Morgan Freeman long ago turned his sprawling 124-acre Mississippi ranch into a sanctuary for bees after growing concerned about their declining population.

The actor’s quiet conservation effort is now drawing renewed praise online, with fans applauding him for using his land to support the environment without turning it into a publicity campaign.

Freeman has previously opened up about his love for beekeeping, explaining the ins and outs of caring for the bees.

Soon to turn 89, Freeman has also spoken about his acting career, saying his “appetite” for the craft is still alive, although he admitted that it has “dimmed a little.”

Freeman has played everything from the voice of God to the president of the United States, along with several other iconic screen figures. These days, however, one of his most admired roles is tied to environmental preservation.

Over the years, the “Bruce Almighty” actor transformed his sprawling 124-acre ranch in Mississippi into a sanctuary for bees, per Forbes. The effort was aimed at helping protect pollinators amid concerns about their declining population and the broader threat to the species.

To support the project, Freeman reportedly imported 26 hives from Arkansas to his estate in 2014. He also began planting bee-friendly vegetation, including lavender, clover, and magnolia trees, to make the land more welcoming for the insects.

Fans Praise Freeman’s Quiet Bee Mission

Freeman’s bee sanctuary has been drawing renewed attention online, with social media users focusing on the actor’s decision not to publicize his efforts. One X user praised the actor for turning his land into a bee haven without making a public fuss of it.

“Morgan Freeman quietly turned 124 acres into a bee sanctuary over a decade ago and never made it a press tour. That’s the version of celebrity environmentalism that actually means something,” the user wrote.

Another fan used Freeman’s example as a reminder that people do not need massive ranches to help, noting that planting native flowers or avoiding pesticides can still support local bee populations. A third joked that the famous voice-over actor did not just narrate creation, but helped protect it.

Morgan Freeman Spoke Passionately About Saving Bees

Freeman’s journey into apiculture reportedly began as a personal response to the growing environmental crisis facing bee populations, but it eventually became part of a broader conservation effort.

He first spoke publicly about his love for beekeeping during a 2014 appearance on Jimmy Fallon’s “The Tonight Show,” where he discussed both his hands-on experience and the importance of protecting wild bees.

At the time, Freeman revealed that he was actively involved in caring for the bees himself. He said he fed them sugar and water, did not wear a bee suit or hat while doing so, and had never been stung.

Freeman Is Not Turning Bees Into A Business

Money does not appear to be the driving force behind Freeman’s bee sanctuary, as the “Lucy” actor previously revealed that he does not harvest the hives for commercial gain.

“There is a concerted effort for bringing bees back onto the planet,” Freeman told Fallon. “We do not realize that they are the foundation, I think, of the growth of the planet, the vegetation.”

His initiative comes at a critical time for the environment, as bees continue to face threats such as habitat loss, pesticides, and parasites.

The U.N. Environment Programme has also highlighted the importance of bees to biodiversity and food production. Since bees help pollinate a significant portion of the food humans consume, their survival remains closely tied to global food security.

Morgan Freeman Says He Still Has An Appetite For Acting

Freeman’s appearances on the big screen have become more sporadic in recent years, but he maintains that he is not ready to walk away from acting.

In November, he sat for an interview with The Guardian, where he said his “appetite is still there” for the profession, although more than six decades in the industry may have slightly changed how he feels about it.

“I will concede that it’s dimmed a little. But not enough to make a serious difference,” he admitted.

The Oscar winner also explained that the idea of retirement has crossed his mind a few times, but he has never taken it too seriously.

“Sometimes the idea of retirement would float past me, as soon as my agent says there’s a job or somebody wants you, or they’ve made an offer, the whole thing just boils back into where it was yesterday,” Freeman told the outlet. “How much [are you] going to pay, where we’re gonna be?”

If there’s one director working right now who simply doesn’t get the credit they deserve for having essentially forged a career akin to that of Steven Soderbergh, it’s David Mackenzie. He simply cannot be put in a box, having made movies that belong to genres as diverse as epic historical (Outlaw King) and prison drama (Starred Up). His most popular movie, however, remains the Taylor Sheridan-penned neo-Western Hell or High Water, starring Chris Pine, Ben Foster, Jeff Bridges, and Gil Birmingham. The movie holds a near-perfect 97% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, which, in any other circumstances, would have set up Mackenzie for life. However, he didn’t jump to major franchise filmmaking or prestige television following Hell or High Water‘s admirable success. He continued down his chosen path of making genre movies. And now, his latest film is emerging as a sudden hit on the PVOD market.

Keeping with his adventurous approach to filmmaking, Mackenzie explores an entirely new genre with his new movie. It stars Theo James, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Sam Worthington. The heist-thriller follows a squad tasked with defusing a supposed World War II-era bomb in the middle of London, while a crew of bank robbers attempts to make the most of the distraction by infiltrating a nearby facility. The movie is titled Fuze, and it recently debuted on PVOD following a limited theatrical release. His previous movie, the thriller Relay, had a similarly limited theatrical run before finding success on home video.

David Mackenzie’s Star-Studded New Thriller Gains Steam on Streaming

According to FlixPatrol, Fuze was among the most-watched movies on the domestic iTunes chart this week, cracking the top 10 immediately after its debut. The movie grossed around $4 million in its theatrical run earlier this year, which is a low number despite the positive reviews. Fuze holds a “Certified Fresh” 73% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus reads, “Unapologetically leaning into its own pulpy excess, Fuze detonates as a stylish thriller with energy, craft, and twists to spare.” Reviewing the thriller at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, Collider’s Ross Bonaime called it a “big, mediocre action film, and with a twist that the audience can see coming from a mile away.”

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Release Date

April 24, 2026

Runtime

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98 minutes

Director

David Mackenzie

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Writers

Ben Hopkins

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Producers

Gillian Berrie, Callum Grant, David Mackenzie, Sebastien Raybaud

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Throughout Chris Sails’ career as a YouTuber, he has often been known for trolling others online. Whether involving fellow creators, his ex and R&B singer Queen Naija, or her current partner Clarence NYC, his antics have frequently sparked reactions across social media. Those moments have kept parts of his personal life in the spotlight for years. They have also fueled conversations and, at times, strained his co-parenting relationship with Queen Naija. Over the years, the pair have been involved in several public disagreements that played out online. As a result, fans have often weighed in on their relationship and parenting dynamic. Now this! As Queen Naija and Clarence NYC celebrated CJ’s elementary school graduation, Chris Sails addressed questions about his absence.

RELATED: Internet Users React To Queen Naija & Clarence’s “Ring” Photos As Her Mom Appears To Confirm Their Engagement (PHOTOS + VIDEOS)

Chris Sails Addresses Questions About Why He Didn’t Attend CJ’s Graduation

On Friday, clips of Chris Sails answering questions from supporters about why he wasn’t in attendance at CJ’s elementary school graduation began circulating online. While responding to comments on live, Chris claimed that he was not invited to the ceremony and acknowledged that some of his past actions may have contributed to the situation.

Chris said, “I know I made it harder on myself, so I don’t blame them over there for not inviting me; I don’t think it’s their fault.”

The YouTuber also read comments suggesting that he could have made time to attend once he found out about the graduation. Another commenter argued that he needed to put more effort into it. Chris appeared to agree with those sentiments. One commenter accused Chris of lying and claimed that he was aware of the graduation beforehand.

“I didn’t lie n****, I just corrected myself. Shut yo goofy a** up,” Chris responded. “They didn’t tell me that he had a graduation. I had asked them when I could get my son for the summertime. She said anytime after this time because he’s graduating. So that’s how I found out. It wasn’t an invitation-type of find out.”

Chris continued by saying that he does not blame them for not inviting him because he understands that his past actions may have made things harder for him. Despite that, he admitted that he still feels he should have been extended an invitation. However, he added that he does not want anyone to feel uncomfortable. Chris also shared that he plans to speak with CJ about the situation and ask how he feels regarding the graduation and his absence.

Chris Sails And Queen Naija Faced A Similar Situation During CJ’s Kindergarten Graduation In 2021

This is not the first time Chris Sails and Queen Naija have faced questions surrounding one of CJ’s graduations. Five years ago, Chris shared similar frustrations after missing CJ’s kindergarten graduation. At the time, a commenter asked why he was not in attendance. Chris replied, “I didn’t get an invitation. And also didn’t even know he was graduating today. That’s messed up.”

After Chris’ comments began making rounds online, Queen Naija responded and shared her side of the story. She explained that Chris was dealing with legal matters at the time and said their co-parenting relationship was strained. Queen also revealed that she was caring for a sick two-year-old during that period. The situation sparked debate across social media, with many users weighing in on both sides. Queen Naija’s younger sister Tina, who was estranged from her at the time, also joined the conversation and shared that she was upset about not receiving an invitation.

Social Media Weighs In

Folks gathered in The Shade Room Teens’ comment section to react to Chris Sails’ video. While some agreed that Queen Naija and Clarence should have invited him, others felt it was not Queen’s responsibility. Several commenters argued that Chris should have been more proactive and asked questions about CJ’s graduation on his own.

Instagram user @thasweetest1_ wrote, “Mann if u involved in your child’s like you’d know. Simple as that.. he musta thought Cj was in 3rd grade or sum 😂🫠”

Instagram user @september22ndd_wrote, “You’re the dad, call the school and get the information. CJ is also old enough to communicate these things. These are excuses.”

While Instagram user @theregoesfefe wrote, “cj gon graduate high school and chris gon be tb how he didn’t get a invite again see yall in 2033 😭” 

Instagram user @anti_social1926 wrote, “Queen and Clarence are definitely wrong af idc.”

Instagram user @aaliyahebaby added, “Naw Queen wrong for that.. He should know everything that boy has going on in school and should have been able to be at the graduation..could sit on another side of the room or matter fact that man could have kept his butt at him”

While Instagram user @yellow_tatted wrote, “You know everybody business but your own 😭”

Instagram user @ishanilatrice.m wrote, “Yall find any way to blame the mom ….. he know what grade he in and talks to his son … im not obligated to make sure a dad is being a dad regardless of being in different states wtf?! Yall okay?”

Instagram user @gyt.jas added, “Watching Chris on TikTok I can say he’s matured a lot since that last situation they was in. I feel like they should’ve at least sent the invite.”

While Instagram user @gothamlibra wrote, “For all the ones who saying she should have told him HE SAID HE ASKED ABOUT GETTING CJ FOR SUMMER AND SHE TOLD HIM AFTER “HIS GRADUATION” he knew and didn’t want to go. He let the ball slip. He acknowledged it and hopefully he’s at the next one. Yall be slow and intentionally missing information just to have dense opinions.”

RELATED: Tea Clocked! Chris Sails Is Left Speechless After Son CJ Clapped Back At Him For Coming At Queen Naija Online (WATCH)

Kai Cenat is giving fans a rare update while taking a break from streaming. The streamer took to X to answer questions from his community ahead of the platform’s decision to remove all communities from the social media site following a decline in usage.

Related: Kai Cenat’s Cryptic Post Has Supporters Wondering If He’s Returning To Streaming (VIDEO)

Kai Cenat Shares His Thoughts On The Current State Of Streaming 

On Friday, May 29, Kai Cenat shared a tweet to his community of over 55,000 members, inviting supporters to ask him questions before the community ends on May 30. During the Q&A, one of the most-viewed questions centered on a topic supporters have been asking for months: When is Kai returning to streaming?

Although Kai did not provide a specific date, he reassured fans that his passion for content creation has not changed. In response to one user, Kai wrote that he would “never lose passion for streaming” and would return “when it’s time.” Meanwhile, another fan asked Kai for his thoughts on the current state of streaming. Keeping his answer brief, the content creator responded that streaming simply “needs more inspiration.”

Kai Cenat Also Opened Up About Music, Books and Life Away From The Camera

Beyond streaming, Kai also answered several light-hearted questions about his personal interests and what he’s been up to while away from the spotlight. The streamer shared details about the book he’s currently reading, offered his thoughts on the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, and revealed some of his favorite songs from Drake’s latest project, ‘Iceman.’ Kai also gave fans a glimpse into his day-to-day life outside of content creation. According to the AMP member, he’s been spending much of his time reading and hanging out with his AMP group when he’s not working.

Social Media Reacts

Fans quickly flooded social media with reactions to Kai’s responses.

Instagram user @jesseniaa.__ wrote, “Well he’s talking to us again, that’s great, I’m glad he’s taking his time tho. We all we be tuned in soon as he go, live 😂”

Another Instagram user @0k.imani wrote, “Kai choosing himself 👏👏”

While Instagram user @its.trinnn wrote, “Who tf do kai think he is fr 😂😂”

Instagram user @afkingp wrote, “I feel like he’s gonna make his own streaming platform.”

Another Instagram user @maaaack.kingg wrote, “Bro u just a fallen off streamer, relax with the celebrity bs 😭😂”

While Instagram user @lizzycoker10 wrote, “He just wanted to show us the new words he discovered from his dictionary 😭”

Instagram user @for.ou6992 wrote, “Streaming so boring without him 😭 they only doing it for money now and you can tell. Nobody hold my attention fr not even Rakai and clover. It’s just ain’t the same”

Another Instagram user @latricee._ wrote, “just yapping”

While Instagram user @fly4carti wrote, “Why are you guys so upset he’s answering questions? If he speaks it’s a problem if he doesn’t it’s a problem just leave the man alone 💀”

Related: Social Media Sounds Off After Jay Cinco Links Streaming Decline To Kai Cenat’s Streamer University (WATCH)

Marcia Lucas, one of the most vital figures in the history of Hollywood whose work helped Star Wars become one of the most important films ever made, has passed away at the age of 80. Lucas died, surrounded by family, Wednesday in Rancho Mirage, California, from metastatic cancer, according to the Associated Press.

She was known for her work on the original Star Wars, Lucas won the Academy Award for Best Film Editing alongside Paul Hirsch and Richard Chew. Her work on the film has long been credited as essential to how the final film turned out, particularly in the film’s climactic Death Star assault, which remains one of the most thrilling finales in the history of cinema.

It wasn’t just the first film that Lucas worked on, either, as she played a key role on Return of the Jedi, while her wider contributions to the franchise as a whole have been noted greatly in the franchise’s behind-the-scenes history. As her name also suggests, she was married to the series creator George Lucas, and was a vital cog in the creative functions of Lucas’ early work as a filmmaker.

What Films Did Marcia Lucas Work On?

Her career wasn’t just limited to Star Wars, as Lucas edited her former husband’s earlier films THX 1138 and American Graffiti, the latter of which became a major breakthrough, introducing the world to a young Harrison Ford before Star Wars. She also worked with Martin Scorsese, including on Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore and Taxi Driver.

Editors are often unsung heroes in the art of filmmaking, but those in the know are all too aware of how important they are to the making or breaking of a major motion picture. Bad editing can make a good film drag or confuse audiences, but in the casr of a film like Star Wars, it took what was essentially a very weird space fantasy into a propulsive thriller.

She was also part of a generation of women editors who shaped New Hollywood at a time when few women held that level of creative authority in the industry, alongside figures like Thelma Schoonmaker, Dede Allen, and Verna Fields.

The thoughts of everyone at Collider are with the family of Marcia Lucas. We are extremely grateful for the joy her contributions to cinema have brought us.

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Release Date

May 25, 1977

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Runtime

121 minutes

Director

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George Lucas

Writers

George Lucas

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Producers

Gary Kurtz, Rick McCallum

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Finding beach pants when you’re 5’3” can feel weirdly impossible. Most pairs are either so long they drag across the floor, so oversized they swallow your frame or so sheer they only work for a two-minute walk from the pool to the hotel room. I wanted that relaxed, coastal-boutique look . . . just without the tailoring appointment afterward.

Lately, though, I’ve been spotting breezy wide-leg pants everywhere, from chic seaside boutiques in Nantucket to polished vacation outfits all over TikTok. The difference? The best pairs feel effortless instead of sloppy, with cropped hems, soft draping fabrics and easy pull-on waists that actually flatter a shorter frame. Ahead, I rounded up 13 petite-friendly beach pants that look far more expensive than they are — and they start at just $18.

13 Petite-Friendly Beach Pants With Coastal Boutique Vibes

1. Our Favorite: The smocked waist on these flowy palazzo pants stretches comfortably without digging in, and the wide leg falls cleanly without overwhelming a shorter frame. The real pockets are a nice bonus at this price.

2. Loose and Slimming: Stiff waistbands ride up when you sit, but the drawstring on these low-waist linen pants cinches to your size. Plus, the loose harem cut hides what you want hidden without looking shapeless.

3. Darling Details: The lace trim at the hem of these drawstring capri pants adds the kind of detail you’d expect from a small boutique. The lightweight fabric and a drawstring waist make them easy to wear.

4. Nautical-Chic: Wear these striped linen pants to a seaside lunch with a white linen shirt and espadrilles, and you’ll look like you’re summering in Nantucket. The breezy fabric handles humid afternoons.

5. Floral Fun: Fussy zippers and stiff waistbands ruin a beach day. The elastic waist on these printed wide-leg pants disappears under a tank, and the dark floral print forgives the inevitable spills.

Related: 17 Flattering Summer Wrap Dresses That Instantly Snatch Your Waist

Some dresses just hang there, and other flowy options completely transform your shape. Wrap dresses fall into the second category, thanks to their waist-defining ties, flattering V-necks and draped silhouettes that naturally create an hourglass look without feeling restrictive. They’re basically the ultimate summer confidence boost when you want to feel comfortable but still look […]

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6. Cropped Classic: Full-length palazzos can swallow a shorter frame. The cropped capri length on these flowy wide-leg pants keeps proportions clean and lets you skip hemming altogether.

7. Airy and Easy: These 100% cotton wide-leg pants skip the synthetic feel you get from cheaper beach pants. The elastic waist pulls on quickly, and the cropped length sits right at the ankle.

8. Palazzo Perfection: The loose harem cut on these baggy palazzo pants drapes well without clinging anywhere unflattering. This kind of style usually costs three times more.

9. Fabulously Flowy: The gaucho cut on these flowy capri pants hits mid-calf with a full sweep that catches the breeze. An elastic waist plus pockets make them the kind of pants you reach for repeatedly.

10. A Bestseller: There’s a reason these flowy palazzo pants keep selling. The wide-leg cut drapes cleanly, the price stays under $25 and the fit works across a range of body types.

11. Boutique-Worthy: The cut-out eyelet details along the leg give these striped palazzo pants the look of something hanging in a coastal boutique. Pockets and a drawstring waist keep them practical, too.

12. Tummy Control: The high elastic drawstring waist on these linen-blend palazzo pants sits above the midsection to smooth things out. The wide leg and cropped length keep the proportions in check.

13. Throw-On-And-Go: Pull these linen-cotton beach pants on over a swimsuit, grab the tote and head out. The drawstring waist adjusts on the fly when lunch turns into a longer afternoon.

Related: These 17 Flowy Midi Dresses Could Pass for Parisian Boutique Finds

You know that feeling when you’re flipping through photos from a trip to Paris (or just scrolling through them on Instagram) and every woman seems to be wearing a dress that looks effortless, romantic and somehow expensive? It’s enough to give Us some serious fashion envy. However, pulling that look off back home doesn’t require […]

Editor’s note: The below interview contains spoilers for Dutton Ranch Episode 4.

Despite Taylor Sheridan‘s Yellowstone wrapping up with its fifth and final season, the hit neo-Western franchise has found a way to endure by way of two spin-offs about John Dutton’s (Kevin Costner) offspring. While Kayce (Luke Grimes) is keeping an eye on Montana on the CBS procedural Marshals, his sister Beth (Kelly Reilly) and her husband Rip (Cole Hauser) have kicked off a bold new chapter in Texas on Dutton Ranch. While Beth’s family name does carry some weight, they’re far from being the top dog — which immediately becomes clear when they cross paths with Beulah Jackson (Annette Bening), owner of the historic 10-Petal Ranch, who will seemingly stop at nothing to retain her status and prestige.

Ahead of Dutton Ranch‘s premiere, Collider had the opportunity to speak with some cast and crew, including Reilly and Bening, about their characters’ most thrilling scenes so far and why Beth and Beulah are more alike than they realize. Below, the co-stars discuss how the burgeoning romance between Carter (Finn Little) and Oreana (Natalie Alyn Lind) will impact the dynamic between their families, how Beulah’s connection with Everett (Ed Harris) adds more complexity to an already complex character, and more.

COLLIDER: There are a lot of really fun scenes that the two of you have early on in the show, starting with when Beth and Beulah first meet. What did the two of you enjoy about getting to face off for the first time? It really feels like a scene where these two women are taking the measure of each other.

ANNETTE BENING: Well said. I think Beulah, at first, is sort of like, “Oh, who is this person? What can she do for me?” And then, when she gets a little taste of what she’s doing and how she does what she does, I think she’s really impressed and somewhat intimidated.

KELLY REILLY: I think they sort of mirror each other in a weird way. They have so much in common. That first scene, that day, was my first scene with Annette. [To Bening] I’m not sure if I’ve ever told you this, because Annette and I became really good friends, but as Kelly and Annette, we were thrown into different things at the beginning, and you don’t get to know each other straight away, and I was so scared, and I kept tripping up on my lines. I was like, “I can’t hold my own against this heavyweight here.”

I just remember Beth and Beulah just circling each other like animals, these apex predators, and I just knew that it was going to be juicy. I knew that there was just so much potential, not just as adversaries, but as women who understood they’re both daughters of big ranches they have the burden and the responsibility to protect. They know what it takes. Beth knows what it takes, and it’s a powerful woman who can do that. So, there was something about a mirror, like Beth could sort of see herself in Beulah, and I think likewise, maybe.

‘Dutton Ranch’ Stars Confirm That Beth and Beulah’s Dynamic Will Only Get More Complicated

“… they start to understand each other, and that’s when the mutual respect starts to really rear its head, especially for Beth.”

Image via Paramount+

In addition to the conflict, the dynamic between these two families in general takes a really interesting turn, especially with the blossoming romance that we see develop early on in the season. When Beth drops Oreana off at the house, there’s, again, a tête-à-tête between your characters. What can you set up about how that’s going to impact the relationship between the Jacksons and the Duttons?

BENING: What makes this interesting to me from the very beginning, doing this show, was the stakes are high, and that’s what Yellowstone as a show did for me as an audience member. I loved the juicy, kind of mythical quality of what’s going on between everybody. First of all, the writing and then the acting were so invested. The stakes are so high, and that’s what we want as actors. We want to find those parts where we can really fight and dig in for what our characters love. So that, for me, was kind of the inspiration, what happened in that amazing show.

Quite frankly, Kelly, and Cole [Hauser] and everybody in the show, but Kelly for me, was an actress that, when I was watching the show, I’m like, “Who is that? Where did she come from? Oh my God, that actress just blew me away.” Anyway, backing up a little bit, for me, that was just so much of it. But yes, the fact that we have a lot of ways in which our two families… I mean, let’s remember, Beth and Rip come to my territory.

REILLY: That’s right.

BENING: They come into our world, and there are a lot of ways in which our families are beginning to get involved and have problems from a business standpoint, as well as, as you said, that my granddaughter and her son start to get involved, and there are problems.

REILLY: One of the interesting things to me is when we get further into the season, they potentially might start to need one another, and that’s when we start getting into some of the more complexities, and they start to understand each other, and that’s when the mutual respect starts to really rear its head, especially for Beth.

My favorite parts of the show are when I’m on a horse and when I’m working with Annette. It’s just extraordinary. I never know what the scene is going to turn into with her, and we get to play with each other very nicely. I just remember Christina [Alexandra Voros] coming up to us after some of our scenes because no take was ever the same. It was just like letting her go and letting me go with one another, and it just always felt exciting. Like you said, the stakes are so high, so it’s all you want as an actor, to go to work and have something to really get your teeth into.

Annette Bening Didn’t Find It Difficult To Fall in Love With ‘Dutton Ranch’ Co-Star Ed Harris

“They have a wonderful history.”

Image via Paramount+

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Annette, you and Ed [Harris] have some great scenes, but I cannot stop thinking about the moment when the two of you are sitting on the porch, and Everett leaves, and Beulah breaks down, and then as soon as the phone rings, she has to slip right back into composure. What was it like to film that scene and really get to peel back the layers on that relationship and the history between these two characters?

BENING: Oh, thank you. I hope it works. It meant a lot to me just knowing I got to work with Ed. We did a film together years ago. I really love him and admire him, and I find falling in love with Ed Harris, there’s no acting required for me. I really appreciate this in the writing, that this is part of Beulah’s underbelly, that she is so longing for romance and connection and intimacy with this man. They have a wonderful history. They knew each other and were together when they were kids, and then, again, had a brief affair years ago. So, this longing of hers, I loved trying to explore that, and the fact that it is very frustrating for her, and that’s the dynamic.

This is a woman who tries to control everything, right? She tries to control the town, she tries to control her ranch, and she has good intentions, but things are slipping through her fingers. She’s desperate in a way. And the longing for him, I think, is such an important part of her, and I loved exploring that with Ed and playing with him. What a joy. He’s such a wonderful actor.

New episodes of Dutton Ranch premiere Fridays on Paramount+.

Veteran reality star Brandi Glanville is used to being outspoken, but this time, she’s made a shocking admission about her son! During an episode of Netflix‘s new reality show, “Calabasas Confidential,” the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” alum recalled learning the moment her son, Mason Cibrian, was no longer a virgin.

In a new episode of the reality show, which dropped today, May 29, Glanville made an appearance alongside her son, Mason, who was filming with his friend, Emilie Nelson. During the conversation, Glanville opened up about her son’s girlfriend, Sarah Dower, revealing how much she enjoys her.

“I love [his girlfriend]. She’s the best. I want to keep her forever,” Glanville stated. Continuing, Glanville said that she previously told Sarah to “get pregnant” with her son’s child by deceiving him. “I was like, ‘Just trick him,’” she said. “Then we’ll have a cute little Irish baby, and I can just watch it.”

Brandi Glanville Details The First Time She Realized Her Son, Mason, Was No Longer A Virgin

The conversation about Mason’s personal life didn’t end there. Elsewhere during the scene, Mason praised his girlfriend, saying she’s the only person he’s been with whom he can see a future.

As the conversation continued, Glanville jumped back in and revealed the first time she learned her son was no longer a virgin. “I remember realizing he wasn’t a virgin when I walked by his room, and I heard a spanking being given,” she confessed.

According to Glanville, accepting the moment was a bit of a challenge. “I was just like, ‘F-ck my life, my son is not a virgin anymore,’” she shared on camera.

And she didn’t stop there. She added, “I think he was 15 or 16, and I was crying. I’m like, ‘I am so uncomfortable right now. But at least he’s giving a spanking at least. He’s got some moves.’”

Brandi Glanville Used To Be Married To Eddie Cibrian

According to Bravo’s Daily Dish, Glanville shares two sons with her ex-husband, Eddie Cibrian, with whom she split in 2009. During a past interview, the reality star opened up about Eddie’s reported affair with his now-wife, LeAnn Rimes.

“The reason it is so bad is she was pretending to be my friend as well,” Glanville said in 2012. “It would have been better had I not known her, and they were just having an affair. We’re sitting there, and she’s pretending they’re pals — and she’s sleeping with my husband.”

Glanville said she didn’t realize things were developing between them until much later, which forced her to confront Eddie about her feelings.

“Finally, I got so uncomfortable with the way I felt when I was around Eddie and LeAnn together, I said, ‘Babe, I can’t. I’m done … I think she really, really likes you, more than likes you,’” Glanville said, to which Eddie reportedly replied, “You’re crazy, you’re jealous, I wish you could just be normal.”

Something Happened That Made Glanville Realize She Had To Be Amicable With Eddie And His New Wife

During a 2016 interview, Glanville got candid about her split from Eddie, saying that his reported affair with Rimes almost caused her to crash out. Things changed, however, when something happened with one of her sons that forced the reality star, her ex-husband, and his new wife to be on the same page.

“We have to be a unit, three of us. We are a modern family, and we have to stick together in order to keep these little boys in line and to keep them from not manipulating us against each other, and we need to be together for them. So that’s what happened, really, something with the kids, and we just came together. And it’s all fine. And I think that LeAnn finally realizes that I don’t want your man. That’s all done, but we can all still get along and be friends, and so we are,” she said.

Glanville Breaks Silence On Rumors That Rimes Will Film ‘RHOBH’

I hope it’s true about RHOBH I mean she got everything else of mine- husband,kids,boobs, bronco, random illnesses she might as well just be a housewife and finish it off once and for all💕

— Brandi Glanville (@BrandiGlanville) May 6, 2026

And while they supposedly get along, Glanville recently threw shade at Rimes in May 2026 when rumors that she would join the next season of “RHOBH” began swirling.

“I hope it’s true about RHOBH, I mean, she got everything else of mine- husband, kids, boobs, bronco, random illnesses, she might as well just be a housewife and finish it off once and for all,” she wrote online.

Rimes fired back at the claims, denying them with a post of her own. “No, no….. no Housewives for me,” she wrote. “Playing Dixie on ‘911 Nashville’ is enough drama for me.”

While each blockbuster film tries its best to be a compelling piece of art that makes the most of out of the medium of cinema, they more often than not find themselves chained to the goal of being as big a financial success as possible, with the films that make the most money looked up to as prominent pillars of cultural cinema. The $1 billion box-office barrier is especially a prominent mark for any film to achieve, especially films that are a part of the action genre.

The explosive and high energy of action filmmaking lends itself perfectly for the mass appeal and success of a blockbuster experience. This also goes hand in hand with the larger budgets and scale of blockbuster film, with this often directly going into dynamic special effects and more engaging action that draws in more audiences. The very best and most successful action filmmakers find the best balance between mass appeal and striking, artistic filmmaking.

8

‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ (2016)

Image via Lucasfilm

Being the biggest sci-fi action franchise of all time, there are countless films in the Star Wars franchise that have surpassed the $1 billion mark and have attained overwhelming global success. However, the absolute best of these high-grossing entries of the modern age of the franchise isn’t even a part of the Skywalker Saga, but instead the best Star Wars spinoff film, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The film acts as a prequel, taking place directly before the events of A New Hope, following a rogue band of resistance fighters uniting for a mission to steal the Death Star plans.

Between the directing by Gareth Edwards and the screenplay by Chris Weitz and Tony Gilroy, there is a sense of individualized brilliance and lack of limitations compared to the sequel trilogy that made Rogue One stand out that much more. The characters are memorable and full of character, the story proves to be as exciting as it is heartbreaking, and it features one of the most legendary moments in modern Star Wars history with the ending hallway fight scene.

7

‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest’ (2006)

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Few blockbuster action franchises immediately made a powerful legacy for themselves as the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, with their blending of top-notch practical sets and action with groundbreaking visual effects making them some of the definitive blockbusters of the 2000s. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest rode the hype and excitement of the franchise to its highest box-office highs yet, thanks to amplifying the strengths of the original film and delivering an all-time great villain in Davy Jones (Bill Nighy).

Gore Verbinski’s sense of scale and enthralling blockbuster directing further is arguably at its best in this midpoint of the trilogy, delivering on all fronts exactly what fans of the original wanted in terms of a larger, more bombastic sequel to Curse of the Black Pearl. Even after the franchise has seen various other sequels, this iconic original sequel is still seen by many as the highest point of the franchise, and to some possibly even the last truly great Pirates of the Caribbean film.

6

‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (2018)

Image via Marvel Studios

With 11 different films crossing the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box-office, the MCU is easily one of the most massively successful and inescapable action blockbuster phenomena of the 21st century. However, among all the different high-grossing films that made their mark and went towards building a sprawling cinematic universe, Avengers: Infinity War‘s climactic bringing together of all these characters is still one of the MCU’s greatest achievements.

It’s a genuine feat of brilliant pacing and narrative strength that the film is able to balance so many different characters with their own distinct arcs and histories with one another while telling its own, exceptionally compelling standalone story racing against the clock to stop one ruthless villain. Josh Brolin‘s role as Thanos really is the key to making this film work, as the centerpiece of villainy that drives the plot forward, adding both compelling action and genuine emotional weight and stakes to the MCU that still hasn’t been matched 8 years later.

5

‘Skyfall’ (2012)

MGM

Considering just how much of an icon James Bond has been in the world of action for generations now, it feels strange that Skyfall is the only Bond film that has broken the $1 billion barrier. However, it works out that Skyfall is one of the absolute best Bond films to date, blending together the sleek, gritty style of Daniel Craig‘s iteration of Bond with a classic Bond story of betrayal, mystery, and explosive scale. It perfects and refines the strengths of the Craig era of bond to their absolute apex, feeling much more intelligent and intricate than most other spy films.

It’s a film that brilliantly reflects upon the entire history of Bond as a character, challenging the very notions of blind authority and secret agents that have held up the franchise and character since the very beginning. However, its self-reflective themes never get in the way of the film’s action and stakes, with Sam Mendes pulling no punches in making Skyfall one of the most bombastic and exciting films in the Bond franchise to date.

4

‘Top Gun: Maverick’ (2022)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Good legacy sequels that live up to the impact and strengths of the original film are very rare, and even more rare for the legacy sequel to actually improve upon the original in the eyes of fans and audiences alike. Top Gun: Maverick proved to be one of the very few to pull of this feat, with the overwhelming appreciation and strength of the film leading it to one of the most dominating box-office runs by an American blockbuster of the decade so far.

The film maintained strength and audience interest throughout the entire summer of 2022, even managing to reclaim #1 at the domestic box office on Labor Day Weekend despite the film releasing all the way back on Memorial Day weekend. It took until October for the film to finally leave the domestic top 10 and in the process cemented an overwhelming legacy on the back of its striking jet plane action and the always compelling charm of leading man Tom Cruise.

3

‘Ne Zha 2’ (2025)

Image via Chengdu Coco Cartoon

Ne Zha 2 is a clear outlier among the films that have grossed a billion dollars, as it is not only the singular non-Hollywood film to achieve such a feat, but it has also managed to be one of only 7 movies to break into the ultra exclusive $2 billion mark, entirely off the back of the Chinese market. When watching the film, it’s easy to understand why it became such a massive cultural phenomenon for Chinese audiences, as it features some of the most explosive, high-energy action that feature-length animation has to offer.

Without having to worry nearly as much about the set-up and character establishment that was done in the original film, Ne Zha 2 is able to go all out on goofy character moments and extremely impressive animation quality. It’s strange to call any movie that has grossed over $2 billion a hidden gem, but Ne Zha 2 is easily one of the most underappreciated action films of the decade, clearly deserving of more praise but overlooked due to being both animated and from China.

2

‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’ (2003)

Image via New Line Cinema

Following up on a trilogy’s worth of massive scale epic storytelling to become the first action film to gross $1 billion, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is a fantasy epic masterpiece that continues to be celebrated as one of the greatest achievements in blockbuster film history. It delivers on all the expectations and build-up that has occurred throughout the entire trilogy, with powerful emotional weight and bombastic battles elevating its scale and story to unprecedented levels for a blockbuster epic.

It’s a film whose mastery and distinct care for the medium is exactly what blockbuster filmmaking should be utilized for; not just appealing to as wide an audience as possible, but using the vast resources of a blockbuster budget to create a work of art only possible on such an overwhelming scale. The film will continue to have a legacy and influence on the fantasy genre for the foreseeable future as one of the most important and groundbreaking blockbuster action films of all time.

1

‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)

Image via Warner Bros.

Not just an amazing blockbuster action movie, but considered by many to be the absolute greatest blockbuster action movie ever made. The Dark Knight soared to $1 billion status largely thanks to its overwhelming word of mouth, as audiences couldn’t help but sing the praises of Christopher Nolan‘s explosive action-thriller masterpiece. While the character of Batman had certainly been loved and appreciated before this point, The Dark Knight elevated the character to a new level of cinematic brilliance and importance for many audiences.

Through a powerful and symbolic original story of hope and sacrifice, countless engaging action sequences that kept audiences on the edge of their seat, and one of the all-time greatest villain performances in cinematic history, The Dark Knight‘s strengths and praises simply speak for themselves. The film has massively influenced the culture and perspective on action blockbusters in the wake of its success, still having an influence on the superhero genre in the almost 2 decades since its release. It delivers on every front exactly what the audience wants out of a blockbuster action movie, with audiences showing up in droves to experience a true feat of cinematic spectacle.