Connect with us
DAPA Banner

Entertainment

John Travolta’s Extremely Graphic, R-Rated Action Thriller Is His Best Since Pulp Fiction

Published

on

John Travolta’s Extremely Graphic, R-Rated Action Thriller Is His Best Since Pulp Fiction

By Robert Scucci
| Published

John Travolta is an interesting specimen because, like Nicolas Cage, he goes all in on his roles, for better or worse. Battlefield Earth is an absolute punisher, along with Perfect, Gotti, Old Dogs, and Wild Hogs. Don’t even get me started on The Fanatic because I don’t have three days. When he’s in his element, though, he never ceases to amaze me. His performances in Pulp Fiction and Face/Off are legendary, and 2010’s From Paris with Love deserves to be celebrated with the same level of reverence as his known classics.

From Paris with Love’s 37 percent critical score on Rotten Tomatoes might make you think otherwise, but I think the critics missed the point on this one. The movie borders on parody, and Travolta fires on all cylinders as an action hero who falls somewhere between John Wick and Sterling Archer. He’s disproportionately confident, says everything with a wink and a nod, and pumps every scene full of lead before even sizing up the room.

Or so you think. As the second and third acts unfold, it becomes obvious that his Charlie Wax character is always multiple steps ahead of his adversaries, and every move he makes plays like a game of 4D chess. He just prefers to act on instinct before letting everybody else catch up with him, which leads to some genuinely hilarious moments that only a straight-faced, bald, goateed John Travolta could pull off.

This Movie Is Absolutely Ridiculous

I didn’t know what I was getting into when I fired up From Paris with Love on Prime Video. If I’m being honest, I was expecting a late-career flop with some poorly executed one-liners and your usual gratuitous yet poorly done explosive setpieces. Instead, what we get plays more like a comedy of errors when our hero James Reese (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) is tasked with tagging along on a trip to Paris with Charlie Wax, a high-level NOC field agent who follows nobody’s rules but his own. The kind who shoots first and asks questions later, but always knows how to improvise his way out of a jam, even if he’s got 100 guns pointed at him.

Charlie is working a case involving a Triad drug ring, its connections to Pakistani terrorists, and plans to attack the U.S. Embassy. Meanwhile, James has cold feet because taking the mission means time away from his girlfriend Caroline (Kasia Smutniak), which could strain their relationship. All caution is thrown to the wind once the stakes are made clear, and from that point on, it’s total insanity.

John Travolta and Jonathan Rhys Meyers run around with a vase full of cocaine in From Paris with Love. They casually eat Royales with Cheese after causing an unthinkable amount of collateral damage wherever they go. They get crossed by sleeper agents, but it’s fine because Charlie Wax knows how to fire a bazooka out of a moving car. They’re on official business and seem to have infinite clearance, so they raid whatever building they feel like, never hesitating to kill every person in their path. The whole time, John Travolta is either smirking or completely deadpan, and running straight into danger like a total badass because he’s a man on a mission. Oh yeah, and James Reese is first summoned to work with Charlie Wax because he’s held up at customs, passionately arguing about the energy drinks he absolutely needs to bring into Paris.

Advertisement

A Successfully Stupid Action Thriller

I can see why people would be disappointed by From Paris with Love if they were expecting a typical, straight-up action thriller. In many ways, it still hits those beats. What sets it apart is its subtle humor and its ability to take those expectations and flip them. This movie, as far as I can tell, is meant to be fun, ridiculous, over-the-top, and completely unhinged. The action sequences are well choreographed, and the odd-couple chemistry between Travolta and Meyers sells it all.

If anything, that’s probably what rubbed critics the wrong way. It has all the ultra-violent John Wick trappings before John Wick was even a thing, but has no right being as funny as it is. If you can realign your expectations before going into From Paris with Love, you’re going to have a great time with it. It’s an absolute treat if you try to enjoy it for what it’s actually trying to accomplish.

As of this writing, From Paris with Love is streaming on Prime Video.


Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Entertainment

Kathy Hilton Shares the Style Rule She Passed Down to Paris and Nicky: ‘You Don’t Need the Whole Kitchen Sink’

Published

on

Kathy Hilton Shares the Style Rule She Passed Down to Paris and Nicky: 'You Don’t Need the Whole Kitchen Sink'

Less really is more, just ask Kathy Hilton.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star spilled the effortlessly chic beauty and style tips she passed down to daughters Paris, 45, and Nicky, 42, while hosting a fête for LoveShackFancy’s Sweetheart fragrance at her Bel Air, California home on March 20.

Though Hilton loves a glamorous moment (and throws a party like no other), she’s all about keeping things polished, and never overdone.

Jason Sean Weiss/BFA.com

“A classic rule I’ve told Paris and Nicky is to be comfortable. I’d rather be a little underdressed than overdressed because you can always throw on fun earrings or change your shoes if you’re leaving work or getting off a plane,” she tells ET.

Advertisement

“You don’t want to come in with the whole kitchen sink and make a fool out of yourself. Dim it down a little bit. Just be fresh, pretty, and confident. That’s the best,” the entrepreneur continues.

Naturally, the mother-daughter trio shares more than just style advice, they share closets too.

“They can’t wear my shoes because I have a smaller foot, but they wear my jewelry, my accessories, and my handbags. … I recently borrowed a bag that was so cute from Paris. She was calling every day saying, ‘I’m going to come by and get my bag.’ … She knows her inventory and doesn’t forget, but I’m happy that she takes care of her things and that she’s appreciative,” the Bravo star says.

Presley Ann/Getty Images for Tan-Luxe

When it comes to what Hilton actually keeps in her purse, she leans into easy and practical items.

Advertisement

“I carry an eye mask that I found years ago at a drugstore in New York, pale pink silicone foot pads for comfort, my little fan, and my Lorna Murray hat because it gives an outfit a great look, makes me look a little bit taller, and keeps the sun off my face,” she explains.

“I’m also always trying the latest and newest product to moisturize my lips because they’re chronically dry, and I love the Revive neck cream and can’t put on makeup without it.”

Beyond her essentials, one thing Hilton never leaves the house without is a signature spritz.

Jason Sean Weiss/BFA.com

“I spray my perfume at the end, but I make sure I don’t have pearls on. … I have a collection of fragrances. … There are ones I would wear to a ladies’ lunch, and others that are romantic and sexy that I would wear after 5 p.m. for dinner with my husband.”

Advertisement

Luckily, her current favorite works for just about any occasion. 

“Sweetheart is so fruity and floral, and the bottle is the pinkest, most sparkly, and gorgeous. … It’s perfect for spring and summer because it’s happiness in a bottle. … I like to bring a little bit of summer everywhere I go. … Hot girl summer every day, even in the winter,” Rebecca Hessel Cohen, founder of LoveShackFancy, notes.

“It can take you anywhere. … It’s so beautiful that you want to just hold it or keep it on your dressing table,” Hilton continues.

Jason Sean Weiss/BFA.com

Still, there is one area where Hilton doesn’t hold back: health and wellness.

Advertisement

“I do TruNiagen IV treatments every week and take two of their supplements every day to give me energy. … I’m a mad professor with putting things together. I always have my lotions and potions, and everyone loves it. … My girls are very into it and it’s fun to compare notes.”

Through it all though, her philosophy stays grounded.

“I’ve always mixed high and low. I’m as happy at Target and Walmart as I am on the seventh floor of Bergdorf Goodman.”

RELATED CONTENT:

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Christina Ricci’s Paranoid, R-Rated Thriller Brainwashes You In Your Own Home

Published

on

Christina Ricci’s Paranoid, R-Rated Thriller Brainwashes You In Your Own Home

By Robert Scucci
| Published

2018’s Distorted, starring Christina Ricci and John Cusack, has an 18 percent critical score on Rotten Tomatoes. As somebody who genuinely loves bad movies, I had to check it out. What really caught my eye, though, was the 74 percent Popcornmeter score supported by over 500 ratings, suggesting this low-budget flop might actually be better than critics would have you believe. My takeaway is that it’s a pretty run-of-the-mill, boilerplate psychological thriller. It’s adequately acted, shot well, and sells its paranoid premise like any other film cut from the same cloth.

The screenplay, on the other hand, doesn’t do the film any favors. Cusack and Ricci play off each other tremendously, and there’s a lot to be said about their on-screen chemistry as they unpack a conspiracy involving a suspicious luxury apartment, subliminal mind control, and mental illness. It’s a great concept with solid production values, and everybody on screen is doing what they can with the material. But it also feels like they were working from a first draft that wasn’t fully realized before going into production.

When Bipolar Paranoia Becomes Justified

Distorted 2018

Like most second-rate psychological thrillers, our unreliable female protagonist has to have some sort of mental illness. Lauren Curran (Christina Ricci) suffers from bipolar disorder, which concerns her husband, Russel (Brendan Fletcher). Since Russel is a successful businessman, though you never actually see him working, he decides they need to move out of the city and into a futuristic apartment complex off the beaten path. These smart homes are everything you could possibly want, with top-notch amenities and security, which is especially important to Lauren because an earlier home invasion resulted in the death of their child, rightfully triggering her illness.

Right away, nothing is as it seems in Distorted. Lauren, and only Lauren, hears strange buzzing noises and sees odd images on her television screen. When she checks the CCTV feeds she can access through her iPad, she witnesses other tenants behaving strangely. Her paranoia is fully primed after speaking with a resident named Phillip Starks (Vicellous Reon Shannon), who works in consumer psychology and talks endlessly about subliminal messaging.

Distorted 2018

When Lauren expresses her concerns to Russel, they’re written off as bipolar delusions, making him question her mental state. Of course, there are plenty of shots of Lauren staring down a pill bottle, likely Lithium, as if taking an extra dose or skipping one would send her into a psychotic break, which isn’t really how that works. Her suspicions, however, are validated by John Cusack’s Vernon Sarsfield, a journalist, hacker, and conspiracy theorist who’s been keeping tabs on her apartment building for his own reasons.

In so many words, Lauren isn’t paranoid. Vernon is about to expose a massive subliminal mind control conspiracy that’s using her and her fellow residents as human test subjects, and he needs her help to dismantle it before it’s too late. Meanwhile, Russel tries checking her into a psychiatric hospital because, to his credit, Lauren has had episodes like this before, and he’s not seeing what she sees.

Advertisement

You Get What You Get

Distorted 2018

Though Distorted tries hard to play with the “unreliable female protagonist with a mental illness” setup, it doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. Christina Ricci does an excellent job acting terrified when the moment calls for it, and Cusack delivers at a high level as well, but the story is structured in a way that makes any seasoned psychological thriller fan immediately clock what’s going on. You’re not left wondering if Lauren is crazy. You’re thinking, yeah, something weird is happening here, and she will eventually be vindicated.

Because of this, there’s no real tension. Lauren’s “hallucinations” are visually interesting, but I never bought them as hallucinations. It’s obvious she’s being manipulated, and picking up on that early completely shatters the illusion Distorted is trying to sell.

Distorted 2018

My experience watching Distorted is one of those rare instances where the critic versus audience split actually favors the critics. I wouldn’t call it 18 percent bad because it’s shot and acted well, and it has enough striking visuals to keep things engaging. But the story is both sloppy and obvious, which is a death sentence for any psychological thriller.

If you’re a fan of the talent involved, it’s worth a watch, but it’s not going to rock your world. It’s still way better than The Glass House, though. 

As of this writing, Distorted is streaming on Netflix.


Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Entertainment

Justin Timberlake DWI arrest footage released, shows singer saying sobriety tests are 'really hard'

Published

on


In the video, the “Rock Your Body” singer also repeatedly said he was in town for a world tour, calling his job “hard to explain.”

Source link

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Amy Duggar King cries learning cousin Joseph Duggar's wife Kendra was also arrested: 'There's more to this story'

Published

on


“I don’t know what’s going on,” the former “19 Kids and Counting” star said in an emotional video.

Source link

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Jana Kramer Calls Out ABC Over Taylor Frankie Paul Controversy

Published

on

Jana Kramer at 45th Annual People's Choice Awards

“One Tree Hill” alum Jana Kramer is voicing her opinion on the ongoing controversy surrounding Taylor Frankie Paul and her two reality shows, “The Bachelorette” and “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.”

For those unfamiliar, Paul has been the center of negative attention over the last week after a video of her appearing to assault her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, was shared online. Before that, Paul’s “Secret Lives” co-stars reportedly went on strike, refusing to film with her over her alleged involvement in another domestic dispute in 2026.

ABC cancelled Taylor Frankie Paul’s upcoming season of “The Bachelorette” earlier this week; however, Kramer believes the network waited too long to pull the plug.

Trigger Warning: This content includes discussions of domestic violence, which may be distressing or triggering for some individuals.

Advertisement

Jana Kramer Seems To Slam ABC For Waiting To Cancel Taylor Frankie Paul’s Season Of ‘The Bachelorette’

Jana Kramer at 45th Annual People's Choice Awards
MEGA

“Abuse is never great TV,” Kramer said during a recent episode or her “I Do, Part 2” podcast. “Where it’s being physical, that is not something that our children need to see. … When you have to grab someone, hurt someone, push someone, verbally, physically, that is not something to get viewership for.”

Kramer went on to discuss ABC’s decision to pull what would have been Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette.”

“DV is not something to joke about [or] to get viewership,” she said. “It’s just not at all, and if it was a guy, they would have shut it down immediately.”

Kramer References Taylor Frankie Paul Appearing To Assault Her Ex-Boyfriend In A Shocking Video

Taylor Frankie Paul
LISA OConnor/AFF-USA.com / MEGA

ABC addressed its decision to axe the previously filmed season of “The Bachelorette” in a statement, saying the company’s focus “is on supporting the family.”

According to a previous report from The Blast, Paul was observed in a horrifying video released earlier this week, appearing to assault her ex and the father of her son, Mortensen.

In the video, Paul seems to strike Mortensen, pull his hair, and choke him. She also hurled two heavy metal chairs at him, one of which hit her daughter in the head.

Advertisement

“This is called physical abuse. This is all you do,” Mortesen cried out in the clip. “It’s the only thing you know how to do is hurt me. You think this is OK? It’s not OK. Holy sh-t.”

Kramer Sounds Off On ‘Secret Lives’ Co-Stars Refusing To Film With Taylor Frankie Paul

On her podcast, Kramer also commented on the reports that Paul’s “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” co-stars have refused to film season 5 with her.

A source told Us Weekly that the cast has met with Disney, Hulu’s parent company, about pausing production.

“The girls know they can continue without Taylor and want to keep going,” the source said. “This has brought them closer in a way, and they all have been leaning on each other, checking in. They want to make it work and finish out season 5 on a high note.”

Regarding their reported decision, Kramer said she was “proud” of the women for standing up to Disney, adding that filming with her is “just enabling a situation that is not healthy and is not safe for anybody.”

Advertisement

Some Believe Paul Has ‘Tainted’ The Bachelor Franchise With Abuse Allegations

Rachel Lindsay attends People + Chain Celebrate People Magazine's 50th Anniversary
MEGA

Kramer is not the only public figure with strong feelings about Paul’s controversy.

“I think it’s over,” former “Bachelor” star Rachel Lindsay said, according to The Blast. “I was trying to think of a scenario where it could be different, because this isn’t just, ‘Oh, we put it all on a person. This person did this.’ This is the system that allowed this to happen.”

According to Lindsay, Paul’s situation has “tainted” the franchise like never before.

Paul Breaks Silence After ABC Pulls ‘The Bachelorette’

Dakota Mortensen
MEGA

While Paul has not spoken publicly since the video surfaced, a representative for the reality star issued a statement, slamming Mortensen’s “desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor without any regard” for their minor child, Ever.

“Releasing an old video, which conveniently omits context, on their son’s birthday is a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior,” the rep continued.

Despite the drama, the rep said Paul is “grateful for ABC’s support” as she navigates the heavy situation.

Advertisement

“After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm,” they said.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Entertainment

Amanda Peet reveals breast cancer diagnosis

Published

on


The actress’ health scare came as both of her parents were dying in hospice care.

Source link

Continue Reading

Entertainment

The Infamous X-Files Episode That Terrorized Fans By Completely Changing The Show

Published

on

The Infamous X-Files Episode That Terrorized Fans By Completely Changing The Show

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published

Most of the time, it’s a kiss of death for a genre TV show when the writers try to make big changes. True Blood went off the rails when it abandoned its small-town, Southern gothic drama in favor of nonstop supernatural slugfests. Dexter went from being a taught procedural with a killer twist to being an endless melodrama, culminating with arguably the worst finale in television history. Even Riverdale transformed its grounded adaptation of Archie Comics into supernatural storytelling that felt like an endless fever dream.

However, would you believe that one of the most iconic genre shows ever made created a thrilling episode by completely abandoning its entire premise? The X-Files is famously about Mulder and Scully investigating government conspiracies, aliens, and various monsters of the week that go bump in the night. But the episode “Irresistible” was written by showrunner Chris Carter without any paranormal elements whatsoever, creating a fan-favorite thriller of a story that feels like it belongs to a different show altogether.

He’s Scarier Than Any Alien

In case you somehow don’t know, The X-Files was a show shaped almost entirely by Agent Fox Mulder’s quest to prove the existence of aliens and other paranormal phenomena. His partner, Agent Dana Scully, is a skeptic, and most episodes of the series feature a tug of war between their very different perspectives. Mulder will always argue that their latest case is proof of his wild theories, while Scully will offer a more grounded and scientific explanation for otherwise fantastic phenomena.

However, X-Files showrunner Chris Carter threw the show’s formula out the window when he wrote “Irresistible,” an episode where Mulder and Scully have to stop a murderous necrophiliac (although, thanks to network censoring, they had to refer to him as a “death fetishist”). Despite how different this episode was, fans really loved it. A large part of that came from the great characterization in this episode, which Carter thought would have been impossible without ditching the show’s trademark supernatural elements.

Scully Was Never Closer To Death

“I think I was able to explore the character of Scully in a way I wouldn’t have been able to with a supernatural theme,” he told X-Files Confidential. “Sometimes even more scary than the things we can imagine are the things that are unimaginable, which is that the man standing next to you could be this kind of guy.” Basically, the showrunner of the world’s spookiest series acknowledges that some viewers aren’t going to be all that scared of intangible threats like aliens and far-reaching government conspiracies. However, they might be absolutely terrified at the thought that a random stranger could be a secret killer with a fetish for dead bodies. 

What did we learn about Scully from this X-Files episode? Chris Carter wanted to explore “what she is most afraid of,” which turned out to be “dying at the hands of someone—creature or not—and she is helpless to do anything about it.” This refers to the heart-stopping climax of “Irresistible,” in which she is kidnapped by Donnie Pfaster, who has awful plans for her body, both before and after he murders her. She escapes and is ultimately saved, but she uncharacteristically breaks down in Mulder’s arms, which is evidence of how deeply this trauma affected her.

Advertisement

The Banality Of Horny Evil

Interestingly, the closest thing to a supernatural element in “Irresistible” is that a captured Scully sees Pfaster transform into the Devil. Carter based this on some grim accounts from surviving Jeffrey Dahmer victims who reported that he shape-shifted in front of them. “Sometimes the face of evil can become frighteningly real and distorted through a prism of your own unconscious fears,” Carter said. “That’s what we were playing with.”

In retrospect, “Irresistible” was a huge gamble: it completely abandoned The X-Files’ paranormal formula and put a beloved character in mortal peril, where she had to face her greatest fear. But the gamble paid off, as this is one of the fandom’s favorite early episodes of this iconic ‘90s show. It fleshed out Scully’s character and introduced a chilling new villain, all while fleshing out this fictional universe. Showrunner Chris Carter wrote an episode unlike anything fans had seen before, and its success effectively validates Mulder’s personal philosophy: sometimes, you have to break all the rules in order to achieve greatness!


Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Entertainment

4 Near-Perfect Rom-Coms You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

Published

on

If you ask for a good rom-com to watch, you’ll probably end up with a lot of the same suggestions.

Movies like Clueless, When Harry Met Sally, Pretty Woman and You’ve Got Mail are certainly fantastic classics, but it can be refreshing to watch something totally new to you.

Since the Watch With Us team are experts in all things movies, we’ve got just the list for you.

We compiled four romantic comedies we’re pretty sure are almost perfect, but you’ve probably never even heard of them, let alone watched them.

Advertisement

That ends now. Prepare to believe in love again with these four underrated love stories.

Best Rom-Coms to Watch When You’re Stuck at Home


Related: Best Rom-Coms to Watch When You’re Stuck at Home

Romance for all! Whether you’re stuck at home due to inclement weather, or simply want a night in, Us Weekly has the perfect must-watch movie list for indoor viewing. While some fans may opt for social media quizzes or binge-watching a new show, others choose to break out their go-to romantic comedies during a long weekend […]

Advertisement

‘Down With Love’ (2003)

In this homage to “no-sex sex comedies” from the early 1960s, Renée Zellweger stars as Barbara Novak, an aspiring author who touches down in New York City to promote her anti-romance, how-to book Down with Love. When she arrives at Banner Publishing, the executives don’t appreciate the book’s subject matter, and when Barbara attempts to use playboy author Catcher Block (Ewan McGregor) to help her out, he rebuffs her. Instead, Barbara gets an unexpected boost from a Judy Garland song, and sales skyrocket. Angering Catcher, he decides to trick Barbara into falling in love with him to prove the fallacy behind her success.

Before Peyton Reed directed the Ant-Man movies for the MCU, he helmed this vastly underappreciated romantic comedy pastiche that is enlivened by screwball humor and a visually ravishing, energetic style. Though Down with Love whiffed with critics and audiences at the time, the movie has since developed a cult following and critical reappraisal for its smart subversion of rom-com tropes. It doesn’t hurt that both McGregor and Zellweger are also absolutely dazzling, putting on their best campy ’60s Hollywood acting performance like they were born for it.

‘Stardust’ (2007)

Advertisement

In England, the quaint village of Wall resides just next to a stone barrier that acts as the divide between the world of humans and the world of magic in Stormhold, and it is guarded to ensure no one ever crosses. When a young man named Dunstan (Nathaniel Parker) manages to get across, he spends the night with an enslaved princess — nine months later, a baby named Tristan is delivered to Dunstan’s doorstep. As an adult, Tristan (Charlie Cox) finds himself at the center of a hunt for a fallen star (Claire Danes), forcing him to cross back over into Stormhold to find her and discover his destiny.

Stardust is perhaps not a typical rom-com, but it is a wonderfully charming fantasy-adventure romance with an undeniable sense of humor that mixes tongue-in-cheek humor that appeals to kids with some racier jokes that will go over their heads. The movie is broadly appealing but not in a bad way; it’s a spirited, lively and exhilarating yarn that is a must-watch for fans of The Princess Bride. Stardust’s fantastic ensemble cast also includes Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro and Sienna Miller.

‘Celeste and Jesse Forever’ (2012)

High school sweethearts Celeste (Rashida Jones) and Jesse (Andy Samberg) get married young, but their passionate early romance starts losing its spark just as quickly. While Celeste is a successful trend analyzer who runs her own company, Jesse is an unemployed artist who seems in no rush to find steady work. When Celeste finally gets the courage to tell Jesse that she’d like a divorce, she promises him that they will remain friends. But the two former lovers seem unwilling to spend much time apart, and the arrangement raises the eyebrows of their friends — then, Celeste starts having second thoughts.

Advertisement

While Celeste and Jesse Forever isn’t terribly subversive or setting out to do much to differentiate itself from a packed rom-com genre, it excels effortlessly through the unique charms of Jones and Samberg. Ultimately, the movie also succeeds at feeling authentic to reality, capturing the messy, flawed and often incomprehensible behavior of people after they break up. The screenplay (co-written by Jones) does an excellent job of creating characters that are likable, with regard for their emotions.

‘But I’m a Cheerleader’ (1999)

Advertisement

High school student Megan Bloomfield (Natasha Lyonne) is your typical all-American teenager, a cheerleader who dates football player Jared (Brandt Wille). But when Megan seems to express a concerning interest in things like Melissa Etheridge, vegetarianism and her fellow cheerleaders, her parents are left with no choice but to send her to gay conversion camp True Directions. There, she meets fellow lesbians Graham (Clea DuVall), Hilary (Melanie Lynskey) and Sinead (Katharine Towne). But the camp seems to be having an opposite effect, as Megan finds herself falling for Graham.

Romantic Comedies You Forgot About and Need to Watch Immediately


Related: Rom-Coms You Forgot About and Need to Watch Right Now

Much like there are plenty of fish in the sea, there are also plenty of rom-coms to stream — and these forgotten gems are worth revisiting whether on Valentine’s Day or any of the other 364 days of the year. Throughout these underrated romantic comedies, you’ll spot several familiar faces. Long before he was appearing […]

Advertisement

But I’m a Cheerleader is a highly stylized and hilarious satirical rom-com that explores heteronormativity, gender roles and feminine identity. While critics denigrated the film at the time for its content, colorful production design and similarities to the films of John Waters (Mink Stole, one of Waters’ primary collaborators, plays Megan’s mother), all these traits have helped to generate the movie’s passionate cult following. It is now beloved as an empowering lesbian love story that celebrates a queer perspective.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Entertainment

Duggar Family Members React to Joseph Duggar’s Arrest

Published

on

Multiple members of the Duggar family have reacted to Joseph Duggar’s arrest on child molestation charges.

Joseph, who rose to fame alongside his family on the reality series 19 Kids and Counting, was taken into custody after being accused of molesting a 9-year-old girl while on a family vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida, in 2020. He was arrested by the Tonitown Police Department in Arkansas on March 18, 2026, after the Bay County Sheriff’s Department obtained a warrant.

“The victim reported Duggar repeatedly asked her to sit on his lap,” the Bay County Sheriff’s Office revealed in a press release at the time. “As the vacation continued, he also asked her to sit next to him on a couch and covered them with a blanket.”

The statement continued, “During this time, Duggar manipulated the victim’s underwear and grazed her genitals. Duggar would also continue to rub his hands on her thighs.”

Advertisement
Feature Everything to Know About Joseph Duggar Child Molestation Arrest


Related: Joseph Duggar Arrested on Child Molestation Charges: What We Know So Far

Former TLC star Joseph Duggar was arrested on Wednesday, March 18, after being accused of molesting a 9-year-old girl in 2020. Wednesday’s arrest marks the second child sex abuse case to hit the famous family following Joseph’s older brother Josh Duggar‘s child pornography conviction. Josh was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison in December […]

Joseph was ultimately charged with one count of lewd and lascivious behavior involving molestation of a victim less than 12 years old and a second count of lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older.

Advertisement

Joseph appeared in court on March 20 and waived his right to an extradition hearing and ultimately agreed to be transferred to Florida to face the charges.

Days after his arrest, news broke that Joseph was also facing four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, second degree, and four counts of second degree false imprisonment alongside his wife, Kendra Duggar. Kendra was arrested on March 20, 2026, and released the same day on bond.

Many members of the Duggar family spoke out about Joseph’s arrest, including his siblings Jill and Josh. (Josh is currently in prison after being convicted for possession of child pornography.)

Keep scrolling to see what the Duggars have said about Joseph:

Advertisement

Jill Duggar

Jill Duggar released a statement on her family blog about Joseph Duggar’s arrest.

“We were shocked yesterday evening to learn of Jill’s brother (Joseph Duggar’s) arrest,” the post began. “We first learned of anything related to his charges yesterday via a text from a friend who messaged us about the recent media reports of Joseph’s arrest and his alleged confession to molesting a juvenile female in 2020.”

Jill added that she and husband Derick Dillard are “shocked and heartbroken” over the allegations.

“We strongly condemn abuse. We support the rule of law and hope that justice will be achieved,” she continued. “Our hearts go out to the innocent juvenile victim of this unspeakable crime and her family. We pray God gives her strength, comfort and hope, and that she is able to get all the help and support she needs and deserves in the days ahead.”

Advertisement

Josh Duggar

Josh Duggar spoke out while behind bars about his brother’s arrest, sharing he was “deeply saddened” about the allegations against Joseph Duggar.

“Josh understands the stigma of being accused. He lives with the painful reality of how false accusations can destroy a life,” Josh’s lawyer said in a statement to The Daily Mail on the reality star’s behalf. “He understands how the targeting of a person for publicity can twist the truth into sensationalized fiction.”

The statement added that while “Josh and Joe are not in frequent communication” Josh “hopes and prays for his brother’s well being in this difficult time.”

Amy Duggar King

Joseph Duggar’s cousin, Amy Duggar King, broke her silence on his arrest.

Advertisement

“In light of the recent allegations involving my cousin, Joseph Duggar, I am sickened, heartbroken, and deeply angry,” Amy said in a statement to Us Weekly. “My first thoughts are with the victim, a child who deserved to be safe, protected, and surrounded by people she could trust. The courage it took for her to come forward, especially after years of carrying something so heavy, cannot be overstated. That bravery deserves to be honored above all else.”

Amy added that she was “utterly shocked” by the allegations against Joseph but also addressed the family’s “toxic system.”

“For years, I have spoken out about the importance of truth, accountability, and protecting children, even when it meant going against my own family,” she continued. “Family ties should never equal automatic trust or access, especially when it comes to the safety of children. When an image is protected over truth, and silence is chosen over accountability, it creates an environment where abuse can thrive.”

Amy shared that she has “worked hard to break cycles” in her family and has advocated “for the protection of children.”

Advertisement

“I am praying for the victim and her family as they walk through what is sure to be an incredibly difficult road ahead,” she shared. “Recognizing that we do not yet know the full picture, I am also praying for Joseph’s wife, Kendra, as she begins to process this, and for the protection of their children. I’m praying for eyes to be opened and above all, I pray that justice will be served to the fullest.”

Amy was later seen crying in a social media video after news broke that Kendra was also arrested that week.

Jessa Duggar

Jessa Duggar issued a statement on behalf of herself and her husband, Ben Seewald, on March 20, 2026.

“We learned of this saddening news along with the rest of the world on Wednesday, and we are in complete shock,” the statement read. “Our hearts are grieving for this innocent young girl, and we know this is deeply grievous to God, who cares tenderly for children and the vulnerable. We are keeping her in our prayers.”

Jessa later deleted her upload that same day.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Andy Cohen Teases ‘Real Housewives Of Rhode Island’: ‘They Are The Drama’

Published

on

Dolores Catania, RHORI.

Bravo figurehead Andy Cohen recently opened up about the latest “Real Housewives” franchise set in Rhode Island, and teased that viewers will be more than entertained.

Bravo announced the new series during the summer of 2025 and released the season’s first superteaser just weeks ago.

As the “Real Housewives” franchise gears up to celebrate its 20th anniversary, Andy Cohen is reflecting on the milestone.

Advertisement

Andy Cohen Teases Upcoming ‘Real Housewives’ Franchise Set In Rhode Island

On a recent episode of “Watch What Happens Live,” Cohen got candid about the upcoming series.

“Your next show in the queue, by the way, is going to be The Real Housewives of Rhode Island because it’s going to hit you like a ton of bricks in the best possible way,” he said on the air. “You’re going to absolutely love it.”

Cohen echoed that sentiment in a Deadline interview, saying the group of women is “giving me everything that I love in Housewives.”

Advertisement

“The women are all stars. They’re so funny. They are the drama. You know, we were talking about Rhode Island backstage. It’s our smallest state, and they all seem to know each other, or be related, or went to high school together, or all of the above,” Cohen said.

Bravo, Andy Cohen Announced ‘RHORI’ In The Summer Of 2025

Dolores Catania, RHORI.
Bravo | Bronson Farr

According to a previous report from The Blast, Bravo announced the “Rhode Island” iteration of the popular reality series in May 2025.

The show will reportedly follow a group of close friends “who have deep community roots and families that go back generations.”

“With aspirational lives, thriving businesses and tangled family dynamics, these decade-long friendships prove that in a state this small, there’s no escaping your past … or each other,” the show’s description read.

The series will feature Bravo newcomers Alicia Carmody, Rosie DiMare, Ashley Iaconetti, Liz McGraw, Rulla Nehme Pontarelli, Kelsey Swanson, and Jo-Ellen Tiberi. Dolores Catania from “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” will be featured as a friend.

Advertisement

Bravo Viewers Will See The Women Navigate ‘Murky Waters’ In Season 1 Of ‘RHORI’

RHORI cast member.
Bravo | Bronson Farr

The “Real Housewives of Rhode Island” season 1 trailer was shared in early February 2026. Based on the official announcement, the women will navigate the “murky waters of friendships, feuds, and shifting loyalities with Rhode Island’s tightly woven social scene.”

While Rhode Island is the country’s smallest state, “the drama is wicked,” the teaser continued. “In a place where everyone knows everyone and family names carry serious weight, nothing is ever truly forgotten. Friendships are built over decades, loyalties are deeply rooted, and secrets are guarded at all costs … until betrayal strikes and the cracks begin to show.”

‘Real Housewives Of Miami’ Put On Pause After Season 7

As one “Housewives” city comes, another goes. Earlier this week, Bravo confirmed to E! News that “The Real Housewives of Miami” had been put on pause after seven seasons. The reported cause of the pause is a “lack of viewers” and engagement.

The news of the show’s hiatus comes after Bravo rebooted it in 2021 following its original cancellation in 2013.

Season 7 featured newbie Stephanie Shojaee navigating her friendships with Bravo mainstays Alexia Nepola, Larsa Pippen, Guerdy Abraira, Lisa Hocstein, Julia Lemigova, Adriana de Moura, Marysol Patton, and Kiki Barth.

Advertisement

On social media, Cohen admitted he was bummed about the news, but shared a hopeful message for fans. “It will be back!” he wrote.

Andy Cohen Celebrating 20 Years Of ‘The Real Housewives’ With Bravo Legends

NeNe Leakes
MEGA

According to The Blast, Cohen is gearing up to celebrate 20 years of the “Real Housewives” franchise with over 60 of the biggest Bravolebs.

During BravoCon 2025, Cohen said the upcoming “Ultimate Girls Trip” honoring the milestone would be “iconic” and would feature the biggest OGs, including NeNe Leakes.

In an emotional video, Leakes opened up about her return following her five-year hiatus from the network.

“I am happy, overjoyed to say that I will be returning to Bravo,” she said in a video. “I almost can’t believe the words that are coming out of my mouth,” she said.

Advertisement

Leakes went on to thank Bravo, Cohen, and the chairman of Bravo unscripted, Frances Berwick.

“[I want to thank] so many executives behind the scenes who have worked to make this happen,” she said. “So many people that have continued to throw my name in the ring. Thank you to everybody over at Bravo. Thank you to all the people over at Truly Original. Thank you, Shed Media. Thank you to the producers on the ground who are calling and texting me, wanting this to be an amazing thing.”

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025