Spoilers ahead for The Bear's final season.

For years now, those with a Hulu subscription have been watching the Emmy-winning FX series The Bear. That acclaimed dramedy recently released its fifth and final season, and fans are still recovering from its emotional ending. I watched all of Season 5 in one day, and followed it up with the new Netflix romantic comedy Voicemails for Isabelle. And I was shocked at what a great chaser that movie was, and how connected these two very different projects ultimately were.

The Bear's final season was an emotionally satisfying conclusion, with the titular restaurant overcoming a shift from hell and getting two Michelin stars. Seeing Carmy leave the business and the rest of the characters coming to the other side of their grief was thrilling, and funny enough, Voicemails for Isabelle (streaming with a Netflix subscription) ended up tackling very similar subject matter... despite being a rom-com. Let's talk about that shocking synergy.

Voicemails for Isabelle Kept The Bear Alive With Similar Themes

Throughout The Bear's time on the air, audiences were shown Carmy's history in fine dining, including the abusive relationship he had with one of his former bosses (played by Joel McHale). This, combined with his anxiety issues and grief over his late brother Mikey, results in him lowkey hating his career as a chef.

After seeing the characters of The Bear get their happy ending, I ended up streaming Voicemails for Isabelle over on Netflix. And I couldn't believe just how much connective tissue these very different titles ultimately had.

Voicemails for Isabelle has folks getting emotional, mostly because of the way Zoey Deutch's protagonist Jill is shown in the throes of grief. Her sick sister and best friend passes away early on in the movie, which she spends sending her voicemails updating Isabelle about what's been going on in her life. Are you seeing the similarities yet?

Obviously, Carmy and Jill have something in common, as the tragedy of losing a sibling is something that only those who have gone through it understand. But funny enough, that's not the only similarity. Because Deutch's character in Voicemails for Isabelle is also in the culinary arts. Baking is her passion, although she's stuck as a prep cook and spends all of her workdays cutting up kumquats for her nightmare boss Chef Bastien (Nick Offerman).

I couldn't help but think about Carmy's time under his own horrible Chef on The Bear, and loved seeing the way both he and Jill were able to escape that toxic environment. For Jill, it was quitting and opening a food truck, and for Carmine, it was leaving the industry altogether. The connection between their grief and their culinary careers made these two titles feel extremely connected, and Voicemails for Isabelle was exactly what I needed to watch after devouring the FX show's final episodes.

The Bear is streaming in its entirety on Hulu now, while Voicemails for Isabelle is on Netflix as part of the 2026 movie release list. Now give me a crossover, you cowards!

There's nothing like a good theme park, and I've had some great times from local ones to the magic of a trip to Orlando for Walt Disney World. As a New Jersey native, I recently crossed state lines for a few days at HersheyPark, my first time in that particular venue in well over a decade. I didn't know what to expect, but had an absolute blast. What's more, there were three ways that the chocolate-y destination actually beat my most recent trip to Disney. Let's break it all down.

I'm admittedly not a hardcore theme park junkie, so I went into both Hershey and Disney World with an open mind. While I could have spent my entire trip in the latter park at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, I was shocked by how chill and low-stakes HersheyPark ended up feeling. Let's break it all down.

The 3 Ways Hershey Beat Disney World (For Me)

I recently went to HersheyPark with some family, complete with a four (and a half) year old. I expected the wild crowds of Disney World, but that wasn't the case. Instead, it was an easy-breezy few days, where I was able to easily get refreshments, walk around the park, pose with characters, and even walk right onto attractions without having to wait on a line. Hershey does indeed have a Fast Track option that lets you skip the line like Disney's Lightning Lane, but it wasn't necessary when I went.

I will admit that my days at HersheyPark were in the middle of the week, so that might be a contributing factor to the lack of crowds. But even on its busiest day, I can't imagine the park being anywhere near as crazy as Rope Drop at Disney.

There's another aspect of my time at Hershey that I thought stood above my time at Disney World. Namely, you can buy alcohol and take it with you as you walk around the park. This was a lovely surprise after my last trip to Disney, as booze is only permitted in EPCOT and certain select restaurants in the other parks. I spent a few days walking around Hershey with the aforementioned four-year-old, and being able to enjoy a nice cold beer as he rode the Trailblazer ride for the eighth time was a game changer.

The third point of victory over Disney is the fact that one ticket to HersheyPark gave you full access to the park, including its water park attractions. There's no need for a park hopper or shuttles; you just needed to bring a bathing suit and enjoy the various attractions at The Boardwalk.

The entire trip felt like a much lower-stakes situation, where one could easily go on rides and get refreshments without having to program it onto an application and follow a strict schedule. So I found myself much more relaxed than at Disney World, which is a huge (expensive) undertaking. Maybe I'm comparing apples to oranges, but it felt like a whole new way to experience a Theme Park.

June is Pride Month, and there's plenty of A+ content about queer stories hitting TV and the big screen. Anne Rice's Interview with a Vampire has a long history for LGBTQ+ community, and we're a few episodes into the show's third season on AMC. Retitled The Vampire Lestat, the book to screen adaptation has once again caught my attention. Although there's one big thing I'm missing from its firs two seasons on the air.

Reviews for The Vampire Lestat are quite positive, and in many ways it feels like a brand new show. We are now finally in Lestat's POV, which stands in juxtaposition to some of the stories Louis told in the first two season (streaming with a Netflix subscription). It's wild watching Sam Reid's character tour as a rock star, but there is on essential ingredient I wish was still included.

I Miss The Romance Between Lestat And Louis

In the first two seasons of Interview with the Vampire, Sam Reid's Louis tells the story of his long life to Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian). The heart of the story is about his romantic connection with Lestat, who transforms him into a vampire and creates a family unit alongside Claudia. Their queerness was noticeably left out of the Interview with the Vampire movie, and in my opinion it helped make the show even more captivating. But The Vampire Lestat is largely set in 2025, after the title character and Louis have become estranged following the release of Daniel's book.

While both Louis and Lestat remain major characters in the new season, I'm missing their love story, which was previously central to the story. It remains to be seen if they end up making up, but right now I'm missing the experience of shipping these two blood suckers.

Interview with the Vampire has brutal kills and an intriguing decades-long story that still captures my attention. Having Lestat take center stage for Season 3 offers a new and exciting perspective on Anne Rice's beloved story, but I still miss the love triangle that was established in the first two seasons between Lestat, Louis, and Armand. Hopefully we get to explore more of this dynamic in the remaining episodes of the season.

Of course, there are plenty of other thrilling narrative threads that are being pulled on in The Vampire Lestat. To start, the first episode's time-jump saw an injured Louis and Armand following Lestat's apparent death, as well as a mysterious "global catastrophe." What's more, I'm curious about the waitress Louis visits who resembles a grown-up Claudia. I'll be tuning in to each new episode... and crossing my fingers that the show's love story returns.

New episodes of Interview with the Vampire air Sundays on AMC as part of the 2026 TV schedule. For now, folks can re-watch the first two seasons over on Netflix.

June is Pride Month, and there are plenty of LGBTQ+ folks and their allies who are looking for queer stories to watch. While not exactly a queer rom-com, folks with an HBO Max subscription were recently treated to the streaming release of Harry Lighton's Pillion. I was excited to watch the steamy movie from my home, and it really made the Fifty Shades movies look as wholesome as When Harry Met Sally.

I wanted to see Pillion in theaters, but was too busy back in February when it arrived in US theaters. I was shocked by its sexual content and its portrayal of a dom/sub relationship, as well as its graphic nudity. Overall, I'm surprised this movie was even able to be made and given a wide theatrical release.

Pillion Was Way Steamier And NSFW Than I Thought

Pillion wasn't what I expected, which is very much a compliment. I was hooked on the movie the minute Alexander Skarsgård's Ray entered the film and began to train Harry Melling's Colin as his submissive. In many ways, it felt like the audience was in Colin's POV, getting more invested methodically from their meeting at a bar to them eventually engaging in a committed relationship. Just not the one you typically expect from queer love stories on film.

Indeed, Ray makes it clear to Colin that they are not in "love" the way most relationships play out. Instead, he's in complete control, telling Colin what to wear and having him serve him in and out of the bedroom. And while it's undeniable that Skarsgård's character is easy on the eyes, the actual reality of the dom/sub dynamic is intense and more than I assume most people would be able to handle. There's also a ton of nudity, including close-up shots of Ray's (prosthetic) penis, which has the potential to be a big shock.

For instance, Colin must shave his head and sleep on the floor while Ray sleeps on his comfortable bed. He also cooks all his meals and gives up complete control over his own body when the two are sexual. I couldn't help but think of how PG-13 the Fifty Shades movies were in comparison; I mean, Dakota Johnson's Anastasia would never put up with Ray's demands.

As a queer person, I'm at least partly aware of how these dom/sub relationships work. But I think it's pretty remarkable that Pillion was filmed and released, and is now streaming on a major platform like HBO Max. I have a feeling that straight folks out there might be in for a ton of surprises is they decide to give the movie a try because they love True Blood's Alexander Skarsgård and want to check out a relatively new release. As for LGBTQ+ audiences, I think this movie is a perfect Pride watch, and is more than just steamy scenes.

Pillion is streaming now on HBO Max as part of the 2026 movie release list. Just beware: the movie is definitely not suitable for work.

Bravo is home to some of the best reality shows ever, namely the Real Housewives franchise. Multiple cities are airing at any point on the network (and streaming with a Peacock subscription), and we're currently deep into the very first season of The Real Housewives of Rhode Island. While I originally watched because RHONJ's Dolores was a friend of, I was instantly hooked by the other women. Most specifically, breakout star Alicia Carmody.

While fans weren't necessarily clamoring for The Real Housewives of Rhode Island, it quickly won over the hearts of fans like me. And while Alicia might not be a Housewife who would crush on The Traitors, she makes me laugh every single episode.

I Can't Get Enough Of Alicia On RHORI

One early reason why RHORI won me over was due to the accent that so many of the women have. Alicia's is particularly strong, and it tickles me anytime she talks about eating a "cracka" or how the eye makeup on her collection of Bratz dolls has "shimma" on it. The fact that she's obsessed with dolls and won't even let her young daughter touch them cracks me TF up, and shows a quirky side of the new Housewife that definitely wasn't put on for the cameras.

Due to that delightful accent, I've been quoting Alicia pretty much non-stop throughout Rhode Island's first season. Whether it's her inability to say the word "facade" or her admitting she once "ran over a woman" with her car, I can't get enough of this woman. Perhaps my favorite line came when she entered the Carey Mansion and declared "This is ah story tale." Between her pronunciation of the word "our" and her messing up the word "fairy tale", this quote is my favorite (so far).

While I personally think the Real Housewives franchise is something you can just jump into without watching its full history, the fact that I was there for Day 1 of RHORI is likely going to only increase my fandom for the new show. And that's before the explosive season finale and multi-part reunion airs.

Alicia in many ways feels like Real Housewives of New Jersey's Teresa Giuidice from the early seasons. She's consistently funny, but isn't necessarily trying to crack a joke. Overall Rhode Island does feel like OG Jersey, starring a close-knit group of women with real relationships outside of the show. And their accents are the cherry on top of a delicious new reality show.

The Real Housewives of Rhode Island airs new episodes Sundays as part of the 2026 TV schedule. I'm going to miss these women when the season ends, especially the one and only Alicia Carmody.

Actress/pop star Jennifer Lopez is known for her many talents, as well as starring in some of the best romantic comedies of all time. Those with a Netflix subscription were recently treated to a new addition: Ol Parker's Office Romance, which also stars (and was written by) Ted Lasso actor Brett Goldstein. The movie is a blast that hits plenty of rom-com tropes, although I think there was one missed opportunity that I kept hoping for throughout its 115-minute runtime.

Only time will tell if Office Romance ends up being ranked among JLo's best rom-coms, but her chemistry with Goldstein was killer. The movie is chock-full of recognizable actors including Betty Gilpin, Amy Sedaris, Bradley Whitford, Tony Hale, and so much more. It even includes a number of Broadway legends. And given all these musical talent involved in the ensemble cast, I think that the Netflix movie should have included a musical number.

Office Romance Totally Should Have Had A Musical Number

Aside from being endlessly charismatic on screen, Jennifer Lopez is known for singing and dancing talents as a recording artist, as well as in musical projects like the Kiss of the Spider Woman movie. And while she's been in loads of romantic comedies, none of them have included a random musical number. Plenty of titles have used this trope including My Best Friend's Wedding, Isn't it Romantic?, Forgetting Sarah Marshall and The 40-Year-Old Virgin.

While I would have loved to see JLo show off her immense musical talent in Office Romance, the movie had a number of Broadway legends in the cast that also could have helped make this happen. Namely Tony winner Roger Bart who played the villainous William Butten, Tony winner Ali Stroker who played AirCruz employee Maggie, and Tony-nominated icon Norm Lewis who was Richard Howell. Clearly the movie was shot in the New York area.

Office Romance's trailer didn't give any hint of a musical sequence, but I was shocked by how many Broadway legends kept popping up throughout its brief runtime. And with JLo at the center, I think it would have been awesome to see this star-studded ensemble do a song and dance number in the middle of the movie. Seriously, this is a missed opportunity for my theater kid heart!

Did Office Romance NEED a musical number? Maybe not, but plenty of rom-coms have surprised audiences with some singing and dancing over the years. And considering just how much of the cast has those talents, especially the incomparable Jennifer Lopez, I'm sure I wouldn't have been the only one delighted if actors started belting out some tunes.

Office Romance is streaming now on Netflix as part of the 2026 movie release list. Fingers crossed that JLo's next rom-com goes in on this trope of the genre.

Sam Levinson's Euphoria is a bona fide sensation, joining the ranks of HBO shows that got the world talking back in Season 1. The long-awaited third season is airing now on the network (and with an HBO Max subscription), and it's been a doozy so far. There is one last episode coming down the line, and I'm worried that one of the main characters is going to get killed off. Namely, Zendaya's protagonist Rue.

Euphoria Season 3 picked up years after the characters graduated from high school, and the stakes couldn't get much higher. This is especially true for Rue, who is in the middle of an organized crime battle... while also secretly working for the DEA. And I'm getting nervous that the show's lead character is going to end up like Adriana in The Sopranos. Hear me out.

I Really Hope Rue Doesn't Get The Adriana Sopranos Treatment

It's been hinted that Season 3 might be Euphoria's final chapter, including by Emmy-winning Zendaya herself. And as such, Rue's situation feels especially precarious ahead of the season finale. She's got two different crime lords who seemingly want her dead, and that's without her even being outed as an informant for the DEA. And if both Laurie and Alamo find out the truth, smart money says she'll be in even more danger.

I had Sopranos flashbacks as soon as Rue ended up being questioned by the DEA, and not-so-subtly strong-armed into giving them information about Laurie and Alamo's drug deals. Adriana was my favorite character on David Chase's acclaimed HBO series, and the fact that Euphoria is on the same network made the connection even stronger. And with one episode left, I'm seriously worried that Euphoria's lead character is about to meet her maker.

While they have very different stories and backgrounds, I can't help but see the similarities between Rue and Adriana. Both were unwillingly roped into being informants, putting them in even more danger than they already were. Rue was forced into her life as a drug mule because of the money she owed Laurie, while Adriana was systematically targeted by the FBI due to Christopher's involvement in the mob. We all know what happened to Drea de Matteo's character in The Sopranos, and I'm really hoping that Rue is spared in Euphoria's Season 3 finale.

Unfortunately, it's not looking great for Zendaya's signature character. The penultimate episode of Season 3 saw Faye betraying her, which will seemingly put her in even more danger with Laurie's crew. Then there's Alamo, who was informed of her DEA connection thanks to Maddie's desperation to save Cassie. Both criminal bosses seemingly want her dead, and things are going to go from bad to worse if her identity as a mole comes out.

All will be revealed when Euphoria's finale airs this Sunday as part of the 2026 TV schedule. Fingers crossed Rue survives all the drama. Folks who want to re-watch Adriana's time on The Sopranos can stream it over on HBO Max.

Spoilers ahead for Obsession. Go see it in theaters and come back!

The horror genre has been experiencing a renaissance for years now, to the delight of fans like me. Many of the best horror movies in recent memory came from Blumhouse, and they once again stuck the landing with Curry Barker's Obsession, which is crushing at the box office. I totally love this new scary movie, although there's one scene in particular that's been haunting me in the days since I saw it on the big screen.

Shortly after it arrived in theaters, moviegoers started debating Obsession's twist ending. In the final moments of the movie, Inde Navarrette's Nikki finally regains control of her body... while surrounded by money and three of her friends' dead bodies. While Barker is creating a shared universe with his next movie, I can't stop thinking about the gnarly way that Sarah was killed in Obsession. Seriously, it's the thing of nightmares.

Sarah's Death Was INSANE

The violence in Obsession is shocking and random, between the real Nikki trying to control her own body, and the other Nikki lashing out as a result of her affection for Bear. Things reach a boiling point at Ian's party, where Navarrette's character starts getting very jealous of Megan Lawless' Sarah. Things go from bad to worse when Sarah and Bear meet in her car, and Nikki suddenly appears, breaks through the car window, and smashes her head on a brick repeatedly until she's both dead and horrifyingly mutilated. It's arguably the goriest sequence in the entire movie, a death that I truly can't stop thinking about.

I am a hardcore horror fan, and usually if there's one scene that I can't stop thinking about, it's a good sign for the movie. For Nope, it was everyone being digested by Jean Jacket, while for Scream VI, it was Anika's chase and ladder fall. Then there's Weapons' bloody ending. And seeing the way Sarah's face was repeatedly smashed against a brick in Obsession is going to stick with me for the foreseeable future.

Unfortunately, Sarah's misery doesn't end after she's killed. In the movie's final sequence, we see that the wish that's occupying Nikki has kept the body and mangled it further in Bear's home. That was another unsettling moment for Obsession, but I still think that watching Sarah's death was the most disturbing part in the movie's entire 109-minute runtime.

The cast of Obsession might be making us question what we think about how Bear's wish influenced Nikki, but one thing not up for debate is just how grisly Sarah's fate in the new Blumhouse horror movie was. And I personally can't wait to re-watch it once it's available to watch from home.

Obsession is in theaters now as part of the 2026 movie release list. And I have to assume I'm not the only one who was totally freaked out by the way Sarah was killed off.

In just a few years, The Traitors has become one of the best reality shows on the air. And in addition to watching the Emmy-winning US version, those with a Peacock subscription also have access to the international iterations of the campy competition show. I've been catching up on The Traitors UK Season 4, and while it's almost identical to the US in its format and challenges, there's a huge twist that I'm bummed we didn't get in the States.

The Traitors UK is set in the same Scottish castle, although campy host Alan Cumming is swapped with English broadcaster Claudia Winkleman, who plays her role as seriously as a heart attack. While most of the challenges and formats are the same, they got a thrilling twist across the pond that created A+ television. Namely, that a few Faithful were able to go to the chapel and ask the Traitors questions from the safety of the confessional booth. And boy was it explosive.

The Faithful Talking To The Traitors In The Church Was Incredible

In The Traitors UK, two different Faithful won the ability to ask the Traitors questions at the Castle Chapel. The results were wild on both ends. First came Matthew, who asked who they were going to murder next and also requested to be recruited as soon as possible. The way he crossed lines was interesting, but it was Harriet's turn to ask questions that provided even more thrilling drama.

When Harriet appeared at the Chapel, she admitted to the unseen Traitors that she was an author of psychological thrillers and a former barrister. And when they attempted to lie to her and manipulate her with their answers, she brought the drama and called them out. It was a thrilling and memorable sequence... even if Harriet fumbled the bag in the rest of the episode.

Personally, I would have loved to see how this twist would have functioned within the US version of the show. Since The Traitors Season 4 cast was full of reality TV royalty like Survivor icons and Real Housewives, I have to assume that it would have been explosive if the Faithful were able to ask some questions of the treacherous Traitors. So while the US season was still great, I do feel like we were robbed of a potentially great moment.

The Traitors UK is streaming over on Peacock in its entirety as part of the 2026 TV schedule. We'll just have to wait and see if the confessional conversation is something that returns in future seasons.

There are major IPs, and then there's Star Wars. Generations grew up with the galaxy far, far away, including both the Star Wars movies and the live-action TV shows that are streaming with a Disney+ subscription. The Mandalorian was the first of the latter category, becoming an instant hit and making Grogu, aka Baby Yoda, a phenomenon. The little green guy just made the Force jump to the big screen and steals every single scene he's in. But there are 5 moments in particular that really made me "aww" in the theater.

What we knew about The Mandalorian and Grogu had been kept under wraps, but now Jon Favreau's movie is officially on the silver screen. In it, we see the two title characters on a mission for Jeremy Allen White's Rotta the Hutt, and face high-stakes repercussions. Along the way, Grogu is insanely adorable, thanks to the writing, practical effects, and incredible puppetry used to bring him to life. But if I had to pick my favorite bits, they would be the following.

Grogu Banging On Mando's Helmet In The AT-AT Battle

The opening action sequence of The Mandalorian and Grogu starts the movie with a bang. In it, Pedro Pascal's masked protagonist single-handedly takes out multiple AT-AT walkers, all while Grogu comes along for the ride. At one point, Pascal's Din Djarin takes too long to exit one that's full of bombs, and our beloved Baby Yoda panics and starts repeatedly hitting Mando's helmet with his little hands. Give me the GIF ASAP.

Rolling Up On The Anzellans

Another huge contributor to the new Star Wars movie's cuteness and comedy is the group of four Anzellans (like Babu Frik) that show up around halfway through its brisk 132-minute runtime. They're originally not fans of Grogu, aka "the baby"; we learn this when the little guy runs his little pitter-pat feet over to them upon arrival, and they freak. What can I say? Something about seeing Grogu run cracks me up.

Chowing Down At Rotta's Fight

On their mission to find Rotta for The Hutt Twins, Mando and Grogu travel to Shakari. While originally thinking they were there to rescue him, they find the son of Jabba the Hutt in the fighting pits. Obviously, Grogu is always hungry, and I laughed every time there was a shot of him chowing down on his arena snack while watching the show.

Sleeping On Rotta The Hutt

It turns out Rotta is a softy at heart, and he and Grogu develop a cute friendship throughout The Mandalorian and Grogu. After winning the little guy over by feeding him fish (that appetite is no joke), the two end up taking a nap together later in the movie. Grogu lies like a cat on top of Rotta's giant body, and it's all very cute.

Saluting Sigourney Weaver's Ward

Sigourney Weaver plays a supporting character as Ward, a colonel of the New Republic who employs Mando as a bounty hunter. She's yet another character who guards her food from Grogu, but comes through in a major way in the third act. That's when Grogu gives her the tiniest salute, and for a moment, all was right with the world.

Obviously, there are a ton more moments in this movie where Grogu will make you chuckle; it's an embarrassment of riches. I could really watch a movie of just him and the Anzellans. The above moments were just especially memorable for me.

The Mandalorian and Grogu is in theaters now as part of the 2026 movie release list. Star Wars is back in theaters, and we still have Ryan Gosling's Starfighter to look forward to.

Spoilers ahead for the most recent episode of Euphoria, "Stand Still and See".

Sam Levinson's Euphoria is an Emmy-winning hit show that instantly joined the ranks of HBO shows that got the world talking after it premiered back in 2019. Those with an HBO Max subscription have been watching its long-awaited third season, which has been jam-packed full of surprises. I was thrilled when Rue's mother, Leslie (Nika King), finally appeared in Episode 6, but I can't believe how little they actually showed of her. Seriously, I'm floored.

Euphoria Season 3 has been largely worth the wait... even if it feels like a very different show than its predecessors. Throughout the series, Rue has made two one-sided phone calls to Leslie, and I assumed that King wouldn't get to appear. But Episode 6 proved me wrong... kind of.

I Can't Believe They Gave Leslie Just One Line In Episode 6

Rue has been trying to connect with her religious side throughout Season 3, and during the most recent episode, she visited a church. While sitting in a pew, she spoke to her mom on the phone and apologized for everything she put the family through over the years. Zendaya's performance was powerful (as always), and at the end of the conversation, I was shocked to see Leslie appear. While I was originally hyped for the character, who was a series regular in the first two seasons, I was disappointed when she got just ONE line of dialogue.

Nika King's performance in the first two seasons of Euphoria was truly remarkable, especially that explosive Season 2 episode "Stand Still Like the Hummingbird", where Leslie and Rue's issues finally boil over into an explosive confrontation. Zendaya won her second Emmy for this episode, and King's collaboration in their scenes is at least partly why it was so effective. So the fact that she was given one single line of dialogue in "Stand Still and See" felt like a slap in the face to the fandom who waited years before Season 3 to finally arrive.

What Actress Nika King Said About The Scene

Critical response to Euphoria Season 3 has been mixed, but what does the cast think? Nika King took to Instagram after learning she got just one line, in a reel where she said:

To be clear, she is laughing while making these comments. Mostly because King's mother is cracking her up with her response. You can check out the Instagram reel for yourself below:

It remains to be seen if Rue's mother gets any more scenes in the final two episodes of Euphoria. Alamo did threaten her life in Episode 6, so maybe this is teasing that their family reunion is happening... and under duress. Only time will tell, but the stakes feel extremely high for the entire cast of leading characters.

Euphoria airs new episodes on Sundays on HBO as part of the 2026 TV schedule. Fingers crossed we see more of Leslie, because that cameo simply wasn't enough.

Singin’ in the Rain came out in 1952, and it still, to this day, hasn't been dethroned as the greatest movie musical of all time. Sure, it didn’t win Best Picture (Believe it or not, it wasn’t even nominated in the category), but its stature has grown over the years and for many, it's one of the greatest movies of all time - forget just calling it the greatest musical of all time.

That said, just why is it so good? Sure, it doesn’t have the interracial appeal of say, West Side Story, nor does it have the songs or dramatic depth of say, Fiddler on the Roof. However, while it is “just” a musical romantic comedy, it shines so brightly in that regard that its greatness can’t be denied.

So, if you’ll allow me to, please let me gush over Singin’ in the Rain.

First Of All, It Has The Most Iconic Scene In Any Musical Ever With Gene Kelly Dancing In The Rain

I’m going to be honest with you. The first time I ever heard the song “Singin’ in the Rain” was actually in a movie my sister told me to never watch, and that’s A Clockwork Orange, which is one of Stanley Kubrick’s best movies. If you’ve ever seen the film, then you know what scene I’m talking about, but it’s certainly not the most flattering moment in cinematic history.

In fact, the juxtaposition of what’s happening on the screen paired with the beautiful melody is what makes the scene so impactful in the first place. But, that’s just it. Even though I hadn’t seen Singin’ in the Rain at that point in my life, when I was first getting into Kubrick, I of course knew where the song came from. Because in a lot of ways, I think you can measure how important a movie is by how much it’s referenced in later pop culture.

For example, how many times have we heard Morricone’s The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly theme in other movies or TV shows? Or, what about other movies that have referenced The Wizard of Oz (I swear, I’ve had the Wicked Witch’s, “I’ll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too!” ingrained in my skull ever since I was in the womb).

But, I think the same could be said of Gene Kelly tap dancing in the rain with his umbrella. It’s a scene so memorable that even cinephiles who have never seen the movie could likely tell you, “Oh, yeah. That’s from Singin’ in the Rain.” It’s a magical moment, and besides the rooftop dance in West Side Story, I can’t think of a more memorable scene in any other musical ever.

Its Story Of People Adapting To The Talkies Era Is A Great History Lesson On Film In General

Do you want to know what Oscar-winning movie I think is kind of lame? The Artist. I mean, it’s not a bad movie, per se. But, when compared to the other Best Picture winners of the 2010s, I think it’s far and away the weakest movie in that category. And, that’s simply because I feel the silent aspect feels like a gimmick, as I don’t really learn anything about the transition from silent films to the “talkies” in that movie.

Do you know what movie does a good job of showing that transition, though? Singin’ in the Rain. Gene Kelly stars as a vaudeville musician who has made a living in silent films. But, he’s having a difficult time transitioning into the talkies, which a lot of silent-era stars struggled with at the time. And then, you have Debbie Reynolds playing a theater actress who sort of looks down upon film acting because she finds the theater to be superior.

Kelly’s and Reynold’s characters don’t get along at first, but they learn to bond because they have to. The world of entertainment is moving quickly, and if they don’t adapt, then they won’t have jobs, which is what unfortunately happened to a lot of actors of that era.

The rest of the film is about this transition, which at first starts reluctantly, but then evolves into acceptance, which gives a far better snapshot of that period than The Artist ever did.

The Choreography Is Just Exceptional Across The Board

Do you know, for a time, I really hated musicals, and I think it’s because I love martial arts movies. I’ll explain. You see, I once thought musicals were obnoxious because they were highly acclaimed and won Oscars, but martial arts movies didn’t (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon came the closest, but still didn’t win).

However, with both musicals and martial arts movies, you have to suspend your disbelief, as in musicals, people just start singing and dancing, and in martial arts movies, people just start kicking each other’s asses. And yet, one genre was revered (and rewarded!), while the other was looked down upon. What the hell?

Well, in my adult years, I’ve learned to appreciate both mediums, and when it comes to the musical, Singin’ in the Rain has the best choreography of all time. All of the dance numbers, whether it be the playful “Fit as a Fiddle,” the silly, “Moses,” the sprawling, “Broadway Melody Ballet,” the touching “All I Do Is Dream of You,” or my favorite number, “Make ‘Em Laugh,” every scene utilizes its space and songs to craft memorable moments.

For instance, take the highly popular “Good Morning,” where all three leads share the scene. It’s simple, but it fits perfectly within the rest of the film. And, that’s what makes the choreography so special. Every number is so unique that it makes me WANT to suspend my disbelief. I don’t think any other musical has this much consistency when it comes to its songs and dances, and that’s saying something.

It's Pretty Impossible To Leave The Film Without A Lightness In Your Heart

My favorite musical of all time is Pippin. Have you ever seen Pippin? It seems lighthearted, but it’s dark as hell! Another favorite of mine is Miss Saigon. It’s such a rich and engrossing story…but it’s also crazy dark. When it comes to movie musicals, I’m with Kubrick: All That Jazz is a masterpiece…but it’s also dark as hell!

What’s with me? Why do I enjoy what I like to call “menacing musicals”? I don’t know, but the darker it is, the better I tend to think it is. Every. Single. Time. Except, no, that’s not entirely true, since I think the greatest musical of all time actually has one of the most optimistic conclusions of any movie ever, and that’s Singin’ in the Rain’s. In the ending, we see Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynold’s kiss in front of a billboard for the new movie they’re starring in…Singin’ in the Rain.

Yes, it’s a little meta (especially for 1952), but seeing that final shot, and hearing that wonderful music really lifts your spirits. And, I think that’s a wonderful thing.

Some people (such as myself) tend to think happy endings are kind of contrived and sappy. However, I wouldn’t want anything else from this film. Top to bottom, Singin’ in the Rain is the kind of movie that you might go into feeling depressed, but you’ll come out of it with a smile on your face, and I think more movies need to have that quality. It’s also why even though there have been many great musicals over the years, Singin’ in the Rain still stands at the top. It might be 74 years old, but what does that matter when it's timeless?

Is the box office explosion that is Michael really all that surprising? I mean, 1982's Thriller is still the highest-selling album of all time and that's a title that I don’t think will ever be dethroned, given that it’s sold over 60 million records.

As to what I thought of the film? Well, I thought it was flawed, but fun. It wasn't the in-depth biopic that I had hoped for, but it was enjoyable to see the making of “Thriller” and other key moments in Michael’s early career. However, while watching it, one thing that kept flicking me in the back of my mind was how much I’d like a Janet Jackson biopic.

Janet, as you likely know, isn't in Michael (by choice, of course), which just makes me desire a Janet Jackson biopic all the more so. Here are some other reasons why I’d like to see this.

I’d REALLY Like To Know What Janet’s Relationship With Joe Jackson Was Like

Yes, everybody is talking about how good Jaafar Jackson is in Michael, and for good reason. At times, you actually forget that somebody is playing Michael Jackson, which makes sense, given the immediate connection between Jaafar and Michael. But, if there’s one other name that’s brought up when it comes to staggering depictions, it’s Colman Domingo’s portrayal of the patriarch, Joe Jackson.

He plays the antagonist of the film, and he’s often tyrannical when it comes to MJ’s career. Since we’re mainly seeing the film from Michael’s perspective, we get a very negative version of his father. However, what was Janet’s relationship with her dad like? Even prior to this movie, I knew that Joe Jackson was not a contender for Father of the Year.

Because Janet had a prodigious career in her own right, I’d love to know what HER relationship with her father was like. Was he just as hard on her as he was with Michael? I do know that she had her own branching off from the family moment with her third album, Control, but did Joe have a looser hand on her career than he did with his sons?

These are things that I would love to see in a biopic about Janet Jackson, especially since her presence isn’t in Michael at all.

It Would Be Fascinating To See Janet’s Rise Toward Rhythm Nation 1814, And Then Beyond It

Some people might not know this – and you definitely wouldn't know it from the movie – but Janet Jackson was actually in a variety show called The Jacksons along with her brothers, as well as her two sisters, Rebbie, and La Toya. In fact, much like Michael, Janet was extremely young when she got into show business, and her trajectory as an artist saw her having roles in TV shows like Good Times, A New Kind of Family, and Diff’rent Strokes while she was also putting out early records.

These early records is what I’d really love to see in a Janet Jackson biopic. Since I have the whole summer off (I'm a teacher outside of this website), one thing I do every year is pick out one artist and go through their entire discography. And, with a very manageable 11 albums, Janet is quite easy to get through her entire catalog.

Even so, her first two albums, 1982's Janet Jackson, and 1984's Dream Street, are kind of…meh. Not bad, per se, but just “meh.” Sophomoric might be the word I'd use. It’s actually not until 1986's Control that Jackson seemed to be really charting her own destiny. And then, the concept album, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814, was a huge leap.

Much like how we got to see how Michael grew from his Jackson 5 days to a song like “Beat It,” I'd love to see a biopic that explores Janet's transformation that led to a groundbreaking album like Rhythm Nation. That would be peak cinema!

Janet And Michael Also Had A Unique Bond, And I'd Like To Know More About That, Too

An aspect I brought up earlier about the movie, Michael, is that Janet Jackson is nowhere to be seen, and again, that’s fine. It is Michael’s movie after all, and not Janet’s. That said, the two siblings ostensibly had a pretty close relationship, and I’m just wondering if, if we ever got a biopic for Janet, would we see Michael in it?

I think we probably would. It is Janet, after all, with whom Michael worked with on the epic 1995 song, “Scream,” which, in turn, was a commentary on the sexual allegations that Michael was going through at the time with the media. “Scream” aside, I’m sure that Janet certainly had feelings about her own career, which in a lot of ways coincided with her brother’s.

They weren’t rivals. They were contemporaries, and though I feel Janet’s career gets overshadowed by Michael’s nowadays, Janet’s contribution to music was just as seismic back then as her brother’s, and I would love to see how close - or how distant - they were in their own separate careers.

I think that’d be a fascinating watch, and something I kind of feel deprived of when it comes to Michael’s movie.

Also, That Soundtrack Would Be Incredible On The Big Screen

When it comes to Michael, there are a lot of complaints about how it's a surface-level film at best, and at worst, a film that scrubs Michael clean of any wrongdoings (like Disney scrubbed the Michael Jackson episode of The Simpsons off Disney+) that he may or may not have done, and yeah. I think those are both perfectly valid complaints. That said, it is important to note that a lot was taken out of this film, and the movie that we eventually got was far removed from the movie that it might have been.

However, if there’s one thing that can’t be denied about the film, it’s that the soundtrack is incredible. And, like, was it ever NOT going to be? When you have music from the Jackson 5 era, the Off the Wall period, Thriller, and a little bit of Bad, was there ever any universe where this soundtrack wasn’t going to be a 10 out of 10 experience? Well, I think if Janet ever also got her own biopic, then her soundtrack would be just as good (if not better, which I’ll get into next) than Michael’s.

It honestly would really depend on how far into her career a hypothetical movie would go. For instance, the deeper you go into Janet’s catalogue, the better the songs get. Tracks like “All for You,” “Runaway,” or “I Get Lonely” would sound marvelous on the big screen, just as “Bad” does for Michael.

Truthfully, I think I want this movie mostly for the soundtrack alone. It would be so good!

Lastly, I Think A Lot Of Young People Could Gain An Appreciation For Janet That They Might Not Have Had Before

Like a lot of people, I followed Michael Jackson’s career (both in song and in film) my entire life, so a Michael Jackson biopic, while fun, wasn’t revelatory or anything like that.

That said, it wasn’t until I went through Janet’s entire discography that I realized just how wonderful she was/is. Honestly - and this might be a hot take - but I think Janet Jackson had a better career than Michael. Maybe she doesn’t have a “Billie Jean” or a “Human Nature” in her entire catalogue, but Michael doesn't have a single album better than The Velvet Rope.

I think a biopic could make younger generations learn to love her just as I do.

How cool would that be? So, make it happen, Hollywood!

The 2026 Oscars have come and gone, with a new batch of artists taking home the coveted Academy Award. There were a number of memorable moments this year, including the In Memoriam segment, which honored folks like late filmmaker Rob Reiner, Catherine O'Hara, Diane Keaton, and Robert Redford. While the Oscars still left out some names, I absolutely loved the format change to this emotional segment.

The Oscars In Memoriam always leaves some folks out, and this year fans noticed both James Van Der Beek and Eric Dane were missing. While one can debate who should and shouldn't have been included in the telecast, I think that the way certain individuals were memorialized should stick around for future Academy Awards. Hear me out.

The Oscars Special Tributes Were Moving And Beautiful

The In Memoriam segment started off with a emotional gut punch, as a number of the stars of Rob Reiner's movies united on stage, holding hands. His death was a shock, especially with his son Nick being held as the prime suspect of the apparent homicide. Billy Crystal offered a heartfelt message, and seeing all of the late director's collaborators stand in solidarity was very moving.

From there the In Memoriam video began playing, but Reiner wasn't the only one who was given a special honor during this segment. Rachel McAdams took the stage to honor Catherine O'Hara and share a touching story about late actress Diane Keaton during their time working together on The Family Stone and Morning Glory. After that, the video resumed... until none other than Barbra Streisand hit the stage.

Streisand joined the In Memoriam segment to pay tribute to the late actor/filmmaker Robert Redford. The living legend shared stories about their longstanding friendship, and even sang a bit of "The Way We Were" to end the tribute. I mean, who doesn't want to hear the great Streisand sing one of her most iconic songs?

While there were some folks out there disappointed at the absence of certain actors, I really appreciated the way the In Memoriam was handled this year. Having big names be honored in this way felt appropriate, and it was far more personal with their surviving loved ones sharing stories. Personally, I think this is a format change that should stick around for the foreseeable future. Obviously, this might depend on what film icons pass away over the next year, but you can't deny that this adjustment made the segment especially emotional for those in attendance, as well as folks like me watching from home.

We'll just have to see if this format change becomes permanent when the Oscars return next year, available exclusively with a Hulu subscription. Only time will tell what adjustments will be made.

March is Women's History Month, and as such I've decided to revisit one of the best Netflix shows to binge watch: Orange is the New Black. Jenji Kohan's prison dramedy (which is available with a Netflix subscription) was one of the first hit shows on the streamer, putting it on the map alongside House of Cards. While it was a game changer for the TV industry as a whole, it's upsetting to hear how poorly the cast was compensated.

The Orange is the New Black cast became household names thanks to the show's wild popularity, but unfortunately, that did't necessarily translate into a big paycheck. This is seemingly because streaming was an experiment in its early days, but I think that with the popularity of the show and the level of fame that the cast was dealing with during its run, they deserved to be paid better. Let's break it all down.

The Cast Of OITNB Has Spoken Out About Their Poor Pay

OITNB had a number of viral moments throughout its run, including the death of characters like Poussey. Given how much the show was part of the pop culture zeitgeist, one might assume the cast made a ton of money. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.

A story by THR examined this pay issue on the beloved Netflix series only a few years ago. The cast didn't really know what they were getting into with the groundbreaking streaming series, and reportedly made the "absolute bare minimum" SAG rate at the start, under $1,000 per episode. This sum might be baffling to fans, who saw just how popular Orange is the New Black was immediately. A cast member who wished to remain anonymous spoke about the juxtaposition between the show's popularity and their pay, telling the publication:

This disconnect is startling, and is something I've thought about a ton while recently re-watching the hit series. The ensemble of actors helped to make streaming shows a mainstay of pop culture, and they brought nuanced and thoroughly enjoyable takes to each of the Litchfield inmates. And their work is arguably even more impressive on the re-watch.

The cast started talking about their pay issues when Brook Soso actress Kimiko Glenn posted a viral video about the $27.30 royalties check she received during the pandemic. Emma Myles, who played Leanne, spoke to The New Yorker about the lack of money made throughout her tenure on OITNB, saying:

In some ways these accounts have soured my experiencing watching Orange is the New Black again from the beginning. While watching Season 1 and 2 I couldn't help but think about how little the cast was paid, and how hopeful they might have been about the future during those early days. The show has aged rather well, but the behind the scenes drama is a shadow looming over my experience on the re-watch. In some ways, this feels like a symptom of a larger problem about women not being paid the same rate as their male counterparts.

Orange is the New Black is streaming in its entirety over on Netflix. The service has a number of new projects arriving on the 2026 TV schedule, with the industry now seemingly having a better system for compensating actors.

For Formula 1 fans in the U.S., there was some great news when it was announced that Apple TV would be teaming up with IMAX to present five races on the 2026 schedule in the premium format. As a big fan of the sport, I couldn’t be more excited for the chance to take in all the pageantry and excitement of an F1 race on the biggest screen in town. My only slight disappointment came with the choice of one of the five races, though I understand why it was done.

Big Changes Coming To F1 For American Fans In 2026

For the last decade or so, F1 races (and all the practice rounds and qualifying) have been broadcast on ESPN. That’s changing with the 2026 season as Apple TV has taken over as the league’s broadcast partner in the United States, and anyone with an Apple TV subscription will be able to catch all the racing excitement. That was only the first bit of big news, however. Last week, Apple TV and IMAX announced they would be teaming up to bring five races on the schedule to the big screen.

The five races make sense. Of course, they have to include the premier race of every season, the Grand Prix of Monaco (June 7th). The British Grand Prix at Silverstone (July 5th) is another classic race deserving of a spot on the schedule. The Italian Grand Prix (September 6th) is at one of the most iconic tracks in the world, Monza, and is always an exciting race, and the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin (October 25) makes sense for a multitude of reasons, not the least of which is that it’ll be in there afternoon, rather than early morning, in North America.

There Is One Bummer, Though

The only dud on the five-race schedule is the first that is scheduled to appear on the big screen: The Miami Grand Prix on May 3rd. I mean, I totally understand why this race would be included. It’s early in the season, it’s in the U.S (the primary market for this), and, like the race in Austin, it’ll air in the afternoon Stateside. It makes perfect sense why they would choose this one. Still, for Formula One, a sport that races in some of the most interesting and exotic places in the world, the race in Miami is…well… just blah.

Other amazing circuits in the 2026 season would look incredible in IMAX. I’m talking about tracks like Spa in Belgium, Suzuka in Japan, and Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain. These are famous, iconic tracks that would be inspired choices. Even another race in the U.S., the Las Vegas Grand Prix on the streets of Sin City, would have been a better choice. Imagine watching the cars race down The Strip on a giant IMAX screen! Heck, they could’ve waited just a couple of weeks and have the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal as the first race, which is another afternoon race in North America.

The “track” in Miami is barely a track. It’s pretty much just a circuit around the parking lot of the Dolphins stadium in North Miami. It doesn’t hold a candle to the look or the racing excitement of other circuits on the schedule. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be there, first in line at my local IMAX theater to watch, but I just wish it would be for a different race.

Right now, it seems Timothée Chalamet is the odds-on favorite to win Best Actor at the 98th Academy Awards on March 14th for his starring turn in Marty Supreme. He missed out on the award last year when he was nominated for A Complete Unknown, one of the best music biopics in a while. If he had won last year, he would have been the youngest Best Actor winner ever, but as it stands, if he wins next month, he’ll be the second youngest. It's time the Oscars start rewarding performances for younger actors.

Actors In Their 20s Have Had Little Chance At Winning

Adrien Brody, who won his second Oscar (over Chalamet) last year, holds the record for the youngest Best Actor winner, with his win for The Pianist in 2002, when he was 29 years old. Chalamet turned 30 in December, which means Brody remains the only winner to have done so in his 20s. I would like to see this change, because a lot of fantastic performances by actors in their 20s (or younger) have been nominated, but very rarely rewarded with the Oscar.

I’m talking about actors like Heath Ledger in Brokeback Mountain. He was nominated for the role at age 27, but lost to Philip Seymour Hoffman for Capote in 2006. James Dean was nominated twice, both posthumously, for his roles in Giant and East of Eden. Dean died at age 24 and never won the prize. From 1952 until 1955, Marlon Brando was nominated four years in a row in the category, but didn’t win until the end of that run, after he turned 30.

It’s One Reason We Have ‘Make Up’ Oscars

There are plenty of examples over the years of critically acclaimed and popular actors who have won an Oscar for a performance that is seen as not as strong as an earlier role for which they didn’t win. The classic example here is Al Pacino. Sure, he’s great in Scent of a Woman, which was his first Oscar win, but is he better than he was in The Godfather? Or Dog Day Afternoon? Or Serpico? He didn’t win for those, and it took another 20 years for the Academy to recognize him. He was in his 30s for all of those earlier roles, but what about Matt Damon?

Damon was nominated for what I would argue is still the best performance in his stellar career, in Good Will Hunting, when he was 27. He didn’t win (though he did win for Best Screenplay, along with Ben Affleck), and we’re nearly 30 years hence, and one of the biggest stars on the planet still hasn’t won an Oscar for acting. The same goes for Tom Cruise, who was 28 when he was first nominated, for one of his finest performances, in Born on the Fourth of July. He, too, has yet to win, 35 years later. When the Academy doesn’t reward a younger actor for a great performance, sometimes it’s an opportunity missed that is hard to make up for.

I know, I know, the plight of the young, handsome actor in Hollywood isn’t exactly a cause that many feel bad for, I get it. However, the Academy should be rewarding great performances, no matter how old the actor is. Maybe a win from Chalamet, who is on his third nomination already, will open up that door to more Oscars for actors in their 20s, and we'll have to shorten the list of actors who have shockingly never won an Oscar.

Rhaenyra Targaryen, Daemon Targaryen and Alicent Hightower are on the cover of SFX issue 406 (click here to get a better look at that).

Don't forget: if you live in the UK you can use this tool to find a stockist near you. Or you can order a copy online.

House Of The Dragon

The Game Of Thrones prequel show returns for its third season on 21 June. We find out what’s in story by speaking to showrunner Ryan Condal, plus stars Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy and Matt Smith, for an eight-page feature.

Supergirl

The last daughter of Krypton has been given a shades-wearing wild child makeover for the second movie in James Gunn's DCU. We speak to director Craig Gillespie and star Milly Alcock.

Evil Dead Burn

The latest Deadite outing is, at its core, about “the death of love”, according to director Sébastien Vaniček, who tells SFX he’s tried to bring some of the extremity of French horror to the franchise, Can they top the cheese grater?! Maybe a garlic press?

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Netflix’s live-action version of the series set in a world where people can telekinetically manipulate the elements is returning for a second season. We fly to Vancouver to hang out with the “Gaang” on set.

Logan’s Run

The timeclock of dystopian classic Logan’s Run is flashing 50 years old this month; we celebrate via an interview with leonine star Michael York.

Dragonslayer

We also talk all things Vermithrax Pejorative with Matthew Robbin, the director of 1981 fantasy flick Dragonslayer.

And that’s not all, feature-wise: with Disclosure Day now in cinemas, we look back over the history of close encounters in sci-fi cinema. Plus we profile Peter F Hamilton, and get Ken Liu to fill out our author questionnaire.

Red Alert

And the big features are just the tip of the iceberg! As ever, our news section, Red Alert, is crammed with insights into yet more movies, TV shows, comics and books. In the spotlight this month: Sugar season two, anime film A New Dawn, a stage musical version of Death Note, prequel novel Red Dwarf: Titan, Minions & Monsters, horror thriller Honey Bunch, plus the latest Doctor Who, Grendel, The Last Starfighter, Mind MGMT and The Punisher comics.

Reviews

The SFX verdict on Masters Of The Universe kicks off 21 pages of searing critical analysis, as we inform you which of the latest films, TV shows, books, comics, audio plays, and videogames are worth splashing your hard-earned cash on!

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Since we’re early into 2026, I’m still thinking about the best movies of 2025, and how seeing Chase Infiniti in One Battle After Another felt like seeing the debut of Hollywood’s next big young star. The movie was the 25-year-old’s first movie ever, and I found her the most memorable actor in the film, even though Leonardo DiCaprio, Benicio del Toro and Sean Penn also starred. With that in mind, I want to talk more about Infiniti and the exciting work she has lined up next.

After Chase Infiniti Blew Me Away In One Battle After Another, I’m Ready For Her Career To Skyrocket

When it comes to young actresses of color having consistently big roles in Hollywood, sadly, there aren’t too many to talk about. There’s Zendaya, of course, who’s got a huge year in front of her with The Drama, The Odyssey, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Dune: Part Three and Euphoria Season 3 all coming out this year. I find it sweet that Zendaya actually sent Infiniti flowers following the release of One Battle After Another, because I can easily see the actress becoming the next big thing in Hollywood – and it would be very deserved.

This all comes down to her incredible performance in Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, where she played the daughter of Teyana Taylor’s character. I felt like Infiniti had a really unique presence on screen where she could conjure up so much emotion and nuance during all the thrilling sequences of PTA’s movie. She has real movie star energy, and I’m so happy to see that she has two high-profile roles on the way.

The Two Roles Chase Infiniti Has Coming Up Next

As Chase Infiniti is in the middle of the award season, where she’s already been nominated at the Gotham Awards, Critics' Choice, Golden Globes, Actors Awards, the breakout star is about to star in a series on the 2026 TV schedule. Infiniti is leading The Testaments, which is among the upcoming book adaptations we’ve been really anticipating. The TV show is based on Margaret Atwood’s 2019 sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale. Infiniti will play one of three of protagonists in The Testaments, Agnes Jemima. I can’t wait to see her lead this show, in another really great role. It’s dropping on Hulu this April.

Additionally, Infiniti is already working on her second movie, and it’s called The Julia Set. Once again, the actress is set to lead, this time as a mathematician who’s preparing for the most challenging math competition in the world, The Putnam Exam. Per a report by Deadline, Chase Infiniti will star alongside The Summer I Turned Pretty’s Christopher Briney, The X-Files’ Gillian Anderson, and The White Lotus’s Jason Isaacs. The movie started filming in London in October, so I could see this coming out later this year or in 2027.

These roles feel like only the beginning for Chase Infiniti, and I’m happy to see the bright talent earn the opportunity to become the next big Hollywood star right after breaking through with One Battle After Another.

It wasn’t always a forgone conclusion that Denis Villeneuve’s Dune series would be a trilogy, but thankfully, we are getting a third movie during the 2026 movie schedule. Dune: Part Three, as it’s simply titled, will be a continuation of the previous movies. Tickets are even on sale now (as of the end of May 2026) for select IMAX theaters around the world in anticipation of the conclusion to the trilogy.

The upcoming book-to-screen adaptation based on the second novel in the Dune series by author Frank Herbert, Dune: Messiah, is getting closer. We've seen the first trailer (more on that below), we know who is reprising their roles from the previous Dune movies, which you can catch with an HBO Max subscription, and who is joining the cast. Here's everything we know about the movie.

When Will Dune: Part Three Be Released?

Warner Bros. has announced that Dune: Part Three will be released on December 18th, 2026. The movie was shot in IMAX, according to Variety, making this the first Dune movie to be filmed with the large-format cameras, though the other two were released in the format after post-production work.

In fact, because it was shot in IMAX, it appears to have an advantage going into opening week. You see, it's not the only big movie getting released on December 18th. Avengers: Doomsday is also dropping that very same day, setting up a fascinating duel at the box office that we rarely see these days.

A big part of that duel (which some fans have dubbed "DunesDay") will be which will be on the most IMAX screens, and it seems that, at least at the moment, Dune: Part Three has the advantage because it was shot in the format, and Doomsday was not. Recently, theater owners have bristled at both movies competing for audiences and screens, but no one appears to be budging, and tickets for select screenings of Dune Part Three in IMAX are now on sale.

The Dune: Part 3 Trailer

As is the case with any good trailer, there is a lot to unpack (blonde Robert Pattinson??), and a lot of questions that we probably won't have answers for until DunesDay. Are Paul and Chani really back together, because they were definitely NOT at the end of the last installment? If they are, where does that leave Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh)? Those are just the most basic questions!

Who’s In The Cast?

Much of the cast is returning from the first two movies, plus there are a few exciting additions to the cast.

Timothée Chalamet As Paul Atreides

Timothée Chalamet is returning as Paul “Muad'Dib” Atreides in Dune: Part Three. Chalamet led the first two movies as the central character in the Dune series, so of course, he’s back for this one. Since starring in Dune and Dune: Part Two, Chalamet’s star has only grown brighter, and it’ll be great to see him back in this role that I think he performed outstandingly.

In February 2026, Chalamet opened up about how excited he was to make this third movie after gaining more and more confidence after the previous two. He spoke with Matthew McConaughey at an event for CNN and Variety:

"Taking a big swing" is exactly what fans of the books want to hear, and it hopefully means big things for the adaptation.

Zendaya As Chani

Like Chalamet, Zendaya will be back reprising her role as Chani, Paul’s Fremon lover. While she had a pretty limited role in the first movie, she was a huge part of Part Two, and that will continue here.

Florence Pugh As Princess Irulan

Princess Irulan has a big role in the book Dune: Messiah, so Florence Pugh, who appeared in the second Dune movie, will likely have more to do here.

Robert Pattinson As Scytale

CinemaBlend’s Eric Eisenberg theorized Robert Pattinson could be the character Scytale, and now, after the trailer, it's confirmed. Pattison appears with blonde hair in the trailer, and he looks as menacing as Scytale should. With the caliber of cast members that Dune has, a big name in the role is no surprise.

Anya Taylor-Joy As Alia Atreides

One of the most exciting additions to the cast is only sort of an addition. Anya Taylor-Joy appeared in Dune: Part Two, but mostly just her voice was heard, with a few fleeting images. Her character, Alia Atreides, Paul’s sister, was still in utero in the second movie of the trilogy. This time, she’ll have a full role to play, and it’s one of the best characters in the story.

Jason Momoa As Duncan Idaho

We won’t spoil too much here if you’ve never read Dune: Messiah, but yes, Jason Momoa will be back, and he’ll once again be playing fan-favorite Duncan Idaho (or, at least a version of him). Momoa was one of the most beloved characters in the first movie, just as he is among book fans, so it’ll be great to see him once again after he died in the first movie.

Josh Brolin As Gurney Halleck

Gurney Halleck, being played again by Josh Brolin, is one of the few characters we didn't see in the trailer (at least, one we could tell was definitely him). Gurney is a fan favorite, and it's hard to imagine anyone else in the role other than Brolin here.

Rebecca Ferguson As Lady Jessica

This is an interesting one because Lady Jessica, Paul’s mother, doesn’t really play a part in Dune: Messiah, but Rebecca Ferguson will be reprising her role. She teased a little about the part recently, saying it was a small role, but that “Denis had a little idea.” What that idea could be, I can’t wait to find out. She was wonderful as Jessica in the first two movies.

And finally, at least for now, we know that Paul's children, Leto II and Ghanima, will be played by Jason Momoa's son, Nakoa-Wolf Momoa, and Silo actress Ida Brooke, respectively. Charlotte Rampling will reprise her role of Reverend Mother Mohiam as well.

Dune: Part Three Is Based On The Book Dune: Messiah

For those who haven’t read the book, we’ll keep the spoilers light here. Dune: Part Three is based on the second book in the Dune series, Dune: Messiah, by author Frank Herbert. The book, published in 1969, is as well regarded by fans as the original Dune novel. It is set about 12 years after the events of Dune, and Paul is now emperor. That doesn’t mean all is well in the universe. In fact, Paul has unleashed something in the Fremon that even he can’t control, and it threatens everything.

Dune: Messiah is a shorter book than Dune, but Villeneuve will probably still have to make some serious decisions on what to cut. Given how enthusiastic he’s been about these adaptations, I think it’s fair to trust him on what is critical and what can get cut, but it’s going to be tough for fans of the book, no matter what he cuts.

Could There Be A Dune: Part Four?

We’re going to get a little ahead of ourselves here and start wondering about a 4th installment. The answer is murky, to say the least. For starters, Villeneuve’s next project after Dune: Messiah is the next James Bond movie. Bond 26 is loosely scheduled for 2028, so it’s unlikely that if there is a fourth film, Villeneuve will be directly involved.

That’s not to say it is impossible. There is plenty of rich story left to tell in the Dune universe (the original series is six books by Herbert), so a fourth is certainly possible, likely with another director at the helm. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We're only about months from being back in the Dune universe, and all will be right with the world.

Awards Season is officially upon us, and there are a number of exciting events coming down the line. This week, the 2026 Golden Globe nominations were announced, celebrating the very best in TV and film over the past year. But as always, there were some notable performances that were snubbed along the way. And there were four actresses of color in particular who I think deserved their flowers but weren't nominated.

The Golden Globe Awards are sometimes a prediction of future events like the Oscars. And with more categories (and the inclusion of television), there are a ton of noms to go around. But not every memorable performance gets recognized in this way, so I'm going to highlight four performances by actresses of color that were snubs (but still excellent).

Wunmi Mosaku, Sinners

Sinners got a number of Golden Globe nominations this year, including big categories like Best Motion Picture and Best Director. And while Michael B. Jordan was honored for his two roles (deservedly so), not everyone in the horror movie's cast was so lucky. The actors were all great, but I would have loved to see Wunmi Mosaku honored for her compelling performance as Annie in Sinners (which is streaming with an HBO Max subscription).

Ryan Coogler's vampire flick was one of the best horror movies in recent memory, and that scene where generations of music are playing in the Juke Joint was truly moving. But Mosaku was in many ways the heart of the movie, in addition to her character, Annie, being the only one versed in the supernatural. I just would have loved to see her get nominated for all that she brought to the modern classic.

Jennifer Lopez, Kiss of the Spider Woman

Kiss of the Spider Woman got a standing ovation at Sundance, so there was some hype around the movie musical ahead of its release... especially related to the performance given by Jennifer Lopez. Unfortunately, the movie was a flop at the box office, so odds are that not enough people got to see what the pop singer/actress/producer brought to the table in the Bill Condon movie. Having seen her work on the big screen, that's a real shame.

JLo is always captivating on screen, but she was on another level playing Ingrid Luna/Aurora/The Spider Woman. Her dancing is absolutely incredible, she sounds great, and does some truly dazzling musical numbers throughout the film's 128-minute runtime. I was holding out hope that the Globes would give her the credit she deserves, but that unfortunately didn't happen this year.

Ayo Edebiri, After The Hunt

After The Hunt was a buzzy movie ahead of its release (and prior to it becoming available to stream with an Amazon Prime subscription). This is largely thanks to its trio of leading actors: Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, and Ayo Edebiri. Critics praised the performances, and I personally would love to see Garfield play a villain more often. And while Roberts did end up getting nominated for a Golden Globe for the project, I would have loved to see Edebiri get similarly recognized.

The star of The Bear is no stranger to major noms at this point, and she even won a Primetime Emmy for her role on the FX series. Her character Maggie is the emotional center of the story, with drama unfolding after she was assaulted by Garfield's Hank. Her performance was raw and moving, and I thought that since Roberts got nominated that Edebiri should have been similarly applauded.

Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary

Abbott Elementary is arguably one of the best comedies on TV right now. The show's a bona fide success, in no small part thanks to creator/ writer/ star Quinta Brunson. While the show got a Golden Globe nomination for Best Musical or Comedy Series, she wasn't recognized for her performance as Janine Teagues.

Janine is our protagonist on Abbott, and Brunson is charming and hilarious throughout every episode. What's more, her romance with Tyler James Williams's Gregory is our new version of The Office's Pam and Jim. Unfortunately, she didn't get a Golden Globe nomination this time around.

There's been a ton of conversation in recent years about diversity and inclusion in the entertainment world. The Golden Globes did end up nominating plenty of women and artists of color on the list, but I feel like the above performance by those four artists deserved their moment in the sun, too.

The romantasy genre has been thriving lately, in films, novels, and book-to-screen adaptations. This typically isn't where my entertainment interests lie, perhaps because they're largely focused on straight couples. Sure, I've watched the steamy sex scenes in Bridgerton (which is streaming with a Netflix subscription), but I haven't felt like these projects are for me. That changed with Heated Rivalry, which recently started streaming with an HBO Max subscription. Because LGBTQ+ folks finally have their own sexy show to watch.

Over the past few years, there's been a ton of discourse about the power of LGBTQ+ representation in the media. Heated Rivalry tells the story of two male hockey players who start a secret sexual relationship. I decided to give the show a try after seeing clips go viral on Twitter, and I'm actually fully invested in the show.

I Finally Get The Appeal Of Smutty TV Shows

While there's been discourse about the sexuality of Heated Rivalry's stars, I'm more focused on what's actually happening onscreen. I was shocked by how authentic the representation of being closeted felt in the show, and was admittedly titillated by the many love scenes that were present throughout the first two episodes. The mixture of steamy NSFW scenes and the high-stakes nature of the story created an alchemy that finally made me understand the appeal of the romance genre.

While Netflix's Hunting Wives offered raunchy scenes between two women, Heated Rivalry features a surprisingly graphic depiction of sex between two men. I was shocked by both the dialogue and the love scenes themselves, which are more graphic than we've gotten in other queer stories on television and film. It's no wonder that clips are making their way onto social media, encouraging folks like me to try out the series over on HBO Max.

In just a few episodes, the sports drama has become yet another HBO show that got the world talking... even if the Canadian series didn't originate on the network. And on top of all the steamy love scenes, the way that Shane and Ilya's relationship unfolds over years of time and multiple Hockey events adds some real emotional stakes to the situation. Neither of the athletes wants their affair to become public, although I have to assume that the cat will eventually get out of the bag sometime in the future.

Steamy romance novels and shows aren't really my cup of tea, but I have to say that watching Heated Rivalry has made me understand the appeal of this particular subgenre. And I'm curious if/how an intimacy coordinator was used to make the show's more raunchy scenes come to life. I mean, there are a lot of them.

Heated Rivalry airs new episodes on HBO Max Fridays as part of the 2025 TV schedule. Smart money says the show will only continue to get deeper into the season.

1994’s The Ref, starring Denis Leary, Kevin Spacey, and Judy Davis, is a great way to kick off your Christmas movie schedule. Every year, I try to watch it, but I always try to watch it first. I wait for other classics like Elf, It’s A Wonderful Life, and Die Hard. It’s not because I love The Ref more, but because it’s so damn bleak. Of course, that bleakness is also what makes it brilliant.

There Aren’t Many Dark Comedies Around The Holidays

I love a good dark comedy, and those are in short supply on the list of the best Christmas movies of all time. Sure, plenty of Christmas movies have dark elements, like Cousin Eddie kidnapping Clark’s boss in Christmas Vacation, and Santa Claus in A Christmas Story. There are also darker comedies like another of my favorites, Scrooged, that end on a positive note. Few are truly dark all the way through, and The Ref is dark with a capital D, right up until it’s over.

Sure, you may point to movies like Bad Santa or 2022’s Violent Night (which is getting a sequel next year), but those are as much gross-out comedies as they are dark satire. The Ref kind of stands alone in that regard. It’s not gross or crude, it’s just bitingly satirical and, again, very dark. Kevin Spacey, for all his personal problems, is brilliantly cast as the feckless but angry husband to Judy Davis’ exhausted wife, and their on-screen chemistry is really what makes the movie work. Denis Leary is as funny in the film as he has ever been in anything.

Why Everyone Should Start The Holidays With This One

Last year, for a myriad of reasons, I didn’t have a lot of holiday cheer. One of the more minor reasons for that, I believe, is that I didn’t stick to my usual routine. I kick off every Christmas season by watching my favorite concert film, The Last Waltz, after Thanksgiving lunch, followed by Die Hard (or another ‘80s action flick set at Christmas) or The Ref that night. I then work my way through all my favorites over the three or four weeks leading up to Christmas, and usually end with A Christmas Story on Christmas itself.

Recently, I’ve come to realize that The Ref is really where I should always start (after The Last Waltz, of course), because it makes me grateful for how normal my family is around the holidays. It’s easy to forget that. It’s an emotional time of year, and it’s a stressful time of year. Work (at least for me) gets very busy, and combined with the pressures of holiday parties and shopping for gifts, it can get emotional. The Ref reminds me that things could be so much worse, even with a seemingly perfect family on the outside.

So, this year, I’ll be watching The Ref on Thanksgiving night before I go to sleep, and I’ll wait to watch Die Hard (which is available with a Hulu subscription) on Saturday as I set up my tree and hang the lights. Yippie-ki-yay!

Theater kids might be the butt of countless jokes, but I'm proud to be in the group and this particular brand of nerd. Growing up and doing theater offered a real sense of community, and it is how I make adult friends to this day. Obviously, I make it a point to watch every new movie musical, but I was lucky enough to watch both of the Wicked movies in private screenings made up entirely of those friends.

While this was an ideal way to watch the first Wicked (which is now streaming with an Amazon Prime subscription), the communal experience of watching For Good was even more powerful. Because just months ago, that group was faced with the unexpected passing of one of our friends, and has been experiencing the ebbs and flows of grief. So being able to be together, particularly during the movie's titular song "For Good," allowed us to feel all those strong feelings in a safe, supportive place.

Wicked: For Good's Title Song Touched A Whole Group Of Friends

As much as those Wicked holding space memes have followed Jon M. Chu's pair of movies, seeing For Good actually did just that for my group of friends. I'm a Wicked Act II apologist, so I knew that once Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo started singing "For Good," things were going to get very emotional. Stephen Schwartz's lyrics are a love letter to the importance of friendship and the way that those relationships fundamentally change who you become.

The weight of our friend's recent passing was palpable throughout the entire movie, but especially during the movie's titular song. The lyrics seemed to perfectly explain the way many of us were feeling. Particularly Elphaba's verse, when she sings:

Wicked: For Good's box office success shows that the story's way of touching people isn't unique to me and my theater friends. But to see a musical that we all grew up obsessed with so perfectly express the feelings of loss was really powerful.

After the group cry that occurred through the end of that movie (seriously, I'm not over that door scene), we also had the chance to talk out our feelings. Since the screening was private, we had the time to chat in the theater without worrying about being overly emotional in front of strangers. So on top of the sense of catharsis that came with watching For Good, the post-movie chats were similarly helpful. We all would have preferred to have our late friend there enjoying the new movie musical with the rest of us, but it's safe to say his presence was felt by all.

Wicked: For Good is in theaters now as part of the 2026 movie release list. And I can't wait for a rewatch or two now that I've enjoyed the emotional gut punches that Jon M. Chu and company provided.

Come with me, and you'll be in a world of pure LEGO imagination. We’re always on the lookout for fun movie-related LEGO sets, and I had never seen the one based on Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory until a co-worker sent me a link recently. Released in September, it’s a celebration of one of the best kids movies of all time. Let’s see if the snozzberries taste like snozzberries.

Pieces And Minifigs Galore!

Every Christmas, it’s become tradition for my brother-in-law to add up all the new pieces of LEGO that his kids have hauled in for the holiday. This one is big, but nothing like the Star Wars Death Star set. That one has an insane 9,023 pieces. This Willy Wonka one includes a much more modest 2,025 pieces, which is nothing to stick your nose up at, even if you are as spoiled as Veruca Salt.

Speaking of ol’ Veruca, she’s included among the nine minifigs that come with the set, along with two Oompa Loompas, Augustus Gloop, Violet Beauregarde, Mike Teevee, Grandpa Joe, and, of course, Charlie and Wonka himself. Sure, I do wish Slugworth was also included, but this is still quite the haul of characters. It might not be a whole chocolate factory like Charlie gets at the end of the movie, but it’s a pretty great substitution for one.

It Includes My Favorite Scene In The Movie

The best part of the LEGO set has to be that the most prominent aspect is that my favorite scene, the wild boat ride, is front and center. The scene is so trippy and freaky that even as a kid, while it scared me, I couldn’t look away from it. It seems I’ve been extra intrigued by LEGO sets with boats lately, since another wild boat ride, this time from Jaws, has also commanded my attention recently.

I also love combining LEGO sets, so maybe sneaking the shark from that set into the chocolate river is the way to recreate that amazing scene in an even scarier way. Maybe Quint is taking the kids on the ride and delivering that crazy monologue/song that Willy Wonka provides in the chocolate factory. The sky is the limit; there is no glass ceiling for this set. You don’t even need a golden ticket!

LEGO has been crushing it lately, with sets like the pirate ship from The Goonies (yet another boat), and the Delorean from Back to the Future. This set from Willy Wonka is actually decently priced (for LEGO, of course), just $219.99 from the official LEGO store. In the meantime, you can watch the 1971 classic with your HBO Max subscription while you patiently wait for the set to arrive!

The Adventures of Ford Fairlane was a must-watch movie when I was a teenager. The Andrew Dice Clay vehicle (pun intended, whoa!) was released at exactly the right time in my life for me to be an instant fan. I wasn’t old enough to drive, but I was old enough to laugh at dirty jokes, and it didn’t get any dirtier than the Diceman in the late '80s and early ‘90s.

It’s probably been 30 years since I watched the box office stinker, but I still occasionally find myself quoting some of the more ridiculous lines that I remember. I decided I should check it out again, because there’s no way it’s as good as I remember. Well… if I’m honest, it’s not as bad as I expected it to be.

No, It’s Not Citizen Kane, But It's Not Trying To Be

The Adventures of Ford Fairlane is not high-brow cinema, but that’s hardly an earth-shattering comment. However, it isn’t that bad. Yes, it’s incredibly objectionable, even by the standards of 1990, when it was released, it was offensive. Judging by modern standards, well, let's just say that I’m not surprised it’s not available to stream anywhere except on demand with my Prime subscription. As a movie, though, the whole point was to be offensive, so it should be judged as such.

The plot is simple, of course, as it was really just a way to get Andrew Dice Clay into a movie and let him run wild with his raunchy humor. It’s easy to forget just how huge Dice was in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. He famously became the first stand-up comedian to sell out Madison Square Garden for two consecutive nights, and he was everywhere in 1990. As young teenagers, my friends and I thought he was about the funniest person on earth, and we weren’t alone. That he stressed out our parents with his crude humor only made him a bigger hero.

Again, none of that is all that unpredictable.

In A Lot Of Ways, It Weirdly Works

There are some things that really do work about the movie. For starters, it is a perfect “character’ for Dice. A “rock and roll detective” is a silly idea, but you really just need a character who wears a leather jacket and smokes a ton of cigarettes. So, on that front, the producers, writers, and director Renny Harlin got it exactly right. Speaking of director Renny Harlin, he was also the perfect director for a movie that was so perfectly timed for 1990.

The Adventures of Ford Fairlane oozes 1980s/90s style and panache, and that’s something Harlin was great at, even if he had went on to direct one of the most notorious box office bombs of all time with Cutthroat Island. This flick is brash, colorful, and with just the right amount of ridiculousness to work. It also had an equally bonkers cast that included musicians, Al Bundy, and Freddy Kreuger.

• Pricilla Presley
• Wayne Newton
• Vince Neil
• Robert Englund
• Morris Day
• Tone Loc
• Ed O’Neill

PLUS, it boasted a huge hit song with Billy Idol’s “Rock The Cradle.” It was kind of a perfect storm. But like, using the word perfect way more liberally than "storm."

I fully understand why it bombed, and why most critics hated it then (and now), but you have to see the forest through the trees, or at least the Hollywood Hills through the Marlboro smoke. It really is a product of its time, and for that, it should at least be recognized, if not celebrated. Maybe one day we’ll get the Andrew Dice Clay biopic we all deserve.

Ted Lasso has been out in the world for five years now, and while I’d heard all the high praise for the comedy series, I’ll be honest, I just didn’t think I’d gel with it because I’m not necessarily a football or Jason Sudiekis person. Thank goodness my partner threw it on during a random evening. It took a few episodes for it to sell me, but it really wasn’t long before our binge became an evening ritual for us that brought hours of joy, laughs and even tears. Now that I’ve finished it, I can sincerely say it’s one of my favorite comedies I’ve ever watched, and a lot of that has to do with how it discusses mental health.

This show is so darn lovable, and I found myself on the edge of my seat for not only every football game, but every character development that happened along the way. But, the aspect of the series that really meant the most to me was Brett Goldstein’s Roy Kent – from beginning to end, and I need to dive into why, as I join the fandom in simultaneously looking forward to returning in Season 4 (yes, with Brett Goldstein back), and having concerns about how it could top the first three seasons. Let’s get into it:

I Love How Ted Lasso Depicts Mental Health

I’m someone who deals with having an anxiety disorder on a daily basis, and depression on special occasions, and I’m all for movies and TV shows making me feel seen, but a hilarious comedy series achieving that is pretty special. So many depictions of mental health come with the weight of how hard and difficult it is, and it can bring up a lot of challenging feelings when a piece of media decides to discuss anxiety or depression. But, whenever Ted Lasso approached these topics, I felt like I was receiving a big hug.

I felt like the show was looking me in the eye, and telling me it was OK, rather than it feeling like “Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M. was suddenly playing in the background of my life. It’s also one of those rare shows I’m just so happy exists. It’s a show essentially about an entire team of male players living in England who learn how to process their emotions better, and that feels like both the most random (and best) place for these discussions to be had on a TV show.

But, Watching Roy Kent’s Journey Was The Highlight Of The Series For Me

The real kicker (yes, pun intended) that blew me away is the writing for Goldstein’s Roy Kent, who starts as the team captain for AFC Richmond before retiring and later becoming the new manager by the end of the series. He’s the kind of character that grew on me slowly, and before I knew it, was making impressions of his gruff voice saying “Oi” in my daily life, and becoming very invested in his arc.

Don’t get me wrong, Ted Lasso has an amazing mental health arc. Just thinking about how his time with the team allowed him to heal from his wounds regarding his father’s suicide, and go back to his young son less afraid of the demons he’d held onto before? Just thinking about it makes me want to happy cry. But, while Ted feels like a unicorn of a human to me, I’ve known a lot of Roy Kent-types in my life, and to some degree my inner monologue can be Roy Kent-esque. It's so satisfying to see a show not only poke fun at him constantly, but give him the room to grow and evolve like an actual human, in a positive, but authentic way.

Roy Kent's Story Ends With A Great Message About Perfectionism I'll Be Taking With Me

This brings me to the finale of Ted Lasso, and what was so meaningful about it for me. After many episodes of Roy kind of roughing it alone, the scene where he asks to join the Diamond Dogs felt like a jolt of sunshine to my chest. He discloses his desire to change and become “someone better,” but hitting a personal wall with it. This leads to a discussion between the Diamond Dogs about whether people can change and the pursuit of perfection. Then, Leslie Higgins sweeps in with this golden nugget of Ted Lasso advice:

What I like best about the scene is how much of a pay off it was from the rest of Roy’s arc. We see him deal with his inner demons throughout the show, but most of the time it’s not really been fully explained by him. We have a feeling about what’s holding him back by this point, but seeing him actually ask for help is the best development for his character. Plus, he’s getting to a point where he wants to alter his patterns, but he hasn’t figured it out himself.

I think it’s so relatable to often not turn to help until you’ve exhausted all the options you can think of – that often leaves us in a place of cyclical pain and suffering. Seeing the light click on for Roy meant so much, especially because we had three seasons of backstory with the character.

I Appreciate How Ted Lasso's Ending Wraps Up Roy Kent's Mental Health Journey

The end of Ted Lasso leads to Roy not only becoming the new manager of AFC Richmond, but hiring on a head of mental health for the club, and he is seen having his own appointment. Season 1 Roy wouldn’t have been caught dead in a therapy session, which goes to show that change is attainable. But, what I also love is that we don’t leave Roy with every answer to his questions. He clearly loved and wanted to be with Keeley, but that happy ending didn’t materialize.

As I've learned, and will keep learning, mental health and self acceptance is an ongoing journey, not a quick fix. I love that Ted Lasso ended with Roy being human, not perfect – simply “moving towards better.”

Over the last decade and change of TV, the Real Housewives franchise has become a behemoth and wildly popular property. Some of the best reality shows are currently airing on Bravo (and streaming with a Peacock subscription), including my personal faves Salt Lake City, Miami, and Potomac. It's the perfect time for new fans to start watching, and I'm sick of folks complaining about having to catch up on years worth of seasons before they can begin the new ones. Hear me out.

It's a great time to be a Bravo fan, thanks to the premiere of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and Potomac, as well as the wild cliffhanger ending from Miami's reunion. I've been spreading the good news of the Housewives franchise, although some of my friends and family are under the false impression they need to be caught up to enjoy new seasons. But boy, are they wrong.

The Best Housewives Cities Are Airing, And You Don't Need To Catch Up.

For three fateful weeks, there are a whopping FOUR Real Housewives cities airing new episodes right now. While I'm meh on Orange County, the other three previously mentioned titles are my favorite shows from the franchise. I've been trying to get everyone I know to tune in for all the drama and laughs, especially Salt Lake City, which is top tier Housewives in my opinion. But, since we're currently in the midst of Season 6, it might be daunting to binge watch the first five. Although I don't think it's necessary to know the history of each show to jump into a new season of The Real Housewives.

The way Real Housewives episodes are structured actually makes it very user friendly for newcomers. Whatever important exposition and context needed to explain any conflict is usually given through confessionals and flashbacks. So, if you trust the process, a newcomer can quickly jump into any given season and be relatively caught up in an episode or two. While the longterm fans might have a deeper understanding of the show's history, new seasons are not made exclusively for OGs.

I understood this process firsthand. While I've watched The Real Housewives of New Jersey since Day 1, for all of the other cities I've simply dropped into current seasons and caught up along the way. That includes Salt Lake City, Miami and Potomac. Heck, I started RHOC last season on a whim because it was the only Housewives series airing and I needed my fix. The same can also be said for the most recent season of Atlanta.

I've watched the last three season of Miami, which is why the recent news about Alexia's ex, Todd, suing Bravo blew my mind. I never went back to watch the show before its reboot, though, and that hasn't stopped me from enjoying every single fight and hilarious bit of Spanglish that the show offers.

As such, I'd like to challenge any Housewives newcomers who are curious about the franchise to tune into the current seasons of Salt Lake and Potomac. These two cities are full of hilarious and beautiful women, and also bring A+ drama along the way. For the latter, that includes Karen Huger's recent release from prison. These shows are jam-packed full of flashbacks, so it's really easy to catch up with the story without having to commit to watching previous seasons. Considering that there are typically around 20 episodes per season, this is also a serious time saver.

For two more weeks we'll be getting new episodes of Salt Lake City, Potomac, Orange County, and Miami as part of the 2025 TV schedule. That is, until the latter series airs its final two parts of the reunion. If you want to be part of the meme-able fandom, just pick a city and start watching! You won't be disappointed.

While it’s true that his wrestling catchphrase was “You can’t see me,” we’re going to be seeing a whole lot more of ‘Mr. Hustle, Loyalty, & Respect’ with all these upcoming John Cena movies and TV shows. Over the past decade, the 16-time world champion has transformed himself from one of the greatest WWE superstars of all time into a major player in some of the best action movies with unforgettable moments in the Fast & Furious franchise, one of the best DC characters in recent memory with his take on Peacemaker, and various other comedies that have given him a chance to show off his comedic chops.

And it doesn’t look like the wrestler-turned-actor is going anywhere anytime soon, as there are a ton of upcoming John Cena movies, TV shows, and perhaps even appearances at some future WWE events before the year is out. Let’s take a look now…

Peacemaker Season 2 - 2025

This shouldn’t come as a surprise, but Peacemaker Season 2 is on the way at some point in the not-so-distant future, and you bet your ass John Cena is going to be back as Christopher Smith. The follow-up to the incredibly popular, fun-to-watch, and violent Max original series, which further explored Cena’s character from The Suicide Squad, sounds like it’s going to be just as ridiculous as what’s come before, and honestly, that’s some very good news.

It looks like the Peacemaker Season 2 cast will feature a lot of those familiar faces from the first go-around (as well as a major character from The Suicide Squad), but now we just need to figure out how each will play into the show’s new title sequence (no pressure, right?). That said, James Gunn revealed on Threads in September 2024 that the show would return to Max in “2025 after Superman.”

Matchbox - TBD

After having a small yet unforgettable part in Barbie, John Cena will soon jump behind the wheel of another adaptation of a popular toy brand when he leads the upcoming Matchbox movie. Though we don’t know how the line of diecast cars will be turned into a big-picture spectacle, Mattel Films and Apple have selected Extraction’s Sam Hargrave to direct, which leads us to believe that it will be more action-oriented.

Expect to hear more about this exciting project, including plot details and other casting announcements, in the coming months.

Heads Of State - TBD

Remember a few summers ago when John Cena and Idris Elba made The Suicide Squad one of the best comic book movies in recent memory? Well, the pair are going to give it another go in the long-in-the-works action movie at some point in the future, but Amazon Studios hasn’t announced exactly when. Back in October 2020, THR reported that the pair of action stars would lead the project in undisclosed roles.

Nearly three years later, in May 2023, Deadline reported that the project was alive and well and would also feature the likes of Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Paddy Considine, Stephen Root, Carla Gugino, Jack Quaid, Sarah Niles, and several others. And while plot details have been kept under wraps, the outlet described the film as “Air Force One meets Midnight Run.”

When speaking with Collider in April 2024, Elba described Heads of State, one of his many upcoming films, as an “Incredible Adventure,” which has us all jazzed up.

John Cena’s WWE Farewell Tour (January - December 2025)

After John Cena showed up in the WrestleMania XL main event (along with so many others), fans have been wondering when we’ll see the decorated wrestler again in the future and if it will be his last run. During an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show the day after WrestleMania in April 2024, Cena said he still has “a little bit of rubber left on the tires” before hanging up the proverbial boots, adding that he “put a line in the sand” for himself at 50. He’s currently 47 years old.

When speaking with Collider in August 2024, Cena explained that he is giving his entire 2025 calendar to WWE and that he will begin his “farewell tour” in January and end it in December, with 36 dates around the world. With the Royal Rumble, WrestleMania 41, and numerous other major events slated for 2025, this could be a legendary and final run for the wrestling icon.

Coyote Vs. Acme - TBD

Coyote vs. Acme, one of several movies Warner Bros. Discovery has been trying to shelve over the past couple of years, very well may never happen. However, until the film’s fate has been decided and all prints of it are locked away in the water tower like the Animaniacs, there is still hope we’ll see the live-action/animated comedy in which the iconic Looney Tunes character decides to sue the Acme Corporation after years of the products failing to help him capture the Road Runner.

If the movie ever sees the light of day, we’ll be able to see John Cena take on the Acme Corporation’s lawyer as he spars in court with Wile E. Coyote’s lawyer (played by Will Forte). And for the sake of diehard Looney Tunes fans and newcomers alike, we really hope this movie comes out.

The Janson Directive - TBD

Another project involving John Cena that has been in the works for some time now is The Janson Directive, the film adaptation of Robert Ludlum's 2002 novel of the same name. Cena's one-time WWE rival Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was originally attached to star in the lead role, but abandoned the project in 2018, at which point his WrestleMania 28 and 29 opponent stepped in and took over. At the time of the announcement, it was revealed that Johnson would stay on as an executive producer of the movie.

For those not aware of the novel, it centers around Paul Johnson, an ex-Navy SEAL and United States spy who goes on the run after a mission goes awry. The role of a former member of the military is right up John Cena's alley as he got his start in the WWE-produced The Marine in 2006, and the 2017 military thriller The Wall. But with no new information on the status of The Janson Directive, we'll have to check back on this one in the future.

Recently Released John Cena Movies And Shows

While we’re looking forward to all those upcoming John Cena movies (and wrestling appearances), there are some great film and TV appearances from the wrestler-turned-actor from earlier in 2024 that are worth checking out.

The Simpsons Season 36 - September 29, 2024

Though it was just a brief cameo, John Cena’s appearance on The Simpsons during the Season 36 premiere in September 2024 created one of the show’s best moments in years. In the episode, an animated Cena comes to the rescue when the Comic Book Guy’s wife is in labor. The randomness, absurdity, and wholesomeness of the one-minute sequence is great, but you add in Cena’s signature charm and you have an all-time great moment. The “You Can’t See Me” taunt at the end with the newborn is the cherry on top.

Stream The Simpsons on Hulu.

Jackpot - Released August 15, 2024

In August 2024, John Cena and Awkwafina teamed up for one of the most action-packed comedies of the summer with Jackpot. Directed by Paul Feig, this outrageous Amazon original movie follows a struggling actor (played by Awkwafina) who wins the lottery and has to turn to a freelance lottery protection agent (played by Cena) to survive and win the $3.6 billion prize.

Featuring one of the funniest end credits sequences in years, this off-the-wall, and over-the-top comedy is a fun way to kill a couple of hours.

Stream Jackpot on Prime Video.

The Bear Season 3 - June 26, 2024

John Cena showed up for a minute (well, more like three) halfway through The Bear Season 3 with his cameo as Sammy Fak, Carmy’s intense, towering, and a little bit annoying cousin. Sammy is mostly there to rib his brothers about an SD card and introduce the concept of “haunting” in the restaurant, but it’s honestly great. Short, but great.

And who knows, maybe the cameo will lead to Cena getting a larger role when The Bear Season 4 premieres at some point down the road.

Stream The Bear Season 3 on Hulu.

Ricky Stanicky - Released March 7, 2024

In 2024, Peter Farrelly’s long-in-the-works Ricky Stanicky finally saw release, just with John Cena instead of Jim Carrey in the titular role. Cena, who critics called a “true scene stealer,” gives one of the funniest and most over-the-top performances (this is saying something) with his take on an actor filling in for the film’s heroes’ non-existent best friend and longtime scapegoat.

If you’re into gross-out comedies that really earn the R-rating and somehow missed out on this in March 2024, it’s time to make a change.

Stream Ricky Stanicky on Prime Video.

Expect to hear much more about all of these upcoming John Cena movies and TV shows in the coming weeks and months, but in the meantime, don’t forget to take a look at our breakdown of the 2025 movie schedule.

The summer movie season is here, and as usual Walt Disney Studios has some heavy-hitters to bring audiences to the movies during the warm months – and to infinity and beyond! The company just came off a huge box office slay with the release of The Devil Wears Prada 2 and Pixar’s Toy Story 5 has been breaking box office records. So, what’s next for the House of Mouse? You can take a look below and find out!

Before you continue, we should note that The Walt Disney Company also has a bunch more than you’ll see here: there’s upcoming Marvel movies like Avengers: Doomsday on the way this holiday season and more Star Wars movies after The Mandalorian & Grogu such as Starfighter coming next summer. Here’s a look at everything Disney has announced for the rest of this year and all the years to come.

Moana (Live-Action)

Release Date: July 10, 2026

Knowing how successful live-action remakes of Disney movies are, we probably could have guessed that a live-action Moana would happen someday, but few might have expected it to happen so fast. Just about a decade after the animated hit was released, the live-action version is set to debut from Walt Disney Studios. Dwayne Johnson will reprise his role in the flesh as Maui. Catherine Lagaʻaia will debut as the new Moana.

Super Troopers 3

Release Date: August 7, 2026

The Broken Lizard team is back with what is sure to be another incredible comedy with Super Troopers 3. Exactly what this movie will be about is unclear, but I can't imagine that anybody excited for it is going to care.

The Dog Stars

Release Date: August 28, 2026

When Ridley Scott makes a new movie, everybody should take notice. The Dog Stars is one of the upcoming book-to-screen adaptations on the way, as it is based on a bestseller from Peter Heller. The Dog Stars is a post-apocalyptic story that follows characters played by Josh Brolin and Jacob Elordi in the aftermath of a pandemic that has wiped out most life on the planet. The movie comes from Disney’s 20th Century Studios.

Whalefall

Release date: October 16, 2026

Another 20th Century Studios film, Whalefall is based on a novel by Daniel Kraus. It’s about a man scuba diving in search of his fathers remains, who is accidentally swallowed by a whale, and must find a way to escape. It stars Austin Abrams, Josh Brolin, and Elisabeth Shue and is written and helmed by Brian Duffield.

Wild Horse Nine

Release Date: November 6, 2026

Searchlight Pictures has a black comedy starring the likes of John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Steve Buscemi, Tom Waits and Parker Posey coming out just in time for awards season. It’s about two longtime CIA officers living in 1973 who get stationed in Easter Island. The movie is written and directed by In Bruges and The Banshees of Inisherin filmmaker Martin McDonagh

Hexed

Release Date: November 25, 2026

Announced during Disney’s Destination D23 event in August 2025, Hexed is an original story from Walt Disney Animation Studios that follows a teenager named Billie and his “Type-A” mother who discover she has magical abilities. This discovery leads them to a world where magic can run free. Hailee Steinfeld plays Billie and Rashida Jones voices her mom, Alice.

Ice Age: Boiling Point

Release Date: February 5, 2027

After Blue Sky Studios shut down in 2021, there was a time when more Ice Age movies seemed out of the realm of possibility. However, when it was acquired by The Walt Disney Company as part of its acquisition of 20th Century Fox that soon changed. The new movie brings back all our favorite characters from the series: Ray Romano’s Manny, John Leguizamo’s Sid, Denis Leary’s Diego, Queen Latifah’s Ellie and Simon Pegg’s “Buck” Wild.

Gatto

Release Date: March 5, 2027

The upcoming original Pixar title is set in Venice and focuses on a cat named Nero who needs to pay back a debt to a feline mob boss. This leads Nero into an unlikely partnership with a street musician. It comes from the filmmaker of Luca, Enrico Casarosa, and stars Mark Ruffalo as the leading kitty.

Bluey

Release Date: August 6, 2027

Bluey, the Australian animated kids show, has proven to be a hit for all ages and is regularly among the most-watched shows on Disney+. Disney will also distribute a feature-length Bluey movie in 2027 directed by the show’s creator Joe Brumm and giving the show’s beloved characters a big-screen debut.

The Simpsons Movie 2

Release Date: September 3, 2027

20 years after their last big screen endeavor The Simpsons will once again hit the big screen thanks to Disney’s 20th Century Studios. We don’t have many details about the plot of this one yet.

Frozen III

Release Date: November 24, 2027

Frozen is too big of a phenomenon to not receive another sequel, and it’s on the way for next fall. We know the third movie will feature Anna and Kristoff having a royal wedding and a mysterious adventure will once again have Elsa using her magical abilities to save her family and kingdom. The Frozen 3 release date for November 2027. Jennifer Lee previously confirmed that the story is so big it will require two movies, though when we’ll see the second one has yet to be officially announced.

Untitled Disney Movie

Release Date: February 18, 2028

Disney is holding this date on the release calendar for an as yet unnamed movie.

Lilo & Stitch 2

Release Date: May 26, 2028

The sequel to the live action Lilo & Stitch was announced quickly after the first film's success, and the release date has already been set, indicating this movie is on the fast track. We expect to see Maia Kealoha’s Lilo, Sydney Agudong’s Nani and the voice of Stitch, Chris Sanders back, but details about the sequel are currently under wraps.

Incredibles 3

Release Date: June 16, 2028

Officially announced as being in development at D23 2024, Incredibles 3 has a summer release date which places its release at exactly a decade since the last one came out. Life moves as fast as Dash does!

Untitled Disney Movie

Release Date: November 10, 2028

Disney is holding this date on the release calendar for an as yet unnamed movie.

Untitled Disney Movie

Release Date: February 16, 2029

Disney is holding this date on the release calendar for an as yet unnamed movie.

Untitled Disney Movie

Release Date: March 9, 2029

Disney is holding this date on the release calendar for an as yet unnamed movie.

Untitled Disney Movie

Release Date: May 25, 2029

Disney is holding this date on the release calendar for an as yet unnamed movie.

Untitled Disney Animation

Release Date: June 15, 2029

Disney is holding this date on the release calendar for an as yet unnamed animated movie.

Untitled Disney Movie

Release Date: August 3, 2029

Disney is holding this date on the release calendar for an as yet unnamed movie.

Untitled Disney Movie

Release Date: October 5, 2029

Disney is holding this date on the release calendar for an as yet unnamed movie.

Untitled Disney Movie

Release Date: November 9, 2029

Disney is holding this date on the release calendar for an as yet unnamed movie.

Untitled Pixar Movie

Release Date: November 21, 2029

As of now, the movie set for this date is officially untitled, but since we know Coco 2 is in development, and the original film was also a November release, it's a safe bet that the movie is at least planned to go here.

Avatar 4

Release Date: December 21, 2029

James Cameron has said that parts of Avatar 4 were filmed alongside Avatar: The Way of Water and Avatar: Fire and Ash, but another massive production will need to get underway to finish out the five-movie cycle. Cameron had hinted the last two films may not actually happen, but thus far, we still expect them.

Avatar 5

Release Date: December 19, 2031

The final Avatar movie will finally arrive in 2031, assuming there are not more delays, or plans change for James Cameron.

Recent Releases

Are you looking for a recently released Walt Disney Company movie that already came out that you may have missed? Check out how you can watch the latest movies that came out within the past year below:

Now In Theaters

Toy Story 5

Now Streaming On Disney+

Avatar: Fire And Ash
Hoppers
Zootopia 2
Tron: Ares

Now Streaming On Hulu

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come
Psycho Killer
Send Help

Available To Buy Only

The Devil Wears Prada 2 (On Digital Now, Coming To Disney+/Hulu on July 29)

Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer is one of the best supernatural teen dramas ever, and has remained a cult classic in the years since it's been off the air. Fans of the original series (which is streaming with a Hulu subscription) were hyped to learn that Sarah Michelle Gellar was working on a reboot pilot with Oscar-winning filmmaker Chloé Zhao. I recently rewatched Buffy's series finale, and I've got to say it perfectly sets up what we know about the pilot.

If Hulu orders a full series, the Buffy reboot will introduce a new Slayer named Nova. SMG's title character is reportedly serving as a mentor in the pilot, and that does feel like a natural segue after the events of the Season 7 finale episode, "Chosen." Assemble your Scooby Gang and let's get into it.

Buffy Shared Her Power In "Chosen"

Buffy the Vampire Slayer has the honor of being a TV show that actually ended well. Throughout Season 7 our hero and her friends are fighting The First Evil, who is attempting to end the Slayer line. After the good guys assemble an army of young women, Willow uses ancient magic to activate every Potential. Just like that, Buffy and Faith weren't the only "hot chicks with superpowers" in the group.

What followed in "Chosen" was an absolutely epic final battle, where countless Slayers battled The First's army of Ubervamps from within the Hell Mouth. It's awesome seeing the Potentials finally have some power, although we lost a few, like Amanda, as well as saw the death of Emma Caulfied's Anya. Buffy had spent much of the season training the girls, and it sounds like she'll be back in that mentorship role in the reboot pilot... if we ever actually see it.

Nova might be the new Slayer, but the fact that the potential Buffy reboot is keeping the same story and bringing back Sarah Michelle Gellar makes me think that the OG is still going to have a major part to play. It would be fascinating to see how she assembles and trains various Slayers from around the world.

While Buffy the Vampire Slayer ended after seven seasons, Joss Whedon ended up continuing the story through years of comic books. It's unclear if these will still be considered canon in the possible reboot, since they went on some truly wild adventures. Right now, the primary question is whether or not Hulu will actually green light a full season. Either way, we've seen how dynamic Buffy is when training fellow Slayers.

Gellar's photo dump has helped to buoy fan excitement, which I have to assume will help the odds of the pilot becoming a full-fledged series. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, especially if a new season will bring back more legacy characters alongside Little Miss Likes to Fight.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel are streaming in their entirety on Hulu. We'll have to wait and see if the the reboot pilot was successful in securing a new season of episodes with the Duchess of Buffonia.

The newly formed DCU is finally upon us, with co-CEO James Gunn bringing its first slate of projects to life, titled Gods and Monsters. The first movie in this burgeoning shared universe was Superman, which featured a number of other heroes. That includes Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner, who is a bad boy of the Green Lantern Corps. I just realized this is the only live-action version of a GL that I've ever been satisfied with as a fan.

Superman is crushing at the box office, and fans like me are already hyped to see the characters return in upcoming DC movies and TV shows. We all remember that Ryan Reynolds' infamous Green Lantern movie was a flop, and that hero has yet to get another solo flick. While Gardner is kind of an A-hole jerk in Gunn's movie, the way his powers were used throughout its runtime both looked and felt great. So, I guess having a good live-action Lantern is indeed possible.

Guy Gardner Was The Perfect Green Lantern To Open The DCU

Part of the reason why I think Green Lantern worked so well in Superman was because it as Guy Gardner. While he's less popular than other Lanterns like Hal Jordan or John Stewart, he does have a way bigger personality. Nathan Fillion said it was freeing to play a superhero who was also a jerk, which added both humor and drama to the movie's 129-minute runtime.

While we'll be introduced to other members of the Corps. in the developing Lanterns TV series, Gardner's attitude offered a way for audiences to instantly understand who the character was. Add in Gardner's wild hair cut (and the jokes about it), and he offered a ton to the overall story of Superman.

The CGI Was Less Mind-Numbing Than In Ryan Reynolds' Movie.

There has been a ton of talk about the quality of visual effects in the superhero genre. I personally thought Superman looked great... even if shots of David Corenswet flying in the trailer caused some concern. In particular I loved the way that Gardner's energy construct functioned throughout James Gunn's DC blockbuster.

While Ryan Reynolds' Green Lantern movie featured way more Lanterns and their constructs, the action ultimately felt somewhat boring and mind-numbing. Gardner was one of many heroes that used their powers in Superman during its battles, allowing for more varied action. We'll have to see what happens when more than one member of the Corps. are in the same project.

The constructs that Green Lanterns create can sometimes feel cheesy, but that wasn't the case for Superman. Gardner hilariously uses constructs of his middle finger to beat up bad guys, and even creates a giant bat when he and other members of the Justice Gang are fighting an alien threat in the background of a scene. His somewhat cartoony powers added to the action and the comedy of the movie, once again proving why it's the best live-action version of the cosmic peacekeeping force.

Superman is in theaters now as part of the 2025 movie release list, and Nathan Fillion will reprise his role in both Peacemaker Season 2 and Lanterns.

Over the past few years, there's been a ton of conversation about the power of representation in the media. While LGTBQ+ representation includes telling authentic queer stories, it also extends to seeing queer actors land major roles. And, now that out star of the movies/TV/stage Jonathan Bailey has starred in both Wicked and Jurassic World Rebirth, can we stop pretending that gay actors aren't bankable?

The actor got a following thanks to his role in Bridgerton (streaming with a Netflix subscription) before starring in a slew of successful TV and movie projects. Bailey has become the internet's boyfriend as a result, and is thirsted over by both men and women alike. His sexuality hasn't dissuaded fans from this, and in fact he may be the reason certain moviegoers went to see Jurassic World Rebirth, which killed at the box office. I'm hoping that his success will quell fears over giving LGBTQ+ actors major blockbuster roles.

Hollywood Usually Sees Queer Actors/Stories As A Gamble

Historically, Hollywood hasn't always been accepting regarding queer stories and actors. Actors like Nathan Lane were scared to come out, even when playing LGBTQ+ characters in projects like The Birdcage. Many actors have shared similar stories about being discouraged against coming out of the closet by their team, over fear of it negatively affecting their careers.

Quite a bit has changed in recent years, with queer legends like Ian McKellen encouraging actors to come out and be their authentic selves. While there are no doubt plenty of closeted actors out there, I have to wonder if Bailey's career is helping to change the minds of execs and actors alike.

Jonathan Bailey Has Played A Romantic Lead And An Action Star

When the Wicked cast list revealed Jonathan Bailey was playing Fiyero, it seemed like a perfect fit. He's got a history with musical theater, including starring in Company on the West End. Even still, audiences were swooning over his performance in the movie musical, particularly his big song "Dancing Through Life." It feels like director Jon M. Chu and company knew what they were doing with the edit, including an unnecessary shot or two of Bailey's butt. While we all know he's a gay man, that didn't stop him from convincingly playing the love interest of both Cynthia Erivo's Elphaba and Ariana Grande's Glinda throughout its runtime.

Then there's his most recent release: Jurassic World Rebirth. As soon as the movie's trailers dropped, tweets started popping up online about the "slutty little glasses" Bailey wore in the blockbuster. The internet can't stop thirsting over the actor, who went viral for kissing Scarlett Johansson during press events. His character, Dr. Henry Loomis, never had his sexuality revealed in the movie, but like Wicked, Bailey is once again the male lead of that dino-centric movie. And, he did a number of thrilling action sequences and stunts in the process.

While I hope to see Jonathan Bailey's career continue to thrive, I'm also hoping that he opens doors and changes minds in the process. Jurassic World Rebirth is in theaters now as part of the 2025 movie release list, and Wicked: For Good will follow suit on November 21st.

While the podcasting market continues to expand, with everyone and their mom seeming to have one, there truly are some gems on the airwaves. Regardless of your familiarity and regularity in dabbling, where does one start? As someone who dabbles in a few series and loves a good pop culture injection of any form, a celebrity-hosted show can offer a lot! These stars’ pods cover plenty of ground from BTS on favorite sets to politics to emotionally forward conversations. If you’re lost, in a rut or just looking for another stellar title to add to your audio arsenal, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s dive in!

Oprah’s Super Soul - Oprah Winfrey

We know her, we love her, and the dynamic Oprah Winfrey continues to evolve and push interviewing bounds. Super Soul is more or less an adaptation of her inspiration and often a spiritual talk show that ran through the early 2020s. Be prepared to hear some deep conversations if you aren’t already, though we all know it tends to come with the unmistakable Hollywood giant.

Literally! With Rob Lowe - Rob Lowe

The 61-year-old Hollywood vet has wide-ranging conversations with plenty of well-known professionals. Whether it's well-established or rising stars in movies and TV, music or sports, Lowe jumps right in with them. And as a member of The Brat Pack, the pull he has with landing guests is pretty impressive and diverse.

Renegades: Born In The USA - Barak Obama, Bruce Springsteen

Though it only ran for one season and has 8 episodes to its name, the former president and The Boss’ collab rocked. Their conversations consisted of the changing dynamics of the USA through the lens of music, personal happenings, fatherhood and future revitalization. They also share their backstory on how the friendship and pod came to be.

Goop - Gwyneth Paltrow

Paltrow and Goop’s virality continues to regularly break the internet (especially those body-forward scented candles). But the Hollywood A-lister and her empire went to new heights with the addition of their own podcast, which she hosts. Naturally, it dives in holistically to grander topics with today’s ‘brightest thinkers and culture changers’ to dissect the conversation at hand.

Wiser Than Me - Julia Louis-Dreyfus

As always, when Louis-Dreyfus commits to a project, she knocks a role out of the park. One of her most recent titles as host of Wiser Than Me is no different; her interviewing women who are expert veterans in their given career is a true delight. She’s had everyone from Jane Goodall to Jane Fonda, and she’s just getting going.

Good Hang - Amy Poehler

Don’t overlook the Parks & Rec star’s Good Hang, even though it may be one of the newest entries on the list. Poehler’s sunshine bright vibes radiate through the show while she chats with A-list Hollywood names. But the most signature part shines through when she has a mini cameo from a friend of the guest who praises them ahead of the main convo. (If you haven’t seen or know where the viral clip of Rachel Dratch fumbling with headphones on a Zoom, now you do.)

Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend - Conan O’Brien

In the comedian’s corner of the interview world, you can certainly expect his signature smart silliness he has brought to the masses over the decades. But why did he jump into the world? As the title implies, and per his summary, O’Brien realized after years of interviewing celebs, ‘the only people at his holiday party are the men and women who work for him,’ and wanted to change that.

Fly On The Wall - David Spade, Dana Carvey

While not an outright Saturday Night Live podcast, two huge alums, Spade and Carvey, lead this industry-leaning show. The pair has their fair share of guests and covers plenty of Studio 8H lore depending on who’s with them that week. Beyond the sketch show conversations, they often jump into current pop culture, current events and even fan-submitted fare.

Bill Gates And Rashida Jones Ask Big Questions - Bill Gates, Rashida Jones

Gates and Jones came together at the beginning of the pandemic in search of musing about some big questions. Though there are only five episodes, nothing seems off the table, from climate change to the psychology behind lying. But the unexpected co-hosts tackle these larger sociological and worldly topics with intentionality and ease.

The Big Podcast With Shaq - Shaquille O'Neal

The dynamic retired basketball player continues to surprise us with his plays (he just confirmed he was a Swiftie on the Kelces’ pod), and did just that when he kicked off his new podcast network by way of his own. Aptly named, Shaq and co-host Adam Lefkoe, of course, talk sports among themselves and alongside guests, but also hit a range of topics.

Minnie Questions - Minnie Driver

The Good Will Hunting actress’ offering sets up each interview through seven thoughtful questions. Though each question is relatively simple, it’s proven time and again that it unearths quite a conversation. Her therapy session meets fireside chat structure stands apart from other celebrity podcasts since its intention dives into a soulful exploration of life’s questions.

All There Is With Anderson Cooper - Anderson Cooper

While plenty of entries on the list cover an array of subjects from casual conversations, behind-the-scenes Hollywood magic and love and relationships, Cooper dives into loss (which he’s experienced multiple times over since childhood). What started as the beloved CNN news anchor processing the passing of his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, and the ins and outs that go along with it, has blossomed into something much more. He’s built a safe ground for guests and listeners alike to reflect and process the big topic.

Red Table Talk - Jada Pinkett Smith, Willow Smith, Adrienne Banfield-Norris

The multi-generational, familial women-hosted show has gone viral a few times over since its inception on Facebook. Nothing, as we’ve seen, is off limits in this conversational style show and doesn’t shy away when things get nitty gritty. Though the OG got the axe in 2023, it got going again with no ties to Facebook, and its episode catalog continues to rank with some of the best Hollywood fodder out there today.

The Weekly Show With Jon Stewart - Jon Stewart

The beloved TV host has a podcast that pairs with his regularly scheduled show. The Weekly Show offers a more expansive look into our ever-developing world with notable minds in essential roles across the professional field. If you’re looking for even more Stewart material, he had a short-lived but excellent 2 season show called The Problem with Jon Stewart that dove into topics that were ‘too big for TV.’ With either, you can count on a laugh paired with some big, thought-provoking discussions.

SmartLess - Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, Sean Hayes

SmartLess is like an improv dinner party you weren’t invited to, but somehow snuck into. Each episode brings a surprise guest to the table, and with it comes comedy, curiosity, and the kind of bromantic chaos that three A-listers with zero filters can deliver. It’s part talk show, part therapy session, and all charm—who would’ve guessed the vibe would be achieved by the Michael and Gob Bluth actors with a dash of the Jack McFarland actor.

Armchair Expert - Dax Shepard

Maybe one of the most recognizable and longstanding on the list, Shepard started his series in 2018. Though the premise is relatively simple in terms of chatting with well-known faces, things can go deep quickly. The CHiPs alum has had ex-costars like Lauren Graham, incidentally spill about Parenthood peer, Mae Whitman’s baby daddy, and Oscar-nominated stars like Michelle Williams reflect about her late ex-partner, Heath Ledger. Needless to say, there’s a lot to work with here (and a 300+ episode backlog to sift through).

Office Ladies - Angela Kinsey and Jenna Fischer

Of course, there was bound to be at least one rewatch pod in the bunch, and with The Office ranking as one of the best sitcoms ever, it’s a natural pick to include. Kinsey (who played Angela Martin/Lipton/Schrute) and Fischer (who played Pam Beesly Halpert) recount excellent tidbits and memories as they rewatch the NBC classic while hosting Dunder Mifflin cast and crew members.

Life Is Short - Justin Long

First and foremost, I’ve got to give the Jeepers Creepers actor’s name for his show is A+ play on words (specifically short and long). But, behind the small chuckle the title of the pod offers is a surprisingly poignant base for Long and his brother, who co-hosts the show. The siblings jump in the deep end with their guests and discuss all there is about life, which includes everything from emojis to their perspective on life.

LeVar Burton Reads - LeVar Burton

Fiction lovers and previous PBS Kids unite! The beloved Reading Rainbow star’s pod is a modern-day take on the classic 26-year run show, but now catered toward adults. Short form stories are the main genre he dives into each week, and the whole thing feels just like a little bit of a time machine, for those who tuned in regularly to RR.

New Heights - Jason, Travis Kelce

No, I’m not talking about their mom, Donna Kelce, landing a spot on S4 of The Traitors US, but it’s worth mentioning. The NFL family show is full of BTS looks into being brothers while also playing football professionally. They also often go out of bounds of the shared ground and discuss everything from pop culture to UFOs.

The High Life - Ricki Lake

The former television host is getting back to her roots with The High Life. And while she still has plenty of Tinseltown names as guests, the focus with her offering is health and wellness. Nothing is off the table within the larger landscape; she hits everything from menopause to energy healing.

Las Culturistas - Bowen Yang, Matt Rogers

In case you’d like to know, this is my ride or die pick of the list. The college besties-turned-Hollywood-darling co-hosts have amassed a cult turned mainstream following thanks to culture catch-ups, regular bits they have A-list guests participate in (what sparked their interest in culture and their wry ‘I Don’t Think So Honey!’ critique of something) and their own award show. Clearly, I could go on about it, but if you need more proof, Tina Fey’s iconic advice to Yang speaks to why we, ‘readers, kayteighs, publicists, finalists and kyles,’ love it all.

WTF With Marc Maron - Marc Maron

The rough around the edges comedian and actor’s podcast is one of the most well-known celebrity series. As a blueprint of public figures' iterations to come, Maron got started in 2009 after his radio show got canned. In the decade-plus he’s been at it, he hosted writers, directors, comedians, actors and many more in the typical style that is commonplace today. But, heads up, he just announced his show will end this fall, so don’t miss out!

Podcrushed - Penn Badgley, Nava Kavelin, Sophie Ansari

The Gossip Girl alum’s shared show isn’t a far cry from the hit teen series fodder. They’ve just spun the clock a little further back to schoolyard drama and middle school crushes. Badgley, alongside Kavelin and Ansari, takes on listeners' stories, reads them and explores all the ins and outs of starting to grow up (and all the turmoil that tags along).

Broad Ideas - Rachel Bilson, Olivia Allen

While you may know of Bilson’s other pod, Beyond The O.C., involving ex-castmate Melinda Clarke, Broad Ideas includes her longtime bestie, Olivia Allen. The new duo essentially cover any ground two girlfriends would in any given conversation (mental health to ghosts are promised). But hosting a new guest to join in on the fun each week brings it to the next level.

The Mess Around With Hannah And Lamorne - Lamorne Morris, Hannah Simone

If you know anything about where these two co-hosts met, you can probably guess this is a New Girl rewatch series. And if you know that, you probably know they played CeCe and Winston (Bishop), respectively, and the title comes from a bit that the characters shared. Also, plenty of past cast and crew come through to reminisce about all the shenanigans that went down in 4D.

Films To Be Buried With With Brett Goldstein - Brett Goldstein

Though he’s still relatively new to the scene, the Ted Lasso star is hitting it big (and is now on Shrinking). With that success, his unique corner of the recording studio has only found more success. And while the title of Goldstein’s show is pretty straightforward and self-explanatory, it has me hooked. I think it’s safe to say he’s just getting started.

At Your Service - Dua Lipa

While I haven’t actually listened to the singer and actress’ show, it may be the hidden gem on the list. Heading into her third season, she continues to host a slew of knockout guests, and her collection of candid conversations runs the gamut of interesting fare. Everything from psychedelics to running Apple.

Getting Better With Jonathan Van Ness - Jonathan Van Ness

Ever since being introduced as the current generation’s hair & grooming lead on Queer Eye, JVN has been stealing the show as they help build up others. By natural curiosity and the drive to learn, the Getting Better podcast helps them grow and build spaces to learn even more. The weekly episodic content comes in all shapes and sizes–from finance lessons to discourse on culture, they’ve got it covered.

Why Won’t You Date Me? - Nicole Byer

The Nailed It! host is also a pro-podcaster. If you go looking for Byer’s love and relationship pod, you may find quite a slew aside from the aforementioned one (Best Friends!, 90 Day Bae and Newcomers). But this humorously titled one is the most well-known and long-standing one, where she has everyone from friends and experts to an occasional ex or two dish all about dating and love.

Lovett Or Leave It - Jon Lovett

While Jon Lovett’s beginnings aren’t traditional Hollywood standards material, the comedian was a former speech writer for Barack Obama. From there, he and fellow Obama peers (Dan Pfeiffer, Tommy Vietor and Jon Favreau–not to be confused with the A-lister) then co-hosted Pod Save America. His newest show is a hybrid of political news mixed with fun, well-known guests, and a bit of shenanigans all tied into one, always providing a laugh.

The Bald And The Beautiful - Trixie Mattel And Katya Zamolodchikova

One of RuPaul’s Drag Race’s biggest winners, Trixie and ride or die fellow queen, Katya, have taken the world by storm together. After meeting on season 7, they quickly went on their way to make creative projects together, starting with their viral cult followed series, UNHhhh, to their aptly titled pod. It’s a lot of the same banter, just funneled into discussing pop culture and Tinseltown-leaning topics.

Warning: deadly spoilers for Final Destination Bloodlines are in play. However, we won’t be held responsible for any premonitions that give away the game.

It’s hard not to be excited over a new Final Destination movie, especially when the latest entry of mayhem through mortality has made it to the big screen. I’m still shocked that this 2025 movie schedule product was initially developed as a streaming original, only to reverse course and head to a theater near me.

What’s more, this dance with death has been given the royal treatment in premium format. So much like I gushed about Sinners’ 4DX-cellent variant, I need to tip my hat to Warner Bros. for giving us something I feel everyone needs to experience: the Final Destination Bloodlines 4DX Death Chair.

Warner Bros.’ 4DX Marketing For Final Destination Bloodlines Impressed Me

We’ve gotten used to movies promoting every premium format through exclusive trailers and posters that do a decent job of highlighting why you should spend the extra scratch on a movie ticket. However, I can’t recall anyone going as hard on selling 4DX as Warner Bros. has with Bloodlines’ cinematic run. To prove my point, please look at the promo shared below, which hypes up this premium choice rather nicely:

Wherever the spirit of horror legend William Castle is at this moment, he must be smiling. As you’ll read in our Final Destination Bloodlines review, the balance between a plot serious enough to invest in, but campy enough to enjoy with glee, is a very important ingredient. And the camp is very well served in 4DX, thanks to the experience living up to syncing your auditorium up with those gloriously gruesome kills.

The Blood Flows Freely in Final Destination Bloodlines’ 4DX-travaganza

Turning back to Sinners for a moment, I was bowled over by how, any time a vamp got staked, the seat-mounted water cannons gave me a generous dose of liquid thrills. It’s more than a spritz, but not quite a splash - and frankly, that’s the sweet spot any picture should aim for. Especially if you’re a water-based narrative like Moana 2’s 3D/4DX journey!

Once again, the lack of watery thrills in that Disney picture have been outdone by the horror genre, showing us that this movie wasn’t subtitled Bloodlines without a good reason. None of the various decapitations, impalings, or any significant moment involving the red red kroovy presented on screen skimps on those water effects; and boy howdy, does it enhance the jump scares that come from flashing back to previous kills.

Final Destination’s Latest Entry Is Bookended By Major Motion Effect Set Piece

There is no time wasted in getting to the good stuff in Final Destination Bloodlines. That counts double for its 4DX version, as there’s a whole bunch of subtle effects present while we watch young Iris Campbell (Brec Bassinger) interfere with Death’s plan to claim the lives of all present for the Skyview Restaurant’s opening night.

By the time the premonition starts to kick in, we’re nice and warmed up for anything that can happen. Which means that from the moment “Shout!” starts playing on the dance floor, the power of 4DX is firmly in place - and it gets pretty wild with those motion chairs.

Everything from a penny being thrown to a piano dropping on the person who tossed the offending coin will throw you around. The same goes for the last two major set pieces towards the end of Final Destination 6, which sees Kaitlyn Santa Juana’s protagonist Stefani Reyes fighting Death alongside on-screen brother Charlie (Teo Briones).

While I know I’ve warned you all about spoilers being present, I’m not going to dig too much into why the motion seating is given one final showstopper to close on. All I’ll say is if you’re still traumatized by Final Destination’s iconic kills, this fifth sequel in the series cranks up a fan favorite up a couple of notches, in the name of traumatizing a new generation.

The MRI Twofer Proves That No Final Destination Bloodlines Kill Is Wasted

It would be very easy to save the big guns for only the Final Destination kills that are deemed the most impactful. (No pun intended.) That’s not what the 4DX wizards who converted Bloodlines did, though, as every death takes advantage of the opportunity it’s been given through this format. Which leads to the one scene I will spoil, a moment I call the “MRI Twofer.”

As you may have seen in Final Destination Bloodlines’ trailer, brother Erik (Richard Harmon) and Bobby (Owen Patrick Joyner) try to cheat death in a pretty ingenious way. Since Bobby’s allergic to peanuts, Erik thinks all his brother has to do is chomp down on a peanut butter cup, die, and then be revived as a sort of workaround the Campbell family curse.

Unfortunately, these guys haven’t seen the Final Destination movies streaming through an HBO Max subscription, nor do they heed the warning given to them by medical examiner William Bludworth (the late Tony Todd). The boys fucked around with Death’s plans, and as a result, an MRI machine is allowed to crank up to levels of power reserved for research projects.

Since Erik is pierced everywhere a human can get pierced (giving us some darkly comic laughs for a moment), he’s pulled into the machine with a wheelchair. After which Bobby is impaled by Chekov’s Vending Machine coil against said MRI machine.

While I think I’m still partial to the Skyway Restaurant premonition as the kill of the game in Final Destination Bloodlines, the MRI Twofer is really making me question that belief. Between the setup, the slow burn, and the final execution of this hospital-based fatality, you’re given almost the full spectrum of 4DX thrills - save for scent and light, which were sparingly (or in the case of the latter factor, not even) used.

However, that is the final kill that I’ll leave you to ponder when thinking about how you want to see Final Destination Bloodlines. I understand that directors. And while Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein did film this picture for IMAX, I’d say you should go for the ultimate horror throwback experience, and take this journey in 4DX.

I can personally attest to the fact that a lot of other moviegoers have seemed to choose this option. I had to shift plans from seeing this on Friday night to Saturday afternoon, all because I hadn’t secured tickets as a result; so take this as your premonition to not suffer the same fate!

The horror genre has been thriving for years now, and is showing no signs of slowing down. Fans have been treated to sequels from long-running franchises, but some of the best horror movies in recent memory where wholly original concepts. Christopher Landon's new movie, Drop, is in the latter category, and was one of my most highly anticipated upcoming horror movies of the year. I absolutely loved seeing it in theaters, and I need to talk about the movie's inherent queerness.

CinemaBlend's Drop review praised the movie's thrills and unique concept, largely thanks to the work of Landon. He's a genre favorite thanks to his work on the Happy Death Day franchise, and once again delivered with this new release. And as a queer fan of the genre, I couldn't help but be tickled by various subtle and not-so-subtle ways that the LGBTQ+ community is represented.

Perhaps the most obvious is the truly delightful performance from actor, writer, comedian and overall gay icon Jeffery Self. He steals the show as Matt the waiter, and never fails to make me laugh in every single moment he had on screen. The casting was truly inspired, as was his borderline unhinged take on the high-end server.

During Drop's brisk 95-minute runtime, I found myself noticing how many of the movie's background actors were queer. Since the majority of the movie is set in a restaurant where protagonist Violet is having a date, there are other diners in the background of most shots. Rather than blending in, a number of the extras stood out thanks to their fabulous outfits and makeup, another reason why I felt like the horror flick was winking at me as an LBGTQ+ horror fan.

My attention was also piqued when "Moon River" could be heard as Violet was entering the restaurant. This track is part of the American Songbook, but was also prominently featured in Angels in America, both on stage and in the HBO miniseries (which is streaming with a Max subscription). Maybe that's a niche reference, but it contributed to the movie feeling like it was specifically featuring LGBTQ+ references.

There's also a debate to be had that Violet's sister, Jen, is queer-coded, but that's neither here nor there. So while Drop is not explicitly a queer horror movie (and it does center around a straight couple), these choices feel purposeful. And they really added to the joy I felt watching the mystery of the new horror flick play out.

Drop director Christopher Landon is an out gay man, which is another reason that I happened to connect the dots of the movie's subtle queerness as I watched it. I can only assume that a shared taste and sensibility is what moved me in this way; most straight moviegoers likely didn't notice items on this list (besides Self absolutely slaying his role).

After watching the new movie, I couldn't help but wonder what the director would have done with Scream VII if those plans came to fruition. Landon recently spoke about what it was like departing Scream, and finding a silver lining in bringing this new film to life.

Drop is in theaters now as part of the 2025 movie release list. And, I personally can't wait to see what Christopher Landon brings to the horror genre next.

The streaming wars are showing no signs of slowing down, with each service offering a constant supply of exciting new content. Those with a Hulu subscription were recently treated to the new sitcom Mid-Century Modern, which stars the likes of Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, Nathan Lee Graham, and the great Linda Lavin. The show feels like a mixture of The Golden Girls and Will & Grace, and it's really sparking some queer joy in me.

The Golden Girls and Will & Grace are considered some of the best sitcoms of all time, and are endlessly re-watchable for fans like me. So when it was revealed that the latter's creators Max Mutchnick and David Kohan were re-teaming for a Hulu original TV show, I checked it out. And it didn't disappoint, as it feels like a LGBTQ+ take on The Golden Girls. And that combination is absolutely delightful and thoroughly binge-watchable.

Mid-Century Modern follows three adult gay men who decide to live together in Palm Springs after their friend dies. The owner of the house is Nathan Lane's Bunny Schneiderman, who is wealthy and lives with his mother Sybil (Linda Lavin). Adding in Matt Bomer's ditzy Jerry and Nathan Lee Graham's fabulous and biting Arthur, and the four personalities clash in plenty of charming, touching, and funny ways throughout Season 1.

The Golden Girls had great insults throughout its tenure on the air, and Mid-Century Modern definitely continues this trend. The cast is constantly ribbing each other, as well as anyone else they come across throughout the first 10 episodes of the streaming comedy.

The set and concept of Mid-Century Modern is an obvious homage to The Golden Girls, which has the potential to elicit a mixture of reactions from people. While I've seen some complaints about this online, I've loved the way that the old and new have been combined for this new sitcom. It feels classic, as well as very much of the times.

Will & Grace was a groundbreaking show in regards to LGBTQ+ representation, including the very first instance of two men kissing on television. And while that show has aged rather well (seriously, give it another go on Hulu), being able to have the same comedic sensibilities back on TV and set in 2025 is really refreshing and affirming. There's a lot going on in the world nowadays for queer folks, so being able to sit down and laugh in so necessary.

I'm someone who regularly re-watches back episodes of Will & Grace and The Golden Girls, so having these shows basically combine to create the delightful Mid-Century Modern is a major win for the 2025 TV premiere list. Hopefully it gets renewed for a second season on Hulu. Fingers crossed!

History has seen many great late-night TV hosts, but David Letterman is really someone special. As the host of NBC’s Late Night from 1982 to 1993 and CBS’s Late Show until 2015, he brought an unprecedented energy and perspective to the world of comedy that has served as a clear inspiration to his peers ever since. As a tribute to the Letterman era, let’s look back on some of his greatest hits.

Dave Works The McDonald's Drive-Thru

One of the most iconic remote segments from David Letterman's days on Late Show saw him employed by McDonald's for a day, where he worked at the drive-thru window. Instead of simply taking orders, he indulges in giving the customers a hard time, asking one woman to drive around the building because they are too busy to answer for her at the moment and telling another guy asking for two #3's that he will give him a #6 instead.

Dave Visits General Electric

In 1986, when Letterman was still hosting Late Night on NBC, the network was purchased by General Electric, which gave him the idea to visit his new bosses' headquarters with a basket of fruit as a welcoming gesture. However, he would not make it past the front lobby, thanks to a security guard enforcing the building's strict laws against letting cameras inside.

Dave's Mom Reports The Olympics

Letterman enlisted his mother, Dorothy Mengering, to present a number of remote segments. The first instance of this was in 1994 when she was sent to Lillehammer, Norway, to cover that year's Winter Olympics for Late Show, during which she interviewed the likes of figure skater Nancy Kerrigan and then-First Lady Hillary Clinton.

The Top Ten Words That Sound Romantic When Said By Barry White

Barry White had the kind of voice that could make anything sound smooth and enticing, as demonstrated by one of David Letterman's most ridiculous Top 10 Lists. Accompanied by a trio of backup singers, the legendary R&B musician forever changes the way you might hear words like "jazzercise," "doo-hickey," and the Number One choice, "Oprah."

Joaquin Phoenix "Couldn't Be Here"

In 2009, Joaquin Phoenix appeared on Late Show to promote his film, Two Lovers, but he did not do much promoting and passively mumbled through most of the interview, which David Letterman capped with the perfect quip, "Well, Joaquin, I'm sorry you couldn't be here." The future Academy Award winner would later return to explain himself after it was revealed that his scraggly-haired aspiring hip-hop artist persona was all an act for his brother-in-law, Casey Affleck's, mockumentary, I'm Still Here.

Dave Hangs Out With Richard Simmons

Sometimes, just partnering Letterman with somebody whose personality greatly opposes his own was enough to conjure comedy gold. For instance, the time when the host shot a remote segment chronicling the day he spent with flamboyant fitness guru Richard Simmons, which consisted of visiting random people in their homes and searching for the latest Barbara Streisand album.

Crispin Glover Nearly Kicks Dave In The Face

One of David Letterman's most infamous interviews from his Late Night days, let alone his entire career, saw Crispin Glover from the Back to the Future cast seem to nervously struggle through the entire conversation, culminating in him performing a kick that came uncomfortably close to the host's face. The actor would later return only once more, but this time, he dodged any opportunities for a substantial explanation of his behavior and awkwardly giggled for much of it.

Biff Henderson's Fun With A Bullhorn

David Letterman's longtime stage manager, Biff Henderson, participated in many classic bits. One of his own personal favorites was a remote segment in which he travels the streets of New York yelling at random people with a bullhorn, and often providing them with valuable information, too.

Dave Wears A Velcro Suit

On Late Night, Letterman participated in many a ridiculous stunt that involved him wearing a funny suit constructed with some unusual material or substance. One of the more famous was a suit of velcro, with which he leaped onto a velcro wall and got stuck face first.

Jerry Lawler Slaps Andy Kaufman

In 1982, David Letterman had Andy Kaufman and wrestler Jerry "The King" Lawler on Late Night to discuss their feud, which grew heated before Lawler slapped him across the face, causing the already injured comedian to fall out of his chair. It was revealed years later that this infamous TV moment was not so authentic, as the pair were really good friends pulling a gag on the world.

The Long Debate Around The World's Largest Vase

On Late Night, David Letterman invited on the show a man who claimed to have the world's largest vase, which another person from Canada challenged, claiming his was taller. This inspired a lengthy debate involving polygraph tests and legal experts, before Dave decided to put it all to bed by placing a 35" radio transmitter on top of the vase they had in the studio, bringing its final length to 9'8".

Dave Assures "No One Is Blaming Conan"

David Letterman left NBC after losing the chance to host The Tonight Show to Jay Leno, who would, in 2010, leave the network's leading late-night program for Conan O'Brien to step in, only to take it back just months later. The Late Show host commented on the debacle, mentioning how Leno insisted that fans should not blame O'Brien, which prompted Letterman to point out that no one was pointing fingers at him in the first place.

Dave Is Startled By A Monkey

Like any other late night host, Letterman was known to bring animals on his show from time to time, but he did not enjoy his experience with a monkey on Late Night. The primate continuously lunged toward the host, causing him to exclaim, "She's gonna leap at me and pull a vein out of my neck and kill me!" To make matters even funnier, the monkey was wearing a dress.

The Final TV Appearance By Johnny Carson

David Letterman maintained a strong relationship with Johnny Carson even after both of them had left NBC. In fact, the former Tonight Show host made his last-ever appearance on television in 1994 to present Letterman with that night's Late Show Top 10, much to the audience's delighted surprise.

Dave Presents The Flashing Party Horses

Similar to saw horses with flashing lights placed around accidents or road construction sites to ensure safety, the "Flashing Party Horses" are smaller in stature and used to surround a party guest who has had a few too many and has collapsed on the floor. Future SNL one-season wonder Chris Elliott helps Letterman demonstrate the faux product by donning a tuxedo as the inebriated party guest.

Kamarr The Discount Magicians Puts Paul Shaffer In A Guillotine

One of the most amusing recurring guests that Dave Letterman would have on Late Night was Greece's own Kamarr the Discount Magician, whose illusions were always worth the price of admission. One of his most memorable appearances saw him place band leader and music director Paul Shaffer in a guillotine that he promised would pass right through his neck, leaving him unharmed, but would chop down on the cucumber beneath him.

John Candy Takes On Wasps In The Studio

One funny Late Night-era bit sees comedy legend John Candy interrupt his interview with David Letterman when a wasp appears on the back of his neck, prompting him to take care of the studio's infestation. He returns from his interspecies quarrel with a bag full of winged pests and a few gross clusters of stings on his face.

Dave's Shocking Diet Tip

In response to a fan letter asking for tips on how to lose weight, Dave presents a solution in the form of a visual demonstration. He takes a 12-volt car battery, attaches one clamp to his earlobe and the other to his soup spoon, and indulges in his meal, experiencing a shock that just "melts the fat" right off.

Camping With Barry White

After joking for several episodes about what it would be like to camp with Barry White, David Letterman invited the "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe" singer onto the show for an official demonstration. He opens an episode of Late Night with a lesson on how to treat a snake bite, using White as his subject, and presents a few products essential for the occasion, including a walkie-talkie equipped with a woofer powerful enough to match the singer's deep baritone.

Dave Hounds Paris Hilton About Her Prison Stint

David Letterman himself has admitted that he could be a little too mean to his guests for the sake of getting a laugh, and one of the most notorious examples is when, in 2007, he repeatedly asked Paris Hilton about her 22 days in prison for violating parole. At one point, she pleads that she does not want to talk about it anymore, to which he responds, "This is where you and I are different because it's all I want to talk about." The following year, he brought the heiress back to apologize for offending her.

Dave Wears A Suit Made Of Alka-Seltzer Tablets

One of the strangest stunts that Letterman ever performed involving an unusual suit was the time he donned an outfit covered in Alka-Seltzer, which is a brand of effervescent tablets used to treat heartburn, indigestion, or even headaches. Also equipped with an oxygen tank, the stunt sees the host lowered into a vat of water, causing the tablets to dissolve and create a rousing fizz.

Larry Bud Melman's Hilarious Lack Of Interview Skills

Comedian Calvert DeForest recurred on Late Night as his comically average and inept character, Larry Bud Melman, whom Dave would send out into the world for various remote segments, such as one in which he interviewed tourists at New York's Port Authority. The mundane manner of his questions is funny enough, but what makes the bit especially hilarious is the way he continuously brings the microphone away from his mouth too early with each question.

Dave Visits A Store Called Just Bulbs

One of Dave Letterman's most amusing Late Night era remote segments sees him visit a New York store called Just Bulbs, where he asks an employee if they sell anything other than what the name suggests, constantly receiving an emphatic no. When he asks the remarkably patient employee if they sell lampshades, she suggests he "try a store called 'Just Shades,'" at which point the scene immediately cuts to the front of a store called Just Shades.

Dave Meets A Man Who Claims To Have Been Buried Alive Three Times

Letterman discovered and conducted an interview with a man who invented a device that would allow a person who is accidentally buried alive to notify loved ones that they are still breathing. The man was inspired to develop this product after he was mistaken for dead and placed underground more than once.

Brother Theodore's Perplexing Rant

Theodore Gottlieb, better known as Brother Theodore, appeared on Late Night with David Letterman several times, never inspiring a dull moment. The German-American comedian would indulge in an assertive and combative interview with the host before delivering one of his signature, riotous stream-of-consciousness monologues.

Chris Elliott As The Guy Under The Seats

Late Night writer and performer Chris Elliott participated in various recurring segments on the show, including one in which he plays a man living under the studio bleachers who interrupts the show. David Letterman would go meta by making comments about Elliott's approach to the segment that the comedian would immediately take great offense to and respond with petty, threatening remarks.

Paul Shaffer's Freudian Slip

Paul Shaffer is responsible for one of the most infamous moments in SNL history, being the first person to accidentally drop the F-bomb on the live program. However, it was no accident when David Letterman's musical director told the host that he meant to ask his mother to pass the salt, but instead gave an explicit, insulting admission that she ruined his life. It was only a joke, but it inspired Letterman to get Shaffer's actual mother on the phone. After she corrects his grammar, Letterman turns to Shaffer and says, "I see what you mean now."

Gerard Mulligan Fills In For Levon Helm

In 1983, Levon Helm was scheduled to appear on Late Night with David Letterman but did not show up for the interview. Instead, Letterman and segment producer Gerard Mulligan discussed what they would have asked the drummer and vocalist for The Band, inspiring much laughter from the audience over what could have been.

Chris Farley Cartwheels Into The Studio

Iconic '90s Saturday Night Live star Chris Farley never failed to make a grand entrance, just like when he showed up on Late Show with David Letterman and inspired a rousing round of applause by kicking off his appearance with a triple cartwheel.

Biff Henderson Gets Hypnotized

For one fun Late Show segment, David Letterman invited a hypnotist to put members of his staff under his spell, including Biff Henderson, who was supposedly still under hypnosis and fell into a deep sleep on the show. In a YouTube video recalling his favorite moments, the long-serving stage manager did not confirm whether or not he was truly hypnotized, but he did reveal that he saw the hypnosis as an opportunity to relax at work.

Drew Barrymore Flashes Dave

One of the most surprising moments from David Letterman's entire career saw guest Drew Barrymore stand on the host's desk and lift her shirt up right in front of him.

Madonna's Expletive-Filled Interview

Pop star Madonna's 1994 appearance on Late Show gave the censors a lot to worry about. In fact, due to her use of 14 F-bombs, the episode became the most censored in talk show history, according to EW.

Some of the best teen shows have remained popular after their run on TV, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer is definitely in that category. The cult classic (which is streaming with a Hulu subscription) might be getting new life, thanks to the Buffy reboot pilot that's currently in the works with Sarah Michelle Gellar. As a hardcore fan I'm hyped about the potential of new episodes, there's one element of the original that needs to come back: it's unique, quippy dialogue.

For seven seasons, the cast of Buffy wrapped their mouths around Joss Whedon's signature dialogue, which was basically a new language in itself. This included pop culture references, as well as uniquely combining words into a speech pattern that is exclusive to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. So while it doesn't seem like Whedon is involved in the reboot pilot, the only way the fans are going to be able to settle into a new series is if it feels and (perhaps more importantly) sounds like the original.

Very little is currently known about the pilot that's being cooked up, but the return of of Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy definitely has fans hyped. Add in the inclusions of Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao, and this pilot has a lot going for it. But a real test will be how the dialogue sounds.

Fans have been wondering about which OG Buffy actors might be joining Sarah Michelle Gellar if the reboot is actually ordered for a full season. Charisma Carpenter has expressed interest in returning as Cordelia, although the character's ultimate fate from Angel might complicate things. Hardcore fans like myself are definitely hoping for an appearance from Alyson Hannigan's Willow, as well as Anthony Head's Giles. Both of these actors have stayed busy, and their characters are essential to the show's DNA.

On the flip side, the death of Michelle Trachtenberg will likely prevent any appearance from the character Dawn. And Xander actor Nicholas Brendan has had a number of legal issues. Finally allegations about Joss Whedon's behavior on the set of Buffy have been swirling, with even the cast speaking out against him.

Between character deaths and real-life issues, there are only a few original actors who could appear in a possible reboot. Buffy's new characters recently leaked online, some of which seem to be channeling the OG Scooby Gang. This possible passing of the torch will be made much easier if the reboot finds a way to bring the same signature dialogue to the table. I simply must see Little Ms. Likes To Fight struggle with her words, quip at demons, and even get bad-moody.

As previously mentioned, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is streaming now on Hulu. We'll just have to wait and see if a reboot actually gets ordered.

The Traitors and Big Brother have not been a match made in heaven. In fact, it’s been hell for Big Brother fans, aka me. I have hoped and wished that finally one of the former Big Brother legends would restore the good Big Brother gamers' reputation, but we still have, after three seasons, no Big Brother winners - as a Faithful or as a Traitor.

Some may try to claim Cirie Fields is a Traitors legend who is also a Big Brother player. However, she doesn’t quite represent this hit CBS reality show. Cirie famously didn’t have the best experience playing Big Brother, plus she played BB after her Traitors appearance. I need some known for Big Brother to actually win The Traitors. I have a few suggestions.

Claire Rehfuss Has Already Shown She Has Traitor Skills

Claire Rehfuss made it pretty far on Big Brother 23. However, unfortunately, The Cookout mission was more important than her close relationship with Tiffany Mitchell. In the Big Brother house, Claire showed some great gamer skills without ever really being the center of attention. This is what I think has caused many Big Brother legends problems. They either have a reputation for being major gamers, or they just stand out too much. I think Claire seems calm and collected enough and doesn’t have a major gamer reputation to go under the radar.

Also, if you follow Rob Has A Podcast, you may know that they have done two online Traitors. Spoiler alert for those who haven’t seen them: Claire won the second season. She started the game as a Faithful and then became a Traitor. She’s really good as a Faithful, which made it easier for her to manipulate people as a Traitor. I think Claire could be good in either position, especially having some familiarity with playing a version of The Traitors. To make things even more fun, she could always play alongside her long-term boyfriend, Derek Xiao.

Ika Wong Would Bring Entertainment And Strategy

Many Big Brother fans don’t explore the many great international versions and similar series. If they did, they would discover great contestants like Big Brother Canada legend Ika Wong. The online rumor is that Ika has been asked multiple times to appear on The Traitors Canada and declined. She announced long ago that she retired from reality TV. However, I don’t believe she’s been asked to appear on The Traitors US. I believe that Ika is a fan of shows like The Real Housewives, so she might be more tempted to appear on this version - just to meet some of her favorites.

For those unfamiliar with Ika, she appeared on two seasons of Big Brother Canada and made an impression during both seasons. She’s entertaining, and a great social and strategic gamer. Ika could easily be a really good Traitor while also providing lots of entertainment.

Jun Song Might Be Underestimated, Then Strike

I have seen every Big Brother season when they aired, but many of the early ones, I don’t remember as well. However, I remember Jun Song playing a masterful, cunning game. One of the best things about The Traitors is that it’s bringing some of the best Big Brother winners and players back into the reality TV world.

I would love to see Jun return and appear on The Traitors. It would be really interesting to see her navigate the game as a Traitor, especially after not appearing on reality TV for such a long time. Jun has been away from the reality TV world long enough for most of The Traitors players to be completely blindsided by her game. We need that.

Vanessa Rousso Would Confuse Everyone About Her Gameplay

Big Brother Canada winner Kevin Martin appeared on The Traitors Canada and didn’t win it. So it’s unclear how being a professional poker player translates on The Traitors. However, I want to see how Vanessa Rousso uses her poker and Big Brother skills to win as a Traitor.

Vanessa has always been a player who is good at using her emotions to confuse people. I can see her doing that again to help her go far. We also haven’t seen Vanessa in a while, so it would be nice for her to make a return. She’s also experienced a lot of life changes since Big Brother 17, so I am curious to see what the new version brings to the game.

I am excited to see what former Big Brother houseguests joins The Traitors US Season 4.

Forgive my sounding like a broken record, but I wouldn’t expect 007 to return on the 2025 movie schedule. With the current tumult and dealing potentially shaking up how James Bond 26 is going to be handled, there’s no promising leads on when that might end. However, two massive steps towards the eventual result do look to be in the works, which could yield some powerful results.

Not only does Amazon-MGM Studios reportedly have a producing pair in mind to run the show, but we also have a potential budget and release window. It's all subject to one very important event taking place in the near future, so let's dig into what's supposedly going on in the world of Bond, James Bond.

Bond 26 Already Has A Rumored Budget And Release Date

I hope you like your martinis dirty, as this entire story needs to be taken with as much salt as possible. Apparently the buzz about all of this kind of started after The Sun reported that clandestine sources have discovered a "fast track" plan for the next James Bond adventure.

Intel specifies an alleged release date a release date "before the end of 2027," and with a budget of £250 million. Those of you thinking that Amazon-MGM Studios would skimp in the name of savings should have no problem with that development, especially with this unnamed agent throwing in these further details:

It’s also noted that the proposed Bond 26 budget is even higher than No Time to Die’s estimated £220 million production spend. Piling that on top of Amazon-MGM’s rumored 00-price tag, as well as studio partners Universal and Warner Bros. holding stake in future theatrical releases, and that investment talk makes a lot of sense.

The fun doesn't end there, folks, as another publication has allegedly discovered the names of the producers that may succeed Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson as 007's franchise stewards. For this, you just might need a refill on that liquid refreshment.

Amazon-MGM Studios Has Two Producers Rumored To Run Their 007 Operation

If the latest news out of Variety is accurate, former Sony chairman/Spider-Man producer Amy Pascal and Harry Potter/Paddington producing veteran David Heyman are both “in talks” as Amazon-MGM Studio's overseers. While I anticipate some fan tensions over this decision, it’s also kind of comforting if you look at it the right way; especially with Ms. Pascal being attached to this crucial shift.

As noted in the reporting cited, she was running the show at Sony during most of Daniel Craig’s James Bond movies, and she continued to operate in the realm of the MCU’s Web-Slinger through her Pascal Pictures. Her familiarity, combined with David Heyman’s resume on working with two British literary icons, feels primed to put this next era on the right foot forward.

Of course, those who are still stung by the existence of the defunct Sony’s Spider-Man Universe and/or the incomplete Fantastic Beasts film cycle are probably rushing in to counter that point. As those projects feel akin to popular opinions on Quantum of Solace and Spectre in the mouths of fans, that's going to be a huge counter.

Amy Pascal’s more recent resume is any indication, I think there are two young actors you should be keeping an eye on when it comes to competing to be the next 007. However, before we get into those weeds, let's talk about the major catch that stands in the way of any progress, like Jaws trying to block Roger Moore's 007 from passing.

The Gigantic Catch That's Holding Up Amazon-MGM's James Bond Era

Don’t get your hopes or hollering too high just yet though, as this crucial hypothetical decision has to wait until the massive Amazon-MGM James Bond deal is finalized. As one could predictably assume that all involved want to jump into production on the 26th Bond movie with great haste, this is a very important juncture.

Getting all the T’s and C’s straight is something that’s led to previous 007 delays setting records in all the wrong ways. That proposed 2027 time frame doesn’t sound too off, as even Casino Royale director Martin Campbell’s opinion of how things would shake out had that sort of milestone in mind.

I know this is all rumored, but between producers in talks, a speculated budget and a seemingly doable release window, I think we’re the closest we’ve ever been to Bond 26. Which means I think we can start talking about whose stock may just rise on the (James) Bond Market.

If This Deal Goes Through, There Are Two James Bond Contenders You Should Watch

I wonder if someone had an inside tip on this news, as the recent Bond Villain betting odds included Spider-Man/Challengers alum Zendaya into the mix as a candidate. Both of those properties saw Amy Pascal’s steady producing hand influencing how things panned out, and they establish ties between Ms. Pascal and two potential Commander Bonds.

First off, Challengers co-star Josh O’Connor has been talked about as potentially slipping into the tuxedo in recent years. Which means that Steven Spielberg could go 2 for 2 in making another James Bond happen, as the two are working on a picture due out summer 2026.

It would be rather wild if that potential Bond 26 scenario came to pass, as we shouldn’t forget that story about how Steven Spielberg encouraged Daniel Craig’s 007 process by pushing his Munich star to reach for that martini.

However, don’t count out previous frontrunner Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who recently worked under Amy Pascal’s auspices on the current Netflix streaming hit Kraven the Hunter. With a lot of juice behind his candidacy, and several rumors that suggested he was practically cast by Barbara Broccoli herself, this alternate link could see a stronger case made to snag the MCU vet.

It’s still anybody’s guess, as again, the Amazon-MGM deal needs to be finalized before the studio can make any of the moves proposed above. Perhaps that’ll give Mr. O’Connor enough time to put in a good word with his potential future bosses, as his current project could see both composer John Williams and director Steven Spielberg’s 007 dream jobs become a reality.

For now, we'll just have to do like the man of the hour, and make sure our martinis are cool while we encourage our heels to do just the same. Bond 26 is still going to need patience, but at least there's an indication that it won't take all the time in the world to get here.

While there's always a ton of TV shows on the air at any point, certain titles manage to rise to the top and become bonafide sensations. Desperate Housewives was one of those shows, becoming wildly popular and inspiring Bravo's Real Housewives series (which is streaming with a Peacock subscription). I've been rewatching the show with my Hulu subscription, and I've got to say I'm really loving it the second time around. Seriously, it holds up!

As a kid, I watched Desperate Housewives during its original run on TV, but I stopped sometime after a hurricane tore through Wisteria Lane. I wasn't sure if the early aughts humor would translate nowadays, but it definitely does. And every episode I'm impressed by just how strong the performances from the Desperate Housewives cast are.

While Desperate Housewives has plenty of high stakes drama and dramatic twists (I mean, it literally opens on a suicide), the show is largely a dark comedy. And the four starring women, as well as Nicolette Sheridan's Edie Britt, are firing on all cylinders while embodying their characters' specific quirks. But if there are two performances that have been especially wowing me as I re-watch the series, it's been Teri Hatcher and Eva Longoria.

Desperate Housewives was a star-making moment for Eva Longoria, who recently appeared in Only Murders in the Building. Gabrielle Solis is a constant scene-stealer, with Longoria finding a way to make her endlessly likable despite the character's vain and self-centered tendencies.

While Teri Hatcher doesn't seem like she wants a reboot, I can't imagine the show without her. She does pretty outstanding physical comedy as Susan Mayer, going through countless pratfalls and shenanigans amidst the high stakes drama of the Wisteria Lane. Although back in 2018 Hatcher expressed interest in returning, so maybe there's hope she'll change her mind.

Since I watched the show's original run for years, there are certain events and plot points that I remember. For instance, Gabrielle's affair with John the Gardener or the episode where Laurie Metcalf is a shooter in a grocery store. But there's also a lot I don't remember, and jokes that probably went over my head as a young person watching the series with my family.

Desperate Housewives really does have such a unique tone, which is also why I've been binge watching for my second viewing. From Danny Elfman's iconic theme song to the production design, the show is equal parts camp and drama. And so while the cast are all comedic forces, they also get to have some moving scenes as well when things go wrong or the titular Wives.

Only time will tell if a Desperate Housewives reboot happens, but fans shouldn't expect for it to pop up on the 2025 TV premiere list. For now, the original series is streaming on Hulu.

Awards Season is in full swing, and I'm personally trying to catch up on the 2025 Oscar nominees. That's what led me to watching the new Dreamworks flick The Wild Robot, which is streaming with a Peacock subscription). The Best Animated feature nominee was a great watch, with action and tender emotionality at its heart. And while I really enjoyed the movie, I also found it thoroughly terrifying for a number of reasons.

To be clear, a lot of these issues have largely to due with phobias of my own. So if I seem like a crazy person, that's probably why. Specifically, an irrational fever I have of possums, as well as raccoons and skunks. All three of these creatures go bump in the night, and are heavily featured throughout The Wild Robot. And that's saying nothing of the thrills that are actually included in the 2024 animated movie.

Throughout the movie's 102-minute runtime, Lupita Nyong'o's titular character Roz interacts with a variety of woodland creatures on the island she found herself on. But while Mark Hamill's Grizzly Bear Thorn was meant to be the scariest, I found myself much more freaked out by the smaller animals walking around on four legs. That includes a notable scene where Roz is attacked by a vicious group of raccoons, which is basically what I think is going to happen to me any time I walk past one of them in my day to day life.

Nothing scares me more than possums, and unfortunately for me they're certified scene stealers in the new Dreamworks film. The Wild Robot's cast includes the great Catherine O'Hara as a mother Possum named Pinktail. She and her various babies are utterly hilarious throughout the movie, engaging in gallows humor and trying (and failing) to successfully play dead.

Given my phobia of possums, this made The Wild Robot full of unintended jump scares for myself. And more confusingly, there was usually a solid laugh that came afterward. Talk about a rollercoaster of emotions.

Of course, the movie itself actually had plenty of scary moments. The subject and threat of death seemed to looming over Kit Connor's Brightbill. CinemaBlend's Wild Robot review overwhelmingly praised the movie, which is actually pretty action packed. So while I might have streamed the movie on a sleepy Sunday morning, I was treated to way more thrills than I could have anticipated... especially from the possums, raccoons, and skunks. Phobias don't usually make logical sense, although I have to assume that someone out there had a similar experience watching the Oscar nominee.

The Wild Robot is streaming on Peacock, and we'll have to see if it manages to snatch an Academy Award on March 2nd. Let's just hope Academy voters don't have the same phobia as me.

January hasn’t been a huge month for 2025 movie releases, but one exception has been Netflix, where the long awaited Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx vehicle Back in Action finally premiered. The movie has been praised for the main cast’s chemistry, some darling side characters and its ending, but there’s one overarching problem I had with the movie that falls in line with a lot of other other Netflix films.

Back In Action’s Ending Sets Up For A Sequel

Spoilers for Back in Action abound from this point. Don’t say I didn’t warn ya. For a pretty straightforward action film, a lot happens in the last few minutes. Nigel (Jamie Demetriou) successfully manages to close the barrier to rein in baddie Chuck (Kyle Chandler). His boat explodes in show-y action movie fashion, but we later find out Chuck’s body is never found, leading to the possibility of his return in the future.

In a separate scene, the family has returned to the suburbs with Grandma (Glenn Close) and Nigel so that daughter Alice (McKenna Roberts) can finish out her soccer season. Foxx’s character Matt finds out his wife Emily has been keeping a secret from him: her father is still alive and may be the key to a new mission. Given the high-profile cast in the first movie, the fact that Diaz allegedly signed a lucrative contract to produce two movies with Netflix, and the fact Back in Action has stickied in the #1 slot on Netflix for days now, I’m feeling good about the possibility of a sequel and also that Diaz’s dad will probably be some big name stunt casting, too.

Honestly, it’s exactly what I’d expect from this sort of movie, and I'm pretty confident I will watch it whenever it comes out. But am I actively looking forward to it? No. Do I really care about these characters and where they're going? No... and unfortunately, that's a recurring problem with a lot of Netflix's movies.

The Frequent Struggle Netflix Films Face

Listen, I’m about to complain a little about Back in Action, but before I do that I want to acknowledge that I watched the film as soon as it hit the Netflix schedule, and when I finished, I felt like it was a perfectly nice way to spend a couple hours. I'm sure there are millions of other people who did the exact same thing. I know at least a few did because they work here and I talked about it with them. We all seemed to think the same thing: that it was cute enough.

And deservedly so. Diaz and Foxx’s action scenes look good. They have a fun little rapport in the movie, and most of the side characters are exceptionally well cast. There's also some comedy bits that work, and the whole thing has a fun little breezy vibe. You could do a lot worse things with your time than watch Back In Action, but would you be happy if you paid money to see it in theaters? Have you even thought about it again after you finished watching it?

Netflix has seemingly dumped a ton of money into original movies in recent years, and you can tell by the visual look of this one. Back In Action has A-list talent, some really expensive-looking action sequences, recognizable songs and it was shot in a lot of different outdoor locations. It took a lot of checks with a lot of digits to pull this off, but all they ended up with was a nice enough way to spend some time.

That's mainly because the script just isn't good enough. There are so many plot holes. I can accept some, given this is a goofy action comedy about two special agents faking their own deaths and moving to the suburbs, but what I can't accept are characters that have illogical motivations and basic story beats that don't make any sense at all.

Kyle Chandler gets fired from his job and is furious about not having a pension anymore; yet, he somehow manages to entice dozens of goons (and a helicopter pilot) to commit terrorism. Fine whatever. I'll go with that. Then he kidnaps his spy pals' kids when there's literally no reason to do so, and if he hadn't, the main characters probably wouldn't have followed him with such gusto. Then the entire government sits on its hands and watches our lead characters chase after him in a boat while a fake spy step-grandpa punches random keys, trying to get a barrier to go up so London doesn't flood. It, of course, does, just in time for Chandler to run his boat into the barrier and cause a massive explosion that curiously doesn't flood London.

I’m not saying these things to take the piss out of Seth Gordon, who I thought did a lot of cool stuff directing this film (but was also involved in writing it). I’m only bringing it up because these head-scratchers are just a few of at least a dozen that occur in the movie, and they're the sort of things that are the difference between people actually caring about this franchise and people thinking it was a nice enough way to spend some time.

Netflix has spent a ton of money on star power, not just with Back in Action, but also with vehicles like Red Notice, The Gray Man, etc. Executives have showed a willingness to pay for the actors and the type of action sequences that many of us want to see, but all of this money has only mostly yielded movies that are fine enough to watch on streaming but have serious problems if you watch them with a keen eye.

I think this is a problem with a lot of the movie content specifically created for the streamer. We get big names and a lot of spectacle, but there's not enough love and attention poured into the script and the substance to create something worth watching again. We've become accustomed to watching some of this stuff streaming with one eye trained on our phones, but even if some people are just going to view it casually, that doesn't mean it's not worth creating a cohesive story with flow and logic behind it.

I liked Back In Action well enough. I'm glad it was "included" with my Netflix subscription, but I won't think about it again until we get the sequel that's probably going to come in a few years. It's not going to stick in my consciousness or the collective consciousness of movie fans.

When that sequel does come, however, I'm really hoping to see more. There's something here with the chemistry and comedy and the action sequences, but I need more than that. I want to see a story everyone can be proud of too. Otherwise, no matter how good everything else is, we're just going to end up with another disposable Netflix movie, which has become a recurring theme.

A 24's upcoming slate is looking more and more exciting, but that doesn't mean the 2024 movie release schedule was missing the mark either. In fact, it's been bursting with critical favorites, offering a blend of heartfelt dramas, stunning documentaries, and unforgettable genre films. While many of this year’s releases are riding high with 90% or higher on Rotten Tomatoes, a few others shine just as brightly despite falling short of that benchmark. Let’s dive into the 2024 standout films from the independent American film company, including two that may not have perfect scores but still undeniably rock.

The Elite Seven: A24 Movies Scoring Over 90%

1. The Sixth (100%)

Directed by Andrea Nix Fine and Sean Fine, The Sixth is a gripping documentary that delves into the events of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots. Through the perspectives of six individuals deeply impacted by that day, the film captures the chaos of a nation in turmoil while underscoring the enduring significance of truth and accountability. It’s a harrowing and poignant look at a moment that left a lasting mark on American history. It’s not surprising that it joins the ranks of documentaries with more than 90% on Rotten Tomatoes.

2. Sing Sing (98%)

Directed by Greg Kwedar, Sing Sing is a deeply moving drama inspired by the real-life Rehabilitation Through the Arts program at Sing Sing Maximum Security Prison. The film follows a group of incarcerated men as they channel their creativity and humanity into producing theatrical stage shows. Premiering at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival to critical acclaim, Sing Sing was released by A24 in July 2024 and has been celebrated for its poignant exploration of redemption and artistic expression within the prison system.

3. The Last of the Sea Women (97%)

The Last of the Sea Women is a visually stunning and deeply emotional documentary that profiles the haenyeo, a dwindling community of women divers in Jeju, South Korea. These women, many of whom are elderly, dive into the ocean without oxygen tanks to harvest seafood, a tradition that has sustained their communities for centuries. The flick is a true testament to cultural resilience and is one of the reasons I adore films and documentaries that focus on real people.

4. A Different Man (92%)

Sebastian Stan delivers a haunting performance in this critically well-received comedic psychological thriller written and directed by Aaron Schimberg. The film delves into themes of identity, obsession, and the human longing for reinvention, centering on Edward Lemuel, a man with a facial disfigurement who undergoes an experimental medical procedure that dramatically alters his life. What begins as a story of personal transformation spirals into a gripping exploration of self-deception and the lengths one will go to escape their past. In CinemaBlend’s review of A Different Man, Nick Venable gave it a nearly perfect score, calling it “unwaveringly magnificent.”

5. Heretic (91%)

If you’re like me, you probably keep up on all the latest upcoming horror movies and have been hearing a lot of buzz surrounding Heretic. Well, it's for a good reason. As Eric Eisenberg points out in his Cinemablend review of Heretic, it’s easily one of the year's best horror movies. A chilling psychological horror, Heretic takes a sinister twist on the classic missionary story. The film follows two young missionaries whose routine door-to-door visit takes a terrifying turn when they encounter the enigmatic and malevolent Mr. Reed, played brilliantly by Hugh Grant. What begins as an attempt to share their faith spirals into a deadly game of cat and mouse as they become prisoners in his home.

6. Look into My Eyes (90%)

Look Into My Eyes, the latest documentary from Lana Wilson (Miss Americana, After Tiller), takes viewers on an unexpected journey into the lives of New York City psychics, offering a window into the deeply personal and emotional readings they share with their clients. Rather than debating the reality of psychic powers, Wilson zeroes in on what truly matters: the human craving for connection, comfort, and healing. Like all the best A24 films, this movie skillfully explores a tapestry of emotions—from loneliness to hope and the undeniable longing for meaning—highlighting the intimate moments that unfold during these interactions. With its compassionate storytelling and reflective tone, Look Into My Eyes is an exploration of humanity’s shared search for significance, guaranteed to leave audiences thinking long after the credits roll.

7. Love Lies Bleeding (94%)

Love Lies Bleeding, directed by Rose Glass, is a great queer love story that also happens to be a neon-soaked fever dream that dives headfirst into the gritty chaos of love, obsession, and moral decay. This surreal neo-noir thriller follows Lou (Kristen Stewart) and Jackie (Katy M. O’Brian) as their toxic romance spirals into violence and madness, with standout performances that keep viewers hooked. Blurring the lines between reality and perception, the film’s shocking and hallucinatory ending leaves you questioning what’s real and what’s imagined–if you don’t like romance movies that end up in dark places, maybe skip it, but for me, it’s a must watch exploration of love’s darker side—power, codependency, and self-destruction. It’s as unsettling as it is captivating. Both tender and brutal, Love Lies Bleeding is a wild, thought-provoking ride that cements its place as one of A24’s most unforgettable offerings.

The Underdogs: Under 90% But Still Rock

1. I Saw the TV Glow (84%)

I Saw the TV Glow is an electrifying coming-of-age horror film that even caught the attention of Martin Scorsese. Directed by Jane Schoenbrun (We’re All Going to the World’s Fair), this unsettling yet nostalgic gem blends eerie visuals with a deeply personal story about loneliness and human connection. With its bold style and emotionally resonant themes, the film may not crack the 90% club, but its solid 84% on Rotten Tomatoes cements it as one of the year’s most unique cinematic experiences. Currently one of the best horror movies on Max, it’s not just one of the platform’s standout horror movies—it’s easily one of my favorites of the year.

2. MaXXXine (72%)

The third installment in Ti West’s X trilogy, MaXXXine, cranks up the neon for a gritty dive into 1980s Hollywood. While it doesn’t quite match the brilliance of its predecessors—especially with an ending that felt like it was missing that signature Ti West punch—Mia Goth once again proves why she’s one of the most captivating actors working today. Her performance, combined with West’s bold direction, keeps the blood-soaked thrills alive. And let’s not forget Kevin Bacon’s deliciously over-the-top turn as shady private investigator John Labat, which alone makes the ticket price worth it. Despite its flaws, MaXXXine delivers enough style, grit, and nostalgia to make it a worthy conclusion to the trilogy.

Final Thoughts

A24 continues to prove its dominance as a purveyor of bold, boundary-pushing cinema. Whether you’re diving into the critically acclaimed hits or savoring the uniquely thrilling experiences of films like MaXXXine and I Saw the TV Glow, 2024 was a killer year for A24 as they celebrated the best of what indie filmmaking has to offer.

In some critical cases, the funniest way to deliver a line of dialogue is in the most serious way possible and no one understood that better than Leslie Nielsen. While much of his early work primarily consisted of dramas, the actor has his fingerprints on many of the greatest parody movies of all time, which defined his career from when he starred in 1980's Airplane! to his passing in 2010 at 84. Celebrate the life of the master of deadpan by looking back on the most uproarious Leslie Nielsen movie quotes.

"Wilma, I Promise You, Whatever Scum Did This, Not One Man On This Force Will Rest One Minute Until He's Behind Bars. Now, Let's Grab A Bite To Eat" - The Naked Gun: From The Files Of Police Squad!

Early on in 1988's The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!, when Lt. Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) is visiting his partner, Nordberg, in the hospital, he happens to say quite a few inappropriate things to the ailing cop's wife, Wilma (Susan Beaubian). One of the funniest comes when he asks Capt. Ed Hocken (Geroge Kennedy) went to lunch right after ensuring Wilma that he would take no breaks on this case.

"Yes, Yes, I Remember. I Had Lasagna" - Airplane!

In Airplane!, Leslie Nielsen's Dr. Rumack comes into play when several passengers mysteriously fall ill, leading him to ask flight attendant Elaine (Julie Hagerty), what the in-flight meal was. After she tells him there was a choice between steak or fish, he matter-of-factly recalls that he, somehow, ate neither of those items.

"Nice Party, Hapsburg. I See A Lot Of Familiar Face-Lifts" - The Naked Gun 2-1/2: The Smell Of Fear

In the second installment of the Naked Gun movies from 1991, Leslie Nielsen's Frank Drebin takes an immediate dislike to Quentin Hapsburg (Robert Goulet), the new beau of his former lover, Jane Spencer (Priscilla Presley). He takes every opportunity he sees to belittle the wealthy oil industrialist, including pointing out how many of his party guests appear to partake in cosmetic surgery.

"I'm Here Today At The... 'Un'" - Scary Movie 4

Leslie Nielsen would reunite with David Zucker, one of the creators of Airplane! and the Naked Gun series, when he took over the Scary Movie franchise, which pokes fun at the best horror movies, for the third and fourth installments. In Nielsen's best moment from 2006's Scary Movie 4, President Baxter must refer to the United Nations logo behind him to identify who he is speaking to but still fails miserably.

"It's An Entirely Different Kind Of Flying" - Airplane!

In Airplane!, when Rumack asks Ted Striker (Robert Hays) about his piloting experience, he says he flew single-engine fighters in the Air Force. When he adds that handling a four-engine commercial jet is "an entirely different kind of flying, altogether," the doctor and flight attendant Randy (Lorna Patterson) take that last word as a signal to both repeat what he said in unison.

"Nice Beaver!" - The Naked Gun: From The Files Of Police Squad!

One of the all-time funniest spoof movie gags comes from The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! when Drebin stands right below Jane as she is standing on a ladder, rummaging through her attic, and compliments her "beaver." Every unsuspecting viewer understandably had their heads in the gutter until she passed down the recently taxidermied woodland animal to him.

"Children Of The Night. What A Mess They Make" - Dracula: Dead And Loving It

In 1995, Mel Brooks sent up one of the most essential vampire movies with Dracula: Dead and Loving It, and cast Leslie Nielsen in the title role. A funny moment sees the count paraphrasing Bela Lugosi's immortal line from the 1931 original – "Listen to them, children of the night. What music they make!" – to reference a patch of bat guano that appears on his staircase.

"I'm Sure That We Can Handle This Situation Maturely, Just Like The Responsible Adults That We Are. Isn't That right, Mr... Poopy Pants?" - The Naked Gun 2-1/2: The Smell Of Fear

For all of his absent-mindedness, we would normally never think of Frank Drebin as particularly immature, except for this moment from The Naked Gun 2-1/2: The Smell of Fear. No one can blame him for feeling petty after how things left off with him and Jane between installments but calling her new boyfriend, Hapsburg, "Mr. Poopy Pants" is inexcusably infantile.

"You Know, I Usually Specialize In Stuff You Can Wrap" - All I Want For Christmas

The first of two times Leslie Nielsen played Santa Claus – the second being the 2000 made-for-TV movie, Santa Who? – was in 1991's All I Want for Christmas. He plays a kindly mall Santa, who is asked by young Hallie (Thora Birch) to help bring their divorced parents back together.

"I Am Serious And Don't Call Me Shirley" - Airplane!

Perhaps the funniest line said by Leslie Nielsen in Airplane! – let alone the movie's funniest line, period – comes after Dr. Rumack asks Striker if he can take over the plane's ill pilots, and land it. When the former pilot responds, "Surely, you can't be serious," the doctor assumes he was calling him a traditionally feminine name.

"It's The Same Old Story. Boy Finds Girl, Boy Loses Girl, Girl Finds Boy, Boy Forgets Girl, Boy Remembers Girl, Girl Dies In A Tragic Blimp Accident Over The Orange Bowl On New Year's Day" - The Naked Gun: From The Files Of Police Squad!

In the first Naked Gun movie, on their first date at Frank's apartment, he and Jane are discussing their pasts when Frank recalls a lover he once lost to tragedy. The dark joke gets even funnier when Jane asks if the blimp is from Goodyear and he misinterprets the question and responds, "No, the worst."

"I Just Want To Tell You Both, Good Luck. We're All Counting On You" - Airplane!

There is nothing particularly funny about this line the first time Leslie Nielsen says it to Ted and Elaine as they finally make an attempt to land in Airplane! However, it becomes hilarious after Rumack repeats it to them randomly and unprompted twice more during the final act.

"The Truth Hurts, Doesn't It, Hapsburg? Oh, Sure, Maybe Not As Much As Landing On A Bicycle With The Seat Missing, But It Hurts!" - The Naked Gun 2-1/2: The Smell Of Fear

In The Naked Gun 2-1/2, Frank discovers that his disdain toward Hapsburg was justified by his secret terrorist involvements. He spews more belittling rhetoric at the criminal that really does sound like a painful scenario.

"I Haven't Seen Anything Like This Since The Anita Bryant Concert" - Airplane!

Anita Bryant was a very controversial figure in the late 1970s, due to her outspoken opposition to gay rights. This line from Airplane!, in which Rumack compares the display of violent illness among the passengers to the crowd at one of the former singer's own shows, is just one of many times pop culture took a jab at her.

"I Just Think About Baseball" - The Naked Gun: From The Files Of Police Squad!

The Naked Gun movies are known for their hilariously subversive use of double entendres, such as when Drebin tells Jane he used to have a problem with his firearm going off... or so it seems. The discussion takes a strange turn when she asks how he solved his problem but his response sounds like he is referring to something else.

"I've Been Like A Father To You! I Raised You, Just Like Your Father Did! I Believed In You, Just Like Your Father Did! I Slept With Your Mother, Just Like Your Father Did!" - Superhero Movie

After two Scary Movies, Leslie Nielsen starred in a 2008 send-up of the best superhero movies (especially Spider-Man), aptly named Superhero Movie, as the uncle of the young, superpowered Rick (Drake Bell). During an argument, Uncle Albert goes a little too far in trying to prove to his nephew just how well he earned his place as a father figure to him.

“Uh, Then He's Certainly Not Going To Enjoy That Treat I Just Fed To Him” - Wrongfully Accused

Wrongfully Accused, starring Leslie Nielsen as a murder suspect struggling to clear his name, is essentially a parody of great action movies, especially The Fugitive. However, the 1998 comedy is also a mixed bag of gags, such as when Nielsen's Ryan Harrison discovers he has mistaken a dog's rear end for its face.

"It's True What They Say: Cops And Women Don't Mix. It's Like Eating A Spoonful Of Drano. Sure, It'll Clean You Out, But It'll Leave You Hollow Inside" - The Naked Gun: From The Files Of Police Squad!

All we can really say about this line from the first Naked Gun – directed at Jane after Frank learns she really works for the film's main antagonist – is that you should definitely not eat a spoonful of Drano. Ever.

"You Can't Take A Guess For Another Two Hours?" - Airplane!

This Airplane! line comes from a hilarious exchange between Rumack and Capt. Oveur is full of misunderstandings. Rumack asks him if he can take a guess of how soon he can land the plane and when the pilot says, "Well, not for another two hours," the doctor assumes he is referring to when he would be able to craft a hypothesis.

"A Parachute Not Opening. That's A Way To Die. Getting Caught In The Gears Of A Combine. Having Your Nuts Bit Off By A Laplander. That's The Way I Wanna Go!" - The Naked Gun: From The Files Of Police Squad!

In The Naked Gun, with Nordberg in critical condition after being ambushed by a "cowardly hoodlum," Capt. Hocken mentions that it is "no way for a man to die." Frank then lists a series of scenarios that he believes would ensure a glorious exit.

"You Carry A UB-21 Schnauzer With A Gnab Silencer..." - Spy Hard

In the 1996 spy movie parody, Spy Hard, Dick Steele's (Leslie Nielsen) impromptu reading of Russian agent, Veronique Ukrinsky (Nicolette Sheridan) is littered with acronyms. The full quote is, "You carry a UB-21 Schnauzer with a Gnab silencer. That's KGB. You prefer an H&K over an A.K. Your surveillance technique is NSA. Your ID is CIA. You received your Ph.D. at NYU. Traded in your GTO for a BMW. You listen to CDs by R.E.M. and STP. And you'd like to see J.F.K. in his BVDs, getting down with O.P.P. And you probably put the toilet paper back on the roll with the paper on the inside."

"Just Think, Next Time I Shoot Someone, I Could Be Arrested" - The Naked Gun: From The Files Of Police Squad!

Drebin says this Naked Gun line after he is suspended from the Police Squad, which seems to be a much-needed punishment for someone with his trigger-happy attitude.

"Uh, Fire Drill" - Safety Patrol

Leslie Nielsen stars in ABC's 1998 made-for-TV family film, Safety Patrol, as Mr. Penn, who is a school security head, despite his debilitating clumsiness. Case in point: when he falls out of a window and tries to pass off the accident as a planned fire drill escape method when he notices three students witnessed his tumble.

"Didn't I Try To Adopt That 18-Year-Old Korean Girl?" - The Naked Gun 33-1/3: The Final Insult

In The Naked Gun 33-1/3: The Final Insult, during a couple's therapy session, Jane asks why Frank does not want to have children. His response seems to be a reference to Woody Allen's relationship with Soon-Yi Previn, which had sparked controversy around that time.

"That Doesn't Prove A Thing. She Could Be Related To Joe Cocker" - Repossessed

Repossessed goes above and beyond to send up demonic possession movies, by casting The Exorcist star Linda Blair as another person in need of a priest. Said priest in the 1990 comedy is Father Jedediah Mayii, who likens the supposed possession victim, described as having "an unGodly voice and maniacal facial expressions," to famously over-the-top singer, Joe Cocker.

"You Take A Chance Getting Up In The Morning, Crossing The Street, Or Sticking Your Face In A Fan" - The Naked Gun: From The Files Of Police Squad!

We strongly recommend not taking the chance of sticking your face in a fan, no matter how admirably courageous The Naked Gun's Frank Drebin may seem.

"The Other Two Pilots, They're Just Fine. They're At The Controls Flying The Plane, Free To Pursue A Life Of Religious Fulfillment" - Airplane!

Even if Dr. Rumack was not lying about the pilots' illness in Airplane!, this would be a pretty absurd way to describe someone with a healthy condition. Of course, what makes the doctor's attempt to comfort the passengers especially funny is how his nose grows like Pinocchio with each dishonest remark.

"Jane, Since I've Met You, I've Noticed Things That I Never Knew Were There Before. Birds Singing, Dew Glistening On A Newly Formed Leaf, Stoplights" - The Naked Gun: From The Files Of Police Squad!

Hopefully, it does not take falling in love for you to notice that stoplights exist, like what appears to have happened to Drebin after meeting Jane in The Naked Gun.

"I'll Tell Ya What Crazy Is. Crazy Is Walking Down The Street With Half A Cantaloupe On Your Head Saying, 'I'm A Hamster. I'm A Hamster.' That's Crazy" - Spy Hard

This line from Spy Hard might actually be the ultimate demonstration of Leslie Nielsen's masterful deadpan delivery. Without it, such a pointlessly absurd quote might not have worked as well.

"I Was Ready To Plant My Flag Back In Washington D.C., Where Every Congressman Has The Constitutional Right To Be A Felon. Good Old America" - 2001: A Space Travesty

In 2000, Leslie Nielsen starred in a sci-fi movie parody called 2001: A Space Travesty as a marshal for a commercial trip off Earth. The film relies primarily on visual comedy but sometimes sneaks a funny line in there, such as this piece of narration that hints at a dystopian United States.

“I'd Forget My Genitals If They Weren't Superglued In Between My Legs. Water-skiing Accident” - Wrongfully Accused

One fun moment from Wrongfully Accused references the twist ending from The Usual Suspects, with Ryan Harrison coming up with a fake alias and full backstory using words he sees posted around a fishing store. Before making a run for it, he makes a seemingly random remark about the state of his manhood.

"I Just Want To Tell You Both, Good Luck. We're All Counting On You" - Scary Movie 3

Leslie Nielsen's first appearance as President Baxter in Scary Movie 3 features a funny callback to his Airplane! role in which he wishes the protagonists the same good fortune that Rumack extends to Ted and Elaine.

Whether they're scripted or improvised, Melissa McCarthy knows how to make a funny line entirely her own. The Groundlings alum turned comedic superstar has appeared in some of the best comedy films of late—Bridesmaids, Spy and Can You Ever Forgive Me? among them—as well as beloved television series like Gilmore Girls and Mike & Molly, and she's cranked out some classic one-liners along the way. Whether appearing on TV or in her own funny flicks, these are the 32 funniest lines from Melissa McCarthy. 

"It's Coming Out Of Me Like Lava!" - Bridesmaids

The bridal-shop bathroom scene from Bridesmaids is the stuff of comedy legend, boosted by McCarthy's hilarious physical comedy and desperate yelling as her character Megan Price deals with the after-effects of some lunchtime mystery meat. In a cast of comedy greats, McCarthy is an absolute stand-out. 

"You're A Loud Kisser, And It's Gross And Unappealing. You Look Like Some Old Toothless Woman Suckin' The Jelly Out Of A Donut." - Spy

There are many things to love about the 2015 action-comedy film Spy but our favorite is getting to watch Melissa McCarthy and Rose Byrne brutally and brilliantly insult each other as secret agent Susan Cooper and arms dealer Rayna Boyanov, respectively. 

"14 Dollars? Is It Magic Whiskey? Do I Get A Motorcycle With It? Is It Gonna Be Served In Jesus's Shoe?" - The Heat

In the 2013 buddy cop comedy The Heat, Melissa McCarthy played the gun-toting firebrand Shannon Mullins opposite Sandra Bullock's strait-laced special agent Sarah Ashburn. One of the funniest scenes from the comedy sees Mullins loosen Ashburn up with some very overpriced rounds of whiskey shots. 

"I Just Want To Be Upfront And Say I Visually Enjoy You." - Identity Thief

Melissa McCarthy and Jason Bateman are the drivers behind the mismatched buddy road trip comedy Identity Thief, which sees the comedienne play a Florida-based female con artist who not only steals the identity of Bateman's Sandy Patterson but also tortures him with her come-ons and car singalongs. 

"That's Not Chicken. I Don't Know What It Is, But It's Not Bird...Bird Doesn't Come Out Of A Squeezy Tube!" - Tammy

We don't see Tammy—McCarthy's character in the 2014 road comedy Tammy—winning "Employee of the Year" at Topper Jack's, the fast-food joint where she works. After getting fired for her frequent tardiness, Tammy loudly and disgruntledly reveals to the restaurant's customers that the chicken nuggets they're eating are definitely "not bird." 

"I'm Glad He's Single Because I'm Going To Climb That Like A Tree." - Bridesmaids

While at the engagement party for her brother Dougie (Tim Heidecker) and her soon-to-be sister-in-law Lillian (Maya Rudolph), McCarthy's Megan seemingly has love—or at least a hook-up—on the brain, as she hilariously overshares to Kristen Wiig's Annie. 

“I’ve Already Gone Through The Five Stages Of Grieving: Denial, Anger…I Don’t Remember These Two But They Were Served On The Rocks With Salt!” - Gilmore Girls

One of the best episodes of Gilmore Girls is Season 3's "Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving," in which Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Rory (Alexis Bledel) feast their way through a whopping four holiday dinners. The funniest scene finds Sookie (McCarthy) nursing several drinks to deal with the horror of her husband deep-frying not only the Thanksgiving turkey but everything at the table, including the napkins. 

"I Want To Apologize. I'm Not Even Confident On Which End That Came Out Of." - Bridesmaids

The only thing funnier than Bridesmaids' Megan Price dealing with simultaneous burps and farts is that she does so in full formalwear and, as the bridal-shop worker horrifyingly realizes, while standing on a white carpet. 

"Crying A Little, But Not Blubbering. That's What We Meant When We Said No Crying. No Blubbering." - Gilmore Girls

Sookie's reaction to Rory graduating high school in Season 3 of Gilmore Girls was equal parts silly and sweet—the sentiment was clearly heartfelt but the over-the-top waterworks happening on McCarthy's face were downright hilarious. 

"I Took Nine. I Took Nine. Yeah, I Did Slightly Overcommit To The Whole Dog Thing. It Turns Out I'm Probably More Comfortable With Six." - Bridesmaids

We really can't blame Megan (McCarthy) for secretly snagging more than one "party favor"—i.e. an adorable Labrador puppy—from Lilian's (Maya Rudolph) bridal shower. Just look at how cute they are in their little bowties!

"Female Fight Club. We Grease Up, We Pull In. Lillian Doesn't Know, So it's, 'Surprise! We're going to fight!'" - Bridesmaids

Compared to the usual bachelorette party ideas—you know, a Las Vegas weekend, a trip to a luxurious spa, and so on—Megan's idea of a "female fight club" was clearly a bit more unorthodox than the ladies of Bridesmaids had in mind. They may have shut down her idea but at least it gave us one of the best lines from the beloved comedy. 

"I'd Like To Rear Up And Jackknife My Legs And Kick You Both In The Jaw With My Foot Bone!" - This Is 40

Any scene populated by the likes of Melissa McCarthy, Paul Rudd, and Leslie Mann is going to be ridiculously funny, and that's certainly the case for this hilariously hostile principal's office meeting in This is 40. The only thing better is the bloopers!

"I Swear To God, That Dolphin Looked, Not At Me, But Into My Soul, Into My Goddamn Soul, Annie. And He Said, 'I'm Saving You Megan.' Not With His Mouth, But He Said It, I'm Assuming, Telepathically." - Bridesmaids

McCarthy's Bridesmaids character has had quite a life, from working for the U.S. government to knowing the nuclear codes, but Megan's revelation that she had a spiritual experience with a dolphin after falling off a cruise ship might just be the wildest backstory we've heard in a while. 

"Oh My God, Rayna. Thank God Your Hair Broke Your Fall." - Spy

With the sheer amount of hair that Rose Byrne sports in Spy—director Paul Feig described it to Vulture as an "elaborate Marie Antoinette–meets–Donald Trump" 'do that was "the most complicated hairstyle" he'd ever seen in his life—we're not surprised that it served as the subject of one of Melissa McCarthy's funniest quotes. 

"It Was A Terrible Resume. He Mentioned Prison, And In Special Skills He Said, 'Keeping It Real.'" - The Heat

Only a comedian as gifted as Melissa McCarthy could make a scene about a family tragedy—in this case, her character's brother entering a coma in The Heat, which prompts her to reminisce about her bro's less-than-stellar CV—have as much humor as heart. 

"You Were A Good Cake, Clyde. I Never Should Have Named You." - Gilmore Girls

McCarthy's Gilmore Girls character Sookie St. James was known for both her bubbly enthusiasm and serious culinary skills. Both traits were clearly on display while the chef was whipping up a wedding cake for her BFF Lorelai (Lauren Graham), only for the latter to end up canceling the nuptials. R.I.P. Clyde!

"I'm Just Looking For A Reasonable Ratio Of Wontons To Soup, This Is Madness!" - Ghostbusters

We love that for Ghostbusters' Abby Yates (McCarthy), an unsatisfactory soup ratio is dubbed "madness," especially in a movie where the physicist is regularly dealing with paranormal encounters and multidimensional vortexes. 

"Raise your right hand and say, 'May Destiny's Child break up if I count these blueberries.'" - Gilmore Girls

We love the prickly friendship between inn coworkers Sookie (McCarthy) and Michel (Yanic Truesdale) in Gilmore Girls, especially when Michel is on one of his super strict diets and Sookie is hilariously tempting him with a freshly made sweet treat. 

"I Tried A Dorito For The First Time Last Night. It Wasn't Cheese. It Was... Cheese Adjacent, But Not Cheese. It Was Really Good!" - The Boss

A Dorito is a pretty standard snack for the majority of us, but for Michelle Darnell (McCarthy)—a mega-wealthy woman who, after being arrested and losing her fortune, is forced to sell scout cookies to fix her finances—it's an exciting foray into the lower classes. 

"This Car Makes Me Ovulate. I Want To Have Shiny Purple Lamborghini Babies." - Thunder Force

There are plenty of cool gadgets in Thunder Force, the 2021 Netflix superhero comedy starring Melissa McCarthy and her IRL BFF Octavia Spencer as an unlikely crime-fighting superhero duo working to stop a rise of supervillains known as Miscreants. But it's a shiny muscle car that had McCarthy's character drooling and movie audiences cracking up. 

"I Want To Chime In And Be Supportive, But I Don't Know What You're Talking About." - Gilmore Girls

Those Gilmore gals were known for their fast-talking, which Melissa McCarthy praised of her co-star Lauren Graham—they were heavily caffeinated for seven straight seasons, after all—so it's not that surprising that every once in a while, Sookie would glaze over while listening to her best friend Lorelai speed-ramble.

"You Touched My Upper Breast...I Have Very High Nipples!" - This Is 40

In one memorable scene from This is 40, Peter (Paul Rudd) gets into an argument with Catherine (Melissa McCarthy) about her tween son, whom she claims was bullied by Peter's wife (Leslie Mann). Soon the discussion devolves into insults, threats and awkwardly placed pokes that, according to Catherine, were not on her shoulder after all. 

"That Makes Me So Mad And So Sad. I'm Smad!" - Gilmore Girls

When chef Sookie (McCarthy) gets the news from Lorelai (Lauren Graham) that the inn's big Bracebridge Dinner is off because the group is stuck in Chicago due to bad weather, she's hilariously left dealing with a wide range of emotions. 

"You Wanna Get Back In That Restroom And Not Rest?" - Bridesmaids

Megan's attempted mid-flight seduction of her seatmate Air Marshall John in Bridesmaids is all the funnier when you realize that John is played by Melissa McCarthy's real-life husband and frequent collaborator Ben Falcone.

"Oh God, Your Beard Smells Like Sandwiches, That's Nice." - Identity Thief

During their hijinks-filled road trip in Identity Thief, Sandy (Jason Bateman) comes upon Diana (McCarthy) at a bar drunkenly cozying up to a cowboy-hatted fella known simply as Big Chuck (Eric Stonestreet), whose dance moves and sandwich-scented facial hair sparked her fancy. 

"I'm Here To Swallow Gum And I'm Here To Take Names!" - Saturday Night Live

SNL's presidential impersonations are legendary, but we have a soft spot for the POTUS-adjacent impression that McCarthy whipped up in Season 42 as Sean Spicer, the White House Communications Director under President Donald Trump. Her version saw the former press secretary riding a motorized podium, wearing high heels and chewing ridiculous amounts of bubblegum. 

"Not Me, Nope, Physically, I Don't Bloat." - Bridesmaids

Fellow bridesmaid Helen (Rose Byrne) might not like the idea of eating such a big lunch before a dress fitting but Megan (McCarthy) hilariously claims that she doesn't have to worry about bloating, even as she feasts her way through worryingly grey meat. 

"I'll Shut The Door On You. Will You Lay Down Here And Put Your Head In The Door? Then I'll Slam It About 157 Thousand Times." - The Heat

Though they end up being good partners in The Heat, the initial meeting between Detective Shannon Mullins (McCarthy) and Special Agent Sarah Ashburn (Sandra Bullock) is less than chummy, with Shannon less than enthused about Sarah taking over the interrogation of one of her perps.

"This Isn't Funny! I Am Now Desperate, Lonely And A Criminal!" - Gilmore Girls

Chef Sookie's romance with produce vendor Jackson Belleville (Jackson Douglas) is one of the sweetest parts of Gilmore Girls, but their relationship kicked off on a funny note with this first-date freakout, in which Sookie worried that her simply asking Jackson out was akin to sexual harassment. 

"Her Lady Business Is Like An Old Dirty Attic Full Of Broken Christmas Lights And Doll Shoes." - The Heat

When Shannon (McCarthy) had to turn down Robin's (Andy Buckley) advances in The Heat, she assured him, "There's a girl out there for you," and offered up Special Agent Sarah Ashburn (Sandra Bullock) as an alternative—but, of course, not before fully making fun of her. 

"It's so romantic. 'Oh Romeo...blah blah blah and the blah." - Gilmore Girls

Sookie St. James (McCarthy) may know her way around a professional kitchen but may be a little fuzzy on Shakespeare's literary repertoire, as seen in the Gilmore Girls Season 2 episode where Rory (Alexis Bledel) is tasked with portraying Juliet in her school's play. 

"Quiet! I love you, too, now get out." - Mike & Molly

After meeting at an Overeaters Anonymous meeting, Mike (Billy Gardell) and Molly (McCarthy) kick off a romantic relationship throughout the first season of their eponymous CBS sitcom. That culminates with a proposal that takes place right in front of Molly's class of eight-year-olds, which adds a welcome dose of comedy to the sweet moment. 

So much Black talent has made unforgettable movie breakthrough performances with a positive impact on TV, music, sports, television creation, and more. Outside of the roles you know them for, many Black celebrities created businesses to make things better for the masses with a sharp focus on people of color. In honor of Black Business Month, here are 15 celebrities who’ve come up with successful businesses.

Tracee Ellis Ross

You know Tracee Ellis Ross for starring in one of the best sitcoms of all time, black-ish, and as the daughter of famous celebrity parent Diana Ross. What you may not know is that she founded Pattern Beauty in late 2019. Inspired by her hairstylist’s suggestion for clients to wear wigs to look like Ross, she was instead focused on creating products for textured, curly hair. 

Ross' Pattern Beauty started with four people, seven products, and Macy’s as the only retail partner. It has since grown to 30 employees, over 50 products, and 10 retail partners, including Sephora and Ulta Beauty. The High Note actress credits her business’s marketing strategy with focusing on celebrating hair compared to solving problems using standout products like the Pattern Blow Dryer specifically for textured hair.

Kevin Hart

American comedian Kevin Hart, known for making us laugh in his best movies, founded Laugh Out Loud Productions in 2007 to create and distribute comedy content. Originally a subscription comedy streaming service, it partnered with platforms like Plex, Pluto TV, Peacock, YouTube, and more. Taking a big career step, Hartbeat Productions merged with LOL Productions to create Hartbeat to diversify global comedy. Hartbeat Studios produces films like Netflix’s Lift and Hartbeat Media focuses on digital content, music, and events. 

In 2022, Kevin Hart also entered the alcohol industry, teaming up with 11th-generation tequila producer Juan Domingo Beckman to create the tequila brand, Gran Coramino. Inspired by his experiences in Mexico, the Fatherhood actor’s goal was to make a smooth tequila that consumers would love. $1 from every smooth-flavored tequila bottle sold is donated to support diverse entrepreneurs and small businesses across the U.S. and Mexico.

Gabrielle Union

When Gabrielle Union noticed that on-set hair stylists didn’t know what to do with her hair, she took mental notes on effective hair products and launched Flawless by Gabrielle Union in 2017. Once those ten successful products of hers sold out, the Bring it On actress revamped the business to be “100% Black-owned, Black-led and Black-marketed.” Union worked with a team of chemists to develop new products for textured hair using naturally derived ingredients. 

Inspired by her daughter Kaavia’s skincare struggles when she was three, Union also decided to create Proudly, with her husband Dwyane Wade, to make products for children with melanated skin. Launched online in April 2022, Proudly expanded nationwide to Target in September of that year.

Snoop Dogg

The Grammy nominee responsible for singles like “Gin and Juice” and “Drop It Like It’s Hot” has embraced being typecast as a weed enthusiast to create many cannabis-based businesses. Snoop Dogg founded the cannabis-focused digital platform Merry Jane which normalizes discussions about the business and politics of the cannabis industry. 

The brand Leafs by Snoop provides fine-quality cannabis like flowers, concentrates, and edibles. The rapper made history as the first celebrity to brand and market legal marijuana products. In July 2024, Snoop Dogg launched L.A.’s first legal marijuana shop S.W.E.D (Smoke Weed Everyday) to provide top-shelf premium products and services for cannabis experts, with August plans to expand in Amsterdam.

Serena Williams

Grand Slam winner Serena Williams, who retired from tennis in 2022, successfully transitioned into the business world with Serena Ventures. This venture capital firm came about after discovering only 2% of venture capital went to women and less to people of color. 

Through Serena Ventures, the former athlete has invested in more than 85 companies with 79% under-represented founders, 54% women founders, 47% Black founders, and 11% Latino founders. Serena Williams' portfolio includes innovative companies like AI-platform custom wig company Parfait, plant-based meat company Impossible Foods, weight loss app Noom, and more. Remarkably, 14 of these businesses have even reached Unicorn status, being valued at $1 billion or more.

Jay-Z

Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter is widely considered one of the best rappers of all time, not only because of his chart-topping music but for shaping the entertainment industry with his businesses. After parting ways with Def Jam Records, he founded Roc Nation in 2008 which evolved from a record label into artist management, supporting athletes, and music publishing and distribution. A lot of musicians have benefited from Roc Nation, like Rihanna, Demi Lovato, DJ Khaled, and more. 

Jay-Z is also the first rapper to own a champagne label, acquiring full ownership of Armand de Brignac. In 2014, the “99 Problems” rapper bought the remaining stake and it sold more than 500,000 bottles five years later.

Oprah Winfrey

You see trailblazing media mogul Oprah Winfrey’s name all over the place whether it’s on TV, in movies, on book covers, the radio, and more. A fun fact about Winfrey is that she’s the first Black billionaire, which is unsurprising considering her success with The Oprah Winfrey Show, O Magazine, and Harpo Films. With all of the other businesses Winfrey has, why not have her own television network called…OWN? 

In 1992 after a conversation with her life partner Stedman Graham, Winfrey immediately envisioned OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network). Although she co-founded Oxygen, The Color Purple actress wanted complete control of her network. In 2007, Discovery head David Zaslav loved Winfrey’s magazine and proposed to create a channel with a similar vibe. The network launched in 2011 with its first shows The Haves and the Have Nots and Love Thy Neighbor.

Dwayne Johnson

Moana’s Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, known for blowing up the entertainment industry with his top-ranked movies and as a professional wrestler, expanded his influence into business. For example, he merged the XFL with the United States Football League to form the United Football League and co-founded ZOA Energy Drink. 

However, Johnson's most significant project was Teremana Tequila, a brand named after the Polynesian word “teremana” meaning “Spirit of the Earth.” Despite launching during the pandemic, the tequila quickly gained popularity, selling 30,000 cases in 2020, 600,000 cases a year later, and the wild stat of selling a million cases last year within the past 12 months.

Patti LaBelle

“Godmother of Soul” Patti LaBelle is acknowledged for her seven-decade-long singing career. But, her first passion has always been cooking. The “Stir It Up” singer would offer to cook for various musicians like Prince, Elton John, and the Rolling Stones and would label her dishes so people would know they were hers. 

Fifteen years ago, LaBelle launched her own food brand, Patti’s Good Life, starting with homemade hot sauces and barbecue sauces. The food brand has since expanded to frozen meals and baked goods like sweet potato pie, mac n’ cheese, collard greens, and peach cobbler. With plans to introduce a breakfast line soon, Patti’s Good Life grossed nearly $200 million in sales through partnerships with Target and Walmart in 2022.

Dr. Dre

Seven-time Grammy winner Dr. Dre has made his mark on the music industry as a rapper, the founder of Aftermath Entertainment and Death Row Records, and a record producer helping other artists make a name for themselves. In 2006, The Super Bowl LVI halftime show performer helped music enthusiasts listen to music the way he does in the studio with Beats by Dre. 

Collaborating with Interscope Records co-founder Jimmy Iovine, the “Let Me Ride” rapper’s dream of bringing the sound in a professional recording studio to his premium headphones came true. By 2011, Beats dominated over 64% of the $100+ premium headphone market and was acquired by Apple in 2014. 

Rihanna

Chart-topping artist Rihanna, one of the best-selling female artists of the 21st century, has made a great impact on the beauty industry with Fenty Beauty. Launched in 2017 and named after her surname, Fenty made history as one of the first brands to cater to all kinds of skin tones with its 50 shades of foundation. The business has since expanded to haircare, lipstick, eye makeup, skincare, and more. 

In 2018, Rihanna expanded her beauty services to fashion with Savage x Fenty, a lingerie brand designed to empower men and women “to feel sexy and have fun doing it.” There were even eight limited edition items that were Super Bowl LVII themed when the R&B singer performed for the halftime show. With Fenty Beauty worth $2.8 billion and Savage x Fenty worth $1 billion, the Grammy winner’s business ventures have put her at billionaire status.

Lenny Kravitz

American singer-songwriter Lenny Kravitz, known for his catchy music and unique style, has home designing talent through Kravitz Design Inc. As The Hunger Games actor said that he’d be a designer if music didn’t work out, Kravitz decided to put his designer skills to the test by creating a relaxing atmosphere for his clients with his interior and furniture designs. Kravitz Design Inc.'s clients include Morgans Hotel Group, The Setai Resort and Residences, Delano South Beach, and more.

Berry Gordy Jr.

Before Berry Gordy Jr. became a renowned music industry entrepreneur, he worked a lot of jobs like boxing, assembly line worker, record store owner and more. While already a songwriter, Gordy Jr. set out in 1959 to use the lessons he learned in his previous careers to create and manage musical groups and solo artists. 

He founded Motown Records in Detroit in 1960 with just $800 from his family’s savings, combining the words “motor” and “town” to represent the city. Berry Gordy Jr. used his great ear to make music a universal language, breaking down racial barriers with chart-topping songs like “Money (That's What I Want),” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Dancing in the Street,” and more.

Shonda Rhimes

Award-winning television creator and producer Shonda Rhimes took the television world by storm with her global media company Shondaland, creating the best shows to binge-watch on Netflix like Grey’s Anatomy and Bridgerton. Launched in 2005, Shondaland broke new ground by featuring strong female lead characters and prioritizing diversity and inclusion for people of color and the LGBTQ+ community. 

Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, and Scandal made Rhimes the first woman to have three TV dramas achieve the 100-episode milestone. Her company has since expanded to shondaland.com, a platform providing articles to empower women and TV show updates, and Shonda Audio, which offers scripted and unscripted podcasts.

Tyler Perry

Inspired after watching an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show that spoke of the therapeutic power of journaling, Tyler Perry discovered his writing talent and transitioned from stage productions to founding Tyler Perry Studios in 2005. The studio now rests on 330 acres of the former Fort McPherson army base in the heart of Atlanta, which he bought in 2015. 

Perry’s films, starting with the Diary of a Mad Black Woman, have opened doors to aspiring actors, writers, and film directors of color. On a busy day, Bloomberg reports that nearly 5,000 people work at the studio, providing plenty of employment. The cast of his BET+ series, Ruthless, said there’s “beauty” and “freedom” working at Tyler Perry Studios in representing people of color and feeling unstoppable on the property. He is seen as the first African-American to own a major film production studio.

These empowering Black celebrities have used their big names and fame to build empires that service the world outside of entertainment. Through their innovative ideas, A-listers have found ways to promote diversity to ensure that everyone benefits from services like hair care, skincare, entertainment networks, venture capital for businesses, and more. The lesson that everyone can learn from their inspirational stories is that if you see an industry where the change you make can have a positive impact on humanity, don’t hesitate to make a difference. 

Make sure to look at our 2024 movie schedule and our 2024 TV releases so you’re updated on the following celebrities’ future projects.

Look, I know that there’s tons of 2024 movies left to see within this summer movie season (including surefire Marvel blockbuster Deadpool and Wolverine), but for now I’m calling it: Thelma is the action comedy of the summer. My summer, anyway. And, I invite you to join me. It may sound like something one might joke about, but I’m totally serious. I highly doubt another one of the action movies coming out this summer is going to make me laugh, cry and have me on the edge of my seat as much as Thelma did. 

The new release was so good on so many levels as June Squibb gives an incredible performance as a 93-year-old grandma who decides to get revenge on the phone scammers who trick her out of thousands. Richard Roundtree, who died this past October, gets an all-time great last role as an old friend of hers whom she rolls with on an adult scooter throughout the journey. But, I particularly can’t get over how beautifully writer/director Josh Margolin crafted a love letter both to his grandmother and the action-comedy genre. Let me talk about it further! 

Thelma Tackles A Real And Concerning Problem Affecting The Elderly 

When it comes to Hollywood representing elderly people in movies and TV, I often find that they are either the butt of jokes, or in absolutely brutally depressing movies about death. No wonder a lot of older actors call it quits (or just can’t find good roles) when they reach a certain age. But, Thelma treats our elders differently. The movie places June Squibb’s Thelma in the center of a role (her first leading role role) that feels realistic to the experience of aging and is also a ton of fun at the same time. 

The inciting incident of Thelma is when the 93-year-old gets scammed when she receives a phone call from someone claiming to be her grandson (played by Fred Hechinger) saying he’s been in a car accident and he needs $10,000. Thelma believes the phone call and sends over the cash. Later, she discovers that her grandson is perfectly fine and she feels rather dumb for the whole thing. It reminded me of my own grandmother, who is always expressing the feeling that she is behind the times with every new piece of technology that comes out. Sure, it’s easy to brush off the rapid changes in society across the past seven to ten decades that affect the world’s oldest generation, but things like phone scamming is a real issue that often targets older people in order to take advantage of them. The movie gave me empathy for people like my grandma because they grew up in a more innocent world where people wouldn’t even think of doing such a thing, or have the means to. 

Thelma’s Perspective About Aging Is Realistic And Important  

After Thelma gives into the phone scam, she quietly goes into revenge mode, not letting her family know or come along on her fun (and rather dangerous) ride to get her money back. I could see from her perspective while she decided to initially make it a solo mission, because she knew they would discourage her from accomplishing the task and suggest it could not be done. While I can totally relate to her grandson’s sympathetic approach, the movie also reminded me that many older people really struggle with not feeling useful when their family is always hovering over them and perhaps telling them they shouldn’t be doing something because of their age. As one line says: "People don't like old things." I see some of this behavior in my own grandmother, who has her own moments of determination that she doesn’t want to involve family in, likely because she needs to prove to herself she can do it. 

There was something really empowering (even for my 28-year-old self) to see Thelma defy her family and go off her own, just because she decided she could. Of course I’d be scared as hell if my grandparents had ever pulled something like this like her family does when she goes missing, but the movie offered a solid perspective about the frustration that comes with being taken advantage of. Thelma and Roundtree’s Ben as the pair find themselves in their own action moments by breaking away from the norm. Age does not end drive, so why do we often treat older people like they shouldn’t have aspirations, and oftentimes simply not tell their stories? (Even if it’s revenge!) The movie helped me see how isolating it can be when others dismiss the elderly. Thelma can certainly count itself among inspiring movies about getting older because it allows The Silent Generation to be really heard. 

I Love How Thelma Approaches Action Sequences For Elderly Actors

In addition to Thelma’s necessary message about aging, I also really appreciate how the movie treated the action element of the film. When I heard about the movie, I figured it would involve some really wild scenes of June Squibb like high-kicking that most people in their 90s would not be able to do. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see that Squibb did her own stunts thanks to the movie’s action actually catering to her age. What Margolin understands and beautifully executed through Thelma is changing the stakes of what we’d typically see in an action movie – but absolutely respecting it as if it was a Tom Cruise movie. 

For example, there’s a chase sequence involving adult scooters in a senior home that is just as engaging as a car chase scene. Or, when Thelma needs to acquire something later in the film, the scenes are shot and feel as a heist sequence, but what the character is actually doing is simply going up stairs and finding a way to reach something on a tall shelf. Sure, it incites a chuckle or two, but not in a way that looks down on the elderly. 

All and all, I can’t stop thinking about Thelma. I won’t spoil the ending for you, but the movie left me with such a glowy feeling of respect and appreciation for the filmmaking and the elders in my life and the peculiar experience aging is! It’s a weird concept we’ll likely deal with in our lives, so might as well not let it define us and talk about them more in all their forms. I love that Thelma defies what we usually see from action comedies, but I love even more how its messages about aging alongside it that I'm not going to forget anytime soon. 

There are long-running TV dramas, and then there's Grey's Anatomy. ABC's medical drama just aired the Grey's Season 20 finale. Throughout the years the show has taken steps forward to being as inclusive as possible, including telling a number of LGBTQ+ stories revolving around both the patients and surgeons of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. This list is about the 10 most iconic queer Grey's Anatomy characters from its decades on the air.

The series (which is streaming with a Hulu subscription) has been on the air for a long time, so they've had varying successes in how they portrayed queer storylines. While some of the entries on this list weren't pitch perfect in their portrayal, they're iconic characters in Grey's history. In no particular order, here are 10 of the biggest and most groundbreaking characters from the show's tenure. 

Callie Torres

I had to start with perhaps the most beloved LGBTQ+ character in Grey's Anatomy history. Sara Ramirez broke new ground in television for portraying Callie as a strong bisexual woman, one who is unapologetic about her attraction to both men and women. While they portrayed a bisexual icon, Ramirez also came out as non-binary after leaving Grey's and before appearing on ...And Just Like That.

Callie was the heart of this show for her long tenure there. The episode where she stood in her truth as a queer woman and faced her father's judgement was deeply moving, as was her relationship and eventual marriage to Arizona. And, Callie's queerness made way for other LGBTQ+ characters to appear, especially as series regulars.

Levi Schmidt

Despite the years that fans spent watching Callie and Arizona's relationship play out, it took a very long time before a queer man appeared as a main character. This changed with the entrance of Levi Schmidt, a.k.a. Glasses. Portrayed by Jake Borelli, he debuted in the 14th season as part of a new class of surgical interns. 

Eventually, he connected with ortho resident Nico Kim, and the pair started an on again, off again relationship. While they never reached the level of fan shipping as Calzona, it was refreshing to finally see LGBTQ+ men in a relationship onscreen. Borelli has continued to portray Schmidt's love life, although there are rumors he may be departing the show. 

Casey Parker 

A ton of surgical classes have come and gone throughout Grey's Anatomy's decades on the air, and not all of these new doctors got to stick around for the long haul amid Grey's casting shakeups. Actor Alex Blue Davis portrayed surgical resident Casey Parker, who is the first transgender doctor in the show's history.

Casey was a bit of a mystery during his time on Grey's, with fans (and the other surgeons) having to earn his backstory throughout his 28 episodes. Despite interesting details like being a veteran and a hacker, he was written off after having a near death experience when a car crashed into Joe's bar in Season 16, which was the last we heard of Davis' character. 

Erica Hahn

Before Arizona debuted, the show offered Callie another female love interest: Erica Hahn, portrayed by the great Brooke Smith. The pair of surgeons started a friendship which eventually blossomed into something romantic, serving as a sexual awakening for both of them. 

While Arizona was endlessly perky, Hahn was a stern cardio God who truly only ever had a soft spot for Callie. After they had sex for the first time, Smith delivered a moving monologue about her character's sexual awakening. Unfortunately, she was written out of the show shortly afterward, and we never really got to see Erica and Callie's relationship reach closure. But, those of us watching the show during her time on it will always remember her impact. 

Mika Yasuda

Yasuda was one of the new interns introduced in Season 19, and is my favorite of the bunch. Actress Midori Francis played her unapologetic ambition perfectly during her two seasons, as well as her growing attraction to Taryn Helm. 

While many queer characters in Grey's Anatomy struggle with their sexuality at first, Yasuda knew exactly who she was from day one. That includes what she was and was not willing to tolerate. She and fellow intern Jules Millin nearly kissed in the Season 20 finale, so it should be fascinating to see what comes next for her. 

Darren Covington

Long before Grey's would introduce queer doctors with Schmidt and Kim, we were given queer men characters in the form of patients. Darren Covington (played by guest star Benny Ciaramello) was a patient involved in Derek and Meredith's clinical trial back in Season 4. 

Darren was in the U.S. Army during the time of "don't ask don't tell", which is where he fell for his fellow soldier, Todd. Their love story is a tragic one, as Darren wasn't able to live in his truth, especially in front of his father. After refusing to speak with Todd, Darren would die in surgery. While the two men's kiss has become a bit of  a meme on social media in recent years, their actual story is touching and sobering. 

Arizona Robbins

Of course, one couldn't make this list without one of the biggest queer characters in Grey's Anatomy history: Arizona Robbins. Played by Jessica Capshaw (who recently returned as as guest star), Robbins is a brilliant pediatric surgeon and proud and out lesbian when we met her back in Season 5. Her chemistry with Callie is palpable from the start, and they'd end up eventually getting married and having a daughter together, albeit with Mark Sloan as the father.

Calzona is one of the show's most beloved couples, considered one of the best lesbian couples in TV history. It was a huge shock when Arizona and April were written off Grey's, although they've both since returned as guests. Arizona's story was one that has, no doubt, inspired countless queer Grey's Anatomy fans over the years. 

Amelia Shepherd

Caterina Scorsone's Amelia Shepherd started as a character on Private Practice, before making the pivot over to Grey's Anatomy. She's had a long and rough journey on the screen, thanks to her struggles with addiction, losing both her lover and Derek, as well as having a brain tumor. She has primarily had male romantic partners, but Amelia is very much a bisexual woman.

Fans got to see new sides to her romantic life when Amelia had a crush on Carina DeLuca, as well as her later relationship with Kai Bartley. They might have broken up, but her unapologetic portrayal of bisexuality stands out in the TV canon as a whole. 

Donna Gibson

Trans actress and icon Alexandra Billings had a brief but memorable guest appearance on Grey's Anatomy back in Season 3. She played Donna Gibson, a trans woman who was seeking treatment for a sex reassignment surgery by Sloan. 

This plot line may have some misgendering and cringe moments now that the public knows more about the trans experience, but this portrayal was groundbreaking in many ways. It showed another sign of Sloan, who was caring and affirming to Donna throughout the episode. While future portrayals of trans characters on the show were somewhat problematic (Remember when Rachel Brosnahan played a trans man?), Billings' casting offered an early example of proper representation. 

Kai Bartley

Kai Bartley was played by Shrill actor E.R. Fightmaster throughout Grey's Anatomy Seasons 18 and 19. The show once again made a big step towards representation, debuting the first non-binary surgeon on the long-running medical drama. What's more, Fightmater also identifies as non-binary. 

Kai was super charming throughout those two seasons on Grey's, and they and Amelia seemed to have excellent chemistry. But the pair would break up thanks to work and life complications, and we haven't seen them back on the screen since. It's too bad, because Kai would presumably be a big help with Amelia and Meredith's latest work around Alzheimer's.

Obviously, there have been a number of other characters that could have been included in this list. Hell, even Teddy was revealed to be queer late into her run on the show. But, these 10 left the most iconic legacy.