Hugh Jackman Speaks at Global Citizen NOW in New York City, Plus Florence Pugh, Kerry Washington, Post Malone and More
Stars have been everywhere this week. In New York City, Hugh Jackman sits onstage for a chat at Global Citizen NOW, Kerry Washington snaps a selfie with Nick Jonas and Adrienne Warren and Florence Pugh shines in a mini-dress. Meanwhile, Post Malone and Jelly Roll perform together in Salt Lake City.
Here, are the best photos of celebs out and about this week. Come back tomorrow for more of the latest A-list outings!
Hugh Jackman has the microphone onstage at Global Citizen NOW in New York City on April 30.
A stylish Florence Pugh walks around New York City's SoHo in a reflective black dress on April 30.
Kerry Washington snaps a photo with The Last Five Years stars Nick Jonas and Adrienne Warren at SiriusXM Studios in N.Y.C. on April 30.
Jelly Roll and Post Malone sing together at the latter's stadium tour stop in Salt Lake City on April 29.
A dressed-up Kesha walks her cat in a stroller around Los Angeles on April 30.
Rachel Brosnahan sits for a chat during Global Citizen NOW in New York City on April 30.
Laverne Cox shows up to Global Citizen NOW in New York City wearing an elegant black dress on April 30.
A low-key Hailey Bieber steps out in all black in New York City on April 30.
Da'Vine Joy Randolph struts around New York City in a black dress on April 30.
Cynthia Erivo grins at the playback event for her upcoming album I Forgive You in New York City on April 30.
A$AP Rocky wears camo and tartan on the way into the studio in New York City on April 30.
Chase Sui Wonders channels her best sailor girl in New York City on April 30.
Geena Davis carries two bags while walking around New York City on April 30.
Abigail Spencer hosts a 30 Years of Bioderma celebration in New York City on April 29.
Kenneth Cole and Rachel Platten lead a special launch event in partnership with Mental Health Coalition in New York City's Core Club on April 29.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers' Chad Smith amps up the Kings crowd at their game against the Edmonton Oilers in L.A. on April 29.
The men of Chippendales line up against a wall in Nashville ahead of the opening of their resident production at Hard Rock Café.
Richie Sambora poses with his longtime pal Tom Jones on April 21 at Jones' show in Red Bank, New Jersey.
Olivia Munn is glowing on the red carpet at the PEOPLE App Party presented by e.l.f. Cosmetics and Paramount+ on April 29 at the Hotel Chelsea in New York City.
Margaret Qualley, Lupita Nyong'o and Nana Komatsu are decked out in Chanel at the Chanel Cruise 2026 show at the Villa d'Este in Lake Como, Italy on April 29.
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds step out together hand-in-hand in New York City on April 29.
Fred Jezeph, Patrick O'Keefe, Neil Vogel, Jo Bray, Maddie Bartlett, Charlotte Triggs, Leah Wyar and Melissa Guy pose with performer SAINt JHN at the PEOPLE App Launch Party on April 29.
Prince William and Kate Middleton pay a special visit to Ardura Community Forest in Isle of Mull, Scotland on April 30.
Padma Lakshmi arrives at the PEOPLE App Launch Party at the Hotel Chelsea on April 29 in New York City.
Margaret Josephs, Melissa Gorga, Jennifer Fessler and Lexi Barbuto pose together at Tuesday's PEOPLE App Launch Party at the Hotel Chelsea in New York City on April 29.
SAINt JHN takes the stage to perform for the crowd at Tuesday's PEOPLE App Launch Party at the Hotel Chelsea on April 29 in New York City.
Jackie Goldschneider and Evan Goldschneider have a date night at the PEOPLE App Launch Party on April 29 at the Hotel Chelsea in New York City.
Madeline Brewer steps out for PEOPLE App Launch Party on April 29 at the Hotel Chelsea in New York City.
Justina Valentine strikes a pose at the PEOPLE App Launch Party on April 29 in New York City.
Jake Gyllenhaal celebrates his new Sardi's portrait with his mom Naomi Foner Gyllenhaal on April 29 in New York City.
Jeremy Renner stops by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon for an appearance on April 29 in New York City.
Augustin James Evangelista joins his mom Linda Evangelista at the National Breast Cancer Coalition's NYC gala on April 29.
Glenn Close poses backstage with Nicole Scherzinger following her performance in Sunset Blvd on April 29 in New York City.
Christie Brinkley stuns in a black dress for her event at 92NY on Tuesday night in New York City.
Dua Lipa takes a trip backstage at Oh, Mary! to hang out with show's star Cole Escola on April 29 in New York City.
Brett Goldstein smiles backstage with Sarah Snook at The Picture of Dorian Gray on at The Music Box Theatre in New York City on April 29.
Alejandra Silva and Richard Gere bring date night to a screening of Wisdom of Happiness during the BCN Film Festival at Cinemes Verdi in Barcelona on April 29.
Patsy Kensit and Kate Moss pose together at the launch of issue 8.5 of Perfect Magazine at The Lavery in London on April 29.
Anna Kendrick is ready for spring in her blue-toned outfit while out in New York City on April 29.
Caitlin O'Connor and Joe Manganiello walk hand-in-hand in New York City on April 29.
Aaron Abrams, Carson MacCormack, Katie Douglas, Kevin Durand and Eli Craig attend the premiere of RLJE Films and Shudder's Clown in a Cornfield presented with Project Mayhem and Rooftop Films on April 29 in New York City.
Marlee Matlin smiles at the 2025 Scientific and Technical Awards at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in L.A. on April 29.
Celebrity yoga instructor and author Kristin McGee, Olympian Gabby Thomas, and dietitian DJ Blatner pose together at an event hosted by Now Foods for their 'Be You, NOW' campaign in New York City on April 28.
Maggie Lawson, Melanie Lynskey and Zooey Deschanel have fun at the 30 Years of Bioderma celebration in Los Angeles on April 29.
Emma Roberts goes for all-houndstooth at the 2025 Brooklyn Artists Ball in New York City on April 29.
Caleb McLaughlin, Zazie Beetz and Kerry Washington share a table at the 2025 Brooklyn Artists Ball in New York City on April 29.
Tim McGraw, Timothy Wayne, a rising country music star and LSU student, and Sandy Howard watch an LSU baseball game from the stands in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on April 27.
Jenna Bush Hager celebrates the dual launch of the Jane Win x Barbara Bush Foundation collection and Thousand Voices Imprint title with Jane Winchester in New York City on April 22.
On their 14th wedding anniversary, Prince William and Kate Middleton stop by a local community hub in Tobermory, Scotland, on April 29.
Toting a pizza purse, Blake Lively waves to the camera in New York City on April 29.
A denim-clad Joe Jonas is ready for an interview at SiriusXM Studios in New York City on April 29.
Ellen Pompeo poses by her new Walk of Fame star during her ceremony in Hollywood, California, on April 29.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan wields a stick atop the Empire State Building in New York City on April 29.
Ewan McGregor attends the opening night party for My Master Builder on the West End in London on April 29.
Maury Povich beams during an interview at SiriusXM Studios in New York City on April 29.
Jaleel White wears a fancy floral shirt to SiriusXM Studios in New York City on April 29.
Bradley Cooper, dressed in all blue, takes a phone call on a walk in New York City on April 29.
Cate Blanchett looks good in green at The National Theatre 2025 season lunch in London on April 29.
Sam Claflin and the cast of The Count of Monte Cristo gather at the beach for a photo call in Cannes, France, on April 29.
Christina Hendricks gets all dressed up for Ellen Pompeo's Walk of Fame ceremony in Hollywood, California, on April 29.
Gabrielle Union and daughter Zaya Wade rock western-inspired H&M looks at the opening night of Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour at SoFi Stadium in California, on April 29.
Wearing an all-white look from H&M's upcoming Studio Resort Collection, Ryan Destiny strikes a fierce pose at the Cowboy Carter Tour opening night in Inglewood, California, on April 28.
A casual Jennifer Garner wears a matching sweatshirt and sweatpants set as she walks her dog in Los Angeles on April 28.
Florence Pugh and Violet McGraw, who plays a young Yelena in Thunderbolts*, pose together at the film's world premiere in Hollywood, California, on April 28.
Richard Branson stands in front of the new Virgin Hotel London-Shoreditch on April 28.
A comfortable Wyatt Russell arrives at Jimmy Kimmel Live in Los Angeles on April 29.
Alan Cumming rocks a twisted scarf with his suit at The WNET Group 2025 Gala in New York City on April 28.
Anya Taylor-Joy, Valentina Ferrer and Elle Editor-in-Chief Nina Garcia celebrate Tiffany & Co.'s launch of Blue Book 2025 in New York City on April 25.
Nelly snaps a photo with the crowd using a disposable camera at a Facebook Stagecoach experience.
Olivia Munn and John Mulaney smile from their seats at Monday's An Unforgettable Evening benefit for the Women's Cancer Research Fund at The Beverly Hilton in L.A.
Beyoncé is decked out in cowboy apparel for the opening night of her Cowboy Carter Tour at SoFi Stadium in L.A. on April 28.
Dua Lipa is dripping in golden accessories at the 50th Chaplin Award Gala at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 28.
Blake Lively opts for polka dots while out in New York City on April 28.
Sharon Stone catches up on a recent issue of PEOPLE while getting her nails done in L.A. on April 28.
Florence Pugh stuns in mint green at the L.A. premiere of Thunderbolts* on April 28 in L.A.
Sebastian Stan poses at the L.A. premiere of Thunderbolts* on April 28.
Anthony Davis gives Yvette Nicole Brown a kiss at the L.A. premiere of Thunderbolts* on April 28.
Ed Helms smiles onstage during a conversation with Samantha Bee at 92NY about his new book SNAFU — A Hilarious History of Epic Screwups on April 28.
Role Model and Bowen Yang pose backstage at Monday's taping of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in New York City.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus flashes a smile and a wave at the L.A. premiere of Thunderbolts* at the Dolby Theatre on April 28.
Alexander Skarsgård and Jack McBrayer cuddle up at the premiere of Murderbot at Regal Union Square in New York City on April 28.
Anna Kendrick sports a strapless peach ensemble for her appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on April 28 in New York City.
Garcelle Beauvais poses with her son Jaid Thomas Nilon at the L.A. premiere of Thunderbolts* on April 28 in at the Dolby Theatre.
Sheryl Lee Ralph poses with Bob the Drag Queen as she shows off her new award at the LA Forever Celebration at the Los Angeles LGBT Center on April 26.
Sofia Carson blows a kiss on the red carpet at The New York Pops' 42nd birthday gala on April 28 in New York City.
Cynthia Bailey and Kerry Washington pose together at a screening of Shadow Force at AMC Madison Yards 8 in Atlanta on April 8.
Katy Perry takes the stage at Arena Monterrey in Mexico during her The Lifetimes Tour on April 28.
Nicky Hilton and Kathy Hilton step out together for the An Unforgettable Evening event benefitting the Women's Cancer Research Fund on April 28 at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills.
Stanley Tucci stops by SiriusXM Studios in New York City to chat about his new series Tucci in Italy on April 28.
Max Greenfield and Tess Sanchez attend the An Unforgettable Evening benefit for the Women's Cancer Research Fund at The Beverly Hilton on April 28.
Teddi Mellencamp and Kyle Richards pose together at the An Unforgettable Evening benefit for the Women's Cancer Research Fund on April 28 at The Beverly Hilton.
Martha Stewart smiles while chatting with Seth Meyers on Monday's episode of Late Night with Seth Meyers in New York City.
LeAnn Rimes sparkles from the stage while performing at The New York Pops' gala at Carnegie Hall in New York City on April 28.
Justin Gimelstob and Amanda Kloots make their red carpet debut at Monday's An Unforgettable Evening benefit for the Women's Cancer Research Fund at The Beverly Hilton.
Jeff Goldblum rocks a floral tie during his appearance on This Morning in London on April 29.
Keira Knightley is chic at the Chanel Cruise 2025 fashion show at Villa D'Este in Como, Italy on April 29.
John Waters smiles at the 50th Chaplin Award Gala on April 28 in New York City.
Christie Brinkley grins from ear-to-ear in a pink blazer and pearls outside of The View in New York City on April 28.
Anna Kendrick struts in New York City's Midtown wearing tinted shades and polka dots on April 28.
Liam Hemsworth is fully in costume as Geralt of Rivia on the set of The Witcher on April 25.
Nicola Coughlan walks the pink carpet of the Canneseries International Film Festival wearing a pastel gown in Cannes, France, on April 28.
Rosamund Pike arrives in a baggy red gown to the Hallow Road special screening with her costar Matthew Rhys in London on April 28.
Anne Hathaway continues her style streak with a metallic gold jacket in New York City on April 28.
Bella Hadid pokes her head out of her vehicle in New York City on April 28.
A casual Daisy Edgar-Jones walks with her boyfriend Ben Seed in New York City on April 28.
NE-YO receives a special proclamation from the city of Stockbridge, Georgia, during the Ologo Golf Tournament on April 28.
Former boy band members AJ McLean and Lance Bass hang out at NYLON Desert Disco during Stagecoach in Indio, California.
Guy Fieri is decked out in rings and chains at a Los Angeles screening of Mob Cops.
Camila and Matthew McConaughey celebrate 13 years of his joint fundraising initiative MJ&M with their tequila brand Pantalones.
Diplo stops by the Swimsuits & Cowboy Boots Pool Party at Stagecoach in Indio, California, on April 27.
Jason Tartick, Dylan Barbour, Zachary Reality, Hannah Godwin, Kelley Flanagan, Justin Glaze and Andrew Spencer stop by George Strait's Código 1530 Tequila pop-up at Stagecoach in Indio, California.
Kristin Cavallari opts for a pair of cow-print shorts for the debut of Country Bandit at 21 Arrows Ranch in Thermal, California.
Tucker Wetmore sits on a prop car as he enjoys a Patrón El Alto Mini at Last Call Saloon during Stagecoach in Indio, California, on April 26.
Joey Bada$$ wears the Modern Dandy Collection by AC Miller as he strikes a pose on a set of greens in Harlem, New York.
Jason Isaacs has a button undone at The Creative Coalition Right to Bear Arts Gala in Washington, D.C., on April 25.
Tristan Schukraft and Jennifer Coolidge arrive for the opening night party of The Tryst in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, on April 25.
Olivia Munn takes the stage during a special screening of Your Friends & Neighbors at The Whitby Hotel in New York City on April 27.
Blake Lively celebrates the premiere of her new film Another Simple Favor with her husband Ryan Reynolds at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 27.
Jeremy Allen White sports his signature New York Mets hat while out in L.A. on April 27.
Siblings-in-law Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci smile together at the premiere of Another Simple Favor on April 27 in New York City.
Anna Kendrick rocks a white ensemble for the New York premiere of Another Simple Favor on April 27 at Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Read the original article on People
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox News
14 hours ago
- Fox News
Hugh Jackman's rumored flame Sutton Foster stays silent after his ex's statement about 'betrayal'
Hugh Jackman's rumored flame is staying silent after his ex-wife Deborra-Lee Furness filed for divorce. On Sunday, the Broadway star appeared on the red carpet solo for the 69th Annual Drama Desk Awards. The 50-year-old smiled and posed for photographers at the glitzy event in New York City, where she avoided answering any questions about the actor. The "Younger" alum was nominated for "Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical," the New York Post reported. According to the UK's DailyMail, Foster made a beeline to the exit after posing for a series of photos. She appeared alongside actor Michael Urie at one point as she remained close to her publicist throughout the night, the outlet shared. Fox News Digital reached out to Foster's spokesperson for comment. Foster's appearance came days after Furness officially filed for divorce from Jackman in New York on Tuesday. According to People, Furness' lawyer also submitted filings related to the duo's settlement, health care coverage and medical child support. The former couple tied the knot in 1996 when Jackman was 27 and Furness was 40. They share two adopted children: Oscar and Ava. Per the filing, the couple's divorce is uncontested and will only need a judge to sign off. On Tuesday, Furness shared a statement with the Daily Mail and spoke out for the first time since filing, with an emotional comment. "My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal," Furness said. She said their separation was "a profound wound that cuts deep." "My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal."Deborra-Lee Furness Furness continued, "However, I believe in a higher power and that God/the universe, whatever you relate to as your guidance, is always working FOR us. This belief has helped me navigate the breakdown of an almost three-decade marriage." This painful process has forced Furness to find "knowledge and wisdom." "Even when we are presented with apparent adversity, it is leading us to our greatest good, our true purpose. It can hurt, but in the long run, returning to yourself and living within your own integrity, values and boundaries is liberation and freedom," she said. WATCH: HUGH JACKMAN STARS IN 'REMINISCENCE' Furness' big takeaway from her divorce is "that none of this is personal." "We are all on our individual journeys and I believe that the relationships in our lives are not random. We are drawn to people, we invite them in, in order to learn our lessons and to recognize and heal the broken parts of ourselves...I remain grateful," Furness concluded. Representatives for Jackman and Furness did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. During a Thursday appearance on the Australian radio show "Ben Fordham Live," Gus Warland, who said that he had been Jackman's best friend since they attended kindergarten together in 1973, was asked about the emotional statement that Furness released. "The last couple of years have been difficult," Warland said. "No one wants anyone to go through what they've been through, and, of course, they go through everything publicly because of the type of people and the fame that they have," he continued. "One thing that I've been really strict on, or disciplined on — not just for me but a whole lot of other mates that love them both — is to let them do what they've had to do," Warland said. The TV and radio personality shared that he had recently visited Jackman, who he refers to as "Jacko." "I was over in New York with Jacko just last month, and he's fine," Warland said. "He is going along well. He's moving on with his life and I hope that Deb does as well." "It's a long, long time that they were together, and they've got two beautiful kids together, so I just go to the kids and go, what can we do to make sure that they're going to get through this as well as possible." Jackman and his former "Music Man" co-star Foster were seen holding hands together in January while going out to dinner in Los Angeles. Foster filed for divorce from her husband, Ted Griffin, in October after 10 years of marriage. In September 2023, Jackman and Furness announced they were separating after 27 years together. The Australian actress and actor shared a joint statement with People at the time. "We have been blessed to share almost 3 decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage," they said. "Our journey now is shifting, and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth. "Our family has been and always will be our highest priority. We undertake this next chapter with gratitude, love, and kindness. We greatly appreciate your understanding in respecting our privacy as our family navigates this transition in all of our lives." "This is the sole statement either of us will make," the statement, signed "Deb and Hugh Jackman," concluded.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Gwyneth Paltrow Gets Real About Disliking Being On Social Media As A Famous Person: 'I'm Like An Old Lady'
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. If nothing else, you can, seemingly always, say that actress Gwyneth Paltrow is honest. The proud vagina candle maven has been known to open up about everything from hiding in her parents house after winning her Oscar at 26, to living with ex Chris Martin after they split and how hard it is to be an empty-nester. Now the Marvel star is opening up about being 'an old lady' when it comes to social media. While it's not impossible to be famous today and stay off social media (or at least not put your whole life online), it's not something that's done on a regular basis. In fact, most people, whether they're celebrities or not, use social media regularly, but the pressure to show every aspect of one's life must certainly be greater the more well known a person is. During an episode of The Goop Podcast where Gwyneth Paltrow spoke with actress Kerry Washington, the welcoming lifestyle company founder spoke about her feelings on social media, and admitted that some of her reticence likely has to do with age. As she said: There's a part of it I think that just is like a pre-Internet kid. I always wrestle a little bit with, 'Why are we having to put everything on social media? We just met with our video team. I'm always like, 'Chase, I don't want to be on Instagram!' You know? OMG. Gwynnie! I don't want to be on Instagram, either! But I am, because it's just what people do now. Of course, no one is expecting me to share literally everything I do during the day, so I'm totally free to sit back, follow a bunch of other folks and enjoy the view. When fans see Paltrow on social media, well, they want her to share things. Several stars have spoken about the immense pressure that can come from being online and opening your life up to fans. It has, in fact, caused a number of them to at least take breaks from it. Recently, A Complete Unknown star and Oscar nominee Monica Barbaro admitted that she's deleted her social media several times, and had to do it while filming that movie and again as positive reactions came in. Other famous folk have talked about doing the same social media 'detox' for a while, with Only Murders in the Building lead Selena Gomez calling the process 'the most rewarding gift.' This is likely because, as Home Town host Erin Napier once noted, regardless of what you post, the comments can be 'really rude.' While that can certainly harm one's mental health, however, the potential positives tend to outweigh some of the negatives for Paltrow, and that's exactly why she continues to use it. As she added: And yet, especially around the topic of mental health, or anything really that's heavily stigmatized, social media is this way to destigmatize. ... [like] wait, this is how you change culture and the tools right now are social media. So even though I'm like an old lady trying to get with the times of how this works... [I try to] get comfortable with it. And, lucky for us, she has gotten 'comfortable' with it and continues to share with fans on a regular basis.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
‘Shadow Force' Review: Two Spies Get Dragged From the Cold in Middling Action Opus
When a now-defunct celebrity couple attempted to make like Nick and Nora Charles meets 'Mission: Impossible' in 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' two decades ago, the high-concept, high-budget results were a mixed bag — which didn't stop them from being imitated ever since. The latest duo to step into similar matching marital bulletproof vests is Kerry Washington and Omar Sy, playing globetrotting 'elite special operators' now hiding from their former colleagues in 'Shadow Force.' It takes a certain esprit to pull off this kind of bombastic yet larky star vehicle. Joe Carnahan's film provides passable diversion for a couple hours, but the fun to be had is limited by uninspired action staging, less-than-sparkling dialogue and a maudlin streak of the 'It's about family!!' type. Lionsgate's theatrical release looks likelier to find its primary audience once it reaches home formats. More from Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Desperate Housewives' Reboot From Kerry Washington, Natalie Chaidez in Development at Onyx Collective 'Extraction' TV Series Starring Omar Sy Ordered at Netflix From Glen Mazzara With Russo Brothers Producing Kyrah (Washington) and Isaac (Sy) are a couple who met on the job. They were both part of the titular top-secret assassin unit assembled by then-CIA chief Jack Cinder (Mark Strong) to take out bad guys around the world. But falling in love was against the rules, going AWOL even more so. Some time later, they've gone underground, trying to keep themselves and 5-year-old son Ky (Jahleel Kamara) safe from the vengeance of their ex-boss, who is now General Secretary for G7. Cinder's international career ascent has only made him more anxious to snuff his runaway agents, who 'know too many things.' Plus there's his lingering pique over being dumped for Isaac by Kyrah, with whom he once had a different sort of 'thing.' She has actually spent the last few years away from her husband and child, trying to kill off remaining Shadow Force recruits before they can do the same to her loved ones. However, when Isaac is forced to demonstrate his violent skillset during a bank robbery in which father and son find themselves caught, the resulting heroic surveillance camera footage blows everyone's cover. Dad and son scram to a hiding place in the Colombian jungle, soon joined by an irate mom. (It is typical of the script's weak logic that she blames Isaac for attracting attention, ignoring the minor detail that he was forced to save their child from armed goons.) Once these parents have yelled at and pummeled each other a bit, the family reunion goes on the run, soon crossing paths with old CIA allies: another couple, known as Auntie (Da'Vine Joy Randolph) and Unc (Method Man). Less luckily, they're also tracked down by members of the Force, who drag all the good guys to Cinder's man-made-island lair. The shootout that takes place there is decent enough. Still, 'Shadow Force' aspires to 'John Wick'-ish levels of hyperbolic action without having the elevated fight choreography or visual panache to pull that off. Shot almost entirely in Colombia, the film's locations and P. Erik Carlson's production design are plusses that Juan Miguel Azpiroz's widescreen cinematography doesn't fully exploit, providing neither grittiness nor high style to material that could use one or the other. A chase on mountain roads, then another between speed boats, ought to provide more visceral thrills than is managed here. In character terms, too, the movie keeps falling short. The five reassembled 'Force' killers (Yoson An, Sala Baker, Marvin Jones III, Natalia Reyes, Jenel Stevens-Thompson) are each given a distinguishing look, but practically nothing to say or do. By default, more interest is stirred by Cinder's ill-treated bodyguards-slash-assistants (Marshall Cook, Ed Quinn), who at least hint at some droll camaraderie. It's gratifying when late in the game, they turn out to have more going on than we'd thought. But Strong, who's played many villains, finds so little of interest in this one that he might as well have 'Generic Baddie' (or perhaps 'If I can't have you no one will') tattooed across his forehead. While Sy and Washington are certainly accomplished, personable and attractive performers, these ostensibly showy roles don't do a lot for them, either. He (in a part originally intended for producer Sterling K. Brown) at least imbues his with some humor and warmth. She waxes too earnest for the fairly preposterous premise to bear, hard-selling Kyrah's tough side one minute, belaboring maternal devotion the next; her prickliness around Isaac makes whatever mutual chemistry brought them together hard to detect. It might've been entertaining to let her character's alpha air be the secret sauce in their marriage, but neither script nor star are willing to make that leap. The dynamic between Randolph and Method Man actually does go there, after a fashion — yet again, Leon Chills and Carnahan's screenplay never quite gives these actors the opportunity to shine as we keep expecting them to. A bullet-riddled scenario this simplistic and improbable can't afford to be as sentimental as 'Shadow Force' often gets. There's too much screentime handed over to child thespian Kamara being precociously adorable — which he is. But charm is dampened by the rote calculation of having a tyke curse for laughs, or hammily sing along to old R&B hits. A running gag here is that wee Ky is a superfan for 80s slow-jam king Lionel Ritchie. Like so much else here, that plays out as an obvious gimmick deployed minus the wit or surprise that might've made it fly. If only Sy and Washington had been given some latterday equivalent to the banter William Powell and Myrna Loy got in those 'Thin Man' movies. Instead, the best the filmmakers can manage is saddling them with the same exact fadeout that ended 'After the Thin Man' on a note of shameless schmaltz almost 90 years ago. Best of Variety The Best Albums of the Decade
