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Gerard Butler’s R-Rated Fantasy Epic Officially Conquers Paramount+

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Gerard Butler has given us some amazing movies across genres; be it a fantasy war, gangster drama, action, or drama, audiences know they are in for a ride with his movies. The actor has had a successful run revisiting his previous roles, like the live-action remake of How To Train Your Dragon, where he transitioned from voicing Stoick to playing him on the big screen. He also revived the iconic Den of Thieves franchise with another installment, which fans widely appreciated, and returned with Ric Roman Waugh’s Greenland 2: Migration, which didn’t draw audiences to theaters but has become a streaming favorite.

The streaming landscape has given fans access to his wider filmography along with new releases. Among those films is the Zack Snyder-directed 300, which made Butler a household name worldwide. The epic historical fantasy war film is adapted from the 1998 graphic novel of the same name by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley. It is a highly stylized, fictional retelling of the real-world Battle of Thermopylae with Butler leading as King Leonidas.

Set in 480 BC, the Persian God-King Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) sends a massive invading army of over 300,000 soldiers to conquer Greece. Standing against them is Spartan King Leonidas and his elite personal bodyguard of 300 fierce Spartan warriors, who meet the Persians at the narrow canyon pass of Thermopylae. The movie makes up for a thin plot with groundbreaking visual aesthetics, seamless blending of live-action and CGI backgrounds, and iconic action set-pieces that Snyder is known for.

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Butler shouldered the movie with a highly theatrical, hyper-masculine performance. He seamlessly oscillates between a bloodthirsty warrior king on the battlefield to a strategic military leader. His one-liners, like “This is Sparta,” have found a permanent place in pop culture since. 300 became a massive commercial blockbuster, earning $456.1 million worldwide, and one of the biggest box office surprises of its era. The movie divided critics and audiences, though, as seen in its Rotten Tomatoes score: 61% by critics and 89% by audiences.



















































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Collider Exclusive · Sci-Fi Survival Quiz
Which Sci-Fi World Would You Survive?
The Matrix · Mad Max · Blade Runner · Dune · Star Wars

Five universes. Five completely different ways the future went wrong — or sideways, or up in flames. Only one of them is the world your instincts were built for. Eight questions will figure out which dystopia, galaxy, or desert wasteland you’d actually make it out of alive.

💊The Matrix

🔥Mad Max

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🌧️Blade Runner

🏜️Dune

🚀Star Wars

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01

You sense something is deeply wrong with the world around you. What do you do?
The first instinct is often the truest one.





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02

In a world of scarcity, what resource do you guard most fiercely?
What we protect reveals what we believe survival actually requires.





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03

What kind of threat keeps you up at night?
Fear is useful data — if you’re honest about what you’re actually afraid of.





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04

How do you deal with authority you don’t trust?
Every dystopia has a power structure. Your approach to it determines everything.





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05

Which environment could you actually endure long-term?
Survival isn’t just tactical — it’s physical, psychological, and very much about where you are.





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06

Who do you want in your corner when things fall apart?
The company you keep is the clearest signal of who you actually are.





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07

Where do you draw the line — if you draw one at all?
Every survivor eventually faces a moment that tests what they’re actually made of.





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08

What would actually make survival worth it?
Staying alive is one thing. Having a reason to is another.





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Your Fate Has Been Calculated
You’d Survive In…

Your answers point to the world your instincts were built for. This is the universe your temperament, your survival instincts, and your particular brand of stubbornness were made for.

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The Resistance, Zion

The Matrix
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You took the red pill a long time ago — probably before anyone offered it to you. You’re a systems thinker who can’t help but notice the seams in things.

  • You’re drawn to understanding how the system works before figuring out how to break it.
  • You’d find the Resistance, or it would find you — your instinct for spotting constructed realities is the machines’ worst nightmare.
  • You function best when you have access to information and the freedom to act on it.
  • The Matrix built an airtight prison. You’d be the one probing the walls for the door.


The Wasteland

Mad Max
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The wasteland doesn’t reward the clever or the well-connected — it rewards those who are hard to kill and harder to break. That’s you.

  • You don’t need comfort, community, or a cause larger than the next horizon.
  • You need a vehicle, a clear threat, and enough fuel to outrun it — and you’re good at all three.
  • You are unsentimental enough to survive that world, and decent enough — just barely — to be something more than another raider.
  • In the wasteland, that distinction is everything.


Los Angeles, 2049

Blade Runner
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You’d survive here because you know how to exist in moral grey areas without losing yourself completely.

  • You read people accurately, keep your circle small, and ask the questions others prefer not to answer.
  • In a city where humanity is a legal designation rather than a feeling, you hold onto something that keeps you functional.
  • You’re not a hero. But you’re not lost, either.
  • In Blade Runner’s world, that distinction is everything.


Arrakis

Dune
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Arrakis is the most hostile environment in the known universe — and you are precisely the kind of person it rewards.

  • Patience, discipline, and political awareness are your core strengths — and on Arrakis, they’re survival tools.
  • You understand that the long game matters more than any single victory.
  • Others come to Dune and are consumed by it. You’d learn its logic and earn its respect.
  • In time, you wouldn’t just survive Arrakis — you’d begin to reshape it.


A Galaxy Far, Far Away

Star Wars
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The galaxy far, far away is vast, loud, and in a constant state of violent political upheaval — and you wouldn’t have it any other way.

  • You find meaning in being part of something larger than yourself — a cause, a crew, a rebellion.
  • You’d gravitate toward the Rebellion, or the fringes, or whatever pocket of the galaxy still believes the Empire’s grip can be broken.
  • You fight — not because you have to, but because standing aside isn’t something you’re capable of.
  • In Star Wars, that willingness is what makes all the difference.

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‘300’ Fights Its Way Up Streaming Charts

About 20 years later, fans’ love still outweighs the critical consensus, as 300 rises to the sixth spot on Paramount+’s domestic top 10 list, according to FlixPatrol. The feature stands tall among titles like Passenger, Scary Movie, The Hangover, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, and more.

Check out 300 on Paramount+ and stay tuned to Collider for more such updates.


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Release Date

March 7, 2007

Runtime
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117 minutes

Director

Zack Synder

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Writers

Kurt Johnstad

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Producers

Bernie Goldmann, Frank Miller, Gianni Nunnari, Jeffrey Silver, Scott Mednick, William Fay, Ben Waisbren, Craig J. Flores, Deborah Snyder

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You’re Missing Out on the Best Horror Film To Hit Netflix in a Long Time

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Tete Espinoza as Marce, pregnant, holding her belly and screaming at the camera in Disappear Completely

To say that the Netflix catalog is a hit-or-miss situation is hardly controversial nowadays. As a matter of fact, the same statement can be made about almost all of our giant, non-curated streaming services. It isn’t that rare for amazing movies and TV shows to pop up on these platforms, but quite often they tend to get buried under piles of titles that range from okay at best to horrifyingly bad. If you’re a horror fan, for instance, you might have missed one of the coolest, scariest, most disturbing films to hit Netflix in quite some time, arguably one of the best to hit our screens this year. After all, to finally come across Luis Javier Henaine’s Disappear Completely, one has to dig deep — almost as deep as the movie’s main character in his search for a cure to the curse that threatens to turn him into a kind of living corpse, a karmic punishment for his own misdeeds as a photojournalist specialized in crime scenes.

After premiering in 2022 at Austin’s Fantastic Fest, Disappear Completely debuted on Netflix in April 2024. And while it made its way to the streamer’s Top 10 in its native Mexico, it has struggled to find an audience in other countries where it is readily available. It’s a pity: Henaine’s film has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and it is indeed a gem that deserves to be seen. Why it has not conquered audiences worldwide is hard to say. Perhaps Netflix hasn’t marketed it enough, or maybe it’s something to do with that pesky one-inch-tall barrier of subtitles. After all, it isn’t rare for international films — particularly genre films — to be overlooked only to be, years later, included in lists of underrated projects.

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What Is ‘Disappear Completely’ About?

Tete Espinoza as Marce, pregnant, holding her belly and screaming at the camera in Disappear Completely
Tete Espinoza as Marce, pregnant, holding her belly and screaming at the camera in Disappear Completely
Image via Mantícora Distribución

As it is so new in the world of streaming, Disappear Completely still has a chance of being recognized in its time. The film, which relies more on psychological horror than on traditional jumpscares, is a character study surrounding a man’s relationship with his profession, and his family. The premise is creative and terrifying from the get-go: Santiago (Harold Torres), a photojournalist who sells pictures of crimes and accidents to tabloids, falls victim to a curse after shooting a particularly gruesome scene featuring a still living, but completely unresponsive politician partly devoured by rats. Unbeknownst to him, Santiago’s camera has captured the presence of a demonic entity that traps him in the same web as the senator (Juan Sahagun) he just photographed. Little by little, Santiago starts to lose all of his five senses.

As Santiago races against time to find a cure for his predicament, going from doctors to shamans to the very demon that has hexed him, his girlfriend, Marce (Tete Espinoza), faces troubles of her own. Pregnant with Santiago’s child, she wishes to have the baby and build a happy family. However, Santiago claims that they are not ready to have a child, and pressures her to have an abortion. This relationship with Marce and his unborn baby ends up being essential to how Santiago deals with his curse, being completely responsible for sealing his fate. By the end of the movie, just as he is about to lose the eyesight that is so dear to him, Santiago refuses to deliver his child’s life to the demon in exchange for everything he has lost and therefore becomes forever locked in a tomb made of his own flesh.











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Collider Exclusive · Horror Survival Quiz
Which Horror Villain Do You Have the Best Chance of Surviving?
Jason Voorhees · Michael Myers · Freddy Krueger · Pennywise · Chucky
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Five killers. Five completely different ways to die — if you’re not smart enough, fast enough, or self-aware enough to avoid it. Only one of them is the villain your particular set of instincts gives you a fighting chance against. Eight questions will figure out which one.

🏕️Jason

🔪Michael

💤Freddy

🎈Pennywise

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🪆Chucky

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01

Something feels wrong. You can’t explain it — you just know. What do you do?
First instincts are the difference between the survivor and the first act casualty.





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02

Where are you most likely to find yourself when things go wrong?
Setting is everything in horror. Where you are determines which rules apply.





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03

What is your most reliable survival asset?
Every survivor has a quality the villain didn’t account for. What’s yours?





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04

What kind of fear is hardest for you to fight through?
Knowing your weakness is the first step to not dying because of it.





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05

You’re with a group when things start going wrong. What’s your role?
Horror movies are brutally clear about who survives group situations and who doesn’t.





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06

What’s the horror movie mistake you’re most likely to make?
Honest self-assessment is a survival skill. Denial is not.





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07

What’s your best weapon against something that can’t be stopped by conventional means?
Every horror villain has a weakness. The survivors are always the ones who find it.





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08

It’s the final scene. You’re the last one standing. How did you make it?
The final survivor always has a reason. What’s yours?





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Your Survival Odds Have Been Calculated
Your Best Chance Is Against…

Your instincts, your strengths, and your particular way of thinking under pressure point to one villain you actually have a fighting chance against. Everyone else — good luck.

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Camp Crystal Lake · Friday the 13th

Jason Voorhees

Jason is relentless, but he is also predictable — and that is the gap you would exploit.

  • He moves in straight lines toward his target. He doesn’t strategise, doesn’t adapt, doesn’t outsmart. He simply pursues.
  • Your ability to keep moving, use the environment, and resist the panic that freezes most victims gives you a genuine edge.
  • The Crystal Lake survivors were always the ones who stopped running in circles and started thinking about terrain, water, and distance.
  • You think like that. Which means Jason, for all his indestructibility, would face someone who simply refused to be where he expected.

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Haddonfield, Illinois · Halloween

Michael Myers

Michael watches before he moves. He is patient, methodical, and almost impossible to detect — until it’s too late for anyone who isn’t paying close enough attention.

  • But you are paying attention. You notice the shape in the window, the car parked slightly wrong, the silence where there should be sound.
  • Michael’s power lies in the invisibility of ordinary suburbia — the fact that nothing ever looks wrong until it already is.
  • Your spatial awareness and instinct to map every room, every exit, and every shadow before you need them is precisely the quality Laurie Strode had.
  • You are not a victim waiting to happen. You are someone who already suspects something is wrong — and acts on it.

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Elm Street · A Nightmare on Elm Street

Freddy Krueger

Freddy wins by getting inside your head — using your own fears, your own memories, your own subconscious as weapons against you. That strategy requires a target who can be destabilised.

  • You are harder to destabilise than most. You’ve faced uncomfortable truths about yourself and you haven’t looked away.
  • The survivors on Elm Street were always the ones who understood what was happening and chose to face it rather than flee from it.
  • Freddy’s greatest weakness is that his power evaporates in the presence of someone who refuses to give him the fear he feeds on.
  • Your psychological resilience — the ability to stay grounded when reality itself becomes unreliable — is exactly the quality that keeps you alive here.

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Derry, Maine · It

Pennywise

Pennywise is ancient, shapeshifting, and feeds on terror — but it has one critical vulnerability: it cannot function against someone who genuinely stops being afraid of it.

  • The Losers Club didn’t survive because they were braver than everyone else. They survived because they faced their fears together, and faced them honestly.
  • You ask the questions others avoid. You look directly at what frightens you rather than turning away.
  • That directness — the refusal to let fear fester in the dark — is Pennywise’s worst nightmare.
  • It chose the wrong target when it chose you. You are exactly the kind of person whose fear tastes like nothing at all.

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Chicago · Child’s Play

Chucky

Chucky’s greatest advantage is that nobody takes him seriously until it’s already too late. He exploits the gap between how something looks and what it actually is.

  • You don’t have that gap. You take threats seriously regardless of how they present — and you never make the mistake of underestimating something because of its size or appearance.
  • Chucky relies on surprise, on the delay between recognition and response. You close that delay faster than almost anyone.
  • Your instinct to treat every unfamiliar thing with appropriate scepticism — rather than dismissing it because it seems absurd — is the exact quality that keeps you breathing.
  • Against Chucky, not laughing is already winning. You are very good at not laughing.
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Mixing an urban vibe with folk horror, Disappear Completely is a movie that dabbles in witchcraft, superstition, and politics, with the cursed senator having been victimized by a political rival. However, the focus of the plot is Santiago himself. The movie asks us to place ourselves in his shoes, forcing us to wonder what it would feel like to be in such a terrifying predicament. The final scenes make this invitation to identify with the main character all the more obvious: as Santiago is losing his sense of hearing, we can barely understand the sounds around him. Eventually, in the blink of an eye, the whole movie goes quiet. As he loses his sight, the image becomes blurry, until it… disappears completely. Seven long, despair-inducing seconds of dark screen stand between the last image of Marce calling Santiago’s name and the film’s end credits.

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‘Disappear Completely’s Director Was Intentional About Creating a Personal Film

Harold Torres as Santiago looking at photographs in a dark room
Harold Torres as Santiago looking at photographs in a dark room
Image via Mantícora Distribución

Director Luis Javier Henaine was intentional in creating an immersive, realistic experience for the audience while filming Disappear Completely, as he shared during an interview with Eye For Film. Rather than relying on jump scares or musical cues, he aimed to “make a more personal film with more down to earth issues,” while still balancing the element of witchcraft and folk horror. He said:

“Here in Mexico, witchcraft is something that people take very seriously and something very, very real for the majority of our population. And I like to reflect that in a way. So, all the time, I was trying to say, ‘Okay, this has to look real, this has to feel real, this has to be very realistic.’ And that’s how I tried to go throughout the whole film, with the production design and with the cinematography and with everything. Our references were real things, how people behave in these environments. . . ”

Placing the audience in Santiago’s shoes is one of the reasons Disappear Completely is so unnerving – it feels personal. At the heart of the film is Santiago’s struggles with being a potential father and a supportive partner for Marce. When reading the script, Henaine envisioned “a very immersive filmmaking style,” one that would make the audience active participants rather than passive observers of Santiago’s slow descent into a tomb of his own flesh. “I thought it would be great to just when, when he starts losing his sense of hearing, just play slowly with the whole film as well, make it subjective, put the audience in the character’s mind,” Henaine explained.

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‘Disappear Completely’ Presents Photography as the Ultimate Horror

Disappear Completely presents us with a kind of horror that would be disturbing no matter who it befell. Still, when we take into consideration Santiago’s profession, the film gains additional layers. At the same time that Henaine and his fellow screenwriter Ricardo Aguado-Fentanes ask us to identify with Santiago in his plight, they also make it pretty clear that he is someone we should despise. Santiago is not a tabloid photographer because that’s the only job he can find. On the contrary, he seems to enjoy taking pictures of mangled bodies and even attempts to make it into a form of high art. The movie shows us that he has fun creating tasteless titles for the stories that will accompany his pictures, and right in the beginning we learn that he is trying to sell some of his photos to art galleries. This is, in itself, terrifying: in a way, the biggest horror in Disappear Completely is becoming the subject of one of Santiago’s photographs.

A Susan Sontag quote that opens the movie gives us the key to interpreting the story in this sense. “Photography converts the whole world into a cemetery. Photographers, wittingly or unwittingly, are the angels of death.” In Disappear Completely, a still picture is not just a tomb in a graveyard because it depicts someone who might already be dead, but because having your picture taken is already a kind of death. You become unmoving, unfeeling, blind, and deaf, all at once. You might say something, of course, in the sense that all works of art say something, but you will never again respond to any stimuli.

When he is cursed, Santiago is doomed to become one of his own photographs. His fate is, in a way, an ironic punishment: he has condemned so many dead people to a living death that he will, himself, become a tomb in the cemetery that is the entire world. Disappear Completely is definitely a movie with something to say, and it turns its eyes specifically to the art of creating images. To an extent, it is even fitting to watch Santiago’s downfall happen in a movie instead of, say, reading about it in a book, for the image is essential for us to understand what is happening to him. As we gaze at Santiago, we wonder if what is happening to him might one day happen to us as well. After all, in the age of smart phones and social media platforms where privacy goes to die, haven’t we all produced our own fair share of images that trap people in a single, unchangeable moment?

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‘Disappear Completely’ Also Focuses on Santiago’s Relationship with His Unborn Child

A woman sits beside a dead man, covering her face in Disappear Completely
A woman sits beside a dead man, covering her face in Disappear Completely
Image via Mantícora Distribución

But while photography, particularly Santiago’s kind of predatory photojournalism, and its meanings are at the center of Disappear Completely, Henaine and Aguado-Fentanes also go beyond the professional aspect of their protagonist. Well, in a way. Santiago’s relationship with Marce and their unborn child is marked by his career: it is because he hasn’t yet succeeded as a serious photographer that he believes it isn’t yet time for them to have a baby. When confronted with the opportunity to preserve the one sense that he needs for working in exchange for his child, though, Santiago chooses to let himself disappear completely.

Santiago sacrifices himself for his unborn child and, by extension, for the sake of Marce’s happiness. After all, she is the one who wants to have a child. But will Marce still want that baby now that her life has been upended so completely, now that she doesn’t have Santiago by her side anymore? What he does is completely remove himself from Marce’s life, thus leaving her alone to make a decision about her pregnancy and deal with the consequences. It is a selfish choice, but the reality is that there is no decision that Santiago could make that would not be selfish, as trading his baby’s life for his senses would prove tragic for both him and Marce. Either way, the demon forces Santiago to wallow in the selfishness that has ruined his life.

Disappear Completely ultimately wraps up with a fitting conclusion for Santiago. In his infinite suffering, he decides that the world would be a better place without him, for there is no answer that would satisfyingly end his suffering. He has already done too much to be forgiven. He’s already drowned in hubris, having been a man who mocked the death of others and who refused the happiness of the woman who lived with him. He turns the world into a cemetery and thus deserves to be buried alive. Is it a sad conclusion? You bet it is. But, quite often, the best horror stories have a tinge of tragedy to them.

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‘Disappear Completely’ Is One of the Best Horror Movies to Hit Our Screens in 2024

Harold Torres as Santiago taking a photograpg in Disappear Completely
Harold Torres as Santiago taking a photograpg in Disappear Completely
Image via Mantícora Distribución

With all of that in mind, it is no stretch to call Disappear Completely one of the best horror movies of 2024, despite having started its festival run all the way back in 2022. After all, what counts is when a movie is made available to general audiences, and, even in Mexico, Disappear Completely only managed to get itself a proper theatrical release in February of this year. And, well, considering how divisive the year has been for its horror releases, to watch a movie that isn’t particularly revolutionary, but that does the basics so well can feel like a breath of fresh air. Sure, movies like Longlegs and The Substance have won over hearts and minds all around the world, but they have garnered equally large legions of detractors. As for Disappear Completely; well, it’s not the kind of film that will change your conceptions about what horror can be, but it will definitely scare you and make you think about the themes being laid out on screen.

This should by no means be construed as negative criticism of the film. Simple and straightforward doesn’t mean mediocre. You don’t have to purport to change the genre to create something truly sublime. Sure, a The Bear-like meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant might be life-changing, but a good, old bowl of mac ‘n cheese can be just as tasty and satisfying. From Huesera: The Bone Woman to When Evil Lurks, Latin America has been producing some incredible horror films over this past decade, many of which are available on Prime Video, Netflix, and other streaming services. Thus, why stop at one amazing work of art? After you finish this beautiful, tragic, and terrifying film, take a few days to expand your spooky horizons. Results may vary, of course, but you certainly won’t regret such a rich meal.

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Release Date

February 29, 2024

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Runtime

106 Minutes

Director
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Luis Javier Henaine

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Busy Philipps’ MRI Findings 6 Months After Brain Surgery

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Everything to Know About RHOSLC Alum Jen Shah's Legal Drama

Busy Philipps has revealed the results of an MRI scan conducted six months after she underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor.

“I got my six-month scan MRI and … no sign of tumor,” Philipps, 47, told fans in a Tuesday, September 8, Instagram video, before sharing that the procedure, which stands for magnetic resonance imaging and captures clear internal structure photos, per the Cleveland Clinic, did find something else.

“However, I do have a sinus infection … which also makes sense because my eye’s been red. My left eye, for the past week and if you are somebody who’s followed me for a really long time, you know those sinuses, honey. They have been out to get me since day one,” she said. “I’m going to the sinus doctor tomorrow morning. See what we’ve got to do.”

The actress’ health update comes after she recently publicly marked six months since undergoing her successful brain surgery. “YESTERDAY WAS 6 MONTHS SINCE MY BRAIN SURGERY REMOVED THAT TUMOR FROM MY BRAIN!” Philipps captioned a Thursday, September 3, Instagram carousel that included a mirror selfie that captured her in a hospital gown, seemingly snapped during a mammogram. “Well guess what? My mammogram was all clear too! Woo!”

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Philipps revealed in August that she had been diagnosed with a grade 2 oligodendroglioma, a rare slow-growing tumor. During an interview with People, the Dawson’s Creek alum shared that she was recovering at the time. “I’m grateful that I’m alive,” she told the outlet, who reported that she showed no obvious symptoms ahead of her diagnosis.

It was only during a Prenuvo full-body scan in February that she made the discovery, which left her “hyperventilating” while “trying to breathe,” per the outlet.

The scan was conducted one day after her former costar James Van Der Beek died, with Philipps telling the outlet that she had asked her ex-husband, Marc Silverstein, at the time whether she should cancel the scan after learning of the devastating news. She ultimately went ahead with it in James’ honor. (James died from complications due to stage III colorectal cancer. He was 48 years old.)

Busy-Philipps-and-Jason-Selvig


Related: Busy Philipps Sparks Romance Rumors With Jason Selvig After Tumor Diagnosis

Busy Philipps stepped out with comedian Jason Selvig, sparking dating rumors after revealing she recently underwent brain surgery. Philipps, 47, and Selvig were spotted holding hands in New York City on Wednesday, August 26, in photos published by Page Six. Neither Philipps nor the street interviewer have publicly addressed their relationship status. Us has reached […]

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Van Der Beek’s widow, Kimberly Van Der Beek, shared a message of support for Philipps after she went public with her brain tumor diagnosis. “We love you @busyphilipps and you got angels in heaven,” Kimberly, 44, wrote via Instagram in response to Philipps’ interview with People going live.

Although Philipps will need to kick her sinus infection, she told fans that she’s grateful for her successful recovery. “I’ll take a sinus infection over a brain tumor any day,” she said with a laugh in Tuesday’s clip.

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Jimmy Kimmel’s ABC Future Gets Murkier Amid Exit Claims

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Jimmy Kimmel arrives at the Los Angeles Premiere Of Netflix's 'Dumplin'

For a host who has spent more than two decades poking fun at politicians, celebrities, and cultural chaos, Jimmy Kimmel has suddenly found himself at the center of a television drama of his own. 

Reports claiming that his late-night run is nearing its end have sparked fresh questions about the future of network television’s longest-serving stars. 

Yet as speculation spreads, ABC is pushing back, creating an increasingly murky picture of what comes next for the veteran host.

Jimmy Kimmel arrives at the Los Angeles Premiere Of Netflix's 'Dumplin'
Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA

Questions about Jimmy Kimmel’s future erupted after a source told Page Six the upcoming season of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” would be his last.

According to the insider, Kimmel’s contract is allegedly not expected to be renewed, potentially ending his run when the season wraps in May 2027. If that happens, it would close the curtain on a remarkable 24-year stretch that began in 2003.

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However, ABC is not ready to entertain that narrative. Responding to the reports, a spokesperson for ABC Entertainment insisted, “[This] information is inaccurate — any reports about the future of the show at this point are purely speculative.”

Part of the uncertainty stems from the host’s unusual contract arrangement. Unlike many television personalities who lock themselves into lengthy deals, Kimmel has long preferred year-to-year agreements, giving him flexibility that few network stars enjoy.

Kimmel’s Show Finds Momentum Amid Uncertainty

Jimmy Kimmel at the Heart of Rock and Roll on Broadway
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

The speculation arrives at a time when “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” is still generating attention.

Just before the reports surfaced, Rosie O’Donnell completed a four-night guest-hosting stint that insiders described as a success. 

According to sources, O’Donnell appeared completely comfortable behind the desk and quickly became one of the show’s biggest talking points.

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Her run gained additional traction online after she performed a parody of the traditional Irish song “Danny Boy” called “Donnie Boy,” taking aim at President Donald Trump. The performance generated significant social media attention and added another viral moment to the program’s history.

The timing has led some observers to question whether ABC is evaluating different options for its late-night future. 

However, no evidence has emerged linking O’Donnell’s successful appearance to the reports surrounding Kimmel.

Jimmy Kimmel’s Future May Be Tied To Bigger Disney Changes

Jimmy Kimmel at 'The Heart of Rock and Roll' Broadway Gala Performance
MEGA

Although Kimmel’s public clashes with Trump have frequently generated headlines, insiders insist politics isn’t driving the reported uncertainty about his future.

Earlier this year, the comedian became embroiled in controversy following comments about First Lady Melania and separate remarks tied to the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. The fallout prompted renewed criticism from Trump, who publicly called for ABC to fire the host.

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Despite that history, sources told Page Six that Disney’s new leadership is not making decisions based on political pressure. One television insider said of Disney chief Josh D’Amaro, “He’s not afraid of the administration … Josh isn’t folding.”

Instead, attention has shifted toward broader corporate restructuring. D’Amaro has reportedly been offering veteran executives early retirement packages while implementing cost-cutting measures throughout Disney.

Those efforts have fueled speculation that financial considerations could play a larger role in Kimmel’s future than political controversy. As one ABC source put it, “it wouldn’t have anything to do with Trump.”

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Kimmel’s Return After Suspension Delivered Massive Ratings Win

Jimmy Kimmel at the World Premiere Of Netflix's 'Your Place Or Mine'
David Acosta/Image Press Agency/MEGA

While questions now surround Jimmy Kimmel’s long-term future at ABC, one of the biggest moments of the host’s recent career came when he returned to the air after his controversial 2025 suspension.

The episode drew extraordinary attention from viewers eager to see how Kimmel would respond. As TV Insider reported, his September 23, 2025 return attracted 6.26 million viewers, more than three times the audience the show had been averaging before the controversy. 

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The numbers were even more remarkable because the program was blacked out on numerous ABC affiliate stations, preventing roughly 23% of U.S. television households from watching the broadcast live. 

The response extended far beyond traditional television. Reports revealed that clips from Kimmel’s return generated more than 26 million views across digital platforms, while the show’s monologue became one of the most-watched in the program’s history. 

Industry observers described the audience surge as highly unusual for modern late-night television. 

Jimmy Kimmel Caught In Disney’s Growing FCC Fight

Jimmy Kimmel at the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscar Party
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As Kimmel’s ratings rebounded, a larger battle involving ABC, Disney, and the federal government was beginning to unfold.

In August, Disney and ABC sued the Federal Communications Commission, arguing that the agency’s review of ABC station licenses amounted to political retaliation and an attack on free speech. 

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According to NBC News, the dispute traces back to mounting pressure from Trump and criticism of programming that included comments Kimmel made on his late-night show. 

Disney’s lawsuit described the FCC’s actions as an “extraordinary assault on free speech” and argued that the government was targeting a network that refused to bend to political demands. 

The FCC  pushed back aggressively. In a court filing, the agency asked a federal judge to dismiss Disney’s lawsuit, arguing that it must be allowed to continue investigating allegations involving the company. 

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr denied that the review was retaliation or an effort to punish ABC over Kimmel or other programming decisions. 

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Still, the timing has fueled debate across the media industry. The FCC ordered the early review of ABC’s licenses just one day after Trump publicly urged the network to fire Kimmel, a sequence Disney has repeatedly highlighted in court filings. 

With a hearing scheduled and both sides digging in, the dispute has evolved into one of the most closely watched media free-speech battles in recent years.

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Spencer Pratt Celebrates Reported End of Jimmy Kimmel Live

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Meghan McCain Slams Jimmy Kimmel for Trolling Spencer Pratt After Loss

Spencer Pratt is celebrating the prospect of Jimmy Kimmel Live! coming to an end after 24 years on air.

“Newsom and Kimmel gone next year?? Be still, my laughing heart! Things are looking UP fam,” the 2026 Los Angeles mayoral candidate, 43, wrote via X on Tuesday, September 8 — the same day reports of the late night show ending surfaced. (Gavin Newsom, 58, is the current governor of California.)

Despite Pratt’s elation, an ABC Entertainment spokesperson told Us on Tuesday that the reports were not factual. “This information is inaccurate — any reports about the future of the show at this point are purely speculative,” a statement shared with Us read.

Kimmel, 58, and the former reality TV star have been engaged in a public feud since May, when the former aired a monologue that criticized Pratt’s rise in popularity amid his mayoral campaign. (Pratt finished third in Los Angeles’ mayoral primary election in June.)

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Meghan McCain Slams Jimmy Kimmel for Trolling Spencer Pratt After Loss


Related: Meghan McCain Slams Jimmy Kimmel for Trolling Spencer Pratt After Loss

Meghan McCain is not pleased with Jimmy Kimmel’s recent remarks regarding Spencer Pratt’s failed Los Angeles mayoral bid. “Jimmy Kimmel is a mean, heartless b*****d and no amount of on air crying will convince me or anyone else otherwise,” McCain, 41, wrote via X on Wednesday, June 10. “The day he is off air will […]

“You get a guy … whose profession is to be the screaming jerk on reality shows, and his house burns down,” Kimmel said during the May 27 episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!. “So even though he had no private insurance on his house and doesn’t believe in climate change, he is understandably upset about his house burning down. And because he’s a moderately famous person he gets attention. For the first time in his life, people are agreeing with what he has to say. It’s hard not to agree with what he has to say. He’s angry about the same problems a lot of people here are angry about. Does he have solutions to those problems? No.”

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Spencer Pratt
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At the time, Pratt clapped back by posting footage of his Pacific Palisades home being destroyed during Los Angeles’ 2025 wildfires. He swung back harder via X soon after, comparing Kimmel to Harvey Weinstein after Kimmel’s wife, Molly McNearney, spoke publicly about the couple’s romance blossoming when he was her boss. (McNearney, 48, works as a co-head writer and executive producer on Jimmy Kimmel Live! after rising through the show’s ranks.)

“Isn’t this what Harvey Weinstein did?” Pratt wrote via X on August 24 while sharing an article titled, “When Jimmy Kimmel’s wife knew he ‘wanted to f***’ during ‘bad idea’ romance: ‘He was my boss.’” (Weinstein, 74, who has been charged with multiple counts of rape and sexual assault, married his assistant Eve Chilton in 1987.)

McNearney recently discussed her thoughts on Kimmel retiring during an appearance on Dax Shepard’s “Armchair Expert” podcast. “It definitely appeals to me for the nervous system of the household,” she said on the August 24 episode.

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Jimmy Kimmel
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She continued at the time, “I feel like Jimmy has a fly rod in one hand and a torch in the other right now. It’s like he deserves to go out there and just be on the river and relax, but I also want him to keep fighting. And I feel this sense of desire to not quit because I think what he’s doing is incredibly important right now. And yes, I know we’re doing it in a vacuum, but I think it’s giving people a feeling of, like, their voice is heard, and I think it’s important.”

McNearney concluded, however, that “as his wife, I really would like him to be able to not do the show anymore so he could relax.”

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Beyond the Gates: Bill’s Device EXPOSES Hayley?!

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Beyond the Gates: Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett) - Hayley Lawson (Marquita Goings)

Hey, Beyond the Gates fans. Right now, Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett) has Hayley Lawson (Marquita Goings)’s future in the palm of his hand, and he doesn’t even realize it. And soon, we may see Hayley literally getting a dose of her own lethal medicine.

We are on a countdown to Bill finding out exactly what his little wife has been doing. Let’s get into how it could be technology that takes down Hayley. So far, Bill’s wife is ignoring the red flags that she’s getting sloppy. Randy Parker (Maurice P. Kerry) has repeatedly warned her, but Hayley still going full speed ahead with her plan to kill Bill.

Beyond the Gates: Bill Puts the Pieces Together

After his latest collapse, when Hayley gave him a toxic smoothie, after Bill regained consciousness, he whipped out his phone and finally logged into the Pacemaker app. And he showed Hayley that it gives a snapshot of his heart health and it looked good. Bill made sure Hayley knew that his pacemaker was doing its proper job, that it was keeping a nice steady beat. And of course, this was not what Hayley wanted to hear. She wants Bill dead and gone.

But I think Hayley’s going to continue on with her con, and she’s probably not going to give another thought to that app. But now, Bill has a tool to monitor what is going on with his body, what is going on with his heart. It will give him a timeline for when these collapse triggering attacks hit. And I suspect he’s going to put together the timing on what Hayley is up to.

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So far, I don’t think Bill has any idea his wife’s giving him poison laced food and drinks. Randy thinks he’s faking. I don’t think he is. If she were smart though, Hayley would grab the chance to run. She could go to St. Barts and call it a day because Bill bought her a house there because obviously somebody’s going to find out what she’s doing.

Hayley’s Slipping Up on BTG

So, Bill just started using the app. So, there’s no data on any of his prior blackout episodes. But, as Randy said, Hayley’s getting sloppy. So, I bet she keeps serving Bill more of that lethal cuisine and poison drinks with no thought of getting caught or facing consequences. And the next time Hayley serves up more Kill Bill moves, it should set off alarms on Bill’s Pacemaker app, and he may realize finally that something is really off with Hayley.

His pacemaker may register a cardiac event after Bill drinks a smoothie or eats a snack or has a whiskey and then he collapses. And this could finally cause Bill to suspect Hayley is poisoning him. However, I do think Bill may be a little slow on the uptake and be in denial. Like if he’s drinking whiskey saturated with poison and then collapses, Bill may dump it out and think, “Oh, it’s the alcohol that set off the spells.” And then Bill may tell Hayley he needs to avoid booze. But of course, she’s not going to stop and will just put the poison in a smoothie or a sandwich or some juice.

And it may trigger Bill to have another cardiac event. And if it comes after ingesting a non-alcoholic drink or food, Bill may finally wake up and take notice that he’s having spells after Hayley gives him things to eat or drink. It may take three strikes before Bill fully gets a clue that Hayley’s poisoning him. So, that pacemaker could work like a high-tech detective. It could be what Bill needs to save him from his wife’s plans.

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Beyond the Gates: Hayley Goes Down Fighting

Hayley is likely going to go down to the very end swearing she’s done nothing but try to keep Bill healthy. She’ll probably keep this con going hoping that she can still cash out even when it looks like Hayley has nowhere to turn. She could find an avenue nobody has thought of because she’s desperate to walk away with ten million dollars from Bill’s life insurance.

But if the app finally gives him a clue, he may put Hayley to a test. And this is where the taste of her own lethal medicine could come into play. I mean, what better way for Bill to test Hayley than to flip on her. Bill may demand that Hayley eat the food or sip the drink that Bill suspects may be dosed with something. And we could see that go two ways. He could be sneaky and swap his food or drink with Hayley and then watch to see if she gets sick. Or Bill may confront her and demand that Hayley eat his food or drink his drink on Beyond the Gates.

And if she adamantly refuses, that would be a red flag to Bill that there’s something wrong with it. And if he challenged her, honestly, Hayley wouldn’t have much of a choice because refusing to eat or drink what she has prepared for Bill, that would be like a confession from Hayley.

Hayley in Danger on BTG

So, she may have no choice but to do what Bill asks and eat or drink it. But Hayley may try to ingest as little as possible, but he might make her clean her plate. And since it’s her first dose of Bill’s poison, you know, Hayley may think she’s safe from death. But since she had Randy get her something stronger and she’s been heavily dosing Bill, it could go really bad for Hayley. She might even feel really sick, but then tries to fake it in front of Bill. But I do think the app is going to give him the data to know with 100% certainty that Hayley is the one harming him.

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And Bill may finally start to figure out that Randy is helping Hayley pull this off and he really isn’t her lover. And once Bill starts to figure things out, he could go a few ways with this information. Now, first of all, he may not even realize it and somebody else does because his pacemaker app may send a report back to Madison Montgomery (Kenjah McNeil) at the hospital and if that happens, she may call Bill in.

You know, there may be an alert and Madison realizes something’s going on and asks Bill about the timing. You know, what was happening at 6:00 p.m. when you had this cardiac event. And if he says, “Oh, I was having a smoothie or I had just had dinner.” Madison may then do a blood test specifically looking for toxins. And then if something else happened, she may ask Bill to bring in the food or drink so that Madison can test that directly.

Beyond the Gates: Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett) - Hayley Lawson (Marquita Goings)Beyond the Gates: Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett) - Hayley Lawson (Marquita Goings)
Beyond the Gates: Bill Hamilton – Hayley Lawson 

Bill Takes Matters into His Own Hands on Beyond the Gates

I don’t think Bill is the kind to involve the police, even if his suspicions are confirmed. Instead, he may go to Joey Armstrong (Jon Lindstrom) because Bill’s the kind to take justice into his own hands. Since Randy is linked to Joey, that’s another reason Bill may go to Joey, who is his friend these days. And Bill may tell him what’s happening with his pacemaker.

Let’s be honest, Joey’s smarter than Bill and more suspicious by nature. So Joey might call in Randy and threaten him and demand to know what’s going on. And let’s face it, Hayley might be his cousin, but Randy’s fear of Joey is going to override any loyalty to Hayley. I think Randy would absolutely rat her out to Joey and Bill to save his own neck. And then Joey may order Randy to work with Bill to set up Hayley and take her down and expose her.

So, I could see Bill deciding it would be justice to poison Hayley with the same thing she poisoned him with. Joey could demand that Randy hand over a vial of the toxin to Bill. But if Hayley’s hubby decided to poison her, there’s a chance she could turn it all around on Bill, because she is smart, she is desperate, and she is psycho. I wouldn’t put it past Hayley to ingest the poison and then go to the cops and accuse Bill of poisoning her.

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Beyond the Gates: Hayley Flips the Script

You know, Hayley could get Bill arrested for attempted murder, which would leave all of his finances and worldly possessions at her disposal. Hayley wouldn’t get the ten million dollar payday from the life insurance, but she could still see Bill behind bars and get that big fat bank account and clean up that way. I think the Pacemaker app though is the whole key to exposing Hayley, but we will still have to wait and see if she actually pays any consequences or maybe she just takes whatever money she can and runs.

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Meredith Marks Shares An Update On Mary Cosby After Robert Jr’s Death

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Mary Cosby on the red carpet.

“Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star Mary Cosby suffered a devastating loss in February 2026 when her 23-year-old son, Robert Cosby Jr., passed away. Now, ahead of the new season of the show, which began production in the weeks after his death, Cosby’s costar, Meredith Marks, is giving an update on the grieving mother.

Mary Cosby on the red carpet.
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Marks was interviewed by Entertainment Tonight in September 2026 ahead of the season seven premiere of “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.” Early in the conversation with Brice Sander, he asked the Bravo star how the tragic passing of Cosby Jr. had “set the tone” for the season. He also noted that, “Coming off this heated reunion, this has to bring it down to earth.”

The mom-of-three responded, “We, a lot of times, lose sight of what’s really important in life, and there’s nothing bigger or more important than what Mary went through this season.” The “Housewives” star then became emotional before saying of Cosby, “she’s an inspiration.”

She continued, “Watching how she handled everything, viewers are going to be kind of pleasantly surprised” by how Cosby handled her grief. She explained, “Mary was just so strong, and it’s inspirational to people in handling difficult things in life.”

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After that, she called how Cosby navigated the tragic loss “really incredibly.”

Meredith Marks Did Have Fear For Mary Cosby Following Filming

Meredith Marks on the red carpet.
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Marks’ Entertainment Tonight interview continued with her stating that she believes Cosby found “peace” in sharing her son’s struggles with additon on the show. She stated, “I think, oddly, sharing his struggles, I think, gave her a certain sense of peace, too.”

Marks went on to highlight the “courage” and “strength” it took for Cosby to sit down with her son on camera to discuss his issues with drug use during the show’s fifth season. She said, “It’s one thing to go through this on your own, and it’s another to go through it and share it with everybody.”

From there, Sander noted that discussing her process of grieving was probably an outlet or a “distraction for Cosby. This led Marks to share her fear for her co-star. She said, “That was honestly for me one of my biggest worries for her when we wrapped.”

The “RHOSLC” star continued, “This was all like so much going on, and all of a sudden it’s quiet.” However, she then said, “But she’s really been doing great, and she really has been so strong and just an inspiration to watch.”

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Mary Cosby Announced Robert Jr.’s Death With An Emotional Statement

Cosby Jr. passed away on February 23. Following the tragic loss, “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” shared the news on social media with an emotional statement. The statement included a photo of her late son, along with a cover version of “Time After Time” in the post.

She said, “Our beloved son Robert Jr. has been called home to the Lord. Though our hearts ache, we take comfort in God’s promise and in knowing he is finally at peace. We are grateful for your prayers and trust in the Lord to carry us through this time of sorrow.”

Meredith Marks Had Planned To Leave ‘RHOSLC’

Seth Marks and Meredith marks
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During her Entertainment Tonight interview, Sander said he assumed Marks may have been considering taking a break from “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” after the events of season six. After that, she confirmed that she’d actually been considering leaving the show.

She said, “I kind of thought I was gonna tap out, too, to be totally honest.” After that, Marks shared that she returned to the show “short of thinking, ‘well, I don’t want to leave on such a sour note.’” The “RHOSLC” star went on to call season six “really not fun.”

However, once filming began, Marks began to enjoy herself and realized, “I could do this forever,” after previously planning to make season seven her final.

‘RHOSLC’ Returns September 16

Mary Cosby
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Production on “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” began in March 2026, with Cosby taking the first few weeks off from filming. More recently, Bravo set the show’s return date for September 16 and also released the trailer.

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Regarding the cast, in addition to Marks and Cosby, “RHOSLC” season seven stars Lisa Barlow, Heather Gay, Angie Katsanevas, Bronwyn Newport, and Whitney Rose. Britani Bateman is also returning as a friend of the show. Ashley Quai is joining the show as a friend.

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Every John Lennon Solo Album, Ranked

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The-Beatles

John Lennon‘s solo career was incredibly prolific for how short it truly was. Through his partnership with Paul McCartney, Lennon made some of the greatest hits in music history, and created The Beatles‘ sound. But as soon as the band broke up (and even before it was officially over), he worked hard to develop his own identity, separate from the Fab Four, and through a lot of experimentation on different genres and styles, he seemed to have found his signature sound right before his life and career were tragically cut short.

In this article, we’re going to dive into the seven albums Lennon put out after leaving The Beatles. Although he died just 10 years after the band broke up, he left behind a beautiful and varied catalog. All of these albums are great in their own way, and, of course, every fan has their own preference, but there are some that undoubtedly stand out from the rest.

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7

‘Rock ‘N’ Roll’ — 1975

For what was meant to be a simple project, the making of Rock ‘n’ Roll was incredibly turbulent. At the time John Lennon started working on it in 1974, he was living in Los Angeles, separated from his wife Yoko Ono. Maybe it was the personal circumstances that turned him nostalgic, but the man who had been keen on experimenting with avant-garde sounds for years was now deciding to return to his roots. Rock ‘n’ Roll was a covers album, and Lennon sang his own renditions of rock classics from the ’50s and ’60s like “Be-Bop-A-Lula,” “Stand By Me,” and “Peggy Sue.” He recruited producer Phil Spector, whose history with The Beatles was controversial due to his production of Let It Be, but while the two musicians had understood each other in the past, the partnership turned sour very quickly this time. At one time, Spector even brought a gun to the studio and shot at the ceiling as a way to scare Lennon into compliance. Ultimately, the project was shelved until Lennon was able to finish it months later in a better environment, and was ultimately released in February 1975. The album performed well in the charts, and, of course, Lennon’s voice does these rock classics justice, but it’s still a covers’ compilation, so it’s only fair it opens this list.

6

‘Some Time in New York City’ — 1972

One of the many politically charged projects John Lennon released, and perhaps the most explicit one. This record features very controversial lyrics, with nods to the civil rights movement in the song “Angela,” which is a tribute to Angela Davis, the conflicts in Northern Ireland, with “Sunday Bloody Sunday” and “The Luck of the Irish,” and protests against police brutality in songs like “Born in Prison” and “John Sinclair.” This album is proof of the role that art plays in politics. John Sinclair was the name of a man who had been sentenced to ten years in prison for marijuana possession, and Sinclair was released from prison shortly after this song came out. It’s an incredible album, but it’s not everybody’s cup of tea, for obvious reasons.

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5

‘Imagine’ — 1971

Probably a controversial opinion to rank this iconic album this far from the top. There’s no question Imagine is one of the most important parts of Lennon’s career, not only because of the huge significance of the title track, but also because of the many other timeless tunes it contains. Imagine topped the charts and was praised by critics when it came out, and hits like “Jealous Guy”, “Gimme Some Truth,” and of course, “Imagine,” remain iconic songs. But another thing that makes this album stand out is that it marked the most vicious moment of the Lennon-McCartney feud. After The Beatles broke up, Lennon resented Paul McCartney, and he channeled this anger into a vicious diss track titled “How Do You Sleep?”, a song filled with explicit attacks at McCartney and his musicianship. Shortly after, the former songwriting partners were able to reconcile, but this track remains an uncomfortable point in the album for many fans.

4

‘Mind Games’ — 1973

In contrast to other of John Lennon’s previous albums, Mind Games didn’t perform that well critically and commercially, but it has remained a fan favorite through the years. The opening track, “Mind Games,” is a peace anthem, where he calls for unity and love, though it’s not as political as his songs in Some Time in New York City, and ends with a call to “Make love, not war.” Then there’s “Tight A$,” a call back to his early rock ‘n’ roll roots with slide guitars that seem to emulate George Harrison’s signature sound. There are several love songs for Yoko Ono, such as “Aisumasen (I’m Sorry),” a song about comfort and forgiveness, and “One Day (At a Time)” and “Out the Blue”, which are about devotion and fidelity. Overall, it’s a much more relaxed and optimistic album, which is why, despite the mixed reviews, it seems to hold a special place in people’s hearts.

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3

‘John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band’ — 1970

Plastic Ono Band was the first album John Lennon released after he left The Beatles, and it was an incredible post-band debut. It might be the album that most perfectly encapsulates Lennon’s essence as a songwriter. It includes a little bit of everything: there are political statements, crude reflections on his past, odes to his wife, and of course, a few digs at his former bandmates. The song opens with the sound of church bells to the song “Mother,” a tearful offering to his mother and their complicated relationship. There are, of course, love songs, such as “Look at Me” and “Love,” all dedicated to Yoko Ono. “Working Class Hero” is an anthem to the working class, and its dark folk sound pulls you in immediately. And finally, there’s “God,” an epic track that broke fans’ hearts. In this song, Lennon is declaring the end of the 1960s, and with it, the end of everything that defined the youth of that decade. Yes, even The Beatles. He had already hinted at that in the song “I Found Out,” where he sang “I seen religion, from Jesus to Paul,” seeming to equate religious fervor to Beatlemania (and particularly, Paul McCartney). In “God,” he explicitly states “I don’t believe in Beatles,” and “the dream is over.” Plastic Ono Band is quintessential Lennon, and that’s why it deserves a spot in the top three.

2

‘Walls and Bridges’ — 1974

Walls and Bridges is the infamous “Lost Weekend” album. John Lennon wrote and released it in 1974, during his 18-month separation from Yoko Ono. The album was a reflection on the changes of this dynamic, the feeling of creative freedom from being on his own while missing the woman he loved at the same time. Walls and Bridges included two hit singles: “Whatever Gets You Thru the Night”, a dance track that is a collaboration with Elton John, and “#9 Dream,” which features a dreamlike sound with beautiful orchestration and harmonies. This album is a masterpiece, but Lennon wasn’t convinced at the time it was worth releasing. At first, he wanted to “just throw this away,” but his friends convinced him not to. “They said: ‘Hey, it’s all right.’ So I said: ‘It’s all right. Oh it’s not bad at all. I quite like some of it myself. OK, let’s put it out,’” Lennon explained. This album goes to show that sometime even the greatest musicians’ instincts are not always right.

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1

‘Double Fantasy’ — 1980

Double Fantasy is an album that, to this day, divides fans, but there are many reasons why it should be considered, if not the best, then at least one of the greatest works of John Lennon. It’s his final record, released less than a month before his tragic passing, and the one that consolidates him as a top-notch balladist. It opens with a beautiful, hopeful track titled “(Just Like) Starting Over”, which only sounds more heartbreaking the more time passes. This love song about his marriage makes it very clear how much Lennon looked forward to many more years of romance. In “Watching the Wheels,” Lennon reflects on his peaceful life and how he was much happier being a family man after a five-year hiatus where he focused on raising his youngest son. There are a couple rock tracks, like “Cleanup Time” and “I’m Losing You,” but the gems on this album are undoubtedly the ballads, with “Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)” as the crown jewel, a heartwarming, gentle tune for his son Sean.

John Lennon left us much too soon, but his legacy will live on forever, and these records are proof.

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Nick Offerman Reacts To Ben Shapiro’s 3-Year-Old Rant

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Nick Offerman at 97th Oscars

Nick Offerman earned widespread praise for his portrayal of Bill in HBO’s “The Last of Us,” delivering an emotional performance that explored love and loss in a post-apocalyptic world. The role earned him an Emmy, but the character also drew criticism from some viewers, including conservative political commentator Ben Shapiro.

Three years after Shapiro’s rant about the role, Offerman finally saw the clip and shared his reaction.

Nick Offerman at 97th Oscars
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Nick Offerman is widely known for playing Ron Swanson in “Parks and Recreation,” the hyper-masculine libertarian who headed the city parks department.

In 2023, the actor played Bill in HBO’s adaptation of the video game “The Last of Us.” Season 1, Episode 3, titled “Long, Long Time,” takes a break from the main storyline to focus on Bill and Frank (Murray Bartlett) and their 20-year love story while surviving an apocalypse.

In February 2023, political commentator Ben Shapiro reacted to the episode, calling Offerman’s Bill a version of “Ron Swanson who likes to nail dudes.” He continued to say that the entire episode focused on “two gay dudes who meet and have a relationship,” with both ending up dying at the end, saying it was like “Romeo and Romeo.”

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In the podcast “Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso,” Offerman saw the clip for the first time. “Holy sh-t… that’s crazy,” the actor said, adding that there’s a very good reason why that’s the “most Ben Shapiro” he’s ever seen.

The Actor Calls Out Ben Shapiro’s ‘Rampant Homophobia’

Offerman continued, “I don’t know what to say. I’m embarrassed for his reading comprehension. I think he got eight things wrong in his recap, besides his rampant homophobia.”

The actor said the clip was “insane,” “dumb,” and “so wrong.” He knew that Shapiro had been vocal about the episode and read about it online, but it was the first time he’d seen the actual clip.

Offerman said that what’s upsetting about the clip was its power to reach many people. “They’d be like, ‘Oh no, not Ron Swanson,’ or whatever agreement they would have.”

Nick Offerman Earned His First Emmy For ‘The Last of Us’ Role

Offerman’s “The Last of Us” episode received overwhelming praise from critics and viewers, but it also drew backlash for dedicating an entire episode to a standalone romance between two men.

In 2024, Offerman took home his first Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series. He also won Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series at the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards. During his acceptance speech, he thanked HBO “for having the guts to participate in this storytelling tradition that is truly independent.”

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The actor also addressed the hate and homophobic remarks about the episode and said, “Stories with guts that when homophobic hate comes my way and says, ‘Why did you have to make it a gay story?’ We say, ‘Because you ask questions like that. It’s not a gay story it’s a love story, you a–hole.”

The Actor Talks About Masculinity And Ron Swanson

Nick Offerman at Los Angeles Special Screening Of A24's 'Civil War'
Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA

Offerman said people have talked about his masculinity because of his portrayal of Ron Swanson in “Parks and Recreation.” However, he noted that many viewers had the wrong idea about Swanson.

“Ron is a smart and avid hunter, so they assumed he must be a misogynist. They made a lot of incorrect assumptions, hoping to find an avatar for their ideologies,” the actor told Variety. He said that if viewers looked closely, Swanson was actually a feminist and a “true libertarian,” mentioning that he served as the best man at his gay hairdresser’s wedding.

Nick Offerman Is More Selective With His Roles

Offerman played Swanson for seven seasons of “Parks and Recreation” spanning six years. When the series wrapped in 2015, the actor became more selective with his roles because he didn’t want to be typecast.

Offerman has portrayed a single father and widow in “Hearts Beat Loud,” an eccentric professor in “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,” and the president of the United States in “Civil War.”

He currently stars as Jinx Millet, a former pro wrestler and recovering addict, in the series “Margo’s Got Money Troubles.”

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Martha Stewart Claims She Told JFK Jr. to Get a Copilot

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JFK Jr and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy s Relationship Timeline

Martha Stewart shared some insight into her history with John F. Kennedy Jr. during the season 16 premiere of The Real Housewives of New York City.

“I was with John-John — this is JFK Jr. — I was with him the Monday before the Friday when they died. Did you know that?” Martha, 85, told makeup artist and RHONY newbie Daisy Toye during the Tuesday, September 8, episode after revealing she was watching the FX series Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette.

Martha continued, “I was running Martha Stewart Living magazine, and he called me and he said he’s in trouble and could he please talk to me about what to do with George, the magazine that he had started. And I said, ‘Of course, anything you want.’”

According to Martha, the pair “had a very nice dinner” before John F. Kennedy‘s son mentioned that he was going to a wedding in Martha’s Vineyard that weekend with his wife, Carolyn, and sister-in-law Lauren.

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JFK Jr and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy s Relationship Timeline


Related: JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s Relationship Timeline

STARTRAKSPHOTO.COM John F. Kennedy Jr. and wife Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy had a high-profile romance right up until their tragic deaths. When the couple began dating in 1994, the world was fascinated by their relationship. Considered to be one of the most eligible bachelors at the time, Kennedy Jr. decided to settle down with Bessette-Kennedy. As he […]

“I said, ‘Well, who’s flying?’” Martha claimed. “And he said, ‘I’m flying.’ I said, ‘You have a copilot, right?’ And he said, ‘No, I don’t need a copilot.’”

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Martha Stewart Claims She Told JFK Jr to Get a Copilot

John F. Kennedy Jr and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy at the White House
Chris Kleponis/AFP via Getty Images

Daisy — who has worked with Martha for more than a decade — was shocked by the revelation.

“I’ve thought about that so many times, that I told him to get a copilot,” Martha said.

JFK Jr. and Carolyn were killed in a plane crash off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard in July 1999, along with her sister Lauren. The late couple’s romance — and the aftermath of their tragic deaths — was explored in Ryan Murphy‘s Love Story, which debuted in February.

While viewers fell head over heels for the dramatized version of JFK Jr. and Carolyn’s relationship, those who knew the couple had their fair share of criticism for the series.

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Promo Why Is Carole Radziwill Not in Love Story


Related: Why Is RHONY’s Carole Radziwill Absent From JFK Jr., Carolyn’s Love Story?

FX’s scripted series about John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette features many star-studded mentions and familiar faces, so why is Real Housewives of New York City‘s Carole Radziwill notably absent from Love Story? For context, Carole, 62, was previously married to Anthony Radziwill, who was the late JFK Jr.’s cousin and Jacqueline Kennedy‘s nephew. […]

Former RHONY star Carole Radziwill — who was married to JFK Jr.’s late cousin Anthony Radziwill — makes her highly anticipated return to the Bravo universe this season, but she wasn’t involved in any part of Love Story.

“I signed on [for RHONY], and it just so happened that Love Story premiered in the same weeks that I started filming,” Carole, 63, told USA Today in an interview published on Tuesday. “It was a very emotional time for me. That show, really, it was like a body slam. I didn’t watch it, but you couldn’t get away from it. Martha Stewart watched it. The other women on the cast watched it and were curious about this and that. It was very hard.”

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Carole noted that she wrote all that she “had to say about that time in my life” in her book What Remains: A Memoir of Fate, Friendship, and Love, which her new costar Daisy revealed in the RHONY premiere that she was reading.

“The emotions all came back [when Love Story aired],” Carole continued, teasing what’s to come for Bravo fans. “It’s a little grief that I felt, almost the whole time I was filming … You’ll see the arc of that story throughout, I think, the whole season [of RHONY]. Certainly in the beginning, and then it comes up really big at the end, and that was completely unplanned.”

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The Real Housewives of New York City airs on Bravo Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.

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Katie Price Reveals New Look After Cosmetic Surgeries

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Influencer Katie Anderson Reveals the Results of Her 2nd Facelift at 48

U.K. reality star Katie Price is debuting her eyebrow-raising new look after undergoing a series of elective cosmetic surgeries.

Price, 48, stole the show while walking the National Television Awards red carpet in London on Tuesday, September 8, revealing her ultra bronzed face, dark eye makeup, dark lip liner and slick pulled back hair. She shared insight into her nearly unrecognizable look, including the procedures she had to enhance her features, via Instagram just hours prior.

“Because one of my boobs was slightly bigger than the other, they put a new implant in and while they were there I asked … ‘Put a bit more in both of them,’” Price, a British reality TV star and former glamor model who appeared in the U.K.’s Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity MasterChef, told her fans.

“At the same time, where my face is hollow as you get older and lose weight [I] put filler in obviously while I’m asleep, and he does it under the muscle right under the bone,” she continued, pointing to her cheekbones. “I didn’t have anything put in [my cheeks], and I think the swelling has dropped, [but] I look like a hamster. Sore.”

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Influencer Katie Anderson Reveals the Results of Her 2nd Facelift at 48


Related: Influencer Katie Anderson Shows Off 2nd Facelift Results at 48: ‘So Glad’

Influencer Katie Anderson opened up about getting her second facelift and a neck lift. Anderson, 48, showed off her final results three months after going under the knife for another facelift. Anderson started off the Tuesday, February 17, Instagram reel with her before look while mouthing Tate McRae’s “Sports Car” lyrics, “I think you know […]

Price also told fans that she’d engaged a new makeup artist, rather than her usual “glam squad,” to provide a bold new look for the event.

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“The person doing my makeup, oh my God, I am so honored, so lucky, the person is absolutely iconic and at the same time, so excited to do my makeup,” she said. “He’s got to cover all this up. So, yeah, watch the magic happen.”

As to why she chose to go with somebody new, Price revealed that creative differences regarding her ensemble led her to look elsewhere.

“Originally I had a glam squad but they passed on doing the NTAs because I wouldn’t wear the outfits they wanted me to. But the outfit I’ve chosen myself is still different, because I don’t like to follow what everyone else follows,” she explained. “In a way, they did me a favor by saying they were going to pass on my glam.”

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What Kaitlyn Bristowe Has Said About Her Cosmetic Journey


Related: Kaitlyn Bristowe’s Most Candid Quotes About Her Cosmetic Journey

Kaitlyn Bristowe has never been one to shy away from sharing details about her cosmetic journey. Through the years, the former Bachelorette has pulled back the curtain on what these procedures look like and shared candid recovery updates with her followers. She has also been open about criticism she has received about her appearance. “Everyone’s […]

Moving onto the striking hair style she landed on, Price said, “I’ve taken all my extensions out because the look I want today is the wet look. I want to have my hair all scraped back as a wet look. This is going to be beyond art, [it’s iconic.”

Price recently opened up about the cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures she’s undertaken over the years. During an interview for The Price of Perfection, she told British TV presenter Olivia Attwood that the total number of procedures is hard to ascertain.

“Oh my god, that’s really hard. Maybe about 30 or 40? I must have done,” she said on the show, which aired in the U.K. in August.

Procedures she’s spoken publicly about in the past include multiple face lifts, breast enlargements, a lip lift and multiple butt lifts.

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