Latest news with #LEGACY
The Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Spoof done right
LEGACY sequels often miss the mark, but The Naked Gun lands a perfect punchline. Directed by Akiva Schaffer and produced by Seth MacFarlane, the film revives the iconic slapstick action-comedy franchise three decades after its last outing. This time, the chaos is inherited by Lt. Frank Drebin Jr., played by Liam Neeson, whose deadpan delivery surprisingly fits like a glove in a genre known for absurdity. The film embraces its roots unapologetically, proving that slapstick humour and parody still have a place in modern cinema. From the opening gag to its final ridiculous twist, The Naked Gun thrives on visual comedy, absurd dialogue and over-the-top action. Rather than attempting to reinvent the wheel, the film keeps the same chaotic energy that made the original trilogy a cult classic, while giving it a modern polish. It is a rare case where a spoof sequel not only works but feels necessary. Humour that pushes boundaries The Naked Gun is a film that revels in stepping over the line. The humour is brash, politically incorrect at times and intentionally exaggerated, exactly as a spoof should be. Some jokes may ruffle feathers, but the movie makes no apologies for its approach. It is self-aware, constantly winking at its audience while firing off jokes at a rapid pace. For longtime fans of the franchise, the comedy feels like a natural continuation. For newcomers, it is a crash course in slapstick done right. The film encourages audiences to drop their guard, forget the rules of serious cinema and just laugh. It is a reminder that sometimes, movies are best enjoyed when they are not dissected for deeper meaning but embraced for their ridiculous fun. Cast that brings the absurd to life The casting of Neeson as Lt. Frank initially raises eyebrows, but the veteran actor leans fully into the role. Known for his intense action personas, Neeson hilariously plays against type, delivering punchlines with a perfectly straight face while navigating one ludicrous scenario after another. Pamela Anderson shines as Beth Davenport, bringing a surprising mix of classic bombshell charm and sharp comedic timing. Paul Walter Hauser, as Capt. Ed Hocken Jr., delivers scene-stealing moments, embodying the lovable incompetence the franchise is known for. Kevin Durand, Danny Huston, CCH Pounder and Liza Koshy round out a supporting cast that elevates every absurd moment with total commitment. Even the cameos, from Busta Rhymes to Dave Bautista, feel like part of the fun rather than cheap distractions. The chemistry among the ensemble is key. Each actor understands the assignment: keep a straight face while everything around them spirals into comedic chaos. That commitment makes the humour land even harder. Action, gags, nostalgia Action sequences in The Naked Gun are gloriously overblown, with Neeson performing exaggerated stunts that would make his Taken character blush. Yet, the film smartly balances slapstick with nostalgia, sprinkling in nods to the late Leslie Nielsen's iconic portrayal of Frank Drebin Sr. These moments are heartfelt tributes rather than forced callbacks, allowing longtime fans to feel the connection without overshadowing the new story. Visual gags remain the franchise's bread and butter, from background antics to blink-and-you-miss-it jokes that reward attentive viewers. The direction by Schaffer ensures that even the silliest moments are sharply executed, never veering into lazy parody. The result is a spoof that feels crafted with genuine love for the source material. Perfect movie to unwind with While comedies today often chase shock value or overly clever satire, The Naked Gun strips everything down to pure, ridiculous fun. It is the kind of movie designed to be enjoyed with popcorn in hand and expectations set to 'laugh first, think later'. Not every joke will land for everyone and some might find certain bits too bold or outdated in tone. But that is part of the charm. The film does not aim to please every sensibility, it aims to entertain without restraint, just like the originals did. In an era that often takes itself too seriously, this movie offers a much-needed comedic escape. Triumph of modern spoof cinema The Naked Gun proves that spoofs are far from dead. With Schaffer's sharp direction, MacFarlane's comedic touch and a fearless cast led by Neeson, the film captures the outrageous spirit of the franchise while making it accessible to a new generation. It is brash, ridiculous and gloriously over-the-top, a spoof done right. For fans of the originals, it is a heartfelt revival that does justice to Nielsen's legacy. For newcomers, it is a gateway to a style of comedy rarely seen today. Some viewers may leave feeling offended, others may be crying with laughter, but one thing is certain: The Naked Gun is the most fun anyone will have not taking anything seriously this year. DIRECTOR: Akiva Schaffer CAST: Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, Danny Huston, Kevin Durand E-VALUE: 8/10 PLOT: 8/10 ACTING: 8/10
New Paper
29-07-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
July 30 South Africa (Scottsville) form analysis
Race 1 (1,200m) (5) SPINMYANGELSSPIN comes off a lengthy break but has some useful Cape form to her credit. If she is fit and well, she should go close. (3) WATER HYACINTH has been consistent in her three outings on this course, and should be thereabouts again. (7) EBISU raced greenly on her debut over the course and distance, but she should come on from that. (9) WHAT A PASSION finished a distant second behind Princess Of Gaul, who runs in a Grade 1 race next. Race 2 (1,000m) (6) LADY OF VIX takes on male runners again and steps up in class. However, she only has 49kg to shoulder. (3) MAJOR TOMMIE was third behind Lady Of Vix last time. He is 1kg better off for a 2½-length beating and should finish a little closer. (2) JET LEGACY is 2.5kg better off with Lady Of Vix on their last meeting. He was beaten four lengths but should get a little closer this time. (4) KALAHARI ROLLER is back on his preferred surface and the blinkers are back on. Race 3 (1,100m) (3) SOHOT SOWHAT has consistent form and ran a cracker in a Grade 3 feature last time behind the smart Green Sapphire. A repeat of that run should see her home. (1) CONVOCATION gave a glimpse of her best form when second on the Poly last time. She is smart on her day and can go close. (2) CAPTAIN'S CHRISTY is seldom far back and goes well on this course, while (6) BLUE HOLLY is overdue, but has an inexperienced apprentice aboard. Race 4 (1,600m) (10) ECHO ran a modest third last time on the Poly after going close at her previous start. She is lightly raced with a 4kg claimer up. (9) PROMISE OF FIRE has been a little disappointing, but stays the trip and will go close on her best showing. (6) LIGHTINTHEDARKNESS has run her two best recent races in blinkers. She, too, has a 4kg claimer up. (3) DEE DAY is battling, but does pop up on occasion and has a money chance. Race 5 (1,600m) (3) GURKHA is useful and has showed up well at his last two runs. The form of his last run has been franked. (4) FRENCH TRIP has come to hand and was narrowly beaten on this course last time. He drops in class. (1) WORLD OF OUR OWN is down in class and should benefit from a 4kg claimer and pole-position draw. (5) HARUN AL RASHID was a little disappointing in his handicap debut, but is capable of better. Race 6 (1,950m) (2) PLUM PUDDING is unbeaten in two starts since arriving in KZN. She takes on some hard-knocking males, but does appear capable of a hat-trick. There is not too much between (1) VIEW OF THE WORLD and (5) TROIS TROIS QUATRE, with a length separating them when they last met. View Of The World is now 1kg better off. (3) THE MIKADO returns from a break, but he is fit and well and will run a forward race. Race 7 (1,400m) (1) ROSH KEDESH ran a good second on the Poly last run when jumping from a wide gate. He has the best draw. Massive chance. (7) THE SHEPHERD returns from a lengthy break, but is smart on his day. He has a big weight, but his last win was over the course and distance. Stablemate (5) NELSON BAY is better than his last effort on the Poly. He has been rested, but the stable is starting to fire up again. (6) KITCHAKAL seldom runs a bad race. He is in good form lately and can feature. Race 8 (1,500m) (4) SIGN OF FATE was narrowly beaten by Plum Pudding last time but has shown consistent form recently. The distance suits and she should go well again. (8) FORWARD MOTION was a comfortable winner last run when under a light weight. She is down in class with a 4kg claimer up, and can follow up. (3) BEAUTIFUL RANIA is holding form and has a light weight. Her last win was on this course. (9) IZIBULO looks to be coming to hand.
India Today
23-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
Bacardi India's Legacy Whisky Bags Global Honours at Top International Spirits Awards
LEGACY Premium Indian Whisky, from the house of Bacardi India Pvt. Ltd., has earned top honours on the global stage — winning Gold in the Blended Whisky category at the prestigious World Whiskies Awards 2025, along with a Silver medal at the Asia Spirits Masters 2025.A unique blend of Indian and Scottish malts with Indian grains, LEGACY delivers a rich, smooth taste with fruity notes, subtle smoke, toasted oak, and a hint of spice, making it impeccably smooth and perfectly balanced. Reflecting the culture and passion of India through its craftsmanship and flavour, LEGACY has received an overwhelming response from consumers since its than just a spirit, LEGACY is a celebration of Indian craftsmanship — a rich, nuanced expression that bridges timeless heritage with modern sophistication. This international accolade not only validates the whisky's exceptional character but also cements LEGACY's position as a rising star in the premium segment, reinforcing Bacardi's presence in the Indian Whisky is available in 3 sizes (750ml, 375ml, and 180ml) in key markets across Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha, Maharashtra, Telangana, Kerala, Pondicherry and Goa – showcasing Bacardi's commitment to India as one of its top priority markets worldwide. Disclaimer: The material and information contained are for advertorial purposes only. India Today holds no responsibility for the content written on the website as a basis for making any business, legal, or any other decision. Any reliance placed on such material is at your own risk. advertisement
Chicago Tribune
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Lincoln-Way Area Chorale to commemorate 30th anniversary with New Lenox concert performances
Favorite pieces will be featured in Lincoln-Way Area Chorale's concert celebrating three decades of educating, uniting, enriching and inspiring through music. LEGACY: Honoring the Past, Looking to the Future will be performed April 25 and 26 at The United Methodist Church of New Lenox. 'This is just wonderful. I am so excited that we're celebrating everything that the group has been and what we're going to be,' said Elisé L. Greene, artistic director of Lincoln-Way Area Chorale. Kim Kalnins contacted Charles 'Chuck' Stark in 1995 when the Mokena Community Park District was looking to sponsor a community choir for Lincoln-Way High School alumni who still wanted to sing together. Stark, who retired in 1991 after 25 years as Lincoln-Way's chorale director, agreed to direct an adult community chorale if there was a large enough turnout to make it worthwhile, according to the chorale's website. More than 70 people showed up to the first rehearsal. The group, which went on to become an independent 501(c)(3) organization, honors its history with a concert including 'All My Trials' and 'The Last Words of David' to honor Stark, who was the chorale's artistic director until 2012. 'Before the pandemic there was a dedication for the auditorium at Lincoln-Way Central where he had taught for a million years it seems. He was still alive and he requested those pieces for the dedication so I knew that those were a couple of his favorites,' said Greene, of Tinley Park. LEGACY features 'Embraceable You' and 'All I Ask of You' from 'The Phantom of the Opera,' two favorites of Gregory Day, who was artistic director from 2012 to 2018. He is scheduled to attend both performances and will guest conduct 'All I Ask of You.' The program also includes 'With a Voice of Singing,' 'Sogno di Volare' from the video game 'Civilization VI,' Rachel Platten's 'Fight Song,' 'This Is Me' from 'The Greatest Showman' and 'We Don't Talk About Bruno' from Disney's 'Encanto.' 'Knowing that I needed to look to the future as well as where we are now, they needed a bunch of contemporary type of pieces to fill in and even out some of those that are heavy pieces or very traditional,' Greene said. 'I really like to get a big variety of styles and genres.' The women of the choir will sing 'Warrior,' which was composed by Kim Baryluk, a founding member of Canadian folk group The Wyrd Sisters, and is about a rash of murders of women killed in Winnipeg, Canada, because of domestic violence. 'She wrote this very poignant piece about women speaking up for other women,' Greene said. 'It's just a really gripping, beautiful piece.' LEGACY will feature Jason Randall of Naperville filling in for Lincoln-Way Area Chorale's accompanist, Jeremy Landig, who is committed to 'Ride the Cyclone – The Musical' from April 25 to May 4 at Lewis University's Philip Lynch Theatre in Romeoville. Other instrumentalists at the concert will include electric bassist Clifford Hunt, a string teacher in Joliet, and drummer Mike Carlson of Oak Forest. 'It's become a choir family and it's not just people coming together to sing but they care about each other. So many of them have become really dear friends,' said Greene, whose husband, Gordon Greene, became a Lincoln-Way Area Chorale member in 2018 when she began leading the group. Interspersed throughout the concert will be video interviews with chorale alumnus Peggy Stark, who will be in attendance to represent her late husband, founding director Charles Stark; previous artistic director Day; and some Lincoln-Way Area Chorale charter members. Singers who have been with the choir since its inception are Sue Albor, Sylvia Bergman and Ken Reed, of Frankfort; Cara Gibbons, of Crete; Heather Goesel, of Naperville; Toni Miller, Dorothy Peterson and Donna Roesel of Mokena; Diane Turnbough and Vivian Van Donk, of New Lenox; and James Wahl, of Tinley Park. 'That the group has been together for this long, I think that is really fantastic,' Elisé L. Greene said. 'We have built our numbers back up. We have almost 90 singers and that is great because there are groups that didn't make it through the pandemic.' The concert will conclude with 'The Battle Hymn of the Republic,' a favorite of many Lincoln-Way Area Chorale members, an invite for past members to join the onstage performance. 'I would really like to encourage anyone that has ever been in the choir to come to the concert,' Greene said. The United Methodist Church of New Lenox is not only the location for LEGACY but also the place where Lincoln-Way Area Chorale rehearses on Monday nights. 'It has awesome acoustics. It really does. There are very few churches around that have enough space at the front of the building for a group our size to actually be there. This one does so that's wonderful,' Greene said. There is a variety of ages in Lincoln-Way Area Chorale. 'We have people that are in their early 20s and people that are in their 80s, and they can sit together. You don't find that very often where they have something in common,' Greene said. 'That's their love of music and that's really a remarkable thing.' A non-audition choir, Lincoln-Way Area Chorale has members ranging from music teachers to people who come in hardly reading music at all. 'It's just a bond that you make with these people that you're with. It's very rewarding and it's very unique. Being able to share that with audiences also is really incredible,' Greene said. Concert tickets are available for chorale sponsors and patrons to purchase and will go on sale to the public on April 1. When: 7:30 p.m. April 25; 3 p.m. April 26
