Like mother, like daughter! Khloé Kardashian’s new XO Blue perfume has already earned the approval of daughter True Thompson.

Ahead of the launch party in Malibu, California on June 16, The Kardashians star shared that Thompson, 8, is already taking after her in one unexpected way.

“She doesn’t wear fragrance on a daily basis, but she has the Squishmallows fragrance, which is so cute and age-appropriate, and then she has all of mine on her counter, and sometimes she sprays herself, and sometimes she doesn’t, but they’re into scents, these kids,” she explained during a virtual press day.

When Kardashian’s daughter does decide to borrow one of the reality television star’s favorites, she has her own way of doing things.

“I do let her use it, but it’s everything in moderation and she’s so great. She sprays her clothes and not herself, which I’m like, ‘Okay, elevated.’ I love when kids are smarter and more creative than we are. So, she doesn’t spray her body, which I’m fine with.”

It’s a far cry from Kardashian’s own spritzing habits growing up.

“When I was younger, it was Bath and Body Works. … I mean, we doused ourselves in the most potent of stuff.”

These days, though, Kardashian is chasing vacation vibes with her signature scent. 

“XO Blue is very tropical, in my opinion. I think when you put it on, you immediately get this woody coconut. I feel very transported onto a beach with a piña colada. … It’s still something that you can wear, but I just love where it transports me to.”

And for the Khloé In Wonder Land podcast host, the appeal goes beyond an island getaway.

“I just want you to feel the sexiest at your core, and that doesn’t have to be this aesthetic thing.”

“For me, that’s all energetically. I just want you to feel just super sexy and feminine and that you can manhandle anyone and do whatever you want to do, and you’re just that girl. … You want to be in a summer dress or a tank top. It’s so silly that that’s how I feel when I’m wearing it, but I feel like the less clothes, the better.”

The Khloud founder is just as passionate about what goes into her body as what goes on it.

“I love peptides. I don’t know if that’s a secret. I feel like everyone takes a peptide. … I take injections, which I love, and they just make you feel good and you look good. … I’m also a big vitamin girl and just staying active. There’s not one thing that’s gonna make anything all better.”

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2025 was a somewhat quiet year for Ridley Scott, but 2026 is going to be anything but quiet as the legendary director finally returns to the world of sci-fi for his new film, The Dog Stars. Scott has recruited an all-time ensemble to star in his first sci-fi film since Alien: Covenant in 2017, with Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, and even Josh Brolin all being recruited for key roles in the film, which is coming to theaters on August 28. Scott has been particularly invested in TV shows of late — just last year, he served as an executive producer on Alien: Earth, and he also produced and directed episodes of the Apple TV crime thriller, Dope Thief (starring Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura). Scott has also been heavily involved in another horror series, The Terror: Devil in Silver, which is set to come to a close this Thursday.

Scott is one of the head producers on The Terror: Devil in Silver, which was written and created for TV by Chris Cantwell and author Victor LaValle. The first two seasons of The Terror premiered all the way back in 2018 and 2019, but it wasn’t until earlier this year that the anthology series officially returned under a new banner, Devil in Silver. Dan Stevens leads the final season of the show, and before the last episode arrives later this week, Collider is thrilled to partner with AMC+ to exclusively preview a new sneak peek at the series finale. AMC’s official description of the final episode reads as follows:

“A big storm is coming, and the attacks don’t stop. Flashback: Arnold sacrifices everything to save Dorry. The power goes out, everyone is trapped. Pepper must confront the evils here. He and Dr. Walter face off. Miss Chris looks out for Loochie.”

What Is ‘The Terror: Devil in Silver’ About?

Past seasons of The Terror focused on a British naval expedition stuck in the ice while searching for the Northwest Passage, but Devil in Silver turns everything on its head with a gripping new story. In the third and final season, which is also produced by leading star Dan Stevens, Pepper finds himself wrongfully committed to New Hyde Psychiatric Hospital, a place full of people society would rather forget. Pepper quickly realizes that the only path for his escape means going straight through the demon that thrives on the chaos unfolding between the walls of this hellscape.

Check out The Terror: Devil in Silver on AMC+ and stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of Ridley Scott’s future projects.

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Release Date

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2018 – 2019-00-00

Network

AMC, Shudder, AMC+

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Showrunner

David Kajganich, Soo Hugh, Christopher Cantwell

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Directors

Tim Mielants, Edward Berger, Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, Fred Toye, Karyn Kusama, Michael Lehmann, Josef Kubota Wladyka, Lily Mariye, Toa Fraser, Meera Menon

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David Kajganich, Shannon Goss, Tony Tost, Steven Hanna, Andres Fischer-Centeno, Benjamin Endsley Klein, Danielle Roderick, Alessandra DiMona, Josh Parkinson

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If you dream of having a wardrobe filled with Aritzia clothing pieces, same. But why drop your entire paycheck if you don’t have to? We found 13 Aritzia-style gems hiding in Amazon’s Hot New Releases section, and we seriously can’t tell the difference. Somehow, they’re all under $30!

With clean lines, rich neutral colors and sleek fabrics, these chic dresses, blouses, pants, sets and more nail Aritzia’s minimal-but-expensive aesthetic. Better yet, these new Amazon finds are ready to ship before your next rooftop dinner or Charleston weekend. Scroll on to see what luxe-loving fashionistas are scooping up in droves!

13 Aritzia-Style Summer Drops — Under $30

1. Our Favorite: Skip the wrinkled linen and reach for this polka dot midi dress when you want a coordinated and comfy look. Throw it on, add sandals and you’re out the door in minutes.

2. Could Be Linen: With crochet detailing running down the sides, these wide-leg palazzo pants have a bohemian-like texture that makes a $20 pair look closer to $200. The apricot shade flatters every skin tone.

3. Country Club: A solid white top and blue striped pants give this two-piece set an East Coast yacht club look without the membership fee. Wear the pieces together or separate.

4. Chic Shorts: If denim shorts feel too young and tailored shorts look too business-like, these classy pull-on shorts hit the sweet spot. They bring the comfort of loungewear with look of something intentional.

5. Boutique Find: This boutiquey short-sleeve top is incredibly flattering, thanks to the peplum design that shapes without squeezing. Pair it with white jeans and you’re done.

Related: 17 Summer Dresses From Amazon That Look Very ‘Zimmermann‘

Hamptons rich moms are almost too easy to spot. They wear Zimmermann designs nonstop, and although these boho-luxe pieces cost thousands, we found 17 romantic summer dresses that channel the same energy for *so* much less. We’re talking loose, billowy picks from just $11! Flowing skirts, head-turning florals and sleeves with just enough drama are […]

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6. Silky Satin: Skip the delicate silk and grab this sophisticated satin top for the same liquid drape at a tenth of the cost. It tucks cleanly into trousers.

7. Bye, Jeans: An elastic waistband and breezy wide-leg shape make these light blue palazzos the pants you’ll reach for every July. It does away with buttons and zippers for a seamless appearance.

8. Luxe Linen: A cotton-linen blend gives this simple purple shirt a lived-in texture without the deep wrinkles that pure linen pulls. We also like the front buttons, which keep it polished.

9. Easy Outfit: Skip the matching duo and grab this faux two-piece dress for the same layered look in one easy piece. The drawstring waist lets you customize the fit.

10. Long Black Dress: When the invite says ‘cocktail’ and your closet says ‘nothing,’ this black maxi dress rises to the occasion. It’s a wardrobe staple you’ll wear for seasons to come.

11. Rich Mom Alert: If you’re ready for your soft-girl era, this romantic pink skirt is the only piece you need. The high waist creates an effortlessly hourglass silhouette when worn with a fitted tank.

12. Corporate Queen: Stretchy fabric, a pull-on waist and real pockets make these professional trousers the work pants you’ll actually want to wear. The straight leg keeps them current.

13. Elevated Loungewear: Throw on this easy travel outfit for a red-eye flight and step off the plane looking like you actually slept. Add gold hoops and slides at baggage claim and you’re ready for dinner.

It’s been more than two years since Kandi Burruss announced her exit from “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.” Since then, much has changed in her life, including adding to her Broadway resume and divorcing her longtime husband, Todd Tucker. Now she’s opening up about what led her to leave “RHOA.”

Burruss interview with RNB Philly in June 2026. In a clip from the full interview, the topic of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” arose, with Burruss noting that her name had been mentioned multiple times during the show’s current season. This then led the host to ask when she knew it was time to leave.

She replied, “That season that the whole dungeon, when they said that I was taking people to a dungeon.” The Grammy winner then stated that she was “over it then” but decided to remain on the show for a few seasons afterward.

For context, she was referring to season 9 of “RHOA,” in which Phaedra Parks allegedly made up a rumor about Burruss wanting to take advantage of Porsha Williams sexually. Initially, Williams mentioned the rumor to Burruss but didn’t reveal where she heard it until the show’s dramatic reunion.

Kandi Says She Considered Leaving For Multiple Seasons

The former “RHOA” star continued discussing her exit from the show during her interview with RNB Philly. Specifically, she stated that she spent the next few years after the season 9 incident wondering if she should leave.

Burruss shared, “Probably the last three years of me being on the show, I kept saying to Todd, like, ‘Do you think we need to leave now? What do you think?’”

She continued, “If you do something for so long, it’s almost like a crutch. You’re kind of like scared to walk away from the crutch. It’s like, ‘Should I leave? Should I not?’” After that, Burruss shared her “only fear”: that fans might not support her other endeavors if she left the show.

‘RHOA’ Fans Are Reacting

Following Burruss’ most recent comments about leaving “RHOA,” fans are weighing in, with many noting that she remained on the show for six seasons following the season 9 drama. For context, the “No Scrubs” writer left ahead of season 16 of the show.

One person said, “But she stayed for several more seasons.” Someone else stated, “But filmed six whole seasons after that…” In support of Burruss, a different fan wrote, “Kandi made the right decision, and her fan base has still remained loyal.”

Lastly, another “RHOA” watcher chimed in, writing, “I’m really proud of Kandi! I know it was hard, but it is for the best. Please don’t let Phaketra hook you up with a date again. Listen to your mom and aunties. At the end of the day, your mom and aunts have your best interests at heart.”

The Music Icon Previously Addressed Her Exit From The Show

Burruss announced her exit from “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” in February 2024. Following her initial statement, she spoke to Variety about her reasoning. At the time, she, in part, blamed the show’s extended hiatus between seasons 15 and 16 as the reason.

She said, “I already said it, so I’ll tell you. I decided I’m not coming back this year. It’s been 14 seasons, and they allowed us to sit around for a little too long, but during that time, I had started working on a lot of other things, and I got some nice big projects coming soon, so I’m super excited about those things.”

The mom of three continued, “But it’s not just that. It’s just like, after you really have time to think, and a friend of mine was like, ‘Why do you keep doing it?’ And I was like, ‘Well, I think because I’ve just been doing it for so long, it feels weird to think not to do it?’”

Burruss went on to imply that her exit wasn’t a permanent decision. According to her, “So I was just like, ‘You know what? I’m going to take a break, I’m going to take a moment… I’m not coming back this year.”

Kandi Settled Her Divorce From Todd In March

Burruss announced her separation from Tucker in November 2025 after 11 years of marriage. Following that, the two remained mostly respectful of each other in public, as they continued to co-parent their two young kids.

According to PEOPLE, they then settled their divorce in March 2026. Previously, Burruss stated publicly that she’d decided to divorce Tucker in July 2025.

Everybody remembers Lt. Data. Mention androids in Star Trek, and sooner or later, somebody starts talking about the pale guy trying to figure out why humans insist on making everything so complicated. What most people don’t realize is that Data wasn’t Gene Roddenberry‘s first android searching for answers. In 1974, Roddenberry handed the spotlight to an android named Questor and built an entire television movie around him. The similarities to Data are impossible to miss. The difference is that one character became a legend, while the other became one of science fiction’s most fascinating “What happened there?” stories.

Questor Was Asking Data’s Questions Years Earlier

The movie, The Questor Tapes, gets right to the point. The eponymous Questor (Robert Foxworth) knows a lot, but he doesn’t know himself. Huge pieces of his past are missing, leaving him with plenty of knowledge and very few answers. So he hits the road with scientist Jerry Robinson (Mike Farrell) and starts searching for the person who might finally explain who he is and why he exists.

It’s impossible to watch the pilot today without seeing pieces of what would eventually become Star Trek: The Next Generation’s Lt. Cmdr. Data (Brent Spiner). Not the yellow eyes or the Starfleet uniform, but the curiosity. The constant search for answers. The feeling that Questor is less interested in what he can do than in understanding where he belongs. Even people connected to the production noticed the connection. Director Richard Colla later described Data as a combination of Questor and Spock, which makes a lot of sense once you’ve seen the pilot. Data would eventually spend seven seasons learning about humanity, one awkward interaction at a time.

Questor was taking a similar journey years earlier. Instead of exploring strange new worlds, he was exploring people, hoping that somewhere along the way he might finally learn something about himself as well. The scenery may have changed from American highways to the final frontier, but the appeal was remarkably similar. Both characters were outsiders trying to make sense of the human race. The only real difference is that Data got seven seasons to figure it out, while Questor barely got out of the starting gate.

NBC Never Understood What Roddenberry Was Selling

If The Questor Tapes sounds like the beginning of a successful science-fiction series, that’s because it almost was. NBC reportedly ordered thirteen episodes, and for a brief moment, it looked as though Questor would become Roddenberry’s next major television project. Then the network got involved. That’s usually where these stories start getting interesting.

The executives understood the basic concept of an android. What they struggled with was everything else. Roddenberry had built an elaborate mythology around Questor and a hidden group of advanced artificial beings who had quietly guided humanity for centuries. To Roddenberry, it was just part of the story. To network executives, it raised questions they weren’t comfortable dealing with. Suddenly, there were concerns about religion, metaphysics, and whether audiences would accept a story suggesting that mysterious beings had been influencing human history.

One proposal would have removed Jerry Robinson from the series entirely. Another would have ignored much of the pilot’s ending and turned Questor into a fugitive constantly running from people trying to capture him. Instead of a story about discovery, identity, and human potential, the series started drifting toward a familiar chase formula that executives felt more comfortable selling. Not everyone agreed with the changes though. Mike Farrell couldn’t understand why anyone would want to break apart the partnership between Questor and Jerry. Roddenberry felt the same way. In his mind, the relationship between the android and the human was the entire point. Once that started disappearing, so did his enthusiasm.

Roddenberry had already lived through one long war over creative control. By the time the arguments over The Questor Tapes reached a boiling point, he decided he wasn’t signing up for a sequel. Instead of compromising further, he left the project behind. The funny part is that Roddenberry never really abandoned Questor. He just came back to him later, wearing different clothes. More than a decade after The Questor Tapes fizzled out, he introduced Data to the world, and suddenly millions of viewers were falling in love with an android asking some very familiar questions.

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Release Date

January 23, 1974

Runtime

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100 minutes

Director

Richard A. Colla

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Writers

Gene Roddenberry, Gene L. Coon

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Producers

Howie Horwitz

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• 
• 

  Mike Farrell

  Jerry Robinson

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There’s a good reason—plenty of them, in fact—why fantasy has remained one of the most prolific and popular movie genres as the decades have passed. These tales of magic, mythical creatures, and wonderful fictional worlds lend themselves perfectly to enduring the passage of time, remaining beloved classics even over a century after their release. Over the course of the last six years, the world has received several fantasy movies that are bound to be remembered as timeless masterpieces by the time 2126 comes around.

But of course, though every year since 2021 has seen the release of at least a few exceptional fantasy films, every year has had a standout, one particular fantasy masterpiece that stands tall above all the rest. Whether it’s a family movie like Puss in Boots: The Last Wish or a heavy adult drama like All of Us Strangers, these are all films that have helped to define what the fantasy genre is capable of achieving in the modern day. Hailing from all across the world and made by filmmakers with various different kinds of thematic concerns, these films came out in tremendously stacked years for the fantasy genre and yet still managed to come out on top.

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2021: ‘The Green Knight’

Image via A24

It goes without saying that 2020 was an unprecedented low for the film industry as a whole, and by proxy, for cinephiles around the world. Going into 2021, the world was still right in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Hollywood began its slow process of recovery, and from that process rose many excellent fantasy films. Case in point: A24’s The Green Knight, one of the greatest cinematic adaptations of Arthurian legend in history. It’s one of the fantasy movies with the best world-building, and though it underperformed at the box office and doesn’t seem to receive nearly as much praise as it deserves nowadays, it’s nevertheless a 2020s fantasy icon.

From blockbusters like Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings to indie darlings like Petite Maman, 2021 had some exceptional fantasy movies, but nothing was ever quite able to top the gold bar set by David Lowery in what may just be his best film to date. Wonderfully creative and imaginative, poetically paced, visually gorgeous, and bolstered by one of the best performances of Dev Patel‘s career, it’s proof of just how exceptional indie fantasy has been throughout the entirety of the 2020s. Arthurian movies are aplenty, but few are as powerful and thought-provoking as The Green Knight.

5

2022: ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’

Image via Universal Pictures

By the time the 2020s rolled in, the Shrek franchise had been lying dormant for years. When it was announced that the film that would bring it back to life would be a sequel to Puss in Boots, fans didn’t exactly have high expectations. Plot twist: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish ended up being not only one of the greatest animated films of the last six years, but even some of the best work that DreamWorks Animation has ever produced. It’s like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Andrei Tarkovsky‘s Stalker had a love child, which is the biggest (and weirdest) compliment one could throw at a film like this.

Indeed, The Last Wish is one of the best fantasy movies of the last 10 years, equally engrossing for kids and for adult animation fans alike. The little ones of the family will be delighted by the eye-popping animation, the surprisingly effective sense of humor, and the many adrenaline-pumping action sequences, while grown-ups will be treated to a character study with shocking amounts of thematic and existentialist depth. Animated fantasy has been on a roll since 2021, and though 2022 also produced gems like The Northman and Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, it doesn’t get better than this.

4

2023: ‘All of Us Strangers’

Image via Searchlight Pictures

Many fantasy fans love the genre for how whimsical and… well, magical it can get. However, emotionally draining fantasy dramas also exist, and they’re every bit as important to the genre’s history and complexity. For instance, 2023’s All of Us Strangers by Andrew Haigh is one of the heaviest fantasy movies ever made, yet it’s also one of the greatest of modern times. Its fantasy elements are rather understated in every way that matters, allowing it to work equally well on three different levels: as a powerful ghost story, an engrossing romance drama, and a poignant parents-son tale.

It’s one of the greatest British movies of the last six years, and though it’s certainly not ideal for those looking for a fantasy movie that they’ll be able to leave with dry eyes by the time the credits roll, it’s a must-see nonetheless. Anchored by Andrew Scott, Paul Mescal, Jamie Bell, and Claire Foy all delivering some of the best work of their respective careers, it’s an emotionally stirring and beautifully-constructed fantasy story that shows just how well low fantasy can work when done right. As fantastic as 2023 fantasy blockbusters like Barbie were, this indie gem was the year’s best.

3

2024: ‘Wicked’

Back in 1939, The Wizard of Oz revolutionized cinematic fantasy in way that virtually no other Hollywood production ever had before. Almost 90 years later, Jon M. Chu‘s Wicked, based on the cult classic Broadway stage musical of the same name, has done pretty much the same thing for Broadway musical adaptations for the big screen. Much like the ’30s classic, Wicked is one of the best crowd-pleasing fantasy movies of all time, full of catchy tunes and memorable characters. Underwhelming sequel notwithstanding, this first part of a duology is every bit as wonderful and magical as its source material.

From Flow to Nosferatu, 2024 had plenty of excellent fantasy films that showed just how healthy of a state the genre is in the modern day, but there’s a reason why Wicked was the highest-grossing live-action fantasy blockbuster of the year. Wonderful in tone, endlessly charming, packed with delightful humor, and with plenty of irresistibly entertaining characters, it’s a film that truly does defy gravity every chance it gets. With Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande at their very best at the forefront, Wicked is bound to go down in history as one of the best musical films of the 2020s.

2

2025: ‘Ne Zha 2’

Image via A24

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The Chinese animated film Ne Zha from 2019 was a surprising box office success, but no one would have expected its sequel, Ne Zha 2, to become the financial juggernaut that it became. One of only seven films ever to make more than $2 billion dollars at the box office, it’s one of the most admirable success stories of 2020s international cinema. Though over 97% of its box office gross came from its domestic market, this animated masterpiece is still proof that the world is ready for more international family movies. It was acquired and released in English in American markets by A24, which should be proof enough of just how much of a pop-cultural phenomenon it became.

Though it still deserves even more praise outside of its native China, Ne Zha 2 is nevertheless one of the highest-rated animated films of all time on Letterboxd. Visually wonderful, endlessly fun and action-packed, and with a delightful sense of humor bound to charm teens and adults alike, and with a delectably dense and complex narrative that heavily borrows elements from traditional Chinese mythology and folklore, it’s perfect for those who love fantasy at its most epic. Some may find its nearly two-and-a-half-hour runtime somewhat daunting, but every minute of that runtime is inevitably spent with a huge grin on any fantasy fan’s face. Furthermore, with others of 2025’s best fantasy films (like Thunderbolts* and Frankenstein) heavily involving sci-fi elements, it also happens to be the year’s purest fantasy masterpiece.

1

2026: ‘Swapped’

Image via Netflix

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The year is almost halfway through, and so far, 2026 hasn’t been a particularly prolific year for fantasy, with fantasy releases like The Odyssey still lying in the future. Even still, Swapped nevertheless has the potential to remain one of the best fantasy films of the year come December. Directed by Nathan Greno and produced by Pixar’s John Lasseter, it’s further proof that Netflix has been doing some marvelous work in the animation field throughout the 2020s. Body swap comedies are perhaps a bit too abundant for their own good, but this one’s among the best that Hollywood has delivered in recent years.

Though the plot is rather unremarkable and pretty predictable, Swapped‘s strength comes from its excellent voice cast (featuring stars like Michael B. Jordan and Juno Temple) and its beautiful animation. Vibrant, colorful, fun, and as charming as anyone could possibly expect a family fantasy film to be, it’s a delectably simple adventure that checks all the right boxes for a movie of its kind. Will it still be the best fantasy movie of 2026 by the time the year ends? It seems very unlikely. But does it deserve to still be remembered as one of the year’s most endearing family fantasy releases? Absolutely.

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Swapped

Release Date

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May 1, 2026

Runtime

98 Minutes

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Director

Nathan Greno

Writers

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Christian Magalhaes, Robert Snow, John Whittington, Adam Karp, Nathan Greno

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Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi is entering a new chapter. As longtime fans continue wondering what comes next for the “Jersey Shore” franchise, the reality TV icon has officially announced her latest project alongside longtime best friend and co-host Joey Camasta. The duo is bringing their hit podcast, “It’s Happening with Snooki & Joey,” to The Volume, marking a major expansion for the show as the entertainment and sports media company continues growing its pop culture footprint. The revamped version of the podcast officially launches Wednesday, June 10, with Hard Rock Bet serving as presenting sponsor.

For Snooki and Joey, the move represents more than just a new platform. The pair said joining The Volume offers an opportunity to grow the show while staying true to the chaotic energy listeners have come to expect.

“We are pumped to be partnering with The Volume for a fresh new look to our show!” Snooki shared via a press release sent to The Blast. “We’ve had our podcast for years now with loyal, amazing listeners and have always wanted to give them the best show possible.”

The former “Jersey Shore” star also teased what fans can expect when the show relaunches. “We’re coming back with more chaos, messy moments and new content that we’re super excited to share!” she said.

Joey Camasta Says Podcast Is Getting ‘Bigger’ And ‘More Unhinged’

Joey echoed Snooki’s excitement, hinting that longtime listeners should expect an even bigger version of the podcast they already love. “As we bring ‘It’s Happening with Snooki & Joey’ to The Volume, it feels like stepping into the future of podcasting, and they’re already leading the way,” he said.

Camasta added that despite the changes, the duo plans to keep the same chemistry that built their loyal audience. “It’s the same show at its core, just bigger, louder, and a little more unhinged, which should honestly concern everyone (but in a good way),” he added.

Known for their candid conversations, celebrity gossip, and unfiltered takes on friendship, relationships, and life in the spotlight, Snooki and Joey have built a devoted fanbase through the podcast’s couch-chat vibe.

Snooki’s New Move Comes As ‘Jersey Shore’ Questions Continue

The podcast expansion also arrives at an interesting time for Snooki as fans continue speculating about the future of MTV’s “Jersey Shore” universe. More than 15 years after the original reality series first turned Snooki, Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino, Pauly D, JWoww, Vinny Guadagnino, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, Deena Cortese, Angelina Pivarnick, and Sammi “Sweetheart” Giancola into household names, questions continue to swirl about what comes next for the franchise.

While “Jersey Shore: Family Vacation” remains a fan favorite, cast members have increasingly expanded into outside ventures, with Snooki continuing to grow her personal brand through business, live appearances, and now a newly elevated podcast partnership.

For The Volume, Snooki and Joey’s arrival also signals a broader push into entertainment content beyond sports. “We’re all about giving dynamic personalities a real stage to connect with fans – and Nicole and Joey do that effortlessly,” Kelly Martin, The Volume’s Head of Talent, said. “They’re hilarious, honest, and their chemistry is undeniable.”

New Project Comes After Emotional Health Battle

The podcast relaunch also comes just weeks after Snooki candidly opened up about one of the most frightening experiences of her life: her stage 1 cervical cancer diagnosis.

During a May appearance on Kristin Cavallari’s “Let’s Be Honest” podcast, the “Jersey Shore” star admitted she spiraled emotionally after learning the news. “Terrifying. Like, hi, am I dying? What is going on? I definitely had a breakdown,” Polizzi confessed.

The reality star admitted her mind immediately jumped to worst-case scenarios. “Like, ‘Oh, my God, what am I gonna do? Gotta get my will in place. What’s gonna happen?’ Planning my funeral. I was being so dramatic,” she said.

Snooki later explained that researching the diagnosis helped calm some of her fears, especially after learning stage 1 cervical cancer is highly treatable. Still, the diagnosis took an emotional toll on her family.

How Snooki’s Cancer Diagnosis Impacted Her Children

Polizzi, who shares Lorenzo, Giovanna, and Angelo with her husband, Jionni LaValle, revealed that her children struggled to understand what was happening.

“My little one was like ‘mommy, are you going to heaven?’” she recalled. “I’m like, ‘can we stop?’ I like, had a mental breakdown. I was like ‘Everything’s going to be fine, mommy just has to do her tests and stuff and her surgeries.’”

The reality star has since shared that she plans to undergo a hysterectomy this summer and remains “terrified” about the procedure, but said she chose to speak publicly after hearing from other women who shared similar experiences online.

Good special effects can obviously be like icing on an already good cake, but that cake has to be good. Otherwise, even the best special effects don’t really go far in making something worth watching for those effects alone. Good special effects can make a good movie even better, and then there are also some very good movies that don’t have great special effects, but those somewhat janky moments feel forgivable (like, maybe some instances of less-than-perfect de-aging effects… looking at you, that one slightly too physically demanding scene from The Irishman).

So, in the interest of showcasing how good special effects can’t really save a bad movie, here are some movies that miss the mark in most regards, but have special effects that were mostly impressive for their time (and maybe even to this day). Most of this will focus on movies with computer-generated imagery, but not exclusively; there are some films below that contain impressive practical or more old-school effects, too.

8

‘The Matrix Revolutions’ (2003)

Image via Warner Bros.

If you look over all The Matrix movies, the first one is obviously a classic, being an introduction to a fascinating world, a great concept, and some spectacular action. The second movie is a little shakier when it comes to pacing, and maybe the story isn’t quite as interesting, but it still looks great, and much of the action is as good – or possibly even slightly better – than the action found in the first. That’s probably a massive hot take… The Matrix (1999) still wins out as a sci-fi movie, but The Matrix Reloaded could be a hair better as an action movie.

Skipping ahead to the fourth, that one is definitely ambitious, for better or worse, and has some wild and fairly interesting ideas you kind of have to admire. And then the third movie… uh… it looks quite good. All the movies in The Matrix series look pretty great, and even if the fourth has some weirder special effects, it’s still going for something bold, and has moments of eye-catching imagery. The first three all look and feel pretty consistent. That third movie, The Matrix Revolutions, does disappoint a bit when it comes to both the narrative and the action, but at least it looks good and is generally more than sound on a technical level.

7

‘Pearl Harbor’ (2001)

Image via Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

There is a movie about the attack on Pearl Harbor from 1970 called Tora! Tora! Tora!, and for the most part, it still holds up. It doesn’t have modern-day special effects, obviously, but the techniques used to recreate the attack are immense, to the point where it sometimes feels easy to forget you’re watching a movie. About 30 years later, there was a very different movie about the same attack, simply called Pearl Harbor, with it being less of a docudrama, more of a melodrama, and also a good deal longer (and Tora! Tora! Tora! itself wasn’t exactly short).

Tora! Tora! Tora! achieves more in a shorter runtime, with a Japanese and American perspective on the event given, and more effort that goes toward making it feel believable. Pearl Harbor might’ve got away with being broader and more romance-focused than you might’ve expected if that side of the movie had actually been good. There is a somewhat effective utilization of then-cutting-edge special effects for some of the bigger and more action-heavy sequences here, but that really is about all you get by way of genuinely good stuff.

6

‘Terrifier’ (2016)

Image via Dread Central

The entirety of the Terrifier trilogy is the sort of thing that’s not going to be for everyone, since all three movies so far (it is threatening to be more than just a trilogy) are unapologetically brutal, and also pretty blunt with what they set out to do. It’s possible to see how people might be fans of the second and third Terrifier movies, because they have the sadistic violence and memorable villain of the first movie, but there is an attempt in both those films to have something of a story, some character development for the victims, and a bit by way of an overall mythology for certain things.

That first movie, though, is barely a movie. It’s hard to remember anything that happens beyond some of the exceedingly grisly violence. Yet the effects done to make Art the Clown’s sadistic tendencies come across as particularly brutal and bloody are impressive, and particularly so when you consider that Terrifier (2016) was far from expensive. Even by low-budget horror movie standards, it was low budget, if that makes sense.

5

‘The Golden Compass’ (2007)

Image via New Line Cinema

The Golden Compass is sort of based on a very good book called Northern Lights, the U.S. name of which was The Golden Compass. Emphasis on “sort of based,” because The Golden Compass just stops short of actually having the interesting ending that the source material does, which sets up two even more ambitious sequels that end up rounding out the His Dark Materials trilogy.

Anyway, that ending – or lack thereof – is the biggest problem with the film adaptation of The Golden Compass, and it does also lack a certain magic and charm that the book has, quite effortlessly. Yet on a technical level, the special effects are strong for their time, and though the movie’s almost 20 years old, a fair bit of it holds up better than you might expect. It won Best Visual Effects at the Oscars, and then it was also nominated for Best Art Direction (with that side of things also contributing to the movie looking and feeling pretty great overall).

4

‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ (2016)

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is saved from being an outright terrible superhero movie on account of it looking quite good, and also for having some engaging action scenes. The problem is, there are really only a couple of properly good action scenes, and they’re buried within a movie that’s quite long, at 2.5 hours, and yet it’s paced in a chaotic way that makes it feel even more drawn out.

Throughout the whole thing, at least you get special effects that are well-executed, and an overall level of technical competency you can expect from most Zack Snyder movies. The problem comes about when Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice offers little else, and sort of doubles down on some of the problems already present in the flawed – but not as bad – Man of Steel. This was only sporadically entertaining as a movie about the titular showdown, and as a movie setting up the dawn of the Justice League, it really didn’t work very well at all.

3

‘Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen’ (2009)

Image via Paramount Pictures

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Like Zack Snyder, Michael Bay doesn’t always make great movies (sometimes getting things right, though, also like Snyder), yet both directors are generally good at making their expensive movies actually look expensive. You saw it with Pearl Harbor, which was mentioned before and stuff… that was another Michael Bay movie. It’s not a high bar, and it’s not always enough to make the movie actually bearable, but it is technically better than nothing, and you do find it with Bay’s Transformers sequels, most of which aren’t very good (some might even argue the first is flawed, but it’s also easy to get nostalgic about parts of that one).

Of the sequels, Bay directed four, including the second film overall, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. It’s a technically impressive movie, in some ways, like the first, but it really falters when it comes to how it’s written, paced, edited, and acted. If you want to see impressively rendered robots transform, battle, and get blown up, that stuff does technically look more than technically sound, but you’re going to be digging pretty deep – and probably to no avail – if you want to find more than just that in a movie like Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

2

‘Hollow Man’ (2000)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

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Of all the Paul Verhoeven movies, most are honestly quite good, some are pretty much great, and then a fair few are rather underrated, too. The worst of the bunch, though, would almost have to be Hollow Man, and that’s hopefully not much of a hot take. This takes on an invisible man premise, but with a good deal more outwardly shocking content than you’d see in those older movies about invisible people, with admittedly more impressive and up-to-date special effects here, too.

No, beyond that, the special effects were impressive for 2000. A lot of money went into making Hollow Man, and sure, some of that went to the cast (like Kevin Bacon, even if his character ends up being invisible a lot of the time), but it seems like a lot also went into the special effects, and that side of things paid off. It got an Oscar nomination for Best Visual Effects, in fact, but it’s safe to assume that it wasn’t close to getting nominated in any other categories, because outside the effects (for their time), Hollow Man just keeps on consistently missing the mark. You really are better off not seeing it.

1

‘The Lion King’ (2019)

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Begrudgingly, it must be conceded that The Lion King (2019) does not look as garish as some other Disney remakes that have been in live-action, or have featured photo-realistic animation instead of the hand-drawn/2D variety. Some of those movies had a ton of money thrown at them with seemingly no gains from it, with Snow White (2025) being perhaps the worst offender, in that regard.

Don’t get it twisted: The Lion King (2019) still doesn’t look nearly as striking or timeless as The Lion King (1994), which is still one of the best-looking animated movies, and also one of the flat-out best animated movies quality-wise, too. The Lion King (2019) is lifeless and without the kind of color and expression needed for the emotional story at hand, but if there was an intent to have the computer animation here look pretty darn close to real life (well, real life if lions and other animals talked and sang and stuff), then mission accomplished. Yay?

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The Lion King

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Release Date

July 19, 2019

Runtime

118 minutes

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Writers

Jeff Nathanson

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Apple TV hit its sci-fi stride when Hugh Howey’s addictive series was adapted for the streamer. Starring Rebecca Ferguson, Silo is the masterful television version of his books Wool, Shift, and Dust. Dystopian and grim, the drama is set in a post-apocalyptic world where Earth has become so toxic that humanity has survived for generations in huge silos underground. No one remembers how the world ended, or if they can ever leave, and yet, the remains of society still find a way to subjugate its people as humanity is wont to do.

The world of a caste system and a murderous conspiracy fascinated viewers, as did the powerful performances from Ferguson. Seasons 1 and 2 largely followed the first book, but that will change with the imminent third season. In fact, Silo is taking a sharp turn away from the source material altogether. The hard sci-fi masterpiece appears to be rewriting its biggest story, according to the new trailer.

Silo ‘Season 3’ Is Slowing Down the Pace Once Again

Silo is undoubtedly one of the most masterful series on television, but it isn’t immune to criticism. Season 2 slowed down the narrative quite a bit as it tackled the last few chapters of the book, Wool. Instead of devoting one book per season, the series got a little more creative with its storytelling. The thrilling sci-fi venture still follows the books, but takes its time getting there. Now it seems that Juliette’s path to leadership will be delayed once again, as the trailer reveals she gets amnesia after surviving the decontamination chamber.

The hot box full of flame seemed to have some effect on her mental faculties — or at least that’s what Silo 18 wants her to think. The governing body is likely manipulating her to stop her from releasing crucial information. This amnesia plotline is not present in Hugh Howey’s books, considering the second book, Shift, is a prequel. To its credit, Silo appears to be covering this story as well.

The trailer also features the time before, as the silos were constructed as a way to survive the end of the world. Juliette’s storyline is a way to keep the character in the narrative, but it isn’t the most original concept. Per the books, Juliette is meant to become the Mayor of the Silo and be a source of justice and truth for the inhabitants. Instead, her character arc is being stalled once again in favor of a more flashy storyline. This may impact the series negatively as all the momentum of her character arc will be lost.

Season 2 was already drawn out as it lacked the drive that the first season did. Halfway done with Silo’s life, this is the time to strike. While it was necessary to keep Rebecca Ferguson in the driver’s seat, there could have been a more dynamic way to do it, instead of mentally handcuffing her prominent character.

Changing the ‘Silo’ Storyline Is Risky

There has been more than enough evidence that supports the idea that once a television series deviates from the source material, it’s on shaky ground. Universally beloved hard sci-fi series, The Expanse, was largely faithful to the books, even if it did cut the show off three seasons too early. James S.A. Corey were heavily involved and kept the magic from the books intact. Both Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon have deviated from the books with controversial results. It is natural to want to include Rebecca Ferguson as the primary point of contact for Silo, but it may have refreshed the series to adhere to the narrative that followed past events.

Season 3 has a surge of surprise casting, including Jessica Henwick, Colin Hanks, and Jessica Brown Findlay as characters set in the past. While the footage from the trailer is brief, it is the most exciting thing about the upcoming season. These characters create silos with the idea that they can one day head to some utopian future, when clearly the opposite is going to happen. This is an engaging idea on its own and may have been just the thing to create even more anticipation once Juliette returned for the final installment.

The new lore surrounding Juliette’s amnesia may distract from the tried and true content that fans have prepared themselves for. This plotline is only delaying the inevitable, which should come to pass when Silo enters its final season down the line. Until then, viewers will just have to wait and see how that comes to fruition when Season 3 premieres on July 3.

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Release Date

May 5, 2023

Showrunner

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Graham Yost

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