American actress and singer, Emmy and Golden Globe winner
Spider-Man: Brand New Day has opened with a record domestic debut, while The Odyssey leads the global box office, underscoring a year of mega releases. The industry is buoyed by premium formats and high ticket prices, even as overall audiences lag behind pre-pandemic levels.
David Robert Mitchell has released The End of Oak Street, a 1982‑set sci‑fi horror that transports a suburban neighbourhood into a dinosaur‑infested prehistoric landscape. Critics have praised Anne Hathaway’s performance and the film’s technical craft, but they have criticised its uneven tone, derivative Spielberg pastiche and an undercutting finale. Reviews started publishing 12 August 2026.
A Thought for the Day segment on BBC Radio 4 has fueled a clash over Christianity in China, after Catherine Pepinster’s remarks about religious freedom were challenged by broadcaster Ruth Roberts. The discussion touched on the history of Christianity, its global reach, and tensions with the Chinese state.
The Odyssey has surpassed $1.1 billion worldwide, making it Christopher Nolan’s highest-grossing film and surpassing The Dark Knight Rises. The epic, featuring Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway and Robert Pattinson, opened July 17 and has dominated theatres globally while Nolan’s other projects in 2026 have delivered mixed results. The film’s success cements Nolan’s status at the peak of his career.
New York City has hit peak summer activity with record crowds and spending. After Knicks’ championship and World Cup crowds, the city remains lively as visitors push commerce and events into high gear this August.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has cancelled a planned 2027 Costume Institute exhibition honouring John Galliano after donors, Jewish leaders and city officials protested his selection. Galliano has withdrawn the show, apologised for past antisemitic and racist remarks and said he does not want debate about him to distract from the museum; the Met will announce a replacement.
Elizabeth Warren-Wilson is undertaking a complete retranslation of The Odyssey, stating it is not a revision but a fresh version. The project enlarges her Iliad-informed approach, adds endnotes, and revises terms like 'slave' to reflect more precise ancient Greek terminology. Nolan’s Odyssey film has drawn strong reactions from critics and scholars.
A review roundup of genre fare, from a high-octane Australian liver-delivery caper to a retro-styled Cold War bromance, and a TV legal drama adaptation that leaves critics divided. The slate features Runner’s gory, gamey camp; Knightfall’s retro charm; Mayday’s action mischief; and The Rainmaker’s courtroom soap — each casting a different light on how thrillers and legal tales move in the streaming era.
The Television Academy is distributing hundreds of Primetime Emmys across two ceremonies at the Peacock Theater, LA. The Pitt leads drama nominations with up to nine wins possible; Hacks leads comedy nominations. Five categories move to Sunday, boosting star power as guests and rookies contend for top prizes.
Bob Mackie, a legendary fashion and costume designer known for dazzling looks for Cher, Dolly Parton, Elton John and more, has died at 87. His career spanned six decades with nine Emmys and a Tony, and his designs shaped show business fashion while remaining controversial and iconic.
Gucci is leveraging a purpose-built shopfront as part of a strategic push to revive sales, with Demna aiming to anchor the brand at the intersection of fashion and commerce. The move follows a period of weaker revenue and leadership shifts, signaling a new phase for the label.
The BBC reports that the bare-nails trend, linked to quiet luxury, has drawn criticism that it erases cultural identity linked to Black, Latino and Asian communities. Some see it as a simplification of routines, while others warn it signals class bias. The debate has drawn reaction from fashion journalists, readers and commentators as coverage unfolds.