By Robert Scucci
| Published 24 seconds ago

I’ve been making a conscious effort to check out more foreign-language films because it’s interesting to see how other cultures play with the tropes I’ve grown bored with stateside. I made this decision after watching 2017’s Veronica and its prequel, 2023’s Sister Death, which both serve as perfectly terrifying Spanish-language analogs to The Conjuring film series while still doing enough of their own thing to make you want more. The worldbuilding is top-tier in the sense that the lore explained everything you needed to know, but not in such a heavy-handed way that it overstayed its welcome.

My search ultimately led me to another Spanish-language film, 2007’s Timecrimes, which follows similar logic to low-budget sci-fi thrillers from the US like Primer (2004), Coherence (2013), Empathy, Inc.(2018), and Tim Travers and the Time Traveler’s Paradox (2024). All of these films are cut from the same cloth, but offer their own unique blends of existential dread in the face of free will and determinism, making you wonder who’s really in control of the situation. None of them offer clean answers either, which makes them perfect to revisit as you search for clues you may have missed the first time around.

Hector And His Duplicates

Timecrimes is a time-loop thriller where a man named Hector (Karra Elejalde) finds himself reliving the same few hours of his life on repeat, each time making matters worse for himself. His strange foray into the unknown begins while renovating his new house with his wife Clara (Candela Fernandez), who’s so busy unpacking and tending to the garden that she doesn’t initially realize anything is off.

When Hector sees a woman stripping naked in the nearby forest (Barbara Goenaga), he sets out to investigate. It’s not that he’s a peeping tom or anything creepy like that. He also notices somebody else in the woods and has reason to believe she might be in danger. After their first encounter, where he finds her nude, seemingly lifeless body, he runs off after spotting a strange man whose face is wrapped in bandages.

Fearing for his life, Hector runs toward a nearby building, where he communicates with a nameless scientist (Nacho Vigalondo) running a series of unsanctioned experiments over the weekend. The scientist stuffs Hector into what looks like a sensory deprivation tank but is actually a time machine. Hector emerges from the tank an hour earlier on the timeline and quickly realizes he may need to prevent the incident that led him to the building in order to restore some sense of balance.

The scientist, now referring to him as Hector 2, insists that he stay put and let the next hour play out as it originally did. Deciding to take matters into his own hands, Hector 2 runs off and tries to intervene with the girl and the masked man, only to learn the man’s origins, which adds another layer of confusion. The cycle continues in Timecrimes with a third Hector materializing, and this time Hector 2 is certain that Clara is in danger. Not quite sure how badly things will unravel if he keeps interfering, Hector 2 takes his chances, and it’s all but guaranteed he’s not going to like what happens next.

A Low-Budget, High-Concept Thriller 

Sharing the same DNA as the thrillers I mentioned earlier, Timecrimes stands on its own thanks to its willingness to trust the audience and let events unfold naturally. There are no heavy exposition dumps outside of the scientist laying out the most basic time travel logic we need to follow. Most of the suspense comes from Hector trying to recreate events to control the narrative, even as he realizes he has no real control over anyone’s actions, even if those actions are coming from slightly earlier versions of himself.

The amount of care Hector puts into not breaking the space-time continuum, even while suspecting that fate will play out the same way regardless, makes his journey all the more unnerving. There’s a lingering sense that he may have been stuck in this loop far longer than we realize, and we’re only witnessing one iteration of a much larger cycle. With that possibility in play, it becomes nearly impossible to pinpoint where the story truly begins, where it ends, or whether it’s meant to land on a clean conclusion at all.

As of this writing, Timecrimes is streaming for free on Tubi.

Savannah Guthrie made an emotional return to “TODAY” on Monday, April 6, following her brief hiatus over her mother Nancy Guthrie‘s disappearance.

Behind the scenes, reports claim her co-hosts were given strict orders on how to handle the journalist’s mother’s issue on air.

Meanwhile, to celebrate Easter, Savannah Guthrie was vulnerable and spoke about the struggles with her faith amid the difficult time that had hit her family.

Savannah Guthrie’s Co-Hosts Were Told To Focus On The News

Savannah Guthrie returned to her co-hosting duties on “Today” this week after she took a break to focus on her family amid her mom’s kidnapping issue.

But behind the scenes, reports suggest there were some ground rules the whole crew had to adhere to in a bid to keep things flowing.

According to Page Six, sources close to the production reveal that Savannah’s colleagues were explicitly told not to address her mom’s issue or even welcome her back formally.

“It was supposed to be business as usual. [Producers] said to act totally normal,” an insider shared. “‘Move forward’ is the vibe. It’s been a hard year and a draining time.”

The move was seemingly to curtail her from having to respond every time correspondents brought up the case, which would, in turn, break the flow.

The Journalist Is Ready To ‘Go Back To Arizona’ If There Are Major Developments In Her Mother’s Case

Despite the directive, Savannah’s colleagues Craig Melvin, Al Roker, Jenna Bush, Sheinelle Jones, and Carson Daly all welcomed her back on air.

Behind the scenes, the vibe was also emotional, with reports claiming there were lots of hugs to go round.

 “It is good to be home,” Guthrie said at the beginning of the show. “Ready or not, let’s do the news.”

Another source said, “There were lots of hugs … Coming back to a routine brings a sense of normalcy.”

They added, “She’s prepared to go back to Arizona if there are major developments in the case, or wherever she’s needed.”

Savannah Guthrie Vowed Not To ‘Fall Apart’

Before her return, there were fears Savannah would break down on air as she is still dealing with the disappearance of her mom, who was abducted from her Tucson, Arizona home on February 1.

However, the journalist has revealed she intends to stay strong and vowed not to “fall apart” for the sake of her two children, daughter Vale and son Charles.

“I will do it for my kids,” she told former co-host Hoda Kotb during an emotional sitdown in March. “I will not let whoever did this take my children’s mom away.”

The Journalist Was Praised For Her Bravery: ‘Her Faith Is Unmatched’

Following her return, an insider praised her bravery while noting the important role she plays on the set of the news show.

“Savannah is the heart of the show and the steady hand that guides everyone in the right direction,” the source said, per Page Six. “The staff and crew, we all needed her back. It was emotional for everyone.”

They continued, “Her sadness and pain are not gone, but her bravery and strength aren’t either, and her faith is unmatched.”

“Just as she needed to come home to her children and husband, she also needed to come home to her ‘Today’ family,’” the source added.

Savannah Guthrie Shared A Heartfelt Message About Challenges With Her Faith

Law enforcement has yet to make an arrest in Nancy’s disappearance, nor have they been able to come up with any viable leads.

The 84-year-old grandmother’s continuous disappearance seems to have left Savannah’s faith shaken as the TV host opened up about her struggles in an Easter video message at a New York church service on Sunday.

She spoke about the Christian belief in the resurrection and how humans still encounter “deep disappointment with God” and “the feeling of utter abandonment.”

“Recently, though, in my own season of trial, I have wondered, I have questioned whether Jesus really ever experienced this particular wound that I feel,” she said, per NBC News. “This grievous and uniquely cruel injury of not knowing, of uncertainty and confusion and answers withheld.”

“In those darkest moments,” she continued, “I have thought bitterly, and perhaps irreverently, that I have stumbled upon a feeling that Jesus did not know.”

Savannah then said that it’s not wrong to “challenge our God with questions,” and through it comes “a portal of revelation, the imparting of truth and wisdom.” She went on a seemingly short rant before saying that she “still believes.”

“I see a bright vision of the day when heaven and Earth pass away because they are one, on Earth as it is in heaven,” Savannah said in the closing of the message. “When we celebrate today, this is what we celebrate, and I celebrate, too. I still believe. And so I say with conviction, ‘Happy Easter.’”

 Bold and the Beautiful has Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown) irate about Deacon Sharpe (Sean Kanan) cheating on her on a recent episode. Sheila sliced and diced Taylor Hayes (Rebecca Budig) with a pizza cutter and then licked off the blood.

But don’t worry, that was all bait and switch. Sheila is daydreaming about killing Taylor, but she’s not going to do it. And this week, it is confirmed Deacon and Sheila break up. We’re going to talk about whether Deacon and Sheila are really over for good or if something’s going to change after they split.

Taylor Admits The Truth To Sheila on Bold and the Beautiful

So, we saw Taylor take a big risk this week. This is that spoiler about a heroine risking danger for love. And that happened when Sheila confronted her in her office. So Taylor at first tried to fib, but Sheila had seen her and Deacon in a close moment and she already knew the truth before she even started asking questions.

But Sheila wanted to hear Taylor admit that she’s been cheating behind her back with her husband Deacon. And then it got worse with Sheila asking if this is just a rebound from Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye). Because Taylor finally admitted to Sheila, “This is not an affair. It is so much more than that.”

Taylor Admits to Wanting a Future with Deacon on B&B

Taylor said that she and Deacon are in love and they want a future together. That means the wife’s got to go. So Sheila was seething and everything Taylor said made Sheila even angrier. She ranted about Taylor breaking her professional ethics and targeting Deacon while he was vulnerable. And Sheila seemed also really mad at herself for feeling grateful to Taylor and for admiring her so much.

We saw Sheila making it clear she’s not going to let Taylor have Deacon and then it looked like Sheila was murdering Taylor. But no, that is not going to happen. That’s either Sheila’s imagination, that’s most likely, or Taylor having a flash of fear of what Sheila might do to her.

Sheila Confronts Deacon on Bold

This week, their conversation continues and she asked Taylor if she thinks that she’s unhinged. And then Taylor reminds Sheila that she cut off her toe. She faked a bear attack. She, you know, dismembered herself. All crazy stuff.

And in the end, I think she’s going to walk away, leave Taylor alive, and go to confront Deacon, who, by the way, is totally clueless that Sheila is on to them. But when Deacon’s wife shows up at Il Giardino, they’re going to have it out. I mean, there’s no reason for Sheila to take Taylor’s word that she and Deacon are in love and planning a future. Sheila needs to hear this from Deacon.

Deacon & Sheila Have a Heart-to-Heart on Bold and the Beautiful

So, Bold and the Beautiful spoilers for this week say that Sheila and Deacon have a heartbreaking conversation about their marriage and then they take a look back at their relationship and that leads into another B&B spoiler that says a couple who seem perfect for each other end things.

Definitely sounds like Sheila and Deacon. They were both villains. Andthey both did terrible things. They hurt many people. They both spent time in prison, but then, you know, starting with him, they both wanted to be better and they both wanted redemption. Deacon even recently said that when they first got together, they were lost souls.

Sheila’s First Real Test on B&B

So, to me, this feels like the first real test that Sheila has faced since she has decided she wants to change who she is and be a decent human. Deacon, however, has been on this road for longer, and I do feel like he’s made a legit transformation into a good human.

He’s not even close to being the bad guy that he used to be. Now, he’s got Hope Logan (Annika Noelle) in his life. He’s got her kids. He owns Il Giardino. And Bill Spencer (Don Diamont) respects him enough to invest. So, really, he has totally remade his life.

The only complication in Deacon’s life is that Sheila terrorized so many people for so many years that nobody wants her around. It wasn’t even that long ago when she shot Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) and Finn Finnegan (Tanner Novlan) and nearly killed them both. Almost killed Li Finnegan (Naomi Matsuda).

So, another B&B spoiler says that Sheila tells Deacon despite her pain, she’s going to walk away and she’s not going to do something she will regret. And we also know their split is confirmed because another April spoiler says that Taylor and Deacon take their relationship public. So, Sheila’s out and Taylor’s in. But, will she and Deacon last? And are Sheila and Deacon really over for good? Got some insight on that.

Is Sheila Really Changed?

So, initially, I think Sheila wants to prove that she’s changed and she isn’t unhinged anymore. That might be the best revenge Sheila can get to show everybody they were totally wrong about her. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean Taylor and Deacon won’t have to deal with Sheila.

Another spoiler for this week says Taylor and Deacon don’t realize it, but they are being watched. And that could be Ridge or Steffy. You know, they’re both a little upset on Bold and the Beautiful about this thing. Or it could be that Sheila is stalking them.

Bold and the Beautiful: Sheila More Hury by Taylor

I mean, let’s face it, May Sweeps doesn’t kick off until the third week of April, and I would expect something explosive. So, we may have a few weeks of peace and quiet and Sheila seeming sane. So, she may leave Deacon with Taylor, but then Sheila just can’t hold it together.

You know, Deacon may think that he and Sheila are done for good when all is said and done. The thing is she might not be able to let him go. I don’t think she’s changed enough to let Taylor get to happily ever after with Deacon that Sheila thinks belongs to her.

And I think she’s even more upset with Taylor than she is with Deacon because Sheila thought they were close friends even though Taylor always told Sheila they were not.

But I think she feels more betrayed by Taylor, who should have been above sleeping with a patient who was a married man. So, while Deacon and Sheila may end their relationship, Taylor and Deacon might not be able to fully escape Sheila long-term.

Divorce Drama Ahead on B&B?

I’m also wondering if Deacon is going to go ahead and file for divorce and then Sheila causes problems with that. She keeps referring to Il Giardino as their business. It’s not. Deacon owns it free and clear and he had already built it into something and then Sheila got out of prison.

And it was kind of like he gave Sheila a work release job and then in her mind it’s this full partnership thing they built together which isn’t true. Deacon and Taylor are going to get together officially.

That’s confirmed in Bold and the Beautiful spoilers but I doubt the drama is done. Sheila has never loved anyone like she loves Deacon. So, in her mind, it’s not over.

Bold and the Beautiful: Sheila Still Gets Her Revenge

Sheila may do something typical for scorned wives, and she may refuse to divorce Deacon to try and stop him and Taylor from having a real future together. You know, just because Sheila doesn’t get violent doesn’t mean she won’t try to make Taylor and Deacon pay for what they did to her. I just can’t see Sheila going that easy on them.

But, of course, we’ll see how it plays out. I mean, even totally sane women have been driven unhinged by cheating husbands. So, Deacon should enjoy Taylor while he can because it may not last forever.

Deacon and Sheila’s split happens this week. That is confirmed in Bold and the Beautiful spoilers. However, I think we’re going to see hints that things are far from over where Sheila is concerned and May sweeps may be the end of what looks like a resolution and her walking away quietly and it may turn into something explosive.

Singer and actress Halle Bailey starred in Disney’s 2023 live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid.” Though the movie was well-received by many, Bailey faced backlash from the moment her casting was announced in 2019. Most notably, some traditionalist fans objected to a racebended version of the famed Disney character. Now, years later and ahead of her new movie, “You, Me & Tuscany,” she’s reacting to the harsh comments.

Halle Bailey Details Dealing With Backlash From ‘The Little Mermaid’

Bailey has experienced quite a bit since starring in “The Little Mermaid.” She became a mother in December 2023 and later went through a very public breakup with content creator DDG. Now, in a new interview with The Independent, she’s opening up about dealing with backlash associated with playing the famed Disney character.

She called working on the movie “a beautiful experience for me.” Bailey continued, “And I feel like it taught me to listen to myself and the good voices inside. I learned how to block out the noise. How do I explain it… It was actually freeing to be in the middle of this conversation where so many different opinions were coming in, and they were so opposite from one another…”

The actress continued, “I felt like I was watching myself inside a cup, seeing how people react to it… Growing up in the industry can really develop your sense of self, and for me, it keeps me grounded in a way. I know for some people it’s the opposite, but I just always think to myself, ‘None of this is real.’”

Bailey Also Says The Entertainment Industry Isn’t What Matters In Life

Bailey first began showing her talents to the world in 2011, when she and her sister, Chloe Bailey, launched their YouTube Channel. After that, the sibling duo Chloe X Halle released two studio albums, with the latest being 2020’s critically acclaimed “Ungodly Hour.”

However, Bailey can separate the art from the industry and continued in her interview with The Independent by discussing what the backlash against “The Little Mermaid” taught her: to remain grounded.

She said, “I love feeling small, realizing that the world is so big and beautiful and I’m just a tiny, tiny part of it. The fact I’m here is a blessing, and I’m grateful [to be doing music and acting], but at the same time, this is not what matters in life. What matters is keeping our feet on the ground and holding the people we love.”

Fans Are Offering Mixed Reactions To Bailey’s Comments

Following Bailey’s comments about the “The Little Mermaid” backlash going viral, many social media users reacted. While some offered compassion for Bailey and what she endured while promoting the film, others say the backlash wasn’t about racism, but rather wanting to retain the character’s original identity.

One person who felt for Bailey said, “I hate that she had to deal with such horrible racism. She should not have had to deal with that.”

However, someone else stated, “When you race swap characters, you are going to p-ss off a lot of people. It isn’t racism she is facing, it is people who generally care about the original character and want to see it portrayed by someone who actually looks and acts the part.”

A different X user reacted, “The fact that she was 19 when the internet dogpilled on her like that is crazy.” Lastly, a different social media user remarked, “Halle was the perfect choice to bring a FICTIONAL character who happens to be white, due to an artistic decision, not a storytelling one.”

‘You, Me & Tuscany’ Is A New Romantic Comedy

Bailey had appeared in multiple films since “The Little Mermaid.” They include “The Color Purple” in 2023 and “The Line” in 2024. Now, her latest movie, “You, Me, & Tuscany,” is set to arrive in theaters on April 10, with some theaters offering advanced screenings the day prior.

In addition to Bailey, the movie stars Regé-Jean Page, Marco Calvani, Aziza Scott, and Lorenzo de Moor. The movie centers on Anna (Bailey), a down-on-her-luck chef who falls in love with Michael (Page). According to Deadline, the movie was produced by Will Packer Productions and is distributed by Universal Pictures.

The Singer Also Discussed Beyoncé’s Impact On Her Career

Bailey has been open about being a Beyoncé fan, especially given that she and her sister signed a record deal with the icon’s Parkwood Entertainment. During her interview with The Independent, she opened up about how the “Crazy In Love” singer impacted her career.

She said, “She just let us be. She’s a very genuine human being, a nice, soft voice who will give us advice when we need it.” Bailey also stated that working under Beyoncé’s guidance has “actually been really good for” her and her sister.

Regarding music, she released her debut album, “Love?…or Something Like It” in October 2025 via Columbia/Parkwood.

The beginning of the end is here for Prime Video‘s diabolical superhero satire series, The Boys. The fifth and final season kicks off tomorrow, April 8, with the first two episodes as the final attempt to take down Homelander (Antony Starr) takes shape. Early reviews of the season from critics hint at a big ending for the series, and it’s nothing anyone wants to miss out on. Effectively, the series is slowly surging on Prime Video as subscribers refresh their knowledge ahead of the new season, according to FlixPatrol’s data. Meanwhile, those who have not gotten caught up on Season 4 try to do so before the internet is flooded with spoilers, memes, and FOMO kicks in. The season’s official logline below teases an epic conclusion.

“In the fifth and final season, it’s Homelander’s world, completely subject to his erratic, egomaniacal whims. Hughie (Jack Quaid), Mother’s Milk (Laz Alonso), and Frenchie (Tomer Capone) are imprisoned in a “Freedom Camp.” Annie struggles to mount a resistance against the overwhelming Supe force. Kimiko (Karen Fukuhara) is nowhere to be found. But when Butcher (Karl Urban) reappears, ready and willing to use a virus that will wipe all Supes off the map, he sets in motion a chain of events that will forever change the world and everyone in it. It’s the climax, people. Big stuff’s gonna happen.”

Is ‘The Boys’ Season 5 Any Good?

The season has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics, boasting a 96% score on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. They have praised the show for going hard in its final outing, where, in addition to the regular gore and nudity, the emotional moments also land. Collider’s Nate Richard watched the first seven episodes and was impressed by what the writers had cooked up. While the series finale was not offered for review, he was confident the season is a winner. An excerpt from his review of The Boys Season 5 explains:

“Prime Video has been holding the series finale back for now, which makes perfect sense, but if the last episode can maintain the quality of the previous seven, The Boys Season 5 may just be one of the show’s best. It has all the gore, dark comedy, action, and vulgarity that you would expect, while also never veering too far out of control ahead of the final hour. In the words of Billy Butcher, Season 5 is bloody diabolical.”

The Boys Season 5 premieres on Wednesday, April 08 on Prime Video globally. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

2019 – 2026-00-00

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Showrunner

Eric Kripke

Writers

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Eric Kripke

Franchise(s)

The Boys

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A high-stakes plan to bring Kanye West back to the UK has collapsed in dramatic fashion, leaving behind financial losses, public backlash, and a canceled festival.

What was meant to be a carefully orchestrated return quickly unraveled, exposing miscalculations, mounting criticism, and a gamble that ultimately failed under intense scrutiny from both officials and the public.

The Ambitious Kanye West Comeback Plan

Behind the scenes, the effort to reintroduce Kanye West to UK audiences was anything but casual.

Industry giant Live Nation reportedly poured time, money, and resources into securing his return, even traveling internationally to court the controversial star.

According to a source who spoke to the Daily Mail, “Live Nation put together a big package of multiple shows across the globe including Wireless.”

The ambition was clear: not just a single performance, but a global comeback narrative centered around one of music’s most polarizing figures.

However, warning signs were already present early in the process.

The same source revealed that concerns had been raised about the optics of hosting the rapper in North London.

“They were advised that it would be mad to put him on stage in Haringey, so close to a large Jewish community in north London, and they didn’t listen,” the source shared.

Despite those warnings, planning continued. Critics were later unimpressed with claims that consultations had been thorough.

The insider said, “They are now saying that they asked ‘stakeholders, ‘ but this is simply ludicrous.”

Kanye West Deal Raises Early Red Flags

Even before the Wireless Festival announcement, securing venues proved difficult.

Attempts to stage performances at major stadiums were unsuccessful.

The insider noted, “Before they signed a deal with Wireless they had asked about putting a show on at the Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham grounds and both turned them down absolutely flat.”

That rejection alone hinted at the controversy surrounding West’s return.

The source said, “That should at least have shown them what a problem there was. Then there was an exploration of asking Twickenham but it was felt to be the wrong crowd for Kanye.”

Still, negotiations pushed forward, culminating in a massive payday.

“He asked for and got $15million to play those three nights at Wireless. At that late point they still hadn’t secured a headline act,” the insider added.

From a business perspective, the gamble was enormous and increasingly fragile.

Kanye West Ban Sparks Immediate Fallout

Everything changed when UK officials stepped in. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood blocked Kanye West’s entry, citing concerns that his presence would “not be conducive to the public good.”

The consequences were swift. Within moments of the ban becoming public, the Wireless Festival, set to take place in Finsbury Park, was canceled outright.

Promotional materials vanished almost instantly, leaving only a brief notice stating the “festival has been forced to cancel.”

Fans were promised refunds, but frustration quickly surfaced. Many questioned why organizers failed to prepare alternatives, especially given the risks tied to booking such a controversial headliner.

The fallout extended beyond disappointed ticket holders. Political and advocacy voices also weighed in.

Sir Keir Starmer argued that West “should never have been invited,” while support for the government’s decision came from groups like The Campaign Against Antisemitism.

Karen Pollock, CEO of the Holocaust Educational Trust, strongly criticized those defending the artist.

“No other community would be told to ‘forgive’ or ‘talk’ – the disgusting racism would be recognized for what it is,” she said.

Financial Fallout And Industry Backlash

The collapse of the event has triggered serious financial concerns. Live Nation now faces the possibility of staggering losses, with some estimates reaching $30 million.

Although contracts may allow the company to recover part of the $15 million fee, doubts remain.

As one source bluntly put it, “Live Nation should be able to get all $15million back as their contracts say that it is the responsibility of the artist to get a visa. Because the decision was made by the Home Secretary they believe that they can get their money back.”

Still, optimism appears limited. “They think it’s not as big a disaster as it could have been but, good luck getting Kanye to pay you back,” the source continued.

The damage goes beyond finances. Industry insiders have described the situation as a major misstep.

Another insider said, “This is one of the biggest mess-ups that they have made since Covid, and I am including the Ticketmaster disaster which has led to them being sued in that.”

Criticism of the company’s judgment has been sharp. The source continued, “This shows how arrogant and out of touch they are. They thought that they would get away with it and that everyone would roll over. That didn’t happen which is why Kanye released a new apology, but it was too little too late.”

The source also questioned the artist’s pattern of behavior, adding, “Kanye has just been cynically doing what he always does which is cause outrageous offence, go away for a year, and then come back with an album and apology. That playbook no longer flies.”

A Comeback That Could Not Be Saved

Kanye West’s attempted return was already under scrutiny due to his past controversies, including offensive remarks and public backlash. Although he had issued an apology earlier in the year and expressed a desire to demonstrate change, it wasn’t enough to shift public sentiment.

He had even suggested he wanted to show “change through his actions” and engage directly with Jewish communities in London ahead of the planned shows.

However, for many critics, the timing and sincerity of those efforts were questionable. The broader response suggested that reputational damage, combined with political pressure, proved too significant to overcome.

Wireless organizers attempted to defend their decision-making process after the cancellation. In a statement, a spokesperson said, “As with every Wireless Festival, multiple stakeholders were consulted in advance of booking YE and no concerns were highlighted at the time.”

However, by then, the damage was done. The festival’s future now hangs in the balance, with reports suggesting it could “go dark” in 2026 if a new headliner cannot be secured.

What began as a bold attempt to revive Kanye West’s presence in the UK has instead become a cautionary tale, one that highlights the risks of betting big on controversy in an increasingly scrutinized entertainment landscape.

Despite being quite relevant to the current world of AI, Rebecca Ferguson‘s cyberpunk thriller Mercy was a box-office failure, barely breaking even on production costs without marketing included. The actress plays Judge Maddox, an AI judge in the newly established Mercy Court that judges and executes those convicted of murder. The movie was poorly received by critics, with a 25% score on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. This reception was reflected in theaters, where it fizzled out after the opening weekend. However, viewers loved it, giving the film an 82% score on the same site. Mercy is now available to stream at home, and while it did not make waves on the big screen, the story is quite different now.

Produced by Amazon’s MGM, the film was made available to stream on Prime Video and MGM+, both of which are owned by Amazon. Mercy arrived with a bang, claiming the top position on Prime Video before being dethroned recently by Chris Hemsworth‘s new heist thriller, Crime 101. But on MGM+, Mercy remains the most-watched overall project. It’s displaced MGM+’s biggest hit to date, FROM, the sci-fi horror thriller that has gained a cult following since its 2023 premiere. The mystery box drama was created by John Griffin and follows a group of people stranded in an inescapable town. FROM has dominated MGM+ and has recently been seeing increased interest as a new season premieres late this month.

MGM+’s Flagship Series Returns Next Week

FROM will undoubtedly reclaim the number one spot on MGM+ when the Harold Perrineau-led series returns for a new season next week. The new season promises grisly consequences for the townsfolk as, finally, the powers behind this place take a more active role. The logline below teases more mysteries and horror. It reads:

“In Season 4, the closer the residents of town get to the answers they seek, the more terrifying their search becomes. Who is the Man in Yellow, and what does he want? Will Jade (Eion Bailey) and Tabitha’s (Catalina Sandino Moreno) revelation be the key to finally going home? How much longer can Boyd hold the town together, even as his body and mind are falling apart? And what role will the town’s most recent arrival play in the events to come? Season 4 will open doors that some in town will end up wishing had remained closed.”

FROM returns on Sunday, April 19. Watch Mercy and all past seasons of FROM on MGM+ in the US. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

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January 19, 2026

Runtime

100 minutes

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Director

Timur Bekmambetov

Writers

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Marco van Belle

Producers

Charles Roven, Majd Nassif, Robert Amidon, Timur Bekmambetov

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Epic movies don’t get a whole lot better than Lawrence of Arabia, and neither do movies generally speaking, really. It’s a difficult one to talk about because all the things it does, it does incredibly well, so reviewing or analyzing Lawrence of Arabia really just feels like listing off the things that you can find in almost any movie. There is acting in Lawrence of Arabia, and it’s fantastic. There is cinematography in Lawrence of Arabia, and it is beautiful. There is music in Lawrence of Arabia, and it is excellent. See where it goes? It goes nowhere. So, what’s more interesting is looking at the epic genre specifically, and playing a bit of a game that involves asking the question of whether any other film of a similar scope/scale/runtime not only equals Lawrence of Arabia, but arguably surpasses it. They said it couldn’t be done, and maybe they were right. But there is going to be an attempt here, regardless.

Sorry in advance for causing potential outrage. What’s best to remember here is that four pretty much perfect movies are being juggled here at once, and Lawrence of Arabia is one of those airborne balls. It’s impressive that those other balls are there, though, and are being thrown around at the same time, all the while being just as deserving of one’s attention as the, uh, Lawrence of Arabia ball. Does this make sense? It doesn’t really, does it? Maybe it shouldn’t. Maybe this is a particularly risky endeavor, but anyway, enough with delaying the inevitable. These epics are all at least as amazing as Lawrence of Arabia, and perhaps even ever so slightly better (all of them 10/10s, but some potentially more 10-worthy than others).

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‘The Godfather’ (1972)

Image via Paramount Pictures

10 years on from Lawrence of Arabia, The Godfather did for crime/gangster epics what that movie did for war epics. Also, both won Best Picture at the Oscars, and proved very deserving of that award for their respective years. With The Godfather, you have what’s essentially the opening act of an eventual three-part tragedy, all of those parts about the Corleone crime family, with the first movie being arguably the most perfect. The Godfather Part II does complicate things a little, though. In some ways, it might be even better than The Godfather, or at least it can be called more of an epic, since it is longer overall and covers a greater span of time, thanks to its use of flashbacks throughout. But The Godfather (1972) is still very much an epic, and certainly isn’t lacking, by any means, when it comes to ambition. It juggles quite a few different characters and narrative threads, all while seamlessly transferring main character status from Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) to his son, Michael (Al Pacino), in a way that feels organic, and it makes sense that later films, then, are focused on Michael and his downfall, in contrast to how Vito rose beyond the status (or lack thereof) he had earlier in his life.

Also, similarly to Lawrence of Arabia, you’re pretty much overwhelmed with things to praise, when it comes to The Godfather, and it’s another instance of a film where just about everything is indeed praiseworthy. When it comes to crowning the best crime movie of the 1970s, it usually boils down to either The Godfather or The Godfather Part II, and there are only a handful of gangster movies made since 1972/1974 that could be considered on the same level. And few of them are as epic in scope as The Godfather and its sequel (see the excellent Goodfellas, for example, which is an ambitious and very confident film, but not really an epic in the conventional sense). You can’t go wrong with anything here, in this first Godfather movie, and though it’s a different sort of epic to Lawrence of Arabia, if you want to compare them anyway, The Godfather might well be a tad better.

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‘War and Peace’ (1965)

It should be stressed that this is a different War and Peace from the English-language version that starred Audrey Hepburn and Henry Fonda, and came out in 1956. That one was certainly an epic, with a runtime of almost 3.5 hours, but it was dwarfed by the War and Peace adaptation from about a decade later, which is technically a four-part film with a combined runtime of just over seven hours. That might sound excessive until you remember how long War and Peace (the novel by Leo Tolstoy) is, and if anything, condensing it all to just seven hours is quite the screenwriting achievement. It naturally can’t adapt everything, but you do get a lot here, with the backdrop being the Napoleonic Wars, and the story centering on a handful of characters who have their lives changed by said conflict. You get a bit of war, and a bit of peace (well, the peace side of things is only comparatively peaceful, since there’s quite a bit of romantic and social turmoil explored throughout).

There might not be any other films that feel as big as War and Peace does, and that’s the reason it’s here. If it didn’t have a literal unlimited budget, then it at least looked as though it might’ve, especially when you get to the massive battle sequences and take in just how many extras were used throughout. How anything was even coordinated at such a scale is mind-boggling, and then even when there aren’t battle sequences being captured, so many other scenes go way grander in scope than you might expect (like all the lavish ball scenes). Sergei Bondarchuk directed this mammoth film while also being one of the stars (playing Count Pierre Bezukhov), so that’s a massive achievement worth admiring, too. Life is short, yes, and the idea of watching a seven-hour movie might sound daunting, but it really is finding the time for something like War and Peace, as there is nothing else like it (within the epic genre or otherwise) out there, really.

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‘Seven Samurai’ (1954)

Image via Toho

You should watch more than one samurai movie, but if it really only can be one, for whatever reason, it’s good to go with Seven Samurai. There are probably 700 things about this movie that are great, but if you want just seven, to be cute and stuff, how about: (1) it’s well-paced, (2) it’s epic but also personal, (3) the stakes are always high, (4) the characters are memorable, (5) the acting’s phenomenal, (6) the climax is incredible, and (7) it’s massively influential. Its influence becomes obvious when you watch it, especially if you’re already familiar with a good many action movies made since 1954, since Seven Samurai told a big story and told it perfectly, all the while fully defining the ideal structure for an action movie made on such a scale. The premise here involves townspeople hiring warriors to defend their town from an incoming bandit attack, and across the three acts, you have the formation of a team, then the planning of a battle, and then, finally, the battle/showdown itself.

It all sounds quite simple when you lay it out like that, and in a narrative sense, Seven Samurai is kind of straightforward, or at least easy to label as approachable/efficient. But telling a story, even a simple one, with such clarity is no easy task, and Seven Samurai’s plot only feels familiar nowadays, in the first place, because of all the movies that were influenced by Seven Samurai. It’s also far from the only masterpiece Akira Kurosawa ever directed, and if you’re talking epics, then Ran (1985) is almost just as good, but Seven Samurai does remain his most well-known, acclaimed, and influential film for good reason. Actually, for many reasons. At least seven, maybe as many as 700. It’s not 700 minutes long, but it is lengthy, at about 207 minutes, and none of them are wasted. There’s a lot that can be learned from the writing and filmmaking on offer here, but there’s also so much to just be entertained by, with this being remarkably engrossing for a movie that, at the time of writing, isn’t actually far off from being three-quarters of a century old (essentially timeless stuff, in other words).

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Seven Samurai

Release Date

April 26, 1954

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Runtime

207 Minutes

Director

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Akira Kurosawa

Writers

Akira Kurosawa

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You can watch the best Steven Seagal movie on Netflix right now.

By Rick Gonzales
| Published 11 seconds ago

Of all the action movies Steven Seagal has made, his highest-rated is Under Siege. This Seagal flick, sometimes referred to as Die Hard on the seas, and it earns the title.

Under Siege is a stripped-down action setup executed with ruthless efficiency: when a group of mercenaries led by Tommy Lee Jones and a traitorous officer played by Gary Busey hijack the USS Missouri to seize its nuclear arsenal, they overlook one critical detail: a seemingly unremarkable ship’s cook who’s actually a former Navy SEAL named Casey Ryback, played by Steven Seagal.

As the crew is locked down and the clock ticks toward catastrophe, Ryback wages a one-man war through the battleship’s corridors, dismantling the takeover piece by piece with brutal precision, aided by a reluctant civilian ally, until the ship, and its weapons, are back under control.

The Infamous Under Siege Birthday Cake Scene

Erika Eleniak plays Jordan Tate in the film, a former Playboy model turned reluctant hostage aboard a hijacked battleship. Her infamous birthday cake scene is calculated sex appeal dropped right in the middle of a muscle-bound action movie to jolt the audience awake.

She arrives on the ship to perform at a party. When the terrorists take over, she’s there in the ship’s ballroom, waiting to hop out of the cake, and has no idea what’s going on. Then Steven Segal walks in, she thinks it’s party time, and the result is one of the most iconic surprises in movie history.

According to Eleniak in a YouTube Interview, “That was never supposed to be a topless scene.” It was something that escalated over the course of production, leading up to the moment.

Erika Eleniak Added The Jacket To Cover Up

She now says of the scene, “I was definitely not OK with it, which is why I ended up wearing a jacket in it, and ended up doing more of a flash kind of situation than being totally topless.”

Eleniak explains, “I was very, very young, and I think now today if that conversation had sprung up on me like that, I think I would have handled it very differently. Everybody knew that I was nervous about it; in fact, Tommy Lee Jones and Gary Busey sent me flowers.”

That doesn’t mean Erika regrets doing it or has any negative feelings about it now. She says, “It’s all good. It’s all good.”

Eleniak is paired with Steven Segal for the rest of the movie, as the two make their way through the ship. It was a career-making turn for the actress, who until then had done only television. She’s worked steadily in film and television ever since.