"F9: The Fast Saga", the 226th installment in the "Fast & Furious" franchise (okay, so it's really the ninth film in the series - or 10th, if you count the spinoff "Hobbs & Shaw") opens today in theaters.

And that’s bound to draw a whole lot of people into theaters over the next few weeks.

But if that’s not your “speed” – and you’ve already seen gems like “Cruella”, “A Quiet Place Part II” or “In the Heights” – there were only two major new releases last week. One will require you to stay home, because it’s only available on Netflix. And the other may make you wish you stayed home, because it completely sucks!

“Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard” (Rated C)

Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Salma Hayek, Antonio Banderas

Genre: Action/Comedy

Where to watch: In theaters

Dwight’s Rating: One Star

This went bad faster than a mayonnaise or dairy dish left out in the hot Bahamian summer sun for nine hours.

Just four years ago, “The Hitman’s Bodyguard” was a funny, entertaining and likable odd-couple, buddy comedy.

In my 2017 review, I wrote that stars Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson were “a superbly dynamic duo, who sparkle together as the ultimate bickering ‘frenemies’”. I even used words like “screen magic”, and said the cast made the film “watchable despite major flaws with its preposterous premise”. Wow!

Well, this follow-up, “Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard”, has apparently decided to double down on the preposterousness and play up the major flaws. Even with the same director, and the original screenwriter (along with others, this time), the new film has got to be one of the smelliest, sourest, most ridiculous sequels in a good number of years, and quite possibly the worst movie of 2021 so far.

THE chairman of the Junkanoo Corporation New Providence is "optimistic" and "hopeful" the cultural community will be able to hold "some sort of parade" this year.

Dion Miller said no official decision has been made, however. #“In terms of Boxing Day and the New Year’s Day parade, no official decision has been made if the parade will be held this year,” Mr Miller told The Tribune. #“The focus right now is on containing the COVID virus and so right now we’re focusing on making sure that our members and the community vaccinate as much as possible so that when the decision is made we can begin those plans.” #“As I said the country has been trending in the right direction… in terms of the amount of persons that are vaccinated. So I’m optimistic and I’m hopeful that with continued progress in regards to the pandemic that we will be able to hold some sort of parade.” #Junkanoo parades for the 2020/2021 season were scrapped due to COVID-19, but Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis previously suggested in March the possibility of having Independence Day and Junkanoo celebrations later this year. #The JCNP chairman explained the push for vaccinations has been going “as best” as it can. #“You know the JCNP (has) not mandated that persons have to be vaccinated to partake in Junkanoo. We encourage persons to do what’s best for themselves. We have a lot of executives and a lot of members that are vaccinated.” #Asked what type of restrictions would be in place if there were a parade this year, he noted: “So there are several different plans that we have in place in regards to the year. So first and foremost, we’ll have to revise the law that governs the parades to make certain amendments because the financial and other elements will be challenging this year. We have to put a plan in place to ensure the safety of the public as well as our participants as well. So it may be different than years past,” he said.

Dion Miller said no official decision has been made, however.

“In terms of Boxing Day and the New Year’s Day parade, no official decision has been made if the parade will be held this year,” Mr Miller told The Tribune.

“The focus right now is on containing the COVID virus and so right now we’re focusing on making sure that our members and the community vaccinate as much as possible so that when the decision is made we can begin those plans.”

“As I said the country has been trending in the right direction… in terms of the amount of persons that are vaccinated. So I’m optimistic and I’m hopeful that with continued progress in regards to the pandemic that we will be able to hold some sort of parade.”

Junkanoo parades for the 2020/2021 season were scrapped due to COVID-19, but Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis previously suggested in March the possibility of having Independence Day and Junkanoo celebrations later this year.

The JCNP chairman explained the push for vaccinations has been going “as best” as it can.

“You know the JCNP (has) not mandated that persons have to be vaccinated to partake in Junkanoo. We encourage persons to do what’s best for themselves. We have a lot of executives and a lot of members that are vaccinated.”

Asked what type of restrictions would be in place if there were a parade this year, he noted: “So there are several different plans that we have in place in regards to the year. So first and foremost, we’ll have to revise the law that governs the parades to make certain amendments because the financial and other elements will be challenging this year. We have to put a plan in place to ensure the safety of the public as well as our participants as well. So it may be different than years past,” he said.

 

MEMBERS of the labour movement and supporters of the Progressive Liberal Party gathered at the national stadium on Friday morning in an attempt to participate in a Labour Day motorcade despite a notice from police a day earlier that the event had not been sanctioned by authorities.

As the crowd converged at the site on University Drive, some wearing PLP paraphernalia, police stopped many of them from entering. This angered organisers of the event. #“This is a shocking position for the workers and indeed all Bahamians who are minded to ensure that good governance requires the involvement of the people,” Obie Ferguson, president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), told reporters at the stadium, which was the planned starting point of the motorcade. #He said he wrote a letter to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis on May 4 requesting permission for labour leaders and workers to hold a Labour Day motorcade. He said on Thursday at 4.21pm, he received a call from Dr Minnis’ personal secretary who indicated that senior health officials had recommended the motorcade not go ahead. #“This is very vexing,” Mr Ferguson said. “I’m aware, I think I’ve been practicing law for 27, 28 years, my specialty is employment law. You explain to me how a government or how the police officers can stop me from driving from my house to my office, from my office anywhere, as long as I comply with the law? This is purely disrespect.” photo PLP Deputy Leader Chester Cooper speaks on Friday. photo #Union leaders said the people will have the final say at the ballot box. #Mr Ferguson urged workers everywhere to register to vote and “vote for those people who have your interest.” #PLP deputy leader Chester Cooper was at the site.   #“I am happy to be here to stand with the labour movement today. Solidarity forever,” Mr Cooper said.

As the crowd converged at the site on University Drive, some wearing PLP paraphernalia, police stopped many of them from entering. This angered organisers of the event.

“This is a shocking position for the workers and indeed all Bahamians who are minded to ensure that good governance requires the involvement of the people,” Obie Ferguson, president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), told reporters at the stadium, which was the planned starting point of the motorcade.

He said he wrote a letter to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis on May 4 requesting permission for labour leaders and workers to hold a Labour Day motorcade. He said on Thursday at 4.21pm, he received a call from Dr Minnis’ personal secretary who indicated that senior health officials had recommended the motorcade not go ahead.

“This is very vexing,” Mr Ferguson said. “I’m aware, I think I’ve been practicing law for 27, 28 years, my specialty is employment law. You explain to me how a government or how the police officers can stop me from driving from my house to my office, from my office anywhere, as long as I comply with the law? This is purely disrespect.”
photo

Union leaders said the people will have the final say at the ballot box.

Mr Ferguson urged workers everywhere to register to vote and “vote for those people who have your interest.”

PLP deputy leader Chester Cooper was at the site.  

“I am happy to be here to stand with the labour movement today. Solidarity forever,” Mr Cooper said.

 

Miss Bahamas Universe Shaunte Miller will step onto the international stage this weekend, one of 74 contestants in the hunt for the prestigious 69th Miss Universe crown. 

 

It’s one show, one night, one crown with finalists competing in interview, evening gown and swimsuit as they vie to bring the Miss Universe victory to their home country, during a three-hour telecast production. The finale takes place on Sunday, May 16 at 8 p.m. at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, Florida, in front of a live audience. Anyone who goes in to see the show has to have a negative COVID-19 test administered by the Miss Universe Organization which is required before entry, and masks are required the entire time. Paula Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization said in a press release that the organization spent months planning a safe competition. It will follow similar guidelines as November’s 2020 Miss USA competition. The Miss Universe pageant was not held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After being crowned in September 2020 and a date for the international pageant still undecided at that point due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Miller, 28, who stands six feet tall, said whenever the Miss Universe pageant was held, her goal would be to show what it is to be a proud Bahamian who exemplifies a confidently beautiful woman of today’s world. “I plan to show the universe what my small but mighty chain of islands has to offer,” the six-foot Miller told The Nassau Guardian two weeks after her win. She said that from then she planned to work diligently and intentionally to bring the crown home to a country filled with strong, resilient people that are most deserving of something to celebrate. Miller captured the crown in a boutique screening during which contestants met with a panel of judges via Zoom, which provided a safe, physically distanced engagement structure. The young women moved through a three-stage judging process which included their platform pitch, swimwear and judges’ interview. Prior to Sunday’s finale, Miller participated in the national costume show that took place on Thursday, May 13. She will participate in the preliminary show which is being held tonight at 7 p.m.

It’s one show, one night, one crown with finalists competing in interview, evening gown and swimsuit as they vie to bring the Miss Universe victory to their home country, during a three-hour telecast production.

The finale takes place on Sunday, May 16 at 8 p.m. at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, Florida, in front of a live audience. Anyone who goes in to see the show has to have a negative COVID-19 test administered by the Miss Universe Organization which is required before entry, and masks are required the entire time.

Paula Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization said in a press release that the organization spent months planning a safe competition. It will follow similar guidelines as November’s 2020 Miss USA competition.

The Miss Universe pageant was not held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

After being crowned in September 2020 and a date for the international pageant still undecided at that point due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Miller, 28, who stands six feet tall, said whenever the Miss Universe pageant was held, her goal would be to show what it is to be a proud Bahamian who exemplifies a confidently beautiful woman of today’s world.

“I plan to show the universe what my small but mighty chain of islands has to offer,” the six-foot Miller told The Nassau Guardian two weeks after her win. She said that from then she planned to work diligently and intentionally to bring the crown home to a country filled with strong, resilient people that are most deserving of something to celebrate.

Miller captured the crown in a boutique screening during which contestants met with a panel of judges via Zoom, which provided a safe, physically distanced engagement structure. The young women moved through a three-stage judging process which included their platform pitch, swimwear and judges’ interview.

Prior to Sunday’s finale, Miller participated in the national costume show that took place on Thursday, May 13. She will participate in the preliminary show which is being held tonight at 7 p.m.