Latest news with #Armand
Irish Examiner
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Film review: Superman is a mixed bag — with fish-out-of-water charm
Could it be that Superman (15A) is getting a bit too big for those red boots? In James Gunn's re-imagining of the original superhero, the Man of Steel is an alien who was smuggled into the country and is now making unilateral interventions in the affairs of other sovereign nations, preventing Boravia from invading Jarhanpur without first asking for permission. If that sounds like a rather unusual Superman storyline, brace yourself: the movie's opening scene finds a bruised and battered Superman (David Corenswet) nursing his injuries in the Antarctic wastes, having suffered his very first defeat at the hands of the Hammer of Boravia, a metahuman operating at the behest of Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult). With the Pentagon unimpressed by Superman's meddling in Boravia, which is an ally of the United States, Luthor makes his big pitch: the world should replace Superman with Luthor's own Planet Watch security team of metahumans. The opening half-hour of Superman is hugely enjoyable as Gunn – who writes and directs – leans into the absurdity of the superhero's schtick, this courtesy of an interview conducted by Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), who asks Superman some hard questions about why an alien being feels entitled to get involved in human affairs. Alas, there's also some preposterous action sequences to navigate too, such as when Superman takes on a Godzilla-like fire-breathing monster, and later finds himself aided and abetted by the 'Justice Gang' (comprised of a Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced) and Mr Terrific (Edi Gathegi)). It's a mixed bag, in other words, as James Gunn tries to reinvent the unashamedly old-fashioned Superman for a world in which noble deeds and self-sacrifice are considered naïve at best. David Corenswet makes for a solid but uncharismatic Superman; Rachel Brosnahan, on the other hand, is smart and tough as the no-nonsense Lois, while Nicholas Hoult is hilariously slimy as the megalomaniacal Luthor. Armand. Armand ★★★★☆ Cinematic release We need to talk about Armand (15A), a six-year-old boy who doesn't actually appear on-screen in Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel's film, but whose behaviour in school is so shocking that it's described as 'a case of sexual deviation'. And so Armand's mother Elisabeth (Renate Reinsve) is called in for an emergency meeting with Armand's teacher Sunna (Thea Lambrechts Vaulen), the headmaster Jarle (Øystein Røger), and the parents of the boy – Sarah (Ellen Dorrit Petersen) and Anders (Endre Hellestveit) – who Armand terrorised. An intense psychological drama that won the Camera D'Or at last year's Cannes, Armand takes place for the most part in a classroom as Elisabeth defends her son against horrific allegations, Sarah and Anders demand that action be taken, and the school authorities wish the entire issue would simply vanish. It's a gripping, claustrophobic story, and especially when the focus moves away from Armand and onto the adults' complex relationship, all of it beautifully sustained by writer-director Tøndel – the grandson of Liv Ullman and Ingmar Bergman – in his debut feature-length film. Salvable. Salvable ★★★★☆ Cinematic release Salvable (15A) stars Toby Kebbell as Sal, a washed-up boxer marooned in the backwater of an English seaside town. A care worker who moonlights as a sparring partner (read: punchbag) for up-and-coming fighters, Sal is struggling to maintain a relationship with his 14-year-old daughter Molly (Kila Lord Cassidy). So when Sal's old pal and ex-con Vince (Shia LaBeouf, boasting an extraordinary accent of no particular origin) shows up offering Sal a slice of the underground white-collar boxing market just when Sal desperately needs a cash injection, the battered old pugilist has no choice but to get back in the ring again. Written by Bjorn Franklin, who co-directs with Johnny Marchetta, Salvable retreads many of the old boxing movie tropes to good effect, and largely because Toby Kebbell is a quietly magnetic presence in the lead role, rendering Sal a brutally tough boxer in the ring but a tender and generously thoughtful personality to those in his care.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Sad, Violent Story of Ash Armand, Alleged Diddy 'Freak-Off' Escort And Former Reality Television Star
Week one of Sean 'Diddy' Combs' bombshell sex trafficking and racketeering trial closed with more shocking allegations than we can count. Amid Cassandra 'Cassie' Ventura's tearful testimony, prosecutors presented a binder of 13 male sex workers allegedly recruited by Ventura and hired by Diddy. One escort in particular sparked headlines, and he's a whole mess. Ash Armand — real name Akshaya Kubiak — was in the spotlight between 2011 and 2016 in Showtime's uncensored realityseries 'Gigolos.' The series followed the glammy lifestyle of five male escorts in the bustling city of Las Vegas. On Wednesday (May 14), Armand's photo was among many presented as evidence for Diddy's infamous drug-filled 'freak off' parties. In 2020, Armand claimed he was attacked by a friend — or alleged client — Herleen Dulai, after they allegedly took shrooms together at his home before he 'blacked out.' Armand called the police to report her unconscious, however officer's stated Dulai was 'obviously deceased' upon their arrival. During his hearing in December 2021, Armand declared his innocence, saying 'I have never hit a woman in my life, and I certainly never wanted to hurt Herleen,' per Review Journal. The Clark County Coroner's office ruled Duali's death a homicide, citing blunt force trauma and strangulation. On May 20, the trial jury heard testimony from 10 witnesses including another male escort, Sharay Hayes, who sang like a canary. According to Hayes, he had previously created 'a scene, a sexy scene, that was enjoyable' alongside Ventura for Diddy, per CNN. Dishing more details, he alleged Ventura didn't appear to show any discomfort with the situation, and claimed he never saw the two engage in any filming or violence. Today, Armand is serving an eight-to-20-year sentence in a Nevada correctional facility after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter and mayhem. With his name mentioned in connection to Diddy's sex trafficking allegations, fans are wondering if he could emerge as a figure in the case. Either way, prosecutors are just getting warmed up. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Fallen marine from Rochester will be honored by NASCAR driver
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — A fallen Marine from Rochester will be honored at NASCAR's 600 Miles of Remembrance this Memorial Day weekend. Corporal Reynold Armand was a graduate of Eastridge High School before he followed in his father's footsteps and joined the US Marines. Armand passed away on August 2, 2007, in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was 21 years old. Professional driver Daniel Suarez announced Wednesday that he will honor Armand during NASCAR's Military Appreciation Weekend. His name will be featured on the windshield of the Freeway #99 car. Miriam Velez is the Gold Star Mother of Cpl. Armand and a co-founder of the local organization Latino Military Coalition. She shared her thoughts on Suarez honoring her son. 'I sincerely appreciate Freeway for sharing my son's story and keeping his memory alive,' Velez wrote in a statement. Suarez will be racing in the 600 Miles of Remembrance, which will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sunday, May 25. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
Police seek public's help locating missing West Springfield man
WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The West Springfield Police are seeking the public's help in locating a man who has been missing since last Tuesday. In a social media post, the police say Armand Lemieux lives in the area of Main and Bridge Streets and has been missing since the early morning of April 29. He is well known to the residents in that area, and some say that they haven't seen him recently. Westfield begins two year project to replace aging pipes Armand is described as approximately 5'7' tall and weighing 160 pounds. If you have seen him or know of his whereabouts, you are asked to call West Springfield Police Detective Craig Nielson at 413-263-3210, extension 278. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
San Francisco Chronicle
02-05-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
‘The music is in good hands': SFJazz names new CEO following yearlong search
After a year under interim leadership and a nationwide search, SFJazz has appointed Gabrielle Armand as its new chief executive officer. A seasoned arts executive and longtime leader at New York's Jazz at Lincoln Center, Armand will officially assume the position on July 1, guiding the Bay Area's premier nonprofit jazz institution through a pivotal moment of both challenge and opportunity. 'It's the right time for me to make a big move like this and come into a city so deeply rooted in the arts, creativity and vibrancy,' Armand said. 'San Francisco is in a moment of regeneration, and there's so much excitement about its next chapter. It felt like a natural fit.' Armand has nearly two decades of experience in arts marketing and strategic partnerships, most recently serving as chief marketing officer and vice president of brand, sales and marketing at Jazz at Lincoln Center. There, she led transformative initiatives in media, corporate sponsorships and audience development that significantly elevated the organization's national and international presence. She now brings that expertise west, joining SFJazz as it contends with financial pressures, changing demographics and the lingering effects of a pandemic that disrupted the live performance landscape. 'The richness of her experience at Jazz at Lincoln Center combined with her lifelong passion for the art form makes her the perfect leader for us,' said Coye, the board's president. 'We are excited for the opportunities ahead as Gabrielle helps expand the reach of jazz regionally and nationally, while deepening our commitment to education and artist support.' Armand steps into her new role at a critical juncture. SFJazz, widely recognized as one of the most influential jazz presenters in the country, faces growing questions about its long-term sustainability, community engagement and strategic direction, like many local arts institutions. She replaces Susie Medak, the former managing director of Berkeley Repertory Theatre, who served as interim CEO following Greg Stern 's decision to step down at the end of December after 4 ½ years with the nonprofit. Armand will work in close partnership with Blanchard, an Emmy-winning trumpeter and twice Oscar-nominated film composer known as a leading figure in contemporary jazz. 'I see myself being on a listening tour for at least the first few months and spending real time with Terence to understand all the things that he wants to do,' Armand said, 'and then work together to kind of put together the priority list and the action plan.' Their collaboration pairs Blanchard's artistic vision with Armand's strategic leadership. 'We're both keenly aware of our responsibilities in our respective lanes,' Armand noted. 'We see opportunities to cross-pollinate where it makes sense, but most importantly, we're committed to supporting one another. Terence is such a versatile and accomplished musician, I have enormous admiration for his artistry.' Blanchard echoed her sentiment, calling Armand 'an outstanding leader with a deep understanding of the jazz world.' 'I'm excited to partner with her in advancing the vision and impact of SFJazz,' Blanchard said in a statement. During her time at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Armand spearheaded a bold expansion into digital media, launching an in-house record label, a dedicated streaming channel and award-winning broadcast content. 'Both of our organizations have been intertwined in many ways over the past decades and this is a sign of our maturation,' said Wynton Marsalis, managing and artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. 'Gaby's leadership will reflect a deep understanding of the civic, cultural and mythological significance of jazz. She will make ethical, fiscally responsible, and intelligent decisions that will bring new energy to our ecosystem. The music is in good hands.' Armand sees similar opportunities at SFJazz, which has already experimented with online concerts and expanding its educational programming. 'SFJazz has an incredible foundation,' she said. 'My goal is to build on that and elevate the organization to new heights. It already has the essential ingredients every arts institution needs in times of transition: strong artistic leadership, an amazing staff and a supportive board. Those are the key elements you need whenever you're trying to turn things around, start a new chapter, or go in a different direction.' With more than 30 years of experience across music, media and nonprofit sectors, Armand is no stranger to leading complex organizations. Still, she acknowledges the unique significance of this role — and this moment. 'SFJazz has long been a beacon in both the San Francisco and national arts communities,' she said. 'It's a place where diverse voices and ideas are nurtured and celebrated. As we approach the country's semi-quincentennial, it feels especially meaningful to lead an institution rooted in jazz, a uniquely American art form that has always taken a lot of different cultures within this country, integrated them and made space and been a place to support all kinds of different artists.'
