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‘Vanity Fair’ gets in-depth look at Zack Snyder’s sci-fi Netflix epic ‘Rebel Moon’

June 6, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Zack Snyder, the director of 300, the Watchmen film and of course Zack Snyder’s Justice League, tells Vanity Fair that his upcoming sci-fi epic Rebel Moon could very well have been a Star Wars film.

“I was in postproduction on Man of Steel,” Snyder says in the new issue’s deep dive into his epic. “I had heard there were rumblings about possibly doing another three [Star Wars] movies at some point. My take was that, if you just let me have the IP, I’ll make this cool movie, and I won’t get in the way of anything that you guys are doing.”

Ultimately, it didn’t work out, but Disney-owned Lucasfilm’s loss was Netflix’s gain: His original 172-page script will be broken into two sprawling Netflix movies about inhabitants of a planet in the middle of nowhere that rise up against a galaxy-wide military empire.

The films star Charlie Hunnam from Sons of Anarchy and Pacific Rim; Sofia Boutella from Star Trek: Beyond; Djimon Hounsou from Gladiator and Guardians of the Galaxy; and Ed Skrein from Deadpool. An ancient robot named Jimmy will be played by Snyder’s Sucker Punch star Jena Malone, but voiced by Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins.

There’s also a ton of world-building, with mechanized knights; massive, planet-leveling battleships; and lots of in-universe lore.

Snyder understands the comparisons to that galaxy far, far away, yet allows, “I do believe that our thing is really an entirely different experience.”

His wife and longtime producing partner Deborah Snyder offers, “It has a bit of Star Wars … It’s a little bit like Lord of the Rings, a little bit Game of Thrones with the palace intrigue,” she says. “It has a bit of everything.”

Part one of Rebel Moon drops on Netflix December 22.

Dave Grohl thanks fans for “being there for us” amid Foo Fighters comeback tour

June 6, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Dave Grohl has shared a note thanking fans for their support amid Foo Fighters‘ first tour back since the death of drummer Taylor Hawkins in March 2022.

In an Instagram post, Grohl writes, “Now that we’ve returned from our first run of shows, I felt compelled to reach out and thank you all for being there for us.”

“Every night, when I see you singing, it makes me sing harder,” Grohl continues. “When I see you screaming, it makes me scream louder. When I see your tears, it brings me to tears. And when I see your joy, it brings me joy.”

“But, I see you … and it feels good to see you, churning up these emotions together,” he concludes. “Because we’ve always done this together. Time and time again.”

Foo Fighters kicked off the tour in May. Ahead of the first show, they held a streaming concert during which they introduced new drummer Josh Freese.

The next show on the Foos’ schedule takes place June 14 in Rogers, Arkansas. They’ll play a run of U.S. headlining and festival dates throughout the summer and fall.

You can also listen to the new Foo Fighters album, But Here We Are, which dropped last Friday.

2 Chainz mourns the loss of his dog of nine years: “I’m crushed”

June 6, 2023 by WDNY Radio

2 Chainz is “crushed” by the loss of Trappy S. Goyard, his French bulldog of nine years. In a heartfelt tribute, he revealed the pup “is no longer here” and shared a few visual memories of their time together.

“Can’t believe I’m even saying this man, I’m crushed like a mf. Man, this my heart right here,” 2 Chainz wrote on Instagram. “I have had @trappygoyard for nine years. We have traveled and kicked it all over the world and he is no longer here.”

“S*** hurt me, no cap. Feel like a person passed away, I love my dog he was so smart and laid back!! I have so many items and memories of Trappy, can’t believe I won’t hear you snoring no more,” he continued. “I know for a fact we influenced many people to try to get a dog that looked and acted like you. It could never be another Trappy, that’s was so sad to me. I loved my dog more than some people I know.”

2 Chainz’s post was met with condolences from Killer Mike, Jay Electronica, Hit-Boy, E-40, Keri Hilson, Chika, Hitmaka and more.

Trappy had appeared alongside Chainz in the “Not Invited” and “Grey Area” music videos, as well as in the series Most Expensivest.

Parents warned to stop using recalled Boppy loungers linked to at least 10 infant deaths

June 6, 2023 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — Parents were advised Tuesday to stop using recalled newborn loungers from The Boppy Company that have been linked to at least 10 infant deaths.

According to The Boppy Company and the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which issued a news release Tuesday, the newborn loungers may cause infants to “suffocate if they roll, move, or are placed on the lounger in a position that obstructs breathing, or roll off the lounger onto an external surface, such as an adult pillow.”

The products were first recalled two years ago and impacted by the September 2021 recall include Boppy Original Newborn Loungers, Boppy Preferred Newborn Loungers, and Pottery Barn Kids Boppy Newborn Loungers.

Although the newborn loungers can no longer be sold legally, the CPSC noted that the recalled products have still been available online through social media sites such as Facebook Marketplace.

“It is unlawful to offer for sale a CPSC recalled product on an online marketplace or to sell or donate a recalled product in any other manner,” the federal agency said in its statement.

There have been at least eight infant deaths from a Boppy newborn lounger between December 2015 and June 2020, according to The Boppy Company. But after the 2021 recall, the CPSC said at least two more infants died after they were placed in Boppy newborn loungers.

“One death occurred in October 2021. In the incident, an infant was reportedly placed on the lounger for sleep and then rolled underneath a nearby adult pillow. The cause of death was positional asphyxia. In November 2021, an infant was placed on a Newborn Lounger in an adult bed with a parent and soft bedding and was later found deceased on the lounger. The cause of death was undetermined,” the CPSC said.

Both the CPSC and Boppy said anyone with Boppy newborn loungers should stop using the products immediately. Customers can request instructions on how to dispose of a recalled lounger and ask for a refund from The Boppy Company through their website.

To contact The Boppy Company, customers can call 800-416-1355 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET on weekdays.

The CPSC also reminded parents to set up a safe sleep environment for children, which includes a firm and flat surface in a crib, bassinet or play yard for babies. Babies should always be placed on their backs for sleeping and soft items like blankets, pillows, padded crib bumpers “should never” be added to an infant’s sleeping area, the CPSC added.

311 & AWOLNATION announce US tour

June 6, 2023 by WDNY Radio

311 and AWOLNATION are teaming up for a U.S. tour this fall.

The trek begins September 19 in Clive, Iowa, and wraps up October 8 in Highland, California. The band Blame My Youth is also on the bill for select dates.

“We’re super excited to get out on the road with AWOLNATION and Blame My Youth,” says 311 frontman Nick Hexum. “I’m a big fan of both of those bands and we’re getting [to] hit some towns we haven’t played in a long while. Stoked!”

Tickets go on sale this Friday, June 9, at 10 a.m. local time. For the full list of dates and all ticket info, visit 311.com.

311’s most recent album is 2019’s Voyager. AWOLNATION put out two singles last year, “Freaking Me Out” and “We Are All Insane,” along with a covers album, My Echo, My Shadow, My Covers and Me.

Paul McCartney and Stanley Tucci to chat for NPG global livestream event

June 6, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Paul McCartney’s photography is the subject of a new exhibit opening later this month at the National Portrait Gallery in London, and to promote its opening he’s set to talk about his photos in a new online discussion with actor Stanley Tucci.

The in-conversation event, taking place June 29, is part of the museum’s First Look Festival, designed to reintroduce the NPG to visitors after being closed for three years to undergo renovations.

The discussion will have the pair chatting about the exhibition, Paul McCartney Photographs 1963-64: Eyes of the Storm, and McCartney’s book 1964: Eyes of the Storm, both of which give fans insight into McCartney’s point of view as The Beatles were becoming international superstars during the height of Beatlemania. The photos are from McCartney’s own archive, and were taken between December 1963 and February 1964.

The global livestream will kick off at 9 a.m. ET, with tickets on sale now.

Paul McCartney Photographs 1963-64: Eyes of the Storm is set to run from June 28 to October 1. His book, 1964: Eyes of the Storm, will be released June 13 and is available for preorder now.

Cuba Gooding Jr. settles with rape accuser before start of civil trial

June 6, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Cuba Gooding Jr. settled his lawsuit with a woman who accused him of raping her a decade ago at the Mercer Hotel.

The settlement comes as jury selection was about to begin Tuesday in a civil trial that could have caused the actor to pay millions in damages had the jury found for the woman, who was identified as Jane Doe.

Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

“The parties have resolved the matter,” a brief entry on the court docket said.

Gooding had denied raping the woman, saying their encounter was consensual.

The woman accused Gooding of raping her twice on the night of August 24, 2013.

After meeting the actor at a restaurant where she was having dinner with a friend, the woman said he invited her for drinks at the hotel where he was staying.

According to her lawsuit, the Oscar-winning actor asked her to come to his room so he could change clothes. Gooding stripped naked, blocked the door and pushed the woman onto the bed, ignoring her repeated cries of “no,” the lawsuit alleged.

Three other women who have accused Gooding of sexual abuse were set to testify had the case gone to trial. The judge said their allegations were “sufficiently similar” to Jane Doe’s.

The defense had suggested there was evidence that after the encounter with Gooding the woman returned to meet her friend and bragged about sleeping with a celebrity. The evidence never materialized.

Cardi B says she’s motivated to “get back outside” following New York’s Summer Jam concert

June 6, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Cardi B stepped out over the weekend to headline New York’s Summer Jam concert, and now she’s motivated to “get back outside.” In an Instagram post shared Monday, she reflected on the performance while giving fans hope for some new solo music.

“NEW YORK thank you for showing me so much love!” she captioned a series of photos of her time at the annual concert. “People had nasty things to say for weeks just for it to sell out and turn out amazing.”

“I haven’t released music in a long time but this definitely motivated me to get back outside,” she continued. Cardi thanked “all artists who came out during my set and all of the other amazing artists on the line up.”

“WE DID THAT!!” Cardi added. “Don’t pay attention to the negativity, when the hate don’t work they start telling lies. I’m on a high right now. Thank you @latto777 @21savage @dougieb___@glorillapimp @itsbankhead.”

Cardi’s headlining set Sunday featured performances of hits including “Press,” “WAP,” “I Like It,” “Bartier Carti,” and her features on “Put It On Da Floor” and “Shake It.” Before transitioning into “Tomorrow 2,” she played “Tomorrow” from Annie while images of the orphan played on the big screen. Fans speculated she was throwing shade at Ice Spice, but Cardi seemingly shut down the rumors.

“For y’all muthaf****** that’s on Twitter tryna be messy, please, cut the bulls***,” Cardi B said on Instagram Live following the show. “I don’t — that’s not me, like come on now. First of all, y’all been wanting me to be messy all things. Y’all wanted me to be messy on the song, y’all wanted me to — nah, come on now. Cut the bulls***, please. Get a mop. Y’all being too messy and y’all being annoying.”

Strategically vital Nova Khakovka dam blown up near border with Ukraine and Russia-controlled Crimea

June 6, 2023 by WDNY Radio

(LONDON) — A section of a strategically vital Ukrainian dam and hydroelectric powerplant under Russian control has been blown up. Ukraine and Russia are blaming each other for the breach.

The Nova Kakhovka dam, which was built in 1956 and traverses the enormous Dnipro River in southern Ukraine, suffered an explosion overnight at approximately 2 a.m. local time as a deluge of water could be seen bursting through the dam that had previously held back more than 18 cubic kilometers of water — comparable to the size of the Great Salt Lake in Utah.

The dam’s breach could have a massive impact on the wider war effort between Russia and Ukraine.

A defiant President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held an emergency meeting of his National Security Council on Tuesday and blamed “Russian terrorists” for the dam explosion.

“The destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant dam only confirms for the whole world that they must be expelled from every corner of Ukrainian land,” Zelenskyy said in a message on social media. “Not a single meter should be left to them, because they use every meter for terror. It’s only Ukraine’s victory that will return security. And this victory will come. The terrorists will not be able to stop Ukraine with water, missiles or anything else.”

Meanwhile, an estimated 16,000 residents who live downriver were told to leave immediately after the explosion as the governor of Kherson ordered an immediate evacuation of citizens. Officials told residents they had five hours to get out, instructing them only to take essential documents and directing them to buses that would take them to higher ground.

“The United Nations has no access to independent information on the circumstances that led to the destruction in the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant dam,” the UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement Tuesday. “But one thing is clear: this is another devastating consequence of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.”

The UN said it is rushing support to Ukraine, which includes drinking water, water purification tablets and other “critical” assistance.

The explosion at the Nova Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant, which seems to be beyond repair, could also affect the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant which is located approximately 100 miles upstream.

The reservoir provides cooling water to the plant and the International Atomic Energy Agency, said it is “closely monitoring” the situation surrounding the dam but that there was “no immediate nuclear safety risk” to Zaporizhzhia.

In an interview with the New York Times, Ivan Plachkov — a former minister of energy of Ukraine — said that all six nuclear reactors at the Zaporizhzhia Plant are shut down but still require water to dissipate heat from the radioactive fuel remaining in the reactor cores.

Rachel Brosnahan shares emotional tribute to late aunt Kate Spade

June 6, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Actress Rachel Brosnahan is remembering her aunt Kate Spade five years after her death.

Spade, the fashion designer who co-founded and co-owned the designer brand Kate Spade New York, died by suicide on June 5, 2018.

In a moving Instagram post, she shared of a photo of her when she was a baby with Spade. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star reflected on her aunt’s memory and how she stayed with her in New York City when Brosnahan starred on Broadway in the 2013 revival of The Big Knife.

“Can’t believe it’s been 5 years,” Brosnahan began. “I’ve been thinking about Katy a lot lately because 10 years ago, when I was making my Broadway debut, she let me crash in their extra bedroom while I figured out my living situation.”

“She included me in family dinners every night while we were in rehearsals and would keep extra food for me in the fridge for when I came home from…previews,” she continued. “She would always ask about the play and came with bells on (and the most fabulous outfit) to our opening night. She told me she sobbed through the bows because she was proud.”

Brosnahan added, “She spread stardust over everyone she came into contact with. I was lucky to be in her orbit.”

Brosnahan, who is back on Broadway in The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window alongside Oscar Isaac, ended her post by saying, “It’s strange to be in New York without her,” she said. “It’s strange to be back on stage without her. But also, she’s still here.”

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741. You can reach Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860 (U.S.) or 877-330-6366 (Canada) and The Trevor Project at 866-488-7386.

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