John Oliver explored the overzealous and overused tactic of police raids on Last Week Tonight Sunday, February 28th. In the segment — which began with a very worthwhile, if unrelated, digression into the short-lived TV musical Cop Rock — Oliver traced the rise of police raids back to the War on Drugs and highlighted reports that showed how they are still predominately carried out in black and Latino neighborhoods. Oliver also tied police raids to militarization, with police taking part in over-the-top training exercises that prioritize, say, taking down a cult leader over general conflict deescalation. And even supposedly “non-lethal” tools like flash bangs can be harmful, especially when a cop manages to throw one into a crib, which happened in a 2014 incident. Related Stories Vic Mensa Taps Wyclef Jean, Peter CottonTale for Two-Song Set on 'Colbert' Billie Eilish Teases New Album Made in Quarantine on 'Colbert' Related Stories 4 Ways Venue … [Read more...] about John Oliver Examines Damage Done by Over-the-Top Police Raids on ‘Last Week Tonight’
John cena
John Kerry Is Mad as Hell
John Kerry isn’t usually like this. During his half-century in public life, the Massachusetts Democrat has served as a model of a dignified American statesman, projecting stoicism, resolve, and a well-coifed New England nicety that rarely ruffles. He kept his cool while being “swiftboated” as a presidential nominee in 2004, during hard-fought negotiations with Iran as secretary of State, and for decades before that as a U.S. senator. But as we speak over the phone the day after the first presidential debate, Kerry is so riled up over Trump’s incompetence that he can barely articulate himself. “He is a totally insensitive, unaware, unhinged, brawling nincompoop who has no governor for his brain, and who lies and lies and lies because he creates his own reality,” Kerry says. He paused for a good 12 seconds before arriving at “brawling nincompoop.” Related Will America Finally Lead on Climate? At CPAC Trump Claims GOP as His Own, Names Blacklist of Republicans … [Read more...] about John Kerry Is Mad as Hell
Will America Finally Lead on Climate?
When John Kerry was a kid, his mother took him for walks in the Massachusetts woods, where they often stopped and stood among the trees. “Just listen,” she told her son. Whatever he heard, it stuck with him. Kerry, who is 77, has been on the front lines of the war for a habitable planet since the first Earth Day in 1970, when he was just back from Vietnam, carrying shrapnel in his leg and a Silver Star for bravery in combat. Over the past 30 years, Kerry has been a central player in virtually every climate conference and U.N. climate meeting (he first got to know his wife, Teresa, at the Rio Summit in 1992). He has talked about the climate crisis when it would have been politically astute to keep his mouth shut. He backed cap-and-trade legislation to limit carbon pollution when other politicians were running for cover. As President Obama’s secretary of state, he spent months brokering a complex deal with China that cleared the way for the 2015 Paris climate agreement, in which … [Read more...] about Will America Finally Lead on Climate?
Berlin: Nick Jonas Exits ‘The Blacksmith’ (Exclusive)
The actor-singer was attached to star alongside Laurence Fishburne in Pierre Morel's high-concept action thriller. Nick Jonas will not be The Blacksmith . The actor-singer, who was attached to star in the new action-thriller from Taken director Pierre Morel, has exited the project after scheduling problems had delayed the start of shooting. AGC Studios, which is financing and producing the film, pre-sold The Blacksmith worldwide at the virtual Cannes Film Market last year. A John Wick -style high-concept actioner, the film is based on the graphic novel from Kickstart Comics by Malik Evans and Richard Sparkman. Ben Ripley ( Source Code , Flatliners ) adapted the comic for the screen. Jonas was set to play Wes Loomis, the eponymous "Blacksmith" — a go-to weapons expert for the intelligence community. But when his clandestine lab is destroyed and his colleagues murdered, Loomis has to go on the run with only his wits, and his unique technical skills to keep him … [Read more...] about Berlin: Nick Jonas Exits ‘The Blacksmith’ (Exclusive)
Sound Editors Nominate ‘Wonder Woman’, ‘Sound Of Metal’, ‘Tenet’ & Others For Golden Reel Awards – Full List
The Motion Picture Sound Editors are out with nominations for the 68th annual Golden Reel Awards , which recognize sound artists in 22 categories spanning film, TV, toons, computer entertainment and student productions. Winners will be announced during an international virtual trophy ceremony on Sunday, April 16. The Golden Reels also will honor Mad Max franchise director George Miller with the 2021 MPSE Filmmaker Award. “We’re very excited about this year’s MPSE Golden Reel Awards,” MPSE president Mark Lanza said. “It will feature a dynamic, virtual format that will be great fun and allow people from around the world to participate. We will have presenters from every part of the globe along with many other surprises. Most importantly, this will be an opportunity to celebrate the great sound work that has been done over the past year. I congratulate all of this year’s distinguished nominees.” Related Story Denzel Washington & Rami Malek Thriller 'The … [Read more...] about Sound Editors Nominate ‘Wonder Woman’, ‘Sound Of Metal’, ‘Tenet’ & Others For Golden Reel Awards – Full List