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San Francisco Chronicle
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
‘The Naked Gun' review: Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson play it for laughs — and nail it
Part of the ongoing success of Liam Neeson's action movies, such as ' Taken,' ' Non-Stop ' and ' The Commuter,' has been that they're funny. They deliver in terms of action, but they've also been wonderfully absurd in the way that Neeson will tear into the coarsest melodrama as though it were a Eugene O'Neill tragedy. But can Neeson be funny while actually knowing that he's being funny? Can he deliver in an intentional comedy? Has he been in on the joke all along? Those were questions going into 'The Naked Gun,' and the answer to all of them is yes. 'The Naked Gun' is an extension of a comic franchise that began in 1988 with 'The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!' and seemingly ended in 1994 with 'The Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult.' Those films starred Leslie Nielsen as Frank Drebin, an inept police lieutenant. The kick at the time was in seeing Nielsen in a comic context, after he'd been previously known as a dour, dead-serious TV actor. It's risky to take a winning comic formula and transplant another actor into it. For example, though no one would accuse Steve Martin of not being funny, he was the farthest thing from amusing when he attempted to replace Peter Sellers in a reboot of the 'Pink Panther' franchise. Careful to avoid the same mistake, Berkeley-raised director and co-writer Akiva Schaffer (' Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping ') re-tools 'The Naked Gun' for Neeson's particular set of skills. The pre-credits sequence shows Drebin, Jr. (Neeson) breaking up a bank robbery, not in a way that's reminiscent of Leslie Nielsen, but of Neeson's action films. Essentially, the whole opening is like something you might see in a 'Taken' movie, but amped up just enough that it becomes ridiculous. Neeson bites a gun in half with his teeth, kills somebody with a lollypop. Later he pulls off a guy's arms and beats him with them. It's a typical Neeson bloodbath, only played for comedy. Schaffer's ability to capitalize on his audience's familiarity with Neeson's action movies is an important element in his comic arsenal, but Schaffer has other comic strategies available to him, as well. There are moments of inspired silliness, as when Drebin talks to a suspect that he mistakenly thinks was convicted of 'man's laughter' rather than 'manslaughter': 'That must have been quite the joke.' There are hints of parody, such as a brief conversation that simultaneously sends up flirtatious moments in 'Double Indemnity' (1944) and 'The Big Sleep' (1946). There are moments of absurdity, as when the smooth-talking villain (Danny Huston) offers a woman a drink and then brags that it's from 'Bill Cosby's private estate.' There are even subtle touches that don't call attention to themselves, such as when Frank puts on a glove and then contaminates a crime scene by touching everything with his other hand. Akiva Schaffer is one third of the Lonely Island comedy trio, and this movie has a lot in common with the troupe's 'Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping,' with its imaginative, extended sequences. A comic highlight comes in a scene in which Frank and a mystery woman (Pamela Anderson) are having a perfectly innocent meeting in his apartment. Meanwhile, someone surveilling through an ultraviolet lens gets the false impression that they're performing a series of lewd sex acts, including one involving a dog. The movie starts to slow down in its last third because there's nothing about the actual story to make us keep watching — it's only about the laughs. Fortunately, Schaffer is wise enough not to overstay his welcome. At 85 minutes, 'The Naked Gun' is just the right length. Neeson is a delight and seems to be having as much fun as the audience. But the surprise here is Anderson, who was sad and plaintive in ' The Last Showgirl ' and now reveals herself a skilled and self-aware comedienne. Anderson is having a moment right now, and I'd like to see it continue.
Irish Daily Star
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Star
Liam Neeson says people ‘live vicariously' through his violent movies and love it
Liam Neeson is one of the biggest action stars in Hollywood, so it can be easy to associate him with violence. The 72-year-old actor who grew up in Northern Ireland has played the 'tough guy' role in countless films like Taken and The Commuter. He also starred in the 2019 movie Cold Pursuit where he played Nels Coxman, a quiet snow plow driver who becomes enraged and vengeful when his son is murdered. In the movie, Neeson's character transforms from an upstanding citizen to a coldblooded vigilante. While doing promo for the movie, Neeson discussed his own relationship to violence, both on and off the big screen. Read More Related Articles Melania Trump signals her 'anger' at Trump in humiliating and very public way Read More Related Articles Fears Trump 'rapidly deteriorating' as he falls walking up Air Force One steps The actor discussed how seeing a lot of violence on screen can impact audiences, and responded to accusations that the kind of films he typically stars in, can radicalize people and make them violent. 'I think audience members live to see [that violence on screen],' Neeson told the Independent. 'They can kind of live vicariously through it. People say, 'Yeah but violence in films makes people want to go out and kill people.' I don't believe that at all.' Liam Neeson's best known role is probably in the Taken franchise (Image: film still) 'I think the average moviegoer thinks, 'Yeah, punch him. Punch him,'' Neeson continued. 'And they get a satisfaction out of seeing somebody else enact it, and they leave the theatre and they feel satiated in some way.' Neeson previously admitted that he drew on the experiences he had, growing up 'surrounded by violence' in the north. He was one of four children in a Catholic family in Ballymena, Co Antrim . Though he rarely speaks about it, he has shared snippets of his turbulent teenage years, where he admitted that his friends were caught up in the sectarian violence, some even dying in the 1981 Hunger Strike. Neeson isn't done with violent films anytime soon, though he admitted that he knows his days as an action man are numbered. 'Audiences are innately intelligent and they'll know when you're past your prime in regards to throwing punches and firing guns, but I'm not there yet,' he told the Hollywood Reporter. When the time does come, Neeson doesn't need to worry about what film genre he'll delve into next. Fans hail his historical dramas as some of his best work, including his depiction of Irish revolutionary Michael Collins, and 1993 war film, Schindler's List. For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here .
North Wales Live
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
Dads can get 'best' gardening book for free with 1,000s of others in Father's Day deal
It's time to start pondering over what to gift dad for Father's Day, but fathers are notoriously difficult to shop for. They likely have all the gardening tools, cycling gear, gaming accessories and golf kit they could ever want, and finding a small yet significant gift for Father's Day is always a tough task. But here's something dad might not have considered: enjoying an audiobook. Audiobooks are a brilliant way to increase reading time, as it's simple to plug in headphones and go for a stroll, do chores around the house or even listen while driving the car. If shoppers are on the hunt for a perfect Father's Day gift, online audiobook and podcast service Audible has a one month free premium plus trial on offer. After the first month is over, it then drops to £8.99 a month with a plethora of books to listen to. As the deal coincides perfectly with Father's Day, it's worth highlighting some of the fan favourites for Dads on the platform. Firstly, there's Monty Don's Down to Earth Gardening book which features gardening wisdom from Don himself - who is best known as the main presenter of the BBC TV series Gardeners' World - including essential tips, knowledge and musings from his 50 years of gardening experience. Not only do listeners get to hear Monty's thoughts and garden ideas about nature, seasons, colour, design, pests and much more, they also hear his actual voice as he narrates the entire book, reports the Mirror. For those who aren't particularly fond of gardening, Don has another book available on Audible titled Nigel: My Family and Other Dogs. In this book, he delves into the deep connections we form with animals, sharing stories about his own dog, Nigel, and other special dogs that have been a part of his life. If your father is more inclined towards fiction, there's a wide selection of James Patterson books available on Audible. His works often revolve around themes of mystery, thriller, and suspense, such as The Commuter. This gripping tale follows a woman who overhears a murder plot during her morning commute and finds herself entangled in the situation as she attempts to prevent it. Alternatively, Richard Osman's classic, The Thursday Murder Club, could be an excellent choice. This story revolves around four unlikely friends in a retirement village who meet weekly to investigate unsolved murders. However, things take a turn when a brutal killing occurs right on their doorstep. With a film adaptation directed by Chris Columbus set to hit Netflix soon, it might be a good idea for dads to familiarise themselves with the mysteries before the film's release in August. Audible isn't the only audiobook game in town; Spotify, for instance, boasts a library of over 250,000 titles for Premium users to stream every month, covering everything from science fiction to romance. For just £11.99 a month, members can indulge in up to 15 hours of literary listening pleasure on the platform. Likewise, Apple offers an audiobook experience through Apple Books, where consumers can purchase and enjoy a diverse range of audible reads. Yet, it's worth noting that Audible's offerings receive high praise, with titles like Don's "Down to Earth" securing an impressive 4.9 out of 5-star rating across 512 reviews. One satisfied audiophile expressed: "One of the best books I have listened to. It's like he is sitting there in the room with you and soooooo interesting! ! ! He has an approach like no other gardener when explaining everything in such a poetic and feeling way... Highly recommended." Another listener enthused about the practicality: "Excellent. Instructions are great... Follow the book to a wonderful looking garden." Another listener enthused about the practicality: "Excellent. Instructions are great... Follow the book to a wonderful looking garden." The enjoyment was echoed by another customer who shared: "Loved every minute of this book. I think I'm going to listen again right now." However, not all feedback was glowing, with one novice gardener admitting: "As a not-even-beginner-yet gardener this book was an information overload. This is a book for the intermediate to experienced gardener to get new insights and inspiration." Listeners have praised the audiobook, with one saying: "Wonderful book read in his own charming and inimitable style. The only negative is the occasional speeding up (editor not narrator I suspect) which is very hard to take in at times." For a limited time, new customers can enjoy a free one-month trial of Audible, making it an ideal gift for dads this Father's Day.
Daily Mirror
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'One of the best' gardening books is now free for Father's Day
It can be hard to know what to get Dad for Father's Day, but there's bound to be loads for him to enjoy on Audible It's time to start thinking about what to get Dad for Father's Day, but dads are, notoriously, tricky to buy for. They probably have all the gardening tools, cycling equipment, gaming accessories and golf kit they could ask for, and finding a small but meaningful gift for Father's Day is always a challenge. But here's something Dad might not have thought of: enjoying an audiobook. Audiobooks are a great way to up reading time, as it's easy to plug in headphones and go off for a walk, do work around the house or even listen while driving the car. If shoppers are looking for a perfect gift for Father's Day, online audiobook and podcast service Audible has a one month free premium plus trial on offer. After the first month is done, it is then down to £8.99 a month with an array of books to listen to. As the deal aligns perfectly with Father's Day, it is worth noting some of the fan favourites for Dads on the platform. Firstly, there is Monty Don's Down to Earth Gardening book which features gardening wisdom from Don himself - who is best known as the lead presenter of the BBC TV series Gardeners' World - including essential tips, knowledge and musings from his 50 years of gardening experience. Not only do listeners get to hear Monty's thoughts and garden ideas around nature, seasons, colour, design, pests and much more, they also hear his actual voice as he narrates the whole book. If gardening isn't everyone's favourite hobby, Don also has another book available on Audible called Nigel: My Family and Other Dogs where he explores what makes us connect with animals so deeply. Speaking about his own dog Nigel, Don tells his story and relates his relationship with other special dogs in his life in a memoir of his dogs past and present. Perhaps it's fiction that Dad most enjoys. If so, there are an array of James Patterson books available on Audible. His books very much encapsulate the themes of mystery, thriller and suspense such as The Commuter. This book is about when a woman overhears a murder plot on her morning commute and as she tries to stop it - she ends up getting pulled in deeper than she could have ever imagined. Another option is Richard Osman's classic, The Thursday Murder Club, which follows four unlikely friends in a retirement village who meet up once a week to investigate unsolved murders - that is until a brutal killing takes place on their own doorstep. It's also about to come to Netflix as a film directed by Chris Columbus, so dads may want to get clued up on the mysteries before the film releases in August. Audible isn't the only platform with audiobooks, however. For example, Spotify offers over 250,000 audiobook titles for Premium subscribers to stream every month. Shoppers can enjoy 15 hours of audiobook listening time every month on the platform from sci-fi to romance and everything in between for £11.99 per month. Apple also has audiobooks available through Apple Books which allows shoppers to buy, find, listen to and read or listen to books. However, the books on Audible have been rated highly, for example Don's Down to Earth has a 4.9 out of 5 star rating on the platform from a total of 512 reviews. One listener wrote: 'One of the best books I have listened to. It's like he is sitting there in the room with you and soooooo interesting!!! He has an approach like no other gardener when explaining everything in such a poetic and feeling way…Highly recommended.' Another said: 'Excellent. Instructions are great… Follow the book to a wonderful looking garden.' Another listener wrote: 'Loved every minute of this book. I think I'm going to listen again right now.' Despite the majority of excellent reviews, not everyone felt the same way. One person said: 'As a not-even-beginner-yet gardener this book was an information overload. This is a book for the intermediate to experienced gardener to get new insights and inspiration.' Another said: 'Wonderful book read in his own charming and inimitable style. The only negative is the occasional speeding up (editor not narrator I suspect) which is very hard to take in at times.'
Daily Mail
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BRIAN VINER reviews The Accountant 2: More bad news for Ben Affleck as his first film since J.Lo divorce is branded 'wildly convoluted' with 'no credibility'
The Accountant 2 (15, 132 mins) Verdict: Less boring than it sounds As if to make up for arguably the most boring title of any film in the history of cinema, pipping even Ordinary People (1980) and The Commuter (2018), The Accountant 2 begins with a blaze of action, incongruously enough in a bingo hall. If you made it through the 2016 original, you'll recall that Ray King (JK Simmons) of the US Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement department was about to retire. Now he evidently has retired, which is exactly the kind of dull storyline you might expect from a movie called The Accountant 2. However, something doesn't add up. There are baddies converging on the bingo hall where Ray is sitting inoffensively at the back, doing some calculations on a paper napkin, and soon they're trying to bump him off. Ray is getting on a bit (Simmons is 70) but still manages to out-muscle a few super-fit young assassins before they get the better of him, neatly presaging the many absurdities yet to come. Most of these feature Ben Affleck, returning as autistic number-cruncher Christian Wolff, whose remarkable skills as a mathematical savant are usefully complemented by an awesome talent for punching and shooting his way out of any perilous situation. Ray is getting on a bit (Simmons is 70) but still manages to out-muscle a few super-fit young assassins before they get the better of him, neatly presaging the many absurdities yet to come (Daniella Pineda and JK Simmons pictured) Unfortunately, he's not so hot at relating to other people. We see him at a speed-dating event, where he has cooked the algorithms to attract more single women than anyone else, only to muck up his chances by trying to chat up each of them with a line about tax returns. This is quite funny, but it's a one-note joke that soon runs out of steam. Christian used to deploy his talents for criminal purposes, laundering money for mobsters, but now Ray's former underling Marybeth Medina (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) needs his help smashing a callous people-trafficking operation. The key to toppling the bad guys lies in the disappearance of a family from El Salvador, whose fate seems to have something to do with a stony-faced hitwoman (Daniella Pineda). That makes the plot sound just about accessible. The truth is that you'll need more than a ready reckoner to work out the wild convolutions of The Accountant 2. Only neurodivergent Christian can get to the bottom of them, and even he needs the help of his younger brother Braxton (Jon Bernthal), who similarly is as hard as nails and can shoot a glowering Central American thug between the eyes from 150 yards. Director Gavin O'Connor and writer Bill Dubuque, the same team as last time, extract some fun from the uneasy relationship between the two siblings, and at least Affleck and Bernthal look vaguely as if they might share the same square-jawed parentage. But if you prefer your action thrillers with a modicum of credibility, you'll need to look elsewhere. The Accountant 2 is in cinemas now. Havoc (18, 105 mins) Verdict: Spectacularly violent Rating: Don't expect it from the Netflix thriller Havoc, though — or not unless you can believe in scenes of violence so relentless and extreme that it's a wonder anyone makes it alive to the end of the film. Havoc stars Tom Hardy as that most hackneyed of characters: the maverick American detective with a messy personal life. It's one of the great film and TV paradoxes that these cops, meant to be fiercely idiosyncratic, in fact submit to every single screen-writing convention. How often have we seen the likes of Walker (Hardy)? He's usually saddled with a junior partner for whom he acquires a grudging respect (tick). And there is quite often an only child for whom he hurriedly buys a cheap Christmas present, just to make up for being a rubbish dad (tick). In a way it's a shame that Hardy must abide by these humdrum cliches of the genre, because he's actually pretty terrific in Havoc — as good at being Walker as Clint Eastwood was at being Harry Callahan and Al Pacino was at being Frank Serpico, just to name two other non-conformist cops from the zillions we've seen. As for the story, it involves police-department corruption, a nasty mayor (hammed up outrageously by Forest Whittaker), a drugs deal gone wrong, and ruthless mobsters from the Far East. The director is Gareth Evans, the Welshman whose Indonesian gangland films, The Raid (2011) and The Raid 2 (2014), didn't just choreograph violent carnage but practically fetishised it. He does the same here, most memorably in a nightclub dust-up that turns an ice-bucket into an instrument of death, along with more obvious weapons (though less obvious nightclub accessories) such as a meat cleaver and a machine gun. If you like that sort of thing, it's a heck of a scene. But you've been warned.
