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Entertainment

‘Stranger Things’ Easter Egg May Have Just Revealed the Future of Netflix’s New Stellar Sci-Fi Series

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[Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for The Boroughs Season 1]

Summary

  • Collider’s Steve Weintraub talks with Geena Davis, Denis O’Hare, and Clarke Peters for The Boroughs.
  • The trio share their insight on Episode 8’s cliffhanger ending and what they know about the future of the series.
  • This veteran cast also shares on-set camaraderie and acting tips, next-watch recommendations for new fans, and what goes on in the downtime on The Boroughs set.

After the massive success of Stranger Things put Netflix at the forefront of sci-fi television, the Duffer Brothers return to the streamer with Upside Down Pictures’ The Boroughs, created by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews (The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance). From the get, the eight-episode series establishes a familiar Steven Spielberg-inspired whimsy, and immediately confronts viewers with a lurking danger, a threat that won’t let its Season 1 finale end on too much of a high. To break down that telling final shot, Collider’s Steve Weintraub sat down with stars Geena Davis, Denis O’Hare, and Clarke Peters for clues to future seasons.

In the show, retiree Sam Cooper (Alfred Molina) reluctantly moves to a quaint retirement facility, The Boroughs, in the solitary desert of New Mexico. From the outside, the community is a picture-perfect escape, but this little patch of heaven, run by Blaine (Seth Numrich) and Anneliese Shaw (Alice Kremelberg), hides a deadly mystery that Sam and his new friends, Renee (Davis), Judy (Alfre Woodard), Art (Peters), and Wally (O’Hare) are determined to get to the bottom of.

Don’t miss the full conversation in the video above or the transcript below, where Davis, O’Hare, and Peters discuss the meaning of that final Stranger Things Easter egg shot, what they know about The Boroughs’ future, and what goes on between takes on set. The trio also reflects on their careers, recommending next watches for new fans, and sharing their preparation process for ambitious emotional scenes.

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‘The Boroughs’ Stars on What to Watch Next

Geena Davis also denies that the Thelma & Louise callback hides any sinister secrets…

the-boroughs-geena-davis Image via Netflix

COLLIDER: So you read the script for Episode 5, and you see that you’re going to be in the front seat of a car overlooking a crevasse. Did you think, “Am I making another Thelma & Louise?”

GEENA DAVIS: Really? Is that what you thought? I’m so surprised. It didn’t occur to me. [Laughs] I don’t go over the cliff! That’s all we know.

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When I saw it, though, I was like, “What?” There’s going to be a whole generation of people watching this that are younger, that actually will not have seen your work before. For each of you, after someone who hasn’t seen your work sees this, what’s the first thing you’d like them watching from your resume after this?

DAVIS: That’s an interesting question.

DENIS O’HARE: I definitely have a different fandom because of True Blood and [American] Horror Story. True Blood tends to skew, now, a little older, but Horror Story, some of these fars are, like, 17, 18, 16. The other day in LA, this kid said to me, “I was raised on you,” and I was like, “What?” “Yeah, I started watching you at 13.” And I was like, “Oh my god, how old are you now?” He’s 25. So, I definitely have that. But I would tell them definitely to go back and watch True Blood for me.

CLARKE PETERS: I would say go look at Treme. Yeah, I would say look at Treme because of the mysticism in Treme and the mysticism in this. There is a connection, and if they’re watching them both and they make the connection, then I will have done my job.

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DAVIS: The Long Kiss Goodnight, I think, is the most important one to see. I mean, if they haven’t seen Thelma & Louise, I would say that movie. It holds up. It’s 35 years later, but it really does.

When you guys signed on for this, how much were you told about, “If the show’s a hit and we do more than one season, this is what we have planned,” and how much is it sort of like, “We’re just going to tell you nothing?”

PETERS: I got, “They’re going to tell you nothing.”

DAVIS: They tell you nothing. I don’t know anything about next season.

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PETERS: Nothing. Notta, notta, notta. The business has changed so much that nowadays you get sides that have nothing. You have no context. Have you experienced this? No one wants to reveal anything, even to the people that they want to hire. So, they’re not going to tell us what’s going to happen in Season 5 — are you?

What Does Episode 8’s Final Shot Really Mean for ‘The Boroughs’?

All we’re saying is this didn’t bode well for Will in Stranger Things

the-boroughs-alfred-molina Image via Netflix

The ending of Episode 8 has Sam, Alfred [Molina]’s character, glitching with the mirror? When you read that in the script, or if you saw the episode, were you asking, “Okay, so, what does this mean?”

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O’HARE: Well, the ending is too nice. It’s too jovial. It’s too normal. You know what I mean? You’re looking at it, and you’re going, “What? Where’s the underbelly here?” So when you see that glitch, you’re like, “Ah, right. Things are not solved. Things are not back to normal. Things are still dangerous,” which I love.

DAVIS: Yes. The characters think it’s all over, “We won,” but yeah.

PETERS: But even Sam doesn’t see it.

O’HARE: Exactly. He has his head down, which is great. I love that.

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There’s also a part two to this because I studied the ending of the episode, and the last frame is this collapsing thing that almost goes into, like, a black hole, and I’m like, “What the hell is this?” Did you ask about that, or am I alone wondering what that last shot was?

O’HARE: Well, the visual style of the show, I think, is really another character. The very first shot of the very first episode is that the huge drone shot coming in. You’re coming in, coming in, coming in, and you go into the house to see Dee Wallace. That’s an amazing visual statement of someone. Who is that POV? Who is looking into Dee Wallace’s house? And at the end, who is that? You know what I mean?

100%. The Duffers have joked that this show is Stranger Things but with golf carts instead of bicycles. Did you hear that? What was your reaction?

DAVIS: [Laughs] I did hear that. I thought that was pretty clever.

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the-boroughs-season-1 Image via Netflix

What’s cool about the show is that it has this ‘80s, Amblin-esque kind of thing. It’s a cool tone. Can you sort of talk about what it’s like to make one of those shows that has that magic realism, if you will?

O’HARE: Well, part of it is that the set was awesome.

DAVIS: Unbelievable.

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O’HARE: The houses that we were living in, some of those houses were completely done. They were complete. You walk in, and it’s an actual house. Some were less complete. But all the visuals, the way the TV looks, even the logo of the Boroughs, it’s sort of ‘40s, ‘50s. Blaine and his wife, they definitely feel like June and Ward. We have a June and Ward line at one point. “Hi! Welcome home, Ward!” “Hi, June!” There are so many references to classic TV, like The Golden Girls are on TV, old movies, and it creates that world where you’re like, “Where are we?” We’re in a world of seeming perfection, which is hiding something else.


The OG Stranger Things party: Dustin, Mike, Lucas, and Will put their hands together while outside.


All Your ‘Stranger Things’ Series Finale Questions Answered By the Duffer Brothers [Exclusive]

Creators Matt and Ross Duffer address fan theories, “Byler,” deleted scenes, and answer our biggest questions after Season 5.

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‘The Boroughs’ Cast Share Advice for Younger Generations

The trio also discuss how they prep for big emotional scenes.

The showrunners have mentioned that, according to some napkin math, the cast is like 350 years worth of acting experience. It’s a big number.

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DAVIS: That’s a big number!

It is. So when the cameras stopped rolling in between takes, who’s the absolute troublemaker, or did you all have a very similar kind of work ethic/play ethic?

DAVIS: We fooled around a lot. Nobody was like, “Don’t bother me, I’m in my character.”

PETERS: No, it wasn’t like that. “Don’t take me out of my zone.” No, it was fun. Something we discovered last night, it was observed last night, is that in between our takes, we’d talk. In between the takes of younger generations, they go to the phone.

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[Laughs] Sure.

PETERS: There’s a big difference in that and how that affects the individual and their performance as an ensemble. This is very much like that. So, what happens in between takes can be anything besides a phone.

I’m always curious how actors get ready for a really big emotional scene, so for all three of you, if you have a really big scene on a Monday, do you like to rehearse the full scene and get into all of it before you get to set, or how much do you sort of go halfway and want to save the the emotion, if you will, for when you’re actually on camera?

O’HARE: I think the weird thing for me to know is what is the shot sequence? What shot are you going to use? You know what I mean? Not that I’m saving it for the close-up, but if this is going to live in the close-up, let me know that so I can pace myself so I’m not blowing my wad on the two-shot. You know what I mean? So, you kind of want to know what they’re thinking about the architecture of how they’re going to build the scene. Because, I’ll speak for me, I’ve only got, like, four or five good takes in me for a big emotional thing. After that, I mean, maybe I’ll come back to something, but always, the first one’s not going to be my best, maybe not the second — I aim for three. Number three.

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the-boroughs-denis-o-hare Image via Netflix

PETERS: That’s something I learned from him because last year, you were having that same conversation about a particular scene. I thought, “I’ve never thought about that.” Because coming from theater, you just do it, you just do it. I’m not worried about pacing. But that is something I learned from you. Thank you. Because recently, I had a big scene, and I was thinking, “I really want to mine that, but I don’t want to blow my wad, so to speak, to begin with,” and that conversation came back, so thank you. What he said. Definitely.

DAVIS: If it’s a big scene, I don’t like to rehearse it too much. I don’t want to just say the words without acting in a rehearsal, but I don’t want to go there, also. So, the less practice, the better for an important scene like that.

The Boroughs is streaming on Netflix now.

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Release Date

May 21, 2026

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Network

Netflix

Showrunner
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Jeffrey Addiss, Will Matthews

Directors

Augustine Frizzell, Kyle Patrick Alvarez, Ben Taylor

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The Strangest Sci-Fi Ever Made Involves Virtual Reality Kung Fu Batman, Jesus, And Pizza

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The Strangest Sci-Fi Ever Made Involves Virtual Reality Kung Fu Batman, Jesus, And Pizza

By Robert Scucci
| Published

Have you ever seen a movie that’s so absolutely off-the-wall bonkers that you need to check your watch history the next day to make sure you didn’t dream it up? That’s how I feel about 2019’s Jesus Shows You the Way to the Highway, an absurdist sci-fi spy comedy thriller with a neo-noir bent, and probably about 20 other genres that I’m not aware exist outside of this singular piece of media. We have villains wearing masks of historical figures in a VR world, mysterious mind-altering substances, James Bond plots, kung fu, a villain who’s a cross between Batman and Dolemite, and one man’s dream of one day opening a pizza restaurant and martial arts studio with his kickboxing wife.

Does any of that make sense? Because here’s what’s absolutely insane about this movie: it successfully tells a shockingly coherent story even though it’s all cosmic gumbo simmering impatiently in its own warped little cinematic Crock Pot.

If you’re looking for a covert-op adventure that barely clings to the fabric of reality and consciousness, yet somehow manages to pull itself back together, then Jesus Shows You the Way to the Highway should be the next thing you watch on Tubi, where all the best movies you’ve never heard of live.

Psychobook, Soviets, And A Very Strange Batman

Oh boy, where do I begin? Jesus Shows You the Way to the Highway centers on CIA Special Agent Gagano (Daniel Tadesse), a man who takes his work seriously, but not nearly as seriously as his love for pizza or his kickboxing wife, Malin (Gerda-Annette Allikas). Working alongside Agent Palmer Eldritch (Augustin Mateo), the two complete all of their missions, mostly against the Soviets, through VR devices that allow their avatars to get down to business without putting their physical bodies in harm’s way.

Jesus Shows You the Way to the Highway 2019

Problems arise when Gagano, who wants nothing more than to retire, open his own pizza place, and bankroll Malin’s dream of opening a kickboxing studio, gets trapped inside Psychobook, the cyber world in which they operate, after the system is hacked and compromised. Stuck between a virtual plane of existence and the real world, Gagano faces adversaries like the all-knowing Mr. Sophistication (Carlo Pironti), a multitude of kung fu hustlers, and, of course, the most menacing antagonist of all, Batfro (Solomon Tashe), who carries himself like Rudy Ray Moore’s Dolemite but, for reasons never fully explained, has his hero insignia blurred out whenever he appears on screen.

Complicating matters further is Malin’s affair with Palmer. While Agent Gagano’s love for Malin is intense and unbreakable, Malin, despite her unwavering reciprocation up this point, has seen what she needs to see to conclude that her husband is never returning from Psychobook, and this seems like the path of least resistance that will allow her to move on. Meanwhile, Joseph Stalin is hellbent on world domination, and a man who believes he’s Jesus Christ himself tries to enlighten Gagano with candy and a life-altering revelation that may change everything for the world-weary secret agent. In other words, Jesus Shows You the Way to the Highway is total insanity, but in the best possible way.

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Seriously, Give This One A Chance

Jesus Shows You the Way to the Highway 2019

In Jesus Shows You the Way to the Highway, it’s not entirely clear whether the poor overdubbing was born out of necessity or a deliberate creative choice. I’m inclined to believe the latter because everything about this movie, from the set design and Stalin masks to the copyright workaround of having a man who’s clearly dressed as Batman with his insignia obscured just enough to keep the lawyers at bay, feels intentional. It may not seem that way while you’re working through the first two acts, but as more information is revealed, it all starts to make sense in context.

If you have the patience for this movie, it’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen before, and it’s beyond satisfying that a film released as recently as 2019 is taking so many wild creative swings. The whole thing feels like an alternate reality because it is an alternate reality, constantly making you question what belongs to this virtually constructed world and what belongs to the one Gagano so desperately wants to return to.

More importantly, as absurd as Jesus Shows You the Way to the Highway may appear at a surface-level glance, everybody plays it as straight as possible. This isn’t to say that the production isn’t raw and clearly operating on a shoestring budget, but you rarely feel those limitations. Writer-director Miguel Llansó’s vision is so unhinged that it all feels like part of the packaging rather than a byproduct of limited resources.

JESUS SHOWS YOU THE WAY TO THE HIGHWAY SCORE

While it may not be for everybody, I’m glad movies like Jesus Shows You the Way to the Highway exist because they demonstrate how much filmmakers can still innovate when they allow themselves to think outside the box (and this one is way out there). If you think you’re ready, you can stream this absurdist masterpiece for free on Tubi as of this writing. Whether you regret hitting ‘play’ is entirely up to you.


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Karmelo Anthony Supporter Arrested Amid Viral Protest In Texas

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Rihanna Seemingly Addresses Baby Rumors, Talks "Little Pouch"

The internet hasn’t stopped talking about Karmelo Anthony’s guilty verdict and his 35-year prison sentence. Now, social media users are sounding off after authorities arrested Jerome Parker Winston, a supporter of the 19-year-old, following a protest encounter that recently went viral.

RELATED: Karmelo Anthony’s New Mugshot Surfaces As His Uncle Speaks Out Amid 35-Year Prison Sentence (PHOTOS + VIDEOS) 

Details On Jerome Parker Winston’s Arrest

According to reports, authorities arrested Jerome Parker Winston outside the courthouse where Karmelo Anthony’s trial took place in Texas. Officers reportedly placed Winston in handcuffs for allegedly carrying a weapon unlawfully. Jerome’s mugshot initially made rounds in a Facebook post that included his arrest details. His arrest reportedly marked one of two that authorities made during the protest following the reading of Anthony’s verdict.

Before his arrest, a video of Jerome went viral on social media. The footage showed him in a heated confrontation with a white man wearing an American flag shirt. Based on the clip, Jerome appeared to defend a Black female supporter while accusing the man of allegedly attempting to do something to her. However, the footage does not clearly show what sparked the confrontation.

“Ain’t nothing but air and opportunity. Do something! The same thing you were going to do to her. We both have our hands behind our backs. You approached a Black woman,” Jerome says in the video as he continues to yell, “That is a woman!” And later follows up with, “That is a mother! A sister!”

Social Media Sounds OFF About Jerome’s Arrest

After The Shade Room shared the viral of Jerome along with details about his arrest, the Roommates quickly flooded the comment section with reactions. Some commenters asked for more information about the weapon authorities allegedly found in Jerome’s possession, while others called for his release.

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Instagram user @theshayjohnson wrote, What was the weapon and where did they find it?” 

Instagram user @changeiskey1989 wrote, It’s time to cancel Texas.” 

While Instagram user @missjameekabanks wrote, Standing up for Black women…. Mannnn free this man ✊🏾” 

Then Instagram user @kyimaranajaae wrote,Y’all he was unlawfully carrying a weapon. But it’s still #FreeKarmelo.” 

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Another Instagram user @flawednfabulous wrote,This is* America . 🇺🇸” 

Instagram user @stephroyalty wrote, “Free him lock up the judge and jury!!!” 

Then another Instagram user @bigsimon19 wrote, Black people don’t understand America has two justice systems.” 

While another Instagram user @manufacturedinthe90s wrote, We can’t do anything in this country. We fight back we get killed or arrested.” 

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Finally, Instagram user @cyannextdoor wrote, Whew chile this is to much!!” 

The Latest Update On Karmelo Anthony’s Case

Social media users are continuing to share their thoughts on Karmelo Anthony’s case following his conviction and 35-year prison sentence. However, Karmelo and his legal team are not backing down. Less than 24 hours after a Texas jury convicted him of murder, his attorneys filed a notice of appeal. Karmelo’s lawyer, Mike Howard said in a statement that the defense believes the court still needs to address several issues.

“After the conclusion of the trial yesterday, we gave the court our official notice that Karmelo Anthony is filing an appeal. We believe there are several important issues for the appellate courts to consider. An appeal is the next part of the legal process and a right afforded every American,” Howard said.

RELATED: UPDATE: Karmelo Anthony Found Guilty & Sentenced To 35 Years In Prison For Fatal Stabbing Of Austin Metcalf (PHOTOS) 

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“Home Improvement” cast: See Tim Allen, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, and their costars, then and now

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Tim Allen’s grunting tool man led one of the ’90s most popular sitcoms.

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Nick Offerman explains why he didn't want 'more Ron Swanson' after finishing “Parks and Recreation”

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The “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” actor said that he received numerous offers for roles that closely resembled Ron after the sitcom wrapped in 2015. 

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Mimi Faust Says K. Michelle Is A “Bully” & Hasn’t Grown

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Oop! Mimi Faust Says K. Michelle Is A Bully & Hasn't Grown An Ounce Since Her Time On Love & Hip Hop Atlanta

Mimi Faust says K. Michelle is a “bully” and hasn’t grown “an ounce” since her time on ‘Love & Hip Hop Atlanta.’

RELATED: Time Flies! Recent Footage Of Stevie J & Mimi Faust’s Daughter Eva Has Internet Users Calling Themselves “Old” (VIDEO)

Mimi Faust Says K. Michelle Is A “Bully” & Hasn’t Grown “An Ounce” Since Her Time On ‘Love & Hip Hop Atlanta’

According to Bossip, MimI Faust recently appeared as a guest on ‘The Morning Hustle’ radio show. Additionally, during her appearance, Lore’l asked Faust how she felt about K. Michelle saying she wouldn’t be open to reconciling with her following their time on ‘Love & Hip Hop Atlanta.’ Specifically, the pair got into it over Michelle’s comments about one of Faust’s former partners. Additionally, their conflict escalated when K. Michelle found herself at odds with Rasheeda. To note, K. Michelle recently joined the cast of ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta.’

“What have I ever done to K. Michelle?” Faust asked. “One, I never heard her say that, and two, IDGAF.”

Per the outlet, Lore’l then asked Faust if she believes K. Michelle has matured since their time together on TV.

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“Absolutely not. Not an ounce. She is, um, the same person, different face. You know, I think it’s cute that she keeps talking about me; it’s really cute. She tries it. She’s a bully, and then she plays the victim, that’s K,” Faust explained.

Social Media Weighs In

Social media users shared their thoughts on Mimi Faust’s comments on K. Michelle in TSR’s comment section.

Instagram user @itsmetheputa wrote, No shade but Mimi told the truth back then. K.Michelle will conjure something up in her head and belive it and those are the MOST dangerous people 😂😭 i enjoy her music tho”

While Instagram user @_bowtye added, And if you currently watching RHOA ain’t one lie being told!”

Instagram user @iamjakkblakk wrote,No lie she ain’t tell one lie cause she in rhoa acting a fool lmaooooo”

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While Instagram user @goddesskey___ added, Im trying figure out what did K Michelle conjure up on LhH? She told the truth about Niko,Memphis, and one earring 😂Now RHOA is a little different I believe she’s being fed info from other cast mates”

Instagram user @boii_diorr wrote, People swear K. Michelle hasn’t changed since Love & Hip Hop, but let’s talk facts. She left the show and built a career beyond reality TV Out of all those girls she proved she was more than a storyline The talent always spoke louder than the drama. Calling K. Michelle unchanged while still discussing drama from 10+ years ago is ironic. One built a career beyond reality TV the other is still being asked about old storylines. 🎤”

While Instagram user @snoccon added, The reason why they don’t like K is because once you wrong her she’s never letting it go and she gone drag you every chance she gets. So yall made fun of her getting abused with no apology so yea she stepping on neck but RHOA Issa show. She gone act the part”

Instagram user @prettyk1206 wrote, Mimi is completely right and before yall come for Mimi, she has every right to say this because K Michelle continues to speak on MIMI. 💯”

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While Instagram user @thealeyiajaye added,& from watching Housewives of Atlanta, Mimi is correct 😂”

Instagram user @hallevskalel wrote, And Mimi didn’t grow and save no money from lhh. So I guess they in the same lane”

K. Michelle Addresses A Critic Amid Mimi Faust Says She’s A “Bully” & Hasn’t Grown Since ‘Love & Hip Hop Atlanta’

On Tuesday, June 9, K. Michelle took to X, formerly known as Twitter, initially replying to a user who was sharing their thoughts on the recent comments about the singer.

Ultimately, K. Michelle explained to another user that she’s just being herself.

RELATED: Social Media Is Sharing Mixed Opinions After Eva Showed Off The Dress Mimi Faust Made Her Wear To Her 8th-Grade Dance

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Sean Penn Labeled ‘Biggest Dirtbag’ Over Holocaust Remarks

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Sean Penn at Black Flies

Sean Penn is facing major backlash after making controversial comments about selfies that unexpectedly invoked both Holocaust survivors and a child with a disability. The Oscar-winning actor sparked outrage following an appearance at the Tribeca Festival in New York, where he launched into an anti-selfie rant that many critics quickly branded insensitive and bizarre. Social media users soon flooded X, formerly Twitter, with criticism, with one person even labeling Penn the “biggest dirtbag in Hollywood.”

Sean Penn at Black Flies
KCS Presse / MEGA

During a Friday conversation with CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins at Spring Studios as part of the Tribeca Festival’s 25th anniversary programming, Penn shared his strong feelings about celebrity selfies.

The actor argued that taking photos with famous people is harmful for everyone involved. “People should not do selfies ever with anyone. It’s bad for you; it’s bad for everyone. It’s a soul-sucker,” Penn said.

However, the conversation quickly took an unexpected turn when Penn referenced scenarios involving a Holocaust survivor and a young child with a disability. “It’s the Holocaust grandmother and her 6-year-old paraplegic wheeling over? It’s a hard no,” he added.

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The comment immediately sparked confusion and outrage online, with many questioning why Penn brought up such examples during a discussion about fan photos.

Sean Penn at 'Gaslit' New York Premiere
Steven Bergman/AFF-USA.COM / MEGA

Penn’s remarks spread rapidly online, with critics accusing the actor of being unnecessarily insensitive and out of touch. “No surprise from the biggest dirtbag in Hollywood,” one X user wrote. Another critic blasted the actor, writing: “He really is an insufferable a-shole… @SouthPark needs another episode dedicated just to this.”

Someone else said, “He is one UGLY dude, inside and out…!!” while another chimed in with, “If he doesn’t want to take selfies, he could have certainly found a less disgusting way to communicate that to someone.”

Sean Penn Says Crowds Trigger His Anxiety

Sean Penn wearing sunglasses
Vinnie Levine / MEGA

Penn’s comments came as he explained why he skipped the Oscars earlier this year despite earning a nomination, and ultimately winning, for “One Battle After Another.”

The actor admitted that large social settings have increasingly become difficult for him. “It’s not just [that it’s] an awards show. It would be the same if this group was going to an afterparty and one stepped into that,” Penn explained.

He added, “That always represented social discomfort for me; too many people. I’m now down, committed for life, that I won’t go anywhere to be in a designated group beyond eight people.”

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According to Penn, interacting with large groups for extended periods fuels his anxiety. He said gatherings often leave him feeling overwhelmed because interactions become brief and repetitive.

Penn Says The Golden Globes Were His Breaking Point

Sean Penn at
Daniele Cifalà / MEGA

Penn also revealed he decided to stop attending major Hollywood events after appearing at the Golden Globes in January. “The best that I could ever muster was relief. Knowing that I wasn’t going to do that anymore, I did one before that this year. I went to the Golden Globes; I’d never been to that before. And that’s where I decided, ‘I can’t do this,’” he said.

The actor claimed he was repeatedly approached for selfies while leaving the event, including a request from 16-year-old “Adolescence” actor Owen Cooper. Instead of attending the Oscars, Penn said he traveled to Ukraine, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky and watched the ceremony from abroad. “I really got to enjoy the Academy Awards for the first time. It was great,” Penn said.

Sean Penn’s Controversial Reputation Has Followed Him For Decades

Sean Penn at 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival: Hammond Cinema Vanguard Award
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

For many critics, Penn’s latest controversy only added to a long history of headline-making behavior. The actor has repeatedly sparked backlash over the years for his outspoken comments and confrontational moments both on and off screen.

Penn’s legal troubles stretch back decades and have helped shape the actor’s long-standing reputation for volatility. In 1985, while married to Madonna, Penn was involved in a confrontation with photographers attempting to capture the couple in Nashville. The incident marked the beginning of several headline-making clashes involving the actor and members of the media.

Just two years later, Penn found himself in even more serious legal trouble while filming the 1988 crime drama “Colors.” Already on probation stemming from a misdemeanor battery charge involving songwriter David Wolinski at a Los Angeles nightclub, Penn was arrested after punching film extra Jeffrey Klein on set.

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Because he violated probation, the actor was sentenced to 60 days in jail for assault, ultimately serving 33 days of the sentence.

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Modern Action Movies Are All Missing One Very Important Setup

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Modern Action Movies Are All Missing One Very Important Setup

By Robert Scucci
| Published

Filmmakers need to bring back the warehouse showdown, and I’m tired of letting them get away with over-the-top action sequences that cost tens of millions of dollars to produce. These days, every action sequence has to be elevated. The Gray Man (2022) gets off on leveling entire city blocks, and the John Wick films, which are some of my favorite modern action movies, go for intense choreography and enough changes in scenery to make me slip into an overstimulation-induced coma. The list goes on. Look at any superhero movie where entire cities get razed to the ground, with 2013’s Man of Steel being perhaps the most egregious example.

All of the above titles have a disappointing lack of warehouse showdowns, and I often wonder why. Well, the real reason is that all of these productions had massive bankrolls behind them, whereas warehouse showdowns are typically found in action movies with much smaller budgets.

Dolph Lundgren having a warewhouse showdown in Army of One (1993)

It doesn’t have to be this way, though, because we’ve seen iterations of the warehouse showdown in Michael Bay films like The Rock (1996) and forgotten low-budget action thrillers like Army of One (1993) alike.

Personally, I’ve become so desensitized to action sequences that I think I need to be intravenously injected with a good old warehouse showdown at least once a month as part of my longevity treatment.

Why The Warehouse Showdown Is Iconic

Showdown in Little Tokyo (1991)

These days, all action has to be elevated, but it wasn’t always like that. In the 80s and 90s, the warehouse showdown didn’t discriminate, and you can see varying levels of awesomeness across low-budget films like Raw Deal (1986), Stone Cold (1991), Hard Boiled (1992), and Showdown in Little Tokyo (1991). The setup is always simple. The good guys take out what they think are all the henchmen, then finally make it to the boss level, where the primary antagonist is surrounded by even more henchmen and apparently lives in a warehouse that manufactures nothing but sparks and noise.

All you have to do while watching a classic warehouse showdown is sit back, relax, listen to the glorious music of shell casings scattering across the floor, and brace yourself for plenty of well-timed explosions that light the entire place up as our heroes run from the coming, all-consuming fireball and dive into the conveniently placed marina right next door.

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You don’t need $50 million to have a solid warehouse showdown. All you need is grit, squibs, decent lighting, and a revolving door of villains who can be thrown into a pile of highly flammable barrels that are also conveniently placed throughout the field of play.

It’s Not Just A Matter Of Budget

While it certainly sounds like I’m only into low-budget schlock (I am, but that’s beside the point), the warehouse showdown isn’t just for filmmakers with limited resources. Sometimes you get the best of both worlds, which is exactly what we see in 1996’s The Rock, directed by none other than Michael Bay. I say the best of both worlds because there’s a high-speed chase through the streets of San Francisco involving a bright yellow Ferrari F355 Spider, which obviously wasn’t cheap to pull off. Streets had to be shut down, and I imagine a sequence like this required dozens of technicians on the payroll.

The Rock (1996) offers the best of both worlds, but technically ends with a warehouse showdown

But here’s why The Rock is one of the greatest action movies of all time. What is Alcatraz? That’s a rhetorical question. I know Alcatraz is an out-of-service prison where you can throw a couple of quarters into a crank machine and get a crappy souvenir in the form of a flattened penny with the Golden Gate Bridge stamped on it or whatever. Still, the point stands that Alcatraz is basically just a giant warehouse, and you better believe there’s going to be a showdown.

The same can be said for RoboCop (1987) and Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), which both use steel mills as de facto warehouses for their showdowns. It’s a simple, self-contained setup that requires no worldbuilding and no constant changes in scenery. It’s the setting for the final showdown, where you can get close-ups and maybe even a great one-liner from our heroes while they focus on what’s most important: blowing sh*t up and taking out dozens of enemies in a very short amount of time. 

Steel mills are technically warehouses, and I’ll die on this hill

As modern filmmaking continues to push the envelope, with the Space Pontiac in F9 coming to mind, sometimes we just need to go back to basics and blow the roof off a warehouse for the love of the game. 


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Billy Zane’s Forgotten, R-Rated 90 Sci-Fi Thriller Is Blade Runner Meets Inception

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Billy Zane’s Forgotten, R-Rated 90 Sci-Fi Thriller Is Blade Runner Meets Inception

By Robert Scucci
| Published

There’s nothing quite like a solid neo-noir sci-fi mind-bender, and 1990’s Megaville is the most Inception thing I’ve ever seen in my life. And I’ve seen Inception! Megaville wins some extra points, though, because it’s Billy Zane’s first lead role. That’s right, before he blew up with The Phantom and Titanic, he was all about that Blade Runner-style dystopian sci-fi grit, taking on an increasingly complicated mission that requires him to live between two worlds: the Hemisphere and the titular Megaville.

Megaville tells a story about assumed identities, a tyrannical government that has outlawed the media, and the resulting black market hanging in the balance as corrupt officials do as they please, all in the name of controlling the masses. It’s delivered through classic neo-noir beats in the context of a sci-fi film. It’s Billy Zane at his most frenetic and hungry, and he commits to the bit like a total pro.

The Hemisphere Vs Megaville

Megaville 1990

Megaville starts out in the Hemisphere, where media is outlawed and the government rules with an iron fist. Raymond Palinov (Billy Zane) is the captain of the Media Police, but here’s the problem: he’s addicted to the media he’s supposed to be confiscating, which clearly doesn’t go over well with his higher-ups who run the CKS, the Hemisphere’s governing body. To make matters worse, Raymond keeps “losing control” in the form of full-body seizures, complete with hallucinations, that only continue to escalate.

Despite his personal and professional issues, Raymond is summoned by CKS Director Mr. Duprell (Daniel J. Travanti) to handle a classified mission in Megaville involving a new consumer product known as Dream-A-Life (DAL), a virtual reality headset that allows users to live whatever kind of life they want but can’t attain in the physical world. The Hemisphere has made such devices legal, but thanks to a mysterious man named Mr. Newman (J.C. Quinn), they’re fair game over in Megaville, which is where Raymond will be put to use.

Megaville 1990

Raymond bears an uncanny resemblance to Mr. Newman’s only known contact in the Hemisphere, Jensen, and is put under by Dr. Vogel (Stefan Gierasch) under the guise of having his head problems fixed. Instead, Dr. Vogel implants Jensen’s memories into his skull, allowing him to navigate Megaville, find Jensen’s lover, Christine (Kristen Cloke), and piece together exactly where he needs to be to track down Mr. Newman. The implant also makes him incredibly unstable, which may have been the plan all along. 

From this point forward, it’s unclear who Raymond is supposed to trust. He’s still his own person, but sometimes finds himself thinking like Jensen, and other times finds himself spazzing out as if his brain is being remotely accessed by the folks back in the Hemisphere. Raymond gets further lost in his own mind as he tries to navigate a mission that even his mother (Grace Zabriskie) encouraged him to take on. Between the voices in his head, the increasing hallucinations, and the DAL technology starting to influence his decision-making, Raymond is caught in the middle of a grand conspiracy with no clear escape route, to the point where he doesn’t even know who he is anymore.

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A Gritty, Frenetic Brain Twister

Megaville 1990

By now, we’ve all seen similar plots play out, but Megaville holds its own as one of those weird sci-fi gems you may have overlooked. If you go in as a blank slate, the film has a lot going for it, even if some of its genre conventions can be found elsewhere. I can’t say with confidence that I’d feel the same way if anybody other than Billy Zane were the lead actor in this movie, however. His physicality and, at times, complete blankness hint at what’s to come in his career as he’s just starting to cut his teeth as a lead actor here. This doesn’t seem like an easy role to convincingly play, and he fully commits to the premise.

Megaville is one of those weird films that’s inherently cerebral but still easy to digest because every character archetype is familiar enough to wrap your head around. You have the evil government scientists and the conflicted agent trying to find inner peace, and along the way we learn how these shadow-government operations are handled. Despite its familiar beats, Megaville remains enthralling from start to finish because we’re allowed to focus on what’s happening in the moment instead of constantly wondering what everybody’s motives are.

Megaville 1990

This isn’t to say there aren’t surprise twists and turns along the way, but rather to illustrate how this vehicle is primed to kick it into fifth gear without leaving viewers in the dust. It’s clearly a low-budget effort with a then up-and-coming A-lister, but if anything, it serves as a solid proving ground for Billy Zane, who leans so hard into his conflicted character’s fractured mental state that he sells it better than just about anybody else who could have been cast in the role.

As of this writing, you can stream Megaville for free on Tubi.


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Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi’s Cancer Coping Mechanism Was Pricey

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Nicole Polizzi at Rookie USA Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week

Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi has an expensive cure for a bad day, and she is unapologetic about it!

The media personality finally revealed how she took her cervical cancer diagnosis and the wild rollercoaster she hopped on afterward to embrace that reality.

Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi, who shared that she was diagnosed with stage one cervical cancer, is set to get a hysterectomy as part of her cancer treatment.

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Nicole Polizzi at Rookie USA Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week
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The television queen told US Weekly that she immediately picked up the phone and called her mother to give her the update amid tears, and also began planning her funeral.

Polizzi continued that she was emotional and hysterical for like three days, and then she decided to do something about how she was feeling.

“You’re a bad bitch, you’re going to be fine, you tackle everything. And then I went to Short Hills and spent, like, thousands of dollars,” the star noted. Polizzi continued that she then went into a store to get designer stuff, including Louis Vuitton bags, Gucci shoes, and bags.

The reality star intimated her fans with her condition back in January via a TikTok video where she explained that she has been dealing with pre-cancerous cell growth in her cervix for about three to four years. US Weekly shared that following a biopsy, it was confirmed weeks later that she had stage one cervical cancer.

The MTV Alum Is Looking Forward To Getting This Surgery Done As Part Of Her Treatment

Nicole Polizzi attends the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards
Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA

She continued in her chat with US Weekly that she has summer planned out, and it includes going in for a major surgery, a hysterectomy. Her timing is perfect because that is when her schedule gets less demanding, and she will not be traveling as much.

Currently, the star has been going back and forth from Canada for her show to Nashville and more places for her store, which is why she had to push the appointment well into the summer.

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“I wanted to make sure that I had, like, two weeks just to chill, to recover, and do all that. It’s going to be happening soon. I’m definitely nervous. I’m excited just to get it done,” Polizzi declared.

She also raved about getting much-needed support from her father, who had been battling cancer for years, the moment she updated her family about her diagnosis.

Polizzi recalled everyone being there for her, showing her support, and wishing for her speedy recovery both within her circle and even on social media.

Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi Urged Women To Prioritize Early Screenings

Jersey Shore cast members Nicole quot Snooki quot Polizzi Jenni quot JWoww quot Farley Paul quot DJ Pauly D quot DelVecchio and Vinny Guadagnino rock the beach in Miami
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The media personality turned her health issue into an avenue to pass a strong message about the benefits of early detection and women’s health awareness.

Upon receiving the shocking news about her cervical cancer, Polizzi confessed that she was forced to confront her fears and begin to picture the worst-case scenarios for her family and her children.

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As noted by The Blast, the diagnosis also caused her to reflect on one decision she now completely regrets, and it is constantly ignoring her doctor’s repeated follow-up reminder.

Polizzi added that if she had actually taken the reminders with all seriousness, she would have caught on early, and now she advised her listeners to take a better step than she did.

Fortunately, the media personality shared encouraging news about her recovery. A recent PET scan showed that there were no signs that the cancer had spread, and she remained hopeful that her hysterectomy would help ensure it stays that way.

The ‘Jersey Shore’ Star Received Support From Her Co-Stars After Her Diagnosis

The 'Jersey Shore: Family Vacation' cast at 'The View' in New York.
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As soon as Polizzi’s news got on social media, her fans, co-stars, and loved ones swarmed her post with love and support as she prepares to get on the road for delivery.

The Blast stated that fans praised her for being so open about her condition, stating that her bravery has encouraged them to take their health seriously.

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“Jersey Shore” stars Sammi Giancola and Jenni Farley also gushed about Polizzi’s strength while reiterating their love and admiration for the star. On the home front, the reality star’s husband, Jionni LaValle, has reportedly been there to support her with whatever she needs amid her cancer battle.

The media personality’s podcast partner, Joey Camasta, who is also one of her long-time best friends, was also on the support front line, reassuring the star that, in her usual manner, she would beat cancer and come out victorious.

Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi’s Emotional Conversation With Kids After Cancer News

Nicole Polizzi attends the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards
Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA

One of the hardest aspects of Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi’s cervical cancer journey has been telling her kids about her disease. The reality queen revealed how she dealt with the tough conversation with her husband, LaValle, and their three children, Lorenzo, Giovanna, and Angelo.

In an interview with E! News, Snooki said that she kept it simple, stayed calm, told them they would be okay, and that she would need surgery. Nevertheless, there were emotional responses to the news. 

Snooki said that her oldest son was immediately concerned about whether she was dying or heading to heaven. In the midst of the sadness, Lorenzo was able to add a bit of lightness to the situation by jokingly asking her if she was going to leave him anything. 

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Snooki said her main priority during the conversation was to ensure that her children feel safe and comfortable. She commended them for being mature and understanding of her need to focus on getting healthy and recovering from surgery.

The TV personality also said that her kids have been supportive all the way through and still tell her that it will all be okay.

Get well soon, Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi!

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George Clooney reveals his pick for the next James Bond: 'The perfect guy to do it'

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The actor-turned-director previously worked with who he believes is the ideal Daniel Craig successor.

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