“What a drag it is getting old‚” Mick Jagger sang on 1966’s “Mother’s Little Helper.” Age is very much on the mind of directorial legend Quentin Tarantino‚ nearly 20 years younger than Sir Mick. The 61-year-old director is prepping what he dubs his 10th and “final” film in his illustrious career. Why final&;#63; The “Pulp Fiction” director insists artists fade with age‚ and he doesn’t want to leave behind an imperfect film legacy. He explained his thinking in a 2012 interview: “Directors don’t get better as they get older. Usually the worst films in their filmography are those last four at the end. I am all about my filmography‚ and one bad film f**** up three good ones.” And he hasn’t had a change of heart since then. Laurent KOFFEL/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images Sorry‚ but 2007’s “Death Proof” remains flawed‚ and 2015‘s “The Hateful Eight” succumbed to his worst instincts. Still‚ Tarantino’s body of work has been mostly exceptional‚ and it’s commendable to exit at the top of one’s game. It explains why Tarantino just scrapped what would have been his final feature‚ “The Movie Critic‚” and hustled back to the proverbial drawing board. It’s got to be just right‚ he argues. Except age isn’t always indicative of creative decline. Clint Eastwood is still going strong at 93‚ and while 2021’s “Cry Macho” proved anemic‚ he spent the last decade delivering bravura work like “American Sniper‚” “Sully‚” “Richard Jewell” and‚ to a lesser extent‚ “The Mule.” Not shabby for an 80-something auteur who came of age as an action hero more than 50 years ago. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images Martin Scorsese‚ 81‚ just scooped up countless nominations for last year’s “Killers of the Flower Moon‚” including an Oscar nod for Best Picture. His work remains vital and captivating‚ hardly the results you’d expect given Tarantino’s age framing. Critics and audiences alike marveled over 2015’s “Mad Max: Fury Road‚” directed by the ageless George Miller. The director‚ now 79‚ uncorked that sizzling action film on the cusp of his 70th birthday. Some regard the “Mad Max” reboot as one of the best films of the 21st century. Ridley Scott‚ 86‚ isn’t slowing down either‚ witness his upcoming summer sequel “Gladiator 2.” Results vary with recent Scott fare‚ but his 2015 film “The Martian” remains a career highlight. He was in his mid-70s during the film’s production. Other aging auteurs are taking risks that would scary any film school student silly. Francis Ford Coppola returns from semi-retirement with “Megalopolis‚” one of the most intriguing projects from any filmmaker in recent memory. The epic‚ a dream project for the 85-year-old director‚ has been described as “bats***” among other dubious phrases from early screenings. Its commercial prospects are dim and the “Godfather” legend has yet to secure a distributor for the film. It could be the biggest swing of his or any legend’s career. ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images Meanwhile‚ Kevin Costner is pushing all his chips in for “Horizon‚” a planned four-part western not based on any existing material or IP. The first two installments hit theaters later this year. The 69-year-old has enjoyed an up-and-down career‚ most notably the latter with “Waterworld.” He still thinks he’s got something vital left to say. Tarantino’s fears of age‚ though‚ aren’t without merit. Coppola hasn’t made a movie of consequence for three decades – 1992’s “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” is the last film that dented the zeitgeist. George Lucas‚ 79‚ never recaptured the magic of his 1977 space epic “Star Wars‚” a dramatic departure from his celebrated 1973 film “American Graffiti.” He directed the saga’s three prequels – all considered inferior to the original trilogy – and never followed through on plans to make smaller‚ more personal films. He had enough money to fund them himself. Perhaps he had nothing left to say‚ cinematically speaking. The great Brian De Palma’s decline also coincided with Father Time. For De Palma‚ 83‚ you have to go all the way back to 1996’s “Mission: Impossible” to recall a project with significant appeal. His last directorial effort‚ 2019’s “Domino‚” earned less than $1 million while generating brutal reviews. It still might be better for Tarantino to break his pledge. Few will hold it against him‚ and chances are following the wonderful “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood” his creative tank isn’t empty yet. He could follow the unofficial Hughes Rule. Director John Hughes gave us some of the best movies of the ‘80s‚ including “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off‚” “The Breakfast Club” and “Planes‚ Trains and Automobiles.” His knack for nailing the teen zeitgeist was unrivaled‚ but his workload diminished dramatically as he got older. By the time he died in 2009 at the age of 59‚ he hadn’t directed a film since 1991’s “Curly Sue‚” one of his lesser efforts. Hughes never announced his retirement‚ and he certainly could have leveraged his name to keep directing with inferior results. Instead‚ he either lost his passion or realized he no longer had the spark of his younger self. He never opined on his quasi-retirement. He just … stopped. Here’s betting Tarantino will know when his muse has left the building. * * * Christian Toto is an award-winning journalist‚ movie critic and editor of HollywoodInToto.com. He previously served as associate editor with Breitbart News’ Big Hollywood. Follow him at @HollywoodInToto. The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Some people were outraged when at a Boston‚ Massachusetts‚ Episcopal church hosting an Easter vigil emceed by a drag queen‚ the Episcopal bishop of the church jokingly removed the collar of a female reverend who forgot where she was during the eucharistic prayer. Bishop Alan M. Gates removed the collar from the neck of Rev. Tamara Tucker‚ the priest for The Crossing‚ which states it is a ministry “providing a welcoming worship space for LGBTQIA+ folks” at The Cathedral Church of St. Paul on March 30. “Very simply‚ we’re going to allow somebody to take their own piece of bread‚ the small piece of bread‚ and you will say to the person taking the bread‚” Tucker said‚ then paused before continuing‚ “Wait‚ what is it‚ I’ve been gone for a while‚” as the congregation laughed. “The Body of Christ‚” she continued. “It’s very simple‚ the Body of Christ‚ that’s it‚ that’s all you got to do. And then when they take the cup‚ you’ll pass it to them the Love of Christ‚ or the Blood of Christ‚ whichever is more comfortable to you. Can we do that&;#63; If I can do that after three months‚ I think we can. We got this.” At that point‚ Gates walked over and removed the white‚ plastic insert as the congregation laughed. After a moment‚ he quipped‚ “Just kidding‚” and handed her back the collar. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP Some people were offended; “It was just really sad that an occasion that is supposed to be joyous had to be marked by the specter of long-term misogyny that is pretty essential to Christianity‚ even in a church that feels like it has advanced past that‚” Rev. Rita Powell‚ the chaplain for the Harvard Episcopal Community‚ told the Boston Globe. “I know Bishop Gates didn’t think of it that way in his intention‚” Powell added. Gates ultimately released an apology‚ writing: Dear colleagues and siblings in Christ‚ I write to share my remorse and deep apology for an action by which I have caused deep pain and hurt. … In an instant of altogether misguided mischief‚ I reached out and removed Rev. Tamra’s clerical collar. It was a devastating and demeaning act‚ which I regret with all my heart. The Rev. Tamra Tucker is a valued colleague and fine priest whose leadership it has been my honor to affirm. It was not and would never be my intent to humiliate Rev. Tamra; however‚ that was precisely the impact of my action. Furthermore‚ that hurt has extended to The Crossing community‚ whose pastor I disrespected‚ as well as others who were present or have subsequently learned of this incident and its impact. By my action I misused my authority‚ failed to extend episcopal grace‚ and transgressed personal space and boundaries. I am deeply sorry. I extend my remorse and apology to the Rev. Tamra Tucker; to the Crossing community; to the Cathedral community; to other communities present; to ecumenical companions who had joined us at the Vigil; and to those in the wider church and community whom I have hurt. In our baptismal covenant we pledge to “respect the dignity of every human being.” I seek forgiveness for my failure to keep this pledge‚ and God’s grace to renew that commitment.

Former President Donald Trump‚ who is spending most of his time in New York for his hush-money criminal trial‚ said on Thursday that he has a “good chance” of winning the Democrat stronghold in the 2024 presidential election and teased a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden. “We’re going to run very hard in New York. We have a good chance of winning New York‚ in my opinion‚” Trump said. “We’re going to give it a shot. We’re very close in New York‚ I understand. We’re leading in the country by a lot. As you saw yesterday‚ we’re up by a lot in every swing state‚ so I think we’re going to do very well.” The former president then took a shot at his political rival. “Normally‚ a Democrat would win New York. Biden is the worst president in history and we have some very bad people here‚ but we have the greatest people and they’re right behind me‚” he added. President Trump says he will hold a massive rally at Madison Square Garden. &;quot;I think we have a good chance of winning New York.&;quot; pic.twitter.com/5c7teKBWSE — Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) April 25‚ 2024 Trump said he hopes to hold a rally at Madison Square Garden honoring police‚ firemen‚ and teachers. “We’ll be honoring the people that make New York work‚” Trump said. MSG Entertainment told NBC New York that it does “not have any events scheduled with the Trump organization at this time.” Manhattan District Attorney Alivn Bragg’s criminal trial against Trump‚ which charges him with 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up an alleged affair with porn actress Stormy Daniels‚ is keeping the presumptive Republican presidential nominee in the Big Apple for four days each week‚ severely limiting his options to travel for campaign events. Last week after his second day in court‚ Trump hit the New York campaign trail‚ meeting with Manhattan bodega workers to discuss the rise in crime in New York City. The former president was met by dozens of people who cheered and waved to him in the street. New York has been in the hands of Democrats for decades‚ with the last Republican presidential victory in the state coming in 1984 when Ronald Reagan won every state but Minnesota. In 2022‚ Republicans were optimistic about a potential major statewide upset in New York in the governor’s race‚ but GOP candidate Lee Zeldin ultimately fell short of Governor Kathy Hochul by nearly 380‚000 votes. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP The two most recent polls of the presidential race in New York‚ both from Siena‚ show Biden leading Trump by double digits. Trump currently boasts polling leads over Biden in six of the seven battleground states‚ according to the RealClearPolitics average. The two candidates are essentially tied nationally with Trump at 44.8% and Biden at 44.5%‚ according to RCP’s average as of Thursday afternoon.

Oscar winner Mira Sorvino and other Hollywood stars reacted to a decision by the New York Court of Appeals to overturn Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape verdict. In a post on X on Thursday‚ Sorvino wrote that she was “horrified” by the court’s decision to overturn the 2020 rape conviction of Weinstein due to the court’s failure to give the disgraced movie mogul a fair trial by allowing allegations from accusers not connected to the charges against him to testify. “Day after #DenimDay honoring sexual violence survivors‚ Harvey Weinstein’s conviction overturned‚ due partly to ‘Molineux witnesses’ testifying to prior bad acts‚ like lioness Annabella Sciorra‚” Sorvino’s post read‚ referring to a term meaning “witnesses in a trial who are allowed to testify about criminal acts that the defendant has not been charged with committing‚” The New York Times noted. “Since when don’t courts allow evidence of pattern of prior bad acts to be admitted&;#63;” she added. “He’s a prolific serial predator who raped/harmed 200+women&;#33; Disgusted w/justice system skew [to] predators not victims.” Horrified&;#33;Day after #DenimDay honoring sexual violence survivors‚Harvey Weinstein’s conviction overturned‚due partly to molyneux witnesses testifying to prior bad acts‚like lioness Annabella Sciorra.Since when don’t courts allow evidence of pattern of prior bad acts to be… pic.twitter.com/yIoF6u76da — Mira Sorvino (@MiraSorvino) April 25‚ 2024 In a second post‚ the actress wrote‚ “Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction overturned by New York court of appeals‚ retrial ordered‚ dissenting opinions speak volumes‚” and included an Entertainment Weekly article with the voice of one of the dissenting judges‚ who claimed in her dissent that “fundamental misunderstandings of sexual violence perpetrated by men known to‚ and with significant power over‚ the women they victimize are on full display in the majority’s opinion.” “By whitewashing the facts to conform to a he-said/she-said narrative‚ by ignoring evidence of defendant’s manipulation and premeditation‚ which clouded issues of intent‚ and by failing to recognize that the jury was entitled to consider defendant’s previous assaults‚ this Court has continued a disturbing trend of overturning juries’ guilty verdicts in cases involving sexual violence‚” she added. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP Following the appeals court announcement‚ the Silence Breakers‚ a group of Harvey Weinstein survivors‚ released a statement about the “unjust” decision. “The news today is not only disheartening‚ but it’s profoundly unjust‚” the statement read. “But this ruling does not diminish the validity of our experiences or our truth; it’s merely a setback. The man found guilty continues to serve time in a California prison. When survivors everywhere broke their silence in 2017‚ the world changed. We continue to stand strong and advocate for that change…” Actress Ashley Judd‚ who was the first to make allegations against Weinstein in 2017‚ called the news “unfair to survivors‚” the Times noted. “We still live in our truth‚” Judd said. “And we know what happened.” It’s “a terrible reminder that victims of sexual assault just don’t get justice‚” Katherine Kendall‚ an actress who made allegations against Weinstein‚ said. “I’m completely let down by the justice system right now. I’m sort of flabbergasted. But the important thing is that we do not stop speaking out. Our culture needs to keep supporting silence breakers.” Actress Amber Tamblyn‚ who also spoke out during the #MeToo movement‚ called the decision “a loss to the entire community of women who put their lives and careers on the line to speak out.”

Is Bronny James headed to Duquesne

Garza is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America

In an April 20 post shared on X‚ President Joe Biden claimed over 400 school shootings have occurred since the Columbine High School massacre in 1999‚ resulting in over 370‚000 students being exposed to gun violence. Since Columbine‚ over 400 school shootings – from Newtown to Parkland to Uvalde – have exposed over 370‚000 students […]

'We believe there is going to be some significant public outcry as a result of this'