Latest news with #Molly
Extra.ie
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
FILM REVIEW OF THE WEEK: Lollipop
Daisy-May Hudson's Lollipop is a fierce and necessary fiction feature burning with the truth of lived experience. In this impassioned story of one mother's post-prison struggle to regain her children, Hudson lays bare the punitive systems that punish poverty, pathologise emotion, and criminalise the survival strategies of women who are already navigating impossible odds. Drawing on her own experiences of homelessness in Half Way (2015), Hudson's debut fiction film sits squarely in the tradition of Loach and Arnold, but with a vital, distinctly feminist eye that frames this story as not just one of injustice, but of structural betrayal – particularly of working-class, single mothers. Molly, brought to life in a raw and incandescent performance by Posy Sterling, is a young woman released from prison into a world that offers neither welcome nor restitution. Her crime remains unspecified – a deliberate choice, perhaps, to underline how often women are criminalised for acts of desperation tied to poverty, domestic violence, or mental health crises. The statistics support this: most women in prison are there for non-violent offences linked to poverty or attempts to escape untenable domestic situations. Lollipop doesn't sensationalise this reality; it refuses to moralise. Instead, it insists on the viewer's empathy by making clear how deeply the deck is stacked against someone like Molly. From the moment Molly leaves prison, she is not met with rehabilitation, but with a series of Kafkaesque obstacles. Her mother, played with devastating opacity by TerriAnn Cousins, has turned her children over to social services. Molly is told she cannot regain custody without stable housing, but is refused family housing because she doesn't have custody. This isn't just a catch-22 – it's a trap, one designed to collapse hope. Through quietly devastating sequences, the film exposes the impossible circular logic of social systems that claim to protect children while punishing their mothers for being poor, angry, or alone. And anger, in Lollipop, is as dangerous as poverty. Molly's frustrated outbursts are interpreted as instability, her heartbreak as volatility. The film is particularly astute in showing how emotions, especially in women, are surveilled and weaponised. Her grief is reframed as a mental health risk. Her love for her children, expressed with urgency and fear, is pathologised. This is a system that rewards passivity, even as it pushes women to the brink. One particularly brutal scene sees Molly walk into what she believes will be a reunion with her children, only to face a tribunal of care professionals – each one a woman, each one clearly burdened by the very roles they are forced to play. Hudson doesn't scapegoat these workers, nor does she let them off the hook. Instead, she presents them as caught within the same system, one that uses women to police and punish other women. It is no accident that the men in this story are largely absent or invisible – Molly's exes, the fathers of her children, have vanished from her life, leaving her to bear the full weight of social and emotional responsibility. This is a reality faced by countless single mothers, many of whom are left not only unsupported but actively punished for attempting to cope alone. Lollipop never forgets this imbalance, instead making it central to its critique. Women are expected to pick up every piece, and when they fail to do so quietly, they are deemed unfit. In its themes and emotional force, Lollipop echoes recent Irish films such as Paddy Breathnach's Rosie and Phyllida Lloyd's Herself. Like Lollipop, Rosie follows a mother caught in a brutal housing crisis, moving from car to hotel with her children while trying to hold her family together in the face of mounting bureaucracy and public indifference. And Herself tells the story of a woman escaping domestic violence who tries to build her own home, both physically and metaphorically, only to encounter institutional obstruction at every turn. In all three films, the state presents itself as neutral or benevolent, while quietly maintaining a web of impossibilities designed to humiliate, delay and ultimately erase women who dare to act independently. What Lollipop adds to this cinematic lineage is the particular lens of post-carceral motherhood and the way social control seeps into maternal identity and emotional expression itself. Lollipop is not an entirely miserable tale, and Hudson's vision is filled with tenderness. The friendship between Molly and Amina (Idil Ahmed) is a lifeline for Molly, the audience, and the film's emotional core. Their bond is forged in shared experience and mutual care, from moments of breakdown to bursts of joy. A scene in which Amina responds to Molly's anger with compassion, only for that anger to immediately melt to heart-wrenching grief, is one of the most powerful in the film, showing how empathy, compassion and understanding can unlock anyone's core and model the need for not just kindness, but genuine support. Sterling's performance carries the film with a magnetic, wounded energy. Molly is not a symbol or a victim – she is a person. She is flawed, impulsive, loving, angry. Sterling gives her a rich emotional interior, and Hudson's writing allows those emotions to live on screen without tidy resolution. Even in moments of deep chaos, the film resists melodrama, trusting instead in the authenticity of lived emotion. That authenticity is supported by a mostly female cast and creative team, who imbue the story with a deep understanding of the kinds of violence that don't always leave bruises, but leave scars all the same. The fact that every adult character—council worker, shopkeeper, probation officer—is played by a woman is deeply telling. Lollipop is about what happens to women when the state fails them, and about how that failure is masked by bureaucracy, protocol and procedure. Hudson's film makes clear that this isn't about bad apples or rogue decisions, but a systemic design that makes martyrs of single mothers and invisibilises the men who let them fall. Lollipop is a powerful, furious, and tender-hearted film. It demands not only that we look at the structures which brutalise women, but that we recognise the quiet heroism of those who survive within them. Hudson doesn't just tell a story – she offers testimony. And it is impossible to walk away from this film unmoved.
Extra.ie
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Positive benefits of social media as concert goer reunited with 'special' glasses lost at gig
A young person who attended Charli XCX at Malahide during the week has detailed their gratitude after a pair of special glasses that prevents their seizures were safely returned following an appeal online. 21-year-old Molly Hickey was diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder two years ago after they 'randomly' began having seizures. The condition is different for everybody, with Molly revealing they suffer with seizures brought on from stress and flashing lights predominantly. 21-year-old Molly Hickey was diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder two years ago after they 'randomly' began having seizures. Pic: Supplied An avid concert-goer, Molly told that the diagnosis impacted how they attended gigs as well as events and conferences. For events and conferences, they noted that here is no awareness surrounded flash photography being dangerous for some people. 'Any time I go to conferences they're like, 'Oh, that's something I never thought about before!' They added that they have also brought it up with cinemas, after having a seizure in one where no flash warnings were provided. @mollyhickey5 PLEASE HELP ME FIND THEM (they are really expensive and so needed for me ) #charlixcx #malahide #dublin #seizures #concert @Malahide Castle & Gardens ♬ party 4 u – ㅤ Fortunately, Molly was advised by doctors that a special set of glasses could help prevent seizures at gigs and earlier in the year, with the help from their University, they managed to get pairs of the TheraSpecs Z-Blue glasses. 'You can get them in different lenses to fit you completely,' Molly explained, 'They're done to completely fit your eyes. I had two pairs, one was for really dark and one was for light, so during the day. 'Obviously, my dark ones do gigs. They're really expensive because they're not made in Ireland.' The glasses are made in America, with Molly explaining that ordering them online is both difficult and expensive. A young person who attended Charli XCX at Malahide during the week is appealing to concertgoers for the safe return of a pair of 'special' glasses that prevent their seizures. Pic:The special glasses allowed Molly to attend a string of gigs in recent months, with the 21-year-old reporting that they didn't suffer with any seizures. 'Obviously, at gigs there more at risk of falling off,' they said, adding that the glasses fell off their head during the last song at the Charli XCX gig on Tuesday night. The glasses were nowhere to be seen, with Molly and their friends spending half an hour after the gig searching the area to no avail. The special glasses allowed Molly to attend a string of gigs in recent months, with the 21-year-old reporting that they didn't suffer with any seizures. Pic: Supplied 'I genuinely don't think it was malicious,' they told later following up to confirm that following an appeal on TikTok, a concert attendee had contacted Molly to say they ahd the glasses. 'I honestly didn't think this would happen, I'm so grateful,' Molly shared, as they touched on the positive power social media can have. The glasses have been a great benefit to Molly in recent months, with the youngster revealing that their protocol if they suffer seizures is to be turned on their side, and wait for a friend or medic to be called. 'I would never go into a space where no one knows,' they said, 'I do feel it coming along so I'll usually have a minute — I'll find somewhere there's not many people and then a friend will call a medic if needed.' Responding to criticism, they shouldn't go to events due to scaring people, Molly admitted that when they started getting seizures they did stay at home but was spurred on to get out more when they spoke to someone in a similar situation. 'I think just realising this isn't going to change for me. It's not like epilepsy, there's no medication,' they shared. 'For me, it was either I could spend my whole life really scared of scaring people or step outside the door and spread awareness about it, talk about it and have conversations that would also help other people in the future that have my condition.'
Los Angeles Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
How many times is too many times to flake on someone?
We've all been there: You've made plans with a friend and been looking forward to the get-together all day. Maybe you turned down other invitations to keep this commitment or you're just excited to spend time with someone you like. You're standing in front of your closet deciding what to wear when suddenly your phone dings: 'Hey. I've had the longest day and I feel like I just need to be in my pajamas,' a text message from your friend reads. 'Let's try again soon!' Oof. You've just been flaked on and it hurts. 'It feels like rejection and nobody wants to feel that,' said Danielle Jackson, a friendship coach in Tampa, Fla., and author of the book 'Fighting for our Friendships: The Science and Art of Conflict and Connection in Women's Relationships.' 'You wonder if the person is invested in you or respects your time. And you may feel you are not going to put yourself in that situation again.' It's totally understandable to feel angry, hurt or embarrassed when someone flakes on you, and you might want to write that person out of your life entirely. But not all flaking is the same. I talked to some friends about flaking, asking them how many times is too many times for someone to cancel a plan, and found that, as with everything in life, context matters. One friend shared that when it comes to one of her best friends from childhood, there is no limit to the number of times they cancel on each other. 'Every time we make a plan I know there's only a 50% chance it will actually happen,' she said. 'But I've known her for 30 years. We will be friends forever.' Molly, who, like me, is in her late 40s and is the busiest person I know, said the older she gets, the less upset she feels when people cancel on her, even when it means derailing her carefully arranged schedule. 'I've come to realize that when somebody flakes, it's usually not about me,' she said. 'People can't keep plans for so many different reasons — they probably just have some [stuff] going on.' My friend Carol offered a similarly nuanced take. 'It depends on the background of the friendship and if they earned the right to flake,' she said. 'And that's tenure and showing up for the big things.' I respect these friends' patience and understanding, but personally, I agree with my friend Laura's perspective. 'My time feels very valuable to me, and I'm very discerning about how much of it I give and who I give it to,' she told me. 'Generally speaking it's hard for me with my personality to get really close with unreliable people.' Stephanie took an even more hard-line stance: 'I tend to feel like grit and effort are admirable traits and I feel a little allergic to self-indulgence in general,' she said. 'So if someone is a self-care queen, we're not going to be a good match.' Figuring out how you feel about flaking — whether you're thinking about flaking or if you're the person being flaked on — is hardly trivial. A growing number of studies over the past two decades have demonstrated that healthy friendships play an important role in both well-being and longevity. They have shown that people with close friends are more satisfied with their lives and less likely to suffer from depression. They are also less likely to die from all causes including heart problems and a range of chronic diseases. If making and maintaining close friends are a pathway to health and happiness, then it's useful to understand how canceling on people and being canceled on by others impacts these relationships. Researchers have also noted that at the same time that Americans, and particularly young Americans, are experiencing high amounts of loneliness, the ease with which people cancel plans to tend to their own well-being appears to be growing. TikTok is filled with Gen Z guidance on setting boundaries and the internet has no shortage of memes touting the joy of canceling plans. But while there may be a real personal cost to keeping a dinner date with a friend when you're tired, overwhelmed or emotionally spent, there can be serious costs to breaking that commitment as well. 'Yes, you can always change your mind when you make a plan, but you may not like what happens as a result,' said Mia Schachter, an intimacy coordinator and consent educator. 'If it's important to you that your friends think you're reliable and a person of your word, then even if you don't have the energy right now, you may need to push yourself beyond your capacity for the greater good of something you ultimately believe is important.' It's also true that no matter how dedicated we are to our friendships, there are times when we have to cancel plans. When that's the case, friendship researchers say there are ways to cancel that are less likely to damage the relationship. In a survey of 1,192 people, Michigan State University Professor Bill Chopik and his students asked respondents to share how upset they feel when someone cancels on them and which cancellations are the least hurtful and annoying. In a 2023 paper, they shared the following takeaways: If you have to cancel plans with someone but want to preserve the friendship, don't cancel at the last minute, don't lie about it and make sure you have a good reason for canceling. And for those times when we are canceled on ourselves, experts say we might offer our friends grace, especially if they apologize and try to repair the situation. As Jackson, the friendship coach, explained, if someone cancels on you and says, 'I'm the worst, this is a weird week, but does next Thursday at 6 work?' this person is acknowledging they probably put you out and disappointed you, and also demonstrating that they really do want to see you another time. 'That's a completely different tone than 'Life happens,'' she said.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Meet Wang Ning, Pop Mart CEO who's viral Labubu doll made him one of China's top 10 billionaires with a $22.7 billion fortune
Labubu, a Chinese doll, is a worldwide phenomenon dominating the internet. The strange toothy-eyed plus doll has turned into a viral hit, fashion statement and pop culture symbol, particularly among Gen Z collectors. These blind boxes and limited-edition dolls have created huge demand, ranging from the long store lines to resale prices going into six figures. This viral craze has made founder of Pop Mart International, Wang Ning, a top 10 richest billionaire in China with a net worth of more than $22 billion. Labubu trend makes Pop Mart founder Wang Ning China's top 10 billionaires Behind the dynamism of Pop Mart's explosive expansion is its 38-year-old founder, Wang Ning. A Zhengzhou University graduate in advertising, Wang opened the company's first store in 2010 in Beijing's tech district, Zhongguancun. The store initially sold comics and phone accessories but shifted to collectible toys when Wang saw a gap in the market. In 2016, he teamed up with artist Kenny Wong to introduce the Molly doll series, which turned out to be a business success. But it was Labubu that rocketed Pop Mart and Wang to the stratosphere. Wang is now China's 10th richest man with a net worth of $22.7 billion , according to Forbes' Real-Time Billionaires List . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 年最紓壓的農場遊戲！無需安裝 東加：島嶼農場 立即播放 Undo He is also the youngest member of China's elite billionaire club. Labubu dolls : From blind box toy to international sensation Labubu dolls, with their unkempt hair, smiling faces, and alternative appeal, were created by Hong Kong designer Kasing Lung in 2019. Available in forms of plush toys, vinyl characters, and blind box mystery, the collectible series plays off the excitement of surprise and rarity. Customers usually have no idea what figure they'll receive until they unpack the box; a surprise that has been too tempting for Gen Z and millennial shoppers to resist. From the unboxing on social media to streetwear combinations, Labubu dolls have gone mainstream. They have been seen up close with such celebrities as Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and BLACKPINK member Lisa, who have contributed to the doll's transformation from bohemian cult favourite into global fashion phenomenon. Pop Mart becomes a $365 billion powerhouse thanks to Labubu At the heart of this whirlwind success is Pop Mart International Group, the toy firm behind Labubu. Pop Mart has expertise in designer toys and blind box culture, combining art, collectability, and consumer psychology. The company's success has been meteoric, largely owing to its skill in transforming toys into fashionable lifestyle products. Pop Mart shops all over Asia and online websites often sell out in minutes, with resale prices of Labubu dolls reaching two to three times the original price. Some limited versions even sell for six-figure figures, such that they become highly sought-after amongst collectors. Pop Mart was listed in December 2020 at a market cap of $12.5 billion, raising $676 million in its IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Ever since, its expansion has been proceeding at a remarkable rate. Shares have tripled, with just HK$365 billion in 2025 alone. Pop Mart, in its latest quarterly filing, reported a 170% year-over-year jump in sales, led by Labubu's aggressive growth. This expansion has prompted comparisons to business groups like Funko and even luxury fashion brands as far as cult-like status and customer loyalty are concerned. How blind boxes and social media transformed Labubu into an international sensation The trend is fueled by a combination of creative design, nostalgia, and healthy online communities, Pop Mart's brand executives say. Enthusiasts use social platforms such as TikTok and Instagram to post sophisticated display arrangements, exchange rare toys, and even dress up Labubu toys as accessories. The blind-box model introduces a gamified experience consumers aren't merely purchasing a product; they're engaging in a game of fortune. Coupled with limited releases, seasonal drops, and celebrity promotion, Labubu has become a cultural phenomenon. Maybe due to its quirky looks, Labubu has been polarizing. Some have called it "creepy," "overhyped," or even "odd." Others see it as an ingenious combination of street culture and collectible art. This divisive attraction has only spawned more attention, making every new drop a spectacle. Also Read | 5,000-year-old dress discovered in Egyptian tomb reveals the ancient craftsmanship
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Chef's 'deliciously easy' way to make crispy potatoes without an oven
Chef Molly, who is known as @poppycooks, said her recipe for crispy potatoes is "deliciously easy" and can be made in just 30 minutes - and you don't even need an oven A TikTok sensation and Michelin-trained chef, Poppy O'Toole, who goes by @poppycooks, has shown her "deliciously easy" technique for making crispy potato cubes using an air fryer rather than the conventional oven. Poppy, a dab hand in the kitchen with a flair for quick recipes, demonstrated this fabulous side dish can be rustled up in just half an hour without even glancing at your oven. She advocates for the air fryer as not only a quicker alternative, but also a method considered healthier compared to traditional oil frying. Her straightforward recipe guarantees "crispy" potato cubes achievable through a few easy stages. In the instructional clip, she instructs: "I'm going to show you how to make delicious crispy cubed potatoes in the air fryer. So get some potatoes, get them cubed up about 10 cubes per potato. Then you're going to oil and salt them in a bowl.", reports the Express. After ensuring each cube is well-coated with oil and salt, they're ready to go into the air fryer. Molly's method involves starting off at 180C for 20 minutes, followed by a temperature boost to 190C for the last 10 minutes. "Give them a toss with a little bit of parsley and a bit of salt," she adds in her wisdom. "You can add a little parmesan in there, you can add truffle oil if you want. They are just an easy delicious potato in your air fryer." How to whip up crispy potato cubes in six steps Step one: Chop your potatoes into 10 cubes per potato. Step two: Cover the potatoes with oil and salt in a bowl, giving them a thorough toss until they're fully coated. Step three: Transfer the potato cubes to the air fryer and cook at 180C for 20 minutes. Step five: Take your potatoes out and toss them with parsley and a sprinkle of salt. At this point, you can also add parmesan or truffle oil.
