Kelly Ripa was unexpectedly absent from “Live with Kelly and Mark” on Monday after undergoing a painful dental procedure that temporarily left her unable to do the one thing her job requires most: talk. Mark Consuelos entered the New York City studio without his wife and usual co-host, instead taking his seat alongside Kevin Jonas. Consuelos quickly addressed Ripa’s absence, revealing that the 55-year-old television personality was recovering from gum graft surgery intended to treat her receding gums.

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Consuelos assured the audience that Ripa was recovering well despite being forced to remain silent. “She’s doing well. She’s doing great,” he said during the show with a smile. “She’s not allowed to talk.”

Jonas immediately recognized how difficult that particular restriction might be for the longtime talk show host. “Wow, that’s got to be the hardest thing that she’s ever done,” the 38-year-old musician joked.

Consuelos agreed that following the dentist’s instructions could be challenging for his famously talkative wife. “She’s such a great conversationalist, but I’m trying to [help] her [to] follow the rules, follow the directions,” he explained.

Kelly Ripa Was Given Strict Recovery Instructions

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Ripa’s dentist reportedly gave her several specific rules to follow while recovering from the procedure. “She has to eat soft food, you can’t suck out of a straw, and you can’t examine it, which means pulling down the lip,” Consuelos told viewers.

The actor revealed that Ripa had asked him to inspect the surgical area by lowering her head so he could look at her gums. “It looks great!” he reportedly assured her.

Although Consuelos remained upbeat about her recovery, he admitted that the procedure had caused Ripa considerable discomfort. “It’s painful,” he told the studio audience.

The actor noted that his wife typically has an unusually high tolerance for discomfort, even during dental work. “But she famously doesn’t feel pain,” Consuelos continued. “When she goes to the dentist, she doesn’t really use the Novocaine. But this one hurts. So, I know it’s bad.”

‘Live’ Announces Kelly Ripa’s Temporary Replacements

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Ripa’s representative confirmed that the television host is taking a brief break while she recovers. “Kelly is taking some time off, and we have awesome co-hosts,” the representative told the Daily Mail.

Despite his wife’s absence, Consuelos continued with Monday’s program alongside Jonas. Later in the episode, the “Scream 7” actor got down on the studio floor to participate in an arm-wrestling match with comedian Mary Elizabeth Barone, who stars in the Amazon Prime Video series “Overcompensating.”

Jonas is scheduled to return to co-host the show with Consuelos on Tuesday. The remainder of the week will feature a rotating lineup of guest hosts, with Mila Kunis joining Consuelos on Wednesday, Pamela Adlon stepping in on Thursday, and Scott Foley closing out the week on Friday.

A date for Ripa’s return was not announced.

Mark Consuelos Mourned His Father Earlier This Year

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Ripa’s brief absence comes after the family endured a far more difficult period earlier this year following the death of Consuelos’ father, Saul Consuelos. The actor announced during the April 6 episode of “Live with Kelly and Mark” that his father had “passed away peacefully” on March 23 following a lengthy illness.

Standing beside her husband, Ripa became visibly emotional while remembering her father-in-law and the influence he had on their family. “I can honestly say I will miss him every day for the rest of my life,” she said. “He really is so symbolic of everything you are.”

Ripa also explained that the death had been particularly difficult for the couple’s children, Michael, Lola, and Joaquin, because it marked their first experience with losing a loved one. “This is the first loss they’ve ever experienced in their lives,” she shared.

Ripa expressed gratitude that her children had enough time with their grandfather to develop individual relationships with him. “You got to have deep, meaningful conversations [with them],” she added.

Kelly Ripa And Mark Consuelos Recently Celebrated 30 Years Of Marriage

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Ripa’s surgery came shortly after she and Consuelos marked a major relationship milestone. The couple celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary on May 1, with Ripa commemorating the occasion through a romantic Instagram tribute. “360 months. 1,565 weeks. 10,957 days. 15,778,080 minutes and I’ll be loving you always. Cheers to 30 years!” she wrote.

Ripa and Consuelos first met at a gym in 1995 before portraying onscreen couple Hayley Vaughan and Mateo Santos on the ABC soap opera “All My Children.” They eloped at the Chapel of the Bells in Las Vegas in 1996 after approximately one year of dating. The couple returned to the chapel for a visit in 2024.

Tamar Braxton is spicing up her summer with a new ‘do! The singer recently blessed fans with a behind-the-scenes look at her hair switch-up. Now, fans are saying she’s channeling her sisters, Toni and the late Traci Braxton.

RELATED: That’s Bro! Tamar Braxton Shuts Down Rumors She Ever Dated Her Sister’s Husband Birdman (VIDEO)

Tamar Braxton Debuts New Hairstyle

Braxton first shared her new look on Saturday (July 25), captioning the Instagram reel with: “Decided to make some necessary changes.” It appears that her video has no audio, but it shows a person’s gloved hands rinsing her hair off. Meanwhile, the next two photos in the post appear to show the final result. Tamar upgraded to a dark blonde bowl cut. Also, she now has curtain bangs and two long sideburns. One video shows her touching the new hair and slightly grinning.

Fans Mention Toni & Traci In Reaction To New Hair

On her Instagram page, Tamar Braxton’s post got over 8,500 likes and more than 400 comments. After Tamar dropped her photos, fans flooded her with reactions. More than a few name-dropped Toni Braxton and the late Traci Braxton, describing the similarities between the women, given the new hair. Traci passed away in March 2022 at age 50 following a battle with a cancer. Other names that stood out in the comment section, were T-Boz (Tionne Watkins) and Mary J. Blige.

“Looks like a combo of Tracey and Toni which equals Tamar 😂😍🔥,” @beamathis added.

@naetters, for example, commented, “It’s giving Traci Braxton J. Blige.” 

@mcclejj wrote, “It’s giving Tracy!! #twins 😍🔥”

@itsyasmany added, “Looks like a combo of Tracey and Toni which equals Tamar 😂😍🔥,” @beamathis added.”

“Omg Tracy is who I seee 😍,” @crownmedeedee commented.

“All I see is Tracy, Toni and Tboz 😍,” @tierraanyea said.

“Omg you looking just like Tracy 😍,” planet.solly wrote.

“Tracy lives on through you ❤️❤️,” @enkoraher added.

“You Look So Much Like Ms. Tracy With This Cut! ♥️♥️♥️,” @brandonjsings commented.

@mskee1017 weighed in, “It’s given Tracy vibe’s #cute.” 

See additional reactions in the comment section below. 

RELATED: Okay! Taina Williams Shows Off New Look & Social Media Users Are Hyping Her Up (VIDEO)

Actor Alan Ritchson became a hot topic in March 2026 when he was allegedly attacked by a neighbor while riding his motorcycle with his kids. Now, months later, the “Reacher” star is breaking his silence and going into detail about the attack and the lasting impact it’s had on his children.

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Ritchson appeared on the “Armchair Expert” podcast in July 2026, discussing several topics, from his career to his family life. During the hour-plus conversation, the “Fast and the Furious” star was asked about that March 2026 altercation between himself and his neighbor.

In describing the events, he stated that he was “hardly moving” before the attack, which the neighbor claimed was over excessive noise from the motorcycle. Ritchson claimed that the man, Ronnie Taylor, “all of a sudden stepped in front of” the motorcycle to confront him.

After that, the actor claims that things took a turn for the worse when Taylor “came at [him] pretty aggressively.” He then described the neighbor as “huge, the same size as me.” Ritchson also recalled noticing the odor of alcohol coming from Taylor’s breath.

From there, Ritchson claims to have attempted leaving before being “two-hand shoved off the bike.”

The ‘Reacher’ Star Went Into Full Dad Mode To Protect His Kids

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After being pushed from his motorcycle, Ritchson said he knew he needed to spring into action. According to the 43-year-old, “At that point, there’s no conversation. I’ve got to protect me and got to protect my kids and get us off the street safely, and that means getting the guy out of the picture. So I hit the guy.”

Now, following the attack from his neighbor, Ritchson says he’s been “robbed” of bike rides with his kids. This comes as he “can’t convince them to do it.” Of course, the actor doesn’t blame his kids, saying he understands them being unwilling to “deal with that dude.” From there, he acknowledged that he was still angered by the situation and resents the man.

He added, “My wife was at a retreat. I had no way to contact her. I was the sole caretaker of my kids … calming them down, assuring them, ‘I’m not gonna get arrested, I don’t think,’ [with an] army of cops on my porch.” While on the podcast, Ritchson stated that he feared the altercation may impact his career.

Regarding his family, he’s been married to his wife, Catherine Ritchson, since 2006. They share three boys, with the youngest being born in 2012.

The Actor Says His Bodycam Saved Him

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Ritchson continued his recounting of the events from March by discussing what kept him out of jail, noting that he’d only purchased his body camera about a year prior. He called it a “premonition” or “intuition,” noting that whichever of the two it was had “saved [his] life.”

He went on, “If anything makes you go, ‘Maybe God is real,’ it’s [that]. If I hadn’t had that, dude, I’d probably still be in jail. The cops came to arrest me that day and only had [a tape from a neighbor] to go off of… [My video] changed the course of my life forever.”

Ritchson also claims to have “never met that guy ever in my life.” He added, “Never seen him before. He lied to TMZ about [telling us] the day before, ‘Hey, buddy. Slow down.’ None of that was true.”

Prime Video Recently Released A New ‘Reacher’ Trailer

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The third season of Ritchson’s hit Prime Video series “Reacher” came to an end in March 2025. Now, after a lengthy wait, the fourth season is set to begin on the streamer on August 12, 2026, with a three-episode premiere.

Following the three-episode premiere, new episodes will debut on the platform weekly. Most recently, a new trailer was unveiled on July 25 at the San Diego Comic-Con. Notably, the new season of the show will adapt Stan Lee’s novel, “Gone Tomorrow,” with the show being mostly set in Philadelphia.

Alan Ritchson Has Multiple New Movies Releasing In 2026

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Despite fearing for his career amid the attack from his neighbor, Ritchson has multiple films in various stages of Development. One of his upcoming projects is the Angel Studios film “Runner,” which also stars Owen Wilson. It’s set to be released on September 11, 2026.

According to Deadline, his other film, “The Man With The Bag,” will arrive on Prime Video on December 2. Regarding “Reacher,” he will also appear in the new spin-off series, “Neagley,” which premieres on September 16, following the season four finale of the original series.

Horror is a gem that just keeps shining brightly. It is an art form that’s truly gotten better throughout cinematic history and is today at the forefront of entertainment, giving us endless influence and timeless scares. What would we be without it, and would pop culture even be the same? Horror can tell complex, incredible stories that never leave our minds and continue to be watched and influenced for generations. In short, this genre is full of perfection.

There are entire lists dedicated to the best of the best when it comes to horror. There’s absolutely no shortage of masterpieces in this genre, and we keep discussing which ones are our favorites and which ones will continue to live on as time passes. Let’s talk about ten that continue to be brought up as the best, as well as some others that were often undiscussed and even an exciting new entry to enter the debate. Here are ten horror movies that are undoubtedly perfect from beginning to end.

10

‘The Shining’ (1980)

Image via Warner Bros. 

Starting off with a no-brainer, of course, we can’t talk about compelling horror movies without discussing arguably the most beloved horror masterpiece, Stanley Kubrick‘s 1980 classic The Shining. Author Stephen King‘s riveting supernatural nightmare tale was brought gloriously to the big screen with this timeless chiller about a struggling writer who drags his family along with him to become caretakers of an ominous, isolated mountain hotel, only to be influenced by its sinister ghostly inhabitants and go on a murder spree.

It’s highly regarded as a template for how to build mounting dread and create an effective suspense horror. From start to end, it creates a lingering sense of doom, and we worry that anything shocking might be waiting in the very next scene. The Shining slowly creeps under your skin and delivers a most horrifying punch that you’ll never ever forget. Thanks to Kubrick’s masterful direction and King’s creative writing, they’ve created one of the most fascinating, talked-about, and most mind-boggling horror movies that we’ve ever seen.

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‘Let The Right One In’ (2008)

Image via Sandrew Metronome

Showing that international horror is truly one of the best kinds of horror, next is Let the Right One In, the Swedish coming-of-age vampire drama from director Tomas Alfredson. Dark, tragic, and oddly touching at times, this powerful blend of bloody horror and character drama delivers a gripping tale of companionship and youthful angst, following a bullied young Stockholm boy as he forms a tender bond with a centuries-old vampire stuck in the body of a twelve-year-old girl.

It’s emotionally charged, perfectly directed, and flawlessly performed. Let The Right One In tells a remarkable story that truly is more than just a straightforward vampire story; in many ways it’s about love, growing up, and overcoming personal trauma. The writing is top-notch, able to completely suck you into the story and never let go until the end credits. It’s a horror must-watch that, despite its young age, is already considered a timeless classic.

8

‘Jaws’ (1975)

Image via Universal Pictures

Set sail for the ultimate high-sea horror adventure. Steven Spielberg‘s exciting 1975 monster hit Jaws completely terrified audiences out of their minds, instilling within so many of us an extensive fear of swimming in the open ocean. If it’s nonstop thrills, then this is right for you, as it follows a rag-tag trio of men as they set out to slay a monstrous rogue great white shark that’s been on a killing spree off the beaches of a summer community.

Not a single moment of this film is wasted on dull drama or weak storytelling. It’s a roller-coaster, a blast of fun that is endlessly thrilling and truly unforgettable. The cast is amazing, Spielberg’s direction made him a superstar overnight, and John Williams’ epic score has echoed in the minds of audiences since 1975. Overall, everything in Jaws comes together to create arguably the most entertaining experience when watching a horror movie.

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‘The Bride of Frankenstein’ (1935)

Image via Universal Pictures

Universal’s Classic Monsters Age ushered in the first era of horror lovers. From the early 1930s to the late 1950s, it brought us some of the most legendary characters in pop culture, from the Wolf Man (Lon Chaney Jr.) to Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi). Despite all the best this era had to show, it’s argued that James Whale‘s iconic sequel to his 1931 classic Frankenstein, 1935’s The Bride of Frankenstein, is not only the best of this series, but just one of the most perfect horror movies ever made.

Boris Karloff and Colin Clive return in this gripping and emotional sequel, which follows the creature as he and a sinister scientist force the ambitious Dr. Henry Frankenstein to create him a new bride (Elsa Lancaster). The Bride of Frankenstein defined the horror genre for many years, creating so many iconic moments, like the titular Bride’s memorable appearance or the creature becoming seen more as a misunderstood being who only wanted companionship. The acting is stellar and will have you teary-eyed at points, and the story just overall excelled in giving you a powerful tale. Truly, everyone needs to see this masterpiece.

6

‘Obsession’ (2026)

Scaring its way into horror royalty in the 2020s, 2026’s smash hit Obsession has already secured its place as one of the greatest horror films in recent memory. Directed by 26-year-old YouTuber Curry Barker, this earned its reputation for its incredible story, pulse-pounding terror, and award-worthy performances. Newcomers Michael Jonston and Inde Navarrette star in this twisted romance about a frustrated young man who uses an actually magical wish toy to make his crush love him more than anyone else. But he soon begins to regret this when the wish transforms his crush into an obsessive monster.

It has this almost supernatural ability to hook us in right from the very beginning. Obsession can leave a profound effect on anyone who sees it, whether extreme fear, sadness, or shock. You’ll never forget a single line or moment, especially during the moments when the magically possessed Nikki terrifies the screen with her presence. On that subject, rising star Inde Navarrette’s captivating performance is the anchor that catapults the story to an all-new level of horror. You can’t look away from her at any point. Overall, Obsession is a modern classic that is currently shaping the horror genre.

5

‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991)

Image via Orion Pictures

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Honored today for currently being the only horror film to win the coveted Best Picture, the late Jonathan Demme‘s 1991 chilling crime thriller The Silence of the Lambs is undoubtedly a perfect masterpiece, one that’s unquestionably scary and iconic. It’s a marvelous tale of suspense and mystery, following Jodie Foster‘s FBI trainee Clarice Starling as she goes toe-to-toe in a mental battle of chess against Sir Anthony Hopkins‘ dangerously intelligent convicted murderer, Dr. Hannibal Lecter, in order to get his help in her pursuit of the infamous Buffalo Bill serial killer (Ted Levine).

The suspense glues viewers to the screen. It’s perfectly set up and well-paced from start to end, and it builds things up to an excitingly eerie conclusion. The writing and direction earned Academy Awards, and Hopkins and Foster both secured best actor Oscars as well. It’s a well-made, nearly flawless horror masterpiece that became highly acclaimed, very rewatchable, and simply a recognizable icon of the genre. The Silence of the Lambs is not just a brilliant horror film; it’s often considered one of the greatest pieces of cinema history.

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‘Alien’ (1979)

Image via 20th Century Studios

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Outer space never seemed so terrifying until Ridley Scott‘s 1979 masterpiece Alien came out. One of the most nightmarish monster movies of all time, this legendary thriller ushered in a new era of cinematic beasts, bringing with it a timeless story and a menacing creature design. Sigourney Weaver, in her career-defining performance as Lt. Ellen Ripley, leads a band of astronauts who encounter a deadly extraterrestrial that has stowed away aboard their ship after answering a distress call.

Alien is the ultimate in atmospheric and claustrophobic terror. Its cramped, dark interior ship setting perfectly encapsulates the inescapable feeling of doom the characters are experiencing. It also helps set up the suspense, as this ship helps the creature hide in any corner, and it can strike at any time. The suspense and dread just build every second, and you’ll be holding your breath until the end credits. The alien design, created by Oscar-winning artist H. R. Giger, is truly influential and agelessly terrifying. The visuals are also powerful and keep this film feeling fresh and captivating. Honestly, there’s so much that makes Alien utterly flawless.

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‘Dawn of the Dead’ (1978)

Image via United Film Distribution Company

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Horror is just not the same without zombie movies. Though they’ve been around since early cinema, their popularity really took off thanks to independent filmmaker George A. Romero‘s iconic Dead trilogy, which birthed the modern zombie craze. Of this near-perfect trilogy, the best was 1978’s Dawn of the Dead, Romero’s most compelling and thought-provoking masterpiece of his career. The story follows two SWAT police officers, a traffic reporter, and a pregnant TV producer as they work to turn an abandoned shopping center into their shelter as a zombie apocalypse ravages the nation.

While its predecessor, Night of the Living Dead, is considered the grandfather of the zombie subgenre, Dawn of the Dead launched its popularity straight into history, becoming the subgenre’s greatest influence and a benchmark for others to reach. The writing is marvelous, the mall setting is iconic, the themes and messages are timelessly thought-provoking, and the performances are top-notch considering its lack of star power. Dawn of the Dead is a masterpiece through and through that represents the peak of zombie horror.

2

‘Psycho’ (1960)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Hailed for its timeless quality and for kickstarting the wildly popular slasher subgenre, the great Sir Alfred Hitchcock‘s legendary classic Psycho is seriously one of the most important horror movies ever created. A perfect piece of cinema that laid the groundwork for so many other horror movies, this epic tale shocked the movie-going world with its story about a woman who steals from her boss and runs off into the desert, only to encounter a seemingly friendly motel owner with a disturbing secret.

Psycho is the trailblazer that nearly every horror movie these days owes a great deal of gratitude to. It pushed boundaries, dared to be bold and risqué, and introduced audiences to a new, darker age of horror and violence. The acting is remarkable, with lead star Anthony Perkins creating one of the most timelessly horrifying performances of all time as the mysterious Norman Bates. Hitchcock’s suspenseful talents are on full display here as well, and this all just shows why this movie is so essential to the history of the genre.

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‘The Thing’ (1982)

Image via Universal Pictures

Coming in to give one last big scare is The Thing, horror legend John Carpenter‘s 1982 magnum opus. It’s not only the most perfect horror movie from beginning to end, but it’s one of the most incredible movies in cinema history. A remarkable chiller with some of the scariest suspense and nailbiting tension ever brought to celluloid, it follows Kurt Russell as an American pilot in the Antarctic as he fights for survival and to stop a shapeshifting alien entity that’s infiltrated a research base.

From the remarkable cast who all flesh out and play their characters flawlessly and the eerie and bleak Arctic setting to the endless suspense and constant feeling of impending doom, The Thing truly is a film every horror lover needs to see. You’ll never forget it the first time, and there’s always something more to appreciate after more rewatches. The horror genre truly wouldn’t be as beloved today without this bona fide masterpiece, and it takes the final spot here.

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The Thing

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Release Date

June 25, 1982

Runtime

109 minutes

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Director

John Carpenter

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Writers

Bill Lancaster, John W. Campbell Jr.

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There are plenty of psychological thriller/drama/horror movies that don’t have a great deal of action, because they don’t have to, what with being engaging in more subdued ways and all. And then there are also a good many action movies that can be called mindless, and they get by being that way, too, since there’s fun to be had with “turn your brain off and just have a good time” sorts of movies.

Clashes between the action genre and more thoughtful/psychological films are rare, but far from non-existent, as the following titles will hopefully demonstrate. These movies can be considered psychological action movies, just because they’re about the mind, or they’re kind of introspective and/or psychologically disorientating, all the while also having enough solid action scenes to make them qualify as, you know, action movies. They’re interesting. They’re worth thinking about.

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‘The Guest’ (2014)

Image via Picturehouse

The ways The Guest becomes an action movie can sort of be spoiled, since it’s more of a mystery and a psychological thriller before things take off and escalate in the second half, getting more outwardly violent. It does make for quite the ride, and before there’s much action, it definitely works at building suspense and dread, with its story being about a stranger who comes into the lives of a family, claiming that he knew their recently deceased son.

It was directed by Adam Wingard some years before he made two fun – but almost completely mindless – giant monster movies: Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. The Guest does eventually get a bit silly and schlocky, but much of it feels subtle compared to those feature-length kaiju smackdowns. Wingard does have a bit of range; more than some might give him credit for, at least.

9

‘Mandy’ (2018)

Image via RLJE Films

Mandy is a little like The Guest in the sense that it’s patiently paced early on, and then it eventually becomes a bit more action-packed in its second half… also in a way that feels easy to spoil. There’s not much story to Mandy, and it takes a while for it to reveal what it’s really about, so pretty much anything feels like a spoiler.

Like, Nicolas Cage is well-cast here, and he gets opportunities to go big at some points, and then succeeds just as well in the most subdued and non-explosive scenes. Usually, you have to watch a bombastic Cage movie and a quieter Cage movie back-to-back to see his range, but in Mandy, you see a lot of that range in just the one movie. It’s very much a film of two halves, but thankfully in a way that mostly works.

8

‘Sucker Punch’ (2011)

Image via Warner Bros.

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Sucker Punch was divisive, and the kind of thing that sort of works and sort of doesn’t. You can see why it was misunderstood by some, and Zack Snyder’s even spoken about it, being aware himself. It’s a dark sort of film about several young women who have to fight back against abusive forces in their lives, doing so in a way that blurs the line between reality and fantasy.

Like, kind of. It’s strange. It’s a lot. Some of the fantastical action sequences feel like they’re trying to be cool, or they might just clash with what Sucker Punch is trying to say as more of a drama, potentially a little like how not everyone clicked with Snyder’s creative decisions when he adapted Watchmen. Whether or not the set pieces should be spectacular, they are, and then Sucker Punch is also very much a psychological film, so it qualifies here. It might be a bit of a mess, but at least it’s a frequently interesting mess.

7

‘Ghost in the Shell’ (1995)

Image via Manga Entertainment

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A dystopian/science fiction animated movie that’s very much about technology and humanity, regarding how the former might be changing (or harming) the latter, Ghost in the Shell does ultimately get pretty deep. “What makes people human” is a question or topic continually returned to, in science fiction, and it’s part of this movie for sure, with Ghost in the Shell also finding time to have some cool action sequences.

There’s a ton packed into just 83 minutes here, and it’s all brought to life with some amazing animation that still looks stellar more than 30 years on from release. Ghost in the Shell does have a tremendous reputation, and it’s an overall series (or franchise?) that’s a lot more than just this movie, obviously, but the 1995 movie is especially great, and the reputation it specifically has is well-deserved.

6

‘Branded to Kill’ (1967)

Image via Nikkatsu

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Sort of a Yakuza film, but with a deliberate emphasis on style over substance, Branded to Kill is effortlessly cool and also quite mind-bending for something that’s technically got a simple premise. There’s one assassin who has a job go wrong, as often happens to assassins in movies, and then he finds himself the target of another assassin. Chaos ensues.

Branded to Kill might be psychedelic, but then it’s also not really psychedelic in the way you’d expect most semi-experimental movies from the 1960s to be. Its own rules are the only ones it plays by, and even then, it’s very hard to discern what those rules even are. But Branded to Kill is a blast, it’s dizzying in the best of ways, and there’s a good deal of slick action throughout, so it’s all pretty easy to recommend if you’re in the mood for something both exciting and more than a little offbeat.

5

‘Total Recall’ (1990)

Image via Tri-Star Pictures

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Like Ghost in the Shell, Total Recall delivers thrills of a psychological nature while also being a sci-fi movie, and then there’s a good deal of action, too, albeit a different kind than what you might usually find in an Arnold Schwarzenegger film. Total Recall is over-the-top, like other films of his, but there’s a bit more going on than just mindless action, which can be said about other movies directed by Paul Verhoeven that might seem like pure blockbusters on the surface.

See also RoboCop and Starship Troopers; he’s good at this kind of thing. And his filmmaking sensibilities pair oddly well with Schwarzenegger’s whole vibe, making Total Recall pretty great. Of all the movies that deal with a protagonist who has a tenuous grasp on reality, and can’t always differentiate what’s really happening from what might be in their head, Total Recall is definitely one of the most entertaining and explosive.

4

‘Lady Snowblood’ (1973)

Image via Toho

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Okay, maybe this one’s a bit of a stretch, but Lady Snowblood is an effective character study of someone who exists only to get revenge, not necessarily because that’s what she’s decided she wants, but because those older than her ensured she’d be that way. She’s born to a mother who’s lost everything, and that mother then makes sure that her daughter will grow up to avenge the rest of the family she never got to know.

It’s bleak stuff, and yet at the same time, Lady Snowblood does also have a ton of well-executed sword-heavy action. It’s a despairing kind of character study as well as a samurai movie, and it holds up exceptionally well on both those fronts. It also takes a lot for a martial arts movie about revenge to stand out, given that’s such a commonly recurring theme in such movies, but Lady Snowblood is indeed special.

3

‘The Matrix’ (1999)

Image via Warner Bros.

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The Matrix scratches the same itch as Total Recall, but with perhaps a little more clarity, and it’s also not nearly as violent and over-the-top. So, okay, not exactly the same itch, but a similar itch, or a similar way of scratching. Or a bit of both. It’s about a seemingly ordinary guy who learns that what he thought of reality isn’t actually reality, and it’s instead a simulation that machines in the real world have effectively fooled humanity with.

It becomes a movie about rebelling against the machines, and joining a group of people who know the truth about what’s real and what isn’t. Lots of The Matrix is head-spinning in nature the first time you watch it, but all the rules are laid out well, things start to click as it goes along, and then revisiting the movie does prove extra rewarding. Of course, the action’s all particularly strong, too. Even without the thought-provoking sci-fi stuff, it would be worth watching just for the fights and shootouts.

2

‘The Sword of Doom’ (1966)

If you didn’t think Lady Snowblood was a dark enough samurai film, for whatever reason, then The Sword of Doom has probably got your back. The protagonist here is basically like a villain from a slasher series who’s been dropped into a samurai/historical story, because he rampages around and keeps taking on increasingly violent jobs, spiraling more out of control the more people he kills.

He’s the central character, but he’s not even close to heroic at the start of the movie, and then he manages to get a bit worse with just about every passing scene. So, The Sword of Doom is kind of a nightmare, tracking a psychological descent that goes further and further downward very rapidly, but as a portrait of a dangerous mind attached to a body that’s also a killing machine, it is compelling and successfully tense throughout.

1

‘Inception’ (2010)

Image via Warner Bros.

So directly a psychological action movie that it honestly inspired this whole ranking, it feels necessary to put Inception in the #1 spot here. This is something of an action/adventure movie, but so much of the action and adventuring takes place inside a person’s mind, with a team assembling to pull off a mind heist, basically, traveling through layers of dreams to implant an idea in that person’s mind.

Inception sees Christopher Nolan doing his thing for sure, but doing it extremely well, and in a manner that feels a little brainier than your average action movie, but not so dense or complicated that you’ll stop having any kind of fun, or otherwise find yourself checking out. There’s a good balance here, and it’s matched by some exceptional pacing, with almost 2.5 hours flying right by every time.

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Inception

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Release Date

July 16, 2010

Runtime

148 minutes

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Many Nicolandria supporters searched for confirmation after reports surfaced claiming ‘Love Island USA’ Season 7 stars Olandria Carthen and Nic Vansteenberghe had split. Amid the growing speculation, Nic entered the chat, broke his silence, and addressed the breakup rumors circulating across social media.

RELATED: End Of Nicolandria! Social Media Reacts To Reports That ‘Love Island USA’ Stars Olandria Carthen & Nic Vansteenberghe Have Split

Nic Vansteenberghe Confirms Breakup With Olandria Carthen

On Sunday, a screenshot of a post from Nic Vansteenberghe’s TikTok began making rounds across the internet. In the post, the reality star took to his TikTok subscribers to confirm his breakup with Olandria Carthen, writing, “To the Nicolandria community: The rumors are true. I didn’t want to give people false hope, so I wanted to clear the air. We will continue to love each other ALWAYS. It’s a sensitive, as well as a private Subject. Thank you for respecting our privacy.”

He also added in the caption, “I wanted to do it on here because you guys are our biggest supporters.”

Nic Vansteenberghe Seemingly Claps Back At Critics Amid Breakup Buzz

Amid all the chatter, many supporters and critics weighed in after Nic confirmed his breakup with Olandria Carthen. Olandria appeared unbothered, sharing new photos of herself on Instagram in a stunning orange dress with the caption, “Pressure makes diamonds.”

Meanwhile, Nic took to Threads with the message, “None of y’all haters can whoop me tho.” One supporter also responded to his recent Snapchat, writing, “Give them hell! Seriously no PR-trained ‘Marcel’ on a blazing summer day kinda hell. Just for the plot.” The reality star replied, “Haven’t had a PR team for 2 months. Marcel’s got me 😈.”

Social Media Reacts 

Many gathered under The Shade Room’s comment section as they reacted to Nic Vansteenberghe’s latest post. While some questioned whether Nic and Olandria’s relationship was genuine or just for publicity, others continued wishing them the best moving forward.

Instagram user @beeshakur wrote, “Idk they never gave A ‘couple’ more like good friends.”

Instagram user @slaywithdre added, “.. They deserve a Oscar for the acting tho”

While Instagram user @jasi.walkerr wrote, “Idgaf if it was fake or not. I thoroughly enjoued the Nicolandria era/ride 🤣🤍🫶🏾”

Instagram user @jessicaoffor wrote, “look how it says ‘subscribers only’ 😂he wanted ppl to pay to see his statement regarding that fraudulent relationship… 😂😂😂😂”

Instagram user @kay_nikol added, “They walked so Trinity and Bryce could run 😂😂 this will be the same announcement for them next year”

While Instagram user @nonhufriends wrote, “Olandria and Nic will always have my support ❤️”

Instagram user @mmiiaa3_ wrote, “oleeee nic said yall gone stop playing with him”

Instagram user @n.renne1 added, “U can never make me hate Nic 😂😂he’s funny”

While Instagram user @aylin.rosas48 wrote, “I actually love them together and I really did think over time the love between them did grow. ide what yall say but she is a star! she has a very busy schedule and I know for a fact that was hard to keep up with “

RELATED: Ace Greene Reflects On The Backlash He Faced Following His Past Comments About Nic And Olandria’s Connection (VIDEO)

Bold and the Beautiful 2-Week Spoilers for July 27 – August 7, 2026 see Finn Finnegan (Tanner Novlan) really struggling as he’s drawn towards his biological mother versus his wife’s unwavering ultimatum to stay away. Plus, Will Spencer (Crew Morrow) gets a warning that hits close to home.

Also, in the two weeks of July 27th through August 7th, we’re going to see those Monaco remote episodes. Plus, Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) shows up to harass Hope Logan (Annika Noelle). We got all that, lots more. Let’s get right to it.

Bold and the Beautiful: Dylan and Will’s Night Together

On Monday, July 27th, Melissa Dylan (Sydney Bullock) wakes up blissed out in Will’s arms on his sofa. Dylan made bold moves to try and make Will her man about five minutes after he and Electra Forrester (Laneya Grace) broke up and Dylan is unapologetically going after what she wants. She and Will swap awkward good mornings and then it’s time for them to get to work.

Dylan’s going to head to Forrester Creations and Will heads to work at Logan. He runs into his big brother Wyatt Spencer (Darin Brooks) who takes a look at Will and wonders if he’s moved on from Electra with somebody else already. And Will may confide in Wyatt and tell him that Dylan wanted to help him forget what happened.

Up at Logan, Allison tries to warn Hope that she couldn’t stop Steffy from barging in. Hope isn’t happy to see her stepsister, and Steffy tells Allison she doesn’t bite, but the receptionist tells Steffy that’s not what she heard about her. And then Steffy wants Hope to admit that what she’s doing at Logan is wrong.

Steffy’s ranting about her collection, about Hope coming over to Logan. Steffy saying all of it was wrong. And Hope says she’s at Logan now where she is actually wanted. But Steffy won’t let up and says that Hope pulled the grenade pin and started a war. She’s not interested in anything that Steffy has to say and is going to push back hard.

B&B Spoilers: Finn’s Conflicted Loyalties and Sheila’s Persistence

Then on Tuesday, July 28th, Finn makes a promise to Steffy that his loyalty will always be to her. Finn makes it clear she comes before Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown) and he won’t break the ultimatum that Steffy’s given him. Will gets a reality check from Wyatt. I’m sure he doesn’t like that Will punched Eric Forrester (John McCook), but I’m also sure that Wyatt is going to believe it was an unfortunate accident, but he knows that Will needs to rein in his temper.

Jessica’s back, so I’m sure that means she and Dylan are talking up at Bikini Bar. Jessica encouraged Dylan to go for it with Will. And boy did she do that. Wednesday, July 29th, we’re going to have Electra bossing Dylan around about Will. Even though Electra says she’ll never be with Will again, she’s not okay with Dylan pursuing him. I expect threats and ultimatums like Electra has done in the past with Dylan.

But this time, I think she’s not going to hold back with Electra. I am fully expecting that she will threaten Dylan’s job and that Electra will say, “If you want to be my friend, you can never be with Will.” And we’re also going to see Dylan looking sexy with a smoky eye and a whole new determined look because one night with Will and she’s a whole new woman. Apparently, these scenes last for a couple of episodes.

Bold and Beautiful Spoilers: Sheila Desperate to Win Steffy Over

Sheila tries to argue the point of why she should be allowed into Steffy, Finn, and Hayes Forrester Finnegan’s (Bryan Garlick) lives. So, we’ll see if Sheila is doing this face to face with Steffy or if she’s talking to her roommate or if Sheila has gone back over to try and convince Finn to get her some facetime with Steffy to talk about it.

Then on Thursday, July 30th, Dylan confesses about her night of passion with Will because Dylan says something that totally shocks Electra. In the Forrester design office, she is furious and raging at Dylan. We’ve got Electra saying, “Tell me that you didn’t.” Oh, yes. Dylan did do it and maybe more than once if she got the chance.

Electra and Dylan’s friendship is likely done after this. And I wouldn’t be surprised if Electra fires Dylan since she is her boss. And Electra knows the Forresters will back her up on the firing because Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye) and the rest of them all despise Will for what he did to Eric, which they all think was not an accident.

Taylor Hayes (Rebecca Budig) and Finn have an intense talk at the Malibu house. And as they talk, Taylor begins to see that Finn’s walls are coming down about Sheila. So Taylor may warn Steffy that Finn is feeling very conflicted about his biological mom.

B&B Spoilers: Steffy Considers the Risks

Friday, July 31st, after Taylor talks to Finn, we’re going to see Steffy pondering the risk of giving Sheila a chance to be in their lives. We also have Sheila pouring her heart out to Li Finnegan (Naomi Matsuda) about how desperate she is to get back into Finn’s life and Hayes’s life, too. And we’ll find out at this point if Sheila and Li are really roommates.

Finn and Li both really think Sheila’s changed, but I doubt that Steffy’s stance is going to soften without something changing. But things are going to change soon. We also have Sheila sitting and talking to herself, saying, “Why won’t you open your heart and let me in, Steffy? Why?”

Bold and the Beautiful: Monaco Drama and Strategic Maneuvering

We also know the scenes from the Monaco location shoot are going to air soon. Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang) and Ridge head to Monte Carlo for Forrester business. Steffy’s there too and she decides to bring Finn along maybe to make sure Sheila can’t get to him if he stays back in LA. Monte Carlo is a place of great importance for Steffy and Finn.

If you remember, that’s where Steffy first saw that Finn wasn’t dead and rushed into his arms. And with them shooting scenes at a church, I do wonder if Steffy and Finn might renew their vows or Brooke and Ridge since they got married in an office and not in a church at all. Brad Bell said that the Monte Carlo scenes will be in a church and on the beach. Called it a secret story that ties into a game-changing plot.

Once she realizes Steffy and Finn left the country, Sheila decides to follow them, hops on a plane, and stalks them to Monaco. Things get heated when Steffy spots Sheila on the beach and Steffy comes over to rant and rage at Sheila for following them. But it looks like Steffy or Finn might be in danger and Sheila may save one or both of them.

Bold and Beautiful Spoilers: Will Tries to Make Amends

Meanwhile, back in LA, Will’s making an effort to smooth things over with Electra. I had hoped that now that he and Dylan got close that Will would just not talk to her again. Everybody has said it’s not going to work out and he needs to put Electra behind him. But let’s face it, Will is a sucker for her. But I bet Electra is going to rage at him over spending the night with Dylan.

Then the week of August 3rd through the 7th, we’ve got Steffy, Finn, Brooke, Ridge, and Sheila having these few episodes in Monaco before they head back to LA. We’ll find out more about this dramatic life-changing event that Brad Bell promised us and whether Sheila can finally earn Steffy’s trust.

B&B Spoilers: Will May Lash Out

Will may be upset that Dylan told Electra about their night of passion, but Dylan will probably justify and tell Will, “Look, this was for the best. She was never going to take you back anyway.” The Forresters also will never let Electra be with him. And also, I think Dylan may tell him, “Look, Will, you deserve better than Electra. She’s selfish. She always puts others before you.”

We also may see Electra looking for revenge on Dylan anf if Electra doesn’t already fire her in week one, I think she will in week two. She’s not going to like it that Dylan got intimate with Will. And R.J. Forrester (Brayan Nicoletti) is going to be right there cheering Electra on and definitely encouraging her to forget Will. R.J. will probably be saying stuff like, “Will’s like all the Spencers, liars and cheaters.” And R.J. may try and say, “Will cheated with Dylan” when that’s not the case at all. Not even a little.

Katie Logan (Heather Tom) still reeling from Brooke kicking her out of the family. And Eric and Donna Logan (Jennifer Gareis) not telling the truth is totally cowardly on both their parts. I’m sure that Hope is going to catch Katie up on the nastiness that Steffy spewed at her and she and Katie are going to renew their plans to put Forrester Creations behind them and make Logan a smash success.

Ms. Rachel, a famed educator and YouTuber, has now weighed in, sharing her thoughts on the investigation into the death of Nolan Xavier Wells.

RELATED: Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves Says Ben Crump & Rev. Al Sharpton Are “Stoking Division” & Are To Blame For Threats Amid Nolan Wells Investigation

Ms. Rachel Shares Her Thoughts On Investigation Into Death Of Nolan Xavier Wells

On Sunday, July 26, Ms. Rachel took to Threads to share a message with her more than 2.3 million followers. “We know the investigation and everything that followed would have been different if Nolan Wells were white and his friends were black. Nolan and his family deserve justice,” she wrote.

Social Media Weighs In On Ms. Rachel’s Thoughts

Social media users took to The Shade Room’s comment section, sharing their thoughts on Ms. Rachel’s stance.

More On The Investigation Into Death Of Nolan Xavier Wells

As The Shade Room previously reported, Ms. Rchael’s comment arrives amid comments from Nolan Wells’ “best friends” Warren Hudson and Tracestin Shepherd. Most recently, Hudson alleged that no content was deleted from Wells’ phone, despite his parents feeling otherwise. Additionally, Shepherd spoke on feeling backstabbed by the Black community, and feeling “blamed” for what happened to Wells.

Meanwhile, Benjamin Crump responded to Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, saying that he and Rev. Al Sharpton stoked division. This, while a report has asserted that Wells’ friends have been served with spoliation letters.

RELATED: Warren Hudson Addresses Claim Content Was Deleted From Nolan Wells’ Phone, As Ben Crump Responds To MS Gov. & Friends Reportedly Receive Litigation Notice