Latest news with #dad

Yahoo

11 hours ago

Yahoo

Howard go-kart case stalls as Board of Appeals fails to reach decision at hearing

Jun. 27—The Board of Appeals will continue a hearing on a Howard County dad's go-kart track in July. Subscribe to continue reading this article. Already subscribed? To log in, click here. Originally Published:June 27, 2025 at 4:08 PM EDT

Honestly, I Don't Think You're Ready for This Old West Horror Flick on Netflix

CNET

3 days ago

Entertainment
CNET

Honestly, I Don't Think You're Ready for This Old West Horror Flick on Netflix

If you were to ask my wife what type of movies I like, she'd tell you I'm a fanatic for horror flicks and Westerns. As is the case with being a busy dad, though, I never seem to find enough time in my schedule to kick back on the couch and enjoy either. How amazing would it be to queue up a double feature at home to feed my need for scares and outlaw justice? Very, is the answer. The reality of the situation, though, finds me sharing a house with a spouse who despises scary movies and a six-year-old prone to nightmares. So, I must keep things family-friendly -- most of the time, anyway. That said, there have been a number of opportunities recently where I have had the place to myself. Hallelujah! However, I have found my capacity to sit through four hours of movie madness waning. What if there were one movie that could bring me the sinister scares and cowboy goodness I crave? Wait a tick. There absolutely is; it's one of the best horror Westerns I've ever seen. The movie I'm talking about is Bone Tomahawk, and the good news is that it's streaming on Netflix right now. Bone Tomahawk follows four men as they venture into the desert to rescue some townspeople who were kidnapped after a surprise attack. This is no ordinary rescue mission, though. It's revealed early on in the film that a group of savage, cave-dwelling (and potentially supernatural) cannibals is the guilty party. Defeating them will be no easy feat. To that point, the eventual confrontation between the men and these attackers is one of the most grizzly, violent displays I've ever seen in a Western. Read more: Netflix Review: Our Top Pick in a Sea of Streaming Choices Kurt Russell plays Sheriff Hunt alongside Richard Jenkins, who plays Deputy Chicory, in the horror-Western movie, Bone Tomahawk. RLJ Entertainment The first and probably biggest draw here is the movie's stellar cast. Kurt Russell leads the charge as Sheriff Franklin Hunt, alongside Patrick Wilson as Arthur O'Dwyer, Richard Jenkins (the Oscar-nominated actor for The Shape of Water) as Deputy Chicory and Lost alum Matthew Fox as John Brooder. Supporting players include Lili Simmons, Zahn McLarnon, David Arquette, horror icon Sid Haig, Fred Malamed, Michael Paré, and Sean Young. Tombstone is hands down one of my favorite westerns, and seeing Russell get back on the horse, so to speak, to lead another western (The Hateful Eight, which he also stars in, hit theaters the same year) is reason in and of itself to watch this movie. As wonderful as he is in the role of Sheriff Hunt, the movie gives enough scenery to chew for Wilson, Jenkins, and Fox -- each actor delivers nuanced performances that keep things grounded, even as the stakes are steadily raised. An extra tip of the hat should be given to Fox, the enigmatic standout. Brooder is not a likable character, yet his ego doesn't define who this man is either. His drive to hunt down these attackers stems from a deeply personal trauma that earns him equal parts disdain from the audience and empathy. Without him, the crew probably wouldn't make it as far as they do. Matthew Fox plays the armed gentleman John Brooder in the horror-Western Bone Tomahawk. Screenshot by Aaron Pruner/CNET This is S. Craig Zahler's directorial debut. He is the filmmaker behind the brutal festival darlings Dragged Across Concrete and Brawl in Cell Block 99 so if you're at all familiar with those movies , you'd be unsurprised by the final act's blood-spilling. Zahler also wrote the movie, which is important to note, considering how sharp the dialogue is. This is probably the key detail that brought this epic cast to the project. Hunt and his men spend most of the movie searching, which is not dissimilar to how John Wayne and his Texas Rangers were in John Ford 's cinematic classic, The Searchers. That iconic Western is most assuredly beloved by dads nationwide; Ford's work has inspired filmmakers from Spielberg to Scorsese and Kurosawa. A skull, displayed as an ominous warning to trespassers, in the horror-western Bone Tomahawk. RLJ Entertainment Ford's movies had a specific pacing that has all but disappeared from modern entertainment . His movies took their time, following characters through a slow-burn hero's journey. This allowed the story world to sit in silence, allowing the viewer to take in the dusty horizon as if it were a photograph or painting come to life. Like Jim Jarmusch's Dead Man, which tapped into a similar narrative sensibility, Zahler gives ample room for the story, characters and surrounding world to breathe, which draws the viewer in further. There's no musical score here, and the cinematography is seamless and straightforward. Instead of populating the movie with distracting camera maneuvers, Zahler's debut acts almost as a stage play, which gives a matter-of-fact, rudimentary vibe to the whole thing. On the surface, Bone Tomahawk is a revenge story. Yet, underneath, it explores humanity at a crossroads, following civilized men as they grapple with the untamed, feral elements on the other side of the desert. Once the men meet the villains, referred to earlier in the movie as Troglodytes, the movie crosses over from Old West homage to horror territory. The practical effects in the movie's third act bring about a series of hard-to-watch acts of violence on the level of Eli Roth's cannibal opus, Green Inferno. I wouldn't call this torture porn. As visceral, gory and in-your-face things get, it's all still justified to the story being told. I've read the criticism online about Bone Tomahawk's depiction of Native Americans, specifically in reference to the Troglodytes. I'm not here to contest that notion. However, it's worth noting that the movie takes place during an era where prejudice toward anyone who wasn't white or male was indeed the norm. It could also be argued that this tribe of powerful cannibals isn't really Native American at all. That's the sentiment spoken as a warning by Zahn McClarnon's professor to Hunt and crew. Patrick Wilson, Richard Jenkins and Kurt Russell as Arthur O'Dwyer, Deputy Chicory and Sheriff Hunt in the horror-Western Bone Tomahawk. Screenshot by Aaron Pruner/CNET If I had a gripe with the movie, it would be the abruptness of its ending. The emotional stakes do pay off, and much blood is spilled. But I have to wonder if there was ever a plan to make a sequel, as things close in an open-ended way. A number of characters' storylines ended as they walked off into the sunset, and I, for one, would love to see this story continue in some fashion. Bone Tomahawk is not for everyone. That said, if you're a dad like me who yearns for some quiet time away from the family to relish in some gruesome goodies, may I suggest delving into this ultraviolet Western-horror opus? Movies like these don't come around very often. You won't be disappointed.

Opinion: The Power of Routine: How simple traditions build stronger relationships

Yahoo

6 days ago

General
Yahoo

Opinion: The Power of Routine: How simple traditions build stronger relationships

When my kids were young, Friday night meant one thing: pizza night. We looked forward to it all week. There was something about that atmosphere—laughing together, sharing a meal, knowing it was 'our thing'—that made it special. It wasn't just a habit—I was being intentional about creating time we could count on, because I believed those patterns would build connection and lasting memories. Routine often gets overlooked in our fast-paced culture. It might sound ordinary, but in my experience — both as a dad and a therapist — it's one of the most powerful tools we have to build trust, strengthen relationships, and create emotional safety. What begins as a schedule often becomes a memory. And what's repeated with care often becomes something a person carries with them for life. More: Letters to the Editor: Can fascism happen here? As my kids grew into teenagers, I had to become even more intentional. I carved out regular one-on-one time with each of them — sometimes to do something fun, sometimes just to catch up. We didn't always spend money. Some of our best moments came from going to the park, being creative, or just grabbing a snack together. But because it was consistent and intentional, they looked forward to it — and so did I. Now, working in IHBT (Intensive Home-Based Therapy), I've seen firsthand how patterns of connection can rebuild trust in families that feel fractured. Many of the families I work with are navigating complex dynamics — adoption, trauma, behavioral challenges, blended households. And one of the first things I encourage them to do is this: create a tradition. Build a routine. Put something on the calendar that everyone can count on. I'm currently working with three siblings who are adopted. Every week, I take them out for a picnic as part of our therapy. We play games, talk, and just spend time together. Over time, this simple tradition has become something they eagerly anticipate. That's not just therapy — it's a pattern of connection. And it works. Even my dog, Coco, reminds me how much patterns matter. Every morning and evening, we go to the dog park together. He knows the routine. He looks forward to it. It's our bonding time. And yes, even animals thrive on predictable, shared moments. Here's what I've learned: you don't have to be perfect to build connection. You just have to be present — on purpose, and consistently. We often chase big moments or try to fix everything at once. But meaningful relationships—whether with kids, partners, or friends—are built through the small things we do consistently. A shared meal, a regular walk, a planned time to talk. These aren't just routines—they're investments. Over time, they become patterns that shape how people feel loved and valued. If you're looking for ways to strengthen your relationships, don't wait for the perfect timing or a major breakthrough. Start by doing one simple thing together—regularly. Let it be fun. Let it be predictable. Let it be yours. Because in the end, the strongest bonds aren't built in grand gestures. They're built in quiet moments that happen again and again. Mark Stratton is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) who works with youth and families in the Lancaster area. He is also the author of the upcoming book, "People Really Can Change." If you would like to book an appointment, click here. This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Opinion: How simple traditions build stronger relationships

I'm donating a kidney, and it's making my loved ones uneasy

Washington Post

21-06-2025

General
Washington Post

I'm donating a kidney, and it's making my loved ones uneasy

My dad has two sugar babies and asked me to lie to my mom May 10, 2025

NEWS OF THE WEEK: David Beckham shares touching Father's Day message amid rumours of family rift

News.com.au