A Polynesian tale turned global brand
Charli XCX has moved from her Brat era to a high-concept, glitchy stage at Reading/Leeds, backed by a live band and dramatic visuals. She balances new material with fan favourites, signaling a decisive artistic shift that dominates the weekend’s conversation.
The summer box office has risen to about $4.6–4.76 billion in domestic ticket sales, driven by both high-profile releases and new, low-budget hits. While inflation-adjusted figures show a more modest rebound, the industry is signaling resilience as filmmakers and audiences rebound from pandemic disruptions. Fall releases are expected to sustain momentum amid ongoing industry changes.
The live-action Moana remake has drawn sharp criticism from Independent and Guardian reviewers who label it cynical and copy‑paste. Johnson’s return as Maui is described as stiff, with debate over whether the film adds anything new beyond the animated original.
Disney’s live-action Moana opens to a global $95 million, underperforming the $60 million U.S. target and facing scathing critics who call it a “shot-for-shot” redo. Audiences are warmer, with a CinemaScore A- and a largely female 66% share, while competition from new releases looms.
A sequence of microbursts has downed trees, cracked power lines, and damaged buildings across Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. A West Philadelphia building collapsed, sending bricks into the street and blocking trolley tracks. The National Weather Service confirms four microbursts with 60–70 mph winds on Saturday between 2:30 and 3:15 p.m. Officials say the damage is due to straight-line winds, not a tornado, and Philadelphia has declared a Disaster Emergency.
Disney’s experiences division has posted near $10 billion in quarterly revenue, a 10% year-over-year rise, driven by strong domestic attendance and promotions across parks and a recently expanded cruise fleet. Executives say marketing and new rides are fueling demand amid macro uncertainty.
Disney has struck a first-of-its-kind pilot deal with TikTok to allow fan-made videos using Disney and Pixar IP in Disney+ Vert s, with a U.S. rollout followed by other markets. The initiative marks a shift toward creator-led content and expands Disney’s short-form strategy amid flatlining traditional box office for some titles.
Two Scotsman articles chronicle Edinburgh’s art festival scene and a Sounds of Pandora-inspired ballet score, highlighting immersive performances, cross-arts collaboration, and the evolving Edinburgh fringe landscape.