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By Jennifer Asencio
| Published 12 seconds ago

The 1986 Lucasfilm movie Howard the Duck was never going to win any awards. Right from the beginning, everyone recognized how cheesy it was. Few people, aside from true comic book nerds, knew Howard had anything to do with the Marvel universe. Coming from the studio that brought us the original Star Wars trilogy and featuring Lea Thompson fresh from her first turn as Lorraine Baines-McFly, the movie just seemed like it was out of left field.

An Insane Plot And Production

Howard is a very ordinary duck, enjoying his life in Marshington, DC, when suddenly a portal opens and drags him right from his living room and into the very Earthling city of Cleveland. There, he meets Beverly, herself an aspiring musician. She takes him in and introduces him to Phil, a groupie for her band who also happens to work in the lab at the local museum. Howard is hoping Phil can help get him home, but in the meantime, he looks for a job and helps Beverly by managing her band.

Phil gets help in the form of Dr. Walter Jennings, whose laser experiment is what dragged Howard to Earth, but it also brought along “someone else”: an interdimensional monster so ugly and dangerous that it could single-handedly destroy the planet. It doesn’t want to do that until it can invite a few friends along using Jennings’ laser, and Howard and his new friends are all that stands between the Earth and certain destruction.

So Ahead Of Its Time, We’re Just Now Catching Up With It

Let’s face it: Howard the Duck is not a good movie, and it never was. But between oversaturation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as it is today and the ensemble cast that somehow carried this very 80s comic adventure, the movie is a lot more fun today than it was when it first came out. It was ahead of its time as a lampoon of the Marvel universe, well before the Avengers ever assembled onscreen. Howard is actually part of the Guardians of the Galaxy continuity, which makes sense given that they have a talking raccoon and a sentient tree.

The amazing cast is led by Thompson, Tim Robbins as Phil, and Jeffrey Jones as Dr. Jennings, with a team of puppeteers moving Howard around, while he is voiced by Chip Zien. Notable cameos include Holly Robinson as one of Beverly’s bandmates; police procedural star Paul Guilfoyle as, unsurprisingly, a cop; and comic actor David Paymer as Jennings’ lab assistant. Jorli McLain, an obscure actress who looks a lot like Tracy Gold of Growing Pains, steals her scene as a waitress in a restaurant called Cajun Sushi.

Jones is especially good, which is a little uncomfortable when you know his off-screen crimes, but the actor was excellent at his craft, as evidenced by a range of other roles as disparate as Beetlejuice, The Hunt for Red October, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and Valmont. As Dr. Jennings, he plays it deadpan, as though a walking, talking duck is normal in his world. As his alter ego, his delivery of lines and comic timing make it obvious why he was allowed to continue acting after he served his time. He is the best part of an over-the-top and chaotic movie, setting up its zany heroes with hilarious precision.

Tim Robbins is known for being a very pedantic actor, memorizing his every line and movement. He is also not known for this kind of comedy, so his appearance is a pleasant surprise from an actor who is usually found in more witty films like The Hudsucker Proxy and Bull Durham. Yet he plays his character with the same zeal as a 1930s screwball actor, including trips, falls, and numerous physical stunts played for the laugh.

A Certified Cult Classic

Lea Thompson bears the brunt of the film, though, having to appear in the most scenes with the puppet that represents Howard. Playing against an inanimate object, she pulls out all the stops and leans into the outrageous plot, from the seedy club to her studio apartment, the all-night sushi place, and the mad scientists’ lab. It’s not one of her best performances, but it is worthy of an actress who had to play opposite an anthropomorphic waterfowl, especially when she is skirting the fine line of the romance that never quite happens between them.

The movie is still a cult classic, despite being objectively terrible, and a large part of that goes to both the cast and the puppetry. Howard always looks like a puppet, but we can overlook that because all the rest of the special effects are deliberately worse. The movie is based on a campy comic book and manages to capture that tone with its framing and imagery, never attempting to be more than it is. This is not the quality of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and that’s okay, because it was never trying to be that kind of blockbuster. Maybe if the MCU followed the Duck’s lead and leaned more into campiness and less into attempted gritty backstories, it wouldn’t be as tiresome as it is now.

Unfortunately, to watch Howard the Duck, you’ll have to rent it through Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, or Fandango at Home. It’s not quite a family movie with its flash of duck boobies and hinted romance between Beverly and Howard, but with all that in perspective, it’s still worth the rental for a nice cheesy popcorn night. Clocking in at just under two hours, it’s also more endurable than an MCU slog.

Classic films are understandably among the most memorable and iconic in film history, whether for their sweeping sets and timeless narratives or the characters that feel like old friends, still resonating with us all these decades later. For the truly nostalgic, revisiting them or discovering hidden gems is almost inevitable (think comfort food, but for cinephile souls and minds).

What’s especially delightful about these films is that you can watch them in under, or just around, one and a half hours. Compared to today’s marathon-length blockbusters, that’s a breeze. Not that long films are bad — far from it — but sometimes you just want to enjoy great cinema without committing to a whole afternoon. These classic movies under 90 minutes are definitely worth their runtime, delivering a satisfying story in one sitting and no intermission required.

10

‘Laura’ (1944)

Image via 20th Century Studios

If you’re in the mood to watch a stylish noir but don’t have much time on your hands, Laura might be your best bet. Directed by Otto Preminger, the 1944 film follows police detective Mark McPherson (Dana Andrews) as he investigates the murder of the beautiful and highly successful advertising executive Laura Hunt (Gene Tierney).

With a haunting David Raksin score, great performances, and a compelling narrative, Laura delivers a great time in front of the screen with a runtime of 88 minutes. The essential noir has influenced plenty of contemporary works — think of David Lynch‘s Twin Peaks, which not only shares the character’s name but also plot and thematic similarities — and cemented its place among the most iconic and innovative films in its genre. In the meantime, it also offers a compelling critique of male obsession and possessiveness.

9

‘Cléo from 5 to 7’ (1962)

Image by Athos Films

Anchored by Agnès Varda‘s intimate gaze, Cléo from 5 to 7 is possibly one of the most elegant film picks one could choose under 90 minutes. Drenched in stunning black-and-white visuals, the film transports audiences to the streets of 1960s Paris as it follows the day in the life of beautiful singer Cleo (Corinne Marchand) as she waits to learn whether she has cancer.

Cléo from 5 to 7 fascinates us with its primary, purely internal conflict, observing Cléo’s fear of mortality through a refreshing, empathetic, modern lens. At the heart of the film, Varda contemplates time and the meaning of life, especially when confronted with uncertainty and potentially overwhelming odds. Without being overly preachy, the 90-minute gem has become a French New Wave classic essential that invites viewers to pause, reflect, and find the beauty in their own lives and blessings.

8

‘Breathless’ (1960)

Image via StudioCanal

Speaking of the French New Wave, Jean-Luc Godard — who even makes a cameo in Varda’s film alongside his partner, Anna Karina— is another filmmaker worth exploring. His iconic, cool and detached Breathless follows a reckless young criminal and small-time thief (Jean-Paul Belmondo) as he steals a car and impulsively murders the motorcycle policeman who pursues him.

Clocking in at just 90 minutes, Breathless deserves the many flowers it has gotten over the years thanks to its innovative filmmaking and its groundbreaking editing. With sheer audacity, the film essentially rejected what cinema had known so far, defying the conventions of post-war French films and American cinema, and cementing its place among the most memorable classics of its time. Another notable Godard classic under 90 minutes is A Woman is a Woman, an upbeat, quirky musical particularly fitting for those who crave a feel-good watch.

7

‘Brief Encounter’ (1945)

Image via Eagle-Lion Films

Fans of slow-burn romance and classic cinema are likely familiar with Brief Encounter, a heart-wrenching David Lean picture that is a masterful meditation on duty and self-sacrifice. The plot follows two strangers, both married to others, who meet in a railroad station and find themselves in a brief but nonetheless intense affair.

Based on Noël Coward‘s one-act play Still Life, this timeless black-and-white romance continues to conquer hearts 80 years following its release — it was voted #2 on the BFI’s 100 best British films of the century — and understandably so. Lean’s film is compelling in its simplicity, with two powerful acting efforts from Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard and a story of missed chances that lingers. What’s even better, the runtime is around 87 minutes.

6

‘Rope’ (1948)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Hitchcock enthusiasts who have not yet explored the filmmaker’s entire filmography may be pleased to know that Rope is just around 80 minutes — perfect for whenever you’re short on time but want to indulge in something suspenseful and intriguing. The film essentially follows two college students — arrogant Brandon (John Dall) and his friend Philip (Farley Granger), who murder an old college mate and then host a dinner party to prove their intellectual superiority.

Hitchcock’s first color film may not be his finest, but it’s certainly one of the director’s boldest and most memorable, and perhaps his most theatrical. Rope is particularly notable for taking place in real time and being edited to appear as one long shot. With its technical mastery and great performances (James Stewart also stars as the dangerously perceptive Rupert Cadell), the must-see classic movie remains a thrilling, engaging cinematic experience despite its compactness.

5

‘Paths of Glory’ (1957)

Image via United Artists

As far as iconic war pictures go, Paths of Glory ranks among the most impactful, and it’s not hard to see why. With a short 88-minute runtime, the Stanley Kubrick classic follows a member of the French General Staff who asks his subordinate, the ambitious General Mireau (George Macready), to send his division on a suicide mission to take a well-defended German position.

At its core, Paths of Glory is a fiery indictment of injustice and war. It is widely considered one of Kubrick’s many masterpieces (directed at 29), fascinating not merely through its impressive technicalities — like the long tracking shots that fully immerse audiences — but also through a powerful critique of military arrogance and the dehumanization of humans at war. It’s no wonder that the anti-war powerhouse is preserved in the U.S. National Film Registry for its cultural impact.

4

‘Rashomon’ (1950)

Image via Daiei Films

From the visionary mind of acclaimed filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, Rashomon helped revolutionize cinema with its nonlinear storytelling. The film follows a priest (Minoru Chiaki), a woodcutter (Takashi Shumura), and another man (Kichijirō Ueda) as they take refuge from a rainstorm in the shell of a former gatehouse.

Rashomon is now celebrated as one of the greatest and most influential films of the 20th century. Part of its appeal lies in its groundbreaking plot device, which involves the various characters’ subjective, alternative, and contradictory versions of the same incident, and also in its meditation on moral ambiguity and subjectivity. All these years later, it remains a revolutionary film in its technicalities and narrative, cementing its place as a timeless cinematic landmark — and at just 88 minutes, it’s a masterpiece worth checking even when one is short on time.

3

‘Bicycle Thieves’ (1948)

Image via Ente Nazionale Industrie Cinematografiche

This Italian neorealism masterwork by Vittorio De Sica is a cinephile fan-favorite. With a powerful portrayal of human suffering and poverty at its center, the story, set in post-war Italy, centers on a working-class man named Antonio (Lamberto Maggiorani) whose bicycle is stolen, ultimately endangering his efforts to find work. Along with his son Bruno (Enzo Staiola), he sets out to find it.

Beyond its moving depiction of poverty, Bicycle Thieves is influential because it revolutionized cinema while capturing the raw grit of everyday life in such a poignant setting. With its stripped-down style and wonderful performances by nonprofessional actors, De Sica’s movie cemented a wave that remains highly relevant these days, enduring as an immediate favorite that feels immersive and heartbreaking at once.

2

‘The Passion of Joan of Arc’ (1928)

Image via Gaumont

Among French cinema’s most renowned entries is The Passion of Joan of Arc, which remains a truly moving depiction of the final days, interrogation, and execution of the titular heroine. With a powerful lead performance by Renée Jeanne Falconetti — and Carl Theodor Dreyer‘s direction that emphasizes Joan’s deep suffering with heartbreaking close-ups — the silent epic continues to shatter hearts all over the globe.

There are two different versions of The Passion of Joan of Arc: one runs at 110 minutes and a shorter one is approximately 81 to 82 minutes, which is the commonly available restored version presented by The Criterion Collection. Whether it’s the unparalleled acting performance that many have claimed is the best of all time, the pioneering cinematography and atmosphere, or the narrative’s authenticity to history (the screenplay is based directly on the actual trial records) with crushing emotion, Dreyer’s movie endures as essential viewing for anyone who both wants to dive deep into cinema and understand Joan.

1

‘City Lights’ (1931)

Image via United Artists

When the topic is classic movies under 90 minutes, City Lights — along with other Chaplin essentials like The Kid or Modern Times — immediately comes to mind. The film follows a dewy-eyed Tramp who falls in love with a sight-impaired girl (Virginia Cherrill) who mistakes him for a wealthy man. As he attempts to win her heart, he raises money to pay for an operation to restore her sight.

At 87 minutes, City Lights perfects the romantic comedy genre by mixing fast-paced physical comedy with slower and deeply emotional moments; it is precisely its length that allows for a fully developed silent narrative that sticks with audiences and, for such a reason, remains a must-see cinematic experience, especially for hopeless romantics who don’t mind sitting silently and absorbing its poignant story that culminated in arguably one of the most touching final scenes of all time.

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City Lights

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Release Date

March 7, 1931

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Runtime

87 Minutes

Director

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Charles Chaplin

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By Robert Scucci
| Published 9 seconds ago

Escape rooms are fun because you can solve puzzles with your friends, win a prize, hit the gift shop, grab a beer, and go home. The escape room that Edgar (David Richmond-Peck) experiences in 2014’s Cruel and Unusual is not that kind of escape room. Every time he leaves, he has to relive the day his wife Maylon (Bernadette Saquibal) tries to poison him, he overpowers her and accidentally kills her, and then dies himself. It’s like The Neverending Story, except the story is dying a horrific death while killing your spouse, only to wake up in purgatory, talk about it in group therapy, and do it all over again. No thanks.

A dark, surreal psychological thriller packed with time loop tomfoolery, Cruel and Unusual is a total WTF movie with what I’d call the weirdest reverse redemption arc I’ve seen in recent memory. We start out rooting for Edgar, then slowly uncover more and more reasons to stop liking him. When he finally realizes what he has to do to break the cycle, it’s borderline unsatisfying by design, just to show how hollow the entire experience has made him.

Edgar Is Such A Tough Hang

There are two main settings that Cruel and Unusual explores throughout its 91-minute runtime. First is the house where Edgar lives with his Filipino immigrant wife Maylon and her troubled teenage son, Gogan (Monsour Cataquiz). Edgar doesn’t let Maylon work, keeps tight control over the finances, and is barely a father figure to Gogan, who keeps getting in trouble at school but is never given a chance to explain why. Edgar even threatens to send Gogan back to his abusive relatives in the Philippines if he doesn’t straighten up.

Feeling completely trapped, Maylon decides it’s in her and Gogan’s best interest to poison Edgar and start over. She goes through with it, Edgar realizes what’s happening once he becomes violently ill, and a scuffle breaks out when they fight over the phone so he can call for help. During that struggle, Edgar overpowers and kills Maylon, only to wake up in a building that feels like a cross between a rehab center and a mental hospital.

Edgar walks into a group therapy session run by a woman’s face on a television screen known as the Facilitator (Mary Black). There, he meets Doris (Michelle Harrison), Julien (Michael Eklund), and William (Richard Harmon). He quickly learns that everyone in the room committed brutal murders before arriving, that they’re all dead like him, and that this is their punishment. That fact is confirmed by another disembodied face on a screen, the Councillor (Andy Thompson).

Every day, Edgar experiences his cruel and unusual punishment through these sessions, hearing how William stabbed his father dozens of times before crushing his mother’s head with a jar of pickles, Doris committed suicide in front of her family, and Julien murdered his three children. Convinced he doesn’t belong there because he only killed his wife by accident while she was trying to kill him first, Edgar starts working on an escape plan between sessions and repeatedly reliving his death.

Learning Is How You Grow

The problem with Edgar in Cruel and Unusual is that he’s such a dolt. He’s technically right to question his punishment because he’s not a traditional cold-blooded killer. But the semantics are tricky. Since Maylon dies first, he’s still guilty of murder. And that’s where things get complicated. Each time Edgar relives his final day, he gains new perspective by seeing events from different angles.

What he learns is that he was a terrible person. He kept Maylon trapped in a life she didn’t want, using his financial control to dominate both her and Gogan, constantly threatening deportation whenever Gogan stepped out of line. Early on, you root for Edgar because you don’t have the full picture. As the truth comes into focus, it becomes a lot harder to blame Maylon for what she did.

Throughout his time-twisting odyssey, Edgar doesn’t really learn anything, or at least refuses to admit that he’s ever been in the wrong. He’s obsessed with escaping the cycle his own actions created, but he won’t take an honest look at himself. I’m not condoning murder, but if everyone who’s supposed to love you decides that killing you is the only way they could live a happy life, it might be time to look in the mirror before pointing fingers.

Watching Edgar try to manipulate his way out of an afterlife tailored to his actions is what makes this such an effective reverse redemption arc. He never truly grows. In his mind, he’s always the victim. That’s what makes it so compelling to watch him relive the same day over and over, slowly uncovering just how awful he is, and how everyone else sees him.

The moral of the story is simple. Don’t be an Edgar. But if you want to watch him squirm and try to talk his way out of his last day on Earth on repeat, you can stream Cruel and Unusual for free on Tubi as of this writing.

If your goal this spring is to look polished without overthinking your outfits, rich mom style is the move. It’s all about elevated basics and timeless pieces that instantly make you look put together. And thanks to Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, you can get the look for way less.

We found 21 deals across dresses, tops, bottoms, matching sets and accessories that nail that expensive-looking vibe. Think Levi’s wide-leg jeans that actually flatter your shape, Kendra Scott bracelets that pull everything together and more. With the sale only running from Wednesday, March 25 to Tuesday, March 31, these are deals you don’t want to wait on. Psst, prices start at just $13, so refreshing your wardrobe will feel like a no-brainer.

21 Rich Mom-Style Fashion Deals in Amazon’s Big Spring Sale

Dresses

1. Our Favorite: Throw on this V-neck maxi dress, and you’ll look pulled together in about 30 seconds. The elastic waist hits just right, the pockets are actually useful and it comes in tons of colors — was $54, now $36!

2. Brunch-Ready: Puff sleeves, a V-neck, tiered ruffle details and pockets make this floral boho maxi dress feel way more expensive than its price tag. The floral print reads ‘effortlessly polished,’ too — was $51, now $32!

3. Figure-Flattering: A wrap silhouette naturally flatters your figure without feeling restrictive. This belted Swiss dot dress with flutter sleeves and a pleated A-line hem does all the work — was $52, now $35!

4. Expensive-Looking: Slip on this collared maxi shirt dress with its tie belt and puff sleeves for a look that reads ‘quiet luxury.’ The pattern alone makes it feel like something hanging in a rich mom’s closet — was $49, now $34!

Related: 21 Shockingly Good Deals on ‘It‘ Girl Fashion During Amazon‘s Big Sale

It’s finally here! Amazon’s Big Spring Sale is officially underway with deals on everything you could want to refresh your warm-weather closet. We’re talking about sales on top-tier clothes, shoes and accessories with styles that every ‘It’ girl has in her wardrobe. And trust Us, the discounts are shockingly steep with prices starting as low […]

Tops

5. Our Favorite: This striped button-down blouse has a shirt collar, smocked cuffs and a relaxed oversized fit. It’s a shopper favorite for good reason — was $30, now $20!

6. Luxe Lace: Pair this lace-detail blouse with white jeans and gold jewelry for an instantly elevated spring look. At 50% off right now, you can grab it in multiple colors guilt-free — was $26, now $13!

7. Sheer Genius: This sheer lace button-up top has a V-neckline, long sleeves and a mock collared design that layers beautifully over camis. The lace adds texture without feeling overdone — was $25, now $16!

8. Satin Stunner: Tuck this satin button-up shirt into high-waisted trousers and add a statement earring. You’ll look like you spent serious money, but the top is only $19 during Amazon’s sale — was $33, now $19!

Bottoms

9. Our Favorite: White pants that actually flatter your shape are rare. These Levi’s wide-leg jeans are designed with shaping technology that’s sure to slim in the best way — was $75, now $$38!

10. Barrel Beauty: Barrel jeans are everywhere this spring, but finding a pair that holds its shape matters. These Levi’s barrel jeans are made with a relaxed fit and non-stretch denim to provide structure and comfort — was $85, now $43!

11. Resort-Ready: Pack these resort-ready palazzo pants for your next beach trip, and wear them over a swimsuit to lunch. The flowy wide-leg fit looks chic in khaki — was $29, now $18!

12. Major Deal: A good pair of dark wash straight-leg jeans goes with literally everything. These Levi’s straight jeans are made with a cotton blend and a slight stretch — was $65, now $22!

Matching Sets

13. Our Favorite: Getting dressed shouldn’t require mental energy on your day off. This V-neck lounge set does the styling for you with matching wide-leg pants — was $37, now $25!

14. Designer-Looking: The contrast hem detail on this two-piece sweater set gives it a designer edge. The short-sleeve knit top and wide-leg pants look like they belong in a boutique — was $47, now $30!

15. Classy Stripes: Coordinating separates can be annoying. This two-piece striped set takes the guesswork out with a matching knit top and skirt that looks pulled together instantly — was $55, now $33!

16. Business Casual: This sleeveless suit vest set pairs a structured vest with matching wide-leg pants. The elevated silhouette looks like an office-ready designer set at a fraction of the cost — was $70, now $46!

17. Comfort MVP: Curl up on the couch or grab coffee in this gray lounge set that comes with wide-leg pants and a long-sleeve top. It’s honestly the comfiest thing on this entire list — was $40, now $19!

Shoes and Accessories

18. Our Favorite: These cut-out strap slides come in faux brown leather with a designer-looking silhouette that reads way more expensive than it is. Flat soles keep them comfortable for all-day wear — was $65, now $43!

19. Time to Accessorize: This Kendra Scott bracelet is made with 14k gold plated brass and mother-of-pearl accent. At 30% off during Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, it’s a steal on a name you trust — was $55, now $39!

20. Timeless Timepiece: A good watch pulls an outfit together fast. This Nine West mesh bracelet watch gives you that polish — was $49, now $20!

21. Sleek Sneakers: Pair these Adidas Grand Court sneakers with wide-leg trousers and a blazer for that effortless off-duty look. The white, black and gum option keeps things clean and classic — was $75, now $36!

The story that quickly spiraled into outrage around Chappell Roan has taken a surprising turn.

What first appeared to be an incident involving her personal security has now been clarified, shifting the narrative entirely.

New details reveal a different connection behind the confrontation, raising fresh questions about what really happened at the São Paulo hotel.

Chappell Roan Controversy Takes Unexpected Turn

What initially sparked backlash was a tense encounter at a luxury hotel in São Paulo, where a young girl, Ada Law, reportedly left in tears after being confronted by a security guard.

The man at the center of the storm, Pascal Duvier, was widely believed to be working for Chappell Roan at the time.

However, that assumption has now been overturned. It has emerged that Duvier was not part of Roan’s team at all.

Instead, the Daily Mail reports that he was in Brazil working for Sabrina Carpenter, who was staying at the same hotel while both artists were in the city for the Lollapalooza Brazil.

This revelation fundamentally changes how the incident is understood, especially given how quickly blame was directed toward Roan and her team.

What Happened At The Hotel Breakfast

According to accounts from the family, Ada had simply noticed Roan during breakfast and smiled while walking past.

She did not approach or attempt to interact further. Moments later, the situation escalated when Duvier intervened.

Her stepfather, Jorginho, described the moment online, writing, “What happened next was completely disproportionate.”

He continued, “A large security guard came over to their table while they were still having breakfast and began speaking in an extremely aggressive manner to both my wife and my daughter, saying that she shouldn’t allow my daughter to ‘disrespect’ or ‘harass’ other people.”

The family said the confrontation left Ada visibly upset, with her mother later sharing that the child had been reduced to tears following the exchange.

Chappell Roan’s Team Responds To Claims

As the backlash grew, Roan’s camp moved quickly to clarify her role, or lack thereof, in the situation.

A spokesperson stressed that the singer had no involvement in the encounter.

“Chappell was not aware of any interaction between this mother/daughter and a third-party security office,” the statement read.

They added, “She did not see them at breakfast in her hotel, as she said in her video. She did not direct her personal security or anyone on her team to interact with them.”

The message was clear. Not only was the guard not employed by Roan, but she also had no knowledge of what had taken place at the time.

The spokesperson further emphasized her stance on fan interactions, stating, “Chappell holds her own teams to the highest standards and has zero tolerance for any kind of aggressive behaviour towards her or her fans.”

Bodyguard Explains His Actions

Facing intense scrutiny, Pascal Duvier broke his silence and offered his own explanation.

He acknowledged the incident while distancing it from Chappell Roan entirely.

“I take full responsibility for the interactions on March 21st. I was at the hotel on behalf of another individual, and I was not part of the personal security of Chapell Roan,” he said in an Instagram post.

He clarified further, “The actions I took where not on behalf of Chapell Roan, her personal security team, her management, or any other individuals.”

Duvier also suggested that his response was shaped by broader concerns, adding, “I made a judgement call based on information we obtained from the hotel, events I had witnessed in the days prior and the heightened overall security risk of our location.”

Despite the criticism, he maintained that his intentions were not hostile.

Duvier added, “My sole interaction with the mother was calm and with good intentions, and the outcome of the encounter was respectful.”

Fallout From The Chappell Roan Incident

Even as new details emerged, the emotional impact on the family remained evident.

Ada’s mother later shared that the experience influenced their plans during the festival weekend.

“Our daughter decided she didn’t want to go to the show tonight after how we were treated… so, instead, we had a girls’ shopping day and then went out for dinner together,” she reportedly wrote.

She also reassured supporters, saying, “Thank you all for the kind messages – everything is fine!”

Interestingly, the family still attended Sabrina Carpenter’s performance, seemingly unaware at the time of Duvier’s connection to her.

One can only wonder how the recent revelation will make them feel.

By Robert Scucci
| Published 7 seconds ago

There’s nothing more entertaining than watching a movie about cutting-edge technology from the 90s, 30 years after the fact. On one hand, I’ll give 1995’s The Net credit where it’s due. It’s well-acted, Sandra Bullock is the hottest computer geek in cinematic history (sorry, Hackers), and the plot actually kind of makes sense because they don’t drown you in tech jargon and junk science. There’s a golden rule when it comes to technological thrillers: the less you explain the logic, the better. The Net toes this line perfectly because I know enough about computers to pick up what they’re throwing down, but I’m also dumb enough to think, “that makes sense,” while watching.

I’m not going to pause the movie and look up the technical semantics to prove this point, but the storyline is immersive enough to grab your attention without getting so convoluted that it takes you out of the experience. I don’t know how any of this stuff works at this level, and as a viewer, I appreciate that The Net doesn’t treat me like I’m too dumb to understand the implications, while also refusing to hold my hand because it’s all pretty straightforward.

Sandra Bullock Is Lost In The Net

The Net focuses on Sandra Bullock’s Angela Bennett. She’s a perfect patsy for what’s about to go down because she’s a freelance systems analyst who works from home. Most of her relationships are the kind of faceless encounters you have online, and her mother lives in a nursing home because she has Alzheimer’s disease and barely remembers she exists. It’s a lonely life for Angela, but she’s also well connected through her work. Or so she thinks.

When Angela’s coworker Dale (Ray McKinnon) sends her a floppy disk known as Mozart’s Ghost, she’s told to click on the Pi button hidden in the document, which functions as a backdoor into an application known as Gatekeeper, an elaborate cybersecurity system she’s not supposed to have access to.

Dale dies under mysterious circumstances, and Angela goes on vacation, where she meets a man named Jack Devlin (Jeremy Northam). Jack brings Angela out on his boat, but he’s outed when she realizes he plans to kill her and take the floppy disk. After a violent scuffle, Angela wakes up in the hospital three days later and learns that Jack and his nameless, faceless associates have scrubbed her identity from existence and given her a new one: Ruth Marx.

As Ruth, Angela uncovers a vast conspiracy involving a group of cyber terrorists known as the Praetorians, who are using the Gatekeeper software to orchestrate massive network failures across the country while framing her in the process. Angela confides in her former therapist and lover, Dr. Alan Champion (Dennis Miller), who doesn’t necessarily believe her conspiracy theories but isn’t going to turn down a motel meetup with her either.

A Solid Tech Thriller For The Average iPhone User

While I knew my way around MS-DOS as a kid and have kept up with tech to some degree (I have an iPhone that’s about five generations behind), what I like most about The Net is that it gets its point across without being patronizing or overly complex. There are plenty of flashes of computer screens that help drive the story, but everything is so straightforward that you don’t get lost in granular details. The main focus is the conspiracy and identity theft plot that drives The Net. While you need the occasional tech speak to get from point A to B, you don’t need to be a genius to read between the lines and enjoy the thriller for what it is.

All you need to know is that Sandra Bullock does her best computing in a bikini, everybody thinks she’s somebody she’s not, and because of this, she can’t trust anybody. It’s obviously a bit dated by today’s standards, but it’s still a fun watch because it deals with cybersecurity concepts that remain relevant. I’d imagine similar conversations about different applications are happening behind closed doors today. We’re just getting the 1995 version here.

As of this writing, The Net is streaming for free on Tubi.

Just as spring is beginning in much of the Northern Hemisphere, it means it’s the perfect time to end one of the longer days with a documentary series. National Geographic is bringing yet another installment of their “Secrets of” Franchise. The National Geographic series turns five this year. The newest installment is Secrets of the Bees. Other iterations of the series include: Secrets of the Whales, Secrets of the Elephants, Secrets of the Octopus, and Secrets of the Penguins. It will stream on Disney+ and Hulu on April 1 and air on National Geographic on March 31.

What some may not know is that the educational docuseries has a big name attached to it. World-renowned director James Cameron, best known for his Avatar franchise and the 1997 film Titanic, serves as an executive producer on the project. Secrets of the Bees will also kick off National Geographic’s Earth Month initiative. Nat Geo says the month will serve as a “global storytelling moment, inviting audiences everywhere to discover, experience, and celebrate the wonder of our natural world — sparking a deeper commitment to protect it.”

Today, Collider is unveiling an exclusive look at the upcoming Secrets of the Bees. Insects have been considered both endangered and critical to the ecosystem for many years. Our exclusive highlight features a clip of the “broomstick bee,” narrated by BAFTA and Emmy-winning National Geographic Explorer Bertie Gregory. The series will also feature the expertise of National Geographic Explorer Dr. Samuel Ramsey. In the footage, a bee hides a shell containing her egg by carrying sticks and blades of tall grass to cover it and create a nest. But as Gregory reveals, this won’t be her only nest. He explains that before the season ends, the bee is expected to build at least twenty more just like it.

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What Is James Cameron Best Known For?

Cameron is a Canadian filmmaker best known for some of the biggest movies in modern pop culture. He wrote and directed the 1984 Arnold Schwarzenegger hit The Terminator, the historical romance epic Titanic, which starred Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio. The film propelled Cameron’s success, with it snagging Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Film Editing. Most recently, Cameron’s focus has been on his Avatar franchise. Joining Titanic, Avatar and Avatar: The Way of Water sit among the highest-grossing films ever. He also, of course, expends some of his energy with National Geographic. The highly decorated filmmaker says of the upcoming Secrets of the Bees:

“For its fifth anniversary, ‘Secrets of’ turns its lens to one of Earth’s smallest yet most vital heroes: bees. Far more than pollinators, bees are socially complex, fast-thinking individuals and the most important insects on our planet. Their impact on the natural world and humanity is immeasurable, and we’re only just beginning to see how extraordinary they truly are.”

Secrets of the Bees premieres on March 31 on National Geographic and streams on Disney+ and Hulu the next day. Check out the exclusive clip of the “broomstick bee” above. Stay with Collider for the latest updates.

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Release Date

December 19, 1997

Runtime

3h 14m

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Director

James Cameron

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Writers

James Cameron

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are speaking out after a Los Angeles jury ruled against Google and Meta in a landmark case regarding social media addiction.

On Wednesday, March 25, the two tech giants were ordered to pay $6 million in compensatory and punitive damages to a young woman who alleged that Meta-owned Instagram and Google-owned YouTube were designed to be addictive, causing detriment to her mental health as a minor.

“This verdict is a reckoning,” the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said in a statement to Us Weekly. “For too long, families have paid the price for platforms built with total disregard for the children they reach. We stand with every parent and young person who refused to be silenced. Today, the truth has been heard and precedent has been set.”

The woman identified only as K.G.M., now 20, sued Google, Meta, and other tech companies in 2023, alleging that features on social media applications were designed to be addictive. She said she began using social media platforms at age 6 and that the likes of Instagram and YouTube had caused her harm, including depression, body dysmorphia and thoughts of self-harm, per The New York Times and NBC News.

Related: Prince Harry Gets Emotional During Recent Outing With Grieving Parents

Prince Harry appeared emotional at a recent outing with grieving families at a landmark social media-related trial in California. “None of you should be here,” Harry, 41, said as he cleared his throat in a speech that was shared on Thursday, February 12, by BBC Breakfast. “Thank you for doing everything that you’ve done. Thank […]

A jury said Meta must pay K.G.M. $4.2 million in combined compensatory and punitive damages. YouTube owner Google was ordered to pay $1.8 million.

Both Meta and Google said they disagreed with the verdict and plan to appeal.

“Teen mental health is profoundly complex and cannot be linked to a single app. We will continue to defend ourselves vigorously as every case is different, and we remain confident in our record of protecting teens online,” a Meta spokesperson told NBC News.

Google spokesperson José Castañeda claimed to NBC News that the case “misunderstands YouTube, which is a responsibly built streaming platform, not a social media site.”

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Related: Meghan Markle Shares ‘Worries’ About Her 2 Children Having Social Media

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have “worries” about raising their two children in a social media-driven world. “Being a mom is the most important thing in my entire life,” Meghan, 42, said during a panel at Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day Festival on Tuesday, October 10. “Outside of course to being a wife […]

Harry, 41, and Meghan, 44, have been outspoken about online safety among minors, particularly when it comes to social media, and have supported various initiatives around the cause through their foundation, Archewell Philanthropies.

In April 2025, the couple, who share son Prince Archie, 6, and daughter Princess Lilibet, 4, launched the “Lost Screen Memorial,” an installation in New York City aimed at highlighting the negative impact of social media on young people.

The memorial incorporated images of children who “lost their lives as a result of the harm they suffered on social media,” per a virtual version of the “Lost Screen Memorial.”

“These children were not sick. Their deaths were not inevitable — they were exposed to, and in many cases were pushed harmful content online, the kind any child could encounter,” Harry said in a statement issued to Us at the time.

“No child should be exploited, groomed, or preyed upon in digital spaces. To the platforms, they may be seen as statistics. To their families, they were cherished and irreplaceable,” he added.