. This meant large chunks of songs were blocked from view if you were on either side of the stage. Considering how much money fans have coughed up, to be left watching some songs mainly on a screen is a little disappointing, especially when they could have easily been brought forward into view. This aside, the dancers were some of the best I've seen. Throughout the show they were completely in sync — a truly precision performance, which was never thrown off by the copious amounts of pyrotechnics. More Trending Overall, the tour delivers on what it promises: a solid selection of Kendrick and SZA's biggest tracks with some incredible duets. It almost feels as if the timing is wrong as the Peekaboo rapper is too big post-Super Bowl, while his duet partner has not yet come into her own. There's an undeniable chemistry here, and they put out incredible performances but it's impossible to ignore the gulf in energy between the two artists. Ultimately, this was the Kendrick Tour, and SZA was sadly left playing second fiddle. Still, it was leaps and bounds ahead of her Glastonbury set, so don't count her out of this race. 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.
Evening Standard
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Evening Standard
Kendrick Lamar and SZA at Tottenham Stadium: 'the pair lack natural chemistry'
SZA did have moments of brilliance — her vocals were strong on Kill Bill and Saturn, and All of the Stars, and she had the crowd bouncing during Rich Baby Daddy. When her energy was up — doing the splits on stage and interacting with the crowd — she was a riot. And there was a strong contingent of super fans in the stadium too, screaming along to every word of heartfelt crooning hits like The Weekend and Drew Barrymore, though the sound would have been elevated by a live band.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Uma Thurman reflects on sword training for 'Kill Bill' ahead of 'The Old Guard 2' release
Hollywood star Uma Thurman , who is gearing up for the release of her upcoming project, The Old Guard 2, has opened up about the intense physical preparation she underwent for 'Kill Bill..' The 55-year-old actress, renowned for her iconic role as The Bride in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill Vol 1 and Vol 2, revealed that her return to action films this year came without time for full training. Thurman told The Sunday Times: "Fortunately I had put in hundreds of hours learning how to hold a sword (for Kill Bill 1 and 2)." In her new action film 'The Old Guard 2,' a sequel to the 2020 action hit, Thurman plays Discord, a 5,000-year-old immortal warrior who engages in an epic sword fight opposite Charlize Theron 's character, Andromache, near a secret nuclear facility, reports Thurman added about her Kill Bill muscle memory coming in handy during the shoot: "You may not be limber and strong. But if your brain has learnt how to memorise sequences of movements, you can get back in that zone." For Kill Bill, Thurman trained for eight hours a day across three months in preparation for the role. That experience, she said, proved invaluable when returning to the genre. Her character in 'The Old Guard 2' marks her first sword-wielding performance since Quentin Tarantino's films, and it has been more than two decades since she last performed choreographed combat on screen. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Launch: 2/3/4 BHK Luxury in Panvel L&T Panvel Enquire Now Undo Thurman's new film is directed by Victoria Mahoney and follows a group of age-old warriors with supernatural powers who fight to protect humanity. The original, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, was praised for its blend of grounded drama and stylised violence. Speaking about the appeal of The Old Guard, Thurman said: "I thought that first movie was really unusual, a superb female-led action film that had depth, drama and really beautiful, naturalistic acting." She also credited her co-star and producer Charlize Theron, 48, as a major draw for signing on. Thurman added: "Charlize is a miraculous performer, a very powerful individual and as charismatic in person as on screen. And I liked the idea of playing a supporting role to another actress who I thought had done really significant work in the drama/action field."
Perth Now
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Uma Thurman reveals the one reason she doesn't want to force her children to obey her
Uma Thurman does not want to force her children to obey her. The Kill Bill actress is a mother to three children: Maya, 26, and Levon, 23, from her marriage to Ethan Hawke, and Luna, 13, whose father is the financier Arpad 'Arki' Busson. Opening up about her busy life juggling her career and motherhood, Uma told The Sunday Times about her clear view on discipline when it comes to her kids: 'You don't want to make a girl be obedient. It's not in her best interests.'' She made the comments during a Zoom interview from her rural New York home. Uma also spoke warmly about the joys of her childrem's spirited independence, adding" 'It's kind of wonderful that they know the rules and don't always listen.' She added she reflects on her own youth when it comes to raising her family, adding: 'As a mother, the freedoms I was given as a teenage girl are mind-boggling. 'I mean, it's unimaginable. Those were different times.' Uma described her teenage years as marked by independence and self-reliance during her interview with The Sunday Times, By 15, she was earning money, navigating New York alone, and attending auditions with 'just a Filofax and a quarter in case I got lost and needed to call someone', she revealed. Her upbringing had encouraged autonomy – as her parents, Robert Thurman and Nena von Schlebrügge, were independent figures who allowed her to follow her path without restraint. She said: 'Both my parents did the same sort of thing when they were young. They were very independent. So I think there was a certain amount of being raised to be independent.' Uma shared her approach to parenting her own children, particularly when it comes to giving her eldest daughter, Maya, advice about her blossoming acting career. She said: 'Oh, she knows what she's doing. She went to Juilliard, thank God. She actually finished high school. 'And what I did learn (about mothering) is that nobody listens. So it's really about being there for them rather than telling them what to do.' She also spoke about allowing Maya freedom with her style, laughing her daughter has 'ransacked' her iconic 1990s wardrobe, including the very first Prada dress she wore to the Oscars. With her youngest now a teenager, Thurman described entering what she calls the 'sunset period' of motherhood. She added: 'I'm starting to think about what comes next, when I don't have to invest so much energy in shopping and driving and emailing teachers and all the things we do.'
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Uma Thurman opens up about intense physical preparation she underwent for Kill Bill movies
Uma Thurman has opened up about the intense physical preparation she underwent for the Kill Bill movies. The 55-year-old actress, renowned for her iconic role as The Bride in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill Vol 1 and Vol 2, discussed her martial arts training during an interview about her new project, The Old Guard 2. Revealing her return to action films this year came without time for full training, Uma told The Sunday Times: 'Fortunately I had put in hundreds of hours learning how to hold a sword (for Kill Bill 1 and 2),' she said. In her new action film, a sequel to the 2020 Netflix action hit, Uma plays Discord, a 5,000-year-old immortal warrior who engages in an epic sword fight opposite Charlize Theron's character, Andromache, near a secret nuclear facility. Uma added about her Kill Bill muscle memory coming in handy during the shoot: 'You may not be limber and strong. 'But if your brain has learnt how to memorise sequences of movements, you can get back in that zone.' For Kill Bill, Uma trained for eight hours a day across three months in preparation for the role. That experience, she said, proved invaluable when returning to the genre. Her character in The Old Guard 2 marks her first sword-wielding performance since Quentin Tarantino's films, and it has been more than two decades since she last performed choreographed combat on screen. Uma's new film is directed by Victoria Mahoney and follows a group of age-old warriors with supernatural powers who fight to protect humanity. The original, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, was praised for its blend of grounded drama and stylised violence. Speaking about the appeal of The Old Guard, Uma said: 'I thought that first movie was really unusual, a superb female-led action film that had depth, drama and really beautiful, naturalistic acting.' She also credited her co-star and producer Charlize Theron, 48, as a major draw for signing on. Uma added: 'Charlize is a miraculous performer, a very powerful individual and as charismatic in person as on screen. 'And I liked the idea of playing a supporting role to another actress who I thought had done really significant work in the drama/action field.' Charlize, who also produced both instalments of The Old Guard, told The Sunday Times as part of its feature on Uma: 'I have always admired Uma from afar. From Dangerous Liaisons to Kill Bill, her work is a masterclass in finding the micro in characters. 'In moments I got so lost watching her in scenes we had together that I had to remind myself I was in the scene with her. She's that captivating.'
