LOS ANGLES: James Horner, the celebrated composer of the scores of several Hollywood smash-hit films including “Titanic” and “Avatar,” died in a plane crash at the age of 61, US media reported.
Hollywood trade magazine Variety reported the composer died when his private aircraft crashed in Santa Barbara, California.
“Brilliant Composer James Horner, friend & collaborator on 7 movies has tragically died in a plane crash. My heart aches for his loved ones,” wrote director and colleague Ron Howard on Twitter.
Horner won two Oscars for his work on “Titanic” — one for its theme song “My Heart Will Go On,” performed by Celine Dion, and another for the film’s score.
He also won Oscar nominations for the music of numerous other box-office hits, including “Apollo 13,” “Braveheart” and “Field of Dreams.” His first nomination came in 1986 for the sci-fi horror film “Aliens.”
Horner’s most recent Oscar nomination was for another sci-fi epic, James Cameron’s 2009 blockbuster “Avatar.”
With expansive and emotive soundscapes, Horner’s scores carried films to their climax and accompanied top actors as they delivered some of their most moving performances.
Tender kisses in “The Amazing Spider-Man,” grand battles in “Troy” and moments of stirring drama in “A Beautiful Mind” were all set up by Horner’s hand.
American film touchstones of the 1990s such as “Patriot Games,” “Searching for Bobby Fischer” and “Jumanji” were also composed by Horner.
Top actors and directors in the film and television world paid tribute to Horner online.
“Incredibly saddened to hear about the loss of James Horner. I grew up loving his work. He leaves behind a spectacular musical legacy,” television series creator Seth MacFarlane tweeted.
“There is nothing that shaped my movie-going experience more than the musical genius of James Horner. He will live on through the ages,” tweeted actor Rob Lowe.
Actor Ron Perlman, who starred in “Enemy at the Gates,” said he was “lucky to be able to say I was in a movie that was scored by James Horner.”
“Flights of angels dear sweet beautiful mind...,” he wrote on Twitter. Other composers also spoke of Horner’s lasting influence on their careers.
“James Horner, thank you for inspiring a young me to pursue a career in film music. Thank you for your music. Rest in peace.” wrote Steve Jablonsky who composed music for the “Transformers” film series. Horner also scored popular animated films “The Land Before Time” (1988) and “An American Tail: Fievel Goes West” (1991).
He was nominated for an Oscar for the song “Somewhere Out There” in “An American Tail.”
‘Titanic’ music composer Horner dies in air crash
‘Titanic’ music composer Horner dies in air crash
Viral phenomenon in Argentina has young people identifying themselves as animals
- As the movement gains traction, psychologists are stepping in to analyze the phenomenon and its place in public discourse
BUENOS AIRES: On a recent Sunday, a Buenos Aires plaza transformed into a makeshift wilderness for an unusual group of teenagers.
Sofía, wearing a lifelike beagle mask, ran across the grass on all fours. Nearby, 15-year-old Aguara leapt through the air, clearing an obstacle course while imitating the precise movements of a Belgian breed dog. Others dressed as cats and foxes perched in the branches of trees, keeping their distance from curious onlookers.
It was the latest gathering of “therians,” individuals who say they identify mentally, spiritually or psychologically with non-human animals. The trend has taken over Argentine social media over the past few months, gaining traction on platforms like TikTok, where the hashtag #therian has surpassed 2 million posts, with Argentina leading all other Latin American countries in engagement. The surge has drawn the attention of influencers and media outlets alike, sparking reactions that range from laughter and bewilderment to outright anger.
And as the movement gains traction, psychologists are stepping in to analyze the phenomenon and its place in public discourse.
Aguara, who claims to identify as a Belgian Malinois and counts her age as the equivalent of two years and two months in dog years, says she’s a lot like any other teenager.
“I wake up like a normal person and live my life like a normal person,” she said. “I simply have moments when I like being a dog.”
As the leader of what she calls her “pack,” Aguara — the name she identifies with — boasts more than 125,000 followers on TikTok and coordinates regular meetups around the Argentine capital.
Aru, a 16-year-old who wore a seal mask to the park meetup, said she considers herself part of the “otherpaw” branch of therians: individuals who wear masks and tails or move on all fours just for fun. “It’s not necessarily about identifying as an animal,” she said.
She reckons the therian trend took off in Argentina because of the country’s “fairly free” environment. For other young Argentines, the movement has provided a vital community where they can feel truly accepted.
Should parents be worried?
Débora Pedace, a psychologist and director of the Integral Therapeutic Center in Buenos Aires, acknowledged that the phenomenon generates a complex mix of confusion, laughter and even anger.
“From a psychological standpoint, this is a symbolic identification with an animal,” Pedace said. “It becomes pathological or alarming only when it turns into a deeply rooted belief and the person fully assumes the role of an animal, potentially leading to self-harm or hurting others.”
