Latest news with #Statham
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gaming in their golden years: why millions of seniors are playing video games
default Michelle Statham's preferred game is Call of Duty. It's fast and frenetic, involving military and espionage campaigns inspired by real history. She typically spends six hours a day livestreaming to Twitch, chatting to her more than 110,000 followers from her home in Washington state. She boasts about how she'll beat opponents, and says 'bless your heart' while hurtling over rooftops to avoid clusterstrikes of enemy fire. When she's hit, she 'respawns' – or comes back to life at a checkpoint – and jumps right back into the fray. The military shooter game has a predominantly young male user base, but Statham's Twitch handle is TacticalGramma – a nod to the 60-year-old's two grandkids. Her lifelong gaming hobby has become an income stream (she prefers to keep her earnings private, but says she has raised 'thousands' for charity), as well as a way to have fun, stay sharp and connect socially. 'A lot of people are surprised that someone my age is playing video games,' Statham admits. She finds the gameplay exhilarating. 'When I get really good long sniper shots in, or down someone out of a helicopter, that's pretty fun,' she says. Related: The thing about 'ageing gracefully': whatever you call it, I'll do it my way Statham juggles in-game multitasking with live-chatting to her multigenerational streaming audience. Younger followers have taught her slang, like the gen Z shibboleth 'skibidi'. 'I've learned some things I don't want to learn,' she says, laughing. When she tires, she plays privately off-stream to unwind. She also exercises daily, going to the gym with her daughter as part of the 75 Hard fitness challenge, to ensure gaming doesn't displace physical activity. Statham is one of the 57 million Americans over 50 who game, a cohort that represents 28% of roughly 205 million total US gamers, shows recent data from the Entertainment Software Association. According to the ESA, nearly half of Americans in their 60s and 70s play some form of PC, mobile or console video game every week, as do 36% of people in their 80s. And as more gamers like Statham enter their golden years, older adults are becoming more visible in the gamer mainstream – sometimes to the confusion of their peers on multiplayer platforms. 'Age is like having a sign around your neck saying: 'I'm old and I can't do this,'' says Will, 72, a Missouri-based retired navy veteran who prefers to keep his last name private, but streams his favorite games, like hunting simulator theHunter: Call of the Wild and air combat game Metalstorm, to 1.4 million YouTube subscribers under the username GrndpaGaming. 'That's not the case with me and other up-and-coming older gamers that are out there,' says Will. 'Someone my age can keep up with technology.' Some research suggests older adults may experience benefits from gaming, though effects depend on the type of game. There are games created to help boost memory and attention, such as those by the science-based company BrainHQ, which developed a game called Double Decision often used by researchers to test and improve people's visual processing, and the Lumosity mobile gaming app, which features a popular brain training game called Train of Thought. More generally, puzzle games like Tetris and Monument Valley, which require players to remember patterns, sequences and spatial layouts, have been shown to help players of any age improve visual memory and cognitive processing. Fitness games that incorporate physical movement, like Ring Fit Adventure or Hot Squat, may improve balance better than conventional rehabilitation in MS patients. But what about first-person shooter games? Dr Gregory West, an associate professor in psychology at the University of Montreal, ran a study on participants of all ages in 2018. He found those tasked with hours of playing first-person shooters like Call of Duty experienced a reduction in grey matter in the hippocampal region of the brain. Those who played games involving the exploration of 3D open worlds, like Super Mario 64 or The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, showed improvement in the same area. 'A reduced volume in the hippocampus is associated with a risk for neuropsychiatric illness across the lifespan,' explains West. 'During ageing, older adults with less activity and grey matter in the hippocampus are at increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.' But that doesn't mean older gamers should necessarily stop playing first-person shooters. 'It really is a mixed bag when we consider the impact of these games on the ageing brain,' admits West. For one, West's study didn't focus on how gaming affects older brains specifically, and he notes that older folks who are successful competitive gamers likely have 'pretty good cognitive abilities' to begin with. Then, there are also social benefits that come with gaming on multiplayer platforms, where first-person shooters are popular. 'Older adults, through playing video games online with other people and communicating through microphones, are receiving real social stimulation, and I think that positive benefit cannot be ignored even in the face of a possible risk for Alzheimer's disease,' he says. 'As long as you keep your brain active and functioning, you're not going to sit there and just deteriorate away,' says Will. Someone my age can keep up with technology Will, 72 Even amid percussive gunfire, the chats of combat games can be genuinely sweet. 'People always say: 'I love you, Gramps. Keep on doing what you're doing'... things like that, that really tug at your heart,' says Will. Gaming can help people with a variety of ailments, says Dr Kris Alexander, a leading authority in video game design and associate professor of media production at Toronto Metropolitan University who helped launch GameRx, an online resource hub for information about wellness and gaming. One 2017 study found that 'if you play Tetris within 48 hours of a traumatic experience, you can reduce PTSD', he tells me. 'There are studies that show that if you place burn victims in virtual reality in spaces where they're surrounded by cold elements, you can reduce their pain.' Alexander believes gaming can be good for seniors; over a video call, he shows me the custom arcade cabinet he's built to house every game he's ever owned. 'For my retirement,' he tells me. 'Absolutely, when I get older, I'm going to be playing video games.' However, common conditions like joint pain and vision decline can hinder senior gamers. As that demographic grows, so may demand for accessibility tools. And because the senior player base is relatively small, Alexander acknowledges that the high-budget gaming companies behind blockbuster titles like Call of Duty and Skyrim are unlikely to account for such needs. In 2010, Will required surgery implanting a steel plate in his skull; since then, if he sits in a chair 'for more than 20 or 30 minutes, everything from the shoulders down to the fingertips goes numb', he says. Now, he uses a hand-shaped gaming keypad called the Azeron Cyborg II, which allows users with limited hand mobility or strength to position PC keys so they're easy and comfortable to reach. Other adaptive controllers, including voice-control technology, pedals designed for control by foot or mouth, and 3D printable controller modifications for consoles like the Xbox and Playstation, are all making gaming increasingly accessible across playing formats. Will hopes that other seniors who see him stream will be inspired to get into gaming. 'If I can do it at my age with this handicap, you can, too,' he says. After all, you're never too old to respawn. default Solve the daily Crossword
Tom's Guide
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
5 best new movies to stream this weekend on Netflix, Prime Video, Peacock and more (June 28-29)
We're in the thick of summer now, and our favorite way to beat the heat is watching the latest movies across the best streaming services. Whether you're looking for an explosive action thriller or a haunting thriller, there's something for everyone's tastes on this list. Leading the pack this week is 'A Working Man" on MGM Plus, a Jason Statham-led action movie packed with all the familiar thrills you'd expect. For a more offbeat thriller, the Australian indie hit "In Vitro" just landed on paid video-on-demand platforms. Netflix also has a new documentary "Trainwreck: Poop Cruise," about a cruise from hell for those morbidly curious. Meanwhile, horror fans are eating good this week between "Nosferatu" arriving on Prime Video and the meditative horror movie "The Woman in the Yard" on Peacock. If you're looking to skip the search and find your next movie night pick, you're in the right spot. Here's our guide on the best new movies to watch this weekend. With a title like "Poop Cruise," Netflix's latest installment in its "Trainwreck" docuseries is bound to turn some heads (it certainly caught my attention when the trailer popped up on my Netflix account). What began as a four-day cruise from Texas to Mexico quickly spiraled into chaos for the more than 4,000 passengers and crew aboard when a fire crippled the ship's electrical systems. It left the ship adrift with no engine power, refrigeration, AC, or functioning toilets (in case you couldn't already guess from the voyage's infamous nickname). Over a harrowing four days stranded at sea, the passengers endured raw sewage seeping into the hallways and dripping down the walls, shortages of food and water, and tensions that erupted into full-blown brawls. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Watch it now on Netflix "A Working Man" just might be Jason Statham's Statham-iest film to date. It may lack some of the freshness of his previous outing with director David Ayer, last year's surprisingly charming "The Beekeeper," but fans of Statham's gritty, no-nonsense action hero persona will find much to enjoy. "A Working Man" sticks to a blueprint that fans of the genre will undoubtedly recognize. Statham stars as Levon Cade, a retired marine turned construction foreman. When a human trafficking ring kidnaps his boss's daughter (Arianna Rivas), he's forced to dust off his deadly set of skills for one last mission. His search pulls him into a dark criminal conspiracy, setting off a chain of events that puts his hard-earned new life at risk. Audiences have been far more enthusiastic about "A Working Man" than critics, likely because there's nothing quite like seeing Statham dismantle a Russian mafia militia with just his fists (oh, and a decorative ox skull he yanked off the wall). Watch it now on MGM Plus Director Jaume Collet-Serra, known for "The Shallows" and "House of Wax," brings his signature style of horror to "The Woman in the Yard" for a terrifying spin on the Boomer mantra, "Get off my lawn!" "Till" actress Danielle Deadwyler stars as Ramona, a mother of two who is grappling with grief and guilt after the sudden death of her husband. Since she lives in an isolated, half-renovated farmhouse, she's understandably alarmed when a mute woman covered head to toe in black appears in her yard. Especially when the stranger breaks her silence to deliver a chilling message: "Today's the day." This time around, the terror has a more psychological bent than Collet-Serra's previous films, delivering a slower, moodier descent into unraveling sanity. Each scare skillfully builds the film's central mystery for a payoff that feels as genuinely satisfying as it is haunting. Watch it now on Peacock Robert Eggers once again cements his status as a modern master of horror with "Nosferatu," a haunting reimagining of the 1922 silent classic inspired by Bram Stoker's "Dracula." While the storyline closely mirrors the original, Eggers injects his signature atmospheric dread and a streak of dark humor for a chilling experience that feels both timeless and uniquely his own. Set in the late 1830s, the film follows newlyweds Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult) and Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp) as they become wrapped up in a slow-burning nightmare. When Thomas travels to the foreboding estate of Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård) in Transylvania for a business deal, eerie visions that have haunted Ellen since childhood begin to resurface. Though the villagers warn Thomas to keep his distance, he forges onward and discovers that Orlok is no mere recluse but rather something far more horrifying: a terrifying monster with its sights on Ellen's soul. Watch it now on Prime Video This Australian indie sci-fi thriller earned a rare 100% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, with many highlighting how it winds up the tension with its unsettling score and precisely executed jolts. Set in a not-so-distant future ravaged by ecological collapse, "In Vitro" follows Layla (Talia Zucker) and her husband Jack (Ashley Zuckerman), who struggle to make a living on their remote cattle farm. To pull their family back from the brink of financial ruin, Jack turns to experimental animal breeding technology. Things grow tense between them as strange and unsettling events begin to haunt their property. But Layla only discovers the full extent of what horrors Jack has unleashed when a storm knocks out their power and releases his experiments. Buy or rent on Amazon or Apple
Tom's Guide
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
5 top new movies to stream this week on Netflix, Hulu, Peacock and more (June 24-30)
This week doesn't boast the strongest lineup for new movies, but that doesn't mean there aren't some worth checking out across the top streaming services. Whether you're into chilling horror or an explosive action thriller, there's a bit of something for every taste. The top new movie release is 'The Actor' on Hulu, a moody, surreal psychological drama about a 1950s New York performer who loses his memory after an assault and tries to rebuild his identity in a small Ohio town. Other notable picks include 'The Ritual,' arriving on premium video-on-demand (PVOD) streaming platforms, and 'A Working Man,' coming to MGM Plus, which sees Jason Statham trying to take down a dangerous criminal network. If you're after something new to watch over the next few days, you're in the right spot. And don't forget to check out our guide to the best TV news shows coming up this week, too. What was meant to be a luxurious four-day cruise from Galveston, Texas, to Cozumel, Mexico, quickly turned into a nightmare for the more than 4,000 passengers and crew aboard. An engine room fire damaged critical electrical cables, leaving the ship powerless with no engines, no refrigeration, no lights, no air conditioning, and most disastrously, no working toilets. As the days passed, untreated sewage began flooding the ship, food supplies started running low, and frustration boiled over into passenger unrest. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. 'Trainwreck: Poop Cruise' is the latest entry in Netflix's 'Trainwreck' documentary series. This episode revisits the infamous 2013 Carnival Triumph disaster, where passengers were stranded at sea without power or plumbing, leading to unsanitary conditions and earning the event its nickname. Watch on Netflix from June 24 Following the surprising charm of last year's 'The Beekeeper,' Jason Statham teams up again with director David Ayer for 'A Working Man.' However, this new collaboration plays it much more straight, delivering a fairly conventional action thriller. That's where it loses some points. Still, if you enjoy the familiar formula of Statham's gritty heroes, this will hit the mark. 'A Working Man' follows Levon Cade, a hardworking construction foreman trying to move past his shadowy history as a decorated black ops operative. But when his employer's daughter is abducted by a human trafficking ring, Levon returns to his old, lethal ways. His quest to save her drags him back into a brutal criminal world and places his own family in danger. While critics were lukewarm on the movie, audiences responded far more positively, clearly enjoying the familiar thrills and Statham's intense presence. Watch on MGM Plus from June 26 'The Ritual' is probably one of the worst-reviewed movies of the year, currently holding a mere 6% on Rotten Tomatoes. I'm not surprised, given it stumbles for a few reasons, most notably its heavy reliance on familiar exorcism clichés that make the story feel predictable and somewhat flat. Even with big names like Al Pacino and Dan Stevens, the performances don't quite land. That said, user reviews suggest audiences found it more enjoyable than critics did. It's not a movie you need to completely avoid, but don't expect many scares, as it feels more like a dark thriller than a traditional horror flick. 'The Ritual' dramatizes the 1928 exorcism of Emma Schmidt (portrayed by Abigail Cowen), one of the most documented cases in U.S. history. Set in Earling, Iowa, the story follows two priests — Father Theophilus Riesinger (Pacino), a seasoned exorcist, and Father Joseph Steiger (Stevens), a younger priest grappling with his faith, as they perform a harrowing series of exorcisms to save Emma. In the end, this movie will likely appeal to those interested in its topic, but for others, it may fall short on delivering scares or entertainment. Buy or rent on Amazon from June 27 'The Woman in the Yard' is a movie I went into hoping for more than it delivered. But unfortunately, this Blumhouse effort doesn't quite live up to that standard. While it does offer a few genuinely unsettling moments, it mostly hovers around the 'average' rating. If you love horror, you'll probably still find something to like in this one, especially if you enjoyed both the film and book versions of 'The Woman in Black.' In 'The Woman in the Yard,' Danielle Deadwyler stars as Ramona, a grieving and physically injured mother coping with the loss of her husband after a serious car crash. Living in a remote farmhouse with her two children, Ramona's fragile hold on reality is tested when a mysterious woman clad in black suddenly appears on her front lawn. At first dismissed as a stranger in distress, the figure soon becomes a relentless and sinister presence, creeping ever closer to Ramona's home. Watch on Peacock from June 27 Duke Johnson proves himself to be a filmmaker with a distinct visual and creative sensibility, something that was already apparent in his collaboration with Charlie Kaufman on the Oscar-nominated 'Anomalisa.' With 'The Actor,' Johnson steps out on his own for his first solo live-action feature, adapting Donald Westlake's novel "Memory," which was written in the 1960s but only published decades later. That sense of temporal disorientation seeps into nearly every frame of the movie. Even if you're unfamiliar with the source material, Johnson's artistic touch is unmistakable. 'The Actor' centers on Paul Cole (André Holland), a New York actor who awakens with no memory in a small 1950s Midwestern town after a violent assault. Struggling to piece together his identity, he takes up work at a tannery and begins a tentative romance with local costume designer Edna (Gemma Chan) as fragments of his past gradually resurface. This psychological drama plays out like a haunting, noir-tinged identity mystery where no face or place feels quite real, and even Paul's own recollections are filtered through a dreamlike, stage-like aesthetic. Watch on Hulu from June 30
Tom's Guide
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
7 best shark thrillers like 'Jaws' to sink your teeth into
Fifty years ago, a great white shark terrorized the residents of Amity Island in "Jaws," Steven Spielberg's masterpiece about three men and their pursuit of the titular terror became one of the most influential movies in cinematic history. 'Jaws' reshaped Hollywood, as the high-concept premise and ingenious marketing created the template for summer blockbusters going forward. Because 'Jaws' is a landmark movie, it completely ruined the shark thriller genre. Every killer shark movie will always be compared to 'Jaws.' It's an unfair standard, but one that will always be implemented. The seven shark thrillers on this list are not in the same ballpark as 'Jaws." However, they all have enough redeeming qualities to warrant a stream. Action hero Jason Statham fears no man. The Englishman has made a career as the cunning, tough guy who loves to fight. After defeating every man in his path, Statham went to the sea for a new challenge in 'The Meg.' Years after a devastating mission, rescue diver Jonas Taylor (Statham) is recruited by a research facility to rescue a crew on a submersible stuck at the bottom of the Mariana Trench. Not even Jonas could have predicted what's waiting for him in the trench — a 75-foot giant shark known as the Megalodon (Meg for short). Lo and behold, the Meg escapes to the surface and wreaks havoc. 'The Meg' combines the spirit of a B-movie with the budget of a blockbuster and gets an amusing and ridiculous creature feature. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Rent/buy on Amazon or Apple If you're not an experienced diver, just admit it! The situation in '47 Meters Down' could have been avoided had sisters Kate (Claire Holt) and Lisa (Mandy Moore) told the truth. Instead, they let the captain drop them in a shark cage in the ocean. The line attached at the top of the cage breaks, sending the sisters straight to the ocean floor, 47 meters below the surface. With their oxygen supply dwindling and sharks circling nearby, the sisters must work together to stay alive long enough to be rescued. While not the best B-movie, '47 Meters Down' features several effective jump scares, and it successfully positions the sharks as ruthless killing machines that the audience will fear. Watch on Prime Video In the '90s, creature features carried the attitude that the more ridiculous, the better. 'Deep Blue Sea' was unapologetic about going over the top. One killer shark? No, thank you. Try three genetically engineered monsters that are faster, stronger and more violent than the average mako shark. Dr. Susan McAlester (Saffron Burrows) believes the brain tissue from these sharks can cure Alzheimer's disease. But she didn't account for the sharks outsmarting humans and using their island research facility as a hunting ground. Some of the kills are laughable, but director Renny Harlin smartly embraced the film's excessive and crafted delightful popcorn entertainment. Most importantly, always remember that the perfect omelette is made with two eggs, not three. Rent/buy on Amazon or Apple How could a shark find its way into the Seine? Don't sharks survive in salt water as opposed to freshwater? These questions posed in 'Under Paris' can be answered with two words: climate change. After a mako shark named Lilith kills her entire research team, Sophia Assalas (Bérénice Bejo) abandons the ocean to work in the confines of an aquarium in Paris. Somehow, Lilith makes her way into the Seine River. The shark can quickly adapt to new surroundings, a necessary mutation she learned due to the effects of climate change. With a triathlon scheduled for the Seine, Sophia must stop Lilith from transforming the river into a bloodbath. Watch on Netflix 'Open Water' might feature a relationship, but make no mistake — this is not a date movie. Also, if you've ever wanted to go scuba diving, then don't watch 'Open Water.' But if you're interested in an atmospheric horror, then give this independent thriller a shot. Daniel (Daniel Travis) and Susan (Blanchard Ryan) embark on a scuba diving trip, believing it will help repair their relationship. The trip becomes a nightmare when the boat mistakenly leaves the couple stranded in the middle of the ocean. Oh, and sharks are lurking beneath the water. Again, it's a great horror movie that's bad to watch as a couple. Watch on Tubi B-movie veteran Jaume Collet-Serra was the perfect choice to direct 'The Shallows.' Collet-Serra's affinity for gritty violence paired perfectly with a shark attack story. Nancy Adams (Blake Lively) is a medical student still grieving the loss of her mother. Nancy visits a secluded beach in Mexico for some surfing and relaxation. On her last wave of the day, a great white shark bites Nancy's leg, forcing her to stay on an isolated rock 200 yards away from shore. Time is ticking because the tide will eventually submerge the rock. Lively goes full action heroine and battles the shark in this terrific survival thriller. Watch on Starz The latest entry on the list is a film that's currently in theaters from Shudder and IFC. If 'The Silence of the Lambs' and 'Jaws' had a baby, it would be 'Dangerous Animals.' Director Sean Byrne made a shark thriller where the real monster is on the boat. Tucker (Jai Courtney) runs a cage diving business. As you find out, it's a front for his real passion — feeding tourists to sharks and filming their deaths. Tucker meets his match in Zephyr (Hassie Harrison), a rebellious surfer he kidnaps who won't go down without a fight. Backed by an insane performance from Courtney and a star-making turn from Harrison, 'Dangerous Animals' is a sharp genre thriller that will gain an even bigger following once it hits streaming.
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]
