Latest news with #Hal
The Age
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
What to stream this week: Mark Ruffalo's sad dad, plus five more to add to your list
This week's picks include a gentle dramedy with Mark Ruffalo as a hopeless dad, Law and Order star Mariska Hargitay's documentary about her famous mum, and Julianne Moore and Sydney Sweeney's new thriller. Hal and Harper ★★★★ (Stan*) The gap between the casual and a crisis is worryingly small and always unclear in this quicksilver US dramedy. 'I feel like a fragile sculpture,' says Harper (Lili Reinhart), one of the show's titular twenty-something siblings. She's drily referring to her new haircut, an experiment with a fringe that speaks to mishandling unease, but a different, altogether more painful, definition is close at hand: crack, crumble, collapse. Hal and Harper is a show that is deeply attuned to emotional upheaval overwhelming the everyday. It's an intriguing, idiosyncratic vision from creator Cooper Raiff, the independent filmmaker (Cha Cha Real Smooth) who transitions to television by writing and directing all eight episodes. Cooper, who also plays younger brother Hal, wants to dig into the unspoken. His Californian characters are poised on the precipice of change they can no longer avoid. Hal is about to finish university, but is still emotionally dependent on Harper, who has a dead-end first job and a relationship, with Jesse (Alyah Chanelle Scott), that's imploding. The two are, in so many ways, the children of Michael (Mark Ruffalo), the novelist and single father who raised them with a pronounced lack of emotional support; Harper has been mothering Hal since she was nine and he was seven. When Michael announces that his girlfriend, Kate (Betty Gilpin), is pregnant, the celebratory news lights a fuse to individual reckonings. He's terrified of failing another child, and his adult children can't avoid facing their childhood trauma. It seems our performative ease with therapy-speak doesn't actually fix anything. Raiff crafts these little earthquakes with droll exchanges, lived-in eccentricities and roiling montages that feel like they're lifting the characters out of the plot's safe space. His innovations skirt the absurd to find deeper truths, most notably in lengthy primary school flashbacks where Reinhart and Raiff play the younger Harper and Hal. She's an old soul, he's nervy and enthusiastic, and there's something solemn and bittersweet about seeing the adults these two children will become, learning about life. The little jokes and quick reassurances the grown siblings swap with each other and those close to them are a coping mechanism that can't endure. 'She broke my heart,' adult Hal laments of a fellow student, Abby (Havana Rose Liu), before Harper stumps him by asking, 'What's her last name?' The performances have a low-key desperation and deeply held churn. Solving these issues isn't the crux of Hal and Harper, it's actually just being able to acknowledge them. That's both sad and a joke, which is exactly where this first-rate show wants to be. My Mom Jayne ★★★½ (Max) Separating the public from the private is a near impossible task in this documentary from Law and Order: Special Victims Unit star Mariska Hargitay. The actress was just three years old when her mother, Hollywood bombshell Jayne Mansfield, died in a car accident in 1967. Hargitay, who was asleep in the vehicle's back seat, has spent her life struggling to understand a famous parent she has no memories of. This feature-length documentary is her attempt at reconciliation. With an outlook on fame that feels contemporary, the platinum blonde Mansfield was the most photographed woman in the world in the 1950s. 'She was always on display,' recalls her former publicist, the now 99-year-old 'Rusty' Strait. The film untangles the divide between Mansfield as sex kitten and loving mother, and charts her increasingly perilous career and marriages, including her second with Mickey Hargitay, a former Mr Universe. Mariska Hargitay directs the film, and is often on camera, including interviews with her siblings. There's no outside scrutiny to this story, but the trade-off is a deeply genuine sense of loss and longing; an outsider couldn't deliver the raw exchanges these family members share. Hargitay folds in her youthful rebellion and belated yearning and, in a nod to the entertainment industry she's spent her whole life adjacent to, there's an almighty twist in the third act that completes this heartfelt journey. Echo Valley ★★★ (Apple TV+) Written by Brad Ingelsby (Mare of Easttown) and set in rural Pennsylvania, this familial thriller from British director Michael Pearce (Beast) has a familiar shape and the overqualified cast to paper over the cracks. Julianne Moore and Sydney Sweeney play estranged mother and daughter, reunited when the latter's latest misdeed brings her home to the former. Helping your child is just another form of debt that must be collected, but the film keeps the leads apart while fraying the plot with twists and double-crosses. The story lacks a visceral edge. Countdown ★★½ (Amazon Prime Video) Amazon's yen for 'Dad action' in shows such as Reacher and The Terminal List – all hard-nosed action sequences, stoic leading men, and a sardonic commentary while doing good – goes a step too far with this crime drama about a US task force whose murder investigation uncovers a vast conspiracy. Countdown is efficient but generic, too often echoing the procedural roots of creator Derek Haas (Chicago Fire). Supernatural star Jensen Ackles knows how to embody the protagonist, LAPD detective Mark Meachum, but he's not given a great deal to work with. Predator: Killer of Killers ★★★ (Disney+) Of the many ageing intellectual property franchises being tended and exploited by Hollywood studios, Predator may well be having the most interesting second act. The 1987 original remains an action classic, but recently there's been some smart additions to the science-fiction series about the alien warrior race that periodically hunts humans. After directing the underrated 2022 live action feature Prey, director Dan Trachtenberg returns with this animated anthology about Predator encounters with different historic eras. It's all bloody ultra-violence and comic book excess which is a good change of pace. Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem ★★½ (Netflix) Trainwreck is Netflix's modern scandal documentary franchise: occasionally tragic, mostly tawdry, with a focus on jaw-dropping testimony over historic analysis. Alongside the newly released holiday nightmare Poop Cruise, the Mayor of Mayhem is indicative of the Trainwreck process. It recounts the fireball career of Toronto mayor Rob Ford, a populist who assumed the position in 2010 and within three years was the headline subject of a video that showed him smoking crack cocaine. Was Ford an addict? Yes. Does that hold as much weight here as his propensity for saying bonkers stuff in public? No.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
What to stream this week: Mark Ruffalo's sad dad, plus five more to add to your list
This week's picks include a gentle dramedy with Mark Ruffalo as a hopeless dad, Law and Order star Mariska Hargitay's documentary about her famous mum, and Julianne Moore and Sydney Sweeney's new thriller. Hal and Harper ★★★★ (Stan*) The gap between the casual and a crisis is worryingly small and always unclear in this quicksilver US dramedy. 'I feel like a fragile sculpture,' says Harper (Lili Reinhart), one of the show's titular twenty-something siblings. She's drily referring to her new haircut, an experiment with a fringe that speaks to mishandling unease, but a different, altogether more painful, definition is close at hand: crack, crumble, collapse. Hal and Harper is a show that is deeply attuned to emotional upheaval overwhelming the everyday. It's an intriguing, idiosyncratic vision from creator Cooper Raiff, the independent filmmaker (Cha Cha Real Smooth) who transitions to television by writing and directing all eight episodes. Cooper, who also plays younger brother Hal, wants to dig into the unspoken. His Californian characters are poised on the precipice of change they can no longer avoid. Hal is about to finish university, but is still emotionally dependent on Harper, who has a dead-end first job and a relationship, with Jesse (Alyah Chanelle Scott), that's imploding. The two are, in so many ways, the children of Michael (Mark Ruffalo), the novelist and single father who raised them with a pronounced lack of emotional support; Harper has been mothering Hal since she was nine and he was seven. When Michael announces that his girlfriend, Kate (Betty Gilpin), is pregnant, the celebratory news lights a fuse to individual reckonings. He's terrified of failing another child, and his adult children can't avoid facing their childhood trauma. It seems our performative ease with therapy-speak doesn't actually fix anything. Raiff crafts these little earthquakes with droll exchanges, lived-in eccentricities and roiling montages that feel like they're lifting the characters out of the plot's safe space. His innovations skirt the absurd to find deeper truths, most notably in lengthy primary school flashbacks where Reinhart and Raiff play the younger Harper and Hal. She's an old soul, he's nervy and enthusiastic, and there's something solemn and bittersweet about seeing the adults these two children will become, learning about life. The little jokes and quick reassurances the grown siblings swap with each other and those close to them are a coping mechanism that can't endure. 'She broke my heart,' adult Hal laments of a fellow student, Abby (Havana Rose Liu), before Harper stumps him by asking, 'What's her last name?' The performances have a low-key desperation and deeply held churn. Solving these issues isn't the crux of Hal and Harper, it's actually just being able to acknowledge them. That's both sad and a joke, which is exactly where this first-rate show wants to be. My Mom Jayne ★★★½ (Max) Separating the public from the private is a near impossible task in this documentary from Law and Order: Special Victims Unit star Mariska Hargitay. The actress was just three years old when her mother, Hollywood bombshell Jayne Mansfield, died in a car accident in 1967. Hargitay, who was asleep in the vehicle's back seat, has spent her life struggling to understand a famous parent she has no memories of. This feature-length documentary is her attempt at reconciliation. With an outlook on fame that feels contemporary, the platinum blonde Mansfield was the most photographed woman in the world in the 1950s. 'She was always on display,' recalls her former publicist, the now 99-year-old 'Rusty' Strait. The film untangles the divide between Mansfield as sex kitten and loving mother, and charts her increasingly perilous career and marriages, including her second with Mickey Hargitay, a former Mr Universe. Mariska Hargitay directs the film, and is often on camera, including interviews with her siblings. There's no outside scrutiny to this story, but the trade-off is a deeply genuine sense of loss and longing; an outsider couldn't deliver the raw exchanges these family members share. Hargitay folds in her youthful rebellion and belated yearning and, in a nod to the entertainment industry she's spent her whole life adjacent to, there's an almighty twist in the third act that completes this heartfelt journey. Echo Valley ★★★ (Apple TV+) Written by Brad Ingelsby (Mare of Easttown) and set in rural Pennsylvania, this familial thriller from British director Michael Pearce (Beast) has a familiar shape and the overqualified cast to paper over the cracks. Julianne Moore and Sydney Sweeney play estranged mother and daughter, reunited when the latter's latest misdeed brings her home to the former. Helping your child is just another form of debt that must be collected, but the film keeps the leads apart while fraying the plot with twists and double-crosses. The story lacks a visceral edge. Countdown ★★½ (Amazon Prime Video) Amazon's yen for 'Dad action' in shows such as Reacher and The Terminal List – all hard-nosed action sequences, stoic leading men, and a sardonic commentary while doing good – goes a step too far with this crime drama about a US task force whose murder investigation uncovers a vast conspiracy. Countdown is efficient but generic, too often echoing the procedural roots of creator Derek Haas (Chicago Fire). Supernatural star Jensen Ackles knows how to embody the protagonist, LAPD detective Mark Meachum, but he's not given a great deal to work with. Predator: Killer of Killers ★★★ (Disney+) Of the many ageing intellectual property franchises being tended and exploited by Hollywood studios, Predator may well be having the most interesting second act. The 1987 original remains an action classic, but recently there's been some smart additions to the science-fiction series about the alien warrior race that periodically hunts humans. After directing the underrated 2022 live action feature Prey, director Dan Trachtenberg returns with this animated anthology about Predator encounters with different historic eras. It's all bloody ultra-violence and comic book excess which is a good change of pace. Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem ★★½ (Netflix) Trainwreck is Netflix's modern scandal documentary franchise: occasionally tragic, mostly tawdry, with a focus on jaw-dropping testimony over historic analysis. Alongside the newly released holiday nightmare Poop Cruise, the Mayor of Mayhem is indicative of the Trainwreck process. It recounts the fireball career of Toronto mayor Rob Ford, a populist who assumed the position in 2010 and within three years was the headline subject of a video that showed him smoking crack cocaine. Was Ford an addict? Yes. Does that hold as much weight here as his propensity for saying bonkers stuff in public? No.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
The Monkey on OTT—Horror is on your screens; know the cast, plot and other details
'The Monkey' is the latest horror movie on the OTT platform . The movie is creating a buzz among horror movie lovers due to the blood-curdling thrill. This uncanny tale is based on a short story by the legendary horror writer ' Stephen King .' 'The Monkey' is a terrifying journey that explores the dark side of childhood memories and haunted objects. Where to watch it and languages available The horrific film is streaming on ' Amazon Prime Video .' It is also available in various languages, including English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. The plot It is based on the short story originally published in 1980. 'The Monkey' concerns a pair of brothers who discover a mysterious cymbal-playing monkey toy in the attic. Bill and Hal, the twin brothers, find their father's old monkey toy there, and a series of horrifying deaths starts. The siblings decide to throw the toy away and move on with their lives, eventually growing apart over the years. Later the plot shifts between past and present, showing how the brothers, who once escaped the curse as children, have to face it again as adults. The film builds intense psychological tension as the brothers race to stop the evil before it's too late. Meet the characters The cast includes the protagonist, Theo James' as Hal and Bill Shelburn, the identical twins; Christian Convery as young Hal and Bill; Tatiana Maslany as Lois Shelburn; Colin O'Brien as Petey Shelburn; Rohan Campbell as Ricky; Sarah Levy as Ida Zimmer; Adam Scott as Captain Petey Shelburn; Elijah Wood as Ted Hammerman; Osgood Perkins as Chip Zimmer; Tess Degenstein as Barbara; Danica Dreyer as Annie; Laura Mennell as Hal's ex-wife and Petey's mother; Nicco Del Rio as Rookie Priest; Kingston Chan as Lt. Pepper; and Janet Kidder as Ricky's mother. THE MONKEY Official Trailer (2025) RedBand
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Legendary actor, 94, and star of 70s police sitcom looks unrecognizable on rare outing – can you guess who it is?
A LEGENDARY actor has stepped out for an outing - but can you guess who he is? The actor, 94, was a huge star of a popular 70s police sitcom, and now looks so different from his dapper role as a cop. Advertisement 6 He was spotted in Los Angeles Credit: 6 Looking casual and lowkey, this actor was unrecognizable on Wednesday Credit: 6 He wore an all-black and gray look Credit: He played the role of Captain Barney Miller in the hit series Barney Miller, which aired from 1975 until 1982. T he role even earned him seven Primetime Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe Award nominations . In the series, his character had a full head of brown hair with gray strands dotted throughout. He also sported a luscious brown moustache. Advertisement Read More about Hollywood Have you guessed who he is yet? You've got it, it's Hal Linden, whose real name is Harold Lipshitz. The beloved TV icon was spotted out on Wednesday and kept things casual in a rather relaxed outfit. Hal could be seen rocking an all-black outfit comprising of trousers and a smart button-down shirt. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity Exclusive He completed the look with some black trainers and a gray jacket. Holding a flask, Hal looked concentrated as he walked around Los Angeles. 00s reality star looks completely unrecognizable from 'wild' days as she trades in hard partying for tradwife lifestyle Hal shot to fame on Broadway when he replaced Sydney Chaplin in the musical Bells Are Ringing . He was married to Fran Martin, whom he met in 1955. Advertisement They married in 1958 and had four children. Fran sadly died in 2010. Speaking about his role as Barney in the hit police sitcom, Hal was interviewed in 2017. Speaking to Advertisement "It does fit, because we used to cut lines from the script . "There'd be a punchline and we'd do the scene, and you'd find out that all you had to do was cut back to a physical reaction. "They were just as funny as the words." He went on: "We'd cut punchlines all the time. Yes, I think minimalist is a good description of the writing. Advertisement "There's very few 'jokes' in Barney Miller. It was all relationship humor." As well as his role in Barney Miller, Hal is known for his guest roles in several other films and TV shows. Hal has had guest appearances in Touched by an Angel, The King of Queens, Gilmore Girls, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. 6 Barney Miller was a popular US sitcom Credit: AP:Associated Press Advertisement 6 Hal played the leading role in the TV series 6 He played Captain Barney Miller Credit: Getty
Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Legendary actor, 94, and star of 70s police sitcom looks unrecognizable on rare outing – can you guess who it is?
The actor looked low-key and relaxed on his outing COP SHOCK Legendary actor, 94, and star of 70s police sitcom looks unrecognizable on rare outing – can you guess who it is? Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A LEGENDARY actor has stepped out for an outing - but can you guess who he is? The actor, 94, was a huge star of a popular 70s police sitcom, and now looks so different from his dapper role as a cop. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 6 He was spotted in Los Angeles Credit: 6 Looking casual and lowkey, this actor was unrecognizable on Wednesday Credit: 6 He wore an all-black and gray look Credit: He played the role of Captain Barney Miller in the hit series Barney Miller, which aired from 1975 until 1982. The role even earned him seven Primetime Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe Award nominations. In the series, his character had a full head of brown hair with gray strands dotted throughout. He also sported a luscious brown moustache. Read More about Hollywood STAR GONE Friends and Spider-Man star dies in his sleep aged 96 Have you guessed who he is yet? You've got it, it's Hal Linden, whose real name is Harold Lipshitz. The beloved TV icon was spotted out on Wednesday and kept things casual in a rather relaxed outfit. Hal could be seen rocking an all-black outfit comprising of trousers and a smart button-down shirt. He completed the look with some black trainers and a gray jacket. Holding a flask, Hal looked concentrated as he walked around Los Angeles. 00s reality star looks completely unrecognizable from 'wild' days as she trades in hard partying for tradwife lifestyle Hal shot to fame on Broadway when he replaced Sydney Chaplin in the musical Bells Are Ringing. He was married to Fran Martin, whom he met in 1955. They married in 1958 and had four children. Fran sadly died in 2010. Speaking about his role as Barney in the hit police sitcom, Hal was interviewed in 2017. Speaking to Vulture, he spoke about the comedic value of the show. "It does fit, because we used to cut lines from the script. "There'd be a punchline and we'd do the scene, and you'd find out that all you had to do was cut back to a physical reaction. "They were just as funny as the words." He went on: "We'd cut punchlines all the time. Yes, I think minimalist is a good description of the writing. "There's very few 'jokes' in Barney Miller. It was all relationship humor." As well as his role in Barney Miller, Hal is known for his guest roles in several other films and TV shows. Hal has had guest appearances in Touched by an Angel, The King of Queens, Gilmore Girls, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. 6 Barney Miller was a popular US sitcom Credit: AP:Associated Press 6 Hal played the leading role in the TV series
