Latest news with #Weeks
San Francisco Chronicle
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Review: ‘28 Years Later' is fresh flesh — the best zombie movie in a decade
The long-in-development third film in the ' 28 Days Later ' franchise has finally arrived, and the wait was worth it. That time was apparently well spent, because '28 Years Later' is a massive improvement over the 2007 sequel ' 28 Weeks Later.' The new film reunites director Danny Boyle (' Trainspotting,' ' Slumdog Millionaire ') and writer Alex Garland (' Civil War,' ' Warfare ') from the 2003 original, '28 Days Later.' Whereas 'Weeks,' made without Boyle's and Garland's involvement, felt like a rehash with poorly motivated actions, 'Years' is carefully thought out and would be vibrant filmmaking even without the previous material. With actual ideas to explore, well-developed characters and fleshed-out (sorry) performances, scary sequences, and a bite or two of humor, the new movie is one of the best zombie outings in years — maybe the best since the 2016 South Korean thriller ' Train to Busan.' Unlike 'Busan' and 'Days' (and certainly 'Weeks'), 'Years' is less about body count than it is a character journey that happens to occur in a world infested with mindless former humans striving to dine upon one's flesh. Still, 'Years' boasts one of the more delightfully horrific opening sequences in the genre ('delightful' to zombie fans but likely terrifying to the uninitiated), set during the early days of the outbreak of the 'rage virus' that devastates England in the first film. Then we jump into the new story, which indeed takes place 28 years later. By this time, England has been declared a permanent quarantine zone, cut off from the rest of the world. A fishing village on a tiny island has survived. In it, bow-wielding 12-year-old Spike (Alfie Williams) prepares for a rite of passage with his father, Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson): his first zombie kill on the mainland. Spike is close to both his parents, but Jamie's relationship with Spike's mother, Isla (Jodie Comer), is strained, as an ailment makes her forgetful, delusional, even paranoid. Those tensions, and a mystery on the mainland, lead Spike to make some well-intentioned, but very dangerous choices. For those familiar with 'Weeks,' that description could dredge up bad memories. But unlike the annoying kids' foolish actions that drive that sequel's plot, 'Years' contrives a powerful, sympathetic motivation for Spike; we understand this is something he must do. Garland and Boyle have made a different film than the other two installments, and deserve credit for that. It still has genuinely heart-pounding scenes, while only occasionally resorting to jump scares. They've considered not just how a community might adapt to survive, but how the infected might evolve over time. Those changes are interesting and sometimes surprising, though the heart of the movie is its 12-year-old protagonist's coming-of-age journey. Garland has cited Ken Loach's classic 'Kes' (1969) as a key influence; that's a tiny indie about an outsider boy finding purpose, not a horror film. And '28 Years' also has something to say about comprehending and coping with loss amid what seems like 'Apocalypse Now'-type insanity. Boyle employs idiosyncratic filmmaking technique, such as flash inserts to play with time, imply thoughts or feelings, or to foreshadow, and interesting use of sound and score, perhaps inspired by Oscar winner 'The Zone of Interest.' Yet, 'Years' never loses its focus on its young protagonist, or young Williams' performance. Williams, now 14, had two credits before carrying this film. He delivers a remarkably well-rounded, present performance. He is more than ably supported by Taylor-Johnson as his seemingly perfect warrior-father and the chameleonic Comer, delivering yet another layered, complex turn as his afflicted mother. Then there's the startling appearance of Ralph Fiennes — the less said about what he does in the film, the better, but it's another feather in the all-timer great's cap. The movie is a complete story, but also sets up the Garland-penned sequel, '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple,' due out next January. A third film, to make a 'Years' trilogy, is in the planning stages. Fans have reason to look forward to more, as this movie reinvigorates the franchise with fresh blood.
Elle
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Elle
How To Watch '28 Days Later' On UK TV Now, Before Seeing Sequel '28 Years Later'
More than two decades after it helped redefine the zombie genre, 28 Days Later is gaining fresh attention thanks to the upcoming sequel, 28 Years Later. Directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland, the 2002 cult classic follows a man, played by Cillian Murphy, who wakes from a coma to find London devastated by a deadly virus. With its gritty scenes and fast-moving infected zombies, the film is chilling to say the least. Now, as excitement builds for the next chapter - which features stars like Jodie Comer and Aaron Taylor Johnson, fans are revisiting where it all began. Here's where and how to watch 28 Days Later—whether you're rewatching or experiencing it for the first time. The film is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer. However if you do not have access to this platform you watch it on NOW, Sky Store and Apple TV. If you're doing a recap rewatch of 28 Days Later in anticipation of watching the new film you might also stumble upon 28 Weeks Later, starring Jeremy Renner, but crucially not directed by Boyle (though he was an executive producer). However, as Boyle has explained, new film 28 Years Later doesn't follow on from the second Weeks film - and in fact ignores crucial plot points from the ending of that second film. Speaking to Collider, Boyle said they wanted to move away from the idea introduced in the second film that some people could be immune. 'We decided to base this trilogy being inspired by the first film. Not just in terms of character, as the Cillian Murphy character eventually appears, but also in terms of the definition of the virus, its behaviour, and reactions to it.' And from the second film, they also haven't taken on the revelation that the virus had spread to Europe: 'What was unique about the first film and was the best choice we ever made about it was that it featured entirely British. He added: 'It was just that land. And it was extraordinary thinking about something that powerful breaking out in that particular space, and it had to be dealt with by the inhabitants of that land. 'And we decided to concentrate on that. There's nothing wrong with 28 Weeks Later. We just decided not to follow those story elements. And it's a bold choice we decided to declare up front by saying the Rage Virus was driven back from mainland Europe.' ELLE Collective is a new community of fashion, beauty and culture lovers. For access to exclusive content, events, inspiring advice from our Editors and industry experts, as well the opportunity to meet designers, thought-leaders and stylists, become a member today HERE.
USA Today
29-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
LSU linebackers named to prestigious defensive award watchlist
LSU linebackers named to prestigious defensive award watchlist LSU football linebackers Harold Perkins Jr. and Whit Weeks were named to the Lott Trophy watch list. The trophy is awarded annually to the nation's best defensive player for impact on and off the field. The last Tiger to take home the award was Glenn Dorsey in 2004. With Weeks and Perkins, LSU is aiming to have one of the best linebacker duos in the SEC. Perkins and Weeks are both coming off significant injuries in 2024. Perkins went down in Week Four with a knee injury, while Weeks was carted off the field in the second quarter of the Kinder's Texas Bowl after sustaining multiple lower-body injuries. Weeks led the team with 125 tackles, including 10 for loss and 3.5 sacks. He added six quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, and an interception. Despite sitting out all spring, he will be at full strength for summer workouts. Perkins burst onto the scene as one of the SEC's top pass rushers in 2022, but Perkins moved to inside linebacker in 2023. It was an adjustment for the former five-star recruit, but he made 75 tackles, including 13 for loss, in a second-team All-SEC season as a sophomore. The New Orleans native will aim to increase his NFL Draft stock with a standout senior season. Perkins' exact role in 2025 remains to be seen. There's been talk of Perkins' playing the STAR position in Blake Baker's defense, but that slot is usually manned by a defensive back. Look for LSU to take advantage of Perkins' versatility this fall. Where Whit Weeks and Harold Perkins ranked as recruits Weeks and Perkins were both among the top linebackers in the country in their respective recruiting classes. Perkins, a member of the 2022 class, was the No. 9 overall prospect and No. 1-ranked linebacker. Weeks signed in 2023 and ranked No. 149 overall in the On3 Industry Rankings. Weeks was the No. 15-ranked linebacker in his class.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Gang member sentenced to 14 years for fentanyl trafficking
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCT) — A Raleigh gang member was sentenced on Thursday to 14 years in prison for conspiring to traffic fentanyl pills in the Eastern North Carolina area. On June 7, 2024, Shakeim Weeks, age 30, was arrested when law enforcement found approximately 100,000 fentanyl pills, weighing approximately 11 kilograms, in Week's suitcase when he returned to North Carolina from a resupply trip to Arizona. Weeks pled guilty on February 27, 2025, to Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Four Hundred Grams or More of a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Fentanyl. The fentanyl pills Weeks' brought to North Carolina were packaged in Lego boxes, consistent with other seizures of fentanyl pills from this drug trafficking organization. According to court documents, Weeks, a validated member of the United Blood Nation gang, was part of a drug trafficking organization that was obtaining fentanyl pills in California and Arizona and transporting them to the Raleigh area for distribution. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Sky News AU
23-05-2025
- General
- Sky News AU
Got a mega-milestone birthday or anniversary coming up? Here's how you can get your letter from King Charles III himself
If you or someone you love is set to celebrate their 100th birthday, or even a significant anniversary, why not celebrate with a letter from the King? Since 1917, when King George V started the tradition with a telegram, royal messages have become a staple of major life moments across the UK and the Commonwealth. During the late Queen Elizabeth II's record-breaking reign, more than 1.3 million royal cards were sent out. Now, His Majesty the King is carrying the torch, and thanks to the digital age it's never been easier to get your hands on one. What You Can Get: If you're an Aussie, you can nab messages from the King and the Governor-General, the Honourable Sam Mostyn, to mark: • 50th wedding anniversaries (Governor-General only) • 60th (Diamond), 65th, 70th (Platinum) anniversaries- and every year thereafter • 100th, 105th birthdays- and every year thereafter. How to Apply: Get Your Docs Together: You'll need something official to prove the milestone, like a birth or marriage certificate, a passport, or a statutory declaration (available online or at the post office, or online via the Attorney-General's Department). Contact Your MP or Senator: They'll take care of getting the request in. Need help finding your rep? Just punch in your postcode here. Delivery of messages: Anniversary messages will be delivered directly to the recipient. If you require an alternative delivery arrangement, please note the circumstances on the application form. Timing Is Everything The Royal Mail doesn't move at lightning speed. Try to lodge your request at least two months in advance. If you're running late, the Governor-General's office says they'll do their best- but no promises. Missed a milestone? Good news: you can still request a message up to six months after the birthday or wedding. Or, you can always try next year! Right now, the title of Australia's oldest living person belongs to 111-year-old Kenneth 'Ken' Weeks- meaning he's racked up at least seven letters from the King so far. Born on October 5, 1913, just before the outbreak of World War I, Mr Weeks lives in an aged care facility in Grafton, New South Wales. Remarkably, he didn't move in until he was 104. A familiar face in the Grafton community for decades, Mr Weeks has always kept busy. According to Mr Weeks, he has "no regrets in life" and told The Daily Examiner "hard work" is the most important key to a long and happy life. He'll celebrate his 112th birthday this October with son Ian and his grandchildren.
