Latest news with #Lyons
NZ Herald
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
The best TV shows of 2025, so far
A prequel series to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) – and arguably the most acclaimed Star Wars story of any kind since that film – Andor offered one of TV's deepest explorations of the political realities and human costs of rebellion. Its two-season run wrapped up in May. 'Prequels are often where dramatic tension goes to die,' James Poniewozik writes. 'How invested can you be in a story whose outcome you already know? The genius of Andor, created by Tony Gilroy, is to make that knowledge an asset.' Asura Machiko Ono in Asura. Photo / Netflix Written and directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda (Shoplifters), this Japanese period drama is visually sumptuous and emotionally meticulous in its depiction of four sisters grappling with controlling men and their complex relationships with one another. The series 'is the full package: a detailed, human-scale domestic drama with plenty to say, fascinating characters to say it and the stylishness to make it sing,' Margaret Lyons writes. 'The downside is that other shows feel paltry and thin in comparison. The upside is everything else.' Common Side Effects Common Side Effects tells a gripping story with fanciful, occasionally phantasmagoric animation. This animated conspiracy thriller revolves around a magic mushroom miracle drug, an unconventional environmentalist who wants to heal the world with it and the various bad actors – Big Pharma, sinister mycologists – trying to stop or control him. And a tortoise. The series 'is as rare and precious as the miraculous mushroom its hero, Marshall (Dave King), discovers in the jungle,' Lyons writes. 'Smarts, humour, style and perspective rarely align so harmoniously. Not a lot of shows have as much to say, and fewer still say it with such panache.' Couples Therapy Dr Orna Guralnik in Couples Therapy. In May, the documentary series Couples Therapy, which follows Dr Orna Guralnik's sessions with couples in various forms of crises, wrapped up its fourth season. 'Some pairs seem so ill-suited one wonders how they got this far in the first place, while others seem tragically root bound, unable to change any of the patterns in their lives — until now, of course,' Lyons writes. 'The magic of the show is that through Dr. Guralnik's patience and probing, people change before our eyes. Revealing oneself is difficult; understanding oneself is even more challenging. 'This season's four couples were pulled in different directions — toward the altar, toward divorce, toward quiet, toward disclosure — but each relationship was transformed. Most shows go to great lengths to gin up this amount of conflict and revelation, but Couples Therapy manages it with a few well-placed 'hmm's.' Exterior Night Fabrizio Gifuni plays the Italian politician Aldo Moro in Exterior Night. The first television series by great Italian film-maker Marco Bellocchio, Exterior Night, revisits the 1978 kidnapping and killing of politician Aldo Moro by the Red Brigades. (Bellocchio explored those events previously in his 2003 film Good Morning, Night.) 'Moro's abduction and death was a watershed moment in the 'years of lead,' when politically motivated bombings, shootings, kidnappings and assassinations convulsed Italy and other European countries,' Mike Hale writes. 'But it is a story that can speak to anyone who has a sense of living in perilous times. As a character in Exterior Night says, a society can tolerate a certain amount of crazy behaviour, but 'when the crazy party has the majority, we'll see what happens.'' Mr. Loverman Ariyon Bakare, left, and Lennie James in Mr. Loverman. Based on the novel by Bernardine Evaristo, this British miniseries follows an elegant Londoner named Barrington Jedidiah Walker (Lennie James) who is devoted to his wife, his children and his best friend and lover of many decades, Morris (Ariyon Bakare). The series alternates among characters' perspectives and uses flashbacks to trace Barry and Morris' relationship back to its early days in their native Antigua. 'Loverman is polished and literary, practically silky – sublime, even,' Lyons writes. 'It's natural to be baffled by other people's choices: Why would you do that? Why didn't you say anything? Why would you stay? Why would you leave? A lot of contemporary shows – even plenty of good ones – fall back on pat just-so stories for their characters' backgrounds, but the picture here is deeper and fuller than that. Fear and pain, love and loyalty: they're never just one thing.' Murderbot Alexander Skarsgard stars as the title character of Murderbot. In this comic sci-fi thriller, based on the novel All Systems Red by Martha Wells, Alexander Skarsgard plays a jaded robot that is charged with protecting a crunchy space commune but would rather just watch pulpy soaps. 'The real killer app of the story, adapted by Chris and Paul Weitz, is the snarky worldview of the artificial life form at its centre,' Poniewozik writes. 'Skarsgard gives a lively reading to the copious voice-over, but just as important is his physical performance, which radiates casual power and agitated wariness. Murderbot is odd, edgy, unmistakably alien, yet its complaint is also crankily familiar. It just wants to be left in peace to binge its programs, like Chance the Gardener if he had guns in his arms.' Pee-wee as Himself Pee-wee as Himself explores the life and work of Paul Reubens. This two-part HBO documentary details how performer Paul Reubens created his beloved alter ego, Pee-wee Herman, and how the character's fame affected the rest of his life. 'What unfolds, over more than three hours, is in part a public story: how Reubens channeled his genius into an anarchic creation that bridged the worlds of alternative art and children's TV, then had his life derailed by trumped-up scandals that haunted him to the end,' Poniewozik writes. 'It is also partly a spellbinding private story about artistry, ambition, identity and control. What does it mean to become famous as someone else? (The documentary's title refers to the acting credit in Pee-wee's Big Adventure, as a result of which Reubens remained largely unknown even as his persona became a worldwide star.) And what were the implications of being obscured by his creation, especially for a gay man in a still very homophobic Hollywood?' The Pitt Noah Wyle in The Pitt. With its '24'-like hour-by-hour structure, The Pitt infuses the familiar pleasures of a medical show with fevered intensity and narrative references to the pandemic and contemporary social issues. 'The Pitt generated old-school melodrama out of a simple understanding: The ER is where people end up when something goes wrong, either with the body individual or with the body politic,' Poniewozik writes. 'And what is wrong with the American corpus? Buddy, take a number; the waiting room is full.' Severance Britt Lower and Adam Scott in Severance. Photo / Apple TV+ In its second season, this trippy workplace drama deepens its mysteries and expands its emotional palette as the mentally 'severed' employees, their loved ones and their bosses battle (sometimes literally) over competing agendas and the future of Lumon Industries. The show finally returned in January, nearly three years after the end of Season 1. 'Its makers seem to have used every second of the absence productively,' Poniewozik writes. 'The season takes new turns while remaining the most ambitious, batty and all-out pleasurable show on TV, an M.C. Escher maze whose plot convolutions never get in the way of its voice, heart and sense of humour.' This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Written by: The New York Times ©2025 THE NEW YORK TIMES
The Irish Sun
20 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Hitman' accused of murdering Lyons kingpins has drug driving charge dropped
PROSECUTORS dropped drug driving and speeding charges against the alleged hitman accused of murdering two Scots gangsters. Law chiefs ditched proceedings against Michael Riley, 44, after he was nicked and made the subject of an extradition bid by Spanish authorities. 3 Murdered Lyons gnag duo Eddie Lyons Jnr, left, and Ross Monaghan 3 The moment a gunman stormed the pub in Fuengirola was caught on CCTV 3 The bar in Spain where the Scots gangland figures were shot dead on May 31 Riley, of Huyton, Liverpool , was due to appear at North Wales Magistrates Court tomorrow in connection with the alleged driving offences. But the Crown Prosecution Service (SPS) decided to discontinue the case on Tuesday, June 17, four days after Riley was arrested in Liverpool. A court service spokeswoman confirmed a 'notice to withdraw' the charges was lodged and rubber-stamped last week. We told how Riley plans to fight extradition over the murders of Ross Monaghan, 43, and Eddie Lyons Jnr, 46, in Fuengirola on May 31. Cops in Spain issued an international arrest warrant for the suspect who was then nabbed by Merseyside police on June 13 and remanded in custody after being deemed a flight risk. He appeared at the London court via videolink from HMP Wandsworth on Thursday but the hearing was halted due to technical difficulties. Judge John Bristow told him: 'You have not consented to your extradition, so there is going to be a hearing on October 9. As he was being led away, Riley shouted at someone in the public gallery: 'Stop making funny faces. Stop looking at me.' Most read in The Scottish Sun He is accused of gunning down two Lyons gang bosses. We told how the doomed pair were drinking in Monaghans bar after watching the Champions League final 'Hitman' accused of murdering gang kingpins Ross Monaghan & Eddie Lyons Junior in Spain will fight extradition The brazen killings sparked an international manhunt that ended with Riley's arrest at an address in Liverpool two weeks later. We also told how cops in Spain and Scotland have given conflicting information about who is believed to have ordered the hit. Three days after the horror , Police Scotland stated they had "no intelligence" to suggest they were linked to the ongoing gangland turf war here. But Spanish counterparts blamed the Daniel crime clan bitter rivals of the Lyons at a press conference in Malaga this week. A source claims a captured mobile phone holds the key to proving the culprits. Insiders allege it has data linking Riley to Daniel hoods. A gangland source said: "A phone in a crime like this is gold-dust to investigators. It appears that Police Scotland were not made aware of this discovery and are out the loop. It's not a good look for them."
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Police Scotland make 50th arrest over east-west gang feud
Detectives investigating a gangland feud that has led to assaults, shootings and fire bombings across the east and west have made a 50th Duale, 18, has been charged with wilful fire-raising, danger to life and attempted murder following blazes at three properties in addresses in Pitcairn Grove, Prestonfield Crescent and Niddrie Marischal Crescent were all targeted on 17 of Liverpool, made no plea and was released on bail following a private appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court. The investigation, called Operation Portaledge, was launched in response to a series of violent incidents since rival crime families - the Daniels and Lyons - have been linked to the month Eddie Lyons Jnr, 46, and Ross Monaghan, 43, were shot dead at a bar in Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol. Both men were senior figures in the Lyons crime group and there was speculation the Spain shootings were linked to the tit-for-tat attacks in three days after the murders Police Scotland said they were not aware of any evidence connecting them to the force later maintained its position after a Spanish detective said the suspect, who will face an extradition hearing in October, was a member of the Daniel group. Officers have visited thousands of homes and stopped hundreds of vehicles in Scotland as part of their the incidents shots were fired in Niddrie, where some of the violence has centred. Hours later more shots were reported on the other side of the in April, a house was deliberately set on fire in Hay Drive, Niddrie, which spread to a neighbouring violence quickly moved west with more deliberate fires and serious assaults - one of which resulted in a 72-year-old woman and a 12-year-old boy being taken to were attacked at a house in Egilsay Crescent in Glasgow's month, officers in the east were again called to a property on Marischal Crescent in the early hours after a Ford Transit van went up in minutes later a Range Rover Evoque was found alight about half a mile away on Campion of the arrests have been men under the age of 30, including teenagers. How the feud developed A series of attacks began on 2 March when a car was set on fire in Edinburgh's Parrotshot areaA beauty salon in Leith and a garage in Portobello were also targeted over a 10-day periodLater, shots were reported as being fired at two properties in Niddrie and Pilton in separate incidentsFurther firebomb attacks were reported on another house in Niddrie at the start of April, just as the first property in Glasgow was targeted in the Robroyston areaA carpet business in Bishopbriggs and another commercial premises in Kirkintilloch were also hit, alongside homes in Glasgow and SteppsIn April, a 72-year-old woman and a 12-year-old boy were assaulted at a house in Egilsay Crescent in Milton, GlasgowTwo more properties in Bishopbriggs were set alightTwo men were taken to hospital following a serious assault at a garage in East Kilbride on 19 MayA 54-year-old man needed hospital treatment after he was attacked by a group of men at a house at Pitcairn Grove, Edinburgh - the third time an incident was reported at this propertyA large house in the Bridge of Weir was set alight on 2 JunePolice recover firearm believed to be linked to violence from Roseburn Path in Edinburgh on 11 JuneRead the full timeline here.
Fox News
a day ago
- General
- Fox News
Firefighter dies after vacation excursion with family at summer hot spot
A North Carolina community is mourning the loss of a firefighter who died while snorkeling on vacation in Turks and Caicos with his family. Jaywon Lyons died earlier this month on a snorkeling excursion on the island shortly after taking a photo, his girlfriend, Sonya Moore, told The Greenville Daily Reflector. "I rushed over and I literally couldn't even stand while they were doing CPR," Moore told the outlet. "I had my parents take my son and I just remained with him. We tried to get him stable. He was stable for a while." Authorities transported Lyons to a local hospital, and Moore tried to schedule an ICU flight back to the United States. "At the hospital, it just took a turn for the worse," Moore told the Reflector. Lyons deployed with the Little River Volunteer Fire Department to assist with relief efforts after Hurricane Helene and served at several other North Carolina fire departments over the course of his career, according to the Red Oak Community Rural Fire Department. "We are sorry to report the loss of our brother Red Oak Firefighter Jay Lyons today in a tragic accident while he was on vacation outside of the country," the Department said in a June 6 Facebook post. "Jay was well-liked here at Red Oak and he made a lasting impression on everyone." "He was an optimistic person who loved his family," the Red Oak Community FD said. Edgecombe County remembered Lyons as one of the county's first firefighters in a June 7 Facebook post. "As one of Edgecombe County's first firefighters, he served with courage, kindness, and a heart for others. His impact was felt far beyond our team, and all who knew him admired and loved him," the county said. A GoFundMe for the firefighter titled "Continued help for Jaywon's Family" says Lyons' body was returned to North Carolina on June 23. Lyons leaves behind two daughters, ages 3 and 1.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Scots gangsters behind explosive turf war hit with chilling five-word warning after executions & firebomb carnage
Chief Constable Jo Farrell laid down the gauntlet to crime figures hiding in the glitzy desert bolthole NOWHERE TO HIDE Scots gangsters behind explosive turf war hit with chilling five-word warning after executions & firebomb carnage Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCOTLAND'S top cop has warned Dubai-based hoods linked to Scotland's raging gang wars 'We are coming for you'. Chief Constable Jo Farrell laid down the gauntlet to crime figures hiding in the glitzy desert bolthole. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Chief Constable Jo Farrell issued a warning Credit: PA 6 Dubai-based hood Ross 'Miami' McGill 6 Lyons gang duo Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Jnr were killed in Spain 6 Cops probe the remains of a Range Rover in Campion Road on June 9 She insists the force is working with other crime-fighting agencies to bring suspects home as part of the ongoing probe into organised crime. It comes after months of firebombings, shootings and attempted murder bids in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Dubai-based hood Ross 'Miami' McGill and a group known as Tamu Junto have been targeting associates of Edinburgh kingpin Mark Richardson and the notorious Daniel clan. Cops have arrested 49 people in Scotland under Operation Portaledge but McGill remains out of reach in the UAE. However, Ms Farrell insists criminals operating from foreign lands remain firmly on the policing radar. She said: "We're working closely with the Crown Office and the National Crime Agency (NCA) to see if we can get those people back from those countries. "These aren't fast processes, but we're working with the authorities there and the NCA have individuals in those countries. "That's our link in and we're working very closely with them.' Asked by the BBC when the violence would be brought to an end, she replied: "We've created a lot of momentum and gained a lot of evidence and intelligence. "We can see the temperature dropping in this space." Horror moment Scots gangster Ross Monaghan is shot dead by hitman at Spanish pub as staff & punters flee in terror Ms Farrell also stood firm behind Police Scotland's earlier statements over the murders of Lyons gang duo Ross Monaghan, 43, and Eddie Lyons Jnr, 46. The force previously said their death in Fuengirola, Spain, was not connected to the gang violence here. However, Spanish authorities later contradicted that by saying the suspected gunman was 'an internal member of the rival Daniels gang'. But Ms Farrell insisted the force "wasn't aware" of any evidence the murders were linked to the feud, or had been planned from Scotland. She revealed Scott cops are currently in Spain, supporting the work of the Spanish police. 6 Ross Monaghan, 43, and Eddie Lyons Jnr, 46. 6 Police previously said their death in Fuengirola, Spain, was not connected to the gang violence here We told how suspect Michael Riley, 44, of Houston, Liverpool, is facing extradition processing in England. Cops in Spain issued an international arrest warrant for the suspect who was then nabbed by Merseyside police on June 13 and remanded in custody after being deemed a flight risk. He appeared at the London court via video-link from HMP Wandsworth on Thursday but the hearing was halted due to technical difficulties. Judge John Bristow told him: 'You have not consented to your extradition, so there is going to be a hearing on October 9. As he was being led away, Riley shouted at someone in the public gallery: 'Stop making funny faces. Stop looking at me.' He is accused of gunning down two Lyons gang bosses. We told how the doomed pair were drinking in Monaghan's bar after watching the Champions League final when a masked gunman stormed the boozer in front of horrified holidaymakers and staff. The brazen killings sparked an international manhunt that ended with Riley's arrest at an address in Liverpool two weeks later. We also told how cops in Spain and Scotland have given conflicting information about who is believed to have ordered the hit. Three days after the horror, Police Scotland stated they had "no intelligence" to suggest they were linked to the ongoing gangland turf war here. But Spanish counterparts blamed the Daniel crime clan - bitter rivals of the Lyons - at a press conference in Malaga this week. A source claims a captured mobile phone holds the key to proving the culprits. Insiders allege it has data linking Riley to Daniel hoods. A gangland source said: "A phone in a crime like this is gold-dust to investigators. It appears that Police Scotland were not made aware of this discovery and are out the loop. It's not a good look for them."
