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‘Wonka’: When classic kids books become winning Hollywood movies

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:43:50 GMT

Once upon a time, there was this dapper lad – an astute chocolate connoisseur – who went on a quest to come up with the right recipe for the best sweets.That could serve as the opening line for a novelization of one of this holiday season’s most anticipated confections, “Wonka,” director Paul King’s eye-popping origin story for the iconic character, Willy Wonka, created by author Roald Dahl. He’s that quirky guy and talented chocolatier who stole the show in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”The film opens Friday.Starring heartthrob Timothée Chalamet as a younger version of that character, “Wonka” is an original work that follows in a long tradition of movies adapted from beloved children’s books.It’s fertile ground to harvest from, with a crop that includes J.M. Barrie’s eternally youthful creation Peter Pan, a character who’s appeared in many film and stage  incarnations — and on to Dodie Smith’s “The One Hundred and One Dalmatians,” which was adapted by ...

Review: ‘Sondheim’ delivers worthy tribute to Broadway legend

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:43:50 GMT

Watching archived interviews with Stephen Sondheim lends itself to a faulty conclusion — he’s just an ordinary, regular guy. There he is, lying down on the couch in a faded blue polo, his favorite pencil matching his shirt color. On the coffee table beside him is an electric sharpener which he keeps terribly busy.The whole approach just feels so nonchalant and ironic. To think this might have been how he was chillin’ when he penned “Follies,” “Merrily We Roll Along,” “Assassins,” or  “Sweeney Todd” is astounding. In these moments, Sondheim comes across as a really cool uncle who just happens to be changing the course of theater history with every new composition, all while properly resting.Yeah, no big whoop.The strength of San Jose Playhouse’s production of “Sondheim on Sondheim” is how it exudes the tenderness that surrounds the late composer and lyricist, a giant in the field who was never really known for hummable, commercial hits. Originally conceived and directed by coll...

Woman at center of legal battle leaves Texas to get abortion

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:43:50 GMT

By Ashley Killough and Ed Lavandera | CNN(CNN) — A Texas woman at the center of a legal battle over terminating her high-risk pregnancy has left the state to get the abortion, her attorneys said in a statement.Kate Cox sought the abortion after learning her fetus has a fatal condition and doctors told her she could risk her future fertility if she doesn’t get the procedure.The Center for Reproductive Rights, which represents Cox, announced on Monday the 31-year-old mother, who is 21 weeks pregnant, decided to leave the state to get health care elsewhere. While the center is not disclosing more details about her plans, their statement said she’s received “offers to help her access abortion elsewhere, from Kansas to Colorado to Canada.”“This past week of legal limbo has been hellish for Kate,” said Nancy Northup, president and CEO at the Center for Reproductive Rights, said in a statement. “Her health is on the line. She’s been in and out of the emergency room and she couldn’t wait an...

Storm chills Northeast as Tenn. recovers from twisters

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:43:50 GMT

Associated PressA combination of heavy rain, snow, and wind brought threats of flooding and power outages to the Northeast on Monday, part of the same storm system that killed six people in Tennessee, where tornadoes toppled houses and tens of thousands of people lost power in the wintry weather.The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings through the evening as snow fell across Vermont and northern New York, where up to 10 inches of snow could accumulate. The weather service said that snowfall rates of an inch an hour were possible. Many schools were closed in Vermont.A mix of rain and snow was falling in New Hampshire and some roads had minor flooding in Maine, and gusty winds were expected in New England Monday afternoon.Heavy rain and strong winds left thousands of Connecticut homes without power Monday morning, and some roads were closed because of downed trees and poles. With parts of the state receiving more than 5 inches of rain Sunday and Monday, the Connecticu...

Special counsel asks high court to rule on Trump’s immunity

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:43:50 GMT

By Mark Sherman and Eric Tucker | Associated PressWASHINGTON — Special counsel Jack Smith on Monday asked the Supreme Court to take up and rule quickly on whether former President Donald Trump can be prosecuted on charges he plotted to overturn the 2020 election results.A federal judge ruled the case could go forward, but Trump, 2024 Republican presidential primary front-runner, signaled he would ask the federal appeals court in Washington to reverse that outcome.Smith is attempting to bypass the appeals court. The request filed Monday for the Supreme Court to take up the matter directly reflects Smith’s desire to keep the trial, currently set for March 4, on track and to prevent any delays that could push back the case until after next year’s presidential election.“This case presents a fundamental question at the heart of our democracy: whether a former President is absolutely immune from federal prosecution for crimes committed while in office or is constitutiona...

SJPD arrest man for homicide after assault victim dies

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:43:50 GMT

(KRON) -- The San Jose Police Department announced the arrest of a suspect for homicide Monday stemming from an assault in a home last month. Officers initially responded to a report of a family disturbance on Nov. 13 in the 50 block of Lester Avenue.Arriving at the scene, officers discovered an unconscious man who had been assaulted by his daughter's boyfriend, Nikolas Anderson police said. Anderson was located at the residence, was taken into custody without incident and booked for assault. Danville police search for suspects in robbery at consignment center The victim was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.On Thursday, the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased, police said. Following a preliminary investigation, the Santa Clara County Coroner's Office began an investigation, citing the cause of death as a homicide.The investigation was then taken up by the SJPD Homicide Unit and the SJPD Family Violence Unit. After it was determined that the susp...

Santa Rosa police arrest woman for alleged possession of loaded, gun narcotics

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:43:50 GMT

(BCN) -- Santa Rosa officers arrested a woman Sunday afternoon for allegedly carrying a loaded firearm while in possession of illegal drugs, according to police.At approximately 5:40 p.m. Sunday, officers were dispatched to the area of Rusch Court and West 3rd Street after learning there was a vehicle blocking the roadway. They saw the vehicle and met with its occupant. Santa Rosa schools to boost police presence following recent violence Police said officers noticed she had an open alcoholic can inside her vehicle. They also discovered she had an outstanding warrant out of Lake County. During a search of the vehicle, officers found drug paraphernalia, suspected fentanyl, and a loaded .357 revolver which was not registered to her. She was arrested for the warrant and various violations, and her vehicle was towed from the roadway, police said.She was booked into Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility on suspicion of carrying a loaded firearm in public, prohibited person in p...

Two arrested at Northgate Mall after allegedly using child to shoplift

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:43:50 GMT

(KRON) – Two people allegedly stealing with a minor were arrested by the San Rafael Police Department. San Rafael police officers received a call of two adults with a minor who were layering and concealing merchandise to shoplift at a department store in the Northgate Mall at 7:45 p.m. on Dec. 9.  Five suspects wanted for allegedly stealing Upon officers’ arrival, they located a female suspect. Officers arrested her and recovered the merchandise from her purse.A male suspect was located in another area of the store and was then detained. The male suspect was found in possession of a 9mm handgun without a serial number, police said. According to the police investigation, it was determined that the female suspect had two felony warrants for her arrest. The male suspect was determined to be on parole, according to police. The woman was booked for the two felony arrest warrants. The male suspect was booked for felony possession of a concealed firearm, a felon in po...

Egyptians vote on second day of an election that’s sure to see President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi win

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:43:50 GMT

CAIRO (AP) — Egyptians cast their ballots Monday in the second day of voting in a presidential election that is certain to see President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi secure another term in office.The vote, which began across this Mideast country on Sunday, has been overshadowed by the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, on Egypt’s eastern borders. The vote is also taking place amid a staggering economic crisis in a nation of 105 million people where nearly a third live in poverty, according to official figures.The crisis stems from mismanagement of the economy but also from the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic and the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine, which rattled the global economy.El-Sissi faces no serious challenger, although there are three other candidates: Farid Zahran, head of the opposition Social Democratic Party; Abdel-Sanad Yamama, chairman of the Wafd Party; and Hazem Omar, head of the Republican People’s Party.As of noon Monday, 45% of the citizens eligible to vote had cast thei...

Zelenskyy issues plea for support during Washington visit as Ukraine funding stalls in Congress

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:43:50 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy kicked off a quick visit to Washington on Monday, warning in a speech to a defense university that Russia may be fighting in Ukraine but its “real target is freedom” in America and around the world. He also issued a personal plea for Congress to break its deadlock and approve continued support for Ukraine.His time in Washington, which will include meetings on Tuesday at the White House and with Congress, is part of a last-minute push by the Biden administration to convince lawmakers to pass a supplemental funding bill, as officials warn that the money for Ukraine is running out.President Joe Biden has asked Congress for $61.4 billion for wartime funding for Ukraine as part of a $110 billion package that also includes money for Israel and other national security priorities. But the request is caught up in a debate over U.S. immigration policy and border security. The U.S. has already provided Ukraine $111 billion for its fight...