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Entertaintment

Cheap Trick built their legend on a live recording: 1978’s At Budokan, a single-LP distillation of two Tokyo performances that transformed the Rockford, Illinois, quartet from power-pop pranksters into classic-rock icons. Originally intended as a limited-edition promo souvenir, At Budokan sparked a shockwave of Japanese adulation that reverberated all the way back to America, where an official release eventually racked up triple-platinum sales. But the snapshot of Cheap Trick that At Budokan captured was highly selective, if not a little misleading: Its taut 10-song tracklist presents a showbiz-savvy act complete with their own readymade entrance theme and rollicking old-time rock ‘n’ roll covers to complement a bounty of crowd-pleasing pop singles. The truth is Cheap Trick was also the strangest and surliest band to sneak its way into the ‘70s arena-rock pantheon. The new four-disc box set Live at the Whisky 1977 highlights the freaky flipside of their split personality, making the case that these FM-radio heroes were more like a nihilistic punk-rock band in ’70s-heartthrob clothing.

Two years before At Budokan lodged them in the Billboard Top 10, Cheap Trick were upstart Epic Records signees with one commercially underperforming album under their belt, but enough word-of-mouth clout to land the opening slot on KISS’ 1977 summer tour. To get into road-warrior shape—and to test-drive songs from their next two studio albums, In Color and Heaven Tonight—the band booked five shows over a single June weekend at L.A.’s fabled Whisky-a-Go-Go, four of which were recorded on a mobile studio provided by the Record Plant. But the tapes were put on the back burner once At Budokan blew up.

Though some of these recordings have already turned up on a 1996 box set and a 2020 Record Store Day release, Live at the Whisky 1977 is the first set to reproduce the residency almost entirely, complete with wildly varying setlists, guitarist Rick Nielsen’s peculiar stage banter (sample: “This is a real sad song about a friend of ours who killed the shit out himself”) and repeated drunken audience requests for first-album favorite “He’s a Whore.” Short of a time machine or costly VR headset, these ferocious recordings offer the most vivid experience of what it might have been like to stand directly in front of a PA speaker while Cheap Trick laid waste to a small venue in 1977.

Cheap Trick would introduce refinements like piano and harpsichord on their next studio albums, but the band onstage at the Whisky was still running on electric-guitar malevolence and adrenaline, prioritizing bravado and intensity over proficiency. Even as they were testing out certain setlist strategies that would soon become permanent features of their playbook—like combining the swaggering “Hello There” and the swooning ”Come On Come On” into a one-two opening hit of anarchy and ecstasy—they were still figuring out how the songs actually go. On its journey to power-pop immortality, the latter tune soars skyward only to briefly nosedive with a flubbed first chorus. If the Cheap Trick heard on At Budokan was a well-oiled machine, this version of the band ran so hot, they frequently overheated the engine: Each of the Whisky shows is dotted with extended between-song pauses that are long enough to necessitate their own track designations.

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Cheap Trick built their legend on a

Entertaintment, Press Releases, TV

From Emmy® winner David Mandel (HBO’s “Veep”) and starring Woody Harrelson and Justin Theroux, the five-episode limited series White House Plumbers debuts March 2023 on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max. White House Plumbers tells the story of how Nixon’s own political saboteurs and Watergate masterminds, E. Howard Hunt (Woody Harrelson) and G. Gordon Liddy (Justin Theroux), accidentally toppled the presidency they were zealously trying to protect.

Check out the teaser trailer below:

Cast: Lena Headey (Dorothy Hunt), Judy Greer (Fran Liddy), Domhnall Gleeson (John Dean), Toby Huss (James McCord), Ike Barinholtz (Jeb Magruder), Kathleen Turner (Dita Beard), Kim Coates (Frank Sturgis), Yul Vazquez (Bernard “Macho” Barker), Alexis Valdés (Felipe De Diego), Nelson Ascencio (Virgilio “Villo” Gonzalez), Tony Plana (Eugenio “Muscolito” Martinez), Zoe Levin (Lisa Hunt), Liam James (Saint John Hunt), Kiernan Shipka (Kevan Hunt), Tre Ryder (David Hunt), David Krumholtz (William O. Bittman), F. Murray Abraham (Judge Sirica), Rich Sommer (Egil “Bud” Krogh), and John Carroll Lynch (John Mitchell)

Credits: Directed and executive produced by David Mandel; created, written and executive produced by Alex Gregory and Peter Huyck; executive produced by Frank Rich, David Bernad, Gregg Fienberg, Justin Theroux, Woody Harrelson, Len Amato, and Ruben Fleischer. An HBO co-production with wiip with executive producers Paul Lee, Mark Roybal and Nne Ebong. Based in part on public records and the book “Integrity” by Egil “Bud” Krogh and Matthew Krogh.

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From Emmy® winner David Mandel (HBO’s “Veep”) and starring

Entertaintment, TV

HBO Max released today a new brand spot featuring highly anticipated HBO and Max Originals coming to the platform in 2023.

This brand spot showcases new HBO Originals including drama series The Last of Us, debuting January 15, limited series White House Plumbers, debuting in March, and The Idol, True Detective: Night Country and Rain Dogs. Featured Max Originals include the adult animated series Velma, coming January 12, the limited series Love & Death and Full Circle and the return of Warrior.

The spot also features returning favorites including HBO Original drama series Succession, Perry Mason, The Gilded Age and Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, as well as HBO Original comedies Barry, Somebody Somewhere, The Righteous Gemstones, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Returning Max Originals highlighted in the spot include Emmy®-winning comedy Hacks, And Just Like That…, Our Flag Means Death, Julia, The Other Two, and more.

Check out the promo below:

Below is a full list of all titles showcased in the new HBO Max brand spot:
*Indicates a new title debuting in 2023

And Just Like That… (Max Original Comedy Series)
Barry (HBO Original Comedy Series)
A Black Lady Sketch Show (HBO Original Comedy Series)
Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO Original Comedy Series)
Doom Patrol (Max Original Series)
The Gilded Age (HBO Original Drama Series)
Hacks (Max Original Comedy Series)
Hard Knocks In Season: The Arizona Cardinals (HBO Original Unscripted Series)
Harley Quinn (Max Original Animated Series)
How To With John Wilson (HBO Original Comedy Series)
*The Idol (HBO Original Drama Series)
Julia (Max Original Series)
*The Last of Us (HBO Original Drama Series) debuts January 15
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO Original Late-Night Series) returns in February
*Love & Death (Max Original Limited Series)
The Other Two (Max Original Comedy Series)
Our Flag Means Death (Max Original Comedy Series)
*Full Circle (Max Original Limited Series)
Perry Mason (HBO Original Drama Series) debuts March 6
*Rain Dogs (HBO Original Comedy Series)
Rap Sh!t (Max Original Comedy Series)
Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO Unscripted Series) returns January 20
The Righteous Gemstones (HBO Original Comedy Series)
Somebody Somewhere (HBO Original Comedy Series)
Succession (HBO Original Drama Series)
Titans (Max Original Series)
Tokyo Vice (Max Original Drama Series)
True Detective: Night Country (HBO Original Drama Series)
*Velma (Max Original Adult Animated Series) debuts January 12
Warrior (Max Original Drama Series)
*White House Plumbers (HBO Original Limited Series) debuts March 2023
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (HBO Original Drama Series)

HBO Max introduces this brand spot after a prolific 2022 of award-winning and record-breaking titles that included the debut of the HBO Original series and specials House of the Dragon, The Rehearsal, Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel and more, along with new seasons of The White Lotus, Euphoria and Industry as well as Max Original fan favorites Peacemaker, The Sex Lives of College Girls and Love, Lizzo.

Most HBO subscribers in the U.S. have access to the HBO Max app as part of their HBO subscription and can visit HBOMax.com for more details. Additionally, new and returning subscribers have access to HBO Max starting at $9.99 a month or $99.99 for the year for HBO Max With Ads (16% savings). The HBO Max Ad-Free subscription is currently $14.99 a month or $149.99 for the year (16% savings).

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HBO Max released today a new brand

Entertaintment, TV

On March 4th, comedy icon Chris Rock will take the stage in Baltimore, Maryland for the first-ever Netflix live streamed global event, Chris Rock: Selective Outrage. The historical show will stream live at 10pm ET/7pm PT. Additional details will be announced  soon.

This is Rock’s second Netflix stand-up special. His first, Chris Rock: Tamborine, debuted in February 2018.

The live event  builds on Netflix’s legacy of leadership in live comedy. Netflix is a Joke: The Festival was the biggest live, in-person event in Netflix history, taking place in Spring 2022. The unprecedented event sold more than 260,000 tickets, featuring more than 330 comedians performing 295 shows across more than 35 venues in Los Angeles. The festival also featured the first-ever stand-up show at Dodger Stadium.

Netflix is the definitive home for all things comedy. Live events are one facet of Netflix’s unmatched ecosystem for comedic talent, as the entertainment company continues to invest in scripted comedy for TV and film; stand-up; sketch; comedy formats; and animation.

About Chris Rock

Chris Rock is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and filmmaker. Known for his work in comic film, television and stage, he has received multiple accolades, including three Grammy Awards for best comedy album and four Primetime Emmy Awards as well as a Golden Globe Award nomination.

About Netflix

Netflix is one of the world’s leading entertainment services with 223 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries, feature films and mobile games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can play, pause and resume to watch, as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, and can change their plans at any time.

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On March 4th, comedy icon Chris Rock

Entertaintment, Film, Press Releases

Queue says goodbye to 2022 with its eleventh issue highlighting Greta Gerwig, star of one of the season’s most anticipated films, White Noise. Having spent the past six years writing and directing, Gerwig makes a triumphant return to acting in Noah Baumbach’s adaptation of Don DeLillo’s award-winning novel published in 1985. Ever insightful, the multihyphenate digs deep into her creative partnerships and her affection for White Noise’s timely themes: “We spend so much of our lives trying to pretend that chaos doesn’t exist, and then it comes for you, one way or another.”

Along with Gerwig’s interview, the issue features White Noise writer-director Baumbach in conversation with fellow auteur Wes Anderson, with the longtime friends diving deep into the creation of the 1980s-set exploration of life, death and toxic consumerism in the American suburbs. “Wes and I,” said Baumbach, “we go about our lives and then we often reunite at Q&As.” Added Anderson: “About half of the time we spend catching up is in front of a small audience in the basement of the hotel.”

They are not the only high-profile creatives in conversation in Queue Issue 11. Joe Wright interviews Guillermo del Toro about his visionary stop-motion animated fable Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio; The Pale Blue Eye’s filmmaker Scott Cooper and star Christian Bale reveal their ambitions for the gothic murder mystery; prolific writer-producer Ryan Murphy assembles the stars of his DAHMER – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story to explore the drama’s significant cultural impact; and on a somewhat brighter note, Drew Barrymore salutes Adam Sandler for his remarkable work producing and starring in basketball passion project Hustle.

Check out the trailer Netflix originally released for it’s upcoming films for 2022 below:

Queue’s storytelling continues beyond the magazine’s pages on the podcast Skip Introwith Krista Smith. Although they refused to reveal writer-director Rian Johnson’s secret to success, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery standout stars Janelle Monáe and Kate Hudson each sat down with Krista Smith to discuss the summer camp vibes of shooting the latest whodunit with an all-star ensemble cast in Greece. Smith also got candid with Florence Pugh, the tremendously gifted star of Sebastián Lelio’s gripping adaptation of Emma Donoghue’s novel The Wonder, chatting with the Academy Award nominee about her attraction to period costume fare and growing up in a household brimming with creative energy.

The new season of The Crown introduces the third and final cast to take Peter Morgan’s acclaimed drama series into the twenty-first century — Queue talks with the performers stepping into the royal roles and the ways in which the Windsor women are front and center, each trying to find her way amid deepening rifts. “I think so many of the stories that Peter explores in The Crown are about women surviving and evolving and being profoundly challenged,” says Elizabeth Debicki, who takes over the iconic role of Princess Diana. 

Additionally, the issue features Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne on his chilling role as serial killer Charles Cullen in The Good Nurse; an in-depth look at the cinema of BARDO, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu; and a detailed discussion with German writer-director Edward Berger and some of his key artistic partners about the making of their powerful war epic, All Quiet on the Western Front. 

And finally, as we’ve done in every issue across the 11 we’ve published, we wrap up with another dream “Dinner Party,” this time hosted by Naomi Watts, the star of Ryan Murphy’s The Watcher, who assembles a formidable lineup of women for her ideal meal.

Head to the Netflix shop to order the latest issue and feast on these delectable stories and more. 

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Queue says goodbye to 2022 with its

Entertaintment, Film, Press Releases

  • Tyler Perry will direct his next feature film for Netflix with Six Triple Eight about the 6888th battalion, the only all-black, all-female battalion in the World War II effort.
  • Writer: Tyler Perry, based on an article by Kevin M. Hymel published in WWII History Magazine by Sovereign Media.
  • Producers: Tyler Perry; Nicole Avant for Her Excellency Productions; Keri Selig for Intuition Productions; Carlota Espinosa; Angi Bones and Tony Strickland for Tyler Perry Studios
  • Executive Producers: Peter Guber for Mandalay Pictures
  • Synopsis: Six Triple Eight tells the inspiring true story of the incredible and brave women of the only all-black, all-female World War 2 Battalion. These 855 women joined the war effort with little knowledge of what exactly they would be doing, but were quickly given the mission of a lifetime: sort through and fix the three-year backlog of undelivered mail. A herculean task, that most thought to be impossible, the women not only succeeded but did it in half the time they were given. Facing discrimination, unfamiliar land, and a war-torn country, they persevered and sorted over 17 million pieces of mail, reconnecting American soldiers with their families and loved ones back home. The motto that kept them going each day was one they created themselves: “No Mail, Low Morale.” The women of the 6888 weren’t just delivering mail, they were delivering hope.
  • The story of the 6888th Postal Directory Battalion has been kept out of history books, ignored by the national spotlight, until now — nearly 75 years later. On March 14th, 2022, President Joe Biden signed the bill for the women to receive the Congressional Gold Medal, Congress’ highest honor.
  • Six Triple Eight will mark Tyler Perry’s fourth film directed for Netflix following A Fall From Grace, A Madea Homecoming, which was in the Top 10 in 43 countries, and A Jazzman’s Blues, which was in the Top 10 in 55 countries. He was also part of the ensemble of Adam McKay’s Don’t Look Up, which is in the Top 10 Most Popular Films on Netflix\_.\_
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Tyler Perry will direct his next

Entertaintment, TV

It’s déjà vu for Netflix as Wednesday slays the English TV List and continues to take the world by storm. The comedy mystery has pulled in an additional 173.96M hours viewed, making it the most viewed title this week. In just four weeks, the series holds the record for the second Most Popular English-language series on Netflix with 1.19 billion total hours viewed. And in four weeks, almost 176M households have seen the series (1.19 billion hours viewed divided by 6.8 hours). 

Viewers continued to fall in love with the high-profile love story of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in Volume II of Harry & Meghan. The in-depth documentary series had 97.71M hours viewed and appeared in the Top 10 in 85 countries, including #1 in the UK. Since its premiere, nearly 33M households have viewed the series (179.26M hours viewed divided by 5.5 hours). The Recruit, starring Noah Centineo, gave viewers a crash course in espionage. The action-thriller debuted at #3 with 52.3M hours viewed. Are they, or aren’t they? Fans tuned in to Season 4 of Too Hot To Handle to find out which couples stood the test of time. The reality dating series had 37.83M hours viewed. Based on the iconic video game, animated series Sonic Prime debuts on the list with 27.72M hours viewed. Season 1 (10.66M hours viewed) and Season 2 (26.57M hours viewed) of Firefly Lane remained on the list for the third week. 

Courtesy of Netflix

 

 

With a “Certified Fresh” score of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio topped the English Films List with 39.38M hours viewed. In its second week, critics and fans alike are falling in love with the film, which has received Golden Globe and Critics Choice nominations. Fans are getting into the holiday spirit with I Believe in Santa (19.96M hours viewed), Falling for Christmas (6.4M hours viewed), Scrooge: A Christmas Carol (5.68M hours viewed) and The Noel Diary (5.56M hours viewed). Starring Emma Corrin and Jack O’Connell, Lady Chatterley’s Lover remained on the list with 11.09M hours viewed. New to the list was documentary THE VOLCANO: Rescue From Whakaari, with 8.94M hours viewed. 

On the Non-English Films List, fans returned to their favorites. Spanish mystery God’s Crooked Lines topped the list with 27.06M hours viewed, Norwegian action-adventure Troll had 16.27M hours viewed, Italian action-adventure My Name is Vendetta with 7.23M hours viewed, Argentinian romantic comedy The Marriage App with 6.97M hours viewed and Polish romantic comedy Delivery By Christmas with 3.12M hours viewed remained on the list. New entrants on the list include Indonesian action-adventure The Big 4 (16.39M hours viewed) and Turkish romantic comedy Private Lesson (4.34M hours viewed).  

Colombian dramas were mainstays on the Non-English TV List.The Unbroken Voice sat atop the list with 22.57M hours viewed, while Til Money Do Us Part had 17.12M hours viewed. K-content also returned to the list, including thriller Money Heist: Korea Joint Economic Area, anime Lookism and dramas Under the Queen’s Umbrella and Part 1 (13.5M hours viewed) and Part 2 (13.07M hours viewed) of Alchemy of Souls. Italian rom-com I Hate Christmas had 9.49M hours viewed and Norwegian drama A Storm For Christmas had 12.33M hours viewed. 

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It’s déjà vu for Netflix as Wednesday

Entertaintment, Film, Press Releases

Paramount+ will be releasing an all new charming original romantic comedy, ‘At Midnight’.

Courtesy of Paramount Plus

The film is centered around Alejandro (Diego Boneta, “Father of the Bride”), an ambitious hotel manager, and Sophie (Monica Barbaro, Top Gun: Maverick), a movie star navigating the politics of Hollywood. He’s focused on opening his own boutique hotel. She’s trying to focus on shooting her new superhero film, “Super Society 3,” in hopes of getting her own spinoff, but catches her co-star (and boyfriend!) Adam (Anders Holm, “Workaholics”) cheating. Fate strikes when the shoot brings them all to Alejandro’s hotel in Mexico. Despite their radically different lives, Alejandro and Sophie begin to secretly meet At Midnight …

‘At Midnight’ also stars Casey Thomas Brown

Courtesy of Paramount Plus

(“Father of the Bride”) as Chris, Sophie’s talent manager and old friend; Catherine Cohen (Netflix’s “Catherine Cohen: The Twist … ? She’s Gorgeous”) as Rachel, Sophie’s loyal and free-spirited best friend; Fernando Carsa (“Acapulco”) as Tachi, Alejandro’s best friend and bartender at the hotel; Whitney Cummings (“Good Mourning”) as Margot, a powerful Hollywood agent who represents both Sophie and Adam; and Maya Zapata (“Selena’s Secret”) as Aurelia, the hotel manager and Alejandro’s strict boss.

Courtesy of Paramount Plus

What could possibly go wrong, then again, so much could go right.

The movie will premiere Friday, Feb. 10 exclusively on Paramount+ across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, Latin America, Brazil and Italy. Premiere dates for other Paramount+ international markets will be announced at a later date.

‘At Midnight’ for Paramount+ is produced by Paramount’s international studios and Fred Berger (“La La Land”), David Bernon (“Hearts Beat Loud”), Brian Kavanaugh-Jones (“Loving”), Eréndira Núñez Larios (“Sundown”), Josh Glick, and Diego Boneta through his production company, Three Amigos. Executive producers include Michel Franco, Gemma Levinson and Cory Crespo. ‘AT Midnight’ is directed by Jonah Feingold (“Dating & New York”) and written by Feingold, Maria Hinojos (“Cindy la Regia”) and Giovanni M. Porta. Porta, Hinojos and Natalia Boneta serve as co-executive producers.

@paramountplusla @paramountplus #ParamountPlus #AtMidnightMovie

For more information about Paramount+, please visit www.paramountplus.com

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Paramount+ will be releasing an all new

Entertaintment, TV

In the previous episode of Jack Ryan Season 3, Jack and Luka uncovered that the real endgame of the Sokol project was not a nuke, but starting a war, whilst also planning a coup in their own country. Having discovered this, Jack heads to the Baltic sea and Luka heads straight for the Russian ship called the Fearless that Captain Rolan Antonov who was a part of Sokol is on. Meanwhile Kovac is headed to Russia to meet the president and warn him about Petrov.

Read the recap of Season 3 Episode 7 here.

The official synopsis for this episode reads, “Jack, Greer, Wright, Alena and Luka all work in concert to prevent the start of a third world war.”

SPOILERS AHEAD FOR JACK RYAN SEASON 3 EPISODE 8

It has been a long season, and Jack has gone from being a CIA case officer, to a Rogue Agent, to a diplomatic agent to a decorated agent. So much has happened over the couture of just 8 episodes, it really feels like more. Jack and his team have stopped nukes, coups and all out wars. In the season finale we see everyone heading in different directions, to take on their final challenges.

We start with Jack who is trying to make it across the Russian border from Estonia. Luka is getting ready to board the Fearless, what he called “the most lethal weapon in Russias’s fleet” in the previous episode where his soldier now captain Antonov is in charge. Greer, November and President Kovac are entering the Kremlin Tunnels.

Jack soon gets onto a helicopter that is headed for the U.S.S Roosevelt, the ship that Antonov had blueprints of, but Elizabeth is having trouble granting him access to get onboard from the White House. At the same time Luka has boarded the Russian warship the Fearless, where Antonov has placed him in custody in the brigg.

Minister Popov’s body guard for 20 years who is still loyal to his family escorts Greer, November and Kovak halfway through the tunnels, when he leaves he hands them map, then Greer goes on a seperate path to November and Kovac.

Meanwhile above ground, the Russian president Surikov is just finding out about Fearless being launched and Petrov having authorized it, he immediately speaks to him and asks him to call the Fearless back, which of course as you can guess, he does not do.

Something important to take note of, while Luka is being kept in the brigg, an executive officer is watching over him, Luka starts talking to him, partly to get into his head so he will let him out, but Aldo so that this young boy does not make the same mistakes he did.

Defense Minister Petrov is already moving things into place, he has called the Kremlin war council together to call a vote to remove President Surikov. His coup is in place.

Back to Jack who his desperate to get onto the U.S.S Roosevelt. The ship still won’t let him board so one of the navy pilots on the helicopter comes up with a more creative solution, when one of them asks him “Dr Ryan, how bad do you need to get on that ship?”, Jack replies with “life or death”, which results in him being thrown out of the helicopter. This give the US Navy Ship no choice but to pull him onboard, and the captain really does not like him.

Courtesy of Amazon Studios

It should be noted that the cast members do all their own stunts on the show and this particular stunt was a favorite for John Krasinski.
“I didn’t know that I was going to be thrown out of a Blackhawk helicopter into the ocean,” said Krasinski. “They shot it with the stunt team all morning and then one of the Navy SEALs who was actually in the scene with us said, ‘are you going to do it?’ And I said ‘no’, and he said, ‘it’d be a lot cooler if you did it.’ Then I said ‘how would that look?’ And he says, ‘it would look like me unbuckling your seatbelt and throwing you out of this helicopter.’ And that’s what he did. Luckily, there was a camera guy to get it.”

Courtesy of Amazon Studios

Jack continues to tell the ship’s commander about why exactly he’s there, and brings him up to speed on what exactly he’s facing. He tell the Commander this fight has nothing to do with Russia at all. He informs the captain about the coup and about the hostilities coming their way, and just as he does an officer tells the captain a Russian ship is headed their way. Jack warns him it’s the Fearless and warns him about Antonov. Things are about to get bumpy now, as The Fearless starts targeting the Roosevelt and both ships start preparing for war. Jack mentions that he has a man on the Fearless,Luka, but the captain is ready to engage.

Meanwhile November and President Kovac have entered the castle through a back entrance and are taken to meet

Courtesy of Amazon Studios

the Russian President Sorikov. Greer puts the wrong passcode into a security door intentionally which signals the Kremlin officers and he asks to see Petrov. All this is a coordinated effort to stop the “crossbow” the takeover of power in Russia. Greer is in holding at the Kremlin, his part was to keep Petrov occupied whilst Kovac and November told the the Russian President the truth about everything and played him the recording of Petrov talking about having Popov assassinated. What happens next causes, well let’s face it, some great satisfaction for viewers, as Petrov is killed by a Kremlin agent, and the traitors in the government are weeded out.

On the Fearless, Luka is let out by the Executive Officer he was speaking to earlier, when they head to the control room, Antonov is trying to fire on the United States warship by lying to his crew saying he has presidential authority. Antonov fires one missle but Bennet fires another to block it by. Now things are getting really tense for both sides as they ask was that an act of war? And they are preparing to fire on each other, but just as they are Antonov is taken into custody and Luka’s voice appears over the radio on the Roosevelt, informing Jack of the situation and that Antonov has been arrested. Ryan makes sure to ask Luka, directly “Are we at war?”, he replies, “That is upto you.” After speaking to the president, Captain Bennet deliberates that there is no further attack from the Fearless.

Courtesy of Amazon Studios

In the ending parts of the season, we see Elizabeth become Director of the CIA. Alena finally relax by her Boathouse, Mike take a well deserved break somewhere around the world. In a sad but, expected turn of events, Luka is killed, either by Russian Intelligence or another faction. In what seems to be a letter he has written Jack, he says the following, “Jack, we have done our jobs, and done them well. This fight was passed on to us, and will continue on, with or without us. But we will always be better than the institutions we serve, and that is what matters, when it

Courtesy of Amazon Studios

matters most. There are no heroes, in our profession, but occasionally, there are good men. Men who act on what is right, not simply doing what they are told. I’ve not always lived my life with honor, but perhaps I have done enough to die with it. I hope the same for you.” In the last scene of the season, we see Elizabeth award Jack and Greer a plaque for the courageous acts, the season is made even more final as Lukas words echo in the background as Jack and Greer walk out the front door of Langley.

This would have made one hell of a series finale. As we get to see each character get clorure, but who doesn’t love more Jack Ryan. The series is confirmed for a 4th and final season. John Krasinski shared an update about season 4 saying, “We already finished, we actually shot three and four back to back. So that was the whole idea, knowing that the fans would go so long in between two and three, we decided to do three and four back to back so that they wouldn’t have to wait that long again.”

 

Jack Ryan Season 3 definitely delivers in every aspect. Drama, action, characters, story and emotion, and the season finale perfectly wraps everything up together. Although you may have a few questions left, you can leave that to your imagination. John Krasinski, Wendell Pierce, Michael Kelly, Betty Gabriel, Tar’s Nina Hoss and the rest of the amazing cast behind Jack Ryan season 3 have done such amazing work with these characters. This was a perfect ending to such an intense season, and Luka’s letter just gave it that extra bit of emotion that it needed.

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In the previous episode of Jack Ryan

Entertaintment, TV

In the last episode we saw Jack Ryan become a verified agent again, with Elizabeth as well. Although he did manage to stop the Sokol nuke, that still leaves him with a lot of fallout in its path to deal with. Luka is now working alongside Jack, his team and President Kovac, last we saw them they were on their way to Moscow.

Read the recap of Season 3 Episode 6 here.

The official synopsis for episode 7 reads “In Moscow, Jack teams with Luka to expose the high-ranking cabal members within the government who are now orchestrating the secret Sokol plan.”

SPOILERS AHEAD FOR JACK RYAN SEASON 3 EPISODE 7

There is a lot going on in this episode, look away and you just might miss something. Secret meetings, crooked captains, plans for war, its all boiling down to this.

As we saw in the previous episode, Elizabeth is now in charge of the Sokol team and has replaced Miller. We first see her brief the President about what happened with the Nuke in episode 7, and she brings him up to speed on their investigation. She highlighted the fact that the US and Russia are being goaded into a war and begs the president not to take Military action as that would mean their plan is working, but unfortunately she does not have any concrete proof, however the president agrees not to go to DEFCON 2 for now.

Courtesy of Amazon Studios

In Moscow, Luka and Jack are working together to take down Alexei Petrov, Luka is supposed to be meeting with him, and Jack is watching and listening closeby waiting to record him confessing, but things soon go sideways when its not Petrov who shows up but members of the GRU to capture Luka. Luka quickly disposes of the mic and is shoved into a van by the men, when it drives off Jack Jumps into a car and follows. Luka smartly uses his cigarette box as a mic so that Jack can hear what’s going on. They reach a warehouse, and when Jack sees him go inside, that’s his cue, after conversing or more like gloating to Luka, he confesses he had Popov killed and was working with Petr and Jack captures his confession.

 

He also mentions project crossbow again, which Luca first brought up in the previous episode. Petrov blames Luka for Sokol’s failure and instructs his man to kill him, but they don’t get the chance as Jack who has no infiltrated the warehouse takes out that man with a gun pointed at Luka’s head and enough of Petrov’s men allowing them to get to cover. Luka then grabs a gun and the two get into a gunfight until the remaining Russians escape.

After they have reached safety, Jack and Luka have an emotional

Courtesy of Amazon Studios

moment, when Jack finally asks the question he’s been dreading, “I need to know, Matoksa, a lot of people died that day and I need to know why you were there.” Luka is nothing but truthful with Jack as he says, “Because I gave the order, to kill them. I have a lot to make up for Jack.”

 

When Greer meets with an informant named Vova and asks him about Petr, he explains that they were called the “clean-up” brigade and would be sent to “clean up accidents”, he says he will help set up a meeting with Greer, but when Greer goes inside the building where the meeting is supposed to be, Vova attacks him and tries to kill him. After getting the upper hand on him, Greer demands the name of the person who sent him to kill him. It turns out, it was, Captain Rolan Antonov.

Courtesy of Amazon Studios

Meanwhile in Russia, President Kovak has asked for a meeting with Petrov, she confronts him with the truth, and he tries to convince her to to step away from NATO. We then learn this was a distraction, as we will see later in the episode.

 

Elizabeth still has no solid evidence to present to the Oval Office, meanwhile things are getting tense as the Americans are preparing for war with all the Russian military action going on. She then calls Greer who tells her that the US embassy in Russia is being shut down. Elizabeth asks for any hard proof, Greer says he will try contacting Ryan.

Greer and Ryan have a secret meeting in the park, but it is interrupted when a GRU member tries to assassinate them, but is instead killed by Luka. Luckily Jack’s quick reflexes save them both. Ryan gives Greer the recording where Petrov admits he was a part of Popov’s murder and Greer gives him Rolan Antonov’s name. In that moment Luka says he thinks of Jack as a good friend.

We find out, that all this time Mike has been on his own mission to arrange a secret meeting with Natalya Popova,

Courtesy of Amazon Studios

wife of the late Defense Minister Dmitry Popov. After commandeering Natalya’s car, he tells her she can find out who killed her husband, and he drives her to meet President Alena Kovac and Greer. After telling her the truth, the Kovac then plays the tape with Petrovs recording on it. Alena asks for her help in setting up a meeting with the Russian president, a now furious Natalya agrees to help them.

 

Jack and Luka go to Antonov’s house to see what they can find. They run into some hostiles, but Jack and Luka easily manage to take them out. There they find a

Courtesy of Amazon Studios

goldmine of documents that contain a workup of every US vessel in the Baltic. When Luka points out a picture of the most lethal weapon in Russias’s fleet, the pieces start falling into place.  In order to launch that vessel you would need an order from the Kremlin, and it turns out he has one, from the new defense minister Petrov, which is why Popov was killed in the first place. Luka points out, “This was Peter Kovac’s plan all along.” That’s when Jack realizes Antonov has been compromised by Petr and Petrov.

 

After a dissapointing meeting with the president, Elizabeth walks out to a number of missed calls from Jack. As soon as she calls him Jack tells her everything they’ve learned about Antonov and the warship, and that they had it wrong all along, you can see an upset Jack tell Elizabeth “Sokol, it was never just about a nuke or starting a war, it was always about power.”

That’s when the two of them put together the fact that it was a coup by Petrov and the Kremlin, that they were now in the middle of. Jack then tells her he’s headed for the Baltic, but Luka decides to go after Antonov on the ship. When Jack tries to convince him otherwise, Luka simply says, “What would you do?”

Courtesy of Amazon Studios

When Elizabeth takes this information to the Oval office and the president, the fact that Captain Antonov is compromised and a coup is at hand the president still doesn’t think the fact that her sources are reliable is enough to move forward.

What’s great about this season is its use of characters. This season has been able to highlight and build each character and actor with the use of the multiple storyline arc. With just one more episode to go, things are escalating for Jack Ryan, and his team, for some reason, it doesn’t feel like Luka is going to survive this season. We are about to see, as his tactical teammate put it, if Jack really is willing to bet his life on this, and I think we all know the answer is yes.

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In the last episode we saw Jack

Entertaintment, TV

In the last episode of Jack Ryan Season 3, we saw Jack infiltrate Matoksa, only to find Luka was working from within to find who was in charge. The mission was not in vain, as Jack managed to find what the Sokol project’s end goal was. Meanwhile President Alena finally found out who her father really was, before he disappeared.

Jack is in a race to prove his innocence and against time in this episode. With a loose nuke out there, who knows what could go wrong.

Read the recap of Season 3 Episode 5 here.

The summary for episode 6 reads, “Jack races to stop the detonation of the Sokol nuclear device, which has traveled to the Czech Republic. Petr and Luka’s secret histories come to the surface in a deadly reckoning.”

SPOILERS AHEAD FOR JACK RYAN SEASON 3 EPISODE 6

Courtesy of Amazon Studios

Jack returns to the states where he is met on an airfield by Greer, It’s the reunion you’ve been waiting for, Jack and Greer are back working together, and although Jack is still a target for Miller, he’s got the support of the US Embassy in the Czech Republic. Greer still doesn’t trust Luka, but Jack would be dead without him. Greer informs Jack that Elizabeth has been taken off field duty, but after what she has done for the two of them their relationship is far from over.

As for where where Luka is, he has delivered the bomb to the Czech Republic, but is dissapointed to learn the person in charge has not showed up. Jack still believes he was being selfish having known the Sokol plan all this time but choosing to stay quiet, but he still chooses to trust him.

Once Jack is at the Embassy in the Czech Republic, Greer starts counting down.

Courtesy of Amazon Studios

Jack makes sure he is spotted by the cameras, because they know Miller will be watching and sending his men to seize Jack, but Jack is two steps ahead of them. Greer’s team is tracking Luka’s possible locations but the CIA shows up, with the help of Greer, a decoy, Mike and the local authorities who arrest them on orders of President Kovak herself, before Miller’s men can, Jack escapes.

While this transpires, Radek’s wife and child who are in poland are arrested, by president Kovak it turns out, as she wants to question Radek’s wife for information about where her father and the bomb might be.

When Miller’s CIA goons try to arrest Greer, he puts it in simple terms, “You guys really have no idea what the hell is going on do you?”, is that a shadow of doubt we see on the CIA’s face? Cut to a long overdue meeting between Jack Ryan and President Alena Kovac, who asks him to tell her everything he knows, and of course, he obliges.

Switch to Elizabeth receiving an anonymous package in the mail, which contains some very important information foe later on in the episode. She then reaches out to a General Ramos with a message from Greer calling in a favour.

The device is now ready for transport and to detonate, and is loaded onto a truck. Meanwhile Jack is in the process of figuring out the target, and he figures out the bomb is headed for a moving target, the NATO convoy, which makes things all the more complicated.

Back in the Embassy, Greer has finally convinced the CIA leaded tasked with bringing in Jack that he has in fact been telling the truth and just as they do, everything goes on high alert, but not before Greer’s team finally finds Petr’s real identity. As we brieflly saw in flashbacks in the previous episode he was a Russian soldier at Matoksa, but his last name was Lebedev, he killed someone and took his place and name.

Courtesy of Amazon Studios

Everything suddenly shifts into hight gear as we see Jack and Mike in a helicopter above the convoy communiicating with the Officer in charge getting ready for as Greer calls it, a “shit show”. When they enter a tunnel, the president mentions that the route they are on takes them through a town, Jack then realizes the town on Nymburk was the intended target. Everyone is now scrambling a way to stop the nuke from hitting the truck, but Jack comes up with a different plan.

 

Speaking of reunions, Luka is finally reunited with Petr Lebedev, the man in charge of bringing back Sokol. When Luka admits that he mourned Lebedev, the two have an emotional and tense moment, but it’s not until Petr reveals he’s known all along that Luka was a double agent that things get really intense.

When Jack sees the truck he figures out a way to stop it by trapping the truck and containing the explosion

Courtesy of Amazon Studios

in a tunnel. They stop one of the convoy trucks in the tunnel, kill all the power in the tunnel and then the rest of the convoy exists as quickly as possible, but when two officers are stuck behind Jack jumps in a truck that made it out and goes back for them, just as they are about to make it out, the Sokol bomb hits the empty convoy truck and explodes causing the tunnel to collapse. Jack and the 2 soldiers he saved are flung off the side of the road, but they’re alive.

Tensions continue to rise between Petr and Luka, as Luka Ominously asks, “don’t you think I know, about cross bow?”, in that moment we see Russian snipers take out Petr’s guards, and when Petr tries to shoot Luka, he shoots him in the leg. When Alena arrives, she lets Petr succumb to his wounds, and he does not survive this episode.

Back at Washington DC, at the White House briefing, a very annoyed Prime Minister asks the situation room “I’m trying to figure out how the hell we didn’t know what was going on over there”, to which a familiar face, General Ramos replies “Actually we did sir”. He then goes on to brief him about how Jack Ryan knew about everything that was going on and all of this could have been avoided but his own agency was pursuing him using footage from the Embassy in the Czech Republic. Thanks to this Elizabeth was reinstated and put back in charge of the case.

Courtesy of Amazon Studios

The episode ends with the team, Luka and President Kovak lesving on a plane to Moscow. Jack is still worried about Luka’s allegiance, he questions why he didn’t stop it all back in Matoksa. To which Luka assures Jack there is all part of the plan. Jack goes on to say “What’s our response? Cause I don’t have anything. No plans, no leads, nothing.” Luka simply replies, “You have me.”

This episode got an absolute wow from me. This was a heart racing episode, from chasing Jack Ryan to to chasing a nuke. With a race against the clock to literally save lives, the way this episode was concluded was so satisfying. It gave off finale vibes, and then you remember oh wait, were not done yet. Another great episode, but I’m guessing Jack isn’t out of the dark yet.

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In the last episode of Jack Ryan

Entertaintment, TV

“Droughtlander”

Droughtlander (Noun): The length of time between Outlander seasons without new episodes airing; a term often used by fans of the TV show. The previous “Droughtlander” was 656 days long, with the season five release in February 2020 and the season six premiere in March 2022.

Season Seven Release

After season six premiered in March of this year, the cast began to film the highly-anticipated seventh season of Outlander. Among the returning cast, there will be several new cast members on the show; for a full list, check out an earlier post about the release of the seventh season and to watch the teaser trailer.

Starz confirmed that season seven will release next summer. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and Caitríona Balfe’s pregnancy, the previous season was shorter than any of the other seasons; there were eight action-packed episodes, compared to the usual twelve to sixteen episodes per season.

Courtesy of STARZ

Where We Left Off

Claire and Jamie Fraser are separated due to the vengeful Committee of Safety led by Richard Brown. Claire is imprisoned in Wilmington, while Jamie was taken by the committee to have him sent back to Scotland. Just before Jamie is due to board the boat, Ian and a band of men arrive to rescue him. Claire was accused of murdering Malva Christie and her unborn child, and awaits trial in the jail.

Meanwhile, Brianna, Roger, and Jemmy are traveling to a presbytery in Edenton so that Roger can become a minister. Brianna is pregnant with their second child, and while cutting Jemmy’s hair, she notices a nevus on his scalp. Roger states that he has one just like it. He recalls that they are hereditary, thus confirming that Jemmy is Roger’s son.

If you’re caught up on all of the available episodes, you’ll know that Jamie and Claire have been physically separated from each other before. Their current situation is not unlike the others— they are determined to find each other again. Cast members and fans alike have posted photos from behind the scenes while filming the seventh season, showing Sam Heughan (Jamie Fraser) climbing onto a ship and Caitríona Balfe (Claire Fraser) on a rowboat. 

Looking Ahead

Season seven will be made of sixteen episodes. The storyline in the show from Diana Gabaldon’s sixth book, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, is not finished yet. There are major events that happen toward the end of the book which will move the plot forward for the rest of the season. This season is said to cover most of book seven, An Echo in the Bone. It is also rumored to take a few events from book eight, Written in My Own Heart’s Blood.

The announcement of returning cast members for this season has foreshadowed the return of certain characters. This includes Nell Hudson (Laoghaire MacKimmie), Graham McTavish (Dougal MacKenzie), Lottie Verbeek (Geillis Duncan), and Steven Cree (Ian Murray), among others.

Playing an older version of William Ransom, Jamie Fraser’s son, Charles Vandervaart joins the cast. The casting of the Hunter siblings, Dr. Denzell Hunter and Rachel Hunter, was announced in June. Izzy Meikle-Small has been cast as Rachel, and  Joey Phillips has been cast as her older brother, Dr. Denzell Hunter.

These three characters are integral to the storyline going forward, especially with the Revolutionary War just around the corner.

STARZ has not announced a renewal for an eighth season.

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“Droughtlander” Droughtlander (Noun): The length of time between Outlander seasons

Press Releases, TV

On The Edge, Channel 4’s BAFTA award-winning series of short films is returning for its fourth year. Produced by BlackLight Television, a Banijay UK company, the anthology of films will once again champion first-class emerging UK talent. This year’s dramas, Wet Look, Letting Go and The Final Countdown, all touch upon the importance of care and caring. Each series of On The Edge presents three short films written and directed with wit and verve by the best up and coming storytellers.

Courtesy of Channel 4

Wet Look

Wet Look tells the story of young couple Gwynn and Rob navigating the highs and lows of their burgeoning relationship – but with the twist that while Rob is a human millennial, Gwynn is in fact a mermaid, struggling to adjust to life on land. We meet Gwynn at a low point, unable to grow back her tail and feeling disconnected from a body that doesn’t function like it once did, while floundering boyfriend Rob wants to help her but isn’t sure how. Gwynn’s desire to return to the sea is now overwhelming – even if with no tail it means she might drown. Will either partner open up to each other before it’s too late? Using the prism of mermaid mythology writer Toby Parker Rees and director B Welby explore their feelings about being disabled and how they relate to their physical selves in this beautiful and unique tale about love, grief and ‘otherness’. Starring Tanya Reynolds (Sex Education) and Iwan Rheon (The Light in the Hall, Game of Thrones) as Gwynn and Rob, with Steve Speirs (Stella, The Tuckers) as Rob’s dad, Steve.

Courtesy of Channel 4

Letting Go

Letting Go tells the story of Gabriel, a foster father who can’t bear to let go of Faith, the teenage girl that has been in his care for years. When the authorities decide that her birth mother is well enough to take her back Gabriel struggles to process this massive change and becomes convinced that Faith will be in danger. He hasn’t understood that his own complex feelings about his father are affecting his judgement. Will Gabriel’s behaviour lead to him losing Faith altogether? Faith is an authentic, evocative, and deeply moving story written from personal experience by Beru Tessema and beautifully directed by Mitch Kalisa. This short film explores the power of attachment and the difficulty of separation. Starring Anthony Welsh (Pure, Master of None) and Clare-Hope Ashitey (Children of Men) as Gabriel and Bella and introducing newcomer Luna Mwezi as Faith.

MANDATORY BYLINE – (C) HUW JOHN, Cardiff 15/09/2022
4Stories – ON THE EDGE 4 – EPISODE 1 – TLFO
mail@huwjohn.com
www.huwjohn.com
Instagram: huwjohn_uk

The Final Countdown

The Final Countdown tells the story of Ray, a septuagenarian with a wicked sense of fun and a fondness for a pint, and devoted long-time husband to Dora, who is suffering from dementia. Ray’s stoic grandson Terry has become Dora’s primary caregiver while Ray continues to bury his head in the sand and refuses to admit that Dora might need help. Will Terry be able to persuade Ray that Dora needs to go into residential care before something terrible happens? Written by Natalie Burt and directed by James Doherty, The Final Countdown uses striking poignancy and humour but is ultimately a celebration of love and family that is very close to the writer’s own heart. Starring Paul Copley (Downton Abbey, Last Tango in Halifax) and Eileen Davies (Sightseers) as Ray and Dora and introducing newcomer Joseph Payne as Terry.

Caroline Hollick, Channel 4’s Head of Drama, says: “On The Edge is the epitome of unearthing extraordinary talent from all walks of life, now in its fourth year I’m delighted that this scheme continues to offer an inimitable platform, championing our future creatives. This year’s anthology feels timely, indicative and relative as these films encompass their perception of care in three incredibly unique and distinctive ways.”

Phil Trethowan and Ben Bickerton from BlackLight Television, part of Banijay UK, added: “It’s such a privilege to be making a fourth series of On The Edge for Channel 4. Supporting the next generation of filmmakers and hearing their voices, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, feels more important than ever and we applaud Channel 4 for that.”

On The Edge

On The Edge has recently been nominated for 3 BAFTA Cymru awards including one for Best Breakthrough and has been nominated for Best Single Drama at the Broadcast Awards. It recently won 2 Edinburgh New Voice Awards to go alongside a host of previous nominations and awards.

On The Edge is developed though the 4Stories initiative, the channel’s commitment to inclusion and finding brand new diverse talent.

On The Edge is distributed internationally by Banijay Rights.

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On The Edge, Channel 4’s BAFTA award-winning

Film

For an optimal TAQ-V attachment setup in December 2022 of Warzone 2, players should choose mods that improve the gun’s damage, accuracy, and range.


If players are searching for a powerful firearm to dominate the battlefield in December 2022 of Call of Duty: Warzone 2, they do not need to look further than the TAQ-V Battle Rifle. As a weapon from the TAQ-56’s family, the TAQ-V can pump out a beastly amount of damage with deadly accuracy and a high rate of fire. However, such power does come at a cost, as the Battle Rifle suffers from low Handling and Mobility. Similar to most LMGs, the TAQ-V is built for heavy pushing or strongly holding down a position.

SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY

However, this does not mean players cannot stealthily ambush their opponents when wielding the TAQ-V in December 2022 of Warzone 2. A choice Perk Package for this Battle Rifle would be Specter for Double Time and Ghost. Double Time helps make up for the TAQ-V’s lack of Mobility, while Ghost enables players to quickly evade untimely situations or ambush opponents. Equipment-wise, the Flash Grenade offer CC for offensive and defensive tactics, while Proximity Mines are useful for defending one’s position from opponents.

Related: The Best Chimera Loadout in Warzone 2


Best Attachments for TAQ-V in December 2022 of Warzone 2

Reloading the TAQ-V in Warzone 2

Next is a list of the best attachments for the TAQ-V in December 2022 of Warzone 2. These weapon mods have been suggested by YouTuber EyeQew and further improve the Battle Rifle’s Accuracy, Range, and Damage.

Slot

Attachment

Description

Pros & Cons

Barrel

18″ Precision-6 Barrel

This barrel offers improved precision for better accuracy when shooting targets from medium and far distances.

Muzzle

ZLR Talon 5

This silencer provides sound suppression, extra range, and recoil control.
  • Improves: Sound Suppression, Bullet Velocity, Damage Range, and Recoil Smoothness
  • Impairs: Aim Down Sight Speed, Aiming Stability, and Aim Walking Speed

Underbarrel

FTac Ripper 56

This textured foregrip offers improved recoil control for better accuracy when shooting.
  • Improves: Aiming Idle Stability, Hip Fire Accuracy, and Recoil Stabilization
  • Impairs: Aim Down Sight Speed and Walking Speed

Stock

Tactique Brute Stock

This heavy stock grants increased stability and control, but speed is decreased as a result.
  • Improves: Aiming Stability and Recoil Control
  • Impairs: Aim Down Sight Speed, Crouch Movement Speed, Aim Walking Speed, and Sprint Speed

Magazine

50 Round Drum

This drum magazine holds 50 rounds of 7.62 ammunition

More: Fastest Ways To Get CoD Points in Warzone 2

Source: YouTube/EyeQew

  • Call of Duty Warzone Poster

    Call of Duty Warzone
    Original Release Date:
    2020-03-10

    Developer:
    Treyarch, Infinity Ward, Raven Software

    Franchise:
    Call of Duty

    Genre:
    Shooter

    Platform:
    Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox One X, PC, Xbox One S

    Publisher:
    Activision

    ESRB:
    M

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For an optimal TAQ-V attachment setup in

TV

Christmas Day traditionally brings some of the biggest TV audiences of the year in the U.K. But this year, instead of the Queen’s speech, the queen of rock ‘n’ roll will be holding down a key spot in the schedules.

On Christmas night, BBC Two will air “When Tina Turner Came to Britain,” a documentary that looks at the rise, fall and rise again of Turner’s career, and the key role Great Britain played in her story.

It will broadcast opposite such ratings heavyweights as “EastEnders” (BBC One) and “Doc Martin” (ITV1), but director and producer Dhivya Kate Chetty hopes the Wise Owl Films production will still win an audience.

“I can’t quite believe we’re on on Christmas Day,” Chetty tells Variety. “I’m still pinching myself; it’s great news. We’re up against something big, so we’re hoping for the diehard Tina fans [to tune in]. The pubs will be closed so it’s a captive audience!”

Wise Owl approached Turner to participate in the documentary, but the singer — who officially retired after her 50th anniversary tour in 2009 and has had a number of health issues in recent years — was unable to appear. Turner’s most recent major project was “Tina,” the jukebox musical that tells her story, which premiered in 2018 and is currently running at London’s Aldwych Theatre and a number of other global locations.

“It became apparent that [an interview] was going to be tricky,” says Chetty. “So we worked with various partners to get hold of previously unheard interviews. It was important to have Tina’s voice throughout so that [we have] her first-person testimony on some of the challenging things that she’s talking about. That also brings an intimacy to the documentary.”

Indeed, the film doesn’t shy away from the difficulties Turner experienced during her abusive marriage to Ike Turner (her musical partner between 1960 and 1976), or the widespread prejudice she faced in the music industry of the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s.

“When Tina Turner Came to Britain” airs on Christmas Day on BBC Two.

“It felt like an important part of the story that had to be present in the film,” says Chetty. “The challenges that she faced as a woman of color and how she negotiated all that is really quite astonishing. The ageism, the misogyny, the sexism, the racism… I’m really hoping that the documentary has a sense of the journey she’s gone on and that you’re rooting for her, having overcome all those hurdles. Her great life reinvention, her so-called comeback, is all the more joyous because of everything that she had to do to get there.”

The U.K. – where Turner was a huge live draw ever since she and Ike supported the Rolling Stones on their 1966 tour – played a key role in that career revival. The doc features many who worked with her, including British Electric Foundation/Heaven 17’s Glenn Gregory and Martyn Ware, the producers who helped restore her to the upper reaches of the charts in the ‘80s.

Also featured are the likes of P.P. Arnold., a former member of The Ikettes, the backing singers/dancers to the Ike & Tina Turner Revue show that was a huge hit in the 1960s; Arlene Phillips, who did the choreography for the “Private Dancer” video; and Skin from rock band Skunk Anansie, who acknowledges the influence Turner had on her as a Black woman singing rock music.

“There are numerous performers that owe a lot to Tina,” says Chetty. “Her legacy is the doors that she opened. When Tina made that step into rock, people were trying to pigeonhole her and keep her in R&B. Her legacy is that music is music and, if you’ve got the talent, you use it.”

“When Tina Turner Came to Britain” — part of a series that has previously featured Nirvana and Bob Marley and will also include “When Motown Came to Britain,” broadcast on the BBC on New Year’s Day — is Chetty’s first music program, after working on projects such as “Bee Whisperer” and “Glasgow, Love and Apartheid.” But the director says she now has another, as-yet-unnamed music project in development with Wise Owl.

Chetty says she was not a huge Tina Turner devotee while growing up but, having made the documentary and unearthed some remarkable performance footage, is “newly in awe of her music and her voice.” And Chetty is hoping the doc will have a similar effect on others and help people discover — and rediscover — the singer, who has sold over 100 million records across hit albums such as “Break Every Rule” and “Foreign Affair” and singles including “The Best” and “What’s Love Got to Do with It.”

“There’s an entire generation who adore her, she’s the Queen of Rock to so many people,” says Chetty. “But there are younger people who maybe don’t know her as well. We’ve created a beautiful, human story with Tina’s music and her journey at its heart, which will hopefully showcase her extraordinary talents to a new generation of people. We hope we’ve done the story justice for Tina.”

“When Tina Turner Came to Britain” airs on BBC2 and BBC iPlayer on Dec. 25 at 9:25 p.m.

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What to Watch

I’ve mentioned several times in other posts how I believe Catch Me If You Can is one of Steven Spielberg’s best films. This breezy true-life dramedy is entertaining, funny, poignant, and charming and features Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks in peak form. Mix in a superb John Williams score, an intelligent script, terrific photography by Janusz Kaminski, and strong supporting turns from Christopher Walken and Amy Adams, and you have a bonafide classic. 

Now that this finely executed piece of cinematic perfection has reached its 20th anniversary, I decided to look back and highlight my five favorite moments from the picture, a difficult task, as the entirety of Catch Me If You Can is fantastic. 

Frank Teaches School

For those unaware, Catch Me If You Can tells the true-life tale of Frank Abagnale Jr., a 16-year-old who runs away from home following his parents’ divorce and takes up a life of crime. Not hard crime, mind you — this isn’t Goodfellas. Instead, Frank uses his effortless charm and wit to steal money from banks and cons his way into high-quality jobs — a pilot, doctor, and lawyer, for starters. He also sleeps with a lot of women. So basically, he’s living the dream.

Frank carries a knack for deception, you see? Early in the film, he draws the ire of a bully on his first day at a public school. In retaliation, Frank, who looks far older than his age, assumes the role of a substitute teacher and subjects the bully to an awkward presentation in front of the class. When the real sub shows up, Frank quips, “I always sub for Roberta.” 

Eventually, the school catches on to his scheme, necessitating a meeting with Frank’s parents. While his mother scoffs at his ridiculous behavior — “He was planning a field trip,” the school principal notes — Frank Sr. (Walken) gets a kick out of the prank and has himself a good laugh.

Frank Meets Carl Hanratty

After running away from home, Frank figures out how to write fake checks. The film never explains how he initially knows so much about routing numbers and such. Still, his numerous flings with lovely bank tellers across the U.S. expands his knowledge to the point where he becomes a master criminal and catches the eye of FBI Agent Carl Hanratty (Hanks).  

Carl, a desk jockey without much field experience, gets the drop on Frank in a Hollywood hotel. He bursts into the room, gun in hand, screaming, “FBI!” Frank calmly steps out of the bathroom, senses Carl’s shaky demeanor, and goes for the kill. 

“That’s the new IBM Selectric,” he says, brushing off Carl’s threats. “You know, he’s got over two-hundred checks here —”

“Hands on your head,” Carl shouts.

“Relax,” Frank says. “You’re late.” He presents himself as Barry Allen, United States Secret Service, and is so convincing in his delivery that he turns the tables and persuades Carl to show him his ID. 

Frank then tells Carl to relax and wait while he takes some of the equipment downstairs and slips out of the room with his check-making machines in tow. By the time Carl realizes his error, Frank is long gone, leading our stunned FBI agent to shout, “Goddammit,” in a manner only Tom Hanks could pull off. Brilliant.

Engagement Party

The turning point in Catch Me If You Can arrives when Hanratty finally catches up with Frank during an engagement party. While working as a doctor, Frank falls in love with a young nurse named Brenda (Adams) and decides to settle down with her, but Hanratty catches wind of the engagement and crashes the reception.

Sensing his pursuer, Frank rushes into a bedroom with Brenda and finally tells her the truth. “Brenda,” he says, “I don’t want to lie to you. I’m not a doctor, a lawyer, or a Lutheran. My name is Frank Abagnale. I ran away from home a year and a half ago when I was 16.” 

For her part, Brenda takes this news in stride and quietly asks, “Frank, you’re not a Lutheran?”

Frank reveals suitcases full of money, steps through an open window, and asks for Brenda to meet him at Miami International Airport so they can run away together. Through tearful eyes, the young woman agrees but then asks, “Tell me your real name!”

“Frank William Abignale, Jr.” 

We’ve enjoyed Frank’s misadventures because they’re mostly harmless fun dipped in a thick coat of youthful ignorance. During the engagement party, however, we see how his actions negatively affect others, in this case, Brenda. From this point on, we view Frank in a different light and start to understand why Carl needs to stop him before he goes too far.

Come Fly With Me

Carl attempts to capture Frank by using Brenda as bait, but the young man slips through his fingers again.  

Enraged by Carl’s actions, Frank conceives an escape plan. He could sneak away but chooses Miami’s airport to make a public spectacle out of Carl. Our naïve young criminal heads to a school and convinces a group of women to join him on a trip around the world (they think Pan Am is sponsoring the venture). And, well, this brilliant scene occurs:

That’s movie magic right there — a glorious scene that makes you smile while pushing the plot and characters forward. I love how Carl doesn’t know how to use his radio and his panicked response when one of his team says they spotted Frank in the parking lot. I miss this Tom Hanks.

Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire

After Carl finally captures Frank in France, they board a plane and return to the states. En route, Carl reveals that Frank’s father died while Frank was in prison, leading our young criminal to escape custody via a James Bond-like feat of derring-do. Frank then heads to his mother’s home and finds her shacked up in a cozy mansion living with James Brolin. Spielberg bathes the scene in warm Christmas lights and plays Nat King Cole’s “Christmas Song” over the soundtrack — Frank’s ultimate dream comes to vivid life. Except he’s literally on the outside looking in. 

Eventually, Carl arrives and places Frank in a patrol car, and we get a masterful shot of a bitter and isolated Frank staring into a rearview mirror while his fantasy (obstructed by a police signal) quickly fades from view, a depressing end to a joyous adventure. 

Frank spent the last few years traveling the world, buying expensive cars, dating beautiful women, and eating at fancy restaurants. Yet, his money failed to deliver the happiness he craved. Ironically, he finds more success when he flips sides and begins working for the FBI under Carl’s watchful eye — a warmhearted finale that leaves you feeling like a million bucks. 

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I’ve mentioned several times in other posts

Awards

Rank Film Writer(s) Distributor 1 “The Banshees of Inisherin” Martin McDonagh Searchlight Pictures Two lifelong friends find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship, with alarming consequences for both of them. 2 “Tár” Todd Field Focus Features Set in the international world of classical music, the film centers on Lydia Tár. widely considered one of the greatest living composer/conductors and first-ever female chief conductor of a major German orchestra. 3 “Everything Everywhere All at Once” Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert A24 An aging Chinese immigrant is swept up in an insane adventure, where she alone can save the world by exploring other universes connecting with the lives she could have led. 4 “The Fabelmans” Tony Kushner, Steven Spielberg Universal Pictures A semi-autobiography based on Spielberg’s own childhood growing up in post-war Arizona, from age seven to eighteen. 5 “Triangle of Sadness” Ruben Östlund Neon A cruise for the super-rich sinks thus leaving survivors, including a fashion model celebrity couple, trapped on an island. Next in Line 6 “Aftersun” Charlotte Wells A24 Sophie reflects on the shared joy and private melancholy of a holiday she took with her father twenty years earlier. Memories real and imagined fill the gaps between as she tries to reconcile the father she knew with the man she didn’t. 7 “Elvis” Baz Luhrmann, Sam Bromell, Craig Pearce, Jeremy Doner Warner Bros. Biopic of Elvis Presley, from his childhood to becoming a rock and movie star in the 1950s while maintaining a complex relationship with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. 8 “Babylon” Damien Chazelle Paramount Pictures A deeply personal coming-of-age story about the strength of family and the generational pursuit of the American Dream. 9 “Till” Keith Beauchamp, Chinonye Chukwu, Michael Reilly Orion/United Artists Releasing A young, gay Black man, rejected by his mother and with few options for his future, decides to join the Marines, doing whatever it takes to succeed in a system that would cast him aside. 10 “The Woman King” Maria Bello, Dana Stevens TriStar Pictures A historical epic inspired by true events that took place in The Kingdom of Dahomey, one of the most powerful states of Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries. Other Top-Tier Contenders 11 “The Menu” Seth Reiss, Will Tracy Searchlight Pictures 12 “Armageddon Time” James Gray Focus Features 13 “Nope” Jordan Peele Universal Pictures 13 “The Inspection” Elegance Bratton A24 14 “RRR”   S.S. Rajamouli, Vijayendra Prasad Variance Films 15 “Empire of Light” Sam Mendes Searchlight Pictures 17 “Close” Lukas Dhont, Angelo Tijssens A24 18 “Decision to Leave” Park Chan-wook, Seo-kyeong Jeong Mubi 19 “Nanny” Nikyatu Jusu Amazon Studios 20 “Broker” Hirokazu Kore-eda Neon Also In Contention 21 “Holy Spider” Ali Abbasi, Afshin Kamran Bahrami Utopia 22 “Cha Cha Real Smooth” Cooper Raiff Apple Original Films 23 “Thirteen Lives” William Nicholson, Don MacPherson Amazon Studios/MGM 24 “Call Jane” Hayley Schore, Roshan Sethi Roadside Attractions 25 “Emancipation” Bill Collage Apple Original Films All Contenders Listed (Unranked-Alphabetical) — “A Jazzman’s Blues” Tyler Perry Netflix — “A Love Song” Max Walker-Silverman Bleecker Street — “Aftersun” Charlotte Wells A24 — “Palm Trees and Power Lines” Jamie Dack, Audrey Findlay Momentum Pictures — “You Won’t Be Alone” Goran Stolevski Focus Features — “Alice, Darling” Alanna Francis Lionsgate — “Am I OK?” Lauren Pomerantz HBO Max — “Amsterdam” David O. Russell 20th Century Studios — “Argentina, 1985” Mariano Llinás, Santiago Mitre Amazon Studios — “Armageddon Time” James Gray Focus Features — “As They Made Us” Mayim Bialik Quiver — “Athena” Elias Belkeddar, Romain Gavras, Ladj Ly Netflix — “Babylon” Damien Chazelle Paramount Pictures — “God’s Creatures” Shane Crowley, Fodhla Cronin O’Reilly A24 — “Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths” Nicolás Giacobone, Alejandro González Iñárritu Netflix — “The Eternal Daughter” Joanna Hogg A24 — “Bodies Bodies Bodies” Sarah DeLappe, Kristen Roupenian A24 — “Broker” Hirokazu Kore-eda Neon — “Bros” Billy Eichner, Nicholas Stoller Universal Pictures — “Call Jane” Hayley Schore, Roshan Sethi Roadside Attractions — “Causeway” Luke Goebel, Ottessa Moshfegh A24/Apple Original Films — “Cha Cha Real Smooth” Cooper Raiff Apple Original Films — “Close” Lukas Dhont, Angelo Tijssens A24 — “Corsage” Marie Kreutzer IFC Films — “Crimes of the Future” David Cronenberg Neon — “Decision to Leave” Jeong Seo-kyeong, Park Chan-wook Mubi — “Dog” Reid Carolin, Brett Rodriguez MGM/United Artists Releasing — “Don’t Worry Darling” Katie Silberman, Carey Van Dyke, Shane Van Dyke Warner Bros — “Elvis” Baz Luhrmann, Sam Bromell, Craig Pearce, Jeremy Doner Warner Bros. — “Emancipation” William D. Collage Apple Original Films — “Emily the Criminal” John Patton Ford Roadside Attractions/Vertical Entertainment — “Empire of Light” Sam Mendes Searchlight Pictures — “Everything Everywhere All at Once” Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert A24 — “God’s Country” Julian Higgins, Shaye Ogbonna IFC Films — “Good Luck to You, Leo Grande” Katy Brand Searchlight Pictures — “Good Night Oppy” Ryan White, Helen Kearns Amazon Studios — “Holy Spider” Ali Abbasi, Afshin Kamran Bahrami Utopia — “Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.” Adamma Ebo Focus Features — “The Outfit” Graham Moore, Johnathan McClain Focus Features — “Hustle” Taylor Materne, Will Fetters Netflix — “I Love My Dad” James Morosini Magnolia Pictures — “Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody” Anthony McCLofty Sky Distributionn Sony Pictures — “Master” Mariama Diallo Amazon Studios — “Montana Story” Scott McGehee, David Siegel, Mike Spreter Bleecker Street — “Nanny” Nikyatu Jusu Amazon Studios — “Nitram” To be added IFC Films — “Nope” Jordan Peele Universal Pictures — “One Fine Morning” Mia Hansen-Løve Sony Pictures Classics — “Piggy” Carlota Pereda Magnolia Pictures — “Raymond & Ray” To be added Apple Original Films — “Resurrection” Andrew Semans IFC Films — “RRR” Vijayendra Prasad, S.S. Rajamouli Variance Films — “Saint Omer” Alice Diop, Amrita Davis, Zoé Galeron, Marie N’Diaye Neon/Super — “See How They Run” Mark Chappell A24 — “Strange World” Qui Nguyen Walt Disney Pictures — “Tár” Todd Field Focus Features — “The Fabelmans” Tony Kushner, Steven Spielberg Universal Pictures — “The Greatest Beer Run Ever” Brian Hayes Currie, Peter Farrelly, Pete Jones Apple Original Films — “The Inspection” Elegance Bratton A24 — “The Lost King” Steve Coogan, Jeff Pope Warner Bros. — “The Menu” Seth Reiss, Will Tracy Searchlight Pictures — “The Northman” Robert Eggers, Sjón Focus Features — “The Sea Beast” Chris Williams, Neil Benjamin Netflix — “The Swimmers” Sally El Hosaini, Jack Thorne Netflix — “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” Tom Gormican, Kevin Etten Lionsgate — “The Woman King” Maria Bello, Dana Stevens TriStar Pictures — “Thirteen Lives” William Nicholson, Don MacPherson Amazon Studios/MGM — “Ticket to Paradise” Ol Prker, Daniel Pipski Universal Pictures — “Till” Keith Beauchamp, Chinonye Chukwu, Michael Reilly Orion/United Artists Releasing — “Tori and Lokita” The Dardenne Brothers Janus Films — “Triangle of Sadness” Ruben Östlund Neon — “Turning Red” Domee Shi, Julia Cho, Sarah Streicher Pixar — “Vengeance” B.J. Novak Focus Features — “X” Ti West A24

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RankFilmWriter(s)Distributor1“The Banshees of Inisherin”Martin McDonaghSearchlight PicturesTwo lifelong

Docs

Somehow, we’ve just about made it through 2022. And while it’s not like everything will suddenly change on at midnight on December 31, all signs point to 2023 trending in the right direction. So if anyone deserves at least a couple weeks of holiday relaxation and cheer, we do (“we” here meaning the entire world.) Here now are nine of our favorite wintertime holiday movies to help get you into the spirit of the season.

 

HAPPY CHRISTMAS (2014)

Written and Directed by: Joe Swanberg

Starring: Anna Kendrick, Joe Swanberg, Melanie Lynskey, Lena Dunham

Producers: Joe Swanberg, Alicia Van Couvering, Peter Gilbert

Why We Love It: For Jude, Joe Swanberg’s real-life toddler son, who appears in the film as protagonists Kelly (Lyskey) and Jeff’s (Swanberg) child. Says Jen Chaney of The Washington Post: “Improvised family drama feels all too real. But what is often surprising in this entertaining and fluidly acted portrait of females in flux is the specific way things get messy.”

Where To Watch: Hoopla, Pluto TV, Starz

 

THE BLACK CANDLE (2008)

Directed by: M.K. Asante

Screenplay by: M.K. Asante & Maya Angelou

Featuring: Maya Angelou, Jim Brown, Chuck D., Lovensky Jean-Baptiste

Producers: M.K. Asante, Ben Haaz, Kenny Gamble,Walter Lomax

Why We Love It: Maya Angelou. One simply cannot ignore the iconic poet, whose voice graces this enlightening documentary about the history of Kwanzaa, which was created in the wake of the Watts Riots by African Studies professor, activist and author Dr. Maulana Karenga. Says Marina Brafa of FemFilmFans.com: “It shows how and why Kwanzaa emerged, what it is about and where it is headed. Asante does this by documenting the holiday celebrations in pictures and sound. This provides an informative starting point to get to know Kwanzaa.”

Where To Watch: Peacock, Tubi, Freevee

 

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (1971)

Produced and directed by: Norman Jewison

Screenplay by: Joseph Stein

Starring: Chiam Topol, Norma Crane, Leonard Frey, Paul Michael Glaser

Why We Love It: For Tevye (Chaim), breaking the fourth wall and talking to us and guiding us through this spirited musical about Jewish identity and cultural traditions. Of the film, no less than The New Yorker‘s Pauline Kael said: “An absolutely smashing movie; it is not especially sensitive, it is far from delicate, and it isn’t even particularly imaginative, but it seems to me the most powerful movie musical ever made.”

Where To Watch: Watch TCM, Broadway HD

 

CAROL (2015)

Directed by: Todd Haynes

Screenplay by: Phyllis Nagy

Starring: Rooney Mara, Cate Blanchett

Producers: Elizabeth Karlsen, Stephen Woolley, Christine Vachon

Why We Love It: For its depiction of two women fighting for the love they deserve. “At once ardent and analytical, cerebral and swooning, Carol is a study in human magnetism, in the physics and optics of eros. With sparse dialogue and restrained drama, the film is a symphony of angles and glances, of colors and shadows,” says A. O. Scott of The New York Times. Carol won Best Cinematography and received Best Female Lead, Best Screenplay, Best Director and Best Feature nominations at the 2016 Film Independent Spirit Awards.

Where To Watch: Kanopy, Hoopla, Tubi, Freevee, Pluto TV

 

KRISHA (2015)

Written and directed by: Trey Edward Shults

Starring: Krisha Fairchild, Robyn Fairchild, Trey Edward Shults

Producers: Justin R. Chan, Chase Joliet, Trey Edward Shults, Wilson Smith

Why We Love It: For the character of Krisha, the film’s black-sheep protagonist (Krisha Fairchild) and one of 21st century film’s purest examples of the independent spirit. “The story will eventually draw the viewer outside Krisha’s perspective, but the beauty of the film is that its compassion deepens along with its very real sense of horror—compassion not just for Krisha but for those who still love her or have given up on trying,” says Sherri Linden of The Hollywood Reporter. The film won the John Cassavetes Award at the Spirit Awards in 2016.

Where To Watch: HBO Max, Kanopy

 

TANGERINE (2015)

Directed by: Sean Baker

Screenplay by: Sean Baker and Chris Bergoch

Starring: Kitana Kiki Rodriguez, Maya Taylor, James Ransome

Producers: Sean Baker, Karrie Cox, Marcus Cox, Darren Dean, Shih-Ching Tsou

Why We Love It: For Sean Baker filming his low-budget, Christmas-set, Melrose Boulevard masterpiece on a iPhone 5. “An exuberantly raw and up-close portrait of one of Los Angeles’ more distinctive sex-trade subcultures,” writes Justin Chang of Variety. Tangerine won Best Supporting Female and was nominated for Best Female Lead, Best Feature and Best Director at the 31st Film Independent Spirit Awards.

Where To Watch: Kanopy, Fubo TV, Hoopla

 

C.R.A.Z.Y. (2005)

Directed By: Jean-Marc Vallée

Screenplay By: Jean-Marc Vallée and François Boulay

Starring: Marc-André Grondin, Michel Côté, Danielle Proulx

Producers: Pierre Even, Jean-Marc Vallée

Why We Love It: For its spirited portrait of Zac (Grondin), young gay French Canadian whose growth into his own identity is chronicled through Christmas parties set in 1960, 1975 and 1980. “The whole family can feel comfortable watching C.R.A.Z.Y., Jean-Marc Vallee’s bouncy coming-of-age tale that coasts along on a terrific soundtrack and a spot-on feel for period detail,” writes Jay Weissberg of Variety.

Where To Watch: HBO Max, Hoopla, Kanopy

 

A CHRISTMAS TALE (2008)

Directed by: Arnaud Desplechin

Screenplay by: Arnaud Desplechin and Emmanuel Bourdieu

Starring: Catherine Deneuve, Jean-Paul Roussillon, Anne Consigny, Mathieu Amalric

Producers: Pascal Caucheteux

Why We Love It: Of the hit French family drama, Roger Ebert wrote: “A strangely encompassing collection of private moments among the members of a large family with a fraught history. Some of the moments are serious, some revealing, some funny, some simply wry in the manner of a New Yorker story about small insights into the lives of characters so special as to deserve to be in the story.”

Where To Watch: The Criterion Channel, Pluto TV, AMC+

 

HAPPIEST SEASON (2020)

Director: Clea DuVall

Screenplay by: Clea DuVall, Mary Holland

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Dan Levy, Victor Garber, Mary Steenburgen, Alison Brie, Mary Holland, Aubrey Plaza

Producers: Marty Bowen, Isaac Klausner

Why We Love It: One of the most surprising streaming hits of the 2020 movie calendar (and if Film Twitter has anything to say about it, a modern holiday classic), actor-turned-filmmaker Clea DuVall’s second feature is a queer-friendly romp through holiday-season chaos. Mackenzie Davis’s Harper invites her orphaned girlfriend Abby (Stewart) to spend Christmas with her family—only to reveal to Abby that she has yet to come out to them. That’s just one plot thread in a film that has plenty of ‘em, boasting an all-star cast that includes not least of all Dan Levy, fresh off the run of everyone’s favorite Canadian import, Schitt’s Creek.

Where to Watch: Hulu

 

Film Independent promotes unique independent voices by helping filmmakers create and advance new work. To become a Member of Film Independent, just click here. To support us with a donation, click here.

More Film Independent…

(Header: Happiest Season)

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Global

Durham Regional Police are appealing to the public for help in identifying a suspect after a stabbing in Whitby on Christmas Day.

Police said at around 12 p.m. Sunday, officers responded to a stabbing near Gilbert Street East and Brock Street South, south of Dundas Street.

A 52-year-old man was found suffering from serious injuries, police said.

He was taken to a Toronto-area trauma centre and is reported to be in stable condition.

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“Currently, the motive for the stabbing is unclear,” police said.

The male suspect fled south on Brock Street before officers arrived, police added.

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He was described as 25 to 30 years old and was wearing a black jacket, black pants, dark grey boots and a striped toque.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 2548 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.

&copy 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

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Durham Regional Police are appealing to the

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Country artist Zach Bryan is ticked off at Live Nation’s Ticketmaster division.

The “American Heartbreak” singer-songwriter has pledged to stage his summer tour with ticket prices as cheap as possible. The announcement came along with a new album titled, All My Homies Hate Ticketmaster (Live From Red Rocks).

“Seems there is a massive issue with fair ticket prices to live shows lately. I have met kids at my shows who have paid upwards of four-hundred bucks to be there and I’m done with it,” Bryan wrote on Instagram.

“I’ve decided to play a limited number of headline shows next year to which I’ve done all I can to make prices as cheap as possible and to prove to people tickets don’t have to cost $450 to see a good and honest show. To clarify, I am playing a few festivals which I have no control over.”

Getty

Bryan’s statement comes in the wake of the latest Ticketmaster scandal. Taylor Swift fans were angered when the public ticket sale was canceled, allegedly because seat inventory had been filled. Many with access codes were denied a promised opportunity when the system wouldn’t work properly, something Swift herself angrily complained about in the aftermath.

For the uninitiated, tickets at shows controlled by Ticketmaster generally have surcharges attached. These can include facility charges, a delivery fee, and a service fee, all of them adding costs to the price of a ticket that approach the base price. These are known as “junk fees” in the mortgage industry. Concert-goers have a more vulgar name for them.

Ticketmaster fees have been a sore subject with fans for at least 40 years. Artists and politicians have ranted against them and/or promised reform over that span. But there has been little change, other than the base price of tickets rising (which artists and their teams determine), thereby dragging fees upward as well.

“I believe working class people should still be able to afford tickets to shows,” Bryan said in his statement. “I am so tired of people saying things can’t be done about this massive issue while huge monopolies sit there stealing money from working class people. Also, to any songwriter trying to make ‘relatable music for the working class man or woman’ should pride themself (sic) on fighting for the people who listen to the words they’re singing.”

Bryan offered a mailing list so those interested in attending can be informed of his tour plans, along with information on “merch-drops and unreleased music.”

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Country artist Zach Bryan is ticked off

Tech

Four ByteDance employees violated company policy by inappropriately accessing data on TikTok users in the U.S., including two journalists, in an attempt to track down the source of information leaks, according to an internal report released by the Chinese company.

ByteDance said it fired all four of the employees, two based in the U.S. and two in China, for “misconduct.”

The internal ByteDance report, as first reported by the New York Times, found that the employees accessed IP addresses and other data of two U.S.-based reporters via their TikTok accounts — one for BuzzFeed News and one at the Financial Times — along with several individuals connected to the reporters. The staffers engaged in the surveillance were trying to see whether the journalists had been in the vicinity of other ByteDance employees, per the Times.

A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement to Variety, “The misconduct of those individuals, who are no longer employed at ByteDance, was an egregious misuse of their authority to obtain access to user data. This misbehavior is unacceptable, and not in line with our efforts across TikTok to earn the trust of our users. We take data security incredibly seriously, and we will continue to enhance our access protocols, which have already been significantly improved and hardened since this incident took place.”

The disclosure that ByteDance employees misappropriated TikTok user data comes as the short-form video app has faced a backlash among American lawmakers who view it as a threat to U.S. national security given TikTok’s ownership by a China-based conglomerate that is under the jurisdiction of the Chinese Communist Party. TikTok has been trying to finalize a deal with the Biden administration to address U.S. concerns about the security of user data in the app and ensure China’s government would not be able to access that information.

Reps for BuzzFeed and the FT denounced ByteDance’s surveillance of their reporters. “We are deeply disturbed by a report that ByteDance employees accessed the personal user data of a reporter for BuzzFeed News, showing a blatant disregard for the privacy and rights of journalists as well as TikTok users,” a BuzzFeed News spokesperson said, noting that the news outlet has recently reported on ByteDance’s China-based employees accessing U.S. users’ data and on the company’s attempts to “push pro-China messaging to Americans.” A spokesperson for the U.K.-based Financial Times said, “Spying on reporters, interfering with their work or intimidating their sources is completely unacceptable. We’ll be investigating this story more fully before deciding our formal response.”

In a letter to employees, ByteDance CEO Rubo Liang wrote in part, “No matter what the cause or the outcome was, this misguided investigation seriously violated the company’s Code of Conduct and is condemned by the company. We simply cannot take integrity risks that damage the trust of our users, employees, and stakeholders. We must exercise sound judgment in the choices we make and be sure they represent the principles we stand behind as a company.” Liang also said that ByteDance is “taking immediate actions to assuage and address the situation” but that “more importantly, we need to deeply reflect on our actions and think about how we can prevent similar incidents from happening again.”

TikTok had previously pushed back on a report by Forbes in October that ByteDance’s Internal Audit and Risk Control department, which investigates potential misconduct by employees, had planned to monitor the location of U.S. TikTok users. In its previous statement, TikTok had claimed that the app “has never been used to ‘target’ any members of the U.S. government, activists, public figures or journalists.”

Earlier this month, legislation with bipartisan support urging President Biden to use emergency powers to ban TikTok in the U.S. was introduced in Congress, in an effort led by GOP Sen. Marco Rubio. In addition, a bill by Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) would ban the installation of TikTok on all federal devices.

TikTok has spent $1.5 billion to date to form a U.S.-based data security division aimed at meeting the U.S. government’s requirements, Reuters reported Thursday, citing an anonymous source. TikTok has an agreement with Oracle to store user app data in the U.S., and TikTok has proposed giving Oracle the ability to review app and server code. In addition, TikTok has proposed creating a board to oversee the U.S. security division — not subject to ByteDance control — comprising three members who would be screened by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), per the Reuters report. Moreover, TikTok has been “seeking to hire independent auditors and monitors who would be paid by the company but report to CFIUS,” Reuters reported.

Donald Trump, in the final months of his term as U.S. president, issued an executive order that threatened to ban TikTok in the country unless ByteDance sold a controlling interest in TikTok to American investors. Trump was motivated to seek the ban after TikTok users trolled his campaign by placing bogus orders for tickets to one of his rallies, the Times reported this week. U.S. federal courts blocked Trump’s order. In June 2021, President Biden officially revoked Trump’s orders seeking to ban TikTok while also launching an investigation into apps that have ties to “foreign adversaries” that may pose national security or data privacy risks.

In announcing the Senate bill seeking to a U.S. ban on TikTok, Rubio said, “This isn’t about creative videos — this is about an app that is collecting data on tens of millions of American children and adults every day.” He added, “We know it’s used to manipulate feeds and influence elections. We know it answers to the People’s Republic of China. There is no more time to waste on meaningless negotiations with a CCP-puppet company. It is time to ban Beijing-controlled TikTok for good.”

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Video

Feminist, punk activist group Pussy Riot has released a hard-hitting anti-war song and video attacking Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as the officials, generals and propagandists propping up his invasion of Ukraine.

The Russian lyrics liken Russia’s war symbol of Z to the Nazi Swastika. The chorus – “Mom, there are no Nazis here, don’t watch TV” – is taken from the words of a captured Russian conscript in a telephone conversation with his mother.

Referring to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as “a military operation” rather than as a war, Putin has claimed he is trying to rid the country of Nazis, with other Russian propagandists suggesting on live TV that the whole of Europe is in the grip of Nazism.

The video intercuts footage showing the destructive impact of the war with images of a suitcase on a sidewalk seeping blood as well as the band members sitting on a café terrace in Paris; performing the song live and climbing through a subterranean network in their trademark brightly colored balaclavas.

“This song is our statement against the war that Putin started in Ukraine. On 24th February 2022, Russia began a wide-scale military attack on Ukraine. Russian bombs and rockets destroyed Ukrainian homes, schools, and hospitals, wrecking towns and destroying lives,” the group said in a statement released in Russian and English.

“We believe that Putin’s regime is a terrorist regime, and Putin himself, his officials, generals and propagandists are war criminals,” it continued. “Russian propaganda daily poisons the hearts of people with hatred. Those who oppose Putin are imprisoned, poisoned with military poisons and killed.”

The statement noted the cases of former intelligence officers Alexander Litvinenko and Sergei Skripal as well as political activists Vladimir Kara-Murza, Pyotr Verzilov and Alexei Navalny, who have been either poisoned or jailed or both.

The group called on the West to further clamp down on the acquisition of Russia’s oil and gas, step up sanctions against Russian officials with links to Putin and also create an international tribunal to hold Putin and those working with him to account.

In a message to Russians, the group urged their compatriots not to take part in the war and to ignore mobilization notices and propaganda.

“Every action against this war is important,” they said.

Most of the original members of the collective anti-Kremlin group are now living in exile outside of Russia.

Co-founder Maria Alyokhina (aka Masha Alekhina) fled Russia last April, escaping from house arrest disguised as a delivery man, after being threatened with a sentence in a penal colony. Other key member Nadya Tolokonnikova is also living in an undisclosed location outside of the country.

Since her escape, Alyokhina has been on a Europe-wide tour with other long-time Pussy Riot members Olga Borisova and Diana Burkot as well as new arrival Taso Pletner, the proceeds of which are going to help Ukraine.  

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Feminist, punk activist group Pussy Riot has

Entertaintment

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Bachelor Nation has been rooting for Brandon

Movies

Last Updated: October 11, 2020, 12:36 IST

Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story

Cast: Pratik Gandhi, Shreya Dhanwanthary, Anant Mahadevan, Rajat Kapoor, Hemant Kher

Director: Hansal Mehta

Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story traverses highs and lows in the life of a promising entrepreneur who would later introduce the word scam to the public of India. Directed by Hansal Mehta, the 10-part series is slow paced at 50-minutes per episode run and takes its time to grow on you. But the innumerable dramatic turns, like the ones encountered by investors in stock market on daily basis, are thoroughly enjoyable and make the latest Sony LIV original series a riveting yet eye-opening watch.

Pratik Gandhi plays Harshad through the early 80s and 90s. While the advanced technological means available to us today were scant then, the ambition to make surplus money was stoking Harshad’s sharp mind and many of his kind. Initially, we see the Mehta family of five living in a rented chawl. Harshad and Ashwin (Hemant Kher) aspire to make it big in the city of dreams and take a plunge in trading stocks. As years pass by, one realises that through their intelligence and street smart ways, the ‘outsider’ Mehta brothers would meet eye-to-eye with India’s biggest businesses and their owners and trample down on some of them on the way to top.

In showing Harshad’s life, Scam 1992 does not paint a target on his back nor does it make him out to be a messiah of the middle class. It does the balancing act nicely and leaves it to us on which facet of Harshad to rely on or take cues from. Judgements are kept away as director Hansal Mehta and his camera become observers and facilitators to the country’s most exciting and controversial market trade personality.

Apart from the real life of a risk-it-all stock broker and his maverick, unorthodox ways, the most ingenious part of Scam 1992 is its casting. The ensemble is like a bouquet of carefully selected flowers which add the essence of novelty and realism to this dramatic story. While Pratik leads the pack with his suave and confident play act, others compliment him in every way possible. Rajat Kapoor and Satish Kaushik’s extended cameos add comic relief to this rather serious series.

A stern look into the ‘Harshad Mehta Scam’ has been presented though the voice and character of Sucheta Dalal (Shreya Dhanwanthary), a feisty financial journalist, who would also co-write The Scam: Who Won, Who Lost, Who Got Away, from which the series is adapted for web. In a man’s world’s, where rules only exist in books and no one plays by them, Sucheta makes sure that both her voice and exposé don’t go unnoticed. Shreya has played the role with utmost sincerity and imparts an objective view on corrupt institutions and palm-greasing businessmen, who crook their way to the top echelons of power.

Initially, Scam 1992 may seem like a socialist story of taking back power from the resourceful and re-distributing it amongst the public, where it emerges from and rightfully belongs. Caution, it comes out to be far from that. Rather, it captures the spirit of Bombay beautifully, which is that the city does not slumber even at night and rises like a phoenix from its ashes.

Rating: 3.5/5

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Last Updated: October 11, 2020, 12:36 ISTScam

Film

With help from the popularity of Netflix’s ”Wednesday,“ Tim Burton’s ”The Nightmare Before Christmas“ is the most in-demand of the Yuletide films

The demand for Christmas-related content is one of the best cases of seasonal demand in the U.S.

After staying unnoticed most of the year, there’s a revival of the demand for Christmas movies and shows in the last two months. Traditionally, the Christmas atmosphere begins to slowly take place after Thanksgiving in the U.S., when holidays become the main subject of conversations and people rush to do Christmas shopping.  

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Outlander

Outlander
Screenshot: Starz

’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, except, of course, old Saint Nick, delivering exactly what every good little boy and girl asked for: A preview of Outlander season seven. Hark! Heughan’s Heughligans, your prayers have been answered. The show will officially flood the eyes and ears of fans summer of 2023, ending two years of the destructive “Droughtlander.”

Outlander season seven teaser

However, we’re still wondering if things have gotten much better for Claire and Jamie. Unfortunately, things were left on a sour note when we last checked in. Writing for the A.V. Club writer Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya criticized the show’s reliance on sexual violence in the season six finale. They write:

This season finale is Outlander at its absolute worst. Whole seasons ago, I wrote that the show was over-relying on rape and sexual violence as a narrative device. And it’s still doing it. Using rape as a character arc over and over again is not radical. It’s hard to see these choices as anything other than trauma porn at this point. Trauma seems to be the default choice for the writers of this show when it comes to complicating a character or their arc. And it’s growing exhausting.

If the new teaser is to be believed, Outlander is done diving into the past and is ready to look ahead. They even have something called “electric light,” whatever that is, and it seems like they’re going to be getting down to some of that consensual, romantic Outlander sex that fans crave.

All your friends, including Caitríona Balfe, Sam Heughan, Sophie Skelton, Richard Rankin, John Bell, David Berry, Caitlin O’Ryan, and Paul Gorman, are back. On this special day, hold them and no others in your heart, for the Draughtlander is coming to an end.

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OutlanderScreenshot: Starz’Twas the night before Christmas, when

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Avatar: The Way of Water introduces an all new clan of Na’vi known as the Metkayina – and there are a lot of differences between them and the Omitakaya. These water-dwelling Na’vi live in a completely different environment from the Omitakaya, the Na’vi clan that was introduced in the first Avatar movie. This means that the Metkayina have to survive against all kinds of water-based threats and wildlife on the dangerous planet of Avatar‘s Pandora. While they may seem pretty similar at first glance, there are a lot of biological differences between the Metkayina and the Omitakaya in Avatar: The Way of Water.

SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY

Avatar: The Way of Water follows Jake Sully and his family as they flee their home in order to evade the returning RDA soldiers, including the reincarnated Avatar of Colonel Quaritch. The small group of Omitakaya travel eastward, where they run into the Omitakaya clan, a group of Na’vi that have based their society around Pandora’s vast oceans. Although the Omitakaya initially clash with the Metkayina, Jake Sully and his family eventually learn to live in harmony with the sea-dwelling Na’vi, figuring out how to live alongside the new clan, despite their many cultural and biological differences.

Related: Avatar 2 Is One of James Cameron’s Best AND Worst Rotten Tomatoes Scores


Green Skin

The most apparent difference in the Metkayina Na’vi is their teal-green skin. While the Omitakaya are known for their vibrant blue skin, the Metkayina’s green skin allows them to survive much better in their environment. Essentially, their teal-green skin shade allows them to perfectly blend in with the greenish-blueish oceans of Pandora, giving them the ability to hide from predators while swimming.

Besides the biological reason, there’s also a practical reason why Avatar: The Way of Water changed the Metkayina’s skin color. Having green skin allows the audience to visually tell which Na’vi is part of which clan, as the skin color is much more instantly recognizable than the other differences between the clans. Comparatively, the Omitakaya are fish out of water among the Metkayina, and having different colors allows the film to visually make this distinction.

Finned Arms

Ronal, Tonowari, and the Metkayina clan in Avatar 2

Another major difference that the Metkayina Na’vi have are their thick, finned arms. The Metkayina’s broad forearms act almost as paddles, allowing them to swim through Pandora’s oceans with great force. Their arms also allow the Metkayina to hit harder while simultaneously being big enough to use defensively, blocking incoming hits. Throughout Avatar: The Way of Water, the Metkayina make fun of Jake Sully’s kids, with their comparatively thin arms being the butt of many jokes.

Bigger Tails

Metkayina Tails

Along with their arms, the Metkayina also have much bigger tails than the Omitakaya. While the Omitakaya have thin, prehensile tails (meaning tails that are capable of grasping things), Avatar‘s Metkayina have thick, flat tails. In the water, the Omitakaya use their tales like rudders, giving them better steering ability in the water. The tails can also be used in combat, with Avatar: The Way of Water showing the Metkayina using their tails to sweep the legs of other Na’vi and hit them with their powerful swings at a distance.

Related: Avatar 2 Isn’t James Cameron’s Biggest Risk – Avatar 5 Is

Transparent Eyelids

Na'vi Underwater Avatar 2 Swimming

Perhaps the most subtle difference between the Metkayina and the Omitakya is the Metkayina’s eyelids. Although they have regular eyelids, the Metkayina also have a second set of eyelids underneath their main ones. These eyelids are translucent, allowing the Metkayina to see underwater without damaging their eyes. The Metkayina’s translucent eyelids in Avatar 2 are actually a real thing present in many marine animals, such as mackerel, milkfish, and jacks. Known as adipose eyelids, this small detail probably went unnoticed by many, making it another example of the meticulous world-building of Avatar: The Way of Water.

Looser Hair

Duke swimming in water with the fish in Avatar The Way of Water

One of the most distinctive qualities of the Na’vi are their hair, with the Omitakaya typically wearing their thick hair in long, black braids. Although the Metkayina all have black hair as well, their hair is much less thick than their tree-dwelling counterparts. Because of this, the Metkayina wear their hair in different hairstyles, preferring looser hairstyles that allow their hair to flow. The different hairstyles present in the Metkayina clan is another example of the many cultural differences between Pandora’s various Na’vi clans, adding another layer of detail to the world of Avatar.

The Metkayina’s loose hair also has a survival advantage for the clan. In the water, the Metkayina’s hair poofs out, showing off the fantastic water and hair physics of the new Avatar film. It also makes the Metkayina look bigger, possibly warding off the predators of Pandora’s ocean. Many real-life animals instinctively poof their hair out to seem bigger to predators, and it only makes sense that the Na’vi would have evolved this survival instinct as well.

Smaller Ears

Avatar 2 Metkayina Chief

Another minor difference between the Omitakaya and the Metkayina are the Metkayina’s smaller ears. When compared to Jake Sully and his family, the Metkayina’s ears seem much smaller, with their ears also featuring much smaller ear canals. Although it isn’t certain exactly why the Metkayina have this difference, it is most likely an adaptation that allows the Na’vi to take in less water through their ears while swimming. On top of that, the Metkayina probably need to hear less than the Omitakaya. While the Omitakaya have to hear predators over the constant crunching of leaves, the Omitakaya live on fairly flat beaches, making their hearing less crucial.

Related: Are Avatar 2’s English-Speaking Na’vi A Plot Hole?

Bigger Chests & Skinnier Abdomens

Metkayina Stomachs

One final difference between the two clans of Na’vi is that the Metkayina have different chest and abdomen proportions. In Avatar: The Way of Water, the Metkayina on average seem to have broader chests, while also having skinnier abdomens. Since the Metkayina can’t breathe water, this adaptation most likely came about as a result of their need to stay underwater for long periods of time. By the end of Avatar: The Way of Water, the Omitakaya Na’vi have been in several situations where they have nearly run out of breath – something that the Metkayina are never shown struggling with.

It is theorized that the Metkayina’s bigger chests allow them to have more room for larger lungs. This ability for increased lung capacity explains why they can stay underwater for so long without coming up for air. Their skinnier abdomens could mean that the rest of their organs are smaller, allowing the Metkayina to be about the same size as the other Na’vi while still making them suitable for their environments. Small details like this are why the world of Pandora in Avatar: The Way of Water is such a beloved and complex place.

More: The Way Of Water: The Real Reason Avatar 2 Took So Long

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“We were still very privileged to have had that moment where we were actually free to do whatever we wanted.”

Before James Gunn and Peter Safran decided to focus on a young Clark Kent as part of their overhaul of DC Studios, we had “Smallville.”

Created by Al Gough and Miles Millar, the young Superman drama starring Tom Welling premiered in 2001 and ran for 10 seasons. Now, Gough and Millar are the team behind Netflix’s massive hit “Wednesday,” another series taking a fresh look at a beloved fixture of pop culture. In a wide-ranging interview with The Hollywood Reporter about the show, they touched on their time working on “Smallville.”

When asked if they would ever consider revisiting or rebooting the series, the duo was in agreement: No.

“I think we told that story, and they’re always refreshing Superman,” Gough said. “I just read last night that James Gunn’s writing a new younger Superman movie, and I’m like, ‘OK.’ I feel like we were very, very fortunate to do the show when we did it because we got to make the show we wanted to make, and frankly, there was no committee sitting over us telling us what we could or couldn’t do. I mean, we had Warner’s features, who wouldn’t give us certain characters that we wanted, but we got to make the show we wanted to make which we wouldn’t be allowed to make that show today.”

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Millar pointed out that, considering how far from the established Superman canon “Smallville” veered, “we categorically would not be allowed to make that show and make those changes today, which is a real tragedy because I think what’s amazing if you look at the history of comics and these characters, is they’re always evolving.

“We were still very privileged to have had that moment where we were actually free to do whatever we wanted,” Millar added, “and it was amazing and very liberating.”

And though they laughingly said they have no advice for Gunn as he embarks on his own Clark Kent series, they did tease another project they’ve long contemplated.

“We tried for a long time to get a young Miss Marple, and maybe that influenced us with the whodunnit element [in ‘Wednesday’], but it’s certainly something that was intriguing as a character who you always see,” Millar said. “I think that was something, to see how she evolved into sort of the nosy old lady in Agatha Christie was something we talked about for a while.”

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"We were still very privileged to have

Docs

It was 1929, and Hollywood was facing a conundrum that it had not anticipated, or adequately prepared for.

Sound had rolled in two years prior, with “The Jazz Singer,” and practically overnight, a style of filmmaking that the studios had mastered laboriously over decades was now antiquated.

Left to right, Groucho, Chico, Harpo and Gummo Marx.

If you’ve ever seen the movie “Singin’ in the Rain,” with the faulty microphones planted inside shrubs and rustling noisily against costumes and the glamorous silent star played by Jean Hagen revealing an unexpected voice, you might get the picture, if in slightly exaggerated form.

The comedic giants of the silent era wrestled mightily with the advent of sound. Buster Keaton’s career tragically foundered on the rocks of dialogue, and Charlie Chaplin—then the most famous performer in the world—simply chose to ignore the arrival of sound, mostly, releasing two more dialogue-free features (1931’s “City Lights” and 1936’s “Modern Times”) before finally giving in to the inevitable. Screen comedy had been predicated on action and gesture. Chaplin could convey overwhelming feeling in the hunch of his shoulders, or the twirl of his cane. But now performers needed to talk, and be funny, too, and Hollywood did not have the slightest clue how to do that.

Enter Julius, Leonard and Adolph Marx, or as you might know them, Groucho, Chico and Harpo.

The Marx Brothers (usually a trio, although occasionally joined by their brothers Zeppo and Gummo) had been thrust onto the stage as children by their mother, Minnie. Minnie believed her sons had the potential to make a name for themselves—as singers. They began as a group called the 3 Nightingales (soon to become the 4 Nightingales) whose musical numbers were interspersed with rapid-fire patter.

The singing was iffy at best. Harpo was so poor a performer that his mother told him to simply open his mouth when his brothers were singing. Legend has it that a performance in Nacogdoches, Texas was interrupted by a mule that ascended the stage mid-routine, inspiring some hasty banter and causing the 4 Nightingales to give up entirely on singing and reorient themselves as a comedy troupe.

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Vaudeville leaned on the expert deployment of familiar stereotypes, and each Marx brother adopted a recognizable ethnic persona. Groucho played German—a familiar comic routine in the years before the U.S. entry into the First World War—and Chico was faux-Italian. Surrounded on all sides by these hyper-verbal masters of the double entendre and the malapropism, the vaguely Irish Harpo, clad in a curly red-haired wig, went silent, letting his horn and his harp (after which he was nicknamed) do the talking for him. The Marx Brothers were themselves Jewish, and part of the joke in adapting these hoary signifiers of ethnic humor was that everyone knew they were no such thing.

“Well, what do you think I am, one of the early settlers?” Groucho would later wonder in 1929’s “The Cocoanuts.”

We don’t see The Marx Brothers onscreen until they are middle-aged men.

The Marx Brothers, 1931. Top to bottom: Chico, Harpo, Groucho and Zeppo. Library of Congress.

Chico was 42 when they made their first sound film, Harpo was 41 and Groucho 39. (One silent Marx Brothers film, 1921’s “Humor Risk,” has been lost.) Even in their very first films, we can glimpse the lines on Groucho’s face, testament to half a lifetime spent on vaudeville stages before ever appearing in front of a camera. In this, they share a moment with W.C. Fields and Mae West, similarly recruited from the theater, no longer young but with skills suddenly in hot demand in Hollywood.

The Marx Brothers arrived with perfectly crafted characters, honed over the course of thousands of nights in front of paying audiences, and their movies are inspired bits of nonsense, designed to tear down all manner of clay-footed idols. Groucho was a silver-tongued incompetent posing as a paragon of society, hoodwinking a straight world represented by stiff-necked Margaret Dumont. He was an African explorer, a university president, a political leader, forever tickled that no one had yet discovered his inaptitude for all manner of authority.

“Hooray for Captain Spaulding, the African explorer!” rang out one musical number in 1930’s “Animal Crackers,” and Groucho responds, concerned: “Did someone call me schnorrer?”

Groucho was indeed a schnorrer, a beggar perpetually in search of recognition from an elite that could never keep up with him. “Your eyes,” he woos Dumont in “The Cocoanuts.” “They shine like the pants of my blue serge suit.” You could take the boy out of the shmatte district,1 but you could not take the shmatte district out of the boy.

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Where to start with Groucho Marx (and why you should)

The studios, mostly founded by Eastern European Jewish immigrants whose hold on the upper rungs of American society was tenuous, did not much like the idea of explicitly Jewish humor in their movies, and this, too, was folded into The Marx Brothers’ jokes. “All along the river, those are all levees,” Groucho shows Chico, seeking to sell him a piece of Florida real estate in their first film, “The Cocoanuts.”  “That’s the Jewish neighborhood?” Chico inquires.

The silent comedy was rooted in its free-floating anarchy, its desire that all manner of pomp and fluff be torn to shreds by the uncontrollable democracy of comedy. The Marx Brothers were like a spoken-word update to the model, with their relentless gusher of petty combat, romantic intrigue, delirious haiku and social satire leaving audiences breathless in an effort to simply keep up.

The Marx Brothers provided the precise thing that Hollywood needed, in these earliest days of sound.

Groucho brought the surreal into the workaday environs of the movie studios, finding humor in twisting and bending a joke until it took on a radically unfamiliar shape. He invites his brothers in for a job interview in their masterpiece, 1933’s “Duck Soup,” and confronts them with a question:

“Now what is it that has four pairs of pants, lives in Philadelphia, and it never rains but it pours?”

“Duck Soup” is the best thing The Marx Brothers ever did, and one of the very best movies ever produced by the studios in their heyday. It is anarchic, savage, unstinting in its satire of combat both political and martial. It is also an unbroken chain of absurdities, culminating in the glorious physical comedy of Harpo posing as Groucho’s mirror image, with the suspicious Groucho testing him by skipping, pogoing, jitterbugging and lifting his arms in praise to the heavens.

Groucho Marx and Dick Cavett

S36 Ep8

Groucho & Cavett – Watch the Trailer Now

Their movies were fast, and no one was faster than Groucho, who gave off the impression of issuing this tidal wave of quips on the spur of the moment. Contemporary audiences may struggle to keep up with the titanic rush of dialogue, pouring out in streams of free-flowing absurdity. Groucho’s monologues often wind up somewhere radically different from where they started, only following the warp and weave of his dazzling comic mind.

 “You know who sneaked into my stateroom at three o’clock this morning?” he asks a ship steward in “Monkey Business.” “Nobody! And that’s my complaint. I’m young—I want laughter, gaiety, ha cha cha.”

Groucho is present as master of ceremonies, statesman manque and elder sibling in a never-ending series of battles large and small. For Groucho, talk was all there ever was, and it was more than enough.

1 Editor’s Note: Shmatte means rag in Yiddish. Shmatte districts refer to garment districts often in urban Jewish ghettos.

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It was 1929, and Hollywood was facing

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SUSPECTED sabotage attacks on Russian oil refineries and shopping malls is the work of the CIA and NATO ally spies, an expert has claimed.

A clandestine campaign is allegedly behind many of the “Armageddon” explosions and fires that have hit strategic or prominent facilities in recent months

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Explosions at the strategic bases have been linked to sabotage in response to the Ukraine warCredit: East2West
A huge fireball is seen after an explosion hit a gas pipeline in the Leningrad region of Russia

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A huge fireball is seen after an explosion hit a gas pipeline in the Leningrad region of RussiaCredit: East2West
Army Special Operations veteran Jack Murphy believes the attacks have been carried out by the CIA and NATO ally spies

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Army Special Operations veteran Jack Murphy believes the attacks have been carried out by the CIA and NATO ally spiesCredit: East2West

Army Special Operations veteran Jack Murphy claims that other European intelligence services have been “running operatives into Russia to create chaos” – as has Ukraine.  

He claims the campaign is directed by the CIA.

But oil and gas facilities, railways, fuel depots, power plants and shopping malls have been treated across the country by mysterious explosions, with rumours of sabotage.

“The campaign involves long standing sleeper cells that the allied spy service has activated to hinder Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine by waging a secret war behind Russian lines,” Murphy said in a post online.

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“The campaign is responsible for many of the unexplained explosions and other mishaps that have befallen the Russian military industrial complex since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February.”

He cited anonymous US sources including three former intelligence and two military officials, and an American “who has been briefed on the campaign”.

“The former officials declined to identify specific targets for the CIA-directed campaign, but railway bridges, fuel depots and power plants in Russia have all been damaged in unexplained incidents since the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February,” said Murphy on his website.

No US officials were involved on the ground, he said, but the strikes had used an “allied intelligence service” and were allegedly approved by US president Joe Biden.

“While command and control over the sabotage program resides with the CIA for legal reasons, the NATO ally has a strong say in which operations go forward since it is their people taking the risks,” he said.

His assertions follow weeks of explosions and fires at shopping malls as well as energy facilities.

On Christmas Eve an inferno hit a large warehouse belonging to the defence-related All-Russian Institute of Light Alloys in Moscow.

And on Friday, fire engulfed a military base in Moscow, raging for more than four hours. 

Separately, a huge explosion hit a major Russian gas pipeline some 560 miles from the Ukrainian border. 

The cause was unclear but videos showed a huge fireball burning in the Chuvashia republic.

Gas from Russia is transported using the pipeline via Ukraine to Europe, according to early reports. 

The incidents have been linked to sabotage against the Russian tyrant’s unpopular war in Ukraine, which has seen nearly 100,000 Russians killed and many others maimed.

“The NATO ally’s campaign overseen by the CIA is only one of several covert operations efforts being undertaken by Western nations in Russia,” said Murphy, attributing his claim to two former U.S. special operations officials. 

“Alarmed by Russia’s February invasion, other European intelligence services have activated long-dormant resistance networks in their own countries, who in turn have been running operatives into Russia to create chaos without CIA help,” he claims he was told by a former U.S. military official.

“In addition, as has been widely reported, Ukrainian intelligence and special operations forces are running their own operations behind Russian lines.” 

Mick Mulroy, a former CIA paramilitary officer, was allegedly quoted as saying: “I do not know who is behind these attacks, but their value is substantial and serves multiple purposes.

“Russia has had a significant problem keeping up with its logistical supply lines. These attacks further complicate its effort to supply its forces.”

They also serve to sow doubt in Kremlin minds, because they show that Russian President Vladimir Putin “does not have control over what is happening in his own country,” Mulroy said. 

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“Is it a covert program, is it disgruntled Russians sabotaging their own plant, or is it pure incompetence of the workers? I don’t know, and perhaps the Kremlin doesn’t either. This matters to paranoid autocrats.”

The CIA has reportedly denied its involvement, claiming it is “categorically false.”

Attacks on oil refineries have increased in the past few weeks

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Attacks on oil refineries have increased in the past few weeksCredit: East2West
Fatalities have been recorded following the series of explosions

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Fatalities have been recorded following the series of explosionsCredit: East2West

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Los Angeles, CA - *EXCLUSIVE* - Angelina Jolie looks classy in an all black ensemble as she goes shopping with her daughter Zahara in Los Angeles. Pictured: Zahara Jolie-Pitt, Angelina Jolie BACKGRID USA 12 DECEMBER 2022 BYLINE MUST READ: Javiles / BACKGRID USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients - Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*


Justin Bieber seen with wife Hailey after both his H&M merch was pulled from stores and his $200 million for music collection is in negotiations. 22 Dec 2022 Pictured: Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber. Photo credit: APEX / MEGA TheMegaAgency.com +1 888 505 6342 (Mega Agency TagID: MEGA928106_026.jpg) [Photo via Mega Agency]


Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber spotted shopping in SoHo, New York City. 05 Dec 2022 Pictured: Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber. Photo credit: ZapatA/MEGA TheMegaAgency.com +1 888 505 6342 (Mega Agency TagID: MEGA923662_003.jpg) [Photo via Mega Agency]

Image Credit: Gregory Pace/Shutterstock

Christmas is finally here and celebs are spreading their holiday cheer on social media! Although most of the country is buried in snow during a record-breaking blizzard, stars are taking to their Instagrams to share some joy. Reese Witherspoon proved that she is just like us, sharing a series of family photos with her three kids in front of their stockings — and her entire family in front of the tree.

Elton John posted a video on his Instagram from Australia, where he is currently celebrating Christmas. But that’s not all! From Millie Bobby Brown‘s tropical Christmas vacation to Brooke Shields‘ bundled-up family in the Big Apple, stars are sharing their gratitude for such a wonderful year. See photos inside of their holiday plans to find out all there is to know.

Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon and her husband Jim Toth filled the kids’ stockings with tidings of comfort and joy for sure, judging by the looks on their faces. The 46-year-old Legally Blonde actress and Jim 52, were all smiles in front of their gorgeous Christmas tree with her two children with ex-husband Ryan Phillippe — Ava, 23, and Deacon, 19 — as well as her child with Jim, Tennesee, 10.

Brooke Shields

Brooke Shields shared family photos on her Instagram in New York City. In the caption that accompanied pics of her and her husband with their daughters, Rowan , 19, and Grier 16. In the caption, the supermodel wrote, My heart is full this Christmas. Sending love to you and yours. May your day be full of happy.”

Elton John

Elton John wore super cute Santa Claus glasses while thanking his fans on Instagram this Christmas after his final tour. In a video, the legendary musician shared his gratitude for his fans and said it’s “been the most successful year of my career.” In the caption to the video, Elton wrote, “Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all my wonderful fans. Thanks for making 2022 my best year ever.”

Millie Bobby Brown

Millie Bobby Brown has had quite a year and is now one of the biggest stars in the world. The girlfriend of Jake Bongiovi, shared a photo from a tropical location on her Instagram. Wearing a red bikini top that she accessorized with a beautiful flower in her hair, the Stranger Things actress kept the caption simple, writing, “Merry Christmas.”

Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer shared a video of herself on Instagram, showcasing her growing baby bump! The pregnant star — who announced that she was expecting on SNL on Dec. 3, looked adorable in the video. While shaking her growing belly for her fans, Keke said, “I’m pregnant for real. This ain’t hot fries or Funyons. This is a real baby.”

Kris Jenner

The Kardashians reality show matriarch Kris Jenner knows how to celebrate Christmas, as her famous family always goes over the top for the holiday. This Christmas, Kris left a lot to be wondered about as she shared an artist’s drawing of her and her daughters. In the caption, Kris wrote, Merry Christmas. Thank you for the illustration @handmadehighlights #Christmas #MerryChristmas”

Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. kept it comical this Christmas. The 57-year-old legendary actor posted a photo on his Instagram wearing Snoopy pajamas and a Santa Claus hat. He was sipping a cup of coffee in the photo, which he captioned, “Merry Xmas.. thinking of starting a coffee company next year … in fact, it’s a resolution.”

Tyra Banks

Tyra Banks shared photos of some goofy faces with her fans this Christmas. Wearing a gold Santa Claus hat and black blouse, the stunning supermodel posed differently for each and every shot. In one face, she crossed her eyes and looked silly. In another shot, she gave her best glam face and in another shot, she flashed her superstar smile. You betta work!

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Tech

What happens when a YouTube star and legendary film composer both happen to be in Antarctica at the same time? In the case of Jimmy Donaldson (a.k.a. MrBeast) and Hans Zimmer, that means filming and creating an original soundtrack for a YouTube video — all within the span of 12 days.

After arriving in Antarctica to film his latest YouTube video, which sees the stunt-happy creator spending 50 hours outside the Union Glacier area, Donaldson quickly learned that Zimmer was also in the area. He took the opportunity to pitch the composer and, within a span of roughly four hours, the two struck a deal to have the Oscar winner score the upcoming YouTube video, according to Donaldson.

“The moment I heard Hans was there too, I knew I had to work with him on this no matter what it took. No one else would understand what surviving in such a crazy place is like! We had to get it done super quick, and when we reached out, he was just as excited,” Donaldson said in a statement.

MrBeast in Antarctica

Tareq Salameh

To create the original soundtrack in a limited time frame, Zimmer linked up with James Everingham and Adam Lukas, members of the Bleeding Fingers Music composer collective; the trio previously collaborated on the soundtrack for the BBC docuseries Frozen Planet II.

The final product, “I Survived 50 Hours in Antarctica,” will be published via YouTube on Dec. 24. The original piece, “Antarctica or Bust,” will also be released on Spotify via Bleeding Fingers Music.

“When MrBeast sets you a challenge, you can bet things are going to get crazy… ‘Score my Antarctica video in just a few days, please, Hans? Challenge accepted!!’” Zimmer said in a statement. “We had a ton of fun, and we hope you enjoy.”

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While Chinonye Chukwu was filming “Till” — which tells the story of Mamie Till-Mobley’s relentless pursuit of justice following the lynching of her 14-year-old son, Emmett Till — she spotted someone she didn’t recognize visiting with the film’s producer and star Whoopi Goldberg on the Atlanta set. “I see this tall man. I was like, ‘Who is this?’” Chukwu recalls. The mysterious visitor was Tyler Perry.

“I came in to support,” Perry explains as the two filmmakers sit down. “I just wanted to let you and Whoopi and everybody else know that anything I could do, I was there 100%. Atlanta’s a little bit of my town.”

The “Till” production office had been set up at Tyler Perry Studios, which was “glorious,” Chukwu says before asking the million-dollar question: “I look at you and the legacy that you built for yourself, and I look at the studio, at you as a filmmaker, at you as a businessman. How do you think the industry and your relationship to the industry has changed since ‘Diary of a Mad Black Woman?’”

“I think it started to open up doors for other people of color to tell their stories,” says Perry, who recently directed “A Jazzman’s Blues,” a love story with dire consequences that’s based on his first screenplay, written 27 years ago. “Seeing people like you getting opportunities that probably wouldn’t have happened 15, 20 years ago — certainly not 30 years ago, when I started — and it not seeming like, ‘Oh, my God, a Black woman’s directing now!’ It seems like, ‘A Black woman’s directing.’ It’s been a wonderful journey to watch.”

Watch the full interview here as part of Variety’s Directors on Directors series, presented by MGM Studios and United Artists Releasing.

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While Chinonye Chukwu was filming “Till” — which

Entertaintment

Kendall Jenner, like her sister Kim Kardashian, dressed to sparkle last night at her family’s annual Christmas Eve party in one of her most formal and glitzy looks of the year.

The model opted to wear a strapless red Valentino dress with her brown hair styled down and straight. She paired it with a nude lip.

Jenner shared a photo of the dress from the back on her Instagram Story while her friend Carter Gregory posted a video of Jenner, holding a drink and walking in the outfit toward the camera. Her sisters Kim and Khloé Kardashian also appeared in the clip.

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kendall jenner at her family's christmas party

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The 27-year-old model spoke to W in September about how she prioritizes her various career projects, from modeling to her family’s reality show The Kardashians. Fashion, of course, was her first love and focus.

“Modeling has been a part of my life for a really long time,” she said. “There was a time when it was my highest priority and focus. I love that I’m at a place now where I can compartmentalize different aspects of my life. I’m heavily involved in growing my businesses and giving them a lot of attention, and I love being able to be on set for things that I love doing. At a certain point, it was all moving so fast, but now I feel like I can really appreciate it a lot more and be super present.”

She also addressed her own career in fashion, saying, “I was 14 when I first started modeling, and 16 or 17 when I came to New York and started taking it super seriously. A lot has happened in 10 years, and the evolution is exciting.”

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Kendall Jenner, like her sister Kim Kardashian,

Movies

Last Updated: December 25, 2022, 20:52 IST

Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna wish fans on Christmas.

Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna wish fans Christmas with adorable pictures.

Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna took to Instagram to wish their fans on Christmas. Rashmika, while sharing her picture, confessed that she had taken the picture a while ago but waited for Christmas to share the picture. In the picture, Rashmika was seen soaking up the sun while posing with a Christmas tree. She was seen wearing a red jacket and sporting a big smile.

Sharing the picture, Rashmika wrote, “This time I already had a Christmas picture and I took this only keeping in mind that I needed a picture to wish you all… so Merry Christmas my loves… ❤️.” On the other hand, Vijay Deverakonda was seen posing with his parents.

In the picture, Vijay was seen wearing a white tee with a pair of grey pants and a yellow shirt. The actor revealed that the house was decked up by his mother. Sharing the picture, Vijay wrote, “Mummy just needs a reason to decorate the house and celebrate Happy Christmas my loves ❤️.”

Vijay and Rashmika, who have worked together in a couple of movies, have been rumoured to be dating for a while now. While it was claimed that they had separated in October, they apparently reunited after a break. The actors, however, maintained that they are close friends.

On the work front, Vijay was last seen in Liger. He has Kushi with Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Jana Gana Mana in the pipeline. Meanwhile, Rashmika has a number of movies in the making. These include Varisu with Thalapathy Vijay in Tamil, and Pushpa: The Rule aka Pushpa 2 with Allu Arjun.

Rumours are rife that the team has approached Sai Pallavi for the role of Allu Arjun’s sister in Pushpa: The Rule, according to Siasat.com. Rashmika will also be a part of the movie. The report suggests that if Sai Pallavi gives her nod for the story, director Sukumar is ready to get her on board. Sukumar has reportedly written a strong and memorable tribal girl character for the film and is considering Sai for the role. Apart from these two films, Rashmika also has Mission Majnu with Sidharth Malhotra.

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Last Updated: December 25, 2022, 20:52 ISTVijay

Film

Banderas is currently in theaters for the second time this year with “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.”

Post heart attack, Antonio Banderas is relishing “Being Alive.”

Banderas, currently starring in a production of the Stephen Sondheim musical “Company” in Madrid, is making the press rounds in support of his new film “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” and he’s discussing his 2017 heart attack in-depth for the first time.

“I realized that it probably was one of the best things that ever happened in my life because the things that were not important and I was worried every day about them, meaningless,” he told Page Six.

“I was like, why am I worried about that if I’m going to die?” he said. “I knew always [that I was going to die], but now I know. I’ve seen it right here.”

“Puss in Boots” also deals with mortality, as Banderas’ titular character discovers he’s down to one of his nine lives and embarks upon a quest to discover the Last Wish and restore all nine.

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Related

Banderas has been busy since his heart attack. In addition to “Puss in Boots,” he was seen earlier this year in “Uncharted” and has “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” coming out in theaters next year. But even so, he joked on the red carpet to “Puss in Boots” co-star Salma Hayek that he should have made a dance cameo in her upcoming film “Magic Mike’s Last Dance.”

“He would have. He would have shamed them,” Hayek said. “He’s a really good dancer, Antonio.” Banderas proved it recently, directing and starring in a 2019 Spanish-language production of “A Chorus Line” in Barcelona.

In her review of “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” IndieWire critic Emma Stefansky wrote, “Perhaps what makes ‘The Last Wish’ a cut above the rest is the deftness with which it eases the audience into the Lesson of the Day format of most animated children’s movies. Ultimately, Puss’s desire to be free from death keeps him from enjoying his life — a somewhat darker concept than one usually finds in children’s media, especially geared towards an audience as young as this film’s. It never, however, plasters whatever it has to say all over the screen, allowing story beats to unfold naturally and in surprising ways.”

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What to Watch

Christmas movies have always been a popular category, with almost every streaming site and entertainment company coming up with all forms of films and shows that revolve around the theme of Christmas. However, not all of these films end up getting rave reviews or becoming popular. Over the past years it has been proven that a Christmas movie is either a hit or a miss, and rarely something in between. It is definitely intriguing to identify which of these Christmas movies made to the nice list, or the “best list”, and which of them made to the naughty list, or the “worst list”. With a little bit of help from Rotten Tomatoes, the two lists have been compiled, and you can find them below. First, the five best-rated, then, the five worst-rated.

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The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) – 95%

Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

This stop-motion animated film by Henry Selick and Tim Burton might have been released over 25 years ago, but it is still loved by every Christmas movie fan. What is interesting about The Nightmare Before Christmas is that it is a perfect transition from the Halloween spirit to Christmas as the movie is an amalgamation of both celebrations. The bright and dark colors and, of course, the unique characters ensure that the viewer does not forget this movie easily. With its legacy still continuing, this particular movie has the perfect ingredients of fantasy and reality, in turn, allowing any child and adult to enjoy it.

Related: Best Christmas Movies of the 1990s, Ranked

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) – 93%

George is surrounded by his family.
RKO Radio Pictures

Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life is not an easy watch as it takes the viewer on an emotional rollercoaster ride but it is definitely one that is worth watching simply because it captures the true spirit and meaning of Christmas. Regarded as one of the most inspirational films, this holiday classic reminds the viewer that regardless of all the tough lucks and obstacles, life itself is a true gem. With the protagonist being reminded of how important every single individual is, the film ensures that the viewer is comforted and made to feel special. Thus, it has become a tradition for many families to watch this together.

Miracle on 34th Street (1947) (96%)

Kris Kringle, Doris, Fred and Susan looks at the Christmas tree.
20th Century Fox

With one of the best on-screen adaptations of Santa, this 1947 classic adds in a little bit of hope and miracle to the Christmas season. Miracle on 34th Street might focus on a Santa Claus trying to restore the Christmas spirit, but it is also a film that reminds the viewers of the importance of belief. This particular film brings back the age-old debate of whether Santa exists or not. Regardless of the viewer being a child or an adult, it is surely going to light up a spark in favor of the argument of Santa Claus existing.

Related: From Tim Allen to Kurt Russell, Which Santa Actor Is the Best?

The Shop Around the Corner (1940) – 100%

Klara Novak and Alfred Kralik looks at each other
Loew’s Inc.

A classic romantic comedy, The Shop Around the Corner merges the themes of love and Christmas to bring the viewer a heart-warming film. The story revolves around Klara Novak (Margaret Sullavan) and Alfred Kralik (James Stewart) who, unbeknownst to them, are each other’s mystery correspondents. The film focuses on these two characters’ relationship that starts off on a rough note but ends with a romantic vibe, in turn, restoring the faith in love. The film is yet another classic that focuses on sending positive messages to the viewer.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) – 100%

Grinch pats Cindy Lou Who
MGM Television

While the live-action movie version of Dr. Seuss’ well-known story, which featured Jim Carrey as the Grinch, might be what comes to the minds of many Christmas fans, it is the 1966 animated TV special that ranks as the number one Christmas movie on Rotten Tomatoes. Obviously, the bright colors, the brilliant voice acting of Boris Karloff, and the story itself makes this movie the best holiday movie and is definitely a must-watch for anyone who loves Christmas movies.

An American Carol (2008) – 12%

Malone visits an alternate past with General George S. Patton
Vivendi Entertainment

This film by Davic Zucker attempts to combine politics with Christmas and fails. By using the classic story of A Christmas Carol, the protagonist, Malone’s patriotism is restored. In a nutshell, the film shows how Marlone goes from a left-wing activist to someone who is biased towards right-wing ideologies. There are certain disturbing aspects of the film, like the portrayal of the protagonist’s interviewee, Aziz, as a terrorist in disguise, in turn, focusing on the stereotyping of the Muslim community. Perhaps, the messages the film tries to convey does more harm than good, in turn, taking away the actual spirit of Christmas.

Surviving Christmas (2004) – 8%

Drew and Alicia makes up.
DreamWorks Pictures

Surviving Christmas might have a brilliant set of actors like Ben Affleck, James Gandolfini, Christina Applegate and Catherine O’Hara, but, unfortunately, the film lacks the elements needed to capture the viewer’s attention. In fact, this particular film is regarded as one of Affleck’s low points in terms of his acting career. Of course, the title of the film itself does not sound like Chirstmas-spirit. Where does the film go wrong? While the film tries to show that money can’t buy happiness, the lack of comedy and diversions from the central plot makes it an unexciting film.

Related: Best Anti-Christmas Movies to Watch If You Hate the Holidays

Deck the Halls (2006) – 6%

Danny DeVito as Buddy Hall and Matthew Broderick as Dr. Steve Finch
20th Century Fox

A film that focuses on two characters fighting to show off their Christmas spirit by decorating their houses, Deck the Halls is not exactly new. In fact, Jake Coyle states that the film lacks originality and thus, the humor is quite dry. Even with Danny DeVito and Matthew Broderick taking over the roles of the main characters, the film was unable to excite the viewers. However, the film does attempt to remind the viewer that true Christmas spirit does not lie in the decorations or the fancy ornaments but the film falls short of creating an enticing story that could grab the attention of Christmas movie lovers.

Christmas with the Kranks (2004) – 5%

Tim Allen as Luther Krank
Sony Pictures Releasing

Based on John Grisham’s novel Skipping Christmas, this Christmas comedy by Joe Roth is yet another mediocre film that fails to bring in joyous Christmas feelings. Rather, the protagonists of the film seem to be more naughty than nice and end up being just plain rude. Even if the film begins with the hopes of turning itself into a merry production with a happy ending, its dry comedy diverts the attention that should have been given to the plot and the Christmas themes. Unfortunately, the inclusion of Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis was not sufficient to save this film from many negative reviews.

The Nutcracker in 3D (2010) – 0%

Mary with the Nutcracker
G2 Pictures, Central Partnership & Vertigo Média

The Nutcracker in 3D finds itself as the worst Christmas movie ever made. Even though the idea of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s classic story being mixed with modern technology sounds appealing, the film fails to uphold this excitement. In fact, with many critics questioning the choice of music, makeup and the horrible special effects, the film ended up receiving some harsh feedback. This film fails to bring justice to the classic story as its attempt at trying to include an interesting plot ends up with a confusing plot that has too many holes and a lack of a proper flow. Unfortunately, The Nutcracker in 3D is one Christmas movie that is better off unwatched.

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Christmas movies have always been a popular

Awards

Daystart Peterson, the Canadian rapper known as Tory Lanez, was found guilty on Friday of shooting fellow artist Megan Thee Stallion in both her feet following an argument in the summer of 2020.

Mr. Lanez, 30, was convicted of three felonies, assault with a semiautomatic handgun, carrying a loaded and unregistered firearm in a vehicle and discharging a firearm with gross negligence. He faces more than 20 years in prison and could be deported.

The jury deliberated for around seven hours over two days, following a nearly-two week trial. Upon conviction, Mr. Lanez was immediately taken into custody and sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 27, 2023.

Megan Thee Stallion was not present in the court as the verdict was read, while Mr. Lanez appeared motionless until his father stood up and began shouting at the judge and prosecutors. Bailiffs moved to block his path as he declared “God will judge you.”

Alex Spiro, a lawyer for Megan Thee Stallion, said in a statement: “The jury got it right. I am thankful there is justice for Meg.”

The case was closely watched for both its celebrity participants and what it did or didn’t say in relation to how Black women (famous or otherwise) and famous men accused of abuse, such as Johnny Depp and Harvey Weinstein, are treated in the eyes of the law and in the public sphere.


Mr. Lanez actually saw his fame increase after the shooting, while he earned support both implied and explicit from various corners of the hip-hop universe.

Mr. Lanez’s defense had raised the possibility of another shooter, a friend of the victim who was also involved in the argument. The incident occurred on the way home from a gathering at the home of Kylie Jenner.

However, Megan Thee Stallion identified Mr. Lanez as her assailant in court, recounting how he had shouted “dance” and a sexist slur at her before firing several times from the passenger seat of a sport utility vehicle. She testified that Mr. Lanez had then apologized and offered her and the friend, Kesley Harris, $1 million each to keep the incident quiet.

“Megan did find the courage to come and tell you what the defendant did to her,” deputy district attorney Alexander Bott in his closing statement to the jury. “Was Megan telling the truth? I think everyone in the courtroom knows the answer to that question.”

The lawyer asked the jury to hold (Mr. Lanez) accountable for “shooting the victim for nothing more than a bruised ego.”

Mr. Lanez’s defense team argued that the two women were fighting that night over the male rapper, implying that Ms. Harris might have been motivated to shoot her friend out of jealousy.

Bad Bunny, ‘Nope,’ Harry Styles and Lizzo Lead People’s Choice Awards Nominations: Complete List

George Mgdesyan, an attorney for Mr. Lanez, stated that the case “was about jealousy and a sexual relationship.” He called the prosecution’s case “full of holes and speculation.” He declared to jurors that Megan Thee Stallion “lied about everything in this case.”

Ahead of the trial, the case had played out on social media, gossip sites and in music released by both rappers.

In the years between the incident and yesterday’s conviction, skeptics and conspiracy theorists have questioned whether Megan Thee Stallion was even shot at all. At trial, a surgeon testified to removing bullet fragments from both of the rapper’s feet, with X-rays presented in court showing tiny fragments that remained.

Mr. Lanez, who opted not to testify in his own defense, has not given his account of events, though he released an album barely two months after the encounter in which he denied shooting Megan Thee Stallion, focusing instead on their personal relationship.

“We both know what happened that night and what I did/But it ain’t what they sayin’,” he rapped.

Megan Thee Stallion later responded in her own track, titled “Shots Fired,” in which she seemed to recount what led to the shooting.

‘SNL’ Sets Miles Teller, Megan Thee Stallion and Brendan Gleeson as First Hosts for Season 48

“He talkin’ ’bout his followers, dollars,” she raps, adding, “I told him, ‘You’re not poppin’, you just on the remix’” — as well as its aftermath.

“You offered M’s not to talk, I guess that made my friend excited, hmm/now y’all in cahoots.”

Even as her career skyrocketed in the intervening years — beyond musical success, she has guest-hosted both “The Tonight Show” and “Saturday Night Live” while cameoing on Disney+’s “She-Hulk” show — the assault had caused her to “lose my confidence, lose my friends, lose myself,” she said in court.

“I wish he had just shot and killed me.”

Megan Thee Stallion and Demi Lovato to Guest Host ‘The Tonight Show’

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Daystart Peterson, the Canadian rapper known as

Music

One of the biggest themes across Little Simz’s last two albums—2019’s GREY Area and 2021’s Mercury Prize-winning Sometimes I Might Be Introvert—is the mental anguish of navigating isolation amid public triumph. “I’m paranoid, I feel my life is a mess/I’m just usin’ my voice, hope it will have an effect,” she raps on “I Love You, I Hate You.” Simz’s limber flows and commanding voice helped her cut through the anxiety of these intrusive thoughts. But on “Gorilla,” from her latest album NO THANK YOU, she sounds fully relaxed. “Drink ’42 and smoke cigar/Name one time where I didn’t deliver,” she boasts over thick bass plunks and light drums courtesy of producer Inflo. The bleating fanfare of horns adds to the victorious mood as Simz slings lines with cocky casualness: “I’m cut with a different scissor/From the same cloth as my dear ancestors/That’s why this shit gives you the shivers.” “Gorilla” is a retort against rap game bullshit, but it’s also the loosest Simz has sounded in years. It’s great.

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Docs

At first glance, the story of the landmark 1961 desegregation case Taylor vs. Board of Education, which originated in New Rochelle, New York, might not seem like obvious material for a white, Los Angeles-based theater director-writer-actor to tackle for her feature doc debut. But then, Arden Teresa Lewis happens to be a native of New Rochelle—once dubbed the “Little Rock of the North”—and her childhood was shaped by a diverse community whose grassroots demand for change had led all the way to the US Supreme Court.

And now with the help of film friends and family, including producer Kimberly Woods, another LA-based actress-turned-documentary producer; former New Rochelle students and parents (including Lewis’ own mom) who candidly share the ups and downs of being thrust into American history (not to mention the sharp gaze of giants like Justice Thurgood Marshall and journalist Mike Wallace); and the DocuClub LA audience that attended the virtual screening of Leveling Lincoln back in November 2021, the doc has reached another landmark stage: the US festival circuit. Which is why Documentary thought it the perfect time to check in with Lewis, fresh off final showings at the YoFi Fest in Yonkers, New York, to find out, among other things, how Leveling Lincoln has been playing from coast to coast (and in multiple locales in between).

DOCUMENTARY: Though you’ve directed several short films, you mainly come from the theater world, which made me wonder how that background might have influenced your approach to this feature debut. 

ARDEN TERESA LEWIS: Honestly, I think the fact that I act, direct and write for the theater has actually strengthened my storytelling over the decades. With Leveling Lincoln, I tried to really focus on the people—seeing them as “characters in a play with three acts,” rather than simply a series of talking heads.

D: So who do you consider your key collaborators on this project—and why?

ATL: My fellow producer Kimberly Woods and my editor Andrew Jordan, whose knowledge of all things post-production has been the greatest gift, have been involved since September 2017—and have never wavered. In addition, Tinks Lovelace was quite instrumental during our first two years of production, as both producer and AD; while our DP Jack Stannard started with us as a hired shooter and then stayed on through all five years of the process. Just the fact that all these young people, from very different backgrounds, said yes to the project, when all I had initially was my treatment, my homemade trailer, and my mother’s part of the story, gave me confidence in its relevance. I am forever grateful to all of them. 

And of course, Rita Cofield, Ivan Copelli, and all my mentors on this film have been invaluable as well.

D: Perhaps you could discuss some of the major insights you gleaned from your DocuClub screening? How did you incorporate those takeaways into the final cut?

ATL: DocuClub was really our first feedback by film professionals—though that same week we also held a rough-cut viewing for some donors and participants at the library in New Rochelle. So we had this emotional discussion of the film and its relevance with non-film folk and stakeholders, paired with filmmaker feedback about technical matters and story structure. It was like taking an entire master’s program in documentary filmmaking, all in one week!  

After that, we met with our DocuClub mentor, Victoria Chalk, to process it all. She was fantastic. She and Andrew then had more sessions in order to focus specifically on story arc, and to reorganize the dramatic action. She also really helped me to believe I had a strong personal narrative in there, and to hang on to that. Otherwise, honestly, I might have just accepted all the feedback and changed everything all at once—and in the process ruined what we had. Victoria supported us in standing by our original concepts, and changing only what we firmly agreed needed to be redone. I will keep her notes forever as a reference. 

D: So what have been some of the biggest lessons from the festival screenings so far? Were any audience reactions particularly memorable for you?

ATL: Our reactions have been primarily positive, with emotions swinging wide. There’s fascination and surprise that this fairly levelheaded case took place—even while other parts of Westchester had race riots and police violence over the issue of segregation.

The festival circuit has really shown me that audiences that have nothing to do with New Rochelle or its history can still relate to the people that went through its difficult school integration. The “bussed generation” have a lot of stories—and they all start emerging in the conversations that happen after a viewing of the film. 

Invariably, someone will stand at the mic with an emotional story about being taken from their home school and put on a bus to a strange neighborhood. These adults were children at the time, so the triggers are long embedded. When they speak their truth, it is so very powerful. From PTA presidents in Providence [Rhode Island], to school board members throughout the tristate area [New York, New Jersey, Connecticut], they all see it as a call to action for our current times.

D: How much longer do you anticipate being on the festival circuit—and what are your hopes in terms of distribution?

ATL: Right now we are winding down after nine months of live and virtual festivals and awards. We just won Best Documentary at the YoFi Festival in Yonkers, after tying for first place in a juried competition, which felt really good. The New York Vision Award from the Harlem International Film Festival was also such an honor for us. 

In addition, we’ve been accepted into NETA’s catalogue for public television broadcast and onto the PBS app. We’re also speaking to an educational distributor that we met at YoFi in order to get access to libraries and colleges. We’ve really strategized making connections through important mid-sized festivals, like the Harlem International Film Festival, to help us get out the word that we have a film that tells a story like no other in our current school curricula—a story that is personal, and focused on the mothers and children who had to stand up and use the legal system and their First Amendment rights in order to create the change they wanted to see.

Lauren Wissot is a film critic and journalist, filmmaker and programmer, and a contributing editor at both Filmmaker magazine and Documentary magazine. She’s served as the director of programming at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival and the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival, and has written for Salon, Bitch, The Rumpus and Hammer to Nail.

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Global

A bus crash on Highway 97C in B.C.’s Interior on Christmas Eve has sent 53 people to three area hospitals.

It’s unclear at this time exactly what happened, but Interior Health has initiated a Code Orange response for the incident near Merritt, which means a disaster or mass casualties.


A graphic showing the approximate location of the bus crash in B.C.’s Southern Interior, between Merritt and Kelowna.

DriveBC

B.C. RCMP issued a statement around 8:20 p.m., confirming the accident, saying it was a passenger bus and that the highway had been closed to traffic.

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It is unknown at this time if there are any fatalities, with Interior Health stating “we are not in a position to provide patient conditions at this time.”

Read more:

B.C. weather: Highway advisories aplenty, travel not recommended in some areas

“No further information is available at this time,” police said. “Updates will be provided once more information becomes available.”

Medical teams are currently receiving the patients at hospitals in Kelowna, Penticton, and Merritt.

Interior Health said, “we will make every effort to connect families with patients as soon as possible.”

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In a Twitter post at 8:21 p.m., B.C. Emergency Health Services said the crash took place near the Loon Lake exit, adding that multiple ground units were on scene and that more were on the way.


Click to play video: 'Bamfield bus crash report released'


Bamfield bus crash report released


 

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DriveBC is reporting that Highway 97C has been closed in both directions between the Aspen Grove junction and Peachland, and that the next assessment will be Sunday morning at 6 a.m.

Just before 10 p.m., the province released a statement from Premier David Eby, public safety minister Mike Farnworth, health minister Adrian Dix, and transportation minister Rob Fleming.

“On this Christmas Eve we are shocked and saddened to hear of the serious bus accident on the Highway 97C Okanagan Connector between Merritt and Kelowna,” said the statement.

“Our thoughts are with those impacted by the crash, their loved ones, and the first responders and healthcare workers giving their all to treat people and keep them safe.”

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More to come.

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A memorable gift. Kendall Jenner shared a Christmas morning memory like no other — receiving a pony.

“Core memory,” she captioned the footage via her Instagram Story, shared by a fan account, along with several crying and red heart emojis on Saturday, December 24.

In the home video, parents Caitlyn Jenner and Kris Jenner tell her to go to the driveway. The future 818 Tequila founder screams and runs to the front of the house with her siblings in tow. Sure enough, there’s a pony in the driveway.

Kendall immediately bursts into tears as she hugs the horse, who had red bows in her braided mane. Rob Kardashian, who seems to be manning the camera, calls the pony “beautiful” while the I Am Cait star explains that they had to keep Kendall distracted in the back of the house to keep their equine secret.

The model still has horses. Kendall revealed in a season 2 episode of The Kardashians that she was expecting another. “Oh my God, I’m having a baby!” she said told her glam squad while getting ready for the 2022 Met Gala — before quickly clarifying she meant a horse.

“I just got the news it took,” Kendall added. “They just texted me that we have an embryo!”

The California native asked hairstylist Jen Atkin for horse sperm as a birthday gift. “Remember when I asked you for sperm?” she recalled. “Jen was like, ‘I really wanna get something great for Kendall for her birthday.’ And I was like, ‘Sperm. Horse sperm.’”

She even turned to her riding experience when collaborating with sister Kim Kardashian on a fragrance collection. “@kimkardashian and i put together 3 of my all time favorite scents i’ve ever smelt! all inspired by my love of the outdoors and horseback riding ? Amber, Olive and Blue Roan,” Kendall shared via Instagram in March 2021. “Get yourself some if you wanna smell like a nature fairy princess.”

While it isn’t known what Kris will give her kids this year, her sneak peek at the presents didn’t appear to be pony-shaped. She gave Poosh a look at her wrapped presents and explained why she chose her festive paper.

“I wanted a really classic, vintage-inspired wrap this year that felt nostalgic. I chose this shushing Santa red wrap that was fun because it’s all about the grandkids this year!”

Meanwhile, Kendall used a Santa wrap as well, but her print has a pine green background. While the momager opted for red bows, just as she did when Kendall got her pony, the FWRD creative director used biodegradable burlap to tie her presents together.

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A memorable gift. Kendall Jenner shared a

Tech

Social media users are becoming ever more adept at spotting scams, but many still need to remain alert, an exclusive TechRadar Pro study has found.

Firstly, respondents were asked what social media platforms they used. Facebook came out on top with just under 80% being active on the networking site. Instagram was next with 68.1%, and Tiktok and Twitter were closely contested for third place with just under 50% apiece using them (49.8% and 47.5% respectively). 

LinkedIn and WhatsApp rounded out the last two of the mainstream platforms, with 35.8% and 33.4% respectively. 6.6% said they used other social media platforms to these, with 3.7% using none at all.

Scam spotting

The results for how often scams were encountered on social media platforms were pretty evenly split. Just over a third came across them once a day, and just over a quarter said once a week. Only 15% said once a month, and under a third said less than a month.

Scams on social media platforms have been on the rise since the pandemic, reaching a peak in 2021, and remaining prominent this year as well. Unsurprisingly, prime sales periods, such as Black Friday and the festive season, often see an increase in the perpetration of scams. 

Thankfully, most felt confident or very confident – 30.9% and 34.4% respectively – that they could identify them. A quarter said they were a little bit, and only 10% said they were not very.

That confidence may be misplaced, however, given that other reports have shown a fair amount of users fall for popular scams on social media, such as phishing campaigns and fake gift card offers. 

Cryptocurrency scams have also been growing in popularity in recent years on social media. Ads for fake exchanges will promote ‘investment opportunities’, with the promise of increasing a victim’s wallet substantially. Some have even used videos of Elon Musk discussing crypto to lure people in. 

There are numerous ways to spot social media scams, though. One telltale sign is that if a deal looks too good to be true, then it probably is. Another is to check the address of any links before clicking them, to make sure they actually take you to the official site of the company in question. 

Checking that a website looks professional and is free from any glaring spelling mistakes and grammatical errors is also key to spotting fake websites.

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Social media users are becoming ever more

Video

Amind fan unrest, Driver wants to celebrate the chance for Geralt of Rivia to become the new Doctor Who.

Minnie Driver may be joining the world of “The Witcher” at a time of fan upset, but she’s not concerned.

Drive will be seen Christmas Day in the four-episode prequel to the Netflix series “The Witcher: Blood Origin” as Seanchaí, a shapeshifting, time-traveling storyteller. The character may also pop up in future seasons of the main “Witcher” universe, with Season 3 starring Henry Cavill for the last time before Liam Hemsworth replaces him. But Driver doesn’t understand all the uproar about the recasting.

“We come from this tradition of ‘Doctor Who’ where the Doctor regenerates,” Driver pointed out to EW in a recent interview. “I think we need to look at it far more like it’s amazing. It’s an amazing person, it’s an amazing character, and we should have different people playing it.”

And though Driver shared that she has not yet connected with Cavill about their “Witcher” connection, the two share a past. Cavill and her brother were schoolmates, and Driver has known Cavill since he was a teenager. “I love him,” she said. “He has been the loveliest person, I can attest, since he was a young man. He is divine.”

Related

Related

Cavill famously left “The Witcher” earlier this year after two seasons, it seemed to reprise his turn as Superman for DC Studios. But that was before new DC Studio co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran decided to take the character in another direction. Cavill is now attached to an adaptation of the video game Warhammer 40,000 for Amazon Studios.

As for what Seanchaí has in store for “The Witcher: Blood Origin,” Driver will only be seen at the beginning and the end of the prequel, though she serves as narrator for all four episodes.

“I was like, ‘Alright, so I’m not in every episode.’ It’s less cool, but still that’s more a them problem than a me problem,” the actress said. “But I really like the character. Who wouldn’t want to be a shapeshifting elf? You’ve got to be pretty hardhearted not to want to do that.”

Created by Declan de Barra and Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, “The Witcher: Blood Origin” stars Michelle Yeoh, Sophia Brown, and Laurence O’Fuarain in a prequel to “The Witcher” set 1,200 earlier and premieres December 25 on Netflix.

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Amind fan unrest, Driver wants to celebrate

Movies

My pick for the top film of 2022, Jordan Peele’s UFO attack thriller “Nope,” opens with Old Testament prophecy: “I will cast abominable filth upon you, make you vile and make you a spectacle.”

It makes good on the dire warning — don’t mess with nature, Earthlings!— while also providing the spectacle that was top of mind for many filmmakers this year as they sought to entice moviegoers out of their pandemic hideaways.

The better efforts of the past 12 months, epic dramas like “Nope,” “Bardo,” “TÁR” and even “Top Gun: Maverick,” made me think along with dazzling my eyes.

The worst spectacles just threw stuff at the screen: Damien Chazelle’s Old Hollywood dramedy “Babylon,” one of my least faves of ’22, opens with an elephant defecating on the camera lens and by extension the audience.

The films on my annual Top 10 list offer things to look at rather than away from. Screening/streaming opportunities are listed where available and subject to change:

Nope

Yep, there’s a spectacle coming, something in a cloud. Nope, writer/director Jordan Peele isn’t going to explain the paranormal events in the California desert where a sister and brother are struggling to maintain their family’s horse rental business since their father died in strange circumstances. If O.J. (Daniel Kaluuya) and his sister, Emerald (Keke Palmer), can capture “impossible” video footage of the UFO, they can sell it and save their ranch. Terror arrives that may be connected to a horrific back story about a chimp on a killing spree. A survivor of the attack, Jupe (Steven Yeun), now runs a theme park not far from the siblings’ homestead. Peele weaves multiple narrative threads, choosing enigma over the overt racial messages of his earlier films “Get Out” and “Us.” Perfectly puzzling, “Nope” made me want to view it multiple times to parse its clues. It’s the movie I thought about and talked about most in 2022. (For rent or purchase on multiple screening services)

Close

“Something happened.” These words cut through the apparent calm in the early going of Lukas Dhont’s sensitive drama of boys growing up in rural Belgium. What happens from that point changes the movie and the lives within it. “Close” is the story of lifelong pals Léo and Rémi, both 13, played by note-perfect newcomers Eden Dambrine and Gustav De Waele. They spend idyllic summer days in each other’s company and sleep next to each other like puppies. The quieter Rémi, a musician, spends much time playing the oboe. The more outgoing Léo helps out on his family’s chrysanthemum farm. Then school comes and Rémi and Léo are teased and bullied for their close bonds. It’s the start of lives unravelling; our empathy holds fast. (Opens Feb. 3 at TIFF Bell Lightbox)

TÁR

Todd Field has much on his mind: cancel culture, betrayal, the demands of fame and Mahler’s “Fifth Symphony.” They collide to make Field’s first film in 16 years a fidgety narrative and a disorienting watch. Fortunately, the title tornado, Lydia Tár, is anchored by the essential Cate Blanchett. As head of the Berlin Philharmonic, Lydia enjoys privileges not granted to most. She expects others to obey and satisfy her, often sexually (all off-camera), giving little heed to the effect her affairs have on her life partner, Sharon (Nina Hoss), and her loyal and adoring assistant, Francesca (Noémie Merlant). Lydia abuses the “robots” around her and declares that time stops and starts when she waves her baton. She’s about to find out that karma is a beast, too. (For rent on Apple TV)

Decision to Leave

Park Chan-wook’s neo-noir about an obsessed cop and a widow of deadly suspicion operates in the misty realm between sleep and wakefulness. The cop, played by Park Hae-il, is an insomniac homicide detective who isn’t easily fooled, except perhaps in matters of the heart. The widow, played by China’s Tang Wei (of Ang Lee’s “Lust, Caution”), seems far too sanguine about her mountaineering husband’s death. I felt shivers of “Vertigo” and “In the Mood for Love,” plus an intense desire to see it again. Park encourages such close inspection: every frame is like a painting, with hints to character motivation and plot twists. “Decision to Leave” won Park the Best Director prize in May at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, where it had its world premiere. (Streaming on MUBI; for purchase on Apple TV)

Aftersun

A vacation takes on magical meaning in this feature debut by Charlotte Wells, set mainly in the late 1990s. Paul Mescal plays drifting dad Calum and winsome newcomer Frankie Corio his daughter Sophie. Attempting to renew bonds following a parental marital split, Calum, a boyish 30, and Sophie, old for her 11 years, are marvellously expressive, their back stories more hinted at than explained. Their time together at a Turkish resort is like any such holiday in the sun. But Calum is silently fighting depression while Sophie struggles with her transition from girl to woman. Writer/director Wells frames the past by way of the memories of a now grown-up Sophie, as she looks back on faded photos and pixelated camcorder footage. “Aftersun” travels through time and place straight to the heart. (Streaming/renting TBA)

The Banshees of Inisherin

If anybody ever threatens to chop off their fingers if you won’t STFU, take them seriously and mind their sheepdog. This great yarn by Martin McDonagh about men on an Irish island who have ceased speaking to each other features a joyous-but-not-happy reunion of McDonagh’s “In Bruges” stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson. Their characters, lifelong pals Pádraic and Colm, become violently estranged when one declares the other dull. Pádraic’s sister (a delightful Kerry Condon) thinks they’re both daft. Reality intrudes as the guns of civil war sound across the water on the mainland. If there’s any message to the film, it’s the caution that small insults left unsettled can lead to bigger and more dangerous battles. (Screening at the Cineplex Varsity and other GTA theatres; streaming on Disney Plus; for purchase on Apple TV)

Living

The great Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa used the phrase “cinematic beauty” to describe the deep emotions films arouse. It certainly applies to this impeccably understated English-language adaptation of Kurosawa’s life-affirming 1952 drama “Ikiru,” the story of a man’s 11th-hour redemption. Adapted by Nobel Prize-winning novelist Kazuo Ishiguro, this remake by Oliver Hermanus is set in 1953 England and stars the inimitable Bill Nighy as a stuffy bureaucrat facing a life crisis. Nicknamed “Mr. Zombie” for his paper-shuffling somnambulism, Nighy’s character must decide whether to choose “yes” or “no” as darkness approaches. The beautiful outcome in both form and spirit makes “Living” an instant classic. (Opens in Toronto theatres Jan. 13; check listings for screenings)

Women Talking

Toronto writer/director Sarah Polley turns fellow Canadian Miriam Toews’ powerful novel of communal violation into an essential cinema inquiry about the meaning of forgiveness, love, justice and faith. It’s a film we must all discuss and think about, inspired by real events — Mennonite women drugged and raped by male members of their community — and informed by #MeToo fury. Strong ensemble acting offers multiple candidates for awards consideration, among them Rooney Mara, Jessie Buckley and Claire Foy. The women, meeting clandestinely in a hayloft, discuss whether to remain and fight their male assailants, risking censure and violence, or to leave with their children for a new life elsewhere. There’s no easy answer. (Opens Dec. 23 at TIFF Bell Lightbox; expands to other theatres in January)

Top Gun: Maverick

Two miracles are needed for the high-risk bombing mission of the flyboys (and gals) of this vein-popping sequel, directed by Joseph Kosinski. But a third is achieved from the get-go: Tom Cruise and company bring fresh drama and heart to the “Top Gun” tale, exceeding the ’86 original. There’s excellent interplay between Cruise and new characters Rooster (Miles Teller), the angry son of Maverick’s late flying partner, and Penny (Jennifer Connelly), a barkeep who supplies levity and love. There are many callbacks to the original movie, but newcomers won’t have trouble keeping up and the script is a smart improvement on the music video vapidity of its predecessor. But it’s the action that sells the popcorn and this flick really delivers, especially when that “impossible” bombing raid begins. (For rent or purchase on multiple streaming services)

Bardo: False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths

Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s magical memory tour conveys the disorientation of being caught between worlds: Mexico/America, journalist/participant, parent/child, past/present. It follows the picaresque and often fantastical journey of Silverio Gama (Daniel Giménez Cacho), an acclaimed newsman/documentarian who returns to his Mexican homeland after many years of living and working in Hollywood. Even as he basks in career honours, he must come to grips with realities and contradictions in both his birth country and his adopted one, accompanied by his wife (Griselda Siciliani) and kids (Ximena Lamadrid and Íker Sánchez). “Bardo” is an absolute blast, with Darius Khondji’s 65mm cinematography providing spectacle to spare. (Streaming on Netflix)

Five-time Academy Award®-winner Alejandro G. Iñárritu brings us “Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths.”

Runners-up (in alphabetical order): “All the Beauty and the Bloodshed,” “Elvis,” “EO,” “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” “The Fabelmans,” “Falcon Lake,” “Geographies of Solitude,” “Moonage Daydream,” “Navalny,” “Turning Red.”

THREE WORST FILMS OF 2022

Aline

“Aline,” the contrived biopic of a fictional Quebec singer who’s “freely inspired” by Céline Dion, is not only the worst movie of 2022. It’s also the year’s weirdest one. Directed, co-written and starring French entertainer Valérie Lemercier, whose ego is apparently boundless, “Aline” poses a question no reasonable person asked: What would happen if a star-struck 57-year-old Céline Dion fan wanted to portray the superstar chanteuse onscreen from age five right up to her late 40s? Avert your gaze from the absurd answer. (For rent on Apple TV)

Babylon

An over-the-top ode to Old Hollywood, set in the late 1920s, turns into a bad MAD Magazine parody of itself. Margot Robbie is game as an aspiring actor and dedicated partier; so is Brad Pitt as a fading silent film superstar. But both are wasted by a scattershot script. Diego Calva’s immigrant saga and Jean Smart’s journalistic antics impress despite the overall chaos, which includes flung elephant dung and projectile vomiting. Will this come to be known as Damien Chazelle’s folly? I hope so. (Opens Dec. 23 at Toronto theatres)

Amsterdam

David O. Russell’s shaggy dog story, stretched over decades and two world wars, is more like a dog’s breakfast. Making “ensemble” seem like a dirty word, he riffs on multiple movie genres with a bandwagon of boldface (including Christian Bale, John David Washington and the unlucky Margot Robbie). Russell might have something serious he wants to say about the rise of American fascism, but he doesn’t know or care how to do it without a whole lot of dopey digressions along the way. (Streaming on Disney Plus; rent or purchase on Apple TV)

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My pick for the top film of

Film

Even though The Princess Diaries 3 is moving forward at Disney, Julie Andrews has likely already said goodbye to her role as Queen Clarise.

The legendary actor and singer told Access Hollywood “it’s probably not going to be possible” for her to reprise her role in the sequel. Anne Hathaway, who co-starred in both films as Clarise’s granddaughter Princess Mia, also has yet to commit to the project.

Andrews is now 87 — notable because she herself commented: “It was talked about very shortly after [the second sequel] came out, but it’s now how many years since then? And I am that much older and Annie the princess, or queen, is so much older. And I am not sure where it would float or run.”

While she doesn’t seem to have much interest in retiring from the screen anytime soon — she’s the Bridgerton narrator, after all! — she seems to want to move forward with voice acting and co-writing children’s books rather than return to a role she only played twice. No matter how iconic that role may have been for a particular subset of people (me).

The first film in the Princess Diaries franchise was released in 2001, with the sequel three years later. It’s now been almost 19 years since the last movie, and its stars have gone in two different directions; Hathaway’s career has soared, while Andrews, with many decades of success behind her before Diaries, has led a slightly quieter career (but she’s not quitting, don’t worry).

And it’s not like the second movie didn’t send Andrews and her character off with the grandest of farewells. Not only did Clarise get to marry the man of her dreams, but Andrews also got to perform part of a song in one scene. She couldn’t sing with the voice that brought her to stardom decades earlier since the surgery that permanently ruined her vocal cords, but the moment was heart-stopping both for audiences and everyone present during filming.

Perhaps the best direction to go at this point is to somehow recreate the magic of the first two movies (don’t tell me Shonda Rhimes’ work on Royal Engagement was anything but extraordinary) without the original cast. Disney does love its sequels, and though we can’t stop them from making more, maybe we’ll be lucky enough to get something worth waiting almost 20 years for.

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Even though The Princess Diaries 3 is

TV

Dax Tejera, the executive producer of the ABC News Sunday public affairs show “This Week,” has died.

Tejera died suddenly of a heart attack on Friday, Dec. 23, according to a memo sent to staff by ABC News president Kim Godwin on Saturday. He was only a few weeks shy of his 38th birthday.

Tejera was named executive producer of “This Week” at 35, just weeks before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. The newscast quickly climbed to No. 1 among Adults 25-54. He joined ABC News as a senior producer in the Washington Bureau in 2017 and produced remote-anchored broadcasts from across the country along with specials from the Trump-Kim summit in Singapore and Trump-Putin summit in Helsinki.

Prior to overseeing the Sunday show as executive producer, Tejera managed newsmaking interviews and covered major breaking news, including the Covid pandemic, the 2020 presidential election and the January 6th riot at the Capitol.

Tejera worked on numerous broadcast and streaming special events for ABC News. In September 2021 he co-executive produced Corazón de América – Celebrating Hispanic Culture, a primetime special for ABC that honored the contributions and achievements of the more than 60 million people who claim Latino and Hispanic heritage in the United States. He also served as the executive producer for primetime streaming election specials leading up to the 2018 midterms and launched shows designed to expand ABC News’ streaming programming, including “The Briefing Room,” an analyst show focused on the White House press briefing room.

Prior to joining ABC News, Tejera was the executive producer of “America with Jorge Ramos,” and in collaboration with HBO produced a documentary film, “Hate Rising,” focusing on the rise of white nationalists and the alt-right.

Before that was a producer at MSNBC, where he worked on shows anchored by Chris Jansing and Alex Wagner (who now occupies the 9 p.m. time slot).

Tereja was known for a competitive spirit and pushed his “The Week” team to become the top public affairs show on Sunday morning. He led into the strengths of Raddatz and Stephanopoulos. Raddatz anchored the program from Ukraine during Russia’s invasion.

Tejera is survived by his wife, Veronica, and two young daughters.

Here’s a note from ABC News president Kim Godwin to network staff.

ABC News Family,

It’s with a heavy heart and great sadness that we share that our friend and colleague, Dax Tejera passed away suddenly of a heart attack last night.

As EP of “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” Dax’s energy, passion and love for that show, ABC News, and you, shined every Sunday morning. That same love was extended to his precious girls.

Our thoughts are with his wife, Veronica, the couple’s two young daughters, and the entire Tejera family.

If you need immediate support, please call our 24/7EAP support line.

We will share more details in the coming days.

On this Christmas Eve, hug your loved ones a little tighter. And please lean on each another.
#oneabcnews

Kim

Tory Lanez Convicted of Shooting Megan Thee Stallion

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Dax Tejera, the executive producer of the