A Pirouette Through ‘John Wick' Lore
Early in the 2019 film 'John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum,' our hero enters what may be the world's most peculiar dance studio. Part ballet academy, part dojo, the expansive space is also the Manhattan headquarters of the Ruska Roma, a Russian crime syndicate that first took in Wick when he was just a boy and taught him to kill. Onstage, a lithe danseuse is ordered by her instructor to perform pirouette after exhausting pirouette till she drops.
In 'From the World of John Wick: Ballerina' (in theaters June 6), this small glimpse of the school is expanded tenfold. That spinning dancer, Eve, played by Ana De Armas, is now the star of the show. Over the course of the film, we get a closer look at the canvas of tattoos on her back and learn how she came to get them. We find out about the school's traditions and initiations, as well as the Russian myths and legends that shape its mission.
Since this is a Wick film, we also get to watch Eve take out fearsome fighters with pots and pans, swords and knives, grenades and ice skates and flame throwers and car doors. There's a lot to see. But with all that inventive mayhem going on, do viewers really need to know that, say, Eve's spirit animal is the kikimora, a haglike creature from Slavic mythology?
For lovers of the franchise, the answer is a resounding yes, please. In online chats, fans debate such minutiae as exactly who is in the Ruska Roma (is Winston, the owner of the New York Continental Hotel, secretly a member?), while scholars debate the franchise's folklore and economic systems in books like 'The Worlds of John Wick: The Year's Work at the Continental Hotel.'
'When we made the first Wick movie, we thought we were just making these background rules,' said Basil Iwanyk, one of the producers of 'Ballerina.' 'We had no idea the lore would become one of the above-the-title stars of the movies.'
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Travel + Leisure
8 minutes ago
- Travel + Leisure
Disney Has Asian American Culture Hidden in Plain Sight—How to Find the Best Eats, Experiences, and More
While some kids grow up hearing fairy tales about faraway lands, I grew up with stories about a magical place that's about a five-hour drive from my California hometown of San José: Disneyland. We had a children's book about the 'It's a Small World" ride and my mom always likes to muse on how the attraction is 'just so peaceful,' like 'heaven on earth.' As the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, I often felt like I was jumping rope between the two sides of my Asian American identity. But our visits to Disney always felt like the prototypical all-American experience. We may not have been outwardly cognizant of it at the time, but perhaps we felt a connection since it was the one place where we saw characters that looked like us being represented. Decades later, we embarked on a multigenerational family trip to the park in 2017 with my parents and two young nieces. This trip just happened to take place days before Lunar New Year, and I was shocked to see an archway reading 'Lunar New Year' near Disney California Adventure decked out in traditional red-and-gold lanterns and tassels under an Asian-inspired, Mickey-shaped logo. Turns out, it was part of the park's annual Lunar New Year festivities, which initially started in 2012 as a week-long event, but has since expanded into a nearly month-long celebration. We saw menu items from Korean, Vietnamese, and Chinese cuisines, and there were even Mickey and Minnie characters dressed in traditional outfits. To see a park that felt so 'American' embrace Asian traditions went beyond just feeling seen, but like really being embraced and understood. It felt especially poignant during my nieces' first visit—knowing they'll grow up in a more inclusive society. The entrance to San Fransokyo Square in Disney's California Adventure Park. Richard Harbaugh/Disneyland Resort It wasn't until last month that I was lured back to a Disney again, visiting Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, to participate in the Run Disney Springtime Surprise Weekend's 5K run. And I I began spotting Asian American influences all over the park: first a mahjong table in the lobby of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and I later saw collectible pins of characters on Asian-style fans and boba drinks. Early this month, I visited Disneyland for its 70th Anniversary Celebration. And instead of hunting for hidden Mickeys, I went on a hunt for Asian American influences at the park. I began my search in Disney California Adventure in San Fransokyo Square, a hybrid of San Francisco and Tokyo inspired by the movie "Big Hero 6." This section used to be known as Pacific Wharf, and I was immediately blown away by the redressing. There were signs written with Japanese and Chinese characters, and tons of traditional Asian motifs, like gold coins, dragons, lucky cats, and lanterns. It was all definitive proof that Disneyland is making a meaningful investment in diversity. It especially makes sense in California, where 7.1 million people (that's about 18 percent) identify as Asian, according to data from the Pew Research Center . But nothing impressed me more than the menus. Lucky Fortune Cookery served up honey walnut shrimp wraps, potstickers, karaage-inspired chicken sandwiches, yaki udon, and its buzzed-about beef birria ramen. Aunt Cass Café had soba noodle salad, California roll sandwich, and—my obsession—San Fransokyo Clam Chowder in a sourdough bread bowl. Flavored with white miso, it was all a far cry from the burgers and hot dogs I had expected as theme park fare. But the Asian American-inspired offerings weren't limited to San Fransokyo Square. While watching the Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration parade (which is returning to Disney California Adventure through next summer), I was surprised that the opening float featured Red Panda Mei, along with other characters from "Turning Red." Later, I stood with a honey lemonade with popping bubbles from Aunt Cass' at the Disneyland Celebrate Happy Cavalcade, bemused by the fact I was watching a Disney parade with a boba drink in hand, something I never could have imagined during my childhood visits. Wandering down Disneyland's Main Street U.S.A., I noticed that one of the window displays at Emporium, was dedicated to Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. But that wasn't the only homage to AAPI month. I also saw signs for special menu items around the park, including passion fruit-orange-guava punch and green tea lager at Lucky Fortune Cookery. During May, the park's Disney PhotoPass featured themed MagicShots, with images superimposed with Asian Disney characters including Russell from "Up," Panda Mei from "Turning Red," and the rings from "Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings." There was even a sketch pad prop option showcasing work by Tyrus Wong, a Chinese American animator who was the lead artist behind "Bambi." There were also special events in May including autograph signings with Asian Disney artists Stacy Aoyama and Eric Tan, drawing lessons with Russell and Mei, movie nights showings of "Moana" and "Turning Red," and dance lessons with Tahitian, Polynesian, Japanese, Indian, and Filipino instructors. But perhaps the most significant permanent Asian addition is the new Din Tai Fung, which opened July 2024 at Downtown Disney. Visiting the restaurant's original location in Taipei was always a major part of my trips to Taiwan, and it was absolutely mind-boggling that it was now the anchor restaurant at a major American theme park. As I enjoyed my favorite spicy wontons and sesame xiao long baos, I was tickled to learn the restaurant even had a limited pin set to celebrate the park's 70th anniversary. Mural in San Fransokyo Square in Disney California Adventure. Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort Stumbling upon all these meaningful Asian American elements sprinkled throughout the part was no accident, but the work of Compass, the park's Asian American Pacific Islander employee group. Compass 'strives to educate our Cast with a greater understanding and appreciation of our AAPI culture' and 'helps advise on culture awareness for Disneyland Resort offerings,' the group's co-chair Allie Kawamoto, hotel experience integration manager at Disneyland Resort, tells Travel + Leisure . Kawamoto was born in Anaheim and has always loved Disney. But now she's paying it forward to the next generation, and was behind the Emporium's AAPI display. 'Seeing this window come to life and being able to share the window with my son was a moment I was very proud of," she says. Like my own family, she adds that she's always been a fan of 'It's a Small World,' which has been updated through the years to include "Lilo and Stitch" in its Pacific Islands section, and most recently, "Coco'"s Miguel and Dante in the Mexico portion. 'I just feel happy as I ride through and see countless cultures represented,' Kawamoto says. 'We have guests that visit from around the world, and I think just about everyone can see a reflection of their culture."
Forbes
11 minutes ago
- Forbes
Olympic Gymnastics Coach Receives Lifetime Ban For Abuse
Gymnastics: US Olympic Trials: View of Ashton Locklear and Qi Han after uneven bars event during ... More Women's Competition at the SAP Center. San Jose, CA 7/8/2016 CREDIT: Donald Miralle (Photo by Donald Miralle /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: SI439 TK1 ) The U.S. Center for SafeSport has permanently banned another prominent U.S. gymnastics coach. Qi Han, founder of Everest Gymnastics in Cornelius, N.C., is a former Chinese national team gymnast turned U.S. coach. The U.S. Center for SafeSport is an independent, non-profit organization responsible for investigating and responding to allegations of abuse in Olympic and Paralympic sports. On Thursday, June 5, SafeSport ruled Han 'permanently ineligible" on the centralized disciplinary database. The organization cites Han's emotional misconduct, physical misconduct, and the violation of USA Gymnastics policies and bylaws. Han coached former elite gymnast Ashton Locklear to an Olympic alternate spot in 2016 and a World title in 2014. He also coached Haleigh Bryant, a three-time NCAA National Champion with the LSU Tigers. The permanent suspension comes after Han was temporarily sanctioned for the reported misconduct in 2023. During the sanction period, Han was barred from training or contacting athletes without supplementary adult supervision. The process has been tedious for Han's victims. Allegations first surfaced in 2016, with Locklear, his most prominent athlete, reporting emotional and physical abuse to the U.S.A. Gymnastics and the U.S. Center for SafeSport in 2017. Locklear reported 'yelling" and abrupt expulsion from the gym, and accused Han of 'throwing a cellphone at her.' Han denied Locklear's claims, and in 2018, she told The New York Times that those allegations initially fell on deaf ears. 'They know about his abuse and they did nothing," she reported. The case was passed over to SafeSport in 2017, and Locklear was far from alone. According to the center, allegations against Han came from over 80 witnesses, with details measuring 'thousands of pages of evidence' and 'that span decades.' Han opened his Charlotte-area gym in 2004, nearly two decades before his initial sanction in 2023. Monica Avery, the owner of OSEGA Dream Academy in Asheville, N.C., reported Han's abuse to U.S.A Gymnastics in 2016. Avery alleged that she had seen Han 'kick an athlete' at a gymnastics competition in Texas. Avery also expressed frustration with the speed of Han's case. 'The emotional damage all these girls go through is so heartbreaking, and it could have been prevented if Han would have been stopped years ago,' she said. While the ruling is subject to appeal, the interim CEO of the U.S. Center for SafeSport, April Holmes, delivered the following statement regarding the verdict. 'This outcome sends a clear message that sport culture is changing and accountability is moving the needle.' SAN JOSE, CA - JULY 10: Ashton Locklear competes on the balance beam during Day 2 of the 2016 U.S. ... More Women's Gymnastics Olympic Trials at SAP Center on July 10, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by)
Fox News
12 minutes ago
- Fox News
Logan Paul makes push for Donald Trump and Elon Musk WWE-style faceoff
President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk have spent the past few days sparring on social media. The feud began after Musk started "wearing thin" on Trump for about a month, Fox News senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy reported Friday. As tempers flared, wrestler Logan Paul hinted that he hopes the president and the world's richest man will take the next step in their dispute by meeting in the squared circle. Paul posted an edited WWE promo photo on his social media account of a hypothetical match between the two billionaires. Musk appeared in a photoshopped costume that featured the Tesla logo. The match was billed as "Summer Slam" and featured two dates in August. "Make it happen @WWE," Paul wrote on X, the social media platform owned by Musk. Last June, Trump was a guest on Paul's "Impaulsive" podcast. During the wide-ranging interview, Paul asked Trump several questions about pop culture — including whether the then-presidential candidate believed aliens existed. Trump also shared his thoughts on the emergence of artificial intelligence during the sit-down. Musk reshared Paul's video of the 2024 interview on X. "Logan Paul interviews @realDonaldTrump," Musk wrote at the time. Paul's "Impaulsive" YouTube channel boasts more than 4.7 million subscribers. Sports stars such as three-time Super Bowl winner Patrick Mahomes and wrestler-turned-actor John Cena have also been guests on Paul's podcast. Musk on Thursday made allegations that Trump was in the Jeffrey Epstein file. "@RealDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files," Musk wrote on X. "That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!" Musk followed the post with another, saying, "Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out." Doocy also reported that a red Tesla vehicle that Trump bought during a Tesla demonstration on the South Lawn of the White House grounds earlier this year is now expected to be given away or sold off. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
