We love white and pink, too, but let’s be real: they lean basic. If you want a summery pop of color that’s equally luxe yet much more unique, Jennifer Lopez has the solution. Her sunny yellow dress style screams ‘rich mom,’ and we found the expensive look for just $40 on Amazon!

Instead of fussing with structured waistlines and stiff fabrics, Lopez showed up in Las Vegas wearing a loose maxi dress in a fresh, fun, summer-friendly color. While J.Lo’s $9,190 Chloé design is definitely an investment, it’s possible to recreate the classy, comfy look without spending thousands, thanks to this budget-friendly lookalike.

Get the Wenrine Spaghetti-Strap Maxi Dress for $40 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

This Wenrine Spaghetti-Strap Maxi Dress has the same sunny energy and drapey, boho-inspired silhouette that Lopez went with for her Meet & Greet. It even has adjustable spaghetti straps to tweak the fit, and features a flattering square neckline and pleated detailing for an elevated touch. Plus, there are real, functional pockets.

Related: Gwyneth Paltrow Wore This Crisp Shirtdress Style in Italy — The Look

Advertisement

Packing for a vacation is hard, but Gwyneth Paltrow makes it incredibly easy. In fact, her latest sundress style is so crisp and breezy, it works for travel, errands and in-office days alike. With a white base, airy fabric and just enough structure, it’s a Paltrow-approved style that needs to be part of your new […]

This vibrant sundress is also lightweight, breathable and wrinkle-resistant, which means you can pack it in a carry-on and toss it on without ironing. It’s a dress that works for beach club lunches, rooftop dinners and long walks through European piazzas, if that’s your thing.

Although this chic dress recently dropped on Amazon, it’s already amassing a fanbase. One happy shopper wrote, “I would give this dress a 10/5 if I could, it’s that good! It’s cute, flowy, flattering, and so feminine . . . This dress is perfect for an upscale summer dinner or a night walking along the beach. I can’t wait to wear it on my cruise because it feels like the ideal vacation dress!”

Another five-star reviewer shared, “The fabric is lightweight and flowy, the fit is super comfortable and the dress’s shape is flattering for so many body types.”

Toss on a stack of gold bangles and some woven flat sandals for daytime, then swap in strappy heels and a clutch when the sun goes down. This breezy piece reads high-end without requiring a single luxury label, and we can thank J.Lo for the inspiration.

Get the Wenrine Spaghetti-Strap Maxi Dress for $40 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

Not what you’re looking for? Shop other summer dresses and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

The 2020s have been an interesting period when it comes to animated shows. Following the second golden age of the 2010s, this decade has seen a shift nearly exclusively to streaming services over network television, resulting in fewer seasons to fit with binge-watching. That said, streaming companies have been putting a fair bit of money into their production, and some have even picked up shows that began life from independent creators on the internet.

The last five years have seen the release of a fair few high-quality shows, in particular. Praises have been given for their stellar writing and, of course, the animation, which tends to be as varied as the creativity behind each show.

10

‘Scavengers Reign’ (2023)

Image via HBO Max

The interstellar cargo ship Demeter 227 crash-lands on the alien planet Vesta. The surviving crew members are scattered from one another and must make their way towards the wrecked ship while looking for one another. However, the planet’s wildlife proves to be as complex and deadly as it is varied and beautiful.

Scavengers Reign more than succeeds in transporting the audience to an alien planet thanks to its gorgeous animation, which makes you feel like you’re watching a nature documentary at times due to the intricate details and lush colors that bring the environment to life. It’s also an effective survival mystery, especially when the characters are separated and doing what they can to stay alive. Sadly, the show wasn’t picked up after it hopped from HBO to Netflix, but what we did get is still a solid example of 2020s animation.

9

‘Inside Job’ (2021–2022)

Image via Netflix

While the rest of the world goes about their lives in ignorance, a collection of shadow organizations that represent every major conspiracy secretly controls everything. One group is Cognito, Inc., based in Washington DC, whose job is to cover up conspiracies and manipulate global events to suit the shadow government’s plans. Their primary team is led by Dr. Reagan Ridley (Lizzy Caplan), the brilliant but socially awkward daughter of Cognito’s co-founder, Randall (Christian Slater), who is partnered with good-looking yes man Brett Hand (Clark Duke) to lead her dysfunctional teammates.

Inside Job combines the comedy found in an office sitcom with every single conspiracy theory you can think of. The result is one of the funniest shows to come from Netflix, with lots of fast-paced jokes, plenty of social commentary, and characters with strong personalities and dynamics. Sadly, it fell victim to Netflix’s habit of canceling shows early, meaning that it ended with more than a few cliffhangers.

8

‘Long Story Short’ (2025–Present)

Image via Netflix

Meet the Schwoopers, a middle-class family made up of Elliot Cooper (Paul Reiser), his wife Naomi Schwartz (Lisa Edelstein), and their kids Avi (Ben Feldman), Shira (Abbi Jacobson), and Yoshi (Max Greenfield). Like any family, their lives go through numerous periods of ups and downs, especially as the kids grow older, become more independent, and start families of their own. To the viewer, their story is told out of chronological order, allowing them to see how some events have a habit of returning years later.

Long Story Short comes from the mind of BoJack Horseman creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg, and contains much of the same clever wordplay and relatability that made that show so beloved. It’s easy to relate to the Schwoopers because, at some point in our lives, we’ve been in one of their shoes, whether it’s standing up for ourselves or trying to navigate awkward life situations. It also helps that the characters in Long Story Short are really well constructed, with realistic flaws and strengths, and dialogue that sounds exactly like what you’d expect a dysfunctional family to say.

7

‘Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’ (2022–Present)

Image via Netflix

Set in the same dystopian universe as the video game Cyberpunk 2077, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners became one of the biggest animated hits of the decade almost overnight. The acclaimed animated cyberpunk series follows David Martinez, a gifted but struggling teenager living in Night City, whose life spirals after a personal tragedy pushes him into the violent world of mercenaries known as edgerunners. Alongside the netrunner Lucy, David becomes consumed by cybernetic enhancements and survival in a city that destroys almost everyone who dares to dream big.

Edgerunners‘ hyper-stylized animation immediately made it stand out among Netflix’s catalog. It’s chaotic, explosive, and downright disturbing at times. The spectacle never overpowers the underlying tragic story, however, which is surprisingly emotionally devastating as the main characters’ arcs and relationships are fully fleshed out.

6

‘X-Men ’97’ (2024–Present)

Image via Disney+

One year after Professor Charles Xavier’s (Ross Marquand) near-assassination, his X-Men struggle to keep his dream of a world where humans and mutants co-exist peacefully alive. They face obstacles from the UN, which has sanctioned the X-Men, and an increase in anti-mutant groups. Most shocking of all, the X-Men learn that Xavier’s will specifies that everything he owned, including the X-Men and his school, now belongs to his old friend Magneto (Matthew Waterson).

X-Men ’97 is a continuation of X-Men: The Animated Series, one of the best superhero shows ever made, and it proves itself a worthy successor. It keeps the original’s mix of superhero action and effective melodrama while also updating the visuals to match the fact that its audience has grown up. This allows the show to get even darker and bloodier in places than the original series while not smothering its identity.

5

‘The Legend of Vox Machina’ (2022–Present)

Image via Prime Video

Advertisement

The Kingdom of Tal’Dorei is beset by a new threat that has wiped out numerous experienced adventuring parties. Thus, the realm turns to Vox Machina, consisting of the half-giant Grog Strongjaw (Travis Willingham), human Percival de Rolo (Taliesin Jaffe), half-elves Vex’ahlia (Laura Bailey), Vax’ildan (Liam O’Brien), and Keyleth (Marisha Ray), and gnomes Pike Trickfoot (Ashley Johnson) and Scanlan Shorthalt (Sam Riegel). Though at first glance they seem like a dysfunctional band of assholes and screw-ups, they are given the chance to rise to the occasion as greater threats emerge.

The Legend of Vox Machina takes all the laughs and epic moments found in Critical Role‘s famous live-plays of Dungeons & Dragons and brings them to life with a beautiful mix of 2D and 3D animation. Vox Machina keeps all the major beats from the campaign while changing things here and there, either to get rid of copyrighted material or streamline it for a television series. The result is a fun, epic fantasy show that doesn’t shy away from blood and guts, while also containing complex characters and some of the best dragon designs in fantasy TV.

4

‘The Mighty Nein’ (2025–Present)

Image via Prime Video

East of Tal’Dorei, on the continent of Wildemount, a war is brewing between the Dwendalian Empire and the Kryn Dynasty following the theft of a Kryn artifact called the Luxon Beacon. Beauregard Lionett (Marisha Ray) of the Cobalt Soul does some investigating and learns that the theft of the beacon is tied to Trent Ikithon (Mark Strong), the Empire’s archmage. She runs into six other individuals: Fjord (Travis Willingham), a sailor with mysterious powers; Caleb (Liam O’Brien), a former pupil of Trent’s now on the run; Nott the Brave (Sam Riegel), a goblin thief; Jester (Laura Bailey), a mischievous cleric to an unknown god; Mollymauk Tealeaf (Taliesin Jaffe), a flamboyant fortune-teller with an unknown past; and Yasha (Ashley Johnson), a deadly barbarian known as the Orphan Maker.

The Mighty Nein has longer episodes than The Legend of Vox Machina, which goes a long way in improving the storytelling and character work. Scenes can have more time to breathe between the action set pieces, which results in deeper character moments. The show is also much darker than its sister series, with more emphasis on complex politics than high fantasy adventures, and plenty of gruesome deaths and horrific experiments that lead to a good dose of body horror.

3

‘Arcane’ (2021–2024)

Image via Netflix

Vi (Hailee Steinfeld) and her younger sister Powder (Mia Sinclair Jenness and Ella Purnell) lost their parents when the undercity of Zaun tried to rebel against the oppressive metropolis of Piltover, and were taken in by Vander (JB Blanc), one of the leaders of the resistance. Years later, they steal a magic crystal from an up-and-coming inventor named Jayce (Faustino Duran and Kevin Alejandro), which starts a chain reaction that sees Vi arrested and Powder falling in with Silco (Jason Spisak), Vander’s former partner, turned a ruthless crime baron. Meanwhile, Jayce teams up with the equally brilliant but physically frail Viktor (Edan Hayhurst and Harry Lloyd), and the two work towards the creation of new technology that harnesses arcane power.

Arcane‘s first season received near-universal acclaim, and while the second season was more divisive, it wasn’t enough to take from the show’s highest highs. Even people who have never heard of League of Legends found themselves enamored by the rich worldbuilding and complex character writing, with highlights being seen in the falling out between Vi and Powder (now called Jinx), Jayce’s attempts to keep to his original vision as he is pulled into the ugly world of politics, and Silco’s dilemma between Zaun independence and his growing fatherly love for Jinx. The animation is also stellar, lending itself to intense emotional moments between characters and stylistic action sequences.

2

‘The Amazing Digital Circus’ (2023–Present)

Image via Glitch Productions

While exploring an abandoned building, a woman puts on a video-game helmet and finds her consciousness transported into a jester’s body in the Amazing Digital Circus, a virtual world run by an AI named Caine (Alex Rochon). He gives her the name Pomni (Lizzie Freeman) since she has forgotten her original, and introduces her to other humans stuck in the circus: a friendly ragdoll named Ragatha (Amanda Hufford); a depressed ribbon with comedy and tragedy masks named Gangle (Marissa Lenti); a person made up of interchangeable parts named Zooble (Ashley Nichols); a cynical cartoon rabbit named Jax (Michael Kovach); and an eccentric and forgetful chess piece named Kinger (Sean Chiplock). To prevent themselves from abstracting into glitch-like monsters like previous players, the humans go along with numerous adventures created by Caine, while also hoping to find a way out.

The Amazing Digital Circus began as a pilot posted on YouTube, but quickly gained traction thanks to its high quality, and Netflix picked up the show for streaming. Despite its bright colors and silly aesthetic, the show is a dark, existential character study inspired by I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream, with plenty of deep moments that strip the characters down to the marrow of their being. It’s still got plenty of humor in between these moments, thankfully, which helps maintain a sense of levity.

1

‘Invincible’ (2021–Present)

Image via Prime Video

Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun) is a young man living in a world dominated by superheroes and monsters, who has just inherited superpowers from his father, Nolan (J. K. Simmons), who is a powerful alien called a Viltrumite. Mark dubs himself Invincible and becomes a crime fighter himself, though he quickly discovers that it’s a lot more dangerous than his dad makes it seem. Speaking of Nolan, he becomes the subject of investigation by Cecil Stedman (Walton Goggins), director of the Global Defense Agency, after he was found to be the only survivor of a massacre of the Earth’s best heroes, the Guardians of the Globe.

Invincible is both an homage and a satire to superhero tropes that explores how terrifying a world full of heroes, villains, and monsters would be. It goes all out during its action sequences, displaying immense levels of brutality with mass destruction and gore, which really hammers home the sheer power on display. Character-wise, lots of time is given to showing the stress of this lifestyle, especially as the stakes escalate, which leads to phenomenal vocal performances from Yeun, Simmons, and Sandra Oh as Mark’s human mother, Debbie.

Advertisement

Invincible

Advertisement

Release Date

March 26, 2021

Network

Amazon Prime Video

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Late NHL star Claude Lemieux’s family confirmed that they will donate his brain for research into the neurodegenerative disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)

“Claude was a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and teammate. To the hockey world, he was one of the game’s most unforgettable competitors: a four-time Stanley Cup champion, a Conn Smythe Trophy winner, and one of the great playoff performers of all time,” his family said in a statement on Saturday, May 30. “To his family, he was more than a hero: he was loyal, loving, funny, protective, and generous. He was stubborn, and he was completely devoted to the people he loved. He was adored by his family in turn.”

Their statement continued, “Claude was a passionate man. He brought that passion to the rink, to his work, to his friendships, and most of all to his family. He was fierce on the ice because he cared so deeply about winning, about his teammates, and about never giving less than everything he had. Away from the game, he was tender, loyal and full of life. He made us laugh, he showed up for us, and he loved his children and grandchildren with his whole heart.”

Claude’s death was confirmed to Us Weekly by the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office on Thursday, May 28. Lemieux died by suicide at age 60 and his body was found by one of his sons at a Florida warehouse.

His death stunned the sports world as Lemieux appeared as a torchbearer at the NHL’s Eastern Conference Finals between the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes in Montreal on Monday, May 25.

As part of Saturday’s statement, the Lemieux family announced that they would donate his brain to the UNITE Brain Bank at the Boston University CTE Center for research into “the long-term effects of repetitive head impacts and traumatic brain injury.”

(Per Mayo Clinic, CTE is a brain disease that is linked to repeated head injuries, which can cause “the death of nerve cells in the brain.” The clinic notes that CTE is “rare and not well understood” but it is frequently associated with athletes or combat veterans.)

“Claude dedicated his post-play career to helping the next generation,” his family said on Saturday. “By allowing his name to be connected to this research, we hope his life can contribute to greater understanding, more honest conversations, and better protection for athletes and families in the years ahead.”

The Lemieuxs said they consider their donation to the Boston University CTE Center to be “a gift to science, to athletes and to future generations of families seeking answers.” Their statement also addressed speculation about the “circumstances of Claude’s death.”

“Suicide is complex, and the family asks media and the public to discuss this loss with care, compassion and respect for those who lost him,” they asked.

The family confirmed that details about a memorial service will be released “at a later date.”

Related: Was Claude Lemieux Related to Mario Lemieux? Breaking Down His Family Tree

Advertisement

The NHL world was rocked by the sudden death of hockey legend Claude Lemieux by apparent suicide at age 60. “The National Hockey League mourns the passing of Claude Lemieux, a four-time Stanley Cup champion and one of the greatest big-game Players in hockey history,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement on Thursday, […]

Saturday’s statement was released first by Brendan Lemieux, who was previously the first member of the family to break their silence about Claude’s death. (Claude and his wife, Deborah, shared four children: sons Christopher, Michael and Brendan as well as daughter Claudia.)

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

“I love you dad!” Brendan, 30, wrote via Instagram on Thursday. “My son’s favorite person is going to watch from above for a while. We will see you ♥️.”

His sister, Claudia, shared her own emotional memorial post that same day, writing via Instagram, “No words to express the level of devastation we feel. I love you forever daddy. Forever your only girl 💔”

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

In the second half of 2026, Dwayne Johnson is cooking up a storm in theaters, with a pair of big family-friendly blockbusters on their way. First, on July 10, 2026, the long-awaited live-action Moana remake sets sail, with Johnson starring as Maui alongside Catherine Laga’aia as the titular daughter of Motunui’s chief. Marking the directorial debut of Thomas Kail, who is a Tony winner for his work on Hamilton, this musical is not to be missed, especially considering the inclusion of music from Mark Mancina, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Opetaia Foa’i.

Johnson will then follow that with an exciting Christmas treat, as Jumanji 3 premieres on December 25, after previously being scheduled for December 11. Johnson will re-team with Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, and Jack Black for his sequel to 2019’s Jumanji: The Next Level, which also stars Danny DeVito, Nick Jonas, Marin Hinkle, Bebe Neuwirth, Lamorne Morris, and Rhys Darby. To help get you in the mood for Johnson’s next big-budget projects, one of his lesser-spotted action flicks is about to be available to stream for free.

The film in question is Empire State, a straight-to-DVD release that debuted in 2013 and starred Johnson as a veteran NYPD officer who is tasked with investigating a huge heist. In fact, the movie is based on the true story of a 1982 armored car company robbery in New York City, which is colloquially known as the “Sentry Armored Car Courier Company theft.” The film, directed by Dito Montiel (Fighting), starred Johnson alongside an eye-catching cast, which included Liam Hemsworth, Emma Roberts, Nikki Reed, Chris Diamantopoulos, James Ransone, Shenae Grimes, and Jerry Ferrara. If an easy-viewing action flick is what you want, then you’re in luck, as Empire State will be available to stream for free on Plex starting June 1, 2026.

‘Empire State’ Failed to Make an Impact Upon Release

Image via Lionsgate

Advertisement

Although it received a small theatrical run consisting of an international release in three countries and under $200,000 in total ticket sales, it was always hoped that Empire State would earn back its reported $11 million production budget via DVD and VOD sales. Sadly, the film only made roughly $4 million, rendering it a flop both commercially and critically, with reviewers scoring the film terribly upon release.

Empire State will be available to stream on Plex starting June 1, 2026. Stay tuned to Collider for more streaming stories.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

September 3, 2013

Runtime

94 minutes

Advertisement

Director

Dito Montiel

Advertisement

Writers

Adam Mazer

Producers

Advertisement

George Furla, Randall Emmett, Sandy Kyrkostas

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Styles come and go, but a sleek black bag isn’t going anywhere. Just ask Nicole Kidman, who proved that the right black crossbody goes beyond trends, and makes any outfit appear expensive. Her exact bag is in the five-figure price range, but we found the look for just $23 — and it’s selling out.

Kidman arrived at a pre-Met Gala dinner looking like she stepped out of a Parisian fashion magazine. Her all-black getup was classy, but the real scene-stealer was her Chanel 2.55 purse. This $23 black crossbody bag similarly has quilted fabric, a gold chain, rectangular silhouette and structured top flap, however, it might be even more versatile than Kidman’s.

Get the Sg Sugu Quilted Crossbody Bag for $23 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

What’s clever about this Amazon lookalike is the chain itself. Wear it long, and you’ve got Kidman’s crossbody vibe. But if you loop it shorter, this pick suddenly turns into a chic shoulder bag that sits at the hip. No matter how you carry it, the gold-tone chain and hardware accents give the bag that glinting, luxe quality you’d expect from an expensive designer.

Related: Katie Holmes‘ Crocodile Leather Tote Bag Is Perfect for Long Commutes

Advertisement

Work bags have a reputation for being boring, but Katie Holmes proved that the right one can totally steal the show — even when you’re rocking purple jeans. The star’s crocodile leather tote look is equally ideal for boardrooms, airplanes and brunches, and we found the expensive style on sale for just $33. In early […]

Made with buttery-smooth vegan leather, this mini purse can resist scratches and tears with ease. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to wipe clean. One fan shared, “I’ve had this purse for two years now and it’s in the same amazing quality [as when] I first bought it.”

Another shopper said that the bag “has the feel and aesthetic of a Chanel bag” and that the strap “gives it an elevated feel while adding a little sparkle to a plain dress.” They even shared that they “couldn’t be more obsessed, and want it in more colors!”

The interior is just as noteworthy, featuring a spacious main compartment with organization for cards, as well as a clasp to keep everything secure.

Kidman’s Met Gala appearance was a reminder that the richest moms aren’t chasing trends, but rather collecting capsule pieces that never go out of fashion. This quilted bag style has been a wardrobe anchor for decades, and with Kidman’s stamp of approval, it’ll be just as chic for decades to come.

Get the Sg Sugu Quilted Crossbody Bag for $23 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

Not what you’re looking for? Shop other crossbody bags and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

Reality TV star-turned-hopeful politician Spencer Pratt is responding to Hacks star Hannah Einbinder after the comedian slammed his surging mayoral campaign.

“She says from a literal red carpet, surrounded by armed security, completely insulated from the horrors on our streets that Angelenos and their kids have to suffer through every day,” Pratt, 42, wrote via X on Friday, May 29. “I’m glad she doesn’t have to suffer the consequences of Karen [Bass] and Nithya’s [Raman] failures, but she’s in an elite minority and the rest of us want change.”

Earlier on Friday, Einbinder, 31, spoke out against Pratt’s mayoral run while attending the Critics Choice Association’s Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television in Los Angeles.

“There’s a lot of wealth in this city and I think that there are a lot of people who masquerade as Democrats or people on the left, but really, money is their key issue and that’s what lead them to vote for people like Spencer Pratt — who is endorsed by Donald Trump,” she told Variety’s Marc Malkin while walking the event’s red carpet. “It’s important to resist that.”

Related: Meghan McCain Says Spencer Pratt Is Going to ‘Win’ Race for L.A. Mayor

Meghan McCain predicted a huge upset victory for The Hills star Spencer Pratt in the Los Angeles mayoral race. “I’m telling you this guy is going to win,” McCain, 41, wrote via X on Wednesday, April 29. The former View panelist responded enthusiastically to a new campaign ad from Pratt, 42, where he visited Mayor […]

She continued, “It’s very complicated. No one is perfect, there are no perfect candidates. I’m overwhelmed in a lot of ways but I have made the choice to put Nithya down, and that’s what we’re doing girls!”

The former The Hills villain announced his run for L.A. mayor against Democratic incumbent Mayor Bass and a slew of other hopefuls — including Raman, Adam Miller and others — on the one-year anniversary of the deadly L.A. wildfires that destroyed his home. Despite being a registered Republican with many ties to the conservative, right-wing and MAGA media spheres and personalities, Pratt claims he’s running for office as an “independent community advocate.”

“The reason why I’m resonating across the country, and even outside of the country, is because all I focus on is the truth,” Pratt claimed during a Thursday, May 28, appearance on Fox News’ Fox & Friends program. “I’m the look-around candidate. I do basics. I don’t do national politics. I don’t do parties. I just say, ‘Hey, look, they’re stealing all of our tax money to give it to drug addicts to have needles and tourniquets and they’re even selling the drugs to these addicts to let these people die on our sidewalks. I want to be the compassionate one, get these people mandatory treatment, medical treatment with doctors who help them get off fentanyl and super meth and that’s what people actually want.”

The mayoral hopeful added, “People want an outsider who is not a politician, who is just saying the facts. The truth.”

When Variety’s Malkin told Einbinder some people would like to see her run for office, she dismissed the proposal while siding with Lisa Rinna and comments the reality TV star made about celebrities becoming politicians.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

Related: Erika Kirk Backs Spencer Pratt’s ‘Authentically American’ L.A. Mayoral Bid

Erika Kirk officially threw her support behind The Hills star Spencer Pratt in the Los Angeles mayoral race. “Regardless of the outcome of Spencer Pratt’s race, what he’s doing is authentically American,” Kirk, 38, announced via X on Thursday, May 21. “See a problem, become a part of the solution. His campaign ads are unconventional, […]

Advertisement

“You don’t and neither do I,” Einbinder quipped. “No! Spencer shouldn’t [run for office] and neither should I, OK? I’m with Lisa Rinna. I stand with Lisa Rinna.”

While attending the American Music Awards at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena on Monday, May 25, Rinna denounced Pratt’s campaign while claiming that no reality TV star should be running for political office.

“Not a reality star,” she said, before evoking President Donald Trump, another reality TV star-turned-politician. “I love him [Pratt], but we’ve already done that. We’re not going to do that again. You got me, because listen, I’m a reality person. I wouldn’t want me as mayor, really. I mean, let’s just face it, I love him [Pratt]. I think he’s amazing. I just think we did that.”

For better or for worse, Zack Snyder has made a name for himself with films that have impressive visuals, meticulous montages, and unforgettable soundtracks. Though sometimes an acquired taste, all of these elements came together magnificently in the 2009 feature film adaptation of Watchmen. An ambitious film for any director, Watchmen was adapted from Alan Moore’s graphic novel that questions fascism and the hero worship of superheroes in a complex and immersive tome. Adapting one of the best graphic novels to date would be a high order for anyone, which could have been the reason that Watchmen didn’t find its audience early on. In recent years, however, the film has become more embraced by audiences who were admittedly too hard on it at first.

Image via Warner Bros.

Snyder practically splashed Moore’s visuals onto the big screen in a world where vigilante justice became the norm. In an alternate universe where America won Vietnam and Nixon was elected for three terms, the titular Watchmen were a group of costumed heroes who, for a time, protected the world from evil. Vietnam was won thanks to Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup) and his limitless powers. But while Marvel revels in otherworldly archetypes who save the world on the regular, Snyder’s film showed what the real-life ramifications of this could be.

Dr. Manhattan had no checks and balances to his power, and though at first he had good intentions, he slowly lost his empathy for humans. On the other side of the spectrum was The Comedian (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), who reveled in his abuse of power, which he used to assault women and commit violence. These themes that were so prevalent in the graphic novel were present in Snyder’s adaptation, which fans can now watch for free.

‘Watchmen’ Is Close To Being a Faithful Adaptation

Before Damon Lindelof set to work creating a sequel to Alan Moore’s graphic novel, Zack Snyder developed an adaptation that was as faithful as anyone would expect. His film contains the important themes, eloquently communicated in a just question: “Who watches the Watchmen?” People with unchecked power often don’t make the right decisions, which is what led to the group and other vigilantes effectively being outlawed.

Only when the Watchmen start to be murdered do the remaining members band together to solve the crime. The Silk Spectre (Malin Akerman) and Night Owl (Patrick Wilson) spearhead this new initiative only to realize that there is corruption in their own ranks. All of this transpires quite faithfully with the source material, until the end, which was perhaps too weird for Hollywood at the time. In the book, the conflict gets resolved when a giant squid is dropped on Manhattan, causing the world to band together and find world peace. Snyder elected not to go this route, which was admittedly a shame for book readers. However, this was rectified in Lindelof’s HBO series, which followed these events precisely and had the perfect ending.

This allowed Snyder’s Watchmen to exist as a joyful celebration of the graphic novel, even if all the events didn’t line up exactly. The roles were largely well cast, and the music was iconic. There is no question that the Dawn of the Dead director spins a good yarn when it comes to visuals. Viewers can revisit a film that has gotten better with age by streaming it on HBO Max.

Advertisement

Watchmen

Advertisement

Release Date

March 6, 2009

Runtime

Advertisement

163 minutes

Director

Zack Synder

Advertisement

Writers

Alex Tse, David Hayter, Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Vasana Montgomery will not be headed to the Love Island USA villa as planned.

Us Weekly has learned that Vasana, 25, has been cut from the season 8 premiere on Monday, June 2, due to two resurfaced social media videos where she appeared to use the n-word. In one video, she purportedly sings along to a song that includes the slur whereas she allegedly says “knock knock, n*****” while playing an arcade game in a second clip.

Us understands that both videos were privately owned so would not have been vetted by Love Island producers before her casting. Both clips have since been leaked publicly following the Love Island season 8 casting announcement, with numerous fans subsequently calling for her removal from the Peacock dating competition.

Us reached out to Peacock for comment.

Related: Love Island USA’s Amaya Reveals Cierra Just ‘Disappeared’ From the Villa

Love Island viewers are usually left with a lot of questions when someone is unexpectedly removed from the villa — but what do the other Islanders get told by production? The hit dating series originally premiered in the U.K. in 2002 before it expanded worldwide with various spinoffs, including Love Island USA on Peacock. The […]

Vasana was part of the official cast unveiled on Thursday, May 28, with the Beaverton, Oregon, native boasting in a pre-release teaser about what she’d bring to the villa.

“I think I am the full package,” she boasted. “I own a business; I live alone; I have a dog. If you were to ask my friends what my type is, they’d show you the world map.”

On the eve of Thursday’s casting announcement, Love Island shared a statement asking viewers not to engage in “negativity” about the cast.

“The Villa runs on good vibes, and so does this community,” an Instagram post read on . “We love seeing your reactions, opinions, and debates, but everyone deserves to feel safe and respected. This is a space for fun, not negativity – so keep it kind, keep it positive, and remember: this is LOVE Island!”

Love Island faced two similar scandals in 2025. First, Love Island USA narrator Iain Stirling announced in season 7’s second episode that islander Yulissa Escobar “left the villa” after podcast clips of her allegedly using racial slurs circulated online.

“First, I want to apologize for using a word I had no right in using. Podcast clips from years ago have recently resurfaced, and I want to address it directly,” Yulissa wrote via Instagram on June 6, 2025. “In those clips, I used a word I never should’ve used, a racial slur.”

Yulissa, 28, added of the offensive podcast clips, “I used [a slur] ignorantly, not fully understanding the weight, history, or pain behind it. I wasn’t trying to be offensive or harmful, but I recognize now that intention doesn’t excuse impact. And the impact of that word is real. It’s tied to generations of trauma, and it is not mine to use.”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

Related: Cierra’s Team Addressed Racist Post Before Her ‘Love Island USA’ Exit

Cierra Ortega‘s friends broke their silence regarding her resurfaced racist post just days before she left Love Island USA. During the Sunday, July 6, episode of the Peacock series, narrator Iain Stirling revealed that Cierra “left the villa due to a personal situation,” leaving partner Nic Vansteenberghe “officially single.” This came as a surprise to […]

The following month, Cierra Ortega exited Love Island over resurfaced posts where she allegedly used an offensive term for Asian people. Cierra, 26, insisted that she was not aware the term she’d used was offensive.

“Now that I’ve been back in the U.S. for about 48 hours and I’ve had the chance to process, I now feel like I’m at a space where I can speak about this without being highly emotional because I am not the victim in the situation,” Cierra said in an Instagram video on July 9, 2025. “While I was in the villa, there were some posts that resurfaced from my past where I was very naively using an incredibly offensive and derogatory term. I want to first start by addressing not just anyone that I have hurt or deeply offended — but most importantly — the entire Asian community. 
I am deeply, truly, honestly, so sorry.”

Love Island USA premieres on Peacock Monday, June 2.