Kendra Wilkinson is opening up about the pressure of living her life in the public eye while building a new career and raising her children. 

The former “Girls Next Door” star said she has faced criticism over her appearance and other aspects of her life as she moves away from her former image. 

Wilkinson rose to fame as a Playboy star. However, she has evolved through the years and is now navigating a career as a realtor, one that seems to have come with its own challenges,

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Wilkinson believes sharing her life publicly takes courage, especially as she works through major changes in both her personal life and career.

In a series of Instagram Story posts, the TV star addressed the criticism she has received while trying to establish herself as a realtor and provide for her children. She described the experience of being watched so closely as difficult, particularly because she is also raising two children on her own while “a lot of people want to see me fail.” 

“I’ve come to realize that a lot of people assume weird s— and [are] jealous of me while I’m trying to make a living for me and my kids,” she added, according to People Magazine.

Wilkinson also pushed back against the idea that her former public image fully represented who she was and acknowledged that although some people want to see her fail, others are also rooting for her. 

Kendra Wilkinson Pushes Back Against Body Critics

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That determination to accept herself has also been evident in Wilkinson’s response to comments about her changing appearance. In a previous post, the former model addressed people who had criticized her body and the changes that have come with age.

Wilkinson shared a selfie taken while sitting in front of an open laptop, wearing a white polo shirt with her hair pulled back. 

“Sexy is the last thing I want to be nowadays,” she wrote in the photo’s caption. She also made it clear that she is now focusing on “finding peace, happiness and success,” as reported by The Blast. 

The reality star acknowledged that criticism can still affect her at times, but she does not allow those comments to determine her self-worth.

Wilkinson specifically addressed people commenting on her body and the fact that she is getting older, saying she has reached a place where she feels comfortable with those changes.

Kendra Wilkinson Recently Opened Up About Facing A Career Setback

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Still in the spirit of being transparent about life, Wilkinson recently opened up about her work as a real estate agent, where she has had to deal with disappointments. 

In late July, she revealed that one of her clients had decided to end their professional relationship after she had already devoted considerable time to the deal.

The setback clearly affected Wilkinson, who shared an emotional photo of herself with tears on her face while explaining what had happened. She later posted another video in which she became emotional while discussing how difficult the situation had been for her and noting that she was “struggling.”

According to The Blast, Wilkinson further acknowledged that difficult moments are part of life, but admitted that the experience hit her particularly hard.

Kendra Wilkinson Celebrates Her Weight Loss Progress

That difficult experience with a real estate client was followed by a more positive moment for Wilkinson, who turned her focus to a personal milestone. 

Three months into her GLP-1 journey, she shared an Instagram video showing off the progress that left her feeling happier and more confident.

The Blast reported that Wilkinson appeared in a bikini as she celebrated the changes, telling her followers that she felt better than ever and was pleased to finally see the results of her efforts. 

She also encouraged people who had been considering GLP-1 treatments to explore Effecty, saying she felt ready for summer and more comfortable in her body.

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Kendra Wilkinson Previously Opened Up About More Career Struggles

Before Wilkinson celebrated her weight loss wins, she got honest about how she has continued to face greater difficulties in her professional life, particularly as she tries to find her place in an industry where she has often felt out of place. 

According to The Blast, she described the emotional toll of navigating the challenges that come with being a woman in a male-dominated environment.

Wilkinson said there are moments when she feels pressured to appear fine even when she is struggling internally. She further explained that real estate involves dealing with people as much as it does property, which only added to her distress. 

The Shards is described as a fictionalized memoir about Bret Easton Ellis‘ high school years — so what is real and what is fake?

According to the official synopsis, The Shards is set in Los Angeles in 1981 and follows “a 17-year-old version of Ellis during his final year at the elite Buckley prep school.” His world is upended by the arrival of a mysterious new student, Robert Mallory, whose “unsettling presence coincides with the activities of a serial killer known as The Trawler.”

Igby Rigney portrays Ellis, now 62, in an adaptation based on Ellis’ book of the same name. The 2023 release was Ellis’ first in 13 years and has a disclaimer stating that all the major players in The Shards are fictional — apart from the narrator.

After publishing The Shards, Ellis recalled hearing from a former classmate after they saw themselves in a character. Ellis told Vanity Fair in 2023 that he received a Facebook message, which read, “Of all the names you could have chosen, the name I hate the most is Debbie.”

Ellis also reflected on the larger inspiration behind The Shards.

“I’m not motivated to write a novel without feeling it, and that might be why a lot of my novels have that pervasive sense of dread,” he continued. “I think it just stems from where the books come from, and it’s a reflection of that. Conversely, if I’d been a happier guy would I have been writing books? Would I be using the novel as a way to express this or communicate it? I don’t know. But that could have something to do with why I’ve been attracted to horror and used elements of it in my work.”

Keep scrolling for a breakdown of fact vs. fiction when it comes to The Shards:

The Trawler

Some who have read Ellis’ book have assumed that the serial killer The Trawler is loosely based on The West Side Rapist. Outside of those theories, The Trawler, who attacked high school students in The Shards, is entirely fictional.

The Setting

Mark this under accurate because the real Bret graduated from Buckley School in Sherman Oaks. The Los Angeles private school is meant to mirror the environment portrayed in The Shards, which follows Bret’s final year in high school.

Bret’s Home Life

While The Shards depicts Bret as a single child, the real Bret has several sisters. He previously mentioned on his podcast that he changed the detail after his siblings asked they not be depicted in his work.

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Related: How Is Ryan Murphy’s Show ‘The Shards’ Related to ‘American Psycho’?

The Shards is Ryan Murphy‘s newest highly anticipated series, but how is the spooky — and star-studded — teen slasher related to Bret Easton Ellis‘ hit American Psycho? According to the official synopsis, The Shards is set in Los Angeles in 1981 and follows “a 17-year-old version of Ellis during his final year at the […]

Bret’s Inner Circle

The Shards introduces Kaia Gerber as Susan Reynolds, Hayes Warner as Debbie Schaffer and Graham Campbell as Thom Wright, who all make up Bret’s best friends. While some details about the group are presumably fictionalized for TV, Bret did pull inspiration from his own senior year and the experiences he shared with his friend group at the time.

Debbie, for example, is likely meant to mirror Julie Foreman — the daughter of Hollywood producer John Foreman — whom Bret dated in the past.

The Existence of Robert Mallory

Homer Gere’s Robert Mallory is the new kid in town who Bret suspects of being a serial killer. The line between fact and fiction hinges on the show (and book’s ending) which Us won’t spoil. It is safe to assume, however, that there was no specific individual in Bret’s life named Robert Mallory.

As the season draws to a close and I place my summer shoes in storage, I can’t say I’m sad. This year’s fall footwear trends have me so excited for the cooler temps, and I can’t wait to strut into every function with the hottest shoe selects. 

The autumnal shoe trends I’m seeing offer versatility and longevity — these aren’t styles that will collect dust at the back of your closet after a single season. For example, penny loafers are a time-tested style that have been popular for hundreds of years. The fall designs modernize the shoe and make it feel fresh. The same can be said for the other textures, colors and silhouettes we’re seeing on fashionable women everywhere. One thing’s for sure: If you upgrade your fall footwear collection with the below picks, you’ll be set with a capsule shoe collection that will keep you stylin’ for years to come. 

16 Trendy Fall Shoes Stylish People Wear

Penny Loafers

1. Our Favorite: Yes, timeless penny loafers can still make a statement when you opt for an eye-catching color, like this gorgeous red style. It also comes in 18 other options, so you can match your personality. 

2. Patent Dreams: Even if you opt for a neutral black penny loafer style, a shiny patent finish will certainly draw tons of attention. 

3. New Heights: What’s a couple of inches? The platform on these lug-sole penny loafers makes them easy to walk in, and amplifies their trend factor. 

4. Mooooove Over: These cow-print penny loafers are an unexpected way to incorporate texture into your outfit. Oh, and they’re surprisingly versatile, thanks to the muted color. 

Related: Nordstrom Dropped 2,000+ Early Fall Arrivals — Shop My Top 14 Picks

As one season ends and a new one begins, it’s time to think about what clothes you might need to add to your closet. Whether it’s versatile dresses, easy tops or comfortable footwear, fresh pieces like these are fashion must-haves that will fill the gaps in your summer-to-fall wardrobe. And Nordstrom is making sure you […]

Suede Sneakers

5. Trendiest of all: Adidas continuously ranks high among Us editors for its comfort and style. These maroon suede kicks will take you anywhere from local jaunts to worldwide adventures. 

6. Go Retro: Brown suede sneakers were all the rage back in the ‘80s. In fact, my dad never shuts up about it. He was thrilled to see me rocking this brown pair that’s surprisingly breathable. 

7. Upgraded Classic: Keds stepped up their style game with these platform suede sneaks that give you a subtle 1.5-inch boost. 

8. Crossover: Ballet slippers with a sporty upgrade? Look no further than these suede sneakers. The streamlined silhouette resembles the delicate shoe style with a full-coverage design. 

Leather Booties

9. Old Reliable: Chelsea boots are a time-tested style for the fall, and this pair is waterproof and comfy. No doubt it will become the finishing touch to countless outfits. 

10. Keep It Sleek: Tiny details like the V-cut side, pointed toe and stacked heel instantly elevate these brown leather booties and make them ideal for nights out. 

11. Unexpected: At first look, you might think these block-heeled booties are black, but they’re ever-so-slightly tinted burgundy. The hue adds dimension to every look. 

12. Strut it Out: Look sharp (figuratively and literally) with these slim-heeled black booties that have a chic pointy toe. 

Animal Print

13. Walk on the Wild Side: Animal prints are still considered neutrals! That fact makes these leopard-print ballet flats easy to style for the office and beyond. 

14. Easy Pattern: Spice up your footwear collection with these faux snakeskin loafers. You’ll be surprised by just how often you wear them.

15. Sling It Back: All of Hollywood’s most outspoken characters wear animal-print kitten heels. This mesh leopard design feels modern and flirty, and the style is surprisingly easy to walk in. 

16. The Coolest: For an unexpected print, opt for these pointy zebra-print slides. The adjustable strap ensures the perfect fit. 

UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping

Welcome to summer with our biggest sale of the year. This summer’s chicest dresses, tops and swimsuits are all over 30% + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.

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Related: 17 Polished, Tailored Cardigans That Hide Tummy Pooch

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A great cardigan does so much more than keep you cozy. The right one creates a polished, pulled-together silhouette while giving you a little extra coverage through the midsection — without awkward tugging, clinging or strategic posing. The key is in the details: structured shoulders, flattering necklines, strategic buttons and gently draped fabrics that turn […]

It is always challenging for a filmmaker who broke through with their debut film to land a second feature, as they will be assessed on whether they lived up to their own hype. Neill Blomkamp had a more difficult time of it than most, considering that his first feature, 2009’s District 9 , was a word-of-mouth hit that felt like a completely new spin on the science fiction genre, and earned surprising Academy Awards nominations for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. So expectations were sky-high for his second film, 2013’s Elysium, which presented a grounded look at a not-so-distant future in which class discrepancies have resulted in mass inequality. Elysium was criticized at the time for being too pointed and obvious in its political criticisms, but the film has held up remarkably well when considering the dramatic changes to the U.S. healthcare system that have occurred within the 13 years since it was released. Now more than ever, Elysium isn’t just an entertaining cyberpunk thriller with appropriately gritty action, but a searing indictment of the consolidation of power in crisis situations.

Set in the year 2154, Elysium imagines an Earth that has become overpopulated and devastated by environmental damage, meaning that most citizens have to work under laborious conditions to keep producing technology. Pollution and the depletion of resources have made the planet largely inhospitable, as it is ravaged by disease; in response, the wealthiest and most powerful members of the human race have escaped to the space station Elysium, which circles the Earth and contains advanced medical supplies. Elysium is only accessible to those who can afford it — it’s designed to exclude people like Max Da Costa (Matt Damon), who has been denied any opportunities to cure his life-threatening illness because of his criminal history. Elysium looks at the differences between the haves and have-nots in a direct way, but Blomkamp’s exhilarating, visceral sci-fi mythology ensures that it is still a riveting genre film.

‘Elysium’ Is an Eerie, Terrifyingly Dystopian Story

Though it’s sci-fi, Elysium succeeds at creating a story audiences can identify with because the circumstances that Max is dealing with are relatable, regardless of whether they are connected to any sci-fi themes. Max is simply a man who is desperately looking for work to support both himself and his childhood friend, Frey (Alice Braga), whose daughter Matilda (Emma Tremblay) has leukemia. Although Max recognizes that he is competing against other poor people who are in the same position, and that he will have even more difficulties finding work because of his criminal history, injuries he sustains in the midst of performing manual labor soon make his own health status equally pressing. That average citizens would be stripped of the resources that they need to survive, let alone not be offered any dignity, is not a concept that is based in science fiction, as it reflects present reality far closer than anyone watching Elysium in 2013 would have expected. Blomkamp makes a smart environmentalist point by showing that it may be corporations and conglomerates that pollute the world, but it will be average people who have to pay the price.

Elysium uses its sci-fi premise to show how those with wealth can create their own reality because they are not burdened by any directive to show compassion. The notion of pooling medical resources for those of the upper class is not a science fiction concept, as the only “imagined” component in Blomkamp’s universe is that this would extend to the monopolization of space; today, it’s a much less farfetched concept than it appeared to be in 2013. Another smart link that Blomkamp makes is between the healthcare systems, the government, and the military-industrial complex, as he implies that they’ve all conspired to rig the market so that class ascension is impossible. This explains why characters like Max feel so powerless, and why they must resort to extreme measures in order to protect themselves; even if they spent a lifetime living by the rules of Earth’s governments, they could never hope to be among the select few allowed to live on Elysium.

‘Elysium’ Features a Compelling Moral Dilemma

Elysium thoughtfully considers what kinds of desperate situations could turn someone into a revolutionary figure, but the film is also a visceral action thriller that makes use of all the brutality allowed by an R-rating. There’s a significant disparity within the style of filmmaking used when depicting Earth and Elysium; the planet is dirty and damaged, feeling like a never-ending wasteland, whereas the space station has a slick, nearly retro-futuristic feel. The opulent beauty of Elysium is effective because it is infuriating to see the gross excess within a society that only allows a select few to enter, giving it an Imperialist feel. At the same time, the film paints a realistic portrayal of what Earth may look like should ecocide continue, and it’s a future that feels far more plausible in the aftermath of the U.S.’s exit from the Paris Accords.

Elysium presents a dark future that is sadly identifiable, but the film still works as a piece of summer entertainment because it does believe in heroes. Max is not just the perfect redemptive protagonist because he ends up learning that there is more to fight for than just himself; he becomes a symbol that the rest of those on Earth can get behind. Elysium showed in no uncertain terms what Earth could transform into if it headed on its current trajectory, but its most radical decision may have been its faith in human kindness.

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Elysium

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Release Date

August 9, 2013

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109 minutes

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Former Disney star Christy Carlson Romano is reflecting on child stardom just days after her peer, Hayden Panettiere, died suddenly at 36. In a personal essay, the “Even Stevens” actress compared child stardom to the deadly brain disease CTE.

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Romano knows a thing or two about being a child star. In addition to working alongside Shia LaBeouf on “Even Stevens,” the actress appeared in her own series, “Kim Possible,” and the Disney Channel original film “Cadet Kelly.”

In a personal essay for Elle, Romano said nothing can prepare children for what it’s like to be famous at such a young age. “The former child actor exists in a category the world does not know how to hold,” she wrote. “We are children when the public wants to feel protective of us, professionals when the industry wants to profit from us, and spoiled celebrities when we eventually show symptoms of having been both.”

Romano, 42, said fame at an early age is comparable to “CTE,” the deadly brain disease Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. “Not as a diagnosis. As a way of thinking about repeated impact,” Romano added.

Hayden Panettiere Was Pronounced Dead At A South Carolina Residence In August 2026

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Romano’s comments come just days after Panettiere was pronounced dead at a South Carolina residence in August 2026. First responders said that they were responding to a call about a person suffering a “cardiac arrest.”

Panettiere’s father released a statement to the media after her death, calling her an “incredible light and a force of nature.” He added that his daughter, who began acting at the age of 1, “brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her.”

Romano Is ‘Crushed’ Over Panettiere’s Death

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Romano went even further about the harsh reality of being a child star in her personal essay, saying that while child actors are seen as “lucky” and “cute,” she said their labor “powers one of the most profitable storytelling machines in the world,” leaving some of them struggling with their mental health.

Regarding Panettiere’s death, Romano admitted she was “crushed” and deeply saddened by the news. “Another performer I grew up with, gone too soon,” she wrote.

Months before her death, Panettiere reflected on living her life in the spotlight from an early age and told Jay Shetty that it was really all she knew. According to the “Heroes” actress, acting was forced upon her almost instantly.

“I think it’s the way I was raised,” she said. “I was groomed. I was like a little soldier and I always have been. No was never an option. It was just, ‘Here are your scenes, here’s your dialogue, memorize it, hit the marks, do what your director tells you to do.’ I took my marching orders.”

Panettiere’s Relationship With Her Mother Was Painful

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Panettiere detailed her time as a child star in her book, “This Is Me,” and said she felt the pressure to be top tier. Elsewhere in the memoir, the “Remember the Titans” actress opened up about her rocky relationship with her mother, Lesley, and said that disappointing her with a lackluster audition felt like “a fate worse than death.”

“When she was irritated, she opened her mouth ever so slightly. When she was mad, she clenched her jaw. When she was so angry that my best option was to hide under my bed, her lower jaw migrated a few centimeters forward. I looked up and back at Mom, and there was that soul-shattering underbite,” she wrote.

Viola Davis Honors Hayden Panettiere

Hollywood’s elite have come together over the last several days to honor Panettiere’s life. According to a previous report from The Blast, Davis shared a series of images of them on her Instagram and reflected on the time they spent together while making the film “Custody.”

“I saw this beautiful Phoenix rising from the ashes. Your tests became your testimony, and your testimony became your legacy. You will be remembered. Rest well, Hayden. Sending healing prayers to your family, your daughter, and all who loved you. May they always speak your name,” Davis captioned the post.

For nine seasons, Josh Radnor and his “How I Met Your Mother” co-stars spent countless hours together, becoming one of TV’s most beloved friend groups. Several years after the sitcom wrapped, however, that close-knit bond has changed. Radnor recently opened up about his relationship with his former castmates, revealing that he is no longer close with them while making it clear that he still has a deep love for all of them.

“How I Met Your Mother” aired for nine seasons from 2005 to 2014 with more than 200 episodes. It followed the lives of a tight-knit group of friends in New York City: Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor), Marshall Eriksen (Jason Segel), Lily Aldrin (Alyson Hannigan), Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris), and Robin Scherbatsky (Cobie Smulders), as they navigated the ups and downs of adulthood.

More than a decade after the series wrapped, Radnor shares that his relationship with his former co-stars has changed. Appearing on the “Half the Picture” podcast, the actor was asked if he’s still close to his TV friend group, to which he answered. “No. Not even a little bit.”

Radnor explained that the distance didn’t happen in “any dramatic way.” Rather, they just drifted apart.

“It’s like college where you have this very intense time together, and you can’t imagine not seeing each other every day because you’ve seen each other every day for so long. And then it just disperses, and you just go out and live your life,” Radnor said.

The Actor Has A Deep Love For His Former Castmates

Radnor shared that while the friendship dynamic has changed, he still gets to connect with his “HIMYM” co-stars in some capacity.

He exchanges text messages with Segel “once in a while” to reminisce about things that happened on set. Smulders appeared as a guest on his podcast via Zoom, as did Harris. As for Hannigan, Radnor shared that the actress attended his wedding in 2024, but hasn’t seen her since.

Radnor said his relationship with them was more like family, saying that they were cast in the series and didn’t “choose” each other. “You also have love that is quite deep and rich and probably everlasting, but it’s not an active love,” he explained.

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Josh Radnor Had A ‘Healing’ Conversation With Neil Patrick Harris

Radnor co-hosts the podcast “How We Made Your Mother” with series co-creator Craig Thomas. In March, Harris appeared as a guest, and the former co-stars discussed their working relationship.

At one point, Harris said, “I always kind of felt that my performance annoyed you, Josh.” Radnor was surprised at the admission and asked Harris to elaborate. The latter said that in portraying his character, a charismatic womanizer, he sensed Radnor’s “frustration” over his “spit takes.”

Radnor said he felt a bit of “tension” at times, but in his opinion, it stemmed from drawing the line between Harris and the character he played. “Barney was often incredibly almost dismissive of Ted, and you were so good at playing that. I think sometimes I felt dismissed by Neil, but I was being dismissed by Barney,” Radnor said.

Despite the tension, Radnor admitted he enjoyed their “weird chemistry,” and Harris appreciated that they were able to have the conversation.

Josh Radnor Distanced Himself From ‘How I Met Your Mother’

After playing the hopeless romantic architect Ted Mosby for nine years, Radnor admitted that he did everything he could to distance himself from the show. He also rejected roles that had “any hint of single guy in the big city looking for love,” as he didn’t want to be typecast.

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In the years following, he played a Civil War surgeon in the series “Mercy Street,” a high school drama teacher in “Rise,” and a Nazi-hunting movie star in “Hunters,” in addition to appearing in theater productions. He also took on roles behind the camera and pursued writing and directing.

Now that he has done multiple projects, he embraces his time on the series with the understanding that he is no longer defined by that one role.

‘How I Met Your Mother’ Had A Spin-Off Series

In 2022, the spin-off series “How I Met Your Father” premiered. While it featured a whole new cast and independent storyline, the show shares the same universe as the original series. It featured Hilary Duff as Sophie Tompkins, who, alongside her group of friends, navigates love and relationships in the age of dating apps.

Both Smulders and Harris returned to their respective roles as guest stars in separate episodes, though the series ultimately received mixed reviews and was canceled after two seasons.

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There are very few actors who have re-defined the action movie like Keanu Reeves. The Matrix remains an impeccable blend of mind-bending visual effects and beautifully brutal fight scenes, and a true game changer for pop culture. Speed is the kind of white-knuckle thriller that’s rare to find these days. John Wick created an entirely new subgenre of action movies that lasts to this day. One of Reeves’ more underrated action movies is currently available to stream on Netflix, and it takes a fantasy-fueled approach to an iconic Japanese legend.

That movie is 47 Ronin, which made its debut all the way back in 2013. Adapting the story of Chūshingura, 47 Ronin takes place in the waning days of feudal-era Japan and follows Kai (Reeves), a half-Japanese, half-British swordsman. Kai is taken in by a prominent samurai, but when said samurai is killed by his rival, Lord Kira (Tadanobu Asano), Kai joins forces with 47 of the samurai’s men to take their vengeance. Though it was critically panned upon release, 47 Ronin is at least worth a watch to see how certain legends can change based on the medium they’re in.

’47 Ronin’ Blends An Iconic Japanese Legend With Fantasy Elements

Image by Universal

The tale of the 47 Ronin is surprisingly straightforward: after their master is slain, the titular warriors break into his killer’s house and exact vengeance, ultimately committing seppuku after they’re caught. While 47 Ronin keeps the same story beats, it shakes things up by introducing supernatural elements. Kai fights a massive golem in one scene that takes on the form of a samurai warrior. In another, he has to do battle with a massive, serpentine dragon. The ronin must also contend with Mizuki (Rinko Kikuchi), the malevolent witch who aids Kira in his goals. These fantasy elements caused most of the criticism, as some critics felt what should have been a simple samurai tale came off more like a Lord of the Rings ripoff.

47 Ronin became one of the biggest box-office bombs of 2013, with blame shifted to Universal Pictures for locking director Carl Rinsch out of the editing process and trying to beef up Reeves’ role in the narrative. 47 Ronin would eventually receive a sequel in the form of Blade of the 47 Ronin, where one of the ronin’s blades ends up at the center of yet another supernatural battle. It was even more off the wall than its predecessor, though it skipped theaters in favor of the VOD route. Carl Rinsch would later be tapped to helm the science fiction series White Horse for Netflix, but that fell apart when the streamer sued him for misspending the funds.

Keanu Reeves Surprisingly Isn’t the Standout of ’47 Ronin’

Despite having top billing in 47 Ronin, Keanu Reeves has a very small role in the final movie. Part of that is due to the fact that Reeves was making his directorial debut in the martial arts movie Man of Tai Chi, but the fact is that the story already had a protagonist in the form of Yoshio Ōishi (Hiroyuki Sanada). In the original legend of the 47 Ronin, Ōishi serves as the leader of the other Ronin; Sanada brings a gravity to the scene that helps ground the story in actual emotion. Sanada also told Collider prior to 47 Ronin‘s release that the movie held a special meaning for him:

“It’s a very special movie for me. Not only a Samurai thing. Not only a Hollywood fantasy. It has a very special mixture between Japanese traditional culture and Western culture for the costume, set, story. Everything. I believe it will be a very special film that no one has ever seen.”

While 47 Ronin might not be among Keanu Reeves’ best movies, it’s definitely ambitious enough to warrant a watch. The mix of history and fantasy is the kind of bold swing you rarely see in Hollywood, and it proves Reeves still pushes the boundaries of what can be done in the action genre.

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Release Date

December 25, 2013

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Runtime

128 Minutes

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Consider this your sign to squeeze a few more romantic dresses into your wardrobe before summer slips away. Isla Fisher made the case for a dreamy floral maxi that works for everything from date nights to late-summer weddings, and we found a similar style on Amazon for $64.

Fisher was spotted in New York City on August 17, 2026, wearing a cream floral gown covered in a vintage-inspired pink print. Between the slimming mermaid silhouette, delicate bow-tie straps and soft color palette, the dress style has an effortlessly romantic feel that’s practically made for a candlelit dinner.

Get the Kutumai Ruffle Long Floral Maxi Dress for $64 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, August 19, 2026, but are subject to change.

Luckily, recreating the look doesn’t require a celebrity-sized budget. The $64 Kutumai Floral Maxi Dress captures the same feminine feel with a cream backdrop, pink florals and a long, fitted shape. And while we like the rosy color, the dress also comes in black, light blue, lavender and several other shades on Amazon.

Related: Vanessa Hudgens’ Sparkly Date Night Bag Has a $24 Lookalike

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Vanessa Hudgens found an accessory that can make even the simplest fall date night outfit feel instantly more glamorous. A sparkly silver bag adds just enough shimmer to jeans and a cute top, a little black dress or even a cozy sweater-and-skirt combo. And while her version looks seriously luxe, you can recreate the vibe […]

Made with soft, semi-stretchy fabric, the dress hugs and flatters the figure up top before flowing out into a champagne-flute shape that’s similar to Fisher’s. The sleeveless maxi also features a thick, double-layered design for a more substantial feel.

Shoppers are just as taken with the ‘fit. One reviewer called it the “perfect dress for formal or everyday occasions” and said the “champagne flute silhouette is so flattering.” Meanwhile, another buyer shopping as a wedding guest wrote that the dress is “extremely comfortable” and “hugs the waist and hip just right.”

With warm evenings still on the calendar, there’s plenty of time to put this romantic look to work. Wear it for date nights, dinners, outdoor weddings or any end-of-summer plan that calls for something a little more upscale than your usual sundress — all while getting Fisher’s dreamy floral look for $64.

Swooning over Fisher’s floral dress? Shop more romantic Amazon options below!

Shop more floral maxi dresses that we love:

Not your style? Explore more floral dresses here, and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping

Welcome to summer with our biggest sale of the year. This summer’s chicest dresses, tops and swimsuits are all over 30% + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.

Shop the UsNow Summer Sale –> 

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Related: Karlie Kloss Proved Polka Dots Are the Prettiest Print of Summer

Karlie Kloss may have just convinced Us to give our floral dresses a break. The supermodel’s latest look puts a fresh spin on classic polka dots, pairing the playful print with an ultra-feminine silhouette that feels made for the final weeks of summer. Even better, we found a similar style for less than $30. Kloss […]

Editor’s note: The below contains spoilers for Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi.

When it comes to a franchise as rich in lore as Star Wars, it’s sometimes difficult to reconcile what fans think or understand about certain aspects. One of those is what it really means for the Force to be in balance and how to achieve it, which is usually followed by the concept of Grey Jedi as individuals who can supposedly draw from both the Light and Dark Sides of the Force to walk the path between the Jedi and the Sith. The franchise’s most recent release, Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi, fully debunks this idea and, for the first time in a Lucasfilm-produced Star Wars project, proves that there is no such thing as Grey Jedi.

‘The Ninth Jedi’ Deconstructs the Idea of the Grey Jedi

The idea of Grey Jedi has been around for a while, and The Ninth Jedi tackles it head-on in its first season as a proper Star Wars: Visions spin-off. In the story, former Jedi and antagonist Nawaam (Young Mazino) believes in the “State of Nothingness” to truly achieve balance and bring peace and order to the galaxy, discarding the path of both the Jedi and the Sith. Protagonist Lah Kara (Kimiko Glenn) and her father, Lah Zhima (Simu Liu), also reach Nothingness.

At first glance, Nothingness might seem attractive. It’s an emotionless state of heightened senses that makes a lightsaber blade glow silver; in The Ninth Jedi, a lightsaber’s color reflects its wielder’s heart. This allows warriors to make decisions they otherwise couldn’t as Jedi or Sith, including killing, claiming to truly be guided by the Force without emotions clouding their judgments. Zhima himself is a master of Nothingness, and that’s what influences both Nawaam and Kara to pursue it in their own ways.

Although The Ninth Jedi doesn’t explicitly call it that, Nothingness is very similar to how Grey Jedi approach the Force, but it outright rejects this concept. During their climactic final battle, both Nawaam’s and Kara’s lightsabers revert to colored blades; Kara’s goes back to Jedi green, while Nawaam’s becomes red for the first time. Right then, it becomes clear that each character’s actions have weight and tilt them towards opposite directions in the Force.

Lucasfilm Canon Is Clear About What True Balance in the Force Really Means

Image via Lucasfilm

Like the State of Nothingness, the idea of Grey Jedi might seem reasonable at first, especially given that most tragedies in Star Wars stem from characters who don’t really fit within the Jedi or Sith framework, like Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). This gives the false impression that both approaches are equally wrong, or that “calibrating” these characters towards the center would prevent new tragedies.

That’s not how it works at all. Even before Disney established the new canon, Star Wars, as created by George Lucas, makes clear that using the Force in unnatural ways throws it off balance. It isn’t about finding common ground between the Dark Side and the Light, but following the will of the Force instead of bending it to your will. The concept of Grey Jedi as a representation of balance is therefore fundamentally wrong, because every dark deed, small as it may be and as necessary as it might seem, causes imbalance.

The Ninth Jedi isn’t official canon (nothing connected to Star Wars: Visions is), but it offers the clearest understanding of how the Force really works. Kara achieves Nothingness, but turns back to the Light once she understands that balance is about selflessness, not neutrality or a “flow state.” Meanwhile, Nawaam is so fixated on this false notion of balance that he becomes obsessive about it, finally revealing the darkness inherent to neutrality. Grey is many shades darker than the Light, after all.

Are There Actually Any Grey Jedi in Star Wars?

Nawaam is particularly enticing because, in the eagerness of trying to make sense of his interpretation of the Force, people might feel the urge to label him as a Grey Jedi, but that’s wrong. He isn’t a Jedi at all, and wielding a lightsaber of any color doesn’t necessarily make anyone a Jedi of any “shade” (although Jedi don’t have “shades,” too). This misguided notion of balance that some subscribe to often leads to wrong conclusions about characters as nuanced as Nawaam, including fan-favorites.

Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson), for example, isn’t “grey” at all. He is definitely a maverick among the Jedi for confronting the Council when no one else dares to. If anything, Qui-Gon shines even brighter in the Light than the Council of his time. Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson), who straight up leaves the Order due to irreconcilable differences during the Clone Wars, also isn’t “grey,” having repeatedly proven her commitment to the Light.

This concept of “Grey Jedi” gained traction especially after Knights of the Old Republic introduced Jolee Bindo, a Jedi who claims to see the Force “only in grey” — so much so that he actually leaves the Jedi because he knows he doesn’t fit within the Order anymore. Revan himself is like a “poster child” for Grey Jedi enthusiasts, when, in fact, he has swung so much between the Jedi and the Sith that he ends up being neither. The Ninth Jedi, despite not being official Star Wars canon, has not only challenged the very concept of the Grey Jedi in the franchise but also redefined what true balance in the Force really means.

Very few actors had quite the reputation and range that Jimmy Stewart did, with the actor crossing into nearly every major genre during his career. But aside from the likes of It’s a Wonderful Life and Rear Window, perhaps the most prolific genre of the movie star’s career was the American Western, a type of motion picture that idealized the Old West while often analyzing modern issues. One such Western was the 1950 picture Broken Arrow, which jumped leaps and bounds ahead of its contemporaries when it came to representing Native American peoples in a positive light.

In fact, the film was so notable, earning itself three Oscar nominations and a Golden Globe Award for Best Film Promoting International Understanding, that ABC opted to bring the story to television just six years later, albeit without the picture’s delectable star. Even without Stewart in the lead, the Western became a two-season, 72-episode series.

Jimmy Stewart’s ‘Broken Arrow’ Led to a Television Adaptation Years Later

The thing about Broken Arrow is that, although it cast non-Native actors in Apache Indian roles (which was common practice in Hollywood back in the day), it was leaps and bounds ahead of many other Westerns in the way they tackled Native American issues. Prior to that, films like Stagecoach and Drums Along the Mohawk depicted these “wild warriors” as simple antagonists with no real depth. Broken Arrow, while not the only film to do this, was one of the first to give a real voice to the Indigenous population, which was hard to come by in 1950. Of course, it helps that the film was based on Elliott Arnold‘s book Blood Brothers, which itself was based on the real-life history and friendship between Tom Jeffords and Apache chief Cochise (played in the picture by James Stewart and Jeff Chandler respectively).

Throughout the film, Jeffords and Cochise come to a mutual respect, and Jeffords (contrary to the historical account), even falls in love with and marries an Apache woman, Sonseeahray (Debra Paget). The pair begin to broker a real peace between the United States and the Apache people, and ultimately succeed. While the real story was a lot more bloody and a bit more tragic, the film offers us an idealistic take on how things might have gone. But where the motion picture opted to tell its own version of the events chronicled in Arnold’s account, the television adaptation of the book honored the original material a bit better. Keeping the popular and instantly recognizable Broken Arrow title, the series brought back Tom Jeffords and Cochise, now played by John Lupton and Michael Ansara (yes, the voice of Mr. Freeze in Batman: The Animated Series), starting with a reboot of the events told in the 1950 film.

Premiering on ABC in September 1956, Broken Arrow was instantly hailed as a classic by Donald Kirkley of The Baltimore Sun, who compared it favorably against the last season’s poorly received Brave Eagle. “Broken Arrow, although not without its shortcomings, is the best television program about Indians made yet,” the reviewer noted, hailing the show’s attempts at historical accuracy regarding the Apache people, and Cochise in particular. While the Blood Brothers book was still a fictional account, Arnold had carefully researched the life and friendship of Jeffords and Cochise, hence the television production’s decision to base itself strictly on the novel. Broadcasting Magazine once noted that the show was able to “skillfully [cram] a lot of story into 30 minutes.”

The ‘Broken Arrow’ TV Show Honored the Film’s Lofty Ideals

Image via ABC

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What the show did best, though, was build upon the ideals and themes first established in the 1950 film and continue the idea that the “white eyes” and Native Americans are equal, both in value and presence. John Lupton and Michael Ansara have pretty equal screen time on the show, something many outlets praised for its bold stance on the Native American issue. “This kind of friendship, although fairly common on the frontier, is very rare in fiction in any form,” remarked Kirkley, who adds that the dynamic between Lupton and Ansara’s characters is the kind of “freshness” that television needed at the time. This was done by design from the very beginning, as the series wanted to take the film’s concepts of tolerance and equality a step further onto the broadcast airwaves.

“We’ve created a happy medium between Jeffords and the Indian leader Cochise,” John Lupton told The Minneapolis Star in a 1957 interview. “Early this season we attempted to concentrate on Jeffords, but we found we were losing some of our audience and returned to the original format.” It turns out, the biggest reason folks tuned into ABC on Tuesday nights in the late 1950s was because of the very thing that Broken Arrow promoted, a shared understanding and experience of the Old West that blended these two cultures together. Ansara and Lupton worked well together, and the pair would play their characters side-by-side for 72 episodes between 1956 and 1958, at a time when the civil rights movement was really picking up steam. Still, even that wasn’t enough to keep the show (sometimes called Cochise in syndication) around for a third season.

According to The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946–Present by Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh, ABC switched Broken Arrow from Tuesday nights — where it played with The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp and Cheyenne — to Sundays midway through its second season, perhaps due to declining ratings. Unfortunately, that also marked the end of the series’ run on television. In total, the series ran for an impressive two seasons, each of which sees Jeffords and Cochise working together to keep the peace between two otherwise intolerant groups. Sure, sometimes things got out of hand, and there are plenty of bad actors on both sides who show up to cause some real trouble, but these blood brothers handle it together. Today, Broken Arrow is often forgotten in favor of its slightly older feature film counterpart, no doubt due to James Stewart’s exceptional performance.

‘Broken Arrow’ Is an Excellent Film, Even if the TV Version Was Lacking

But although Broken Arrow, the television series, was bold in its approach to racial discrepancies and issues, it couldn’t quite live up to the standard of the 1950 film. Budget aside, John Lupton was no James Stewart, and many criticized the actor’s portrayal as “not quite tough enough” (per The Baltimore Sun). Likewise, Ansara was deemed the same, and the pair, though earnest in their portrayals, have been tossed aside in favor of the more dynamic Chandler and Stewart duo. It’s not surprising either, since Broken Arrow, the film, does such a powerful job at tackling this conflict in 93 minutes, while the television series ran for 72 individual 30 minute installments. It’s not hard to see why some would prefer the shorter narrative with the better actors over the longer series with decent performances.

While not as famous as some of Stewart’s other iconic Westerns, such as How the West Was Won, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, and The Man from Laramie, nor as excellent as others like The Naked Spur or Winchester ’73, his 1950 feature was a major accomplishment. Its success led to a relatively successful television show, and proved to Hollywood that the life and perspective of Native American people also matter. They weren’t just villainous warriors set to raid your camp, nor were they one-dimensional caricatures who speak only when spoken to; they’re layered and complex, just like everyone else. Like the novel that inspired them, both Broken Arrow adaptations honored their historical figures well, and challenged us to strive for a better, more peaceful world.

Broken Arrow, the film, is available for streaming on Peacock in the U.S., while the television series is sadly not available on streaming.

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Broken Arrow (1950)

Release Date

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August, 1950

Runtime

93 minutes

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Director

Delmer Daves

Writers

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Elliott Arnold, Albert Maltz, Michael Blankfort

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