Blockers looked like the kind of movie that might be good for one or two laughs and then disappear. Instead, it turned out to be one of the more likable studio comedies of the late 2010s. A lot of that comes down to the cast, especially John Cena, who proves again that he is way funnier on screen than people first gave him credit for. Tubi will start streaming it for free on April 1.

Released in 2018, the film follows three parents who discover their daughters have made a pact to lose their virginity on prom night. Naturally, they respond in the most calm and rational way possible by launching a full mission to stop it. The setup is broad, but the movie works because it never completely loses sight of the emotional side underneath the chaos. The cast includes Cena as Mitchell, Leslie Mann as Lisa, Ike Barinholtz as Hunter, Kathryn Newton as Julie, Geraldine Viswanathan as Kayla, and Gideon Adlon as Sam.

Related

Are You a Sarah Jessica Sharker? — The Collider Movie Quiz!

Today, we’re plunging into the deep ocean that is SJP’s filmography. You’ll need to be a real shark to hunt down the correct answers.

Advertisement

How Good Is ‘Blockers’?

Collider’s review stated that Blockers takes what could have been a dated, uncomfortable premise and turns it into one of the funniest — and most surprisingly heartfelt — comedies of its year. Instead of shaming its teenage characters, the film focuses on the parents’ fear of letting go, giving the story a much more relatable emotional core. The jokes come fast and hard, but they land because the characters feel real. The cast plays a huge role in that success, with Mann and Barinholtz delivering exactly what you’d expect — while Cena steals the show.

“Yes, if this were a movie about boys losing their virginity, the tone would be different (you’d have American Pie), but Blockers goes out of its way to make sure that this isn’t about ‘protecting’ girls as much as it’s about the baggage of the parents who don’t want to see their kids grow up. Instead, Blockers trusts its audience and trusts its characters to have more depth, and that gamble pays off because then we can just enjoy the rest of the movie. And there’s so much to enjoy with Blockers, none of which I’ll spoil here. It’s a movie that had me howling with laughter from start to finish, and it sets a high bar for other comedies this year.”

Blockers will stream on Tubi beginning April 1. Check it out, you won’t regret it.

Advertisement

Release Date

Advertisement

March 14, 2018

Runtime

102 minutes

Advertisement

Director

Kay Cannon

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

The science fiction genre is a wonderfully vast genre. Sometimes, it forces audiences to question a life in which artificial intelligence takes over. Other times, it has taken audiences to galaxies far, far away. The brilliance of imagination, rooted within the confines of science, has made the genre universally beloved. But very rarely do they push the boundaries with themes and ideals. Then came Sense8.

Perhaps a series ahead of its time, Sense8 was Netflix’s masterpiece science fiction, globe-hopping epic. Created by Lana and Lilly Wachowski and J. Michael Straczynski, the series followed eight strangers from different parts of the world who share a psychic connection. A major factor in the series’ success was Sense8’s ability to tap into themes of prejudice, sexuality, and identity in a way that many sci-fi series avoid. Earning itself a devoted fan following, Sense8 may have had a feature-length conclusion, but it ended with further stories to tell.

What Is ‘Sense8’ About?

Image via Netflix

Over two seasons and a movie dedicated to fans, Sense8 tells the story of eight strangers who are a part of a physically linked cluster, individually called sensates. Capheus (Aml Ameen and Toby Onwumere) is a matatu driver in Nairobi. Sun (Doona Bae) is the daughter of a business executive and an master at martial arts in Seoul. Nomi (Jamie Clayton) is a hacktivist who is trans in San Francisco. Kala (Tina Desai) is a pharmacist trapped in an engagement for an arranged marriage in Mumbai. Riley (Tuppence Middleton) is an Icelandic DJ living in London. Wolfgang (Max Riemelt) is a German-Russian thief and safe-cracker living in Berlin. Lito (Miguel Ángel Silvestre) is a closeted Spanish superstar actor in Mexico City. And finally, there’s Will (Brian J. Smith), a Chicago cop who discovers their connection is linked to a woman named Angelica (Daryl Hannah). As they attempt to discover why they are connected, the cluster begins navigating their everyday lives while being hunted by a man known only as Whispers (Terrence Mann), who is out to destroy the sensates through a company called the Biologic Preservation Organization (BPO). Helping one another by utilizing their fellow sensates’ greatest assets, the cluster becomes a found family that must unite to protect themselves and the ones they love.

A bold and complicated premise, Sense8‘s ability to tell its story seamlessly through brilliant writing and extraordinary editing made it unlike anything that came before. From a production standpoint, the international set pieces were so distinct for each character that Sense8 went to great lengths to ensure the authenticity of the locales. The on-location filming was the series’ best asset, but also its biggest money drain. As the individual characters begin to integrate into one another’s lives, Sense8 does a remarkable job of using its surroundings to enhance the ambitious storytelling, advising us of whose mind we are in.

‘Sense8’ Brought Sexuality and Identity to Sci-Fi

Image Via Netflix

Sexuality and gender expression are monumental for the series. While some sci-fi stories might leave these themes open to interpretation, Sense8 makes them a pivotal part of the story. Most prominently is Nomi, whose experience as a trans woman is central to the story. Her narrative includes her struggles with her family, who essentially sell her out to the BPO via a conversation therapy plotline. She is used as a mouthpiece to discuss the public’s misguided fear of the trans community. With Lito, the series highlights the projection of perceived masculinity in Mexico and in the entertainment industry as he is forced to stay in the closet to keep his acting career. In both cases, it’s thanks to the cluster that they find solace and acceptance. These stories not only open up the audience to new communities, but they are integral to Sense8 and its themes of interconnectivity.

Very few sci-fi shows have attempted to be as daring, especially in the concept of sexual fluidity. With the nature of the communication within the cluster, they share emotions and physical sensations. It’s in these moments of intimacy that the cluster engages in shared sexual experiences that challenge traditional binary gender roles and sexual orientation. The core eight are effectively pansexual, something Smith himself confirmed when he came out. Sense8 put queer representation at its center without making it feel superfluous.

‘Sense8’ Never Got the Conclusion It Deserved

For some, Sense8 falls out of the perfection category because of its ending. The two seasons were sensational, but then the series was cancelled. The series ended because, despite the passionate fan base, it was far too expensive. Despite the abrupt cancellation, the show did earn a movie special that wrapped up the Sense8 story thanks to a fervent online petition. Though the story ends there, the movie is ultimately seen as a thank you to the dedicated fans rather than the true ending the showrunners had in mind. Sense8 was forced to abandon the Season 2 cliffhanger, rushing to wrap up the series in 151 minutes rather than being given a full third season. It’s particularly disappointing after Straczynski confirmed a story was plotted for Season 3.

As much as it was wonderful spending one last adventure with the cluster, it was not the ending the series deserved. With hints of where certain characters’ trajectories would take them, it was clear Sense8 would have been on track for something extraordinary had it continued. But with a flaw that was completely out of the show’s control, Sense8‘s legacy will forever be that it was a groundbreaking sci-fi show that opened up doors for the types of stories that could be told in the genre.

Sense8 is available to stream on Netflix.

It’s a common theme in all apocalyptic stories: everything you cherish has been destroyed, and everything that remains is now uglier, harsher, or more vicious. This is one of the major rules established for the genre; you can anticipate it and be prepared.

Viewers may see that Station Eleven doesn’t necessarily deviate from that consistent theme but simply avoids the obvious. The end of civilization occurs with devastating speed and brutality, creating almost no room for the possibility that what occurred has not actually happened. However, the series ultimately focuses on what happens to people following the collapse — after the dust settles, after the sounds stop, and after the need to merely survive isn’t as important or as immediate as something else that is also difficult to articulate.

What ‘Station Eleven’ Is About

Image via HBO

The premise, on paper, sounds familiar enough: a devastating flu spreads across the globe, dismantling society in a matter of days as power grids fail, cities empty, and the world, as people knew it, disappears almost overnight. This narrative has a timeline that branches in various directions while still primarily focusing on Kirsten Raymonde (Mackenzie Davis). Her first appearance is as a child actor appearing in a stage performance of King Lear, while also being in the wrong place at the wrong time at the very beginning of the story.

She’s going through those first three terrifying days after the end of the world and has no way to do so without help from Jeevan Chaudhary (Himesh Patel), who happens to be in the audience and helps her out the entire way, even though he wasn’t prepared to deal with the surrounding devastation, anyhow.

Then the series jumps forward 20 years. Kirsten’s an adult now, played with a kind of wary precision by Davis, traveling with a troupe called the Traveling Symphony. They perform Shakespeare for scattered communities across the Midwest — small pockets of life stitched together in the aftermath.

Why It’s Worth Watching Even If You’re Tired of Pandemic Stories

Image via HBO Max

There’s a built-in resistance in a show about a global pandemic, released in the shadow of a real one, which is enough to make people hesitate. But Station Eleven doesn’t dwell where you think it will, as it skips over the how and the why of the issue and goes straight to the aftermath — the emotional residue people carry when everything familiar has been stripped away.

Art becomes the connective tissue, and this is not meant in any fancy or theoretical way; they are extremely practical examples. For instance, graphic novels are exchanged among people, as if they were sacred scriptures; another example is a troupe of actors producing Hamlet for audiences who don’t remember electric light.

There is a persistent idea that survival isn’t good enough, and for once, it feels more than just a catchphrase or something that happens without reason. The show works (very hard) toward this conclusion. Because of this, everything (especially, specifically, in the characters’ way) revolves around their need for stories, songs, and anything else they have that makes life more than mere survival or mere existence.

Though the entire structure is heavy, with each character’s story timeline ending in loss, the creator hasn’t sacrificed a balance of lightheartedness. This happens through precision, which relies on playing to the lighter side of each audience’s experience, using it to create moments of humor, timed differently relative to the overall duration.

The performances help ground all of this. Matilda Lawler’s young Kirsten feels startlingly real, not overly polished, not precocious in that artificial way TV sometimes leans on. Patel plays Jeevan like someone who never quite signed up for any of this but keeps going anyway. And Davis carries the older version of Kirsten with a kind of tension that never fully unwinds — like she’s always half-expecting the world to end again.

How ‘Station Eleven’ Reframes the Apocalypse Genre

Characters in the show cannot escape their pasts; however, they do not live entirely in the past either. There exists a tension: memory can serve as a source of comfort to characters, but also act as a burden. There is no clear resolution to this tension within the show; rather, its persistence is fitting. This sense of confusion may be one reason for the show’s effectiveness; it eliminates the temptation to end on a note where we assume that things cannot be rebuilt and/or that they never will be. Instead, it keeps asking — quietly, persistently — what if something still holds?

All 10 episodes of Station Eleven are available to stream on HBO Max, included with a standard subscription. It’s the kind of show that can be binged, but it might hit harder if you don’t rush it. Some episodes linger, and some need a minute to sink in.

There’s a version of this story that leans fully into despair, that treats the end of the world like a final statement about human nature, but Station Eleven doesn’t go that route. It cautiously suggests that the story may not end there, making it worth watching.

Lisa Kudrow is keeping it refreshingly real when it comes to love and her decades-long marriage. While attending the season 3 premiere of “The Comeback,” Lisa Kudrow opened up about what has kept her relationship with husband Michel Stern going strong for nearly 30 years, and according to her, it’s not complicated.

Lisa Kudrow Credits Simple Mindset For Lasting Love

“I think that’s all there is to it,” she said, per PEOPLE. “Mutual respect for the most part. But definitely wanting to stay together and then relearning mutual respect, practicing mutual respect and listening.”

Kudrow also reflected on the timing of her relationship, revealing that meeting Stern before her rise to fame played a major role in their lasting connection. The two first crossed paths in the late 1980s, when Stern was dating Kudrow’s roommate, and eventually built a relationship that led to marriage in 1995, just one year after Friends premiered.

“I feel like the luckiest thing that happened to me was that I met and fell in love with the man I was going to spend the rest of my life with before Friends, right before,” she said.

Kudrow Gets Real About What Marriage Actually Takes

For Kudrow, a successful marriage isn’t about perfection, but it’s about commitment and effort. “When we decided to get married, we understood: We’re not promising to love each other forever… but we are promising to work on whatever problems come up,” she shared. “We’re committed to our marriage working.”

She also emphasized the importance of individuality within a partnership. “I think people get in trouble when they assume they’re supposed to be one unit,” she added. “[Marriage] is like being on a team. Each teammate is different, but you have the same goal.”

Lisa Kudrow Has Awkward ‘Mom Mode’ Moment On Set

The premiere wasn’t just a date night for Kudrow and Stern, but it also turned into a family affair. The couple was joined by their 27-year-old son, Julian Murray Stern, who appears in the latest season of “The Comeback.” Kudrow couldn’t help but laugh while recalling a moment on set when she accidentally slipped into full mom mode.

“I was kind of tired, and my brain was just a little fuzzy, and I’ve been looking at lines,” she explained. “I walked in, and I saw Julian sitting on the couch with some other people, like, ‘Oh,’ and just walked over and climbed onto the couch right next to him and cuddled in.”

The unexpected moment didn’t go unnoticed by those around her. “And everyone just went … And he went, ‘Hi, Mom,’ and everyone was looking,” she continued. “It was maybe inappropriate, just like to climb on him. I think some people didn’t know he was my son. So they were still wondering, ‘What’s happening right now?’ ”

Inside Kudrow’s Decades-Long Marriage To Michel Stern

The actress married the advertising executive on May 27, 1995, in a ceremony held in Malibu, California, shortly after the first season of Friends wrapped. More than three decades later, the couple is still going strong and has built a life together that includes their son, Julian Murray Stern, whom they welcomed in 1998.

“When [Michel and I] decided to get married, we understood: We’re not promising to love each other forever, because you can’t do that, but we are promising to work on whatever problems come up,” she said when celebrating her 25th anniversary. “We’re committed to our marriage working. It turns out, after you have a history, there’s such a bond, and love takes another shape. But, oh, I don’t want to jinx it—I’m superstitious!”

“[Michel and I] respect each other’s independence, and I don’t mean that as a euphemism,” she continued. “I don’t mean relationship-wise outside the marriage. Clear? But I don’t like to travel. So if he wants to go on a golf trip, he goes.

The “Friends” actress went on to say, “I think people get in trouble [when they assume they’re] supposed to be one unit, in sync about everything. [Marriage] is like being on a team. Each teammate is different, but you have the same goal.”

Lisa Kudrow Says Marriage Really Is This Simple

At the end of the day, Kudrow’s message about marriage is clear. Through decades of change, career highs, and personal milestones, she and Stern have remained grounded in respect, communication, and a shared commitment to making it work.

And for Kudrow, that’s really all there is to it.

When you think of Disney‘s 1960s output, technicolor fairy tales, cartoon animals, and whimsical coming-of-age stories likely come to mind. Meanwhile, bombed-out Europe probably doesn’t ring a bell as one of the studio’s specialties that decade. Yet Disney’s 1963 World War II film, Miracle of the White Stallions, makes for a surprising entry in the studio’s canon. Directed by Arthur Hiller, the film sidesteps gunfire and life-altering grand deeds of war in favor of a tale about defiance, tradition, and the preservation of culture. Miracle of the White Stallions is based on Alois Podhajsky’s memoir The Dancing White Horses of Vienna, and it tells the real story of how Austria’s treasured Lipizzaner horses were rescued with the help of American soldiers during World War II.

From its very first frame, you can tell Miracle of the White Stallions is a different kind of war movie. It opens in a remote village in Austria, where we are introduced to the beauty and cultural significance of the Lipizzaner horses juxtaposed with the prevailing war chaos threatening them. In place of bombers and tanks, Hiller paints a romanticized portrait of the horses. He shows us how graceful they are, whether in their dance performances or in their intimate relationships within their handlers and each other. Hiller truly makes the horses co-stars alongside his human leads.

‘Miracle of the White Stallions’ Breaks the War-Movie Mold

Image via Walt Disney Productions

The film follows Colonel Podhajsky (Robert Taylor in a striking performance), head of the Spanish Riding School, who is keen on protecting the Lipizzaner stallions from destruction and, thus, preserving centuries-old symbols of Austrian culture. With war drawing closer to Vienna, Colonel Podhajsky’s first hurdle is convincing the Nazi army superiors to allow him to evacuate the horses. But even as he navigates one obstacle, several new ones spring up in its place. The film stands out for how it breaks the mold of war pictures in its era, stripping away combat spectacle that was a common element among movies in the genre, like The Longest Day and The Guns of Navarone. The film replaces spectacle with a narrative that builds tension from Colonel Podhajsky’s negotiation with the Nazis and the trust he commands from some soldiers within the ranks. His willingness to explore a collaboration with the supposed enemy — the American army led by Gen. George S. Patton (John Larch) — shows not only his determination, but also his unique courage.

‘Miracle of the White Stallions’ Showcases One of Robert Taylor’s Best Performances

An uncharacteristic part of Disney’s canon in the early 1960s, Miracle of the White Stallions was released at a time when the studio was turning out whimsical musicals and sunny adventures. So it was surprising when Arthur Hiller’s vision steered the war film into sterner waters. His direction is controlled, with pacing that is unhurried. He builds slowly from the historical context of the origin of the horses before delving into the grim state of current affairs and the danger it poses to that rich history. Hiller is less concerned with thrills than with tone and atmosphere. He shows us his characters — human and animal — in their natural habitat as the war looms. The animals are oblivious of the rising temperatures, while the human beings guarding them are worried that their conflict could destroy the stallions. Despite the film’s slow pace, Hiller’s choice to show these events taking place as if they are happening in real time makes you appreciate the film’s urgent call, particularly Colonel Podhajsky’s sense of responsibility to preserve history and tradition.

Taylor plays Podhajsky as if commanding a special operation. He is brisk, precise, and highly devoted. He desperately approaches any office that can accord him help, even when he knows it’s unlikely to bear fruit. Taylor is joined by an impressive cast, including Lilli Palmer as his wife Vedena, who brings tenderness to her role. She’s Podhajsky’s pillar in moments when everything seems to go awry, keeping him grounded and focused. Curd Jürgens (The Spy Who Loved Me) and Eddie Albert take their supporting roles with the seriousness they deserve.

In its look and feel, Miracle of the White Stallions is worlds away from the usual gloss of Disney escapism. But that is not to say that the film is lacking in mojo. Filmed partially in Vienna, including at the Spanish Riding School and the Hermesvilla estate where the real event happened, the movie’s authentic locations give it an emotional touch that leaves a lasting impression. The cinematography by Günther Anders and editing by Alfred Srp move with purpose, making use of long shots of horses in open courtyards juxtaposed with the shrinking spaces of wartime Vienna. The result is a film that lets you feel both grandeur and danger.

Related

20 Years Later, This Remains the Most Perfect R-Rated Sci-Fi Movie of All Time

Dystopian fiction is getting a little too close to reality.

Advertisement

The score, too, underlines the stakes. Music by Paul J. Smith, with moments punctuated by Franz Schubert’s ingenuity of “Marche Militaire” and Felix Mendelssohn’s pieces, marries tradition with mounting tension. But Miracle of the White Stallions trusts silence as much as sound and horses as much as humans, giving the genre a refreshing look that asks questions about the culture of war and lost heritage as collateral damage.

While it isn’t difficult to identify the film as a ’60s release, the questions asked in its thought-provoking premise and central idea are as relevant in the conflicts of today as they were back then. Sixty-two years since its unique protagonists hoofed onto the screen, Miracle of the White Stallions deserves more light — not for what’s missing, but for what survives.

Advertisement

Miracle of the White Stallions

Advertisement

Release Date

March 29, 1963

Runtime

118 minutes

Advertisement

Director

Arthur Hiller

Advertisement

Writers

AJ Carothers

Advertisement

Cast

• 

  Lilli Palmer

  Advertisement

  Vedena Podhajsky

• 

  Robert Taylor

  Col. Podhajsky

  Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

As the saying goes, the devil works fast, but the internet works faster.

Or, in this case, golf fans work faster.

Just one day after Tiger Woods’ mug shot was released following his recent DUI arrest, fans at the Houston Open golf tournament in Texas were already rocking custom T-shirts featuring an image in support of the legendary golfer.

The white shirts displayed Woods’ mug shot front and center, with “#FreeTiger” printed underneath.

Fans wore the shirts to the third round of the PGA tournament on Saturday, March 28. The final round is scheduled for Sunday, March 29.

Woods, 50, was arrested on Friday, March 27, after he was involved in a rollover car accident in Jupiter Island, Florida. The 15-time major champion was charged with DUI, property damage and refusal to submit a lawful test after he declined to take a urinalysis test after authorities arrived at the scene of the accident.

While his breathalyzer test resulted in triple zeros, suggesting that Woods was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident, authorities suspected Woods of being under the influence of medications or drugs.

“The investigation started and initially right off the top, it did appear that the driver of the Land Rover might be impaired,” said Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek in a press conference on Friday. “And at that point, the chief of Jupiter Island Police Department called me from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office and asked for our assistance.

He continued, “We know we arrested a high profile figure … but it doesn’t matter who you are. If you break the law, we’re going to follow the law. That’s a really easy path to take.”

Woods’ mug shot was revealed on Friday after his arrest, along with photos from the crash. By Saturday afternoon, fans already had the photo printed on T-shirts at the Houston Open.

Related: What to Know About Tiger Woods’ Rollover Car Crash and DUI Arrest

Tiger Woods was arrested and charged with a DUI on March 27, 2026, after a rollover car crash in Jupiter Island, Florida, that left his Land Rover overturned on a two-lane road. The Martin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed in a press conference that Woods was charged with driving under the influence, property damage and refusal […]

Advertisement

While Woods was never scheduled to compete in the Houston Open, he was on the precipice of a professional comeback prior to Friday’s accident as questions swirled about whether or not he would compete in April’s Masters tournament.

Meanwhile, World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler was slated to play in the Houston Open, but withdrew from the field before teeing off as he prepares for the birth of his second child. Scheffler should be back for the Masters.

Woods was involved in another single-car crash back in 2021, which resulted in a shattered ankle and two leg features. Authorities determined that the speed in which Woods was driving, and not the use of drugs or alcohol, resulted in the crash.

The golfer was also arrested under suspicion of DUI in 2017 during a traffic stop in Florida. The golfer pleaded guilty to reckless driving after various drugs, including pain killers, were found in his system.

DaBaby recently spoke about the financial fallout from his past homophobic rant. The rapper, born Jonathan Lyndale Kirk, was on the rise from 2019 to 2020. His momentum stalled in 2021 after facing backlash from major brands, celebrities, and social media users. Now, he is opening up about the impact it had on his finances.

DaBaby Says He Missed Out On Hundreds Of Thousands Of Dollars After Being Canceled In 2021

While appearing on the “Million Dollaz Worth Of Game” podcast, DaBaby revealed he was making upward of $300,000 before being canceled in 2021.

“I had a calendar full of shows. 350K, 350K, 375K, 400K, 300K,” he said before revealing his fee dropped significantly to “$30,000.”

Despite the fee change, DaBaby said he wasn’t deterred. In fact, he told the podcast host that he was more than happy to accept those gigs.

“No, I went and got that,” he said.

Why Was DaBaby Canceled In 2021? His Homophobic Rant Went Viral

For those unfamiliar, DaBaby made headlines in July 2021 while performing at Rolling Loud Miami.

During his set, DaBaby made a series of homophobic and offensive comments. “If you didn’t show up today with HIV, AIDS, or any of them deadly sexually transmitted diseases that’ll make you die in two to three weeks, then put your cellphone lighter up,” he said.

“Ladies, if your p—- smell like water, put your cellphone lighter up. Fellas, if you ain’t sucking d— in the parking lot, put your cellphone lighter up,” he added.

DaBaby, of course, received pushback; however, he defended himself online, calling himself the “best live performer” before saying his comments were misconstrued.

“My gay fans, they take care of themselves. They ain’t no nasty gay n—as. See what I’m saying? They ain’t no junkies in the street. The hell you talking about, n—as? Then I said if you ain’t sucking d— in the parking lot, put your cellphone lighter up. You know what my gay fans did? Put that motherf—ing light up, n—a, ’cause my gay fans ain’t going for that. They got class. They ain’t sucking no d— in no parking lot,” he wrote.

Celebrities Slam DaBaby After Sharing Homophobic Rant

The backlash DaBaby faced wasn’t limited to social media users. Celebrities also spoke out, including Dua Lipa, who had recently released a remix of her hit song “Levitating” featuring the rapper. Fans called for her to pull his feature, which she did.

“I’m surprised and horrified at DaBaby’s comments. I really don’t recognize this as the person I worked with,” she said in a statement. “I know my fans know where my heart lies and that I stand 100% with the LGTBQ community. We need to come together to fight the stigma and ignorance around HIV/AIDS.”

Demi Lovato, too, blasted the rapper, writing on Instagram that “HIV is not a gay disease.”

Elton John and Madonna also condemned DaBaby’s statements, while the fashion brand BoohooMAN cut ties with the rapper following the release of their collaboration a month prior.

“Diversity and inclusion are part of the boohoo Groups DNA and we pride ourselves on representing the diverse customers we serve across the globe. We stand by and support the LGBTQ+ community, and do not tolerate hate speech or discrimination in any form,” their statement read.

Rapper Apologizes After Career Begins To Suffer

After his comments, three different festivals pulled DaBaby from their lineups, seemingly prompting the rapper to issue an apology.

“Anybody who done ever been affected by AIDS/HIV y’all got the right to be upset, what I said was insensitive even though I have no intentions on offending anybody. So my apologies,” he wrote.

Days later, he issued another apology on his Instagram, writing, “I want to apologize to the LGBTQ+ community for the hurtful and triggering comments I made. Again, I apologize for my misinformed comments about HIV/AIDS and I know education on this is important. Love to all. God bless.”

However, netizens noticed the apology had been deleted from his account less than a week later.

Other Rappers Speak Out And Show Their Support

Prince William is reportedly taking a thoughtful approach to shaping the future of his children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, as they grow into their royal roles.

Aware of the pressures tied to the monarchy’s “heir and spare” dynamic, the future king is said to be focused on ensuring all three children have balanced, independent paths.

Prince William is also learning from past royal experiences and prioritizing family stability, as he and Kate Middleton navigate a modern monarchy.

Prince William Reportedly Focused On Securing Independent Futures For Princess Charlotte And Prince Louis

William is giving serious thought to the long-term futures of his children, particularly the very different roles they are likely to assume within the royal family.

According to royal commentator Tina Brown, William is especially aware of the challenges tied to the monarchy’s tradition of primogeniture, where the eldest child inherits the throne while younger siblings often take on less defined roles.

Writing in her “Fresh Hell” Substack, Brown claimed William is determined to ensure Charlotte and Louis are equipped to build fulfilling, independent lives and “will not fall into the same cycle of thwarted freedom” that has historically affected “spares” within the royal family.

The dynamic has been closely associated with Prince Harry, who famously described his position as the “spare” in his 2023 memoir “Spare.”

In the book, he described feeling like “the shadow, the support, the Plan B,” highlighting the emotional weight of being “brought into the world in case something happened to Willy.”

Prince William And Kate Take Modern Approach To Raising Their Children Beyond The Heir And Spare Dynamic

While William and Harry remain estranged following the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s departure from royal duties in 2020, the future king is said to be taking a more intentional approach with his own children.

He and Kate Middleton are gradually introducing George, second in line to the throne, to public responsibilities, including attending his first formal engagement in 2025 at a tea party with veterans.

At the same time, the royal couple is reportedly committed to protecting Charlotte and Louis from the pressures that have historically come with being younger siblings in the royal hierarchy.

The Prince Of Wales Wants To Make Royal Life Feel Less ‘Scary’ For His Children

Royal biographer Robert Hardman has previously told People Magazine that William sees it as a key responsibility not only to prepare for kingship but also to make royal life feel less “scary” and more balanced for all his children.

Parenting expert Jo Frost also echoed this perspective, suggesting to HELLO! Magazine that William and Kate prioritize the bond between their children over rigid royal labels.

She has expressed confidence that their household will move away from the traditional “heir and spare” mindset, focusing instead on raising all three children with equal importance.

Prince William Opens Up About Parenting, Vows To Give His Children A Healthy, Stable Childhood

William has also spoken personally about his parenting approach. During a conversation with actor Eugene Levy, he emphasized his commitment to “doing what’s best” for his kids and learning from his own upbringing.

He stressed the importance of balancing royal duties with family life, explaining that creating a stable, happy environment is essential to setting his children up for the future.

“If you don’t start the children off now with a happy, healthy, stable home, I feel you’re setting them up for a bit of a hard time and a fall,” he said. “We try to make sure we give them the security and the safety that they need.”

Reflecting on his childhood, the future king added that he hopes to avoid repeating the intense public pressures he and Harry experienced.

“I hope we don’t go back to some of the practices in the past that Harry and I grew up in. And I’ll do everything I can to make sure we don’t regress in that situation,” William stated.

Advertisement

Prince William And Kate Middleton Reportedly Weighing School Options For Their Children

Alongside these considerations, William and Kate are also said to be carefully evaluating their children’s future education.

Speaking on HELLO! ‘s  “A Right Royal Podcast,” Melanie Sanderson from “The Good Schools Guide” suggested the couple is likely getting advice from close friends, particularly those with older children, as they weigh their options.

She noted that both William and Kate have firsthand experience of the British private school system, having attended institutions like Eton and Marlborough College, and are well-connected to networks of parents who can offer insight and recommendations.

For now, all three children are enrolled at Lambrook School, where they currently study together.

Advertisement

A growing number of Hollywood stars have begun trading Los Angeles for life in France, and experts are now offering a reason for this trend.

Stars like George Clooney and Natalie Portman lead the exodus, which is believed to be tied to the “pressure cooker” landscape in Hollywood.

In contrast, France is said to offer privacy, culture, and a quieter lifestyle, which these celebrities are reportedly drawn to.

Experts Claim Hollywood No Longer Offer The Same Appeal To Celebrities

In recent years, Hollywood stars such as George Clooney and Natalie Portman have left Los Angeles to build lives in France, while some have also chosen to relocate overseas despite already being well-established in their home country.

Although these departures have occurred at different times, experts say they are all driven by the idea that Hollywood no longer offers the same appeal it once did. did.

“Hollywood has become deeply political in recent years, and for some celebrities, that environment can feel like a pressure cooker,” cultural commentator Jonathan Alpert told Fox News Digital.

The Stars Are Under Constant Scrutiny In Hollywood

Alpert specifically pointed to the intense scrutiny celebrities face in Hollywood, where even the smallest actions are now often picked apart.

He suggested that this constant attention can become overwhelming, leading some stars to feel that stepping away from that environment is the best decision for their well-being.

“Every comment, role, or social media post is scrutinized through a political or culture-war lens, and that kind of atmosphere can push people to look for some distance,” the expert noted.

Celebrities Like George Clooney And Natalie Portman Were Drawn By The Privacy France Offers

Regarding Portman, she relocated to France over a decade ago with French dancer and choreographer Benjamin Millepied, whom she married in 2012. Meanwhile, Clooney and his wife, Amal Clooney, have owned a home in the country since 2021 and recently became naturalized.

While both couples had personal reasons for making the move, experts believe the decision is largely influenced by the level of privacy France offers, along with its many other lifestyle advantages.

“France has always had a special pull for artists and celebrities. Paris and the South of France offer culture, architecture, food, and history in a way very few places do,” Celebrity real estate agent Josh Flagg shared.

“But the biggest factor is privacy. In many parts of France, even major stars can live relatively normal lives compared to Los Angeles. There’s also a long tradition of creatives gravitating there.”

Experts Believe Only Established Celebrities Can Step Away From Hollywood

In the coming years, it is believed that more stars will follow in the footsteps of Clooney and Portman. However, those most likely to make the move are established names with enough reputation and industry pull to continue landing major roles even while living outside Hollywood.

“When you’re starting out, you need to be in Los Angeles. But once your career is established, you can fly in when you need to work. At that point, privacy, security, and overall quality of life become much bigger priorities,” said Flagg.

As of now, Clooney and his family still maintain strong ties to the U.S., and it’s likely that Portman does as well despite spending years abroad. This pattern is expected to continue for those choosing to step away from Hollywood.

“Most of these stars aren’t truly leaving the American entertainment world. They still work here and often maintain homes here. In many cases, it’s less an exodus and more about creating breathing room from the scrutiny and political intensity that surrounds Hollywood today,” Alpert shared.

The Reasons Some Celebrities Gave For Leaving Hollywood

Last year, Portman revealed in an interview with Net-A-Porter that she was particularly drawn to France because of the country’s value for privacy.

“They’re very good at privacy here. I feel like the biggest compliment is ‘elle est très discrète’ [‘she is very discreet’],” Portman told the outlet.

Meanwhile, Clooney told Esquire that fearing his kids wouldn’t enjoy the same kind of life he lived while growing up was a major factor for him.

“I was worried about raising our kids in L.A., in the culture of Hollywood. I felt like they were never going to get a fair shake at life,” he shared in the interview.

“Breaking Bad” star Aaron Paul told Travel + Leisure that the country’s food, history, and his desire for his kids to learn another language sold him.

Christina Milan, another star who lives in France, also shares similar sentiments and told People Magazine that she and her family may reside in the country for most of their lives.

The word “bravery” is sometimes overused when describing the filmmaking process; while it does take stamina to put one’s creative ideas on display, making a film is rarely a legitimately dangerous act. However, the acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof was targeted by the government prior to the premiere of his film The Seed of the Sacred Fig, as it was deemed “propaganda” by the authorities. Rasoulof had previously been arrested for protesting the government but was released and able to film The Seed of the Sacred Fig in secret so that it could debut at the Cannes Film Festival. And now you can watch this powerful film on Hulu.

Although he was sentenced to eight years in prison, Rasoulof fled by foot to Europe and was able to complete editing The Seed of the Sacred Fig in Germany. Although The Seed of the Sacred Fig was submitted and nominated as Germany’s entry for the Academy Award for Best International Feature, it also stands as an important work of political filmmaking that should turn the eyes of the world to the horrific situation going on in Tehran.

What Is ‘The Seed of the Sacred Fig’ About?

Image via NEON

Although the story of the film is fictional, The Seed of the Sacred Fig is set during the real Iranian protests in 2022, in which critics of the government took to the streets after a young woman was killed under suspicious circumstances; real footage from the events was incorporated by Rasoulof to provide contextual information. The film centers on the lawyer Iman (Missagh Zareh), who is appointed to be a federal judge within the Revolutionary Court and given a gun to defend himself. Iman begins to grow agitated about his work, as he learns that he will pass execution orders given to him by higher-ranking officials; he is also not allowed to pass along any information about the nature of his work to his wife, Najmeh (Soheila Golestani), who raises their adolescent children Rezvan (Mahsa Rostami) and Sana (Setareh Maleki). The situation spirals out of control when Iman discovers that the gun is missing, leading him to question the loyalties of the family he thought he could trust.

The Seed of the Sacred Fig explores how the governmental practices in Iran cause the splintering of one family, as the film is tightly focused on how paranoia and fear cause Iman to act irrationally. Iman is so used to being tracked by the government that he knows that any mistake on his part could cause significant consequences; since the gun was registered to him, its involvement in any crime could be traced back to him. Iman’s situation is more strenuous because he does not feel that there is anyone that he can trust; while he is afraid that any other government employees would inform on him to steal his position, he also comes to suspect his family, as Rezvan has become increasingly interested in the revolutionary movement. Although Iman is terrified of the power that the authoritative regime holds, he also fears that he could be targeted by protesters if they knew of his real employment.

What Impact Will ‘The Seed of the Sacred Fig’ Have?

The Seed of the Sacred Fig examines why Iran is in a period of political stagnation, as many people who disagree with the government are forced into isolation. While Rezvan discovers that there are many others on social media that share her resentment towards the law enforcement process, Iman is so obsessed with avoiding political conversations that he prevents the family from watching television news or having any active conversations about controversial topics. Although Iman acts in ways that may seem irrational, it’s easy to understand how a man with no support system would be willing to put his family in such intense situations.

The Seed of the Sacred Fig is a great piece of filmmaking, as it is rare to find a film nearly three hours in length in which every scene advances the narrative and reveals something new about the characters. However, the danger that Rasoulof experienced shows how powerful cinema can be, as there was genuine fear on the part of the Iranian government that The Seed of the Sacred Fig could inspire sympathy for the protesters. Rasoulof has earned his place among the great filmmakers working today, but he’s also helped to influence important conversations about an experience that many viewers may be ignorant of.