Entertainment
Showcasing Hollywoods Big Action Films
This summer is full of big action films, pricey sequels and 3-D extravaganzas. But one of the most buzzed-about films is a low-budget comedy called MacGruber. According to the Los Angeles Times, the film “brought down the house” when it was screened recently at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Tex.
MacGruber, starring Saturday Night Live cast member Will Forte, is based on an SNL sketch about a MacGyver-esque agent who tries (in vain) to defuse bombs using ordinary household items. Forte was able to make the film edgier than the sketches (including a villain named Dieter Von Cunth), earning MacGruber an R rating.
If the film is a box-office success when it comes Forte could be on his way to joining the pantheon of SNL members who have succeeded at the box office. Many have tried to make the leap, but only a few have become box-office heroes.
Topping our list is Eddie Murphy. The comedian performed on SNL during some of its strongest seasons from 1980 to 1984. From there he went on to star in successful movies like Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America and The Nutty Professor.
But it was his work in the animated Shrek series from DreamWorks Animation that has propelled him to No. 1 on our list. As the voice of Donkey, Murphy has become a key player in a franchise that has earned $2.2 billion at the box office so far. That total will jump later this month when the final film, Shrek Forever After, hits theaters in 3-D (opposite MacGruber, which will likely attract a more mature audience).
Over the last 10 years Murphy’s films have earned $3.6 billion at the box office. In addition to the Shrek films, he’s starred in box-office winners like Daddy Day Care and Dr. Dolittle 2. Lately Murphy’s box-office prowess has come into question, though, with a series of duds including Meet Dave and Imagine That, both of which failed to earn back their production budgets at the box office.
To compile our list we looked at SNL cast members’ film work over the last 10 years and added up global box-office earnings. Usually we don’t count animation roles in these sorts of lists because the audiences often don’t know or care who is voicing the characters. We made an exception this time because Murphy and Mike Myers are so inextricably linked with the Shrek movies that the series has become as much about the actors as about the characters (which is why Murphy, Myers and Cameron Diaz earn upwards of $10 million each for their work in each film).
The Shrek films helped land Myers, who voices the green ogre, in second place with $3 billion. Like Murphy, Myers has had a rough couple of years outside of the Shrek films, culminating with the 2008 box-office bomb The Love Guru. From Viacom studio Paramount Pictures, the comedy earned only $40 million at the global box office on an estimated budget of $60 million.
In third place is Adam Sandler. Few actors are as successful at the box office as Sandler. His films have earned $2.1 billion in the last 10 years without the help of a successful animated franchise like Shrek. His 2008 film Bedtime Stories earned $213 million at the global box office.
Robert Downey Jr. ranks fourth with $2 billion. The Iron Man actor was only a cast member for one year in 1985 when the show was in a ratings free fall. After his run on SNL he appeared in well-received movies like Less Than Zero and Chaplin, but struggles with drugs temporarily derailed his career. In the last few years Downey has enjoyed one of the greatest career resurgences Hollywood has seen with hits like Iron Man and Sherlock Holmes. Iron Man 2 last weekend had the fifth-highest opening of all time, taking in $134 million at the U.S. box office.
The only woman who makes our list is Tina Fey, whose films have earned $340 million at the box office, ranking her ninth. Her most recent movie, Date Night, is also her most successful, with $116 million at the box office so far.
Entertainment
“The Legal Day” 2025: Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Moves to Promote French Via Law
In a bid to promote the French language through law and build bridges between communities the Alliance Française Port Harcourt, in collaboration with the Embassy of France in Nigeria has organized the 2025 edition of “La Journée du Droit” (“The Legal Day”)
The event which took place at Alliance Française auditorium was a civic and linguistic celebration designed to help learners of French Language and young citizens discover the importance of law in everyday life.
The Tide Entertainment reports that the event featured interactive quiz sessions, exploring legal rules and civic principles in Nigeria, France, Africa and beyond, pointing out both the similarities and differences between legal systems around the world.
Throughout the day, the event featured interactive quiz sessions exploring legal rules and civic principles in Nigeria, France, Africa, and beyond, highlighting both the similarities and differences between legal systems around the world.
The initiative was aimed at encouraging reflection on the rights and responsibilities shared by all citizens and to promote the values of justice, equality, and mutual respect through the French language.
The programme which had two sessions, (Morning and Afternoon session) witnessed the participation of about 150 students from various levels of education. Ranging from the Primary, Secondary, and tertiary institution for an engaging experience of civic and legal concepts.
Schools in attendance included Surebloom International School, Pleroma High School, Casterly Rock Secondary School, and TotalEnergies Port Harcourt School.
The morning sessions saw the Participation of Alliance Française students in an interactive quiz, enhancing their French comprehension while exploring civic notions.
While the Afternoon session had students from the University of Port Harcourt – UNIPORT (French Language and Law Departments), students from the French Department from both Ignatius Ajuru University of Education and Rivers State University joined in the final rounds of the competition.
According to the director of Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs Marina Lacal, all quiz questions were presented in French, then translated into English to ensure full understanding by participants, saying that winners received special prizes, as all attendees took home souvenirs from the educational and convivial event.
Mrs Lacal said that the diplomatic and educational initiative event “La Journée du Droit” (The Legal Day) sought to promote the French language through law, highlight the capacity of law to build bridges between communities and emphasize law as one of the pillars of French diplomacy.
“Through this initiative, the Alliance Française Port Harcourt continues its mission to foster intercultural dialogue, civic awareness, and the learning of French as a language of knowledge, culture, and citizenship,”?she?added.
The Garden City of Rivers State Port Harcourt at the weekend joined other parts of the world to celebrate the World Music Day, 2025, as Alliance Française showcases talents.
The event which is internationally known as Fête de la musique was held at cultural hall of the Alliance Française was a remarkable concert with memorable experience.
The event brought together music lovers, students, Artistes and members of the community For an exciting evening live performances and cultural exchange.
The Tide Entertainment reports that the world Music Day, which was created 1982 in France by the then Minister of culture, Jack Lang, ‘ Fête de la Musique’ is now celebrated in more than 100 countries every 21st June, marking the first day of summer with free concerts and musical showcases in public spaces.
In Port Harcourt, the Alliance Française honoured the tradition by spotlighting four(4) emerging artistes offering a platform to young talents shaping the city’s contemporary scene.
The audience enjoyed an unforgettable moments as they were entertained by the powerful performances from Preach A, who is known for blending fitness culture with spoken words and rhythm.
Also, artiste Emmayany delivering a vibrant fusion of afrobeat and afro pop. A singer, song writer and a performing artiste with a distinct sound.
Others were Amarachy Uko, a sensational singer with passion for soul , R&B, pop music and afrobeat.
While DJ Prospel closed the night with an energetic DJ set that got the entire hall dancing.
Earlier, the Director, Alliance Française, Port Harcourt Mrs Marina Lacal high lighted the mission of the Alliance Française saying that the event was more than a concert.
According to her, the event was put together by the Alliance Française to promote cultural diversity and foster artistic expression by connecting a long standing French tradition with creativity of the local music scene, adding that the event offerers an avenue for dialogue between culture and generations.
She stated that the event is used to promote professional and bring amateur artistes to limelight via the platform of the Alliance Française which is aimed at promoting the French Language through cultural heritage.
She explained that the celebration is also a broader series of Fête de la musique activities organized by the 10 Alliance Française across Nigeria in sync with concerts held in France and around the world simultaneously.
She further noted that the occasion reaffirms the role of Alliance Française as a cultural bridge, one where French heritage meets the pulses of Nigerian youth.
It would be recalled that no fewer than 19 artistes applied to perform at the event in Port Harcourt, but only four got approval for appearance.
The Governor of the Performing Musicians Employer’s Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Rivers State chapter, Comrade Moses Mabadeje popularly known as Mozy B said that the body has announced plans to implement performance Levy on artistes in the state with effect from 21st June.
This was carried in a statement released to The Tide Entertainment, yesterday by the Deputy Governor of the association, Comrade Abiye Howells.
According to the Governor, the announcement was made by PMAN, the only governing body that regulates the music profession in Nigeria, as authorized by the Government of Nigeria, in line with the Trade Union Act.
He stated that those affected by the Levy include (Non members)bands, groups, Hotels, Bars, lounges, Event Centres, show organizers, promoters and other stakeholders hosting events which feature live music performances within the State.
However, the Levy does not apply to members of the Performing Musicians Employer’s Association of Nigeria. (PMAN).
Comrade Moses Mabadeje, explained that this drive is aimed at financing the association and supporting the welfare and interest of musicians as outlined in Article 8 of the PMAN constitution as amended (2023). Consequently, a PMAN task force has been set up to enforce and swing into action to effect this move.
He further said that event organizers, promoters and owners of event centers are expected to comply with this regulation as the Governor has urged stakeholders to collaborate with the association to ensure the successful implementation of the levy and the peaceful co-existence between PMAN and Stockholders.
Nancy Briggs
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