newyorkpost--2020-12-25--‘We Can Be Heroes’ Director Robert Rodriguez Breaks Down His Imaginative, Belated Pseudo-Sequel

Though they may not know it , millennials can thank Robert Rodriguez for some of their fondest childhood memories .
Now , the writer/director behind Spy Kids , The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl , and most recently , Season 2 , Episode 6 of The Mandalorian is ready to introduce a new generation to the wondrous land of the Rodriguez imagination with We Can Be Heroes .
Rodriguez ’ s new Netflix movie , which began streaming Christmas Day , is technically a standalone sequel to 2005 ’ s Sharkboy and Lavagirl ; but , as Rodriguez told Decider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s “ not really a sequel to that movie.
” Sharkboy and Lavagirl do make an appearance—Taylor Dooley returned as Lavagirl , but Twilight star Taylor Lautner has been replaced by JJ Dashnaw—now as adults with a super-child named Guppy ( Vivien Blair ) .
Guppy , who controls water , is just one of eleven super-kids who make up the film ’ s junior Avengers-style ensemble cast .
There ’ s A Capella ( Lotus Blossom ) who can move objects with her magical voice ; Facemaker ( Andrew Diaz ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rewind and Fastforward ( Isaiah Russell-Bailey and Akira Akbar ) , who have the power to , well , rewind and fast-forward ; and Missy ( YaYa Gosselin ) , who doesn ’ t have any superpowers but is the gang ’ s fearless leader nonetheless .
When the kids ’ parents are captured by aliens , Missy takes charge to get her father ( Pedro Pascal ) home safely .
Decider spoke to Rodriguez about writing and directing for a young ensemble , his imaginative family brainstorms , what happened with Taylor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Steve Buscemi line from Spy Kids 2 .
Decider : Tell me how and when you came up with the idea for a standalone Sharkboy and Lavagirl sequel .
Robert Rodriguez : Well , it ’ s not really a sequel to that movie .
It started as an original film for Netflix—they asked me for an original film series in the vein of Spy Kids or Sharkboy and Lavagirl .
Action , not animated , because they ’ re so rare , and those always did so well on their service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea of a superhero team that has superhero children .
It was closer to shooting that I was thinking , “ Well , no one ’ s really heard of this adult superhero team .
But if I borrowed from the other studio , Sharkboy and Lavagirl , put them on the team as adults , people in pop culture have heard of those names at least.
” And then selfishly , I could have one of the kids have a combination of their powers .
Because I was creating all these new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I thought , “ Gosh , I wish I could use shark strength .
We cracked the code 15 years ago.
” That was such a good one , and kids loved the empowerment of the shark powers and the lava powers .
This kind of solved the problems , bringing them in as parents and being able to have a child that has both of their combined powers .
That ’ s the story as well , that our children should surpass us and be better than us .
We should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can help rebuild the world that we ’ ve obviously screwed up .
So it was on point storywise , and it was just going to be fun for a new generation of kids to discover those special powers .
My own son had come up with Sharkboy and Lavagirl when he was seven , Guppy ’ s age , way back in the day !
This definitely felt like a classic Robert Rodriguez film , with all of those imaginative superpowers .
What was your creative process for coming up with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one I got to really work on with all my kids .
My last baby just moved out of that age group [ for the movies ] .
She just turned 13 , so we just wanted to go back and come up with our ultimate family movie based on our experiences together .
Spy Kids and Sharkboy were more based on my growing up with my siblings ; this one was more about me being a father with my children .
It ’ s witnessing them , their growth , and their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sat down and said , “ Let ’ s come up with as many superpowers as we can for a kid.
” And the dreaming just kept going .
Like the scene where the little girl throws the guard and kicks him across the room with shark strength—I came up with that the day before .
Because after seeing how cute that little girl was , I was like , “ She would be the most unexpected one to get them out of the room .
And she ’ s got shark strength @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just dreaming up new things .
That ’ s why it feels so layered , it ’ s because we ’ re constantly adding layers as we go .
That ’ s what makes them feel very rewatchable for kids , they get to pick up all the details by the second or third time they ’ ve watched it .
Was there a superpower that you were particularly proud of ?
Rewind and Fast-Forward were pretty cool .
Those are my two favorite ones because they ’ re two-dollar production versions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you think about it , that effect costs no money .
All [ Rewind ] is doing is rewinding footage that we already shot , and Forward is fast-forwarding footage that we shot already .
And I put a little analog rewind sound on there : “ Zz-zz-zz-zz !
” And that ’ s it !
The rest is just the magic of your imagination .
I love those tricks that don ’ t take any special effects .
It ’ s just the big idea and they ’ ll go , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The impact of the idea has more power than the actual effect you ’ re watching .
You ’ ve made a lot of successful movies with young casts , but this is your biggest ensemble yet .
How do you approach writing for and working with that many children on set ?
We came up with so many superpowers we loved .
Originally , the first draft had 16 kids , not 11/ I was like , “ Okay .
They ’ ll never fit in a frame together.
” It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where Iron Man and Spider-Man run off into space and do their adventure while the other guys—they split the team up , always .
It ’ s hard to keep that many people in a scene , but this is a genesis story .
They start in the classroom together and they leave the classroom together , and they go all the way to the end of the movie together .
We can ’ t split them up ; they ’ re all on the same adventure .
I had to shrink it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably the biggest little kid cast—probably ever .
It ’ s tough to figure out how to even shoot .
That ’ s why I ’ m my own DP and my own editor , just to figure out how to photograph and edit it .
We ended up only having the actors for six hours a day .
We had to get all of our work done in half the time each day because since they ’ re all together , the clock runs out on them pretty quickly .
You have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All these kids were fantastic .
They could just nail it , doing their own stunts .
A lot of them have parkour and martial arts training .
There are no stunt kids .
All the action you see , those kids are actually doing themselves .
When the trailer for the movie dropped , a lot of fans were wondering what happened to Taylor Lautner as Sharkboy .
So I have to ask : Was there an attempt to get him back ?
I mean , it was never meant as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always an original film for Netflix .
So I asked Taylor Dooley if she could be a lead .
It wasn ’ t about them , so there wasn ’ t a lot of dialogue .
There ’ s a little bit with her and her connection with the daughter , and she was up for coming back , coloring her hair .
But I did call Taylor [ Lautner ] to let him know , “ There ’ s no dialogue .
It ’ s not about the parents .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d have your face covered the whole time.
” I wanted him to kind of look like Batman .
There wasn ’ t a big enough role for him to do .
It wasn ’ t about those characters .
It was fine if he couldn ’ t be in it , because it would draw more attention to it .
He became such a big star after Twilight that he would have an expectation .
Could you imagine if he was in it , and then they see it and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His face is covered the whole time !
Hey , he didn ’ t have any dialogue !
” It ’ d certainly look like a demerit against him , and I wouldn ’ t want that .
It wasn ’ t about him , it was just to use the characters more than the actors .
Maybe if this is really successful and there ’ s a bigger play later , it ’ d be more worth his time .
But the way it was , it was not a big role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I once read an interview with you where you mentioned that there was resistance from producers to making the family in Spy Kids Latino .
Obviously , you ’ ve made a lot of films since then that are centered on Latino characters , including this one .
Has there ever been a problem since ?
The problem was more just systemic .
They ’ d never seen that before , so they were wondering , just as businesspeople : “ Wait , why are you making them Hispanic ?
Why don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” I was like , “ Well , they ’ re American !
Hispanic-American.
” It was based on my family .
“ But aren ’ t you worried that maybe only Latins will go see it ?
” And I was like , “ Uh , I don ’ t know .
I don ’ t think so.
” I didn ’ t have another Spy Kids to point to , to say , “ No , remember like in this movie ?
” There was nothing to point to .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ might be nervous that you might be doing something that ’ s gon na shrink the audience , back then especially .
But somebody ’ s got ta be first , right ?
So the next person can be like , “ Like in Spy Kids , remember ?
” There are four of those now , and a TV series .
But it was tougher in the early days to do it .
I realize it was just a systemic problem : nobody was writing those roles , because there weren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role to make that argument .
If I wasn ’ t Hispanic , and they had said , “ We should change it just in case you lose the audience.
” I probably would have changed it just to get the movie made , if it wasn ’ t part of my life .
But it was , because it was based on my family .
My uncle really was Gregorio Rodriguez—Gregorio Cortez , who Antonio [ Banderas ] is based on .
He was a special agent in the FBI .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two Top 10 criminals .
I was very proud of him .
I wanted to make a character based on him .
That ’ s I kept the fight going until I could get that pushed through .
It wasn ’ t even much of a fight , I just had to come up with a reason that made sense .
I said , “ You don ’ t have to be British to enjoy James Bond .
In making them that specific , it actually becomes more universal !
” I recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you aware of the internet legacy of Steve Buscemi ’ s line about god staying in heaven ?
I ’ ve seen a few things , but people love it .
I love that !
It was just one of those things where I was writing about a creator , and I was realizing he had godlike powers .
I was trying to make sense of why he would hide , and it just came to me .
I gave him that line .
I remember he read it in a certain way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Can you give me a haunted look from this take and give me the line reading from this ?
” He did it again , he just gave me exactly what I asked for .
It ’ s just so haunting and perfect .
I literally thought nobody would notice it .
But it meant something to me at the time .
I thought , “ That theory kind of makes sense !
” And you normally discover those kinds of things through art when you , yourself , are creating characters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mindset of what a creator feels and could be going through .
It kind of made sense , what he was trying to say .
“ Maybe this is why.
” It ’ s so cool to see that people post that .
My kids will say every once in a while , “ Hey , people still really like this line !
” I ’ m very proud of that line .
You also recently directed an important episode of The Mandalorian that Star Wars fans are loving .
How did that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : This interview was held before it was announced Rodriguez is producing The Book of Boba Fett spinoff . ]
Oh , gosh .
So fun .
It wasn ’ t work .
You get to go play in Star Wars land with all of the coolest characters and work with Jon Favreau .
It feels more like you ’ re going away on vacation than going to work anywhere .
It was such a blast .
People loved what they saw—it ’ s incredible how many people were watching it that night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was so fun to think , “ Wow , so many people around the world are watching this episode that was so fun to make , and they enjoyed it !
” I think there ’ s just a lot of joy on that set .
People were trying to make something that ’ s very joyful and celebratory , yet have its own point of view in the story .
It ’ s such magic alchemy .
And like [ We Can Be Heroes ] , it ’ s about parenting and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is very resonant with any audience .
We ’ ve all been in that relationship .
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity .
Watch We Can Be Heroes on Netflix

Though they may not know it, millennials can thank Robert Rodriguez for some of their fondest childhood memories. Now, the writer/director behind Spy Kids, The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl, and most recently, Season 2, Episode 6 of The Mandalorian is ready to introduce a new generation to the wondrous land of the Rodriguez imagination with We Can Be Heroes.
Rodriguez’s new Netflix movie, which began streaming Christmas Day, is technically a standalone sequel to 2005’s Sharkboy and Lavagirl; but, as Rodriguez told Decider in a phone interview, it’s “not really a sequel to that movie.” Sharkboy and Lavagirl do make an appearance—Taylor Dooley returned as Lavagirl, but Twilight star Taylor Lautner has been replaced by JJ Dashnaw—now as adults with a super-child named Guppy (Vivien Blair). Guppy, who controls water, is just one of eleven super-kids who make up the film’s junior Avengers-style ensemble cast. There’s A Capella (Lotus Blossom) who can move objects with her magical voice; Facemaker (Andrew Diaz), who can perfectly copy any face; Rewind and Fastforward (Isaiah Russell-Bailey and Akira Akbar), who have the power to, well, rewind and fast-forward; and Missy (YaYa Gosselin), who doesn’t have any superpowers but is the gang’s fearless leader nonetheless. When the kids’ parents are captured by aliens, Missy takes charge to get her father (Pedro Pascal) home safely.
Decider spoke to Rodriguez about writing and directing for a young ensemble, his imaginative family brainstorms, what happened with Taylor Lautner, and the lasting legacy of that Steve Buscemi line from Spy Kids 2.
Decider: Tell me how and when you came up with the idea for a standalone Sharkboy and Lavagirl sequel.
Robert Rodriguez: Well, it’s not really a sequel to that movie. It started as an original film for Netflix—they asked me for an original film series in the vein of Spy Kids or Sharkboy and Lavagirl. Action, not animated, because they’re so rare, and those always did so well on their service. So I came up with this idea of a superhero team that has superhero children. It was closer to shooting that I was thinking, “Well, no one’s really heard of this adult superhero team. But if I borrowed from the other studio, Sharkboy and Lavagirl, put them on the team as adults, people in pop culture have heard of those names at least.”
And then selfishly, I could have one of the kids have a combination of their powers. Because I was creating all these new powers for kids for the movie, and I thought, “Gosh, I wish I could use shark strength. We cracked the code 15 years ago.” That was such a good one, and kids loved the empowerment of the shark powers and the lava powers. This kind of solved the problems, bringing them in as parents and being able to have a child that has both of their combined powers. That’s the story as well, that our children should surpass us and be better than us. We should mentor and partner with our children so they can help rebuild the world that we’ve obviously screwed up. So it was on point storywise, and it was just going to be fun for a new generation of kids to discover those special powers. My own son had come up with Sharkboy and Lavagirl when he was seven, Guppy’s age, way back in the day!
This definitely felt like a classic Robert Rodriguez film, with all of those imaginative superpowers. What was your creative process for coming up with them?
This one was the first one I got to really work on with all my kids. My last baby just moved out of that age group [for the movies]. She just turned 13, so we just wanted to go back and come up with our ultimate family movie based on our experiences together. Spy Kids and Sharkboy were more based on my growing up with my siblings; this one was more about me being a father with my children. It’s witnessing them, their growth, and their expertise as they got older. We sat down and said, “Let’s come up with as many superpowers as we can for a kid.” And the dreaming just kept going. Like the scene where the little girl throws the guard and kicks him across the room with shark strength—I came up with that the day before. Because after seeing how cute that little girl was, I was like, “She would be the most unexpected one to get them out of the room. And she’s got shark strength!” Constantly, you’re just dreaming up new things. That’s why it feels so layered, it’s because we’re constantly adding layers as we go. That’s what makes them feel very rewatchable for kids, they get to pick up all the details by the second or third time they’ve watched it.
Was there a superpower that you were particularly proud of? Rewind and Fast-Forward were pretty cool.
Those are my two favorite ones because they’re two-dollar production versions. I love doing a low-budget trick. If you think about it, that effect costs no money. All [Rewind] is doing is rewinding footage that we already shot, and Forward is fast-forwarding footage that we shot already. And I put a little analog rewind sound on there: “Zz-zz-zz-zz!” And that’s it! The rest is just the magic of your imagination. I love those tricks that don’t take any special effects. It’s just the big idea and they’ll go, “Oh wow, I can rewind.” The impact of the idea has more power than the actual effect you’re watching.
You’ve made a lot of successful movies with young casts, but this is your biggest ensemble yet. How do you approach writing for and working with that many children on set?
We came up with so many superpowers we loved. Originally, the first draft had 16 kids, not 11/ I was like, “Okay. They’ll never fit in a frame together.” It’s not like an Avengers film where Iron Man and Spider-Man run off into space and do their adventure while the other guys—they split the team up, always. It’s hard to keep that many people in a scene, but this is a genesis story. They start in the classroom together and they leave the classroom together, and they go all the way to the end of the movie together. We can’t split them up; they’re all on the same adventure. I had to shrink it down to 11, which is still probably the biggest little kid cast—probably ever. It’s tough to figure out how to even shoot. That’s why I’m my own DP and my own editor, just to figure out how to photograph and edit it. We ended up only having the actors for six hours a day. We had to get all of our work done in half the time each day because since they’re all together, the clock runs out on them pretty quickly. You have to have great, great actors. All these kids were fantastic. They could just nail it, doing their own stunts. A lot of them have parkour and martial arts training. There are no stunt kids. All the action you see, those kids are actually doing themselves.
When the trailer for the movie dropped, a lot of fans were wondering what happened to Taylor Lautner as Sharkboy. So I have to ask: Was there an attempt to get him back?
I mean, it was never meant as a sequel to that movie. This was always an original film for Netflix. So I asked Taylor Dooley if she could be a lead. It wasn’t about them, so there wasn’t a lot of dialogue. There’s a little bit with her and her connection with the daughter, and she was up for coming back, coloring her hair. But I did call Taylor [Lautner] to let him know, “There’s no dialogue. It’s not about the parents. It’s not really a sequel — you’d have your face covered the whole time.” I wanted him to kind of look like Batman. There wasn’t a big enough role for him to do. It wasn’t about those characters. It was fine if he couldn’t be in it, because it would draw more attention to it. He became such a big star after Twilight that he would have an expectation. Could you imagine if he was in it, and then they see it and they’re like, “Wait! His face is covered the whole time! Hey, he didn’t have any dialogue!” It’d certainly look like a demerit against him, and I wouldn’t want that. It wasn’t about him, it was just to use the characters more than the actors. Maybe if this is really successful and there’s a bigger play later, it’d be more worth his time. But the way it was, it was not a big role at all. As you can see.
I once read an interview with you where you mentioned that there was resistance from producers to making the family in Spy Kids Latino. Obviously, you’ve made a lot of films since then that are centered on Latino characters, including this one. Has there ever been a problem since?
The problem was more just systemic. They’d never seen that before, so they were wondering, just as businesspeople: “Wait, why are you making them Hispanic? Why don’t you just make them American?” I was like, “Well, they’re American! Hispanic-American.” It was based on my family. “But aren’t you worried that maybe only Latins will go see it?” And I was like, “Uh, I don’t know. I don’t think so.” I didn’t have another Spy Kids to point to, to say, “No, remember like in this movie?” There was nothing to point to. So of course, anyone with money might be nervous that you might be doing something that’s gonna shrink the audience, back then especially. But somebody’s gotta be first, right? So the next person can be like, “Like in Spy Kids, remember?” There are four of those now, and a TV series. But it was tougher in the early days to do it.
I realize it was just a systemic problem: nobody was writing those roles, because there weren’t enough hispanic writers to write the role to make that argument. If I wasn’t Hispanic, and they had said, “We should change it just in case you lose the audience.” I probably would have changed it just to get the movie made, if it wasn’t part of my life. But it was, because it was based on my family. My uncle really was Gregorio Rodriguez—Gregorio Cortez, who Antonio [Banderas] is based on. He was a special agent in the FBI. He was the only one to bring down two Top 10 criminals. I was very proud of him. I wanted to make a character based on him. That’s I kept the fight going until I could get that pushed through. It wasn’t even much of a fight, I just had to come up with a reason that made sense. I said, “You don’t have to be British to enjoy James Bond. In making them that specific, it actually becomes more universal!”
I recently rewatched Spy Kids 2—great movie. Are you aware of the internet legacy of Steve Buscemi’s line about god staying in heaven?
I’ve seen a few things, but people love it. I love that! It was just one of those things where I was writing about a creator, and I was realizing he had godlike powers. I was trying to make sense of why he would hide, and it just came to me. I gave him that line. I remember he read it in a certain way, and I was like, “Can you give me a haunted look from this take and give me the line reading from this?” He did it again, he just gave me exactly what I asked for. It’s just so haunting and perfect. I literally thought nobody would notice it. But it meant something to me at the time. I thought, “That theory kind of makes sense!” And you normally discover those kinds of things through art when you, yourself, are creating characters. Sometimes you get to get into the mindset of what a creator feels and could be going through. It kind of made sense, what he was trying to say. “Maybe this is why.” It’s so cool to see that people post that. My kids will say every once in a while, “Hey, people still really like this line!” I’m very proud of that line.
You also recently directed an important episode of The Mandalorian that Star Wars fans are loving. How did that feel? [Editor’s Note: This interview was held before it was announced Rodriguez is producing The Book of Boba Fett spinoff.]
Oh, gosh. So fun. It wasn’t work. You get to go play in Star Wars land with all of the coolest characters and work with Jon Favreau. It feels more like you’re going away on vacation than going to work anywhere. It was such a blast. People loved what they saw—it’s incredible how many people were watching it that night. My heart was pounding. It was so fun to think, “Wow, so many people around the world are watching this episode that was so fun to make, and they enjoyed it!” I think there’s just a lot of joy on that set. People were trying to make something that’s very joyful and celebratory, yet have its own point of view in the story. It’s such magic alchemy. And like [We Can Be Heroes], it’s about parenting and a child. That kind of relationship is very resonant with any audience. We’ve all been in that relationship.
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
Watch We Can Be Heroes on Netflix


newyorkpost--2020-12-25--Sen. Roy Blunt says $2,000 COVID-19 stimulus checks wouldn’t pass

President Trump on Tuesday night called for Congress to take ...

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
President Trump’s call for Congress to amend the $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill to increase direct payments to eligible Americans from $600 to $2,000 cannot pass the Senate, according to a top Republican in the body — who said he remains hopeful the commander in chief will sign the measure.
Speaking to reporters Thursday, Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) cautioned that it would be “a mistake” to not sign the coronavirus relief bill.
“There’s been some apparent misunderstanding about what’s in the regular appropriating bill and what’s in the COVID relief bill, and generally the regular appropriating bill includes things the administration asked for,” the No. 4 Senate Republican began by saying.
“It took us a long time to get to where we are. I think reopening that bill would be a mistake,” he continued.
Asked what was the best way out of this political stalemate, the GOP lawmaker replied, “The best way out of this is for the president to sign the bill, and I still hope that’s what he decides.”
Blunt’s comments make him the highest ranking member of Senate GOP leadership to respond since President Trump called the bipartisan relief bill a “disgrace” on Tuesday evening and called on Congress to amend it.
Blunt warned that the GOP would not cave if the Democratic-led House altered the bill to increase the payment amounts.
“If [Democrats did that], I would be surprised if we dealt with it,” the Missouri senator said.
Pressed on whether a bill with $2,000 payments would be able to get the necessary 60 votes to pass in the upper chamber of Congress, Blunt said, “It would not.”
The coronavirus relief bill, the subject of months of negotiations between party leaders and the White House, was packaged together with a $1.4 trillion measure to keep the government open until September.
The deadline to avert a government shutdown is Dec. 29.
But the sprawling, 5,585-page relief bill is still being prepared by Congress, where lawmakers have decried the lack of time they have to assess the legislation.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-12-25--New Movies + Shows to Watch this Weekend: Netflix’s ‘We Can Be Heroes’ + More

Merry Christmas , everyone !
‘ Tis the time to be merry and bright , unwrapping presents and sipping hot cocoa while surrounded by the ones you love .
And while you ’ re checking out your new toys and cozying up by the fire , why not turn on the television and check out what other presents your favorite streaming platforms have left for you to unwrap ?
And whether you use Netflix , Hulu , Amazon Prime or all of the above , each streaming service has put out some high-quality gifts that everyone will enjoy this weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with first ?
For what it ’ s worth , here ’ s our thoughts on what to watch this weekend and where to stream it .
New Movies and Shows to Stream This Weekend : We Can Be Heroes , Wonder Woman 1984 and Soul It looks like ol ’ Saint Nick is not the only gift-giver this holiday weekend !
Over on Amazon Prime Video there are stellar movies like Sylvie ’ s Love and Soldiers of Fortune for you to explore , while Disney+ is ready to steal the hearts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pixar masterpiece , Soul .
And it looks like this is going to be a real super ( hero ) weekend , with titles like We Can Be Heroes on Netflix and Wonder Woman 1984 serving up all the crazy costumes and heroic characters we could ever wish for for Christmas .
It looks like the streaming world is giving Santa Claus a run for his money !
To get started , check out some highlights from the great movies and shows now streaming we ’ ve listed below : New on Netflix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AttentionSharkboy and Lavagirl fans !
Your millennial wishes have finally been answered with We Can Be Heroes , the family-friendly superhero film that is new on Netflix this weekend .
After their parents get kidnapped by alien invaders , the children ’ s of Earth ’ s mighty superheroes must come into their own and come together to save their super parents , and the world .
We Can Be Heroes is prepped to usher in new excitement and heaping tons of sweet nostalgia as new stars like Priyanka Chopra , Christian Slater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your favorite now-adult heroes ( well , one of them at least ) !
Stream We Can Be Heroes on Netflix If you don ’ t get feels from this beautiful film , then you have no soul ( get it ? )
.
New on Disney+ this weekend is Soul , the heartfelt animated comedy that explores yet another aspect of our beings : our souls .
It centers on Joe Gardner ( Jamie Foxx ) , a middle school music teacher with a lifelong dream of performing jazz music onstage .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ soul en route to the Great Beyond , he escapes his fatal trajectory and instead ends up in the Great Before : the place where souls develop their personalities and quirks before being sent to fill bodies on Earth .
There , Gardner must help train fledgling souls ( including Tina Fey ’ s 22 , a soul with a pessimistic view on life ) in order to Earth before his body dies .
Starring the vocal talents of Questlove , Angela Bassett , Daveed Diggs and more , Soul is the perfect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gift to the whole family .
New on HBO Max December 25 : Wonder Woman 1984 We ’ ll admit that we ’ ve been looking forward to taking in Wonder Woman 1984 in full theatrical effect , but we are more than happy to forego the extra pandemic-inducing delay and stream it now on HBO Max this weekend .
The sequel to the hit 2017 blockbuster picks back up with our stunning heroine ( played again by Gal Gadot ) living in the vibrant , excessive 1980s .
But her quiet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ halt when Diana is forced to face off against media businessman Maxwell Lord ( Pedro Pascal ) and friend-turned-enemy Barbara Ann Minerva ( Kristen Wiig ) .
And wait , is that her presumed-dead love interest , Steve Trevor ( Chris Pine ) , we see ?
Suffice it to say , the Cold War has just gotten even more tense .
New on Amazon Prime Video this weekend is Sylvie ’ s Love , a romantic drama that brings the smooth and sultry notes of jazz to life .
Set in 1960s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the titular Sylvie ( Tessa Thompson ) : a young woman dreaming of a career in television as she works in her father ’ s record shop and waits for her fiancé to return from war .
But the city summer turns up the heat when a jazz saxophonist ( played by Nnamdi Asomugha ) takes a part-time job at record shop , starting a sizzling and passionate summer romance between the two .
But as the cooler months set in the two go their separate ways , only to cross paths once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while their lives have changed since that one summer , their feelings for each other have not changed .
Writer/director Eugene Ashe combines romance and music into a sweeping story that you can not miss .
Full List of New Movies and Shows on Streaming This Weekend The options above only scratch the surface , so you know that this weekend ’ s full lineup will have amazing options for what to watch this weekend !
For the full breakdown of the best movies and shows to stream now , or if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stream this weekend , then check out the complete list below : We Can Be Heroes *NETFLIX ORIGINAL Bridgerton *NETFLIX ORIGINAL Asphalt Burning ( Børning 3 ) *NETFLIX FILM DNA *NETFLIX FILM Fast & Furious Spy Racers : Season 3 : Sahara *NETFLIX FAMILY Go !
Go !
Cory Carson : Season 3 *NETFLIX FAMILY The Magic School Bus Rides Again In the Zone *NETFLIX FAMILY Mrs. Brown ’ s Boys Christmas Special 2020 | U.S .
Premiere , Exclusive | 1 X 30 Queen ’ s Christmas Message 2020 | New to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 2004-2006 ) | New to BritBox , Exclusive | 2 X 50 , 2 X 55 Hearts of Gold ( 2003 ) | New to BritBox | 2 X 90 The Buccaneers ( 1980 ) | New to BritBox | 4 X 55 , 1 X 80

Merry Christmas, everyone! ‘Tis the time to be merry and bright, unwrapping presents and sipping hot cocoa while surrounded by the ones you love. And while you’re checking out your new toys and cozying up by the fire, why not turn on the television and check out what other presents your favorite streaming platforms have left for you to unwrap? And whether you use Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime or all of the above, each streaming service has put out some high-quality gifts that everyone will enjoy this weekend. But what title should you play with first? For what it’s worth, here’s our thoughts on what to watch this weekend and where to stream it.
New Movies and Shows to Stream This Weekend: We Can Be Heroes, Wonder Woman 1984 and Soul
It looks like ol’ Saint Nick is not the only gift-giver this holiday weekend! Over on Amazon Prime Video there are stellar movies like Sylvie’s Love and Soldiers of Fortune for you to explore, while Disney+ is ready to steal the hearts of the whole family with its latest Pixar masterpiece, Soul. And it looks like this is going to be a real super(hero) weekend, with titles like We Can Be Heroes on Netflix and Wonder Woman 1984 serving up all the crazy costumes and heroic characters we could ever wish for for Christmas. It looks like the streaming world is giving Santa Claus a run for his money! To get started, check out some highlights from the great movies and shows now streaming we’ve listed below:
New on Netflix December 25: We Can Be Heroes
AttentionSharkboy and Lavagirl fans! Your millennial wishes have finally been answered with We Can Be Heroes, the family-friendly superhero film that is new on Netflix this weekend. After their parents get kidnapped by alien invaders, the children’s of Earth’s mighty superheroes must come into their own and come together to save their super parents, and the world. We Can Be Heroes is prepped to usher in new excitement and heaping tons of sweet nostalgia as new stars like Priyanka Chopra, Christian Slater and Pedro Pascal join the ranks of your favorite now-adult heroes (well, one of them at least)!
Stream We Can Be Heroes on Netflix
New on Disney+ December 25: Soul
If you don’t get feels from this beautiful film, then you have no soul (get it?). New on Disney+ this weekend is Soul, the heartfelt animated comedy that explores yet another aspect of our beings: our souls. It centers on Joe Gardner (Jamie Foxx), a middle school music teacher with a lifelong dream of performing jazz music onstage. But when an untimely accident sends his soul en route to the Great Beyond, he escapes his fatal trajectory and instead ends up in the Great Before: the place where souls develop their personalities and quirks before being sent to fill bodies on Earth. There, Gardner must help train fledgling souls (including Tina Fey’s 22, a soul with a pessimistic view on life) in order to Earth before his body dies. Starring the vocal talents of Questlove, Angela Bassett, Daveed Diggs and more, Soul is the perfect Christmas Day film that will be a gift to the whole family.
Stream Soul on Disney+
New on HBO Max December 25: Wonder Woman 1984
We’ll admit that we’ve been looking forward to taking in Wonder Woman 1984 in full theatrical effect, but we are more than happy to forego the extra pandemic-inducing delay and stream it now on HBO Max this weekend. The sequel to the hit 2017 blockbuster picks back up with our stunning heroine (played again by Gal Gadot) living in the vibrant, excessive 1980s. But her quiet, incognito lifestyle will soon come to a halt when Diana is forced to face off against media businessman Maxwell Lord (Pedro Pascal) and friend-turned-enemy Barbara Ann Minerva (Kristen Wiig). And wait, is that her presumed-dead love interest, Steve Trevor (Chris Pine), we see? Suffice it to say, the Cold War has just gotten even more tense.
Stream Wonder Woman 1984 on HBO Max
New on Prime Video December 25: Sylvie’s Love
New on Amazon Prime Video this weekend is Sylvie’s Love, a romantic drama that brings the smooth and sultry notes of jazz to life. Set in 1960s New York, the film centers on the titular Sylvie (Tessa Thompson): a young woman dreaming of a career in television as she works in her father’s record shop and waits for her fiancé to return from war. But the city summer turns up the heat when a jazz saxophonist (played by Nnamdi Asomugha) takes a part-time job at record shop, starting a sizzling and passionate summer romance between the two. But as the cooler months set in the two go their separate ways, only to cross paths once more later on in life. And while their lives have changed since that one summer, their feelings for each other have not changed. Writer/director Eugene Ashe combines romance and music into a sweeping story that you cannot miss.
Stream Sylvie’s Love on Amazon Prime Video
Full List of New Movies and Shows on Streaming This Weekend
The options above only scratch the surface, so you know that this weekend’s full lineup will have amazing options for what to watch this weekend! For the full breakdown of the best movies and shows to stream now, or if you’re still undecided on what to stream this weekend, then check out the complete list below:
New on Netflix- Full List
Released Friday, December 25
We Can Be Heroes *NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Bridgerton *NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Released Saturday, December 26
Asphalt Burning (Børning 3) *NETFLIX FILM
DNA *NETFLIX FILM
Fast & Furious Spy Racers: Season 3: Sahara *NETFLIX FAMILY
Go! Go! Cory Carson: Season 3 *NETFLIX FAMILY
The Magic School Bus Rides Again In the Zone *NETFLIX FAMILY
Released Sunday, December 27
Sakho & Mangane: Season 1
New on Hulu- Full List
Released Friday, December 25
Soldiers of Fortune (2012)
Released Saturday, December 26
Letterkenny: Complete Season 9 (Hulu Original)
Released Sunday, December 27
American Animals (2018)
The Masked Singer: Season 5 Premiere (FOX)
New on Amazon Prime Video- Full List
Released Friday, December 25
Soldiers Of Fortune (2012)
Sylvie’s Love *Amazon Original Movie (2020)
Released Sunday, December 27
The House Sitter (2016)
New on Disney+ – Full List
Released Friday, December 25
Burrow (Premiere) *Disney+ Original
Extras – Beyond the Clouds: A Musical Miracle *Disney+ Original
Max Keeble’s Big Move
Soul (Premiere) *Disney+ Original
New on HBO- Full List
Released Friday, December 25
The West Wing, Season 1-7
Wonder Woman 1984
Released Saturday, December 26
Independence Day (Extended Version), 1996 (HBO)
Road Trip, Season 1
New on Starz- Full List
Released Saturday, December 26
My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising (2020)
Released Sunday, December 27
Power Book II: Ghost: Episode 109
New on Showtime- Full List
Released Saturday, December 26
Porky’s
New on BritBox- Full List
Released Friday, December 25
Mrs. Brown’s Boys Christmas Special 2020 | U.S. Premiere, Exclusive | 1 X 30
Queen’s Christmas Message 2020 | New to BritBox
The Vicar of Dibley Christmas Special (2004-2006) | New to BritBox, Exclusive | 2 X 50, 2 X 55
Released Sunday, December 27
Hearts of Gold (2003) | New to BritBox | 2 X 90
The Buccaneers (1980) | New to BritBox | 4 X 55, 1 X 80


newyorkpost--2020-12-25--Victim in fatal hit-and-run by Lamborghini in Queens identified

Police on Friday released the identity of the passenger killed when the car she was in was struck by a @ @ @ @ @ Queens .
Fifty-four-year-old Ritawantee Persaud of Ozone Park died when the 2018 Toyota Camry she @ @ @ @ @ a Lamborghini Urus just after 7 p.m. at the intersection of 103rd Ave and Rockaway @ @ @ @ @ police said .
Both the 50-year-old male driver of the Toyota and Persaud suffered severe @ @ @ @ @ body , and were taken to Jamaica Hospital where she was pronounced dead , police @ @ @ @ @ of the Lamborghini suffered head and spine injuries , cops said .
The driver of @ @ @ @ @ SUV whose price starts at around $ 218,000- fled the scene , police said .
@ @ @ @ @ and a knife were found in the Urus , police said .

Police on Friday released the identity of the passenger killed when the car she was in was struck by a Lamborghini on Christmas Eve in Queens.
Ritawantee Persaud Facebook
Fifty-four-year-old Ritawantee Persaud of Ozone Park died when the 2018 Toyota Camry she was in was struck by a Lamborghini Urus just after 7 p.m. at the intersection of 103rd Ave and Rockaway Boulevard in Ozone Park, police said.
Both the 50-year-old male driver of the Toyota and Persaud suffered severe trauma to the head and body, and were taken to Jamaica Hospital where she was pronounced dead, police said.
A 26-year-old passenger of the Lamborghini suffered head and spine injuries, cops said.
The driver of the Lamborghini Urus — an SUV whose price starts at around $218,000- fled the scene, police said.
A large quantity of marijuana and a knife were found in the Urus, police said.


newyorkpost--2020-12-25--NYPD union boss says shooter felt emboldened to open fire on cop

A police officer was shot in the back in Brooklyn ...

A culture that coddles — and emboldens — criminals led to the Christmas Eve shooting of an NYPD officer in Brooklyn, according to the head of the city’s largest police union.
The 27-year-old cop was likely saved by his bullet proof vest after being shot in the back while responding to a domestic dispute just after 9 p.m. Thursday in Crown Heights, police said.
Flanked by Mayor Bill de Blasio and other city officials at Kings County Hospital, Police Benevolent Association President Pat Lynch said afterwards that the suspect had no fear of shooting at New York’s Finest.
“Why does a perp feel bold enough to shoot at a police officer? That’s the question we have to ask and we have to answer. There’s a number of reasons this is happening. Lack of support on the street, defunding the police, bail reform, lack of prosecution. That’s why this is happening,” Lynch said.
The suspect, identified as William Moss, shot the officer after his girlfriend’s mother called police to alert them that he threatened to come over and open fire, according to police sources.
Police Benevolent Association President Pat Lynch Stephen Yang
The officers were talking to the younger woman when Moss arrived, shot the cop and fled, according to the sources.
Police chased Moss to nearby Prospect Place, where they fired several shots at him and took him into custody.
“When a perp has no fear to pull out a weapon to shoot a gun. Sometimes they’re not the worst perps in the world. But they’re still doing it. We have to stop saying we’re lucky. We have to stop counting our equipment. There has to be fear in the hearts of the perps that they know if they shoot at a police officer, they won’t walk the streets,” Lynch said.
The wounded officer is being treated at the hospital.
“A man threatened his girlfriend and because the NYPD was there that woman is alive right now,” de Blasio said at the hospital.
“Our officer, thank God, is going to be OK … As you saw today, the NYPD saved someone’s life,” the mayor said.
Police Commissioner Dermot Shea held up the officer’s protective vest at the press conference to show where the bullet had been lodged.
Previous 1 of 10 Next Advertisement PBA President Pat Lynch arrives at Kings County Hospital after an officer was shot yesterday. Daniel William McKnight Police search for evidence on Ralph Ave and St. Marks Pl. in Brooklyn Robert Mecea Advertisement Police search for evidence on Ralph Ave and St. Marks Pl. in Brooklyn Robert Mecea Shell casings are marked with clear plastic cups next to a police car. Robert Mecea Police are seen at the scene on Ralph ave and Bergen St. in Brooklyn Robert Mecea Advertisement A police car is seen in front of the Bergen Street house. Robert Mecea NYPD Chief of Department Terrence Monahan arrives at Kings County Hospital after an officer in the 77th Precinct was shot in the back on Thursday night. Daniel William McKnight Advertisement
A witness said he heard several gunshots while working at a restaurant on Ralph Avenue.
“We just heard the gun. Like six, seven shots,” said the man, Paul, who didn’t give his last name.
Police say they don’t know what motivated Moss to open fire.


newyorkpost--2020-12-25--Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo criticized for flouting lockdown rules

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic .
Rhode Island Gov .
Gina Raimondo has been slammed for not heeding her own warning about staying home during the state ’ s coronavirus lockdown – after she was spotted dining out with her husband , according to a report .
The Democratic governor was photographed at Barnaby ’ s Public House in Providence on Dec. 18 for a wine and paint event after instructing residents to obey a “ pause ” on social gatherings , the Washington Examiner reported .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Raimondo tweeted on Dec. 7 .
“ I know it ’ s been hard , but I want to thank every Rhode Islander who ’ s following our guidance .
“ Please , stay home except for essential activities & wear a mask anytime you ’ re with people you don ’ t live with .
Together , we can turn our case numbers around , ” she added .
Raimondo ’ s office did not immediately respond to the outlet ’ s request for comment but told ABC6 that she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The governor had dinner at a local restaurant with her husband , and had her mask on anytime she was not eating/drinking , ” rep Josh Block told the station .
The day after Raimondo was seen eating out , Rhode Island ’ s Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott tested positive for COVID-19 , prompting the governor and other officials to go into quarantine , the Washington Examiner reported .
While some people expressed support for Raimondo when asked about her outing , several also assailed her , including one woman who said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” according to the outlet .
“ Great job Governor !
You can go out and have wine at a bar but your residents should stay home ?
Hypocritical and entitled , ” one Twitter user said .
“ You should go hang out with Governor ( Gavin ) Newsome .
Stop killing small businesses in my former home state , ” she added , referring to the California governor .
They are among several Democratic pols who have come under fire for violating their own recommendations and restrictions .
Others include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nancy Pelosi , Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , according to the Examiner .

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo has been slammed for not heeding her own warning about staying home during the state’s coronavirus lockdown – after she was spotted dining out with her husband, according to a report.
The Democratic governor was photographed at Barnaby’s Public House in Providence on Dec. 18 for a wine and paint event after instructing residents to obey a “pause” on social gatherings, the Washington Examiner reported.
“It’s week two of our pause,” Raimondo tweeted on Dec. 7. “I know it’s been hard, but I want to thank every Rhode Islander who’s following our guidance.
“Please, stay home except for essential activities & wear a mask anytime you’re with people you don’t live with. Together, we can turn our case numbers around,” she added.
Raimondo’s office did not immediately respond to the outlet’s request for comment but told ABC6 that she followed guidelines during the outing.
“The governor had dinner at a local restaurant with her husband, and had her mask on anytime she was not eating/drinking,” rep Josh Block told the station.
The day after Raimondo was seen eating out, Rhode Island’s Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott tested positive for COVID-19, prompting the governor and other officials to go into quarantine, the Washington Examiner reported.
While some people expressed support for Raimondo when asked about her outing, several also assailed her, including one woman who said, “Shame on you, Gina,” according to the outlet.
“Great job Governor! You can go out and have wine at a bar but your residents should stay home? Hypocritical and entitled,” one Twitter user said.
“You should go hang out with Governor (Gavin) Newsome. Stop killing small businesses in my former home state,” she added, referring to the California governor.
They are among several Democratic pols who have come under fire for violating their own recommendations and restrictions.
Others include Gov. Andrew Cuomo, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, according to the Examiner.


newyorkpost--2020-12-25--Win the holidays by wrapping presents this nifty way

You ’ ll never gift-wrap the same way again .
Chantel Ibbotson , a TikTok user in Melbourne , Australia @ @ @ @ @ for wrapping presents that she learned from her grandmother .

You'll never gift-wrap the same way again. Chantel Ibbotson, a TikTok user in Melbourne, Australia, demonstrated a pocket-folding technique for wrapping presents that she learned from her grandmother.
Subscribe to our YouTube!


newyorkpost--2020-12-25--Dramatic video appears to capture elusive LA jet pack guy

Dramatic video captured by an instructor with the Sling Pilot Academy shows what could be the elusive flier whose exploits in the skies above Los Angeles have confounded pilots and authorities alike .
The flight school pilot took the video at about 3,000 feet near Palos Verdes , south of LA , with Catalina Island visible in the background , according to an Instagram post by the academy .
“ The video appears to show a jet pack , but it could also be a drone or some other object , ” it wrote .
“ If it is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then it remains to be seen whether it is a legal test flight ( jet packs are real – there is a manufacturer near Los Angeles ) or related to the jet pack sightings near LAX recently that caused disruptions to air traffic , ” the school added .
The Drive reported that one of the pilots on the plane told The War Zone that they were flying between Palos Verdes and Catalina Island when they saw the apparent jet packer whizzing by in the opposite direction .
There was no communication from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the usually busy frequency used in the training area , The Drive reported .
The pilots reported the encounter with the FAA , but an official report was not filed because there were no details , according to the outlet .
In late August , an American Airlines pilot approaching LAX at around 3,000 feet told an air traffic controller that he saw a solo jet setter whizzing by .
“ Tower , American 1997 , we just passed a guy in a jet pack , ” the Flight 1997 pilot said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Skywest pilot also saw the mystery flier .
The FAA said the incident was turned over to the LAPD — but the police agency later said it had not received a report from the FAA .
Some have suggested the aviator may have been performing a dangerous social media stunt in the busy LA airspace .

It’s a bird, it’s a plane … no, it’s apparently a guy in a jet pack.
Dramatic video captured by an instructor with the Sling Pilot Academy shows what could be the elusive flier whose exploits in the skies above Los Angeles have confounded pilots and authorities alike.
The flight school pilot took the video at about 3,000 feet near Palos Verdes, south of LA, with Catalina Island visible in the background, according to an Instagram post by the academy.
“The video appears to show a jet pack, but it could also be a drone or some other object,” it wrote.
“If it is a ‘guy in a jet pack’ then it remains to be seen whether it is a legal test flight (jet packs are real – there is a manufacturer near Los Angeles) or related to the jet pack sightings near LAX recently that caused disruptions to air traffic,” the school added.
The Drive reported that one of the pilots on the plane told The War Zone that they were flying between Palos Verdes and Catalina Island when they saw the apparent jet packer whizzing by in the opposite direction.
There was no communication from the craft or about its flight on the usually busy frequency used in the training area, The Drive reported.
The pilots reported the encounter with the FAA, but an official report was not filed because there were no details, according to the outlet.
In late August, an American Airlines pilot approaching LAX at around 3,000 feet told an air traffic controller that he saw a solo jet setter whizzing by.
“Tower, American 1997, we just passed a guy in a jet pack,” the Flight 1997 pilot said, according to ATC audio posted. A Skywest pilot also saw the mystery flier.
The FAA said the incident was turned over to the LAPD — but the police agency later said it had not received a report from the FAA.
Some have suggested the aviator may have been performing a dangerous social media stunt in the busy LA airspace.


newyorkpost--2020-12-25--NBA Christmas games: Breaking down the matchups

The Nets opened the season with a 125-99 rout of ...

Not much has been normal about the NBA this year, but its regular schedule of Christmas day games will at least keep one tradition going strong.
The five-game holiday slate is packed with intriguing showdowns, beginning at noon and continuing throughout the day. Here’s a breakdown of what’s on tap for the Christmas schedule:
New Orleans Pelicans at Miami Heat, Noon, ESPN
It’s Zion Williamson’s first Christmas showing after spending last year’s game still sidelined by a knee injury. While the national spotlight will be on the 20-year-old star, he may have his hands full against a tough opponent in the defending Eastern Conference champions and center Bam Adebayo, whose star rose in the bubble.
Golden State Warriors at Milwaukee Bucks, 2:30 p.m., ABC
Who drops to 0-2? Both of these teams got off to disappointing starts, with the Warriors getting blown out by the Nets and the Bucks dropping a last-second loss to the Celtics. Giannis Antetokounmpo, who missed the game-tying free throw with 0.4 seconds left, will be playing his first game in Milwaukee since signing a five-year, $228 million extension, but there won’t be any fans in attendance to shower him with love.
Steph Curry’s Warriors will play Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Bucks as part of the NBA’s Christmas slate. Getty Images (2)
Brooklyn Nets at Boston Celtics, 5 p.m., ABC
Could this be a potential preview of the Eastern Conference finals, or at least a playoff series? While Boston fans still must await a chance to boo a healthy Kyrie Irving for the first time since he left town unceremoniously, the actual game itself should be a powerhouse battle. Irving and Kevin Durant made the Nets look unstoppable in their season opener while Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined for a rather formidable 1-2 punch themselves.
Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Lakers, 8 p.m., ABC/ESPN
It’s a showdown between a former MVP and a potential future MVP, with LeBron James and Luka Doncic squaring off as two of the biggest and most entertaining stars in the game. The Mavericks have a ways to go before catching up to the defending champs in the Western Conference, but this should be a fun matchup nonetheless as James, Anthony Davis and the Lakers try to get back into gear following a quick turnaround.
Los Angeles Clippers at Denver Nuggets, 10:30 p.m., ESPN
If any team is going to unseat the Lakers atop the Western Conference, these two appear to have the best shot. Time will tell whether Year 2 of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard works out better than it did in Year 1 for the Clippers, but they got off to a pretty strong start against their crosstown rivals Tuesday night. The Nuggets, meanwhile, knocked the Clippers out of the playoffs last summer and are back for more with bubble star Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic leading the way.


newyorkpost--2020-12-25--NYPD Commissioner Shea shows bulletproof vest that saved cop’s life

It was nothing short of a Christmas miracle .
The police officer who was shot in the back while responding to a domestic dispute in Brooklyn Thursday night was saved by his bulletproof vest .
Police Commissioner Dermot Shea held up the vest in front of the media at Kings County Hospital to show exactly where the 27-year-old cop from the 77th Precinct was struck .
“ Our officer is struck once in the back where it penetrates the vest .
.
.
and does not penetrate the skin , ” Shea explained .
“ He is in a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good spirits and we anticipate that he will be going home shortly.
” The officer arrived at a home in Crown Heights on a call of a dispute when the suspect , identified as 20-year-old William Moss by sources , shot him before fleeing the scene , police said .
Cops chased the perp for several blocks and fired at least seven shots before taking him into custody , according to police .
“ As the clock turns on Christmas I think we ’ ll call this a Christmas miracle , ” Shea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rolled out a new bulletproof vest program in which 550 detectives from across the city received slimmer , easier to wear vests .
The program was created in response to the death of Det .
Brian Simonsen , who wasn ’ t wearing a vest at the time he was killed by friendly fire in Queens last February .

It was nothing short of a Christmas miracle.
The police officer who was shot in the back while responding to a domestic dispute in Brooklyn Thursday night was saved by his bulletproof vest.
Police Commissioner Dermot Shea held up the vest in front of the media at Kings County Hospital to show exactly where the 27-year-old cop from the 77th Precinct was struck.
“Our officer is struck once in the back where it penetrates the vest . . . and does not penetrate the skin,” Shea explained. “He is in a little pain, but he is in extremely good spirits and we anticipate that he will be going home shortly.”
The officer arrived at a home in Crown Heights on a call of a dispute when the suspect, identified as 20-year-old William Moss by sources, shot him before fleeing the scene, police said.
Cops chased the perp for several blocks and fired at least seven shots before taking him into custody, according to police.
Police have not announced charges.
“As the clock turns on Christmas I think we’ll call this a Christmas miracle,” Shea added.
Last December, the NYPD rolled out a new bulletproof vest program in which 550 detectives from across the city received slimmer, easier to wear vests.
The program was created in response to the death of Det. Brian Simonsen, who wasn’t wearing a vest at the time he was killed by friendly fire in Queens last February.


newyorkpost--2020-12-25--US to require negative COVID-19 test from UK travelers

The United States will require airline passengers from Britain to get a negative COVID-19 test before their flight , the @ @ @ @ @ Prevention announced late Thursday .
The U.S. is the latest country to announce new travel @ @ @ @ @ variant of the coronavirus that is spreading in Britain .
Airline passengers from the United @ @ @ @ @ negative COVID-19 tests within three days of their trip and provide the results to the @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
The agency said the order will be signed Friday and go @ @ @ @ @ The CDC said because of travel restrictions in place since March , air travel to @ @ @ @ @ has been cut by 90 % .
Last weekend , Britain ’ s prime minister @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus seemed to spread more easily than earlier ones and was moving rapidly through @ @ @ @ @ have since barred flights from the U.K .

The United States will require airline passengers from Britain to get a negative COVID-19 test before their flight, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced late Thursday.
The U.S. is the latest country to announce new travel restrictions because of a new variant of the coronavirus that is spreading in Britain.
Airline passengers from the United Kingdom will have to get negative COVID-19 tests within three days of their trip and provide the results to the airline, the CDC said in a statement. The agency said the order will be signed Friday and go into effect on Monday.
The CDC said because of travel restrictions in place since March, air travel to the U.S. from the U.K. has been cut by 90%.
Last weekend, Britain’s prime minister said a new variant of the coronavirus seemed to spread more easily than earlier ones and was moving rapidly through England. Dozens of countries have since barred flights from the U.K.


newyorkpost--2020-12-25--Moderna COVID-19 vaccine may cause side effects for those with cosmetic facial fillers: FDA

People with cosmetic facial fillers could experience swelling and inflammation with one of the coronavirus vaccines , the FDA advisory committee noted .
According to the committee , several trial participants with fillers have already experienced side effects .
A California-based dermatologist said the reaction was immunological , ABC7 reported on Thursday .
“ Your immune system which causes inflammation is revved up when you get a vaccine , that ’ s how it ’ s supposed to work , ” said Dr. Shirley Chi , who noted the side effects were easily treated by medical personnel .
“ So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an immune response in certain areas where they see some substance that is not a naturally occurring substance in your body.
” She said , however , that the side effects shouldn ’ t stop people from obtaining the vaccine .
“ In these cases the patients all had swelling and inflammation in the area that was given the filler , ” Chi said .
“ A couple of the patients had cheek filler six months prior to their vaccine and one patient had lip filler done two days after the vaccine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and all of their reactions resolved.
” Moderna ’ s COVID-19 vaccine received approval from the FDA on Friday , offering an alternative to one from Pfizer and BioNTech .
The two work “ better than we almost dared to hope , ” NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins told The Associated Press .
“ Science is working here , science has done something amazing.
” Early results of large , still unfinished studies show both vaccines appear safe and strongly protective although Moderna ’ s is easier to handle since it doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temperatures .

People with cosmetic facial fillers could experience swelling and inflammation with one of the coronavirus vaccines, the FDA advisory committee noted.
According to the committee, several trial participants with fillers have already experienced side effects. A California-based dermatologist said the reaction was immunological, ABC7 reported on Thursday.
“Your immune system which causes inflammation is revved up when you get a vaccine, that’s how it’s supposed to work,” said Dr. Shirley Chi, who noted the side effects were easily treated by medical personnel.
“So it makes sense that you would see an immune response in certain areas where they see some substance that is not a naturally occurring substance in your body.”
She said, however, that the side effects shouldn’t stop people from obtaining the vaccine.
“In these cases the patients all had swelling and inflammation in the area that was given the filler,” Chi said.
“A couple of the patients had cheek filler six months prior to their vaccine and one patient had lip filler done two days after the vaccine. All were treated with steroids and anti-histamines and all of their reactions resolved.”
Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine received approval from the FDA on Friday, offering an alternative to one from Pfizer and BioNTech.
The two work “better than we almost dared to hope,” NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins told The Associated Press. “Science is working here, science has done something amazing.”
Early results of large, still unfinished studies show both vaccines appear safe and strongly protective although Moderna’s is easier to handle since it doesn’t need to be stored at ultra-frozen temperatures.


newyorkpost--2020-12-24--Giants have expensive Leonard Williams decision to make

What ’ s he in store for following a big season ?
That ’ s a major question for the direction of the Giants ’ offseason .
The Giants acquired Williams from the Jets to boost their pass rush in October 2019 and gave him a one-year , $ 16.1 million contract on the franchise tag , believing he was capable of much more than the half-sack he had as in his disappointing 2019 season .
He has delivered with 8.5 sacks this season , upping his price tag in negotiations with every big play .
“ So far , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I know of , ” Williams said .
“ I try to control what I can control .
I ’ ve been enjoying my time here so far .
I love playing with these guys .
I love the direction of where it ’ s going with this new coaching staff.
” The Giants could use the franchise tag on Williams a second time , but it is more salary cap-effective to sign him to a long-term extension .
If he reaches free agency , he will have more suitors than he would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general manager Dave Gettleman underestimated Williams ’ asking price .
“ I ’ ll just have to focus on that when it comes around , ” Williams said .
“ I have two more games to play .
I really haven ’ t been thinking about any contract stuff , to be honest.
” The Giants might have to pick between re-signing Williams and re-signing defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson .
“ I ’ ve been proud to be a Giant for however long it has been , ” Williams said .
“ If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
Either way , I ’ ve been happy to wear these colors and play this season.
” Wide receiver Golden Tate was not seen at practice , and was scheduled to work with trainers on the calf injury he suffered Wednesday .
He is trending toward missing Sunday ’ s game .
Outside linebacker Kyler Fackrell , who missed the last three games on injured reserve , was expected to progress from individual drills to team drills — a sign he could be activated .
“ If he can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re very hopeful for next week , ” coach Joe Judge said .
“ That being said , I want to make sure you put this guy out there with him being able to set the edge , play with force , play with strike , and then have quick reaction in short areas to burst .
Coming off the lower leg with the calf , that ’ s something you have to really make sure he ’ s back and able to do that .
Otherwise , you can re-aggravate it and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is possible running back Devonta Freeman — who was the Giants ’ starter before a hamstring injury and a positive COVID-19 test opened the door for Wayne Gallman to take over — will be activated for one or both of the final two games as well .
The Giants ’ decision to attempt a fake field goal at the end of the first series against the Browns on which punter Riley Dixon threw to center Nick Gates was a result of trying to help out the shorthanded offense .
“ We ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of being aggressive , ” special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey said .
“ Especially now , with our group and our team.
” Why throw to Gates ?
Does the 300-pounder have the soft hands of a receiver ?
“ You guys would be blown away , absolutely blown away if you saw him , ” McGaughey said .
“ He ’ s caught every ball that we ’ ve thrown him .
Since training camp we ’ ve been working this thing .
Everybody laughs now because he ’ s a center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands I have ever seen on a center .
”

Leonard Williams got a big contract after a quiet season.
What’s he in store for following a big season? That’s a major question for the direction of the Giants’ offseason.
The Giants acquired Williams from the Jets to boost their pass rush in October 2019 and gave him a one-year, $16.1 million contract on the franchise tag, believing he was capable of much more than the half-sack he had as in his disappointing 2019 season. He has delivered with 8.5 sacks this season, upping his price tag in negotiations with every big play.
“So far, there haven’t been any conversations I know of,” Williams said. “I try to control what I can control. I’ve been enjoying my time here so far. I love playing with these guys. I love the direction of where it’s going with this new coaching staff.”
The Giants could use the franchise tag on Williams a second time, but it is more salary cap-effective to sign him to a long-term extension. If he reaches free agency, he will have more suitors than he would have had one year ago, when general manager Dave Gettleman underestimated Williams’ asking price.
“I’ll just have to focus on that when it comes around,” Williams said. “I have two more games to play. I really haven’t been thinking about any contract stuff, to be honest.”
Leonard Williams Getty Images
The Giants might have to pick between re-signing Williams and re-signing defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson.
“I’ve been proud to be a Giant for however long it has been,” Williams said. “If ends this year then it ends this year. Either way, I’ve been happy to wear these colors and play this season.”
Wide receiver Golden Tate was not seen at practice, and was scheduled to work with trainers on the calf injury he suffered Wednesday. He is trending toward missing Sunday’s game.
Outside linebacker Kyler Fackrell, who missed the last three games on injured reserve, was expected to progress from individual drills to team drills — a sign he could be activated.
“If he can’t do it this week, we’re very hopeful for next week,” coach Joe Judge said. “That being said, I want to make sure you put this guy out there with him being able to set the edge, play with force, play with strike, and then have quick reaction in short areas to burst. Coming off the lower leg with the calf, that’s something you have to really make sure he’s back and able to do that. Otherwise, you can re-aggravate it and just lose him, period.”
It is possible running back Devonta Freeman — who was the Giants’ starter before a hamstring injury and a positive COVID-19 test opened the door for Wayne Gallman to take over — will be activated for one or both of the final two games as well.
The Giants’ decision to attempt a fake field goal at the end of the first series against the Browns on which punter Riley Dixon threw to center Nick Gates was a result of trying to help out the shorthanded offense.
“We’re going to always err on the side of being aggressive,” special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey said. “Especially now, with our group and our team.”
Why throw to Gates? Does the 300-pounder have the soft hands of a receiver?
“You guys would be blown away, absolutely blown away if you saw him,” McGaughey said. “He’s caught every ball that we’ve thrown him. Since training camp we’ve been working this thing. Everybody laughs now because he’s a center. He has the best pair of hands I have ever seen on a center.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-24--Nets not taking defense for granted

Nets not taking defense for granted

While the Nets are relying on talent to primarily anchor their offense , it appears their scoring prowess has translated to the other end .
Asked Thursday which area of the Nets ’ game he thought was the most “ ahead of schedule , ” first-year coach Steve Nash pointed to the defense .
“ I don ’ t know about ahead of schedule , but I thought the defense was pretty solid for the most part , ” he said on a Zoom call .
“ We were implementing our principles , we ’ re getting better at those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the No .
1 priority .
I wouldn ’ t say ahead of schedule , but I was pleased with the effort and the concentration and the connectivity.
” Joe Harris acknowledged that the Nets have the luxury of having several players who can isolate and get a basket .
As a result , they have been able to force opponents to play at their pace .
“ I think that it makes it easy , too , where the ball is really spraying around , guys are really playing quick , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ It makes the offense flow and allows guys to play with a lot of energy on the defensive end .
“ We also know , though , that great teams are usually anchored by their defense .
And so for us , we ’ re finding it even easier offensively when our defense is able to get stops and we ’ re able to get out in transition.
” The Nets recorded seven blocks and 11 steals in the 125-99 win over the Warriors on Tuesday .
Additionally , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than double their average from last year .
“ I think the gravity that people create also creates transition buckets , ” Spencer Dinwiddie said .
“ Sometimes people will kind of buddy run with great players , so you ’ ve got Joe out there , people might buddy run with him , and Kyrie [ Irving ] and [ Kevin Durant ] and stuff like that .
That opens up a lane , because now they ’ re all taking their man and running next to each other .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of things.
” The Nets are 4-5 in games on Christmas Day .
They lost their two most recent appearances , in 2012 and 2013 , their first two seasons in Brooklyn .

While the Nets are relying on talent to primarily anchor their offense, it appears their scoring prowess has translated to the other end.
Asked Thursday which area of the Nets’ game he thought was the most “ahead of schedule,” first-year coach Steve Nash pointed to the defense.
“I don’t know about ahead of schedule, but I thought the defense was pretty solid for the most part,” he said on a Zoom call. “We were implementing our principles, we’re getting better at those every day, which is really important and the No. 1 priority. I wouldn’t say ahead of schedule, but I was pleased with the effort and the concentration and the connectivity.”
Joe Harris acknowledged that the Nets have the luxury of having several players who can isolate and get a basket. As a result, they have been able to force opponents to play at their pace.
“I think that it makes it easy, too, where the ball is really spraying around, guys are really playing quick, decisively on that end,” Harris said. “It makes the offense flow and allows guys to play with a lot of energy on the defensive end.
“We also know, though, that great teams are usually anchored by their defense. And so for us, we’re finding it even easier offensively when our defense is able to get stops and we’re able to get out in transition.”
Steve Nash and the Nets NBAE via Getty Images
The Nets recorded seven blocks and 11 steals in the 125-99 win over the Warriors on Tuesday. Additionally, the Nets had 28 fast-break points, more than double their average from last year.
“I think the gravity that people create also creates transition buckets,” Spencer Dinwiddie said. “Sometimes people will kind of buddy run with great players, so you’ve got Joe out there, people might buddy run with him, and Kyrie [Irving] and [Kevin Durant] and stuff like that. That opens up a lane, because now they’re all taking their man and running next to each other. It’s just a combination of a lot of things.”
The Nets are 4-5 in games on Christmas Day. They lost their two most recent appearances, in 2012 and 2013, their first two seasons in Brooklyn.


newyorkpost--2020-12-24--Austin Rivers making progress toward Knicks debut

Although Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said combo guard Austin Rivers did only “ a little bit ” in a light practice Thursday , that was at least a step in the right direction for the newcomer , who missed virtually all of training camp and didn ’ t appear in a preseason game due to a right groin injury .
“ It ’ s been slow , ” Thibodeau said over Zoom following practice on Thursday .
“ It ’ s a work in progress .
He did a little bit today , which is encouraging .
You have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” There remains no timetable for the 28-year-old guard , who signed a three-year , $ 10 million deal with the Knicks in the offseason .
He has talked big about making them a free-agent destination and being part of the solution .
So far , however , the son of 76ers coach Doc Rivers has yet to be able to contribute in a tangible manner .
“ When he ’ s ready to go , he ’ ll be ready to go , ” Thibodeau said .
Rivers averaged 8.8 points and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 68 games .
There was some thought he would play for his father in Philadelphia , but Doc Rivers previously told The Post he suggested his former team to Austin having already coached his son once already with the Clippers and knowing what kind of coach Thibodeau is .
Thibodeau was one of Rivers ’ assistants when he led the Celtics to the title in 2008 .
“ We got a ring together , he ’ s a dear friend , it was a great run , ” Thibodeau said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I learned a ton from him .
Special guy to me.
” A day later , Thibodeau ’ s takeaway from the season-opening loss to the Pacers wasn ’ t much different than how he felt immediately after the game .
The Knicks did some good things , but not nearly enough of them to beat a quality team on the road .
“ A game reveals exactly where you are , ” he said .
“ Our defense obviously has to be a lot better .
Offensively , I liked our first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to start the third , but then I think once Julius [ Randle ] got in foul trouble that hurt us .
“ I thought initially we made very good reads , made the right pass , got high quality shots , and … you have to do that for 48 minutes and understand the fourth quarter is different .
It ’ s a lot different from the first three.
” The Pacers outscored the Knicks 60-41 in the second half and 33-25 in the fourth quarter en route to a 121-107 victory @

This counts as progress.
Although Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said combo guard Austin Rivers did only “a little bit” in a light practice Thursday, that was at least a step in the right direction for the newcomer, who missed virtually all of training camp and didn’t appear in a preseason game due to a right groin injury.
“It’s been slow,” Thibodeau said over Zoom following practice on Thursday. “It’s a work in progress. He did a little bit today, which is encouraging. You have to be careful with that type of injury.”
There remains no timetable for the 28-year-old guard, who signed a three-year, $10 million deal with the Knicks in the offseason. He has talked big about making them a free-agent destination and being part of the solution. So far, however, the son of 76ers coach Doc Rivers has yet to be able to contribute in a tangible manner.
“When he’s ready to go, he’ll be ready to go,” Thibodeau said.
Rivers averaged 8.8 points and 2.6 rebounds for the Rockets last year in 68 games. There was some thought he would play for his father in Philadelphia, but Doc Rivers previously told The Post he suggested his former team to Austin having already coached his son once already with the Clippers and knowing what kind of coach Thibodeau is.
Austin Rivers Getty Images
Thibodeau was one of Rivers’ assistants when he led the Celtics to the title in 2008.
“We got a ring together, he’s a dear friend, it was a great run,” Thibodeau said. “We maintained a very close relationship, I learned a ton from him. Special guy to me.”
A day later, Thibodeau’s takeaway from the season-opening loss to the Pacers wasn’t much different than how he felt immediately after the game. The Knicks did some good things, but not nearly enough of them to beat a quality team on the road.
“A game reveals exactly where you are,” he said. “Our defense obviously has to be a lot better. Offensively, I liked our first half. We had a good stretch to start the third, but then I think once Julius [Randle] got in foul trouble that hurt us.
“I thought initially we made very good reads, made the right pass, got high quality shots, and … you have to do that for 48 minutes and understand the fourth quarter is different. It’s a lot different from the first three.”
The Pacers outscored the Knicks 60-41 in the second half and 33-25 in the fourth quarter en route to a 121-107 victory.


newyorkpost--2020-12-24--Baker Mayfield could provide Jets hope for Sam Darnold

What if ?
What if Sam Darnold performs in these final ...

Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield always will be linked as high-end members of the same draft class in 2018.
As the two quarterbacks set to square off on Sunday, Mayfield, the former No. 1 pick, has the Browns on the precipice of their first playoff berth since 2002, with a 10-4 record one year after he finished second in the league with 21 interceptions in a 6-10 season.
Darnold, the 2018 No. 3 pick, and the Jets didn’t win their first game of 2020 until last week against the Rams, but vastly improved play from one year to the next of Mayfield and the Browns perhaps can be a lesson for the Jets if they don’t make a splashy quarterback change via the draft for next season.
“Baker’s been playing great. I honestly haven’t been watching a ton of him, but obviously they’re winning games, so he must be doing a good job,” Darnold said after practice Thursday. “I always say it and I’m gonna say it again. Quarterbacks and coaches in this league are always judged on wins and losses. That’s it.
Baker Mayfield; Sam Darnold Charles Wenzelberg, Getty
“Baker’s winning this year and we haven’t won as much this year as we would like to, obviously. We’re going to continue to be judged on that, as we should be. … Baker’s been doing a really good job this year, and I think for me, there’s obviously some things I need to work on.”
Darnold added that his family got tested for COVID-19 through the Jets and he will get to spend Christmas with them.
Adam Gase on rookie left tackle Mekhi Becton facing Pro Bowl defensive end Myles Garrett (11 sacks) on Sunday: “If you want to know where you’re at, this is the right guy to go against. … When you see him play live, it’s an impressive sight to see.”
Tight end Ryan Griffin was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday because he was deemed to have come in close contact with someone outside the organization who tested positive. Gase said he still believes Griffin “has got a shot” to play Sunday if he continues to test negative.
Browns rookie left tackle Jedrick Wills was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, but reportedly could play.
In addition to Curtis Martin Team MVP award winner Marcus Maye, other winners included Frank Gore (Dennis Byrd/Most Inspirational), Griffin (Ed Block/Courage), Matthias Farley (Marty Lyons/Community Service), Folorunso Fatukasi (Kyle Clifton/Good Guy) and Denzel Mims (Bill Hampton/Rookie Who Acts Like a Pro). … CB Javelin Guidry (knee) did not practice.


newyorkpost--2020-12-24--New Hampshire mom, son found dead amid abuse accusations

A New Hampshire mother and her 2-year-old son were found dead in their home last week after the mom was @ @ @ @ @ abusing the tot .
Officers found 25-year-old Mercedes Tremblay and her son , Mason , @ @ @ @ @ on Dec. 14 , police said in a statement .
The medical examiner ’ s @ @ @ @ @ a gunshot wound to the head , and the boy ’ s cause of death @ @ @ @ @ Wilkens-Hickey , Tremblay ’ s mother , had previously accused her daughter of being verbally @ @ @ @ @ grandson , which included yelling and pulling the boy by the arm , the New @ @ @ @ @ Police notified child services in the past , but it ’ s unclear if the @ @ @ @ @ May , Tremblay was also accused of assaulting Wilkens-Hickey and her boyfriend , who told @ @ @ @ @ through “ a variety of mental/emotional issues , ” the outlet reported .

A New Hampshire mother and her 2-year-old son were found dead in their home last week after the mom was accused of verbally and physically abusing the tot.
Officers found 25-year-old Mercedes Tremblay and her son, Mason, dead in their Manchester apartment on Dec. 14, police said in a statement.
The medical examiner’s office said Tremblay died from a gunshot wound to the head, and the boy’s cause of death is still pending.
Rhonda Wilkens-Hickey, Tremblay’s mother, had previously accused her daughter of being verbally and physically abusive toward her grandson, which included yelling and pulling the boy by the arm, the New Hampshire Union Leader reported.
Police notified child services in the past, but it’s unclear if the agency investigated Tremblay.
In May, Tremblay was also accused of assaulting Wilkens-Hickey and her boyfriend, who told police that Tremblay was going through “a variety of mental/emotional issues,” the outlet reported.


newyorkpost--2020-12-25--Jets’ daunting rebuild doesn’t needs to take forever

Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield always will be linked as ...

When the 1-13 Jets play the Browns on Sunday in their home finale, they should look across the field at their opponent and see hope for themselves.
The Browns were 0-16 in 2017. Yet they enter Sunday’s game with a 10-4 record, are a virtual guarantee to make the playoffs and still have an outside chance to win the AFC North.
That’s a lot of progress in a little time for a Cleveland franchise that — much like the perception the Jets are tagged with (10 years removed from their last playoff appearance) — was considered a black hole.
Is there a Jets fan on the planet who wouldn’t sign up for being in the position the Browns are currently in two seasons from now?
“That says a couple things,’’ former Jets general manager and current ESPN analyst Mike Tannenbaum told The Post this week when asked about the resurgent Browns. “One is that maybe they were a little bit closer than people perceived. Some of those games the Browns were in [in 2017] were one-possession games, so close.
“And now, they’ve made a couple good decisions and the quarterback [Baker Mayfield] got better. They brought [head coach Kevin] Stefanski in, [offensive line coach] Bill Callahan in and have a better offensive line. A combination of all those things and you can turn things around quickly, because our sport is built inherently for teams to be in the middle, 8-8.’’
The Jets, 9-point underdogs to beat the Browns, are two more losses from finishing 1-15 for the second time in their history, and the rebuild appears daunting with a new coaching staff needed, uncertainty at quarterback and a roster that’s simply not good enough.
Tannenbaum, though, does not believe the Jets are light years away.
Baker Mayfield against the Jets last season. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
“If you just start with the last two months — they played the Patriots at MetLife very close, that game was a really competitive, a one-score game to the end,’’ Tannenbaum said. “Look at the Raiders game [a 31-28 loss in the final seconds]. Obviously, they had a reasonably good chance to win that game. And, they just beat a good Rams team on the road.
“So, the cupboard is not bare by any stretch.’’
Nor was that of the Browns, who have flourished under the leadership of Stefanski, a head coach who seems to have pushed all the right buttons.
Stefanski was in Minnesota running the Vikings offense while the Browns were toiling at 0-16.
Asked how daunting a task rebuilding from 0-16 appeared, Stefanski, in his first year in Cleveland having inherited a team that went 6-10 last year, said, “It’s hard for me to go there because I wasn’t here then. But I can tell you everything we’ve done since I got here, and all that was taking it one day at a time and building this thing meticulously in terms of scheme and personnel.
“Then with Andrew Berry coming aboard and taking the reins [as general manager], what he’s done is bring in the right people,’’ Stefanski continued. “We brought in good football players and we brought in good people, hired a coaching staff I felt really strongly about.’’
Stefanski, too, has proven to be the right person for the job. Interestingly, he was considered an “offensive’’ head coach, much the way Adam Gase was when he was hired by the Jets before last season.
The difference, though, Stefanski has stamped himself as the CEO of the entire team, not just the offense — unlike Gase, who hasn’t had a lot to do with the Jets defense.
“I just tried to be myself,’’ Stefanski said. “But I’m the head coach of the team, so I think the players understand I’m not the offensive head coach, I’m the head coach. I also feel strongly about the coaching staff we put together here.
“Andrew put a plan together in the offseason and identified guys that he wanted to go after via trade, free agency, the draft. He addressed a bunch of areas we thought were important. I know everyone looks to the offensive line, and that’s fair to do. We went out and got a guy in free agency [Jack Conklin], drafted one [Jedrick Wills] and brought in coach Callahan, who I think is the best in the business.’’
Gase, who’s tried to build two programs with little success with the Dolphins and Jets, admired the Browns’ build from afar. Of course, on Sunday he’ll get an up-close look.
“They’ve done a good job as far as building that thing from front on back and got the right kind of guys up front, whether it’s the O-line or D-line,’’ Gase said. “They obviously have an elite pass rusher [Myles Garrett], and they’ve got an O-line that’s doing a really good job creating holes and creating a really good running game [led by Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt].
“They’ve surrounded the quarterback with a lot of skill players that help him keep excelling and getting better and better. Coming into this year, a lot of people were wondering how well [Mayfield] was going to play. He’s played really well this year and they’ve won a lot of games.’’
If you’re thinking this is exactly what’s been missing with the Gase Jets — strong offensive line and skill players surrounding quarterback Sam Darnold — you’re not alone.
Asked if he sees the job the Browns have done rebuilding themselves into a contender in such a short period of time as a sign of hope for a franchise like the Jets, Stefanski said, “It’s really hard for me to go there. We keep our blinders on and focus on what we’ve got in front of us.’’
What Stefanski did comment on was what his team has in front of it Sunday, and he seemed to echo Tannenbaum’s cupboard-not-bare sentiment with regard to the Jets.
The Browns first-year coach stood before his team Wednesday morning and told them, “Just put on the tape’’ of the Jets’ win over the Rams last week.
“I know they won the game last week; you can see the result,’’ he said. “But I also wanted them to look at how they won. That was a physical group out there, taking the ball away, attacking blocks, running the ball, getting explosive. I think the tape was jumping out at the guys.’’


newyorkpost--2020-12-25--3-year-old Missouri boy had stroke after COVID diagnosis: doctors

The new mutation of COVID-19 found in the UK may ...

A 3-year-old Missouri boy who’d been diagnosed with the coronavirus was partially paralyzed after suffering a stroke — and yet will likely make a complete recovery, a local report said.
Little Colt Parris lost the ability to move his right arm and leg on Wednesday, hours after he tested positive for COVID-19 at the University of Missouri’s Women’s and Children’s Hospital, NBC affiliate KSN-TV reported.
“I went to hand him his Boo (stuffed animal) and I noticed that he didn’t use his dominant arm to grab it,” his mom, Sara Parris, told the station.
“I knew something else wasn’t right.”
Doctors ran tests and found a blockage in the toddler’s brain.
“The result came back and I looked at it and it was a clear stroke,” that cut off blood to the left side of the boy’s brain, said pediatric neurologist Dr. Paul Carney.
In 20 years of practicing medicine, Carney said he had never seen a case like this one.
“What was different here was a child and as I mention, there’s really no other case like this,” he told the outlet.
The tot required surgery to address the clot and was recuperating Thursday at the hospital in Columbia, Mo.
He should make a full recovery and may be able to go home next week.
Dr. Camilo Gomez, a neurologist at the hospital, said docs were looking into the extent of a link between COVID-19 and possible neurological problems.
“The COVID diagnosis is important because we think the reason why (patients) with COVID, including the child, have strokes and a variety of other problems is that they have propensity to form clots,” Gomez told the outlet.
The boy’s parents said they were grateful to his caretakers and hoped their close call would increase awareness about taking precautions to curb the virus’ spread.
“Masks and stuff like that, people need to wear them,” dad Tim Parris said.
“It’s important. If you don’t want your children going through this, people need to be more aware.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-25--Edward Snowden, wife Lindsay Mills share photos of new baby boy

WASHINGTON — Republicans in Congress are pushing President Trump to ...

Edward Snowden got “the greatest gift” for Christmas.
No, not a presidential pardon — the fugitive whistleblower had his first child, a baby boy, with wife Lindsay Mills.
The news was shared by Mills on Christmas on her Instagram account and her blog, Lsjourney.com.
“Happy Holidays from our newly expanded family,” she wrote.
The birth announcement came after Snowden, 37, was granted permanent residency by Russia. Last month, he said he and Mills are seeking dual US-Russian citizenship.
The former CIA subcontractor — who leaked classified data about mass surveillance of American citizens in 2013 from the National Security Agency — has been living in exile in Moscow since then to avoid being tried in the U.S.on espionage charges.
Mills, also an American, joined him in Moscow in 2014 and the two married in 2017. She announced in late October that they were expecting a boy, who would have Russian citizenship.
The new mom on Friday shared two images of her and Snowden cradling their bundle of joy, with the baby’s face angled away from the camera or covered by an emoji.
The newborn was dressed in a Santa hat and Christmas-themed outfit.
Snowden shared the post on Twitter, writing: “The greatest gift is the love we share.”
A Politico report last week said that Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), as well as recently pardoned Roger Stone, had all asked President Trump to grant Snowden clemency.
In an Oval Office interview with The Post in August, Trump said he was open to allowing the leaker to return from Russia without going to prison.
Snowden faces three charges under the Espionage Act that could send him to prison for 30 years if he returns and is tried and convicted.


newyorkpost--2020-12-25--Knicks rookies’ home debut will likely have to wait

Roni Toppin — like other Knicks fans — will be ...

Bah Humbug.
The two rookies probably won’t make their home Knicks debuts Saturday against the Sixers.
Forward Obi Toppin has a hurting calf, and point guard Immanuel Quickley is still nursing a hip pointer, leaving both doubtful for the Garden opener on the injury report released Friday. The Knicks also face the Bucks on Sunday, and their status could be in jeopardy for that game, too.
Quickley injured his hip after getting checked by Indiana’s Myles Turner late in the first half in Wednesday’s opener. He missed the second half, when they were outscored 60-41, and his absence was felt when the Knicks didn’t get good point guard play.
Quickley, a projected second-round pick but taken 25th out of Kentucky, fast became a fan favorite with his electric play in the final two preseason games, including netting 22 points and five assists when he started the preseason finale against Cleveland.
Another sports streak will be broken because of the pandemic.
Legendary Garden photographer George Kalinsky will miss his first Knicks home opener in 54 years Saturday because of safety protocols regarding COVID-19.
Kalinsky, who 50 years ago snapped the iconic shot of Wills Reed hobbling out of the tunnel before Game 7 of the NBA Finals, is shelved until further notice — along with Knicks fans.
The Garden didn’t allow media for the preseason but are following NBA rules and will permit a limited number of rotating media members for home games. Those permitted are required to get tested for COVID-19 upon entry 3 ¹/₂ hours before tipoff.
The MSG Network broadcasting crew will be on hand. Mike Breen and Walt Frazier will sit up several rows in the stands and not in their normal courtside location. MSG Network is broadcasting road games from a New York studio.
Sideline reporter Rebecca Haarlow is only doing home games but she’s no longer on the sidelines. She’s conducting the traditional postgame walk-off interview from the stands in a headset.