For more than two decades, Bobby Ross Avila has helped to shape the sound of Usher’s biggest moments. What started out from Usher’s “Confessions” era has taken them to the Super Bowl stage, and now to one of the most ambitious R&B stadium tours with Chris Brown.

As the musical director, producer, and multi-instrumentalist helps to transform Usher’s catalog into a three-hour stage spectacular, Avila is doing it all, from arranging songs to crafting transitions, and helping two global superstars share one stage without either of them losing what makes each unique. Unlike much of the creative team working behind the scenes, Avila can also be found in the spotlight performing nightly with Usher’s band, as well as also stepping out for his own solo moment. 

Bobby Ross Avila sat down with The Blast for an exclusive chat ahead of Usher and Chris Brown’s tour stop in Las Vegas. He shared what people can expect from the show, how he got started in the music industry, and what’s next after the tour ends. 

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Avila began his musical journey at a very young age. He told The Blast that he “didn’t find music, music kind of found me.” 

“I started playing when I was 3 years old and I still remember where I was at and what I was doing. Gradually, throughout the years, getting older, my dad had bands and he was kind of like in the top 40 club circuit, so it’s kind of like how DJs are now,” he said.

“I was surrounded by musicians. My dad would take me and my brother to the clubs he would be playing at and we’d play on their downtime when they ended a set, so that kind of got us used to playing and being in front of people, and that just gradually led to me diving into writing and learning. I was just so intrigued.” 

Getting Signed To A Record Deal At Age 12

Eventually, his father decided it was time to stop doing the club circuit and put all his energy into helping Avila build his talent more. 

“He kind of vicariously lived through me and I just found myself in the studio,” he told The Blast. “Next thing you know, I’m singing and have a demo, and then there’s a bidding war between RCA and Motown Records. I signed with RCA Records at 12 years old.” 

From that point, Avila went on to be the opening act for New Kids on the Block’s “Hangin’ Tough” tour. That’s when the journey really kicked into high gear. 

From Working With Usher On ‘Confessions’ To Producing The R&B Tour

When Avila started working with Usher, he didn’t likely realize just what a long collaboration journey this would take him on. He said the music industry constantly makes you “reinvent yourself,” so he went from being an artist to working behind the scenes so he could ensure his career would be a long one. 

“That led me to getting on this journey as a producer, songwriter, learning the game from marketing, and all that kind of stuff,” Avila told The Blast. “I started working with Ice-T, producing him, and worked with Spice 1, Luniz, and Black Moon.”

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At that point in his career, he and his brother, IZ Avila, ended up joining forces as the production duo, The Avila Brothers. That led them to partnering with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The two brothers went on quite the journey, working with some big names, including Usher. 

“We got this call, ‘Hey, Usher’s going to be coming down,’ and so we met with him,” he said. “The rest is history. We ended up writing and producing about six songs together on ‘Confessions’ and that started our journey together.”

Avila got the opportunity to be with Usher during his Caesars Palace residency in Vegas in 2021, which ultimately led him to the Super Bowl Halftime Show.

What Fans Can Expect From Usher & Chris Brown’s Tour

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For fans heading to the Usher and Chris Brown show either in Las Vegas this weekend or another city later in the tour, Avila said be ready for a “unique” experience. 

“Terry Lewis said it best to me. It’s once in a lifetime. When the show is over that night, it’s never going to be the same. And I just think the energy and the camaraderie between fans and the music, and the visual experience is so unique,” he shared. “You don’t realize that you’re either standing or sitting or getting drinks for three-and-a-half hours and it feels like it’s not long enough. That’s how great the show is.”

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What’s Next For Bobby Ross Avila?

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When asked what’s next after Usher and Chris Brown’s tour ends, Avila said he’s “looking forward to seeing where music’s going to take me, what God has for me.” 

He also has an album coming out called “Return of the Gentleman.” 

“The first single is called ‘Lucky Fella,’ and for me, being in this position where I an be an artist, I can also be a producer and a creative, it allows me to be expressive in so many different ways,” he said. “And I think the single says it best. I’m a lucky fella, and I just feel really blessed.”

You can follow along on Bobby Ross Avila’s epic musical journey on his Instagram page.

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Nicole Kidman seems to be moving on to a romantic new chapter in her personal life almost a year after her marriage to Keith Urban.

The Oscar-winning actress is apparently spending most of her time in the company of a potential lover, Michael Reinstein. The businessman and actress first sparked dating rumors after they were spotted together in Italy.

While Reinstein might be a potential love interest, sources revealed that Nicole Kidman is taking her time with this important decision.

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Kidman reportedly entering the dating scene months after her marriage ended might be termed overdue. However, the actress is apparently not diving right into anything serious.

A source explained to Us Weekly that the “Spellbound” actress is dating Reinstein, but is keeping the seriousness of the relationship at bay. “It is casual, and she is having fun,” the insider mentioned.

The source’s description suggests that Kidman and Reinstein are simply enjoying each other’s company and not trying to complicate anything between them for now. It also suggests that the duo is not ready to define their relationship or show any exclusivity.

Additionally, the actress is allegedly not keeping all her eggs in one basket. According to the insider, Kidman has also been going on several dates with other people.

For now, neither Kidman nor Reinstein has come out to debunk these speculations.

Nicole Kidman And Michael Reinstein Were Allegedly Introduced By Mutual Friends

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While Kidman and Reinstein are popular figures in their respective industries, they reportedly met through a unique and controlled way.

A source disclosed to the Daily Mail that the duo was introduced by their mutual friends. Apparently, the actress’s friends arranged this meeting as part of her return to the dating world as a single woman.

Some of these friends may include Sandra Bullock and Reese Witherspoon, who have reportedly played a key role in encouraging the actress to meet new people.

Kidman worked alongside Witherspoon on “Big Little Lies” and recently reunited with Bullock for “Practical Magic 2.”

According to the source, filming the long-awaited sequel with Bullock gave Kidman a sense of stability while other parts of her life were changing.

The Pair First Fueled Romance Rumors During An Italian Getaway

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Kidman and Reinstein first sparked romance rumors after Page Six acquired pictures of them standing outside a hotel in Portofino, Italy.

In the photos, the duo looked relaxed and friendly with each other. Although the images were not concrete proof of an ongoing relationship, they were still enough to make dating rumors spread like wildfire on the internet.

Reinstein fueled these rumors again when she was spotted getting Kidman from Hollywood Burbank Airport in his Ferrari after she returned to California from New York. This second sighting was all the proof fans needed to conclude that the pair were romantic interests.

Their outings nevertheless represent one of Kidman’s most closely watched personal connections since she and Urban called it quits.

The Actress’s New Man Michael Reinstein Is A Powerful Private Equity Executive

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Reinstein might not be an A-list actor, but he is an influential figure in the business world.

He began a Beverly Hills-based investment company known as Regent in 2013, which has gone on to become a successful business.

According to his corporate biography, Reinstein has also overseen more than 45 acquisitions, including the media, automotive, technology, consumer, and luxury sectors.

Regent’s portfolio also includes recognizable fashion brands such as Bally, Escada, Club Monaco, and La Senza. Before forming Regent, Reinstein was reportedly a worker at talent agency ICM Partners and helped to establish the USN Television network.

Despite his prominent business career, Reinstein maintained a considerably lower public profile than Kidman before they were photographed together.

Nicole Kidman And Keith Urban Are In A ‘Much Better Place’

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Kidman’s alleged return to the dating scene comes almost a year after her relationship with her ex-husband, Urban, has reportedly become less problematic.

An insider told Us Weekly that “the dust has settled” between the exes and they are seemingly in a “much better place.”

Despite the problems that arose towards the end of their marriage, the pair is reportedly good with each other now.

Kidman and Urban first separated in September 2025 after almost two decades together. They also share two daughters, Sunday Rose Kidman Urban and Faith Margaret Kidman Urban.

Inde Navarrette is continuing her rapid rise in Hollywood, signing on to both star in and executive produce Apple Original Films’ upcoming sci-fi thriller The Waffle House Index.

Apple has acquired the project, which will come from Apple Studios with Plan B Entertainment producing. Louis Paxtonis set to direct from a screenplay written by Andrew Nunnelly.

For Navarrette, the project represents another major step forward following the massive success of Obsession, while also giving the actress a significant role behind the camera as an executive producer.

A Waffle House, Killer Crocodiles and Aliens

Despite its unusual title, The Waffle House Index appears ready to take audiences on an even stranger ride than its name suggests.

The film centers on a Waffle House waitress whose already difficult night takes a dangerous turn when an armed stranger arrives during her shift.

From there, things escalate dramatically.

Inde Navarrette for Schön!

The story reportedly involves a massive flood, killer crocodiles, a nuclear explosion, a mysterious bunker beneath the Waffle House and even aliens, combining elements of disaster movies, survival thrillers and science fiction into one ambitious story.

The title itself is inspired by the real-world “Waffle House Index,” an informal method of measuring the severity of a natural disaster based on whether local Waffle House restaurants are able to remain operational.

The concept generally uses three levels. Green indicates a restaurant is operating normally, yellow signals limited service or supplies, while red means the restaurant has closed entirely and conditions in the surrounding area could be severe.

That real-world concept appears to serve as the jumping-off point for a movie that quickly ventures into much bigger sci-fi territory.

Navarrette’s Breakout Run Continues

The Waffle House Index arrives as Navarrette continues what has become a breakout period in her career.

She currently stars as Nikki Freeman in Obsession, the horror thriller that became a major theatrical success after earning strong attention following its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Navarrette’s performance has also generated awards attention, with Focus Features reportedly preparing a Best Actress Oscar campaign for the actress.

Her career is expanding well beyond Obsession.

Navarrette has also landed the role of Rogue in Marvel’s upcoming X-Men film and is attached to the upcoming horror project Invertigo.

Before her recent run of major film roles, Navarrette appeared as Estela de la Cruz in 13 Reasons Why and played Sarah Cushing on Superman & Lois. Her other credits include Trap House and Wander Darkly.

Now, The Waffle House Index gives Navarrette the opportunity to take another major step in her career by serving as both the film’s leading star and an executive producer.

Apple has not yet announced a release date for The Waffle House Index.

Big Brother week 9 Head of Household results are in after LaTrice “Lala” Verrett‘s eviction after Rick Devens‘s stunning Blockbuster win. Dee, Angela and Devens don’t think they should face the block under the new HOH, but he’s gonna stun them.

Also, there were clips of the Nashville watch party with Rachel Reilly with Cameron Hardin and between them were Jimmy Heagarty and BB28‘s Mallory Aurichio. They were watching the BB Blockbuster and Jimmy and Mallory were screaming for Taylor Brown.

They thought she was going to win it and then Devens sank that fourth ball. Rachel and the room screamed and cheered for Devens. But Mallory and Jimmy looked totally ticked. The only angry faces in a crowd of cheering people.

Big Brother: Melody’s Causing Mayhem

Right after the eviction, Melody Morris started some stuff. She and Angela Murray voted to evict Taylor. And Angela was honest about her vote. But Melody was not. I guess after losing Mallory and dealing with Drew drama, Melody chose chaos.

She’s actively lying and said she voted to evict Lala. Everyone believes her so now they’re turning on each other. Devens asked Dee Valladares twice if she voted to evict Taylor and she blew up. Dee’s so mad she told Angela she’ll nominate Devens and Drew Campbell if she wins HOH.

Others think that Dee threw that vote on Taylor. And Yash Patel is also a top suspect. But Melody’s in the clear and just basking in the chaos. Also, Drew tried to sneak a kiss on Melody in the kitchen but she dodged.

Big Brother 28: Barrett Takes HOH

Now, let’s talk Head of Household. First, Angela asked them to throw the comp to her so she can see photos of her grandkids. Devens was unsympathetic. And it looks like Devens came in second in the comp.

But that’s likely because Yash threw it in a big way, not even subtle. There were balls rolled of various colors – and Yash was flinging. The important thing is that Barrett Pfeiffer won it. And he gets to celebrate his birthday in the HOH room. He’ll turn 28 on Sept 9th wearing the HOH robe and key.

Big Brother: Who’s Safe?

By the way, the new HOH calls himself Spicy Barrett on his reality TV podcast. And here’s hoping for a spicy HOH. Melody and Dee are Have-Nots and people are ticked that Yash is not because it was his turn and he should’ve volunteered. But he didn’t.

And by the way, Drew’s still walking around eating his bananas the weird slimy-hand way even though he’s been taught better by now. Okay now the nomination plans.

After winning the HOH comp, Barrett celebrated with Devens and Drew with both feeling totally safe. Once it was just Barrett and Drew, he confirmed that Melody and Drew are safe this week but Barrett warned him what he does might “make him uncomfortable”.

And Barrett realized that he’s got to put all three up – Devens, Dee and Angela – even though he’d like to just nominate two of them alongside Yash. Barrett said he’s okay with a vet or Yash going.

Barrett knows if he doesn’t put up all three, the icon not on the block could win Power of Veto, take down a vet and they’d both be safe. Then, Barrett would have to renom someone he’s closer to.

And if the vet on the block wins Blockbuster, then his HOH is pointless. Dee said if Barrett tries to pull a fast one she’ll spill tea. Then she did anyway. Dee decided to tell Barrett about her bribe.

Big Brother 28: Is a Win Deserved?

It’s a strategy, but not sure Dee revealing she bought safety for her and the icons from Yash will help her. Because, that bribe hurt Barrett’s game. It kept Yash off the block on Dee’s HOH and she put Mallory up instead and Barrett’s bestie was evicted.

Basically, what we have is Dee, Devens and Angela thinking they shouldn’t even be options for the block. It’s icon entitlement. But that won’t keep them safe.

Alix Earle has finally said something about her speculated romance with NFL star Tom Brady. 

Earle offered a coy response when pressed about her post-breakup dating life following her split from football player Braxton Berrios. This gave fans a peek into what has been going on behind the scenes in the influencer’s love life. 

Earle and Brady sparked dating rumors after being seen together on multiple occasions; however, neither of them has come forward to clarify the nature of their relationship until now. 

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During an episode of her Netflix reality series “Earle Meets World,” which premiered on Friday, September 4, Earle publicly acknowledged her rumored romance with 49-year-old NFL legend  Brady. 

The moment unfolded during tour rehearsals with her former “Dancing with the Stars” partner Val Chmerkovskiy, when his wife, fellow professional dancer Jenna Johnson, dropped into the studio.

Johnson inquired about Earle’s high-profile personal life following her high-profile breakup with NFL player Braxton Berrios by directly asking what’s going on.

Earle remained coy while maintaining a broad smile. “I don’t know what’s going on… I’m having fun,” she said, as reported by PEOPLE Magazine. 

When Johnson pressed further to ask if the relationship was officially confirmed, the 25-year-old influencer simply shrugged and repeated, “No, I’m just having fun.”

Johnson teased Earle about moving on quickly after her split, lightheartedly mimicking a phone call and joking, “Then you were like, ‘Tom, come over, cutie,’” prompting a laugh from Earle as she brushed off the playfully subtle probe.

Though Earle stopped short of defining the relationship, her lighthearted interactions provided the first public peek into her rumored connection with the seven-time Super Bowl champion.

Rumors Swirled After Alix Earle & Tom Brady Appeared Cozy At New Year’s Eve & Super Bowl Events

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Before Earle publicly addressed the situation on screen, rumors had been swirling for months following a series of high-profile joint appearances.

Speculation regarding a potential romance between the pair first erupted early in the year after video surfaced showing Earle and Brady partying together in St. Barts over New Year’s Eve. 

The clip, which went viral across social media, depicted the social media star and the former NFL quarterback dancing and chatting closely during a late-night celebration. At the time, sources also claimed that the two were “hooking up.”

The rumor mill picked up further momentum during Super Bowl weekend in February, when the duo was once again seen mingling and laughing together at an exclusive pre-game party.

The Blast reported that throughout the evening, onlookers noted the pair shared warm smiles with drinks in hand.

Earle Openly Sheds Light On Her Dating Preferences And Avoiding Partners Her Own Age

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Adding fuel to the rumors regarding her connection to Brady, Earle offered additional context into her preference while discussing relationships and boundaries.

During an episode of her “Get Real With Me” YouTube series, Earle candidly explained why she actively avoids dating men close to her own age. 

She reflected on a recent outing with a partner who was just one year older and admitted that the dynamic failed to meet her expectations. She then stressed that she needed a partner who could take charge and offer maturity.

“I went on a date with a guy who was a year older than me. I can’t do it again…,” she said, per The Blast.

Earle Sparked New Romance Rumors With F1 Star Lando Norris

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Despite her expressed preference for older men, Earle also reignited relationship rumors after being spotted with a younger sports star in London.

According to The Blast, the 25-year-old content creator generated fresh headlines after spending a late evening with 26-year-old Formula 1 driver Lando Norris. 

Onlookers spotted the pair at a private club in London, where they reportedly stayed into the early hours of the morning. Witnesses also noted that the duo spent much of the night talking, with Norris allegedly asking venue management to keep the doors open past closing time to extend their evening together.

The pair also reportedly made separate exits from the establishment in an effort to avoid camera crews and waiting photographers.

Alix Earle Opened Up About Experiencing Challenges Within Her Family

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Besides navigating her love life, Earle has also had to deal with family issues, which she was recently open about. 

According to The Blast, documenting her life for “Earle Meets World” presented unique emotional challenges for Earle. She opened up about the difficulty of balancing vulnerable family conversations with the demands of continuous reality television production. 

She agreed that while some moments were difficult to film, they definitely brought her family closer together. Ultimately, Earle explained that pushing through those emotional hurdles allowed her to maintain the raw authenticity that first built her audience.

Bachelor Nation is getting a little bigger!

Former Bachelor Peter Weber announced on Thursday, September 4, that his girlfriend, Jadeyn Carr, is pregnant with twins.

“1 + 1 = 4 ♥️,” he captioned maternity photos kissing the model’s bare baby bump.

Jadeyn replied, “Forever <<<333.”

Peter and Jadeyn, who debuted their relationship in August, have been together for less than one year. Their relationship — and the babies on board — already have Peter’s mom excited.

Related: Who Is Peter Weber Dating? What to Know About Model Jadeyn Carr

Former Bachelor Peter Weber confirmed his romance with model Jadeyn Carr in August 2026. “Summer ‘26,” Peter captioned an Instagram carousel featuring multiple photos with Jadeyn — who was not officially tagged in the post — and his family from a recent getaway to the Adirondacks in upstate New York. Weeks later, the couple revealed […]

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“God’s sweetest blessings! So So loved already!!” Barbara Weber gushed via Instagram comment at the time. “You two will be the best parents!! Love you 4! ❤️❤️❤️❤️.”

Peter rose to fame on Hannah Brown’s season of The Bachelorette, ending in third place. He subsequently served as the next lead of The Bachelorette. While Peter proposed to Hannah Ann Sluss, they called off their engagement weeks later over the pilot’s lingering feelings for finalist Madi Prewett.

Peter was later romantically linked to Kelley Flanagan, Julie LaPlaca and Brook Sill before meeting Jadeyn.

“I was in New York for the last four years, and [Kelley] and I had gone back on-and-off a little bit during that time, but [the] majority of it was all single,” Peter previously said on a 2025 episode of the “Almost Famous” podcast. “I always wanted a relationship. It’s no secret, obviously, but you know, I was never going to be someone to force anything.”

Peter had relocated to his native California earlier that year before he was introduced to Jadeyn, who is also based on the West Coast.

Keep scrolling to see how Peter’s fellow Bachelor Nation alums have celebrated the couple’s pregnancy announcement:

Jamie Otis

Jamie, who appeared on Ben Flajnik’s season, married Doug Hehner on Married at First Sight season 1. The pair share daughter Henley, son Hendrix and twins Hawkins and Huxley.

“Ohhh your family is going to double in the best way!” she gushed to Peter. “People will warn you it’s a lot but trust me .. it’s a lot of fun ❤️❤️.”

Kendall Long

“As a fellow twin I can say twins are the best 😜🤍 Congrats to you two!!,” Kendall replied.

Adam Gottschalk

The Bachelor in Paradise alum is already looking ahead, responding, “Hollywood wedding let’s go!” (Peter and Jadeyn, for their parts, have not publicly revealed their future plans as a couple.)

Michael Allio

He replied, “Couldn’t be happier for you both. Congrats 🎉.”

Dylan Barbour

Dylan, meanwhile, jokingly requested that the proud parents-to-be name both babies Dylan in his honor.

Dale Moss

Dale bestowed Peter with a new nickname: “Zadddyyyy.”

Zac Clark

“Awesome. Congrats,” Zac added.

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Joey Graziadei, Jason Tartick and Susie Evans

The trio each simply commented, “Congratulations.”

Serena Pitt

Serena chimed in, “Omg CONGRATS!!”

Elyse Dehlbom

Elyse responded, “Oh my goshhhhh!!!! Congratulations.”

Labor Day weekend shouldn’t be laborious, which is why it’s the perfect time to kick back, relax and watch a good movie or two.

You don’t even have to bother deciding which films to watch — that’s What to Watch’s job.

We’ve selected three great new Prime Video movies to stream over the long Labor Day weekend.

From a Charlize Theron action film and a ‘70s horror classic featuring John Travolta before he came down with a Saturday night fever, these films will make you grateful you don’t have to work on Monday.

‘Cape Fear’ (1991)

It’s safe to say that Max Cady (Robert De Niro) can nurse a grudge or two. He has a good reason, though – he was jailed for years due to his defense lawyer, Sam Bowden (Nick Nolte), hiding key evidence that could have acquitted him. That doesn’t mean Max is innocent – he’s a rapist and murderer, and now that he’s out of jail, he has only one goal: to make Sam and his family suffer as much as he did while he was locked away for all those years.

Related: 10 Greatest Thrillers of the 1990s, Ranked

Everyone loves a good thriller. From 1960’s Psycho to 2024’s Conclave, suspense movies have been around for decades and will always find an appreciative audience. The genre has been in a bit of a slump lately, with fewer thrillers released in theaters than in its heyday in the ‘90s. That decade was arguably a high […]

Cape Fear was recently remade into a bizarrely campy, 10-episode Apple TV miniseries starring Javier Bardem as Cady, but the ‘91 version remains the gold standard. (The 1962 original starring Robert Mitchum as Max is OK but dated. It’s also streaming on Prime Video.) Director Martin Scorsese flexes every cinematic muscle he has in bringing this pulpy revenge story to life, with split-diopter shots, stylistic color choices and a bombastic score from original composer Bernard Herrmann. The result is a thriller that’s both scary and fun; like a rollercoaster ride, it keeps moving and doesn’t give you much time to breathe. The cast is excellent, with the standouts being Jessica Lange as Sam’s unhappy wife and a young Juliette Lewis as her precocious teenage daughter.

Cape Fear is streaming on Prime Video.

‘Atomic Blonde’ (2017)

Being an avid modern moviegoer means a lot of things, and one of them is watching action films where Charlize Theron kicks ass and looks great doing it. Mad Max: Fury Road is her best film in this very specific genre, but Atomic Blonde is not too far behind. The Odyssey actress stars as MI6 agent Lorraine Broughton, who travels to Cold War-era Berlin to recover a stolen list of undercover agents operating in Europe. She teams up with local spy David Percival (James McAvoy) to track down the KGB agents who took it, but can she trust David – or anyone – in a dangerous game of secrets, lies and espionage?

Look beyond Atomic Blonde’s neon-colored surface, and you’ll find there’s not much there. But when a movie looks this good, why would you want to? The film’s spy story isn’t as deep as a John Le Carré plot, but rather an excuse to stage some pretty epic fight scenes. It also gives Theron just enough of a character to make you care if she hooks up with undercover French agent Delphine (Sofia Boutella) and somehow survives by the end of the film. It’s not a great action film, but Atomic Blonde is good enough and proves once again that Theron is one of the few real stars Hollywood has left.

Atomic Blonde is streaming on Prime Video.

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‘Carrie’ (1976)

The beginning of September usually means it’s time to go back to school, and no one dreads that prospect more than Carrie White (Sissy Spacek). She’s a shy teen who is picked on by the other girls, but when the school hunk, Tommy Ross (William Katt), asks her to prom, she thinks she’s finally been accepted. Carrie quickly discovers it’s all a sham — she’s the target of another cruel prank that emphasizes just how different she is from all the other students. But what her tormentors don’t know is that they’re right — Carrie is different, and when she gets mad, no one is safe from her wrath.

Related: New on Prime Video in September 2026 — The Complete List of Movies and Shows

Say goodbye to summer because September is here! Prime Video is celebrating the advent of sweater weather by adding a slew of must-watch new movies and TV shows this month. The big debuts this month are Neagley, the Reacher spinoff featuring Maria Sten‘s fan-favorite character, the return of Thursday Night Football and the original rom-com […]

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No film better captures the horrors of high school than Carrie does — and that’s before anyone actually dies! Director Brian De Palma is clearly sympathetic to his heroine’s plight, and he shoots Spacek as if she’s some angel stuck in Hell. In a way, she is — school bullies are the worst, especially when they’re played with such dumb glee by then-nobodies John Travolta and Nancy Allen. As the titular heroine, Spacek gives one of the best performances ever in the horror genre. She’s matched only by Piper Laurie as Carrie’s mother, who thinks her daughter is an evil that only she can destroy. But like most teens, Carrie isn’t evil — she’s just misunderstood, and that makes her even more dangerous.

Carrie is streaming on Prime Video.

When it comes to spy thrillers on TV, there’s one addition to the genre that was slightly overlooked, but certainly shouldn’t be. Peacock’s The Day of the Jackal, which first premiered on November 14, 2024, received a solid 84% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes following Season 1, and is gearing up for another explosive and suspenseful Season 2.

But as viewers of the show have already gathered, the series, which is based on Frederick Forsyth‘s novel of the same name (someone who Reacher‘s Lee Child credited for changing the rules for thriller writers), Season 2 will likely be much different than the first. After all, while Season 1 presented viewers with a heart-pumping cat-and-mouse thriller, Season 2 will have no choice but to reinvent itself after the events that unfolded in the finale.

The Season 1 Finale of ‘The Day of the Jackal’ Changed Everything

For those who still haven’t watched Season 1 of The Day of the Jackal, note that there are spoilers ahead. In the finale of Season 1, the cat-and-mouse dynamic between The Jackal (Eddie Redmayne) and Bianca (Lashana Lynch) came to its inevitable collision and deliberately flipped Forsyth’s original ending by killing off Bianca instead of The Jackal. Per its producers, the decision came from wanting the adaptation to continue as a long-form series. “It’s about growing the IP… and it is The Day of the Jackal it’s not The Day of the Person Who Kills the Jackal. So it felt appropriate,” lead director and executive producer Brian Kirk told Variety. He continued by calling the finale “the ultimate twist.” “The guy you’ve been programmed to think is going to die — because that’s what you’ve been told — in fact, he doesn’t,” Kirk said.

By doing so, however, the series set itself up for a very different sophomore season. After all, The Jackal and Bianca’s unwavering tension as the assassin and the pursuer throughout Season 1 established them as two engines heading to an imminent and unavoidable crash, making the series all the more exciting and gripping. Now that their chase has come to an end, Season 2 can’t simply give him another target and expect the same tension to take place, it needs instead to establish a new force capable of challenging him without feeling like Bianca 2.0. That by itself presents The Day of the Jackal with its greatest challenge to date: to reinvent the story way beyond Forsyth’s legendary cat-and-mouse thriller in way that sustains Redmayne’s The Jackal and still excites viewers as an ongoing series.

What Can Fans Expect of ‘The Day of the Jackal’ Season 2

Season 2 of the series is already underway. Filming on the new season officially kicked off in February 2026, with set photos showing Redmayne already stepping back into The Jackal’s shoes. In addition to the returning faces, the series has also welcomed new cast members, including Pablo Schreiber, Weruche Opia, and Matt Bomer, with Bomer stepping into the spotlight as the primary antagonist. Details surrounding Schreiber and Opia’s characters — as well as exact plot details — are still under strict lock and key. Meanwhile, the creative helm has also shifted; series creator Ronan Bennett has departed the project, passing showrunner duties to David Harrower (Lockerbie: A Search for the Truth).

Ultimately, while every season of a show should present viewers with new stories, exciting plotlines and fresh twists and turns, Season 2 of The Day of the Jackal has no choice but to completely redo itself. No longer relying on the growing tensions between The Jackal and Bianca, the series will continue to expand beyond the world created by Forsyth, and build a whole new storyline with his novel as just the distant original material. That certainly presents the show with its most difficult challenge yet – but an exciting one at that.

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Ronan Bennett

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Dr. Umar Johnson is speaking out after Keffe D‘s conviction for Tupac Shakur‘s murder. Furthermore, he believes he was set up. Not only that, but Johnson revealed that he thinks Keffe D is a “mule” in a larger conspiracy.

RELATED: Next Up, Closings! Duane Keffe D Davis’ Trial Winds Down As Prosecution & Defense Rest In Tupac Shakur Murder Trial

Dr. Umar Believed Keffe D Was “Mule” In Conspiracy

Dr. Umar Johnson appeared for an interview on ‘The Art Of Dialogue,’ released on Wednesday, September 2, and revealed he thinks Keffe D was set up. Not only that, but he thinks Keffe’s lawyer was involved.

The Shade Room reported that Duane “Keffe D” Davis was found guilty on Monday, August 31, of first-degree murder. Tupac died on September 13, 1996, in Las Vegas following a drive-by shooting. Davis allegedly did not shoot Tupac. But he admitted that he was present when the shooting occurred on September 7. He shared what went down in his 2019 memoir, ‘Compton Street Legend: Notorious Keffe D’s Street-Level Accounts of Tupac and Biggie Murders, Death Row Origins, Suge Knight, Puffy Combs, and Crooked Cops.’

Furthermore, Keffe D was arrested in 2023, but Johnson said he thinks Davis is a mule in a “much larger conspiracy.”

“… I spoke of the fact that I felt Keffe D was a mule for a much larger conspiracy in the death of Tupac Shakur,” said Johnson. “Here’s the thing, Art. When you deal with any high-level assassination — I don’t care if we talking political like Malcolm X, Dr. King, Patrice Lumumba, Medgar Evers. I don’t care if we’re talking about in the music industry, Notorious Big, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Prince, Jimi Hendrix, or Tupac Shakur; those murders are not carried out by individuals. That takes a lot of planning, and it takes a lot of teams.”

Dr. Umar Johnson went on to say that the government knows who really murdered Tupac Shakur. This, because they allegedly had the rap star under surveillance in the time before his passing.

“He was a mule,” Johnson continued. “That’s what Keffe D was. You’re trying to tell me he paid for this? He orchestrated this? He planned this? The Tupac Jakur assassination was extremely well planned. It involved a lot of different moving parts. And to only bring Keffe D to the table, Art, is to say that we are really not interested in bringing anybody to justice.”

Keffe D Had An Agreement With The Feds In 2008

According to NBC News, federal investigators made an agreement with Davis back in 2008. Federal prosecutors were investigating Marion “Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace’s murder. Subsequently, a deal was made, and Davis was told that the proffer agreement gave him full immunity, per ABC7 News.

The ex-gang member said that his late nephew, Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson, shot the ‘Changes‘ artist.

“I said before, there’s so many other higher-ups involved in Tupac’s assassination that the only way to prevent them from ever being brought to justice is to make sure there’s a fall guy who can take the blame. Because remember, there’s no statute of limitations on murder. There are no statute of limitations on murder. So you can be brought as we saw with Keffe D… it’s 30 years old,” he said. 

“It is not complete immunity, but Keffe D was led to believe it was,” he added. “I truly believe, Art, that they set Keffe D up to take the fall back in 2008, 2009, almost 20 years ago. Almost 20 years ago. You’re talking 17 years ago….. I believe Keffe D’s lawyer, who led him into that proffer agreement, which I’m going to call a trap, because I think it was a trap.”

Johnson explained that he believes Keffe’s lawyers should have made sure that information about Tupac’s murder could not have been discussed.

“I believe he was set up to take the fall until such time that they needed to go public with this,” he concluded. “So, somebody involved in Tupac’s murder, for whatever reason, Art, they felt somebody was getting close to the truth, and they needed Keffe to be the fall guy.”

RELATED: Lawyers For Keffe D Seek To Suppress Evidence In Tupac Shakur’s Fatal Shooting Case (UPDATE)

Inde Navarrette is continuing her rapid rise in Hollywood, signing on to both star in and executive produce Apple Original Films’ upcoming sci-fi thriller The Waffle House Index.

Apple has acquired the project, which will come from Apple Studios with Plan B Entertainment producing. Louis Paxtonis set to direct from a screenplay written by Andrew Nunnelly.

For Navarrette, the project represents another major step forward following the massive success of Obsession, while also giving the actress a significant role behind the camera as an executive producer.

A Waffle House, Killer Crocodiles and Aliens

Despite its unusual title, The Waffle House Index appears ready to take audiences on an even stranger ride than its name suggests.

The film centers on a Waffle House waitress whose already difficult night takes a dangerous turn when an armed stranger arrives during her shift.

From there, things escalate dramatically.

Inde Navarrette for Schön!

The story reportedly involves a massive flood, killer crocodiles, a nuclear explosion, a mysterious bunker beneath the Waffle House and even aliens, combining elements of disaster movies, survival thrillers and science fiction into one ambitious story.

The title itself is inspired by the real-world “Waffle House Index,” an informal method of measuring the severity of a natural disaster based on whether local Waffle House restaurants are able to remain operational.

The concept generally uses three levels. Green indicates a restaurant is operating normally, yellow signals limited service or supplies, while red means the restaurant has closed entirely and conditions in the surrounding area could be severe.

That real-world concept appears to serve as the jumping-off point for a movie that quickly ventures into much bigger sci-fi territory.

Navarrette’s Breakout Run Continues

The Waffle House Index arrives as Navarrette continues what has become a breakout period in her career.

She currently stars as Nikki Freeman in Obsession, the horror thriller that became a major theatrical success after earning strong attention following its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Navarrette’s performance has also generated awards attention, with Focus Features reportedly preparing a Best Actress Oscar campaign for the actress.

Her career is expanding well beyond Obsession.

Navarrette has also landed the role of Rogue in Marvel’s upcoming X-Men film and is attached to the upcoming horror project Invertigo.

Before her recent run of major film roles, Navarrette appeared as Estela de la Cruz in 13 Reasons Why and played Sarah Cushing on Superman & Lois. Her other credits include Trap House and Wander Darkly.

Now, The Waffle House Index gives Navarrette the opportunity to take another major step in her career by serving as both the film’s leading star and an executive producer.

Apple has not yet announced a release date for The Waffle House Index.