Entertainment
Oscar-winning Tom and Jerry director Gene Deitch dies aged 95
The director of the famous Tom and Jerry animated series Gene Deitch has passed away aged 95.
The Oscar-winning illustrator he was found dead at his apartment in Prague, on the night of 16th April.
Petr Himmel, his Czech publisher, told The Associated Press that he died ‘unexpectedly’. But no further details have been given. The film director and producer was last seen in his apartment in the Litter Quarter neighborhood.
Eugene Merrill Deitch, his complete name, has directed 13 episodes of the famous children’s cartoon series Tom and Jerry. He also directed some from the series Popeye The Sailor.
In 2004, he received the Winsor McCay Award for his lifelong contribution to animation.
Gene was born in 1924 in Chicago. He worked as a draftsman for North American Aviation before being drafted for the military and entering pilot training. There he met his first wife, Marie and they married in 1943. And they have three sons – Kim, Simon, and Seth.
However, he was discharged for medical reasons, and he then based himself in Prague from 1959 where his career took off. And there he met Zdenka Najmanová, the production manager at the studio Bratři v triku, where he worked. They married in 1964.
He had created the Tom Terrific series. And he co-produced the Sidney’s Family Tree, which was nominated for an Academy Award in 1958.
He was also a popular filmmaker who won the movie Munro the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 1960. He was also nominated for the same award twice in 1964 for Here’s Nudnik and How to Avoid Friendship.
Gene is survived by his wife and his three sons from his first marriage, all of whom are cartoonists.
His fans have taken to social media to pay tribute to the creative genius and express how much his work meant to them. Photos and videos portraying his colorful work have been shared across various social media platforms.
One fan even recreated the jingles for some of his best-known series as a tribute. And he has been called a legend from his era, by many people.
Disney and Pixar’s animated feature “Inside Out 2” has achieved a remarkable milestone, crossing the $1 billion mark at the global box office. Notably, it is the first film to do so since Warner Bros.’ “Barbie.” As of Sunday, the film’s worldwide earnings stand at an impressive $1.014 billion.
This achievement is particularly significant for Disney’s Pixar animation studio, which faced challenges during the pandemic. Prior to “Inside Out 2,” no Disney animated feature from either Pixar or Walt Disney Animation had surpassed $480 million globally since 2019. The film’s success underscores the enduring appeal of compelling and entertaining movies on the big screen.
The family audience played a crucial role in driving the film’s box office performance. During its domestic debut, more than 70% of attendees were families, emphasizing the importance of catering to this underserved demographic. Additionally, “Inside Out 2” successfully attracted teenagers (aged 13 to 17), a group that had been absent from theaters in recent years.
In summary, “Inside Out 2” not only achieved financial success but also highlighted the resilience of the movie industry and the power of captivating storytelling. Audiences worldwide continue to appreciate the magic of cinema, even in an evolving entertainment landscape.
Entertainment
10-Year-Old Guitar Prodigy Maya Neelakantan Rocks ‘AGT’ Stage with Unforgettable Performance
“America’s Got Talent” may have just unearthed the next “rock goddess,” and incredibly, she’s only 10 years old. On the June 25th episode of the NBC competition series, Maya Neelakantan, who traveled all the way from India for her audition, stepped onto the stage with her guitar. With casual confidence, she began strumming the opening chords of Papa Roach’s iconic hit, “Last Resort.”
As the crowd and judges watched, Maya transitioned from headbanging to showcasing her impressive guitar skills. She flawlessly delivered the rock anthem, leaving the judges in awe. Backstage, her family cheered her on alongside host Terry Crews.
All four judges—Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Heidi Klum, and Howie Mandel—stood up and applauded. Vergara playfully asked, “Maya, are you sure you’re 10 years old?” To which Maya sweetly replied, “I think so!”
Klum praised her energy and gutsiness, labeling it a “perfect audition.” Mandel inquired about her inspirations, and Maya mentioned watching guitarists like Adam Jones (Tool) and Gary Holt (Exodus and Slayer) on YouTube.
Cowell, known for his tough critiques, acknowledged that learning to play the guitar at 10 is challenging. He appreciated the unexpected transformation Maya displayed onstage: “You were so shy, and then you turned into, like, this rock goddess.”
Predicting a bright future, Cowell declared that Maya has a long music career ahead. All four judges gave her a resounding “yes,” propelling her to the next round.
Fans flooded the comments, calling her a rockstar and praising her talent. Even Papa Roach joined in, celebrating her audition on Instagram.
Maya, now 11 years old according to her YouTube page, expressed her gratitude: “What an honor for this early release and for playing on America’s Got Talent! Thank you for creating an unforgettable memory!” 🤘❤️🎸
The highly anticipated live-action adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s beloved manga, “One Piece,” is returning for a second season. Netflix recently announced the addition of new actors who will bring iconic characters to life in the upcoming episodes.
- Mr. 9: Werner Coetser, known for his role in “Dark Matter,” will portray Mr. 9. This character is a key member of the criminal syndicate Baroque Works.
- Mr. 5: Camrus Johnson, from “Batwoman,” takes on the role of Mr. 5. Like Mr. 9, he is part of Baroque Works.
- Miss Valentine: Jazzara Jaslyn, seen in “Warrior,” will play Miss Valentine. Her character’s abilities involve manipulating her weight.
- Mr. 3: David Dastmalchian, known for “Blade Runner 2049” and “Ant-Man,” joins the cast as Mr. 3. His wax-based powers make him a formidable adversary.
These four villains will challenge Monkey D. Luffy (played by Iñaki Godoy) and his Straw Hat crew as they continue their quest for the legendary treasure, One Piece. The first season received critical acclaim, and fans eagerly await the next installment.
Stay tuned for more adventures on the high seas when “One Piece” Season 2 arrives, likely in late 2024 or early 2025!
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