Latest news with #That
USA Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'And Just Like That...' is still shallow (and just plain silly) in Season 3: Review
'And Just Like That...' is still shallow (and just plain silly) in Season 3: Review Show Caption Hide Caption Sarah Jessica Parker on new 'And Just Like That' season Sarah Jessica Parker reveals why audiences are rooting for Aidan and Carrie in new season of "And Just Like That." Once, Carrie Bradshaw dated a man, but something was a bit off. That could describe nearly any episode of HBO's "Sex and the City," an Emmy-winning, pop culture-revolutionizing comedy that ran from 1998 to 2004. Sarah Jessica Parker's well-dressed heroine was always on the hunt for sex, love or both, but finding Mr. Right was antithetical to the continuation of the series. You can't tell a story about dating in Manhattan if the dating is all done and dusted. "Sex" spawned one good movie, a terrible one and a revival TV show, "And Just Like That...," which returns for a third season following three of four original cast members, now in their 50s. And after a terribly tragic start to the series, we are now back to the world of Carrie dating and hesitating, this time with her ex-fiancé Aidan Shaw (John Corbett), who reentered her life in Season 2. If you enjoyed the first two seasons of Max's "That," well, you'll be happy to hear that Season 3 (streaming Thursdays, 9 ET/6 PT, ★½ out of four) does not materially change, other than further nudging aside the three main characters for stories involving newcomers Seema (Sarita Choudhury) and Lisa (Nicole Ari Parker). There are bold outfits, romantic flings, gimmicky guest stars (Rosie O'Donnell! Patti LuPone!) and ostentatious peeks at obscenely expensive New York real estate. Regretfully, the series is still as lightweight and shallow as a knockoff pair of Manolo Blahniks, unimaginative and dull, this year with a side of ATVs and "Little House on the Prairie" jokes as Carrie makes a trip down to Aidan's farm in Virginia. Three seasons in, "That" has not lost its penchant for unrealistic dialogue and making its characters unlikable and inconsistent. The scenes are exasperatingly stilted and awkward, as if they were scripted by aliens with only a vague idea of how humans behave and interact. It makes the deeply unnecessary series feel all the more inconsequential and flimsy. But we're stuck in the Hollywood reboot machine matrix, and the popular series isn't leaving Max (soon to be HBO Max). And so for a third year we meet Carrie in her well-financed widowhood, Charlotte (Kristin Davis), a prep-school mom trying to get back into the workforce, and Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) exploring her queer identity. Seema still tries to fill the Samantha-sized hole in the series, and Lisa mirrors Charlotte but with marginally more interesting plots. Aidan, in his tantalizing and tight-jeans-wearing glory, is teasing Carrie from his Southern comfort, holding off a real relationship for the sake of his sons, dangling the prospect of romance in front of her without consideration for her needs. It's maddening to watch Carrie make the same mistakes with Aidan she once made with Big (Chris Noth) and half a dozen men before. The most frustrating aspect of this revival is that, in spite of all the decades that have passed in these women's lives, the characters haven't learned. I keep waiting for the series to wake up and become "Sex and the City," but perhaps it's a project as pointless as Carrie wearing flats. "That" has been so annoyingly bland and PG-13 since its 2021 debut that the few moments that recapture its heat are jarring and uncomfortable: A phone-sex flop between Carrie and Aidan takes the cringe sex scene trophy away from Miranda and Che's (Sara Ramirez) forbidden tryst in Carrie's kitchen in Season 1. These characters (and actresses) deserve more than this featherweight fluff. To see Davis forced to waste Charlotte's huffy outrage on a boring and plainly stupid plot about a case of mistaken dog identity (I kid you not) is just so wasteful. The spectrum of what creator Michael Patrick King imagines life for these women in their 50s could be remains offensively narrow. The lives of these accomplished, seemingly independent women revolve around men, petty antics and low-stakes squabbles. Even their romantic partners aren't immune from the indignities of the cartoonish plots: Charlotte's eternal mensch of a husband, Harry (Evan Handler), ends up peeing his pants in one episode. That's the level of sophisticated storytelling we're dealing with here. The disconnect between what "That" is and "Sex" was is profound, and more glaring with each season. "Sex" was inextricable from its 1990s and early 2000s setting, a commentary on that time in our culture as sexual morals shifted and the series pushed back against stereotypes about single women. The 2025 of "That" is a fantasy land where references to modern concerns and topics are boiled down to Carrie reminiscing about using maps instead of phone GPS. The ever-stylish, eminently with-it Carrie Bradshaw is reduced to making "back in my day" jokes. Back in my day, we didn't settle for lackluster slop from Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha. Only sparkle and sheen.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Huge Wicked sequel update as stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo secretly return to UK
IT has been almost three years since production started on the two blockbuster Wicked movies. And with less than six months to go until the second instalment hits screens, The Sun can reveal London to shoot last-minute additional scenes. 2 Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo have been called back to London to film last-minute scenes for Wicked Credit: Getty 2 The two-film project is based on the Broadway musical and the first instalment made more than £660million at the box office Credit: Alamy Key members of the cast returned to the UK to work on a scene set at Shiz University - which was at the centre of last year's first film - after filmmakers realised they didn't have a key moment for the flick, which is titled My movie mole said: 'Filming wrapped in January last year for work on both movies because they were shot at the same time. 'But the second film is a lot more complex than the first, and it quickly became clear in the edit that they needed everyone back. 'It has cost hundreds of thousands of pounds more to bring the team together again but it's vital for the film to make sense. READ MORE ON ARIANA GRANDE 'The first film did so well that there's even more pressure on this one to succeed. 'Despite it being a headache to find a date which worked for everyone's busy schedules, 'They have made it clear they'd move heaven and earth to make it a success. 'It's out in November though, so the team has a race on their hands to get it finished in time.' Most read in Bizarre The two-film project is based on the That film ended with Cynthia's character Elphaba turning against the Wizard of Oz and her pal Galinda, played by Ariana. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo bring Oscars A-listers to tears after emotional Defying Gravity in Wicked opening medley And there will be even more drama in the next movie, which a handful of new songs have been written for to bolster the soundtrack. Speaking about it in February, Ariana said: 'It's very special. It's very emotional. 'I think the second movie really embodies unconditional love and forgiveness and friendship. And you'll have to wait and see, but it is quite different.' The countdown is on.
Canberra Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Canberra Times
Billie Eilish takes top prizes at American Music Awards
That's So True singer Gracie Abrams, winner of new artist of the year, also sent a recording to accept her honour. She thanked her fans, who she said "I have been lucky enough to learn from".
TECHx
23-05-2025
- Business
- TECHx
MENA 2025 Digital Commerce Sees Rapid Growth: Report
Home » Emerging technologies » Fintech » MENA 2025 Digital Commerce Sees Rapid Growth: Report has revealed key insights in its fifth annual report on digital commerce across the Middle East and North Africa. The report, The State of Digital Commerce in MENA 2025 – Trends That Matter , highlights the region's shift toward digital payments and e-commerce. According to the report, the MENA region continues to rank among the most advanced globally in technology adoption and consumer appetite for digital solutions. Emerging technologies are accelerating economic transformation in the region. Over the past five years, daily online transactions have increased by 139%. reported a 626% surge in total processing volumes in MENA since 2020. Year-on-year growth stands at 78%. This growth reflects changing consumer behaviour. Digital platforms are now the default choice for many. Food delivery dominates online spending, with a 47% share Clothing and fashion follow at 38% Beauty products and electronics each capture 34% Consumers are increasingly using digital platforms for daily purchases. The UAE has seen a 388% year-on-year growth in Account Funding Transactions (AFTs), reflecting a sharp shift toward real-time payouts. noted that 61% of MENA consumers plan to increase online shopping next year. Sectors expected to benefit include travel, food delivery, and retail, along with government and public services. Cash-on-delivery usage has dropped by 60% since 2020. This shows a clear move toward digital convenience. Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager, MENA at reported that MENA is not just keeping up—it is leading global digital commerce trends. The report also revealed strong fintech adoption. About 43% of consumers in the region use apps or digital wallets to send money weekly. Meanwhile, 62% are using fintech platforms for investment and wealth management. Artificial intelligence is reshaping shopping habits. 45% of consumers have used Generative Chat tools for shopping 53% have used Visual Search AI tools AI features like virtual try-ons and intelligent chatbots are becoming common. MENA consumers are more likely to engage with these tools than shoppers elsewhere. In-store shopping is also evolving. About 37% of MENA consumers check online for better deals while browsing in physical stores. Retailers are responding by integrating digital tools like QR codes and augmented reality. Trust in digital commerce now depends on peer reviews and social proof. Consumers rely on third-party feedback as much as brand reputation. However, online fraud remains a growing concern. Since 2023, reported victims of online fraud in MENA have increased from 33% to 49%. stated that advanced security measures such as machine learning, real-time detection, and behavioural biometrics are helping to counter these threats. Abbondandolo emphasized that payment performance now plays a critical role in customer experience and business success. The company has been tracking e-commerce trends in MENA for five years. The latest report offers a detailed analysis of the region's 60-month digital transformation.
Rakyat Post
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Rakyat Post
Cameron Highlands' Traffic Mess: Grand New Roads Planned, But Still No Parking In Sight
Subscribe to our FREE A new chapter in the ongoing traffic saga is unfolding in the misty heights of Cameron Highlands. The recently unveiled comprehensive road development project, which will span from 2025 to 2029, has reignited debates about the effectiveness of infrastructure solutions in this environmentally sensitive tourist hotspot. It came in the wake of last year's That project, announced by Pahang Local Government chairman Datuk Mohammad Fakhruddin Mohd Ariff, focused on upgrading the McDonald's roundabout to the Brinchang junction stretch and implementing a one-way system at Kea Farm. The New Master Plan The newly proposed project is significantly more ambitious in scope. Major infrastructure works: 3.3km new two-lane road from Royal Lily to Golf Course Dual carriageway expansions across multiple sections One-way loop systems near Padang Golf Four bridge replacements on FT59 and FT434 2km four-lane expansion from Time Tunnel to Kea Farm An additional 1km four-lane expansion to Section 70.8 Supporting infrastructure: Pedestrian walkways and motorcycle shelters Street lighting improvements Drainage systems Geotechnical works Environmental protection measures Project Timeline: Planning phase: December 2024 – September 2026 Construction: September 2026 – March 2029 Total duration: 4.25 years A detailed project timeline document reveals Cameron Highlands' ambitious road expansion plan from 2024 to 2029. (Pix: REACH) Road Plan Misses the Parking Plot While the extensive road works might appear impressive on paper, community leaders argue that the fundamental problem remains unaddressed: insufficient parking at key tourist spots like Kea Farm. Regional Environmental Awareness for Cameron Highlands (REACH) president Dilip Martin emphasises, 'It's deeply disappointing that authorities continue to propose elaborate road networks while overlooking the basic need for adequate parking facilities.' While included in the scope, the project's environmental protection measures have done little to allay fears about its impact on the highland ecosystem. The extended construction period of nearly four years raises additional concerns about prolonged environmental stress on this fragile environment. A Google Map image shows the proposed loop road route (marked in green) around a densely forested area, highlighting the environmental impact concerns raised by locals. (Pix: REACH) Are Simpler Solutions Being Overlooked? REACH's alternative proposal remains straightforward and potentially more effective: Multi-story parking facilities at key tourist locations Covered pedestrian bridges Enhanced public transport options While the total project cost hasn't been officially announced, the extensive scope suggests a significant increase from the previous RM122 million allocation. This raises questions about value for money and whether simpler, more targeted solutions might better serve the community's needs. Local businesses and residents would also face the prospect of nearly four years of construction-related disruptions. Hence, the question remains whether the end result justifies the extended inconvenience and environmental impact. An aerial drone shot reveals extensive earthworks and land clearing operations in Cameron Highlands. As development continues to push against forest boundaries, each new project potentially adds to the region's notorious traffic problems. (Pix: Fernando Fong) Four Years, Multiple Road Expansions, and Millions In Spending As Cameron Highlands stands at this crucial juncture, the debate continues about whether to pursue extensive infrastructure development or more focused, immediate solutions. While the authorities proceed with their comprehensive road development plan, the community's call for simpler, more direct solutions to the parking crisis continues to echo through the highland valleys. The success of this massive undertaking will ultimately be judged not just by its completion but by its actual effectiveness in solving the region's persistent traffic and tourism challenges. As construction begins in late 2026, only time will tell if this elaborate solution will finally bring relief to Cameron Highlands' long-standing traffic woes. READ MORE : READ MORE : READ MORE : READ MORE : Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
