Film

New Book on MGM Classic ‘The Women’ Reveals Extent of Joan Crawford and Norma Shearer’s Feud (Exclusive Excerpt)

• Crawford and Shearer’s rivalry shaped publicity for The Women.
• Their feud involved status, costumes and public criticism.
• Illeana Douglas explores the conflict in a new book.

Illeana Douglas’s new book examines the intense rivalry between Joan Crawford and Norma Shearer during the making of MGM’s 1939 film The Women. It argues that their hostility was genuine but also became a carefully exploited publicity angle, helping sell the all-female production as a sensational Hollywood “feud”.…

Business Culture Podcaster Sammi Cohen Is Launching Social Commerce Network (SCN), a Livestreamed News Show Inspired by TBPN and Aimed at Being a Next-Gen CNBC

• Sammi Cohen is launching a live social-media business news network.
• SCN begins 6 October with three weekly broadcasts.
• The programme targets mobile-first, female-skewing audiences.

Business and culture podcaster Sammi Cohen is launching Social Commerce Network (SCN), a digital-first live business news programme aimed at audiences who primarily consume news on social media. Beginning on 6 October, SCN will stream three times a week across YouTube, X, TikTok and Instagram, combining business news…

The 10 Greatest American Fantasy Movies of All Time, Ranked

• The article ranks ten major American fantasy films.
• It focuses on films mainly produced and financed in the United States.
• Featured examples include *Edward Scissorhands*, *Coraline* and *Where the Wild Things Are*.

The article ranks ten of the greatest American fantasy films, focusing on productions that were mainly financed and made in the United States. It argues that American fantasy cinema has developed distinctive approaches to the genre, despite fantasy often being associated with British settings, medieval worlds and English…

The iconic British movie series Helen Mirren despises: “It was not my thing”

• Helen Mirren dislikes James Bond’s portrayal of women.
• She calls the franchise profoundly sexist.
• Mirren supports stronger, more autonomous female characters.

Helen Mirren has criticised the James Bond film series, saying its portrayal of women is rooted in “profound sexism”. Although she admires actors including Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig, she has never liked the franchise’s treatment of female characters as largely sexualised figures. Her views reflect her wider…

Channing Tatum Calls Rumors He Has a Burner Instagram Account ‘F—ing Hilarious’: ‘Can’t Believe Y’all Think This Is What I’m Doing With My Free Time’

• Tatum denies running an Instagram burner account.
• He calls the rumours “f—ing hilarious”.
• Fans suggest the account may have been a former fan page.

Channing Tatum has denied claims that he operates an anonymous Instagram account to mock his former partner Zoë Kravitz and her fiancé, Harry Styles. Responding on Instagram, he called the rumours “f—ing hilarious” and said he could not believe fans thought he spent his free time behaving that…

Andrew Scott Gives a Career-Best Performance in This Powerful New Biopic

• Andrew Scott portrays actor Ian Charleson in a new Hamlet biopic.
• The film depicts Charleson’s AIDS diagnosis and determination to perform.
• Cast and writer discuss history, creativity and celebrating life.

Simon Stone’s *Elsinore* follows Scottish actor Ian Charleson as he returns to the stage to play Hamlet at London’s National Theatre after finding success in film. His opportunity is complicated by an AIDS diagnosis, but he remains determined to perform, framing the story around artistic ambition, resilience and…

Every Baby Boomer Alive Remembers These 4 Must-Hear Classic Rock Ballads From 1972

• Four ballads from 1972 remain iconic touchstones for baby boomers
• "Rocket Man" and "I'd Love You To Want Me" were major chart successes
• "Baby Blue" found new audiences through Breaking Bad's finale

The article highlights four iconic classic rock ballads from 1972 that remain culturally significant and memorable for baby boomers and music enthusiasts. - "Diary" by Bread (written by David Gates): A narrative ballad about a man finding his girlfriend's diary and discovering her affections lie elsewhere, reaching No.…

Unpaid penalties, data centre rules and AI ethics row

Three-quarters of civil penalties for illegal worker hiring went unpaid. California imposes new data centre transparency rules as concerns over AI impersonation grow.