Entertainment
Fan-Favorite Superhero Sequel Was The Beginning Of The End For Marvel
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published

The rise and fall of Marvel is something that scholars and fans alike will be debating for years. The success of Iron Man in 2008 kicked off the most ambitious cinematic universe Hollywood had ever known. The interconnected nature of these films encouraged fans to watch each film, all of which built anticipation for big team-ups like The Avengers. For a while, it seemed like every major Marvel movie was destined to earn at least a billion dollars at the box office. After Avengers: Endgame, though, everything fell apart: box office dwindled, some projects lost money, and the former hype dissolved into effervescent malaise, all due to so-called superhero fatigue.
All of this is well known. What is less known is where it all started. What movie was actually the beginning of the end for Marvel’s nonstop success? It’s easy to place the blame on high-profile failures like Eternals and The Marvels, but the decline secretly began with one of the most beloved MCU movies ever made. The 2016 movie Captain America: Civil War (currently streaming on Hulu) is a comic nerd’s wet dream because it pits all our favorite action figures against each other in one cool action setpiece after another. Unfortunately, this film’s success convinced the studio that audiences mostly want fun cameos and CGI fights, and this soon transformed Marvel into a multiversal mess.
Hero On Hero Violence

The premise of Captain America: Civil War is that after the Scarlet Witch accidentally kills some bystanders while stopping a bad guy, the UN prepares the Sokovia Accords, which will effectively transform superheroes into government agents. Iron Man supports this idea, feeling that great power should come with great oversight and accountability. Captain America opposes the plan because he is wary of letting the government draft superheroes into being the World Police. Meanwhile, a new villain has figured out how to turn Bucky back into the Winter Soldier, and the secrets he exposes threaten to tear the Avengers apart, putting the entire world at risk.
Honestly, there’s a lot to love about Captain America: Civil War, which is why it’s currently sitting pretty on Rotten Tomatoes with a 90 percent critical score. It’s a movie that introduces some fan-favorite characters to the MCU, including Spider-Man and Black Panther. It’s also a fairly solid adaptation of one of the better Marvel comics storylines. The film is also filled with plenty of action, from the early fight against Crossbones to the jaw-dropping battle between different superheroes at the airport. All of this culminates in an awesome fight between Captain America and Iron Man, serving as an emotional climax to the movie’s complicated themes of superhero accountability vs. superhero autonomy.
A Sticky Situation

The performances in Captain America: Civil War are solid across the board. Newcomers Chadwick Boseman and Tom Holland are captivating and charismatic from the jump, giving their cameos some much-needed weight. Daniel Brühl effortlessly turns Helmut Zemo into the most sympathetic villain in Marvel movie history. William Hurt is all confidence and bluster, playing the kind of good guy that feels more like a villain. Elizabeth Olsen, meanwhile, is particularly good at playing a character haunted by her own mistakes, and these early traumas help to set the stage for her eventual mental break that we see in WandaVision and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
However, nobody brings Captain America: Civil War to life like the holy trinity of Chris Evans, Sebastian Stan, and Robert Downey Jr. Evans is perfect at giving us a different side of Captain America’s patriotism, as he believes individual freedom is sacrosanct. Downey, meanwhile, gives Tony Stark a kind of haunted vulnerability that we haven’t seen since Iron Man 3, and we see how deeply personal the subject of superhero accountability has become to him. Stan plays Bucky as a wild card. He’s a character who can’t help being transformed into a weapon and isn’t technically responsible for his brainwashed crimes as the Winter Soldier, but Tony can’t forgive the blood on this hero’s hands.
The Beginning Of The End

With so much to love about Captain America: Civil War, why do I believe it’s effectively the beginning of the end for Marvel? For one thing, it ushered in the era of almost every MCU film feeling like Avengers lite. We stopped getting cool, solo character studies like Captain America: The Winter Soldier and started getting endless distracting cameos. The first Spider-Man movie had to also be an Iron Man film, and the third Thor movie had to also be a Hulk movie. Later films like Spider-Man: No Way Home and Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness eventually buried what might have been interesting plots beneath one distracting cameo after another.
Those last two films were all about the Multiverse, and fans eventually found Marvel’s mania for this concept downright exhausting. Why did the studio go all-in on this idea, though? Simple: they thought they were simply giving fans what they wanted. Audiences loved seeing multiple superheroes in the same film, so Marvel embraced the Multiverse, allowing them to give us endless different versions of fan-favorite characters like Loki. What the studio didn’t realize was that simply having cameos for the sake of having cameos gets in the way of telling a good story. This was an inevitable turn-off for anyone wanting to see something more than action figures getting smashed together for two hours.
Everything Falls Apart

All of this, of course, began with Captain America: Civil War. If we hadn’t clapped so loudly for that airport fight, Multiverse of Madness wouldn’t have bogged down its plot with cameos from characters like Professor X and Mr. Fantastic. If we hadn’t all cheered to see different Spider-Men show up in No Way Home, then Loki wouldn’t have had a first season whose plot was “stop hitting yourself.” Now, Marvel is gambling everything on Avengers: Doomsday, a movie that assumes we’ll care about this brand-new villain simply because he’s wearing Tony Stark’s face. Why bother doing anything original anymore if your audience just wants more loss-effort, fan service slop?
Unfortunately, Marvel has been finding out the hard way that audiences really do want more than dumb cameos and CGI fights. We need, quite frankly, more than Captain America: Civil War has to offer. It’s a film that replaced the subversive brilliance of Captain America: The Winter Soldier with a story that has almost nothing more to offer than tights, flights, and fights. Is it fun to watch? Absolutely, and when you stream it on Hulu, this movie still goes down as smoothly as your favorite candy. But what if you’re in the mood for something other than an empty sugar bomb?

CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR SCORE
Sorry, kid: because of Captain America: Civil War, saccharine slop is the best thing Marvel has to offer.
Entertainment
Gwyneth Paltrow’s Marriage Faces New Political Tension
Gwyneth Paltrow has never been afraid of controversy. From her unconventional wellness advice to her outspoken views on everything from relationships to health, the Oscar winner has built a brand around challenging expectations.
However, her latest headlines have little to do with Goop products and everything to do with politics. After comments about her political identity and a divisive real estate campaign tied to Israel sparked backlash online, new claims suggest the debate may not be confined to social media.
According to insiders, Paltrow’s differing views from husband Brad Falchuk have reportedly led to heated arguments behind closed doors.

For years, Gwyneth Paltrow has become accustomed to criticism. Her wellness empire and unconventional lifestyle recommendations have often made her a lightning rod for public debate. However, her recent comments about politics generated a different kind of reaction.
During a recent episode of her “Goop Podcast” featuring guest Trae Stephens, Paltrow reflected on navigating differing viewpoints in today’s political climate.
While discussing conversations with her husband, television writer and producer Brad Falchuk, she described him as deeply progressive and committed to making sure everyone is looked after.
“I notice with my own husband, too, who’s the best person ever in the world. And he’s so progressive,” she said, adding, “He has such a sweetheart and he wants to, like, make sure everybody’s looked after. And I think in this climate, sometimes I’m like, ‘Can you just listen to this?’”
Paltrow also explained that she has been trying to weave together different points of view while moving away from feelings of anger and righteousness.
She described herself as politically centrist before adding that Falchuk often jokes about where she falls on the spectrum.
Paltrow And Falchuk Reportedly Clash Over Politics

According to a Daily Mail insider, Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Falchuk’s political differences have occasionally created tension inside their marriage.
“Gwyneth knows she’s a polarizing figure and she thrives on it,” the source claimed. “Brad’s the total opposite. The fact he works behind the scenes in the industry is perfect for him. He’s not known as Mr Paltrow which he’s pleased about.”
The insider alleged that their differing political leanings have resulted in disagreements and arguments over the years. Rather than engaging in every debate, the source said Falchuk often chooses a quieter approach.
“He tends to ignore some of her more outrageous statements or he just shakes his head. Brad’s found that not getting into it with her is the best way to keep the peace sometimes,” they revealed.
Another source suggested their opposing personalities are both a challenge and a strength within the relationship.
While Falchuk reportedly prefers a more measured approach, Paltrow is described as someone who is never afraid to challenge the norm.
Gwyneth Paltrow Faces Backlash Over Israel Campaign

The criticism surrounding Paltrow intensified after she appeared in a promotional campaign for Israeli real estate group Aviv Melisron.
In the advertisement, the actress revealed the benefits of living near a park while promoting “51 Park,” a luxury residential development in Herzliya, north of Tel Aviv.
The campaign quickly generated strong reactions online. Some critics accused the 53 year-old of supporting Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Lebanon.
Among those speaking out was activist Alana Hadid, sister of models Gigi and Bella Hadid.
“Dude the level of unhinged capitalism is f*****g astounding. Brutal. Girl. Have you opened a newspaper or watch the news,” Alana wrote on Instagram.
Others defended Paltrow, praising her support for Israel and her willingness to publicly stand by her beliefs despite criticism.
Paltrow’s Jewish Heritage Plays A Major Role

Sources close to Gwyneth Paltrow insist her decision to participate in the campaign was not motivated by money. “Her recent pro-Israel stance isn’t anything new,” one insider said.
The source noted that Paltrow has long felt connected to the Jewish community through her family. Her late father was Jewish, while her godfather is filmmaker Steven Spielberg. Falchuk is also Jewish.
The insider further claimed that the October 7 Hamas attacks strengthened Paltrow’s connection to her faith.
“She’s always celebrated being Jewish, but even more so now she has wanted to find other ways to speak up for what she believes in,” the source shared.
Paltrow has previously supported efforts to raise awareness about hostages and signed an open letter addressed to former President Joe Biden. She also shared emotional messages supporting families affected by the conflict.
Gwyneth Paltrow Refuses To Back Down Despite Criticism

While criticism continues to mount from some corners of social media, insiders say Paltrow has no plans to step away from sharing her opinions.
The “Marty Supreme” actress reportedly has no political ambitions and no desire to seek public office, but those close to her say she remains committed to speaking openly about issues she cares about.
“What she fears is staying quiet and being noncommittal,” one insider claimed. The source added that Paltrow understands she remains a divisive public figure but is comfortable with that reality.
Whether she is discussing wellness trends, politics, or her personal beliefs, the actress has built a reputation for saying exactly what is on her mind. According to those close to her, that approach is unlikely to change anytime soon.
“She knows she has her fans and detractors too,” the insider said, adding, “It doesn’t bother her.”
Entertainment
Why Love Island USA’s Zach Didn’t Want to Have Sex With Kayda
Love Island USA‘s Zach Georgiou surprised Kayda Bosse when he hinted he didn’t want them to have sex — despite performing other sexual acts — before they took a trip to the Hideaway.
During the Sunday, June 14, episode of the hit Peacock series, the night cameras caught a conversation between Zach and Kayda where he expressed a want to wait to go all the way together.
Zach mentioned the risk of sleeping together only to have an obstacle — such as another person entering the villa — breaking them apart. Kayda was concerned about Zach’s suggestion — especially after they previously appeared to hook up.
They were able to work their issues out, however, before they were sent to the Hideaway at the end of the episode. Despite their past conversation, Kayda made it clear she was going to have sex with Zach.
Love Island USA follows a group of singles who must pair off in order to stay in the show’s luxury villa. The contestants — referred to as Islanders — live in isolation in a villa under constant video surveillance. They must be coupled up to remain on the show and earn a shot at the $100,000 prize.
While the islanders are filming nonstop for weeks, viewers are watching daily episodes and casting votes that affect the couples and the fate of the contestants.
While the Islanders paired off during Day 1, it didn’t take long for those bonds to shift. There was also the arrival of bombshells, who tempted several Islanders to reconsider their connections.
Before viewers tuned in, Peacock issued a message to remind the audience to be kind.
“The Villa runs on good vibes, and so does this community. We love seeing your reactions, opinions, and debates, but everyone deserves to feel safe and respected,” read their statement. “This is a space for fun, not negativity – so keep it kind, keep it positive, and remember: this is LOVE Island!”
Host Ariana Madix has also had to previously issue a message for those Love Island USA viewers who are taking things too far when expressing their frustrations with the show.
“I do want to say something to some of those people who are online,” she said during a June 2025 episode of Aftersun. “Don’t be contacting people’s families. Don’t be doxxing people.”
Ariana questioned the behavior she saw on social media.
“Don’t be going on islanders’ pages and saying rude things. You still have time to delete all of that because the islanders don’t have their phones,” she noted. “So we are giving you a chance because this is a fun, amazing and beautiful show. We should be thanking each one of these islanders every single day for giving us themselves.”
New episodes of Love Island USA are released six days a week — except for Wednesdays — on Peacock.
Join Us Weekly and Bracketology.tv in our first-ever Love Island USA fantasy league! This is your chance to predict who you think will win Season 8 and rank the Islanders weekly based on how confident you are that they will survive the next elimination. You will be playing against our editors, get access to exclusive content and have the chance to win fun prizes. Sign up for free today!
Entertainment
ANTM Stars React To Tyra Banks’ Lawsuit Against Netflix
Tyra Banks has taken legal action against Netflix, months after the streaming giant released the three-part docuseries about “ANTM” titled “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model.” The reality show’s former host claims the creators edited the show to create a false narrative and put her in a bad light.
Two of the show’s former contestants, Adrianne Curry and Angelea Preston, are now weighing in on the lawsuit and what they really think about Banks’ legal move.
“America’s Next Top Model” Cycle 1 winner Adrianne Curry has been vocal when it comes to her thoughts about the reality series and its former host.
On June 14, after Tyra Banks’ lawsuit against Netflix was reported, Curry took to Instagram and posted a short video saying, “I read that Tyra Banks is suing Netflix because she didn’t like being edited,” Curry said, adding air quotes as she said, “edited.” The former model laughed before saying, “B-tch, for real, girl?” She captioned the post, “Welcome to the party, pal.”
In the comments section, she shared her thoughts, wondering if the lawsuit was a “publicity stunt” from Netflix or Banks “because she has something new coming.”
As The Blast previously reported, Curry reacted to the release of the docuseries in February, mockingly praising Banks for not apologizing over some of the reality show’s controversies.
Angelea Preston Said The Tables Have Turned
Angelea Preston competed on “ANTM” thrice in Cycle 12, 14, and 17. In an exclusive interview with Entertainment Tonight, Preston noted that Banks’ allegations in her lawsuit about “selective editing” and “surgical manipulation” in the documentary.
“Now you know how we feel. It’s kind of like a taste of your own medicine, in a way,” Preston told the outlet. The former model added that if Banks’ claims against Netflix were factual, then it served as “karma.” Over the years, several “ANTM” contestants alleged that the reality show manipulated interviews and spliced footage to come up with false storylines.
In 2023, Preston revealed that she was the original winner of Cycle 17. However, she later received a call from the producer asking about her brief engagement in sex work. Preston was later told that her title would be stripped because she violated a “moral clause.” The end of the Cycle was then re-shot, and another contestant was declared the winner.
Tyra Banks’ Lawsuit Against Netflix

On June 13, Banks filed a lawsuit against Netflix and the creators of the docuseries, directors Mor Loushy and Daniel Sivan, and EverWonder Studio, alleging that they created a “defamatory narrative” against her.
In the documents, the former host claimed that she was interviewed for more than three hours, and only 16 minutes were used in the three-part series. When the documentary was released, Banks faced backlash for failing to take responsibility for some of the most controversial moments on “ANTM.”
Her lawsuit read, “The accountability Ms. Banks took ended up on the cutting room floor. It was there, but viewers were never given the opportunity to see it.”
The Lawsuit Addressed Shandi Sullivan’s Sexual Assault
Shandi Sullivan participated in the documentary and discussed her “cheating scandal” in Cycle 2, which she said was a case of sexual assault. In that episode, titled “The Girl Who Cheated,” Sullivan, who was heavily intoxicated, was shown with a male model in bed, implying they had sexual relations. Cameras also captured the moment she called her boyfriend to confess what had happened.
In the documentary, Sullivan said she was severely “hammered,” and the “ANTM” crew got footage of the encounter. “No one did anything to stop it. And it all got filmed, all of it.”
Banks’ lawsuit states that the documentary made it seem that Banks was “intentionally trying to evade the topic,” adding that the creators used “selective editing, deliberate omission, and surgical manipulation” of her interview to make it appear that she used Sullivan’s assault to get ratings.
Tyra Banks’ Lawsuit Sparks Different Reactions

Many are weighing in on Banks’s lawsuit, and users are divided. Some agreed that Banks was manipulated, with one saying, “With a 4 hour interview context matters. You can piece and cut the exact moments into a disturbing clip to make someone look like a villain.”
Others, however, shared Preston and Curry’s opinions. One wrote, “The irony of a reality TV manipulator getting manipulated.” Another person added, “Like how she took hours of footage of models but still made them look like train wrecks on ANTM? She’s mad that she’s being treated the way she treated others.”
Banks claims that she was only shown the documentary a day before its release and was not given a chance to argue against others’ accusations against her. The lawsuit read, “She would not have participated” if she knew that she was “being set up.”
Entertainment
Ridley Scott’s War Movie Masterpiece Is Leaving Streaming This Month
With Ridley Scott making a long-awaited return to sci-fi, the genre he helped redefine in the 1970s, it’s worth remembering that he changed how we view another genre in the early 2000s. While he is often associated with sci-fi, Scott has always moved fluidly from comedies to dramas, from action movies to historical epics. He has spent the last few years, in fact, working almost exclusively on period movies — Napoleon, The Last Duel, and most recently, Gladiator II. The upcoming film The Dog Stars is his first sci-fi feature in nearly a decade.
At nearly 90 years old, Scott can still mount a grand action set piece with skill that could put filmmakers decades younger than him to shame. Do not forget, he was born before World War II. You’d expect his technique to become dated, but what he achieved in the early 2000s in the war genre remains unparalleled. In 2001, fresh off the success of Gladiator, Scott directed Black Hawk Down, a star-studded modern warfare movie that inspired numerous films that came afterward, not to mention video game franchises such as Battlefield and Call of Duty. That said, it also contributed significantly to how Hollywood portrays “the other.” Black Hawk Down is currently streaming on Peacock in the United States, but it won’t stick around for much longer.
Here’s How Long You Have Left to Watch ‘Black Hawk Down’ on Peacock
The movie was given a limited release mere weeks after the September 11 attacks. It expanded into wide release in January 2002, and went on to receive four Oscar nominations. Scott received his third Best Director nod, after Thelma & Louise and Gladiator. The movie was a solid hit, grossing $173 million worldwide against a reported budget of more than $90 million. It has, of course, taken on an entirely new life on home video in the years since. The movie is currently available to stream on Peacock, but it will be removed from the platform on July 1. Starring Josh Hartnett, Orlando Bloom, Jason Isaacs, Eric Bana, Ewan McGregor, and others, the film holds a 77% critics’ score and an 88% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The aggregator website’s consensus reads, “Though it’s light on character development and cultural empathy, Black Hawk Down is a visceral, pulse-pounding portrait of war, elevated by Ridley Scott’s superb technical skill.” Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
- Release Date
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December 28, 2001
- Runtime
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145 minutes
- Writers
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Ken Nolan, Mark Bowden
Entertainment
Yes, Cameron Diaz’s Exact Birkenstock Sandals Are Still in Stock
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Cameron Diaz has spent the last few years quietly perfecting what the rest of Us are still trying to figure out: how to look effortlessly pulled-together without trying too hard. For summer, we’re recreating her effortless vibe, starting with her beloved Birkenstock Arizona slides that she has been spotted wearing in California.
Of course, she’s not the only A-lister who reaches for Birkenstocks (Heidi Klum and Reese Witherspoon are also fans). But Diaz wears hers with a particular kind of relaxed confidence that feels less like a styling trick and more like a personal philosophy. We spotted her exact pair on Amazon — but it’s only a matter of time before they fly off the virtual shelves!
Get the Birkenstock Arizona Slide-On Sandals for $60 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.
What sets this version apart from the original suede-lined Birks is the construction. The entire sandal is made from EVA, a single piece of lightweight, flexible material that weighs almost nothing on your feet. You could pack two pairs in a carry-on and still have room for everything else.
Then there’s the part that makes them genuinely practical: they’re fully washable. Wear them to the beach, splash through a puddle, drop guacamole on them at a backyard barbecue, then rinse them under the kitchen faucet and they’re good as new. The contoured cork-style footbed (it’s actually EVA molded to mimic cork) supports your arches the way classic Birkenstocks do, but without the break-in period that used to require weeks of patient suffering.
At $60, they’re also one of the more affordable entry points into the Birkenstock world. The traditional leather Arizonas typically run closer to $110, so picking up the EVA version feels like getting in on a celebrity-favorite look for about half the cost. They make sense as a poolside shoe, a travel option or the slide you keep by the back door for letting the dog out.
Diaz’s whole vibe is built on this kind of casual cool. Get her exact Birkenstock Arizona Slides before they sell out for summer!
Get the Birkenstock Arizona Slide-On Sandals for $60 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.
Entertainment
Lindsay Hubbard Slams West Wilson After Summer House Comment
Lindsay Hubbard is once again “activated” after former pal West Wilson admitted he hoped fans avoid watching an upcoming bonus episode of Summer House.
After West, 31, revealed during a Friday, June 12, podcast appearance that he hoped a potential Game 6 of the NBA finals would clash with the “Aftermath” episode of his reality TV show, Lindsay, 39, took to Threads to slam her costar.
“West Wilson: you are trash. Trying to get people to not watch our show that I brought you on, you should move immediately,” she wrote on Sunday, June 14, via the social media platform. Lindsay expanded in a later post, “Brother, you get paid for that episode. Just be thankful you still have a paycheck from our show.”
West, who is in the entire cast’s bad books after failing to disclose his romance with fellow costar Amanda Batula, said during his “Show me Something” podcast that he had hoped the New York Knicks would lose Game 5 of the NBA finals to ensure that a potential follow-up game would draw extra viewers. “This could be the best f***ing thing ever,” West told his cohost Sophie Cunningham on the end of Bravo’s Summer House season 10 reunion series. “I thought [by] Tuesday … I thought I was going to get to catch my breath and we were all moving on, and they were like, ‘Bonus episode next week.’ I was like, ‘Motherf***ing f***.” (The Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 to secure their first NBA championship in 53 years.)
“If the Spurs win Saturday and they go back to MSG and they play game 6, it will be Tuesday night [at] the same time they air this f***ing, goddamn bonus episode,” West continued on the podcast. “Give me f***ing Knicks in 6 at the same time as this s*** on TV. I will be the happiest person in the motherf***ing world.”
West then concluded, “I swear to God, give me the Spurs Saturday and the Knicks on f***ing Tuesday night, and we will pop champagne on this f***ing podcast Wednesday.”

Lindsay Hubbard Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for DSW
Bravo’s three-part reunion wrapped on Tuesday, June 9, before the network greenlit a special bonus episode titled “The Aftermath,” which is set to air on Tuesday, June 16. The episode will turn cameras back on to capture the reunion fallout amid the cast’s ongoing drama.
Lindsay commented on “The Aftermath” in her Thread post, admitting that while she hadn’t seen the episode, she’s positive about its airing. “I feel it in my bones, it is GOOD GOOD,” she wrote. “Even though we know some people didn’t listen, [it’s] still good!”

West Wilson Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for SiriusXM
The Summer House reunion focused on West’s relationship with Amanda, 34, who both announced in a joint Instagram post on March 31 that they’d acted on romantic feelings toward one another. The news shocked fans, and their Summer House costars, as West had been involved in an on-and-off relationship with Ciara Miller, and Amanda had announced her separation from husband Kyle Cooke about two months prior.
Although Amanda and West attempted to quell accusations of relationship overlap during the show’s reunion, the couple sat down with Kyle, 43, and Lindsay, respectively, on “The Aftermath” to discuss further details of their relationship.
Entertainment
Sexy, R-Rated Dark Comedy Puts Hollywood In Its Place
By Chris Snellgrove
| Updated

Be honest: are you someone who hates frou-frou art films? Does the term “independent movie” make you frown because all you can think about are characters having boring conversations about their equally boring lives? Most of all, do you think the filmmakers behind these movies are pretentious young idiots who are way too full of themselves? In that case, I’ve got the perfect indie film for you: I Blame Society (2020). This is a movie where a young filmmaker is struggling to get her first real film off the ground before she finds her new focus…murder. Specifically, making a movie about what it would take to become a great serial killer.
This is prompted by a “compliment” she once received that she’d make a great killer (director Gillian Wallace Horvat once received the same compliment). She takes the subject a little too seriously, though, because in her mind, pulling off a perfect murder and making a perfect film require very similar skills. Thus, she engages in an increasingly unhinged, darkly funny descent into madness. Of course, the film explores the intersection between madness and genius as it skewers everything about modern moviemaking. Now that scary films Obsession and Backrooms are tearing it up at the box office, this is the perfect time to watch I Blame Society, the ultimate satire of modern horror moviemaking.
Sex, Drugs, And Doc’n’Roll

The basic premise of I Blame Society is that a character (played by writer/director Gillian Wallace Horvat) is trying to make a movie about how to become the perfect serial killer. What we are watching is the documentary she has created, making the whole thing feel caught somewhere between found footage horror and creative confessional. The character chronicles her increasingly transgressive crimes, like shoplifting and stalking. Eventually, she kills someone more or less accidentally. Instead of repenting and turning herself in, however, she leans in, perfecting the art of moviemaking by perfecting the art of murder, one victim at a time.
On paper, I Blame Society has many of the hallmarks of traditional indie movies: a crazy premise, an ongoing gimmick, and a young auteur at the center, holding it altogether. If you’re not a fan of indie films, though, why should you give this one a shot? The first reason is that its unconventional premise makes for a fairly compelling horror movie. Your mileage may vary, but I always find it scarier when a cinematic killer is completely nonchalant about the lives they are destroying, like Joe Keery in Spree. Horvat is the same in I Blame Society, and her performance alternates between amusingly deranged and utterly chilling.
Lights, Camera, Slashing

Additionally, I Blame Society is interesting because it relentlessly skewers many of the stupider things about Hollywood. For example, our protagonist has a meeting with two male producers who try to pass themselves off as woke but are soon revealed to be idiotic hypocrites. This scene, like many others, works because it tackles a hot-button issue in a way that different groups will find engaging. For example, progressive audiences will like this scene because it portrays the difficulties female filmmakers must navigate in a male-dominated industry. Conservative audiences, meanwhile, will enjoy this scene for how it portrays wokeness as a cynical marketing technique rather than a sincerely held belief.
If you like psychological thrillers, it’s also bizarrely compelling to watch our main character’s descent into madness and murder. Because we are watching the documentary, she is in charge of the narrative, and the movie trusts the audience to decide for themselves how increasingly deranged the protagonist is getting. This transforms her into the unreliable narrator of her own story; again, your mileage may vary, but I loved this because it challenged me to separate objective truth from her subjective self-perception. Plus, it’s wonderfully meta: I Blame Society is Gillian Wallace Horvat’s feature film debut, and she created a story about how getting away with murder is easier than getting a movie deal.
First Degree Auteur

It helps that Horvat gives such a great performance in the film. It’s convincing because it’s based partially on lived experiences: not only does she know all about the difficulties of getting a movie off the ground, but she actually received the “you’d make a great killer” comment in real life. She made a movie about how difficult it is to make a movie, featuring herself as a deranged person who thinks she’s actually a creative genius. Along the way, she dragged Hollywood with some of the most hilariously satirical caricatures this side of Dante’s Inferno.
I Blame Society isn’t a perfect film: it relies perhaps too much on its premise, and it will grate on anyone who hates found footage horror or the caricatures she populates the movie with. However, those caricatures help her create the freshest cinematic satire in years, all while Horvat gives a powerhouse performance both in front of the camera and behind it. Plus, you get to watch her stalk and slaughter her way through Los Angeles in what had to be a bleakly cathartic release for the filmmaker. If you’re looking for your own catharsis, it’s just a click away: I Blame Society is currently streaming for free on Tubi.

I BLAME SOCIETY REVIEW SCORE
Entertainment
Oliver Tree Spoke About His Will Before Tragic Death
Singer-songwriter Oliver Tree tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro along with five others. Just over a month before his death, the artist offered a candid look at how he wanted his affairs to be handled after his passing.
Tree was in the middle of “The World’s First World Tour” supporting his fourth studio album when the tragedy occurred. Tributes from the entertainment community continue to pour in as more details about the accident are revealed.

On June 14, several news outlets reported that two helicopters crashed in Rio de Janeiro, resulting in the death of six people. According to CNN Brasil, one helicopter was traveling with only the pilot, Charles Marsillac, while the other had five people: pilot Alexandre Souza and four passengers, including 32-year-old Oliver Tree, Lucas Vignale, Gaspar Prim, and Lucas Brito Chaves.
Reports indicate that the two helicopters collided mid-air before crashing in an electric vehicle yard, setting several vehicles ablaze. An investigation is currently ongoing to determine the cause of the accident.
Tree was in Brazil for “The World’s First World Tour” and last performed in São Paulo on June 6.
The Artist Talked About His Will In April
In late April, just over a month before his untimely death, Tree was on the “Zach Sang Show” to talk about his career and travels. Toward the end of the episode, Tree shared what he wanted his legacy to be after he passes.
Dressed in a Shrek costume with green makeup, the eccentric artist said of his music, “I don’t believe that any of the wealth or the things that get made from it is mine.” He continued to say that when he passes, “no one’s going to get a penny” among his family members, and that’s the way he set up his will. Tree said that if he ever had children, he would put them through college, “but they’re not going to be a silver spoon.”
“The idea is when I die, all the money’s going to go back to artists. So, I’ve set up a foundation. It’s called Doctor Oliver Tree’s Art Grants for Baby Geniuses. And it’s set up so that basically the interest generated from my music will take mostly that,” Tree said, adding that his work will probably be worth more after his death.
“People will finally appreciate my stupid f-cking videos, my f-cking stupid songs. That’s when people appreciate you, when you’re not there anymore,” Tree said.
Oliver Tree’s Rise To Fame
Tree developed an interest in music at an early age and studied Music Technology at the California Institute of the Arts, writing his thesis on how to make himself a viral meme.
Tree released some songs in the years following and signed with Atlantic Records in 2017. The next year, “Alien Boy” and its music video became a major hit, which propelled his mainstream success. His first studio album, “Ugly Is Beautiful,” was released in 2020, and it reached the top spot on Billboard’s Top Alternative Albums Chart.
He also collaborated with other artists, including Whethan, Robin Schulz, David Guetta, Getter, and Diplo.
Tree’s last album, “Love You Madly Hate You Badly,” was released on April 24, and he planned a massive global tour spanning more than 30 countries on all seven continents. He kicked off his tour on May 30 in Mexico, and he was scheduled to perform next in Lisbon, Portugal, in July before tragedy struck.
The Singer Left His Record Label
Tree’s last album was self-produced and released under his own record label, Alien Boy Records. He parted ways with Atlantic Records after eight years due to creative differences. The artist claimed that the label no longer supported his work and gave him a limited marketing budget because he “was not making songs for TikTok.”
In a video, Tree said he wasn’t in the entertainment business to create songs for TikTok. “The label doesn’t want to support the vision. Well, guess what? I don’t give a sh-t,” he said. The singer then shared that he was able to reach an agreement with Atlantic Records, and he could release his album on his own and leave the record label.
Tributes Pour In For Oliver Tree
Many entertainers, comedians, and artists paid tribute to Tree after hearing news of his passing. Singer Melanie Martinez, who was in a relationship with Tree for several months before their split in 2020, shared a heartfelt post on Instagram Stories.
“He was so dedicated to his art which I admired and respected so deeply. I think everyone who knew him will look back at those moments of laughter and joy he so easily sparked. His laugh was so contagious and warm, she wrote, adding that Tree had a “soft heart” and was a “true artist in every way.”
Kid Cudi also paid tribute to the singer, describing Tree as a “really amazing and beautiful human.” Bebe Rexha honored the late artist on X, saying he was a passionate and kind person. Comedian Whitney Cummings praised Tree’s talents, while also commending him as a person, writing, “Oliver is pure love and the best version of what an artist and person can and should be.”
Entertainment
Which Every Year After Stars Are, Aren’t Returning for Season 2?
Every Year After has plans for more seasons — with different leads — but is everyone from the cast coming back for a potential season 2?
Based on Every Summer After by Carley Fortune, Every Year After follows Percy (Sadie Soverall), who grew up vacationing in Barry’s Bay and spending all her time with the Florek brothers: Sam (Matt Cornett) and Charlie (Michael Bradway).
In addition to introducing new characters, Every Year After surprised Us with some massive book shakeups.
“I think there’s less of things changing and more of things just being added. But I think you’re getting the actual bones of the book and the love story. I think all of the themes and the tone are the same,” Aurora Perrineau, who plays Percy’s friend Chantal in the series, exclusively told Us Weekly.
The book also wrapped up everyone’s story more while the show focused on introducing Charlie as the next lead.
“I really would love to see a second season of the show. They’re not quite there yet and I think because Sam is still kind of getting his head around what’s happened, that makes a lot of sense,” Fortune told Us of the ending. “I love how the show ends with a very clear set up for bringing One Golden Summer into the second season, which I’m most excited about.”
Scroll down to see who is — and isn’t — expected to return in season 2:
Sadie Soverall
While Soverall is expected to reprise her role as Percy, she would no longer be front and center on the show.
Matt Cornett
The same goes for Cornett, who would be back as Sam but not as the main character.
Michael Bradway
Bradway has been positioned as the season 2 lead after Charlie’s onscreen heart attack. His story was originally explored more in Fortune’s follow-up novel, One Golden Summer.
Abigail Cowen
Cowen’s role as Delilah was expanded — and with plans for the show to have five seasons — there is more than enough room for her in season 2.
Aurora Perrineau
Perrineau’s Chantel is expected back on the show.
Joseph Chiu
As is Chiu a.k.a Jordie, who is now caught in his own love triangle.
Entertainment
The Greatest Adventure Movie of the ‘80s Is Officially Taking Over the World
It’s no secret that Steven Spielberg is a renowned filmmaker. His name is attached to many projects and was nominated for numerous Academy Awards for Best Director or Best Picture. But there was one film where the famous director was not involved, except for story origin credits, that people have been revisiting on streaming services.
Ever since Spielberg began his career in 1959, he has worked on many projects, some of which are still beloved to this day, such as Jurassic Park and the Indiana Jones franchise. Earlier this week, Spielberg released a new film called Disclosure Day, starring Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, Colman Domingo, and Wyatt Russell. Also attached to the project is Jurassic Park writer David Koepp. As Disclosure Day inched closer, fans have been revisiting this nostalgic ’80s classic.
The Goonies was a 1985 adventure comedy film based on a story written by Spielberg and produced by the filmmaker’s production company, Amblin Entertainment, and recently, it found a place on the streaming charts. The Goonies landed at #6 on Pluto TV’s Top Movies in the United States, sitting between Men in Black and Scary Movie. The Goonies follows a group of boys who call themselves “The Goonies” as they come across a map that leads to treasure that belonged to the pirate “One-Eyed Willy.” The boys embark on this adventure in hopes that this hidden fortune could save their homes. Since its release, The Goonies has grossed over $65 million worldwide and has been praised by many, earning a 77% critics’ score and a 90% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
What To Watch If You Like ‘The Goonies’
Years after The Goonies release, there were talks about a possible sequel. In 2024, Spielberg revealed that there were conversations about bringing The Goonies back together, and reports indicated that the project would move forward. However, it’s likely that a Goonies sequel may not see the light of day, so if you’re after something with a similar plot and feel, there are other titles worth watching that bring that child-whimsy feeling to your screens.
The first title that comes to mind is Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, which has been compared to The Goonies for its coming-of-age adventure. The series follows a group of children who accidentally leave their home planet aboard a mysterious starship and become lost. As they search for a way back home, a Force-sensitive user, Jod Na Nawood, played by Jude Law, aids them in their journey as they face pirates, soldiers, and other dangers in a galaxy far, far away.
But if you’re looking for a Spielberg film, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is well worth watching, or re-watching. Released in 1982 and directed by Spielberg, the film follows 10-year-old Elliott (Henry Thomas), who befriends a stranded alien and helps him find a way home before government agents can take him away.
The Goonies is available to stream on Pluto TV. Follow Collider for more updates.
- Release Date
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June 7, 1985
- Runtime
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114 minutes
- Director
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Richard Donner
- Producers
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Harvey Bernhard
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