Entertainment
Tense Survival Thriller Pushes Suspense Into Extreme New Heights
By Robert Scucci
| Published

I can finally end my search for an action adventure thriller set entirely in a hot air balloon after watching 2019’s The Aeronauts. While we can get into the nitty gritty about how it’s “based on true events,” as depicted in the 2013 Richard Holmes book Falling Upwards: How We Took to the Air, anybody with access to Wikipedia can do that. Instead, let’s talk about the film itself. Since we’re ultimately dealing with a fictional piece of cinema inspired by multiple real-life balloon ascents, it’s all but expected that creative liberties are taken, and composite characters are stitched together from their historical counterparts for the sake of a cleaner, more dramatic story.
The Aeronauts, like most films that carry the biographical label, is no exception. As long as you’re not treating it like a history lesson, it’s well worth your time for the visuals and sheer level of suspense alone. I never thought a movie about a giant balloon could be this intense, but here we are, watching two deeply committed people float through the troposphere without even packing proper winter coats.
Floating High And Above

Set in 1862 London, The Aeronauts centers on scientist James Glaisher (Eddie Redmayne) and balloon pilot Amelia Wren (Felicity Jones). James believes that ascending to unprecedented heights will allow him to study atmospheric patterns in a way that could eventually make weather prediction possible. When the Royal Society refuses to take him seriously enough to fund the project, he turns to Amelia, whose skill and nerve make the entire expedition feasible. Through a series of flashbacks, we learn about the political resistance and personal motivations surrounding the journey, but that groundwork is not the main reason you’re here.
The real spectacle unfolds once James and Amelia leave the ground, rising beyond 30,000 feet and shattering the standing record for balloon travel. Completely devoted to his research, James pushes forward as Amelia repeatedly urges him to descend. Awestruck by the vast skyscape around them, James loses track of the balloon’s physical limitations and just how drastically the temperature has dropped while he continues taking notes and running tests.

When it becomes clear they’ve gone far too high for their own good, Amelia takes decisive action after recognizing the signs of James’ worsening hypoxia. That plan immediately falls apart when she realizes the gas release valve at the top of the balloon has frozen shut. Reduced to a speck drifting through the sky, Amelia braves brutal conditions in her attempts to bring both of them back to land. The elements are not on her side, and she soon begins suffering from frostbite as well. With their lives and James’ research hanging in the balance, every split-second decision carries real consequences, and the margin for error disappears fast.
Stunning Cinematography All Around

While the flashback sequences in The Aeronauts are necessary for context, they lean into familiar tropes tied to dangerous missions. Both characters are haunted by their pasts and repeatedly revisit traumatic moments while grappling with their present situation. If I’m being completely honest, I have a hard time taking people in top hats seriously, so these scenes occasionally play as unintentionally funny for me. I fully recognize that I might be a sample size of one here, and your mileage may vary.
What truly impressed me were the sequences that take place inside and around the balloon itself. The horizon, the clouds, and even butterflies drifting through air currents at what were once unheard-of altitudes are the real draw of The Aeronauts. Ice crystallizing across the balloon as Amelia struggles with the frozen gas valve, along with wide shots that emphasize how small she and James are against the open sky, are genuinely striking. The storms that threaten to consume them as they push higher in the name of science add another layer of tension, made all the more effective by how grounded and tactile everything looks.


It’s safe to assume The Aeronauts received a healthy dose of VFX in post-production, but it’s difficult to spot while watching. The visuals feel real and cohesive, creative liberties with characterization aside, and the result is an immersive experience even from your couch. If you’re looking to challenge your fear of heights, or you’re simply in the mood for historical fiction that focuses on discovery rather than warfare, you can stream The Aeronauts on Prime Video as of this writing.
Entertainment
Halley Kate McGookin Can Still Feel Injury After Being Punched in NYC
TikToker Halley Kate McGookin says she can still feel her head injury nearly two years after she was allegedly punched by a man in the streets of New York City.
McGookin, 25, appeared at the Manhattan Supreme Court trial of Skiboky Stora on Tuesday, February 3, where she claimed that she was on her way to record a podcast in March 2024 when she was punched by a stranger, according to the New York Post. She further testified that she was so caught off guard by the alleged assault that she even apologized to her attacker.
“He was screaming at me, using a lot of profanity, saying it was my fault,” McGookin testified, according to the outlet.
McGookin claimed she can still feel pain at her hairline where she was allegedly struck.
“I couldn’t really touch anywhere near that spot,” she continued. “I couldn’t really brush my head because it was so painful, tender. “I can still feel in my hairline where I was hit.”
Stora, 42, is charged with three counts of third-degree assault as a hate crime, one count of stalking as a hate crime and second-degree aggravated harassment connected to several alleged random attacks in NYC, including an incident where he allegedly attacked a Jewish couple and yelled, “Die, Jews! Die!”
“Skiboky Stora allegedly committed a series of hate-motivated incidents against several individuals based on their perceived gender, race and religion,” said District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. in May 2024, according to ABC News. “Much of what defines our city is respect and acceptance of all people. Nobody should have to fear for their safety because of their identity. I thank our prosecutors for their unwavering commitment in seeking justice for these victims.”
Stora was arrested two days after the alleged attack on McGookin, following an investigation by the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force and the Manhattan DA’s office.

McGookin, who did not directly identify Stora as her attacker, posted a video to TikTok about the alleged assault shortly after she claimed it occurred.
“You guys, I was literally just walking, and a man came up and punched me in the face. Oh my God, it was so bad. I can’t even talk,” McGookin said in the video, which went viral and prompted several other TikTok users to come forward with accounts of similar alleged incidents.
Stora, a self-proclaimed rapper, appeared in court wearing a tie with his first name on it. He is representing himself in the trial and reportedly ignoring advice from a legal adviser, according to the NY Post.
Stora asked McGookin a series of unusual questions in court, including one about allegedly being the target of a federal probe and another about a “TikTok trend going around that people were saying they were punched, sucker-punched too.”
The questions were shut down by Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Josh Hanshaft.
Stora’s trial is set to resume on Wednesday, February 4.
Ahead of her appearance in court on Tuesday, McGookin, who has 1.6 million followers on TikTok at the time of publication, took to Instagram to share a video of herself walking down the sidewalk to “The Phantom of the Opera.”
“What plays in my head as I am walking up to the courthouse to testify against the man who hit me in the head two years ago,” she wrote over the clip.
McGookin added in the caption, “He hit the wrong girl lemme tell u that.”
Entertainment
Netflix Has The Wild 1960’s Classic That Changed Hollywood Forever
By Chris Snellgrove
| Updated

James Bond is a fictional character who needs no introduction: he is the super-sexy, martini-swilling secret agent who always manages to get the last laugh and the girl, usually in that order. Right now, the franchise is at a creative crossroads as we wait to learn who the next Bond will be and whether his adventures will stay confined to the big screen or spread out to the small screen. Fortunately, you can return to the franchise roots with the click of a button by playing Dr. No (1962 on Netflix today.
The premise of Dr. No is that British superspy James Bond is dispatched to investigate the sudden death of a fellow spy. Along the way, he meets up with a few expected enemies (like rival spies) and a few unexpected allies (like a friend at the CIA) before getting caught up in the titular villain’s plan to disrupt an upcoming space launch. Now, whether that launch will be successful or not and whether the good doctor’s evil organization ends up ruling the world may come down to Bond’s ability to save the day when every deck is stacked impossibly against him.
A Cast That Really Leans In

The cast of Dr. No includes Joseph Wiseman (best known outside of this movie for Buck Rogers in the 25th Century) as the titular supervillain and Ursula Andress (best known outside of this movie for Clash of the Titans) as the first Bond girl. Unsurprisingly, the best performance comes from Sean Connery, who gives his secret agent a roguish charm that helped to make the actor a household name. Make no mistake: James Bond would never have become such an international phenomenon if not for Connery’s legendary performance, one that holds up remarkably well after all these years.
Relative to its budget, Dr. No is one of the most successful films ever made, especially in the action genre. Against a budget of $1.1 million, the film earned $59.5 million, establishing Bond, James Bond, as one of the most marketable IPs in the entire world. The success of this movie ensured it would have many sequels, leading to a Bond franchise that consists (so far) of 25 official movies, with various actors (including Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig) filling the oversized shoes of Sean Connery once he finally left the franchise that had made him famous.
The Critics Couldn’t Say “No”

Dr. No took over the film world as surely as its titular villain wanted to take over the real world. On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie had a stunning score of 95 percent, with critics commending the film for its uniquely intoxicating blend of action and style. They further praised the movie for delivering such a fully formed cinematic hero in the form of James Bond, someone whose humor and sex appeal are just as much a part of his arsenal as the sexy cars and sleek guns.
If you’re a longtime fan of 007, you might find him largely unrecognizable in this first outing: he’s a meaner, colder secret agent, someone more akin to Daniel Craig or Timothy Dalton’s take on this famous super agent. That doesn’t mean you won’t see some of that trademark Bond charm and plenty of eye candy, thanks to the inaugural Bond girl, Honey Ryder. Plus, the plot is relatively scaled down, but this might very well appeal to someone who has gotten bored by the impossibly high stakes of later Bond outings that feel more like generic Marvel movies rather than grounded, realistic adventures in their own right.
The Most Driven Spy In Hollywood

Dr. No isn’t the best James Bond movie, but it’s arguably the most important because it introduced the world to an entirely new breed of action hero. 007’s influence in future films simply can’t be overstated, and he eventually became one of the most recognizable pop culture figures ever created. Understandably, there’s plenty of joy in returning to Bond’s first outing, which is a relentlessly satisfying romp in its own right that just happens to lay all the groundwork for the sexiest, most stylish franchise to ever grace the silver screen.
Will you agree that Dr. No is a sexy classic that changed Hollywood forever, or is this one spy movie you’d rather leave in the past? The only way to find out is to grab the remote (just watch out for that exploding pen!) and stream it for yourself on Netflix. When it comes to this first cinematic outing of the greatest secret agent the world has ever known, I’m confident you’ll be shaken and stirred.

Entertainment
Savannah Guthrie Responds To Alleged Ransom Note, Wants Proof of Life
Savannah Guthrie
We Need Proof of Life On Nancy
Published
Instagram / @savannahguthrie
Savannah Guthrie says she’s aware there’s an alleged ransom note demanding payment for the return of her kidnapped mother, Nancy Guthrie … and she says she’s ready to talk on one condition.
In an emotional video posted on her social media Wednesday, the ‘TODAY’ anchor says before there can be any movement on meeting the alleged ransom’s demands, she’s pleading to know Nancy is alive … and she says the rise of AI makes it harder to confirm if any photos, audio or videos of Nancy are legit.
TMZ.com
TMZ was sent an alleged ransom note Tuesday and forwarded it to law enforcement. The note demanded millions of dollars in Bitcoin in exchange for Nancy, and it gave a tight deadline with an element of “or else” while also describing some things about her and her home.
In the video, Annie Guthrie is seated next to Savannah … who had her home reportedly searched by agents Wednesday … unclear when this video was recorded, but Savannah only recently uploaded it.
Savannah and her siblings say they’ve lost the light of their lives … and they want their mother to know they love her and are thankful for all the support and rescue efforts.
Cops say Nancy was abducted from her home in the middle of the night and snatched from her bed against her will … but so far there have been no arrests and no suspects.
Entertainment
Floyd Mayweather Files $340 Million Lawsuit Against Showtime
Floyd Mayweather is well-known for his legendary boxing career and multiple title wins, but according to him, cable network Showtime has not adequately compensated him for his fight earnings.
Per recent reports, Mayweather has filed legal documents accusing Showtime of owing him $340 million, and he wants them to pay up.
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Floyd Mayweather Suing Showtime For Millions In Fight Earnings

Per The Hollywood Reporter, Mayweather filed a $340 million lawsuit against Showtime on Tuesday, February 3, in California State Court. In the filing, the boxer alleges that Showtime was a participant in a multi-year scheme of “financial manipulation and self-dealing” by Mayweather’s ex-manager, Al Haymon.
According to Mayweather, Showtime and Haymon “intended to steal vast sums of money from him by funneling fight revenues into secret accounts he didn’t control,” per the outlet. Mayweather is claiming both parties engaged in breach of fiduciary duty and fraud.
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Mayweather’s Lawsuit Details Showtime’s Alleged Role In Defrauding Him

In 2013, Mayweather left rival cable network HBO for Showtime for a multi-year deal that was the most lucrative in boxing history at the time.
Instead of direct payment to Mayweather, Showtime wired the boxer’s fight winnings into a separate account he had no control over. Mayweather blames the loss of his boxing earnings on Showtime for the money stolen from him by Haymon, per The Hollywood Reporter.
Mayweather obtained new management in 2024, and during that time, he requested to see a breakdown of his earnings for specific fights, but said Showtime refused to show them, according to the lawsuit.
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Despite Haymon being the sole person accused of stealing from the boxer, he is not named in Mayweather’s lawsuit, in which he said that the cable network should have been aware of Haymon’s stealing because his behavior was not consistent with that of a “typical manager.”
Paramount, which owns Showtime, responded to Mayweather’s lawsuit via statement. “These baseless claims lack legal or factual merit. We strongly reject them and will respond accordingly through the court process,” the company said.
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Showtime Was Previously Hit With A Lawsuit For Its Hit Series’ Yellowjackets’

In November 2024, a lawsuit was filed against Showtime regarding the network’s hit horror-drama series “Yellowjackets,” due to claims the show stole its premise from the 2015 film, “Eden,” per Entertainment Weekly.
However, the following year, in April 2025, Showtime came out victorious in the legal battle when federal Judge Dean Pregerson dismissed the lawsuit, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Per Judge Pregerson’s ruling, he found that the “plots, characters, themes, and settings of the two works aren’t similar enough to constitute copyright infringement.”
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“Instances of competition, tribalism, and factionalism in disaster scenarios or in response to resource scarcity are nearly as commonplace, from ‘The Tempest’ to ‘Survivor’ to much of the post-apocalyptic genre, such as the ‘Mad Max’ films or any of a number of zombie stories, to, most archetypically, ‘Lord of the Flies,’” the judge wrote in his ruling in favor of Showtime.
Floyd Mayweather’s Rumored Upcoming Boxing Match Against Mike Tyson Sparks Doubt Due To Social Media Post

Floyd Mayweather and Mike Tyson sent boxing fans into a frenzy when it was announced last year that the two would go head-to-head against each other in a boxing match. However, the highly anticipated match-up is sparking doubt.
According to Yahoo! Sports, former kickboxer Mike Zambidis teased an upcoming fight with Mayweather courtesy of a poster where Zambidis referred to himself as “Iron Mike,” which is the widely known nickname for Tyson. The move has left fans looking forward to Mayweather vs. Tyson confused.
In September 2025, Mayweather and Tyson were confirmed to participate in an exhibition match from CSI Sports/Fight Sports set to take place in March, according to ESPN.
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“I’ve been doing this for 30 years, and there hasn’t been a single fighter that can tarnish my legacy,” Mayweather said at the time via a press release. “You already know that if I am going to do something, it’s going to be big and it’s going to be legendary. I’m the best in the business of boxing. This exhibition will give the fans what they want.”
Mayweather’s Alleged Financial Issues Have Recently Made Headlines

“Money Mayweather,” as he has long referred to himself, is allegedly in financial trouble, according to a lengthy report from Business Insider, which the boxer previously sued for defamation for reporting on his finances inaccurately.
Mayweather has maintained that he is more than financially stable, proven by his repeatedly flaunting his wealth on social media.
Entertainment
Prime Video Has a Hidden Gem Horror With Dracula, Werewolves and Mummies That Is Better Than Ever
Some movies don’t just lodge themselves in your memory — they sprawl out and build a little annex, like the oddball friend at a slumber party insisting everyone watch something weird he smuggled from the back shelf of the video store. The breakthrough 1953 film, House of Wax, starring legendary horror star Vincent Price, is one of those films. It sits right beside Tourist Trap, Phantom of the Wax Museum, and even a few stray Night Gallery segments that stuck to your ribs. Those were stories with some weight on them, a little tragedy in the corners, the kind that made you feel like you were stepping into someone else’s private obsession.
But where House of Wax plays like the ballroom version of the genre — velvet curtains, operatic dread, all that tragic grandeur — Waxwork from 1988 kicks the side door open, wearing mismatched shoes and quoting every horror movie it’s ever rented. It’s the punk nephew crashing the fancy family reunion, bringing the spirit of Creepshow, the playful chaos of The Monster Squad, and the anything-goes attitude that fueled late-night Tales from the Darkside reruns. Waxwork doesn’t just riff on its predecessors; it ransacks the attic of horror history and pulls out everything — Dracula, zombies, werewolves, sadistic aristocrats — with the gleeful confidence of a movie that knows exactly what kind of midnight audience it was born to entertain. It’s cinematic mischief, but mischief made with love.
A Museum Where the Exhibits Don’t Just Come to Life, They Swallow You Whole
If you’ve never seen Waxwork, the elevator pitch tells you exactly what kind of ride you’re in for: a group of college kids wanders into a mysterious wax museum that popped up in town like a weed after a rainstorm. The curator — David Warner, doing that sly, half-charmed, half-menacing thing he could do without breaking a sweat — sizes them up with a look that isn’t quite welcoming and definitely not safe. The whole place feels tilted, like someone staged it five minutes before they walked in.
Then the first student steps too close to an exhibit, and the floor drops out. Literally and figuratively. Waxwork’s big trick — and it’s such a good one you can’t even be mad at how bonkers it is — is that each display is a portal. Get too close to Dracula’s dinner table, and suddenly you’re at Dracula’s dinner table for real, with blood on the menu. Wander toward the zombie setup, and suddenly you’re knee-deep in this grimy, George Romero-tinged wasteland that looks like somebody kicked on a fog machine they found in a high-school auditorium closet. Werewolves, mummies, the Marquis de Sade — it’s all crammed in there. This isn’t a museum; it’s a rowdy horror sampler that grabs whoever’s closest.
It’s a concept that shouldn’t feel this fun, but director Anthony Hickox leans hard into the pulpy chaos. He doesn’t tidy the edges or even try to. Waxwork is more mixtape than movie — a heap of genre detours glued together with a wink, a scream, and a bucket of fake blood that probably never quite came out of the carpeting. And somehow, that chaos makes it feel more affectionate than parody.
Where House of Wax Mourns Beauty, Waxwork Throws a Party in Its Ruins
Vincent Price’s House of Wax aches with its own grandeur. It wants you to feel the tragedy behind every glossy sculpture, each one a monument to obsession and heartbreak. You can almost trace the fingerprints in the wax, the way Price plays his madness, like he’s tuning sorrow into a melody. Waxwork, on the other hand, doesn’t mourn anything. It celebrates the carnage. Where House of Wax is cinematic opera, Waxwork is a punk band rattling a garage door. Instead of tragedy, Hickox gives us pure invention — the thrill of letting every monster loose at once and telling the audience, “You’ll keep up, don’t worry.” It’s not elevating horror; it’s reveling in it.
This Forgotten Vincent Price Horror is One of the Few Films Set in This Famously Haunted Landmark
There isn’t much cinematic blood spilled in the Bloody Tower.
And the cast knows exactly what kind of sandbox they’re in. David Warner plays the curator like a man who’s read every villain’s speech in existence and decided none of them were good enough. It’s camp as performance art. Then there’s Zach Galligan — earnest, a little wide-eyed, almost apologetically sincere — grounding the chaos. He ends up being the one steady presence in the room, the guy awkwardly holding the metaphorical flashlight while everything else whirls and snaps around him.
But Hickox’s real trick is threading that sincerity through all the genre mayhem. He’s not mocking the tropes, he’s creating a hodgepodge of them, similar to how a kid would dump all their toys into a huge pile to see what he could create from various combinations. Each world in the wax scenes reveals warmth, even the goofier ones. You never feel like the movie is punching down at horror. It’s clapping along with it.
A Love Letter Written in Blood, Rubber Masks, and VHS Static
For anyone who grew up watching late-night horror blocks or spent uncomfortable amounts of time in video stores clutching a tape with a monster on the cover — Waxwork hits like nostalgia with teeth. It carries the DNA of Creepshow, Fright Night, Monster Squad, and every scrappy anthology film that haunted the 2 a.m. schedule of stations too broke to buy better programming.
But it carves its own spot. It’s knowingly silly, but not a spoof. The film respects the styles it barrels through. You can feel the filmmakers winking, sure, but they’re also sweating. Waxwork is handmade horror — scrappy, clever, slightly lopsided, but full of actual pulse. That’s the thing with camp: it’s not laziness. It’s commitment… just with a smirk. And Waxwork commits. Even though it’s one of those films where you can see the seams on the monsters, you don’t mind. They’re unapologetic, and that adds to the charm because you can feel the love from the hand crafters who probably stayed up into the wee hours of the night to get them just right.
Why It Deserves a Spot Beside the Classics
Waxwork earns its cult status, not by being a flawless film, but because it’s not afraid to venture into the bizarre. It’s like that crazy uncle that makes the family cringe when he shows up at family gatherings with dad jokes and a cooler full of mystery sodas, but earns respect from the youngsters with a tattered copy of Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine under his arm. You don’t ask it to behave. You ask it to liven up the night.
If House of Wax is your thing — the sweep, the style, the controlled unraveling — save a night for its unruly relative. Dim the room, let the nostalgia buzz a little, and slip into something stranger, bloodier, and way less predictable than anything Vincent Price ever polished for the screen. Sometimes horror works better when it doesn’t try to comb its hair. Sometimes messy is the point. And Waxwork? It’s alive and well.
Waxwork is available to stream on Prime Video and Tubi in the U.S.
- Release Date
-
June 17, 1988
- Runtime
-
95 minutes
- Director
-
Anthony Hickox
Entertainment
Copy Meghan Markle’s Navy Peacoat With This Amazon Trench
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As expected, celebrities were out and about at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. Among them was Meghan Markle, and while she had eyes on the movies, we had our eyes on her long navy peacoat. The four-digit price tag, however, led us to look for an inexpensive option — which is exactly what we found with this $53 Amazon find.
Markle was at Sundance for the premiere of Cookie Queens, which she executive-produced alongside her husband, Prince Harry. She posed on the red carpet in the Heidi Merrick Fog Coat, which retails for a cool $1,275. Thankfully, the Ebossy Double-Breasted Long Coat is a much more affordable alternative with a similar look, making it a worthy addition to your wardrobe for chilly days ahead.
Get the Ebossy Double-Breasted Long Coat for $53 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
In order to achieve Markle’s deep blue look, you’ll want to shop the layer in navy, but the same piece comes in black, brown, dark gray, dark red and army green. Like the designer version, the Ebossy coat includes a belt for easy closure, but it also features extra hardware, including silver buttons down the front.
Many peacoats come in midi lengths, but the Ebossy option nearly hits the ankles. Not only does that make for an elegant look, but it also keeps wearers protected from the wind and other elements. Despite its price, this pick is surprisingly heavy, so it can withstand the frigid temperatures sweeping the country this time of year.
Amazon shoppers appreciate this long, sleek coat. Even though it’s affordable, it holds up well against serious winter weather.
“This coat is fabulous. All lined, warm and fashionable. Pretty sure I need one in every color now. You cannot beat the price,” one five-star reviewer shared.
“I loved this coat. Great quality for the price,” another happy shopper wrote. “It’s a good buy. Soft and warm. I’ve only worn it once so far, and I only wear it out to elegant occasions.”
A quality peacoat is an easy way to dress up whatever you’re wearing underneath, even if it’s a matching sweatsuit set. This Markle-inspired option will do just that, while also keeping you nice and warm.
Get the Ebossy Double-Breasted Long Coat for $53 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
Looking for something else? Explore more peacoats here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!
Entertainment
Law Enforcement Agents at Annie Guthrie’s House Amid Search For Nancy
Nancy Guthrie Abduction
Investigators Visit Daughter Annie’s Home
Published
A new twist in the kidnapping of ‘TODAY’ anchor Savannah Guthrie‘s mother Nancy … the Arizona home of Savannah’s sister Annie is crawling with law enforcement agents.
Photos show a deputy wearing an ICAC shirt arriving Wednesday afternoon at Annie’s home … and what’s even more interesting is what he appears to have in the bag over his shoulder.
Now, the ICAC badge appears to be from the Internet Crimes Against Children task force … and the box with a strap over his shoulder is believed to be a forensic extraction device used to access data from smartphones, SIM cards and more.
The Cellebrite Universal Forensic Extraction Device that the agent appears to be carrying here can even retrieve encrypted data and deleted content.
FOX News
Annie lives in the home with her husband, Tommaso Cioni … and the couple are reportedly the last people to see Nancy before she was abducted from her Tucson-area home in the middle of the night.
Reporters outside the home say agents appeared to have seized items from inside … though it’s unclear what, if anything, was taken.
As for the ICAC task force’s involvement … Pima Co. Sheriff’s Dept. says detectives from multiple units are working the case, but “this does not mean an acronym or unit name on the shirt is indicative of a particular crime associated with this case.”
Authorities have not named a suspect … and Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said Wednesday they have no reason to believe she is deceased.
Entertainment
Netflix’s Miniseries Masterpiece Thriller Is Still Surging on Streaming Charts 12 Weeks After Its Premiere
When the right elements collide, a great show tends to stick around in the cultural conversation. Streaming platforms may allow series to live online indefinitely, but it’s far rarer for audiences to still be watching and talking about a show months after it premieres. In a binge-first era where entire seasons can be consumed in a weekend and quickly forgotten, a series has to leave a lasting impression to keep drawing in new viewers long after its initial release. Great writing gives actors room to dig deep. Strong performances elevate familiar genre beats. And when all of that clicks into place, you get a compelling show that people can’t stop recommending.
That’s exactly what’s happened with The Beast in Me, which continues to surge on Netflix’s Top 10 charts more than three months after its premiere. In an era when most shows burn hot and disappear just as quickly, The Beast in Me has proven to be a clear outlier. That staying power isn’t surprising, given the stellar lead performances from Matthew Rhys and Claire Danes, along with a group of rich characters and a mystery compelling enough to keep viewers hooked. With showrunner Howard Gordon recently noting that there is “always potential” for a second season, the show’s sustained chart presence proves it has real legs in an increasingly crowded streaming landscape.
Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys Anchor a Stellar Ensemble in Netflix’s ‘The Beast in Me’
Premiering in November 2025, The Beast in Me follows Aggie Wiggs (Danes), a mourning author living next door to her new neighbor, enigmatic and arguably menacing real estate mogul Nile Jarvis (Rhys) and his wife Nina (Brittany Snow). Nile was accused of killing his first wife and convinces Aggie to write a book about him. From there, their relationship grows into something deeply compelling and increasingly unsettling as she peels back the truth of who Nile really is.
Right from the start, these characters draw viewers in with their complexity. Aggie is dealing with the guilt of her young son’s death while trying to move on from her ex-wife Shelley (Natalie Morales). Nile lives in the shadow of his father Martin Jarvis (Jonathan Banks), a ruthless real estate mogul whose influence looms over everything. Rhys has always been reliable for delivering incredible performances, from The Americans to Perry Mason, and he does exceptional work as Nile, balancing charm with a chilling edge that keeps the audience constantly guessing whether he’s a killer or just deeply misunderstood.
From eating a whole chicken to having a laugh to the Talking Heads track “Psycho Killer,” Danes and Rhys had fun making ‘The Beast in Me’ together.
No one plays a woman in grief and turmoil quite like Claire Danes, who viewers have seen for years on Homeland, but here she plays opposite Rhys with palpable chemistry, echoing her Homeland dynamic, drawn to someone she can’t fully trust, unsure what to believe yet unable to pull away. Another standout performance comes from Brittany Snow, who is finally getting recognized for her dramatic range, building on her work in The Hunting Wives. Together, the ensemble turns the series into something far richer than a standard crime drama, but that doesn’t mean the plot isn’t worth watching for either.
Netflix Unleashes a Captivating Mystery With ‘The Beast in Me’
Beyond its incredible cast, The Beast in Me is anchored by a mystery that unfolds deliberately across its eight-episode season and remains compelling in its own right. Even when the central revelation — particularly the truth surrounding what happened to Niles’ first wife, Maddie — isn’t especially surprising, it’s the process of uncovering that truth that makes the series so gripping. By prioritizing slow-burn storytelling and complex character dynamics, the show transforms what could have been a conventional whodunit into an examination of grief, guilt, and obsession.
The series also isn’t afraid to keep viewers deeply unsettled, whether through the uneasy presence of Jarvis himself or the stormy nights and shadowed windows of Aggie’s Long Island home. Just as importantly, the show’s pacing is confident and controlled. Tension builds naturally over the course of the season without relying on filler, and even the flashback episode depicting Maddie’s fate feels purposeful, deepening both the mystery and the emotional stakes rather than stalling momentum.
More than twelve weeks after its premiere, it’s not surprising that The Beast in Me continues to draw an audience. Whether through new viewers discovering it via word of mouth or returning audiences revisiting the story with full knowledge of the truth, the series makes a compelling case for why great dramas endure. While Netflix has yet to announce a second season, the show’s sustained presence on the charts makes one thing clear: if the streamer does choose to continue the story, The Beast in Me has already built a dedicated audience ready to show up. Anchored by a carefully constructed mystery, strong writing, and standout performances, the series feels built to last, and its continued success feels earned.
- Release Date
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2025 – 2025-00-00
- Network
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Netflix
Entertainment
Michelle Obama documentary “Becoming” spikes on Netflix as “Melania” hits theaters
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A new movie about the wife of President Donald Trump has viewers watching one about President Barack Obama’s first lady.
Entertainment
Beyond the Gates Early Spoilers Feb 9-13: Dani Reveals Explosive Secret & Ted Completely Unravels
Beyond the Gates spoilers for February 9th – 13th anticipate Dani Dupree‘s (Karla Mosley) big confession and Dr. Ted Richardson (Maurice Johnson) absolutely snapping and raging at someone in public who really has it coming.
As we do on early edition day, we talk about what’s coming the rest of this week and then we dive into what is ahead next week.
Smitty Make a Dangerous Move and Dani Confesses on Beyond the Gates
On Wednesday, February 4th, we’ve got Bradley “Smitty” Smith (Mike Manning) meeting with his source. This is for the red market plasma case, which of course Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) is also undercover on. Smitty poking around could put Jacob in danger, which is problematic.
Plus, Dani Dupree goes ahead and makes a full confession to Andre Richardson (Sean Freeman). She told him on Tuesday, but we’re going to have it reiterated on Wednesday that she did kiss Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett). I don’t know if Andre will pretend to handle it well while talking to Dani, but I don’t think inside he’s going to take it well.
Andre was pretty confident when he was talking to Vernon Dupree (Clifton Davis) over at the club after his father-in-law said that Bill really regrets losing Dani. He was acting confident, but inside I think he’s worried he doesn’t want to lose her.
Dani’s Confession and the Red Market Plasma Case on BTG
Meanwhile, Bill Hamilton surprises Carolyn over at the office. I wonder if it’s about banning Hayley Lawson‘s (Marquita Goings) awful tea or something to do with his medical update. Meanwhile, Hayley is flirting with Isaiah. He’s not a very good mark for a conwoman because, as he pointed out to Katherine “Kat” Richardson (Colby Muhammad), he’s got no money. So, gold diggers need not apply. But he is a hunk. If Hayley’s not busy trying to kill Bill, there she is trying to get lucky.
Chelsea Hamilton (RhonniRose Mantilla) is absolutely stunned by what she sees with her grandma Anita Dupree (Tamara Tunie). I’m sure it’s that she cut all her hair off because of the chemo. I thought she looked absolutely gorgeous with the haircut. Obviously, I know that’s natural hair under there and she was in a wig, but I thought they did the scene very well. It’s very poignant. If you have ever had anybody in your family go through this with chemo, it’s upsetting.
Jacob Undercover on Beyond the Gates
Jacob is making progress while working undercover. I hope Smitty stays out of the way and doesn’t get him shot. Thursday, February 5th, we’ve got Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson (Daphnee Duplaix) going out on a date with Kyle. She is working hard to get her groove back. I’m interested to see if Nicole is going to hit the sheets with Kyle as well. She’s had some fun with Carlton, but she’s also been very clear about what she wants and what she doesn’t want.


Beyond the Gates: Relationship Drama and Dangerous Business Moves
Joey lets Vanessa McBride (Lauren Buglioli) get drawn deeper into his business and his personal life, which is going to put her increasingly at risk. This is not just from possible legal ramifications; he’s dealing with dangerous people because he does dangerous things. But Vanessa, to her credit, is game for it all. She wants to be all in with Joey. Randy comes to Mona’s rescue and she thanks him.
Plus, Dana “Leslie” Thomas (Trisha Mann-Grant) does something that confuses Ted. I don’t know if she’s changing up her look or if she’s doing something else to torment Chenise, who is absolutely disgusted when she finds Leslie’s panties tucked behind a throw pillow in the couch of Ted’s hotel room.
I am curious if he is going to recognize them as ones he has seen on Leslie’s body or just recognize her taste in things. Anita is also bickering with Fairmont Crest resident gossip Anastasia. I always enjoy seeing everybody laying into her. And I wonder if she’s making catty remarks about Anita’s new hair or something equally tasteless.
Engagement Rumors and the Infamous Panty Plot on BTG
Friday, February 6th, we’ve got Ted confronting Leslie in public about her little panty plot. I wonder if Eva Thomas (Ambyr Michelle) is going to be there to be mortified by her mama yet again. Two people are getting engaged on Friday. Maybe it’s Tomas “Tom” Navarro (Alex Alegria) and Kat since he’s got his new promotion.
Maybe Chelsea talks Madison into reconsidering her proposal now that they’re heading overseas together. But for real, I would absolutely cheer if it was Vanessa and Joey. Pamela and Andre do some plotting at the end of the week. And I’m sure it’s to make sure that Bill can’t worm his way back into Dani’s life.
Pamela just got her bestie all pulled back together. And she credits Andre for his role in helping Dani heal. They don’t want Bill getting in there and dismantling her again because they don’t trust him, and rightly so.
Shanice (Ernestine Johnson) and Derek Baldwin (Ben Gavin) talk and she comforts him. He can’t be a fireman anymore, he’s lost Ashley Morgan (Jen Jacob). And he’s kind of circling the drain. Grayson has another date with Ashley, but things go awry when Grayson gets a phone call that’s a bit of a mystery.
Could be about his mom because we know he is caretaking a sick parent, or it could be Derek being a jerk and trying to interfere. Plus, Dani gets turned down. And I wonder if Izaiah Hawthorne (David Lami Friebe) is going to officially tell her no thanks on the modeling gig.
Beyond the Gates February Sweeps: Health Battles and Valentine’s Day Plans
The week of February 9th through the 13th, we are way deep into February sweeps with things moving faster. Obviously, everybody in the Dupree family is going to see Anita’s new look and she’s going to tell them about what is going on with the side effects of her chemo. It’s absolutely terrifying. I’m sure we’re not going to see things get too extreme on the soap because we have to keep her looking beautiful, but if you have a family member that’s gone through cancer, it’s terrible.
Next week, Nicole is juggling Kyle and Carlton, but she has made clear with both of them that she doesn’t want anything serious. I’m interested to see if Carlton is feeling threatened by Kyle or vice versa. Hayley’s desperation could make her sloppy now that Bill has a new doctor monitoring his blood levels. Hayley may circle back around to Randy for some other option to kill Bill ASAP.
Beyond the Gates: Bill Disappoints?
We’re also going to have to wait and see if Chelsea and Madison actually pack it up and leave the DMV together or if Chelsea will have to let Madison go alone because of Dupree family drama. Look for Valentine’s Day celebrations to kick off. Vernon’s going to make sure Anita is celebrated in style. And Andre is going to bring his A-game now that Vernon alerted him to Bill’s lurking and regrets.
Hayley’s going to have big expectations, but Bill may disappoint her. Tomas is sure to do something special for Kat. And with Isaiah and Eva officially boyfriend and girlfriend, they’re going to have some big romance, too. I wonder if Marcel’s going to have to bail on Leslie to be with his actual wife. Ted and Shanice are sure to have romantic plans. And I can’t wait to see what fabulous gift Joey has for his lady love, Vanessa.
Massive Young and the Restless Crossover News
We also have some huge crossover action coming to Beyond the Gates in June. We’re going to have characters from The Young and the Restless, including Victor Newman, Kyle Abbott, Jack and Diane Abbott, Abby, and Devon Winters. They’re going to be in town for an event at Fairmont Crest, which is a fundraiser for Martin Richardson’s (Brandon Claybon) re-election campaign. I have some more spoilers on it, but I’m running long, so I’ll share those next time.
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