Sauron is the primary antagonist throughout The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, and for a significant portion of the universe that author J. R. R. Tolkien outlined. He is the eponymous Lord of the Rings, as he is responsible for distributing the rings of power to the elves, dwarves, and humans. Of course, everyone knows that Sauron lied to them all and secretly forged a ring of his own, one that was infinitely more powerful than the others. One Ring to rule them all.

It is this One Ring that Sauron uses to dominate Middle-Earth, and to wage war against its people, which is why the trilogy revolves around the ring being destroyed. Though Sauron is a powerful force that few could ever hope to stand against, he rarely works alone. Indeed, the Dark Lord of Mordor has had many servants and allies throughout his reign of terror. Many are clumsy and oafish, like the orcs and trolls, but others are much more dangerous. This list will discuss Sauron’s most powerful allies, but they won’t be ranked in any particular order.

The Witch-King of Angmar

The Witch-King of Angmar is the chief of the Nazgûl, also known as the Ringwraiths. The Ringwraiths were men once, who were given nine rings of power by Sauron himself, which warped them into phantom-like beings, neither living nor dead. The Witch-King, as his name implies, was once the ruler of the northern land of Angmar, a snowy, mountainous land full of antisocial people and misery.

In The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, the Witch-King is played by Lawrence Makoare, who gives the character a deeply imposing presence that lets the viewer feel the evil coming from him. With powers of sorcery behind him, poisonous blades, immortality, and superhuman strength, the Witch-King was among the most feared of Sauron’s lieutenants, especially when he rode astride his flying fell beast. Eventually, the Witch King is famously killed by Éowyn (Miranda Otto), Shieldmaiden of Rohan, aided by the Hobbit Meriadoc “Merry” Brandybuck (Dominic Monaghan).

Shelob

Image via New Line Cinema

Shelob is one of the Great Spiders and a daughter of Ungoliant, one of the most powerful beings in Middle-earth. While Ungoliant initially worked with Morgoth, Sauron’s master, she eventually betrayed him, acting independently, driven by her insatiable hunger. Shelob is mostly in the same vein: she is primarily interested in herself rather than in serving the Dark Lord.

However, Shelob and Sauron have developed a minor alliance that is shaky at best. The agreement is that Shelob has to guard Cirith Ungol, the hidden mountain pass into Mordor for Sauron. In exchange, Sauron feeds her prisoners and lets her feast on his orcs should they stray into his territory. While not as powerful as her mother, who actually defeated Morgoth, Shelob is still an immensely powerful being, with very few able to stand against her. In fact, Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin) was the first living being to ever harm Shelob in centuries, possibly even millennia, though he was not able to kill her.

Saruman the White

Image via New Line Cinema

Saruman (Sir Christopher Lee) is the leader of the Istari, the five wizards of Middle-earth. He is the most powerful among them, and, like the others, is a Maia. The Maiar are sort of demigods, with both spiritual and human forms. In fact, Sauron is of this very same species. While the Istari are supposed to be dedicated to combating Sauron, Saruman eventually gave up his mission in favor of joining Sauron instead. However, their alliance is thin, and the two are always spying on each other.

Saruman actually plans to overthrow Sauron and rule Middle-earth himself, and Sauron is well aware of it. Still, their interests align enough that they are able to put their rivalry aside and focus on dominating the free people of Middle-earth. They communicate through the Palantir in their two towers, which is a crystal ball that serves as a direct line between them. Due to the fact that he is immortal and has the magic of the Istari behind him, Saruman is unquestionably one of Sauron’s most powerful allies.

Ancalagon the Black

Image via Prime Video

Ancalagon the Black has never been featured on screen, but his name is enough to strike fear in the hearts of many throughout Middle-earth. Ancalagon was an enormous dragon, the largest ever reported to have lived in Middle-earth. He wreaked havoc throughout the First Age, bringing low the hidden city of Gondolin and slaying countless with his fiery breath. Though he did not possess any magic, his sheer size was enough to make him the ultimate killing machine.

Ancalagon was eventually slain by Eärendil, the father of Elrond (Hugo Weaving), in the First Age. To get a real grasp of how massive Ancalagon truly was, it is said that when he fell from the sky, his corpse crushed an entire mountain range, reducing it to pebbles, which obviously means he was nearly impossible to kill in the first place — not a lot of Medieval-esque weapons can really damage something that big. For his sheer destructive power, Ancalagon is amongst Sauron’s most feared and powerful allies, though the two never interacted much. They were simply allies due to the fact that they both served the same master at the same time.

Morgoth

Image via Prime Video

Melkor, later known as Morgoth, is one of the Valar, a group of god-like beings that came into existence with the birth of Middle-earth. He is the only one to turn against the light, choosing instead to lead a path of darkness and death. He waged war against the other Valar and has been doing so for ages. When it comes to the villains of Middle-earth, Morgoth is actually the ultimate force of evil, not Sauron.

Put simply, Morgoth is a god, and Sauron is a demigod; thus, Morgoth is actually more powerful than Sauron, with the latter actually acting as a servant of the former rather than his own autonomous being. Sauron is always doing Morgoth’s bidding, even when Morgoth temporarily vanishes from Middle-earth. Because most of Arda’s problems are caused by Morgoth, if not all, he is obviously the most powerful ally Sauron has. While Sauron is more of a servant, being a servant and being an ally aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive, provided they have the same purpose.

Ahead of the film’s 25th anniversary, Selma Blair is reflecting on some of the memorable red carpet looks she wore during the press run for Legally Blonde.

“I remember styling myself only, like, it never occurred to me to have a stylist,” Blair, 53, exclusively told Us Weekly. “I do remember that about that time, I just liked something, and I’d go to the store and I’d buy it, or go to the store and be like, ‘Hi, can you dress me?’ It was just a different time. I thought it was wild when people put makeup on for [a] premiere or style it.”

Blair continued, “That’s a young girl’s idea, though, because you realize five years later, I need makeup. I did makeup for that premiere and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, such a big deal.’”

Blair donned a red and navy striped halter dress to the Los Angeles premiere of the iconic Reese Witherspoon-led film in June 2001. She wore a black Ralph Lauren dress to the premiere in Southampton, New York, the following month.

Blair noted how much things have changed since those days, especially when it comes to fashion.

“Everyone has a stylist. Crazy. You don’t even get to keep the clothes,” Blair said. “Well, like a gown, that’s why you get a stylist or else I’d be able to afford to go into a store and buy the gown.”

Blair told Us that she has held on to some things from the Legally Blonde set.

“I hung on a long time to my wardrobe from Legally Blonde and Sweetest Thing,” Blair admitted. “I didn’t keep any from Cruel Intentions. But you know what I did, so stupidly, I gave it to people who were fans, or gave it to kids or teenagers that were, like, going through something that I met through years. So yeah, I don’t have any of it. I have one beret that’s like, beaded, but it’s fine. I have moths every once in a while in my closet, so it’s just as well.”

A current wardrobe staple for Blair is a bed jacket. She recently partnered with Kansas-city based lifestyle brand MERSEA to create the limited-edition pajama capsule collection, Sea La Vie, that “celebrates sleepwear as a modern self-care ritual.”

“I met this wonderful woman-owned business years ago, when I was really not doing great with MS,” said Blair, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2018. “I was in bed a lot, and I got this beautiful care package, and it made such an impression on me, and I obviously enjoyed it so much.”

“Bed is something that I’m in a lot,” Blair said. “So now I have more pajamas than the average bear, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. But I could also throw on my bed jacket and go out and look really, really chic.”

In the collection, which dropped Tuesday, April 14, Blair designed The Molly Bedcoat, with the help of the MERSEA team, which in part, pays tribute to her mother.

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Related: Selma Blair Shares Health Update Amid Her Multiple Sclerosis Battle

Selma Blair shared an update on her battle with multiple sclerosis (MS), more than seven years after revealing her diagnosis. Speaking to Stellar on Saturday, November 22, Blair, 53, confirmed she had been relapse-free for a “couple of years” and shared her gratitude that her condition was not worsening. “That, of course, means the world […]

“[My mom] was pregnant four times and the bed jackets were very popular in the late ‘50s or ‘60s, so I inherited these bed jackets when I was little from all her pregnancies,” Blair said. “I loved them as a kid. And I remember when I first moved to New York, and I didn’t have any clothes, I was going out to a nice dinner, and I just packed one bag for this whole move to New York. One thing was the bed jacket that my mom had packed in the bag. So I wore it out to this kind of fancy night out just bare underneath, and a cool pair of pants and high heels. I never forgot it.”

For their bed jackets, Blair and MERSEA created two colorways, “Starry Navy” and “Ballet Pink.” Other items in the collection include: the Selma Jumper, the Runaround Button Down Top and matching Playground Pants, the Drive Thru Shirt and coordinating Chill Out Shorts, as well as the Boyfriend Button Up Shirt and matching Beddy-Bye Shorts.

There are also accessories and more matching sets available, with 10 percent of the profits benefitting the American Brain Foundation, where Blair is now a Global Ambassador and National Chair for Brain Health.

Marvel Studios hasn’t officially said much about Spider-Man: Brand New Day, but after the first trailer dropped, fans are already convinced it’s hiding some major reveals.

From a possible Man-Spider transformation to the long-rumored arrival of the X-Men, the internet is breaking down every frame for clues. While nothing has been confirmed, several theories have quickly gained traction and could hint at where the MCU is heading next.

A Darker Peter Parker Has Fans Thinking “Man-Spider”

One of the biggest talking points from the trailer is the noticeably darker tone surrounding Peter Parker.

Quick shots appear to show:

• A more aggressive Spider-Man

• Subtle physical changes in his appearance

• A loss of control over his powers

That has led many fans to speculate Marvel could be adapting elements of the “Man-Spider” storyline, where Peter undergoes a disturbing mutation tied to his spider abilities.

In Marvel Comics, the Man-Spider arc has been explored in several forms, often depicting Peter losing control as his powers evolve beyond what he can manage. While the MCU has never tackled this concept directly, the trailer’s tone suggests something more physical and unstable could be happening to him.

Symbiote Rumors Are Back Again

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Spider-Man theory cycle without talk of the black suit.

Following the ending of Spider-Man: No Way Home, where a fragment of the Venom symbiote was left behind in the MCU, fans have long expected that storyline to pay off. The Brand New Day trailer has only added fuel to that fire.

Some viewers believe the darker visuals and Peter’s behavior could hint at early symbiote influence. Others think Marvel may combine elements of the symbiote storyline with a Man-Spider-style mutation, creating a new hybrid take on Spider-Man’s transformation.

While there’s no direct confirmation of Venom appearing, the groundwork has clearly been laid.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day [credit: Marvel Studios/Sony Pictures]

Sadie Sink’s Role Is Already a Mystery

Another major topic of discussion is Sadie Sink’s casting.

Marvel has yet to reveal who she’s playing, but that hasn’t stopped speculation from running wild. The most popular theory right now is that Sink could be portraying Jean Grey, which would mark a massive step toward introducing mutants into the MCU.

The idea has gained traction online, especially as Marvel continues to build toward a post-Secret Wars future that likely includes the X-Men.

However, not everyone is convinced.

Other theories suggest she could be:

• Firestar

• A version of Mary Jane Watson

• A completely original MCU character

• Or another lesser-known Marvel figure being reimagined

At this point, her role remains one of the film’s biggest mysteries.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day [credit: Marvel Studios/Sony Pictures]

A Possible Turning Point for the MCU

If even part of these theories prove true, Spider-Man: Brand New Day could be more than just another Spider-Man sequel.

The film appears to pick up with Peter completely isolated following the events of No Way Home, where the world forgot his identity. That emotional reset creates the perfect setup for a darker, more vulnerable version of the character.

It also opens the door for larger changes in the MCU, whether that’s the introduction of the symbiote storyline, a new phase of Spider-Man’s evolution, or even the early stages of mutant integration.

Nothing Is Confirmed… But That Hasn’t Stopped Fans

As with most Marvel trailers, it’s important to note that none of these theories have been confirmed.

Still, the reaction online shows just how much anticipation is building around Brand New Day. Whether it delivers on these ideas or takes things in a completely different direction, one thing is clear:

Marvel has everyone paying attention again.

By Charlene Badasie
| Published 1 minute ago

One of the most overlooked movies of the past decade is the 2021 dystopian sci-fi film Night Raiders. Written and directed by Danis Goulet, with Taika Waititi serving as executive producer, it stars Elle-Maija Tailfeathers as Niska, Brooklyn Letexier-Hart as Waseese, Alex Tarrant as Leo, Amanda Plummer as Roberta, Violet Nelson as Somonis, and Gail Maurice as Ida.

Set in 2044, Night Raiders depicts North America as a war-torn, environmentally decaying land. Cities have been abandoned, and the people are ruled by a harsh military government known as the Regime. Children into state-run academies, and the movie follows a Cree mother who lives off the grid to keep her daughter hidden, until she’s forced to infiltrate one of those institutions to get her back, uncovering a system built on control and the quiet erasure of identity.

An Anti-Hollywood, Dystopian Sci-Fi

Night Raiders exists because Danis Goulet spent years building it from the ground up as a deliberate counter to the kinds of dystopian stories Hollywood usually tells. Developed through Canada’s indie system with backing from Telefilm Canada and Indigenous Screen Office, the film was shot in Manitoba on a tight budget, leaning on practical locations and atmosphere instead of spectacle.

Casting prioritized authenticity over star power, with Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers leading a largely Indigenous cast, reinforcing the film’s focus both on-screen and behind the camera. It premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival, where it checked all the right prestige boxes, but like a lot of carefully assembled indie productions, those prestige boxes didn’t help it find an audience.

Positive Reviews Didn’t Help

The movie received generally positive reviews from critics, with reviewers applauding its cast and story. However, some critics didn’t care for its reliance on young adult fiction themes. Still, Night Raiders currently holds an 83 percent rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes based on 53 reviews. The audience score is significantly less favorable at 46 percent.

Unfortunately, the film wasn’t pushed as an event; it was positioned like homework. And the audience score reflects that. Audiences didn’t reject it as much as they never noticed it at all. With no major stars, minimal marketing, and a release strategy that buried it in the streaming churn, Night Raiders became exactly what its tone suggested: something distant, somber, and easy to ignore.

Similarities To Children Of Men

The general consensus hails Night Raiders for drawing parallels between its dystopian world and contemporary society, serving as a stark reminder of lingering historical atrocities. Director Goulet has directly stated that the film draws inspiration from Alfonso Cuarón’s Children of Men and the military actions during the Dakota Access Pipeline protests at the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in 2016.

Last week was filled with exciting moments for Bruno Mars. He kicked off his tour, had a parade in his honor on the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, and had a street naming ceremony to unveil Bruno Mars Drive. But it’s what he revealed during the ceremony that has many Las Vegas residents talking. 

During the celebration on Friday, April 10, Mars made an unexpected and impactful announcement to the crowd. What began as a tribute to Mars’ influence and connection to Sin City quickly turned into a powerful act of generosity, drawing attention to not just his legacy in entertainment, but to his commitment to giving back to the community.

Bruno Mars Was Celebrated In A Big Way In Las Vegas Last Week

While the glitz and glam doesn’t ever seem to slow down in Las Vegas, last Friday had an added layer of excitement. Mars was honored with a street named after him and a parade to get to the ceremony where thousands upon thousands of people lined the Strip to catch a glimpse of the popular singer. 

Friday, April 10 was officially declared “Bruno Mars Day,” recognizing his deep Las Vegas roots and connection. The day began with a parade down the Strip that led to Toshiba Plaza for a ceremony and surprise performance. During the ceremony, Mars was presented with a key to the Las Vegas Strip. 

Park Avenue Is Now Bruno Mars Drive

In a rare and exciting move, Park Avenue was officially renamed Bruno Mars Drive. This move joins the tradition of streets dedicated to iconic Vegas entertainers, such as Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin. Mars has performed in Vegas for more than a decade, including his residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM, and he even owns his own cocktail bar inside Bellagio called Pinky Ring. 

“Bruno Mars isn’t just a global superstar – he’s one of the most electrifying performers of our time, and over the past decade he’s become an integral part of Las Vegas,” Bill Hornbuckle, CEO & President of MGM Resorts International said.

“From his early performances at Bellagio and MGM Grand to his record-setting residency at Dolby Live, Bruno has drawn hundreds of thousands of visitors and has created the kind of unforgettable, ‘only in Vegas’ moments that define this city. It’s only fitting that we help launch his world tour here today as we honor his extraordinary impact on Las Vegas and the energy he brings to our community.” 

Bruno Mars Donated $1 Million To A Las Vegas Children’s Hospital

During the ceremony that drew excited fans to Toshiba Plaza, Mars made an announcement that shifted the focus of his achievements to what he’s giving back to the city of Las Vegas. He revealed that he made a $1 million donation to Intermountain Children’s Health to support the development of a new children’s hospital in Las Vegas. 

Intermountain Children’s Health shared a post on LinkedIn about the donation.

“On April 10 in Las Vegas, during the citywide celebration at Toshiba Plaza, Bruno Mars presented Intermountain Health Foundation with a $1 million gift to support the future Intermountain Health Nevada Children’s Hospital. Philanthropy at this scale does more than fund a building. It strengthens a community’s ability to deliver lifesaving pediatric care; advancing programs, and expanding access for children and families across Nevada,” they wrote.

“This moment is a direct reflection of the leadership and relationship our Nevada Campaign for Kids co-chairs, Bill Hornbuckle and Wendy Hornbuckle, are driving every day. Their advocacy, credibility, and connections continue to open doors and bring new partners into this vision in meaningful ways. We’re grateful to every donor and community partner who invests in what’s possible for kids – and to the caregivers who bring clinical excellence, empathy, and teamwork to families every day.” 

See the LinkedIn post here.

Kicking Off ‘The Romantic Tour’ In Vegas With Two Shows

After an exciting day filled with fans, a parade, surprise performance, and ceremony honoring Mars, he kicked off his record-breaking global run, “The Romantic Tour,” with the first of two sold-out shows at Allegiant Stadium in Vegas. This marked his first full-scale headlining tour in nearly 10 years. 

Fans attending any of his tour dates can expect a career-spanning set that mixes favorites with fresh material from his Billboard No. 1 album “The Romantic,” released just a few weeks ago via Atlantic Records. 

The Vegas shows kicked off with three standout tracks from the new album – “Risk It All,” “Cha Cha Cha,” and “On My Soul.”  Mars also reworked hits such as “24K Magic,” “Perm,” and “Finesse” to fans’ delight. A theatrical highlight came during “Why You Wanna Fight,” complete with a staged thunderstorm, lightning, and a lowrider cruising down “Bruno Mars Drive.” 

Joking About Paying His Debts

For any longtime fans of Mars, you’ve likely heard rumors swirling around about a huge debt that he owes the casino (allegedly a $50 million debt). During his opening night in Vegas, he made sure to clear those rumors up once and for all.

During the show, Mars’ Silk Sonic bandmate Anderson .Paak joined him on stage for a surprise performance and said, “I hate to make this about me, but when I think about how much debt, I mean how many steps it took to get here, I get emotional.”

Mars replied with a laugh, “Andy, I’m sorry you’re going through all that. See, I’m debt-free. I paid the casino off a long time ago.”

Long before Mars put an end to those rumors at the show, MGM Resorts International shared a statement (back in March 2024) to the New York Post that cleared up any confusion still circulating.

“MGM and Bruno’s partnership is longstanding and rooted in mutual respect. Any speculation otherwise is completely false; he has no debt with MGM,” they wrote.

For more information about “The Romantic Tour,” visit the website.

“Little Rascals” star Bug Hall has found himself in a world of trouble. According to a new report, the actor was arrested in Ohio and charged with failure to appear for a court date from over a year ago. This isn’t the first time Hall has been in trouble with the law. In 2020, Hall was arrested and thrown behind bars for allegedly trying to inhale a volatile chemical. In 2026, the Texas native announced he was going off the grid to focus on his life as a “radical Catholic extremist.”

‘Little Rascals’ Star Bug Hall Behind Bars Once Again After Being Arrested In The Buckeye State

According to reports from Page Six and TMZ, the actor, best known for Alfalfa Switzer in the “Little Rascals” and Newt Shaw in “The Big Green,” was arrested and taken into custody in Ohio. The actor was reportedly given a traffic citation in October 2024 for not having liability insurance.

Hall’s arrest is the latest development in the actor’s troubled last few years. Another report from KSAT reveals the former child star was arrested at the America’s Best Value Inn in Texas in 2020 and hit with one charge of “possessing and inhaling/ingesting a volatile chemical.” Per the report, Hall was “huffing” the substance, which landed him behind bars. He was later released on a $1,500 bond.

‘Little Rascals’ Star Vows To Live A Modest Life After Becoming A ‘Radical Catholic Extremist’

Hall was in the headlines earlier this year when he announced he was now living life as a “radical Catholic extremist,” per the Daily Mail.

The actor told the outlet that he’d taken a “vow of poverty” and moved his family to an 80-acre lot where they plan to live off the grid.

Hall admitted to being a “medieval moralist” who left Hollywood behind in 2020 before relocating to different states, including Texas, Michigan, Ohio, and Arkansas.

Hall went on to say that being in the entertainment industry taught him to live a life of “manipulation” before saying that being a public figure no longer served him.

“I didn’t want to go work some job that was basically meaningless, making widgets to entertain people or distract people,” he said.

‘Little Rascals’ Star Bug Hall Gets Candid About Living Life As A Celebrity And A Religious Person

Hall had gotten even more candid about his personal life in an April 2025 YouTube video, in which he said he no longer felt being a celebrity aligned with his faith.

“It was a hard realization, but it was something that I was pretty firm on, and I still am. The irony was that I loved the work,” he said. “I wasn’t sort of disillusioned in terms of my love of work. I really, really loved it. I loved film and TV and the process of storytelling, more than any of you.”

In the video, Hall admitted to donating a significant portion of his material possessions to avoid needing an income. He explained that if an expense came up, he’d take on odd jobs for cash.

“It really wasn’t all that great of a sacrifice compared to what our Lord had planned to give me in return,” he said. “The fruits of that decision to live this radical lifestyle.”

Another Child Star Dealing With Legal Woes

Hall isn’t the only former child star who has garnered negative attention lately, according to The Blast.

“Home Improvement” alum Zachery Ty Bryan was accused of displaying aggressive behavior toward his girlfriend, allegedly telling her to “shut the f-ck up or I’m gonna shut you up” during an argument.

Bryan was later accused of getting into another altercation in the summer of 2025, during which he allegedly sprayed his dog in the face with an unknown substance, locked himself in the room with the animal, and punched a door so hard it spllit from its frame.

Bryan Addressed The Claims In An Emotional Statement

Bryan broke his silence about the claims shortly after news broke, admitting he “deeply” regrets his behavior before condemning “domestic violence in any form.”

According to Bryan, he’s dealt with personal struggles regarding sobriety and addiction for years, which played a role in his latest legal woes.

“The truth is, I’ve struggled with the lasting effects of early fame, addiction, and poor decision-making, which have hurt people I care about and led to repeated legal issues, including DUIs and past domestic incidents. This latest situation, involving a restraining order and serious accusations, has been a painful wake-up call,” he said.

Young and the Restless two week spoilers for April 13th through the 24th find Matt Clark (Roger Howarth) being unhinged and Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford) scrambling.

Young and the Restless Spoilers Monday, April 13th: Matt Kidnaps Nick

On Monday, April 13th, we have Adam Newman (Mark Grossman) realizing that Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow) is gone and he demands that Riza Thompon (Tina Casciani) tell him where is her partner. And then Adam tells Riza that his real name is Matt Clark and that the guy was terrorizing Nick and Sharon Newman (Sharon Case) for years.

Meanwhile, Riza slaps Adam for using her to get to Matt. And Riza also swears she does not know where Nick is. Well, where he is in a storage room. So, Matt somehow got, you know, I’m guessing 200 muscular pounds of Nick downstairs and Matt is taunting him because he tricked both Nick and Adam says he fell into his trap.

And he says Nick has been taking drugs from his suppliers. Matt calls Nick a junkie and says he’s going to do bad things to Sharon, Noah Newman (Lucas Adams), and Sienna Bacall (Tamara Braun) and Nick isn’t going to be in any shape to stop him because he is going to make sure he gets even more addicted.

Y&R Spoilers: Diane Shocks Michael

So, back in Genoa City, Michael Baldwin (Christian LeBlanc) asked if Diane Jenkins Abbott (Susan Walters) really moved out. And she says that Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) confirmed it for her. It is true that Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) abducted and drugged Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman). And then Diane found him in bed with Patty Williams (Stacy Haiduk), so she left.

Of course, Michael’s in shock. And Diane says that Michael needs to drop Victor for good because he’s just really bad. And Michael tries to tell Diane that a marriage can heal after infidelity. He knows it from his own marriage. And Diane can see it’s not all Jack’s fault. But basically, she’s mad. She can’t get past it. She can’t forgive Jack, at least not right now. And Michael says it probably won’t help, but he says he will try and talk to Victor.

Tessa Porter (Cait Fairbanks) tells Daniel Romalotti (Michael Graziadei) she doesn’t think she should go to Spain while Mariah Copeland is gone getting help. Daniel gets it. Tessa walks off and Phyllis walks up and offers Daniel a division of her company to run, but he says Phyllis cannot buy him.

And Daniel says Phyllis needs to give Newman back. And then he storms out. Then Lauren Fenmore (Tracey E. Bregman) shows up and Phyllis tells her Summer Newman isn’t talking to her either. And Phyllis doesn’t get it. She says her kids forgave her for faking her own death, but not for stealing from Victor, who’s a bad guy. Then Lauren asks Phyllis if what she got is worth what she lost. And Phyllis thinks it’s too late and her kids aren’t going to forgive her even if she gives Newman back.

Young and the Restless Spoilers: Kyle Rages at Victor

Kyle Abbott (Michael Mealor) and Victor swap insults on Monday. He tells Kyle that his dad is immoral and made his own choices. And Victor warns Kyle to watch his step. Nikki shows up after Kyle leaves and tells Victor to admit he went too far. She is disgusted that he got Patty out of the mental hospital and tried to ruin Jack’s life.

Victor, of course, lies, denies, and plays victim, but Nikki reminds him that Billy Abbott (Jason Thompson), Cane Ashby (Billy Flynn), and Phyllis were the ones who targeted him, not Jack. Victor tells Nikki that she’s blind and he storms out. We have a lot of storming out on Monday’s episode.

Kyle tells Traci Abbott (Beth Maitland) that he went off on Victor and he also says that he’s afraid his parents won’t reconcile. Traci is shocked about Patty and both she and Kyle worry that Patty is a much bigger threat than anyone realizes and she thinks they’re going to that she’s going to cause more problems for Jack and Diane.

Young and the Restless Spoilers Tuesday, April 14th: Holden Tells Cane About Malcolm

Then on Tuesday, April 14th, we are going to see Holden Novak (Nathan Owens) telling Cane about Malcolm Winters (Shemar Moore) being his dad and Lily Winters (Christel Khalil) being his sister. Of course, Cane’s going to be shocked. And I do wonder if Holden also tells Cane that Malcolm is sick because this week, Cane also talks to Stephanie Simmons (Vivica A. Fox) and he may tell her he wants to be tested as a donor.

Also this week, Traci writes Diane a reality check and reminds her that she convinced Jack and Kyle that she was dead for decades. So maybe Diane could show Jack a little grace in this instance. We also have Lily talking to Stephanie this week about her concerns about Malcolm and him not finding a donor. And also this week, Cane and Lily cross paths at the GCAC.

I’m guessing she’s not going to talk to Cane about any of this. Diane turns down Nikki’s offer of a truce. And I think Diane may hold Nikki responsible in some ways for Victor’s awful antics because of her years of enabling him, defending him, and looking the other way whenever he did terrible things to so many people, including Jack. Because this is not the first time. This is not the worst time.

Wednesday, April 15th: Matt Retaliates Against Nick on Y&R

Wednesday, April 15th. Nick is afraid of what Matt is going to do to Sharon, Noah, and Sienna. And Nick’s far too gone into addiction. He’s been crushing up fentanyl and snorting it. And Matt retaliates against Nick. So, Matt may give Nick some even worse drugs as he threatened to do.

He’s already a full-blown junkie at this point. And I think that if Matt gives him worse drugs, Nick’s not going to be able to withstand the temptation because without doing the drugs, he’s in physical pain, and maybe he rationalizes it as he needs the drugs to function so he can take down Matt. So, we will see.

We also have Chelsea Newman (Melissa Claire Egan) throwing Adam for a loop when she shows up in Vegas on Wednesday. And then Riza shows up at the door of Adam’s room, and I expect Chelsea is going to have lots of questions about what Spyder has been doing in Vegas. Sharon wants to fix things between Mariah and Devon Hamilton (Bryton James), and she and Christine Blair (Lauralee Bell) go talk to Abby Newman (Melissa Ordway.)

Young and the Restless Spoilers Thursday, April 16th: Is Sally Pregnant?

Thursday, April 16th, Adam forces Matt’s hand. We also have this week Adam facing off with both Riza and Matt. And Audra Charles (Zuleyka Silver) shows up at Sally Spectra‘s (Courtney Hope) place with something that she asked Audra to bring her. I’m wondering if it was a pregnancy test.

We also have Sally’s patience tested on Thursday. We’ll see if it’s by Audra or Billy or somebody else. Plus, this week, Sally is leaning on Billy and she looks physically sick. So again, I’m back to is that morning sickness? Is it something else? And Jack leans on Nikki for support, and that could be dangerous territory on Young and Restless.

Young and the Restless Spoilers Friday, April 17th: Victor and Diane Give Jack A Taste of His Own Medicine on Y&R

Friday, April 17th, Lauren and Michael look forward to a new chapter. And Victor and Diane give Jack a taste of his own medicine. I wonder if they’re going to set it up so Jack thinks Diane slept with somebody. Maybe somebody new. We’ll see. This could break both their marriages. Sharon heads for Vegas to help Nick. And this week, Riza has a tense talk alone with Matt.

Week of April 20th-24th Young and the Restless Spoilers

Then the week of April 20th through the 24th, we have Diane and Victor possibly facing more serious consequences after giving Jack a taste of his own medicine. I think that the Abbotts aren’t going to like it. I think the Newmans aren’t going to like it. I don’t think Nikki and Jack are going to like it. And I think they are treading into dangerous waters.

Nick is in increasingly bad shape in Vegas as Adam, Chelsea, and Sharon face off with Matt to end his reign of terror. And I’m sure Nick would be happy if Sharon hadn’t shown up there. You know, especially since he knows Matt wants to do bad things to her. Also, we’re going to have Sally and Billy discussing the future and their plans. Plus, Jack and Nikki get closer after this mystery stunt that Diane and Victor pull next week.

Lily is still desperate to help Malcolm. We’ll find out soon if the twins are a match or not to donate bone marrow. I suspect they won’t be, but Cane may be because that would be the soapiest outcome. Holden and Lily may try to get to know each other as brother and sister while dealing with their dad’s medical crisis. Nick swirls closer to rock bottom and Adam and Chelsea may struggle after what he’s been doing in Vegas.

By Henry Hards
| Published 17 seconds ago

It is hard to imagine that a director as prolific as John Carpenter could be described as having movies that are underrated. But when his filmography includes such iconic films as Halloween, The Thing, and Escape from New York, it becomes a bit easier to understand how some of his movies might slip through the cracks. That’s especially true of Starman.

Starring Jeff Bridges in his pre-The Big Lebowski days, Starman begins in 1977, with humanity sending out a message of peace via a space probe, inviting extraterrestrial civilizations to visit Earth. However, when an alien scout vessel responds and attempts to establish contact, the U.S. government shoots it down in fear. The alien craft crashes in present-day (1984) Chequamegon Bay, Wisconsin, where it’s discovered by the widowed Jenny Hayden (Karen Allen).

Jenny sees the alien (depicted as a glowing ball of energy) clone a body for himself using DNA from her deceased husband, Scott. This alien, called Starman, carries seven silver spheres, granting him remarkable abilities. He urgently sends a message to his people, informing them of Earth’s hostility and arranging a rendezvous in Arizona. So begins a desperate attempt to escape a planet that is far less hospitable than it had expected.

Along the way, Jenny and Starman form a deep bond as they evade capture and encounter various obstacles. Their romantic relationship (despite their vastly different origins) serves as a central focus of the film, proving that empathy, understanding, and love transcend boundaries. They eventually arrive at the designated rendezvous point in Arizona, where the alien’s rescue ship awaits.

E.T. Was Rejected To Make Starman

Starman underwent a five-year development process at Columbia Pictures. The initial screenplay caught the attention of executive producer Michael Douglas, who urged the studio to acquire it before considering Steven Spielberg‘s Night Skies. After director Mark Rydell exited the project due to disagreements with Douglas, screenwriter Dean Riesner joined the movie in late 1981.

Columbia eventually decided to abandon Night Skies, deeming it too much like a Disney film aimed at children. Meanwhile, Starman was intended for a more mature audience. Night Skies was eventually retitled E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, which went on to become the highest-grossing film of its time. Riesner was tasked with maintaining Starman’s essence to distinguish it from E.T.

Everyone Loved Starman, But It Wasn’t A Big Hit

In its first weekend at the box office, Starman earned an impressive $2.9 million. The film was a hit with critics and currently holds an 86 percent approval rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. The site’s general consensus praises the movie for blending sci-fi with an unconventional, heartwarming story.

Metacritic, another review aggregator, gave the film a score of 71 out of 100, based on evaluations from seven critics, indicating that Starman received generally favorable reviews. Jeff Bridges was so praised that he was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar in 1985.

Why Starman Failed

Despite being a well-liked movie upon release, Starman did not do big numbers at the box office, grossing less than $29 million against a $24 million budget. Perhaps E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial‘s huge success, a few years earlier, meant audiences felt Starman was less special.

John Carpenter delivered a quiet, emotional road movie about grief and connection, but Universal tried to sell it like a sci-fi spectacle at a time when audiences wanted either a full-blown alien invasion or pure escapist fantasy.

Jeff Bridges gives one of his best performances, strange and deeply human, but that subtlety works against the movie commercially. It’s too soft for action fans, too weird for romance crowds, and too introspective for mainstream sci-fi. The result is a film critics respected, and audiences shrugged at, stuck in that no-man ’s-land where nothing is wrong, but nothing clicks either.

Starman’s Legacy

In retrospective reviews, audiences have been much more receptive towards Starman. In true John Carpenter fashion, it seems this is another case of one of his movies being underappreciated at release before becoming a classic. Now it’s regarded by audiences and critics as one of the best sci-fi movies of the 1980s.

Days of Our Lives two week spoilers for April 13th through the 24th brings Chad DiMera (Connor Floyd) back to Salem and EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) is going down.

Days of Our Lives Spoilers Monday, April 13th: Theo Grilled By Chanel

On Monday, April 13th, Theo Carver (Cameron Johnson) is grilled by Chanel Dupree DiMera (Raven Bowens) and it may be about why he left the CEO job at DiMera and said Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) can keep it. That seems strange, right? Stephanie Johnson (Abigail Klein) is frustrated with Alex Kiriakis (Robert Scott Wilson) and storms out of their apartment, slamming the door in his face.

And Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) and Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering) listen as Javi Hernandez (Jacob Martinez) explains. They may worry he is back for Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart), but we’ve heard Javi has a boyfriend in Texas, right? So, we’ll see. Also, Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) helps Leo who has a big breakthrough. Now he already told Dimitri von Leuschner DiMera (Peter Porte) he wants to be with Javi.

And of course, Dimitri had a tantrum and said Leo is going to wind up alone. So, we’ll see what conclusions he draws from all this. And if you remember, Dimitri saw on Friday that Javi is back in Salem. And I kind of suspect that Dimitri may say some things to Javi to try and blow up any chance of him and Leo reconciling because Dimitri is petty and awful like that.

DOOL Spoilers Tuesday, April 14th: Bonnie’s Book Launch Goes Badly

Tuesday, April 14th, we’ve got Alex opening up to Gabi and I wonder if he’s going to tell her about Stephanie’s PTSD and her walking out on him. Author Bonnie Kiriakis (Judi Evans) has her big book signing and launch. And guess what? Things go badly. And I wonder if she’s going to get heckled for being what we have to conclude is a blatant plagiarist.

Maggie Kiriakis (Suzanne Rogers) chews Kate Roberts (Lauren Koslow) a new one. I’m sure it’s about setting up Johnny. And I’m guessing Kate is going to be unapologetic about saving Titan even if Maggie wants to take the high road because Kate’s not going to see Victor Kiriakis‘s (John Aniston) legacy gone because that means Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier) loses everything.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: Jeremy is There for Stephanie

Stephanie runs into Jeremy Horton (Michael Roark) and he’s there for her. So, she runs into his arms and Stephanie lets Jeremy cuddle and comfort her in the town square. And let’s face it, he’s gonna be so excited to be there for Stephanie. That’s the only reason he’s still in Salem right now is their trauma bond.

And Liam answers questions from Arianna Horton (Vico Escorcia). Now, she knows Liam wasn’t totally honest with her. I mean, he never told Ari the extent of his criminality. He’s been hiding a lot about himself from her. And this week, Liam tells Ari it’s not good for her to be around a guy like him. That is true, but we also know that Ari really likes bad boys.

DOOL Spoilers Wednesday, April 15th: Trivia Night At Brady Pub

Wednesday, April 15th, we’ve got Chanel and Johnny running into Leo. They have the baby with them, little Trey. And Leo is delighted to see the kid that he helped foster. Dimitri is threatened by Gwen Rizczech (Emily O’Brien), and I think that he may be backing out of the divorce deal that he verbally agreed to simply because Leo dumped him.

The only reason Dimitri agreed to give Gwen a divorce and not fight everything and not be horrible was to make Leo happy. So, Gwen may find out she is going to lose her chance at a big fat alimony payday. It’s also trivia night at Brady Pub on Wednesday. Jada Hunter (Elia Cantu) and Theo are on one team and their arch rivals are Gabi and Philip on another team.

We’re also going to see Gabi cuddling with Philip outside the pub. And of course, Theo is still hot for Gabi. So, this might get really weird fast. Chanel catches Johnny off guard and she surprises him maybe about EJ stuff, DiMera stuff. I wonder if she’s going to tell him that Theo is acting dodgy.

Thursday, April 16th: Kristen and Sophia Plot Against EJ on Days

Thursday, April 16th, we’ve got Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk) talking to Sophia Choi (Rachel Boyd) about the revenge plan against EJ. Now, we know Kristen wants Sophia to help her take down EJ. And this week, they’re in the park, and Sophia tells Kristen she has a plan, but needs more resources to make it happen.

And then she drags Sophia into the bushes, and Kristen grabs her lapels and terrifies Sophia. So, maybe she’s worried someone’s going to overhear them. Kate and Xander Kiriakis Cook (Paul Telfer) do some more plotting together on Thursday.

He covered the loan payment with money from dubious sources, but the copyright lawsuit settlement could save Titan. So, we’ll see if Xander is forced to move more dodgy money or if they can find a way to make DiMera pay up.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: Xander Fumes & Leo Pleads with Javi

Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) and Sarah Horton (Linsey Godfrey) spend some sweet time together now that they made sweet love to each other. And Xander is irritated this week when he sees Sarah and Brady looking all loved up in the square.

Chanel is frustrated by Johnny and I wonder if this is about all the DiMera stuff, maybe about the Bonnie lawsuit stuff. Javi demands answers from Leo. So, this week he tells Javi that he wants to be with him and Leo tells Javi, “It is always you for me.” I’m interested to see if Dimitri dropped a nuke on things.

You know, says that he and Leo slept together, anything Dimitri could do to either get Leo back or just out of pure spite make sure he can’t be with Javi. I suspect Peter Porte may be wrapping up his run soon. And don’t forget we’ve got a brand new Javi coming in about 6 to 8 weeks on Days of our Lives.

Friday, April 17th: Marlena Stunned About Lexie

Friday, April 17th, Gwen and Xander enjoy a fun morning, since he’s jealous over Sarah and Brady. He may get closer to Gwen, which honestly would be cruel because she has feelings for him already, but he loves Sarah still and probably always will.

Meanwhile, Paulina Price (Jackée Harry) vents to Belle. Got to be about EJ because they both hate him at this point. I’m just curious if Paulina is going to spill to anybody about Lexie Carver (Nikki Crawford) before it’s common knowledge.

And Marlena is stunned when Theo tells her that his mom Lexie is alive. And I do wonder if Theo is going to drop EJ’s name to Marlena as the one who made this medical miracle happen. EJ and Kristen are arguing by the end of the week.

No surprise there. And EJ tells somebody this week that family is his priority. It’s somebody who’s a brunette. So, I wonder if it’s Sophia. We’ll see. Alex takes Stephanie by surprise and things go badly. I wonder if Alex is accidentally going to terrify Stephanie.

Then, she walks out for good just, you know, walking in like touching her when she doesn’t realize he’s there. She’s already cringing even when she does know he’s there. So, this could be really bad.

Week of April 20th-24th: Connor Floyd Debuts As Chad

The week of April 20th through the 24th is going to be big. Connor Floyd debuts as recast Chad DiMera. He shows up on Tuesday, April 21st. I will say that based on that date, I’m going to speculate that there’s a chance we actually see him at the end of the episode on Monday, April 20th.

A lot of times when Days gives a recast debut date, they actually sneak them in towards the end of the episode the day before. So, I’m going to call it April 20th possibly. Rumor has it that Thomas and Charlotte may be aged up a bit when they’re back as recasts in April as well.

Cat Greene (AnnaLynne McCord) is going to be stunned to see her one-time lover back. But has Thomas changed his stance on his dad seeing Cat? Jeremy is thrilled to be closer and be there for Stephanie, but it is almost time for Michael Roark to exit. So, we’ll see how this trauma bond story goes before he leaves as Jeremy.

Kristen and Sophia set their diabolical plan in motion to take down EJ. Marlena struggles after learning about Lexie. EJ may taunt Gwen for not solving her Dimitri problem. We’ve also got Joy Wesley (AlexAnn Hopkins) back soon with a baby surprise for her ex, Alex.

Brady and Sarah keep getting closer. Theo looks for a way to get Gabi and EJ is going to be blindsided when a bunch of people plotting against him make bad things happen.