By Jonathan Klotz
| Updated 16 seconds ago

Jason Statham managed to carve out a niche for himself in Hollywood as the king of the B-movie. His action movies have been reliable hits for over 20 years, and yet, two of his largest successes have come when he’s left behind the martial arts action of everyday guy who is secretly a world-renowned assassin. Turns out, Statham versus a giant shark is where the real money’s been this whole time. 2023’s Meg 2: The Trench which features not only a multiple giant prehistoric monster sharks but a massive octopus is now a streaming hit on Netflix.

New Meg, Same Chum

The first film, 2018’s The Meg, was our introduction to Statham’s greatest character yet, Jonas Taylor, rescue diver. He doesn’t get to roundhouse kick a bunch of hapless goons, instead opting for stabbing a giant shark in the eyeball. Meg 2: The Trench fixes that problem by giving plenty of evil mercenaries for Statham to karate chop. It also includes gigantic prehistoric shark mating rituals. 

Set five years after the first film, Meg 2 now has Taylor helping to combat eco-terrorists and criminals, while back at the Mana One base, the team is studying Haiqi, a juvenile Meg who has grown up in captivity. From the beginning, you can’t think too hard about the plot. When Taylor leads the team back down through the thermocline at the bottom of the Mariana Trench from the original and there’s an entire illegal mining operation complete, don’t ask yourself “How did they build this?” It’s not that kind of movie. 

As with the first film, Meg 2 comes down to the gigantic shark terrorizing unsuspecting vacationers and only Jason Statham can stop it. If you’re wondering, “how is that water deep enough for a 75-foot shark” then you’re still thinking too hard. Stop that. 

Mo’ Meg Mo’ Problems

What you will notice between both films is there’s a lot of Chinese actors on camera. Both movies were co-financed by China, and as a result, were megahits in the country. Meg was during the tailend of the period where Hollywood was shoehorning in scenes for Chinese edits as a way to appeal more to the country. Meg 2 came long after the trend died, but it was still a success, with over $300 million of its total $397 million coming from overseas markets. 

The Meg and Meg 2 are both adaptations of novels by Steve Alten, though they make some significant changes from the source material. For starters, Meg 2 spends a lot more time out of the Trench, there’s fewer sharks, and since Li Bingbing didn’t come back for the sequel, everything meant for Jonas’ wife went to her brother, Jiuming (Wu Jing) instead. One new villain, the gigantic crocodile-like reptiles the kronosaurs, were written out completely, likely for inclusion in the third movie. 

A third Meg movie, adapting the next novel, seems like a no-brainer.  Warner Bros. hasn’t given it the greenlight and Statham has been busy on a sequel to The Beekeeper. Not only have both of the “Jason Statham asserts dominance over giant prehistoric shark” movies been box office successes, but even on stream, both have become perennial hits always lurking right outside of the top ten, if not on it, no matter the streaming platform. 

Meg 2: The Trench is now available on Netflix.

Queen Naija, Clarence NYC, and DreamDoll have the timeline buzzing following a situation at Kai Cenat’s Streamer University. The chatter started after Queen confronted Clarence about being in DreamDoll’s room. As clips spread across social media, viewers quickly shared their opinions, causing even more discussion surrounding the viral moment. As the criticism continued, Queen later sat down with Clarence before meeting with DreamDoll to officially clear the air.

RELATED: Whew! Queen Naija Reacts After Fans Peep Clarence In DreamDoll’s Dorm At Streamer University (VIDEOS)

Queen Naija & Clarence Speak On The The Viral DreamDoll Moment

Clarence and Queen sat down in their own dorm after a viral clip showed her confronting him about being in DreamDoll and Jordyn Lucas’ room. Clarence pointed out that he’s encouraged Queen to network with male creators, including doing a song with PlaqueBoyMax. He admitted he understands the influence the chat has on Queen but said her reaction also affected how the situation was perceived.

“You know damn well you didn’t care. But they don’t know, so the clip is just taken out of context. You get to run around here, shoot water guns, doing what you want. But when I want to do what I want to do. It’s disturbing. They be on my d***,” Clarence said.

Clarence admitted the moment left him discouraged from collaborating with other creators and argued there’s a double standard surrounding his interactions. He stressed that, despite knowing moments would get clipped online, he came to Streamer University to network and collaborate with fellow creators.

The pair also discussed another situation when Clarence helped a female student find directions around campus during a stream. In the moment, Queen’s chat alerted her about the interaction, and she reacted by saying the young woman was standing too close. That reaction led many viewers to flood Clarence’s chat, making the situation awkward. Clarence later reassured Queen, “I’m still going home after these five days of Streamer U. I’m going home to you.” Queen stood by her reactions, explaining it’s difficult not to respond when her chat constantly brings situations to her attention.

DreamDoll & Queen Naija Clear The Air During Streamer University Bible Study

Following Queen Naija’s sit-down with Clarence, she headed to Bible study at Streamer University. Fellow students gathered as they spoke about their faith and their spiritual journeys. Queen also took the opportunity to clear the air with DreamDoll following the discussion surrounding Clarence being in her dorm. DreamDoll admitted she initially felt Queen may have been “clip farming” during the viral moment when she confronted Clarence. Queen explained her reaction was genuine and made it clear she has no issues with DreamDoll or Jordyn Lucas. She revealed that, before the incident, she and DreamDoll had already shared a heartfelt moment together and felt the enemy was trying to create chaos and division between them. The two ended the conversation with a hug, reassuring everyone there is no beef between them.

Social Media Reacts 

Folks across the timeline reacted to the viral clips involving Queen Naija over in The Shade Room Teens comment section. While some felt her reaction was justified, others believed Clarence didn’t do anything wrong. Some viewers felt the couple should’ve discussed boundaries before attending Streamer University.

Instagram user @thatss.she wrote, “He too nonchalant for me. He could’ve apologized to her for not communicating he was going to be somewhere that would’ve made her a lil uncomfortable and that would’ve ended all that talking he did to defend the situation. 🤦🏾‍♀️ “

Instagram user @luvluvnani added, “”He should know by now what makes her uncomfortable and what doesn’t and it’s not always abt your intentions it’s abt perception and just having that awareness”

While Instagram user @bye.demi wrote, “Her reaction was normal ME PERSONALLY I WOULD’VE BEEN WORSE 😂😂😂😂”

Instagram user @alyssa_sq wrote, “Unless y’all been watching the whole stream…. Don’t even say anything bc tbh i love queen but Clarence wasn’t wrong for his feelings… this thing got blown way out of proportion. Give them grace it’s not easy them putting the business on the front line”

Instagram user @mswest2u_ added. “I’m sorry but Queen is the problem. I’ve been on stream since they started and Clarence wasn’t doing nothing at all. And bffr…. Dream don’t want no Clarence. Streamer U is for them to collab with others and build their communities. Queen knew what was up before she step on the campus”

While Instagram user @ameretirek wrote, “And just like that SU looking like Love & HipHop” 

Instagram user @siidnneyym wrote, “She gives mean girl. And I don’t think Queen bugging she’s so genuine and nice and everybody don’t deserve that she ain’t have to explain nothing to her.”

Instagram user @_naturalafrolatina added, “Y’all doing too much DreamDoll didn’t do nothing wrong SHE WAS IN HER ROOM TF STREAMING! Queen should go home with her man”

While Instagram user @kiyahbaby_ wrote, “Finally y’all posted this! I loved Queen approach to this but absolutely hated Dreamdoll response… like after that very great bible study/fellowship, I just thought she would’ve been way more receptive to this smh 🤦🏾‍♀️ but i guess some ppl just don’t understand how/when to give grace, unfortunately.”

RELATED: Queen Naija & ClarenceNYC’s Son Legend Shows Off His Math Skills During Kai Cenat’s Streamer University Auditions (WATCH)

Known for making audiences laugh on screen, actress Ellie Kemper is bringing that same playful energy to families this summer through a recent partnership with Pirate’s Booty. 

The mom of two recently sat down with The Blast to share a little about the partnership, as well as to reminisce about some fan-favorite shows, balancing set life with motherhood, and what favorite summer tradition her family looks forward to year after year. She even told The Blast she would love to do a few more seasons of one of her hit shows (no spoiler alerts here)!

Kemper, a mom of two boys ages 6 and 9, said the partnership with Pirate’s Booty for their Captain Bob’s Summer Quest guide was a perfect fit.

“I love Pirate’s Booty. First and foremost, I as an individual love Pirate’s Booty. As a mom, I also love Pirate’s Booty. It’s really easy to pack, it’s easy to put in a lunch bag and my kids love it. It’s a treat they look forward to, and I become a favorite mom,” Kemper told The Blast exclusively. “I was very interested in this partnership.” 

After Kemper learned more about Captain Bob’s Summer Quest, she said it was a “no brainer to join forces.” 

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“The whole kind of premise behind this project is to get kids off screens as much as they can this summer and to fuel imaginative play, which is something I personally like as an adult,” she said. “It’s really nice to share with my own kids.”

Families can join Captain Bob and his parrot sidekick Crunchy on summer adventures through easy-to-follow prompts and imaginative activities designed to spark creativity, encourage exploration, and create memorable moments together.

“Pirate’s Booty’s Summer Quest, inspired by our own Captain Bob, was built around a simple idea: helping families find easy ways to connect through play,” said Eric Bowers, VP of Salty Marketing, The Hershey Company. “We know that meaningful moments don’t require elaborate plans – just opportunities to explore, create, and spend time together.”

The Summer Tradition That Brings Ellie Kemper Back To Childhood

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Kemper and her family have a summer tradition that they look forward to each year – visiting the grandparents in San Diego and St. Louis.

“We go to visit both sets every summer and it’s a lot of fun. We usually spend a longer time in St. Louis, and I have family there so the kids get to see their cousins. It’s always unbearably hot but that’s part of the experience. It’s what I grew up with,” she told The Blast. “It’s nice to share that with the kids.”

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Finding That Work-Life Balance Can Be Tougher In The Summer Months

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When asked how she finds a balance between set life and mom life, especially in the summer months when the kids are out of school, Kemper responded, “tell me because I am constantly asking that question of other moms too.”

“Any job that you have, I think once summer hits, it’s really crazy because your schedule doesn’t necessarily shift, but the kids don’t have school,” she said. “So that I find to be a constant balancing act. I certainly haven’t figured it out, and I am often very stressed out trying to fill in those gaps.”

Kemper said that the Pirate’s Booty guide has been a “breath of fresh air” for her because the activities are easy and fun and only require items around the house. 

“You don’t have to go out and get anything. And those have been moments to take deep breaths for me and the kids,” she shared. “So those have been real nice moments of respite.”

What Hit Series Would Ellie Kemper Love To Do Another Season Or Two?

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For fans of the hit Netflix original series, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” four seasons wasn’t enough. It’s such a fan-favorite that many rewatch it over and over. When asked what the best part about filming the show was, Kemper said she has “very tender memories of all of it.” 

“At first, it was working with Robert Carlock and Tina Fey because I admired their work for years and years, and they’re just icons,” she said. “And then, once I got to meet the other actors on the show, that was like the blessings just kept coming. What a gift to be able to work with all of my castmates.” 

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She added that it was a bonus that filming took place in New York City, and said “every part of that worked out.” 

When the chat moved in the direction of wishing there was another season, Kemper said she would do it in a heartbeat.

Ellie Kemper Loved ‘The Office’ Before She Was Even On It

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When talking about beloved television series, “The Office” is sure to pop into any chat. Many fans still binge it to this day, years after it ended production. 

“I loved the show before I got a job on it, because my character didn’t make an appearance until season 5,” Kemper told The Blast. “I understand why people love it. It’s so relatable and so comforting. The characters are jus like you know one of those characters in every part of your life. You could say, ‘oh that’s a Dwight,’ or ‘that’s a Phyllis.’”

She also added that the fact that people are still watching the show “speaks to the writing on the show, the heart of the show.” Kemper said she was “blessed to have had any part in any of it.”

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Blumhouse has built plenty of franchises from opening-weekend success, but this sequel (in development) exists because a modest 2019 thriller became much larger after leaving theaters. The original film was made for roughly $5 million and went on to rake in $61.2 million worldwide, already making it highly profitable, then found a second audience during the pandemic through repeated streaming-chart appearances.

The first film appeared to close its story decisively. Sue Ann Ellington’s (Octavia Spencer) revenge campaign ends with the house burning around her, so bringing the character back in the sequel requires more than simply repeating another group of teenagers, another basement, and the same manipulation. The sequel’s challenge is to preserve the mix of psychological damage, social humiliation, camp, and sudden violence that made the original so replayable while explaining how Sue Ann returns and what could push her into a second campaign.

The movie is Ma 2, and Spencer, in an interview with ScreenRant, says the team is “working very diligently” on the screenplay because they want to “do it right.” Spencer is officially returning as Sue Ann, while Ashley Nicole Black is writing the sequel. Blumhouse CEO Jason Blum previously confirmed that the company viewed the original’s streaming success and meme-driven popularity as proof that the character had become a genuine cultural phenomenon.

‘Ma’ Became a Meme Through Poster Parodies, Quotes, and Octavia Spencer Herself

The meme culture around Ma was built from the film’s unusually adaptable title and Sue Ann’s most theatrical moments. Fans began editing her into awards-season posters and famous movie titles, producing jokes such as Ma Ma Land, Roma, Ma Star Is Born, The Irishma, The Greatest Show Ma, and Mad Ma: Fury Road. Other posts reused Spencer peering through a car window, her strict basement rules, and the instantly recognizable line, “Don’t make me drink alone.” The trend became large enough that Spencer herself reposted fan creations, promoted the #MaMemes tag, and launched a contest for the best entry.

It appears all that has synergized toward this sequel that’s now in development. There are no further updates or a release date for Ma 2 for now. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

May 31, 2019

Runtime

102 minutes

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By Jonathan Klotz
| Published 31 seconds ago

John Carpenter is known today as the Master of Horror, but he got his start with Dark Star, an offbeat sci-fi comedy that started as a student film while he attended the University of Southern California. He also happened to be friends with Dan O’Bannon, who helped him write the script for the film. While Carpenter would go on to make Halloween and The Thing, O’Bannon was inspired by the reaction to their low-budget sci-fi comedy to write a sci-fi horror that you might know: Alien.

Dark Star may be a cult classic today, but when it was upgraded from student film to feature film and released in 1974, audiences had no idea what they were watching, and most of the humor was missed. O’Bannon noticed this and shared his thought process in later interviews, “If I can’t make them laugh, then maybe I can make them scream.”

Once it was available on VHS, the film found its audience, including Quentin Tarantino, the creator of the Metal Gear games, Hideo Kojima, and Doug Naylor, the creator of Red Dwarf. Fittingly given Carpenter’s musical talents, multiple bands have used voice samples or paid tribute to the film in their songs.

Cabin Fever INNNN SPACEEEEEE!!!

The connections between Dark Star and Alien are apparent from the very beginning, with both films taking place on ramshackle spaceships that share the same retro-futuristic style, and the crews are composed of characters that don’t fit into the typical sci-fi hero mold. Dark Star, as a parody of 2001: A Space Odyssey, cranks the crew’s personalities to 11, which somehow works. As a result, it feels like frat bros trapped in space together, and they don’t get along, but they have to.

The crew’s mission is to find potentially dangerous planets and blow them up, but the catch is that after a massive malfunction, a thermostellar bomb develops a personality and tries to blow up ahead of schedule. The captain of the Dark Star, a former surfer, has to talk the bomb into not blowing up.

It’s a fantastic parody of sci-fi that engages in deep philosophy, and was purposely designed to be a parody of HAL. That’s part of the humor that O’Bannon was frustrated with, which went over the head of the audience, but it’s the bizarre beach ball alien that became the proto-Xenomorph.

The Comedy Routine That Became Alien

Working under tight budget restrictions, the alien in Dark Star is a painted beach ball with floppy claws loosely attached to it. Sergeant Pinback, played by O’Bannon, tries to keep the alien contained in a storage room, but it keeps escaping and attempts to murder him, and eventually, Pinback accidentally causes it to pop and explode. The entire sequence, played here for laughs with some absurd physical humor, is what directly inspired Alien.

Replacing the adorable but slightly murderous prankster beach ball with the H. R Giger design of the terrifying, very murderous Xenomorph but maintaining the similar setting and feeling of claustrophobia provided the recipe for a genre-defining hit. Dark Star, it should be noted, is also rated “G,” which gives you an idea as to the level of physical humor that O’Bannon brought to his role. Yet, given how the film ends, it’s only suitable for kids if you want to inflict a NeverEnding Story level of trauma on them.

If you’ve never seen Dark Star, it is well worth your time, even today, because it’s an absolutely bonkers take on sci-fi that nails the exact tone they wanted. It’s streaming for free on Tubi, Pluto TV, YouTube, and Plex, and is also part of Amazon Prime.

Whew! Spectacular Smith is making it clear that he isn’t letting a recent airport encounter go quietly. The Pretty Ricky member is speaking out following a tense moment with a Southwest Airlines employee at Ontario International Airport. He alleges the encounter left him feeling disrespected and fans aren’t sure how to feel.

RELATED: Whew! Social Media Users Are Weighing IN After Willie Taylor Said Day 26 Would Have “Smoked” Pretty Ricky & B2K In Verzuz (VIDEOS)

Spectacular Smith Shares His Side Of Southwest Airlines Dispute

In a video shared to his Instagram, Spectacular Smith documented an interaction with a male Southwest Airlines gate agent he identified as Erick Edwards. In the clip, the gate agent can be seen standing near the jetway entrance. Meanwhile, Spectacular repeatedly asks, “What are you doing?” before the door is closed. The agent then directed him to speak with additional employees at another counter. Spectacular also asked to speak with a supervisor about the situation.

According to Smith, the disagreement started over Southwest Airlines’ carry-on policy involving his pillow and blanket. The rapper explained that he regularly travels with both items. He said he was unaware they would count as separate carry-on belongings since he rarely flies with the airline. He said he was willing to check the items and followed instructions, but believes the situation escalated unnecessarily afterward.

Spectacular Demands Respect After Tense Airport Moment

Spectacular later shared more details about the encounter, claiming the gate agent became confrontational and allegedly got inches from his face while allegedly balling up his fist, which made him feel threatened. He said he activated the recording feature on his Meta Glasses to capture what was happening and called out Southwest Airlines for what he described as unacceptable customer service.

While Spectacular acknowledged that misunderstanding the airline’s carry-on rules was his mistake, he said his issue was never with the policy itself. Instead, he emphasized that his concern was how he says he was treated. Especially, after complying with employees instructions. He said the interaction became unnecessarily disrespectful. Spectacular also called for accountability. He added that passengers should be treated with professionalism and respect, even when they make a mistake.

Not The Comments Bringing B2K Into This

Fans quickly jumped in TSR’s Instagram comment section and ran it UP with their reactions to Spectacular Smith’s airport encounter. While some commenters questioned, “What do you expect from Southwest Airlines?” others pointed out that the rapper did appear to look late for his flight. Meanwhile, a few people felt the gate agent was taking his job wayyyy too seriously.

One Instagram user @willgetzitin said, “Some people take their job too serious”

This Instagram user @tayehydermua added, “a blanket and pillow have never been considered as carry ons when i fly southwest.”

And, Instagram user @aspence615_ commented, “You look like you was late fam lol”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @marcus2braids claimed, “B2k put that hiittt out on my bro 😂”

While Instagram user @wopokee shared, “Omarion got something to do with this, I can’t prove it yet, but I know he do”

Lastly, Instagram user @shes_winning_ said, “It’s southwest y’all be expecting private jet experiences, high and experiences on low funded as air flight. I mean, I’m confused at where y’all confused.”

RELATED: Social Media Goes Off Over B2K And Pretty Ricky Verzuz As The TL Brings All The Smoke (VIDEOS)

Milania Giudice’s domestic violence case continues to draw attention after newly released police dashcam footage appeared to capture the reality star’s daughter laughing and smiling while being transported to jail following her arrest earlier this year.

The footage arrives as the 20-year-old University of Tampa student prepares to return to court in August, where she will continue fighting a simple assault charge stemming from an alleged domestic dispute at the New Jersey home of her mother, Teresa Giudice, and stepfather, Luis “Louie” Ruelas.

Video obtained by Page Six from the Montville Police Department shows officers placing a handcuffed Milania into the back of a police vehicle after her May 14 arrest.

As an officer fastens her seatbelt, Milania appears to scoff while speaking before looking toward the open door and briefly laughing. The footage then shows her turning forward with what appears to be a smile on her face.

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Additional dashcam video reportedly captured activity outside Teresa Giudice and Ruelas’ New Jersey residence, though portions of the footage were heavily redacted.

Milania was ultimately transported to Montville Township Police Department headquarters, where she was booked on one count of simple assault before being released pending further court proceedings.

What The Charge Could Mean Under New Jersey Law

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While the newly released footage has generated headlines, the more significant issue for Milania remains the legal case itself.

According to allegations outlined during her arraignment, prosecutors claim Milania “knowingly caused bodily injury” to an individual identified as “LR” by allegedly striking the person in the forehead during a domestic dispute.

The judge informed Milania that a conviction could carry penalties that include up to six months in jail, probation, and financial penalties exceeding $500. Court records show that Milania has pleaded not guilty and is expected back in court later this summer.

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Police Report Revealed Details Of The Family Dispute

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Additional details emerged through the police report connected to the incident. According to the report, officers were called to the home after Gabriella Giudice, Milania’s older sister, contacted 911 and reported that her sister was allegedly “acting erratically.”

The report also stated that Milania was allegedly throwing food and candles during the dispute. Authorities noted that no weapons were involved in the incident. While the judge later referenced redness on the alleged victim’s forehead during the arraignment, police documentation reportedly indicated that no injuries were initially reported at the scene.

Milania Giudice Previously Addressed Her Arrest On TikTok

Although she has not publicly commented on the newly released dashcam footage or the allegations discussed during her arraignment, Milania previously spoke about her arrest during a TikTok video posted on June 29.

In the video, she pushed back against an alleged fake mugshot circulating online, claiming it had been created using artificial intelligence. “I ate down in my mugshot. I looked fire. I mean, nothing to be proud of, but I made sure of that,” she joked.

Milania also acknowledged she was struggling personally around the time of the incident. “It is what it is. Sh-t happens in life. It is what it is. You gotta learn from it and just become a better person and talk about it,” she said.

The reality TV daughter added that she was “not in a good area” of her life at the time and suggested followers did not know the full story behind what occurred.

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The Incident Adds To A Family Already Familiar With Public Legal Battles

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Milania is one of four daughters shared by Teresa Giudice and her ex-husband, Joe Giudice, whose legal troubles became a major storyline during their time on “The Real Housewives of New Jersey.” The former couple served prison sentences related to federal fraud convictions before finalizing their divorce in 2020.

Teresa later married Ruelas in 2022, blending their families and bringing additional attention to the household where the May incident allegedly occurred.

For now, the focus remains on Milania’s upcoming court appearance, where the case will continue, and a judge will determine whether the allegations against her warrant further penalties under New Jersey law.

Watch With Us is celebrating all things action this weekend, and that’s largely due to Prime Video’s new action flicks that they just added in July.

The 2025 minor hit The Amateur just dropped on the platform, and it’s an underrated revenge tale with an almost unrecognizable Rami Malek.

We also recommend streaming the 2022 adventure tale Uncharted, starring Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg as an unlikely pair of fortune hunters.

Finally, we suggest you check out the 1989 classic Road House, which features Patrick Swayze literally fighting an entire town of rednecks. What more can you ask out of a movie?

‘The Amateur’ (2025)

CIA cryptographer Charlie Heller’s (Rami Malek) orderly world is shattered when his beloved wife, Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan), is killed in a terrorist attack. Charlie is normally a rational guy, but he becomes obsessed with avenging her death and hunting down her four killers. He’s an amateur at killing people, though, so he’ll need to train first before enacting his revenge plan. Charlie is good at everything he does, but does he have what it takes to be a cold-blooded assassin?

The Amateur is a revenge thriller tucked inside a mid-level action flick, and it works. Malek isn’t your traditional anti-hero, so seeing him lay waste to bad guys is both surprising and satisfying. The supporting cast includes action genre vets Laurence Fishburne and Jon Bernthal, whose characters reluctantly support Charlie’s mission, even when it seems likely it will lead to the widower’s death. For Charlie, death isn’t scary – it’s letting his wife’s killers roam free that keeps him up at night and makes him determined to bring them down.

The Amateur is streaming on Prime Video.

‘Uncharted’ (2022)

Nathan Drake (Tom Holland) is a New York City bartender who misses his big brother Sam (Rudy Pankow), who disappeared years ago while looking for buried treasure. When Sully (Mark Wahlberg), one of Sam’s fortune hunter friends, tells him he might know where he is, Nathan agrees to accompany him – and help Sully find the treasure that will make him a rich man. But Nate and Sully aren’t alone in digging for gold – Santiago Moncada (Antonio Banderas) wants it, too, and he’s prepared to kill them to make sure it’s all his.

Based on the popular PlayStation video game franchise, Uncharted is a modern-day Indiana Jones story that’s as fun as it is derivative. Everything in the film has been done before and better in the first three Indy films, but that doesn’t mean Uncharted isn’t entertaining. On the contrary, it’s a slickly made adventure flick, with great action set pieces and a good dynamic between the two leads. Yes, Holland and Wahlberg are miscast as the more mature-looking and acting Nate and Sully, but once you get past that, they’re pretty fun to watch as a pair of adventurers who always manage to escape certain doom.

Uncharted is streaming on Prime Video.

‘Road House’ (1989)

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“Pain don’t hurt.” That’s just one of the many immortal lines uttered in Road House, a gloriously trashy action film that marries the stupid and the sublime in one entertaining, R-rated package. Dirty Dancing icon Patrick Swayze stars as James Dalton, a NYC bounder who accepts a gig as head of security at a crime-plagued road house, Deuces, in Jasper, Missouri. Dalton’s stern but fair methods roil the local riff-raff, who don’t like being told not to beat people to death. They soon side with Brad Wesley (Ben Gazzara), a criminal kingpin who doesn’t like Dalton’s fair and balanced approach. Dalton’s life is soon in danger, but he’s not worried. Remember, “pain don’t hurt,” and Dalton is determined to rid Jasper of all the sleaze that’s ruled the town for years.

On paper, Road House seems like a typical ‘80s action film, with a generic male lead going mano a mano with an endless horde of hillbilly thugs. But what makes the film such an undeniable classic is in its execution – the film plays like a human cartoon, and you can’t take any of it seriously. The casting of Swayze is also key since he plays his bouncer as a pseudo spiritual guru who dispenses wisdom while knocking a guy’s teeth out. Add in a grizzled Sam Elliott as Dalton’s best bud and Kelly Lynch as Missouri’s most beautiful doctor, and you’ve got an action classic that no remake (sorry, Jake Gyllenhaal) can duplicate.

Road House is streaming on Prime Video.

Sony has been going through so much criticism lately. When it was announced that PlayStation would phase out its physical releases by 2028, the internet picked up its pitchforks, to the point that some game developers ensured that their upcoming games, like Wolverine and God of War: Laufey, would have a physical disk. But PlayStation is not the only Sony brand changing how it handles physical merchandise.

Another company under Sony’s umbrella is Crunchyroll, the streaming service known for its extensive library of anime content. The streaming platform was founded in 2006, but by 2020, Sony had become the streaming service’s new owner, buying it from WarnerMedia for nearly $1 billion. As of writing, the anime streaming giant has 15 million subscribers and over 2000 titles under its belt, like Demon Slayer, Spy x Family, and Solo Leveling, to name a few. However, it’s not accessible in every region, such as Japan. Due to this, some of its exclusive content, like Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, is available on other platforms like Netflix, but only in those affected areas due to licensing agreements.

Not only does Crunchyroll stream anime content, but it is also a storefront for those wanting to purchase official merchandise for their favorite shows, including physical copies of shows released on other platforms like Arcane. Recently, Crunchyroll announced that its storefront, Crunchyroll Store, will change and be available only to its paid subscribers in the Mega and Ultimate Fan tiers, which cost $13.99 and $17.99 per month, respectively. The website claimed it would give paid subscribers a “new curated experience” and access to Crunchyroll-exclusive merch. This change will take effect this August, and in preparation, the store is holding a Summer Sale with 50% off selected items. If you’re after a good deal, especially if you’re after physical anime content, now is a good time to purchase before buying merch and DVDs goes behind a paywall. Once the changes occur, users will still be able to access their accounts and order history, their purchases will still be fulfilled, and support will still be able to assist with existing orders. However, gift cards will no longer be supported by August 14, 2026.

Just Like PlayStation, Crunchyroll Fans Not Happy With The Crunchyroll Store Change

The reaction amongst anime fans to this upcoming change to the Crunchyroll store was backlash. Some pointed out that Crunchyroll is asking fans to pay them to “pay the company more”. Others claim that the streaming services are punishing those who can’t afford subscriptions or are in the lower tiers and are urging fans to purchase their anime media and merchandise elsewhere. One even compared the Crunchyroll store’s August update to a Costco, but worse.

Thanks to this recent announcement, consumers believe this is another attack by Sony to eliminate physical media, as seen with the recent PlayStation announcement. That the changes to the storefront would deter fans from buying physical content and, in turn, would lead Sony to claim “no one is buying physical anime anymore,” just as it made similar claims about physical video game sales.

The Crunchyroll Store is still accessible to everyone. The cutoff date for when users can make their purchases has yet to be announced.

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Release Date

September 29, 2023

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Network

Nippon TV, YTV, FBS, Chukyo TV, RNB, FCT, STV, KNB, HTV, YBS, RAB, TVI, YBC, UMK TV Miyazaki, TSB, MMT, TeNY, RNC, NIB, KKT, KTK, NKT, ABS, JRT, Daiichi-TV, FBC, RKC, KYT, KRY

Directors

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Kento Matsui, Kota Mori, Takahiro Natori, Morio Asaka, Lim Ka-hee, Taku Kimura, Ken Ando, Hirotaka Mori, Ayaka Tsuji

Writers

Tomohiro Suzuki

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  Atsumi Tanezaki

  Frieren (voice)

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  Kana Ichinose

  Fern (voice)

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Seth Rogen opened up about his awkward demeanor while filming an intimate scene with Penélope Cruz in their new movie, “The Invite,” noting he just kept thanking her for the experience.

The 44-year-old actor also explained that he was quite apprehensive of how Cruz’s husband, Javier Bardem, would take it.

Seth Rogen has one of the most enduring marriages in Hollywood and said that a key to a lasting relationship is being “intimate” and “sexually attracted” to your partner.

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Even for the most dedicated Hollywood stars, filming intimate scenes is sometimes awkward, but Rogen proved to be polite about it while shooting with Penélope Cruz in their new film “The Invite.”

In a Wednesday, July 15 appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Rogen spoke on the hilarious behind-the-scenes moment that left him expressing gratitude and apologizing to the Oscar winner, even though director and costar Olivia Wilde had asked that the cast all go with the flow while shooting.

“There’s a scene where me and [Cruz] are having a romantically charged moment, and it seems like we might hook up with one another, and I just kept saying ‘Thank you,’” he told guest host Ike Barinholtz, who stepped in due to Jimmy Kimmel’s 2-month summer break.

He went on to explain that the reason he was like that was that he “would be apologetic and thankful” if the steamy session were to occur in real life.

“I’m sorry,” he jokingly said about the awkward moment.

Olivia Wilde Was Confused By The Actor’s Reactions During His Scene With Penélope Cruz

In the film, Rogen and Wilde play a married couple in a rut, Joe and Angela, who host a tense dinner for their sexually adventurous upstairs neighbors, Pina and Hawk, played by Cruz and Edward Norton, respectively.

They’d initially planned to get to know Pina and Hawk, but the interactions soon revealed the cracks in Joe and Angela’s own marriage, per Forbes. Things took an unexpected twist as Pina and Hawk invited them to have group sex in a partner exchange setting, as more shocking revelations emerged.

Speaking on the funny moment that transpired between him and Cruz, Rogen noted that his awkwardness caught Wilde off guard and left her with more questions than commendation.

“Olivia Wilde, the director, was just like, ‘Why? What are you doing? Why do you keep saying ‘Thank you?’” he recalled. “And I was like, I don’t [know]. It’s just what’s coming out of my mouth.”

“All I have is gratitude,” he added, rendering to the scene.

Seth Rogen Was Conscious About Penélope Cruz’s Husband’s Reaction To The Scene

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Elsewhere in the interview, Rogen shared another major reason he acted awkwardly while filming with Cruz.

The “Pineapple Express” actor explained that he was quite skeptical about the steamy moments they shared because he didn’t know how Cruz’s husband, Javier Bardem, would react to the scene.

Rogen, however, joked that Bardem, a fellow actor, likely doesn’t see him as a “threat” or someone who could jeopardize his marriage with Cruz.

“I don’t think he views me as a legitimate threat in any way, shape or form,” he noted.

The Actor Speaks On The Secret To A Long Lasting Marriage

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Meanwhile, Rogen has been married for the last 15 years to his wife, Lauren Miller, and had previously dished on how a healthy sex life is the supposed secret to a long-lasting marriage.

The couple first met in 2005 through mutual friends before tying the knot 6 years later.

In a June profile with The New York Times, Rogen described “The Invite” as a film that focuses on what a good and bad relationship is, noting that it’s mainly built on what each partner brings to the table.

“People really bring their own personal stuff into those definitions,” he explained. “I remember feeling like I could really confidently speak about what a very good relationship was like — one that had been good for a very long time.”

Reflecting on what the secret is, he said, “It’s a couple who is nice to each other, who loves each other and who goes out of their way to excuse the other person rather than to find things that they hate about the other person.”

Seth Rogen Marriages Fail Due To A Lack Of Sexual Intimacy

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Journalist Lulu Garcia-Navarro then brought up a previous conversation in which he spoke about how his wife allows him to be his goofy self, adding that she seems to want the “full Seth.”

“She does, yes. And at times she will also tell me maybe it’s too much, Seth,” he joked. “When we were making the ‘Neighbors’ movies, a lot of the dynamic between me and Rose Byrne came from conversations with me and Lauren.”

He continued, “She’s not the naggy woman who’s trying to shut down the fun. Me and her love doing the same stuff, and if anything, she’s encouraging it.”

The comedian then added that one other secret “comes down to caring and tenderness.”

“You have to want to love your partner, and you have to want them to love you back,” he said. “You have to be intimate with your partner and sexually attracted to your partner, and that should be returned as well.”