A glamorous day in Hollywood took an unexpected turn for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who found himself in a far less celebratory situation moments after honoring fellow stars.

The actor’s evening quickly shifted from applause and admiration to a tense roadside stop, drawing attention to an incident that contrasted sharply with the event he had just attended.

Dwayne Johnson’s day out in Los Angeles did not end the way many would have expected.

After attending a high-profile Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony honoring Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci, the actor was pulled over by police shortly after leaving the event.

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The stop reportedly took place as Johnson was driving away from the ceremony, which had drawn several A-list celebrities.

The unexpected encounter brought a sudden pause to what had been a celebratory evening, placing the spotlight on Johnson for a very different reason.

A video shared by TMZ on Instagram showed the actor appearing subdued during the interaction as a law enforcement officer carried out their routine procedure.

Dwayne Johnson Issued Ticket Over Vehicle Violation

The reason behind the traffic stop soon became clear.

The Daily Mail reported that Dwayne Johnson was issued a ticket for violating California’s vehicle window tint laws. The actor later confirmed the nature of the citation while speaking to a photographer.

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California enforces strict regulations when it comes to tinted windows. Front side windows must allow at least 70 percent of light to pass through, while windshield tinting is limited to only a small strip at the top. Rear windows may be darker, but certain conditions, such as dual side mirrors, must be met.

For a first-time violation, penalties are typically minor, often involving a small fine and a requirement to adjust the tint.

More serious or repeated offenses can result in higher fines and formal infractions.

Despite the inconvenience, Johnson accepted the ticket without resistance before continuing on his way.

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Star-Studded Ceremony Celebrates Emily Blunt And Stanley Tucci

Before the unexpected roadside moment, the evening had been centered around celebration.

Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci were honored with stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, marking a significant milestone in their careers.

Dwayne Johnson was among several high-profile attendees who showed up to support the pair.

During the ceremony, he took the stage and delivered a speech that reflected both humor and admiration.

He joked that it was “about time” the duo received their stars, before offering heartfelt praise for Blunt.

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Johnson Praises Emily Blunt In Emotional Speech

Speaking about her character and outlook, he said, “Every single day, knowing Emily, as many of us do, that is one grateful woman who will wake up feet on the ground, being grateful about every moment.”

He continued, “I feel like when you’re grateful about every moment, that then leads to the thing I think we all look for, which is joy and peace of mind.”

Johnson added, “And those are all the things I think that make up Emily and so much more.”

The ceremony brought together an impressive list of guests, including Meryl Streep, Robert Downey Jr., and Matt Damon, all of whom gathered to celebrate the honorees’ achievements.

Career Highs And Setbacks Surround Dwayne Johnson

The traffic stop comes at an interesting time in Dwayne Johnson’s career.

While he remains one of Hollywood’s most recognizable figures, his recent projects have delivered mixed results.

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His 2025 film “The Smashing Machine,” in which he starred alongside Emily Blunt, struggled at the box office despite significant expectations.

The film reportedly earned just $10 million domestically against a much larger budget, though Johnson’s performance was widely praised.

Despite that setback, the actor’s schedule remains packed with major projects.

He is set to return to some of his biggest franchises, including the “Jumanji” series and the “Fast & Furious” saga. A sequel to “Jungle Cruise” is also in development, following the film’s strong streaming performance.

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In addition, Johnson is preparing to headline a live-action adaptation of “Moana,” which is expected to attract significant attention given the success of the animated franchise.

For now, however, it was a routine traffic stop that briefly overshadowed a day meant for celebration, reminding onlookers that even Hollywood’s biggest stars are not immune to everyday moments.

India Love has been in the spotlight for many years, first gaining attention in her teenage years before growing into an entrepreneur. Now, at 30, she has taken moments to reflect and share things she wishes she had done differently. While discussing Rakai, the rising streamer, India offered him advice after watching his recent boarding school stream. Her advice not only sparked debate across the internet, but a tense back and forth with him. 

RELATED: India Love Speaks Out After Being Escorted Out Of 2025 Streamer Awards For Saying Rakai & DDG Deserved Breakout Award (VIDEOS)

India Love Expresses Her Disappointment In Rakai After His Stream

India Love hopped on Twitch to discuss Rakai’s boarding school stream after clips from the broadcast circulated online. She said she was disappointed by how he and his friends spoke to girls and teachers.

She stated, “When you’re someone of influence, you gotta understand your role in life and take that influence serious. People probably watch Rakai and think it’s okay to talk to their peers, girls like that, and teachers like that.”

India acknowledged Rakai is still young and that his personality plays a role in his content. However, she said his platform requires greater responsibility, especially when setting an example for the younger generation.

Rakai Claps Back As He Responds To India Love’s Advice

Rakai got wind of India Love’s advice while on stream with Deshae Frost. While reacting to the clip, he referred to India as a “BBL demon. Then, Deshae quickly covered his mouth to stop himself from saying anything more disrespectful.

Rakai later called India so he could better understand her point of view. During the call, he explained that the boarding school stream was just content. The steamer added that he did not believe he or his friends were being disrespectful.

India pointed to one specific clip where Rakai and his friend questioned whether a young woman was a man. She reminded him that regardless of whether it was content, he has major influence. India said there is a balance between making content and carrying yourself properly as an influencer.

Once the phone call ended, Rakai had a few more thoughts to get off his chest. He reacted to a clip of India Love speaking at the 2025 Streamer Awards. In the clip, India said she felt Rakai or DDG should have won Breakout Streamer. 

Rakai questioned her comments and responded, “Is this the influencer right there?” He added, “Did I go on the internet and say, ‘OMG India Love, you have a lot of influence?’ Why would did u do that? No, I minded my business.”

After seeing his response, India said he is entitled to how he feels following the criticism. However, she stood on what she said and emphasized that people should be treated with respect. She added that authority figures should be respected, content or not.

SEE ALL THE RELATED VIDEOS IN POST BELOW. 

Social Media Debates On The Influencers’ Exchange 

Folks gathered under The Shade Room Teens reacting to clips from the exchange between India Love and Rakai. Many agreed with India, saying streamers heavily influence how people interact today. Others argued Rakai is still young and still learning publicly. Some also brought up India’s own controversial moments while debating whether she was the right person to give advice.

Instagram user wrote @_jayjaysbizarreadventure_ wrote. “I’m glad somebody saying something he gon get his ssa handed to him one day and “it’s just content” is not gonna fly.”

Instagram user @sevunnseen added. “He still missing the principles but he not no • kid no mo…she jst looking out for him”

While Instagram user @_livelifebegreat wrote, “She could’ve sent him a little private message. These internet people turn everything into content”

Instagram user @_juelz wrote, “rakai dgaf bout nun  😂😂”

Instagram user @prettygirlaesthetic_ added, “ Do we need to pull up yo clips India???😭😭😭😭”

While Instagram user @ynwmiless wrote  “Right message WRONG messenger”

Instagram user wrote @bby_nay_ wrote. “Mind you she was the same one acting out on DDG show talking to them crazy for content”

Instagram user @yendeare added. “yall keep saying wrong messenger but.. who else gone speak abt it? nobody exactly. stsu“

While Instagram user @dear_mica_  wrote, “Just because someone did things in their pass doesn’t mean she can’t change and can’t influence others to change either”

Young Woman From Rakai’s Stream Speaks Out On Negative Online Comments

The young lady, Swesheroll, took to her stream to address the negative comments she received following Rakai’s recent boarding school stream. Swesheroll also teared up on stream while reacting to the backlash. She agreed with India Love and felt the comments questioning her appearance and calling her a man could’ve been handled better.

She stated, “It has been prolonged for days now. No one has said that it’s not a man. That’s not to straight up blame Rakai, but to be very clear, something could’ve been done by now.”

RELATED: Too Far? Social Media Pops Off After Rakai & Tylil James Unveil Connected Hairstyle (VIDEOS)

There have certainly been better times in history than right now to be a James Bond fan. It’s now been five years since the release of the last 007 movie, No Time to Die, which served as the perfect send-off for Daniel Craig’s version of the character. Craig spent the better part of 20 years playing Bond after he made his debut in Casino Royale in 2006, taking over the role from Pierce Brosnan, who famously starred in a series of more gadget-forward Bond films in the 90s. Amazon has since acquired the James Bond property and confirmed that it’s developing a new movie, but little is known about the project at this time. Denis Villeneuve (Dune) is directing with a script from Peaky Blinders scribe Steven Knight, but casting for the new 007 adventure has not yet been announced.

Just because Amazon’s James Bond film is moving forward more slowly than some would hope, though, doesn’t mean that 007 fans still have things to be excited about. IO Interactive has spent years developing a new James Bond game, and after multiple delays, 007 First Light is finally set to be released later this month, on May 27. The game stars Dexter: Original Sin‘s Patrick Gibson as the new MI6 agent. Just a few weeks ago, the studio released the final gameplay trailer for the new release, which confirmed that players will have multiple ways to tackle new levels. This means players can choose whether to take a more stealthy approach to Bond’s objectives or load up with weapons and gadgets and meet their threat head-on. First reactions for 007 First Light surfaced online yesterday, and the game is already being hailed as “phenomenal” and a massive contender for Game of the Year.

What Is the Highest-Grossing James Bond Movie?

Skyfall, the 2012 film headlined by Daniel Craig and Javier Bardem, is the highest-grossing James Bond movie in history. The film grossed over $1.1 billion at the global box office, against a $200 million budget, and remains the only Bond film in history to reach the $1 billion mark. The 2015 James Bond film (Spectre), which followed Skyfall, was also a massive success at the box office, grossing nearly $900 million. Craig’s final outing as James Bond (No Time to Die), which also earned scores of 83% from critics and 88% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, grossed $774 million globally against a $250 million production cost.

Stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of 007 First Light, the new James Bond game releasing later this month on May 27.

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Release Date

October 8, 2021

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Runtime

163 Minutes

Director

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Cary Joji Fukunaga

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By Robert Scucci
| Published 11 seconds ago

When I was college-age, Adult Swim dominated my media consumption habits, and I learned one very important thing about storytelling: short runtimes lead to urgency, and urgency leads to incredibly tight narrative structures. These days, we all look down our noses at short-form content because it’s seen as a sign of a short attention span or lacking intelligence, but I’d argue the opposite. There’s an obvious distinction between the short-form brainrot you find on TikTok and a TV series that boasts an 11 to 15 minute runtime.

The former is for people who can’t carry a conversation without pulling out their phone or glazing over when you get into the nitty gritty. The latter is a masterclass in establishing conflict, building backstory, escalating stakes, and landing a conclusion in a startlingly short amount of time.

Most series on Adult Swim boast an 11-minute runtime, with the remainder of their 15-minute slots going to ads. Even most children’s shows that fill a 30-minute block are split into two episodes that run about 11 minutes each. They share one key rule: not a single minute can be wasted because every second counts.

Metalocalypse Is The Definitive Case Study

One of my favorite shows of all time is Adult Swim’s Metalocalypse. I’m not here to talk about the feature-length entries, The Doomstar Requiem, or Army of the Doomstar, because those operate on a different wavelength and tie up a ton of narrative loose ends for the series. They work brilliantly as movies, and I’ve never questioned the runtime there.

The series itself is fascinating when it shifts from Season 2 to Season 3, expanding from an 11-minute runtime to a 22-minute one. Metalocalypse has deep lore, a sprawling cast with conflicting motives, global stakes, and plenty of side quests. Every episode from Seasons 1 and 2 tells you within the first couple minutes exactly what’s at stake, who the key players are, what they’re about to get into, and how insane it’s about to get.

Season 1’s “Religionklok” is a perfect example of instant escalation pushed to absurdity. The show thrives on strong characterization, and once the premiere gets introductions out of the way, you already know who everyone is. In this episode, the Dethklok boys gets hammered at a bar, recklessly drive home in their five-seat Murdercycle, Murderface gets thrown from the vehicle, is severely injured, and decides he needs religion.

This all happens within three minutes. Faster, if you skip the theme song. At that point, you know Murderface is the episode’s protagonist, and he’s spiraling after a near-death experience. From there, the episode just lets you watch him try to understand religion, which quickly unravels once he realizes it’s all the same, and all painfully boring.

When Season 3 bumps episodes up to 22 minutes, the format shifts into something closer to a traditional sitcom. The problem is the writers got so good at escalating quickly that they didn’t seem to know what to do with the extra space, and the pacing suffers.

In Season 3’s “Tributeklok,” Dethklok lifts their global ban on tribute bands, and the premise is solid. Toki, the rhythm guitarist, is secretly posing as Skwisgaar, the lead guitarist, in a tribute band called Thunderhorse. It’s funny on paper, but it doesn’t justify a 22-minute episode. The characterization is still there, but the immediacy is gone because scenes stretch to fill time instead of driving momentum.

There are some great gags, like the band infiltrating the tribute scene and living as working-class musicians instead of megastars. As they burn themselves out physically and mentally, they start acting erratic from exhaustion and starvation. The problem is those gags get repeated too many times. There are only so many variations before the joke wears thin. Instead of getting in and out in 11 minutes, we sit through 22 minutes padded with material that feels contractually necessary rather than creatively sharp.

I still love the episodes from this era. Even the longer episodes are packed with band humor and music industry satire that I’ll always apprecaite. But Season 3 feels bloated, and I’m not alone in thinking that. It’s hard to come up with another reason why the show reverted back to its 11-minute runtime for its fourth and final season.

A Short Runtime Is Baptism By Fire

Think of short runtimes like an elevator pitch. You need to convince someone, immediately, why this thing is funny, valid, and worth their time. If you don’t hook them before the doors open and you go your separate ways, you’ve missed your shot. Metalocalypse, along with most of Adult Swim’s lineup, operates with this level of urgency. The writing has to be sharper, bolder, more immediate, and constantly escalating. It’s so fast, intentional, and hyper-detailed, that if you blink, you miss something important.

There’s another upside. If you only watch a couple hours of TV a day, you can fit in twice as much programming. It’s the same deal as watching Rugrats or The Angry Beavers as a kid, where every block gave you two episodes instead of one.

If you really want to figure out which new shows can survive in today’s hyper-competitive streaming landscape, cut the runtime in half and see what still works. The ones that do are the ones worth renewing.

Mikayla Matthews is taking the next big step in her healing journey while also opening the door for someone facing similar health struggles to join her.

Fans of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star know the health struggles she’s been going through for years and have watched her journey unfold on social media and on the Hulu reality show. In a recently shared TikTok video, Matthews explains what her next step in healing will be and why she feels it’s important to take someone along with her on this leg of the journey.

Matthews has been sharing her health struggles for some time now but recently gave an update in a TikTok video.

About a week ago, Matthews shared that she just got back to Utah after being away for about a month. She said she was “terrified” to go back home since her “flares” weren’t as bad outside of Utah.

“Within two days of coming home, my hands flared up really bad, my neck flared up really bad,” she said. “I’m sitting here truly feeling like I’m here in Utah in this environment, I am just surviving with chronic illness, where when I was in Costa Rica, when I was in California, I’m living with chronic illness.”

Many fans dropped into the comment section to share words of encouragement and suggest she leaves Utah, and it appears she took that advice.

The ‘Mormon Wives’ Star Left Utah For Her Health

In a follow up video, fans got to hear the news they’ve been hoping for – Matthews is leaving Utah temporarily to help move her health journey into the right direction.

“It’s finally time to tell you guys where I’m moving away. We’re going to Hawaii,” she said in her TikTok video. She shared her POV of traveling solo with two young children, showing just how long it took for her to get from Utah to Hawaii and all the fun in between.

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“Sorry did you travel by yourself with a baby AND a toddler?! Mom of the freaking year award girl,” one viewer shared in the comments. Another added, “By the end of the video I was smiling so big for you! You handled this so well!”

‘I Have Been Wanting To Do This For A Very Long Time’

In a more recently shared video on social media, Matthews shares more about her healing journey and how she wants to help someone else going through something similar. After explaining that she’s tried to make this video multiple times and “cried every time,” she jumped right into what’s on her mind.

“This itself has been a very intense, traumatic experience. Feel like there’s a reason I’m going through this, and I think every single day how grateful I am to be in the position that I’m in,” she said. “Cannot imagine not being in a place financially that I’m in right now or having the support that I have and having to go through this alone.”

The MomTok member shared that she’s had access to “some of the top doctors” and has received many treatments for free, something she said she doesn’t feel she deserves “because of the position that I’m in,” adding that it makes her feel “horrible” for people going through the same thing while worrying about the cost.

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Mikayla Matthews Is Taking Detox Retreat Nominations

Matthews said that she’s planning to visit Switzerland to do a detox retreat and she would like to bring someone with her who’s also struggling.

“It would just make me so happy to take one of you guys with me who also are dealing with chronic illness,” she said. “Pay for your flight, pay for your treatment at the detox center that I’m going to. So if you or anyone you know will benefit from this, I’m going to leave a link in my bio for you.”

The link brings you to a page where the description reads, “I’m looking to bring one person from my community with me to a 5-7 day wellness/detox retreat in Europe. We’re currently finalizing details, but it will likely take place in Germany, Switzerland, or Austria. It will take place the first or second week of June 2026.”

The description continues explaining that this is a chance for someone “navigating chronic health challenges, skin issues, mold/toxin-related illness, gut issues, autoimmune symptoms, or other ongoing wellness struggles” to take their health journey to a new chapter.

Many viewers dropped into the comment section to share kind words for Matthews, as well as to share their own stories.

“Now THIS is a giveaway. Thank you for seeing ALL of us. You’re truly an angel and your honesty and transparency is the biggest gift. As an endometriosis girlie this hit home,” one person wrote.

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Another said, “Unfortunately for most of us that struggle with chronic health issues our health gets put on the back burner because life, bills, groceries, kids all the things come first.”

One other viewer wrote, “This is what an influencer is!! Using your platform, spreading awareness, showing real empathy and giving back to people who are less fortunate… You are an angel.”

Grind and glow! BURN founder Maria Chase is redefining the workout experience by merging high-intensity training with skincare-focused technology in a 45-minute session that leaves you sweaty and radiant.

Her infrared-heated classes, enhanced with LED/NIR light therapy, have become a go-to for celebs like Sofia Richie, Kate Hudson, and Adriana Lima, all seeking that post-workout glow in more ways than one.

“As biohacking, technology, and recovery awareness have come to the forefront, it became clear to me that combining them into one experience would be both efficient and effective,” Chase tells ET.

“I think of it as biostacking, or blending a workout with longevity-focused modalities like infrared heat and medical grade light therapy to amplify results.”

That layered approach carries into the classes themselves, where each format is built around high-intensity, low-impact exercises with minimal cardio, and room for modifications.

“BURN45 is our foundational class, where we work through the entire body to build lean muscle and burn fat using heavier weights,” Chase explains.

“ISOBURN is on the other end of the spectrum. We focus on targeting tiny accessory muscles to support the larger muscles underneath,” she continues.

And for those looking for a more traditional lift, the workout pro teamed up with David Charvet and his son, Shaya, to launch BUILD, a heavier, fundamentals-driven strength style option.

“It’s rooted in weight training and feels like somewhere in between a personal training session and a group class.”

But the real glow-up at BURN happens well beyond the weights.

“Our studios have Class II medical-grade red and blue lights that penetrate through skin, connective tissue, muscle, bone, and organs for cellular regeneration. The light frequencies also target the superficial layers of the skin to help with tightening and issues like discoloration, rosacea, psoriasis, and acne,” she says.

This means you’re not only working out; you’re working on your skin too. Because of that, Chase has one unexpected rule: come bare faced.

“I always remind clients not to wear sunscreen in class because it can block the red light from penetrating into the skin. Instead, I keep it simple with a hyaluronic acid spray and light water-based moisturizer,” the trainer shares.

Add in the sauna-like atmosphere, and the results go even deeper.

“The detoxification from infrared heat is significantly higher than traditional heat. It’s gentle, but incredibly effective for flushing out toxins and reducing water retention,” the fitness pro explains. “Plus, it warms the body from the inside out, which improves flexibility and helps prevent injuries.”

Still, Chase’s self-care philosophy extends far beyond the studio doors.

“I believe in a holistic approach to wellness and that starts with the mind and soul. I don’t get much time off, so when I do, I really value rest. Unplugging is a luxury.”

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Kathy Hilton remained a friend of the show on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” season 15. Recently, at the reunion, the 67-year-old fan-favorite revealed to the group that she’d fallen for a supposed viral diet that celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey had used. Sadly for her, the diet came with some uncomfortable side effects, which Hilton hilariously described.

Hilton’s revelation about the Jell-O diet comes as she’s being sued after a guest at her home was injured almost two years ago.

Bravo posted the clip of Hilton discussing the diet she recently used on its social media channels. In it, she began, “Well, I had a little problem. I went on the Jello-O diet.” After that, the rest of the cast, along with Andy Cohen, were shocked that such a thing existed.

She detailed the diet, saying that, in addition to Winfrey, she had seen footage of Michelle Obama and Kelly Clarkson promoting it online. According to her, “With vinegar and baking soda.”

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However, Hilton then began discussing the harmful effects and how she’d been misled. The “RHOBH” star went on, “It has messed up my whole entire system. I was so bloated I could not fit into anything.”

Hilton stated that she initially lost two pounds in one day before becoming bloated.

The ‘Housewives’ Friend Of Later Learned It Was All AI

Hilton continued discussing her Jell-O diet, and everyone else on stage reacted with either humor or total shock. After that, she revealed, “They were lying to me. It was all AI.” This led Cohen to clarify what she had meant.

He said, “It was like AI versions of Oprah saying, ‘I do this Jell-O diet?’” She added that she’d seen Dr. Oz promote the diet as well, leading Cohen to joke, “Oh well, I mean, one of the great minds.”

‘RHOBH’ Fans Are Reacting To Hilton Falling For The Jell-O Diet

Fans took to the Bravo comments to react to Hilton revealing she’d believed the AI-generated videos of famous people discussing the Jell-O diet. For the most part, “RHOBH” fans found this to be yet another reason why she needs to remain on the show. However, others revealed they’d known people who had fallen for something similar.

One person wrote on TikTok, “She needs to stay on forever, the only reason I watch, to be honest.” Someone else questioned the diet’s components, saying, “Vinegar and baking soda… WTF!” A different fan reacted, “Where do I get a 24/7 live feed of Kathy?”

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A different person discussed how Kyle Richards, Hilton’s sister, seemed to have never heard this information before. They wrote, “The fact that Kyle showed ‘first time hearing this’ look just confirms to me what type of Sister Kyle is!!!! I love Kathy, and there’s a reason why Kathy also supports Dorit.”

Lastly, another fan picked up on Cohen’s subtle jab, stating, “Andy calling out Dr. Oz made this entire clip for me.”

Others Are Falling For The Jell-O Diet

Hilton may have used humor to describe her experience with the Jell-O diet, but according to Scopes, this is an actual scam that people are succumbing to. The outlet reports that it’s received messages from readers “for months” inquiring about the diet’s legitimacy.

They also state that, in addition to the previously listed celebrities, some ads use AI-generated portraits of Jennifer Aniston, Jillian Michaels, and Melissa McCarthy. The ads often advertise that users can lose 15 pounds by the end of whatever month they’re currently in.

Scopes confirmed that there is no evidence to suggest that any of the listed celebrities were actually advertising the product.

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Kathy Hilton Is Being Sued

According to TMZ, Hilton is being sued by Kimberly Heffington, who visited her Bel Air mansion in August 2024 for a charity event. While there, Heffington’s foot became caught between pieces of uneven pavement on the sidewalk.

Per the claim, the woman “landed violently on the ground, causing her to suffer severe and permanent injuries, including but not limited to a complex medial meniscus tear to her right knee.” As a result, Hilton is being sued for negligence, claiming there was no warning about the pavement.

Heffington also states that she has permanent injuries from the fall. She is requesting reimbursement for medical bills and unspecified damages.

By Jennifer Asencio
| Published 7 seconds ago

If you were a child in 1981, odds are high you saw Raiders of the Lost Ark at some point. The blockbuster hit needs little introduction. It famously stars Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, an archaeologist and antiquities professor who travels the world on adventures for ancient artifacts and gets recruited by the United States government before World War II to find the legendary Ark of the Covenant, the Biblical container of the Ten Commandments. The movie spawned four sequels, two television shows, and myriad knockoffs.

Three imaginative pre-teens named Eric Zala, Chris Strompolos, and Jayson Lamb fell in love with the movie and saw it multiple times in the theater. They decided they wanted to remake the movie themselves and began to take copious notes. Their love letter to Raiders is called Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation, and it is nearly a shot-by-shot remake made by the three boys and their friends.

The Finest Amateur Hour Ever Documented

Sure, the sets are obviously cardboard, they replace the plane Indy escapes the Hovitos from in the beginning with a boat, and the original version of the film does not include the boxing match with the big German that takes place around a moving plane. Barrel-chested, deep-voiced Sallah is played by a skinny kid named Alan Stenum whose voice hadn’t cracked yet, and some of the sets are really fudged, with the whole thing giving off the impression of being a stage play.

Yet the movie is infinitely watchable and even enjoyable. Strompolos stars as Indy opposite Zala’s smooth and slimy Belloq. Angela Rodriguez co-stars as Marion, and the cast is rounded out by Ted Ross as the sinister Toht, and Michael Bales as Nazi project leader Dietrich. Yes, these are obvious children (by the time the last scenes of the movie were actually filmed, Zala and Strompolos were almost 20) but they all put on amazing performances that carry the film, particularly Zala, who almost out-smarms and out-charms the original Belloq, Paul Freeman.

And those cardboard sets are actually very well-done. They are not only not distracting, but it is obvious a lot of work was put into them, especially the map room in Tanis and the Well of Souls, two of the largest and most complex sets in the original film. Some members of the cast and crew (and everyone who worked on it was both cast and crew) put a lot of effort and thoughtfulness into creating the world of Indiana Jones. The locations are occasionally a bit jarring, being obviously not from the 1930s or Egypt, but viewers will be so wrapped up in the action and creativity that by the time they register the anachronisms, they’re onto the next scene and the next adventure.

Kids Do The Darndest Things

Part of the film’s charm is the noticeable differences, anyway. Viewers are not going to watch Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation because they want to see the special effects of masters George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. The first time watching this film is entirely for the appreciation of what these kids accomplished over the six-year period during which they produced and made the film.

Strompolos produced and Zala directed, with Lamb handling the cinematography, and the group did an excellent job of doing a top-notch amateur film that audiences will recognize and love as much as the original, but for different reasons. Some of the sets are even real: they shot the exterior submarine shots on a real submarine, and also managed to use a battleship to stand in for Captain Katanga’s freighter.

To top it off, 14 years after the movie was made, it was discovered by none other than Spielberg himself. It received critical acclaim as “the best fan film ever made” from names such as Harry Knowles and boasts a 100 percent on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, with fans agreeing at 88 percent. This caused the group to reunite in 2014 to attempt filming the airplane scene. Zala wrote about the experience of reuniting the cast and crew for the 124-shot scene. It is included in the 2015 documentary about the fan movie, Raiders!: The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made.

Its Legacy Speaks For Itself

The best part, though, is how Zala and Strompolos continued careers in entertainment. At the time of the filming of the airplane scene, Zala worked for a video game publisher and Strompolos was the Executive Director of Operations at The Gnomon School of Visual FX, Games & Animation in Hollywood, as well as an accomplished musician with an upcoming album. That was a decade ago, but Zala’s article was written in 2023, showing that the pair is still actively creating entertainment. The website for the movie also states that Zala tours campuses and art centers to help inspire other creators to follow their dreams as he did.

Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation SCORE

Raiders!: The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made is streaming free on Tubi. Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation is available to rent, download, or own on DVD or Blu-Ray at Raiders Kids, the official store for the production, and there is even a version that includes the 2014 footage. The movie is reasonably priced and a very worthy addition to the video collection not just of movie buffs and Indiana Jones fans, but anyone who likes movies. It is easily as enjoyable as the original, and shows what a group of determined young creatives can do with a little motivation, ingenuity, and a true passion for the source material.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 1 minute ago

You might have slept on The Cloverfield Paradox when it first came out, but this sequel was much more than the third film of an innovative sci-fi franchise. When you stream this movie on Netflix, you’re doing more than watching the story about astronauts who must survive a completely unthinkable scenario. You’re also watching a film whose clever marketing strategies ended up changing movie history.

What is The Cloverfield Paradox actually about? The plot centers on a group of astronauts conducting experiments aboard a space station in order to help solve our planet’s growing energy crisis. After they use a particle accelerator, Earth appears to vanish altogether, leaving them to frantically discover what happened and hope against hope that they are able to return home.

The Cloverfield Paradox Didn’t Start Out As A Cloverfield Movie

Part of what makes 2018’s The Cloverfield Paradox so fascinating is that it wasn’t originally written as a Cloverfield film. The first of director J.J. Abrams Cloverfield movies, called Cloverfield, was released in 2008 and involved a gigantic alien monster attacking the world and destroying entire cities.

The Cloverfield Paradox started out based on Oren Uziel’s spec script for God Particle, but during production, Cloverfield creator J.J. Abrams saw an opportunity to connect this new film to his franchise and create a larger cinematic universe. Somewhat ironically, this also happened with the previous film 10 Cloverfield Lane, which was developed from the script for The Cellar, a movie originally unrelated to the Cloverfield franchise.

If nothing else, The Cloverfield Paradox is worth checking out because of the stars involved. Bradley Cooper does some killer voice work, and we also get another stellar performance (or should that be an interstellar performance) from John Goodman. Mary Elizabeth Winstead also shines in this film. Between this and her great performance in that otherwise forgettable prequel to The Thing, she established her science fiction bona fides long before suiting up in Ashoka.

Changing The Course Of Movie History With Marketing

When it came to marketing The Cloverfield Paradox, the new film took very direct inspiration from Cloverfield. As with that original movie, the sequel utilized a viral marketing campaign that provided some crucial backstory about some of our key characters. To access and understand this backstory, though, fans had to put together many virtual puzzles, including a weirdly engaging augmented reality game.

The viral marketing and ARG elements were a great way to rope in the more dedicated fans, but what really set the marketing for The Cloverfield Paradox over the top was its Super Bowl trailer.

Nobody knew the trailer was going to drop during the big game, and the trailer further surprised fans by confirming the final name for the film as well as the fact that it would stream on Netflix. The biggest surprise of all, though, was that the movie was available to stream as soon as the game was over, meaning that Netflix subscribers who enjoyed the trailer didn’t have to wait to experience the whole movie.

In retrospect, The Cloverfield Paradox changed movie history by changing how studios market films as well as how audiences view them. Nearly a decade ago, this movie’s surprise release on Netflix gave audiences a glimpse of a future which would increasingly be dominated by the digital distribution of movies. If you’d like to experience that future for yourself, all you have to do is stream The Cloverfield Paradox on Netflix today.

Finding a flattering swimsuit that looks expensive and earns compliments usually means spending way more than you want to. That’s why I was shocked when the Herseas ruffle bikini set delivered the same elevated look as some designer styles I was eyeing.

I originally fell in love with a chic navy set from Marie Oliver, which rings in at nearly $275 for the full look. It’s polished, tailored and undeniably gorgeous, but not exactly an impulse buy. Thankfully, the Herseas version gives off that same sophisticated, one-shoulder silhouette and high-waisted fit, making it a dead ringer for the designer vibe at a fraction of the price.

Get the Herseas One-Shoulder High-Waisted Bikini Set for $28 (originally $35) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

What makes this swimsuit such a standout is the combination of structure and comfort. The asymmetrical neckline instantly elevates the look, while the high-waisted bottoms smooth and flatter in all the right places. It feels secure without being restrictive — which, if you’ve ever dealt with fussy swimwear, is a game changer.

Even better, the fabric has just enough stretch to hug your shape while still holding everything in. The result? A sleek, pulled-together silhouette that looks equally good lounging poolside or actually getting in the water.

Moms like me agree this bathing suit punches way above its price point. One reviewer shared, “This is a really cute and flattering swimsuit. The bottoms fit and support your belly area, which I like as a mom. The ruffle on the top is pretty and adds to the look.”

“I’m a mom of 4 and pretty self-conscious of my tummy,” said another shopper. “I have a long torso, but it comes up over my belly button and hides all the things! It’s super flattering! I can’t wait to show it off! It feels like good quality overall, too!”

If you want a swimsuit that looks chic, feels comfortable and doesn’t cost a fortune, this is it. It’s become my go-to, and the compliments haven’t stopped!

Get the flattering swimsuit for $28 (originally $35) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more high-waisted bikinis, and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

Related: Calling All Swimsuit Haters! 15 Best One-Pieces Under $50

The idea of going to a store, picking out swimsuits and doing a fashion show for one in the dressing room is, well, not my definition of a good time. On the other hand, it can be difficult to shop for a bathing suit online. I wanted to make the process easy — and not […]