Entertainment
Starfleet Academy’s Finale Improved Because It Removed Terrible Star Trek Characters
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published
Starfleet Academy had a satisfying Season 1 finale, but as I watched, I kept asking myself a blunt question: “why do I like this so much?” Sure, the episode was free of many things I hated from earlier stories, including the vulgar slang and potty humor of earlier episodes. It also focused on drama and characterization instead of terrible comedy, which is a major improvement over the first half of the season. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something else made this episode infinitely better than most of what had come before.
That’s when it hit me: it was the characters. Or, more precisely, the lack of characters: thanks to the season finale’s premise, several characters are left out of the episode altogether, and other characters who appear are sidelined in favor of focusing on a few key storylines. The result was that this episode (“Rubincon”) is a shining example of what this new Star Trek series is capable of. But it’s also proof of a simple fact: Starfleet Academy has way too many characters, and it needs to let some of them go in order to become a successful show.
A Seriously Crowded Cast
Starfleet Academy has, to put it mildly, a huge cast of characters. There are 11 main characters who are prominently featured in almost every episode. For comparison, Star Trek: The Next Generation started with nine main characters, but this included Tasha Yar, who died midway through Season 1. It also includes Wil Wheaton, who left after Season 4. This means that for just a little under half of its iconic run, TNG sported only seven main characters, which made it easy for episodes to focus on the entire cast.
In case you’re wondering, Star Trek: The Original Series had only eight main characters. Deep Space Nine had nine main characters, and that’s counting Worf, who joined in Season 4. Voyager also held steady at nine main characters, eventually substituting Kes for Seven of Nine. At 11 main characters, Starfleet Academy is obviously overcrowded by the standards of the franchise, and its limited number of episodes per season keeps us from getting to know everyone.
Time Is The Fire In Which We All Stream
Star Trek: Discovery began what would become a fairly depressing trend with NuTrek shows: a limited number of episodes per season. While the so-called Golden Age of Star Trek had 26 episodes per season, shows like Starfleet Academy only get 10 episodes per season. That means that even if SFA gets four full seasons (a goal that seems increasingly difficult to meet), it will end with fewer episodes than Voyager got in only two seasons!
That’s important because, each season, Starfleet Academy only gets 10 episodes to develop its 11 main characters. There’s just not enough time to do so, and some characters really get the short end of the stick. For example, Genesis is the only cadet who doesn’t get a solo episode devoted to her; the closest thing she gets is a side story with Caleb, where we learn that her dark secret is that her previous instructors thought she would never be a good captain.
The Season 1 finale puts her in the captain’s chair, but she inexplicably doesn’t get to do anything notable while she’s in command except announce that she has to pee. Unfortunately, this lack of resolving her story highlights a big problem with Genesis: because she’s also a highly driven, Type A overachiever, she is often written as “Darem with boobs.” But Darem got his own episode, a romantic subplot, and a special effects-heavy sequence where he saved the ship; comparatively, Genesis got absolutely nothing, making her character feel weirdly redundant.
Main Character Syndrome
Given the limited number of episodes and the outsized number of lead actors, it’s also bizarre how much screen time Starfleet Academy devotes to supporting characters. We got entire episodes focused on stories with the War College and its frosty chancellor, only for them to all disappear from the narrative in the last two episodes. We also get a lot of screentime dedicated to weird comic relief characters, including Tarima’s beta brother and that one cadet who swallowed her comm badge.
Compounding this is the fact that Caleb Mir is undeniably the main character of Starfleet Academy’s first season. This isn’t inherently a bad thing: Caleb has proven to be a very compelling character, and actor Sandro Rosta has the charisma and magnetic screen presence of a leading man. But every moment spent developing Caleb is a moment not spent developing anyone else. This is to the show’s detriment, but the Caleb focus of season finale “Rubicon” revealed the easiest way to improve Starfleet Academy: namely, Paramount needs to thin this cast out!
Less Is More
The Starfleet Academy Season 1 finale, “Rubincon,” had a reduced number of characters for a simple reason: the previous episode had most of the minor and some of the major characters stuck inside Federation space when supervillain Nus Braka trapped everyone there with futuristic mines. Lura Thok (the half-Klingon, half-Jem’hadar) was trapped back home, as was Admiral Vance. Similarly, Chancellor Kelrec and the rest of his War College brute squad were stuck inside Fed space.
This left us with a streamlined crew of cadets, and the show wasn’t afraid to sideline a few of them, too: as mentioned before, poor Genesis doesn’t get to do much more than look pretty and sit in the captain’s chair. Darem, meanwhile, gets to do even less. But as a result, everyone else gets to shine: Chancellor Ake gets to dramatically defend Federation honor during a show trial, the Doctor saves the ship, and Kraag saves the Doctor. Caleb gets to save his biological mother and his surrogate mother, all while cementing his relationship with Tarima, who uses their newfound bond to help locate the bad guys and ultimately save the day.
That was all it took for Starfleet Academy to shine: by giving fewer characters the spotlight, it made it easier to develop everyone else while delivering a tight and compelling episode of Star Trek. This new spinoff has already shot its second season, and superfans are crossing their fingers that this won’t be the last voyage for these plucky cadets. But for this futuristic show to survive, it will need to take a cue from the past. Namely, ditching some of these main characters, occasionally sidelining others, and doing what The Next Generation always did so well: focusing on just one or two characters per episode, ultimately giving everyone a chance to shine.
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Entertainment
Sarah Michelle Gellar declined Chloé Zhao's “Buffy” revival 'many times,' star said just before Hulu scrapped it
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“I would say, ‘Yes,’ and then I would call a month later and say, ‘No. No, no, no. I can’t.'”
Gypsy Rose Blanchard joked about Ken Urker pissing her off, then a TikTok user told her not to unalive him, and she reacted.
RELATED: Okay! Gypsy Rose Turns Heads After Showing Off Her New Look In Family Photo With Infant Daughter
Gypsy Rose Blanchard Jokes About Ken Urker Pissing Her Off — TikToker Tells Her Not To Unalive Him & She Reacts
Earlier this week, Blanchard took to TikTok to share a clip with her more than nine million followers. In the clip, Blanchard tells the camera, “You’ll never guess what he did!”
Furthermore, she used a high-pitched voice and covered her left hand.
“He pissed me off! Men!” she then said, dropping a plot twist and walking away from the camera.
Subsequently, in her comment section, TikTok user @Vannah&Luis wrote:
“And we’re NOT gonna kill him okay”
To which Blanchard responded with, “Exactly. Now if he cheats… jk,” while later adding, “Go ahead, i have a sense of humor. lol”
Social Media Reacts To Her Reaction Following The Unalive Joke With The TikTok User
Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s reply to the TikTok user telling her not to unalive Ken Urker had social media users dropping a plethora of reactions in TSR Teens’ comment section.
Instagram user @ratedromaan wrote, “I’m sorry but that was funny asf 😂😂😂 ole murdering self”
While Instagram user @taijanalee added, “Lock her back up😂can’t even play like that”
Instagram user @______bobbi wrote, “😂😂😂she’s actually really funny her mom was outta pocket”
While Instagram user @momelanin_moprbz added, “Ken needs to be sleeping with one eye open, she got that DOG in her!😭”
Instagram user @k.vmbrly wrote, “Now Gyp Gyp you knew better 😂”
While Instagram user @sheisayanna added, “Idk, this was extremely funny to me 😂😂”
Instagram user @spot_lesssmindd wrote, “I like Gypsy 😂😂😂😂 her mama was trippin. She coo ppls😂”
While Instagram user @5starrr_ejj added, “Nah put her back in dat jail cell wtf😂”
Instagram user @giaelize wrote, “OK, it’s not that funny but it is funny because y’all know some of y’all girls be saying the same thing but it’s like not funny cause she killed her mom but 😂”
While Instagram user @amourxnaeee added, “😂😂😂yea keep a eye on her”
More On Recent Events With Gypsy Rose Blanchard & Ken Urker
As The Shade Room previously reported, Gypsy Rose and Ken Urker revealed their pregnancy in July 2024. By August of that year, the pair revealed that they were expecting a baby girl.
By November of that year, Blanchard and Urker revealed that they decided to name their baby girl Aurora Raina Urker, per The Shade Room. Then, in February 2025, Blanchard and Urker welcomed their baby.
In April 2025, Blanchard showed off a new look while sharing family photos. Since then, Blanchard has continued switching things up, sparking continued reactions.
RELATED: Pop Out Then! Gypsy Rose Ditches Wig For Pixie Cut Flex And Fans Are Loving Her Fresh Look (PHOTO)
What Do You Think Roomies?
Cinephiles, rejoice! It’s officially Oscars weekend, with the 98th Academy Awards taking place at the Los Angeles Dolby Theatre this Sunday evening. Paul Thomas Anderson’s politically poignant One Battle After Another and Ryan Coogler’s acclaimed vampire flick Sinners are favorites to take home the most prizes, especially considering the latter’s breaking of the record for most nominations. But both face tough competition for a host of top films from the past year, including the Joel Edgerton-led Train Dreams, the Danish-Norwegian drama Sentimental Value, the visually stunning Frankenstein, and the genre-blending slow-burner The Secret Agent.
The latter, written and directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho, is the second Brazilian movie in two years to be nominated for Best Picture, after I’m Still Here became the country’s first to do so in 2025. Earlier this year, Wagner Moura picked up the Golden Globe for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for his leading turn in The Secret Agent, a performance for which he has also earned an Academy Award nod. The film has also earned nominations in the Best Casting and Best International Feature Film categories. The film also won four prizes at the Cannes Film Festival, including in the Best Director and Best Actor categories.
Ahead of this year’s ceremony, with the film bidding to take home at least one Golden Statue, The Secret Agent is quietly impressing on the streaming charts. At the time of writing, the movie is one of the most-streamed on Hulu in the U.S., a list topped by Predator: Badlands. A synopsis of The Secret Agent reads:
“Brazil, 1977. Marcelo, a technology expert in his early 40s, is on the run. Hoping to reunite with his son, he travels to Recife during Carnival but soon realizes that the city is not the safe haven he was expecting.”
From Harvey Dent to the President: The Films of Aaron Eckhart — The Collider Movie Quiz!
Aaron Eckhart has played a wide array of roles in his 30+ year career. How many of these movies do you know?
‘The Secret Agent’ Is a Critical Smash
Ever since its Cannes premiere last May, The Secret Agent has received gushing praise from critics across the world. This is illustrated best on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, where the movie boasts a near-perfect 98% score from critics and an 83% score from audiences. The consensus on the site reads, “A thematically rich and visually arresting political thriller, The Secret Agent blends grindhouse stylization with biting social commentary to weave a vividly dangerous yet darkly human tale.”
The Secret Agent is streaming on Hulu. Stay tuned to Collider for more streaming stories.
- Release Date
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November 26, 2025
- Runtime
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158 minutes
- Director
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Kleber Mendonça Filho
- Writers
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Kleber Mendonça Filho
Kathie Lee Gifford is one of the most iconic names in American television, thanks to her longtime stints on shows like “Live with Regis and Kathie Lee” and “Today.” Now, Gifford, who recently released a new book, the second in her biblical non-fiction series, is opening up about her final lunch with Regis Philbin and his passing.
Kathie Lee Gifford Kept In Touch With Regis Philbin After Leaving ‘Live’
Gifford announced on air in July 2000 that she was leaving “Live With Regis and Kathie Lee.” This came after she had hosted the hit ABC morning talk show alongside Philbin for 15 years. Notably, her announcement came as a surprise to her beloved co-host.
In March 2026, Gifford spoke to PEOPLE about the relationship she maintained with Philbin after leaving the show. According to her, “I saw him a lot. We became much closer friends even as the years went on, after I left. We lived very close to each other in Greenwich.”
The Former ‘Today’ Host Saw Regis Two Weeks Before His Death
Gifford continued her PEOPLE interview, saying she moved to Tennessee after leaving “Today” in 2019. Despite the move, she and Philbin made a point of having lunch every two weeks. She told the outlet, “I saw him two weeks before he died.”
Gifford continued, “We had a three-hour lunch, and I had everything he loved made for him that day. And we laughed, oh, we laughed our butts off.”
After that, she discussed his death, saying somehow she knew. According to the author, “I was back in [the South] and had writing sessions and recording sessions and was always busy, but then one morning I woke up, and the Lord told me very clearly — I don’t hear him, but I know his voice, if that makes any sense — and he said, ‘Get on a plane and go home.’”
She added, “I didn’t know why he said it, but I got on a plane, and no sooner had I landed than I turned my phone back on and there was a message from a dear friend who said, ‘I’m so sorry about your friend Regis.’ And I knew, because when I’d seen him two weeks before, when he got out of the car to come into my house, [the Lord] said, ‘This is the last time you’re gonna see him.’”
The Beloved Talk Show Host Passed Away In July 2020
According to Today, Philbin passed away on July 24, 2020, only one month before his 89th birthday. Months after his passing, Gifford appeared on “The Talk” and discussed her friend and his final days, revealing that the COVID-19 pandemic had taken a toll on the former host and his mental health.
She said, “He had been depressed in the weeks and months earlier, because of the COVID. You know, Regis couldn’t perform anywhere; nobody was out and about, and he couldn’t be Regis for people, you know? And it broke his heart.”
Gifford then said, “One of his dearest friends had just recently died of COVID. He was pretty much in a depression, I think. Regis just lived to make people happy. He certainly made me happy for the 35 years that we were great friends.”
She Recently Released A New Book
Gifford released her latest book, “Nero and Paul,” co-written with Dr. Bryan M. Litfin, on March 10, 2026. This came after she first announced the book in July 2025.
Previously, in 2024, she spoke to Woman’s World about her passion for writing Bible-based content. Gifford said, “My fascination with Herod goes back to my first rabbinical trip. We believe that Jesus’ story is the greatest ever told. Well, Herod is the greatest story never told, unless you are some sort of a scholar.”
The former host then discussed her co-writer, saying, “My son, Cody, found this fantastic co-author for me [Brian M. Litfin, PhD], and Cody suggested a series of different books called Ancient Evil, Living Hope. The next one, I think, will be Nero and Paul. There’s always been evil, but there’s always been God’s presence in the world as well.”
Kathie Lee Gifford Recently Criticised The LGBTQ+ Community
Gifford appeared on the “Tomi Lahren Is Fearless” podcast in March 2026. While on the show, the topic of Gifford reconciling being a traditional Christian with supporting gay rights came up. She responded, “That one is a four-letter word, and it’s called L-O-V-E, love.”
However, after saying she had many gay friends, Gifford offered one criticism, saying, “I don’t even know how many letters there are now. They’ve really got to stop with that. We know what you mean, you know?”
Still, she admitted that it was not her place to tell people how to live their lives.
Entertainment
“RuPaul's Drag Race” season 1 icon Pork Chop hospitalized for medical emergency after eating hamburger
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The first-ever eliminated “Drag Race” queen is “bed-bound for the next 14 to 21 days” after an intense internal infection. Bianca Del Rio and DD Fuego have donated to support.
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It’s a familiar fabric, but somehow denim is looking super fresh and fashionable this season. Everywhere we look, spring denim dresses are appearing in modern, unexpected and stylish silhouettes, and we’re honestly struggling to keep our budget in check. Far from rigid or predictable, we’re seeing puff‑sleeve denim dresses, tailored minis, clean A‑line finds and easy pop-over pieces that have Us giving our jeans a well-deserved break.
To help you navigate this worthwhile trend, we’ve curated 15 slimming spring denim dresses to shop now from retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Nordstrom, Macy’s, Banana Republic and beyond. Trust Us, your warm‑weather wardrobe is about to get a chic upgrade with these figure-forgiving frocks below.
15 Slimming Denim Dresses for Fresh Spring Outfits
1. Our Favorite: From office hours to off‑duty days, this dark button‑up midi is the ultimate style foundation. Dress it your way with sandals, pumps, boots, bold accessories — honestly, anything goes.
2. Spring Ready: Even those who usually shy away from mini dresses will fall for this slimming A‑line denim find. From the halter neckline to its flattering fit, every detail works in your favor.
3. Clip and Go: Ditch the predictable and throw on this denim overalls dress instead. The surprisingly slimming piece is made for easy errands, but still delivers maximum cuteness.
4. Celeb Brand: This sleeveless Sofia Vergara denim dress is a size‑inclusive standout. With sizes from XS to 4X, the zip‑up dress delivers a flattering fit that looks stunning on every body.
5. Capsule Collection: Cross spring and summer essentials off your list with this smocked Madewell denim dress. It’s an effortless piece you can toss on and still look incredibly put together.
You know how you swap heavy fashion pieces for breezy finds come spring? Well, you should be doing the same with your beauty essentials. With warmer weather on the horizon, your skincare and makeup should reflect that with formulas that are lightweight, sun-protecting, sweat-resistant and buildable. If you need to do a spring beauty refresh, […]
6. Ultra Feminine: There’s nothing ordinary about this puff‑sleeve denim dress. From the belted waist to the jacquard floral print and tailored bodice, every detail makes it a slimming standout.
7. Gorgeous Print: This floral denim dress from Moon River is so romantic, we’re already saving it for our next date night. The A-line shape works wonders, giving you an hourglass appearance.
8. Denim Essential: Every rodeo season, this writer pulls out her trusty Wrangler denim dress. The snap‑button piece always nails that classic Western vibe without losing its everyday wearability.
9. Petite Friendly: This petite denim dress takes the pain out of tailoring, pairing a pleated waist with petite‑friendly proportions for a perfect made‑for‑you fit.
10. Go Anywhere: Old Navy shoppers love this soft denim pop-over dress for its endless versatility. With a size‑inclusive range and an easy, throw‑on silhouette, the slightly oversized dress works for any occasion.
11. Adorable Hem: Bubble hems are trending this spring. This sleeveless denim dress brings the style to life with a bouncy, beautiful shape that makes Us want to take it out on the town.
12. Go Bold: If darker washes are your thing, don’t miss out on this figure-slimming Petal & Pup denim dress. The contrast stitching and roomy pockets seal the deal.
13. Ultra Breezy: Forget tight fits and rigid fabrics. This sweet tweed-collar denim dress has a playful lightness that’s perfect for chic spring style.
14. Quiet Luxury: Rich mom style comes alive in this button‑down J.Crew denim mini. The flirty silhouette runs a bit small, so size up for the perfect slimming fit.
15. Trending Design: Asymmetrical cuts are the trend we didn’t see coming, but we’re fully behind them. This asymmetrical denim midi takes the look up a notch, and honestly, it looks like something Meghan Markle — an avid Banana Republic fan — would absolutely rock.
There’s nothing worse than experiencing thigh chafing during the warm weather months. But this spring, we’re ditching discomfort and choosing athletic skirts with built‑in shorts to keep Us grooving all day long. Thankfully, retailers like Amazon, Macy’s and Nordstrom have plenty of anti-chafing skorts that are designed with moisture-wicking fabrics, stay-put shorts and other elevated details […]
A message shared by Blueface‘s boo, Nevaeh Akira, amid her pregnancy has some folks scratchin’ their heads.
RELATED: In Bliss! Nevaeh Akira Shares Precious Clip Of Blueface Cradling Her Growing Baby Bump (VIDEO)
More On Blueface’s Boo, Nevaeh Akira’s Recent Pregnancy Message
Earlier this week, Nevaeh Akira took to Instagram to share a carousel of photos showing off her baby bump, her young son, and other family moments — which even included Blueface. Furthermore, Akira captioned the carousel, “forever gaining peace over chaos.”
Peep her full carousel by swiping below.
Some Folks Are Scratchin’ Their Heads
Social media users slid into TSR Teens’ comment section, seemingly scratchin’ their heads and disagreeing with Nevaeh Akira’s caption.
Instagram user @drea._.fuller wrote, “‘peace over chaos’ yet she is with the most chaotic person on the internet”
While Instagram user @kaashilations._ added, “Little does she know, her life is about to become the most chaotic”
Instagram user @__uc.eyyy wrote, “The chaos is probably coming after dear don’t worry 😂 Bluefase will always be Bluefase”
While Instagram user @rosin_colon added, “Congrats you got a player for life”
Instagram user @gorrgeouuus wrote, “& the bd choose chaos over peace😓😓😓😂😂 what a duo”
While Instagram user @jayrose_111 added, “I think he really fw her. He said so himself that she’s a great mother.”
Instagram user @__.lifeasdej wrote, “She too pretty to be this green 🌚”
While Instagram user @gotme_beautiful added, “I just don’t get how some woman can ignore that a man is actively dealing w other woman publicly and also just be posting like it’s all normal and everything happy ? Y’all really normalized this omg”
Instagram user @stormy_the_body wrote, “Girl, are you talking about peace and you’re pregnant by Blueface girl by😂😂😂”
More On Blueface’s Boo, Nevaeh Akira, & Her Pregnancy
As The Shade Room previously reported, Blueface and Nevaeh Akira revealed their pregnancy after taking a test on a livestream back in February. Their child marks Akira’s second, and Blueface’s fourth. To note, Blueface shares two children with Jaidyn Alexis and, allegedly, a son with Chrisean Rock — though, as of recent, Blue has denied his paternity of the child.
RELATED: New Addition! Karlissa Saffold Harvey Reacts To Blueface & Nevaeh Akira’s Apparent Pregnancy Announcement
Subsequently, Jaidyn Alexis reacted to their announcement, sharing that she didn’t “feel no type of way,” per The Shade Room.
Since then, Akira and Blueface have noted their plans to have a “healthy pregnancy.” And more recently, they revealed their unborn baby’s gender and name as Akira shares her “gratitude” for her partnership with Blue.
RELATED: Blueface’s Girlfriend Nevaeh Akira Says She’s “Blessed” To Have Him As A Co-Parent To Their Unborn Baby And Bonus Dad To Her Son
What Do You Think Roomies?
Entertainment
Ryan Coogler and Kevin Feige detail emotional impact of Chadwick Boseman's death: 'Hit me like a ton of bricks'
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The late actor’s “Black Panther” collaborators recalled some pivotal moments before and after he died in 2020.
Jack Black is trending online after a video of the actor strolling through Hollywood draped in a Pride flag began circulating across social media. The clip quickly sparked a heated debate, with some critics calling the moment “cringe” while others rushed to defend the “School of Rock” star and his long history of supporting LGBTQ+ rights. As the footage continues to spread online, the moment has reignited discussion about Black’s activism, personal experiences, and past statements about the LGBTQ+ community.
Jack Black Video From Hollywood Goes Viral
The viral clip shows Jack Black walking along a busy Hollywood street while wearing a rainbow Pride flag draped across his shoulders. The video appears to have been filmed by someone nearby as a small group of people followed him with a camera setup while he walked down the sidewalk.
One social media user shared the clip online and criticized the actor for the moment. “Jack Black was spotted strolling through Hollywood draped with a LGBTQ flag,” they wrote. “Dude is cringe af.”
As the video spread, several commenters shared blunt criticism of the actor. “What a loser,” one user wrote as another commenter added, “Never ever liked him. Think his movies suck.” A third critic chimed in, “I have always disliked Jack Black.”
Some Users Step In To Defend The Actor
While the criticism was loud, not everyone agreed with the backlash surrounding the viral video. Some users defended Black and argued that celebrating diversity should not be mocked online.
“Everyone has a right to their own views, but celebrating diversity shouldn’t be seen as ‘cringe,’” someone said. “A community where people feel free to be themselves is a stronger community.”
Supporters also pointed out that Black has been openly supportive of LGBTQ+ rights for many years.
Personal Tragedy Shaped Black’s Perspective
Black has previously spoken about how his family experiences shaped his views on LGBTQ+ issues. In a 2015 interview with Parade while promoting “Goosebumps,” the actor opened up about the impact of losing his brother Howard to AIDS in the late 1980s.
“I have two gay siblings: my big sister, Rachel, and my big brother, Howard,” he told the magazine. “He was a big influence on me. He took me to my first rock concert. I was 11; he was 23. He was so vibrant, creative, amazing. He shaped my taste in music.”
Black Opens Up About Brother’s Devastating Death During AIDS Crisis
Black described the slow deterioration his brother experienced during the AIDS crisis as deeply painful for the entire family. “[Death] didn’t happen quickly. We all saw the deterioration. He was only 31. So very young. We were robbed of something precious,” he continued. “It was devastating. It was hard for all of us, but it was hardest for my mom when we lost Howard. She’s never really recovered.”
The loss also influenced how Black approaches parenting his own children. “Sometimes I think maybe I’m a little bit of a helicopter dad hovering above my kids and making sure that they never are in harm’s way,” he said. “But losing a family member is the worst thing I could imagine.”
Jack Black Has Long Supported LGBTQ+ Rights
Black has also been outspoken about LGBTQ+ equality in the past. In 2016, during an appearance on “HuffPost Live,” the actor spoke about progress surrounding same-sex marriage while promoting his film “The D Train.”
The movie explored themes related to bisexuality, and Black praised the broader movement for civil rights. “It’s a good time for civil rights. … Get out of the way, oldies!” he said as he performed an impromptu dance during the interview.
Jack Black Previously Spoke Out Against Same-Sex Marriage Opposition
Black has also used his platform in the past to criticize political leaders who opposed marriage equality. During a past discussion about the global movement toward LGBTQ+ rights, the actor weighed in on former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s continued resistance to same-sex marriage at the time.
Black did not hold back when sharing his perspective on the issue. “I personally think the guy’s living in the stone ages,” Black said, per The Independent. “He’s not seeing the writing on the wall. The movement of the world is headed towards equality for all people, all sexual preferences. Come on, we are all the same in the end.”
He later added, “Yeah, he sounds like a bit of a nutter.”
By Jennifer Asencio
| Published
The found footage genre is hit and miss: either it produces incredible thrills like Hell House LLC, or it is a bore until the big scare, like Paranormal Activity. Despite roots in found footage scenes from larger movies like Cannibal Holocaust, the genre began with the groundbreaking sleeper hit The Blair Witch Project, and there have been numerous knockoffs that have tried to capture the tone and the box office of that 1999 horror gambit.
Hostile Dimensions is more sci-fi than horror, but it uses the found footage concept to document the exploration of other dimensions the characters discover while looking for a missing graffiti artist.
What’s the logical thing to do when you find an uninstalled door in the middle of a room in an abandoned building? Take it home, of course! When protagonists Sam (Annabel Logan) and Ash (Joma West) do that while searching for graffiti artist Emily (Josie Rogers), they find out the door opens up to other dimensions.
The stunned duo are documentary filmmakers and decide to record further explorations around and into the strange door. Enlisting the help of friends and experts, they learn how the doors are used and film themselves as they pioneer new worlds. But for Sam, there is more to find beyond the threshold, and the search for Emily takes a dark turn.
Hostile Dimensions really seems like it was filmed with home equipment like GoPros and mini recorders. Unlike many found-footage films, where audiences are left wondering why the characters kept the camera rolling instead of escaping, this movie offers credible reasons for continuing to film during the action. We are constantly reminded by the characters that they’re documenting their experiences, especially when they turn to experts to research the strange doorway.
It also doesn’t fall into the trap of other found-footage movies, which document every… single… tedious… thing. Something is happening in every scene, and it uses its mockumentary format to excuse things like edits that gloss over long periods of time. It clocks in at 80 minutes and doesn’t waste a second of running time boring the audience with long sequences of people sleeping.
The movie was well received by critics because its writer and director, Graham Hughes, had already made Death of a Vlogger, another effective mockumentary horror, and Hostile Dimensions was a strong sophomore film for his resume. The praise mostly went to the good use of a small budget and the location scouting for the various settings that comprise the other dimensions. The lore and its supporting documentation are intriguing, introducing the audience to an ancient mystery hiding in plain sight, with an attention to detail spanning the ages of art and history.
It is not a perfect movie. Hostile Dimensions’ low budget occasionally bursts its seams, especially amongst some of the performers. It doesn’t rely on special effects, which are creative and practical but also sometimes betray their inexpensiveness. It’s also not exactly a horror movie, leaning more into its science fiction themes than bringing chills or scares.
Despite, or maybe because of, these flaws, Hostile Dimensions tells a story about a woman who wants to explore, even if it means leaving this world. It’s a universal tale that takes her and its audience to places best described as the uncanny valley, leaving an eerie resonance and an exciting, glorious resolution full of humor and mystery.
Would you open the door? Find out by checking out Hostile Dimensions on Amazon Prime or Shudder.
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