🎭 Culture & Entertainment
July 13th, 2026
Today's top 5 stories, curated by Daily Direct.
Hollywood Reporter
Stephen Chow’s ‘Kung Fu Soccer’ Kicks Off With Mighty $74 Million Two-Day Debut at China Box Office
Stephen Chow's long-awaited return to directing delivers a blockbuster opening, with "Kung Fu Soccer" pulling in $74 million across its first two days in China. The "Shaolin Soccer" spinoff is tracking toward a massive $350 million-plus domestic run, signaling Chow's undiminished commercial pull after a seven-year absence from the director's chair. A U.S. release is still being finalized, but early numbers suggest international distributors will be eager to get a piece of the action.
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Variety
Madonna’s ‘Confessions II’ Debuts at No. 1 on Album Chart, as Ken Carson and Sienna Spiro Also Bow in Top 10
Madonna's long-awaited comeback album "Confessions II" launched at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, moving 134,000 equivalent album units in its first week. The result unseated Olivia Rodrigo from the top spot and marks the Queen of Pop's first chart-topper in seven years. The debut signals that her core fanbase remains a formidable commercial force.
Read article →Rolling Stone
Madonna Returns to Number One on the Charts With ‘Confessions II’
Madonna has reclaimed the top spot on the charts with "Confessions II," her tenth number-one album and a milestone that cements her status as one of music's most enduring commercial forces. The achievement makes her the first artist of the 2020s to score chart-toppers across four separate decades. Few careers in pop history have demonstrated this kind of sustained relevance at the highest level.
Read article →Rolling Stone
L7 Bassist Jennifer Finch Diagnosed With Brain Cancer, Launches GoFundMe
Jennifer Finch, bassist of punk rock veterans L7, has been diagnosed with brain cancer and has undergone multiple surgeries. The diagnosis will sideline her from the band's upcoming North American leg of their farewell Last Hurrah tour. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help cover her medical expenses.
Read article →Hollywood Reporter
John Mulaney Makes History in Chicago, Brings Out David Letterman, Fred Armisen and Richard Kind
John Mulaney cemented his place in comedy history this weekend, becoming the first stand-up comedian to perform at Chicago's iconic Wrigley Field. The Chicago native sold out the legendary ballpark, drawing one of the largest live audiences ever assembled for a stand-up show. Surprise appearances from David Letterman, Fred Armisen, and Richard Kind made the milestone evening all the more memorable.
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