Latest news with #Statham
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Minutes after identifying murder suspect, Atlanta police say they had him in custody
Atlanta police say it took a matter of minutes to find and arrest a man after they identified him as the suspect in a murder earlier this month. APD's Homicide Commander exclusively told Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Mark Winne that a domestic dispute in DeKalb County helped them make the arrest quickly. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Melvin Marshall, 25, has been arrested in the May 17 shooting death of Torrance Statham, 51, near the Garnett Street MARTA station. Atlanta police previously put out a photo of the man, later determined to be Marshall, in the hopes someone could help identify him. But when evidence at a DeKalb County scene potentially pointed to Marshall being involved in Statham's death, an APD detective went to the scene. He gathered enough evidence to charge Marshall with murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and more. "We do know from video surveillance that there was a conversation prior to the assault and shooting. So we don't believe that this was just a random shooting, that there was some type of relationship between the two," APD Homicide Commander Lt. Andrew Smith said. TRENDING STORIES: STORY 1 STORY 2 STORY 3 Smith says Marshall wouldn't talk to police about the shooting, so they are still trying to determine a motive. But he says they believe Statham may have been homeless. 'It's important that we bring justice to every case. Last year, we cleared over 83% of our homicides. Ten of those were unsheltered individuals," Smith said. 'They're often the hardest to solve because of the lack of technology.' Police say he already had outstanding misdemeanor warrants stemming from a domestic incident in February. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Metro
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
'Absurd' Amazon Prime thriller hits number 1 with viewers stopping weekend plans
It's Spring Bank Holiday weekend – but Amazon Prime Video subscribers are staying indoors to watch an 'absurd' thriller movie instead. A Working Man, which was co-written by none other than Sylvester Stallone, stars Jason Statham and Stranger Things actor David Harbour. The film follows Statham, 57, as his character Levon Cade, an ex-Royal Marines commando who is called back into action when his boss' daughter Jenny (Arianna Rivas) is kidnapped. From there, Cade – who had been working in construction after retiring from the Marines – is pulled back into his former life to confront the Russian mafia and save Jenny. A Working Man is directed by David Ayer, known for his work on the 2014 Brad Pitt war film Fury and the 2016 version of Suicide Squad, starring Will Smith and Margot Robbie. And it seems movie fans can't get enough of the Statham-lead action, with Amazon Prime Video subscribers apparently abandoning their Bank Holiday weekend plans. On X, @AKlay19 called A Working Man 'exactly what you'd expect a Jason Statham movie to be,' adding that it's 'a hard-hitting action flick that is quite fun when it leans into its absurdity'. @YoakoJono admitted the film was 'more of the same' from Statham and Stallone but qualified that, adding that 'these types of films are always entertaining'. Elsewhere, @IAmKalki13 said: '[A Working Man is a] typical Jason Statham style fast paced action thriller. No dull moments – an easy, entertaining watch!' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The film has soared to number one in the UK trending charts on Amazon Prime Video this weekend, ahead of new releases like the Minecraft Movie, Becoming Lez Zeppelin, and Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel. However, the film wasn't well-received by critics at the time of its release in March, with its Rotten Tomatoes rating currently sitting at just 49% based on 150 reviews. And on X, @CinemaAdictosss reflected its mixed reception: 'Well, it's another one of Statham's revenge films… Another one for the collection, but this one is very forgettable.' With that said, ordinary folk who watched the movie have put its Rotten Tomatoes audience rating at a much healthier 87% based on more than 2,500 ratings. Matt J said: 'It's a Jason Statham film, and it's exactly what one would expect…. High body count and lots of action with a decent 'save the girl' story.' A Working Man also stars Jason Flemyng as Russian mafia captain Wolo Kolisynk, Merab Ninidze as Yuri, and Michael Pena as Joe, Cade's boss and Jenny's father. More Trending Stranger Things star David Harbour plays a character named Gunny Lefferty, who is listed in the cast as Cade's best friend and an ex-Royal Marine himself. The success of A Working Man on Amazon Prime Video has come not long after the Prime Video release of Statham's shark-battling movie The Meg. Released in 2018, The Meg followed rescue diver Jonas Taylor as he leads a group of scientists on a rescue mission in the Pacific Ocean, as they encounter a terrifying 75-ft megalodon. Watch A Working Man on Amazon Prime Video. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
A Working Man movie review: Jason Statham switches jobs, not genre, in another grit-and-growl thriller
In a world where cinematic universes stretch thinner by the year and franchise fatigue lurks around every marquee, there is something oddly comforting about walking into a Jason Statham movie. You know what you're signing up for: tight T-shirts, tighter punches, and the occasional, gruffly-delivered one-liners. With A Working Man, Statham returns in full force, playing a salt-of-the-earth bruiser caught up in a web of crime. The film, directed by David Ayer and co-written with Sylvester Stallone, is exactly what you expect, but not quite enough of what you hope. Jason Statham has carved a corner in the action hero pantheon. If Tom Cruise is the daredevil philosopher-king of high-concept action, Statham is the neighbourhood tough guy who shows up with a steel-toed boot and unfinished business. He isn't chasing immortality or IMF conspiracies, he's just trying to live a quiet life. In A Working Man, his Levon Cade is a former special ops soldier-turned-construction worker who wants nothing more than to raise his daughter in peace. This setup–a reformed man drawn back into violence when someone he cares about is in danger–is as old as cinema itself. Indian audiences might recognise the echoes of Fateh in spirit, if not tone. What differentiates this film, at least superficially, is its attempt at grounding the story in a blue-collar milieu, perhaps a nod to Stallone's working-class roots. But the narrative, for all its grime and grit, never quite lets go of its glossy action-hero sheen. The core plot kicks off when Jenny, the daughter of Levon's boss (played by a surprisingly subdued Michael Peña), goes missing. Levon, reluctant but duty-bound, dives headfirst into the criminal underworld, unleashing a series of brutal takedowns that would make John Wick blink. The violence is visceral, the choreography functional but unremarkable. While there's a certain satisfaction in watching Statham bulldoze his way through goons, there's little inventiveness in the way it's all stitched together. Ayer, who previously gave us the bruising End of Watch and the scattershot Suicide Squad, brings a workmanlike quality to the direction here. The film never quite crackles, but it doesn't fumble either. The pacing is taut, but emotionally, A Working Man feels like a flatline punctuated by action beats. There's little room for levity, even less for introspection. This is a film that wants to be a character study but settles for a demolition derby. At the emotional core is Levon's relationship with his daughter, but it never evolves beyond the usual set of tropes. He's trying earnestly, if a bit mechanically, to build a life with her. He lives out of his car, brushing his teeth in a parking lot and curling up in the backseat at night. She, meanwhile, stays with her maternal grandfather, away from the chaos he's trying to escape. He sees her occasionally, makes sad eyes when he misses her, and carries the weight of guilt like a permanent shadow. You've seen it all before. These emotional beats are lifted from a playbook so dog-eared it might as well be laminated. It's time we acknowledged the Statham paradox. Here is a man whose physicality, screen presence, and fight IQ are nearly unmatched. He is, in many ways, Britain's answer to Tom Cruise. He commits, he trains, and he carries an entire film on sheer charisma. But unlike Cruise, who surrounds himself with filmmakers who constantly reinvent the action template, Statham seems to inhabit a creative cul-de-sac. His films rarely surprise. They function more as showcases for his durability than explorations of character or theme. There is no denying his appeal. He has a kind of anti-glamour charisma, an everyman edge that makes him a believable action hero. But watching A Working Man, one can't help but wish he were handed a script with more substance, or perhaps even allowed to stretch into roles that challenge his established persona. Until then, we get versions of the same film: different day, same fury. Michael Peña brings some pathos to a character that could easily have been a plot device. David Harbour shows up briefly, chews a bit of scenery, and disappears. The villains are cardboard cutouts, menacing only because the script tells us they are. There's a subplot involving human trafficking that feels clumsily handled; it is not offensive, but certainly lacking nuance. One moment you're watching a girl being held captive, and the next you're in a barroom brawl scored like it's the third act of a superhero movie. Tonal consistency is not the film's strong suit. And perhaps that's the real frustration with A Working Man. It's not that it's bad. It's that it never dares to be better. The ingredients are there: a leading man with gravitas, a director with a flair for grit, a story with emotional potential. But somewhere between concept and execution, ambition is traded for reliability. A Working Man A Working Man Cast – Jason Statham, Michael Peña, David Harbour, Jason Flemyng A Working Man Director – David Ayer A Working Man Rating – 2/5
Daily Mirror
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Amazon adds action thriller that's Taken meets The Equalizer
The film is an exclusive release Amazon Prime has subtly added what's being hailed as a 'mashup of Taken and The Equalizer' and 'one of Jason Statham's finest action films yet'. The streaming behemoth has exclusively launched A Working Man on its platform. Until now, the film had only seen a cinematic release in the US, so UK fans can finally see what all the hype is about. In the film, Statham portrays Levon Cade, a man who left a distinguished military career in black ops to lead a simple life working in construction. However, when his boss's daughter is kidnapped by human traffickers, his quest to bring her home reveals a level of corruption far beyond anything he could have anticipated. A Working Man sees Statham team up again with writer-director David Ayer. This is their follow-up to the unexpected hit The Beekeeper, which was released in 2024. Ayer also penned Training Day and the original The Fast and the Furious, as well as directing End of Watch, Fury and Suicide Squad in 2016, reports Surrey Live. Joining Statham in the cast are Marvel stars David Harbour and Michael Pena. British actor Jason Flemyng, known for his roles in Black Mirror and The Missing, also features. Despite receiving a lowly 49% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film wasn't particularly well received by critics. Nonetheless, there are plenty of fans who disagree with that assessment and have singled out the film for high praise. It seems there are ample reasons for Amazon Prime subscribers to give the title a watch. One viewer took to social media to exclaim: "A Working Man is an absolute blast from start to finish! This is action cinema done right-fast-paced, thrilling, and packed with intense fight sequences that keep you on the edge of your seat. Jason Statham once again proves why he's one of the best in the genre, delivering a performance that's equal parts ruthless and charismatic." Another chimed in: "Mind-blowing action movie. This movie blew away my mind with its high-octane action sequences featuring Jason Statham in his usual no nonsense and serious action skills. Right from the start to the end, the movie gives goosebumps. And the action sequences are just top notch." A different fan succinctly put it: "One of Jason Statham's best movies yet. A great plot that dealt very truthfully about the issue of how bad human trafficking and how it hurts people and the sleaze associated with it." However, not everyone was completely sold, with some viewers finding faults in the narrative. A critic pointed out: "A mashup of Taken and The Equalizer with an ex military badass who reverts to his skills to track down a missing girl. Statham's action scenes were pretty awesome as usual, but the plot was unoriginal." The film has divided some, with a few viewers not quite taken by its charms. A disgruntled viewer remarked: "Seems like they were going for a John Wick vibe, but this was bad. Very bad. Like I wasn't expecting a masterpiece by any means from another boilerplate Jason Statham action movie, but this was so bad. And I say this as someone who loves a good predictable action movie. I enjoyed the Beekeeper for example. That was a lot better than this." Their critique didn't end there, adding: "This movie felt almost like if you asked AI to make a generic Jason Statham action movie. Looks like they were attempting to set up a potential sequel near the end. Please don't."
Geek Culture
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Culture
Jason Statham's ‘The Beekeeper 2' Lands At Amazon For Theatrical Release
The hive is buzzing once more. The Beekeeper 2 has officially landed a global distribution deal with Amazon MGM Studios, signaling a major vote of confidence in the franchise's future. According to Deadline, the deal exceeds US$50 million, underscoring the studio's ambition to turn Jason Statham's vigilante saga into a full-fledged action series. Statham will return as Adam Clay, the former covert operative turned apiarist with a vengeful streak. This time, directing duties will fall to Timo Tjahjanto, best known for The Night Comes for Us and the upcoming Nobody 2 . He replaces David Ayer, who helmed the original and is currently tied up with his next project, The Heart of the Beast , a Brad Pitt-led thriller for Paramount. Kurt Wimmer, who penned the first instalment, returns to script the sequel. With cameras set to roll this fall, the project is already drawing buzz, both for its returning lead and its new director, whose flair for stylised violence and kinetic pacing aligns with the world The Beekeeper established. Released in January 2024, The Beekeeper was one of the year's early theatrical surprises. Despite modest expectations, it raked in over US$160 million globally, thanks to a straightforward revenge plot wrapped in fast-paced action and delivered with Statham's signature no-nonsense grit. Clay's mission, triggered by the suicide of his elderly landlady after a phishing scam, served as a modern vigilante fable, giving audiences a reason to cheer every broken bone and shattered computer screen. Alongside Statham, the film featured performances from Emmy Raver-Lampman, Josh Hutcherson, and Jeremy Irons, though casting for the sequel remains under wraps. With a production budget of US$40 million and worldwide earnings nearing four times that amount, The Beekeeper outperformed expectations both critically and commercially. Rotten Tomatoes showed a respectable 71% critic score and a glowing 92% audience score, complete with a Verified Hot badge (rare for an R-rated actioner outside the superhero space). That kind of word-of-mouth gave it legs in theaters and a second life on streaming. As production gears up for The Beekeeper 2 , audiences can likely expect more hive metaphors, more broken noses, and another mission that blurs the line between justice and vengeance. Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she's not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she's probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Caleb from Love and Deepspace . Amazon MGM Jason Statham The Beekeeper
