Latest news with #Beth
USA Today
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'The Naked Gun' review: Liam Neeson spoofs himself in zany cop reboot
Frank Drebin is back on the case. No, not that one. A new one! With 'The Naked Gun' (★★½ out of four; rated PG-13; in theaters Aug. 1), cowriter/director Akiva Schaffer dusts off the slapstick gags, one-liners and non sequiturs popularized by the makers of the 'Police Squad!' TV series and 'Naked Gun' movies of the 1980s and '90s, plus 'Airplane!' before them. It's an ambitious move, trying to recreate a comedy style so iconic and specific. The cast all commit to the bit with 435% silliness, the old deadpan humor is still there and when the right jokes hit, they'll leave you in literal tears, even if overall this update doesn't arrest you as much as it tries hard to make you laugh for 85 minutes straight. (And some folks totally will.) Another high bar for anything 'Naked Gun': finding someone to fill the goofy shoes of the legendary Leslie Nielsen. Liam Neeson gets the call here to play Frank Drebin Jr., the LA cop son of Nielsen's OG goofball, though he's mostly spoofing his own 'Taken'-inspired action-hero persona. Alongside partner Ed Hocken Jr. (Paul Walter Hauser), Frank is one of the top cops in Police Squad, a special unit of the LAPD where there's no end to the coffee cups. After trying to bust up a bank robbery dressed as a little girl, Frank is visited by a femme fatale-type named Beth (Pamela Anderson), whose brother was murdered. His mysterious death ties to rich electric car mogul Richard Cane (Danny Huston), and Frank and Beth partner up, going to nightclubs and a MMA event to bust up Cane's dastardly secret plans. There's actually too much plot to this thing, as it gets in the way of the high-class shenanigans you want to see in a 'Naked Gun' movie. Like the police cam footage when Frank eats a chili dog that does a number on his colon, for example. Or a giant ball dropping that also causes Frank to accidentally drop trou. The new 'Naked Gun' acts as a legacy sequel to the original movies, though it doesn't make the most of that connection. Nordberg Jr. (Moses Jones) throws a knowing, self-aware glance to the camera when he looks at a picture of his dad (OJ Simpson) but is barely in the movie. Between that and a quick Bill Cosby wine gag, the comedy feels too safe, and at the same time it's weirdly dated. Riffing on 'Sex and the City' and the Black Eyed Peas seems more suited to the 2000s than now, a curious choice given the recent rise of topical, timely comedy. You can't complain about the film's joke delivery system, because the actors are on point. Neeson's a growly delight, while Huston steals most of his scenes. Anderson continues her mini-resurgence from 'The Last Showgirl' to here, where she gets in front of a microphone and has the movie's single funniest moment. And Hauser is Neeson's hilarious straight man and a sparkplug for the film, very much a student of the Belushi/Farley school for physical humor. Every so often, Hollywood enjoys a film that defines its generation of comedy: 'Animal House,' "There's Something About Mary," 'Old School,' 'The 40-Year-Old Virgin.' Schaffer's own underrated gem 'Pop Star: Never Stop Never Stopping' should have started a revolution. Of course, the Zucker brothers' 'Airplane!' that gave way to the 'Naked Gun' franchise. But the revamp is too much of a throwback to feel original, though it's still refreshing since we don't see many movies made like it anymore, with snappy wordplay, zany cameos and this much dedication to the absurd. If you laughed at 'Nice beaver' back in the day, 'The Naked Gun' will feel like coming home again to a brand of comedy that refuses to grow up. How to watch 'The Naked Gun' 2025 "The Naked Gun," starring Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson, is in theaters Aug. 1. The comedy is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association "for crude/sexual material, violence/bloody images and brief partial nudity." For those who want to catch up on the old "Naked Gun" films, all three are streaming on Paramount+.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Lionesses' rich list and how their salaries compare to the men's England team
As England's Lionesses once again do their country proud in the Euros finals, teammates are expected to see their wealth soar. However, their pay packets still pale in comparison to the men's squad England's Lionesses have done it again, becoming European champions for the second time in three short years. It's another proud sporting moment for England, with football fans out celebrating until the early hours. Naturally, the teammates were also in high spirits, toasting their win against Spain with some well-deserved pizzas and beer at the stadium in Basel, Switzerland. Proud manager Sarina Wiegman told reporters: "I'll do some more dancing. I'll have a drink, but I don't think I'll drink as much as the players will do." The sports stars will also have reasons for jubilation alongside the thrill of proving themselves at the highest level, with the Mirror previously reporting how the women are expected to bank millions in FA bonus payments, sponsorship bonuses, endorsement deals, and social media pay. Experts say the squad will rake in a £1.7million bonus from the FA, with each player receiving £73,000. This adds up to £18,000 more than they got after their 2022 victory against Germany. On top of this, the Lionesses are expected to enjoy an estimated £1million from sponsor bonuses, plus an additional £2million from social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. Meanwhile, new endorsement deals could be worth £10million to the star players, who could see their annual earnings double to more than £1million. The heroic footballers can expect to see some very impressive figures in their bank accounts going forward, but how does their net worth compare to the men's team? Beth Mead Back in 2022, it was reported that top scorer Beth Mead was worth around £413,000, and the Whitby-born player's wealth has risen significantly since then. The very next month after the Lionesses' Euro 2022 victory, stand-out performer Beth set up Mead 7 Limited. The following year, the 30-year-old, who was controversially forced to retake her penalty during a dramatic shootout last night, posted assets of £ 1.3 million, including £623,165 in cash, after paying £193,151 in tax. On top of her stellar sporting career, Beth, who earns a reported £200,000 annual salary at Arsenal, has contracts with Nike, Elle UK, and McDonald's. Meanwhile, with almost 900,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram, Beth can earn as much as £3,000 for a single sponsored post. Leah Williamson England captain Leah Williamson, has been named as the highest-earning Lioness, having amassed an cool £4 million fortune. Hello! Magazine reports that the 28-year-old earns a very comfortable annual salary of £150,000 while playing for the Gunners, on top of the £2,000 per game match fee she receives playing for her country. Her deals with Gucci, Pepsi, and Nike also add up to a tidy sum. Lucy Bronze Lucy Bronze, who incredibly managed to play through the entire Euro 2025 tournament with a fractured leg, lags just £50,000 behind teammate Williamson, with her fortune estimated to sit at £3.5m. Full back Bronze, who is said to have £702,920 in her firm LRTB Limited, keeps her sizeable income boosted with brand endorsements from the likes of Visa, Sure, and EE. Chloe Kelly Chloe Kelly, who scored the winning penalty against Spain, is worth an estimated £2.3million, Cosmopolitan reports. Endorsement deals away from the pitch, including a £2 million deal with Land Rover and modelling work with Calvin Klein, have helped keep the 27-year-old's sizeable bank account filled to the brim. Lauren James It's previously been reported that Lauren James, who was unfortunately forced to leave the pitch due to injury during the final, is worth £1.8 million. The 23-year-old forward has £594,989 in her firm, L James Ventures Limited. The company's tax bills reveal that she earns approximately £600,000 a year from Chelsea. She supplements this income with lucrative sponsorship contracts with Nike, Sure deodorant, Barclays, Optimum Nutrition, and Google Pixel phones. Lauren Hemp Back in 2023, The Sun reported that Lauren Hemp was worth £1.1 million, and her career has continued to go from strength to strength since. The 24-year-old four-time PFA Women's Young Player of the Year winner is understood to have £371,909 in her firm, LM Hemp Ltd, and last year banked £270,000. She also enjoys a coveted sponsorship deal with Nike. How do the Lionesses' earnings compare with the men's England team? Of course, as amazing as these pay packets undoubtedly are, they pale in comparison to the earnings of the Lionesses' counterparts on the men's England squad. With a reported income of £410,000 per week, England captain Harry Kane is the male squad's highest earner, and his wealth is growing at an eyewatering speed. Back in early 2024, the 32-year-old striker's net worth was estimated at £75 million. This has now surged to an even more incredible £91 million, with Kane's bank balance boosted by a lucrative Bayern contract, sponsorship deals worth nearly £11 million annually, and a thriving property portfolio. Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham is another footballing icon who will likely never find himself scrabbling about for change. With an estimated net worth of £40.32 million, the 22-year-old reportedly earns an annual salary of £17.35million, topped off nicely with potential bonus earnings of up to £3.48 million annually. In July 2024, it was reported that Jack Grealish was worth £20million thanks to his £300,000-a-week club salary, plus off-field deals with fashion giants. The Man City player pulled in some serious dough after signing a £10million deal with esteemed fashion house Gucci, and has previously been dubbed 'the most marketable footballer since David Beckham '. Marcus Rashford, who is currently on loan to Barcelona from United, is said to earn £300,000 a week - adding up to £15.6million per year. With an estimated worth of £64 million, Marcus has built upon his fortune partly through endorsements with huge brands such as Nike, BT Sport, Microsoft and Burberry,
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Reason Lionesses star didn't get sponsor money despite Ian Wright's 'pay her' demand
Arsenal's Beth Mead was a standout performer for England when they won the Euro 2022 title, but a beer company's decision to use her name left Ian Wright seething Arsenal icon Ian Wright stepped in to support England Lionesses star Beth Mead after a beer brand appeared to exploit her name for profit – though the situation turned out to be a misunderstanding. Mead, who helped England clinch victory over Spain in the Euro 2025 final on Sunday, teamed up with Camden Town Brewery during the previous European Championship campaign to launch a custom beverage. After England's historic win back in 2022, the London-based brewery announced a short-run product named Goalden Mead. It paid tribute to the Lionesses ' achievement and referenced Beth's last name. Proceeds from the drink were promised to a charitable organisation chosen by Mead herself. Wright, a strong supporter of women's football and a BBC pundit during the past two Euros tournaments, voiced approval of the charitable aspect but expressed concern over whether Mead was financially compensated for her involvement, emphasising they should "pay her." "All good and well to add the charity element to this," he posted on X three years ago. "But has Beth been properly paid for using her name and associating her with your brand? Pay her." Camden Town Brewery later replied to Wright's comments, confirming that Mead had approved the release in advance. According to the brewery, she personally selected the charity to benefit from the initiative, indicating she may have foregone any personal earnings from the campaign. A spokesperson told the Express: "We made sure Beth was aware of the beer before we made it available for our Camden and footie fans, and she even nominated the charity partner herself, so all money is going to a good cause - and we'll be matching donations." England claimed the UEFA Euro 2022 title after a dramatic extra-time victory against Germany. In the Euro 2025 final, it took penalties to separate the two teams, who also faced off in the 2023 Women's World Cup final – a match Mead missed due to injury. Mariona Caldentey opened the scoring for Spain midway through the first half, but England responded shortly after the break through Alessia Russo. Mead, who started on the bench, was brought on in the closing minutes of regular time to add fresh energy, but couldn't find a breakthrough. With the match ending in a draw, the outcome was decided by a penalty shootout. Mead stepped up to take England's first spot-kick, but failed to find the back of the net. Undeterred, Alex Greenwood, Niamh Charles, and Chloe Kelly all held their nerve, converting their penalties to secure a 3-1 shootout win – and a second consecutive European Championship title for the Lionesses. Mead started just once for England at the tournament – their opening round 2-1 defeat to France – but came off the bench in every subsequent match. She found the net once, scoring in England's emphatic 6-1 group-stage win over Wales, a modest return compared to her remarkable Euro 2022 campaign. At that tournament, Mead scored six goals, securing both the Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament honours for her outstanding performances. Her success was further recognised with the 2022 Sports Personality of the Year award and a runner-up finish in the Ballon d'Or Feminin. Mead plays for Arsenal in the Women's Super League and reportedly earns an annual salary of £25,000. However, she received a well-deserved £55,000 bonus from the FA following England's Euro 2022 triumph. Whether a similar bonus scheme – or even another limited-edition Lionesses-inspired beer – will follow this latest success remains to be seen.
7NEWS
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- 7NEWS
Aussie denim brand goes viral for jeans you can actually squat in - and they're under $150
Finding jeans that actually fit used to feel like a full-time job. You'd try on five pairs, leave with one (maybe), and still have to visit your tailor just to stop that dreaded back gap. But DEVENI, an Australian-born brand launched by Sydney couple Dan and Beth, is putting an end to the tugging, pinching and pin-rolling once and for all. Built around the idea that your clothes should work with your body, not against it, DEVENI makes stretch denim that fits like a glove and feels like activewear. And yes, you can actually squat in them. Designed with different body types in mind, DEVENI offers jeans for men and women that accommodate curves, athletic builds, shorter legs and everything in between for just $129. Women's styles come in two lengths, 27 inches (short) and 30 inches (regular), in skinny or wide-leg cuts. You can choose from Washed Light Blue, Washed Grey, Black or Dark Blue depending on your vibe. Men have the choice of Skinny Fit or Slim Tapered, with the same thoughtful colour and length options. Sizes run from XS to XL for women and 28 to 36 inches for men. Magic in the stretch This isn't your average stiff, sit-down-and-hold-your-breath denim. DEVENI jeans move with you, not against you, thanks to a clever athleisure-inspired fabric that's as comfortable as your favourite leggings, without looking like them. The brand's hero feature is The DEVENI FIT KIT, a small but genius detail that makes all the difference. For $0 shipping, customers receive a tape measure and a step-by-step guide to find their perfect size at home. No guesswork, no returns, no buyer's remorse. Plus, you get that money back as a discount on your next order. Consider it tailoring without the tailor, or the extra cost. Founders of DEVENI Dan and Beth created DEVENI out of frustration. Beth, like many women, was tired of waist gaps that made her feel uncomfortable and unrepresented by mainstream sizing. Dan, with his muscular frame and shorter legs, could never find trousers that didn't drown him. Instead of settling, they built a brand that's now helping others feel good in their clothes too. The pair self-funded DEVENI and are quietly growing a loyal fanbase that cares less about logos and more about fit, function and feeling like yourself. As for what's next, a full wardrobe of made-to-fit staples is in the works, and here's hoping they'll extend sizing beyond a 36 men's and XL women's while they're at it.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Instead of an Engagement Ring, I Proposed With This Instead — And It Was Best Decision
It was a brisk, sunny day in March 2016 when a stack of packages arrived at my desk. Underneath the PR mailers and unsolicited product samples was a large brown box with a shipping address from Wisconsin. 'It's here,' I whispered to the cluster of writers typing away at the communal table around me. My colleagues broke out in applause. Tonight, I thought, I will be engaged. My partner, Beth, and I had been together for about three years when we decided to get married. One thing (of many!) that convinced me we were right for each other was how intentional our relationship was, and is. If one of us cooked dinner one night, the other donned an apron the next. If someone handled vacation accommodations, the other planned the itinerary. We tried our best to work as a team. Rethinking Tradition When we talked about marriage, we were faced with all the traditions that came with it. The dress, the rings, the shockingly overpriced cake. We wanted something different, more like us. 'What if we just threw it all out, pretended we'd never heard of weddings, and instead did whatever feels like it commemorates our love?' I asked her. 'What would our party look like if we were raised on a desert island and had never known about the veils and awkward speeches?' She got me right away — she usually does. The first order of business was the engagement. A surprise proposal didn't feel quite right. I saw my friends get so stressed over popping The Question. A date night in Central Park or a random dinner became loaded with anticipation: Would he propose? The idea of the proposal being one partner's responsibility didn't fit our relationship. Besides, Beth isn't a big fan of surprises (I can't imagine anything she'd hate more than being surrounded with a mob of tourists as I get on one knee in front of the Eiffel Tower). As for rings, we knew we would exchange them on our wedding day, but we wanted to don them together as we entered a new stage in our relationship. Besides, the history of the engagement ring (and many other elements of traditional weddings) never sat quite right with me. Historically, women wore engagement rings to indicate an impending transfer of ownership from father to husband, and as a marker of relationship status and the resulting uplevel in her social standing. Meanwhile, a man who was engaged remained unmarked; the status of his betrothal less critical to his identity. Still, we did want to mark our engagement with something special that we could experience and enjoy together. Enter the mysterious brown box from Wisconsin. In it was our (much less expensive) version of an engagement ring: a quilt! A Keepsake We Could Share The idea for an engagement quilt came about as we were decorating our first shared apartment together — we both wished we had more original art, but we were working with a modest budget. One idea we batted around was a custom quilt, but the price tag felt hard to swallow. Fast forward to discussing our engagement. The quilt idea reemerged, and this time, the price felt appropriate given what the finished product would represent. As an author of craft books, I knew a lot of incredible crafty folks in the Brooklyn arts scene, including Kim, whom I'd met at a DIY event in Greenpoint. We stayed in touch when she moved to Wisconsin, when I saw she'd picked up quilting, I knew she would be perfect for our project. I emailed her with our idea, and she was immediately in. Our instructions were simple: Make a quilt of your choosing (we picked the color palette) and, when you finish it, stitch the month and year into the fabric and send it to us. The day we received it would mark our engagement. History in the Stitches Everything about the quilt was a perfect symbol of our growing relationship. Born in Mississippi, with many years spent living in Alabama and Tennessee, Beth noted the deep cultural and historical roots of quilts and quilting in the South. She spoke of Gee's Bend (where bold, modernist quilts made mostly by Black women gained national recognition) and of a friend from Birmingham who asked guests to contribute a customized quilt square that she had sewn together for her wedding. I loved the idea of cozying up in our engagement quilt for years to come, our family evolving underneath its cotton patchwork. Plus, the act of this keepsake being stitched together slowly and deliberately felt like the perfect representation of our relationship. The first time I saw Beth, I caught my breath as she walked past me in the lobby of the building where we both worked. Then, in a twist of fate, we began working at the same company. From there, we became close friends, our stories weaving a closer and closer knit until we started to date. Kim got to work on the quilt in December of 2015. We told her to take her time — we wanted it to be something she loved as much as we would. The seasons passed in a blur of crowded subway rides, illegal grill-outs on the roof of our apartment and shoveling out the downstairs tenants in the winter (we were the acting supers of our building). A little more than a year later, that unsuspecting box landed on my desk. The Engagement Night That night, I left work early so I could beat Beth home. I picked up some flowers, candles and fresh ingredients for a special dinner. When I got home, I laid out our wedding rings (we had already purchased them to exchange on the big day) and the flowers next to the brown box with a pair of gold scissors that I bought especially for this night. Dinner was almost ready when Beth got home and saw the display. She beamed in the candlelight. Together, we opened the box and withdrew the quilt. It was perfect. Peach, gray and black shapes punctuated the white fabric in a slightly staccato pattern. We kissed. We were engaged! Almost a decade later, the quilt has become a part of our family in a way a diamond ring never could. It festooned our bed in Brooklyn, moved with us to our first home together in New Jersey. It got piled into a ball as our new dog, Olive, joined the fray. We've read beneath it, snuggled side by side in the winter and have let it air-dry on the clothesline in the summer. Instead of slipping on rings, we wrapped ourselves in something warmer — stitched with intention, and soft enough to carry us through the years. You Might Also Like 67 Best Gifts for Women That'll Make Her Smile The Best Pillows for Every Type of Sleeper Solve the daily Crossword
