A Ukrainian circus group is on a never-ending "Alice in Wonderland" tour of Italy, trapped in the real-world rabbit hole of having to put on happy shows on stage while their people at home are suffering through war.

Ukrainian performers raise money for families back home, amid war

Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan are brother and sister in the new fantasy film 'Come Away'&nbsp;that puts a new spin on two of the best-known British children’s classic stories.

And that’s not all. Both Peter and Alice are played by multi-racial young actors, with David Oyelowo playing their father and Angelina Jolie playing their mother in turn of the 20th century England.

“They are iconic characters in beloved fairy tales, but we’ve never seen them put together,” said Oyelowo, best known for playing American civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr, in 'Selma'.

“These are fictional fantasy characters that race is not something that is tied to their representation on film,” he added. “I think there are far more people who are going to celebrate what we do in this film than the few and small voices who take umbrage with it.”

'Come Away'&nbsp;is released in US&nbsp;movie theaters on Friday and in the UK&nbsp;on December 4.

Director Brenda Chapman said she was initially looking to cast a white man in the role, until Oyelowo’s name came up.

“This is something new. And it opens up the world to so many more people (by making) these characters more relatable,” said Chapman, who described herself as a middle-aged white woman.

Keira Chansa said the chance to play the young Alice was refreshing.

“I’ve always watched the films and read the books, and it was always a white girl,” she said. “So to be able to experience it, to be somebody who looks like me, is a big change in the world and makes a big difference.” 
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Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan are brother and sister in the new fantasy film 'Come Away' that puts a new spin on two of the best-known British children’s classic stories.

Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan are brother and sister in the new fantasy film 'Come Away' that puts a new spin on two of the best-known British children’s classic stories. And that’s not all. Both Peter and Alice are played by multi-racial young actors, with David Oyelowo playing their father and Angelina Jolie playing their mother in turn of the 20th century England. “They are iconic characters in beloved fairy tales, but we’ve never seen them put together,” said Oyelowo, best known for playing American civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr, in 'Selma'. “These are fictional fantasy characters that race is not something that is tied to their representation on film,” he added. “I think there are far more people who are going to celebrate what we do in this film than the few and small voices who take umbrage with it.” 'Come Away' is released in US movie theaters on Friday and in the UK on December 4. Director Brenda Chapman said she was initially looking to cast a white man in the role, until Oyelowo’s name came up. “This is something new. And it opens up the world to so many more people (by making) these characters more relatable,” said Chapman, who described herself as a middle-aged white woman. Keira Chansa said the chance to play the young Alice was refreshing. “I’ve always watched the films and read the books, and it was always a white girl,” she said. “So to be able to experience it, to be somebody who looks like me, is a big change in the world and makes a big difference.”

'Come Away' lets Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan take flight with multiracial cast

The famous West Coast Halloween parades may be canceled, but residents of Los Angeles can still enjoy some pumpkin fun at a drive through ranch in Calabasas. 'Nights of the Jacks' allows cars to drive through numerous themed displays made from pumpkins. Hollywood, Alice in Wonderland, dinosaurs as well as ghosts and ghouls are all part of the illuminated event at King Gillette Ranch.

Halloween Jack O'Lantern celebration transformed into contactless drive-thru event

On Sir John Tenniel's 200th birth anniversary, Google dedicated a doodle to the legendary illustrator. Born in London on February 28 1820, the illustrator is best known for his work for Lewis Carroll's 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' (1865). 
 
He was knighted for his artistic achievement in 1893. Sir Tenniel lost vision in his right eye due to an accident at the age of 20 yet went on to create some iconic images.&nbsp; 
 
Trained at the Royal Academy schools, he sent his first picture to the exhibition of the Society of British Artists, in 1836. He even contributed a 16-foot cartoon to a design competition for the mural decoration of the new Palace of Westminster and as a reward, received £100 and a commission for a fresco in the Upper Waiting Hall at the House of Lords. 
 
He was the principal political cartoonist for 'Punch' magazine and was also known for his work in 'Through the Looking-Glass'(1872).&nbsp; 
 
Tenniel was introduced to Mr Carroll in 1864 when he agreed to create 42 illustrations for 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'. His work, though detailed and vivid were often made to alter by the writer. Tenniel's work for Carroll's epic story made him a household name and very popular among children. &nbsp;

On Sir John Tenniel's 200th birth anniversary, Google dedicated a doodle to the legendary illustrator. Born in London on February 28 1820, the illustrator is best known for his work for Lewis Carroll's 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' (1865).

On Sir John Tenniel's 200th birth anniversary, Google dedicated a doodle to the legendary illustrator. Born in London on February 28 1820, the illustrator is best known for his work for Lewis Carroll's 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' (1865). He was knighted for his artistic achievement in 1893. Sir Tenniel lost vision in his right eye due to an accident at the age of 20 yet went on to create some iconic images. Trained at the Royal Academy schools, he sent his first picture to the exhibition of the Society of British Artists, in 1836. He even contributed a 16-foot cartoon to a design competition for the mural decoration of the new Palace of Westminster and as a reward, received £100 and a commission for a fresco in the Upper Waiting Hall at the House of Lords. He was the principal political cartoonist for 'Punch' magazine and was also known for his work in 'Through the Looking-Glass'(1872). Tenniel was introduced to Mr Carroll in 1864 when he agreed to create 42 illustrations for 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'. His work, though detailed and vivid were often made to alter by the writer. Tenniel's work for Carroll's epic story made him a household name and very popular among children.

Google Doodle celebrates 'Alice In Wonderland' illustrator Sir John Tenniel's 200th birth anniversary

Russia told Britain at the United Nations Security Council on Thursday that "you're playing with fire and you'll be sorry" over its accusations that Moscow was to blame for poisoning a former Russian spy and his daughter.

It was the second showdown between Russia and Britain at the world body since the March 4 nerve agent attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in an English town. Russia, which requested Thursday's council meeting, denies any involvement.

The attack has had major diplomatic ramifications, with mass expulsions of Russian and Western diplomats. The 15-member Security Council first met over the issue on March 14 at Britain's request.

"We have told our British colleagues that 'you're playing with fire and you'll be sorry'," Russian UN&nbsp;Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said during a more than 30-minute speech that attempted to poke holes in Britain's allegations against Moscow.

He suggested that anyone who watched television crime shows like Britain's 'Midsomer Murders' would know "hundreds of clever ways to kill someone" to illustrate the "risky and dangerous" nature of the method Britain says was used to target Skripal.

British police believe a nerve agent was left on the front door of the Salisbury home where Skripal lived after he was freed in a spy swap. He was a military intelligence colonel who betrayed dozens of Russian agents to Britain's MI6 spy service.

"We believe that the UK's actions stand up to any scrutiny," British UN&nbsp;Ambassador Karen Pierce told the Security Council. "We have nothing to hide ... but I do fear that Russia might have something to fear."

At the global chemical weapons watchdog Wednesday, Russia called for a joint inquiry into the poisoning of the Skripals, but lost a vote on the measure.

"Allowing Russian scientists into an investigation where they are the most likely perpetrators of the crime in Salisbury would be like Scotland Yard inviting in Professor Moriarty," Pierce told reporters earlier on Thursday, citing a character from "Sherlock Holmes."

At the end of the council meeting, Nebenzia read a passage from the novel "Alice in Wonderland" about a trial where the Queen demands the sentence first and the verdict afterward. "Does that remind you of anything?" he added.

Pierce responded: "There is another very good quote from Alice in Wonderland which is: 'sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast' so I think that's the quote the suits my Russian colleague best."

Russia told Britain at the United Nations Security Council on Thursday that "you're playing with fire and you'll be sorry" over its accusations that Moscow was to blame for poisoning a former Russian spy and his daughter

Russia told Britain at the United Nations Security Council on Thursday that "you're playing with fire and you'll be sorry" over its accusations that Moscow was to blame for poisoning a former Russian spy and his daughter. It was the second showdown between Russia and Britain at the world body since the March 4 nerve agent attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in an English town. Russia, which requested Thursday's council meeting, denies any involvement. The attack has had major diplomatic ramifications, with mass expulsions of Russian and Western diplomats. The 15-member Security Council first met over the issue on March 14 at Britain's request. "We have told our British colleagues that 'you're playing with fire and you'll be sorry'," Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said during a more than 30-minute speech that attempted to poke holes in Britain's allegations against Moscow. He suggested that anyone who watched television crime shows like Britain's 'Midsomer Murders' would know "hundreds of clever ways to kill someone" to illustrate the "risky and dangerous" nature of the method Britain says was used to target Skripal. British police believe a nerve agent was left on the front door of the Salisbury home where Skripal lived after he was freed in a spy swap. He was a military intelligence colonel who betrayed dozens of Russian agents to Britain's MI6 spy service. "We believe that the UK's actions stand up to any scrutiny," British UN Ambassador Karen Pierce told the Security Council. "We have nothing to hide ... but I do fear that Russia might have something to fear." At the global chemical weapons watchdog Wednesday, Russia called for a joint inquiry into the poisoning of the Skripals, but lost a vote on the measure. "Allowing Russian scientists into an investigation where they are the most likely perpetrators of the crime in Salisbury would be like Scotland Yard inviting in Professor Moriarty," Pierce told reporters earlier on Thursday, citing a character from "Sherlock Holmes." At the end of the council meeting, Nebenzia read a passage from the novel "Alice in Wonderland" about a trial where the Queen demands the sentence first and the verdict afterward. "Does that remind you of anything?" he added. Pierce responded: "There is another very good quote from Alice in Wonderland which is: 'sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast' so I think that's the quote the suits my Russian colleague best."

'You're playing with fire,' Russia tells Britain at UN nerve agent attack meeting

Fox`s &quot;X-Men: Apocalypse&quot; and Disney`s &quot;Alice Through the Looking Glass&quot; squared off over Memorial Day weekend, but both blockbuster hopefuls emerged bruised from this box office clash of the titans. 
 
The latest X-Men adventure easily topped the weekend, earning an estimated $65 million. It is on pace to pull in over $76 million over the four-day spell. That`s a solid start, but a significant drop off from the $110.5 million that the previous film, &quot;X-Men: Days of Future Past,&quot; racked up over the 2014 Memorial Day holiday. 
 
Things were much bleaker for &quot;Alice Through the Looking Glass.&quot; The follow-up to 2010`s &quot;Alice in Wonderland,&quot; which racked up more than $1 billion during its run, stumbled out of the gate, bombing with $28.1 million and a projected $35 over the four-day period. That`s a disastrous start for a film with an $170 million production budget. 
 
The fantasy adventure will try to staunch the bleeding overseas, where &quot;Alice Through the Looking Glass&quot; grossed an estimated $65 million from such major territories as Italy, Russia, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Brazil. The film has opened in 72 percent of the international market, with France (June 1), Japan (July 1), and South Korea (Sept. 8) still on deck. 
 
&quot;Alice`s&quot; opening is bad news for Johnny Depp, whose star has waned in recent years, its luster diminished by flops such as &quot;Mortdecai&quot; and &quot;Transcendence.&quot; The actor was in the headlines over the weekend after his wife Amber Heard filed for divorce, alleging abuse. 
 
Both new releases failed to hit tracking, with some analysts expecting &quot;X-Men: Apocalypse&quot; to debut to between $80 million and $100 million, and many box office sages projecting an &quot;Alice&quot; launch in the $55 million range. The competition appeared to take a chunk out of both film`s ticket sales. 
 
Some analysts believe that the &quot;Alice in Wonderland&quot; sequel couldn`t compete in the crowded summer season. The first film debuted in the spring, when there were fewer major studio releases vying for attention. 
 
&quot;`X-Men` destroyed Alice, no question,&quot; said Jeff Bock, an analyst with Exhibitor Relations. &quot;That`s what happens when a spring fling attempts to go fult-tilt summer blockbuster. We`ve seen this happen in the past and it usually doesn`t work out.&quot; 
 
Sony`s &quot;The Angry Birds Movie&quot; took third place in its second weekend of release, earning approximately $19 million, to bring its domestic haul to roughly $72 million.&nbsp; 
 
In fourth place, &quot;Captain America: Civil War&quot; added $15.1 million to its total. The super hero film has earned $377 million domestically, pushing it past &quot;Deadpool&quot; to become the year`s highest-grossing stateside release. &quot;Neighbor`s 2: Sorority Rising&quot; rounded out the top five, nabbing $9.1 million to push its domestic gross to $40.4 million after two weeks in theaters. 
 
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Fox`s "X-Men: Apocalypse" and Disney`s "Alice Through the Looking Glass" squared off over Memorial Day weekend, but both blockbuster hopefuls emerged bruised from this box office clash of the titans. The latest X-Men adventure easily topped the weekend, earning an estimated $65 million.

Fox`s "X-Men: Apocalypse" and Disney`s "Alice Through the Looking Glass" squared off over Memorial Day weekend, but both blockbuster hopefuls emerged bruised from this box office clash of the titans. The latest X-Men adventure easily topped the weekend, earning an estimated $65 million. It is on pace to pull in over $76 million over the four-day spell. That`s a solid start, but a significant drop off from the $110.5 million that the previous film, "X-Men: Days of Future Past," racked up over the 2014 Memorial Day holiday. Things were much bleaker for "Alice Through the Looking Glass." The follow-up to 2010`s "Alice in Wonderland," which racked up more than $1 billion during its run, stumbled out of the gate, bombing with $28.1 million and a projected $35 over the four-day period. That`s a disastrous start for a film with an $170 million production budget. The fantasy adventure will try to staunch the bleeding overseas, where "Alice Through the Looking Glass" grossed an estimated $65 million from such major territories as Italy, Russia, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Brazil. The film has opened in 72 percent of the international market, with France (June 1), Japan (July 1), and South Korea (Sept. 8) still on deck. "Alice`s" opening is bad news for Johnny Depp, whose star has waned in recent years, its luster diminished by flops such as "Mortdecai" and "Transcendence." The actor was in the headlines over the weekend after his wife Amber Heard filed for divorce, alleging abuse. Both new releases failed to hit tracking, with some analysts expecting "X-Men: Apocalypse" to debut to between $80 million and $100 million, and many box office sages projecting an "Alice" launch in the $55 million range. The competition appeared to take a chunk out of both film`s ticket sales. Some analysts believe that the "Alice in Wonderland" sequel couldn`t compete in the crowded summer season. The first film debuted in the spring, when there were fewer major studio releases vying for attention. "`X-Men` destroyed Alice, no question," said Jeff Bock, an analyst with Exhibitor Relations. "That`s what happens when a spring fling attempts to go fult-tilt summer blockbuster. We`ve seen this happen in the past and it usually doesn`t work out." Sony`s "The Angry Birds Movie" took third place in its second weekend of release, earning approximately $19 million, to bring its domestic haul to roughly $72 million. In fourth place, "Captain America: Civil War" added $15.1 million to its total. The super hero film has earned $377 million domestically, pushing it past "Deadpool" to become the year`s highest-grossing stateside release. "Neighbor`s 2: Sorority Rising" rounded out the top five, nabbing $9.1 million to push its domestic gross to $40.4 million after two weeks in theaters.

Box Office: ''X-Men: Apocalypse'' hits $65 million, ''Alice Through the Looking Glass'' flops