Latest news with #Coliseum
The Independent
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Alligator Alcatraz will get the thumbs up from Trump's Maga supporters
In Ancient Rome, a popular form of entertainment for the masses were the venationes, in which criminals, captives and sometimes gladiators fought battles with wild beasts. Lions, tigers, bears, wolves, even elephants and ostriches would be used in such gruesome displays. On special occasions, vast amphitheatres would be filled with water and real boats used to stage mock naval battles, and with hippopotamuses and crocodiles thrown in for a bit of added jeopardy. The Coliseum itself would be used for such a naumachia, with fleets of vessels battling it out. You can imagine the glee in crowds with which some poor unfortunate would lose his footing and be consumed by a hungry croc, screaming in agony, blood and giblets everywhere. Such elaborate games were one method by which an emperor could show off his wealth and power, at the same time as giving the people he ruled something to take their minds off their more mundane problems, with some free grain to show he cared. 'Bread and circuses', as the ruling strategy was called. Now, I'm no Mary Beard, and I'm not saying this is what Donald Trump is doing in the Florida Everglades at the moment, but the performative cruelty is more than a little reminiscent of a Roman emperor seeking ways to entertain himself and his people. His new facility for detaining deportees, 'Alligator Alcatraz' comes from an imagination every bit as sadistic as any in the ancient world. Indeed, it is far grander than anything Nero or Claudius ever dreamt up. The 39-square-mile site was grabbed with imperial ease using emergency powers and will house some 5,000 detainees in tents and cages. It's a swampland with temperatures reaching 38 degrees on a regular, sustained basis. America's new model penitentiary will be surrounded by alligators, Burmese pythons and swarms of mosquitos. Escape means near-certain death. If the heat doesn't get you, the animals will. What's more, Trump likes it that way. He thinks it's amusing. 'We're going to teach them how to run away from an alligator if they escape prison. 'Don't run in a straight line, run like this…'' (Trump's tiny hand makes a zig-zag motion) 'And, you know what? Your chances go up about one per cent.' Human despair and suffering. Hilarious. Trump's house of horrors also goes one better than the Roman emperors, because there's now Alligator Alcatraz merch – baseball caps, T-shirts and, who knows, latex alligator head masks – all to celebrate the terror of people whose only crime was to seek a better life and are being deported without due process. On his tour of Alligator Alcatraz, Trump – again, like the most nonchalant Roman tyrant – said he could start deporting criminals who had been naturalised as Americans: 'It's controversial, but I couldn't care less.' All the guy needs now is a toga. They probably don't need to, but the entire site could be fitted with CCTV, plus a whole squadron of drones with cameras and night-vision capability. It'll also have those swamp patrol baits with the huge propellers on the back. They could have cameras, too. All you need, in other words, for a new reality TV show. Any escapee could be filmed trying to find freedom before getting crushed to death by a python, say, and it can all be packaged up for a weekly slot for Fox News, with clips rights going to Truth Social: 'Escape from Alligator Alcatraz (Or Not)'. The shame of all this isn't that what Trump is doing is horrid and senseless, or that it's just another expensive stunt: the capacity is too small to make much difference to what Karoline Leavitt, consul to emperor Trump, calls 'the largest mass deportation campaign in American history'. We're used to Trump doing stuff like that. The sobering thing is that it is precisely what the president's base desires. It's what they voted for. When people say that it allows us to treat human beings that way, the Maga people reply that they're fine with it. If you say it's fascist, then they're happy to take a slice of that, with Donald's special dressings on top. A good half or so of the American electorate decided to put this guy in power, not once but twice, and almost three times – even after they discovered what a monster he was. Actually, because they discovered what a monster he was. They are cool with it – just as they aren't bothered about the rest of the world, what it thinks or what goes on there. As long as they get their bread and circuses, Trump can give a thumbs down to human rights as much as he likes. Don't be surprised if they turn out to be unreliable allies. They're busy enjoying the Alligator Alcatraz show.
UPI
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- UPI
Listen: Bruce Springsteen releases 'Tracks II' album of 83 never-heard songs
1 of 4 | Singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen released an album with never-heard songs on Friday. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo June 27 (UPI) -- Bruce Springsteen is back with new music. The "Born to Run" singer, 75, released Tracks II: The Lost Albums Friday, which includes 83 never-heard songs from seven previously-unreleased albums. "The Lost Albums were full records -- some of them even to the point of being mixed and not released. I've played this music to myself and often close friends for years now," he said in a statement."I'm glad you'll get a chance to finally hear them. I hope you enjoy them." Springsteen last released the 15-track album Only the Strong Survive in 2022. The first Tracks album contained 69 songs and arrived in 1998. "Just building my mansion in the evening sun, glory hallelujah," he sings in "Where You Going, Where You From" on his latest album. "I've got scotch in a whiskey bottle, I've got a round in my Hawken gun. I've got a smile that ain't a smile, black powder on my thumb." A post announcing the new release was met with positive support from fans, who commented about their excitement. "I cannot be more grateful for these new albums," one commenter said. Springsteen is the subject of the upcoming biopic Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, starring The Bear actor Jeremy Allen White as Springsteen. Bruce Springsteen turns 75: a look back at the rock icon Bruce Springsteen opened the four-concert finale to his 15 month tour at the Coliseum in Los Angeles with the hit song "Born in the U.S.A," on September 27, 1985. UPI Photos | License Photo
Forbes
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
‘F1: The Movie' Is An Entertaining, But Formulaic Summer Blockbuster
Are you not entertained?! Russell Crowe's Maximus Decimus Meridius shouts at the bloodthirsty crowd gathered in the Roman Coliseum in the 2000 film Gladiator. It's also a reasonable question to ask of the 21st century masses who are still willing to darken the doorways of multiplexes across the country when a suitable spectacle is released by a major film studio. After watching 62-year-old Tom Cruise fighting bad guys in midair on the wings of a bi-plane in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, you can now watch 61-year-old Brad Pitt do his own high speed driving in F1: The Movie. Clearly there is something about middle-aged movie stars that pushes them to extremes in an effort to remain in the national zeitgeist. Old stars become new again. Too bad the same can't be said for the movies they are making. Co-writer/director Joseph Kosinski is making a cottage industry out of turning sixty into the new forty for Hollywood leading men. He helmed Cruise's box office juggernaut Top Gun: Maverick, and now he's hoping to trade a fighter plane for a race car and propel Brad Pitt into the box office stratosphere. Despite my somewhat cynical point of view, I'll admit that F1: The Movie is an entertaining piece of popcorn filmmaking. If you see it on an IMAX screen, there's no reason to ever watch it again because the home experience will never do the cinematography and sound design justice. My primary beef with the film is that it's so by-the-numbers. If I give you the log line, 'an over-the-hill driver who never quite reached the top of the heap is recruited to train a headstrong rookie who could be the Best Ever', you can write the rest of the film yourself. Every worn out plot beat is present and accounted for. The veteran racer, Sonny Hayes, was in a terrible accident on the track that cost him his confidence, and he walked away from racing. The young rookie (Damson Idris) is cocky, but hasn't proven himself. The old analog pro trains by simply jogging the track he'll be driving on. The digital youngster has every fancy treadmill and training metric modern science can provide. And, the biggest, most tired plot point? To win … they're going to have to work as a team. There is one place where F1 deviates from standard tropes and betters itself in the process. Oscar nominee Kerry Condon (The Banshess of Inisherin) is onboard as a potential love interest for Pitt, but thankfully she's not in the film for only that purpose. Condon plays Kate, an engineering brain trust who designs and modifies the vehicles being driven by Sonny Hayes and his young protege. It gives Condon more screentime (which is always welcome) and avoids relegating her to the role of the worried supporting female, wringing her hands over the death-defying exploits of her leading man. The film's secret weapon is, of course, no secret. It's Brad Pitt. He brings the same cool dude swagger to veteran racer Sonny Hayes that he gave to Rusty Ryan in 2001's Ocean's 11. In case the younger members of the audience don't know Pitt is still cool, we first meet Sonny with Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love pounding over the soundtrack as he shuffles a deck of cards like Ricky Jay while the camera pans lovingly over his physique and face. I had to chuckle at such a hero-worshipping intro. That moment before the credits even run is emblematic of the film as a whole: it's trying a little too hard. When it chooses between bombast and silence, it chooses the decibels every time. With a running time of two-and-a-half hours, F1 could lose a good twenty minutes without costing it any of its tension or excitement. Toward the beginning of the film, the team owner, Ruben (Javier Bardem), explains that there are nine races remaining in the Formula One season, and his team only needs one win to survive a hostile takeover by its Board of Directors. Are you thinking what I was thinking? Are they really gonna have nine racing sequences in this movie? The answer is almost. They montage their way through about three races and drain everything they can from the other six. It quickly becomes clear there are only so many ways to film a car race. But, Pitt is so damn likable as a performer that you forgive F1: The Movie its excesses, obviousness and repetition. He's a 21st century Steve McQueen or Paul Newman. Both legends played up their ruggedness to avoid being labeled Hollywood pretty boys. It's probably no coincidence that McQueen and Newman were both passionate race car drivers off-screen. They even made their own racing films during their careers: Winning, 1969 (Newman) and Le Mans, 1971 (McQueen). Nothing says 'manly' or 'relevant' like risking death at 200 miles an hour. I turned 56 this year, just a half dozen years behind Brad Pitt. I've seen every film he's made, and I know what a capable actor he is. If you think he's only a pretty face, you haven't been paying attention. I wish he would play more complicated characters. To continue the Newman comparison, I want to see Pitt's Frank Galvin (The Verdict, 1982) or Donald 'Sully' Sullivan (Nobody's Fool, 1994). When his age becomes undeniable, we'll hopefully get those films. Are you not entertained? Yes, for now.
Forbes
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Salary Cap For America's Major League Cricket Tipped To Rise In Coming Years
In the late afternoon sunshine, with the spectacular Oakland Hills in the backdrop, Major League Cricket on Thursday made history with its first game at the iconic Coliseum, a world famous ground once home to the Athletics and Raiders. The terraces of the 40,000-seat ground were about a quarter full but it was undoubtedly a momentous moment for the fledgling American T20 domestic franchise league, hoped to ignite the No.1 targeted growth market for cricket. Apart from the initial intrigue over the MLC launching in 2023, finally ending decades of unfulfilled grandiose plans, playing games at the Coliseum has made splashy headlines with the announcement widely reported, including in The New York Times, Axios and mainstream media in the Bay Area. It's given nationwide exposure for a league entering a pivotal third season amid change. The league has expanded to 34 games and nestled into the earlier slot of mid-June in the hope of cementing a permanent spot in cricket's congested calendar. The Coliseum has shifted the tournament to the west coast for the first time after games previously were played solely in Dallas, the hub of American cricket, and a small ground in Morrisville, North Carolina. This season will also see games in Lauderhill, Florida, where many international games have been played over the years, along with the Bay Area and Dallas. There are plans for the six teams to have home grounds, but for all the franchises bar Texas Super Kings - even the Coliseum is currently only a one-season arrangement with San Francisco Unicorns - putting the suitable infrastructure in place has proven challenging. It's unlikely new stadiums will be unveiled in the next couple of years ahead of expansion in 2027 when two new teams will be added. As I've reported previously, Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta and Toronto are the cities in the mix. Through significant investment of more than $100 million, the well-heeled MLC has been able to attract top stars from major cricket nations, especially Australian players such as superstars Pat Cummins, Steve Smith and David Warner. The MLC salary cap of $1.1 million per team has not changed over the short history of the tournament, with top players earning around $175,000 for a minimum of five games - rivalling the highest figure per game in T20 leagues outside of the money-spinning Indian Premier league. But stiff competition in an increasingly congested franchise circuit ensures MLC must continue to offer healthy salaries in order to attract top talent. Currently the tournament has a domestic media rights deal with Willow TV, a subscription app and minor satellite and cable channel. There are also partnerships with FUBO, a streaming television service, and CBS Sports Network, while Unicorns games will be shown live on NBC Sports Bay Area and NBC Sports California. The current deal with Willow is five years, but believed to come with a three-year out clause. 'Willow has been a great partner for us. But the questions are what is next and can we do better?' Seattle Orcas co-owner Soma Somasegar told me. 'There is an opportunity for a good amount of revenue to come into the league from media rights. That will open up not only more opportunities to keep attracting top players but also sponsorship.' Franchises have been focused on investment since the advent of MLC, but a media rights boon could start seeing profits for owners by the end of the decade. 'We have currently a kind of a starter deal when we launched the league,' Unicorns co-owners Anand Rajaraman said. 'As the league gains popularity, my hope is that the the second broadcast deal is what takes us to profitability.' There has been significant off-field change for MLC with Johnny Grave taking the reins as chief executive having replaced Vijay Srinivasan, who will helm one of the new franchises. Grave was the Cricket West Indies chief for seven years up until late last year and before that was commercial director at the Professional Cricketers' Association in England for almost a decade. 'There's less pressure (on the salary cap) compared to those leagues that clash in January, where in that window there's been big wage inflation, a sort of inflationary effect on salary caps,' Grave said. "We've got a domestic player cap that will be reviewed and then linked to that would be the international salary cap as well. 'But I think there are opportunities that exist here for players in terms of growing their own brands and profile within the U.S. market,' he added. 'We're pretty confident that we're a great proposition for any player in the world.' MLC's exposure internationally is growing with the league announcing a two-year broadcast deal with JioStar, India's premier sports and entertainment network. This season is also being broadcast in Australia on Channel Seven, a free-to-air television network, as the ongoing World Test Championship final between Australia and South Africa is shunted behind an online streaming service. Those tuning into MLC's season-opener from around the world witnessed Finn Allen, a globetrotting T20 batter, provide fireworks in non-stop entertainment alongside American rising star Sanjay Krishnamurthi as a new sporting chapter started at this warhorse of an Oakland institution.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Big E announces Court of Honor Stage lineup
WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Big E has announced its lineup for its Court of Honor Stage performances. The popular venue, situated in front of the Coliseum, hosts four daily shows at 12, 2, 5 and 8 p.m. during the fair, Sept. 12-28. All shows are free with admission to The Big E. A limited number of premium seats are available for select shows. Free seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The lineup is as follows: Tonic, Sept. 12, 8 p.m.; John Morgan, Sept. 14, 8 p.m.; The Stylistics, Sept. 15-16, 2 p.m.; The Marshall Tucker Band, Sept. 17, 8 p.m.; Aldo Nova, Sept. 18, 8 p.m.; B.o.B, Sept. 19, 8 p.m.; Firefall, Sept. 20, 8 p.m.; Five for Fighting, Sept. 21, 8 p.m.; Seals & Crofts 2, Sept. 22-23, 2 p.m. Sister Hazel, Sept. 24, 8 p.m.; Elliot Lurie of Looking Glass with Yacht Rock Gold Experience, Sept. 25, 8 p.m.; Finger Eleven, Sept. 26, 8 p.m.; MKTO, Sept. 27, 8 p.m.; Queensrÿche, Sept. 28, 8 p.m. More additions to the Court of Honor Stage schedule and The Big E Arena are expected to be announced in the upcoming weeks. The Amateurs Silverthorne Theater Company launches 2025 summer season with 'The Amateurs' by Jordan Harrison, a play about a theater troupe on the run from the black plague in the 1300s. As the rag-tag troupe at the play's center races across Europe to outrun the plague, they perform such favorites as 'The Seven Deadly Sins' and 'Noah's Flood.' 'The Amateurs' will be staged at the Mainstage Theater in Emily Dickinson Hall on the campus of Hampshire College, where the company is in its second summer season in residence. Show dates and times are June 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m., and June 14, 15 and 22 at 2 p.m. Tickets available now at 'The Amateurs' is the first of two shows in Silverthorne's summer season. Tony-award winning playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins's 'The Comeuppance,' about a group of thirty-somethings gathering for their 20th high school reunion, will be presented in July. Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival Out Film CT will host the 38th Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival June 20-28. The majority of the festival will be screened at the festival's longtime home, the historic and elegant Cinestudio on the campus of Trinity College in Hartford. The closing night film will be at the Connecticut Science Center in downtown Hartford. In addition, there will be some virtual-only exclusives for film fans to enjoy at home. Associated social events include the opening night after-party (Friday, June 20), the centerpiece film free pre-reception (Wednesday, June 25 at 6:30 p.m.), and the closing night celebration (Saturday, June 28). Information on pricing for festival passes, which are on sale now, is available at Call & Response AMHERST — GalleryA3 in Amherst will exhibit the works of Evelyn Pye at an exhibition titled 'Call & Response' July 3 to Aug. 2. An opening reception will take place Thursday, July 3, 5–7 p.m. An art forum is scheduled to take place July 17, 7:30 p.m. In two series of related oil paintings on wood panel that together form 'Call & Response,' Pye explores human dimensions of time, space, and scale through a profusion of indoor plant life punctuated by a discrete infusion of domestic detail. GalleryA3 is located at 28 Amity St., 1D, in Amherst, Hours are Thursday to Sunday, 2-7 p.m. Earls and Pearls WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Irish Cultural Center will present the harmonies of the Earls and Pearls, a select group of vocalists from the former Dan Kane Singers, as they sing a collection of popular songs from across the decades. A special summer barbecue buffet is included in ticket purchase. The musical dinners take place at the ICC's Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub, at 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield. The two performance dates are Thursdays, June 19 and June 26. Doors open at 4 p.m.; music starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 for ICC patrons and $50 for the general public. Ticket includes music performance, the buffet, and server gratuity for food. A full bar will be open for purchase. Learn more and purchase tickets online at or call the restaurant at 413-342-4358. Suffield Players auditions SUFFIELD, Conn. — The Suffield Players are recently announced auditions for their upcoming October production of 'A Rock Sails By,' directed by Lisa Parker. Performance dates are Oct. 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 and 25 at 8 p.m., and Oct. 12 and 19 at 2 p.m. at Mapleton Hall in Suffield. Auditions will take place a Mapleton Hall Saturday, June 15, and Sunday, June 16, at 7 p.m. Callbacks — by invitation only — will take place Monday, June 17, at 7 p.m. Those auditioning will be asked to fill out an audition form prior to their audition. Visit to access the form and find more information. Roles are available for a range of adult characters. All experience levels are welcome. Bring a headshot and resume if available. Audition material will be provided at the audition or check the website for advance sides and character breakdowns. For questions, contact suffieldplayers@ Read the original article on MassLive.
