Nearly one year after they said “I do,” Britt Stewart and Daniel Durant finally celebrated their nuptials with a romantic honeymoon in the Caribbean — and Us has all the details.

“It was just so amazing,” Durant, 36, told Us exclusively of their trip to Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on Tuesday, July 21. “The island was stunning. We just can’t believe that it’s real.”

Adding that “the whole time was romantic, really,” Stewart, 36, recalled a sunset dinner on the beach as a highlight of the trip, along with a relaxing spa day and one-on-one time as a couple in their “beautiful” room with a private plunge pool. Set against the backdrop of Saint Vincent’s lush rainforests and dramatic coastline, the couple took full advantage of everything Sandals had to offer for the special occasion.

After meeting as dance partners and capturing the world’s hearts on Dancing With the Stars season 31 in 2022, Stewart and Durant’s connection soon turned romantic. They announced their engagement a year later and wed in Santa Margarita, California, on August 23, 2025, surrounded by friends, family and the DWTS cast, of course.

While their busy careers prevented them from jetsetting after their wedding — “I met my season 34 partner two days after,” Stewart recalled — they jumped at the chance to take their long-awaited honeymoon this summer as they gear up to celebrate their first anniversary as husband and wife.

“Long distance is never easy for all partners, but for us, we’re really proud of each other that we can follow [our] dreams,” the CODA actor told Us. “We know that when we pick that time to be together [like] during this honeymoon, it’s this ultimate connection the whole time.”

For evidence of the strength of their connection and commitment to one another, look no further than their communication. When Stewart was initially partnered with Durant, who is deaf, on DWTS, she immediately began learning American Sign Language. As she interpreted for her husband during their joint interview, her growth in ASL and appreciation for deaf culture became clear — and their shorthand and joy in interacting with one another proved that their love is one that goes beyond language.

“My ASL journey has been amazing,” the DWTS pro told Us. “Our meeting anniversary and our wedding anniversary are almost the exact same day. My whole world changed when I met Daniel, and during that season, I was oblivious to how much my world was about to change.”

She continued: “Having this new way of expression and language has really just opened my eyes to a different community that we live next to and with. … It’s been a beautiful journey that I’m still on.”

Durant and his friends in the deaf community certainly appreciate her efforts.

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Related: ‘DWTS‘ Pro Britt Stewart and Daniel Durant‘s Relationship Timeline

Less than one year after Britt Stewart and Daniel Durant competed together on Dancing With the Stars, they sparked a real-life romance. “My Valentine. ♥️ Happy Valentine’s Day,” Durant wrote via Instagram in February 2023 when they debuted their relationship, sharing a selfie with the DWTS pro on a boardwalk. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to […]

“I look at her, and this who she is, Britt,” he told Us of his wife. “I love to see her with the deaf community. She has big fans there. When deaf people see her, they automatically go up to her and start to sign. And it’s not often in the deaf community that they see a pro dancer who is successful — a successful woman in this world — being able to sign. It means so much to me and the deaf community, and it makes me proud. But that’s Britt, and that’s why I love her.”

As they reflect back on their first year of marriage, Stewart pointed out that not all that much has shifted since they said “I do” — and she thinks that’s how it should be. “Not much should really change in your relationship,” she told Us. “But what I love is that marriage, for me, is also about intention. It’s our intention that we are doing life together.”

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When it comes to their busy careers — Durant just wrapped up a run in the musical Elephant Shoes, while Stewart was on tour with the DWTS cast before preparing for season 35 this fall — their love is what helps keep them grounded.

“Daniel makes my life, long distance, hard moments, he just makes it easier, calm and OK,” Stewart told Us of her husband. “Yes, our lives are crazy, but when we get that time together, like these last two weeks, it’s amazing.”

Added Durant, “We just feel so full in our hearts and connected and ready to be back into the world and process that together.”

Roommates, a surprising conversation between Deion Sanders and Chrisean Rock has fans talking after the sports icon shared some uplifting words with the reality star. While the two may come from completely different worlds, their exchange showed a different side of their connection as Deion reminded Chrisean of her value and the impact she has made.

RELATED: Karrueche Tran’s Cooking Habit Leaves Deion Sanders Asking If She’s “One Of Those People” (VIDEO)

Chrisean Gets Emotional During Deion Sanders Call

In a clip circulating online this week, Deion Sanders’ voice is heard over a phone call with Chrisean Rock during what appears to be a livestream from her living room. The reality star is wearing a pink tank top, a colorful head wrap, and gold chains while sitting in front of white couches. As the conversation unfolds, Chrisean laughs and smiles while interacting with Deion.

Deion Reminds Chrisean She’s The Prize

During the conversation, Deion encouraged Chrisean to recognize her own worth, telling her that when she looks in the mirror, she needs to realize, “You are the prize.” He also told her that there would be no “storyline” without her and praised the attention and conversations she continues to create. The words appeared to hit home for Chrisean, who became emotional while listening to Deion’s message. He continued reminding her that she keeps people “interested” and that she will always create some type of “chatter,” seemingly encouraging her to embrace the influence and presence she has built.

Fans React After Coach Prime’s Viral Pep Talk

Following the clip making its rounds, folks quickly headed to The Shade Room’s Instagram comment section to share their reactions to Deion Sanders’ words for Chrisean Rock. Some commenters joked that they don’t think Chrisean is going to listen, while others said they could tell she really needed to hear that message. Meanwhile, a few people joked that Deion may have been giving advice he needed to remind himself of, saying he was “really talking to himself” in the moment.

One Instagram user @chrisean_sisters_in_faith said, “Chrisean needed this glad there’s genuine people in her corner 🙏🏽 😍”

This Instagram user @porchvibing claimed, “This was beautiful!! Sometime we need to hear this encouragement!!! Salute 🫡”

And, Instagram user @quaniesha_crankfield added, “That’s what she needs… a strong male father figure in her life…”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @kilolo_1 wrote, “All this words of encouragement, support, and Crying she’s doing Just for him to be talking to himself forreal lol”

While Instagram user @itsb___dummy commented, “She ain’t gon listen Prime”

Finally, Instagram user @unattachedd_ shared, “She grew a lot and I love this for her”

RELATED: Baby Talk? Karrueche Tran & Deion Sanders Fuel Speculation About Having Kids Together (PHOTO)

Big Brother saw the big post-nomination fight drama died down and the veto meeting was pretty undramatic. And now, Egg-Angela Murray is simmering in her shell and turning on allies which is standard behavior.

And Drew Campbell is on her deviled egg list. There was also some steam between Haley Thogmartin and Kamuela “Kamu” Kirk and some sure signs that Rick Devens’ HOH is going to wind up being just as ineffectual as Dee Valladares’.

And today’s tweet of the day is big beef between two BB alums with one of them slamming the other.

Big Brother 28: Drew and Melody Moments, Angela’s Paranoia

Drew & Melody Morris had a cute moment on the feeds today where she was using the princess phone in the living room pretending to talk to her mom. Drew asked to talk to Melody’s mom and then he said Melody does what? All the time?

Then, she snatched back the phone and pretended to listen then told Drew, my mom said she didn’t tell you anything. And he told Melody, wow, I can’t believe you called your mom a liar, I’d never do that. It was fun.

Interesting since we heard Drew and his IRL girlfriend are still together. And Kamu told Drew that he stuck up for him when the subject of Melody came up and said Angela, Chuk Anyanwu, Dee and Haley were saying he’s whipped.

BB 28: Drew Drama

Dee & Angela griped that Drew wants to be in every conversation. Angela thinks he studied Andy Herren. Dee said everyone underestimates him because he’s just 22. They agreed he’s really smart.

Angela griped about hearing Drew laughing in the DR. Angela complained that he talks to people all over the house and then doesn’t tell the alliance anything. Dee agreed and said Drew only says negative things to drive a wedge between people.

Big Brother 28: Jason’s AFP Obsession and Social Dynamics

Jason de Puy was whining about AFP again telling Mallory Aurichio about Devens’ big move in Survivor 50 where he risked his game on a Mr. Beast coin flip. Jason complained that Angela & Devens are getting all the attention.

And Jason said there’s no chance to win AFP with Devens in the house. Jason also denied what Devens said at the nomination ceremony about him telling white lies to the girls.

Jason claims that Devens twisted his words and made him look bad to the house. Mallory gave him sympathy but Jason’s preaching to the choir with her. Mallory hates Devens already so that was a good choice for Jason to gripe to about the vets.

I’m wondering if Jason will have another sobbing spell if Devens wins the time capsule because Jason lost it over Angela getting picked. Angela also griped to Dee about Haley talking about wanting to be AFP.

Big Brother 28: Showmances and Final Two Deals

Speaking of Haley, she and Kamu did a little thing on the live feeds. They were in the room with Angela and Dee and there was a little sort of kiss – not a real kiss but a close to being a kiss with Angela and Dee encouraging Haley and Kamu.

Apparently, Kamu told Haley she needs to dial back on the flirting with Yash Patel. And Haley’s been flirting with Chuk too. But she also told Dee and Angela she flirted with Ashley Trail.

Dee and Angela are rooting for Haley and Kamu. But Haley said Kamu’s too short for her and she doesn’t like that he’s always barefoot. Barrett Pfeiffer & Drew made a final 2 and talked about bringing Angela along to F3 because she’d be easy to beat.

Angela was explaining to Chuk, Dee, Haley and Kamu how the Cookout ran their season. And Angela seemed to be suggesting they each choose a houseguest to shield them.

I think Dee’s HOH was a waste. Ashley was not a big target. And Devens took a swing at Rome, but it looks like it could be a swing and a miss if the votes shift off Rome. Right now, things are still in flux.

Big Brother 28: Live Feeds Confusion and Historical Beef

Also, some of the houseguests don’t grasp how the live feeds work. Jason said he doesn’t talk to the live feeds. I guess other than him screaming at the cameras that America can hate him.

Melody says production doesn’t like them talking to the feeders. I disagree but whatever. Barrett says other people talk to live feeders and get this, brainiac Mallory asks how do the live feeds hear them.

Melody says the big microphones and Barrett corrects her and says it’s from the microphones they wear. Just wow. Also, I don’t know how I didn’t know this but the HOH gets their laundry done for them by production.

As if the private bathroom, snacks and booze weren’t enough. Kamu was up until 4 a.m. doing his laundry – with that many people, keeping clean clothes is a challenge.

Big Brother: Alums Call for Peace

Okay now the Big Brother alums beefing is our tweet of the day. So, the beef is between BB27 winner Ashley Hollis and BB27 3rd place Morgan Pope. So, Ashley was apparently appealing to the fandom to stop trying to pit her and Morgan against each other.

She called out the “Ashley hates Morgan” assumption. Then Ashley said, Morgan played a great game, I played a great game, Vince played a great game. Everyone has their opinion on who is better or worse and that has nothing to do with me.

In this post, Ashley included a photo of her and Morgan together smiling at an event. Ashley says this happened a few weeks ago, but she never posted it. And they look chill. Then, Morgan tweeted a clap back.

She said Ashley, you and I both know why this photo was taken. It represented a cordial moment in a shared space, not a change in our relationship. I think it’s important that context isn’t lost when moments like this are shared publicly.

Big Brother 28: Ashley Hits the Mark

So, then it heated up. Ashley tweeted to the fandom, I’m glad people can finally see why I’m not close with said person. People smile in public but throw darts behind the scenes. Glad this dart was thrown publicly.

I simply try to stop the pitting against us in public and this woman tries to start some drama, really? That was Ashley being mature in that moment. But she also got a slam in. She replied back to Morgan’s post about the happy photo needing context.

And Ashley replied – “how’s Vince though?” and posted a cup of hot tea. Meow-ch! Come back soon for another update and on Wednesday’s episode, we’ll see the big fight, veto comp, veto meeting and Rome going up as renom when Devens uses his power of veto on Lyric Medeiros.

The new millennium brought a shift in attitude across many aspects of culture. One of the prime examples of this can be found in film; horror movies specifically — and, on an even more granular level, in vampire movies. Vampire flicks of the past mostly focused on the savage nature of immortal monsters and their insatiable lust for human blood. Vampy pictures of the 2000s and beyond have explored many other aspects of vampire “life,” such as love, art and music, and even self-betterment.

Ergo, the last 26 years have produced some of the best vampire movies in cinema history. With visually stunning remakes of classics, like the Gothic masterpiece Nosferatu, and pensive takes on coming-of-age(less) tales, such as Let the Right One In, the vampire films of the 21st century are as devilishly diverse as they are eternally enthralling.

6

‘Underworld’ (2003)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

Underworld is the perfect example of a film that critics panned, but fans consumed with reckless abandon and guilty-pleasure glee. This movie feels like it was adapted from a graphic novel (it’s just that stylized), but it was birthed from a completely original idea. It’s not Shakespeare…although the filmmakers do credit Romeo and Juliet as a source of inspiration… It was written by Kevin Grevioux, Len Wiseman, and, believe it or not, Mr. Gemstone himself, Danny McBride, and has the epic feel of a modern classic (heck, it spawned four other films, making it one of the most expansive vampire franchises in history). Directed by Wiseman, this is one of the sleekest action-horror movies ever created, with an icy blue/ethereal emerald color palette, stunning fight choreography, and really cool beastly transformations (even with the use of, in retrospect, very inchoate CGI).

The tale (as old as time) is of two star-crossed lovers. Michael (Scott Speedman, coming in hot off Felicity fame) is a regular shmoe (well, he’s a doctor, but still, just a human), and Selene (British temptress Kate Beckinsale), well, her backstory is a bit more complex. She’s a vampire, and a part of an elite squad of blood-imbibers who hunt Lycans (a sub-sect of werewolves that have been battling vampires since ancient times). Selene has always had an axe to grind with the Lycans because they kind of killed her whole family. So, Selene and Michael inadvertently link up, as she notices that the Lycans have been stalking him for some reason (what a meet-cute). In any event, one of the head Lycans, Lucian (the always cheeky Michael Sheen), ends up taking a chomp out of Michael, which turns him into a lycanthrope himself. Oops. Now the blossoming romance between Michael and Selene becomes even more complicated (plus, y’know, Michael’s life in general). The whole story is super complex, with backstory to spare, but the main takeaway from this film is a highly visual, tantalizingly tasty vampire horror-action hybrid film, only rivaled by Blade.

5

’30 Days of Night’ (2007)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

Most modern vampire films showcase the undead in at least a semi-romantic manner; lost souls cursed to wander the night for eternity. 30 Days of Night is not one of those kinds of films. The vamps here are the very definition of brutal. They are savage, bloodthirsty, and absolutely terrifying. Director David Slade creates a chilling overall atmosphere here, where the protagonists are never, ever really safe.

The concept is a really brilliant one, and almost shocking that no one came up with it before (or at least produced a film of this nature). In a remote part of Alaska, there is about a month-long period where the sun never rises, deemed “polar night.” This is when most inhabitants catch a flight to Orlando. However, some remain, and a virulent pack of vamps descend on the town of Barrow, ready to dine on whatever interior human liquid they can get their fangs on. They are led by a nasty dude named Marlow (Danny Huston), who first delegates a plan to cut off all forms of communication from the outside world. Then, when everyone is basically helpless, they launch their assault. Eben Oleson (Josh Hartnett) and his ex, Stella Oleson (Melissa George), become the de facto leaders of the tiny crew of survivors, and must use their wits to try their best to hide from Marlow & Friends. Overall, the barbarity of the vamps is a thing to behold, as they kill with wanton abandonment. Slade drains the film of color, rendering it in nearly a black-and-white palette. This adds to the hopelessness and scariness of the whole month-long endeavor. Aside from some groovy action-packed sequences and really visceral kills, this movie lands on this list because it has a really cool ending twist as well. This film is not for the squeamish…but then, why are you watching a vampire movie in the first place?

4

‘Byzantium’ (2012)

Image via IFC

Sometimes, the best films carry a very strong message…that sneaks in under a spectacular spectacle of unbridled entertainment. Director Neil Jordan’s Byzantium is the key example of this type of flick. It’s a feminist tale of power and resistance that also happens to be a truly enthralling vampire tale as well. Everything about this movie is engaging, from the highly stylized period flashbacks to the charmingly squalid conditions the lead characters find themselves in during the present action. It’s a story about the unbreakable bond between a mother and her daughter, and how, even when it’s ultimately time to move on and find one’s own way, that bond still exists, and is still as powerful.

In the vampire world, things are quite sexist. There is a Shriners-like group named “The Brethren” that want to eradicate all female vampires (simply for committing the crime of existing). These dudes are so subconsciously self-hating that they want all female vamps dead because they don’t want them to pass on the “curse” of vampirism. Hmm, sounds suspect. These men have caught wind of a mother-daughter duo who have been surviving (in their own, very different ways) on their own terms for centuries. There is Clara (Gemma Arterton), the free-spirit, and her lass, Eleanor (Saoirse Ronan), the sensitive introvert. The pair escape the vile clutches of the Brethren and take refuge in a run-down coastal town, at an old residence called the Byzantium Hotel. Clara, true to her calling, turns the place into a bustling bordello, and the good times (and eventually, heads) roll. After a tumultuous time there, eventually having to fend off their foes, Clara and Eleanor come to a touching, parting agreement. This is a very poignant, poetic film…despite the buckets of blood spilled.

3

‘Let the Right One In’ (2008)

Image via Magnet Releasing

A film’s setting can greatly impact the overall mood, tone, and even story. When Swedish director Tomas Alfredson took on the task of bringing the book of the same name to the silver screen (with the help of John Ajvide Lindqvist’s self-adapted screenplay, of course), he elected to have the film play out during the cold, dark winter of a small Swedish town. This was a decidedly wise choice, as the bitterness and icy extremities of the tale are not only seen onscreen, but felt bone-deep. Let the Right One In is not your typical vampire story, but that is precisely what makes it so good. Running with the concept of immortality, and that of aging mentally in a body that never does so physically, these stellar themes bloom even more when juxtaposed with a child protagonist who is at the cusp of undergoing major (natural) changes.

The story is centered on Oskar (Kåre Hedebrant), a small, quiet boy. Oskar’s home life isn’t so great (he’s visibly neglected), and school life is not so hot either (he’s mercilessly bullied). When a new “family” moves in next door, and Oskar befriends the “young daughter,” Eli (Lina Leandersson), his perspective on life begins to, let’s say, thaw. Eli resides in the ostensible care of Håkan (Per Ragnar), who eventually is revealed to be a familiar of sorts, with ambiguous intentions, as he secures viable blood for Eli to consume — without a lot of fanfare, so as not to alert the authorities that people are being killed. Oh, Eli is a centuries-old vampire, by the way. Yet, the bond that Oskar and Eli develop is somehow pure, devoid of the acridity that often comes with elders admonishing and callously disciplining adolescence. Eli tells Oskar that he needs to take charge of his life and stand up for himself, a lesson he takes to heart (even though Eli is the one who savagely murders all of Oskar’s transgressors…). Overall, this is a very nuanced, well-thought-out film, with rousing performances by the Lilliputian leads. It prompts one to question who really should be let in, and, regardless of their inherently brutal nature, if they actually have your best interests at (non-beating) heart.

2

‘Nosferatu’ (2024)

Image via Focus Features

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How does one reinvent a classic? Do you tastefully pay homage to the films of the past that tackled the same source material? Or, do you attempt to do something entirely unique and fully your own? Well, horror director of the moment Robert Eggers believes the answer is “Yes”…to both queries. With his highly acclaimed masterwork Nosferatu, Eggers did the near-impossible: he took an iconic film and made it even more iconic.

The story (for those who never saw Nosferatu (1922), Dracula, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, or even Dracula: Dead and Loving It) is about a lovely young maiden named Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp), who is head-over-heels for her new hubby Thomas (Nicholas Hoult). But, wouldn’t you know it? Thomas is called away to the creepy-as-all-hell Carpathian Mountains in Romania, where he has to do some business dealings with an “eccentric” old count, named Orlok (Bill Skarsgård, killin’ it yet again as a scary ghoul…except, no shiny red balloons here). Orlok, who is in dire need of a mani, catches a glimpse of Ellen in a keepsake photo that Thomas has with him. Big mistake, Tom. Orlok then becomes so fully enamored with Ellen that he takes an epically disastrous boat ride to England to try to “charm” her into becoming his bride. Naturally, he does this with vampire voodoo, and not good looks and suave, poetic words (a la Gary Oldman in Francis Ford Coppola’s film). Anyway, Orlok’s Lucifer-like lure is hard to resist for poor Ellen, whose very soul hangs in the balance. At the end of the day (or night…), this movie is a stunning stand-alone film in its own right, where Eggers uses shadows and expressionist lighting as well as in the original version. This may be an old story, but it’s bloody fresh here.

1

‘Sinners’ (2025)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

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Very few true horror movies have ever done well at the Oscars. There really are only a handful of nominations that have been awarded over the decades, with even fewer wins. The rare exception was The Silence of the Lambs, which swept all major categories…although it could be argued that that classic film is really a psychological thriller. Nevertheless, horrors have generally been shut out… That is, until last year. 2025 saw a massive upheaval of this trend with Sinners. It became the most nominated film in Oscars’ history (and even Weapons got some runoff love). There was definitely no denying Ryan Coogler’s stunning period piece from taking home several awards, too. Michael B. Jordan won the trophy for Best Actor in a Leading Role, and Coogler won Best Original Screenplay — and the movie received the most Academy votes in two other categories, too. So, while considering Academy accolades or not, it’s a no-brainer to say that Sinners is truly one of the best horror movies ever made.

If you somehow missed this gem…the story focused on a small Mississippi Delta town, where twin brothers Smoke and Stack (Jordan, as both) return after a lengthy hiatus fighting in WWI and then running game in Chi-town. They open a juke joint, and with the help of townsfolk, eager to make a buck (or enjoy a cold brew, as is the case with Delta Slim, played with hilarious panache by Delroy Lindo). So, the twin gangsters are set to have one profitable, rollicking night. Or so they thought… The central figure of the story actually is Sammie Moore (Miles Caton), the young cousin of Smoke and Stack. He is a preternaturally gifted blues musician, with high aspirations of making it big in the music industry. Anyway, the night is grooving along nicely…and then a three-pack of vampires descend, destined to cause havoc and steal souls. The rest of the film plays out in an epic clash between good and evil…and everything in between. Every aspect of this movie is virtually perfect, from the set design, to costumes, to performances, to the music — which will move even the stiffest of stiffs. It’s a phenomenal film all around, that has achieved unbelievable success — and just happens to also be a vampire movie.

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Sinners

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Release Date

April 18, 2025

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Runtime

138 minutes

Director

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Ryan Coogler

Writers

Ryan Coogler

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The Big Brother 28 cast is continuing to bring the heat this season.

In Us’ exclusive first look at the season 28’s annual backyard group photo shoot, the cast gathered around the pool in their swimwear — and left little to the imagination.

Big Brother 26 alum Angela Murray channeled former costar Makensy Manbeck when opting for a blue swim dress. (Makensy, who was the season 26 runner up, famously rocked a blue workout set that fans deemed was her lucky outfit as she won multiple competitions in it.)

Survivor alums Dee Valladares and Rick Devens enjoyed a change of pace while rocking their finest bathing suits in the home’s Los Angeles backyard compared to the lush Fijian jungle. The Survivor 45 winner, 29, stunned in a pink bikini. Current Head of Household Devens, 42, opted for turquoise board shorts. While many online fans wished for Devens to go shirtless, the father of two — unfortunately — completed his look with a red T-shirt.

Related: Big Brother 26’s Angela Murray Officially Joins Season 28 Cast

Another summer of twists, blindsides and backdoors is upon us — and we now know the 14 new players set to compete on Big Brother 28. Yes, that’s 14 new players — and any Big Brother fan will tell you, the modern game is played with at least 16. Fans have speculated for weeks that […]

Rome Seymour and Jason De Puy — a.k.a Salina EsTitties from RuPaul’s Drag Race — were front and center as they dipped their toes in the water. Rome, 28, donned green swim trucks sans shirt. The pickleball instructor struck a power pose with his arms crossed. Meanwhile, the drag queen, 35, laid back in blue shorts and an opened pink button up.

Chuk Anyanwu opted to go shirtless as well as he showed off his muscles while sitting on a lounge chair. Mallory Aurichio looked pretty in pink while lounging next to pal Melody Morris who wore a black bikini top paired with matching pants.

LaTrice “Lala” Verrett also stunned in a black bikini paired with a statement coverup. Taylor Brown kept it cool in an orange bikini and let her blonde curls flow.

Kamu Kirk, Barrett Pfeiffer, Drew Campbell and Yash Patel went shirtless as they stood in the back of the yard. Lyric Medeiros shined bright in a neon orange bikini and heels while Haley Thogmartin rocked a brown two piece bathing with a halter top and high-waisted bottoms.

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Related: ‘Big Brother 27’ Cast Soaks Up the Sun in Annual Swimsuit Photo Shoot

The Big Brother 27 cast took to the backyard for the legendary swimsuit photoshoot. All 17 houseguests soaked up the sun as they posed in their swimwear in Us Weekly’s exclusive first look. The women dazzled in a variety of beach-ready styles, from bikinis to one-pieces. The guys rocked board shorts, with some opting to […]

Ashley Trail, the first to depart from the house on Thursday, July 16, made an appearance in the photoshoot. The bartender, who was unanimously evicted in a historic 14-0 vote, dazzled in an orange bikini.

The group took an additional photo where they all wore sunglasses while outside enjoying the Southern California sunshine.

Big Brother airs on CBS Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 8 p.m. ET.

Marvel’s cinematic universe has been somewhat of a mixed bag recently – not you, Spider-Man – but the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday may prove to be a return to form. The post-Endgame extended universe has had some growing pains and a decided lack of enthusiasm. After plans for Kang were reduced to dust, the imminent Avengers movie offered a solution.

Featured in the new trailer for Avengers: Doomsday, Doctor Doom has returned as the Big Bad, now played – at least for now – by Robert Downey Jr. This was a decision that was met with some initial hesitation, but the new footage shows that this may be just the movie to turn the tide. Ensemble teams such as the X-Men, The Fantastic Four, and the New Avengers unite under Thor (Chris Hemsworth) to beat back this new foe. These new factions have been introduced in feature films, but there is one integral element included that fans would have only seen on the MCU television side of the spectrum.

‘Loki’ Is Required Viewing Ahead of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

Last time MCU fans saw the God of Mischief, he had died heroically attempting to stop Thanos in Infinity War. Loki’s (Tom Hiddleston) travels with Thor in Ragnarök had smoothed his sharp edges, and he valiantly tried to pull off one final trick to beat the Mad Titan. Unlike every time he had appeared to have died before, this one seemed to have stuck. Loki’s death is tragic, but Endgame ensured that the Asgardian had a future.

This is all depicted in his self-titled Disney+ series, Loki. One of the early additions to the MCU’s television world, this show may have passed some by. Even though Loki is unequivocally one of the best characters in the Marvel Universe, the television shows weren’t always considered mandatory viewing. For those who haven’t seen it, that is a tragic mistake.

Loki wasn’t just an excuse to get Tom Hiddleston to remind viewers of his nuanced portrayal – though he does that flawlessly. The Disney+ series charts Loki’s glorious purpose, but this time it’s real. Following the events of Endgame, the 2012 version of Loki finds the Tesseract during the Battle of New York and escapes captivity, if only for a few seconds. He is then found by the Time Variance Authority and arrested for his crimes against the Sacred Timeline.

Throughout the show, Loki is forced to relive his worst moments, and this ultimately leads him to be the best version of himself. He forms real connections with TVA workers like Mobius (Owen Wilson) and confronts his true destiny. At the end of the series, he fully realizes his role is not just a god but an overseer of all time. This separates him from all the people that he loved, but he finds his true purpose, and it is glorious.

Loki has become selfless at the end of Season 2. The worst part is that Thor never knows the sacrifices he made to become god of time. Hiddleston is officially reprising his role as Loki for the first time since the conclusion of the show in Avengers: Doomsday, but those who missed out on the show may be out of the time loop. Not only that, they miss out on one of the most highly anticipated reunions in the MCU.

‘Loki’ Will Make Thor and Loki’s Reunion Even Better

Those who never watched Loki may have the same experience that Thor will in Avengers: Doomsday. Thor still believes his brother to be dead and will be astounded by what he has gone through. This reunion will be gratifying, but will be even more emotional after viewing the television series that follows Loki’s experiences.

Before his impressive character arc, Loki only really cared about Thor. He carries this through his experiences in the television series, which is made even more cruel considering he can never see his brother again. Loki, of course, keeps this beneath the surface as he traverses the Sacred Timeline and undergoes the best character development in the MCU.

Loki has to accept that he can never return to his timeline and does what he can to preserve life as it should be. His sacrifice to become the god of time is that much more painful, knowing that he did this to protect everyone he cares about, though he can never see them again. If Thor and Loki see each other again, it will be tantamount to the time god coming back to life right in front of his brother’s eyes.

Without viewing this show, this coming together may be at best confusing and at worst seem out of nowhere. Only fans of the Disney+ show will understand how earned Loki’s character arc is and be fully immersed in the connection between two brothers that has been a long time coming.

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Release Date

2021 – 2022

Network

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Disney+

Writers

Bisha K. Ali, Michael Waldron

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By Nikola Pajtic
| Published 21 seconds ago

Based on the bestselling novel by Delia Owens, 2022’s Where the Crawdads Sing gave me the same emotional sensations as the book. Directed by Olivia Newman, the film is a visual feast and a remarkable coming-of-age story embroiled in a murder mystery. It follows Kya, a young woman, as she grows up alone in the unforgiving North Carolina marsh.

Where The Crawdads Sings

While in most books, childhoods are as idyllic as they can get, that is not the case here. Where the Crawdads Sing portrays Kya’s childhood as harsh, to say the least. An abusive alcoholic father breaks the family, and Kya is left to take care of herself alone at just seven years old.

Daisy Edgar Jones, of War of the Worlds fame, beautifully portrays a girl who tries to fend for herself but becomes ostracized by the townsfolk of the small North Carolina town Barkley Cove. She is given the nickname ‘Marsh Girl’. Through the years, she has survived by selling mussels at a store owned by people who become Kya’s friends.

A Coming-Of-Age Murder Mystery

Where the Crawdads Sing sees Kya through several stages of her life, jumping from one timeline to another. On this coming-of-age adventure, Kya finds love and gets her heart torn apart by lies and betrayal. Growing up, she becomes close to a kind neighbor, Tate Walker, played by Taylor John Smith, who teaches her to read and write, and their romance blossoms within the limits of the marsh.

Unfortunately, their happiness is short-lived as Tate leaves for college and breaks the promise of returning to her. Fast forward, and Kya has found love again. This time, she found solace with Chase Andrews (Harris Dickinson). Dickinson brings a believable character from the book to the screen with all its charm and darkness underneath. She soon discovers his dark side, which sets in motion a string of events that turn a coming-of-age story into a murder mystery thriller, with Kya sent to jail.

Closely Follows The Novel

As a film, Where the Crawdads Sing is afraid to stand on its own and follows the book to the tiniest details, with some timeline changes that don’t even affect the story. Olivia Newman played it safe here by following the book, which was good to see. 

I didn’t expect new twists and turns, as the film doesn’t need them. It required great acting and beautiful scenery. The score, the scenes, and the main story of Where the Crawdads Sing won’t be dull to you for a single moment, despite the film being over two hours long. When the credits rolled, I wondered how fast the time flew by. 

Cheering For Kya

I was glued to the screen from the start until the end cheering for Kya, feeling what she felt throughout this magnificent journey. Her independence and innocence hooked me and kept me on her side, a stark contrast to how the people treated her. Yet, I knew there was something more about her than meets the eye, keeping the suspense element alive throughout the entire film.

Reese Witherspoon’s production company, Hello Sunshine, was pivotal in bringing Delia Owens’ bestselling novel Where the Crawdads Sing to the big screen.

Filmed in Louisiana in early 2021, the movie adaptation arrived in theaters in July 2022. Critical reception was mixed as the film holds just 34 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, with some praising the film’s stunning visuals and lead performance by Daisy Edgar-Jones, while others found the story uneven. Despite this, the film became a box office success, grossing over $144 million worldwide against a $24 million budget, and currently boasts a 96 percent approval rating across over 5,000 reviews on the Popcornmeter.

Taylor Swift Contributed An Original Song

The film score also helped set the mood, with Taylor Swift’s original song “Carolina” stealing the show. Swift wanted to create something for the film, having read the book a while back and still taking hold of her. Taylor said she wrote the song before the filming even started, and this effort earned her Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song. 

A few plotholes might scare you off, but I recommend you give When the Crawdads Sing a chance. First, because the marsh breathes and exists independently as a character. Then, because of the Oscar-worthy acting of Daisy and the twist that will leave you breathless. This suspense mystery is a must-watch for those who read the book and newcomers alike.

As of this writing, Where the Crawdads Sing is streaming on Hulu.

WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING SCORE

By Charlene Badasie
| Published 8 seconds ago

The 2018 dark comedy-drama Maniac is streaming on Netflix. Created by Patrick Somerville and directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, the 10-episode series is a reimagining of the Norwegian series of the same name. It stars Jonah Hill and Emma Stone in the lead roles, supported by a stellar ensemble cast including Justin Theroux, Sally Field, Sonoya Mizuno, Gabriel Byrne, and Jemima Kirke.

Maniac Stars Jonah Hill and Emma Stone

Maniac tells the story of two strangers, Owen Milgrim (Jonah Hill) and Annie Landsberg (Emma Stone), who sign up for a mysterious pharmaceutical trial. Owen is a man struggling with schizophrenia, while Annie is dealing with a traumatic past and a strained relationship with her family. Both are looking for an escape from their troubled lives.

The pharmaceutical trial they join promises to solve all their problems with no complications or side effects. Led by Dr. James K. Mantleray (Justin Theroux), it involves a series of mind-bending, immersive experiences induced by experimental drugs. As Owen and Annie undergo treatment, they bond within a series of interconnected and surreal alternate realities.

A Cure For What Ails You

Maniac begins in New York City, where Owen Milgrim hides his schizophrenia symptoms. After losing his job, Owen joins a trial at Neberdine, a pharmaceutical company, for a new drug that promises to cure all disorders. There, he meets Annie Landsberg, who helps him avoid trouble by pretending to know him. Annie, dealing with her own issues, gets into the drug trial by stealing a badge.

After taking the “A” pill, Annie relives her sister Ellie’s death. Annie, Owen, and another test subject are questioned after the “A” pill test, and Owen reveals his past trauma. When the GRTA supercomputer malfunctions, it links Annie and Owen during the “B” pill test. The malfunction leads to complications in the trial, and Dr. Greta Mantleray (Sally Field) is brought in to fix it.

Well-Received By Critics And Audiences Alike

Maniac received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the performances of Hill and Stone, as well as the ambitious and imaginative storytelling. The series was lauded for its unique visual style, thought-provoking themes, and eclectic approach. The aesthetic draws on influences from the 1980s and incorporates retro-futuristic elements.

The series premiered at the Southbank Centre in London, England, in September 2018, followed by its American debut two days later at Center 415 in Manhattan, New York. Maniac, described as “wild, audacious, addictive” and a “brilliant piece of world-building,” currently holds an 84 percent critics score on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes alongside an equally impressive 84 percent audience rating.

A Little Too Cold And Calculating

While the overall consensus was largely positive, Maniac was not without its detractors. Some reviewers felt that the show was too calculated and lacked the thrill of the unexpected despite its mind-bending premise. One critic noted that while incredibly fun to watch, the series becomes emptier the more one thinks about it.

Sill, Maniac serves as a bold and unconventional exploration of the human psyche, marked by standout performances and a distinctive visual flair. The Netflix series is a definite must-watch for fans of the black psychological comedy-drama genre.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 26 seconds ago

Part of what makes Batman’s rogues gallery so compelling is that many of the bad guys in it are surprisingly sympathetic. Mr. Freeze isn’t some generic sci-fi villain, for example; he’s a man on a mission to save his dying wife. Two-Face wasn’t born a monster; rather, a monstrous transformation was forced upon him, breaking his mind. Unless you watched Batman: The Animated Series, though, you may not realize who the most sympathetic villain of all is: Clayface. Once a movie star, he was disfigured and embraced a desperate solution to restore his good looks. Unfortunately, it all went wrong, and his mind embraced the horror that his body had become.

Surprisingly enough, James Gunn decided that a solo Clayface movie should be the third film in the DCU. Obviously, it’s a bold strategy to make a Batman villain movie without Batman, and many fans questioned whether the Superman director had gone a little loopy. Apparently, though, there’s method to Gunn’s madness: the official trailer for Clayface gives us our best look yet at the DC’s first real horror film. With captivating performances and genuinely creepy body horror, this trailer promises to deliver all the scares that comic book fans can handle.

Definitely Eat BEFORE You Watch The Trailer

The Clayface trailer reveals a slightly tweaked origin story for main character Matt Hagen. Instead of being a more established actor, he’s a young, rising star with his entire career ahead of him. Instead of getting injured in a car accident like in Batman: The Animated Series, he is attacked by a local crime boss who leaves the actor’s beautiful face scarred and deformed. Hagen connects with a scientist who is working on an experimental procedure that could restore his famous face. At first, it works; however, it doesn’t take long for his body to start breaking down, transforming Gotham’s latest actor into its latest supervillain.

The trailer is very solid and will go a long way towards restoring the faith of fans nervous about the failure of Supergirl. Previously, those fans were asking the obvious question: if DC had such trouble creating a successful superhero film (something they had done many times before), how bad would their first horror film be? However, this trailer hints at an ambitious, well-crafted movie that will potentially blow us away. It looks so good, in fact, that we can forgive some of its more trope-y elements, like including a creepy, slowed-down version of a popular song (“Do You Realize??” by the Flaming Lips). 

A Killer Leading Man

What does the trailer do well? For one thing, Clayface leading actor Tom Rhys Harries does an amazing job as the titular character. His passion is palpable, and he really sells the idea that this rising star is in over his head at every turn. That helps make Clayface a more sympathetic character, of course: like most real-life villains, this fictional character is a victim of circumstances beyond his control. Furthermore, the road to his personal hell is paved with actions that most of us would take in his place, including taking desperate measures to get his old life back.

Aside from Harries’ excellent performance, the best thing about this Clayface trailer is how fully it leans into body horror. Now, these kinds of frights aren’t for everyone, but if you love the filmography of David Cronenberg, you’ll like what you see here. Shots of our protagonist’s scarred face are truly jarring, and it’s tough not to wince in sympathetic pain when watching his body writhe and transform. The creepy climax, though, is when his eyes start getting covered by his skin. Trust me: you’re going to scream into your hand when you see him bust the scissors out!

Body Horror Is Back On The Menu, Boys

The performances, music, and gross-out special effects come together to create a perfectly unsettling vibe. Gotham’s aesthetic is one of glamorous decay, one that channels the colorful excess of Batman Forever and the grimy bleakness of Joker. The creepy song does its job to keep you on the edge of your seat as you await the revelation of each new terror. The Clayface trailer is peak horror perfection: you can’t look away, even as you know that everything is going to get worse for every single person you see onscreen.

Obviously, this is just a trailer, and its good editing doesn’t mean the film will be good (remember, Supergirl had tight trailers, too). However, this is a movie I’ve had faith in ever since I heard that horror auteur Mike Flanagan was writing the script. Looking at the trailer, that faith has been rewarded, as the whole movie looks just as eerie and unsettling as I hoped it would. Will the final film live up to this trailer and the general hype? We’ll find out when Clayface oozes into theaters on October 23.  

By Robert Scucci
| Published 43 seconds ago

In preparation for Focker-in-Law‘s Thanksgiving release, I’ve been slowly revisiting the Meet the Parents franchise because, generally speaking, I like it. I most recently reviewed Little Fockers because I knew it was the franchise’s low point and wanted to get it out of the way. I saw it in theaters, barely remembered it because it was so inconsequential, and all it made me want to do was revisit the first two films because they’re both great.

I was initially apprehensive about revisiting 2000’s Meet the Parents, a film I’ve probably seen a dozen times, because I was worried it wouldn’t hold up. The thing is, Meet the Parents is a masterclass in miscommunication and escalation, making it one of the best widely released romantic comedies of its era. Meet the Fockers builds on that energy and makes for a fantastic sequel, though my memory could be deceiving me until I give it a proper rewatch.

Every seemingly innocuous setup in Meet the Parents has a satisfying payoff, and not a single gag is wasted or rushed. Most importantly, the first two films, especially Meet the Parents, still feel fresh because it’s our first time spending time with these characters. Learning about their individual personalities and how they interact with each other is where most of the comedy comes from. Little Fockers isn’t nearly as memorable because it plays more like a “here we go again” kind of film, whereas its predecessors get their laughs by actively developing these characters while introducing multiple conflicts.

The Quick And Dirty Rundown

On its face, Meet the Parents is your typical rom-com about a man trying to win the approval of his girlfriend’s parents, and then it goes completely off the rails. 

Ben Stiller’s Greg Focker wants to propose to his girlfriend, Pam Byrnes (Teri Polo), not knowing that her father, Jack (Robert De Niro), is a former CIA interrogator with an uncanny ability to sniff out deception. While visiting the Byrnes’ home for the weekend, Greg learns this firsthand, kicking off a series of incidents that not only make him look like a fool, but also like a total psychopath. It also introduces us to the “circle of trust” that Jack has created for his family, implying that if that trust is breached, the consequences will be dire.

Here’s how things go for Greg in Meet the Parents: the airport loses his luggage, forcing him to borrow clothes from the Byrnes family. It’s a simple conflict, but when the airline allegedly finds his luggage and accidentally ships the wrong bag to the Byrnes’ house well into the second act, it backfires spectacularly. Greg is generally an honest guy, but he’s completely intimidated by Jack. Whenever Jack grills him on literally any topic, Greg nervously blurts out a white lie. Those lies compound exponentially, making Jack believe that everything coming out of Greg’s mouth is deceptive.

Pam throws Greg’s pack of cigarettes onto the roof in one of the earliest scenes because Jack sees smoking as a “sign of weakness,” and we see how disastrously that decision turns out during the rehearsal dinner for Pam’s younger sister Debbie (Nicole DeHuff) and her fiancé Bob (Thomas McCarthy). The disaster involves a heavily lacquered altar hand-built by Pam’s ex-fiancé Kevin Rawley (Owen Wilson), who, in Jack’s mind, is the man who got away from his favorite daughter.

Greg’s medical qualifications are repeatedly called into question because he willingly works as a nurse despite acing his MCATs and supposedly being able to pursue any career in medicine that he wants. Then Jack’s cat, Mr. Jinx, takes an immediate dislike to Greg, and Jack finds a marijuana pipe in Greg’s coat pocket shortly after an awkward conversation about Peter, Paul and Mary’s hit song “Puff, the Magic Dragon.” Jack never once stops to consider that the pipe might belong to Denny (John Abrahams), his own son, who owns the jacket.

These exchanges make Greg look like the worst person imaginable in Jack’s eyes, and they make you cringe because all he really needs to do is stop and explain himself for 10 seconds, something he never properly does at any point in Meet the Parents.

Every Single Setup Pays Off

This might sound like comedy writing 101, but my biggest gripe with lesser films is that they follow a painfully obvious setup-to-punchline formula. Somebody says, “Don’t press the red button,” and then three seconds later, somebody presses it.

Meet the Parents does the exact opposite. It plants little seeds from the very beginning, with the humor coming from how much later something is going to blow wildly out of proportion for Greg. The cheap champagne he buys pops open and shatters Jack’s mother’s urn sitting on the mantel, which is the very same urn Greg joked about earlier because he thought it was one of Jack’s sleek new nanny cams.

The debate over whether a cat can flush a toilet culminates in a septic overflow on the day of the rehearsal dinner, and suddenly it’s Greg against his potential new father-in-law’s special little guy. Every first-act exchange that initially feels like a passing comment comes back in the worst possible way, making it impossible for Greg to save face.

Watching Meet the Parents was a breath of fresh air after forcing myself through Little Fockers because this is the real deal. Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller’s characters are still reading the room and just beginning to figure each other out. By the time we get to the third film, it’s “been there, done that, how do we milk this cat?” Luckily, Meet the Parents, which is currently streaming on Netflix alongside the rest of the franchise, tells you exactly how to milk a cat because, according to Greg, you can milk anything with nipples. Just don’t tell Jack.