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In ‘Wonka,’ Timothée Chalamet finds a world of pure imagination

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 07:17:19 GMT

Hugh Grant learned some years ago that if a filmmaker doesn’t make something from the heart, it shows. The films that work best, and are most loved, he’s found, are the ones that the directors really meant.It applied to his romantic comedies with Richard Curtis as well as “Paddington 2.” And he’s pretty sure it’s true of “ Wonka.” The lavish big screen musical about a young Willy Wonka — before Charlie, before the chocolate factory — is dancing into theaters this month with its heart on its velvet sleeve.Like the “Paddington” movies, “Wonka” was dreamt up by Paul King, a lifetime Roald Dahl fan and a writer and director whom his collaborators somewhat universally agree may actually be Paddington in a human costume. With a beloved troupe of actors, including Grant, Timothée Chalamet, Olivia Colman, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Keegan-Michael Key, Natasha Rothwell and Paterson Joseph as well as newcomer Calah Lane, its vibrant costumes and sets and a contagious “let’s pu...

Bank of Canada expected to hold key rate steady: economists

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 07:17:19 GMT

It’s been a rough couple of years for people with variable-rate mortgages, and many are watching to see what the Bank of Canada does with its key rate on Wednesday.The feeling from most economists is that the Bank of Canada will maintain its five per cent rate.“It’s far from mission accomplished,” BMO Capital Markets Senior Economist Sal Guatieri said while speaking on CityNews’ Now You Know with Rob Snow on Monday. “We’re not close to the two per cent [inflation] target yet, and it will take time before the Bank of Canada has that confidence or assurance that inflation will go all the way back to two per cent on a sustained basis.”But Clinton Wilkins with Centum Home Lenders in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, is hoping rates start to drop in the coming months.“There certainly is some downward pressure now,” Wilkins said on Monday. “And I think maybe even by the springtime, we might see some signs of softening. Obviously, som...

Trial to determine whether JetBlue can buy Spirit, further consolidating industry, comes to a head

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 07:17:19 GMT

BOSTON (AP) — Lawyers for the Justice Department and JetBlue Airways are scheduled to make closing arguments Tuesday in a trial that will determine whether JetBlue can buy Spirit Airlines, the nation’s biggest low-fare carrier.The Justice Department argues that the proposed $3.8 billion merger would hurt consumers by eliminating Spirit and its cheaper base fares, leaving fewer options for travelers on a budget. The government sued to block the deal in March.JetBlue says it needs to buy Spirit to grow and compete better against bigger airlines.There is no jury in the trial, which has stretched over several weeks and included testimony by the CEOs of both airlines. No ruling is expected Tuesday from U.S. District Judge William Young.The trial represents another test for the Biden administration’s fight against consolidation in the airline industry. Earlier this year, the Justice Department won an antitrust lawsuit and broke up a partnership in New York and Boston between JetBlue and A...

Column: Major champions talk signature shots. And one that stands out to them

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 07:17:19 GMT

Tiger Woods is not done for the year. Still to come is what he referred to as the “fifth major,” which is 36 holes at the PNC Championship with his son.Those other majors have long been in the books and still have lasting memories of shots that will be part of major championship lore. Most of them are on Sunday, when the trophy is presented. Some of them are earlier, and often forgotten.In a series of interviews, the four major champions discuss the shot most fans will remember, and a particular shot that stands out to them.MASTERS“In other years, that ball would not have made it to the trees,” Jon Rahm said.But his tee shot on the 14th hole at the Masters ran just into the rough and his approach was blocked by a pine tree. What’s more, he faced a downhill lie with the ball slightly below his feet. He had to get creative, and the Spaniard did just that. From 137 yards, he opened his stance, opened the face on his 8-iron and aimed left.“I had to slice it a good 10, 15 yards to ...

Streisand talks acting, music and destiny after release of her memoir ‘My Name is Barbra’

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 07:17:19 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Before she’s ready to talk about her memoir, Barbra Streisand needs to pull herself away from current events. “I’m watching (expelled Rep.) George Santos, and worrying about the world and democracy,” she says at the start of a telephone interview, when asked how’s she doing. “I have to say,” she adds a moment later, “I guess I’m OK.” There are reasons “My Name is Barbra” took as long to wrap up as even her most challenging film projects. For decades, she rarely had the kind of solitary time needed to settle down and write. And even with her film and concert career essentially over — “I don’t enjoy performing anymore,” she says — the longtime liberal and political activist remains absorbed in the news no matter how distressing, from next year’s U.S. presidential election to the war in the Middle East. For Streisand, long one of the most private of superstars, opening up about herself is an ongoing challenge. But, as she explai...

Deep-sea mining in the Arctic Ocean gets the green light from Norwegian lawmakers

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 07:17:19 GMT

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Norway’s minority center-left government and two large opposition parties made a deal Tuesday to open the Arctic Ocean to seabed mineral exploration despite warnings by environmental groups that it would threaten the biodiversity of the vulnerable ecosystems in the area.Norway said in June it wanted to open parts of the Norwegian continental shelf for commercial deep sea mining in line with the country’s strategy to seek new economic opportunities and reduce its reliance on oil and gas.The head of Greenpeace Norway, Frode Pleym, said the decision was “a disaster for the sea” and the mining would take place in “our last wilderness.”“We do not know what consequences this will have for the ecosystems in the sea, for endangered species such as whales and seabirds, or for the fish stocks on which we base our livelihood,” he said.Martin Sveinssønn Melvær of the Norwegian Bellona environmental group said the move was “completely contrary to scientific recommendat...

4 in custody after stolen vehicle pursuit, crash on South Side

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 07:17:19 GMT

CHICAGO — Four people are in custody following a pursuit on the South Side involving a stolen vehicle Monday night.Just before 7 p.m., officers followed a white Infinity, that was reported stolen, onto the Dan Ryan from 76th Street.The vehicle exited the Dan Ryan at 87th and continued to Halsted. They then returned to the expressway and CPD said officers did not follow.Illinois State Police, along with their helicopter above, followed the vehicle to 79th Street, where they were involved in a crash with another vehicle. Woman struck, killed by vehicle on Dan Ryan Four males fled on foot and were taken into custody by CPD in the 7800 block of South Wabash. Three weapons were recovered and charges are pending.

NASCAR 2024 Chicago Street Race tickets go on sale Wednesday

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 07:17:19 GMT

CHICAGO — Tickets for the NASCAR 2024 Chicago Street race will go on sale on Wednesday.For a second-straight year, NASCAR drivers will take to the streets of the “Windy City” for a showcase on July 6-7.NASCAR’s Xfinity Series race will go off on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.(CT) with the Cup Series event taking place on Sunday at 3:30 p.m.(CT)According to NASCAR Chicago, registered presale begins Tuesday and tickets to the general public begins Wednesday. Kids under 12 get free admission to Saturday’s events, but will have to pay $45 for Sunday's general admission. Single-day tickets will sell for $150.For more info and tickets, go to: nascarchicago.com

OB-GYN clinic opens in northwest Austin

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 07:17:19 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – A Houston-area hospital chain that is expanding into the Austin area celebrated the opening of a clinic it said will be dedicated to women's health. On Monday, Texas Children opened the Pavilion for Women Obstetrics & Gynecology North Austin Clinic at its soon-to-be opened northwest Austin hospital. Texas Children's said the clinic will offer comprehensive care in menstrual disorders management, prenatal, and preventative care."One of the things that is unique about Texas Children's Pavilion for Women is the opportunity for a woman and her child to receive care in the same spot. I think you will see more and more and more advantages of that," said Russ Williams, Senior Vice President of Texas Children's Hospital North Austin Campus.Texas Children opened the Pavilion for Women Obstetrics & Gynecology North Austin Clinic on Monday, Dec. 5 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez) Texas Children opened the Pavilion for Women Obstetrics & Gynecology North Austin Clinic on Monday,...

Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips is Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 07:17:19 GMT

Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips has been named the team’s nominee for the 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. The annual accolade recognizes the player that best exemplifies commitment to philanthropy and community impact, as well as his excellence on the field.That has been a calling card for Phillips since the Buffalo Bills selected him in 2018. He established the Harrison’s Playmakers program, which supports children and young adults with developmental differences and needs, and has watched it grow on a large scale since it’s inception.Though he started the endeavor in upstate New York while playing for the Bills earlier in his career, Phillips brought the same fervor for giving back to Minnesota when he signed with the Vikings in 2022. He also has a group of Harrison Playmakers in his hometown of Omaha, Neb.“It is very humbling to be selected as the Vikings 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee,” Phillips said in a release, “The support my teammates hav...