Spy thrillers and action shows have taken over the streaming world in the last 5–10 years, and few are operating at as high a level as Reacher. The Prime Video original thriller stars Alan Ritchson as the titular character, and although Season 4 has yet to premiere, the streamer has already picked up the show for Season 5. Reacher has become so popular that other services have begun to try and replicate its success — Netflix has settled on The Night Agent as its Reacher replacement series. Reacher is based on the series of novels written by author Lee Child, and like Ian Fleming’s James Bond writings, Child has confirmed that the inspiration for Reacher came from multiple sources. One of said sources is The Day of the Jackal, the acclaimed espionage novel written by Frederick Forsyth that was first adapted into a feature film in 1973.
Ronan Bennett took The Day of the Jackal novel and adapted it into a TV series a few years ago, tapping Eddie Redmayne (Fantastic Beasts) and Lashana Lynch (Captain Marvel) as leads. The first season of The Day of the Jackal aired all the way back in 2024, and while the show has been picked up for Season 2, Peacock confirmed earlier this year that it won’t return to streaming until 2027. Production on Season 2 has been underway for a while now, which means the show should have little to no issue hitting its 2027 return date. There has been some turnover behind the scenes of the show in the creative department, which has possibly contributed to the lengthy delay between seasons.
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Collider Exclusive · Action Hero Quiz Which Action Hero Would Be Your Perfect Partner? Rambo · James Bond · Indiana Jones · John McClane · Ethan Hunt
Five legends. Five completely different ways of getting out alive — with style, with muscle, with charm, with luck, or with a plan so intricate it probably shouldn’t work. Ten questions will reveal which action hero was built to have your back.
🎖️Rambo
🍸James Bond
🏺Indiana Jones
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🔧John McClane
🎭Ethan Hunt
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01
You’re dropped into a dangerous situation with no warning. What do you need most from a partner? The first few seconds tell you everything about who belongs beside you.
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02
You have to get somewhere dangerous, fast. How do you travel? How you get there is half the mission.
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03
You’re pinned down and outnumbered. What does your ideal partner do? This is when you find out what someone is really made of.
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04
The mission is paused. You have one evening to decompress. What does your partner suggest? Who someone is when the pressure drops is who they actually are.
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05
How do you prefer your partner to communicate mid-mission? Good communication is the difference between partners and a liability.
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06
Your enemy is powerful, well-resourced, and has the upper hand. How should your partner approach them? The approach to the enemy defines the partnership.
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07
Things go badly wrong and you’re captured. What do you trust your partner to do? Who someone is when you need them most is the only thing that matters.
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08
What does your ideal partner bring to the table that you couldn’t replace? A great partner fills the gap you didn’t know you had.
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09
Every partnership has a cost. Which of these can you live with? No one comes without baggage. The question is whether you can carry it together.
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10
It’s the final moment. Everything is on the line. What do you need from your partner right now? The last question is the most honest one.
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Your Partner Has Been Assigned Your Perfect Partner Is…
Your answers have pointed to one action hero above all others. This is the person built to have your back — for better or considerably, spectacularly worse.
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Rambo
Your partner doesn’t talk much, doesn’t need to, and will have assessed every threat in your immediate environment before you’ve finished your first sentence. John Rambo is not a man of plans or politics — he is a force of nature shaped by survival, loyalty, and a capacity for endurance that goes beyond anything training can produce. He will not leave you behind. He has never left anyone behind who deserved to come home. What you get with Rambo is the most capable, most quietly ferocious partner imaginable — one who has been through things that would have broken anyone else, and who chose to keep going anyway. You’ll never need to ask if he has your back. You’ll just know.
James Bond
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Your partner will arrive perfectly dressed, perfectly briefed, and with a cover story so convincing it’ll take you a moment to remember what’s actually true. James Bond is the most professionally dangerous person in any room he enters — and the most disarmingly charming, which is the point. He operates in a world of layers, where nothing is what it appears and every advantage is used without apology. You’ll never be bored. You’ll occasionally be furious. But when it matters — when the mission is genuinely on the line and the margin for error has collapsed to nothing — Bond is exactly the partner you want. He has survived things that have no business being survivable. He does it with style. That is not nothing.
Indiana Jones
Your partner will know the history, the language, the cultural context, and exactly why the thing everyone else is ignoring is actually the most important thing in the room. Indiana Jones is brilliant, reckless, and occasionally impossible — but he is also one of the most resourceful, most genuinely knowledgeable partners you could find yourself beside. He approaches every situation with a scholar’s eye and a brawler’s instinct, which is an unusual combination and a remarkably effective one. He hates snakes and gets personally attached to objects of historical significance, both of which will slow you down at least once. It doesn’t matter. What Indy brings is irreplaceable — and the adventures you’ll have together will be the kind people write books about. Assuming you survive them.
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John McClane
Your partner was not supposed to be here. He does not have the right equipment, the right information, or anything approaching the right odds. He has a sarcastic remark and an absolute refusal to accept that the situation is as bad as it looks. John McClane is the greatest accidental hero in the history of action cinema — a man whose superpower is stubbornness, whose contingency plan is improvisation, and whose capacity to absorb punishment and keep moving would be alarming if it weren’t so useful. He will complain the entire time. He will make it significantly more chaotic than it needed to be. And he will absolutely, unconditionally, without question come through when it counts. Yippee-ki-yay.
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Ethan Hunt
Your partner has already run seventeen scenarios by the time you’ve finished reading the briefing, and the plan he’s settled on involves at least two things that should be physically impossible. Ethan Hunt operates at the absolute edge of human capability — technically, physically, and intellectually — and he brings the same relentless precision to protecting his partners that he brings to dismantling organisations that shouldn’t exist. He is not easy to know and he will never fully tell you everything. But he will carry the weight of the mission so completely, so absolutely, that your job is simply to trust him — and the remarkable thing is that trusting him always turns out to be the right call. The mission will be impossible. He will complete it anyway.
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Who Is ‘The Day of the Jackal’s New Showrunner?
Ronan Bennett was the lead writer and showrunner on the first season of The Day of the Jackal, but he has stepped back and been replaced by David Harrower in Season 2. This creative change was brought on only by scheduling conflicts for Bennett, who remains involved with the show as an executive producer — there was no reportedly no conflict that led to him stepping down. Harrower recently wrote episodes of the Colin Firth-led spy thriller on Peacock, Lockerbie: A Search for the Truth, and Bennett is also known for his work as the lead writer on MobLand, the Paramount+ crime thriller starring Tom Hardy and Pierce Brosnan.
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Check out the first season of The Day of the Jackal on Peacock, and stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of Season 2.
Claressa Shields is throwing her support behind ‘Baddies’ star Big Lex ahead of her highly anticipated boxing match against fellow cast member Tesehki. After the undisputed boxing champion shared footage of the pair training together, fans quickly flooded social media with reactions, debating whether Shields’ coaching will be enough to help Big Lex compete with Tesehki.
Claressa Shields Says She’s Riding With The Underdog
The upcoming boxing match between ‘Baddies’ stars Big Lex and Tesehki has become one of the most talked-about storylines among fans, with many eager to see the two settle the long-running debate over who packs the harder punch.
On Friday, July 31, Shields shared a video on Instagram showing Big Lex working through drills, combinations, and footwork inside the boxing ring. Alongside the video, Shields explained why she decided to work with Big Lex despite many fans favoring Tesehki.
“I saw the polls. Majority picked Tesehki to beat Big Lex, so I went with the underdog,” Shields wrote. “I put Big Lex through some hard training and showed her some of my best GWOAT moves. She is ready.”
Shields’ endorsement immediately sparked debate online, with fans weighing in on whether the extra training could change the outcome of the fight.
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Social Media Reacts
Fans wasted no time sharing their opinions in The Shade Room Teens’ comment section after Shields revealed she was Team Big Lex.
Instagram user @jakylaaa wrote, “honestly can’t say who gon win this one but I’m here for it !! 🍿🥤☺️”
Another Instagram user @myasiaasimone wrote, “she still can’t fw Tesehki 😂😂😂😂😂”
While Instagram user @gmac4life wrote, “Tesehki Tesehki… the sister of Chrisean Rock ?! She’s teaming for no reason 😂😂😂”
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Instagram user @s.sneakyyy wrote, “Claressa just don’t like Tesehki a*** that’s the only reason why 😂😂😂😂”
Another Instagram user @tsx2__ wrote, “The only thing that lex got over Tesehki is reach and height.”
While Instagram user @xoziya.__ wrote, “Lex gone get more hits in and Tesehki is doing more damage idc argue with ya mama”
Instagram user @2valid_.Dora wrote, “Tesehki might as well ask Laila Ali to train her 🤷♀️”
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Another Instagram user @nyahhh_j wrote, “Why does Claressa think she’s the Baddies Connoisseur”
While Instagram user @allhailteezus wrote, “she not gonna use none of these moves in the ring trust me 😂😂😂”
Tesehki Has Support From Chrisean Rock Ahead Of The Fight
While Shields has stepped into Big Lex’s corner, Tesehki has received encouragement from her younger sister, Chrisean Rock. In a viral video shared online, Chrisean invited Tesehki to train with her in Baltimore ahead of the fight, saying she would love to help her prepare for the matchup. “I’m glad she’s doing this lane,” Chrisean said, adding that her sister “could really fight.” The support comes after Chrisean also entered the boxing world, making her amateur boxing debut earlier this year.
Video games can deliver a whole range of intended experiences, from relaxing and wholesome content in Animal Crossing: New Horizons to terrifying frights in Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. However, one of the most timeless aspects of the medium is boss fights, which pit players against an extra-powerful enemy where they must showcase what they have learned while adapting to the moveset of the opponent.
A boss fight can make or break a game. That is why this list will rank the ten greatest video game boss fights of all time based on aspects such as memorability, originality, difficulty, thematic relevance, moveset, unique mechanics, skill testing, narrative stakes, fan opinion, critical acclaim, and overall quality. From the ones with a massive build-up to the boss fights that happen out of nowhere, each one brings a glorious and tense feeling, which is why gamers love the medium so much.
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10
Sans – ‘Undertale’ (2015)
sans-undertaleImage via Toby Fox
Almost every single boss fight on this list comes from a AAA blockbuster title, except for one indie game that proves this underrated genre is home to some thrilling boss fights. Undertale is one of the most recognized indie titles of all time, and while it has many bosses, none are better than the final fight in the Genocide storyline against Sans.
After the player decides to kill every character in the game, their final opponent is Sans, who is undoubtedly the hardest boss in the game. His battle is intentionally unfair, from attacking the player while in their inventory to dodging attacks, which no other enemy does, to removing invincibility frames; Sans is the ultimate punishment for the player in Undertaleif they select the Genocide route.
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9
Volo – ‘Pokémon Legends: Arceus’ (2022)
Giratina and Volo in Pokemon: Legends ArceusImage via Game Freak
Pokémon unexpectedly has some incredible boss fights, such as Whitney, Cynthia, and Red, but the one that makes this list is probably pretty unexpected. Volo is presumably an ancestor of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, who spends most of his time helping the player until the finale of the game, where he challenges the player in what is easily the franchise’s most challenging fight.
Pokémon is a series, and the game can be hand-holdy, but this boss fight subverts those expectations through the most difficult fight in the franchise. Volo’s first team is essentially the same as Cynthia’s, and after winning that, the players fight against Giratina’s two forms, all without healing or changing teams. It is a gruelling and unfair challenge that can only be passed using potions and more than a few revives, proving Pokémon Legends: Arceus was a step in the right direction for Pokémon.
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8
Phalanx – ‘Shadow of the Colossus’ (2005)
shadow-of-the-colossus-ps3-hd.jpgImage via Team Ico
Some games have good boss fights, and then other video games are only boss fights, with the main purpose being to defeat the challenging enemies. Shadow of the Colossus has the player killing 16 Colossi to revive their loved one, and one of these gargantuan beings they must kill is Phalanx, a massive serpent flying around the dunes of the desert.
There are so many boss fights in this game that are deserving of making this list, but Phalanx is arguably the best because of how it subverts expectations. It never once attacks the player, with gamers needing to chase it down on horseback, leap onto the massive creature and scale the beast while slowly chipping away at its health bar. This grand, sweeping cinematic boss fight is a spectacle to behold, but its end is a bleak and depressing note when players learn they killed a peaceful, majestic being.
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psycho-mantis-metal-gear-solidImage via Konami
Hideo Kojima is a legendary game designer, and his Metal Gear Solid franchise is known for having some of the best boss fights, with two of them being on this list. Let’s start with Psycho Mantis from the first game. This psychic enemy pushes the character and player to the limits by levitating furniture, controlling allies, and breaking the fourth wall.
The boss fight in the game itself isn’t anything special, but it becomes such a memorable experience because of the way it breaks the fourth wall. Psycho Mantis can read Solid Snake’s mind, which is achieved by reading the memory card on the console, highlighting what the player has previously done. Metal Gear Solid goes one step further with the player needing to switch controller ports, so Psycho Mantis can no longer read your movements. It’s an ingenious and creative way to blend gameplay with real life that results in an unforgettable gaming moment.
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6
Malenia, Blade of Miquella – ‘Elden Ring’ (2022)
Malenia, Blade of Miquella adjusting her arm in Elden Ring trailerImage via Bandai Namco Entertainment
FromSoftware and soulslike games in general are known for their challenging combat and infamous boss battles, earning two spots on this list. The first is Malenia, Blade of Miquella from Elden Ring. With so many boss fights, it was hard to choose one, but the honor had to go to the most popular boss, Malenia, a demigod rotting from within who made so many players rage-quit the game.
Elden Ring is all about dodging, parrying, blocking, and learning the enemy’s movements, and that is tested to the extreme with the Malenia boss fight. She demands frame-perfect timing that is nearly impossible to do repeatedly, not to mention she can heal after landing an attack even if it is blocked. Malenia is a definitive Elden Ring boss that is the reason why so many players love the soulslike genre.
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Collider Exclusive · Game of Thrones Personality Quiz Which Game of Thrones House Do You Belong To? Stark · Lannister · Targaryen · Baratheon · Tyrell
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Five great houses. Five completely different answers to the same question: how do you hold power in a world that will take it from you the moment you stop paying attention? Eight questions will determine where your loyalties — and your nature — truly lie.
🐺Stark
🦁Lannister
🐉Targaryen
🦌Baratheon
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🌹Tyrell
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01
Someone powerful is acting dishonourably and everyone knows it. What do you do? In Westeros, the answer to this question has ended more than one great house.
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02
What is the source of your power? Every house endures because of something. What is it for yours?
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03
Who do you truly fight for? Strip away the banners and the words. The honest answer tells you everything.
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04
How do you deal with your enemies? A house’s method reveals its character as clearly as its words ever could.
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05
What kind of ruler do you believe in? Westeros is full of answers to this question. Most of them end badly.
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06
You suffer a devastating loss. How does your house respond? How a house handles defeat tells you more about it than how it handles victory.
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07
Which of these truths about Westeros do you most believe? Every house has a philosophy. This is yours.
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08
The Iron Throne is within reach. What do you do? The answer reveals not just your ambition — but your character.
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The Maester Has Spoken Your House Is…
Your answers point to the great house whose words, values, and way of surviving in Westeros match your own. Bend the knee — or don’t. That’s very much up to you.
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Winterfell · The North
🐺 House Stark
Winter is Coming — and you have always known it. You prepare not out of fear but out of duty, because the people who depend on you deserve someone who takes the long view.
You lead with honour even when it costs you, because you understand that a reputation built on integrity is the only one worth having.
Your loyalty to family and people runs deep — not as sentiment but as a code that doesn’t bend when things get difficult.
The North endures because Starks endure — not by being the cleverest players in the game, but by being the kind of people others are willing to follow into the cold.
You are that kind of person. The pack survives. The lone wolf dies. You already know which one you are.
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Casterly Rock · The Westerlands
🦁 House Lannister
You understand the game — its rules, its exceptions, and exactly when the rules become the exception. You play it without illusions and without apology.
You are sharper than most people realise, and you have learned to use that gap to your advantage.
A Lannister always pays their debts — and you always keep your word, because your word is an instrument of power, and instruments must be kept in working order.
You love your family with a ferocity that sometimes blinds you, and you know it, and you do it anyway.
The lion doesn’t concern itself with the opinion of sheep. Neither, in the end, do you.
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Dragonstone · The Iron Throne
🐉 House Targaryen
You carry a sense of destiny that is difficult to explain and impossible to ignore — the feeling that you are not simply participating in the world but meant to reshape it.
You are capable of extraordinary things, and you know it, and that knowledge is both your greatest strength and your most dangerous quality.
Fire and blood are not just words to you — they are a philosophy about what change requires and what it costs.
The Targaryens at their best were transformative rulers who broke chains and defied the limits of what anyone thought possible.
At your best, so are you. The dragon has three heads. You are one of them.
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Storm’s End · The Stormlands
🦌 House Baratheon
You are a force — direct, powerful, and difficult to ignore when you enter a room or a conflict. You do not negotiate with challenges. You meet them.
Ours is the fury — and yours is a kind of intensity that commands attention, respect, and occasionally fear from those who underestimate what’s behind it.
You value strength and straight dealing. You’d rather know where you stand in a fight than navigate a web of courtly whispers.
The Baratheons built their house on the back of one of the greatest military victories in Westerosi history — and then struggled with what came after.
The lesson of your house is that winning is not the end of the story. Governing is. You are learning that too.
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Highgarden · The Reach
🌹 House Tyrell
You understand that power does not always announce itself — that sometimes it arrives with flowers, good wine, and a smile that doesn’t quite reach the eyes.
Growing strong is your house’s motto, and you live it: patiently, strategically, always investing in the relationships and resources that will matter most when it counts.
You are charming by choice and calculating by nature — a combination that makes you one of the most effective players in any room you enter.
The Tyrells fed King’s Landing and shaped its politics without ever sitting on the Iron Throne — and they were arguably more powerful for it.
You know that the person who controls the food controls the kingdom. And you always know where the food is.
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5
Ganondorf – ‘The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’ (1998)
Link facing a giant Ganondorf in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of TimeImage via Nintendo
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The Legend of Zelda franchise has some fun boss fights like Koloktos, and while that is more mechanically fun, it doesn’t have the same weight as the final fight against Ganondorf/Ganon in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. This three-tiered boss fight starts with an energy-deflecting round that evolves into a dramatic escape from the castle into a final battle against his pig demon form in Hyrule Field.
The first section is the successful first encounter, but the escape from Hyrule Castle is just as gripping. But the epic scale and dramatic weight of the fight in Hyrule Field is the culmination of one of the greatest video games of the century. Ocarina of Time is perfect in many ways, and the final fight against Ganondorf is a thematic conclusion with an operatic finale that feels like a symphony of triumph.
4
Vergil – ‘Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening’ (2005)
devil-may-cry-vergil-facts-semi-playable-dmc-5-1Image via Capcom
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One of the best things about the Devil May Cry franchise is that there are plenty of recurring boss fights with everyone’s favorite villain, Vergil, especially in Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening. Vergil isn’t just an enemy, but the brother of Dante, the protagonist, making every encounter a narrative duel of two familiar characters wondering if this will be the last time they face off.
While Vergil’s fights in the fifth game are also incredible, the final fight against him in Devil May Cry 3 is simply outstanding. Vergil is the quintessential rival boss, who reappears to match Dante’s chaotic style with calculated moves. By mirroring the player’s moveset, Vergil becomes a familiar boss fight that forces the player to understand the gameplay and controls more thoroughly.
3
Mr. Freeze – ‘Batman: Arkham City’ (2011)
Batman hiding from Mr. Freeze in Batman: Arkham CityImage via Rocksteady Studios
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Batman is a character with many iconic villains in his rogue’s gallery, and they are brought to vivid life in Batman: Arkham City, specifically Mr. Freeze. After wandering into a frozen GCPD laboratory, Batman must face off against Mr. Freeze in a lethal game of cat and mouse where the player must use their wits, gadgets, and surroundings to defeat the ominous presence.
Most boss fights have a specific pattern and dedicated puzzle or combat solution to take them down, but not Mr. Freeze. Direct confrontation leads to instant death, meaning the player must use everything they have learned in a mini sandbox room to defeat him. This approach makes every playthrough unique, and with endless possibilities, it makes the audience feel like Batman solving a problem through detective work. Batman: Arkham City has many other great fights, but Mr. Freeze is the top of the list for a reason, proving why this is the best Batman video game.
2
Isshin, The Sword Saint – ‘Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice’ (2019)
Isshin, The Sword Saint in Sekiro: Shadows Die TwiceImage via FromSoftware
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This list mentioned that there would be two FromSoftware soulslike games, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice earned the second spot with Isshin, The Sword Saint. The sword combat in this game is remarkable, and this boss fight shows that off firsthand, but also boasts a couple of other tiers where he wields a spear and a pistol.
A lot of video game bosses have some sort of gimmick to make them fresh and distinct from others, butIsshin is simply a final exam where players need to use everything they learned. Deflecting, counters, reversals — players need to be in top shape, with nothing but mastery to take down Isshin. This final boss is the best way to end Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, making the last battle feel like an earned win.
Big Boss standing over The Boss in a field of white flowers turning red after ending her life in ‘Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater’ (2004)Image via Konami
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Psycho Mantis from the first Metal Gear Solid was fun and unique, but there is one better boss in the series, and that is The Boss from Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. Once Snake’s mentor, The Boss supposedly defected; the twist is that she did so as part of her mission. When a nuclear warhead was fired, she takes the blame, trading her legacy and pride for the safety of her nation. It is fitting that the greatest boss fight in video game history is named The Boss, but there is more poetic and thematic relevance to this character.
This fight was the climax of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, and the buildup was immaculate, making players dread the moment they have to kill Snake’s mentor. Outside the narrative perfection, it is also technically impressive and engaging, promoting the hand-to-hand combat the two created and stealth mechanics that are so important. It ends in a poetic climax where the burden of killing The Boss is taken from Snake and given directly to the player, concluding in a tragically beautiful final moment that highlights why Metal Gear Solid 3 is a fantastic action video game.
As conversations surrounding Nolan Wells continue to unfold online, another familiar name has entered the chat. This time, Officer Tatum is calling attention to a recent interview between Don Lemon and Wells’ mother, Christine Wonsley, claiming one particular moment left him with more questions than answers.
Officer Tatum Calls Out Don Lemon & Christine Wonsley
In a post shared to Instagram, Officer Tatum uploaded a clip from Don Lemon’s recent interview with Nolan Wells’ mother, Christine Wonsley. Alongside the video, Tatum wrote, “WOW: Don Lemon tried not to say my name, but Nolan’s mother made sure to say ‘Brandon Tatum’ in full. Yet neither of them addressed the actual facts from our interviews, including Warren’s claim that he told Nolan’s mother he had Nolan’s phone.”
Tatum went on to accuse both Lemon and Wonsley of avoiding key questions, adding, “They keep naming me, attacking my character and pivoting, but they refuse to answer the questions that matter. Why?” In the clip, Lemon refers to an “officer” and says he “hates mentioning his name,” before Wonsley quickly identifies who he’s talking about, responding, “I’m not even gonna comment on Brandon Tatum. No.” Tatum then cuts back to himself, telling viewers he found the interaction “suspicious” and questioning why his name continues to come up without what he believes are answers to the issues he’s raised.
Why Officer Tatum Keeps Coming Up
Officer Brandon Tatum, a former police officer turned conservative commentator, has closely followed the Nolan Xavier Wells case. Throughout the investigation, Tatum has shared his analysis on social media and interviewed people connected to the case, including Nolan’s friends, Warren Hudson, and Tracestin Shepherd. His coverage has made him a recurring voice in the ongoing public conversation, often drawing both support and criticism for his commentary and interviews.
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More Voices Continue To Weigh In On Nolan Wells’ Case
The conversation surrounding Nolan Wells’ case continues to grow. And, more public figures and those connected to the investigation are sharing their perspectives. Most recently, Ms. Rachel weighed in on Threads, telling her more than 2.3 million followers that she believes the investigation “would have been different if Nolan Wells were white and his friends were Black,” adding that Wells and his family “deserve justice.”
Gangster movies have long been one of cinema’s most alluring and intriguing subgenres. Some immerse themselves in the callous grit of gangland brutality while others flaunt an enrapturing sense of style that illustrates the luxury, glamour, and status that comes with a life of organized crime, but all the greatest and most perfect gangster movies are anchored by their thematic interest in issues of morality, violence, power, and opportunity.
Here, we have Hollywood classics that use the ambition and intensity of crime cinema to present barbed visions of the volatility of the American dream and international masterpieces that revel in an arresting sense of grounded and visceral realism. These gangster movies are genuinely perfect from start to finish. In addition to being defining triumphs of the genre, many of these pictures have also come to be accepted among the greatest and most iconic movies ever made.
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‘Once Upon a Time in America’ (1984)
James Woods as Max and Robert De Niro as Noodles in Once Upon a Time in America (1984)Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
An epic with a runtime of almost four hours, Once Upon a Time in America is the ultimate parable of the misrepresentation of the American dream. Unfolding with a non-linear plot, it follows a group of Jewish gangsters from their humble beginnings as ambitious youths in a New York ghetto to their prominent standing in the city’s underworld, and even to an old age of paranoia, betrayal, nostalgia, and remorse.
Under Sergio Leone’s astute direction, the film captures distinctly different tones with each of its timelines. Further complemented by Ennio Morricone’s masterful score, Tonino Delli Colli’s gorgeous and evocative cinematography, and a cohort of incredible performances, Once Upon a Time in America has overcome several complexities in its initial release. It is now regarded as one of the greatest crime epics of all time and a unique, emotional descent into a life of lawlessness.
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‘The Departed’ (2006)
Image via Warner Bros.
Few directors are as celebrated for their contributions to any genre of cinema as Martin Scorsese. One of his most defining triumphs, and the picture that saw him finally win an Academy Award for Best Director, is 2006’s gritty thriller, The Departed, which follows a tense cat-and-mouse game between a mole in the Boston Police Department and an undercover cop in an organized crime syndicate.
The Departed stands among the greatest crime movies Hollywood has produced in recent decades. The Oscar-winning gem is defined by the hard-edged grit Scorsese imbues all his crime pictures with, a magnetic sense of propulsive storytelling and editing, and a litany of astounding performances from the ensemble cast. Its relentless high-stakes suspense presents a raw vision of morality, duplicity, and desperation that makes for one of the defining feats of 21st-century cinema thus far.
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‘Angels with Dirty Faces’ (1938)
James Cagney holding and pointing a gun at Pat O’Brien in Angels with Dirty Faces.Image via Warner Bros.
The gangster movies of Old Hollywood may not have had the license to be as graphic as their modern counterparts, but the era still produced many timeless hits, including 1938’s Angels with Dirty Faces. This powerful story of morality, influence, and redemption centers on Father Connolly’s (Pat O’Brien) efforts to guide a group of impressionable youths away from the allure of Rocky Sullivan (James Cagney), a notorious gangster who was once his childhood friend.
Between the two men, the film explores life trajectories with piercing poignancy, illustrating how their lives turned out so drastically. It acknowledges the allure of crime as a pathway to luxury, status, and power, while highlighting Connolly’s complex internal angst through his sorrow for Rocky and his aspiration to steer the boys away from sharing his fate. Anchored by one of the greatest endings in cinematic history, Angels with Dirty Faces is a timeless masterpiece of crime cinema and an underappreciated pioneer of gangster movie tropes that remain in use to this day.
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‘Miller’s Crossing’ (1990)
John Turturro begs Gabriel Byrne for his life in the forest in Miller’s Crossing.Image via 20th Century Studios
An underrated gem in the stunning filmography of the Coen Brothers, Miller’s Crossing sees the filmmakers implement their trademark blend of cynical wit, offbeat style, and intense character-focused tension in gangster cinema. Functioning as a bleak character study, it follows icy mob strategist Tom Reagan (Gabriel Byrne) as he navigates an escalating gang war amid Prohibition-era America while adhering to his interplay of personal principle, survival, and shrouded loyalty.
What it lacks in the scope of other, more epic crime films, it more than makes up for with its concentrated, intimate focus on Reagan’s shifting circumstances. Only strengthened by its poetic and biting dialogue, gorgeous noir visuals, and Carter Burwell’s deftly melancholic score, Miller’s Crossing is an engrossing subversion of traditional gangster drama. This emotionally compelling plunge into a jaded protagonist’s peril remains in focus even as the labyrinthian nature of the growing conflict intensifies.
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‘Animal Kingdom’ (2010)
Criminal accomplices and close friends Andrew ‘Pope’ Cody (Ben Mendelsohn) and Barry Brown (Joel Edgerton) walk through an urban area in Melbourne in ‘Animal Kingdom’ (2010).Image via Madman Entertainment
Gritty, realistic, and raw, Animal Kingdom cuts down any semblance of romanticism and glory that can surround crime cinema. Here, director David Michôd emphasizes a pervasive air of dread through the story of a crime family’s self-inflicted downfall. Following the death of his mother, teenager Joshua (James Frecheville) is taken in by his uncles and grandmother and exposed to their life of criminal ambition and brutality. Torn between mounting pressure from his besieged family and the offering of help from a cop, Josh struggles to navigate a volatile and escalating situation.
Inspired by the actions of the Pettingill crime family in Melbourne, Animal Kingdom is fundamentally an exercise in ferocious authenticity. However, Michôd imbues it with complexity and Greek tragedy to conjure a powerful sense of resonance through its meditations on morality, ambition, and violence. Aided by a plethora of visceral, note-perfect performances and a razor-sharp screenplay, it represents the very best of modern Australian cinema and stands among the finest crime movies of the 21st century.
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‘White Heat’ (1949)
James Cagney’s Cody talking to Edmond O’Brien’s Vic in White Heat.Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
Another gem from Hollywood’s golden era to thrive off the back of a lead performance from James Cagney, White Heat is a landmark gangster movie from a time when the genre had lost its punch following the introduction of the Hays Code. Instead of delivering a spectacle of grim violence or complex morality, it excels as a heart-racing descent into the unstable psychology of Cody Jarrett, a maniacal criminal who breaks out of jail and rallies his crew to carry out a heist.
The erratic volatility of Cagney’s Jarrett, who oscillates violently between his disturbing penchant for violence and equally disturbing adoration of his mother, imbues the film with an unyielding, ferocious intensity. Complimented by one of the most iconic climaxes in gangster cinema, White Heat stands tall to this day as a harrowing deep-dive into criminal psychosis that grapples with the unpredictable terror and white-knuckle tension of gangland amorality.
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‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994)
Uma Thurman in ‘Pulp Fiction’Image via Miramax Films
It is a treacherous path to make a gangster movie feel cool, slick, and stylish without also wrestling with the unbearable psychological duress of a life in organized crime, but if a movie is to take that approach, it doesn’t hurt to be imbued with the panache and punch of Pulp Fiction. A sprawling, non-linear epic that contains everything from atmospheric suspense to hysterical comedy, it follows the intersecting lives of several people involved in L.A.’s criminal underworld.
A defining smash hit of ’90s cinema, it soars off the back of Quentin Tarantino’s intoxicating trademark style, a medley of wit, pop-culture references, and razor-sharp storytelling prowess that enthralls from its opening shot to its final moments. Its litany of iconic scenes, lines, and characters is testament enough to its greatness as a cinematic masterpiece. Moreover, its brilliance as a gangster thriller resides in its subversive boldness, tonal control, glorious unpredictability, and underappreciated analysis of morality in the criminal underworld.
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Collider Exclusive · Oscar Best Picture Quiz Which Oscar Best Picture Is Your Perfect Movie? Parasite · Everything Everywhere · Oppenheimer · Birdman · No Country
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Five Oscar Best Picture winners. Five completely different visions of what cinema can be — and what it can do to you. One of them is the film that was made for the way your mind works. Ten questions will figure out which one.
🪜Parasite
🌀Everything Everywhere
☢️Oppenheimer
🐦Birdman
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🪙No Country for Old Men
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01
What kind of film experience do you actually want? The best movies don’t just entertain — they leave something behind.
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02
Which idea grabs you most in a film? Great films are driven by a central obsession. What’s yours?
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03
How do you like your story told? Form is content. The way a story is shaped changes what it means.
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04
What makes a truly great antagonist? The opposition defines the protagonist. What kind of opposition fascinates you?
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05
What do you want from a film’s ending? The final note is the one that lingers. What do you want it to sound like?
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06
Which setting pulls you in most? Where a film takes place shapes everything — mood, stakes, what’s even possible.
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07
What cinematic craft impresses you most? Every great film has a signature — a technical or artistic element that makes it unmistakable.
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08
What kind of main character do you root for? The protagonist is the lens. Who you choose to follow says something about you.
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09
How do you feel about a film that takes its time? Pace is a choice. Some films sprint; others let tension accumulate slowly, deliberately.
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10
What do you want to feel walking out of the cinema? The best films leave a mark. What kind of mark do you want?
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The Academy Has Decided Your Perfect Film Is…
Your answers have pointed to one Oscar Best Picture winner above all others. This is the film that was made for the way your mind works.
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Parasite
You are drawn to films that operate on multiple levels simultaneously — that begin in one genre and quietly, brilliantly migrate into another. Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite is a film about class, desire, and the architecture of inequality that manages to be darkly funny, deeply suspenseful, and genuinely shocking across a single extraordinary running time. Your instinct is for cinema that hides its true intentions until the moment it’s ready to reveal them. Parasite is exactly that — a film that rewards close attention and punishes assumptions, right up to its devastating final image.
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Everything Everywhere All at Once
You want it all — and this film gives you all of it. The Daniels’ Everything Everywhere All at Once is one of the most maximalist films ever made: action comedy, multiverse sci-fi, family drama, existential crisis, and a genuinely earned emotional core that sneaks up on you amid the chaos. You are someone who responds to ambition, who doesn’t want cinema to choose between being entertaining and being meaningful. This film refuses that choice entirely. It is overwhelming by design, and its overwhelming nature is precisely the point — because the feeling of being crushed by infinite possibility is exactly what it’s about.
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Oppenheimer
You are drawn to cinema on a grand scale — films that understand history not as a backdrop but as a force, and that place their characters inside that force and watch what happens. Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer is a film about the terrifying gap between what we can do and what we should do, told with the full weight of one of the most consequential moments in human history behind it. You want your films to feel important without feeling self-important — to earn their ambition through sheer craft and the gravity of their subject. Oppenheimer does exactly that. It is enormous, complicated, and refuses easy comfort.
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Birdman
You are drawn to films that foreground their own construction — that make the how of the filmmaking part of the what it’s about. Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Birdman, shot to appear as a single continuous take, is cinema examining itself through the cracked mirror of a fading actor’s ego. You respond to formal daring, to the feeling that a film is doing something that probably shouldn’t be possible. Michael Keaton’s performance and Emmanuel Lubezki’s restless camera create something genuinely unlike anything else — a film that is simultaneously about creativity, relevance, self-destruction, and the impossibility of ever truly knowing if your work means anything at all.
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No Country for Old Men
You are drawn to cinema that trusts silence, that refuses to explain itself, and that treats dread as a form of meaning. The Coen Brothers’ No Country for Old Men is a film about the arrival of a new kind of evil — implacable, arbitrary, and utterly indifferent to the moral frameworks we use to make sense of the world. It is one of the most formally controlled films ever made, and its controlled restraint is what makes it so terrifying. You want your films to haunt you, not comfort you. You are not interested in resolution if resolution would be dishonest. No Country for Old Men is honest in a way that most cinema never dares to be.
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‘City of God’ (2002)
Douglas Silva holding a gun in City of GodImage via Miramax
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Few movies of any genre are as fiercely impressionable and savagely confronting as City of God. The plot presents a harrowing descent into crime in Rio de Janeiro through the eyes of two childhood friends who take drastically different paths as they reach adolescence. A loose adaptation of Paulo Lins’s semi-autobiographical novel, it unfolds as Rocket (Alexandre Rodrigues) struggles to pursue his dream of becoming a professional photographer and escaping the crime-riddled favela while Li’l Zé (Leandro Firmino) becomes a local crime lord who rules through sadism, brutality, and fear.
Defined by its grim realism, City of God is an unflinching depiction of Brazilian crime that scars viewers with its conviction and ruthlessly confronting violence. It presents the ugly savagery of favela gangs, even going so far as to illustrate how children are both complicit in and victims of the violent cycle of power and evil. A quintessential crime masterpiece, City of God strips gangster cinema of its lavish allure with its exploration of systemic, inescapable poverty.
‘The Godfather’ (1972) & ‘The Godfather Part II’ (1974)
Both The GodfatherandThe Godfather Part IIstand at the pinnacle of cinematic brilliance in their own right. Both films have endured for over 50 years as absorbing stories of morality, corruption, and power bolstered by stunning filmmaking craft, thematically rich drama, and a litany of unforgettable performances. The 1972 original follows a difficult transition of power within the Corleone crime family, while the sequel explores Michael’s (Al Pacino) ambition to expand his empire as well as a young Vito’s (Robert De Niro) rise up the ranks of organized crime in early 20th-century New York.
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Whereas many previous gangster movies flaunted an air of anti-hero pulpiness, The Godfather saw Francis Ford Coppola reinvent the genre as a platform for epic tragedy that explores the allure and toxicity of the American dream through organized crime. The two movies present over six hours of faultless cinematic mastery, with every single discipline of filmmaking, from Gordon Willis’s shadowy cinematography to Nino Rota’s iconic score, executed with majesty, precision, and timeless impact.
‘Goodfellas’ (1990)
Joe Pesci and Ray Liotta turning to their left in GoodfellasImage via Warner Bros. Pictures
“As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster.” The opening narration of Goodfellas is a perfect illustration of the picture that follows, an enrapturing exploration of life in the mafia that captures both the allure of organized crime and the terrifying paranoia that comes with it. Revered as being Martin Scorsese’s defining masterpiece, the biographical drama follows Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) as he rises from his impoverished upbringing to become a major player in his neighborhood’s crime branch. However, the life he always dreamed of achieving fast becomes a waking nightmare.
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Here, we have kinetic narrative pacing, Thelma Schoonmaker’s outstanding editing, a brilliant soundtrack, and stunning camerawork that includes one of the greatest long takes the medium has ever seen. Goodfellas uses every tool at its disposal to immerse viewers in Hill’s tumultuous rise and fall as a gangster. It exudes style and flamboyance without ever sacrificing striking realism, a feat that makes it not only one of the greatest crime movies of all time, but one of the finest achievements in cinematic history as well.
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Shopping Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale section is a little like treasure hunting. Sure, there are thousands of markdowns to sift through, but every now and then I stumble upon a piece so good it goes straight into my cart before I can overthink it. This week, Nordstrom quietly dropped more than 7,000 new deals, and let’s just say my wallet didn’t stand a chance.
After far too much scrolling (so you don’t have to), I narrowed my favorites down to the 13 hidden gems I’d actually spend my own money on. Inside, you’ll find everything from Levi’s Easy Dad jeans and adidas Sambas sneakers and JW PEI totes — all at seriously good prices. These deals start at just $23, making it way too easy for me to justify hitting “checkout.”
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13 Hidden Nordstrom Fashion Finds I Added Straight to My Cart
1. My Favorite: My wardrobe lives and dies by great basics, so this $23 white tee was an instant add to cart. It’s clean, classic and the kind of piece I’ll style with everything from relaxed denim to tailored trousers — was $35, now $23!
2. Timeless Trench: A belted cropped trench coat has been on my fall wish list, and seeing this one marked down $66 made it an instant add to cart. It’s timeless enough to wear for years but still feels fresh thanks to its shorter silhouette — was $199, now $133!
3. Everyday Sparkle: I reach for a dainty pendant necklace almost every day, so finding one this chic for $23 felt like a no-brainer. The sparkling cubic zirconia and delicate gold chain give it that timeless, expensive-looking feel — was $35, now $23!
4. Sleep in Style: I’ve been wanting to upgrade my old PJs, and this matching pajama set feels like the perfect excuse. It’s polished enough for slow weekend mornings, cozy enough for movie nights and is now 34% off — was $85, now $56!
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5. Cashmere Crush: If I’m splurging on anything, it’s a short-sleeve cashmere cardigan I’ll wear season after season. The soft knit, subtle puff sleeves and $50 savings made this one impossible to ignore — was $149, now $99!
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale can be overwhelming, especially when there are thousands of deals competing for your attention. Instead of scrolling through page after page of markdowns, I zeroed in on the under-$100 finds that actually deserve a spot in your closet. These are the pieces that combine timeless style, everyday versatility and impressive savings. […]
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6. Worth the Hype: I don’t say this lightly, but Bombas ankle socks completely live up to the hype. They’re soft, breathable and cushioned in all the right places, which is exactly why I’d buy another six-pack — was $84, now $63!
7. Levi’s Forever: Whenever I’m shopping for denim, I almost always check Levi’s jeans first. This Easy Dad style looks just as chic with a simple white tee as it does with a cashmere cardigan — was $110, now $73!
8. Pop of Color: I’ve been wanting to add a red leather shoulder bag to my collection, and The Sak’s Melrose one immediately caught my eye. It’s timeless enough to wear for years but bold enough to make every outfit more interesting — was $159, now $107!
9. Shoe Crush: It only took one look at these Dolce Vita suede mules for them to land in my cart. The rich brown suede and sculptural kitten heel are exactly the kind of details I can’t resist (especially come fall) — was $135, now $90!
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10. Pilates Pick: I’ve been wanting to try Zella bootcut leggings, and these immediately landed in my cart. The high-rise waist and flared silhouette feel just as chic for coffee runs as they do for Pilates class — was $79, now $50!
11. Still Trending: Just when I thought I couldn’t justify another pair of adidas Sambas, this chocolate brown colorway appeared. It’s a fresh twist on the cult-favorite sneaker I’ll wear with everything from jeans to dresses — was $100, now $70!
12. Designer Energy: I love when accessories do all the talking, and this JW PEI croc-embossed tote does exactly that. The sleek shape and glossy texture make it look incredibly expensive — was $129, now $85!
13. Pink Perfection: I’m usually drawn to neutral tops, but this Caslon striped rugby polo completely changed my mind. The soft pink hue feels unexpected, while the classic silhouette means I’ll wear it for years — was $70, now $46!
Welcome to summer with our biggest sale of the year. This summer’s chicest dresses, tops and swimsuits are all over 30% + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.
We still have a few months left of sandal season, however, if you’re like Us, you’re bored with your current lineup. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is a (totally justified) excuse to restock, especially with when the most chic brands are on major sale. Spoiler: some are over 50% off. The only catch? Top picks are […]
Take a look at the summer concert docket this year – or any year, really – and you might catch yourself thinking, “Didn’t these guys do a farewell tour already?” The answer, inevitably, will be, “Yes.” In the coming months alone, Motley Crue will be playing sheds around the country, but they also finished up The Final Tour in 2015. That same year, Rush confirmed the R40 Live Tour was to be their swan song, but recently launched a run dubbed Fifty Something, which will stretch well into 2027.
For many artists, a farewell tour is supposed to be exactly that, a final chance for fans to see them before calling it a career. The reality is, plenty of musicians have announced their “last” tour, only to change their minds a few years later. Excuses that they missed performing, needed the paycheck, or simply weren’t ready to quit all lead to the conclusion that retirement in the music business often comes with an asterisk.
Over the years, there have been so many artists who have tearfully said their goodbyes while cashing in on an unsuspecting audience who thinks this might be the last time they will get to see said act, only to find out years later they’ve been hoodwinked when some sort of “comeback tour” is announced. Right now, there’s a slew of artists across all genres on the road or about to head out on what’s being called their last tour. Journey, Megadeth, the Eagles, Ministry, Little Feat, and so many more are offering up a final chance to see them live. When their respective dates come to a close, will that really be it? All we can say is: buyer beware.
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Here are 10 farewell tours that turned out not to be goodbye at all, from classic rock legends to heavy metal icons. Some were back on the road within a year or two, while others stayed retired long enough for fans to believe it really was the end…until another reunion was announced.
10
Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra was one of the early artists to pull the “I’m finished” shenanigans, revealing in early 1971 that he would be retiring at the age of 55; not just from performing, but public life as well. Other than a pair of charity commitments that year, he was adamant about being done with the stage and retiring to Palm Springs. At a gala for the Motion Picture & Television Fund on June 13 in Los Angeles, he performed a dress rehearsal set at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion during the day, and in front of a star-studded audience that night in the Ahmanson Theatre. Sinatra closed the performance with the jazz standard “Angel Eyes” and dramatically stepped away from the microphone as he said the final line, “Excuse me while I disappear…”
But unlike an exorcised ghost, the Chairman of the Board couldn’t stay away from the limelight, chalking it up to the pressure he received to return. “Mail, phone calls…just talking to people,” were just some of the reasons he said during 1973 rehearsals for the television special ‘Ol Blue Eyes Is Back, which a new album was titled, too. The studio effort was panned but had no bearing on the desire from audiences to see Sinatra live, and he would continue to appear on stage until 1995.
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9
Kiss
Kiss in the film Kiss Meets The Phantom of The Park.Image via Everett Collection
Come 2001, music fans were a bit savvier towards the idea of a goodbye jaunt, doing a collective eye roll when Kiss announced they were going to hang up the platforms and spandex. It took less than two years for that to last, with frontman Paul Stanley later rewriting history by claiming it was meant to be a farewell to the original lineup.
The tour itself was fraught with drama, from drummer Peter Criss letting his contract expire before it ended and guitarist Ace Frehley exiting the band following the final date. Two years later, with half of Kiss masquerading as originals, and Aerosmith onboard as a co-headliner, nostalgia brought overly forgiving audiences out in droves, because you never know when it’s really going to be the last time. For Kiss, that night was December 2, 2023 at the final date of the End of the Road Tour.
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Then, last fall, they played three nights of the Kiss Kruise Landlocked in Vegas. How? Because that End of the Road Tour was simply the last with the makeup on. Of course.
8
Elton John
The first time Elton John retired came in front of a stunned audience at Wembley Stadium in November 1977 when he said, “I’ve made a decision that tonight is going to be the last show. There’s more to me than playing on the road.” When he was back tickling the ivories less than two years later, he attributed the announcement to being burned out, and “I was fed up with myself musically.”
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“I was stale and stagnant as far as my piano playing went, and vocally I hadn’t improved in three or four years,” John said while promoting his return in 1979. “I could see the touring going on and on, and I thought there just has to be something better than this.”
Years later, he would chalk the move up to his over-the-top drug use. In 2018, John began the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, playing more than 300 shows before it concluded in 2023. He did leave the door open to doing a residency one day, but no more touring; it had become too much of a pain.
Then tickets went on sale earlier this month for two stadium dates in Mexico City. And John has hardly quit playing – averaging about eight shows a year, from corporate events to fundraisers to the rare public gig – but still no full-scale return. To date.
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7
The Who
Drummer Keith Moon’s death in 1978 effectively put a period at the end of The Who’s career, though they carried on for a few years with Faces drummer Kenney Jones before calling it quits. Guitarist Pete Townshend said he wanted to focus on his solo career, adding that The Who would continue only as a studio act, when a farewell tour was announced in 1982.
Aside from one-off appearances at Live Aid in 1985 and the 1988 Brit Awards, the band stayed off the road until The Kids Are Alright 25th anniversary tour in 1989, where Townshend tested the stupidity of the concert-going public by insisting The Who hadn’t actually reunited.
“We did our farewell tour,” he said. “We said goodbye… We’re not a group as such anymore. We’ve actually come together, especially, for a 25th birthday party.”
It would be another nine years before The Who toured again, and they never really stopped after that, despite the death of bassist John Entwistle and repeated claims that each new run of dates would positively, probably, be the last.
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“The touring is incredibly grinding on the body, and we have to draw a line in the sand somewhere,” singer Roger Daltrey said ahead of 2014’s The Who Hits 50! tour. “This will be the last old-fashioned, big tour.”
Then, last year, the band completed The Song Is Over, solemnly dubbed a “bittersweet final tour” of North America. We’ll see about that.
6
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd SkynyrdImage via Robert Bell/INSTARimages
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Lynyrd Skynyrd had earned a little more grace than most bands because of a deeply complicated history. The original group didn’t end because of egos or burnout, but a tragic 1977 plane crash that killed frontman Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and his sister, backup singer Cassie Gaines, and left the rest of the members physically and emotionally scarred for life. Nobody expected anything but the end of the Southern rock outfit for good. A decade later, the surviving members reunited with Ronnie’s younger brother, Johnny, handling vocals for what was billed as a tribute tour. That was supposed to be it. Instead, fans kept buying tickets, and Skynyrd kept coming around.
Thirty years later, the group announced the Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour, saying this really would be the final lap. Down to just one original member in guitarist Gary Rossington, one would hope so. Then the pandemic happened, and a good chunk of dates were postponed. When they picked back up, the tour had a new name: the Big Wheels Keep on Turnin’ Tour. And dates kept getting added. When Rossington died in 2023, the band didn’t skip a beat, headlining the Florida Strawberry Festival one week later. These days, it’s pretty clear there’ll never be a Lynyrd Skynyrd farewell tour since ticket sales are still strong for a tribute act in everything but name.
5
Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne performs at Back to the Beginning concert with Black SabbathImage via YouTube
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Coming on the heels of one of his best-received solo efforts, 1991’s No More Tears, Ozzy Osbourne announced that the road jaunt to support it, cleverly dubbed No More Tours, would be his last. The reasoning was that he wanted to spend more time with his family, and – though unknown at the time – he had been misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
While it would’ve been quite a commercial high to go out on, the Ozzman quite finished, launching the Retirement Sucks! tour a few short years later, followed by a full-scale reunion with his bandmates in Black Sabbath. Once the Godfathers of Heavy Metal finished their own final run in 2017, Osbourne went to the well again with No More Tours II.
An unfortunate cocktail of medical maladies and the COVID-19 pandemic brought the trek to an end after just 41 shows. Luckily, fans – and Ozzy – were able to say a proper goodbye with the historic Back to the Beginning show in England last summer as the Prince of Darkness did short solo and Sabbath sets. Just over two weeks later, he was dead. Sad as it was, there was a certain poetry in the way it ended.
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4
Nine Inch Nails
Trent Reznor never really did the whole “this is the last tour ever” routine. That’s probably because he’s always been a bit too smart to paint himself into that type of corner. Instead, he announced the 2009 Wave Goodbye tour and said Nine Inch Nails would be disappearing “for a while.” He had recently begun turning more of his attention to film scores, so it sounded believable enough.
The break lasted about four years.
By 2013, Nine Inch Nails was back with a revamped lineup and a world tour, and Reznor was saying he’d been thinking about the band more than he’d expected. Since then, the group has alternated between touring, disappearing again, releasing new music, and disappearing some more. Recently, NIN completed the wildly acclaimed Peel It Back Tour. Towards the end of the dates earlier this year, Reznor once again hinted that the band might be done at its conclusion but cleared it up in mid-March at the final show in Sacramento.
“What I said was, this is the last show of this tour, and we don’t have any shows booked, and we don’t have any plans to book any shows any time in the future so far,” he said from the stage. “That doesn’t mean we may not tour again. We may tour again. It won’t be next month; it won’t be this year. I never said we were intentionally stopping, and I never meant that.”
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3
Garth Brooks
Country crossover superstar Garth Brooks announced he was tired of ropin’ the wind back in 2000, ostensibly to raise his three young daughters. There wasn’t much drama attached to it, as he simply decided he’d rather be a father than miss his children grow up. But the problem is, the kids eventually get big and want nothing to do with dad, and, within five years, Brooks was back performing select dates and even did a loosely structured Las Vegas residency.
Brooks was back at it for real by 2014, launching a stadium-sized comeback tour alongside his wife, fellow country star Trisha Yearwood. It didn’t take long for him to start breaking attendance records all over again, proving there was still a massive audience waiting. He added in a more traditional Vegas residency, and this year has begun rolling out dates for the Blame It All on My Roots Arena Tour.
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2
Judas Priest
Image via INFevents.com
Not even a decade after Rob Halford returned to Judas Priest, the band decided to end it for good in a yearlong world tour. Billed as the band’s final major trek after more than four decades on the road, the Epitaph World Tour was largely believed to be it for the group. Guitarist Glenn Tipton said they wanted to go out while they could still perform at a high level, and fans believed them.
They shouldn’t have.
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Barely two years after wrapping up the run, Priest released the Redeemer of Souls album and were back on the road again. More albums followed, including the critically acclaimed Firepower and 2024’s Invincible Shield, along with plenty of tour dates proving the Metal Gods aren’t quite ready to hang it up. In a slight gesture of fairness, the band later clarified Epitaph was meant to be the last world tour, not the last tour, period. That’s a distinction scores of fans probably didn’t appreciate when they bought tickets thinking they were saying goodbye.
1
Motley Crue
When Motley Crue announced The Final Tour in 2014, it was expectedly theatrical in saying there wouldn’t be a next time. A binding legal “Cessation of Touring Agreement” stating they would never tour again under the Motley Crue name made sure of it. The prop gravestones featuring each member’s name on them drove the point home.
“It’s not gonna be like a Kiss farewell to the farewell to the farewell to the farewell tour,” singer Vince Neil said. “It won’t be like that. We’re not going to say farewell and then try to get people to come back again in a little while.”
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Then they did exactly that. Less than four years later, in late 2019, the Crue revealed they’d be back on the road with The Stadium Tour, alongside co-headliners Def Leppard and support from Poison and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts. The reasoning was due to the unexpected success of the Netflix biopic The Dirt, there was an overwhelming demand to see the group live. Combined with the lure of performing in stadiums for the first time, co-founding bassist Nikki Sixx said it was impossible to resist returning. He then stated that he’d like to see Motley continue until their 50th anniversary in 2031.
iShowSpeed has been celebrating win after win over the past few months, from wrapping up a successful tour around the Caribbean to performing his Gold-certified track at the FIFA World Cup. Now, the streamer had even more to celebrate as he neared 60 million YouTube subscribers. However, once he officially hit the milestone, the stream quickly took an unexpected turn.
iShowSpeed’s 60 Million Subscriber Celebration Ends With A Hard Fall
On Friday, iShowSpeed had fans excited as he geared toward his goal of 60 million YouTube subscribers. Throughout the livestream, he added one balloon for every 10,000 new subscribers as his supporter count steadily climbed.
After reaching 59.90 million subscribers, the first giant balloon was added, followed by a second balloon after he reached 59.95 million subscribers. Finally, after hitting 59.97 million subscribers, the last balloon lifted Speed into the air as he closed in on 60 million.
Once Speed was lifted high into the air, the celebration quickly took a scary turn. The balloons suddenly popped, sending him crashing back to the ground
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IShowSpeed Reassures Supporters That He’s Okay Following Stream
Speed laid on the ground after the hard fall. And many questioned whether he was okay and if he had suffered any serious injuries. Moments later, the livestream abruptly ended. The streamer later took to his Instagram Story, showing a visibly banged-up and bleeding thumb while receiving medical attention. He also reassured supporters that he was okay following the scary incident.
Speed said, “In a medic I’m okay alright. We’re okay it was crazy. Thank yall for 60 million love yall.”
Social Media Reacts
Many gathered under The Shade Room and across social media to celebrate IShowSpeed reaching 60 million YouTube subscribers. While celebrating the milestone, many were still shocked by the scary fall. Kai Cenat’s mom even stepped into the comments to celebrate Speed, writing, “I love that boy 😍BLACK EXCELLENCE🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤”
Instagram user @missweets2022 wrote, “We love you too speed 💙🙌🏾”
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Instagram user @tanishalanae added, “I hope his mental health is protected. I’m so proud of this young man. ❤️ “
While Instagram user wrote @thepriizzyshow added, “NO HE JUST DOIN STUFF! HE THINK THIS UP 😂😂😂”
Instagram user @amourmaddii wrote, “Why they take so long to check on him g wtt”
Instagram user @madbeauty_5 added, “This what they mean when they say ” I’II about ts “
HBO Max is shooting for the stars this August in every sense of the word.
Many of the new movies and shows the streamer is set to debut this month feature a bounty of stars from the past and present, like Anne Hathaway in the 2026 psychological thriller Mother Mary and Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock as witchy sisters in the 1998 classic Practical Magic.
Its highest profile show, however, is about two space cops investigating a very Earth-bound mystery. Lanterns is another reimagining of the popular DC superhero Green Lantern, with Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart.
Continue reading to find out all the new movies and shows that are coming to HBO Max in August.
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August 1
Amy Barbarian Bells Are Ringing Billy Budd Blockers Epic Flipper’s New Adventure Great White Highway Hall Pass Hall Pass: Enlarged Edition Happy Feet Two It Comes At Night Macao Miss Sloane Mojave Murder on the Orient Express (2017) Orphan Practical Magic Put A Ring On It: Cheat Hab Quo Vadis Road House (1989) Sicario Smart Money Stand by Me Strike Up the Band Taxi! The Band Wagon The Crimson Pirate The Fighting 69th The Kennel Murder Case The Rain People The Sea Chase The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm The Wrong Man The Yearling Thresher Shark: Stun to Kill Tusk Who’s That Knocking at My Door? You Can’t Get Away with Murder
August 3
Naked And Afraid: Shipwrecked – Season 1
August 4
Chopped: Volume 4 – Season 64 Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Seattle Seahawks
August 6
Monsters of God
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August 7
Troy Harvey/CBS
Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage – Season 1 House Hunters International: Volume 9 – Season 215 House Hunters: Volume 11 – Season 260 The Invisible Guest The Strangers: Chapter 2
August 8
Belle Collective – Season 8
August 9
Heart & Hustle: Houston – Season 2
August 10
Double Lives of Suburban Wives – Season 1
August 11
The Salisbury Poisonings: A Spy Next Door
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August 12
Signs of a Psychopath – Season 11
August 13
Building Giants – Season 5 Faster With Newbern and Cotten – Season 3 Isadora Moon – Season 1D Most Extreme Humans – Season 1
August 14
Normal Whitmer Thomas: Terminal Crew of Dudes
August 16
Lanterns – Season 1
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Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler in Lanterns.John Johnson/HBO Max
August 17
Thanksgiving (2023)
August 20
ER: Caught On Camera – Season 1 Expedition X – Season 12
August 21
Conan O’Brien Must Go – Season 3 Mother Mary
August 22
Abbott Elementary – Season 5
August 24
Margarita: Make Your Story Count – Season 3
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August 25
“Ben Sasse is Coming Home: Lessons in Life and Death” with Jake Tapper, The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper
August 26
1000-lb Roomies – Season 2 Bobby’s Triple Threat – Season 5 Homestead Rescue: Intervention – Season 1
August 27
Totally ’90s House – Season 1
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August 28
House Hunters: Volume 11 – Season 261 The Producer – Season 1
August 30
Enter Nowhere Holla Knock Knock The Cabin in the Woods The Strangers: Chapter 1 The Strangers: Prey at Night
August 31
Big Burger Battle – Season 1 The Robot Chicken Adult Swim Special
Congrats! Rapper Asian Doll is officially a girl mom times two. After learning the sex of her second child during a recent ultrasound appointment, she shared her reaction online before asking social media to help her choose a name for her newest addition.
It’s A Girl! Asian Doll Shares Adorable Reaction To Baby’s Gender Reveal
This week, Asian Doll shared exciting news with her fans. After revealing last month that she is expecting another child, the Dallas rapper has now announced the baby’s gender. In a video posted to social media, Asian Doll captured the moment a nurse revealed the baby’s sex during an ultrasound appointment. The rapper appeared visibly surprised before quickly embracing the news with excitement after learning she is expecting another girl. She later took to X to share her reaction, writing, “I can not believe this sh** omgggggggg my baby gender just gagged me 😂😂🎉.”
Asian Doll Asks Fans To Help Name Her Second Daughter
Following the reveal, Asian Doll admitted she was already struggling to come up with a name for her second daughter. She told fans she wants the baby’s name to follow the same naming pattern as her own and her firstborn daughter’s. In a post on X, she wrote, “My name is Mi’Sharron my daughter name is Mi’Lani wtf is my new daughter gone be ???? 🤨🤨 HELPPPPP lol.” She later followed up with a poll, asking fans to vote between “Mi’Kayla,” “Mi’Lasian,” “Mi’Lania,” or “Something else 😂,” inviting even more suggestions for her baby’s name.
Social Media Floods The Comments With Suggestions
Instagram users wasted no time sharing their ideas for the baby’s name.
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Instagram user @tatteonfleek wrote, “Mi’so sorry 😂😂😂”
Another Instagram user @jjallana wrote, “Mi’so soup”
While Instagram user @alleyesondai wrote, “Mi’lasia would be cute”
Instagram user @iamchinaming wrote, “Mi’amor”
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Another Instagram user @natalyashanae wrote, “Leave Mi’Alone 😂😂😂😂”
While Instagram user @thetoptea_ wrote, “Mi’lovr is so cute”
Instagram user @adriwadee wrote, “Mi’hateit”
Another Instagram user @aliyahmone.__ wrote, “Mi’Kayla is the only right answer but girl WHAT 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣”
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While Instagram user @sweetah_ wrote, “Mi hav no clue”
Chile! David Mann is proving that no matter how much time passes, there’s always new slang to keep parents on their toes. A recently surfaced family moment has social media cracking up after the actor found himself completely confused by a phrase his kids seemed to expect everyone to know.
In a new video circulating on social media, David Mann can be seen relaxing in what appears to be his home office, sitting in a gaming chair. Things quickly take a hilarious turn when his kids repeatedly ask him if he’s “quiet on the creek.” Looking completely puzzled, Mann spins around in his chair with a confused expression before asking them to repeat themselves. As they continue saying the phrase, he finally responds with, “What is ‘quiet on the creek?’“—leaving viewers laughing at the relatable generational disconnect.
TSR Comment Section Has A Field Day
Folks wasted no time running to The Shade Room’s Instagram comment section to sound off. While some admitted they were just as confused as David Mann and still have no clue what the phrase means. Others couldn’t get over how much he resembled an older version of Saucy Santana. And, of course, plenty of commenters made it clear they were sitting this slang lesson out.
One Instagram user @sweets_2h_sugar said, “Me when I heard the song and immediately deciding to stick to the rivers and the lakes that I’m used to!! 🤣”
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This Instagram user @jzapalvonkrishna added, “He look like the older saucy Santana lol”
And, Instagram user @sadesays commented, “I’m just as confused…. I still don’t get it 😂”
Meanwhile, Instagram user @misslavishlypoppin shared, “I just wanna know where I can get that chair 😂🤞🏽”
While Instagram user @itstamaramyles claimed, “You can tell he was really focused beforehand 😂”
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Finally, Instagram user @jayskiiiiii wrote, “MR BROWN AINT NEVER BEEN QUIET NOWHERE 😭😭😭😭 CLOTHES EVEN LOUD”
Yes, We Had To Look It Up Too
Now, if you’re sitting there wondering what “quiet on the creek” even means, trust us—we’re right there with you. The now-viral phrase traces back to one of Saucy Santana’s TikTok Live sessions, where he recalled being told to stay “quiet on the creek” while fishing as a child so the fish wouldn’t get scared away. The clip quickly took on a life of its own after social media users turned it into a meme by adding a dramatic explosion sound effect, and Santana later leaned into the viral moment by dropping a track titled ‘Quiet On the Creek,’ which opens with the original audio.
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