Latest news with #JohnCandy
RNZ News
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Auckland City's Cool Runnings moment justifies FIFA Club World Cup sojourn
Players from Auckland City FC celebrate after their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 game against CA Boca Juniors. Photo: ALEX GRIMM / AFP Analysis - Auckland City FC just had their very own Cool Runnings moment. Much like the ragtag Jamaican bobsled team in the 1993 Disney classic, this group of amateurs eventually held their own among the elite of their sport - despite a chastening start. In the movie, very loosely based on a true story, a group of unlikely Olympians led by the belligerent John Candy crash out while proving they deserve their place at the 1988 Calgary Winter Games. Auckland City did just that this week, holding Argentine powerhouse Boca Juniors to a stunning 1-1 draw in Nashville at the FIFA Club World Cup. In another case of life imitating art, they did so after falling flat on their face in the opener, humbled 10-0 by German giants Bayern Munich. Bayern winger Michael Olise summed up the mismatch when he offered little sympathy for his non-professional opponents post-match. Bayern Munich's Kingsley Coman gets the better of Auckland City FC's Michael Den Heijer and Adam Mitchell. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Of all the European clubs to face first, Bayern are arguably the most ruthlessly unsentimental. Benfica followed up with a 6-0 drubbing of their own. It was the first time Auckland City had faced European opponents thanks to this year's revamp, which has removed the preamble of a play-off round before the big hitters arrive, and a 16-0 aggregate scoreline demonstrated the gulf in quality. Again, like in the greatest sports comedy of all time (sorry, Caddyshack ), the world initially laughed. Auckland City - from New Zealand's semi-pro National League, not to be confused with professional A-League side Auckland FC - became an easy punchline and a stick with which to beat FIFA president Gianni Infantino and his vision for a truly global club competition. So it was fitting that Infantino was there in person to witness one-man pun machine Christian Gray shackle $64 million striker Edinson Cavani and score the equaliser. An aspiring teacher, Gray became the perfect symbol of the amateur spirit, tickled 50 shades of pink, his joy a stark contrast to the polished professionals around him. Auckland City FC's Christian Gray scores and celebrates his goal against Boca Juniors at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Photo: It's easy to forget that Auckland are, in fact, the most regular participant in Club World Cup history. Their dominance in the OFC Champions League has seen them represent the region time and again. They even finished third in 2014. The difference this time was the calibre of opposition put in front of them from the offset. So, was it worth it? The draw with Boca certainly wiped the slate clean. Another hammering might have made it hard to claim any positives, but it's difficult to argue against the visibility this tournament gave them. Financially, the reported US$4.5 million (NZ$7.4m) prize pool is huge. But questions remain. A New Zealand Football distribution model may see some of that money diverted away from the club. Meanwhile, the trip to America came at a domestic cost - Auckland were eliminated from the Chatham Cup by lower-league Waiheke United and now face a battle just to finish top four in the Northern League. That's a must if they want future invites to FIFA's flagship events. Still, those are small sacrifices for what's been a once-in-a-lifetime ride. It's back to reality soon enough. In two weeks, they'll make a three-hour road trip to face Tauranga City, playing beside a construction site in front of one hardy stand shielding fans from the elements. A far cry from where they have just been. But they'll always have Nashville.
Irish Examiner
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Cathal Dennehy Has Rory McIlroy simply forgotten the joy is in the journey?
It may be cheesy, schmaltzy, an imagined line from a mostly fictional character that was crafted by Hollywood writers, but it nonetheless captures something true for many high achievers. In the 1993 film Cool Runnings, John Candy's character – a former Olympic champion in bobsleigh – cautions his young Jamaican protege against making winning his everything. This is exclusive subscriber content. Already a subscriber? Sign in Take us with you this summer. Annual €130€65 Best value Monthly €12€6 / month
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ryan Reynolds and Colin Hanks' Documentary ‘John Candy: I Like Me' to Open Toronto Film Festival's 50th Edition
'John Candy: I Like Me,' a documentary from director Colin Hanks and producer Ryan Reynolds, will open the 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival. It's set to screen on Sept. 4 at Roy Thomson Hall. Candy was a Toronto-born comedian who rose to fame on Canada's sketch comedy show 'SCTV' and went on to star in films such as 'Spaceballs,' 'Uncle Buck,' 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles,' 'National Lampoon's Vacation' and 'Little Shop of Horrors.' He unexpectedly died of a heart attack at age 43 in 1994. More from Variety 'The Shadow Scholars,' Executive Produced by Steve McQueen, Debuts Trailer Ahead of North American Premiere at Tribeca (EXCLUSIVE) Bill Murray to Topline Second Annual Croatia International Film Festival (EXCLUSIVE) 'Welded Together' Acquired by Lightdox Ahead of Sheffield DocFest Premiere (EXCLUSIVE) 'Comedy fans all over the world grew up on John Candy's humor,' said Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF. 'We love that John's global career started in Toronto. Colin Hanks has made a hugely entertaining film packed with some of Hollywood's biggest stars, but like John, this movie is all heart.' 'John Candy: I Like Me' presents an unvarnished look at the funnyman's life on and off camera, featuring home videos and candid interviews with his family, friends and collaborators. According to the official logline, 'it's the story of a son, husband, father, friend, and professional driven to bring joy to audiences and loved ones while battling personal ghosts and Hollywood pressures.' Amazon MGM is backing the film, which will debut on Prime Video in the fall. 'When you hear the name John Candy, your face lights up. He wasn't just a great actor; he was an even better person,' Hanks and Reynolds said. 'People loved his everyman qualities, but they didn't know how relatable John really was. He went through the same struggles we all do, except now we talk about them. We are incredibly honored to have gotten to know the man better through this process and to bring the real John Candy to audiences starting with his hometown of Toronto.' Other than the opening night film, TIFF's lineup hasn't been released. This year's festival will take place from Sept. 4 through 14. Best of Variety What's Coming to Netflix in June 2025 New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts?
Toronto Star
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Star
‘John Candy: I Like Me' to open 50th edition of Toronto International Film Festival
TORONTO - A documentary about late Canadian comic John Candy will open the 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival. The festival says 'John Candy: I Like Me' traces the comedy star's personal and professional life with never-before-seen home videos and candid recollections that reveal a son, husband, father and friend who battled personal ghosts and Hollywood pressures.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘John Candy: I Like Me' Documentary to Open 2025 Toronto International Film Festival
It may only be June, but the fall film festival picture is starting to come into relief, as today the Toronto International Film Festival has announced its 2025 opening night gala pick: the world premiere of Colin Hanks' documentary 'John Candy: I Like Me.' The Opening Night Gala will take place on Thursday, September 4, at Roy Thomson Hall. The film is billed as 'a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Canadian icon, with stories and memories from Candy's family, closest friends, and longtime collaborators.' 'Comedy fans all over the world grew up on John Candy's humor,' said Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF in an official statement. 'We love that John's global career started in Toronto, and we can't wait to share 'John Candy: I Like Me' with everyone at this year's Opening Night Gala premiere. Colin Hanks has made a hugely entertaining film packed with some of Hollywood's biggest stars, but like John, this movie is all heart. For us, it's the perfect way to kick off TIFF's 50th edition.' More from IndieWire Jon M. Chu Warned His 'Wicked: For Good' VFX Team That the Film Will Inevitably Be Memed 'The Ritual' Review: Al Pacino Performs an Exorcism in a Horror Effort Possessed by Mediocrity The 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, runs September 4 – 14, 2025. More festival details will be shared in the coming weeks. Added Hanks and producer Ryan Reynolds in their own statement, 'When you hear the name John Candy, your face lights up. He wasn't just a great actor; he was an even better person. People loved his everyman qualities, but they didn't know how relatable John really was. He went through the same struggles we all do, except now we talk about them. We are incredibly honored to have gotten to know the man better through this process and to bring the real John Candy to audiences starting with his hometown of Toronto.' The film, an Amazon MGM title that will debut globally on Prime Video in the fall, is further described as a way into Candy's 'on- and off-camera existence, featuring never-before-seen home videos, intimate access to his family, and candid recollections from collaborators to paint a bigger picture of one of the brightest stars of the '70s, '80s, and '90s. It's the story of a son, husband, father, friend, and professional driven to bring joy to audiences and loved ones while battling personal ghosts and Hollywood pressures.' The film is Hanks' third feature directing effort, following documentaries on both Tower Records and the band Eagles of Death Metal, which chronicles the events before and after the November 13 terrorist attacks that took place while they were performing at the Bataclan in Paris. Of note: TIFF's Film Reference Library already includes a free John Candy Collection, donated by Rose Candy, containing objects related to Candy's professional career and personal life from the 1970s to the early 1990s. Best of IndieWire Guillermo del Toro's Favorite Movies: 56 Films the Director Wants You to See 'Song of the South': 14 Things to Know About Disney's Most Controversial Movie Nicolas Winding Refn's Favorite Films: 37 Movies the Director Wants You to See
