All Elite Wrestling (AEW) star Benjamin Satterley, better known to fans as Pac, has died at the age of 40.

AEW announced the British wrestler’s death via its official website on Sunday, September 27.

“All Elite Wrestling is saddened to announce the passing of Benjamin Satterley, aka Pac,” the organization said in a statement. “A native of Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Satterley began his wrestling career in 2004 and went on to perform for wrestling organizations all over the world, captivating fans with innovative high-flying moves and incredible in-ring ability.”

“Pac signed with All Elite Wrestling in 2019 and held multiple AEW championships and competed in some of the most memorable matches in AEW history,” the statement continued.

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The company concluded, “Our condolences go out to Satterley’s family, friends and fans.”

No cause of death was provided.

Satterley’s tragic death comes just one day after he competed for the AEW National Championship in the opening match of AEW’s All Out event in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Satterley lost to reigning champion Andrade El Idolo at the Now Arena on Saturday, September 26, at All Out, which was broadcast live on pay-per-view globally.

In AEW, Pac held one-third of the AEW Trios Championship and was the inaugural AEW International Champion. He was part of the popular faction the Death Riders, alongside former AEW World Champion Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Daniel Garcia and Marina Shafir.

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Professional wrestler Andy Williams, known in the ring as “The Butcher,” has died. He was 48. Williams died on Saturday, September 5, after a tag-team match in Pennsylvania, according to TMZ. The local Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed to the outlet that Williams died after an undisclosed medical emergency. Williams and his partner, Jesse […]

Satterley previously competed as the high-flying “Neville” in WWE from 2012 to 2018. He is a former WWE NXT Champion and Cruiserweight Champion.

Stars from across WWE and AEW mourned Satterley’s death in social media tributes late Sunday and early Monday, September 28.

WWE star Becky Lynch wrote via X, “One of the best in every way possible. 💔”

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Current AEW World Champion Will Ospreay shared, “The greatest export from our country. Also the greatest human being. Honoured to have shared the ring with you so many times. You truly are such a hero to myself and many others. Forever our BASTARD 💚RIP Pac.”

WWE veteran Nattie “Natalya” Neidhart wrote via X, “I am so sad to hear this news. Pac was always so respectful and kind to me, especially during his time at NXT when he and [Nattie’s husband] TJ were working a lot together. I’ll always remember how passionate Pac was about wrestling, but equally, how much respect showed everyone around him.”

“Every time TJ was in the ring with him, he wanted to make Ben proud and be his absolute best. That always stayed with me and said so much about the kind of person he was,” Neidhart continued. “My heart goes out to Pac’s family, his friends and everyone who loved him. This is an immeasurable loss. I’m so grateful I had the chance to know him.”

Disaster movies used to be everywhere. Back in the late 1900s, disaster films tackled everything from tsunamis and plane crashes to global pandemics. Over time, though, they lost some of their widespread global pull. As the world grew more digitally interconnected, real-life crises became international headlines in the 24-hour news cycle, making old-school Hollywood CGI destruction feel a bit too close to home. Today, traditional disaster films mostly occupy a smaller, niche corner of pop culture, occasionally inspiring high-stakes emergencies on network procedurals like 9-1-1. But a massive, big-budget disaster movie event? That has been a rare sight ever since the 2024 Twisters sequel starring Glen Powell.

Even so, storytellers keep finding sharp, character-driven ways to trap people in chaos when human behavior is pushed to the breaking point. Netflix is leaning into that exact formula with its next release. Audiences have shown a steady appetite lately for tight psychological thrillers where the danger isn’t just external. Netflix’s upcoming comedy-drama film, The Storm, explores what happens when a group of friends faces a potentially life-ending catastrophe.

The story unfolds in northern Sweden, where a man named Filip is celebrating his 45th birthday. It’s supposed to be a triumphant milestone: he and his wife have just bought a lavish farm estate, and they’re eager to show it off to their inner circle. But right as the party gets going, a violent storm rolls in, trapping everyone inside. Before long, the real destruction stops coming from the weather outside and starts coming from within the house. Carefully maintained social performances collapse, polite masks slip, and long-buried secrets start spilling out. As panic settles in and the walls start closing in, ugly meltdowns take over. Whether the natural storm ultimately consumes them or passes them by, the emotional damage inside the room might already be permanent. The Storm hits Netflix in three weeks, premiering globally on Thursday, October 15.

Who Is Behind ‘The Storm?’

Acclaimed Swedish writer and director Josephine Bornebusch spearheads the film and also steps in front of the camera. Bornebusch is well-known locally for helming series like Love Me, while building an international profile through her work on Baby Reindeer and Bad Sisters. She has put together a stacked ensemble of recognizable Swedish talent, anchored by Vikings star Gustaf Skarsgård as Filip. The main cast also features director Bornebusch herself (as Kina) alongside Jonas Karlsson (Jacob), Filip Berg (Ossi), Aliette Opheim (Caroline), Johan Rheborg (Nicholas), Christopher Wagelin (Henrik), Sara Shirpey (Ninni), Gizem Erdogan (Nattis), Henrik Dorsin (Stefan), Nils Wetterholm (Petter), Editha Domingo (Carmen), and Nicole Levin (Siri).

The Storm premieres globally on Netflix on Thursday, October 15. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates as release day gets closer.

Off Campus’ Belmont Cameli has reacted to seeing Tyler Cameron perform his notorious on-screen salsa dance on Dancing With the Stars.

“I did see that. And he killed it too,” Cameli, 28, said during a Sunday, September 27, interview with Entertainment Tonight on the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards red carpet. “And the man looks good, and he gave full effort, and that’s what I love, that’s what it’s all about. Tyler did fantastic.”

Cameron, 33, performed the Tuesday, September 22, live salsa to “Girls” by The Kid Laroi, which mirrored the song choice originally chosen by Off Campus for its premiere season 1 episode in May. Cameron, who is competing with pro Sharna Burgess on season 35 of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars, received 16 out of 30 for the performance.

Cameli, who stars alongside Ella Bright in the Prime Video romance drama series, added that he’d also seen Cameron’s fellow DWTS contestant Guillermo Rodriguez have a go at the original choreography. “I saw a video of Guillermo doing it, too, and Guillermo f***ing killed it,” Cameli told the outlet. “Sexy little dance.”

Related: Off Campus’ Belmont Cameli Gushes Over Costar Ella Bright Amid Feud Rumors

Off Campus’ Belmont Cameli enthusiastically praised costar Ella Bright amid online rumors of a falling out. “Everything about Ella makes the perfect Hannah [Wells],” Cameli, 28, said of Bright, referencing her character in their Prime Video series, during an E! News interview on Saturday, September 12. “I mean, she’s fantastic. She’s an incredible actress, and she’s […]

Cameli attended the VMAs alongside Bright, 19, posing for photos with her on the event’s red carpet. Appearing friendly and giggling in each other’s company, the appearance seemed to squash any lingering rumors of a feud. (Social media users were convinced in recent weeks that Cameli deleted, or archived, multiple Instagram grid photos that featured Bright.)

The pair even addressed the rumors during individual interviews with Entertainment Tonight. “I mean, I laugh every time I hear them,” Cameli said. Bright added, “All the days I’m on-set, we’re, like, in the green room, and he’s like, ‘Have you seen this?’ and I’m like, ‘LOL.’”

Cameli also said that the rumors were “really entertaining. And sometimes fascinating, the conclusions people will jump to.”

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He concluded, “I’m happy to put [the rumors] to bed. Ella and I are extremely close.” Bright also concluded, “He’s one of my best friends. He doesn’t need to know that, but he is.”

Cameli and Bright’s Off Campus costar Mika Abdalla recently told Vogue India about how season 2 will differ from season 1. “It’s a lot more emotionally turbulent, so you lose some of that fun, best-friend energy,” Abdalla, 26, told the outlet in an article published on September 1.

The show is based on the book series by Elle Kennedy and follows an elite ice hockey team and the women in their lives.

Stephen King‘s massive library of stories continues to be translated to film and television at a rapid pace, and for the most part, the results have been positive lately. Last year saw three new high-profile adaptations of his work hit the big screen — Oz Perkins‘ The Monkey, Francis Lawrence‘s The Long Walk, and Edgar Wright‘s The Running Man — all of which were mostly met with acclaim from critics and audiences. However, they also earned high praise from the author himself, solidifying the year as an all-around great one for fans of his novels, especially with Mike Flanagan‘s much-lauded The Life of Chuck also hitting theaters following its festival circuit premiere in 2024. It’s a notable feat considering how much each of the three sides can disagree with one another.

Case in point: Stanley Kubrick‘s The Shining. Released in 1980 with Jack Nicholson in the leading role as the Overlook Hotel’s new caretaker, Jack Torrance, the film is considered one of the director’s and the horror genre’s crowning achievements, depicting the terrifying descent into madness of a father whose demons are preyed upon by the ghosts that haunt the lodging. However, opinions were more mixed at the time, and King himself famously lambasted Kubrick’s work for departing so wildly from his original vision. In particular, he voiced his disapproval of Jack’s portrayal, which leaned away from his more tragic depiction as a victim to create a frightening antagonist. His views now stand in contrast to a classic that’s defined by iconic shots and moments immortalized in cinematic history, from the Steadicam capture of Danny’s ride through the Overlook’s halls to Jack axing through the bathroom door and the elevator of blood.

Now, the classic is heading to HBO Max just in time for Halloween. The Shining will be part of a massive wave of movies coming to the platform on October 1, joining other horror hits next month ranging from the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise to the recent return of a horror mainstay, Evil Dead Burn. It’s a fitting home for the iconic film, considering how many King adaptations are available to stream there, including the aforementioned Long Walk, Misery, both adaptations of It, Brian De Palma‘s Carrie, and more. HBO Max is also the exclusive home of the prequel series It: Welcome to Derry, which has since been renewed for Season 2.

The Next Big Stephen King Adaptation Is Right Around the Corner

While HBO Max has a wealth of King films and series to binge during the spooky season, Prime Video will be the home to his next big adaptation — Flanagan’s version of Carrie. The series is set to premiere on October 7 and will put the Midnight Mass creator’s own spin on King’s debut novel across eight episodes. With the expanded runtime, he’s taking the titular high schooler into the social media age, a change that the author has wholeheartedly praised for separating Flanagan’s approach from De Palma’s. Summer H. Howell leads the cast as Carrie White, joining Samantha Sloyan, Siena Agudong, Alison Thornton, Amber Midthunder, Joel Oulette, Josie Totah, Arthur Conti, and more.

The Shining checks into HBO Max on October 1. Stay tuned here at Collider for more on all the films coming to and leaving streaming throughout the year.

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Release Date

June 13, 1980

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Runtime

144 minutes

Producers

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Jan Harlan

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Jersey Shore alum Vinny Guadagnino has hilariously addressed his BFF DJ Pauly D getting engaged.

“I’m not OK,” Guadagnino, 38, wrote via Instagram just hours after his former reality TV costar Paul “DJ Pauly D” DelVecchio Jr. announced his engagement to influencer Nikki Hall on Sunday, September 27.

Accompanying his tongue-in-cheek words was an AI-generated video that depicted Guadagnino standing in the rain as he held a hand in the air in the hope of DelVecchio Jr. noticing him. Next to him, sheltered within a lavish living area, DelVecchio Jr., 46, was depicted standing beside his wife-to-be, 34, as the couple delighted in their happy news.

Guadagnino, who starred alongside DelVecchio Jr. on the MTV reality series when it aired from December 2009 to December 2012, made sure fans knew that he wasn’t altogether heartbroken by his pal’s news, ending his caption with, “Congratulations @djpaulyd and @nikkisaintclaire.”

Related: Jersey Shore’s DJ Pauly D and Nikki Hall’s Relationship Timeline

Arlene Richie/Shutterstock Paul “DJ Pauly D” DelVecchio met girlfriend Nikki Hall on a reality show — but it wasn’t Jersey Shore. In 2019, DelVecchio signed on to participate in the MTV dating show Double Shot at Love alongside his Jersey Shore costar Vinny Guadagnino. The friends met 20 single women competing for their hearts — […]

Fans took to the post’s comments section to flood it with crying-laughter face emojis. One follower noted, “It used to be MVP … then it was VP … now it’s just V 😂😭😭😭,” while another wrote, “He lost his best friend, his [sic] getting married 😢😢.” The post attracted more than 100,000 likes in just two hours.

DelVecchio Jr. had in fact met Hall, a Las Vegas-based lifestyle influencer, when his best friend had also met her. Appearing in the 2019 MTV reality dating series Double Shot at Love, the best friends were faced with choosing a match from 20 single women, including Hall. Despite DelVecchio Jr. deciding to leave the show single, he later struck up a romance with her away from the cameras.

Six years of subsequent dating culminated in a marriage proposal inside Las Vegas’ Omnia Dayclub on Sunday. Footage of the moment, originally shared by the venue and later shared with DelVecchio Jr via Instagram., captured him walking his lady to the center of a crowd as an open-mouthed Hall looked around her in disbelief.

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Related: ‘Jersey Shore’ Cast: Where Are They Now? Snooki, JWoww, Pauly D and More

MTV shook up reality TV — and introduced fans to the GTL lifestyle (a.k.a. gym, tan, laundry) — in 2009 with the premiere of Jersey Shore. The series quickly made household names out of stars Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, Vinny Guadagnino, Jenni “JWoww” Farley, Angelina Pivarnick, Paul “DJ Pauly D” DelVecchio, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, Samantha “Sammi Sweetheart” […]

Grinning, DelVecchio Jr., dressed in a black button-down shirt and black sunglasses, pulled out a black box with a ring in it that he presented to Hall.

A spokesperson for the happy couple told Us in the late hours of Sunday night that Bruno Mars’ “Marry You” played over the venue’s speakers after Hall said yes. Additionally, signs that read “Congratulations on the engagement, yeah buddy!” were also brought into the crowd. (“Yeah buddy!” was one of DelVecchio Jr.’s catchphrases on Jersey Shore.)

As for Guadagnino’s love life, the Masked Singer alum remains single after being linked to several women over the years. Most recently, Reddit users speculated that he had found a connection with a New York-based influencer named Nicole.

Cassie Ventura spent years trying to survive a world that once promised her success. Now, according to sources close to the singer, the life she has built after testifying against  Diddy looks very different from the one fans remember. 

While her recent red-carpet appearance alongside her husband, Alex Fine, suggested confidence and stability, that new beginning has reportedly come with a painful tradeoff: leaving behind the career that first made her famous and creating distance between herself and the industry she once called home.

Cassie Ventura Walked Away From Music To Protect Her Peace

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Long before her courtroom testimony became one of the most talked-about moments of 2025, Cassie Ventura was known as the voice behind “Me & U,” the breakout hit that turned her into one of the music industry’s most promising young stars. 

Yet those close to her say she has no plans to return to that world. Speaking to the Daily Mail, a source said Ventura has no desire to revive her recording career, despite continued interest from fans. 

The insider claimed, “She has no interest in returning to the music industry because she feels it was complicit in her abuse. She isn’t focused on music at all.”

That decision makes her departure especially significant, given how closely her rise was tied to Bad Boy Records after she met Diddy as a teenager. 

During testimony, Ventura described how control over her life allegedly intensified after signing with the label at 19.

Rather than recording new material, sources say some previously unreleased music she recorded is now being explored for other artists. 

Ventura Built A Smaller World After The Trial

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Cassie Ventura’s decision to retreat from public life extends far beyond music. Friends say the 40-year-old has dramatically narrowed her circle since the criminal proceedings involving Diddy concluded.

“She’s living a quiet life with her family and is much happier,” one insider told the outlet, adding, “She has a tight inner circle and only keeps those who she trusts around her. She let go of a few people once she moved. She has a small team now.”

That shift became increasingly noticeable after her emotional four-day testimony, during which Ventura detailed allegations of violence, coercion, and manipulation throughout her relationship with the disgraced rapper. 

While the testimony generated widespread support from survivors, sources say the experience also exposed her to online ridicule and criticism.

Even so, those close to Ventura insist she does not regret speaking publicly. The source said she receives “thousands of messages from sexual assault survivors thanking her for giving them the courage to expose abusers.”

Today, her focus is far removed from the spotlight as Ventura reportedly spends most of her time raising her three children with Fine, writing for personal enjoyment, and prioritizing her well-being. 

Friends describe her husband as a constant source of support whose presence has helped anchor this new chapter.

Cassie Ventura’s New Beginning Is Taking Place Far From America

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Perhaps the clearest sign of how dramatically Ventura’s life has changed is where she has chosen to live.

In a legal declaration filed earlier this year, the actress stated, “I reside outside of the United States. I do not intend to move back to the United States.”

Sources say that decision was influenced by multiple factors, including concerns for her safety following the Diddy trial. One insider claimed Ventura received death threats and has no immediate plans to return permanently.

“She’s hoping to put the past behind her. This is a new life for her – something she did not choose, never thought would happen but it’s what needed to be done because of her sharing her truth about Diddy,” the source said.

According to another insider, Ventura also spends significant time in Asia, where she maintains family ties through her Filipino heritage. 

Yet even with an ocean separating her from her former life, one concern remains difficult to escape. Diddy is currently projected to be released from prison on February 5, 2028, and sources say the possibility of that day still weighs heavily on her mind.

“Cassie is doing really well since Diddy entered prison,” an insider said, further sharing, “But of course she is terrified of what could happen when Diddy is released from prison. It’s something she tries not to think about because it causes anxiety.”

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Ventura Makes Rare Red-Carpet Return Alongside Fine

The quiet life Cassie Ventura has built away from the spotlight briefly gave way to flashing cameras and a packed red carpet on September 10, when she stepped out for one of her most high-profile appearances in more than a year.

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As Page Six reported, the dancer joined her husband at the “MobLand” Season 2 premiere at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square in London, marking a rare public outing after largely disappearing from public view following her testimony in Diddy’s criminal trial. 

Ventura arrived arm-in-arm with Fine, who stars as Donnie in the Paramount+ crime drama. She wore a fitted gray bustier-style dress paired with pointed brown pumps, while Fine opted for a black knit sweater, matching trousers, and black shoes. 

The event drew several of the show’s biggest stars, including Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan, and Helen Mirren, but Ventura’s appearance quickly became one of the night’s most talked-about moments. 

Fine’s Emotional Tribute Revealed Why Cassie Ventura Means Everything To Him

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That appearance alongside Fine also reminded many fans of the unwavering support he has shown Ventura throughout some of the most difficult moments of her life.

Fine drew widespread attention after publicly praising his wife following her testimony, making it clear that he viewed her strength as something extraordinary. 

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In a statement released after Ventura took the stand, Fine wrote, per The Sun, “You did not break her spirit nor her smile that lights up every room.” 

He continued, “You did not break the soul of a mother who gives the best hugs and plays the silliest games with our little girls.” 

The actor and fitness trainer reserved some of his strongest words for Ventura herself, writing, “Cassie saved Cassie. She alone broke free from abuse, coercion, violence and threats.” Fine also addressed other survivors directly, saying, “To all the survivors, your stories are real, and people believe you.”

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The art of adapting a book is genuinely difficult. Follow it too closely, and you risk doing nothing differently, failing to properly translate the literary language into the cinematic form. Conversely, if you change too much, you risk altering the very fabric of the story, not only alienating the fans of the source material but perhaps even offending them. It’s no surprise that so many movie adaptations fail these days: they either fail to respect the source material enough or they don’t do enough to stand out, merely settling for being “meh” rather than “wow.”

We’re here to discuss the ones that actually pull it off, the rare movies that take the source material and not only respect it but, more importantly, understand and elevate it. They take everything that worked on the page and successfully translate it into the cinematic language we all know and love. A few make significant changes to the text, but they still maintain the story’s essence, delivering something that might seem different but is the same at its core. These movies are true masterclasses in how to adapt a book for the big screen, the standard that many screenwriters and directors should follow.

‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)

Image via Warner Bros.

Adapting a book for the big screen doesn’t always mean doing a one-on-one version—in fact, it rarely means that. The best movie adaptations can make significant alterations to the source material yet still keep the vibe of the story, the core themes, the nature of the characters, and the basic tone. A truly masterful movie, however, finds a way to enhance everything that worked on the page in an inherently cinematic language. In the case of The Wizard of Oz, it was through the use of color and song.

Now, there are a ton of differences between The Wizard of Oz and its source material, Frank L. Baum‘s book series. Yet, the movie is so whimsical, so heartfelt and purely enjoyable that you not only forgive them but actually get fully on board with them. By the time Dorothy leaves the sepia of Kansas to enter the Technicolor world of Oz, you are fully immersed in the movie, and there’s no going back. The use of Technicolor was key in turning The Wizard of Oz into the pinnacle of fantasy, and important changes, like having Judy Garland wear a red wig in pigtails and changing the slippers from silver to ruby, gave the movie an identity. Indeed, the iconography has become part of cinema’s very fabric. The songs, written by Harold Arden and E.Y. “Yip” Harburg, added further charm and expanded on the emotional themes of the story, especially the sorrowful theme “Over the Rainbow.”

‘The Godfather’ (1972)

Image via Paramount Pictures

The movie adaptations that greatly surpass their source material, to the point where they become the standard of their respective franchise, can be counted with one hand. In a way, they begin and end with The Godfather, Francis Ford Coppola‘s big-screen adaptation of the gangster novel by Mario Puzo. Both the movie and the book tell the story of the Corleone Family, headed by Don Vito Corleone, whose son, Michael, begins to take over as a series of conflicts threaten the clan’s dominance.

The difference between the book and the movie is quite significant here. The former is highly regarded indeed, but its adaptation is arguably the best American movie of all time. It’s to both Coppola and Puzo’s credit, as the screenwriters, that they took the book’s sprawling and at times messy narrative and turned it into a streamlined family tragedy. Subplots were outright removed, and storylines were sharpened. The themes of ambition, generational baggage, crime, and the allure and corruptive force of power are intact, but by focusing on a tight-knit group of characters and how their influence poisons those around them, the movie is much more powerful. The Godfather is widely attributed with shaping our modern perception of the mafia; the book introduced this new idea of the mob, and the movie perfected it.

‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)

Image via 20th Century Studios

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The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern’s Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure, The “Good Parts” Version is the seminal fantasy romance written by William Goldman in 1973. Highly humorous, ironic, and self-referential, the book is a masterpiece of metafiction where the author presents an abridged version of another tale, providing constant commentary on the side. It is widely celebrated as a wholly original and delightful work, a singular fantasy that worked perfectly in its original form. How to adapt such a tale?

As it turns out, only Goldman could do it. The film adaptation of The Princess Bride is just as charming and imaginative, and possibly funnier. Goldman’s genius begins with how he replicates the metaphictional quality of his book: rather than using the same trope, the movie frames the story of farmhand Westley (Cary Elwes) and his love, Buttercup (Robin Wright), as a fairy tale being told by a grandfather (Peter Falk) to his sick grandson (Fred Savage). From there, the movie stays just as fresh, fast-paced, quick-witted, and outright irresistible as the book. The legacy of both works has only gotten better with time—the movie is perhaps better known, though. However, Goldman’s adaptation remains the gold standard for how to take a truly singular work and replicate it in a new form while still respecting everything that makes it unique.

‘The Remains of the Day’ (1993)

Image via Columbia Pictures

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Few writers are as prominent or highly regarded as the mighty Kazuo Ishiguro. The Nobel Prize winner is behind multiple modern classics, but his magnum opus is undeniably The Remains of the Day, a tale of the conflict that arises between duty and the pursuit of personal fulfillment. The plot chronicles the life of devoted butler Stevens, whose blind loyalty to his master, Lord Darlington, slowly shapes his life, even as changes around the world and his own bond with the housekeeper, Miss Kenton, introduce conflict to his otherwise rigorous existence.

Ruth Prawer Jhabvala and an uncredited Harold Pinter translated Ishiguro’s sorrowful, poignant tale into the big screen, and the result was nothing short of masterful. The 1993 movie version of The Remains of the Day is a perfect adaptation, capturing the book’s profound, somber, and deeply introspective tone and complementing it with lush visuals, elegant camera movements, and two outstanding and quietly powerful performances by Sir Anthony Hopkins and Dame Emma Thompson. Both works are melancholy, though Ishiguro’s book is perhaps more hopeful in its conclusion. The true genius of the movie is how it takes a book that relies entirely on a character’s private and fiercely guarded thoughts and translates it into a movie that is pulled back yet no less cinematic.

‘The Lord of the Rings’ (2001-2003)

Image via New Line/courtesy Everett Collection

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Adapting a book is challenging enough, but when the book in question has legions of devoted fans, a comprehensive world that ranks among the most detailed and complex ever created, and a larger-than-life story on a truly sweeping scale, then the task becomes borderline impossible. Such was the challenge that Peter Jackson faced while adapting J. R. R. Tolkien‘s seminal work, The Lord of the Rings. As is well known, the plot centers on the young Hobbit Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood), who must carry the One Ring to the fires of Mount Doom. Aided by the Fellowship of the Ring, Frodo faces the Ring’s corruption as the Dark Lord Sauron amasses an army to take over Middle-earth.

It wouldn’t be an overstatement to call the Lord of the Rings movies the very apex of the fantasy genre. The work that Jackson and fellow screenwriters Philippa Boyens, Fran Walsh, and Stephen Sinclair did is truly impressive in how economically it translates the main events of the books into the big screen. From the get-go, they establish Middle-earth as a place of whimsy and danger, populated by fascinating creatures and haunted by ancient evils while still making it feel tactile and lived-in. Much of the worldbuilding comes organically through dialogue, but exposition is still used effectively. The movies arguably surpass the books when it comes to the massive, jaw-dropping battle sequences; indeed, the action in the trilogy is unlike anything we’ve seen before or since. Tolkien’s lore is deep and mesmerizing, with the author allowing himself the freedom to expand upon it at length. The screenwriters streamline the story while still delving into Middle-earth’s story, making for a saga that is the epitome of what epic fantasy should be.

Jennifer Lopez just reminded Us why high-waisted black pants deserve a permanent spot in our fall rotation. The flowy silhouette has all the makings of a wardrobe workhorse, but its real superpower is the way it visually elongates the legs. Consider this your sign to give jeans a day off.

Lopez stepped out during Milan Fashion Week wearing flowy, high-waisted black trousers with a crisp white button-up, black platform heels and a sleek leather handbag. The wide-leg silhouette practically made her legs look miles long, while the classic black-and-white styling kept the outfit sophisticated and easy to recreate. While we couldn’t confirm her exact pair, we found a $37 lookalike on Amazon.

Get the Btfbm Wide Leg Pleated Dress Pants for $37 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

The Btfbm Wide Leg Pleated Dress Pants capture the same leg-lengthening effect with a high-rise waist, flowy wide legs and front pleats that give them a dressier finish. They also have a double-button closure and functional pockets, and come in sizes S to XXL. Along with Lopez-approved black, there are plenty of fall-ready neutrals to choose from, including beige and army green.

More than 1,100 Amazon shoppers have given the pants a five-star rating, with reviewers especially loving their flattering fit. One shopper said they help “camouflage” areas they’re less confident about while creating “a longer leg line” — exactly the effect that caught our attention on Lopez.

Another reviewer dubbed the pants “an absolute game changer,” calling them “so flattering” while noting that they still “look so professional.” Between the roomy wide legs and polished pleating, they’re easy enough for everyday wear but elevated enough to swap in for your usual office trousers.

Lopez may have worn hers during Milan Fashion Week, but this flattering pants trend works far beyond the front row. Pair the $37 Amazon lookalike with a fitted sweater, button-up or blazer this fall to recreate her leg-lengthening silhouette for less.

Get the Btfbm Wide Leg Pleated Dress Pants for $37 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

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

UsNow Fall Sale Alert: These chic fashion finds are up to 60% off – plus free shipping

Welcome to fall with our biggest sale of the season. Our favorite dresses, tops, handbags, and shoes are all on sale + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.

Shop the UsNow Fall Sale —>

Related: Jessica Alba’s Comfy-Chic Matching Set Style Is a Busy-Mom Must

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Some fall days call for jeans and a cute sweater. Others require an outfit you can throw on in 30 seconds and still look like you made an effort. Jessica Alba just reminded Us that a coordinated matching set is basically the ultimate cheat code for busy days — comfy enough for errands, but considerably […]

Julie Bowen is opening up about a new romance while keeping one major detail under wraps. The “Modern Family” alum shared what she values most in her partner but declined to reveal his identity.

Bowen was previously married to businessman Scott Phillips for 13 years. The former couple shares three sons.

Julie Bowen Says Her New Boyfriend Is ‘Smart And Funny’

Julie Bowen has a new man in her life, but fans will have to wait a little longer to learn who he is.

The “Modern Family” star revealed the romance while attending Step Up’s 2026 Annual Inspiration Awards in Los Angeles on Friday, September 25.

“I have a lovely friend,” Bowen told PEOPLE, choosing not to name her boyfriend just yet.

The 56-year-old actress was more forthcoming about what attracted her to her mystery man. Bowen described him as “smart and funny,” two qualities she considers essential in a partner.

“I need smart and funny. Those are the two [characteristics I look for in a partner],” she explained.

Bowen Says Looks Aren’t Her Priority

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Looks, Bowen insisted, rank much lower on her priority list. Still, she acknowledged that her new boyfriend isn’t exactly lacking in that department.

“I don’t care what people look like — though he happens to be good-looking,” Bowen said. “But I don’t care what people look like. I like the brains.”

The relationship marks a new romantic chapter for the actress following her marriage to real estate investor Scott Phillips. The former couple wed in 2004 and separated after 13 years of marriage. They finalized their divorce in September 2018.

Bowen and Phillips share three sons: Oliver, 19, and 17-year-old twins Gustave and John.

Julie Bowen Previously Said She Was ‘Done’ With Dating

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Bowen’s latest relationship marks a notable turnaround from her stance on dating several years ago.

During a January 2022 appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” the actress declared that she was “very single” and suggested she was ready to leave dating behind altogether.

Bowen joked that getting her dog was effectively a retirement gift to herself after deciding she was “done” with looking for love.

“I did go on some dates,” she told guest host Adam Devine. She then explained that one man she saw always wanted her to visit his house because he owned a dog.

The experience apparently gave Bowen an idea. She decided that having a dog of her own would let her entertain dates on her terms and send them home when she wanted.

“The dog is my gatekeeper,” she joked.

The Actress Would Have Ended Her Dating ‘Retirement’ For Harry Styles

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However, Bowen said one celebrity could make her reconsider her self-imposed dating retirement.

During the same January 2022 appearance on “Ellen,” guest host Adam Devine brought up Bowen’s crush on Harry Styles. She had seen the former One Direction star in concert the previous November, and her reaction left little doubt about her interest.

Asked whether she would come out of dating retirement for the singer, Bowen immediately replied, “Oh, hell yeah.”

Julie Bowen Said Harry Styles Was More Than Just Good Looks

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Bowen became even more animated as photos of Styles appeared on screen, repeatedly exclaiming, “Look at him!”

The actress then explained that his appeal went beyond his looks. She compared Styles’ energy to that of the show’s DJ, Stephen “tWitch” Boss. She described both men as “gorgeous and sexy,” with an infectious sense of joy.

Bowen joked that the combination made attraction to them feel almost wholesome, then referenced Styles’ hit “Watermelon Sugar.”

“They’re just bringing the joy, and the light, and the ‘Watermelon Sugar,’” she said.

Just months after his ex-wife Christine Baumgartner walked down the aisle with his former friend Josh Connor, Kevin Costner finds himself at the center of a very different story. 

The actor has become one of Hollywood’s most eligible bachelors, regularly sparking romance rumors whenever he’s seen with a new companion. 

Yet behind the headlines, friends say Costner isn’t chasing attention or trying to prove anything. Instead, the Oscar winner remains something far less expected: a romantic who still believes love is worth the risk.

Kevin Costner’s Dating Life Keeps Fueling New Romance Rumors

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For someone supposedly taking things slow, Kevin Costner has certainly kept rumor mills busy. Earlier this month, the 71-year-old was spotted in Santa Barbara with lifestyle coach Jennifer Milburn. 

Witnesses described the pair as “extremely affectionate” as they loaded groceries into a cart packed with everything from steaks and vegetables to cereal and grapefruit juice.

The sighting arrived only weeks after Costner was linked to lifestyle influencer McKenna Wesley, who was first seen with him at a screening of “Field of Dreams” in Arizona.

Those names are only the latest additions to a growing list that has also included Sharon Stone, Jewel, Jennifer Lopez, Kelly Noonan Gores, January Jones, and Brooks Nader.

Despite the speculation, a source close to the “Yellowstone” star insists the narrative surrounding his love life has become exaggerated.

“He has dated a lot of women since his divorce,” the source told the Daily Mail, adding that Costner is “not into trophy girlfriends in their 20s like a lot of Hollywood men his age are.”

Instead, friends describe him as an old-fashioned gentleman who enjoys meeting people but isn’t rushing to label anything.

Costner’s Painful Split Changed The Way He Looks At Relationships

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The attention surrounding Kevin Costner’s dating life stems largely from how public and emotional his divorce became.

For years, he and Christine Baumgartner appeared to have built the kind of Hollywood marriage that could survive anything. They shared three children, a sprawling California home, and more than two decades together.

Then came the divorce filing in 2023. What followed was a lengthy and very public battle over finances, child support, and property. 

Court filings exposed private disagreements, and both sides faced intense media scrutiny.

Friends say the breakup hit Costner especially hard because he never saw it coming.

The end of the marriage also coincided with major changes in his career. After helping turn “Yellowstone” into one of television’s biggest hits, Costner left the series in 2024 amid reports of scheduling conflicts and creative disagreements.

By the time the divorce was finalized, his personal and professional lives had both entered entirely new chapters.

Kevin Costner Still Believes The Right Person Could Change Everything

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Perhaps the most surprising part of Costner’s story isn’t the women he’s been linked to. It’s the fact that he hasn’t given up.

According to those closest to him, the Hollywood star sees things differently. “He’s always out looking for love,” one source explained.

The insider added that Costner remains convinced that the next relationship could be different from the ones that came before. According to them, “He still believes in romance.”

That belief is why friends aren’t shocked to see him continue dating, even after everything he’s been through. 

“So, dating around and seeing if he can find someone that he can have a spark with is always appealing,” the source revealed, further noting, “He’s having fun dating, but he would get married again.”

More From The Blast

Costner’s Ex-Wife Embraces New Life After Finding Love Again

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While friends say Kevin Costner still believes the right woman could eventually lead him back down the aisle, his former wife has already entered a very different chapter.

Less than two years after finalizing her highly publicized divorce from the actor, Christine Baumgartner officially remarried financier Josh Connor in an intimate ceremony at Santa Ynez Ranch in Santa Barbara. 

As The Blast reported, the wedding took place on October 18, 2025, at a private vineyard near where Baumgartner grew up.

 More than 100 family members and friends attended the sunset ceremony, including the children from both sides of the newly blended family. 

Guests described the event as deeply personal rather than extravagant. One attendee told PEOPLE, “It was magical-truly. The setting was gorgeous, but what made it special was the intimacy of it all. This wasn’t a big production. It was authentic, heartfelt, and so very them.” 

Kevin Costner And Christine Baumgartner Reunite For Son’s Volleyball Tournament

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As Baumgartner settled into married life with Connor, she and Costner recently found themselves back in the same place for a far more familiar reason:  supporting one of their children.

The Blast reported that the former couple attended their son Hayes’ beach volleyball tournament in Santa Barbara, California, where photographers captured them watching from the sidelines. 

Despite standing within sight of one another throughout the event, Costner and Baumgartner appeared to maintain a noticeable distance and were not seen interacting. According to the report, both remained focused on the competition rather than engaging with each other.

Costner embraced his usual California-casual style for the outing, wearing a white T-shirt and matching pants, flip flops, and sunglasses.

Baumgartner opted for a relaxed look of her own, pairing a green T-shirt with loose white jeans and a green baseball cap. 

The appearance marked one of the few times the former spouses were photographed at the same event since finalizing their divorce in February 2024.