Latest news with #Groundhog'sDay
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Eddington' Is the Perfect Conspiracy Thriller for a Broken, Brainwashed Nation
Ari Aster would like you to go back in time. The writer-director of Hereditary and Midsommar doesn't need you to travel too far. Just five years. You probably remember a few of the details from May 2020: social distancing, social-media diatribes, swabs being thrust violently into nasal cavities, 'I Can't Breathe,' uprisings in the streets. It's crazy to think all of this took place half a decade ago. It's even crazier to ignore the creeping sensation that we're still trapped in the moment when social stress fractures became chasms, as if doomed to repeat it like some cursed variation of Groundhog's Day. Eddington is technically a period piece, given that it unfolds over several days in the aforementioned mensis horribilis. The movie doesn't particularly feel like one, however. Take away the Covid masks, and this mix of modern-day Western, political satire, and several other genres mashed into one manic panic attack could be set last week. Same divisiveness, same fingerpointing, same inability to agree on a consensual reality, same constantly present anxiety, same President. As they say in Cannes, where Aster — finally at the festival with a competition title — just premiered his latest waking nightmare: Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. More from Rolling Stone Kristen Stewart's 'The Chronology of Water' Is One Hell of a Directorial Debut 'Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning' Is One Long Tom Cruise Victory Lap Cannes Honors David Lynch in 'Emotional' Tribute With Visionary's Son in Attendance In the small New Mexico town that gives this fuse-set-to-slow-burn film its title, trouble's a-brewin'. The pandemic lockdowns are in full swing, but town sheriff Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix, channeling the same hapless mode he displayed in Aster's Beau Is Afraid) isn't keen on masks. Specifically, he's not down with the idea of enforcing a statewide mandate that folks wear them, because personal freedoms matter more than public safety, also the virus is a hoax, yadda yadda yadda. The mayor, Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal), tries to be patient with this officer of the law, but the two men have a tempestuous history. Some of it has to do with a possible data center set to be built in Eddington. Some of it has to do with Cross's wife Lou (Emma Stone), who once dated Garcia. A lot of it has to do with diametrically opposed viewpoints made even worse by Covid and the culture wars. After a skirmish at the local supermarket, Cross senses an opportunity to capitalize on the frustrations of some citizens. He impulsively announces, via a Facebook livestream, that he's running for mayor against Garcia in an upcoming election. The smear campaigning begins immediately. Neither his wife nor his conspiracy theorist of a mother-in-law (The Penguin's Deidre O'Connell) approves of Joe's newfound obsession about politics. Especially since Lou has become curiously interested in an internet muckraker-slash-crackpot guru named Vernon Jefferson Peak (Austin Butler) and his ideas about vast rings of powerful pedophiles pulling all of the strings behind the scenes. Meanwhile, a teenager names Brian (Cameron Mann) becomes 'radicalized' by the Black Lives Matter slogans and George Floyd protests, mostly because a young woman named Sarah (Amélie Hoeferle) is reading a book by Angela Davis. Soon, he's leading protests on Main Street and going on about white privilege. Cue broken windows, outside agitators, flame-stoking viral videos, accusations of Antifa false-flag operations — you know the drill. Brian's best friend, Eric (Matt Gomez Hidaka), who's also the mayor's son, has eyes for Sarah as well. This rivalry would have repercussions. So will Joe's attempt to suggest that his fellow candidate is a sexual predator, a gambit that spectacularly backfires on him. He's soon pushed to the brink, which leads to… well, let's just say things fall apart and the center — what little was left of it — cannot hold. For the bulk of Eddington's first half, the primary mode is broad-swipe satirical, with Aster & Co. lashing out almost indiscriminately at a host of contemporary archetypes: the way-too-online truthers, the faux-spiritual scam artists, the zero-to-woke Gen Z activists, the politicos trading on personal tragedy and carefully calibrated empathy to goose voters. (One of the funniest moments is a throwaway gag in Garcia's campaign video featuring Pascal tenderly noodling on a piano in the middle of Eddington's downtown.) As for Cross, he's given the full swaggering, swinging-dick cowboy treatment, a reminder that some Great American Caricatures are timeless. He's also meant to invoke law-and-order blowhards like Arizona's Joe Arpaio and any number of current opportunistic parasites keen to ride the red-pill wave; that Phoenix juggles all of this and still makes the character feel organically wounded is a testament to his talent. The overall lack of subtlety suits the age Aster is taking to task, though it also makes everything feel slightly wobbly on its feet. The viewpoint is both-sides misanthropy. Jonathan Swift has some notes. Then a need for a cover-up causes a gear shift into Coen brothers territory, with Joe, his deputies (Michael Ward and Yellowstone's Luke Grimes) and a nosy detective (William Belleau) from the Native American sovereignty next door engaging in various shenanigans. Don't get too attached, however. It's a feint as well. There's still one more hand to be played, an unexpected narrative left turn that reveals what may be Eddington's true form: a conspiracy thriller for a nation too broken to be mended, too brainwashed to come back from the brink, and too far gone to avoid manifesting its worst wishes and fears. Just because you're paranoid, etc., etc. And now you're fully in an Ari Aster movie, and you suddenly realize that its clothing has been made of the finest sheepskin available and tailored for hiding the wolves already at the door. We're in nightmare territory again, with the filmmaker bringing out the formalist chops and ability to build upon one unexpected turn after another that's already made him a cult figure among cinema nerds. A coda reminds us that history repeats itself first as tragedy, then as podcast-celebrity fodder. Corruption is now Eddington's unavoidable currency, but let's not limit it to one small town in New Mexico. It's a horror story of much deeper, darker strain — a possession parable in which all of the demons are both civically linked and inner. Aster has given us another movie that chills you, unnerves you and makes you want to crawl out of your skin. You just wish this one didn't feel so close to being nonfiction. Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Best 'Saturday Night Live' Characters of All Time Denzel Washington's Movies Ranked, From Worst to Best 70 Greatest Comedies of the 21st Century
USA Today
22-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kevin Holland vs. Gunnar Nelson prediction, pick, start time for UFC Fight Night 255
Kevin Holland and Gunnar Nelson meet Saturday on the main card of UFC Fight Night 255 at The O2 in London. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. Last event: 2-4 UFC main cards, 2025: 21-20-1 Kevin Holland vs. Gunnar Nelson UFC London preview When Holland (26-13 MMA, 13-10 UFC) is winning fights, it's usually in exciting fashion. He has bonuses in seven of his past nine wins. But wins also have been hard to come by: He's 3-6 the past 2.5 years. … Nelson (19-5-1 MMA, 10-5 UFC) took two years off after a submission of Bryan Barberena, which was a year after he returned from a 2.5-year break. He's pledging to be more active and going after his third straight win, but at 36 the clock may be ticking. Kevin Holland vs. Gunnar Nelson UFC London expert pick, prediction Serving as a solid styles fight at 170 pounds is a showdown between former middleweights, Kevin Holland and Gunnar Nelson. Both fighters are a complete contrast in almost every aspect, ranging from their personalities to their activity as fighters. Holland, for example, is the modern-day Donald Cerrone, while Nelson is like the UFC's official groundhog for Groundhog's Day, coming out about once a year or so. But as far as styles go, it's hard not to favor Nelson. Nelson isn't exactly a spring chicken and has been caught on his entries before, but the longtime Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt is such a specialist when it comes to his submission grappling – something that has long been kryptonite for Holland and his stylistic sensibilities. Despite this 'feeling' like a spot where Holland scores an upset and makes it look easy, I'll side with what history says will be the most probable outcome here. The pick is Nelson but submission in Round 1. Kevin Holland vs. Gunnar Nelson UFC London odds The oddsmakers and the public are favoring the Icelandic fighter, listing Nelson -128 and Holland +104 via FanDuel. Kevin Holland vs. Gunnar Nelson UFC London start time, how to watch Holland and Nelson are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 5:45 p.m. ET. The fight will stream on ESPN+. For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 255.
Los Angeles Times
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Opinion: Groundhog Day: Punxsutawney Phil's everlasting nightmare
There is one question that all Americans are asking themselves today: Will winter wonderland continue or will spring come early this year? The answer was revealed this morning, Feb. 2, in a small town in Pennsylvania. Today marks the 187th annual Groundhog's Day, which is celebrated throughout the United States and Canada. A ceremonial gathering was organized by the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, with thousands in attendance and millions watching online. However, many are questioning the ethics of this iconic holiday. Immortal, beloved groundhog Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his burrow at Gobbler's Knob. If he sees his own shadow and returns to his burrow, winter will be prolonged 6 additional weeks. However, on the rare occasion that he does not see his shadow, spring is forecasted to arrive early. At 7:25 am this morning, the celebrity groundhog predicted a lengthy winter when he gazed upon his own shadow. After the ceremony, Phil is paraded around the town, bombarded by cameras and flashing lights, touched and pet by a crowd of 40,000, and held in captivity for another year until the next Groundhog's Day comes around. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), a non-profit organization that works to protect animals rights, is attempting to alter the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club's tradition. Groundhogs are typically antisocial animals who avoid human interaction whenever possible. Every year, however, Phil is subjected to appear on national television and be handled by thousands of humans, for solely amusement and entertainment purposes. Last year, PETA begged the Groundhog Club to free Punxsutawney Phil, and offered to provide them with a gold coin they could flip during the ceremony as a replacement. This year, however, the organization made a second attempt, and encouraged the Club's Inner Circle leaders to let Phil and his family reside in a sanctuary. ' You batter believe that for Phil, Groundhog Day is no piece of cake ,' wrote PETA president Ingrid Newkirk in a letter to Punxsutawney Groundhog Club president Tom Dunkel. 'Retire Phil to a reputable sanctuary with his family.' As an alternative to Phil, PETA offered to deliver a vegan 'Weather Reveal' cake every Groundhog's Day to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The Club leaders would slice the cake at the Groundhog's Day ceremony, and the cake's interior would foretell whether or not spring would arrive early. ' If the inside of the cake is blue, there will be six more weeks of winter. If it's pink, there will be an early spring,' Newkirk explained. 'This would allow you to still make tourism dough while showing Phil a slice of decency.' However, Governor of Pennsylvania Josh Shapiro, responded to their proposal via Instagram and wrote, 'Come and take it.' Many people are responding similarly. It is unlikely that the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Inner Circle, led by Dunkel, will agree to retire their cherished tradition and use a cake in the years to come. It seems as though Punxsutawney Phil must accept his fate, and that he will continue to suffer, just to be an annual spectacle and money-maker for the people of Pennsylvania. However, Newkirk said that as people spread awareness about animal cruelty, ' locals and tourists who genuinely respect Phil [will] want him to live his life doing what's natural to him,' and that this cruel tradition might one day be broken. Related
Chicago Tribune
31-01-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
From the Farm: Passing of town's treasured voice and volunteer leaves void
Everyone in our small town of San Pierre and neighboring North Judson knew the name of Jeannette Gertrude Wobith. A vocal personality, and never afraid to share her opinion, her name and reputation remain as the definition of a fading classification: a hard worker with a heart of gold. Jeannette who had moved in recent years to Mishawaka to live near her daughter, died on Jan. 15 at age 97, just a few days shy of her 98th birthday. Her parents were Raymond and Mary Anastasia Hine, longtime members of our tiny All Saints Catholic Church at San Pierre. Jeannette was the oldest of five children, and now, only her brother Ray remains. Jeannette had worked at the same small-town grocery store, Dolezal's Supermarket, as I had during my high school years. However, Jeannette worked at the store two decades before my starting year in 1984. However, her mom, known to all in town by her nickname 'Stitch,' was still working as a cashier at the store when I began and helped 'show me the ropes.' Jeannette opted to work in her later years at the A&P supermarket in North Judson and eventually retired from the A&P In 1945, Jeannette married serviceman Frank H. Ono, and soon her son Terry and daughter Genelle were born. Frank and Jeannette were later divorced, and she then married Dorwin E. Wobith in 1962 until his passing in 1976. Like my parents, she was an avid sports fan, especially the Chicago Cubs and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. My parents often sat not too far away from her in the same school gym bleachers for our North Judson Blue Jays' basketball games. In addition to being survived by her two children, her brother and her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Jeannette was preceded in death by both of her parents (father at age 68 in 1968 and mom at age 84 in 1994, her sister, Phyllis Lemke, at age 76 in 2005 her brothers, Bill, 89, and Larry Hine, 79, both in the past three years. Jeannette spent countless hours volunteering, including her time with the American Legion Women's Auxiliary and the San Pierre Alumni Association, the latter where she served as the dedicated secretary for decades. During my years as president of the San Pierre Alumni Association (as so many others had echoed before my time), it was always Jeannette 'as the glue that kept the organization and annual dinner event together as a success' for the past 50 years. She forever identified herself as a proud counterpart to the school's bulldog mascot as a dedicated member of the class of 1944. I worked closest with Jeanette during the past 30 years volunteering my shared time with her and others as a member of the Railroad Township Scholarship Board. As this weekend welcomes the arrival of February and Groundhog's Day, today's rich and delicious moist cherry cake is the perfect 'clip and save' recipe for later this month for menu observance of Washington's birthday on Feb. 22 or even earlier Presidents' Day on Feb. 17. The recipe is from Jeannette's archive recipe files from 1954 when it was published among the finalists for the 5th Annual Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest. The recipe was dreamed up by Mrs. L. G. Wietor of Chicago who preserved the recipe from her own mother, describing it as 'a cake of honor and distinction, according to my mother, and can be served as a rich coffee cake at breakfast time or a colorful dessert for evening meals.' Columnist Philip Potempa has published four cookbooks and is the director of marketing at Theatre at the Center. He can be reached at pmpotempa@ or mail your questions: From the Farm, PO Box 68, San Pierre, Ind. 46374. Candied Cherry Cake Makes 10 servings 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans 1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs 3 cups sifted Pillsbury's Best Enriched Flour 2 teaspoons double-acting baking powder 1/2 cup candied cherries, chopped 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind 1 cup butter 1 cup sugar 5 unbeaten eggs 1 cup sweetened condensed milk 1 teaspoon vanilla Directions: 1. Grease generously the bottoms and sides of one 10-inch tube pan. 2. Cover pan with mixture of finely chopped nuts and dry breadcrumbs. 3. Sift together Pillsbury's Best Enriched Flour and baking powder. 4. Combine candied cherries, grated lemon rind and 1/4 cup of dry ingredients. Then chop cherries finely. 5. Cream butter; add gradually and then cream sugar; creaming well. 6. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. 7. Combine sweetened condensed milk and vanilla and add alternately with the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. 8. Stir in the chopped cherry mixture and turn the batter into the prepared pan. 9. Bake at 350 degrees for 65 to 75 minutes in tube pan.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
What is the significance of Groundhog Day?
CHICOPEE, Mass.(WWLP)– Groundhog Day is this weekend and on Sunday, Punxsutawney Phil will make his unofficial prediction on whether winter will continue or if spring will come early. But, just how accurate has the groundhog been over the years? The movie Groundhog Day with Bill Murray is definitely a fan favorite but not everybody is a fan of the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil and his annual prediction. PHOTOS: Eagle landing in Sunderland backyard Groundhog Day began as a German Pennsylvania custom in the 18th and 19 centuries but has its origins in ancient Europe. People supposedly watched hedgehogs or badgers to see if they saw their shadows on Candlemas Day, celebrated each February 2nd. Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania held its first official Groundhog Day on February 2, 1887. And, according to folklore, if Punxsutawney Phil comes out of his hole and sees his shadow it frightens him and he goes back down into it, meaning six more weeks of winter. If he comes out and doesn't see his shadow, he stays out and spring weather will arrive early. According to the National Weather Service, over the last 10 years Phil's prediction has been right 30 percent of the time. Last year he was right, he didn't see his shadow and we experienced spring-like temperatures in February and March ahead of the official start of spring on March 19th. Sunday is Groundhog's Day and as weather forecasters we don't put much into the groundhog's prediction. And we can likely count on seeing more winter weather next month despite what Punxsutawney Phil predicts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
