“Barbenheimer” was a phenomenon impossible to manufacture. But, more than a year later, that hasn’t stopped people from trying to make “Glicked” — or even “Babyratu” — happen. The counterprogramming of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” in July 2023 hit a nerve culturally and had the receipts to back it up. Unlike so many things that begin as memes, it transcended its online beginnings. Instead of an either-or, the two movies ultimately complemented and boosted one another at the box office. This combination of images shows promotional art for "Gladiator II," left, and "Wicked." And ever since, moviegoers, marketers and meme makers have been trying to recreate that moment, searching the movie release schedule for odd mashups and sending candidates off into the social media void. Most attempts have fizzled (sorry, “Saw Patrol” ). This weekend is perhaps the closest approximation yet as the Broadway musical adaptation “Wicked” opens Friday against the chest-thumping sword-and-sandals epic “Gladiator II.” Two big studio releases (Universal and Paramount), with one-name titles, opposite tones and aesthetics and big blockbuster energy — it was already halfway there before the name game began: “Wickiator,” “Wadiator,” “Gladwick” and even the eyebrow raising “Gladicked” have all been suggested. “'Glicked' rolls off the tongue a little bit more,” actor Fred Hechinger said at the New York screening of “Gladiator II” this week. “I think we should all band around ‘Glicked.’ It gets too confusing if you have four or five different names for it.” As with “Barbenheimer," as reductive as it might seem, “Glicked” also has the male/female divide that make the fan art extra silly. One is pink and bright and awash in sparkles, tulle, Broadway bangers and brand tie-ins; The other is all sweat and sand, blood and bulging muscles. Both films topped Fandango’s most anticipated holiday movie survey, where 65% of respondents said that they were interested in the “Glicked” double feature. Theaters big and small are also pulling out the stops with movie-themed tie-ins. B&B Theaters will have Roman guards tearing tickets at some locations and Maximus popcorn tubs. Marcus Theaters is doing Oz photo ops and friendship bracelet-making. Alamo Drafthouse is leaning into the singalong aspect (beware, though, not all theaters are embracing this) and the punny drinks like “Defying Gravi-Tea.” This image released by Universal Pictures shows Cynthia Erivo, left, and Ariana Grande in a scene from the film "Wicked." “Rather than it being in competition, I think they’re in conversation,” “Gladiator II” star Paul Mescal said. “This industry needs a shot in the arm. Those films gave it last year. We hope to do it this year.” And the hope is that audiences will flock to theaters to be part of this moment as well. It's a sorely needed influx of could-be blockbusters into a marketplace that's still at an 11% deficit from last year and down 27.2% from 2019, according to data from Comscore. “Competition is good for the marketplace. It’s good for consumers,” said Michael O'Leary, the president and CEO of the National Association of Theatre Owners. “Having two great movies coming out at the same time is simply a multiplier effect.” “Glicked” is currently tracking for a combined North American debut in the $165 million range, with “Wicked” forecast to earn around $100 million (up from the $80 million estimates a few weeks ago) and “Gladiator II” pegged for the $65 million range. “Barbenheimer” shattered its projections last July. Going into that weekend, “Barbie” had been pegged for $90 million and “Oppenheimer” around $40 million. Ultimately, they brought in a combined $244 million in that first outing, and nearly $2.4 billion by the end of their runs. It’s possible “Glicked” will exceed expectations, too. And it has the advantage of another behemoth coming close behind: “Moana 2,” which opens just five days later on the Wednesday before the Thanksgiving holiday. “Glickedana” triple feature anyone? This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Pedro Pascal, left, and Paul Mescal in a scene from "Gladiator II." “These are 10 important days,” O'Leary said. “It’s going to show the moviegoing audience that there’s a lot of compelling stuff out there for them to see.” There are infinite caveats to the imperfect comparison to “Barbenheimer,” as well. “Wicked” is a “Part One.” Musicals carry their own baggage with moviegoers, even those based on wildly successful productions (ahem, “Cats”). “Gladiator II” got a head start and opened internationally last weekend. In fact, in the U.K. it played alongside “Paddington in Peru,” where that double was pegged “Gladdington.” “Gladiator” reviews, while positive, are a little more divided than the others. And neither directors Ridley Scott nor Jon M. Chu has the built-in box office cache that Christopher Nolan’s name alone carries at the moment. The new films also cost more than “Barbie” ($145 million) and “Oppenheimer” ($100 million). According to reports, “Gladiator II” had a $250 million price tag; “Wicked” reportedly cost $150 million to produce (and that does not include the cost of the second film, due next year). The narrative, though, has shifted away from “who will win the weekend.” Earlier this year, Chu told The Associated Press that he loves that this is a moment where “we can root for all movies all the time.” Close behind are a bevy of Christmas releases with double feature potential, but those feel a little more niche. There’s the remake of “Nosferatu,” the Nicole Kidman kink pic “Babygirl” and the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown.” The internet can’t even seem to decide on its angle for that batch of contenders, and none exactly screams blockbuster. Sometimes the joy is just in the game, however. Some are sticking with the one-name mashup (“Babyratu”); others are suggesting that the fact that two of the movies feature real-life exes (Timothée Chalamet and Lily-Rose Depp) is enough reason for a double feature. And getting people talking is half the battle. When in doubt, or lacking a catchy name, there’s always the default: “This is my Barbenheimer.” Associated Press journalist John Carucci and Film Writer Jake Coyle contributed reporting. Last summer, Malibu's iconic blonde faced off against Cillian Murphy and the hydrogen bomb in the unforgettable "Barbenheimer" double feature. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!2024 In ReviewThe government of Côte d'Ivoire has signed a framework agreement with Qatar Charity (QC) in the economic capital, Abidjan, to strengthen collaboration and support efforts toward sustainable development. The agreement was signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Diaspora Kacou Houadja Leon Adom and QC's Abidjan office director Ridha Mabrouk. The ceremony was attended by Qatar’s ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire Mubarak bin Hussein al-Marri. The agreement was signed as part of the government of Côte d'Ivoire's commitment to engaging international organisations in supporting its national economic and social development policies. The agreement is expected to facilitate QC work in Côte d'Ivoire and support the projects it will implement in collaboration with relevant entities. It grants QC various tax and customs exemptions to carry out its humanitarian and development initiatives, providing the necessary resources and tools in line with the country's economic and social development efforts. QC operates globally through more than 33 offices or in partnership with local partners. It has been actively involved in humanitarian and development work in Côte d'Ivoire since 2020, focusing on areas such as education, healthcare, water and sanitation, food security, social empowerment, and social care.Mexico suggests it would impose its own tariffs to retaliate against any Trump tariffs
Injury-riddled Louisville tries to cool off No. 9 Duke
NoneThe popularity of Yuletide customs, such as exchanging greeting cards and getting together to watch TV, has been declining in recent years, but seasonal delicacies are still growing in popularity. When it comes to the food on the plate, everyone has their favourites and least favourites. Social media is rife with claims and opinions regarding your festive feast. We got renowned culinary expert Varuni Perera to give some tips on how to plan and craft a festive feast which will have everyone talking. “December 1 is a special day for everyone because it marks the beginning of the festive season. Cities don Christmas colours and decorations, Christmas trees are set up in households and you get the sweet and spicy aromas of baking everywhere. This is not a time which is reserved for purely Christians and Catholics. Everyone wishes to celebrate the season in their own special way,” she said. Varuni said that thoughts of holiday feasts take centre place during this season as this is the time for loving and giving. Everyone is eager to treat their loved ones in the best manner possible, despite the expenses. “Many ingredients are quite costly today and a housewife thinks twice about spending lavishly on everyday items. However, I believe that this is not the time to focus solely on cross-cutting. The fact that most of us get to eat foods that we wouldn’t typically eat at any other time of the year is one of the best things about this season. These delicious treats are unique because they only appear once a year. So save up a bit throughout the year and put your savings to good use to create delicious memories for your family and friends,” Varuni said. She notes that much like oil cakes, kokis and mung kavum are part of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, there are traditional food items which have been closely associated with the yuletide throughout the years. Such foods include breudher, Christmas cake, Christmas pudding, yule log, mince pies and egg nogs. Homemade seasonal goodies may sound enticing but preparing them while juggling household chores is no piece of cake. A housewife is normally burdened with stress unless she gets the help of other family members. “Unlike in the past, family members are so engaged in their own worlds. Therefore, they mostly spend even their free time towards the holidays with their own work. It is up to the housewife to use her skills and get the others engaged in the baking process. Make some cupcakes and butter icing in various shades and give them to some tiny tots to decorate. Not only will they have fun engaging in the chore but it will add memories to their childhood as they can display their handiwork proudly to their relatives and friends,” she added. “A special item like patties or rolls would be eye-catching among goodies like marshmallows and cakes found at almost every house. People tend to pick a savoury after indulging in so many sweet treats during these times. The best part of this is that you can make them early and keep them refrigerated. That way you can bake or deep fry them immediately just before your guests are expected,” Varuni said. Her message to our readers is to stay true to the essence of Christmas, give and share as much as possible. Not only would it make you feel good at heart but you would bring a moment of joy to someone and make him or her feel appreciated. “There are certain people in the society who do great service to us but their services have escaped our eyes. For example, there are those who take away the trash in every household even during the festive season. Think how much joy they would derive if you simply offered a slice of your homemade Christmas cake. Such simple gestures speak a lot of words,” she said.
Looking for an easy way to break the ice at your next holiday gathering? All the Christmas board games that we’re highlighting in this list do a great job of bringing everyone at your party closer together. Plus, they also make for great gifts, for both children and adults. 10. Last Christmas View at Amazon Looking for a Christmas-themed themed board game that’s guaranteed to make everyone at your holiday party laugh? If so, you’ll love Last Christmas , a fill-in-the-blanks card game that’s incredibly enjoyable and doesn’t take more than a minute to learn. Everyone finishes the sentence on a card, and the players take turns guessing who wrote what. The goofier the better, and the more players the merrier, since this makes it more difficult to figure out who wrote the answers. It can be a completely innocent game, but then again, it definitely doesn’t have to be either. 9. Santa Claus Charades View at Amazon Santa Claus Charades takes the classic acting game and gives it a dose of holiday-themed fun. It’s a good fit for families with younger children, since the rules focus on the images on the cards rather than the words. The game works best for four or more players, since you’ll need to divide everyone into teams. However, the box is small and portable, so you can take it with you to parties and pretty much anywhere else you’re going this December. 8. Reindeer Poop: The Card Game View at Amazon The goofy party game Reindeer Poop is all about collecting sets of gift items to match what’s on your wish list, before anyone else can do the same. Though drawing the titular ‘Reindeer Poop’ card might sound like a bad thing, it’s actually just the opposite, since it works as a wild card. You can also use elf cards to steal a gift from another player, which might alter their plans. Two to four players can join the fun, and it only takes about fifteen minutes to finish a game. It’s the perfect thing to break out while you’re waiting to open gifts. 7. Santa Claus Go Fish Card Game View at Amazon Santa Claus Go Fish is a great stocking stuffer for kids, and comes in a portable container that you can take just about anywhere. It lets you and your kids play and learn all kinds of classic card games, not just Go Fish. You’ll find special cards for Slap Jack and Old Maid in the box, and rules for all the games, which are playable with the same deck. The cards are slightly smaller than your average playing cards, and have all kinds of adorable holiday-themed pictures on them. 6. Monopoly: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation View at Amazon There are a ton of unique and exciting Monopoly editions out there, but few are as silly and quirky as Monopoly: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation . The board and its components highlight the best moments from the classic Christmas film, and will take you on a journey from Uncle Eddie’s trash heap to the Griswold family Christmas tree site. Dry turkey, Snots, and the chainsaw all make an appearance in the form of metal tokens. Add this board game to your collection and you’ll be practically guaranteed to have the hap-hap-happiest Christmas yet. 5. The Santa Claus Game View at Amazon If you’re looking for a straightforward board game that will get your kids even more excited for the holiday season, The Santa Claus Game might be a good fit for you. Each player takes on the role of Santa Claus himself, and works to give away presents while moving around a snowy winter wonderland. In the box you’ll find a pop-up Christmas tree, four small sleighs for storing pieces, and a number of gift tokens that everyone needs to give away. Speaking of gifts, this might be the perfect one for your family. 4. Clue: How the Grinch Stole Christmas View at Amazon Who stole the last can of Who-hash? Well that would of course be the mean one, Mr. Grinch. But where did he steal it, and who’s going to be the first one to figure out all the details of the crime? The Grinch-themed edition of Clue has all the exciting action of the classic mystery-solving board game, but with a few twists that perfectly suit the theme. This time, if you step on a question mark, you’ll have to draw an intrigue card. This will have a novel effect that matches one of the movie’s most iconic scenes. The layout of the board makes it easier to move between locations, and the metal tokens are surprisingly high-quality. 3. Christmas Categories View at Amazon In Christmas Categories , your goal is to answer silly holiday-themed prompts, but only with words that start with a selected letter. For example, you might draw a card that says “gifts you might give your parents”, and end up having to think of a bunch of presents you would buy them that start with the letter L. The player with the most interesting and comedic answers wins the round. It’s easy to learn, and provides joy-filled fun that brings people together and will surely make them laugh. Plus, there’s significantly more variety than your average party game, which means you can play it again and again. 2. ’Tis the Season Christmas Trivia View at Amazon Make your next trivia competition more festive with ’Tis the Season Christmas Trivia , which has questions from all kinds of classic holiday movies, from The Grinch to It’s a Wonderful Life . Besides movies, the questions included here cover TV shows, Christmas carols, and traditions for the season from other countries. You can play in teams, or work solo to prove how much you know. The cards have handy icons for question categories, and the scoring rules are simple. It’s a great game to have on hand for all your Christmas gatherings. 1. Santa Cookie Elf Candy Snowman View at Amazon Looking for a simple, action-packed party game that’s absolutely perfect for the holidays? Santa Cookie Elf Candy Snowman puts your quick thinking skills to the test and makes you wait on the edge of your seat for a match between what someone says and what card they’re playing. It’s a Christmas-themed adaption of the popular card slapping game Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza , and has identical gameplay mechanics. Up to eight players can join the fun, and a game usually only take about 15 minutes.‘What I earned in 1 year on X equals ten years as YouTuber’: Gad Saad's revelation sparks debate. Elon Musk respondsThe Carolina Hurricanes have activated top forward Seth Jarvis from injured reserve. Jarvis missed the last seven games with an upper-body injury. He returned to practice in a no-contact jersey on November 19th. In a corresponding move, Carolina also recalled goaltender Yaniv Perets and assigned defender Ty Smith. Jarvis will return ahead of a three-game homestand for the Hurricanes, giving a much-needed boost to a Carolina offense that got outscored by New Jersey and Columbus in their last two outings. Jarvis has 11 points through 13 games this season, returning to a pivotal role in the team’s top-six and special teams. He’s coming off a prolific 2023-24 campaign, scoring 33 goals and 67 points despite playing most of the season injured. The 22-year-old has established himself as a pillar of the Carolina lineup, and will now get a chance to get back to point-per-game scoring. His return will likely bump William Carrier or Tyson Jost out of the lineup, with Eric Robinson hanging onto his role with four points in his last four games. Carolina also bolsters their net with this move, recalling Perets following a scary injury to de facto starter Pyotr Kochetkov. No update on Kochetkov’s prognosis has been given, but Perets’ recall suggests Carolina will deal with at least a few days without their top netminder. They’ll now have to decide between Spencer Martin and Perets for the starting role. Martin has a 1-2-1 record and a .870 save percentage through five NHL games this year. Perets hasn’t made his first career NHL start yet but has stepped into three AHL games – with a .825 save percentage through three games. With both goalies on NHL recalls, the Chicago Wolves are left with Dustin Tokarski and Ruslan Khazheyev in their net. The Hurricanes will move forward with an improved offense, but tattered goaltending room. They’re 6-3-1 through their last 10 games, outscoring opponents 39-to-28. This article first appeared on Pro Hockey Rumors and was syndicated with permission.The Pittsburgh Steelers look to continue their improbable season atop the AFC North when they visit the disappointing Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday afternoon. The Steelers (8-3) saw their five-game winning streak come to an end last time out, suffering a 24-19 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Nov. 21 in a game that featured a second-half snowstorm. Pittsburgh rallied from an 18-6 deficit to take a 19-18 lead with 6:15 to go in the fourth quarter before the Browns scored what ended up being the game-winning points in the final minute. After the Steelers kicked a 15-yard punt following a three-and-out, their defense went on to allow Cleveland to convert on fourth-and-3, leading to Nick Chubb's 2-yard touchdown run with 57 seconds remaining in the contest. "We just didn't make enough of those critical plays in those moments," Pittsburgh defensive tackle Cameron Heyward said. "We've stepped up in those critical moments. But on the flip side, those three losses we've had, we haven't had those moments. We're trying to change that where, no matter what team, we gotta have those winning moments." All three of the Steelers' losses this season have come against teams that currently have a losing record. Pittsburgh also fell to the Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts. Still, the Steelers currently lead the AFC North, but the Baltimore Ravens (8-4) are right on their tail. It's a tight race in the division that Cincinnati (4-7) has slipped out of. Even though the Bengals have been in a rut -- with three losses in their past four games -- Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor doesn't want his team to just throw in the towel. "This is December football," Taylor said. "This is where it means something. Regardless (of) what our record is right now, you need to play your best football in December, and now, more than ever, we're going to need that from our guys, and they understand that. They subscribe to it, and we just keep ... moving forward from here." The Bengals were on their bye last week, but before that, they were on the wrong end of a 34-27 decision against the Los Angeles Chargers on Nov. 17. Like Pittsburgh, Cincinnati came back from a sizable deficit only to lose. Joe Burrow threw three second-half touchdown passes against Los Angeles as the Bengals climbed out of a 27-6 hole, but Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins found the end zone from 29 yards out with 18 seconds left in regulation to break a 27-27 tie. Burrow went 28-for-50 passing for 356 yards and the three TDs. "I think we're playing a really good team," Heyward said of Cincinnati. "The roster is very good. And you look at their losses, they come down to those critical moments." Making things harder for the Steelers could be the absence of linebacker Alex Highsmith, who did not practice on Wednesday because of an ankle injury. For the Bengals, left tackle Orlando Brown, who has missed the past three games with a leg injury, was a limited participant on Wednesday. Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins missed practice with an illness and starting linebacker Logan Wilson (knee) also did not practice. Burrow (wrist) was a full participant. --Field Level Media
Insurance denied for building near tobacconist over malicious attack fearsMuscat: The highly anticipated Initial Public Offering (IPO) of OQ Base Industries (OQBI) (Under Transformation) began on Sunday and will remain open for five days for retail investors and eight days for institutional investors. This Islamic Sharia compliant IPO, that marks a pivotal milestone in OQBI’s journey, offers approximately 1.7 billion shares, representing 49% of OQBI’s total issued share capital, with a projected value exceeding OMR180 million. OQ Base Industries is the fourth company from OQ Group to launch an IPO, transitioning into a publicly-listed company. This initiative is part of the group’s broader strategy to support Oman’s economic diversification, attract investment, and advance Oman Vision 2040 goals. The plan focuses on converting state-owned assets into publicly traded companies, fostering private sector participation, promoting sustainable growth, and enhancing the capital market by boosting liquidity and investor appeal at both local and international levels. Engineer Ali Mohammed Al-Lawati, Chief People & Technology Officer of OQ Group and Chairman of OQBI, emphasised the offering’s importance, stating, “This IPO reflects our commitment to enhancing Oman’s economic policies and solidifying the Muscat Stock Exchange as a dynamic emerging market attractive to global investors.” He further highlighted that, with this IPO, OQ Group has completed the divestment of four companies over the past two years, transitioning them into publicly- listed companies. Al Lawati also noted that OQBI plays a vital role in enhancing Omani exports and supplying essential raw materials to global industries, adding that the IPO positions the company for future growth, aligned with OQ Group’s vision for the energy sector. Building on this, Khalid Khalfan Al-Asmi, CEO of OQBI, described the IPO as a unique opportunity. “Investors are being offered a chance to participate in a company with robust foundations and a proven track record of success,” he said. To familiarise the public with the IPO, OQBI is organising six roadshows in collaboration with the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Ahmed Suleiman Al-Kindi, International Cooperation Expert at Muscat Clearing and Depository Company (MCDC), highlighted MCDC’s role in supporting OQ Base Industries’ IPO roadshows across various governorates. He emphasized the importance of obtaining an investor number as a prerequisite for participating in subscription and investment activities on the Muscat Stock Exchange. Al-Kindi noted that the roadshows play a key role in raising awareness about the registration process and empowering investors with the knowledge required to navigate equity investments effectively. These sessions, scheduled from Sunday, November 24, to Thursday, November 28, are designed to provide a detailed overview of the public offering. The schedule includes: Sunday: South Al Batinah Governorate at Rustaq OCCI Monday: Ash Sharqiyah North Governorate at Ibra’s OCCI, and in Muscat Governorate at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre. Tuesday: Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate at Nizwa OCCI, Wednesday: Al Batinah North Governorate at Sohar OCCI Thursday: Dhofar Governorate at Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Entertainment in Salalah. These meetings underscore OQBI’s commitment to transparency and engaging potential investors from across Oman, paving the way for an inclusive and impactful IPO process.Vancouver Police Board member resigns over social media posts