Days of Our Lives early weekly spoilers for June 29th through July 3rd shock with Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) taking someone by surprise and then she gets an unwelcome surprise of her own. Also, EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) gets a warning after issuing one of his own.

Now, let’s do this. And as we always do on early edition day, we start with what is coming the rest of this week and then we dive into what is coming in the week ahead.

Days of Our Lives: Drug Investigation and Tainted Medication – Week of June 24th-26th

With that in mind, on Wednesday, June 24th, we’ve got Sarah Horton (Linsey Godfrey) and Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) talking with Liam Selejko (Hank Northrop). Of course, we’ve got Sarah right now eaten up with guilt for not saving Destiny. And now that she and Brady found the link between sisters Destiny and Clea and the drug Coriseal, of course, they are looking at DiMera Enterprises Pharmaceuticals for producing it and they’re following all leads that might lead back there.

Unfortunately for Liam, him coming into some money right as Destiny died looks suspicious. However, I think he will explain that he was paid to leave town. And if Brady and Sarah prod, I think he would out Gabi in a heartbeat rather than face questions by the Salem PD.

Liam also has a chat with Arianna Hernandez (Vico Escorcia) and is going to tell her goodbye properly. And remember, Gabi demanded that he just leave and ghost her daughter. So, we’ll see how much Liam tells Arianna, but I think it’s enough for her to know that her mom, Gabi, played a role in the heartbreak she suffered with Liam.

Days of Our Lives Spoilers: Holly & Tate Shocked

Holly Jonas (Ashley Puzemis) was having health issues out at the lake. Remember, nausea, exhaustion, and then she collapsed. And once back in Salem, she collapses again. She’s going to head to the hospital with Tate Black (Leo Howard) and Sarah’s going to run a drug test and I’m sure she’s going to be appalled that Holly tests positive for Coriseal which is an opioid and of course that’s the same drug Sarah and Brady suspect killed the two girls and was made by DiMera Enterprises Pharmaceuticals. Plus, Holly was not prescribed Coriseal. She was prescribed an anti-depressant.

So, Sarah may grill Holly about whether she’s taking pills recreationally. Again, she will deny it. And I do think she’s telling Sarah the truth. Maybe, you know, they wonder if it’s a mix-up at the pharmacy or maybe DiMera Enterprises Pharmaceuticals messed up and tainted their anti-depressants with opioids. That’s terrifying.

Also, Gabi surprises Theo Carver (Tyler Joseph Andrews). So, we may see Gabi apologizing again for misjudging him. I wonder if she asks Theo out to make amends, but he may be embarrassed about Gabi reading his journal and says no.

Days of Our Lives: Xander’s Snooping and EJ’s Threats – Thursday, June 25th and Friday, June 26th

Thursday, June 25th. Tate hears a theory from Holly, and I wonder if she suspects that somebody switched her anti-depressants, and Tate may think she’s being paranoid because of the whole Sophia Choi (Rachel Boyd) mental health crisis thing.

Rita warns EJ about a major issue. Most likely people looking into the Coriseal deaths tied to DiMera Enterprises Pharmaceuticals and the growing questions around them. Rita may know that Xander Cook Kiriakis (Paul Telfer) is snooping and that Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) tried to access the files on the drug. Neither of those is a good thing for EJ.

Also, Sarah opens up to Brady and you know she may want him to know about Holly and the Coriseal, but she can’t violate doctor-patient confidentiality. Also, there’s a scene coming soon with Tate and Holly again up at the hospital, and Tate asks Holly if those are her pills, and she denies it and then rages at him in front of Sarah.

Days of Our Lives Spoilers: Kristen Living in Fear

Meanwhile, Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk) is terrified and wants Xander’s protection. EJ basically promised to punish her. He’s not going to let Kristen get away with what she did to Johnny. And Kristen knows whatever happens will probably be a violent and permanent retribution. And I got to agree with EJ that she deserves it.

Gabi gets the third degree from her daughter Arianna. After talking to Liam, we’re going to see Arianna ranting at her mom for meddling in her love life. But you know, Gabi may actually be unapologetic.

Days of Our Lives Spoilers: Belle & Chad Obsessed

Then on Friday, June 26th, the late Stefano DiMera’s (Joseph Mascolo) mysterious chess set is going to keep Belle Black (Martha Madison) and Chad DiMera (Connor Floyd) obsessed with solving the mystery. And we have Rachel Black (Lorelei Olivia Mote) deeply upset as Kristen and Brady comfort her about Sophia Choi’s (Rachel Boyd) death. And this scares Rachel because she is worried she might suffer the same fate since the doctors at Bayview failed Sophia. Plus, her bad mom Kristen killed her bestie and is being a real hypocrite by comforting her.

Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier) and Alex Kiriakis (Robert Scott Wilson) worry about Titan’s future. Gabi still hasn’t gotten the inheritance, and another loan payment is coming due.

Days of Our Lives Spoilers: Big Step for Stephanie

Stephanie Johnson (Abigail Klein) takes an empowering step. Maybe she’ll pull back from Alex. Or maybe she’ll go and try to talk to Joy and just reason with her and explain some things.

EJ put Xander on the spot in front of Sarah. I could honestly see EJ exposing Xander’s fling with Kristen because he knows that Sarah hates his sister. It would be pretty clever since Rita might have told him that Xander’s looking into DiMera Enterprises Pharmaceuticals and EJ may figure out it is on Sarah’s behalf.

Days of Our Lives: July Sweeps in Full Gear – June 29th Through July 3rd

Then the week of June 29th through July 3rd. This is the first full week of July sweeps, so expect storylines to pick up speed. We’ll meet recast Javi Hernandez on Tuesday, June 30th as Jacob Martinez takes over the role on Days of our Lives. Belle and Chad keep finding clues. And you never know, it may lead to Italy because of that Italian lira bill. And Belle’s brother Paul Narita (Christopher Sean) asked for a picture of it if you remember because he wants to analyze it.

Plus, a mysterious person is soon spying on Chad, Belle and Brady. Somebody is following Stefano’s orders from beyond the grave. Lexie’s second dose of Wilhelm Rolf’s (Richard Wharton) serum doesn’t perform as well as hoped and Lexie’s troubling symptoms return. It’s not going to be too long until she cannot hide what is happening from Abe Carver (James Reynolds) and Theo. And she winds up in the hospital. And Abe is going to rage at EJ over all of this.

Holly needs to talk to EJ about Amy Choi’s (Shi Ne Nielson) lawsuit, but EJ may figure out how to prove that Kristen was behind Sophia’s death. And EJ may have DiMera henchmen looking into this, who can dig in places where the cops have not yet. We’ll also see if Sophia or her lifeless body turns up in that abandoned boathouse. Remember that Arianna and Aaron were talking about when they were out kayaking?

Days of Our Lives Spoilers: Karma Coming for Kristen

Gwen Rizczech (Emily O’Brien) may try to keep Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) busy with her scheme to bring down EJ to keep Leo’s mind off Javi and Gus. Kate Roberts (Lauren Koslow) continues to feel jealous about Roman Brady (Kyle Lowder) turning to Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) after Kate confessed her wrongdoing targeting Johnny. And remember, Roman walked away in disgust. Summer action also sees Kristen getting grabbed up by a masked man. My money is on EJ having a henchman take her out or at least take her somewhere else. I can’t really blame him given that Kristen tried to murder Johnny.

Plus, Kristen is flat-out wrong to blame EJ for Rachel’s evil antics. Remember, she was tormenting kids at school. She was tormenting Ava Vitali (Tamara Braun), sending those psychotic texts and then had her kidnapped. And Kristen asked Rachel about why she was doing this stuff. And she basically told Kristen that she learned from her mother how to deal with her enemies. So yeah, just like EJ said, Kristen’s toxic parenting is to blame. That’s okay, though. I think Brady may be a single parent very soon when EJ has Kristen taken.

Rumors are swirling that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are preparing to say “I do” at New York City’s famed Madison Square Garden — but is such a high-profile wedding venue even logistically possible?

Swift and Kelce, both 36, got engaged in August 2025 and have since remained coy about any of the details regarding their big day.

“I think the wedding is what happens after [my Life of a Showgirl promotional tour] in the scheme of the planning, but I’m so excited about it,” Swift said on the Graham Norton Show in October 2025. “I know it’s gonna be fun to plan because I think the only stressful weddings are the ones where you have a small amount and people are on the bubble.”

Months later, multiple outlets reported that Swift and Kelce were eyeing a July 3, 2026, ceremony at the iconic Big Apple arena. While the couple hasn’t publicly addressed the speculation, allow Us to break down what a wedding at Madison Square Garden could entail:

Is It Possible to Rent Madison Square Garden for Private Events?

MSG famously hosts concerts, as well as games for the New York Knicks and Rangers, but the venue can also be rented out for private parties.

“There is no other place on earth filled with the spirit of so many legends, celebrated athletes, iconic musicians and top performers alike have all walked the hallowed halls of The World’s Most Famous Arena,” the venue website reads. “If your event calls for a space unmatched, look no further than Madison Square Garden.”

According to MSG, the venue can hold a total capacity of 19,500 people with 2,000 individuals in the theater and cocktail rooms, respectively. The space has been used for corporate events, graduations, performances, film shoots, press conferences, fashion shows and other private gatherings.

What Rooms Are Available at Madison Square Garden?

In addition to the obvious arena and theater spaces, there are multiple smaller rooms available for rentals. There’s a Delta Sky360° Club bar, Lexus Terrace and a Chase Lounge that can be used for cocktail events, plus separate private rooms on different floors.

The MSG website reveals the Legends Room is a “premier and private hospitality space” with a capacity of 45 to 75 people that provides a top-notch behind-the-scenes experience. A Club Verizon space, meanwhile, can seat up to 90 guests and is ideal for receptions or meet and greets.

Are Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Getting Married at Madison Square Garden?

Swift and Kelce have not publicly revealed any details about their upcoming wedding, including the date or place.

A source, meanwhile, exclusively told Us Weekly in April that the engaged couple didn’t intend to have a “huge wedding.”

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“They’ve gone back and forth between inviting everyone and keeping it small and private,” the insider told Us. “As of now, they’ve scaled it down. It’s no longer going to be a massive blowout.”

Months later in June 2026, The New York Times reported that a permit was filed in NYC to close down the streets around the arena from July 2 to July 4 for an event scheduled on July 3. The outlet also claimed that Amtrak police officers, who patrol the train station beneath MSG, were told to expect a wedding that weekend. The Times also reported that several of Kelce’s Chiefs teammates booked hotel rooms during that period at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, which is located blocks away from the venue.

As for Swift and Kelce, they’ve still publicly remained mum about their big day.

By Jason Collins
| Published 1 minute ago

While Saving Private Ryan and Apocalypse Now remain among the greatest war movie classics, 2018’s Overlord remains a hidden gem of cinematography that could potentially give those titles a run for their money. In fact, it could easily match myriad other war movies, but its genre actually lies somewhere else.

For those who haven’t seen Overlord, the movie follows several American soldiers who are dropped behind enemy lines the day before D-Day, only to discover terrifying Nazi experiments. Not only does the movie challenge other war films with its cinematography, but what separates it from the rest of the flock are zombies.

But not just any zombies. No, Overlord also features Nazi zombies, as if being either of those isn’t bad enough, which make the movie into a masterfully-done WWII film, an accomplished zombie movie, and a master of both genres.

The Plot Sounds Like Wolfenstein

At first, Overlord sounds much like a Wolfenstein (a very popular first-person shooter gaming series) adaptation at first, but it isn’t the first movie to feature the Nazi undead, which was popularized by the original Hellboy movie, and a bunch of different video game franchises.

However, no other movie mixes classical WWII storytelling and zombies as well as Overlord. The film’s plot takes place in an alternate version of 1944, in which the main character and the rest of his unit are sent to investigate an underground Nazi compound that’s suspected of conducting experiments on civilians.

A Tonal Shift And A Slow Build

This is a great start because the first third of Overlord is just a classical WWII movie in which the Allies go against the Axis, raining down divine justice on the latter’s unholy experimentation and fascination with the occult. However, the movie makes a complete tonal U-turn and makes the movie feel more like From Dusk Till Dawn, but way better, as it masterfully blends sci-fi with war. It does so in a manner that’s devoid of humor and classical parodying, thus bending both genres in a rather unique and somewhat novel way.

It does so by focusing more on the interpersonal relationships of its characters, and not primarily the zombies, to slowly build up the tension. By the time the sci-fi horror element manifests itself, even those who aren’t fans of zombie movies become so invested in the personal interplay between characters that the movie keeps them enthralled. Overlord emphasizes human drama, much like all other war movies do, even when it shifts the attention from the real depictions of war to pure post-apocalyptic fantasy.

Overlord includes two stars who both went on to join the Marvel universe, with Wyatt Russell (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) and Joseph Quinn (The Fantastic Four: First Steps) taking part.

Ultimately, this recipe made Overlord insanely popular among fans of not just zombie flicks but also beyond, with many calling it an A-level fun offered by a B-level movie. Its Rotten Tomatoes score from the critics of 82 percent and an audience rating of 68 percent attest to the movie’s greatness, despite the fact that it’s the Jack of all genres but the master of none.

Those interested in watching this peculiar and rather interesting movie can stream Overlord for free on Tubi and Pluto TV, or with an Amazon Prime Video subscription.

By Jeffrey Rapaport
| Published 47 seconds ago

The sea of dystopian films is vast indeed, but High-Rise emerges as a noteworthy and chilling exploration of society’s darkest instincts. If only for the powerful performance anchoring it, a portrayal executed by Loki himself, Tom Hiddleston, the film based on J.G. Ballard’s seminal 1975 novel of the same name plunges streamers into a brutal, fascinating universe. 

Tom Hiddleston In High-Rise

Like so much sci-fi, the film mirrors our own world by seemingly departing from it. In this case, the movie depicts a ferocious microcosm of societal collapse that all takes place within the confines of a luxurious skyscraper. 

High-Rise is set in a towering residential building designed to function as an autonomous utopia. It follows physiologist Dr. Robert Laing, played by Hiddleston. Young and seemingly reserved, Laing wants only solitude. 

Moral Decay And Corruption

However, the good doctor soon learns the edifice’s glossy exterior conceals brewing chaos. Indeed, the tower’s segments are starkly segregated by class. The wealthy elite enjoy the penthouses, while the lower floors house the less affluent. Of course, this being a movie and not merely a recreation of our own world, resources beyond the tower commence dwindling, infrastructure falters, and the societal order inside the high-rise plunges into abject savagery. 

As streamers tilt on the edge of their seats, Laing navigates this treacherous environment while witnessing the moral decay corrupting his neighbors and navigating his instinct for survival. As the film’s tension escalates, culminating in violent climaxes and brutal betrayals, a grim reflection of human nature confronts the audience. 

Hiddleston Steals The Show

Overtly the beating heart of the film, Hiddleston’s portrayal of Laing is equally captivating and unnerving. The thespian contributes a nuanced depth to the character, counterbalancing the doctor’s clinical detachment with bursts of visceral intensity. The portrayal grounds High-Rise, offering an engaging lens through which streamers witness a descent into anarchy, however much they do so through covered eyes. 

The film also benefits from an ensemble cast; Sienna Miller plays the enigmatic Charlotte Melville, while Jeremy Irons handles the skyscraper’s architect, Anthony Royal. Each actor holds their own, enriching the film’s disquieting atmosphere. 

Bleak And Brutal

Amy Jump penned the adaptation of Ballard’s novel, which largely adheres to the author’s original vision while also infusing it with a welcome, modern flair. Ben Wheatley directed High-Rise, and his sensibility emphasized the claustrophobic reality of the building, conveying to audiences the trapped sensation bedeviling the characters. 

That said, the movie debuted to mixed reviews (a 60 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, to quantify it). While some critics enjoyed and lauded the film’s ambition and performances, others protested the bleak, even brutal content, confessing it was difficult to endure. Critics also decried the movie for lack of plot.

Regardless of the split expert opinions, the film earned a cult following, particularly and understandably among devotees of dystopian sci-fi and speculative fiction, which Ballard mastered. 

A Sci-Fi Lord Of The Flies

For the literary minded, both the novel and film versions of High-Rise echo themes originally depicted in William Golding’s classic study of humanity’s barbarity, Lord of the Flies. In Golding’s work, young boys find themselves stranded on an unpopulated island before descending into barbarism; Hiddleston’s film relocates this process to an urban, sci-fi inspired universe. 

But both convey profound, unsettling themes and philosophical musings, which are also at work in titles like Snowpiercer and The Platform. 

If all this sounds like a promising, albeit disturbing viewing experience, you can stream High-Rise for free on Tubi, Xumo Play, Pluto TV, and The Roku Channel as of this writing.

Some movie genres are meant for a dedicated audience. Not that the genre isn’t widely popular — it’s just that, in the larger picture of mainstream media, it doesn’t always break through. But when they do, they’re quite glorious. Such is the case for martial arts films. In these movies, hand-to-hand combat and physical discipline drive the story. These films prioritize meticulous fight choreography over complex plots, featuring charismatic martial artists, themes of honor, and the physical poetry of combat.

For martial arts movies, moviegoers have seen some extraordinary films like Enter the Dragon and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. But in between those masterpieces were some really great films that were somehow forgotten. It’s those films we are going to celebrate here. The 10 movies on this list are high-octane thrillers that put martial arts ideals front and center. Though devoted followers of the genre may remember these films, we’re here to remind everyone else.

1

‘Black Dynamite’ (2009)

Image via Destination Films

There are certainly subgenres within the grander martial arts genre. These films allow for an extension of martial arts to be introduced through a different lens. While some may not call Black Dynamite an outwardly martial arts film, its reliance on it within the blaxploitation realm is exceptional. The 2009 film directed by Scott Sanders pays homage to and parodies the 1970s blaxploitation movies. It centers on Black Dynamite (Michael Jai White), an ex-CIA agent and kung-fu master who, upon discovering a shadowy syndicate is pumping heroin into local orphanages and flooding the streets with tainted malt liquor, goes on a relentless crusade to clean up the neighborhood. Black Dynamite wages a one-man war against pimps, mobsters, and the government to avenge his brother Jimmy’s (Baron Vaughn) death. With a spot-on emulation of the ’70s aesthetic paired with meta-humor and charming odes to low-budget films, Black Dynamite‘s allure is the central character.

Black Dynamite flourishes thanks to the eccentricities of the titular character. He is a lethal martial artist, but he’s also a bona fide ladies’ man. Joined by an equally colorful crew, including his cunning, rhyming sidekick Bullhorn (Byron Minns), the streetwise and soft-hearted pimp Cream Corn (Tommy Davidson), and the beautiful social activist Honey Bee (Kym Whitley), Black Dynamite’s characters bring the necessary charm. Black Dynamite is pure entertainment. Its authenticity to the period is spot on, providing just enough subtle Easter eggs and references to fans of the films it mocks to enjoy. It’s a B-movie made well. Thanks to White’s real-life experience as a martial artist, the fight sequences are crisp with a highly disciplined display of technique. While it mocks the “chop socky” era in which almost every ’70s action hero was thrust into a kung-fu showdown, the genius of the film is the gravity-defying combat played with straightness. It allows for the over-the-top commitment to the alpha male types to be poked fun at. Black Dynamite is a legitimate love letter to the genre.

2

‘Blood and Bone’ (2009)

Image via Sony Pictures 

Now, for something similar but completely different: Blood and Bone. Another film starring Michael Jai White, this film is more on the serious side. Blood and Bone follows Isaiah Bone (White), an ex-con and former Marine who enters the Los Angeles underground street-fighting scene to fulfill a promise to a dead prison friend, Danny Soto (Kevin Phillips). When he learns that the man’s wife, Angela (Michelle Belegrin), has been forced into drug addiction and abducted by a ruthless mob boss named James (Eamonn Walker), Bone’s goal is to win fights, gain the mob’s trust, and dismantle James’ operation from the inside. An intense film with a brutal final showdown, Blood and Bone became an instant cult classic in the martial arts genre.

Blood and Bone relies heavily on practical fight choreography. In order to create its great authenticity, the film populates the underground fighting ring with actual combat sport legends, including Kimbo Slice, Bob Sapp, and Gina Carano. By straying away from stunt doubles, Blood and Bone looks like the world it’s portraying. Once again, it’s White’s star power and martial arts prowess that lead the film to victory. The film allows him to showcase his explosive technique through a character that is a calm, terrifyingly competent force of nature. The film honors the spirit of classic samurai films as Bone fights for a personal, moral code and a promise of loyalty. With this core theme, Blood and Bone isn’t just another mindless brawler movie; there’s a profound purpose and message for its action.

3

‘Equilibrium’ (2002)

Image via Miramax

This entry is more of a mainstream film that has had a mixed bag of reactions. That said, there’s no denying the entertainment factor that Equilibrium brings action from start to finish. Written and directed by Kurt Wimmer, the science fiction thriller is set in a dystopian world in which a totalitarian regime eliminates war and conflict by forcing its citizens to take daily doses of emotion-suppressing drugs. Should one feel emotion or possess banned art, books, or music, they are labeled a “sense offender” and executed. John Preston (Christian Bale), a top-ranking government agent known as a Cleric, hunts down sense offenders. After accidentally missing one of his daily doses of the suppressant, he begins to experience human emotions for the first time, leading him to an awakening that forces him to question his reality. Now, Preston is on a mission to overthrow the regime alongside an underground resistance movement. A gritty thriller that brilliantly invented Gun Kata, Equilibrium is a massively important film in the larger martial arts picture.

To begin, Gun Kata is a stylized combat system that blends Wing Chun and Goju-ryu karate with dual-wielded pistols. This makes nearly every sword fight appear like a stylized sword dance. Through its impeccable fight choreography, Gun Kata redefined on-screen gunplay by treating firearms as both weapons and defensive martial arts tools. Further, math is used as a superpower in the sense that the Clerics know the geometric distribution of attackers, creating a lethal auto-dodge and targeted precision. Released in 2002, Equilibrium looks and feels very much like a product of the new century. It has shades of The Matrix; it just lacks the prestige and masterful precision. Nevertheless, it’s still an amazing film. Bale does a great job rising to the occasion in his journey that will ultimately lead him to play Batman. He takes on the elite enforcer while balancing a robotic killing machine with an eventual rage-fueled aura by the end. Equilibrium was an early precursor to John Wick, though that franchise one-upped it.

4

‘Fist of Legend’ (1994)

Image via Golden Harvest

When it comes to legends of the genre, one of the most important and prominent names is the brilliant Jet Li. With a rich resume of films, some of his greatest have been forgotten over time. One such title is Fist of Legend. A remake of Bruce Lee’s 1972 film Fist of Fury, the film is set in 1937 during the Japanese occupation of Shanghai. Upon returning home from studying in Japan, Chen Zhen (Li) discovers his revered master, Huo Yuanjia, died after a match with a Japanese fighter. Suspecting foul play, Chen exhumes the body and proves his master was poisoned. Chen fights to clear his name, avenge his teacher, and protect his school against corrupt military leaders and oppressive martial arts rivals. One of the greatest martial arts films ever made, Fist of Legend abandoned flashy, exaggerated acrobatics in favor of realistic combat while highlighting profound themes.

Directed by Gordon Chan, Fist of Legend is more than just a fantastical action movie. Fist of Legend addresses severe ethnic and cultural tensions, but also breaks away from simple stereotypes by showing that not all Japanese characters are corrupt. By introducing characters like his Japanese love interest Mitsuko Yamada (Shinobu Nakayama) and the honorable sensei Funakoshi Fumio (Yasuaki Kurata), the movie champions individual respect and martial discipline over blind nationalism. Now, to the performance. Li is at his peak. He brings a surprisingly dramatic performance, finding layers of vulnerability to build upon that Lee’s character lacked. It’s all thanks to pushing against a singular revenge plot and into a culturally significant story. The film’s legacy is quite profound. It inspired the Wachowskis to hire Yuen Woo-ping as a fight choreographer for The Matrix.

5

‘Iron Monkey’ (1993)

Image via Golden Harvest

Some legends are worth telling. That’s why Iron Monkey is such a prolific film. The 1993 film directed by Yuen Woo-ping tells the tale of a masked vigilante known as the Iron Monkey (Yu Rongguang), who relentlessly fights to give hope to the oppressed from an unjust land plagued by government corruption. By day, he operates as a mild-mannered physician who treats the poor at no charge. When a skilled traveling physician named Wong Kei-ying (Donnie Yen) and his young son, Wong Fei-hung (Angie Tsang), arrive in town, the corrupt officials mistake the father for the Iron Monkey. To force Wong Kei-ying into hunting down the real Iron Monkey, the governor (James Wong) kidnaps his son. Eventually, the two martial arts masters discover they share the same righteous ideals and team up to take down the corrupt regime. Filled with mind-blowing, gravity-defying fight choreography and a relatable Robin Hood-like narrative, Iron Monkey serves as a loose prequel to the famous Chinese folk hero Wong Fei-hung, exploring his martial arts origins as a young boy.

A genuine masterpiece, Iron Monkey expertly balances breathtaking “wire-fu” choreography with a universally appealing, folklore-driven story. The narrative embraces the vigilante tale as the hero in question is relatable and someone to cheer for. Iron Monkey gets every bang for its buck with a tight 90-minute thrill ride. There’s no excess, as every minute of its quick runtime is warranted. It’s a universally rewatchable film thanks to its easy tone, mixing serious themes of political corruption with lighthearted humor. Woo-ping’s direction is sharp, ensuring his film’s action is both poetic and acrobatic. The usage of traditional kung fu, seamless wirework, and inventive props like umbrellas and spinning poles allows for non-stop thrills. Iron Monkey is a delightfully fun period film that serves as a great gateway flick.

6

‘Police Story’ (1985)

Image via Golden Harvest

While Western audiences know Jackie Chan from his mainstream Hollywood films, his career in Hong Kong was quite extraordinary. In 1985, he wrote, directed, and starred in Police Story. A film that inspired stories and sequences in cinema after, the movie follows a dedicated detective named Chan Ka-Kui (Chan), who, after single-handedly capturing a notorious drug lord, must protect a key witness, Chu Tao’s (Chor Yuen) secretary, Selina Fong (Brigitte Lin), who plans to testify in court about her boss’s illegal activities. Wanting revenge, Chu Tao captures Selina. When Ka-Kui comes to the rescue, he is ambushed and framed for the murder of a corrupt police inspector who was on the drug lord’s payroll. Now, he must clear his own name and take down the criminal syndicate before it’s too late. Though it did launch a mega franchise of its own, Police Story’s mainstream legacy tends to be from future projects, and it deserves to be rediscovered and celebrated once again.

Police Story was an important film in the grander scheme of martial arts cinema, and we have Chan to thank. The film revolutionized stunt work and how it was filmed. Chan helped to pioneer fluid, wide-angle fight choreography, which allowed the audience to clearly see Chan and his stunt team performing complex martial arts combinations and taking real impacts. Filmed at full speed, Chan utilized the full environment surrounding him. The stunt-driven sequences strayed away from mystical martial arts of the past to make way for a gritty, modern police procedural. Whether hanging off a double-decker bus or sliding down a pole through arcing electric lights, the action went full throttle. Police Story was a brilliant blend of high-stakes thrills and slapstick physical comedy, redefining what audiences could expect from an action-comedy martial arts film.

7

‘The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter’ (1984)

Image via Shaw Brothers Studio

Another great film straight out of Hong Kong was 1984’s The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter, or Invincible Pole Fighter, as released in North America. Directed by Lau Kar-leung, the film is based on the legends of the Generals of the Yang Family. Beginning with a devastating ambush, the influential Yang family of warriors is trapped by Mongol forces, having been betrayed from within. One brother, Fifth Brother (Gordon Liu), goes mad from grief and takes refuge in a Shaolin Temple. Another brother, Sixth Brother (Alexander Fu), escapes but returns home deeply traumatized. Seeking to avenge his slaughtered family, Fifth Brother devotes himself to martial arts at the temple. Because he cannot use traditional Shaolin weapons, as monks are forbidden to shed blood, he adapts the Shaolin staff into a deadly new eight-diagram pole-fighting technique. It is celebrated by martial arts fans for its intense choreography, incredible staff-fighting sequences, and its status as one of the ultimate Shaw Brothers epics.

The heart of the film stems from the titular technique. Kar-leung showcases stunning, intricate choreography that elevates the humble wooden staff into a dynamic weapon. Through training with the unique weapon, the film showcases our hero transforming his blind rage into a disciplined technique, training against life-sized, articulated wooden wolves with giant silver teeth. These creatures also serve as a powerful metaphor for overcoming inner demons and animalistic threats, and the finale is often considered one of the greatest in the genre. The history behind it is quite storied, as it was originally meant to be a co-starring vehicle for Fu. Tragically, he died in a car crash during production, causing a major rewrite to occur. This made the remaining brother’s story darker and deeply poignant, turning the movie into a cinematic tribute to the fallen star. The climax, though, resulted in a fight with the intention of incapacitating rather than killing: bizarre yet brilliantly executed moves where they literally rip the teeth out of their opponents using the poles. If that doesn’t make you want to watch, I don’t know what will! ​​​​​​​

8

‘The Night Comes For Us’ (2018)

Image via Netflix

Now, for an action thriller straight from Indonesia, The Night Comes For Us was originally conceived as a graphic novel before transforming into the 2018 flick. The hyper-violent thriller written and directed by Timo Tjahjanto follows Ito (Joe Taslim), a high-ranking assassin and enforcer for the South East Asian Triad. When he spares a young girl named Reina (Asha Kenyeri Bermudez) and kills his own men during a village massacre, he becomes the target of a relentless, bloodthirsty gangland hunt. The Triad unleashes legions of assassins to eliminate Ito, including his estranged childhood best friend, Arian (Iko Uwais). Should he succeed, Adrian is promised an elite position in the syndicate. Widely lauded for its relentless pacing, incredible silat choreography, and extreme, almost horror-movie levels of gore, The Night Comes For Us pushed martial arts thrillers to new heights.

The film is honest in its mission: being action-oriented. With an easy conceit of protecting the innocent, it served as a capable framework for spectacular, escalating fight sequences. With audiences seeking something visceral, The Night Comes For Us fired on all cylinders. The thriller elevated the martial arts genre into an extraordinary, hyper-violent ballet. Focusing on silat, the Indonesian style of combat, the choreography highlighted lightning-fast strikes, brutal joint locks, and vicious takedowns. Add in the slasher-level mentality, and The Night Comes For Us was an unrelentingly brutal showcase that doesn’t skimp on the gore. Tjahjanto utilized pool balls, meat hooks, caution signs, and even a cow femur. I mean, have you ever seen something so wild and creative?​​​​​​​

9

‘The Paper Tigers’ (2020)

Image via Well Go USA Entertainment

Riding high on the mainstream allure of Netflix’s Cobra Kai came The Paper Tigers, a coming-into-middle-age action comedy. The Bao Tran-directed film follows three estranged, middle-aged former kung fu prodigies: Danny Eight Hands (Alain Uy), Hing (Ron Yuan), and Jim (Mykel Shannon Jenkins), who, in their youth, were an unbeatable trio known as “The Three Tigers.” They must now overcome old grudges, dad duties, and rusty skills to avenge the murder of their beloved master, Sifu Cheung (Roger Yuan). The ultimate battle that’s overshadowing their midlife crises, the high-energy martial arts comedy puts a heartfelt, comedic exploration of aging, brotherhood, and fatherhood at the forefront.

Unlike any other film on this list, The Paper Tigers subverts the genre as it replaces invincible, youthful warriors with out-of-shape, middle-aged men wrestling with real-life responsibilities. In turn, it comes across as a refreshing, light-hearted story where the messy fights are endearing. These firmer prodigies are bogged down by bad knees, so we watch them stretch, pop their hamstrings, and catch their breath during a fight. The fight choreography by Ken Quitugua perfectly matches the characters’ current limitations. Tran paid homage to the classic structure of the Shaw Brothers kung fu films through a calmer, more reflective pace that ultimately builds to a series of duels and a final confrontation with the antagonist, Zhen Fan (Quitugua). ​​​​​​​

10

‘Wheels on Meal’ (1984)

Image via Golden Harvest

To round out our journey, we finish with another quirky film by Jackie Chan called Wheels on Meals. Written and directed by Sammo Hung, the action comedy set in Barcelona follows two cousins — Thomas (Chan) and David (Yuen Biao) — who operate a modified food truck called “Everybody’s Kitchen.” They cross paths with Sylvia (Lola Forner), a cunning pickpocket with a mysterious past. She is unaware that she is actually a wealthy heiress being targeted by an organized criminal syndicate. Enter Moby (Hung), a clumsy, bumbling private investigator hired to track down the missing heiress. A pinnacle film of the “Three Brothers” collaboration of Chan, Hung, and Biao, Wheels on Meals is as eccentric as its title, which got its name after the production company’s superstition after two previous movies starting with the letter “M” flopped at the box office.

Wheels on Meals is a masterful display of athleticism and comedy synergy. The action sequences are sublime, thanks to Chan’s direction. The film plays host to one of the very best one-on-one martial arts duels in cinema history: Chan’s Thomas versus former professional kickboxing champion Benny “The Jet” Urquidez’s thug. The film’s legacy comes in the form of an arcade game: Spartan X. It is a loose adaptation of the film’s final part, which involves Thomas climbing the castle to rescue Sylvia. This helped to lay the foundation for the beat ‘em up games of the time, including inspired Super Mario Bros., Street Fighter, and Red Ribbon Army in Dragon Ball.

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Wheels on Meals

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Release Date

August 17, 1984

Runtime

108 minutes

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Director

Sammo Hung

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Writers

Edward Tang, Johnny Lee Kwing-Kai

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Raz-B has fans scratching their heads after he dropped a message on social media ahead of B2K and Pretty Ricky’s upcoming Verzuz battle. In the middle of that, Pleasure P jumped on a livestream with Bow Wow to spill a lil’ tea about his game plan for the highly-anticipated music face-off.

RELATED: Uncle Time! Fans Lose It After Raz-B’s Son Links Up With Omarion & Lil’ Fizz At His First Birthday (PHOTOS) 

Raz-B’s Message For Pretty Ricky Has Fans Saying “Huh?”

Okay, so BOOM! Raz-B recently hopped on his Instagram Story with a message for Pretty Ricky ahead of the Verzuz battle on Thursday, June 25. Fans know that B2K and Pretty Ricky are set to go track for track, but before they hit the stage, Raz wanted to make on thing clear — “he can get turnt up too.” He told the group in his PSA that he wants to have a good time and catch a vibe, but he also reminded them that his silence shouldn’t be mistaken for weakness.

“Don’t get it twisted, though. While we’re all out here celebrating, getting our flowers, and giving the fans what they came to see, don’t take my silence for weakness,” Raz wrote.

However, he added that he meant every word with all due respect. “If any of y’all get out of line, I got something for every last one of y’all.” He continued, “And I mean that with nothing but love and respect.” 

The Roommates Weigh In On Raz-B’s Message

Fans wasted no time sharing their thoughts in The Shade Room’s comment section after Raz-B dropped his message. Plenty of folks admitted they felt confused by his post, while others made it clear they’re riding with Pretty Ricky when the Verzuz battle kicks off.

Instagram user @_princessjustine wrote, “Did he just politely threaten them?” 

Instagram user @yanah_____ wrote, “Who he feeling like 😂😂😂😂” 

While Instagram user @kidinfamous wrote, “Raz B is literally the least threatening person out of both groups 😂😭” 

Then Instagram user @justjasminenoelle wrote, “Comparing a TEEN BAND to an ADULT BAND is crazy. They are not in the same orbit. TBH they shouldn’t be doing a Verzuz. 😂” 

Another Instagram user @shelovecj wrote, “He could have kept this to himself.” 

Then another Instagram user @nolimitnook wrote, “I fw wit b2k but as a group they not fw pretty ricky respectfully 😂” 

While another Instagram user @shanae310 wrote, “I love B2k and all, but pretty Ricky stays in Rotation♥️🎵🎶😭😩😮‍💨”

Pleasure P Sets Strict Rules Ahead Of Verzuz

Not long after Raz-B’s PSA started making rounds online, Pleasure P jumped on a livestream with Bow Wow to set a few things straight. He made it clear that he has no plans to perform any of his solo records and intends to stick strictly to Pretty Ricky’s group hits.

“I ain’t doing no solos. I came to do group s**t.” Pleasure added, “So if they run out of songs, f*** that! It’s album against album.”

Pleasure P also doubled down on his stance about Omarion, telling viewers that if Omarion performs any solo songs during the battle, he’s packing his bags and walking out. He then threw a little shade, saying that if Omarion reaches for solo tracks, it just means that B2K ran out of songs to perform. “I ain’t come to do no solo’s. This the Pretty Ricky show. This ain’t Pleasure P show. It’s about my group n***a.” 

RELATED: Still Got Love? Omarion Reflects On Past Romance With Solange Knowles & Gets Real About His Feelings Now (WATCH) 

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 22 seconds ago

Thanks to franchises like Star Wars, there is plenty of sci-fi out there, but most modern films are just lighthearted adventures. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course, but sometimes, we’re in the mood for thrillers that offer a stark reminder of just how scary outer space can really be. If that sounds a bit like you, here’s some good news: Stowaway is now streaming on Netflix, and this impossibly dark sci-fi thriller will have you biting your nails from beginning to end.

The Stowaway Setup

Stowaway focuses on a team taking to space for an ambitious two-year mission to Mars, but that mission goes sideways once they discover an unconscious engineer who accidentally stowed away aboard the ship.

When the device providing oxygen for the ship isn’t going to cut it, this straightforward trip to Mars becomes a fight for survival as everyone aboard is in danger of suffocating long before they reach their destination.

A Tight Cast In A Claustrophobic Setting

The nature of the film means that Stowaway has a very small cast, but each one brings something special to the table. Anna Kendrick, for example, plays the ship’s doctor, and her performance is a real revelation for anyone only familiar with her more comedic work.

If you mostly know Kendrick from movies like Scott Pilgrim vs. The World and the Pitch Perfect franchise, you will likely be very impressed with the dramatic chops she brings to this sci-fi thriller.

The rest of the small Stowaway cast is just as impressive: Toni Colette, best known to horror fans for her standout performance in Hereditary, plays the ship’s mission commander.

Daniel Dae Kim (best known for his performance in the hit TV show Lost) plays the biologist on this mission. And Shamier Anderson (best known to genre fans for his performance in Wynonna Earp) plays the engineer who accidentally stows aboard the ship.

A Moral Dilemma With A Tight Script

It may sound like a backhanded compliment, but we were really impressed with how much Stowaway managed to do with such limited resources. It had only four actors and a budget of only $10 million, but this beautifully shot movie can still go toe to toe with the best of modern sci-fi.

Much of the credit for that goes to Joe Penna, who managed to parlay a hit YouTube channel into a robust career in Hollywood.

In case you’re wondering, it’s not just us gushing about this film: Stowaway currently has a 75 percent critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics noted that while the pacing is a bit slow at first, the film features great performances and a very thoughtful story.

Plus, in centering that story around such a difficult moral dilemma, Stowaway takes its place among the very best science fiction, including genre staples like Star Trek (a franchise that is no stranger to moral dilemmas).

Fortunately, those who are curious about Stowaway won’t have to infiltrate a mission to Mars to experience it. All you have to do is stream this ambitious sci-fi tale on Netflix today. When it’s over, you might just be grateful for every breath you take after streaming this oxygen-starved thriller.

By Jonathan Klotz
| Updated 13 seconds ago

Hercules: The Legendary Journeys has a lot in common with pro wrestling. The fights are all choreographed, the plots are soap opera drama for men, and sometimes, the actors will go into business for themselves. Most of the time a fight scene goes off without a hitch, or at least, nothing that can’t be fixed in post. During the filming of Season 2’s “Siege at Naxos,” the battle between Hercules and Goth devolved into an actual fistfight requiring both actors to be separated. What caused it? Jealousy. 

A Real Fight With Cameras Rolling

The story of the fight between Kevin Sorbo and Brian Thompson, playing the barbarian leader Goth, started before the two were on set together. When Sorbo won the coveted role of Hercules, Thompson was the runner-up. In the back of his head, he thought the role should have been his. That was enough for him to stop thinking straight and start throwing real punches at Sorbo during the filming of the fight. Sorbo fought back, and quickly, the two were separated with Thompson being escorted off set for the day. 

These things happen, no lasting damage was done, though Thompson never did appear on Hercules again. The story of the fight was relayed on an extra from the DVD box set, and while it was a bit of a shock for real punches to be thrown, it wasn’t as bad as other on-set injuries Sorbo experienced filming the show. In the very first episode, he was cut by a sword, and he again took a real punch in a later season when he wasn’t able to move out of the way like he needed to.

No Blood, No Foul

Brian Thompson went on to have a long career in Hollywood filled with guest star spots on every show that needed a muscular villain or a stern authority figure. He played aliens on multiple Star Trek series, from Next Generation through Enterprise, the Alien Bounty Hunter on The X-Files, he was on The Orville, and most recently, Fallout. In retrospect, had he been given the role of Hercules, he would have absolutely killed it. 

Kevin Sorbo isn’t acting as much these days, but part of that goes back to his time on Hercules where it wasn’t a stunt gone wrong or a fight that left him with a lasting injury, it was a chiropractic adjustment. Sorbo’s explained that the release of blood clots caused him to suffer not one, but three separate strokes while filming in New Zealand. This left it hard for him to move, and acting becomes considerably more difficult when your muscles stop listening to your commands. 

Hercules: The Legendary Journeys was one of the most successful shows of the 90s, though it always lagged behind its own spin-off, Xena: Warrior Princess. Thompson didn’t get the part, and acted a fool for a brief moment, but in the end, everyone went on to find success in their own way. Given the horror stories of other sets, it was the best possible outcome, and at least “Siege of Naxos” is one of the best episodes of Season 2.

Mark Wiliams‘ Blacklight stars Liam Neeson as a quintessential Neeson variant. Travis Block, a government operative, specializes in extracting agents whose covers have been compromised when missions go sideways. As he attempts to lay his shadowy past to rest, the lines between friend and foe begin to blur when he brushes up against another agent he once protected. Despite the initial lackluster response upon the film’s release, thanks to Prime Video and Apple TV, Blacklight has gone from a forgettable left-swipe-worthy title to an unequivocal streaming hit.

Throughout the film, a conspiracy boiling just underneath the surface is slowly uncovered through Block’s growing distrust of his superiors. In an attempt to repair the strained relationships, Travis Block attempts to slowly retire from his former life and to heal his strained familial relationships. However, one of the big guys calling the shots, Gabriel Robinson, played by Aidan Quinn​​​​​​, protests this vehemently, thus creating a primary footing of conflict which then forces Block to question everything. Quickly, as two former confidants become adversaries, Block unearths some unscrupulous work Robinson has been doing right under his nose. Emerging journalist Mira Jones, played by Emmy Raver-Lampman, hungry for a salacious story, is hoping to make a story out of this push and pull. However, her naivety and zeal put her directly in harm’s way with only Block to protect her.

The ‘Blacklight’ Critic Vs. Audience Gap

Image via Briarcliff Entertainment

To say there’s just a radical difference between critic and audience reception would be the understatement of the century. Film aficionados have thrown around words like “stale”, “cliché”, and even “unwatchable”. Especially in comparison to Neeson’s legendary work in films like Taken or Cold Pursuit, these scathing reviews aren’t necessarily misguided. Those pictures defined the genre, thus anything that misses that impossibly high mark pales in comparison. Due to the reportedly dull action sequences and disjointed plot, the film received an abysmal and truly shocking 11% on Rotten Tomatoes. With all of this being said, it’s fair to wonder if this espionage thriller is truly so terrible, and more than that, should critics be the deciding factor in a film’s value?

Adversely, in examining the streaming numbers alone, it would express that audiences felt decidedly different. Despite its original box office failure, and terrible critical reception, the film has frequently topped viewership charts on Netflix, Prime Video, and Tubi. In fact, on Netflix in particular, the film has grossed over 13.3 million hours of time watched. Additionally, it also achieved a whopping 82% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Perhaps this is due in part to Neeson’s decorated reputation, convincing fans that a technically bad film is not only watchable but entertaining. Or maybe the cliché, but albeit exciting, quintessential action tropes captured in the film provide the surface-level entertainment streaming audiences want.

In summary, this controversial film, with a truly baffling discrepancy in reviews, is nonetheless soaring in popularity. As far as spy thrillers go, Blacklight has everything one can hope for. Mark Williams captures Neeson doing exactly what he does best, and proves yet again that, against all odds, the actor will remain an undying force in the action genre.

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Release Date

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February 11, 2022

Runtime

108 minutes

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Director

Mark Williams

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