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CTV News
08-07-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Saskatoon Berries just keep winning
The Saskatoon Berries enter the second half of the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) season with only four losses. And they're doing it with everyone in the roster. While most teams would have admitted defeat after giving up five runs in the first inning on Sunday against the Regina Red Sox, the Berries didn't give up. 'Yesterday we were down early,' said Joe Carnahan, head coach of the Saskatoon Berries. 'Dallen Rude did a good job of calming everything down on the mound and the bullpen did a good job. We were able to have a big inning, and that's just the biggest thing with this group. They just keep playing no matter what the score is.' The Berries went on to win 7-5 Sunday — one of many examples of this team's resilience. 'I think as a team we really came together when we walked off against Moose Jaw last week,' said Dallen Rude, a Saskatoon Berries pitcher. 'We had a big outing from a guy who hasn't pitched in a bit, and the bats came out at the right time.' The roster is deep at every position meaning players need to be versatile to get into the lineup. 'We have a really deep group, so just guys subbing in and out, and they got their chances, and they take it,' said Turner Zdunich, who has suited up at first base, outfield and at pitcher for the Berries this season. 'So, it helps to keep guys fresh all the time.' Coach Carnahan — a two-time league MVP himself — knows it takes more than just hits, runs and strikeouts to be successful, though. It takes chemistry. 'We have a good group,' he said. 'They hold each other accountable and they just love playing the game of baseball, and they love being around each other. And we've just been fortunate with this group for them to be able to gel pretty early, and just enjoy one another; being around one another.' After a 4-3 win Monday against the Moose Jaw Miller Express, the now 27-4 Berries are flirting with a WCBL single season record. The record for most wins in a regular season is 44 by the 2024 Sylvan Lake Gulls, but the Berries aren't worried about the results. 'I wouldn't say we're worried about that,' said Zdunich, who recently finished his freshman season at Colby Community College. 'We just take it one game at a time and win.' And whether players are in the starting lineup, the bullpen or have a day off, word travels fast about how fun it is to be at the ballpark on game day. 'The crowds are fantastic,' said Zdunich. 'Couldn't get any better. The games are good, the weather's been great for us, so no complaints.' And playing close to home has its benefits too. 'That's like the best part about coming here and playing, is the fans,' said Rude, a product of Muenster and a teammate of Zdunich at Colby Community College. 'You get great crowds here in Saskatoon and just a lot of family and guys coming out to support the team.' The Berries are back in action tonight against the Moose Jaw Miller Express. First pitch is at 7 p.m. from Cairns Field.
The Review Geek
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
The Worst Movies of 2025 (So Far)
2025 has been a pretty good year for movies so far, with the likes of A Real Pain, Sinners, and Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy doing much to please critics and audiences. Of course, not every movie has wowed people in the same way, and there are some that the ReviewGeek team have called out for being particularly bad. Below are our personal picks for the 'worst of 2025 (so far).' Check out our list and let us know if you agree or disagree with our choices. Shadow Force Shadow Force. It's the kind of movie title that you'd expect to see slapped onto a 1980s action flick starring Chuck Norris or Steven Seagal. But no, this is 2025, and it's the title of the latest thriller from director Joe Carnahan, starring Kerry Washington and Omar Sy as a couple on the run from their shady former employer. With a director well-known for entertaining action films (The A-Team, Copshop) and a decent cast (which also includes Mark Strong), you might expect Shadow Force to transcend its generic title and be halfway entertaining. Sadly, it's not – this movie is garbage and easily the worst in Carnahan's career. With poor direction, badly choreographed action scenes, and a plodding storyline that makes little to no sense, there is nothing in this movie that will get your pulse racing. We recommend you force this one back into the shadows and watch a better action movie instead, such as the latest Mission: Impossible flick or Thunderbolts. Star Trek: Section 31 This spin-off movie to Star Trek: Discovery focuses on Emperor Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh) as she joins Section 31, the secret division of Starfleet that is tasked with protecting the United Federation of Planets. Fans of the show (and the lead character) were looking forward to this one, but sadly, it (un)boldly goes where dozens of generic sci-fi action movies have gone before, i.e. to some not-very-interesting or exciting places. At times, it doesn't even resemble a Star Trek movie, as it ends up being more of a heist flick in space than something resembling the classic franchise. Our advice? Set your phasers to stun and eliminate this disappointing Trek entry from your watchlist. G20 Viola Davis kicking ass in an action movie? Yes, please! She's a terrific actress who previously proved her fighting ability in The Woman King. In G20, Davies stars as an American President who uses her past military experience to tackle the terrorists who have taken over the G20 summit. We're in for a rollicking good time, right? Well, no. While we can forgive the escapist premise, we are less forgiving of the cliched script, lack of suspense, and the poorly choreographed action scenes in this surprisingly bad movie. This could have been a mix of Air Force One and Die Hard, but instead, it has more in common with Angel Has Fallen and the other titles in that boring run of Presidential action films. Materialists In this romantic comedy, Dakota Johnson stars as an ambitious New York City matchmaker whose life and business become complicated when she finds herself torn between the perfect match and her former lover. Just what is a girl to do? Well… you might not care! This second movie from Celine Song (Past Lives) was highly anticipated, but for many people, it proved to be something of a disappointment. In her review of Materialists, ReviewGeek writer Lopa K called it the 'biggest betrayal of 2025', as she lamented the eye-rolling dialogue, unfunny 'comedy,' and lack of emotional payoff. Some critics enjoyed the film, but for many, this was a big letdown after the director's fabulous first feature. The Monkey Based on Stephen King's short story of the same name, Oz Perkins' (Longlegs) latest chiller follows twin brothers Hal and Bill, whose lives are blighted by a cursed monkey toy that once belonged to their father. To say more would spoil the twists in the story, assuming, of course, that you are interested in seeing it. Personally, I didn't hate The Monkey as much as some critics did, but that might be because I'm a die-hard Stephen King fan who is forgiving of even the flimsiest adaptations of his work. The ReviewGeek's Ally Ham didn't like the movie, however, citing the badly conceived mix of lighthearted comedy and elements of gory horror as one of the movie's biggest faults. In her review, she also lambasted the movie for its bland characterisations and poorly written script. What were your thoughts on The Monkey? Did you go bananas for it, or did you make like a banana and split after the first few minutes? Drop us a comment with your thoughts. In The Lost Lands Based on the short story of the same name by George RR Martin, this fantasy movie stars Milla Jovovich and Dave Bautista as, respectively, a sorceress and a drifter who travel to the ghostly wilderness of the Lost Lands in search of a lost artefact for their queen. Along the way, they encounter demonic beasties and other monstrosities as they work together to complete their mission. It's of little surprise that this potential epic failed to live up to Martin's story, as it's directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, who hasn't made a good movie since 1997's Event Horizon. He's second only to Uwe Boll for bad video game adaptations, and while this movie isn't based on a game, it's still as uninspired and badly conceived as the majority of his previous work. Cleaner Daisy Ridley stars as an ex-soldier turned window cleaner who is called back into action when criminal activists take over the high-rise building where she works. With blood splattering the sparkling windows she is buffering up, it's of little surprise that she'd want to wipe them out before they make a mess of all her handiwork! This gender-switched rip-off of Die Hard from director Martin Campbell could have been dumb, silly fun. Instead, it's a bit of a damp squib, largely due to the lacklustre script and surprisingly tired direction. It's more fun than an afternoon washing your windows, but Ridley and audiences deserved something more entertaining than this. A Minecraft Movie A Minecraft movie was a box office hit (among the 70 highest-grossing films in box office history) but does that mean it's a good movie? Not according to the ReviewGeek's editor Greg Wheeler, who called it 'ham-fisted' and 'poorly written' in his review. Of course, kids will disagree with the bad reviews the movie garnered, as they clearly enjoyed the Minecraft references that were littered throughout the film. Just ask any cinema attendant who had to clean up the popcorn mess after dealing with the out-of-control juvenile audience members who laughed, clapped, and threw bucketloads of the popular cinema snack at certain points throughout the film. But the praise given to the film is largely due to the recognised elements of its IP. As a movie, it's a bit of a shambles, with little regard for heart, imagination, good characters, or anything resembling a decent storyline. Perhaps that's something to be expected from a blocky video game adaptation, but then again, The Lego Movie was an unexpected hit, and that's because it had genuine love (and not an eye on the dollar signs) poured into its creation. Flight Risk The Happening is no longer the worst movie on Mark Wahlberg's resume! In this mediocre action thriller, he stars as a pilot who transports an air marshal and the fugitive she is taking to trial over the Alaskan wilderness. But he isn't who he seems to be, and neither is the movie, which is far less entertaining than you might have expected. Directed by Mel Gibson, this is a C-grade thriller that is a long way removed from his other directorial efforts, including Braveheart and Hacksaw Ridge. It's as bad as the recent movies he has starred in (Hot Seat, On The Line), with little to recommend it, other than the fairly decent performance from Topher Grace as the supposed criminal that Wahlberg's pilot is transporting. If you're looking for a few high-altitude thrills, we recommend this year's Fight or Flight. It's far better than this piece of junk, which starts promisingly but then nosedives into a sea of mediocrity. The Ritual Al Pacino and Dan Stevens star in this supernatural horror film about two priests, one in a crisis with his faith and the other dealing with his turbulent past, who must overcome their personal issues when they are called upon to perform a dangerous exorcism. The movie is based on real events, but none of the horror of the true-life tale materialises in this badly written and boring movie. Pacino and Stevens both deliver good performances, but director David Midell (The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain) fails to conjure up any real scares. Our advice? Exorcise this hellish bore from your watchlist and check out something far scarier, such as this year's Bring Her Back or 28 Years Later. What are your picks for the worst movies of 2025? Let us know in the comments below!
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Shadow Force' Review: Two Spies Get Dragged From the Cold in Middling Action Opus
When a now-defunct celebrity couple attempted to make like Nick and Nora Charles meets 'Mission: Impossible' in 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' two decades ago, the high-concept, high-budget results were a mixed bag — which didn't stop them from being imitated ever since. The latest duo to step into similar matching marital bulletproof vests is Kerry Washington and Omar Sy, playing globetrotting 'elite special operators' now hiding from their former colleagues in 'Shadow Force.' It takes a certain esprit to pull off this kind of bombastic yet larky star vehicle. Joe Carnahan's film provides passable diversion for a couple hours, but the fun to be had is limited by uninspired action staging, less-than-sparkling dialogue and a maudlin streak of the 'It's about family!!' type. Lionsgate's theatrical release looks likelier to find its primary audience once it reaches home formats. More from Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Desperate Housewives' Reboot From Kerry Washington, Natalie Chaidez in Development at Onyx Collective 'Extraction' TV Series Starring Omar Sy Ordered at Netflix From Glen Mazzara With Russo Brothers Producing Kyrah (Washington) and Isaac (Sy) are a couple who met on the job. They were both part of the titular top-secret assassin unit assembled by then-CIA chief Jack Cinder (Mark Strong) to take out bad guys around the world. But falling in love was against the rules, going AWOL even more so. Some time later, they've gone underground, trying to keep themselves and 5-year-old son Ky (Jahleel Kamara) safe from the vengeance of their ex-boss, who is now General Secretary for G7. Cinder's international career ascent has only made him more anxious to snuff his runaway agents, who 'know too many things.' Plus there's his lingering pique over being dumped for Isaac by Kyrah, with whom he once had a different sort of 'thing.' She has actually spent the last few years away from her husband and child, trying to kill off remaining Shadow Force recruits before they can do the same to her loved ones. However, when Isaac is forced to demonstrate his violent skillset during a bank robbery in which father and son find themselves caught, the resulting heroic surveillance camera footage blows everyone's cover. Dad and son scram to a hiding place in the Colombian jungle, soon joined by an irate mom. (It is typical of the script's weak logic that she blames Isaac for attracting attention, ignoring the minor detail that he was forced to save their child from armed goons.) Once these parents have yelled at and pummeled each other a bit, the family reunion goes on the run, soon crossing paths with old CIA allies: another couple, known as Auntie (Da'Vine Joy Randolph) and Unc (Method Man). Less luckily, they're also tracked down by members of the Force, who drag all the good guys to Cinder's man-made-island lair. The shootout that takes place there is decent enough. Still, 'Shadow Force' aspires to 'John Wick'-ish levels of hyperbolic action without having the elevated fight choreography or visual panache to pull that off. Shot almost entirely in Colombia, the film's locations and P. Erik Carlson's production design are plusses that Juan Miguel Azpiroz's widescreen cinematography doesn't fully exploit, providing neither grittiness nor high style to material that could use one or the other. A chase on mountain roads, then another between speed boats, ought to provide more visceral thrills than is managed here. In character terms, too, the movie keeps falling short. The five reassembled 'Force' killers (Yoson An, Sala Baker, Marvin Jones III, Natalia Reyes, Jenel Stevens-Thompson) are each given a distinguishing look, but practically nothing to say or do. By default, more interest is stirred by Cinder's ill-treated bodyguards-slash-assistants (Marshall Cook, Ed Quinn), who at least hint at some droll camaraderie. It's gratifying when late in the game, they turn out to have more going on than we'd thought. But Strong, who's played many villains, finds so little of interest in this one that he might as well have 'Generic Baddie' (or perhaps 'If I can't have you no one will') tattooed across his forehead. While Sy and Washington are certainly accomplished, personable and attractive performers, these ostensibly showy roles don't do a lot for them, either. He (in a part originally intended for producer Sterling K. Brown) at least imbues his with some humor and warmth. She waxes too earnest for the fairly preposterous premise to bear, hard-selling Kyrah's tough side one minute, belaboring maternal devotion the next; her prickliness around Isaac makes whatever mutual chemistry brought them together hard to detect. It might've been entertaining to let her character's alpha air be the secret sauce in their marriage, but neither script nor star are willing to make that leap. The dynamic between Randolph and Method Man actually does go there, after a fashion — yet again, Leon Chills and Carnahan's screenplay never quite gives these actors the opportunity to shine as we keep expecting them to. A bullet-riddled scenario this simplistic and improbable can't afford to be as sentimental as 'Shadow Force' often gets. There's too much screentime handed over to child thespian Kamara being precociously adorable — which he is. But charm is dampened by the rote calculation of having a tyke curse for laughs, or hammily sing along to old R&B hits. A running gag here is that wee Ky is a superfan for 80s slow-jam king Lionel Ritchie. Like so much else here, that plays out as an obvious gimmick deployed minus the wit or surprise that might've made it fly. If only Sy and Washington had been given some latterday equivalent to the banter William Powell and Myrna Loy got in those 'Thin Man' movies. Instead, the best the filmmakers can manage is saddling them with the same exact fadeout that ended 'After the Thin Man' on a note of shameless schmaltz almost 90 years ago. Best of Variety The Best Albums of the Decade
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ben Affleck & Matt Damon's The Rip Gets Teaser Trailer, Release Date
Netflix has released the first look for The Rip, the upcoming action movie starring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, who play two Miami cops who discover millions of dollars in a stash house. The Rip teaser trailer, which was only shown live during Tudum and not officially released, features Affleck and Damon as cops who have to ask whom they can trust after discovering a life-changing amount of money. The cast also includes Steven Yeun, Kyle Chandler, Sashe Calle (The Flash), Néstor Carbonell (Shogun), Catalina Sandino Moreno (Silent Night), Scott Adkins, and Teyana Taylor (A Thousand and One). It releases January 16, 2026. Check out The Rip teaser trailer below (watch more trailers): The upcoming movie, which is set to release in the fall of this year on Netflix, tells the story of a group of cops who come upon millions of dollars in an abandoned stash house. As the group figures out what to do, things begin to fall apart after outside forces find out about the money. In a statement on the movie, writer and director Joe Carnahan likened the project to classic 70's cop thrillers, and said they drew from iconic films like Serpico and Prince of the City, as well Heat, for inspiration. 'RIP came out of a deeply personal experience that my friend went through, both as a father and as head of tactical narcotics for the Miami Dade police department,' said Carnahan. 'It's inspired in part by his life and then, by my enduring love for those classic 70's cop thrillers that really valued the character and interpersonal relationships and became touchstones of that era — films like Serpico and Prince Of The City and more recently, Michael Mann's Heat.' The post Ben Affleck & Matt Damon's The Rip Gets Teaser Trailer, Release Date appeared first on - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
Geek Tyrant
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Release Date Revealed For Netflix Film THE RIP Starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck — GeekTyrant
Netflix has revealed the release date for their upcoming crime thriller, The RIP , starring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. It also stars Teyana Taylor and Sasha Calle, and is written and directed by Joe Carnahan with Artists Equity producing. The film will be released on January 16, 2026. The streamer also debuted a sneak peek, though it was for the room only. The RIP follows a group of Miami cops whose trust begins to fray after they discover millions in cash in a derelict stash house. As outside forces learn about the size of the seizure, everything is called into question — including who they can rely on. Michael Joe and Kevin Halloran of Artists Equity exec produced. After launching Artists Equity in November 2022, Damon and Affleck released the company's first film, Air, in spring 2023 to strong reviews and a solid box office performance. Since then, it has produced the documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told for Amazon MGM Studios and Small Things Like These , which opened this year's Berlin Film Festival and won the Silver Bear for supporting actress Emily Watson. Recent releases include Apple's The Instigators starring Damon, while the Amazon MGM pic Unstoppable is gearing for a December premiere after its debut at TIFF. via: Deadline
