3 h. ago The Smashing Machine: The brutal true story behind Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s new UFC biopic

Johnson wears facial prosthetics to star as trailblazing UFC star Mark Kerr in the upcoming film

Politics

6 h. ago The Smashing Machine: Dwayne Johnson tipped for Oscar buzz as film earns standing ovation

The film received a 15-minute standing ovation after its premiere at the Venice Film Festival overnight

Politics

19 h. ago The Smashing Machine review – Dwayne Johnson only possible casting for crisis

Former pro wrestler Johnson takes on the role of man-mountain Kerr who goes into meltdown when the unthinkable happens – he losesBenny Safdie has written and directed a solid bro drama for the UFC fanbase and maybe a little way beyond. It is about the central crisis in the life of man-mountain Mark Kerr, America’s pioneering MMA and ultimate fighting champ, who in 1997 found himself in the ring, or maybe the cage, with his demons after the unthinkable humiliation of losing for the first time.This feature is in fact developed from a 2002 documentary about Kerr with the same title. He confronted his substance abuse, relationship anxieties and the question of what the heck life is for if you can’t simply win all the time. Kerr is played by Dwayne Johnson, a colossus of muscle topped off with a head the size of Indiana Jones’s boulder, a body on which the only visible fat is rippling at the nape of his neck. Johnson’s appearance is modified by close-cut frizzy hair and facial prosthetic...

Politics

19 h. ago The Smashing Machine review – Dwayne Johnson only possible casting as crisis

Former pro wrestler Johnson takes on the role of man-mountain Kerr who goes into meltdown when the unthinkable happens – he losesBenny Safdie has written and directed a solid bro drama for the UFC fanbase and maybe a little way beyond. It is about the central crisis in the life of man-mountain Mark Kerr, America’s pioneering MMA and ultimate fighting champ, who in 1997 found himself in the ring, or maybe the cage, with his demons after the unthinkable humiliation of losing for the first time.This feature is in fact developed from a 2002 documentary about Kerr with the same title. He confronted his substance abuse, relationship anxieties and the question of what the heck life is for if you can’t simply win all the time. Kerr is played by Dwayne Johnson, a colossus of muscle topped off with a head the size of Indiana Jones’s boulder, a body on which the only visible fat is rippling at the nape of his neck. Johnson’s appearance is modified by close-cut frizzy hair and facial prosthetic...

Politics

21 h. ago The Smashing Machine, Venice review – Proof that Dwayne Johnson is a real actor, and potentially a future Oscar winner

Filmmaker Benny Safdie asks the star to be raw and vulnerable for the first time in his career – and it’s a sight to behold

Politics

34 h. ago Dwayne Johnson, Oscar contender? ‘The Smashing Machine’ starts buzz at Venice Film Festival

Dwayne Johnson takes a serious turn as UFC fighter Mark Kerr in “The Smashing Machine,” premiering Monday at the Venice Film Festival

Politics

34 h. ago Jacob Elordi flirts up a storm with mystery woman after breaking down in tears over 13

The Australian 28-year-old beamed with delight as he chatted up the brunette while touring around Italy in a what appeared to be a van

Events

4 d. ago George Clooney tipped for Oscars glory over ‘midlife crisis masterpiece’

Critics are hailing it as the actor’s ‘best performance ever’, while the film also earnt a 10-minute standing ovation at Venice Film festival

Events

8 d. ago Everton boss David Moyes: I just want Jack Grealish to be what he can be

The England international departed to a standing ovation in the second half having assisted both goals in a 2-0 win against Brighton.

Politics

8 d. ago Everton send Brighton packing as Jack Grealish ignites win in club’s new home

Hill Dickinson Stadium, Everton’s season and Jack Grealish’s bid to reignite his career are all up and running. The on-loan winger from Manchester City delivered two assists in a sparkling home debut for David Moyes’ team as Brighton were beaten in impressive fashion. Everton and Grealish looked at home in their sleek new surroundings.There was pressure and expectation on Everton to serve up a performance befitting the first Premier League game at the £800m arena. They did not disappoint. Grealish set up both goals, for Iliman Ndiaye and James Garner, and departed to a standing ovation when substituted in the 94th minute. Fabian Hürzeler’s visitors had enough chances to have spoiled Everton’s grand day, including from the penalty spot, but were not clinical or convincing when it mattered. Jordan Pickford saved Danny Welbeck’s spot-kick to ensure there would be no first-day nerves among those in royal blue. Continue reading...

Society

3 w. ago ‘The dream came true’: Major League Baseball gets its first female umpire

Jen Pawol, 48, was given an ovation when she took to the pitch for a game between the Miami Marlins and Atlanta BravesIt was, she said, the day “the dream came true”. Jen Pawol, a 48-year-old former art teacher, made US sporting history at the weekend when she became the first female umpire of a Major League Baseball game during the regular season.Pawol, whose debut came on Saturday in a game between the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves, was given a standing ovation as she arrived on the pitch. Supporters held up signs reading “Pawol making HERstory” and “the time has come for one and all to play ball” – a nostalgic reference to A League of Their Own, the classic sports film about a women’s baseball league during the second world war. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago England’s Chris Woakes: ‘It’s not the way you want to be front

The pace bowler says of risking his career by going out to bat against India after dislocating his shoulder: ‘You just know you’re part of something bigger’“I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself if I didn’t try,” says Chris Woakes, just 48 hours after he walked out to a standing ovation at the Oval, left arm in a sling, bat in hand, ready to push through the agony of a dislocated shoulder to get England the win.It may have been thwarted, with India victorious by a slim six runs to bring one of the most thrilling series in recent times to an end in a 2-2 draw. But the selfless act of crossing the boundary with a potentially career‑threatening injury meant Woakes entered cricketing folklore – echoing Colin Cowdrey in 1963, Paul Terry and Malcolm Marshall in 1984, and Rishabh Pant at Old Trafford just a week earlier. Continue reading...

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