Andrew Pulver

Phyllida Law, the Scottish actor whose eight-decade career spanned theatre, television and film, has died peacefully at home aged 94, according to her personal manager. Trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, she built a substantial stage career before appearing widely on television and in major productions at the National Theatre. From the late 1980s, she gained renewed prominence in films including Peter's Friends, Much Ado About Nothing, Emma and The Winter Guest, frequently working alongside her daughters Emma and Sophie Thompson. Her television credits included Waking the Dead, Foyle's War, Doc Martin and Kingdom, while her final screen appearance was in the 2020 film Then Came You. She is survived by Emma and Sophie.

Classicist and Odyssey translator Emily Wilson sharply criticizes Christopher Nolan’s film adaptation, calling it grandiose, superficial, poorly written and lacking convincing character motivation or psychological, emotional, political and ethical depth. She argues that the film fails to convey the complexity of Homer’s themes and relationships, though she credits it with renewing public interest in ancient Greek literature, bringing audiences back to cinemas and potentially supporting university literature and classics departments.

Tom Holland said on the Dish podcast that some of his films were poor enough that audiences should not see them, though he did not identify which titles he meant. He said promoting films he is proud of is easier because he can honestly explain why people should watch them, and described promoting The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day as a “victory lap” that he greatly enjoyed.

Elon Musk announced that his AI platform Grok Imagine will create a historically accurate adaptation of Homer’s Odyssey, following his criticism of Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed film version. Musk has promoted AI-generated footage while amplifying attacks on Nolan’s casting choices, including racially diverse and trans actors, but the film achieved strong box office results and audience acclaim. Cast members and Nolan dismissed the backlash, with Nolan also arguing that artificial intelligence cannot replace human creativity.

Irish actor Brenda Fricker has died at 81, remembered for becoming the first female Irish performer to win an Oscar for her role in the 1989 film My Left Foot. Her career spanned early work in Coronation Street and Casualty to prominent roles in British, Irish and Hollywood films, including The Field, A Man of No Importance and Home Alone 2. She later published a memoir detailing past abuse. Tributes highlighted her influence and lasting impact on film and television.

Louise Lasser, known for her lead role in the satirical 1970s series Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and her early film collaborations with Woody Allen, has died at 87 in Manhattan. Her portrayal of an anxious suburban housewife made her a cultural figure, supported by a long career spanning film, television and theatre. After early stage work and roles in Allen’s films, Lasser achieved lasting recognition through television appearances and later film roles in projects such as Happiness and Requiem for a Dream. She continued to work into the 2010s, including a role on Girls, and is survived by longtime partner Michael Citriniti.

Christopher Nolan’s large‑scale adaptation of Homer’s Odyssey is positioned as the summer’s most anticipated film, backed by a major ensemble cast and extensive practical filmmaking techniques. Industry analysts expect strong box office results as audiences tire of superhero franchises, while classicists highlight the renewed cultural relevance of ancient myths. The film has drawn culture‑war criticism over casting and modernized dialogue, yet commentators predict it will appeal broadly and reinforce Nolan’s influence in contemporary cinema.

Elon Musk boosted global attention for Uwe Boll’s controversial film Citizen Vigilante by posting it for free on X, significantly increasing its visibility after poor reviews and distribution challenges. The film, starring Armie Hammer, was denied certification in Germany for allegedly inciting violence against migrants and has become tied to far‑right cultural debates. Boll defended the film and criticized migration policies while seeking further distribution. The project also drew scrutiny due to Hammer’s past allegations and harsh critical reception, with Musk signalling support for a potential sequel.

Madonna says her planned biopic collapsed after disagreements with Universal over budget, noting she proposed filming in Serbia to cut costs but the studio doubted her commitment. Julia Garner had been cast after an intensive audition process, and the film had been in development since 2020. Madonna also said she was unable to move forward with a Netflix series because Universal controlled the script she wrote, making rights too costly. She described extensive hurdles in finding writers and a showrunner for a potential series.

Quentin Tarantino and Kylie Minogue were seen filming Jamie Adams’s new movie in Porthcawl, including scenes at the Saltwater Inn and a nearby church. Tarantino was also spotted in Cardiff during production. Reports link the project to Adams’s recent film Only What We Carry, which premiered at Tribeca and featured Tarantino in a small role.

Rosalind Pulver is remembered for her lively personality, early career with the BBC and ATV, and her later prominence in British ceramics collecting and research. She and her husband, Martin, became active figures in antiques circles, with Rosalind contributing original scholarship and serving in key roles in ceramic societies. After earning a degree in art history in the 1990s, she remained engaged in her interests until moving to Hertfordshire following Martin’s death. She is survived by her two children and five grandchildren.

Russell Crowe argued that Gladiator II failed because it lacked the moral core that made the original Gladiator resonate with audiences, especially women. Speaking at the Taormina film festival, he said the first film’s success stemmed from avoiding a gratuitous sex scene and maintaining a focus on a man’s emotional journey of vengeance. He criticized the studio for misunderstanding why the original worked, contrasting its emotional focus with the sequel’s approach.

Helen Mirren described being verbally abused in London by a man accusing her of supporting Israel, calling the incident a mistake by someone unstable. Speaking at the Taormina film festival, she reiterated her belief in Israel’s right to exist while condemning actions in Gaza as crimes against humanity. She reflected on the Holocaust’s influence on her views and acknowledged criticisms of Israeli leadership. Police confirmed awareness of the incident but took no further action. Mirren also expressed strong support for Tom Hardy amid reports of his departure from their series MobLand.

Steven Spielberg said he was twice rejected by Bond producer Cubby Broccoli after volunteering to direct a 007 film following the successes of Jaws and Close Encounters. Broccoli later requested use of Close Encounters’ musical motif for Moonraker, which Spielberg granted despite again being denied the directing role. The rejections led Spielberg to collaborate with George Lucas, who offered him what became the Indiana Jones series. Spielberg joked that if asked today to direct a Bond film, he would reply that they could not afford him.

Directors, critics and writers select Steven Spielberg’s most significant films, highlighting their influence, emotional power and technical mastery. Contributors revisit works ranging from early thrillers such as Duel and Jaws to intimate dramas like The Terminal and epic historical films such as Schindler’s List, emphasising Spielberg’s range, instinct for spectacle and ability to draw memorable performances. Many reflect on formative childhood encounters with his movies, the evolution of his style, and the lasting cultural impact of films like Raiders of the Lost Ark, ET and Jurassic Park, portraying him as a defining force in modern cinema.

Quentin Tarantino sharply criticises modern Hollywood as a “flavourless sausage factory,” arguing that most new films suffer from flaws, pandering and weak casting. He contrasts this with the 1980s, which he forgave due to his love of moviegoing. He highlights a few recent works he enjoyed, including Joe Carnahan’s The Rip, Spielberg’s West Side Story and Kevin Costner’s Horizon films, but says he rarely finds films that fully engage him. Tarantino is developing a new stage play for 2027, while other projects linked to him continue in production after he abandoned plans for his final film, The Movie Critic.

Film industry figures criticize Martin Scorsese for investing in Black Forest Labs and using AI-generated storyboards, arguing the technology undermines artists and relies on appropriated work. Scorsese defends AI as a tool that enhances creative communication and accelerates preproduction without compromising quality. Other directors and festival organizers have also endorsed or experimented with AI, reflecting broader adoption across the industry.

Kane Parsons, 20, became the youngest director to open a film at number one at the North American box office as Backrooms earned a record $81m for A24. The film, based on Parsons’ YouTube series, drew critical praise and sparked online skepticism about his authorship, which actors and Parsons himself dismissed. The success follows strong performance from low‑budget horror film Obsession by Curry Barker.

Gareth Edwards strongly endorses generative AI as a powerful filmmaking tool, predicting it will surpass CGI and help directors rapidly iterate ideas. At Amazon’s AI on the Lot event, he described AI as an unpredictable but valuable creative assistant. Paul Schrader also praised AI’s potential, envisioning fully AI‑generated protagonists and the replacement of background extras. Some AI‑assisted films have drawn criticism, but Edwards emphasized the rapid evolution of the technology and the uncertainty of its long‑term impact.

Cynthia Erivo says reactions to her intervening when a man grabbed Ariana Grande at a Singapore red-carpet event demonstrated racist assumptions about Black women, including claims she was acting as Grande’s bodyguard. She describes the incident as frightening and says the response made her reluctant to participate in campaigning for awards. The man involved received a nine-day jail sentence, and Erivo felt the public commentary distorted her instinctive actions and undermined her sense of humanity.

A documentary following Greenland’s B-67 football team highlights the challenges of competing in extreme weather, limited seasons and difficult travel conditions. Strong local enthusiasm contrasts with the country’s inability to gain official recognition from football authorities such as Fifa, Concacaf and Uefa. The film showcases the harsh environment, the personalities of players like Patrick Frederiksen and Søren Kreutzmann, and the broader constraints facing Greenland’s football ambitions while offering an engaging portrait of the sport’s fringes.

Lionsgate plans a sequel to the Michael Jackson biopic after the first film’s strong box‑office performance. Motion picture chair Adam Fogelson said the follow‑up could use unused footage and may not follow a strict chronological structure. Uncertainty remains about how the sequel will handle longstanding abuse allegations, which limited content in the original film due to legal constraints.

Mick Jagger has joined Alice Rohrwacher’s English-language debut film Three Incestuous Sisters, playing a lighthouse keeper and father to Josh O’Connor’s character. The project, based on Audrey Niffenegger’s 2005 visual novel, is filming on the Italian island of Stromboli and features a cast including Dakota Johnson, Jessie Buckley and Saoirse Ronan. The article also notes Rohrwacher’s recent acclaim and Jagger’s sporadic but notable film career and producing work.

Erling Haaland will make his feature acting debut by voicing a Viking version of himself in the animated film Viqueens, directed by Harald Zwart. The story follows two Viking girls traveling from Norway to China and features additional cast members including Rita Ora, Ella Purnell and Alan Carr. Zwart highlighted Haaland’s iconic Viking persona as a natural fit for the role. The film is scheduled for release around Christmas.

Stormzy will executive produce a biopic about Ian Wright, written and directed by Tom Wilton and developed through Merky Films. The film will trace Wright’s rise from a south London childhood to his achievements with Crystal Palace, Arsenal and England, highlighting themes of resilience, family and cultural change. Wright and Stormzy emphasise the story’s relevance and its aim to offer hope and inspiration across generations.