Entertainment
Uwe Boll’s Extremely R-Rated Film Is The Most Dangerous Satire Ever Made
By Robert Scucci
| Published
Most great satire is misunderstood at first because, more often than not, its subjects buy into it without the slightest hint of irony. I don’t have enough fingers on my hands to count how many people I grew up with posting Tyler Durden or Patrick Bateman quotes on their MySpace profiles to sound edgy and cool, not realizing these men aren’t supposed to be in on the joke; they are the joke. Similarly, Starship Troopers’ satire took a minute to catch up with the masses because the whole thing is supposed to be a scathing indictment of tyrannical governments, nationalism, imperialism, and military might.
I have friends who wanted to, and did, join the Army because they thought Starship Troopers was so cool. Unfortunately, one of the side effects of good satire is that it can be dangerous; the very behavior it’s holding under a magnifying glass to ridicule is often celebrated by people who refuse to read into the subtext.
Which brings us to Uwe Boll’s Citizen Vigilante. It’s banned in parts of Europe, but can now be purchased on-demand in the United States, and it’s an interesting film to say the least. After watching it this past Friday, and thinking about it over the weekend, I can say with 1,000 percent confidence that the film is, without a doubt, a straight-faced satire.
The question that I’ve been asking myself, though, is whether it’s a good satire, or even an effective one, which is no easy question to answer. On one hand, if you read between the lines, everything about this movie is so over-the-top and hyperbolic that I’d be hard-pressed to find any movie lover who wouldn’t pick up on what it was trying to accomplish.
But we also need to consider that most casual viewers won’t be looking at Citizen Vigilante this closely, taking everything it says at face value, meaning that its messaging, as read off the page, is quite dangerous.
Uwe Boll, in my opinion, made a brilliant satire with 2007’s Postal, though I’m sure a lot of you will disagree with me here. Every single character is hateful and loathsome, acting in equally hateful and loathsome ways, and the comedy comes from thinking to yourself, “these jerks are acting like jerks, and then terrible things happen to them because of how they acted.” It’s juvenile, edgy in that eighth-grade gamer kind of way, and offends all sensibilities, but it gives its viewers an out. People can appreciate the satire, and move on without it rocking their world beyond its initial shock value.
Citizen Vigilante, on the other hand, is so deadly serious in its delivery that I could see why and how certain people who have certain extreme beliefs may celebrate everything the movie is trying to dismantle, which is inherently dangerous if left unchecked.
Why Is Citizen Vigilante A Satire?
Citizen Vigilante centers on Armie Hammer’s Michael Sanders, a U.S. citizen living in Europe who takes the law into his own hands without ever experiencing a sliver of doubt that he’s doing the right thing. His primary target is immigrants living in Europe illegally, who, in his mind and many others, are the cause of all of the continent’s violent crimes. Until migration policies are treated more seriously by the powers that be, Michael Sanders makes it known that he will continue to roam the streets, using extreme violence to take the law into his own hands to solve the “problem” once and for all.
Searching for the Citizen Vigilante’s true identity so he can apprehend him is Interpol Regional Chief Henry (Costas Mandylor). It’s worth noting that Henry would like to see reformation on the immigration front, but he’d prefer to do everything by the books. Henry is a man of nuance who recognizes there’s a crime problem, but also understands that better vetting processes can coexist with people legitimately seeking a better life through legal immigration.
Though there are some violent, epic showdowns between these two heavy hitters, here’s why Citizen Vigilante is most certainly a satire: Michael is a violent immigrant.
He’s a U.S. citizen who inherited his late father’s real estate business. When he makes his rounds to inspect his properties, he’s mostly concerned with their value and structural integrity so he can keep making money off of them. When his business partner, Owen (Steffen Mennekes), brings up his citizenship issues, and how some of his properties stand to be seized to be transformed into migrant housing because of them, Sanders refuses to budge, even if it’s exactly what the surrounding communities need to handle their immigration issues in a more peaceful way.
In other words, Sanders is not a European citizen, and he’s benefiting greatly from Europe’s resources without consequence up to this point.
To make matters worse, some, probably several, of these properties are brothels. If Sanders’ entire goal is to protect women from being assaulted in the streets, which makes them feel unsafe when walking alone, then he lacks any semblance of self-awareness by not realizing that he’s part of the problem. Sure, money changes hands between consenting adults at these brothels, at least from what we’re shown. I have a hard time believing there’s no human trafficking or abuse happening behind closed doors, which makes Michael Sanders complicit in the same kind of societal degradation that he’s profiting from while allegedly fighting against it.
Need More Clues?
Michael Sanders has several workout montages in Citizen Vigilante. Michael Sanders speaks almost entirely in extremist clichés in Citizen Vigilante. Michael Sanders looks at all of the social media posts that praise his “heroic” actions in landscape mode, even though they were clearly filmed and optimized for vertical formats. The dude thinks he’s a chad, but he’s really just a chode.
Michael Sanders communicates through violence, traumatizing God knows how many people in the process, for the sake of what he considers to be justice. Meanwhile, Henry, who will stop at nothing to stop our protagonist from taking the law into his own hands, is the film’s representation of regular people who recognize that most societal issues are systemic, complex, and require biblical amounts of cooperation from all parties to leave the world a better place than it currently is.
The guy you’ve always been supposed to root for in Citizen Vigilante is Henry. The story is told through Michael Sanders’ perspective not because he’s the hero, but because it’s the behavior that Boll wants to hold under a microscope in the most extreme way imaginable.
Is Citizen Vigilante an effective satire? Absolutely. Is it well shot, well acted, and does it get its point across? Yes and no. Personally, I think the satire is clear because almost nobody acts like this. Everybody is a caricature in one way or another, and their decision-making across the board is catastrophic in every conceivable way. I walked away from this movie thinking, “Wow, that Michael Sanders guy is a real jerk,” which I think is exactly the intent of the film.
The problem with satires like Citizen Vigilante, Starship Troopers, Fight Club, American Psycho, and Falling Down is that plenty of viewers will accept them at face value, and that’s where the danger lies.
At the end of the day, I think Citizen Vigilante accomplished what it set out to do. The problem with art is that once it’s let out into the wild, it no longer belongs to the artist. Some people, who will enjoy this movie for all the wrong reasons, will celebrate it because Michael Sanders is what they think is a badass, personified version of their own extreme beliefs. Those willing to peel back its layers will find that the film is actually a blatant criticism of that very mindset.
All that said, is Citizen Vigilante a very good movie? Eh. Just watch Falling Down.
As of this writing, Citizen Vigilante is available on-demand through YouTube, Google Play Movies, Apple TV+, and Fandango at Home.
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Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean is making it clear that there is nothing inappropriate about his relationship with Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Abby Summers.
“I don’t really think it’s a conflict of interest,” DeJean, 23, said on the Thursday, June 25, episode of his “Exciting Mics” podcast when a fan opined that their relationship “could be messy.”
DeJean was sure to point out that even though the Eagles and Cowboys are bitter rivals, Summers, 25, isn’t in the Dallas locker room.
“I mean, it’s not like we both play football,” he said. “She’s a cheerleader. There is going to be no insider information given either way.”
Nikki Garcia admits trying to find love in the spotlight is “difficult” amid rumors she’s dating Philadelphia Eagles player Cooper DeJean. “It’s been crazy,” Garcia, 42, exclusively told Us Weekly on Monday, March 9, reflecting on putting herself back out there after finalizing her divorce from Artem Chigvinstev in 2024. The WWE wrestler noted that […]
DeJean also pulled back the curtain on how the two got together after they went public with their relationship in May at the Kentucky Derby.
“We had known about each other for some time,” he said. “Then we happened to be both in Florida at the same time during the [2026 College Football Playoff] national championship game. She was down there and I was down there and then I met her there.”
DeJean continued, “I believe the next weekend was the Super Bowl and she was out there also — and we had hung out there a couple times and after that we kept seeing each other and hanging out.”
The month after the Super Bowl, they were also spotted together at the 2026 men’s Elite Eight game between the University of Iowa, DeJean’s alma mater, and the University of Illinois.
Philadelphia Eagles player Cooper DeJean believes his girlfriend, Steph Wilfawn, is the true MVP of his championship football season. “She’s been a trooper,” DeJean, 22, shared on the Tuesday, February 18, episode of “The Pivot” podcast. “She’s been handling a lot, going through a lot, but she’s been there every step of the way.” Although […]
The Eagles star is no stranger to seeing his love life make headlines. He was rumored to be dating WWE star Nikki Bella last year before he and Summers appeared at the Kentucky Derby.
DeJean reflected on the attention in a May 2026 discussion with Us Weekly.
“It can get overwhelming at times,” he exclusively told Us of the attention. “But I think it’s cool just to see the way people support us [in Philadelphia].”
DeJean also opened up about playing football in a town as passionate about its sports as Philadelphia.
Nikki Garcia bleeds Eagles green — especially if it means supporting defensive back Cooper DeJean. “Walking into Sunday like…. 🦅🔥,” Garcia, 42, wrote via Instagram on Sunday, December 28, ahead of the team’s matchup against the Buffalo Bills. “‘Been there, WON that.’ 🙌🏼 #FlyEaglesFly.” Garcia uploaded throwback footage of herself wearing DeJean’s jersey and team-branded […]
“I think it’s the people around you keeping you humble and keeping you down to earth,” he said. “I feel like I’ve got a great group of people around me — friends, family, who keep me grounded — which is awesome. I feel like it costs nothing to be a great person.”
He also admitted that he learned a bit about handling the pressure from Jason Kelce, who retired the month before the Eagles drafted DeJean.
“Just the way he interacts with people in the city,” DeJean said. “He’s a great guy. I’ve got to talk to him a few times. He’s still in the building quite a bit, working out and stuff. Just getting to talk to him, see him and hear his experience he had in his 12 years here is pretty cool to see.”
By Jason Collins
| Published
Apart from Bram Stoker’s Dracula from 1992, which is a legendary movie starring Gary Oldman as the iconic villain, there have been numerous retellings of Dracula’s story throughout cinema and television. Some of these are rather mediocre, like Dracula 2000. Others were outright bad, like Dracula 3000. And some were outright fantastic, like 1922’s Nosferatu or Steven Moffat’s 2020 miniseries, aptly named Dracula. Now, a failed movie, Dracula Untold, has found new success on streaming, turning an iconic villain into a superhero.
Dracula As A Tragic Hero
For those who haven’t seen the movie, Dracula Untold was a critically panned reimagining of the origin of Dracula, which aims to portray the character as a tragic hero rather than a straightforward villain. The film’s narrative is set in the 15th century where Vlad III (Luke Evans), the prince of Wallachia and Transylvania, faces a threat from the Ottoman Empire, which demands 1,000 Wallachian boys (including his own son) as a tribute to the sultan’s army.
Having spent his youth among the Ottomans, Vlad now seeks to protect his son and his country from the enemy.
However, in desperation, he turns to the dark and ancient power hidden in the mountains, a mysterious vampire (portrayed by the Game of Thrones star Charles Dance), who grants him the powers to defend his family and his country but also curses him with the vampiric blood lust. We won’t go into the story any further. Instead, we’ll go on to say that the concept upon which the story was based is actually pretty good. However, the execution of said concept in Dracula Untold wasn’t.
Lights Out On The Dark Universe
Though the critics praised Luke Evans’ performance as the anti-hero, Dracula Untold was heavily criticized for its plot and the perceived lack of emotional depth. However, it did reasonably well at the box office, earning $217 million worldwide against a budget of $100 million. Unfortunately, its earnings weren’t enough to protect it from the apparent pull of the grave and any idea of a sequel unfortunately found a stake to the heart.
At one point, there were discussions and some attempts to retroactively include Dracula Untold into the now-failed Dark Universe born with the release of The Mummy in 2017. However, given the poor performance of that particular release, Universal abandoned every notion of the Dark Universe.
This is really unfortunate because later-revealed Dracula Untold scenes that ended up on the cutting room floor also showed the appearance of Baba Yaga. No, we’re not referring to John Wick, but the actual stuff of nightmares originating from Eastern folklore.
Despite the film’s poor reception, Dracula remains an enduring pop culture icon that transcends the shifting cinematic trends, which explains how Dracula Untold found its resurrection on Netflix.
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“Supergirl” flopped across opening weekend with domestic ticket sales totaling approximately $38 million.
Suede Brooks reflected on her relationship with Drake, claiming she he sent her threatening messages in the wake of their split.
“I was staying on my friend’s boat, and her father had hired Drake to come to the boat and throw a party in Saint-Tropez and Drake had never been to Saint-Tropez, and so he came on the boat, he came with his friends,” the Calabasas Confidential star, 25, alleged during a Sunday, June 28, appearance on Bunnie Xo’s “Dumb Blonde” podcast. “It was amazing. He’s such a great guy.”
Brooks continued, “When I met him, I was like, ‘Oh, this is so cool that he’s, like, coming on our boat and through, like, and performing at our party.’ But I feel like the narrative that was spun was, like, I kind of stepped onto his territory, and like I, when in reality it was like no, he came onto our program.”
Drake, 39, and Brooks were first romantically linked in July 2022 after being spotted together in Saint-Tropez.
“We dated … I would say, like, on and off for a few months,” Brooks recalled on Sunday. “I would go see him in Toronto, and then one day I was like, ‘I’m tired of this.’”
When the twosome ultimately called it quits, Brooks claimed that she felt afraid for her wellbeing.
“When we did end things, it was very … I was very scared for my safety,” she alleged. “And for a lot of things, for a long time living in LA, the things they said to me were very alarming. I was 21 or 22 at the time, and when you hear those things said to you coming from the most powerful artists in the world that has so much power and can do the unimaginable within the snap of a finger, it was very scary.”
Brooks claimed that she received threatening messages after their breakup as the result of a“miscommunication.”
“[I was] getting text messages that he’s gonna have bitches fold me up verbatim, that’s what he said,” she alleged. “I was like, for what? It was all miscommunication. He thought I was saying something that I didn’t. He thought I was talking like shit about him in LA when I never was.”
Brooks claimed that after she received the alleged messages she did not leave her “house for like three months,” afraid for her safety.
“I didn’t step outside, like I didn’t go out, at least, because I was scared, especially somebody of that power,” she said. “I know I’ve grown a lot from it, and I know he’s grown a lot from it. I think also during that time it was emotional for both of us, because it was just like a big miscommunication. But he is so talented.”
Brooks added that she dislikes talking about their split because she has a lot of admiration for Drake to this day.
Drake sparked romance speculation after getting cozy with Sexyy Red at his Brooklyn concert — and their post-show hang raised even more eyebrows. “Just met my rightful wife,” Drake, 36, wrote via his Instagram Story on Tuesday, July 18, alongside a backstage snap with Sexyy Red, 25, amid his It’s All a Blur Tour. The […]
“I hate bringing that stuff kind of back up but he is so talented, I know he has a great heart,” she said. “I wish him nothing but the best in his future. I hope he finds somebody that he loves and cherishes for the rest of his life. It wasn’t me, and it got to a point where it was almost like I physically and emotionally can’t give you what you need, so I’m gonna step away.”
Brooks added that she hasn’t “spoken to him in a minute” as she doesn’t like to talk to her exes after calling it quits.
“Like, once you lose me, I’m gone,” she said.
Us Weekly has reached out to Drake’s spokesperson for comment.
Anime has been popular for a long time, with classics such as Bleach defining a generation of fans and still impacting the culture of fandom today. However, it’s hard to deny the impact of modern anime, with sensations such as Jujutsu Kaisen becoming among the most popular anime titles in history. But even though 2020 was six years ago, fans usually define modern shows by what has come out in the past 5 years.
That is why this list will rank the most perfect anime series that came out in the past five years, from 2021 to 2026. Based on elements such as story, animation, originality, entertainment value, popularity, consistency, fan opinion, critical acclaim, and overall quality, these shows are the must-watch staples of the past five years. New icons will come out, but for now, these are the most perfect modern anime.
10
‘Sonny Boy’ (2021)
Almost all the anime on this list are mainstream hits, but one of the lesser-known icons of the past decade is Sonny Boy. This unconventional isekai follows a class of students who mysteriously transport to a bizarre world. As they try to figure out the laws of this world, the students begin developing superpowers, and a natural hierarchy forms as they search for a way back home.
Sonny Boy was one of the last avant-garde anime series, and it impressed in a big way, delivering a stunning season of confusing, yet thought-provoking storytelling. This Lord of the Flies-esque anime delved into the creative realm to deliver a visually distinct and narratively complex anime that can be considered the must-watch hidden gem of the past five years.
9
‘Delicious in Dungeon’ (2024–Present)
The fantasy genre is bigger than ever, and series like Delicious in Dungeon prove that. After one of their party members is eaten by a dragon, the rest of the members either leave or plan to head back down. However, with no money, supplies, or food, they decide to cook the monsters they find down there. From adventuring to cooking creatures, there is more mystery that awaits them at the bottom of the dungeon.
Delicious in Dungeon is one of the most distinctive anime series of the 2020s, blending genuine fantasy mystery with fun monster gourmet creations. It has a brilliant use of worldbuilding and monster ecology, which works in favor of its cooking side adventures. No other anime does what Delicious in Dungeon does, and when the next season comes out, it may be the best fantasy anime of all time.
8
‘The Summer Hikaru Died’ (2025–Present)
Horror anime generally isn’t the best, but a history of lackluster shows can produce some hits, such as The Summer Hikaru Died. Yoshiki notices something wrong with his best friend, Hikaru, learning that he has actually died, and a spirit has taken over his body. Denying this new reality, Yoshiki struggles to come to terms with it while the new Hikaru just wants to be friends.
Whether fans prefer the eerie horror and riveting mystery or the dynamic between the two characters, The Summer Hikaru Died has more than enough to keep fans entertained. This gripping horror anime has thrills, character development, and gorgeous animation that create a terrifying yet nostalgic summer vibe, seeping in mystery that fans can’t wait to explore more of.
7
‘City the Animation’ (2025)
Kyoto Animation is a critically acclaimed studio known for some of the greatest anime series ever, and their latest masterpiece is City the Animation. Set in a unique town with even weirder residents, every day is a misadventure of fun, hilarity, and nostalgia. From a city-wide race to searching for a lost pendant, even normal activities evolve into grand events in this acclaimed anime.
City the Animation isn’t an action anime with the best fights, but it deserves more recognition for its directing and editing, which bring a creative flair that changes how the medium is presented. This explosion of imaginative craftwork is more impressive than most other anime, plus City the Animation is a charming comedy with surreal, chaotic, wholesome, and absurd humor that became one of the best anime shows from 2025.
6
‘The Apothecary Diaries’ (2023–Present)
Historical anime have been on the rise these past five years, and one of the greatest is The Apothecary Diaries. After being sold to the Imperial Palace, Maomao (Aoi Yūki) works as a servant girl, showcasing her skills as an apothecary and detective. Solving murder cases and creating new concoctions, she proves more and more useful in the inner court each day.
The Apothecary Diaries is a beloved anime that already has over 50 episodes with more on the way, plus a new movie. With an endearing cast of characters and new mysteries every episode that build into a grand plot, this engaging anime knows exactly how to hook fans. The Apothecary Diaries is a spectacular historical anime featuring romance, political intrigue, and thrilling mysteries, and its new season is one of the most anticipated anime series.
5
‘Odd Taxi’ (2021)
This list has its fair share of hidden gems or underwatched masterpieces, and one such anime is Odd Taxi. Odokawa (Natsuki Hanae) is a taxi driver who doesn’t like to stick his nose in his customers’ business. However, after a murder involving some of his passengers, Odokawa might be the missing piece to solving this mystery.
Odd Taxi flew under the radar this decade despite being one of the greatest anime of the past five years. The eccentric cast of characters was engaging, and each had its own relevance to the story. With a charming style and a dark plot, Odd Taxi was a masterful show with one of the best plot twists in anime, culminating in an unforgettable ending.
4
‘Orb: On the Movements of the Earth’ (2024–2025)
As mentioned, there are plenty of great historical anime, and the most recent masterpiece was Orb: On the Movements of the Earth. Back when the world believed the Earth was at the center of the universe, a book revealed that it wasn’t and that the Sun was the center of the galaxy. Following different protagonists through history, this is their struggle against the Church to prove heliocentrism.
What quickly became an anime-of-the-year candidate also established itself as a modern-day classic with a riveting story about human progress and knowledge. Orb: On the Movements of the Earth features brilliant themes and somehow manages to make each new protagonist just as compelling as the last, creating a once-in-a-lifetime anime experience that everyone must watch.
3
‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ (2023–Present)
No modern anime list would be complete without Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, possibly the greatest anime of the decade. Decades after defeating the demon king, Frieren’s (Atsumi Tanezaki) party has mostly passed away, leaving only their pupils. The near-immortal elf brings them on a nostalgic adventure to go to the land of the dead, where she wants to say unsaid words to her deceased friends.
Many fans claim it is the greatest modern anime series, and while it is nearly perfect, it doesn’t quite make the top of this list. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End proves that stopping to smell the roses and taking on side quests can be a compelling narrative. These small quests form a gorgeous story about the joys of the world in this fantasy setting. With a sprinkle of action and some engaging characters, Frieren is the largest anime sensation of the past five years.
2
‘Pluto’ (2023)
Naoki Urasawa is a prolific author of some of the greatest manga of all time, and while his magnum opus is Monster, he has an equally engaging sci-fi masterpiece in Pluto. When one of the most advanced robots is murdered, Gesicht (Shinshū Fuji), another advanced android, is on the case. However, when the mystery begins to involve his past, he learns of a darker truth hidden behind everything.
Urasawa is known for his masterful mysteries that span over multiple decades, but Pluto has a more personal look, with plenty of emotional complexity and heavy themes alongside his staple riveting mystery. From the gorgeous animation and backgrounds to its profound themes that handle life and who has the right to feel, Pluto is a thought-provoking masterpiece that is one of the best things this decade has produced.
1
‘Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’ (2022–Present)
After years of only one season, Trigger surprised fans by announcing an unexpected sequel season of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, which will feature a new group of characters in Night City. After David’s (Kenn) mother passes away, he joins a gang with a cybernetically enhanced spine seeking revenge for her unjust death. However, all he will encounter is more tragedy and heartbreak.
The new season is one of the most anticipated anime series, but the first season is one of the greatest cyberpunk anime ever, using its marvelous worldbuilding and intricate city to create a vibrant story. The colors pop and the animation is exhilarating, creating an over-the-top series with a relentless pacing that will have fans overdosing with hype. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is 10 episodes of pure, unfiltered excitement with an incredible narrative to boot.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
- Release Date
-
2022 – 2022
- Network
-
Netflix
- Writers
-
Mike Pondsmith, Yoshiki Usa, Masahiko Otsuka
- Franchise(s)
-
Cyberpunk
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published
He may be on the cusp of releasing a final film and retiring from cinema, but Quentin Tarantino’s influence continues to be felt all throughout Hollywood. For example, his hit film Pulp Fiction helped entire generations of filmmakers learn how much more exciting their movies could be when they weren’t tied down by traditional chronological order. That Tarantino tradition is alive and well with Shimmer Lake, a neo-noir crime thriller comedy starring Dwight Schrute actor Rainn Wilson that effectively tells its story backward.
The Worst Heists Always Make For The Best Movies
Just what is Shimmer Lake really about? Without spoiling too much of this crazy film, the core narrative focuses on a sheriff trying to figure out exactly how a bank heist went so wrong.
The movie unfolds backward, showing us what happened in the days leading to the heist and its aftermath, an innovative format that allows us to follow along with the sheriff and try to figure out exactly what happened with this topsy-turvy mystery.
With Shimmer Lake, the casting is nearly as interesting as the narrative itself. Rainn Wilson, who became a household name thanks to The Office, plays one of the criminals in the film, and his fellow bad guys are played by Mark Rendall (who starred in the excellent Hannibal series on NBC) and Wyatt Russell (best known to Marvel fans for playing U.S. Agent in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier).
Meanwhile, the sheriff trying to unravel this bloody mystery is played by Benjamin Walker, someone who played the title character in the trashy-but-fun film Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.
Directed By Oren Uziel
For all the major stars in front of the camera, Shimmer Lake mostly succeeds thanks to the talents of its director. The film is both written and directed by Oren Uziel, a Hollywood writer who was mostly known at the time for writing the hilarious sequel 22 Jump Street.
Shimmer Lake represents Uziel’s directorial debut, and while the film isn’t perfect (more on this soon), its sleek style and confidence instantly made us want more films from this unassuming director.
Perfect Comedy Of Errors, Or Epic Fail?
Shimmer Lake was distributed on Netflix, meaning that it didn’t have the chance to impress audiences at the box office. As for critics, they remain divided on this unconventional film: on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie currently has a critical rating of 67 percent, barely making it a “fresh” film.
Some critics were hard on the performance of Rainn Wilson and others, noting that comedy performers are often out of place in a drama.
Other critics lauded the film for its innovative storytelling, something that adds innovation and excitement to what might otherwise be a very rote pulp narrative. And, of course, the film’s experimentation of chronological order invited several comparisons to Tarantino.
Are you going to think that Uziel is the next Tarantino, or will you agree with the critics who think these comedians should stick with comedy? The only way to find out is to stream Shimmer Lake on Netflix today.
Love it or hate it, we can all agree on one thing by the time it’s over: if Dwight had acted like this in The Office, Jim would have thought twice before doing all those crazy pranks.
Entertainment
The Worst Superman Movie Of All Time On HBO Max Destroyed A Franchise And A Movie Studio
By Jonathan Klotz
| Published
Long before James Gunn took over the DC Universe movies, over 20 years before Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel, Christopher Reeve was the perfect Superman. With nothing more than a slight change to his stance and inflection, Reeve could transition from Clark Kent to Superman in a second. The first two Superman films pairing Reeve with director Richard Donner are both masterpieces. It’s unfortunate that Reeve’s final film with the red cape is Superman IV: The Quest for Peace which has no Donner, no Richard Pryor, and not a clue about what makes a great Superman movie. The Quest for Peace was such a disappointment it destroyed the Superman movie franchise until 2006’s Superman Returns.
Superman Vs. The Cold War
Superman IV starts with Superman uncovering the ship that brought him to Earth, and retrieving a message from his mother that an onboard energy module has incredible power but can only be used once. That leads into him attending the United Nations and lecturing everyone on the dangers of nuclear arms proliferation. The Quest for Peace isn’t subtle in its message.
Once Luthor (a contractually obligated Gene Hackman) is broken out of jail by his nephew Lenny (Jon Cryer, ironically, he’d play Lex in the Supergirl series), he decides to attach a genetic matrix with Superman’s hair on it to a nuclear missile. This leads to the creation of Nuclear Man, an evil villain powered by the Sun with the strength to go toe to toe with Superman. Despite his immense power, Nuclear Man loves using his superpowered nails to rake Superman and cause radiation poisoning. Every supervillain should fight like Hollywood Hulk Hogan’s NWO run in WCW, what could go wrong?
No Money, More Problems
Money. Or well, the complete the lack of it. The Cannon Group overextended during the 80s and wound up with a movie slate that they couldn’t fund. Christopher Reeve talked about the experience in his biography, Still Me, that the production wasn’t able to actually finish the movie. What they did shoot was obviously at a lower budget than the Donner films, and as Reeve anticipated, left audiences disappointed.
The original plan for Superman IV: The Quest for Peace was Bizarro. The lock of hair, Luthor wanting revenge against Superman, Nuclear Man taking commands from Lex, it all points to the original Bizarro storyline. A deleted sequence would have shown the original Nuclear Man, who looked more inhuman and close to the albino grotesque version of the original Bizarro. That was taken out, alongside half the film’s budget, leaving the production team with only $17 million.
Christopher Reeve Deserved Better
Christopher Reeve, collecting a $6 million check for coming back, was able to pitch his concept for a Superman film. The plot about nuclear arms came straight from Superman himself, he has a “Story By” credit, and again, his excellent biography is very open about the whole process behind the film. Which, again as he guessed, did horrible at the box office and earned only $36 million, not nearly enough for the studio to turn a profit. As a result, The Cannon Group had to file for bankruptcy.
Superman was put on the backburner and Superman Returns rewrote the movie canon to erase both Superman III and Superman IV. Following his tragic horse-riding accident in 1995, Chirstopher Reeve was never able to put on the tights again, but no matter how badly his final two Superman films fared at the box office, he’ll always be Superman.
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace is streaming on HBO Max, in case you want to remind yourself what an actually bad superhero movie looks like.
Will Ferrell has sent the internet into a frenzy, and it is not because of his comedic or acting skills.
The veteran actor did something outside the box after featuring in a campaign for Kim Kardashian’s underwear brand, SKIMS.
Ferrell showed off a rare sensual side for the risqué shoot that is making fans go wild with excitement as they label him “perfection.”
The “Step Brothers” actor teamed up with SKIMS for a golf-themed campaign in honor of the upcoming Netflix series, “The Hawk.” In the show set for release on July 16, Ferrell will star as Lonnie “The Hawk” Hawkins, a golfer who is thirsty to reclaim his past glory.
Embodying his character, the actor donned a fashionable puka necklace while looking super tanned. One video posted on the official SKIMS Instagram page showed an almost-nude Ferrell swinging the club, wearing just blue briefs.
He donned a visor with “HAWK” printed on it alongside white socks and Nike sneakers. A voiceover, presumably by Kardashian, then narrated the plot of the movie in the background, saying, “His body says retire. “His SKIMS say one more round. Built for men who still know they’ve got it.”
In another photo, the 58-year-old struck sensual poses while wearing a fitted singlet and the blue briefs.
Fans Praise Will Ferrell For Looking ‘So Hot’
The actor struck several sensual poses, including grabbing onto a bottle as blue liquid spilled out. In another frame, he lay next to his golf clubs while giving a sultry stare to the camera.
In no time, fans camped in the comments section with nothing but adoration for Ferrell’s bold NSFW ad campaign. “Nobody knows what it means, but it’s provocative,” one user gushed, referencing the actor’s iconic line from the 2007 movie “Blades of Glory.”
Another fan declared, “Will Ferrell for SKIMS is something I didn’t know I needed,” while this user wrote, “He’s got a body that most men can relate to.” Another hailed, “So hot right now!”
Some of the praise went to the Kardashian-owned brand. “Skims, you have outdone yourself once again,” a comment read. A similar remark read, “Did not have Will Ferrell wearing Skims on my 2026 bingo card. Well played, marketing team.”
The Actor Suffered An Injury While Filming Netflix Show
Fans’ excitement for the highly anticipated series, “The Hawk,” comes as no surprise, given the setbacks the project faced along the way.
As The Blast reported, the filming schedule was postponed in November when Ferrell incurred a minor injury that resulted in a pause. It was confirmed that the actor would be absent from shooting scenes at the Bicycle Casino outside Los Angeles due to his health.
Although few details were released about his injury, close sources assured that Ferrell wasn’t in critical condition and would make a quick recovery. As a result, filming was postponed until he was fully healed.
Will Ferrell And Chad Smith Dominate ‘SNL’
Weeks before breaking the internet with his fire bod, the “Elf” actor got tongues wagging when he returned as a host for season 51 of “Saturday Night Live.”
According to The Blast, Ferrell’s appearance was accompanied by his celebrity doppelganger Chad Smith, who appeared on stage wearing the same outfit, impersonating the actor.
While in his grey suit, the Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer introduced himself to the audience, saying, “I was a cast member here for seven years, and now I’m hosting for the sixth time.” Suddenly, Ferrell himself appears on stage, claiming Smith pushed him backstage, before labeling him the “bad guy.”
Inside Will Ferrell And Chad Smith’s Relationship
Before Ferrell and Smith used their alikeness to fuel their comedic chops, the pair’s striking resemblance was a topic of discussion among fans.
Recalling the first time they met, Smith noted that it happened during an advanced screening of the comedy film “The Ladies Man” in 2000. While grabbing a buffet, they ran into each other and couldn’t help but gush about their likeness.
“We’re looking at each other, right? He looks me up and down, and says, ‘You’re very handsome,’ and then just walks away,” the drummer said.
Former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Reece Weaver had the support of her husband, Will Allman, when she ultimately — and surprisingly — decided to retire from the iconic squad.
“No matter what decision I had, he was just going to support either way,” Weaver, 24, exclusively told Us Weekly of her husband’s role in her decision earlier this month. “I always go to him for options and outcomes. He could kind of process what we could do if we went this way, and what we could do if we went the other direction.”
She added, “He’s just super supportive and has helped me try to navigate what to do.”
Weaver’s retirement announcement came at the end of season 3 of Netflix’s America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, which premiered June 16.
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders veteran Kleine Powell has heard all of the chatter about the feedback she gets from DCC director Kelli Finglass — but she thinks some fans are missing the point. “We have such a mom-and-daughter relationship that I think a lot of people forget about,” Powell, 26, exclusively told Us Weekly on Tuesday, […]
In addition to a major shift in her professional life, Weaver and Allman recently relocated to his home state of Alabama as they usher in a new era of their relationship.
“We haven’t really experienced what newlywed living is like,” Weaver explained.
She and Allman got married in April 2024, shortly after her first season on the team and just two months before the premiere of season 1 of America’s Sweethearts.
“We can’t go back and change what has come up and what our new reality looks like. I think that’s special,” Weaver said. “In the beginning I was like, ‘What are we doing? What is going on? How do we navigate all of this?’ But I think it has ultimately made our marriage stronger and our relationship stronger. I’m just excited to carry that into the next season of our lives.”
Weaver explained that she didn’t definitively make up her mind regarding her retirement until March, but admitted the idea to put away the signature white boots was a lingering thought throughout the year.
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders director Kelli Finglass revealed where her relationship stands with associate choreographer Shelly Bramhall after cutting Shelly’s daughter, Dayton, for the third consecutive time. “We are still standing,” Finglass, 61, exclusively told Us Weekly on Tuesday, June 23. “Shelly is still reporting to work and contributing in a big way. She always has. […]
“Going into season 3, my third year on the team, I just had so much gratitude,” she told Us. “My cup was filled to the brim even going into this year. I had that in the back of my mind. I was excited and looking forward to year three and what it brought. But my cup was getting really, really full. I went into my last game not thinking and knowing it was my last, but I kind of treated it as it was my last, so I could really just soak it all in. I think I really needed that sense of closure for my mental state.”
Despite the clarity, Weaver admitted it was still terrifying to break the news to DCC director Kelli Finglass and choreographer Judy Trammell.
“I don’t remember the last time I was that nervous to go into a conversation,” Weaver recalled. “I wasn’t nervous about really telling them, it was more me actually saying it out loud.”
America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is available to stream now.
There’s something about Millie Bobby Brown.
Brown’s fabulous style status includes everything from flirty frocks, darling dresses, chic separates and more.
For the 2018 Screen Actors Guild Awards, Brown looked pretty in a pink sequined Calvin Klein mullet dress, which she paired with white Converse sneakers. Her bow-adorned space buns and rosy lips finished the playful look.
In April 2022, Louis Vuitton named Brown as a brand ambassador. “I met [creative director] Nicolas Ghesquière six years ago and have been a fan of his work with Louis Vuitton ever since,” she said in a statement at the time, per Women’s Wear Daily.
Brown again showed off her glamorous side in November 2025, at the Stranger Things season 5 finale premiere. For the screening, she stunned in an off-the-shoulder sheer Rodarte look.
Keep scrolling to see Brown’s best fashion moments of all time:
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