The actors Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are celebrating the arrival of a baby daughter. Lively, 27, gave birth at a hospital near their home in Bedford, New York, just before the New Year. The name has yet to be revealed. "They're all doing really well," a relative told E! News. "They're obviously loving being new parents." Lively met Reynolds, 38, in 2010 while making the superhero movie Green Lantern together. – The National staff
Marvel unveils Ant-Man trailer
After cleverly teasing fans with a tiny, insect-sized version a few days ago, Marvel unveiled the human-sized trailer for its latest superhero movie, Ant-Man, during the two-hour premiere of its latest TV show, Agent Carter, on Tuesday night. The film stars Michael Douglas as Hank Pym – the original Ant-Man – who passes on a high-tech suit that allows the wearer to shrink himself to petty thief Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and becomes his mentor in an attempt to turn the younger man into a hero. In the original comics, Hank Pym was a founding member of The Avengers, but it is unknown how the film will tie in to The Avengers movies. The film is due out in July. Visit www.thenational.ae/arts-lifestyle to watch the trailer. – The National staff
Harvard group honours Amy Poehler
Amy Poehler has been named Woman of the Year 2015 by Harvard University's Hasty Pudding Theatricals. The group said the comedian "fits so well with Pudding's own tradition of satire and social commentary." Poehler won a Golden Globe last year and has been nominated five times for an Emmy for her role as Leslie Knope in the NBC comedy Parks and Recreation. She will co-host the Globes on Sunday with Tina Fey – the third year in a row they have presented the ceremony. Hasty Pudding is the nation's oldest undergraduate drama troupe, dating back to the late 18th century. Its annual awards honour performers who have made a lasting and impressive contribution. Last year's winners were Helen Mirren and Neil Patrick Harris. Poehler will get a parade and roast January 29. This year's Man of the Year has yet to be announced. – AP
Terror grips People’s Choice host Faris
Anna Faris summed up her feelings about hosting the People's Choice Awards last night in a single word: "Terror". The actress co-hosted the 41st annual awards at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, with her TV mother Allison Janney, her co-star in the TV sitcom Mom. "We don't know what we're doing," former West Wing star Janney said. "We've never hosted a show before. I think they're crazy for having picked us. And we're going to prove it." - AP
HBO orders fifth season of Girls
Cable-TV channel HBO has ordered a fifth season of its hit comedy-drama Girls. "And now we get to do this job for another year? Pinch me," creator and star Lena Dunham told her 1.95 million followers on Twitter, after the announcement. Season four begins in the United States on Sunday – the same night as the Golden Globe awards, at which it's up for best TV comedy series and Dunham, has been nominated for best actress in a comedy series. Inspired by some of Dunham's own experiences, the sitcom tracks the adventures and misadventures of a group of young female friends in New York's Brooklyn. - AFP
The Interview makes $31m online
The Interview has made more than $31 million from its online and on-demand release, Sony Pictures have revealed. The total covers the first 11 days after the film was released online on December 24. The studio said the film has been rented, streamed or bought 4.3 million times. While it is the highest total ever for a digital release of a Hollywood film, The Interview was originally expected to earn about $30 million in its opening weekend on general release at cinemas, before those plans were cancelled following threats of violence in the wake of the Sony hacking scandal. The online takings are on top of about $5 million the film earned in a limited cinema release in 558 theatres. - AP
Sting’s Last Ship sinks on Broadway
The Last Ship, British singer Sting's bid for Broadway success, has been sunk by disappointing audience numbers. His semi-autobiographical musical will close on January 24, after only three months. The musical, a tale of unemployed shipbuilders who embark on one last hurrah and childhood romance gone awry, was inspired by the former Police frontman's upbringing in the northeastern English city of Newcastle.The singer stepped in last month to play the lead role himself, which boosted flagging ticket sales – but not enough to save the show. The theatre struggled to fill seats despite positive reviews after opening night on October 26. - AFP
Elvis’s private jets go up for sale
Two of Elvis Presley’s private jets are up for auction after three decades on display at his Graceland estate in Memphis, Tennessee. Neither the vintage Convair 880, dubbed the Lisa Marie after Presley’s daughter, nor the smaller Lockheed JetStar, known as Hound Dog II, are airworthy.
But for devout fans of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, who would have been 80 on January 8, 2015, the aircraft offer a unique glimpse into his jet-setting lifestyle.
Los Angeles auction house Julien’s said it expected bids from collectors, aviation enthusiasts and entrepreneurs who might put the planes on show elsewhere.
Since the 1980s, the jets, which belong to OKC Partnership of Memphis, have been on display at Graceland under an agreement with Elvis Presley Enterprises, who did not renew that arrangement for this year, prompting OKC to advertise in specialist aviation magazines looking for buyers. With no offers, it decided to try auctioning them instead. Elvis bought the Lisa Marie in April 1975, two years before his death, for $250,000.
- AFP
Bob Dylan to receive award from former US president Jimmy Carter
Former US President Jimmy Carter will present Bob Dylan with the 2015 MusiCares Person of the Year award next month in Los Angeles.
The Recording Academy announced Tuesday that Bruce Springsteen, Willie Nelson and Jack White will perform at the pre-Grammy event on February 6 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
The star-studded gala will also include performances by Jackson Browne, Alanis Morissette, Neil Young, Beck, Norah Jones, the Black Keys, Stills & Nash and John Mellencamp and others.
Past MusiCares Person of the Year honorees include Bono, Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Billy Joel and Quincy Jones. The event is in its 25th year.
The 57th annual Grammys Awards will take place February 8 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The awards will air live on CBS. - AP