“Temptation Island” is officially back for Season 2, and it looks like the drama is already heating up. Host Mark L. Walberg returns to guide a brand-new group of couples through the emotional relationship experiment as they put their love to the ultimate test in paradise. This season follows four couples who have reached pivotal moments in their relationships and are hoping the experience will help determine their futures.

‘Temptation Island’ Splits Couples Up For Ultimate Test

According to the official synopsis, the couples will travel to a remote tropical island where they will separate and live apart among groups of attractive singles of the opposite sex.

“Four couples, at a pivotal point in their relationships, head to a beautiful island far away from their everyday lives where they will test their bonds by living apart, each with a group of singles of the opposite sex,” the synopsis states.

As they navigate time apart, temptation, and emotional self-reflection, each participant will ultimately be forced to decide whether they want to remain with their partner, leave alone, or begin a new relationship with someone they meet on the island.

Season 2 Trailer Teases Tears And Relationship Chaos

The newly released trailer teases that emotions will be running high from the very start.

Scarlett, one of the featured leads this season, is shown literally and figuratively playing with fire as she teases the risky nature of the experience. “Risky,” she says before adding, “but I’m here for it.”

Meanwhile, fellow cast member Kaylee opens up about the pain she’s feeling in her relationship, questioning whether her future should look the way it currently does. She emotionally wonders if the future father of her children would make her feel as bad as she does now.

Her boyfriend, Summit, appears equally shaken during the trailer, admitting, “Am I really such a sh-t boyfriend? I have a hard time acknowledging that.”

‘Temptation Island’ Contestants Face Emotional Wake-Up Calls

While the series is known for drama, hookups, and heartbreak, the upcoming season will also highlight personal growth and self-discovery.

Sydney, another lead this season, hints that her experience on the island may help her rediscover her own worth. “In coming here and learning myself, it’s time for me to focus on me,” she said. “I know what I deserve.”

With tears, explosive confrontations, and emotional breakthroughs teased throughout the trailer, Season 2 appears to deliver one of the show’s most intense chapters yet.

How The Show Works And Why The Stakes Get So High

While “Temptation Island” may not have official rules, most couples enter the experience with their own boundaries and expectations in place.

Upon arriving on the island, each couple is immediately separated and sent to live apart with groups of attractive singles, forcing them to navigate temptation without their partner by their side. Throughout the experiment, contestants attend a series of emotional bonfires with host Mark L. Walberg, where they reflect on their journeys and watch selected footage of what their significant others have been doing on the opposite side of the island.

However, one area offers contestants a bit more privacy: the Temptation Haven. Introduced midway through the experience, the Temptation Haven consists of two private huts located at both the men’s and women’s villas where contestants can explore temptation without cameras present.

But there’s still a catch. If anyone enters a Temptation Haven, a bright red light immediately goes off at the opposite villa, alerting everyone that someone has entered, though not revealing exactly who.

Meet The ‘Temptation Island’ Couples Putting Their Love To The Test In Paradise

Season 2 of “Temptation Island” will follow four couples, each entering the experiment with very different relationship struggles.

Kaylee and Summit are hoping to determine whether opposites truly attract or if their differences are simply too much to overcome. “Our biggest hurdle has been navigating our differences,” Kaylee said.

Sydney and Mikey, meanwhile, are looking to see whether their relationship can mature into something more serious after a year and a half together. While Mikey is known for being the life of the party, Sydney wants him to understand that “everything in life isn’t a joke.”

Scarlett and Cole are entering the island hoping to strengthen their bond after two years together, despite already sharing plenty in common. “I believe that the most challenging experiences often lead to the greatest growth,” Scarlett explains. “I hope we can work on building trust, improving transparency, and strengthening our communication.”

Then there’s Shyanne and Jack, whose five-year relationship has been clouded by past betrayal. Though the two have known each other since high school, their romance was rocked when Jack cheated three years into the relationship, leaving Shyanne devastated after discovering the betrayal by searching through his phone.

All episodes of Season 2 will drop on April 10 on Netflix.

Olivia Munn opened up about an experience with a male costar that was memorable for the wrong reasons.

The actress, 45, appeared on the Wednesday, April 8, episode of The Drew Barrymore Show and recalled an incident where an unnamed male costar interrupted filming because he didn’t want a woman to save his character.

“There have been a few times where I’ve been filming something, and my character was either, like, CIA or a cop or something, and there’s been scenes where my character has been the one to save the other character,” Munn explained.

For this scene in particular, Munn recalled that the actor “was guarding his side, I was guarding my side, then we switch sides and then there’s a guy that was coming for him [who] was gonna shoot him in the back, so I shoot him.”

She went on to theorize that the actor hadn’t read the script, because he seemed surprised to find that Munn’s character would be coming to his rescue.

“[He said], ‘Wait, wait, wait. Hold on. She can’t save me. No, no. She can’t save me,’” the Newsroom alum claimed, adding that her costar became “combative with the director” as filming stopped for 45 minutes.

“There was no insecurity about being obnoxious and everyone hearing this and being like, ‘She can’t save me! We’re not doing this,’” she continued.

According to Munn, she eased the tension herself by reframing the scene for her costar.

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“I said, ‘OK, how about instead of my character saving you, it’s just that we switch because it’s time for us to switch, and so this is my guy to get,’ and he was like, ‘OK,’” she recalled. “Now, here’s the interesting thing. Nothing changed. It’s just what he thought. I was doing the exact same thing.”

Munn later told host Drew Barrymore that she’s made a conscious effort to find roles that don’t play into sexist or old-fashioned stereotypes, which means she’s been extra choosy about which parts she’ll play.

“I’ve looked at so many different scripts, and a lot of times the women are portrayed in kind of a naggy way,” the Your Friends & Neighbors star explained. “I had this thing that I decided at one point early in my career, like, I only wanted to do projects where she would exist even if he didn’t exist. You know, that it wasn’t just his story.”

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Earlier this month, Munn shared another story about the difficulties she’s faced in Hollywood, claiming that Alec Baldwin kept her from appearing on 30 Rock. Munn told The Hollywood Reporter that she originally landed the role of Avery Jessup, who was a love interest for Baldwin’s character, Jack Donaghy.

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“The end of that story is that I got the job … and then two days later, they were like, ‘Alec thinks that you look too young to play his love interest,’” she alleged. “Another two days later, ‘No, no, no. They think you’re perfect. You’re going to fly out on Saturday.’ On Friday, ‘No, no, no. Alec thinks that you look too young and he’s putting his foot down.’”

The role eventually went to Elizabeth Banks, but Munn noted the experience actually gave her confidence because she got so far into the audition process.

“These people, iconic people — Tina Fey, Robert Carlock, Grace Wu at NBC casting — they all thought that I was good enough to have gotten the offer,” she explained. “That’s what I needed. Whether or not I got the job didn’t affect my confidence.”

Bodycon dresses promise a flattering silhouette, but for most of Us, they deliver the opposite. Issues like constant tugging, visible lines and that nagging self-conscious feeling are sure to ruin a good night out. The truth is, a well-cut flowy dress can be far more slimming than skin-tight styles, and we found 17 options that prove it.

In case you missed it, loose, flowy dresses truly are more slimming than bodycon styles — it’s not a fashion myth. The right drape skims over your midsection, creates an elongating look and provides enough comfort for free-flowing movement. Our favorite loose picks include everything from casual everyday styles to polished wedding guest dresses. Each one flatters without squeezing, so you’ll wear them as often as you can!

17 Flowy Dresses That Are More Slimming Than Bodycon

Brunch-Ready Beauties

1. Our Favorite: The elastic waist on this V-neck maxi dress cinches you in, while the flowy skirt falls beautifully below. The short sleeves keep it breezy for warm days.

2. Boutique-Looking: Finding a dress that looks boutique-worthy for under $50 isn’t easy. This floral embroidered midi nails the style with a square neckline and relaxed, flowy fit.

3. Floral Find: Picture yourself at a summer patio dinner in this boho wrap dress. We love the floral print that catches the evening light. And the skirt? It moves with you for a graceful appearance.

4. Swiss Dot Stunner: The Swiss dot texture on this belted maxi dress adds visual interest without being busy. The cap sleeves and ruffle details give it a feminine, polished feel.

5. Cue the Color: The smocked waist on this tiered maxi dress stretches comfortably while creating a flattering shape. The bold pink and orange floral pattern brings serious energy to this one.

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Easy, Everyday Picks

6. Our Favorite: This lightweight floral wrap dress has a fit-and-flare cut that’s endlessly flattering. The short sleeves and comfy fabric make it an easy daily pick.

7. Has Pockets: No purse? No problem. This ultra-popular maxi dress has built-in pockets that let you stash your phone and keys easily. Plus, the loose T-shirt design keeps you cool and comfortable while running errands.

8. Boho Beauty: You don’t need to spend much for a flattering summer dress. This flowy boho mini skims your frame, thanks to its loose fit and lightweight materials. Psst, it comes in at just $9.

9. Secretly Slimming: The V-neck and tiered skirt on this flowy midi sundress creates a lengthening effect that’s genuinely slimming. The ruffle sleeves add a soft, feminine touch.

10. Floral Find: Want a maxi that feels like your favorite T-shirt? This floral maxi dress delivers real comfort without looking like loungewear.

Vacation-Ready Winners

11. Resort-Ready: Looking polished on vacation shouldn’t take effort. This flowy tropical maxi dress drapes well and transitions from the pool to dinner in seconds.

12. Our Favorite: Pack this crewneck mini dress for your next beach trip, or wear it with sandals to a Saturday farmers’ market. The blue and white combo works from June through September.

13. Striped Stunner: The bold vertical stripes seen on this flowy striped maxi dress give the illusion of a slimmer, longer appearance. We also love the romantic pink and red color palette that’s destined to turns heads.

14. Hamptons-Looking: You don’t need a Hamptons budget for that Hamptons look. This khaki striped maxi with spaghetti straps reads ‘expensive,’ and flatters without clinging.

Office-Ready Styles

15. Our Favorite: Need something polished that doesn’t feel restrictive? This V-neck shift dress is designed with a flattering loose fit and short sleeves that work well at the office (and after-work drinks).

16. Desk-to-Dinner: Going from your desk to dinner plans requires a dress that works for both activities. This belted Swiss dot midi has a wrap silhouette and cap sleeves that handles the task beautifully.

17. Throw-On-and-Go: Some mornings, you need a dress that requires zero thought. This comfy V-neck shift dress has pretty ruffle sleeves that elevate an otherwise plain frock. Oh, and pockets seal the deal.

Amazon Prime Video has the cream of the crop when it comes to April additions to its movie library.

The top streamer has added fantastic flicks like Titanic, Top Gun and The Aviator, featuring stars like Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Cruise.

But Watch With Us thinks there’s one movie in particular that you should make time for.

This April, Prime Video has also added Thelma & Louise, the classic road trip crime movie starring Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon as two women who rebel against their oppressive lives.

We break down why it’s one to watch.

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‘Thelma and Louise’ Is the Definition of a Timeless Movie

Directed by Ridley Scott from a screenplay by Callie Khouri, Thelma & Louise tells the story of Thelma Dickinson (Davis) and Louise Sawyer (Sarandon), two very different women who decide to embark on a weekend excursion to a fishing cabin. Thelma is a dissatisfied and sheltered housewife married to a controlling carpet salesman (Christopher McDonald), while Louise is more of a loose cannon and works as a waitress. When the two stop at a bar, a man (Timothy Carhart) who flirts and dances with Thelma ultimately tries to rape her. When Louise sees this happening, she threatens to shoot him with Thelma’s husband’s gun that she packed — and, ultimately, she does.

Thelma & Louise is about two women who don’t always see eye to eye but have unflinching loyalty to one another, and the film is about them realizing their truest selves together while sticking it to the patriarchy — something that manages to feel both universal and cathartic. Khouri’s script works hand-in-hand with Scott’s direction, who takes such an intimate story and turns it into an American epic while simultaneously never losing sight of the close bond between his characters. Scott understands what’s so great about the screenplay and creates a modern Western with two complex and unforgettable female characters at the center.

It Beautifully Showcases Two Women Finding Their Freedom

Thelma & Louise is one of the best “girl power” movies of all time, but it’s not preachy, and it’s not superficial, either. For the time, the movie was quite groundbreaking in its depiction of two women taking control of their lives from the ones that society would rather relegate them to, a movie whose foundation is based on mutual love and respect between the protagonists as they face the worst possible scenarios together. As we watch these characters grow through their arcs, we see Thelma evolve from naive, submissive housewife into a confident and independent woman; conversely, we watch Louise navigate the trauma that has come to define her and harden her.

But over thirty years on and Thelma & Louise has managed to lose none of its bite. It is a movie about women’s rage, agency and about breaking from the oppressive shackles that society has placed on women — something that, unfortunately, women continue to reckon with and be held back by. But instead of a hollow empowerment narrative that many modern feminist films fall victim to, the screenplay shows us these two very complex and richly depicted characters and allows them to go on a journey to reach their truest, most authentic selves. Also, at the end of the day, it’s just awesome to watch a movie in which women are allowed to be the outlaws.

The Characters Are Challenging in a Good Way

Part of what makes Thelma & Louise such an exhilarating movie about women is that it allows our protagonists to be morally questionable in their decision-making. Thelma and Louise aren’t perfect, flawless heroes, and even Louise’s initial murder of the man who attempted to rape Thelma is ethically murky. Though the man decides to back off with a gun pointed at him, it’s his refusal to apologize for attempted rape and calling her a bitch that causes Louise to pull the trigger. At the time, many critics were polarized by the film’s depictions of violence committed by women. Are these ladies just behaving like men? Is it hollow feminism after all?

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It’s these questions that Thelma & Louise prod at its audiences that are a huge part of what makes it such an iconic, enduring work. Not all movies should be an easy pill to swallow, and in fact, the best movies are the ones that dare to challenge our perspectives. When Thelma and Louise meet handsome robber J.D. (Brad Pitt) and he, of course, robs them, Thelma sticks up a store herself. She didn’t have to, and she probably shouldn’t have, yet she does it anyway because she wants to. Is it wrong to find it so thrilling and cathartic? Men get to be bad all the time, and we still love them for it; why should they get to have all the fun?

And that’s the ultimate appeal of Thelma & Louise. It’s a movie that lets its wild women run loose, and invites you along for the ride. It was rare for films to do that in 1991, and it’s still uncommon in 2026.

Stream Thelma & Louise now on Prime Video.

Diddy‘s lawyers have reportedly appeared before a Federal Appeals Court to demand his immediate release from prison.

RELATED: Another One! Diddy’s Prison Release Date Reportedly Updated Amid His Fight To Appeal His 4-Year Sentence

Diddy’s Lawyers Reportedly Appear In Federal Appeals Court To Demand His Immediate Release From Prison

According to Forbes, Diddy’s legal team has appeared before a federal appeals court to push for his immediate release. Furthermore, the team is seeking to overturn his conviction on two counts of the Mann Act. Per the outlet, the act “outlaws transportation to engage in prostitution.”

Furthermore, the outlet adds that Diddy is not expected in court. Nonetheless, his lawyers will reportedly argue that his “freakoffs” were “choreographed performances that he filmed to create First Amendment-protected amateur pornography.” Additionally, they reportedly argue that Diddy had “no commercial interest in the activity” and that the “interstate travel was for consensual sex.”

“Those twelve citizens diligently applied the law to that evidence and unanimously rejected the government’s sordid tale of coercion and racketeering. The verdict could not have been clearer or more consistent. The jury found Combs not guilty of forcing, coercing, or defrauding Casandra Ventura. The jury found Combs not guilty of forcing, coercing, or defrauding Jane. And the jury found Combs not guilty of RICO conspiracy. That verdict is an ‘affirmative indication of innocence,’” a lawyer reportedly asserted in a court document, per Newsweek.

In addition, the defense is arguing that Judge Arun Subramanian “improperly imposed a harsh sentence unusual for violations of the Mann Act.” Per the group, usual sentences range around 15 months. However, Diddy reportedly received three times that amount with his 50-month sentence.

“He sits in prison today, serving a 50-month sentence, because the district judge acted as a thirteenth juror,” Diddy’s lawyers reportedly stated in court documents.

Will Diddy Be Immediately Released From Prison?

Lawyers for the government reportedly argue that Judge Subramanian issued a fair sentence. This, because he “properly considered the aggravated manner in which Combs carried out his Mann Act offenses and harmed his victims.” Additionally, the lawyers argued against the defense’s argument that Combs was creating “First Amendment-protected porn.”

“Combs’s later viewing and occasional filming of the sex cannot bring his conduct within the purview of the First Amendment,” they reportedly argued, adding that Diddy often hired and transported third-party sex workers “for his own sexual gratification, sometimes directly participating in the sex acts.”

More On The 55-Year-Old’s 2025 Federal Case & What Happens Next

As The Shade Room previously reported, Diddy was convicted of transportation to engage in prostitution charges in July 2025. Furthermore, he was acquitted on sex trafficking and racketeering charges after an eight-week trial. Furthermore, in March, Page Six published an exclusive report asserting that the Federal Bureau of Prisons updated Diddy’s prison release date. This, reportedly from the latest given date of June 4, 2028, to April 25, 2028. Per Forbes, that date has since been updated to April 15, 2028.

Per the outlet, in addition to his appeal, Diddy is also hoping to lessen his sentence with his enrollment in a prison sobriety program.

TMZ adds that, at the time of publication, the appeal hearing has concluded. It remains unclear when the federal court will share its final decision.

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Jenna Ortega‘s acting career in Hollywood was saved by this bell!

The actress had almost made up her mind about her future in the movie industry until she bagged a role in a very successful production, and things gained momentum from there.

Jenna Ortega struggled with not having a voice in Hollywood during her come-up days as an actor on the scene; these days, she has gained a voice, but has learned to use it very carefully.

Jenna Ortega Shared Her Experience On The Edge Of Leaving It All Behind

The media personality got candid with Kid Cudi on his podcast “Big Bro with Kid Cudi” on Wednesday, April 8, about making a decision to end her acting career just before she clinched a role on “You.” Ortega confessed that she was stuck and did not know what else to do, alongside a strong feeling for wanting another experience out of life. 

She continued that continuing with life as a teenager fresh off a children’s show left her practically clueless, and having to prove herself to new directors who did not know who she was made it more daunting. Ortega added that the timing also coincided with the start of high school for her, and it made the most sense to leave Hollywood at that time.

However, that call to feature as Ellie Alves (Joe Goldberg’s neighbor) on the second season of “You” in 2019 opened her eyes to what she had not spared a thought before. “I went on that set, and I loved it and had the best time. I thought, ‘Yeah, there’s no way I could let this go,’” she stated on the podcast.

The Netflix Star’s Favorite Season Is A Packed Schedule

The actress detailed that the job of being an actress comes with so much that no one prepares an actor for. After her breakout roles on “Jane the Virgin” and “Stuck in the Middle,” she won the hearts of more fans on “Scream” and the “Beetlejuice” sequel.

Ortega proceeded to etch her name in the iconic sands of Hollywood with a scintillating performance on the Netflix series “Wednesday,” which placed her on the nominations list for the Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG awards. One might expect a burnout after these back-to-back roles, but Ortega stated to Cudi that the busier things get for her as an actress, the better.

She added that taking her first four-month break recently, after years of working, felt so strange to her and everyone around, who knew how much she loved her job and loved showing up. However, the break has given her the chance to get to know herself better, feel better, and feel very necessary.

Jenna Ortega Recalled How Growing Up In The Spotlight Changed Her

Last year, The Blast shared that the “Wednesday” star appeared on the cover of Vogue Mexico and Latin America in September and granted interviews about her time in Hollywood and navigating her way around fame.

The media personality recalled that feeling ignored and dismissed as a child in the spotlight was a dominant feature in life back then, and the memories have not become any less terrifying. Ortega added that she does not have any desire to be in that kind of situation as time goes on, but using her voice as efficiently and kindly as possible was paramount to her.

She confessed that growing up as a greenhorn in the industry, combined with some challenging professional situations, left her feeling like an outsider. Through her journey to become a famous name, Ortega noted that she became more cautious about expressing herself, learning to be more meticulous with her choice of words.

The 23-Year-Old Never Forgets To Stay In Touch With Reality

Ortega clinched a Critics’ Choice Super Awards in 2023 in the “Best Actress in a Horror Series” category for her role on “Wednesday.” The media personality proceeded to earn the People’s Choice Awards for “The Drama Movie Star of the Year” in 2024 for “Scream VI.”

Despite the unending accolades and flashing lights of fame, Ortega has learned to protect herself from drowning away in all the paparazzi. The Blast reported that she revealed her hacks to always “touch grass,” which includes turning off her phone even at the expense of her publicist’s anger.

The Netflix star continued that she also enjoys walking, whether in a random garden, running laps, or just taking a nap in the field; she just loves being outside. While she was making waves as a child actor in Hollywood, Ortega recalled her parents being so protective of her and being hesitant to let her work on sets as a child in an adult workplace.

Jenna Ortega’s Reservations On The Prevalence Of Artificial Intelligence 

The actress got vulnerable about the negative effect of A.I. and how strongly she is not on board with the extreme usage of A.I. tools, or else humans might stretch it to a point of no return.

Ortega declared, “It’s very easy to be terrified. I know I am in times like these of deep uncertainty. And it kind of feels like we’ve opened up a Pandora’s Box.” She stated that A.I. cannot reproduce authentic human imperfections and the genuine feelings that come with telling stories and acting in a way that leaves an indelible mark on the human audience.

Ortega continued that she has also personally experienced the adverse effects of A.I., where, as a minor, she had to see fake and sexually explicit images of herself on multiple social media platforms. She linked viewing this content to her decision to stay off social media for good, but she still has hope that humans will use it for something positive.

In 2025, the world said goodbye to Robert Redford. Over seven decades, the Hollywood giant entertained audiences with all kinds of action movies, thrillers, Westerns, and comedies. It’s hard to pin down what his best movie is, but his most important celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. In 1976, Redford starred alongside Dustin Hoffman in All the President’s Men, based on a book of the same name by The Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. Their reporting took down President Richard Nixon, and Alan J. Pakula‘s film, from a phenomenal script by William Goldman, brought their journey to life on the big screen and celebrated the courage of journalists. Half a century later, it’s more important to watch than ever.

What Is ‘All the President’s Men’ About?

All the President’s Men starts with the infamous Watergate break-in, where five men illegally entered the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee and were arrested. No one thought much of it at the time, including the reporters from The Washington Post covering it, Carl Bernstein (Hoffman) and Bob Woodward (Redford). However, it’s revealed that the burglars are involved with the CIA, and Woodward and Bernstein’s investigation uncovers ties to President Richard Nixon as well.

What follows is over two hours of a thrilling history lesson about the courage these two reporters showed to uncover the truth at all costs — even if it got them too close to the crimes of the most powerful man in the world. All the President’s Men follows several months of their investigation and ends as Nixon is beginning a second term, but their efforts transformed the world. Over a year later, President Nixon became the only holder of the office to resign, a shocking moment that only happened because of two reporters portrayed in All the President’s Men.

Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman’s ‘All the President’s Men’ Won 4 Oscars

Image via Warner Bros.

All the President’s Men was a box office hit, pulling in over $70 million. Not only did audiences love it, but so did critics. Today, on Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 95% Tomatometer. The most famous critic of them all, Roger Ebert, gave it a near perfect 3.5 out of 4 stars in his written review, raving about the attention to detail and how “It provides the most observant study of working journalists we’re ever likely to see in a feature film.”

Directed by Alan J. Pakula, who had just made another political thriller, The Parallax View, two years earlier, and written by iconic writer William Goldman (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Misery), All the President’s Men is not one of those thrillers with murder, car chases, shootouts, and violent fights. Pakula was great at that (he also directed Presumed Innocent and The Pelican Brief), but this movie didn’t need it. It was raw at the time, digging into a fresh wound, with Nixon’s resignation happening two years earlier. It’s a film that depends on Goldman’s craft of writing dialogue because All the President’s Men is about people talking.

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“I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore.”

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Redford and Hoffman are at the center in nearly every scene, with powerful supporting performances from Jack Warden, Martin Balsam, Jason Robards, Hal Holbrook, and Jane Alexander. At the 1977 Academy Awards, All the President’s Men was honored with eight nominations. Although it lost out on Best Picture to Rocky, the film still picked up four trophies. Robards won for Best Supporting Actor as managing editor Ben Bradlee. Goldman won Best Screenplay, his second win following Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

‘All the President’s Men’ Is Even More Powerful in 2026

All the President’s Men takes its time, showing off the realism of journalism, which isn’t about rushing off to one place after another, but is about research, making phone calls, and waiting for a response. The visual chaos of the newsroom and the sound of typewriters clacking and phones ringing puts the audience right there in the heart of The Washington Post with Woodward and Berstein. The film is a love letter to journalism of the day, and 50 years later, it is a look back into the past.

It’s a moment in time, peering into a world which sadly doesn’t exist in the same way in 2026 with a fractured, corporate-owned media all about driving clicks and pandering to whatever political bubble you reside in. The film shows how a free media can resist and seek out the facts, no matter the consequences. All The President’s Men sought only the truth.

It’s no secret that Kevin Smith loves filmmaking. Despite some initial plans to put the camera down over a decade ago, he’s kept at it for over 30 years, from the indie darling Clerks that first put him on the map to Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Tusk, Red State, and many more installments in his View Askewniverse and beyond. All the while, he’s discussed film and pop culture aplenty through his podcasts, Q&As, and just about wherever else people will listen to him. He loves cinema so much, in fact, that he’s even willing to talk about movies with a room full of dogs. Now, Collider is excited to share a new video that shows exactly that as part of an adorable charity collaboration between Hera the Dog Vodka and Much Love Animal Rescue for National Pet Day on April 11.

The surreal footage opens like a normal conversation with Smith, who reflects on 1998 when “Chasing Amy is doing well, Good Will Hunting is doing well, and we get greenlit for Dogma.” Released the following year, Dogma marked the fourth installment in the filmmaker’s View Askewniverse, following the high-stakes comedic adventure of two fallen angels, played by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, who find a loophole to get back into Heaven and a group that bands together to stop them before they destroy all of reality. While he starts discussing the making of the controversial classic, the camera pans to show his audience — a small pack of canines of different breeds just doing their own thing. Some look happy, others look bored, but when Smith mentions how the studio “ruined” his fantasy comedy by putting Affleck in it instead of actual dogs, one particular pooch looks sadly at the camera as if wondering what could’ve been with an all-dog cast.

Fortunately, this project has a mostly dog-filled ensemble. Eleven shelter animals took part in the filming of the promotional video alongside Smith, listening as he dropped “Hollywood pearls” and asked them what the deal was with all the panting. He even pitches them on Clerks 4: Still Clerkin’, much to the apparent approval of one German Shepherd. Producer Todd Milliner told Collider that the silly idea was born out of a previous collaboration with Smith and a desire to make something that plays both to his talents and his status as a rescue dog dad. It also just made sense considering Hera the Dog and Much Love’s commitment to finding animals their forever homes.

“I was already working with Kevin on a show at NBC and got to meet his rescue dogs, so we knew he was both a huge dog lover and someone who can talk — at length — about filmmaking. When we teamed up with Much Love Animal Rescue and Hair of the Dog Vodka, it just clicked: what if we let Kevin do what he does best… but with dogs? We had a script, which Kevin politely ignored, and then he improvised for hours. What you see is the result of Kevin being Kevin.”

Kevin Smith’s Authenticity Made the National Pet Day Collaboration Work

Though Smith brings the star power, the dogs are the real heart and soul of the project, who happen to improvise just as well as their human co-star. Fellow producer Paul Velten said the goal wasn’t to necessarily direct the dogs, but let them do their own thing around the filmmaker as if they were just hanging around being pets. “We also wanted the dogs to feel like what they really are — your best friend, your therapist, your ride-or-die,” he added. “So the idea became: let’s just hang out, talk about what we love, and see what happens. Turns out, dogs are a very supportive audience.”

Still, it can’t be understated how important it was to have someone like Smith who really understood the cause of helping dogs and the organizations that find them homes. “It’s everything,” Milliner responded. “We always look for people who genuinely care about the cause, not just people who can show up and hit their mark. Kevin already loves rescue dogs, so there was no selling required.” Authenticity can go a long way towards giving real credit to two organizations that can talk the talk when it comes to caring for the creatures that roam the streets.

The Los Angeles-based Much Love is a non-profit powered by volunteers, who help to rescue abused, neglected, and homeless animals, and provide them with care, training, and housing until the right family comes along. From their opening in 1999, they’ve found places for over 3,500 animals, though the last year has been one of their most trying, with the LA wildfires increasing the burden on shelters amid a surge of strays across the city. Hera the Dog, meanwhile, has married award-winning vodka with a mission of supporting shelters, donating 6% of all proceeds to facilities in need, and donating $70,000 and 16,000 pounds of pet food to local rescues in need. Owner Julia Pennington also has 25 years of experience working in an animal shelter under her belt, making the goal all the more personal. In Velten’s eyes, this campaign necessitates real care and a real commitment to match that of the organizations themselves, even if it means doing something as goofy as talking to dogs about Dogma:

“Yeah, you can’t fake this stuff. We’re asking people to give their time and actually care, so they have to be invested from the start. With Kevin, we just gave him the space to do his thing — improvise, riff, go off-script — and that’s where the magic happens.”

Much Love and Hera the Dog’s Campaign Features an Inclusive Adoptable Dog Cast

Casting the dogs wasn’t as simple as rounding up a selection of the cutest furry friends possible. All of Smith’s talented co-stars featured in the video come directly from Much Love, and they’re all adoptable. Milliner revealed that it was a key tenet of the production for the dogs to be representative of the animals that could be found at the rescue. “Much Love Animal Rescue brought a group of adoptable dogs, and that became our cast. We wanted it to be real — these are dogs you could actually meet and take home.” As Velten added, like strays themselves, these dogs came in all shapes, sizes, and states of being, yet all with big hearts and enthusiasm to be on the cozy little set. “And it was a full range — big, small, chaotic, chill. We had dogs with disabilities too — a blind dog, a deaf dog, one missing a leg — and they were all living their best lives on set.”

Despite how many canines were in one place, they managed to be quite chill and respectful of Smith while he discussed movies. Handling that many animals is still a little chaotic, though. “Honestly, there were more dogs than we could even fit on camera at times,” Milliner recalled. “It turned into a bit of a party.” Velten seconded that notion, calling the shoot “A very well-behaved party… powered entirely by treats.” “And the occasional filmmaking advice from Kevin Smith,” Milliner concluded. No matter how producers pulled it all together, it made for a fitting cinema-themed promotion that feels appropriate for both the director and for two organizations looking to do good in and around Los Angeles.

National Pet Day arrives on April 11. Check out the video in the player above and visit the official Hera the Dog Vodka and Much Love Animal Rescue websites for information on how to support both organizations and, in turn, help some animals become someone’s loving new pet.

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Release Date

November 12, 1999

Runtime

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130 minutes

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