Connect with us
DAPA Banner

Entertainment

The Raunchy 80s Rom Com That’s Extreme Lust Gone Wrong

Published

on

Nice Girls Don't Explode 1987

By Robert Scucci
| Published

Nice Girls Don't Explode 1987

Overprotective parents are tough nuts to crack. On one hand, can you really blame a mom or dad for trying to shelter their children from the horrors of the world, no matter how misguided their attempts may be? On the other hand, sometimes you’ve just got to push the baby bird out of the nest and see if they can fly on their own. In more extreme cases, you might have to fool your daughter into thinking that whenever she’s aroused, she’ll burst into flames, like in 1987’s Nice Girls Don’t Explode.

Nice Girls Don’t Explode is a rom-com that hinges on this single joke, and then runs it into the ground. It’s one of those fascinating situations where the joke wears out its welcome in the first act, you check the seeker bar in the second act to see how much more you have to endure, and then somehow it brings things back around by the third. It’s like when you say a single word over and over again until it loses all meaning, but only before the exercise makes you realize everything is meaningless, and you and the word become one in an almost zen-like state. 

At least that’s what I felt at my core while watching Nice Girls Don’t Explode.

Don’t Forget Your Fire Extinguisher! 

Nice Girls Don't Explode 1987

Every source I can find clocks Nice Girls Don’t Explode at 92 minutes, but the version streaming on Tubi runs only 82. This could mean one of two things: the sources are wrong, or there’s a longer cut floating around somewhere. I’m hoping it’s the former, because since the entire movie is built around one joke repeating itself ad nauseam, any extended version would likely be more of the same. Worse, if that footage was cut for pacing, it probably wasn’t doing the movie any favors.

Speaking of the joke, here’s what it is. April Flowers (Michelle Meyrink) has a rare disorder where her surroundings burst into flames whenever she’s sexually aroused. Or so she thinks. In reality, her overprotective mother (Barbara Harris) rigs plastic explosives and detonates them remotely to scare off potential suitors. She follows April on dates and gets trigger-happy with her detonator, sending her daughter home dejected after every disaster.

Nice Girls Don't Explode 1987

When her old neighbor and romantic interest Andy (William O’Leary) returns to town before securing his ping pong scholarship in China, the two hit it off. It doesn’t take long for Mother to fall back into her old habits. She continues to gaslight April with staged explosions, even going as far as lighting the cat on fire, but Andy starts to catch on when he realizes these incidents never happen when Mom isn’t around.

The rest of the movie follows that same pattern. Andy gets closer to exposing Mother, she retaliates, and he ends up humiliated in the process. He’s caught with his pants down more than once, but it’s never what it looks like. Andy is just clumsy, and April’s manipulative mother uses that to her advantage. Determined to live life on their own terms, April and Andy decide to do the unthinkable by having sex to prove Mother wrong, assuming she doesn’t sabotage them first.

Advertisement

A One-Note Joke Done To Death

Nice Girls Don't Explode 1987

Nice Girls Don’t Explode is more fun than I’d care to admit, but I’d be lying if I said it was a good movie. Barbara Harris, Michelle Meyrink, and William O’Leary clearly understood the assignment, and their chemistry carries the film even when it’s just beating a dead horse. It’s a mindless, low-stakes romp that never really crosses the line into being offensive, but it is surprisingly risqué for something rated PG.

It’s not going to change your life, and some of the gags, like the first-act restaurant scene, actually land. This isn’t an intelligent movie. There’s no subtext or ambiguity hiding beneath the surface. And sometimes that’s exactly what you need after burning through your mental energy all day. 

Most importantly, Nice Girls Don’t Explode is streaming for free on Tubi, so it won’t cost you anything but your time.


Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Entertainment

Taylor Frankie Paul's “Bachelorette” suitor shoots his shot at her “Mormon Wives” costar Jessi Draper

Published

on


“Asking for a friend…” contestant Brandon Perce captioned his Instagram post directed at Draper.

Source link

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Philly Coffee Shop Was Cover for Drug Trafficking Ring

Published

on

Authorities in Pennsylvania have decimated a drug trafficking ring they claim was being run out of a storefront set up to look like a coffee shop.

On Friday, March 27, Operation Cocaine and Coffee led to the arrests of 17 individuals and the seizure of crack cocaine, fentanyl, marijuana, ecstasy pills, cash, 27 firearms, four pounds of pure cocaine and 130 pounds of marijuana.

According to investigators, the Cumberland Coffee and Snacks in North Philadelphia was a faux business that acted as a cover for a street-level drug ring. The exact address was not provided by authorities.

Several longtime, “senior figures” in the Philadelphia criminal world were part of the operation, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced on Sunday, March 29.

Advertisement

The Pennsylvania State Police, Philadelphia Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies were involved in the takedown of “the Louis Alexander Drug Trafficking Organization.”

Alexander, 56, was identified as the drug ring’s leader and his bail has been set at a whopping $750,000.

Former Olympic Snowboarder Ryan Wedding Indicted on Murder Drug Charges


Related: Former Olympic Snowboarder Ryan Wedding Indicted on Murder, Drug Charges

Advertisement

The United States Department of Justice has indicted former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding on murder and money laundering charges related to an alleged drug trafficking ring that funneled drugs from Mexico into the U.S. and Canada. Attorney General Pam Bondi accused Wedding, 44, in a press conference on Wednesday, November 19, of ordering a hit […]

The 17 defendants “face a variety of charges, including felony counts of corrupt organizations, possession with intent to deliver, and illegal possession of firearms,” according to a press release on the operation. “Many are incarcerated following arraignments.”

Also charged were Carl Gates, Kendal Wilson, Gloria Alexander, Isaiah Washington-Trotty, Tyrone Scott, Marcus Clark, Isaiah Gallashaw, Cedric Carter, Paul Johnson, Eric Crawford, Corey Smith, Steven Birton, Tammika Billups, Domanick Pope, Calvin Gambrell, and Philip Smith.

A collage of mugshots from Operation Cocaine and Coffee

A collage of mugshots from Operation Cocaine and Coffee
Pennsylvania State Attorney’s Office

The statement said that 16 of the codefendants were busted in 30 locations during the execution of search warrants, including in neighboring New Jersey. Police said the last suspect turned themselves in but failed to specify who that was.

“Today marks a new day for North Philadelphians who were, for far too long, exposed to a group of criminals who did not hesitate to carry firearms to protect their lucrative trade — distributing poisons,” Sunday said. “For years, with our partners, we assembled cases against each and every charged defendant so when we took action, it would be the end of this criminal enterprise.”

Advertisement
Pennsylvania Man Charged in Murder-for-Hire Plot Targeting Ex-Girlfriend, 2 of the Men in Her Life


Related: Man Charged in Murder-for-Hire Plot Targeting Ex-Girlfriend, 2 Men

A man in Pennsylvania has been arrested after an informant he had asked for help instead contacted police, which exposed an active murder-for-hire plot. Officers with the Upper Dublin Police Department first learned of the alleged plot when a man visited their office on Tuesday, February 10. He told officers that Eric Berkowitz had asked […]

Authorities said the drug peddling posse plagued the community with “absolute harm” for more than a decade and is believed to have ties to violent crime.

Advertisement

Some of the defendants are in their 50s, 60s and 70s, Sunday noted.

Authorities said the group had been a blight on the community for more than a decade.

Advertisement

“The criminal organization has remained like weeds as families and homeowners have moved in and out of residences in the area,” Sunday said.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Entertainment

‘Temptation Island’ Star Tayler Byrd’s Love Life Plot Twist

Published

on

Tayley and Taylor in car on Temptation Island

Tayler Byrd is turning the page, and fans are here for it. Nearly a year after her rocky split on “Temptation Island,” the reality star is making headlines again, this time for her love life. Byrd recently took to TikTok to reveal a new relationship, surprising followers with a video that quickly sparked reactions across social media.

Tayler Byrd And Tyler Breshears’ Relationship Fell Apart On The Show

Tayley and Taylor in car on Temptation Island
Netflix

Tayler Byrd’s journey on “Temptation Island” was anything but smooth. Her relationship with Tyler Breshears began unraveling early in the experience, as his attention noticeably shifted toward fellow contestant Kay Carlson. While the situation didn’t escalate into headline-grabbing chaos like some of the show’s more infamous moments, the emotional disconnect was clear.

Host Mark L. Walberg spoke with Netflix about the relationship, to which he explained, “In Tayler’s case, when she said, ‘I’m not worthy of being loved,’ that’s when I get my dad vibe on.”

“I’m like, ‘Look, I know you don’t feel it right now, but that’s a lie, and we’re going to work through that so you know the truth,’” he continued. “When Case came back, I wasn’t trying to say, ‘Hey, here’s your hookup,’ but I was saying, ‘This is a subtle reminder that you aren’t unlovable, and if nothing else, I love you. I got you.’ That’s an example of where we step out of the format a little bit. That was unexpected.”

Advertisement

From cozy moments with Kay Carlson to private confessions, Tyler’s focus had clearly moved on, and Byrd eventually followed suit.

A New Connection With Yamen Sanders Offered Hope

Yamen and Tayler on Temptation island
Netflix

As her relationship with Tyler faded, Byrd found herself exploring a new connection with Yamen Sanders.

The two spent significant time together, building a bond that gave viewers hope she might leave the island with a fresh start. Byrd even chose Sanders for her final overnight date, signaling just how strong their connection had become.

“I mean, it’s funny, things between her and me were a slow burn for the most part, but they started getting pretty nice there towards the end,” Sanders said during a reunion last year. “There were definitely some emotions involved, and we really enjoyed each other.”

Despite that spark, Byrd ultimately chose herself.

Advertisement

Tayler Byrd Walked Away Solo, But Stronger

In a move that resonated with fans, Byrd decided to leave “Temptation Island” on her own, officially ending things with Tyler and prioritizing her personal growth.

Although she and Sanders maintained a connection after the show, Byrd’s decision made it clear she wasn’t willing to settle, and was focused on what was best for her moving forward. “We enjoy each other’s company, we talk every day, and we are seeing where things go,” Sanders said during the reunion.

Tayler Byrd Reveals New Relationship In Viral TikTok

Now, nearly a year later, Byrd is embracing a new chapter and a new romance. In a recent TikTok, the reality star is seen dancing solo in a leopard-print bikini before pulling another woman into the frame. The two appear smiling, hugging closely, and walking off together, subtly confirming Byrd’s new relationship.

The video quickly gained traction, with fans flooding the comments section in support. “Wait I missed a chapter,” one user said, seemingly referring to the fact that Tayler is part of the LGBTQ community. “Wait I missed a chapter. Loving this for you!!!” another echoed.

Advertisement

Others expressed how happy they are for the reality television star, with one user writing, “Yesss momma! Happiness looks so beautiful on you!” Another said,  “You know what HELL YES Tayler.”

Her TikTok bio also now has a rainbow emoji, indicating she is, in fact, part of the LGBTQ community.

Tayler Byrd Rings In 32nd Birthday With Mexico Getaway

Byrd’s relationship reveal comes as she’s also celebrating a major personal milestone. The reality star recently rang in her 32nd birthday with a getaway to Mexico, soaking up the sun and embracing a carefree, celebratory vibe.

The reality star shared a photo dump from her Mexico getaway, giving followers a glimpse into her sun-soaked celebration. In one shot, Byrd posed against a rocky beach backdrop in a red patterned dress, serving vacation glam while accessorizing with gold jewelry and a woven tote.

Advertisement

Another snap captured a dreamy oceanfront view at sunset, complete with palm trees, calm waters, and a thatched-roof structure in the distance.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Entertainment

William Shatner Shuts Down Rumors He’s Dying Of Cancer

Published

on

William Shatner at the 52nd Annual Saturn Awards

William Shatner is alive and well. The veteran actor took the time to debunk fake news circulating about him online, assuring his fans that he isn’t dying of cancer while also shutting down other false claims. Shatner called out the source of the unfounded rumors and warned fans to take stories about him with a grain of salt unless they come directly from him.

William Shatner Is Not Dying Of Stage 4 Brain Cancer

William Shatner at the 52nd Annual Saturn Awards
Starbuck / AFF-USA.com / MEGA

On April 2, the “Star Trek” actor took to social media to alert his followers to a few fake stories circulating online about him. As he noted, he wanted to post on April 1 but feared followers would take it as an April Fool’s Day joke.

“There is a page on @facebook that is using AI to create horrible fake news stories about me,” Shatner wrote, adding the page he was referring to: Beanstalk Functions. The actor added, “This is the downside of AI and yellow journalism. While it can be a wonderful tool in the right hands, it can be used as a weapon in the wrong hands.”

On X, Shatner wrote, “My daughter came over to tell me her daughter heard that I had brain cancer.” He accompanied the post with a photo of himself that his daughter took as proof that he is doing well, saying he’s “fit as a fiddle.”

Advertisement

Some Fake News About The Actor

In his post, Shatner included screenshots of the news stories from the Beanstalk Functions page. One post read that he was “diagnosed with stage IV glioblastoma.” Another was an AI-generated photo of the actor on a hospital bed, smiling. Another post read, “Erika Kirk Insults William Shatner: ‘Sit down, you 60-year-old rock star’.”

“None of these stories are true but they apparently seem genuine enough for fans to repost them across social media and send messages of support to me and my family all while the culprits behind the account make money,” Shatner wrote.

The Beanstalk Functions profile claims it’s a Cape Town, South Africa-based events company. “We are here to help you Celebrate, Innovate, and Decorate,” it read.

Advertisement

The Facebook Page Has Been Taken Down

William Shatner at MegaCon Convention in Orlando
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

In his post, Shatner said that he has alerted Facebook Support, but they won’t take the page down. Hours later, however, the Facebook page was no longer available.

The actor did some deep research and said the stories from Beanstalk Functions were linked to a website hosted on Next.js. He contacted Guillermo Rauch, the CEO of Vercel, which oversees Next.js, asking him to “remove the posted fake AI stories” created by Beanstalk Functions. However, he was told, “the company cannot see a reason” to remove them, as he shared on X.

Shatner pointed out Vercel’s Terms and Conditions, citing sections about fraud, scams, and HIPAA violations. “I guess a fake story revealing I supposedly have brain cancer doesn’t fall under HIPAA?” the actor wrote.

The Actor Recently Underwent Surgery

William Shatner spotted in New York
G.N.Miller/NYPost / MEGA

While he isn’t battling cancer, Shatner recently had surgery on his shoulder. As The Blast reported in early March, he had a nasty fall while out riding his horse. He explained that his horse went too fast, which sent him flying off her back.

Shatner, who did many of his own stunts in his decades-long career, said he tried to lessen the impact as he went down, but he still sustained an injury. “I started to roll, but hit the dirt with my shoulder. So I wrecked my shoulder,” he explained.

After the surgery, Shatner updated his followers on social media, saying that the procedure went well.

Advertisement

William Shatner Just Celebrated His 95th Birthday

Shatner is showing no signs of slowing down. On March 22, the veteran actor celebrated his 95th birthday, sharing a photo of himself smoking a cigar on social media. “At 95, I’m still smokin’! I’ve learned two things: Never waste a good cigar. Never trust anyone who says you should ‘act your age,’” he captioned the post.

Advertisement

Shatner remains active and will be on the “William Shatner Live on Stage” tour this April. After a screening of “Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan,” the actor will share anecdotes from his long career and engage with audiences. He is also currently working with some of the biggest names in heavy metal on his upcoming album.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Entertainment

Dolly Parton Poses in a Crop Top in New Good American Ad

Published

on

Dolly Parton’s still got it.

Parton, 80, looked fabulous while modeling her Dolly’s Joleans collection in a campaign for Khloé Kardashian and Emma Grede’s Good American. In one shot, the singer showed off her figure in a denim crop top featuring a plunging neckline and subtle floral design. She teamed the look with high-waisted jeans finished with the same pattern on the side of her legs.

Parton tied her Canadian tuxedo together with a sartorial denim shirt. She accessorized with a red bandana belt, long cherry nails, a statement silver bracelet, and a diamond ring. Parton added even more glam to her look with dangling earrings.

For glam, the country music star donned hot pink and purple eyeshadow, black eyeliner and long lashes. Parton tied her makeup together with bronzed and blushed cheeks and lined, pink lips. Her blonde hair was parted to the side and styled in a voluminous blowout.

Advertisement
Feature Dolly Parton Wants to Look Artificial


Related: Dolly Parton Wants to Look ‘Artificial’: ‘I Like the Overdone’

Dolly Parton still stands by her famous saying, “It costs a lot of money to look this cheap.” “They called this lady ‘trash’ because she wore too much makeup, big hair, red nails, high heels, short skirts and all of that, but when I was little, that impressed me,” Parton, 79, said in an interview […]

In another photo, Parton changed into a bandana-print blouse and dark blue bootcut jeans while holding a record.

Advertisement

Parton also rocked a navy blue top with a lace-up front and a dainty pattern. She rested her hand on a guitar in the photo.

“I’ve always believed clothes can hold memories,” Parton said of the collection. “Denim’s been with me through every chapter of my life. It’s comfortable, it’s confident, and it never goes out of style.”

She continued, “With this new Dolly’s Joleans collection, we took a little bit of my past and gave it new life for today. When someone puts these on, I want them to feel bold, beautiful, and completely themselves.”

Dolly Parton Poses in a Crop Top and Bootcut Jeans in Khloe Kardashian's Good American Campaign
Trevor Hoehne/Good American

Grede, 43, also gushed about working with Parton. “With every season, our collaboration with Dolly has evolved while staying grounded in authentic western details and Dolly’s loved aesthetic,” she said. “This third collection reflects what makes Dolly an icon: confidence, individuality, and a fearless approach to personal style. We’ve translated those qualities into Spring ‘26 pieces that feel fresh and modern, with a touch of Southern charm.”

Fans can shop Parton’s line on Goodamerican.com.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Entertainment

Judge dismisses sexual harassment claims from Blake Lively's lawsuit against Justin Baldoni

Published

on


The “It Ends With Us” costars are due in court in May.

Source link

Continue Reading

Entertainment

10 Scariest Underrated Horror Movies of the Last 10 Years, Ranked

Published

on

Carolyn Bracken holding an eerie object in Oddity

Horror is a pretty saturated genre, and a lot of it is, well, not great, meaning that it can take some digging to find the real gems. With that in mind, this list looks at some great horrors from the last ten years that many readers might not have seen yet. While they’re not that obscure, they typically didn’t find the box office success or wide viewership that they deserve.

The titles below lean toward indie horror, particularly ones that prioritize atmosphere over jump scares, psychological unease over spectacle, and ambiguity over easy answers. They span a range of styles and tones, from the identity fractures of Possessor to the loneliness of The Blackcoat’s Daughter and the grotesque emotional metaphor at the heart of Hatching.

Advertisement

10

‘Oddity’ (2024)

Carolyn Bracken holding an eerie object in Oddity
Carolyn Bracken holding an eerie object in Oddity
Image via IFC Films

“I can feel something watching us.” Oddity is a lean, low-budget horror from Irish filmmaker Damian McCarthy, the brains behind the upcoming Hokum starring Adam Scott, and it’s a marvel of narrative economy. The plot revolves around Darcy (Carolyn Bracken), a blind medium investigating the brutal murder of her twin sister (also played by Bracken). She arrives at the remote house where the crime took place with a collection of strange and seemingly cursed objects. Slowly, each of them reveals what really happened.

As she begins to probe what really happened, the house itself becomes a site of creeping dread. Bracken’s phenomenal dual performance anchors the movie, and the plot keeps swerving in unexpected directions. It subverts genre expectations repeatedly; here, the human characters are more evil and dangerous than any specter. All this builds up to a brilliant ending boasting one of the most effective closing shots in recent years.

Advertisement

9

‘Censor’ (2021)

Enid (Niamh Algar) In Censor 2021
Enid (Niamh Algar) In Censor 2021
Image via Silver Salt Pictures

“I see things… and I don’t know if they’re real anymore.” In Censor, a film censor (Niamh Alger) working in 1980s Britain becomes increasingly disturbed by the violent content she reviews. When she encounters a film that seems to mirror her own traumatic past, she begins to lose her grip on reality altogether. This is another slender, efficient horror, clocking in at just 84 minutes long, but filled to the brim with striking images and rich food for thought.

The visual style plays a crucial role, using color and texture to differentiate (and eventually merge )different layers of reality. In many ways, Censor is a horror movie about horror movies, and the filmmakers clearly have a deep knowledge of and affection for the genre. They draw on countless cinematic references, and do a fantastic job of recreating the grimy look and feel of the old-school video nasties. All in all, a smart, dark, psychological movie that should please genre aficionados.

Advertisement

8

‘A Dark Song’ (2017)

Catherine Walker as Sophia Howard painting symbols by candlelight in A Dark Song
Catherine Walker as Sophia Howard painting symbols by candlelight in A Dark Song
Image via IFC Midnight

“This is not a game… and it will not forgive mistakes.” In A Dark Song, a grieving woman (Catherine Walker) hires an occultist (Steve Oram) to help her perform an elaborate and dangerous ritual in a secluded house. She hopes to summon her guardian angel so that she can speak with her dead son. But as the ritual progresses, the psychological and physical toll begins to mount, revealing the true cost of what they are attempting, as well as possible deception by the medium himself.

Rather than being melodramatic, this is a more grounded take on ritual magic tropes. The horror builds slowly, rooted in the idea that they may have ventured too far into something they do not fully understand. The dynamic between the two central characters provides most of the narrative momentum. Their relationship is fraught with tension, constantly shifting between cooperation and hostility, keeping the audience guessing til the end.

Advertisement

7

‘The Blackcoat’s Daughter’ (2017)

Joan covering her mouth while crying in The Blackcoat's Daughter
Emma Roberts in The Blackcoat’s Daughter 
Image Via A24

“Don’t you want to be with me?” Some critics completely panned this movie, which is way too harsh. Oz Perkins‘ directorial debut is a solid, compelling horror, even if not a groundbreaking one. It’s about two students (Kiernan Shipka and Lucy Boynton) who are left behind at a boarding school during winter break, while a third young woman (Emma Roberts) travels toward them under mysterious circumstances. As the timelines begin to converge, something sinister emerges.

The plot admittedly retreats some classic story beats, but the atmosphere is rich and immersive enough to compensate. The cold, empty spaces of the school create a sense of isolation that permeates every scene. The sound design is effective, too, using a minimal store and weaponizing subtle noises and long stretches of silence. Plus, the narrative structure itself is intricate and ambitious, deliberately withholding information to disorient the viewer and let them draw their own conclusions.

Advertisement

6

‘Hatching’ (2022)

Siiri Solalinna as Tinja looking at a claw coming out of a large egg in Hatching
Siiri Solalinna as Tinja looking at a claw coming out of a large egg in Hatching
Image via Nordisk Film

“She’s perfect… she’s mine.” This Finnish gem is a satirical, absurdist riff on body horror. The main character is Tinja (Siiri Solalinna), a young gymnast struggling to meet her mother’s expectations. The plot kicks into gear after Tinja discovers a mysterious egg, which she nurtures until it hatches into a strange creature. The creature grows into a human-sized, bird-like monster, which begins to mirror the girl’s inner turmoil in increasingly disturbing ways.

From here, the movie’s tone shifts between domestic drama and grotesque horror, creating a sense of unease that never fully resolves. Indeed, the relationship between mother and daughter is central, with the monster acting as a manifestation of unspoken pressures and fears. The visuals convey this perfectly. The creature design is particularly striking, becoming a physical expression of the protagonist’s psychological state. All this adds up to an intelligent movie with clear themes, yet one that never lets the message eclipse the frights.

Advertisement

5

‘The Night House’ (2020)

Beth Parchin (Rebecca Hall) holding a flashlight in 'The Night House'
Beth Parchin (Rebecca Hall) holding a flashlight in ‘The Night House’
Image via Searchlight Pictures

“There’s nothing there… but it keeps calling me.” Rebecca Hall carries most of this one single-handedly as Beth Parchin, a grieving widow who begins to uncover disturbing secrets about her recently deceased husband (Evan Jonigkeit) while living alone in the lakeside home he built. In the process, she starts to experience strange visions and encounters that suggest something is still waiting for her. The house itself becomes a puzzle, filled with hidden spaces and mirrored structures that reflect the protagonist’s unraveling state of mind.

The set design and cinematography reinforce this. The film plays with negative space, literal darkness, as a source of terror, creating images that seem to shift the longer you look at them. That said, the highlight is Hall. Her performance is layered, intelligent, and three-dimensional, making Bell far more realistic and interesting than your average horror protagonist. She’s a gripping mix of vulnerable and defiant.

Advertisement

4

‘Possessor’ (2020)

A woman trying to rip a mask off in the movie Possessor. Image via Elevation Pictures

“You’re not in control anymore.” Possessor was the sophomore directorial effort from Brandon Cronenberg, son of David. In it, a corporate assassin (Andrea Riseborough) uses advanced technology to inhabit the bodies of others, carrying out high-profile killings while manipulating her hosts from within. Over the course of the story, her missions become more complicated, and the boundary between her identity and those she possesses begins to blur.

That premise could’ve become overly pulpy, but Cronenberg executes it with considerable style. The imagery is surreal and intense, frequently drenched in blood and gore. Here, the director crafts a world where violence feels intimate and invasive, with each act leaving a residue that cannot be easily erased. In other words, Possessor uses body horror in a deeply conceptual way. Like the best work by Cronenberg Sr., this movie delves deep into emotional detachment, the vulnerability of the body, and the dehumanizing side of technology.

Advertisement

3

‘Mad God’ (2021)

A masked figure standing in a dark room holding up a light in Mad God - 2021
A masked figure standing in a dark room in Mad God – 2021
Image via Shudder

“I will act against you in wrathful hostility.” Mad God is the ridiculously ambitious magnum opus from animator and effects artist Phil Tippett, famous for his work on Star Wars and Jurassic Park. It’s a stop-motion horror in which a lone figure descends into a nightmarish underworld filled with grotesque creatures, endless machinery, and scenes of constant suffering. The film unfolds with minimal dialogue, relying instead on its imagery to convey meaning.

The lack of a conventional plot allows the film to operate on a more symbolic level, with each sequence contributing to a broader sense of existential dread. On the aesthetic side, the stop-motion animation creates a tactile, oppressive world where every frame is filled with detail and decay. In an era of CGI and computer animation, it’s a rare treat to experience something so physical and handcrafted. While certainly not for everyone, Mad God will reward those who embrace its dark, dream-like sensibility.

Advertisement

2

‘The Rule of Jenny Penn’ (2025)

John Lithgow holding up a toy doll and looking up at it sadly
John Lithgow holding up a toy doll and looking up at it sadly
Image via IFC Films

“We don’t stop playing because we get old, we get old because we stop playing.” This gem out of New Zealand is driven by the remarkable dynamic between Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow. Rush plays Stefan Mortensen, an elderly judge who suffers a stroke and is forced to spend some time in a care home. There, he is subjected to the tyranny of fellow resident Dave Crealy (Lithgow), who masquerades as confused and harmless by day but torments the home by night.

Both performers are fantastic here, Lithgow in particular. His Crealy is a truly heinous antagonist, demented, manipulative, and seemingly unstoppable, yet far from a caricature or cartoon. Through these characters, the film examines tough, relevant themes around aging, abuse of power, and the courage to resist bullies. The plot keeps you on your toes, pivoting in unexpected directions and charting a wholly new course for horror storytelling.

Advertisement

1

‘The Autopsy of Jane Doe’ (2016)

Done Olwen in The Autospy of Jane Doe
Done Olwen in The Autospy of Jane Doe
Image by IFC Midnight

“There’s something wrong with this body.” In The Autopsy of Jane Doe, a father-and-son team of coroners (played by Brian Cox and Emile Hirsch) receive the body of an unidentified woman (Olwen Kelly) and begin a routine autopsy. However, while examining her, they uncover increasingly bizarre and impossible details, suggesting that the body is anything but ordinary. Each discovery during the autopsy adds a new layer of mystery.

The majority of the story takes place within a single location, which director André Øvredal uses to tremendous effect, turning the morgue into a space of relentless mounting tension. In many ways, the movie is simple, consisting of just one setting and a handful of characters and clocking in at just 86 minutes, yet each of these limited elements is arranged into the exact right place. Ultimately, it’s a smart, creepy, and even frequently funny horror that gleefully subverts the usual supernatural tropes.













Advertisement



















































Collider Exclusive · Oscar Best Picture Quiz
Which Oscar Best Picture
Is Your Perfect Movie?

Parasite · Everything Everywhere · Oppenheimer · Birdman · No Country
Advertisement

Five Oscar Best Picture winners. Five completely different visions of what cinema can be — and what it can do to you. One of them is the film that was made for the way your mind works. Ten questions will figure out which one.

🪜Parasite

🌀Everything Everywhere

☢️Oppenheimer

🐦Birdman

Advertisement

🪙No Country for Old Men

Advertisement

01

What kind of film experience do you actually want?
The best movies don’t just entertain — they leave something behind.





Advertisement

02

Which idea grabs you most in a film?
Great films are driven by a central obsession. What’s yours?





Advertisement

03

How do you like your story told?
Form is content. The way a story is shaped changes what it means.





Advertisement

04

What makes a truly great antagonist?
The opposition defines the protagonist. What kind of opposition fascinates you?





Advertisement

05

What do you want from a film’s ending?
The final note is the one that lingers. What do you want it to sound like?





Advertisement

06

Which setting pulls you in most?
Where a film takes place shapes everything — mood, stakes, what’s even possible.





Advertisement

07

What cinematic craft impresses you most?
Every great film has a signature — a technical or artistic element that makes it unmistakable.





Advertisement

08

What kind of main character do you root for?
The protagonist is the lens. Who you choose to follow says something about you.





Advertisement

09

How do you feel about a film that takes its time?
Pace is a choice. Some films sprint; others let tension accumulate slowly, deliberately.





Advertisement

10

What do you want to feel walking out of the cinema?
The best films leave a mark. What kind of mark do you want?





Advertisement
The Academy Has Decided
Your Perfect Film Is…

Your answers have pointed to one Oscar Best Picture winner above all others. This is the film that was made for the way your mind works.

Advertisement

Parasite

You are drawn to films that operate on multiple levels simultaneously — that begin in one genre and quietly, brilliantly migrate into another. Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite is a film about class, desire, and the architecture of inequality that manages to be darkly funny, deeply suspenseful, and genuinely shocking across a single extraordinary running time. Your instinct is for cinema that hides its true intentions until the moment it’s ready to reveal them. Parasite is exactly that — a film that rewards close attention and punishes assumptions, right up to its devastating final image.

Advertisement

Everything Everywhere All at Once

You want it all — and this film gives you all of it. The Daniels’ Everything Everywhere All at Once is one of the most maximalist films ever made: action comedy, multiverse sci-fi, family drama, existential crisis, and a genuinely earned emotional core that sneaks up on you amid the chaos. You are someone who responds to ambition, who doesn’t want cinema to choose between being entertaining and being meaningful. This film refuses that choice entirely. It is overwhelming by design, and its overwhelming nature is precisely the point — because the feeling of being crushed by infinite possibility is exactly what it’s about.

Advertisement

Oppenheimer

You are drawn to cinema on a grand scale — films that understand history not as a backdrop but as a force, and that place their characters inside that force and watch what happens. Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer is a film about the terrifying gap between what we can do and what we should do, told with the full weight of one of the most consequential moments in human history behind it. You want your films to feel important without feeling self-important — to earn their ambition through sheer craft and the gravity of their subject. Oppenheimer does exactly that. It is enormous, complicated, and refuses easy comfort.

Advertisement

Birdman

You are drawn to films that foreground their own construction — that make the how of the filmmaking part of the what it’s about. Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Birdman, shot to appear as a single continuous take, is cinema examining itself through the cracked mirror of a fading actor’s ego. You respond to formal daring, to the feeling that a film is doing something that probably shouldn’t be possible. Michael Keaton’s performance and Emmanuel Lubezki’s restless camera create something genuinely unlike anything else — a film that is simultaneously about creativity, relevance, self-destruction, and the impossibility of ever truly knowing if your work means anything at all.

Advertisement

No Country for Old Men

You are drawn to cinema that trusts silence, that refuses to explain itself, and that treats dread as a form of meaning. The Coen Brothers’ No Country for Old Men is a film about the arrival of a new kind of evil — implacable, arbitrary, and utterly indifferent to the moral frameworks we use to make sense of the world. It is one of the most formally controlled films ever made, and its controlled restraint is what makes it so terrifying. You want your films to haunt you, not comfort you. You are not interested in resolution if resolution would be dishonest. No Country for Old Men is honest in a way that most cinema never dares to be.

Advertisement

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Entertainment

See every winner of “The Masked Singer”'s 14 seasons — and where they are now

Published

on


From Monster and Fox to Pearl and Galaxy Girl, here’s everyone who’s won the bizarre singing competition.

Source link

Continue Reading

Entertainment

General Hospital SHOCKER: Cassius Faison’s Secret Exposed – Revenge Plot Revealed!

Published

on

General Hospital: Nathan West (Ryan Paevey)

General Hospital reveals the not Nathan West (Ryan Paevey) was finally identified as his twin brother, Cassius Faison. And of course, we know that Nathan was a good guy, a really good guy. But what about his twin Cas? Is he the evil twin? Or was he just raised by someone evil? Cesar Faison, of course.

We’re going to talk about what we know about Nathan’s mystery twin brother and whether Cassius is Faison 2.0 or maybe Nathan 2.0 and he isn’t quite so bad. And honestly, maybe the answer lies somewhere in between and the answer may actually be shifting.

The Big General Hospital Reveal: Cassius Faison!

So, this week we finally found out as we suspected pretty much from the moment Ryan Paevey came back that Nathan was a fake. And General Hospital finally confirmed it six months after they brought Ryan back. And it all happened when Jenz Sidwell (Carlo Rota) summoned not-Nathan to Wyndemere and then called him his real name, Cassius Faison.

That entire conversation with Sidwell delivered a whole treasure trove of information. He told Cassius he’s done a great job fooling everyone into believing he’s Nathan. It was also clear from that conversation that he works for Sidwell, not vice versa, nor are they partners.

Advertisement

And then there was a new interview I saw with Ryan Paevey that confirms that Cas is a henchman. He said that he’s working for Sidwell and for their big boss Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes). And we found out from General Hospital that Cas has been working for Sidwell for a good long while.

Also, it’s interesting that it was Cas’ own idea for him to take over his twin brother’s life and get back inside the PCPD and get close to a lot of people in Port Charles. And so, Sidwell was praising him for coming up with the idea and actually carrying it off so well.

GH Shocker: Cassius’ Deep Infiltration of Port Charles

So, it looks like Cas is in deep with Sidwell and Cullum and between them they’re infiltrating every aspect of Port Charles. They got the piers. He’s in with the police. Sidwell has influence with the political system. And on top of completing Faison’s final project, all of that, they’re going to have control over so much of Port Charles.

And another twist that showed us how ruthless Cas can be was about the frame job because it turns out that he helped Sidwell frame Laura Spencer (Genie Francis) and Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) for Hank Dalton‘s (Daniel Goddard) murder. That’s why he showed up there the night Laura had car trouble. Even worse, Cassius appreciated Sidwell poisoning Maxie Jones (Kirsten Storms) because he said it made it easier for him to take over Nathan’s life without her there scrutinizing him.

Advertisement

Is Cassius All Bad?

So, these obviously are red flags pointing to Cas being a bad guy, especially since he’s working for uber villains Cullum and Sidwell. But in the end, I don’t think Cas is going to wind up all that bad. Right now though, he is. So, also in the recent interview, Ryan Paevey admitted that Cas is bad. But said not the same way as Faison is.

Also of interest is Ryan said he was specifically hired to play Cas, not Nathan. So in case you thought this was a last minute twist, it wasn’t. This was planned by the General Hospital writers since last year. And it’s also disturbing that Cas agreed with Sidwell that Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud) needs to be dealt with for compromising the Cold Fusion project.

And Cassius definitely scares Britt. She knew who he was. She knew that was not Nathan right from the start. So, I’m sure he was part of the crew that saved her from the hook death and has been part of them using Britt to complete Faison’s project. And unless they are doing some kind of retcon, Cassius and Britt wouldn’t have grown up together.

Liesl Obrecht (Kathleen Gati) was the one who mostly raised Britt trying to keep her away from her dad, although she knew Faison was her father and that he was a really bad guy. And Britt was around him more as an adult and more before he finally died. And Faison though seems to have raised Cas alone. So, there’s definitely more questions there.

Advertisement

General Hospital Backstory: Cassius Never Felt Loved Until Now

Ryan Paevey said Cassius did not grow up in a nice family like his twin brother did. And Ryan said Cassius was never loved or even liked. I mean, Faison’s not exactly warm and fuzzy. And something about pretending to be Nathan has surprised Cas because everybody liked Nathan. Now Cassius is feeling what it’s like to be liked.

Something he never has before. Not only that, over and above like people loved Nathan. So there’s all this positive new emotion and new life experience that Cas is soaking up. I think it’s life-changing. Ryan said that at first playing Nathan was just useful to his bosses Sidwell and Cullum.

So, it started out as a convenient thing. But more than that, Cassius is legit getting attached to both Lulu Spencer (Alexa Havins Bruening) and James West (Gary James Fuller). That’s official. And of course, that’s his nephew, not his son.

And that’s part, I think, of why Cas pushed back a little on Sidwell about getting into the PCPD and getting this information about Marco Rios’ (Adrian Anchondo) murder because Cassius wants to make sure he gets to keep living Nathan’s life because he’s enjoying it more and more by the day.

Advertisement
General Hospital: Nathan West (Ryan Paevey)General Hospital: Nathan West (Ryan Paevey)
General Hospital: Nathan West

Lulu and James Are His Vulnerability on HH

Ryan Paevey said that Lulu and James are going to be a point of vulnerability for Cas because he worries about Lulu and James and legit wants to protect them. And that’s strange because Cassius has never cared about anybody but himself because he never had a reason to. But he’s already lying for them.

Of course, he knows that Lulu’s son, Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr), shot Cullum. But he lied right to Sidwell’s face and is letting him think Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) did it. And Cassius is pressuring Lulu to stop looking for Jason and says, “Just just let it go so we can protect Rocco.” But really, that’s moving Cas’s own agenda forward.

But Lulu is going to push back on Cas this week. And she gets mad because she thinks he’s saying that it was somehow Britt and Jason’s fault what happened. So, we’ll see if this gets Lulu wondering what’s up with not Nathan. You know, for instance, Lulu might ask why Nathan hasn’t wondered where he’s been the past seven years, why he hasn’t looked into it since he’s a cop.

Lulu might now find that lack of interest quite strange when she starts thinking about it. Plus, Cassius has slipped up in that trapped in blizzard comment about his dad making him memorize the periodic table of elements.

She could just go back to Nina Reeves (Cynthia Watros) and ask, “Did your dad have this thing about the periodic table?” And of course, you know, Nina would say, “No, of course not.” And Nathan loved Britt. That was his sister. And Cassius apparently doesn’t give a damn about her, doesn’t seem to even care about keeping her alive.

Advertisement

Will Cassius Choose Redemption?

So, I think we’re going to see Cassius increasingly torn between Cullum’s agenda and what he wants for his own life, which is to keep being Nathan indefinitely so he can keep Lulu and James, keep being loved. And enjoy things he’s never had in his life. So far, it does look like Cas started out pretty bad.

But I think wearing Nathan’s skin has him soaking up these good vibes that are going to change him. And I think Cassius may get a chance to redeem himself and prove that he can be a good man, too. I mean, never as good as Nathan. But definitely not as bad as Faison.

I’m also excited to know how Nathan and Cas were split up because Liesl hid Nathan with her sister Madeline Reeves (Donna Mills) and actor Ryan Paevey said we’re soon going to get a glimpse at the real Cas when he’s not around people who think he’s Nathan and not around his two bad bosses who know who is.

So, I think this reveal honestly came way too late because I think almost every fan had figured out by this point that that wasn’t Nathan. So, it really wasn’t much of a surprise other than finding out his name is Cassius and that he’s a henchman, not a boss. I think it would have been a lot more shocking had they dropped it a couple of months ago. But I am super excited to see where it goes from here.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Trim Addresses Nicki Minaj Comparisons Amid Copying Allegations

Published

on

Rapper Trim Addresses Nicki Minaj Comparisons After Critics Claims She Copied Her Flow

Trim is new to the hip-hop scene, but she’s not ducking any smoke from critics. Since going viral and declaring herself the new “Princess of Rap,” she’s faced a wave of criticism and comparisons to Nicki Minaj. From her style to her cadence, and even after dropping a pop snippet, many have accused her of copying Nicki’s entire vibe. Now, she’s addressing the chatter.

RELATED: Claiming The Thrown! Trim Sparks Social Media Debate After Declaring Herself “The Princess Of Rap” (VIDEO)

Trim Addresses Ongoing Nicki Minaj Comparisons Online

On Tuesday, Trim was stopped by paparazzi and asked a few questions. When asked about being compared to Nicki Minaj.

Trim responded, “You know, it’s a compliment. When you’re compared to legendary people, it’s bound to happen when you’re legendary yourself. So I take it as a compliment. Shout out to Nicki.”

When asked about the Barbz, Nicki Minaj’s fanbase, and how they’ve been receiving her, Trim said she feels like they secretly show her love, even through criticism. She added that she takes the hate as love, saying they love her and she loves them right back. Trim was also asked if she purposely tries to sound like Nicki Minaj, to which the rapper quickly responded no. She emphasized that she uses her voice as an instrument, noting that it’s naturally enhanced by her Charleston, South Carolina accent. She might be new to the hip-hop scene, but she already has her eyes on some big collaborations. During the interview, Trim said she hopes to work with Nicki one day, along with Future, Beyoncé, Drake, Young Thug, and more. She added that she’s open to anything and is looking to tap into different eras and genres

 

Advertisement

Trim Shares A New Teaser With Fans

Despite all the talk, Trim is staying focused on the music. She recently took to social media to preview a snippet of her upcoming track, ‘Chrome Barbie,’ alongside a chrome version of the Barbie logo.

The teaser quickly reignited comparisons online. One person wrote, “Her voice sounds like Nicki, but she does not rap like Nicki not even lyrically. No shade, but I fw Trim. Someone else commented, “Sounding this good at 19??? Lmao, just pass her the baton. It’s time to uplift and mentor younger artists.”

 

Social Media Reacts 

Folks flooded The Shade Room Teens comment section as they weighed in on what Trim has been up to. See some of the reactions below.

Advertisement

Instagram user @tymvri wrote, “This is the most nicki answer she could’ve gave 😭😭 I like her!! She gets a pass from me. Just stay on the barbz good side and we goooood mamita”

Instagram user @shelie_bandz added, “Honestly hearing her speak it doesn’t sound forced you can tell she uses the same voice in her songs!!”

While Instagram user @Ishardaysa wrote, “Actually I’m calling the cops to report identity theft..”

Instagram user @thaarealplayyaaa.k wrote, “The voice change oh yea this Nicki coded 😭😭”

Advertisement

Instagram user @thebuttastick wrote, “Oh I see what them barbs was saying now… the Barbie logo is INSANEEEEE not saying the pink lady owns it…but let’s be SO HONEST AND FOR REAL”

While Instagram user @lialenae wrote, “i support whoever don’t support trump 💁🏾‍♀️😭 So i like chrome Barbie”

Instagram user @amoney2fye_ wrote, “She tough at life IDC IDC IDC 🔥😂”

Instagram user @princessdondada._ added, “sorry can y’all wrap her era up”

Advertisement

While Instagram user @chongkenny wrote, “Why are yall hating on a 19 year old ??? Yall gotta do better and stop being so  angry and hateful with the world.”

RELATED: Whew! The Internet Is Goin’ IN On Nicki Minaj After She Shared A Message About The World Losing Its Mind

What Do You Think Roomies?

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025