By Chris Sawin
| Updated 8 seconds ago

Pom Poko is an animated fantasy film from 1994 written and directed by Isao Takahata (Grave of the Fireflies, Only Yesterday). The English dub of the film refers to the animals as raccoons, but they’re actually based on Japanese raccoon dogs, also known as tanuki. The tanuki are popular in Japanese folklore and are believed to be magical creatures with shape-shifting abilities, able to pass themselves off as just about any inanimate object, any other animal, or even human beings. The Tanooki suit in Super Mario Bros. 3 boasts a similar concept.

In Search Of A New Home

The film follows a group of raccoons (I watched the dub, so we’ll still call them raccoons from here on out) as they try to save their home in Tama Hills from deforestation and housing construction with the intent of a new suburban community meant to house up to 300,000. Up to that point, the raccoons had still lived near humans, but not to feast on their scraps. They had access to farm animals, crops, and other various forms of food that weren’t readily available in the city. They lived in an abandoned farmhouse in the country for a year, until it was demolished, and construction began on what is now referred to as New Tama.

The raccoons hunt and search for a new home, but all of the territories are already occupied by other raccoons. So naturally, they battle over who gets to stay. The raccoons have three forms in the film: the normal, most realistic version that just looks like a normal raccoon, a more caricatured version that walks on two legs and speaks, and a final, minimally detailed version that isn’t seen as often and also resembles rubber hose animation. The raccoons hide the fact that they can walk on two legs, speak, and shape-shift into humans. Their final form is reminiscent of the T-1000’s chrome form in Terminator 2: Judgment Day, when it’s between forms. It’s like it only comes out when they’re overstimulated; a combination of that and someone who tried to draw The Berenstain Bears from memory.

A Big Bag Of Tricks

While the raccoons in the film are based on Japanese raccoon dogs and Japanese folklore, why their testicles are featured so prominently isn’t really explained. Even when the raccoons transform into something with clothes that isn’t human (a lot of the raccoons wear samurai-like attire in battle), the males still have their balls hanging out. Halfway into the film, a 103-year-old raccoon named Osho asks all the male raccoons to meet up in the garden.

Once gathered, he’s all like, “Isn’t this red blanket we’re all sitting on so soft and nice? Just kidding, it’s my raccoon scrote.” They refer to it as a “raccoon pouch” in the film, but this thing is 150 sq ft and somebody (or a team of somebodies. Can you imagine if there was like a “coon junk animation team” in the credits?) had to animate this giant red blanket turning back into a massive, wrinkled gray-ish brown elder scrotum that reverts back to normal size.

Raccoon nutsack physics get more intricate as the film bounces on. Its first form may be stretched into a blanket, but the pouches eventually evolve into becoming a huge bullfrog, a hot air balloon, a parachute, an Indiana Jones-sized boulder, and a ship chock full of treasure. To be fair, the last one involves a 999-year-old raccoon that goes senile, and transforms his ballsack into a big enough boat to house a bunch of fake treasure (these are all illusions powered by magic scrotums; nutsack ghosts, if you will) and dozens of raccoons sailing off to their deaths.

Song, Dance, And Sack-Driven Logic

Pom Poko has this crazy sack-driven concept that makes it seem as if raccoons should rule the forest and anything they set their eyes on. But the film is quick to point out how lazy they are and that they don’t take anything seriously. After every small accomplishment, they want to throw a party. Even if one of them is passionate about getting revenge on the humans destroying their homes, they’re quick to drop it at the thought of tempura or any other delicious food.

They’re also distracted by this particular song about raccoons. If someone sings it at them, they have to finish it. The Pom Poko title comes from the sound it makes when they drum on their bellies. Every Spring, they have to fight the urge to screw themselves stupid and make a hundred babies. For a film that prioritizes the prominent showcasing of raccoon balls, it may mention sex and being frisky in spring, but it never shows anything graphic. There’s suddenly a raccoon with nipples hanging out in the last half hour, though, which is crazy to think about.

The original plan in the film involves the raccoons researching humans over the next five years. This involves scrounging up a working TV from the dump to monitor humans, which the raccoons drop all forms of productivity in order to watch TV all day, and reviving the ancient raccoon art of transformation. There are elder transformation masters located far away that the raccoons have to search for in the film to teach the raccoons of Tama Hills, specifically the ones who know nothing about altering their form or how to transform.

Transformations Take A Toll

The way the film addresses transformation and holding forms is intriguing, as well. Chameleons may be able to change color, but in this world, foxes, raccoons (and some cats) are the only ones who can physically transform. I feel like Pom Poko wants to introduce the idea that some of the humans that walk among us may actually be raccoons, and that’s cool to think about, not so much that someone we know may actually be a raccoon. But some of the people we see every day aren’t what they present themselves to be. Maybe some are hiding this extravagant other life with magical creatures we can only dream about.

It takes a lot of energy to maintain transformations for a long time. Multiple raccoons often have to take the same human form and switch out when they get tired if they’re out in public. The bags under their eyes are symbols of their fatigue, and things like energy drinks are hinted at being invented because so many raccoons are out there pretending to be human and getting exhausted, so there’s this crazy demand for them.

What’s wild is that the war between raccoons and humans starts as mild vandalism and escalates into full-blown insanity. At one point, the raccoons force vehicles off the road and end up killing three people. Back at Tama Hills, they all want to celebrate but are convinced to have a moment of silence. The eulogy and gathering last maybe two sentences before the raccoons laugh about death and start partying.

Could Have Reached Further Into Its Bag Of Tricks

The film plays out like a mash-up of Beetlejuice and Fantastic Mr. Fox. The raccoons use their shape-shifting powers to try to scare the humans away. There’s a whole sequence where they scare a police officer while trying to be human, but they all pretend not to have a face and scare him repeatedly until he passes out. The deforestation storyline, combined with extreme measures to save their home, feels like a direct inspiration for the Wes Anderson stop-motion film because it’s so similar.

The crown jewel of shape-shifting in Pom Poko is Operation Spectre, a parade where they all turn into demons, monsters, and ghosts to try to scare the residents of New Tama away. But a lot of the creatures are famous yokai from Japanese folklore, and Totoro even makes a brief cameo. It’s an extraordinary sequence that ultimately fails its intended purpose, but it is so visually creative and memorable.

Up until these recent viewings of Pom Poko (I watched it twice for this article), I had always felt it was a lackluster effort from Studio Ghibli. I think I originally felt like they should have done more with their balls. I thought, “They bounce around on these things for two hours and do everything but their intended purpose. That’s dumb. This is dumb.” These raccoons have 101 uses for their balls. They treat their sacks like Martha Stewart does crafts. One of them jumps onto a moving vehicle and stretches their pouch across the entire windshield, causing the driver to lose control and drive off the road.

Pom Poko is one of the more unique Studio Ghibli films, with a ton of unpredictable WTF moments without straying too far from its mostly family-friendly reputation as an animated film. Seek it out, embrace the ridiculousness, and witness a bunch of raccoons adapt to life’s hardships by folding and stretching their teabags like a master origamist.

Pom Poko (as well as 21 of the 23 core Studio Ghibli films) is currently streaming on Max.

Chappell Roan has been the subject of headlines as of late after she was accused of ordering a member of her security team to deal with a young fan. The singer has repeatedly denied the claims, saying she had nothing to do with what happened.

Now, the security guard at the center of it all, Pascal Duvier, is speaking out, acknowledging his role in the incident while also offering his version of the story.

Pascal Duvier Said He Wasn’t Part Of Chappell Roan’s Security

On March 25, Duvier, a protection specialist, as noted in his Instagram bio, took to social media to address the security drama involving Roan, Catherine Harding, and Harding’s 11-year-old daughter, Ada.

In his post, Duvier wrote that he doesn’t generally comment on online rumors, but the ones circulating are “false and constitute defamation.”

“I take full responsibility for the interactions on March 21st. I was at the hotel on behalf of another individual, and I was not part of the personal security team of Chappell Roan,” he noted, confirming the singer’s claims.

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“The actions I took were not on behalf of Chappell Roan, her personal security team, her management, or any other individuals,” he said, adding that he decided to approach Harding and Ada “based on information we obtained from the hotel.” According to Duvier, there were “events” at the location that heightened the hotel’s security risk.

The Security Guard Claims The Interaction Was ‘Calm’

Before ending the post, Duvier wrote, “My sole interaction with the mother was calm and with good intentions, and the outcome of the encounter is regretful.”

His statement contrasts with Harding’s recollection of the incident. As previously reported by The Blast, Harding spoke about the incident on Instagram, saying Duvier was “aggressive and intimidating” when he approached them.

She also claimed the security guard berated her for not teaching her daughter proper manners and said they shouldn’t “harass” people. The confrontation reportedly left the 11-year-old in tears.

Pascal Duvier’s Past Resurfaces

Following backlash from the incident, the security guard’s identity was revealed. Per The Blast, Duvier was part of Kim Kardashian’s security team when she was robbed in Paris.

In 2016, two masked men wearing police uniforms entered Kardashian’s hotel room at about 3:00 a.m. The reality star was able to call her bodyguard before one man snatched her phone. The individuals then stole Kardashian’s jewelry, valued at $10 million. The robbers then tied Kardashian’s legs together before fleeing the scene.

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Duvier, who was head of Kardashian’s security at the time, was not at the scene because he was on security duty for Kardashian’s sisters, who were at a nightclub. According to reports, Kardashian didn’t blame Duvier for the incident, but he was let go a month later. Kardashian’s insurance company also sued Duvier for the security oversight.

How Did The Chappell Roan Controversy Begin?

On March 21, Ada’s father, Jorginho, called out Roan on Instagram Stories, accusing the singer of sending her security guard to talk to her wife and daughter. The mother and daughter were in São Paulo, Brazil, for Lollapalooza, and coincidentally, the singer was staying at the same hotel.

According to Jorginho, Ada didn’t bother Roan or ask for a photo of autograph despite being a big fan. She simply walked by her table to confirm that the person she saw was the singer and then walked back to her mom. Afterward, a security guard approached them aggressively, leaving Ada “shaken” and “in tears.”

Jorginho addressed Roan, writing, “Without your fans, you would be nothing.”

Chappell Roan Denied The Accusation

Roan addressed the controversy on Instagram Stories, saying she had nothing to do with the security guard and didn’t even see the mother and daughter. She said no one bothered her while she was having breakfast. Nevertheless, she apologized, saying, “I’m sorry to the mother and child that someone was assuming that you would do something, and if you felt uncomfortable.”

The singer doubled down on her stance, issuing a brief statement via a spokesperson. “Chappell was not aware of any interaction between this mother/daughter and a third-party security office,” the spokesperson noted, adding that Roan has a high standard when it comes to people who work with her and has “zero tolerance for any kind of aggressive behavior towards her or her fans.”

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Jada Pinkett Smith is keeping it 100 about her marriage to Will Smith. The actress is giving a first-class update on where they really stand and whether they’ve been sharing a bed amid all of the speculation about their relationship.

RELATED: Don’t Play With ‘Em! Will Smith & Jada Pinkett Have The Internet Losing It Over Their Rare Pop Out At Paris Fashion Week (PHOTO)

Jada Pinkett Speaks On Marriage & Life With Will Smith

Roommates, if you’ve been wondering where Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith really stand these days, the former ‘Red Table Talk’ host just made it crystal clear. While chatting with Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie, Jada spilled all the tea about her current situation with Will and their marriage. The ‘Set It Off’ star told the ‘Today’ show hosts that they aren’t shacking up, or even bunk bed buddies — they’re living in completely separate homes, y’all! And Jada says she loves it that way! When asked if they’ll ever live under one roof again, Pink said, “They will! But… just not right now!” 

She admitted that the privacy and peace of mind are what have her enjoying their setup right now. She also said she’s been enjoying her own company. “Right now, I really do enjoy my space,” Jada continued. “So, having this time that I’ve had to myself has been fantastic […] just to get to know me.” As for what the future holds for the couple, Jada said she was unsure, but she hopes they can work to strengthen their marriage. She added, “We don’t know yet, we’ll build that and it’ll be something new.” 

The Internet Pops OFF Over Jada & Will Living Apart

After WorldStar dropped the clip of Jada Pinkett, folks flooded the comment section. People were quick to call her out for seemingly dragging Will, while others said it’s giving very much humiliation ritual. Peep some of the reactions below.

Instagram user @niti3_ wrote, “Will, if you’re listening, please stay away from this woman.” 

Instagram user @leekwright_ wrote, “Pls don’t start this humiliation ritual again 💀” 

While Instagram user @djankletap wrote, “She will let him move back in at the end of August… 😂😂😂” 

Then Instagram user @iamjefferylewis wrote, “She definitely wants to drain all the life out of that man🤦🏾‍♂️”

Another Instagram user @king_unicdailystyle wrote, “This woman was sent to destroy this legend legacy.” 

Instagram user @duaneflames wrote, “Free Will.” 

While another Instagram user @nattytheslime wrote, “Will do yourself a favor….stay wherever you’re at bro 😂” 

Then another Instagram user @dyls_carter wrote, “lol he owes my son Chris Rock a big apology.” 

Finally, Instagram user @mrpowell78 wrote, “Protect your peace Will, she still wanna be a Skeezah!” 

Will & Jada Make RARE Appearance Amid Relationship Speculation

Despite Jada’s comments, fans loved seeing them pop out  together at the top of this year. They pulled up to support their son Jaden Smith at his Christian Louboutin Winter 2026 Capsule Collection launch. They totally owned the moment in matching all-black fits. See the photos below.

RELATED: No Chill? Will Smith Seemingly Addresses Oscars Slap AGAIN In New Freestyle (LISTEN) 

Modesto, California y’all okay out there? Cristian Anguiano made headlines for a disturbing pattern of stalking and a home invasion that left a local woman and her family shaken—especially after reports revealed he targeted her feet during the incident. What began as persistent, unwanted attention quickly escalated into criminal behavior, prompting authorities to intervene.

RELATED: Student Who Accidentally Killed Teacher In High School Prank Reportedly Speaks Out As Family Weighs Charges

Man Becomes Fixated, Harasses Woman At Work

According to prosecutors, Anguiano, 28, became fixated on the victim after seeing her at work in February 2025. He repeatedly showed up at her job, waited outside to approach her as she left, asked her out multiple times, and even sent a letter expressing his desire to take her to Mexico. The unwanted contact continued for several weeks, making the victim increasingly concerned for her safety.

Family Confronts Angiuano Before Police Arrive

On May 21, 2025, Anguiano allegedly went to the victim’s Ceres home at night after learning where she lived. After her father left the house, he broke in and reportedly began licking and biting her toes. When the victim woke up, she remained calm and spoke to him to de-escalate the situation until other family members intervened. She called 911, but Anguiano fled before deputies arrived. Surveillance footage and her statements helped investigators quickly identify and arrest him on May 22, near her residence.

Stalking And Burglary Case Ends With Maximum Penalty

Anguiano admitted to breaking into the home to contact the victim. He pleaded no contest to felony stalking and burglary charges and received the maximum sentence under California law—six years and eight months in state prison. Probation was suspended, and special conditions were imposed, including drug testing and registration requirements. Deputy District Attorney Vita Palazuelos, who prosecuted the case, praised the victim’s courage for coming forward. Anguiano is also facing separate federal charges related to drug trafficking. His sentencing is officially scheduled for April 17, 2026.

RELATED: Prayers Up! Detroit Mom Faces Charges After 11-Year-Old Fatally Shoots Sibling In Parking Lot (VIDEO)

Chileee, Yaya Mayweather is spilling tea in her latest posts. The daughter of Floyd Mayweather allegedly recalled Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez showing up to one of her birthday parties, prompting reactions across social media.

Related: 5 Times Yaya Mayweather Let Folks Know They Can ‘Play With Somebody Else’ (WATCH)

Yaya Mayweather Shares Alleged Behind-the-Scenes Tea About Justin Bieber & Selena Gomez

On Wednesday, a video showing pop star Justin Bieber smoking began circulating online. The clip amassed over 3 million views as fans reacted to the singer’s indulgence. Adding her own flair, Yaya Mayweather reposted the video while referencing Bieber and Gomez’s past presence at one of her birthday celebrations. She wrote, “No shade him and Selena used to come to my birthday parties friend smelling like w**d 😂”

Social Media Reacts

Reactions were mixed in The Shade Room Teens comment section as folks  debated whether Yaya was sharing playful nostalgia or unnecessary drama.

Instagram user @unemployed.donny wrote, “Why she telling us?? They’re not even together anymore. Nobody care”

Another Instagram user @htx.v3 wrote, “Snitching for what”

While Instagram user @aluvenguza wrote, “Why is she spilling their tea when they were doing her dad a favour coming to her party? 🥴”

Instagram user @esoteric.mbs wrote, “She just loves to feel included”

Another Instagram user @yonnx wrote, “They just like me fr, pull up to the functions already lit 😂”

While Instagram user @lockkkkkkin.eoh wrote, “She use any opportunity to remind the world how successful and wealthy her daddy is. Not her but Floyd. 😂😂”

Instagram user @maemiina wrote, “Doesn’t he have a whole song talking about “I get my w**d from California” this ain’t news”

Another Instagram user @blokkkgone wrote, “Yall shut up I’m glad she told us because… Selena 😭😩”

While Instagram user @the_true_blog wrote, “Now this the tea I like to hear 🤏🏽”

Yaya Shares More Tweets About Family Dynamics

Yaya didn’t stop at Bieber and Gomez. She also shared tweets about parental involvement, seemingly addressing someone she felt was playing “stepdad” to another child while neglecting their own.

“It’s crazy to see a mf step up and play stepdad to a straggler h** that was picked on tour child’s life, giving that kid time and attention, while your own child hasn’t seen or heard from you in almost 6 months.”

In a follow-up tweet, she added:

“It’s honestly diabolical how u can be fully involved in someone else’s child’s life seeing them consistently, interacting, and playing when u don’t even do that with your own. Imagine getting online and seeing YOUR dad show up for another kid in ways he never shows up for u.”

While Yaya didn’t name anyone, many social media users believe her tweets were aimed at NBA YoungBoy. The speculation comes after a fan page @Trellshade2.0 shared behind-the-scenes clips from the ‘Better Than Yours’ video shoot featuring YoungBoy and Coi Leray. In the footage, YoungBoy can be seen picking up a young girl, believed by fans as the alleged child of a woman connected to him.

Related: Family First? Fans Speak Out As Yaya Mayweather Opens Up About Her Father’s Role In Son KJ’s Life (VIDEO)

NBA icon Shaquille O’Neal is addressing the viral rumor claiming he slid into Sabrina Carpenter’s DMs.

“First of all, ladies, the diesel got way more game than that,” O’Neal, 54, said on the Friday, March 20, episode of his “Big Podcast” show, reading aloud the fake flirty messages. “I’m just saying.”

Social media images surfaced earlier this month featuring a flurry of NSFW messages sent to Carpenter, 26, from an Instagram account seemingly belonging to O’Neal.

“Damn, baby, I would keep your farts in a cologne bottle and spray it on me every day,” the retired basketball star read aloud, quoting the alleged messages. “Just jokes, I’m Shaq. What’s your name, baby? And Sabrina says, ‘I know who you are. You’re way too famous to be sending messages like that.’”

O’Neal allegedly replied, “I can’t be horny and want some of that snow bunny kitty for no reason. You can’t handle big diesel anyway.”

O’Neal subsequently acknowledged that a photoshopped image of himself was added to the seemingly AI-created message.

O’Neal’s podcast guest, Jim Jones, further noted that social media is a “dangerous place.”

“It’s so crazy what people are spending their energy and time on,” Jones, 49, said. “I would think they would have better things to do.”

According to O’Neal, “youngsters” seem to “be [all] about the algorithm and going viral.”

“Social media is a great way for you to gain business and for you to market and promote your business,” Jones said. “That’s what I use it for. Everyone has their own elaborate ways and schemes that they use social media platforms. I use it for music, I use it for my content [and] I use it for pretty much everything I have going on.”

Jones also stated that “social media is there for entertainment.”

“Whatever’s going on today, it’s not going to last past three days,” he said. “If you feel that social media is working against you, it’s never working against you. You’ve got to figure out how to make it work for you even when it is working against you ‘cause now you have millions of eyes on you.”

Neither O’Neal nor Carpenter have further addressed the fake text conversation.

O’Neal, for his part, was previously married to Shaunie Wilson from 2002 to 2011. O’Neal and Wilson, share five children. (O’Neal is also father to daughter Taahirah from a previous relationship with Arnetta Yardbourgh.)

In the years since his divorce, O’Neal has sparked dating rumors with a number of famous faces. After he was spotted with OnlyFans creator Sophie Rain on her 21st birthday, the NBA alum denied claims of a budding romance.

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Related: Shaquille O’Neal Wants His Kids to Understand ‘Respectable Nepotism’

Shaquille O’Neal’s kids may be following in his athletic footsteps, but he’s making sure they understand their privilege in the sports world. “I want them to be model citizens. I want them to be very educated and I want them to understand nepotism, respectable nepotism,” O’Neal, 51, exclusively told Us Weekly on Monday, September 18, […]

“I don’t [date] that young but I will date your mom and give u a brother,” he wrote via Instagram comment in October 2025 after a social media user questioned the pair’s large age gap.

Rain also shut down the speculation in a statement shared with Us Weekly.

“He reached out to me after and was like damn, we are famous, haha, I don’t know why people think we are dating,” Rain exclusively told Us. “People are running with a wild story, but Shaq was nothing but respectful. It was my 21st birthday and he made it unforgettable. I laughed when I saw the rumors. Shaq’s response says it all. He was never trying to be anything more than supportive and fun.”

As for Carpenter, she’s been single since December 2024, when she and actor Barry Keoghan called it quits after nearly one year of dating.

While Kate Hudson has certainly dipped her toes in TV over the years, including her iconic role as Cassandra July in Glee, the two-time Oscar nominee has mostly been known for her incredible filmography. So, when she was announced as the lead of the Netflix sports comedy Running Point, created by Mindy Kaling, Elaine Ko, Ike Barinholtz, and David Stassen, fans were at the edge of their seats waiting to tune in.

Lucky for them, the series, which premiered on February 27, 2025, was certainly worth the wait. Not only was Hudson’s role as the cutthroat Isla Gordon one of her best performances in years, but she was accompanied by a hilarious cast, sharp writing, and a plot that felt both fresh and charming to viewers. Per Deadline, the series scored 9.3 million views in its debut weekend, and ranked in the Top 10 across 83 countries. So, of course, it’s no surprise that the series was renewed for Season 2, which is only a few weeks away now, on April 23.

What Will ‘Running Point’ Season 2 Be About?

In the first season of Running Point, Hudson’s Isla had her work cut out for her. After her brother Cam (Justin Theroux) gets into a car accident after struggling with drug addiction, she’s suddenly named the new president of her family’s fictional basketball team, the Los Angeles Waves. Eager to prove herself, she throws herself into the job and — no pun intended — makes serious waves. In her new territory, she must also deal with her other siblings, Ness (Scott MacArthur) and Sandy (Drew Tarver), as well as the problematic players on the team, who all bring their own baggage.

Related

10 Great TV Shows to Watch if You Love ‘Running Point’

For while you’re anxiously waiting for Season 2!

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With a major loss marking the end of Season 1, Season 2 is picking up at a tough spot for the Waves, which only becomes yet another moment for Isla to prove herself. In the official synopsis, the series declares that she’s “determined to prove she’s not just keeping the seat warm for her brother,” especially now that the world is watching her bold moves. The blurb also teased a heightened rivalry between her and Cam, who’s eager to win back his position as president. “What she doesn’t know is that Cam is quietly maneuvering behind the scenes to reclaim his post, turning every misstep into ammunition,” the synopsis reads.

Therefore, much like in the first season, Isla will continue to stand up for herself and prove her place, even if that means protecting herself from her own family. “To survive the family power plays and the scrutiny of the board, she’ll have to rip up last season’s game plan and come up with a whole new playbook if she wants to close out the season on top,” the synopsis detailed, adding that season 2 “raises the stakes, deepens the family drama, and finds even more comedy in what it takes to run a modern sports empire.”

‘Running Point’ Is One of Netflix’s Best Comedies

From the synopsis alone, it’s safe to say Season 2 will carry on with the magic of Season 1. After all, in addition to being a story about a kick-ass female lead busting down barriers, Running Point also balances being a workplace sports comedy and a family drama. With that mix, the series sets itself up for intense, high-energy moments like in the games or major negotiations, but also softer, more tender moments too. Isla, for instance, has to exude confidence as president of the Waves, but the show doesn’t shy away from showing her most vulnerable moments and flaws either, like in her ill-fated relationship to Max Greenfield‘s Lev. The same can be said about Tarvey’s Sandy, who rolls his eyes at his siblings’ antics and hides his very devoted boyfriend (Scott Evans) from them, but also teams up with them for a grand gesture in the season finale.

With all that said, it’s safe to say fans are likely in for a treat when the second season of Running Point premieres next month. With a stellar cast, a fully-fleshed-out lead, and a bright, optimistic tone that will have fans of Ted Lasso buzzing, the series is the perfect, comforting binge, and one of the best Netflix originals to date.

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Release Date

February 27, 2025

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Network

Netflix

Directors

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Michael Weaver, James Ponsoldt, David Stassen, Thembi Banks

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By Robert Scucci
| Published 14 seconds ago

2006’s Little Big Top is one of those movies you’ve probably never heard of unless you’re a fan of both Sid Haig and Richard Riehle. It’s a movie about clowning around, literally, and I can’t think of a better actor to portray a retired, drunken, down-on-his-luck circus clown than Haig. Think of it as a Captain Spaulding side quest. One where he’s not in hot pursuit of a bunch of sexy teenagers he can drop off at Dr. Satan’s place to be disemboweled, but instead getting absolutely hammered in his old, abandoned childhood home while reluctantly reentering the circus life he left behind so many years ago.

At its heart, Little Big Top is a film about putting your ego and personal demons aside for the greater good of the community. Here we have a sad clown who’s perfectly content drinking the rest of his days away, but rediscovers his passion for pieing people in the face when tasked with whipping the next generation of circus folk into shape. At first, he only does it for the money, but it becomes about something more by the time the story wraps.

This Movie Wouldn’t Work Without Sid Haig

Sid Haig totally understood the assignment, which makes perfect sense because he had just wrapped production on The Devil’s Rejects before working on Little Big Top. The way I see it, he got the manic killer clown energy out of his system with that movie, as well as 2003’s House of 1000 Corpses, and what we get here is a much more subdued performance. In my head, I kept calling the movie Captain Spaulding’s Last Ride. What a way to go out.

We first catch a glimpse of this character, known only as Seymour, through his opening sequences. He arrives in town, hits up the liquor store without hesitation, heads to his old boarded-up house, realizes it has no electricity or plumbing, cooks bacon over a fire while getting wasted, steps outside to relieve himself, and then crashes in preparation for the inevitable hangover.

Shortly after arriving, Seymour is approached by Bob (Richard Riehle), who’s organizing a circus event for the company Seymour’s grandfather founded. Wanting nothing to do with the lights, pies, and spectacle, but desperate for cash, Seymour agrees to coach the next generation under Bob’s supervision, but not for free. Bob, the gullible sap that he is, pays him out of his own pocket, which he immediately regrets when Seymour blows it all on booze and keeps living in his own filth.

Realizing how much faith Bob has in him, even though he’s 100 percent a lost cause, Seymour eventually comes around, and his passion for the circus slowly reignites. Think of it as a slow smolder, where our hero comes to terms with the fact that the only thing he’s good at is entertaining, even if his passion for it is long gone.

Inspiring, But Not Really, But That’s The Point

Little Big Top tells an ugly truth that most of us don’t want to admit. Sometimes the things you’re good at aren’t necessarily the things you want to do with your life. Maybe you don’t want to take over the family business because it doesn’t feel like your calling. Or maybe you just lost your way and need to be reminded that you were once not only great at what you do, but passionate about it. Little Big Top is about begrudgingly rediscovering that passion, not for your own sake, but for the sake of those around you.

Watching Seymour fight off yet another violent hangover while criticizing the new troupe’s clown car etiquette perfectly sums up this feeling because you can practically feel the pounding headache and smell the disdain early in the film. He’s stepping out of his comfort zone, which for him means getting completely assfaced and passing out in his own mess, because the next generation desperately needs guidance, and he’s the only one even capable of giving it.

Watching Seymour figure out where he belongs in all of this is half the fun that Little Big Top has to offer. The other half is watching Richard Riehle’s Bob realize just how screwed he is after spending his savings bankrolling Seymour’s disastrous return to the circus.

Little Big Top is currently streaming for free on Tubi.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 8 seconds ago

There’s something especially depressing about awful sequels to franchises that used to be great. The best example of this is, of course, Jurassic Park. Steven Spielberg turned that first film into a generational classic, one that energized children all over the world and ushered in the CGI age, all while making dinosaurs cool again. That movie got some comparatively lackluster sequels before the franchise roared back to life many years later with 2015’s Jurassic World.

Relatively speaking, Jurassic World was a decent franchise reboot. It brought us entertaining characters, serious spectacle, and more crazy action scenes than you can shake a fossil at. Unfortunately, it took the revived franchise no time at all to go off the rails because Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) was a horrific flop, one which tried to be both an action-adventure movie and (weirdly enough) a horror movie. If you’re ready to see the movie that successfully ruined two completely different genres, it’s easier than ever to watch. All you have to do is stream Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom on Netflix.

Somehow, The Dinosaurs Returned

The premise of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is that years after the Jurassic World disaster, the dinosaurs on that island are in danger of going extinct yet again, thanks to an upcoming volcanic explosion. The government decides to let them die, after which Owen Grady and Claire Dearing (our two will they, won’t they protagonists from the first movie) get talked into helping relocate some of the dinosaurs, saving them from certain death. Unfortunately, this lands them squarely in the middle of an increasingly bizarre plot involving clones, haunted houses, and an underground auction for weaponized dinosaurs.

The cast of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom includes plenty of familiar faces, including Chris Pratt (best known for Guardians of the Galaxy) and Bryce Dallas Howard (best known for Jurassic World: Dominion). We also get the brief return of the popular Jeff Goldblum and his fellow Jurassic Park alumnus BD Wong. The film also features performances from character actor legends James Cromwell (best known for LA Confidential) and Toby Jones (best known for Captain America: The First Avenger), both of whom are giving far better performances than this stinker of a script deserves.

Profit, Uh, Finds A Way

Even though it was hated by both audiences and critics (more on this soon), Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom made fat stacks of prehistoric cash at the box office. Against a budget as high as $465 million, this disappointing sequel earned $1.310 billion. Making as much as Marvel movies did at their height guaranteed that Fallen Kingdom would get a sequel, and Jurassic World: Dominion came out in 2022. That movie’s chief claim to fame was that it reunited popular characters like Alan Grant, Ellie Satler, and Ian Malcolm. But the writing did not, uh, find a way, and that film ended up being even more of a critical disappointment than Fallen Kingdom.

Part of the magic of the first Jurassic Park film is that it was beloved by audiences and critics alike, all of whom appreciated this slice of genuine movie magic. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is the opposite, though, in that it’s equally hated: it has a 47 percent critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 48 percent audience rating. Fans and reviewers alike dunked on the movie for its sloppy characterization and ramshackle writing. The movie was ultimately a shell of the franchise. As a thrill ride without any thrills, Fallen Kingdom will have you wanting to bail long before the credits roll.

Everything Falls Apart

This is one of those cases where I firmly stand with the critical consensus. While it was far from a masterpiece, the first Jurassic World did a good job bringing the franchise back to life. In the vein of The Force Awakens, it mostly functioned as a slick remake of Jurassic Park that added new characters but didn’t tweak the formula too much. That was arguably the biggest problem with Jurassic World: that it didn’t take enough big, creative swings. By contrast, Fallen Kingdom swings for the fences, but it strikes out each and every time by failing to follow through on any of its half-baked ideas.

For example, the first part of the movie is a lame retread plot that involves going back to the island. On paper, an island full of dinosaurs that’s about to explode would make for a fairly exciting film. But nothing really interesting happens here, which is that much more disappointing because the film takes its sweet time even getting our characters back to this iconic location. Once they are there, all they do in between moving the sluggish plot along is watch dinosaurs die. Thanks, Fallen Kingdom, for giving action-adventure fans what they really want: an excuse to cry over phoned-in CGI creatures.

A Plot That Should Have Gone Extinct

After this, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom inexplicably transforms itself into a haunted house movie with dinosaurs in the basement being auctioned off to the highest bidder. You have to seriously suspend your disbelief that nobody in the mansion upstairs can hear the small army of dinosaurs being sold on the dark web. But the part that will turn you into the Joker is the most coveted dino, one that will attack whatever target you paint with your gun-mounted laser sight. This begs the question: if I’m close enough to target my enemy with the laser, wouldn’t it be cheaper and easier on every level to just shoot the guy instead of bringing a 20-ton dinosaur with me and having him do it?

Adding insult to injury, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom has a cool, unexpected ending that the next film never really follows up on. In terms of acting, writing, and even effects, this was already the worst film in the entire trilogy. By having the third movie undo everything neat about the second, the studio reveals this sequel to be a hot mess of superfluous storytelling. The Star Wars metaphor is now complete: if Jurassic World is this franchise’s The Force Awakens, then Fallen Kingdom is most definitely The Last Jedi.

Are you in the mood for a film so bad that it will make you root for a new ice age? Are you looking to torment your friends, or maybe you just want to fry your own brain? Either way, you don’t even have to move from the couch. All you have to do is stream Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom on Netflix to discover a cinematic disaster 65 million years in the making.