By Robert Scucci
| Published 1 hour ago

The impact that 1979’s Alien had on cinema and pop culture at large is undeniable. There have been countless imitations since its release, with 1982’s Forbidden World being one of the earliest examples. Using the same Alien blueprint that films like The Last Days on Mars (2013), Ash (2025), and Underwater (2020) shamelessly cling to, Forbidden World is more true to form in its depiction of a hostile alien takeover, but it leans harder into gore, sex, and low-fi B-movie spectacle than most films that share its DNA.

Speaking of DNA, what sets Forbidden World apart from Alien is its characters’ willingness to poke and prod at the very alien lifeform threatening their survival, fully aware of how much trouble it could cause. Alien centers on a hostile organism that nobody aboard the USCSS Nostromo intended to encounter, while the crew in Forbidden World could have avoided catastrophe entirely if they had simply aborted their mission and terminated their test subjects in a controlled environment.

Like Alien, But More Violent And Sexy

Forbidden World opens with a familiar setup, taking place at a research station on the distant desert planet Xarbia. The film wastes no time establishing its gooey, bloody, gestating antagonist, Subject 20. We’re introduced to visiting military officer Mike Colby (Jesse Vint), who, alongside his trusty robot SAM-104 (Don Olivera), urges head researcher Gordon Hauser (Linden Chiles) to terminate the experiment after witnessing the dozens of slaughtered animal carcasses littering the “creature room,” clearly victims of Subject 20’s violent metamorphosis.

Accompanying Gordon in his study of Subject 20 are assistants Barbara Glaser and Tracy Baxter, who, for reasons the movie never bothers to justify, are almost always scantily clad in space uniforms that may as well be short sun dresses or bath robes. Rounding out the crew are lab technician Jimmy Swift (Michael Bowen), electrician Brian Beale (Raymond Oliver), security officer Earl Richards (Scott Paulin), and Doctor Cal Timbergen (Fox Harris).

When Jimmy carelessly opens Subject 20’s enclosure after being ordered to clean up the piles of animal bodies in its wake, he becomes the first victim of the creature’s violence, though he isn’t killed outright. Dr. Cal examines Jimmy’s barely alive body and discovers that Subject 20 has infected him with a mutated strain known as Proto B. The infection reduces human DNA to a uniform protein mass, effectively turning the body into a blank slate that Subject 20 can consume, only making it stronger.

As Forbidden World moves into its second and third acts, Subject 20 goes into full rampage mode, hunting down the rest of the crew and annihilating everything in its path as it grows exponentially stronger and inches closer to its final form.

Let’s Just Call It What It Is

For a movie that would not exist without Alien, Forbidden World still has a lot going for it, along with enough B-movie charm to stand on its own. The key distinction is that Alien follows a crew that unknowingly brings a hostile lifeform aboard their ship and pays the price. Every crew member in Forbidden World, on the other hand, understands the dangers they are facing and even receives orders from the military to terminate the research once Subject 20 proves dangerous.

This willful ignorance separates Forbidden World from the film that inspired it because the characters more or less know what they are getting into and choose not to exercise caution. When Subject 20 finally launches its slasher-style rampage, the violence is easier to stomach because everyone here had ample warning. Alien’s characters are sympathetic because they were deceived into transporting a Xenomorph. The crew in Forbidden World is essentially asking to be slaughtered inside their own research station because they know better and press on anyway.

Thanks to these tonal differences, Forbidden World works as a shameless copycat that still manages to carve out its own identity. Exploitative, sexually charged subplots notwithstanding, there are still some great creature shots, and the gore is surprisingly solid for an early 80s, low-budget riff on a much more successful intellectual property.

A slasher-style Alien copycat that commits fully to its sleaze and splatter, Forbidden World is a solid watch for these reasons and can be streamed for free on Tubi as of this writing.

On 90 Day Fiance, Daniel can’t seem to keep his stories straight to Lisa and admits he was chatting up another lady on social media. Stig Da Artist suggests he and Aviva Duhamel should slow their roll as her Aunt Spring’s visit looms. Emma Perry is forced to come clean after Ziad El Yahyaoui fails to propose on her birthday. And Forrest struggles with the thought of losing Sheena. Let’s break it all down in this recap of Season 08, Episode 10 Prepare For Arrival.

90 Day Fiance: Daniel Admits He Got Caught

On 90 Day Fiance, Daniel denies talking to another woman. Lisa had screenshots for proof, but deleted them. Daniel takes a look at the woman’s profile picture. He plays it off that he does not recognize or know that person. But Lisa reminds him he didn’t deny it the night before when they were with his friends. Daniel evades her questions. But Lisa isn’t giving up and her suspicions run wild.

In the morning, Daniel sleeps in while Lisa spends some time at the pool. He comes looking for her and she’s not letting up. She tells him the woman had previously sent screen grabs and evidence. Lisa messages the woman again and heads back up to the hotel room to wait on the reply. She rages and second guesses her decision to delete the prior convos. Daniel maintains he doesn’t know the woman in the profile.

Finally, the woman replies with a lengthy response on 90 Day Fiance. Daniel returns to the room and Lisa is hysterical. He asks to see the profile picture again and this time admits he talked to the woman in the past. But once he got to know Lisa it ended. Lisa bawls while Daniel consoles her. But he admits to production he knows he got caught. Daniel sweet talks Lisa and she calms down. But Daniel hasn’t heard her secrets yet.

90 Day Fiance: Stig Pulls Back from Aviva

90 Day Fiance couple Stig Da Artist and Aviva Duhamel have very different takes on what went down during his show. Aviva thinks he was disrespectful to her by openly flirting with other girls on stage. He thinks she was the rude one for being on her phone while he performed. After ordering up some strong tropical drinks, the pair discuss their struggle. And Stig wonders aloud if they are moving too fast. In spite of not using any birth control since Aviva arrived.

Aviva Duhamel finds things awkward between them. And Stig Da Artist suggests maybe they should use protection since they need to be sure. Aviva wants to know where it’s really coming from. Her Aunt Spring arrives in Belize the next day. And she’s been doing some digging. So Aviva hopes if their is anything going on she doesn’t know about her aunt can find out. On the drive to Placencia to meet Aunt Spring, Aviva is concerned that Stig hasn’t said “I love you ” yet.

The Before The 90 Days couple meet up with her aunt. Right off the bat Aunt Spring can see how Aviva would fall for Stig’s charms and sweet talking. Aunt Spring asks hard questions. Such as if he is serious. Or if Aviva is one of many ladies who visit him on the island. Then Spring pulls him aside to question him about some things she’s heard. She shows him a picture on her phone. And it’s clear by his reaction Stig is busted on camera doing something.

TLC Couple Ziad and Emma Spend the Night in the Desert

Emma Perry is packed and ready to go on a desert getaway with Ziad Yahyaoui on 90 Day Fiance. Camel rides are on the agenda. And Ziad warns that her heels may not be the best for transversing the desert terrain. Emma takes her chances, preferring to be in style over safety. She squeals with delight when she sees the camels. And they take a nice ride checking off the first thing on the birthday activity list.

The pair call it a night and Emma Perry is perplexed that they will stay in separate tents. Ziad El Yahyaoui admits to production that he is happy. But doesn’t divulge as many personal details as Emma did. He plans a romantic birthday dinner al fresco. But it’s really windy and Ziad shivers as they feast on chicken tagine. Again. Emma is hopeful there will be a proposal. In spite of having to give up her cardigan to Ziad who is freezing.

The final surprise arrives on 90 Day Fiance and it’s not an engagement ring but rather a cake. Emma’s disappointed. And Ziad shutters her back to her tent so he can go thaw out somewhere. Emma Perry wakes up “in her head”. And decides to come clean about her former Moroccan connection. She spills it all to Ziad El Yahyaoui. She was here before with another guy. They broke up. But got back together and that’s why she ghosted him. And drops the big bomb in the end: they were engaged.

Before The 90 Days: Forrest in the Middle of Both Families

Forrest feels great about his future with Sheena in spite of her lies about money on 90 Day Fiance. His mom Molly doesn’t share his good vibes. She fears he’s too trusting. And in spite of Sheena’s tears and apologies, she doesn’t trust her. Sheena treats everyone to a Kawa bath. A tradition in the Philippines, the baths feature soaking in a cooking cauldron filled with warm water, leaves and flowers. Molly claims it’s a heavenly experience.

But the aromatic bliss doesn’t last long. Later, they meet again with Sheena’s family. And her dad draws the line at the kids having a joint account. Suggesting Sheena can control the funds since Forrest technically doesn’t have any. And she can send a screen grab of the balance now and then. After she gives a little off the top to mom and dad to keep the business up and running. Forrest is A-ok with this. But Molly thinks something isn’t right.

90 Day Fiance: Laura Falls for Birkan’s Charm

Laura Nevenner has been hit with multiple red flags since arriving in Turkey. The 90 Day Fiance newbie discovered her young paramour is 50 grand in debt. Not to mention an avid gambler who spends his days puffing shisha in a neighborhood cafe. But in spite of it all, she is hanging on for the ride. Especially a boat ride on the Aegean sea complete with white wine and emotional groveling.

Laura Nevenner melts when Birkan retells being dumped after an injury that ended his football career. Even worse he was dumped via text. Laura is sympathetic. Birkan gives her all the credit for bringing him back to life. From the soccer field to the cafe. She wonders aloud how he’s affording the cruise. He simple says “gambling”. “Go with the flow just like the boat” he swoons. She beams as if she’s hit some jackpot.

90 Day Fiance: Jovon Peeved at Annalyn’s Lifestyle

And last but kind of least we revisit our boring old 90 Day Fiance married couple Jovon and Annalyn Fox. Between griping over desserts, exes and attitude the honeymooners are anything but. However, it’s time to move on to real life. And head to Annalyn’s place. She’s a fixture in town. And everybody stares including the stray dogs when she emerges from the taxi with Jovon. He’s a little uncomfortable. But eager to finally meet Annalyn’s mom.

Annalyn Fox eagerly shows him around her place. She has a spacious kitchen, lots of travel pictures and even (gasp) an upstairs. Jovon Fox isn’t happy to see his wife living in normalcy. And even more unsettled that she owns more than one pair of shoes kept in a closet. He feels she’s taking advantage of the money he sends. While he toils and lives with roommates. Next he meets her mom. Who fawns over her son-in-law and is affectionate with him to Annalyn’s surprise. Till next time!

Days of Our Lives divulges that EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) just revealed that it’s about time for Stefano DiMera‘s (Joseph Mascolo) last will and testament to be read. And EJ suspects it could cause drama for him and his siblings. Is he right? Is there chaos coming to Salem one last time, thanks to Stefano.

We’re going to dig into Elvis Junior DiMera’s prediction that his dead dad, Stefano, has one last scheme to pit his children against each other in the terms of his will. Let’s dive in!

The Discovery and DNA Confirmation of Stefano DiMera’s Remains on Days of Our Lives

EJ and his siblings Tony DiMera (Thaao Penghlis), Chad DiMera (Billy Flynn), and Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk), and nephew Theo Carver (Cameron Johnson) finally laid Stefano’s remains to rest. Even though their dad had been missing for years and presumed dead, only Dr. Wilhelm Rolf (Richard Wharton) knew for certain that Stefano had passed away.

Kristen discovered his bones. And then Theo and Chad helped excavate them while they were trying to dig their way out of the crypt. Dr. Rolf had interred Stefano remains in the mausoleum But we just found out that local criminal Liam Selejko (Hank Northrop) was hired by Vivian Alamain’s (Louise Sorel) henchman, Klaus, to move supplies into the mausoleum.

Liam said he accidentally spilled a sarcophagus and the bones went out, so he just buried them under the dirt. We know that Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering) is the one who had the bones DNA tested by the FBI crime lab. And he confirmed to the family they do indeed belong to the late, great Stefano DiMera.

A Complicated Farewell on DOOL: The DiMera Mansion Memorial

EJ, Kristen, Chad, and Tony invited Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) and Theo to come over and say goodbye to their Nonno Stefano. They had a simple memorial at the DiMera mansion for anybody who wanted to pay their respects—or in some cases, for those to vent about EJ’s father. Stefano caused decades of heartache and trouble for a lot of people in Salem.

Even the memorial caused drama in the family. Stefano’s grandsons, Theo and Johnny, grieved the loss of an attentive and kind grandfather But Stefano’s children were not all sharing that fond opinion. They had a range of emotions, as each of EJ’s siblings had a different and unique relationship with their father.

Favored Sons and Adopted Heirs: Stefano’s Complex Family Dynamics on Days of our Lives

Kristen and Peter Blake (Dan Gauthier) were adopted by Stefano. He basically stole them But they took after the worst parts of their adopted father. Yet, both Kristen and Peter held grudges against Stefano and the other biological children. Then there’s Tony, who knows full well EJ was their father’s favorite on Days of our Lives.

Tony was also not a biological child of Stefano’s but he was treated like one of Stefano’s own for the most part. However, the Phoenix still didn’t want Tony at the helm of his multinational DiMera Corporation, nor did he want him controlling his vast estate. It is interesting that Stefano didn’t want that, yet it was Tony who went to all the effort to get DiMera Enterprises back for the family. Stefano didn’t have nearly enough faith in him.

Missing Heirs and the Mystery of Stefan DiMera’s Death on Days of our Lives

Meanwhile, Chad has exited Salem with his kids, Thomas DiMera (Cary Christopher) and Charlotte DiMera (Autumn Gendron), for a couple of months. We’re getting a recast Chad and Thomas in April, so Chad is not going to be around for the will reading. He has no interest in running DiMera or having a share of the family business. He’s happy at the Spectator. Still, Stefano could have left Chad a sizable inheritance for him or for the kids.

Several of Stefano’s other children are dead. Most recently killed off was Peter. Now we know Stefan DiMera (Brandon Barash) was held captive by Vivian Alamain (Louise Sorel) until he died But I still don’t buy that. I know there was a DNA test on Stefan’s remains But we all know that Vivian could have moved Jake DiMera’s (Brandon Barash) remains into Stefan or just swapped their headstones. As twins, they would be a DNA match.

EJ DiMera’s Secret Inheritance: The Return of the Phoenix Ring

Despite what the will says, it’s already pretty clear that EJ DiMera is Stefano’s heir apparent But only he and Dr. Wilhelm Rolf know that. EJ siblings had taken off by the time Dr. Rolf showed up to the mausoleum with a special bequest for EJ direct from his dad.

Dr. Rolf said that Stefano wanted him to hand EJ his original Phoenix ring when the time was right. And Dr. Rolf decided the time was right. EJ has not told his family that Stefano’s ring was hand-delivered to him.

It has been spotted But not by his siblings yet. EJ getting the ring may also be mentioned in the will. And that might be when it comes out. In the meantime, Kristen or Tony might see him wearing it. And have a reaction.

Will Gabi Hernandez Claim a Share of the DiMera Fortune on Days of Our Lives?

Right now, EJ is wondering if his father is going to wreak havoc from beyond the grave one last time. EJ expects the will is going to pit Stefano DiMera’s kids against each other: Kristen DiMera, Tony DiMera, Chad DiMera, EJ DiMera. And possibly Megan Hathaway (Miranda Wilson).

Plus, if Stefan was in line to inherit, I think we’re looking at Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) getting to cash in. And get a sizable chunk of the estate. Because her divorce from Stefan DiMera was forged and therefore invalid. That could spark some contention between EJ, Kristen, and Tony. Because they may feel that Gabi doesn’t deserve the money.

Stefan and Gabi were on the outs when he was kidnapped by Vivian. And whisked to Alamainia, where Vivian doctored up the divorce papers. None of them were fans of Stefan or his twin, Jake. They were late to the party and basically treated as “discount DiMeras.”

Loyal Employees and Unexpected Bequests in Stefano’s Will

We could see EJ and the others contesting the will. And trying to stop Gabi from getting a share of the estate. It’s already low-key assumed that EJ is going to be head of the family. Tony is the eldest But he knows that EJ was the favored son. Stefano could say everybody shares equally, but that doesn’t sound like the Phoenix.

I’m also interested to see if longtime loyal employees like Dr. Rolf and Rita Lesley (Maggie Carney) are going to get a little something in Stefano’s will. If Lexie Carver (Renee Jones) is the one in the big test tube. And she’s revived, they may have to reallocate retroactively to give her a share of the estate, although she probably wouldn’t want it.

We’ll have to wait and see if the grandkids that Stefano knew about are named in the will, maybe with provisions for grandchildren born after that he didn’t know about. I don’t think Chanel Dupree (Raven Bowens) is going to want Johnny to take one DiMera dime. But we’ll see.

DOOL: Stefano’s Final Scheme: Hunger Games in Salem?

Since EJ is expecting chaos, I wonder if there’s some bizarre Hunger Games element to the bequest. Not a literal fight to the death—although it is Stefano DiMera, so never say never. But it could be some sort of competition to see who gets the lion’s share of it. It would be a devious last game their dad plays with them.

Finally, I wonder if Stefano is going to have any oddball bequests, like leaving something to Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall), his “Queen of the Night.” Maybe a first edition Arabian Nights or something. Or perhaps mean things left behind to people he despised.

We could see that robotic eyeball left if he knew about that. I’m trying to remember the timing of when Dr. Rolf said Stefano died. Because he died well after everybody thought he did. I’m fuzzy on the actual timeline from when Stefano shucked off his mortal coil.

I do think that Stefano leaving things to people he hated as one last final insult would be pretty interesting. The reading of the will is just around the corner. I expect it before the end of February sweeps, so stay tuned.

By Jonathan Klotz
| Published 12 seconds ago

Supernatural is among the very few shows to reach 15 seasons, and among genre shows, it’s outlasted everyone. As the Winchester brothers, Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles were at the forefront of almost every episode, but they weren’t alone. With them all the way from the humble beginnings, trying to find the demon who killed their mother, to the very end, when they battle God, is the 1967 Chevy Impala: Baby. 

Through thick and thin, possessions, ghosts, wendigos, angels, and the Devil himself, Dean’s Impala was right there, which is why, when it took center stage in 2011’s “Baby.” When fans heard an entire episode would be shot inside the Impala, they didn’t know quite what to expect, but the crew of Supernatural turned the old “bottle episode” gimmick into one of the best of the show’s entire run. 

Baby The Impala Is Supernatural’s Third Lead

From the moment “Baby” starts, you know it’s going to be a different type of episode. The usual recap begins in 1967 with footage of a Chevy plant assembling Impalas. It quickly jumps forward to the present, as Dean and Sam give it a good wash before a road trip to investigate another case, and that’s when you notice every single camera shot is from the perspective of Baby. This leads to some unique angles over the dash and into the side mirrors, and then later on, an overhead shot from the roof of the car as the boys settle in for the night. 

Every single inch of the Impala helps ground the Supernatural episode right when the series was starting to go off the rails. Granted, “grounded” is a bit of a stretch for an episode in which the term “were-pire” is used. The real monster of the episode, a Nachzeher, feels like a throwback to the early seasons, and how it’s finally defeated, through a series of small payoffs to the various passengers in Baby during the episode, is classic Supernatural. 

A Back To Basics Monster Of The Week

The meat of the episode, Sam and Dean going on a road trip together, also gives the brothers time to reconnect and establish their relationship. For years, it was the bedrock of the series, but over 10 seasons, a lot went unsaid, and a gulf began to form between the two as fans had to endure more and more episodes that split them up, or worse, put them at odds. In “Baby,” the two get a chance to sit, talk, and reconnect. It’s a quiet scene with the camera going from one close-up to the other, but it’s what helps make the episode so good, especially for longtime fans who relish every moment with the pair. 

As much as the dramatic side of their relationship helps drive Supernatural forward, there’s also the complete goofball side to each of the brothers, and to the actors behind the roles. Goofs and bloopers from the series get more views than the dramatic moments on social media. Dean popping in Bob Seger’s “Night Moves” and then singing along is one of those moments that makes fans wonder if Jensen did it between takes and they wrote it in, because it’s exactly the type of offbeat, corny humor and brotherly chemistry the stars showed on screen for over a decade. 

Turning The Bottle Episode Format On Its Head

“Baby” was an immediate hit when it aired, nailing the sweet spot of “monster of the week,” classic Supernatural chemistry, and a few nods to the final major story arc of the series. Bottle episodes are usually done as a cost-cutting measure, such as on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. or Stargate SG-1, but the unique hook of filming entirely in and around a car makes “Baby” look and feel different from every other episode. The talented production crew turned a budget-saving gimmick into a wildly inventive new way to frame, shoot, and present a show that had been airing for over a decade. 

Supernatural may have outlasted the story it was trying to tell, but for any show to run for 15 seasons and develop a fervent fan base that, years after its conclusion, is still going strong. “Baby” is a perfect example of why the show became a hit and how self-imposed restrictions can lead to new levels of creative genius. 

By Jonathan Klotz & Joshua Tyler | Published 8 seconds ago

Tim Burton’s Batman lit the box office on fire in 1989, setting off a rush by studios to push out the next big superhero film. Unlike the early 2000s superhero rush, those earlier studio executives went back to the pulp heroes of the 1930s. 

Dick Tracy, The Shadow, and The Phantom hit theaters, bringing classic radio serials and comic books to life. In parallel with producing The Shadow, Universal Studios also launched a more straightforward approach to the problem of trying to duplicate Batman’s success by making their own, modern-day superhero franchise, just like Batman. 

To do it, they hired a man who’d established himself as an up-and-coming genius in the horror space. Sam Raimi was the right man for the job, but he was too far ahead of his time. His big superhero success wouldn’t come until 12 years after the release of his Universal film.

Sam Raimi Makes His Own Superhero After Being Denied By Hollywood

Sam Raimi was coming off Evil Dead 2, still considered by many to be his best movie, and Hollywood studios were starting to take notice of the offbeat filmmaker. Sadly, Universal Pictures, the rights holders to The Shadow, passed on Raimi helming their Alec Baldwin pulp hero film.

Dejected, Raimi instead wrote a screenplay around a character called Darkman, a superhero he created in a short story years earlier. With that, he captured Universal’s attention.

Played by Liam Neeson, Darkman begins life as Dr. Peyton Westlake, a scientist working on synthetic skin who becomes disfigured when his lab is ransacked by thugs looking for proof their boss is engaged in white-collar crime. 

Westlake is left horribly burned, but an experimental surgery gives him superhuman strength, which he puts to use alongside the synthetic skin that lets him disguise himself as anyone, so long as he stays out of the light, to dismantle the criminal network. On the surface, it’s a standard superhero revenge story, but Sam Raimi puts focus on Westlake’s changing emotional state as he embraces life as a monster, turning his back on his girlfriend Julie after she expresses her love for him. 

Darkman is equal parts pulp heroic fisticuffs and gothic tragedy, but it proved Sam Raimi knows what makes a superhero movie work. Unfortunately, it didn’t give Universal what they wanted.

Darkman’s Sequels Get Dumped In The Bargain Bin

Darkman is one of those movies people like to retroactively call a success because it didn’t lose money. That’s a very low bar. Universal didn’t make Darkman to turn a modest profit; they made it to create a franchise that could ride the post-Batman superhero wave. 

On that front, it absolutely failed. A true success gets sequels that people actually see in theaters. Darkman got dumped into the straight-to-video bin with a recast lead, which is Hollywood code for “we’re embarrassed but not quite done squeezing the IP.”

The warning signs were there immediately. Yes, Darkman opened at number one, but it did so with numbers that were already disappointing in a market recalibrated by Tim Burton. This was 1990, when studios were hunting the next pop-culture monster, not celebrating “pretty good.” 

Darkman didn’t dominate the summer conversation, didn’t generate a cultural footprint, and didn’t turn Liam Neeson into a genre icon. Instead, it quietly exited theaters while Batman knockoffs and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ate its lunch.

Why Darkman Failed

Part of what makes Darkman a great movie is also what made it a tough sell for audiences. Darkman isn’t weird enough to be a cult midnight classic, and it isn’t clean enough to be a four-quadrant hit. 

It’s grotesque, mean, occasionally brilliant, and completely unsellable to kids, who were the actual money engine of Batman and early-’90s genre filmmaking. You can’t build an empire on a hero whose face melts, whose rage is chemically induced, and whose romance ends in a parking lot goodbye.

Darkman was quickly forgotten by the mainstream in the early 90s, overshadowed even by inferior box office failures like The Shadow, and is rarely talked about now outside of hardcore Raimi fan circles. 

That happened not because it’s bad, but because it missed the moment it was built for. It arrived just early enough to look experimental, and just late enough to feel overshadowed. Universal wanted its own Batman. What they got was a cult favorite, a director calling card for Sam Raimi, and a franchise that limped off to VHS hell. 

Sam Raimi Proves Everyone Wrong With Spider-Man

Sam Raimi would, of course, go on to direct one of the most influential superhero movies of all time, 12 years later, when he made Spider-Man. Drawing on his experience with Darkman, Raimi wanted to approach the story of Peter Parker from a different angle, opting to bring in Green Goblin as the villain and embrace the loose father/son dynamic between the two.

Amazingly, you can catch a brief glimpse of Darkman in Spider-Man during Peter’s dream sequence right after he’s been bitten.

If you’re looking for the true origin of modern superhero movies, that’s where it all started. With a genius filmmaker being denied the job he wanted, and then making it happen his way, anyway.

Patrick Dempsey Is Mourning The Loss Of His Friend

The Actor Remembers A Particular Moment From ‘Grey’s Anatomy’

Patrick Dempsey And Eric Dane Worked Together For Six Seasons

Patrick Dempsey Wanted To Work With Eric Dane Again

While the season 1 plot of The Last Thing He Told Me largely mirrored Laura Dave’s novel of the same name, season 2 will deviate slightly from the sequel.

“It’s so interesting because we were filming the show at the same time that the book was being written. So we only just read the book as it came out,” Angourie Rice exclusively told Us Weekly during a joint interview with Judy Greer earlier this month, who noted, “Yeah, I read it last weekend.”

“So it’s such a different way to make a show based on a book,” Rice, 25, continued. “They were in conversation with each other while we were making it.”

From Greer’s perspective, there wasn’t as much of a conversation as she envisioned.

“I remember [asking showrunner Josh Singer], ‘What happens now?’ And he’d be like, ‘I don’t know, she hasn’t told me,’ or like, ‘We’re doing it this way, and she’s doing another [way].’ It was so funny to me that we were kind of on two little islands,” Greer, 50, explained with a laugh, adding that “loads of surprises” are in store for book lovers.

For Rice, the book and show “complement each other so well.” Rice explained that the two mediums “bring out certain different notes and elements.”

“That’s what is so kind of interesting and unique about this situation is that I think if you’ve seen one or read one, it’s not like, ‘Oh, I’ve got the whole story.’ Or like, ‘I don’t need to see the other or read the other,’” she said, while Greer added, “Yeah, they’re different enough … Some characters are more prominent, some characters are less prominent.”

Rice replied, “Yeah, but the core is the same.”

Advertisement

Related: ‘One Day’ and More TV Shows Based on Popular Books

Little Fires Everywhere, Big Little Lies and You are among the best-selling books that made their way to the small screen in the form of TV adaptations. Reese Witherspoon is at the center of many of the most successful TV shows based on books, thanks to her passion for bringing fresh stories to a new […]

Dave’s sequel, The First Time I Saw Him, was published in January. The highly-anticipated second book begins with a time-jump five years later, with Hannah (Jennifer Garner) crossing paths with Owen (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) after he goes on the run. For season 2 of the mystery-thriller, Hannah and stepdaughter Bailey (Rice) have to navigate the fallout from Owen’s reemergence as faces from the past — like Quinn (Greer) — return.

While recalling the process to Us in January, Dave explained that she had “written a draft of the book” which was what gave the season 2 showrunners a plan of where to go with the show.

“I walked them through the book. They had the world and the themes and everything, but I only had 100 pages I was willing to share at that point,” Dave shared. “While I was doing some of that editing, they were off creating the second world for the show. I think they speak to each other really beautifully.”

Through it all, Dave noted that Garner, 53, is the “heart and soul” of her adaptation.

“Everyone says to me, ‘What’s it like having your book adapted?’” Dave gushed. “I say, ‘If you’re lucky enough to have Jennifer Garner play your protagonist, you just say, thank goodness in the end.’”

The Last Thing He Told Me season 2 airs Fridays on Apple TV.

By Jennifer Asencio
| Published 1 minute ago

You’d be forgiven if you didn’t know there’s a new version of Dracula in theaters. The movie was released on February 6, 2026, to almost no fanfare or media buzz. Critics have given it mixed reviews, earning it a 52% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Directed by French creative Luc Besson, who brought us The Fifth Element and Valerian and the City of 1,000 Planets, the movie was first released in France in July 2025, despite having an American cast that includes Caleb Landry Jones of X-Men: First Class, Christoph Waltz from Inglorious Basterds, and newcomer Zoe Bleu, the latest generation of the famous Arquette family. The six-month window between releases may have hurt the movie, as critics move at the speed of the Internet, not theater chains.

Making Dracula A Love Story Is No Longer Interesting

However, another mark against the film is right there in its original subtitle, on the posters: A Love Tale. Following in the footsteps of the 1992 Francis Ford Coppola version and 2014’s Dracula Untold, the movie sets up a past-life romance between the titular vampire and Mina Harker, the wife of his British legal representative.

For some reason, the temptation to add this romantic garnish to Bram Stoker’s novel is irresistible to modern Hollywood. It gives the monster a sympathetic motivation and a tragic backstory. Dracula is a scary monster, based on a historic dictator known for his brutality. He is not someone to be pitied, and Bram Stoker did not have this element in his book. But producers seem to think that inserting this absurd origin story will sell tickets.

A Copycat Of Other Draculas?

Trailers for the movie also look derivative of prior versions, most specifically the 1992 version. Count Dracula, in his youthful disguise, looks almost exactly the same as Gary Oldman’s rendition, right down to the top hat. Elder Count Dracula is possibly wearing the very same wig from over three decades ago. So much emphasis is placed in the trailer on Dracula’s time as the war leader we know as Vlad the Impaler, and an apparent disagreement with a Catholic cardinal dominates the presentation.

Christoph Waltz, who is billed on Google as Van Helsing, is listed as playing “priest” on IMDB, suggesting liberties were taken with his character. Further liberties were definitely taken with the story, with the insertion of a character named Maria that seems to replace the infamous bug-eating Renfield. Rather than having a magnetic allure generated by the power of his evil, Dracula’s appeal is in a perfume he and his minions produce. The trailer claims it “reimagines” Stoker’s novel, but it seems to just borrow a few character names to lend it legitimacy.

Vampire Flop Or French Success?

As of this writing, Luc Besson’s Dracula has taken in $39 million at the box office against a budget of $52 million. I suppose they saved a lot on advertising, which should help cushion the blow of not recouping their investment.

Despite hints of its financial failure, it remains one of the highest-grossing French films of recent years. Audiences who see it are enjoying it (it has an 81% audience approval score on Rotten Tomatoes), but apparently, it’s not inspiring moviegoers to flock to the theaters.

So yeah, there’s a new version of Dracula out, but its reception is so muted that more people know about that Daily Wire King Arthur show critics are desperately trying to ignore. If you want to see Dracula on the big screen, don’t blink, because you might miss it entirely.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 12 seconds ago

In recent weeks, the impossible has happened: Starfleet Academy, a show that had a very controversial start, has managed to deliver consistently interesting episodes. There are many reasons the show has improved, including the fact that it is finally ditching the forced humor that made earlier episodes so cringeworthy. But the series’s real secret weapon is that it isn’t afraid to shamelessly draw from the best that Star Trek has to offer.

The first example of this was “Series Acclimation Mil,” an episode in which the titular cadet does her best to discover the fate of Benjamin Sisko. That adventure channeled Deep Space Nine, serving as a love letter to the best show in the franchise. Now, the Starfleet Academy episode “Ko’Zeine” used one of its worst characters to illustrate a concept that Spock first brought up in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan: that for some people, Starfleet represents nothing less than their first, best destiny. 

To Explore Strange New Desks

Back in Star Trek: The Motion Picture, we discover that Kirk has been rewarded for his successful five-year mission with a promotion to admiral. But he gets sick of riding a desk, and when a mysterious threat approaches the Earth, he abuses his connections to take command of the Enterprise for one last mission. By The Wrath of Khan, though, Kirk is back to desk duty, and the Enterprise is only being used for training exercises.

In that seminal sequel, Spock doesn’t mince words, telling Kirk that it was a mistake to accept that promotion to admiral. He bluntly tells Kirk that “Commanding a starship is your first, best destiny; anything else is a waste of material. Weirdly enough, the most recent episode of Starfleet Academy emphasized this theme, all while drawing on the kinds of logic that would have made Spock proud.

The Aquaboy Becomes An Aquaman

In the episode “Ko’zeine,” we discover that Darem, a cadet who has mostly been presented as a cocky bully, is Khionian royalty. He is betrothed to a young woman with whom he would eventually rule over his entire society, but they were originally planning to wed only after he graduated from Starfleet Academy. When she (thanks to parental pressure) calls her marker in early, Darem willingly abandons his academy life, marrying his childhood sweetheart and getting ready to be the kind of leader his planet needs him to be. 

During the ceremony, Jay-Den (who followed Darem through a portal, fearing he was being kidnapped) gives a best man speech in which he hypes up Darem’s accomplishments, including walking on a hull to save the day. Later, his new wife encourages him to nullify the marriage, and she cites Jay-Den’s speech as the reason why. 

The Toast With The Most

More specifically, she tells her husband that “the man [Jay-Den] described is someone I’ve never met,” noting that she never saw Darem quite so happy as he was the day he applied to Starfleet Academy. She then speculates as to why this small act pleased her betrothed so much. “Maybe it’s because you finally had a chance to be yourself in a way you never could here.”

Now, what do Darem’s newlywed woes have to do with Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan? In that fan-favorite film, Spock opined that destiny was real and that Kirk made a mistake accepting a promotion to admiral and subsequently riding a desk. Sure, Kirk might have been able to do great things as an administrator, but as far as his best friend was concerned, he could do much more as the captain of a Starfleet vessel. 

Embracing His First, Best Destiny

Darem is someone with a pretty special destiny of his own: he is supposed to rule Khionia, giving billions of people the guidance that will change their lives forever. However, his new bride clocks that this destiny effectively changed Darem, turning him into a self-sacrificing people pleaser who will always put his needs aside to help others. Only in Starfleet was Darem able to become the cocky, self-assured young warrior that he was always destined to be.

For Darem, service in Starfleet is his first, best destiny, and he would be just as unhappy running a planet as Kirk would be riding a desk. In choosing to go back to the academy, he channels the wisdom of Spock. As if to drive that point home even harder, Jay-Den asks Darem a very straightforward question: would he be a better man if he ruled Khionia, or would he be a better man if he spent life “in service to many” as a Starfleet officer?

Embracing The Needs Of The Many

Here, the Klingon Jay-Den seems to be ironically channeling the guiding ethos of the Vulcan people: “the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one.” Sure, Darem could do good for a whole planet by staying behind to rule it. But he could do good for an entire galaxy by remaining a Starfleet officer, and he decides to stay behind and complete his training as a cadet.

Star Trek fans aren’t likely to call this the “Spock episode” the same way they call “Series Acclimation Mil” the “Sisko episode.” Nonetheless, the famous Vulcan’s wisdom echoes throughout this story, both in Darem’s decision to remain in Starfleet and his motivation for ultimately leaving a life of royalty. In this way, this Starfleet Academy episode celebrates the 60th anniversary of Star Trek with the sagacious Vulcan wisdom that helped make Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan the best film in the franchise.

Chris Brown has shared a message for his fans following the viral blow-up between Diamond Brown and Jada Wallace.

RELATED: Oop! Some Social Media Users Speculate If Diamond Brown May Have Revealed The Gender Of Chris Brown’s Alleged “Baby On The Way”

Chris Brown Shares Message For His Fans Following Viral Blow-Up Between Diamond Brown & Jada Wallace

During the early hours of Friday, February 20, Chris Brown took to Instagram to share an apparent clip from his music video feature on Zoe Dollaz’ ‘Post & Delete’ track. In the clip, Chris let his fans know that he’s “stepping on s**t all summer.”

“Stepping on S**T ALL SUMMER. Be patient with me,” Breezy wrote. “BROWN ALBUM COMING SOON, and make sure Yall save ya money. Summer time is next level. I’m dropping videos and songs. #R&BSUMMERSURPRISE”

Peep the post he shared, along with his message, below.

Social Media Reacts To His Message

Social media users reacted to Chris Brown’s message in TSR’s comment section.

More On The Viral Blow-Up Between Diamond Brown & Jada Wallace Ahead Of Chris Brown’s Message For His Fans

As The Shade Room previously reported, earlier this week, Diamond Brown shocked the internet when she shared a message telling Chris to leave her alone while alleging he has a “new baby on the way.”

Afterward, Diamond even shared why she was heated at Brown. She alleged he has been attempting to run off her new relationships.

Ultimately, Jada Wallace, Chris’s rumored girlfriend, stepped in and accused Diamond of dating Chris’s friends to get him mad. Additionally, she accused Diamond of keeping their daughter, Lovely, from Chris.

Diamond clapped back, denying Wallace’s claims. She alleged that she hasn’t been dating Chris’s friends and even stated that she would “whoop” Wallace once her baby dropped.

Ultimately, neither Chris nor Jada confirmed nor denied the baby allegations.

But Diamond also appeared to reveal that Chris is expecting a “baby boy.” Furthermore, social media users even caught Chris appearing to agree with a TikToker who shared a strong message for Diamond airing out his business.

RELATED: Chris Brown Reacts After TikToker Blasts Diamond Brown For Airing Out Their Co-Parenting Issues & Feuding With Jada Wallace (VIDEO)