Stephen Baldwin left some social media users concerned and confused after sharing an emotional TikTok video of himself crying while listening to Christian music. The 60-year-old actor, who has spoken openly about his faith and decision to step away from mainstream Hollywood, recorded himself listening to Clara Woods’ “This Is the Air I Breathe.”

Baldwin appeared overwhelmed by the song as tears filled his eyes, but he did not indicate that he was experiencing a personal crisis. The video instead appeared to be an emotional expression of his religious devotion.

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In the TikTok upload, Baldwin wore a black baseball cap backward as he listened to the worship song and began to cry. “So blessed. So blessed. So blessed. He is the air I breathe #Hallelujah,” he wrote in the caption. He then told his 401,000 followers to “have a great day.”

Although Baldwin presented the moment as a positive experience connected to his faith, several viewers admitted that the unexplained display made them uncomfortable.

“Terrifying per usual. Thank you, Stephen,” one person wrote. Another directly called upon his daughter, Hailey Bieber, to intervene. “Hailey, girl, come collect your father… he’s freaking us out,” the commenter wrote. “Well hallelujah but you’re scaring me, dude,” another person added.

Fans Questioned Why He Recorded The Emotional Moment

Other TikTok users questioned Baldwin’s decision to film and publicly share himself crying. “This is scary,” one viewer wrote, while another asked, “…sure, but why record this moment?”

One critic went even further by speculating about Baldwin’s mental state, writing, “It’s just so hard to tell where the [mental breakdown] ends, and the Christianity begins.”

Despite the public speculation, Baldwin did not say he was experiencing a mental health emergency. Hailey has not publicly responded to the video or the comments asking her to check on her father.

The Actor Explained Why He Left Mainstream Hollywood

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The upload arrived shortly after Baldwin discussed the role Christianity has played in reshaping his personal life and career. Earlier this month, Baldwin told PEOPLE that his fascination with Christianity ultimately changed the direction of his life. “Jesus and the Holy Spirit fascinated me,” he said.

The actor explained that he found himself facing a major career decision after playing McManus in the 1995 crime thriller “The Usual Suspects.” “I probably could have pointed myself in the direction of becoming a big star,” Baldwin told the outlet. “But that wasn’t me. I didn’t want to be Tom Cruise, and have to make $100 million at the box office.”

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Baldwin instead prioritized his faith and ministry work over pursuing the kind of mainstream Hollywood career enjoyed by some of his contemporaries. His spiritual journey followed several major changes in his personal life. Baldwin became sober in 1989, married his wife, Kennya Baldwin, in 1990, and became a born-again Christian in 2001. He is also the younger brother of actors Alec Baldwin, William Baldwin, and Daniel Baldwin.

Hailey Bieber’s Business Profile Continues To Grow

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While Baldwin remains focused on faith, his daughter has been strengthening her reputation as a beauty entrepreneur. Hailey is no longer viewed solely as a model or the wife of Justin Bieber following the blockbuster sale of Rhode to e.l.f. Beauty. The cosmetics company acquired the skincare brand Hailey founded in a deal valued at $1 billion last year.

Hailey remained involved after the acquisition, becoming Rhode’s chief creative officer and head of innovation. The arrangement allows her to continue directing the company’s products and creative identity. Her influence became even more apparent after e.l.f. Beauty reported a 36% increase in quarterly sales, reaching $479.4 million. Executives attributed a significant portion of that growth to Rhode.

“The Rhode acquisition wasn’t the finish line,” a beauty industry executive told the Daily Mail. “It was her introduction. She became someone executives wanted in the room when real business decisions were being made.”

Justin Bieber Is Rebuilding His Live Career

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Hailey Bieber’s growing business momentum comes as her husband, Justin Bieber, works to reestablish himself as a live performer. The singer previously stepped away from touring after being diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome in 2022. The condition temporarily paralyzed part of his face and forced him to prioritize his health.

Justin’s return to the stage has generated enormous attention, but the response has not always been positive. His halftime performance during the World Cup Final drew mixed reactions from viewers, while some of his other public appearances have fueled speculation about his well-being.

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The contrasting trajectories have placed Hailey and Justin in noticeably different professional chapters. As Justin attempts to rebuild the touring career that illness disrupted, Hailey is strengthening her influence in the beauty industry following Rhode’s $1 billion sale.

When Chris Sails came to the attention of the authorities earlier this month, the situation reportedly took a serious turn after officers received information that prompted an emergency response. What happened next allegedly had law enforcement scrambling to locate his children before investigators determined that the story they were given didn’t add up.

RELATED: Messy Boots? Queen Naija’s Ex Chris Sails Shoots His Shot At DreamDoll After Clarence Chills In Her Dorm (VIDEOS)

Chris Sails’ Behavior Drew Police Attention

According to a TMZ Exclusive, the incident began on Aug. 16 when the Waller County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a suspicious person who was allegedly running around and jumping onto residents’ vehicles. When a deputy arrived, court documents reportedly state that Sails was sitting in the roadway near a light pole and appeared to be praying. Moments later, he allegedly began rolling around in the street.

Authorities Searched For Sails’ Children Following Alleged Claim

During questioning, authorities allege that Sails told officers his children had fallen into a body of water behind his home. Police then launched an emergency search-and-rescue effort involving fire department vehicles, boats, specialized equipment, and aerial drones. The search was eventually called off after authorities reportedly located the children safe with family members.

Chris Sails Released After Posting Bond

Sails was arrested on Aug. 17 and released the following day after posting bond. He reportedly faces misdemeanor charges for knowingly making a false statement to a police officer and evading arrest or detention. Bonds were set at $25,000 and $10,000, respectively. Sails has built a sizable following online. He currently has nearly 3 million YouTube subscribers and close to 760,000 Instagram followers.

It’s also worth noting that Sails’ current Instagram profile picture appears to show what could be a mugshot, though it has not been confirmed and may potentially be AI-generated. Moreover, it’s unclear how long the image has been his profile photo. And, it’s also unclear whether it has any connection to his recent arrest.

RELATED: Chris Sails Sparks Mixed Reactions After Wishing Queen Naija Had Invited Him To CJ’s Elementary School Graduation (VIDEO) 

Kelly Clarkson is looking back on her seven-year journey hosting her own talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, ahead of its final episode.

“You know what? [In our] seven seasons, a lot has happened in my personal life and a lot has happened in life for everyone,” Clarkson, 44, said in a YouTube video published Friday, August 28. “There’s been a pandemic. I think, if there’s a word to describe The Kelly Clarkson Show, it’s ‘pivot.’ There’s not been one normal season, I feel like, but at the same time; what a necessary thing to have to come to work and focus on other people.”

She continued, “I think that saved me, honestly, a lot of times [and] I think this show has made everyone better at what they do.”

Clarkson debuted her eponymous NBC daytime show in 2019, one year before the coronavirus pandemic forced production to go virtual. The former American Idol champ later moved the show to New York City in 2023 following her messy divorce from ex-husband Brandon Blackstock. (Blackstock died in 2025 at age 48 after a private battle with cancer.)

Related: How Kelly Clarkson Is Rebuilding Her Life After Talk Show Exit

For Kelly Clarkson, the choice wasn’t about walking away — it was about making space for what mattered most. After months of speculation, the singer revealed on February 2 that she’s leaving her daytime talk show after its current seventh season. “This was not an easy decision,” she said in an emotional Instagram post. “Stepping […]

Clarkson announced in February that she decided to wrap her show to prioritize her family, including kids River Rose, 12, and Remington, 10, she shared with Blackstock.

Ahead of the Monday, August 31, finale, Clarkson recalled her tenure as a talk show host.

“Well, it was brought up to me with my ex and he was like, ‘Hey, NBC was talking about maybe doing a talk show with me,’ and I was, like, ‘OK, that’s the worst idea ever ‘cause I never shut up,’” Clarkson recalled of Blackstock’s pitch for the then-new show’s concept. “You know, nobody really knew my personality to the extent of what it is until The Voice, and I think they saw how comfortable on-camera I am and how, like, I’m all in.”

She added, “I’m very present. I think they saw that and it’s really just me. I’m the same kid at 19 that auditioned for Idol that everybody got to know in the first place. Working with those producers on that show and having to do the little segments here and there and that probably prepped me a little, and I didn’t realize it.”

Once Clarkson filmed the talk show’s pilot episode, she admitted her “ignorance [was] kind of bliss” before producers found the series “really worked” with test audiences.

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“Sometimes, a lot of times, I’m just sitting across from people going, ‘How did I get the chance to talk to you?’” she quipped of her onscreen celebrity interviews. “All these incredible people that I’ve really looked up to. You know, Julie Andrews, I’ve talked to her a couple times. Who says that? We’ve literally had people that are in the White House. I mean, it’s been everyone from Heart to Alanis [Morissette] to, I mean, I’ve had Pink on here. I’ve been singing with people that I’m just, like, ‘What?’”

Receiving a yearbook of her The Kelly Clarkson Show memories on Friday, the singer mused how much has changed in the seven years since the show’s inception.

“See, I forget some of these things. And honestly, for me, my kids have grown up on this show, too,” she said. “Like, it’s been seven years, and these are the growing years for them right now. It’s been crazy.”

Celine Dion has yet to share with fans which song she will perform first for her run of shows in Paris as she makes her music comeback.

The veteran singer is choosing to remain tight-lipped about the song, leaving her die-hards guessing about which options from her catalogue she would eventually select.

Dion has been largely away from the spotlight since 2022, when she disclosed her stiff-person syndrome diagnosis.

Celine Dion is set to return to public performances for the first time since 2024, and fans are highly eager to see her take to the stage again.

Her first series of concerts will be held in Paris between September and October at the Plenitude Arena in the French capital’s western suburbs, and the singer has confirmed that she is ready.

However, for her first show, she will be keeping the title of her first song under wraps until she gets on stage, as revealed in a recent interview with French broadcaster BFMTV.

“I can’t say, it’s a big secret,” Dion said of her first song when asked by the media outlet.

Dion Admits She’s ‘A Bit Uptight’ Ahead Of Paris Return

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Regarding how she feels about returning to public performances after such a long absence, Dion confirmed that she is ready but admitted she still feels some nerves.

“I am ready, and I’m a bit uptight, of course, because it’s been a long time,” she said elsewhere in her interview.

Still, she is hoping to bank on the support she has always received from her fans in Paris to deliver stellar performances across her shows in the city.

“I have always felt supported from the first day and because it’s a story that continues. It’s true that this is my second home,” the Quebec-born singer added.

Celine Dion Revealed Her Paris Comeback In March

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Dion’s return to public performance comes after she announced it in a broadcast beneath the city’s iconic Eiffel Tower to mark her birthday earlier in the year.

“This year, I’m getting the best birthday gift of my life,” the 58-year-old said. “I’m getting the chance to see you, to perform for you once again in Paris, beginning in September! I’m feeling good. I’m strong. I’m feeling excited — obviously a little nervous — but most of all, I’m grateful to all of you.”

The five-time Grammy winner will kick off the Paris residency on September 12, followed by more than a dozen shows, which end on October 17. The singer is also expected to perform 10 more shows in May next year.

The Singer Says She’s ‘Doing Great’ Ahead Of Paris Return

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Fans who have followed Dion over the years know she has been dealing with stiff-person syndrome, which she first disclosed in 2022.

In her birthday message, she thanked fans for their prayers and also shared a health update to allay their fears about her well-being.

“I’ve recorded a lot of birthday messages, but this is the first time I’ve ever recorded one for my own birthday,” the vocalist shared at the start of the clip. “I want to let you know that I’m doing great, managing my health, feeling good. I’m singing again, even doing a little dancing.”

Celine Dion Details Her Health Struggles Ahead Of Paris Return

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For Harper’s Bazaar September issue, Dion drew back the curtain on her stiff-person syndrome, revealing she had lived with the symptoms for nearly two decades before receiving a formal diagnosis.

She described the ailment as a “progressive condition,” adding that she felt uncomfortable referring to it as a disease.

In the interview, she also revealed her preparation for her upcoming residency. This includes regular 90-minute Pilates sessions, ballet classes, and a rehabilitation program to help her perform at her best.

Elsewhere, she shared that her comeback was inspired by a desire to show fans how much she missed them during her leave of absence.

Jason Momoa has two big blockbusters still to hit theaters in 2026. The first is a live-action adaptation of Street Fighter, directed by Kitao Sakurai, and featuring Andrew Koji as Ryu, Noah Centineo as Ken, Callina Liang as Chun-Li, David Dastmalchian as M. Bison, and Momoa as Blanka. Street Fighter will be released by Paramount Pictures on October 16, 2026, marking the final step in Momoa’s 2026 filmography before his biggest film of the year: Dune: Part Three.

The final installment in Denis Villeneuve‘s acclaimed adaptation of Frank Herbert‘s Dune novels, the third Dune movie will make its global theatrical splash on December 18, the same day as Avengers: Doomsday. Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides will once again lead a stacked cast, which also includes Momoa as Hayt, Javier Bardem as Stilgar, Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica, Anya Taylor-Joy as Alia Atreides, Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, and more. In anticipation of Momoa’s next two blockbusters, one of his lesser-spotted movies is about to be available for free.

The film in question is the neo-Western Braven, directed by Lin Oeding and written by Mike Nilon and Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, which features Momoa in a kill-or-be-killed stand for survival after a quiet trip to a remote cabin is interrupted by a gang of ruthless drug traffickers. Momoa might be known for his bold, loud performances, but in Braven, he tones it down, producing one of his most subdued and subsequently stirring performances yet. A truly underrated entry into the Game of Thrones favorite’s filmography, Braven will be available to stream for free on Plex starting September 1, 2026.

Jason Momoa’s Latest Movie Was a Flop

Image via Saban Films

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Although his first film of the year alongside Dave Bautista in Prime Video’s The Wrecking Crew proved an undeniable streaming smash, Momoa’s big summer movie of 2026 came in the form of Supergirl, which followed last year’s box office success, Superman. Alas, Milly Alcock‘s first headliner as Kara Zor-El couldn’t recreate Superman‘s success, becoming quickly unstuck and whimpering out of theaters with just $126 million worldwide, against a reported budget of $170 million. “Supergirl didn’t meet our box office expectations,” said DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran about Supergirl. “It’s just one component of a broader, long-term strategy at DC Studios that we remain confident in.”

Braven will be available to stream for free on Plex starting September 1, 2026. Stay tuned to Collider for more streaming stories.

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Release Date

February 2, 2018

Director

Lin Oeding

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Writers

Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, Michael Nilon

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Alix Earle believes in the power of manifestation!

The content creator recently revealed that she manifested getting millions of followers on TikTok. Currently, she has over 8.5 million followers on the social media platform. In a video posted recently, Earle, 25, recalled writing down an ambiguous goal for her TikTok account — one that she has surpassed today.

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Earle showed an old journal by Anastazia Dupee, where she wrote down her goals as an influencer. Showing the book, which she said had been “through the wringer,” the creator revealed she’s the “biggest believer” in the power of manifestation.

“You might be able to tell that I’ve had this journal for a while. It’s been through the wringer, but when it comes to your life and your goals and manifesting, I am like the biggest believer in you have to like speak things into existence,” Earle said. “I first got this in, I think right before my senior year of college and my first journal entry. Hello. Scripture. Okay. August 19th, 2022 in my kitchen. And I was like, you know what? I’m just going to like write something crazy.”

Initially, she wanted 500,000 followers on TikTok within a few months of writing her goal.

“And I said, um, I’m going to have 500k on TikTok by January. And at the time I think I had like around a hundred thousand followers. I was making videos for like three years I was obsessed with just getting online and like posting my life, making videos, editing them. I just really, really loved it,” Earle recalled. “And I remember writing that and I was like, ‘Oh, should I even write like 500?’ I was like, ‘That’s crazy.’ But I was like, ‘You know what? Whatever.’”

Getting More Than What She Asked For

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Earle remembered having so much more than what she manifested for. While she only wanted 500,000 thousand followers, she got about “four million” instead, describing the situation as “nuts.”

“By that time in January, I had, was like, four million followers. So nuts,” she said. “In my biggest dreams, hopes and goals, I never even thought I would reach 500,000, which the followers isn’t the point of this. The point is I am such a big believer in manifesting. Not only will I like say, certain things like that, but then I write goals down, and when I go back, I would just like reach for the stars.”

Alix Earle Explains Why She Likes Writing Down Her Goals

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Earle went on to explain that by writing her goals, she can track her progress better, and see how far she’s come. However, she also likes to “speak” about things as if “they’re a fact.”

“I’m like, you know what, I’m just gonna like, put this down, say it, and I also always speak. Like you have to speak with an attitude of like something is happening. So I used to do this, and I still do,” the TikTok star explained. “I like [to] say things as if they’re a fact but they have not happened yet. The reason I like writing things down, and I do this like every like six months, is because then I will go back and see, even if it’s from like years and years ago, I wrote something down crazy, and you’re able to just like sort of track your progress because we’re so, I think just… It’s human nature to like get so caught up in like wanting to keep going, wanting to keep doing better. And you forget like the little things you’ve accomplished along the way.”

Earle said that going back and reading through her goals is her “favorite thing in the world,” adding, “The gratitude part of this is really, really important as well. Just like stop for a second. Remember the things that you have being like friends, family, support system, a roof over your head. At the end of the day, those are the things in life that really matter.”

‘Mindset Can Change Everything’

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Later in the video, Earle talked about how a person’s “mindset” can change things, even turning negative thoughts into something positive.

“Maybe I sound crazy, but I’m just a really big believer in your mindset can change everything. Even… Just like you go into something with a negative attitude, like negative things are gonna happen or you’re only gonna pay attention to the negative things that are going on,” she said. “And of course I’m not the most like positive chipper person 24/7, but if I ever do catch myself in a rut or something where I’m like, oh my God, like I’m being cranky and negative right now for no reason. And you just start saying out loud and you’re just like, ‘I’m happy,’ ‘I’m lucky,’ and I just feel like things start to fall into place.”

Alix Earle On Being ‘Delusionally Optimistic’

Fall is my favorite season to dress for, which makes waiting for the weather to cool down especially difficult. Luckily, I don’t need to break out chunky knits to start wearing olive green, chocolate brown, rich rust and moody florals. A loose, flowy dress lets me get the autumn aesthetic while still surviving an 80-degree afternoon.

I rounded up 17 dresses that strike that sweet spot between breezy and fall-ready, including flowy maxis, tummy-friendly babydolls and waist-defining styles that give you shape without feeling tight or clingy. Prices start at just $15, so giving your wardrobe an early taste of fall doesn’t have to cost much either.

17 Loose-but-Flattering Dresses to Take You Straight Into Fall

1. Our Favorite: If the calendar says fall but the forecast says summer, reach for this flowy mini dress. The wide waistband defines your shape, while the lantern sleeves and olive green shade bring all the autumn energy.

2. Rust Romance: Nothing says early fall quite like a rust-colored dress. The autumnal hue is paired with a breezy tiered skirt and stretchy waist, making it ideal for those still-sweltering September days.

3. Boho Beauty: This breezy maxi dress is about as loose as it gets, but the ruffled neckline keeps it looking pretty rather than shapeless. The earthy green shade also gives it an instant early-fall feel.

4. Visually Slimming: This deep V-neck flowy dress draws the eye vertically, while the roomy draped shape gives you plenty of breathing space. Slit sleeves and an olive hue make it especially chic for early fall.

5. Workday Winner: A printed button-down midi dress is one of those throw-on-and-go pieces that still looks like you tried. The loose skirt and short sleeves handle the heat, while the brown print transitions nicely into fall.

Related: Boots! Loafers! Sneakers! Amazon’s Fall 2026 Shoe Edit Is Here

I don’t need another reason to get excited about fall dressing, but Amazon’s massive new shoe selection gave me one anyway. Its Fall Shoe Shop is overflowing with 2026 trends I’ve been seeing everywhere, including finds featuring deep burgundy hues, soft suede, animal prints and throwback silhouettes. I narrowed down the seemingly endless options to […]

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6. Gingham Girl: Stretchy smocking gives this gingham maxi dress a fitted look up top before flowing into a loose, breezy skirt. The neutral checks also make it easy to transition into fall with a denim jacket and boots.

7. Preppy Chic: Crisp collar detailing gives this loose mini dress an instantly pulled-together look, while the tiered skirt keeps things relaxed and airy. Pair the creamy neutral shade with loafers now and boots later.

8. Moody Florals: Dark blooms instantly make this floral mini dress feel more fall-ready, while the lightweight chiffon keeps it from feeling too heavy for warm weather. An elastic waist adds flattering definition without the squeeze.

9. Retro Florals: Oversized blooms give this brown floral shirt dress a distinctly fall feel, despite its breezy short sleeves. The swingy, loose fit leaves plenty of room for airflow on those still-hot September days.

10. Chocolate Checks: The rich brown hue instantly makes this plaid maxi dress feel fall-ready, while spaghetti straps keep it practical for lingering summer heat. The fitted top and flowy tiered skirt also create that loose-but-flattering balance.

11. Waist-Defining: Ruching through the middle gives this floral V-neck dress a cinched-in effect, while the A-line skirt stays loose and easy. Its brown-and-black print does all the heavy lifting when it comes to making it feel fall-ready.

12. Eyelet Elegance: Intricate eyelet detailing makes this navy maxi dress feel special despite its incredibly relaxed silhouette. The deep shade nods to fall, while spaghetti straps and a roomy A-line shape keep things cool.

13. Slimming Stripes: Vertical stripes give this V-neck swing dress a lengthening effect, while the loose silhouette keeps it from clinging anywhere. Flutter sleeves and handy pockets make the under-$20 find even easier to wear.

14. Golden Girl: Warm mustard gives this flowy babydoll dress instant early-fall energy, even when temperatures are still firmly in summer mode. The loose tiered shape also means nothing is clinging to your middle.

15. Budget Buy: Bold boho prints make this $15 flowy mini dress look anything but basic. Better yet, the higher waist adds shape before the fabric falls loosely over your middle.

16. Denim Darling: Nothing transitions into fall quite like denim, and this flowy jean dress makes it work before temperatures actually cool down. Its loose A-line cut gives you plenty of breathing room, while the tie neckline adds a little shape up top.

17. Smocked Style: Stretchy smocking gives this floral mini dress definition through the bust before flowing into a loose, tiered skirt. The dark floral print and long sleeves make the breezy silhouette feel especially fall-ready.

UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping

Welcome to summer with our biggest sale of the year. This summer’s chicest dresses, tops and swimsuits are all over 30% + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.

Shop the UsNow Summer Sale –> 

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Related: Amazon’s End-of-Summer Sale Has Matching Sets, Sneakers and More From $9

Now that summer is coming to a close, I’m swapping out warm-weather staples for fall-looking pieces with chocolate hues, suede materials and layerable designs. To get the look I’m going for, I went hunting through Amazon’s End-of-Summer Sale for fashion finds that can bridge the gap between this season and the next. Think breezy matching […]

A viral video circulating online has sparked outrage across social media after it showed an Arkansas trooper aggressively pulling a Black man from the backseat of a car. The man has reportedly been identified as Tedrick Washington Jr. Now, Washington is speaking out about the incident and sharing how he plans to handle the situation moving forward.

RELATED: Police Say They’re Considering All Possibilities In The Hanging Death Of A Black Man In North Carolina (UPDATE)

Viral Incident With Arkansas Trooper & Black Male Sparks Outrage On Social Media

Footage making rounds online shows an encounter between an Arkansas trooper and a man reportedly identified as Tedrick Washington Jr. In the video, the trooper appears to tell Tedrick to “crawl out the car” as he sits in the backseat with another person. Tedrick appears to respond that he can’t unlock the door, but the trooper continues yelling and demanding that he “crawl out of the car.” The trooper then appears to yank Washington out of the vehicle by his dreads before continuing to pull him through the back window by his arm. As Tedrick hangs halfway out of the window, the trooper appears to punch him in the face.

Tedrick Washington Jr. Breaks His Silence On The Viral Encounter

While speaking exclusively with The Shade Room, Tedrick Washington Jr. said he willingly cooperated with the trooper but believes the officer used excessive force. Washington also said the Arkansas trooper’s violence and aggression prompted him to pursue legal action against the officer.

Social Media Calls Out The Trooper For Using Excessive Force

After The Shade Room shared the clip of the Arkansas trooper and Tedrick Washington Jr., many social media users took to the comments. Plenty of Roommates said the trooper didn’t need to get so aggressive, while others pointed out that Tedrick clearly appeared to cooperate.

Instagram user @ms_katie_baby wrote, “He was clearly having difficulties opening the door and wasn’t aggressive what was the reason for pulling him by his hair and punching him?!?!” 

Instagram user @attrvktion wrote, “He was on the BACK SEAT and said multiple times that he COULD NOT open the door! For the people who’s going to say ‘he wasn’t cooperating’ or ‘he was the one driving over the speed limit.’ 

While Instagram user @prettyass_star wrote, “His Lawyer rubbing his hands together like birdman right now lol.” 

Then Instagram user @flygirlmimi_318 wrote, “That cop need to be charged and fired he could’ve broken his shoulder or arm.” 

Another Instagram user @lilobama19 wrote, “There was absolutely no reason for this. Senseless violence. Makes me sick. That’s a huge excessive force lawsuit.” 

Instagram user @mik.jefa wrote, “They need to test officers for their level of emotional intelligence before they become someone that ‘enforces the law’.” 

While another Instagram user @shelovecj wrote, “Absolutely no reason for this!”

Then another Instagram user @carmelcutie__ wrote, “This was so unnecessary he wasn’t even moving.” 

Finally, Instagram user @sassye85 wrote, “I’m soooooooooo sick of seeing this it’s like the new norm for them smfh its disgusting.” 

RELATED: UPDATE: Atatiana Jefferson’s Family Reportedly To Receive $11.25 Settlement Nearly 7 Years After She Was Killed By Police Officer 

Hard sci-fi actually tries to get the science right, or at least close enough that a real physicist wouldn’t laugh you out of the room. That’s a much harder thing to pull off than it sounds, since real science doesn’t care about your plot deadlines or your big emotional climax and most movies think audiences are dumb enough not to find loopholes in the concept.

These ten movies all do the work anyway. Most of the films had actual scientists on set checking the math. You can watch them and learn a thing or two. However, some of them were just made by people obsessive enough to figure it out themselves in a garage. So here are some of the best sci-fi ever put on screens. Let’s get nerdy about them.

Image via Warner Bros

This film is based on a novel written by Carl Sagan. He stayed deeply involved in it right up until he died, just before the movie came out, and you can feel his actual scientific mind all over it. It is about Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster), a SETI researcher who spends years listening to static as she hopes to find a real signal, and then actually finds one.

The wormhole machine humanity builds from that alien signal was designed with help from real physicist Kip Thorne, the same guy who later worked on Interstellar. This one is definitely special and the cause is not aliens, though. It’s the argument running underneath the whole movie, science versus faith, played out honestly between Ellie and Palmer Joss (Matthew McConaughey), with neither side made to look foolish.

9

‘Moon’ (2009)

Image via Sony Pictures Classics

Sam Rockwell basically carries this entire movie by himself, playing multiple versions of the same character, a lonely miner stationed alone on the far side of the moon who starts realizing he isn’t quite who he thought he was. Duncan Jones made this for about five million dollars, practically nothing by sci-fi standards, and used old-school practical model effects instead of leaning on CGI.

Kevin Spacey voices GERTY, the base’s robot assistant, in a way that’s clearly meant to remind you of HAL from 2001, right up until GERTY does the exact opposite of what you’re braced for. The whole thing is about cloning and corporate labor exploitation, dressed up as a quiet, lonely space movie, and it earns every bit of its reputation on a shoestring budget.

8

‘Primer’ (2004)

Image via StudioCanal

Shane Carruth wrote, directed, starred in, edited, and scored this movie for about seven thousand dollars, which is less than most people spend on a used car. Two engineers accidentally build a time machine in their garage, and instead of dumbing the science down for the audience, Carruth just lets the characters talk like actual engineers would, dense, technical, and genuinely hard to follow.

People have built entire flowcharts online just trying to map out the timeline, and there’s still no full agreement on what actually happens by the end. That confusion is the selling point of this film. Real time travel, if it worked at all, probably wouldn’t make clean sense either, and this is the rare movie willing to commit to that fully.

7

‘Gattaca’ (1997)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

Vincent (Ethan Hawke) is born without genetic engineering in a future where your DNA decides your entire future before you’re even born. He takes on another man’s identity, using his blood, hair, and urine samples, just to get a shot at a career the “valid” world would otherwise deny him completely.

Andrew Niccol barely uses any special effects here, building the whole future out of real 1950s modernist architecture instead, which somehow makes it feel more plausible, not less. The genetic discrimination this movie imagines decades ago has only gotten more relevant as real gene-editing technology has actually caught up to it, which is a strange, uncomfortable thing for a movie this old to still be right about.

6

‘The Martian’ (2015)

Image via 20th Century Studios

NASA actually consulted on this movie, and the agency has publicly praised how accurate the science stays, from the orbital mechanics of the rescue mission down to the chemistry Mark Watney (Matt Damon) uses to keep himself alive on Mars. Author Andy Weir, a former software engineer, did the actual math himself before he ever wrote the book this is based on.

Watney survives by growing potatoes in his own waste and calculating fuel burns by hand, and none of it looks like movie magic standing in for real science. Ridley Scott trusts the audience to follow real problem-solving instead of a fake shortcut, and that trust is exactly why the ending is earned.

5

‘Coherence’ (2013)

Image via Oscilloscope Laboratories

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A comet passes overhead during a small dinner party, and the guests start slipping between overlapping versions of their own reality, based loosely on real, if speculative, ideas from quantum mechanics like the many-worlds interpretation. James Ward Byrkit shot this whole thing with only character backstories, and let the actors improvise every conversation from scratch.

The result feels like something that actually happened to a group of real, panicking friends. It’s confined entirely to one house, made for almost nothing, and it still manages to turn a genuinely dense physics concept into something tense enough to watch through your fingers.

4

‘Solaris’ (1972)

Image via Mosfilm

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Stanislaw Lem wrote the novel this film is based on specifically because he was tired of science fiction where aliens are basically just humans wearing rubber masks. His version, adapted here by Andrei Tarkovsky, imagines an intelligence so genuinely alien that humans can’t communicate with it at all, only receive strange gifts from it, memories of dead loved ones made physical, that nobody can properly interpret.

That’s a much harder, more honest idea than most first-contact stories bother attempting. Kris Kelvin (Donatas Banionis) is the scientist sent to investigate, and he never gets real answers, because real answers might not even be possible between two minds this different. It’s slow and deliberately uncomfortable, and that discomfort is doing exactly what Lem wanted it to do.

3

‘The Andromeda Strain’ (1971)

Image via Universal Pictures

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Based on Michael Crichton‘s novel, this movie is almost entirely about scientific procedures. It includes quarantine protocols, microscopy, decontamination chambers, and a team of scientists who are racing to understand a deadly organism that fell to Earth on a satellite. There’s barely any action in the traditional sense, only the storyline makes it work.

Robert Wise has directed the film like a drama where computer analysis and lab work carry entire scenes instead of a monster chasing anyone down a hallway. It’s a methodical, patient movie about how an outbreak would actually get studied and stopped, and it ended up influencing an entire genre of realistic outbreak thrillers that came decades after it.

2

‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ (1968)

Image via Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

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Arthur C. Clarke wrote the novel and the screenplay at the same time, working alongside real physicists and aerospace engineers to get the actual mechanics of space travel right, down to keeping total silence during scenes set in the vacuum of space, since sound genuinely can’t travel out there. Stanley Kubrick built a massive rotating set just so his actors could walk in a circle while gravity got faked around them, all without a single frame of CGI, because none existed yet.

This movie also predicted tablet computers and video calls decades before either one was real. HAL 9000 remains one of the calmest, most rational villains ever put on screen, and the science holding this whole film together is still accurate.

1

‘Stalker’ (1979)

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This is based on a novel called Roadside Picnic, written by two brothers, one of whom was an actual astronomer, and its central idea is genuinely rigorous as science fiction goes. So, what if an alien visit left behind something the way travelers leave trash after a picnic, not a message meant for us, just leftover debris we’re too small and too different to understand?

Andrei Tarkovsky builds an entire, hypnotic movie around that idea, following three men walking toward a room that supposedly grants wishes, inside a zone that defies ordinary physics without ever explaining exactly how. It’s slow enough to test anyone’s patience, and it’s also one of the most genuinely strange, thoughtful pieces of science fiction ever put on film.

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Stalker

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Release Date

May 25, 1979

Runtime

161 Minutes

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Director

Andrei Tarkovsky

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Writers

Arkady Strugatsky, Boris Strugatsky

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