Jennifer Lopez is reportedly rethinking her split from her ex-husband Ben Affleck after his recent gesture.

The singer and the actor have since settled their divorce, but were unable to sell off their expensive Beverly Hills property.

This drawn-out search for a buyer seemingly spurred Ben Affleck to gift Jennifer Lopez his share of the marital home, with sources now claiming the move has left a strong impression on the pop star.

Jennifer Lopez Is ‘Back To Hoping’ She And Ben Affleck Can Work Things Out After His Generous Act

The last may not have been heard on the love story between Lopez and Affleck, even though they’re no longer together. The pair tied the knot in a surprise Vegas wedding back in July 2022, after reuniting a few years earlier.

They went on to enjoy conjugal bliss until mid-2024, when rumors started flying around that their marriage had hit the rocks after going several months without being pictured together.

The “Hustlers” actress eventually filed for divorce in August that year, listing their date of separation as April 26, 2024. Their divorce was settled in January 2025, but their $60 million Beverly Hills property, which they bought to house their blended family, remained a point of contention as they were unable to get buyers for it.

Just recently, Affleck left his stake in the property to her, seeking a clean break and an end to whatever will join them. However, the move seemingly left an impression on Lopez, who’s now understood to be “hoping” they can work things out.

A source told Star Magazine she “can’t help but see it as proof he’s the good guy she fell in love with, and she’s back to hoping that somehow, they might be able to work it out.”

Ben Affleck Wants An End To It All After Drawn-Out Search For A Buyer

While Lopez is reportedly thinking there’s still hope for them to sort things out, Affleck wants everything to be done with.

Reports suggest he wasn’t trying to be charitable with the act, but just wanted to buy his way out of a tiresome situation.

“He feels like this will absolve him of the way he messed with her head [during their marriage]. But that’s typical of Ben — he’s trying to avoid drama and only creating more,” the insider noted to the magazine about Affleck’s latest move.

Ben Affleck Prefers A ‘Clean, Absolute Break’ From Jennifer Lopez

Meanwhile, a source who earlier spoke to Rob Shuter’s #ShutterScoop said the “Accoutant 2” actor wants to walk away and never have to deal with her anymore.

“This isn’t him giving anything,” an insider told the journalist. “This is him paying to be done. That house is the last tie, and he wants it gone, fast.”

“He’d pay anything at this point,” the source explained. “Because peace of mind is worth more than the money. Ben isn’t acting out of kindness, he’s making a smart decision for himself. He wants a clean, absolute break, and this is the quickest way to get there.”

Ben Affleck Isn’t Looking For Love After His Divorce

Since their divorce, both stars have been pictured making several appearances together, especially as their children remain close.

They’ve managed to maintain a cordial relationship after going through a rather peaceful split and asset division.

However, things may struggle to escalate beyond what they currently are, as a source told Star Magazine in February that Affleck is seemingly “immune to love” and is no longer seeking a long-term partnership.

“He’s not looking for a relationship,” the source said. “He does have room in his life for flings and no-strings hookups, and he meets them on elite dating apps or through friends.”

Instead, he’s focused on growing his business with pal Matt Damon and also taking care of his children, Violet, Fin, and Samuel, whom he shares with ex Jennifer Garner.

“He has enough on his plate with his job and children,” the source continued. “He has his eye on the real prize, not the next random hot actress that catches his eye.”

Sources Downplay Reports Linking Jennifer Lopez To Her Co-Star

Lopez has faced Romance rumors with her “Office Romance” co-star Brett Goldstein following their onscreen chemistry in the upcoming rom-com. Although they never confirmed it, a source said their relationship wasn’t “serious” and that she only saw it as a “rebound.”

The insider who spoke to In Touch Magazine added that the “Jenny From The Block” singer was having “fun with him” and only thought of him as a “genuinely lovely guy.”

“Right from the start, she saw him as a rebound,” they claimed.

The pair reportedly grew closer while filming the series and were linked after being pictured holding hands. The insider added that although the actor would have “liked their relationship to go further,” he allegedly didn’t “tick all the boxes” for her.

“She is someone who has a very clear vision for her life, she knows what it takes for a man to hold her interest long term, and she doesn’t want to set anyone up for failure,” they added.

The source went further to add that Lopez would reportedly want her next man to “match her ex on every level,” but as great as Goldstein is, “he doesn’t hit the mark.”

Bold and the Beautiful delivers Katie Logan Spencer‘s (Heather Tom) big fashion show debut for Logan coming up very soon. And it looks like something may go really, really wrong on her big day. Bill Spencer (Don Diamont) is going to stand beside his wife no matter what, but she might really need him to lean on soon.

So, we’re going to talk about Katie’s debut event and how it may go completely off the rails. She might wind up humiliated because of angry, vengeful Forresters. Let’s get into it!

Katie’s Big Logan Debut Kicks Off on Bold and the Beautiful

So, this week we’ve got the big Logan debut kicking off. We head into May sweeps. It begins today, which is Thursday, April 23rd. And we’ve already seen Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang) trying several times to get Katie to back down and not use Eric Forrester‘s (John McCook) designs for her fashion show. Brooke and Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye) keep accusing Katie and Bill of stealing Eric’s designs. Now, I know a lot of fans don’t like this storyline, and a lot of people are very anti-Katie. This has been a very, you know, team Brooke versus team Katie sort of plot.

But legally, there was no stealing of any kind. They paid Eric to work for them after he insisted that he was going to be Katie’s lead designer. Like no discussion. Eric demanded to be hired. He wasn’t lured into it. And he was happy doing it until a couple of things happened. One, he realized he overextended himself and was just getting run down. And once Ridge decided to be decent to his dad, Eric had regrets. But Ridge really didn’t make a big move to reconcile until after he found out that Eric was working with Logan. So, none of that is Katie’s fault.

Eric made a commitment and I kind of agree with her that he should have honored it or handled it better instead of just ghosting her. But because Ridge and Brooke were being so over the top, I think that put Eric under more pressure and Ridge forcing Eric to retire is what set all of this in motion. We all know that. So, if Ridge and Brooke are looking to lay blame, I don’t know why they’re not looking a little more hard at themselves, but of course, they’re not going to.

Eric Left Katie High & Dry on B&B

So, in the end, Eric bailed on a job he was paid for, and Katie decided to move forward using the designs Eric made for her because they were basically too far down the road to unring the bell. Now, Katie briefly considered not using them, but Bill said, “No, the designs were bought and paid for. We’re going to use them.” I fully expect Brooke to do maybe another drive by at Logan to try to bully Katie one last time into canceling her fashion show. She’s not going to do it.

The big debut kicks off by the end of this week. I expect it carries over into next week, which is the first full week of May sweeps. An official B&B spoiler photo, I can’t show you for copyright reasons, has Katie glaring at somebody while at the fashion show. So, I’m wondering if Brooke and Ridge or maybe even Eric show up to make things difficult for Katie on her big day. So, let’s talk about how she might wind up humiliated, which is something Bill can’t spare her. You know, he can clap back, but he can’t really prevent it. And I think Katie’s launch has the potential to rip families apart.

Eric Might Collapse At The Show

So, first, I’m wondering if Eric shows up to see the final designs, how they came out of production. He may not be able to stay away. And if he bickers with Bill or Katie, Eric might get so upset that he has some sort of collapse. I mean, honestly, that would ruin Katie’s show if it looks like she and Bill worked her lead designer into a literal collapse on Bold and the Beautiful.

That’s what Brooke and Ridge already accused Katie of, and it could happen. But I think mostly because of the push and pull between the Logans and Forresters, more so than the work. If Eric went down at the show, that would not be a good look for Katie, especially when she’s just starting out.

Brooke May Try to Embarrass Katie on Bold

So, we could also see Brooke turning up at the debut to embarrass Katie in front of the media. Brooke may call Katie a thief in front of the fashion journalists and the influencers. Brooke may rant and say that Katie preyed on Eric and took advantage of him. You know, Brooke could say Eric never agreed that Katie could use the designs. And then Brooke could take it further and claim that Katie stole the Logan trademark out from under her even though legally Forrester can’t squat on a trademark they’re not using, which they weren’t. And on top of that, they let it lapse. So, there’s no legal defense there.

Brooke may keep going with other nasty accusations about Katie. She may even get mean. And Brooke may say Katie’s always been jealous of her and that Katie grew up in her shadow. And this launch is an attempt for Katie to get some petty revenge on Brooke.

However, if the journalists do their job and they ask if Eric was hired by Katie or start asking Brooke questions that she doesn’t want to lie directly to, that could take the whole wind out of her sails about stolen designs. Like for instance, if they ask Brooke how they lost the trademark and she has to admit they let it lapse because they weren’t using it. That’s not a good look, even if she wants to cry thievery. This whole thing could make Brooke herself look bad to the press like she’s the one who’s jealous.

Ridge May Target Bill on B&B

Now, another possible disaster is Ridge shows up and targets Bill to start something. We could see Ridge airing out years of dirty laundry between them. He may say that Bill’s done many bad things to Ridge and the rest of the Forrester family. You know, he could go wild and say Bill had Ridge thrown out of a helicopter trying to kill him. Truth. And he could talk about Bill trying to split up Brooke and Ridge many times. Also truth. That Bill repeatedly betrayed Katie by cheating. Also truth. And Ridge may claim Bill worked Eric into exhaustion and pushed an old man too hard, which is not a truth.

Basically, all the anti-Spencer trash talk that Ridge has been spewing, he could go and spew there. And yes, without a doubt, Bill has done awful things in the past, but Ridge doesn’t have clean hands. He’s a cheater. He’s a scoundrel. I would expect Brooke and Ridge to do their best though to make Katie and Bill look like predators.

RJ May Crash The Show on Bold and the Beautiful

Also, by the time the Logan fashion show kicks off, RJ Forrester (Joshua Hoffman) is going to know that Electra Forrester (Laneya Grace) is back with Will Spencer (Crew Morrow) and that he’s lost his shot with Electra. So, RJ may pitch a fit, demand again that Ridge fire Will and throw a full-on nepo baby tantrum.

I do expect Ridge and Brooke to shut RJ down and tell him, “Suck it up, Buttercup.” Ivy was the reason all of this happened, you know, and nobody except for maybe Ivy herself is going to get fired. And they may tell RJ, “Be professional. Show Will respect at work.” You know, not only is he a coworker, but he’s your family.

And that might send RJ into a full-on fit of rage. And he may go crash the Logan show and cause a scene. You know, I could see him lashing out at Will’s family just for petty payback. RJ hates Bill and he hates Will and even though Katie’s his aunt, RJ is such a giant creep. I could see him trying to ruin her launch.

Could Brooke and Ridge Get an Injunction?

And the last thing based on that photo of Katie glaring at somebody at the show, I wonder if Brooke and Ridge pull some kind of stunt like they get an injunction to shut down the fashion show while they litigate over who owns the designs. Legally, Bill and Katie do own them, but anybody can file a civil suit.

And you can often get an injunction even if it won’t hold up in court long term. It doesn’t take necessarily that much to get an injunction, just a good lawyer. But they might be able to claim that Eric didn’t authorize the use, and that’s enough to get an injunction just to ruin the launch.

Even if it won’t stick long term. That would really be humiliating for Katie. I think it’s highly unlikely that the Logan fashion show is going to go off without a hitch. Not if Brooke or Ridge have anything to say about it.

Over the last 26 years, audiences around the world have been treated to several films that show why science fiction has remained one of cinema’s most prolific, beloved, and successful genres throughout the art form’s history. However, only a handful of sci-fi masterpieces released throughout the 21st century are truly worthy of being considered perfect.

It’ll take someone admirably nitpicky to find any kind of significant flaw in these masterclasses of sci-fi filmmaking. It doesn’t matter whether they’re huge blockbusters or slow-burning arthouse gems, thought-provoking dramas or irresistibly funny comedies, family-friendly future classics or purely adult-oriented sci-fi. The fact of the matter is that these films are the closest that 21st-century science fiction has come to true perfection thus far.

10

‘Last and First Men’ (2020)

Image via Films Boutique

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The late Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson remains best-known for his unforgettable music for movies like The Theory of Everything and Mandy. But right before his death, Jóhannsson stepped into the director’s chair to adapt Olaf Stapledon‘s 1930 sci-fi novel Last and First Men. Coming out two years after its director’s passing, it is an experimental effort of true passion and ambition.

Last and First Men is not a traditional sci-fi film. It’s composed entirely of Tilda Swinton narrating a story about humanity’s evolution across two billion years, while the camera shows otherworldly-looking monuments (which are actually WWII memorials in former Yugoslavia) in gorgeous black and white. Thematically complex and formally fascinating, it’s a surreal masterpiece that all fans of arthouse sci-fi should check out at least once in their lives.

9

‘Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie’ (2025)

Image via NEON

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Back in 2007, Matt Johnson and Jay McCarroll became instant cult figures thanks to the Canadian web series Nirvana the Band the Show. Ten years later, the world was treated to a full-on mockumentary series remake. And finally, last year, Matt and Jay returned in Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, a pop culture phenomenon that instantly joined the ranks of the best Canadian movies ever made.

With a low budget, a guerrilla-style approach filled with man-on-the-street moments, and a faultless understanding of fair use laws, Johnson and McCarroll made a spoof of Back to the Future that still feels like one of the most creative and original sci-fi movies of the 21st century. Packed with moments bound to make anyone ask, “How the hell did they get away with that?” Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie is a love letter to Toronto, comedy, science fiction, and the art of punk rock filmmaking.

8

‘The Prestige’ (2006)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

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Some might point to Christopher Nolan‘s other 21st-century sci-fi efforts first, which only goes to show that, despite being massively acclaimed, The Prestige is somehow still one of its director’s most underappreciated works. For people who love thrillers packed with plot twists, this Victorian gem about the bitter rivalry between two illusionists is a must-see.

With its incredible cast, exceptional production values, and many brilliantly constructed twists, The Prestige is arguably Nolan’s most perfect sci-fi film of the century. It’s a riveting tale about the destructive power of obsession that many people read as a metaphor for the filmmaking process itself. No matter what it represents, The Prestige is undoubtedly an irresistibly fun and surprising film.

7

‘WALL·E’ (2008)

Pixar has produced its fair share of duds in the last few years, but once upon a time, the studio was behind an astonishing number of the best kids’ movies of the last 100 years. That most certainly includes WALL·E, a family-friendly masterpiece which proves that animation can be the perfect home for some of the most imaginative sci-fi stories imaginable in cinema.

Aside from being visually stunning, WALL·E is a beautiful tribute to old-school science fiction and to the romantic comedies of Hollywood’s silent age. Who could have predicted that a love story about two robots could possibly be so delightful? Thematically, it’s a poignant and thought-provoking gem that’s never unsubtle with its message. Funny, creative, with some beautiful music, and full of unforgettable moments of pure emotion, WALL·E has a heart of gold.

6

‘Children of Men’ (2006)

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Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón has made most of his genre work in Hollywood, and as far as sci-fi Cuarón goes, it doesn’t get any better than Children of Men. This dystopian masterpiece about a futuristic world where humanity has been ravaged by two decades of infertility is as gloomy as it is beautifully humanistic, and it’s one of the best character-driven sci-fi movies of all time.

Emmanuel Lubezki‘s jaw-dropping camerawork, the cast’s exceptional performances — Clive Owen is genuinely doing career-best work here — and the breathtaking third act, where Cuarón gets to show off his directing chops in their full splendor, are just some of the standouts in the film. There’s practically nothing not to love about Children of Men. Though it’s definitely light on the science fiction elements, fans of the genre should nevertheless consider it essential viewing.

5

‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ (2015)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

After exactly three decades away from the franchise and from the action movie genre as a whole, George Miller returned to Max Rockatansky’s wasteland with Mad Max: Fury Road. Not only did this movie instantly prove to be the best installment in the series thus far, but it also became one of the best action movies of the last ’80 years, high-budget action filmmaking at its very best.

Fury Road is a relentless two hours of non-stop adrenaline and brutal action, with some of the most imaginative and delightfully over-the-top world-building of any sci-fi action film in recent memory. It’s technically impressive, it has great music and sound design, Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron‘s performances are top-notch, and the number of badass action sequences is too large to count. For people who love their science fiction with a side of white-knuckle action, Fury Road should be right up their alley.

4

‘Arrival’ (2016)

Image via Paramount Pictures

By the time 2016 rolled in, Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve had already established himself as one of the strongest new voices in Hollywood. It was Arrival that furthered that reputation by also showing just how immensely talented he was at sci-fi filmmaking. Based on the 1998 novella Story of Your Life by Ted Chiang, Arrival is one of the most unconventional—and one of the greatest—alien invasion movies in history.

It’s also one of the most perfect sci-fi movies of the 21st century, a beautifully artistic and meditatively-paced study of memories, language, and communication. Amy Adams‘ lead performance is perfect (and one of the biggest Oscar snubs of the 2010s), Villeneuve’s direction is perfect, Jóhann Jóhannsson’s score is perfect, and all the technical qualities of this modern sci-fi masterpiece are also without flaw.

3

‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ (2022)

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The Daniels‘ Everything Everywhere All at Once, winner of a whopping seven Academy Awards (including Best Picture), kind of came out of nowhere. After all, who could have expected a martial arts sci-fi dramedy about family and aging, easily one of the most chaotic movies of all time, to be one of the greatest cinematic masterpieces of the 2020s? That unpredictability only makes Everything Everywhere All at Once even more admirable.

The film is hilarious, but it’s also beautifully tender and emotional. It’s full of action-packed sequences of endless sci-fi creativity, but also full of quiet moments of character-building and emotional catharsis. It was made on a shockingly low budget, but it’s also one of the most visually stunning sci-fi action flicks of the decade. Basically, it’s one of the most exquisitely surprising genre movies of the last couple of decades, a truly special gem unlike any other.

2

‘Dune: Part Two’ (2024)

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Who, if not Denis Villeneuve, could possibly deserve to be mentioned in a list of this nature not just once, but twice? After all, Dune: Part Two is a generational masterpiece that will surely still be remembered as one of the greatest sci-fi films of the 21st century, many decades from now. 2021’s Dune was solid enough, but it was Part Two that showed beyond a shadow of a doubt that Denis Villeneuve was such a talented sci-fi director that he could parallel the imagination of Frank Herbert, author of the genre-defining book series that gave origin to this modern masterpiece.

Dune: Part Two is one of the best sci-fi movies of all time, the kind of film that has something in it for everyone. Romance, excitement, suspense, action, and a hauntingly gorgeous Hans Zimmer score all populate Villeneuve’s Arrakis. Technically perfect, narratively perfect, thematically perfect, and perfect as a faithful yet creative adaptation of Herbert’s masterpiece, Dune: Part Two is one of the best sci-fi sequels of all time.

1

‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ (2004)

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Charlie Kaufman, perhaps the greatest screenwriter working in Hollywood today, wrote several of the best screenplays of the 2000s. The best, however, allowed Michel Gondry to direct the best sci-fi film of the 21st century thus far: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. It isn’t a space opera or an overly intricate depiction of a hyper-technological future. In Eternal Sunshine, science fiction is a tool that allows Kaufman and Gondry to explore questions of what romance and human connection mean in the modern world.

It may sound corny, but Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is every bit as realistic and raw as it is tender and beautifully romantic. People who prefer their sci-fi films to lean much heavier on both the science and the fiction will probably prefer to look elsewhere, but those who love to see a story that’s a deeply human, character-driven drama first and a sci-fi film second will undoubtedly be delighted (and heartbroken) by this gem. Poignant though it may be, however, the film is also one of the most movingly genuine romance dramas of the century, genre storytelling at its best.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 24 seconds ago

What do you think the most influential sci-fi film of the ‘90s was? You might be tempted to say The Phantom Menace, which continued a beloved franchise, or maybe The Matrix, which redefined the action/science fiction genre.

Where we’re standing, though, it doesn’t get much more influential than Stargate, which kicked off a sprawling franchise and is now streaming on free services like Roku. It’s also a franchise poised for a big comeback, with a new series currently in development at Amazon.

Stargate On Streaming

The plot of Stargate is a little wild if you’re streaming this classic for the first time. Basically, the military discovers a portal on Earth (the titular Stargate) that allows people to travel to a distant and very Egyptian-looking planet. Eventually, they discover an alien menace with surprising ties to Earth’s ancient history. Soon, our characters are in a fight for their lives that may ultimately determine the fate of two different worlds.

Stargate has a better cast than most sci-fi films, starting with Kurt Russell. It also stars James Spader, a film legend turned TV icon thanks to Boston Legal and The Blacklist. Meanwhile, the film’s chief villain is played by Jaye Davidson, who is best known for The Crying Game and has stopped acting in anything outside of shorts since 1994, the same year Stargate was released.

You don’t have to pay anything to watch Stargate when streaming it, but ‘90s audiences were happy to open up their wallets: against a budget of $55 million, this ambitious sci-fi film earned $196.6 million at the box office. It was originally envisioned as the first part of a trilogy of theatrical films, but those two planned sequels were, sadly, never made. However, the movie eventually spawned a hit TV spinoff (Stargate SG-1) that became a major sci-fi franchise, thanks to TV spinoffs like Stargate Atlantis and Stargate Universe, as well as direct-to-video films Stargate: The Ark of Truth and Stargate: Continuum.

Obviously, Stargate struck a chord with sci-fi lovers long before streaming was invented, but it failed to impress critics: on Rotten Tomatoes, Stargate has a critical score of 54 percent. Critics generally praised the film’s slick visuals and James Spader’s memorable performance, but they found the script and characterization lackluster. While critics mostly found the movie unimpressive, it has an audience score of 73 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, highlighting how much more general audiences enjoyed the film than critics did.

Why You Should Ignore Critics And Watch Stargate

That’s part of my answer to your inevitable question of why Stargate, a movie critics hated, is a film you should start streaming ASAP. The movie is beloved by sci-fi fans everywhere for many reasons, including its familiar tropes that add up to something that feels refreshingly new. Sure, there’s a sandy planet evocative of Dune and Star Wars and a stable wormhole akin to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, but the actual storyline of this film is very different from its science fiction forebears.

Additionally, the critics were right about one thing: James Spader gives a really amazing performance. He is cast as a nerdy scientist thrown unexpectedly into a sci-fi adventure, and Spader himself seems remarkably out of place in this action-packed film. Such fish-out-of-water casting helps make his performance more believable, even as it gives fans of the actor a chance to see a side of Spader they’ve never seen before.

The Most Influential Sci-Fi Of The 1990s

Finally, Stargate is worth streaming because it’s arguably the most influential sci-fi film of the ‘90s, a decade that also brought us bangers like The Matrix. Sure, that mind-warping Keanu Reeves film became a franchise unto itself, but its output pales in comparison to Stargate, which ran for 354 episodes across three TV shows and multiple direct-to-video films, making it one of the longest-lasting sci-fi franchises in history.

Any given room full of nerds will have several passionate Stargate fans, and watching this first film will help you understand what made them fall in love with the franchise in the first place.

Will you find Stargate as compelling as I did, or would you rather blow yourself up than finish streaming this film? You won’t know until you use the gate–er, the TV–to check it out for yourself. Come for the ancient aliens and stay for the stylish premiere of one of sci-fi’s most enjoyable franchises.

By Robert Scucci
| Updated 1 second ago

My mileage with Vince Vaughn varies from film to film, and it’s because for a while he was having what I’d call an identity crisis. In the early aughts, he pretty much played the same manic, cynical slacker in movies like Old School (2003) and Dodgeball (2004). He’s never been a one-trick pony, either, and his dramatic roles like 2017’s Brawl in Cell Block 99 are beyond solid. I actually really enjoyed his portrayal of Norman Bates in the 1998 Psycho remake, though I know I’m in the minority there. Along the way, he tried the neo-noir route with his role in True Detective Season 2 (2015), which felt like he was cast in the wrong role because it leaned too serious, but still showcased his signature snark.

When I stumbled across his latest effort on Hulu, Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice, I honestly didn’t know what version of Vince Vaughn I was going to get, and it turns out it’s both. Vince Vaughn is serious as a heart attack, but more manic than ever, and always willing to dish out a cynical one-liner that’s so on brand you can’t help but love it. It’s a time travel-based sci-fi action comedy, which is new territory for him, and his on-screen chemistry with James Marsden and Eiza Gonzalez makes for a solid watch as a group of criminals try to play it straight, but can’t help acknowledging the ridiculous situation they’re in.

Double Trouble 

Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice starts out with just one Nick (Vince Vaughn), who’s seen talking shop with his longtime partner in crime, Quick Draw Mike (James Marsden). They’re attending a party for Jimmy Boy (Jimmy Tatro), thrown by his adoptive father, Sosa (Keith David). Sosa is celebrating Jimmy Boy’s release from prison after serving a six-year sentence, but also makes it very clear he knows a rat is among his crew, and that the rat will soon be executed.

Mike, who wants to settle down and leave the criminal life behind, is urged by Nick to do one last job that’s of significant importance to him, which involves knocking out an unsuspecting victim with chloroform. To Mike’s horror and confusion, the man he’s tasked with knocking out appears to be Nick’s identical twin. As it turns out, Mike is actually helping a version of Nick from six months in the future, and the present-day Nick may have told Sosa that Mike was the rat, and needs to be prevented from doing so.

Sound confusing? Strap in, because it gets even crazier. Future Nick explains to Mike that while collecting a debt from a scientist named Symon (Ben Schwartz), he discovered a time machine and entered it. Upon exiting, he accidentally killed the scientist and set fire to the lab, meaning there’s no reset. What Nick makes known, however, is that a cannibal assassin known only as The Barron (Dolph Lundgren) has it out for Mike. He also admits he regrets lying to Sosa about Mike, and that it came from anger after learning about his affair with Alice, his wife.

Unfortunately for future Nick, who wants to make everything right, he can’t trust past Nick, who’s still salty about the affair and furious about being chloroformed, abducted, and shot at. Everybody’s difference of opinion over which boyfriend was best for Rory in Gilmore Girls, however, is what really shows their true colors before they decide they need to find the real rat who put Jimmy Boy behind bars before The Barron sets his sights on the wrong target.

A Total Blast From Start To Finish

The best part about Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice is how unserious it is. The time travel rules are simple enough and take a backseat to the present-day adventure. Vince Vaughn coming to blows with Vince Vaughn works because the future version is older and wiser, while the other version, not knowing what his future self knows, still operates on impulse and short-sightedness. Both Nicks wear different outfits, giving viewers a clean visual shorthand to track which timeline they’re from, and then the third act veers into straight-up John Wick territory, just with way more witty banter.

Most importantly, Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice hits the sweet spot for Vince Vaughn. Some moments see him high-strung and serious, but no matter which version of Nick he’s playing, he’s as sarcastic and cynical as ever. Even when he’s trying to do right by his partner by traveling back in time to save his life, he’s still salty about the affair, and he makes it known whenever the opportunity presents itself. What’s more, whenever Nick tries to double-cross the other Nick, it never goes as planned, making things exponentially worse for everybody involved.

Hulu may not be leading the charge on original content like Netflix, but if they keep putting out movies like Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice with any kind of consistency, they could start closing that gap. It’s original, explosive, and has just the right amount of snark to carry you through its runtime. It doesn’t matter if you prefer Vince Vaughn’s sillier roles or his more serious ones, because he pulls off both here, and it’s a blast to watch.

Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice SCORE

Young and the Restless puts both Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) and Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) struggling in their marriages right now and their lives are at a major turning point. But based on a new scheme that is going to unfold during May sweeps, everything is about to change for them and their wives. And I don’t think it’s going to be for the better.

So, we’re going to talk about how Victor and Jack’s lives could drastically change forever. Their marriages to Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) and Diane Jenkins Abbott (Susan Walters) are set to implode spectacularly, even worse than things already are.

Diane And Jack Are Estranged on Young and the Restless

Okay. Right now, Diane and Jack are estranged. Because Diane walked in on Jack in bed with Patty Williams (Stacy Haiduk) when Victor had paid her to kidnap Jack, trap him on the yacht, and do the deed with him under the influence of drugs. And Diane can’t bring herself to forgive Jack. She says her heart won’t let her. And as a result, Diane’s just very angry.

Even though it was 100% Victor and Patty’s fault, somehow Diane still partially blames Jack. And also, there’s a whole pile of Young and Restless fans that are really ticked off that Josh Griffith is writing a rape storyline. Because that is what Jack’s story is, and is victim blaming and shaming in a way that a lot of fans say wouldn’t happen if the victim had been a woman. And I tend to agree.

Victor Pushed Nikki Too Far on Y&R

And then we’ve got Victor and Nikki estranged. Because of the stunt Victor pulled with Jack and Patty. Nikki is still absolutely appalled that Victor did this to Jack. So right now Nikki thinks it’s the worst thing Victor’s done. But let’s be real, he’s done worse in the past to Jack. The worst part is that he didn’t even provoke this. Victor is still mad that Jack saved Nikki from an alcohol spiral. The people who ruined Victor and Newman Enterprises were Cane Ashby (Billy Flynn), Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford), and Billy Abbott (Jason Thompson), not Jack.

So, Nikki’s utterly disgusted with Victor, not sure if she can ever forgive him. Meanwhile, the mustache is acting like Nikki is at fault. You know, Victor has accused her of stabbing him in the back and taking Jack’s side. And I don’t think it would matter who it was. What Victor did was horrible. But the fact that he did it to Jack, who’s one of Nikki’s best friends, made it that much worse. So, at this point, it really looks like both Jack and Victor’s marriages are doomed.

Patty Could Stick Around on Young and the Restless

And Patty wants Jack bad. And neither Diane or Nikki are going to want that to happen. Even if Diane is still steamed at Jack and blames him, she’s not going to want Patty to keep assaulting him. And by the way, Stacy Haiduk, who plays Patty, is reportedly done at Days of Our Lives.

The Peacock soap tapes nine to ten months ahead and based on storylines there with her Days character, Kristen was sent off the character canvas facing criminal charges and she should have wrapped filming several months ago, actually closer to like I think four months ago.

But the bottom line is Stacy Haiduk seems to have wrapped at Days. So she would be free to stay on Y&R if they decide to keep her. She’s in the credits as recurring as Patty, but since Josh Griffith seems so enamored of rape storylines, he might keep her around, which is terrible.

Patty May Just be Getting Started on Young and the Restless

So, Patty could remain in town as an ongoing threat. I don’t think Jack would ever voluntarily choose to be with her. I don’t think Victor would either. Even if he was really ticked at Nikki, I think it would be a long shot that Patty would end up with either Jack or Victor because she’s just bat crap crazy, and they both know it. But I think she’s going to keep stalking Jack while she’s around. And Patty sticking around could be an issue for Victor because at any point Patty could confirm Victor hired her to kidnap Jack. You know, gave her a bag of hundreds, right?

So, right now, Patty’s a risk to Jack and Victor both. I wouldn’t put it past Patty to sneak into the Abbott mansion into Jack’s bed, maybe even drug him again to get what she wants. Patty’s unhinged. She’s living in the past. She brought up that miscarriage from years back that she blames on Diane.

Jack And Nikki’s Nuclear Option on Y&R

But aside from Patty, who is poised to potentially mess with Jack and Victor’s lives, we’ve got Nikki and Jack hanging out and they were whining about their broken marriages. Diane already thinks Nikki wants Jack for herself because of sconegate. You know, Diane walked into the house in the middle of the day, broad daylight, people there.

Jack and Nikki were eating scones, not even sitting next to each other. So that was the big compromising position that spoilers said Diane caught them in. But she was upset about it as if they had been eating pastry naked and then she just left mad. That’s when Jack told Nikki they need to implement the nuclear option. And I think that is something that could work out very badly for them.

Nikki & Jack Take Huge Risk

So, we could see Jack and Nikki pretend like they’re dating and having a rebound romance because Victor and Diane rejected them. Or Jack and Nikki could get into bed and pretend that they got intimate, make sure that Diane or Victor walked in on them. That’s soapier. It’s more dramatic, but I think that second option is less likely.

And after Diane freaked over Jack and Nikki sharing scones, Nikki told Jack that Diane was reacting that way because she still loves him. So, I think seeing Nikki and Jack out on what looks like a date might be enough of a reality check to spur Diane into action, but maybe not in the way they want.

And I think it’s a long shot to think that first of all it would work on Victor at all. It’s very hard to manipulate him and also predicting how he’ll react is just about impossible. So I don’t think their little scheme is going to go like Jack and Nikki are hoping it would. I think Diane and Victor might react in a way that makes everything more volatile. They may decide to teach Nikki and Jack a lesson rather than coming to the table to talk like reasonable people.

The Scheme Could Backfire on Young and the Restless

I don’t expect Nikki and Jack’s ploy to work at all. I think it’s just going to make everything worse, change everything forever, not in a good way. And it could also turn some of the kids against Nikki and Jack, like Kyle Abbott (Michael Mealor) and Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle), for instance, because Nikki wouldn’t be able to warn Victoria that it’s a ruse because Nikki would know that Victoria would tell Victor it’s not the real deal. So, that’s a problem. Kyle would probably do the same thing and blab to Diane if he knew the truth. So, Jack and Nikki would have to pretend it’s real and really sell it.

So, best case scenario in all of this is Patty’s rejected, gets nowhere with Jack, she’s sent out of town, and then Jack wins Diane back, and Nikki and Victor reconcile. That’s the pie in the sky version. I don’t think we’re going to get that, at least not in May sweeps. What feels soapier, at least in the short term, is that Diane and Victor get closer and they might even reunite. If you remember, they were married years ago and there wasn’t just passion there, there was love.

Diane & Victor Fall for Each Other on Young and the Restless?

So, the absolute worst outcome for Nikki and Jack’s plan is that Diane and Victor get together, they start talking, and they think their marriages are over, and they actually fall in love again. So, this whole scheme could blow up in a nuclear fashion right in Nikki and Jack’s faces.

And that means we could come out of this with a couple swap where Diane and Victor end up together and Jack and Nikki out of default end up together. Or we could see Jack and Diane get back together, but Victor’s so salty that he keeps rejecting Nikki. Because he hates her ever showing any loyalty to Jack.

So, we could have both couples swap or one couple heals and the other doesn’t. But suffice to say, everything is changing in May sweeps.

Days of Our Lives stuns as Tate Black (Leo Howard) wants to bring down Sophia Choi (Rachel Boyd) once and for all. Little does Tate know, Sophia is not just her usual brand of nuts right now. She is also plotting to murder Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) in cold blood.

So, the question is, could one little fingerprint help Tate thwart Sophia’s attempt to murder Johnny? We know that Tate cannot wait to put Sophia behind bars or back in Bayview where she belongs. So, let’s dive in.

Tate Wants Sophia Behind Bars on Days of Our Lives

Not long ago, Tate told his dad turned private eye Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) that he needed help getting intel on Sophia to nail her for the pill swap. So Brady gave Tate very specific instructions on how to prepare a soda bottle to get Sophia’s fingerprints on it with nobody else’s.

That way Brady and the police can have them compared to the ones on Holly Jonas‘ (Ashley Puzemis) supplement bottle. So, Tate was able to get Sophia’s prints on the bottle, but so far Brady told Tate that they haven’t gotten the results back. It’s kind of crazy because they have tech now where you can scan a fingerprint digitally at a crime scene for an immediate ID, but it’s Salem, so you know, we got ’90s tech.

Tate is hoping that Sophia isn’t going to get away with what she’s done and that she’ll get busted for poisoning Holly. And hopefully Sophia’s sent to Statesville next time because she’s just a straight-up criminal. And she’s had it in for Holly since high school. But you kind of understand what happened there because Tate was secretly dating Holly while publicly acting like he likes Sophia. Even asked her to the prom. And honestly, Tate and Holly really used Sophia and Aaron Green (Louis Tomeo) they could sneak around behind their parents’ back and they hurt both of them.

Sophia Went Way Too Far on DOOL

So, all that said, nothing that Holly and Tate did justifies the super shady stuff that Sophia pulled. From the fake baby belly to the phony adoption papers and sending those dirty photos of Holly to Johnny, just to name a few crimes. Holly wasn’t even safe from Sophia when she was in Bayview.

Because that’s when Holly’s unhinged former bestie got the bottle of supplements and then Sophia switched the vitamins with her psychiatric meds. That stunt by Sophia led Holly to just go off the deep end. And then Sophia planned to keep it going because she sent that other bottle of swapped supplements so that Holly would keep unraveling. And in the end, Sophia could have done serious long-term damage to Holly with this horrible stunt.

Sophia Playing The Victim on Days

But as usual, Sophia does not care when she causes damage to anybody else. Of course, Tate’s mad because Holly was drugged. And then Tate himself wound up drugged also. And even worse, his little sister Rachel Black (Lorelie Olivia Mote)

wound up being sent back to Bayview. And that’s because she was the initial suspect in the supplement swap. So understandably, Tate is out of patience with Sophia. And this week, Tate ran into Sophia in the square, told her to stay away from Holly or else. And Sophia, of course, played the victim card, and she told Tate that Holly was spreading lies about her on the Salem University campus. I mean, if anything, she might be spreading truths, right?

And Sophia then claimed that Holly said she wanted her dead. So, we saw that Tate was skeptical. He doesn’t believe anything Sophia says. And Tate made it clear no matter what Holly said or didn’t say, Sophia needs to leave Holly alone. But Sophia does not seem intimidated. And of course, Tate has no idea that his little sister Rachel’s mom, wicked Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk) has ordered Sophia to kill Johnny.

Kristen Wants Revenge On EJ

This is about Kristen wanting revenge on EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) because she still blames her brother for Rachel being sent to Bayview. Kristen actually lays full blame on EJ for his own shooting because he kidnapped her mom, Rachel Blake (Ros Gentle). But of course, Kristen could have hidden her mom away instead of agreeing to leave her in Salem to testify against EJ. There were options that could have prevented all this from happening, but you know, Kristen’s nuttier than pecan pie.

So, we could see Brady getting the results of Sophia’s fingerprint scan very soon. And I think in the meantime, Tate may be keeping an eye on Sophia. I could see Tate low-key stalking Sophia in his spare time to make sure she stays away from Holly. And Tate may do that, you know, just until they get evidence to put Sophia away. But at the same time, a clock is running out for Johnny because Kristen wants Sophia to do a quick, quiet job ASAP with no mess.

Kristen Determined to Destroy EJ on Days of Our Lives

So, Kristen called Sophia this week after she offered Xander Cook (Paul Telfer) that shady bargain to help take down EJ. Basically, it looks like Kristen is trying to make deals all over Salem with everybody. She wants to make sure that EJ goes down and she’s not going to stop. And of course, that’s what killing Johnny is about in Kristen’s twisted mind. Rachel being at Bayview means that EJ’s son needs to die.

Kristen Making Deals All Over Salem

So, Kristen is working with Xander to help destroy EJ. And of course, he cares less about the guy and more about taking down DiMera, which Kristen may not even care about at this point. Plus, she also offered a bargain to Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering) to help him take down EJ, unaware that Rafe’s already got this double deep investigation going on her brother.

And then after plotting with Xander, we saw Kristen called Sophia and Kristen told her she’s got to take care of Johnny the next day because Chanel Dupree DiMera‘s (Raven Bowens) busy all day. Sophia tried to say she’s not ready, but Kristen’s not hearing it. And she demanded Sophia take the kill shot without emotion and said, “Do it clean and fast.”

Could Tate Stop The Murder on Days?

But I think that Kristen is overestimating the college killer that she hired. Because let’s be real, while Sophia has done some dodgy stuff before, it’s mostly lying and fraud and, you know, misdemeanor stuff. She’s never tried to murder somebody in cold blood.

So, it could be her own anxiety about killing Johnny that thwarts the murder plan that Kristen has cooked up. Or it could be that Tate intervenes. You know, either the fingerprint data comes in and they can arrest Sophia. That would stop the murder attempt for sure. Or maybe Tate’s keeping an eye on Sophia and spots her lurking around and getting ready to do something bad to Johnny and he intervenes.

Days of Our Lives: Sophia Takes a Shot?

So, Tate could prevent psycho Sophia from killing Johnny just out of sheer dumb luck if he follows her around watching for suspicious behavior. But since Sophia is really scared of Kristen and terrified she’s going to do something bad to her because Rachel was sent back to Bayview because of the supplement stunt that Sophia did, I think that she’s going to have to at least try to kill Johnny.

And in the end, Carson Boatman is not supposed to exit Days of Our Lives until late this year. If you remember, he and Raven Bowens, who plays Chanel, along with Leo Howard, who plays Tate, and Ashley Puzemis, who plays Holly, were all fired right when they came back in January from their holiday break, which is kind of a crappy holiday gift, right? Not a Christmas bonus when you get a pink slip.

So, no matter what happens with this, Johnny’s not going to die either because Tate thwarts Sophia or she messes it up when she’s trying to take him out. She chickens out. In the end, I think Johnny’s going to live to fight another day. But, of course, Kristen may just order Sophia to try, try again.