Entertainment
Woman Asked to Call Dad After She Killed Bride in DUI Crash
A woman repeatedly asked to call her dad after she killed a bride while driving under the influence in May 2023, according to bodycam footage that captured the aftermath of the tragedy.
On the night of April 28, 2023, bride Samantha Miller, her groom Aric Hutchinson and two others were in a golf cart on the way to their wedding reception in Folly Beach, South Carolina, when Jamie Lee Komoroski crashed into them. Miller, 34, died in the crash.
Komoroski, 27, pleaded guilty to DUI causing death, two felony charges for a DUI causing great bodily injury and another charge for reckless homicide in December 2024.
More than three years after the crash, recently released bodycam footage revealed the immediate aftermath of the crash and Komoroski’s arrest.
In one part of the footage obtained by Live 5 News, Komoroski was heard screaming “is she OK?” She also told the officers that she had only had one drink and a beer in the hour leading up to the crash.
However, police ultimately determined that Komoroski’s blood-alcohol level was three times the legal limit in South Carolina, according to WCSC.
Another video showed Komoroski sitting inside a car with her feet outside as she asked an officer if she could call her father. After the officer said she couldn’t, she asked why she couldn’t speak to her father and the officer said it was because she was under arrest.
“For what?” Komoroski asked. The officer then said she had been arrested for a DUI, and she responded by asking, “How do you know?”
The bodycam footage continued to document her in the police station. Komoroski refused to sit upon her arrival and she started crying once she finally sat down. “I just want to go home,” she said.
Komoroski once again demanded to call her dad, though the officer said that was “not gonna happen right now.”
She did not take the answer well and continued to demand that she had “the right to call my father.” The officer once again said no, and she asked “why not.”
Following the tragedy, Hutchinson filed a wrongful death suit against Komoroski and a handful of South Carolina bars after Komoroski was reportedly “bar hopping” before she got behind the wheel.
A settlement was reached in December 2025, and Komoroski’s vehicle insurer was ordered to pay $160,000 to Hutchinson. Hutchinson was set to receive $104,586.67 of the $160,000, while the remaining funds would be used to cover attorney fees and other costs.
The December 2025 settlement came after a judge approved settlements from the bars The Drop-In, the Crab Shack and Snapper Jacks. Additional settlements had been approved with Progressive Auto Insurance and Enterprise Rent-A-Car during a motion hearing that was held in 2024.
Entertainment
10 R-Rated Drama Movies That Can Be Called Masterpieces
Movies with the word drama attached to them get reduced to sadness far too often. Give an actor a breakdown, add heavy music, and people start throwing around words like powerful. The real masterpieces, however, earn that reaction through character, consequence, and choices that feel impossible even when nobody is holding a weapon.
These ten films go after ambition, grief, race, captivity, mental health, crime, greed, genocide, and family power without turning people into tidy lessons. Some are brutal. A few are surprisingly funny. All of them offer enough detail, emotion, and moral tension to make another viewing feel useful rather than repetitive. Scroll down slowly if that interests you.
10
‘Whiplash’ (2014)
Whiplash centers on Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller), a young jazz drummer at an elite New York conservatory who becomes obsessed with earning the approval of instructor Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons). Fletcher uses insults, humiliation, manipulation, and physical intimidation while claiming that comfort destroys greatness. Andrew accepts more abuse than anyone should because he wants to become exceptional more than he wants a healthy life.
The drumming is filmed with the urgency of an action movie. Sweat lands on cymbals, fingers bleed, chairs fly, and every change in tempo feels dangerous. Damien Chazelle also keeps the central argument uncomfortable. Fletcher is abusive, but Andrew’s ambition exists independently of him. He is already willing to neglect relationships, health, and basic decency for recognition. The role brought J.K. Simmons an Academy Award, though the lasting debate belongs to the film itself. Is this artistic triumph, emotional ruin, or both happening at once? Whiplash gives you enough evidence to argue all night.
9
‘Manchester by the Sea’ (2016)
Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) works as a handyman in Boston and keeps almost everyone at a distance. After his brother Joe Chandler (Kyle Chandler) dies, Lee returns to Manchester-by-the-Sea and learns that he has been named guardian of his teenage nephew Patrick Chandler (Lucas Hedges). Going home also forces him back into the community where an unbearable personal tragedy destroyed his marriage and his ability to imagine a normal future.
Kenneth Lonergan understands that grief rarely behaves like a clean dramatic journey. Lee can handle practical problems, trade sarcastic remarks with Patrick, and get through a conversation before one familiar street or unexpected encounter knocks the air out of him. Patrick’s own mourning looks different. He worries about girlfriends, hockey, the family boat, and the disruption of his routine. That contrast keeps the film alive and occasionally very funny. Manchester by the Sea respects the fact that some injuries cannot be converted into inspiring recovery stories. It asks for compassion without manufacturing a cure, which is far more honest.
8
‘Moonlight’ (2016)
Moonlight tells Chiron (Alex Hibbert, Ashton Sanders, and Trevante Rhodes)’s story across three stages of his life in Miami. As a child, he is bullied and neglected. During adolescence, questions around sexuality and masculinity become harder to avoid. Adulthood brings a carefully built exterior that hides how much of the frightened boy remains underneath. Three actors portray Chiron, yet the emotional line between them never breaks.
Barry Jenkins adapted an unpublished play by Tarell Alvin McCraney, whose own childhood helped shape the world of the film. Juan (Mahershala Ali), a drug dealer who offers Chiron protection, is also connected to the addiction destroying Chiron’s mother. Kevin (Jaden Piner, Jharrel Jerome, and André Holland) brings tenderness into a life where tenderness can become dangerous the moment someone else sees it. Moonlight refuses to explain every silence. A glance across a diner table can hold years of loneliness, shame, desire, and hope without turning the conversation into a speech. It is intimate, specific, and generous enough to let Chiron remain complicated. Give it your full attention and it will reward every quiet second.
7
’12 Years a Slave’ (2013)
Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is a free Black musician living with his wife and children in New York when two men lure him to Washington, drug him, and sell him into slavery. He is beaten for insisting on his identity, transported south, and forced to survive under several enslavers while searching for any chance to prove who he is. The film comes from Northup’s 1853 memoir, which gives the story the weight of recorded testimony rather than invented suffering.
Directed by Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave refuses to make survival look simple or morally clean. Solomon has to stay intelligent without appearing threatening, preserve dignity while obeying cruel commands, and decide when helping someone else could get both of them killed. Patsey (Lupita Nyong’o) faces even worse treatment under Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender), and her pain exposes the sexual violence built into slavery alongside forced labor and physical punishment. The long, unbroken shots deny viewers an easy escape from what is happening. This is demanding cinema, but the demand is justified. History becomes personal, immediate, and impossible to soften.
6
‘The Shawshank Redemption’ (1994)
Banker Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) receives two life sentences for the murders of his wife and her lover, then enters Shawshank prison insisting he did not kill them. Inside, he befriends longtime inmate Ellis Redding (Morgan Freeman), known as Red, and slowly learns how the institution operates. Violence comes from prisoners, guards, and officials who benefit from keeping everyone frightened and dependent.
Its reputation can make The Shawshank Redemption sound safer than it is. The film deals with rape, suicide, corruption, institutionalization, and the slow erosion of a person’s belief that life outside prison still belongs to them. Andy’s financial skills give him a degree of protection, though they also make him useful to people with no intention of letting him go. Red’s narration brings warmth without hiding how thoroughly prison has shaped his thinking. Frank Darabont adapted Stephen King’s novella into a story about friendship and patience that has earned its popularity honestly. Watch it again and notice how much pain sits underneath the famous hope.
5
‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ (1975)
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is funny enough to lower your guard and devastating enough to make that decision hurt. The ward will feel different after you leave it. Randle McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) enters a psychiatric hospital after being transferred from prison, hoping the ward will offer an easier environment than hard labor. He quickly challenges Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher), whose calm routines and group sessions keep the patients obedient while presenting control as treatment. McMurphy encourages gambling, laughter, drinking, rebellion, and the dangerous idea that the men may have more agency than they believe.
The conflict has more depth than one rebellious hero fighting one cold authority figure. McMurphy inspires the other patients, but he also treats the ward as a stage for his own ego. Ratched’s cruelty rarely arrives through shouting. She uses shame, personal information, and institutional power while maintaining the appearance of professionalism. Miloš Forman’s adaptation lets the group become a real community, which makes every small change in Billy Bibbit (Brad Dourif), Chief Bromden (Will Sampson), Martini (Danny DeVito), and Cheswick (Sydney Lassick) feel important.
4
‘Goodfellas’ (1990)
Goodfellas traces Henry Hill (Ray Liotta)’s life from a Brooklyn teenager fascinated by gangsters to an adult living inside organized crime. The attraction is immediate. Mob life offers money, respect, excitement, and a community that seems far more powerful than the ordinary world. It also depends on violence, fear, addiction, betrayal, and the knowledge that friendship can disappear the second prison or money enters the conversation.
Martin Scorsese and co-writer Nicholas Pileggi adapted Hill’s story from the nonfiction book Wiseguy, keeping the thrill and ugliness pressed together. Henry’s narration invites the audience into the lifestyle before the film starts exposing its cost. Karen Hill (Lorraine Bracco)’s viewpoint adds another layer as attraction turns into complicity, isolation, and terror. The tracking shots, music choices, sudden violence, and dark humor create a pace that barely lets anyone breathe. Goodfellas never asks viewers to admire these people from a safe distance. It lets the seduction happen first, then shows exactly what was hiding inside the invitation.
3
‘There Will Be Blood’ (2007)
Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) begins as a silver miner and becomes an oilman during the early twentieth-century California oil boom. He buys land, builds wells, manipulates communities, and presents himself as a family businessman while treating nearly every relationship as a transaction. His main opponent is Eli Sunday (Paul Dano), a young preacher whose church offers a different route to influence over the same frightened town.
Daniel’s hatred of other people is almost as strong as his appetite for wealth. Success gives him control without bringing satisfaction, and competition keeps becoming personal even when cooperation would be more profitable. Paul Thomas Anderson drew loosely from Upton Sinclair’s Oil! and created something far more focused on ambition, faith, performance, and American power. The drilling scenes are loud, dangerous, and full of practical detail. The conversations are even more hostile. Daniel Day-Lewis and Paul Dano turn business meetings and religious ceremonies into open combat. Few films make achievement look this impressive and this spiritually empty. There Will Be Blood is a feast for anyone who likes character studies with real bite.
2
‘Schindler’s List’ (1993)
Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) arrives in Kraków during World War II looking for profit. He joins the Nazi Party, builds relationships with German officers, and employs Jewish workers because they cost less than Polish laborers. As persecution turns into mass murder, his factory gradually becomes a place where names on a list can mean the difference between life and death.
Steven Spielberg filmed most of the story in black and white, drawing on documentary imagery while keeping the focus on individual lives inside the Holocaust. Schindler begins as a charming opportunist, and his change comes through witnessing what the system he benefits from is actually doing. Itzhak Stern (Ben Kingsley) understands the value of the factory long before Schindler fully accepts the responsibility attached to it. Amon Göth (Ralph Fiennes) represents power with every moral limit removed. The girl in the red coat appears briefly, but the image cuts through Schindler’s distance from the killing around him. Schindler’s List is harrowing, deeply researched, and built with enormous care. It should be watched with the seriousness its subject deserves.
1
‘The Godfather’ (1972)
The Godfather introduces the Corleone family during a wedding, where celebration unfolds outside while Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) handles requests in a dark office. His youngest son Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) has returned from war and believes he stands apart from the family business. A conflict over narcotics, rival families, and political protection begins pulling him toward the world he expected to avoid. And that origin shapes the greatest trilogy the cinema has ever seen.
Its greatness reaches far beyond quotable dialogue and mob mythology. Family loyalty becomes a source of love, pressure, identity, and control. Vito understands power as a network of favors and relationships. Michael approaches it with colder focus, and every choice narrows the distance between the respectable future he described and the role waiting for him. Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo turned Puzo’s novel into a full social world shaped by immigration, masculinity, business, religion, and violence. The meals, meetings, marriages, and private warnings are as gripping as the killings. The Godfather is three hours long and somehow feels too rich to rush. Sit down with it properly and let the Corleones pull you in.
The Godfather
- Release Date
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March 24, 1972
- Runtime
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175 minutes
- Director
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Francis Ford Coppola
- Writers
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Mario Puzo, Francis Ford Coppola
Entertainment
Teens Who Traveled To Horn Island Launch Search
Warren Hudson, Jax Pitalo, and Morgan Seymour, the teens who traveled to Horn Island with Nolan Wells, have reportedly launched a search of the island as Ben Crump reacts to their hiring of Edward Andrew Paltzik, a lawyer who has represented Donald Trump.
RELATED: Nolan Wells’ Mom Shares Update After Anonymous Complaint Prompted Miss. Board Of Nursing To Open Misconduct Investigation Against Her
Teens Who Traveled With Nolan Wells Reportedly Launch Search Of Horn Island
According to TMZ, Warren Hudson, Jax Pitalo, and Morgan Seymour are reportedly investigating Horn Island on Friday. August 7. The outlet reports that the teens, along with their attorneys, Tyler Cox and Edward Andrew Paltzik, released a joint statement to the outlet. In it, they reportedly explained that they would be investigating Horn Island “as they begin investigating Nolan’s death.”
Per the outlet, the group does not intend to gather evidence during the search. Instead, the purpose of the trip is to understand the island’s “layout and dynamics.”
Ben Crump Reacts To Them Hiring Trump Attorney
Furthermore, Ben Crump reacted to the trio’s addition of Edward Andrew Paltzik to their legal team. In an interview with TMZ, Crump called the move a “distraction.” Per the Clarion Ledger, Paltzik “has handled several high-profile media cases for President Donald Trump.” This, reportedly including cases against “CBS/Paramount, The New York Times, and the BBC.” Additionally, he specializes in defamation and media cases.
“We are focused on getting to the truth of what happened to Nolan Wells. That’s all that matters… it’s all a distraction,” he told the outlet.
More On The Teens Who Traveled With Nolan Wells & Them Hiring Trump Attorney
As The Shade Room previously reported, a legal defense fundraiser was launched earlier this month for Warren Hudson, Jax Pitalo, Morgan Seymour, and others. To date, it has garnered over $160,000. And it will reportedly serve as a fund to fight wrongful death actions and to address slander and libel.
In addition, Tyler Cox and Edward Andrew Paltzik were hired to defend the teens. Per TMZ, the pair are “proud to stand with and fight for three completely innocent young men” who have “nothing whatsoever to do with the tragic death of Nolan Wells.”
RELATED: Warren Hudson’s Dad Releases Audio Of Apparent Threats Received By His Family Amid Investigation Into Death of Nolan Wells
What Do You Think Roomies?
Entertainment
‘The Pitt’ Meets ‘Sherlock’ in Fox’s 8-Season Masterpiece Series
For those who have fallen in love with the critically-acclaimed medical drama The Pitt, the news that the show has been renewed for a third season – before the Season 2 premiere, no less – was welcome, albeit tempered by the fact that it won’t premiere until January 2027. For fans of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle‘s iconic deerstalker hat-wearing detective, the news is mixed: Young Sherlock has been well-received on Prime Video, but CBS’ Watson has not been renewed for a third season, and an animated series is only in production now, with no premiere date announced as yet. So fans of both have two choices: binge all eight episodes of Young Sherlock and wait patiently for the return of Noah Wyle and company; or watch all eight seasons of a masterpiece series that combines the best of both worlds: House.
An Utterly Brilliant and Deeply Flawed Doctor Centers ‘House’
House premiered on Fox on November 16, 2004, a medical drama centered around Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie), arguably the most unconventional doctor in television history. He’s arrogant, caustic, and bitter. Severe, chronic leg pain has caused House to rely heavily on Vicodin, to the point of addiction. Hospital rules and procedures don’t apply to him, a belief that puts him at odds with Dr. Lisa Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein), the administrator of New Jersey’s Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital. He relentlessly picks at and mocks his fellow doctors, and lest you think he puts that aside for his patients, he doesn’t: House treats everyone horribly, effectively alienating everyone in his life, save for Dr. James Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard), the Department of Oncology head and the only person House can call friend.
Despite this, he is rarely challenged, for one reason: House is a medical genius. He is the Head of Diagnostic Medicine, a position that allows him to flex his brilliance against rare, mysterious conditions that others have failed at diagnosing (even in real life: doctors in Germany used clues from an episode to diagnose a patient with severe heart failure). His credo of “everybody lies,” built around the idea that patients can’t, or won’t, fully reveal all of their symptoms, leads House to make diagnoses based on subtle clues from the patient.
He’s aided by a team of diagnosticians, which over the course of the series has seen the likes of Dr. Robert Chase (Jesse Spencer), Dr. Allison Cameron (Jennifer Morrison), Dr. Eric Foreman (Omar Epps), Dr. Remy “Thirteen” Hadley (Olivia Wilde) and Dr. Lawrence Kutner (Kal Penn). The team brainstorms, pitches their own theories, tests out House’s sometimes-controversial hypotheses, and – because it takes a team – challenges House’s ideas. It’s a literally thankless position, but they stay to learn from the best.
You Can’t Look Away from ‘House’
House’s team may stay for their own reasons, but why did viewers stick around for eight seasons? Simple: you can’t look away from House, the character and the TV show. House is a decidedly unlikable character, but, in Laurie’s deft hands, there’s a vulnerability in House that keeps him from leaning so far into “villainy” that the show becomes unwatchable. And there are cracks in the veneer that we’re privy to: the empathy he shows his patients, the way he sticks up for his team (he can berate them, but God help others who do), and the charm he can turn on, if he has to. And when he’s utterly broken, as he is in Season 7’s “After Hours,” it’s gut-wrenching to watch. But there’s also a guilty pleasure in hearing Laurie’s comedic leanings in House’s sarcastic wit, if we’re being honest, and while he’s a powerhouse – no pun intended – the rest of the cast is up to the challenge.
Like The Pitt, House is intent on medical accuracy, with producers enlisting the help of Yale internist Dr. Lisa Sanders and two other technical advisers. Not that they’re completely married to the idea, with Dr. Sanders recounting one instance:
“I recall one where this boy is depicted as having a rash in his mouth that they were calling ‘bacterial vaginosis.’ That’s a total violation of language. You can’t get that disease in your mouth. I wrote a long e-mail to the producer and he wrote back to say, ‘Yeah, but it’s funnier my way.’ It made me crazy. But, of course, he was right: His way was funnier.”
The show’s likening of House to Sherlock Holmes is intentional, with Collider suggesting that House even “quietly outplayed” Benedict Cumberbatch‘s iteration of the character. The way he solves mysteries, his own Dr. Watson in Dr. Wilson, and even the Vicodin addiction, a nod to Sherlock’s use of a 7% solution of cocaine. All that said, there’s lots of time before The Pitt‘s return to binge House and Young Sherlock. Hm. Young House has potential, don’t you think?
Entertainment
10 Forgotten Fantasy Movies That Are Perfect To Watch in 2026
Fantasy might very well be the oldest genre of storytelling. It is used to describe stories that take place in fantastical worlds where monsters, magic, and legendary heroes are present. From there, it can be further broken down into various sub-genres, like the more heroic high fantasy or the grittier dark fantasy. The genre is limited only by the imagination of the storyteller, and oftentimes, fantasy stories are used to teach morals and lessons by representing human fears and anxieties as horrific beasts to be overcome and cast down.
Fantasy movies are pretty much as old as cinema and have expanded quite a bit over the years as new technologies were invented. Naturally, a lot of fantasy movies get overlooked or forgotten about, but if one looks hard enough, there are plenty of hidden gems that represent the genre at its best and most compelling.
‘Ladyhawke’ (1985)
Phillipe Gaston (Matthew Broderick) is a thief known as “The Mouse,” who escapes prison just before his execution on the order of the Bishop of Aquila (John Wood). He is aided by the Bishop’s former guard captain, Etienne of Navarre (Rutger Hauer), and his hawk companion. Etienne coerces Phillipe into helping him take down the Bishop, but during their travels, Phillipe notices that Etienne seems to vanish at night, where he runs into a mysterious woman (Michelle Pfeiffer) accompanied by a black wolf.
Ladyhawke was a box-office bomb on release, but it holds up pretty well today as a fairy tale love story. The romance works thanks to the charisma and believable chemistry between Hauer and Pfeiffer, as well as the mystery surrounding their characters. Phillipe is perhaps the weakest part of the film, since he is more of an observer to the lovers than a proper protagonist, but Broderick still gives a fun performance, especially whenever Phillipe asks God for help.
‘Fire and Ice’ (1983)
The sorcerer rulers of Icepeak, Queen Juliana (Susan Tyrrell) and her son, Nekron (Stephen Mendel), use their power to extend glacial ice southward as the vanguard of their invasion force, driving humans closer to the equator. Soon, only the volcanic citadel of Firekeep stands against them, so Juliana has its princess, Teegra (Maggie Roswell), kidnapped to be Nekron’s bride. Teegra escapes her captors into the wilderness, and finds allies in Larn (William Ostrander), a warrior whose village was destroyed by Nekron, and Darkwolf (Steve Sandor), a mysterious wanderer who is committed to killing the sorcerer king.
Fire and Ice is a beautiful example of 1980s dark fantasy from the mind of Ralph Bakshi. It is structured much like a pulp fiction story, with fast-paced action and a grim world that makes great use of the clash between fire and ice in its backgrounds and landscapes. It also makes great use of rotoscoping to give the characters more lifelike movements, which makes the action sequences feel all the more brutal.
‘The Golden Voyage of Sinbad’ (1973)
After acquiring a golden amulet from a mysterious flying creature, Sinbad the Sailor (John Phillip Law) arrives in Marabia, ruled by its disfigured Grand Vizier (Douglas Wilmer) since the Sultan died without a king. The Vizier tells Sinbad that the amulet is part of a set that can lead the way to the mythical Fountain of Destiny, and Sinbad agrees to come along on an expedition to find it. However, the group is pursued by Koura (Tom Baker), an evil sorcerer who wishes to use the fountain’s power to claim rulership of Marabia.
The Golden Voyage of Sinbad is the second of three Sinbad films made with stop-motion creatures by the legendary Ray Harryhausen. From an animated statue of Shiva that duels our hero to a ferocious centaur that guards the fountain, the creatures stand out thanks to their unique designs and how seamlessly they are blended into the film, at times looking like they are physically interacting with the actors. The story is not quite as well put together as the earlier The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, but it’s still a solid fantasy adventure film, and Baker gives an unforgettable performance as the villain.
‘Legend’ (1985)
With the help of her forest-dwelling companion, Jack O’ the Green (Tom Cruise), Princess Lili (Mia Sara) meets the last two unicorns in the world. Unfortunately, she was followed by the goblin Blix (Alice Playten), who, on the orders of her master, Darkness (Tim Curry), kills the stallion and steals its horn. The crime plunges the world into a dark winter, and Jack and Lili must protect the mare and get the horn back, lest the world never know sunlight again.
Legend tells a simple fairy tale story about good vs evil, but it does it really well. The success is thanks in large part to impressive sets and use of practical effects, which completely transform the actors into mystical creatures, such as Curry’s iconic devilish appearance as Darkness, or Robert Picardo as the foul swamp-hag Meg Mucklebones. If you’re going to watch the movie, try to find the director’s cut, which has additional footage that makes the story and character arcs feel more complete, and music by Jerry Goldsmith.
‘The Adventures of Baron Munchausen’ (1988)
As the Ottoman Empire besieges an unnamed European city in the Age of Enlightenment, Baron Munchausen (John Neville) interrupts a play based on his life’s adventures and criticizes its inaccuracies. He claims that the reason for the attack is due to a bet he made with the Grand Turk, Sultan Mahmud I (Peter Jeffrey), but also claims that he can save the city if he finds his old associates, each of whom possesses superhuman gifts. He is joined on his search by Sally Salt (Sarah Polley), the daughter of the theater troupe leader, but the journey is full of all sorts of perils, while the Angel of Death is always following after the Baron.
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen was the final film in Terry Gilliam‘s “Trilogy of Imagination,” with themes focusing on aging and maintaining one’s relevance as the world seems to progress around them. There is a strong contrast with the film’s extravagant sets and costumes: while the heroes travel through the fantastical world, they can never escape the hard truths of reality and must make peace with them if they hope to move forward. It’s also got a surprise cameo from Robin Williams, who has a non-credited role as the King of the Moon, and it’s as hilarious as any of his best performances.
‘The Last Unicorn’ (1982)
A unicorn (Mia Farrow) overhears two hunters talking about her kind and wonders if she might be the last unicorn in the world. A passing butterfly (Robert Klein) tells her that the unicorns were herded north long ago into the kingdom of King Haggard (Sir Christopher Lee) by a demonic Red Bull. Thus, the unicorn sets out to learn the truth for herself, and receives help from a bumbling magician named Schmendrick (Alan Arkin) and Molly Grue (Tammy Grimes).
The Last Unicorn is unique among fantasy movies thanks to its melancholic tone. The story touches on mature themes like regret, loss, the power of memory, and identity, all told via the interactions with an immortal unicorn who does not know these emotions and humans who do. It also boasts a beautiful art style that looks like a tapestry come to life, haunting songs by America, and a fun fantasy world that leans so heavily into the genre that the familiar tropes are literally part of the world.
‘A Monster Calls’ (2016)
Conor O’Malley (Lewis MacDougall) is a young boy living with his terminally ill mother (Felicity Jones), who is upset both with her worsening condition and the possibility of having to live with his strict grandmother (Sigourney Weaver). One night, he spots a yew tree growing near a church transforming into a monster (Liam Neeson) before seeking him out. The monster tells Conor that it will visit him again and tell him three stories; afterward, Conor must tell the monster a fourth story based on his recurring nightmares.
A Monster Calls is based on the book of the same name by Patrick Ness, who also wrote the screenplay. It’s a brutal and raw film that explores themes of grief, loss, and the complexities of the human experience, told both through Conor’s struggles at home and school and the monster’s stories. Everyone gives their all in this hidden gem masterpiece, but MacDougall in particular stands out thanks to how perfectly he captures Conor’s turbulent state, from cold detachment to raw, unfiltered rage and sadness.
‘Dragonslayer’ (1981)
Galen Bradwarden (Peter MacNicol) is the young apprentice to the last great sorcerer, Ulrich of Cragganmore (Sir Ralph Richardson). One day, his master is approached by an expedition from the kingdom of Urland asking for his help in killing the ancient dragon Vermithrax Pejorative, who has terrorized the kingdom and devoured many young maidens. Ulrich dies when trying to demonstrate his magic powers, but his magic amulet chooses Galen as its new master, so Galen offers his services against the dragon.
It’s amazing to think that Dragonslayer was coproduced by Disney, because a gritty dark fantasy movie is so far removed from the Mouse House’s carefully constructed brand image. The world is gritty, harsh, and unforgiving, with most of its characters falling into different shades of gray morality, doing horrible things in the short term to guarantee long-term stability. The star of the show is Vermithrax itself, brought to life through a diverse array of special effects including stop-motion puppets and massive animatronics, resulting in perhaps cinema’s best dragon.
‘The Adventures of Prince Achmed’ (1926)
Desiring the local Caliph’s daughter, a sorcerer offers a magical flying horse in exchange for her hand in marriage. The Caliph’s son, Prince Achmed, objects to the offer, so the sorcerer lets him test the horse. Unfortunately, he doesn’t tell Achmed how to control the horse, so it whisks the prince away to a far-off land, forcing him to find a way back home.
The Adventures of Prince Achmed has the honor of being the world’s oldest surviving animated film, and is a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Every frame was made through meticulously placing pieces of cardboard against bright backgrounds to create a style reminiscent of shadow puppetry, while still perfectly displaying whatever emotions the characters are experiencing. Though few people today have seen The Adventures of Prince Achmed, its influence can be felt throughout modern adaptations of the One Thousand and One Nights, and the shadow puppet style inspired the Tale of the Three Brothers in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 1.
‘The Secret of Kells’ (2009)
As Viking raiders swarm across Ireland, Cellach (Brendan Gleeson), abbot of Kells, oversees the construction of a great wall, and instructs his young nephew, Brendan (Evan McGuire and Michael McGrath), to stay close to the abbey. One day, the abbey is visited by Brother Aidan (Mick Lally), a master illuminator who is working on the Book of Iona. He recruits Brendan to help him with the illustrations, but as Brendan goes into the woods to find dyes, he meets a fairy named Aisling (Christen Mooney).
The first in a trio of Irish mythology films from Cartoon Saloon, The Secret of Kells is best described with one word: magical. Its art style is enough to hook you in, with stylistic character designs and bright colors that make it feel as if it’s a medieval painting come to life. The story is equally magical, both through the inclusion of the fairy world via Aisling’s friendship with Brendan, and with universal themes of hope, the power of artistic expression, and the dangers of pride.
Entertainment
Lewis Hamilton and Kim Kardashian’s Photos, More Top Stories
Get a rundown of Us‘ top stories making headlines in celebrity news, sports and entertainment on August 7, 2026. Here are the key takeaways:
• Lewis Hamilton shared cozy Instagram photos with girlfriend Kim Kardashian during his mandatory Formula 1 summer break, including snaps of a neighborhood walk in Calabasas, California. The Ferrari driver, who is currently ranked second in the World Championship standings after 14 rounds, captioned the post, “Resting, restoring, recharging.”
• Counting On alum Jeremiah Duggar and his wife, Hannah, secretly welcomed their fourth baby, revealing the arrival in an August 7 Instagram post without previously announcing the pregnancy. The couple, who married in March 2022, are also parents to daughters Brynley, Brielle and Emery.
• A judge ruled that Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Taylor Frankie Paul successfully completed her three-year probation sentence stemming from her 2023 arrest after an alleged altercation with ex Dakota Mortensen. The judge also amended Paul’s aggravated assault felony charge to a Class A misdemeanor.
Edited by Samantha Benitz. Story produced with AI assistance
Entertainment
Anya Taylor-Joy’s Marvel Debut Deserved So Much Better Than What We Got
With the upcoming release of Avengers: Doomsday, featuring many characters returning from Fox’s X-Men universe, fans are turning to the past to prepare for the highly anticipated superhero blockbuster. X-Men marathons are surging up the Disney+ charts in preparation, but one such film featuring the merry mutants didn’t have the success of the films preceeding it.
2020’s The New Mutants, based on Chris Claremont and Bill Sienkiewicz’s iconic comic book run, despite massive fan hype during its whopping four delays over two years, didn’t quite land with many moviegoers and comic book fans. While the casting was fantastic, as is the norm for Fox’s X-Films, the film’s horror elements took over far too much of the narrative and the short running time meant that new viewers couldn’t connect with the characters as much as they’d like to. Even so, the New Mutants deserve a second chance on the big screen, especially with multiple mutants coming out of the woodwork to join the MCU.
The New Mutants Comics Are Iconic
Claremont and Sienkiewicz’s New Mutants comics are a favorite among die-hard X-Men comic fans, most notably the “Demon Bear” storyline, which the film adapted. At the time of the comics’ publishing in the early 80s, the X-Men had been running the same mutant members for several years and the franchise was in need of fresh blood. Claremont introduced a young cast of, well, new mutants, who were designed to eventually take up the mantle of the mainline X-Men.
With all the legions of mutants from the X-Men universe, it’s hard for certain characters to become fan favorites in the ocean of countless characters to choose from. Which is why Claremont’s characters standing the test of time is an impressive stat. The cast of the comics were not only new in terms of their powers and skill sets, but in terms of their personalities as well. Illyana Rasputin AKA Magik, for example, was delightfully unhinged and off kilter, which carried over to Anya Taylor-Joy’s performance in the film.
The Movie Got a Few Things Right
When it comes to casting comic book characters, very rarely does Marvel miss. Even before the rise of the MCU, Marvel films always nailed casting great actors in the roles of famous superheroes. And that started with Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in 2000’s X-Men, which millions to this day hail as a perfectly cast character. The New Mutants continued that tradition with a promising young cast, some of whom are now superstars.
One thing fans will agree on when it comes to the movie is the pitch perfect casting of Taylor-Joy as Magik. She’s never given a bad performance and doesn’t start here, perfectly embodying Illyana’s loose screws while still making her likable and entertaining. But even beyond Magik, other characters in the film shine, namely Blu Hunt as Dani Moonstar, who Hunt makes sympathetic and compelling to watch, especially with her groundbreaking same-sex relationship with Rahne Sinclair (Maisie Williams), which amplified the characters’ bond from the comics in a smart way.
While The New Mutants may have been a disappointment to many, the potential the film had still rings true six years later. The cast of hallmark characters clearly gave it their all and should not be blamed for the film’s misfire. With Marvel resurrecting numerous mutants in the MCU, many believe that these mutants deserve another shot. After all, if Chris Evans can return as Johnny Storm in Deadpool & Wolverine, anything is possible.
The New Mutants
- Release Date
-
August 28, 2020
- Runtime
-
99 minutes
- Writers
-
Josh Boone, Chris Claremont, Dave Cockrum, Knate Gwaltney, Scott Lobdell, Bob McLeod
Entertainment
Anya Taylor-Joy’s Marvel Debut Deserved So Much Better Than What We Got
With the upcoming release of Avengers: Doomsday, featuring many characters returning from Fox’s X-Men universe, fans are turning to the past to prepare for the highly anticipated superhero blockbuster. X-Men marathons are surging up the Disney+ charts in preparation, but one such film featuring the merry mutants didn’t have the success of the films preceeding it.
2020’s The New Mutants, based on Chris Claremont and Bill Sienkiewicz’s iconic comic book run, despite massive fan hype during its whopping four delays over two years, didn’t quite land with many moviegoers and comic book fans. While the casting was fantastic, as is the norm for Fox’s X-Films, the film’s horror elements took over far too much of the narrative and the short running time meant that new viewers couldn’t connect with the characters as much as they’d like to. Even so, the New Mutants deserve a second chance on the big screen, especially with multiple mutants coming out of the woodwork to join the MCU.
The New Mutants Comics Are Iconic
Claremont and Sienkiewicz’s New Mutants comics are a favorite among die-hard X-Men comic fans, most notably the “Demon Bear” storyline, which the film adapted. At the time of the comics’ publishing in the early 80s, the X-Men had been running the same mutant members for several years and the franchise was in need of fresh blood. Claremont introduced a young cast of, well, new mutants, who were designed to eventually take up the mantle of the mainline X-Men.
With all the legions of mutants from the X-Men universe, it’s hard for certain characters to become fan favorites in the ocean of countless characters to choose from. Which is why Claremont’s characters standing the test of time is an impressive stat. The cast of the comics were not only new in terms of their powers and skill sets, but in terms of their personalities as well. Illyana Rasputin AKA Magik, for example, was delightfully unhinged and off kilter, which carried over to Anya Taylor-Joy’s performance in the film.
The Movie Got a Few Things Right
When it comes to casting comic book characters, very rarely does Marvel miss. Even before the rise of the MCU, Marvel films always nailed casting great actors in the roles of famous superheroes. And that started with Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in 2000’s X-Men, which millions to this day hail as a perfectly cast character. The New Mutants continued that tradition with a promising young cast, some of whom are now superstars.
One thing fans will agree on when it comes to the movie is the pitch perfect casting of Taylor-Joy as Magik. She’s never given a bad performance and doesn’t start here, perfectly embodying Illyana’s loose screws while still making her likable and entertaining. But even beyond Magik, other characters in the film shine, namely Blu Hunt as Dani Moonstar, who Hunt makes sympathetic and compelling to watch, especially with her groundbreaking same-sex relationship with Rahne Sinclair (Maisie Williams), which amplified the characters’ bond from the comics in a smart way.
While The New Mutants may have been a disappointment to many, the potential the film had still rings true six years later. The cast of hallmark characters clearly gave it their all and should not be blamed for the film’s misfire. With Marvel resurrecting numerous mutants in the MCU, many believe that these mutants deserve another shot. After all, if Chris Evans can return as Johnny Storm in Deadpool & Wolverine, anything is possible.
The New Mutants
- Release Date
-
August 28, 2020
- Runtime
-
99 minutes
- Writers
-
Josh Boone, Chris Claremont, Dave Cockrum, Knate Gwaltney, Scott Lobdell, Bob McLeod
Entertainment
‘Yellowstone’ Meets ‘True Detective’ in AMC’s 4-Season Noir Western Series
Some of the most inventive television shows ever have combined genres to create something truly unique. Twin Peaks was a brilliant mash-up of crime drama and supernatural horror. Pushing Daisies brought us a murder mystery every week, mixed with a magical realism fantasy. In the comedy category, there was Barry, which offered plenty of laughs among the dark assassin plot points. But there’s one show out right now that is truly setting the bar for coming up with a completely new genre, and this noir western is a definite must-watch.
What Is ‘Dark Winds’ About?
If you’ve ever wondered what it would look like if Yellowstone and True Detective teamed up, AMC’s Dark Winds is your answer. The four-season series is based on a series of novels by Tony Hillerman called Leaphorn & Chee, which date all the way back to 1970. With executive producers like George R.R. Martin and the late Robert Redford, the Western first premiered in 2022. The story follows Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon), a somber Navajo Tribal Police officer who lives and works on a reservation in the Southwestern US in the 1970s. Joe has a reason for being so stoic; his teenage son died in an accident, and he’s still grieving this massive loss.
Despite his inner pain, Joe is dedicated to keeping the people of the reservation safe. He acts as a mentor to two young police officers, Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon) and Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten), and tries to advise them on how to serve as law enforcement while still respecting and honoring the Native American traditions. Each season offers Joe and his team a new case to solve, and things often get complicated when mystical forces intervene.
‘Dark Winds’ Combines Western Themes With a Supernatural Twist
Dark Winds wrapped up its fourth season in April, and has already been renewed for a fifth one. That means you have 28 episodes to binge to get caught up with this genius show. The series utilizes some of the same elements of a Western like Yellowstone, yet ends up feeling a million times more authentic. The setting, far away from a big city, is quiet, but has no less insidious danger than a more well-populated area. Joe and Bernadette use their Navajo heritage to help them investigate, incorporating the clues the land gives them to track their perps. But Dark Winds sidesteps being a traditional Western when it comes to its supernatural themes. Just like True Detective, the spiritual world crosses over at times, and it can be difficult for the viewer to figure out what is real and what isn’t. With a terrifying monster haunting Joe in Season 3 and a bloody, hallucinative curse attached to Jim in Season 4, there’s no shortage of creepy moments that make the series all the more riveting.
There has been some criticism about Yellowstone’s acting being a little over-the-top, and this is definitely where Dark Winds sets itself apart from other modern Westerns. Each actor in Dark Winds wholly embodies their characters in a way that ensures the drama feels authentic, much like the all-star cast of True Detective. McClarnon has basically had a campaign started to get him his first Emmy nomination for this role, and Gordon and Matten are steady forces that help to support his star-making turn. Deanna Allison is exceptional as Joe’s loyal, yet heartbroken wife, Emma. Dark Winds has also featured some truly fantastic guest stars so far, including Noah Emmerich, Jenna Elfman, and Jeri Ryan. Titus Welliver offers a sinister edge to Season 4, and Franka Potente successfully portrays one of the scariest villains of all time alongside him. All of the actors work together to create a top-notch cast that brings a necessary realism that is absent from Yellowstone.
Season 5 of Dark Winds likely won’t premiere until 2027, which means you have plenty of time to binge-watch the first four seasons before it arrives. With an impressive 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, there are zero filler episodes to make you lose interest. If you’re missing the mythology and mysteries behind True Detective and the fast-paced action of Yellowstone, Dark Winds can help you fill that void with its fascinating storylines and impeccable cast.
Entertainment
Simon Guobadia Responds After Porsha Williams Secures Mansion
Porsha Williams recently scored a BIG LICK in her divorce settlement with Simon Guobadia. But chile, Simon was quick to rain on her parade. He swopped right in with a clap back letting everybody know that HE’S the one really out here flexing.
RELATED: Falynn Pina Blasts Porsha Williams & Simon Guobadia For Allegedly Having An Inappropriate Relationship While They Were Still Married (VIDEOS)
Porsha Williams Walked Away With MORE Than Closure After Divorce From Simon Guobadia
Okay, so BOOM! According to TMZ, Porsha Williams waked away from her divorce with a seven-figure settlement, Simon Guobadia’s Atlanta mansion, AND a 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost. Chile, it’s safe to say she secured the bag! But Roomies, there’s more! Porsha reportedly told the court that Simon also agreed to reimburse her $1,568,181.63 form his share of the mansion’s equity and hand over the title to the Rolls-Royce Ghost. Court docs obtained by TMZ show that Simon transferred his interest in the Atlanta mansion they once shared to Porsha through a quitclaim deed. Under their agreement, Porsha says she can now refinance the property or sell it in a commercially reasonable manner without Simon or an arbitrator stepping in.
Simon Saw The Headlines & Said “Aht! Aht!”
Before Porsha Williams could fully celebrate her come-up, Simon slid right into the chat and let folks know he’s the one that got the last laugh. Simon took to his Instagram Stories and told his followers that Porsha’s big win actually came with some debt attached. “They forgot to mention they also inherited $8,000,000 in debt & still got to pay me.” He also claimed that she allegedly has to hand over some cash to him, and chile, Simon wasn’t done there! He added some extra palm trees to his shade noting that he has the ultimate flex because he’s supposedly walking away “debt-free.”
Porsha & Simon’s Divorce Drama Has Played Out All Over The Timeline
Porsha Williams Simon Guobadia have been going back and forth ever since she filed for divorce in February 2024. The former couple spent a little over a year together after tying the knot in November 2022. Then, in September 2025, the ‘RHOA’ star dropped a major update on Instagram that had fans wondering if she and Simon had officially finalized their divorce. Porsha wrote, “IT’S OVER!!!! Thank goodness [heart emoji] [prayer hands emoji] Grateful.”
But chile, Simon didn’t let her have her moment! He quickly hopped on his IG Story with a message of his own, writing, “Here we go again with Ms 265. Still has learned absolutely nothing #itsovermya**,” alongside a laughing emoji, sparking yet another round of back-and-forth between the former couple online. Porsha didn’t let Simon’s response stop her from getting in a last word though. She later shared a video of herself making her way to a private jet, pairing the post with the caption, “Free” alongside a kissing-face and peace-sign emoji.
RELATED: That’s How You Coming? Social Media Thinks Porsha Williams Is Thirst TRAPPIN’ With Risqué Pics Following Recent Divorce
What Do You Think Roomies?
Entertainment
Nicole Kidman Just Wore the Blazer Every Stylish Woman Needs
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Nicole Kidman just reminded Us why every stylish woman owns a gray blazer. While black versions tend to get all the attention, soft gray feels just as polished while pairing effortlessly with everything from blue denim to crisp white separates. It’s the kind of piece that instantly elevates an outfit without making it feel too formal.
The Oscar winner was spotted in New York City on July 30 wearing a tailored gray blazer layered over a white button-down with relaxed blue jeans, Adidas sneakers and a black Chanel bag. The neutral jacket tied the whole look together, proving that a gray blazer can make even sneakers and denim look sophisticated.
Get the Prettygarden Button Down Notch Lapel Blazer for just $42 (Was $50) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, August 7, 2026, but are subject to change.
The good news? You don’t need Kidman’s designer wardrobe to recreate the look. We found the Prettygarden Button Down Notch Lapel Blazer on Amazon for just $42, and it delivers the same polished, wear-with-everything feel for a fraction of the price.
The blazer features a classic notch lapel, an open-front design and a tailored silhouette that’s structured without feeling stiff. Available in Kidman’s versatile gray as well as black, beige, army green and several other colors, it comes in sizes S through XXL and layers easily over everything from T-shirts to button-downs.
With more than 1,200 five-star ratings, shoppers say the blazer is every bit as versatile as it looks. One reviewer called the fit “just perfect,” sharing that her “hubby even commented how cute it looked” after she styled it with “jeans, T-shirt and tennis shoes.” Another shopper, who packed it for a trip to Seoul, called it “so classy” while still being “comfortable and casual,” adding that the sleeves are “easy to roll up and stay that way” and that she’ll “get a lot of use out of it.”
Some wardrobe staples earn their place for a reason, and a gray blazer is one of them. After seeing how effortlessly Kidman styled hers, it’s easy to see why this classic layer has remained a favorite among stylish women for decades. Better yet, this Amazon version lets you copy the look for a fraction of the cost.
Love Kidman’s chic gray blazer? Scroll on for more Amazon styles we’re eyeing.
Shop more gray blazers that we love:
Not your style? Explore more blazers here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!
UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping
Welcome to summer with our biggest sale of the year. This summer’s chicest dresses, tops and swimsuits are all over 30% + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.
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