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“Gladiator II” asks the question: Are you not moderately entertained for roughly 60% of this sequel? Truly, this is a movie dependent on managed expectations and a forgiving attitude toward its tendency to overserve. More of a thrash-and-burn schlock epic than the comparatively restrained 2000 “Gladiator,” also directed by Ridley Scott, the new one recycles a fair bit of the old one’s narrative cries for freedom while tossing in some digital sharks for the flooded Colosseum and a bout of deadly sea-battle theatrics. They really did flood the Colosseum in those days, though no historical evidence suggests shark deployment, real or digital. On the other hand (checks notes), “Gladiator II” is fiction. Screenwriter David Scarpa picks things up 16 years after “Gladiator,” which gave us the noble death of the noble warrior Maximus, shortly after slaying the ignoble emperor and returning Rome to the control of the Senate. Our new hero, Lucius (Paul Mescal), has fled Rome for Numidia, on the North African coast. The time is 200 A.D., and for the corrupt, party-time twins running the empire (Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger), that means invasion time. Pedro Pascal takes the role of Acacius, the deeply conflicted general, sick of war and tired of taking orders from a pair of depraved ferrets. The new film winds around the old one this way: Acacius is married to Lucilla (Connie Nielsen, in a welcome return), daughter of the now-deceased emperor Aurelius and the love of the late Maximus’s life. Enslaved and dragged to Rome to gladiate, the widower Lucius vows revenge on the general whose armies killed his wife. But there are things this angry young phenom must learn, about his ancestry and his destiny. It’s the movie’s worst-kept secret, but there’s a reason he keeps seeing footage of Russell Crowe from the first movie in his fever dreams. Battle follows battle, on the field, in the arena, in the nearest river, wherever, and usually with endless splurches of computer-generated blood. “Gladiator II” essentially bumper-cars its way through the mayhem, pausing for long periods of expository scheming about overthrowing the current regime. The prince of all fixers, a wily operative with interests in both managing gladiators and stocking munitions, goes by the name Macrinus. He’s played by Denzel Washington, who at one point makes a full meal out of pronouncing the word “politics” like it’s a poisoned fig. Also, if you want a masterclass in letting your robes do a lot of your acting for you, watch what Washington does here. He’s more fun than the movie but you can’t have everything. The movie tries everything, all right, and twice. Ridley Scott marshals the chaotic action sequences well enough, though he’s undercut by frenetic cutting rhythms, with that now-familiar, slightly sped-up visual acceleration in frequent use. (Claire Simpson and Sam Restivo are the editors.) Mescal acquits himself well in his first big-budget commercial walloper of an assignment, confined though he is to a narrower range of seething resentments than Crowe’s in the first film. I left thinking about two things: the word “politics” as savored/spit out by Washington, and the innate paradox of how Scott, whose best work over the decades has been wonderful, delivers spectacle. The director and his lavishly talented design team built all the rough-hewn sets with actual tangible materials the massive budget allowed. They took care to find the right locations in Morocco and Malta. Yet when combined in post-production with scads of medium-grade digital effects work in crowd scenes and the like, never mind the sharks, the movie’s a somewhat frustrating amalgam. With an uneven script on top of it, the visual texture of “Gladiator II” grows increasingly less enveloping and atmospherically persuasive, not more. But I hung there, for some of the acting, for some of the callbacks, and for the many individual moments, or single shots, that could only have come from Ridley Scott. And in the end, yes, you too may be moderately entertained. “Gladiator II” — 2.5 stars (out of 4) MPA rating: R (for strong bloody violence) Running time: 2:28 How to watch: Premieres in theaters Nov. 21. Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic.

By Chris Johnston , Pierre LeBrun and Julian McKenzie Team Canada revealed its 23-man roster for February’s 4 Nations Face-Off tournament on Wednesday. Forwards Mitch Marner , Sam Reinhart , Anthony Cirelli , Brandon Hagel , Travis Konecny , Mark Stone and Seth Jarvis were added to Canada’s roster, with Alex Pietrangelo , Shea Theodore , Travis Sanheim , Devon Toews , Colton Parayko and Josh Morrissey joining as defensemen. Advertisement Forwards Connor McDavid , Nathan MacKinnon , Brayden Point , Brad Marchand and Sidney Crosby , along with defenseman Cale Makar had already been named as the first six members of Team Canada in June. Canada’s goaltending has been subject to much debate in anticipation of Wednesday’s roster reveal. The Canadians’ trio consists of Jordan Binnington , Adin Hill and Sam Montembeault . Canada is being led by Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper behind the bench, flanked by assistant coaches Bruce Cassidy, Pete DeBoer, Rick Tocchet, Mishka Donskov and Lightning video coach James Emery. Cooper is also expected to lead Canada at the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. The 4 Nations Face-Off will run Feb. 12 to 20 in Montreal and Boston. Full roster (Note: Highlighted players had already been named to the roster.) Snubs Every Team Canada has more qualified forwards than the number of available roster spots, so the most notable omissions can be found there in Zach Hyman , John Tavares , Mark Scheifele and Connor Bedard . Hyman is coming off a 70-goal season (postseason included) spent playing alongside Connor McDavid. Tavares has been in a top form for the Toronto Maple Leafs this season and has a vast international resume that includes serving as Canada’s captain at the IIHF World Hockey Championship in May. Scheifele is scoring at better than a point-per-game pace for the high-flying Winnipeg Jets . And Bedard is a 19-year-old wunderkind who rewrote the record book while representing his country at the world junior championship. The snubs on the back end include Evan Bouchard and Noah Dobson , aged 25 and 24, respectively. They’re both high-end puck distributors coming off big seasons. — Chris Johnston Surprises Jarvis jumps off the page as the player least expected to battle his way onto this version of Team Canada. He doesn’t have the resume of many other players left at home. And at 5-foot-10, he doesn’t have the size, either. Advertisement But the 22-year-old Carolina Hurricanes winger does possess slick playmaking ability and a competitive spirit, which makes him a selection with upside. He could become a Team Canada fixture if things go well. On the back end, few saw Parayko securing a spot among Canada’s top seven, but as a big man with Stanley Cup-winning pedigree who is capable of logging tough minutes, he brought more security than some other choices. Montembeault isn’t a surprise, per se, but his save percentage this season is lagging behind Cam Talbot , Logan Thompson , Mackenzie Blackwood , Marc-Andre Fleury and Darcy Kuemper . Each of those other Canadian goalies will be watching the tournament from home. — Johnston Expectations Fair or not, any player that pulls a Canadian national team sweater over their head is expected to win. That’s especially true in best-on-best men’s competition, where Canada has won four of the past five tournaments and nine of 13 overall. Even with the country’s decade of dominance now a long way in the rear-view mirror, the high hopes remain. Canada will try to overwhelm opponents with its depth. Cooper can run out McDavid, Crosby, Point and Cirelli down the middle. If for whatever reason that isn’t working, he’s got MacKinnon and Bennett as ready-made options to slide to center. And for good measure, Cooper’s got Makar to serve as the heartbeat of a blue line that features a nice blend of size, smarts and elite decision-makers. Even with the questions (or doubts) in goal, this is a roster built to execute at a high level that intends to keep opponents at bay in hard-fought games by limiting mistakes. Canada expects three goals to be good enough to win against any team in the tournament. — Johnston Required reading Other rosters (Photo of Mitch Marner scoring on Jordan Binnington: Jeff Curry / USA Today)

Qatar took part in the 20th Korea-Middle East Co-operation Forum, hosted in Seoul, South Korea, under the theme ‘Korea and the Middle East: Past, Present and Future Trajectories’. Qatar was represented at the forum by HE the Minister of State for International Co-operation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad. HE the Director of Diplomatic Institute at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Abdulaziz bin Mohammed al-Horr, also participated. In her speech, HE al-Misnad said that the forum is being held at a critical moment marked by increasing global challenges and rapid shifts in regional and international dynamics, pointing out that the Middle East, in particular, continues to bear acute humanitarian and political crises, including those in Palestine, Lebanon, and Sudan. She emphasised that these crises transcend borders, impacting both regional and global stability, while underscoring the urgent need to enhance dialogue, co-operation, and decisive action, and strengthen security, stability, and sustainable development for the benefit of all. HE al-Misnad expressed Qatar’s appreciation for the forum as a vital bridge built over two decades of meaningful dialogue and co-operation between the Middle East and Korea, with a focus on co-operation and fostering partnerships in diplomatic, trade, economic, and cultural fields. She also noted that the forum has become a key platform for strengthening relations, praising the preliminary signing of the free trade agreement (FTA) between Korea and the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC). She described it as a major turning point toward deeper economic integration and mutual growth between the two regions. This partnership can support innovation and investment in sustainability, and promote peace and prosperity for both regions and the world, she added. HE al-Misnad reaffirmed Qatar’s foreign policy, which is based on solid principles of international law and co-operation. She reiterated Qatar’s commitment to the principles of mediation, dialogue for peaceful solutions, sustainable development, and the promotion of minority rights. She said that Qatar’s humanitarian efforts are extensive, providing vital assistance in conflict zones and addressing long-term vulnerabilities in areas affected by complex emergencies. She also expressed belief that global challenges require collective solutions, stressing that Qatar is always ready to contribute to this shared mission. HE al-Misnad called for making the forum a model of the strength of dialogue and co-operation, emphasising the potential to turn challenges into opportunities and build a future characterised by resilience, inclusivity, and shared success. First Launched in 2003, the Korea-Middle East Co-operation Forum is a platform that brings together prominent figures from the public and private sectors to enhance both sides’ relations across various fields. The forum has been held annually in Korea and the Middle East countries alternately. This year, the forum is discussing key topics through three main sessions entitled ‘Harnessing Korea-Middle East Co-operation During Time of Uncertainty’, ‘Emerging Technologies: New Areas of Co-operation between Korea and the Middle East’, and ‘Korea and The Middle East: Towards Deeper Educational, Cultural, and People to People Links’. Related Story Qatar-Korea Business Forum puts spotlight on building robust ties

Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke continued to push back against potential changes to U.S. Postal Service operations in Montana last week, arguing that the changes would alienate rural residents and delay services. Republican Zinke joined 11 other members of Congress signing a letter to the Postal Regulatory Commission on Nov. 22 asking that it keep rural processing centers and limit consolidation. The commission is reviewing the Postal Service's long-term plan to change how it processes mail, known as its Delivering For America plan. U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke, pictured in 2023, pushed back on potential changes to U.S. Postal Service operations in Montana last week, arguing that the changes would alienate rural residents and delay services. THOM BRIDGE, Independent Record Sherry Patterson, a strategic communications specialist for the Postal Service, told the Missoulian in an email on Monday that the regulatory commission has yet to offer an advisory opinion on the plan. Man fatally shot by Ravalli County Sheriff's deputy near Stevensville Group launches fundraiser in suit challenging approval of Florence subdivision Spirit Airlines filed for bankruptcy. What does that mean for holiday season travelers? 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Kathy Kelker resigns, Yellowstone County Commission to appoint a successor Once an opinion is finalized from the commission, which is an independent agency that oversees the Postal Service, Patterson said USPS will consider the opinion and then finalize its decision. Previously, USPS had plans to consolidate Missoula's regional processing center with Spokane's, adding a roughly 400-mile roundtrip for some packages. Backlash from congressional leaders led Postmaster Louis DeJoy in May to delay any changes to the system until at least January. The $40 billion Delivering for America plan that started in 2021 is meant to add new technology and streamline the mail processing system to create long-term savings. “This is a classic example of decisions coming down from D.C. that just don’t make any sense in Montana,” Zinke said in a Friday press release. “Mail service in Montana is already a logistical nightmare. Sending the Missoula Processing and Distributing Center out of the State will slow things down, add confusion, and lead to more Montanans being unable to receive their mail in a timely manner. Just because it works in Baltimore or New York, doesn’t mean it will work in Ravalli or Lincoln.” Zinke joined Republican Rep. Harriet Hageman of Wyoming to pen the letter. Ten Republican and two Democrat House representatives signed the letter. The lawmakers said they understood the need for USPS to modernize its mail system, but warned cutting programs and costs in rural states would lengthen delivery times. "Despite the USPS's repeated assurances, we struggle to see how on-time delivery rates, which are already below the USPS goals, will improve," the letter read. The plan has already seen pushback from other members of Montana's delegation, including Sen. Steve Daines, incoming Sen. Tim Sheehy and outgoing Sen. Jon Tester. Daines previously expressed opposition to the consolidation plan and also criticized the Postal Service for ending air mail service to the state in July. "The Postal Service's decision to suspend air service in Montana is going to hurt Montanans who rely on the mail to receive prescription medication, pension payments, disability benefits and more," Daines said in July. "And I urge Postmaster General DeJoy to reconsider this decision. I look forward to working with Mr. DeJoy to find ways to reverse years of sustained financial losses that don't affect Montanans." Incoming U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy told the Missoulian on Monday that rural Montanans must depend on timely mail service to keep their economies and communities strong. "Montanans do not want to see bureaucrats in D.C. leave rural America behind by imposing top-down plans that don’t work for Montana," Sheehy said in an email. "As we consider reforms and work to improve mail service in Montana, it’s absolutely critical we hear local voices, build consensus, and forge a path forward that makes sense for Montanans.” U.S. Sen. Jon Tester gives remarks about the USPS decision to halt plans to move Missoula mail processing to Spokane during a press conference at the John Engen Local Government Building in downtown Missoula on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. ANTONIO IBARRA OLIVARES, Missoulian Sheehy defeated Tester to win a U.S. Senate seat earlier this month and will assume office on Jan. 3. Tester previously introduced a bill to halt the consolidation plans, but no action was taken on the legislation. He said at a May press conference that postmaster DeJoy is a "lost cause" and that the Postal Service should remove him from office. "This would have major impacts, particularly on western Montana," Tester said in May. "Let's say that you're diabetic and you need insulin. You don't have an extra day. You can't wait around."