Of all the many exciting summer blockbusters in 2026, from the iconic Steven Spielberg‘s long-awaited return to sci-fi in the alien epic Disclosure Day to Tom Holland‘s return as Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, no film is as hotly anticipated as The Odyssey. Three years after sweeping awards season and smashing the box office with 2023’s Oppenheimer, director Christopher Nolan returns with his most ambitious film yet, one that we now know boasts a staggering $250 million production budget.

Nolan movies are usually stacked with eye-catching talent, but The Odyssey feels like his most impressive ensemble yet. Featuring a supporting cast that includes the likes of the aforementioned Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, Jon Bernthal, Mia Goth, Elliot Page, Benny Safdie, and more, this adaptation of the famous fictional story by Homer will be led by the ever-brilliant Matt Damon. Ahead of The Odyssey sailing onto global screens, one of Damon’s more divisive movies is back in the streaming charts.

Released in 2011 and somehow predicting the COVID-19 pandemic nine years later, Contagion faced a mixed reception upon arrival, splitting audiences down the middle but earning favorable reviews from critics. “In its first hour, Contagion masterfully balances all of these plotlines to create a fast-paced and serious-minded scenario that will leave you aching to douse yourself in hand sanitizer,” wrote Matt Goldberg in Collider’s review from 2011, with others heaping praise on the movie’s stellar cast. Whether it’s an uncanny look at the future or performances from the likes of Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Laurence Fishburne, Marion Cotillard, and more, you’re looking for, Contagion has it. At the time of writing, 15 years later, this Steven Soderbergh thriller has gone viral again, becoming the most-streamed movie on HBO Max in the U.S.

Was ‘Contagion’ a Box Office Hit?

Did audiences in 2011 catch Contagion fever? The answer is complicated, with the film technically a financial success, scoring a global haul of $137 million against a production budget of $60 million. However, with a cast as impressive as this, and with the strength of director Soderbergh behind the camera, many would’ve predicted the movie to perform much better. After opening at #1 in the U.S., the movie quickly fell down the ranks in the weeks to come, dropping out of the top five entirely by weekend #3.

Contagion is streaming now on HBO Max. Stay tuned to Collider for more streaming stories.

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Release Date

September 8, 2011

Runtime

106 minutes

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Director

Steven Soderbergh

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Writers

Scott Z. Burns

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The latest in Taylor Sheridan’s ever-expanding Yellowstone universe, Dutton Ranch has already garnered rave reviews for successfully carrying the mantle of the franchise’s legacy. Reprising their roles from Yellowstone, Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser lead the cast as Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler, who attempt to leave the ghosts of Yellowstone behind and start a fresh life in South Texas. A spin-off sequel to the parent show, Dutton Ranch serves as a narrative/thematic bookend to the Dutton family’s saga.

If you’re a fan of Dutton Ranch’s acclaimed first season, then you might also want to catch up on more sprawling Western shows of the 21st century. From frontier-era dramas to modern-day thrillers, each of these Western shows shares the common themes of power, family legacy, loyalty, and survival, as well as complex characters who bring it all to life. Read on to discover more shows like Dutton Ranch that you can watch right now.

1

‘The Son’ (2017–2019)

Image via AMC

Developed by Philipp Meyer, Lee Shipman, and Brian McGreevy from Meyer’s novel, The Son follows the life of Eli McCollough, kidnapped as a teenager in 1849 by the Comanche people and raised by their chieftain as his son. Decades later, Eli is a ruthless oil baron and rancher, struggling to maintain his power as his violent past threatens his future. Pierce Brosnan stars as the titular character, with Henry Garrett, Paola Núñez, Carlos Bardem, and Zahn McClarnon in key roles.

Shifting between the late 1800s and the 1900s, the story of The Son is told in two parallel timelines to explore the conflict between the past and the present. While it is not as contemporary as Dutton Ranch and is more traditional as a western, the AMC show shares some similar themes with the Yellowstone universe. With themes of family legacy, a ruthless patriarch, and generational conflict over land and business, The Son is closer in comparison to 1883 and 1923 than Dutton Ranch, but fans of the franchise might still find it an interesting watch.

2

‘Ransom Canyon’ (2025–Present)

Image via Anna Kooris / ©Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection

Netflix’s answer to the Dutton family saga, Ransom Canyon is a romantic Western drama developed by April Blair and based on the book series by Jodi Thomas. Set in the titular town, the story centers on grieving rancher Staten Kirkland and his relationship with his longtime family friend, Quinn O’Grady, as they navigate rival ranch families vying for control of the land. Josh Duhamel, Minka Kelly, Eoin Macken, Lizzy Greene, Garrett Wareing, and Marianly Tejada star in the main roles.

Ransom Canyon has several shared elements and motifs with Dutton Ranch, in terms of ruthless rivalries, rugged cowboys, and expansive ranches, but varies largely in tone. The Netflix original leans more towards intimate emotions and personal relationships akin to shows like Virgin River or Sullivan’s Crossing, while maintaining its high-stakes family drama narrative. While Ransom Canyon earned mixed reviews in its first season, it has found a following among fans of Western melodrama.

3

‘Deadwood’ (2004–2006)

Image via HBO

Created and produced by David Milch, Deadwood is an HBO Western drama that follows the history of the titular South Dakota town before and after its annexation by the Dakota Territory. Set in the 1870s, the story chronicles its evolution from a lawless gold-mining camp into an organized civilization, focusing on the power struggle between Al Swearengen, a ruthless saloon owner, and Seth Bullock, a newly arrived, upstanding ex-Marshal. Timothy Olyphant and Ian McShane play the central characters, leading an ensemble cast.

With moral tension, a lawless land, and complicated characters, Deadwood is an engaging western drama that trades family complications for social politics. The series might not have grown in size or popularity like Yellowstone, but it set new standards for the genre in the early 21st century. A 2000s television classic, Deadwood has aged well and become a landmark of the Western genre that is sure to appeal to Dutton Ranch fans.

4

‘Longmire’ (2012–2017)

Image via Netflix

A neo-Western crime drama developed by John Coveny and Hunt Baldwin, Longmire is based on the Walt Longmire Mysteries series of novels by Craig Johnson that follows the titular troubled sheriff in a Wyoming County. With the help of his daughter Cady, longtime friend Henry, and his team, Walt Longmire sets out to solve major crimes in his county while navigating troubles in the bordering native reservation. The series stars Robert Taylor as the titular sheriff, with Katee Sackhoff, Lou Diamond Phillips, Adam Bartley, and Cassidy Freeman in main roles.

Longmire has earned the reputation of a subtle and quiet show that delights with its mystery and scenic visuals. It intelligently blends crime procedural elements with conventional, slow-burn drama in a gorgeous setting that would feel familiar to Dutton Ranch fans. Though it became the highest-rated original drama series on A&E during its run and is still considered one of the best modern westerns on television, Longmire has become sadly forgotten in more recent years.

5

‘The Madison’ (2026–Present)

Image via Paramount+

Following the phenomenal success of Yellowstone and its spin-offs, Taylor Sheridan wrote and created The Madison, another neo-Western story set within the Yellowstone universe that isn’t connected to its characters or plots. The series follows Stacy Clyburn, matriarch of the Clyburn family, who moves her family from New York City to an idyllic ranch home in Montana after suffering a tragic loss. Michelle Pfeiffer, Kurt Russell, Beau Garrett, Patrick J. Adams, and Elle Chapman star in the main roles.

Slow-burning and deeply emotional, The Madison is a dramatic shift from the rest of the Yellowstone shows. Unlike most sprawling westerns dealing with land disputes, corporate intrigue, or violent action, it dives more into character drama and the Clyburn family’s inner workings. On its premiere, The Madison received mixed reviews, with praise for its stunning cinematography and Michelle Pfeiffer’s powerful performance as the grieving matriarch.

6

‘1923’ (2022–2025)

Image via Paramount+

Created by Taylor Sheridan, 1923 is the third series in the Yellowstone universe and serves as a sequel to 1883 and a second prequel to Yellowstone. Set in the titular year, the plot focuses on one generation of the Dutton family as they navigate personal, social, and economic hardships in the early years of the Great Depression, which severely affected Montana before the entire economy collapsed decades later. The show’s ensemble cast stars Helen Mirren, Harrison Ford, Jerome Flynn, Timothy Dalton, and Brandon Sklenar in key roles.

The two-season Western drama became a major success for Paramount+ as its biggest debut, rising above the ratings of Yellowstone and other shows by Sheridan. The show draws its audience with the star power and keeps them engaged with its great cinematography and powerful acting. Since its premiere in 2022, the show has earned widespread acclaim, perhaps the most in the franchise, earning several awards and nominations, especially for Mirren and Ford’s performances.

7

‘1883’ (2021)

Image via Paramount+

The success of Yellowstone paved the way for its first spin-off and prequel, 1883, which follows the history of the Dutton family and the origins of the family saga. Set 125 years before the events of Yellowstone, in a post-Civil War America, 1883 follows James and Margaret Dutton as they leave behind the poverty of the southern states and settle in Montana, founding the Yellowstone Ranch. The series stars Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Sam Elliott, Isabel May, and LaMonica Garrett in main roles, alongside guest stars like Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Billy Bob Thornton, and Graham Greene.

During its concurrent run with Yellowstone, 1883 became more successful than the parent show, breaking several records. The series is closest in theme to Dutton Ranch than any other title in the Yellowstone universe. Beth Dutton’s journey is not only reminiscent of her ancestors’ journey from the South to the Great Plains but is also a poetic, full-circle moment for her bloodline. A well-crafted, well-acted period drama, 1883 enjoys high praise from fans and critics and is a must-watch for Dutton Ranch fans.

8

‘Yellowstone’ (2018–2024)

Image by Federico Napoli

A television phenomenon created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson, Yellowstone is the reason why Dutton Ranch exists. The show follows the powerful Dutton family, owners of the largest ranch in Montana, and revolves around patriarch John Dutton as he navigates his family’s legacy, personal and social relationships, and legal conflicts with the local native reservation. The show’s ensemble cast includes Kevin Costner, Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, Cole Hauser, Kelsey Asbille, and Gil Birmingham.

The Dutton family generation that set off the titular franchise, Yellowstone revived the Western genre for television and became a groundbreaking show. Fans of Dutton Ranch will not only like Yellowstone as a previous chapter but might also find it useful to watch Beth Dutton’s history with her family and the events that led to her move to South Texas. Powered by gritty characters and terrific performances, the neo-Western drama has had increasingly positive reviews and has earned cult status.

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Release Date

2018 – 2024

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Network

Paramount Network

Directors

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Stephen Kay, Taylor Sheridan, Christina Alexandra Voros, Guy Ferland, John Dahl

Writers

John Coveny, Ian McCulloch

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Tim Allen has opened up about the unique public challenge his voice continues to pose for him, more than three decades after bringing Buzz Lightyear to life.

The 72-year-old actor recently confessed that he never really wanted to be a dad and said his effort at parenting has been “a work in progress.”

Allen has been open about his sobriety in the past, but shared that he was not sober during some of his oldest daughter’s younger years.

Allen first recorded “Toy Story” lead Buzz Lightyear in 1995, and since then, his voice has remained synonymous with the galaxy’s most famous Space Ranger.

However, the role has brought a real-life challenge for him, as he revealed that he can no longer speak freely in public without blowing his cover.

Speaking during a recent SiriusXM interview to promote “Toy Story 5,” in which he reprises his role alongside co-stars Tom Hanks, Greta Lee, and Conan O’Brien, Allen said his wife, Jane Hajduk, often asks him to be quiet when they go out to sporting events or plays together.

“My wife loves going to football games, and I love it, but I cannot speak in public because of Buzz Lightyear,” he said, per PEOPLE. “I’m a very private guy, but if I’m in the stands — she likes sitting in the stands to see her Steelers play, so we gotta go to these games. And she’ll go, ‘Shut up. If you want something to eat, whisper to me. I’ll go get it.’”

Allen Recalls A Funny ‘Toy Story’ Mix-Up

Even when Allen tries to stay under the radar at public events, his efforts often prove unsuccessful.

In the SiriusXM interview, he recalled one instance when he was recognized because of “Toy Story.” Allen explained that he and his family once went to see a performance of “The Wiz” in Chicago, and his wife warned him, “Don’t talk.” However, other patrons appeared to confuse him with his longtime co-star and Woody voice actor, Hanks.

“So, we’re sitting there, and there’s a really good play, and I get up and walk away, and three of the ladies behind me go, ‘Tom, we just love you in Toy Story,’” Allen said. “I went, ‘Oh, no.’”

“Toy Story 5” is set to hit theaters on June 19 and will see Allen star alongside familiar cast members Hanks and Joan Cusack, who voices Jessie. Meanwhile, O’Brien and Lee join the cast for the new entry, with O’Brien voicing a potty-training-themed toy named Smarty Pants and Lee playing Lilypad, a tech-savvy, frog-shaped smart tablet that pulls children away from older toys.

Tim Allen Gets Candid About Fatherhood

Allen is the father of two daughters: Katherine Allen, whom he shares with his ex-wife, Laura Deibel, and Elizabeth Allen-Dick, whom he shares with his current wife of 20 years, Hajduk.

Over the years, both daughters have supported him at several movie premieres, including “The Santa Clause 3” and “Toy Story 4,” with Elizabeth now following in his footsteps.

However, during an interview with  Us Weekly, Allen opened up about his initial thoughts on fatherhood, saying he “never really wanted” to be a father and that his journey has been a “work in progress.”

“I never really wanted to be a dad. I joke about it on stage; I’ve just never been a real fan of children. As people have said many times about parenting, you go through all this [stuff] to get a driver’s license or a passport, but there’s nothing about [raising] children,” he said. “It was a work in progress.”

Allen Reveals His Wife Had A Different View On Kids

Allen went further in the interview, revealing that his stance was a far cry from Hajduk’s, as she wanted at least five children “because you learn on the first two.”

“With Kate, I was gone a lot, so her mom did most of the raising. I come from [a family of] seven boys and two girls, and it’s a very different world to me with girls. I have a different view of what will make a strong woman,” he explained.

“The girl stuff I have little interest in — clothing, looks, gossip, and all that — [I focused on] learning finances, learning how to take care of yourself, and that works for boys and girls,” Allen said.

However, the experience appears to have been richly rewarding for him, as he also noted that he has come to understand the depth of a father-daughter bond over the years.

Tim Allen Reflects On Past Mistakes

Ahead of the release of “Toy Story 5,” Allen took a trip down memory lane and recalled getting off on the wrong foot during his early years, when he made some mistakes he is not proud of.

“I’d lost focus after college, where I got into criminal stuff,” he said, referencing his two-year prison stint.

The “Home Improvement” alum then made efforts to get back on track by drawing inspiration from those who had gone ahead of him.

“When I was incarcerated, I started reading books [about] men and women who had been successful out of nowhere, and I started focusing on where I wanted to be,” the actor continued. “I did not want to do that ever again. I humiliated my family and friends, and myself. I did not want to make that mistake [again].”

Director Steven Spielberg has created many movies about aliens and government cover-ups, including his latest release, “Disclosure Day.” However, he is far from the only Hollywood star who believes that aliens exist. Several celebrities not only believe in aliens but also claim to have seen one for themselves.

In one of the last episodes of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” the “E.T.” director said that he doesn’t just believe in aliens – he wants to be the ambassador when they eventually reach Earth.

“I think I should represent… I mean, my whole thing is it should be me!” Spielberg said, garnering cheers from the audience. It prompted host Stephen Colbert to respond, “Everybody wants the gig.”

Former U.S. President Barack Obama has also said that he wants the role of Earth’s alien ambassador; however, Spielberg insists he’s more qualified.

“I think the whole thing is, I made Close Encounters,” he said. “My first alien movie, I was 17 years old, was called Firelight, an 8-millimeter. I made E.T. and I co-produced Men in Black and War of the Worlds.”

“Now you’re just bragging,” Colbert joked, to which Spielberg insisted he wasn’t bragging.

 “Here’s the point I’m trying to make: I’ve made all these movies where I’ve kind of played an ambassadorial role. They’ve never shown themselves to me,” he said, then asked, “Why is that? It’s so unfair.”

Tom Cruise Also Believes In Aliens

In 2005, Spielberg directed “War of the Worlds,” which starred Tom Cruise. While promoting the film, Cruise said, “Of course,” he believes in aliens when asked.

“Are you really so arrogant as to believe we are alone in this universe?” Cruise said to a German newspaper, which was translated by CNN. “Millions of stars, and we’re supposed to be the only living creatures? No, there are many things out there, we just don’t know.”

Halle Berry Thinks There’s ‘Other Life Out There’

Actress Halle Berry starred in two seasons of the CBS sci-fi drama “Extant,” which was produced by Spielberg and his Amblin Television production company.

While attending the show’s premiere in 2014, Berry told the Los Angeles Times that she is a believer. “I’m not so egotistical to think that we’re the only ones living in this vast, vast universe,” Berry said at the time. “I do think there’s other life out there.”

Woody Harrelson Tells Stephen Colbert About His Own Encounter

Spielberg isn’t the only one opening up to Stephen Colbert about his experience with aliens! Actor Woody Harrelson told the host he’s “open-minded” when asked about his belief in aliens.

“I wasn’t abducted. Or maybe I was abducted and forgot,” he joked before revealing that he had his first brush with what he suspected was a UFO when he was a teenager living in Ohio in 1974.

“Suddenly I noticed, like everybody’s out in the street, and so I went out, and we looked up. It was nighttime, and there were these lights that were just kind of blinking, and then it would just shoot all the way across the sky,” he recalled. “And then there’d be one over there, shoot over here, and there were several. They just kept going across the sky.”

“Everybody, we watched it for a while, it took a few minutes, and then finally just, whoosh, went somewhere else. Some other world,” he continued. “Nobody talked about it. Literally, everybody just went inside and said nothing. It was so freaky, even for me, as young as I was.”

Miley Cyrus Claims She Was ‘Chased Down’ By A UFO

While speaking with fashion designer Rick Owens for Interview Magazine in 2020, Miley Cyrus claims that she was “chased down by some sort of UFO” while driving through San Bernardino with a friend.

“The best way to describe it is a flying snowplow,” she continued. “It had this big plow in the front of it and was glowing yellow. I did see it flying, and my friend saw it, too. There were a couple of other cars on the road, and they also stopped to look, so I think what I saw was real.”

That being said, she did admit that she had “bought weed wax from a guy in a van in front of a taco shop, so it could have been the weed wax.” However, the experience affected her so badly that she said she was “shaken” for five days.

“I couldn’t really look at the sky the same,” she said. “I thought they might come back.”

Dredd is another in a long line of movies that, for one reason or another, failed to find a theatrical audience despite being fantastic.

By Brent McKnight
| Published 11 seconds ago

Sometimes movies don’t click with audiences when they’re initially released. It may be timing, it may be the style, maybe it lacks a big-name star to put butts in theater seats. Movies tank for any number or combination of factors, but that doesn’t mean they’re not still great. Such is the case with 2012’s Dredd.

Let us not confuse the movie we’re talking about today with the much-maligned 1995 Sylvester Stallone debacle, Judge Dredd. Based on the same source material, they are very, very different animals. (I have a weird affection and place in my heart for that film, though I will never go so far as to argue that it’s good.) In fact, that confusion, or at least association, is one reason people often cite for why the latter film fell on its face at the box office. It certainly didn’t help matters.

Dredd is another in a long line of movies that, for one reason or another, failed to find a theatrical audience despite being fantastic. Worldwide, it only took in $41 million, with a dismal $13 million domestic haul.

Why Dredd Deserved Better

Dredd may be based on a comic (he first appeared in 1977 via a long-running British comic called 2000 AD), but it’s not your typical comic book movie. This isn’t the episodic long-form superhero storytelling of Marvel, nor the darker, brooding, but still PG-13 fare DC often trades in. No, directed by Pete Travis, Dredd is violent and brutal and hard-R to the point it had to be toned down to get there.

Set in the future after a nuclear incident destroys much of the world, the remnants of humanity cram into sprawling metropolises. These become dystopian hell-holes, full of violence and depravity. The only force of order is the Judges, roving cops who serve as judge, jury, and executioner all in one, dispensing tyrannical justice. Our story takes place in Mega-City One, which accounts for much of the East Coast of the United States. There are 17,000 serious crimes reported daily, to which law enforcement responds in 6% of cases.

The plot of Dredd is fairly simple. Legendary Judge Dredd (Karl Urban) is tasked with training and evaluating a new recruit, Judge Anderson (Olivia Thirlby), a mutant with strong psychic ability. They respond to a trio of murders in Peachtrees, a 200-story high-rise slum, and have to fight their way through the building, which is controlled by a vicious drug dealer named Ma-Ma (Lena Headey). She controls the trade of a new drug called Slo-Mo, which slows down how the user experiences time to one percent normal speed.

Dredd takes a certain amount of flak for having a similar plot to Gareth Evans’ martial arts banger The Raid. The Raid did come out first; after a festival run, Evans’ film got a theatrical release in March 2012, while Travis’ debuted in September, and they are, at least on the surface, similar. That said, and for the sake of clarity, one didn’t rip off the other. This is a case where two films with comparable plots came out near each other. Though it arrived later, due largely to significant post-production special effects work, Dredd actually filmed first.

It doesn’t really matter; in addition to being their own individual things, both movies are completely badass and should be watched, often.

Though the setup of Dredd may be relatively straightforward, the finished product is anything but. Written by Alex Garland, who penned the likes of 28 Days Later, and who went on to direct heady sci-fi, like Ex-Machina and Annihilation, Dredd has more on its mind than just empty action. The surface machinations may be minimal, but the film as a whole is deceptively complex and nuanced.

Since his inception, Judge Dredd was always intended as a critique
of the creeping fascism and totalitarian idealism that was on the rise in the political
realm at the time, especially in Britain, but elsewhere as well. He’s a brutal
tool of a corrupt system, draconian in the way he dispenses justice. When we
first meet him, via a high-speed chase full of guns and bullets and viscera strewn
across the highway, he’s a black-and-white, letter-of-the-law lawman. No matter
the situation, no matter the circumstances, this is what the law says, this
is what he does.

Dredd carries this stance to extremes. When he and Anderson are trapped in Peachtrees, taking fire from Ma-Ma’s gang, he still trains her, barking out orders and questions. Because that’s his job and nothing will push him off that path. He’s like a wind-up toy, blindly going in one direction, unable to deviate.

That’s where Anderson comes in. She introduces shades of gray into Dredd’s world. Her psychic abilities give her insight into people and a corresponding empathy. She’s an orphan, a mutant, a product of one of these slums. Dredd looks up, and all he sees is the crime, gangs, the 96% unemployment rate; she sees a place very much like home, full of mostly good people struggling in a tough situation.

Dredd is bleakly nihilistic, a kind of futuristic Travis Bickle, while she’s earnest and idealistic. Over the course of the movie, they find something of a middle ground. She realizes maybe she shouldn’t always expect the best out of people, while he realizes maybe everything isn’t as cut-and-dried as he’s always thought.

Over the course of their day, Anderson commits errors that should fail a recruit, like losing her primary service weapon. But so did he. Or consider the case of a character like Domhnall Gleeson’s Techie. Yes, he works for Ma-Ma, but only because he has no other choice. If he denies her, she’ll eviscerate him. In fact, by this point, she’s already taken his eyes. Anderson sees that, whereas Dredd can’t, or at least couldn’t before.

Within the larger thematic puzzle, Urban and Thirlby (both actors who should be in way more stuff) carry all of this. When the film was announced, Karl Urban delighted fans ahead of time when he said one of his conditions for accepting the role was that, like in the comics, the character never take off his trademark helmet. Even though we can only see the lower third of Dredd’s face, he manages to portray much more than just clamp-jawed stoicism and a grim demeanor.

Urban has such a great range. He’s charming and funny as Bones in the new Star Trek movies. Here he’s in total big-time action-movie mode, which he more than pulls off. Even with what could easily be a one-note throwaway role like Skurge in Thor: Ragnarok, he gives the character pathos and an arc.

Thirlby’s Anderson could easily have fallen into first-day-on-patrol cop-movie clichés. She’s earnest, but not gullible; hopeful, but not to the point of naivete; frightened, but still strong and capable. Willing to resort to violence (when Dredd declares a criminal guilty and sentences him to die on the spot, she pulls the trigger), it’s not her natural first move. Her character balances and tempers Dredd’s impulses, influencing him. It builds to the point when his superior asks if Anderson passed; he says yes, even though, by the book, she committed failable sins.

Lena Headey may be the unsung all-star of Dredd, though. She’s straight-up terrifying. A former prostitute wearing a gnarly face scar, she rules through absolute fear. This is a person not afraid to skin enemies alive and dose them with Slo-Mo before tossing them off the top floor, so the 200-story fall takes that much longer. Ma-Ma is equally as terrifying and relentless as Headey’s Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones, but played in a much different way.

Working with cinematographer Anthony Dodd Mantle (127 Hours), Travis created a fantastic-looking movie. The Mega-City One of Dredd has a palpable grime, like if you touched it, your fingertips would come back covered in grit and something sticky you’d rather not know the origin of. But it also has a hypnotic beauty. We never really see the Cursed Earth beyond the walls of the city, but wide helicopter shots show the expanse of decayed urban sprawl. It’s dirty and smelly and looks a little like a large-scale Die Antwoord video.

It’s the Slo-Mo shots, however, that set Dredd apart aesthetically. This isn’t typical slow motion, just the normal action slowed down; this is molasses compared to that. When a character takes a hit, the subsequent movement practically drips. Travis and Mantle use it to great effect. They use enhanced, borderline psychedelic colors; bullets rip through flesh practically frame by frame; spurts of blood and exploding heads are raw and visceral in a unique way, but also gorgeous and mesmerizing. This is gore elevated to art.

All of this still comes through on streaming, but Dredd hit theaters in 3D. 2012 was the middle of that boom where every big movie of this ilk was upscaled to 3D, whether it was shot that way or not. It was overused and oversold, but Dredd knows what it’s doing in that regard. More than simply things flying at your face, it created an immersive feel more akin to the likes of Avatar than other comic book movies. Especially the Slo-Mo scenes. They put you right in the middle, creating an almost uncomfortable sensation of being there.

Critical And Audience Response To Dredd

Dredd offers up a tense pot-boiler of a movie. From end to end, it’s all escalating pressure, fantastic, epic action, and brutal violence juxtaposed with raw humanity. It’s legitimately great, which begs the question: why did it fail in such spectacular fashion at the box office?

Dredd presents an interesting case for a couple of reasons. It’s not as if no one liked the movie. On Rotten Tomatoes, which collects critical reviews, it has a 79% approval rating. Critics generally liked it at the time as well as now.

Beyond theaters, it made a huge splash on home video (which was still a thing back then). It was the best-selling DVD/Blu-ray release when it hit the market, where it moved 300,000 units in its first week of release, on its way to more than 650,000.

After all this, there were multiple fan petitions that collected hundreds of thousands of signatures calling for Dredd 2. They started almost immediately after it tanked at the box office and have popped up sporadically ever since. There were even annual fan Days of Dredd for a few years to call on Hollywood to make more Dredd movies. We’ve seen comics, animated shorts, and all kinds of talk, particularly from producer Adi Shankar, who, for a time, would chat about sequels every chance he got.

For his part, star Karl Urban has often said he’s game to return to the square-jawed character. Saying this even as recently as March 2020. (Though writer Alex Garland said in October of 2019, he has no intention of ever returning to this universe.)

Why Dredd Failed

If it’s so popular, why did Dredd fail? There are a lot of potential answers to this. One is that the stank of Stallone’s 1995 version was still on people’s minds and that kept many away. That Stallone movie isn’t good, but is it that bad?

Another theory is that Dredd was marketed as another superhero movie and was a victim of superhero fatigue. It is based on a comic book, but while Judge Dredd is popular, it’s always been more niche and less mainstream. You can slap Batman, Superman, or Spider-Man on anything and people will see it. But Judge Dredd doesn’t have the same drawing power. Also add in the hard-R rating, the violence, the blood, the fact that it is very not family-friendly; that may have had something to do with it.

Dredd also isn’t the product of a major marketing conglomerate. Disney bought Marvel in 2009 and created a monolith. DC has Warner Bros. behind their movies. This is a much smaller-scale production from a bunch of smaller producers. Dredd cost a reported $50 million. Compare that to the other comic book movies in the summer of 2012: The Avengers cost $220 million, The Amazing Spider-Man cost $230 million, and Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises set the studio back $250 million. Dredd isn’t in that same echelon, though people made it out that it was.

More than anything, I’m a believer that timing killed Dredd. The film opened in September 2012, which has become a bit of a barren wasteland between summer blockbusters and winter award-season bait. This was also a summer with movies like The Avengers, The Dark Knight Rises, Amazing Spider-Man, Men in Black 3, The Bourne Legacy, and tons of other big franchise movies. It’s one of my jobs to see movies, but even I’m usually exhausted and sick of sitting in theaters by the time September rolls around. So are general audiences, who often stay away from theaters for a while at that time of year. Theatergoers may not have had another big movie in them at that particular moment.

Couple that with a lower budget, a lesser-known comic
property, no significant star power to speak of, and a much smaller marketing
budget, and it adds up to a missed opportunity. And I’m kind of okay with that.

Granted, I have no financial skin in the game, and I would definitely be jacked to see more Dredd movies. Still, we never had to suffer through subpar sequels, or had to hope the next one will be good. Instead, we have this one awesome movie. Dredd kicks all kinds of ass on many levels and we should be psyched we can watch it whenever we want.

Who Really Directed Dredd?

There is one additional thing to note about Dredd. Though it doesn’t necessarily affect how the film is viewed, it may change how some people view it. It’s also a curious story, one that has been floating around for some years, more or less since the initial release.

Looking at the credits, Dredd lists Pete Travis as the director and Alex Garland as the writer. The long-circulating rumor is that Garland actually directed much, if not most, of Dredd. It’s one of those inside-baseball, not-really-a-secret secrets.

And it’s not without some merit. As recently as 2018, Karl Urban said as much. In an interview with JoBlo, he said: “I would love to have the opportunity to play Dredd again, but if it doesn’t happen then I’m happy with the fact that we’ve made a film that has become a cult classic and that people have discovered over time. A huge part of the success of Dredd is in fact due to Alex Garland, and what a lot of people don’t realize is that Alex Garland actually directed that movie.”

That seems pretty definitive. He later went on to say that people should count Dredd as Garland’s directorial debut. There has even been talk that Travis was barred from the editing process, and Garland even sought a co-director credit.

This is all conjecture and gossip, but it makes a bit of sense. Garland obviously had eyes on a directing career and made his debut two years later in 2014. It may not mesh with the look and feel of Ex-Machina and Annihilation, but it does show some of his trademarks. On the other hand, it’s quite different from Travis’ filmography as well. In reality, it doesn’t really feel quite like the work of either filmmaker, and it’s easy to believe it’s a bit of a hybrid.

If Karl Urban and others are to be believed, Dredd is
the result of Garland more than Travis. Whether or not that’s how you lean, the
movie still totally rules.

Seth Rogen and James Franco were once one of Hollywood’s most recognizable creative partnerships. However, their friendship and professional relationship changed in recent years following sexual misconduct allegations against Franco. It has been years since the actors worked together on a project, and Rogen is sharing whether he has any plans to rekindle his partnership with Franco and whether or not they remain in contact.

In an interview with The New York Times published on June 13, Seth Rogen was asked about the friendships he made in the industry throughout the years, including the breakdown of his relationship with James Franco. Rogen thought about the extent of information he wanted to share, saying that it was “too personal” to get into.

He did, however, say that he still has the “same stance” since he talked about Franco a few years prior. “I think the proof is in the pudding — I have not worked with him in years.” Their last on-screen collaboration was 2019’s “Zeroville,” a film directed by and starring Franco that featured Rogen as Viking Man.

On a personal level, however, Rogen said the relationship is “so nuanced” and involves other people that he doesn’t want to drag into the conversation. Regardless, he said, “I haven’t worked with him in a really long time, and I have no plans to,” adding that he hasn’t talked to Franco in a while either.

The Actors First Worked Together In The Late ’90s

Rogen and Franco developed a friendship while starring in the 1999 NBC series, “Freaks and Geeks, which had just one season but became a cult classic. It wasn’t until 2008, however, that the two reunited on the big screen for “Pineapple Express.”

In the years following, they worked together on several films, including “This is the End,” “The Interview,” “The Disaster Artist,” and “Sausage Party.”

Rogen and Franco have candidly talked about their professional and personal relationship over the years, saying they learned from each other and were like brothers. “We grew up together in this business. He’s like my brother, but a brother I actually choose to work with every single day,” Franco said about Rogen in 2017.

The Allegations Against James Franco

In 2014, Franco faced backlash after screenshots were leaked showing the actor communicating with an underage fan and asking whether he should book a hotel room for them. The actor owned up to the messages and apologized for his “poor judgment.”

Four years later, the Los Angeles Times published an investigative report, in which five women, four of whom were his acting students, accused Franco of “sexually exploitative behavior.” Two of the women filed a class-action lawsuit against Franco, claiming that the actor pressured them into participating in explicit scenes on camera with the promise of film roles.

Franco admitted to having sexual relations with some of his students and also shared that he had a sex addiction. “I suppose at the time, my thinking was if it’s consensual, OK. At the time, I was not clearheaded,” he said.

In 2021, an agreement was reached, and Franco paid a $2.2 million settlement.

Seth Rogen Distanced Himself From The Actor

Following the screenshot leak in 2014, Rogen appeared on “SNL” and poked fun at his friend during his monologue. “I decided to prank James Franco. I posed as a girl on Instagram, told him I was way young. He seemed unfazed. I have a date to meet him at the Ace Hotel,” he said. In 2018, Rogen said that he would still work with Franco.

In a 2021 interview with The Times, however, the actor said he regretted making the joke, adding, “I also look back to that interview in 2018 where I comment that I would keep working with James, and the truth is that I have not and I do not plan to right now,” Rogen said.

“I despise abuse and harassment, and I would never cover or conceal the actions of someone doing it, or knowingly put someone in a situation where they were around someone like that,” he said, adding that Franco’s controversy changed “many things” in their personal and professional relationship.

James Franco Acknowledged The End Of His Friendship With Seth Rogen

Count on Victoria Woods, also known as BroRilla, to keep the spotlight on her and GloRilla! Most recently, she had supporters crackin’ up in her comment section after sharing a throwback family portrait. To boost, she joked about Glo’s facial expression in her caption.

RELATED: BroRilla FrFr! Victoria Woods’ New Hair Has Fans Saying She Looks Like An Early-Career GloRilla (VIDEO)

Victoria Woods Shares Childhood Photo Featuring GloRilla

On Saturday (June 13), BroRilla dropped a throwback moment on her Instagram. The photo appears to feature the Woods’ parents and their 10 children, including Victoria and GloRilla, standing together. BroRilla is dressed in a dark blue dress with hair bows, while Glo is wearing a light blue dress with hair bows. In the flick, Glo is looking down and away from the camera.

“Glo in the pic like I can’t wait to get away from them they embarrassing 😭😭,” Victoria Woods captioned the photo.

Social Media Reacts To Woods’ Family Portrait

More than 500 comments filled up the family portrait’s comment section on Victoria Woods’ page. Others saw the humor in BroRilla’s caption, while others speculated that she misses her sister IRL. Some even cracked jokes of their own and commented on the physical similarities between the Woods siblings.

@parysamournailsllc commented, “The fact that this pic looks like it was taken in the 80’s but Glorilla isn’t that old 😂.” 

“Omg y’all dad genes is strong 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 . I know y’all grew up getting the same gift but different colors lol me and my sis did,” @tuesdaytakeovermedia added.

“Glo looking like ‘I gotta think about these ppl something ain’t right bout them’ 😂,” @keyjonesphotography1 said.

“Shidddd yall all have the same damn face I don’t know who is who 😂😂😂,” @chocolateisalwaysgood commented.

@theonly_ruthlessstrawberry wrote, “Scar & Glo face expressions lol match y’all personality and vibes now lol to cute & funny … I can’t wait to see the link up ❤️🙏🏾🤞🏾.” 

“She miss her sister real bad,” @thabellastory said.

“Is glo the one holding up the peace sign to her face? She been saying duces to them fam since a young girl 🤣😂🤣😂,” @shirleyzeelombardi commented.

“This a beautiful photo,” @preciousloveones added.

@kween_kwali_ wrote, “Y’all momma DNA didn’t fight back AT ALL!!😂😂.”

“Ya’ll gotta recreate this picture,” @theinfamoussavage said.

“😂😂😂😂😂she look like ‘ima head out,’” @1ruby_runt added.

BroRilla Clarifies Her Previous Comments About Growing Up With Rats

Earlier this year, Victoria Woods first went viral after alleging that GloRilla doesn’t take care of their family. She dived into their family dynamics, claiming they lived through childhood struggles together. During that era, BroRilla seemingly suggested they also experienced rat infestations in their home. On Saturday, she clarified that their childhood home has one rat that she and her siblings nurtured ahead of it getting pregnant. Their mother allegedly did not know about the pet rat, then or now.

“We took care of that rat. She had about nine rats…When she had them rats, she ended up dying, we had a funeral for her. And after that we took care of all them rats and my momma was like where the f**k all these rats coming from…she didn’t know we were taking care of the rats.”

RELATED: Sheesh! See Why GloRilla’s Sister Victoria Woods Mentions Megan Thee Stallion, Brandon Ingram & Latto In Diss ‘Therapy’

After spending years working at a high-end boutique, I got pretty good at spotting which dresses would fly off the racks. The biggest surprise? Many of the dress styles customers couldn’t stop buying looked remarkably similar to pieces now available at Walmart — for a fraction of the price.

From breezy linen-blend midi dresses to flattering smocked silhouettes and polished cotton styles, Walmart has quietly become one of my favorite places to find boutique-looking dresses that feel expensive without the hefty markup. Ahead, shop 13 styles that remind me of the best-selling dresses we couldn’t keep in stock.

13 Boutique-Looking Dresses for Way Less at Walmart

1. Our Favorite: This is exactly the type of easy cotton midi dress that boutique shoppers gravitate toward every summer. The structured seams and flattering fit give it a polished feel that looks far more expensive than its under-$20 price tag.

2. Runner-Up: If you’ve ever admired resort-ready dresses at specialty boutiques, this style delivers the same elevated look. The linen blend fabric and statement border print feel straight out of a vacation collection.

3. Celeb-Inspired: This universally flattering silhouette reminds me of the easy dresses celebrities wear with simple sandals and oversized sunglasses. The fit-and-flare shape creates definition without sacrificing comfort.

4. Designer-Looking: Smocked dresses dominate boutique floors every spring and summer. This one has the same feminine, expensive-looking silhouette you’d expect to find for three times the price.

5. Everyday Essential: Every boutique has a ‘throw-on-and-go’ dress that customers buy in multiple colors. This breezy swing option is comfortable, versatile and easy to style for errands, brunch or travel.

Related: 12 Boutique-Worthy Walmart Finds That Simplify Summer Dressing

For many women over 40, the ideal summer wardrobe consists of airy dresses and elevated basics that can be worn multiple ways. Forget the crop tops and mini skirts – stylish and mature women want pieces that look more polished and put-together. They’re finding these pieces at Walmart, which is a treasure trove of chic […]

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6. Vacation Ready: Lightweight linen-blend fabrics always sell quickly in boutique settings. This shift silhouette feels effortless and sophisticated while keeping you cool in warm weather.

7. Most Expensive-Looking: The combination of a smocked bodice and flowing skirt gives this dress a refined, boutique-quality appearance. Pair it with leather sandals and no one will guess it’s from Walmart.

8. Rich-Mom Energy: Puff sleeves and mixed-media fabrics are details often found in contemporary designer collections. This style has the polished, affluent look that’s trending right now.

9. Best Mini: This peasant mini dress feels like something you’d discover in a charming coastal boutique. The puff sleeves and relaxed fit strike the perfect balance between romantic and effortless.

10. Most Versatile: Every boutique relies on elevated basics. This cotton T-shirt dress is one of those wardrobe heroes you’ll wear on repeat with sneakers, sandals and denim jackets.

11. Best Plus-Size Pick: The sweetheart neckline and flutter sleeves create a feminine silhouette that looks incredibly flattering. It’s the type of dress boutique shoppers often seek out for weddings, vacations and summer events.

12. Most Figure-Flattering: A cinched waist is one of the easiest ways to create shape and definition. This dress highlights curves while remaining comfortable enough for all-day wear.

13. Hidden Gem: The twist-front detail gives this dress a fashion-forward look that instantly elevates it. It reminds me of styles we’d routinely sell for $80 or more at the boutique (this one is just $20)!

Related: 17 Dresses That Look Like Spring-to-Summer Boutique Bestsellers

I used to work at a boutique, and spring-to-summer was always our sign of what shoppers couldn’t get enough of. The second the weather warmed up, everyone skipped past anything fussy and went straight for breezy midis, easy maxis and throw-on dresses that looked put-together (no styling stress required!). I could easily predict which ones […]