Entertainment
10 Most Ambitious Movie Franchises of All Time, Ranked
Movie franchises are the bread and butter for every movie studio. These movies are mass entertainers and can bring a boatload of money that can power the studio for years to come. Take Star Wars, which started in 1977 and remains a recognizable title almost 50 years later. The right franchise can spark a new trend in cinema. Just a decade ago, Hollywood was in the fantasy-adventure era with movies like Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean, then it went to the young adult era with Twilight and The Hunger Games, and now it is still firmly in the superhero trend.
Here, we take a look at some of the most ambitious film franchises of all time. Some reshaped filmmaking through technological breakthroughs, and a few aimed high before ultimately collapsing under their own weight. Whether they succeeded, stumbled, or did a bit of both, each reflects a moment where ambition, and maybe the promise of box office gold, is the driving power.
10
‘Sony’s Spider-Man Universe’ (2018–2024)
Sony’s Spider-Man Universe set out to build an MCU-inspired franchise centered on the hero’s rogue gallery of villains, beginning with Venom. The idea was to establish a parallel universe that could eventually intersect with Spider-Man himself. The franchise released six movies, including Morbius, Madame Web, and Kraven the Hunter, without Spider-Man ever appearing.
Sony must be appreciated for its (blind) ambition to build a cinematic universe to rival the MCU. While Venom went on to conclude its trilogy, the other movies mostly became memes and laughingstocks, with Morbius and Madame Web struggling with tone and narrative coherence. The franchise aimed to replicate the interconnected success of the MCU, but without clarity. For example, the end of Venom: Let There Be Carnage promised that Tom Hardy’s Eddie Brock would seek out Tom Holland‘s Spider-Man, but that was quickly dismissed. Madame Web also teased the appearance of Peter Parker, but the timeline wasn’t clear. After diminishing returns, Sony finally came to its senses and seemingly cancelled the universe.
9
‘DC Extended Universe’ (2013–2023)
Playing catch-up to the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, DC aimed to create a darker, more mythic version with the DC Extended Universe. Turning the standalone Man of Steel into the franchise starter, it expanded quickly with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which not only featured Batman and Wonder Woman but also teased other heroes and future storylines. A total of 11 films were planned afterwards, but only five were released. Ten other films in the franchise were not part of the original slate.
With Zack Snyder as its main architect, it’s clear that the DCEU would never be similar to its Marvel counterpart. However, Warner Bros. caved in after the unexpected reception of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and they started to tinker with Suicide Squad and Justice League, trying to make them lighter and fun, resulting in an uneven mess that couldn’t be repaired. There are great, successful movies in the franchise, like Wonder Woman or James Gunn‘s The Suicide Squad, but ultimately, studio interference and creative clashes killed the DCEU.
8
‘Dune’ (2021–2026)
After David Lynch‘s attempt in 1986, Denis Villeneuve adapted Frank Herbert’s dense, politically charged Dune with a measured, atmospheric approach. Rather than condensing the rich story into a single film, Villeneuve opted to split the story into two to give its world and ideas room to breathe. With a star-studded ensemble led by Timothée Chalamet, the film quickly became a critics’ and audiences’ favorite.
Villeneuve made a huge gamble with Dune. The first film literally ends at the midpoint of the story, and the sequel was not filmed back-to-back. If critics rejected the film or if it didn’t turn enough profit, the follow-up would not see the light of day. To make things worse, it was released post-COVID, released simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max. However, Dune was a commercial success and was nominated for a whopping ten Oscars, winning six. The sequel, which offers the payoff, was equally beloved by audiences and critics. After making two films that can be considered among the best sci-fi films in recent memory, Villeneuve and the cast are now prepping the third film, which is due to be released in December 2026.
7
‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ (2003–2017)
Based on a Disneyland theme park ride, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl defied the odds and became a runaway hit. Two sequels, Dead Man’s Chest and At World’s End, were greenlit soon after with Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, and Keira Knightley returning alongside director Gore Verbinski. The sequels followed the trio as Davy Jones (Bill Nighy) demands that Jack Sparrow pay his debt, and the East India Trading Company attempts to eradicate piracy.
The Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy is blockbuster filmmaking at its finest. The films are not interested in simple storylines, but they have a complex, ambitious plot that sees each character team up and betray one another. Some may say it’s unnecessarily convoluted, yet it’s riveting and unexpected until the end. The production of the second and third films was notoriously intricate as they were filmed back-to-back. With lots of on-location shoots, enormous practical sets, and amazing CGI effects, the budget was high, with At World’s End becoming the most expensive film at its time. All of that paid off with a spectacular box office gross. The next two sequels, however, opted for the safe route and were far less exciting.
6
‘Star Wars’ (1977–present)
From the very first film in 1977, Star Wars has always been ambitious. From pioneering revolutionary effects and sound design to intricate world-building. The main story is about the Skywalker Saga, following Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and later Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen). The franchise is expanding even more with spin-offs like Rogue One and acclaimed series like Andor and The Clone Wars.
Each new Star Wars project carries the burden of decades of lore and fan expectations. The team behind each Star Wars entry tries to keep it fresh while also respecting what came before. The projects usually have top-tier talent and spare no budget (currently, The Force Awakens holds the title of being the most expensive film of all time). Some have argued that currently the franchise is in a limbo, but considering how beloved and relevant it is, it’s unlikely that Star Wars is retiring any time soon.
5
‘The Matrix’ (1999–2021)
The Matrix introduced a cyberpunk world where reality itself is a simulation by following Neo’s (Keanu Reeves) journey to fulfill his destiny as The One. The first film is a generational achievement, blending philosophy and sci-fi action in a seamless manner, and its success led to sequels that expanded the mythology and criticized popular culture.
The franchise’s complex storyline is already ambitious for its time, but then The Wachowskis also pushed the envelope by pioneering visual techniques like the famous bullet time. The sequels, The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, were filmed back-to-back with bigger ideas and even bigger action sequences. The highway chase in Reloaded is still regarded as one of the best action sequences of all time. Recently, instead of crafting an easy legacy sequel, Lana Wachowski created a subversive film in The Matrix Resurrections that defies audiences’ expectations, showing that ambition is still in the franchise’s DNA.
4
‘Harry Potter’ (2001–2011)
The Harry Potter series chronicles the journey of the titular young wizard as he studies at Hogwarts and confronts the darkness in the magical world. Over eight films, the franchise matured alongside its audience, transitioning from whimsical, family-friendly fantasy to a coming-of-age drama with a darker plot. The main trio is played by Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, but the series also boasts the best of British actors in the supporting roles.
Releasing eight films within the span of ten years is almost unheard of today. The franchise’s ambition is evident in how it committed to long-term planning and commitment. The pre-production of the next film usually started when the previous film had not even finished filming, and the production process could take up to a year for each movie. It was also able to retain the same core actors across the decade, reflecting the actual growth of the characters. As a result, the Potter movies are beloved all over the world. The franchise has been a merchandising gold mine and immortalized in theme parks and massive studio tours.
3
‘Avatar’ (2009–present)
James Cameron’s Avatar franchise is set on the lush alien world of Pandora and follows Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), who integrates with the native community through the avatar technology. The films may have familiar plots, but the technological aspects of the franchise are simply mindblowing. The films utilized revolutionary performance capture for the actors playing the Na’Vi and created the whole planet from scratch through CGI.
Avatar is deeply ambitious for its innovation and also linguistic aspects, with the franchise creating a whole new language system for the Na’Vi people. The sequels, Avatar: The Way of Water and Avatar: Fire and Ash, featured even more complicated effects where the actors had to act underwater and have their performances translated into their CG characters. Entire workflows were created specifically for this franchise, from virtual production to 3D exhibition standards. Considering the intricate production process, it’s no wonder that the final film is slated to be released in 2031.
2
‘Marvel Cinematic Universe’ (2008–present)
The Marvel Cinematic Universe began modestly with Iron Man, but with a sneaky post-credit scene that teased future team-up films, it evolved into an interconnected web of films and characters. Over time, it introduced dozens of heroes and villains while building toward large-scale crossover events like The Avengers and Avengers: Endgame. The franchise expanded even bigger with TV series like Agents of SHIELD and various Disney+ shows.
Across five game-changing phases, Kevin Feige’s approach to the MCU turned blockbuster filmmaking into something similar to long-form television, but with massive budgets and A-list talent showcased in cinemas. No franchise had ever attempted serialized storytelling across so many films with such narrative continuity. The scheduling of the actors in Avengers: Endgame alone seems like a nightmare, and they’re attempting a bigger one with Avengers: Doomsday. This kind of cinematic universe sparked a lot of imitators, but so far, none have come close to replicating Marvel’s overwhelming success.
1
‘The Lord of the Rings’ Trilogy (2001–2003)
Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy adapts J.R.R. Tolkien’s monumental fantasy book, following the journey of Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) and the Fellowship as they attempt to destroy the One Ring. Jackson was not a household name when the movie started production, nor were the actors in the ensemble, making it a risky yet ambitious production.
All three films in the trilogy were shot back-to-back, showing the studio’s confidence in the property. The shooting schedule, which is not in chronological order, was also an ambitious feat. The most famous example is when Ian McKellen shot his farewell with the Hobbits in his first week of filming. Jackson and his team benefited greatly from his ongoing partnership with Weta Workshop and Weta Digital, which are now among the best at making practical effects and CGI. The trilogy is considered among the best fantasy films and is considered a masterpiece in cinema.
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By Jonathan Klotz
| Published
Babylon 5 isn’t a sci-fi comedy; it’s a sci-fi epic, but the carefully crafted story is filled with small moments of comedy that cut the tension, usually thanks to Londo. Tucked away in the Season 1 episode, “Grail,” is an amazing joke that directly pokes fun at alien abductions.
It has no impact on the rest of the episode and serves only to introduce the station’s judge, but a man suing the Vree, modeled after the famous “Grey Aliens,” for abducting his great-grandfather, is the kind of offbeat humor that sci-fi fans love.
Suing Over Alien Abductions
As soon as “Grail” returns from the title sequence, viewers are dropped into the courtroom of Ombuds Wellington (Jim Norton), listening to Flinn (John Flinn, the episode’s director of photography and he directed multiple episodes, including “Grey 17 is Missing”) argue that his great-grandfather was abducted by the Vree for two days, and then, no one believed him, he couldn’t get a job and a he lost everything. That’s why Flinn is suing for damages. The Vree’s response is to draw a picture. Obviously frustrated, Wellington wonders why he always gets these cases.
The Vree are one of the most annoying races in the world of Babylon 5, thanks to their religious devotion to a Trickster God, justifying their prankster behavior. Turns out, that’s why they would abduct humans; they found it funny. We never find out if Flinn won his case against the Vree or not, but the thought that in the future, when humans are living alongside aliens, someone would sue over alien abduction is the type of absurdity no one expected from the war-torn political series.
The Search For The Holy Grail
Flinn’s court case is the early high point of “Grail” which spends most of its runtime on Jinxo (Tom Booker), a station mechanic in debt to the gangster Deuce. Desperate to get out of debt, he picks the pocket of Aldous Gajic (David Warner), a strange man who came to the station as part of his quest for the Holy Grail. The two find themselves bonding after Gajic takes the downtrodden worker under his wing in lieu of banishment for thievery, with Gajic explaining that a dying man restored his will to live by passing on the quest for the Holy Grail to him.
In case you’re wondering, Sinclair (Michael O’Hare) doesn’t take the quest for the Holy Grail seriously, but Delenn (Mira Furlan), part of the Minbari religious caste, respects Gajic for being a truth-seeker. It’s an interesting character moment for both of them in an episode that’s otherwise completely devoid of the main cast. The way humans and Minbari view religion is very different, and it’s hard for any human to understand why it’s so important to Delenn, though, as viewers know, Sinclair would go on to understand the Minbari better than they knew themselves.
Great Shows Are Allowed To Have Bad Episodes
“Grail” sidelines the main cast to focus on Gajic, Jinxo, and Deuce, culminating in a firefight within the sub-basements between the gangsters and a security squad after a monster disguised as Ambassador Kosh is revealed as the source of the mindwipe murders. It wouldn’t be the last time that Babylon 5 would focus on side characters, but Season 5’s “A View From The Gallery” is one of the best of the series, while “Grail” is a dull slog.
Babylon 5 is still one of the best sci-fi shows ever made, even if it has some uneven episodes. The saga of Gajic and Jinxo was a one-and-done story, and now, the episode is still best remembered for the brief, 60-second joke about suing little grey aliens. It’s short, it’s hilarious, it fits within the world, and it’s the type of gag Star Wars would never make.
Bad Bunny left many fans in awe with his appearance and great fashion sense when he headlined the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show.
However, critics have speculated that the Latin pop superstar may have had some cosmetic procedures to achieve his new look.
A plastic surgery expert has now weighed in on the chatter, claiming Bad Bunny may have gone under the knife to achieve his glow up.
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Plastic Surgery Expert Reveals Bad Bunny’s Potential Cosmetic Enhancements
A plastic surgery expert has weighed in on Bad Bunny’s recent noticeable “glow up,” amid what seems to be his global dominance over the last couple of years.
After picking up the coveted Album of the Year gong for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” at the 2026 Grammy Awards, he proceeded to headline the halftime show for the 2026 Super Bowl between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots, where he stunned fans with his strong jawline and emphatic fashion statement.
However, over the past years, Bad Bunny (born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio) has sported a rounder face and clean-shaven head, leading many to believe he employed the help of cosmetic surgery to achieve it.
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Weighing in on the speculations, plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie told the Daily Mail that his sharper jawline was consistent with fat loss, but he could have also had help from a surgeon.
“Bad Bunny clearly took control of his own physique, and whatever happens to the body, happens to the face,” Dr. Motykie, who has never treated Bad Bunny, said of the Puerto Rican singer.
“When you work out for hours in the gym and lose weight, what happens is you also see fat loss in the face, and the jawline gets sharper. In particular, in someone who is not super heavy, that weight [fat] loss will get that sculpted jawline too,” the expert added.
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The Latin Star Likely Got Fillers, Expert Claims
Dr. Motykie, who has studied thousands of Bad Bunny’s photos, went further to note the possibility that he got fillers, as there appear to be some differences between his appearance and some of his old pictures.
“But I do notice that, in some photos, his face doesn’t appear as long or his jawline looks broader, and maybe has a stronger chin, than it did in previous photos,” the expert shared. “In my opinion, that is suspicious for the use of fillers, to add to what we see with the weight loss and the new facial hair, which accentuates the jawline.”
Unlike his former look, the “MONACO” singer now rocks full hair that he often styles into braids, as well as his well-trimmed beard that lines his ripped jawline.
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Dr. Motykie told the news outlet that fillers can be injected into the jawline, and in Bad Bunny’s case, he pointed to the angle at the back of the jaw, which he said appears to have become much more defined all of a sudden.
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Bad Bunny May Have Also Gotten His Teeth Done
Occasionally during his performance, Bad Bunny flashed his pure white teeth as he entertained the crowd with some of his hit songs.
However, Dr. Motykie also suggested he may have veneers on as the smooth surface and bright white color of his teeth appeared too uniform and unnatural.
Dr. Daniel Naysan, a dentist at Bedford Dental Group in Beverly Hills, shared the same sentiment, telling the Daily Mail that the singer “did have some cosmetic dental work that involved porcelain veneers,” and that the “key giveaway that demonstrates this is based on the current look of his smile.”
“It’s very white, not common to get that white for natural teeth, opaque, uniform, and symmetrical,” the dentist explained.
“More specifically, there is a lack of true character that our natural enamel usually displays. What I am looking at closely is if there is any surface texture, translucency, depth, and variation in shade,” Dr. Naysan said.
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Fans React To The Plastic Surgery Rumors Plaguing The Singer
rhinoplasty, buccal fat removal, facial fat grafting, chin reconstruction + implant, jaw reconstruction, veneers, gum reconstruction, a belly button tightening and his fans say it was just weight loss 😭 pic.twitter.com/B7BRFL8NHA
— Kalorie (@kewchiy) February 3, 2026
On social media, chatter about Bad Bunny’s facial appearance reached a climax during his Super Bowl performance, prompting many to defend the singer against plastic surgery rumors.
A person on X wrote, “He literally looks the same and has the same everything. just older. More in shape and has facial hair.”
Another noted, “I know this might be a difficult concept for some of you to grasp, but you get sexy when you mature. He quite honestly looks the same, just older.”
One more individual commented, “He looks the same to my naked eye. Just adding facial hair and a puppy smile.”
Bad Bunny Drew Backlash For His Super Bowl Performance
Bad Bunny has often spoken up against the Donald Trump-led administration’s policies on immigration, and constantly uses his platform to slam ICE.
Although he used his historic halftime show to call for unity in the Americas, he drew criticism from Trump, who labeled it “one of the worst, ever,” as well as some conservatives, who attacked the Spanish-language set as “woke” and “ridiculous.”
“It makes no sense, is an affront to the Greatness of America, and doesn’t represent our standards of Success, Creativity, or Excellence,” the president said about the show on his Truth Social media platform.
“Nobody understands a word this guy is saying, and the dancing is disgusting, especially for young children that are watching from throughout the U.S.A., and all over the World,” he added.
Blueface
Grabs Zendaya’s Throat, Nuzzles Kylie’s Neck …
Of Museum Wax Figures
Published
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Updated
Instagram/@bluefasebabyy
Blueface choked out Zendaya … well, the wax figure version of her, at least — squeezing its neck at Madame Tussauds Hollywood on Thursday.
The rapper shared several videos from the popular Los Angeles tourist spot … including one where he pushed in Wax-Daya’s chair before walking around to sit across the table from it.
BF then bizarrely launches at the statue and grabs its throat before swearing at it. We’ve reached out to the museum for comment on the odd behavior.
Blue decided to cast a wide net in his search for a new wax girlfriend, BTW … also sidling up to Kylie Jenner‘s wax statue to speak sweet nothings to it.
The compliments fell on deaf ears — again, this is Wax Kylie — but Blueface joked his friend shouldn’t film him with his “girl.”
Zendaya and Kylie are the only two statues Blueface shot his shot with … interesting choices since the two real-life celebs are in committed relationships with Tom Holland and Timothée Chalamet, respectively.
Better luck waxing poetic with the statues next time, Blue!
Entertainment
Star Trek Fans Who Dislike NuTrek Are Routinely Censored And Banned, This Is Who’s Behind It
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published
As someone who writes extensively about Starfleet Academy, I frequently find myself in the trenches of fan spaces, ranging from r/startrek on Reddit to Star Trek S**tposting on Facebook. As you might expect, these spaces are filled with those who are passionate about all things Trek, and they love to swap memes while sharing their love for Gene Roddenberry’s seminal sci-fi franchise. But there’s trouble in paradise whenever someone breaks the one, unspoken rule: “never say anything bad about NuTrek.”
Such posts are likely to get removed altogether, especially on Reddit, where the Paramount astroturfers tirelessly work to remove any and call criticism. But when a criticism does make it through, the critic faces a deluge of hatred from Star Trek fanboys who act like a critique of their favorite show is nothing less than a deep, personal insult. Because of this, I think franchise fans of every quadrant need to accept a blunt truth: IDIC includes people who disagree with you.
Where It All Started
My most tinfoil-hat Star Trek conspiracy theory is that this problem goes back to the earliest days of Star Trek: Discovery. At that time, many YouTubers realized they could hit the click lottery by going all-in on criticizing the new show. For example, Nerdrotic led the charge in criticizing the show as forcing diversity down viewers’ throats (often to the detriment of the story), and that Star Trek had suddenly gone woke.
Channels like Midnight’s Edge echoed the wokeness claims and similarly griped about Star Trek: Discovery’s perceived identity politics. It didn’t take fans long to strike back, pointing out that Trek has literally been diverse from the very beginning (just look at that Original Series cast).
Eventually, those earlier criticisms were used by moderators to make sure nobody was allowed to criticize NuTrek in any way without being canceled by their fellow fans.
Criticism Of NuTrek Is Now Completely Forbidden
While the aforementioned YouTube channels made some salient points about Discovery, some fans understandably seized on parts of their opinions they felt missed the mark. The primary things that made this new Star Trek show “diverse” were, seemingly, the Black female main character and a supporting cast that includes two gay men. Therefore, such criticisms were condemned by the Reddit-style fan community as being both sexist and homophobic.
However, Discovery fanboys soon began to use those earlier critiques to silence all opposition to their new favorite show. If someone disliked Michael Burnham’s character for more legitimate reasons (like her being written as a Mary Sue with plot armor as thick and obvious as transparent aluminum), they were dismissed as just another bigot who had a problem with a strong, Black, female character. If someone said they thought Stamets and Culber could have had better chemistry, they were denigrated as a homophobe who just couldn’t handle Trek’s first openly gay couple.
Unfortunately, this foundational aspect of NuTrek discourse continues to this day with Starfleet Academy. If you criticize Jay’den (the stuttering soft boy Klingon pacifist) for being a poorly written member of his warrior race, you will be labeled as an old sexist who just can’t appreciate this alien’s slow burn journey of gay self-discovery. If you criticize SAM (the happy-go-lucky hologram with the literal mind of a child) for being a walking meme, you’ll be labeled as someone who hates Black women (and probably autistic people).
Forgetting The Franchise’s Most Important Rule
Do some members of the Star Trek fandom still make racist, sexist, and homophobic comments about Starfleet Academy and other shows? Of course, and they need to be called out by a comment section that sets their phasers to “kill.” But it’s important to remember that not every criticism of NuTrek is a coded dogwhistle; sometimes, people just have a difference of opinion, and somebody not liking something that you love is not a personal attack on you or your tastes.
All of this had me pondering the most important rule in all of Star Trek: IDIC, which stands for “Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations.” NuTrek is often praised for adhering to this more than earlier shows, and its diversity is part of what those problematic YouTubers freaked out about when Discovery premiered. Obviously, diversity is a good thing, and shows like Starfleet Academy deserve full credit for giving us the kinds of characters that we wouldn’t have previously seen headlining a Star Trek show.
IDIC Includes People Who Don’t Like Your Favorite Show
However, diversity of thought and opinion is also part of IDIC, and this has always been baked into Star Trek’s DNA: we see McCoy and Spock argue over the different cultural perspectives of humans and Vulcans in The Original Series, for example. In The Next Generation, Worf’s stories constantly forced characters like Picard to consider the wildly different (yet no less relevant) perspective of the Klingons. Meanwhile, Deep Space Nine used the Ferengi Quark to constantly contrast the Federation’s hippie, humanistic values with naked faith in the power of free market capitalism.
In a perfect world, the Star Trek fandom would more readily embrace this basic concept of IDIC: not everyone in the fandom is going to agree with everything you say. The person criticizing the childish humor of Starfleet Academy isn’t someone who hates the franchise or hates you for liking the show; he’s just somebody who wishes NuTrek wasn’t resorting to d*ck and fart jokes to make audiences laugh. Similarly, the people complaining about the nonstop slang and vulgarity of these young characters aren’t just old and out of touch; they just remember when you could show Star Trek to your kids without cringing and reaching for the remote.
Fans Need To Stop With Friendly Fire
Not every Trek is for every fan, and disliking Starfleet Academy is no more inherently problematic than disliking Enterprise or the Kelvinverse. But it’s important to remember that the vast majority of fans criticizing this new show are doing so from a place of love because they want Star Trek to succeed. By assuming that every critic is a bigot, fanboys shut down any chance for genuine discourse while making Paramount think that nothing about their new show (the one that’s already fallen out of the Top 10 streaming charts on Paramount+) needs to be changed.
Simply put, this mentality goes against the entire IDIC philosophy of Star Trek and will ultimately doom the franchise in a sad attempt to pretend that NuTrek is absolutely perfect. If we can’t argue in good faith about the things we love about Trek, then there will soon be no new Trek to love. But if the fandom can finally drop all the culture war garbage (including painting all critics as fascists to the right of Colonel Green) and have a reasonable discourse, we might have something that seemingly disappeared decades ago. Namely, a Star Trek show that most fans are actually excited to watch each week!
By Robert Scucci
| Published
I’ve been running into a lot of unintended movie pairings lately, and 2025’s Ballad of a Small Player makes for the perfect companion piece to 2019’s Adam Sandler-starring Uncut Gems. In this film, Brendan Reilly’s (Colin Farrell) behavior mirrors the same kind of anxiety-inducing gambling spiral that Sandler’s Howard Ratner faces. Instead of sports betting, we’re in Macau throwing hands at baccarat, with equally disastrous results.
Ballad of a Small Player holds its own thanks to its supernatural undercurrent, implying that streaks of bad luck and the acts of desperation that follow are manifestations of hungry ghosts who insatiably feed on greed and opulence. These ghosts operate with no regard for the collateral damage left in the wake of the increasingly reckless decisions made by their human counterparts, making the whole thing feel like the kind of waking nightmare you’d expect after losing hundreds of thousands of dollars and still refusing to give up chasing the high of winning big.
Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop
Chronic gamblers often cling to their own set of superstitions to trigger a hot streak. Brendan Reilly, for example, won’t play baccarat without his lucky yellow gloves, even though he’s already lost nearly seven figures he either embezzled from his clients back in the UK or racked up from loan sharks in Macau while posing as Lord Doyle, a wealthy aristocrat who always has his sights set on the finer things in life.
Bouncing between penthouse suites, stuffing his face with five-star cuisine, and washing it down with expensive champagne, Brendan finds himself in a tight spot when his debtors, and the casinos they’re associated with, catch wise to his game. They refer to him as the white ghost, a supernatural entity fueled by greed and desire. His habits finally catch up with him when UK investigator Cynthia Blithe (Tilda Swinton) tracks him down, demanding he return the hundreds of thousands of dollars he has stolen, not knowing that his present financial standing is far worse than she could ever possibly imagine.
Brendan has a different idea for navigating his increasingly dire situation, one that involves his fledgling relationship with credit broker Dao Ming (Fala Chen) and the recent trauma she endured when one of her clients committed suicide after failing to repay his debts. Unable to function without the rush of his next big score, Brendan grows increasingly hedonistic, incapable of breaking the cycle that will either land him in jail or send him to an early grave.
An Exceedingly Stylish Downward Spiral
Colin Farrell’s portrayal of a desperate man who does not know when to stop mirrors Sandler’s performance in Uncut Gems while staying firmly in its own lane. It is the same personality type in a wildly different setting. Uncut Gems thrives on New York City grit, while Ballad of a Small Player luxuriates in penthouse suites, colorful casino floors, and elaborate Chinese architecture.
What truly separates the two films is how greed’s appetite is literalized through consumption in Ballad of a Small Player. Brendan is not just hungry for his next big win. He is trying to fill the bottomless pit that is his soul with rich food, the finest spirits, and whatever excess he can grab. When he is up, he cannot pump the brakes. When he crashes, his desperation becomes a force of nature because quitting is never an option in his mind. He believes the world is there for his taking, never fully grasping how far he’s fallen off the edge.
To bear witness to one man’s slow descent as his excessive habits drain the light from his eyes, you can stream Ballad of a Small Player on Netflix. If you want to keep the anxiety going, Uncut Gems is waiting on Max.
Rachel Lindsay was the lead on season 13 of “The Bachelorette,” which aired in 2017. She selected Bryan Abasolo at the end of the season, and the two tied the knot in 2019. Sadly, they called it quits in December 2023, and he filed for divorce. Since then, she has been open about her disappointment with their divorce agreement, which required the reality star and podcast host to pay substantial spousal support. Now, she’s revealing why she felt powerless in the situation.
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Rachel Lindsay Felt Powerless In Her Marriage And Divorce
Lindsay opened up about having the marriage and divorce from Abasolo behind her on the February 12 episode of the “Pop Syllabus” podcast. She revealed, “I’m free, and I feel like I felt powerless that I didn’t have a prenup. He took so much from me, but I felt powerful that I was able to do it in a year, like, ‘I paid you off, I’m still here, I’m still surviving.’”
She continued on the podcast, discussing the divorce agreement. According to Rachel, “He was ruthless about it; there was no compromising. I want to write all about it. I do want to tell that story, but I want the divorce book that I was looking for. I want to talk about another book of essays. … I want to tell [readers] in each essay a story about what happened.”
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Additionally, Lindsay wants to go into detail in an eventual book of essays about the community of people she found amid her divorce, as well as untold issues surrounding fertility. She added, “I want to talk about dating in my 40s. I was 39 when I got divorced. What does that look like?”
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The Former ‘Bachelorette’ Star Wanted A Private Divorce
The podcast episode continued, and Lindsay responded to Abasolo’s comments on Rene Garcia’s platform, where he stated that he and his former wife didn’t spend much time together and that he had begun sleeping in a separate bedroom before the divorce.
Lindsay said, “[He] opened the door, so let’s talk about it. This could have gone completely differently [and] could have been a private divorce. We could have done private mediation, we could have had a private judge [or] I could have given you money secretly, you could have held onto your reputation. All of it, [but] that is not what happened.”
She continued, “My divorce was public and messy for a reason. Learn from me. It’s not as simple as getting a prenup. It’s just the pressures that we feel as a woman at a certain age.”
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Rachel Lindsay Celebrated Paying Bryan Abasolo Off On Social Media
Lindsay took to her official Instagram account to celebrate paying Abasolo following their divorce being finalized. She did so by posting photos of herself on the beach. She said in the post, “Finally free. Closing one chapter, literally writing the next.” According to PEOPLE, the former couple finalized their divorce on January 7, 2025.
Per the agreement, a judge ordered Lindsay to pay him a $500,000 equalization payment. However, she had already paid him $39,771 in spousal support, so she then owed him $460,229. She made the first payment of $230,114.50 by January 17, with the rest being due January 7, 2026.
Lindsay and Abasolo each kept their wedding bands and split their vehicles. He retained the 2021 Honda Accord, and she kept the 2023 Porsche Macan.
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Fans Have Been Reacting To Their Divorce For Years
“Bachelorette” fans loved Lindsay and Abasolo on the show and believed they’d have a long-lasting marriage. However, after their divorce, many have weighed in on social media, with most agreeing that Lindsay deserves to tell her story. One person mentioned how she needs to work on her upcoming book of essays, saying, “Yes, girl. Slam the book. You are amazing. Proud of you, sister!”
Someone else said, “May this next one be the best chapter yet.” Another person wrote, “CONGRATS!!! That sh-t was expensive but worth every damn penny.” Finally, a different fan stated on Instagram, “Freedom looks good on you, Sis!!!! Sooooo happy for you.”
The Reality Star Is Dating
Page Six reported in February 2025 that Lindsay had begun dating following her divorce from Abasolo. At the time, the outlet reported that the former “Bachelorette” star was romantically involved with Willie Jones, a country singer. An insider told the outlet, “They’re dating. She’s happy, but not rushing anything. He’s a really cool guy, and everyone is happy for her.”
The female chef who alleges she was assaulted by Stefon Diggs has shared a statement as he enters a not guilty plea.
RELATED: Yikes! Stefon Diggs’ Lawyer And New England Patriots Respond To His Strangulation Charges
Female Chef For Stefon Diggs Shares Statement On Alleged Assault
On Friday, February 13, the woman, who has not been identified in news reports, took to Instagram to share a message with the public. Furthermore, she wrote that she is writing to address the “false information that has been shared publicly.”
Additionally, she stated that she is a “professional chef” with 10 years of professional experience, and her “reputation” and “integrity” matter deeply to her. Claims that she engaged in “settlement discussions” with Digg, she says, are “untrue.” And she noted that she “never sought money” from him. Furthermore, she stated that she would “never” make false claims about domestic violence because she knows the allegations are serious and damaging.
“I did not seek public attention and reported this matter through the proper legal channels. This is an active criminal matter, and I will continue to respect the legal process,” she added by noting that she will not engage with “rumors” or “personal attacks.”
Instead, she noted that she is focused on “healing,” her work, and “moving forward with integrity” while trusting the legal process.
Social Media Reacts
Social media users weighed in on the female chef’s statements in TSR’s comment section. Many noted that Stefon Diggs appears to be taking back-to-back L’s with the loss of the Super Bowl and this criminal case.
Instagram user @ruby_rose0701 wrote, “Oh she’s not suing for money, she went to criminal court. Yikes 😬”
While Instagram user @all100z_aye added, “The way she wrote this I definitely believe her 😂😂”
Instagram user @meleliz__ wrote, “He been having a bad month 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭”
While Instagram user @zevarra_ceo added, “If it happened, he needs to be held accountable. The days of women staying quiet after being assaulted is over. 💪🏾”
Instagram user @cry_cry876 wrote, “I’m just waiting to see the evidence before I hav anything to say on this matter”
While Instagram user @southsidejay330 added, “I 100% believe her!! Whenever you go straight to the law and not social media or suing someone I will always believe you”
Instagram user @iamtokyorenee wrote, “Basically she doesn’t want any settlement or money she can’t be payed off . She wants him dealt with 😮 . You know they telling the truth when they don’t want the money 😢”
While Instagram user @ntm._brando added, “Yall so one sided in these comments just because he’s a guy. Many females have made many false claims about males, numerous times. Her statements only mean so much, if she has legitimate proof then I redact my statements, till then, she’s in it for the money and she’s just tryna get another man put in the system. And I stand on that”
Stefon Diggs Enters Not Guilty Plea In Alleged Assault Against Female Chef
Meanwhile, The Guardian reports that Stefon Diggs entered a not guilty plea to the strangulation and assault charges on Friday, February 13. His arraignment reportedly went down at the Dedham District Court in Massachusetts. Additionally, he was ordered to reappear in court on April 1.
Per the outlet, the chef alleges that on December 2, 2025, she confronted Diggs over money he allegedly owed her for her services. In turn, he allegedly smacked her in the face. And he allegedly tried to choke her by wrapping his elbow around her neck. Per PEOPLE, the chef reported the assault to police on December 16, 2025.
The Guardian adds that Diggs has denied the claims, and the New England Patriots have expressed their support for him.
RELATED: Stefon Diggs Breaks His Silence Following Strangulation Allegations From Former Private Chef (VIDEOS)
What Do You Think Roomies?
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem
Logistics Company CEO Steps Down …
After Epstein Link Revealed
Published
Billionaire Emirati businessman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem has resigned from the top spot of major logistics company DP World … after his links to Jeffrey Epstein put the business in jeopardy.
The multinational company — owned by the government of the city of Dubai in the UAE — put out a statement Friday announcing a new world chairman and new group CEO … positions held by Sulayem.
While the statement doesn’t actually name Sulayem, its meaning is clear … the multibillionaire is officially out the door.
The decision comes just a day after numerous financial groups in the United States and Canada threatened to cut ties with DP World after emails between Sulayem and Epstein were released by the U.S. Department of Justice.
A couple of shocking exchanges were released … with one email from Epstein asking Sulayem what time he’d like his massage in New York City. Epstein was infamous for having underage females massage and perform sexual acts on him. It’s unclear if this is what he was offering Sulayem.
He also wrote to Sulayem in April 2009, “where are you? are you ok, I loved the torture video.” While Sulayem’s name was previously redacted in that email, Republican Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie revealed his identity. Sulayem also texted Epstein a porn link in 2017.
Sulayem is one of many powerful men named in the infamous files. Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, Elon Musk, Deepak Chopra, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor — formerly known as Prince Andrew — and Steve Bannon are just a few of the many names mentioned.
James Van Der Beek‘s close friend is describing his family’s “urgent” need for money after his death.
“I’m just so happy and grateful that so many people feel moved in their hearts the way that those of us close feel,” designer Erin Fetherston told ExtraTV on Thursday, February 12, as the actor’s family raised more than $2 million in donations via GoFundMe. “There is a sincere and urgent need here for the family. They have really been through it, and I just want to thank everyone on their behalf who has given and who may feel inspired to give.”
Following his battle with stage III colorectal cancer, James’ wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and loved ones are struggling to stay afloat.
“These are six children who are facing life without a father,” Fetherston, 44, added. “Their amazing mother Kimberly has been a devoted wife and mom. She’s had six children and been public about losing babies along the way. She has been in the space of motherhood and supporting James all of these years. Now, she’s really left to pick up the pieces.”
Fetherston continued: “By supporting them, you’re helping them just maintain some stability in their life after going through a terribly challenging, painful, and heartbreaking journey that has ended in the loss of their father.”
Kimberly, 43, shared kids Olivia, 14, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 11, Emilia, 8, Gwendolyn, 6, and Jeremiah, 3, with James. The couple, who got married in 2010, previously revealed that Kimberly suffered five pregnancy losses.
Kimberly and James Van Der Beek Courtesy of Kimberly Van Der Beek/Instagram
In November 2024, James announced his stage III colorectal cancer diagnosis, writing via Instagram, “I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family. There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good.”
James was candid about his efforts to raise money for his treatment, which included selling memorabilia from his roles on Variety Blues and Dawson’s Creek. Fetherston told ExtraTV that James wasn’t able to work for the past two years.
“They tried everything to save his life,” she said. “And it’s just so hard that he’s gone now and also to be facing after already losing such a tremendous parent is nothing that I want to see them go through.”
Fetherston offered insight into her final moments with James, who died Wednesday, February 11, at age 48.
James Van Der Beek dealt with significant financial strain before his death from stage III colorectal cancer at age 48 in February 2026. The former Dawson’s Creek actor and his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, shared six children — daughters Olivia, Annabel, Emilia and Gwendolyn and sons Joshua and Jeremiah — so they were forced […]
“We all really held faith for a positive, miraculous outcome until the very end. James and Kimberly maintained such positivity through this journey, such high consciousness, always holding for a miracle, doing everything they could, trying everything,” she shared. “I mean, James, he put so much effort with all his strength to do this, and he did it with such grace, with a smile, still taking time to ask, ‘How are you doing? What can I do for you?’ I just did not imagine that this could happen.”
Fetherston expressed gratitude for the time she spent with James before his death, adding, “I had the chance to do that and say goodbye and see him. And even at the end, you know, I said to Kimberly, like, ‘He’s still beautiful.’ After everything he’s been through, he’s still emanating his love.”
Seeing such a “beautiful community” rally around James was meaningful for Fetherston.
“I think he really felt supported by all the love and the people who were able to be there at the end,” she continued. “He was just absolutely his authentic self until the very end — including people, making everyone a family, helping us all connect to one another.”
She concluded: “He leaves behind this incredible legacy of the most beautiful, kind family, and the most beautiful family of friends that would have never found one another had it not been for James and Kimberly and their open-hearted, generous way of living.”
Kimberly revealed on Wednesday that friends set up the GoFundMe for her family, sharing the link to donate via her Instagram Story “with gratitude and a broken heart.” Derek Hough, Zoe Saldaña and Steven Spielberg were among the A-list contributors.
A couple of days ahead of Valentine’s Day, English singer-songwriter Dua Lipa has taken the time to answer some questions sent in by her fans to her lifestyle website, Service95.
After going through some of her fans’ love dilemmas, the singer pulled from her own experiences with life and relationships to offer thoughtful and practical advice.
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Dua Lipa Opened Up About The Struggles Of Long-Distance Dating
On February 12, Service95 published an advice-focused post, sharing five questions Lipa chose to answer from a pool of questions her fans have been sending. One fan wanted to know the singer’s tips for making long-distance relationships work.
As the 30-year-old singer shared, she’s had some experience with that, especially during the times she’s away touring around the world. “I’ll start by saying this: it does get easier with time, but it never stops being hard,” she wrote.
Lipa added that one thing she avoids doing is being “constantly ‘in the know’,” instead, keeping conversations light. “I like to save big conversations for when you’re together in person and can really listen and be present,” she explained.
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She also sprinkled in some words of wisdom, saying, “And yes, relationships do change with distance, but love doesn’t.”
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How The Singer Copes With A Long-Distance Relationship
Lipa just finished her year-long Radical Optimism Tour in December 2025, and it must have been a difficult time for her and her fiancé, English actor Callum Turner.
As part of her response to her fan, she shared what she does whenever they’re apart, including “sending small messages whenever something reminds me of them: a book they’d like, a song I’ve just found, a film recommendation.” Doing this, she said, gives them new things to talk about when they talk while away from each other.
Lipa has been spending quality time with Turner, and as previously reported by The Blast, the couple was spotted while on a date in Paris when Turner had a heated exchange with paparazzi who were trying to take photos of them.
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Dua Lipa’s Thoughts On Break-ups
One question had Lipa looking back at her past relationships. The fan asked how she could help her sister realize her self-worth and regain confidence after her break-up.
Lipa has had some high-profile relationships, most notably with model Anwar Hadid, rapper Jack Harlow, and French filmmaker Romain Gavras.
The singer said that at times, the best thing is to just be present for someone who is going through a break-up. “Let her say, ‘This makes me feel like shit,’ without trying to fix it or put a positive spin on it. Break-ups are disorienting and have the space to feel the weight of that can actually be really healing, IMO,” she advised.
Furthermore, she said, “confidence comes back with time,” telling the fan that it wasn’t her responsibility to “fix” her sister.
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The Singer Believes She Was Meant To Be With Callum Turner
In an interview with British Vogue, the “Levitating” singer shared that she and Turner were briefly introduced to each other at a restaurant by the establishment’s co-founder. Lipa was dining with her father, while Turner was with friends.
However, it wasn’t until a year later that they started hanging out. According to Lipa, she was in L.A. with a friend when Turner showed up. In a true meet-cute moment, the actor asked what she was reading. “And we both just happened to be reading the same book,” adding that she took that as a sign they were “one thousand percent” meant to be together.
Dua Lipa And Callum Turner Are Engaged
The couple was engaged in 2025, and the singer gushed over her engagement ring. Turner had help from Lipa’s sister and best friends before having a custom ring made. “I’m obsessed with it. It’s so me. It’s nice to know the person that you’re going to spend the rest of your life with knows you very well,” she shared.
As for the wedding, they are in no rush and just want to enjoy the engagement. “This decision to grow old together, to see a life and just, I don’t know, be best friends forever, it’s a really special feeling,” the singer explained.
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