“Bachelor” alum Rachel Lindsay is speaking out after a clip of Raven-Symoné speaking about her “blackness” went viral. According to a resurfaced clip from Symoné’s podcast, “Tea Time,” the beloved actress spoke with her guest about the “blackness” of her Disney character, Raven Baxter, and challenged listeners to consider whether the character was truly African American. The conversation sparked much backlash, prompting others in the entertainment industry to share their thoughts.
‘Bachelor’ Alum Disheartened Over Raven-Symoné’s Comments About ‘Blackness’
According to The Blast, Symoné, along with her wife, spoke with Kalen Allen about her Disney show, “That’s So Raven.” During the conversation, Allen said Symoné’s character felt “Black as f-ck” to him, causing Symoné to ask follow-up questions. “Why was she Black?” she asked. “Why did she feel Black to you? Take away the color. Make them green, and hear the words. What color are they?”
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Lindsay found herself a bit disturbed by the conversation and spoke about the viral clip on her podcast, “Higher Learning.” Not only did Lindsay mention “That’s So Raven” episodes in which the show celebrated Black History Month and other parts of the Black American experience, but she also said Symoné’s comments tie into “to this pattern” of the actress seemingly “reminding people that she’s not that.”
Raven-Symoné Has Been At The Center Of Conversations About Race For Over A Decade Now
This isn’t the first time that Symoné has found herself at the center of difficult conversations about race. During a previous interview with Oprah, the “Cosby Show” actress made headlines when she told the beloved talk-show host she opposed being labeled. “I’m tired of being labeled. I’m an American. I’m not an African American; I’m an American,” she said.
In 2015, Symoné found herself in hot water again when she made comments some viewed as problematic and discriminatory when she was a regular co-host on “The View.” During the episode, Symoné was one of the co-hosts speaking about the 60 most “ghetto names.”
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She continued, “And I’m very discriminatory against words like the ones they were saying in those names. I’m not about to hire you if your name is Watermelondrea. It’s just not going to happen. I’m not going to hire you.”
Former Miss Teen USA Contestant Shares Alleged Interaction With Raven-Symoné
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After the podcast clip resurfaced online, social media users shared mixed reactions to her statement.
One of the people who spoke out was a former Miss Teen USA contestant who claimed to have had a weird experience with Symoné in 2001.
Gloria Sophia Almonte wrote on Instagram Threads that following the competition, Symoné allegedly approached her and “was all over me saying how she didn’t vote for the black girl (Miss Missouri, the winner); she voted for me!”
Almonte said she was thrown off at the time, but she didn’t think much of it because of the thrill of competing on live TV.
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“Now, I’m like. WTF you mean black girl? Her name is Marissa. Miss Missouri. You had all of our information in front of you prior to the telecast to know who you were getting ready to score and choose, etc. Mind you, I’m Puerto Rican. What is wrong with this woman?” Almonte added.
Symoné And Her Wife Rubbed People The Wrong Way Last Year
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According to a previous report from The Blast, Symoné and her wife have been involved in several controversies over the years due to comments made on their podcast.
In August 2025, Symoné and her wife, Miranda Maday, made headlines after the latter told their listeners that she wasn’t with Symoné for her money because she was “richer.”
“It’s something real guttersnipe about Raven’s wife,” someone wrote online, while another questioned, “Is SHE richer or [are] her PARENTS richer? Cause I have no idea who Raven’s [wife] is.”
Maday Clears The Air
Several months later, Maday appeared on Nick Cannon’s podcast to clear the air. She told the “Wild ‘N Out” host that her family invented “mudflaps on trucks,” allowing her to live a very “fortunate” life growing up.
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“I share that information to just give more context to why meeting Raven had nothing to do with what was in the bank,” she said, adding that Symoné “is wealthier than I am on my own … because she’s been working for 40 years.”
Glen Powell continues to be a busy man. Season 2 of Chad Powers just dropped on Hulu, he finished filming his Judd Apatow musical comedy The Comeback King, and his production company, Barnstorm, is reportedly working on a film about Lou Gerhig. But as per Powell’s entire filmography recently, it isn’t stopping there. In an exclusive to Deadline, it was revealed that Universal has acquired the right’s to an American remake of the 2012 Korean film Confessions of Murder. Chris MacBride is tapped to write it and Barnstorm (that Powell started with Dan Cohen) will produce alongside Universal.
There hasn’t been any news of yet on whether or not Powell will star in the film. He is working with other production companies to produce projects that he doesn’t seem to be tied to, like the A24 and J.T. Mollner adaptation of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre for a new television series. But the news is just that MacBride is working on the script with both Barnstorm and Universal behind it. No other casting choices have been made as of yet but there is a role that Powell could play if it works out that way.
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The 2012 film, which stars Jung Jae-Yung and was directed by Jung Byung-gil, is described as follows: “Lee Du-Seok publishes an autobiography describing murders he committed after the statute of limitations expires. A detective and one of the victims’ mother search for the author while an anonymous person claims to be the real killer.”
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Collider Exclusive · Sci-Fi Survival Quiz Which Sci-Fi World Would You Survive? The Matrix · Mad Max · Blade Runner · Dune · Star Wars
Five universes. Five completely different ways the future went wrong — or sideways, or up in flames. Only one of them is the world your instincts were built for. Eight questions will figure out which dystopia, galaxy, or desert wasteland you’d actually make it out of alive.
💊The Matrix
🔥Mad Max
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🌧️Blade Runner
🏜️Dune
🚀Star Wars
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01
You sense something is deeply wrong with the world around you. What do you do? The first instinct is often the truest one.
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02
In a world of scarcity, what resource do you guard most fiercely? What we protect reveals what we believe survival actually requires.
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03
What kind of threat keeps you up at night? Fear is useful data — if you’re honest about what you’re actually afraid of.
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04
How do you deal with authority you don’t trust? Every dystopia has a power structure. Your approach to it determines everything.
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05
Which environment could you actually endure long-term? Survival isn’t just tactical — it’s physical, psychological, and very much about where you are.
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06
Who do you want in your corner when things fall apart? The company you keep is the clearest signal of who you actually are.
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07
Where do you draw the line — if you draw one at all? Every survivor eventually faces a moment that tests what they’re actually made of.
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08
What would actually make survival worth it? Staying alive is one thing. Having a reason to is another.
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Your Fate Has Been Calculated You’d Survive In…
Your answers point to the world your instincts were built for. This is the universe your temperament, your survival instincts, and your particular brand of stubbornness were made for.
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The Resistance, Zion
The Matrix
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You took the red pill a long time ago — probably before anyone offered it to you. You’re a systems thinker who can’t help but notice the seams in things.
You’re drawn to understanding how the system works before figuring out how to break it.
You’d find the Resistance, or it would find you — your instinct for spotting constructed realities is the machines’ worst nightmare.
You function best when you have access to information and the freedom to act on it.
The Matrix built an airtight prison. You’d be the one probing the walls for the door.
The Wasteland
Mad Max
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The wasteland doesn’t reward the clever or the well-connected — it rewards those who are hard to kill and harder to break. That’s you.
You don’t need comfort, community, or a cause larger than the next horizon.
You need a vehicle, a clear threat, and enough fuel to outrun it — and you’re good at all three.
You are unsentimental enough to survive that world, and decent enough — just barely — to be something more than another raider.
In the wasteland, that distinction is everything.
Los Angeles, 2049
Blade Runner
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You’d survive here because you know how to exist in moral grey areas without losing yourself completely.
You read people accurately, keep your circle small, and ask the questions others prefer not to answer.
In a city where humanity is a legal designation rather than a feeling, you hold onto something that keeps you functional.
You’re not a hero. But you’re not lost, either.
In Blade Runner’s world, that distinction is everything.
Arrakis
Dune
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Arrakis is the most hostile environment in the known universe — and you are precisely the kind of person it rewards.
Patience, discipline, and political awareness are your core strengths — and on Arrakis, they’re survival tools.
You understand that the long game matters more than any single victory.
Others come to Dune and are consumed by it. You’d learn its logic and earn its respect.
In time, you wouldn’t just survive Arrakis — you’d begin to reshape it.
A Galaxy Far, Far Away
Star Wars
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The galaxy far, far away is vast, loud, and in a constant state of violent political upheaval — and you wouldn’t have it any other way.
You find meaning in being part of something larger than yourself — a cause, a crew, a rebellion.
You’d gravitate toward the Rebellion, or the fringes, or whatever pocket of the galaxy still believes the Empire’s grip can be broken.
You fight — not because you have to, but because standing aside isn’t something you’re capable of.
In Star Wars, that willingness is what makes all the difference.
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Glen Powell Is the King of Reboots, Remakes, and Fun Adaptations
Glen Powell in Chad Powers Season 2Image via Hulu
Powell hasn’t let himself get stuck in a box. Starting his career as Chad Radwell in the Ryan Murphy series Scream Queens, he went on to star in big reboot films like Top Gun: Maverickand Twisters. But he also has dipped his toe into the remake pool as well. In 2025, he starred as Ben Richards in Edgar Wright‘s adaptation of the Stephen King story The Running Man. But he also adaptated the series Chad Powers with Avengers: Doomsday scribe Michael Waldron. Meaning that he has history adapting and telling stories that have previously been told. So if he was to be more involved in Confession of Murder outside of just a producing role, it would be an exciting new adventure for Powell. Especially after How to Make a Killing.
In the meantime, you can see Powell star in the Hulu series Chad Powers.
Ridley Scott on the red carpetImage via Nasser Berzane/ABACA/INSTARimages.com
A trend is emerging where director Ridley Scottshrugs at other filmmakers’ sequels to his sci-fi movies. He recently described Alien: Romulusas just “okay” in an interview with AlloCiné, and indicated that he wants to retake control of the franchise. But Romulus was credited with reviving the series with its $350 million worldwide box-office haul and “Certified Fresh” 80% Rotten Tomatoes score after the underperformance of Scott’s Alien: Covenant derailed it. He also told Vulture that Blade Runner 2049, which many consider among the greatest sequels ever made and perhaps even better than Scott’s original, was “too long.” With the franchise set to return as a streaming series soon, the 2017 sequel has seen a spike on streaming.
The movie starred Ryan Gosling alongside the returning Harrison Ford. Directed by Denis Villeneuve as his first mega-budget Hollywood movie after he’d proved his chops with Prisoners and Arrival, Blade Runner 2049 emerged as a box-office disappointment. It grossed around $275 million worldwide against a reported budget of $185 million. But it received tremendous reviews; the movie now holds a “Certified Fresh” 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus reads, “Visually stunning and narratively satisfying, Blade Runner 2049 deepens and expands its predecessor’s story while standing as an impressive filmmaking achievement in its own right.”
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Collider Exclusive · Sci-Fi Survival Quiz Which Sci-Fi World Would You Survive? The Matrix · Mad Max · Blade Runner · Dune · Star Wars
Five universes. Five completely different ways the future went wrong — or sideways, or up in flames. Only one of them is the world your instincts were built for. Eight questions will figure out which dystopia, galaxy, or desert wasteland you’d actually make it out of alive.
💊The Matrix
🔥Mad Max
🌧️Blade Runner
Advertisement
🏜️Dune
🚀Star Wars
Advertisement
01
You sense something is deeply wrong with the world around you. What do you do? The first instinct is often the truest one.
Advertisement
02
In a world of scarcity, what resource do you guard most fiercely? What we protect reveals what we believe survival actually requires.
Advertisement
03
What kind of threat keeps you up at night? Fear is useful data — if you’re honest about what you’re actually afraid of.
Advertisement
04
How do you deal with authority you don’t trust? Every dystopia has a power structure. Your approach to it determines everything.
Advertisement
05
Which environment could you actually endure long-term? Survival isn’t just tactical — it’s physical, psychological, and very much about where you are.
Advertisement
06
Who do you want in your corner when things fall apart? The company you keep is the clearest signal of who you actually are.
Advertisement
07
Where do you draw the line — if you draw one at all? Every survivor eventually faces a moment that tests what they’re actually made of.
Advertisement
08
What would actually make survival worth it? Staying alive is one thing. Having a reason to is another.
Advertisement
Your Fate Has Been Calculated You’d Survive In…
Your answers point to the world your instincts were built for. This is the universe your temperament, your survival instincts, and your particular brand of stubbornness were made for.
Advertisement
The Resistance, Zion
The Matrix
You took the red pill a long time ago — probably before anyone offered it to you. You’re a systems thinker who can’t help but notice the seams in things.
Advertisement
You’re drawn to understanding how the system works before figuring out how to break it.
You’d find the Resistance, or it would find you — your instinct for spotting constructed realities is the machines’ worst nightmare.
You function best when you have access to information and the freedom to act on it.
The Matrix built an airtight prison. You’d be the one probing the walls for the door.
The Wasteland
Mad Max
The wasteland doesn’t reward the clever or the well-connected — it rewards those who are hard to kill and harder to break. That’s you.
Advertisement
You don’t need comfort, community, or a cause larger than the next horizon.
You need a vehicle, a clear threat, and enough fuel to outrun it — and you’re good at all three.
You are unsentimental enough to survive that world, and decent enough — just barely — to be something more than another raider.
In the wasteland, that distinction is everything.
Los Angeles, 2049
Blade Runner
You’d survive here because you know how to exist in moral grey areas without losing yourself completely.
Advertisement
You read people accurately, keep your circle small, and ask the questions others prefer not to answer.
In a city where humanity is a legal designation rather than a feeling, you hold onto something that keeps you functional.
You’re not a hero. But you’re not lost, either.
In Blade Runner’s world, that distinction is everything.
Arrakis
Dune
Arrakis is the most hostile environment in the known universe — and you are precisely the kind of person it rewards.
Advertisement
Patience, discipline, and political awareness are your core strengths — and on Arrakis, they’re survival tools.
You understand that the long game matters more than any single victory.
Others come to Dune and are consumed by it. You’d learn its logic and earn its respect.
In time, you wouldn’t just survive Arrakis — you’d begin to reshape it.
A Galaxy Far, Far Away
Star Wars
The galaxy far, far away is vast, loud, and in a constant state of violent political upheaval — and you wouldn’t have it any other way.
Advertisement
You find meaning in being part of something larger than yourself — a cause, a crew, a rebellion.
You’d gravitate toward the Rebellion, or the fringes, or whatever pocket of the galaxy still believes the Empire’s grip can be broken.
You fight — not because you have to, but because standing aside isn’t something you’re capable of.
In Star Wars, that willingness is what makes all the difference.
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The Blade Runner Franchise Is Set to Expand this Year
Scott is now ready to serve as an executive producer on the upcoming Prime Video series Blade Runner 2099, which will debut in November. Meanwhile, according to FlixPatrol, Blade Runner 2049 is currently the number-one movie in the world on HBO Max. The movie’s reputation clearly remains as strong as ever, despite Scott’s comments. The filmmaker recently returned to the sci-fi genre with The Dog Stars, which tanked both critically and commercially, suggesting that he isn’t the marquee name that he once was. Certainly, there is no love lost between him and director Neill Blomkamp, who suggested that Scott’s intervention scuppered his long-gestating Alien sequel. Asked if Scott had offered a clarification, Blomkamp told The Guardian, “Not after, no, no, no, there’s no coming back from that. I’m not gonna work on a film for two years and have the rug pulled out from underneath me and then go hang out and have beers. It’s exactly why I don’t want to do IP based on other people’s stuff ever again.” Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
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Release Date
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October 6, 2017
Runtime
164 minutes
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Director
Denis Villeneuve
Writers
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Michael Green, Hampton Fancher
Producers
Andrew A. Kosove, Broderick Johnson, Bud Yorkin, Cynthia Sikes, Carl Rogers, Dana Belcastro, Steven P. Wegner
A screencap of Bryan in ‘Resident Evil’Image via Columbia Pictures
The upcoming Resident Evil movie is poised to deliver a franchise-record debut at the domestic box office, according to early projections. In fact, higher estimates peg the film’s opening weekend haul to be around thrice that of the franchise’s current record, held by Resident Evil: Afterlife. Sony is putting its might into the movie, giving it a major PLF and IMAX push on the strength of director Zach Cregger‘s recent success. The filmmaker broke out with the acclaimed horror epic Barbarian, and followed it up with the even more successful Weapons. Some wondered why he’d chosen a franchise reboot as his next project, but if these projections were to hold up, he will probably be looking at the biggest hit of his career in a few weeks.
Weapons opened to $43 million domestically last year, ending its theatrical run with $151 million stateside and $270 million worldwide against a reported budget of $38 million. The movie was a critical success, with Amy Madigan winning an Oscar in the Best Supporting Actress category. Weapons now holds a “Certified Fresh” 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes, while Barbarian is sitting at a “Certified Fresh” 92% score on the aggregator website. He doesn’t have a very high bar to cross critically with the Resident Evil franchise, whose top-rated movie is Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, which holds a 39% score. It wasn’t the final chapter, of course, with a reboot titled Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon Citybeing released in 2021 and grossing just $42 million worldwide.
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Collider Exclusive · Sci-Fi Survival Quiz Which Sci-Fi World Would You Survive? The Matrix · Mad Max · Blade Runner · Dune · Star Wars
Five universes. Five completely different ways the future went wrong — or sideways, or up in flames. Only one of them is the world your instincts were built for. Eight questions will figure out which dystopia, galaxy, or desert wasteland you’d actually make it out of alive.
💊The Matrix
🔥Mad Max
🌧️Blade Runner
Advertisement
🏜️Dune
🚀Star Wars
Advertisement
01
You sense something is deeply wrong with the world around you. What do you do? The first instinct is often the truest one.
Advertisement
02
In a world of scarcity, what resource do you guard most fiercely? What we protect reveals what we believe survival actually requires.
Advertisement
03
What kind of threat keeps you up at night? Fear is useful data — if you’re honest about what you’re actually afraid of.
Advertisement
04
How do you deal with authority you don’t trust? Every dystopia has a power structure. Your approach to it determines everything.
Advertisement
05
Which environment could you actually endure long-term? Survival isn’t just tactical — it’s physical, psychological, and very much about where you are.
Advertisement
06
Who do you want in your corner when things fall apart? The company you keep is the clearest signal of who you actually are.
Advertisement
07
Where do you draw the line — if you draw one at all? Every survivor eventually faces a moment that tests what they’re actually made of.
Advertisement
08
What would actually make survival worth it? Staying alive is one thing. Having a reason to is another.
Advertisement
Your Fate Has Been Calculated You’d Survive In…
Your answers point to the world your instincts were built for. This is the universe your temperament, your survival instincts, and your particular brand of stubbornness were made for.
Advertisement
The Resistance, Zion
The Matrix
You took the red pill a long time ago — probably before anyone offered it to you. You’re a systems thinker who can’t help but notice the seams in things.
Advertisement
You’re drawn to understanding how the system works before figuring out how to break it.
You’d find the Resistance, or it would find you — your instinct for spotting constructed realities is the machines’ worst nightmare.
You function best when you have access to information and the freedom to act on it.
The Matrix built an airtight prison. You’d be the one probing the walls for the door.
The Wasteland
Mad Max
The wasteland doesn’t reward the clever or the well-connected — it rewards those who are hard to kill and harder to break. That’s you.
Advertisement
You don’t need comfort, community, or a cause larger than the next horizon.
You need a vehicle, a clear threat, and enough fuel to outrun it — and you’re good at all three.
You are unsentimental enough to survive that world, and decent enough — just barely — to be something more than another raider.
In the wasteland, that distinction is everything.
Los Angeles, 2049
Blade Runner
You’d survive here because you know how to exist in moral grey areas without losing yourself completely.
Advertisement
You read people accurately, keep your circle small, and ask the questions others prefer not to answer.
In a city where humanity is a legal designation rather than a feeling, you hold onto something that keeps you functional.
You’re not a hero. But you’re not lost, either.
In Blade Runner’s world, that distinction is everything.
Arrakis
Dune
Arrakis is the most hostile environment in the known universe — and you are precisely the kind of person it rewards.
Advertisement
Patience, discipline, and political awareness are your core strengths — and on Arrakis, they’re survival tools.
You understand that the long game matters more than any single victory.
Others come to Dune and are consumed by it. You’d learn its logic and earn its respect.
In time, you wouldn’t just survive Arrakis — you’d begin to reshape it.
A Galaxy Far, Far Away
Star Wars
The galaxy far, far away is vast, loud, and in a constant state of violent political upheaval — and you wouldn’t have it any other way.
Advertisement
You find meaning in being part of something larger than yourself — a cause, a crew, a rebellion.
You’d gravitate toward the Rebellion, or the fringes, or whatever pocket of the galaxy still believes the Empire’s grip can be broken.
You fight — not because you have to, but because standing aside isn’t something you’re capable of.
In Star Wars, that willingness is what makes all the difference.
Advertisement
Here’s How Much Zach Cregger’s ‘Resident Evil’ Is Projected to Gross at the Box Office
Cregger’s film will eclipse this benchmark in its first weekend alone, according to early box-office projections. Starring Austin Abrams, the movie cost a reported $80 million to produce, and is currently looking at a $35 million domestic debut, according to Deadline. This is a conservative estimate. The figures could go up to $50 million, with Global Box Office predicting a whopping $70 million-plus debut. Cregger’s Resident Evil also features Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, and Paul Walter Hauser in supporting roles, and follows a medical courier who finds himself trapped in Raccoon City amid an outbreak. The movie will be released theatrically on September 18. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
The long-running case against Lindsay Clancy has reached another uncertain point after jurors were unable to agree on a verdict. After weeks of testimony and seven days of deliberations, the jury told the court Friday that it could not reach a unanimous decision, prompting the judge to declare a mistrial.
Jury Deadlock Leads To Mistrial After Defense Appeal Is Denied
The jury sent Judge William Sullivan a note saying, “It is with a heavy heart to report that we haven’t come to a decision and are unable to do so.” After jurors reported for a third time that they could not reach a unanimous verdict on whether Clancy was criminally responsible for the deaths of her three children, her defense team filed an emergency appeal seeking to delay the mistrial. The request for an emergency stay was denied, clearing the way for Sullivan to formally declare a mistrial Friday.
The mistrial leaves the charges unresolved, and prosecutors have not yet decided whether to retry the case. They could pursue a new trial, dismiss the charges or negotiate a plea agreement with Clancy’s attorneys. Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz said there would be no immediate decision. “This was and has always been about getting justice for those three little babies,” he said.
Defense Challenges Juror Over Reasonable Doubt
The defense had asked the judge to poll jurors about whether they had reached agreement on any charges or lesser-included offenses. Attorney Kevin Reddington also accused one juror of disregarding the reasonable-doubt standard and asked that the juror be removed. Sullivan declined. Before the mistrial was declared, the judge questioned jurors privately and reminded them that proof beyond a reasonable doubt does not mean proof beyond all possible doubt. He later thanked the panel for the weeks of work it had put into the case.
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What To Know About The Charges Against Clancy
Clancy, 36, is charged in the 2023 deaths of her children, Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and Callan, 8 months. She has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, with her defense arguing that she was experiencing postpartum psychosis and was not criminally responsible for her actions. Prosecutors have argued that she understood what she was doing. Clancy does not dispute that she strangled her children with exercise bands before attempting suicide by jumping from a second-story window. Moreover, the attempt left her paralyzed and using a wheelchair. Prosecutors have also argued that she deliberately sent her husband on errands before the killings. The mistrial means the central question of her criminal responsibility remains unanswered.
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Quiet luxury may have dominated fashion conversations for the past few years, but a new aesthetic is taking over, and it has a lot more personality. Dubbed ‘rich divorcée’ style, the trend blends timeless tailoring with glamorous accessories, silky fabrics and confidence-first dressing that looks effortlessly expensive.
The beauty of the trend is that it’s less about designer labels and more about choosing elevated basics that feel polished and powerful. Luckily, Amazon is filled with luxe-looking staples that channel the aesthetic without the luxury price tag. From fluid blouses and wide-leg trousers to sculptural gold jewelry and sophisticated accessories, these 13 finds make it easy to embrace the look.
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13 Amazon Pieces That Nail the ‘Rich Divorcée’ Aesthetic
1. Our Favorite: A silky button-front blouse instantly makes every outfit look more polished, and this one delivers that expensive-looking finish without the splurge. Pair it with wide-leg trousers during the day or dark denim and heels for dinner.
2. Runner-Up: These flowy palazzo pants strike the perfect balance between relaxed and refined. The high-rise silhouette and sweeping legs create the illusion of longer legs while serving effortless ‘summering on the Amalfi Coast’ energy.
3. Celeb-Approved: Chunky layered gold necklaces are practically synonymous with this trend. This waterproof set instantly elevates a simple white tee, button-down or slip dress with minimal effort.
4. Designer-Looking: A structured faux-leather top-handle handbag gives every outfit a polished finish. Clean lines and rich neutral shades make it look far more expensive than its price tag.
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5. Everyday Essential:Oversized square sunglasses add an air of mystery and sophistication. They’re the quickest way to make jeans and a white shirt feel celebrity-worthy.
The almond milk manicure has quickly become one of the biggest beauty trends of the season, and it’s easy to see why. The soft, creamy neutral feels understated, expensive and effortlessly chic, which is exactly the kind of aesthetic that’s fueling fashion’s ongoing quiet luxury obsession. Naturally, it’s inspired me to reach for dresses that […]
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6. Best Blazer: A relaxed linen-blend blazer instantly sharpens tanks, dresses and matching sets. Toss it over your shoulders for an effortlessly chic finishing touch.
7. Best White Shirt: An oversized cotton button-down is the ultimate wardrobe multitasker. Wear it tucked into trousers, open over a swimsuit or knotted with linen shorts.
8. Best Shoes: Sleek pointed-toe loafers offer timeless polish without sacrificing comfort. They transition seamlessly from the office to weekend brunch.
9. Best Belt: A leather-look belt with a bold gold buckle instantly defines the waist and makes simple dresses and trousers feel more intentional.
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10. Best Dress: A sleeveless knit midi dress creates an elegant, streamlined silhouette that’s equal parts comfortable and sophisticated. Add gold jewelry and kitten heels to complete the look.
11. Best Scarf: A satin square scarf is one of the easiest ways to embrace the aesthetic. Tie it around your neck, your ponytail or the handle of your handbag for an instantly elevated outfit.
12. Best Flats:Pointed-toe ballet flats bring together comfort and quiet sophistication. They look just as chic with tailored trousers as they do with a slip skirt or jeans.
13. Best Statement Earrings:Chunky gold dome earrings are the finishing touch every ‘rich divorcée’ outfit needs. They add just enough drama to make even the simplest outfit feel fashion-editor-approved.
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Welcome to fall with our biggest sale of the season. Our favorite dresses, tops, handbags, and shoes are all on sale + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.
An Alabama deputy charged with human trafficking, rape and other offenses is accused of threatening his then-girlfriend and blackmailing her into sexual servitude.
Robert Lisle, 47, a Jefferson County deputy, was arrested in Blount County on Monday, August 31, records show. He is also charged with unlawful imprisonment and domestic violence/harassment.
He was released from custody the morning of Friday, September 4, according to jail records.
Lisle allegedly threatened to call immigration authorities on his girlfriend and used “blackmail to extort the victim into fulfilling sexual fantasies” in July and August, per charging documents obtained by AL.com.
An Alabama police chief was arrested in Tennessee after police said he beat and strangled a woman he was dating during an argument over “alleged cheating,” Us Weekly has learned. Stephen Malone, 32, the chief of the Collinsville Police Department in Alabama, had been visiting the woman at her Nashville home when the assault unfolded […]
According to a criminal complaint, Lisle raped the woman on July 15 and also confined her to a bathroom on August 14, when he had her delete videos that were on her phone, the news outlet reported. He is also accused of physically assaulting the woman on August 14.
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The complaint accuses Lisle of grabbing the woman’s ponytail and her throat while trying to gain access to her phone, WBMA reported. Additionally, he allegedly shoved her and hit her despite her having undergone recent surgery.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has placed Lisle on leave while the agency conducts an administrative investigation, Chief Deputy Henry Irby III confirmed to the TV station.
The Blount County District Attorney’s Office on Thursday, September 3, had requested for Lisle to be held without bond, WIAT reported. Prosecutors said the victim feared she’d be retaliated against for alerting law enforcement to what she allegedly endured.
Lisle’s defense attorney David Luker said “I think it is a very serious [allegation] and there are two sides,” per the TV station.
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At a hearing on September 3, Lisle’s bond had been set at $80,600, the TV station reported.
A Florida deputy was arrested after authorities said he accessed law enforcement databases to locate a woman he met while working a security job on the set of “Bad Monkey,” a TV show featuring actor Vince Vaughn. The now-former Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputy, Lamar Eliseo Roman, was fired in addition to his arrest on […]
“You’ve got a really good judge that’s handling this case and you’ve got good prosecutors,” Luker said, according to WIAT. “And we’re all trying to do our job the best for our clients. Prosecutors representing [the] state of Alabama and me representing Mr. Lisle, so it’s one of those cases where it’s just going to take a little time for it all to filter out.”
Ahead of Lisle’s arrest, he sought a protection order against the woman, who he described as his ex, and accused her of mental instability, according to records viewed by AL.com.
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Lisle and the woman must stay 1,000 feet apart from each other as part of a restraining order issued by a judge, per AL.com.
When Ready or Not released in 2019, it was an immediate success. From thriving at the box office to launching Samara Weaving into the spotlight, this horror comedy was a hit. Seven years later, the film is finding new life on streaming. Since its recent addition to Netflix, Ready or Not has been charting in the top 10 of movies watched. Audiences can relive the hype of this gripping thriller, as well as jump straight into the sequel, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come.
Directed by Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Ready or Not is a brutal thriller that isn’t afraid to get bloody. Reminiscent of Richard Connell’s The Most Dangerous Game, the film quickly defies expectations and delivers a hunt unlike any other. Starring Adam Brody, Andie MacDowell, and Mark O’Brien, Ready or Not is full of stellar performances, gruesome deaths, and a shocking twist that will leave audiences horrified.
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‘Ready or Not’ Turns a Childhood Game into a Nightmare
Samara Weaving as Grace in Ready or Not, wearing her wedding dress and smilingImage via Searchlight Pictures
Grace (Samara Weaving) thought that marrying into her fiancé’s family would earn her new kin. Turns out, her eccentric in-laws have a tradition for the happy couple’s wedding night. As an initiation, Grace is instructed to pull a card from an ancient family heirloom, which will decide what game the family plays. When Grace pulls out a card that reads ‘Hide and Seek,’ the family turns on the bride, intent on hunting her down. As she hides from her murderous in-laws in their expansive mansion, Grace finds out the truth behind their traditions and figures out a way to foil their plans.
Violent, absurdly rich, and a little bit chaotic, the murderous family doesn’t hold back and neither does Ready or Not. As the stakes rise and Grace’s survival seems less likely, the film pushes the limits. New viewers will find themselves shocked at the lengths the family will go to in order to capture Grace.
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Samara Weaving Gives an Outstanding Performance as The Bride
Sometimes horror protagonists can get lost in the chaos, but not Grace. Samara Weaving’s performance refused to be ignored, truly skyrocketing the Australian actress’s career. While she starts the film off confused and unbothered, Grace quickly wises up to her deadly circumstances and finds the determination to survive. By the end, audiences are rooting for her because of Grace’s blatant refusal to die. Grace’s unearthly scream alone is enough to cement Weaving as a horror star.
With Samara Weaving’s recent casting as Emma Frost in Marvel’s upcoming X-Men projects, it’s clear to see how Ready or Not laid the groundwork for her future success. Weaving is a bold and determined protagonist who stands out as the film’s blood soaked ‘final girl.’ With the success of both Ready or Not films, audiences can look forward to seeing more of Weaving in the years to come.
In terms of horror. Ready or Not takes the familiar tropes of the genre and gives them new life. With its popularity on Netflix, the film has the chance to gain new appreciation. With the unique plot and inclination towards bloody demises, Ready or Not is a fun and terrifying addition to the horror genre that truly deserves further praise.
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Release Date
August 21, 2019
Runtime
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95 minutes
Director
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett
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Writers
Guy Busick, R. Christopher Murphy
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Producers
James Vanderbilt, William Sherak, Bradley J. Fischer, Tripp Vinson
The judge in Lindsay Clancy’s controversial triple murder trial shocked court observers by officially declaring a mistrial after more than five days and 30 hours of jury deliberations.
Judge William Sullivan was informed by a 12-person jury that it was deadlocked on Friday, September 4, after one lone juror remained in disagreement with the remaining 11. The mom faced three first-degree murder charges — among other charges — related to the 2023 deaths of Clancy’s three children — Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and Callan, 8 months.
Clancy has admitted to strangling her three children to death before jumping out a second-story window in an alleged suicide attempt. Her defense team argues she should not be held criminally liable for the deaths because she was suffering from postpartum psychosis before and during the killings.
Prosecutors insist that despite her documented mental health struggles that she was aware of her actions — and able to differentiate right from wrong — when she killed her three children.
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Public intrigue over the case reached a fever pitch when Judge Sullivan allowed Clancy’s defense team one hour to petition for an appeal from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court on Friday. After the high court declined to order an emergency stay, Judge Sullivan formally declared a mistrial before formally dismissing the jury.
The mistrial ruling raises questions over whether Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz will attempt to retry the case. Lawyers on both sides are due back in court on Tuesday, September 29, to consider next steps.
Keep scrolling for more information on whether double jeopardy applies in this case and what may come next in the courtroom.
What Is Double Jeopardy?
The Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution deals, in part, with how criminal trials are — and are not — allowed to be conducted. The amendment lays out “double jeopardy” as a procedural defense to prevent a person from being tried twice for the same crime, provided they are either acquitted or convicted in a court of law.
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A relevant clause in the Fifth Amendment reads, “No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”
What Is a Mistrial?
A mistrial occurs when a verdict in a criminal trial cannot be reached or the trial itself cannot be completed, per the American Bar Association. Possible causes for mistrials include the death of a juror or attorney, a prejudicial error that impacts a jury’s ability to judge a defendant fairly or juror misconduct.
One other common circumstance for a mistrial in criminal court occurs when a jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict.
In Clancy’s case, jurors deliberated for more than 30 hours before informing Judge William Sullivan that they were deadlocked 11-1 on the three counts of first-degree murder. (Clancy’s defense attorney, Kevin Reddington, asked Judge Sullivan for a chance to poll the jury on whether they’d reached consensus on any of the lesser charges. His request was denied.)
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Judge Sullivan allowed the defense one hour to petition for an emergency appeal from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court before formally declaring a mistrial on Friday when the high court declined to intervene.
Can Double Jeopardy Be Used in Lindsay Clancy’s Case?
Since no verdict was reached in the Clancy trial, double jeopardy restrictions do not apply — meaning Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz is legally allowed to retry the case.
What Happens Next in Lindsay Clancy’s Case?
Once a mistrial was declared, District Attorney Cruz wasted no time in addressing his option to retry Clancy while speaking to the media outside the Plymouth Superior Court.
“I do know that one of the questions that’s out there right now [is] regarding retrials,” he told reporters on Friday. “I will let you know that there will be no decision today. I am going to be meeting with my team and will address that [option] further at the appropriate time and in the context of an official court proceeding.”
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Defense lawyer Reddington previously expressed his concern that his client would not be able to endure a retrial. However, he assured the media following Friday’s hearing that Clancy will “be ready” if prosecutors proceed with a retrial.
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“Judge Sullivan is indicating that we are looking at sometime in the fall,” Reddington clarified.
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Judge Sullivan has scheduled a court hearing on Tuesday, September 29, to address next steps in the case.
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When you’re between errands and soccer pick-ups, the last thing you want is an oversized handbag to lug around. Thankfully, Cameron Diaz found an equally stylish and functional alternative, and her exact belt bag is on Amazon!
Diaz stepped out for a casual walk with friend Zoe Saldaña, rocking an outfit that is absolute perfection for busy moms. She elevated a plain white tee and black pants with a sun hat, a sweater tossed over her shoulders and an easy Bogg Belt Bag, a chic yet practical accessory.
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Get the Bogg Belt Bag and Crossbody for $50 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.
This Bogg Belt Bag sits right where it needs to, handles your essentials and gives your outfit a Diaz-like, off-duty twist. It’s the perfect final touch to any on-the-go look, adding that little something extra in the way a nice watch or gold hoops does.
On the functionality front, this classy little bag doubles as a crossbody, so you can wear it around your waist or sling it over your shoulder. If you’ve been through the school drop-off-to-coffee-run shuffle, you know what a difference versatility makes.
Better yet, this pick is water-resistant, comes in four colors and holds more than it looks like it should.
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One shopper wrote, “I’m able to carry all of my essentials and still have room to put my iPhone 14 inside of this bag. The mesh pockets inside are a big plus to help keep it organized.”
To top it off, this celeb-approved belt bag is built to last. As another reviewer put it, “Color matches perfectly, and it has stood up to the beating it has received from my children. I would buy it again.”
Diaz makes rich mom style look effortless, and with this bag, it is. Pretty and practical, it may replace your bulky tote for good.
Get the Bogg Belt Bag and Crossbody for $50 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.
UsNow Fall Sale Alert: These chic fashion finds are up to 60% off – plus free shipping
Welcome to fall with our biggest sale of the season. Our favorite dresses, tops, handbags, and shoes are all on sale + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.
It’s no secret that European rich moms drape expensive-looking knits over their shoulders. Emily Ratajkowski may live in New York City, but her outfit screamed ‘Parisian socialite,’ thanks to one outfit piece. We found the Euro-chic look for only $15! At the Loewe womenswear fall and winter show in Paris, Ratajkowski skipped the fancy moment […]
Quentin Tarantino is a unique filmmaker, and his films are greatly lauded and applauded. He’s often considered influential, especially to newer generations of directors, and he himself has been claiming influence from global cinema. Another interesting thing about Tarantino is that he promised to retire after making his tenth film—that film was Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and truly, since then, Tarantino hasn’t directed anything except a short film related to his hit movie Kill Bill.
Ranking all ten of Tarantino’s films can often feel like a sport, but there are no wrong answers, only endless arguments, which is what makes it so fun. At least half of his films are legitimate candidates for the best film of whatever decade they landed in. And while we won’t try to settle anything here today, we will be making the case that only six symbolize a time when Tarantino was operating at a level where no individual element, line of dialogue, shot, casting choice, or needle drop needs improvement. Here are six Quentin Tarantino movies that are 10/10, no notes.
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‘Reservoir Dogs’ (1992)
Michael Madsen as Mr. Blonde sipping a drink in Reservoir Dogs (1992)Image via Miramax Films
Reservoir Dogs is Tarantino’s feature film debut; when it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, over a dozen people walked out, citing excessive realistic violence. This is fun since, knowing where Tarantino’s films have gone from there, Reservoir Dogs seems tame in comparison today. This film has everything a modern masterpiece needs—pop-culture-infused dialog, a non-linear structure, and excellent needle drops (“Stuck in the Middle with You,” we’re looking at you)—and it immediately established that a new voice had emerged in American cinema. Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen, Steve Buscemi, and Tim Roth have fantastic chemistry, making the ensemble work feel effortless.
Reservoir Dogs follows six unnamed professional criminals (nicknamed for different colors) who are recruited by mob boss Joe Cabot (Lawrence Tierney) to carry out a diamond heist. However, the heist immediately goes horribly wrong, and the film begins with the bloody, fractured aftermath, with the survivors regrouping at a warehouse and attempting to figure out which of them is working undercover for the police. Tarantino shot almost all of Reservoir Dogs in one location, which feels like a stylistic choice rather than a budget constraint—demonstrating how to work with what you have. He claims inspiration for it from various crime films, including Stanley Kubrick‘s The Killing and Jean Pierre Melville‘s Le Samourai; many critics have also noted similarities between it and the Hong Kong action film City on Fire, starring Chow Yun-fat.
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‘Kill Bill: Volume 2’ (2004)
Uma Thurman in Kill Bill Vol. 2Image via Miramax Films
There was some thought about combining Kill Bill: Volume 1 and Volume 2 into a single entry (or The Whole Bloody Affair), but Tarantino himself stated that Vols 1 and 2 should be treated as separate films, which they are, with the exception of the cast and main storyline. Because, whereas Vol. 1 was a pure action film, Vol. 2 is a Western and a character study, following the Bride (Uma Thurman) through the last few names on her revenge list in a style that has more in common with Sergio Leone than Bruce Lee. Vol. 2 rewards the patience that Vol. 1 requires, so the two form something larger and more complex than either could be alone but still stand on their own separately.
Vol. 2 takes The Bride straight to Bill (David Carradine), her ultimate target, who emerges from the story’s edges to take center stage. Carradine, who was 67 at the time and hadn’t been a major Hollywood presence in years, delivers a performance of such magnetic, unhurried menace that the film essentially revolves around him. The Pai Mei training sequence is as funny as anything Tarantino has ever written, the Budd chapter is a thrilling sequence of slow-burn dread, and the final confrontation between the Bride and Bill, resolved with some truth serum and a deadly move known as the Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique, is one of the most emotionally satisfying endings in Tarantino’s filmography.
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‘Kill Bill: Volume 1’ (2003)
Uma Thurman as The Bride holding a samurai sword in ‘Kill Bill: Vol. 1’Image via Miramax Films
Vol. 1 outperforms Vol. 2 in that Tarantino isworking in full cinephile mode here, with stylistic nods to spaghetti westerns, Japanese samurai films, anime, and 1970s exploitation cinema, all filtered through a sensibility so specific and personal that the resulting film could only have been made by this director. Sonny Chiba, Chiaki Kuriyama, andLucy Liuround out an excellent supporting cast, and the anime sequence depicting O-Ren Ishii’s (Liu) backstory is one of the most daring formal swings in any mainstream American release of the time. Tarantino is operating on pure imagination, and it works so brilliantly that we still watch Vol. 1 and gasp in awe of his enthusiasm.
Vol. 1 introduces us to The Bride, who awakens from a four-year coma to discover that her wedding party has been massacred, and her unborn daughter is presumed dead. She has a list of five names—and those names belong to members of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad; they are the ones who put her in that hospital bed, and the first volume covers The Bride, crossing off the first two names on her list: O-Ren Ishii (Liu) and Vernita Green (Vivica A. Fox). Vol. 1 features the iconic showdown at the House of Blue Leaves against O-Ren’s deadly squad known as the Crazy 88, which is still one of the most purely, joyfully choreographed action sequences in American cinema of the 2000s.
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Collider Exclusive · Oscar Best Picture Quiz Which Oscar Best Picture Is Your Perfect Movie? Parasite · Everything Everywhere · Oppenheimer · Birdman · No Country
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Five Oscar Best Picture winners. Five completely different visions of what cinema can be — and what it can do to you. One of them is the film that was made for the way your mind works. Ten questions will figure out which one.
🪜Parasite
🌀Everything Everywhere
☢️Oppenheimer
🐦Birdman
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🪙No Country for Old Men
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01
What kind of film experience do you actually want? The best movies don’t just entertain — they leave something behind.
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02
Which idea grabs you most in a film? Great films are driven by a central obsession. What’s yours?
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03
How do you like your story told? Form is content. The way a story is shaped changes what it means.
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04
What makes a truly great antagonist? The opposition defines the protagonist. What kind of opposition fascinates you?
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05
What do you want from a film’s ending? The final note is the one that lingers. What do you want it to sound like?
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06
Which setting pulls you in most? Where a film takes place shapes everything — mood, stakes, what’s even possible.
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07
What cinematic craft impresses you most? Every great film has a signature — a technical or artistic element that makes it unmistakable.
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08
What kind of main character do you root for? The protagonist is the lens. Who you choose to follow says something about you.
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09
How do you feel about a film that takes its time? Pace is a choice. Some films sprint; others let tension accumulate slowly, deliberately.
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10
What do you want to feel walking out of the cinema? The best films leave a mark. What kind of mark do you want?
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The Academy Has Decided Your Perfect Film Is…
Your answers have pointed to one Oscar Best Picture winner above all others. This is the film that was made for the way your mind works.
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Parasite
You are drawn to films that operate on multiple levels simultaneously — that begin in one genre and quietly, brilliantly migrate into another. Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite is a film about class, desire, and the architecture of inequality that manages to be darkly funny, deeply suspenseful, and genuinely shocking across a single extraordinary running time. Your instinct is for cinema that hides its true intentions until the moment it’s ready to reveal them. Parasite is exactly that — a film that rewards close attention and punishes assumptions, right up to its devastating final image.
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Everything Everywhere All at Once
You want it all — and this film gives you all of it. The Daniels’ Everything Everywhere All at Once is one of the most maximalist films ever made: action comedy, multiverse sci-fi, family drama, existential crisis, and a genuinely earned emotional core that sneaks up on you amid the chaos. You are someone who responds to ambition, who doesn’t want cinema to choose between being entertaining and being meaningful. This film refuses that choice entirely. It is overwhelming by design, and its overwhelming nature is precisely the point — because the feeling of being crushed by infinite possibility is exactly what it’s about.
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Oppenheimer
You are drawn to cinema on a grand scale — films that understand history not as a backdrop but as a force, and that place their characters inside that force and watch what happens. Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer is a film about the terrifying gap between what we can do and what we should do, told with the full weight of one of the most consequential moments in human history behind it. You want your films to feel important without feeling self-important — to earn their ambition through sheer craft and the gravity of their subject. Oppenheimer does exactly that. It is enormous, complicated, and refuses easy comfort.
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Birdman
You are drawn to films that foreground their own construction — that make the how of the filmmaking part of the what it’s about. Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Birdman, shot to appear as a single continuous take, is cinema examining itself through the cracked mirror of a fading actor’s ego. You respond to formal daring, to the feeling that a film is doing something that probably shouldn’t be possible. Michael Keaton’s performance and Emmanuel Lubezki’s restless camera create something genuinely unlike anything else — a film that is simultaneously about creativity, relevance, self-destruction, and the impossibility of ever truly knowing if your work means anything at all.
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No Country for Old Men
You are drawn to cinema that trusts silence, that refuses to explain itself, and that treats dread as a form of meaning. The Coen Brothers’ No Country for Old Men is a film about the arrival of a new kind of evil — implacable, arbitrary, and utterly indifferent to the moral frameworks we use to make sense of the world. It is one of the most formally controlled films ever made, and its controlled restraint is what makes it so terrifying. You want your films to haunt you, not comfort you. You are not interested in resolution if resolution would be dishonest. No Country for Old Men is honest in a way that most cinema never dares to be.
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‘Jackie Brown’ (1997)
It seems like Jackie Brown is the most overlooked film in Tarantino’s filmography, but it’s a movie that is a complete 10/10. It’s unsure if the film went under the radar a bit because it followed Pulp Fiction and audiences expected another maximalist explosion, or because its pleasures and payoffs are much slower and more patient than anything else he’s made. Jackie Brown really is a tribute to 1970s blaxploitation cinema and a love letter toPam Grier, who was largely absent from mainstream Hollywood at the time; by hiring her as the titular character, Tarantino handed Grier her best role in twenty years (and this is one of his trademarks). Robert Forster, similarly, gives the performance of his career as the bail bondsman Max Cherry, and the unspoken romantic tension between the two is genuinely moving, giving us little by little with each new scene. Joining them is Robert De Niro in one of his “most chill” roles ever, stepping away from the kinds of stuff he made during the 1990s.
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Jackie Brown (Grier) is a middle-aged flight attendant who supplements her income by smuggling cash for arms dealer Ordell Robbie (Samuel L. Jackson). When the ATF apprehends her in the middle of her run, she becomes the pivot point in a three-way con involving federal agents, a bail bondsman (Forster), and Ordell himself, all of whom believe they are in charge. Jackie Brown, like Reservoir Dogs,has a fractured structure that bears the hallmarks of a modern masterpiece; this is most evident in the central money-switch sequence, which is shown three times from three perspectives and remains one of Tarantino’s most brilliant pieces of editing.
‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994)
Uma Thurman in ‘Pulp Fiction’Image via Miramax Films
Pulp Fiction is so good that it still inspires all other anthology films with interconnected characters. It’s even used to describe films with similar structures as a compliment and a point of comparison. But Pulp Fiction is more than just a film; it has a number of recognizable elements that make it iconic, ranging from the resurrection of John Travolta‘s career (the previously mentioned trademark), Samuel L. Jackson’s monologue, and the Royale with Cheese conversation to the adrenaline shot to the heart and the diner dance. The film is so full of iconic moments that it’s easy to forget how well-executed it truly is.
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Pulp Fiction is made up of a few interlocking crime stories set in Los Angeles, told in reverse chronological order; it follows a pair of philosophical hitmen (Travolta and Jackson), a mob boss’s wife (Uma Thurman), a fading boxer (Bruce Willis), and a pair of diner robbers (Amanda Plummer and Tim Roth), whose lives continue to intersect during a single, and eventually uncovered to be a very bad day. Pulp Fiction followed Reservoir Dogs, but it was the film that proved Tarantino would be remembered for decades. The non-linear structure and intertwining nature bear the film’s weight, with even the characters getting unexpected endings, breaking conventions once again. Pulp Fiction won the Palme d’Or at Cannes and changed the course of American cinema, and three decades later, people still quote it.
‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2009)
Michael Fassbender lighting Diane Kruger’s cigarette while in a tavern in Inglourious BasterdsImage via The Weinstein Company
In terms of non-linear, intertwining narratives that lead to a single cohesive conclusion, many consider Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction to be the pinnacle, but Inglourious Basterds has a little more spice, zest, and bite than its predecessor. Everything in Inglourious Basterds is so perfect, from the dialogue to the performances, which range from thriller to comic relief, that all the characters’ talking goes by quickly. There is a lot of dialogue here, but the delivery and tension make it extremely entertaining. Christoph Waltz takes on the role of a lifetime as SS Colonel Hans Landa, winning every single award for it, and Brad Pitt has never been better than as Lt. Aldo Raine, leading a contingent of vengeful, Nazi scalp-hunting soldiers across Germany during WWII.
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In 1944, two parallel plots to assassinate the Nazi high command converge on a Paris cinema: one led by Lt. Aldo Raine and his squad of Jewish American soldiers who scalp their kills, and one by Shosanna Dreyfus (Mélanie Laurent), a young French-Jewish woman whose family was murdered by SS Colonel Hans Landa years earlier and who has spent every day since plotting revenge. Tarantino had been working on the script since 1998 and had set it aside several times when he couldn’t figure out the ending, but the ending he eventually discovered is one of cinema’s greatest acts of cathartic alternate history. It’s the film in which every aspect—performance, script, cinematography, score, and pacing—comes together flawlessly. It’s easy to argue that it’s the best film of the 2000s and Tarantino’s magnum opus, coming in bolder, braver, and smarter since crafting his beloved sophomore feature.
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