Latest news with #moralcode
Daily Mail
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Yellowstone star Neal McDonough changes his tune after claiming he 'lost everything' after Hollywood firing
Yellowstone star Neal McDonough is stepping back after claiming this week that his career in Hollywood was ruined by his unwillingness to kiss women other than his wife on screen. The 59-year-old actor had claimed on Wednesday on the Nothing Left Unsaid podcast that he 'lost everything' after getting fired from ABC's Scoundrels, which allegedly made him persona non grata in the film and television industry. But with his wife Ruvé Robertson by his side, McDonough claimed that being ejected from that series due to his moral code actually helped him to have a better, more meaningful career. While speaking to TMZ on Thursday, Robertson emphasized that her message now is 'Thank you, Hollywood,' and she said the industry never 'turned it's back' on her husband. Robertson — a South African–born model, actress and producer whom McDonough tied the knot with in 2003 — noted her husband's multiple collaborations with Steven Spielberg, which included major roles in his film Minority Report and the HBO miniseries Band Of Brothers, which Spielberg co-created with Tom Hanks. The legendary filmmaker was also a producer on Flags Of Our Fathers, which McDonough appeared in for another acclaimed director, Clint Eastwood. McDonough claimed getting fired from ABC's Scoundrels over his moral code helped him have a better career, and Robertson (L) emphasized that her message now is 'Thank you, Hollywood' because the industry never 'turned it's back' on her husband; seen May 12 'The right people found Neal and put him in the right places,' Robertson continued, adding that McDonough wanted to 'continue doing incredible films.' She added that her husband's temporary career troubles 'guided' him to the solid footing that he is on now. 'We cannot explain how blessed we are and how happy we are,' she said, before noting that they had been happily together for 25 years and shared five children. 'We are so fortunate,' McDonough chimed in. The couple even mused that they might not be together today if he had been kissing other actresses on set, as they attributed his moral code to helping to strengthen their marriage. Their affection was unmissable, and Robertson interrupted her statement to give her husband a cute smooch on the lips, while he broke into song later in the interview. Robertson concluded by saying they hoped that her husband's enduring popularity could inspire other actors earlier in their careers, as well as people dealing with other personal struggles. She also pointed out how Hollywood had played an instrumental role in helping McDonough get sober years earlier, and his success had allowed them to create their own production company. In another clip, Robertson defended the couple's strict moral code, and she claimed that their children get concerned just hearing their father swearing in movies and shows, much less get intimate with other women. Robertson joked that they would fib in the past and tell their children that McDonough's voice had been dubbed over whenever they heard him curse on screen. McDonough previously suggested that his refusal to kiss women other than his wife was a death knell for his Hollywood career. The veteran performer chatted on Wednesday's edition of the podcast Nothing Left Unsaid, opening up about a years-long slide he said was due to his strict adherence to his marital vows. 'I'd always had in my contracts that I wouldn't kiss another woman on screen,' the Boston-born actor and strict Catholic told the podcast hosts Tim Green and Troy Green. McDonough played the role of Malcolm Beck on six episodes of Yellowstone in 2019. McDonough clarified that the contractual demand was at his behest, and not that of his spouse Ruvé McDonough, who he's been wed to since 2003 and shares five children with. 'My wife didn't have any problem with it — it was me, really, who had a problem with it,' said McDonough, who's been seen on TV shows such as Desperate Housewives, Tulsa King and Meghan Markle 's one-time show Suits. McDonough said it was impossible for Hollywood producers to get that he was dead serious about his demand — and they quickly stopped using him as a result. 'When I wouldn't do it... they couldn't understand,' McDonough said of his refusal to kiss other women on camera. 'Hollywood just completely turned on me, and they wouldn't let me be part of the show anymore. 'For two years, I couldn't get a job and I lost everything you could possibly imagine.' McDonough's movie credits include Star Trek: First Contact, Red 2 and Guns & Moses. He also starred as Lynn 'Buck' Compton in HBO's war drama Band of Brothers (2001). He said that the loss of work resulted in a domino effect in which everything dear to him began slipping away. 'Not just houses [and] material things, but your swagger, your cool, who you are, your identity - everything,' McDonough said. 'My identity was an actor, and a really good one.' McDonough said that the problems lingered for an extended period. 'Once you don't have that identity, you're kind of lost in a tailspin,' McDonough said. 'And I was in a big, ugly tailspin for a couple of years.' McDonough's most recent role came in the May feature film The Last Rodeo, which he was a writer on and played the lead role of Joe Wainwright. His spouse Ruvé portrayed the role of his wife Rose Wainwright in the movie, and the two did kiss onscreen. Prior to acting in the role, Ruvé, a native of South Africa, had a background in fashion modeling and film production. The rodeo drama also starred Mykelti Williamson, Sarah Jones, Graham Harvey and Christopher McDonald.
Geek Vibes Nation
25-07-2025
- Automotive
- Geek Vibes Nation
'Self Driver' Blu-Ray Review - A Tense Heightening Of The Gig Economy
Facing mounting expenses and the unrelenting pressure of modern living, a down-on-his-luck cab driver is lured on to a mysterious new app that promises fast, easy money. As his first night on the job unfolds, he is pulled ever deeper into the dark underbelly of society, embarking on a journey that will test his moral code and shake his understanding of what it means to have freewill. The question becomes not how much money he can make, but what he'll be compelled to do to make it. If you've got nothing to lose, how far would you go? For thoughts on Self Driver, please see my colleague Lane Mills's review from its original festival release here. Video Quality Self Driver makes its Blu-Ray debut with a very strong 1080p video presentation that translates the film's look with great care. The ultra low-budget feature was reportedly shot using handheld cameras, which gives this a very claustrophobic, visceral aesthetic that makes you feel as if you are along for the ride. This also means the image is not always the most crisp and does not have the most complex color palette, but everything appears to be accurate to the source. The film primarily takes place at night, and there are some notable colors within the lighting such as neon signs along the road. The skin tones are natural with a fine amount of detail present in close-ups. The interior of the car and clothing provide some worthwhile textural details. Black levels reveal the slightest signs of banding in a few moments, but they largely hold up well enough. This Blu-Ray ensures this film maintains its authenticity as it is translated to physical media. Audio Quality Cinephobia Releasing gives this Blu-Ray a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track that brings the soundscape to life without issue. Dialogue emerges clearly without being overshadowed by any competing sounds. Environmental sounds perk up the surround speakers with unique ambient details that settle you in the world of this vehicle. Any music maintains its fidelity as it complements parallel elements. There is a bit of texture in the lower registers during a few fraught moments when it comes to some of the bass in the music. The results are everything you want them to be when it comes to bringing this contained story to life. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided. Special Features Audio Commentary: Writer/Director Michael Pierro, producer Kire Paputts, and actor Nathanael Chadwick provide a commentary track that delves into the background of the production, collaborating with the other performers, the aesthetic of the film, the night shoots, and more. Alternate Scenes with Commentary by Writer/Director Michael Pierro: A 16-minute collection of footage that didn't make the final cut, including a full take of a scene from multiple angles that gives you an idea of how the movie was pieced together. Deleted Scenes: An 11-minute selection of footage that was not chosen for the film. Original Trailer (1:42) Behind The Scenes Still Gallery: A two-minute collection of moments from the production. Final Thoughts Self Driver is a really fun satire of the gig economy that forces you to question how far you are willing to go in order to serve your own needs. The film is compact in terms of scale, which allows the narrative to drill down on what is most prescient. Things stay relatively grounded, so gorehounds looking for something particularly grisly may feel underwhelmed, but the tension rings true throughout for a particularly captivating experience. Cinephobia Releasing has released a Blu-Ray featuring a strong A/V presentation and a decent selection of special features. Recommended Self Driver is currently available to purchase on Standard Edition Blu-Ray or with a Limited Edition Slipcover exclusively through Vinegar Syndrome. Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray. Disclaimer: Cinephobia Releasing and OCN Distribution have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
