Latest news with #DollarStore
Chicago Tribune
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
‘Ballerina' review: Ana de Armas leads a bloody ‘John Wick' spinoff
The new 'John Wick' spinoff 'Ballerina' is recommendable, -ish, primarily for the way Anjelica Huston, as the Russian mob boss, makes a meal out of a single-syllable word near the end, delivered after a pause so unerringly timed it's almost too good for this world. We don't deserve it. This fifth and fairly diverting movie in the assassin's-revenge franchise is not much interested in what anyone has to say — although Keanu Reeves says what little he has to say in rivetingly off-human ways — but Huston blurts her game-over syllable with the 'oh, authority of an acting titan. 'Ballerina' screenwriter Shay Hatten dreams up a simple story taking place between the events of 'John Wick' Chapters 3 and 4. In a prologue, little Eve (Victoria Comte) is orphaned after her assassin father is killed in an attack from a rival underworld gang, members of which have a conspicuous 'X' branded on their wrists. Eve's taken under the protection of Wick's sometime-affiliates, the Ruska Roma. The years pass, she's Ana de Armas, she's long past ballet training even though she's still carrying around her wind-up ballerina doll, and she's ready to concentrate on killing. And that's the movie: She wants the killers of her late killer father killed, personally, by her. It's no spoiler: This is where Reeves as Wick comes in handy, dispensing helpful/cryptic/annoying/supercool life lessons in tiny little sentences. Mostly Eve goes it alone, taking care of unworthy assailants of every type, including the deadliest barista alive. Reportedly, the late adds to the final cut of 'Ballerina' reinstated some extensive, relatively complex action sequences. They're pretty fair for what they are, meaning: They're stunt-driven, sometimes, and digitally futzed and stitched and glossed other times. You rarely get the kind of clean, inventive propulsion generated by that amazing 'John Wick 3' opener in the rare-books emporium, or the best bits in the Paris staircase marathon in '4.' How's de Armas? She's OK. Sometimes better, but rarely holding the screen or activating the human element in any surprising ways. It's not her fault that Eve has so little emotional or psychological detail to go on; it's not in the script, which is both straightforward and filmable (I mean, they did film it) and as thin as Dollar Store printing paper. As for the finale, well, it's a little too in love with the obvious lust object of 'Ballerina': the superhot flamethrower brandished by Eve as she incinerates a dutiful roster of village assassins. The movie hits sincere variations on the themes of fate and family, practically begging for a 'Fast & Furious' crossover project. But 'Ballerina' really can't wait to get to the flames. 'From the World of John Wick: Ballerina' — 2.5 stars (out of 4) MPA rating: R (for strong/bloody violence throughout, and language) Running time: 2:05 How to watch: Premieres in theaters June 5
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ben Kweller releases new album 'Cover The Mirrors' honoring late son on his 19th birthday
Austin-based musician Ben Kweller released a new album Friday titled "Cover The Mirrors," his first full release since the sudden passing of his 16-year-old son Dorian Zev in 2023. The 12-song project came out on what would've been Dorian's 19th birthday. Kweller's son Dorian Zev Kweller, who released music under the name ZEV, died on February 27, 2023 in a freak car accident. According to his obituary, the 16-year-old swerved to the side of a road near his home to avoid an oncoming vehicle. While parked on the shoulder, a tree limb weakened by a recent freeze collapsed and crashed through the window of his car, killing him instantly. After his death, the Dorian Zev Kweller Memorial Skatepark was dedicated to honor the youth, whose two passions were music and skateboarding. More: Through music, 'I am going on.' Ben Kweller remembers son Dorian in emotional ACL Fest set While the album's title "Cover The Mirrors" refers to a Jewish funeral practice, the work isn't just about the loss of Dorian, but also the decades of Kweller's life preceding the tragedy. He previously covered vocals and guitar in the '90s band Radish and later part of a trio called The Bens. With elements of loss and love woven throughout, the new album is about "living on." 'It's a full circle type of album,' Kweller said in a press release. 'There's a lot of reflecting — not only reflecting on the loss of Dorian. I'm also taking an inventory of everything else. My whole time on Earth. Everything I've created as an artist.' The new project features a collaboration with Waxahatchee on the song "Dollar Store," MJ Lenderman on "Oh Dorian" and the Flaming Lips on "Killer Bee," a song dedicated to the late artist Nell Smith. According to a press release, Kweller's desire to kindle the gift of music that he shared with his late son, who was on the precipice of his dreams when the accident occurred, flared brighter after Zev's death. Ten years before the accident, Kweller took a hiatus from his career after his entire family almost died of a carbon monoxide leak. The 43-year-old singer-songwriter said that he made the decision not to lock himself away in a closet this time around and instead use music as a tool to carry on. Kweller's resilience tracks. Not even a month after Dorian's death, he went on the play a showcase for his independent music collective Noise Company at the South by Southwest Music Festival, a show where his son was supposed to make his festival debut, playing the opening slot. Kweller said that going on tour with Ed Sheeran in 2023 acted as a "kind of balm against the grief." During the tour, he said it felt like his Dorian was onstage singing with him. 'It wasn't like I set out to say, 'OK, I'm gonna make this album about going through grief and loss.' But there was no way around it,' Kweller said. 'This is just another chapter of me trying to heal and just get through what I've been going through. My music is always very autobiographical." Kweller equates his life to the catalog of songs that he writes. "Cover the Mirrors" is about grieving but also moving on for Kweller, who carries the memory of his son palpably in his music. You can stream the new album on Spotify and purchase it on CD and vinyl at This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Ben Kweller pays tribute to late son in new album 'Cover The Mirrors'
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What If You Tried To Live on Only Dollar Store Groceries for a Week?
Each week, you probably head to your local grocery store to stock up on food items you'll need for upcoming meals. There's some big names in the game to consider when it comes to which grocers to consider, as well as smaller discount retailers including Dollar Tree, Dollar Store. Read Next: Learn More: That's right, it is possible to live off of groceries from dollar stores, although it does take some prep work and creative thinking to shop exclusively at one of these retailers for all your meals over the course of seven days. While it's a challenge, there's no reason it can't be a fun one. There's opportunity for recipes you do not encounter every day, as well as ways to revamp your shopping budget and learn where to save more money. Shopping for a week's worth of groceries at a dollar store can be a smart and budget-friendly move with a little strategy behind it, according to Alexander Ketter, a consumer expert at He pointed out the key to stretching your dollar is planning ahead, being flexible and getting creative with what's available. In Ketter's opinion, the number one hack for shopping at a dollar store is to plan your meals around what the staple items are within that store. Basically, what do you know the dollar store always carries and is available for your grocery list? Ketter suggested that shoppers '…start by building meals around non-perishables and freezer items like pasta, rice, canned goods such as beans and tuna, and frozen vegetables. With some recipe research, you can find a huge amount of delicious meal options out there using these pretty basic ingredients, helping you keep costs down.' Find Out: In Ketter's opinion, the second move to make dollar store grocery shopping for the week work is to stock up on multipurpose ingredients that you can use in several meals. 'Eggs can go into breakfast scrambles, sandwiches or be added to ramen noodles for extra protein,' Ketter explained. 'Peanut butter and bread are another power combo — great for breakfast or lunch.' In order to stretch your ingredients and do what Ketter labeled as 'batch cooking,' you should try to shop in bulk at your local dollar store in order to stretch your food for the whole week. As an example, Ketter offered how '…batch cooking a pasta-based dish like spaghetti can feed you and the family for several meals, giving you leftovers that save you both time and money.' 'Bulk meals out with affordable ingredients, like pulses and frozen vegetables, and you'll be surprised how far it gets you,' added Ketter. More From GOBankingRates 10 Best Spring Items To Buy at Costco Before They Sell Out 4 Things You Should Do if You Want To Retire Early How Far $750K Plus Social Security Goes in Retirement in Every US Region 12 SUVs With the Most Reliable Engines Sources Alexander Ketter, This article originally appeared on What If You Tried To Live on Only Dollar Store Groceries for a Week?
Newsweek
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
MAGA Comedian Responds to Backlash Over Jasmine Crockett Impressions
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Terrence K. Williams, a MAGA comedian, shared a response to his 2.3 million followers on X after he received backlash over his impression of Democratic Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett. Newsweek has reached out to a representative for Willaims and to Crockett via email for comment. The Context Williams is an American comedian with a substantial presence on social media who rose to fame in 2016 after a comedic Facebook video went viral. He is known for sharing conservative viewpoints and satirical takes on current events, often wearing a MAGA cap in his videos. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) speaks during a press conference on February 28, 2024 in Washington, DC. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) speaks during a press conference on February 28, 2024 in Washington, To Know Williams recently drew criticism for an impression of Crockett after he posted a video on social media titled "Who wore it best, me or Jasmine Crockett." In the video, he dons a wig and pegs on his fingernails in lieu of acrylic or gel nails and a pair of glasses similar to Crockett as he mimics her. Elon Musk and Laura Loomer both responded to this video with laughing emojis, expressing their support for Williams. The video, however, did not go down well with everyone, and some social media users criticized Williams for the post. @BlaqueDuSablePanther wrote, "Jasmine wore it and said it better, clown... She's smarter than you could ever claim to be and at least she is in her own lane." Responding to backlash he received for the video, Williams wrote on X, "Stop saying I'm degrading black women When I do impersonations of Jasmine Crockett . Im a Comedian." Williams has posted about Crockett on multiple occasions. He shared a mock apology to Crockett back in March, writing on X in a post which has been viewed 700,000 times. "I have to admit when I'm wrong," he wrote. "I called Jasmine Crockett some names that were not appropriate. I said she was a Dollar Store Kamala Harris and that was very rude of me to disrespect the Dollar Store I sincerely apologize to every Dollar Store in America. You are better than her." Crockett herself recently faced backlash over a joke, after she appeared to mock her state's governor during a weekend appearance, referring to Greg Abbott, who uses a wheelchair, as "Governor Hot Wheels." She later wrote on X, "I wasn't thinking about the governor's condition—I was thinking about the planes, trains, and automobiles he used to transfer migrants into communities led by Black mayors, deliberately stoking tension and fear among the most vulnerable." What People Are Saying Terrence K. Williams, the comedian, on X: "Just Unfollow me like I said before or mute me if you have a problem with me or things I post. 1. Stop saying I'm degrading black women When I do impersonations of Jasmine Crockett . Im a Comedian." What's Next Crockett has not publicly acknowledged or responded to Williams.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Yahoo
Florida deputy, suspect dead after in shootout at a Dollar General. What we know
A Walton County Sheriff's deputy shot outside a Dollar General has died, according to Sheriff Michael Adkinson Jr. In a press conference Wednesday night, Adkinson said that Deputy Will May died after sustaining life-threatening injuries after responding to a disturbance/trespassing call that came into the dispatch center at approximately 2 p.m. on April 2. "Deputy William May. End of Watch April 2, 2025," the sheriff's office posted on Facebook Wednesday night. According to data from the nonprofit Gun Violence Archive, 88 law enforcement officers have been killed or injured nationwide in the line of duty so far this year, not counting May. Here's what we know. On Wednesday, May, 38, responded to a call for a person causing a disturbance at a Dollar Store on Highway 90 in Mossy Head, Adkinson said. May briefly talked to the suspect inside the store before escorting the person out, with May walking behind. The suspect then drew a gun and fired multiple rounds at May, the sheriff said, who was able to return fire. At least 18 rounds were fired during the shootout, Adkinson said. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. According to Adkinson, it took two minutes for another Walton County Sheriff's deputy to arrive on the scene. Other deputies, including members of the Florida Highway Patrol and Walton County Fire Rescue, also tended to May. Airlifting May proved impossible due to windy conditions, so he was transported to North Okaloosa Medical Center in Crestview, a little more than 17 miles away, where Adkinson said the medical staff worked for nearly four hours to save May's life. "Will fought the entire time. From returning fire on scene to fighting for his own life," said Adkinson. "At 7:10 this evening, Deputy Will May succumbed to gunshot wounds." The suspect has not been identified by the Walton County Sheriff's office. Adkinson said the suspect's history did not indicate violent behavior, and the only interactions between the suspect and law enforcement were welfare checks. The suspect, who had been living in the area for several years, was also a concealed carry license holder, and Adkinson believes that his weapon was bought and carried legally. The sheriff said other weapons were found in the man's home. "Deputy May was wearing a ballistic vest," Adkinson said. "That vest did stop multiple rounds from the suspect. One of the rounds went underneath the vest, which ultimately caused his death." May started at the Walton County Sheriff's Office as a communications officer in 2014, Adkinson said. In 2019, he became a deputy sheriff and has been a field training officer since 2023. Adkinson said May's father is a retired assistant fire chief for the county and his mother is a former dispatcher. To make matters worse, the sheriff said May wasn't supposed to be working Wednesday and his wife had asked him not to work that day, but he volunteered to get overtime and help out. At the time of the incident, May was on his way home, answering the last call for the day. May leaves behind his wife and two teenage children. Mossy Head is an unincorporated community in Walton County in the Florida Panhandle, about 12 miles west of DeFuniak Springs, about 75 miles northwest of Panama City and about 132 miles west of Tallahassee. The area is at the head of Mossy Head Branch, a tributary of the Shoal River, and was previously an interchange point for a railroad between the Louisville and Nashville Railroad and Eglin Air Force Base This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Florida deputy shot and killed, suspect dead in Dollar Store shootout
