Latest news with #MorganFreeman
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Netflix just added one of the most deliriously entertaining action-thriller movies ever made — and I'm not ashamed how much I love it
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. When I discovered that Netflix was becoming the new streaming home for 'Wanted' this week, I was going to declare it one of 'ultimate guilty pleasure' watches, but on reflection, I'm not even slightly sorry about adoring this loud-and-brash action-thriller movie that plays out like a graphic novel come to life. This is a movie where elite assassin in training Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy) can curve bullets around corners, shoot the wings off a common household fly and smack his smarmy best friend (played by Chris Pratt) in the face with a keyboard, only for the cascading keys to spell out 'f**k you' in midair (the second 'u' is represented by one of the guy's teeth). It's awesome! Released in 2008, and inspired by the comic book series of the same name by Mark Millar, it's punky, garish, immature and absolutely packed with cinematic style. The stacked cast list also includes Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman and rap artist Common. There was talk of a sequel around release in the late 2000s, which sadly never materialized, but that's OK because 'Wanted' remains one of the most endlessly rewatchable movies I've ever seen. And now that it's on Netflix, you're going to want to drop everything and get on board for this nonstop wild ride. What is 'Wanted' about? Wesley Gibson (McAvoy) is stuck in a rut — working a dead-end office job, being cheated on by his girlfriend and suffering from regular panic attacks. He seems like a complete no-hoper until he learns that his estranged father has been murdered, and the person responsible for killing his dad now has Wesley in his crosshairs. Discovering he possesses unique and very lethal abilities, Wesley joins an underground society of assassins known as The Fraternity. Trained by the underground group's expert leaders, Fox (Jolie) and Mr. Sloan (Freeman), Wesley's life takes an unexpected turn, and he soon becomes the ruthless killer he was born to be. But as he adjusts to (and starts to enjoy) his new life as an expert assassin, he also uncovers a deeper conspiracy. Here's why you stream 'Wanted' on Netflix now The term 'like a comic book come to life' gets thrown around a lot — most recently with 'Superman' — but 'Wanted' truly does feel like the pages of a graphic novel have been converted to film. This is not a world of gritty action or grounded set-piece moments; it's the stuff of youthful wish fulfillment. In 'Wanted,' everything is heightened. The bullets fly regularly and with serious ferocity, and to add even more excitement to the mix, they curve in midair to make physically impossible trick shots possible. Every movie of mayhem is a complete joy, and oozes with flair and slick style. There's no doubt that the movie's extremely juvenile attitude will alienate some viewers, but this isn't a movie concerned with offending. It's nonstop immaturity all the way through, and it asks you to get on board with that or shut up and go watch something else. It's the type of movie that shows not one, but two, middle fingers to anybody who calls it 'a bit over the top.' I can't even pretend there's deeper substance beyond the gleeful violence and the screenplay laced with profanity. 'Wanted' certainly isn't deep, but it's seriously good fun nevertheless. And if you can embrace the chaos, it offers nonstop thrills that will have you fist pumping through sheer excitement. While none of its A-listers are exactly challenged with the material, McAvoy, Jolie and Freeman make for a solid trio of leads, and each member of The Fraternity is given their moment to shine. Or in McAvoy's case, their moment to stop being a loser and start kicking some butt. "Wanted" doesn't gently cross over the line into overkill; it speeds in a supercharged sports car across it, laughing all the way to its next target. 'Wanted' is one of those movies that I turn to when I want completely mindless entertainment, and that's certainly no criticism. It knows exactly what it is, and it plays to its intended audience near perfectly. So, if you're after cinematic escapism that will have you grinning like a child from the drop, look no further. Just don't let any actual children watch with you. Seriously, this is one ultra-violent and very crude action-thriller movie. Looking for more Netflix watches? Here's a guide to everything new being added to the streaming service in July 2025, as well as a roundup of all the new to Netflix movies with 90% or higher on Rotten Tomatoes, for subscribers looking to watch a critically acclaimed effort. Watch "Wanted" on Netflix now More from Tom's Guide New on Netflix in July 2025 5 new to Netflix movies with 90% or higher on Rotten Tomatoes Netflix's new political thriller series looks intense
New York Times
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Theater to Stream: Morgan Freeman in ‘Gospel at Colonus' and More
'The Gospel at Colonus' Stream it on YouTube. 'The Gospel of Colonus' has built a fervent following over the past four decades or so — its number 'How Shall I See You Through My Tears?' even popped up in the cult-favorite movie 'Camp' — so expectations are running high for the new revival at Little Island in Manhattan (through July 26). Those not in New York or who couldn't get a ticket to Shayok Misha Chowdhury's new staging can check out a production from the American Music Theater Festival in Philadelphia, from 1985, that's streaming on YouTube. This superlative take on Lee Breuer and Bob Telson's gospel retelling of Sophocles' tragedy of Oedipus boasts a powerhouse cast, including Morgan Freeman, Jevetta Steele and Robert Earl Jones (James's father), who went on to Broadway with the show three years later. The score, which features some of the funkiest, most rousing numbers ever heard in a musical, surges to vivid life. Tip: Blast this at full volume. 'Frozen: The Hit Broadway Musical' Stream it on Disney+. The stage version of the animated megahit movie 'Frozen' played just two years on Broadway (a short spell by Disney standards), but this newly available capture of the West End production may well kick-start renewed interest in the United States. For the stage version, Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez expanded their score with a dozen new songs — my favorite is the catchy duet 'What Do You Know About Love?' between Anna (Laura Dawkes) and Kristoff (Jammy Kasongo). The movie and the show share a bone structure, but they are different animals, with the show able to spend more time on the complicated bond between the sisters, Anna and Elsa (an excellent Samantha Barks). Michael Grandage's staging captures the story's supernatural side well, and, let's face it: We're all going to watch Elsa's eye-popping costume change during 'Let It Go' a million times, wondering how they pulled it off. 'A Summer Day' Stream it from the Wilma Theater. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Time Out
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Long Island made the list of most attractive American accents and we're calling bull
Move over, Southern charm and Midwestern warmth. According to a new study, one of the most "attractive" accents in America hails from none other than Long Island. Yes, that Long Island. The place where 'coffee' sounds like 'caw-fee,' 'dog' is basically a two-syllable word and R's have been going missing since the dawn of Billy Joel. The findings come courtesy of VegasSlotsOnline, which conducted a sentiment analysis of more than 1,000 social media mentions across Reddit, X (formerly Twitter), forums and blogs. Their goal was to figure out which U.S. regional accents people actually find appealing. Long Island landed second place on the list, with 27.8% of mentions skewing positive, just behind Louisiana's Cajun accent, which took the crown with 32.7-percent. Third on the list? The soft drawl of Mississippi. And rounding out the top 10: everything from Maine and the Pacific Northwest to Boston and even Staten Island. Now, we're not here to knock regional pride. Every accent tells a story, and some, like Cajun or Mississippi, just happen to tell it with a little more sugar and drawl. But Long Island's second-place finish feels… unexpected. This is an accent that's often more infamous than flirtatious, long associated with loud vowels, strong opinions and punchlines on late-night TV. That said, there's no denying its cultural staying power. The Long Island accent is unapologetically brash and that confidence can be magnetic. It's a voice that cuts through the noise, whether it's selling real estate, starring in reality TV or defending the sanctity of a proper New York bagel. Still, calling it attractive might be a stretch. Endearing? Sure. Distinctive? Absolutely. But let's not pretend the same accent that can turn 'mirror' into 'mirrah' is out here seducing the masses. Maybe it's time we give Long Island its flowers. After all, accents are a form of cultural identity—and if confidence is sexy, then Long Island's never had a problem. Just don't expect us to say it's hotter than a New Orleans drawl or smoother than Morgan Freeman. Because... come awn.
Time Out
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
This Southern drawl was just named America's most attractive accent
You're in Ireland and you sink into rapture at the lilt of the person telling you where to find the best traditional Irish music. Or you're in India enjoying the melodic tones of someone talking to you about Apollo Bunder. Then you come stateside and "pahk your cah" in Boston, MA or indulge in some classic Californian vocal fry, and you wonder how American accent could possibly sound sexy to people outside the country. But apparently some people do find our Yankee talk attractive, as evidenced by a recent survey from VegasSlotsOnline, which explores the regional accents that people find most appealing in celebrities and how that applies to how we feel about our accents in general. The researchers listened to audio clips of 50 celebrities talking and compared that to what scientists say is the most attractive pitch (96 Hz for men and 260-280 Hz for women, levels at which we "hear" warmth, depth and openness to being approached). Additionally, they surveyed people about their personal level of liking or disliking how an accent sounds. The report revealed that Americans in general prefer a British accent but when it comes to home territory, we prefer a Cajun accent from the South first, followed closely by a Long Island accent. The Cajun accent is what we often hear in Louisiana, an accent influenced by both French and Spanish speakers (think of New Orleans history), and if you're having trouble imagining what it sounds like, put on The Princess and the Frog movie and enjoy this smooth linguistic pattern. For a Long Island accent, you'll want to put on The Sopranos and channel suburban New Yorkers arguing about jewelry and leopard print leggings. It's an unmistakeable accent that draws attention to itself and is inarguably New Yorkian. The third most popular American accent is one from Mississippi. If you can create an auditory memory of the smooth, calm, deep tones of Morgan Freeman, you'll relax into the warmth of a Mississippi accent that feels like you can trust the person spinning the yarn. As the report points out, there is even an element of nostalgia for people listening to this accent. These are the most attractive American accents: 1. Cajun accent 2. Long Island accent 3. Mississippi accent 4. Florida accent and Pacific Northwest accent, tie 5. Maine accent 6. Appalachian accent 7. Boston accent and High Tider (Outer Banks of North Carolina) accent, tie 8. Louisiana accent and New England accent, tie 9. Staten Island accent 10. Philadelphia accent
NZ Herald
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Listener weekly quiz: June 18
Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman in the Shawshank Redemption (1994). Photo / Supplied Can you score 10 out of 10? Test your general knowledge with the Listener's weekly quiz. Share your score with friends, family and colleagues, and find out who has the sharpest mind.
