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Tom's Guide
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
This tense spy thriller show just crashed the Prime Video top 10 — and it's inspired by a '70s classic
Looks like plenty of Prime Video subscribers are getting hooked on a tense spy thriller from the previous decade, as "Condor" has climbed into the streaming service's most-watched list. Similar to 2024's excellent thriller, "The Day of the Jackal," "Condor" is a fresh spin on another classic '70s thriller, "Six Days of the Condor" by James Grady (which was subsequently turned into Sydney Pollack's "Three Days of the Condor" movie, which starred Robert Redford). The series originally premiered on AT&T's Audience Network back in 2018 and was subsequently picked up by Epix (now MGM Plus), with the second season premiering on the streamer in 2021. Both seasons are also available on Prime Video and are proving popular at present. At the time of writing, "Condor" is currently sitting in ninth place in Prime Video's top 10 shows chart. And given that the chart is currently dominated by Prime Video Originals like "Reacher," "The Better Sister" and "The Summer I Turned Pretty," that's pretty impressive for a 7-year-old show. If you're a thriller fan and you happen to be on the hunt for a new show, you can find out a little more info about the series below, and a round-up of what viewers have to say to help you decide whether to stream "Condor" on Prime Video. "Condor" sees us heading along for the ride with Joe Turner (Max Irons), a brilliant low-level CIA analyst who joined the agency with the hope of reforming it from the inside. When Joe stumbles upon a secret plan that threatens the lives of millions, he finds himself in the crosshairs. After narrowly dodging the killers who take out everyone else at his office, Joe ends up on the run, striving to get to the bottom of what's really going in... while dodging assassins and whatever the agency throws at him in the process. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. In addition to Irons, "Condor" also stars William Hurt, Sam McCarthy Jr., Leem Lubany, Kristen Hager, Bob Balaban, Brendan Fraser, Mira Sorvino and Katherine Cunningham, among others "Condor" comes reasonably well recommended by viewers. At the time of writing, the first season holds an 87% rating on the review aggregate site, Rotten Tomatoes, with a slightly lower 79% score on the Popcornmeter. The site's critical consensus reads: "'Condor' never aspires to be a realistic depiction of spy games -- instead, it excels at evoking a uniquely 21st century brand of paranoia with its slick concept and propulsive pacing." Looking for specific reactions? Well, IndieWire's Ben Travers called the show "a smartly expanded adaptation" back in 2018. He wrote that it isn't a "drop everything and subscribe to DirecTV" kind of show, but it is an engaging spy story suitably updated for modern times and slyly incorporating elements of the original film." Vulture critic Matt Zoller Seitz dubbed the show "an honorable effort" (though one lacking some of the thrills of the Redford movie), describing it as "something along the lines of "Homeland" with a touch of Tom Clancy: a workplace drama, essentially, in which bureaucrats, military personnel, analysts, and spies get tangled up in an international conspiracy." Finally, The Washington Post's Hank Stuever spun the series as "quite the little pulse-pounder — the sort of thing '24' fans can eat with a spoon," praising the show's supporting cast for "lift[ing] this story into a taut choice for summer viewing." Having only just checked the show out myself now that it's picked up steam on Prime Video, I wouldn't want to offer a definitive verdict just yet, but as a fan of thrillers of this ilk, I'm certainly intrigued by Joe's plight, and it feels like a show I'd want to make time for. If you enjoy this kind of taut spy thriller, shows where innocent agents are left high and dry and caught in life-or-death situations, you might want to follow in the footsteps of other Prime users and stream "Condor" on Prime Video, too. Already streamed it "Condor," or not sure it's right for you? Check out our round-up of the best shows on Prime Video for tons more top streaming recommendations worthy of a spot on your watchlist.
Reuters
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Reuters
No gears, no brakes, Formula Fixed out to fast-forward U.S. cycling
May 12 (Reuters) - In the fluorescent glow of a re-purposed indoor go-kart track, cyclists hurtle around hairpin corners, their fixed-gear bikes offering a stark binary choice: perfect execution or intimate acquaintance with the barriers. Welcome to the world of Formula Fixed, a new adrenaline-fuelled cycling format organisers believe can finally give the two-wheeled sport the street-cred it lacks in the United States. "There are no real professional leagues that have cohesive storytelling and that's a shame, it's frustrating. So we're setting out to fix that," James Grady, co-founder of the venture with wife Clare, told Reuters. "94 percent of people in the States know how to ride a bike, but the sport's ability to convert that familiarity into fandom is fundamentally broken." Formula Fixed, which launched its inaugural Pro Series later this year, is cycling stripped back to the raw. No gears, no brakes, just leg-pumping action that fuses messenger culture, video game aesthetics and athletic prowess. Unlike traditional formats, whether road racing or track, fans and TV audiences of Formula Fixed won't need to be cycling aficionados to follow what's going on. "We're not here to tweak the old model," James says. "We're here to tear it down and rebuild it from scratch with culture, inclusivity, and energy at the core." The Gradys have been putting on events for more than a decade, including the Mission Crit in San Francisco -- a popular Criterium race around the city streets. Formula Fixed has evolved that format for retro-fitted arenas where fans can watch 100% of the action without having to move from their seat. "Mission Crit was getting more and more riders and more and more spectators, but it was hard to monetise because there's no front door," Clare says. "Fans at city crit races see maybe 10% of the action. I wouldn't want to pay for that." James says in the crowded sports landscape, spectators demand a more immersive experience, pointing to the popularity of golf's arena-based TGL and basketball's Unrivaled. Attempts to revolutionise cycling have been made before. The National Cycling League (NCL) with city-based franchise teams and celebrity-investments was launched a few years ago but soon ran into trouble and collapsed. The Gradys feel they have found the perfect recipe though and judging by a sold-out showcase event last year in California that was backed by brands such as Red Bull and Rapha and generated 5.6 million digital impressions, they may be right. "Whether you're in-venue, watching on-screen, or on your phone, you're going to feel the speed, the energy, and the emotion of every corner and crash," Clare says. The series will predominantly attract those from America's fixed-gear bike messenger scene rather than WorldTour pros, but the door is wide open for international competitors. "The key is it will really resonate with American audiences," James says. Formula Fixed will launch with two two-day qualifying events in Doylestown, Pennsylvania and San Francisco in September with the best male and female riders competing in a 2026 Pro Series.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Yahoo
2 MSP vehicles struck in single week, 7 in January. What drivers need to know in Michigan
The Michigan State Police are pleading with drivers to slow down and move over when they pass troopers along the side of the road after seven patrol vehicles were struck in January — two just this week. 'The shoulder of the road is a dangerous place for anyone,' MSP Director Col. James Grady said. 'When you see an emergency vehicle on the side of the road with emergency lights activated, please slow down and move over. That one act can save countless lives.' This week, the MSP said in a Friday release, two patrol vehicles were struck by motorists. 'Driving is a privilege with significant responsibilities' Grady said. "Those responsibilities include ensuring the safety of yourself, your passengers and others on the road. Motorists need to understand the consequences of their driving behavior and the impact it has on their fellow motorists." In the first incident this week, the MSP Seventh District said a patrol car was struck in the rear on Monday near the Wexford County exit ramp from U.S. 131 to East 34 Road. Troopers were assisting passengers in a vehicle that had slid off the road, the MSP said on X. The trooper is uninjured while two "young females" in the other vehicle suffered minor injuries. In the second incident, at about 6:45 a.m. Wednesday, Third District troopers were investigating a minor crash on northbound Interstate 75 near M-46 in Saginaw County when a vehicle struck the trooper's patrol unit. "The trooper was not in the car at the time of the crash and sustained minor injuries while jumping out of the path of the crashed vehicles," MSP said on X. "The occupants of the previously crashed car (original incident) were injured in the second crash." The trooper and other injured people were transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries, MSP said. The driver who struck the patrol car was arrested for suspected operating while intoxicated. At 5 p.m. Jan. 15, Metro North Post troopers were on South I-75 near 11 Mile Road in Royal Oak investigating a crash when their patrol vehicle was rear-ended. One trooper was transported to a hospital with a lower leg injury. The driver of a Pontiac G6 was arrested for reckless driving causing injury. At about 10:45 a.m. Jan. 23, an MSP Motor Carrier Division officer was assisting with traffic control at crash on southbound U.S. 127 near Covert Road in Ingham County when a white Chevy van attempted to change lanes, lost control, left the road and struck the patrol vehicle, which was parked on the shoulder of the road with its lights activated. No one was injured in the crash. Both vehicles were disabled. By noon on Jan. 20, two MSP cruisers were struck while assisting motorists: One in Muskegon County and one in Kent County. No one was injured in either crash. The Kent County crash took place photo at southbound U.S. 131 near West River Road. Information about the seventh patrol vehicle that was struck wasn't immediately provided. The MSP said seven department members have been killed while working on the side of the road in the department's history. The most recent death took place in September when Motor Carrier Division Officer Daniel Kerstetter's vehicle was struck alongside I-75 in Lincoln Park and shoved into the back of a semitruck. In January of 2024, Trooper Joel Popp was killed on I-75 near Birch Run when an 81-year-old man struck two patrol vehicles and Popp, who was outside a vehicle, as they investigated an impaired driver suspect. Michigan law requires motorists to slow down at least 10 mph below the speed limit and move over to an open lane to give space for stationary authorized vehicles with flashing, rotating or oscillating lights activated. If drivers are unable to safely move over, they still must slow down, allowing the authorized vehicle as much space as possible. This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: 7 MSP vehicles struck in January. What Michigan law says
