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‘Starfleet Academy’ Actor Explains How Darem’s Story Honors 60 Years of ‘Star Trek’ History [Exclusive]

Published

1 month ago

19 February 2026

George Hawkins as Darem in season 1, episode 5, of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer/Paramount+

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article contains spoilers for Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, Season 1, Episode 7, “Ko’Zeine.”

The latest episode of Starfleet Academy gives audiences a glimpse into a new species in a grand tradition that echoes through the last 60 years of Star Trek history, with interplanetary lore and themes of identity and duty at its core. As the cadets arrive at their first school holiday, the episode sees George Hawkins‘ Darem Reymi ceremonially kidnapped back to Khionia for an arranged marriage to his royal childhood sweetheart. When Jay-Den (Karim Diané) boldly follows him through the portal, Darem is forced to re-evaluate whether the destiny that was chosen for him at birth is something he’s ready for or if his real future lies among the stars.

I recently sat down with Hawkins to dive deep on this episode and break down Darem’s Khionian culture, duty, and sacrifice. During our conversation, he spoke about what it’s like to walk in the footsteps of Star Trek legends like Leonard Nimoy and Michael Dorn as he introduces a new species to the franchise. We also spoke about the deliberate choices he makes as an actor to portray the layers Darem and the duality of the two worlds he’s torn between. This episode also further explores the burgeoning relationship between Darem and Jay-Den, and Hawkins revealed how he and Diané have been able to craft such compelling and magnetic chemistry between their characters. Hawkins gave major props to the costume department for the stunning new outfits Darem wears in this episode and revealed how they also worked to inform his character choices. Finally, he shared some forward-looking moments to keep an eye out for in the Season 1 finale and the soon-to-be-wrapped Season 2. You can read our full conversation below.

George Hawkins Did His Homework Before Joining Star Trek

“You’ve really got to understand Star Trek to understand the value of that moment.”

COLLIDER: I’m so excited to talk to you about this episode. It was such a good one for your character. Star Trek is such a massive franchise that’s been around for so long. What was your relationship with the franchise before you got the part?

HAWKINS: Wow. It was very little. I had very little experience with Star Trek. I was not a Trekkie. I was not part of that part of this world. But I was aware of it. I was very aware of it. And it’s quite hard not to be aware of it. Which gives it testament, right? It has its own Emoji. It’s crazy. So I had a lot of work to do when I came onto this project. And the most important thing was to know the value of things. Something happens in this season, at the end of this season, where you’ve really got to understand Star Trek to understand the value of that moment, to be like, wow, that’s really impressive. That’s really important. So I think that was my homework, to know the significance of things, to know, “Oh, that’s really important. That person’s really important. Their relationship is really important, or that’s not important.” So yeah, I had a lot of homework to do.

You and a few of your co-stars on Starfleet Academy are introducing entire races of aliens to the franchise for the first time. In this episode, we get a little glimpse into Darem’s species and community. What’s it like to sort of walk in the footsteps of Leonard Nimoy and Michael Dorn, to be introducing an entire race of aliens to Star Trek, and that, hopefully, they’ll refer back to you in another sixty years when the franchise is still going?

HAWKINS: Oh, wow, wow. No one’s ever made that sort of reference before. I would — yeah. That’s incredible. It’s amazing. It’s such a privilege. It’s such a privilege to introduce a species not just to Star Trek, but just as a performer. Right? Just general. Even outside of Star Trek, it’s actually a freeing thing. It’s very freeing. I can imagine it was very difficult for some of our cast members or past cast of previous shows to pay homage to already existing species that you’re not actually a part of. So you’ve got to really invest in it. I think it was very freeing. It’s a very freeing experience to know that what I do sort of paves the way for that species. You’ve got to just let go. I think just let go, be truthful to the character, be truthful to the circumstance that the scene finds you in, and enjoy it. I think when you watch on screen, you want to watch someone enjoying themselves, and you want to watch a performer really commit to the world that our showrunners have so wonderfully made. So it’s a testament to our showrunners, to be honest, and our writers’ room, who have done an amazing job on this character.

Absolutely. I think this show is absolutely firing on all cylinders at all times. And I love that.

HAKWINS: Thank you so much, Samantha, thank you.

Playing Darem Pushed Hawkins Out of His Comfort Zone Early on in ‘Starfleet Academy’

“If someone walks into the room, their energy doesn’t have as much of an effect on Darem as it does on me.

We get a lot of Khionian in the lore in this episode with the kidnapping ritual and the matrimonial moon. What’s something that we don’t necessarily see on screen, but you maybe did in your character work for Darem, that fuels your performance?

HAWKINS: Oh, yes! Actors love to talk about their own process. I really had to work on slowing down, I think, which is really funny because I feel like I talk quite quickly, and I’ve got quite an intensity to myself. Darem is a lot slower; he turns to see something a lot slower than I do. Or if someone walks into the room, their energy doesn’t have as much of an effect on Darem as it does on me. So I did a lot of physical work on the king caricature, where they are slower in temperament, and they move, they cut through the air. Something I really loved about playing with Darem is when he moves, it’s almost like he cuts through the air. So I just wanted to slow down. I think I wanted to slow down and allow status to rise and to inflate in someone’s ego. And what does that feel like, to be full of confidence in a moment? You see Darem in a few moments in this season, like when he becomes the captain, and he’s being paraded around on the chair. That for me was really hard. That was really difficult for me to do. Having loads of people just staring at you, and you have to, like, flaunt yourself like that. I had to really, really build some adrenaline up for that. It was just about taking up space. How do you take up space and feel confident in that, and like, really breathe into that? Yeah. Not the easiest thing to do for sure.

I love the insight that we get into Darem in this episode. As a queer person and also a people pleaser myself, I found him very relatable. For you as an actor, when you’re diving into these two sides of who he is, how did you go about reconciling this sort of double life he’s been living?

HAWKINS: I think, firstly, there’s nothing to reconcile. I think there’s something that we all see in ourselves where we live in a certain sense, like a double life, where we believe this thing and we say this thing. I want to say this, but I do this. And we have these two minds, and I think that’s where anxiety comes from, is these two places, like a conflicted mind. I think it’s about being kind and compassionate towards Darem. I think that’s sort of why I was cast as Darem, is that I didn’t really want to approach him as just this surface level, sort of cocky guy that’s just going to have sex with everything that moves and sort of just wants to be worshiped by everyone, but actually to understand that where that deep ambition comes from is a longing and a running away from something. So in every moment where I saw Darem show these huge moments of confidence and bravado, I wanted to fill that with some sense of humanity. And to know that no matter how confident someone comes off and no matter how assured and comfortable someone comes off in a scenario, there’s an equal sense of anxiety, and fear, and running that they’re doing at the same time.

You do such a good job of that duality because both parts of his personality are true. You’ve woven it in very beautifully through the season.

HAWKINS: I appreciate that.

Another thing that I really loved about that storyline was that even though marrying Kyra isn’t what’s right for him anymore, you can see why he would feel such a strong sense of duty to her and to his people. Because there’s so much love there. How do you think abdicating will affect his relationship with his parents and his people moving forward?

HAWKINS: I think you see it. You see it in the moment where Kyra gives Darem permission to live the life that he wants to live, or live the life that feels truer to him. Because I can imagine for Darem, there’s a sort of purpose, and there’s fulfillment in actually being the king and actually living the life with Kyra and leading that life out. But it’s just that moment where you see everyone turn around, where Kyra expresses to everyone and sort of lets everyone know what’s happened. And you see his parents turn, and that’s the moment. That’s what I was envisioning when in Episode 3, where we talk about the moment where he’s playing the Belaklavion, and he misses a note, and then his parents leave. That sort of judgment that he gets from his parents, where his value was found in what he could do and what he could achieve and uphold and be, instead of living, for being alive, for being who he was. This episode is really special. It’s really, really special. And it’s really important for Darem’s story, to see what he’s running away from. And what he’s trying to define himself as.

How Hawkins and Diané Crafted Darem and Jay-Den’s Will-They-Won’t-They Chemistry

“He’s an answer to a lot of empty space for Darem.”

George Hawkins as Darem in season 1, episode 7, of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer/Paramount+

I also really love the burgeoning relationship between Darem and Jay-Den. The tension between those two is really good, and it feels like there’s a little thread of jealousy between Darem and Kyle.

HAWKINS: [Laughs] Just a little bit.

I would love to hear about how you and Karim went about crafting that dynamic.

HAWKINS: Karim is such a beautiful human being, and we get on really, really well. We come from such different backgrounds, and it’s such a lovely thing to see two completely different people come together and sort of create chemistry. Karim was the first person I had chemistry reads with to do this project, to play this character. And he was the first person I met in my auditions who was playing another character. So he is sort of the person I held onto, and he’s like a staple in this job for me. Karim is a sweetheart. Karim is such a sweetheart. So it’s quite hard not to, he’s just a great person. My family loves him. My friends love him. He’s a sweetheart. And he’s an incredible actor. He’s incredible to work off of. And actually watching Karim create Jay-Den, and then seeing the end result…Jay-Den is so powerful because of his stillness. It’s like he’s rooted to the ground, I think, and that’s just an admirable thing. I think that’s a really admirable thing for Darem to witness, is someone standing still, confidently saying what they love, saying what they want, and saying what they believe. Because that’s just such an absence of what Darem has had in his life. He’s like an answer. He’s an answer to a lot of empty space for Darem.

I love that so much. We have to take a minute to talk about the incredible costumes that you guys got to wear in this episode. What was it like to finally get out of the cadet uniforms and into such stunning looks?

HAWKINS: You know what — the costumes, big up to Avery [Plewes], our costume designer. She’s incredible. And the robe that I get to wear in this episode was incredible. The way it pins your shoulders back, your head up, your neck up, so you can’t help but hold some sort of regality to it. And that’s what the cadet uniforms do as well. They do half the job for you, because they pin you in this position, and you can’t really pull your arms up, but you feel the authority, you feel the status. You feel what you’re trying to uphold. And there wasn’t much difference in the Khionian wedding costumes because they were heavy. Like, oh, my gosh, this thing has alligator skin on it. It’s deep, deep fabrics, thick fabrics. It was incredible. So you’ve just got to let it do its work. You’ve got to allow the costumes to play a part in the story themselves. They’re a character in their own right. It was beautiful. It was a beautiful experience.

I think it was a bit of a surprise, both for Jay-Den and the audience, when we got to Khionia’s moon, and it’s a very dry climate. I know they have the explanation that it dried up, but I am curious if, at some point, we will get to see Khionia in its aquatic glory or if we’ll see Darem’s fish form again in Season 2, perhaps?

HAWKINS: You know what, I can’t say anything about Season 2, because I’ll get sniped. Man, Khionia is such a beautiful place. And it’s such a perfect opportunity to show a different culture. So, I hope so. I really, really hope so. I really hope we get to dive deeper into the Khionian culture, because it’s a beautiful thing to be a part of. And it’s a beautiful thing to play. I really hope so.

I know you can’t share spoilers, but you guys were gearing up to film the finale when I spoke with you guys last, at the beginning of January. Have you wrapped yet?

HAWKINS: We wrap on Saturday. […] We’re almost there.

Working With Holly Hunter on ‘Starfleet Academy’ Was a Tremendous Honor for Hawkins

“For me to collaborate with Holly is a really big thing.”

George Hawkins as Darem Reymi in season 1 of Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Nino Munoz/Paramount+

Also in this episode, just a little thing that I caught onto potentially coming back in the future, we learned that Darem can be sort of knocked unconscious with a little boop to the forehead. Is that going to come back at any point? That seems a little dangerous for him!

HAWKINS: I know! They’ve given him a secret, it’s like Kryptonite. I would like to believe that that’s only a Khionian warrior sort of thing that can happen that they can do to people. It’s not necessarily something you can just happen to Darem, but it’s something that Khionians can do. So I actually want to see Daram use it. I want to see Darem use against other people.

Like the Vulcan nerve pinch!

HAWKINS: Exactly. That would be good.

Star Trek is such a wide-ranging thing in terms of tone and genre. You can be doing hard sci-fi and drama one week and be doing camp and comedy the next. What’s something in Starfleet Academy that pushed you as an actor and allowed you to grow and your craft further?

HAWKINS: Wow. Wow, wow, wow. I can’t speak for all actors, but I think something that’s really powerful and really fulfilling is being a part of a story that means so much to people and has something to say. And there’s a lesson. I think what’s helping, and what I’ve learned and what I’m learning, is a lot of doing this show is how to hold a message. It’s almost like Shakespeare, really. As an actor, you want the text to sort of do its job for you. Or to do its job for you, but to do its job. And there are deep lessons, psychological lessons, and moral lessons in our show. So it’s about giving yourself over to a story. That’s what I’ve loved doing, is knowing that there’s something so much bigger going on than me, and I’m a part of a franchise that really cares about its audience and really cares about the message that it’s giving. So yeah, just being subservient to a story and being subservient to a message has been a really, really lovely lesson. How to give myself over.

Lastly, is there a particular moment, either in this episode or in the season in general, that you are especially proud of? Maybe it was challenging to get there, or just something that, when you got there, it just unlocked something for you.

HAWKINS: Oh my gosh. Yeah. Something that comes to mind is that there is a moment in Episode 10. It’s not really it’s not really a scripted moment, but there’s a moment between my character, Darem, and Nahla. It’s just a lovely moment of connection. It wasn’t really in the script, but it made so much sense. And Holly Hunter is who she is, right? She holds the authority that she has every right to hold. And for me, who does not have the same authority, for me to collaborate with Holly is a really big thing. That’s a huge thing for me. And I had an idea for one of our scenes, and she was so receptive to it. It was risky, because she could have very easily been like, “Who are you talking to? Who do you think you are?” But she was so, so receptive, and it was such a beautiful lesson of sharing ideas, sharing personal beliefs.

In that moment, in that scene, it shows a moment of courage and unity, and we get to see Nahla Ake being who she is, and why she’s such a good captain is because she comes down to the cadets’ level and really — she, like, kneels. It’s almost like when you meet someone who’s really great with kids, they get down to the child level, and they become an equal with that child. In a, in a sense, sort of like a holistic, symbolic way, I think that that interaction with Nahla in that scene really feels like she’s like a humble leader, I guess. […] I really hope they keep it in. I haven’t seen Episodes 9 and 10, so I really, really hope. Because I was at dinner with Holly the other night, and we were speaking about it. I really, really hope it’s in the show, because it’s a beautiful moment.

Episode 7 of Starfleet Academy is now streaming on Paramount+. Stay tuned at Collider for more.

Release Date: January 15, 2026
Network: Paramount+
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Showrunner: Alex Kurtzman, Noga Landau
Directors: Douglas Aarniokoski
Writers: Advertisement

Alex Taub, Tawny Newsome, Kirsten Beyer, Jane Maggs, Kiley Rossetter

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George R.R. Martin’s Western Crime Thriller Sets Up a Truly Disturbing Showdown in Finale Sneak Peek [Exclusive]

Published

9 minutes ago

4 April 2026

NewsAdmin

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Everything in Joe Leaphorn’s (Zahn McClarnon) investigation has led to this. The Season 4 finale of AMC‘s hit crime thriller Dark Winds airs this Sunday, April 5, and, after spending the past seven episodes in a race against time to rescue a missing Navajo girl from the clutches of an obsessive serial killer, it all comes down to one final battle of wills. Collider is excited to share an exclusive sneak peek that places the veteran tribal lieutenant in the middle of one of his deadliest predicaments yet, caught in the clutches of the sinister Irene (Franka Potente). With her target right where she wants him, she has a little surprise prepared just to taunt him before she ends their little game.

In the sneak peek, we find Leaphorn shackled at a dinner table, where Irene has dishes set out for a special meal. She takes joy in watching Joe struggle, telling him to settle down and get used to their new arrangement, because he sure isn’t going to kill her in this state. After he sits back for the moment, she brings out the little gift — Billy (Isabel DeRoy-Olson), the girl he, Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon), and Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten) have been searching for all this time. For now, she’s seemingly unharmed, though given her silence in response to Joe’s questions, there’s no telling what horrors Irene has subjected her to. They’re now both forced to take in what the killer says is their “first dinner as a family,” something that’s bound to be far more sinister than she makes it sound.

With himself and Billy tied up, all Joe has at his disposal are his words. Unless one of his allies swoops in for the rescue, the only recourse he has is to play along with what Irene has planned and push back against her in any way he can. It sets up a tense conclusion that will give Potente, known for her roles in the Bourne movies, Run Lola Run, and more recently as the terrifying vampire queen Erzsebet Báthory in Castlevania Nocturne, a chance to leave one final, chilling impression on viewers before the season is over.

Party Down in Pawnee — Adam Scott Comedies Collide in Today’s Collider TV Quiz!

Whether you’re an innie or an outie, you’ve undoubtedly enjoyed the workplace comedies of Adam Scott. Let’s all cater to this state auditor.

‘Dark Winds’ Isn’t About to Turn in Its Badge Yet

After leaving the Navajo Nation behind for 1970s Los Angeles, and giving the multi-talented McClarnon a chance to make his directorial debut along the way, Dark Winds will end Season 4 still on top as one of AMC’s most popular programs. Beyond being a consistent streaming favorite for the network, the Graham Roland-created, George R. R. Martin and Robert Redford-executive produced series was once again met with acclaim, including another perfect 100% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. As such, the neo-Western adaptation of the Leaphorn & Chee novels isn’t planning on slowing down. Season 5 is already confirmed and in production in Santa Fe, complete with a few new additions to the cast, including Shameless star Noel Fisher, Rez Ball‘s Devin Sampson-Craig, and Yellowstone alum Martin Sensmeir.

Dark Winds Season 4 comes to an end this Sunday on AMC. Check out our exclusive sneak peek in the player above.

Release Date: June 12, 2022
Network: AMC
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Directors: Michael Nankin
Writers: John Wirth, Steven Judd, Max Hurwitz, Rhiana Yazzie, Thomas Brady, DezBaa’

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Asian Doll & Rick Ross React To Pooh Shiesty, Gucci Mane Case

Published

20 minutes ago

4 April 2026

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Asian Doll And Rick Ross Enter The Chat After Pooh Shiesty Is Arrested In Connection To Alleged Kidnapping & Robbery Of Gucci Mane (VIDEO)

Following Pooh Shiesty’s recent arrest, social media has been flooded with reactions and speculation about what may have led up to the alleged situation involving Gucci Mane. Asian Doll and Rick Ross also sparked buzz after entering the chat amid the ongoing situation.

RELATED: Claressa Shields Sparks Reactions After Weighing In On YSL Woody’s Comments About Pooh Shiesty’s Arrest (VIDEO)

Asian Doll Takes To X Amid Ongoing Conversation Surrounding Gucci Mane’s 1017 Label

During the recent chatter, many have revisited ongoing conversations surrounding Gucci Mane’s 1017 label, including the unexpected passing of former artists and others facing legal issues. Amid the latest debate, Asian Doll reposted a tweet that read, “Seem like the only person who survived Gucci Mane’s label is Asian Doll.” She also added, “Everybody ain’t playing.”

Asian Doll was one of the first female artists to sign to Gucci Mane’s 1017 label in 2018, but she later parted ways with the label in 2020.

At the time, she shared a statement to her socials, writing, “I feel like I owe my fans the truth so here it goes. I asked Gucci Mane to release me from 1017 a couple days ago & he said ‘okay.’ I’m officially an independent artist. Thank you Alamo Records/Eskimo Records for the opportunity, but I’m no longer in my deal. Thank you God.”

Under her recent “Everybody ain’t playing” tweet, one commenter assumed she was referencing the situation between Pooh Shiesty and Gucci Mane, writing, “Yeah and where did that get him? He bout to do a lot more than those 5 years he knocked out. N**** crashed out over a contract he chose to sign. Feds ain’t playing neither.”

Asian Doll quickly clapped back, making it clear her post wasn’t about that situation and shutting down the assumption. She tweeted, “You might as well go suck the feds d***. My post has nothing to do with anything you’re talking about. Look at you, ready to eat d*** shut your bum a** up.”

Another commenter added, “And everybody doesn’t get to walk outside when they want to either,” which led Asian Doll to clap back, “& everybody don’t go out a b*** either.” Despite her responses, some social media users continued to speculate that her comments were connected to the ongoing situation. Ultimately, Asian even reposted a tweet saying she’s the only artist to “survive” Gucci Mane’s label.

Rick Ross Shares His Thoughts On Pooh Shiesty And Gucci Mane’s Situation

It looks like the conversation also made its way to Rick Ross’ DMs. He took to Instagram to respond to people asking for his thoughts on the situation involving Pooh Shiesty and Gucci Mane. Ross made it clear he didn’t like how things played out on either side and said he wishes it could’ve been handled through negotiation instead.

He said, “Guwop most definitely didn’t deserve that, and I don’t want to see this for the lil homie Pooh Shiesty. But you’ve got to be educated and understand the business. You’ve got to negotiate. If you were signing for $100K and now you’ve got $10 million on the table, it’s time to negotiate.”

He continued, explaining that there’s always a way for everyone to win in business deals. Ross also spoke about wanting to see Southern artists win, recalling a phone call he had with Yo Gotti and Gucci Mane.

The rapper stated, “Us three on the phone, and it wasn’t nothing to discuss. There was no disrespect, no raised voices. Rozay just wanted to plant that seed. I understand one phone call may not fix everything, but you want to plant that seed. N**** might be able to move forward one day and get some money.”

Rick Ross added, “That was Rozay’s mindset, and I wish nothing but my homies the best. When it comes to business, let’s negotiate. You can’t take the streets into it. Don’t get a life sentence over that. Let’s get to the business.”

Social Media Weighs in

Social media users stepped into The Shade Room and The Shade Room Teens comment sections as they reacted to the Pooh Shiesty and Gucci Mane situation. Many also weighed in on Asian Doll and Rick Ross’ thoughts.

Instagram user @p.rettylittletingg wrote, “Gucci mane label is equivalent to the hunger games Asian doll is like Katniss”

Instagram user @darealnautili_ added. “He didn’t care about her enough to keep her in her contract she wasn’t making him no money. Thats why she got out hers so easy”

While Instagram user @_hat3d41 wrote, “Ngl look at everyone on Gucci label…! wouldnt wanna be on it either”

Instagram user @_ayolano wrote, “Basically cause Slim Scarr & Enchanting all passed away & of course like every other rapper is due to drugs like that story old is shyt now not rapper life is that bad to kill themselves it’s these record label companies!”

While Instagram user @breunashynece wrote, “Who asked Rick for his opinion?!?! You will be dealt with 😂”

Instagram user @qwaethegoat2x added, “THAT MAN PLAYED WITH BIG SCAR WHEN HE DIED POOH SHIESTY DID WHAT A LOYAL COUSIN WOULD DO 💯

Instagram user @king_adept_24 wrote, “He ain’t lying, you can’t bring street sh#t into business, that’s why so many of these rappers done been locked up or still locked up. Gotta be business minded when it comes to trying to do business with wealthy people”

Instagram user @aprnbeauty added, “They caught new Gucci cuz old Gucci would’ve came back and cleared everything out”

While Instagram user @wasssup_dev wrote, “I hate shiesty took that route but Gucci PLAYED with him and all those other young artist! He did them soooo bad man.”

RELATED: REPORT: Pooh Shiesty & His Dad Arrested Following FBI Raid On Family’s Home

What Do You Think Roomies?

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Michael Madsen’s Kids Drag His Ex-Wife To Court Over Estate

Published

32 minutes ago

3 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Michael Madsen‘s children have gone to court to try to prevent his ex-wife, Jeannine Bisignano Madsen, from getting her way after she asked a judge to put her in charge of his estate.

The famous actor passed away last year after suffering a cardiac arrest that was caused by a string of complications.

Earlier this year, Michael Madsen’s sister, Virgini, said his death didn’t come as a surprise and that he was “no longer suffering,” after enduring so much pain in his lifetime.

Michael Madsen’s Children Don’t Want His Ex-Wife To Be Given Control Of His Estate

Even in death, Michael Madsen’s dispute with his ex-wife Jeannine Bisignano Madsen is not only proving to be a contentious one but also a multi-generational conflict.

The former couple got married in the early 90s and went on to welcome two sons, Christian and Max, before eventually calling it quits.

However, in the wake of his death, Jeannine filed court documents asking that she be put in charge of his estate because she wants to recover the $5 million that Michael allegedly owed her.

Reports claim she made the request on the premise of their divorce judgment, which she claims stipulates that she’s entitled to a certain percentage of payments Michael received for the films he made while they were together.

However, four of the late actor’s children have filed documents seeking to block the move from seeing the light of day, per TMZ.

Michael Madsen Died Of Natural Causes

Michael was found dead at his home on July 3 2025, at the age of 67, after Los Angeles County deputies responded to an emergency call at his Malibu residence.

Medical reports following his passing revealed he died from cardiac arrest that was brought on by cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, and chronic alcoholism.

“What we understand is Michael had a cardiac arrest and was found unresponsive in his Malibu home earlier this morning,” his manager Ron Smith said in a statement at the time, per People Magazine.

His manager also revealed that he’d privately been working on a couple of projects and was “really looking forward to this next chapter in his life.”

The Late Actor Appeared In Several Notable Movies

Michael Madsen at Secret Room Events Red Carpet Style and Beauty Lounge — ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Michael starred in major roles in Quentin Tarantino films, including “Reservoir Dogs,” “Kill Bill, “The Hateful Eight,” and “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood.”

He seemingly didn’t get to fulfill one of his life’s goals of starring in “The Sopranos” as showrunner David Chase revealed that he always wanted to play a part on the crime series, but wasn’t cast because of his accent.

“Michael Madsen was not Italian, but he said, ‘You know, I’ve played all these gangsters for Tarantino, and David Chase won’t hire me,’” Chase recalled. “Yeah, because you have a Chicago accent. That was the only reason. He’s a great actor.”

Michael Madsen Endured The Loss Of His Son

While he was alive, Michael endured the death of his son Hudson, who died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds on January 25, 2022, at the age of 26. Much later, in September 2024, he filed for divorce from his 3rd wife, DeAnna Madsen, citing irreconcilable differences.

According to People Magazine, he claimed in a statement in his court filing that their son became suicidal and followed through on taking his own life because of his estranged wife’s “neglect, drinking, and alcoholism.”

He later denied making the claims, noting how “losing a child is the hardest and most painful experience that can happen in this world.”

“She had absolutely nothing to do with what happened to our son. It was a horrible loss and a choice that was made for reasons that truly cannot ever be known because the person is gone,” he added in the statement.

However, his longtime friend, Perry Wander, told the news outlet that he still wanted to carry out the divorce before he eventually died.

“I had spoken to him two days before his death, and he expressed the fact that he wanted his divorce finalized,” Wander explained.

The Late Actor’s Sister Shared An Insight To His Last Days

Back in January, Michael’s sister, Virginia, weighed in on the impact losing a child had on her late brother as well as that of addiction.

In a conversation with People Magazine, she said that it was “impossible” to talk to him about the incident because he became so withdrawn and was just “shut down.”

“It was really hard to communicate with Michael during these last years because he really wasn’t communicating with anybody. And that addiction will do everything it can to separate loved ones from the person who’s suffering. He tried really hard over and over again until he just got farther and farther away. And it’s a terrible thing because you lose them while they’re still walking around alive,” she said.

She went further to add that his death didn’t come as a surprise, but more like a sense of relief because he was “no longer in pain,” and “no longer suffering.”

“It wasn’t another hospital. It wasn’t another accident. My mother, she’s 94, she felt a really strong sense that he was at peace,” Virginia added.

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Fans React To Flirty Interview With Jeezy’s Son

Published

45 minutes ago

3 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Roomies! Reginae Carter has social media cuttin’ UP with reactions thanks to her interview with Jeezy’s son Jadarius Jenkins. Reginae and Jadarisu chopped it up on her ‘Heir Time’ podcast, and chileeee, the vibes were SUPER spicy!

RELATED: Reginae Carter Says She’s “In Love” & Spills Tea About Her New Boo (VIDEOS)

Reginae Carter Gets REAL With Young Jeezy’s Son & Fans Are SHOOK!

Okay, so BOOM! Fans are saying Reginae Carter and Jadarius Jenkins should spin the block AGAIN after they unpacked their past history on her ‘Heir Time’ podcast. The vibes were so flirty, folks are convinced they might’ve already spun the block.

Reginae was cheesing extra hard and could barely get through the chat while Jadarius spilled on their past. He even said he used to pull up to school just to see her, but she kept warning him not to tell too much tea. Nae then revealed that they actually dated a “few” times, but things went left when Jadarius supposedly embarrassed her at her Sweet Sixteen. He said he doesn’t remember it that way and actually has a totally different POV, but now they’re cool. He didn’t hold back on giving her, her flowers and saying he’s happy he was able to experience her and see the woman she’s grown into.

“Even still to this day, anytime I see you […] you always somebody I admire. Not just for a relationship, you know, as a friend as a unique person. Just like being a creative individual.” He continued, “To see the woman you have become I’m glad I was able to experience that,” Jadarius said.

The Internet Thinks Jadarius Might Be Reginae’s Mystery Man Because Of THIS

Speculation about whether Reginae Carter and Jadarius Jenkins might want that old thang back kicked off when she asked if he was seeing anyone. Jadarius came through with some smooth game, saying he “had his eyes on somebody right now” and that they were “sitting across from him.” Chile, that made Nae lose it. She got hot and started fanning herself. She couldn’t even finish the interview and had to take a whole break.

Reginae & Jadarius’ Flirty Chat Has Social Media Buzzin’

Once The Shade Room dropped clips from Reginae and Jadarius’ interview, the comment section was FLOODED. Some fans think he might actually be her new mystery man, while others said they should just spin the block because the chemistry is mad obvious.

Instagram user @issabadliljawn._ wrote, “This gotta be her man that she was hiding.”

Instagram user @zaaymonae wrote, “Nae love em hoood 😭🫶🏽”

While Instagram user @tewcents2 wrote, “I’m finna start a rumor, I like them 😭”

Then Instagram user @karlagoodmen wrote, “He wanna spin the block and it shows 😂”

Instagram user @vettaaa__ wrote, “😂😂😂😂ohhhh their chemistry is crazy!!”

Another Instagram user @carmen_san_diego_88 wrote, “Lil Snow definitely had her melting ❄️🔥😂😂”

Instagram user @pisces4lifeatl wrote, “He his daddy son 😂… his whole aura chile.”

While another Instagram user @thesuccessfulchick_ wrote, “He got gameeeeee !!! I’m cheesing too 😂”

Then another Instagram user @latasha_nicole312 wrote, “That’s definitely her man AGAIN!”

Finally, Instagram user @ hey_xhanti wrote, “She can have him back if she want to 😂😂😂”

Reginae Drops Hints About Her NEW Mystery Bae

Even though folks are convinced Nae and Jadarius are low-key together, she’s already spilled a lil’ tea about her new boo. She said she’s definitely “in love right now” and her man is not in the entertainment industry. She said she’s actually done dating industry men. Her new bae? He’s a businessman, big on fitness, and owns a few properties.

RELATED: For Real? Reginae Carter Has Fans Shook After Bringing Up Solange And Lil Wayne’s Apparent Dating History (VIDEO)

What Do You Think Roomies?

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Brian Cox mocks Margot Robbie, brutally weighs in on more stars: 'I'm gonna say what I want to say'

Published

58 minutes ago

3 April 2026

NewsAdmin

“I’ll be 80 this year. F— it!” says the “Succession” star in a new interview.

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Blake Lively Reportedly ‘Devastated’ After Latest Legal Loss

Published

1 hour ago

3 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Blake Lively is reportedly “devastated” after a judge threw out most of her claims against Justin Baldoni, including the allegations of sexual harassment.

The courtroom defeat comes more than a year after she filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual harassment on the set of “It Ends With Us,” as well as launching a smear campaign against her.

Sources close to Blake Lively, however, say she’s not backing down just like that, and the actress would put up a fight to ensure she comes out on top.

Blake Lively Is Reportedly ‘Devastated’ After Major Legal Setback

Blake Lively has reportedly been left saddened after a federal judge handed her a significant blow in her long-running court battle against her former co-star Justin Baldoni.

In an earlier ruling this week, Judge Lewis Liman threw out 10 of the 13 allegations she leveled against him, including harassment and defamation claims.

The verdict is understood to have left the “A Simple Favor” actress “devastated,” as it completely changes the nature of the case. Yet, she’s not throwing in the towel and has vowed to fight till the end.

“She’s devastated,” a source told Rob Shuter’s #ShuterScoop. “This is not the outcome she expected.”

Behind the scenes, she’s understandably not taking the ruling well, with the insider explaining that she’s far from backing down.

“She’s angry,” the source said. “She feels like her story isn’t being fully heard.”

The Actress Is ‘Not Quitting,’ And She Plans To Prove The Remaining Allegations

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds arrive to The 2022 Met Gala Celebrating "In America: An Anthology Of Fashion" in New York City — MEGA

Lively and Baldoni have been at each other’s throats since the 38-year-old actress filed a lawsuit in 2024, accusing him of harassment and a smear campaign on the set of their hit movie.

He denied it and filed a $400 million countersuit against her and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of defamation and extortion, while also claiming she tried to wrestle creative control of the movie from him. However, a judge has since dismissed his suit.

As things stand, he cannot fully breathe a sigh of relief just yet, as 3 of Lively’s claims, namely breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting in retaliation, will now go to a civil trial in New York on 18 May.

This changes everything, and the insider told the journalist that Lively is going to be doubling down on proving what remains.

“Blake is not quitting,” the source explained. “She’s digging in. This just became a different fight. Narrower — but more intense.”

Blake Lively’s Sexual Harassment Claims Were Dropped Because Of A Technicality

Blake Lively is all smilies while posing in a black and white outfit in NYC — MEGA

A member of Lively’s legal team, Sigrid McCawley, weighed in on the development, telling the BBC that the case “has always been and will remain focused on the devastating retaliation and the extraordinary steps the defendants took to destroy” the actress’s reputation.

McCawley added that the reason the sexual harassment claims were dropped was “not because the defendants did nothing wrong,” but because of a technicality in the case.

Judge Liman, in his 152-page opinion, gave reasons for his decision to dismiss Lively’s claims against Baldoni.

He mentioned that the sexual harassment claims didn’t cross under California laws because the filming where the actor allegedly did it was carried out in New Jersey.

“None of these acts or occurrences provides the ‘substantial connection’ to California needed to sustain Lively’s sexual harassment claims,” Judge Liman wrote.

He also added that the “Gossip Girl” star was ineligible to bring certain claims of harassment and retaliation forward because she was an independent contractor and not an employee.

The Actress ‘Wants Her Day In Court’

''A Simple Favor'' Premiere-NYC featuring Blake Lively — MEGA

The insider who spoke to Rob Shuter also alluded to Lively’s resilience and her willingness to testify in court.

“She wants her day in court,” the source said of the actress. “And she’s determined to get it. The pressure is higher now. She has less room for error — and a lot more to prove.”

“She took a major hit,” they added. “But now it’s personal — and she’s fighting back.”

Lively’s lawyer, McCawley, spoke about the actress’s plans to testify during the trial, noting that she would continue “to shine a light on this vicious form of online retaliation.”

Justin Baldoni’s Team Says They’re ‘Very Pleased’

Justin Baldoni at Paley Festival presents: Jane the Virgin — Jaxon / MEGA

Meanwhile, Baldoni’s lawyers have reacted to the ruling, saying they’re “very pleased” that Judge Liman threw out the claims.

“We’re very pleased the Court dismissed all sexual harassment claims and every claim brought against the individual defendants: Justin Baldoni, Jamey Heath, Steve Sarowitz, Melissa Nathan, and Jennifer Abel,” Alexandra Shapiro and Jonathan Bach of Shapiro Arato Bach told People Magazine.

“These were very serious allegations, and we are grateful to the Court for its careful review of the facts, law, and voluminous evidence that was provided,” the statement added. “What’s left is a significantly narrowed case, and we look forward to presenting our defense to the remaining claims in court.”

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3 Best Movies To Watch on Prime Video This Weekend (April 3-5)

Published

1 hour ago

3 April 2026

NewsAdmin

If you’re a fan of stories set in space, this weekend’s box office is the place to be. The Ryan Gosling-led sci-fi flick Project Hail Mary, which has already broken a box office record for Amazon MGM, is set to continue its impressive $300 million-plus run in theaters, with the film facing competition from the new arrival, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. However, if you’ve already seen Project Hail Mary, and you’re inclined to follow the disappointing early response to the Mario sequel and let it pass you by, then you’ll perhaps be looking for something different to watch this weekend. With that in mind, here’s a look at three Prime Video movies you should watch.

For more recommendations, check out our list of the best shows and movies on Prime Video.

1

‘American Fiction’ (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 93% | IMDb: 7.5/10

Based on Percival Everett’s 2001 novel Erasure, American Fiction is one of the best hidden gems waiting to be discovered on Prime Video. In Cord Jefferson‘s feature directorial debut, Jeffrey Wright stars as a frustrated novelist who, in an attempt to satirize stereotypical “Black” literature, ends up finding much more success.

A thought-provoking tale bursting at the seams with superb performances, including an Academy Award-nominated lead turn from Wright, American Fiction is a film that is already getting better with age. Named one of the top 10 films of 2023 by the American Film Institute, this sophisticated story also earned another four Academy Award nominations, even winning in the Best Adapted Screenplay category.

2

‘Top Gun’ (1986)

Rotten Tomatoes: 59% | IMDb: 7.0/10

Before he was saving cinema with the legacy sequel more than 25 years later, Tom Cruise gave a receptive global audience the need for speed with this 1986 classic. Set in the Top Gun Naval Fighter Weapons School, this action epic follows Cruise’s hotshot fighter pilot, Maverick, as his brilliant but arrogant demeanor causes trouble within the camp.

Few films have stood the test of time like Top Gun. Although it faced mixed reviews from critics in 1986, time has been kind to this ultimate popcorn flick, as it quickly became somewhat of a blueprint for many more blockbusters to come. An electrifying story, paired with memorable performances and a perfect soundtrack, crafts a film that is both timeless and an undiluted injection of ’80s nostalgia.

3

‘Titanic’ (1997)

Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 8.0/10

To be whisked away on a romantic adventure like no other, don’t miss out on James Cameron‘s all-conquering disaster epic, Titanic, this weekend. For the very few who don’t know, the film is based on the true story of the ill-fated R.M.S. Titanic, which sank in April 1912, and the pair of star-crossed lovers who find unlikely romance aboard the doomed voyage.

Boasting a vast, ambitious vision from director Cameron and a pair of pitch-perfect, chemistry-oozing lead performances from Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, Titanic is a must-see movie. Not only is it a stirring tale of romance beyond boundaries, but the film also tied Ben-Hur and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King for the most Academy Award wins in history, breaking the record with an eye-popping 11 Golden Statues.

Release Date: December 19, 1997
Runtime: Advertisement

3h 14m
Director: James Cameron
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Writers: James Cameron

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Hulu Takes Action Against Dakota Mortensen Amid DV Case

Published

2 hours ago

3 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Hulu is taking action against Dakota Mortensen. After making headlines due to his alleged ongoing domestic violence case with his ex, Taylor Frankie Paul, the streaming giant has decided to edit him out of an upcoming series. Weeks before that, ABC/Disney announced it was pulling Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette.”

Hulu Is Taking Action Against Dakota Mortensen, Reality Star Will Not Appear In The Upcoming Season Of ‘Vanderpump Villa’

Taylor Frankie Paul — ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

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The Raunchy 80s Comedy Slasher That George Clooney Wants You To Forget

Published

2 hours ago

3 April 2026

NewsAdmin

The Raunchy 80s Comedy Slasher That George Clooney Wants You To Forget

By Brian Myers
| Updated 33 seconds ago

The 1980s introduced horror fans to scores of slasher franchises and stand-alone movies that have been cemented into history by way of ravenous cult followings. Whether it’s Jason Vorhees chasing a victim through the woods with a machete, Freddy Kruger stalking them in their dreams, or the Tall Man crossing dimensions to capture their souls, the gore and violence (with a little bit of humor) captivated audiences and kept them returning to the screen time and again.

With so many genre films from that era, it’s easy to imagine how some otherwise great films can be forgotten. One particular movie, 1987’s Return to Horror High, is an excellent example of a film that deserves another look. The horror-comedy packs in everything that makes these films so great and comes with the bonus of co-starring a young George Clooney.

From the opening, audiences are hit with the sick and twisted humor that sets the pace for the remaining 90+ minutes. Called onto the scene of a multiple murder, a police investigator exits his vehicle and barks at a uniformed officer, “How many?” “Six or seven. Maybe eight,” she responds to him. “What’s the matter, can’t you count?” he snaps back. “They’re not exactly all together, sir,” she quips with a straight face.

Bloody sheets covering multiple bodies are scattered across the lawn of what is soon to be revealed as a local high school. The lone survivor of the massacre, a screenwriter named Arthur, is interviewed by investigators.

George Clooney in *Return to Horror High*

As his story unfolds, audiences begin to understand that the shocked filmmaker was part of a group that had set up camp in the school, which was the site of a series of grisly, unsolved murders several years before. Arthur and the rest of the film crew were in the midst of making a movie based on the killings from years prior, and decided that filming on location at the actual high school where they occurred would give the project a more realistic edge.

As the film progresses, Arthur’s story takes the investigators through a gory sequence of events that eventually unravels the grotesque truth behind the present-day killings as well as the unsolved murders from the past. One by one, the film crew is picked off, leading audiences to believe that the original killer has returned. (Spoiler alert: Clooney’s character is the first to die off, 13 minutes into the film).

The remaining death scenes won’t disappoint gore fans. One victim is lured to a sand pit and pulled into it by unknown hands. Another finds himself cut to pieces by the blades of an industrial fan. Want to see a teacher get dissected by a masked assailant? Return to Horror High has you covered. Bodies hacked to pieces and flushed down toilets? Death by javelin? The film’s killer has methods of murder and torture that could well give Freddy and Jason a run for their money.

The film is more than just young adults getting offed on camera, though. Good special effects makeup and an eerie cinematic score accompany some well-timed jump scares and low-brow humor. Add the handful of creative on-screen deaths and an ending with two unexpected plot twists, and you get the sum of a gory movie that’s well worth the viewing time.

Return to Horror High is a genre entry filled with multiple horror movie tropes, without a doubt. Cheesy dialogue, low-budget special effects, and quirky one-liners were all par for the course in this era of cheaply made splatter films, and this example doesn’t stray far from that formula. But the well-timed humor and the terror are set in tandem with one another, creating a near-perfectly balanced horror comedy.

Surprising to some might be the level of acting presented in a movie with such a minimal budget. Clooney’s efforts shine through the blood and gore, helping to pave the young actor’s path to becoming one of Hollywood’s leading men in the coming decades.

The film also shows audiences a multitude of other familiar faces, some before they became stars, others long since their cinematic or small-screen peaks. Maureen McCormick, over a decade after her Brady Bunch character Marcia brushed her hair for the final time, plays a supporting role as a police officer.

Anyone who watched the 70s/80s sitcom Alice will recognize the actor who played the title character’s son, Philip McKeon. Rounding out the cast are Alex Rocco (The Godfather, Lady in White), character actor Andy Romano (How to Stuff a Wild Bikini, Hill Street Blues), and pro wrestler-turned actor Pepper Martin (Walking Tall, Superman II).

RETURN TO HORROR HIGH SCORE

You can stream the 1987 horror comedy Return to Horror High for free on Tubi.

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10 Funniest Gangster Movies of All Time, Ranked

Published

2 hours ago

3 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Jack Nicholson talking to Kathleen Turner in Prizzi's Honor

Gangster movies are often dramas, because the stories told are, well, dramatic. Back during the Golden Age of Hollywood, when the gangster genre was first being fleshed out and made a thing, the stories were almost always of the rise-and-fall variety, with someone becoming a criminal, getting powerful, and then being brought down, because crime just couldn’t pay, in the long run; it’s not the message anyone wanted to put across.

Eventually, things got a little more complicated, not necessarily because of The Godfather, but that one is indicative of a new era of sorts for the gangster genre. And The Godfather, while more morally complex, is also pretty dramatic and not exactly a laugh riot. Thankfully, if you are after gangster movies that are funny, the ones below might satisfy, some of them being broad and quite silly, while others are probably more definable as crime-related dramedies.

10

‘Prizzi’s Honor’ (1985)

Sure, Jack Nicholson was Oscar-nominated for better movies than Prizzi’s Honor, but this one does still have the honor of housing an Oscar-nominated Nicholson performance (being one of 12… kind of crazy that The Shining isn’t one, but oh well). He plays a hitman in Prizzi’s Honor who works for a dangerous and powerful crime family, and finds his life taking a turn when he happens to fall in love with a woman who’s also an assassin.

That is the premise, and you sort of just have to roll with it, even if it might sound, on the surface, a little too heightened, even for a crime/gangster movie with a comedic tone. Still, Prizzi’s Honor shows Jack Nicholson can do just about anything as an actor, since he’s pretty good in this film, and so too is Anjelica Huston (being directed by her father, John Huston, in what ended up being his penultimate film), who won Best Supporting Actress for her role here.

9

‘The Freshman’ (1990)

Matthew Broderick and Marlon Brando in The Freshman

There were many crime movies that came out in 1990, perhaps more high-profile ones than usual, including The Godfather Part III (definitely not a comedy), and a couple more that’ll be mentioned in a bit. But it’s worth bringing up The Godfather, since The Freshman works as a parody of sorts to that first film, since that one starred Marlon Brando and he’s in The Freshman as an older gangster who’s kind of similar, in some ways, to Vito Corleone.

Matthew Broderick’s character certainly thinks so, as he’s a film student who ends up getting mixed up with the mob, and comedic hijinks ensue. Or they’re supposed to ensue. The Freshman is, unfortunately, a little inconsistent, and maybe one-note with the main joke it tells again and again throughout, yet it’s kind of neat and clever at times. Certainly not awful, though, and arguably a tad overlooked.

8

‘Guys and Dolls’ (1955)

Marlon Brando and Subby Kaye as Sky Masterson and Nicely-Nicely Johnson, standing with a group of men in Guys and Dolls

Another Marlon Brando movie, but this time one from before he did The Godfather, here’s Guys and Dolls, which is – strange as it might sound – a comedy/romance/crime/musical movie, all at once (and not particularly intense, the way some crime-musical hybrids are). It’s a lot, and it’s kind of big (even borderline epic) in the way quite a few musicals from around the middle of the 20th century liked to be, with a perhaps overlong runtime here of almost 2.5 hours.

There’s fun to be had with the excessiveness of it all, though, and getting to see Brando and Frank Sinatra share the screen is probably worth the price of admission if you like Golden Age of Hollywood musicals. It’s about some people affiliated with some criminals and also their love lives, and some other stuff. They just pile a lot into Guys and Dolls, hoping you, the viewer, will think enough of it works.

7

‘Snatch’ (2000)

Dennis Farina & Vinnie Jones lean against a bar and look to the right, in Snatch — Vinnie Jones in Snatch

The first Guy Ritchie movie worth mentioning, for present purposes, Snatch is quite a lot, and maybe too much, all of it crammed into a shorter runtime than the (also overstuffed) aforementioned Guys and Dolls. There are so many different characters here, all of them intersecting in different ways, with those clashes fluctuating between being funny at times and kind of intense at other points.

But chaos, here, does feel like the point, and Snatch does a great job at taking you along for a relentless ride that it pretty much doesn’t expect you’ll keep up with, 100%. And that’s mostly okay when things are as entertaining as this film manages to be, at certain points. There’s one other gangster movie Ritchie directed that is a little stronger overall than Snatch, but more on that one in a bit.

6

‘Analyze This’ (1999)

Paul, played by actor Robert De Niro, sits at a table in a bathrobe smiling and gesturing with his hands while Ben, played by actor Billy Crystal, sits next to him straight-faced in Analyze This.

The elephant in the room, when it comes to Analyze This, is the fact that it has the same set-up, narratively speaking, as The Sopranos. And no, it’s not as good as The Sopranos, but what is? It’s still good, and also, it’s not as easy as saying that Analyze This is like a comedic take on the whole idea of “What if a gangster went to therapy?,” since The Sopranos pretty much was a dark comedy a lot of the time.

Analyze This commits to its simple premise well, and finds quite a bit of comedic material to mine throughout.

Robert De Niro gets to put a broadly comedic spin on the sorts of characters he’s well-known for playing, a little like Brando in the aforementioned The Freshman, with De Niro also being paired well here with Billy Crystal, who is, of course, best known for starring in comedies. Analyze This commits to its simple premise well, and finds quite a bit of comedic material to mine throughout, making it a pretty fun watch, overall.

5

‘Dick Tracy’ (1990)

Al Pacino as Alphonse "Big Boy" Caprice in Dick Tracy

It’s hard to describe Dick Tracy to someone if they haven’t seen it, because it’s pretty gonzo, all by design. It’s also a comic book movie, or maybe, more accurately, a comic strip movie, since Dick Tracy originated as a newspaper comic. The movie goes all out in replicating the feel of old-school comics, with it being broad, oftentimes goofy, and certainly over-the-top.

And stylized. Dick Tracy, though flawed and more than a little messy, does look visually bold – and overall pretty great – throughout. It’s also hard to overlook the immense cast here, with Warren Beatty (also the director), Madonna, and Al Pacino starring in the film, and the supporting cast including too many people to name them all, but the likes of Dustin Hoffman, Catherine O’Hara, James Caan, Paul Sorvino, Mandy Patinkin, and Dick Van Dyke, just for starters.

4

‘Goodfellas’ (1990)

Of all the movies here, Goodfellas is probably the best, and it’s also perhaps the least definable as a comedy. It’s not the funniest, but it’s generally not concerned with being an outright comedy, or even a partial comedy, and the humor here is pretty grounded and natural, as a result. It’s part of the way of life depicted, and it’s the movie saying, “Hey, when people in the mafia aren’t shooting each other or threatening other people, they like to joke around quite a bit.”

What you have, then, is a movie that’s surprisingly funny at times, and it’s not just here because the whole “Funny how?” sequence is so iconic, but that part of the film does help. Goodfellas tackles a lot of ground emotionally, with some of the film being pretty intense and downbeat, while certain sequences (and even just some smaller moments here and there) prove honestly quite funny.

3

‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’ (1998)

Jason Statham with two flaming papers on his ears and a card on his forehead in Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels.

Guy Ritchie’s first movie, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, still feels like it could well be his very best. Like Snatch, it’s a chaotic and comedic gangster movie of sorts, following a group of fairly small-scale criminals who need money fast, so they try to execute a heist that gains them attention from people they probably don’t want to attract (gangsters, basically, and some of them a bit more than small-scale).

It’s a bit of a farce, ultimately, with one bad decision setting off a chain of dominoes, and watching everything fall down proves comedic over anything else. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels is a dark comedy, sure, but it’s hard to feel too bad about laughing when everyone is either quite flawed or incredibly flawed. It gets the balance right, and it’s ultimately complex and chaotic in a very satisfying way.

2

‘In Bruges’ (2008)

Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell as Ken and Ray sitting on a bench in a Belgian town square in In Bruges.

Potentially the best of all the British gangster comedies, In Bruges is, admittedly, not really a gangster movie at the start of its runtime. It’s about two hitmen who are given an unconventional task that involves waiting around in Bruges, Belgium, a place one of them intensely dislikes, so they talk and bicker a lot, until it becomes clear why they’re there.

It takes a while to reveal that, so even if the film’s old, it still feels wrong to go into too much. In Bruges ends up being surprising, and there is an eventual gangster element (well, a character who’s a gangster) playing a part, so it counts enough to be here. It’s very funny, is the main thing, even if all the comedy is paired with an almost equal amount of emotionally intense stuff.

1

‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994)

Pulp-Fiction-Vincent-Vega-Jules-Winnfield-Car — Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Jules Winnefield (Samuel L. Jackson) have a lively discussion in ‘Pulp Fiction’.

You can push back on Pulp Fiction being a true gangster movie if you want, but things were broadened enough before to allow Goodfellas into a ranking about comedies, even though it wasn’t a full-on comedy, so Pulp Fiction being kind of a gangster movie is enough. Marsellus Wallace is a pretty fearsome gangster, and he doesn’t have the most screen time, but he is the character around whom all the stories in Pulp Fiction revolve.

There’s a boxer who wrongs him, a pair of hitmen who carry out a chaotic mission for him, and then one of those hitmen also takes Marsellus Wallace’s wife, Mia, out on (another chaotic) night, so everyone’s affiliated with a gangster, more or less. Anyway, Pulp Fiction is intense and even a little horrifying at times, but there’s a lot of dark comedy and very memorable quotes throughout, with it being probably Quentin Tarantino’s best film overall (and his funniest, too).