Entertainment
Starfleet Academy’s Star Trek: DS9 Tribute Was An Insult To Avery Brooks, Violated His Wishes
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published
Starfleet Academy recently aired an episode (“Series Acclimation Mil”) dedicated to Deep Space Nine, one that sought to definitively explain what happened to Captain Benjamin Sisko. The episode served shockingly well as a tribute to this iconic Trek show and Avery Brooks, the legendary performer who originally brought Sisko to life. However, what most fans don’t realize is that a major plot point of this episode goes against the wishes Brooks explicitly expressed over 30 years ago.
In the Deep Space Nine series finale, Sisko tackles Gul Dukat, sending both of them on a lethal fall into Bajor’s Fire Caves; however, Sisko is saved from death by the Prophets, who bring him to live with them inside the wormhole. The show was originally going to leave it completely ambiguous as to whether Sisko would ever return, but at Avery Brooks’ insistence, the writers added Sisko promising that he would eventually come back. Starfleet Academy (beware spoilers, cadets!) confirmed that Sisko never returned, though, meaning that the episode dedicated to Brooks’ character just completely ignored his final request for Sisko.
From Man To Prophet
Some important context: towards the end of Deep Space Nine, Captain Sisko had married Kasidy Yates, and they conceived a child shortly before his final mission. Originally, the writers of the DS9 episode “What You Leave Behind” wanted to make it clear that Sisko would become a full-time Prophet in the wormhole and that he would never get to see his family ever again. This was meant to pay off a previous warning from his Prophet mother that if Sisko were to marry Yates, he “would know nothing but sorrow.”
Accordingly, they shot a final scene with Sisko and Yates where he told her he would never return; however, Avery Brooks soon told Deep Space Nine showrunner Ira Steven Behr that he didn’t like the scene because he didn’t like his character being a Black man who leaves his pregnant Black wife to raise their child alone, feeling like this had negative cultural connotations.
At Brooks’ request, the writers gave Sisko an iconic response to his wife asking when he would return: “It’s hard to say. Maybe a year, maybe yesterday. But I will be back.” To this, a faithful Kasidy Yates gave her hopeful response: “And I will be waiting.”
The Mystery Of Sisko’s Fate
While Deep Space Nine was set in the 24th century, Starfleet Academy (itself a Discovery spinoff) takes place in the 32nd century. When the holographic cadet SAM investigates the mystery of Sisko’s disappearance, she verifies that, according to Starfleet records, Sisko never actually returned at any point in the last 800 years. Eventually, she even talks to Jake Sisko (who may be an interactive hologram, a visiting Prophet, or something else altogether), and he confirms that while his father was metaphorically “always there,” Sisko never returned in a corporeal form.
In this way, Starfleet Academy ultimately ignored Avery Brooks’ final wishes concerning his character. The writers retroactively confirmed that Sisko did, indeed, leave his son, his wife, and his unborn child behind forever to become a full-time Prophet. Admittedly, the writers didn’t have much of a choice (Brooks is fully retired from acting and has zero interest in returning to Trek), but it’s notably weird that the episode intended to honor Sisko as a character was built on dishonoring the wishes of his actor.
Did Jake Sisko Keep Lying For 800 Years?
Of course, the truth might not be that cut and dry: there’s a chance that Sisko really did return and Starfleet never found out about it. Unless he or Kasidy Yates told somebody, how would anybody actually know? The Prophets could theoretically return him with an entirely new face, allowing him to walk around Bajor and around the entire galaxy without being recognized.
If this happened, then Jake likely knew about it and chose not to reveal the truth to anyone. This includes SAM, which might be why (despite their rapport) he seems cagey about discussing anything tangible about his father, a man who “never really left us.” This is couched as a metaphor, but what if Sisko really did return to his family and never left again?
It’s fitting, somehow, that Star Trek fans must decide for themselves what happened to Benjamin Sisko: did he remain a Prophet forever or secretly return to his family as promised? What you believe happened to this iconic character is ultimately a matter of personal faith. What could be more fitting for a Star Trek character who became the immortal savior of an entire alien race?
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Singer Brandi Carlile is opening up about why she — as an openly gay artist — decided to sing “America the Beautiful” at Super Bowl LX despite the country’s turbulent and divisive political times.
“I have my own moral code, my own moral imperative, that I have to answer to at the end of the day, as a wife and a mother, and I believe in my ability and responsibility to do this, and that’s why I’m here,” Carlile, 44, told Variety in an interview published on Saturday, February 7.
“And the throughline to being queer and being representative of a marginalized community and being put on the largest stage in America to acknowledge the fraught and tender hope that this country is based on, it’s something you don’t say no to,” she added. “You do it.”
The Grammy and Emmy award-winning singer-songwriter is set to perform “America the Beautiful” ahead of Super Bowl 60 between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots on Sunday, February 8, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Carlile will perform as part of a jam-packed pre-game lineup, featuring Green Day and a rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” by Charlie Pluth, before Bad Bunny takes the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime stage.
While there’s sure to be plenty of drama on the field, Bad Bunny and the controversy surrounding his upcoming performance has been dominating headlines after conservatives, Republican politicians — including President Donald Trump — and pundits have chastised the NFL for choosing a Puerto Rican artist who performs in Spanish to headline.
(Despite claims from many conservatives, Bad Bunny, real name Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is an American as Puerto Rico is an American territory.)
Brandi Carlile Getty Images
“You may not know this, but I’m doing the Super Bowl halftime show,” Bad Bunny told the audience while hosting Saturday Night Live in October 2025, addressing the controversy head-on. “I’m very happy and I think everyone is very happy about it! Even Fox News…”
He added, “Really, I’m very excited to be doing the Super Bowl and I know people all around the world who love my music are also happy.”
Bad Bunny then spoke in Spanish, before again addressing the audience and viewers in English.
“If you didn’t understand now what I just said, you have four months to learn!”
While speaking to Variety, Carlile also addressed the divisiveness surrounding the upcoming Super Bowl.
“It shouldn’t be. It shouldn’t be,” Carlile told the publication of how controversial the halftime show has become. “It looks exactly like America! It looks exactly like the United States. It looks like the layers on the field, and it looks like the people that are watching the sport. And that’s how it should be, with a lot of demographics represented, and a lot of enthusiastic people excited to celebrate a huge game on a unifying day.”
Brandi Carlile and her wife, Catherine Shepherd, first struck up a relationship over the phone — but it wasn’t long before they hit it off in person as well. The Grammy winner and the U.K. native met in 2009 while Shepherd was working for Paul McCartney, coordinating his charity work. Carlile and her future wife spoke […]
She continued, “And I think that the folks that put together the entertainment portion of the Super Bowl this year just did a bang-up job. It’s really good. Bad Bunny’s incredible — an incredible spirit and performer. It’s gonna be a fabulous halftime show.”
The award-winning singer also spoke to how important it was for her to perform a song penned by Katharine Lee Bates, who is believed to have been gay.
“You know, I feel called to a long line of contemplative and struggling people. I feel motivated by the fact that she was very likely gay, and a woman relying on her intellect in a time when that was difficult for women to do so, and living with a partner who was doing the same thing,” she explained. “And still choosing — even in that total oppression; even not being able to be married; even not being able to say that she was gay, or to be elevated to the heights that she probably deserved to be elevated to in politics — and, during those times, to still love America and to still believe that it could get to a place of goodness.”
She added, “I won’t say greatness, because that feels a little, you know, patriarchal. But goodness. And I believe the same thing. And I have a sliver of the struggle ahead of and behind me that she was facing in her day. So, you know, this is an interesting song. And it’s an interesting decision that I’m making. I definitely don’t want to be seen as a neoliberal or as someone who’s glossing over the problems that we have in this country. I want to be seen as one of the people that’s helping.”
Today show host Savannah Guthrie’s family has spoken out amid her mother Nancy Guthrie’s continued disappearance, seemingly addressing their mother’s kidnapper or kidnappers directly.
“We received your message and we understand,” Savannah, 54, said in a new video shared via her Instagram on Saturday, February 7, while flanked by and holding the hands of her siblings. “We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us and we will pay.”
The Today show host captioned the post, “Bring her home.”
Nancy. 84, was reported missing in early February, with local law enforcement officers in Arizona confirming she was last seen on January 31.
“On behalf of our family we want to thank all of you for the prayers for our beloved mom, Nancy,” Savannah said in an Instagram video with siblings Annie Guthrie and Camron Guthrie uploaded on February 4. “We feel them and we continue to believe that she feels them too. Our mom is a kind, faithful, loyal, fiercely loving woman of goodness and light. She is funny, spunky and clever.”
Questions still remain after Today show host Savannah Guthrie‘s mother, Nancy Guthrie, was reported missing. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the news on Sunday, February 1, sharing a missing person report via X. Nancy was described as a “vulnerable adult” who was last seen “at her residence” within Arizona’s Catalina Foothills area on the […]
She continued, “She has grandchildren who adore her and crowd around her and cover her with kisses. She loves fun and adventure. She is a devoted friend. She is full of kindness and knowledge.”
At the time, Savannah revealed that her relatives were “ready to talk” about paying the ransom reward in exchange for Nancy’s safe homecoming.
“As a family, we are doing everything that we can. We are ready to talk. However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated,” Savannah stated. “We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you, and we are ready to listen. Please, reach out to us.”
Savannah concluded the siblings’ video with a heartfelt plea to Nancy directly.
“Mommy, if you are hearing this, you are a strong woman. You are God’s precious daughter, Nancy. We believe and know that even in this valley, He is with you,” the TV journalist said. “Everyone is looking for you, Mommy, everywhere. We will not rest. Your children will not rest until we are together again. We speak to you every moment. And we pray without ceasing, and we rejoice in advance that the day that we hold you in our arms again. We love you, Mom.”
Authorities are revealing new details regarding the ongoing search for Today’s Savannah Guthrie’s missing mom, Nancy Guthrie. “Something unusual at that house occurred that made us go, ‘Wow, something’s wrong here. Something doesn’t fit,’” Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos exclusively shared with Us Weekly on Monday, February 2. “We’re gonna pull all the stops and […]
The next day, Savannah’s brother issued a stern message of his own to Nancy’s presumed captor. (There are no current suspects in Nancy’s disappearance, but local police haven’t ruled out the possibility of a kidnapping.)
“Whoever is out there holding our mother, we want to hear from you. We haven’t heard anything directly,” Camron said in a February 5 social media video. “We need you to reach out and we need a way to communicate with you so we can move forward. But first, we have to know if you have our mom. We want to talk to you and we are waiting for contact.”
That same day, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) made one arrest for an “imposter ransom demand.”
“You will get more on that from the FBI and our U.S. Attorney’s office here in Arizona when it becomes available,” FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke said in a press conference. “We are continuing in a normal kidnapping case, there would be contact by now trying to discuss that, but those are the time frames we’re looking at as we move forward.”
Nancy shared Savannah, Annie and Camron with her late husband, Charles Guthrie, who died in 1988 after a heart attack at age 49.
The Beast in Me, Netflix‘s twisted mystery thriller, is back on streaming charts three months after the entire season dropped. Data from FlixPatrol shows renewed interest in the Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys miniseries, which took over the platform when it premiered in November 2025. The mystery thriller peaked at number one and stayed on the streamer’s top ten chart for five weeks before permanently dropping off. Three months later, it has found a sizable fanbase in countries like the U.S., Ukraine, and Serbia. The Beast in Me entered the global top ten chart for three consecutive days in the last week before being dethroned by shows like Animal Kingdom and the new season of Bridgerton.
In The Beast in Me, Danes and Rhys star as Aggie Wiggs and Nile Jarvis, two people from different worlds with something in common. Wiggs is a writer dealing with a personal crisis, while Jarvis is an ultrawealthy investor caught up in a major public relations crisis. Since his first wife went missing, everyone has suspected him of the murder, even though there is no evidence. Aggie offers to write a book about his life to rehabilitate his image and, in the process, her own. Danes and Rhys were lauded as the perfect duo, elevating the show with their acting skills. Danes, who has mastered the art of playing sensitive characters since Homeland captured the claustrophobic suspicion her character goes through with incredible precision.
Collider’s Therese Lacson was impressed by Rhys’ performance, so much so that she singled him out in her review. “Rhys deserves flowers for his performance; Nile is so threatening at times that it makes your blood curdle. Even if there’s no proof that this man killed his wife, there’s something deeply unnerving about him. Whether it’s a scene of him staring quietly into Aggie’s eyes at lunch or him voraciously eating a rotisserie chicken (the scene makes Denethor’s tomato-eating scene in The Two Towers look tame) with his hands, he’s a man who screams predator,” she wrote in her review of The Beast in Me Season 1.
Matthew Rhys Has a New Show You Don’t Want to Miss
Rhys is known for playing eccentric characters. In his next role, he moves across the pond to Apple TV, where he leads Widow’s Bay. The show’s official description perfectly explains:
“Widow’s Bay is a quaint island town 40 miles off the coast of New England. But something lurks beneath the surface. Mayor Tom Loftis (Rhys) is desperate to revive his struggling community. There’s no Wi-Fi, spotty cellular reception, and he must contend with superstitious locals who believe their island is cursed. He wants these people to respect him. They don’t. They think he is soft and cowardly. And he is. But Loftis is determined to build a better future for his teenage son and turn the island into a tourist destination. Miraculously, he succeeds: tourists are finally coming. Unfortunately, the locals were right. After decades of calm, the old stories that seemed too ludicrous to be true start happening again. Widow’s Bay blends genuine horror with character-driven comedy.”
The Beast in Me is streaming on Netflix; Widow’s Bay premieres on Apple TV on April 29.
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2025 – 2025-00-00
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Netflix
Skater Madeline Schizas
Sorry I Didn’t Write My Reflection, Professor …
My Country Needed Me!!!
Published
“The dog ate my homework” excuse is old news … try “My Olympic obligations got in the way” instead!
Madeline Schizas — a figure skater for the Canadian Olympic team — is trying that line out on her college professor at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada … sharing an email she sent asking for an extension.
Check it out … Schizas writes she thought a assignment for her sociology class was due Sunday, not Friday — and, she didn’t have time to complete it anyway because she was representing Canada at the Olympics.
As proof, Schizas sends along an article stating she’s participating in the games … pretty convincing proof, we gotta say.
Schizas participated in the women’s single skating short program Friday … finishing in sixth place — and helping Canadian women’s figure skating into Sunday’s team final.
This is Schizas’ second Olympics … previously appearing in three events at the 2022 games in Beijing.
While it might seem like a no-brainer to let Madeline off the hook, she is a self-proclaimed student-athlete — and, student does come first in that phrase.
So should the professor give her an extension? Or does Schizas have the same standards as everyone else? Vote above!
The couple is reportedly gearing up to make their first anniversary a very memorable one. However, the days have passed by so fast that the couple has not taken any break from being hopelessly in love with each other since the day they began their relationship.
Demi Lovato and Jordan Jutes tied the knot last year in Santa Barbara, California, in front of their loved ones, as she looked gorgeous in a Vivienne Westwood wedding dress with impeccable details, just a little bit over a year after they got engaged in December 2023.
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Demi Lovato And Jordan Jutes Reportedly Have Sweet Anniversary Plans
A source at the Clive Davis pre-Grammy party revealed that the couple were pondering going back to where they tied the knot to do something special for their one year together as man and wife.
Another party guest stated that the couple were very much in the honeymoon phase as they held hands the whole night and would not stop kissing one another.
Jutes was reportedly gentlemanly and very hands-on, while Lovato attended to the fans and was on standby to help her if she needed anything else, including getting her a drink at some point in the night.
Lovato was not found wanting in the PDA department, too, as she reportedly appeared very smitten with her husband and called him endearing names for most of the night.
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The singer seemingly received lots of celebrity guests in her corner that night, including Heidi Klum, Madison Beer, and Darren Criss, who all came up to say hello to her while things went on. Her husband was reportedly very comfortable with the attention Lovato was getting and did not seem to be bothered.
As noted by The Daily Mail, Lovato had earlier revealed how supportive Jutes was during their dating phase, where he helped her through a tough period of depression and exhaustion, so it is safe to say the actress is in great hands!
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Inside The Couple’s Big Day In California Last May
Lovato and her eye candy walked down the aisle on the 25th of May 2025 at the Bellosguardo Foundation (Clark Estate) in Santa Barbara, right atop a high offering a great view of the coastline of the city and the Pacific Ocean.
A source revealed to PEOPLE at the ceremony described the setting as pure magic, and the bride’s beauty added to the uniqueness of the occasion.
As for her designer wedding dress, an article about the wedding in Vogue noted that it was made with heavy silk satin fabric, which featured a corset bodice perfected over five fittings. The pearl white outfit was then paired with a single-tier, custom-length cathedral-style veil, which was made from ivory tulle.
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The musician had previously expressed why she was always drawn to Westwood’s designs, explaining that it is the way the silhouettes really complement the curves in one’s body, alongside her skillful design of corsets.
Lovato’s dress was just one of the interesting things at the wedding, right next to Paris Hilton’s emergency DJ set during the reception, which she attended as a guest. At the end of the event, the couple reportedly left in a vintage car surrounded by cheers and sparklers from their squad.
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Demi Lovato And Jutes’ Love Story Began Shortly After They Collaborated On A Project
In one of his posts promoting Lovato’s eighth studio album, where he worked as a songwriter on one of the tracks, Jutes revealed that it was one of the most complex rock projects he has ever heard. When he was called to write for a session on “Substance,” he was initially intrigued.
According to US Weekly, one month after he made this post in 2022, they sent the rumor mills flying about a romantic relationship between them, judging by their constant interaction on social media and several outings.
By August 2022, the duo was confirmed to be dating after being spotted holding hands in New York, and in the same month, he dedicated a very loving birthday tribute to the actress on Instagram.
By February 2023, Lovato and Jutes made their red carpet debut at the Clive Davis annual pre-Grammys party, where they shared a kiss in front of the flashing cameras. The same year, Lovato wished Jutes a happy birthday on Instagram, describing him as a dream come true.
In her Teen Vogue interview in September 2024, Lovato told the magazine how much their love meant to her and how much she sees them building a future together, alongside plans to start a family. Lovato stressed that there will be a marriage in 2025, and should they have kids, she would absolutely keep them from the world.
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Last October, right after she released her ninth album, Lovato revealed that her relationship with Jutes really put her back in the headspace where she felt confident to write love songs again. She noted that they have a very significant connection that has never made her question why she never has negative things to write about love anymore.
The Disney Alum Put The Spotlight On Her Enduring Friendship With Paris Hilton
The Blast reported that Lovato and the socialite have been friends for decades now, and she recently attended the Los Angeles premiere of Hilton’s “Infinite Icon: A Visual Memoir” documentary, where she gushed about the wonderful qualities of her pal. In her words:
“Paris is such a survivor, and she’s such an inspiration. She’s so strong. She stands up for what she believes in, and I think she’s just so inspiring to me.”
Lovato added that she was grateful to be there to support Hilton, just as she had supported her over the years. The former Disney actress revealed that her friendship with Hilton began when she was just 15, and they have witnessed each other go through different phases of their lives.
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The actress continued that it pleased her to see Hilton flourish in her documentary, adding that it inspired her to embrace the future, which currently includes her upcoming tour and the return of Disney’s all-time favorites, “Camp Rock.”
Lovato proudly shared that she would appear in the project and also serve as an executive producer while watching the new generation lead the way and step into their spotlight on the screen.
Demi Lovato And Paris Hilton Met At An Elle DeGeneres Party
The duo has crossed the hurdle of the 11-year gap between them and built a formidable friendship characterized by love and respect. Lovato and Hilton reportedly met at Ellen DeGeneres’ birthday party, where they immediately connected.
They, however, kept a low profile with their bond and often avoided the public eye except on a few unavoidable occasions. A notable moment in their friendship was when Hilton served as the DJ in the singer’s “Sorry Not Sorry” music video, where she reportedly brought over 12 suitcases of clothes for her appearances.
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In 2017, Hilton was also present at the premiere of Lovato’s “Simply Complicated” documentary, and she took that support straight to her side a year later when she suffered a near-fatal overdose. The award-winning musician also performed at Hilton’s wedding in 2021.
Congratulations in advance to Demi Lovato and Jordan Jutes on clocking one year as a married pair!
Entertainment
Timothy Busfield's lawyer speaks out after actor's indictment about what he finds 'deeply concerning'
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“The detention hearing exposed fatal weaknesses in the State’s evidence,” the actor’s lawyer said to EW in a statement.
War movies have a long-lasting effect on audiences. Cinema would not be the same without this iconic filmmaking style, as it’s one of the most acclaimed genres ever. With masterpieces that are timeless and memorable and have even reached the heights of winning Best Picture, the war genre is and will always be a go-to for anyone looking for a profound movie-watching experience.
Today, there’s no shortage of masterpieces in this genre. For over a hundred years, war movies have been at the forefront of entertainment and influencing our modern pop culture. There’s a list of war films from the last century, ranging from black-and-white classics to epic modern thrillers, that are considered some of the most legendary in the genre’s history. They’ve gripped us from beginning to end, made us excited or broken our hearts, and left us thinking. These are the 20 greatest war movie masterpieces.
20
‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ (2006)
The wildly talented mind behind The Shape of Water and The Devil’s Backbone, Guillermo del Toro, delivers his 2006 visionary war film Pan’s Labyrinth. A dark fantasy drama set during the brutal fascist Franco regime in 1940s Spain, it tells of an imaginative little girl, Ofelia (Ivana Baquero), as she goes on a remarkable journey through the mysterious fairy tale world of Pan’s Labyrinth to escape her oppressive home life and her sadistic military stepfather, Captain Vidal (Sergio Lopez).
It’s told with striking visuals, imaginative storytelling, and unique performances, all to make Pan’s Labyrinth a war film unlike any other. Its message is also powerful and complex, as it’s one of defiance, as we follow Ofelia using her imagination to stand up against Vidal and everything his regime stands for. Sergio Lopez particularly gives one of the most riveting villain performances in a war movie ever, as he perfectly captures the evil oppression of this time period. Overall, it’s a fantastical tale that feels truly inspiring.
19
‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2006)
Quentin Tarantino rose to the heights of filmmaking royalty in the 21st century, thanks in part to his remarkable, one-of-a-kind storytelling talents. One of his masterpieces, most people these days consider to be one of his greatest, is 2009’s Inglourious Basterds, a WWII action film that certainly doesn’t skimp out on the violence. Starring Brad Pitt and Christoph Waltz in an Oscar-winning supporting performance, it’s about a team of elite U.S. Army infiltrators as they go into occupied France to kill as many Nazi officers as possible.
Inglourious Basterds is a wild, bloody thrill ride full of riveting performances, Oscar-winning dialogue, and competent direction from Tarantino, who turns this film into one of his most revered masterpieces ever. It also holds nothing back, delivering a pulse-pounding and shockingly gory action story with intense shootouts and explicit violence that might be too much for some viewers. Honestly, it’s jam-packed with thrilling fun and is worth watching, especially for any WWII enthusiasts.
18
‘The Thin Red Line’ (1998)
After a 20-year hiatus, American visionary director Terrence Malick returned to the director’s chair to deliver one of the war genre’s most profound and reflective masterpieces. Released in 1998, The Thin Red Line is his grand contribution to war, a deep, incredibly emotional, and visually perfect drama set during WWII. Featuring an A-List cast of stars, including Nick Nolte, Jim Caviezel, and Adrien Brody, it follows several U. S. marines as they become deeply affected by the brutality of war while fighting during the Battle of Guadalcanal.
The Thin Red Line is told with the same philosophical storytelling and visceral, raw emotional performances that Malick’s films usually come with, but here, it elevates this war story into something truly profound. It looks absolutely timeless with its cinematography, and the locations used here perfectly capture the look and feel of the actual Guadalcanal battle. This film will move and completely grip viewers, prompting them to look inward and gain a different perspective on this truly devastating war.
17
‘Dunkirk’ (2017)
Innovative modern filmmaker Sir Christopher Nolan had a helping hand in keeping the war genre highly acclaimed in the 21st century. If 2017’s Dunkirk is anything to show, it’s that he’s one of the greatest talents this genre has ever seen. Set during the chaotic evacuation of Dunkirk, France, during the early months of WWII, it follows British soldiers and airmen as they desperately try to survive this brutal retreat.
Dunkirk is a visually stellar masterpiece, complete with Nolan’s penchant for going all out and making sure what audiences are seeing on screen was actually filmed in front of a camera. This actually goes out of its way to have as few CGI effects as possible, and there are actual explosions, plane stunts, and even a ship deliberately being sunk, all done for real to make the film look as believable as possible. As a result, this is one of the most visually striking war masterpieces of our current century.
16
‘Das Boot’ (1981)
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There is no film that better represents the raw survival and brutal living conditions of submariners than the late Wolfgang Petersen‘s Das Boot. Hailed as one of the most frighteningly realistic war movies ever, it tells a unique perspective of WWII that isn’t often depicted, as it follows a German U-boat crew as most of them become disillusioned and tired of the war while serving on a dangerous patrol in the North Atlantic.
It’s Peterson’s sharp direction coupled with the emotional energy of the performances, not to mention the cramped, claustrophobic submarine setting, that’s made Das Boot one of the most timeless and intense war movies in history. Even now, this still leaves a deep impact on viewers, as its anti-war message is compelling, and its action is certainly pulse-pounding. Truly, there’s nothing else quite like this thrilling experience.
15
‘Patton’ (1970)
Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, Patton is a 1970 biographical World War II drama detailing the life of one of the most controversial but capable U.S. military commanders in history, George S. Patton. George C. Scott gives an Oscar-winning performance as General Patton, following this legendary figure during his time during some of the most important battles of the war, from his march through North Africa to his army rolling into the Battle of the Bulge in Europe.
It’s a grand epic full of remarkable acting, gorgeous cinematography, and brilliant storytelling. Scott perfectly embodies this unique commander and how his bold methods made him such an unconventional but effective leader. Granted, its three-hour-long runtime might dissuade a few from watching it, but it’s a near-perfect masterpiece that looks incredible, has a stellar lead actor, and has a respect for history.
The 20th century’s most iconic filmmaker, Stanley Kubrick, has delved into the war genre a few times, and each time created an enduring masterpiece. Wanting to do his own take on the Vietnam War, he released Full Metal Jacket in 1987. This fan favorite anti-war genre has since become legendary in cinema for its powerfully gripping story and memorable dialogue. It follows several U. S. marines from their grueling training in boot camp to their fierce fighting in the streets of Hue City during the Tet Offensive.
It’s all told with Kubrick’s perfectionist style and his incredible attention to detail. There’s hardly any flaw to this war masterpiece, as it’s perfectly acted, written, and, of course, features Kubrick’s capable direction. Full Metal Jacket takes viewers into the intense world of the average American foot-soldier during this costly war, showing how dehumanizing its effects were and how the government stripped them of their identities to model them into killing machines.
13
‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’ (1957)
From Academy Award-winning director David Lean comes one of the most celebrated war classics, 1957’s The Bridge on the River Kwai. This Best Picture winner has steadily grown in popularity among war and especially WWII movie buffs, over the years for its gripping action and thrilling adventure feel. Sir Alec Guinness truly shone in his Oscar-winning role as a stubborn POW colonel who fought for the rights and pride of his fellow workers while assisting his Japanese oppressors in building a massive bridge over the Kwai River.
In terms of scale and production values, this masterpiece has others beat, as The Bridge on the River Kwai really lives up to its epic status. Despite its noticeable age, it’s visually flawless, and the camerawork and gorgeous cinematography help make it seem like it could have easily been made today. It is an absolutely timeless thrill ride that every war movie fan has to experience.
12
‘The Deer Hunter’ (1978)
Michael Cimino‘s Best Picture-winning Vietnam drama The Deer Hunter shows the devastating, heartbreaking psychological effects of war ever brought to the silver screen. A film guaranteed to leave you stunned by the very end, it tells the tragic story of three blue-collar small-town friends whose lives are horribly changed forever after serving in Vietnam.
It doesn’t sugarcoat or hold anything back on why conflicts, and especially the Vietnam War, have had untold damaging effects on people, both physically and mentally. The performances from the A-list cast are nothing short of incredible, as they all do phenomenal jobs. But it’s Christopher Walken‘s portrayal of the emotionally ruined Nick that was the biggest highlight, even earning him an Academy Award. With some of the best acting and most profoundly emotional moments, The Deer Hunter is a hard-to-watch but necessary war film.
11
‘Lawrence of Arabia’ (1962)
Arguably the most perfectly made war movie of all time, David Lean’s groundbreaking 1962 masterpiece Lawrence of Arabia is a grand tale that is timelessly thrilling. Telling the unbelievable true story of famed archeologist, explorer, and soldier T. E. Lawrence (played by Peter O’Toole), it follows this legendary figure as he helps lead the Arab kingdom to victory against the Ottoman Empire during World War I.
While it’s a heavily dramatized account of the real-life story, this epic still offers a remarkable piece of exciting history. It’s all told with riveting acting and Lean’s incredible direction. Of course, there’s no mentioning this film without gushing over the flawless cinematography, which has since aged incredibly well, making the film truly the most timeless in history.
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Lil Jon mourns son DJ Young Slade after authorities discover body in pond: 'Extremely heartbroken'
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“Nathan was the kindest human being you would ever meet,” the rapper said after investigators located a body believed to be his 27-year-old son.
Guess Who
This A-List Comedian Is!
Published
Lots of comedians make their way in bars and smoky clubs, but some shoot right to the top with movies and arena tours, and stay there … can you guess who this A-list comedian is?
We ran into this funnyman in 2024 in L.A. … he must’ve had something really important come up … because he kept his phone glued to his ear!
Still, we managed to get his attention, and he cracked a smile for us … no wonder everybody loves him!
Meghan McCain just threw a stone, straight from the glasshouse, apparently!
The media personality’s attempt to pass a joke at the daytime talk show industry seems to have backfired on her, following comments from social media users about how she left her former talk show, and things did not get boring as she expected.
Meghan McCain’s post comes amid the end of talk shows, including those of Sherri Shepherd and Kelly Clarkson, who both announced last week that they would not be back with their respective networks for a new season of their talk shows.
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Meghan McCain Thinks Daytime Talk Shows Have Become ‘Sublimely Boring’
The media personality hopped on X on February 6, to throw shade at the hosts of several daytime talk shows and how their desperation to be loved has ultimately made their shows become sublimely boring, hence resulting in the cancelation spree the world is currently witnessing.
She concluded that the last time the talk show world experienced a real one was when Wendy Williams sat in the hot seat and “said the quiet things we were all thinking out loud.” Meghan noted that Wendy was “messy, raw, real, and wildly entertaining” during her time on television.
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The former talk show host’s tweet drew commentaries from several X users who weighed in on her comment and reminded her of her “The View” exit, claiming she is still butthurt about leaving the show. Another X user reminded her that “The View” is still very interesting, despite her exit.
“You were on the view, so I guess your description applies to you also,” one more X user declared. This commenter opined that Meghan was probably impossible to work with, which was why she left the show.
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More Comments Slammed The Late Politician’s Daughter’s Post
Another X user wrote, “And the reason you’re close to being canceled is because you haven’t said one thing about the killings in Minnesota OR the racist tweet from the president your husband is so obsessed with. You know who would’ve spoken out???? Your dad.”
Meghan’s reference to Wendy was also condemned by another commenter, who informed the media personality that she was mentally ill and her attempt to use her as a jab at other talk show hosts was far from funny or entertaining.
“Choosing Black History Month to uplift a ‘messy & wildly entertaining’ Black woman when there are so many accomplished & successful Blacks that have contributed greatly to society is EXACTLY what those who are paying attention would expect from YOU,” a sixth commenter added.
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This X user informed Meghan that Wendy was paying “for her evil heart,” because she made a living on other people’s pain, and the former talk show host would be next in line.
This commenter responded with a picture of Clarkson holding an award while they stressed that “people don’t have to be messy to be entertaining or succesful.”
Another subscriber concluded that no one should be surprised at the fact that Meghan largely preferred “the rolling around in the mud style of talk shows.”
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The Real Reason Why Kelly Clarkson Pulled The Plug On Her Talk Show
The musical powerhouse shook the TV world when she announced that it was time to bid a farewell to her talk show to focus on more time with her children and other personal pursuits.
As shared by The Blast, sources close to the singer and the production confirmed that the main reasons why she left were the time commitment and her desire to slow things down and live a little.
The singer is reportedly excited to get a break from her demanding daily schedule and spend all that excess free time with her children without the thought of a daily show at the back of her head. Kelly’s new normal will reportedly give her the space to be more present at home while still being the artist she loves.
On whether her music career would continue, a source confirmed in the affirmative and added that she is open ti hopping on new projects that do not require a daily schedule.
She still wants to make music and perform songs, but her new era is reportedly all about balancing the scale instead of overworking herself and jeopardizing family time.
Nevertheless, the singer acknowledged that she shared so many unforgettable moments on the show for the past seven seasons and was fortunate to be the face of her production while working with so many talented people to bring her show to life.
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Sherri Shepherd’s ‘Sherri’ Talk Show Got Axed Too
Clarkson’s announcement was not the only news that dropped last week. On February 3, Debmar-Mercury, which distributes the show through Lionsgate, released a statement that Sherri’s show was indeed canceled due to the evolving “daytime television landscape.”
As reported by The Blast, Debmar Mercury stated that the decision to cancel the show does not necessarily reflect on the strength of the show or its production, nor does it speak badly of Sherri’s talent as a host and creative.
The company added that their belief in Sherri remained unwavering and they plan to explore alternatives for the media personality on other platforms.
The former talk show host began the journey on a daytime talk show in the fall of 2022 when she initially occupied the previous time slot of the “Wendy Williams Show,” which ran for 13 seasons.
Sherri herself has reacted to the news of her show’s cancellation, explaining that she had been struggling with COVID, which explained her silence on the news. She, however, promised to address all the news that has come out when she feels better and returns to the host seat for the rest of the season.
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Meghan McCain Warned Against Falling For Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Rebrand Attempt
The 41-year-old does not hold back on her opinions when it comes to the talk show world, and back in January, she weighed in on Marjorie’s rebrand and accused her of merely trying to get a seat on the hot topics table on “The View” for herself.
Meghan insisted that Marjorie was far from moderate and no one should be buying into her attempt to turn over a new leaf overnight. The late senator’s daughter made this statement in response to a report that she alerted activist group Code Pink about the restaurant where the president was dining in September last year.
According to Marjorie, she only recommended the restaurant to the politician and had no idea he would head out there. The podcaster described Marjorie’s act as very dangerous, noting that Code Pink is a group of radicals who could have hurt the president, who has survived several assassination attempts in the past.
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