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The Pope’s Exorcist – Junky Pulp Made Them Do It

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:43 GMT

The thing about exorcism movies, like the new drooling nonsense The Pope’s Exorcist, is that they’re so, well, Catholic. As Pauline Kael noticed back in 1973 — while even the Vatican didn’t seem to — exorcism horror films, no matter how profane, are hard-sell billboards for the veracity of Christian faith, and particularly the archaic tenets of Roman Catholicism. Simply, if you can get possessed by a demon, then it follows that you have reasonable proof that God and Jesus and Heaven exist; it’s a genre narrative built for the faithful, who want nothing more than to be reassured that prayers can literally vanquish evil. If only. The Holy See “condemned” The Exorcist back then — dildoing that crucifix surely put them over the edge — but that box-office smash made the case for old-school devoutness better than a hundred papal encyclicals.If that’s your kink. If you’re a recovering extra-ex-Catholic like me, or just a rational filmgoer, these scenarios require a big buy-in. No matter ho...

Owen Wilson’s Broad Strokes Don’t Blend in Paint

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:43 GMT

Paint dries quickly… It’s a glib way of describing a movie about art, but it’s also perfectly suited for a film that makes fun of TV art instructor Bob Ross. Of course, being caustic can be amusing in the right hands, and the script has been mixed by experts (Brit McAdams). But in spite of an attempt to give the painting icon some shading, you can’t escape the feeling that you’re watching an SNL sketch on ambien.That’s because there is nothing inherently cinematic (or funny) about Owen Wilson’s portrayal, other than his puffy hair, soft voice and knack for drawing. The character is about as dull as a blank canvas, with less personality than one of those “cubist” portraits you might find at an art show. And he’s not even named Bob Ross! Why the filmmakers decided to write a story about Ross and call the protagonist “Carl” is beyond confusing.The movie starts out nice enough, with Carl wandering through the forest in search of his ...

Netflix to end DVD-by-mail service after 25 years

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:43 GMT

By Michael Liedtke | Associated PressSAN FRANCISCO — Netflix is poised to shut down the DVD-by-mail rental service that set the stage for its trailblazing video streaming service, ending an era that began a quarter century ago when delivering discs through the mail was considered a revolutionary concept.The DVD service, which still delivers films and TV shows in the red-and-white envelopes that once served as Netflix’s emblem, plans to mail its final discs on Sept. 29.Netflix ended March with 232.5 million worldwide subscribers to its video streaming service, but it stopped disclosing how many people still pay for DVD-by-mail delivery years ago as that part of its business steadily shrank. The DVD service generated $145.7 million in revenue last year, which translated into somewhere between 1.1 million and 1.3 million subscribers, based on the average prices paid by customers.The growth of Netflix’s video streaming service has been slowing down over the past year, prompt...

Suspects tied to shooting outside Pleasanton store taken into custody

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:43 GMT

Two people were taken into custody alongside an Interstate 580 exit in connection with an apparent shooting Tuesday outside a Pleasanton store.In a statement early Tuesday evening, a Pleasanton police spokesperson said dispatchers received a call around 2:15 p.m. reporting a man bleeding inside Home Depot, 6000 Johnson Drive. Officers responded within minutes, finding the victim and providing aid before first responders took him to a hospital.According to police, witnesses said they saw a man and woman drive away after the shooting, which happened during a fracas that erupted when the victim tried to stop an apparent theft in progress. A Pleasanton police spokesperson said Tuesday evening that the victim’s injuries were serious, but was not able to provide a condition.After sending alerts to nearby law-enforcement agencies with a suspect and vehicle description, Alameda County sheriff’s deputies found the vehicle and took both suspects into custody near Ney Avenue in Eas...

Person trying to stop shoplifter shot at Pleasanton Home Depot: police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:43 GMT

PLEASANTON, Calif. (KRON) -- The Pleasanton Police Department is investigating a shooting at a Home Depot Tuesday afternoon. Police said one person was shot after attempting to stop a shoplifter.Police were called to the Home Depot, located at 6000 Johnson Drive, at about 2:15 p.m. They found one victim bleeding inside the store, and police said he was hospitalized. There is no update on the victim's condition.Witnesses told police that the victim attempted to stop a theft, leading to a struggle that ended in the man being shot. The suspects drove away from the scene, PPD said. At about 2:30 p.m., Alameda County Sheriff's Office deputies saw the suspect vehicle and arrested the suspects in the 7000 block of Ney Avenue in Oakland. The police department is still in the early stages of its investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call PPD at (925) 931-5100. There is limited information available about this story. Check back with us for updates.

San Rafael hit-and-run driver turns self in

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:43 GMT

(KRON) -- Multiple bystanders witnessed a hit-and-run crash in San Rafael and the driver took off on foot, police said. The crash happened at 5:45 p.m. Monday on Belvedere Street. A red car crashed into a parked car before rolling three times, witnesses told San Rafael Police Department officers.The driver and a passenger then fled on foot. Officers found the mangled car tipped on its side. Shortly after the collision, the passenger returned to the scene asking for medical treatment. The passenger had suffered minor injuries. "Officers were also able to identify the driver, who later did the right thing, and turned himself in at the police department," SRPD wrote. The driver was arrested and booked into jail for felony hit-and-run. The driver's name was not released by police.

Ex-Raiders DL Chris Smith dead at 31

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:43 GMT

CLEVELAND (AP) — Former NFL defensive end Chris Smith, who was touched by tragedy while he played for the Cleveland Browns, has died. He was 31.Smith’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, and the Browns confirmed his passing on Tuesday. The cause of death was not immediately known.“Rest in Peace Chris,” Rosenhaus wrote on Twitter. “Condolences to all his family, friends and loved ones. We will miss you.” Suspects detained after shooting at Pleasanton Home Depot Smith played for the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons this season. He previously spent eight seasons in the NFL with Jacksonville, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Las Vegas and Houston.While Smith was with the Browns in 2019, his girlfriend, Petara Cordero, was killed when she was hit by a car after she exited the vehicle he was driving. Cordero was standing on the road’s shoulder when the vehicle driven by a 47-year-old woman smashed into the passenger side of Smith’s car. Draymond Green ejected from Game 2 of Warriors-Kings series “Chris was one of...

Giants starter Alex Wood exits early with hamstring injury

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:43 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — San Francisco Giants left-hander Alex Wood exited his start against the Miami Marlins in the third inning Tuesday night because of a strained left hamstring.Wood planted both feet awkwardly after he came off the mound and fielded Jean Segura’s bunt near the third-base line. He threw out Segura by a step.But the pitcher limped around the mound, prompting immediate attention from an athletic trainer and Giants manager Gabe Kapler. Wood was replaced by Jakob Junis.Wood’s outing ended after 2 1/3 innings. He gave up one run and one hit, striking out three and walking one.The 32-year-old Wood has not completed five innings in any of his three starts this season. ___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsSource

Los Biden ganaron $579,514 en el 2022, por lo que pagaron $137,658 en impuestos federales

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:43 GMT

WASHINGTON – El presidente Joe Biden y su esposa, Jill, tuvieron ingresos por $579,514 el año pasado, por lo que pagaron en impuestos federales la suma de $137,658, o sea el 23.8% de sus ingresos, según reporta AP.Las ganancias de los Biden han ido bajando levemente en los últimos años, tras promediar los $600,000 en el 2021 y 2021.El promedio de ingresos en un hogar en EEUU es de $69,717, según la oficina del Censo. Biden firma decreto para mejorar el acceso a las guarderías y la atención infantil Biden se opone a proyecto que impediría competir a atletas transgénero: “la discriminación no tiene lugar” La Casa Blanca divulgó este martes los impuestos de Biden y su esposa.Como presidente, Biden recibe un salario de $400,000.Su esposa Jill, la primera dama, ganó $82,335 por su trabajo como maestra en Northern Virginia Community College.Source

Alexandria police begins rolling out body cameras

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:43 GMT

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