Latest news with #Mahoney
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
Victoria Mahoney was the first female 'Star Wars' director. Now, she's directing one of the most anticipated movies of the summer.
Victoria Mahoney can't contain herself. She's finally going to talk about "The Old Guard 2." It's not just the long-awaited sequel to Netflix's hit 2020 action movie starring Charlize Theron as the leader of immortal mercenaries out to better the world, but it also marks Mahoney's first feature film directing effort since her debut, the gritty 2011 indie starring Zoë Kravitz, "Yelling to the Sky." What has she been doing this whole time? The real question is: What hasn't she done? Everything about Mahoney is big—big energy, big smile. On this day, while chatting over Zoom with Business Insider, she's sporting big pieces of jewelry along with big, stylish glasses. Essentially, Mahoney doesn't do anything small—well, anymore. There was a time when that's all she could get. Through the 1990s, she was an actor and only had blink-and-you'd-miss-them roles on TV ("Seinfeld") and movies ("Legally Blonde") to show for it. By the 2010s, she pivoted to directing and was able to scrounge enough money to pull off an 18-day shoot for the low-budget semi-autobiographical drama "Yelling to the Sky." "We would knock on the neighbors' doors to use the bathroom because we had no money for trailers," Mahoney recalled. "They would make us lemonade, and they were so sweet. What happened at that time was quite special. I loved every second." Sadly, the movie didn't get much attention after its festival run. Seeing the filmmaking market shift to directors helming indies right into big-budget movies, she set out to do the same. But no one was knocking down her door offering a Marvel movie or revamping an aging IP. So Mahoney got directing gigs on TV. Since 2016, she's directed episodes of "Queen Sugar," "Grey's Anatomy," "Claws," "Power," "You," and the pilot episode of "Suits LA." Then in 2018, she was hired as the second unit director on J.J. Abrams' "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker," making her the first woman ever to have a director credit on a " Star Wars" movie. Many in her situation would assume that being involved in one of Hollywood's biggest franchises would lead to the gates of Hollywood opening and offers coming in by the handful. But Mahoney knew better. "Some people may have the luxury of walking the Earth with that thought process, I have never been afforded that," she said. "I have a very practical and tactical approach to work," she continued. "I hunt jobs, I pursue, I advocate for myself, I'm strategic, I'm shrewd." Mahoney's take on 'The Old Guard' Mahoney kept grinding, and after a few false starts on directing big movies, she finally got the opportunity she'd patiently waited for. In 2021, Skydance CCO Dana Goldberg reached out about directing the sequel to "The Old Guard." "I was a fan of the first one, so when they called it wasn't like this is smart business, I actually really cared about the movie and the characters," Mahoney said of the franchise. "The Old Guard 2" picks up right where we left off. Andy (Theron) and her team of immortals have a fuller understanding of their importance in the world and use a former CIA operative (Chiwetel Ejiofor) as their guide to taking out those doing harm. Still, Andy gets a surprise when she learns that her old friend from centuries ago, Quynh (Ngô Thanh Vân), who has been trapped under the sea, has been brought back to the surface by Discord (Uma Thurman), and the two set out with some evil intentions. Mahoney said taking over from the first movie's director, Gina Prince-Bythewood (who stepped aside to make "The Woman King"), wasn't daunting because of her work on 2019's "Rise of Skywalker." "'Star Wars' was very much my school to this ZIP code," she said. "There are very specific lessons you get on 'Star Wars' that you can't get anywhere else. One of the things that I grabbed onto and received right away was the notion that we must respect the DNA, we must respect fans, we must respect new terrain and new thought." "I love a challenge, so I enjoyed the idea of preserving all the factors that made the first 'Old Guard' unique and wonderful, and what enticed me and what I understood enticed audiences," she continued. "So my loyalty to protect that is something that I went to work with every day." However, Mahoney is also proud of her own original touches, like the sequence she devised to capture Andy and Quynh's first meeting in centuries. Filmed at Italy's famed Cinecittà Studios, the scene shows Andy walking through the narrow streets of Rome to meet Quynh at a piazza. During her walk, her surroundings suddenly change, backtracking from the 19th Century to the Roman Empire. What was originally planned as a series of flashbacks to symbolize how long it's been since Andy last saw Quynh, Mahoney restructured it into one of the more eye-catching sequences of the movie with its use of changing scenery and different color lens filters. "Wherever I am in the world, when I walk down certain streets, I have a sense of memory," Mahoney said. "I don't think about it, it's inside of me. I felt Andy is a person who has an experience that none of us have, in that she can walk through a street and have a feeling from all these different times." What's next for Mahoney Though Mahoney has completed the biggest project of her career, she's not content and doesn't assume that another is right around the corner. As she's done her whole career, she's back on the grind, figuring out how to maneuver next. "I'm aware this kind of job gets me three moves on the chessboard," she said. "I'm aware unilateral moves are no good for me." She takes a breath, perhaps for an instant, absorbing where she's been and where she hopes to go. "Within this stretch, all the people that say, 'Oh, this is going to change things forever,' I'm like, 'We'll see.' I'm a realist."
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Boston Scientific's Q1 Earnings Call: Our Top 5 Analyst Questions
Boston Scientific's first quarter results were met with a positive market reaction following revenue and profit that surpassed Wall Street expectations. Management credited robust growth in its cardiology portfolio and the successful execution of a category leadership strategy spanning electrophysiology, WATCHMAN, and interventional cardiology products. CEO Michael Mahoney highlighted that double-digit expansion in the U.S. and momentum in Europe and Japan helped drive operational sales growth, while new product launches and increased adoption in emerging segments, such as FARAPULSE and Axios, also contributed to performance. Is now the time to buy BSX? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Revenue: $4.66 billion vs analyst estimates of $4.57 billion (20.9% year-on-year growth, 2% beat) Adjusted EPS: $0.75 vs analyst estimates of $0.67 (11.5% beat) Revenue Guidance for Q2 CY2025 is $4.88 billion at the midpoint, above analyst estimates of $4.79 billion Management raised its full-year Adjusted EPS guidance to $2.91 at the midpoint, a 2.5% increase Operating Margin: 19.8%, up from 17.5% in the same quarter last year Organic Revenue rose 18.2% year on year (13.1% in the same quarter last year) Market Capitalization: $150.5 billion While we enjoy listening to the management's commentary, our favorite part of earnings calls are the analyst questions. Those are unscripted and can often highlight topics that management teams would rather avoid or topics where the answer is complicated. Here is what has caught our attention. Robert Marcus (JPMorgan) asked about mitigating tariff headwinds. CFO Daniel Brennan explained the offset through increased revenue and targeted cost reductions, with no plans for major manufacturing shifts. Larry Biegelsen (Wells Fargo) questioned global electrophysiology market share. CEO Michael Mahoney acknowledged strong momentum and the goal of reaching #1, particularly through investments in China and Japan. Joanne Wuensch (Citi) inquired about WATCHMAN's growth and procedural trends. Mahoney and Dr. Ken Stein cited rapid adoption of concomitant procedures and favorable clinical data as key drivers. Travis Steed (Bank of America) asked about margin sustainability. Brennan attributed margin expansion to product mix and noted that tariffs will pressure gross margin in the second half, but full-year expansion is still expected. Danielle Antalffy (UBS) raised questions on the SoniVie acquisition's timing and potential. Mahoney described the clinical trial process and anticipated a multi-year path to realizing commercial contributions. In upcoming quarters, the StockStory team will monitor (1) continued growth and market share gains in electrophysiology and WATCHMAN, (2) progress on integrating new acquisitions and the resulting product launches, and (3) the company's ability to offset tariff-related cost pressures without sacrificing margin targets. Updates on key clinical trials and regulatory milestones will also be critical to tracking Boston Scientific's strategy execution. Boston Scientific currently trades at $101.38, up from $94.97 just before the earnings. At this price, is it a buy or sell? See for yourself in our full research report (it's free). The market surged in 2024 and reached record highs after Donald Trump's presidential victory in November, but questions about new economic policies are adding much uncertainty for 2025. While the crowd speculates what might happen next, we're homing in on the companies that can succeed regardless of the political or macroeconomic environment. Put yourself in the driver's seat and build a durable portfolio by checking out our Top 5 Strong Momentum Stocks for this week. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025). Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-micro-cap company Tecnoglass (+1,754% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.
The Herald Scotland
10-06-2025
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
'More psychologists in Scottish prisons could prevent overcrowding'
Their call comes after The Herald's series 'Scotland's Prisons: Crisis Behind Bars' revealed that eleven of Scotland's 17 prisons were at maximum levels of capacity just days after hundreds of prisoners were released early by the Scottish Government to tackle overcrowding. The latest figures show there are 8,129 in the current prison population in Scotland, despite the official capacity being 7,773. The current capacity level is also well in excess of the 2008 McLeish Commission of the recommendations that Scotland's prison population should be around 5,000. The BPS argues that increasing access to psychological support is essential to reducing reoffending, freeing up prison spaces and easing pressure on the system. Explaining why psychologists are key to driving down prisoner numbers, Dr Adam Mahoney, the Scotland Chair of the BPS's Division of Forensic Psychology said that 'consistent support' significantly reduces the likelihood of reoffending. Dr Adam Mahoney, British Psychological Society (Image: supplied) Dr Mahoney told The Herald: 'One of the most effective tools the Scottish government can deploy to reduce the growing prison population is investment in psychological services across the criminal justice system. 'More psychologists would mean more support at every stage including pre-sentencing, whilst serving their sentence, and post-release. 'Greater investment in community-based alternatives to custody would also be greatly beneficial. Psychologists are crucial in providing early interventions, risk assessments, and staff training to support rehabilitation. 'There is an urgent need to develop person-centred, trauma-informed psychological care for those in custody. Providing consistent psychological support significantly reduces the likelihood of reoffending.' Read more: 'We are seeing more people with mental health problems in prisons' Scotland accused of breaching human rights law over prison social care The BPS is calling for a 'scaled up' approach when it comes to improving mental health support in prisons. Services they want to see further investment in include mental health screenings on arrival and throughout a sentence which help identify and address psychological needs early. They also want to see more funding allocated to Talking therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and other trauma focused therapies, which helps individuals understand and change potentially harmful thought patterns and behaviours. BPS has said it is vital for the Scottish Government to ensure more support for reintegration into communities outside of prison including access to mental health services, healthcare, housing, employment and reconnecting with family and society. Other key services they have marked out for further support include gender specific and trauma-informed services which ensure all custodial services are tailored to meet the needs of individuals who have experienced trauma, with a focus on safety, empowerment, and long-term recovery. Last year, the Scottish Prison Service launched a mental health strategy for 20245-2034 which aims to create environments where people feel able to seek help and support. The Scottish Prison Service and the Scottish Government have been approached for comment. The Herald's series on prisons this year spoke to a social care expert who told the paper the Scottish Government could be in breach of international law through its handling of inmate social care as the prison service struggles to look after an ageing population. The older prisoner population is increasing every year - with the number of people aged over 50 in Scottish prisons nearly doubling and the number of over 70s trebling in the last ten years. The UN human rights-based Mandela Rules state that the prison population should have the same right to health and social care as the rest of society. However, Alison Bavidge, National Director for Scottish Association of Social Work (SASW) believes that, as it stands, inmates in Scotland are not able to access the same care as citizens in wider society. The Care Inspectorate's Prison-based social work: thematic review from last year found there was a 'strong consensus that fundamental reform of the current arrangements is required' and 'the current funding and commissioning arrangements for prison-based social work services are no longer fit for purpose'.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Surfer Tackled by NJ Cop Over Beach Badge Dispute (Video)
A courtroom drama unfolded in New Jersey, following an arrest involving a surfer from last summer. The incident began when the surfer was prompted by a police officer to show his beach badge – a proof of payment to the municipality, which funds beach maintenance, lifeguard wages, etc. Liam Mahoney, a 29-year-old Californian, was surfing 19th Avenue in Belmar on August 30th, when he was approached by officer Ryan Braswell, and asked to present his beach badge. Mahoney was at the edge of the water, holding his longboard at the time. An argument ensued, Mahoney was tackled to the sand, handcuffed, and put into a police vehicle. The entire incident was captured on body cam footage, and released publicly. See below. In a statement, Belmar Police Chief Tina Scott said Mahoney 'was not arrested for not having a beach badge. He was arrested because he obstructed the officer's investigation by refusing to give his identification or pedigree information. [He] was told approximately nine to 10 times to place his hands behind his back, but he continued to resist preventing Officer Braswell from handcuffing him.' The video shows officer Braswell say, 'You take another step, and you're going to be arrested.' 'For surfing?' Mahoney replies. 'I'm not doing anything wrong. I'm in the ocean.'Most New Jersey municipalities require beach badges for summer, and they range in price from $50 to $200 for the entire season. Apparently, Mahoney did have a beach badge – he was borrowing one from his sister. Although he didn't have one on his person, as he was surfing at the time. In court, to address the arrest, Mahoney explained that he was going 'full commando.' He added: 'I didn't have it on me when I was surfing,' After a back-and-forth in court, according to local news, eventually Mahoney took a plea deal in the case. He will enter a diversion program and pay fines. If he completes the program, the charges – which include disorderly conduct, obstruction, and resisting arrest – will be Tackled by NJ Cop Over Beach Badge Dispute (Video) first appeared on Surfer on Jun 4, 2025
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Lewis County residents invited to comment trial system expansion
LOWVILLE, N.Y. (WWTI) – The Lewis County Recreation, Forestry and Parks Department is seeking input from the public as it works to expand the Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Trail System in the towns of Watson, Glenfield, and Greig. A public meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 25 at the 3G Firehall on 6229 Blue Street in Glenfield. The meeting will focus on state regulations regarding OHV Community Connectors and explore opportunities to expand off-road trails in the region. SNIRT Run in Lewis County faces uncertain future after this year's cancelation Department director Jackie Mahoney will be present to explain the trail development process, review landowner agreements, and answer questions from the community. Residents are invited to attend and share their thoughts—whether they're interested in offering land for trails, opening roads in their area, or voicing concerns. 'This is a great opportunity to build connections in the community while expanding outdoor recreation in a way that's safe, responsible, and respectful to landowners,' Mahoney said. 'I would love to hear from residents about trail access ideas or concerns.' Anyone unable to attend but still wanting to participate should contact Mahoney at (315) 376-5972, via email, or by completing the interest form at: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
