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Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
He's back to break the rules one last time, 'belly fat and bad knees be damned'
Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Adam Sandler all star in new movies about older, unconventional pros who make one last return to their fields. The box office loves it. There's a guy. He's really good at what he does, but his methods are a bit unconventional. So unconventional, in fact, that he's a bit notorious and hesitant to return to his career, where his peers and bosses find him dangerous and irritating. But things are getting pretty bad, so he has to make a triumphant return, breaking a few rules in his quest to save the day. You'll just have to trust him. This is the plot of at least three movies that premiered this summer: Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, F1: The Movie and Happy Gilmore 2. They're all ultra-successful hits led by beloved movie stars — a dying breed who don't sign on to just any project. The 'trust me' trope has proven to be so successful, it's no wonder they're fueling the box office and streaming charts. 'I need you to trust me one last time,' Tom Cruise's stubbornly capable secret agent character says in Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning. He proceeds to push the laws of physics and defy the typical constraints of the human body — never mind that Cruise is in his 60s and does his own stunts — frustrating those around him, but saving the world. The appeal of the 'trust me' trope goes back to our psychological need in stories and in real life to feel secure, Alex Beene, a professor at the University of Tennessee at Martin, tells Yahoo. We like seeing this sort of thing played out onscreen over and over again because it's one of our most basic desires. 'As much as men and women claim to love independence in most aspects of their lives, there's a sense of relief and assuredness in letting someone else solve problems and overcome challenges,' he says. 'As a member of the audience, it's even more appealing because it makes you feel [that] all because of one person or group, everything ultimately will be OK.' 'Belly fat and bad knees be damed' The fact that the fictional heroes we're often comforted by are tough, experienced men appeals greatly to other people like them. Adults over 45 are the demographic least likely to go to the movies, according to a Yahoo News/YouGov Survey conducted in May 2025, so it makes sense that studios may craft narratives and cast actors specifically to break into that market. 'For older men, [a 'trust me' story] offers the promise that they, too, could pull it all together to save themselves or their families or the world if push came to shove, belly fat and bad knees be damned,' Tim Stevens, a writer at Connecticut College, tells Yahoo. Younger demographics may see a bit of their own dads in those characters. Though Cruise's character isn't a father, he has a fatherly relationship with several of his younger teammates, leading and protecting them even at his own expense. Christopher McKittrick, the former editor of Creative Screenwriting magazine, tells Yahoo that "grizzled old gunslinger" stories have been popular since classic Western films first took off. They appeal to dads in particular because they love seeing someone truly talented and experienced share their knowledge with young people, who then trust them and take their advice. It helps that the stars of these movies are actually veterans of their own industries, too. 'Men can identify with aging movie stars like … Cruise and Pitt based on their personas of keeping a cool head under fire, utilizing their unique expertise to solve a critical problem, and, of course, teaching those young people what they don't know,' McKittrick says. 'Taking dad to see a crowd-pleasing movie like this can make for an easy family outing and is an easy way for kids to connect with dad's interests.' It's nice to see an older guy come out on top. It may happen all the time in the movies now, but that's not typically the case in sports or other real-life, action-packed scenarios. In F1: The Movie, Brad Pitt plays a talented but rough-around-the-edges driver who returns to Formula 1 racing years after a horrific crash, only to use strategic aggressive driving and crashing to help his team defeat the competition. He defies the expectations of his younger teammate, but instead of shoving it in his face, he teaches the rising star a thing or two. Dads love this, but so do audiences at large: F1: The Movie has made more than $500 million at the global box office, becoming both Pitt and production company Apple's biggest blockbuster. To Stevens, 'trust me' movies all share a similar goal: to fulfill 'the promise that it is never too late for you to make a difference, [that] your heroes are still the people they were when you first looked up to them and [that] there are people out there in the world motivated by more than greed, arrogance and cynicism.' I need a hero Though the sheen of pure masculinity is what may initially draw people into these action movies and comedies, there's an inherent vulnerability in these stories. Returning to the careers they've left, even if the goal is to save the day, requires vulnerability. The way this subverts our expectations and reverses typical power dynamics 'makes a self-reliant hero irresistibly human and relatable,' Ali Shehata, a physician and founder of production company FamCinema, tells Yahoo. The fact that our protagonists are begging for trust 'one last time' adds an element of scarcity, resulting in a situation that is 'truly epic,' he says. Even Happy Gilmore, a golfer whose violently powerful swing infuriated his peers and made him a legend, goes to a place of deep vulnerability in Happy Gilmore 2. Twenty-nine years after the original film, he returns to golf to earn money for his daughter's education. Though his character oozes humor and aggression, the sequel pushes him — and us — to emotional places. Viewers are buying into it as well — it had the biggest weekend debut ever for a Netflix film with 46 million views in just three days. 'It gives us that exhilarating feeling of being part of something bigger than ourselves, while also creating suspense about whether that precious trust we lend to our hero, whom we have faithfully followed for so many previous adventures, will finally be vindicated,' Shehata says. It's satisfying to see them succeed as their enemies and critics fail, delivering a happy ending through action-packed events, unconventional twists and emotionally vulnerable moments. It's no wonder it's the go-to formula for a box office hit this summer. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
He's back to break the rules one last time, 'belly fat and bad knees be damned'
Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Adam Sandler all star in new movies about older, unconventional pros who make one last return to their fields. The box office loves it. There's a guy. He's really good at what he does, but his methods are a bit unconventional. So unconventional, in fact, that he's a bit notorious and hesitant to return to his career, where his peers and bosses find him dangerous and irritating. But things are getting pretty bad, so he has to make a triumphant return, breaking a few rules in his quest to save the day. You'll just have to trust him. This is the plot of at least three movies that premiered this summer: Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, F1: The Movie and Happy Gilmore 2. They're all ultra-successful hits led by beloved movie stars — a dying breed who don't sign on to just any project. The 'trust me' trope has proven to be so successful, it's no wonder they're fueling the box office and streaming charts. 'I need you to trust me one last time,' Tom Cruise's stubbornly capable secret agent character says in Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning. He proceeds to push the laws of physics and defy the typical constraints of the human body — never mind that Cruise is in his 60s and does his own stunts — frustrating those around him, but saving the world. The appeal of the 'trust me' trope goes back to our psychological need in stories and in real life to feel secure, Alex Beene, a professor at the University of Tennessee at Martin, tells Yahoo. We like seeing this sort of thing played out onscreen over and over again because it's one of our most basic desires. 'As much as men and women claim to love independence in most aspects of their lives, there's a sense of relief and assuredness in letting someone else solve problems and overcome challenges,' he says. 'As a member of the audience, it's even more appealing because it makes you feel [that] all because of one person or group, everything ultimately will be OK.' 'Belly fat and bad knees be damed' The fact that the fictional heroes we're often comforted by are tough, experienced men appeals greatly to other people like them. Adults over 45 are the demographic least likely to go to the movies, according to a Yahoo News/YouGov Survey conducted in May 2025, so it makes sense that studios may craft narratives and cast actors specifically to break into that market. 'For older men, [a 'trust me' story] offers the promise that they, too, could pull it all together to save themselves or their families or the world if push came to shove, belly fat and bad knees be damned,' Tim Stevens, a writer at Connecticut College, tells Yahoo. Younger demographics may see a bit of their own dads in those characters. Though Cruise's character isn't a father, he has a fatherly relationship with several of his younger teammates, leading and protecting them even at his own expense. Christopher McKittrick, the former editor of Creative Screenwriting magazine, tells Yahoo that "grizzled old gunslinger" stories have been popular since classic Western films first took off. They appeal to dads in particular because they love seeing someone truly talented and experienced share their knowledge with young people, who then trust them and take their advice. It helps that the stars of these movies are actually veterans of their own industries, too. 'Men can identify with aging movie stars like … Cruise and Pitt based on their personas of keeping a cool head under fire, utilizing their unique expertise to solve a critical problem, and, of course, teaching those young people what they don't know,' McKittrick says. 'Taking dad to see a crowd-pleasing movie like this can make for an easy family outing and is an easy way for kids to connect with dad's interests.' It's nice to see an older guy come out on top. It may happen all the time in the movies now, but that's not typically the case in sports or other real-life, action-packed scenarios. In F1: The Movie, Brad Pitt plays a talented but rough-around-the-edges driver who returns to Formula 1 racing years after a horrific crash, only to use strategic aggressive driving and crashing to help his team defeat the competition. He defies the expectations of his younger teammate, but instead of shoving it in his face, he teaches the rising star a thing or two. Dads love this, but so do audiences at large: F1: The Movie has made more than $500 million at the global box office, becoming both Pitt and production company Apple's biggest blockbuster. To Stevens, 'trust me' movies all share a similar goal: to fulfill 'the promise that it is never too late for you to make a difference, [that] your heroes are still the people they were when you first looked up to them and [that] there are people out there in the world motivated by more than greed, arrogance and cynicism.' I need a hero Though the sheen of pure masculinity is what may initially draw people into these action movies and comedies, there's an inherent vulnerability in these stories. Returning to the careers they've left, even if the goal is to save the day, requires vulnerability. The way this subverts our expectations and reverses typical power dynamics 'makes a self-reliant hero irresistibly human and relatable,' Ali Shehata, a physician and founder of production company FamCinema, tells Yahoo. The fact that our protagonists are begging for trust 'one last time' adds an element of scarcity, resulting in a situation that is 'truly epic,' he says. Even Happy Gilmore, a golfer whose violently powerful swing infuriated his peers and made him a legend, goes to a place of deep vulnerability in Happy Gilmore 2. Twenty-nine years after the original film, he returns to golf to earn money for his daughter's education. Though his character oozes humor and aggression, the sequel pushes him — and us — to emotional places. Viewers are buying into it as well — it had the biggest weekend debut ever for a Netflix film with 46 million views in just three days. 'It gives us that exhilarating feeling of being part of something bigger than ourselves, while also creating suspense about whether that precious trust we lend to our hero, whom we have faithfully followed for so many previous adventures, will finally be vindicated,' Shehata says. It's satisfying to see them succeed as their enemies and critics fail, delivering a happy ending through action-packed events, unconventional twists and emotionally vulnerable moments. It's no wonder it's the go-to formula for a box office hit this summer. Solve the daily Crossword
Newsweek
08-07-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Map Shows Best Cities for Renters
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Around 46 million households rent their homes in the United States, but the affordability and quality of the renting experience can vary dramatically based on where you live. In WalletHub's new report, cities were ranked based on several measures of rental attractiveness and quality of life, including the difference between rent and mortgage payments, cost of living and job availability. While cities like Overland Park, Kansas, ranked high on the list, Memphis, Tennessee, came in as the worst place to rent in the U.S. Why It Matters Inflation has caused rent prices to skyrocket in recent years, and 2024 saw a 5.1 percent increase in rates year-over-year. However, rental rates depend on your exact region and city, and the factors of that location will ultimately determine whether renting or owning is a better option. What To Know The top 10 cities to rent in were Overland Park, Kansas; Scottsdale, Arizona; Chandler, Arizona; Gilbert, Arizona; Bismarck, North Dakota; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Huntsville, Alabama; Peoria, Arizona; Lewistown, Maine; and Nashua, New Hampshire. Overland Park had significantly high-ranking public schools and also had the highest average home square footage in the country at 2,809 square feet. It also had the eighth-best rental affordability, with only 18 percent of households paying more than 50 percent of their income for housing. Next in the rankings, rounding off the top 20, were Lincoln, Nebraska; Plano, Texas; Fargo, North Dakota; Mesa, Arizona; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Casper, Wyoming; Phoenix, Arizona; Manchester, New Hampshire; Portland, Maine; and Amarillo, Texas. Arizona was a clear winner in the rankings, taking four spots in the top 10. Scottsdale had a high availability of jobs and a well-ranked driving environment, characterized by good traffic and infrastructure quality. It also had the fourth-best weather and the sixth-best recreation options. Chandler had a relatively high average square footage, at 1,909 square feet. More than 16 percent of homes were built between 2010 and 2023. "Cities like Bismarck and Sioux Falls come as little surprise, as they have wider rental availability at better prices," Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek. "Locations like Phoenix and its surrounding suburbs all ranking so high are vastly different in terms of having a higher cost of living, but the Arizona-based county benefits from having higher paying jobs meaning rent is a lower percentage of income," he said. A person walks by a add of apartments to rent in a building on July 1, 2025, in New York City. A person walks by a add of apartments to rent in a building on July 1, 2025, in New York City. Zamek/VIEWpress At the bottom of the list, cities like Memphis, Tennessee, stood out due to a mix of rental affordability factors and quality of life. Detroit, Michigan; Cleveland, Ohio; Tacoma, Washington; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Newark, New Jersey, also scored at the bottom, despite their relatively large sizes. "Detroit, Cleveland, and others ranking at the lowest end are the result of lower paying jobs combined with more scarce housing opportunities in different areas of these cities at higher prices," Beene said. What People Are Saying WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said in the report: "In the best cities for renters, rent can cost you as little as around 15 percent of your income. You'll also have access to robust laws that protect renters, such as limiting deposits to only a month or two of rent. Our study also considers quality-of-life factors such as a city's traffic congestion, job market or recreation options to make sure you can get a good living experience, not just inexpensive housing." Nationwide title and escrow expert Alan Chang told Newsweek: "It is not surprising to see that CA, FL, and TX had the majority of the rankings out of the list as they represent a very large portion of the housing market. What was surprising to me was that cities like Boise ranked in the bottom third for affordability. This shows that the housing market still hasn't normalized from the last 5 years of dramatic overvaluation." Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "The fascinating part of these rankings is the socioeconomic differences of the locations on the top and bottom of the list and the factors that put them these rankings are more than just the cost of renting; it's how it stacks up against income and availability in these markets." Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek: "Climate, outdoor lifestyle, and overall quality of life are major differentiators. These can outweigh affordability in many cases which explains why people still choose to live in California despite the high cost of living. The access to nature, mild weather, and overall lifestyle benefits continue to make those cities attractive." What Happens Next While prices remain high in 2025, experts say renters should not necessarily expect a comedown. "While some are expecting a market crash, I don't see one in the near future. This just appears to be the new normal," Chang said.
Newsweek
19-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Gen Z More Worried Than Millennials About Losing Their Home in a Recession
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Members of Generation Z are more anxious than Millennials about the possibility of losing their homes if the United States enters a recession, according to new polling data. A survey by LendingTree found that 27 percent of Gen Z respondents expressed concern that a recession would result in the loss of their housing. In comparison, only 23.4 percent of Millennials said the same. Why It Matters The heightened anxiety among Gen Z speaks to how younger Americans, many of whom are just beginning their financial independence, are grappling with high rent, stagnant wages, and rising costs of living. The housing affordability crisis has been a pressing issue in recent years, and these findings suggest that Gen Z may be disproportionately vulnerable to economic downturns. The disparity in concern may also reflect differences in life stages. Millennials, many of whom are in their 30s and early 40s, may already own homes or have a more stable financial footing than Gen Z, which includes people in their teens and early-to-mid 20s. A for sale sign is posted in front of a home for sale on February 20, 2023 in San Francisco, California. A for sale sign is posted in front of a home for sale on February 20, 2023 in San Francisco, To Know According to the data, Gen Z respondents not only worry more about housing stability in a recession but also report higher levels of economic stress overall. Their concern about housing loss was one of the highest among a range of recession-related anxieties surveyed across generations. While Gen Z and Millennials had roughly the same likelihood of saying a recession would happen in the next six months, more Gen Z-ers were also concerned about their partners losing their jobs (23.2 percent versus 19.9 percent). Other indicators in the data also suggest that Gen Z tends to express greater skepticism about their long-term financial prospects compared to Millennials and older cohorts. More Gen Z respondents were also getting side gigs to prepare for a possible recession than millennials. While 31 percent of the younger cohort said they were adding on an additional job or side hustle, just 28 percent of Millennials said the same. That was compared to 20 and 12 percent of Gen X and Baby Boomers, respectively. This aligns with broader trends seen in national financial surveys that show younger generations carrying higher student loan debts and struggling to enter the housing market. Across all age groups, roughly the same percentage felt the Trump administration's actions would make a recession more likely, but this was highest amongst Baby Boomers at 66 percent. What People Are Saying Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "When it comes to housing costs, many in Gen Z are just at the beginning of their careers and subsequently their income journey. A higher percentage of their earnings goes to housing costs, and any job loss would present a situation where they could potentially no longer make payments." Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek: "Gen Z-ers are more worried because they haven't been through the same financial fire drills. Millennials have been hit with the Great Financial Crisis in '08-09, the LTCM collapse in the late 90s, the dot-com bust, and a decade of flat returns from 2000 to 2009. They've seen markets wipe out portfolios and recover. That kind of experience builds a thicker skin, which is probably why they're less worried about a recession taking their homes." Drew Powers, the founder of Illinois-based Powers Financial Group, told Newsweek: "28 percent to 24 percent is a relatively small difference, but perhaps it is because Gen Z has not yet gone through a meaningful recession in their working years. Afterall, the COVID downturn would have occurred when most of Gen Z was still in high school or college." What's Next As concerns about a potential recession persist, the housing market will likely remain a key area of focus for policymakers. Programs aimed at increasing affordable housing access, improving rent protections, and addressing youth unemployment may become more urgent. "Whereas Millennials are more established in their careers and have more savings, a recession could be devastating to the finances of Gen Z," Beene said. "Any job loss would not just put their current housing situation in jeopardy, but also impair their ability to use housing as a long-term wealth builder."
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
It's not love, it's rent! American couples are staying together because of the economy
Who would've guessed that the biggest factor keeping some couples together in 2025 wouldn't be love, trust, or therapy, but inflation? A new national survey from Self Financial found that nearly one in four Americans — 24% of over 1,000 respondents — say they're stuck in relationships they can't afford to leave. Between soaring housing prices, inflation, and the everyday cost of living, breaking up just isn't financially feasible for a growing number of people. 'While no one likes the idea of having to stay with a partner for financial reasons, for some this may be the only way to financially keep their head above water,' said Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor at the University of Tennessee at Martin, in an interview with Newsweek. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How to earn a second salary with $200 [CFD] TradeLG Undo He explained that couples are relying more on each other to cover essential expenses like rent, groceries, and utility bills, turning what used to be personal partnerships into financial alliances. The financial strain is particularly severe in major cities like New York. According to the data analyzed earlier this year by Frich, a finance app for Gen Z, couples in Manhattan can save over $50,000 annually by living together, rather than splitting up and paying solo rent. That extra financial burden, commonly called the 'singles tax,' has surged 40% in the past three years, per Frich's findings. And for Gen Z, the cost of uncoupling is even steeper. Frich's survey revealed that the average breakup costs $3,862, factoring in spending on new housing, shopping sprees, emotional 'retail therapy,' and rebound vacations. One in five Gen Z respondents admitted to spending up to $2,000 on post-breakup trips alone. A single girl's night out? That'll cost you roughly $92, according to Frich. Nearly 40% of Gen Z respondents also said they'd move in with a partner before they were emotionally ready, simply to save money on rent. And 18% said they've stayed in relationships they weren't happy in for financial reasons. Money is not just keeping couples together — it's also tearing them apart. The Self Financial survey showed that 86% of respondents had argued with a partner about money, and 41% said finances contributed to their breakup. 'While staying together might seem practical in the short term, the longer the delay, the more complicated things can get financially,' Beene warned. 'The economic outlook of both individuals gets more intertwined,' Alex quoted. Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
