If you’re tired of boring flip-flops and flat sandals, Kate Hudson has a suggestion for you. She recently wore a sleek woven shoe style that’s a breath of fresh Hamptons air, infusing rich mom vibes into any outfit. The pick may appear expensive, but don’t be fooled: we found a similar summer-ready pair for only $40!

While filming Hello and Paris in Manhattan, Hudson wore a romantic floral dress with beige-toned woven sandals that had everyone doing a double-take. But it wasn’t just the woven design that made them chic. The shoes had a mini heel that further elevated the look, as does this Amazon twin.

Get the Omlishzty Woven Low-Heel Sandals for $40 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

These Omlishzty Woven Low-Heel Sandals nail Hudson’s look with the same round toe, strappy woven upper and beige tone. The alternative even has a similar slingback silhouette and low heel, while the faux leather material adds a polished twist to the laid-back look.

Related: Jennifer Lawrence Wore This Easy Slide Sandal (Again)

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Jennifer Lawrence isn’t one to trade comfort for fashion, and her latest slide sandal style is the perfect example. She leaned into a low-key, effortlessly aesthetic style, and we’re copying Lawrence’s easy summer look for only $25! A few days ago, the actress was spotted cruising through Manhattan on her bike. She wore a breezy […]

When it comes to styling, do as Hudson did and wear these sleek sandals with a printed maxi dress, leather bag and lightweight cardigan. You can also swap in a crisp shirt and trousers. While Hudson went with a beige option, the brown version of this shoe is just as versatile.

These woven leather sandals photograph beautifully, play nicely with everything in your closet and read expensive — even though they aren’t. Hudson’s brand is a mystery, but who knows. . . it might be this Amazon pair!

Snag this luxe-looking summer shoe now, and there’s no shortage of when and where you’ll wear them. Vacation dinners, Sunday brunches and more — it works for it all!

Get the Omlishzty Woven Low-Heel Sandals for $40 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more comfy sandals and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

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As a comfort connoisseur, I’m all about sneakers. But as a fashion person, I’m also about, well, fashion. When the occasion calls for a dress and sporty isn’t the vibe, I found 13 elevated shoe styles that make my summer dresses appear triple the price. These chic flats, sandals, slides and more are the easiest […]

Former Bachelor Nation producer Julie LaPlaca is sharing her expert opinion on the future of Taylor Frankie Paul’s Bachelorette season after it was pulled from the air.

“I think viewers will see that season,” Julie, 41, shared in an exclusive interview with Us Weekly while promoting her memoir, The Love Producer, out Tuesday, July 7.

Reality TV fans were first introduced to Taylor, 32, on Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, which debuted in 2024. One year later, news broke that the MomTok influencer was chosen to lead the 22nd season of The Bachelorette.

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Related: Taylor Frankie Paul Is ‘Hopeful’ Her ‘Bachelorette’ Season Will Air

Taylor Frankie Paul is “hopeful” her season of The Bachelorette will eventually air, a source exclusively tells Us Weekly. “Viewers would get to see another side to her,” the insider adds as the future of Taylor’s season remains up in the air. ABC announced in March, days before The Bachelorette was scheduled to premiere, that […]

In March — days before the season was set to premiere — ABC announced that the episodes would not air amid a domestic assault investigation involving her ex Dakota Mortensen. Dakota alleged in court documents that Taylor shoved him into a window and choked him. He further claimed that he feared for the safety of the pair’s 2-year-old son, Ever. (Taylor also shares daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 6, with ex-husband Tate Paul.)

Amid the fallout, Dakota was granted temporary custody of Ever in March and a temporary restraining order against Taylor, who has denied any child abuse allegations. Taylor was later granted her own protective order against Dakota, with a judge ordering the former couple to stay 100 feet away from each other during a hearing in April.

After initially being granted supervised visitation with Ever, Taylor earned unsupervised visitation rights in June. The drama took another turn, however, when Dakota called the cops with a question about whether his protective order had been violated.

Related: Will Taylor Frankie Paul’s ‘Bachelorette’ Season Finally Air on ABC?

Disney’s unscripted and reality TV chief, Rob Mills, is sharing an update on whether Taylor Frankie Paul’s Bachelorette season will air on Disney-owned ABC — or perhaps elsewhere. “Everything with that is one day at a time,” Mills said in a Wednesday, April 22, interview with Variety. ABC shelved season 22 of The Bachelorette starring […]

News later broke on Tuesday, June 30, that Tate filed a motion for his own temporary restraining order against Taylor, which was ultimately denied.

As the disputes continue to play out off camera, rumors surfaced that Taylor’s season may begin to air this month. ABC has not yet announced an official decision about the season’s future.

While Taylor’s unconventional Bachelorette casting may have come as a surprise to some, Julie — who worked behind the scenes on the franchise for seven years — understood the choice.

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“It didn’t come as a surprise to me,” she told Us, noting that the team behind the series likely wanted to find something “new and fresh” for viewers. “They’re always trying to figure out something different to do.”

Julie even drew a comparison to Hannah Brown’s “very iconic season,” which she had a hand in producing.

“It’s like, ‘Who’s that next hot mess express,’ if you will, and they probably saw that in Taylor Frankie Paul,” Julie says, referring to a nickname used to describe Hannah’s personality. “[That casting] doesn’t surprise me, and I feel like if and when it airs, it’ll probably do really well.”

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are rumored to be hosting their lavish wedding at New York City’s Madison Square Garden ahead of the Fourth of July. Now, ahead of the much-buzzed-about wedding, the “Folklore” singer and NFL star have made a hefty donation to various food banks and children’s hospitals in the city.

Neither Swift nor Kelce are strangers to charitable donations. However, ahead of their wedding, a representative for the singer has confirmed to PEOPLE that the couple is donating an impressive $26 million to several organizations. The donation is said to happen “this week.”

Some of the organziations set to recive a portion of the $26 million are City Harvest, the Food Bank for N.Y.C., New York Cares, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Harvesters in Kansas City, Brad Paisley and Kimberly Paisley’s The Store in Nashville, Helping Harvest in Pennsylvania, Rhode Island Community Food Bank, Feeding America, ASPCA, Grammy in the Schools and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Taylor And Travis Are Donating To Other Causes

In addition to Swift and Kelce’s donations to the previously listed organizations and causes, the couple has a few other names on their list. They include Education Through Music, Answer the Call, Musical Mentors, and After-School All-Stars. Notably, After-School All-Stars in New York City and Cleveland will receive donations.

That’s not all; Swift and Kelce are also donating to MSK (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center) Kids, Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone, and Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.

Legally Blonde‘s Elle prequel has already filmed its second season — but not every cast member is coming back.

“Most faces you’ll see in season 2,” showrunner Caroline Dries exclusively told Us Weekly about Prime Video’s new show, which is streaming now and was renewed before its premiere.

Jessica Belkin, who plays Elle’s Los Angeles friend Madison, hinted that she would still be on the show despite pulling double duty with Fox’s Baywatch.

“I definitely am back in season 2. There’s more to Madison’s story,” she teased. “We just wrapped and before we got back into it, the entire cast had a little movie watch binge night together and we watched the full season together, which was super special.”

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She continued: “I had a quick reminder of like, ‘Oh, that’s Madison. She’s spunky. She’s feisty. She gives the best advice.’ I hope that everyone loves Madison in season 1 because she’ll be back.”

Danielle Chand, meanwhile, isn’t expected to reprise her role as Shannon — yet. While speaking with Us, Chand didn’t rule out a potential return after Shannon left Seattle at the end of season 1.

“I’ve made story lines in my head [of how she can return],” Chand added. “My hope for Shannon is that she is just hanging out with all of our friends. If there’s a graduation or like something that involves Kimberly, I would love Shannon just to keep popping in.”

Based on Amanda Brown‘s novel, the 2001 movie Legally Blonde introduced Us to Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon), a sorority girl who attempted to win back her ex-boyfriend Warner (Matthew Davis) by getting a degree at Harvard Law School. Luke Wilson, Selma Blair, Victor Garber and Jennifer Coolidge rounded out the cast, with a second movie following two years later.

With Lexi Minetree taking on the role as teen Elle, the series stars June Diane Raphael and Tom Everett Scott as Elle’s parents. Chandler Kinney, Gabrielle Policano and Jacob Moskovitz were also announced as series regulars alongside Belkin, Zac Looker, Amy Pietz and more. (James Van Der Beek also joined the cast for what would become his final TV role before his death. He died in February 2026 at the age of 48.)

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Related: ‘Legally Blonde‘ Cast: Where Are They Now?

The iconic comedy that gave us “bend and snap!” lives on! Released in 2001, Legally Blonde follows Reese Witherspoon‘s Elle Woods, a sorority girl who is dumped by her boyfriend who thinks he’s too good for her. In an effort to prove him wrong and win him back, she hits the books and is accepted […]

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“We always went back to tone. We always went back to what we emotionally connected to about the movie — just as fans of the movie — and making sure that we had those things down perfectly,” showrunner Laura Kittrel shared with Us. “Then once we were able to firmly establish that, we were getting excited about how we have new characters that we get to introduce to the world and still make it feel like its own thing.”

She continued: “We tried really hard to strike a balance of if you’re a fan of the movie, you’re going to watch this and get what you want as a fan of the movie. If you have never watched this movie in your life or even heard of it, you will also totally find something to connect to in it.”

Elle is streaming on Prime Video now.

Movie lovers love to toss around the word “classic.” But what actually makes a movie a classic? A classic film must demonstrate enduring cultural impact, exceptional artistic achievement, and the unique ability to resonate with audiences for generations. These films stand the test of time. They possess a rewatchability that draws audiences back again and again. A great classic should be so brilliant that it can never be remade again.

The trouble is, studios love to remake the classics because, well, they know the rewards it could reap should they take the risk. They have a nostalgic appeal that draws audiences in, but they rarely surpass the original. When it comes to action flicks, these 10 classic action films should never be remade. Their original impact deserves to stay intact instead of being potentially tarnished. While some titles have launched beloved franchises, rebooting them with a new face is simply not what audiences want to see.

1

‘Die Hard’ (1988)

Image via 20th Century Studios

When you rewrite the script for how action films can be made, you automatically become an instant classic. That’s what happened with Die Hard. Directed by John McTiernan and based on the novel Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp, the unofficial Christmas movie follows New York City cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) as he travels to Los Angeles on Christmas Eve in hopes of reconciling with his estranged wife, Holly Gennaro-McClane (Bonnie Bedelia). His plans are interrupted when a gang of heavily armed criminals, led by the ruthless Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman), takes over the Nakatomi skyscraper, forcing McClane to take them on alone. Drawing up the blueprint of a singular set action thriller, Die Hard proved that the vulnerable everyman hero is just as alluring as the invincible, muscle-bound ones of the era.

One of the most entertaining films of the ’80s, Die Hard infused itself into pop culture thanks to its iconic quotes and the most brilliant villain in action history. Die Hard had a simple premise, but it was executed to perfection. It brought out the concept of the hero-villain meet-cute that many films have tried to replicate since. So, why would anyone try to replicate perfection? Die Hard launched Willis into elite action-hero status, giving him the opportunity to continue McClane’s story. The truth is, no one will ever be John McClane other than Willis. The film was a lightning-in-a-bottle project that captured the aura of the decade. There was a specificity to the imagery and chemistry. The film launched the “Die Hard on a Blank” subgenre, so trying to redo it and recapture that magic would be nearly impossible. While there are certainly capable actors like Glen Powell who would serve as a logical modern choice, finding a new Rickman to play a perfect Hans Gruber is harder than that infamous fall.

2

‘Dirty Harry’ (1971)

Image via Warner Bros.

Clint Eastwood has had a storied career, both as an actor and director. One of the most iconic roles is none other than Inspector Harry Callahan in Dirty Harry. In the first film of the franchise, Callahan is a no-nonsense San Francisco police inspector who takes on dirty jobs that no one else wants to do. Callahan hunts down a psychopathic sniper known as the “Scorpio Killer” (Andy Robinson), who is terrorizing the city by murdering innocent people and demanding ransoms. Dirty Harry examines the harsh clash between the strict legal system and street-level justice. A gritty action thriller that defined the ’70s, Dirty Harry defined the loose cannon cop genre by introducing one of cinema’s greatest anti-heroes.

Dirty Harry launched the lone wolf protagonist thanks to Eastwood’s masterful performance. While the character continued throughout the franchise, the first film was released during a time of high social tension and rising crime rates. The film captured the frustrations of society as they felt alienated by rapid societal shifts and the challenging questions about whether the legal system is too lenient on violent criminals. Dirty Harry is a period piece, and thus, trying to rework it as a modern remake would lose steam quite quickly. Callahan is a tough-on-crime character. That approach would simply not resonate with audiences today, given the societal disdain for modern policing. In fact, it might cause Callahan to be the lesser of two evil villains. The truth is, Harry Callahan belongs to Eastwood. No one can match his swagger and delivery.

3

‘Enter the Dragon’ (1973)

Image via Warner Bros.

Certain films have a legacy as cinematic touchstones for their impact on their genre and history. For martial arts movies, that film is Enter the Dragon. Perhaps the greatest martial arts film ever made, Enter the Dragon served as Bruce Lee‘s final film appearance before his death. For that reason alone, even thinking about remaking the classic would be disrespectful. The classic martial arts film follows a Shaolin monk named Lee, who is recruited by British intelligence to infiltrate a private martial arts tournament. Lee is tasked with gathering evidence to expose the host, a renegade former monk named Han (Shih Kien), who operates an illegal drug and human trafficking ring. Enter the Dragon‘s massive impact on cinema was felt instantly, single-handedly igniting a worldwide martial arts craze.

Lee was a Hong Kong legend, and thanks to Enter the Dragon, he became the first Asian actor to serve as an undisputed leading man in a major Hollywood-Hong Kong co-production. Lee turned into an immortal global icon thanks to this film. Enter the Dragon found the perfect cross-section of traditional martial arts and James Bond-style espionage thriller. But now, more than 50 years later, Enter the Dragon is untouchable. Enter the Dragon captured a moment in time by breaking barriers and establishing martial arts in Western mainstream culture. Enter the Dragon was Bruce Lee. No one can deliver what he did with such impact.

4

‘First Blood’ (1982)

Image via Tri-Star Pictures

Sylvester Stallone is a character maker. In the ’70s, it was Rocky Balboa. In the ’80s, John Rambo. First Blood served as the vehicle that launched the character and an iconic franchise, one that can never be matched today. The action thriller followed John Rambo, a traumatized Vietnam War veteran whose PTSD is triggered when a small-town sheriff, Will Teasle (Brian Dennehy), wrongfully arrests and abuses him. Rambo escapes to the mountains and uses his elite combat and survival skills to wage a one-man war against the police. Unlike the more bombastic films that followed in the series, First Blood was grounded as a psychological drama rooted in the era. First Blood tapped into themes of systemic neglect, PTSD, and the harsh discrimination Vietnam veterans faced from the divided American public upon returning home.

First Blood was a direct response to the Vietnam War. While there have been countless Vietnam War-period films, First Blood was a modern Vietnam War film; thus, it would not have the deep impact it originally had. First Blood subverted the high-octane action films of the time with genuine emotional resonance and worked as a wonderful exploration of a vet’s heartbreaking journey with PTSD and his attempt to return to society. There have been films since First Blood that have explored modern wars and their effects on their veterans in a similar vein. That said, should it be remade, it would only be done to capitalize on the film’s original success. The only way to remake First Blood is to stray away from the Ted Kotcheff-directed film and stick strictly to what is prescribed in David Morrell‘s novel, which is significantly bleaker. Oh, and the book ends with Rambo being killed, so that would be quite different than the 1982 film!

5

‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ (1981)

Image via Paramount Pictures

If you’re sensing a trend, a major reason why audiences may not want to see a remake of a classic action film is that there is simply no way to replace the original. No one will ever come close to having the allure that Harrison Ford brought to Indiana Jones. He may be best remembered for Han Solo, but Indy is his greatest character achievement. Launching a beloved franchise, Raiders of the Lost Ark tells the tale of the titular globe-trotting archeologist as he races against Nazi forces to recover the biblical Ark of the Covenant, believed to possess supernatural powers that would make the army invincible. Alongside his old flame Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), Indy battles through booby traps and enemies to secure the treasure. And snakes. Why did there have to be snakes? Relaunching the adoration for genuine action-adventure flicks, Raiders of the Lost Ark combined George Lucas‘ concept, Steven Spielberg‘s masterful direction, Ford’s charismatic performance, and John Williams‘ iconic score to craft a nostalgia-filled benchmark for cinematic storytelling.

While the character is so iconic that many actors today could conceivably wear the brown fedora and crack the whip, if you go back to the aforementioned roster — Ford, Lucas, Spielberg, and Williams — never again could that be replicated. Raiders of the Lost Ark brought escapism to the big screen as they journeyed with the ultimate action hero. He was flawed. He got bruised. He made mistakes. But Indy was the face of resilience. He got knocked down and proudly got up again. The film was perfectly made using the practical magic of ’80s filmmaking. As seen in the subsequent 21st-century sequels, once you introduce CGI into the mix, Raiders of the Lost Ark loses its charm. Raiders of the Lost Ark is an action-adventure at its finest. As much as Hollywood tried to pass the baton to Shia LaBeouf in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, it’s always going to be Ford. Anyone else would be blasphemy.

6

‘Speed’ (1994)

Image via 20th Century Fox Film Corp. All rights reserved. Courtesy: Everett Collection

We often say we “have the need for speed,” but I can assure you we do not have a need for a Speed remake. While action fans love an adrenaline rush in film form, Speed is a masterpiece as is. Directed by Jan de Bont, the high-octane thrill ride centers on a vengeful extortionist, former bomb squad officer Howard Payne (Dennis Hopper), who rigs a Los Angeles city bus with a bomb that is armed once the vehicle hits 50 miles per hour, exploding if it drops below that limit. It’s up to LAPD SWAT Officer Jack Traven (Keanu Reeves) and quick-thinking passenger Annie Porter (Sandra Bullock) to take the wheel and save the day. Navigating heavy LA traffic and an unfinished freeway gap, Speed is a brilliant high-concept thriller that made the unthinkable imaginable.

Often, action movies have moments of levity or time to breathe. Not here. Speed was a relentless film whose momentum was unmatched. The stakes were high. The fear was consistent. And, perhaps, most importantly, it established Reeves as an action star and Bullock as an eventual legend. Though the plot overshadowed them, perhaps making them replaceable, Speed can’t be remade because it would simply be seen as a gimmick today. The film became a masterpiece because of the bus. By the time a sequel arrived, sans Reeves and aboard a cruise liner, it proved that Speed was an enigma. A third film might be more conceivable, but other films and series have stolen the other logical vehicles that might have been used. Speed is a quintessential ’90s movie, and it should stay that way.

7

‘The Terminator’ (1984)

Image via Orion Pictures

Director James Cameron has given Hollywood a lot of historic cinematic moments — a romantic epic set on an infamous, ill-fated cruise and a universe of blue-tinted beings who serve as a PSA for conservation awareness, to name a few. But before those projects were a twinkle in his eye, Cameron introduced the world to the cross-section of science fiction and action with the groundbreaking The Terminator. Now, before we begin, a remake of the film would be a substantial step up from the original because the budget that Cameron was working with was quite measly. And it showed. And yet, it launched a beloved franchise that got better. That said, The Terminator needed to be a bit of a B-film to capture attention. A remake would lose that charm.

In the iconic film, a time-traveling cyborg (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is sent back in time to 1984 from a post-apocalyptic future where a hostile AI defense network known as Skynet wipes out most of human civilization. Facing defeat by a human resistance led by John Connor, the T-800 is on a mission to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) to prevent her from ever giving birth to her eventual child. To counter the attack, the human resistance sends a lone soldier, Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn), to protect Sarah and ensure John’s birth. The high-octane thriller explores themes of humanity’s dangerous reliance on technology, the ethical dilemmas of artificial intelligence, and questions whether our fate is predetermined. Every one of those themes is pertinent today, but to explore them in a remake of The Terminator would be futile.

The original film became a classic because of how it was precisely presented. There would be no way to replicate that lighting in a bottle again. The film has influenced the genre by giving sci-fi action thrillers more slasher-like stories with an iconic final girl. But once again, The Terminator‘s massive success was thanks in part to Schwarzenegger’s performance. He was chilling, terrifying, and perfectly cast. The plot of this film would never be able to be replicated with anyone but the iconic actor. Ask yourself, do you really want to hear anyone else attempt to utter the line, “I’ll be back.” The answer is no. Technology has caught up to the prescribed sci-fi in the original film, making it nearly impossible to capture the same story as anything but a hokey period piece.

8

‘The Matrix’ (1999)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

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To be considered an influential film is a great honor. To be able to earn that distinction across multiple genres is a mark of sheer greatness. For The Matrix, the iconic film by the Wachowskis changed science fiction, action, and martial arts films the moment it dropped in theaters in 1999. The high-concept thriller follows a computer hacker named Neo (Keanu Reeves), who discovers that the everyday world is actually a complex simulated reality. Created by intelligent machines, this illusion keeps humanity docile while their bodies are harvested for energy. Contacted by a mysterious rebel leader named Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and his ally Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), Neo joins the rebellion to break free and rage against the machines. The Matrix expertly merged mind-bending philosophical concepts with groundbreaking visual effects into a mainstream cyberpunk blockbuster.

The Matrix revolutionized cinema. Perhaps most importantly, the film introduced and popularized bullet time, a visual effect that allowed the camera to pan around a scene at normal speed while the action unfolded in extreme slow-motion. Don’t deny it, after watching Reeves do that infamous backbend, you too tried to replicate it. That moment was just one of many things that became inherent in the pop culture lexicon. From the concept that our reality could be a simulation to the choice between the red pill and the blue pill, The Matrix was a crucial part of the time capsule during the turn of the century. It could never be replicated. Attempting to remake it would feel like an unnecessary copy and paste. The film did launch a franchise, allowing for the story to continue. A clean slate would mean wiping out the entire IP to start over. Fans would rather have the chance to relive the original film once again rather than watch a new take on it.

9

‘The Rock’ (1996)

Image via Hollywood Pictures

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The ’90s were the decade of the blockbuster. Thanks to those big-budget, massively epic films, audiences swarmed to the theater for their chance to see things blow up. Two titans of that concept were director Michael Bay and producer Jerry Bruckheimer. One of their great collaborations was 1996’s action thriller The Rock. The film follows rogue U.S. Marine general Frank X. Hummel (Ed Harris), who hijacks Alcatraz Island, holding tourists hostage and threatening to launch deadly nerve gas rockets at San Francisco to secure financial reparations for families of fallen, unacknowledged soldiers. To stop the attack, the government pairs a nervous FBI chemical weapons expert, Dr. Stanley Goodspeed (Nicolas Cage), with a notorious, imprisoned ex-spy, Captain John Patrick Mason (Sean Connery) — the only man who has ever successfully broken out of the infamous island prison. Perfecting the blockbuster formula with an escapism story and a top-tier all-star cast, The Rock was the peak of high-concept, stylized action flicks.

The Rock has been why we sought out “Bayhem” ever since. Bay’s signature visual style and direction became the blueprint for future directors of the genre. The stunts, the car chases, the pyrotechnics — it was all real, tactile stunt work. That was a major allure of the film. Certainly, that can be replicated, but it wouldn’t have that Bay touch. The Rock had unmatched star power with its unlikely duo dynamic. It caught both leads at just the right time in their career. Connery channeled a mature, rogue version of James Bond while Cage, fresh off his Academy Award for Leaving Las Vegas, proved that action was in his blood. Without The Rock, he may not have had Con Air or Face/Off, two other films that studios should keep their hands off of. The Rock emerged as a cult classic film because the ingredients of this recipe resulted in a perfect feast. Attempting to find those perfect ingredients would be a difficult task. The Rock is a flawless standalone film and deserves that distinct honor.

10

‘To Live and Die in L.A.’ (1985)

Image via MGM/UA Entertainment Co.

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Perhaps the greatest action film in William Friedkin‘s vast list of classics is To Live and Die in L.A. Based on the 1984 novel by former U.S. Secret Service agent Gerald Petievich, the film uses a neo-noir crime thriller style to tell the story of a reckless, vengeance-driven Secret Service agent Richard Chance (William L. Petersen), who resorts to unethical and illegal methods to catch a brilliant, murderous counterfeiter, Eric “Rick” Masters (Willem Dafoe), who killed his partner, Jimmy Hart (Michael Greene). Consumed by grief and a desire for revenge, Chance abandons the law as he’s paired with a nervous, by-the-book partner, John Vukovich (John Pankow). As Chance crosses the line from lawman to criminal, the line between him and the man he is hunting becomes dangerously blurred. To Live and Die in L.A. recalibrates the typical Hollywood hero cop story as it tackles corruption, moral ambiguity, and the dark paths obsession leads to.

The film was celebrated for its moral gray areas. As the film progressed and the pursuit intensified, the line between hero cop and villain criminal dissipated as the environment of the chase was consumed by their own obsession. By forcing the audience to question the moral ambiguity, the cop genre’s subversion led to a new realm of storytelling. To Live and Die in L.A. is distinctly ’80s. With the sun-soaked Los Angeles giving way to the gritty underbelly of the city, set to the hypnotic Wang Chang atmospheric score, reclaiming that sound and imagery in a remake would be quite difficult. To Live and Die in L.A. wasn’t crafted as a period piece, but a product of its time. A remake would become a period piece, and the story told through a modern lens would resonate entirely differently. At the time, the story ended with a twist ending and virtually no heroes. That was bold then. The truth is, the film’s success came from the Friedkin touch. Is there anyone else who could do what he did? All signs point to no.

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To Live and Die in L.A.

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Release Date

November 1, 1985

Runtime

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116 minutes

Writers

Gerald Petievich

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  William Petersen

  Richard Chance

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  John Pankow

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  John Vukovich

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  Debra Feuer

  Bianca Torres

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Finding lasting love is never simple when you’re part of the Kardashian-Jenner family, where every new romance is immediately met with skepticism. 

Kendall Jenner’s relationship with Australian actor Jacob Elordi has already weathered claims that it’s nothing more than another carefully orchestrated publicity move. 

However, behind the scenes, the supermodel has quietly taken a significant step that suggests their romance is becoming far more serious, one that also shines a light on her complicated bond with Caitlyn Jenner.

Ever since Kendall Jenner and Jacob Elordi were first linked earlier this year, the couple has kept much of their romance away from the spotlight. 

While they’ve been photographed enjoying discreet vacations together, many critics dismissed the relationship as another Kardashian-Jenner “showmance” allegedly masterminded by family matriarch Kris Jenner.

However, new developments suggest Kendall is treating the relationship very differently.

After reportedly being encouraged by sister Kylie Jenner to move Elordi out of the “friend zone,” Kendall introduced the “Wuthering Heights” star to the people closest to her. 

Elordi has already met Kris along with sisters Kim, Khloé, and Kourtney Kardashian, as well as several of the family’s celebrity friends. 

However, the biggest milestone wasn’t introducing him to Kris. Instead, it was bringing him to meet Caitlyn, something insiders describe as both highly unusual and deeply meaningful given Kendall’s long-standing approach to keeping that part of her life separate.

Kendall Arranges A Private Meeting With Caitlyn

According to a Daily Mail insider, Kendall Jenner quietly introduced Jacob Elordi to Caitlyn in a few months ago during a private visit to the 76-year-old’s $3.5 million Malibu hilltop home.

“Kendall finally introduced Jacob to Caitlyn in May,” the source revealed. The insider emphasized just how significant the meeting was, explaining, “This is a very big deal because Kendall does not introduce a lot of her friends or lovers to Caitlyn.”

While Kris is known for immediately welcoming the people in her children’s lives, Caitlyn’s situation is very different.

“Everyone meets Kris right off the bat because she is so social and involved with her kids, but not Caitlyn, who is more of a recluse these days, so this is very special and unusual,” the source continued.

Rather than making the introduction into a formal family gathering, Kendall kept everything intentionally relaxed. “Kendall brought Jacob over to Caitlyn’s house for a casual meet and greet,” the insider shared, adding, “They hung out for a while one afternoon, it was not a big deal, it was super chill.”

According to the source, the visit went smoothly as Kendall revealed that it was nice and everyone liked each other.

Kendall Jenner Wanted The Introduction To Stay Drama-Free

The intimate meeting wasn’t simply about introducing a boyfriend. It was carefully planned with Kendall’s own comfort in mind.

According to the source, the reality TV star struggles with anxiety and wanted the meeting to be low-key and void of drama. 

The meeting also mattered to Jacob Elordi himself. Family has long been one of the actor’s top priorities, making it important for him to get to know both of Kendall’s parents.

“Jacob is very close to his mother Melissa and has said that family is everything so this was a must for him,” the insider said. 

They added that Kendall sees her boyfriend’s relationship with his mother as one of his most attractive qualities.

Kendall Has Never Hidden The Challenges In Her Relationship With Caitlyn

Although Kendall and Caitlyn Jenner remain close in many ways, political differences and family tensions have complicated their relationship. Still, the 30-year-old has made it clear she doesn’t want her father to feel isolated. 

In an October 2025 episode of “The Kardashians,” Kendall admitted that she always wanted to “include” the media personality because she didn’t “have a lot outside of her family and I think that she gets lonely.”

She also added, “You don’t ever want someone to be sad, especially your dad and someone you love and care about.” The family’s history helps explain the emotional complexity.

Caitlyn married Kris in 1991 before welcoming Kendall in 1995 and Kylie two years later. She also became stepfather to Kim, Khloé, Kourtney, and Rob Kardashian following the death of their father, Robert Kardashian, in 2003.

Following the former couple’s 2014 split and Caitlyn’s public transition the following year, relationships within the family shifted. 

In 2023, Caitlyn, however, acknowledged during an appearance on “This Morning” that she and Kris remained cordial but were no longer particularly close.

Kendall Jenner Is Supporting Caitlyn During A Difficult Chapter

Recent events have given Kendall another reason to reconnect with her father.

Caitlyn has largely stepped away from the Hollywood spotlight, making only occasional public appearances, including one at the IAC National Summit at The Diplomat Beach Resort earlier this year.

Behind the scenes, she’s also endured a heartbreaking personal loss. Sophia Hutchins, Caitlyn’s longtime manager, business partner, and best friend, died in a tragic ATV accident in Malibu on July 2, 2025, at just 29 years old.

Since then, Kendall has reportedly made a conscious effort to spend more time with the media personality while navigating her own growing relationship with Elordi.

“Kendall wants to be there for Caitlyn,” a source shared, adding, “She has been sad and lonely since Sophia died a year ago.”

A surfaced clip and an ongoing federal case have brought Pooh Shiesty and Gucci Mane back into the spotlight, reigniting questions about what really went down behind the scenes at 1017 Records. What was once viewed as a simple label connection between the two rappers is now being revisited under a much more serious lens.

RELATED: No Way! Prosecutors Reportedly Release Photos Showing Moment Pooh Shiesty & Others Allegedly Robbed Gucci Mane At Gunpoint

Pooh Shiesty & Gucci Mane Situation Takes New Turn

On Wednesday, July 1, social media erupted after an alleged video began circulating online, shared by Livebitez on Instagram. And, it allegedly shows Pooh Shiesty alongside another man confronting an individual dressed in yellow with his face obscured. While many online users speculated the person in the clip could be Gucci Mane, that has not been confirmed. Additionally, the footage itself has not been authenticated by either artist. The dispute between Gucci Mane and Pooh Shiesty stems from allegations tied to a kidnapping and robbery that prosecutors claim were part of efforts to force Shiesty’s exit from 1017 Records.

Alleged Video Of Robbery Surfaces

In the circulating recording, a voice believed to be Gucci Mane can be heard referencing Pooh Shiesty’s status with 1017, allegedly saying, “I dropped you, Pooh Shiesty’s dropped from 1017… Bro we just did that, that’s done. You dropped. You said you wanted to be dropped, you dropped.”

Another portion of the clip appears to show Pooh Shiesty responding, saying, “Let them know you dropping me… Real n*gga, ain’t never did no police sh*t or none of that. Tell them what’s going on.” Now, questions remain surrounding whether the clip reflects a real exchange or has been taken out of context.

The footage has also reportedly been referenced in court filings, where prosecutors have cited screenshots while opposing bond requests tied to Pooh Shiesty’s ongoing federal case. Shiesty, whose legal name is Lontrell Williams, remains charged alongside eight co-defendants. Fellow parties include his father and rapper Big30, with all parties denying the allegations. The case is currently scheduled for trial on February 22, 2027, as continued speculation and online discussion keep the situation in the public eye.

The Internet Is Breaking This Down Frame By Frame

Folks ran straight to Live Bitez’s Instagram comment section after the clip surfaced. And, they definitely ran it UP with theories and takes. Some users claim Gucci Mane is plotting as the video plays out in real time. Others say Pooh Shiesty actually appears to be the one in a stressed position. Meanwhile, plenty of people stay confused overall, questioning why someone is even recording in the first place.

One Instagram user @_goddess_virgo commented, “Who tf records a kidnapping 😂😂😂”

This Instagram user @dadadon1998 said, “lol so yall was expecting Gucci to turn up in get kill 😂😂😂 ion think soo“

And, Instagram user @lucci_hushmoney_ added, “Gucci wasn’t even scared 😩🤣Bro look like y’all got it go head but He did step back quick /when was like where U going 🤣”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @solochaching wrote, “Bra with the gun look disappointed like ‘why we gotta do gucci like this’ 😂😂😂”

While Instagram user @kingghxst803 shared, “‘No police shi’ but lemme record the whole crime I’m committing“

Then Instagram user @miamibizoe said, “Like they filmin a vlog 😂😂😂 man won the crash out Olympics“

But, Instagram user @risk__taker868 joked, “‘Nah say it nigga’ 😂😂😂😂 Pooh a menace lol“

Instagram user @mr.exitfilmz added, “Body language saying wait till I get out of this“

RELATED: Federal Heat! Pooh Shiesty Pleads Not Guilty In Gucci Mane Kidnapping Case As The Timeline Talks (PHOTO)

Are you ready to say goodbye in July?

You’ll be saying a lot of fond farewells if you’re watching Paramount+, as the streamer has scheduled a handful of season and series finales.

The acclaimed drama The Chi is wrapping up its five-season run, while the Yellowstone spinoff Dutton Ranch, Tyler Perry’s Zatima and RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars are all finishing their latest hit seasons.

It’s not all goodbyes, though; Big Brother returns for another season full of housemate drama, while Star Trek: Strange New Worlds beams up new adventures in season 4.

Continue reading for our full list of all the new Paramount+ movies and shows streaming in July.

July 1

Clifford the Big Red Dog (Season 1-2)
Clifford’s Puppy Days (Season 1-2)
Garfield and Friends (Season 1-7)
Goosebumps (Season 1-4)
Magic School Bus (Season 1-4)
PAW Patrol: Fire Rescue (new special)
Super Duper Bunny League (Season 1-2)
Aeon Flux
An Officer and a Gentleman
Anthropoid
Bad News Bears
Big Night
Boomerang
Borg vs. McEnroe
Carriers
City of God
City of Men
Critical Condition
Deepwater Horizon
Down to Earth
Everybody Wants Some!!
Extract
Fences
Flight
Focus
Gemini Man
Glory
Good Boys
Good Morning, Vietnam
Grease 2
Hacksaw Ridge
Here and Now
Imagine That
Kiss The Girls
Marathon Man
Men, Women & Children
Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life
Nightwatch
Out of the Furnace
Overdrive
Rio
Road Trip
Serendipity
She’s All That
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
Sleepy Hollow
Steel Magnolias
Super 8
The Commuter
The Dutchman*
The Expendables
The Expendables 2
The Expendables 3
The Expendables 4
The Island
The Kid
The Longest Yard
The Machinist
The Perfect Gamble*
The Ring
The Ring Two
The Sum of All Fears
The Untouchables
Tremors
Vacation
War and Peace
Win A Date With Tad Hamilton!
Wuthering Heights
xXx
Young Adult

Related: New on HBO Max in July 2026 — The Full List of Movies and TV Shows

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July 3

Dutton Ranch, Season 1 Finale

July 4

The Great American Block Party 250 (New CBS Concert Special)

July 7

Tyler Perry’s Zatima, Season 4 Finale

July 8

Wardriver

July 9

Big Brother, Season 28 Premiere

July 14

The Real Wolf of Wall Street

July 17

RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars, Season 11 Finale
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars: Untucked, Season 8 Finale

July 21

Teen Mom UK: New Generation, Season 4

July 22

All The Queen’s Men, Season 5 Finale

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July 23

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Season 4
Criminal Minds: Evolution, Season 19 Finale

July 24

The Chi, Series Finale

By Robert Scucci
| Published 11 seconds ago

With Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey fast approaching, it’s time to get back into all of the great historical epics that have come out over the years. Gladiator (2000) is always a no-brainer thanks to Russell Crowe’s magnetic performance as Maximus Decimus Meridius, and if you want to channel your inner Spartan while a single tear runs down your cheek because you’re 37 and need to accept the fact that you’re never getting the abs back, you can fire up 300 (2007) to get your fill. Between those two films, though, is a little $185 million historical epic called Troy (2004), which wasn’t exactly a critical darling upon release (53 percent on Rotten Tomatoes), but has remained a fan favorite for decades.

Here’s the thing about historical epics based on Ancient Greek mythology: they almost always lose points for not properly representing the source material. But here’s my counterpoint: this is a movie, everybody speaks American English, and our main hero’s weakness is his heel because his mother dunked him upside down in the River Styx to make him immortal, but the water didn’t touch the spot where she was holding him. In other words, let’s suspend some disbelief, watch some epic battles, and enjoy the show.

I’m No Scholar, But Troy Is Badass

I hate long movies that don’t earn their runtime, but Troy is built differently because it fully commits to spectacle. There are plenty of names being said out loud that made me think, “Oh, that’s how you pronounce that; I’ve only ever read it before,” followed immediately by enough cinematic violence to distract me from the fact that I should probably brush up on both my history and my phonics.

Here’s the short and sweet version of what happens in Troy because, if I’m being real, I’m not watching this one for the plot. I’m watching it to see thousands of extras get leveled while armies wage war against each other and burn everything to the ground.

After Paris (Orlando Bloom), a prince of Troy, sparks a forbidden romance with Helen (Diane Kruger), the wife of Spartan King Menelaus, tensions between the two kingdoms explode into all-out war. The Greek armies unite under the ambitious Agamemnon (Brian Cox), bringing along their greatest warrior, Achilles (Brad Pitt), whose legendary fighting skills are matched only by his pride and ego. As Troy braces for invasion, noble prince Hector (Eric Bana) struggles to defend his family and city from destruction. What follows is a massive clash driven by love, revenge, ambition, and the pursuit of glory during a time when nothing else really mattered.

Beyond Epic In Scope And Scale

Filmed during that sweet spot in movie history where CGI enhanced a film instead of completely replacing practical filmmaking, Troy never feels like a green screen experience. Sure, digital effects were used to fill out backgrounds with massive armies and sprawling naval fleets, but the production still relied on thousands of extras swinging rubber swords during combat sequences so everybody could safely hack away at each other with reckless, military-sanctioned abandon. It’s even been reported that Brad Pitt and Eric Bana spent days rehearsing their final duel without stunt doubles to make sure audiences got the best fight sequence money could buy.

Speaking of Brad Pitt, his portrayal of Achilles is second to none. He brings a certain level of nonchalance to the role, like he’s a party guy who just so happens to be exceptionally gifted at war. He’s untouchable and unflappable, and he commands the screen whenever he shows up while channeling serious dude-bro energy anytime somebody asks anything of him. When we’re first introduced to him, he effortlessly kills Boagrius (Nathan Jones), a giant hulk of a man, while violently hungover and not even having eaten breakfast yet. It’s poetry in sandals, and it’s ridiculously fun to watch play out.

For every bit of charisma in Troy, however, there’s also a healthy amount of corn you need to chew through. The most egregious moment, to me, is when Ajax lets out his battle cry in the middle of combat, bellowing, “I am Ajax, breaker of stones! Look upon me in despair!” Don’t get me wrong, that’s an objectively badass thing to say, but Troy is set in 1184 BC and he delivers the line like he knows there’s a camera crew behind him and he wants to sound as cool as humanly possible. Moments like that can take me out of movies like Troy, but it’s also worth mentioning that this is still an incredible quote to casually work into real life whenever the opportunity presents itself.

In 2026, Troy’s legacy has far exceeded its initial reputation, which is reflected in its much stronger 74 percent Popcornmeter score on Rotten Tomatoes. The critics may have gone hard on this movie at the time, but it’s also worth remembering that critics don’t always know how to have fun. Troy is fun. It’s pure popcorn spectacle wrapped in armor, and if you’re looking for next-level fight choreography and carnage, it really doesn’t get much better than this.

As of this writing, Troy is not available through standard streaming subscriptions, but it can be rented or purchased on demand through Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Fandango at Home, and Apple TV+.