A good action movie keeps our adrenaline pumping as the battles rage on. Whether it’s a hero on a mission or a team battling a disaster, the action must keep audiences glued to their screen from start to finish. When a great action movie leaves you eager for more, you know it was a success that future films will try to replicate. They’re the films that stick with you for a lifetime.
But sometimes, when an action flick is good, not great, it falters in earning that perfect status because it’s missing something; maybe it’s a plot hole or a character choice, ort could be lost to time or mixed in the shuffle. Whatever it is, it makes the movie forgotten by modern audiences. We’re here to discuss those, the action movies that come close to perfection and are still all but forgotten today. These near-perfect films are the ones that miss out on the all-time great list, and thus have been lost to time.
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10
‘Con Air’ (1997)
Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
If there is one actor who has had a wild and versatile career, it’s Nicolas Cage. Unafraid of making bold choices, Cage puts his full self in his films, but that doesn’t always mean it’s always right. For instance, if there was one thing that pulled you out of Con Air, it’s the country-fried dialect Cage gave to Cameron Poe. The epitome of ’90s action films, Con Air follows Poe, a paroled Army Ranger, as he’s transported home aboard a prison transport plane called the Jailbird. On board, the passengers include some of the worst prisoners, many of whom plan a heist to hijack the plane. Poe must use his skills to defeat Cyrus “The Virus” Grissom (John Malkovich) and his gang so he can make it home alive.
An over-the-top, formulaic action thriller, Con Air is brilliant in concept and execution. Looking at the casting, which also includes John Cusack, Ving Rhames, Steve Buscemi, and more, you’d think Con Air would be perfect. But Cage’s accent is simply too distracting, especially when he’s delivering hard-hitting bits of dialogue. You can certainly appreciate Cage for crafting a fully-rounded character, but it detracts from an overall masterpiece.
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9
‘The Rocketeer’ (1991)
A masked superhero in a leather jacket flies through the sky in The Rocketeer.Image via Buena Vista Pictures
Directed by Joe Johnston and set in 1938 Los Angeles, The Rocketeer sees stunt pilot Cliff Secord (Billy Campbell) find a stolen, top-secret Nazi-coveted rocket pack. After earning the attention of Howard Hughes (Terry O’Quinn) and the FBI, Secord uses it to become a hero, fighting Nazi agents, while protecting his girlfriend, Jenny Blake (Jennifer Connelly), and his mechanic mentor, A. “Peevy” Peabody (Alan Arkin). Based on the comic book character of the same name by Dave Stevens, The Rocketeer is a sleek film that celebrates an ordinary man who becomes extraordinary.
Rooted in nostalgia with a glamorous ’30s Art Deco tribute, The Rocketeer is a retro throwback that came out way before it was ready. There is a sense of marvel, the heroes are charming, the villains are dastardly, and the cinematography, for its time, is a wonder. But with high-flying effects central to the film, The Rocketeer became extremely dated, unable to earn masterpiece status to prevent us from giving it a pass. It’s a sleeper hit that became a beloved cult classic, but when you can sense the green screen, you’re taken out of the wonderment. Though it may have to be adjusted in the story, The Rocketeer is a film that deserves a remake.
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8
‘Last Action Hero’ (1993)
Jack Slater, played by actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, stands smiling next to a blond woman in a video store in Last Action Hero.Image via Columbia Pictures
In the ’80s, Arnold Schwarzenegger was a full-on action hero. The films he brought to life were full-fledged action thrillers, jam-packed with action, drama, and destruction. Then, in the ’90s, Schwarzenegger opted to shift and flex his comedic skills, appearing in films that toed the line between action and comedy. Last Action Hero almost worked. The fantasy adventure film follows a young boy named Danny Madigan (Austin O’Brien), who is obsessed with the Jack Slater films. With the help of a golden ticket, Danny is magically transported into the latest film, teaming up with the fictional, invincible Slater to fight villains. When Mr. Benedict (Charles Dance), a ruthless assassin, grabs the ticket and escapes to the real world, Danny and Arnold’s Jack Slater are forced to save the day.
A delightful film, it gets a bit too meta to be completely believable. While it serves as a brilliant exploration of the action genre as a self-aware deconstruction, balancing satire and a love letter to cinema, the actual action genre gets muddied at times, and it comes with Schwarzenegger’s attempt to parody himself. Last Action Hero didn’t necessarily earn iconic status just yet. That said, if you can forgive the in-jokes and appreciate the film for what it is, Last Action Hero is one of the actor’s underappreciated hits.
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7
‘The Long Kiss Goodnight’ (1996)
Geena Davis and Samuel L Jackson as Samantha and Hitch holding guns standing in a hallway in ‘The Long Kiss Goodnight’Image via New Line Cinema
Nothing can kill a potentially brilliant action film like some sloppy storytelling. Such was the case for Renny Harlin’s The Long Kiss Goodnight. The film tells the story of Samantha Caine (Geena Davis), a suburban schoolteacher with amnesia, who, after a car accident, triggers memories of her violent past, discovers she is actually a highly skilled government assassin named Charly Baltimore. When her past catches up with her, she teams up with a private investigator (Samuel L. Jackson) to uncover a conspiracy.
A story about the rebirth of an identity, The Long Kiss Goodnight is a fast-paced thriller that’s exceptionally well-led. It is highly regarded, thanks to the wonderful chemistry between Davis and Jackson. With Davis as the focal point, the film satisfied the itch for female-driven action thrillers. Today, the government’s plot to blame a Niagara Falls attack on terrorists to gain military funding doesn’t play well. Then, if you can get past an amnesiac school teacher who once was an assassin, you’ll be fine, but the premise often leads to moments when you ask yourself, “What?” Luckily, Davis overcomes a split-personality performance, with Jackson anchoring her.
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6
‘To Live and Die in L.A.’ (1985)
Willem Dafoe as Rick in To Live and Die in L.A.Image via MGM
If you ask director William Friedkin, To Live and Die in L.A. was as close as he’s ever been to his perfect vision. And yet, it’s still underrated compared to his other efforts. From the visionary behind The Exorcist, To Live and Die in L.A. follows Richard Chase (William Petersen), a reckless Secret Service Agent who becomes obsessed with avenging his partner’s murder by a dangerous counterfeiter, Rick Masters (Willem Dafoe). A story of blurred morality through the lens of corruption and revenge, To Live and Die in L.A. is a style-over-substance masterclass that dreams of being The French Connection.
A daring and sometimes erratic cop thriller, Friedkin pushes bullets, betrayals, and forgeries as an allegory for obsession and the drive to become whole again. If you’re willing to set aside your desire for action to focus on the film’s deeper meaning, To Live and Die in L.A. is a great work of art. Yet the ending also makes you feel as if injustice is something you have to get over. Nevertheless, it’s a stunning film with utterly visceral action. If you love a good car chase, To Live and Die in L.A. delivers. Between a gritty, unforgiving appearance and the Wang Chung soundtrack, it feels like an ’80s classic that falls short of perfection.
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5
‘Dredd’ (2012)
Olivia Thirlby and Karl Urban in DreddImage via Reliance Entertainment
If you were a comic book blockbuster arriving anywhere between The Avengers and Justice League, I’m sorry, you’ve simply been forgotten with time. Such is the case for 2012’s Dredd. Based on the 2000 AD comic strip, the Pete Travis-directed, Alex Garland-written film stars Karl Urban as Judge Dredd, a law enforcer given the power of judge, jury, and executioner in a vast, dystopian metropolis called Mega-City One. Dredd is partnered with Cassandra (Olivia Thirlby), a rookie with powerful psychic abilities, and together, they seek out Ma-Ma (Lena Headey), a drug lord who will stop at nothing to protect her empire in the 200-story high-rise apartment block.
Brought to life with such force and fidelity to the source material, Dredd is an intelligent and immersive film that may have been too gritty for the PG-13 superhero world of the 2000s. Though the helmet stayed on, Urban maintained the integrity of the source material while also nailing a phenomenal performance. The pacing clips along, and when it’s deliberately slowed, Travis meticulously delivers visually stunning moments amid the horrific violence. Perhaps Dredd doesn’t get the adoration it deserves because it’s not a full-scale save-the-world feature, but rather focuses more on a day in the life of Dredd.
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4
‘Backdraft’ (1991)
Scott Glenn, Kurt Russell, Cedric Young, and William Baldwin in Backdraft.Image via Universal Pictures
Directed by Ron Howard, Backdraft follows two Chicago firefighter brothers, Stephen (Kurt Russell) and Brian McCaffrey (William Baldwin), estranged years after the tragic death of their legendary firefighter father, as they navigate intense sibling rivalry and a series of fatal, oxygen-induced arson fires. While senior firefighter Stephen leads the dangerous jobs, rookie Brian joins the arson investigation unit, led by Donald “Shadow” Rimgale (Robert De Niro), to solve the mystery of the “backdraft” fires. They uncover a political conspiracy by corrupt politician Martin Swayzak (J.T. Walsh), who is cutting fire department budgets, and a pyromaniac who is setting fires to eliminate those opposing the politician.
In disaster films, the actual disaster happens, leaving the rest of the film as an aftermath saga; not in Backdraft. The threat here is unrelenting, keeping the stakes up throughout. But when seeking a blockbuster of grandeur, fires just didn’t have the same appeal. Perhaps now, with television’s love for shows like Chicago Fire, Backdraft might have been fondly remembered. Unfortunately, even with a top-tier team of actors and creators, it wasn’t enough to heat our memories in a glorious blaze.
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3
‘Sudden Death’ (1995)
For better or worse, hockey is back in the mainstream, trending now more than ever. The ’90s have their fair share of hockey flicks, including Sudden Death. Directed by Jean-Claude Van Damme‘s longtime collaborator, Peter Hyams, the action thriller follows Van Damme as Darren McCord, a firefighter-turned-arena security officer at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena. Hoping to impress his children, Emily and Tyler (Whittini Wright and Ross Malinger), Darren scores tickets to the Stanley Cup finals, unaware that the entire arena has been overtaken by a group of terrorists. Former CIA agent Joshua Foss (Powers Boothe) holds Vice President Daniel Bender (Raymond J. Barry) hostage in a press box, with plans to blow up the entire arena if the ransom is not paid. But when McCord learns of the plot, he jumps into action to save the day.
A high-octane thriller, it’s Van Damme doing what he does best: kicking ass and taking names. Sudden Death was riding high on the earlier success of Die Hard, but every attempt to replicate the blueprint sadly fell short. The “one man, one building” format works for a claustrophobic, high-stakes action thriller, but Sudden Death opted for a silly but fun approach that didn’t appeal to all viewers. Though Sudden Death is a truly dated film, a newfound appreciation for hockey might give you a reason to rediscover it.
2
‘Attack the Block’ (2011)
Image via Optimum Releasing
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When it comes to overlooked science fiction action movies, Attack the Block tends to make the most. The 2011 film, directed by Joe Cornish, follows a teenage street gang in South London as they defend their housing estate against a sudden alien invasion on Bonfire Night. After initially mugging a nurse named Samantha Adams (Jodie Whittaker), the group, led by Moses (John Boyega), teams up with her to battle black, glowing-toothed, furry, gorilla-like extraterrestrials. With a then largely unknown cast, Attack the Blocknever found an audience until it reached cult classic status.
A modern, edgy film with a retro vibe, Attack the Block is one of those titles that sounds ridiculous, but with an effective plot, earns its premise. Almost immediately, the group must outrun the police, local drug lords, AND monstrous aliens, resulting in an unnerving, action-packed joyride. By commenting on the misjudgment of the evil youth trope being broken open, audiences relate to the protagonists and their crusade. Whether standalone or as a unit, the entire cast shines, even Nick Frost as local drug lord Ron. Looking back at the cast and where they are now, perhaps we’d remember the film fondly for what it was.
1
‘Monkey Man’ (2024)
A bloodied and bruise Dev Patel as Kid, in Monkey ManImage via Universal Pictures
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Monkey Man came out less than 24 months ago, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t completely skipped our minds. Dev Patel’s directorial debut tells the story of an anonymous young man who unleashes a bloody revenge campaign against corrupt leaders in Mumbai who murdered his mother and oppressed his village. Taking inspiration from the legend of Hanuman, Monkey Man is a stylish film about trauma, faith, and social caste.
Monkey Man is all Patel, all the time. Between his vision and performance, you can sense how deep he goes to make it work. In front of the camera, Patel delivers a magnetic, emotive performance, evoking deep trauma and rage through his eyes. Behind the camera, he’s still a fledgling filmmaker, but he still delivers a raw film with inventive, claustrophobic, and intense hand-to-hand combat. Monkey Man is an enriching film, steeped in faith and culture, that serves as a beacon for marginalized communities. If you’re willing to go with Patel and his mission to overstuff his debut with everything and the kitchen sink, you’ll wish you hadn’t forgotten Monkey Man existed.
Colin Gray, the father of the Apalachee High School shooting suspect, Colt Gray, has reportedly been convicted of murder and manslaughter. This, after four people were killed in the 2024 incident.
Colin Gray, Father Of Apalachee High School Shooting Suspect Colt Gray, Reportedly Convicted Of Murder & Manslaughter
According to CNN, Colin Gray was convicted of murder and manslaughter on Tuesday, March 3. Furthermore, the outlet reports that a jury deliberated for about two hours. This, before convicting Colin on a total of 27 charges. This reportedly included “two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of involuntary manslaughter, 18 counts of cruelty to children, and five counts of reckless conduct.”
Per CNN, Colin did not visibly react to the verdict once it was read. Now, he is reportedly facing “10 to 30 years in prison on each murder charge and 1 to 10 years on each manslaughter charge.”
“That man and his son are both responsible for the immense suffering that occurred on September 4. The blood is on their hands,” prosecutor Patricia Brooks reportedly stated during the trial’s closing arguments.
More Details On The Apalachee High School Shooting & Suspect Colt Gray
As The Shade Room previously reported, the shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia occurred in September 2024. At the time, it was revealed that 14-year-old student Colt Gray was responsible for the shooting. Then, a few days later, as Colt faced charges, his dad, Colin Gray, was arrested. And charged with “involuntary manslaughter, second-degree murder, and cruelty to children.” Furthermore, by that time, it was reported that four people lost their lives after Colt opened fire with an AR-15-style rifle, per The Shade Room.
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More Details On Colin Gray’s Arrest & Alleged Fault In Apalachee High School Shooting
Furthermore, it was ultimately discovered that Colin Gray purchased the rifle for Colt as a 2023 Christmas present. Additionally, in May of that year, authorities reportedly visited Colin Gray at his home to inform him that his son was making threats against a school, per The Shade Room. During the visit, Colin reportedly told cops that his son was “struggling a bit” in school and getting bullied. But he believed Colt understood the “seriousness of weapons.”
“I never thought that he would even have a thought process of bringing a gun to school or doing any kind of harm to anybody else. Well, on anybody at school,” Colin reportedly said of his son during the trial, per NBC News.
Ultimately, authorities believed Colin exhibited recklessness and “criminal negligence” by purchasing the rifle for his son after being informed of his behavior. Per CNN, during the case, Colin also revealed that Colt sometimes kept the rifle in his bedroom, and other weapons in the home were not always secured.
“Colin Gray knowingly allowed his son, Colt Gray, to possess a gun,” the Georgia Bureau of Investigation asserted in September 2024.
At this time, Colin’s sentencing date has not been scheduled. Per CNN, Colt Gray, who is now 16, has pleaded not guilty to 55 felony counts. However, a trial date for him has yet to be scheduled.
“The guilty verdict of Colin Gray, following those of Jennifer and James Crumbley, sends a clear message: gun owners who recklessly arm a child in crisis will be held accountable… This isn’t about punishing every parent; it’s about the life-and-death duty of adults to keep weapons out of the hands of children,” Nick Suplina, the senior vice president of law and policy at Everytown for Gun Safety, reportedly said in a statement, per USA Today.
Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton on horseback in MarshalsImage via CBS
Taylor Sheridan‘s Yellowstone universe has been experiencing some turbulence recently, with a lack of clarity on just where the franchise is heading. It was earlier reported that the two previous spin-offs — 1883 and 1923 — would be followed by a show titled 1944. But there has been no firm update about the project’s progress since last year. The Madison, which was initially revealed to be set in the Yellowstone universe, entered production and will debut this year, but it was recently reported that the show’s ties to the franchise are being severed. This uncertainty could be a result of Sheridan’s deal with Paramount nearing conclusion; he has signed a lucrative contract with NBCUniversal that begins in 2029. Sheridan continues to be Paramount’s most successful talent, with numerous hits to his name. He serves as an executive producer on the recently released spin-off Marshals, which delivered predictably terrific results upon release.
Marshals revolves aroundLuke Grimes‘ character from Yellowstone, which ended abruptly after a five-season run. The show came to a screeching halt following a fallout between Sheridan and star Kevin Costner. Marshals premiered on CBS on March 1 and received the worst reviews of any Yellowstone property. It currently holds a 45% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes; this is lower than the 58% score of Yellowstone‘s premiere season. The flagship series improved as the years passed, with the third season scoring a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Both 1883 and 1923, on the other hand, earned critical acclaim; their Rotten Tomatoes scores are hovering in the high-80s.
The history of television, packed in eight (not so) easy questions…
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‘Marshals’ Overtook a Taylor Sheridan Classic on the Streaming Charts
In his review, Collider’s Michael John Petty praised the show for embracing the network television format and wrote, “Marshals carves out its own identity from the get-go by trimming Kayce’s supporting cast and infusing the drama with new faces that have no ties to his family’s complicated Montana history.” Despite the lukewarm reviews, audiences were clearly interested in checking the new show out. According to FlixPatrol, Marshals took the number two spot on the domestic Paramount+ charts following its debut, behind South Parkand ahead of Sheridan’s Landman. The show also features Logan Marshall-Green, Mo Brings Plenty, Gil Birmingham, and Arielle Kebbel, and will air new episodes on Sundays.
Both Marshals and Landman are streaming now on Paramount+. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
Jamie Lee Curtis recently shared a story that proves she might have a future in celebrity scouting.
During a rare public reunion with her former co-star, Daniel Radcliffe, the actress revealed a decades-old prediction she made long before it became a global reality.
Although Curtis and Radcliffe have not starred in a movie together in years, they have both been on their individual journeys through sobriety, which they have been open about.
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How Jamie Lee Curtis Predicted Daniel Radcliffe’s Fame
Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA
Curtis and Radcliffe recently reunited for the first time in 25 years, and the “Freaky Friday” star took the opportunity to reveal how she may have unintentionally played a role in Radcliffe’s fame.
While appearing together on the “Today” Show, Curtis recalled their time working on the 2001 film “The Tailor of Panama.”
Given that they were supposed to be living in Panama, a young Radcliffe had to wear a fake tan to cover his pale skin, which meant he wasn’t allowed to join the other kids in the swimming pool.
As the 10-year-old sat by the water, Curtis looked at him and realized he was a ringer for the character on the cover of J.K. Rowling’s books.
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“I looked up at him at one point, and I went, ‘Wait, you know, you look like that kid who’s on the cover of that book (Harry Potter),’” she recalled.
Radcliffe, who hadn’t even auditioned for “Harry Potter” at that point, laughed about the moment, admitting his mother was likely terrified she would give him ideas. “I think my mum was probably looking at you like, ‘No, no, no, don’t mention it to him,’” he said.
Curtis further praised Radcliffe’s evolution from a child star to a respected artist. She compared his career trajectory to that of Michelle Williams, noting his commitment to giving his best while at work.
Before ending the segment, the two stars shared a supportive moment as Radcliffe encouraged viewers to check out Curtis’s upcoming TV series, “Scarpetta.”
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Why Daniel Radcliffe Wants To Hide His Son From The ‘Harry Potter’ Fame
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While Curtis was quick to spot the future wizard in a young Radcliffe, the actor is in no hurry for his own son to make the same connection.
Radcliffe, who welcomed his first child with partner Erin Darke in 2023, recently admitted that he is actively trying to keep his “Harry Potter” fame separate from his role as a father.
He even recalled feeling relieved when his son didn’t recognize the famous face on the cover of a “Harry Potter” DVD.
“For as long as I can just be his dad, and he won’t know me as anything else, I will maintain that for as long as I can,” he explained, per The Blast.
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Interestingly, if his son does become a fan, the actor would rather he watch the upcoming HBO series instead of the original films.
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How Daniel Radcliffe Quietly Welcomed His Son Into The World Three Years Ago
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While Radcliffe is careful about how his son views his Hollywood legacy, the little one’s entry into the world was just as private as his life at home. After dating for over a decade, Radcliffe and his longtime partner, Erin Darke, secretly welcomed their first child in early 2023.
The couple was first spotted embracing parenthood during a casual stroll through the streets of New York City, with Radcliffe seen pushing a pram just a month after Darke’s pregnancy was first confirmed.
According to The Blast, both actors opted for low-key, practical outfits for the outing, with Radcliffe in a graphic T-shirt and baseball cap, while Darke wore a corduroy coat and her signature bright orange boots.
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The Actor Recently Got Candid About His Alcohol Struggles
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Although Radcliffe is focused on keeping his professional fame away from his young son, he has recently opened up about a more personal transformation that keeps him grounded. According to The Blast, the actor reflected on how getting sober changed things for him.
Radcliffe admitted that his naturally intense personality didn’t disappear when he stopped drinking; instead, it simply shifted toward a new obsession: fitness.
“I don’t look like a person who would be a fitness freak, but I’m pretty intense about it,” he shared. He also jokingly called himself a “cliché” for replacing an addictive personality with a devotion to the gym.
Jamie Lee Curtis Similarly Opened Up About Her Sobriety Journey
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While Radcliffe’s transformation into a fitness enthusiast has been a key part of his sobriety, his longtime friend Curtis is celebrating a much longer milestone in her own journey.
The “Everything Everywhere All at Once” star recently took to Instagram to commemorate 27 years of being sober. In a vulnerable post, Curtis reflected on her past, describing the weight of addiction as a “daily prison” and noting that she once lived with immense “pain and sorrow.”
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She further credited her late friend and colleague, Richard Lewis, for reaching out his hand nearly three decades ago and helping her find the path to recovery, per The Blast.
Madeline Ross — the sister of popular streamer Adin Ross — has died.
The Broward County Medical Examiner confirmed to TMZ … Madeline died January 15 in Broward County, Florida.
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The cause and manner of her death are pending.
Madeline was a very private person, and there aren’t many public details about her. She is one of three sisters Adin grew up with. One of their other sisters, Naomi, is also an influencer.
Sonja Norwood Sets The Record Straight On Ray J’s Health
During the early hours of Tuesday, March 3, Sonja Norwood took to Facebook for a livestream with her followers. Furthermore, Norwood later captioned the 38-minute clip, “An update on Ray J’s health.”
About 3 minutes into the livestream, Norwood noted that she wanted to come on and “clear up things regarding Ray.”
“… It’s just gotten out of hand when someone thinks that my son is faking his health, or [that] it’s a hoax, or [that] he’s just playing around [and] he’s not really serious about it,” Norwood noted. “[But] I’d just like to get something clear: I’m the type of mother that there’s not much I don’t know about my children… so for all of you that have been genuinely concerned about him… I want to say I thank you very much for that because it takes multiple prayers and thoughts for things to change.”
Norwood went on to explain that in January, Ray was taken to the hospital for what initially appeared to be a case of pneumonia. However, upon further examination, the hospital held the singer, and during his time there, he experienced “severe chest pain.” Ultimately, an angiogram was performed on the singer, and it was determined that he had “cardiomyopathy.” Per Mayo Clinic, it is heart disease that causes “the heart to have a harder time pumping blood to the rest of the body, which can lead to symptoms of heart failure.”
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Norwood confirmed that “blood flow was 15-20% to his heart,” and was “life-threatening.” Additionally, she noted that her son “can portray many characters.” However, she asserted that he has been placed on multiple medications for his condition.
“It has been told to him that if he does not take his medication, if he does not take medical advice, and if he doesn’t rest and stay stress-free… then he has a life-threatening situation,” Norwood explained, noting that her son has to embrace “new limitations” in his roles and lifestyle. “And that’s where we are. [But] my biggest worry is if he’s taking his medication exactly like he’s supposed to be because he has complained that those medications make him tired and make him eat more than he ever has before.”
Ultimately, Norwood concluded her live by asserting that Ray is not faking his condition, or performing a “hoax.” He’s just “trying to adjust to a condition that he has.”
Watch her full livestream below.
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More On What Was Recently Shared About Ray J’s Health
As The Shade Room previously reported, in January, TMZ reported that Ray was admitted to a Las Vegas hospital. As Norwood noted, the outlet initially believed the singer was there for pneumonia. However, once Ray was released, he revealed that his heart was not fully functioning and that doctors allegedly told him he had months to live.
Ray J reveals his heart is only operating at 25%, with doctors giving him a short time to live. He says his heart is mostly black: ‘I f***ed my shit up.’ pic.twitter.com/frWDoDQEyu
Then, in February, footage showed Ray performing with what appeared to be blood running from his eyes and a chest patch, per The Shade Room.
Subsequently, a photographer made headlines for saying Ray J was faking his condition, per The Shade Room. However, his manager, Melinda Santiago, responded to the claim via a statement given to Entertainment Weekly.
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“The bottom line is Ray J has been in and out of the hospital dealing with health and heart issues. That is a fact. Another fact is that the meds that Ray is on have some side effects. It’s absurd that a local videographer (not our team) would want to clout chase for 5 min of fame off of Ray J’s name, and play about Ray being sick is sick in itself,” Santiago reportedly asserted.
Months Before Setting The Record Straight, Sonja Norwood Clapped Back At Someone Who Said She “Raised A Terrible Son”
Last year, Sonja Norwood made headlines when she clapped back at an internet user who told her she “raised a terrible son.” As The Shade Room previously reported, around late November, Norwood took to Facebook, writing, “I hope each of you had a grateful Thanksgiving. The day started a little rough, but we had a good family Thanksgiving. Love ya’ll, we’re back on the road tomorrow. Detroit! See ya soon!#familyfirst #TheBoyIsMineTour”
Subsequently, a Facebook user slid into the comment section of her post, writing, “You raised a terrible son. Happy Holidays!”
However, Norwood didn’t let the comment go unnoticed or unchecked.
Science fiction experienced a boom in the 1990s, thanks to groundbreaking films like The Matrix and Gattaca. Television wasn’t far behind either, as Babylon 5would reshape long-form storytelling while Stargate SG-1launched an entire franchise that’s still going to this day. For all the sci-fi on screens, one series strangely flew under the radar, and that was TekWar. TekWar boasts one of the most impressive pedigrees among sci-fi franchises, as it was co-created by Star Treklegend William Shatner. It also managed to build quite an incredible foundation that’s ripe for a reboot.
TekWar began life as a series of novels, with Shatner creating the concept and Ron Goulart putting words to paper. It takes place in the 22nd century, where a new addiction has taken hold in the form of “tek”: a microchip that lets its users plug into a highly addictive virtual reality world. Former detective Jake Cardigan, who was placed in cryogenic prison after being framed for dealing tek, is thawed out to deal with a series of tek-based crimes. Eventually, TekWar made the jump to television with four TV movies and a series, but that was only the beginning, as Shatner attempted to launch the next big sci-fi hit.
Shatner received the Lifetime Achievement Award at The Saturn Awards.
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William Shatner Turned ‘TekWar’ Into a Long-Lasting Franchise
William Shatner as Walter Bascom in ‘TekWar’Image via Universal Television
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The genesis for TekWar happened during the tumultuous production of Star Trek V: The Final Frontier. When the Writers’ Guild of America went on strike in 1988, Shatner wrote the notes that served as the backbone of TekWar‘s universe. “I found out how to write the books as I wrote them,” Shatner confessed in an interview, even though it was Goulart who wrote nearly all of the TekWar novels. While he might not have had an eye for writing novels, Shatner definitely knew marketing and hit talk shows and magazines with promos, most of which featured his face plastered across the material. It’s pretty clear that Shatner envisioned himself having the same kind of creative influence as Gene Roddenberry.
Shatner’s shameless self-promotion worked, as TekWar became a multimedia franchise. Not only were there TV films and an entire television series, but also a TekWar video game (which was critically panned) and even a comic book series, TekWorld. Eventually, the TekWar franchise would fade into memory, as it was outshone by other cyberpunk media — especially as science fiction fans began to discover Ghost in the Shelland Akira. That’s not even getting into the fact that Star Trek made a major comeback with Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager. While most people know William Shatner as James T. Kirk or even T.J. Hooker, they probably haven’t heard of TekWorld, but that could change.
Can you answer these television questions, wherein each correct response begins with a successive letter of the word “Collider”?
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‘TekWar’ Could Work Well In Today’s Landscape
The time is ripe for TekWorld to make a comeback, especially with the advances in technology. Given the parallels that other franchises have made between social media and addiction, it wouldn’t be hard to reimagine tek as a world where people grow addicted to parasocial bonds and commit crimes. While William Shatner has said that he’d like to return to the role of Captain Kirk, if he finds the right cast and crew, he could take a second stab at making TekWar a franchise. This time around, his name is definitely big enough to sell the idea of a sci-fi franchise.
Ironically, TekWar did attempt a return as an animated series in 2021. Shatner was meant to produce the revival, which would have featured Star Wars: The Clone Wars writer Matt Michnovetz as a showrunner. While news about the TekWar animated series has ground to a halt, Shatner should definitely revisit the project, as adult animation has taken leaps and bounds over the years. It could also help TekWar stand out in a crowded sci-fi landscape and avoid the mistakes that the first edition of the franchise made. 30 years may have passed, but TekWar is definitely ripe for a revival.
“I’m surprised I knew nothing about it, and we’re quite close,” Dorinda, 61, said during the Monday, March 2, episode of her Reality Checked show on SiriusXM. “So she kept it very — her cards very close to her chest.”
Bravo announced earlier on Monday that Carole, 62, will be returning to RHONY as a “friend” of the Housewives for season 16 alongside Jessel Taank, Erin Lichy and Sai De Silva. She previously starred on the series for five seasons from 2012 to 2018.
“I don’t know if she knows any of the girls,” Dorinda continued, adding that she thinks Carole could be a good “bridge” between the original and newer versions of RHONY. “I think that Carole’s just a New York character, and she’s very close to Andy [Cohen] and she had such a great comeback on Watch What Happens Live and BravoCon, and I think the show needs a character, something to sort of unify it back to the old a little bit.”
Andy Cohen and Carole Radziwill staged a reunion that no one saw coming. Cohen, 57, recruited the Real Housewives of New York City alum to be the surprise mystery guest on the Monday, August 4, edition of Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live. Prior to Radziwill’s grand entrance, guests Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers played a […]
The Traitors alum went on to say that she was also “surprised” by the fact that Carole will only be a “friend” rather than a main cast member.
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“I think she should be full-time,” Dorinda explained. “But a ‘friend of,’ that’s too little. She should be … I don’t know if I could as a full-time Housewife go back and be a ‘friend of’ with these new girls.”
In addition to Carole’s return, Bravo announced on Monday that three new Housewives will join the RHONY season 16 cast: Hailey Glassman, Erika Hammond and Daisy Toye.
The news comes after Bravo rebooted RHONY with an all-new cast following season 13. Brynn Whitfield, Ubah Hassan and Jenna Lyons, who appeared in season 14, will not be returning, and neither will Racquel Chevremont, who joined in season 15.
Carole’s return came as a particular surprise to Housewives fans because of her rocky history with Andy, 57. While the two were originally close, their dynamic changed in 2018 when she argued he was supporting Bethenny Frankel over her at the season 10 reunion.
There is no more bad blood between Carole Radziwill and Andy Cohen. “Andy and I’ve known each other a very long time, way before the Housewives. After I left, there was some animosity and some miscommunication. It’s a high stress job,” Carole, 62, told Us Weekly exclusively on Saturday, November 15, at BravoCon 2025. “We […]
Years later, Andy said wasn’t impressed with how Carole announced her exit from RHONY, telling Not All Diamonds and Rosé author Dave Quinn, “She is not the person I used to know.”
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Last year, however, the pair seemingly squashed their beef when Carole joined Andy for an episode of WWHL. Three months later, she appeared at BravoCon.
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Despite all that, Dorinda said on Monday she still didn’t think Carole would return to the Bravo fold in an official capacity. “I didn’t see that coming because, you know, after she left, she didn’t seem to like it anymore. You know what I mean?” she told cohost Kiki Monique and guest Kate Chastain.
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Dorinda added that she hadn’t spoken to Carole since the news broke and found out when everyone else did.
“I mean, if she wanted to tell me, she would tell me, right? … Someone else texted,” Dorinda explained. “I think it’s going to be interesting to see because the girls are a lot younger. And it’s a different world than the world she was [in]. She really kind of knew us. But I just don’t know. I don’t know the new show anymore.”
As a kid, when you’re still learning how to carry yourself like a decent human being, there are expected detours along the way. You hear your first sexually or racially charged joke and decide whether that’s the kind of humor you want to adopt as you continue developing your personality. Some people will say there’s a time and a place for jokes relegated to internet edgelords, while others lean hard into shock value as a way to get attention, for better or worse.
2013’s InAPPropriate Comedy is that internet edgelord personality in movie form, but calling it a “movie” in the traditional sense is generous if I’m being honest. A loosely connected compilation of deliberately offensive material clocking in at 83 minutes, InAPPropriate Comedy plays like your teenage cousin who has an affinity for using gamer words in regular conversation and can’t quite find the off switch.
Here’s the thing about movies like InAPPropriate Comedy. Some of the bits on their own are hilarious in small doses. Since we’re dealing with a rapid-fire collection of sketches all hinging on generating the most extreme reactions possible, the jokes wear out their welcome almost as soon as you hear the first punchline. It’s exhausting, but there are standout moments that make for great, shareable clips you’ll want to send to the group chat with your old college friends that your wife doesn’t know about.
In Poor Taste And Bad Faith
Every single bit in InAPPropriate Comedy is meant to make you look over your shoulder, but you should also know better than to blare this one through your iPhone speakers in public. The framing device lets you know exactly what kind of humor you’re getting into when writer-director Vince Offer is found hiding beneath a sewer grate, looking up Lindsay Lohan’s skirt as she does her best Marilyn Monroe impersonation. From there, he opens his tablet and clicks through various offensive apps that lead into the film’s recurring sketches.
The sketches mostly occupy racial and sexual territory, with jokes relying on lowest-common-denominator humor you’d expect from a sixth-grade lunch table. We’re introduced to Flirty Harry (Adrien Brody), a hard-boiled detective in San Francisco who speaks exclusively in homoerotic puns. Everybody he encounters is baffled because there’s no way anyone could rattle off that many out-of-pocket non sequiturs without knowing exactly what they’re doing.
Just as frequent in InAPPropriate Comedy is an urban-tinged Jackass parody called “Blackass.” No further explanation is really needed, but here’s the thing: if you’re parodying something that’s already funny on its own, there’s not much room left to escalate.
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InAPPropriate Comedy also spends time on bits like “The Porno Review,” featuring J.D. (Rob Schneider), Harriet (Michelle Rodriguez), and Bob (Jonathan Spencer), who review adult films in the style of At the Movies. There are genuinely funny moments here, mostly because of how self-serious J.D. and Harriet are, while Bob silently admires the films in the background, in the filthiest way possible.
Most deliberately upsetting is Ari Shaffir’s recurring segment, “The Amazing Racist,” in which he walks around town being aggressively, you guessed it, racist. That’s the joke. Nobody is safe from Ari, who stages his own unsanctioned immigration sting operations and shows up unannounced at Jewish markets with anti-Semitic petitions, and that’s just the stuff I’m willing to repeat here.
Edgy For The Sake Of Being Edgy
InAPPropriate Comedy does exactly what it sets out to do across its segments, committing to as much shock value as it can cram into a single film. Personally, I’m not super offended by it because, like I said, these are the kinds of jokes you overhear on the schoolyard when you’re still figuring out how to carry yourself, or how not to. It also looks like a lot of fun was had during production, and everyone seems to be in on the joke, even those depicted as being punched down on.
Marketed as an “equal opportunity offender” upon release, InAPPropriate Comedy lives up to that promise, but the promise itself isn’t all that impressive.
Outside of the “Flirty Harry” sketches, which see Adrien Brody performing so far against type that you can’t help but appreciate the commitment, the humor is so relentlessly low-brow that you’re better off logging onto 4chan for your daily dose of crude humor. At least there, you can log off once you’ve had your fill of filth and move on with your day.
I’m not mad at InAPPropriate Comedy, I’m just disappointed. Offensive humor isn’t inherently bad, but films like this lack the cleverness needed to actually land in any meaningful way. You might let out a wry chuckle here and there, but it takes a special kind of person to really slap their knee and guffaw along with every bit.
Pink, born Alecia Moore, has shared the real reason why she and her family moved to New York.
She explained that the relocation was motivated by family priorities. She is also addressing and clearing up some rumors about her career, offering fans an insight into her thoughts.
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Pink And Her Family Moved For Her Daughter
March 2 marked Pink’s first day as a guest host for “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” where she revealed why she and her family; husband, Carey Hart and her children, 14-year-old Willow and 9-year-old Jameson, are now calling New York their home.
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“We actually moved here because I am an amazing mom,” Pink told the audience. “And also so Willow could study theater and experience more Broadway,” the singer revealed.
In a 2024 interview with People, the singer boasted about her daughter, saying, “She’s got a voice, man. She’s a little bird. She wants to do Broadway and then be a trauma surgeon.” Pink has also given Willow the opportunity to perform in front of big crowds, as they have performed multiple times in the past.
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The Mother And Daughter Sang Together
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Willow was able to showcase her vocal prowess and performed the song “Hopeless War” from the musical “The Outsiders” with Pink. The pair delivered a powerful performance accompanied by a guitar and piano.
The performance was met with a resounding applause from the studio audience, and online users also shared their reactions on YouTube.
“Willow has definitely got the music/vocal talent passed down by her amazing mother. I can’t wait to see where she’s going to take her music career in the future,” one wrote. “Willow is such an incredible singer in her own right,” another commented
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Others commended Pink for being a wonderful mother, with one writing, “Pink had done it right, parenting is not easy, but you can tell there’s respect toward each other.”
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Pink Has A Close Relationship With Her Children
Despite being a global pop-rock superstar, Pink has always prioritized her children. In an appearance on “The Drew Barrymore Show” in 2023, the singer opened up about parenting and her relationship with her kids.
Pink often brings her two children on tour with her, and while it can be exhausting for them, she said they are great with traveling. It’s a big advantage for her, as she gets to spend time with them while working.
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She shared with Barrymore that she and Willow had an emotional conversation at one point, where she told her daughter that while her career was important to her, it doesn’t mean it’s more important than her childhood. “I’ll walk away tomorrow, if that’s what you want. I’ll walk away tomorrow,” Pink told Willow.
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Fortunately, it didn’t have to come to that, and her children understand the demands of Pink’s work.
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Pink Addresses Rumor About Hosting Gig
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Pink is hosting “The Kelly Clarkson Show” for the first week of March, and with Clarkson leaving the show for good, many are speculating that the singer’s hosting stint is a more permanent one.
As The Blast previously reported, Clarkson has made the difficult decision to end her show after seven seasons to spend more time with her children.
Pink addressed the rumors that she will be taking over permanently for Clarkson. In an Instagram video, which has since been deleted, the “So What” singer said that hosting is only a temporary gig, which she is doing because it’s “fun.”
“If I wanted a talk show, I would not have to audition. I would just have one, and it would be amazing, not something I’m currently researching or looking for in my busy, busy, busy world,” Pink continued.
Pink Denies Split From Carey Hart
On February 27, several news outlets reported that Pink and Hart were getting a divorce after 20 years of marriage. The singer responded by uploading a video on social media, refuting the claims.
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In the video, Pink said, “So I was just alerted to the fact that I’m separated from my husband. I didn’t know. Thank you for letting me know. I was wondering, would you also like to tell our children?” She then went on to list some topics that she deemed more worthy of reporting than her alleged split with Hart.
“Like I always say. If you don’t hear it from me, don’t believe the hype. Stay tuned, though! Who knows what could happen next!?!” she captioned the post.
Here’s a little unsolicited life advice. If your wife or partner decides to leave you and you suddenly feel like you no longer want to live in this world, do not make any brash decisions. You may feel like hiring a hitman to take you out so you do not have to live another minute without your dearest love. Those feelings, while extreme, can hit hard in the moment. However, if your wife comes back and wants to reconcile after you have already paid the hitman to eliminate you, it is in your best interest to make sure you have a kill clause in your contract so he does not continue trying to finish what he started, like in 1978’s The Odd Job.
The Odd Job, more affectionately known as “the film Graham Chapman (of Monty Python fame) starred in that everyone forgets exists,” has more fun with its farcical concept and execution than its reputation suggests. It is a shame how overlooked this film truly is. Presently, it does not even have a critical score on Rotten Tomatoes. Even worse, it has clocked an unthinkably low 12 percent approval score on the Popcornmeter across fewer than 50 ratings.
I have seen a lot of clunkers in my day, and I am here to tell you that this movie is not 12 percent bad. It is not even 30 percent bad. I would give it at least a C+ for its willingness to build a comedy of errors around suicidal ideation, rash decision making, and the absolute chaos that follows. It is not Airplane!, sure, but it is also not The Room.
One Man’s Dread Is Another Man’s Bread
When Arthur Harris (Graham Chapman) is left by his wife, Fiona (Diana Quick), for another man, he is absolutely devastated and can think of only one solution for his pain. He is going to kill himself. After learning just how incompetent he is with a samurai sword, he attempts to build a homemade electric chair by rigging a lamp to its metal arms, with equally disastrous results. In a stroke of luck, The Odd Job Man (David Jason), who frequents his apartment building, makes an appearance looking for work.
Arthur has what he believes is a genius idea. He will pay The Odd Job Man to kill him, and call it a day. After a brief discussion about compensation, the handyman accepts the offer. Arthur has one condition: he does not want to see it coming. The Odd Job Man, now fully committed to assassinating Arthur at some unspecified time, gets to work.
Things fall apart almost immediately when Fiona arrives unannounced, telling Arthur she has made a mistake and wants to reconcile. Elated that his wife is willing to give their marriage another shot, Arthur now has one glaring problem. The Odd Job Man has already accepted payment and was clearly told at the start of this professional arrangement that he must follow through. The only “kill clause” in Arthur’s verbal agreement with The Odd Job Man is that he will be killed at some point.
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Not knowing what else to do, Arthur contacts the authorities and becomes increasingly paranoid as The Odd Job Man’s assassination attempts grow more unhinged. This culminates in a live grenade tossed into a public restroom, a milkman delivery tainted with cyanide, and various other slapstick-inspired methods of annihilation, all of which prove to be unsuccessful. Never knowing when the next attempt will strike, Arthur realizes he must confront his killer before he is caught off guard and loses the life he now very much wants to keep.
A Valiant Effort From A Comedy Legend
While The Odd Job does not have a lot going for it narratively, it remains a solid feature that benefits from Graham Chapman’s physical comedy, elastic facial expressions, and willingness to fully commit to the bit. It is a farce through and through, and it is not pretending to be anything else. The characters are one-dimensional by design. How else could the film justify an intelligent, affluent man like Arthur making so many misguided decisions in such a short span of time?
You do not need big-brain energy to enjoy The Odd Job, currently streaming for free on Tubi, and there is nothing wrong with that. It is a simple assassination plot gone wrong, escalating steadily until it hits its breaking point. That is all it ever needs to be.
