“Gladiator II” asks the question: Are you not moderately entertained for roughly 60% of this sequel? Truly, this is a movie dependent on managed expectations and a forgiving attitude toward its tendency to overserve. More of a thrash-and-burn schlock epic than the comparatively restrained 2000 “Gladiator,” also directed by Ridley Scott, the new one recycles a fair bit of the old one’s narrative cries for freedom while tossing in some digital sharks for the flooded Colosseum and a bout of deadly sea-battle theatrics. They really did flood the Colosseum in those days, though no historical evidence suggests shark deployment, real or digital. On the other hand (checks notes), “Gladiator II” is fiction. Screenwriter David Scarpa picks things up 16 years after “Gladiator,” which gave us the noble death of the noble warrior Maximus, shortly after slaying the ignoble emperor and returning Rome to the control of the Senate. Our new hero, Lucius (Paul Mescal), has fled Rome for Numidia, on the North African coast. The time is 200 A.D., and for the corrupt, party-time twins running the empire (Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger), that means invasion time. Pedro Pascal takes the role of Acacius, the deeply conflicted general, sick of war and tired of taking orders from a pair of depraved ferrets. The new film winds around the old one this way: Acacius is married to Lucilla (Connie Nielsen, in a welcome return), daughter of the now-deceased emperor Aurelius and the love of the late Maximus’s life. Enslaved and dragged to Rome to gladiate, the widower Lucius vows revenge on the general whose armies killed his wife. But there are things this angry young phenom must learn, about his ancestry and his destiny. It’s the movie’s worst-kept secret, but there’s a reason he keeps seeing footage of Russell Crowe from the first movie in his fever dreams. Battle follows battle, on the field, in the arena, in the nearest river, wherever, and usually with endless splurches of computer-generated blood. “Gladiator II” essentially bumper-cars its way through the mayhem, pausing for long periods of expository scheming about overthrowing the current regime. The prince of all fixers, a wily operative with interests in both managing gladiators and stocking munitions, goes by the name Macrinus. He’s played by Denzel Washington, who at one point makes a full meal out of pronouncing the word “politics” like it’s a poisoned fig. Also, if you want a masterclass in letting your robes do a lot of your acting for you, watch what Washington does here. He’s more fun than the movie but you can’t have everything. The movie tries everything, all right, and twice. Ridley Scott marshals the chaotic action sequences well enough, though he’s undercut by frenetic cutting rhythms, with that now-familiar, slightly sped-up visual acceleration in frequent use. (Claire Simpson and Sam Restivo are the editors.) Mescal acquits himself well in his first big-budget commercial walloper of an assignment, confined though he is to a narrower range of seething resentments than Crowe’s in the first film. I left thinking about two things: the word “politics” as savored/spit out by Washington, and the innate paradox of how Scott, whose best work over the decades has been wonderful, delivers spectacle. The director and his lavishly talented design team built all the rough-hewn sets with actual tangible materials the massive budget allowed. They took care to find the right locations in Morocco and Malta. Yet when combined in post-production with scads of medium-grade digital effects work in crowd scenes and the like, never mind the sharks, the movie’s a somewhat frustrating amalgam. With an uneven script on top of it, the visual texture of “Gladiator II” grows increasingly less enveloping and atmospherically persuasive, not more. But I hung there, for some of the acting, for some of the callbacks, and for the many individual moments, or single shots, that could only have come from Ridley Scott. And in the end, yes, you too may be moderately entertained. “Gladiator II” — 2.5 stars (out of 4) MPA rating: R (for strong bloody violence) Running time: 2:28 How to watch: Premieres in theaters Nov. 21. Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic.Kansas State vs. Iowa State FREE LIVE STREAM (11/30/24): Watch college football, Week 14 online | Time, TV, channel
3 Reasons Why Biodiversity Has Become Front And Center For Business
GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands — South Dakota State and Boise State played down to the wire on Monday afternoon but the Broncos came away with an 83-82 victory in the semifinals of the Cayman Islands Classic. The Broncos' Javan Buchanan made a layup with a minute left for what stood as the game-winning basket. SDSU got the ball back off a Boise State miss with 14 seconds left and freshman Owen Larson drove to the basket and was fouled with 1.3 seconds left. Larson made the first free throw to pull within one point and, after a timeout, had the game-tying free throw rim away for a 83-82 decision. ADVERTISEMENT SDSU was led in scoring with 19 points apiece by Oscar Cluff and Joe Sayler. Cluff registered his fifth double-double of the season as he grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds. Kalen Garry had 13 points for SDSU. The Jackrabbits finished the matchup with a season-low six turnovers. The meeting featured 17 lead changes and 13 tie scores. Buchanan had a career-high 28 points for Boise State. Boise State advanced to the multi-team event championship game while improved to 5-1 overall. SDSU moves into Tuesday's third-place matchup and is now 5-2 and will face either Missouri State or Boston College.The news of the passenger's passing spread quickly throughout the airport, prompting an outpouring of support and sympathy from both travelers and airport staff. The airline extended their deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased, offering assistance and resources during this difficult time.COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork said Thursday that he is "absolutely" confident that Ryan Day will be back as football coach in 2025. Calls to fire the sixth-year coach rose among Ohio State fans after the Buckeyes lost to Michigan for the fourth straight year. Bjork, in an interview on 97.1 The Fan, said Day is the man for the job, regardless of how the Buckeyes perform in the College Football Playoff. They host Tennessee in a first-round game Dec. 21. "Coach Day is awesome," said Bjork, who came from Texas A&M to replace the retiring Gene Smith last summer. "He's great to work with. He totally gets it. He loves being a Buckeye. So, we're going to support him at the highest level." The 13-10 loss to Michigan followed by an ugly melee between the teams put the coach in a precarious spot. He and his team were booed off the field by the home fans. Bjork ended up releasing a statement expressing his support for the coach. "The reason we had to say something after (the Michigan) game is, we're still breathing, we're still alive," Bjork said. "The season's not over. The book is not closed." Thanks to the playoff, Day has a chance to redeem himself with Ohio State's huge fanbase with a win against the Volunteers — and perhaps more in the 12-team tournament. Regardless of what happens, Day will be back next year, according to Bjork. "Coach Day and I just hit it off so well," Bjork said. "I've been really, really impressed. Every single time I talked to him, I learn something. He's innovative. He recruits at the highest level. He's got a great staff." Day wouldn't directly address his job status last weekend. "When you first come off those types of things, there's a lot of emotion," he said, referring to the Michigan loss. "And then as time goes on, you've got to get refocused because you know what you've done in the past does not affect what's going on moving forward. Everything is out in front of us." Failing to consistently beat Michigan is one of the few flaws in Day's coaching record. Hired as a member of coach Urban Meyer's staff in 2017, Day was the hand-picked successor when Meyer retired after the 2018 season. Compiling an overall 66-10 record, he is widely admired in the coaching community. "Great respect for what he's done in his coaching career, what he's done there at Ohio State and the success that they've had year-in and year-out," Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said. Day is in trouble now because losing The Game is considered an unforgiveable sin by Buckeyes fans. "What we have to do is this whole 'championship or bust' mentality, you want that as the goal, but it has to be about the process," Bjork said. "To me, we've got to maybe change some conversations a little bit. I think we need to maybe just approach things a little bit differently." Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Trump threatens 100% tariff on Brics countries if they undercut US dollarThe premiere event was a star-studded affair, with fans and celebrities alike flocking to the cinemas to witness the epic battle between the forces of good and evil unfold on the big screen. The visual effects were nothing short of mesmerizing, transporting audiences to the fantastical world of Middle-earth with stunning realism and attention to detail.Reports: Bill Belichick interviews for North Carolina job
Smart motorways in England are set to switch off TODAY as part of a crucial tech update. Car-detection software and variable speed limit signs will be unavailable, motorists, road users and drivers across the country - including in Birmingham - have been warned. National Highways has confirmed smart motorways in all regions of the country will be affected from 10pm to 3am tomorrow morning. From December 2 to December 4, there will be extensive work carried out on several motorways during the daytime. Starting on Monday, the M23 will be affected from J10 to J8, as well as the M25 from J12 to J14, with the disruption lasting from 10am to 2pm and 3pm respectively. The M25 will then be affected in the opposite direction from J14 to J13 on Tuesday. READ MORE Urgent 'stay at home' warning issued over nasty bug 'sweeping all age groups' And all motorways in the East region will be impacted from 9am to noon. A spokesperson for National Highways said: "As a result of essential technology maintenance, Smart Motorway stopped vehicle detection and/or the ability to reset electronic signs and signals will not be in operation along some sections of the above motorways for periods during these times. "There are no road closures planned for this work." No closures are being reported, but smart motorway users are being told to brush up on the changes and plan their journeys accordingly as we head into the final month of the calendar year. The spokesperson for National Highways went on to add: "Where required, we have well-rehearsed plans and mitigations including extra Traffic Officer patrols, increased CCTV monitoring and reduced speed limits in locations that require these measures to be put in place." The smart motorway network covers around 300 miles. . There are three different types of smart motorway in the UK. Stationary vehicles are detected on smart motorways through CCTV cameras and technology through a system called MIDAS, which picks up slowing traffic because of an incident. More intelligent radar technology known as ‘stationary vehicle detection’ (SVD) is used on a few stretches of ‘all lane running’ smart motorways, which automatically picks up a stranded vehicle The technology can detect stationary vehicles up to 16 minutes quicker than a camera-based system. A Highways England report revealed that only 18% of all-lane running motorways have SVD installed - the RAC would like to see it rolled out across the entire smart motorway network.
Beneficient Enters into Agreement to Acquire Mercantile Bank International to Expand its ...
Despite the mixed reactions to the outcome of the hearing, one thing was certain: the saga of Manchester City's alleged wrongdoings had come to a close. The club, once again free to focus on matters on the field, could now turn its attention to the upcoming Premier League season with renewed determination and resolve. Fans, too, could breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that their beloved club had successfully navigated a tumultuous period in its history.As Emily recovered and regained her strength, she reflected on the immense sacrifices her parents had made for her. Their unwavering love and dedication had been the driving force behind her survival, and she knew that she owed them not just one, but three lives. The first life she was born with, the second life she received through the first transplant, and the third life she gained from the second transplant.
The inclusion of language-themed programs in this year's Gala is a testament to the event's commitment to embracing diversity and promoting cross-cultural communication. By showcasing languages from around the world, the Gala not only entertains but also educates and inspires audiences to appreciate the beauty of different languages and cultures.
Moreover, analysts are closely monitoring the stance of key stakeholders, including Congress, interest groups, and the public, towards the policies proposed by the Trump 2.0 administration. By gauging the level of support or opposition from these external actors, analysts are better positioned to assess the feasibility and potential roadblocks to policy implementation. Early indications suggest that while there may be resistance from some quarters, the overall sentiment towards the new administration's policies is cautiously optimistic, paving the way for a smoother path towards implementation.
:Australian bourse operator ASX said on Tuesday it aimed to implement the second phase of its clearing and settlement software overhaul by 2029, with projected costs ranging between A$270 million ($175.61 million) and A$320 million. ASX added that it was working towards the delivery of the first release - the clearing service - in 2026, with costs currently expected to be at the upper end of the previously estimated A$105 million to A$125 million range. The company's shares fell as much as 4 per cent by 0006 GMT, making ASX one of the top losers in the benchmark index, which was down 0.3 per cent. ASX had been looking to replace its aging all-in-one Clearing House Electronic Subregister System (CHESS) software using blockchain-based technology but abandoned the overhaul in November 2022, six years after it was announced, citing concerns about the product's complexity and scalability. Last year, ASX had hired Tata Consultancy Services to overhaul the CHESS software, opting for a more cautious, two-stage product-based route that would require less customisation. ASX said the 2029 timeline for the second phase, which includes the settlement and sub-register services, was decided after "extensive industry consultation" and will allow time for readiness activities. The update comes amid a lawsuit filed by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) accusing ASX of telling the public that the initial upgrade of its clearing and settlement platform was on track when it was beset with delays. The regulator is seeking an unspecified fine and the company has filed its defense in the proceedings. The higher staffing costs to support regulatory commitments also pushed up the exchange operator's expenses by nearly 15 per cent in fiscal 2024, leading to a lower-than-expected underlying profit. ($1 = 1.5375 Australian dollars)
Liverpool boss Arne Slot reveals true feelings about Pep Guardiola in six-word message
Real Madrid, the reigning champions, have faced their fair share of challenges this season but have shown resilience and determination in their pursuit of another title. With a star-studded lineup including the likes of Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos, Real Madrid are a force to be reckoned with as they aim to defend their championship.
BERKELEY HEIGHTS, N.J., Dec. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: CYCC, NASDAQ: CYCCP; "Cyclacel" or the "Company"), a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative cancer medicines, today announced that it is in the process of exploring and reviewing strategic alternatives on an expedited basis in order to preserve the Company’s cash, including a potential transaction with investor David Lazar of Activist Investing, LLC, which transaction would be subject to the consent of an existing securityholder. The Company’s Board of Directors is reviewing a range of appropriate strategies to realize value from its assets. The Board has directed management to reduce operating costs while such alternatives are being explored. There can be no assurance that the exploration of strategic alternatives will result in any agreement or transaction, or as to the timing of any such agreement or transaction. Further, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to reach an agreement, or consummate a transaction, with Mr. Lazar or receive the required consent of an existing securityholder to any such transaction. As previously disclosed, the Company does not presently meet the continued listing requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market and its securities would be subject to delisting if the Company fails to regain compliance during the required compliance period. In the event that the Company is not able to enter into a strategic transaction and/or secure additional funding, it may be forced to cease all business operations. In such event, the Company’s stockholders may lose a part or all of their investment in the Company. About Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Cyclacel is a clinical-stage, biopharmaceutical company developing innovative cancer medicines based on cell cycle, transcriptional regulation and mitosis biology. The transcriptional regulation program is evaluating fadraciclib, a CDK2/9 inhibitor, and the anti-mitotic program plogosertib, a PLK1 inhibitor, in patients with both solid tumors and hematological malignancies. Cyclacel's strategy is to build a diversified biopharmaceutical business based on a pipeline of novel drug candidates addressing oncology and hematology indications. For additional information, please visit www.cyclacel.com. Forward-looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements related to the Company’s exploration and review of strategic alternatives, its ability to identify and complete a transaction as a result of the strategic review process, including a potential transaction with David Lazar, its plans to reduce costs and conserve cash and Cyclacel’s ability to regain and maintain compliance with Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements. You are urged to consider statements that include the words "may," "will," "would," "could," "should," "believes," "estimates," "projects," "potential," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "intends," "continues," "forecast," "designed," "goal," or the negative of those words or other comparable words to be uncertain and forward-looking. These risks and uncertainties include the risk that the Company may not be successful in exploring strategic alternatives and consummating one or more strategic transactions on attractive terms, if at all; the Company’s actual reductions in spending as compared to anticipated cost reductions; the Company’s costs of continuing to operate as a public company; and the other risks described more fully in Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2023 and its other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. For a further list and description of the risks and uncertainties the Company faces, please refer to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other periodic and other filings we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are available at www.sec.gov . Such forward-looking statements are current only as of the date they are made, and we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Contacts Company: Paul McBarron, (908) 517-7330, IR@cyclacel.com © Copyright 2024 Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Cyclacel logo and Cyclacel® are trademarks of Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.AP Sports SummaryBrief at 6:35 p.m. EST
Leading the pack with multiple nominations is the talented actor Winston Wright. Known for his captivating performances in a range of genres, Wright's presence on the nomination list comes as no surprise to fans and critics alike. With his ability to portray complex characters with depth and authenticity, Wright has solidified his place as one of Hollywood's most versatile actors.Ducks forward Trevor Zegras has surgery on torn knee meniscus, will be out for 6 weeksAs fans eagerly await the next installment in the franchise, one thing is clear – "The Lord of the Rings: Battle of Rohan" has set a new standard for epic storytelling and cinematic excellence, leaving an indelible mark on the world of film and capturing the hearts of all who have experienced its magic.
Title: Reunion of Old Teammates as iG and TES Draw in the Same Group