What Critics Are Saying About "Ben-Hur" and "War Dogs"

War Dogs - Hustling for the American Dream [HD]

This week at the multiplex, weve got a kid with magic powers (Kubo and the Two Strings, with voice performances by Charlize Theron and Matthew McConaughey), rogue arms dealers (War Dogs, starring Jonah Hill and Miles Teller), and a fallen prince (Ben-Hur, starring Jack Huston and Morgan Freeman). Find out what the critics have to say on Rotten Tomatoes.

Ben-Hur

Ben-Hur the 1880 Lew Wallace novel that was turned into a classic 1925 silent film and whose 1959 adaptation was a Best Picture-winning smash that still ranks among the more widely acclaimed movies of all time gets yet another big-screen take. Needless to say, Timur Bekmambetovs new version of the biblically inspired tale has some pretty big shoes to fill, and as far as most critics are concerned, its nowhere near up to snuff: reviews point to an earnest would-be epic whose heart might be in the right place, but whose reach almost completely exceeds its grasp. While the climactic chase scene benefits from modern technology, fans of the 1925 and 1959 versions will find this one suffers mightily in comparison. Ben-Hur is is currently at 30 percent on the Tomatometer; here are some of the reviews:

Rotten: It needed a star like the Russell Crowe of Gladiator to provide dramatic heft. What is Ben-Hur without a platform of moral grandeur? Not much. Stephen Holden, New York Times

Rotten: Ben-Hur is far from the worst movie of the year. It probably wont even be the worst movie of the month. Its just one of the least necessary. Christopher Lawrence, Las Vegas Review-Journal

Rotten: A film that fails to deliver pretty much all the way down the line. Lou Lumenick, New York Post

Fresh: Give me Bekmambetovs Ben-Hur with its pulsating battles and chariot races, its proclamation that mercy and sacrifice are more revolutionary than anything you can cook up with swords or chariots over any of this summers exhausting superhero movies. Alissa Wilkinson, Christianity Today

War Dogs

Jonah Hill and Miles Teller as a couple of freewheeling young bros selling arms in a ripped-from-the-headlines comedy directed by Hangover vet Todd Phillips? It might sound like a recipe for an R-rated gonzo funnybone tickler, but according to critics, while War Dogs definitely has its share of laughs, its actually a somewhat sobering look at the real-life dirty deeds of some of the worlds more unscrupulous individuals. In fact, thats one of the movies biggest problems: while the reviews describe an entertaining enough effort, they also express general disappointment at its unwillingness or inability to take a nasty bite out of a story that truly deserves it. War Dogs is currently at 57 percent on the Tomatometer; heres what some of the critics are saying:

Fresh: Phillips leans heavily into the absurdist humor of how the Pentagon could have been conned especially by a pair of bros whose previous claim to fame was getting busted buying pot as Yeshiva middle schoolers. Ethan Sacks, New York Daily News

Fresh: Theres a limit to how much patience one has for spending time with terrible people living large. But for all the lackluster familiarity of the films style, the story is too interesting, too baffling to deny. Barbara VanDenburgh, Arizona Republic

Rotten: Despite all the Martifications and Scorsese-ing, were left with virtually nothing, except the feeling that a pretty good anecdote has been inflated into a bubble-headed American Dream morality tale. Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

Rotten: Even if youre not aware of this real-life story, youll recognize the well-worn narrative of dudes who hustle their way to the top only to see it all fall apart in spectacular fashion. Mara Reinstein, Us Weekly

Kubo and the Two Strings

Theyve yet to release a blockbuster on par with one of the bigger animation houses, but the folks at Laika have built an impressive reputation over the last several years a span thats seen the studio release a trio of critically acclaimed feature-length efforts with Coraline, ParaNorman, and The Boxtrolls. Their fourth film, Kubo and the Two Strings, looks like itll extend that distinguished streak; as with earlier Laika productions, reviews describe a viewing experience thats as visually thrilling as it is narratively satisfying. An action epic set in feudal Japan, Kubo stars Game of Thrones vet Art Parkinson as the titular hero, whos forced to embark on a quest to save his loved ones after inadvertently summoning an evil spirit whose arrival may hold the key to unlocking painful secrets from his familys past. Kubo and the Two Strings is Certified Fresh at 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer; check out some of the reviews here:

Fresh: The first and last things to be said in this limited space about Kubo and the Two Strings are that its a showcase for some of the most startlingly beautiful animation in recent and not so recent memory. Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

Fresh: Its a classic heros journey full of action and adventure, but its also an intimate fable about love and loss, magic and memory. Christy Lemire, RogerEbert.com

Fresh: From its captivating narration and first stormy scene, Kubo and the Two Strings lures the audience into its vivid storytelling and exquisite execution of stop-motion animation. Maricar Estrella, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Rotten: Kubo and the Two Strings is a visually dazzling film set in an ancient, magical Japan. And now, the bad news. As a narrative, Kubo and the Two Strings is nearly incomprehensible. Rafer Guzman, Newsday

For more movie reviews, trailers, and pictures, check out Rottentomatoes.com.

Source: http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2016/08/19/what-critics-are-saying-about-ben-hur-and-war-dogs/

Continue Reading ..

Americans Kerron Clement, Helen Maroulis claim gold medals

2015 Open Wrestling Championships - 58KG Women - Helen Maroulis vs Kelsey Campbell

RIO DE JANEIRO Kerron Clement was so certain of a gold medal that in January he pushed aside his other track medals and cleared out an empty space in the trophy cabinet in his Gainesville, Florida, townhouse. For a place-holder, he put pen to paper and wrote: Gold medal, 2016.

Clement was so certain that when he was packing for Rio de Janeiro, he made sure his mother, Claudette, included the familys American flag. He figured he would need something to parade around the Olympic stadium track after winning the mens 400-meter hurdles race.

Clement was so certain that even when a young runner from Kenya looked as if he would catch Clement late in Thursdays race and s****h away the gold, the American hurdler didnt worry a bit.

I knew I was going to get that gold medal, and I was sticking to that plan, Clement said. Nothing and no one was going to stop me from achieving that.

Story continues below advertisement.

Wielding a lethal combination of confidence and speed, Clement will leave here with something to fill the empty space in that cabinet back home. Just as he planned, the 30-year-old hurdler won gold at these Rio Olympics, posting a time of 47.73, just 0.05 seconds ahead of Kenyas Boniface Mucheru Tumuti.

The mens 400-meter hurdles has been one of the United States strongest track and field events, with Americans having won seven of the past nine Olympic titles. On Thursday, though, Clement nearly lost the race at the finish line. With about 50 meters to go, he could feel his legs burning, and he could see Tumuti gaining ground. Clement thought he might have to dive across the finish line, he said, but I dug down deeper.

I was sprinting for my life, he said.

It was the race he had been imagining for years. Clement was born in Trinidad, but his family moved to the United States when he was in high school. He became a track star at the University of Florida, eventually winning silver in the event at the 2008 Olympics and gold at two world championships.

But four years ago, Clement finished last in the finals at the London Games. Along the way, he has dealt with a variety of injuries and surgeries, from groin to a hernia, and after the 2013 world championships, Clement realized he needed to step away from the track to allow both mind and body to rest.

I just needed a break mentally, he said. I was done.

Clement didnt completely abandon his training, but he took the 2014 season off from competition.

By the time he started eyeing the 2015 track and field calendar, he could feel the itch. The break had energized him, but when Clement returned to the track full time, he realized something had been missing.

When I came back, I found a new love for the hurdles, he said. I was like, Oh my G*d, I missed the hurdles. Just hitting the refocus button, loving it again, having a new mindset and new goals for the second chapter of my career, which is now.

At last years world championships, he finished in fourth place, just a hundredth of a second away from the podium, but he felt he entered the 2016 season with momentum at his back. He had at least one other thing on his side: determination.

I came out here with one mindset, to get a gold medal, and nothing was going to stop me, he said. Im a Scorpio. Once I set my mind to something, Im going to get it regardless.

US wrestler Maroulis wins womens gold

Add Helen Maroulis to the list of history-makers at the Rio Olympics.

The 24-year-old from Rockville, Maryland, upset the woman widely considered to be the greatest female wrestler of all time Thursday to take a gold medal in womens freestyle in the 53kg weight class.

Maroulis, a first-time Olympian who cut weight to compete in Rio, took down three-time defending gold medalist Saori Yoshida of Japan, 4-1.

Maroulis win adds to a recent tear that includes her first-ever world title at the 2015 world championships; she holds the longest winning streak of all American wrestlers.

The weight of the moment made for an emotional medal ceremony, with both wrestlers crying on their respective podiums. Maroulis mouthed The Star-Spangled Banner with tears running down her face while Yoshida seemed inconsolable, heaving sobs as she mourned her 14-year streak of winning either a world or Olympic title.

The Japanese legend had not lost a match since before the 2012 London Games.

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNFQs_zA2gwQm9C16k1McXc9H45m1A&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52779184038170&ei=WJO2V4jcGISH3wHu6bbQBg&url=https://bangordailynews.com/2016/08/18/sports/americans-kerron-clement-helen-maroulis-claim-gold-medals/

Continue Reading ..

Ex-NFL player Darren Sharper sentenced to 18 years in prison for rape

FORMER NFL STAR DARREN SHARPER SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS IN PRISON FOR RAPING WOMEN

NEW ORLEANS -- Former NFL star Darren Sharper has been sentenced to 18 years and four months in prison in a case where he was accused of drugging and raping as many as 16 women in four states.

U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo sentenced Sharper on Thursday, telling him she couldn"t understand how he did what he did, since he was college educated and obviously had grown up "in one of the most loving households."

"We can never ignore the damage you inflicted on those women and society at large," she said.

Sharper had pleaded guilty in federal court in New Orleans to drugging three women so he could rape them. He also has pleaded guilty or no contest in state courts in Louisiana, Arizona, California and Nevada to charges arising from allegations of drugging and raping women.

"I would like to apologize a thousand times," Sharper said. He looked at the floor as he said, "I"m still trying to figure out why I made some of these choices. ... I lived my life right for 38 years, then I took this path."

His voice thickened and broke as he said his parents hadn"t raised him to take such actions.

Defense attorney Billy Gibbens asked leniency because Sharper"s testimony helped get "late" guilty pleas from two codefendants who will be sentenced in October.

Sharper will be sentenced next Thursday in Louisiana state court, Gibbens said outside court. He said he believes Sharper will be sentenced next month in Las Vegas, and couldn"t recall the Los Angeles sentencing date. (See full story.)

Giants: Brown confirms domestic violence chargeEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New York Giants kicker Josh Brown has confirmed that an arrest on a domestic violence charge in May 2015 led to his one-game suspension by the NFL for violating the league"s personal conduct policy.

Speaking after practice on Thursday, the 37-year-old Brown said the woman whose wrist he grabbed in Woodinville, Wash. during a disagreement was his wife. He said the couple has since divorced.

Brown said the case was dismissed by the King County Prosecutor"s office five days after his arrest for fourth-degree domestic violence.

A spokesman for the prosecutor said in an email to The Associated Press that no charge was filed because of insufficient evidence.

Brown said he informed the Giants immediately after his arrest, and the team informed the league.

He was notified of his suspension in June. He appealed the decision and it was rejected. The league announced the suspension Wednesday.

Broncos: Siemian competing with SanchezENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Trevor Siemian, locked in a tight battle with Mark Sanchez for the Broncos" starting quarterback job, will get his turn to start on Saturday night, when Denver plays a preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Sanchez, acquired in a trade with Philadelphia as a potential replacement for the retired Peyton Manning, started last week"s game.

Rookie first-round pick Paxton Lynch also is in the mix, though the bulk of his work has been with the third team.

Siemian and Sanchez have split repetitions with the Broncos first-team offense throughout training camp and with the two waging a close competition for the job, coach Gary Kubiak decided Siemian should also get a crack at starting.

Kubiak said he would like to make a decision on a starter next week but did not rule out taking more time to finalize his pick.

49ers:Kaepernick resumes throwingENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Colin Kaepernick threw dozens of passes on the side during the 49ers" joint practice Thursday with the Denver Broncos, signaling the quarterback"s return from a sore passing shoulder.

The throws were the first on the practice field in a week for Kaepernick, whose competition with Blaine Gabbert for the starting job had to be put on hold after tightness in his right shoulder forced him to rest his throwing arm.

Kaepernick also took part in individual quarterback drills and conditioning. However, coach Chip Kelly said Kaepernick would be eased back into full participation in practices and ruled him out for Saturday night"s exhibition game against the Broncos.

Panthers: OT Willie Smith signsCHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Panthers signed 29-year-old offensive tackle Willie Smith to help bolster their depth on the offensive line.

The move comes after backup tackles Daryl Williams and David Foucault have struggled in training camp and the preseason. Michael Oher and Mike Remmers are expected to be Carolina"s starting offensive tackles again this season.

The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Smith didn"t play in the NFL last season, but saw action in 15 games in 2014 with the San Diego Chargers. Smith, who played at East Carolina, has started 11 games and played in 19 since breaking into the league with the Washington Redskins in 2011.

Carolina waived injured fullback Devon Johnson to make room for Smith on the roster.

Source: http://www.csnphilly.com/philadelphia-eagles/ex-nfl-player-darren-sharper-sentenced-18-years-prison-rape

Continue Reading ..

Watch: Full "KAROLYI" documentary on Martha and Bela Karolyi ...

Bela"s champions.

A look atMartha and Bela Karolyi"sremarkable story that traces generations of gymnastics"most memorable tales, moments and champions

From Nadia ComaneciandMary Lou Retton to the Magnificent Seven,Fierce Five and Final Five, Martha and Bela Karolyi have played an immense role in the last 40 years of gymnastics and Olympic history.

With Martha preparing to retire after the Rio Olympics, NBC Sports Films looked at their early yearsin Romania, defection to the U.S. and building of an American dynasty. Narrated by John Benajmin Hickey, the full 51-minute KAROLYI documentary is available to watch now.

Belacoached Nadia Comaneci and Mary Lou Retton to Olympic all-around gold medals, while Marthaworked quietly behind the scenes. In 1996, Martha was named head coach of the U.S. women"sgymnastics team for the Atlanta Olympics, and in 2001 began her 15-year reign on the national team coordinator.

At Martha"slast Olympics before retiring, Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas, Simone Biles, Madison Kocian and Laurie Hernandez nicknamed themselves the "Final Five" in honor of the woman who propelledthem to Olympic gold.

Watch the full documentary here:

Before the 2016 U.S. Olympic team was selected, NBC Sports Films produced a documentary on "The Ranch," a look inside the Texas training center run by Martha and built by hand by Bela. Watch here:

"Im really not a sentimental person, honestly,"the legendary coachsaid. "Whats happening to me?"

Read More +

Source: http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/watch-full-karolyi-documentary-martha-and-bela-karolyi

Continue Reading ..

Release Reminder: adidas NMD XR1 Triple White

How Comfortable is the adidas NMD boost? (Review + On Feet)

Detailed images of the new adidas NMD XR1 Triple White are featured, as this pristine pair is set to make its official debut tomorrow.

Comprised of breathable primeknit across its upper, the component is reinforced with a matching cage overlay across its side panels for superb lockdown support. A distinctive heel badge with Japanese branded pull tabs further detail its clean design, as the model is topped off with a tonal white boost sole unit with the recognizable NMD plug inserts.

You can find this immaculate pair at select adidas retailers worldwide starting Thursday, August 18th.

Images: atmos

Authors Take

Since its introduction, Ive been a fan of the model. This colorway is timeless and stylish, so you cant go wrong with a pair.

Source: http://www.kicksonfire.com/adidas-nmd-xr1-triple-white-release-reminder/

Continue Reading ..

The Lid: Some Good News for Endangered GOP Senators

Donald Trump Confronted By Mexican Man ‘Did You Read the Statue of Liberty?’

Welcome to The Lid, your afternoon dose of the 2016 ethosStatues of a n***d Donald Trump popped up in a handful of U.S. cities on Thursday in what was just the latest example of something we hope never happens again after this election.

Get The Lid straight to your inbox each afternoon -- click here to sign up.

"16 from 30,000:

Here"s some good news for Republicans: Ticket splitting ain"t dead yet. Despite the increasingly polarized electorate, some Americans are still making voting decisions based on candidates and not simply casting ballots going by party affiliation, our colleague Dante Chinni writes. Chinni notes that in 2012, six states selected presidential and Senate candidates from different parties: Indiana, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota and West Virginia.

So why is this particularly helpful to Republicans? Well, the polls (Most of them. All of them?) have Donald Trump down in key states where GOP incumbent senators are facing tough re-election campaigns pivotal to Republicans maintaining control of the upper chamber. The most important races are shaping to be New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania -- each states where Hillary Clinton is currently leading. And the biggest issue each of the Republican senators are facing is how to navigate questions about their potential support for Trump. The fact split-ticket voters still exist is encouraging for the GOP, who will need support from voters who don"t back Trump if they want to win. And one thing to watch for, especially if Trump is unable to turn things around, will be Democrats ratcheting up their attempts to tie vulnerable Republicans to all things Trump. But because Trump is such a unique political figure, there is a chance some voters don"t even associate him with Republicans. For some, Trump is just Trump.

Programming Note: No Lid tomorrow. See ya back on Monday.

POPPING ON NBC POLITICS

FOR THE RECORD

"NYC Parks stands firmly against any unpermitted erection in city parks, no matter how small."

-- New York City Parks Department response a n**e Donald Trump statue placed in Union Square on Thursday.

TOMORROW"S SKED

Donald Trump campaigns in Michigan.

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/lid-some-good-news-endangered-gop-senators-n633966

Continue Reading ..

LOOK: Olympic runner slams head into barrier during steeplechase

Emma Coburn wins 3000m steeplechase final, clinches Rio bid

You"re probably not familiar with the steeplechase, but it"s an incredibly difficult event.

It involves running and jumping -- repeatedly and over long distances. Because of this, there are occasionally nasty falls or missed obstacles.

One such fall happened on Wednesday, when Uganda"s Jacob Araptany tripped and slammed his head into the barrier that the runners are supposed to jump over.

Araptany was OK after the scary fall, but was forced to withdraw from the race. Kenya"s Conseslus Kirupto wound up taking the gold, while American Evan Jager won silver. Another Kenyan, Ezekiel Kemboi finished with the bronze.

Source: http://www.cbssports.com/olympics/news/look-olympic-runner-slams-head-into-barrier-during-steeplechase/

Continue Reading ..