By Robert Scucci
| Published 28 seconds ago

Some of my favorite movies lean heavily on vibe, color, and a musical score that evokes a pure sense of dread. Panos Cosmatos’ Mandy (2018) rips through your consciousness like shattered glass through wet tissue paper with its hallucinogenic, magenta-tinted Nicolas Cage rampage, and it’s such a cathartic film because the visuals and sound design come together in such an enthralling way. Cosmatos’ first film, 2010’s Beyond the Black Rainbow, has all the elements I love about Mandy, but its journey is an inward one that sinks deep into the subconscious.

If I had to compare the film’s aesthetic and setting to other well-known properties for context, it would be the first season of Stranger Things crossed with 1980’s Altered States. Ironically, the Duffer Brothers, who through interviews have made it increasingly apparent that they somehow became wildly successful in spite of their own creative instincts, deny any connection between their hit Netflix series and Beyond the Black Rainbow. For what it’s worth, I made this connection going in blind, before even checking the Wikipedia page.

That same Wikipedia page cites an article from The Hollywood Reporter in which Matt Duffer was outraged over allegations of taking inspiration from Beyond the Black Rainbow, while Ross admitted to seeing “a little bit” of it. So maybe it’s just a coincidence that half of the duo behind Hawkins Lab is at least aware of the film’s aesthetic. If only Lucas Sinclair didn’t believe in coincidences anymore, but I digress. 

Let’s Not Get Into The Nitty Gritty Details Here

I love a good plot rundown. I don’t care about spoilers. You could tell me every twist ending ahead of time and it wouldn’t bother me. That just means I can look for clues on my first viewing and try connecting the dots. For some reason, and I know I’m in the minority here, spoilers can make movies better because you’re free to just watch and appreciate what’s happening.

That said, you really don’t have to know much about Beyond the Black Rainbow to enjoy it. There’s a definitive plot, protagonist, antagonist, and existential dilemma, but watching this movie is more of a cathartic, audiovisual experience than a narrative one.

We’re introduced to the head of research at the Arboria Institute, Barry Nyle (Michael Rogers). The institute, like I said, bears a striking resemblance to the Hawkins National Laboratory depicted in Stranger Things, where mind-control experiments are conducted on children. That could be coincidence, as both seem heavily influenced by the Montauk Project conspiracy theory. Living in captivity at the institute is Eleven… er, sorry, Elena (Eva Bourne), who has psychic powers kept in check by a powerful glowing prism.

The facility itself was founded by Mercurio Arboria (Scott Hylands), a drug-addicted recluse who Barry occasionally reports to, despite their strained relationship. Through hypnotic, drug-addled sequences, we learn that Barry is sexually obsessed with Elena and is also connected to her mother through his work, though he never fully discloses how right off the rip. Elena, when she’s not subdued by a cocktail of drugs or the prism dulling her powers, has a lethal mind that requires constant monitoring from staff like Nurse Margo (Rondel Reynoldson), along with guards known as Sentionauts, who can subdue her with injections if she gets too feisty after being mentally tortured all day.

Watch It With Headphones

Beyond the Black Rainbow is all about mind control, hallucinations, and sinking deep into your subconscious while experiencing a spiritual awakening under hostile, controlled conditions. The best way to watch this film is with your full attention. Not to catch Easter eggs or subtle clues, though there are plenty, but because of how immersive it is. If there’s a single movie you could describe as a fever dream, it’s this one. Lights and sounds throb in lockstep as your entire being gets assaulted by neon flickers that make you feel like you’re being pulled into a trance against your will.

If you lock into Beyond the Black Rainbow just right, it barely feels like a movie. It establishes a vibe that pulls you in, and you just exist with these characters for 109 minutes straight. Voices distort, scenes and faces melt from one frame to the next, and the whole experience is dizzying and disorienting from start to finish. If I had to sum it up in two words, they’d be “viscerally upsetting,” and I mean that as a compliment of the highest order.

Panos Cosmatos set out to make viewers uncomfortable with his debut, and he succeeds in every conceivable way. There are layers of meaning and consciousness throughout, but it’s best to go in and let them reveal themselves. I can’t say I’ll be throwing this into regular rotation, but once every couple of years, when I’m feeling a disproportionate amount of existential dread and want to sink into an audiovisual representation of that feeling, Beyond the Black Rainbow is the kind of soul ripper that pushes you straight through your own ego death as the inhabitants of the Arboria Institute pry open their third eyes and bleed into the ether.

Beyond the Black Rainbow SCORE

As of this writing, Beyond the Black Rainbow is streaming for free on Tubi.

Beef is back on Netflix, but its return is looking a lot less explosive than the first time around. The Emmy-winning series made a big impression in 2023 by turning a road-rage setup into one of Netflix’s most talked-about original hits, and that kind of breakout success always makes a follow-up harder. Season 2 has arrived with a fresh cast, a new feud, and a much glossier setting, but the early numbers suggest it hasn’t landed with the same force out of the gate. It’s still on the chart, which matters, but the size of the drop is hard to ignore.

According to Variety, Beef Season 2 debuted at No. 10 on Netflix’s English-language TV Top 10 for April 13 through April 19 with 2.4 million views after premiering on April 16. That is a steep fall from Season 1’s launch, which drew 34.1 million hours viewed in its first week in 2023, or about 5.8 million views when adjusted for runtime. In other words, the new season’s opening is down by roughly 58%. The first season also peaked in week two with the equivalent of 12 million views, so Season 2 still has room to grow, but this is a much softer start.

Who Stars in ‘Beef’?

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This second season swaps out Steven Yeun and Ali Wong for a new cast led by Oscar Isaac​​​​​​​ and Carey Mulligan, reuniting the two stars after Drive and Inside Llewyn Davis. They’re joined by Charles Melton, Cailee Spaeny, Youn Yuh-jung, Seoyeon Jang, and William Fichtner in a new story set around a wealthy California country club, where a fight between a boss and his wife pulls two younger outsiders into a spiraling mess of blackmail, favors, and violence. It’s still recognizably Beef, just with a cleaner, richer, and more socially corrosive setup than the first season’s suburban pressure cooker.

Collider’s review stated that Beef Season 2 is ambitious, well-acted, and often compelling, but it never feels as sharp or complete as the first season. Instead of centering on one tightly wound conflict, this new story spreads itself across two couples, class issues, race, beauty standards, healthcare, and more. That gives the season a lot to say, but not enough time to say it well. The review felt that the “show is trying to do too much with too little. With double the protagonists, the season would have had more room to breathe with even just ten episodes, allowing for the final arc — which takes our protagonists out of California and over to Korea — to feel a bit more natural in the transition.”

Beef is streaming now on Netflix.

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Release Date

April 6, 2023

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Network

Netflix

Showrunner

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Lee Sung Jin

Directors

Hikari, Jake Schreier, Kitao Sakurai, Lee Sung Jin

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Writers

Alice Ju

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By Jonathan Klotz
| Published 30 seconds ago

When it comes to science, moviegoers are willing to forgive some fudging of, say, the laws of thermodynamics or sound in space, but we know it’s all Hollywood magic. Yet there’s one myth that has persisted for decades, and Lucy, the Scarlett Johansson sci-fi action movie, puts it front and center: that humans use only 10 percent of their brain.

While the Luc Besson film pushed the myth to its breaking point, it managed to take root in pop culture because, like a spaceship going at the speed of light, or gigantic sea monsters able to exist without collapsing on themselves, this is a myth that, deep down, we want to be true. 

The Myth Of The True Potential Of The Human Brain

The origin of the 10 percent of the brain myth is unknown, though it may date back to the late 19th century, when neurology was emerging. Unable to get a clear picture of the human brain with the technology of the time, early researchers could have viewed only a fraction of the cells that make up the organ, leading to the belief that we use only 10 percent of it. What Lucy and the similar drug-fueled superpower movie Limitless put forth is similar to the early self-help gurus of the roaring 20s, who talked about the unlimited potential inside every human. 

Thinking of the time was that average humans only used a percentage of their brain, which means, by reading their books and listening to their talks, you weren’t average, you were special, and you used more of your mental power than those other peasants. If that sounds a lot like social media influencers today, that’s because everything’s already happened before. Though the basis comes from a myth designed to promote grifters, Lucy is still an original sci-fi action film worth watching today. 

Lucy Was A Massive Success

Lucy starts as a fairly normal movie, with Johansson’s Lucy forced to smuggle drugs that, when accidentally released in her stomach, start unlocking her brain’s latent power. In real life, accessing 100 percent of your brain at once is called a seizure, but here it grants a normal woman psychokinetic powers, enhanced speed and strength, and, of course, she knows Kung-Fu. Johansson gets to go full action-star and take down a crime syndicate before the film decides to get really strange in its last act. 

Grounding the action and increasing sci-fi elements are Johansson’s effortlessly cool performance and the dulcet tones of Morgan Freeman, the one man Hollywood studios trust to explain absurd sci-fi plots. Unlike Transcendence, the forgotten Johnny Depp AI film in which he has the same role, Lucy was a hit movie. Bringing in $463 million at the box office, the film was a massive success that easily eclipsed its $40 million budget.

The Lasting Appeal Of Lucy

The appeal of Lucy is simple: it’s a sci-fi action movie starring Scarlett Johansson, who, in the middle of her run as Marvel’s Black Widow, was approaching the peak of her popularity and power in Hollywood. It’s also from Besson, the director of The Fifth Element and The Professional, who could make reading from the phone book look amazing.

Who doesn’t want to think that with some hard work and dedication, you could unlock your true potential and become John Wick? Lucy is currently streaming on Netflix.

By TeeJay Small
| Published 31 seconds ago

Back in 2020, the United States was going through a series of dramatic once-in-a-lifetime events all at the same time. The global pandemic had us confined to our homes, binge-watching our favorite sitcoms. The tumultuous election cycle had us wondering if we’d ever see civility in our government again. And a series of viral police brutality encounters engaged a large-scale discussion about the nature of race and policing that spilled over into nationwide protests. While all this was going on, a handful of obnoxious caucasian executives decided they needed to be the center of attention for five minutes, so they banned a handful of TV episodes from streaming.

Several prominent TV series were struck with the ban-hammer over a few weeks in Summer 2020, including five episodes of FX’s It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The episodes in question featured a variety of characters donning dark makeup to perform black or brown-skinned caricatures. Whether it’s Dee Reynolds performing her Hispanic character Martina Martinez, or Mac’s ill-advised portrayal of Lethal Weapon‘s Roger Murtaugh, each instance of blackface has been scrubbed from the show.

This Is Not An Argument In Favor Of Blackface

Just to be clear, I don’t think any civilized person is arguing in favor of blackface. As a society, we have effectively all reached an agreement that white actors performing in minstrel makeup to mock or denigrate black people is weird, wrong, and patently unacceptable.

In fact, nobody makes that argument clearer than the cast and crew of Always Sunny, since that was literally the entire point of the now-banned episodes. Each instance of blackface in the show is met with shock and disgust from the rest of the gang, as part of a demonstration of how doing blackface is wrong.

It’s OK To Portray Flawed People Being Flawed

Banning these episodes, to me, scans like banning Star Wars because Darth Vader murders people. Killing people is precisely what establishes him as a villain that we’re supposed to root against.

If you can’t portray a flawed character doing something awful without audiences seeing it as some kind of endorsement, we may as well ban every movie, TV show, and video game that’s ever been made. What’s next? Should we ban every war documentary that makes a passing reference to the atrocities of the Nazis?

No One Was Offended By It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s Blackface Episodes

Normally, I’m not one to argue about things like this, because I’m not impacted by the material. But in this case, it seems clear that nobody was offended by these It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia episodes in the first place. Absolutely nobody was talking about the show during the Black Lives Matter demonstrations during the Summer of 2020, and I’ve never encountered somebody who felt offended by these episodes and agreed with them being pulled.

From my perspective, it seems like the execs at Fox turned on their TVs and watched as protestors stormed the streets seeking police accountability. Then, realizing that they had absolutely nothing to contribute to that conversation, they searched for something inconsequential that might put their company in headlines. They pulled the episodes at the request of nobody at all, patted themselves on the back, and acted like they made some kind of grand gesture, probably while fraternizing with politicians in a Scrooge McDuck-style pool of gold coins.

What We’ve Lost

It’s been six years since the episodes were pulled, and I think it’s past time to put them back on streaming. Some of the episodes, such as “The Gang Recycles Their Trash” and “America’s Next Top Paddy’s Billboard Model Contest,” are foundational to the Always Sunny in Philadelphia catalog. Plus, new viewers are missing out on Paul Walter Hauser‘s hilarious cameo appearance as a young juggalo in “Dee Reynolds: Shaping America’s Youth.”

Hulu doesn’t need to make any major announcements about the episodes. Nobody has to come forward and admit they were wrong for virtue-signaling and attention-seeking by pulling the episodes in the first place. Just quietly reupload the banned episodes, and we can all move on with our lives. They’ve already done this for the single banned Community episode, which was pulled around the same time, and miraculously, nobody batted an eye.

Young and the Restless presents Sally Spectra (Courtney Hope) pregnant with Billy Abbott‘s (Jason Thompson) baby. And as this news spreads around, it’s going to shock a lot of people. Most notable on the list may be Adam Newman (Mark Grossman), who I think is going to be absolutely stunned by this baby bombshell.

We’re going to talk about those in Genoa City who are going to be affected either personally or just emotionally by Sally and Billy’s pregnancy news and we’re going to talk about how hard it will hit them and why. Let’s get right to it!

Sally’s Positive Pregnancy Test on Young and the Restless

So, recently Sally was having a day where she was feeling icky and so much so that she and Billy missed their flight to London to go see Jill. And Sally had an inkling that she might be pregnant.

So she had her bestie Audra Charles (Zuleyka Silver) bring over a pregnancy test and sure enough it was positive. And then later with Billy, Sally took another test, also positive. So she told Billy the big news and he said he’s all in on the baby, whatever she decides.

So, now that Sally’s told Billy about the baby and she knows how he feels, we’re going to talk about some other people that Sally needs to tell about this baby bombshell. And we could get a big reaction from some key people.

Sally Proceeds with the Pregnancy on Young and the Restless

First off, I’m sure that Sally is going to keep the baby so long as it’s healthy and the pregnancy is viable, all that good stuff. And since Billy told Sally to do whatever, you know, she wants, whatever she feels is right, I feel like the future is wide open for them. But I’m also certain that even with the risks, Sally’s going to proceed despite her fears after losing baby Ava.

Plus, Sally is also worried about Billy’s past heartache over losing Delia when she was so young. And Sally remains terrified of losing another child. But at the same time, she’s happy and excited. She’s still wrapping her head around the whole idea of this baby with Billy, even if she’s afraid to let herself be happy just yet. So, I think Sally’s going to get there soon and just be all on board, you know, let herself get excited.

Sally Will Want to Tell Adam on Y&R

So, I also think that she’s going to want to tell Adam Newman personally. I have no doubt that Sally would prefer that Adam hears the pregnancy news from her mouth rather than from Billy. Because let’s face it, he might be a big old jerk to Adam about it.

There’s a chance Billy could say something really awful to Adam like, “I’ll take better care of Sally than you did so our baby will survive.” I mean, Billy still blames Adam for Delia’s death, even though I personally think it was mostly Billy’s fault for sloppy parenting. So, I’m sure Sally will want to avoid any drama between Billy and Adam. Those two can be really nasty to each other.

So, I think that he would be stunned but happy for Sally. However, this might hit Adam right in the feels because, you know, he lost their baby, too. But if you remember, on the anniversary of Ava’s loss, Adam totally blew it off. So, there’s still hurt there. And that was around the same time he was cheating with Chelsea Lawson (Melissa Claire Egan).

Young and the Restless: Sally Talks to Nick

So, I’m also assuming that Sally will want to talk to Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow) at some point. You know, Sally really used to love Nick and they were together when she was pregnant with baby Ava and Nick was, you know, still with her when she lost the baby.

So, I do think Sally also may want to tell Nick herself just out of courtesy and respect for their past. But Sally may have to wait to tell Nick her big news until he’s cleaned up from his whole drug addiction, cocaine, and fentanyl Matt Clark (Roger Howarth) nightmare.

How Others Will React on Y&R

I also expect Sally’s baby news is going to send shock waves all through town beyond her two ex-boyfriends reactions. Kyle Abbott (Michael Mealor) and Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman), I think, will be happy for Sally and Billy. And we know Jack’s got a soft spot for Sally.

Remember, she had that big crush on him when she first came to Genoa City. Hello, Daddy issues, right? But I think Jack may worry that Billy could flake out on Sally and let her down, let their child down. So, Jack might caution Billy that he needs to stand up and be the man that Sally and this baby need.

And then of course there’s Billy’s ex, Chelsea Lawson, to consider who is currently with Adam. And I tend to think when Chelsea hears about Sally’s pregnancy, Chelsea might have a strong reaction. She may worry about Sally’s pregnancy having an effect on Adam since he and Sally lost that child together.

And of course, Chelsea and Adam cheated and broke up their relationships with Sally and Billy. So, it’s also messy. I also would assume that Chelsea’s already going to be upset when she finds out Adam was sucking face with Riza Thomas (Tina Casciani) in Vegas so much. So, this may kind of ice the trouble cake for Chelsea and Adam’s relationship.

Young and the Restless: Sally’s Friends Will be over the Moon

Then, of course, there’s Audra and Lauren Fenmore (Tracey E. Bregman). And Audra already knows obviously, but Lauren is going to be thrilled for Sally. However, I expect Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford) is likely going to be catty when she finds out. Because she’ll be jealous that Billy’s having another kid with a woman that Phyllis feels threatened by, which is all women, basically. As for Victor Newman (Eric Braeden), I can see him telling Sally she’s breeding with a loser. We know how much he hates Billy Boy.

Sally May Tell Victoria on Y&R

Now, one last thing I can see somebody else that Sally will want to tell personally, maybe Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle). So Sally may want to tell Victoria herself before Billy gets to his ex-wife. And Sally may want to just privately ask Victoria how she feels about this before they tell the kids. Sally and Victoria talked a lot about Billy’s issues before on Young and the Restless.

If you remember, Sally opened up to Victoria about her father and Sally always being let down by him and cleaning up his messes. And I do think Victoria will be happy for Sally, but I think Victoria may be worried about Billy letting Sally down, which is a valid concern.

But Billy and Victoria’s kids, Johnny and Katie, I think they are going to be so happy about the baby. Because the kids really like Sally and I think they would be really excited to have a little brother or sister. That’s more fun than showing up with an adult sibling like Claire Newman (Hayley Erin), right?

Billy May Propose To Sally on Young and the Restless

So, all in all, I think most people will be happy for Billy and Sally, even Adam eventually once he sees how happy Sally is, hoping to see Billy behaving himself and being there for her. Because Sally is going to be scared and she needs a man to do right by her. And let’s hope Billy steps up.

Assuming everything goes well and Sally and Billy’s baby is born happy and healthy, I think this could be a really good thing. You know, we could see Sally and Billy making big changes. He’s got that nice house that Sally decorated already. So, I think she and Billy are going to stay there and Sally will design a gorgeous nursery for their baby.

Also, I could absolutely see Billy proposing to Sally at some point. You know, we could have Billy waiting until after the baby’s born. Because he doesn’t want to overwhelm Sally or, you know, make her think he’s proposing only because she’s pregnant.

And I’m sure the pregnancy and this big life change is going to give Billy a little push. But I do suspect marrying Sally might have already crossed Billy’s mind once or twice. So, we’ll see what’s next and how everybody reacts, most notably Adam, once the news spreads.

There can never be too many thrillers in Hollywood. The industry has more than one way to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. For decades, staples like The Silence of the Lambs, Fargo, and Pulp Fiction have differed in style, but they all deliver that same adrenaline rush in theaters.

Over time, the thriller genre has evolved to reflect the anxieties of modern society. Each decade introduces new fears and pressures, which often translate into high-stakes situations that test the human psyche. With that in mind, here are the 10 most perfect thriller movies of the last 20 years, ranked.

10

‘The Raid: Redemption’ (2011)

Image via Sony Pictures Classics

The Raid: Redemption follows Rama (Iko Uwais), a rookie officer part of an elite police squad tasked with raiding a high-rise apartment block controlled by crime lord Tama Riyadi (Ray Sahetapy). Inside, criminals rule every floor, forcing residents to obey for survival. When their cover is blown, the team becomes trapped, fighting through waves of armed attacks to reach the top.

There is something claustrophobic about fighting in enclosed buildings. The moment the squad enters those doors, there’s no way out. Within tight corridor spaces, machete-wielding brutes can jump on you at any second. There is no grace in fighting, just the urgency to fend off as many attackers as possible, with adversaries literally coming from all four directions.

9

‘Shutter Island’ (2010)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Shutter Island starts with U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) investigating a patient’s disappearance from Achecliffe Hospital. Drawn there for personal reasons, he suspects the doctors are hiding sinister practices. Denied key records, Teddy presses on as a hurricane isolates the island. With dangerous inmates loose and clues mounting, he begins to question his memory and sanity.

The isolation of being confined to a mental facility on a stormy island does things to the mind. When someone’s head is in a daze, it’s hard to differentiate what’s real and what isn’t. Hence, the psychological aspect of Shutter Island. As the claustrophobia kicks in and Teddy’s senses are tested, a series of frightening hallucinations begins to taunt him.

8

‘No Other Choice’ (2025)

Image via Neon

Unemployment makes people do the craziest things in No Other Choice. Veteran papermaker Man-su (Lee Byung-hun) loses his job when his company is taken over. He struggles for over a year to find work in the industry while his family faces growing financial strain. When he spots an opening at a rival company, he does everything to eliminate the other candidates and secure his future.

South Korea is best known for critiquing class anxiety, and No Other Choice — despite the absurdity of Man-su’s actions — reflects just that. As realistic as thrillers go, nothing is more relatable than the fear of being laid off after years of dedication. And when viewers are at Man-su’s age, that anxiety only intensifies.

7

‘The Secret Agent’ (2025)

Image via Neon

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The Secret Agent is set in 1977 Recife, during Brazil’s military dictatorship, where former researcher Armando (Wagner Moura) arrives during Carnival under a false identity, secretly reconnecting with his young son and a network of political dissidents. Living among refugees and underground activists, he becomes caught up in surveillance, corruption, and escalating threats.

While this sounds like fiction, there are unfortunately real threats faced by those who speak out against capitalist corporations. These dangers still exist today. The real horror comes from the idea that people in the highest socioeconomic positions can view the working class as insects they can easily dispose of.

6

‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)

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In the aftermath of Batman Begins, Batman (Christian Bale) partners up with Lieutenant James Gordon (Gary Oldman) and District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) to take down an elusive mob accountant. However, when the three hit a dent in their investigation, they have no choice but to turn to the Joker (Heath Ledger). Little do they realize, the green-haired menace has plans to take over Gotham.

The real highlight of The Dark Knight is every interaction between Batman and the Joker. It’s not even the fight scenes, but the moments inside the Gotham City Police Department that bring the most adrenaline. As Batman nearly breaks him physically, the Joker sits back, clearly enjoying the fact that he’s winning the battle where it matters most — inside Batman’s head.

5

‘Gone Girl’ (2014)

Image via 20th Century Studios

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Gone Girl is an extreme case of a marriage gone wrong. Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) returns home to find his wife Amy (Rosamund Pike) missing days before their anniversary. As media scrutiny intensifies, his seemingly perfect marriage dissolves in the public eye. Under growing suspicion, Nick becomes the main suspect of the investigation, not realizing that Amy has orchestrated the entire ordeal.

No backstabbing is worse than character assassination. Sometimes, being dead feels like a better option — at least the buried don’t have to listen to the opinions of others. But Nick is put through the wringer when he is falsely accused of being abusive. Sometimes, the best weapon isn’t murder — it’s word of mouth.

4

‘Inception’ (2010)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

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The surreal thriller Inception follows Dom Cobb (DiCaprio), a master thief specializing in extracting secrets from dreams. Offered the chance to reclaim his life, Dom is willing to take one last job. Instead of stealing information, this time, he must perform inception — planting an idea within a target’s subconscious.

There are virtually no limits in Inception. Entering the dreamscape feels like a surreal ride, and the film captures this through its large-than-life landscapes. From a zero-gravity hallway fight that spins endlessly to a dream world where an entire city block explodes piece by piece, it proves that thrillers can be just as visually stunning as they are heart-pumping.

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3

‘No Country for Old Men’ (2007)

Image via Miramax Films

The chaos in No Country for Old Men begins when ordinary welder Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) discovers drug deal carnage and takes two million dollars. Meanwhile, a psychopathic killer named Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) hunts him down, murdering anyone in his path. As Moss tries to hide his tracks by going high and low in Texas, Sheriff Ed Tom Bell gets to the bottom of the case (Tommy Lee Jones).

The thrill in No Country for Old Men comes from just how eerily still the movie moves. There’s no explosive buildup. Instead, it throws viewers off by putting together the most ordinary of scenarios that, within a second, become a deadly affair. Case in point: Chigurh’s polite conversation at the gas station turns into a life-or-death coin toss situation.

2

‘Parasite’ (2019)

Image via NEON

Parasite follows the struggling Kim family, who live in a cramped semi-basement and fold pizza boxes for scrappy pay. When Ki-woo (Choi Woo-shik) lands a tutoring job he is clearly unqualified for, he gains access to the wealthy Park family. Slowly, he brings each family member into the household under fake identities as they infiltrate this world of privilege.

Parasite challenges audiences to rethink their views on social class. At first, the film seems to “villainize” the Kims for lying their way into a wealthy household. However, it also reveals that they are victims of an unequal capitalist system. While they may be difficult to fully empathize with, their actions reflect a harsh reality where “faking it until you make it” becomes their only way out of poverty.

1

‘Uncut Gems’ (2019)

Image via A24

Uncut Gems kicks off with jeweler Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler) buried in debt and addiction. Instead of putting a pause on his gambles, he’s constantly high on the next big win. When he acquires a rare Ethiopian opal, he stakes everything on a high-risk plan involving an NBA player’s performance.

Before Uncut Gems, Sandler was known as Hollywood’s quintessential funny man — which is why seeing him play a menace is both shocking and refreshing. The film doesn’t hold your hand. Viewers are thrown straight into high-anxiety situations where people are constantly in each other’s faces, and it always feels like someone could pull a gun at any second.

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Release Date

December 25, 2019

Runtime

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136 minutes

Director

Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie

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Producers

Scott Rudin, Sebastian Bear-McClard, Eli Bush

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Rihanna gave birth to her first daughter last fall, and fans have been waiting patiently to see a glimpse of the superstar’s latest bundle of joy. 

Well, the wait is officially over, as baby Rocki Irish has made her debut in the only way that one would expect the daughter of Rihanna to, on the cover of a magazine, of course.

The Fenty founder and her gorgeous baby girl are serving high fashion on the latest cover of “W” magazine.

Rihanna And Daughter Rocki Irish Are Fierce Fashionistas In First Magazine Cover

Covering the 2026 Pop Issue of the publication, “W” has chosen superstar Rihanna and her adorable baby girl Rocki Irish to serve mother-daughter goals and fashion inspo.

Riri and 7-month-old Rocki are dressed in matching Dior looks for the cover shoot, complete with a custom-made diaper and headpiece for Rihanna’s mini-me.

“The haute couture diaper is definitely a first for Dior,” admitted Dior creative director Jonathan Anderson. “When Rihanna asks for something, she is already ahead of what is happening. She is thinking outside the box. When she has an idea, I’m always trusting in the process. I trust her implicitly on anything she feels that is right to do.”

Taking to Instagram to share the cover, Rihanna gushed about her daughter stealing the show.

“Cover girrrrrlz!!!” she captioned the post. “Baby Rocki served sumn serious on her first cover! came on set and shut her mama dowwwnn!!!! 

Rihanna Previously Spoke About Her Post-Baby Body While Attending Paris Fashion Week

In an interview with Rihanna posted via X, formerly known as Twitter, the Grammy winner spoke about some of her favorite looks from the Dior Spring/Summer show during Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week. However, it was her comment about her post-baby curves that many moms can likely relate to.

“Favorite look? That’s impossible,” Rihanna gushed about the designs. “I wanted the coats, I wanted the dresses, I wanted the skirts with a little bump [at the stomach] ’cause I got a little pouch after having kids, so I’d love that.”

“I loved the accessories — the bags, the shoes, the earrings — everything was perfectly made, super well done, super whimsical. Everything made me excited. It was a very thrilling show,” she added.

Rihanna recently welcomed daughter Rocki Irish in September 2025 with boyfriend A$AP Rocky. The couple is also parents to sons, 3-year-old RZA and Riot, 2.

Fans Went Into Overdrive When The Singer Hinted At Expanding Her Family In January 2026

Per Us Weekly, earlier this month, Rihanna gave a strong hint that she is not done adding to her family.

The singer-turned-mogul responded to a post by “Love Island” star Montana Rose that read: “Deciding whether to get hot and sexy or get pregnant in 2026.” Rihanna replied underneath the post, writing, “Wait! So I’m not crazy then? Bet!”

While many fans were happy at the possibility of Riri becoming a mom again for the fourth time, there were others who expressed their disappointment because another pregnancy means a new album is once again put on hold. Rihanna’s last album, the record-breaking “Anti,” celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

Although she may add another baby to the mix in the future, Rihanna recently shut down speculation that she is currently pregnant.

Rihanna Left Her Los Angeles Home Following A Targeted Shooting

A day after the shooting at her home, Rihanna was photographed traveling in a line of black SUVs to the private aviation terminal at Van Nuys Airport on Monday, March 10, according to Daily Mail.

The Fenty Beauty founder and Grammy winner was then said to board a small twin-engine jet to fly out of Los Angeles.

Shooting Suspect Ivanna Ortiz Entered A Not Guilty Plea 

Per PEOPLE, on March 25, during an appearance at Los Angeles Superior Court, Ivanna Ortiz pled not guilty to a host of charges connected to her allegedly shooting at Rihanna’s home on March 8 while the superstar and her three children were inside.

Among the charges against her, the most serious is attempted murder, as Ortiz is accused of brandishing an AR-15 rifle and firing off 10 rounds at Rihanna’s home.

In addition to attempted murder, Ortiz is facing 13 other felony counts, including 10 of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and three of shooting at an inhabited dwelling or camper.

After initially being held on $10 million bail, that amount was reduced to the current sum of $1.875 million. If convicted, Ortiz could receive a sentence of life in prison.

Victoria Beckham is opening up about how she and her husband David Beckham navigate “tough times,” and their secret involves prioritizing their four children.

The Spice Girls member, who recently celebrated her 52nd birthday, spoke about the long-time couple’s family dynamic and commitment when things get hectic. 

Victoria Beckham Notes How She And David Beckham ‘Put Children First’ Amid Difficult Times

While appearing on “Today with Jenna & Sheinelle” on Tuesday, April 21, Victoria Beckham opened up about her family dynamic with husband David Beckham and their four children: Brookyln, Cruz, Romeo, and Harper.

When asked how she is navigating a “challenging year,” pointing to the highly public fallout between oldest child Brooklyn and his parents, Beckham explained that her children always take precedence.

“We always put our children first,” she said. “We love our children so much and have always really focused on protecting our children, but we laugh a lot. David Beckham is really, super funny.”

She Also Discussed The Close Bond Shared With Her Husband

The couple, who have been married for 27 years, have captivated fans since they began dating at the height of her Spice Girls fame.

“You know, myself and David, we’re so close and we have incredible people around us,” Victoria said on the show. “We’re close to my parents and David’s parents. We support each other through everything that we do.” 

“We’ve grown together. And that’s where I feel so blessed. We really have grown together,” she added. “We support each other. We’ve both got big dreams. We’re both very, very ambitious and we support each other. I want him to be the best version of himself and that’s what he wants for me.”

Victoria Beckham Finally Addressed The Ongoing Issues With Son Brooklyn

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal on April 16, Victoria addressed the deep family rift but stopped short of mentioning Brooklyn by name.

“All we’ve ever tried to do is protect our children and love our children. And you know, that’s all I really want to say about it,” she stated. 

Brooklyn initially took his feud with his family public due to long-simmering issues involving his wife and her relationship with his parents.

Brooklyn Beckham Took His Feud With His Parents A Step Further With Tattoo Removal

Back in February, Brooklyn sent a message to his parents without saying a word. Per Us Weekly, the oldest child of David and Victoria has allegedly removed the tattoos he got dedicated to them.

In recent images of Brooklyn out with wife Nicola Peltz, the anchor tattoo on Brooklyn’s right arm which featured “DAD” in the middle, appears to have now been covered up with three nondescript symbols.

The tattoo also has the words “Love You Bust,” underneath the anchor and is still present. According to the outlet, “Bust” is a loving nod to Brooklyn and David’s past relationship, as they referred to each other as “Buster,” a name which is tattooed on David’s neck.

However, David isn’t the only one who had his tribute tattoo removed. Brooklyn also allegedly covered up the “Mama’s Boy” tattoo on his chest in honor of Victoria.

In January 2026 Brooklyn Beckham Publicly Called Out His Parents And Distanced Himself From His Family

In the bombshell posts he made earlier this year calling out his family, Brooklyn ended his message by making it abundantly clear that he has no current interest in repairing his fractured relationship with his family.

“I have been silent for years and have made every attempt to keep these matters private,” Brooklyn wrote in multiple messages posted to his Instagram Stories.

“Unfortunately, my parents and their team have continued to go to the press, leaving me with no choice but to speak for myself and tell the truth about only some of the lies that have been printed,” he continued.

Brooklyn made his stance clear with his family moving forward. “I do not want to reconcile with my family. I’m not being controlled, I’m standing up for myself for the first time in my life.”

He also hurled accusations that his mom Victoria “hijacked” the first dance at his wedding by dancing “inappropriately” and making him feel “uncomfortable” and “humiliated.”

Draya Michele is on her way to becoming a chef. And she’s finally sharing the life update with her fans, encouraging them to never be afraid to pivot!

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Draya Michele Announces Her “Culinaire” Era

As mentioned, Draya shared her latest chapter on Instagram on Tuesday (April 21). She posted a series of photos and videos in a kitchen, dressed in chef attire. Some photos show her near a stove, while another shows her in a walk-in cooler. Two videos show her in action, from mincing onions to her flambé. Also, two photos show completed meat dishes: one resembles a stew, while the other shows a stuffed protein. In her caption, Draya Michele revealed her journey in the kitchen took a professional turn a few months ago.

“For the past few months, I’ve been in culinary school. Becoming a chef was never something on my mood board (until lately) but that’s the beauty of life. I’ve enjoyed cooking for my loved ones for years, and now I’m just perfecting it,” Draya wrote.

In the caption, she also encouraged her followers to take new lanes when desired. She wrote, “You’re allowed to evolve. You’re allowed to pivot. You’re allowed to discover new passions you never saw coming. It’s never too late to change your path or start something new. If you’ve been waiting for a sign… this is it.” 

Draya’s Been Teasing Her Cooking For Months

Tuesday marks the first time Draya Michele has confirmed she’s in elevated cooking classes. But it’s far from her first time showing off her skills in the kitchen. In recent months, she’s shared glimpses of meals she’s cooked, especially at home. For example, on January 9, she shared a fresh pasta-making video, which featured her and Jalen Green’s daughter, Lyght Green.

Additionally, in November 2025, Draya posted a recap of her “rehearsal day,” in which she tested a new way of slicing her yams for a candied dish. In the caption, she mentioned “plating” and using her same recipe while making the dish “aesthetically pleasing.”

Last August, Draya Michele also shared her soup-making skills. In the caption, she said “a few members of [her] tribe” weren’t feeling well, hence the dish. She credited Trader Joe’s for the find.

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Bold and the Beautiful sees RJ Forrester (Brayan Nicoletti) has lost any chance he had with Electra Forrester (Laneya Grace). Same last name, but no relation as they keep reminding us because it’s ick. But all of this is because Ivy Forrester (Ashleigh Brewer) has been outed as the villain. So, Electra is on the path to reconciliation with Will Spencer (Crew Morrow).

And that leaves us wondering what is next for Ridge Forrester‘s (Thorsten Kaye) spoiled bratty son. Hopefully, something that will make him more likable because he’s not very likable at all right now. Let’s get into what is coming for Ridge Jr.

Electra And Will Reconcile on Bold and the Beautiful

So, right now, Electra is reeling from the reveal of her aunt Ivy’s manipulation, stealing the letter. And when Electra pressed her, she finally handed it over. And then Electra went and told Will about the letter that she had left for him that Ivy stole. So finally Will’s getting to read the letter Electra wrote him.

And clearing this up means that RJ isn’t going to have a shot with Electra, no matter how badly he wants it and how much he thinks he deserves it and how much Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang) thinks he deserves it. Destiny, all that. I saw the funniest thing. I think it was on X. Somebody referred to RJ as Destiny’s child. I laughed so hard. Anyway, I wish I remembered who had said it. I would credit you. I’m sorry if it’s you. It was brilliant.

So, Electra’s going back to Will, no matter how hard RJ tries to trash talk him, tries to bully Will out of Forrester and out of Electra’s life. So, with Will getting back with Electra, because they are still head over heels in love, things are going to change for RJ and he’s going to have to look for a new woman.

Future for RJ And Dylan on B&B?

So, this week we’re going to have Miss Dylan in scenes with RJ, he’s griping about Will to her, but Dylan makes it clear to RJ that Electra and Will are in love and they are going to be back together before long. You know, Ivy’s to blame for all of this. But Dylan also feels bad about the part she played in their split.

But RJ mostly blames Will, of course. So, I expect this conversation between RJ and Dylan to be just the start and lots more to come. If you remember, RJ had a flirty vibe with Dylan when they first met. And then RJ got distracted trying to make moves on Electra, even when she and Will were in a good place.

Bold and the Beautiful: RJ Loses Electra

So, hopefully RJ gets a reality check and sees that he’s got no chance with Electra. But, I do think we could see RJ end up with Dylan. Once Electra and Will are reunited and they aren’t options for Dylan and RJ, then I think we could see them drawn together. Maybe quickly, maybe slowly.

Either way, another thing I see ahead for him is also related to Miss Dylan. So, I think whatever crisis that she’s about to get into with this mystery person calling with the voice modulator and threatening Dylan, I think we’re going to see RJ wrapped up into that.

RJ Could Save Dylan on B&B

So, we could see Dylan needs saving and RJ could very well be the one to play hero, which is good because Will doesn’t need to be volunteering to save Dylan again. He needs to focus on Electra or she’ll have a complete whiny meltdown. So, they’re going to be back together soon. And of course, Dylan, I’m assuming, will remain a hot button issue for Electra for a while. I can even see her giving Will an ultimatum, you can’t help Dylan or else, you know.

So, I do think RJ is going to be the one to step up for Dylan and protect her, be there for her, which should bring them a lot closer. And this danger could actually take RJ and Dylan from a little bit of a flirtation thing into a serious relationship, not just a casual fling if they go through a big ordeal together.

Because going through trauma can absolutely hit the accelerator on a new relationship. Put it into high gear. Like all the Luna Nozawa (Lisa Yamada) stuff honestly did for Will and Electra when they went through that. It just made them stronger and brought them closer and did it faster. So, I think the same could happen with RJ and Dylan.

RJ Needs to Calm Down at Work

Also on the professional front, we could see RJ walking a thin line at work because really he needs to calm down his attitude about Will and talking about Spencers like they are subhuman. I mean if not I think RJ is going to face blowback from Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) and Ridge whether Brooke likes it or not. You know I mean RJ’s sister Hope is married to a Spencer. Steffy has a Spencer child. There’s just so many overlaps between these families.

Katie is his aunt and also a Spencer. So, I think Steffy and Ridge are going to put their foot down with RJ and tell him start acting professional. Stop bringing drama and physical fights to the office or else. And he also needs to stop trying to get Will and Dylan fired because it’s not his decision, even though he thinks it is because of his last name.

Double Dating with Will and Electra on Bold?

Also, circling back to RJ and Dylan for a minute, something on a positive note. If RJ starts dating Dylan, which I think they will because they clearly chemistry tested them when Brayan Nicoletti first started at Bold and the Beautiful, I think in a weird twist, they could end up double dating with Electra and Will. It would be fun to see these four put all their animosity behind them.

That way, we could see a solid set of younger couples together interacting as they’re trying to build, you know, the generational cast of the show. Also, when Remy Pryce (Christian Weissmann) and Deke Sharpe (Harrison Cone) reconcile, which I expect eventually they will, we could see them in that same friend group with RJ and Dylan and also with Will and Electra.

Plus, with Remy’s mystery connection to somebody on the character canvas revealed soon, it could be somebody tied into the Forrester family or even to Dylan or RJ, you know, especially if there’s a Marone tie-in that could pull RJ into it because they keep dropping that name a whole lot lately. Like you don’t hear it for a long time and now the past couple of weeks we’ve heard it a lot.

Bold and the Beautiful: Could Luna Be Alive?

So, the last thing to consider could be that lunatic Luna might be alive, which many fans suspect. She may be the one tormenting Dylan. That’s possible. If so, then RJ may redeem himself by teaming up with Will to protect both Electra and Dylan from psycho Luna and get her put in prison behind bars forever. Because we know that Electra and Dylan would both be at the top of Luna’s hit list.

Electra because she is with Will and Luna’s crazy and thinks that Will belongs to her. And of course, Dylan would be a target because she ran over Luna with her car and supposedly killed her for the second time she died. So Luna’s got lots of reasons to target Electra and Dylan.

Bold and the Beautiful: Will & RJ Team Up against Luna?

So, I could see Will and RJ needing to put their differences aside and protect their ladies from Luna. And Will and RJ could come out of this with a new respect for each other. There’s lots of possibilities in this danger storyline with Dylan that’s starting soon.

But no matter how it plays out, one thing I think is absolutely certain, and I think RJ is going to be very irritated that he missed a chance to get with Electra. And we could see RJ pouting about it for a minute or two, but then I suspect he’ll have to decide that he has to move on with his life and he might move on with Dylan.

Also, a really quick congratulations to Matthew Atkinson, the actor who plays Thomas Forrester. He and his wife Brytnee Ratledge Atkinson are expecting their second child. They had a little boy and now they have a little girl on the way. So, congrats to them.