‘Old Guy' Review: The Veteran and the Rookie
'Old Guy' is billed as an action movie but it is actually more of a fantasy film. It imagines a world in which an aging hit man kills his targets without consequence before retreating to nightclubs where scads of beautiful young women compete to accompany him home.
Presumably Danny Dolinski (Christoph Waltz) has been enjoying such a lifestyle for decades. But when the movie begins, his bosses consider his contract killing career to be approaching its natural conclusion because of the joint pain afflicting his trigger finger. Dolinski would prefer to stay in the game, but Opal, the director of The Company (Ann Akinjirin) insists that he serve as a mentor to Wihlborg (Cooper Hoffman), a promising, and youthful, assassin.
So begins a familiar story of the veteran and the rookie, updated to include snide observations about Gen-Z style trends. Between this odd couple, Wihlborg is designed as sympathetic — he is given an arbitrary back story in foster care — but Dolinski is clearly meant as our hero, joined by a damsel in a low-cut dress (Lucy Liu). The director Simon West strains to frame Dolinski as a witty cad whose embittered demeanor (and murderous vocation) belie a sturdy moral code.
Beyond the stale plot and groaners that make up the dialogue, 'Old Guy' suffers from haphazard pacing, as if every third scene was cut out in postproduction. Watching, one wonders who this movie is for — even within the target demographic stated in the title.
Old Guy
Rated R for guys shooting guns. Running time: 1 hour 44 minutes. In theaters and available to rent or buy on most major platforms.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
11 hours ago
- USA Today
B2K's 'Bump Bump Bump' performance at BET Awards has Diddy, R. Kelly connections
B2K's 'Bump Bump Bump' performance at BET Awards has Diddy, R. Kelly connections Show Caption Hide Caption SZA, Kendrick Lamar win big at 2025 BET Awards Kendrick Lamar won Album of the Year for his critically acclaimed GNX LP and Mariah Carey performed her hit song 'It's Like That' at the BET Awards. Cover Media Sunday night's BET Awards hit heavy on the nostalgia, bringing back hip-hop and R&B stars from the early aughts to revive a sound not quite like any other. To honor the "TRL"-style music video countdown show "106 & Park," a slate of big-name performers took the stage for a 20-minute beat-pounding medley. Amid mini-sets from Ashanti and Keyshia Cole, boy band B2K treated the audience to a rendition of their 2002 club anthem "Bump Bump Bump." Complete with synchronized dance moves and all white 'fits, the four-man music group leaned heavily into their classic boy band appeal. Jamie Foxx cries in BET Awards speech about health, credits daughters with recovery Eagle-eyed fans were quick to tease out a more sordid history of the track. "Bump Bump Bump" was originally released with a feature from Sean "Diddy" Combs, who is currently on trial for federal sex crimes. Combs' influence on hip-hop, especially in the early 2000s, was so far-reaching that it's hard to hit shuffle without running into one of his projects. The group is composed of J-Boog, Raz-B, Omarion and Lil' Fizz, who, rather than play an audio recording of Combs' part, rapped it in his place. The story goes deeper, though. The track was also originally written by R. Kelly, who, like Combs, faced sex trafficking and racketeering charges, and is now serving time in prison after being convicted on all counts. Several high-profile rappers also remixed the song, including 50 Cent and Jay-Z. Blue Ivy Carter reclaims her title, wins BET YoungStars Award once again amid Beyoncé tour 50 Cent is a longtime rival of Combs and has been making an internet mockery of his ongoing legal challenges. Jay-Z was looped in with Combs in a recent lawsuit that accused both rappers for rape, though the case has since been dropped, with Jay-Z denying all wrongdoing and filing a countersuit against his former accuser. As Combs, once a kingmaker in the genre, faces a reputation forever sullied, B2K's performance is a preview of how difficult it may be to avoid his art.
CNBC
15 hours ago
- CNBC
50. Runway
Founders: Cristóbal Valenzuela (CEO), Anastasis Germanidis, Alejandro Matamala OrtizLaunched: 2018Headquarters: New York CityFunding: $545 millionValuation: $3.5 billion (PitchBook)Key Technologies: Artificial intelligence, generative AIIndustry: Enterprise technology, mediaPrevious appearances on Disruptor 50 list: 0 Many in Hollywood and the broader creative community feel like they are under attack from AI. It was only months after ChatGPT's introduction when the major Hollywood unions representing writers and actors both voted to go on strike. But generative AI research and media company Runway says the future of filmmaking, incorporating a wider range of views and stories, will require focusing a generative AI lens on it. Runway's three founders, Cristóbal Valenzuela, Anastasis Germanidis and Alejandro Matamala Ortiz, met while studying for their master's in interactive telecommunications at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. Combining their backgrounds in art and engineering, the three went on to launch Runway the same year that they graduated. "Runway is an invitation to artists, and others, to learn about and explore machine learning through more accessible tools. Machine learning is a complex field that will likely continue to impact our society for years to come, and we need more ways to give more people access," Valenzuela said in a statement. The company offers a variety of content creation tools designed to be used by students and Hollywood directors alike. Just this May, the company released its newest tool called Gen-4, which allows users to generate consistent characters, locations and styles throughout their photographs or videos. By uploading just a single reference image, Gen-4 gives users access to tweak lighting scenarios, recast a character, switch camera angles or even change locations. It's not just for movies, with multimedia storytelling created by Gen-4 used by brands across industries, enabling customers to virtually try on clothing, create new assets in video games, or virtually design their homes. The AI video generation company's tools include Act-One, which streamlines the traditional process for facial animation and use of a video of an actor performing, and can preserve actors' facial expressions and realistically depict performances in live action or animated characters. Its Frames tools can help artists maintain a specific style with a simple set of written prompts — and extend to subject, scene, lighting and color. Despite the time-saving tools and creative assist offered, the backlash from creators over AI has been significant. One study commissioned by creator unions and advocate groups found that 75% of executives in the industry whose divisions has used gen AI said it had already contributed to the elimination, reduction or consolidation of jobs. Yet, Runway has received support from major names in the media industry across movies, television and music. Madonna's Celebration Tour used Runway's tools to generate visuals for the stage. Additionally, Runway's technology was used by editors on the Oscar-winning film "Everything Everywhere All at Once" and Stephen Colbert's "The Late Show." Art programs at schools including Harvard University, New York University and Rhode Island School of Design also have begun incorporating Runway into their design and film curriculum. There's another problem Runway's founders say its AI can help solve and which the film industry has long failed on: accessibility. Roughly two out of 10 theatrical film directors are people of color and even less are women, according to a study from the University of California, Los Angeles. "I'm calling it Hollywood 2.0, where everyone is gonna be able to make the films and the blockbusters that only a handful of people were able to before," Valenzuela said in an interview with Variety.
Business Wire
a day ago
- Business Wire
e.l.f. SKIN Roasts the Sun in New Comedy Special
OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--e.l.f. SKIN, a brand from e.l.f. Beauty (NYSE:ELF), is putting SPF denial on notice with the premiere of 'Sunhinged,' a comedy roast of epic proportions—directed at none other than the Sun itself. Debuting Saturday, June 14, this hilariously hot special is hosted by comedy star Marie Faustin and features an e.l.f. Made original lineup including Andrea Jin, Jon Rudnitsky, Meghan Trainor and Heidi N' Closet. e.l.f. SKIN roasts the sun in 'Sunhinged,' a new comedy special debuting on June 14. Hosted by Marie Faustin and featuring Meghan Trainor, Heidi N' Closet, and more —this SPF PSA by e.l.f. Made is bringing heat with humor. Share Roasting the Sun, you ask? This is a hot issue! Gen-Z is doing everything right in their skincare routines—layering serums, binging tutorials and embracing anti-aging—but somehow, they still skip their protection from the ultraviolet light that can cause skin cancer, burn and ... premature aging! Despite overall skincare awareness, 64% of Gen Zers often forget to apply sunscreen, and only 34% believe that skin cancer prevention is the primary reason to use it. In addition, 50% of Gen Z experience severe sunburn in the summer months.* An e.l.f. Made original production, 'Sunhinged' shines a comedic spotlight on this skincare contradiction with the unignorable absurdity it deserves. It's part of an awareness campaign for e.l.f. SKIN's Suntouchable collection, designed to make daily sun protection feel effortless, and yes—laugh-out-loud funny. 'At e.l.f., we believe in meeting our community where they are—and, in this case - that's somewhere between a 10-step skincare routine and forgetting sunscreen altogether. I'm often asked my No. 1 beauty tip, and it's always SPF,' said Kory Marchisotto, Chief Marketing Officer at e.l.f. Beauty. '`Sunhinged' lets us spark an important skincare conversation through the universal power of comedy. 91% of people globally prefer brands to be funny and 90% of people are more likely to remember ads that are funny. e.l.f. is lovingly known to cut through the BS and connect with our community through humor. There's probably nothing more Gen-Z than self-care infused with self-aware humor.' 'Never before has there been a stand up special exclusively about SPF. Hard to believe right?!? Are you excited?! Well, you should be. Are you confused?! That would also make sense,' said comedian and 'Sunhinged' talent, Jon Rudintsky. 'Either way you gotta check out the special!' In addition to the insights around SPF usage, 75% of Gen Zers say they want brands to 'make them laugh.'** With a priority of surprising and delighting the brand's community. e.l.f. often uses humor to connect and make a meaningful impact. Suntouchable, e.l.f. SKIN's line of skin-loving SPFs, delivers serious protection with a playful twist. The collection includes lightweight, multi-benefit formulas packed with cruelty-free, e.l.f. clean ingredients—no white cast, no greasy feel, just protection that feels as good as it looks. As part of a continued partnership of kindred spirits, e.l.f. and Tribeca Festival have together again to debut entertainment content. The 'Sunhinged' trailer made its Tribeca Festival premiere on June 6 as part of 450 total screenings through June 15. The full premiere of e.l.f. SKIN's 'Sunhinged' will be Saturday, June 14 at 6 pm ET/3 pm PT on YouTube. Wear sunscreen, laugh responsibly and never underestimate the shade. Check out the official trailer here. 'Sunhinged' tapped production partner Above Average, Emmy-winning New York based comedy production company founded by Lorne Michaels' Broadway Video. * American Academy of Dermatology Association, Survey, 2025 ** Morning Consult, Gen Z & Brand Behavior, 2023 About e.l.f. SKIN: e.l.f. Beauty (NYSE: ELF) is fueled by a belief that anything is possible. We are a different kind of company that disrupts norms, shapes culture and connects communities through positivity, inclusivity and accessibility. e.l.f. SKIN champions clean and kind skin care by making innovative, efficacious formulas at accessible prices with universal appeal. e.l.f. SKIN is e.l.f. clean and vegan, all double-certified by Leaping Bunny and PETA as cruelty free. We are proud to have products made in Fair Trade Certified™ facilities. Learn more at
