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Los Angeles Times
03-07-2025
- Los Angeles Times
The road trip — sublime, profane and (almost) reclaimed
My faith in the American road trip was saved by a small town in Texas on the Fourth of July. When that faith began to waver, and how far the road trip sank on my leaderboard of American pastimes — well, that's harder to say. Below putt-putt golf, perhaps, and south of riverboat gambling. The highway had taken on an elegiac torpor, and a line by the poet Louis Simpson filled my head: '[T]he Open Road goes to the used-car lot.' That's a grim mantra, particularly if you take — or occasionally teach — the American road trip. I'm afraid I do both. In a syllabus I've peddled, mostly proudly, for a decade, I offer the road as a mobile entrée to generational angst (Jack Kerouac's 'On the Road') and racial hierarchies (Colson Whitehead's 'The Underground Railroad'). I introduce dads in search of salvation (Cormac McCarthy's 'The Road') and young women escaping abuse ('Thelma & Louise'). This transcontinental whirlwind of texts implies that road trips are uniquely qualified to capture an enormous, beautiful and flawed country. That wanderlust is a defining facet of the American psyche. That we'll find ourselves just over that hill. For years I believed this. I could opine on the Interstate Highway System and the drive-thru window. I ascribed meaning to the car that NASA left on the moon. My course, just one of many on the topic, gave my musings purpose, and joy. But when my family and I drove from Oregon to Indiana in 2023, I had doubts. The West burned in our rearview, and our Camry's combustive hum felt like another agent of ecological despair. We rolled up the windows and maxed out the AC until our sedan became a portable living room that mostly succeeded in keeping the world at bay. Here were our snacks, and there were our pillows. Each passenger could pacify themselves with a screen. This is where the road trip fails us — or we fail it. Ready access to digital detachments (and directions) have brought sameness to an experience that should be built on surprise. A good road trip is a series of discrete episodes (I did this, I did that) held together by the flimsiest of threads: I did them by car. Planning (and plot) are beside the point, as anyone who's read 'On the Road' knows — though that didn't stop my wife and me from planning our cross-country trek. We visited the Mojave (lunar-like and Looney Tunes) and the Grand Canyon (OK, it's breathtaking). We spied Jesse Pinkman's house in Albuquerque and ate fudge from — forgive me — Uranus, Mo. I loved alternating between the sublime and the profane. I loved the fudge too. But this felt more like sightseeing than road-tripping, a notion that returned whenever I returned to the car. Sameness haunted that interior, but sameness stalked us down the highway too. This is an old complaint, mind you — old as Howard Johnson's, old as Humbert Humbert — but corporate lodgings and chain restaurants do flatten the road trip. My reading, though, had taught me that people (not place) define a road trip. The Easy Riders and the Cheryl Strayeds. The Misfits or the Brad Pitts bouncing shirtless on a bed. And that the people of the road change constantly, stretching one's fixed idea of these United States. Unfortunately, this is where the worst of my road dread began: the American demos itself. There's no way to say this that doesn't sound cynical or misanthropic, but I was over meeting the American people. Despite the possibility of their unacknowledged insights. With little hope that they were stockpiling some nuance lost to the polls. I'd date this disillusionment to Nov. 3, 2016, and simply note that I'm sorry. Let me tell you then about Shamrock, Texas — or really the Shamrock Country Inn in Shamrock, Texas — where my bottomed-out belief in the road was restored. At least temporarily. The inn is just east of a famous art deco filling station that looks like a nail stuck in the ground. Shamrock sits at a symbolic crossroads where two border-to-border highways converge. (U.S. Route 83 and our route: I-40.) And everything from the vape shop to the towing-agency-cum-pizza-parlor bore the name of Historic Route 66. This all lent our evening in the town a whiff of kismet, of cosmic truth. A South Asian family lived on site and owned the motel; they were the warmest hosts we'd known all trip. A middle-aged woman led us to our room, one hand finding my wife's shoulder as she unlocked the door. A man, the woman's husband presumably, watered new flowers ringing the inn's sign. They asked about our travels and noted the forecast, doing so with an air of protection that felt ancient, as if 'shelter' meant more than clean sheets and cable TV. As we talked, the sunset gathered strength in the west. I'm a poet and thus programmed to find meaning in the unlikeliest of places. But that evening, it arrived easy as fireflies. I could hold its small light in my hand. Take the inn's name, the town's too, which is more than a token of luck, or an emoji. It's a reminder of earlier immigrants who, following persecution, folded themselves into the U.S. I thought of the Irish as I looked at the motel's walls: white atop red, blue doors with a star, newly painted to evoke the Texas state flag. I thought of assimilation and acceptance. I wondered if my hosts had sought — and perhaps found — either, or both. I wondered if whiteness, a trait that had aided the Irish, would stand in their way. As darkness fell, fireworks started rising like exclamation points in the east, each burst briefly muffling a legion of bullfrogs. Then one came hopping toward us, warty and enormous, to our son's great delight. We coaxed it toward our motel room, one more gift — wholly undeserved — from a natural world we degraded each day. A few guests arrived as we stood there. Good ole boys in pickups. A vanload of Swedes headed to the Grand Canyon. And our hosts remained too, watching the sky. In the morning they'd serve us breakfast: eggs, biscuits and Texas-shaped waffles. 'I think whatever I shall meet on the road I shall like,' Walt Whitman writes in 'Song of the Open Road.' It's a line that I've loved for years without ever believing it held any broad truth. And yet I know full well that I — a white guy who'd not heard of 'The Negro Motorist Green Book' until researching for my class — should be the likeliest reader to agree. On that evening, as sleep overtook me, I got close. For a few hours there, I loved the American road trip. As the dreams of dissimilar people, dazzled and drowsy and dwelling together, filled a motel in rural Texas. As fireworks resolved into a sulfurous breeze. But sleep would also illustrate the tenuousness of that union. Soon we'd drive into the heat of tomorrow, and this evening — like the promise of our country — would disappear into the past. Derek Mong is a poet, critic and English professor at Wabash College. His latest collection is 'When the Earth Flies into the Sun.' This article was produced in partnership with Zócalo Public Square.
Scottish Sun
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Brit rising star becomes unexpected new frontrunner to play James Bond as race to be new 007 heats up
Industry insiders and bookmakers are taking serious notice of the new contender RACE GEARS UP Brit rising star becomes unexpected new frontrunner to play James Bond as race to be new 007 heats up A BRITISH rising star has become an unexpected new frontrunner to play James Bond as the race to be the new 007 heats up. Speculation over who will replace Daniel Craig in the iconic role has been heating up, and fans all have their own theories. 5 A British rising star has become an unexpected new frontrunner to play James Bond as the race to be the new 007 heats up Credit: Alamy 5 Aaron Pierre is emerging as a front runner for the iconic Bond role Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 5 The star is best known for his performances in The Underground Railroad and Rebel Ridge Credit: YouTube British actor Aaron Pierre, 31, is now emerging as a frontrunner for the iconic role. And industry insiders and bookmakers are taking serious notice of the new contender. Following a leak by industry insider Daniel Ritchman, it has been revealed Aaron is in talks for the role reported GBNews. Aaron is best known for his performances in The Underground Railroad, Rebel Ridge, and Disney's upcoming Mufasa: The Lion King. And rising betting odds are putting the young actor firmly in the frame for the coveted spot. Bookmakers now have Aaron gaining ground, as his odds narrow to place him alongside all the familiar contenders. Currently, Theo James leads the pack with odds of 5/2 followed by Henry Cavill at 3/1 and Jack Lowden at 4/1. While, Aaron Taylor‑Johnson, a huge favourite, has fallen to 5/1. Aaron, 34, fuelled rumours he'd bagged the role after signing a deal with Omega - the brand of watch the 007 spy wears. Omega has been supplying timepieces to the iconic literary and movie character since the release of 1995 flick, Golden Eye. For Your Eyes Only, Official Trailer The Sun told last year how Aaron had been offered the job - with insiders saying at the time Eon Productions were keen to snap him up. Despite that, still at the top is fellow Brit hunk Theo who fans are convinced will lead the race to victory. Meanwhile, Peaky Blinders actor Cillian Murphy is a current favourite to be named as the next 007 baddie. It's also been confirmed that Bond will still be a British man despite being sold to 'woke' Hollywood streaming site Amazon. Timeline of James Bond actors Over the years there have been seven actors who have played 007. The first ever James Bond film was in 1962, and this is who has played the lead role over the years: Sean Connery - The late star was the first ever actor to play Bond, and reprised the role for seven movies. George Lazenby - The star only played Bond once, but was the youngest actor to ever play the spy. Roger Moore - The late movie star spent 12 years making seven films in the famous franchise. Timothy Dalton - The smooth actor took over from Roger Moore and appeared in The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill. Pierce Brosnan - The handsome star played Bond for four movies from 1995 to 2002. Daniel Craig - The British star was the first blonde James Bond and the sixth actor to win the role in 2005. Before giving up ownership of the popular film franchise, 007's stewards Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson insisted the spy would retain his nationality and gender. Barbara, who took over the Bond brand from company Eon Productions alongside Mr Wilson in 1995, made the arrangement before she agreed to sell the rights to Amazon in a £770million deal. Insiders have hit back at fears the streaming giant - owned by Jeff Bezos - will turn Bond 'woke'. An insider told the Mail on Sunday: 'Amazon is committed to keeping the spirit of Bond alive and that means he has to be British or from the Commonwealth - and he has to be male.' 5 Aaron Taylor-Johnson is thought to already have agreed to the Bond role Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Brit rising star becomes unexpected new frontrunner to play James Bond as race to be new 007 heats up
A BRITISH rising star has become an unexpected new frontrunner to play James Bond as the race to be the new 007 heats up. Speculation over who will replace Daniel Craig in the iconic role has been heating up, and fans all have their own theories. Advertisement 5 A British rising star has become an unexpected new frontrunner to play James Bond as the race to be the new 007 heats up Credit: Alamy 5 Aaron Pierre is emerging as a front runner for the iconic Bond role Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 5 The star is best known for his performances in The Underground Railroad and Rebel Ridge Credit: YouTube British actor Aaron Pierre, 31, is now emerging as a frontrunner for the iconic role. And industry insiders and bookmakers are taking serious notice of the new contender. Following a leak by industry insider Daniel Ritchman, it has been revealed Aaron is in talks for the role reported Aaron is best known for his performances in The Underground Railroad, Rebel Ridge, and Disney's upcoming Mufasa: The Lion King. Advertisement James Bond And rising betting odds are putting the young actor firmly in the frame for the coveted spot. Bookmakers now have Aaron gaining ground, as his odds narrow to place him alongside all the familiar contenders. Currently, Theo James leads the pack with odds of 5/2 followed by Henry Cavill at 3/1 and Jack Lowden at 4/1. While, Advertisement Most read in Celebrity Omega has been supplying timepieces to the iconic literary and movie character since the release of 1995 flick, For Your Eyes Only, Official Trailer The Sun told last year how snap him up. Despite that, Advertisement Meanwhile, Peaky Blinders actor Cillian Murphy is a current favourite to be named as the It's also been confirmed that Bond will still be a British man despite being sold to 'woke' Hollywood streaming site Amazon. Timeline of James Bond actors Over the years there have been seven actors who have played 007. The George Lazenby - The star only played Bond once, but was the youngest actor to ever play the spy. Timothy Dalton - The smooth actor took over from Roger Moore and appeared in The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill. Before giving up ownership of the popular film franchise, 007's stewards Barbara, who took over the Bond brand from company Eon Productions alongside Mr Wilson in 1995, made the arrangement before she agreed to sell the rights to Amazon in a £770million deal. Advertisement Insiders have hit back at fears the streaming giant - owned by An insider told the Commonwealth - and he has to be male.' 5 Aaron Taylor-Johnson is thought to already have agreed to the Bond role Credit: Getty 5 Henry Cavill is firmly still in the running to play James Bond Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Advertisement
Metro
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
New contender to play James Bond is 31-year-old British rising star
An unexpected name has entered the race to become the next James Bond. Since Daniel Craig wrapped up as 007 in 2021 with No Time to Die, there has been wild speculation for three years, with many fans convinced they know which actor is going to take up the spy's licence to kill. This speculation has only intensified following a historic deal in which creative control of the franchise was handed to Amazon after Amazon Studios purchased MGM+ for $8.45billion (£6.7billion). Aaron Pierre, the 31-year-old British actor whose been gaining a huge following in recent months, is now emerging as a frontrunner for the iconic role, with industry insiders and bookmakers taking serious notice. Best known for his performances in The Underground Railroad, Rebel Ridge, and Disney's upcoming Mufasa: The Lion King, the actor's buzz is leading some to wonder if he's 007 material. The revelation comes from a leak by entertainment insider Daniel Ritchman, according to GBNews, sparking a wave of interest from Bond fans. For years, the Bond rumour mill has revolved around familiar names like Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Henry Cavill, and Jack Lowden. But a sharp shift in betting odds suggests the tide is turning. Pierre's odds have narrowed significantly, positioning him alongside the top-tier contenders. Currently, Theo James leads the pack with odds of 5/2 (a 28.6% implied chance), followed by Cavill at 3/1 and Lowden at 4/1. Taylor-Johnson, once a hot favourite, has slipped back to 5/1, even thoguh some think he may have already accepted the role, as he's insisted he 'can't talk about' his next film project. The 35-year-old actor has long been heavily rumoured to be the next James Bond, from as far back as 2022 – although reports of his official casting were promptly rubbished in March 2024. He gave a very coy response when asked about what he'll be doing after working on 28 Years Later and its sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, back-to-back. More Trending Questioned by Deadline at the horror movie's premiere on Wednesday night he said: 'I can't talk about it.' Meanwhile, more far-fetched candidates such as Stephen Graham and Harry Styles remain on the books at longshot odds of 66/1. The buzz suggests that producers may be looking toward a younger actor with franchise longevity. At 31, Pierre strikes that balance. 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: Aaron Taylor-Johnson remains tight-lipped about Bond but there are other 007 candidates MORE: What will the new head of MI6 actually do? MORE: A-list heartthrob new favourite to play next Bond villain
Tom's Guide
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
This inspirational sports biopic just crashed the Prime Video top 10 — and it's 93% on Rotten Tomatoes
Prime Video looks to have another hit on its hands with "The Fire Inside." Despite only coming to the platform a few days ago, it's already climbed into the Prime Video top 10 list. If you've not seen it before, "The Fire Inside" is a biopic about American professional boxer Claressa "T-Rex" Shields that was directed by Rachel Morrison (in her feature directorial debut) and written by Barry Jenkins ("Moonlight," "The Underground Railroad"). "The Fire Inside" might not have made a splash at the box office, but it was released to critical acclaim. Over on the review aggregate site, Rotten Tomatoes, you'll see it's Certified Fresh, with a 93% critics score and an equally impressive 94% on the Popcornmeter. The movie came to Prime Video on May 27, and in the days since, it's risen through the ranks to claim 5th place on the Prime Video top 10. That's quite the feat, given it's behind the likes of "Another Simple Favor", "Twisters", and "Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning." Trying to decide whether to stream "The Fire Inside" on Prime Video? Here's a little more info about the trending movie, and a round-up of what people have had to say about the streamer's new arrival. "The Fire Inside" is a sports biopic based on the early career of American professional boxer, Claressa "T-Rex" Shields (here played by Ryan Destiny). The movie explores her life from when the Flint, Michigan native first set foot inside a boxing gym, through to her becoming the first American woman to win a gold medal in boxing at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. In addition to Ryan Destiny, "The Fire Inside" also stars Brian Tyree Henry as Claressa's coach, Jason Crutchfield, plus Oluniké Adeliyi as Jackie Shields, De'Adre Aziza as Mickey, and Adam Clark as Clarence. As I mentioned, "The Fire Inside" comes highly recommended from both critics and fellow moviegoers alike. For example, The Guardian's Benjamin Lee rated the movie 4/5 stars, praising it as a "blazing boxing drama [that] packs a serious punch", adding: "The real-life victories by Shields and her coach were not easy, both pre- and post- Olympics, and what really makes The Fire Inside soar is that Morrison works just as hard to win us over." Marya E. Gates wrote: "Although the film hits a lot of the beats you'd expect, as it outlines Shields' journey towards Olympic gold, it does so with the kind of simple, lived-in details and empathy that Jenkins brought to his Best Picture winner 'Moonlight." Reviewing for Variety, Owen Gleiberman called "The Fire Inside" both "a grippingly downbeat boxing drama" and "a real rouser," adding: "The arc of the drama is built around an enormous curveball it throws at the audience. And that's when the movie really gets good." If you look at audience reactions on Rotten Tomatoes, you'll see plenty more glowing praise, too, including plenty of perfect 5/5 ratings. One user called "The Fire Inside" "a must-watch," "a raw, relentless, and inspiring masterpiece, and added: "This isn't just a boxing movie; it's a powerful story of grit, resilience and unbreakable spirit." Elsewhere, you'll see praise for the cast's performances, and buzzwords like "uplifting", "emotional" and "rewarding". Given that glowing reaction, I couldn't help but check it out for myself, and I'm inclined to agree; "The Fire Inside" gets my recommendation, too. Morrison's movie absolutely is a rousing watch, one that shines a light on Claressa's achievements with some solid in-ring action, but also worth sticking with for the grounded drama that follows her 2012 Olympic victory. Not sold on "The Fire Inside," but still looking for something new to watch? Check out our round-up of the best movies on Prime Video for tons more streaming recommendations for your next movie night.
