Latest news with #Kingsman
Sydney Morning Herald
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Taron Egerton is a master of flawed men. He's done it again in this fiery thriller
Smoke ★★★★ Few movie stars have come to streaming with more subversive purpose than Taron Egerton. The British actor, empowered by the Kingsman action-comedies and the Elton John biopic Rocketman, has used the 2022 Apple TV+ crime drama Black Bird and now this twisty, unconventional investigative thriller to play flawed men who want to believe they're the hero of their story. Egerton has become the great pretender of leading men, undercutting viewer expectations – especially here – and serving as a skeleton key for harsh revelations. The story of a hunt for a pair of serial arsonists in America's Pacific Northwest, Smoke starts giving off uneasy but intriguing vibes within the first episode. The dynamic between arson investigator Dave Gudsen (Egerton) and his new partner, police detective Michelle Calderon (Jurnee Smollett) is askew. The familiar, hard-nosed procedural stances feel forced – he's playing some kind of self-ordained role, she's carrying too much trauma. Dave and Michelle tell themselves truths that the story casts doubt on. And they don't trust each other. Like Black Bird, Smoke was created by the American crime novelist Dennis Lehane, whose books have become Clint Eastwood's Mystic River and Martin Scorsese's Shutter Island. Lehane isn't doubling down on the grim realities, he's looking at them anew. Early on, Dave explains arsonists often act from a place of powerlessness, and the show digs into how that creates a hidden fury that must be satisfied. The story gives time, and explanatory scenes, not just to cops but also criminals.
The Age
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Taron Egerton is a master of flawed men. He's done it again in this fiery thriller
Smoke ★★★★ Few movie stars have come to streaming with more subversive purpose than Taron Egerton. The British actor, empowered by the Kingsman action-comedies and the Elton John biopic Rocketman, has used the 2022 Apple TV+ crime drama Black Bird and now this twisty, unconventional investigative thriller to play flawed men who want to believe they're the hero of their story. Egerton has become the great pretender of leading men, undercutting viewer expectations – especially here – and serving as a skeleton key for harsh revelations. The story of a hunt for a pair of serial arsonists in America's Pacific Northwest, Smoke starts giving off uneasy but intriguing vibes within the first episode. The dynamic between arson investigator Dave Gudsen (Egerton) and his new partner, police detective Michelle Calderon (Jurnee Smollett) is askew. The familiar, hard-nosed procedural stances feel forced – he's playing some kind of self-ordained role, she's carrying too much trauma. Dave and Michelle tell themselves truths that the story casts doubt on. And they don't trust each other. Like Black Bird, Smoke was created by the American crime novelist Dennis Lehane, whose books have become Clint Eastwood's Mystic River and Martin Scorsese's Shutter Island. Lehane isn't doubling down on the grim realities, he's looking at them anew. Early on, Dave explains arsonists often act from a place of powerlessness, and the show digs into how that creates a hidden fury that must be satisfied. The story gives time, and explanatory scenes, not just to cops but also criminals.
Daily Mirror
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Nicole Kidman's Nine Perfect Strangers co-star opens up on 'intimate' scenes
Mark Strong, who stars in the second season of Nine Perfect Strangers, has opened up about his character David and his connection with Nicole Kidman's Masha. Nine Perfect Strangers star Mark Strong has dished some details about his experience working alongside Nicole Kidman in the hit series. Returning for a gripping second season with Nicole leading the cast, the suspenseful drama sees Mark playing the role of David, a wealthy dad on a transformative retreat with his son. The renowned Kingsman actor, 61, hinted Nicole helped get him onboard with the show, and teased their "intimate" storyline. While chatting on The One Show this evening (June 10), he hinted at a blossoming intimacy between their characters, quipping: "I'm sure she had to work out whether she wanted to get intimate with me. "The storyline that we have, without giving too much away, becomes quite intimate," he confessed. Host Alex Jones responded with "That's a huge compliment," to which Mark agreed. Earlier in tonight's episode of The One Show on BBC, Mark delved into his character, stating: "It was nice to play a billionaire, I've got to that age where I'm the guy who has everything or knows everything so that's a good place to be." He hinted at a significant plot development involving his and Nicole's characters, remarking: "There is a connection between his character and Nicole's character that comes out through the series." Expressing his enthusiasm for the series, he added: "Drama TV needs plot, get nine people in a room, with their own problems, give them a load of psychedelics, and then see what happens, that's essentially what she did." Jokingly concluding, he said: "Not my idea of a wellness retreat I have to say!" The latest instalment of the psychological drama is teased in the show's plot summary: "Nine new strangers connected in ways they could never imagine are invited by mysterious guru Masha Dmitrichenko to join a transformational wellness retreat in the Austrian Alps. "Over the course of a week, she takes them to the brink. Will they make it? Will she? "Masha is willing to try anything in the interest of healing everyone involved, including herself." The star-studded cast also includes Henry Golding, Lena Olin, Annie Murphy, Christine Baranski, Lucas Englander, King Princess, Murray Bartlett, Dolly de Leon, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, and Aras Aydin. The One Show airs weekdays from 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer. Nine Perfect Strangers is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video with new episodes dropping on Thursday.
Daily Record
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Netflix fans keep watching 'amazing new take on a classic' despite low rating
Fans have been singing its praises despite initial reviews Netflix viewers can't stop watching a 'must see film' that offers a fresh spin on a classic tale. The 2018 release, Robin Hood, has surprisingly become one of the most viewed titles on the platform, despite a meagre 14% rating. At the time of writing, it currently sits in second place in the top ten films most watched by subscribers in the UK. It's sandwiched between recent releases Tyler Perry's Straw in the top spot and French action thriller K.O. in third. Robin Hood is a radical reinterpretation of the timeless story of the outlaw who robbed from the rich to give to the poor. In this version, Taron Egerton, known for his roles in Kingsman, Rocketman and Carry-On, portrays Lord Robin of Loxley. He seeks revenge after returning from the Third Crusade to discover that the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham, played by Rogue One's Ben Mendelsohn, has declared him dead and seized all his property, reports Surrey Live. According to Empire's review of the film, Robin's journey mirrors that of Bruce Wayne becoming Batman. Egerton's rendition of the character even starts being referred to as 'The Hood'. He is trained by Jamie Foxx's character Yahya or John. Meanwhile, Robin also attempts to win back his girlfriend Marian, played by Eve Hewson, who later starred in Netflix's The Perfect Couple. Marian is now with another man, Will Scarlet, portrayed by Jamie Dornan, who is actually a member of the Merry Men in the original tales. Despite the somewhat tepid critical reception of the film, Netflix audiences have found reasons to be entertained. One admirer took to the internet to express their thoughts, stating: "This is a must see movie. Its a new take and twist of the classic tale of Robin Hood and breathes life into the legend once again. It might not be the most historically accurate remake of the tale but that is part of its charm." They pressed on, saying: "Solid stunts and despite all the hate the movie has endured none can question the hard work and love the whole cast and crew put into it. Their extraordinary archery skills are way beyond just CGI. In fact they were trained by famous archer Lars Anderson and can more than handle themselves around a bow and arrow." Another enthusiast commented: "I thought this film was incredible. An amazing new take on a classic. The immense number of Robin Hood films were starting to repeat one another and it was frankly getting tired, but this brought the movies back alive for younger audiences that perhaps haven't been too engaged in the previous versions. With a brilliant cast, some of which are popular, well known actors, and others who are rising stars, I think the production is incredible." One person even suggested: "Outside of the legendary (Disney) cartoon, this is the best Robin Hood out there." Meanwhile, another voiced a congruent opinion: "It was so much better than expected. It was a different take on the old Robin Hood movies." However, not all viewers were impressed. One disgruntled film-goer echoed the critics' sentiments, stating: "Everything was just as bad as the trailer promised. Don't watch this unwatchable piece of garbage. It will haunt your eyes forever."
ITV News
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Kingsman: The Golden Circle
Eye-popping action-adventure sequel with Taron Egerton and Colin Firth. The Kingsman agents team up with American allies to thwart a group of global terrorists.
