Entertainment
Gleb Savchenko’s Custody War Ends With A Brutal Setback
For years, Gleb Savchenko and Elena Samodanova appeared to have moved beyond the bitterness of their split.
However, a custody dispute that stretched across continents has now exposed a far deeper conflict, one involving allegations of emotional harm, competing claims of parental manipulation, and a legal fight over where their teenage daughter truly belongs.
The drama, which began as Savchenko’s effort to keep 15-year-old Olivia in Los Angeles, ultimately ended with a court siding against his request, setting the stage for an even more dramatic chapter in the former couple’s long-running battle.
Gleb Savchenko’s Emergency Custody Bid Centered On Serious Allegations
Gleb Savchenko’s latest legal push was built around claims that Olivia faced troubling conditions while living with his ex-wife in Hong Kong.
In court filings opposing his daughter’s return overseas, the dancer argued that she would face a “grave risk of physical and psychological harm” if she were sent back.
According to documents obtained by the Daily Mail, Savchenko accused Samodanova of pressuring Olivia to take weight-loss medication to maintain her appearance for dance.
He also alleged that the teenager endured harsh criticism about her appearance and was subjected to comments that labeled her “fat” and a “disgrace” to the family.
Beyond those claims, the 43-year-old alleged that his daughter was being pushed to train, dance, and perform to the point of exhaustion, even when she was ill.
According to him, she suffered from severe depression and anxiety and had turned to alcohol and drugs as a coping mechanism.
Taken together, he argued, the allegations demonstrated “potential risks” associated with returning Olivia to Hong Kong.
Savchenko And Samodanova Offered Starkly Different Versions Of Events
Samodanova didn’t stay silent about the accusations. Instead, she accused Gleb Savchenko of being the parent engaged in “wrongful retention.”
In a petition filed under the Hague Convention, she argued that Olivia travelled to Los Angeles on July 9 to visit her father but never returned home to Hong Kong.
According to court records, Samodanova alleged that Savchenko attempted to enroll Olivia in a Los Angeles school without her approval. She later told the Daily Mail that his accusations against her were “just empty words without any proof.”
Her legal filings included text messages she said came directly from Olivia. In those exchanges, the teenager allegedly claimed her father was pressuring her to make statements against her mother.
“Her father told her she would be betraying him and taking my side while he takes care of her, feeds her, and gives her money,” Samodanova wrote in her declaration.
She further alleged that Savchenko told Olivia “she could go any time but that he would not spend money on her, including for a flight home.”
Gleb Savchenko Suffers A Major Setback As Court Sends Olivia Back To Hong Kong
As the dispute intensified, the case culminated in a September 15 hearing in Los Angeles.
Samodanova traveled from Hong Kong to attend the proceeding in person, where she faced her ex-husband in court. Among the materials submitted was a selfie Olivia allegedly sent her mother showing herself crying.
In the message attached to the photo, Olivia wrote, “Papa said I can go anytime but he is not spending any more money on me or anything even flight home.”
Despite the serious allegations raised by Savchenko, the court focused on a key issue central to Hague Convention cases: the child’s habitual residence.
According to hearing minutes, the court determined that Olivia’s habitual residence was Hong Kong.
The ruling dealt a significant blow to Savchenko’s effort to keep his daughter in Los Angeles through an emergency order. The court also directed the former couple to participate in mediation through Family Court Services.
Following the hearing, Olivia returned to Hong Kong with her mother, bringing the latest chapter of the international custody dispute to a close, at least for now.
More From The Blast
Samodanova Says Gleb Savchenko Missed Child Support For 10 Months
The custody battle between Savchenko and Samodanova was already packed with accusations about parenting and Olivia’s future, but court filings revealed another dispute that had been simmering behind the scenes.
In documents obtained by PEOPLE in July, Samodanova alleged that her ex failed to make child-support payments for ten months before the situation was eventually resolved.
According to the filing, she said she was forced to seek “assistance through the appropriate child support enforcement authorities before payments resumed.”
In the same filing, Samodanova denied Savchenko’s claim that she took the children to Hong Kong without his consent, arguing instead that the move was mutually agreed upon after their divorce.
She maintained that Hong Kong remained the children’s home and legal residence. Samodanova also challenged Savchenko’s broader custody arguments. According to the filing, she accused him of wrongfully keeping Olivia in California after canceling her return ticket to Hong Kong.
Samodanova Revisits Infidelity Claims That Ended Their Marriage
Long before the latest custody fight landed in court, the breakdown of Savchenko and Samodanova’s marriage had already played out in public.
After announcing their separation in 2020, Samodanova publicly accused Savchenko of repeated infidelity and spoke candidly about the impact it had on their family.
“Gleb’s ongoing infidelity and a recent inappropriate relationship has created turmoil in our marriage and absolutely torn our family apart,” she told PEOPLE at the time.
Samodanova also expressed frustration over what she believed had happened during the final months of their marriage, adding, “No wife should ever stand by and watch while another woman gifts her husband expensive presents, lures him out to dinners and seduces him at every turn.”
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When it comes to writing long, epic fantasy sagas, it can be hard to maintain consistency. Just look at Robert Jordan‘s The Wheel of Time, for example. At 15 novels long, many fans consider books seven through 10 to be a major downturn in quality. Not that the books are bad; it’s just that they certainly don’t live up to the quality of the rest of the series.
Every so often, though, an author is able to hit the ground running and keep their pace until they hit the finish line. This rare breed of fantasy novel often winds up becoming a piece of literary history, skyrocketing in popularity to attract millions of fans. Though it’s not super common, it’s not impossible. These are the best fantasy book series in which every installment is a masterpiece, rare achievements in literature that somehow get more impressive with each passing day.
‘Malazan: Book of the Fallen’ (1999-2011)
Steven Erikson‘s broader Malazan universe is actually still ongoing, with numerous spin-offs and prequels coming out, some of which are even written by other authors. However, the main sequence of events, Malazan: Book of the Fallen, is very much over, and is widely considered the strong point of the entire series. This epic fantasy series is a massive anthology of 10 whopping volumes, all following a complex and dark narrative.
The story is set in the Malazan Empire, a realm that has expanded to cover the entirety of a continent. Now, the oppressive regime sets its sights on a continent across the sea, seeking to expand its borders through conquest. The Malazan series received critical acclaim, with each volume getting stellar reviews, some of them from other prestigious fantasy authors. Ten books is kind of a tall order when it comes to consistency, since it can be hard for a writer to maintain that momentum for over a decade, yet Erikson pulls it off flawlessly. The Malazan series is considered one of the greatest modern fantasy series, one that every fan should know.
The ‘Earthsea’ Cycle (1968-2018)
The Earthsea Cycle consists of six mainline novels, which came out between 1968 and 2001. This is a long time to wait between each book, of course, but at least it shows that Ursula K. Le Guin spent time and care on her beloved series. In any event, that’s not all the series has to offer: there are also several short stories to check out. The story is set on the titular planet of Earthsea, a flooded world that is mostly ocean, dotted only by a few island realms. Dragons roam the skies, and there is conflict between the human islands on the planet’s surface.
Earthsea is considered one of the most classic and quintessential fantasy series ever written, mostly because it feels so realistic. Even though it’s fiction, the empires and politics of Earthsea feel so real, almost like they could actually exist. Le Guin did very well fleshing out her cultures and her history, ensuring this series never gets boring. It’s perpetually fascinating, so much so that it wouldn’t be wrong to say that every single book in the series is a masterpiece of its own.
‘The Broken Empire’ Trilogy (2011-2013)
The Broken Empire Trilogy isn’t very long, but that only ensures it doesn’t overstay its welcome. Written by Mark Lawrence, the story is set in the eponymous Broken Empire, a shattered collection of realms encompassing Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia following a nuclear apocalypse. With the remnants of humanity reverted to the Dark Ages centuries after the bombs detonated, society has devolved into perpetual conflict. In what is today the Rhineland region, a young prince named Jorg Ancrath denies his father’s legacy and begins leading his own band of mercenaries across the wetlands of the Rhine.
Jorg is a self-described sociopath, cruel and callous, seeing his fellow mercenaries as nothing more than disposable pawns in a massive political game of chess. He commits horrific acts of violence just for fun and doesn’t seem at all capable of forming genuine friendships. While this makes him a morally reprehensible protagonist, it also makes him a fascinating read. As magical forces and strange beasts emerge from the wastelands, Jorg is only concerned with one thing: attaining as much power as humanly possible. This trilogy is the first in a broader universe that Lawrence created, which extends to some of his other books. However, this series is also his most consistent. Every single one of the books in the trilogy is so brilliantly written that it feels like a character study into the mind of a deeply disturbed and traumatized individual. It doesn’t glorify violence; rather, it explains why violence happens and paints a harrowing picture of how the search for power can often end in disaster.
The ‘Mistborn’ Saga (2006-)
Brandon Sanderson is known for his shared literary universe known as the Cosmere. The basic premise of the universe is that each series or stand-alone story is set on its own planet in the same galaxy, each one with a unique and highly complex magic system. Some of these series, like The Stormlight Archive, for example, are kind of up and down. While none of them are by any means bad, their quality can ebb and flow a bit. Mistborn, however, is not one of those series.
Mistborn is sort of the “main” sequence of the Cosmere, which is set to be one massive series comprised of four or five distinct eras. The first era is a Medieval urban fantasy set in the city of Luthadel, concerning the attempt to overthrow the Lord Ruler’s oppressive regime and prevent the coming end of the world. The second era is a steampunk story with a Western twist, which is mainly about stopping wars and putting criminals to justice. So far, there are two short stories, one novella, and seven mainline novels. Of the novels, all of them are masterpieces. Each era has its own distinct charm, sense of humour, and lovable cast of characters. The quality in this one is just top-notch at all times. It’ll be exciting to see what the remaining eras bring to the series.
‘The Lord of the Rings’ Trilogy (1954-1955)
J. R. R. Tolkien‘s The Lord of the Rings trilogy became famous for a reason. Tolkien was known to have developed a sprawling extended universe and mythology, creating entire languages, thousands of years of history, and highly detailed maps, all centred on his fictitious world commonly known as Middle-Earth. The Lord of the Rings is but a small part of this impressive legendarium. The trilogy, as many already know thanks to the incredible films that came out in the early 2000s, is about a quest to destroy a magical ring to stop the spreading influence of the Dark Lord Sauron.
Each book in the trilogy is split into two parts: one following the hobbits on their quest to destroy the Ring, and another featuring Aragorn as he wages war against Sauron, in an effort to divert his attention away from the hobbits. Contained within these pages are cinematic battle sequences, heroic tales of love and sacrifice, and the fight for the greater good. There’s moral wisdom to be found, and a plethora of inspiring moments, which is why fantasy fans keep coming back to them over and over again. To call this trilogy a masterpiece would honestly be kind of an understatement.
Arguably, the biggest challenge that Avengers: Doomsday presents for the Russo Brothers is finding screen time for the entire roster of Marvel Comics’ superheroes across both the MCU and the 20th Century Fox era. Of course, that pales in comparison to the headache that would have accompanied the inclusion of the 80,000+ characters that are peppered throughout the long history of Marvel’s comic books.
Not that anyone’s complaining: the lineup as it stands, a healthy cross-section of heroes both well-known and, at least at one point in time, obscure (we’re looking at you, Guardians of the Galaxy) is still enough to make us nerds of the world drool. Still, there are a number of Marvel heroes who are deserving of the big screen, and if not for the upcoming Avengers: Secret Wars, then at least in Phase 7 of the MCU. Here are the ten that should be at the top of the list, in no particular order.
10
Howard the Duck
Wait, wasn’t there already a Howard the Duck movie? Why yes, yes there was. And it sucked. For that reason alone, the cynical, short-tempered anthropomorphic duck deserves another shot. Plus, his cameos in the Guardian of the Galaxy movies and Marvel’s What If…? series were well-received, teasing a potential future in the MCU that has yet to manifest. Just make it happen, Kevin Feige.
9
Alpha Flight
Everyone knows Wolverine as a member of the X-Men, but his roots lie north of Lake Ontario in the Great White North, Canada, and superhero team Alpha Flight. Overseen by the Canadian military and answering directly to the Canadian Prime Minister, Alpha Flight is, for all intents and purposes, the Canadian Avengers. Founded by scientist James Hudson (who, along with his wife Heather, found Wolverine in the wild after the Weapon X program and nursed him back to health), the team consisted of Wolverine; Hudson, whose exosuit gave him powers as Guardian; twin mutants Jean-Paul and Jeanne-Marie Beaubier, known respectively as Northstar and Aurora, with powers of super-speed and light generation; Walter Langkowski, aka the giant fur-covered Hulk-like beast Sasquatch; First Nations medicine man Michael Twoyoungmen, aka Shaman; and Snowbird, an Inuk demi-goddess.
Their ties to the very popular Wolverine are well-documented, and with the X-Men poised to center the MCU’s Phase 7, it certainly wouldn’t be difficult to bring in Alpha Flight. Like Captain Britain, it adds an international element, albeit much closer to home, that would be a welcome element. And they’d certainly be much more polite.
8
Squirrel Girl
Canadian Doreen Green learned that she could communicate with squirrels at the age of 10, along with other squirrel-like abilities and a prehensile tail, the result of an unknown modification in her genes (but not a mutant). In her first appearance in 1991, Doreen, now 14, finds Iron Man in a forest and works hard to convince him that she should be his sidekick. Her and her pet squirrel Monkey Joe, that is. Doreen makes a solid case for it by rescuing Iron Man from Doctor Doom (!) with the help of a horde of squirrels (which she would also use to take out Maelstrom later on). He still declines her request, but does offer to put in a good word for her to the Avengers when she’s older. Years later, now living in New York City, Squirrel Girl joins the Great Lakes Avengers, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Squirrel Girl is a fun, fun character and deceptively powerful in her own right (did we mention she took out Doctor Doom?), and she’s already been tossed around as a possible addition to the MCU, with Anna Kendrick attached to the role. And if the Great Lakes Avengers does become a thing as hoped, then BOOM. Done. But why should I convince you of Squirrel Girl’s awesomeness when Collider already has?
7
Captain Britain
Captain Britain was created as an exclusive British character to serve as the flagship title of Marvel UK, debuting in the pages of Captain Britain #1 in October 1976, and while three people have held the title, the name most commonly associated with the character is also the first: Brian Braddock. Hailing from the town of Maldon in Essex, Brian left his home after the loss of his parents (believed to be due to a lab accident before later revealed as murder) to study at the Thames University in London. He also spent downtime working at the Darkmoor Nuclear Research Facility, which unfortunately timed with it being attacked by the Reaver. Brian escaped and tried to get help, but the Reaver ran his motorcycle off the road and down a cliff.
Brian lay fatally wounded, but was woken by Merlyn, the magician, and his daughter, Roma. They offered him the chance to save his life by selecting either the Amulet of Right or the Sword of Might. Brian chose the amulet, transforming into Captain Britain and defeating the Reaver. From that point on, whenever needed, all Brian had to do was touch the amulet and become Captain Britain. The character has a strong connection with the X-Men, given his twin sister Betsy, who also held the mantle of Captain Britain, is on the team of mutants as Psylocke, so it would be an easy progression in Phase 7. It would also give the MCU an international element that is largely missing.
6
Nova
A film centered on Nova is reportedly already in the pipeline (and teased to a degree with the Nova Corps’ prominent role in Guardians of the Galaxy), as well it should be. As the story goes, the last surviving member of Xandar’s elite Nova Corps, Rhomann Dey, selects New York high school student Richard Rider to replace him. As a Nova Centurion, Rider has the uniform and powers that come with the role, derived from the Nova Force, giving him powers of flight, superhuman strength, speed, and the ability to redirect energy used against him as gravimetric pulses and beams. But without instructions, Rider has a steep learning curve ahead of him.
Nova has elements of Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, The Greatest American Hero and DC’s Green Lantern Corps all rolled into one, so it’s not all that surprising the character would be on the radar for his own feature. It’s probably more surprising that it hasn’t happened already.
5
Spider-Woman
Reportedly created to fast-track the copyright on the name “Spider-Woman,” the character, introduced in 1977, found success quickly. Her origin, retconned in 2006, saw Jessica Drew gain her powers in her infancy, the result of experiments performed on her by her father that added the genome of a spider to her own. It gave her great strength and agility, the power to generate venom blasts, wall-crawling and the ability to release disruptive pheromones, but also led to her being in a coma state for years. When she was revived, Hydra manipulated her into becoming an agent, but Jessica soon realized their criminal intent and turned to fighting crime as the vigilante Spider-Woman, and as a private investigator in her Jessica Drew persona.
Spider-Woman should have her own film, and as of this writing, there are 2.4 billion plus reasons why. The phenomenal success of Spider-Man: Brand New Day has thrown the doors open for expanding on its success, and a Spider-Woman movie would definitely fit the bill. The private investigator angle, plus the variances in her comparable abilities, are also positives, setting her aside just enough so that a storyline doesn’t, or at least shouldn’t, feel repetitive and less opportunistic.
4
Blue Marvel
Created by Kevin Grevioux and Mat Broome, Adam Brashear was a former fullback at Cornell before enrolling in the Marines to serve in the Korean War. Following the war, Brashear turned to science, and headed an initiative to harness anti-matter from the Negative Zone as a source of power. Only the reactor for the project became unstable, raining radiation on Brashear and turning him into a superpowered “antimatter reactor”: Blue Marvel. Super strength, stamina, speed, capable of manipulating energy, light, and anti-matter thanks to the accident, in addition to his hand-to-hand combat skills, Blue Marvel is powerful… and Black.
It’s the latter that makes Blue Marvel a strong candidate for a film. A Black superhero forced to retire in the 1960s after his secret identity is revealed, sparking outrage from the public that their hero wasn’t white, speaks to a racism that is as prevalent today as it ever was. And with news surrounding Michael B. Jordan‘s Black Superman project, Val Zod, scarce, having a movie about a Black man who is, for all intents and purposes, Superman-like, would certainly fill that void.
3
The Great Lakes Avengers
In the pages of West Coast Avengers #46 (July 1989), Craig Hollis is left for dead after being shot by thieves, only he doesn’t die. In fact, he can’t die: Craig Hollis learns the hard way that he’s immortal. So he decides to become Mr. Immortal, crime-fighter, only the art of simply not dying isn’t entirely feasible for working alone. To that end, he places an ad in a local Milwaukee newspaper, looking for others like himself. Answering the call are Dinah Soar, a humanoid pterosaur with flight and sonic scream abilities; Ashley Crawford, aka Big Bertha, who can alter size and mass; Flatman (Dr. Val Ventura), who is, well, flat; and DeMarr Davis, aka Doorman, who can teleport people and/or objects through solid matter by using his own body.
Together, they form the Great Lakes Avengers… no, the Lightning Rods. Nope. S.W.O.R.D. The Great Lakes X-Men? The Great Lakes Champions? No, it circled back to the Great Lakes Avengers. As you can gather, they’re more comedic in nature, satirical misfits in the vein of Mystery Men. Like that cult classic, there’s potential to have a lot of fun with the Great Lakes Avengers, and a film in the MCU that exists solely as a goofy comedy would bring something refreshing to the table.
2
Beta Ray Bill
What do you get when you cross Thor and Mr. Ed? Korbinite warrior Beta Ray Bill, a character created by Walt Simonson for The Mighty Thor #337 in 1983. He was the assigned protector of a ship filled with Korbinite refugees, left homeless after Surtur destroys their home planet, and when Thor approaches the ship, Beta Ray Bill assumes the worst, given his powers are similar to Surtur’s, and attacks. They fight, with Beta Ray Bill coming out on top and claiming Mjölnir for himself, the first time anyone outside Asgard was deemed worthy to do so. So worthy that Odin orders the dwarves of Svartalfheim to build a new hammer for Beta Ray Bill from the same metal as Mjölnir: Stormbreaker.
His unique equine look is purposeful, with Simonson saying, “I designed Bill deliberately as a monster, because I knew that people would look at it and go, ‘Oh my God, it’s this evil guy.’ I deliberately wrote them so you weren’t sure in the beginning if he was a good guy or a bad guy.” It worked fabulously, with Beta Ray Bill quickly becoming a fan favorite as a staunch, honorable ally of Thor’s over the years. He’s a character fans would love to see come alive on screen, and certainly in a bigger manner than the passing “cameo” he was given in Thor: Ragnarok. As his history would suggest, he’s certainly worthy.
1
Ka-Zar
The first Ka-Zar, David Rand, appeared in the pulp magazine Ka-Zar #1 in October 1936 from Manvis Publishing before moving over to Timely Comics, which would eventually become Marvel Comics, meaning Ka-Zar is, technically, Marvel’s first comic book hero. He was also more brazenly a Tarzan wannabe, whose last appearance was in Marvel Mystery Comics #27 in 1942. He would find new life in 1965, recreated by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby for The X-Men #10 as Kevin Reginald, Lord Plunder, the son of an English nobleman. His father is the one who discovered the Savage Land, a region hidden in Antarctica populated by dinosaurs, and was killed soon after. Luckily, a saber-toothed cat named Zabu of near-human intelligence, found and raised him.
He would grow to become the unofficial protector of the Savage Land, which is where his encounters with the larger Marvel universe stem from. He’s fought alongside the X-Men, the Avengers, Daredevil and the Hulk against the likes of Terminus, Kraven the Hunter, and even Thanos, who he beat in hand-to-hand combat in 1998’s Ka-Zar #11. Oh, and he also happened to be a herald of Galactus between 2021 and 2023. Long story short, Ka-Zar has crossed paths with a lot of other heroes and villains, most of which are already in, or about to be, in the MCU, so there is a natural connection there, and seeing the Savage Land — and Shanna the She-Devil — on film would be pretty sweet. Besides, at 90-years-old and counting, Ka-Zar’s put in his time.
Taylor Sheridan gained a reputation for bringing the Western back to TV, most notably through Yellowstone and its fleet of spinoffs. However, he did produce another Western that follows a real-life figure in Lawmen: Bass Reeves. Starring David Oyelowo in the title role, Lawmen: Bass Reeves chronicles Reeves’ career as a deputy U.S. Marshal who holds a staggering record of 3,000 arrests. It’s one of Sheridan’s more underrated projects, but worth a watch for Western fans and history buffs alike. Later this year, Netflix is bringing a wildly different take on Bass Reeves’s story to life with a new anime series.
The series, titled Bass X Machina, stars Brian Tyree Henry (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) as Reeves, and will also cover his career as a lawman. However, that’s where the similarities end, since Bass X Machina is taking a sci-fi approach to Reeves’ story, according to its official logline.
“In a lawless Steampunk West overrun by brutal outlaws, machines, and supernatural terrors, a father is forced to become judge, jury, and executioner — knowing that every act of justice meant to protect his family may ultimately cost him the very people he’s fighting to save.”
In addition to facing off against massive steam-powered robots and fighting on floating trains, Bass X Machina also features Reeves packing a cybernetic arm with a collection of guns built into it. Bass X Machina might be an unorthodox approach to such a legendary figure, but it definitely stands out from what Oyelowo and Sheridan brought to the table.
A Legendary Animation Studio Is Bringing ‘Bass X Machina’ to Life
Based on the exclusive sneak peekNetflix shared with Collider, Bass X Machina is going to be a gorgeous-looking anime. Everything from Reeves’ movements to the mechanical monstrosities he fights immediately draws the eye, thanks to fluid motion and a unique design that keeps the Western aesthetic intact. Studio Mir handles the animation for Bass X Machina; if that name sounds familiar, it’s because this studio has produced some of the biggest hits in modern animation. Studio Mir rose to prominence with Avatar: The Last Airbender and has continued to work on other projects like X-Men ’97 and My Adventures with Superman. It’s also maintained a steady relationship with Netflix after animating Devil May Cry, which features the same over-the-top elements as Bass X Machina.
Bass X Machina also features the creative talents of LeSean Thomas, who developed the series and serves as its executive producer alongside Brian Tyree Henry. If Taylor Sheridan has become synonymous with bringing Westerns to television, then Thomas is synonymous with working on anime and anime-influenced products. His prior work includes The Legend of Korra and The Boondocks, and he also created original anime like Cannon Busters for Netflix. This pedigree means that Bass X Machina will stand out among Netflix’s anime offerings.
Before ‘Bass X Machina,’ Netflix Delivered Another Anime Based on a Historical Figure
Image via Netflix
Ironically, Bass X Machina won’t be the first time that LeSean Thomas filtered a historical figure’s story through the lens of anime. In 2021, Thomas brought Yasuke to the streamer, teaming with legendary anime studio MAPPA (Attack on Titan) in the process. Like Bass X Machina, Yasuke tells the real-life story of the titular Black samurai; it also weaves supernatural elements into its narrative as Yasuke (voiced by LaKeith Stanfield) faces off against a legion of demons and steampunk warriors. Thomas’ approach to Black history may be unorthodox, but it adds real variety to the types of Black stories told on screen.
The life of Bass Reeves has inspired many forms of pop culture, including the Lone Ranger. Bass X Machina is the latest attempt, and it looks like Netflix is pulling out all the stops to make this a series worth watching.
Bass X Machina premieres on Netflix on November 3. Lawmen: Bass Reeves is currently available to stream on Paramount+.
- Release Date
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2023 – 2023-00-00
- Network
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Paramount+
There’s a specific way you sit differently when a show is actually working on you, leaning forward, phone facedown, not even reaching for a snack during a tense scene because you don’t want to miss a single second. These five all do that to me at some point, sometimes for a whole episode straight.
None of them rely purely on jump scares or gore to get that reaction either. Most of the tension here comes from not knowing who to trust, or knowing exactly what’s coming and still not being able to look away from it. These are by far the most chilling and thrilling suspenseful shows released so far.
5
‘The Night Agent’ (2023–2025)
A phone in the White House basement hasn’t rung in years, and Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso), the agent assigned to babysit it, has basically accepted his job as a dead-end nobody who no one takes seriously. Then one night it actually rings, which pulls him into a conspiracy involving a mole buried somewhere inside the White House. Rose Larkin (Luciane Buchanan) ends up on the run alongside him almost immediately, and the show barely slows down from there.
It’s based on a novel by Matthew Quirk, trimmed down to keep the momentum constant from episode to episode. Netflix reported it as one of the most-watched shows in the platform’s history within its first few weeks. There’s nothing groundbreaking about the plot mechanics, betrayals, twists, a countdown clock, but the paranoid momentum works because the pacing never really lets up.
4
‘The Fall of the House of Usher’ (2023)
Roderick Usher (Bruce Greenwood), head of a massively wealthy pharmaceutical company, watches his children die one by one, each death staged as its own twisted homage to a different Edgar Allan Poe story. Mike Flanagan built the whole show as a retelling that stitches together nearly Poe’s entire body of work into one family tragedy. Verna (Carla Gugino) shows up throughout as a strange, shape-shifting figure tied to a deal Roderick made decades earlier.
This was Flanagan’s last project for Netflix before he moved his team to Amazon, and it plays like a director cashing in every favor he’d been saving up for years. The pharmaceutical angle gives the gothic horror a sharp, contemporary edge, tying old ghost story tropes directly to real corporate greed. Each death sequence works almost like its own short film, distinct in tone from the one before it.
3
‘Severance’ (2022– )
Employees at Lumon Industries can undergo a procedure that splits their memory in half, one version exists only at work, the other lives a normal life with zero memory of the job. Mark Scout (Adam Scott) works there to escape grief he doesn’t want to carry all day. Ben Stiller directs several episodes, and the office gets shot with a sterile precision.
The mystery of what Lumon actually does moves so carefully that fan theories have filled in gaps the show hasn’t addressed yet. Every small detail in the office design matters eventually, nothing here is just background decoration. The show also finds a dark comedy buried inside the dread, corporate jargon and meaningless perks used as tools of control rather than kindness.
2
‘The Last of Us’ (2023– )
A fungal infection turns most of the population into something closer to a hive-minded monster than a traditional zombie, and Joel (Pedro Pascal) gets hired to escort a teenage girl named Ellie (Bella Ramsey) across a devastated America. Ellie turns out to be immune, which might make her the key to an actual cure. The show keeps most of the game’s emotional beats while expanding certain side characters well beyond their original scope.
Episode three, a mostly standalone story about two survivors named Bill (Nick Offerman) and Frank (Murray Bartlett), became one of the most talked-about hours of television that year, and it barely features either lead. The infected stay frightening throughout, but the frightening parts usually comes from other survivors willing to do horrible things just to protect what little they have left.
1
‘Squid Game’ (2021–2025)
Hundreds of deeply indebted people get recruited to play deadly children’s games for a massive cash prize, and Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) signs up out of pure desperation. The show is a direct allegory for capitalism and class inequality, and that message stays sharp without overwhelming the tension of watching people die playing tug-of-war. The bright, pastel production design makes every death feel more jarring by contrast.
It became Netflix’s most-watched show ever within weeks, turning a niche Korean production into a global phenomenon almost overnight. Each character represents a different kind of desperation, debt, addiction, loyalty, survival instinct, without feeling like a simple morality lesson. Later seasons expanded the story further, but this first outing remains the tightest, most purely tense version of the concept.
Squid Game
- Release Date
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2021 – 2025
- Network
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Netflix
- Showrunner
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Hwang Dong-hyuk
- Directors
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Hwang Dong-hyuk
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Wi Ha-jun
Detective Hwang Jun-ho
Fantasy movies have a unique ability to make audiences forget about the real world for a couple of hours. They can take us to magical lands filled with fantastical beings or transport those fascinating creatures to our world. These movies are often a gamble because they’re so hard to get right, but franchises like Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings have become household names and have legions of devoted fans.
In this list, you will find only enjoyable fantasy movies, ranging from beloved animated adventures to epic trilogies and wildly entertaining blockbusters. Some of them are inspired by original stories, and some are exemplary adaptations from their source materials. These movies have the power to connect with the audience and make them wish they lived and breathed the same air as the characters in their world.
‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ (2023)
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves follows Edgin (Chris Pine), who escapes from prison alongside his barbarian friend Holga (Michelle Rodriguez) and sets out to reunite with his daughter. But the wizard Sofina (Daisy Head) has taken over Neverwinter, so Edgin assembles a ragtag crew consisting of Holga, the inexperienced sorcerer Simon (Justice Smith), and the druid Doric (Sophia Lillis) to defeat the wizard and find his way back to his daughter.
Unlike the maligned 2000 movie adaptation that depicts the D&D universe as a generic fantasy world, this Dungeons & Dragons film is able to emulate the experience of playing the popular role-playing game. It has the unique elements and embraces the unpredictability of an actual tabletop adventure: plans go wrong, spells do not work as they’re intended, and characters frequently fail, or even one character is hilariously overpowered. The result is a breezy, fun and funny adventure film that is both rich and entertaining. It’s just a shame that the film did not meet the numbers it needed to reach at the box office, effectively closing the chances for a sequel.
‘Labyrinth’ (1986)
Labyrinth follows Sarah (Jennifer Connelly), a teenager who becomes frustrated with having to babysit her infant half-brother and impulsively wishes for him to be taken away. Her wish is granted by the Goblin King Jareth (David Bowie), who carries Toby into his kingdom and gives Sarah only thirteen hours to find him.
The sheer imagination of Labyrinth is what makes it so satisfying. Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets and The Dark Crystal, fills nearly every corner of the film with something strange to look at. The practical creatures are a marvel in themselves to watch, yet the movie is more than a collection of memorable visuals. Jennifer Connelly delivers a breakthrough performance, while David Bowie gives an unpredictable and weird sense of fun to Jareth. The film was not a success at the box office, but it has since been reappraised and emerged as a cult classic.
‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’ (1989)
Kiki’s Delivery Service follows the titular Kiki, a thirteen-year-old witch who leaves home with her black cat Jiji as part of the traditional year-long journey for young witches to become independent. She settles in the seaside city of Koriko, where she begins a delivery service using her ability to fly. While she’s excited about living on her own, she also struggles to prove that she can succeed on her own.
Unlike the other fantasy movies on this list, Kiki’s Delivery Service is smaller in scale, a slice-of-life story in a fantastical world. It turns something as simple as delivering a package into a delightful adventure. This coming-of-age film captures the excitement of being young and independent while also acknowledging that freedom can be intimidating and lonely. Kiki becomes a very relatable protagonist because her challenges are so relevant and close to us. Hayao Miyazaki‘s warm touch to everyday details makes the film engaging and heartwarming to watch.
‘The Mummy’ (1999)
The Mummy follows Rick O’Connell (Brendan Fraser), who joins librarian and aspiring Egyptologist Evelyn Carnahan (Rachel Weisz) on an expedition to the ancient Egyptian city of Hamunaptra. Their search for treasure leads them to the tomb of Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo), an ancient priest who was condemned to eternal punishment after attempting to resurrect his forbidden lover. When Imhotep is accidentally awakened, Rick, Evelyn and their group must find a way to stop the resurrected mummy from unleashing his wrath.
Put this in the category of “they don’t make movies like this anymore.” Stephen Sommers The Mummy is an unashamedly fun adventure film with a feel and atmosphere rarely found today, combining elements of the monster movie, romantic comedy, and supernatural horror. Fraser’s Rick O’Connell is an immediately likable action hero, Evelyn brings intelligence and enthusiasm to the adventure, and their chemistry gives the movie a surprisingly warm center. With memorable moments, like the Mummy face sandstorm and those creepy beetles, the film is an enduring fan favorite. Fans will be entertained by another adventure in the highly anticipated The Mummy 4.
‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)
The Princess Bride follows Buttercup (Robin Wright), who believes her true love Westley (Cary Elwes) has been killed, only to discover that he has returned years later as the mysterious Man in Black. After Buttercup is kidnapped by a trio consisting of the scheming Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), the enormous Fezzik (Andre the Giant), and the master swordsman Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin), Westley sets out to rescue her.
Directed by Rob Reiner, The Princess Bride is an inconceivably perfect fantasy film. It has sword fights, castles, pirates, romance, revenge, and impossible rescues, but it approaches all of them with a playful sense of humor that makes it feel breezy and light. At the same time, its comedy never completely destroys the fantasy because the characters genuinely care about what happens to one another. Audiences can never forget the eccentric trio, especially Inigo Montoya. The film is endlessly quotable and just very cozy to be revisited anytime.
‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ (2005)
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe follows siblings Peter (William Moseley), Susan (Anne Popplewell), Edmund (Skandar Keynes), and Lucy Pevensie (Georgie Henley), who stumble into a magical world hidden inside an old wardrobe. Lucy is the first to enter Narnia, where she encounters the faun Mr. Tumnus (James McAvoy), but her siblings initially doubt her story. When all four eventually enter the wardrobe, they discover a kingdom trapped in an endless winter by the White Witch (Tilda Swinton).
The first Narnia film is a Christmas classic that can also be enjoyed all year round. Its premise that there’s a magical world just behind a wardrobe is every child’s dream. The four Pevensie siblings are also great protagonists. There is something genuinely exciting about watching the world expand from Lucy’s first meeting with Mr. Tumnus into a big high-stakes conflict. Drawing from the rich C.S. Lewis novel, the film is not afraid to be serious, most notably in the final battle, which has an outstanding blend of on-location shooting, practical effects and CGI. A new generation of audiences will be treated to a new Narnia film, directed by Greta Gerwig next year.
‘How to Train Your Dragon’ (2010)
How to Train Your Dragon centers on Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), a young Viking living on the island of Berk, where fighting dragons is considered a necessary part of life. After encountering an injured Night Fury that he names Toothless, Hiccup secretly begins developing a friendship with the creature and discovers that the dragons are not the monsters his community believes them to be.
Based on a popular book series, the movie is a coming-of-age story wrapped in the pure exhilaration of a fantasy adventure. The relationship between Hiccup and Toothless gives the film its emotional center, while the flying sequences are genuinely thrilling, particularly because Toothless feels like a living creature rather than simply a fantasy being. The film also has an excellent sense of humor, a colorful world, memorable supporting characters, and just enough danger to give its emotional moments weight. How to Train Your Dragon became an acclaimed trilogy, and even has a live-action version.
‘The Lord of the Rings’ Trilogy (2001–2003)
The Lord of the Rings trilogy follows a group of different people uniting to destroy the One Ring, which was created by the dark lord Sauron to conquer Middle-earth. At the center of it all is Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood), a young hobbit who undertakes the burden of carrying the Ring all the way to Mordor.
Peter Jackson‘s Lord of the Rings trilogy was a game changer in Hollywood, shot back-to-back without any guarantee of success. The cast mostly were not household names, and the films were Jackson’s first foray into big-budget filmmaking. However, the gamble paid off. The trilogy has spectacular CGI, engrossing characters, and large-scale production that is almost unseen in current times. Each film feels like another stage of the same enormous adventure, with events and character arcs building toward genuinely satisfying payoffs. Many attempts have been made to capture the same magic, but the OG The Lord of the Rings trilogy remains untouched.
‘Shrek 2’ (2004)
Shrek 2 picks up after Shrek (Mike Myers) and Fiona’s (Cameron Diaz) marriage, with the newlyweds returning from their honeymoon only to be invited to meet Fiona’s parents in the kingdom of Far Far Away. The visit quickly becomes awkward when Fiona’s parents discover that their daughter has married an ogre, while Shrek feels that he does not belong in Fiona’s world. Meanwhile, the sneaky Fairy Godmother (Jennifer Saunders) wants Fiona to marry her son, Prince Charming (Rupert Everett).
Shrek 2 might be the best animated sequel ever made. It doubles down on its premise that makes fun of the traditional fairy tale stories while also delivering a truly heartfelt story. New characters like Antonio Banderas‘ Puss in Boots, Prince Charming, and the Fairy Godmother are worthy additions to the story. Packed with smart jokes, pop culture references, and a great soundtrack (“Holding Out for a Hero” is now synonymous with this film), Shrek 2 is a truly satisfying and entertaining film for all ages and every generation.
‘Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl’ (2003)
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl follows Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), who seeks to reclaim his stolen ship from Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush). Jack’s path crosses with Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), the daughter of a British governor, who is kidnapped by Barbossa to lift the curse that befell his crew. Blacksmith Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), who is in love with Elizabeth, joins the adventure to save her.
It must be noted that everyone thought adapting a theme park ride was a bad idea, especially a pirate-themed one. Gore Verbinski proved the world wrong with this swashbuckling fantasy adventure. Led by an eccentric yet never annoying performance by Johnny Depp, the first Pirates film is an exemplary feat of filmmaking. It boasts an iconic soundtrack, challenging CGI effects, and an all-round fun atmosphere. Most of the scenes were shot on location, with an actual Black Pearl set built. The franchise went bigger with the next two films, which many argue could be one of the best blockbuster trilogies of all time.
For most of his career, Ed Sheeran managed something many global superstars never do, staying largely outside the political crossfire that consumes public figures.
His music appealed to broad audiences, his concerts stayed focused on songs rather than statements, and controversy rarely lingered. That changed dramatically this month.
Now, as a dispute tied to his tour continues to dominate headlines, Sheeran is discovering what happens when an artist who tried to avoid taking sides suddenly becomes the story.
Ed Sheeran’s Attempt To Please Everyone Leaves Nobody Happy
One of the stranger realities of the past week is that Ed Sheeran is facing criticism from multiple directions at the same time.
As The Blast shared, the controversy began after Macklemore made pro-Palestinian remarks during Sheeran’s New Jersey concerts. What followed was a chain reaction few could have predicted.
Macklemore exited the tour after what he described as a week of “difficult conversations” with Sheeran.
Soon afterward, Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and members of Beoga also announced departures in solidarity with Macklemore and Palestine.
As pressure mounted, the “Shape of You” singer addressed the issue publicly. During a Philadelphia show, he described Gaza as “catastrophic and unjustifiable” while also calling Hamas’ October 7 attacks “horrific.”
Yet the statement did little to ease tensions. Instead, it intensified debate around a performer who had previously insisted he did not want politics to become part of his concerts.
Sheeran Says He Questioned Whether He Wanted To Be An Artist At All
Lost beneath the political arguments was something more personal: the effect the backlash was having on Sheeran himself.
Standing before 50,000 fans in Philadelphia, the singer said the turmoil had pushed him into genuine uncertainty.
“The last week of my life has been one of the worst weeks of my life,” he admitted.
The comment wasn’t simply about tour logistics or negative headlines. The 35-year-old went further, explaining just how dramatically the situation had shaken his confidence.
“I really didn’t know whether this tour would be carrying on. I really didn’t know whether I’d even be getting on stage again, whether I even wanted to be an artist at all. In these situations, you really find out who your friends are, and it’s been a weird week,” Sheeran said.
Ed Sheeran’s Instagram Numbers Tell The Story Of A Fan Base In Flux
While the emotional fallout played out onstage, another measure of the controversy was unfolding online.
Before Macklemore announced his departure, Sheeran’s Instagram account stood at roughly 47.6 million followers. Within days, the figure began falling sharply.
According to a Daily Mail report, nearly 150,000 followers disappeared on September 15 alone after the Grammy winner publicly addressed the controversy.
More losses followed the next day, and the decline continued throughout the week. By September 23, his audience had dropped to approximately 47.2 million followers.
At the same time, the artists connected to the dispute were experiencing the opposite trend. Reports revealed that Macklemore, Finneas, Graham, Rowe, and Beoga collectively gained about 1.6 million followers after the tour fallout became public.
More From The Blast
Charlotte Church Says Sheeran Chose ‘Capitalism’ Over Principle
Amid the fallout from the Loop Tour controversy, some of the sharpest criticism has come from fellow musicians.
Among the latest voices to weigh in is Welsh singer Charlotte Church, who used a recent concert in Cardiff to publicly call out Ed Sheeran over the handling of the Macklemore situation.
Rather than focusing on the tour logistics, Church framed the issue as a question of responsibility and influence.
Addressing the crowd, she argued that Sheeran had a rare opportunity to use his platform differently.
“Whilst he has made millions and has an enormous following, he has an enormous platform to do real good in the world,” she said, per The Guardian.
Church then delivered the line that quickly made headlines across multiple outlets. She stated, “He chose consumerism and capitalism over doing the right thing. Ed Sheeran, we’re watching you. Free Palestine.”
Ed Sheeran’s Cousin Turns The Tour Crisis Into A Family Feud
If criticism from fellow artists intensified the pressure surrounding Sheeran, some of the most surprising backlash came from much closer to home.
As reported by The Blast, Sheeran’s cousin, Jethro, better known by his stage name Alonestar and a longtime collaborator of the singer, launched an extraordinary public attack on his cousin.
In a series of posts and interviews, Jethro accused Sheeran of being far more involved in the decision than he has publicly acknowledged.
“He’s dropped Macklemore himself—I believe 100%,” Jethro said before delivering the comment that became the centerpiece of news coverage. “He’s a coward,” he said.
But the criticism didn’t stop there. Jethro also accused his cousin of being a “selfish individual with malicious, cunning ways” and claimed the public was finally seeing a different side of the Grammy winner.
In one particularly pointed message, he wrote, “Finally it’s all coming out! I’m ashamed of my Cousin Ed.”
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When it’s too chilly for tanks yet too hot for coats, the right cardigan sweater changes the game. But cardigans can lean frumpy, which is why we’re swooning over Chrissy Teigen‘s classy, elevated version. We found her rich mom look on sale for only $33!
In an Instagram post, Teigen showed off her brand’s pancake mix wearing the easiest everyday uniform. She rocked relaxed jeans, a simple tank and a light-brown cashmere-blend cardigan on top. The catch? That buttery caramel layer costs $550, but this Amazon twin is practically identical. Rich moms (and Us) are stocking up!
Get the Lillusory Lightweight Cardigan for $30 (was $40) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.
Like Teigen’s, this Lillusory Lightweight Cardigan features a similar caramel hue, dainty buttons and refined shape. Better yet, it has a modest crop and tailored fit, which is exactly why it looks so good with high-waisted denim, a Teigen favorite.
Ribbed hems, stretchy fabric and a round neckline round out this classy fall piece (pun intended), so it’s no wonder shoppers are obsessed. One five-star reviewer wrote, “It’s got cashmere-like softness to the material. Feels like you’re wrapped up in a blanket, but it’s not too thick.”
Another happy fan shared, “It hits right at the waist, which makes it perfect for pairing with high-waisted jeans or skirts.”
This easy layering style works for school pickups, brunches and quick coffee runs when you want to appear pulled together in two seconds flat. We understand why the look is Teigen-approved!
Get the Lillusory Lightweight Cardigan for $30 (was $40) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.
Looking for something else? Explore more chic knits, and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!
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While the streaming era as a whole has provided a great deal of engaging and iconic original content across a wide variety of different streaming services, Netflix has continued to be at the forefront when it comes to its original content. The platform has proven time and time again why it is the king of the streaming era, with its multitude of original films being just one way that it has held dominance over other streaming services. While Netflix has provided many iconic titles in a wide variety of genres, some of their strongest offerings are easily in the realm of comedy.
Ranging from exclusive installments in massive comedy film series, or new stories brought to life by the modern day’s biggest and brightest comedic filmmakers, there is no shortage of brilliant original comedies on the platform. When it comes to the absolute best comedies that the platform has released, the films have been highly regarded and considered some of the most successful and beloved comedy films of recent memory.
Easily one of the most underrated Netflix original films out there, Metal Lords is a coming-of-age teen comedy that follows a duo of misfits with big dreams of performing a heavy metal song at their school’s battle of the bands, becoming school legends just like their heroes. The overwhelming strength of the film is its signature sense of charm and earnestness, finding an effective balance between comedic elements and some genuine emotional heart.
Especially as so many other teen movies of the modern age feel limited by characters that act more as caricatures and basic personality traits, Metal Lords gets a lot of mileage out of treating its characters like real people, with a layered understanding of the stresses and difficulties of modern teenage life. While it might not be one of the first films that come to mind when considering the must-watch Netflix comedies, Metal Lords is absolutely worth checking out for fans of the teen coming-of-age genre.
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‘Always Be My Maybe’ (2019)
One of the better romantic comedies on the platform, Always Be My Maybe follows the story of Sasha (Ali Wong) and Marcus (Randall Park), two childhood friends who drifted apart after an awkward fling. However, fifteen years later, fate has seemingly brought the two together again, yet the stark differences between Sasha’s life as a world-famous chef and Marcus’s average, local lifestyle prove to come with their own difficulties. However, it’s undeniable that the two still have sparks, so they do their best to make this second chance at a relationship work.
As with all great romantic comedies, the crux and biggest strength of Always Be My Maybe comes from the genuine connection and on-screen chemistry between Wong and Park. Both in terms of the genuine romance that the characters build throughout the film, and acting as great comedic foils that constantly bounce off of one another, the duo are on-screen dynamite. As far as Netflix’s original romantic comedy movies, Always Be My Maybe is easily one of their best.
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‘They Cloned Tyrone’ (2023)
An exceptionally hilarious sci-fi satire defined by an overwhelming sense of style and personality in its filmmaking, They Cloned Tyrone proves to be much more insightful and intelligent with its comedy than the average Netflix original movie. It follows the unlikely trio of a drug dealer (John Boyega), one of his customers (Jamie Foxx), and a sex worker (Teyonah Parris) uncovering a mass cloning conspiracy happening right underneath their town, as it seems that every aspect of their lives has been set up by a nefarious shadow government.
From the extravagant costumes to the over-the-top set designs and background elements, They Cloned Tyrone places a lot of emphasis on the smallest of details to create a satirical edge to its world, making its shift to conspiratorial sci-fi all the more effective. It also helps that Boyega, Foxx, and Parris each provide exceptional comedic performances, bouncing off of one another and adding layers to this story of clones and conspiracy.
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‘Don’t Look Up’ (2021)
Acting as an in-your-face satire of climate change, Don’t Look Up follows two low-level astronomers who come upon the terrifying discovery that a meteor is set to crash into Earth in six months. In an attempt to warn everyone about the impending doom of the planet, they attempt to go on a press tour to spread the word and hopefully get a solution rolling. However, much to their dismay, most of the world either doesn’t believe their claims, or even worse, doesn’t care.
Adam McKay‘s recent comedy films have always been able to successfully toe the line between biting and cutthroat satire with a signature, broadly appealing style of humor that greatly defined his earlier works. Don’t Look Up acts as the true pinnacle and combination of the two eras of his career, able to feature both relevant social commentary with absurdist characters and caricatures to create a distinct viewing experience. While not everybody’s cup of tea, it’s hard to deny the reach and impact that the film has had, being one of Netflix’s most successful films of all time, comedy or otherwise.
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‘The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)’ (2017)
One of many distinct collaborations between Netflix and acclaimed director Noah Baumbach, The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) follows the estranged Meyerowitz family during a long-awaited reunion. With the father of the family, Harold Meyerowitz, having an event in New York meant to celebrate his artistic work, the rest of the family, including the likes of Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, and Emma Thompson, come together for a celebration. It doesn’t take long, however, before the family falls back on the infighting and division that had kept them away to begin with.
While not as award-winning or recognized as Baumbach’s other iconic film for Netflix, Marriage Story, The Meyerowitz Stories significantly leans more into Baumbach’s talents as a comedic writer. His signature writing style combined with the all-star cast of comedic legends comes to create one of the most distinct and consistently hilarious comedies that Netflix has ever released. It’s a film that also features as much thematic resonance and powerful themes of familial ties and division as it does hilarious comedic moments that continue to stay funny on every rewatch.
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‘The Half of It’ (2020)
The Half of It is a coming-of-age romantic comedy that follows Ellie, a reclusive straight-A student who has spent her high school years isolated from the rest of the student body. She soon finds herself being hired by straight-D student Paul, who needs help in charming the most popular girl in school and wants to use Ellie’s writing abilities to make the perfect love letters. All seems good at first before Ellie soon realizes that she is also beginning to form feelings for the same girl that Paul is into.
While many modern coming-of-age movies have floundered because of how inauthentic and unrelatable their characters were to modern teens, The Half of It succeeds where its contemporaries largely fail. The film takes a much more grounded and realistic approach to the classic teen romance story, showing that it’s OK when not everything goes according to plan, as the rocky teenage years are unpredictable and are never perfect for anyone. It has a level of respect for its audience that is rare in teen movies, making it a highly commendable take on the genre.
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‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines’ (2021)
Easily the definitive animated comedy movie to be released by Netflix, The Mitchells vs. the Machines is a wild, unrestrained love letter to the very notions of filmmaking and creating insane, deeply personal art. Blending together a story of artistic vision, a classic family road trip, and a sci-fi story of saving the world from a robot apocalypse, the film embraces its lack of normalcy and the absolute weirdness of art and trying to be a family.
The major highlight of the film is the absolutely stunning animation, rife with personality and comedic flourishes throughout the entire thing that serve to elevate the entire experience. It’s a film tailor-made for the social outcasts and animation nerds of the world, with enough engaging central theming around family dynamics to make it a feel-good experience for the entire family. It’s easy to see the film as one of the very best animated films Netflix has released, and it works in its favor that it also happens to be hilarious from start to finish.
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‘Bad Trip’ (2021)
A wild hidden camera comedy in the same vein as Borat and Jackass, Bad Trip follows best friends Chris (Eric Andre) and Bud (Lil Rel Howery) as they embark on a wild road trip across the country. While on their journey, they play a part in a multitude of crazy pranks and shenanigans that pull real-life people into the mayhem of the story, as they adjust the story based on their interactions. At the same time, the duo is being chased down by Bud’s sister Trina (Tiffany Haddish), who is getting up to her own inklings of chaos while hunting the duo down.
While there have been a multitude of failed attempts over the years to recapture the same manic, pranking hidden camera energy of Borat, the only comedian who was truly going to be able to come close to this manic energy was Eric Andre. Andre’s experience and similar absurdist prank-based humor seen in his show, The Eric Andre Show, is simply brought to the next level in Bad Trip, with a cinematic budget giving them limitless possibilities for the chaos that unfolds. Especially for fans of Andre’s other works, Bad Trip is a must-watch comedy experience.
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‘Do Revenge’ (2022)
Acting as a modern-day love letter to the classic clique-based teen movies of the late 90s and early 2000s, Do Revenge perfectly recaptures the manic and cutthroat comedic energy of films like Mean Girls and Clueless. The film follows the story of Drea, a former queen bee at her private high school who has her entire social life crashing down around her, losing her status and all of her friends in the process. However, after meeting with new student Eleanor, the two hatch a scheme to get revenge on each other’s worst enemies, earning their way back to the top in the process.
Do Revenge is easily one of the best, most underrated teen movies in recent memory, acting as a perfect modernization of the classic revenge-based teen movie. Even more than simply rehashing and revitalizing a once popular trend, Do Revenge builds upon and twists the conventions of its premise to create a wildly engaging and highly unpredictable story. Still, comedy has always been the strongest aspect of these films, and Do Revenge, much like the films that inspired it, is chock full of quotable lines and hilariously memorable moments that make it a Netflix movie designed for endless rewatches.
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‘Paddleton’ (2019)
Paddleton accomplishes the difficult task of finding the humor and pleasant moments in one of the darkest and dreariest things a human can go through. The film follows the story of Michael and Andy, two misfit neighbors who have become the closest of friends, playing games of Paddleton together and watching their favorite kung fu movie. Their friendship, however, is now taking an emotional turn, as Michael is diagnosed with terminal cancer and requests Andy’s help in making his last days on Earth worthwhile.
It’s easy to mess up a film like Paddleton, as the stark contrast between awkward, uncomfortable comedy and a genuinely uncomfortable experience can easily be misconstrued by an audience. However, what makes the film work so exceptionally well are the performances and genuine chemistry between Mark Duplass and Ray Romano, who sell their years-long friendship with constant riffing and genuine back-and-forth. Even when it gets to its most emotional and heartbreaking moments, the film still understands the importance of humor, even in the darkest of times.
Former Home Improvement star Jonathan Taylor Thomas allegedly kicked a police officer in the stomach prior to his arrest in Los Angeles earlier this week.
A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department confirmed to Us on Wednesday, September 23, that Thomas, 45, was taken into custody on Monday, September 21, following a traffic stop at Westlake Boulevard and Townsgate Road in Westlake Village.
Thomas was allegedly in the passenger seat of a car stopped by officers for “blocking traffic” when it was stopped at an intersection during a green light.
“Deputies pulled alongside the vehicle to see if the driver needed assistance,” a police spokesperson confirmed to Us. “Deputies noticed the driver was acting odd and appeared to be intoxicated. Deputies conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle for the violation and conducted a driving under the influence investigation.”
Jonathan Taylor Thomas became a household name after appearing on Home Improvement, but the child star eventually turned away from the spotlight. Thomas, now 44, got his start at 9 years old when he appeared on The Bradys before voicing young Simba in The Lion King and starring in other films such as Man of […]
According to the LASD, Thomas (real name Jonathan Taylor Weiss) “appeared intoxicated” when he was instructed to remain inside the passenger seat of the vehicle.
“[Thomas] continually exited the vehicle and approached the deputies, distracting them from their investigation,” a police statement read. “Deputies attempted to detain [Thomas] for obstruction and public intoxication, at which point, Weiss kicked a deputy in the stomach.”
The Lion King voice actor was “arrested, transported, and booked” at the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station on charges of obstructing or resisting an officer, police said.
“The case will be submitted to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration,” police said.
Us has reached out to Thomas for comment.
Tim Allen, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Zachery Ty Bryan, Patricia Richardson and Taran Noah Smith on “Home Improvement” Touchstone Television / Courtesy: Everett Collection
After starting his acting career at 9 years old, Thomas had his breakthrough playing Randy Taylor on Home Improvement, in which he starred opposite Tim Allen, Patricia Richardson, Taran Noah Smith, Zachery Ty Bryan, Richard Karn and Debbe Dunning. The classic sitcom aired on ABC from 1991 to 1999.
Thomas became a teen heartthrob, landing leading roles in teen adventure movie Wild America and the festive rom-com I’ll Be Home for Christmas in the late 1990s. However, he stepped away from acting following a string of guest appearances on Smallville, Veronica Mars and a four-episode reunion with Allen, 73, on Last Man Standing.
Allen recently spoke exclusively to Us about potential roadblocks to getting a long-awaited Home Improvement revival off the ground.
“They keep talking about how it could move forward, but they get stuck [because] there are some personality problems right now with the boys,” Allen revealed to Us in June. “They’ve got their own issues. I always thought it would be cool if it was a story about them. That’s a little challenging right now, to put it mildly.”
(Bryan, 44, has had a string of legal issues over the years, including DUIs arrests and alleged incidents of domestic assault.)
Jonathan Taylor Thomas became a household name after appearing on Home Improvement, but the child star eventually turned away from the spotlight. Thomas, now 44, got his start at 9 years old when he appeared on The Bradys before voicing young Simba in The Lion King and starring in other films such as Man of […]
Earlier this year, Allen admitted to Us that he struggled to offer fatherly advice to Bryan, Thomas and Smith, 42, while they were filming Home Improvement.
“It was new to me and it took a while for me to be that [father figure]. I felt like more of a funny, mischievous older brother for quite a while — especially to the boys on Home Improvement,” he acknowledged. “It’s difficult because I said when it was easy to be a TV parent, it’s easy. When it’s difficult to be a TV parent, you really are of no value.”
Allen noted that some of his younger costars went through “personal, horrible trauma” in their adolescence.
“[For example with the] Home Improvement kids, it was so long ago and I was brand new at that and it was very difficult for me to be anywhere near a mentor or guide,” he told Us.
Since books have been a thing for so long, and many books themselves are also so long, it can be hard to fully “catch up” with the art form overall the way you might almost be able to do with movies or video games. Okay, emphasis on the “almost” there, because there remain overwhelming numbers of those things, too, and they’re still getting pumped out constantly, so falling behind further and further is inevitable.
Returning to books, though, you’ve got absolute must-read classics that were published centuries ago, and people do still read, and so great books are still being published. What follows is a rundown of some arguably perfect books, selected here because they’re incredibly consistent and really don’t have any downtime, even for just a chapter or so. They’re not automatically the very best books ever written, since trying to decide on that is overwhelming, but they’re a great selection, and all definitely hold up as worthy of one’s time and attention.
8
‘The Shining’ (1977)
The thing about The Shining is that it might not be the absolute greatest Stephen King novel, since there is something to be said about how remarkable his epics are, but the length of books like IT, The Stand, and Under the Dome does lead to some (usually minor) flaws alongside all the good stuff. So, here’s The Shining, and it’s here because it’s consistently great to, like, a greater extent than some of his impressively lengthy works.
There aren’t many characters in this one, and the setting is also decently confined, because The Shining famously involves a family of three staying at a hotel during the off-season, and it is quite the odd and/or haunted hotel. The father already had personal demons that become harder to control as more time is spent in the hotel, and there’s equally unsettling psychological horror, as a result, alongside all the supernatural occurrences. It’s pretty much perfect horror, and one of the hardest-to-fault (or even nitpick) Stephen King books.
7
‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’ (2003)
Thanks to it not being too long (unlike some of the books that’ll be mentioned in a bit), and also being incredibly engaging, it’s pretty easy to blast through The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time in just a couple of sittings. Narratively, it’s about a teenage boy who has a distinctive outlook on the world, and he sets his sights on trying to find out the truth behind the death of a neighborhood dog.
There’s some other stuff alongside that, and then the side of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time that’s a bit harder to explain and praise is what it does stylistically. It’s a creatively presented and narrated story, and then the story on its own is still fairly interesting. But the execution really makes it stand out as one of the best mystery novels of the century so far.
6
‘Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland’ (2018)
Like The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland has a long title that does a pretty good job of letting you know what you’re in for. The “True Story” part also lays out how this is a work of non-fiction, but it’s paced and written in a way that makes it honestly feel more gripping than a good many actual thrillers out there.
Say Nothing explains the whole wider conflict of the Troubles extremely well, and with great clarity, all the while keeping things interesting on a more personal level.
The central thing that the whole book’s built around is the disappearance of a woman named Jean McConville in 1972, with the fallout and lead-up to that event explored, and then it’s all a way to explore more things regarding the Troubles. Say Nothing explains the whole wider conflict of the Troubles extremely well, and with great clarity, all the while keeping things interesting on a more personal level, with the central figures explored/depicted. It does a lot rather effortlessly, in other words, and doesn’t lose its way at any point, not even for a page.
5
‘Dune’ (1965)
Some might take issue with Dune being here, owing to some of the epic novel’s earlier chapters being slow, compared to how the book eventually feels, yet that world-building early on is excellent, and just as engrossing if you’re okay with reading something that’s not 100% plot 100% of the time. In any event, all the things that the novel spends time on early on do prove important, if not by the end of Dune (1965), then at some point in one of the several sequel books it got (those written by Frank Herbert, which are largely worth exploring, too).
There are a fair few factions/groups of characters here, but broadly, Dune involves conflict being fought over a dangerous but valuable planet in the far future. That’s really simplifying things a bit too much, with Dune being so monumental a classic, and deservedly so, for all the reasons that so many people have already said at this point, 60+ years on from the book’s publication.
4
‘Libra’ (1988)
It doesn’t sound like much of a compliment to call a book confounding and stressful, and those being the main emotions that Libra inspires could understandably influence someone to stay pretty darn far away from it. The way it’s stressful and perplexing, though, makes it something special, and it feels like a lot more than just a book about a conspiracy because of how it explores the nature of conspiracies and beliefs in them.
And then it also tackles uncertainty within history, and the overwhelming sensation of trying to stay alive – and keep up with things – in the second half of the 20th century, and reading Libra now, in the 21st century, so many of those fears are more intense. It was written nearly 40 years ago, and was mostly focused on a historical event that happened a quarter of a century before its publication, yet Libra feels undeniably timeless.
3
‘War and Peace’ (1869)
War and Peace is famously long, to the point where that’s all that’s known about it sometimes. And there, the length has just been mentioned. So maybe that supports the idea or perpetuates it, which was a careless thing to do on this writer’s part. Then again, it’s hard to convince someone to read something that’s like 1500 pages long in about 150 words, and then if you also have to summarize what the novel’s about… eh, forget it.
All that can be said is that War and Peace is so much more than “just” a famously (or notoriously?) long book. It is genuinely absorbing for all those many, many pages, and while it’s hard to commit to something like this initially, dedicating oneself to the whole epic starts to feel rewarding much earlier than one might expect. This book really does have a bit of everything, and it’s hard to accurately convey/describe just how perfectly written it is throughout.
2
‘The Lord of the Rings’ (1954–1955)
Well, you know. The Lord of the Rings. It’s one huge novel, not quite as long as War and Peace, admittedly, but also not far off. And The Lord of the Rings is more than just the core novel, since it’s connected to The Hobbit, The Silmarillion, and other stories within J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium, so quite a bit of time is needed, on your part, if you want to fully explore and understand Middle-earth.
But with this one huge novel, you still get so much. The Lord of the Rings is incredibly rewarding, starting out amazing and then getting better and better (or at least more emotionally engrossing) as it goes along. Like Dune, it has its slower chapters early on, but thankfully, the world-building here is also about as good as world-building gets. Further, if you’re worried about sitting down to read about 1000 pages of text, there is at least one fantastic audiobook recording of the entirety of The Lord of the Rings, which is another great way to experience the entire epic.
1
‘Different Seasons’ (1982)
To go back to the Stephen King well, Different Seasons stands out from The Shining and some of the other honorably mentioned King books because it’s actually a collection of novellas. There are four here, and they’re all fantastic, so the book is enormously consistent. Sure, “The Breathing Method” doesn’t have quite the same impact as the first three, but it is nonetheless a great novella to close the whole collection on, and then the fact it’s the shortest might also make it stand out.
As for the others, “Apt Pupil” is surprisingly great, and then with the other two, the greatness is less surprising, since “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption” is best-known for being the source material for The Shawshank Redemption, and “The Body” served the same purpose for Stand by Me. Great movies, obviously, and great original stories, too. This whole collection showcases King at his best, and then it stands out further for being (compared to his other early novels, novellas, and short stories) less horror-heavy, albeit some stories here still have some creepy moments.
The Shawshank Redemption
- Release Date
-
September 23, 1994
- Runtime
-
142 minutes
- Director
-
Frank Darabont
- Writers
-
Frank Darabont
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