Slate

Critics can’t decide if Andrew Scott’s Ripley is mesmerising or charmless – exactly as Patricia Highsmith wrote him

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Spectre, Slate, Amorality, The Pursuit of Love, Human, Digital, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Pablo Picasso, Empathy, Queer, Pursuit, Anxiety, Bisexuality, Sumner, Talent, News, Gay, Little Tales of Misogyny, Arrest, Heart, Homophobia, Collection, Police, Nightclub

Fresh from All of Us Strangers(2023), Andrew Scott plays the title role in Netflix’s new series Ripley, a miniseries based on Patricia Highsmith’s 1955 novel The Talented Mr. Ripley.

Key Points: 
  • Fresh from All of Us Strangers(2023), Andrew Scott plays the title role in Netflix’s new series Ripley, a miniseries based on Patricia Highsmith’s 1955 novel The Talented Mr. Ripley.
  • News publisher Out claimed Scott’s Ripley for gayness.
  • Highsmith wrote Ripley as having an elusive sexuality.
  • Scott’s Ripley is different yet again: an enigma who is both compelling and frightening – connected to sexuality, but resistant to explanations, labels or pigeonholes.

Tom Ripley through the ages

  • In 1999, Anthony Minghella made him gay in The Talented Mr. Ripley.
  • Minghella asserted that Ripley’s “pathology is not explained by his sexuality”, yet he punishes Ripley through his gayness when he has him kill his lover.
  • Refreshingly, Claude Chabrol’s Les Biches, thought to be loosely based on The Talented Mr. Ripley, neither pigeonholes nor punishes its lesbian/bisexual protagonist.
  • […] Ripley wouldn’t be comfortable in a gay bar; […] he wouldn’t be comfortable in a straight bar.”

Embracing gayness and fluidity

  • Gayness as a whole is not subtext in Zaillian’s production.
  • Dickie Greenleaf (Johnny Flynn) asserts “I’m not queer” in the defensive manner of “someone who absolutely is”, as observed by Digital Spy’s David Opie.
  • At the same time, the series shows a sincere commitment to fluidity.
  • The choice to embrace fluidity is also strategic as it keeps Zaillian open to sequels that could stick to Highsmith’s original plots.

Scott plays an incalculable Ripley

  • Playing a sexual nullity is a departure for Scott.
  • To the character of Ripley he brings an ambiguous charisma and a Machiavellian sapiosexuality – sexiness that comes from being very, very intelligent.
  • Scott’s one definite statement about Ripley is that “his sexuality or sensuality comes out of his relationship with things — art, clothes, props, music.” Certainly, his Ripley has a love/hate relationship with “things”.
  • At the same time, inanimate objects prove to be obstacles as Ripley laboriously cleans up after his impulsive murders.
  • There’s a boat he can’t burn or scupper, an elevator that seizes up when he is trying to carry a body downstairs.
  • These near-misses generate suspense and anxiety for Ripley, but he is too opaque, alien and other for empathy.
  • Depending on whom you ask, his Ripley is either “mesmerizing” or “charmless”.
  • Is Scott too successful at playing the incalculable other?


Joy McEntee does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

BlackRock TCP Capital Corp. Announces Completion of Merger With BlackRock Capital Investment Corporation

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 18, 2024
Professional Services, Small Business, Finance, Consulting, Banking, Accounting, Slate, BCIC, Growth, BlackRock, Dechert, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Cryptocurrency

BlackRock TCP Capital Corp. (“TCPC”)(NASDAQ: TCPC) today announced the closing of the previously announced merger with BlackRock Capital Investment Corporation (“BCIC”)(NASDAQ:BKCC).

Key Points: 
  • BlackRock TCP Capital Corp. (“TCPC”)(NASDAQ: TCPC) today announced the closing of the previously announced merger with BlackRock Capital Investment Corporation (“BCIC”)(NASDAQ:BKCC).
  • As a result of the merger, legacy TCPC shareholders and former BCIC shareholders own approximately 67.5% and 32.5%, respectively, of the combined company.
  • Houlihan Lokey served as financial advisor and Dechert LLP as the legal counsel to the special committee of TCPC.
  • Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP served as legal counsel to the advisors of TCPC and BCIC.

BlackRock TCP Capital Corp. Announces Completion of Merger With BlackRock Capital Investment Corporation

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 18, 2024
Banking, Professional Services, Finance, Slate, BCIC, Growth, BlackRock, Dechert, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Cryptocurrency

BlackRock TCP Capital Corp. (“TCPC”)(NASDAQ: TCPC) today announced the closing of the previously announced merger with BlackRock Capital Investment Corporation (“BCIC”)(NASDAQ:BKCC).

Key Points: 
  • BlackRock TCP Capital Corp. (“TCPC”)(NASDAQ: TCPC) today announced the closing of the previously announced merger with BlackRock Capital Investment Corporation (“BCIC”)(NASDAQ:BKCC).
  • As a result of the merger, legacy TCPC shareholders and former BCIC shareholders own approximately 67.5% and 32.5%, respectively, of the combined company.
  • Houlihan Lokey served as financial advisor and Dechert LLP as the legal counsel to the special committee of TCPC.
  • Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP served as legal counsel to the advisors of TCPC and BCIC.

Enstor Gas Adds Industry Veteran Jennifer Johnson as General Counsel

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 18, 2024
Energy, Legal, Professional Services, Oil, Gas, Permian, Slate, Juris, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University, Acquisition, Noble Energy, University of Texas System, Nursing, Multimedia, Willkie Farr & Gallagher, The Honourable

Enstor Gas (“Enstor”), the largest privately owned gas storage company in the United States, is pleased to announce that Jennifer Johnson has joined the company as general counsel.

Key Points: 
  • Enstor Gas (“Enstor”), the largest privately owned gas storage company in the United States, is pleased to announce that Jennifer Johnson has joined the company as general counsel.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240318446853/en/
    Enstor Gas general counsel Jennifer Johnson (Photo: Business Wire)
    Before joining Enstor, Jennifer served as general counsel for Salt Creek Midstream where she managed legal, sustainability, and human resources aspects of the business, including governance and finance matters, sustainability reporting, the acquisition and divestiture of energy assets, commercial contracts, litigation and disputes, and regulatory and compliance related matters.
  • Prior to joining Salt Creek, Ms. Johnson served as vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary of Rosehill Resources, Inc., a publicly traded upstream company with assets in the Permian Basin.
  • “Enstor is thrilled to welcome Jennifer on board as general counsel and a key contributing member of our management team,” said Enstor CEO Paul Bieniawski.

IFF Announces Sale of its Pharma Solutions Business to Roquette

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Pharmaceutical, Health, Specialty, Chemicals, Plastics, Food, Beverage, Cosmetics, Manufacturing, Retail, Slate, Growth, Science, Partnership, Patient, Research, Sale, Excipient, Creativity, Pharma, Fine chemical

IFF (NYSE: IFF) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Pharma Solutions business unit to French leader of plant-based ingredients Roquette for an enterprise value of up to $2.85 billion, which represents an enterprise value to EBITDA multiple of approximately 13x.

Key Points: 
  • IFF (NYSE: IFF) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Pharma Solutions business unit to French leader of plant-based ingredients Roquette for an enterprise value of up to $2.85 billion, which represents an enterprise value to EBITDA multiple of approximately 13x.
  • IFF’s Pharma Solutions business is a well-established developer and manufacturer of pharmaceutical excipients and includes its Global Specialty Solutions business supporting industrial and methyl cellulosic food applications.
  • The Pharma Solutions business being sold to Roquette is primarily made up of businesses within IFF’s existing Pharma Solutions division, with some adjustments to the perimeter of the transaction designed to align customers, businesses and the manufacturing footprint.
  • “We are pleased to reach an agreement with Roquette that will support Pharma Solutions’ next chapter of growth as a trusted partner for the pharmaceutical industry,” said IFF CEO Erik Fyrwald.

FiscalNote Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results; Exceeds Adjusted EBITDA Expectations

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Professional Services, Data Management, Security, Data Analytics, Technology, Software, Artificial Intelligence, Slate, Software as a service, ARR, Disclosure, LLM, Ernst & Young, Investment, European Parliament, Microsoft, SIAS, Committee, Partnership, Policy, Bell, IRR, Centerview Partners, Microsoft Bing, Organization, Intelligence, Acquisition, AI, Adjustment, Credit, European, GAAP, Public sector, ChatGPT, Government, OpenAI, Growth, FiscalNote, Ratio, Peraton, API, Patent

The Company’s financial results demonstrate FiscalNote’s strong fundamentals including revenue growth of 17% year-over-year in 2023, high gross margins, a diversified blue chip customer base and positive adjusted EBITDA of approximately $3 million(1) in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Key Points: 
  • The Company’s financial results demonstrate FiscalNote’s strong fundamentals including revenue growth of 17% year-over-year in 2023, high gross margins, a diversified blue chip customer base and positive adjusted EBITDA of approximately $3 million(1) in the fourth quarter of 2023.
  • This compares to revenue of $31.4 million and non-GAAP adjusted revenue of $31.5(1) million in the fourth quarter of 2022.
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $3.0 million(1), above the Company’s guidance range announced in November 2023 of approximately $2.5 million.
  • This is an increase of 157% or $8.2 million year-over-year compared to an adjusted EBITDA loss of $5.2 million(1) in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Primergy Secures $588M in Project Financing and Power Purchase Agreement with Microsoft for 408 MW Solar Project in Texas

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 11, 2024
Green Technology, Environment, Other Science, Other Technology, Sustainability, Urban Planning, Finance, Other Construction & Property, Professional Services, Science, Other Natural Resources, Technology, Commercial Building & Real Estate, Other Energy, Construction & Property, Utilities, Alternative Energy, Natural Resources, Energy, Slate, Microsoft, Commerzbank, Organization, MUFG Bank, Solar energy, Norddeutsche Landesbank, Partnership, SMBC, BNP Paribas, Rabobank, Investment banking, Safety, KeyBank, Latham & Watkins, MUFG, PPA, Engineering, Renewable energy

Primergy Solar LLC (‘Primergy’), a leading developer, owner, and operator of utility-scale solar and storage projects, announced today that it closed commitments for $588 million in debt financing for the 408 MWac Ash Creek Solar project in Hill County, Texas.

Key Points: 
  • Primergy Solar LLC (‘Primergy’), a leading developer, owner, and operator of utility-scale solar and storage projects, announced today that it closed commitments for $588 million in debt financing for the 408 MWac Ash Creek Solar project in Hill County, Texas.
  • The company also signed a long-term power purchase agreement with Microsoft for the full capacity of the plant.
  • Once completed, the project is expected to generate enough carbon-free energy to power the equivalent of approximately 90,000 homes per year.
  • The Ash Creek Solar project debt financing includes a construction loan, tax credit transfer bridge loan, and related letters of credit.

Thompson Thrift's Slate at Fishers District Named 2024 Multifamily Development of the Year in CoStar Impact Awards

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Slate, Trade, Growth, CoStar Group, CRE, Stainless steel, United, Linear park, Commercial property

INDIANAPOLIS, April 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Thompson Thrift, a full-service real estate company engaged in multifamily, mixed-use, retail, industrial and commercial projects across the country, earned national recognition today when Slate at Fishers District was named the multifamily development of the year for Indianapolis as part of the 2024 CoStar Impact Awards. Winners—chosen for their growth, diversification, and ability to overcome unique challenges in their markets—were selected from a panel of more than 660 industry professionals drawn from each respective market.

Key Points: 
  • INDIANAPOLIS, April 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Thompson Thrift , a full-service real estate company engaged in multifamily, mixed-use, retail, industrial and commercial projects across the country, earned national recognition today when Slate at Fishers District was named the multifamily development of the year for Indianapolis as part of the 2024 CoStar Impact Awards.
  • Sitting on approximately 25 acres in the master-planned Fishers District development, Slate at Fishers District consists of one-, two- and three-bedroom villas, along with three- and four-bedroom townhomes, all in a modern farmhouse style.
  • "Now in its third year, the CoStar Impact Awards are an incredible opportunity to recognize the real estate projects fundamentally transforming the industry landscape," said Andy Florance, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CoStar Group.
  • Thompson Thrift is a full-service real estate development company focused on ground-up commercial and mixed-use development across the Midwest, Southeast and Southwest.

4MOMS® LAUNCHES NEW "DOWN TO EARTH" COLOR COLLECTION FOR THE MAMAROO® BABY SWING

Retrieved on: 
Monday, April 1, 2024
Slate, Element, Rosewood, Pottery Barn, Beauty, Nature, Senior, Collection, X11 color names, Love, Multimedia, SRP, Toy

PITTSBURGH, April 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 4moms®, the makers of innovative baby gear, today introduced the 4moms MamaRoo® Baby Swing Down to Earth™ Color Collection – a captivating ensemble of neutral colors inspired by the organic hues found in nature – just in time for National Earth Month.  This thoughtfully curated collection embraces the beauty of simplicity, offering a blend of muted tones to complement any space. 

Key Points: 
  • This thoughtfully curated collection embraces the beauty of simplicity, offering a blend of muted tones to complement any space.
  • On April 1st, 4moms customers can choose from three new MamaRoo colors – Sandstone, Slate Blue, and Rosewood.
  • Available at the same price - SRP $269.99 - as previous models, customers can purchase the new collection exclusively at 4moms.com , Albee Baby, Baby Cubby, MacroBaby, Pish Posh Baby, Pottery Barn Kids, and Strolleria.
  • "The Down to Earth Color Collection is the same must-have MamaRoo Baby Swing that more than 2 million consumers have come to know and love, but now with a stylish color palette inspired by Mother Nature," explains Amie Stanton, Senior Marketing Director at 4moms.

INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW 2025 KIA K4: ELEVATING THE COMPACT SEDAN WITH MORE ROOM, SEGMENT-ABOVE TECH AND AVAILABLE TURBOCHARGED FUN

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Slate, Friends, Interior, Noise, Distracted driving, Kia Connect, Pedestrian, ADAS, Sale, EV9, OEM, BCW, Android, IVT, K4, Burns, Adaptive cruise control, Ultra-wideband, Harman International, International Auto Show, EX, BVM, Signature, Android Lollipop, LXS, NFC, Leg, Android Auto, Safety, Torque, Onyx, Privacy, PHEV, SCC, Apple Inc., NVH, OTA, CarPlay, Original equipment manufacturer, EVP, Digital, SUV, Memory, Gasoline, SVM, Photography, Samsung, LX, Family, Harman Kardon, LED, Vibration, Smartphone, FCA, Chinese, LKA, Advanced driver-assistance system, EPA, HEV, Google Play, Atmosphere, NBA, Mobile phone

"Succeeding in the compact segment means overdelivering on the features that customers want, and the K4 is designed to exceed expectations."

Key Points: 
  • "Succeeding in the compact segment means overdelivering on the features that customers want, and the K4 is designed to exceed expectations."
  • Hidden rear door handles in the C-pillar emphasize the K4's fastback proportions and draw attention to its swept-back daylight opening.
  • K4 Interior Design and Technology: Seamless Connectivity
    The interior of the K4 raises the level of discourse for the entire class.
  • 6 Kia Digital Key requires an eligible Kia Connect subscription and a compatible smart device with an active data plan.