War cinema can lose its nerve in two opposite directions. Some films turn combat into clean hero worship. Others pile on misery until soldiers become symbols instead of people. The masterpieces stay close to the confusion. Orders clash with instinct, courage sits beside terror, and survival often depends on choices nobody should have to make.

These eight films understand that war changes shape depending on where a person stands. It can be a street full of gunfire, a muddy trench, or a bomb hidden under rubbish. None of them let the audience leave with an easy answer. Let’s figure why they’re widely regarded as masterpieces, and how we’ve chosen to rank them. Scroll down slowly.

8

‘Black Hawk Down’ (2001)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

A United States military operation in Mogadishu is supposed to capture senior figures connected to warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid and end quickly. But that doesn’t happen in Black Hawk Down. Two Black Hawk helicopters are shot down, trapping American soldiers across a hostile city while rescue teams struggle through blocked streets and relentless fire. The film is adapted from Mark Bowden’s nonfiction book and is helmed by Ridley Scott.

It follows the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu through overlapping squads rather than one traditional hero. That choice turns the mission into a constantly shifting map of injuries, wrong turns, radio calls, and men trying to reach one another before ammunition runs out. The sound is overwhelming. The geography remains clear enough to understand how one failed movement creates another crisis. Eversmann (Josh Hartnett) begins with confidence and ends the night carrying the weight of people he could not save. Hoot (Eric Bana) treats danger with professional calm, though his closing thoughts strip away any illusion that soldiers fight for speeches delivered far from the street. They keep moving for the person beside them. The film has been criticised for narrowing the Somali perspective, and that limitation deserves attention. But overall, it’s brilliant.

7

‘1917’ (2019)

Image via Universal Pictures

In 1917, two young British soldiers receive an order that sounds impossible even before they leave the trench. Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) and Schofield (George MacKay) must cross abandoned enemy territory and reach another battalion before dawn, warning them that a planned attack is a German trap. Blake’s brother is among the men preparing to advance, so the mission is urgent long before the first bullet appears. It’s said that Sam Mendes drew partly from stories told by his grandfather, Alfred Mendes, and built the film around the feeling of a journey unfolding almost without interruption.

That visual approach could have become a technical showpiece with little underneath it. Instead, the camera keeps forcing the audience to experience distance the way Schofield does. Mud slows him down. A collapsed tunnel steals time. A burning town destroys every clear route. Blake’s death arrives with shocking speed, leaving Schofield to finish a mission that began as someone else’s family emergency. His run across the battlefield is unforgettable partly due to the accidents left in the take, including soldiers colliding with him as explosions continue. He reaches Colonel Mackenzie (Benedict Cumberbatch), delivers the warning, then finds Blake’s brother. The victory is real, painfully small, and surrounded by thousands of lives that could still disappear the next day. 1917 is undoubtedly a masterpiece.

6

‘The Hurt Locker’ (2008)

Image via Summit Entertainment 

The Hurt Locker’s premise follows an Army bomb disposal team serving in Baghdad during the Iraq War, where every pile of rubbish, parked vehicle, and watching civilian could conceal a device. Staff Sergeant William James (Jeremy Renner) takes command after the death of the previous team leader and quickly unsettles Sanborn (Anthony Mackie) and Eldridge (Brian Geraghty) with his appetite for risk. He removes protective gear, ignores protocol, and approaches bombs with an intimacy that looks close to addiction. And the film comes from Kathryn Bigelow (Vikings).

The Hurt Locker avoids turning James’ recklessness into uncomplicated bravery. James is exceptional at the job, and the job has damaged his ability to exist anywhere else. The tension, instead, comes from waiting beside the team while ordinary surroundings become impossible to trust. A man holding a phone may be frightened, curious, or preparing to detonate a bomb. A dead child may have been turned into a weapon. A deserted street can contain dozens of eyes and no reliable information. Beautiful hooks all the way till the end.

5

‘The Thin Red Line’ (1998)

Image via 20th Century Studios

American soldiers land on Guadalcanal with orders to take a heavily defended hill from Japanese forces. The military objective is simple enough to explain on a map, yet Terrence Malick approaches the campaign through fragments of thought, memory, fear, nature, and spiritual doubt. Witt (Jim Caviezel) sees beauty in the island and wonders whether violence comes from one shared darkness. Welsh (Sean Penn) trusts nothing beyond immediate survival. Captain Staros (Elias Koteas) refuses to throw his men into a frontal assault that he believes will destroy them. Colonel Tall (Nick Nolte) sees the hill as the opportunity that may finally justify his career.

The Thin Red Line keeps asking what war looks like beside a world that continues growing, swimming, nesting, and shining around it. Grass moves while soldiers crawl through it. Birds scatter after gunfire. A captured Japanese soldier laughs and cries in the same breath while armed men stare back without knowing what to do with his grief. Malick returned to filmmaking after a twenty-year absence for this adaptation of James Jones’s novel, and the result rejects the usual rhythm of combat drama. Victory on the hill brings relief, shame, rage, and no permanent understanding. Witt eventually dies distracting enemy soldiers so others can escape.

Image via Warner Bros.

Full Metal Jacket, is based on The Short-Timers by Gustav Hasford. Before the Marines reach Vietnam, they are rebuilt inside Parris Island. Gunnery Sergeant Hartman (R. Lee Ermey) strips the recruits of privacy, language, and identity, reducing them to bodies that must obey before they can think.

There are two parts to this film. It is divided between training and war. It shows that the violence overseas begins with a system designed to break civilian instincts. And all that has consequences on the soldiers and duty officers. Joker (Matthew Modine) protects himself through humour. Cowboy (Arliss Howard) learns the rhythm of command. Leonard Lawrence (Vincent D’Onofrio), renamed Gomer Pyle, falls behind and becomes the target of Hartman’s humiliation as well as the platoon’s anger. The soldiers march away singing the Mickey Mouse Club song, and childhood sounds obscene after everything required to make them men.

3

‘Platoon’ (1986)

Image via Orion Pictures

Platoon follows Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen) who drops out of college and volunteers for Vietnam. He’s convinced that serving beside working-class soldiers will give his life purpose. The jungle quickly destroys that romantic idea. Exhaustion, insects, fear, racism, drug use, and poor leadership divide the platoon long before the enemy can finish the job. Sergeant Elias (Willem Dafoe) still believes a soldier can retain some moral boundary. Sergeant Barnes (Tom Berenger) sees mercy as a weakness that gets people killed. Oliver Stone based the screenplay on his own service in Vietnam, and the conflict between those two men becomes the battle for Chris’s conscience.

The village raid is where that struggle becomes unbearable. Frustrated soldiers terrorise civilians after finding weapons and suspected collaborators. Chris lashes out, then recoils from what he is becoming. Barnes kills an unarmed woman and later murders Elias during a chaotic withdrawal, knowing the jungle will hide the truth. Willem Dafoe’s raised arms as Elias is shot from behind became the film’s defining image, but its power comes from everything leading there. Chris eventually kills Barnes after the climactic battle and survives long enough to understand that neither side of the platoon has left him. The war may be fought against an external enemy, but his closing reflection admits the harder fight was always among themselves.

2

‘Saving Private Ryan’ (1998)

Image via DreamWorks Pictures

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Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) and a small group of Rangers survive the Normandy landings, then receive an order to find Private James Ryan (Matt Damon) after his three brothers are killed in combat. The Army wants to spare one family from losing every son, but the men sent to retrieve him immediately question the cost. Why should several soldiers risk their lives for one stranger simply because his grief has become politically visible? Steven Spielberg places that argument after the Omaha Beach landing, where survival already feels random and every order carries bodies behind it.

The opening assault remains horrifying due to its refusal to organise death into inspiring images. Men drown under the weight of their equipment. A medic tries to hold a wounded soldier together. Miller’s hearing fades while chaos continues around him. The later journey gives each member of the squad enough personality for the mission’s arithmetic to become more painful. Wade (Giovanni Ribisi) dies calling for his mother. Mellish (Adam Goldberg) is slowly stabbed while Upham (Jeremy Davies) freezes nearby. Miller reaches the bridge and tells Ryan to earn what others spent for him. Decades later, the older Ryan asks whether he became a good man. The question has no fair answer, which is exactly why it breaks him, and the viewers. This is what makes it a masterpiece.

1

‘Apocalypse Now’ (1979)

Image via United Artists

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In Apocalypse Now, Captain Benjamin Willard (Martin Sheen) is sent upriver through Vietnam and Cambodia to assassinate Colonel Walter Kurtz (Marlon Brando), a decorated officer who has rejected military command and built his own violent kingdom. Willard studies Kurtz’s record during the journey, reading evidence of brilliance, disobedience, and growing horror while the war around him becomes more surreal. The best part? It comes from Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather).

Lieutenant Colonel Kilgore (Robert Duvall) orders a helicopter assault so his men can surf. A USO show turns women into objects before the crowd loses control. The Do Lung Bridge is rebuilt each night even though nobody knows who commands it. The photojournalist (Dennis Hopper) worships Kurtz through broken sentences, while Kurtz speaks about terror with the calm of someone who believes he has passed beyond ordinary judgment. There is no clean triumph waiting downriver. The film only reflects the knowledge that the system calling Kurtz insane created the road that led to him.

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Apocalypse Now

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Release Date

August 15, 1979

Runtime

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147 minutes

Director

Francis Ford Coppola

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Writers

Joseph Conrad, John Milius, Francis Ford Coppola, Michael Herr

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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has thrown his full and unapologetic support behind his former quarterback, Tony Romo, in the wake of his July arrest on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence.

“Been talking to him,” Jones, 83, told Fox 4 Dallas-Fort Worth’s Mike Doocy on Saturday, August 1. “I love him. I love what he’s about. I love his love of sport. He’s a very, very unique talent.”

Jones continued, “The real question is, and I don’t even have to think what the answer is: ‘Do you think Tony Romo knows how to get up when he gets knocked down?’ He’s had a life of that. And absolutely, that’s one of his greatest attributes is that he can handle adversity. This is something that he will work through.”

Romo, 46, was arrested on July 23 in Milwaukee after participating in the Wisconsin Amateur Championship golf tournament earlier that day. In addition to the DUI charge, the color commentator received a citation for “refusing to take a test for intoxication after arrest,” according to court documents obtained by Us.

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He was also issued citations for having an “open bottle of an alcoholic beverage” on the passenger’s side of his Jeep and for passing vehicles in a “gore area,” which separates interstate traffic from cars entering from an on-ramp.

Romo allegedly failed field sobriety tests, as shown in body cam footage obtained by Us, and was taken into custody. An officer told the former NFL star that she believed he was intoxicated due to his “red glassy eyes” and an “odor of an intoxicating alcoholic beverage.”

Romo played for the Cowboys his entire NFL career, from 2003 to 2016, and was named to the Pro Bowl four times.

“He is a unique talent. His vision was just mesmerizing when he was a player,” Jones said on Saturday. “But he sees things and can articulate it so instantly. He’d walk out under center at a practice and the defense would have 12 people out there and it would take him about a second to say, ‘Coach, we’ve got 12 guys out here, get one of them off.’ He just sees it and then he has that skill. It’s made him a great, great portrayal of the story of football games.”

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After his arrest, Romo pulled out of his next scheduled golf tournament, the M&P Group Texas State Open in Tyler, Texas, held last week. He has a court date set for September 21.

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The CBS NFL analyst has not commented publicly on his arrest. Us has reached out to his team for comment. CBS has since put him on leave.

“Tony Romo is on leave from his role at CBS Sports until further notice,” a CBS representative said in a statement to Us on Friday, July 31.

NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported later that day that JJ Watt would take Romo’s place on CBS and that the network would release its full roster of talent for the upcoming season at a later date.

Scott Eastwood is looking back on a tense moment from the set of “Fury.” In an interview, the actor recalled a confrontation with co-star Shia LaBeouf while filming a scene for the war movie, sharing how a misunderstanding escalated before it was brought under control. His remarks come after he called out an A-lister for backing out of a project at the last minute.

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The 2014 war movie “Fury” was the first and only time Scott Eastwood and Shia LaBeouf worked together. They starred alongside other big names, including Brad Pitt, Jon Bernthal, Logan Lerman, and Michael Peña.

During the movie’s promotions, the tension between Eastwood and LaBeouf was widely reported, with co-stars sharing details of what went down behind the scenes. More than 10 years after the incident, Eastwood is sharing his recollection of the heated encounter with his co-star.

In an appearance on the podcast “Armchair Expert,” Eastwood told hosts Dax Shepard and Monica Padman that he was steered clear of LaBeouf after witnessing the lengths he went to to get into the character of a tank gunner, such as pulling out a tooth, cutting his cheek, and avoiding bathing.

“I remember thinking, ‘Okay. This guy’s crazy. I’m just gonna keep clear from this guy. I don’t play this game’,” Eastwood said. It was difficult to stay away from a co-star while working on a movie, though, and the dispute unfolded after filming a scene.

The Actor Claims His Co-Star Was ‘Having An Episode’

Eastwood acknowledged that LaBeouf was “clearly tormented,” and during the incident, he said the actor was “having an episode.”

LaBeouf called Eastwood out for “spitting tobacco” in the tank, and that was the latter’s breaking point. “I said, ‘F-ck you. Stop pulling your sh-t.’ I said, ‘I’m gonna whoop your a-s’,” Eastwood said, noting that afterward, LaBeouf became even more heated. Fortunately, their co-stars, including Pitt, managed to break up the fight before it escalated further.

Unbeknownst to LaBeouf, spitting tobacco was included in the script.

Eastwood said he understood LaBeouf’s process of method acting. However, he also said making a film is a collaborative effort. “Everyone’s doing a thing, but you can’t stop the train… And grow the f-ck up, you know?” he said.

The actor further said that everybody on set had “moments with Shia,” adding the entertainment industry “attracts psychopaths.”

Brad Pitt Shared Context To The Story In 2014

Pitt, who portrayed U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Don “Wardaddy” Collier in “Fury,” discussed the altercation in a 2014 interview, admitting that it may have started with him.

During the scene, he saw Eastwood spit into the tank, which irked him. “I’m starting to get hot, because this is our home, he’s disrespecting our home, you know?” Pitt told GQ. He called out Eastwood while the cameras were rolling and, in character, said, “You’re going to clean that sh-t up.” LaBeouf shared his sentiment, which sparked the dispute.

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After the scene, Pitt said he approached Eastwood to explain what happened, only to later find out that he was in the wrong. The actor read the script that night and noticed it specifically stated Eastwood’s character was “chewing tobacco and spitting it on the back of the tank.”

“He was just doing as instructed in the script! So we were the knobs in the end,” Pitt said.

Shia LaBeouf Has A Reported History Of Friction With Co-Stars

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LaBeouf has been involved in a few on-set tensions with co-stars, driven by clashes in personality or his extreme method acting. As The Blast previously reported, the actor was let go from “Orphans” due to his erratic behavior.

The former Disney star also had a conflict with Tom Hardy on the set of “Lawless,” with reports saying LaBeouf knocked out Hardy with a punch. The film’s director, John Hillcoat, confirmed that a physical altercation occurred, but nobody was knocked out. Years later, LaBeouf dismissed it as playful roughhousing rather than a real fight.

LaBeouf has been the subject of headlines in recent months due to a physical altercation in New Orleans. He was charged with three counts of battery and took a plea deal in June.

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Scott Eastwood Called Out Another A-Lister

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Eastwood’s comments about LaBeouf came after he went on “The Joe Rogan Experience” and called out an actor who pulled out of a project at the last minute, as The Blast reported.

He didn’t name the A-list actor, but noted that the production had to bear the financial burden of the decision simply because the actor didn’t want to work with someone else. “People get too famous for too long and think the world owes them something,” he noted.

Influencer Jaclyn Hill got candid about her GLP-1 journey.

“I’m choosing strong over skinny💪🏼,” Hill, 36, wrote via Instagram on Sunday, August 2, alongside a before-and-after photo of her muscle gains. “I originally started a glp1 to lose those few extra stubborn pounds that wouldn’t seem to budge but like many others, I very quickly lost sight of my goals & became addicted to being thin,” she explained.

The makeup artist continued her caption, “I saw a number on the scale that I hadn’t seen since the days when I struggled to afford food & realized I had completely lost the plot.” Hill went on to share that she’s “gained 25 pounds back over the last 7 months” and remains focused on “strength training consistently.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever felt better honestly 🏋🏻‍♀️,” she concluded.

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Her celebrity friends and fans cheered her on in the comments section.

“Lookin strong 🔥🔥🔥,” Jessie James Decker wrote, while fitness influencer Emily Skye added, “Amazing work @jaclynhill 👏🏼 You should be very proud of yourself. 🥰.”

A third social media follower commented, “Strong over skinny ladies!! We need our muscles to be able to do everyday tasks when we’re older! 👏👏👏 wish more people would preach this!” Another person praised, “Girl you look so GOOD! So healthy. This is the best you’ve ever looked ❤️.”

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Hill previously opened up about her decision to use a GLP-1 via YouTube in May 2025. “I have done all different diets. I did keto for a minute. I did the animal-based diet. I never made it more than 20 days on a diet,” she shared. “I did heavy lifting, walking 10,000 steps a day. I tried cutting out carbs and I would not even lose half a pound.”

After talking to her doctor, Hill was prescribed a GLP-1, which helped her lose “10 pounds” in “three weeks.”

After staying on the medication for three months, she was down 20 pounds before embarking on her strength training physical transformation.

Stassi Schroeder is never afraid of a good trend, but this one might be her chicest yet. The House of Stassi star stepped out in New York City carrying a handbag in a butter yellow hue, a style that’s quietly replacing black as fashion’s favorite neutral this summer. It’s bright without being loud, polished without feeling stuffy and, luckily for Us, you don’t need a designer budget to get the look.

Schroeder was spotted in Hudson Square on July 29, 2026, wearing an all-white outfit complete with a flowy blouse, wide-leg pants and matching pumps. However, her butter yellow croc-embossed bag is what stole the spotlight, adding just enough color to make the entire outfit feel fresh.

Get the Coraid Small Top-Handle Purse for $26 (was $29) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, August 3, 2026, but are subject to change.

While we don’t know the exact designer behind Schroeder’s bag, the Coraid Small Top-Handle Purse delivers the same polished vibe for $26. The structured silhouette, faux croc-embossed leather and top-handle shape gives it that expensive-looking finish, making it hard to believe the affordable price tag.

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Tracee Ellis Ross just gave the classic raffia bag a sophisticated, city-girl twist. Instead of saving the woven accessory for beach vacations, the actress styled it with polished separates, instantly elevating the piece for everyday wear. Luckily, you don’t need a designer budget to recreate her chic look. Ross was spotted in New York City […]

It’s not just pretty, either. The clever bag includes a detachable shoulder strap for hands-free wear, two interior compartments, a slip pocket and a magnetic snap closure to keep essentials organized.

An Amazon shopper who gave the purse a five-star rating admitted that it’s smaller than they expected, but it has “just enough room” for items like a cell phone, lipstick and more. It’s why we think this pick is ideal for everything from brunch dates to nights out.

The best part? Butter yellow plays surprisingly well with just about everything already hanging in your closet. It softens an all-black outfit, brightens white linen and gives blue denim an elevated feel. If the sunny shade isn’t for you, the purse also comes in black, pink, orange and several other colors.

No matter which shade you choose, fans pretty much approve of them all. One reviewer who opted for the red considers it a “super fun trendy bag.” They continued to say that it will “add the most perfect pop of color to outfits.” We tend to agree.

If you’ve been looking for one bag accessory that instantly makes summer basics feel more current, Schroeder may have convinced Us that butter yellow is the answer — and for $26, it’s an easy trend to try before everyone else catches on.

If Stassi convinced you to try butter yellow, keep scrolling for more chic Amazon bags.

Shop more butter yellow bag that we love:

Not your style? Explore more butter yellow bags here, and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

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

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Mario Lopez is facing backlash after sharing an artificial intelligence-generated video of his niece eating hot dogs at a Los Angeles Dodgers game. The “Access Hollywood” host posted the altered clip following Sunday’s Dodgers-Red Sox matchup, where he attended the game with his niece, Kalia Wong, who goes by YaYa. Although the video appeared to be intended as a joke, social media users quickly branded it “creepy,” with several critics accusing Lopez of placing his niece in an unnecessarily suggestive scenario. The post was ultimately flagged by X with a notice informing viewers that the footage was created using AI.

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The synthetic clip depicted Kalia eating two hot dogs while mustard and other toppings spilled onto her Dodgers jersey. Lopez’s voice could be heard narrating the moment as the AI-generated version of his niece smeared mustard and relish across her cheeks. “I can’t take her anywhere,” Lopez said in the clip.

The video then zoomed in on Kalia’s face as she continued spreading the condiments around. “Oh my God, look at you!” Lopez exclaimed. “You’re a mess, the mustard!”

“It’s so good!” Kalia yelled in response.

Lopez also posted the video to his Instagram Stories, where he wrote, “My niece is out of control!” However, it has since been deleted.

It is unclear from the information provided who generated the footage or which AI tool was used to create it.

The unusual visuals quickly caused confusion among viewers who initially appeared unsure whether they were watching real footage from the baseball game. X later added a notice indicating that readers had identified the clip as AI-generated.

The disclosure clarified why Kalia’s actions and the video’s overall appearance seemed unnatural. However, it did little to quiet the criticism directed at Lopez for sharing it.

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AI tools can manipulate authentic photographs and videos to make people appear to perform actions that never occurred. In this case, the altered footage placed Lopez’s real-life niece at the center of a fictional scene.

Critics Called Mario Lopez’s Post ‘Creepy’

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Journalist Yashar Ali was among the social media users who publicly questioned why Lopez would share the clip. “Uhhhh, what a creepy video for Mario Lopez to create using AI and then post… Especially since the subject is his niece!” Ali wrote.

Other viewers argued that the imagery appeared suggestive and inappropriate, regardless of whether Lopez intended the post to be humorous. “Using AI to sexualize your niece is weird and disgusting,” one critic said. Another user wrote, “Using Grok to double dog your niece is f-cking wild, man.”

Someone else took to X to write, “Hey man, remember when you once said parents supporting their trans kids is ‘dangerous?’ Curious how you feel about uncles using AI in a sexually fetishizing way towards their nieces.”

Some Viewers Wondered Whether Mario Lopez Was Hacked

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The post appeared so out of character to some viewers that they questioned whether Lopez had uploaded it himself. Several users speculated that his social media account could have been compromised, although no evidence of a hack was provided.

One person described their confusion after realizing that the woman in the altered footage was Lopez’s actual niece. “I was so confused what the f-ck was this, until I realized this is his ACTUAL niece, and this is a video he generated showing her double stuffing two hot dogs in a weird fetishy way,” the user wrote. “Mario Lopez making weird incest AI slop def not on my bingo card this year.”

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However, the available information does not establish that Lopez intended to sexualize his niece or personally generated the clip. Still, his decision to publish the video under his name left viewers demanding an explanation.

Alongside the controversial AI post, Lopez shared an authentic video showing him and Kalia enjoying Sunday’s baseball game together.

The real clip confirmed that the uncle and niece attended the Dodgers-Red Sox matchup, but the exaggerated actions shown in the AI version did not occur in the genuine footage described.

Aaron Rodgers — who was criticized for refusing to adhere to the NFL’s COVID-19 protocol at the height of the pandemic — is attacking Dr. Anthony Fauci following the physician’s contentious Senate hearing on the government’s response to the public health crisis.

“I’m going to plead the fifth, like that absolute coward, Tony Fauci,” Rodgers, 42, said while appearing on the Monday, August 3, episode of ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show. “Absolute coward. Yeah. Are you kidding me? You got a pardon, and you pleaded over 100 times at the White House?” (Fauci, 85, received a preemptive presidential pardon from former president Joe Biden on January 20, 2025.)

The NFL quarterback continued, “What are you scared of, Tony? I thought you were the science. I thought you were, ‘I am science,’ and you get up there and you can’t answer a question?”

On July 29, Fauci declined to answer numerous questions during a fiery Senate hearing on the origins of COVID and the government’s handling of the pandemic. In prepared remarks, the On Call: A Doctor’s Journey in Public Service author said he wanted to avoid the very real possibility that Republicans would use portions of his testimony to potentially prosecute him for perjury. (Republican lawmakers have long threatened to prosecute Fauci for his role in the COVID-19 response. In the wake of his Senate hearing, Republican Sen. Rand Paul has scheduled a vote on a resolution that would hold the scientist in contempt of Congress, per Politico.)

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Rodgers also appeared to take aim at various networks who spent time covering his own controversial remarks regarding the pandemic — and his refusal to obtain the safe and effective COVID vaccine — at the height of the crisis.

“How much time did the network spend on that? How much time did they spend on my responses every week, on my vaccination status? On Taylor [Swift] and Travis [Kelce’s] wedding? Did they do even a minute?” he argued. “Did they do even a minute on Tony Fauci? Nah I bet they didn’t.”

Rodgers sparked controversy in November 2021 when he tested positive for COVID-19 and admitted he was unvaccinated, despite previously telling reporters he was “immunized.” He was ordered to pay $14,650 for breaking the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols.

After Fauci’s Senate hearing testimony, Rodgers believes people should be less focused on his and other players’ personal lives and more on issues that impact the nation.

“I’m pleading the Fifth 😂😂

You’ve gotta be kidding me” ~ @AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/kg3y0uMxxR

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— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 3, 2026

“Writing in his diary about how fun it is to be famous. You got to be kidding me,” the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback told host Pat McAfee. “Seriously, what are they going to say about me now? Now you can’t talk about the COVID stuff because obviously it was made, you know, in a lab in China. That’s not even questionable anymore. Tony Fauci is an absolute criminal.” (There is no definitive proof or scientific finding that has determined COVID-19 was purposefully made in a lab.)

In a diary entry from May 2020, Fauci wrote about the ramifications of becoming a household name during the pandemic. At no point, despite Republican claims, did the immunologist write that he wished to find fame as a result of the deadly pandemic.

“The situation with my national and international fame is explosive and really unimaginable,” he wrote via USA Today. “It is not [hyperbole] to say that today I am the most famous and talked about person in the country and one of the most recognizable [person] in the world.”

During his rant, Rodgers also made a point to remind viewers that he’s “on good terms” with his family.

“What are you gonna say now?” he asked, pointing to the media coverage of his family’s previous estrangement as another point of contention for the quarterback.

In July, Aaron made headlines when he shared photos with his once estranged mom Darla Rodgers, dad Ed Rodgers and brother Luke Rodgers. (It’s unclear where Aaron stands with his brother and The Bachelorette alum Jordan Rodgers.)

“It’s been a great, great life and a great career, and it’s nice to be sitting on this side now, especially after that coward pleaded the Fifth over 100 times,” Aaron said of his family and when referencing Fauci once again. “Why couldn’t you, uh, answer one question the entire time?”

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Related: Meghan McCain Slams Dr. Anthony Fauci’s Testimony From Senate Hearing

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Meghan McCain is not impressed with Dr. Anthony Fauci’s testimony during a contentious Senate hearing. “Dr. Fauci belongs in jail,” McCain, 41, wrote via X on Wednesday, July 29. “Filet him, Rand Paul.” Before the hearing began, Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rand Paul told reporters that he thinks the American people “would be very […]

In a statement to Us, Fauci’s attorney highlighted his client’s 54 years of public service at the National Institutes of Health, where the physician “established a lengthy record of cooperation with Congressional oversight and inquiries, including frequent testimony in both the Senate and the House during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“The circumstances surrounding Dr. Fauci’s appearance today before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, pursuant to a subpoena issued by Committee Chairman Rand Paul (R-KY), regrettably made his continued cooperation impossible,” the statement read. “For that reason, on the advice of his legal counsel, Dr. Fauci asserted his right under the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to decline to answer questions.”

The statement continued, “Dr. Fauci devoted his lengthy career to saving millions of lives globally through scientific discovery and sound public health policy. The accusations that Chairman Paul continues to propagate are false and disgraceful, and we will examine all options to hold him accountable.”

Former “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Denise Richards accused her estranged husband, Aaron Phypers, of domestic abuse in July 2025, following his filing for divorce on the 7th of that month. Now, more than a year later, the mom of two is opening up to Bunnie XO about the abuse she allegedly faced in the marriage, including that it caused her to feel sympathy for him.

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Richards appeared on the August 3 episode of Bunnie XO’s “Dumb Blonde Podcast.” While on the show, the actress opened up about her marriage to Phypers, stating that it did not “start out that way” regarding the alleged physical attacks. However, over time, she began to experience abuse that she considered to be “emotional,” “physical,” and “financial.”

She went on to state that Phypers became a “different person than the person I married.” Richards also claimed to feel that the medical professional had “conned” her. From there, Richards reflected on the situation, saying, “That’s the hardest part of it. We were together over eight years, married a little over six, and I never thought I would’ve been in this situation ever. And now I get it.”

Regarding the common perception about victims and survivors of abuse, the “RHOBH” alum said, “It’s easy to say, ‘Why wouldn’t someone leave,’ or ‘You should’ve known, you should’ve seen these things.’ A lot of people asked me that. I didn’t. I wouldn’t have married the person.”

The ‘RHOBH’ Alum Says She ‘Felt Bad’ For Aaron

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Later in the interview, Richards responded to some of the claims Phypers made about her. First, she denied that she ever abused him. Additionally, the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” alum refuted his accusation that she had been unfaithful to him. However, she did admit to inappropriate texting with another man.

After that, she discussed the timeline of abuse, claiming that his first act of violence came shortly after their marriage. In recalling her reaction, she said, “I was so shocked. I was like, ‘Oh, f-ck. There’s no going back from this.’ My dad always taught my sister and I; he said, ‘If a man hits you once, he’ll hit you again.’ And I told him, I said, ‘I don’t know what to do.’”

She continued, saying that Phypers was “remorseful” after striking her for the first time. Because of this, she says she “felt bad for him.” As a result of the sympathy, she “played down” the alleged attack.

Richards continued reflecting, saying, “It was stuff that I could hide, on my arms or something. And then he gave me a black eye. And that was when I was like, ‘Oh, f-ck. What am I gonna do now? How am I gonna tell people?’ It was awful.”

Denise Says Aaron Gave Her A Black Eye After The Police Were Called

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Richards then shed more light on the abuse she claims led her to sustain a black eye. Specifically, she stated that it happened after the police had been called due to an altercation at the residence. According to her, after the officers left, he called her a “f-cking b-tch” and then hit her.

She recalled wondering if her husband was “okay” following the attack. Richards then said, “I was so scared… And then it was just all the time, doing stuff. But [people] ask me, ‘How come you never called the police?’ I’m like, ‘I didn’t call the police, and they showed up, and that’s what happened to me.”

The former “RHOBH” personality went on to state that she was afraid to attempt leaving Phypers. She also said she became “so beaten down” that she “didn’t know how to leave.” The “Wild Things” star added, “It’s survival. He’s such a big guy. I’ve never laid a hand on him. Oh my God, I would not be here right now if I did.”

She Was Granted Permanent Restraining Order Against Aaron

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Richards filed for a temporary restraining order from Phypers on July 16, 2025, after accusing him of physical and emotional abuse. According to Us Weekly, several months later in November, she was granted a permanent restraining order.

Under the order, Phypers must maintain a 100-yard distance from the actress until November 7, 2030. He’s also not allowed to contact her. Phypers is also prohibited from owning firearms following the restraining order.

Denise Richards Keeps An Active Profile In Hollywood

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Amid her ongoing divorce from Phypers, Denise is extending her legendary acting career, including returning to “The Bold and the Beautiful” in May 2026. Additionally, she had a film, “Dirty Hands,” released on digital/video-on-demand platforms in April 2026.

According to IMDb, she has multiple projects in post-production.

General Hospital 2-Week Spoilers for August 3-14, 2026 stun with Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) causing some uproar with a big scene thanks to the crazy voice in her head. Plus, Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna) drops a shocking truth bomb, but thankfully the one who hears his confession will not spill to anybody else.

Also in the two weeks of August 3rd through the 14th, we’ve got Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart) making big moves, Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) scrambling, and Drew Cain (Cameron Mathison) looking for payback. Plus, Curtis Ashford’s (Donnell Turner) criminal trial begins and it gets messy fast.

General Hospital Spoilers: Jason’s Shocking Decision

On Monday, August 3rd, we have Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali) telling someone if he doesn’t like that, that is his problem. And the topic they are talking about is probably unclear at this point. For the sake of Danny Morgan(Asher Jared Antonyzyn), Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) makes a sacrifice and he decides to quit working for Sonny.

And he says with someone dead, Jason just can’t risk his life or freedom. Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst) gets a secret after Dante tells her that he abused his power as commissioner. I’m betting Dante is going to confess that he destroyed the evidence that Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) shot someone. And Liz will be like, “Okay, fine.”

Carrying over from Friday, Valentin and Carly Corinthos (Laura Wright) are kissing at the Metro Court and Anna sees them and a hallucination tells Anna that Valentin’s too tied up in Carly to save her. And then Carly and Valentin are startled as Anna causes a big scene. She crashes into a server and dishes go flying everywhere.

Anna later tells Valentin that he just got his freedom back and now he is throwing it all away. Sounds like she’s not in favor of him being with Carly. And Brook Lynn Quartermaine (Amanda Setton) asks someone why she didn’t hear about this before. Might have something to do with Curtis’ trial or at Deception.

Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) warns her boss Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna) and tells him he’s making himself vulnerable to a huge liability. This may be his involvement with someone. And Valentin is warning about someone. So, both parties are getting warned about being together.

GH Spoilers: Curtis Trial and Relationship Complications

Tuesday, August 4th, we’ve got Brook Lynn and Harrison Chase (Josh Swickard) celebrating a milestone. I suspect they signed the adoption papers for baby Phoebe Wilson (Lucia and Luna Creighton). Also, somebody has a lot to say to Trina. Maybe it’s something she needs to hear. And Curtis is skeptical. This could be about someone’s legal tactics.

Curtis still wants to accuse Isaiah Gannon (Sawandi Wilson) of being the second driver to justify the assault. Michael Corinthos (Rory Gibson) worries for his family’s future. I suspect this is about Willow Tait (Katelyn MacMullen) wanting 50/50 custody, and Carly has a new plan, but it backfires.

Then on Wednesday, August 5th, it’s time for Curtis’s trial to kick off. I think his strategy is going to blow up in his face with zero evidence that Isaiah was the second driver. Brook Lynn, Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot), and Michael all know the truth, though.

Something inspires Ava Jerome (Maura West). And this might have to do with Sonny or about why Ethan Lovett (Christian Howard) left. And Sonny’s looking for answers. And this may be about why someone disappeared since he has ghosted Sonny and he ghosted Ava as well. And this week, Sonny and Ava have a tense chat. So, Sonny might blame Ava for why someone left town.

General Hospital Spoilers: Brooklyn Lynn is Struggling

Brook Lynn struggles with a big decision, and it could be about Curtis’ trial, because Brook Lynn may find out Isaiah’s accused of being the second driver, and the man has gone through enough, and this is all Brook Lynn’s fault. But on the other hand, it could have something to do with Deception. And speaking of that, Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring) and Serena Baldwin (Kelly Krueger) are plotting.

Then on Thursday, August 6th, Sonny announces something that stuns people. He may tell Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst) and/or Carly that Jason quit on him. Carly may be concerned because Sonny won’t have Jason’s back. I’m sure Ric will be ecstatic. Serena puts a plan into action and makes a move. I suspect that is targeting Michael or someone because this is definitely about Deception.

Isaiah is put on the witness stand on Thursday. I’m sure this is when someone tries to bring up an accident and accuses Isaiah of being the other driver if the judge allows it, because come on, there’s no evidence. And this week, someone looks worried while at the courthouse with Isaiah. And they are going to testify against Curtis, but they are just telling the truth. Stella Henry (Vernee Watson) and Marshall Ashford (Robert Gossett) are at the trial as well.

GH Spoilers: Willow in Trouble

We also have Willow facing a new threat. It may be Jacinda Bracken (Paige Herschell), or she might be called in by the DA to testify during Curtis’s trial to refute what someone is saying. The DA might put her on the stand, which would not be a good look for her as a congresswoman.

Laura Collins (Genie Francis) gets the third degree from Lucy, likely about someone or someone. Then on Friday, August 7th, Jordan Ashford (Tanisha Harper) and Anna reconnect. Lots to talk about there. Jordan’s accident, the damage to her face, Curtis’ trial, the baby, Anna’s ordeal.

I do wonder if Jordan will ask Anna to shut down the PCPD’s accusations against Willow to help Curtis in court. And Lucas Jones (Van Hansis) and Liz listen as Isaiah vents about something. And I’m sure it’s about Curtis and the trial because Isaiah is not going to be happy that Curtis is accusing him again with no evidence of being the other driver that left him and Jordan for dead. However, General Hospital spoilers say Isaiah gets happy news. So, it could be about his hand or that Curtis is going down for the unwarranted physical assault on him.

Ava may have a new ally. Could be Drew or someone new who may approach Ava for info on someone. Also this week, Brennan talks to someone at a location and she does not look happy with him. Someone gets a shock and it may be about Jason quitting on Sonny and Michael has questions for Jacinda.

General Hospital Spoilers: Summer Developments and Relationship Shifts

Summer spoilers say that Jacinda gets impatient with Willow’s role in Michael’s life. And then Jacinda takes matters into her own hands. The week of August 10th through the 14th, we’re going to see Ric’s jealousy of Dante and Liz increasing. He saw Dante coaching Liz in the park.

And after all the work that Ric has put into reuniting with Elizabeth, he might lose her to Dante. Our leaker said that there’s a chance they may reunite with Alexis Davis (Nancy Lee Grahn). So, we’ll see where this all goes and if we’re getting a couple shakeup. I actually wouldn’t mind seeing Ric back with Alexis and she hasn’t had a man in quite a while.

Laura has news about Kevin Collins (Jon Lindstrom) and summer spoilers say that their marriage is threatened. And since Jon Lindstrom is on contract over at Beyond the Gates and on the front burner there, they likely are going to write Kevin out in a more permanent way.

Michael and Jacinda hit a rough patch soon. I’m sure it’s because of her actions regarding Willow when she’s going rogue. Also, Serena’s in the mix and may get closer to Michael and Isaiah shares happy news with Portia Robinson (Brook Kerr). This may be about his civil case against Curtis or the criminal case or the surgeries to repair his hand.

GH Spoilers: Emma Worried and Sonny Struggles

Emma Scorpio-Drake (Brayden Bruner) worries how Gio Palmieri’s (Giovanni Mazza) career might impact their relationship. If Gio is off making music all the time, it could be problematic. People are reeling from Sonny’s big announcement, and we will find out soon if he got his power back.

And in the wake of someone’s arrest, Sonny’s trying to shore up his power in Port Charles. We’ll find out more about a new bad guy in town that sent someone scurrying away in fear. And we’ll learn more about Ava’s new alliance and why Sonny’s got to be upset about Ava yet again.

We’ll see if Lucy and Serena’s plan works and she can fight back against someone at Deception. And we will also see Anna being continually pressured by a hallucination to do something when Anna really doesn’t want to do it.

Valentin’s ready to move out of the Metro Court and into the castle, but Carly doesn’t want to stay at Wyndemere. So, we’ll see if Valentin can change her mind. Drew is looking for revenge on Willow, Nina Reeves (Cynthia Watros), and Jack and is going to be needing a partner in crime. Plus, Nina and Jack get much, much closer.

Marriage rumors are swirling after Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid were spotted wearing matching rings on that finger on their left hands.

The actor, 51, and the model, 31, were spotted walking hand-in-hand in Paris on Monday, August 3, as seen in photos obtained by Page Six. They each wore a thin band on their left ring finger.

Us has reached out to reps for Cooper and Hadid for comment.

Cooper and Hadid were dressed casually during the outing, with the Silver Linings Playbook star sporting a backwards baseball hat, a black T-shirt and gray athletic pants. He wore a pair of dark sunglasses over his eyes, while another pair hung from the collar of his shirt.

Related: Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid’s Relationship Timeline

Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid have made major headlines since kicking off their whirlwind romance in October 2023. The pair sparked dating rumors after they were photographed together in New York City. Despite their 20-year age difference, Hadid and Cooper “have a lot in common,” a source told Us Weekly at the time. “They’re both […]

Hadid, meanwhile, wore a white tank top and jeans. She accessorized with a pair of sunglasses and a tan bag over her shoulder.

Hadid and Cooper were also spotted leaving a gym on Monday wearing athletic clothing. The influencer’s ring was visible, as seen in photos obtained by Page Six.

Hadid and Cooper began dating in October 2023, when they were seen heading to dinner in New York City. A source told Us at the time that despite the pair’s 20-year age gap, they “have a lot in common.”

“They’re both single parents to a young daughter, and they share a similar sense of humor,” the insider said. (Hadid shares daughter Khai, 5, with ex-boyfriend Zayn Malik, while Cooper shares daughter Lea De Seine, 9, with ex-girlfriend Irina Shayk.)

Hadid and Cooper went Instagram official in May 2025, when the latter celebrated her 30th birthday.

Related: Bradley Cooper ‘Planned Everything’ for Gigi Hadid’s Birthday: Source

Bradley Cooper made sure Gigi Hadid had a very special 30th birthday, planning every detail of her New York City party. “Bradley and Gigi have the same low-key vibe,” a source exclusively tells Us Weekly. “He went all out to make her feel loved on her birthday and planned everything himself.” Hadid celebrated the milestone […]

“I feel so lucky to be 30,” Hadid wrote alongside photos from her party, including one that showed her kissing Cooper and cradling his face. “I feel so lucky for every high and low — for all the lessons and gifts both have brought me. To get to feel it all! I’m so lucky to be a mom, friend, partner, sister, daughter, colleague to some of the most unbelievable humans!!”

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Hadid continued, “So lucky for the support and encouragement from all of YOU around the world, every day and on my birthday last week. I had the best time celebrating, and it’s a blessing to feel so loved!! I am grateful and honored to take on a new decade.”

One year later, Cooper made a rare appearance at the 2026 Met Gala in support of his girlfriend. Though he did not walk the red carpet with Hadid, she gave her “man” a sweet shoutout during an interview on Vogue’s livestream.

“I try to bring my mind to a happy place. What we do in our job is go to a happy place, think of happy thoughts and the smile comes through the eyes and it makes you come to life,” she said while sharing how she stays focused at work. “When I think about Khai, maybe I’m giving joy. And then I’ll serve something else to Bradley for the camera.”