Call me a thespian not an actor, says Nicolas Cage

The Oscar-winning film star Nicolas Cage has said he prefers to be called a thespian rather than an actor but admitted he risks sounding like “a pretentious a-hole”. The Face/Off and National Treasure star discussed his career and his reputation for “over the top” performances on Variety’s Awards Circuit podcast. He likened his process to “shamanism” for “going into the imagination”.
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/dec/31/call-me-a-thespian-not-an-actor-says-nicolas-cage?source=Snapzu

Betty White Dead at 99

Betty White has died at age 99.
Read more: https://www.tmz.com/2021/12/31/betty-white-dead-dies-golden-girls/?source=Snapzu

Every Marvel Studios Movie and Disney Plus Project in 2022 and Beyond

Sam Raimi, director of the original “Spider-Man” trilogy, returns to superhero cinema with this “Doctor Strange” sequel starring Cumberbatch once more in the title role. Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong and Chiwetel Ejiofor will all reprise their roles from the original “Doctor Strange,” with Ejiofor’s character, Karl Mordo, fully shifting from one of Dr. Stephen Strange’s allies to one of his enemies. Young actor Xochitl Gomez (“The Baby-Sitters Club”) will play America Chavez, who eventually becomes the superhero Miss America — the first openly LGBTQ Latinx character to headline their own comics series.
Read more: https://variety.com/lists/marvel-studios-release-schedule/doctor-strange-in-the-multiverse-of-madness/?source=Snapzu

Wolves Are Still the Bad Guys in Children’s Media. Let’s Change That.

By portraying predators as villains, we are influencing how our children perceive the natural world
Read more: https://www.outsideonline.com/culture/active-families/childrens-books-films-wolves-predators-bad-guys/?source=Snapzu

World junior hockey tournament cancelled as more players test positive for COVID-19 | CBC Sports

The world junior men's hockey championship in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alta., was cancelled Wednesday in the face of lost games due to COVID-19.
Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/world-juniors-cancelled-covid-2022-edmonton-1.6300048?source=Snapzu

What’s the Best Book of the Past 125 Years? We Asked Readers to Decide.

Thousands of you voted, and chose a clear favorite: “To Kill a Mockingbird.” But the winner is only part of the story.
Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/12/28/books/best-book-winners.html?source=Snapzu

Netflix’s ‘The Silent Sea’ Is One Of Its Best Sci-Fi Series To Date

Netflix has managed to cultivate a large number of high quality international offerings in a way most of its competition has not, and leading that charge has been Korea, producing a huge number of series, including most famously, global mega hit Squid Game.
Read more: https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2021/12/29/netflixs-the-silent-sea-is-one-of-its-best-sci-fi-series-to-date/?sh=27b98a586e64?source=Snapzu

John Madden, Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster, dies at 85 | AP News

John Madden, the Hall of Fame coach turned broadcaster whose exuberant calls combined with simple explanations provided a weekly soundtrack to NFL games for three decades, died Tuesday morning, the league said.
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/cd81635dd3aac611af9e9424ec08d24a?source=Snapzu

TV Rewind: It's Never a Bad Time to Return to Deadwood

Deadwood is more than just a relic from the early “Golden Age” of prestige TV; it's a portrait of humanity, sometimes grim and sometimes relishing in the joys of community
Read more: https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/hbo/deadwood-tv-show-legacy/?source=Snapzu

Britney Spears Says 'F You' to Family for Deeply Hurting Her

Britney Spears gave a giant "f you" to her family Monday ... literally saying "f you" to them. Spears was clearly angry when she posted, “Not doing music anymore is my way of saying ‘F–k You’ in a sense when it only actually benefits my family by ignoring my real work." She went on ... “It’s like I’ve subconsciously let them win.”
Read more: https://www.tmz.com/2021/12/28/britney-spears-f-you-family-hurting-music-god/?source=Snapzu

Netflix, ‘Tiger King’ Producers Sued Over Unauthorized Use of ‘Ace Ventura 2’ Clips

Morgan Creek Productions has sued Netflix and the producers of Tiger King for copyright infringement over the use of Ace Ventura 2 clips in the hit reality series. The show, which became a hit upon its release in March 2020, focused on Joseph Maldonado Passage, aka “Joe Exotic,” owner of a “big cat” zoo.
Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/netflix-tiger-king-producers-lawsuit-ace-ventura-clips-1235067689/?source=Snapzu

Exclusive: Ben Affleck's Fate In The Flash Revealed

The Flash is promising to be a major event for DC. One of the most talked about surprises for the movie is the return of Ben Affleck as Batman. He’ll be reprising the role alongside Michael Keaton’s Batman, who hasn’t been seen on screen in over three decades. With two Batmans, and the Multiverse at play, anything could happen in the upcoming movie. Now, Giant Freakin Robot has learned from a trusted and proven inside source what happens with Ben Affleck’s character in The Flash.
Read more: https://www.giantfreakinrobot.com/ent/exclusive-ben-affleck-the-flash-batman-what.html?source=Snapzu

The Matrix Resurrections review – Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss spark in utopian reboot

Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves) is the designer of The Matrix, a popular video game set in a virtual reality. His bosses have ordered a sequel; at an ideas meeting, his colleagues throw around a few ideas. PVC. Guns. Trans allegory. There is much winking and nudging in Lana Wachowski’s follow-up to the groundbreaking sci-fi films she co-created with her sister Lilly. Wachowski understands that in the 20 years since, their legacy has been boiled down to a catalogue of memes with lucrative franchise potential. Yet her newest chapter manages to be self-aware (at times overly so) without being entirely cynical.
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/dec/25/the-matrix-resurrections-review-keanu-reeves-carrie-anne-moss?source=Snapzu

How music AI could create a future Grammy award winner

Producers, musicians and software developers weigh in on the making of the next hot pop artist: A machine.
Read more: https://www.cnet.com/features/could-ai-create-a-future-grammy-award-winner-in-music/?source=Snapzu

Arnold Schwarzenegger Buys 25 Tiny Homes to House Homeless Veterans

The donation is in connection with Village for Vets, which aims to end homelessness for veterans in Los Angeles
Read more: https://www.thewrap.com/arnold-schwarzenegger-buys-25-tiny-homes-to-house-homeless-veterans/?source=Snapzu

Oscar Season's Planned Comeback Threatened by Omicron Surge

As one January awards event after another is postponed or canceled, almost everybody except the Golden Globes could end up suffering
Read more: https://www.thewrap.com/awards-cancellations-disastrous-oscars/?source=Snapzu

Magic and mysteries woven into "The Wheel of Time" main titles

Salon spoke to the creator of making the opening credits, from rogue gold threads to the women who wield power
Read more: https://www.salon.com/2021/12/24/the-wheel-of-time-magic-weaving-ajah/?source=Snapzu

Black Mirror is the perfect 2021 Christmas watch

It’s the most wonderful time of the year
Read more: https://www.polygon.com/22847353/black-mirror-christmas?source=Snapzu

After jumping 32 spots in FIFA rankings, Canadian men named most improved side | CBC Sports

After jumping 32 places to No. 40 in the FIFA rankings over the course of 2021, Canada has earned the title of this year's "Most Improved Side."
Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/fifa-rankings-most-improved-canada-men-1.6296425?source=Snapzu

What the future looks like for movie theaters in 2022, according to top industry execs

One of the biggest threats facing the movie business is a smaller supply of theatrical releases, one executive said.
Read more: https://www.businessinsider.com/what-future-looks-like-for-movie-theaters-2022-industry-outlook-2021-12?source=Snapzu

William Shatner Gets Into Serious 2-Vehicle Crash in Los Angeles, Is Unhurt

This is probably one situation in which legendary actor William Shatner wished for his most iconic character’s space-traveling tech, the transporter, in real life. The actor was involved in a pretty serious collision in Los Angeles.
Read more: https://www.autoevolution.com/news/william-shatner-gets-into-serious-2-vehicle-crash-in-los-angeles-is-unhurt-177289.html?source=Snapzu

Audi steps in to give 'Wheel of Fortune' contestant a car after controversial loss

Audi is stepping in to give a 'Wheel of Fortune' contestant a brand new car after she lost one on a technicality.
Read more: https://ew.com/tv/wheel-of-fortune-contestant-audi-pat-sajak-car/?source=Snapzu

'Spider-Man: No Way Home' is on pace to be the first and only billion-dollar movie of 2021

“Spider-Man: No Way Home” has already smashed domestic box office records, and it is now out to tackle a feat no other film has managed in nearly two years — reaching $1 billion in worldwide ticket sales. In less than a week in theaters, the Marvel Cinematic Universe flick topped $751.3 million worldwide, making it the third-highest grossing film of 2021, Sony reported Tuesday.
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/22/spider-man-no-way-home-could-be-the-first-billion-dollar-movie-of-2021.html?source=Snapzu

NHL officially announces players won't attend Beijing Olympics

NHL players will not be attending the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, the league announced Wednesday.
Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/nhl-nhlpa-withdraws-from-beijing-2022-winter-olympics-1.6294937?source=Snapzu

Britney Spears’ Lawyer Calls Jamie Spears’ Request for Singer to Pay His Legal Fees an “Abomination”

The singer's father has petitioned for her estate to cover the costs of his legal representation and fees "to ensure the Conservatorship can be wound up quickly and efficiently," according to the Dec. 15 filing.
Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/britney-spears-jamie-spears-legal-fees-estate-1235066080/?source=Snapzu

Here’s why streaming services are always duking it out over channels

The threat of losing channels is frustratingly common.
Read more: https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/20/22846634/youtube-tv-disney-streaming-channels-dispute-espn-fx?source=Snapzu

‘The Wheel Of Time’ Tops 1 Billion Weekly Streaming Minutes, But ‘Red Notice’ Holds On To Top Spot On Nielsen Chart

Netflix movie Red Notice held on to the top spot on Nielsen’s U.S. streaming chart, as Prime Video series The Wheel of Time topped 1 billion minutes of viewing to finish No. 2.
Read more: https://deadline.com/2021/12/the-wheel-of-time-red-notice-amazon-prime-video-netflix-nielsen-streaming-1234900256/?source=Snapzu

Tom Brady’s best throw of the night destroys Microsoft tablet

After throwing a fourth-quarter interception to seal a 9-0 loss against the Saints on Sunday night, Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady managed to connect with a Microsoft Surface tablet, absolutely destroying it. The defeat was Brady’s first shutout in 15 years, according to CBS Sports.
Read more: https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/20/22846124/tom-brady-destroy-microsoft-surface-tablet?source=Snapzu

The Witcher: Henry Cavill Hopes Season 3 Is Loyal To Books 'Without Too Much In the Way Of Diversions'

The Witcher's second season debuted last week, marking the return of Geralt, Ciri, Yennefer, and all the rest. As part of the festivities, Netflix Geeked hosted a spoiler-filled The Witcher Unlocked conversation, in which host Felicia Day spoke with the cast about their individual characters. Per usual, Henry Cavill had plenty of thoughts on Geralt, discussing his character's relationship with Ciri and Yennefer and other developments. For fans just finishing up the second season, he also expressed his wishes for Geralt as The Witcher heads into Season 3, which is almost fully written.
Read more: https://www.ign.com/articles/the-witcher-season-3-henry-cavill?source=Snapzu

'The Matrix' Trilogy Has Always Been A Masterpiece

The real pretension is thinking such an existential drama must necessarily be dour, overly sophisticated, stoic, part and parcel with the idea that violence, grittiness, and action must be serious, masculine, binary, joyless. The Matrix trilogy is a richly layered, soulful, and rare piece of filmmaking.
Read more: https://defector.com/the-matrix-trilogy-has-always-been-a-masterpiece/?source=Snapzu

Henry Cavill: "A video game movie starring me? Something like RDR2 would be fun..."

Netflix's The Witcher: Season 2 had a glamorous premiere (red carpet and all) in Madrid the other day, and Gamereactor got the chance to ask Henry Cavill a couple of questions, who was at the venue to watch the first episode together with the Spanish fans.
Read more: https://www.gamereactor.eu/henry-cavill-a-video-game-movie-starring-me-something-like-rdr2-would-be-fun/?source=Snapzu

Springboard: the secret history of the first real smartphone

A decade before Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone, a tiny team of renegades imagined and tried to build the modern smartphone. Nearly forgotten by history, a little startup called Handspring tried to make the future before it was ready. This is the story of the Treo.
Read more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9_Vh9h3Ohw?source=Snapzu

Dexter: New Blood hits its peak with a thrilling episode

Between Angela and Molly’s road trip to Manhattan and Dexter’s foray into narcotics enforcement, New Blood’s last two episodes were clearly designed to keep the show’s gunpowder dry before a third-act crescendo. But who could have predicted the next installment would be as explosive as “Skin Of Her Teeth?” Even more than the strong “H Is For Hero,” the seventh episode makes a strong case for New Blood’s existence and instills confidence that this season might provide the ending Dexter deserves. (
Read more: https://www.avclub.com/dexter-new-blood-hits-its-peak-with-a-thrilling-episod-1848243247?source=Snapzu

The push to ban books in Texas schools spreads to public libraries

Some Texas residents are asking for greater say in what titles appear on public library shelves.
Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2021/12/20/texas-library-books/?source=Snapzu

Looney Tunes Will Never Die and That’s All, Folks! | The Walrus

How Bugs Bunny and his pals managed to become a TV success impervious to time and changing standards
Read more: https://thewalrus.ca/looney-tunes-will-never-die-and-thats-all-folks/?source=Snapzu

Google's YouTube TV reaches deal to restore access to Disney channels

Alphabet Inc's (GOOGL.O) YouTube began restoring access to Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) channels on its platform on Sunday, after the companies reached a distribution agreement to end a two-day blackout.
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/technology/googles-youtube-tv-reaches-deal-restore-access-disney-channels-2021-12-19/?source=Snapzu

Keanu Reeves Doesn’t Care If You Watch ‘Matrix 4’ on HBO Max: ‘Sure, Stream It If You Have To’

Not all talent affiliated with Warner Bros.’ 2021 film slate was too keen when the studio announced that its entire run for this year would go day-and-date in theaters and on HBO Max. “Tenet” director Christopher Nolan blasted the window-shattering shakeup and expressed disbelief, while “Dune” director Denis Villeneuve wrote an op-ed bemoaning Warner Bros.’ triumph of corporate allegiance over a love for cinema and audiences.
Read more: https://www.indiewire.com/2021/12/matrix-resurrections-hbo-max-keanu-reeves-stream-1234686973/?source=Snapzu

Disney channels go dark on YouTube TV after deal lapses

Disney channels went dark on Google's YouTube TV late Friday after the two companies failed to come to a distribution agreement. Why it matters: The blackout came ahead of the kickoff to college football bowl season. ESPN has the rights to air many of those games.
Read more: https://www.axios.com/disney-channels-youtube-tv-espn-blackout-b77d6227-a801-400b-8083-fce1eae8491e.html?source=Snapzu

How ‘Succession’ Turns Getting What You Want Into Hell

The characters in HBO’s prestige hit let us set aside judgment and just marvel at how ardently, how comically, people will chase after the worst thing for them. Two years ago, as HBO’s “Succession” finished its second season, we saw Logan Roy, the head of a right-wing media empire, looking for someone in his inner circle to serve as the scapegoat for a corporate scandal. One candidate was his hapless son-in-law, Tom Wambsgans.
Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/17/magazine/succession-peep-show.html?source=Snapzu

Year in Review: The Television Stars We Said Goodbye to in 2021

As we reflect on 2021, we can’t help but think of all the TV greats who left us. The last 12 months have seen the deaths of several small-screen legends, including seven-time Emmy winner Ed Asner — the most honored male performer in the history of the Primetime Emmy Awards. We also said goodbye to fellow Mary Tyler Moore vets Cloris Leachman — who, at eight Emmys, is tied with Julia Louis-Dreyfus as the most awarded performer in Emmy history — and Gavin MacLeod.
Read more: https://tvline.com/2021/12/18/tv-stars-died-2021-death-list-photos/?source=Snapzu

Louis C.K. Is Selling His New Stand-Up Special ’SORRY’ Online

Louis C.K.’s comeback is going better than most would have expected. (Or maybe not.) The comic and former TV god, who admitted to multiple accusations of sexual misconduct over four years ago, has seen his stand-up shows sell out. He even got a Grammy nomination, which caused some to wonder if “cancel culture” is even a real thing. Now he’s taking yet another step back to normalcy: He’s hawking a new stand-up special.
Read more: https://uproxx.com/tv/louis-ck-sorry-standup-special/?source=Snapzu

Billie Eilish Says the Met Gala Made Her Realize 'Famous People Are Just Literally Nobodies'

Billie Eilish is known for being very candid with fans. So it's no surprise the Gen-Z superstar songstress dished on her first-ever Met Gala experience ⁠— and held nothing back! During a recent appearance on SiriusXM's The Howard Stern Show, Eilish, who was one of four Gen-Z co-chairs at the 2021 Met Gala, opened up about what the famous fashion fête was like for her.
Read more: https://people.com/style/billie-eilish-opens-up-about-her-met-gala-experience/?source=Snapzu

'Spider-Man: No Way Home' snags eye-popping $50M in previews

For the first time since the pandemic began, the box office is booming. “Spider-Man: No Way Home” grossed $50 million in Thursday previews alone, a stunning start for a movie set to break pandemic records. Sony Pictures’ “No Way Home” scored the third-largest preview total ever, trailing only those for “Avengers: Endgame” ($60 million) and “The Force Awakens” ($57 million). Previews once featured only late-night screenings, but they have steadily moved earlier in the day; “No Way Home” began playing around 3 p.m. in 3,767 locations.
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-business-arts-and-entertainment-movies-tom-holland-a7d7cd52b95f79ae2ab888e1a64eb89c??source=Snapzu

Halo TV series will have its own timeline

The Halo TV series will exist in its own version of the FPS game's universe
Read more: https://www.thedigitalfix.com/halo/tv-series-timeline?source=Snapzu

Some ‘South Park’ Fans Struggling With That Character’s Depressing Altered Future in Latest Paramount+ Movie

Viewers were shocked to actually feel bad for someone whose misfortune would otherwise have delighted them.
Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/south-park-fans-struggling-cartman-future-1235064319/?source=Snapzu

NHL announces enhanced COVID-19 measures amid rise in cases

The National Hockey League (NHL) has announced enhanced COVID-19 measures which include daily testing and restrictions amid the emergence of the Omicron variant and a recent increase in positive cases among teams, it said on Saturday.
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/league-announces-enhanced-covid-19-measures-amid-rise-cases-2021-12-18/?source=Snapzu

Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger Expecting Baby No. 2

Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt is going to be a mom again! The author is pregnant, expecting her second baby with husband Chris Pratt next year, multiple sources confirm to PEOPLE exclusively.
Read more: https://people.com/parents/chris-pratt-katherine-schwarzenegger-pregnant-expecting-second-baby-exclusive/?source=Snapzu

Matrix 4 New Clip Reveals New Plot Details, Teases Jessica Henwick's Character

Matrix Resurrections video reveals further details about the plot, such as Trinity and Neo’s roles, and teases Jessica Henwick’s character.
Read more: https://www.streamingdigitally.com/news/matrix-4-new-clip-reveals-new-plot-details-teases-jessica-henwicks-character/?source=Snapzu

Finally, Nicolas Cage is actually playing Nicolas Cage

The much-ridiculed yet much-loved actor is taking on the biggest role of his life in the first trailer for The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent – himself
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/dec/15/nicolas-cage-playing-nicolas-cage-the-unbearable-weight-of-massive-talent?source=Snapzu

I made a golf bag that shoots your clubs

I think golf bags are a little boring, so I made one that launches out your clubs. It also gives you recommendations just like a real caddy AND it has a few secret features :)
Read more: https://snapzu.com/filipthetulip/i-made-a-golf-bag-that-shoots-your-clubs?source=Snapzu