Entertainment

Synopsis: Children’s music is terminally uncool to adults and dismissed by music critics, yet adored by kids. MUSIC BOX: HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT explores the underestimated and wildly popular genre, delving behind the scenes to tell the origin stories of some of the top names in the field. It also traces the evolution of this prolific business and how advancements in technology and AI are reshaping and turbo-charging this genre.Featuring a colorful and charming cast and their toe-tapping songs, the film reframes children’s music as a misunderstood yet vital cultural artform that influences how kids develop. It chronicles the unexpected paths artists take to embrace the creative freedom found in writing music that shapes childhoods. Anthony Field of “The Wiggles” turned his songs into a globa...

AMD, eschewing a number in favor of an esoteric moniker, is now positioning the new version of its upscaling tech, dubbed “Redstone,” as a true competitor to Nvidia’s DLSS (deep learning super sampling) software suite. You’ll need the latest AMD GPUs to get most of these updated features, but even if you don’t game on PC, you should be paying attention. This kind of software will inevitably change how we experience gaming on consoles and beyond. The reason why most of your games remain playable at 4K resolutions is because of AI. Specifically, AI upscaling technology takes frames rendered at a lower resolution and bumps them up to a higher resolution, all while keeping the enhanced performance. That’s the simplified explanation of how this works. There are a multitude of other software wor...

The roaring crowds, the howling of the F1 engines and some of the most famous race car drivers in the world. It seemed like a normal practice round of the Grand Prix race at England’s Silverstone Circuit in July 2023, except for one thing: One of the world’s biggest movie stars was sitting in a car at the back of the formation line. Brad Pitt, who plays Sonny Hayes in F1: The Movie, had insisted on doing as much of the actual driving himself — as much as insurers would allow, that is — in hopes it would bring added authenticity to the screen. It was a goal shared by the entire crew, led by director Joseph Kosinski: to make F1 the most accurate portrayal of the sport in Hollywood history. It all started with getting the Formula 1 organization involved. The key proved to be seven-...

US Congress member Scott Fitzgerald has asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate whether two of the American music industry’s smaller collecting societies - AllTrack and Pro Music Rights - are violating laws relating to unfair or deceptive practices. He also suggests that the government agency consider issuing guidance on how music licensing organisations can ensure they are complying with those laws. Fitzgerald has expressed concerns before about the way the performing rights in songs are licensed in the US, including the fact that there are multiple performing rights organisations each representing different repertoires: so ASCAP, BMI, SESAC and GMR, as well as AllTrack and Pro Music Rights.  His new letter relates to concerns about how the smaller societies communicate what son...

Nintendo has announced its Nintendo Switch Online additions for December, which are for all the N64-era 3D platformer fans out there. On December 17, Rayman 2: The Great Escape and Tonic Trouble are joining the Switch’s Nintendo Classics library. As a reminder, N64 games are exclusive to Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers, along with the emulators for the Game Boy Advance, Sega Genesis and GameCube.For retro gaming completionsists, Tonic Trouble might actually be the more interesting get for NSO, despite being far less well known than the Rayman series. It was Ubisoft’s first 3D platformer, but a number of delays meant it ended up releasing in the same year as Rayman 2, and therefore has become a bit lost to time. The game stars an alien janitor named Ed, who accidentally drops a p...

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery continues the adventures of private investigator Benoit Blanc as he endeavors to solve the twistiest mystery in his storied career. Rian Johnson's Knives Out films are beloved for their subversion of common murder-mystery tropes, adopting everyone's favorite part of the genre while reinventing enough elements to feel fresh and new with each installment. Now, the third and possibly final entry of the franchise comes to Netflix this week. Ahead of Wake Up Dead Man, there are plenty of other great murder-mystery movies to whet viewers' appetites. While some play the tropes of the genre straight, others follow Knives Out's example to reinvent mystery movies as a whole. Each of these mysteries are well worth a watch ahead of Rian Johnson's highly antici...

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Compas, a beloved Haitian music and dance genre inspired by merengue and infused with percussion, made… PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Compas, a beloved Haitian music and dance genre inspired by merengue and infused with percussion, made UNESCO’s cultural heritage list on Wednesday. The syncopated rhythm, created in the 1950s, wafts from bars, bedrooms and businesses across Haiti, lifting spirits and providing solace from the country’s grinding poverty and soaring gang violence. On the night of Nov. 18, when Haiti classified for the World Cup for the first time since 1974, compas music accompanied a cheering crowd jogging throug...

Love gaming but don't quite know why? Whether you want to understand more about the hobby that steals so much of your time (and cash) or you're keen to work out exactly why it feels so damn good to watch those numbers go up, there's a wealth of literature out there exploring this wonderful world of play. I've been ripping into these titles for years now, but I keep a select few on my shelf within easy reach, and I've brought them all here to you today. Hint: they make excellent gifts for gamers if you're at a loss.Jane McGonigal's 'Reality is Broken' is one of the first I picked up when I got serious about learning how this artform ticks and it's potential away from the controller. It's where I'd recommend most players start, but it's complemented beautifully by works of Tom Bissell, Jorda...

Netflix has released the list of movies and TV shows that will be expiring from the streaming service beginning in January. There’s a large list of movies that will be taken away on January 1, 2026. There are also some fan favorite films listed here, including the Fifty Shades of Grey franchise, all six seasons of Lost, the Maze Runner movies, and more. By the way, if you don’t know, it’s normal for Netflix to remove titles each month, and this is not just happening due to the clock striking midnight on January 1, 2026. We’ve gathered up a list of all the titles listed, and you can see for yourself. Be sure to get streaming if you have any of these shows or films on your must-watch list. Keep reading to find out more… Scroll down to see what is being removed from Netflix in 2026, so far… ...

Sunday, Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. — RANDOLPH—Internationally renowned vocal ensemble Windborne invites audiences to celebrate the season with “Music of Midwinter,” a heartfelt concert that brings light to the darkest time of year. Known for their four-part harmonies and dedication to traditional music from around the world, Windborne will draw on midwinter music spanning continents and centuries—from American and British Isles folk songs to classical works and global traditions. Their lush vocals and warm stage presence create an intimate and uplifting atmosphere that has captivated audiences worldwide. While their Burlington performance is sold out, tickets remain available for their Chandler Music Hall appearance. Windborne—featuring Lauren Breunig, Jeremy Carter-Gordon, Lynn Rowan, and Will Row...