Latest news with #SusanSarandon
IOL News
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Cooking up comfort: 'Nonnas' blends grief and family in a heartfelt tale
Susan Sarandon as Gia, Brenda Vaccaro as Antonella, Lorraine Bracco as Roberta and Talia Shire as Teresa in 'Nonnas'. Image: Jeong Park/Netflix © 2025. Through a lens of love, nostalgia, and self-discovery, "Nonnas" is a heart-warming Netflix film that explores grief with tantalising recipes as a backdrop. It's the kind of offering that you want to watch with the family, especially for its life lesson on the importance of bonds, whether it's by blood or choice. Directed by Stephen Chbosky, the biographical comedy drama boasts a heavyweight cast of Vince Vaughn, Joe Manganiello, Drea de Matteo, Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire, Brenda Vaccaro, Linda Cardellini and Susan Sarandon. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading The film opens with a flashback to Joe Scaravella's (Vaughn) childhood in 1980s Brooklyn, where his mother and nonna (grandmother) would whip up the most tantalising meals for their get-togethers with family and friends. In particular, the taste and aroma of his grandmother's sauce remain vivid in his memory. The nostalgia is triggered by the passing of his mother. His way of coping with the grief is by cooking up his favourite dishes. Pressured by his supportive best friend Bruno (Manganiello) and Bruno's wife Stella (De Matteo) to utilise his late mother's life insurance for his own benefit, Joe grapples with this suggestion. A chance encounter with his high school crush, Olivia (Cardellini), accompanied by her elderly neighbour Antonella (Vaccaro), at a food market in Staten Island, sets in motion a chain of events that includes him buying a rundown closed restaurant. His spontaneous decision doesn't still well with his friends, but Bruno, who works in construction, agrees to help fix the place. Vince Vaughn as Joe Scaravella in 'Nonnas'. Image: Netflix
Digital Trends
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
5 best Amazon Prime Video movies to watch on Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a holiday designed to commemorate those we've lost in war, but it's also a celebration of life. While many people get an extra day off, deciding what to do with that day can be difficult. If you're looking for something easy to do over the long weekend, we've got you covered. We've pulled together five movies on Amazon Prime Video that are all worth your time. Check them out below. Recommended Videos We also have guides to the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max, and the best movies on Disney+. Bull Durham (1988) Although Memorial Day is mainly about remembering the fallen, baseball has always been crucial to its celebration. Bull Durham tells the story of a veteran minor-league baseball player (Kevin Costner) who mentors a much younger player (Tim Robbins) bound for the majors. As the two of them learn from each other, they both become involved with the same woman (Susan Sarandon), who just happens to be a superfan of their team. Bull Durham is a movie about what it means when your dream becomes your job and the moment you realize that while you might be great at something, you aren't the best at it. You can watch Bull Durham on Amazon Prime Video. The Deer Hunter (1978) A remarkable war movie that reminds us how much soldiers lose even if they get to return home, The Deer Hunter follows a group of friends living in a small Pennsylvania town as they prepare to ship out for Vietnam. When Nick, one of them, returns home, he finds it difficult to return to normal life, so much so that he heads back to Vietnam in search of a friend who never came home. Anchored by remarkable performances from Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep, and Christopher Walken, The Deer Hunter is a thoughtful meditation on war that spends most of its time away from the conflict. You can watch The Deer Hunter on Amazon Prime Video. BlacKkKlansman (2018) Based on a true story, BlacKkKlansman follows a Black cop in the 1970s who decides to infiltrate the KKK simply by putting on a white voice. When he recruits a more seasoned cop for help, the two of them work to take down the Klan even as the organization is working hard to sanitize its own image. Written and directed by Spike Lee, BlacKkKlansman also has plenty of style. At its core, though, it's a movie about racism in America and all the ways that it has and hasn't changed over the decades since this film's events took place. You can watch BlacKkKlansman on Amazon Prime Video. Fury (2014) Set in the final days of World War II, Fury follows the hardened crew of a single tank as they execute a mission deep inside Nazi territory. Anchored by one of Brad Pitt's great movie star performances, Fury is the kind of war movie that acknowledges both how much danger these soldiers are in and how much war can pervert the incentives of people who aren't necessarily professional soldiers. With direction from David Ayer, Fury is definitely more hardcore than any other movie on this list, and that's undoubtedly intentional. You can watch Fury on Amazon Prime Video. Till (2022) Till is an examination of one of the most well-known murders in the history of American race relations. Till tells the story of Emmett Till, a young Black boy from Chicago who is lynched while visiting family in Mississippi in 1955. Emmett's death is a well-known story, but Till spends most of its time following Emmett's mother as she works to seek justice for her murdered son and to prove that he was lynched. Anchored by a phenomenal central performance from Danielle Deadwyler, Till is riveting and surprising in ways few movies of this kind manage to be. You can watch Till on Amazon Prime Video.
Arab News
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Review: The secret ingredient is love in Netflix's heartwarming film ‘Nonnas'
Netflix's latest heartwarming film, 'Nonnas' serves up more than just mouthwatering Americanized Italian food — it delivers a heartfelt story rooted in real life, proving that passion and purpose have no expiration date. It has steadily hovered in the top 10 Netflix film list in Saudi Arabia since its debut earlier this month. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ Inspired by the true story of local Italian New Yorker Joe Scaravela's Staten Island restaurant, Enoteca Maria/Nonnas of the World, which it self-describes as: 'Convivial trattoria featuring real international grandmothers cooking on a rotating schedule,' the film highlights a special concept: Grandmothers, or 'nonnas' (the Italian word for grandmother), from diverse backgrounds cook authentic, home-style meals for customers. Vince Vaughn whips up a storm as Scaravela, the visionary who transforms deep personal loss into a vibrant tribute to family heritage: Handwritten scribbled recipes and all. Alongside him, legendary actresses Susan Sarandon, Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire and Brenda Vaccaro bring the nonnas to life with warmth, humor and undeniable charm. Their performances challenge stereotypes about aging women, showing that these culinary matriarchs are far from 'past their prime.' Instead, they are vibrant, innovative, creative and full of surprises — proving that life's best chapters can unfold well beyond what society expects. The film is a delightful reminder to believe in yourself, and also about the power of community. It celebrates the resilience and strength found in embracing one's roots, sharing stories and opening hearts while breaking bread. Whether through a shared meal or unexpected romance, 'Nonnas' reveals that love can always be found, no matter your age. While some moments tread the line of predictable and are a bit too sentimental, the film's earnest spirit and genuine affection for its characters shine through. A bit cheesy? Absolutely. But who doesn't love a bit — or a lot — of cheese sprinkled in, especially when it's served with a side of a home-cooked meal (for the soul)?
Arab News
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
BBC Gaza documentary delay prompts withdrawal threats from doctors, whistleblowers
LONDON: Doctors and whistleblowers who featured in a BBC documentary on Gaza have threatened to withdraw their consent after the broadcaster delayed airing the film, citing an internal review. The documentary, 'Gaza: Medics Under Fire,' was scheduled to be broadcast in February but remains on hold as the BBC investigates a separate program, 'Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone,' which was earlier pulled from the BBC's iPlayer after revelations that its young narrator was the son of a Hamas official. According to a report by The Guardian, although 'Gaza: Medics Under Fire' was cleared for broadcast and approved by the BBC's legal and editorial compliance teams, the broadcaster has reportedly requested further changes and stated the film will not be aired until the ongoing internal review concludes. The BBC, however, has not indicated when the review is expected to be completed. While other broadcasters have expressed interest in airing the film, the BBC has so far blocked those efforts, according to the production company. The delay has sparked backlash from cultural figures including Susan Sarandon, Gary Lineker, Harriet Walter and Miriam Margolyes, who signed an open letter to BBC Director-General Tim Davie, accusing the corporation of 'political suppression.' 'This is not editorial caution. It's political suppression,' the letter stated. 'No news organisation should quietly decide behind closed doors whose stories are worth telling. This important film should be seen by the public, and its contributors' bravery honoured.' More than 600 people endorsed the letter, including prominent UK actors Maxine Peake and Juliet Stevenson. Meanwhile, Basement Films, which produced the documentary, has released additional footage from other doctors in Gaza through its social media channels. 'We have many offers from broadcasters and platforms across the world so that the searing testimonies of Gazan medics and of surviving family members can be heard, in some cases eight months after we spoke to them … We are still urging BBC News to do the right thing,' the company said in a statement. The situation has also stirred internal concern at the BBC, particularly after the corporation's chair, Samir Shah, described the editorial failings of 'Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone' as a 'dagger to the heart' of the BBC's reputation for trust and impartiality. A BBC spokesperson told The Guardian: 'We understand the importance of telling these stories and know that the current process is difficult for those involved.'
The Guardian
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Doctors and whistleblowers in delayed Gaza film threaten to pull out
Doctors and whistleblowers who featured in a much-delayed Gaza documentary that the corporation was accused of censoring by Susan Sarandon, Gary Lineker and other cultural figures, are threatening to withdraw their consent due to the continued refusal to broadcast the film. Earlier this month it emerged that the BBC had shelved broadcasting Gaza: Medics Under Fire, which was ready to air in February, until it finishes investigating a separate, unrelated film called Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone, which was pulled from iPlayer after it emerged its young narrator was the son of a Hamas official. An open letter about the delay was sent to director general Tim Davie by more than 600 signatories – including Harriet Walter, Miriam Margolyes, Maxine Peake and Juliet Stevenson – claiming: 'This is not editorial caution. It's political suppression. 'No news organisation should quietly decide behind closed doors whose stories are worth telling. This important film should be seen by the public, and its contributors' bravery honoured.' With some BBC staff now concerned at how politically sensitive the issue has become, the Guardian has learned that some of the contributors to Gaza: Medics Under Fire – some of whom likely took risks to talk to the company that made the programme, Basement Films – are now considering withdrawing the consent they gave for their appearances to be used. In addition, other broadcasters and platforms have offered to air the documentary instead but that move has been vetoed by the corporation. Despite the programme being cleared for broadcast and passed by lawyers who ensure it complies with broadcasting codes and guidelines, it is understood the BBC is now asking for changes to it and says it will not show the film until the completion of an internal review being carried out by its director of editorial complaints, Peter Johnston, into Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone. However, it is not known when that will be as insiders claim the main interviews only took place last week and lawyers are involved. 'People are sick of the whole thing,' said one source. The issue is particularly contentious for the BBC news and current affairs division as the Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone documentary was so high-profile the head of BBC News attended its press screening. So when the chair of the BBC, Samir Shah, said in March that the failings of that film were a 'dagger to the heart' of the BBC's claims of trustworthiness and impartiality it made staff nervous. Meanwhile, in response to the BBC's decision to continue delaying its medics film, Basement Films – which was founded by a former editor of Channel 4 News Ben de Pear – is now running films from other doctors in Gaza on its social media. The company explained: 'We apologise again to those who trusted us with their stories … Understandably many of the contributors and those who filmed for us in Gaza are starting to reconsider their consent for the film now it is months delayed, despite being signed off and lauded by some senior management at BBC News. 'We have many offers from broadcasters and platforms across the world so that the searing testimonies of Gazan medics and of surviving family members can be heard, in some cases eight months after we spoke to them … we are still urging BBC News to do the right thing.' A BBC spokesperson said: 'We have taken an editorial decision not to broadcast this documentary while we have an ongoing review into a previous documentary Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone. We understand the importance of telling these stories and know that the current process is difficult for those involved.'
