The series finale of Mo brings its titular character home to the West Bank
Mo is a dramedy series created by the stand-up comedian Mo Amer. It premiered on Netflix in 2022.
The series ran for two seasons, and it's loosely based on Amer's life. Amer stars in it as himself — that is, a Palestinian refugee who grew up in Houston, Texas.
Given today's political climate, it's difficult to separate the realities of Gaza in 2025 from the fictional world of the show while watching the final episode of Mo, which is set in the West Bank.
Today on Commotion, TV critic Saloni Gajjar talks about the series finale of Mo, and why it was so powerful to see the titular character return to his homeland.
WATCH | Today's episode on YouTube (this segment begins at 15:45):
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Winnipeg Free Press
20 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
For Ana de Armas, Keanu Reeves' co-star 10 years ago and once again, ‘Ballerina' is a pirouette
NEW YORK (AP) — Years before Ana de Armas was using an ice skate to slice a neck in 'From the World of John Wick: Ballerina,' she co-starred with Keanu Reeves in a much different film. The erotic thriller 'Knock Knock,' released in 2015, was de Armas' first Hollywood film. De Armas, born and raised in Cuba, had just come to Los Angeles after acting in Spain. English was new to her, so she had to learn her lines phonetically. 'It was tough and I felt miserable at times and very lonely,' she says in an interview. 'But I wanted to prove myself. I remember being in meetings with producers and they would be like, 'OK, I'll see you in a year when you learn English.' Before I left the office, I would say, 'I'll see you in two months.'' Since 'Knock Knock,' her rise to stardom has been one of the last decade's most meteoric. She was radiant even as a hologram in 'Blade Runner 2049.' She stole the show in Rian Johnson's star-studded 'Knives Out.' She breezed through the Bond movie 'No Time to Die.' She was Oscar nominated for her Marilyn Monroe in 'Blonde. ' And now, 10 years after those scenes with Reeves, de Armas is for the first time headlining a big summer action movie. In 'Ballerina,' in theaters Friday, de Armas' progressive development as an unlikely action star reaches a butt-kicking crescendo, inheriting the mantle of one of the most esteemed, high-body-count franchises. 'It's a big moment in my career, and I know that. I can see that,' she says. 'It makes me look back in many ways, just being with Keanu in another film in such a different place in my career. It definitely gives me perspective of the journey and everything since we met. Things have come far since then.' Taking on the pressure of 'John Wick' While de Armas, 37, isn't new to movie stardom, or the tabloid coverage that comes with it, many of her career highlights have been streaming releases. 'The Gray Man' and 'Blonde' were Netflix. 'Ghosted' was Apple TV+. But 'Ballerina' will rely on de Armas (and abiding 'John Wick' fandom) to put moviegoers in seats. Heading in, analysts expected an opening weekend of around $35-40 million, which would be a solid result for a spinoff that required extensive reshoots. Reviews, particularly for de Armas playing a ballerina-assassin, have been good. 'There's a lot of pressure,' says director Len Wiseman. 'It's a lot to carry all on her shoulders. But she'll be the first person to tell you: 'Put it on. Let me carry the weight. I'm totally game.'' De Armas, whose talents include the ability to be present and personable on even the most frenzied red carpets, has done the globe-trotting work to make 'Ballerina' a big deal: appearing at CinemaCon, gamely eating hot wings and cheerfully deflecting questions about her next film, 'Deeper,' with Tom Cruise. Yet for someone so comfortable in the spotlight, one of the more interesting facts about de Armas is that she lives part time in that bastion of young A-listers: Vermont. 'Yeah, it surprised many people,' she says, chuckling. 'As soon as I went up there, I knew that was going to be a place that would bring me happiness and sanity and peace. But I know for a Cuban who doesn't like cold very much, it's very strange.' 'This has been a surprise' Winding up in northern New England is just as unexpected as landing an action movie like 'Ballerina.' She grew up with the conviction, from age 12, that she would be an actor. But she studied theater. 'I never thought I was going to do action,' de Armas says. 'What was relatable for me was watching Cuban actors on TV and in movies. That was my reality. That's all I knew, so the actors I looked up to were those.' De Armas also had bad asthma, which makes some of the things she does in 'Ballerina' — a movie with a flamethrower duel — all the more remarkable to her. 'I couldn't do anything,' she remembers. 'I couldn't run. I sometimes couldn't play with my friends. I had to just be home and be still so I wouldn't get an asthma attack. So I never thought of myself as someone athletic or able to run just a block. So this has been a surprise.' At 14, she auditioned and got into Havana's National Theatre of Cuba. Four years later, with Spanish citizenship through her grandparents, she moved to Madrid to pursue acting. When she arrive in LA in 2014, she had to start all over again. Now as one of the top Latina stars in Hollywood, she's watched as immigrant paths like hers have grow increasingly arduous if not impossible. The day after she spoke to The Associated Press, the Trump administration announced a travel ban on 12 countries and heavy restrictions on citizens of other countries, including Cuba. 'I got here at a time when things were definitely easier in that sense,' says de Armas, who announced her then-imminent U.S. citizenship while hosting 'Saturday Night Live' in 2023. 'So I just feel very lucky for that. But it's difficult. Everything that's going on is very difficult and very sad and really challenging for many people. I definitely wish things were different.' 'She doesn't just enjoy the view' Chad Stahelski, director of the four 'John Wick' films and producer of 'Ballerina,' was about to start production on 'John Wick: Chapter 4' when producer Basil Iwanyk and Nathan Kahane, president of Lionsgate, called to set up a Zoom about casting de Armas. He quickly watched every scene she had been in. 'How many people would have played the Bond girl kind of goofy like that?' he says. 'I know that I can harden people up. I know I can make them the assassin, but getting the charm and the love and the humor out of someone is trickier. But she had it.' In 'Knives Out,' Stahelski saw someone who could go from scared and uncertain to a look of 'I'm going to stab you in the eye.' 'I like that in my action heroes,' he says. 'I don't want to see the stoic, superhero vibe where everything's going to be OK.' But it wasn't just her acting or her charisma that convinced Stahelski. It was her life story. ''John Wick' is all hard work — and I don't mean just in the training. You've got to love it and put yourself out there,' says Stahelski. 'When you get her story about how she came from the age of 12, got into acting, what she sacrificed, what she did, that's what got my attention. 'Oh, she's a perseverer. She doesn't just enjoy the view, she enjoys the climb.'' When that quote is read back to her, de Armas laughs, and agrees. 'Being Cuban, and my upbringing and my family and everything I've done, I've never had a plan B,' she says. 'I've never had that thing of, 'Well, if it doesn't work, my family can help.' Or, 'I can do this other career.' This was it. And I also knew, besides being the thing I loved the most, this was my survival. This is how I live. This is how I feed myself and my family. So it's also a sense of, I don't know, responsibility.' That makes her reflect back to when she was just trying to make it in Hollywood, sounding out words, trying not to disappoint directors whose instructions she could barely understand, trying not to be intimidated by the action star across from her who had just finished shooting the first 'John Wick.' 'I was so committed to do it,' she says. 'I was so invested in the trying of it, just giving it a shot. When I give something a shot, I try my best, whatever that is. Then I can actually say: I gave it a shot.'
Toronto Sun
a day ago
- Toronto Sun
'S.W.A.T.' stars react to being cut out of Shemar Moore's 'Exiles' spinoff
Get the latest from Mark Daniell straight to your inbox Shemar Moore stars on CBS' "S.W.A.T." Photo by Michael Yarish / CBS Shemar Moore's S.W.A.T. co-stars are speaking out after learning that they have been cut out of a planned spinoff of the popular cop drama. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account After S.W.A.T. ended its eight-season run last month, CBS announced it was moving forward on S.W.A.T. Exiles with Moore returning as Sgt. Daniel 'Hondo' Harrelson. S.W.A.T. had one of the most devoted fanbases in all of television. CBS twice dropped the show, only to bring it back after an outcry from its devoted viewers. After it was cancelled for good back in March, Moore appealed to Netflix to give the show a new lease on life. 'Let me just remind you that in a very short period of time, once upon a time ago …it only took us about two weeks to go from number 15 … to number one,' Moore said on Instagram. 'And then we stayed in your top 10, top 15 for about six months, nine months, maybe a year. So Netflix, if you're interested in a show that is on autopilot that the world is watching, we'd love to come play. NBC, Fox, ABC, hey, you want to come flirt with me? You're invited to the barbecue. Pick your favourite restaurant. I will pay the bill.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The streamer didn't bite, but CBS execs gave a green light to Exiles with Moore the only returning star. Moore, 55, celebrated the news with a lengthy Instagram video telling his followers he was 'excited and grateful' for their support. But he also rankled some fans of the show by calling himself the 'Tom Brady of S.W.A.T.' 'Y'all paid attention. Y'all tuned in. You rallied for us eight years,' he said. 'We won, and without those eight years, there is no future of S.W.A.T. , and there is a future for S.W.A.T. , and it's called S.W.A.T. Exiles . So, we start shooting this summer. I'm not saying I'm Tom Brady, but I'm the Tom Brady of S.W.A.T. — that's not arrogant, that's not ego, it's the fact. I'm the quarterback. I'm Shemar Moore, aka Hondo.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Shemar Moore of the CBS series S.W.A.T. Photo by Smallz + Raskind / SONY He continued: 'Tom Brady might be the quarterback, but you know, people get traded. Tight ends get traded. The running back gets traded, the receivers get traded but the teams keep pushing with their quarterback and I'm that guy, so proud so grateful, not gonna apologize for nothing. Busted my ass for 31 years to do what I do, and excited for the future.' Of course, Moore's comments ruffled some feathers with his co-stars. Jay Harrington, who played Sgt. David 'Deacon' Kay on the series, said that he learned of the spinoff after getting a text from Moore. 'It was the day before. Shemar reached out to to all of us to say, 'This is what's going on…,' and, you know, there's talk that they'll reach out to us about stuff,' Harrington told TVLine this week . 'He wanted to be the one to tell us, and say 'your reps will find out shortly.' That's when I told my reps, and they had no idea.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Harrington said Moore invited him to give him a call and he told the website he sent the actor a text. 'I texted him later and said, 'I'm sure you did your best.' We've been brothers for years, so that doesn't change.' But Harrington said he has moved on and called his exclusion part of ' show business.' ' I've been in this business for a long time. You don't get 'owed' things just because you put in your time. … if there was any disappointment, it's that when they announced it, we weren't mentioned at all. That was it. And it was short-lived because I thought, 'I'm not going to let that take away from what I know in my heart is eight years of putting in some great work,'' he said. Shemar Moore and Jay Harrington in a scene from 'S.W.A.T.' Photo by CBS Fellow co-star David Lim, who played Victor Tan, also sounded off on the spinoff. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I'd be lying if I said the rollout of the new spinoff didn't sting,' he wrote in an Instagram post. 'It was tough to see it announced just two days after our finale — with no mention of the cast who helped build S.W.A.T. from day one. After 8 incredible seasons, it felt like we were brushed aside when there could've been a moment of reflection and recognition — for the people who built this show, and for the impact it had on so many.' Lim also said that the cast 'fought' to get S.W.A.T. renewed for ninth season saying everyone involved 'believed we still had more to give, more stories to tell.' 'We wanted it for our crew, for each other, and for the newer faces just joining us. It wasn't in the cards for all of us—and that's okay,' he wrote. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In an interview with Variety , Sony Pictures Television president Katherine Pope said the door isn't completely closed on Moore's S.W.A.T. castmates joining him in the spinoff. 'It's a universe. There is a clear world that we're exploring here. We're a few weeks in. We're still putting it all together, but for sure, I think you can expect some of your favourites to be a part of it in some way,' she said in an interview last month. According to Deadline, the new series will follow Hondo after he is drawn out of retirement to lead a S.W.A.T. unit made up of untested recruits. mdaniell@ Read More NHL Columnists Columnists Columnists Columnists
Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Globe and Mail
If I Could Only Buy and Hold a Single Stock, This Would Be It
Owning just a single stock is not a great strategy. Indeed, experts agree: It's best to own a diversified portfolio of stocks to insulate yourself from market volatility and the pitfalls that any company -- even the great ones -- experience from time to time. That said, if I could own only a single stock, I know which one I would choose: Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX). Here's why. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Learn More » An appealing, long-term strategy According to recent reporting from The Wall Street Journal, Netflix executives have outlined a detailed plan aimed at raising Netflix's market cap to over $1 trillion by 2030. As of this writing, Netflix's market cap is $504 billion, meaning the company would need to roughly double its stock price of around $1,200 to break into the $1 trillion club. It's an ambitious goal and one that will require significant growth in the company's key metrics. Its subscriber base will have to expand, along with the fees it charges those subscribers. In addition, the company will need to generate more money from advertising and perhaps tap new business segments like gaming. In turn, revenue, net income, and free cash flow will have to surge. According to the Journal 's reporting, company executives are hoping to double Netflix's annual revenue to around $78 billion by 2030. Furthermore, they expect to generate nearly $9 billion of this revenue from advertising. However, it's unclear how much Netflix currently generates from ads, although some analysts estimate it to be around $2 billion. In other words, Netflix has plenty of work to do. Yet, I do think the company is more than capable of hitting these lofty goals and delivering significant gains to shareholders. Here's why. Netflix is a proven winner To put things bluntly: Netflix is the best streaming service provider -- period. And that's saying something. Many companies have taken a run at Netflix over the last decade: Walt Disney, Apple, Amazon, Comcast, Paramount Global, and Warner Brothers Discovery. Yet, despite all this competition, Netflix hasn't just survived, it's thrived. The company's stock has surged by an eye-popping 1,200% over the last decade. That works out to a mouth-watering compound annual growth rate of 30%. That's easily the best among its entertainment industry peers. In fact, it's even better than tech giants like Apple and Amazon, too. NFLX data by YCharts The truth of the matter is this: Netflix has shown that it can outcompete others thanks to several key competitive advantages: Subscriber growth: Netflix has managed to grow its customer base to over 300 million thanks to its massive content library and algorithmic recommendations that keep people coming back for more. Pricing power: Even though Netflix has significantly increased its prices over the last decade, user churn has remained minimal, making it easy to grow its overall subscriber base. Original content and live events: Netflix continues to produce original content that generates buzz, like Squid Game, Wednesday, Bridgerton, and Stranger Things. The company is also expanding into live events, including sports and gaming. The final word To sum up, Netflix is the best at what it does, and its management has put forth an aggressive goal to double its revenue and market cap within the next five years. That's a great sign for investors, as it signals that the company is aiming high. However, like any stock, there are risks to owning Netflix. Its monumental goals are just that: goals. There's no guarantee the company will hit the mark. If subscriber growth cools or if consumers are unwilling to shoulder further price increases, the company's fundamentals -- and its stock price -- could stall. That said, I remain bullish on Netflix. It has become entrenched in many people's mind as the name in video streaming and is now part of their daily routine. In my opinion, the company will continue to achieve its goals, rewarding shareholders in the process. That's why it's my pick if I could only own one stock. Should you invest $1,000 in Netflix right now? Before you buy stock in Netflix, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Netflix wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $656,825!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $865,550!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor 's total average return is994% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to172%for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 2, 2025 John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Jake Lerch has positions in Amazon and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Walt Disney, and Warner Bros. Discovery. The Motley Fool recommends Comcast. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
