One of the good things about streaming becoming so easy and widespread is that there always seems to be some place for any movie to end up. The big streamers can fight over new releases, or just make multi-billion dollar deals to buy the competition, but there’s usually somebody who appreciates the classics. We’re specifically referring to classics like The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, which you can watch for free on Tubi.

Italian director Sergio Leone’s 1966 epic is generally considered one of the greatest films of all time, and definitely one of the best Westerns, and perhaps even the singular definitive spaghetti Western. Though it’s skewed because of modern reviews that take its legacy into account, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’s Rotten Tomatoes score sits at 97% for both critics and audiences — meaning it’s a consensus that the movie is straight-up great. How often does that happen?

What Is ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’ About?

Along with Leone’s A Fistful of Dollars and For a Few Dollars More, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is part of the loosely connected “Dollars Trilogy” (also known as the “Man with No Name Trilogy” after star Clint Eastwood’s ostensibly nameless antihero… though he does technically have a name in all three movies). The movies aren’t really related to each other, beyond the fact that Sergio Leone directed them, they’re in the same genre, and Clint Eastwood is in them as a laconic cowboy who wears a cool hat and a sarape. (Unfortunately, Leone didn’t have the foresight to have his cowboy movies tie together for a big Marvel-style payoff.)

In The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Eastwood’s character is a bounty hunter nicknamed Blondie, and though he’s not necessarily a nice guy, he’s the “Good” in the title. He runs a scam with a bandit named Tuco (the “Ugly,” played by Eli Wallach), where he hands him over to the authorities for a bounty and then saves him from being hanged so they can split the money and do the trick again in another town. They cross paths with a mercenary called Angel Eyes (the “Bad,” played by Lee Van Cleef) who is trying to find a stash of stolen Confederate gold.

Tuco finds out the cemetery where the gold is buried and Blondie finds out the specific grave it’s hidden in, forcing them all to (kinda) work together in an uneasy alliance. It’s a spoiler to say it all builds to a three-way standoff over who gets the gold, but treating that as a real spoiler does a disservice to Leone’s directing, Ennio Morricone’s iconic score, and Eastwood’s steely-eyed glare. And we’re talking about the definitive spaghetti Western here, so it’s not like there wouldn’t be a standoff at some point. It’s like saying the movie has boots and revolvers in it.

As of January 1, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is streaming for free on Tubi, so there’s really no reason not to set aside three hours or so and revel in the ecstasy of gold (that’s the big song from the soundtrack).

There was a time when I genuinely thought nothing would ever top Breaking Bad because almost every episode felt stressful in a way very few shows manage. Walter White (Bryan Cranston) kept making decisions that looked smart in the moment and disastrous five episodes later, which made the tension build naturally instead of feeling manufactured. The transformation of Walter White from high school teacher to ruthless drug lord kept audiences gripped to their TVs for five seasons. The series also stars Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Betsy Brandt, and Dean Norris, and it remains in the conversation of the best TV shows of all time.

After finishing the show, I kept searching for thrillers that could create that same feeling of pressure, paranoia, or emotional exhaustion, and honestly, most of them could not. Only a few stayed with me, which usually made me question every scene in different ways. Not only did these series match the tension and thrilling nature of Breaking Bad, they even surpassed the beloved AMC series. These are the only thriller shows that, for me, stand above Breaking Bad.

‘The Shield’ (2002–2008)

Image via FX

The thing that immediately separates The Shield from a lot of police dramas is Vic Mackey (Michael Chiklis). From the very first episode, the show makes it clear that Vic is not a clean cop trying to survive inside a dirty system. He is already part of the problem. He steals from drug dealers, manipulates witnesses, and controls the streets through fear as much as law. The Strike Team around him follows the same pattern, especially Shane Vendrell (Walton Goggins), whose decisions gradually make every situation worse. The FX series also stars Catherine Dent, Michael Jace, Kenny Johnson, and Benito Martinez.

What keeps the show gripping for seven seasons is how badly things begin piling up once the team starts covering for itself. One lie creates another problem, then another, until even ordinary arrests begin carrying the risk of exposure. Claudette Wyms (CCH Pounder) and Dutch Wagenbach (Jay Karnes) slowly begin seeing pieces that do not fully add up, and the pressure around Vic keeps tightening season after season. By the end, the show stops feeling like a story about cops chasing criminals and turns into something much uglier about power, loyalty, and panic.

‘True Detective’ (2014–Present)

HBO struck gold with this impeccable anthology series. Every season of True Detective drops somebody into a case that slowly starts affecting the rest of their life. Rust Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) and Marty Hart (Woody Harrelson) spend years circling the same murders in Louisiana until the investigation begins following them outside work. Wayne Hays (Mahershala Ali) keeps revisiting an old disappearance while his own memory slowly becomes less reliable with age. Even the weaker seasons still keep that same feeling where the detectives never seem emotionally separate from the crimes they are investigating. Other featured actors include Rachel McAdams, Colin Farrell, Jodie Foster, Fiona Shaw, and Vince Vaughn.

The series also changes shape from season to season instead of repeating the exact same formula every time. One story leans heavily into serial killings and religion, another moves through political corruption and broken partnerships, while another becomes quieter and more personal. That atmosphere keeps the show gripping because the danger rarely feels far away, even during mundane scenes. The tension builds as we, the audience, piece together the mystery alongside the detectives.

‘The Sopranos’ (1999–2007)

Image via HBO

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This HBO series is a genuine masterpiece for a reason. At the beginning of The Sopranos, Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) starts having panic attacks and quietly begins seeing a therapist, Dr. Jennifer Melfi (Lorraine Bracco). That alone changes the shape of the show because Tony is not only dealing with rival crews, money, and violence. He is also trying to explain himself in a small office every week while his personal life keeps getting messier around him. His wife Carmela (Edie Falco) already suspects more than he admits, and his children are growing old enough to notice the contradictions in the house.

The criminal side keeps expanding too. Uncle Junior (Dominic Chianese), Christopher Moltisanti (Michael Imperioli), Paulie Walnuts (Tony Sirico), and the rest of the crew constantly create new problems through greed, ego, or plain stupidity. Some conflicts explode into violence very quickly, while others sit quietly for years before turning ugly. What makes The Sopranos different is how ordinary so much of it feels in between those moments. One scene could involve murder or betrayal, and the next could simply be Tony arguing with his family over dinner. This develops its own level of tension from episode to episode across its impressive six-season run.

‘Better Call Saul’ (2015–2022)

Image via AMC

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I understand that this might be controversial… but sometimes, the spin-off does it better than the original. Before he becomes Saul Goodman, Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk) is a struggling lawyer trying to build a real career in Albuquerque. He takes small public defender jobs, looks after his older brother Chuck (Michael McKean), and keeps trying to prove that he belongs inside the same legal world that never fully trusts him. The relationship between Jimmy and Chuck becomes the center of the show very quickly because Jimmy genuinely wants his brother’s respect, even while he keeps cutting corners to get ahead.

At the same time, Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks) slowly gets pulled deeper into the cartel side of the story. His work with Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito) grows season by season until the legal world and the criminal world begin sitting directly beside each other. Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn) also changes the story in a major way because she understands Jimmy better than almost anyone else and still keeps following him into situations she knows are dangerous. Watching Jimmy slowly become Saul works so well because the show never treats it like one sudden transformation. It happens piece by piece, and it’s completely mesmerizing. The deliberate pacing made Odenkirk’s performance genuinely something special.

‘Mindhunter’ (2017–2019)

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Set during the late 1970s, Mindhunter follows FBI agents Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany) as they begin interviewing serial killers to understand how violent criminals think. At first, even the FBI does not fully believe the work matters. Most agents still focus only on solving individual cases, while Holden becomes obsessed with studying patterns behind the murders themselves. Very quickly, the interviews begin turning uncomfortable because the killers speak calmly about horrifying crimes as if they are discussing ordinary memories. The David Fincher thriller series that traces the origins of criminal profiling also stars Anna Torv, Cotter Smith, and Stacey Roca.

The show becomes especially tense whenever Holden starts getting too emotionally invested in the work. His conversations with Edmund Kemper (Cameron Britton) slowly stop feeling like professional interviews and start resembling psychological games where Holden constantly pushes further than he should. At the same time, Bill’s family life becomes more strained as the subject matter begins following him home. The series is so gripping that many scenes involve nothing more than people sitting in a room talking, though the atmosphere still feels deeply unsettling almost the entire time. It’s a shame that Netflix put these series on an indefinite hold because Mindhunter was easily one of their best.

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Mindhunter

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Release Date

2017 – 2019

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Network

Netflix

Showrunner

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Joe Penhall

Directors

David Fincher, Carl Franklin, Andrew Dominik, Andrew Douglas, Asif Kapadia, Tobias Lindholm

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Britney Spears is sending multiple cryptic messages.

“If you’re one of those mean girls pointing and laughing and looking at your phone in the audience just look up today… River sends you guys a message!!!!!!!!” Spears, 44, captioned a Friday, May 29, Instagram post.

In a separate Instagram shared the same day, Spears filmed herself dancing in front of a pool with a body of water visible in the distance.

“When I moved out of the country for a while I changed my name for some reason and the mean girls stopped laughing!!!!! Damn I miss it there,” she wrote.

Related: How Britney Spears Feels About Release of Videos From DUI Arrest

Britney Spears wants to put her DUI arrest in the rearview mirror. “Britney is embarrassed by all of the details and videos coming out from one of the most traumatic, regretful nights of her life,” a source exclusively tells Us Weekly. “She feels it’s cruel, especially after she went to rehab and put in the […]

It is unclear who the “mean girls” are Spears is referring to. In a third upload, Spears reflected on feeling “too much chatter” that’s “going on behind your back.”

“When you get that awkward, weird feeling you can actually start to feel perhaps too much chatter is going on behind your back… it actually effects [sic] people… I still send them love but most importantly…” she wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, May 26.

She continued, “I hope they feel my smile… the media has been a bit much in my opinion and I hope they can respect my unbelievable and miraculous spiritual journey… I’m so excited to embrace my journey and hope they stop showing embarrassing things from my past 🙄🙄🙄 I just bought the most adorable high heeled sandals 👡 for summer… its the little things you know… god bless.”

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Spears’ posts come months after she was taken into police custody on March 4 after an anonymous caller reported that she had been “traveling at high speeds and swerving.” After her arrest, Spears was taken to a local hospital to get her blood drawn, which was registered under the legal limit.

“This was an unfortunate incident that is completely inexcusable,” a spokesperson for Spears told Us Weekly in March. “Britney is going to take the right steps and comply with the law, and hopefully this can be the first step in long overdue change that needs to occur in Britney’s life. Hopefully, she can get the help and support she needs during this difficult time.”

The next month, Spears was charged with driving under the influencer while in a treatment facility. She accepted a plea deal on May 4 and was sentenced to 12 months of probation and one daily in jail, which was credited with time served. She was also ordered to complete a DUI class and pay $571 in state-mandated fees and see a psychologist once a week and a psychiatrist twice a month.

Actor Mark Hamill, best known for his role as Luke Skywalker in the “Star Wars” franchise, is being put on blast by Jamie Kennedy after he shared an AI-generated photo of U.S. President Donald Trump in a grave. Although the actor apologized after facing backlash from the White House, many have voiced their disappointment in Hamill’s actions on social media.

In early May, the actor shared an AI-generated image on Bluesky that showed Trump lying in a shallow grave. The dates on the gravestone read 1946-2024.

Hamill captioned the post, “If Only — He should live long enough to witness his inevitable devastating loss in the midterms, be held accountable for his unprecedented corruption, impeached, convicted & humiliated for his countless crimes.”

“Long enough to realize he’ll be disgraced in the history books, forevermore,” he added. White House Spokesman Davis Ingle responded to the post, calling him a “deranged lunatic,” as previously reported by The Blast.

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Mark Hamill deleted his post of President Trump lying on a grave after getting backlash from the White House.

He made a follow up post trying to backtrack:

“Accurate Edit for Clarity:

‘He should live long enough to… be held accountable for his… crimes.’

Actually,… pic.twitter.com/55BFwZRwEw

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— Jacktron (@jacktronprime) May 7, 2026

“The Life of Chuck” actor then attempted to apologize, but it seemed tongue-in-cheek, as he shared his message alongside another photo of Trump with an outrageous hairstyle.

“Accurate Edit for Clarity: ‘He should live long enough to… be held accountable for his…  crimes,’” he wrote. “Actually, I was wishing him the opposite of dead, but apologize if you found the image inappropriate.”

The apology did little to quell the online firestorm, especially after Jamie Kennedy called him out for his comments.

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Jamie Kennedy Says ‘Luke Skywalker Has Lost It’  

In an episode of his podcast, “Hate To Break It To Ya”, Jamie Kennedy blasted Mark Hamill for posting the AI-generated image of Trump depicting him in a shallow grave.

“That is insane. That is brain rot gone beyond,” Kennedy said. “This is nuts. Luke Skywalker has lost it, dude. You’re like a big voice in the world, and you’re promoting that. Like, what is wrong with you?”

He went on to say, “You can call this guy whatever you want, but he’s the elected leader, so clearly he’s legally in, and he won, and he’s the elected leader,” Kennedy continued, calling Hamill’s post “irresponsible” and “evil.”

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Has Mark Hamill Retired From ‘Star Wars’?

As most fans know, the character of Luke Skywalker met his end at the end of 2017’s “The Last Jedi.” At this time, it is unclear where the franchise is heading. The recently released film “The Mandalorian and Grogu” was set before the events of the sequel trilogy, during a time when Luke Skywalker was still alive. However,  Hamill believes that the franchise should focus on new characters.

“I am so grateful to George for letting me be a part of that back in the day, the humble days when George called ‘Star Wars’ ‘the most expensive low-budget movie ever made,’” he told ComicBook in 2025. “We never expected it to become a permanent franchise and a part of pop culture like that. But my deal is, I had my time. I’m appreciative of that, but I think they should focus on the future and all the new characters.”

Mark Hamill Felt ‘Closure’ After His Character Died

The Skywalker Saga seemed to come to an end with 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker.” Luke Skywalker seemingly had no children. Leia Organa, the daughter of Darth Vader, had a son with Han Solo – Kylo Ren/Ben Solo – but he passed away at the end of the film. Although Rey called herself “Rey Skywalker” at the end of the movie and was determined to be the daughter of a clone of Palpatine, she is not a Skywalker by blood, and therefore, it seems that the bloodline has officially come to an end.

“My character was given complete closure,” Hamill said in an interview with TODAY, noting that the end of his story “felt like a conclusion.”

“I died… and once the Skywalker trilogy was over, it was a whole new era for them [Lucasfilm],” he added.

Still, the journey into a galaxy far, far away will continue with “Star Wars: Starfighter,” which is scheduled for a theatrical release in May 2027. The film stars an A-list cast consisting of Ryan Gosling, Mia Goth, Flynn Gray, Matt Smith, and Amy Adams.

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Prime Video recently returned to the world of one of its first hit television shows with Jack Ryan: Ghost War, which sees John Kraskinski reprising his role as the titular super spy. Add in the fact that Ghost War is packed with enough action and bloodshed to rival Reacher, and it’s no wonder that it’s rocketed up Prime Video’s streaming charts in the past week. Those same streaming charts are currently home to another military-themed movie that has a science fiction flair. This movie also holds the title of being one of the worst box office bombs of all time, and nearly ending one actor’s career.

Said movie is Battleship, directed by Peter Berg and featuring an ensemble cast that includes Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgård, Liam Neeson, and Rhianna in her acting debut. Currently, Battleship sits at #6 on Prime Video’s U.S. charts, according to FlixPatrol. That’s a far cry from Battleship‘s theatrical records, as it ended up losing Universal $150 million and was brutally ripped apart by critics. So what exactly is contributing to Battleship‘s surprise resurgence on streaming? There’s a key element that might explain why it’s been a major draw for Prime Video subscribers.

‘Battleship’ Is a Tug-of-War Between an Alien Invasion Movie & War Thriller

Image via Universal Pictures

The major reason for Battleship‘s poor critical and box office reception lies in the strange update that Berg and screenwriters Jon & Erich Hoeber made to the source material. While the Battleship board game features two opposing naval forces engaged in battle, the Battleship movie decides to pit Kitsch’s Alex Hopper and a crew of naval officers against a group of alien invaders. Yes, this is a movie that features the Navy duking it out with aliens. Apart from the aliens utilizing bombs that resemble the pegs that Battleship players use and a tense sequence where Alex’s crew utilizes radar to target the invaders’ ships, this is a movie that bears very little resemblance to its source material. Berg even admitted at a WonderCon panel how little his movie resembled the game it was named after.

“Battleship’s a unique experience. It certainly doesn’t have any direct correlation to the game. That being said, it was a lot of fun to try to find way to reference the game. If you look at the ordinance that the enemies use, it looks a bit like pegs. Both of our ships’ radar systems have trouble seeing each other, so they gotta try and predict where the enemy is so that they can go after them. And there were some other things that were kind of fun.”

While the alien aspects of Battleship might be out of place, Berg does show his appreciation for the military by featuring actual veterans and naval officers in the cast. A group of veterans helps Alex’s crew operate an actual battleship in the movie’s climax, and another subplot features Lieutenant Colonel Mick Canales, a double amputee played by Gregory Gadson — who’s actually a Navy Colonel and double amputee. This was Gadson’s first acting role, yet he turns in a great performance that makes you wish he was the hero of the movie. It wasn’t enough to save Battleship from a critical thrashing, as reviews unfavorably compared it to Michael Bay‘s Transformers movies.

The Director of ‘Battleship’ Is Tackling Another Major Franchise

While Battleship might have flopped at the box office, it doesn’t mark the end of Peter Berg’s time tackling military-based franchises. Berg is set to direct, co-write and produce a Call of Duty movie at Paramount alongside Taylor Sheridan, though he’s already faced an uphill battle after an interview in which he called video game players “weak”…which isn’t the right approach one would want to take when adapting a video game series based on military conflicts. Taylor Kitsch is faring far better, as he not only turned in a better performance in Berg’s Battleship follow-up Lone Survivor, but also anchors one of Prime Video’s biggest franchises with The Terminal List and its spin-off series, The Terminal List: Dark Wolf.

Battleship remains an odd beast; despite having a less than stellar theatrical run, it’s finding a new audience who probably appreciates how bonkers it is or that the military action is enough to overlook the science fiction elements. If you want to have a laugh with your friends, it’s worth a weekend watch.

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Release Date

May 18, 2012

Runtime

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131 minutes

Writers

Erich Hoeber, Jon Hoeber

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Producers

Duncan Henderson, Scott Stuber, Bennett Schneir, Brian Goldner

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Even Katie Holmes is bored with plain white sneakers. The actress strolled through Brooklyn rocking a sleek black sneaker style that quickly caught our eye — which is saying a lot, given that her jeans were purple. We’re starting to think we should ditch our white ones, too, especially since Holmes’ look is on sale for just $37.

Comprised of a simple black cardigan, rustic purple jeans and a leather tote slung over her shoulder, Holmes’ outfit screamed ‘cool mom.’ It had that effortlessly luxe appeal that seems hard to recreate, but isn’t once you have the right shoes. These black sneakers are it, sharpening jeans, polishing tees and making any outfit look intentional.

Get the Vepose Black Retro Casual Sneakers for $37 (was $50) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

These Vepose Black Retro Casual Sneakers nail Holmes’ cool-mom vibe, featuring a similar low profile, solid black color and understated design. But they take classy up a notch, thanks to crinkled leather, suede accents and a square toe that makes them modern, not basic.

What sold Us is what’s on the inside. Arch support and memory foam padding mean you can wear these comfy sneakers for a full afternoon of errands, days at the zoo and walks through the neighborhood. Shoppers even love them for travel!

“They’re lightweight and don’t feel bulky, which is a big plus for travel or all-day wear,” one happy shopper wrote. “Overall, these are stylish, comfortable and a little different in the best way, making them a great choice if you want something casual but still eye-catching.”

Pair these chic kicks with jeans, as Holmes did or rock them with a midi dress and a comfy cardigan. They work with wide-leg trousers for the office, cropped pants on weekends and yes, even leggings for lounging around the house.

These simple stunners are minimal without being boring, retro without feeling dated and comfortable without looking orthopedic. That’s a tough trifecta to nail at any price, let alone under $40. If you see your size, snag it!

Get the Vepose Black Retro Casual Sneakers for $37 (was $50) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

Sitting between HBO’s crime darling The Sopranos and fan-favorite period drama Peaky Blinders is a perfect marriage of the two shows in Boardwalk Empire. The brainchild of Sopranos writer and executive producer Terence Winter, the series also features Steve Buscemi — who appeared in and directed episodes of The Sopranos — as Atlantic County Treasurer Enoch “Nucky” Thompson. With a pilot reportedly costing around $18 million and directed by Martin Scorsese, Boardwalk Empire has its own charm and scale, from its adaptation of real-life mafia criminals to featuring early breakout roles from some of television’s biggest names, such as Stephen Graham, Charlie Cox, and Bobby Cannavale.

What is ‘Boardwalk Empire’ About?

Boardwalk Empire sets the scene in 1920s Atlantic City, just hours before Prohibition laws are put into effect. While everyone else is lamenting the ban on liquor, Nucky sees it as the perfect opportunity to distribute bootleg alcohol at premium prices. The best part is he never has to do the dirty work himself; he’s simply a man who knows how to network with the right people to do his bidding. When he’s not dealing with Prohibition, Nucky is working his way up the political ladder. Illegal booze brings in the money, but winning the 1920 Atlantic City mayoral election guarantees him the power he needs to make moves throughout the city with minimal to no interference from the feds.

However, just because Nucky is part of the government himself doesn’t mean he’s safe from gangs looking to grab a piece of the pie. Rival organizations — from Arnold Rothstein’s New York syndicate, which becomes the launching pad for Charles “Lucky” Luciano (Vincent Piazza), to the Chicago Outfit that paves the way for Al Capone (Graham) — all want in on Nucky’s growing empire. At the same time, these men refuse to be mere puppets under Nucky’s control, and they have no problem turning on him if things stop going their way. Business only gets messier once these factions begin clashing with each other, forcing Nucky to pick the side that benefits him most.

‘Boardwalk Empire’ Is Perfect for Crime Drama Fans Who Want Something More Subtle

Unlike the hedonism of Los Angeles or New York City, there is a certain decorum in Atlantic City — mainly because Nucky’s job as treasurer requires him to be scandal-free. Because of this, criminal business in Boardwalk Empire is conducted as discreetly as possible to avoid attention. Even when lines are crossed, murders are carried out without causing too much public commotion. These gangsters don’t need the public living in fear of them; their main priority is to keep their liquor flowing through Atlantic City.

This duality between subtlety and violence keeps things exciting in Boardwalk Empire. Other characters who follow this mold include Nucky’s protégé, James “Jimmy” Darmody (Michael Pitt), who was once destined for Princeton before choosing to serve in the Army. Discharged due to an injury, Jimmy returns to Atlantic City, shattered, but still wants to become a gangster. He might be pulling the trigger, but behind closed doors, he is trapped in a cycle of trauma. The same complexity also applies to Margaret Thompson (Kelly Macdonald), a working-class suffragette who becomes Nucky’s love interest. Although meek and soft-spoken, she grows into a force of her own, becoming involved in Nucky’s illicit businesses.

‘Boardwalk Empire’s Nucky Thompson Is the Nicest Villain in Television History

Image via HBO

One of the shared threads between Nucky, The Sopranos‘ Tony (James Gandolfini), and Peaky Blinders‘ Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) is the clash of identities. Like the other two, Nucky is a gangster underneath his tailored suits, but outside operations, he is something else entirely. However, in Nucky’s case, the split is even more institutional. Tony is a mob boss navigating suburban family life, Tommy is a post-war entrepreneur affected by trauma, but Nucky is a politician whose criminal empire is built on top of his government position. Loosely inspired by real-life politician Enoch L. Johnson, Nucky is a public darling — charismatic, good with minorities, and almost guaranteed electoral success.

Because of his status, Nucky prefers negotiation and influence over brute force, though there are rare moments when he extends his generosity. He has a soft spot for undeservedly unfortunate people, partly because he himself came from a difficult upbringing. That is what makes Nucky so difficult to read. One moment, he is compassionate; the next, he is utterly merciless. As Margaret once points out, there is an innate kindness in Nucky, which makes it hard for her to understand how he can continue living this kind of life. For Nucky, it is never about the size of the sin — only how much sin he is willing to live with.

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Release Date

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2010 – 2014-00-00

Showrunner

Terence Winter

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Directors

Timothy Van Patten, Allen Coulter

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Writers

Terence Winter, Nelson Johnson

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Fifteen years ago, we were still a few years out from the major superhero craze that hit television, but longtime DC Comics fans still had plenty to celebrate. Sure, Smallville was about to end, but that didn’t mean DC adaptations were down for the count. In 2010, Fox introduced a mid-season replacement series in the style of Burn Notice and other action-spy programs titled Human Target. Like many, you’ve likely forgotten about this stellar short-term action drama, but if you’re looking for some comic book-inspired entertainment that fits stylishly into the 21st century, look no further than this Mark Valley-led series.

‘Human Target’ Breathed New Life Into DC Comics’ Christopher Chance

If you’ve never heard of Human Target, that’s probably because it’s not DC Comics’ most popular brand. The television series was based on a DC Comics character created by comic legends Len Wein and Carmine Infantino back in the ’70s (not to be confused with another “Human Target” from the ’50s), updating the role for modern day. That character? Christopher Chance, a former assassin and private contractor who assumes the identities of those he’s hired to protect to weed out the threats against them, thus becoming a literal “human target.”

Chance wove in and out of comics for decades, appearing in issues of Detective Comics, Action Comics, and a handful of solo series in that time, but it wasn’t until Jericho co-creator Jonathan E. Steinberg took a stab at bringing him back to the small screen that Christopher Chance really got his due. Although this wasn’t the first Human Target series — back in the ’90s, ABC ran a seven-episode Human Target show with Rick Springfield as Chance — the Fox version is the most memorable, and is still highly worth the binge.

Played by Mark Valley, Human Target breathed new life into the Christopher Chance character, introducing a supporting cast that added a completely different dynamic. His close friendships with Winston (Chi McBride) and hitman Guerrero (Jackie Earle Haley) not only make Chance better at his job, but help fill out the world beyond Chance’s complicated personal history. Human Target was particularly notable for its infusion of humor in the midst of intense action and dramatic sequences, long before that became the standard for every action-based Hollywood project. Though the show itself was certainly a departure from the original comic book series, the basic concept of Christopher Chance and his mission remained, with plenty of on-screen charisma from the show’s leads to keep fans glued to the screen. And that’s not to mention how fun the promos were.

Over the course of two seasons and 25 episodes, Human Target put Chance (and the audience) through a brand-new case of near-death, high-octane adventure with every installment. Each episode was jam-packed with recognizable guest stars, explosive action sequences, and witty banter between the three leads that you could never quite get enough of. Bear McCreary of Battlestar Galactica and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles fame was responsible for the show’s rousing and orchestral score (at least during the first season), establishing that Human Target was a serious network television drama that fans ought to pay attention to. Whether you were familiar with Chance’s DC Comics roots or not, it didn’t matter, because just as Chance brought everyone up to speed about each new weekly job, so too was the show easily accessible for anyone with an interest.

‘Human Target’ Offers a Type of Action Hero That’s a Perfect Fit for TV

Image via Fox

Fresh off his time on Fringe, Mark Valley was the perfect performer to embody the part of Christopher Chance. Always exuding an air of confidence, no matter the situation he found himself in, Valley’s charisma and skills made him stand out compared to most action heroes who grace the screens of network TV. It certainly helped that Valley had a military look about him, having served in the U.S. Army in his youth. But despite that, Valley once told Collider that what Chance goes through on-screen is far more exhilarating than his actual military experience. Still, we can see that Valley — who previously starred in Boston Legal — is clearly at home on a show like this, strolling through spy-like missions with the swagger of James Bond and the investigative capabilities of Batman.

Throughout the show (though especially the first season), we follow Chance as he runs from his past by trying to make a new life in the present. Since his complicated backstory threatens to put his team in danger at any moment, Chance often finds himself at the crosshairs with the assassin types he once called family, namely his former brother-like figure, Baptiste (played by the ever-talented Lennie James). But Chance is a man who believes in second chances. Having been on the wrong end of the gun barrel for too many years, this former assassin has turned over a new leaf and has vowed to protect lives as best he can rather than take them. It’s an age-old tale, but one that Human Target makes its own with a likable cast and clever plots that breathe fresh air into the action TV genre.

‘Human Target’ Tried To Rebrand for Season 2, but Was Ultimately Cancelled

After a first season that exceeded fan expectations, Fox decided to switch things up going into Season 2. Steinberg left the show in favor of Matt Miller, who introduced two new characters to Chance’s team: financier Ilsa Pucci (Indira Varma) and former thief Ames (Janet Montgomery). Ahead of Season 2, Valley and Hailey spoke to Collider, where the former noted his excitement for the upcoming changes. “I think it’s a show that’s already started on a very interesting, very adventurous and very fun path, and it’s just going to continue,” Valley explained. The results were fairly mixed, with some claiming that Fox ruined a good thing by adding new characters and expanding the world. Others were taken by these female additions to the male-dominated show, which opened the door for fascinating new stories to explore.

But Human Target wasn’t meant to be a long-term investment. After the show’s second season, Fox cancelled the drama, and Christopher Chance hasn’t been back since. Well, Mark Valley’s take on the character, anyway. Another version of Chance was introduced in the Arrowverse several years later, played by Wil Traval, but sadly, there was no connection between them. Instead, Human Target fell to the wayside. The second season wasn’t even released on home video like the first, making it generally a tough show to find online.

For many, the action drama was swept up and forgotten, which is a shame considering how much potential Human Target had long-term. The good news is, this one doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, so the quick two-season binge won’t feel like you’re missing a definitive conclusion by the end.

Taylor Swift has reportedly become very wary about who she talks to regarding her upcoming nuptials to NFL star Travis Kelce.

According to a report, the couple has had to make certain adjustments due to the leaks, which have been “incredibly disheartening.”

This comes amid claims that Taylor Swift’s guest list will be missing some of her famous pals, with whom she has grown distant.

Insiders claim Swift and Kelce are under serious pressure ahead of their rumored July 3 wedding, especially after alleged strict guest rules were leaked by an individual said to have been invited to the event.

Speaking to Star Magazine, a source explained that all the recent leaks have been incredibly disheartening for the power couple, as they have now been forced to make last-minute changes to their plans.

“They’ve had to change venues and dates. It’s been such a monstrous headache, but even worse, it has left Taylor feeling very vulnerable. There are a lot of questions about who to trust,” the source said.

Swift, especially, is said to have become very secretive about her preparations for her big day, which will likely be an intimate ceremony involving only close friends and family.

The Singer’s Desire For Privacy Made Her Limit Guests From Bringing A Plus One

Regarding Swift and Kelce’s special day, an alleged guest claimed the singer’s invitation did not include room for a plus one, which they found to be questionable.

However, according to a source, Swift did this to make her wedding day more intimate and private, as she doesn’t want to see “random” people at the ceremony.

“People are used to being automatically given a plus one to a wedding, but that’s not the case for this wedding, and that is purely because of Taylor’s desire for privacy,” a source explained to the publication.

They continued, “She doesn’t want to see random faces in the crowd when she’s having her most intimate moment with her husband, committing themselves to each other for life.”

Taylor Swift Doesn’t Care If Her Rules ‘Upset’ Potential Guests

Swift plans to do everything she can to keep details of her big day private, and reportedly doesn’t care if potential guests are upset about her strict terms and conditions.

The singer “doesn’t want to have to worry about who could be there spying,” a source explained to Star Magazine about the hugely anticipated wedding ceremony.

“Taylor has always guarded her privacy fiercely, and this day will be no different,” the insider continued, noting that the event is being “orchestrated like a military operation, hard choices need to be made, and if that upsets people, so be it.”

According to the source, Swift’s wedding is “being orchestrated like a military operation, hard choices need to be made, and if that upsets people, so be it.”

As far as the pop star is concerned, her real friends understand why she would have this “sort of rule in place.”

An Alleged Wedding Guest Exposed Details About The Couple’s Upcoming Nuptials

The recent report comes after an alleged guest shared eyebrow-raising information with the Daily Mail about Swift and Kelce’s wedding and instructions that had been given to guests.

The individual, who requested not to be named, said their invite disallowed them from bringing a plus-one, which made them lose interest in attending the highly talked about event.

“My invite did not let me bring a plus one,” the alleged guest told the news outlet. “I mean, what am I supposed to do? Go alone? That is so awkward.”

“I don’t think I am going to attend because I don’t want to go by myself, and I am not sure I will know too many people there. I mean, sorry, I am not friends with Gigi and Bella Hadid!” the individual continued.

They further claimed that while guests have been told not to bring a plus one, there were exceptions for famous individuals with partners, like Selena Gomez and her husband, Benny Blanco, which they deemed unfair.

“It’s the wedding of the year, but I may sit this one out because I am shy,” the person added.

Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce’s Wedding Still Has No Specified Venue

Despite Kelce and Swift’s nuptials drawing nearer, not even the guests have been made aware of the location.

This all ties back to the couple’s desire to keep their wedding details private, amid immense speculations about the ceremony.

Speaking on this, the source shared, “I get that too; she doesn’t want everyone knowing where she is getting married until the last minute for security reasons.”

“Now it is one big guessing game; everyone is wondering where it will be. Probably a massive hotel like the Waldorf Astoria that has amazing security and access,” the alleged friend of the pop star added.

Although Swift and Kelce are likely stressed out with the wedding planning, the couple didn’t let it show when they made head-turning appearances at the recent Cavs vs Knicks game, where they showed PDA and seemed very happy and relaxed.