Latest news with #ToniCollette
CBS News
3 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern on projecting "A Different Kind of Power"
These days, at her local coffee shop near Boston, Jacinda Ardern can be just another customer. "I don't put my name on the order; it's too complicated!" she laughed. I asked, "When you order coffee here, do people start talking politics with you?" "No. Not at all," Ardern replied. "In fact, the guy behind the counter said to me, 'Ah, you are really familiar. Oh, I know: Toni Collette!'" Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern with correspondent Robert Costa. CBS News That's a moment that would never happen in New Zealand, where Ardern became the world's youngest female head of government when she was just 37 years old. Now 44, former Prime Minister Ardern has been living in the U.S. since she left office two years ago. She is serving as a fellow at Harvard University, and has written a new book, "A Different Kind of Power" (to be published June 3 by Crown). Of the title, she says, "I think, you know, there are different ways to lead. But I hope you also see that some of those character traits that we perhaps bring to it that we might believe to be weaknesses – imposter syndrome, or even empathy – actually are incredible strengths." Ardern says her story is about finding her voice in New Zealand, a small nation of about five million people. "I never, ever saw myself becoming prime minister, ever," she said. In fact, her father told Ardern that she was too "thin-skinned" for politics. Was he right? "He was absolutely right!" she laughed. "But I guess where I corrected him is, your sensitivity is your empathy. And goodness, don't we need a bit more of that?" Crown In New Zealand, the answer was yes. Ahead of the 2017 election, Ardern suddenly became the leader of her country's left-leaning Labour Party. Weeks after winning, she made an announcement: she was pregnant. Her journey, alongside her then-partner, now-husband, Clarke, soon won her global attention. Was she comfortable with the symbolism of her role? Ardern said, "I realized the importance of it when I first received a letter from someone on their way to work to tell their boss that they were having a baby, and they felt nervous about their boss' view of whether they could do their job When she heard that I was pregnant, and that gave her a level of confidence, you know, I felt like I also needed to show I could do the job and be a mother." But those joyful early days were followed by challenges. In 2019, mass shootings targeting Muslims in Christchurch left more than 50 dead – a crucible for New Zealand, and a call to action for its leader: a ban on semi-automatic weapons. I asked, "Why do you believe you and your colleagues in New Zealand were able to achieve gun control reform in the wake of a horrific mass shooting, but so often here in the United States such legislative changes have been hard to get?" "I can't speak to the U.S. experience," Ardern replied, "but if we really wanted to say, 'We don't ever want this to happen again,' we needed to demonstrate what we were doing to make that a reality." But even after she won another election, things weren't easy. As the pandemic wore on, tensions flared over her government's COVID policies. In 2023, when she stunned many by deciding to resign, she wore her heart on her sleeve, telling Parliament: "You can be a nerd, a cryer, a hugger, you can be all of these things, and not only can you be here, you can lead, just like me." Though she has left office, she has not stopped keeping a close eye on our turbulent ties. Asked what she makes of President Trump and his decisions on trade and foreign policy, Ardern said, "You know, we are seeing people experience deep financial insecurity, and that has to be addressed by political leaders. But I continue to hold that ideas of isolation or protectionism or closing ourselves off to remedy the issue actually doesn't remedy it in the long term, and has a long-term negative impact for some of the collective issues we need to address as a global community." For now, Ardern is not angling to jump back into politics, but she is settling into her new normal – that is, "Being just a normal family." And when she is asked for advice – in a Harvard classroom, or from a world leader – Jacinda Ardern tells them to be kind: "That principle of kindness, it's something we teach our kids. Why shouldn't we role model that in the way that we conduct ourselves in politics? And secondly, if you're putting people at the center of what you're doing, it's a reminder that, actually, the act of being in politics is an act of public service as well. And I think voters need to see more of that." For more info: Story produced by Sara Kugel. Editor: Joseph Frandino.
Gizmodo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
One of the Great Sci-Fi Films You Definitely Missed This Year Is Coming to Streaming
After director Bong Joon Ho won multiple Oscars for Parasite, he could've done anything. Made any movie he wanted. And the movie he chose was about a man who continues to die and be cloned, finding himself in the middle of a socio-political firestorm about cuddly alien slugs. Mickey 17 was released earlier this year and kind of tanked at the box office, which is a shame. It's incredibly unique, weird, and infinitely watchable. A fact pretty much the entire world who didn't see it in theaters can find out very very soon. It's coming to HBO Max May 23. It's also got an incredible cast. Robert Pattinson is the title character, Mickey, a man who has gone through 17 iterations of himself and finally meets another version. Mark Ruffalo is an all-too-recognizable right-wing political leader. Toni Collette is his creepily cheerful wife. Star Wars star Naomi Ackie is Mickey's kick-ass partner, and Steven Yeun is his questionable friend. It's a who's who of people you'd pay to see in almost anything. But people did not pay. Because Mickey 17 is incredibly hard to put in a single box. Even my review of it admitted there are some issues there, especially in how the film handles its politics. That's just one opinion, though. Now it's on a streaming service that you might already pay for and we predict people are going to fall for it. Because it's Bong Joon Ho. He's amazing. And Mickey 17 is wild. It's funny, gross, and unforgettable, even if you don't love it. People will love it, though, thanks to all of those things, the incredible performances, and the crazy places the story goes. So, this Memorial Day week, you can definitely go to the theaters and see the new Mission: Impossible, or you can stay home and see another big-screen banger you probably missed earlier this year: Mickey 17.
South China Morning Post
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Meet Kate Winslet's 21-year-old son, Joe Anders, who has scripted her Netflix directorial debut – the Titanic actress' child with ex-husband Sam Mendes wrote forthcoming film Goodbye June
Kate Winslet is making her directorial debut – and it may surprise you to learn that her son, Joe Anders, has played a key role in the production. British actress Kate Winslet in 2021's Mare of Easttown. Photo: TNS The Academy Award-winning actress, 49, is directing, producing and starring in Goodbye June, a contemporary family drama being made for Netflix, as reported by Variety. Toni Collette, Johnny Flynn and Helen Mirren will star alongside Winslet in the film – which was written by Anders. Advertisement The movie is set in present-day England and follows the story of a 'fractured group of siblings [who] pull together under sudden and trying circumstances', according to the synopsis. Joe Anders pictured in 2023: the 21-year-old has written a film titled Goodbye June, which has been picked up by Netflix. Here's what we know about Kate Winslet's 21-year-old son. Joe Anders was born in New York Actress Kate Winslet has three children. Photo: AFP Joe Anders was born in New York City on December 22, 2003, to Kate Winslet and her ex-husband, director Sam Mendes, per People magazine. Winslet also has a daughter, Mia Honey Threapleton, 24, whom she shares with her first ex-husband, Jim Threapleton, and Bear Blaze Winslet, whom she welcomed with her third and current husband, Edward Abel Smith, on December 7, 2013. He avoids the limelight
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Vivian Oparah Reuniting With ‘Rye Lane' Director Raine Allen-Miller for Heist Comedy ‘The Roots Manoeuvre'; Toni Collette, Jessica Henwick, Little Simz and More Join Cast (EXCLUSIVE)
Raine Allen-Miller has tapped Vivian Oparah, the breakout and BAFTA nominated star of the writer/director's hugely acclaimed debut feature 'Rye Lane,' to lead the cast of her second film 'The Roots Manœuvre, Variety can reveal. Alongside Oparah, Toni Collette ('Hereditary,' 'Muriel's Wedding'), Paterson Joseph ('Wonka,' 'Peep Show'), Jessica Henwick ('Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,' 'Matrix: Resurrections'), Little Simz ('Top Boy'), and Thomas Turgoose ('This Is England,' 'Mickey 17') have also joined the cast of the London-set heist comedy, due for theatrical release with Amazon MGM Studio' Orion Pictures. More from Variety Joel Edgerton and Toni Collette to Star in Black Comedy 'Fangs,' Cornerstone and CAA Selling Lucy McKendrick's Directorial Debut (EXCLUSIVE) 'Silo' Season 3 Casts Jessica Henwick, Ashley Zukerman Toni Collette Joins Mae Martin Netflix Series 'Wayward' Producers include Plan B's Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner, and Damian Jones of DJ Films. The film will be produced in association with BBC Film, with Eva Yates as an executive producer. From a script by Allen-Miller, 'The Roots Manœuvre' follows a young woman who orchestrates a daring heist to recover a stolen artifact, covering her tracks by managing the whirlwind of a luxury wedding. Set and shot in South London and backed by BBC Film and the BFI, 'Rye Lane' first bowed in Sundance in 2023 before being released by Searchlight in the U.K. and on Hulu in the U.S. Alongside landing critical praise for giving the rom-com genre a whip-smart and and unpretentiously charming update, the film went on to earn 16 nominations at the British Independent Film Awards (winning two awards) and two BAFTA nominations, including outstanding British film and best actress nomination for Oparah, who co-led the film alongside David Jonsson. Since 'Rye Lane,' Oparah has starred in 'The You Run' for Sky Max and the mystery series 'Dead Hot' for Tubi. Prior to that, she cast out of the National Youth Theatre into a leading role in the hugely successful 'Doctor Who' spinoff series, 'Class.' She also starred in the critically acclaimed series 'I May Destroy You' for BBC One and HBO, and in the feature film 'Teen Spirit' released by Lionsgate. Oparah is represented by Independent Talent, CAA, and Tapestry London. Collette is represented by CAA, Finley Management, United Management, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman. Joseph is represented by Hamilton is represented by CAA, imPRint, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman. Little Simz is represented by Independent Talent, September, The Lede Company, and Wired PR. Thomas Turgoose is represented by B-Side Management. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
RTÉ News
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Why Hollywood is finally taking horror films seriously
Horror films have always held an interesting place in cultural and cinematic circles, writes Reece Goodall. Despite proving consistently profitable and boasting a considerable fanbase, the genre has also been the target in several moments of cultural crisis. Think the video nasties of the 1970s and 80s, or the implied conservatism of the violence in torture porn films of the 2000s. Though the genre has been one of the industry's most profitable genres since the 1930s, due to its perceived low status, horror has largely been unrecognised by award bodies, mainstream critics and the gatekeepers of more "legitimate" cinema. There's an implied sense that the genre is somewhat different from respectable film-making – that it is low status, trashy and in some cases outright nasty. Watch: The Substance was very successful during awards season Only seven horror films have been nominated for best picture at the Oscars since the first ceremony in 1929. Two of those nominations were in the last decade, and there was widespread conversation about the bias against the genre after Toni Collette failed to receive an Oscar nomination for her performance in the 2018 film Hereditary. Even then, Collette's excellent performance was in an auteur film released by indie studio A24. Far from the more conventional forms of horror that tend to be overlooked year on year by bodies recognising the year's achievements in film-making. However, if we leap ahead to 2025 and look at the horror films that took the past year by storm – The Substance, Nosferatu, Terrifier 3 – all forms of the genre are represented. The Substance and Nosferatu could both be described as "elevated horror", a sub-genre that focuses on negative moods rather than explicit gore (although both films certainly get bloody, especially in The Substance's monstrous climax). On the other end of the scale, Terrifier 3 is particularly brutal, aligning itself more with grindhouse and slasher films and celebrating the practical effects that bring violence to the big screen. In another era, there is no doubt that Terrifier 3 would have been a target of censors and the cultural critics over its depictions of violence, with brutal deaths and the murder of several children. But in 2025, it is celebrated by genre fans and an object of serious academic interest. The films were all successes. Both The Substance and Nosferatu received multiple nominations at the 2025 Academy Awards. Along with Alien: Romulus, the horror genre picked up ten nominations, its best performance since 1974. Watch: Nosferatu was nominated for several Academy Awards Elsewhere, Terrifier 3 broke records as the highest-grossing unrated film (a movie not given a rating by film censors, normally because of offensive content) of all time. Terrifier 3 never seemed likely to receive an Oscar nomination, even despite its success and a sustained and entertaining marketing campaign. Nonetheless, both fans and industry figures alike have suggested that its practical make-up effects warranted recognition. So why is horror becoming more widely appreciated in the 21st century? The "elevated horror" dimension is certainly one factor, presenting works that align more with the conventions of art cinema, which is essentially easier to sell as legitimate. Alongside this, we have the political dimension. Horror films have always been political, representing the fears and marginal identities of a particular country and time period. But in an era characterised by increased instability, pandemics, wars and all manner of social crises, the need for the genre might be more prevalent than ever. Watch: The terrifying trailer for Terrifier 3 In light of the industry's continuing struggle with declining cinema attendance numbers, horror remains one of the rare genres that consistently draws audiences to theatr. Although films like Terrifier 3 might be looked down on by the cinema establishment, it was event cinema and widely discussed in a way that few films in the past five years have managed to be. Audiences have always loved horror, and in a tough period for the cinema industry, the genre continues to prove financially stable and appealing to film-goers. That the gatekeepers of the industry are tentatively starting to recognise the genre is a new development, and although it remains to be seen whether this recognition will be sustained in future years, we're in a moment when horror of all varieties is being praised like never before.
