By Jonathan Klotz
| Published 2 minutes ago

Stephen King can pull a horror story out of anything. At one point in the book Faithful, where King and his friend Stewart O’Nan chronicle the 2004 Boston Red Sox season, he casually drops a potential horror plot based on watching a baseball game on TV. That it took him decades to develop a story based on a haunted house makes sense; it’s too obvious.

The 2003 miniseries Rose Red is his take on the classic horror setting, which embraces all the old tropes instead of The Overlook Hotel subverting them. King fans wouldn’t have that if not for Steven Spielberg outright asking the Master of Horror to write a story about a haunted house. 

A Classic Haunted House Story From The Twisted Mind Of Stephen King

The Stephen/Steven connection had been simmering for years when they finally teamed up in 1996 and started hammering out the script for Rose Red. Originally, it was going to be a feature film, and as King has discussed in interviews over the last 30 years, the project fell apart when Spielberg wanted to take the script in a more upbeat, positive direction, and King wanted it to be a terrifying horror movie. Simple creative differences kept the movie from ever happening, but the idea was out there, and through Spielberg’s simple suggestion, King had his haunted house script. 

Rose Red was broken down and rewritten into a miniseries, airing on ABC over the course of three days in January 2002, which is what television events were like back before streaming. The Rose Red of the title isn’t a person, it’s a mansion, think of the Winchester Mystery House if it were built on a large Native American burial ground. A professor specializing in psychic phenomena, Dr. Joyce Reardon (Last Man Standing’s Nancy Travis), assembled a team of academics and psychics (which includes the late Julian Sands, Yellowjackets’ Melanie Lynskey, and Bones herself, Emily Deschanel) to venture into Rose Red and unravel the mystery. 

Over the course of the three episodes, we learn the hidden history of Rose Red, and in typical King fashion, its true nature is revealed because nothing can be only a haunted house, or only a killer clown, there’s more to it than what it seems on the surface. The different investigators all have their own special powers, from talking to ghosts to telekinesis, but that’s little comfort when going up against a cursed building that’s been haunting a family for generations. Watching the ways various members of the investigation die, from encounters with spirits to literally dying of fright, it makes you wonder how Steven Spielberg envisioned the original project. 

The World Is Still Waiting For the Steven And Stephen Collaboration

Though it was considered middling by critics of the time, Rose Red pulled off an 8.5 rating and nearly 20 million viewers. It’s often overlooked today as it’s not the greatest King adaptation, but it’s also not the worst. It’s somewhere in that huge stretch alongside Sleepwalkers, IT: Part 2, and Doctor Sleep. 

To this day, Stephen King and Steven Spielberg have yet to collaborate on a project together. They were close, again, when the Duffer Brothers were going to adapt The Talisman for Netflix. Spielberg happens to own the film rights to King’s series thanks to a sweetheart deal with Universal dating back to 1982. That deal has seemingly fallen through, with everyone involved moving on to other projects, but that’s what happened with Rose Red 30 years ago.

 It could still happen, but for now, Ready Player One’s extended homage to The Shining is as close as we’re going to get. King’s next projects include a Cujo remake, while Spielberg is getting ready to rule the Summer of ‘26 with the alien blockbuster Disclosure Day.

Rose Red is available to stream on Hulu.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are reportedly moving closer to their wedding, but planning the big day hasn’t been easy.

With a tight summer timeline before Kelce returns to the Kansas City Chiefs, the couple is feeling the pressure.

While Taylor Swift is excited, insiders say the scale, leaks, and logistics have left the pop superstar feeling overwhelmed, to the point of even reconsidering parts of the plan.

Taylor Swift Facing Sleepless Nights Over Wedding Logistics Amid Travis Kelce’s Busy Schedule

Swift and Kelce may be heading toward the altar soon, but behind the excitement, wedding planning is reportedly becoming overwhelming.

Sources told a news outlet that the couple is aiming for a summer ceremony, potentially before Kelce returns to training camp with the Kansas City Chiefs later in July.

That tight window has reportedly created added pressure, especially as Kelce has made it clear on his “New Heights” podcast that he intends to play another NFL season, hoping to secure one more Super Bowl run.

While the “Fate of Ophelia” singer  is said to be thrilled about the upcoming wedding, insiders claim “the logistics of it all are causing a ton of stress.”

Known for being detail-oriented and private, Swift is reportedly “rattled” by how much information about their plans has already surfaced.

At one point, she even “floated the idea of changing their plans completely to throw everything off and avoid having it turn into a circus.”

However, the insider noted that adjusting plans isn’t easy given their demanding schedules. Kelce’s football commitments also leave little flexibility, which could also affect their honeymoon timeline.

Taylor Swift Takes The Lead On Wedding Planning As Travis Kelce Supports Her Vision

Despite the challenges, the couple remains supportive of each other’s careers. Kelce recently shared on “The Pat McAfee Show” that their mutual passion for their respective paths is something they deeply understand and respect in one another.

As for the wedding itself, insiders suggest it may take place in Rhode Island, near Swift’s home, potentially at the upscale Ocean House, a historic seaside resort known for its ocean views and elegant setting.

Planning, however, has largely fallen on Swift, who reportedly has a clear vision for how she wants everything to look and feel.

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“Travis handed off most of the planning to Taylor because she has a real vision of what she wants,” a source said, per the National Enquirer. “The downside of that is she’s getting very overwhelmed, to the point she’s having sleepless nights as a result.”

Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce’s Wedding To Be Split Between Rhode Island Estate And Resort

The celebration itself is expected to be split between Swift’s Rhode Island estate and the nearby resort, especially as the guest list has grown.

Even so, nothing is completely locked in. “Taylor always has a plan B and C,” one insider told Us Weekly, emphasizing her need to stay prepared.

Another insider added that Rhode Island offers the level of privacy and security the couple wants for their big day.

Finalizing the guest list hasn’t been entirely straightforward. Around 150 attendees are expected, not overly large, but still filled with familiar faces.

More On The Power Couple’s Guest List For Their Big Day

Swift is said to be inviting close friends like Selena Gomez, Gigi Hadid, Emma Stone, Haim, and Zoë Kravitz.

Meanwhile, Kelce is expected to include longtime teammate Patrick Mahomes, actor Miles Teller, and his brother, Jason Kelce.

Sources say the couple debated between hosting a massive celebration or something more low-key, ultimately choosing a more intimate approach.

Formal invitations may not even be sent out, but those closest to them are already aware of the time and place.

Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce’s Wedding Will Reportedly Follow Intimate Traditions

The ceremony itself is expected to follow a traditional format. Swift’s father will walk her down the aisle, with classic moments like “father-daughter and mother-son dances” included.

Known for valuing sentiment, Swift reportedly wants the day to feel deeply personal, something Kelce fully supports. The NFL star previously shared that he became emotional while proposing with a custom-designed old mine-cut diamond engagement ring in his backyard in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, admitting there were “a few tears” during the moment.

Meanwhile, rather than having a formal bridal party, Swift is said to be keeping things relaxed. She reportedly plans to spend the night before the wedding with close girlfriends, like Selena and Gigi, at her Rhode Island home, turning it into a sleepover-style gathering. A bachelorette trip is also reportedly in the works with her inner circle.

By TeeJay Small
| Published 15 seconds ago

These days, it feels like the pervasive media environment is so fundamental that there’s no escaping spoilers, trailers, teasers, and promotional posters. Unless you’re intentionally shielding yourself from learning anything about a new release, movies will effectively become spoiled within hours of hitting the theater. Still, sometimes you uncover a hidden gem that catches you at just the right moment, allowing you to fully enjoy a project before it hits the mainstream. This was the case for me back in 2022, when I first saw Barbarian.

For those not in the know, Barbarian is a horror thriller that released in September of 2022. The film was written and directed by Zach Cregger, serving as his feature film debut. Before releasing Barbarian and his latest film, Weapons, Cregger was best known for being part of the comedy ensemble The Whitest Kids U’ Know, alongside the late, great Trevor Moore. If you haven’t seen Barbarian yet, that should be the absolute maximum amount of information you know about the movie going in.

Avoid All Barbarian Spoilers, I Will

I normally feel like spoilers don’t matter, because a truly good story can still offer exciting twists and turns even if you ultimately know where you’re heading. But Barbarian has such an unusual pace and unconventional plot that I think you’d really be doing yourself a disservice to look up anything about the movie beforehand. Critics and audiences seem to agree, since I rarely see spoilers for this film posted online today, nearly 4 years after release, even though Barbarian has become a major cult hit.

If you’re really going to twist my arm about it, I can tell you the following information about the plot. Barbarian centers on a young woman named Tess (Georgina Campbell) who unknowingly rents an Airbnb in the most blown-out neighborhood you’ve ever seen in your life. When she shows up, a mysterious man is occupying the unit, leaving her unsure if there was a clerical error on the part of the homeowner or if this man is a creep with foul intentions. With no other last-minute accommodations available, Tess enters the home and ultimately uncovers some of the most terrifying stuff I’ve ever seen committed to the screen.

A Jaw-Dropping Film

I watched most of Barbarian with my mouth agape. The film manages to balance surreal horror, impeccable character work, and a dash of laugh-out-loud humor, which made Zach Cregger a must-follow filmmaker in my book. There seems to be a real sketch-comedy-legend to acclaimed-horror-filmmakers pipeline, with Cregger joining the ranks of esteemed directors like Jordan Peele and Bill Hader.

Up until very recently, Barbarian was streaming on Hulu. The film has been a go-to watch for me any time I have friends over, because it always gets a priceless series of horrified reactions. Unfortunately, it’s not currently streaming on any of the major streamers, unless you’ve got a subscription to fuboTV (who does?) or want to pay high fees to buy it on Amazon.

As much as I’d love to get Barbarian back on Hulu or HBO, I’d say this one is well worth purchasing and owning. If you get the chance to check it out soon, definitely don’t miss the opportunity, and be sure to discourage anyone in your group from doing a cursory Google before you sit down to watch.

There are some rom-coms that never really age out of people’s comfort-watch rotation. Overboard is one of them. Nearly four decades later, the Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn comedy is still the kind of movie viewers stumble across, press play on, and end up watching all the way through. That’s exactly what seems to be happening again on Prime Video.

The film has worked its way into Prime Video’s U.S. movie top 10, which is a pretty impressive run for a 1987 romantic comedy. But honestly, it tracks. Real-life chemistry like Russell and Hawn’s doesn’t go out of style, and neither does a movie that knows exactly how charming it is. The cast includes Hawn as Joanna and Russell as Dean. It’s a weird movie, a sweet movie, and a very ’80s movie, but it still works because the central duo are so much fun together. Prime Video viewers are clearly rediscovering that all over again.

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Is ‘Overboard’ Worth Watching?

Roger Ebert’s review stated that Overboard is built on a very old and very familiar story, but it still works because it is funny, charming, and full of energy. The movie follows a spoiled rich woman who is forced to live a much harder life, and almost every big turn can be seen coming well ahead of time. Still, the film knows exactly what kind of crowd-pleaser it wants to be. What helps Overboard stand out is the little stuff. The review points to the many small comic moments, the warmth of the cast, and the easy rhythm of the direction. It is not trying to reinvent anything. It is just trying to be funny and lovable, and for the most part, it succeeds.

“If the ending of Overboard is reminiscent of The African Queen, maybe that’s because the whole movie owes something to the Humphrey Bogart-Katharine Hepburn relationship, in which a rude and crude man is civilized by a real lady. In Overboard, that development is crossbred with the heartless bitch who is civilized by a real gentleman. It’s kind of a nice process, and it makes a warm and funny movie.”

Overboard is streaming now.

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Release Date

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December 16, 1987

Runtime

112 minutes

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  Joanna Stayton / Annie Proffitt

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  Edward Herrmann

  Grant Stayton III

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“Vanderpump Villa” star Marciano Brunette has fans reading between the lines after sharing a few cryptic Instagram Stories on Friday night. And these Stories have an interesting timing – not long after “Mormon Wives” star Jessi Draper‘s divorce has gone public. 

The two reality stars, who previously admitted to an emotional affair after meeting during a crossover episode of both shows, are now fueling some fresh speculation after being spotted together in Salt Lake City.  

Not long after Marciano shared the mysterious IG Stories, the internet got to work deciphering what’s going on and even proving that it is in fact Jessi who he is with. Let’s get into it…

Marciano Shares IG Stories That Scream He’s With Jessi

Marciano clearly knows what his IG followers want – mystery, intrigue, and a good story – and he gave them just that on Friday night.

The “Vanderpump Villa” star shared an IG Story of him at the airport with no context, just before sharing a few stories that lead to the intrigue of him being in Utah again. But unlike the last time he did this, just a few weeks ago (which turned out to be for “Mormon Wives” star Chase McWhorter’s birthday celebration), there are some clues in these Stories that lead to Jessi.

The next Story is of a margarita with a woman in the background of the photo, with the picture conveniently cutting off her head. But what we can see is hair that appears to be Jessi’s.

The next photo he shared is of a Swig cup. Anyone who watches “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” knows that is their drink of choice – a good dirty soda from Swig. So the clues are clueing!

TikTok Video Shows More Proof That It Is Jessi With Marciano

It didn’t take long before viral TikToker @stephwithdaddeets broke down what was going on and with some receipts.

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She first shared something she saw on Deuxmoi, “What is the latest you have heard about ‘Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.’?” and the response was, “Saw Jessi and Marciano from SLOMW at Sol Agave in SLC on a date. Good for her?”

She then shared Marciano’s margarita IG Story that backs up that claim.

“I’m guessing this is the Sol Agave place and the person in the background does look like that could be Jessi,” she said. “And I’m saying I’m guessing it’s the Sol Agave place cause when I looked it up, Sol Agave Salt Lake City that’s how their margaritas look like. Um, looks very similar.”

She then went on to talk about Marciano’s next IG Story, the picture of the Swig cup. But she also noticed something in the background that further proves the two were together.

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“So it looks like they went to Swig,” she continued. “But peep the walls in the background. Looks like this may be Jessi’s new home.” She then shared another photo that Jessi shared that matches the same kitchen walls.

TikTok Viewers Had A Lot To Say

Fans of “Mormon Wives” dropped into Steph’s comment section to share some of their thoughts, and it appears some are happy for her and others, not so much.

“Honestly what’s wrong with Jessi,” one person wrote. Another added, “‘At least it’s not Chase’ but wasn’t it Chase like 3 days ago though I’m so confused.”

One viewer shared, “They are totally hanging out but you know what? I love this for her honestly. She really got me on her side during this divorce because unfortunately, I can relate to a few things when it came to her marriage to Jordan.”

Another person appeared to agree to that thought by sharing, “I love this!! If they are really hanging out and it’s not just for drama I am happy for them. I think she really likes him and also believe he genuinely cares for her too.”

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Many others just wished the show was currently filming because this is reality TV gold.

‘Mormon Wives’ Star Mikayla Matthews Chimes In

All this confusion and mystery swirling around online means that eventually another “Mormon Wives” star will chime in and on cue…there’s Mikayla Matthews giving the fans what they want.

“Mood cause I just found out some new information about somebody in my group,” she wrote on her TikTok video. She captioned it, “Cut the show, I’m done.”

For anyone confused about what she’s referring to, the viewers in the comment section had it all sorted out.

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“It’s cause this girl posted Jessi and Marciano together on TikTok like 10 hours ago,” one person wrote. Another added, “The video of Jessi and Marciano was right above this one.” And one other said, “Soooo we’re all finding out about Jessi & Marciano rn?”

To address the fact that the cameras aren’t rolling to grab all this hot footage for season 5, one person suggested, “Can you guys just film season 5 yourselves?? Cam recorder/Blair Witch style.” (Won’t lie – sounds like a great plan! Can you get on that, please, Mikayla?)

‘Looks Like Mayci & Mikayla Are Not Fans Of Jessi & Marciano Reuniting’

Steph shared another video about the Jessi and Marciano meet up, but this time, the focus is on what Mayci Neeley and Mikayla of “Mormon Wives” have to say about it. She shared that another TikTok user posted photos of Marciano and Jessi’s night out and that Mikayla and Mayci commented on that post.

“Mayci commented, ‘Okay…I give up,’ meme, and Mikayla’s, ‘That’s it I’m f-cking done,’” Steph said. “And after the news came about Mikayla posted this video last night.” She then shows a clip of Mikayla’s TikTok video, seen above.

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All in all, regardless of what viewers are thinking, it appears they are all loving the added drama online since season 5 isn’t currently filming.

“Summer house and SLOMW keep trying to out do each other everyday,” one viewer wrote in the comments. Another said, “I KNEW she was going to run back to him.” One other shared, “Jessi out here doing her best to get those cameras rolling again.”

Netflix has plenty of science fiction shows that will grab your attention, but Altered Carbon is definitely at the top of the list. Based on the nove by Richard K. Morgan, Altered Carbon paints the picture of a future where humanity can transfer its consciousness into other bodies thanks to disk-shaped devices called “stacks”; mercenary Takeshi Kovacs is given a new synthetic body, or “sleeve”, to help solve the murder of a wealthy man. While it only lasted two seasons, Altered Carbon featured top-tier talent, including Joel Kinnaman and

Taking place over 250 years before the events of Altered Carbon Season 1, Resleeved follows Kovacs (voiced by Ray Chase) as he’s given a new sleeve and a new mission to protect tattoo artist Holly (Brittney Cox) from being killed, while also investigating the death of a high-ranking Yakuza member. Reception was mixed, as Altered Carbon: Resleeved currently sits at 60% on Rotten Tomatoes. Some critics enjoyed its standalone nature, while most weren’t fans of the animation style used in the movie. Regardless, Altered Carbon: Resleeved would pave the way for Netflix to expand upon some of its original projects.

‘Altered Carbon: Resleeved’ Is Light on Philosophy, Heavy on Action

Image via Netflix

Altered Carbon: Resleeved doesn’t waste any time, as it immediately opens with Holly seemingly being chased by members of the Yakuza. Those men turn out to be her bodyguards…and then they’re utterly slaughtered by ninjas, paving the way for Kovacs to step in and rescue Holly. This opening sets the stage for Resleeved, which is more action-based than the Altered Carbon series. Part of that’s due to the movie format, which has far less time to explore the philosophical elements that were a major part of the television series, but director Takeru Nakajima makes up for it by delivering some blood-soaked, action-packed sequences that make great use of the cyberpunk setting.

Surprisingly, Altered Carbon: Resleeved does offfer a deeper dive into one character. During his mission, Kovacs is joined by Gena (Elizabeth Maxwell), an agent for the Colonial Tactical Assault Corps, who is also tasked with protecting Holly. Gena is actually Reileen Kawahara, Kovacs’ sister, who extends her life by constantly inserting her consciousness into different sleeves. While Reileen eventually grows mad with power in Altered Carbon, Altered Carbon: Resleeved shows that she had glimmers of humanity where she provides Holly with an escape despite being tasked to kill her. For fans of the series, this is a new look at a villain they’d grown to hate, while newcomers will be left with a relatively happy ending.

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Netflix Continues To Craft Animated Spinoffs for its Originals

Following Altered Carbon: Resleeved, Netflix has used animation as a way to build on its original films and television shows. Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 will feature a new story set in between Seasons 2 and 3 of the hit supernatural series, and is set to debut later this month. The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf not only feels like the epic dark fantasy that The Witcher should have been, but also boasts some seriously stunning animation courtesy of Studio Mir. Even Bright got its own spin off with Bright: Samurai Soul, which reinterprets David Ayer‘s gritty fantasy procedural as taking place in feudal-era Japan. Netflix’s Director of Content in Japan, John Deideran, talked about how Netflix was using these projects as a springboard to delve more into anime:

“Netflix aims to be the most compelling and attractive home for anime fans, creators and production studios. We are creating an environment where production houses can do their best work, and deliver their shows on a service where we connect anime fans from over 190 countries to content they love.”

The gamble worked, as Netflix is now considered one of the biggest hubs for anime. While it might remain as little known as the series that inspired it, Altered Carbon: Resleeved is worth a watch if you’re a fan of anime, the cyberpunk genre, or searching for a show to fill the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners-shaped hole in your heart. It’s a story that offers a glimpse into the world of Altered Carbon, yet manages to stand on its own two feet.

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Release Date

March 19, 2020

Runtime

75 minutes

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Director

Takeru Nakajima, Yoshiyuki Okada

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Writers

Laeta Kalogridis, Richard K. Morgan, Tsukasa Kondo, Dai Sato

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Cast

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  Tatsuhisa Suzuki

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  Ken (Takeshi Kovacs) (voice)

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  Rina Sato

  Gina (Leilin Kawahara) (voice)

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  Ayaka Asai

  Holly Togram (voice)

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  Kenji Yamauchi

  Hideki Tanaseda (voice)

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Gucci’s Kidnapping Lasted About An 1 Hour, Here’s What Happened

Gucci Mane’s January 10 encounter with Pooh Shiesty and his team in Dallas sounds straight out of a movie. According to the criminal complaint, the victims—including Gucci, his head of security, another guard, and two other victims—reportedly flew into the city for a “business meeting.” Pooh called the meeting to request release from his 2021 contract. Gucci and his people arrived at the studio at 1:45 p.m., but after realizing it was closed, they traveled to a liquor store, grabbing liquor and cups. The owner opened the studio around 3:15 p.m., after Pooh Shiesty’s dad made contact, attempting to book a session for Gucci and Pooh.

Surveillance shows Pooh’s dad outside at 3:27 p.m. on the phone, and entering the building about one minute later. A studio employee arrived at about 3:39 p.m. Pooh and his dad were standing outside. A couple of minutes later, at 3:43 p.m., the dad, son, and seven others accused in the criminal complaint walked into the building. One of the accused left and came back with a bag over his shoulder. Then, they all went to the control room, where Gucci and two victims were watching a football game. Head of security was in the studio lobby, and the other guard was in Gucci’s vehicle.

Gucci and two others allegedly overheard Pooh Shiesty talking on his cellphone—possibly with a probation or parole officer. He allegedly claimed he had permission to be out for “rec time,” though he was promptly told to return immediately. Pooh, who was wearing an ankle monitor, agreed.

RELATED: Free Him…Again? Pooh Shiesty’s Fans Flood His Instagram Page Following His Arrest In Connection To Gucci Mane Kidnapping

Gucci suggested they reschedule the studio session, and Pooh Shiesty asked to speak to him privately in the attached recording room. Gucci agreed, entering the room alongside Pooh’s father, Lontrell Williams Sr., and rapper Big30. Meanwhile, the other victims stayed behind in the control room with six more crew members, still watching the game.

In the recording room, Pooh Shiesty pulled out the contract release and told Gucci Mane to sign them. He refused, and amid an argument, Pooh told Big30 to get his bag. When Big30 returned, Pooh allegedly pulled out and pointed an AK-style pistol at Gucci. Big 30 allegedly recording Gucci signing the papers and being forced to say Pooh Shiesty is “released.” After Gucci signed, Pooh took his wedding ring, watch, earrings and cash. He then forced the rapper to add the date on the contract at his father’s suggestion.

As Pooh, his dad, Big 30, and Gucci walked out of the recording room, the other crew members blocked exits and held the remaining victims at gunpoint. They stole watches, jewelry, and cash. The nine accused left the building at around 4:48 p.m.

Pooh Shiesty’s Lawyer Calls Out “Inconsistencies” In Case

Action movies, like any major genre, have gone through many different phases and eras. Changing sensibilities, rising and falling stars, and developing technologies have all contributed to the many shifts the genre has seen. As with all trends, the divisional lines aren’t always easy to draw. The styles and themes of one era can bleed over into another, while stars and directors can transition as well. It’s often easier to spot the films that are the beginning of an era rather than the end of one, especially since the rise of post-modern cinema, where movies are in constant conversation with their influences. In retrospect, though, there are those movies that can be looked at as the last of their kind.

From the ends of two different eras of action heroes to those final films in franchises that will never be the same, some of these movies were designed to be final statements, while others were made blissfully ignorant of the place in history they would hold. That doesn’t have any effect on the quality of the individual films themselves, as they are all, in their own ways, great action movies. They represent some of the most major blockbusters and influential films featuring some of the biggest stars and iconic characters of the genre. Every era must come to an end, and these action movies all ended theirs in style.

‘First Blood’ (1982)

Image via Orion Pictures

The Hollywood action heroes of the ’70s were gritty, cynical, and often damaged, while the ones from the ’80s were musclebound, indestructible superhumans; you can see the transition in one film and one character. First Blood introduced audiences to John Rambo, the Vietnam vet protagonist from David Morrell‘s novel, whose harassment at the hands of some small-town cops triggers his post-traumatic stress response and leads him to wage a one-man war against them. As played by Sylvester Stallone, Rambo embodies all the physicality that would define ’80s action heroes but represents the broken, disenfranchised, anti-authority attitude of the ’70s. The film itself is likewise of a grittier and more grounded nature, more indicative of the ’70s action era. Rambo doesn’t rack up a high body count, only inadvertently causing a single death, and he doesn’t end the film with explosive triumph. He’s led away in handcuffs and covered with a blanket after suffering a mental breakdown.

By the time Rambo returned for his first sequel, his vulnerability had vanished. Stallone was even bigger and bulkier than before, and the character was sent back to Vietnam to save some POWs and win the war that had haunted American conservatives. It’s the same transition that many anti-heroes from the ’70s went through in the Reagan-era ’80s. Charles Bronson went from a violent vigilante in Death Wish to an avenging action hero in its first sequel, and Stallone’s other iconic character, Rocky, went from scrappy underdog to winning the Cold War. The ’80s were all about optimism, excess and unstoppable action heroes. Rambo was the poster child for ’80s action, but his origin story marked the end of the gritty action hero era.

‘Hard Boiled’ (1992)

Image via Golden Princess Film Production

John Woo helped to build the Heroic Bloodshed action era, with his film A Better Tomorrow often cited as its beginning. This specific brand of Hong Kong action movie featured glorious gun battles, gangsters versus cops narratives, and themes of honor and brotherhood. Woo didn’t just start the era; he also delivered its definitive statement with Hard Boiled. Technically, this action masterpiece isn’t the last Heroic Bloodshed movie ever made, but it definitely marked the end of its original era. Filmmakers like Johnnie To would carry the action torch well into the ’90s and 2000s, while the subgenre’s most major filmmakers, like Woo, Ringo Lam, and Tsui Hark, all made brief transitions to Hollywood, where they continued to make films featuring many of the techniques and trademarks they had pioneered. Other filmmakers, like Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez, also adopted many of the signatures of Heroic Bloodshed into their filmographies, making the transition all the murkier, but Hard Boiled is a proper exclamation point.

Chow Yun-fat, who starred in the majority of Woo’s Hong Kong action films, stars as Tequila, a cop with a penchant for dual-wielding pistols and causing maximum carnage. He’s the counterpoint to Tony Leung‘s tortured undercover officer, with the two fighting from opposite ends to take down a dangerous Triad leader. It’s on that plot that Woo hangs his greatest action sequences, with an opening tea house shootout, a warehouse gunfight, and the extended finale set within a hospital. Hard Boiled is as good as action movies get, and Woo and the Heroic Bloodshed subgenre were never as good again. It marked the end of one of the greatest eras in all of action cinema.

‘Eraser’ (1996)

Image via Warner Bros.

Where First Blood was the clear pivot from gritty to hulking action heroes, the end of that muscular action era is slightly harder to pinpoint. Many point to Tango & Cash as the last of the over-the-top ’80s action movies, but it’s hard to count it as the end of the era when its most major stars still had their biggest action hits coming. Last Action Hero also often gets listed as the seemingly most appropriate final film of the era, as a full parody of a genre that had already grown into self-parody, but star Arnold Schwarzenegger still had two more earnest big-budget action blockbusters in him. He would re-team with James Cameron for the utterly ridiculous and ridiculously entertaining True Lies, and then, in 1996, he closed out the action hero era with the underrated Eraser. Coming from steady-handed genre director Chuck Russell, this old-school action movie features a little bit of everything from its predecessors.

The film has a high-concept plot that features Schwarzenegger as a U.S. Marshal whose special skill is making witnesses disappear, a villain played by an acclaimed actor (James Caan), and some of the slick CGI that had begun to creep into the genre in the ’90s and has not aged well. Eraser may not be top-tier Schwarzenegger, but it’s certainly the last time audiences could enjoy the larger-than-life action hero in a larger-than-life action movie that wasn’t produced as some nostalgic throwback. There’s a sincerity to it that later movies like The Expendables have never been able to replicate, which is why it’s often considered the end of Schwarzenegger’s golden age of movie stardom and the action hero era as a whole.

‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019)

No matter how you feel about the MCU, there’s no arguing that it represented a paradigm shift for blockbusters. Thanks to the success of the superhero mega-franchise, every studio and streamer tried to turn every IP they had into a cinematic universe, but despite all their efforts, none came close to the consistency or success of what Marvel accomplished. After the first era of the MCU, dubbed the Infinity Saga, came to an end a mere eleven years after Iron Man premiered with the undeniably epic Avengers: Endgame, it represented the culmination of one of the biggest franchises in Hollywood history, and it will likely never be replicated. The DCEU imploded in on itself, and even the MCU hasn’t been able to maintain the cultural foothold it once held in a post-COVID, streaming-dominated film landscape.

Bringing the original Avengers back together after they’d been split up and separated in their last film, Endgame is all about giving a proper send-off to the characters that had formed the foundations of the MCU. Black Widow and Iron Man both sacrifice themselves, while Captain America gets to live out the rest of his life slow dancing with Peggy Carter. Even though Scarlett Johansson came back for a spin-off two years later, and Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. are returning to the fold, along with seemingly every other actor to ever appear in a Marvel property, for Avengers: Doomsday, there’s something effectively emotional in Endgame’s finale that felt satisfying in 2019. It’s a crowd-pleasing blockbuster, and even if it ends up being relatively minor as a singular film in the grand scheme of action cinema, Endgame was still the end of the biggest cinematic superhero era audiences will likely ever see.

‘No Time to Die’ (2021)

Image via MGM

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The James Bond franchise has gone through many eras. With every new iteration of the secret agent played by a new actor, the franchise evolved into something different. George Lazenby brought Bond emotional poignancy and tragedy in his one-film stint before Sean Connery returned to the role he originated. Then Roger Moore took over and brought all kinds of humor and outlandish antics to the character before Timothy Dalton brought him back down to earth with a gritty pair of much angrier Bond films. Pierce Brosnan found a solid balance between those tones before eventually getting swallowed up in CGI and gadgetry, and then Daniel Craig rebooted the character for the 21st century with the toughest, gloomiest Bond yet. Every one of those Bond actors’ final films could be considered the end of an era, but Craig’s final bow in No Time to Die is easily the most definitive.

With a convoluted plot that brings together disparate threads from the previous four films, No Time to Die pushes Bond to his limits as he must reckon with his past and that of his paramour, Madeleine Swann. The lengthy movie makes room for lots of emotional character beats as well as some solid action setpieces set all across the globe before it culminates in a controversial ending where Bond does the one thing he’d never done before: die. By the time the credits roll, Bond is definitively dead, and while the filmmakers knew it would be Craig’s swan song, which likely contributed to the decision to end it this way, they couldn’t have known how fitting it would become. Amazon’s purchase of the Bond franchise effectively ended the legacy of EON Productions’ creative control, a legacy that had begun with the very first film. There’s no telling what the future of Bond will look like now that he’s under the umbrella of a real-life Blofeld, but it’s safe to say that No Time to Die, for better or worse, was the end of an era for the character.

By Jennifer Asencio
| Published 46 seconds ago

Supergirl star Milly Alcock is already worried about her movie. The actress told Variety that she’s already expecting “backlash” for playing the character, given that she’s a woman in a superhero role.

“It definitely made me aware that simply existing as a woman in that space is something that people comment on,” she said in the interview. “We have become very comfortable having this weird ownership of women’s bodies. I can’t really stop them. I can only be myself.”

Alcock was a little more fair to classic directors Ridley Scott and Martin Scorsese for their derisive comments about superhero films, offering a nod to their “phenomenal films” and admitting that “Not every film is for everyone.”

Variety Is Not A Trustworthy Source

As much as Alcock’s statement about women in superhero films has faced backlash of its own, I am willing to give her the benefit of the doubt here. After all, the story was presented by Variety, who recently attacked both Chuck Norris and Brigitte Bardot after their deaths with posthumous hit pieces.

The magazine has also been happy to amplify and invent accusations of bigotry against detractors of bad shows from popular franchises like The Acolyte and Starfleet Academy. So, I’m not sure how much of the interview was arranged to give the impression that Alcock was making the activist statement the publication is eager to imply.

Milly Alcock Should Be Used To Body Scrutiny

After all, Milly Alcock is a veteran of the Game of Thrones franchise, known for its graphic sex and nudity. The actress did have a few racy scenes on the show. Being associated with that character would organically subject the actress to scrutiny. In that respect, women’s bodies are definitely “commented on.”

However, so are men’s. The most recent addition to the Game of Thrones franchise, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, shows men in various states of undress, even graphically waving around parts that only Game of Thrones fans can tolerate.

As much as we comment on how sexy women might be, we comment on men just as often for six-pack abs and handsome faces. The superhero space is full of peak-fitness characters like Thor, Wolverine, and Superman himself. A well-dressed, well-groomed man is lusted over just as much as a sexy starlet. When it comes to actors, audiences, and even the productions themselves do “claim ownership of… bodies,” but Alcock is wrong to suggest that it is exclusively women’s bodies.

The Difference Between Catwoman And Storm

It’s also not like other superhero roles haven’t been played by women. The X-Men and The Avengers movies feature lots of female superheroes, like Jean Grey, Black Widow, and Storm. Actresses like Famke Janning, Sophie Turner, Scarlett Johannsen, and Halle Berry never received unusual scrutiny from those roles that Alcock is projecting about; Berry did receive it for another superhero role she played: Catwoman.

What was the difference between Catwoman and Storm? The Catwoman movie was a critical failure because it had a weak story that didn’t resonate with fans. That’s not the fault of the actress, either.

Wonder Woman didn’t have that problem, but Wonder Woman 1984 did, so the first was a critical success and the second a critical failure. Since Gal Gadot played the role both times, what made it different? The same things that made Halle Berry’s roles different: Wonder Woman 1984 was just not a good movie.

The Real Reason Milly Alcock Faces Scrutiny

The main reason Alcock’s rendition of Supergirl is receiving so much “commentary” isn’t really because of Alcock herself. The first trailer introduced a character who was gratuitously dysfunctional and literally urinated all over what the Superman franchise represents. The movie’s slogan, “Truth. Justice. Whatever,” also spits in the face of Superman lore because the character is like an alien paladin with a strong moral compass.

To top it off, the recent Superman movie was also not well received by many fans, who felt the character was subjected to presentism and modern identity politics; the initial Supergirl trailer hinted at more of the things fans hated about the Superman movie and none of the things they liked.

There’s Hope For Supergirl

After the release of the second trailer, some of these concerns seem to have been dispelled. What seemed to be a gratuitously absurd take is shaping up to be a strong story that has the potential to offset the concerns left over from Superman. I’ve been told it follows the canon storyline and introduces a Kara Jor-El who is dealing with consequences that the Melissa Benoist, Sasha Calle, or even Helen Slater renditions never really addressed.

Kara was a young adolescent when Krypton was destroyed, unlike Clark, who was an infant. She remembers what she lost. A portrayal of her as something other than a plucky female version of Clark’s optimism is deeply within the realm of the comics.

If the movie is good, Alcock will probably enjoy the “ownership” fans think they have over her body, as she seems to have with House of the Dragon. If it sucks, it probably won’t be blamed entirely on Alcock, even if she takes it the same way the Starfleet Academy cast who have invented “other reasons” their show wasn’t a hit.

However, given the unreliable source, potential viewers should remain skeptical that Milly Alocock’s words were printed as she intended and not presented in a way that makes her look more controversial than she is.

The internet is loving how Ahna Mac showed up and showed out while supporting her fiancé, New York Yankees Player Jazz Chisolm Jr., during Opening Day. The singer had fans cracking up after appearing to reenact a High School Musical-inspired moment from the stands.

Related: Oop! Ahna Mac Responds After Olivia Brown Claims She Was A “Side Girl” During Her Relationship With Jazz Chisholm Jr. (VIDEOS)

Ahna Mac Channels a ‘High School Musical’ Moment While Cheering On Her Fiancé

On Friday, April 3, the Yankees kicked off their Opening Day game, with Ahna Mac in attendance to support Chisholm. In a TikTok posted during the game, Ahna appeared to channel Gabriella Montez, the character portrayed by Vanessa Hudgens, as she sang and cheered from the stands. The moment mirrored the iconic scene in which Gabriella supports Troy Bolton during a game, sparking immediate recognition among fans of the Disney Channel film. Watch the moment below:

Social Media Reacts

Fans flooded comment sections with reactions to the cute moment:

Instagram user @officialthr33 wrote, “She hit the jackpot 😭 different caliber right there”

Another Instagram user @_curlyyheadza wrote, “I love this for herr 🥲🥲”

While Instagram user @_prettyyylightskin_ wrote, “I can’t wait to find my high school musical love story 🥲🥹😭🥰”

Instagram user @mpa____ wrote, “My girl got a man with a $10 milli one year contract. And not in the entertainment industry. She won 😭”

Another Instagram user @_iamfunsize wrote,
“She hit big time, baseball player 👏🏾”

While Instagram user @t.rose__ wrote, “She don’t even know what’s going on 😭😭😭 just hooting n hollering 😭😭😭”

Instagram user @judy_tooyou wrote, “Omggg this is so cuteeeee”

Another Instagram user @jayjayx956 wrote, “She’s going to make that man her whole personality and I’m sure he will love it.”

While Instagram user @sleeviana_v wrote, “How extra you supposed to be when you’re being loved on properly and they don’t play about you!!! 😍😍😍😍”

Are Ahna Mac and Jazz Chisholm Jr. Already Married?

Ahna Mac and Jazz Chisholm Jr. first announced their engagement on Instagram on Christmas Day. According to Ahna, the MLB star proposed in a snowy setting with the Northern Lights visible in the background.

Recently, however, fans began speculating about the couple’s relationship status after Ahna shared a video suggesting things had progressed further.

In the clip, she stated, “I’m not engaged anymore because I’m married,” sparking questions about whether the pair quietly tied the knot.

She later reinforced the statement in a pinned comment, writing, “If he love you he’ll take you to the courthouse then have the wedding go tell him I said that,” adding laughing and heart emojis.

Related: Oh Wow! Ahna Mac Puts Stunna Girl On Blast For Allegedly Setting Up Robbery Attempt (VIDEO)