Entertainment
Elon Musk Launches Attack On Pregnant Anne Hathaway
Elon Musk continues to come for the cast of “The Odyssey,” and his latest target is none other than Anne Hathaway.
The actress had the spotlight on her over the weekend after a 2018 video of her advocating for LGBTQ+ rights resurfaced, something Musk found a problem with.
The tech mogul is among the vocal critics of Christopher Nolan’s record-breaking adaptation, vowing to outperform the project with an AI remake.
The drama began on Musk’s social media platform when Hathaway’s acceptance speech for the National Ally for Equality award at the 2018 Human Rights Campaign National Dinner went viral.
While on stage, the “Princess Diaries” star called out her privilege as a white, cisgender, straight woman while championing “equality” and bashing capitalism. In her words:
“That myth is that gayness orbits around straightness, transgender orbits around cisgender, and that all races orbit around whiteness. And it is a myth that keeps money and power in the hands of the few instead of being invested in the lives of the free.”
The clip posted on X bashed Hathaway as a “degenerate narcissist” for her views, and Musk couldn’t help but agree. “She’s just a marionette. Whoever wrote her speech is the real douchebag,” he wrote.
Elon Musk Vowed To Remake ‘The Odyssey’ In Pursuit Of Accuracy
The Tesla founder’s criticism of Hathaway comes after he shockingly unveiled a plan to create his own AI version of “The Odyssey.”
Musk doesn’t buy into the hype around Nolan’s adaptation of ancient Greek literature, with his main issue being the diversity of the cast.
As reported by The Blast, he has since promised to take matters into his own hands to create a version he believes is closer to the body of work Homer truly meant.
In an X announcement, Musk noted that before the end of 2026, he will produce a “historically accurate” full-length movie with the use of his AI agent, Grok. Accompanied by the news was a three-minute dialogue clip of what the Grok Imagine-created piece would look like.
The Trillionaire Slammed Lupita Nyong’o’s Casting Choice
Musk has long voiced his displeasure about Nolan’s masterpiece long before its July release. For him, the starting point of contention was the director’s decision for Lupita Nyong’o to play the role of Helen of Troy.
According to The Blast, when conservative commentator Matt Walsh attacked Nolan for his wrong casting choice, saying he did it to avoid being called a racist, Musk agreed.
The SpaceX founder theorized that the beloved director was only focused on chasing the Oscars’ requirements to make his movie eligible for the Best Picture category.
It is a known rule since 2020 that the Academy Awards mandated the fulfillment of the diversity quota across the crew, subject matter, audience development, and leadership of a film.
Despite the intense backlash, Nyong’o remains steadfastly proud of her role in “The Odyssey,” happy to help bring Nolan’s vision to life.
Following Musk’s comment, the actress addressed the argument that conservatives posed about how it was inaccurate that she play a figure described as “the most beautiful woman in the world.”
Describing herself as “very supportive” of Nolan’s intention, Nyong’o explained, “Our cast is representative of the world. I’m not spending my time thinking of a defense. The criticism will exist whether I engage with it or not.”
As reported by The Blast, the Hollywood star also dismissed the notion that the major value she should bring to the role was her physical looks.
“You can’t perform beauty,” she stated, adding that her interest is in what is beneath and makes up a character, not appearance.
Colman Domingo Mocks Musk Over AI Remake Plans
Amid Musk’s journey to creating his version of “The Odyssey,” he has faced resistance from critics who point out that the epic poem is a work of fiction that can never be accurate.
One such voice is actor Colman Domingo, who recently served as a guest host on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” And roasted the tech entrepreneur to pieces.
Domingo slammed Musk’s vow for a “historically accurate” version, saying, “By ‘historically accurate’, he means whiter than Christmas at Cracker Barrel.”
The “Euphoria” actor further mocked the business mogul, asking if he had anything better to do, like living on Mars, per The Blast
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Oliva Wilde is enjoying the success of her latest film, “The Invite,” which many have called an Oscar contender. Now, weeks after its release, her next movie, “Naughty,” is set to star Jennifer Aniston and Peter Dinklage. Recently, she opened up about why both actors were perfect for the upcoming unorthodox movie, which has been in the works since 2023.
Wilde attended the Los Angeles premiere of the upcoming erotic thriller “I Want Your Sex” on July 28. While on the red carpet, the “Invite” director spoke to Variety, with the reporter asking about “Naughty,” which will feature Dinklage as Santa Claus. She began by discussing the movie’s history, saying, “That film has been in the works for several years,” before noting that Jimmy Warden wrote the script.
She continued, “I read that script, and I laughed so hard, and I became obsessed with the idea of Peter Dinklage playing Santa Claus.” When asked how she convinced the “Game of Thrones” alum to take on the role, Wilde said, “He’s the greatest guy, and I’m a big fan of his, and we went and had a coffee in Brooklyn, and I pitched it to him, and he was so immediately excited and supportive.”
After that, the “Booksmart” director stated that Dinklage was the only person she had in mind for the role. She then called the movie “really ambitious” and “really funny.”
The Filmmaker Had High Praise For Jennifer Aniston
Wilde continued her Variety interview by gushing about the casting of Aniston in the upcoming movie. According to her, “Of course, Jen was our dream girl, but I didn’t think I’d get her.” She was then asked why she believed the “Friends” alum would turn down the role in “Naughty.”
Wilde responded, “I think that, you know, to be able to direct one of our greatest comedians and actresses, someone who I grew up learning from, looking up to, laughing with, I just never imagined it would come true.”
She went on, “It’s like the name you have up on the board, but we won’t get her, and then she read it, and then she was so immediately into it and loved it.” Wilde then reiterated that it’s “a really ambitious movie,” before saying, “it’s an original comedy, and it’s not one that is an obvious greenlight because it’s bold.”
In the end, Wilde shared that she “fought like hell” to get the movie made.
‘Naughty’ Has Been In The Works For Years Now
Following the success of “Don’t Worry Darling,” it was announced in December 2023 that Wilde was set to direct a new movie with backing from Margot Robbie‘s LuckyChap production company. The movie “Naughty” was then described as “Bridesmaids” if it took place in the North Pole.
The movie follows Mallory, who we now know will be played by Aniston, as she must find Santa Claus, played by Dinklage, to testify at her divorce hearing to gain custody of her child. At the time, there was no studio attached. However, with the casting of Aniston and Dinklage came news that Universal had picked up the movie and set it for a November 5, 2027 theatrical release.
Olivia Wilde Stars In ‘I Want Your Sex’
Though her career as a director is heating up, Wilde remains a force on the screen, both in films she directs and those helmed by others. Her newest movie, “I Want Your Sex,” finds her starring in Gregg Araki‘s new erotic thriller, set to be released on July 31, going head-to-head with “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.”
So far, following the LA Premiere of the movie, it has received solid reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, it currently has an 89% positive rating based on 61 reviews. “I Want Your Sex” also stars Cooper Hoffman, Mason Gooding, Chase Sui Wonders, Daveed Diggs, and Charlie XCX.
‘The Invite’ Became The Year’s Highest Rated Comedy
A24 opened Wilde’s “The Invite” in wide release on July 10, following its premiere at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival and a limited release in June. According to Deadline, the comedy debuted at number six in wide release, earning over $5.7 million and bringing its then-total to $7.38 million.
Per BoxOfficeMojo, to date, “The Invite” has made over $32 million, including its international box office. Regarding reviews, the film holds an impressive 97% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Wilde stars in the movie alongside Seth Rogen, Penelope Cruz, and Edward Norton.
Claressa Shields is going viral for several Hollywood-style glamour shots she shared with her fans on Instagram. The professional boxer shared the photographs from a recent photo shoot on Monday, July 27.
RELATED: Claressa Shields Appears To Advise Chrisean Rock To Stay Away From Blueface After They Link Up For Boxing Training (VIDEO)
Claressa Shields Shares Her Glamour Shots With Fans
Shields went viral after sharing glamour shots on social media, and, in addition to being dressed to impress, she had a surprise for them.
The boxer transformed into a redhead during the photo shoot and wore a black, mesh-like, sheer dress covered with shiny stones. The 31-year-old paired the glamour look with a white fur coat, and she shared a message with the post, noting her “Good Life.”
The post was captioned, “Every chapter looks different. This one feels like the Good Life #GWOATERA #ClaressaShields #GoodLife. Welcome to the Good Life, I can sit pretty now 🥹🥰 Hair: @kingrichluxuryhair. Hairstylist: @theqluxe_hairco. MUA: @envymulatto. Lips: @damanicosmetic. Fine Like Wine 🍷 Your smile is your best curve, never let anything or anybody steal it. Always look Forward 🤩 Real Soft girl. Good life, good views good checks when I land 🤯. Claressa Fierce.”
She added in the comment section, “BEAUTIFUL WOMAN DON’T STOP 🛑 BEING WHO YOU ARE 🎶.”
Folks Praised Shields’ Glamour Shots On Instagram
After Shields shared the photos on Instagram, her fans weighed in with their approval in the comment section.
User @thegrasonedition wrote, “Excuuuse the hell out of me!!!!!! 😍😍😍😍😍 Mrs. Shields you look amazing 🔥.”
@sarah_tcj__ added, “It’s giving Jessica Rabbit 😍😍😍😍🔥🔥🔥.”
User @da_real_slim_goody wrote, “Yyyeesssss I love this ssssoooooo muchhhhhhhh!!! 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍.”
@hermosa_belle_ added, “Tell em to pick their jaw up 👏👏.”
‘Who This Fa’ artist Bri Biase wrote, “Ate this DOWNNNNNN 👏👏👏👏🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥.”
@cali.is.deadgame added, “Whatchu trynna dooooo ??!! 😍😍😍.”
@msfeethemadam wrote, “Oh my goodness! You look so very pretty!💕.”
User @alwayznikk247 added, “Yazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzah!!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍.”
@da_real_hotgemz added, “So fly!!!🔥🔥.”
User @karenmightyqueen concluded, “Gorgeous, elegant, and always that girl champ. Keep elevating.”
Shields Also Went Viral For Footage With Chrisean Rock
The boxer also went viral after she shared footage of her workout with Chrisean Rock on Instagram. Shields shared the photos with a caption about strong women training together.
Shields also noted that the 26-year-old rapper was attending her fight on Saturday, August 15, against Kaye Scott. The two boxers will face off at the WBC/WBA Unified Middleweight World Championships at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
“GWOAT x @CHRISEAN 😈 Strong women. Strong personalities. Stronger picture. 💪🏾 Can’t wait to train together sis 🥊,” she wrote. “She coming to Atlanta Aug.15th for my fight too! #claressashields #GWOAT #chriseanrock.”
RELATED: You Good? Claressa Shields Speaks Out After Fans Question Why Papoose Wasn’t Smiling When They Walked Out At BET Awards (VIDEO)
What Do You Think Roomies?
Meghan McCain chose to remember the good times she shared with Sen. Lindsey Graham after attending his funeral in Washington, D.C.
“A beautiful, poetic send off for a patriotic man and an American icon,” McCain, 41, wrote via X on Tuesday, July 28. “I will always miss you Lindsey and forever cherish my family’s time together with you.”
In her social media post, McCain shared a photo of the funeral program, which read, “In celebration of and in thanksgiving for the life of Lindsey Olin Graham.”
Graham died on July 11 from a brief and sudden illness, his spokesperson previously stated. He was 71.
Meghan McCain asserts that there’s no bad blood with her relatives even if they sit across the political aisle from one another. “Going to address something because there’s quite a bit of negative online chatter directed at me over this,” Meghan, 41, wrote via X on Thursday, July 16. “My mother, siblings and I love […]
Shortly after the news was confirmed, Meghan paid tribute to the South Carolina senator, who had a close relationship with her late father, Sen. John McCain.
“The news of his sudden passing is shocking and deeply saddening for me and my family. Like many relationships in life, mine with Lindsey was complex in later years,” she wrote via X on July 12. “I choose to remember the endless laughter and joy he brought to my family so many times, in so many ways. These memories are some of the most precious of my life. I hope that he is at peace and I hope he is in heaven drinking a White Russian and fishing with my dad and Joe [Lieberman].”
While Meghan often criticized Donald Trump for his controversial comments on her father, Graham remained one of the president’s closest allies.
Trump, 80, Vice President JD Vance, congressional colleagues and world leaders all came together on Tuesday for Graham’s funeral service at the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter & Saint Paul.
During his eulogy, Trump described Graham as “a respected statesman, a giant of the United States Senate and a true American original who left us much too soon.”
Authorities have determined a preliminary cause of death for former Senator Lindsey Graham, according to a new statement. Metropolitan Police Department Chief Jeffery W. Carroll and the District of Columbia Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Francisco J. Diaz confirmed to Us Weekly that Graham died “of aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.” An autopsy was […]
“For more than 30 years, nothing of consequence happened in this capital without Lindsey Graham knowing about it,” Trump said via NBC News. “Nothing of significance happened anywhere in the world without Lindsey Graham having a view on it, and no bill became law in the most exceptional republic in human history without Lindsey Graham having a say in it.”
According to NBC News, Meghan’s mom, Cindy McCain, was also in attendance along with former Vice President Mike Pence, Fox News host Sean Hannity and Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Lindsey’s only sibling, Darline Graham, who was appointed to take his place in the Senate, was seen walking tearfully up to the casket during the service.
Entertainment
Marvel Brings Back James Gunn’s Favorite ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Member for New Solo Adventures
The MCU captured lightning in a bottle with the release of the first Guardians of the Galaxy film back in 2014. Even modern Marvel Comics readers were largely unfamiliar with the team and its lineup of heroes before James Gunn came along and elevated them all to a new level of stardom with a mix of humor, heart, a killer soundtrack, and serious star power, including Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, and Vin Diesel. The crew of intergalactic underdogs managed to defy the odds and score a staggering box office haul of over $773 million, paving the way for two more films, a holiday special, a major role in the two-part Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, and an expanded roster. Yet, despite their newfound fame, their future in film is currently up in the air, especially with Gunn now leading the DCU and the MCU heading for Doomsday.
On the page, however, the Guardians are still managing just fine. This year marked the launch of the Imperial Guardians series, radically reinventing the lineup with one familiar face in Gamora as the leader alongside Captain Marvel, Cosmic Ghost Rider, Brawn, and Dark Hawk. To celebrate half a century since the character’s creation, Marvel now also has a new set of solo adventures on store shelves today starring the member of the team Gunn has previously called his favorite of the bunch — Rocket Raccoon. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 largely served as a spotlight for the Cooper-voiced anthropomorphic weapons specialist, but now, Rocket Raccoon: Rocket Rewind #1 is sending him blasting off across the cosmos with bonkers action, exciting team-ups, and a revisit to his origins on the page. A sneak preview was released to showcase three of the stories packed into this one massive issue.
The first two pages come from “The Fight in the Raccoon,” though it’s Hank Pym who opens up the tale. He’s on the losing end of an invasion on the planet of B’Digg-4, where he’s trying to protect a race of insects against an invading force led by a massive space dragon. Years of shrinking and growing in galactic wars as Ant-Man, Giant-Man, and more have left him weakened, so he sends out distress signals for help, and the only one who answers is Rocket, fresh off of nearly getting into an altercation with an alien at a bar. Though he doesn’t even show off his skills in the pages, his legendary status as a renowned warrior Thor and Captain Marvel precedes him, as does his penchant for wise-cracking. In the second story, “Boomshakalaka,” Rocket makes his way to the planet Shaka, chatting en route with old pal Groot about how odd their honor-based culture is. He’s unsure why they even hired him, considering they’re a peaceful planet protected by the Intergalactic Council, but he’s about to change his tune when it appears the rumors of their sacred artifact, the Pura Vida, are true after all.
‘Rocket Rewind’s Final Story Is a Homage to Rocket Raccoon’s Past
Last but not least, the final page provides a short look at “The Sword in the Star,” the framing story that sets up an exploration of Rocket’s creative origins. It sees the raccoon landing on an unknown backwater asteroid after his engine overheats. While he’s able to easily make repairs, even while immensely frustrated, he’s stuck on the rock for several hours while he waits for the engine to cool down. That leads him to start exploring until, out of nowhere, a hole opens underneath him, pulling him towards a mysterious signature indicating there is another lifeform on the asteroid. It will inevitably tie into the fourth and final story, “The Sword in the Star: Witchblade,” which isn’t an original tale for the anniversary comic, but a reprint of the exact moment from Marvel Preview #7 when Rocket’s creators, writer Bill Mantlo and artist Keith Giffen, introduced the character to readers for the first time. Expect things to get meta as the description teases a team-up between Rocket and his original 1976 counterpart, then called Rocky Raccoon.
As for the new segments, Rocket Rewind has gathered a murderer’s row of writers and illustrators for Rocket’s big spotlight. “The Fight in the Raccoon” was penned by Marvel veteran Christos Gage, who has also written for Netflix’s Daredevil series, while the art was done by Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man illustrator Todd Nauck. Award-winning Marvel Mutts author MacKenzie Cadenhead and artist Enid Balám collaborated for “Boomshakalaka,” and J.M. DeMatteis, notable for penning “Kraven’s Last Hunt,” wrote “The Sword in the Star” alongside art from Shawn McManus. As the cherry on top, beloved Spider-Man artist Ryan Stegman and colorist Arthur Hesli handled the main cover.
Rocket Raccoon: Rocket Rewind #1 is now available on store shelves. Check out a preview of the comic in the gallery above.
- Release Date
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August 1, 2014
- Runtime
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121 minutes
- Director
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James Gunn
- Writers
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Nicole Perlman, James Gunn
- Producers
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Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Nik Korda, Stan Lee, Victoria Alonso, Jeremy Latcham
Ant Anstead’s two previous marriages haven’t completely deterred him from potentially walking down the wedding aisle with girlfriend Renée Zellweger.
“I still believe in marriage, but right now we’re really happy,” Anstead, 47, told The Telegraph in an interview published on Friday, July 24, of the possibility the pair would say “I do” in the future.
The TV personality noted that while he does call Zellweger, 57, “the missus,” they aren’t in a rush to get hitched.
“We don’t need the pressure of a label,” Anstead added of their relationship.
Ant Anstead and girlfriend Renée Zellweger are still wheeling and dealing — and completely smitten — after five years of dating. “How it started …..” Anstead, 47, wrote in a rare Instagram tribute to Zellweger, 56, on Friday, April 24, in honor of their anniversary, sharing a throwback photo from what appeared to be their […]
Ant was previously married to Louise Anstead from 2005 to 2017. The exes share two children, Amelie, 22 and Archie, 19. He moved on with Christina Haack, whom he wed in 2018. The pair, who share son Hudson, 7, announced their divorce in 2020.
Ant and Zellweger, meanwhile, met while working on a 2021 episode of Discovery Channel’s Celebrity IOU: Joyride, where they bonded over their shared knowledge of cars.
“Renée is a hands-on car girl,” Ant told the outlet of the actress’ vibe on set. “She used a grinder to cut metal, she was welding, she was on the spanners.”
Renée Zellweger and Ant Anstead. Courtesy of Ant Anstead/Instagram
The Bridget Jones’s Diary star impressed Ant as soon as she drove stick shift mid-shoot.
“A lot of people in America don’t drive stick [manual cars] but, on the first day of filming, we needed to relocate a car for a scene,” he recalled. “Ren jumps in, goes, ‘I’ll do it!’, slams it into first, and off she goes. I’m like, ‘Wow. This lady really knows her cars.’”
Ant later learned that Zellweger’s dad was a Swiss engineer and she had picked up a thing or two from him along the way.
Renée Zellweger has bonded with Ant Anstead’s three kids during their romance. “Renée gets along really well with Ant’s children and they spend a lot of quality time together,” a source exclusively reveals in the new issue of Us Weekly, adding that Zellweger, 54, is particularly close with Anstead’s daughter Amelie, 19, whom he shares […]
“She’s a very real person. She’s absolutely brilliant, the most grounded, humble person,” he gushed. “If there’s a car job to be done at home, I say, ‘We’re doing this together. Put your overalls on, let’s go.’”
After sparking a relationship on Celebrity IOU: Joyride, the pair became a couple off camera and haven’t looked back, celebrating their five-year anniversary in April.
While the couple have not reunited on camera, Ant said Zellweger is very much involved in his latest show, Ant Anstead: Born Mechanic.
Ant Anstead, Renée Zellweger and his eldest children, Archie and Amelie. Courtesy of Ant Anstead/Instagram
He revealed that although Zellweger doesn’t appear on the car repair/restoration series for Quest, she has been guiding him from behind the camera.
“Ren was looking over my shoulder without me realizing [while I shopped on eBay for a few reclaimed gates]. The next day I went to buy them and they were gone. I was mad,” Ant told the publication. “I arrived here and they were in the barn with a balloon on them for my birthday.”
The former Wheelers and Dealers host explained that Zellweger had “secretly contacted my dad and arranged for him to collect them.”
Ant teased, “As a gift, it knocks a pair of socks on the head.”
It is often the case in our modern streaming age that fantasy shows are geared more towards mature audiences, and that’s something of a shame. Fantasy, as a genre, offers the viewer a magical perspective on the world while speaking fondly to the inner child. There is a reason that so many grow up with the legends of King Arthur, the realm of Narnia, and the journeys of small Hobbits who make a world of difference. While few contemporary programs capture that same childlike wonder and sense of fantastical adventure, The Librarians: The Next Chapter is an outlier that does so quite wonderfully — and now in its second season, that enterprising spirit has only increased.
‘The Librarians: The Next Chapter’ Is a Novel Take on ‘The Librarians’ Formula
From the beginning, The Librarians: The Next Chapter was meant as a spin-off to continue The Librarians franchise beyond the original TNT series and the Noah Wyle-led made-for-TV movies that preceded it. It’s not a direct continuation of past entries, nor was it meant to replace the adventures of the heroes we came to love over those installments. Rather, it’s more akin to how Stargate Atlantis operated parallel to Stargate SG-1, or how Angel ran alongside Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It can be watched entirely independent of the original program or in conjunction with it. The only difference is that these are the only Librarians exploits currently on the air. However, it more than makes up for that sorry fact with fast-paced, character-driven episodes that somehow manage to recapture the spirit of the original series.
Amazingly, the spin-off reinterprets the material in a fresh way that doesn’t undo (or simply redo) what’s been done before. It’s its own thing, though it undoubtedly falls under the same distinct brand of fantasy adventure. Developed by Dean Devlin and John Rogers, The Next Chapter owes much of its charm and whimsy not just to the creative minds behind the series, but those at the forefront of each episode. After getting to know them over the first season, Season 2 wastes no time sending us flying through the magical door with its lead cast into whatever new mystery presents itself. Callum McGowan leads the charge as time-displaced Vikram Chamberlain, head Librarian of the Belgrade Annex, who has struggled to adapt to the 21st century — and he’s no closer to adapting to our world.
In many respects, McGowan’s performance is remarkably reminiscent of Tim Mison‘s Ichabod Crane from Fox’s gone-too-soon paranormal drama Sleepy Hollow, another man-out-of-time who uses his knowledge of history to battle supernatural forces in the present day. While the similarities between these two men are strong, The Librarians‘ tone stands in stark contrast to the moody look and feel of Sleepy Hollow, which was sometimes a bit more of a horror show than straight fantasy. Thus, McGowan plays Vikram with a bit more levity and wonder in each step, emphasizing his 19th-century eccentricities in each scene. One may be tempted to consider him a “discount Crane” in some sense, but that’s an oversimplification that doesn’t account for the differences between these series. Of course, The Librarians doesn’t work in this format without a team to fill out the Annex, and Vikram’s cohorts offer their own unique strengths.
Lysa Pascal (Olivia Morris) is proficient in physics, mathematics, and engineering. Her personal tragedy and desire for a “found family” fuels her devotion to the team, and stands in contrast to Vikram’s struggles to accept his place in this “brave new world.” But while Lysa is the team’s resident magic skeptic, former professor-turned-conspiracy buff Connor Green (Bluey Robinson) is a true believer to his core. Despite his belief, however, he wrestles with obsessiveness regarding magic — an obsession that may very well grip him if he isn’t careful. Morris and Robinson balance each other quite well, with Charlie Cornwall (Jessica Green of The Outpost fame) — the trio’s Guardian — there to pull them out of the fire. Of the four, Green’s character is perhaps the most underdeveloped, but like Rebecca Romijn in the previous series, she has arguably the most creative potential. It’s one thing to guard one Librarian, but how does one manage three? That is, in part, what this season is about.
‘The Next Chapter’ Season 2 Introduces New Faces and Revives Returning Favorites
The first two episodes of this season — “And the Burning Heart” and “And the Tethered Wish” — establish the mantra of “be careful what you wish for” as the long, unwinding thread connecting each character dot this season. Naturally, this idea begins to take hold once the group encounters a Camelot legend: Dominic Monaghan‘s Merlin. Yes, that Merlin. The former ally of King Arthur has returned after centuries of slumber, and though the character was referenced on occasion in the original Librarians, this marks his first official appearance. Well, after that brief tease at the end of Season 1’s “And the Unfinished Business,” of course.
Monaghan may not be anyone’s first choice for Merlin (he’s always felt more Hobbit-ish than wizard-y), but The Lord of the Rings star proves himself a brilliant cast. Not only does his distinct interpretation of the ancient wizard fit in quite well with the franchise’s usual, offbeat depictions of Arthurian figures, but Monaghan plays the part so smoothly that one cannot tell if he is a true friend or conniving foe. Annex caretaker Mrs. Astolat (Caroline Loncq) has her own opinions, but the jury is still out. In addition to new faces like Merlin, old Librarian staples pop up this season as well. Christian Kane returns as fan-favorite Jacob Stone in the second episode, which feels more like a crossover with The Librarians than just a simple one-and-done guest appearance.
As always, Kane’s dynamic with The Next Chapter cast is so natural that we almost wish both Librarian groups could come together permanently. The season is peppered with offhanded references to John Harlan Kim‘s Ezekiel Jones and John Larroquette‘s Jenkins, which further connect the Portland Annex with the Belgrade-based team, but despite how often these characters are name-dropped, it never feels forced or overly indulgent. Rather, it’s just another reminder that the events of The Next Chapter don’t occur in a narrative vacuum — how Vikram and his team deal with magic will affect other characters we care about too. Perhaps it also helps that we already know that these nods are planting seeds for Lindy Booth‘s confirmed franchise as Cassandra Cillian this season. Here’s hoping TNT renews this show soon so that we can reunite the whole North American branch of the Library…
That said, The Librarians: The Next Chapter Season 2 isn’t just notable because of its impressive (and long-anticipated) guest stars. That’s just icing on the cake. TNT’s flagship fantasy series builds on its first season foundation by giving each of our heroes a personal wish worth wrestling with. Vikram’s is explored in the second episode, but the season premiere hints at what drives each member of the team into this new normal at the Library. Admittedly, it does so in a way so incredibly on-the-nose that it leaves little to the imagination. The Librarians has never been known for its subtlety, and if there’s one obvious criticism of the second season, it’s that the dialogue could sometimes use a little finer-tuning. That said, considering how hours like “And the Feast of the Vampir” and “And Going Medieval” were able to surprise us in the back half of last season, we’re hopeful that future episodes will land better.
‘The Librarians: The Next Chapter’ Is Fantasy Entertainment Perfect for the Whole Family
This season of The Librarians: The Next Chapter continues to explore a world full of magic that unapologetically pulls from mythology, literature, and religious texts. True to form, it’s unafraid of being overly referential, occasionally goofy, or of wearing its heart on its sleeve. This may be a turnoff to some who prefer their fantasy to be a bit more high-brow or grimdark, but that’s been this world’s charm ever since executive producer Noah Wyle‘s very first feature-length installment. (Speaking of, it appears we’re nowhere closer to Flynn Carsen’s return since Wyle’s busy over on The Pitt.) It’s because of this lighter tone and the occasionally unserious (though never emotionally dishonest) adventures that The Next Chapter is perfectly addictive family-friendly entertainment, not unlike its predecessor. I just wish the full season was out already.
In short, The Librarians: The Next Chapter Season 2 is an exercise in fantastical adventure that doubles as endless fun. No, it’s not as high-budget or expansive as The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, nor does it have quite the devoted following as a show like Supernatural, but this is a cult series well worth picking up. McGowen, Green, and the rest of the cast continue to leave a distinct mark on The Librarian franchise, and I wouldn’t be surprised if, in another decade or two, we’re calling for their return in The Next, Next Chapter… If you’re looking for a lighthearted drama with characters worth rooting for week-in and week-out, look no further.
The Librarians: The Next Chapter Season 2 premieres on TNT on August 2, 2026.
- Release Date
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May 25, 2025
- Network
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TNT
- Showrunner
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Dean Devlin
- Writers
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Dean Devlin
- Franchise(s)
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The Librarians
-
Caroline Loncq
Elaine Astalot
-
Callum McGowan
Vikram Chamberlin
Pros & Cons
- Everything you loved about the original Librarians series is made new here.
- The main cast has great chemistry that is finally beginning to rival the original team.
- Dominic Monaghan is perfect as Merlin. We can’t wait to see what he does next.
- The promise of returning franchise cast members is an exciting one.
- Noah Wylie is an executive producer, but would it kill him to come back as Flynn Carsen?
- Repetitive themes could derail longterm character development, but it’s still quite early in the season to tell.
Let’s be honest, very few blockbuster films have inspired as many arguments as Prometheus. Even now, people can’t seem to agree on whether it’s an underrated science-fiction masterpiece or a total missed opportunity. Maybe it’s both? One minute it’s exploring humanity’s origins and the meaning of creation, the next somebody is trying to pet what is very obviously an angry alien snake. Some of us just wanted xenomorphs.
14 years later, with none of those arguments going away, the $403 million sci-fi epic has become a worldwide streaming hit once again, introducing a new generation of viewers to Ridley Scott’s long-awaited return to the Alien universe while giving longtime fans another excuse to dissect every clue, theory, and philosophical question hidden throughout the film.
In fairness to Scott, he did something different. He didn’t go for the haunted house, one person hunted by an alien thing, but something far more ambitious. Our heroes are the doomed crew of the research vessel Prometheus as they travel to a distant moon after discovering a series of ancient star maps in Scotland that seem to appear across multiple civilizations. Upon arriving, they’re hoping to encounter the mysterious, weird-looking engineers who were responsible for creating humanity, but instead, they find a f*cked up science experiment that leads directly to doom.
The stacked cast includes Noomi Rapace (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) as Dr. Elizabeth Shaw, Michael Fassbender (Steve Jobs) as David, Charlize Theron (Mad Max: Fury Road) as Meredith Vickers, Idris Elba (Luther) as Captain Janek, Guy Pearce (Memento) as Peter Weyland, Logan Marshall-Green (Upgrade) as Charlie Holloway, Sean Harris (Mission: Impossible – Fallout) as Fifield, and Rafe Spall (The Big Short) as Millburn.
Was ‘Prometheus’ Well-Received?
Despite the fact audiences were divided over the movie — some thought it a masterpiece, others a complete letdown that had nothing to do with Alien — Prometheus was a significant commercial success. The film grossed approximately $403 million worldwide, including around $126.5 million in North America. That was more than enough to convince 20th Century Fox to greenlight the 2017 sequel, Alien: Covenant, as well as gross a profit on a budget of $120 million.
Critical opinion was considerably more positive than many people remember, too. Prometheus holds a 73% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, earning a Certified Fresh rating thanks to widespread praise for Scott’s stunning visuals, Fassbender’s truly unsettling performance as David, and the film’s willingness to tackle ambitious philosophical ideas. Despite that, though, the screenplay, the deliberately unresolved mysteries, and the bizarre choices the characters made over the course of the film were points of contention.
Prometheus is available to stream now.
- Release Date
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June 8, 2012
- Runtime
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124 minutes
- Writers
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Jon Spaihts, Damon Lindelof, Ronald Shusett, Dan O’Bannon
- Producers
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David Giler, Walter Hill
Ant Anstead sparked an A-list romance with Renée Zellweger following his split from Christina Haack and the pair are still going strong.
Anstead and Haack, who share son Hudson, were married for nearly two years before they announced their separation in September 2020. Anstead didn’t stay single for long, as he and Zellweger first sparked dating rumors in June 2021, the same month his divorce was finalized.
Zellweger has had many famous romances of her own. In addition to her brief marriage to Kenny Chesney in 2005, the Oscar winner has been romantically connected to famous faces such as Jim Carrey, Jack White and Bradley Cooper over the years.
While Zellweger has kept her and Anstead’s relationship as private as possible, the British TV host has let fans in from time to time via social media. He called Zellweger the “best human” he knows in April 2026 as the pair celebrated five years together.
Scroll down for a closer look at Anstead and Zellweger’s romance:
Many bands and artists define classic rock through their impact on the genre. They provide a body of work that is timeless, groundbreaking, and impactful; they continue to influence the future of music. One such band is Queen. Originally comprised of Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon, Queen has given the world everything from some of the greatest arena rock anthems to karaoke staples, all thanks to their signature sound. Infusing a healthy blend of hard rock, jazz, blues, pop, glam, and much more, Queen had a style that many tried to replicate, but very few could achieve.
If you love Queen, there are ten artists and bands you must listen to. From a soaring vocalist who once fronted the band to a singer who lifted their name from a Queen track, bands who created their own rock rhapsodies to rival bands who never saw the same amount of praise, these incredible artists serve as the perfect companion to Freddie and the boys. How many have you included on your playlists?
1
Adam Lambert
There has always been a stigma around reality television and the value of the individuals who make a name for themselves because of it. Sometimes, especially when it comes to talent competitions, the show simply serves as a launching pad for the next step. Such was the case for Adam Lambert. Appearing on the eighth season of American Idol, Lambert rose to fame as the runner-up of the series. He was a trailblazer as an openly gay contestant, serving as a beacon for the LGBTQ+ community. During his run on the show, he was constantly praised for his powerhouse vocals that reignited modern glam rock in the mainstream. With extraordinary vocal range, a powerful tone, innate theatricality, and a presence that commanded the stage, it was inevitable that he would be compared to Mercury. It’s why May and Taylor eventually chose him to tour as Queen + Adam Lambert. He has never tried to be Mercury, but he is one of the rare few who can sing the songbook with ease.
Before joining Queen, Lambert had a string of successful solo albums that defined his artistry. His Grammy-nominated debut album, For Your Entertainment, kicked off his reign in pop music with the dramatic high-voltage “For Your Entertainment” that introduced his voice to the world and the anthem “Whataya Want From Me” that established him on the pop scene. With every subsequent track and album, from “Ghost Town” to “Trespassing,” Lambert brought an aura of Queen’s signature style. He had a swagger similar to Mercury and a three-octave range that allowed him to soar to the vocal rafters. Chances are, if you’re already a die-hard Queen fan, you’re familiar with Lambert and respect that he’s no imitation of the late, great Mercury. On stage, Lambert brings natural glam rock drama and bold fashion that would certainly have made Mercury proud.
2
David Bowie
Back in the day, being out and proud in rock and roll was quite taboo, but you knew who might be. Like Mercury, David Bowie fell into that camp. Rather than allow it to define them, they used their identity to create incredible art. Like Queen, Bowie provided the blueprint for theatrical glam rock, a shared mastery of massive vocal performances, and a genre-blending sound that never stayed in the same box. Together, Bowie and Queen co-wrote and sang one of rock history’s greatest anthems: “Under Pressure.” Their mutual artistic admiration came alive in the track, becoming a top entry for both. But Bowie’s solo work is equally fabulous.
Like Mercury, Bowie used his artistic platform to constantly reinvent his music, fashion, and persona. He blended underground art trends with catchy pop melodies, broke gender and social norms, and created alter-egos to help establish new sounds. Bowie treated his entire life and career as an evolving piece of performance art. His body of work helped to define glam and pop rock. From infusing some science fiction wonderment in tracks like “Space Oddity” and “Life on Mars?” to epic anthems like “Heroes” and “Changes,” like Queen, storytelling was a major part of Bowie’s work. Even by the time the ’80s rolled around, Bowie did his own thing with “Let’s Dance.” Bowie’s catalog is a brilliant mix of joy, fun, and introspection. Bowie was an iconic glam rock figure who will forever be a perfect companion artist to Queen.
3
Electric Light Orchestra
Rock and roll often stuck with the basic instruments, like guitars and drums. But in the heyday of classic rock, some bands explored and integrated other instruments to mark their signature sound. That’s exactly what Electric Light Orchestra did. The British band, also known as ELO, mixed rock and roll with classical instruments like violins and cellos, eventually infusing futuristic space themes to define their iconic artistry. Originally formed by multi-instrumentalists Jeff Lynne and Roy Wood and drummer Bev Bevan, ELO used their name as a pun that referenced both electric light and “light orchestral music.” ELO took studio craft to the next level to make radio-friendly, grand pop symphonies. In turn, their catalog remains timeless. By easily crossing musical boundaries, ELO was able to transform while delivering anthemic hooks that filled stadiums with euphoria.
To pinpoint their greatest hit is nearly impossible, but if there is one song that reflects their closeness to Queen, it might be “Mr. Blue Sky.” An upbeat, joyful pop masterpiece from Out of the Blue, the heavy pounding piano, famous robotic vocoder, and massive choral harmonies serve as a reminder that rock and roll can be bigger than just the basics. They continued to make hit after hit to create a diverse songbook for every mood. “Don’t Bring Me Down” delivered a punchy, heavy-beat rock track that became one of their biggest chart successes. “Evil Woman” was a funky, piano-driven groove that told the story of complex heartbreak. “Turn to Stone” provided a fast-paced, multi-layered track packed with operatic vocal harmonies and synthesizers. If there is anything that brought out their theatricality like Queen, it was their contribution to the film Xanadu. From the titular track to “I’m Alive” and “All Over the World,” ELO continued their symphonic rock into a narrative that still stood on its own.
4
Lady Gaga
What’s in a name? Well, for Lady Gaga, everything! Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta took on the moniker of Lady Gaga all thanks to the iconic queen track, “Radio Gaga.” Her stage name was inspired by her former producer and boyfriend, Rob Fusari, who began calling her “Gaga” because her theatrical vocal style and delivery reminded him of Mercury. She had played as herself, but becoming Lady Gaga was the chance to reinvent herself. Little did she know it was the start of a prosperous career. Lady Gaga combines a powerful, classically trained voice and high-level musicianship with fearless visual reinvention, rich songwriting prowess, and a unique ability to span multiple genres from electric pop to jazz, country to rock and roll. There are quite a few individuals who define the 21st century, but Lady Gaga is a tried-and-true legend, icon, and star. Lady Gaga treats every performance like a theatrical experience. With larger-than-life staging and production, Lady Gaga has made a name for herself because you expect the unexpected.
When it comes to her musical connection to Queen, the clearest one comes in the form of her collaboration with Brian May on “You and I.” The rock anthem from Born This Way samples Queen’s “We Will Rock You” as well as features May on electric guitar. And if you know Queen well, May’s signature style operates as the heartbeat of the track. It’s a downtempo power ballad that evokes the spirit of Queen that established Lady Gaga as more than just a pop star. Like Queen, Lady Gaga’s ability to bring new experimental sounds and styles with every track has allowed her to showcase her skillset. And like Mercury, Lady Gaga is unafraid of inventing her own lyrical language in order to hook the audience. Just listen to “Bad Romance” or “Abracadabra,” and it’ll be reminiscent of Mercury’s gibberish. Like Mercury, she is a powerhouse vocalist who can literally sing anything. Even the classics and standards. Her operatic, dramatic punch makes every song a musical moment. She famously covered “Another One Bites the Dust” on tour. We’re ready to hear her vocal prowess on another iconic Queen song.
5
Mika
If there has ever been the second coming of Freddie Mercury, look no further than Mika. Even in his 2007 single “Grace Kelly,” he was quite aware that comparisons would be made. “So I tried a little Freddie. I’ve gone identity mad!” Fortunately, he followed it up with the vocals to prove it. The Lebanon-born singer has always had the music in him. He learned to play the piano and write music as a young child to cope with bullying and dyslexia. The classically trained singer came on the scene and immediately established himself as a global superstar. Known for a high-energy pop sound with a multi-octave range, Mika blends genres with ease. As a songwriter, Mika infuses deep, satirical themes with catchy, upbeat melodies to create an iconic, colorful style that stands out among male artists.
Mika’s musical styling blends pop, disco, and glam rock, making you want to get up and dance. With a songbook of earworm-worthy hits, Mika is known for timeless pop that is pure joy. By bursting on the scene with “Grace Kelly,” Mika evoked Mercury with his theatricality as a vocalist. The debut album, Life in Cartoon Motion, featured several punchy pop hits with themes similar to Queen’s, like “Love Today” and “Big Girl (You Are Beautiful).” Though much of his success has been found outside of the United States, Mika has continued to deliver extraordinary albums, each bringing a newfound sound. “We Are Golden” made way for an explosive, anthemic pop statement. Both “Origin of Love” and “Tiny Love ” infused experimental operatic sounds into hypnotic tones that had similarities to “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Mika wrote the song “Last Party” as an emotional, direct homage to Mercury. Mika serves as a beacon for representation in music as an openly gay artist, continuing to make music that resonates with the LGBTQ+ community.
6
Muse
Rock and roll at the tail end of the ’90s and beginning of the 21st century was evolving from grunge rock to Alt and emo, but there was one band that established its own sound with a hint of classic rock: Muse. Comprised of Matt Bellamy, Chris Wolstenholme, and Dominic Howard, the British band is known for mixing rock, heavy metal, progressive rock, and electronic music with classical ideals. Famous for big, dramatic live shows and songs with themes of space, science fiction, and government control, Muse seamlessly crossed over between genres. Frontman Bellamy’s virtuosic guitar and classical piano skills paired with his soaring, dramatic falsetto gave the band its theatricality. Considered one of the best live acts in the world, they may not have the same flair as Mercury and Queen did, but their showmanship and presence brought them into the same realm.
Each of their albums features anthemic hits that run the gamut of styles. “United States of Eurasia” features sweeping multi-vocal harmonies and a piano style directly inspired by Queen’s majestic era. “Knights of Cydonia” evokes a wild space-western rock journey with a galloping riff. “Uprising” is a stomping, sci-fi political anthem with a huge synth hook. “Starlight” is a driving, emotional piano-rock singalong. If there’s a song that is most Queen-like, “Madness” is a slow-burning, electronic-heavy ballad that builds into a huge wall of sound, accompanied by Bellamy’s pitch-perfect top notes. One of their underappreciated but symphonic rock anthems is “Survival,” the official song of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. It’s a thunderous camp cacophony of swelling strings, battle drums, and chugging guitar that evoked the spirit of competition. Muse’s masterful artistry will make you feel as if you’re back in the heyday of Queen.
7
My Chemical Romance
There may be some fans who don’t see the similarities, but My Chemical Romance is an alternative emo rock band with a love for high-drama rock and multi-layered song structures that blend punk energy with cinematic flair. Hailing from New Jersey, My Chemical Romance is made up of lead singer Gerard Way, lead guitarist Ray Toro, bass player Mikey Way, and rhythm guitar player Frank Iero. Combining massive theatrical concepts, deeply emotional and poetic lyricism, and aggressive yet melodic punk instrumentation, MCR has an innate ability to build immersive visual worlds for each album that elevated them beyond the standard rock music of the 2000s. MCR defined epic rock for the 21st century.
MCR continuously evolved their sound across four distinct records, from raw post-hardcore to pop-punk, grand rock, and neon-punk satire. Like Queen, it prevented their sound from ever feeling stale. The essential album is The Black Parade, thanks to its game-changing hit “Welcome to the Black Parade.” Widely celebrated as the band’s magnum opus and grand theatricality, the song’s musical movements brought out the very essence of Queen. Their signature masterpiece mirrors “Bohemian Rhapsody” with the piano intro, sudden shifts in tone, soaring vocal choirs, and complex guitar leads. Other richly theatrical hits include “Teenagers,” “Mama,” “Sing,” and “I’m Not Okay (I Promise).” Though they may be rougher around the edges, MCR’s raw passion and vulnerability provide a vital sense of belonging and comfort for outsiders and those individuals struggling. They made their music sing out to those who needed it.
8
Panic! At the Disco
One of the defining pop rock bands of the 21st century is Las Vegas’ own Panic! At the Disco. Fronted by lead vocalist Brendon Urie and his powerful four-octave vocal range, Panic! At the Disco effortlessly moved from emo and dance-punk to Beatles-esque and big-band electro-punk. Known for their theatrical flair, Panic! At the Disco infused vaudeville, circus aesthetics, and Broadway-style production into alternative rock music. Urie’s enduring vocal prowess helped the band skyrocket to success. Plus, his live-singing stamina and multi-octave range mirrored Mercury in all the right ways. Though the band eventually evolved into a solo project for Urie, his stamp was always heard in his musical ability on various instruments, including guitar, bass, piano, drums, and accordion, which allowed for a tight, creative approach that ignited the appeal for their unique style.
To kick off their run, “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” emerged as the ultimate 2000s emo-pop hit, paired with its unforgettable circus vibes. Then, with a more sunny disposition, Panic! brought a baroque pop shift into “Nine in the Afternoon.” “The Ballad of Mona Lisa” had a driving rhythm and dark cabaret aesthetic like Queen’s “Killer Queen.” During the crooner era, Urie dazzled with his Frank Sinatra-like vocals on the jazz-meets-modern rock “Death of a Bachelor.” And it all ended with “High Hopes,” Panic!’s biggest Billboard chart success. The song was built on massive brass horns and its uplifting message. Like Queen, Panic! At the Disco had its musical quirks. The musicality and high-energy arrangements always felt like a grand show. They twisted and turned through unexpected changes in mood and tempo with bold instruments to capture a signature sound that was beloved by many.
9
Scissor Sisters
Modern glam rock was ushered in by the New York band Scissor Sisters. Comprised originally of Jake Shears, Babydaddy, Del Marquis, Ana Matronic, and Paddy Boom, the band is best known for blending glam rock, disco, and club culture through energetic dance hits. Having had legendary collaborations with the likes of Elton John and Kylie Minogue and turning a Pink Floyd track, “Comfortably Numb,” into a pulsating dance track, Scissor Sisters’ bold musicality and genre-bending sound made them a hit global act. Pioneering modern queer pop music with theatrical flair, sharp wit, and fearless authenticity, Scissor Sisters’ enduring legacy is all thanks to bringing an unapologetic LGBTQ+ nightlife aesthetic to mainstream charts long before it was common.
Throughout their career, glam rock has remained at the core of their sound as they introduced a bevy of different genres along the way. One of their early hits, “Take Your Mama,” was a piano-driven, country-glam singalong. Before that, “Laura” introduced their theatrical, unique sound and established their direct connection to the British classic rock band. They achieved massive appeal with the disco-pop smash “I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’.” With an infectious hook and joyful approach, it became their staple until their viral spoken-word-infused dance bop “Let’s Have a Kiki.” Scissor Sisters is a group effort, but vocally, Shears epitomizes the fearlessness to deliver extraordinary Mercury-like performances. Like Freddie, Shears and co. embrace elaborate costumes, campy humor, and larger-than-life stage presence. Scissor Sisters is all about queer joy.
10
T. Rex
You’ve certainly heard their music, but you may not know them by name. And that’s why T. Rex is perhaps the most underrated band of the classic rock era. Formed in London by singer and songwriter Marc Bolan, the group started as an acoustic folk and psychedelic duo called Tyrannosaurus Rex before shifting gears to become the glam rock pioneers of the early 1970s. The band was celebrated for their irresistible grooves, catchy pop hooks, and a flamboyant, theatrical aesthetic that forever changed music. They invited traditional rock lovers to adopt high-energy, glitter-draped rock and roll. And they did. They mastered infectious, stripped-down boogie rhythms that made their songs instantly recognizable and deeply danceable. Before Mercury brought the razzle-dazzle, it was Bolan. He combined poetic, mystical lyrics with glitter, top hats, and feather boas.
T.Rex set the stage with “Ride a White Swan.” The song bridged the gap between their distinctive style and 1960s psychedelic folk-rock with the swagger of ’50s pop. It pushed Bolan away from his previous image as an acoustic hippie troubadour into a glam rock superstar. Then, they found massive international acclaim with the smash hit “Get It On,” featuring a relentless, driving groove and a catchy, swaggering chorus. Not everything was fast-paced as songs like “Cosmic Dancer” brought an emotionally resonant feeling to their sound. They then tapped into a heavier rock sound with “20th Century Boy” and the defiant stomper “Children of the Revolution.” Bolan broke gender norms with his style, paving the way for Mercury to embrace bold style on stage without fear. T. Rex and Queen rejected gritty, serious realism in favor of larger-than-life musical fantasy worlds populated by royalty and cosmic dancers.
Sometimes, a movie that people would have preferred went home without any prestigious awards instead end up snatching not just any award, but an Oscar, almost inarguably the single most prestigious award in the film industry. On a few rarer yet sadder occasions, a film gets to take not just one Academy Award home, but multiple. Typically, when a movie wins two or more Oscars, it’s a sign that it’s at least decent; but there are some that defy that rule.
From films that are so mediocre that they just barely count as “bad,” such as The Iron Lady; to ones that are almost universally panned, like Emilia Pérez, there are thankfully only a handful of low-tier films which have won more than one Academy Award. That handful, however, is nonetheless a stain on the history of an awards ceremony that has otherwise been somewhat successful at only rewarding films that are at least solid.
8
‘The Iron Lady’ (2011)
Setting aside the fact that Margaret Thatcher is not exactly one of the most universally-loved historical figures of modern times, making a biopic based on her life and work an inherently divisive concept, The Iron Lady is still not a good movie in any sense imaginable. With its 51% score from both critics and audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s one of the lowest-rated Oscar-winning movies on the platform.
That hate is well-deserved. The film won a well-earned Best Makeup and Hairstyling Oscar, but it also represented Meryl Streep‘s third-ever Academy Award victory, for a performance that low-key deserved a Razzie nomination instead. Her take on Thatcher feels more like a cartoonish impersonation than a true embodiment of such a complicated woman, but it’s not like the script gave her much to work with, anyway. There’s no depth or political analysis in this shallow, awfully boring biopic melodrama that sacrifices creativity in the name of pandering to the Academy.
7
‘One Night of Love’ (1934)
Since cinema was still such a remarkably young medium at the time of the Academy Awards’ creation in 1929, and Academy voters were only starting to figure out which kinds of films deserved Oscars and which ones didn’t, there were many award winners from the 1930s which have aged poorly. Case in point: the romantic musical One Night of Love, one of the worst Oscar-winning movies of all time.
There’s some merit to a few of the tunes of this grand opera-like musical, but these musical segments struggle to carry a story that’s so clichéd, so predictable, and so awfully dated in virtually every way. The movie won Best Sound Recording and the first Best Original Score Oscar ever, both of which were deserved-enough wins. But the film overall has lost all of its luster and magic as the years have passed, today standing as nothing more than a star vehicle for Grace Moore and her admittedly legendary singing talent.
6
‘Anthony Adverse’ (1936)
As if any more proof were needed that the ’30s arguably had the highest concentration of Oscar-winning films that have aged awfully, there’s also Anthony Adverse, one of the decade’s most hated Hollywood movies nowadays. Clocking in at nearly two-and-a-half hours, this epic is based on the 1933 historical epic book of the same name by Hervey Allen, though it’s an epic in name only. Thanks to its lifeless story and disjointed pacing, it holds an 18% rate of approval from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. There are those who would argue it deserves even less.
Trying to cram such a massive 1,200-page epic novel into a single film was always going to be a difficult task to succeed at, but director Mervyn LeRoy found ways to fail in surprisingly spectacular fashion still. The whole film feels painfully rambling and episodic, like a cinematic CliffsNotes summary of the book without any of the heart, emotion, or complex character arcs.
5
‘Wilson’ (1944)
Throughout history, there have been some biopics based on the lives of famous United States Presidents which have been genuinely great films. Wilson, the Woodrow Wilson biopic, is not one such movie. Starring character actor Alexander Knox in one of the few leading roles that he ever played, the film had such an unusually high budget that it inevitably ended up becoming a box office disaster.
Even still, it made its way to a whopping five Academy Awards, including Best Cinematography and Best Original Screenplay. Technically, it’s a strong enough film; but clocking in at two and a half hours and offering pretty much no entertainment value for anyone who’s not a hardcore fan of the history of US Presidents, it’s a bit of a chore to sit through. Poorly paced, hugely propagandistic, and with even less political nuance than The Iron Lady, it’s one of the most awfully boring films ever to win so many Academy Awards.
4
‘Crash’ (2004)
At this point, Crash has become such an infamous movie that you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who watched it and didn’t dislike it, or anyone who hasn’t watched it and is somehow willing to. It’s one of the Best Picture Oscar winners that have aged like milk the most, a movie whose heavy-handed message boils down to nothing more complex than just “racism bad.” It’s the sort of drama whose themes could be put on a poster without dumbing them down any further.
And yet, in spite of its painful lack of subtlety, the Academy just ate Crash up. Aside from Picture, it also won Best Editing and Original Screenplay, all three wins being among the most puzzling of the 21st century thus far. There are some solid performances here that at least make the film somewhat tolerable, but as the years have passed, Crash has only gotten worse with age.
3
‘Cavalcade’ (1933)
Based on Noël Coward‘s stage play, Cavalcade is a decades-spanning period epic which was an overwhelming critical and financial success upon release. As the years have passed and audiences’ preferences and sensibilities have shifted, opinions on this winner of three Academy Awards have only gotten less favorable. All in all, it’s one of the most disappointing Best Picture wins of all time, one of those duds that Oscar completionists have to painfully sit through in order to fulfill their ambition of watching every Best Picture winner ever.
In many ways, one can attribute the terrible way in which Cavalcade has aged to its being an adaptation of a play. In its efforts to conserve the theatrical spirit of the source material, its melodramatic story ends up feeling unbearably saccharine while its subpar performances feel stiff by comparison. Add to that a dated romantization of the British Empire and social inequities, and you get a film that has aged just about as poorly as any Best Picture winner possibly could.
2
‘Cimarron’ (1931)
The 1930s saw several terrible films claw their way to Oscar glory, but out of all the ones that managed to earn two or more Academy Awards, Best Picture winner Cimarron is easily the worst. If one where to rank every Best Picture-winning Western, this one would have to be at the very bottom. Tonally uneven and filled to the brim with offensive racist stereotypes, it’s a testament to every dimension of the Western genre that has become thematically problematic in retrospect.
But even if it weren’t racist—which it is—, Cimarron would still feel like an awfully archaic disaster by modern standards. Its pacing is glacially slow, its protagonist is deeply unlikable, its celebration of colonialism is repulsive, and its overwhelmingly serious tone makes it pretty much impossible to enjoy any substantial parts of it. Cimarron must have seemed like a tremendous achievement back in 1931, but it has been almost a century since then, and audiences have come to demand infinitely better Best Picture winners.
1
‘Emilia Pérez’ (2024)
One would have had to live under a rock throughout the entirety of the 2024-25 awards season in order to not have heard something about the infamous Emilia Pérez. Awfully racist, awfully transphobic, and awful in virtually every way imaginable, this is one of the worst musical movies in history, even in spite of the fact that it made its way to a record-breaking 13 Academy Award nominations. Thankfully, it only won two of those.
But even still, if the world were any fairer of a place, Emilia Pérez would have had to be content with only a few Razzie nominations. Alas, the Academy found its shallow commentary on gender roles and thinly-researched critique of organized crime in Mexico (made by a French filmmaker with next to zero knowledge of the actual situation) absolutely irresistible. Never has a decision to award any film with multiple Oscars been this objectionable.
Emilia Perez
- Release Date
-
November 13, 2024
- Runtime
-
130 Minutes
- Director
-
Jacques Audiard
- Writers
-
Jacques Audiard, Thomas Bidegain, Léa Mysius
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