Latest news with #FountainOfYouth
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
New Guy Ritchie movie brutally branded ‘one of 2025's worst films' with mortifying 36% Rotten Tomatoes score despite A-list cast
The new Guy Ritchie movie has been brutally branded 'one of 2025's worst films' with a mortifying 36 per cent Rotten Tomatoes score, despite its A-list cast. Fountain Of Youth, which was released on Apple TV+ on Friday, stars John Krasinski and Natalie Portman as estranged siblings who team up to find the titular mythical spring. The adventure film, which had an eye-watering budget of almost $180million, also boasts Domhnall Gleeson and Stanley Tucci in its stellar cast. And it has Guy at the helm, who has built a legendary reputation as an action and crime director, with the Sherlock Holmes films starring Robert Downey Jr and, more recently, Netflix series The Gentlemen. But despite how much it had going for it, the film has been rubbished by critics and fans alike, Hello! reports. . The heist film, with John as an archaeologist and Natalie as a museum curator, clearly takes inspiration from the Indiana Jones franchise. But unlike that legendary series, critics have said Fountain Of Youth fails to mark itself out. The Hollywood Reporter 's review read: 'It's all as predictable as you'd expect, with the screenplay by James Vanderbilt failing to provide the wit necessary to make the film stand out in any way.' James is best-known otherwise for his work 2007 thriller Zodiac, two of the Spider-Man films and 2016's Independence Day: Resurgence. Entertainment Weekly similarly said: 'The characterisations are flat, the would-be quippy dialogue rarely elicits laughs, and the action sequences seldom rise above the level of satisfactory.' One user on X did not hold back: 'Fountain Of Youth is one of the worst films of the year! 'A film that should be a lot better than it is. It certainly looks the part - lavish, expensive, big. But it's a soulless, vapid and overwrought mess.' Someone else similarly said: 'Can anyone explain how Apple manages to make great TV shows when their movies tend to be s***e? Despite how much it had going for it, the film has been rubbished by critics and fans alike 'Another great episode of Murderbot [sci-fi action comedy starring Alexander Skarsgard] this week but don't waste your time with Fountain Of Youth. It's b****y awful.' Another person was slightly less extreme: 'Fountain Of Youth would have been a whole lot of fun if I watched it as a teen in the nineties. 'Something about it feels outdated and not in a nostalgic way. The movie starts out OK but never fully goes anywhere. 'Still, it's visually stunning and Krasinski is great!' Like this commenter, Collider gave the film a slightly less emphatically negative review: 'The thing is, Fountain Of Youth could have easily been just another bad movie made for streaming and the fact that it isn't is an accomplishment in of itself. 'It's a perfectly watchable movie designed to keep you entertained for two hours on a rainy Sunday afternoon.' Analysis from Hello! magazine explained why it might be that the reception has been so unenthusiastic. 'Streaming platforms are pouring resources into big-budget originals, often driven by famous names and recognisable genres. But that formula doesn't guarantee quality', it explained. The film seems designed to do well for the algorithm - rather than stretch or challenge audiences: 'It also reflects a broader trend of "safe" storytelling in the streaming space - technically polished but emotionally empty.' Audiences though, it warns, are catching on - and are not afraid, as comments on Fountain of Youth show, to express their displeasure. But despite the harsh reviews, the cast have teased the possibility of a sequel to the globe-trotting adventure film. Eiza Gonzalez (3 Body Problem), who plays Esme, a so-called Protector of the Fountain, commented on potential unfinished business with John's character Luke, who she enjoys playful exchanges with, despite their missions being initially at odds. She told Entertainment Weekly: 'It has very layered meanings in it. It's a perfect cliffhanger for the end of their relationship. 'What is she really trying to say here? Is it a relationship? Is it protectors? What's next?' Her co-star Natalie similarly said: 'If people wanted to see more, I would definitely be up for making more. It was so joyful to make this.' Eiza added: 'Why wouldn't I? What a dream to be travelling the world with this amazing cast again. The Gentlemen (pictured), a spin-off from Guy's 2019 film of the same name, stars Theo James as an aristocrat who finds himself inheriting the family estate - and the weed empire he had no idea was being run on its grounds 'I do think that these types of movies need to be continued to be made for kids, to keep the innocence going, the passion of curiosity. 'You keep a family legacy. So, I'd jump right in.' Similarly, screenwriter James has said he would be interested to explore the Protectors more, the mysterious organisation Eiza's character Esme is a part of. He said: 'I asked Guy, "Are there other protectors? And he's like, "Of course there has to be". Given that, it could be fun to have another sequel. 'We did go to one of the seven wonders of the world [the pyramids of Giza]. There could be more. 'That's the fun thing about adventure movies; it could keep going and going and going.' The at best lukewarm reaction to the movie is a major change for Guy - who enjoyed extensive praise for his 2024 Netflix series The Gentlemen and Paramount+ programme MobLand, released earlier this year. The Gentlemen, a spin-off from Guy's 2019 film of the same name, stars Theo James as an aristocrat who finds himself inheriting the family estate - and the weed empire he had no idea was being run on its grounds. The action comedy show, which also stars Kaya Scodelario, Ray Winstone, Daniel Ings and Vinnie Jones, was one of Netflix's biggest hits last year, racking up 44million views in just four weeks. It was renewed for a second series in summer last year, with early speculation pointing to a release date in 2026. MobLand, meanwhile, is a ten-part gangster drama, starring Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren, about two battling crime families. Many viewers shared positive verdicts in the wake of its release in March, with one fan posting on X: 'I love everything Guy Ritchie. Having Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren in the mix is such a deal sweetener.' Another said: 'The show has so much potential, like I'm already sold with just one episode. Yes, yes, yes!' Someone else penned: 'Tom Hardy, Paddy Considine, Helen Mirren and loads more. Looks a good series.' A fourth wrote: 'Tom Hardy in a mob series, sign me up!'
Arab News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Arab News
REVIEW: Guy Ritchie's ‘Fountain of Youth' — ‘Indiana Jones' wannabe fails miserably
DUBAI: You know those fake films you see in TV shows like '30 Rock' or, more recently, 'The Studio'? Guy Ritchie's latest misfire, 'Fountain of Youth,' captures that vibe perfectly. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ A chaotic, charmless attempt at action-adventure, 'Fountain of Youth' clearly takes its inspiration from 'Indiana Jones,' but ends up as a muddled mess of clichés, clunky dialogue, and a lead who never quite convinces. The latter is John Krasinski as Luke Purdue, an archaeologist-turned-art thief racing to uncover the location of the legendary Fountain of Youth — believed to be capable of bestowing eternal life — with the help of rich benefactor Owen Carver (Domhnall Gleeson), a billionaire with a fatal illness who's ready to throw all his money into the quest. When things go awry, Luke reaches out to his younger sister Charlotte (a resplendent Natalie Portman) for help. The squabbling siblings then set off on a globetrotting adventure, while being chased by shadowy organizations and Interpol. The problem? Krasinski brings all the gravitas of a put-upon history teacher on a school field trip. There's a stiffness to him that means you never quite shake off the sense that he's just playing dress-up. Portman and Gleeson fare better. Portman, playing a sharp-tongued art curator and a mother on the brink of divorce, injects moments of tension and vulnerability that almost make you care about the story. Gleeson, meanwhile, steals every scene he's in as he descends into villainy. But even their combined charisma fails to inject life into the limp script. Other noteworthy performances come from Eiza Gonzales, who plays Esme, just one of the many people trying to stop the siblings from uncovering the Fountain of Youth; and Arian Moayed, who plays Interpol's Inspector Abbas. Ritchie's signature snappy style is drowned under a deluge of poorly choreographed chase sequences, same-y set pieces and exposition-heavy dialogue. The film looks expensive but feels lazy, with international locations reduced to postcard backgrounds. 'Fountain of Youth' wants to be thrilling, funny and smart. Instead, it's repetitive, cringey and talks down to its viewers.
Geek Tyrant
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
READY OR NOT: HERE I COME Producer on the Film Expanding the Twisted Mythology — GeekTyrant
The game's not over yet. Ready or Not: Here I Come , the follow-up to the 2019 cult horror hit, is officially in motion, and according to producer James Vanderbilt, it's not just more of the same. Instead, the sequel plans to mess with the board entirely, pushing the twisted Le Domas family mythology into new, darker corners without unraveling what made it so chilling to begin with. In a recent chat with ComicBook about his new Apple TV+ film Fountain of Youth , Vanderbilt gave fans a few carefully chosen details about the film, enough to intrigue, but not spoil. 'There are a couple of different ways we are doing it. I don't want to give anything away... What I will say is one of the reasons it has taken a minute to make this sequel was that we were really hard on ourselves on not just repeating what the first movie was, but also, not losing the sauce of what the first movie was.' It's a smart strategy. The original film, anchored by Samara Weaving's feral final girl Grace, managed to walk a fine line between brutal horror and biting satire. According to Vanderbilt, the new film builds on that without letting the mythology get bogged down in too much explanation. When referring to the original's jaw-dropping ending, he said: 'It's interesting because there's a debate all the way through as to what is real and what is not. That is answered at the end of the first movie, so you can't put that Le Bail back in the bottle.' Writers Guy Busick and R. Christopher Murphy seemed to have cracked the next chapter of the story, and when talking about it, Vanderbilt said: 'What Guy and R. Christopher Murphy do in this script is incredibly smart. As soon as they pitched it, it was, 'Of course that's what it is. That's a great idea.' It's such a great way to tell this story.' What makes the sequel especially intriguing is its commitment to expanding the world without drowning it in exposition. 'I think it's safe to say we expand the mythology without explaining the entire mythology. I don't know if that sounds exciting, but it's exciting to us. I think it's the right amount of worldbuilding, while still telling an amazing emotional story.' That emotional core centers once again on Grace, with Weaving returning to the blood-soaked chaos. But this time, she's not alone. The cast lineup is stacked with Ant-Man 's Kathryn Newton, Buffy legend Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Elijah Wood. Then there's David Cronenberg, the master of body horror himself, who will be stepping in front of the camera in a rare acting role. Kevin Durand, fresh off Abigail , also joins the madness, playing a character said to be the 'polar opposite' of his vampire-hunting role. With Radio Silence (Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett) once again directing, fans can expect the same kinetic blend of chaos, gore, and sharp wit that made the first film a standout.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'The Office' Star, 45, Wants to Be in Upcoming Spin-Off Series
Actor John Krasinski, 45, says he's interested in appearing on the upcoming Office spinoff series, The Paper. During a May 20 interview with Extra TV, Krasinski, who famously played prankster Jim Halpert in The Office for 9 seasons, said he'd be happy to film a cameo for the new series if given the chance. 'Done! If they ask me, I'm in," said Krasinski during the interview. Krasinski also shared he is looking forward to watching The Paper, which is co-created by Greg Daniels, who was a developer, writer, and showrunner for The Office. 'I'm excited to see what they do with it. It's such an amazing idea, and listen if Greg [Daniels] is behind it, we're all in," said Krasinski to the publication. In addition, Krasinski said he's so happy that his Fountain of Youth castmate Domhnall Gleeson is starring in The Paper. "And you can't get a better actor than [Domhnall] to take on the mantle. He's so, so great. He's going to be so perfect for it, and we'll probably start doing watch parties again just to watch them," said Krasinski during the Extra TV interview. While speaking to Screen Rant in May 2025, Krasinski said Gleeson was nervous to talk to him about joining the cast of The Office spinoff series, which is set to premiere in September 2025. "We were in Cairo [filming Fountain of Youth] when he told me about it. And he was adorably nervous to talk to me about it. He was like, 'I think I might do this thing. What do you think?'" said Krasinski. According to Krasinski, he and his Office castmate Steve Carell encouraged Gleeson to star in The Paper. "If Greg Daniels is involved, and he's excited, then get on board. Because Greg is the heart and soul of that show. And we all followed Greg anywhere. And still would," said Krasinski to Screen Rant. During a May 20 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Gleeson shared the Carell and Krasinski encouraged him to work with Daniels for The Paper, which will air on Peacock. In addition, the actor said he hoped fans of The Office will enjoy the new series. "It's own thing, but it's got love and laughs in the same way. So I hope people like it when it comes out," said Gleeson to the publication. View the to see embedded media.
Indian Express
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
True story behind Fountain Of Youth: From Gilgamesh to Florida, the myth that inspired Guy Ritchie's new movie
Guy Ritchie's new Apple TV+ movie Fountain Of Youth stars John Krasinski and Natalie Portman as the adventurous siblings fighting, bickering, and finding their way as they hunt down clues in search of the actual Fountain of Youth, a mythical source of water that can keep you young forever or supposedly gives eternal life. While the story seems like a work of fiction, given all the extravaganzas shown, from 9th-century Tibetan scrolls to old glamour, secret symbols engraved in Caravaggio and Rembrandt pieces, lesser known is the fact that it comes from an actual belief that has been continuing from around 2100 BC in Iraq to present-day Florida. Also read: Fountain of Youth movie review: We never got a third National Treasure movie, and thanks to Guy Ritchie, we still haven't In the film, John Krasinski plays Luke Purdue, someone who steals art, but not for money. Chasing hidden clues in famous paintings is his passion, and most of that interest comes from his late dad, who was a famous archaeologist. In the process, Luke reconciles with his estranged sister Charlotte (Natalie Portman), who works as a museum curator and wants a normal life, until Luke wants her to join the family's treasure-hunting escapade. Amid a messy divorce and custody battle, she has no choice but to hit the road with her brother, travelling in luxurious cars, bankrolled by a billionaire named Owen Carver, who is desperate to drink the water. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the story is indeed inspired by a very ancient myth that still holds ground in some parts of the world, all the way back to Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). A book written around 2100 BC, The Epic of Gilgamesh, tells a story that has long fascinated the world. It suggests there's a plant under the sea that makes people young again. From there, you see similar ideas taking birth all around the globe. A Chinese emperor, Qin Shi Huang, ordered his people to find eternal life potions. The Greeks had their own version, golden apples guarded by the Hesperides. Even Alexander the Great is said to have wanted to explore India in search of the waters of life. And not to forget the French woman who drank gold, thinking that would keep her alive. But the version that stuck with the modern world came from the 1500s, when Spanish explorers landed in the Americas. It is believed that in 1516, an Italian historian whispered about a secret island in the Bahamas with a spring that made old people young again, into a pope's ear. The next thing we knew was that Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León sailed off to Florida in 1513, hoping to find it. He didn't, but the legend exploded among the natives, and soon the search for the fountain was underway. But, turned out Juan was not in search of water, but gold and land. Historians now think the 'fountain of youth' tale was made to mock his death. Also read: The elusive fountain of youth and why so many people are obsessed with age Still, Florida ran with the myth. St. Augustine claimed that the town had the 'real' fountain. There's even an hourglass-shaped sinkhole in Sarasota County, Warm Mineral Springs, that people say might be the real deal. The water in this 240-foot-wide spring bubbles up from 7,000 feet underground with 51 minerals and maintains a 37-degree temperature throughout. People swear by its magical healing powers, saying it can cure anything from stress and back pain to heart issues. The outlet underlined how researchers found traces of bones from 10,000 years ago and tiger remains, suggesting the place might have been a sacred burial site long before Europeans showed up. But whether the actual myth of the fountain exists, there is no official confirmation. Historians and poets romanticised it in their writings, and soon the myth became a way to hype exploration and attract money and settlers.
