Entertainment
This Forgotten Star Trek Episode Pits Captain America Against Captain Picard
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published

If you didn’t already know, Star Trek has had some truly weird team-ups with Marvel over the years. In Star Trek/X-Men, we got a one-shot comic in which Charles Xavier’s band of merry mutants crossed through time and space to fight alongside (and sometimes with) Captain Kirk and the Enterprise crew. In the later book Planet X, the X-Men had a similar encounter with Captain Picard and his Enterprise-D crew. Of course, these adventures are non-canonical, and we never really got to see any fun live-action crossovers (and no, having Patrick Stewart play Professor X doesn’t count!).
However, in a forgotten Star Trek: The Next Generation episode, we got the closest thing to a live-action crossover with Marvel. In “The Hunted,” the crew must match wits with Roga Danar, a former soldier and fugitive on the run. He ends up being a one-man wrecking machine who fights practically every officer on the entire Enterprise, singlehandedly. How did he pull off such a feat? It turns out that he was a biologically enhanced super-soldier, and this episode was Trek’s way of secretly giving us Captain Picard versus Captain America!
Captain America Comes To Star Trek

“The Hunted” begins with the Enterprise visiting Angosia III, a planet angling to join the Federation. The planet’s prime minister asks Captain Picard for help with a seemingly routine matter: apprehending an escaped fugitive. This proves easier said than done, and after the crew finally captures this man, Roga Danar, he reveals that the planetary government provided biological enhancements to turn him into a super-soldier. But they were also given psychological conditioning that made them unsuited for peacetime, so when the war was over, they were forcibly resettled. Eventually, Danar frees some fellow soldiers and attacks the capital, and Picard refuses to intervene, claiming this is an internal matter for the planet.
He only appears in Star Trek for a single episode, but Roga Danar is one of the coolest characters in the entire franchise. Once the Enterprise tries to catch him, the former soldier seems hopelessly outmatched. But with strength, speed, and cunning, he frequently foils the high-tech security measures of the Enterprise-D. By the time he’s captured, he goes down swinging: it takes no less than five of Worf’s best security officers to drag this man to the brig (plus, he successfully busts out later). As recorded in Captain’s Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Star Trek Voyages, even showrunner Michael Piller agreed that “the best soldier ever created bringing the Enterprise to its knees is a little hard to believe.”
Redshirts Versus Supersoldier

What made him so unstoppable? While Roga Danar is naturally brilliant and has extensive wartime experience, he also has an ace up his sleeve: he was biologically enhanced by the government of Angosia III to be one of their nearly unstoppable super soldiers. While it’s not name-checked in the episode, this seems like the kinds of Khan-esque genetic modifications that are completely banned in the Federation. That explains why the Enterprise D had trouble catching this guy. To them, he’s a one-of-a-kind soldier. In this way, he is arguably the closest thing that Star Trek has ever had to a Captain America, with this episode foreshadowing some of the Marvel hero’s later onscreen adventures.
What are the parallels between Roga Danar and Captain America? First, each one has been transformed into a super-soldier in order to win a war. Second, each has trouble integrating into society after the war. Danar is forcibly resettled to a different planet, and Cap is put on ice, only to awaken decades later into a very different world. Additionally, Danar discovers he was betrayed by the government. The same thing happens to Cap in the comics when he discovers the president is part of the evil Secret Empire, and in the MCU when he discovers Hydra’s infiltration of S.H.I.E.L.D.
A Soldier On Ice

In the Civil War arc of both the comics and the MCU, Cap also has some Danar-esque clashes with otherwise good people because of disagreements about how the government treats enhanced beings like himself. In that regard, at least, Star Trek offers a more optimistic ending. While Cap’s onscreen Civil War struggle ended with his friends in jail and him on the run, The Next Generation showed how Captain Picard tacitly supported Danar’s revolution against his own corrupt government. Showrunner Michael Piller later admitted that some on the staff disagreed with this decision, but he thought adherence to the Prime Directive was “an important enough theme that I cannot explore enough.”
While Picard’s decision was quite surprising, it was arguably still in line with the franchise’s values of respect, diplomacy, and dignity for all living creatures. Captain Picard might have had to fight a thinly-veiled Captain America stand-in, but he managed to save the day by simply listening to what this supersoldier had to say. That showed remarkable restraint considering how many men Roga Danar beat up in his attempts to escape. As a lifelong fan of both Marvel and Star Trek, I’m left with one question: how far could Danar have made it if he had replicated himself a vibranium shield?!?
Entertainment
Love Island USA Challenge Is Halted After Surprise Drama
A challenge on Love Island USA was halted after an Islander dramatically walked off.
During the Friday, June 12, episode of the Peacock show, Aftersun hosts Ciara Miller and Tefi Pessoa appeared to help guide the Islanders on their newest challenge. They were tasked to choose which person in the villa matches the positive — and not so positive — prompts.
Sol Dean, specifically, got pie thrown in her face multiple times in response to negative questions including who was breaking girl code. She got visibly emotional — with Ciara sand Tefi stepping in to comfort her.
While the guys made excuses for why they chose Sol, she stepped away before returning to finish the challenge of. She continued to be upset with the larger group for shaming her for exploring a connection despite that being her objective as a Bombshell on Love Island USA.
Love Island USA follows a group of singles who must pair off in order to stay in the show’s luxury villa. The contestants — referred to as Islanders — live in isolation in a villa under constant video surveillance. They must be coupled up to remain on the show and earn a shot at the $100,000 prize.
While the islanders are filming nonstop for weeks, viewers are watching daily episodes and casting votes that affect the couples and the fate of the contestants.
While the Islanders paired off during Day 1, it didn’t take long for those bonds to shift. There was also the arrival of bombshells, who tempted several Islanders to reconsider their connections.
Before viewers tuned in, Peacock issued a message to remind the audience to be kind.
“The Villa runs on good vibes, and so does this community. We love seeing your reactions, opinions, and debates, but everyone deserves to feel safe and respected,” read their statement. “This is a space for fun, not negativity – so keep it kind, keep it positive, and remember: this is LOVE Island!”
Host Ariana Madix has also had to previously issue a message for those Love Island USA viewers who are taking things too far when expressing their frustrations with the show.
“I do want to say something to some of those people who are online,” she said during a June 2025 episode of Aftersun. “Don’t be contacting people’s families. Don’t be doxxing people.”
Ariana questioned the behavior she saw on social media.
“Don’t be going on islanders’ pages and saying rude things. You still have time to delete all of that because the islanders don’t have their phones,” she noted. “So we are giving you a chance because this is a fun, amazing and beautiful show. We should be thanking each one of these islanders every single day for giving us themselves.”
New episodes of Love Island USA are released six days a week — except for Wednesdays — on Peacock.
Join Us Weekly and Bracketology.tv in our first-ever Love Island USA fantasy league! This is your chance to predict who you think will win Season 8 and rank the Islanders weekly based on how confident you are that they will survive the next elimination. You will be playing against our editors, get access to exclusive content and have the chance to win fun prizes. Sign up for free today!
Entertainment
Taylor Swift Says Toy Story 5 Moment Broke Her Heart
Taylor Swift has always had a friend in Toy Story, so imagine her excitement to record an original song for the fifth movie.
Appearing on the Toy Story: 30 Years and Beyond special on 20/20 that aired Friday, June 12, Swift, 36, opened up about her involvement and revealed the moment that made her particularly emotional.
Swift wrote “I Knew It, I Knew You” to accommodate a new backstory for cowgirl figurine Jessie (voiced by Joan Cusack).
Speaking on the 20/20 special, Swift shared that one line she wrote for the song really tugged on her heartstrings.
““For Jessie, I feel like the line, ‘I watched you drive around the bend for what I thought would be the last time I saw my friend,’ that hits me really hard because that movie just broke my heart,” Swift said. “So I’m really happy to like, give her a happy moment. ”
Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, who voiced Woody and Buzz Lightyear respectively, detailed how Swift’s involvement was shrouded in secrecy.
“They literally pulled us into a room and said, ‘Shut the door,’” Hanks, 69, said. Allen, 73, added, “I thought they were going to say, ‘Aliens are real.’”
In the special, Swift added that she was “grateful” to be allowed to create music for the latest Toy Story instalment.
“I felt wonderful knowing that I had Randy [Newman]’s blessing to write for this film, given that I’m the first songwriter to get to partake in the Toy Story world outside of Randy,” Swift said in a preview for the 20/20 sit-down. “I was absolutely dazzled by [the movie]. It is my favorite Toy Story movie. Don’t mind me, just really liked the movie.”

Taylor Swift. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for for TAS Rights Management)
Swift recently joined forces with Newman, 82, as they performed a duet of his song “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” at the Los Angeles premiere on Tuesday, June 9. The 14-time Grammy winner also sang “I Knew It, I Knew You” for the first time during the screening.
Swift, a childhood fan of the Toy Story franchise, collaborated with Jack Antonoff on the new song.
“It’s a *Toy* Story ,” Swift wrote via Instagram on June 1, announcing the single. “I’ve always dreamed of getting to write for these characters who I’ve adored since I was a 5 year old kid watching the first Toy Story movie. I fell instantly in love with Toy Story 5 when I was lucky enough to see it in its early stages, and I wrote this song as soon as I got home from the screening. Sometimes you just know, right?”
Days later, Swift revealed via Instagram that her songwriting journey felt like a “musical departure and coming home.”
“Creating something for Jessie was a new challenge and also felt like second nature all at once,” the pop star mused in a June 5 upload. “And being a @toystory kid from the age of 5 til now … is an adventure I plan to be on, to infinity and beyond. Thank you to the brilliant Andrew Stanton for imagining me for this, all those years ago, when you wrote this newest film. Thank you to the incomparable @randynewmanofficial for the gorgeous sonic tapestry of songs and scores you’ve meticulously woven over the years. You created the Toy Story musical world, and we are lucky to get to live in it.”
Swift concluded, “By we, I mean myself and my pal @jackantonoff. We wrote this with so much adoration for these characters that made us laugh and helped us learn lessons and think outside the backyard all throughout our childhoods.”
Toy Story 5 hits theaters Friday, June 19.
Entertainment
10 Classic Crime TV Shows Nobody Wants To See a Remake Of
Remaking television shows doesn’t usually work out, as it’s a much different process than that of remaking a film. The best remakes are those that either change something substantially different about the original, or improve upon aspects that weren’t well done the first time. Given that a majority of high-profile remakes tend to be of classic shows that already have name recognition, there’s little that they can do to distinguish themselves from their predecessors.
It is more creatively productive to make a prequel, continuation, or spinoff to a great series than trying to start it again from scratch. Seeing the same story made twice is generally not that interesting; it tends to irritate those who were fans in the first place, and confuse those who never understood the hype to begin with. This process is even more challenging when discussing classic shows that should be considered untouchable.
10
‘The Wire’ (2002–2008)
The Wire is a series that is impossible to revisit because it was originally created under very unique circumstances. Creator David Simon was a journalist on the crime beat in Baltimore, and spent over a decade compiling research about what he saw as the city’s infrastructural issues; The Wire became one of HBO’s greatest shows ever because there was so much attention to detail, which wouldn’t have been possible if someone less passionate than Simon had been working on it.
It seems unlikely that a network would give so much control to a creator to make a niche show like The Wire, especially if it wasn’t a ratings hit. Although The Wire is now remembered as being one of the greatest shows of all time, it was never a massive hit when it was airing and was often on the verge of cancellation.
9
‘The Sopranos’ (1999–2007)
The Sopranos is a masterpiece in storytelling that was also a masterclass in acting, as it may have the single greatest ensemble within the history of dramatic television. While James Gandolfini’s performance as Tony Soprano is among the finest of all-time, every single character on The Sopranos was well-articulated and fleshed out; there wasn’t a single weak link in the show, which is impressive given that it ran for six seasons.
It would ultimately be impossible for anyone else to take over the role of Tony, as there’s nothing in The Sopranos that could be improved upon. Although HBO did release the prequel film The Many Saints of Newark, which featured a very strong performance by Michael Gandolfini in the role played by his father, it was unfortunately not the box office success that Warner Bros. was hoping it would be.
8
‘Twin Peaks’ (1991–2017)
Twin Peaks is a miracle of a television show that managed to survive cancellation and pushback because of the unparalleled genius of David Lynch. Lynch was a filmmaker, first and foremost, so the notion of him making a dramatic crime series was unheard of. Although Lynch briefly left the production to work on his 1990 masterpiece Wild at Heart, which won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, he cared deeply about the fate of Twin Peaks and returned to direct the season two finale in order to set the story straight.
Twin Peaks isn’t a show that can be explained or calcified by a single reading, as it is the ultimate work of an expressionistic artist who is sadly no longer alive. Although there have been many television shows since that have tried to be “Lynchian,” there will never be another Twin Peaks.
7
‘Pushing Daisies’ (2007–2009)
Pushing Daisies is one of the most unique and entertaining mystery shows of the 21st century, and was an early sign of the genius of Bryan Fuller. While it was sadly canceled at the end of its second season, Pushing Daisies had a long shelf life because of how rewatchable and clever it is; Fuller became such a renowned showrunner that he was enlisted to do NBC’s Hannibal, a series that managed to surpass everyone’s expectations with how cleverly it reinvented the mythology of the characters.
Pushing Daisies showed a level of ingenuity and creativity that hasn’t been seen on network television since, as there aren’t procedures today that are willing to take such bold artistic chances. Pushing Daisies is the ultimate example of what a cult show looks like, and doing anything to reinvent its story would seem like a counterintuitive enterprise.
6
‘Bones’ (2005–2017)
Bones is a show that is in no need of a remake because the original series did everything possible with the concept. It’s very rare to see a series that airs for so long without ever experiencing a significant dip in quality, but Bones had 12 seasons and managed to end on a high note; even when some of the seasonal storylines got a bit silly, the excellent chemistry between Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz managed to elevate the material because of how committed they were to their performances.
Bones had so many episodes that it’s hard to imagine anyone being able to do something different with the material. While a reboot would be a bad idea, Bones could have an interesting revival series if the original cast were all to return and show the same level of dedication they did initially.
5
‘Castle’ (2009–2016)
Castle is a show that is often remembered for its off-screen drama, but it is easy to forget just how entertaining it was in the first few seasons. Not only was Castle an interesting spin on the familiar buddy duo detective mystery premise, but it snuck in some clever satire of the genre itself, and also had some fun commentary on the literary world of celebrities.
Castle was a series that worked well until a certain point before the concept got unbelievable, and the tension between the stars did nothing to help it make any improvements. It’s hard to imagine that a remake could do anything differently, especially since the eighth season of Castle ended on such a sour note after it was prematurely cancelled by ABC that it effectively killed any enthusiasm for anything related to the series going forward.
4
‘Breaking Bad’ (2008–2013)
Breaking Bad is one of the very few shows that could be described as “perfect,” as there isn’t a single false note within Vince Gilligan’s ambitious crime epic. Mapped out like a five-act Shakespearean tragedy, Breaking Bad pulled off a rare feat in television history by turning a seemingly sympathetic hero into a completely psychopathic villain by the end of its run.
Breaking Bad does not need a reboot because there is still room to do spinoffs in the original continuity, as long as Gilligan is involved somehow or at least gives his creative approval. While there was initially some doubt as to whether making the prequel Better Call Saul was a good idea, it ended up being a masterpiece in its own right, and a show that some would argue is even better than the original Breaking Bad.
3
‘Boardwalk Empire’ (2010–2014)
Boardwalk Empire is among the last of HBO’s truly epic shows because it was given a tremendous budget and included a painstakingly authentic process of ensuring that the historical details felt realistic. This level of dedication to perfection is what distinguished Boardwalk Empire from all the other wannabe gangster dramas at the time; the pilot was even directed by Martin Scorsese, who has made more great crime films than any other director in history.
Boardwalk Empire required that level of commitment from HBO, but it’s less likely that the network would give it that much attention now, especially since it is now controlled by a new parent company in Paramount Pictures. Larry Ellison has made no indication that he has any interest in making dramas for adults like Boardwalk Empire, as the new conglomerate is almost entirely centered on appeasing fanboys and families.
2
‘The Shield’ (2002–2008)
The Shield is one of the most underrated shows of all-time, and doesn’t receive nearly enough credit for how ambitious it was at a time when non-HBO networks weren’t known for pushing the boundaries with controversial material. The Shield is the exact type of show that would initiate toxic discourse if it was released today because of how illiterate the average commenter and entertainment writer is; the show presented complex ideas about divisive issues, and was incredibly bold in how it demythologized the way that television traditionally had lionized law enforcement.
Remaking The Shield would also be an impossible task because of how perfectly the original show ended; “Family Meeting” is one of the best finales ever, as it gave Vic Mackey (Michael Chiklis) the exact fate that he deserved. There’s no way that it could ever be improved upon.
1
’24’ (2001–2010)
24 is a series that was ahead of its time because of its construction, as each season of the show took place over the course of a single day, with the episodes playing out in real time. It was an innovative concept that worked because it was released during a time where there were still seasons that had over 20 episodes; even The Pitt, a contemporary show that also uses the real-time format, only has 15 episodes a season.
24 is also a show that has been unsuccessfully rebooted, as the sequel series 24: Legacy failed to take off and was canceled. The politics of 24 have always been fairly murky, and it is hard to imagine the series being made today without completely changing its worldview and redefining how the actions of Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) are supposed to be received.
24
- Release Date
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2001 – 2014-00-00
- Showrunner
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Robert Cochran
- Directors
-
Robert Cochran
- Writers
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Robert Cochran
Entertainment
15 Years Later, These Are the 10 Best Movies of 2011
2011 might not have been a classic year in cinema history, but it marked an important twelve months of change for the industry. A battle began to emerge with the widespread move from film stock to digital, with the first online cries for classic cinema to return. Hollywood had long been skeptical about certain new technologies, and 2011 saw many of said skeptics finally adopt new practices.
As well as this, theatrical attendances began to drop significantly for the first time in a decade that would see audiences shift from attending across the theatrical line-up to saving their spending money for the burgeoning cinematic universes. So, in a year remembered as a transitional period, it’s worth reminding oneself of the genuinely great cinema we also received. With that in mind, here’s a look at the ten best movies of 2011.
10
‘Take Shelter’
Jeff Nichols‘ 2013 psychological disaster thriller Take Shelter might not be the first name that comes to mind when thinking of 2011, but its place on this list is well-deserved. Starring Oscar nominee Michael Shannon and Oscar winner Jessica Chastain, the film follows one Ohio family man’s sudden visions of an apocalyptic future, and his efforts to save those closest to him.
In modern Hollywood, it feels as if suspense is built in a rush. For Nichols’ most underrated movie, Take Shelter, attention to detail is used to craft a meticulously ascending tension that explodes in a storm of both real and marital proportions. What might seem like an average disaster thriller is, in fact, a clever analysis of paranoia and community.
9
‘Crazy, Stupid, Love.’
2011 was dominated by the more “serious” genres, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t receive some great comedy. The funniest film of 2011, and one that has aged like a fine wine since, is Crazy, Stupid, Love, which is best described as ancient Greek comedy meets four of the best modern actors: Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, and Emma Stone.
The twisting, turning romantic lives of Cal (Carell), Jacob (Gosling), Emily (Moore), Hannah (Stone), and more are explored in hilarious and heartwarming detail in Crazy Stupid, Love, all culminating in one of the most jaw-dropping, cathartic twists in 2010s Hollywood. Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, romantic comedies don’t get much better than this.
8
‘Oslo, August 31st’
Joachim Trier‘s most recent film, Sentimental Value, stole hearts, minds, and even an Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. 15 years prior, he released only his second ever feature film, and the talent that would one day secure Oscars gold was clear for everyone to see.
Oslo, August 31 is a detailed and emotionally devastating story — something that will come as little surprise to anyone who has seen either Sentimental Value or The Worst Person in the World. A tender tale of a day-in-the-life of a young recovering drug addict, this profound achievement succeeds in being both bold and quiet.
7
‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2’
Rarely does the highest-grossing movie of the year also rank as one of the best in terms of quality. In 2011, the stars aligned for the final installment in the magical Harry Potter franchise. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, the eighth film in the franchise, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson)’s mission to destroy the Horcruxes comes to an explosive end via one of the most satisfying cinematic battles ever.
For what it lacks in nuance and misses out on in a disappointing villain death, Deathly Hallows: Part 2 more than makes up for in sheer entertainment value. After two underwhelming previous installments, the pressure was on for director David Yates and co to nail the landing, and they did so with awe-inspiring visuals, a surprisingly emotional core, and some of the franchise’s best performances.
6
‘Submarine’
2011 was a strong year for British film, with Olivia Colman stunning in Tyrannosaur, John Boyega breaking onto the scene in Attack the Block, and Saoirse Ronan showcasing her early talent in Hanna. But the best of the bunch from across the pond actually comes from one of the two main characters in the beloved comedy The IT Crowd.
Richard Ayoade‘s coming-of-age drama Submarine follows the eccentric outcast Oliver Tate (Craig Roberts), who struggles to find romance in school whilst also attempting to repair his parents’ marriage. Hilariously awkward in all the best ways, Submarine taps into the genuine anxiety and confusion that surrounds understanding love and romance at a young age, in all its many ungainly facets.
5
‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’
He might be best known as 007 or private detective Benoit Blanc, but one of Daniel Craig‘s best-ever performances came in this 2011 adaptation of author Stieg Larsson‘s 2005 novel, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Directed by the great David Fincher, just a year after delivering The Social Network, the film follows disgraced financial reporter Mikael Blomkvist (Craig) as he attempts to redeem his career by solving a 40-year-old murder.
Craig’s pitch-perfect performance in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is only bettered by a jaw-dropping turn from Rooney Mara as hacker Lisbeth, for which she was nominated for Best Actress at the Academy Awards. This was one of five nominations the adaptation earned at the 84th edition of the biggest event in the cinema calendar, with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo winning for Best Film Editing.
4
‘Melancholia’
One of the most thought-provoking movies of 2011 is Melancholia, the 12th feature in the filmography of a man never afraid of symbolic ambiguity, Lars von Trier. The film tells the tale of two sisters, played by Kirsten Dunst and Charlotte Gainsbourg, as they live their final days before doomsday strikes and a planet collides with Earth.
An existential masterpiece that captures both the broad and the fine, Melancholia is satisfied with being indefinite, allowing a selection of top-tier performances and some unusual set pieces to capture an essence of humanity on the edge. Key to the film’s success is Dunst, whose turn as the depressed, enigmatic Justine is perhaps her very best.
3
‘The Tree of Life’
There’s no doubt that this pick will prove divisive, as plenty of audiences reacted poorly to Terrence Malick‘s The Tree of Life. However, others have labeled the film his magnum opus, as his many layers of meaning are peeled back through some of the finest cinematography of the year, in a film that will live long in your mind once the credits roll.
Compared by the great Roger Ebert to Stanley Kubrick‘s 2001: A Space Odyssey — which is alone enough to put it on this list — The Tree of Life, to those who loved it, was regarded as the very best of 2011. A bold, visceral drama that is as emotionally diverse as it is visually stunning, The Tree of Life has aged like a fine wine.
2
‘Drive’
15 years before joining Rocky on a mission to save the universe in Project Hail Mary, Ryan Gosling‘s reputation as one of the best actors of his generation began with a simple Drive. It is this very simplicity that helps Nicolas Winding Refn‘s genius to shine through, as arthouse violence and stylish cinematography help frame one of the most stylish and oddly heartfelt crime dramas of the 2010s.
Following Gosling’s Hollywood action film stuntman turned getaway driver, as he spirals into criminal chaos. A neo-noir gem that blends romance, tragedy, and breathless tension, Drive even earned a nomination for an Academy Award in a year when the Academy seemed to get many decisions wrong.
1
‘A Separation’
2011 wasn’t a classic year for American cinema, but thankfully, plenty of international features stood out. One such stand-out, an Iranian production boasting the directorial talent of the genius Asghar Farhadi, is arguably the greatest movie of 2011 entirely. The winner of Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards, A Separation is the most celebrated Iranian film of all time.
Never before have the complexities of marriage, divorce, and the chaos in between been explored in such devastating detail. A tour de force of suspense and intensity, this morally nuanced tale is as dynamic as an action thriller, with all the emotion of a tender drama. Boasting immersive performances and a masterclass in direction, A Separation is an utter triumph.
- Release Date
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February 15, 2011
- Runtime
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123 minutes
- Director
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Asghar Farhadi
Entertainment
Netflix Officially Announces Its Newest ‘The White Lotus’ Replacement
The last five years have given HBO some true sleeper hits, but none has reached the level of The White Lotus. Initially conceptualized as a limited series, the show went the anthology route and has since become one of the network’s most celebrated dramas. And it’s easy to see why: creator Mike White weaves a tight narrative about a crime that keeps you guessing to the end. Three seasons have aired thus far, with another one in the works, expected sometime in 2027. But in the interim, Netflix is trying to scratch The White Lotus‘ itch with a brand-new series that follows a similar premise.
There are some distinctions to be made, however. Netflix’s series takes place in Spain and follows relatively young characters. Think Elite meets The White Lotus. And instead of a global hotel chain, this is set in an exclusive resort that only admits the richest of the rich. The titular Oasis is Spain’s most luxurious holiday resort reserved for the wealthiest in society. Its private beaches, VIP facilities, and impenetrable security make for one hell of a summer. However, trouble knocks in paradise when police land at Oasis investigating a mysterious disappearance, and there are secrets to unearth. Everyone is a suspect, and no one is leaving until the culprit is found.
Oasis was created by Ramón Campos, Jon de la Cuesta Olaizola, Javier Chacártegui Horrach, David Orea Arribas, and Ricardo Jornet Gallego. The series stars Ana Garcés (Helena), Tomy Aguilera (Dani), and Victoria Kantch (Celia) and includes Manel Duarte (Pablo), Berta Castañé (Maca), Ada Molina (Sofia), Candela Méndez (Alicia), Álex Mola (Jaén), Laura Simón (Laura), Jan Buxaderas (Oliver), Amanda Palomino (Leo), and Blas Polidori (Jon). These cast members bring to life the guests and staff at Oasis, who carry secrets that could lead to a breakthrough in this case.
What About ‘The White Lotus’?
Meanwhile, production for the France-set season of The White Lotus is in progress. The series has already cast all major roles. News recently broke that Helena Bonham Carter had left the series, but her role was recast. The White Lotus Season 4 follows guests at the titular resort during the Cannes Film Festival. The theme for the season is fame and its effects on people in the age of social media. White aims to explore what “prioritizing likes or the attention of strangers over creating real relationships” does to people and society.
Check in to Oasis on June 19, when the full season drops. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
- Release Date
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2021 – 2024
- Network
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HBO
- Showrunner
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Mike White
- Directors
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Mike White
- Writers
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Mike White
Entertainment
30 Years Later, This Iconic Masterpiece Is Every Bit as Brilliant as You Remember
A comedy can age really poorly these days, but not one as fabulous as this. Its skincare routine is just too good; it’s moisturizing, minding its own business, and ain’t nobody going to dim its lighting. This is a movie about the things you’ll do for your family, even if that’s completely antithetical to who you are as a person, which is probably why it’s so wonderful. And better than that, it’s free to watch.
The Birdcage follows Armand Goldman (Robin Williams), the owner of a drag nightclub in Miami, and his longtime partner Albert (Nathan Lane), the club’s star performer. When Armand’s son announces that he’s engaged to the daughter of a conservative senator, the family tries to stage an extremely normal dinner to impress her parents. You already know exactly how this is going to go.
The cast also includes Gene Hackman (The French Connection) as Senator Kevin Keeley, Dianne Wiest (Bullets over Broadway) as Louise Keeley, Calista Flockhart (Ally McBeal) as Barbara Keeley, and Hank Azaria (The Simpsons) as Agador Spartacus.
Was ‘The Birdcage’ a Success?
The Birdcage hit it big at the box office, with audiences, culturally, and with awards bodies too. The Birdcage cost about $31 million to produce, and went on to gross about $185 million globally, which is just silly money for a comedy like this. It was also the #1 movie in North America the weekend it opened, and it stayed top for a number of weeks, so this wasn’t an under-the-radar performer. As for the critics, they loved it too. It was warmly received and, for those who’ve seen it lately, it still holds up well. Rotten Tomatoes currently has The Birdcage at 84% from critics and 81% from audiences. Awards-wise, it also had real recognition. The cast won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast, and the movie earned an Oscar nomination for Best Art Direction.
Directed by Mike Nichols, The Birdcage is streaming for free now on Fawesome.
- Release Date
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March 8, 1996
- Runtime
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119 minutes
- Writers
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Elaine May
Entertainment
24 Years Later, Pierce Brosnan’s Worst James Bond Movie Is Officially Back
No matter how many movies and TV shows Pierce Brosnan stars in, he’ll always be remembered for his role as James Bond in a series of 007 movies in the ’90s. Brosnan has since garnered fame for his performance in the hit Paramount Plus crime thriller show, MobLand, which has spent some unfortunate time in the news cycle over the last few weeks. Reports surfaced online that Brosnan’s MobLand co-star Tom Hardy had been fired from the show for now showing up on set on time and feuding with producers, but this was debunked when it was reported that he had not been fired and the team was mending bridges to ensure his return. Brosnan also recently teamed up with Dwayne Johnson for the 2022 superhero movie, Black Adam, which is currently streaming on HBO Max.
Pierce Brosnan starred in four James Bond movies, starting with Golden Eye in 1995. He reprised his role as 007 just a few years later in Tomorrow Never Dies, and in the final year of the 1990s, he headlined The World Is Not Enough. Brosnan took a break from playing James Bond in 2000 and 2001 before he suited up as the iconic spy for the final time in Die Another Day. Most fans would agree that his final movie is, by far, the weakest of Brosnan’s four Bond movies, which is mostly due to sloppy writing and poor visual effects — it’s no fault of Brosnan’s performance. Still, all these years later, Die Another Day has surged into the VOD top 10 on platforms such as Prime Video and Apple TV. The film does not have a streaming home in America right now, but it could return to Prime Video soon now that Amazon owns the IP.
What Is ‘Die Another Day’ About?
The official synopsis for Die Another Day, which also stars Halle Berry and Rosamund Pike, reads as follows:
“After being betrayed and imprisoned in North Korea for fourteen months, James Bond escapes MI6 custody to hunt down the man who exposed him. His trail leads to a shadowy billionaire and a devastating orbital weapon capable of global destruction — and a mole hiding closer to home than Bond ever imagined.”
Die Another Day was written by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, and Lee Tamahori stepped behind the camera to direct the film. The 2002 James Bond movie grossed $431 million at the box office against a $142 million budget, and it earned scores of 55% from critics and 41% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.
Check out Die Another Day on VOD platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV, and stay tuned to Collider for more streaming updates and coverage of Brosnan’s future projects.
- Release Date
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November 22, 2002
- Runtime
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133 minutes
- Director
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Lee Tamahori
- Writers
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Ian Fleming, Neal Purvis, Robert Wade
Entertainment
Martha Stewart’s Exact Summery Slip-On Shoes Are on Amazon
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If you’ve ever wondered what sneakers, wedges and loafers would look like as one shoe, Martha Stewart just showed Us. Her summer slip-ons deliver plush comfort with a design worth photographing, making them an incredible upgrade to any summer wardrobe. Somehow, Stewart’s exact shoes are under $100!
In a recent Instagram post, Stewart posed in a breezy beige sweater, tailored pants and these Skechers Relaxed Fit Parallel Lite shoes. They’re dressy enough for a garden lunch yet secretly feel like slippers, which is Stewart’s magic move. Why suffer in something stiff when you can glide through your day in memory foam?
Get the Skechers Relaxed Fit Parallel Lite for $70 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.
The Parallel Lite has a delicate knit upper, sleek silhouette and 2.5-inch wedge heel that provides enough lift to feel put together. Clean lines and a neutral palette are just a few other highlights. Rhinestones give these shoes a quiet luxury flair, so don’t be surprised if people think you’re rich.
Inside, these stylish wonders feature a cooling memory foam insole that keeps your feet from overheating, which matters when you’re walking city streets and hosting on the patio. Better yet, the upper upper hugs your foot without pinching, so there’s no break-in period required.
“This is my second pair,” one five-star reviewer wrote. “I have them in black as well. So very comfortable for walking.”
Stewart paired her slip-ons with tailored-looking pants, but this versatile shoe looks equally stunning with a flowy midi skirt, wide-leg jeans or a sundress at brunch. The simple shape and elegant details do the heavy lifting, so your outfit appears polished regardless.
Stewart clearly cracked the code, and now the rest of Us get to copy. Snag these comfy new Skechers below!
Get the Skechers Relaxed Fit Parallel Lite for $70 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.
Entertainment
Multiple Love Island USA Couples Perform Sex Acts Before Elimination
The Love Island USA couples continued to find ways to act on their chemistry by performing sex acts that were caught on the night cameras — before an emotional elimination.
Viewers noticed that in footage from the Friday, June 12, episode of the Peacock show, Sincere Rhea and Melanie Moreno were getting up close and personal — as did Zach Georgiou and Kayda Bosse. This came after Corbin Mims and Kenzie Annis appeared to take their relationship to the next level.
Love Island USA viewers had a front row seat to the sexcapades that took place this year in Fiji. While past seasons featured some couples finding ways to share an intimate moment or two, it felt like season 7 set some kind of record with the amount of sexual “journeys” taking place in the communal bedroom.
“We did have a code word [for sex which was] ‘journey’ and it kind of traumatizes me now. When somebody outside is like, ‘Oh, a journey?’ I’m like, ‘How dare you!’ I am clutching my pearls,” Amaya “Papaya” Espinal joked on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast in July 2025. “People were having journeys.”
Since there wasn’t room for much privacy, Amaya confirmed that it did get awkward at night, adding, ”I’m like, ‘Can I sleep?’ We already don’t get enough sleep around here and then you hear [sexual noises]. The earplugs [we got] were not plugging? Those were low quality earplugs because we were still able to hear things. Especially if there’s a couple right next to you.”
Amaya was also asked about her time in The Hideaway with fellow winner Bryan Arenales. (The pair have since split.)

“It was steamy, all right. We were hot and we were sweating. It really was a great feeling to just have that private and intimate moment,” she gushed. “We actually do want to talk to each other and we love being next to each other. The next morning, we were just sitting and we were just quiet. It was beautiful and silent. I really did feel like I found my best friend where I could yap away or have a quieter moment.”
When asked whether Bryan really did “eat that kitty in The Hideaway,” Amaya coyly replied, “Well he definitely took that advice. We had a great night.”
While Love Island USA viewers know that “journey” is a code word the Islanders use for sex, the term “folded” is another one that has been brought up multiple times last season. Chris Seeley quietly revealed to Bryan that he “folded” the night prior with Huda Mustafa, adding, “I wasn’t going to tell anybody. [But] I couldn’t do it any more. I really tried [to hold out]. I just didn’t want to tell the other boys.”
In a confessional, Chris elaborated on how having sex has helped his connection with Huda evolve.
“I feel like that was just a great step into our physical connection that we probably don’t show in front of everyone else,” he noted. “It definitely made us feel stronger in our physical connection. That is really all I can say about that.”
New episodes of Love Island USA are released six days a week — except for Wednesdays — on Peacock.
Join Us Weekly and Bracketology.tv in our first-ever Love Island USA fantasy league! This is your chance to predict who you think will win Season 8 and rank the Islanders weekly based on how confident you are that they will survive the next elimination. You will be playing against our editors, get access to exclusive content and have the chance to win fun prizes. Sign up for free today!
Entertainment
2 Years Later, Prime Video’s Easy-To-Binge Crime Thriller Keeps Proving Why It Shouldn’t Have Been Cancelled
When it comes to cop dramas, few names carry the same weight as Titus Welliver, who has spent the better part of the last decade playing Harry Bosch. What makes his rise to prominence even more impressive is that most of the world’s most popular police procedurals came from network TV — Welliver was one of the first actors to commit to bringing a great cop drama to life on streaming, which he did thanks to Prime Video. Welliver first played Bosch all the way back in 2014, where he starred as the LA-based detective for seven seasons in the show of the same name. Bosch went off the air in 2021, but fans didn’t have to wait long to see Welliver return to the role in Bosch: Legacy, which even saw him team up with one of his arch-rivals.
Most fans felt that Bosch: Legacy was poised to be the perfect replacement series for the original Bosch, but those same viewers were devastated when it was canceled after only three seasons. What made it more tough to swallow was that it didn’t feel like a natural end to the character, more a studio-based decision that didn’t sit right with fans. Now two years removed from a single episode of Bosch: Legacy hitting Prime Video, fans continue to show why the series should never have been canceled in the first place. Bosch: Legacy has surged back into the streaming top 10 as fans anxiously await the arrival of Ballard Season 2. After featuring in a few episodes of Ballard Season 1, Welliver is confirmed to return in the second season of the spin-off series.
What Is the Bosch Spin-Off ‘Ballard’ About?
The official synopsis for Ballard, which is led by Maggie Q, reads as follows:
“Detective Renée Ballard leads the LAPD’s new and underfunded cold case division, tackling the city’s most challenging long-forgotten crimes with empathy and relentless determination. As she peels back layers of crimes spanning decades — including a serial killer’s string of murders and a murdered John Doe — she soon uncovers a dangerous conspiracy within the LAPD. With the help of her volunteer team and retired detective Harry Bosch, Detective Ballard navigates personal trauma, professional challenges, and life-threatening dangers to expose the truth.”
Prime Video is also actively developing a new Bosch prequel series, Start of Watch, which will give fans a look inside Bosch’s younger days. Welliver is not involved with the show in any capacity, but Amazon has recruited Cameron Monaghan to star as a young Harry Bosch in the show. Monaghan is best known for playing Cal Kestis in the Star Wars Jedi video game series.
Check out all episodes of Bosch and Ballard on Prime Video, and stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of the Bosch universe.
- Release Date
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2022 – 2025
- Network
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Prime Video, Amazon Freevee
- Showrunner
-
Eric Overmyer
- Directors
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Patrick Cady, Alex Zakrzewski, Sharat Raju, Ernest R. Dickerson, Adam Davidson, Kate Woods, Leslie Libman, Tawnia McKiernan, Hagar Ben-Asher, Haifaa al-Mansour
- Writers
-
Chris Wu, Osokwe Vasquez, Benjamin Pitts, Chris Downey, Barbara Curry
-
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