Simon Cowell is opening up about the emotional toll Liam Payne’s death took on him behind closed doors. 

Months after the former One Direction singer died, the music mogul admitted he struggled deeply while filming his latest Netflix project. 

Cowell, who first discovered Payne during his teenage years, said the tragedy forced him to step away from work entirely as he tried to process the devastating loss while also guiding a new generation of young artists through the pressures of fame.

Simon Cowell revealed that Liam Payne’s death deeply affected him both personally and professionally. 

During an appearance on the Daily Mail podcast “Tales From the Celebrity Trenches,” the television producer admitted he had an extremely difficult time coping after the singer died at age 31 in October 2024.

At the time, Cowell was actively filming “The Next Act,” a Netflix series centered around building a brand-new boy band. The project closely mirrored the environment in which Payne first entered Cowell’s life years earlier, during “The X Factor.”

Cowell explained that the timing made the tragedy even more painful because he was already working closely with young hopefuls and their families while discussing the risks that come with fame.

“What do you do in a situation like that?” Cowell asked during the interview, adding, “It was so bad, I was in pieces. There were so many things going on in my head.”

The emotional weight became so overwhelming that Cowell temporarily disappeared from work altogether. “I literally just disappeared somewhere for a week to think everything through because I knew I was really, really struggling,” he admitted.

Cowell Opened Up About His Responsibility To Young Artists

While discussing Liam Payne’s death, Simon Cowell made it clear that he sees artist support as part of his responsibility within the music industry.

The producer acknowledged that fame can quickly become overwhelming, especially for younger performers who are suddenly thrust into global attention.

“My responsibility is to go: Look, if it works and you’re successful, that’s a good thing,” Cowell explained, further noting, “However, as your life changes there are going to be times when it’s really stressful, really hard.”

He added that mentorship should not stop once artists become famous. “I will help you prepare for that and be there if you need me,” he said.

His comments carried extra emotion considering his long history with Payne and the rest of One Direction. 

Cowell helped shape the group’s career after discovering the members during “The X Factor” in 2010. The band eventually became one of the world’s biggest pop acts, selling more than 70 million records worldwide.

Simon Cowell Revealed How One Direction Was Created In Minutes

During the podcast, Cowell also shared surprising details about how quickly One Direction actually came together behind the scenes. 

Although the group became a worldwide phenomenon, the 66-year-old admitted there was very little complicated planning involved in forming the band.

“They all had good auditions,” he explained while discussing the members’ original solo performances on “The X Factor.”

However, several contestants struggled during later stages of the competition. “Then, in the middle rounds, certain people for whatever reason, mess up. They didn’t do enough to make it as solo artists,” he continued. 

Cowell recalled instantly noticing something special once the boys appeared together on stage, recalling, “When I saw the boys all on stage, there was a moment thinking: ‘We have got to do something with them.’”

According to Cowell, the final decision was made incredibly quickly. “It took about 25 minutes, being honest with you, to put them all together. It was literally as quick as that,” he shared. 

Cowell Said One Direction’s Chemistry Became Instantly Clear

After creating the group, Simon Cowell said he largely let the members develop their dynamic naturally without over-controlling them. “Then, I just let them do whatever they wanted,” Cowell explained.

It did not take long for him to realize the chemistry between the singers was working perfectly. Only weeks after putting the band together, Cowell said he saw something that convinced him One Direction could become huge stars.

“A few weeks later, I saw them walk around a corner together and they looked amazing,” he recalled. 

The group, made up of teenagers between 16 and 18 years old, would go on to dominate global pop music and build one of the most loyal fanbases in modern entertainment.

Simon Cowell Faces Questions About His Relevance After Netflix Backlash

In February, Cowell reportedly faced mounting pressure over his future in entertainment following the disappointing response to his Netflix comeback series, “Simon Cowell: The Next Act.”

According to The Blast, insiders claimed the project sparked serious questions about whether his once-dominant talent-show formula still worked in today’s music industry. 

Critics slammed the series as outdated, with media outlets calling Cowell “a man out of time,” and describing the show as “anachronistic” and bleak.  

The backlash intensified after the show’s newly formed group, December 10, reportedly debuted at just No. 72 on the charts despite heavy promotion and Netflix backing.   

Industry insiders quoted in reports described the project as a “disaster” and suggested the underwhelming reception had damaged Cowell’s image as a hitmaker. 

One source even claimed the series made it seem as though he had “lost his Midas touch.” 

The world of fantasy has brought our greatest imaginations onto the silver screen. A genre that’s wide-ranging, fantasy films have served as a wonderful escape through story. Fantasy movies can celebrate the journey toward love between star-crossed lovers, or they can take us to magical worlds beyond our wildest dreams. No matter the story, the genre has boasted some of the greatest films of all time.

Ever since we journeyed over the rainbow with Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, we’ve had an affinity for similar stories, or even tales that were even grander. Over the past 50 years, we’ve witnessed a renaissance in fantasy, during which some of the boldest films and franchises were born. From an epic in Middle-earth to a rescue mission for one’s true love, the ten masterpieces that have made this list have been celebrated and passed down for generations.

10

‘Hugo’ (2011)

Image via Paramount Pictures

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When you think of Martin Scorsese, you think of his dark and gritty crime thrillers, but in 2011, he let his imagination run wild with the spellbinding Hugo. Based on Brian Selznick‘s 2007 book The Invention of Hugo Cabret, the film tells the story of an orphaned boy, Hugo Cabret (Asa Butterfield), who lives in a 1930s Paris train station. There, he maintains clocks and works to fix a broken automaton left by his father, leading him to a bitter toy merchant who is secretly a pioneering filmmaker, Georges Méliès (Ben Kingsley).

Focusing on the importance of preservation, the magic of cinema, and the search for one’s purpose, Hugo is a celebration of early film history made by a legendary filmmaker in honor of another. Hugo is a brilliant work of cinema that captures the spirit of imagination. The immersive steampunk atmosphere unites the fantastical with the mechanical, creating a romantic world. Scorsese allows Hugo to be a work that honors the “sorcerer of cinema” by blending historical fiction with whimsical, adventurous fantasy. Perhaps not as boisterous as other entries on this list, Hugo deserves a place with the best of the best.

9

‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ (1988)

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

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In 1964, live action and animation came together in Disney’s Mary Poppins, and a trend of mixed-media films followed. In 1988, another revolutionary live-action animated mash-up arrived with Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the film is set in an alternative-history Hollywood in 1947, where humans and toons coexist. Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins), a private investigator with a grudge against toons, must help exonerate Roger (Charles Fleischer), who has been framed for murder.

Far from a completely family-friendly romp, the film’s dark cartoon world was a masterpiece of visuals, humor, writing, and performance, made possible by advances in blended media. Even with a mix of IP beyond Disney characters in the film, Who Framed Roger Rabbit was praised for the creations that made an immediate impact, including the seductive Jessica Rabbit (Kathleen Turner), the naughty and raunchy Baby Herman (Lou Herschel), and the terrifying eyes-bulging-out Judge Doom (Christopher Lloyd). For movie and cartoon lovers, the film was a wonderful homage to the Golden Age of the Silver Screen.

8

‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)

Image via 20th Century Studios

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We may have to blame certain fantasy films for our high expectations of romance, and no fantasy romance has made us want to experience love quite like The Princess Bride. Directed by Rob Reiner, the classic 1987 masterpiece adapts William Goldman’s novel for the big screen. The story tells of Westley (Cary Elwes), a swashbuckling farmhand, as he embarks on a journey to rescue his true love, Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright), from the odious Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon).

Using a metafictional narrative in which a grandfather (Peter Falk) tells the tale to his grandson (Fred Savage), The Princess Bride has become a film passed down through generations thanks to its timeless themes. It was a film that gave audiences a chance to escape to a fantasy world beyond our wildest dreams. The Princess Bride has stood the test of time as it became the blueprint for future romantasy films that followed, not to mention an extremely quotable movie! A masterpiece of a tone blending satire with fairy-tale charm, The Princess Bride is simply a delight.

7

‘Spirited Away’ (2001)

Image via Studio Ghibli

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Studio Ghibli has produced an array of pioneering animated masterpieces, but none have been as extraordinary as Spirited Away. The wonderful coming-of-age story follows Chihiro “Sen” Ogino, who, after her parents are turned into pigs by the witch Yubaba, must work in a bathhouse for spirits to find a way to free them and return to the human world. There, she encounters a variety of spirits and learns about hard work, courage, and the importance of her identity and past.

With a specificity in mood and narrative, Spirited Away is a fearlessly imaginative work of art, shattering expectations and resonating deeply with audiences of all ages worldwide. Gorgeously drawn, this enchanting story is a daring adventure that showcases Hayao Miyazaki at his finest. It finds a way to tell a culturally specific story that evokes nostalgia, and the characters have become so visually impactful that they are synonymous with the film. Through immersive world-building and emotional complexity, Spirited Away has bridged the gap between Japanese and Western cinema.

6

‘Edward Scissorhands’ (1990)

Image via 20th Century Studios

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A variety of stories about a romance between a human and a beast exist, many of them tackling the theme of the beast in question as a societal construct. That’s the premise in Tim Burton’s masterful gothic fairy tale Edward Scissorhands, which follows an unfinished artificial humanoid named Edward (Johnny Depp) who has scissors for hands. After his creator dies, Peg Boggs (Dianne Wiest), a suburban saleswoman, takes him in and raises him with her family. Edward falls in love with Kim (Winona Ryder), but faces prejudice and betrayal from the neighborhood.

A poignant story with masterful visual storytelling, it’s not only Depp and Burton’s greatest collaboration but the entry point for those seeking dark fantasy films. This 1990 classic marries the eccentric with the terrifying for a story that isn’t afraid to explore how society admonishes those who are different, seeking any excuse to villainize those who may not be like them. By redefining the monster trope, the story became one of misunderstanding, with Edward standing as a symbol of innocence, alienation, and artistic beauty.

5

‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ (2006)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

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The further we get from Pan’s Labyrinth‘s 2006 debut, the more reverence it commands. Why? As Guillermo del Toro continues to invite us into amazing fantasy worlds, it’s that film that stands out as the most unique. Set in 1944 Spain, Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) escapes the brutal reality of her fascist stepfather, Captain Vidal (Sergi López), by entering a magical, perilous underworld where she must complete three dangerous tasks to prove she is a lost princess and reclaim her mythical kingdom, blurring the lines between fantasy and the violent historical world around her.

A truly remarkable work of cinema, Pan’s Labyrinth is epic in scale and marries grim realities with extraordinary monsters that reflect the world around them. Here, we have a multi-layered film, poetic in nature and highly regarded as one of the best dark fantasy movies ever. Del Toro’s unique vision indulges our adult imagination through our connection to childhood fairy tales, giving them a chance to live in their own place and striking a balance between darkness and vibrancy, fear and intrigue. A creation of wonderful imagination, Pan’s Labyrinth owes its impact to its emotional depth and allegory of power, innocence, and morality.

4

‘Shrek’ (2001)

Image via DreamWorks Animation

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In 2001, the entire landscape of animated fantasy storytelling changed forever. The DreamWorks film introduced audiences to Shrek (Mike Myers), a temperamental ogre who finds his swamp home overrun by fairy-tale creatures banished by the obsessive ruler, Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow). With the help of a fast-talking donkey (Eddie Murphy), Shrek strikes a deal with Farquaad to rescue Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) in exchange for regaining control of his swamp.

Shrek wasn’t just a kids’ film; with adult humor and sensibility, it brought families together for a new kind of story that made us all believers again. Based on the children’s picture book by William Steig, the newfound classic parodied many of the fairy tales that DreamWorks’ rival brought to life, subverting the genre while remaining charming with a strong story of its own. A visually stunning film, Shrek shifted audiences’ preferences toward computer-generated animation, altering the entire game in one fell swoop and becoming the new gold standard in animation.

3

‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’ (2004)

If we were discussing the franchise as a whole, this slot likely would be given to the first film, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, but, when it comes to the entire franchise, no film is better than Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. In this installment, while at Hogwarts for his third year, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) learns that Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), a convicted supporter of Voldemort, has escaped from Azkaban and is on the hunt. Eventually, Harry discovers that Black is actually his innocent godfather, and that Ron’s (Rupert Grint) rat, Scabbers, is secretly Peter Pettigrew (Timothy Spall), the true traitor.

Less wholesome than the first two films, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban captured the magic of the Wizarding World while documenting the character’s maturity and the evolution of the overall arc. What this film does better than the rest is delve into the psychology of this universe, moving beyond popcorn flick territory by dealing with complex themes of fear, trauma, and memory. It also expanded upon the mythology and lore of the cinematic universe gloriously. Director Alfonso Cuarón’s masterful shift toward a darker, more mature tone also led to a sensational, stylized cinematic wonder.

2

‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’ (2003)

Image via New Line

Like Harry Potter, the first film in Peter Jackson‘s masterpiece franchise may be the most influential, but the strongest entry is the third: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. The sprawling epic showcases the final confrontation between good and evil as the fight for control of Middle-earth rages. Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) and Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin) reach Mordor in their quest to destroy the One Ring in Mount Doom, while Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) leads the forces of good against Sauron’s evil army at the stone city of Minas Tirith. A large-scale battle culminates in the destruction of the Ring by Gollum (Andy Serkis), the coronation of Aragorn, and a bittersweet return to the Shire.

Based upon J.R.R. Tolkien‘s final chapter, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King received immense praise from audiences and critics alike. It swept the Academy Awards, winning all 11 categories in which it was entered, including Best Picture. Emotionally triumphant, visually enthralling, and technically sublime, the finale was a more-than-satisfying conclusion to a legacy trilogy, redefining cinema and sequels in an unprecedented manner. With unrivaled scale, wondrous craftsmanship, and an emotional narrative that completed the long journey, Return of the King broke the fantasy barrier through unparalleled splendor.

1

‘Beauty and the Beast’ (1991)

Image via Walt Disney Motion pictures

When you hear the words “tale as old as time,” it’s not just a reference to some of the greatest lyrics; it epitomizes why a film like Beauty and the Beast is the greatest fantasy film of the last 50 years. The first animated feature to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture, Beauty and the Beast was a story that captured our hearts and instantly reversed the curse. Bringing a fairy tale to life, the film transports viewers to 18th-century France, where an enchantress transforms a selfish prince into a monster for his cruelty. Years later, Belle (Paige O’Hara) finds herself trapped in the Beast’s (Robby Benson) castle in exchange for her father’s freedom. To reverse the curse and break the spell, the Beast must earn Belle’s love before the final petal drops from the enchanted rose.

Filled with enchanting characters, a stunning score by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, and an everlasting legacy, Beauty and the Beast was an animated game-changer whose impact reverberates still today. For Disney, it successfully continued the Renaissance after the success of The Little Mermaid. From a filmmaking perspective, it combined traditional 2D animation with pioneering computer-generated elements; “Be Our Guest” and the titular song outright redefined animated production numbers. With a sensational score, a feminist heroine, a complex yet heartwarming love story, and a cast of characters voiced by an array of legends, there’s simply no single flaw within the film. There isn’t another fantasy film like Beauty and the Beast, and chances are, there never will be again.

Beef tallow has become one of the buzziest DIY skincare trends online, and much of that momentum traces back to Nara Smith. Since she first shared her homemade beef tallow moisturizer recipe on TikTok in May 2024, the video has racked up millions of views, sparking a wave of curiosity about rendered animal fat as a skincare ingredient.

With all this renewed focus on beef fat, let’s take a look at what beef tallow actually is, walk through Smith’s viral TikTok recipe and see what dermatologists have to say about the trend.

What Is Beef Tallow for Skin?

Beef tallow for skin is rendered fat from cows — specifically the suet that surrounds the kidneys and other organs — according to UT MD Anderson. It has become a popular DIY moisturizer ingredient on social media.

A 2024 scoping review published in Cureus found that “tallow is rich in triglycerides, specifically oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, and linoleic acid, thus lending to its wide range of industrial applications.” The same review noted that beef tallow contains essential vitamins, including vitamins A, D, K, E and B12.

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The skincare appeal comes down to chemistry. Dr. Michele Green, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in New York City, told GQ in May 2026 that beef tallow’s “fatty acids closely resemble the natural oils of the skin, allowing it to effectively replenish moisture.”

Does Nara Smith Have a Homemade Moisturizer Recipe?

Smith, the social media star known for her ASMR-style cooking videos, helped push beef tallow further into the mainstream beauty conversation. She regularly goes viral for sharing DIY recipes, and her homemade beef tallow moisturizer — first posted to Nara Smith’s TikTok in May 2024 — is a perfect example.

The video shows her husband, model Lucky Blue Smith, mixing the moisturizer in their kitchen after running out of his usual product. “This morning, my husband ran out of some moisturizer that he usually uses and he didn’t love it enough to repurchase, so he just decided to make his own,” Nara said at the start of the video.

How Do You Make Nara Smith’s Beef Tallow Moisturizer at Home?

Nara’s beef tallow moisturizer combines beef tallow, beeswax, squalene, jojoba oil, vitamin E oil, hyaluronic acid and glycerin — melted together over a double boiler, mixed in stages and chilled in the fridge to set.

The full method appears in her viral homemade moisturizer recipe on TikTok. Here are the steps as Nara laid them out in the video:

• Combine beef tallow and beeswax in a metal bowl
• Place the bowl over a pot of boiling water
• Once melted, remove the metal bowl from the heat
• In a separate bowl, mix squalene and jojoba oil
• Combine the squalene and jojoba oil into the tallow and beeswax bowl
• Add vitamin E oil, hyaluronic acid and glycerin separately, mixing well after each addition
• At this point, the mixture should be thickening up
• Transfer the moisturizer into a cup of your choice with a lid
• Place it in the refrigerator to set

Smith said the couple tried the homemade moisturizer recipe after their showers and liked it. Because she lives with eczema and dry skin, the formulation deliberately skipped essential oils so the same batch her husband mixed would work on her face and body too.

What Other Ingredients Are in the Homemade Moisturizer Recipe?

In addition to beef tallow, Nara Smith’s homemade moisturizer recipe relies on beeswax, squalene, jojoba oil, vitamin E oil, hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Each ingredient brings a specific moisturizing or skin-conditioning role to the beef tallow moisturizer, and several are backed by published skincare research.

A 2023 study found that beeswax can be used as an occlusive, humectant and emollient. Humectants attract water into the skin to hydrate, while occlusives create a physical barrier to seal in that moisture and prevent evaporation. Emollients are moisturizing treatments that soften and soothe the skin.

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Squalene is the main component of skin surface polyunsaturated lipids and mimics oils found naturally in the skin.

According to a 2009 study, squalene can function as both an emollient and antioxidant. A note on labeling: squalane — the more shelf-stable version of the ingredient — might be the better choice for long-term storage, per Allure.

Jojoba oil is a liquid wax derived from the seeds of the Simmondsia chinensis plant. A 2021 study found it is widely used in skincare to moisturize, balance oil production and soothe skin.

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Hyaluronic acid and glycerin both act as humectants in the formula. According to CeraVe, “both hyaluronic acid and glycerin are humectants and serve the same function of drawing in moisture to hydrate the skin.”

Vitamin E rounds out the ingredient list. The fat-soluble antioxidant is found naturally in the skin, and per Oregon State University’s Linus Pauling Institute, it moisturizes the skin, protects cells in the skin and can also absorb the energy from ultraviolet (UV) light.

As always, viewers should consult their dermatologist before making a homemade beef tallow moisturizer. Everyone’s skin is unique and can have different reactions to certain ingredients.

By Robert Scucci
| Published 22 seconds ago

Sometimes, if you want to see something vaguely original, you have to go back to the 80s for some good old-fashioned sci-fi police work. While there are plenty of dystopian features set in the not-so-distant future from this era, 1984’s Runaway is the most insane one you’ve never heard of. Thankfully, the kind of movies that have stars who would probably rather you forget they exist all end up on Tubi sooner or later, and then we have to talk about them.

Runaway has all the beats you’d expect from a police procedural, except in its version of the future (1991), robots have been modified into murder machines operated by Gene Simmons, and Tom Selleck (and his mustache) has to save the day before there’s too much collateral damage to ever realistically consider repairing.

While I’ll admit to laughing out loud at this film more than writer-director Michael Crichton intended, I have to give it props for being a constant source of entertainment. Everybody plays it super straight in Runaway, which, to me, seems like an impossible task, especially when you consider the fact that this is the villain’s first acting role outside of Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park.

Magnum P.I. And The Guy From Kiss At Constant Odds

Runaway, at its core, tells a story about robots versus humans. First, we have to learn about Sgt. Jack Ramsay (Tom Selleck), one of those classic “damn, he’s good” officers with a troubled past. He used to be a beat cop, but made a career change after his fear of heights resulted in a criminal getting away and murdering six people. Now, he’s a robotics expert working for the “Runaway” squad, a designated task force devoted to homicides involving only robots, an occurrence so common in 1991 that there’s an entire unit for it.

Working alongside his partner, Officer Karen Thompson (Cynthia Rhodes), Jack finds himself in hot pursuit of disgraced defense contractor Dr. Charles Luther (Gene Simmons). Luther went rogue years prior when he realized the technology he created, like robotic smart bombs and heat-guided bullets, could be sold for a profit on the black market. He killed off his whole team and went out on his own, bringing us to the present day, where Jack needs to track him down and lock him up before this sophisticated military tech falls into even wronger hands.

The missing link between our heroes and their enemy is Jackie Rogers (Kirstie Alley), Luther’s ex-lover who has access to the templates he needs to carry out his plan of mass-producing an army of evil robots. After being thoroughly strip-searched, it becomes clear she wants to be on the right side of history when push comes to shove, and it’s the cops against the robot overlords.

As you would expect, Jack is afraid of heights and haunted by his past because of it, so, you know … third-act skyscraper fight. Everything in this movie hinges on simplicity, and if you’ve ever found yourself craving a movie with a clear good guy and bad guy, this is it.

Gene Simmons Has One Face

Throughout the film, we learn just how great Sergeant Jack Ramsay is. He knows everything there is to know about robots, even though it appears that Tom Selleck himself completely glazes over when he has to go into technobabble. He’s framed as the best dad ever, even though his interactions with his son Bobby (Joey Cramer) are minimal, most often involving Jack tucking him in after spending days away from home working cases.

Don’t worry about the potential neglect, though, because Jack has a sophisticated robot house maid that handles all the chores, cooking, and more domestically inclined activities that an active parent would typically engage in. Whether that robot gets wired to explode at the worst possible time is something you’ll just have to find out for yourself.

Runaway’s real draw, though, comes from Gene Simmons. Outside of any KISS-related intellectual properties, this was his first acting role, though it’s been reported that he’d been practicing the craft since 1981 while waiting for the perfect moment to make his feature film debut. Luther, as far as villains go, is pretty stock. He’s a total robot nerd, and his one-liners, if you could call them that, aren’t even memorable. Point in case? I don’t remember any of them.

However, Simmons is really good at making this one face that tells the viewer, without any sliver of doubt, that he’s the antagonist in Runaway. He’s got this signature snarl, so before we even know the full scope of his evil intentions, all you need is a simple shot of him walking around and being himself before saying, “Yup! That’s him! That’s definitely the bad guy!” To Simmons’ credit, it’s a pretty good face, there’s just no great acting or dialogue coming from it.

He does walk around brandishing giant, futuristic guns and has a legion of miniature mechanical spiders to do his bidding, so it’s totally worth checking out for that alone.

Runaway leaves very little to the imagination, but for what it’s worth, it’s a straightforward sci-fi action flick to throw on that doesn’t require a whole lot of mental bandwidth to enjoy. As of this writing, you can stream it for free on Tubi.

Martha Stewart turned a New York City brunch into a full-blown fashion moment, and it’s all because of her denim skirt style. The look has Us tossing our jeans to the wind, especially since it’s just as chic as our go-to pants. To seal the deal, Stewart’s classic look is so much comfier.

Stewart stopped by the Barbour X Tea & Sympathy gathering in the West Village looking effortlessly cool. Her denim maxi skirt was the star, reading ‘put together without even trying’ energy, while elevating her top and sandals ‘fit. This Amazon lookalike has the same effect, and might be just as comfy than Stewart’s.

Get the Cider Tiered Denim Maxi Skirt for $42 (was $50) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

Lyocell-and-cotton-blend fabric is the secret to this skirt’s stretchy yet breathable feel. It’s airy enough for warm spring afternoons, but substantial enough for cool summer nights. With a denim structure and loungewear feel, this skirt hangs loosely without clinging. It’s a major win in anyone’s book.

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Better yet, the breezy maxi skirt has a tiered construction and high-rise design that visually elongates your legs. Plus, the waistband hits at the smallest part of your torso, creating the illusion of a slimmer middle. Translation: You’ll look as good as you feel.

One shopper called it “super cute and flattering for any shape” and wrote, “It has pockets, which I love, an elastic waist in back and a button-front closure. . . I will definitely wear it dressed up with cute heels and [a] top.”

There’s a reason that breezy denim skirts are taking over rich mom closets. This Amazon winner is equally comfortable and stylish, looking much more polished than a simple pair of jeans. Whether you’re running errands, shopping downtown or attending brunch like Stewart, this wardrobe staple delivers.

Get the Cider Tiered Denim Maxi Skirt for $42 (was $50) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

Not what you’re looking for? Shop other skirts on Amazon and don’t forget to check out Amazon’s Daily Deals here!

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 12 seconds ago

In many ways, Thor is the most dynamic character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We first saw him as a serious god who talked like a bad Shakespearean actor and seemed fully engrossed in the tangled mythology of his people. However, Thor: Ragnarok effectively reshaped its titular deity into the MCU’s most consistently funny character. That film capitalized on Chris Hemsworth’s impressive comedy chops and made those first two Thor movies feel like a bad memory.

Now, Kenneth Branagh, the man who directed the first film, wants to direct the final Thor film. In a recent interview, he expressed his interest in returning to the Marvel fold to do one last movie with Hemsworth. However, he doesn’t want it to be a comedic film in the vein of Ragnarok or Love and Thunder. Instead, he wants to direct a gritty, Twilight of the Gods-type story that takes its creative cues from Hugh Jackman’s Logan. Considering that Hemsworth is one of the last vintage MCU superheroes and can’t keep fighting the good fight forever, Branagh’s idea is the absolute best way to take this fan-favorite character on one last ride.

Thor Up From The Floor Up

Younger fans might not remember, but Kenneth Branagh played a major role in the early days of the MCU. The director was arguably best known for his adaptations of William Shakespeare’s famous plays, and in a fun twist, he was chosen to direct the first Thor film in 2011. He ended up being a great choice because early Thor was presented as a kind of Shakespearean character: he’s all pomp and circumstance, barking out old-timey phrases while dealing with the inevitable drama caused by his conniving brother, Loki.

Marvel wanted Branagh to come back for the sequel, but the director refused; he didn’t like the intense hustle and bustle of producing such a large-scale blockbuster, especially if it meant getting almost no break between films. But in a recent interview with Business Insider, he admitted that “Part of me would love to finish my relationship with [Thor]. I’d always wanted to do more and indeed had a couple of ideas, more in the territory of James Mangold’s brilliant Logan.” As a fan of the various other Thor movies, he declared, “I would love to see Chris Hemsworth and the others have their own individual final story that takes Thor into a glorious twilight.”

Somehow, Logan Returned

Obviously, much of Branagh’s desire to direct a Logan-style movie is his personal drive to give the character a fitting, final story. But he also noted how such a film might resonate with longtime fans of the MCU. “There’s also this unique relationship with a large cinema audience that those characters now have that, for people who have grown up with them and their arc, I think it would be something very beautiful to take those characters into their own particular sunset.” This makes sense, of course: part of why Logan hit so hard is that an entire generation grew up cheering for Hugh Jackman in the various X-Men movies.

Sadly, Branagh didn’t offer any details for what his Thor film would look like. Given the comparison to Logan, it’s a safe bet that it will be a more serious movie, one that strips the character of the silliness that has characterized all of his appearances since Thor: Ragnarok. That might be a good thing, though: the critical failure of Thor: Love and Thunder has proven how hard it is to mix the character’s over-the-top humor with more serious storylines. Instead of having Thor’s final days in the MCU be spent playing a Deadpool Lite character, he could ensure he goes out like, well, a god!

Sadly, we’re not likely to ever see this movie. Branagh hasn’t broached the topic with Marvel Studios, and he’s the first to admit that Kevin Feige and other execs likely have their own plans for this popular character. Still, the super-serious Logan effectively revived audience interest in Wolverine after the lackluster fan reaction to X-Men Origins: Wolverine and The Wolverine. Given Thor’s disappointing appearance in movies like Love and Thunder and even Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, a Logan-style movie featuring everyone’s favorite Asgardian may be the best way to ensure that the fandom still believes in this god long after Hemsworth’s contract expires.

AppleTV may seem like Netflix’s less appealing knockoff, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. While Netflix dominates when it comes to big-budget crowd pleasers like Stranger Things, Apple offers the antidote to television fatigue. In 2022, a truly unique series hit the streamer — Severance.

Created by Dan Erickson and produced by Ben Stiller, Severance is a response to corporate culture gone amok. Erickson has always been upfront that the puzzle box mystery came about from his desire to skip through the workday at his desk job. What resulted, however, was a series far stranger and more captivating than any corporate job. Severance follows Mark S. (Adam Scott), one of four Microdata Refiners who elects to undergo the severance procedure. In a desperate attempt to cope with the grief over his dead wife, Mark severs his home memories from his work memories.

Lumon claims that the severance procedure is to protect sensitive material at the tech company, so even their employees don’t know about it. The reality is weirder and largely unexplained at this point. The series requires Severance to have specific dialogue, which makes it one of the most quotable shows on television. There is one line, however, that stands above the rest.

Ms. Cobel Delivers a Stone-Cold Line In the Premiere of ‘Severance’

It would be one thing if Dan Erickson just wrote a piece of great speculative fiction. The reality is much different than that. Severance exists in a world unlike any other. The humor, dialogue, and tone of the series are equally humorous and eerie, making it a rabid success with fans. The show establishes this in the first episode when Mark S. is promoted to team leader after the departure of his best friend, Petey.

Mark comes face-to-face with his floor manager, Ms. Cobel, played with haunting somberness by Patricia Arquette. Over the years, Cobel has delivered some harsh lines like “a handshake is available upon request” and “if you want a hug, go to Hell and find your mother.” However, her early line in Severance not only contextualizes her character, but also the entire thesis of the series. In the first episode, “Good News About Hell,” Cobel nails what Lumon is all about in one cold line.

Cobel explains that her mother is an atheist and told her that there was good news and bad news about Hell. “The good news is Hell is just the product of a morbid human imagination. The bad news is whatever humans can imagine, they can usually create.”

This quote perfectly sets up Cobel’s complex relationship with her mother and the lore being Lumon’s founder, Kier Egan. More importantly, however, it establishes the bedrock on which Severance is built. Lumon is, for all intents and purposes, Hell. The series is a social commentary on the capitalist landscape that has everyone in its grips. Workers like Mark. Helly, Irv, and Dylan are all constrained in a corporate nightmare.

Severance very purposely shows that Lumon, like many companies, only considers its workers property. Lumon severs employees’ memories, condemning them to only experience a life inside the walls of the sterile building. They can never see the sky, have a family, or read literature that isn’t corporate propaganda, like Lumon’s nine core principles. For many, that is the definition of Hell, and corporate America created it.

This dependence on capitalism has turned humans into commodities to be bought and sold. There is no clearer definition of Severance and it comes from Cobel herself. Mark and the rest of the Microdata Refiners are supposed to toil in the hellscape until they are dead or retired. The great gift of Severance is demonstrating this theme in a unique way that challenges most other stories on television.

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Release Date

February 17, 2022

Network

Apple TV

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Showrunner

Dan Erickson, Mark Friedman

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Writers

Anna Ouyang Moench, Wei-Ning Yu

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