American filmmaker and cultural titan
The seventh Despicable Me film has opened with strong box office but divided critics, who note its self-referential mood, experimental pacing, and reliance on Easter eggs for cinephiles.
Sony Pictures is moving forward with a new Resident Evil film from Zach Cregger, presenting an original story set in the game universe. The release follows CinemaCon teasers and introduces Bryan as the protagonist on a survivalist night, with a supporting cast including Paul Walter Hauser and Kali Reis. The project aims to stay true to the spirit of the games while avoiding direct adaptation.
California has qualified a proposal for a billionaire wealth tax, which supporters say will fund healthcare and education. Opponents warn it will trigger a mass exodus of the wealthy, leading to significant job and revenue losses. The measure now faces a voter referendum in November 2026.
French actress Nathalie Baye has died in Paris at age 77 from neurodegenerative disease. She has featured in over 80 films, winning four César awards, and has worked with notable directors including Truffaut and Spielberg. Macron has paid tribute to her contribution to French cinema.
Apple TV’s Cape Fear reimagines the 1962 and 1991 thrillers for today, with Javier Bardem as Max Cady and Amy Adams and Patrick Wilson as the Bowdens. The 10-part series leans into modern anxieties, preserving key scenes while intensifying the nightmare. Director Nick Antosca aims for a nightmare remix rather than a straight remake.
Steven Spielberg has released Disclosure Day, a science‑fiction thriller starring Emily Blunt and Josh O’Connor. The film follows a whistleblower exposing decades of suppressed evidence of extraterrestrial contact, has opened to broadly positive reviews praising its humour, spectacle and moral questions, and is expected to perform strongly at the box office.
The Pentagon has released a batch of 50-plus classified documents on unidentified aerial phenomena. The material offers no proof of alien life, but details new sightings and how authorities have tried to interpret them. Reports include a 2022 Colorado Springs incident described as a potato-like object, and a 2023 series of sightings by federal agents.
The latest batch of declassified UAP documents has been released, with reports detailing orb sightings near sensitive sites and other unexplained phenomena. Officials say the materials are historical records and do not establish alien life or a national security threat. Public interest remains high as investigations continue.
Horror films directed by young creators from YouTube and TikTok are reshaping the summer box office, with Kane Parsons’ Backrooms and Curry Barker’s Obsession delivering strong openings. Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day opens strongly in the U.S. and worldwide, while Masters of the Universe struggles to meet expectations. Audiences over 34 are driving early legs for original releases.
SpaceX has gone public, valuing the company at about $1.8 trillion to $2.4 trillion depending on measurement, driven by Musk’s ambitions in Mars colonization and satellite internet. Analysts question the sustainability of such pricing amid ongoing losses; investors are chasing hype as much as potential profits.
Hollywood is redefining stardom as digital creators move from margins to the core of talent rosters. A16 agencies are signing top online talents and integrating creator divisions into film, TV, and brand projects, signaling a structural shift in how stories and stars are built for the screen.
The Legally Blonde prequel Elle has premiered on Prime Video, following Elle Woods as a high-school junior in 1995 Seattle. The eight-episode series relocates her from Bel Air to a grungier setting, trying to recapture the original film’s camp energy. Reviews are mixed on tone, visuals and character depth as audiences watch Elle navigate social politics, friendships and first loves while adapting to a new city.
The Obama Presidential Center has opened on Chicago’s South Side with a star-studded dedication ceremony and performances. Four living former presidents attended the invite-only event; President Donald Trump did not. The $850 million, 19-acre campus will open to the public on Juneteenth and will house a museum, public library branch, athletic facilities and public spaces.
The Academy has invited a slate of high-profile filmmakers and actors, including Jacob Elordi, Jenna Ortega and Stephen Fry, to join its voting membership. If all accept, the Academy will grow to 11,319 members with 10,338 voters, continuing a push toward diversity while extending new categories for awards.
A retrospective look at how Independence Day became a watershed blockbuster, shaping careers and the Hollywood landscape, with focus on Roland Emmerich, Dean Devlin, and the film’s lasting impact on sci-fi franchises.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have married in a private ceremony at Madison Square Garden, Swift's publicist has confirmed. Actor Adam Sandler officiated, the couple did not use bridesmaids or groomsmen, and Austin Swift and Jason Kelce served as man of honor and best man. Both wore Christian Dior Haute Couture; Swift wore Cartier and Christian Louboutin shoes.