Latest news with #Rihanna
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Smurfs Movie Review: Rihanna-Led Reboot Earns 3 Stars
(From left) Ken (Nick Offerman), Hefty Smurf (Alex Winter), Smurfette (Rihanna), No Name (James Corden), and Brainy Smurf (Xolo Mariduena) in Smurfs. Smurfs (PG13) 92 minutes, opens July 17 ★★★☆☆ The story: A century ago, evil wizards took hold of a set of books containing powerful magic spells. Only one sentient book, Jaunty Grimoire (voiced by Amy Sedaris), has been left uncaptured, but brothers Razamel and Gargamel (JP Karliak) have not given up searching for it. Meanwhile, in the Smurf village, Papa Smurf (John Goodman) is helping No Name (James Corden) find his gift, so he can at last have a name and identity, like Worry Smurf (Billie Lourd) and Vanity Smurf (Maya Erskine). An adventure kicks off when Smurfette (Rihanna) leads a rescue team to find a kidnapped Papa Smurf. If one keeps trying to launch a film franchise but keeps failing, then you might just be a Bad Luck Smurf or maybe a Stubborn Smurf, because in the 2000s, there have been three tries at feature films about the blue creatures. The Smurfs (2011), which mixed animation with live action, struck gold at the box office, but the follow-up, The Smurfs 2 (2013), flopped, as did the first reboot, Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017). Since the comics characters were launched in 1958 by Belgian artist Peyo, the Smurfs cartoons for young children have relied on a set of ideas that have made the brand a global success. The tone is wholesome, the jokes are simple and the action is mostly set in the Smurf village, a spot inhabited by an extended family watched over by the perfect father figure, the wise Papa Smurf. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore July BTO launch to have over 4,600 balance flats, 2 BTO projects with under than 3-year wait Singapore Baby died after mum took abortion pills and gave birth in toilet; coroner records an open verdict Singapore Acute psychiatry services to be expanded across all healthcare clusters: MOH Singapore Alleged Toa Payoh cat killer and abuser handed new charge of torturing sixth cat Singapore 'Kpods broke our marriage, shattered our children': Woman on husband's vape addiction Singapore Asia-Pacific will need over 230k new pilots, 250k aircraft maintenance technicians by 2042: ICAO chief Business Tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter Kuok Hui Kwong appointed CEO of Shangri-La Asia Life National Gallery's revamped Singapore gallery spotlights more women and minority artists (From left) Papa Smurf (John Goodman), No Name (James Corden) and Smurfette (Rihanna) in Smurfs. PHOTO: UIP That trademark gentleness forces film-makers to carefully calibrate the amount of snark, intense action and pop culture references they can stuff into the stories – too much, and it stops being a Smurfs film. It quickly becomes apparent that director Chris Miller (Puss In Boots, 2011; Shrek The Third, 2007) wants to make this movie one that adults can enjoy. He holds several aces, the main one being the inclusion of global pop star Rihanna, who voices Smurfette and performs songs composed for the film. The Barbadian singer has a hefty role: Besides roping in fellow recording artistes Cardi B, DJ Khaled and others to contribute vocals, her Smurfette is the story's heroine, sending the message that the only female Smurf in the village is also the bravest. In case Rihanna is not enough of an audience draw, she is backed by a supporting cast packed with award winners, including Sedaris, Nick Offerman, Dan Levy, Natasha Lyonne, Sandra Oh and Octavia Spencer. Does this belt-and-braces approach to star power work? Yes. These actors are confident and relaxed enough in their delivery that they disappear into their roles. The songs are solid but forgettable. The graphics style is traditional and does not call attention to itself, just enhanced with extra pops of colour. The result is a cautious update that tries to appeal to all ages without putting the quaint values of the Smurfs brand at risk. Hot take: A partially successful Smurfs reboot that plays it safe with star power and wholesome values.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The $150,000 Toy Fueling a 588% Stock Surge
Pop Mart (PMRTY) might be having its moment. The Chinese toy company behind Labubu a snarling, big-eared plush that looks like a cross between a gremlin and a fever dream is projecting profit to jump at least 350% for the first half of the year. Revenue is expected to climb more than 200%. Behind the numbers: an unstoppable global appetite for these quirky collectibles, turbocharged by celebrity fans like Rihanna and BlackPink's Lisa. Pop Mart says tighter cost control has helped too, but make no mistake it's Labubu mania that's fueling this rocket. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 5 Warning Sign with PMRTY. What started as a niche craze in China has turned into a global retail frenzy. Pop Mart's Hong Kong-listed shares have exploded 588% over the past 12 months, lifting the company's market cap north of $40 billion. At the center of this surge is Labubu, now a pop culture phenomenon with some figures commanding up to $150,000 at auction. Western markets are finally catching on, and Pop Mart is seizing the moment not just as a toymaker, but as a serious global brand with cult-level pricing power. And margins? Pop Mart is in rare air. Last year, it posted a gross margin close to 67%, putting it far ahead of Miniso (NYSE:MNSO) (45%) and leagues beyond Xiaomi and BYD (BYDDF) (around 20%). That kind of profitability is almost unheard of for a consumer brand going global out of China. For investors, the question now isn't whether Pop Mart is growing it's how long this Labubu craze can hold, and whether it's building a long-term brand or just riding a collectible wave. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
John Goodman Shows Off Dramatic 200-Lb. Weight Loss at 'Smurfs' Premiere
John Goodman showed off his slimmer physique at the Smurfs premiere in Los Angeles The actor has been maintaining his 200-lb. weight loss for the past couple of years He previously shared that he achieved his weight loss by portion control, quitting drinking and adding regular exercise to his routineJohn Goodman is looking good as he continues to maintain his 200-lb. weight loss. On Sunday, July 13, the 73-year-old appeared on the red carpet at the Smurfs premiere at Paramount Theater in Los Angeles. He was all smiles showing off his slimmed-down physique in a navy blue suit, patterned tie and brown shoes. Goodman is the voice of Papa Smurf in the upcoming reboot, which hits theaters on Friday, July 18. The film also stars Rihanna, James Corden, Nick Offerman, Daniel Levy and more. 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. Goodman has been keeping up with his significant weight loss since his lengthy fitness journey began in 2007. 'I don't want to be an example to anybody when the weight comes thundering back on — when I start eating Crisco out of the can with a spoon and a side of confectioner's sugar,' he joked to AARP back in 2023. The actor credited his weight loss to portion control, admitting at the time, "I was just shoving everything into my mouth." At 6'2", he revealed to David Letterman that he was "pushing 400" lbs. at his heaviest, back in 2011. The decision to get healthier was simply motivated by his desire 'to live life better.' 'I know it sounds sappy, but it was a waste,' he previously told PEOPLE. 'It takes a lot of creative energy to sit on your ass and figure out what you're going to eat next.' 'I just got tired, sick and tired of looking at myself. You're shaving in the mirror and you don't want to look at yourself. It gets dangerous.' Along with monitoring his portions, Goodman said he also quit drinking and hired a health coach, as well as added regular workouts to his routine. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The $150,000 Toy Fueling a 588% Stock Surge
Pop Mart (PMRTY) might be having its moment. The Chinese toy company behind Labubu a snarling, big-eared plush that looks like a cross between a gremlin and a fever dream is projecting profit to jump at least 350% for the first half of the year. Revenue is expected to climb more than 200%. Behind the numbers: an unstoppable global appetite for these quirky collectibles, turbocharged by celebrity fans like Rihanna and BlackPink's Lisa. Pop Mart says tighter cost control has helped too, but make no mistake it's Labubu mania that's fueling this rocket. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 5 Warning Sign with PMRTY. What started as a niche craze in China has turned into a global retail frenzy. Pop Mart's Hong Kong-listed shares have exploded 588% over the past 12 months, lifting the company's market cap north of $40 billion. At the center of this surge is Labubu, now a pop culture phenomenon with some figures commanding up to $150,000 at auction. Western markets are finally catching on, and Pop Mart is seizing the moment not just as a toymaker, but as a serious global brand with cult-level pricing power. And margins? Pop Mart is in rare air. Last year, it posted a gross margin close to 67%, putting it far ahead of Miniso (NYSE:MNSO) (45%) and leagues beyond Xiaomi and BYD (BYDDF) (around 20%). That kind of profitability is almost unheard of for a consumer brand going global out of China. For investors, the question now isn't whether Pop Mart is growing it's how long this Labubu craze can hold, and whether it's building a long-term brand or just riding a collectible wave. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rihanna reveals her sons 'both love music'
Rihanna's sons "love music". The 37-year-old star has Riot, 23 months, and RZA, three, with rapper A$AP Rocky, and Rihanna admits that her sons have already developed a passion for music. The chart-topping singer told E! News: "Both of them love music. Like it's insane because I'm like, 'Is that me or is that you, Rocky?' They love instruments. They love music." Rihanna suggested that Rocky is the biggest musical influence on at least one of her sons, revealing that Riot has already developed a love of freestyling. The Work hitmaker - who is currently pregnant with her third child - shared: "That's definitely a Rocky thing, not me." Rihanna has relished the challenge of raising her sons, but she recently confessed that she's "always wanted" a baby girl. The singer has remained tight-lipped about the sex of her unborn child, although she admitted that she'd love to have a little girl one day. Asked about the sex of her unborn baby, Rihanna told Extra: "You have to wait and see. Oh, my gosh, are you guys going to be so hurt if it's a boy?' Extra's Terri Seymour then replied: "I think we're secretly hoping you have a girl … because you've got your two sweet, sweet boys." Rihanna subsequently admitted that she'd love to have a baby girl. She explained: "I've always wanted a girl. God knows best, right? And I love my boys." Rihanna also confirmed that her unborn baby's name will begin with the letter R, describing it as a family "tradition". She said: "I mean, of course. It's tradition at this point." Rihanna has enjoyed huge success with make-up and lingerie brands, having put her music career on the back-burner in recent years. However, the singer confessed in 2024 that motherhood has changed her entire approach to fashion and style. Speaking to Interview magazine, she explained: "It's more like I spend my time getting the kids dressed to death, and then I'm like, 'What's the most comfortable outfit to wear around them? What's not going to feel uncomfortable on their face or on their body or make me feel like I can't hold them properly?' Moms are lazy dressers in real life."
