When it comes to faith-based films, the cinema has a rich and diverse range of options for viewers to enjoy. From comedies to dramas, animated epics to Hollywood classics, there is no shortage of movies that have been centered around Christian themes. However, when it comes to defining excellence in this multifaceted genre, there are certain movies that keep rising to the top again and again.

Whether it is the visually stunning animation of The Prince of Egypt or the sincere dedication to authenticity in The Passion of the Christ, these movies are the best of the best. Blending a background of biblical stories with new, creative genius, they capture some of the most significant moments from the Bible and bring them to life like never before. With their impactful storytelling and cinematic prowess, these are the four greatest movies based on Bible stories.

‘The Ten Commandments’ (1956)

Image via Paramount Pictures

In the 1940s and 1950s, there was an abundance of epic studio films based on the Bible. Movies like The Robe, Samson and Delilah, and Solomon and Sheba were grand in their scope and scale. The principal movie to come out of this era was The Ten Commandments.

Directed by Cecil B. DeMille, The Ten Commandments follows the life of Moses and includes important events like the 10 plagues of Egypt, the mass exodus of the Hebrew people, and the origin of the Ten Commandments. Charlton Heston was the preeminent actor of the time, and his larger-than-life presence on camera lent itself well to playing the lead role. Yul Brynner, another iconic actor, was irreplaceable as Rameses and brought the pomp and confidence needed to play the stubborn and narcissistic ruler.

DeMille had actually made a silent film called The Ten Commandments back in 1923. This version was half biblical story and half modern-day tale about a family and how the Ten Commandments impacted them. DeMille received so many requests from fans to remake a movie about the Ten Commandments that he did, 33 years later. This time, by focusing solely on the biblical story, the film felt more intentional and captivating. The 1956 version of The Ten Commandments was unlike any other movie before it. It was unmatched for grandeur and sheer enormity. The cast included thousands of extras and live animals, and filming took place in California and Mount Sinai in Egypt.

He suffered a heart attack during filming, but refused to abandon the project and returned to the set as soon as he physically could. The Ten Commandments was nominated for seven Oscars and won for its groundbreaking special effects. From the parting of the Red Sea to the pillar of fire, The Ten Commandments had some of the most innovative and spectacular special effects ever captured on screen. Celebrating its 70-year anniversary this year, The Ten Commandments is still as inspiring to watch now as it was upon its advent. When it comes to the sweeping studio epics that are based on the Bible, it is undoubtedly the paragon.

‘The Nativity Story’ (2006)

Image via New Line Cinema

Movies focusing on the birth of Jesus are mostly animated and focused on children as the audience. The Nativity is left to be a footnote in biblical biopics, seemingly always good to mention, but never really focused on. In 2006, writer Mike Rich and director Catherine Hardwicke released the best biopic focusing solely on the birth of Christ with The Nativity Story.

Casting in a film where there are two or fewer main characters is crucial. The whole story is on their shoulders. They have to have good chemistry with each other and be engaging enough for viewers to want to follow their journey. The casting for The Nativity Story is spot-on, and Keisha Castle-Hughes and Oscar Isaac deliver dynamic performances. Castle-Hughes, who has starred in TV series like Game of Thrones and Star Wars: The Bad Batch, is most celebrated for her role in the feature film Whale Rider, where she received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the age of 13. Isaac is a superbly talented actor who is able to inhabit a role with the adaptive skill of a chameleon. His roles in films like Ex Machina and Frankenstein have put him on the map in Hollywood and solidified his career as a consummate character actor.

In The Nativity Story, Castle-Hughes is endearing, believable, and captivating as Mary. Isaac is perfect as Joseph, displaying great depths of loyalty, courage, and obedience. Watching the two of them together on screen is wonderful as they try to bond and navigate their way through newlywed life under extraordinary circumstances. The three wise men, portrayed by Nadim Sawalha, Eriq Ebouaney, and Stefan Kalipha, provide jovial levity, and all of the supporting cast, including Shohreh Aghdashloo as Elizabeth and Ciarán Hinds as Herod, are terrific. The Nativity Story’s dedication to authentic cultural and historical representation is refreshing and sets this adaptation apart from its peers. When it comes to depicting this important moment in the life of Christ, The Nativity Story is unmatched in both its acting and overall cinematography.

‘The Prince of Egypt’ (1998)

DreamWorks Animation has gifted the world with some fantastic films. Titles such as How to Train Your Dragon, Shrek, and Kung Fu Panda have become fast favorites with moviegoers around the world. In 1998, they released an animated masterpiece called The Prince of Egypt. Similar to The Ten Commandments, The Prince of Egypt follows the life of Moses (Val Kilmer). The cast for the film is tremendous and includes the voice talents of Michelle Pfeiffer, Ralph Fiennes, Sandra Bullock, Danny Glover, Jeff Goldblum, Patrick Stewart, and Helen Mirren.

The animation for The Prince of Egypt is absolutely stunning. Hand-drawn images are used predominantly, with computer-generated graphics added in scenes that require it. The parting of the Red Sea is one of the most incredible scenes in animation history and took a reported two years to animate. Renowned film critic Roger Ebert called The Prince of Egypt “one of the best-looking animated films ever made,” and further commented, “The more movies I see, the more grateful I am for new films that go to the trouble of creating astonishing new images.”

In addition to the visually gorgeous aspects of the film, The Prince of Egypt boasts an Oscar-winning song in “When You Believe.” Performed by Michelle Pfeiffer and Sally Dworsky for the film, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston’s version of the song hit #15 on Billboard’s Hot 100 in 1999. Hans Zimmer, the maestro behind films such as Dune: Part One and Inception, composed the beautiful score. The music of The Prince of Egypt plays an integral role in the film and includes lighthearted melodies full of texture to poignant lyrics full of drama.

Walt Disney once staked everything he had to prove that animated films could tell compelling stories. Although released by a competitor, The Prince of Egypt more than realizes his vision and proves his point. From the dedicated performances of the highly skilled actors to the award-winning music and phenomenal animation, The Prince of Egypt is an unparalleled triumph. No other biblical animated movie even comes close. The Prince of Egypt is not only one of the best movies based on Bible stories to ever be made, but one of the greatest animated movies of the last 100 years as well.

‘The Passion of the Christ’ (2004)

Image via Newmarket Film Group

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In 2004, director and co-writer Mel Gibson made history with The Passion of the Christ. A rated-R film depicting the crucifixion of Jesus in gory, unapologetic detail, it soon became the highest-grossing religious movie of all time, and it has the Guinness World Record to prove it. The film earned a global box office take of over $600 million.

What makes The Passion of the Christ so unique is its dedication to realism. Although English-speaking audiences were one of the main target demographics, Gibson chose to predominantly have the actors speak in Aramaic, Hebrew, and Latin because those were the languages of the region and time period. Gibson also chose not to pull any punches when it came to the visceral violence involved in a Roman crucifixion. Every bloody detail is allowed screen time and makes The Passion of the Christ a provocative viewing experience that few walk away from unimpacted.

Gibson and those involved with The Passion of the Christ did what, sadly, few faith-based films had done before: extensive research. The filmmakers not only took the time to learn about the subject matter in detail, but also broke Hollywood norms by refusing to whitewash the cast. Though The Passion of the Christ is not casual viewing and has its share of critics, it made waves in the entertainment industry that current successes like The Chosen and House of David are riding on now. The Passion of the Christ has become the definitive work about the crucifixion of Jesus, and every biblically based biopic released since owes it a debt of gratitude.

Sharon Stone is reminiscing on a very memorable lip-locking scene from a 1995 blockbuster!

The actress has now crowned actor Robert De Niro as the man with the golden smooch after he literally kissed her out of her shoes in their “Casino” movie.

Sharon Stone was recently in the news for the brave cause of encouraging women to embrace aging and be comfortable in their own skin, including the idea of nudity.

Sharon Stone Crowns Robert De Niro Hollywood’s Best Kisser

The actress recalled the scene during which the kissing happened when she had to go to the bathroom as a hustler and get her payment from De Niro’s character on Sirius XM’s “Radio Andy” on Wednesday, April 1. Stone played Ginger McKenna in the movie and stated that when De Niro’s character, Sam ‘Ace’ Rothstein, gave her $50, she asked for more.

“And he … reaches in and he gives me, like, $100, and then I lean over, and I kiss him,” Stone noted, revealing that it was an immaculate lip contact, but their director, Martin Scorsese, wanted more from that exchange, which they all agreed to give. In a 2020 interview, the actress speculated that the kissing scene in “Casino” was the height of on-screen kissing moments.

Stone stressed that what made it memorable was that it was with De Niro, whom she adored the most in the world, and wanted to prove that she knew exactly what she was doing. For the media personality, every other kiss on screen since then has not been able to beat the record they set in the 1995 flick.

The ‘Basic Instinct’ Actress Claimed The Actor Used To Push Her Button On Set

Despite Stone’s utter admiration for De Niro and his talent, they had really heightened moments on set where they sat across the table arguing. She recalled the actor reassuring her how much of a great actress she is and how that statement infuriated her because it was a dream to work with him, and there he was, challenging her at the table.

As stated by PEOPLE, Stone praised De Niro’s incredible observational skills as an actor, which helped him push the right buttons when it comes to her emotions and crawl under her skin to get to the point where he needs her.

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DeNiro and Scorsese caught up at the movie’s 30th anniversary at the Tribeca Film Festival last June, noting that Las Vegas’ formerly mob-run landscape has been replaced by corporate capitalism. The director recognized the evolution of Vegas from an organized crime society to a more family-friendly, capitalized structure, a bit different from how the movie portrayed the city.

Sharon Stone Shone The Light On Acceptance In Her 40s

The Blast shared that the movie star confessed in an interview with Germany’s Vogue that it took her a long time to embrace her body because of the terms that were often thrown around when her career began. She noted that words like being f-kable were being used to replace one’s ability to really work and be camera-ready.

Stone added that people often described her as muscular, athletic, and masculine, which is very different from the standard in Hollywood. To fit more into the mold, the actress shared that she posed semi-nude for Playboy, and her plan worked because she landed a role in “Basic Instinct,” which earned her a spot on Sexiest Woman Alive lists.

According to the actress, “There was a point in my forties when I went into the bathroom with a bottle of wine, locked the door, and said, ‘I won’t get out until I can fully accept my body.” From that moment, everything switched up for the media personality, and she gained the confidence required to love her body.

The 68-Year-Old Was Applauded For Her Stance On Aging And Body Positivity

Stone shared some candid thoughts in a social media post in February, asking why people often felt reluctant to embrace how they appeared in front of the mirror and basically the whole concept of being human. The actress added that fear of performing basic human functions and being afraid of one’s own self should never be normalized.

The actress emphasized her admiration for living in her own skin every day of the week, and in any season. She continued that women are much more than their appearance, as they are also talented artists, mothers, sisters, wives, nurses, teachers, and play many other important roles. 

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Stone was not alone in her view; other Hollywood personalities like Courtney Love, Gal Gadot, and Patricia Arquette all agreed with her point, sending heart emojis and joining other fans to praise her for being so real.

Sharon Stone’s Episode With Stroke Spurred A Change In Her Life

The filmmaker was on host duty last January for the American Heart Association (AHA) Red Dress Collection Concert, where she shared her testimony about surviving a stroke and the result of her will to live. Stone noted that the stroke was caused by a vertebral artery bleeding into her brain for over a week, and she had almost no rehabilitation programs to help her find her way back to normal.

The Blast noted that the actress also dealt with her divorce from Phil Bronstein as she recovered, which further sent her down the pits of misery. Stone left the hospital with a large percentage of her body mass gone, her right foot nearly gone, and basically no idea of her name.

Following that episode, she was forced to realign her values by spending time with her family, getting closer to her children, and focusing on work. Stone acknowledged that battling a stroke brought her very close to heaven’s door and that demystified death to her, proving that a life well lived is the ultimate prize.

Sharon Stone knows how to keep a memory, that is for sure!

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Young and the Restless has Tessa Porter (Cait Fairbanks) lying to her wife, Mariah Copeland (Camryn Grimes), about her relationship with Daniel Romalotti (Michael Graziadei). And let’s face it, he is also lying to Mariah’s face.

Plus, Daniel and Tessa are heading out of the country together soon. So, I wonder if Mariah is in for a massive shock when she comes home from the psychiatric hospital. We’re going to talk about a possible baby bombshell coming for Daniel and Tessa that could blow up Mariah’s life right as she is just getting it back. Let’s dive in!

Daniel and Tessa Both Lied to Mariah on Young and the Restless

So, I’m sure they felt like they did it with the best intentions, but both Daniel and Tessa were less than truthful with Mariah. In fact, Daniel and Tessa both lied right to Mariah’s face. They misled her about how serious they had gotten. You know, Daniel and Tessa both downplayed what happened while Mariah was gone.

And Daniel and Tessa both told Mariah that they were just friends. But the truth was Tessa thought her marriage was over, and she and Daniel started falling in love, falling into bed, sharing hopes, dreams, and their problems and music.

And it was because Mariah went unhinged, tried to kill some dude, and then, you know, kidnapped a kid and shut Tessa out of her life that things went really off the rails. But I’m guessing that Tessa worried that her relationship with Daniel could somehow mess up Mariah’s chances of a full mental health recovery.

So, if Mariah had asked months ago, the truth would have honestly been Daniel and Tessa were just friends, at least up until New Year’s Eve. But they started falling for each other emotionally even before they hit the sheets. Daniel was falling and Tessa was falling but was in denial about it. And while Mariah was gone, Tessa initiated a kiss. Then, you know, Mariah was like, “Marriage over, all done.” And then Tessa pulled Daniel into her bed.

It’s More Than Just Sex for Tessa & Daniel on Y&R

And Tessa’s connection to Daniel is a lot more than just sex. If it was just physical, I think it’d be easier to call the whole thing off because Tessa and Daniel could just stop sleeping together, as they have done. But the problem is there’s a lot of deep feelings underneath the sex. You know, Tessa and Daniel really care about each other, and those feelings are very much still there. And Mariah coming back doesn’t just erase how they feel about each other.

I’m certain Daniel is in love with Tessa. His dad knows it. You know, Danny Romalotti (Michael Damian) is worried about him. But I also think that Tessa loves Daniel, too, or was starting to fall really hard, even though Tessa at the same time is absolutely still in love with her wife Mariah. And when Daniel encouraged Mariah to reach out to Tessa, work things out with her, that’s when Mariah told Daniel she knows he and Tessa are more than friends. But Daniel denied it. And when Mariah pressed Tessa, she also lied.

And if nothing else changed, if Daniel and Tessa had stayed just friends, you know, I think these lies would stick. You know, maybe Mariah would ignore her gut instinct that Daniel and Tessa were both lying. But for now, Mariah’s not there to watch. She’s in a psych hospital getting help.

Daniel and Tessa Head to Spain on Young and the Restless

And I tend to think everything could change while she’s gone because hours after she left Genoa City, Tessa and Daniel were, you know, close together and making plans because of this amazing offer Danny made. He overheard Daniel playing guitar, Tessa singing, and then Danny said, “You two should make an album.”

Then he invited Tessa and Daniel to go to Spain to play in this little club with him. And Tessa actually jumped at the chance to go to Barcelona and talked a reluctant Daniel into going. He’s not sure he wants to perform, but he told Tessa he would at least go on the trip.

So, while those two are in Spain and while Mariah’s gone, I do think they may be tempted. I don’t think they’ll give in. I hope they won’t, but they might. But I kind of doubt it because Tessa told Mariah she would be waiting on her when she came home from the psychiatric hospital. And Tessa seems to be sincere about wanting to save their marriage and be a family again. You know, her, Mariah, and Aria.

Could Tessa Be Pregnant on Y&R?

But I don’t think the shockers are over for them. I’m just wondering if Tessa is going to turn up pregnant because that would shake up everything, including her plans to stay with Mariah. Think about it. Tessa had no reason to be on birth control. I doubt she was because she was married to another woman, Mariah.

And the first time Tessa slept with Daniel, it was spur of the moment. Tessa initiated sexy time on New Year’s Eve. It was totally spontaneous. And Daniel was also surprised by it. I doubt he’s walking around with condoms because he’s still grieving Heather Stevens (Vail Bloom). And you know, Tessa would have no reason to carry condoms around in her purse and that sex wasn’t premeditated.

So, I kind of doubt that Daniel and Tessa were careful. They might not have even stopped to think about pregnancy. And if I recall correctly, that was the only onscreen time we saw them make love, but that doesn’t mean it was the only time they did. Couples do stuff offscreen all the time. Even so, once is enough to have Daniel in her bed for Tessa to turn up pregnant.

Young and the Restless: Dramatic Dump Ahead?

And if she does, that is a big soapy game changer. If she and Daniel made a baby, she could be anywhere from three months pregnant to a few weeks pregnant, presuming their sexual relationship continued up until the point that Mariah finally reached out and agreed to ask to work things out.

And given all the trauma and stress and the drama and the kidnapping, you know, Tessa might not have noticed. It’s not like she and Mariah were worrying about turning up pregnant and keeping track of their cycles and stuff.

So, even if Tessa keeps Daniel in the friend zone and tries to ignore her feelings for him, you know, she might realize right before Mariah’s back, oh, oh, okay, I’m pregnant. Or Tessa might realize while Mariah’s gone that she’s missed her period and could be pregnant. And that might, you know, freak her out because she is trying to rebuild things with Mariah and just be friends with Daniel on Young and the Restless.

A Baby Would Blow Everything Up on Y&R

But if Tessa’s pregnant, obviously she’d have to tell Mariah the truth and that she lied before about just being friends with him. And if Tessa were carrying Daniel’s child, he’d probably want her to have the kid. It was made in love. It wasn’t, you know, a whoopsie or a mistake or something like that. Tessa being pregnant obviously would be the soapiest outcome to this situation.

And while Mariah’s gone, you know, I think she is going to get the help she desperately needs. Hopefully, she’ll get her head on straight. But then bam, she comes back and if Tessa drops a baby bombshell, that would blow up everything. It could push Mariah right back over the edge. Or it could lead to an even wilder soap outcome.

You know, Tessa might decide to stay with Mariah, but also carry Daniel’s baby. And then Tessa and Daniel could agree to stay friends and co-parents, which would make Daniel part of their marriage basically for at least 18 years. That’s super messy.

Or, you know, if Tessa turns up pregnant, Mariah may tell her, “Go be with Daniel.” Because Mariah may come out of this still thinking she doesn’t deserve to be with Tessa and Aria. So, we’ll see if a baby bombshell drops and we find out Tessa is carrying Daniel’s child. I think it would be the soapiest outcome, and that’s what I am honestly hoping to see.

Pooh Shiesty has been out of federal prison for nearly 6 months. He rejoined the outside world on October 7, 2025. His initial release date would’ve been next week, April 11. Instead, he came home early to heavy fan love, booking inquiries and a celebration that went viral. But, as of April 2, the rapper is behind bars again. This time, he, his father and several others have been linked to the kidnapping and robbery of Gucci Mane. Now, fans are flooding his Instagram account with “FREE HIM” comments, questions and criticism.

RELATED: Pooh Shiesty, His Dad & Others Reportedly Arrested For Kidnapping & Robbing Gucci Mane At Gunpoint (VIDEO)

Fans Sound Off Under Rapper’s Most Recent Post

Pooh Shiesty’s last Instagram post before his arrest was a video of a new luxury vehicle. He shared it on March 11. In his caption, he said, “it’s only right” that he “pop it” after his song, ‘FDO,’ performed well. Pooh released the record in mid-December, marking his first drop since his release from prison last October. The lyrics, ironically, spoke about his time locked up and his street cred. At one point in the song, he raps, “See, my daddy my first co-D, jumped in the skreets, he showed me lanes (them facts). Your daddy a killer, but you ain’t, you just like Bronny James (facts).” 

Now, ahead of and after the news of Pooh’s arrest, fans have mentioned these same lyrics. Some have even suggested he’ll have to sell his new car. As Pooh Shiesty remains silent, likely due to his detainment, the comment section on his car post is continuing to do numbers. And the reactions? Mixed.

@amaridifferent wrote, “Damn u couldn’t even make it till Rolling Loud,” adding a peace sign and laughing emojis.

“The feds about to seize it,” @urstrulyriri added.

“Ain’t no way my dawg get raided stay out the way 🤦🏾‍♂️,” @alsojr said.

“This why they came to the house 🙄,” @boosy_boswell commented.

@mazi_mack16 wrote, “Let me buy that for the low now since you can’t drive it dawg.”

“Yo as* love goin to jail instead of dropping hits,” @dannydee_jr said.

“Damn smh 🤦🏾 you just got out,” @gurlfriendz_hair37 commented.

@jtfilmenditt added, “Foo be blessing everybody around him the team gon love driving this while he locked up 😭.” 

“Went #1 copped a new maybach 😂😂 Sooooo wtf Gucci getting ran down on fa,” @thishollywood asked.

@fayoworld wrote, “Did all that to end up back in the Slammer, lmaooo big bur 😭.” 

“Bro dropped First Day out and then went right back to jail😂😂😂🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️,” @chuckieg05 said.

“Bro lasted 2 weeks of freedom 😂,” @mikeypeege commented.

“Pooh why bro, this sh*t not GTA,” @getn.richalive said.

Pooh Shiesty’s Recent Arrest Explained

To recap, Pooh Shiesty is currently one of several people under an FBI investigation. He and two others reportedly traveled to Dallas, Texas, on Jan. 10, 2026, to talk about the terms of a recording contract. At the meeting, Pooh and eight others allegedly “executed a coordinated armed takeover.” One victim was allegedly ordered to sign a music label release form at gunpoint. Meanwhile, two other victims were robbed of their valuables, including high-end watches and jewelry. Pooh Shiesty’s dad, Lontrell Williams Sr., allegedly helped execute the kidnapping. Additionally, authorities said photos of the stolen loot ended up on social media.

Police have not revealed the names of the three victims, but media outlets, such as Action News 5, have identified at least one as Gucci Mane. Following an FBI raid at Pooh’s Tennessee home on Tuesday, Pooh was arrested in Dallas, while his dad was arrested in Memphis.

If convicted, the offenders could reportedly face up to life in prison. Some of the alleged evidence includes electronic monitoring and cell phone records, surveillance footage, fingerprints, social media posts and records from Greyhound and a car rental company.

Pooh Recently Got Called Out For His Boosie Caption 

Prior to his March 11 post, Pooh Shiesty shared photos of himself on February 27, holding stacks of cash. In his caption, he said, “It Might Be One Rapper That Got Mo Bodies Than Me That’s Lil Boosie.” At the time he posted, Pooh got called out in the comment section for seemingly “dry snitching” on Boosie. @jokedapainaway, for example, commented, “Incriminating Boosie in a caption is insane 😂😂😂😂😂🔥🔥🔥.” 

After getting locked up again this week, fans are sharing their thoughts under that post, too. Keep scrolling to see some of the recent reactions as fans await more news about the new case against him.

@khronic.k said, “Bro got out and stripped Gucci before GTA VI 🥀.”

“Free you boo always Mr Pooh minor set back for a major come back someone close is a 🐍 telling everything. 🩸 4L 💯,” @onlyralenwatts wrote.

“‘Don’t let durk verse go to your head, aint nobody slime as me.’ Mann i thought you were overwhoopin but you meant that sh*t 🤣🤣🤣✌️✌️,” @jonothan3088 said, referencing the song ‘FDO.’

“Now he going back prolly for a couple more yrs lol,” @darkvegito8 said.

@1babyfg added, “lol who gets out of jail to go back in.” 

“When I saw this post, I said unfortunately, he probably going back. Mindset moving forward is everything,” @ante_yana commented.

RELATED: Whew! YSL Woody Weighs In As Social Media Users Share Their Thoughts On Pooh Shiesty Allegedly Kidnapping & Robbing Gucci Mane (WATCH)

Days of Our Lives reveals Sophia Choi (Rachel Boyd) checked herself out of Bayview this week, and we know she’s still scheming to get revenge, and she doesn’t seem to care that her little bestie Rachel Black (Lorelei Olivia Mote) got sent back to Bayview because of her.

You can see that Sophia is still a ticking time bomb ready to explode and ruin lives. And with Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk) having Sophia doing her bidding, it’s going to get worse. But I think that Sophia is about to face karma and get blown out of the water. Let’s get into it.

Who Will Stop Sophia’s Reign of Terror on Days of Our Lives?

Let’s talk about who may bring Sophia’s reign of terror to an end once and for all. So, Kristen does not seem to care what Sophia did to Holly Jonas (Ashley Puzemis) in particular. She only cares about Sophia using Rachel and that meant her daughter was set up.

And then, Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) told the judge that she should send Rachel back to Bayview for inpatient care. And in the end, somebody whether it is Kristen or Holly or the cops needs to stop Sophia once and for all. But who’s going to stop her?

I mean, let’s face it, Sophia has been making waves and even more enemies ever since she convinced her lawyer, Melinda Trask (Tina Huang), to pull her out of Bayview to testify at Baby Trey’s final adoption hearing at the courthouse.

And of course, turns out Melinda didn’t have any say in it. Because Sophia is 18 and she walked out the door never intending to come back where Melinda thought she was going back.

Sophia Crashes the Adoption Hearing on DOOL

So, Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) and Chanel Dupree DiMera (Raven Bowens) were angry and they were quite worried when Sophia who had been faking mute suddenly showed up running her mouth causing last minute problems.

But thankfully EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) swooped in to save the day. He took over as Johnny and Chanel’s lawyer which irritated Belle Brady (Martha Madison). And then EJ dropped all the receipts on Sophia’s awful antics and he told the judge what she put Johnny and Chanel through and had for months.

So, the judge sided with them and now Trey has a forever home. But Sophia isn’t happy about that. Not at all. You can already see the wheels turning in her twisted mind. Johnny and Chanel are worried sick that Sophia won’t go away quietly. And she already tried ruining Johnny’s life by sending those dirty pics of a passed out Holly Jonas to his phone.

Sophia sent the same pics to the CPS worker that was working Chanel and Johnny’s adoption case. So, I imagine they’re also scared that Sophia might try to do something else. Might even try and take baby Trey.

Johnny Turns to EJ on Days of our Lives

And this week, spoilers have Johnny asking his dad EJ for a favor. And of course, he’ll be happy to help. I do wonder if Johnny will ask EJ to go full DiMera on Sophia and run her out of Salem for good. Then again, I kind of think it’s more likely that Johnny is wanting EJ’s help with the copyright case, not with Sophia, at least not right now.

But, you know, Johnny may circle back around and ask for EJ’s help on that later on just getting rid of her. Also, there’s a chance that EJ may spontaneously threaten Sophia on his own, even without Johnny asking him to intervene.

Holly and Tate Want Sophia to Pay on Days

All right, next, let’s talk about Holly. She and Tate Black (Leo Howard) just got confirmation from Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) that Sophia was behind the pill swap, not Rachel. And of course, they know Sophia’s out of Bayview on the loose in Salem. And Holly and Tate want nothing to do with her.

They don’t want to see her. She tried ruining Holly’s life for a long time because Sophia felt scorned back in high school because Tate was secretly dating Holly and took Sophia to the prom as a cover story. He was never into her and she had this huge crush on Tate for a long time and she felt like she had been led on and strung along, which is 100% accurate. Tate and Holly were definitely using her as a shield and that wasn’t fair.

Days of our Lives: Sophia’s Far from Innocent

But of course, the first chance she could, Sophia got in bed with Tate. So, I think Sophia is still harboring a twisted crush on him. And that’s why Sophia keeps lashing out at Holly. Tate and Holly aren’t only livid about the pills that Sophia used to drug Holly.

Tate is still furious about Sophia lying with the whole fake adoption thing, wearing the fake baby belly. And then, of course, the lie where she led Tate to think she was only with him when she had also slept with Aaron, who turned out to be Trey’s bio dad on Days of our Lives.

So, Tate and Holly are absolutely ready to see Sophia pay for everything she’s done. And they’re working with Brady, who is gathering evidence. He wants to give it to the Salem PD and let them know that Sophia drugged both Holly and Tate.

No way is Brady gonna let Sophia get away with using Rachel in her awful revenge scheme or get away with drugging his son Tate. Brady wants to make sure Sophia pays. But he also wants to keep Rachel out of court. He doesn’t want her to have to testify again and for her part in this to come out.

Kristen Recruits Sophia on Days

And then of course we got crazy Kristen. She literally bumped into Sophia and then blasted her for using Rachel as her personal drug mule. Kristen ranted at Sophia for taking advantage of vulnerable little Rachel, who of course is about as vulnerable as a snake.

Of course, Sophia lied, denied, pulled that deer in the headlights innocent look she does. And she begged Kristen to not hurt her. And Sophia should be scared because Kristen’s a nightmare. After she cornered and terrified Sophia, we had Kristen telling Sophia she could make it up to her.

So, Kristen wants revenge on Marlena and EJ both. Kristen blames Marlena for Rachel being sent back to Bayview. And Kristen blames EJ for his own shooting because he hid Rachel Blake (Roslyn Gentle) away. If you remember, little Rachel was angry because Uncle EJ hid her grandma away.

And that’s when little Rachel picked up the gun that Johnny left and accidentally shot EJ. Bottom line, Kristen’s the one responsible for all of Rachel’s bad deeds because Kristen is the absolute worst influence that Rachel or any child could have.

But she will never acknowledge her own culpability in all this. Now, we know Kristen is going to circle back and have Sophia targeting Marlena and EJ.

And Kristen wants Rachel out of Bayview, but all of that could backfire on Kristen and land her in prison. Also, if Sophia’s arrested, she’ll go to big girl prison because she’s over 18. I think it’d be ironic if she and Kristen wound up cellmates.

Rachel Could Rat Out Sophia on Days of Our Lives

The best karma, though, I think, for anybody to slap Sophia with is for Rachel to take a crack at Sophia because she’s just as devious. Rachel could tell the doctors at Bayview everything she did to help Sophia.

You know, faking being Sophia’s bed check, not once, a few times. Rachel knew Sophia lied the whole time about being mute. She had a secret phone and then of course drugging Holly with the psych meds. Rachel could spill all that tea on Sophia.

And I think it’s deserved because she used Rachel as a pawn, lied to her, manipulated the kid while she was targeting Tate, the brother that Rachel loves. I don’t think Rachel necessarily cares that much about what happened to Holly.

But Sophia using her to get to Tate is a big deal. If Rachel comes clean and testifies against Sophia, that could be interesting because Kristen’s about to start using Sophia the same way that Sophia used Rachel.

So, this could get twisted because if the cops wind up arresting Sophia because Rachel ratted on her, you know what? Sophia could turn around and rat out Kristen and make sure Rachel loses her mom, which honestly would probably be the best thing for the kid at this point.

And I think if Sophia’s going to go down, I think she will make certain that she does not go down alone. That would be some twisted karma and all of Salem would be safer if Kristen and Sophia both wound up in Statesville.

Adaptations of any medium can be very hit or miss. Retelling a manga in an anime format sometimes turns out well (though not always), but what’s more concerning is when a manga gets a live-action adaptation. As manga and anime become more and more popular in North America, Hollywood keeps trying to use the popularity of these stories to recreate them in live-action. However, from Dragonball Evolution to Cowboy Bebop, these remakes focus too much on catering to Western audiences that they lose the essence of what makes the source material great.

Understandably, it can be difficult to recreate the fantastical worlds and the intense action from manga, but then it begs the question: why even do it? Like it or not, these attempts will keep on going. Fans just hope that at least one of them will be good. And thankfully, Netflix and Tomorrow Studios developed the best live-action manga adaptation with One Piece.

Netflix’s ‘One Piece’ Feels Like the Manga Brought to Life

Image via Netflix

Created by Eiichiro Oda in 1997, One Piece follows the Straw Hat Pirates as they sail across the world to find the One Piece, a legendary treasure that promises wealth, fame, and power. Over 20 years later, and it’s still one of the best anime series of all time. The manga and anime are still ongoing to this day, with well over 1,000 chapters and episodes each. When Netflix announced it would be adapting One Piece, fans were justifiably concerned about how they would be able to tell such a grand story set in this fantastical world with unique abilities. But with Oda heavily involved in the production process, his creation was handled with care and surpassed all expectations.

Showrunners Steve Maeda, Joe Tracz, and Matt Owens managed to adapt over 100 chapters in just 16 episodes (spread across two seasons) while still hitting the main story beats and character development. While some manga adaptations try to bring these stories to a more modern and realistic setting, One Piece embraces its roots to the fullest with colorful costumes, locations, and characters. The show perfectly balances the silliness and fun with the dark and creepy moments. Adapting manga or anime into live-action doesn’t immediately mean making it more adult or serious. It’s about capturing the essence of the source material, but not being afraid to change some things to better the overall narrative and direction. Even with the large amount of content to go through, the One Piece creative team blends story arcs together to make them more digestible and fit with the characters’ development.

Related

‘One Piece’ Star Charithra Chandran Reveals What That Epic Finale Cliffhanger Sets Up for Season 3

The hit show’s newest star also reveals if she’d return for another season of ‘Bridgerton’ or ‘Dune: Prophecy.’

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‘One Piece’ Is the Live-Action Manga Adaptation Fans Deserve

For new fans who might be overwhelmed by diving into the overwhelming amount of source material, Season 1 does a great job of introducing them to this grand world by devoting full episodes to each character’s backstory to really make audiences feel invested. Loyal fans are also rewarded by seeing these iconic moments recreated with such love and care. Chopper’s (Mikaela Hoover) backstory in Season 2 is one of the best episodes of the entire series, and just a stellar standalone episode that anyone can jump into. It also helps that almost every cast member embodies their characters to the fullest. The on and off-screen chemistry amongst the cast feels so tangible and heartwarming. Iñaki Godoy, especially, is perfectly cast as Monkey D. Luffy and will go down as one of the most accurate portrayals in history, like Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man.

What also helps One Piece stand out amongst other live-action adaptations is how the world looks and feels like a place people can visit. Other projects rely on green screen and VFX, which can look very jarring, but the One Piece team takes the time to build out these large sets to not only immerse the audience, but the cast as well. With a perfect 100% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes for Season 2 and being the most-watched show on Netflix globally, One Piece is what a successful adaptation should be. It perfectly translates the source material’s tone, themes, stories, and characters, while still providing something new and refreshing. With a third season already in the works, the team is working as fast as possible to keep fans engaged without sacrificing quality in terms of writing and production value. It’s rare, but refreshing, to see just how dedicated the creatives are to making the One Piece fandom proud to see this world come to life and grow.

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Release Date

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August 31, 2023

Network

Netflix

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Showrunner

Matt Owens, Steven Maeda, Joe Tracz

Directors

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Tim Southam, Marc Jobst, Josef Kubota Wladyka

Writers

Tiffany Greshler, Diego Gutierrez, Allison Weintraub, Lindsay Gelfand

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The divorce train elongates for “Real Housewives” stars.

It is no longer “’til death do us part” as more Bravo stars are pulling the plug on their unions, the latest being Sai De Silva. The “Real Housewives of New York” star’s husband of about nine years has reportedly filed for divorce for reasons yet unknown.

Many “Real Housewives” stars have consistently made headlines with news of failed relationships, drama, and marriages. However, a “RHOSLC” star flipped the switch earlier this year, bringing positive light to Bravo stars with her appearance at Capitol Hill.

Another ‘Real Housewives’ Star’s Marriage Bites The Dust

De Silva’s husband, David Craig, has reportedly filed for divorce on Thursday morning in New York City. If the filing pushes through, it would bring an end to their almost nine-year union. Information as to what prompted his decision remains undisclosed, as Craig is known for his love for privacy.

The lovebirds have known each other for almost two decades. They met in 2009 in Costa Rica while the reality TV star was on vacation and Craig was on a business trip. De Silva previously recalled their meet-cute moment, noting that she was pretty hungover when they met, but he caught her attention with his sense of humor.

The pair tied the knot in 2017 after welcoming their two children: a daughter, London, born in 2011, and their son, Rio, in 2017. Over the years, the “RHONY” star has repeatedly praised Craig for being a very involved father. TMZ notes that fans may get a fair share of the tea as De Silva, along with other castmates, is shooting the 16th season of the hit show. Craig has appeared on the reality TV set a few times and has also made rare appearances on his wife’s socials.

Sai De Silva’s Divorce Will Take The Spot From Brit Eady’s

The news of De Silva’s divorce now takes the spotlight from another Bravo star from a different franchise. Earlier this year, “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star made headlines after she officially ended her marriage to Michael Cunningham. The union lasted five years, and the reality TV star shared that she hopes they remain on good terms despite their split.

Before the split became official, the pair had been estranged for a while, as the court documents listed their date of separation as December 1, 2025. Eady shared that divorce was the last resort as they had tried to salvage the union to no avail.

The Blast also reported that, as regards to their property, the reality TV star and Cunningham agreed to sell their home in Fulton County and divide the proceeds as they deemed fit. There was no issue of child support as the recent exes did not welcome any kids during their marriage; however, Eady expressed that she would not like to pay spousal support or alimony.

Other Bravo Stars With Divorce Drama

The topic of divorce on the network has existed right from the beginning across different franchise series. The reality TV stars make headlines based on how messy the divorce gets and the drama that takes place during the process. This is not to say that some Bravo couples do not stick together over time. Teddi Mellencamp and Edwin Arroyave called it quits after thirteen years of marriage.

Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann from “Real Housewives of Atlanta” were married for twelve years before severing ties in 2021 due to messy financial constraints. Another notable couple who had a tumultuous relationship and breakup was Denise Richards and Aaron Phypers, who were married for six years before calling it quits.

“RHONY” star Bethenny Frankel and Jason Hoppy separated in 2012 but did not make their split official until almost a decade later. During the time their divorce was still in the works, Hoppy was arrested for allegedly stalking and harassing his ex.

Inside Some Jaw-Dropping Bravo Stars’ Divorce Cases

Danielle Staub and Marty Caffrey from “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” made a Bravo record for divorcing just 10 months after they said, “I do.” The TV personalities went through a rocky patch involving Caffrey evicting his then-wife from their home.

Cosmopolitan shared that the breakup ordeal isn’t tied to only heterosexual couples. “RHOC” star Braunwyn Windham-Burke, who came out as lesbian in 2020, started dating Victoria Brito. Two years later, she went through a tough, heartbreaking split due to long distance.

Some “Real Housewives” do not walk away empty after dissolving their union. Camille Meyer accused her ex- husband, Kelsey Grammer, of infidelity during their divorce process and eventually walked away with a $30 million settlement. 

Another one for the books was the love story between Teresa and Joe Giudice from “The Real Housewives of New Jersey.” The former lovers fell in love, made names in the industry, then got convicted of fraud and sentenced to serve jail time. Joe got deported due to his fraud crimes, and ultimately, they got divorced.

The Recent Silver Lining For Bravo’s ‘Real Housewives’ 

A reality TV star made waves earlier this year after she stepped onto Capitol Hill to testify on behalf of the International Franchise Association. Angie Katsanevas from “RHOSLC” gave her voice to address Congress in support of franchise businesses. This marked a historical moment for the network, as no other star had ever testified before Congress before Katsanevas. 

Her advocacy for business geared towards helping women and immigrants sent a message of positivity from reality TV stars, who are often pigeon-holed for drama. The Blast shared that although another Bravo star, Lisa Vanderpump, had made an appearance before lawmakers, she did not testify but pushed against the Yulin Dog Meat Festival in 2018.

Katsanevas’ message hits close to home as she operates a salon franchise and is also a child of immigrants. Her parents came from Greece chasing the American dream, and she hoped to give the opportunity to other people with a similar background.

Who’s next on the Bravo’s “Real Housewives” divorce list?

Jon Hamm is embracing something Hollywood doesn’t always spotlight: getting older and actually enjoying it. The Emmy-winning actor is opening up about life in his mid-50s, why success doesn’t always equal fulfillment, and how his latest role is tapping into some familiar territory. As he gears up for Season 2 of “Your Friends & Neighbors,” Jon Hamm is reflecting on everything from career highs to personal growth, and why this chapter of his life might be his best yet.

Jon Hamm Says Aging Is ‘Fun’ And Earned

At 55, Hamm isn’t shying away from getting older. In fact, he’s celebrating it.

“If you’ve made it this far, you’re doing something right,” Hamm shared in his interview with AARP’s Movies for Grownups, making it clear he’s fully leaning into this stage of life. “I’m very lucky. I get to do what I’ve always wanted to do at, I think, the highest level. I still appreciate it every day. I still love going to work. So for me, aging is fun, honestly. I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve earned it.”

Rather than viewing aging as a setback, Hamm sees it as something he’s worked for and something worth appreciating.

From ‘Mad Men’ To Now

Since wrapping “Mad Men” in 2015, Hamm has kept his momentum going with a wide range of roles. He’s taken on everything from a chilling sheriff in “Fargo” to a tech billionaire love interest opposite Jennifer Aniston in “The Morning Show.” He’s even poked fun at himself with a comedic turn on “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”

Now, he’s stepping back into the spotlight with “Your Friends & Neighbors,” where he plays Andrew “Coop” Cooper, a disgraced hedge fund manager resorting to theft to maintain his lifestyle. While Hamm’s newest character may live in a very different world than Don Draper, he admits the two aren’t as far apart as they seem.

“There’s a lot of shared DNA between the two characters. There’s a competency there in both of their jobs, but also kind of an unfulfilled quality to what looks like, from the outside viewer, material success,” he said. “One of the early episodes of ‘Mad Men’ ends with the song, ‘Is That All There Is?’ That could be Coop’s theme song, or at least the theme song to Westmont Village [the setting of ‘Your Friends & Neighbors’], because that’s certainly one of the themes that we drill down on the show.”

Jon Hamm Reflects On Loss And Life Lessons

Hamm also got candid about the personal experiences that shaped him, including the loss of both of his parents before he turned 20.

“I’ve had tremendous advice over the course of my life. Unfortunately, I lost both my parents before I turned 20, but I had some other folks in my life who were able to remind me that, yes, sometimes bad things happen, but if you let those things define you, then you’re going to end up wallowing in those things…” he explained. “Life is about growing and experiencing new things. Life is about the future, not about the past.”

Those lessons have clearly stuck with him, influencing not just his outlook on life, but his approach to his career as well.

Hamm Is Still Dreaming Big

Even after decades in the industry, Hamm says there are still plenty of people he hopes to collaborate with.

“There are still tremendous people out there making movies. And the list grows every day,” he admitted. “It was a wonderful awards season. We saw Paul Thomas Anderson finally win. Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan.”

He then went on to recall when he met Jordan when he was on “Friday Night Lights.” “I knew he was fantastically talented,” Hamm said. “It’s great to see people like that go on and win the whole thing. Once I saw ‘Sinners,’ I knew he had a great shot at it. He really deserves it. But there are tons of people out there I’d still love to work with. Hopefully, I’ll get a chance to.”

Jon Hamm Reveals The Movie He Can’t Stop Watching

And when he’s not working, Hamm is still a full-on movie buff at heart. “I’ve got a million of them,” he admitted. “I most recently had ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’ on it. It’s a great film. Cameron Crowe.”

He continued, “I just read Cameron Crowe’s autobiography. It was fantastic. It’s called ‘The Uncool.’ There are a million movies that I could go back to. I’m a member of The Criterion Channel. I look at that every day. It’s great. We live in a pretty great time if you’re a movie buff. You’ve got all the movies in the world a click away.”

Quentin Tarantino is undoubtedly divisive as a filmmaker. He’s courted controversy and criticism while simultaneously helping to redefine postmodern cinema. Despite their myriad influences, his films are all uniquely his, with a distinct pop-culture-infused voice behind their stylish visuals and colorful characters. The director broke onto the indie scene in the ’90s with the violent, verbose heist thriller Reservoir Dogs, which established his singular style right from the beginning. He would follow that debut up with what many would call his signature film, the neo-noir crime anthology Pulp Fiction. The Oscar-winning film not only codified the new category that critics and film majors would define as Tarantino-esque, but also so heavily affected the film world at large that it precipitated dozens of imitators within the newly established subgenre.

While Pulp Fiction may be Tarantino’s quintessential film, it’s not his best. If the filmmaker is to be taken at his word, he only has one more film left in his directorial filmography, rounding it out at an even ten — assuming you count Kill Bill as one whole bloody affair. In terms of directors that have been active in as many decades as Tarantino has, that’s a relatively modest number of films, though it still leaves room for plenty of debate. Any fan of Tarantino’s is likely to have their personal favorite film of his, and it’s even arguable that he’s never directed a bad film. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but to take a cue from the filmmaker himself, who has never been shy about giving a hot take, it is without any humility that the following three films directed by Quentin Tarantino are submitted as better than Pulp Fiction.

3

‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ (2019)

Image via Columbia Pictures

Tarantino’s potentially penultimate film is this immensely entertaining hangout of Hollywood revisionist history. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood transports viewers back in time to a transitional period amid the shift from the classic studio regime to the rise of New Hollywood, where a fading TV Western star and his longtime stuntman companion must reckon with a landscape they don’t quite recognize anymore. The chemistry between Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt, both of whom we’re reteaming with Tarantino from their separate films, is electric, and while they take up the majority of the marquee, it’s Margot Robbie as Sharon Tate who is the film’s heart and soul. For a Tarantino film, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is surprisingly wistful, nostalgically longing for a bygone era of Hollywood and tenderly mourning the loss of Tate to the disciples of Charles Manson. It showcases the empathetic side of Tarantino, which he had engaged with less and less as his films had dived deeper and deeper into genre and exploitation.

In 1969, Rick Dalton (DiCaprio), the former star of a once-popular Western series, is now relegated to guest stints as a villain on other stars’ shows. He commiserates with his faithful stuntman pal Cliff Booth (Pitt), who has a sordid history that has left him just as washed up. As they cruise and booze together, the film treats viewers to a stunning recreation of the era, one that is also filled with impending doom, as we also spend time with movie star Tate and catch glimpses of the members of the Manson Family. The Spahn Ranch sequence is one of Tarantino’s finest, a masterclass in tension that is a microcosm of the film’s entire purpose. The more familiar finale, where Booth and Dalton intervene with history and make bloody mincemeat of the Manson Family members sent to target Tate’s home, is bloody hilarious. However, it’s in the film’s final moments that it makes its fairy tale intentions clear. It isn’t Tarantino’s Spaghetti Western vision of Hollywood; it’s his love letter to it.

2

‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2009)

Tarantino first dabbled in historical revisionism by having his Inglourious Basterds violently murder Adolf Hitler. While this film doesn’t have the aching sentimentality that Once Upon a Time in Hollywood does, it is a rip-roaring action-adventure war epic that features what are undoubtedly some of Tarantino’s best scenes ever and his greatest villain. From the first moment Christoph Waltz steps on screen in the film’s absolutely nerve-jangling opening to when he leaves it screaming as a swastika is carved into his forehead, it is abundantly clear with affectionate repetition that Tarantino has found his greatest acting collaborator since Samuel L. Jackson. In the conflict that arises between Waltz and the titular Basterds, Tarantino delivers his most entertaining, most immaculately crafted war film.

The Basterds are an all-Jewish group of commandos led by the Tennessee-tinged Aldo Raine (Pitt), who intends to have his men engage in cruel and unusual warfare against the Nazis, drawing the ire of Hitler himself. While they wage war, SS officer Hans Landa (Waltz) is hunting Jewish refugees across Nazi-occupied France. The paths of Landa and the Basterds cross at a fateful film premiere hosted by a cinema operated by Shosanna (Mélanie Laurent), whose family was brutally murdered by Landa and who has plans of vengeance all her own. Throw in a Mexican standoff in a tavern and an explosive finale, and Inglourious Basterds stands tall alongside its action-war progenitors. The final shot of the film infamously has Raine, after having carved his aforementioned swastika into Landa, declare that it’s his masterpiece, before smash-cutting to Tarantino’s writer-director credit. The intention is clear, and it’s hard to disagree.

1

‘Jackie Brown’ (1997)

Image via Lionsgate

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Jackie Brown is Tarantino’s most underrated film, but as the direct follow-up to Pulp Fiction, it had a long shadow cast over it. The film is far more subtle and subdued in comparison, but also leagues more mature and measured. The differences are what likely led many to write it off as minor Tarantino, but time has shown it to be his greatest cinematic achievement. As an adaptation of the Elmore Leonard novel Rum Punch, the film is fairly faithful to the text, but Tarantino’s signature is still all over it, in the dialogue and the casting. Giving ’70s blaxploitation icon Pam Grier her greatest acting showcase, alongside fellow undervalued thespian Robert Forster, the film is anchored by their sincere love story, while the marriage of Leonard and Tarantino’s criminal prose proves as effective as that of any filmmaker and author. Jackie Brown is both the best Elmore Leonard movie and the best Quentin Tarantino movie.

Jackie Brown (Grier) is a middle-aged flight attendant who moonlights as a smuggler for gunrunner Ordell Robbie (Samuel L. Jackson). When she gets pinched by the ATF, she has to play all the angles in order to keep herself out of jail and alive. Conspiring with bail bondsman Max Cherry (Forster), Jackie makes plans to get out from under the threat of Ordell and the ATF, and walk away with half a million dollars clean. The twisty crime plot is vintage Leonard, while the characters all sound distinctly Tarantino. It’s not the pulpy plot or punchy dialogue that leaves the most lasting impression, though; it’s the budding romance between Brown and Cherry. Grier and Forster are consummate pros, and they play off each other beautifully, while Tarantino shows a patience and restraint in their scenes only glimpsed in his prior two movies, and which became exceedingly rare in his future films. It’s pointless to wonder whether Tarantino’s career would have taken a different turn had Jackie Brown been more warmly received, and it’s unlikely the director will return to any criminal world crafted by Leonard for his final film, but audiences would be so lucky to get it.