From Die Hard to Mad Max: Fury Road, several of the greatest action films of all time are injections of adrenaline in full color. However, color is by no means required for an action movie to be great, exciting, or even visually appealing. Indeed, throughout history, several of the best action films in history have achieved greatness through a purely black-and-white color palette.

From gangster pictures like Scarface to samurai classics like Yojimbo, these black-and-white films either defy expectations or deliver everything anyone could want from the genre, and then some. They’re exciting, suspenseful, full of movement, and action-packed from start to finish. Nowadays, action is almost always shot in color, which only makes it even more fun to look back at these classics and appreciate everything they were able to do with only black and white.

10

‘Scarface’ (1932)

Image via United Artists

Before Brian De Palma and Al Pacino took on the story, Howard Hawks directed Paul Muni in 1932’s Scarface, a pre-Code gangster action film loosely inspired by Al Capone. Like many great Hollywood crime films from before the Hays Code started being strictly enforced, Scarface was heavily censored upon release, making it a box office disappointment. With the passage of time, however, it has come to be recognized as one of the greatest films of the ’30s, making it a success story of triumph against censorship.

Hawks set up the entire archetype for the gangster movie genre, which became particularly popular during the ’30s and ’40s (particularly gangster pictures produced by Warner Bros.). But aside from its historical significance, Scarface is impeccably made, with Muni at the very top of his game and stylish black-and-white visuals that make the violence feel even grittier.

9

‘The Longest Day’ (1962)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Based on Cornelius Ryan‘s non-fiction book of the same name, The Longest Day follows the D-Day landings in Normandy with a stunning scope and tremendous technical qualities. In the modern day, the movie’s cast can be critiqued for its lack of diversity, but the fact of the matter is that an ensemble this star-studded, featuring actors of the stature of John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, Sean Connery, and Henry Fonda, is objectively one of the most impressive of any war film ever.

But aside from being a three-hour-long war epic, The Longest Day is also an action film through and through. It’s a dramatic, testosterone-filled gem that many still think of as the definitive D-Day movie, and the way it takes full advantage of every second of its runtime to paint war as hell without the need for bright-red blood is admirable.

8

‘The Train’ (1964)

Image via United Artists

Directed by John Frankenheimer, The Train is another one of the greatest action war movies ever made. Loosely based on a non-fiction book by Rose Valland, the film is about the mission to recover the works of art that had been looted by Germany from museums and private art collections during World War II. The result is a fascinating meditation on the debate between cultural preservation and the protection of human lives.

But on top of being thematically gripping, The Train is also one of the best war thrillers of all time, full of adrenaline-pumping action sequences that never let up. It’s a potent, surprisingly complex film that results purely from expanding the moral question at its core to a feature-length story. Powerfully philosophical and absolutely visceral, it’s a black-and-white movie whose lack of color feels designed to amplify the depth of its moral nuances and themes.

7

‘Sanjuro’ (1962)

Image via Toho

Many would perhaps refer to Akira Kurosawa as the single greatest filmmaker in history, and he achieved that status mainly by making action movies—several of them belonging to the beloved samurai subgenre. Kurosawa, in fact, can very reasonably be called the leading voice in samurai cinema, and for proof, one needn’t look much further than the sequel to 1961’s Yojimbo, Sanjuro.

It’s one of those Kurosawa movies that are bangers from start to finish. Action-packed, well-paced, and often unexpectedly funny, it’s a hugely influential masterpiece whose score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes is perfectly deserved. With a fantastic Toshirô Mifune in the lead role and some of the most jaw-dropping swordplay of any action movie in history, Sanjuro is evidence enough that black-and-white action films can be as fun as those in color.

6

‘The Sword of Doom’ (1966)

Image via Toho

Another one of the greatest samurai films in history, this one directed by Kihachi Okamoto and starring Tatsuya Nakadai, The Sword of Doom is as brutal as it is fast-paced. It’s one of the darkest samurai movies ever made, with a largely amoral main character (frankly, a rarity for the genre) that Nakadai plays to absolute perfection.

From the gorgeously lit and staged black-and-white imagery to the breathtaking action sequences, Sword of Doom is the work of a master at the top of his game. It’s one of the bleakest, angriest, most existentially violent action movies of the 20th century, and a complete must-see for anyone and everyone who even remotely enjoys well-made samurai films.

5

‘Yojimbo’ (1961)

Image via Toho

Sanjuro may be great, but there’s no beating the original. Yojimbo is such an immensely iconic and influential samurai flick that Sergio Leone pretty much copied it when he invented Spaghetti Westerns with A Fistful of Dollars, to the point that Kurosawa successfully sued him for copyright infringement. But who could blame Leone? Yojimbo is such a faultless film that anyone looking to make a great action flick should be at least tempted to imitate the perfection of Kurosawa’s efforts.

It’s also one of the best classic Japanese movies for beginners, perfectly friendly and welcoming to all those who might not be used to watching international (or even black-and-white) action movies. Full of flawlessly shot and edited action sequences, and supported by Mifune and Nakadai at their best, Yojimbo is one of Kurosawa’s most narratively enthralling and visually exquisite works.

4

‘White Heat’ (1949)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

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White Heat succeeds at earning many superlatives at once. On the one hand, it’s one of the best noir films of all time, displaying the psychological twistiness and black-and-white gorgeousness of the genre perfectly. On the other hand, it’s one of the best crime films of Hollywood’s Golden Age, serving as one of the earliest masterpieces of the gangster genre as we know it today. And on the other hand, it’s a ravishing action movie full of showstopping sequences of thrill and suspense.

For one, James Cagney is a powerhouse here, and his performance alone makes White Heat obligatory viewing for crime action film fans. As if that weren’t enough, however, the film also has a level of psychological depth that was rare among crime films made during the Hays Code era. Lastly, it has one of the darkest and most explosive finales of any action film from Hollywood’s Golden Age.

3

‘The General’ (1926)

Image via United Artists

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Before Tom Cruise made it cool and mainstream for actors to do their own stunts, there was Buster Keaton. Charlie Chaplin and Keaton are to silent cinema what salt and pepper are to food, and while Chaplin tended to focus more on elements of melodrama and romance, Keaton was considerably more interested in elaborate slapstick action sequences. Enter The General, easily one of the best comedy movies of all time.

Aside from having some of Keaton’s most revolutionary death-defying stunts, The General also has some of the most effective gags and action set pieces of his whole filmography. The movie was a box office and critical failure when it originally came out, but as the years have passed, cinephiles have warmed up to it tremendously. Today, it’s remembered as one of the greatest films from before Hollywood’s Golden Age, and one of the most perfect early examples of what the action genre could do at its best.

2

‘Sherlock Jr.’ (1924)

While The General is amazing, Sherlock Jr. is simply out of this world. Clocking in at only 45 minutes of runtime (barely qualifying it as a feature film), it’s also a delightfully breezy watch for those looking for a quick classic masterpiece to watch. Sherlock Jr. is one of the coziest mystery movies ever, but people looking to watch it shouldn’t be fooled by that coziness, because it also has some of the craziest stunts in Keaton’s filmography.

Funny, uplifting, romantic, creative, and an absolute blast of fun from start to finish, Sherlock Jr. shows just how amusing and ambitious action films could be back in the day. At no point is color something that people miss when watching this masterpiece, especially because so much happens. Indeed, there’s an essential old-school charm to this film that you simply can’t get anywhere else.

1

‘Seven Samurai’ (1954)

Image via Toho

Throughout history, Seven Samurai has widely been recognized as Akira Kurosawa’s magnum opus, and it’s easy to see why. It is, after all, one of the most perfect action films ever made, delivering absolutely everything that any fan of the genre could want in a movie. Though it moves somewhat slowly through its three-and-a-half hours of runtime, Seven Samurai is an exciting blast from start to finish.

The riveting action sequences are marvelously performed, choreographed, shot, blocked, and edited, but like any filmmaker of his quality, Kurosawa understood that well-made action wasn’t all you needed in order to make a samurai movie work. That’s why Seven Samurai is primarily a character-driven film, and its many story arcs are so fascinating that you can’t help but watch the whole thing on the edge of your seat. Often imitated, never matched, this masterpiece is the pinnacle of not just black-and-white action filmmaking, but action filmmaking as a whole.

Valerie Bertinelli is getting candid about her body.

“I mean, if you read the book, you’ll know that my boobs are deformed,” Bertinelli, 65, said during a recent 92Y panel discussion, promoting her Getting Naked: The Quiet Work of Becoming Perfectly Imperfect memoir. “I talk very extensively and graphically about how deformed they are.”

She continued, “My boobs suck, but I’m not dating, so it doesn’t matter.”

Bertinelli explained that she had “four surgeries” in 2024 to remove the breast implants she initially got in the early 1980s.

Related: Valerie Bertinelli ‘Freaked Out’ After Trying Botox, Details Implant Rupture

Valerie Bertinelli got candid about the work she had done to enhance her appearance.. Bertinelli, 65, opened up about getting a breast augmentation and experimenting with Botox in her new book, Getting Naked: The Quiet Work of Becoming Perfectly Imperfect, which was released on Tuesday, March 10. In 2019, she “tried Botox” for the first […]

“Mine were mocked relentlessly. They were called ‘little quarters,’ ‘itty-bitty titties,’ and ‘tiny boobies,” the actress wrote in her book about her decision to go under the knife. “I took it all to heart. Instead of appreciating the changes my body was going through, I dreaded them. I had no idea what I was supposed to look like; I only knew it was wrong.”

Bertinelli’s implants eventually ruptured, which she subsequently needed to have removed.

“I couldn’t believe they had been in my body. I went home bandaged and sore, with drains under my arms, uncomfortable but hopeful,” she recalled in a book passage. “For the first two weeks, everything was great. About a week later, my right breast took on shades of green, yellow, and blue. The next day it started to swell and turned a dark purple. I felt myself getting dizzy. By nighttime, I was running a fever.”

After developing an infection, Bertinelli had another surgery to install a “small implant under the muscle” to help restore “what was left of [her] nipple.” She said it took nearly a year for her breasts to take “shape.”

“They are now two completely different sizes; the implant on the left is over the muscle, and my right side is sad and misshapen,” she further wrote. “Eventually, I will have a fourth operation that will, I am assured, even things out once and for all.”

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It’s no secret that many of Hollywood’s A-listers have breast implants. But what you may not know is that as popular as the cosmetic enhancement is, celebs also aren’t afraid to say goodbye to them for good. Dr. John Paul Tutela, a trusted NY and NJ board-certified plastic surgeon tells Us Weekly that the two […]

Elsewhere in Getting Naked, Bertinelli detailed her experience with other cosmetic procedures like Botox.

“I didn’t like it and had a mini freak-out when I saw it changed the shape of my eyebrows, which changed the shape of my face, which was a shock because my face is the way I recognize myself,” she wrote, revealing she got injections for the first time in 2019. “I didn’t like what I saw. I didn’t want to see a puffy, distorted version of me in the mirror. I didn’t want to wake up and say, ‘Knock knock, is Val there?’”

Bertinelli continued, “Don’t get me wrong. I am not against plastic surgery or Botox and fillers. Some people look amazing when it works. They feel much better about themselves after a procedure. I get it — and I’ve been there.”

By TeeJay Small
| Updated 8 seconds ago

I recently penned a scathing review of Alien 3, wherein I posed the question: What kind of god would allow such a horrendously bad film to ever see the light of day? Despite my better judgment, I decided to continue my binge of the Alien film franchise, only to be pleasantly surprised by the fourth installment, Alien: Resurrection.

This film has all the signs of a terrible sequel, and a 56 percent critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, which made me think I was sitting down for another miserable viewing experience. Maybe I’m still recovering from the rage-induced concussion I developed while watching Alien 3, but I’d go so far as to label Alien: Resurrection the most underrated entry in the entire franchise.

The Problem With The Previous Alien Movie

We all know and love 1979’s Alien and the 1986 Aliens sequel. But even the most faithful Xenomorph super-fan should be able to admit that they’re tired of watching Ripley wake up in a cryopod, face off against a terrifying obsidian monster from beyond the stars, get back in a cryopod, and repeat the cycle for three films in a row.

When Ripley died in the final moments of Alien 3, I was just happy to see the character finally get a moment of rest, and for the franchise to move on to other protagonists. So imagine my surprise when Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley wakes up once again during the opening credits of Alien: Resurrection, this time as a lab-grown clone.

Ripley Returns In Alien: Resurrection

Right then and there, I was prepared to turn off the movie and spend the rest of my afternoon shaking my fist in the angry dome a la Professor Farnsworth. But as the film progressed and introduced Winona Ryder, Ron Perlman, and Breaking Bad’s Raymond Cruz, I started falling in love with the ensemble and their mission to escape the military scientists’ vessel alive.

The look of the film grabbed me, too. The Xenomorphs in Alien: Resurrection look far superior to their counterparts in Alien 3. That complements their wicked cunning and shocking intelligence as they utilize their own acidic blood to break containment and traverse the ship.

Having been bred to incubate a Xenomorph queen embryo, clone Ripley, AKA Ripley 8, realizes that she’s got more genetically in common with the alien creatures than ever before. Her DNA is intrinsically tied to theirs, allowing her to develop some otherworldly powers that completely redefine her character. Unlike Alien 3, where Ripley becomes beholden to the protection of men, Alien: Resurrection allows her to regain her autonomy and become the biggest badass on the screen, even when Ron Perlman is present.

When she comes across a lab full of horribly deformed experiments that came before her, Ripley 8 puts them out of their misery by torching them the same way the OG Ripley did with the Xenomorph nest in the final act of Aliens. The whole scene felt like a cathartic way to express how I’d felt watching bad writers butcher her character in the previous outing. It was as though director Jean-Pierre Jeunet was burning the very concept of Alien 3 right in front of my eyes.

In Defense Of The Xenomoph Hybrid

Nearly thirty years after its release, there are now sequences where dated special effects don’t hold up. That doesn’t matter, because the writing from a young Joss Whedon does. Alien: Resurrection’s fresh ideas make it a cut above several other entrants in the franchise.

One of the largest criticisms levied at Alien: Resurrection centers on the hybrid newborn creature, which is aggressively disturbing. This creature is a cross between an alien queen and Ripley herself, taking on traits of a baby, a Xenomorph, and a Cronenbergian nightmare that cost the studio roughly $7 million to build.

The animatronic for the newborn required nine puppeteers to operate and was considered the most complex practical effect in cinema history at the time. The whole thing is weird, gross, and insane, but it works better than most audiences give it credit for.

Alien: Resurrection Is As Influential As The First Two Alien Movies

A modern rewatch reveals how many popular films of the early 2000s straight-up stole action scenes from this movie. With a fresh set of eyes, you could comfortably say that Alien: Resurrection is as influential as the first two films in the series, even if it doesn’t usually receive the same fanfare.

Whether you initially caught Alien: Resurrection back in 1997, or you’ve just never been compelled to check it out before, now seems like the right time to revisit the classic sci-fi sequel. Unfortunately, Alien: Resurrection isn’t currently available for free on any of the major streaming services, and can only be purchased through transactional video on demand. Still, it’s well worth the price of admission if you decide to rent or purchase it through Amazon Prime or YouTube.

Jason Earles is reflecting on his past days as Jackson Stewart on the hit Disney TV show “Hannah Montana.” While celebrating the show’s 20th anniversary in late March 2026, the Disney alum revealed what he would tell his younger self while filming the series in the early 2000s.

What Would Jason Earles Tell His Younger Self While Filming ‘Hannah Montana’ In 2006?

On March 23, 2026, the cast of “Hannah Montana” gathered at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles, California, to celebrate the show’s 20th anniversary.

While speaking with PEOPLE, Earles, 48, reflected on his early days filming the series alongside Miley Cyrus.

“I think just… settle in sooner,” Earles said, adding that he was concerned he was not the right fit for the series when production began.

“I was really nervous about fitting in and if my humor was the right sense of humor for the show and if I was… approaching it as an actor the right way,” he said. “I think I was just not as confident as early as I could have been.”

Earles Was Nervous About Filming ‘Hannah Montana’ For A Bigger Reason

Earles was not only worried about his on-set skills, according to The Blast. During an episode of his podcast, “Best of Both Our Worlds,” the actor revealed he was concerned he would be fired from the series due to a secret he was holding on to.

“I was desperately afraid that I was going to be fired and recast because I had a big secret,” he said before admitting he lied to producers about his age during the audition.

“When I auditioned for the show, I lied to them and told them I was 18 years old,” he revealed, despite actually being 28.

Earles And Other ‘Hannah Montana’ Alum Gather On The Red Carpet For The Show’s Disney+ Special

Earles is not the only “Hannah Montana” alum reflecting on their time on the show. According to a previous report from The Blast, Cyrus sat down with the host of the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, Alex Cooper, to talk about the show’s impact on pop culture during a Disney+ special.

“Hannah Montana will always be a part of who I am. What started as a TV show became a shared experience that shaped my life and the lives of so many fans, and I’ll always be thankful for that connection,” Cyrus said about the TV show. “The fact that it still means so much to people all these years later is something I’m very proud of. This ‘Hannahversary’ is my way of celebrating and thanking the fans who’ve stood by me for 20 years.”

Actor Shanica Knowles, who played one of the show’s mean girls, also shared a moving message as she looked back on the series, calling it “a wild ride.”

In her message, Knowles spilled the tea on what it was like to work with Cyrus, calling the “Flowers” singer one of the most “down-to-earth home girls” she has ever worked with, and then mentioned some of their childhood experiences.

“The world may see you as Miley Cyrus, but I’ll always see you as the girl I had fun slumber parties with, wrote songs together with, talked about boys together with, and stayed up all night laughing on the phone with. I’ll always see you as just…Miley,” Knowles wrote.

Emily Osment Says The Disney Show ‘Changed My Life’

While the “Hannah Montana: 20th Anniversary Special” premeire included a handful of the show’s main cast, Cyrus’ on-screen besties, Emily Osment and Mitchel Musso, were notably absent.

On Instagram, Osment said her absence was due to her work on the CBS show “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage.”

The actress also shared an emotional message in her caption, saying that working on “Hannah Montana” not only “changed my life” but also gave the performer “a lifelong respect for this medium of comedy.”

Osment went on to say that she is always moved when meeting “HM” fans over the years, adding that the “sweet messages” mean more to her than people know.

“Thank you for letting me into your living rooms and I hope to still be there many years from now. Would never be where I am without you guys,” she finished.

Musso Thanks The Fans For Sticking With Him Over The Years

Musso, meanwhile, reflected on the show with a carousel of his own images. In the caption, the “Hey” singer said the show would forever be “wrapped around my heart,” before thanking the audience for sticking by his side over the years.

“Thank you for believing in a goofy kid from Texas who wore some questionable outfits with a haircut like that,” he wrote. “To all of you, thank you for welcoming me into your homes and hearts 20 years ago and still allowing me to be here today. I’m honored we get to share all of this together.”

Ryan Gosling halted an L.A. event promoting his new film “Project Hail Mary” to pitch his brother-in-law, Carlos Mendez, to Hollywood Directors and producers.

Carlos has opened up about his struggles in securing a top acting job and shared that he doesn’t want to call on his sister, Eva Mendes, for favors.

Unlike her brother, Eva had a successful acting career but let everything go to focus on raising her daughters, Esmeralda and Amada, whom she shares with Ryan Gosling.

Ryan Gosling Interrupted An L.A. Event To Support His Brother-In-Law’s Acting Career

Ryan Gosling showed how wonderful it is to have him as a brother-in-law during an L.A. event promoting his new film “Project Hail Mary.”

In a viral TikTok video, the “Barbie” star was seen seated on stage as part of a panel but took an unexpected detour so that he could promote his brother-in-law Carlos Mendez’s acting profile and help him get a gig.

Addressing several Hollywood power players in the room, he described Carlos as the “hardest-working nonworking actor” he knew, before going on to call on movie executives to hire him.

“Can I stop you one second? Carlos are you in the audience? Can you stand up for a second?” Gosling called out, prompting his brother-in-law to stand to his feet.

He then continued, “Okay, how many of you are directors? Raise your hands. How many producers? How many writers? This is Carlos Mendez, he’s Eva Mendes’ brother. He is the hardest-working nonworking actor in this town that I have ever met.”

Much to the admiration of the crowd, the actor added, “So my Hail Mary is, please, hire this man! He deserves it. Get his number. If you’re writing something, directing something, put him in it. He deserves it. He’s as talented as he is handsome.”

Fans Praise Ryan Gosling For The Sweet Gesture, As Some Joke About ‘Nepotism’

People have been wondering what Iman Shumpert is really thinking as Teyana Taylor keeps racking up wins and living her best life. Fans finally got a glimpse of his reaction when he was stepped out in New York City and now folks online are trying to read between the lines.

RELATED: Teyana Taylor Explains Heated Security Exchange At 2026 Oscars & The Academy Reacts To Incident (WATCH)

Iman Shumpert Reacts To Teyana Taylor’s BIG Wins

Iman Shumpert was looking effortlessly sharp in Manhattan recently, and of course, he couldn’t escape the questions about his famous family. The NBA star, rocking a stone-colored striped suit with a crisp white shirt, black tie, and his signature cornrows, was all vibing as TMZ caught up with him—and naturally, the spotlight turned to his wife, Teyana Taylor.

In the clip, Shumpert kept things short and sweet when asked about his daughters, simply saying they were “good” and noting how they had just appeared on the red carpet with Teyana. When pressed about whether he had sent any congratulations to Taylor after her recent Golden Globe win, he acknowledged, “she did well,” before quickly moving on—leaving fans to question his response.

Everybody’s Got Something To Say

Folks ran straight to TMZ’s Instagram comment section, and they were not holding back. Some gave Iman props, saying he actually handled the questions about Teyana gracefully. Others argued that just because he’s divorced doesn’t mean he should be expected to disrespect or shade his ex.

One Instagram user @leo_soulread added, “I love how he kept his composure 🔥”

Likewise, Instagram user @dihimamclean commented, “❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏 I love his maturity“

And, Instagram user @_prayingforloyalty added, “Divorce doesn’t erase respect. Iman showing maturity and grace here being proud of Teyana’s wins even after the split is how you co parent and move forward.“

While Instagram user @mzcrunch25 said, “Better reply than offset“

Then Instagram user @ultimatewarrior_89 wrote, “Stop asking about his ex, he moved on obviously“

Lastly, Instagram user @mr.2cool78 shared, “Leave that man alone. Just because you are not with someone doesn’t mean you have to hate and belittle them.“

Teyana Is On A Major Award-Winning Streak

Looks like Teyana Taylor has been on a serious roll lately. She snagged the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress for her role in ‘One Battle After Another,’ rubbing elbows with the likes of Emily Blunt and Elle Fanning, and Ariana Grande delivered a tearful, empowering speech celebrating Black girls and their shine. While she didn’t take home the Oscar, Taylor kept the energy positive, cheering on others’ wins and celebrating her film’s multiple victories, including Best Picture—clearly living her best, award-winning life.

@theshaderoom

Teyana Taylor gives powerful speech after winning Best Supporting Actress Golden Globe for role in ‘One Battle After Another.’ #goldenglobes ✍🏾: #TSRStaffST

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By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 42 seconds ago

For better or for worse, Star Trek has slowly morphed into an action franchise: the Kelvinverse films were powered by nonstop lens flares and explosions, and Discovery began with a season focused on the brutalities of war with the Klingons. Soon, other NuTrek shows took a similar tactic, which is why everything from Picard to Section 31 to Starfleet Academy focused on the scary prospect of a mustache-twirling villain threatening the galaxy with a superweapon.

This is markedly different from the Golden Age of Star Trek, where shows like The Next Generation were focused on the peaceful exploration of the galaxy. One Voyager episode, “Elogium,” is particularly chill. It was a bottle episode where Captain Janeway had to figure out how to rid the ship of some tiny space creatures who were sucking power from the helm and shields. Interestingly, though, this peaceful Star Trek episode was secretly inspired by the last thing any fan would suspect: the Vietnam War!

To Explore Strange New Fish

In “Elogium,” Voyager encounters a cloud of critters who swarm the ship and begin draining power. This presents Janeway with an interesting dilemma: she has to save her ship and escape the swarm, all while not hurting or killing the tiny lifeforms she just discovered. Meanwhile, in a particularly weird B plot, Kes goes through a Pon Farr-like mating cycle and must ponder whether she, at the tender age of one, is ready to start pumping out Neelix’s children.

Now, one thing that made the Golden Age of Star Trek so cool is that, with so many episodes per season, producers could afford to entertain pitches from any fans who had a cool story to tell. The story for “Elogium” was based on an idea from freelance writers Jimmy Diggs and Steve J. Kay. Diggs served in the Navy during Vietnam, and he had a vivid memory of a time when he and the rest of the crew had to clean the ship ahead of an inspection. However, neither the moon nor the stars were very visible, so the only illumination came from the ship’s own lights.

A War Story With A Happy Ending

As a deckhand, Diggs soon noticed that the lights of the ship were attracting fish. A lot of fish: by the time the ship docked for its upcoming inspection, there were thousands of them. As he later told The Official Star Trek: Voyager Magazine, Diggs was moved by the strange beauty of a peaceful night in the middle of America’s most controversial war. “The way the fish glistened in the water from the lights, it seemed, surreal,” he said. It felt like we were in outer space surrounded by millions of moving stars, and we were on a starship, our own, Enterprise.” 

The memory stayed with Jimmy Diggs for many years. When he was pitching Star Trek: Voyager ideas to Jeri Taylor and Brannon Braga, the memory resurfaced, and he suggested an episode in which tiny space creatures are attracted to the ship because of its unique resonance signature. The producers liked the idea, incorporating it into one of the quirkier episodes of Voyager’s second season.

“Elgoium” would have never been written if not for Diggs and his experience during the Vietnam War. He transformed a moment of transcendental beauty amid horrifying conflict into a memorable story for the greatest sci-fi franchise ever created. In this way, Voyager demonstrated that art really does imitate life. Fortunately, Diggs’ wartime memories were never sullied by the most traumatizing sight of all: a sweaty Neelix pondering whether he and his leola root were ready to get his one-year-old girlfriend pregnant!

Roommates, y’all know how one post can set the internet on fire—and this time, TLC’s Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas found herself smack dab in the middle. What started as a little online chatter quickly snowballed into full-blown accusations. And now, she’s stepping up to set the record straight in her own words.

RELATED: T-Boz Speaks Out Amid Her Recent Hospitalization And Canceled TLC Shows

Chilli Says Repost Was Accidental & Sets The Record Straight

This weekend, Chilli addressed the controversy head-on after facing backlash over alleged support for Donald Trump. In an Instagram post and video with a purple background and white text, she wrote:

“I WANT TO BE CLEAR: I am not MAGA and do not support any of the many policies that are causing great harm to the American people. I made a mistake too many make: I did not read the fine print. I thought I was supporting causes against human trafficking and for veterans. Two things I care deeply about, as my dad is a veteran and everyone knows I love children. I have learned a valuable lesson and ask for grace as I navigate this. Love, Chilli”

According to Federal Election Commission records, in 2024, Chilli donated $210.60 via WinRed, a Republican campaign payment processor, and also gave $340.60 and $486.54 to the Trump National Committee JFC and Never Surrender Inc., respectively. She also clarified that any donations tied to Trump’s campaign were made under the belief she was supporting causes like veterans’ assistance and anti-human trafficking—not politics. Chilli added, “These are the things that support the veterans. I’ve always supported them, not just now, for years. This is not something new.”

Chilli Reaffirms Respect For The Obama’s

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Blake Lively and Taylor Swift are reportedly on edge following a court decision that allows Justin Baldoni’s defamation lawsuit against his former publicist, Stephanie Jones, to move forward.

Previously, both had seemingly gained some relief when the actor’s defamation suit against Lively was dismissed. However, the latest ruling has reignited concerns that they could now be exposed in connection with the case.

Sources say Blake Lively and Taylor Swift fear that if the lawsuit proceeds, private texts, emails, and DMs could be revealed, and potentially trigger both legal complications and a PR nightmare.

Blake Lively Sees Defamation Suit Ruling As Her ‘Worst Nightmare’ While Taylor Swift Fears PR Fallout, Sources Claim

Earlier this week, a judge ruled that Baldoni’s production company’s defamation suit against his former publicist, Stephanie Jones, can move forward, a decision that has reportedly now sparked panic in Lively and Swift’s camp.

In the lawsuit filed in 2025, Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer, accused Jones of maliciously leaking texts that seemingly played a role in fueling the legal feud between the director and his “It Ends With Us” co-star.

According to a source who spoke to journalist Rob Shuter’s #ShutterScoop, the latest ruling has left Lively and Swift in a “meltdown.”

The source branded it Lively’s “worst nightmare,” as any “discovery means texts, emails, DMs” could emerge, something she had previously avoided when the defamation suit Baldoni filed against her was dismissed.

The same insider also claimed that Swift, who was named dropped multiple times in the ongoing suit Lively herself filed against Baldoni, is “very aware” of the situation and worried about the potential consequences for her.

“If she’s mentioned anywhere in those communications, it could drag her into a legal and PR mess she never signed up for,” the source noted

The Defamation Lawsuit Could Expose The Dark Side Of Hollywood’s Inner Workings

According to another insider, the ruling could ultimately shine a brighter spotlight on other high-profile figures in Hollywood, particularly when it comes to behind-the-scenes matters.

“This isn’t just a lawsuit anymore,” said the source. “It’s a potential exposure of how Hollywood really operates behind the scenes.”

Ahead of the proper proceedings in the case, Lively remains in panic mode over what could happen. She has also lost confidence in coming out of her feud with Baldoni unscathed.

“There’s real anxiety,” added the insider. “They know once discovery starts, there’s no controlling what comes out.”

“She was prepared for a fight,” the source continued. “She wasn’t prepared for everything to be laid bare.”

The situation is expected to get “a lot messier” and “more public,” and Baldoni is reportedly in favor of it all.

“He wants it all out,” said the source. “He believes the truth is on his side — and now he has the chance to prove it.”

Justin Baldoni Believes Lawsuit Could Unveil Blake Lively’s Ties to His Former Publicist

Following the court ruling, a spokesperson revealed that Baldoni’s production company was satisfied with the decision, particularly because it could help show how the actor’s former publicist allegedly undermined him while she was still employed by him.

“The court further allowed claims to move forward that Stephanie Jones of Jonesworks acted in bad faith, including feeding harmful narratives to third parties and undermining her own client during a critical moment,” the rep said, per Page Six.

They added, “These are not minor disputes. They are claims the court has found substantial enough to move forward into discovery… We are confident the full record will expose how these narratives were manufactured and why.”

Justin Baldoni’s Former Publicist Is Optimistic About The Ruling As She Has ‘Damning Evidence’

Interestingly, Jones’ attorney, Kristin Tahler, also expressed optimism about the decision, claiming that it could help prove her client’s breach of contract suit against Wayfarer and other claims.

“Ms. Jones will now prove, through mountains of damning evidence, that Wayfarer Studios and Jennifer Abel deliberately breached their contracts with Jonesworks,” the attorney stated.

They added that it will also prove that “Jennifer Abel and Melissa Nathan [Baldoni’s publicists] orchestrated a smear campaign and maliciously and falsely attacked Ms. Jones’ reputation.”

Justin Baldoni And Blake Lively Will Face-Off In A May Trial

Last month, Lively and Baldoni appeared in a court-ordered settlement conference in a final attempt to resolve the actress’s suit against the film director.

However, after six hours of back-and-forth between the legal teams and the judge, no agreement was reached, meaning the case will now head to trial.

The trial is expected to begin in mid-May, with both Baldoni and Lively anticipated to take the stand at that time.

Lively is accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment on the set of “It Ends with Us” and claims that he and his production company engaged in a coordinated campaign to damage her reputation. She is seeking $500 million in damages.