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Tom's Guide
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
One of the best indie comedy movies of the last five years is now streaming on Prime Video — and it didn't deserve to bomb at the box office
Considering I'm both British and born in the 1990s, it's strange that the main feeling that I took away from 'Licorice Pizza' was one of youthful nostalgia. The 2021 indie comedy is director Paul Thomas Anderson's love letter to his adolescence in '70s Los Angeles, so as somebody who grew up thousands of miles away and in a different decade, I can't relate to the place and time. Yet, what is universal about this charming flick is how it portrays the excitement and heartbreak of a first love, and that innocent optimism (and swaggering self-confidence) that comes when you're not even legally old enough to drink. That's something that I reckon we can all relate to, whether born in the San Fernando Valley or Newcastle Upon Tyne, like me. Looking over Prime Video's July 2025 slate, I was delighted to see 'Licorice Pizza' has now been added to the Amazon-owned streaming service, and I'm hoping it'll act as something of a second chance for the flick after it struck out at the box office (grossing a poor $33m globally against its $40m budget). Few movies in recent years have deserved to bomb less. In 1970s California, Gary Valentine (Cooper Hoffman) is a precocious 15-year-old with an entrepreneurial spirit and a side hustle as a child actor. During school picture day, he meets 25-year-old Alana Kane (Alana Haim) and becomes instantly infatuated with this older woman. He comes determined to impress her and convince her that their blossoming romance can endure despite the questionable age gap. What follows is a story of first loves, growing up, and chasing your dreams. Plus, as it's a flick from director Paul Thomas Anderson, you can rest assured the movie drips with era-appropriate style, with a fitting soundtrack to boot. Remarkably, 'Licorice Pizza' is the movie debut of both Cooper Hoffman (son of legendary actor Philip Seymour Hoffman) and Alana Haim (one part of the American pop-rock band, Haim). You certainly wouldn't think either star was making their first step into the cinema world as both give a performance that seems well beyond their lack of on-screen experience. That's a very good thing, because 'Licorice Pizza' hangs almost entirely on their lead performances. Rather than offering viewers a twisting plot, 'Licorice Pizza' is, at times, almost a mood piece, aiming to replicate a very specific era in a very specific location. And within just a few scenes, you'll find yourself charmed by Gary and Alana and want to see them find success. Which isn't to say the Paul Thomas Anderson movie lacks substance either. Yes, its plot is a little plodding, but the snappy dialogue and litany of sharp observations ensure that it's always engaging. Plus, the 'will-they-won't-they' aspect of the story gets its hooks into you. But the lack of a critical eye on the uncomfortable age gap between the central pair is a bit bothersome. Alongside star-making turns from Hoffman and Haim, 'Licorice Pizza' packs a strong supporting cast including Sean Penn, Benny Safdie, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, John Michael Higgins and Bradley Cooper. The latter features in the movie's most hilarious sequence. The ever-hustling Gary opens a waterbed business, and during a home delivery to an egotistic stylist, Jon Peters (Cooper), who humiliates him in front of Alana, he decides to get revenge by flooding the stylist's plush hillside home. Things get a little dicey when they run into the stylist, broken down in the middle of the road, when attempting to make a quick escape from the scene of the crime. The inherent awkwardness and dramatic irony are the stuff of comedic genius, and Bradley Cooper is in his element, hamming things up. 'Licorice Pizza' is the definition of an easy-watching indie comedy. It's intentionally small-scale in ambition, but it's anything but slight when it comes to heart. The flick is bursting with good-natured warmth, and its central duo quickly work their way into your affections. You'd have to have a stony disposition not to come away seriously charmed. If all of my praise above hasn't quite convinced you to add 'Licorice Pizza' to your Prime Video watchlist, then know I'm far from alone in my enjoyment of this sweet little movie. 'Licorice Pizza' currently holds a strong 90% score on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. 'Licorice Pizza finds Paul Thomas Anderson shifting into a surprisingly comfortable gear -- and getting potentially star-making performances out of his fresh-faced leads,' reads the site's 'Critics Consensus.' Overall, if you're looking for a movie that offers simple charms and a cast of characters you can't help but warm to, 'Licorice Pizza' is certainly worth watching. The performances from Cooper Hoffman and Alana Haim are reason alone to give this Paul Thomas Anderson joint a chance. 'Licorice Pizza' is far from the only movie added to Prime Video's movie library this month. For more viewing recommendations, here's a guide to everything new added to Prime Video in July, which includes more must-watch movies. Watch "Licorice Pizza'" on Prime Video now
Irish Independent
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Haim switch dial from 1970s to '90s (and back) for their most eclectic collection yet
Besides the collective, each of the sisters has carved out their own particular niche: Lead singer and guitarist Danielle Haim is very much a go-to guest vocalist, most recently on Bon Iver's Sable Fable album; multi-instrumentalist Alana Haim has shown serious acting chops and took the lead in Paul Thomas Anderson's '70s-set feature Licorice Pizza; bassist Este Haim was the music consultant on TV drama series, The White Lotus. Haim are leading lights of LA culture now, almost as celebrated for their fashion sense as they are for their music. Their fourth album, I Quit, arrives freighted with considerable expectation, but can it live up to the highs of earlier work? Down to Be Wrong is vintage Haim. A sultry, evocative song that will remind many of Sheryl Crow It certainly sounds subtly different to their previous albums. While '70s influences continue to abound, the 1990s plays a significant part too. That's apparent on opening track, Gone, which liberally uses George Michael's Freedom 90. And it's there again, on closer, Now It's Time, which takes the abrasive beats of U2's Numb and does something intriguing with it. If I Quit doesn't have quite the proportion of strong songs as debut album Days Are Gone, or indeed a single to match that of the peerless The Wire, it's comfortably their most eclectic collection. While some may lament the lack of focus, others will delight in the way the songs hopscotch from genre to genre with abandon. There's plenty of classic West Coast pop, fey balladry, excursions into indie rock, dalliances in funk and some soulful leanings, too. And it's a reminder of what an affecting vocalist Danielle is. She sounds effortless and yet you hang on to her every word. Down to Be Wrong is vintage Haim. A sultry, evocative song, its chorus soars. Not for the first time, it's a Haim song that will remind many of Sheryl Crow. One could imagine it taking pride of place on her 1993 gazillion-seller Tuesday Night Music Club. It is one of several songs that explore relationship break-ups. Danielle may well be writing about personal experience. Her nine-year relationship with Ariel Rechtshaid ended in 2022: he produced each of the previous Haim albums, but beyond a writing credit on standout song, the playful, seductive Relationships, he's nowhere to be seen here. Instead, Vampire Weekend founder Rostam Batmanglij, who had a part in the production of their two most recent albums, steps up to the plate here. The siblings are in good hands with Rostam — as he is now mononymously known — at the tiller. Guest vocalists are eschewed, and it would have been intriguing if Bon Iver's Justin Vernon had lent his voice to the giddy, commercially smart Everybody is Trying to Figure Me Out. After all, he is credited as one of the song's writers and composers.
Metro
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Este Haim reveals ex-boyfriend brutally dumped her over her diabetes
Haim are finally back with new music and for this era, they've put their relationships under the microscope, revealing some brutal breakups. The sister trio — Este, Alana, and Danielle — have mainly kept their romantic lives private, but bad exes are always great material for songs. While chatting to British GQ about their upcoming album, I Quit, Este revealed that one of her boyfriends shockingly broke up with her over her Type 1 diabetes. 'I had a guy break up with me because I said that there was a possibility that our kid would have diabetes,' the 39-year-old musician shared. To Este's surprise, he gave her a brutal response and said: 'Then why are we here?' to which she replied 'What?!' Este has regularly shared her diabetes journey with fans, and while at Glastonbury in 2022, revealed she had once passed out on the side of the stage. She is now engaged to tech entrepreneur Jonathan Levin, posting a snap of the engagement ring in February with a t-shirt which read 'I'm taken'. Her younger sister, Alana, 33, also shared a more recent dating disaster as a man tried to stand in the way of her career. 'I had a boyfriend that gave me an ultimatum between doing Licorice Pizza and staying with him,' she revealed. 'I obviously made the right choice…' The Wire hitmaker was nominated for best actress at the Golden Globes for her role in the film — definitely the right choice. Meanwhile, Danielle, 36, is 'happier than ever' while single and declared she's 'okay alone'. 'Not only okay, but so happy,' she continued. 'Sorry to be that b***h but I'm like, really having a great time being by myself. And now, unless someone's gonna make me so much more happy, I'm good.' Alana said her sister's 'sparkle' had returned as they prepare to release I Quit later this month. More Trending Haim explained the title is not meant to be a negative, instead, it's about quitting the things that no longer serve you. The trio have already dropped three singles from the new album and are heading on a UK tour later this year. They're also heavily rumoured to fill one of Glastonbury's surprise set slots, possibly the set listed as 'Patchwork', which is the name of a novel by a woman named Sylvia Haim. You can read Haim's full interview at GQ's website and on newsstands now Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Talking Heads fans feel 'gaslit' after rumoured 50th anniversary announcement is finally revealed MORE: Miley Cyrus reveals deep regret about Sinead O'Connor spat MORE: Ross Lynch confesses he gets 'territorial' when hardcore fans misinterpret his songs
Wales Online
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Este Haim describes relationship with health condition
Este Haim describes relationship with health condition The Haim bassist had advised her then-partner that there was a chance her future children could also develop the condition Este Haim, Alana Haim, and Danielle Haim will release their fourth album in June (Image: Getty Images for Prime Video ) Este Haim's boyfriend dumped her because she has diabetes. The Haim bassist - who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, where the body is unable to produce insulin correctly, when she was 14 years old - had advised her then-partner that there was a chance her future children could also develop the condition, and was stunned when his reaction was to end their relationship. In an interview with Britain's GQ magazine, Este said: "I had a guy break up with me because I said that there was a possibility that our kid would have diabetes. "He was like, 'Then why are we here?' And I was like, 'What?!'" The Haim sisters have been sharing their dating woes on TikTok in honour of their new single 'Relationships', and Alana Haim admitted one story she'd told was worse than she described on the platform, having ignored advice from her siblings and flown from Los Angeles to London for New Year's Eve to meet a mystery musician she'd been dating for a year, only for him to high-five her at midnight and for it to later emerge that he'd been cheating on her. She said: "I was 20, and I was so in love with this guy in a band. Everyone thinks it's about another guy and it's not him, that theory is wrong." Article continues below Discussing flying over to the UK over the festive period, she added: "And then he ghosted me the whole week. "And then I found out he was cheating on me with his ex... I was devastated. Devastated!" Alana Haim, 33, also recalled another horror story, which saw her dump her boyfriend after he issued her an ultimatum when she was offered a role in 2021's 'Licorice Pizza', but she has no regrets. She said: "I had a boyfriend that gave me an ultimatum between doing 'Licorice Pizza' and staying with him. "I obviously made the right choice ..." Singer Danielle Haim, 36, split up with the band's co-producer Ariel Rechtshaid in 2022 after nine years together, but she has learned she is more than "okay alone". Article continues below She said: "Not only okay, but so happy. Sorry to be that bitch but I'm like, really having a great time being by myself. And now, unless someone's gonna make me so much more happy, I'm good." Este announced her engagement to Jonathan Levin in February. Sharing a selfie on Instagram at the time, she showed off a sparkly diamond ring on her wedding finger, and donned a blue t-shirt that read "I'm taken".
Perth Now
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Este Haim reveals relationship breakdown over her type 1 diabetes
Este Haim's boyfriend dumped her because she has diabetes. The Haim bassist - who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, where the body is unable to produce insulin correctly, when she was 14 years old - had advised her then-partner that there was a chance her future children could also develop the condition, and was stunned when his reaction was to end their relationship. In an interview with Britain's GQ magazine, Este said: "I had a guy break up with me because I said that there was a possibility that our kid would have diabetes. "He was like, 'Then why are we here?' And I was like, 'What?!'" The Haim sisters have been sharing their dating woes on TikTok in honour of their new single 'Relationships', and Alana Haim admitted one story she'd told was worse than she described on the platform, having ignored advice from her siblings and flown from Los Angeles to London for New Year's Eve to meet a mystery musician she'd been dating for a year, only for him to high-five her at midnight and for it to later emerge that he'd been cheating on her. She said: 'I was 20, and I was so in love with this guy in a band. Everyone thinks it's about another guy and it's not him, that theory is wrong.' Discussing flying over to the UK over the festive period, she added: 'And then he ghosted me the whole week. 'And then I found out he was cheating on me with his ex… I was devastated. Devastated!' Alana Haim, 33, also recalled another horror story, which saw her dump her boyfriend after he issued her an ultimatum when she was offered a role in 2021's 'Licorice Pizza', but she has no regrets. She said: "I had a boyfriend that gave me an ultimatum between doing 'Licorice Pizza' and staying with him. 'I obviously made the right choice ...' Singer Danielle Haim, 36, split up with the band's co-producer Ariel Rechtshaid in 2022 after nine years together, but she has learned she is more than "okay alone". She said: "Not only okay, but so happy. Sorry to be that bitch but I'm like, really having a great time being by myself. And now, unless someone's gonna make me so much more happy, I'm good." Este announced her engagement to Jonathan Levin in February. Sharing a selfie on Instagram at the time, she showed off a sparkly diamond ring on her wedding finger, and donned a blue t-shirt that read "I'm taken".
