Latest news with #TheGetaway
Metro
17 hours ago
- Metro
Nudist cruise passenger tells all after disembarking £3,000 voyage
Have you ever wondered what happens on a nude cruise? Because, even though a bunch of naked people are in the middle of the ocean together, it doesn't mean there aren't any rules. Now, a Reddit post from a former passenger on Bare Necessities — a Texas-based travel company that specialises in nude cruises — has, literally, bared all. Titled, 'I just disembarked from a 2,000 person nude cruise. AMA,' the traveller listed the rules passengers were required to follow. One of the first things he clarified was that it was a cruise for nudists, not a 'lifestyle' cruise. That means public sex was forbidden. The Bare Necessities website backs this up, stating that their holidays are 'strictly non-sexual in nature.' 'If you are seeking a lifestyle or swinger experience, we are not the appropriate cruise for you.' This also means that anything considered to be fetish wear is a no-no. Sign up to The Getaway newsletter Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. The passenger then confirmed that 'no bare butts' are allowed on surfaces in public spaces. Rather, fresh towels are aplenty, and readily available to slip under a sunbed when emerging from the pool. As for whether you can eat naked, the cruise liner's website says the self-serve buffet is a clothes-free area. However, clothing is required for all meals taken in the dining rooms. This excludes bathrobes. Passengers can freely roam the ship nude when it's at sea or anchored at port, unless announcements have stated otherwise. When the ship is docked alongside other non-nude cruise ships, clothing is mandatory. Similarly, while port authorities are on board, being nude is strictly prohibited. Finally, the ship has 'no photo zones' in public areas, including the pools and dance venues. Anyone taking photos or videos must ensure consent is given. How much is a nude cruise? While prices vary depending on who you cruise with, the most popular stateroom on Bare Necessities will set you back $3,920, which works out around £2,933. For that, you'll get a cabin with a balcony and an 11-day adventure. Oceanview staterooms without balconies are cheaper at $2,700 (just over £2,000). How do Brits feel about stripping off? While the Bare Necessities cruise and this 67-year-old Reddit poster — who confirmed that the majority of passengers were older — hail from the US, there has been recent debate in the UK about nudity. And it seems people are more relaxed about it than you'd think. Case in point: When a man was granted £9,000 in compensation after Google Street View published him sunbathing naked in his back garden, many people had his back. One Metro reader, Jorge Florez, said 'nudity is harmless,' and that 'everybody should be able to be naked wherever they want to.' Chris T Wilkinson made a fair point, writing: 'We are not born with clothes on.' A new study exploring the UK's attitude to nudity also found that (73%) of the country share the belief that your birthday suit is perfectly acceptable garden attire. The same YouGov research revealed that 39% of Brits are open to being publicly naked in general. It also noted that it's most popular (41%) with men over 65. Interestingly, 30% of 18-34-year-old Brits had a negative view of naturists, compared to 15% of over 65s. What's with the increase in nude cruising popularity? In light of the YouGov research, Metro spoke with Laura Cannon, Founder of DECADES Gap Years for Retirees, about the rise of nudist cruises, and why people might be attracted to them — especially the older generation. 'In the retirement community, there's one theme I hear people talking about all the time,' says Laura. Which is that retirement is historically not seen as an opportunity to reinvent yourself, but more of a settling-down time. 'I think that's changing, and it's becoming way more about reinvention.' And, for people who have had a lifetime of rules and structure, from building a career, raising a family, working hard, and meeting expectations, she says nudist cruises are the perfect antidote: to go and frolick naked on holiday for a week. As for body positivity, she notes that perspective changes on how you see yourself as you age. 'For this group of people starting to retire now, they're finding new ways to free themselves.' 'Name a better way to connect with people and be open and vulnerable than being naked? I can see why it's appealing.' So, if you are thinking about cruising nude, the Reddit user dropped a string of reasons why you should go for it. He said: 'It's a nice feeling to be nude. Skinny dipping is great. Being nude at some of the world's nicest beaches is great.' Fair enough. Nude and sex cruises: explained Intrigued? These articles tell you all you need to know about the world of nude and sex cruises. • UK company launches £5,000 sex cruise — these are the rules passengers must follow • Passengers strip off for 'beautiful' naked cruise — these are the rules they must follow • Introducing the Big Nude Boat, a naked cruise where clothing is entirely optional • This European beach is enforcing mandatory nudity — here are the rules for tourists Comments MORE: The unexpected UK train journey where you can see polar bears MORE: Why the 'Venice of France' is the best city you've never heard of
Los Angeles Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
‘Lords of Dogtown' hits 20, plus the week's best movies
Hello! I'm Mark Olsen. Welcome to another edition of your regular field guide to a world of Only Good Movies. Sometimes you go to a film screening and you come to realize that it is happening under optimal conditions, that the particular combination of movie, audience, circumstances and environment make for an ideal, likely never-to-be-repeated event. Such is what happened last Saturday when I went to the Academy Museum to see Walter Hill's 1984 'Streets of Fire' projected from a beautiful archival 70mm release print. Taking place in the museum's downstairs Ted Mann Theater (some folks prefer its sight lines to those of the larger David Geffen), the screening was sold out, and there was a buzzing and expectant energy in the room before the show started. Told in neon-drenched tones with a graphic visual style, the film, which bills itself as 'a rock & roll fable,' opens with a spectacular musical number that grabbed the audience and never let go from there. The story concerns a singer (Diane Lane) kidnapped by a local gang leader (Willem Dafoe) and her adventurer ex-boyfriend (Michael Paré), who reluctantly agrees to bring her back. In a conversation after the movie with K.J. Relth-Miller, the museum's director of film programs, Hill admitted that the last time he had watched it was 'about a week before it came out.' 'It's a curious movie,' said Hill, 83. 'I wanted to make a music movie and I got interested in the idea of, could I mix the action genre and the music? My previous film ['48 Hrs.'] had been a very big hit and I knew that you got to do one that they probably would never have made otherwise. And so I didn't want to blow the chance.' Hill also admitted, 'I can see mistakes that we made in it,' specifically a moment when Paré hits Lane to knock her out. 'I promise you, I wouldn't do it today,' he said. An idea that came up through the conversation was how to subvert tried-and-true story conventions and genre tropes. Hill recalled something that director Sam Peckinpah once told him. 'I remember I had a conversation once on the other side of the fence with Peckinpah when I was writing 'The Getaway,' ' Hill said. 'And I said, 'Yeah, we could approach it that way, but it's probably a cliché.' And he looked at me and he said, 'You know what a cliché is?' — I knew I was in trouble — and he said, 'Cliché is something that works.' ' On Thursday Vidiots will have a 20th anniversary screening of 'Lords of Dogtown' with director Catherine Hardwicke in person. Set in the 1970s, the film tells the story of how a group of Venice kids — the so-called Z-Boys — reinvented the sport of skateboarding, injecting it with daredevil tricks and a rebellious attitude. The cast includes Emile Hirsch, Michael Angarano, John Robinson, Victor Rasuk and Heath Ledger. Rachel Abramowitz wrote about the film's production, including how some of the real-life figures portrayed in the movie participated in the shoot, sometimes even acting as the skating doubles for the actors playing them. At one moment, Hardwicke was standing on the edge of a drained-out pool for the skaters to use and took a wrong step and fell in, knocking herself out and fracturing an orbital bone in her face. Yet even that never dimmed her enthusiasm. As Abramowitz noted, 'With her laid-back assurance and distinct vision, Hardwicke has been able to corral a lot of difficult personalities — some who have not always gotten along, as the movie well documents. Almost all the original Z-Boys and scenesters have worked on the film in various capacities, and the actors seem to look up to her.' At one point Hardwicke's direction to a group of actors in a scene was simply, 'Just keep hanging and loving life and thinking how bitchin' we are.' In his review of the film, Kevin Thomas called Hardwicke 'an inspired choice, given the insight and compassion for troubled, reckless teens she revealed so memorably in 'Thirteen.' ' He added, 'The film never loses its heart, as the limelight and spiraling competition strain friendships and incite ugly behavior but reveal a youthful vulnerability that makes the three engaging and their sometimes obnoxious, self-defeating behavior understandable under the circumstances. As in 'Thirteen,' Hardwicke has been able to inspire unsparing portrayals from young actors. … 'Lords of Dogtown' is as beautifully structured as one of the Z-Boys' graceful and intricate maneuvers. It is economic yet possesses depth and is visually striking, capturing an idea of what life is like in a very fast lane.' James Baldwin's book-length essay 'The Devil Finds Work,' completed in 1975 and first published in 1976, mixes personal memoir with insightful film criticism to become a singular work. The UCLA Film and Television Archive is launching a series to celebrate the book and Baldwin. The series opens with an evening of excerpts from relevant Baldwin-related projects, including Raoul Peck's 2017 documentary 'I Am Not Your Negro,' along with Karen Thorsen's 1989 doc 'James Baldwin: The Price of a Ticket.' Where this series should get really interesting is the decision to have most of the screenings include a reading from 'The Devil Finds Work' by some pretty noteworthy names, including author Roxane Gay, podcasters Sam Sanders and Zach Safford and actors LisaGay Hamilton, Justice Smith, Nic Ashe, Marc Anthony Howard, Kendale Winbush and filmmaker Raven Jackson. Among the films being screened are Jack Conway's 1935 'A Tale of Two Cities,' John Huston's 1942 'In This Our Life,' Julien Duvivier's 1942 'Tales of Manhattan,' William Friedkin's 1973 'The Exorcist,' and Norman Jewison's 1967 'In the Heat of the Night.' 'Powwow Highway' The Philosophical Research Society will host a screening on Friday of Jonathan Wacks' 1989 road comedy 'Powwow Highway,' which won a prize at that year's Sundance Film Festival and has since been entered into the National Film Registry. Produced by George Harrison's production company Handmade Films and the directing debut of Wacks, best known at the time as a co-producer on 'Repo Man,' the film was noteworthy for its depiction of Native American life. With a cast that also includes Wes Studi and Graham Greene, 'Highway' stars Gary Farmer, later seen in 'Dead Man' and the recent series 'Reservation Dogs,' as Philbert Bono, who sets out on a journey to help his estranged sister and renew his sense of self. In a review at the time, Sheila Benson called the film 'a little zinger of a comedy with a rare backbone of intelligence.' Austin Powers triple-bill As part of its 'Summer of Camp' series, the Academy Museum will present on Sunday a triple feature of all three Austin Powers spy spoofs, 1997's 'Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery,' 1999's 'Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me' and 2002's 'Austin Powers in Goldmember.' Jay Roach, director of all three pictures, will be there in person. I don't why, but the idea of watching all three of these movies together just makes me laugh all on its own. An unlikely cultural phenomenon that spawned catchphrases and Halloween costumes, the films are about a British secret agent (Mike Myers) in the Swinging 1960s who is reawakened from cryogenic sleep in the modern day to face off against against his archenemy, Dr. Evil (also Myers). The films feature a cavalcade of guest stars, including Elizabeth Hurley, Michael York, Robert Wagner, Heather Graham, Michael Caine and Beyoncé in her film debut. In his review of 'The Spy Who Shagged Me,' Kenneth Turan wrote, 'As these films and his earlier 'Wayne's World' demonstrate, Myers has a singular talent for skit humor. Seeing him play both the sniggering snaggletoothed Austin, 'the man who put the grr in swinger,' and the fussy, pinky-waving Dr. Evil is to see a gifted performer who knows his strengths and is not afraid of playing to them. You can get away with an awful lot of gross, juvenile humor if you've got that to fall back on.' 'Oh, Hi!' Writer-director Sophie Brooks' 'Oh, Hi!' premiered earlier this year at Sundance and hits theaters this week. Described by its co-star Molly Gordon as a 'rom-com gone wrong,' the film is about a young couple (Gordon and Logan Lerman) who spend a romantic weekend together until he admits he doesn't consider what they have going to be a committed relationship. He says this while handcuffed to a bed, and she decides to leave him there until he changes his mind. In her review, Amy Nicholson wrote, 'Pointedly and inevitably, our leads regress into Mars-Venus caricatures — he's the jerk, she's the psycho — as Brooks vents her frustration that gender tropes haven't evolved. And not for lack of trying. For months, Isaac has whipped up homemade scallop dinners, while Iris patiently played it cool. The film's core question is: How have men and women worked so hard to overcome toxic archetypes and still wound up stuck here?' I wrote a profile of Gordon, who shares a story credit on the film and is also a producer. Now perhaps best known for her supporting role on the series 'The Bear,' Gordon has also appeared in films such as 'Shiva Baby,' 'Booksmart' and 'Theater Camp,' the latter which she co-directed and co-wrote. 'Oh, Hi!' is her first leading role in a film and it was an opportunity she had to create for herself. 'I don't think I've gotten to really show this emotion or this darkness or gotten to be this crazy,' Gordon said. 'It would've been cool if it came with someone else giving me that opportunity, but it just didn't really feel like that was going to happen. So hopefully this shows people that I can do other things. But if not, I will keep trying to make my own things.' TIFF on the horizon The Toronto International Film Festival, which runs Sept. 4-14, made a few program announcements this week which brought the fall festival picture into clearer view. (Festivals in both Venice and New York made clarifying announcements this week as well.) Among the notable premieres at TIFF will be Aziz Ansari's feature directing debut 'Good Fortune,' along with films such as Jonatan Etzler's 'Bad Apples,' starring Saoirse Ronan; David Michôd's 'Christy,' starring Sydney Sweeney; James Vanderbilt's 'Nuremberg,' starring Russell Crowe; Nic Pizzolatto's 'Easy's Waltz,' starring Vince Vaughn; and Alice Winocour's 'Couture,' starring Angelina Jolie. Other Toronto titles that will also be popping up at other festivals include Gus Van Sant's 'Dead Man's Wire,' Guillermo del Toro's 'Frankenstein,' Mona Fastvold's 'The Testament of Ann Lee,' Benny Safdie's 'The Smashing Machine' and Edward Berger's 'Ballad of a Small Player.' Free screening of 'Kerouac's Road: The Beat of a Nation' On Tuesday we will have another free screening event with the documentary 'Kerouac's Road: The Beat of a Nation.' A look at the enduring influence of Jack Kerouac's 1957 novel 'On the Road,' which became a foundational work of late 20th-century counterculture, the film includes Josh Brolin, Natalie Merchant, W. Kamau Bell and Michael Imperioli all reflecting on its personal and cultural impact. Director Ebs Burnough will be there for a Q&A after the screening.
Metro
22-07-2025
- Business
- Metro
UK's 'most expensive' train cancelled for the second time this month
Failure to depart (Picture: Belmond) Ultra-luxury train operator Belmond has cancelled its inaugural UK journey for the second time this month. The Britannic Explorer, a 'pioneering new sleeper train', was due to depart from London Victoria yesterday (Monday, July 21) at 3.45pm, on a scenic journey to Wales through the west of England and the Cotswolds. However, the night before, passengers were informed that the trip had been cancelled. This isn't the first time the train dubbed 'The New British Icon' has run into problems. On July 4, a three-day journey to Cornwall – which was supposed to be the launch – was also cancelled. Sign up to The Getaway newsletter Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. While it's not clear why, Belmond did reveal that all passengers received a refund. Associated travel costs were also reimbursed, alongside assistance in rebooking a new journey. Which, for many, was meant to be yesterday. Ticketholders were expected to be drawn from across Europe, as well as Asia and North America. A spokesperson told Metro that, after careful consideration, they had made the 'difficult decision' to postpone the inaugural journey, originally scheduled for July 21st, to a later date this summer. They revealed that during the routine pre-trip protocol checks over the weekend, they encountered unforeseen technical issues related to the door mechanism. Despite the 'dedicated efforts' of Belmond's engineering team, the issue could not be resolved in time. 'As a result, we had to make the difficult decision to cancel the trip. As always, guest welfare and reliability of our train operations remain paramount.' The spokesperson said affected guests were once again offered a full refund, along with a complimentary future journey aboard the Britannic Explorer in 2025 or 2026. Related expenses incurred as a result of the cancellation will also be covered by the company. 'Our team worked closely with each guest to arrange immediate alternative accommodation where needed,' they concluded. The Britannic Explorer has been designed with contemporary nostalgia in mind (Picture: Getty Images) So, as passengers wait for news about the next trip, here's everything we know about the luxury locomotive. How much does the Britannic Explorer cost? Travellers can choose between three and six-night journeys, both of which come at eyewatering cost. For example, a three-night trip from London to Wales, travelling through Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) to the Pembrokeshire coast, starts from £6,300 per passenger. This is based on a Twin Suite. A six-night journey through Welsh and Cornish landscapes starts from £12,600 per passenger, based on the same suite. And for the top-class Grand Suite, it's a staggering £61,200 for the full six nights. What can passengers expect on the sleeper train? The Grand Suites can cost over £60,000 (Picture: Getty Images) The train is a revamped version of the Grand Hibernian train, which originally operated by Belmond between 2016 and 2021 in Ireland. Guided by the prices, travellers can expect to live in the lap of luxury for the duration of their trip. According to the website, the train is 'lavish yet laid-back,' and offers the 'best of British contemporary design, innovative cuisine and wellness.' The train has two dining cars: Malva and Samphire, which are inspired by the English meadow. The menu has been curated by British Michelin star chef, Simon Rogan, and includes seasonal menus and locally-sourced ingredients. There's also a botanical-inspired bar in the Observation Car serving cocktails and craft beer. It's described on the website as the 'stylish social epicentre.' Of course, there's also an on-board spa, where passengers can enjoy a massage while passing through the English countryside. As for the accommodation, there are three 9.6m² Grand Suites available that come with a personal butler. Private arrival and departure transfers are also part of this package, alongside an en-suite bathroom with a marble basin and shower cubicle. Grand Suites start from £15,300 per person. Double and Twin Suites can be purchased, too. These start from £6,300 and £5,200, respectively. Though a private butler is out of the question here, passengers can marvel at signed art by English visual artist and designer Luke Edward Hall. Travellers will enjoy selected routes through Cornwall, Wales, the Costwolds and the Lake District (Picture: Belmond) What journeys are available on the Britannic Explorer? Have lots of cash to splash? The Britannic Explorer offers a series of journeys curated to 'experience the beauty and diversity of England and Wales.' These include the aforementioned three nights in Wales, three nights in the Lake District, and three nights in Cornwall. The longer six-night journeys travel through Wales and Cornwall, or the Lake District and Wales. Passengers won't be stuck indoors the whole time, either. Ticket prices also include off-train activities, all of which showcase the local culture of each region. From wild swims and yoga sessions in Cornwall to mastering the art of pint pulling in the Cotwolds, there are also galleries and rugged hikes on the agenda, too. When it eventually sets off, of course. Arrow MORE: Airline founded by UK millionaire 'parks' only plane — after two return flights Arrow MORE: London's Oyster card prices to nearly double – full list of affected cards Arrow MORE: 'First-of-its-kind' Eurostar-style train to directly connect UK with Berlin and two more cities
UPI
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- UPI
Virginia Madsen leads tributes to late brother, actor Michael Madsen
Hollywood is mourning the death of "Reservoir Dogs" and "Kill Bill" actor Michael Madsen. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo July 4 (UPI) -- Sideways icon Virginia Madsen is leading the tributes to her brother, Reservoir Dogs and The Hateful Eight actor Michael Madsen, who died Thursday at the age of 67. "My brother Michael has left the stage," Virginia wrote in a statement to Variety. "He was thunder and velvet. Mischief wrapped in tenderness. A poet disguised as an outlaw. A father, a son, a brother -- etched in contradiction, tempered by love that left its mark," she added. "We're not mourning a public figure. We're not mourning a myth -- but flesh and blood and a ferocious heart." Actor Titus Welliver said: "Michael Madsen has departed. Mike leaves behind a body of work that will never be forgotten. Rest brother, too young." REMEMBERING MICHAEL MADSEN: The "Reservoir Dogs" and "Kill Bill" actor has died at the age of 67. Madsen was found unresponsive Thursday morning at his Malibu home and is believed to have died of cardiac arrest, his publicist told ABC News. Good Morning America (@GMA) July 4, 2025 "I had the pleasure of working with Michael Madsen on Kill Bill & several other films!" Vivica A. Fox told the New York Post in an email Thursday. "Michael was a talented man with an AMAZING on screen presence! My deepest condolences & prayers to his family. #GoneTooSoon #RestinParadise." "Michael Madsen... this man... this artist... this poet... this rascal," Walton Goggins said on Instagram. "ICON.... Aura like no one else. Ain't enough words so I'll just say this.... I love you buddy. A H8TER forever." Filmmaker Robert Rodriguez posted on X: "Frank Miller and I have always loved telling the story how no one was allowed to improvise any dialogue on Sin City. (We wanted to have the movie be incredibly faithful to his graphic novel.) "But we bent that rule every day Michael Madsen worked with us. Being a fantastic writer, he just kept bringing us one golden additional line after another, and he would make us laugh so much we'd relent and say to each other, 'Well if we're going to break the rule with someone, it might as well be Michael Madsen,'" Rodriguez added. "He keeps coming up with such great lines! "The other rule we broke was by casting someone who didn't look at all like the drawn character in the book. Michael was so larger than life, we just felt he would make a much better partner to Bruce Willis' detective, I mean, what an ultimate cop team! And he was just an absolute joy to work with. I will miss you Michael, you truly are one of the greats." "Oh man, this is a hard one," said James Woods. "Michael and I did The Getaway together. We did Straight Talk together. I was always touched by his sweet nature and generosity, the absolute opposite of the 'tough guys' he portrayed so brilliantly. Rest in Peace, dear friend." Comedian Rob Schneider said: "Michael Madsen was a dream to work with. A truly gifted actor & gentleman who made every person on the set comfortable; generous with his stories & with his infectious laughter. I only wish we could have done more things together in this crazy business. My love to his kids & friends."
News18
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Michael Madsen's Sister Remembers Him As 'Mischief Wrapped In Tenderness'
Last Updated: Michael has been honoured by Candyman star Virginia, who paid tribute in a message posted on Instagram. Michael Madsen has been remembered as 'mischief wrapped in tenderness" by his actress sister, Virginia Madsen, following his shocking death. The 67-year-old actor was pronounced dead on Thursday after being found unresponsive at his home in Malibu, California with his manager Ron Smith telling that 'cardiac arrest" appeared to be the cause of death – and he has now been honoured by Candyman star Virginia, who paid tribute in a message posted on Instagram. She shared a picture of the siblings alongside their mother and wrote: 'My brother Michael has left the stage. He was thunder and velvet. Mischief wrapped in tenderness. A poet disguised as an outlaw. A father, a son, a brother – etched in contradiction, tempered by love that left its mark. We're not mourning a public figure. We're not mourning a myth – but flesh and blood and ferocious heart." She added: 'Who stormed through life loud, brilliant, and half on fire. Who leaves us echoes – gruff, brilliant, unrepeatable – half legend, half lullaby. I'll miss our inside jokes, the sudden laughter, the sound of him. I'll miss the boy he was before the legend. I miss my big brother." Virginia went on to thank fans for their well wishes and explained a plan to 'celebrate" Michael's life will be revealed in due course. She added: 'Thank you to everyone reaching out with love and memory. In time, we'll share how we plan to celebrate his life. But for now – we stay close, and let the silence say what words can't – Virginia Madsen on behalf of the Madsen family." Fellow screen star Sharon Stone shared her sorrow in the comments section, writing: 'My sincere condolences to you and your family." Actor Billy Baldwin paid tribute in a message posted on X, writing: 'Fitting that Michael Madsen would pass away on 4th of July weekend. He was no firecracker … a total stick of dynamite on screen and in life. Rest easy my friend." Walton Goggins, who appeared opposite Michael in Quentin Tarantino's 2015 movie The Hateful Eight, shared his thoughts on Instagram, writing: 'Michael Madsen … this man … this artist … this poet … this rascal …F****** ICON ….Aura like no one else. Ain't enough words so I'll just say this …. I love you buddy. A H8TER forever." In a post on X, Jennifer Tilly – who starred alongside the actor in 1994 movie The Getaway – wrote: 'Michael was one of my favorite actors I ever worked with. The Getaway was very early in my career and he made me feel safe and supported. He was wildly audacious and rambunctious with his character choices, and had a wicked sense of humor. I don't recall ever laughing so much on a film set in my life. A huge talent. Gone too soon. Rip Michael Madsen." First Published:
