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The Iron Claw

“The Iron Claw”, directed by Sean Durkin, isn’t just a wrestling biopic; it’s a Shakespearean tragedy played out in spandex and piledrivers. Following the real-life Von Erich brothers as they rise to wrestling stardom in the 1980s, the flm dives deep into the complexities of family, ambition, and the dark side of the American Dream. While not without its faws, “The Iron Claw” grips with raw emotion and delivers a powerful punch.

Zac Efron shines as Kevin Von Erich, the charismatic heartthrob of the family. He carries the weight of his father’s unfulflled dreams and the pressure to keep the

Von Erich name alive. Jeremy Allen White and Harris Dickinson are equally strong as Kevin’s troubled brothers, each battling their own demons in the shadow of their sibling’s success. The flm excels in portraying the intense bond between these brothers, showcasing their love, support, and competition with heartbreaking authenticity. Durkin’s direction is masterful, seamlessly weaving between intense wrestling matches and intimate family moments. The camerawork is gritty and realistic, capturing the brutal reality of the wrestling world without glamorising it. The pacing is deliberate, allowing the emotional weight of each scene to settle before moving forward.

The flm’s true strength lies in its exploration of the dark side of fame. It delves into the physical and mental toll wrestling takes on these young men, pushing them to the brink of self-destruction. The tragedy that unfolds is never sensationalised, instead presented with a sombre honesty that leaves a lasting impact.

However, “The Iron Claw” isn’t without its weaknesses. The flms near two-hour runtime occasionally feels bloated, with some scenes dragging the narrative down.

Additionally, while the wrestling sequences are well-choreographed, they might not resonate with viewers unfamiliar with the sport.

Ultimately, “The Iron Claw” is a powerful and emotional flm that transcends its wrestling backdrop. It’s a poignant exploration of family, ambition, and the devastating cost of chasing the American Dream. With strong performances, masterful direction, and an unfinching look at the darker side of fame, “The Iron Claw” delivers a knockout punch that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

While not perfect, “The Iron Claw” is a gripping and emotional flm with compelling performances and powerful themes. It’s a must-watch for fans of wrestling and family dramas alike but be prepared for an emotional rollercoaster.

Crossword

XPRESS. VER.4.03 publication can be separate text box.

Big Crossword Across Down

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C M S E I R E L S

Today’s target:

28 words average

33 words good

38+ words excellent

Find words of four letters or more. Every word must include the centre letter and each letter is used once only. Find at least one nine-letter word. No colloquial or foreign words, capitalised nouns, apostrophes, hyphens. No verbs or plural words ending in ‘s’. Solution list is not exhaustive. Ref: Macquarie Dictionary

ASTROLOGY with Joanne Madeline Moore

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

Romance, friendship and fun are highlighted on Thursday. With Saturday’s Full Moon in your daily routine zone, it’s time to prioritise, organise and stabilise, but avoid being too impulsive about a complicated issue involving money, values or possessions. The stars encourage you to dream ambitious dreams for the future. Be inspired by fellow Aries, pioneering feminist Gloria Steinem: “Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities.”

TAURUS (Apr 20 – May 20)

Bulls can blunder around being (unintentionally) insensitive. This week you need to be extra responsive to the needs of children, teenagers and close friends, otherwise Saturday’s Full Moon could trigger a misunderstanding or an emotional drama. With Venus transiting through your career zone, professional matters are set to improve – as long as you’re not too stubborn. The more flexible and understanding you are, the quicker things will improve.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 20)

This week the Full Moon (in earthy Virgo) falls in your home zone, so get your house in order and tackle domestic chores with extra Gemini gusto. But, if you spread gossip or jump to hasty conclusions, you could end up in hot water. And avoid the temptation to take shortcuts. A slapdash attitude will only mean you have to do everything twice. With a more methodical and practical approach, you can accomplish tasks and still have plenty of time to play.

CANCER (June 21 – July 22)

With Saturday’s Full Moon stimulating your conversation and social media zones, communicating with other people will be turbocharged (in person and online) and a close partnership should prosper. The planets also bring good fortune in the form of an international friend, a wise mentor, an educational milestone, a financial boost or a travel opportunity. So it’s time to crawl out of your Crab cave and get moving, mixing and mingling ASAP!

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

Regal Lions love to live in the lap of luxury!

Saturday’s Full Moon activates your finance zone and encourages your tendency to be hasty with cash and careless with credit. But pennypinching Saturn is visiting one of your money zones, so clever Cats will resist the temptation to blow the budget with an impulsive, extravagant spending spree. Big binge buys now will just lead to major money headaches later on. So slow down, plan carefully and shop prudently.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

Partnerships – of the romantic, platonic and business variety – are highlighted this week, as the planets activate your relationship zone.

Saturday’s Full Moon lights up your sign, so selfbelief is the key to Virgo success and satisfaction. Don’t let annoying disruptions and minor matters rattle you! Keep going on your chosen path, with confidence and determination. Be inspired by birthday great, writer Anais Nin: “Good things happen to those who hustle.”

LIBRA (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

The Full Moon illuminates your solitude zone and Venus is in your creativity zone, so spend some quality time on your own and let your imagination percolate. Activities like reading, writing, painting, drawing, dancing, playing music and meditating are favoured. And don’t forget to dream! Writer (and birthday great) Anais Nin wrote: “Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love.”

SCORPIO (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Tuesday’s Venus/Mars hook-up highlights romance, flirtation, cooperation, entertainment and good times. So loosen up, let your Scorpio hair down, and have some fun! Then Saturday’s Full Moon fires up your friendship zone, so it’s also time to review and renew your peer group. Be inspired by birthday great, writer Anais Nin: “Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.”

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

When it comes to work projects and professional prospects, this week’s Full Moon is in efficient, no-nonsense Virgo. So people don’t care how funny, friendly and fabulous you are – they just want to know you can do your job promptly and competently. With the Sun, Mercury, Saturn and Neptune transiting through your family zone, don’t neglect the needs of your home and loved ones. Accept your domestic responsibilities with a sunny Sagittarian smile!

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

This week there’s a Full Moon in your adventure/ aspirations zone, and the Venus/Mars conjunction boosts confidence and self-esteem. So it’s a good time to grab the Goat by the horns and initiate some long-overdue changes – especially involving travel, education, communication and community connections. Be inspired by fellow Capricorn, writer Simone de Beauvoir: “Change your life today. Don’t gamble on the future, act now, without delay.”

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Saturday’s Full Moon stimulates your sexuality and secrets zones, so expect a dramatic week full of passion and/or intrigue. Also, with no less than five planets transiting through your sign (the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars and Pluto) it’s time to be creative, communicative, bold and brave! Draw inspiration from birthday great, writer Anais Nin (who had the Sun in Pisces and Mercury in Aquarius): “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.”

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Compassionate Venus links up with dynamic Mars in your humanitarian zone, so be proactive about helping others. Can you do some volunteer work, start a fundraiser, or organise a working bee? Plus – with the Sun, Mercury, Saturn and Neptune in Pisces – you’ll feel like daydreaming, visualising and creating even more than usual as you perform, paint, draw, dance, write, sing or play music. The Full Moon’s in earthy Virgo, so make your dreams a reality!

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Best On The Box

Sunday

Death In Paradise

ABC, 7.30pm

After a splendid 11 seasons under its somewhat sweaty belt, this easy-on-the-eye British whodunnit comedy returns with its 12th season.

Friday Midsomer Murders

ABC, 8.30pm

A gloriously beautiful and grand 300-year-old mansion is the beguiling supporting character to Neil Dudgeon’s (pictured above, left) much-loved detective in this veteran crime drama’s 24th season opener. In the postcard-worthy yet crime-riddled four episodes, there’s the case of a murdered book lover with a trail of cryptic clues; a murdered pet detective amid a urry of furry suspicions; and a Texas oil magnate setting up home in one of England’s greenest and most idyllic small towns, only for a slew of murders to cast a dark shadow. In “The Devil’s Work” tonight, an unlikeable artist and his planned upheaval of his family’s magni cent historical estate sees more than just bad blood.

FRIDAY, February 16

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Planet America. (R) 10.30 Cook And The Chef. (R)

11.00 Fake Or Fortune? (R) 12.00 News. 1.00

Silent Witness. (Ma, R)

2.00 Total Control. (Ml, R)

3.00 The Cook And The Chef. (R)

3.25 Tenable. (R)

4.15 Antiques Roadshow. (R) by Tom Gleeson.

5.15 Love Your Garden.

10.30 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. (R)

11.05 ABC Late News.

11.20 Love Your Garden. (R)

12.10 Tenable. (R)

12.55 Miniseries: Innocent. (Mal, R) 1.40 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

Ralf Little (pictured), the fourth star to take on the role of lead detective as Neville Parker, faces more than the traditional episodic crime to solve in this fresh batch of eight episodes; heartache and betrayal cast a shadow over the soaked Caribbean island of Saint Marie. This time, characters face challenges of more than the murderous norm. Tonight, it all begins when a celebrity astronomer is mysteriously felled during a once-ina-lifetime planetary alignment. There’s also romance in the air for Neville.

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Cook Up Bitesize. (R) 9.05 Make Me A Dealer. (R) 9.55 Hugh’s Wild West. (R) 10.50 Revolution: Ideas That Changed The World. (PG, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Mastermind Aust. (R) 3.00 NITV News: Nula. 3.30 The Cook Up. (R) 4.00 Who Do You Think You Are? (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 The Good Ship Murder. (PGv)

8.25 Silk Road From Above. (PG) Part 3 of 3. 9.25 Queens That Changed The World: The Virgin Queen –Elizabeth I. (Premiere, PGa) Explores history’s notable female monarchs. 10.20 SBS World News Late. 10.50 Departure. (Return, Ma) 11.40 Romulus. (MA15+av, R)

3.20 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. (R)

4.20 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SEVEN (6)

6.00 Sunrise.

9.00 The Morning Show. (PG)

11.30 Seven Morning News.

12.00 MOVIE: Dead In The Water. (2021, Mav)

2.00 House Of Wellness. (PGa)

6.00 7News Border.

6.30 Seven News.

7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. Johanna Griggs and Pete Colquhoun discover an inner-city terrace. Colin Fassnidge makes a chicken schnitzel with coleslaw.

8.30 MOVIE: The Proposal. (2009, PGls, R) An editor gets engaged to her assistant to get a green card so she can continue working in the US. Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Mary Steenburgen.

10.50 To Be Advised.

1.00 12 Monkeys. (MA15+av, R) The team rings the bell in the Middle Ages.

2.00 Home Shopping.

4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) Hosted by Simon Reeve.

5.00 NBC Today. News and current a airs.

Wednesday The Matchmakers

SBS, 8.40pm

In the age of Tinder and fast-paced online dating, this endearing new threepart series shines with old-fashioned simplicity. It sheds light on erent cultures as three love hopefuls embark on their quest to nd their romantic and spiritual match. Guided by veteran matchmakers – Jewish Sydney matchmaker Toby Lieder, Indian professional duo Preeti and Heena, and Muslim Sheikh Alaa Elzokm (pictured) – last week’s premiere was a trove of vulnerability and hope, and a fascinating peek inside the motivations and expectations of various beliefs and traditions. Tonight, emotions are heightened when the singles head on their rst dates. The experts also share what they believe makes for a lasting marriage.

1602

TEN (5) NBN (8, 80)

6.00

7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Men’s All Stars. Round 1. Indigenous All Stars v Maori All Stars. From Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

10.00 NRL: Indigenous All Stars

V Maori All Stars Post-Match. Post-match NRL news and analysis.

10.30 MOVIE: Escape Plan. (2013, MA15+lv, R) A man is set up and put in jail. Sylvester Stallone.

12.45 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.45 Pointless. (PG, R)

2.45 Garden Gurus Moments. (R)

3.00 World Aquatics Championships. Doha 2024. Day 6. Finals.

5.10 Explore. (PG, R)

5.30 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)

6.00 Deal Or No Deal.

6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news.

7.30 The Graham Norton Show. Guests include Sir Ian McKellen.

8.30 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly Australia. (PGal, R) A Chihuahua takes issue with anyone who crosses its path. A groodle is in the running for Australia’s most-loving-dog award.

9.30 The Graham Norton Show. (Mls, R) Graham Norton is joined on the red couch by actors Jamie Dornan and James Norton.

10.30 Fire Country. (Mv, R)

11.30 So Help Me Todd. (PGa, R)

12.30 The Project. (R)

1.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

2.30 Home Shopping. (R)

PEACH