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The Dink, a new sports comedy arriving on Apple TV this Friday, mixes underdog humour with a familiar redemption story, using the fast-growing sport of pickleball as its backdrop. The film follows Dusty, played by Jake Johnson, a former tennis prodigy whose promising career ended early after a loss to a young Andy Roddick. Now working as a tennis coach at his father's exclusive club, Dusty spends more time talking about his past than building a future. His father Chuck, played by Ed Harris, raised him with dreams of becoming a tennis champion and has nothing but contempt for pickleball. Dusty shares that attitude until a wrist injury forces his doctor, played in a brief but funny appearance by Ben Stiller, to recommend pickleball as part of his recovery. Reluctantly taking up the sport, Dusty finds himself playing alongside a lively group of older women, including characters played by Mary Steenburgen, Cleo King and the late Lynne Marie Stewart. As he spends more time with them, he gradually changes his view of both the sport and himself. Jake Johnson delivers another strong performance as an imperfect but likable underdog. Mary Steenburgen adds warmth and humour, while Ed Harris is convincing as Dusty's demanding father. The supporting cast includes Patton Oswalt as an enthusiastic pickleball player, Chloe Fineman as Dusty's unpredictable former girlfriend and Chris Parnell as a tennis professional. Directed by Josh Greenbaum and written by Sean Clements, the film balances comedy with emotional moments without making pickleball or its players the target of constant jokes. One standout comedy sequence, involving minor characters rather than the main storyline, is described as one of the film's funniest moments. Greenbaum, known for directing Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar and the upcoming Spaceballs sequel, continues to establish himself as a dependable comedy director at a time when big-screen comedies have become increasingly rare. The review also notes that although audiences still enjoy going to cinemas, many mainstream comedies are now being released directly on streaming platforms instead of theatres. While films like The Dink and Kevin Hart's 72 Hours continue the tradition of straightforward comedy, the reviewer suggests something is lost when audiences cannot share the experience of laughing together in a movie theatre. The Dink begins streaming on Apple TV on Friday. The Motion Picture Association has given the film a PG-13 rating for strong language and sexual material. It runs for 102 minutes and receives two-and-a-half stars out of four.

British pop star Harry Styles has earned a Guinness World Record after completing 12 consecutive sold-out concerts at Wembley Stadium, setting a new mark for the longest concert residency by a musician at the iconic venue. The 32-year-old singer surpassed the previous record of 10 Wembley shows, set by Coldplay in 2025. Guinness World Records adjudicator Will Munford praised the achievement, saying Styles' 12-show run highlighted the scale, ambition and cultural impact of his live performances, as well as his strong connection with fans. Styles began the London leg of his Together, Together tour on June 12, with the final performance held on Saturday before an audience of about 80,000. During the closing concert, Styles reflected on his journey with former boy band One Direction and thanked his bandmates for their role in his career. "I wouldn't be on this stage if it wasn't for four friends of mine that were a massive part of this journey," he told the crowd. He thanked Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Liam Payne, saying their friendship and shared experiences made his success possible. One Direction was formed in 2010 on the television talent show The X Factor and went on an indefinite break in 2016. Former band member Liam Payne died in 2024 at the age of 31. Styles also looked back on his early career, noting that it had been 16 years since he first appeared on The X Factor, which was filmed next to Wembley Stadium. He said returning to Wembley always brought back memories and thanked fans for their continued support. After launching his solo career in 2017, Styles has won six Brit Awards, three Grammy Awards and two Ivor Novello Awards. His fourth studio album, Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally, was released in January. Before Saturday's concert, Wembley Stadium unveiled a commemorative banner recognizing the record. In a post on X, the stadium wrote: "12 shows. One record. A place in Wembley history." The Wembley residency was initially planned for six concerts but was expanded to 12 because of overwhelming demand. London was the only UK stop on Styles' current tour. Other artists to stage extended runs at Wembley include Taylor Swift, who performed eight concerts at the stadium in 2024. Following the record-breaking achievement, Styles' mother, Anne Twist, shared childhood photos of the singer alongside his sister Gemma, as well as pictures from Saturday's concert. In a social media post, she said she had believed since 1996 that her son would one day perform on stage, though she never imagined he would go on to break records and become the kind of person "the world needs right now." Source: BBC  

Veteran actor and activist Danny Glover has revealed that he is living with Alzheimer's disease, saying he is still trying to come to terms with the diagnosis. Glover, widely known for playing the calm and dependable police officer in the Lethal Weapon film series, said he was diagnosed with the progressive brain disease three years ago. The four-time Emmy Award nominee, who will turn 80 on July 22, shared the news in separate interviews with NBC's Today show and People magazine. "I'm still not accepting in my mind all parts of it," Glover told People. "There are the moments that you keep remembering that validate the fact that you can remember stuff. And there are moments I'll never forget." Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. It gradually affects memory, thinking and daily functioning. More than 6 million people in the United States and millions more worldwide are living with the condition. Throughout his career, Glover has received four Emmy Award nominations and was honoured with an honorary Oscar in 2022. He has also been recognised by the NAACP and Black Entertainment Television, and has earned nominations from the Screen Actors Guild. Beyond acting, Glover has been active in humanitarian work. From 1998 to 2004, he served as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme, supporting efforts to address poverty, disease and economic development in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Several well-known actors, including Adolescence star Christine Tremarco, Sex Education actor Asa Butterfield and Trainspotting star Jonny Lee Miller, have joined the cast of the upcoming BBC drama series Hamburg Days, which explores the early years of The Beatles. The six-part series will chronicle the legendary band's formative period in Germany, tracing their journey from a group of Liverpool teenagers to global music icons. Bafta-winning actress Tremarco, 49, has been cast as Mimi Smith, the aunt who raised John Lennon. Butterfield, 29, will portray Brian Epstein, the manager credited with helping shape The Beatles’ rise to international fame. Jonny Lee Miller, 53, is set to play Jim McCartney, the father of Sir Paul McCartney. Production on the series began in May in Germany and Liverpool. The drama focuses on the period between 1960 and 1962 when The Beatles played more than 250 shows in Hamburg, a crucial chapter in the band's development. Hamburg Days is inspired by the memoirs of Klaus Voormann, a young artist who befriended the group during their time in Hamburg. Voormann later designed the cover of The Beatles’ landmark 1966 album Revolver and collaborated with John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison on their solo projects. According to the producers, the series will depict the band's encounters with Voormann and photographer Astrid Kirchherr. At that time, the lineup included bassist Stuart Sutcliffe and drummer Pete Best, alongside Lennon, McCartney and Harrison. The series has been written by Jamie Carragher, one of the writers behind HBO's acclaimed drama Succession. Director Christian Schwochow, known for his work on The Crown, will serve as showrunner, while Bafta-winning composer David Holmes, who worked on Killing Eve and the Ocean’s film franchise, will oversee the music. The cast also includes Rhys Mannion as John Lennon, Ellis Murphy as Paul McCartney, Harvey Brett as George Harrison, Louis Landau as Stuart Sutcliffe and Patrick Gilmore as Pete Best. Luna Jordan will play Astrid Kirchherr, while Laura Tonke and Casper von Bülow will portray Nielsa Kirchherr and Klaus Voormann respectively. Widely regarded as the best-selling music act in history, The Beatles scored 18 UK number-one singles and 16 UK number-one albums during their career. The band is also the subject of four upcoming films directed by Sam Mendes. The movies are set to feature Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison. With inputs from BBC

The world of Westeros is set to return as ‘House of the Dragon’ prepares for its third season, promising bigger battles, more dragons and deeper political drama, all without revealing any spoilers. Based on George R.R. Martin’s ‘Fire & Blood’, the series explores the rise and internal collapse of House Targaryen, set generations before the events of ‘Game of Thrones’ and Daenerys Targaryen’s claim to the Iron Throne. With rival factions already formed and tensions escalating, Season 3 is expected to push the story into a more intense and large-scale civil war across the realm. War enters a more intense phase The upcoming season is likely to move beyond early political manoeuvring as the conflict becomes more open and unavoidable. Alliances have already been made, and their consequences are now set to ripple across Westeros. Viewers can expect the story to fully shift into large-scale warfare, with growing consequences for all sides involved. More dragons take centre stage One of the biggest attractions of the series — dragons — is expected to feature more heavily than ever. Season 3 will likely introduce more dragon riders and larger aerial battles, with upgraded visual effects bringing the creatures to life in greater detail. New characters enter the conflict As the war expands, new characters are expected to emerge across Westeros, including nobles, soldiers and political players looking to gain power or survive the chaos. In the world of Westeros, even minor figures can quickly become central to the story. Political intrigue remains key Despite the focus on dragons and warfare, political strategy remains at the heart of the series. Secret alliances, shifting loyalties and tense negotiations are expected to continue shaping the story. The show is known for scenes where words can be as powerful as weapons. Moral lines remain blurred One of the franchise’s defining features is its refusal to present clear heroes or villains. Season 3 is expected to continue this trend, with characters making difficult choices that challenge viewers’ loyalties. Supporters of certain characters may find their opinions shifting as events unfold. Emotional consequences deepen Beyond the battles and politics, the series continues to focus on family conflict, grief and revenge within House Targaryen. The emotional cost of the war is expected to become more prominent, showing that the impact of conflict extends far beyond the battlefield. The world of Westeros expands Season 3 is also expected to explore more regions of Westeros, introducing new locations, houses and political dynamics that broaden the scope of the story. Story moves toward a turning point While the series is not yet nearing its end, Season 3 is expected to act as a major turning point, with decisions made by key characters shaping the direction of the larger conflict. Each choice is expected to carry heavier consequences as the story progresses. Why viewers should catch up For new audiences, *House of the Dragon* offers a more focused entry into the *Game of Thrones* universe, centred mainly on one royal family and its internal war. For returning fans, Season 3 promises the familiar mix of dragons, political tension, betrayals and unpredictable twists that define the franchise. One thing remains constant in Westeros — no character is ever truly safe. Source: NDTV

American actor Daveigh Chase, best known for her chilling role as the ghostly figure Samara in ‘The Ring’ and as the voice of Lilo in ‘Lilo & Stitch’, has died at the age of 35, her longtime manager confirmed. Her manager John Ryan Jr. told BBC News that Chase died on Tuesday from complications linked to meningitis, which developed into a bloodstream infection and later sepsis. He also said she had earlier been hospitalised due to malnourishment. Ryan, who worked with her for 15 years, described her as a private person who stayed away from Hollywood’s spotlight. “She was the greatest. She loved cats,” he said, adding that she often spent long periods at home in Las Vegas and preferred independent projects over big studio films. “She was not very Hollywood,” he said. “She’d rather eat at Bob’s Big Boy and go home with the cats. She loved acting but wasn’t into the fame scene.” Chase rose to fame in 2002 with her breakout role as Samara Morgan in the horror film ‘The Ring’, a remake of the Japanese classic about a cursed videotape. Her performance as the eerie, long-haired ghost crawling out of a television became one of the film’s most iconic images. She later won the MTV Movie Award for Best Villain in 2003 for the role. Reflecting on the character at the time, Chase said she enjoyed playing something so unusual and dark, telling the Los Angeles Times that she gave the role her own creative twist. In the same year, she voiced Lilo, a young Hawaiian girl, in Disney’s animated hit ‘Lilo & Stitch’. The role earned her an Annie Award for voice acting, and she continued to reprise the character in later spin-offs. Chase also appeared in several television series, including ‘Charmed’, ‘ER’, and ‘Touched by an Angel’. She had a recurring role in HBO’s ‘Big Love’, where she played Rhonda Volmer over 32 episodes. Source: NDTV

Actor Tom Holland has appeared to confirm that he and his longtime partner Zendaya are already married, ending months of speculation about their relationship status. Rumours about the couple intensified after Zendaya’s stylist Law Roach suggested in March that the pair had already held a wedding ceremony. The discussion resurfaced again after artificial intelligence-generated images showing a supposed wedding of the two circulated online. When asked by ‘Esquire U.K.’ whether he had informed family members about the fake AI images, Holland responded, “No, because they were all there.” “That’s all you’ll get on that,” he added, without giving further details. In the same interview published Tuesday, Holland spoke warmly about his relationship with Zendaya, describing her as a strong source of emotional support in his life and career. “Our business can present very stressful situations and it’s really nice to have a bedrock of a relationship that will stand the test of time,” he said. “I found my person. She’s my best friend,” he added. “I’m the happiest I’ve ever been when I’m with her, and I’ve never felt so supported and safe.” Holland and Zendaya first met while working together on the 2017 film ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’. The pair continue to collaborate professionally, with both set to appear in upcoming major releases, including ‘The Odyssey’ and ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’.

Veteran Hollywood actor Bruce Dern received a warm tribute at the Cannes Film Festival this week as a new documentary on his life and career premiered at the festival. The documentary, titled Dernsie: The Amazing Life of Bruce Dern, looks back at Dern’s decades-long journey in Hollywood. The actor, who turns 90 next month, attended the premiere on Thursday. Speaking at Cannes alongside his daughter, actress Laura Dern, Bruce Dern reflected on his long career in films. He recalled that acting legends Elia Kazan and Lee Strasberg once warned him that he was unlikely to become a leading man in Hollywood. Instead, they advised him to become “the most honest and unique fifth cowboy on the right.” Dern said he accepted that challenge and focused on building a lasting career. The actor first visited Cannes with legendary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock during the release of Marnie. In 2013, he won the festival’s Best Actor award for his performance in Nebraska directed by Alexander Payne. Laura Dern, who has often accompanied her father throughout his career, joined him once again at Cannes. She said many people used to tell her they “loved to hate” her father because of the memorable villain roles he played on screen. Bruce Dern became famous for portraying intense and unpredictable characters in films such as The Cowboys, where he shot John Wayne, and Black Sunday, in which he played a troubled Vietnam War veteran planning an attack on the Super Bowl. Acclaimed filmmaker Quentin Tarantino praised Dern in the documentary, calling him “one of the finest and most entertaining examples of great American acting.” The documentary was directed by Mike Mendez, who described Dern as energetic and unpredictable during interviews, often moving from one story to another without warning. Dern also spoke about his famous improvisations on film sets, which friends and colleagues nicknamed “Dernsies.” He credited actor Jack Nicholson for creating the term after noticing one of Dern’s spontaneous acting moments in the film Drive, He Said. He also shared a memory from the set of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, saying actor Brad Pitt became emotional after one of his improvised lines during filming. Despite his age, Dern said he has no plans to retire and wants to continue acting for as long as possible. Over his career, Bruce Dern has appeared in more than 150 productions, including The Great Gatsby, Coming Home, The Hateful Eight and The 'Burbs. He has also received two Academy Award nominations.

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu stumbles in its transition to the big screen, delivering a disjointed and uneven expansion of the popular Disney+ series that fails to match the scale and ambition of earlier Star Wars films, according to a review. The film, directed by Jon Favreau, brings the bounty hunter Mandalorian from television to cinemas as part of a summer tentpole release. However, the story is described as overlong and cluttered, leaning heavily on computer-generated visuals and action sequences that feel repetitive rather than expansive. Pedro Pascal returns as the masked warrior, portrayed as a relentless fighter moving from one mission to another. The review notes that the character’s personal depth is largely absent, while the tone shifts mid-film to give more focus to Grogu, the small Force-sensitive companion whose presence remains the emotional center of the franchise. Sigourney Weaver appears as a New Republic colonel who criticizes the Mandalorian’s violent methods, a sentiment echoed by the film’s own uneven handling of action and tone. The plot follows a straightforward bounty mission involving a former Imperial commander and a detour tied to Jabba the Hutt’s criminal family, introducing a new character voiced by Jeremy Allen White. The narrative is filled with chase scenes, space battles, and creature-filled set pieces, but the review suggests these elements feel formulaic and overly familiar to genre audiences. The film also includes unexpected cameos and voice roles, including one by Martin Scorsese, but the reviewer argues that such additions do little to elevate the overall experience. Musically, the score by Ludwig Göransson is described as inconsistent, while the visual design is said to rely too heavily on digital effects that weaken the tactile charm associated with earlier Star Wars storytelling. Ultimately, the review concludes that the film lacks narrative stakes, as it avoids galaxy-shaping conflicts and instead focuses on a smaller, less compelling mission. While fans may still enjoy familiar Star Wars imagery and characters, the overall execution is described as underwhelming, leaving the galaxy feeling less magical than before.

Two decades after the original hit, ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’returns with the same charm, fashion flair and star power, but struggles to match the sharp storytelling that made the first film iconic. Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and Stanley Tucci reprise their roles, while Emily Blunt, once a lesser-known name, now returns as a full-fledged star. The cast slips back into their characters with ease, giving the sequel its strongest appeal. Nostalgia and high-fashion glamour also add to the attraction for fans of the 2006 film. However, the film’s story feels less sharp. While the original thrived on the tense relationship between a demanding boss and her inexperienced assistant, the sequel shifts focus to a changed media and fashion world, where digital influence and corporate struggles dominate. The story follows Andrea Sachs, played by Hathaway, who is laid off from a newspaper job after receiving an award for investigative journalism. Around the same time, Runway magazine is struggling to stay relevant in a digital-first world. After a major PR crisis involving a fashion brand, Andrea is brought back into Runway’s orbit, setting up a complicated professional reunion with Miranda Priestly. The film adds further corporate drama as ownership changes and new power players enter the scene, including a tech-focused executive and Emily Blunt’s character, now working in the luxury fashion industry. Subplots involving media influence, brand reputation and corporate takeover give the sequel a more modern backdrop. Despite these updates, critics may find the emotional impact weaker than the original. The intense boss-assistant dynamic that defined the first film is largely replaced by a more polite, less tense workplace environment. Even Miranda Priestly appears softer, with fewer of the biting remarks that once defined her character. The sequel also leans heavily on cameos, international locations and multiple side characters, which at times distract from the main narrative. While it attempts to reflect today’s media and fashion industries, it loses some of the tight focus that made the original so engaging. Overall, ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ offers style, nostalgia and strong performances, but its story does not carry the same weight as its predecessor. The film runs for 119 minutes, is rated PG-13 for strong language and suggestive references, and earns two stars out of four.