Entertainment
10 Movies That Were Ruined by Terrible CGI
The way movies have been made has evolved since the dawn of the picture. From silent films to talkies. Black and white to Technicolor. From 2-D animation to computer-animated. As technology advances and new opportunities emerge, cinema has gotten even better. A main reason: computer-generated imagery. Using visual effects to enhance the viewing experience, movies truly bring audiences to a place beyond their wildest imaginations.
CGI is not for amateurs. And yet, even some of the greatest professionals have their off projects. There have been countless big-budget, box office blockbusters that one might have thought would have visuals, but watching them on the big screen, well, they were botched. From distorted faces to the fakest-looking sea creatures meant to scare, these 10 otherwise promising movies were ruined by terrible CGI.
1
‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ (2023)
Listen, we have great reverence for the behemoth that is the MCU, but with dozens of films and series under its belt, some projects have fallen by the wayside. Meaning the visual effects helped the movie bomb. One of the biggest recipients of terrible CGI was the third Ant-Man movie, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Best known as the film that helped introduce us to that pesky multiverse, the film follows Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) as they explore the Quantum Realm with their family, encountering strange new creatures and battling the time-traveling villain, Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors). Officially launching Phase Five, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania gave us the nightmare that was Corey Stoll as the oversized head known as M.O.D.O.K. And yet, that was only one of the many weak CGI effects.
After critics dumped on the film for its terrible CGI, so did anonymous VFX technicians. Having spoken to Vulture, some artists admitted that certain “shortcuts” were taken, including budget constraints due to diverted funds to other projects. This, in turn, led to poor working conditions for the artists, resulting in an unsatisfactory outcome. Nevertheless, despite the behind-the-scenes drama, the multiverse was awoken and ended up being less than impactful. The previous two films had whimsy and charm with Rudd in the lead, but the plot’s serious tone lost that charm. And yet, when M.OD.O.K. popped up, it was nothing short of a barrel of laughs. It was simply too silly and goofy. To be fair, as a ‘90s Marvel kid who had an action figure, there was an expectation of a CGI conglomerate. Instead, Stoll’s face was stretched like he was Zordon in the ‘90s iteration of the Power Rangers. One might think that by the 31st MCU entry, the CGI would be top-notch, but Phase Five had its litany of woes. And it all started here.
2
‘Cats’ (2019)
Every theater kid’s heart sings out when a beloved musical is announced to have a big-screen adaptation. We dreamcast the film, imagine what it might look like, and wait patiently on the message boards for any rumors that swirl. Upon learning that Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Cats would get a silver screen adaptation, there was some fear and hesitation. Never has a community been more right when they stepped inside the cinema to watch Cats. The infamous film lifted the Broadway show in shocking fashion. Gone was a cast of actors donning catsuits and detailed face paint. Instead, it was a CGI nightmare that managed to tarnish any semblance of positivity tied to the film. And yes, that includes the top-tier ensemble of stars who agreed to this mess.
Directed by Tom Hooper, who notoriously made questionable choices when directing the 2012 film adaptation of Les Misérables, Cats turned a book of poetry into a who’s who of felines attempting to get to the Heavy Side Layer. A well-meaning attempt to honor a classic resulted in a disaster. Before we get to the kitties, the first massive mistake came in the set pieces and rules of the world. The proportions were not only inconsistent but incorrect. Simply look at the production number of “Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat,” in which the railroad tracks were massive compared to the dancing cats. What’s unfortunate is, you might have given this a pass had you not been distracted by the human-feline fusion.
As much as Hooper tried to defend his choices so as not to lose “facial performances,” they were not well received. The uncanny valley effect is what nightmares are made of. The horrific anthropomorphization of people-cats sparked a wild pre-release frenzy that left many wondering what the actual film would look like. With so much visual promise, the result was downright creepy, especially when you realized the likes of Jennifer Hudson, Judi Dench, and Ian McKellen were subject to this treatment. The campy nature of the stage production had always been a theatrical joke, but it looked like a work of fine art comparatively! It hurts to know that there was a point in time when Steven Spielberg was going to make an animated version of the musical. Can we return to that timeline? There is, however, one solution to satisfy our needs. Perhaps we would all be satisfied if the rumored “butthole cut” would be shared with the world. Release it, you cowards! If Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber did purchase a puppy as a result of this bomb, we understand why.
3
‘Die Another Day’ (2002)
The history of James Bond films has such a wide array of results. Some were brilliant while others were hokey. But what they all had in common was an adoration of the central character. In the early days of the franchise, the practical effects were a product of their time. But when you move into the 21st century, and technical advancements are available, there should be no excuses for poor CGI. And yet Die Another Day, the first film of the new millennium, relied heavily on unconvincing, cartoonish digital effects that felt outdated compared to the brilliant films it was up against. In the 2002 entry, James Bond (Pierce Brosnan) is on a mission to identify a mole within British intelligence after he is betrayed, tortured, and released from a North Korean prison, eventually exposing a scheme involving a space weapon. Though Madonna did provide the title track, the film’s imagery is what it’s remembered for.
It’s quite common that green screens are heavily used in film, and one would think for a film of this magnitude, it would be flawless. It was anything but. From a poorly rendered CGI Bond surfing an ice wave to the subpar visuals for the invisible car, Die Another Day felt like a bad cartoon or a bootleg video game. With such dismal effects, any semblance of serious moments was overshadowed by the bad visuals. There was a time when the tones of James Bond films matched their hokiness. Not here. Between Daniel Craig‘s new casting and the CGI disaster, many fans felt that Die Another Day was going to kill the franchise. Instead, it pushed the new era into a much more positive direction. It’s just unfortunate that this is now the end of Brosnan’s reign.
4
‘Jaws 3-D’ (1983)
After Steven Spielberg made us terrified of the ocean with Jaws, it was the second sequel that made us chuckle that we ever had that fear. At a time when 3-D films were all the rage, director Joe Alves opted to give his audience 3-D glasses to create the illusion that elements penetrated the screen. Unfortunately, it turned the horror film into a farce. Jaws 3-D follows as a 35-foot great white shark infiltrates a Florida SeaWorld marine park, terrorizing employees and visitors in a new “Undersea Kingdom”. Mike Brody (Dennis Quaid), son of Chief Brody, tries to save the park guests while a second, larger shark emerges as the true threat. Between the locale and the filming style, Jaws 3-D tarnished the franchise’s legacy.
To the film’s credit, viewers of the first film had to suspend disbelief to realize that the animatronic known as Bruce was actually a deadly, man-eating shark. But then, through a cheaper compositing process that created a “superimposed” look, the shark appeared as a flat, disconnected image that was anything but terrifying. Pair this with a campy script and over-the-top acting, and there was no saving this Spielberg-less flop. Audiences couldn’t wait to toss out their plastic glasses after that infamous, slow-motion glass-breaking finale. There’s never been a worse shark movie made until, well, the next one.
5
‘Sharknado’ (2013)
This entry could be the entire franchise, but after the first film, Sharknado owned its visual disasters. But on that very first pass, oh, we were in for a monstrous treat. Kicking off the campiest horror franchise of all time comes the made-for-TV sci-fi comedy horror disaster from director Anthony C. Ferrante. The film tells the story of a massive storm that floods Los Angeles and floods the city with man-eating sharks, including tornadoes. Surfer and bar owner Fin Shepard (Ian Ziering) battles flying sharks with chainsaws to rescue his estranged wife and daughter. An absurd so-bad-it ’s-good satire, nothing could get past the ridiculous CGI.
Even with cameos galore, the low-budget execution spawned cheap knockoffs and similarly inspired films that matched its visual effects. Logic was not part of the film’s objective, as a shark could harshly land on a car with nothing but a quiet thud. The sharks did not match the actors’ lighting or motion. While we can give credit to the actors who are used to acting whenever they are not quite there, there was no excuse for what happened in post. The static editing and daft writing just made Sharknado an actual disaster.
6
‘Son of the Mask’ (2005)
Many fans of the original film had a strong desire for Jim Carrey to reprise his role in a Mask sequel, but after seeing Son of the Mask, they made the right call. In the horrendous sequel, aspiring cartoonist Tim Avery’s (Jamie Kennedy) dog finds Loki’s magical mask. After Tim wears it and conceives a child, the baby is born with chaotic, reality-bending powers, prompting Loki (Alan Cumming) to try and retrieve his mask. A hokey premise at its core, Son of the Mask relied on poor ‘00s CGI that replaced the charm and wit of the original. The result was a cartoonish, disturbing, and cringeworthy aesthetic.
The original film was notorious for wacky imagery that matched the spirit of the story. That was present here, but when the animated mask was relegated to an infant and a dog, the result was destined to look like a disastrous cartoon. Watching the baby’s head inflate, and the dog’s eyes bulge out, it was more of a horror nightmare than a family-friendly comedy. Son of the Mask was by no means meant to be a serious film, but the execution was everything that can go wrong with a poorly executed sequel.
7
‘Star Wars: Episode 1—The Phantom Menace’ (1999)
The hype surrounding a new set of Star Wars films was astronomically high. A new generation of fans was about to experience what it would be like seeing George Lucas’ mesmerizing vision on the big screen for the first time. And then Jar Jar Binks (Ahmed Best) arrived, and some fans sought a do-over. No shade to the iconic creature, but what were they thinking?! In Star Wars: Episode 1— The Phantom Menace, the first chapter of the Skywalker Saga, Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) protect Queen Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman) of Naboo, aiming to resolve a trade blockade. They discover a young, Force-sensitive boy named Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd) on Tatooine, while battling the unexpected return of the Sith. Jump-starting a new era of the Star Wars franchise, The Phantom Menace utilized the full range of its digital technology for a less gritty, more sterile aesthetic that seemed like it was in a galaxy far, far away from its own.
There was a major disconnect between the performance and the practicality of its characters’ acting in its world. Forced to work against CGI characters and green screens, many of its stars seemed to have trouble bringing anything but wooden performances. The first three films were beloved for Lucas’ use of practical effects, miniatures, and puppets to create a brilliant product. The new film opted for a CGI-heavy universe that felt fake and, at times, cartoonish. Toss in Jar Jar Binks, and that argument was further exacerbated. We still fondly care about this film and the two that followed. We just wish it were as magical as the first trilogy.
8
‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ (2014)
If you’re a millennial, you likely have a great reverence for the media empire that is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. From the brilliant cartoon to the ‘90s trilogy of films, they hold quite a special place in our hearts. When a reboot film came out in 2007, it felt like the logical reboot version. And then a new iteration came again in 2014, and those creatures were utterly terrifying and nothing like the heroes we once knew. Directed by Jonathan Liebesman, the reboot follows four mutated turtle brothers—Leonardo (Johnny Knoxville), Raphael (Alan Ritchson), Donatello (Jeremy Howard), and Michelangelo (Noel Fisher)—who emerge from the New York City sewers to save their city. Aided by reporter April O’Neil (Megan Fox), they battle the evil Shredder (Tohoru Masamune) and his Foot Clan to stop a plot to release a deadly virus. With all the elements in place to make the film good, the visuals and graphics ruined its long-lasting legacy.
The allure of the original characters was that they looked like cartoon characters. Here, they were becoming something inhuman yet trying to be human. These iconic turtles had features including broad, human-like lips and noses that were simply unsettling. Then, add in the fact that they were so massive and detached from their roots as stealthy, agile ninjas, which made the film far from its source material. Then, moving over to Master Splinter (Tony Shalhoub), you get a gross and ridiculous rat. Overengaged and ultimately soulless, this iteration of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles failed to capture the spirit of the characters we once loved.
9
‘The Lawnmower Man’ (1992)
When a product is inspired loosely by your own work, but the execution is so abysmal, you sue to make sure there is no attachment. That’s what Stephen King did after The Lawnmower Man was released. As he said in court documents, it “bore no meaningful resemblance” to his story. Directed by Brett Leonard, the 1992 film tells the story of scientist Dr. Angelo (Pierce Brosnan), who uses virtual reality and drugs to turn a mentally disabled gardener, Jobe (Jeff Fahey), into a genius, only for Jobe to develop dangerous psychic powers and become obsessed with becoming a digital being. A victim of its own making, The Lawnmower Man was meant to represent virtual reality but ended up as a corny visual that overshadowed the plot.
To call The Lawnmower Man groundbreaking is flat-out wrong. But that’s how the film was marketed. With such high expectations, the cyberspace scenes were meant to be awe-inspiring, but they came across as clunky and poorly managed. The Lawnmower Man, which didn’t mean to look like a ‘90s video game, made Tron look like a complete masterpiece. At least that film was intended to be a video game! A film that didn’t look good then and still doesn’t age well, The Lawnmower Man is a film that deserved to be lost to time. Instead, it’s remembered for all the wrong reasons.
10
‘The Mummy Returns’ (2001)
We could make this entry solely for The Scorpion King (Dwayne Johnson), but the team did learn from their mistakes during The Mummy Returns. The problem is, when that film is a prequel, you can actually find the time to fix the mistakes! In the sequel to the hit action-adventure film, Rick and Evelyn O’Connell (Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz) face the resurrected Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo) and a newly awakened Scorpion King. The couple must save their kidnapped son, Alex (Freddie Boath), who has triggered a race to the pyramid of Ahm Shere and control of Anbus’ army. A worthy follow-up, The Mummy Returns was destroyed the second the janky video game iteration of The Rock’s character stumbled on the screen.
All these years removed, Fraser has asked the world to be ‘kind” for the awful CGI. Though there’s always a reason, much of the blame for the wrestler’s characterization fell to time constraints and technological limitations, which resulted in a model of the actor that lacked texture and realism. As good a film as The Mummy Returns was, there’s simply no forgiving the disaster of The Scorpion King. At the end of the day, the overambitious effects fell short of the emerging CGI standards of the era. Luckily, there was enough time to fix the terrible characterization in the prequel, The Scorpion King, since the actor was actually present and able to perform the role.
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Chris Brown is speaking out amid backlash over his upcoming tour with Usher.
“The funniest and the weirdest s*** ever to me is the fact that poeple [sic] have the option to come to my tour and the option not to,” the “With You” singer shared in an Instagram Story on Sunday, April 26. “I know everyone who is a fan of me and USHER will definitely be in the building and it will be PACKED just like last year.”
Brown, 36, continued, “But I’m scrolling through insta and tik tok and I come across rage bait pages and or these fake woke stand up for nothing pages bashing people for wanted to come have a good time. The dudes hating, I can understand that(thinking we gone steal ya girl and shit). BUT THE KARENS, and the self hating hoes be making me LAUGH.”
“I CANT WAIT TO RUB THIS S*** IN YALL FACE,” he added.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images Chris Brown‘s 2009 arrest for physically assaulting then-girlfriend Rihanna was just the beginning of his ongoing legal issues. Brown rose to stardom after releasing his studio album in 2005. His second album, which was released two years later, featured his hit song “Kiss Kiss,” which put Brown on the path to being […]
Brown and Usher, 47, announced their Raymond & Brown Tour, abbreviated the R&B Tour, on April 10. The joint tour is set to launch on June 26 in Denver and wrap in December in Tampa, Florida.
However, the tour has faced criticism due to Brown’s various legal issues over the years, including allegations of abuse against women. The singer pleaded guilty to the felony assault of then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009. He served five years probation and agreed to community service and domestic violence counseling.
“I look back at that picture, and I’m like, ‘That’s not me, bro. That’s not me.’ I hate it to this day. That’s going to haunt me forever,” he said in his 2017 documentary, Chris Brown: Welcome to My Life.
Brown and Usher’s coheadlining tour comes three years after the pair allegedly got into a physical altercation at Brown’s 34th birthday party in Las Vegas in May 2023. TMZ reported at the time that Usher appeared to have a bloody nose following the alleged skirmish. The pair later performed at Usher’s Lovers & Friends festival.
Investigation Discovery’s newest tell-all addressed Chris Brown‘s history of abuse allegations — so why is Sean “Diddy” Combs mentioned several times in the documentary? Chris Brown: A History of Violence, which aired on Sunday, October 25, is part of the network’s No Excuse for Abuse campaign, which shines a light at complex dynamics of intimate […]
Despite the incident, Usher and Brown have collaborated on songs including “New Flame.” During an April 2023 interview with BigBoyTV, Usher said he was open to further collaborations with the “Run It” singer.
“If that ever happens, it’ll be one of the biggest things that anybody has ever experienced in entertainment in celebration of two people who love each other,” Usher said at the time. “I love Chris. I don’t like his music — I love his music [and] I love him. He’s my little brother, and he’s always been there for me, and I’ve always been there with him. Through hard ups and down times, I’ve been there with him. And for us to be able to celebrate what we do together, man, that’ll be crazy.”
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a show that has only gotten better with age. It was arguably the best genre series of the ‘90s, and the streaming era has brought new generations of fans into the fold. Most of those fans feel a very personal connection with Buffy because the show tells stories about teenage drama and trauma through the lens of urban fantasy. In this way, the show was never really about vampires, werewolves, and other demons. It was actually about the heartbreak and fear that young people have about feeling helpless, and the transcendent joy they feel when they finally discover their own power.
Of course, the show changed one fan’s life in a much more direct way by giving her a walk-on cameo in one of the series’ best episodes. The drama-filled episode “Lovers Walk” had an over-the-top, comedic ad with a special sweepstakes where one lucky fan could get a cameo in the upcoming episode “The Prom.” The winner was Jessica Johnson, who became a small part of the show’s history thanks to the strangest advertisement in Buffy history.
Reach Out And Dust Someone
“Lovers Walk” was a Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode that (you guessed it) was all about the messy romantic relationships of our favorite characters. Bad boy vampire Spike tries to coerce Willow into making a spell that will force his old girlfriend, Drusilla, into loving him again. Willow, however, has her own problem: she has been making out with Xander behind the back of Oz, her faithful werewolf boyfriend. Cordelia discovers their affair, causing her to break up with her boyfriend, Xander. Meanwhile, Angel reluctantly admits he cannot tell Buffy what she really needs to hear: he doesn’t love her.
While “Lovers Walk” is one of the better episodes of Season 3 (arguably Buffy’s best season), the sweepstakes attached to this episode is even more entertaining than the story. It’s part of a 1-800-COLLECT advertisement. Sarah Michelle Gellar pops up and tells fans they don’t have to be alone for the holidays. At this point, the announcer tells audiences that every call will enter fans into a Buffy contest where they can win a cameo in an upcoming episode. After the narrator hypes the upcoming “Lovers Walk” episode, David Boreanaz shows up, startling Gellar. She nearly stakes him with an icicle. The ad ends with her telling fans that their “Christmas wish might just come true.”
’90s Nostalgia Overload
There is something impossibly nostalgic about watching this vintage advertisement. For one thing, a commercial for a collect calling company seems downright quaint in an age of smartphones and video calls. Additionally, the ad seems hilariously tacky in retrospect. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is one of the most critically acclaimed genre shows in television history, but its two biggest stars were forced by the network to do a goofy commercial that seemed more suited for a Saturday morning children’s cartoon block than prime time TV.
The commercial also plays with ambiguity regarding whether these actors are actually playing their iconic Buffy characters. On one hand, it makes no real sense for our favorite Slayer to break the fourth wall and talk directly to the audience about how great collect calls are. On the other hand, she nearly takes out Boreanaz with an icicle in the shape of a stake. If this is supposed to be Gellar and not a fierce vampire killer, it’s insane to think that this was the best self-defense tool rather than, say, some mace.
The Weirdest Contest In Buffy History
At any rate, all’s well that ends well with this bizarre advertisement. It did a great job promoting “Lovers Walk,” which ended up being one of the best episodes (currently sitting at an 8.8 out of 10 on IMDB) of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Meanwhile, the sweepstakes was successful, and Jennifer Johnson of Maryland got a non-speaking cameo in the fan-favorite episode “The Prom.” Ironically enough, the only real loser here was 1-800-COLLECT, a company that, like a vampire, basically turned to dust shortly after its run-in with the Slayer.
Incidentally, it’s pretty funny to see Buffy shilling for a 1-800-COLLECT, a telecom giant whose parent company would go bankrupt before the show aired its final episode. But what else would you expect from a character whose earliest tagline was “if the apocalypse comes, beep me”?
This year marks the 20th anniversary of iconic movies like The Departed, Little Miss Sunshine, Pan’s Labyrinth and Meryl Streep‘s iconic The Devil Wears Prada — the latter of which receives a highly anticipated sequel next month.
While there’s plenty to celebrate from the film industry’s output 20 years ago, there are also some particular movies that don’t deserve to see the light of day again.
Watch With Us wants to look back on five movies celebrating 20th anniversaries this year that we’d actually rather forget about.
Our first selection is none other than the abysmal The Pink Panther remake starring Steve Martin and Beyoncé.
Can you believe that it’s already been 20 years since The Devil Wears Prada? 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of some of the greatest movies of the 2000s. Classics like The Departed, Pan’s Labyrinth and Borat might seem like they just came out yesterday, but time really flies when you’re watching great movies. Watch With Us has rounded […]
‘The Pink Panther’
A ring featuring the priceless Pink Panther diamond goes missing after its owner, the coach of a French soccer team, is killed. To track down the missing gem, Chief Inspector Dreyfus (Kevin Kline) assembles a secret crack team of his best detectives while making the bumbling, dimwitted Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Martin) the public face of the investigation. Though both hopeless and hapless, Clouseau manages to get on the killer’s trail through a series of misadventures.
Adapted from the classic Pink Panther movies starring Peter Sellers, this new Pink Panther takes everything that was beloved about the original films from the 1960s and puts it through a meat grinder. What results is a mind-numbingly grating experience, full of easy, unintelligent gags, an overload of slapstick humor, terrible narrative writing and ultimately a poor showing from Martin as Clouseau, relying heavily on over-exaggeration that is less funny than it is obnoxious.
‘Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties’
When Jon Arbuckle (Breckin Meyer) decides to propose to his girlfriend Liz (Jennifer Love Hewitt), he plans to do it by secretly following her to London for her business trip and surprising her. Despite leaving Odie and Garfield (Bill Murray) in a kennel while he’s gone, Jon’s pets manage to escape and hitch a ride in his luggage. When they traverse the streets of London, one thing leads to another and Garfield is suddenly mistaken for a cat who’s the royal heir to a castle. Unfortunately, Garfield’s lap of luxury is impeded by the conniving Lord Dargis (Billy Connolly).
Poor reviews from the first Garfield movie didn’t seem to inspire this sequel to be any better — in fact, A Tale of Two Kitties sports an impressive 12 percent Rotten Tomatoes score, two percentage points lower than the first film. If you’re a child who loves terrible jokes and fart humor, then maybe you’ll be able to stand the cringe-inducing “charms” of this film. Otherwise, Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties more than deserves its Razzie nomination for Worst Prequel or Sequel.
‘Eragon’
If you were a fan of the YA fantasy novel Eragon in the 2000s, then you were likely heartbroken by the dreadful movie adaptation that it received in 2006. The plot follows poor farm boy Eragon (Ed Speleers), who lives in the kingdom of Alagaesia ruled by the evil monarch Galbatorix (John Malkovich). By chance, Eragon finds a stone while hunting in the woods that he realizes is an egg when a dragon hatches from it. With the last dragon now having emerged, Eragon has a chance to bring peace to the world, bring back the order of the Dragon Riders and overthrow Galbatorix.
Eragon received poor marks from critics at the time for just about everything: script, faithfulness to the source material, acting and visuals, with the only true bright spots being Speleers, Jeremy Irons, and the creature special effects. Otherwise, Eragon is shockingly forgettable and incompetent for such a richly written novel, lacking in convincing world-building, textured production design or a story that has baseline originality. In the spirit of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Eragon is what not to do when adapting a YA book.
‘When a Stranger Calls’
Over a hundred miles away, a teenager and the children she was babysitting are murdered after she received a series of strange phone calls. This information is unbeknownst to teenager Jill Johnson (Camilla Belle), who settles into what she believes will be an ordinary night watching over the children of a wealthy couple. But while the kids are fast asleep, Jill begins receiving mysterious phone calls in which the caller says nothing and then hangs up. As the calls become increasingly threatening, Jill soon realizes that her life is at risk.
While When a Stranger Calls is technically a remake of the 1979 horror film of the same name, it’s really only a remake of the original movie’s famous first 23 minutes, extended further into a feature-length film. The result? A movie that robs the original of everything that made it so iconic. The suspense feels manufactured and unearned, the script is unoriginal, the jump scares are fright-free and overall, the movie plays everything extremely safe. If you want to watch a horror movie that’s just bad, look no further.
‘The Da Vinci Code’
American symbologist Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) is summoned by the Paris police to examine the body of murdered Louvre curator Jacques Saunière (Jean-Pierre Marielle), who’s been posed like Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man and bears a hidden cipher readable only by UV light. At the end of the decoded cipher is a secret message implicating Langdon, and the police believe him to be the killer. Assisted by police cryptologist Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou), Langdon escapes on a quest to find the real killer and the site of the legendary Holy Grail — the location of which is encoded in da Vinci’s The Last Supper.
Here at Watch With Us, we love the ’80s. With the recent premiere of Stranger Things‘ final season, we’ve got the best of the ’80s on the brain. Watch With Us wants to celebrate some of the decade’s cinema offerings by highlighting five particularly rewarding movies that we feel are worth checking out a second […]
Like the original novel by Dan Brown, Ron Howard‘s adaptation of The Da Vinci Code was highly controversial upon release, yet what made Brown’s novel such an addictive read is evidently not present in this overstuffed film version. Aside from any claims of sacrilege you might want to make, the movie is just ploddingly dull and excessively ridiculous, bereft of any true star charisma or narrative excitement aside from a series of seemingly unending clues.
Entertainment
Anne Hathaway refutes claim that models were fired from “Devil Wears Prada 2 ”over body type: 'A little misinformation'
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Hathaway said a size-inclusive sequel scene “was about making sure that so many different body types saw themselves” and “created more jobs” on set.
Entertainment
Crew member killed in disturbing incident constructing Shakira concert stage in Brazil
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“First responders provided initial aid at the scene,” a statement read. “Regrettably, the professional passed away at the hospital.”
Al Pacino marked his 86th birthday with an unexpected reunion, spending part of the day alongside his ex, Beverly D’Angelo. Though their romance ended more than two decades ago, the pair have remained close over the years, largely due to their shared role as parents to twins Anton and Olivia, now 25.
D’Angelo has previously spoken candidly about their relationship, including the IVF journey that led to the birth of their children.
Pacino and his ex, D’Angelo, looked effortlessly sharp as they reunited ahead of his 86th birthday.
The Oscar winner has long made headlines for his relationships, but D’Angelo appears to hold a uniquely lasting place in his life. More than 20 years after their split, the pair chose to celebrate the milestone together, per the Daily Mail.
Pacino kept things understated in a dark ensemble, stepping out in an overcoat layered over loose trousers, with a fringed scarf wrapped around his neck. He finished the look with a beanie and sunglasses.
D’Angelo struck a brighter contrast, pairing dark trousers with a crisp white shirt and a yellow blazer, accessorized with a chic scarf. Both opted for sneakers, giving their coordinated looks a relaxed, effortless finish.
How Pacino First Met D’Angelo Mid-Flight
Pacino first crossed paths with D’Angelo in 1996 during a flight from Los Angeles to New York, and the connection was immediate.
Seated in front of her, Pacino was drawn to D’Angelo’s charm and eventually asked her to move up and sit beside him, she later recalled in a 2023 Instagram video. What started as a chance encounter quickly turned into something more, with the pair hitting it off before the plane had even landed.
Their whirlwind romance moved just as quickly on the ground. By 1997, Pacino had already brought up the idea of having children. Though D’Angelo had long avoided that path, she admitted she was “100%” open to it at the time, driven by how deeply she had fallen for the “Godfather” actor.
Al Pacino And D’Angelo’s Split Got Complicated
The couple’s relationship took a turn for the worse after they welcomed their twins, Anton and Olivia.
Pacino and D’Angelo turned to in vitro fertilization to start their family, a process they began in 1997 before finally welcoming their children in 2001. While their arrival marked a joyful milestone, it also came during a period of growing strain in the relationship.
“Yikes, it got complicated, and our split was finalized in 2004,” D’Angelo later admitted, reflecting on the end of their romance.
Despite going their separate ways, the two remained closely linked through their children. Co-parenting wasn’t always smooth, but D’Angelo said that their shared love for Anton and Olivia ultimately helped them navigate the tougher moments and find common ground.
Pacino’s Ex Opens Up On ‘Deeper Intimacy’
D’Angelo has since offered a rare glimpse into how her relationship with Pacino evolved after their split, describing a connection that runs deeper than their former romance.
Reflecting on their journey, she explained that what they built as co-parents ultimately reshaped their bond. “We lived together for seven years, had two children, broke up, but continued steadily on our journey as co-parents, and came to share our lives with a deeper kind of intimacy, honesty, and acceptance than a ‘traditional’ relationship would have allowed (for us at least),” she revealed.
Al Pacino Always Wanted A Large Family
Pacino’s path to fatherhood may have unfolded over time, but it was always part of a bigger vision he had for his life.
In addition to the twins he shares with D’Angelo, the actor has a daughter, Julia, with acting coach Jan Tarrant, and later welcomed a fourth child with former partner Noor Alfallah.
In a rare 2020 interview with El País, the actor reflected candidly on that journey, acknowledging both his regrets and growth as a parent. “I know it’s hard for a child to grow up without the attention of their parents,” he said, referencing his own upbringing after his parents’ early separation. “I myself was not a good father to Julia… and things improved with the twins.”
A highly anticipated concert by Shakira has been overshadowed by tragedy after a fatal accident during stage preparations in Brazil.
What was meant to be a celebratory event has instead taken a somber turn, as details emerge about the incident and the industry reflects on the risks behind large-scale productions.
The devastating incident occurred while crews were assembling the stage for the upcoming show at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. Organizers later confirmed that a worker lost their life following the accident.
In a statement shared via the official Todo Mundo No Rio Instagram account, organizers said, “The event organizers confirm that an accident this Sunday afternoon (April 26th) tragically claimed the life of a professional who was working on assembling the structures for the show.”
They added, “First responders provided initial care at the scene, and the Fire Department was immediately called to transport the patient.”
Despite emergency efforts, the situation took a heartbreaking turn. “Unfortunately, the professional passed away at the hospital,” the statement continued.
Organizers also expressed their support for those affected, noting they are “providing all support, comfort, and solidarity to the responsible company, its team, and the victim’s family” during this difficult time.
Eyewitness Describes Chaotic Moments At Shakira Stage Site
As news of the tragedy spread, accounts from those present painted a picture of confusion and urgency in the moments after the accident.
An eyewitness told France24 they saw “people running” as the structure was being set up. They recalled, “When we looked, the structure was on the ground.”
The situation quickly escalated, with bystanders realizing the severity of what had happened.
“People were saying that a man had gotten trapped underneath,” the eyewitness explained. “People rushed over to pull him out.”
Shakira Event Safety Response Detailed By Officials
Emergency services were quick to respond, with local authorities providing further clarity on how the incident was handled.
The Rio de Janeiro Military Fire Brigade confirmed that the worker sustained severe injuries during the setup process.
In a statement to PEOPLE, officials explained, “A worker suffered crushing injuries to his lower limbs in a lifting system.”
They added that colleagues acted swiftly before emergency teams arrived, saying, “Before the arrival of emergency teams, the victim had already been removed from the equipment by other employees present.”
Medical teams then took over care. “Military personnel from the ambulance service of the 3rd Maritime Group (GMAR-Copacabana) immediately began pre-hospital care on the victim, who was then transported to the Miguel Couto Municipal Hospital. Despite the efforts of the rescue teams, death was confirmed,” the statement concluded.
Shakira Show Still Planned As Questions Linger
The tragic event comes just days before Shakira is set to headline the free Todo Mundo No Rio concert on May 2.
The large-scale event, which began in 2024, transforms the iconic Copacabana Beach into a global stage celebrating international music.
Previous editions featured major artists like Madonna and Lady Gaga, and expectations for this year’s show have been high.
However, the recent incident has cast a shadow over the preparations, raising concerns about safety and the emotional toll on those involved.
Before the accident, the singer had been sharing her excitement about the upcoming performance with fans.
In a recent Instagram post, she wrote, “Almost there, Rio!!! Prepping so many surprises for you: guest artists, new wardrobe, songs you’ll love to hear.”
She added, “Can’t wait to be there … no altar do planeta!!”
Shakira Nominated For Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction
The tragic incident also comes at a significant time in Shakira’s career, following her nomination for the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class.
Speaking to AP News, she reflected on the honor, saying, “I feel really humbled and excited at the same time. It’s incredible to be nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and a little bit surreal as well.”
She further explained her musical roots, noting, “That’s an intricate part of my artistic persona. And everything that I listen to is rock music.”
Reflecting on her current success, she said, “I don’t know what’s going on. But this year, like, all my wishes are coming true, and I think this nomination is one of those things that you probably fantasize about sometime in your career but try not to get too fixated on it.”
She also spoke about representation, adding, “I feel very proud as a Latina… I think it might be the first time for a Latino woman, someone born and raised in Latin America.”
“I’m happy to feel that I’m representing a part of my community there,” she continued.
As anticipation builds for the performance, the tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the unseen risks behind major live events, leaving both fans and industry insiders reflecting on what should have been a moment of celebration.
President Donald Trump recalled his experience during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting on Saturday, April 25.
The president said in an interview on the Sunday, April 26, episode of 60 Minutes that he “wanted to see what was happening,” which led to Secret Service agents taking longer to usher him out of the Washington Hilton ballroom in Washington, D.C., than Vice President JD Vance.
“What happened is it was a little bit me,” Trump, 79, explained to CBS News’ Norah O’Donnell. “I wanted to see what was happening, and I wasn’t making it that easy for [the shooter]. I wanted to see what was going on. And by that time, we started to realize maybe it was a bad problem, different kind of a problem, bad one, and different than what would be normal noise from a ballroom, which you hear all the time. I was surrounded by great people, and I probably made them act a little bit more slowly. I said, ‘Wait a minute. Let me see.’”
Amid the commotion, Trump said he started to leave the ballroom by walking out but was advised by Secret Service to get down to the ground.
New details have been revealed about the alleged shooter who authorities believe targeted President Donald Trump and members of his administration at this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner. A 31-year-old California man identified as Cole Tomas Allen was apprehended outside the ballroom at the Washington Hilton on Saturday, April 25, shortly after shots were fired […]
“I started walking with them. They said, ‘Please go down on the floor,’ so I went down, and the first lady went down also,” he said.
Trump praised his wife, Melania Trump, for how she handled the situation, noting that, unlike him, she has not been involved in an active shooter situation before.
“My thought was, ‘I’ve been through this before a couple of times.’ She has not to this extent. She handled it great. She’s very strong, smart. She got it,” he said. “She listened. When they said, ‘Drop down,’ that meant trouble.”
A 31-year-old California man, Cole Tomas Allen, was arrested in connection with the shooting on Saturday. He is expected to be arraigned on Monday, April 27.
Erika Kirk was in attendance as shots broke out at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. CNN reported that Kirk, 37, was seen crying as the chaos unfolded at the Washington Hilton in Washington D.C. on Saturday, April 25. CNN’s Sara Sidner said on air that she personally witnessed Kirk leaving the main ballroom, telling aides, […]
Following Saturday’s derailed event, Trump told reporters he was “honored” to be targeted by the suspected gunman.
“When you look at our great presidents, [this] doesn’t happen to people who don’t do anything,” he said.
“The man has been captured, and they’re going to his apartment. I guess he lives in California, and he’s a very sick person, a very sick person,” Trump added.
“I was totally shocked when something like this happens,” Trump said on Saturday night. “It happened to me a little bit, and that never changes. The fact, we were sitting right next to each other, first lady on my right, and I heard a noise … I thought it was a tray going down, and it was a pretty loud noise, and it was from quite far away. [The suspect] hadn’t reached the area at all. He really got him … but it was a gun.”
“Some people really understood that very quickly, other people didn’t … I was watching what happened,” he continued. “Melania was very cognizant of what happened; I think she knew immediately what happened. She was saying, ‘That’s a bad noise.’ And we were whisked away. It was very quick … it was a matter of seconds that we were out the door.”
YouTuber Aries Williams is letting supporters in on one of the most personal moments of his life. After previously opening up about his faith and spiritual journey, the 23-year-old content creator has now shared the emotional moment he met his biological father for the very first time!
Related: Brooklyn Frost And Gabrielle Alayah Speak Out Following Backlash For Not Defending Tee Tee At Rolling Loud (VIDEO)
Aries Williams And His Father Share Emotional First-Time Reunion
On Saturday, April 25, Aries uploaded an hour-long video to his YouTube channel titled ‘Meeting My Dad For The First Time… Very Emotional.’
In the video, Aries shares the lead-up to the long-awaited moment he finally meets his dad. When they come face to face, the two embrace in an emotional hug, and his father apologizes for the years he missed and expresses his love for his son. In that moment, Aries makes it clear to his dad that he’s moving forward without resentment. While admitting the absence was painful during his childhood, he explains that those experiences ultimately shaped him into the man he is today.
Following the upload, Aries also shared a heartfelt message in the video’s comment section, writing, “Just want to take a moment here and just thank Jesus! My heart, my emotions, my hurt, all belongs to Him and He has truly healed me. Give Jesus a chance to work in your life just as He has worked in mine. Surrender is the best notion to deliverance.”
See the moment below:
Social Media Reacts
Social media quickly filled with reactions as users weighed in on the emotional reunion.
Instagram user @unique0badd wrote, “😢 yall got my crying 😭😭 this made me miss my dad 🕊️😭”
Another Instagram user @valentines__612 wrote, “Love this for them 🤎 and the both fine 😍”
While yonbloyal_ wrote, “It takes a lot on both ends to win this is winning in so many ways heartwarming to let go and let god ❤️”
Instagram user @nayabrii wrote, “❤️❤️❤️ Thank God for Change, and forgiveness. This is beautiful 🤩 I pray that bond gets stronger and stronger. I love to see this!!!”
Another Instagram user @t.e.e.d.y wrote, “I’d never go look for a parent that abandoned me especially not after I got money 🤷🏽♀️😭”
While Instagram user @nyasecrets_ wrote, “I think ima pop my dad if I catch him”
Instagram user @mk9750616 wrote, “Aries ur dad is going to be asking for money soon. He is coming around for fame I remember aries said his father was never in his life now he popped up all of a sudden.”
Another Instagram user, @ladymel, wrote, “This should not be recorded”
While Instagram user @jeaninewilliams124 wrote, “This is what a lot of young men need in their life right now.. I’m so happy for him you did the right thing.. In order to heal yourself you have to face the hard things about yourself 🫶🏽 God be working”
Aries Shares How His Faith Is Changing His Content
Aries’ emotional reunion comes amid a larger personal transformation he’s been open about with fans. In December 2025, he shared that he was deepening his relationship with God and planned to shift his content toward Bible study-focused streams to better align with his faith.
He also revealed his decision to remain celibate until marriage, emphasizing his commitment to living in accordance with his beliefs.
Just months later, in February, Aries took another major step in his personal life, tying the knot with his longtime girlfriend, TeeTee, the sister of DDG. The couple officially married in a courthouse ceremony on February 15, just one day after getting engaged, and shared plans to celebrate with a larger wedding ceremony later this summer.
Related: Congrats! Jay Cinco Proposes To Lala Baptiste At Their Baby Shower Celebration (VIDEOS)
What Do You Think Roomies?
Bravo has concluded its investigation after audio from the Summer House season 10 reunion was leaked online.
“An investigation into the recent leak of the Summer House reunion audio has concluded that the audio was an unauthorized recording and distributed by an individual involved in the production of the reunion,” a Sunday, April 26, statement shared with Us Weekly reads. “As a result of the findings, appropriate action has been taken.”
The Summer House filmed its season 10 reunion on Thursday, April 23, shortly before a clip of Ciara Miller confronting costars Amanda Batula and West Wilson from the tell-all surfaced online. Bravo immediately opened an investigation into the matter to determine the source of the leak.
“There is no evidence that any member of the cast was involved in the recording of the audio,” the statement continues. “We take these matters seriously and will continue to take appropriate measures to respond to the unauthorized distribution of our content.”
Bravo launched an official investigation into the events surrounding leaked audio from the Summer House season 10 reunion taping, sparking outrage from the network, host Andy Cohen and multiple cast members. “This represents a serious breach of trust and a clear lack of respect for the cast, crew, and the integrity of the production process,” […]
The note adds, “We are aware that there is additional improperly obtained audio circulating and we caution all parties and platforms to refrain from posting, sharing or amplifying any unauthorized audio.”
Amid Bravo’s investigation, several cast members denied any involvement regarding the leaked audio.
“I wouldn’t risk losing my job by leaking audio of a deeply emotional reunion,” KJ Dillard wrote via Threads on Friday, April 24. “The leak wasn’t me.”
Kyle Cooke also addressed the incident, denying that he had any knowledge of the recording.
“Bravo takes it insanely seriously. They’re doing a full-blown cyber investigation,” Kyle, 43, said in a social media video. “If you’re the one that leaked, you might wanna seek cover or counsel.”
According to Kyle, it was unlikely that any of the cast members had their phones present during production.
“If you have a phone on set, it’s stuck behind a pillow or couch cushion, so the cameras can’t see it. I don’t really see why anyone would gain [from] having leaked this,” he said. “That goes for producers, crew [and] Bravo. This is someone clearly acting on their own. It doesn’t even look like that got paid because the audio clip is everywhere.”
The reunion is set to address the love triangle between Ciara, 30, Amanda, 34, and West, 31. Ciara and West casually dated in 2023, briefly hooking up again at the start of the year. By March, West confirmed that he started seeing Ciara’s BFF Amanda amid her separation from Kyle.
“We’ve shown up for each other as friends over the years, through all the highs and lows, and what’s developed recently was the last thing either of us expected,” West and Amanda wrote in a joint statement last month. “Our connection grew out of a genuine, longstanding friendship, which made it especially important for us to approach this with care.”
Ciara, meanwhile, told Glamour in an early April profile that she was blindsided by the news.
“I read [their statement] with the rest of the world. There’s something about the lack of being able to say each other’s names in the statement that I found very telling, but I don’t know,” Ciara told the outlet. “It’s one thing to experience hurt behind closed doors. To experience it so publicly is like another layer, and then to have to see what you thought was your life still play out in season 10. It’s a major mindf***.”
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