At 95 years old, William Shatner is showing no signs of slowing down. Last month, the actor revealed that he’s working on a heavy metal album, and has recently confirmed that Judas Priest frontman, Rob Halford, will be one of the heavy metal guest artists included in the project. It’s the latest unexpected venture for Shatner’s long and exciting career.

Rob Halford Is Honored To Be Part Of William Shatner’s Album

In February, Shatner announced that he would be making a heavy metal album featuring icons in the genre. According to Louder, one of the legends that the actor has tapped to be on his album is Halford, the iconic frontman of the English heavy metal band Judas Priest.

Halford will be working with Shatner on a cover of the band’s 1982 song “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’” from the album “Screaming for Vengeance.” Shatner, who has always been interested in heavy metal, said of the collaboration, “Working with Rob on this track brings that intensity to life in a way that feels both timeless and entirely new.”

Halford expressed his enthusiasm for working with Shatner, singing a line from the song, “One life, I’m gonna live it up!” adding, “William Shatner is boldly doing that more than ever, and I am honored to reinforce this message with him.”

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William Shatner Announced His New Album In February

On February 20, Shatner announced on Instagram that he will be releasing a heavy metal album, writing, “I have explored space. I have explored time. Now… I explore distortion. Yes. You read that correctly. I am releasing a HEAVY METAL album.”

Shatner teased that the album, which has yet to be titled, will feature 35 “metal virtuosos” and include cover songs from the genre’s biggest bands, including Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, and Iron Maiden, plus some original songs.

“This project is, quite literally, a gathering of forces. Loud imagination. Honest intensity. Unapologetic exploration,” Shatner said. He built anticipation further by adding, “We are about to boldly headband where no one has headbanged before. Stay tuned. The metal voyage begins this year.”

What Inspired The Actor To Release A Heavy Metal Album?

The idea of releasing a mega-album featuring the greatest heavy metal artists came after Shatner’s collaboration with ex-Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland and his new band, Nuclear Messiah. The band is slated to release their album, “Black Flame,” in April, and Shatner lent his voice for the opening track, “The Prophet of Fallout.”

“When Nuclear Messiah came to life, something clicked. It wasn’t just a track – it was a doorway. It made me want to go all the way in, bring in the best metal players I could find, and create something fearless,” the “Star Trek” actor said.

As yet, Shatner has not released details such as the track list or release date, but he said the project is “destined for this year.”

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William Shatner Has Released Several Albums

Though he’s best known for his acting career, Shatner has also released several albums over the years. His first, “The Transformed Man,” was a spoken-word album where he recited passages from classic literature and popular songs, including “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” and “Mr. Tambourine Man.”

Shatner has since released several albums, although he doesn’t sing in the traditional sense. Instead, he’s known for a talk-singing style that places more emphasis on the lyrics, resulting in a more dramatic delivery.

The actor’s discography has been surprisingly diverse, ranging from holiday music (“Shatner Claus: The Christmas Album) to a children’s album (Where Will The Animals Sleep? Songs for Kids and Other Living Things”). Shatner has collaborated with many artists, including Ben Folds, Zakk Wylde, Aimee Mann, Henry Rollins, Brad Paisley, Peter Frampton, Steve Vai, Iggy Pop, and many others.

The Actor Just Celebrated His 95th Birthday

At 95, I’m still smokin’! 😝

I’ve learned two things:

Never waste a good cigar.
Never trust anyone who says you should ‘act your age.’ 😉👍🏻 pic.twitter.com/POpUEYh3gp

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— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) March 22, 2026

Even at 95, Shatner remains remarkably active. He celebrated his birthday on March 22 and posted a photo of himself on social media enjoying a cigar, writing a cheeky caption: “At 95, I’m still smokin’!”

The upbeat post comes weeks after Shatner underwent shoulder surgery. As The Blast previously reported, the actor sustained an injury after falling from his horse while riding. After the surgery, the actor updated his fans on March 12, saying the procedure went well. “I’m so well that tomorrow I’ll be in Cleveland at a convention,” he added, sharing that he’ll be at FAN EXPO that weekend for a conversation about “Star Trek”.

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Whew! Megan Thee Stallion was serving major couple-goals vibes in New York City with her man, Klay Thompson, and naturally, the internet could not handle it. The rapper’s romantic selfies had fans buzzing, all while she made her Broadway debut in ‘Moulin Rouge!’ Megan shared snapshots that perfectly captured their low-key boo’d-up energy, leaving fans swooning over both her style and their undeniable chemistry.

RELATED: What’s Funny?! Bia Seemingly Responds After Megan Thee Stallion Laughs At Diss Track Aimed At Her (VIDEOS)

Megan And Klay Serve Major NYC Couple Goals

In a mirror selfie, Megan flaunted her cornrows and meticulously styled baby hairs while rocking a black crop top that read “HOLLYWOOD” in bold white letters. Her toned stomach and belly button piercing stole the spotlight, but it was Klay’s sweet gesture—gripping her face while looking off to the side—that had everyone saying aww. Another photo showed Megan lounging in a bubble bath with a glass of red wine, her stiletto nails seemingly matching the wine, proving once again that this couple knows how to mix luxury, romance, and a touch of playful glam.

The Internet Clearly Can’t Mind Its Business

Fans did not waste a second before flooding The Shade Room’s Instagram comments, absolutely running it up after Megan and Klay Thompson’s NYC posts. Many gushed that “you know a woman is comfortable with her man when she’s rocking cornrows,” while others simply declared their love for the couple and their undeniable chemistry. A few voices reminded everyone to mind their business, noting that it’s clear these two are still going strong.

One Instagram user @ayeeebrendz said, “I love the MUTUAL obsession 🔥”

This Instagram user @jaycap14 wrote, “Ummm this why my parlay ain’t hit n*gga trynna put a different ball in a different rim😒😭”

And, Instagram user @pitchplease1 wrote, “Braids ? She comfy comfy , that’s how it start 😂”

Likewise, Instagram user @realblkmarilyn joked, “Yeah once yall on chill wit the Cleo braids it’s on lock 😂”

Then Instagram user @bonniebeauty05 shared, “Y’all swore they broke up in the comments that’s why you have to mind your business 👩🏽‍⚖️”

Finally, Instagram user @_suckafreesi added, “Telling my kids this is Barack and Michelle Obama“

What’s The Hot Girl Coach Doing In NYC?

What’s happening in NYC? Megan Thee Stallion is officially taking over the Big Apple—and she’s doing it in style. This week, the Houston hottie made her Broadway debut in ‘Moulin Rouge! The Musical,’ and fans are already buzzing over her star turn.

On Monday, Megan shared a video showing her fully in character as Harold Zidler, the iconic nightclub owner—except now with a gender-swapped twist. Decked out in a top hat, red coat, and cane, she commands the stage with confidence, telling viewers, “No matter your sin, you’re welcome here. No matter your desire, you’re welcome here. For this is more than a nightclub, the Moulin Rouge is a state of mind.” Just weeks earlier, Megan gave fans an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek at her rehearsals. The rapper showed off a full day in the theater, from fittings to meeting with a dialect coach, giving everyone a taste of the hard work—and glam—that goes into making Broadway magic.

RELATED: Future Wife Energy!? Megan Thee Stallion Wows Klay Thompson With Star-Studded 36th Birthday Bash (VIDEOS)

In the 80s, U2 went from a local post-punk band in Dublin, Ireland to a global sensation, becoming one of the biggest bands in the world. The quartet formed in 1976, comprised of Paul Hewson, aka Bono, on vocals, Dave Evans, aka The Edge, on guitar and keyboards, Adam Clayton on the bass and Larry Mullin Jr. The band slowly built a following over the years through the cycle of recording and touring. Along the way, they paved a righteous path to rock and roll stardom, culminating in an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005.

U2 released six albums over the course of the decade, scoring a bevy of classic rock staples including “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” “I Will Follow,” “Gloria,” “Pride (In The Name of Love),” “With or Without You,” “Desire” and many more. The Edge’s signature chiming guitar sounds and use of delay along with Bono’s socially conscious lyrics and vocals, combined with Adam Clayton’s driving bass and the urgent drumming of Larry Mullin Jr. , the quartet created a plethora of memorable and anthemic songs that will live on forever. Focusing on the 80s, here are U2’s studio albums ranked by overall sound, influence and musicianship.

6

‘October’ (1981)

U2’s second album October got off to an inauspicious start when Bono lost a briefcase that contained lyrics and musical ideas during a performance at a club in Portland, Oregon. The band was ill-prepared when they entered Windmill Lane Studios for the two-month recording session with producer Steve Lillywhite. The recording sessions were tense, with Bono feeling the weight as he scrambled to write lyrics for the new songs.

Steve Lillywhite explained, “October was the most difficult of the three records I did with them basically because of the well-chronicled story of Bono losing his lyrics during the American tour. The fact that the first album had a bit of success in America meant that the band toured over there for a long time to do the groundwork. When they came back and it was time to do the second album, nothing was ready!” While the sessions were tedious, the results were not bad. The album spawned the hit single “Gloria,” which garnered a lot of play on MTV, which was in its infancy. Other standout tracks include: “Fire,” “I Threw a Brick Through a Window,” “With a Shout (Jerusalem)” and the moody tracks “Scarlet” and “October,” which feature The Edge on piano.

5

‘Boy’ (1980)

U2’s debut album Boy was released in October 1980. It was the first of three consecutive albums produced by Steve Lillywhite. The effort captures the band’s youthful energy and post-punk attitude with classic songs like “I Will Follow,” Out of Control,” and “The Electric Co.” A dash of punk rock attitude mixed with raw and unpolished rock-and-roll, Boy has an urgency and an energy that resounds through the first few albums.

Bono stated that the album marks the end of their adolescence and has a “cinema sound, Panavision, really textured and big, like a huge screen in a cinema.” The Edge said the debut album still holds up, “Going back through the early stuff, nothing really horrified me. Particularly on ‘Boy’, I can hear a bit of the Banshees and The Buzzcocks and some hint of The Skids, as well as some wildly original ideas of our own.” Boy laid down the groundwork for a long and productive career that was full of promise.

4

‘Rattle and Hum’ (1988)

Rattle and Hum is the soundtrack for the 1988 Phil Joanou film documenting U2’s U.S. tour behind The Joshua Tree. The album is half live cuts from the tour and half studio tracks showcasing the band’s intense relationship with American music. U2 brings together elements of American roots music, blues, soul and gospel sounds into the fold, all while still maintaining their unique sound. The group collaborated with Bob Dylan on “Love Rescue Me,” and blues legend B.B. King on the hit “When Loves Comes to Town.” The American-centric themes of the album are apparent on “Angel of Harlem,” about jazz vocalist Billie Holiday, “Hawkmoon 269,” inspired by traveling through North Dakota and “Heartland,” a long-gestating song that dates back to The Unforgettable Fire sessions.

“Desire” was the hit single off Rattle and Hum. It won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1989. “God Part II” is inspired by John Lennon’s death and draws inspiration and some lyrics from Lennon’s 1970 song “God.” The effort also features the moving ballad “All I Want is You” that plays over the film’s end credits. The live tracks on the album capture U2’s energetic live show with covers of The Beatles‘ “Helter Skelter” and Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower,” as well as memorable versions of “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” with the Harlem gospel group New Voices of Freedom, and a powerful rendition of “Bullet The Blue Sky.”

3

‘War’ (1983)

War is the album that put U2 on the proverbial map. The album features the ubiquitous hit “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” which contrasted the events of the 1972 Easter Sunday shooting in Northern Ireland where 14 people were gunned down by British soldiers during a protest against internment without trial. The band tackled many social and political themes on the record, including nuclear proliferation on “Seconds,” and the Polish Solidarity movement on the album’s lead single, “New Year’s Day.” The album captures a raw rock-and-roll sound which went against the grain at the time, when artists were embracing the slick 80s production techniques and technology. Bono said:

“More than any other record, War is right for its time. It is a slap in the face against the snap, crackle and pop. Everyone else is getting more and more style-oriented, more and more slick. John Lennon was right about that kind of music; he called it ‘Wallpaper music’. Very pretty, very well-designed, music to eat your breakfast to… Music can be more. Its possibilities are great. Music has changed me. It has the ability to change a generation.”

The album also spawned the upbeat “Like a Song…” “Two Hearts Beat As One,” and “Surrender.” It was U2’s first truly complete album in its lyrical themes and musicality. The final track and fan favorite, “40,” was added to the album at the last minute with The Edge playing bass as Adam Clayton had already left for the day.

2

‘The Unforgettable Fire’ (1984)

The most underrated and overlooked of U2’s 80’s albums is The Unforgettable Fire. Lodged between War and The Joshua Tree, the album is more ambitious and atmospheric in sound than the previous three efforts. The Unforgettable Fire is the first U2 album not helmed by Steve Lillywhite. It was produced by Brain Eno and Daniel Lanois, who helped create an ambient soundscape, allowing the band’s heart to shine through. The effort begins with “A Sort of Homecoming” with its memorable opening line: “And you know it’s time to go / Through the sleet and driving snow / Across the fields of mourning to a light that’s in the distance.”

The Unforgettable Fire spawned the commercial hit “Pride (In the Name of Love),” one of two odes to the late Martin Luther King Jr., the other being the album’s closer “MLK.” “Bad” is another classic peeled from the album, which became a mainstay in the group’s live show. Guitarist The Edge began to dial in his signature guitar sound on the record, using echo to fill spaces in a unique way. The album is chock-full of great songs, including the frenetic “Wire,” and “Indian Summer Sky,” along with the atmospheric instrumental “4th of July,” The effort was as experimental as the group could be at the time, pushing their creative envelope and going through some growing pains that led them to the promised land of their next album The Joshua Tree. Bono’s take on the group’s fourth album:

“The Unforgettable Fire was a beautifully out-of-focus record, blurred like an impressionist painting, very unlike a billboard or an advertising slogan. In America there was such a backlash when we put out The Unforgettable Fire. People thought we were the future of rock-n-roll and they went, ‘What are you doing with the doggone hippie Eno album?”

1

‘The Joshua Tree’ (1987)

The Joshua Tree changed everything for U2 and made the Irish rockers a household name. The first two singles peeled off the album, “With or Without You,” and “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” both went to number one in the U.S., marking the group’s first two chart-topping singles. The Joshua Tree was deeply influenced by American rock and roll and folk music and is U2’s best-selling album with over 25 million copies sold around the world.

The sessions for the album were prolific. U2 had an abundance of material and had trouble choosing songs for the effort. Once they whittled it down, they were under such a time crunch imposed by Island Records, that the group reached out to Steve Lillywhite to mix half the record, while Daniel Lanois, Pat McCarthy and Dave Meegan mixed the rest. Lillywhite’s brilliant touch is heard on the classics “Where The Streets Have No Name,” “With or Without You,” “Bullet the Blue Sky,” and “Red Hill Mining Town.”

Bono’s lyrics on the album are deep and socially conscious, inspired by traveling the world and seeing famine in the African deserts, “Mothers of the Disappeared,” to drug addiction on “Running to Stand Still” to the dismal results of U.S. foreign policy in Central America, “Bullet the Blue Sky.” The Joshua Tree won Album of the Year and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal at the 1988 Grammy Awards. Bono said the group wanted the album to be a “one-piece record, not a side-one, side-two thing.” The Joshua Tree is a masterpiece and deserves to be listened to in its entirety.

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U2: Rattle and Hum

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Release Date

November 4, 1988

Runtime

98 minutes

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Director

Phil Joanou

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Producers

Michael Hamlyn

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Cast

• 
• 

  The Edge

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  Self (uncredited)

• 
• 

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Alan Ritchson was recently cleared of any wrongdoing after his street brawl with his neighbor, but his alleged “aggressive” behavior in private has now come under scrutiny.

Sources claim the actor is not one to back down from a fight, and people close to him know it was only a matter of time before something like his viral fight would happen.

The investigation has now been concluded, and Alan Ritchson won’t suffer any consequences after beating his neighbor, as the cops have labeled his actions self-defense.

Alan Ritchson Allegedly Has A History Of Being ‘Aggressive’

Ritchson often plays a tough character in movies, but recent reports suggest there may be blurred lines between his onscreen personality and who he is in person.

He was recently seen in a Sunday video hitting his neighbor several times across the face amid what appeared to be a fun bike ride with two of his children.

The clip left many on social media divided about why he would act that way with kids present, while others pointed out that the actor wasn’t at fault.

Now, sources have pointed out that the “Reacher” star has a long history of “aggressive” behavior that predates his clash with his neighbor, Taylor, in their upscale Brentwood, Tennessee, neighborhood.

“This isn’t out of character,” a source told journalist Rob Shuter’s #ShuterScoop. “If anything, it’s been a long time coming.”

“He’s very alpha,” the insider continued. “And backing down? Not really in his vocabulary.”

‘People Around The Actor Knew’ Something Like This Would Happen, Source Claims

The insiders who spoke to Shuter went further to explain that people who worked close to Ritchson knew that something like this was going to happen at some point.

“People around him saw this coming,” a source shared. “The only difference now? The world is watching.”

After the incident, Ritchson returned to social media and shared a cryptic post about how to interact with an “enemy,” adding more fuel to the fire.

“Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake – Napoleon Bonaparte,” the cryptic post read.

Weighing in on Ritchson’s stance after the fight, the source said, “That post said everything. He doesn’t believe he crossed a line… he thinks he won.”

“He’s pushed the line for years,” the source added. “Now the line is pushing back.”

Alan Ritchson’s Body Cam Gave Fresh Insight Into The Altercation

Later, the body cam footage Ritchson was armed with seemingly showed he wasn’t the aggressor, as his angry neighbor can be seen blocking the road while the actor was riding his bike ahead of his two kids, who were on their mini bikes.

This seemingly angered Ritchson as he came down from the bike and approached Taylor, who expressed concern for the safety of other children in the neighborhood, but appeared to have been provoked.

He then called Ritchson a “f-cking lunatic,” but the actor didn’t react and only said Taylor was out of his “f-cking mind,” while inquiring to know if he had been drinking.

The actor told his angry neighbor he should have run him over when he initially blocked the road, and proceeded to get back on his bike.

As he wore his helmet and revved the engine, Taylor, seemingly annoyed with Ritchson’s attitude, pushed the actor from his bike twice.

It was at that point that the “Reacher” star got down and hit Taylor several times across his face, demanding that he stay down.

The Actor’s Neighbor Told A Different Story Before The Body Cam Footage Surfaced

Prior to the release of Ritchson’s body cam footage, his neighbor, Taylor, told a story different from what played out on video.

During a chat with TMZ, he claimed that things “escalated quickly” when he asked the actor and his children to stop speeding on their bikes so someone else wouldn’t get hurt.

The neighbor said that he pushed the actor because “he was coming towards me on his bike,” however, the body cam footage showed that Taylor deliberately got in Ritchson’s way to prevent him from riding his bike.

Taylor also confessed to pushing Ritchson a “second time,” before stating that the action star “got off his bike” the second time and “kicked the cr-p out of me.”

“He hit me in the back of my head [and] I went to the ground and covered myself,” he continued, noting that he doesn’t wish Ritchson any “ill will.”

Alan Ritchson Won’t Be Charged As Investigation Concludes

Meanwhile, Ritchson would suffer no charges for the incident with Taylor as investigators say he acted in self-defense.

The Brentwood police department issued a statement on Tuesday night confirming that investigations have concluded and they’ll not be pursuing any criminal charges against Taylor.

After reviewing available evidence, including video footage and witness statements, authorities determined that no criminal charges will be pursued,” the police said, per The Guardian.

“Mr. Ritchson’s actions were found to be in self-defense. Although a potential reckless endangerment charge was considered, Mr. Ritchson declined to pursue charges. With the agreement of the District Attorney’s Office, the case is now closed, and no further action will be taken,” they added.

Shia LaBeouf‘s alleged disorderly behavior continues. Weeks after the “Even Stevens” actor was arrested during a New Orleans Mardi Gras celebration, he’s reportedly found himself in another unfortunate situation with the city’s community members. A new report claims that LaBeouf has been allegedly harassing individuals playing tennis at the club courts across the street from his house.

Shia LaBeouf Is Being Accused Of Harassing Tennis Club Members In His New Orleans Neighborhood

According to TMZ, members at the New Orleans Lawn Tennis Club were recently sent a notice warning them of a “new neighborhood resident whose continued outbursts have affected the club environment.”

An insider familiar with the situation told the outlet that the “Transformers” actor is the reported subject, claiming he normally sits on his porch, which is directly across from one of the club’s exits, and screams at members as they enter and leave the property.

Shia LaBeouf Has Reportedly Had Various Interactions With New Orleans Tennis Club Members

The source alleged that LaBeouf has had various interactions with members of the club, describing them as “hot and cold.” The insider even claimed that LaBeouf has offered to pay some members to play tennis with him and, at other times, has disrupted clinics.

While LaBeouf isn’t a member of the New Orleans Lawn Tennis Club, the notice asked its members to ignore his alleged unruly behavior and report any future incidents to the club’s management.

To curb some of the alleged interactions with LaBeouf, the club has now limited access to the gate facing LaBeouf’s property.

Shia LaBeouf Has Intense Interaction With Police

The report of the tennis club’s notice to members also comes nearly a week after police were spotted outside of LaBeouf’s New Orleans home. In a video obtained by TMZ, LaBeouf is seen having an explosive interaction with the cops; however, it’s unclear what they were discussing.

At one point during the exchange, the “Holes” actor is heard saying, “You gotta understand who I am. I’m a target.”

Things took a sharp turn elsewhere in the clip, as LaBeouf is shown walking back-and-forth while screaming, “I have a f—-ng three-year-old!” before saying he’d been “sitting in jail for f—ing four months for punching a man.”

The video also showed LaBeouf appearing to cry while shouting, “What are you talking about? That’s why I never call you.”

LaBeouf Accused Of Using Homophobic Slurs During February 2026 Arrest

A month before this, LaBeouf had been arrested and charged with battery after allegedly hitting several people during Mardi Gras, according to AP. The actor also reportedly used homophobic language before being taken into custody.

The New Orleans Police Department stated in a report that LaBeouf had grown frustrated and became “aggressive” during Mardi Gras and reportedly punched multiple patrons at the Royal Street Inn & R Bar.

“He hit me, he connected a few times with punches, he pushed me a few times,” LaBeouf’s alleged victim, Jeffrey Damnit, said in the police report.

Damnit explained that he was wearing lipstick and other makeup before the attack and believed that was why LaBeouf allegedly reacted the way he did.

“That’s just somehow something that set him off, angered him and gave him a direction for his anger,” Damnit shared. “This guy wants me to be dead because I wear makeup. It’s a screwed up thing.”

LaBeouf Says He Has a Fear Of ‘Gay People’

LaBeouf addressed his arrest during a wide-ranging interview with YouTuber Andrew Callaghan. During his appearance, the actor said that the reported events of that night stemmed from his fear of gay men.

“When I’m standing by myself and three gays are next to me touching my leg, I get scared,” he said. “I’m sorry. If that’s homophobic, then I’m that. Yeah.”

LaBeouf went on to say that while he’s OK “with gay,” he admitted that “big gay people are scary to me.” He went on to say that’s what influenced his behavior, plus he was “drunk.”

“… it’s Mardi Gras. So everything I’m saying is nonsense,” he added.

Also in that interview, according to The Blast, LaBeouf opened up about his drinking and said that he didn’t believe he had a problem. “I think I have a different problem, and I’m gonna address it … I think I have a small man complex. I think it’s something that has to do with anger and ego more than my drinking,” he said.

Dialogue is the lifeblood of drama. Sure, film is a visual medium, but the script is where character reveals itself, where conflict sharpens, and where ideas take on emotional weight. Some of the all-time best drama movies use their writing to cut, seduce, persuade, and destroy.

The titles below understand that what characters say (and just as importantly, what they choose not to say) can carry more tension, emotion, and meaning than any spectacle. Whether sharp and cutting, poetic and expressive, or quiet and painfully honest, all of them reel the viewer in with phenomenal writing.

‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’ (1966)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

“What a dump.” In Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, a middle-aged couple, George (Richard Burton) and Martha (Elizabeth Taylor), invite a younger couple over for drinks, a decision that spirals into a long, alcohol-fueled night of psychological warfare, emotional games, and brutal honesty. Adapted from Edward Albee’s play, the movie is powered by verbal sparring, with George and Martha using words to wound, manipulate, and expose one another. The conversations are rhythmic and always escalating, growing more intense, more personal, and more destructive as the night progresses.

The dialogue is impressively psychologically complex, too. The insults are vicious, but beneath them lies something deeper, a shared dependency that neither George nor Martha can escape. Indeed, the lines are usually layered with subtext. Characters rarely say exactly what they mean, instead dealing in hidden motivations and emotional undercurrents. It’s all in service to some incisive thematic exploration that was unusually frank for the time, delving deep into issues of marriage, failure, and identity.

‘Glengarry Glen Ross’ (1992)

Image via New Line Cinema

“Always be closing.” Based on David Mamet‘s Pulitzer-winning play, Glengarry Glen Ross follows a group of desperate real estate salesmen competing for leads in a high-pressure office environment. That premise might seem mundane, but it becomes a sharp, dark examination of ambition and moral compromise. It helps that the cast is incredibly stacked, including a murderer’s row of heavy hitters like Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Alec Baldwin, Alan Arkin, and Ed Harris, though the sturdy foundation for their performances is the stellar screenplay.

Mamet’s script is built on repetition, rhythm, and profanity (lots of profanity). It’s often poetic, almost musical, but also incredibly aggressive and intense. In this world, language is power. Every character is a salesman, and every interaction becomes a pitch, a bluff, or a negotiation; words are used to persuade, intimidate, and deceive. As a result, the movie is practically overflowing with memorable, quotable lines. The most famous ones come from Baldwin’s big monologue, a perfect encapsulation of the characters’ ruthless worldview.

‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ (1951)

Image via Warner Bros.

“I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.” Yet another masterpiece that started as a stage production, A Streetcar Named Desire features Vivien Leigh as Blanche DuBois, who arrives in New Orleans to stay with her sister Stella (Kim Hunter) and her brutish brother-in-law Stanley (Marlon Brando). Their apartment becomes a psychological pressure-cooker as Blanche’s fragile illusions clash with Stanley’s harsh realism. While the movie is most famous now for Brando’s phenomenal performance, a milestone in the development of method acting, the script is also brilliant.

It’s heightened and, at times, lyrical, but also deeply human. Every impulse and subtle detail feels simultaneously precisely crafted and organic. Crucially, Tennessee Williams gives each character a distinct voice, reflecting their desires, fears, and delusions. A lot of the narrative momentum comes from the contrast between Blanche’s poetic, almost theatrical speech and Stanley’s blunt, physical language. All in all, a phenomenal confluence of script, stars, and director.

‘The Social Network’ (2010)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

“You don’t get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies.” Aaron Sorkin is one of the leading lights of 21st-century screenwriting, and The Social Network is his magnum opus. He and director David Fincher chronicle the rise of Facebook and the legal battles that followed, focusing on Mark Zuckerberg’s (Jesse Eisenberg) complicated relationships with his co-founders and peers. The dialogue is fast, precise, and intellectually charged, perfectly suited to the hyper-competitive world of tech entrepreneurship.

Exchanges are barbed, witty, and frequently hilarious, but also loaded with emotional baggage. Fundamentally, it is a portrait of a sprawling digital empire and the lone, insecure man at its center. In the process, The Social Network becomes a broader statement on our current era of social media, algorithms, inequality, and tech oligarchs. The film was way ahead of the curve, making it one of the masterpieces of the early social media age. Its themes resonate even more today.

‘Network’ (1976)

Image via Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

“I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!” In Network, a struggling television network exploits the mental breakdown of its news anchor, turning his on-air rants into a ratings phenomenon. Rather than scaring viewers off, Howard Beale’s (Peter Finch) unhinged ravings make the show more popular than ever. As the spectacle grows, the line between news, entertainment, and deception blurs completely. This setup becomes the launching pad for one of the scorching media satires in movie history.

The characters are defined by how they speak, from the cold, calculated language of the executives to the emotional volatility of Beale. Today, given the rise of reality TV, audience capture, rage bait, and politics as entertainment, Network feels more topical than ever. The movie’s admirers include Aaron Sorkin, who said of it: “No predictor of the future, not even Orwell, has ever been as right as [Paddy] Chayefsky was when he wrote Network.”

‘All About Eve’ (1950)

Image via 20th Century Studios

“Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy night.” In All About Eve, an aging Broadway star, Margo Channing (Bette Davis), befriends a seemingly devoted young fan, Eve Harrington (Anne Baxter), who slowly ingratiates herself into Margo’s life and career. But what first seems like innocent admiration gradually reveals itself to be something far more calculated and dangerous. Soon, the characters are wielding words like weapons; sparing, posturing, flattering, attacking. The writing strikes a fine balance between being stylish and truthful.

It’s polished and memorable, but it never feels empty. Every clever remark tells you something about status, ego, or hidden intent. It also captures the world of theatre and performance beautifully. These are people who live through presentation, image, and drama, so heightened language makes sense in this world. In this regard, writer-director Joseph L. Mankiewicz‘s screenplay is a masterclass in verbal elegance, filled with biting observations about ambition, aging, and performance, both onstage and off.

‘Before Sunset’ (2004)

Image via Warner Independent Pictures

“If there’s any kind of magic in this world… it must be in the attempt of understanding someone.” Most of the movies on this list shine with dialogue that’s witty, intricate, and carefully contrasted. Before Sunset, by contrast, is great because it feels so natural and real, more like a slice-of-life. The second installment in Richard Linklater‘s beloved trilogy reunites Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy) nine years after their brief encounter in Vienna. Over a single afternoon in Paris, they walk, talk, and reconnect, revisiting the choices and regrets that have shaped their lives.

Their conversations feel spontaneous, as if we are eavesdropping on real people rather than watching characters perform. This feeling of authenticity and urgency is heightened by the fact that the movie unfolds in real-time. Finally, the dialogue is deeply layered. On the surface, the characters talk about their lives, careers, and experiences. But beneath that, every line carries unspoken feelings: regret, longing, missed opportunities, and unresolved love.

‘The Godfather’ (1972)

“I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.” Together, Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo turned the latter’s pulpy novel into perhaps the greatest screenplay in gangster movie history. It’s practically Shakespearean, following the shifting power dynamics of the Corleone crime family as patriarch Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) passes the mantle to his son Michael (Al Pacino). The crux of the story is Michael’s transformation from reluctant outsider to ruthless leader.

The character development is fantastic, and the script is loaded with memorable quotes. One of its greatest strengths is its economy and control. Characters rarely speak more than necessary, and when they do, every line carries weight. For figures like Vito, every conversation is deliberate. Each word has been carefully chosen to maintain authority or conceal intention. Rather than being melodramatic, the dialogue in The Godfather tends to be quiet and restrained, which only increases its impact.

’12 Angry Men’ (1957)

Image via United Artists

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“It’s not easy to stand alone against the ridicule of others.” 12 Angry Men takes place almost entirely in a jury room, where twelve men must decide the fate of a young boy accused of murder. As deliberations begin, one juror (Henry Fonda) challenges the others to reconsider the evidence, sparking intense debate. There’s no action to speak of. Rather, dialogue serves as the engine of both character and plot. The film unfolds entirely through argument, with each juror bringing their own biases, experiences, and perspectives into the discussion.

A big part of what makes the dialogue so compelling is its progression: each exchange shifts the balance, slowly transforming certainty into doubt. The exchanges are psychologically and morally tense. Impressively, these conversations feel realistic while also serving as a microcosm for society as a whole. For instance, certain characters become stand-ins for entire points of view, yet they’re never reduced to archetypes.

‘Casablanca’ (1942)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

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“Here’s looking at you, kid.” In Casablanca, Humphrey Bogart turns in one of his most iconic performances as Rick Blaine, a cynical nightclub owner in wartime Morocco, forced to confront his past when his former lover Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) re-enters his life, accompanied by her resistance leader husband. The story boasts one of the most quotable scripts ever written, a fantastic fusion of romance, humor, and political tension.

Characters speak with a kind of controlled charm, especially the dry, understated Rick. Thematically, their conversations move seamlessly between personal emotion and the larger wartime context. In addition, their exchanges are simply striking and memorable. So many lines from this film are now famous the world over: “We’ll always have Paris”, “Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine”, and, of course, “Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

Rihanna is likely still shaken following the terrifying incident earlier this month when a woman fired multiple rounds into her home. 

The suspect, who continues to remain in custody, formally entered her plea in the case during a recent court appearance.

Ivanna Ortiz Formally Enters Not Guilty Plea In Rihanna’s Home Shooting

According to PEOPLE, on Wednesday, March 25, during an appearance at Los Angeles Superior Court, Ivanna Ortiz pled not guilty to a host of charges connected to her allegedly shooting at Rihanna’s home on March 8 while the superstar and her three children were inside.

Among the charges against her, the most serious is attempted murder, as Ortiz is accused of brandishing an AR-15 rifle and firing off 10 rounds at Rihanna’s home.

In addition to attempted murder, Ortiz is facing 13 other felony counts, including 10 of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and three of shooting at an inhabited dwelling or camper.

After initially being held on $10 million bail, that amount was reduced to the current sum of $1.875 million. If convicted, Ortiz could receive a sentence of life in prison. 

Ortiz Told Estranged Husband To ‘Renounce’ Rihanna Weeks Before Shooting

Per TMZ, in court documents in Ortiz’s case, her estranged husband, Jed Valdez Sangalang, shared an email he received from Ortiz on January 26, in which she told him to “renounce” the Fenty Beauty founder.

“I need you to renounce Rihanna and confess that I’m better than her,” Ortiz’s email read. “Let it be done. You gotta let me know so that door can be closed.”

Following the news of the shooting and Ortiz’s arrest, Sangalang has now asked the court for full custody of the former couple’s child and also the designated rights for sole decision-making. 

The Suspect Has A Lengthy And Bizarre Online History Of Attacking Rihanna

According to the New York Post, Ortiz’s social media posts targeting Rihanna have been uncovered after she fired multiple shots at the singer’s home, including the most recent post on February 23.

“@badgalriri — Are you there? Cause I was waiting for your AIDS 5-head self to say something to me directly instead of sneaking around like you’re talking to me where I’m not at,” Ortiz wrote on Facebook.

A post on February 17 from Ortiz also mentioned the false claims of Rihanna having AIDS and included Drake in the rant. 

Additionally, on January 5 via her YouTube channel, Ortiz held a Praying Woman’s Journal and used it to rebuke Rihanna’s influence. In the video, Ortiz repeatedly described Rihanna as “corny” and “stupid,” implying that there was spiritual warfare and that people needed to avoid the singer’s negative influence. 

Ortiz also bizarrely accused Rihanna of trying to kill her. 

“Listen, Rihanna, when you die, God is taking me to my future,” she said. “You want to kill me? Shut the f-ck up. Okay, shut the f-ck up. Yeah, she’s a witch. She’s a witch. I’m a watchman. She’s a witch.”

Ivanna Ortiz Has Documented History Of Mental Illness

Hal Roen, the attorney of Ortiz’s estranged husband, shared that she was previously placed on an involuntary psychiatric hold, according to TMZ. Roen also revealed that Ortiz was “Baker Acted” in Florida, meaning she was held against her will under state law.

Roen told the outlet that Ortiz is “articulate” and “very believable” despite her mental health issues. “If you sit down with her, she’s very convincing. But she does bizarre things,” he said.

A Florida judge also cited Ortiz’s mental state in April 2024 during a custody battle with ex Sangalang. The court documents obtained by the outlet stated that the legal umpire awarded Sangalang full physical custody of his child with Ortiz.

Despite her attempts in court to deny the allegations, the judge highlighted the “concerning testimony” about Ortiz’s mental health and stripped her of all contact with her child.

Ortiz was barred from having any in-person, phone, video, text, email, or third-party communication with her child until further order from the court. 

She was also previously arrested for domestic violence, resulting in probation.

Rihanna Left Her Los Angeles Home After The Shooting And Has Not Returned

A day after the shooting at her home, Rihanna was photographed traveling in a line of black SUVs to the private aviation terminal at Van Nuys Airport on Monday, March 10, according to Daily Mail.

The Fenty Beauty founder and Grammy winner was then said to board a small twin-engine jet to fly out of Los Angeles.

Comedy legends Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong have been through just about everything together on-screen. They’ve commandeered a van made of weed across the border in Up in Smoke, accidentally sparked The French Revolution in The Corsican Brothers, and, of course, did a lot of joking and toking along the way. However, it’s now time for the stoners’ final road trip to head home. Collider can exclusively reveal that Paramount+ is adding Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie to its catalog on a very fitting day — April 20. It’ll also be exactly one year since their retrospective feature first rolled into theaters to celebrate their favorite holiday.

Part buddy road trip movie and part documentary, Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie follows two of comedy’s best buds on a long, laugh-filled drive to a place called “The Joint.” Along the way, they reflect on their lifelong friendship, from childhood to the heights of their careers in the 1960s through the 80s and beyond their break-up, also exploring how their counterculture stoner humor evolved into a brand that stands strong over 50 years later with a catalog of movies, packed concerts, platinum-selling records, and even a mobile game. Interspersed are plenty of archival footage, iconic moments from the duo on-screen and on-stage, animations, interviews, and more that add further context to their rise in a landscape that didn’t respect comedians and their impact as blockbuster rock stars of stand-up. Beneath all the laughter is a portrait of a tender bond that’s survived plenty of bumps in the road and is now as strong as ever.

Paramount+ landing this heartfelt and hilarious project is fitting considering it’s where Marin and Chong began their cinematic journey. “We’re coming home,” director David Bushell said about Last Movie‘s upcoming home release. “Cheech & Chong’s first movie, Up In Smoke, was released by Paramount back in 1978. We cannot think of a better partner to premiere Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie on streaming. They Keep Smokin’!” It was Paramount’s release of Up in Smoke that helped cement the duo as forever icons, earning $104 million worldwide on a budget of just $4 million. Bushnell also helped produce the documentary alongside Chong’s daughter, Robbi Chong, with John Paul DeJoria, Gary Haseley, Cleo Segura Sherrel, and Christian Selleron set as executive producers.

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‘Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie’ Is Riding High With Critics and Audiences

Last Movie was about as heroic a send-off as Cheech & Chong could hope for when it debuted at SXSW in 2024. Bushell’s directorial debut was met with widespread praise and an 87% score on Rotten Tomatoes, thanks in part to the pair’s enduring chemistry when they’re together and the film’s surprisingly touching look back on a lifetime of friendship. Collider’s Jeff Ewing was also high on the feature in his 8/10 review, calling it “a fantastic and revealing celebration of two comedy legends” and praising the light and breezy road trip format that lets the two be vulnerable to each other. Now, at long last, fans will get to see this duo hash it out one last time from the comfort of their homes.

Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie arrives on Paramount+ on April 20. Check out the official trailer in the player above.

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Release Date

April 25, 2025

Runtime

123 minutes

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Director

David L. Bushell

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