Taylor Swift has quietly stepped in to support a Connecticut mother facing a lengthy recovery after she was struck by a car while helping teenagers involved in a highway crash. The 36-year-old singer donated $50,000 to a GoFundMe created for Ashley Taunton, a certified nursing assistant, wife, and mother of three. The donation came as Taunton continues recovering from several life-threatening injuries she sustained while pushing a teenager out of the path of an oncoming vehicle.

5

Swift’s sizable contribution appeared on the family’s crowdfunding page, along with a message wishing Taunton and her loved ones well. TMZ first reported the donation, and PEOPLE later confirmed it.

Taunton was driving along I-95 South in Rhode Island with her youngest daughter in July when she noticed a crash ahead. Rather than drive past, she stopped to offer assistance. “When I see there’s somebody in trouble, I tend to want to go help,” Taunton told PEOPLE.

She parked about 30 yards from the crash and told her daughter to stay in the vehicle while she called Taunton’s husband. Taunton then approached the stranded car, where she found a teenage driver and two other young passengers. According to the mother, the teenagers were “a little bit banged up, but seemed relatively okay.”

Hero Mom Pushed Teen Out Of Oncoming Car’s Path

5

The situation changed suddenly when another vehicle lost control on the wet highway. According to a crash report Taunton shared with PEOPLE, the driver hydroplaned while traveling in the second southbound lane of I-95. As the vehicle moved toward the group, Taunton pushed the teenager standing closest to her out of its path. She later learned that his name was Vinny.

Taunton was unable to escape and was struck by the oncoming car. “It just felt like a big explosion,” Taunton told PEOPLE. “I just remember being on the ground and I could see my ankle was just hanging there. I went to try to get up and I couldn’t breathe.”

Her daughter rushed to her side and held her hand until emergency responders arrived. Taunton was transported to Rhode Island Hospital, where doctors treated her for bilateral internal carotid artery dissection, liver and spleen lacerations, multiple fractured ribs and a ruptured diaphragm.

At the time she spoke about the collision, doctors had not determined when she would be discharged. Her recovery, including physical therapy, was expected to take up to 12 months.

Ashley Taunton Discovered A Personal Connection To The Teen

5

Taunton later learned that Vinny was not a complete stranger. She had met him in 2020 and had been friends with his mother, Jamie O’Rourke, for 14 years. O’Rourke discovered the connection after spotting Taunton’s husband and daughter walking through the hospital.

When O’Rourke learned why the family was there, she realized Taunton was the woman who had pushed her son out of danger. “Jamie just lost it and was like, ‘Oh my gosh, that was Ashley? She saved my son’s life,’ ” Taunton recalled being told.

O’Rourke later praised her friend’s selfless actions while speaking with CBS affiliate WPRI. “She was so courageous to put herself in danger,” she said.

Fundraisers Rally Around The Mother Of Three

5

Swift’s $50,000 donation significantly boosted the campaign supporting Taunton and her family. The GoFundMe had raised more than $73,000 as of Saturday, August 29. The financial support is expected to help the family as Taunton faces months of medical care, rehabilitation and physical therapy.

Despite the severity of her injuries, Taunton said she remained grateful to have survived. “I am so in awe of how evident God’s hand has been in all of this,” she told PEOPLE. “He just put all the right people in all the right places.”

The Accident Changed How Taunton Views Life

5

Taunton said the ordeal has caused her to reconsider how she spends time with friends and family.

“Life is very busy and it’s easy to postpone plans like, especially with friends and loved ones,” she said. “I don’t want to do that anymore. I want to make sure that I am taking time, even if it’s just going to grab a coffee with a friend, because we never know how you’re going to leave this earth.”

Swift has not publicly commented on the donation.

Somehow, I’ve accumulated so many jeans and far too few tops. A black T-shirt used to be my fallback, but this season, I’m elevating my aesthetic with these chic-looking blouses. You may think I’m stocking up at luxe retailers, but actually, some of the most boutique-like blouses are on Amazon. Bonus: they start at only $7.

Whether your jeans are straight-legged, baggy or tailored, these expensive-looking blouses will instantly upgrade your denim style. Many of my favroites feature fun colors, designer-inspired prints and loose fabrics that flow nicely on the body. No matter which ones you choose, they’ll make you appear rich at brunch or the office (yes, without even trying). Read on to see the chic looks worth stocking up on for late summer, fall and beyond!

17 Boutique-Like Blouses to Pair With Jeans

1. My Favorite: With a frilly mock neckline, eyelet detailing and scalloped hems, this gorgeous blouse hits every note.

2. Fall Florals: This newly launched long-sleeve shirt is destined to sell out. I credit the dreamy floral print and cute button style.

3. European Vibes: Knit fabric screams ‘London rich mom,’ so naturally, this comfy, skin-soft blouse is already in my cart.

4. Could Be Designer: This drapey buttoned shirt is a work of art, featuring a Zimmermann-like print and dramatic lantern sleeves.

5. Simple Stunner: Look no further for a timeless chiffon blouse that looks just as good with trousers as it does with jeans.

Related: Amazon‘s New Releases Hub Is a Goldmine for Old Money Pieces — From $8

I’m always searching for staples that look much more expensive than they are, and I’m shocked by how many gems I discovered on Amazon. For fall, I’m looking for classy East Coast, old money-looking pieces that appear even more luxe than my usual clothes. And thankfully, Amazon’s Hot New Releases section is filled with finds […]

Advertisement

6. Silky Satin: Everyone’s wearing satin lately, so I’m hopping on the trend with this shiny flutter-sleeve number.

7. Center of Attention: Boho and luxe, this colorful blouse earns its keep for brunches, date nights and school pick-ups.

8. Polka Dots: I saw this polka dot blouse style everywhere in Europe. I didn’t buy it there, so I’m buying it now!

9. Triple Digits: People will think you dropped big bucks on this elegant short-sleeve sweater, especially with its elegant floral motif.

10. East Coast: If you want a casual, everyday top that channels pure Nantucket vibes, this striped short-sleeve pick is it.

11. Under $20: Everything about this mock-neck blouse is swoon-worthy, including the graphic floral print and shirred detailing.

12. On Repeat: I get compliments every time I wear this puff-sleeve blouse. I already have it in pink, so I’m grabbing the khaki style for fall.

13. Minimal Maven: Craving quiet luxury? This cowl-neck blouse takes you from business meetings to cocktail parties.

14. Fun Flutter: Not only does this flutter-sleeve blouse make you appear rich, but it also conceals your upper arms.

15. Capsule Piece: It’s hard to believe this dressy collared blouse is only $7. Hence, I’m grabbing multiples.

16. Tummy-Hiding: Bloated days call for this loose babydoll top that drapes over your tummy without looking frumpy.

17. Best for Last: Rich moms rock ruffles, and this Nashville-style blouse has plenty. I also adore the subtle stripes.

Sofía Vergara knows how to make a spa run look effortlessly chic, and all it takes is the right baggy jeans. For a self-care afternoon, the actress was spotted at Diamond Spa in Beverly Hills, serving effortless downtown-cool energy. This Amazon version has the same vibe, and they’re only $42!

Vergara donned a slouchy long-sleeve top, a white Chanel bag, strappy sandals, and baggy light-wash jeans that instantly stole the show. We’re copying the formula and pairing this relaxed denim look with every top in our wardrobe.

Get the Flamingals Cropped Baggy Jeans for $42 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

These Flamingals Cropped Baggy Jeans nail Vergara’s L.A. rich mom aesthetic, with a flattering high-rise waist and a retro barrel leg cut that’s loose through the thigh before tapering slightly at the ankle. Flap pockets give them a subtle utility edge.

Related: Jessica Alba’s L.A. Rich Mom Jeans Are So Polished — 43% Off!

Advertisement

If you’re curious how Beverly Hills rich moms dress, take a peek at Jessica Alba at any given time. Her pieces are equally laid-back yet luxe, so dark-wash jeans fit right in. Thankfully, they fit into our budgets, too. Alba’s denim look is 43% off right now! Spotted in 90210, Alba paired a silky black cami […]

Better yet, the fabric holds its shape without going stiff, so you get structure and ease in one trendy pair. And like Vergara’s, they have a subtle crop that shows off your shoes. One happy shopper summed it up perfectly: “Love the jeans! They remind me of the painter pants we wore in the 70s.”

Style these baggy beauties like Vergara with a slouchy top and sandals for late-summer brunches, or pair them with a sweater and sneakers for fall errands. Regardless, you’ll channel laid-back Beverly Hills energy with a luxe, celebrity-approved twist.

Get the Flamingals Cropped Baggy Jeans for $42 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

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

UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping
Welcome to summer with our biggest sale of the year. This summer’s chicest dresses, tops and swimsuits are all over 30% + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.
Shop the UsNow Summer Sale –>

Jake Lacy knows he’s developed a reputation for playing characters people love to hate.

Take his iconic turn on the first season of The White Lotus: “When people talk about The White Lotus to me, they typically start [with], “We couldn’t stand your character!”” he exclusively tells Us Weekly in his 25 Things You Don’t Know About Me interview, on newsstands now.

“That, or they throw some family member under the bus,” he continued. “‘You are just like my brother-in-law…’”

Lacy’s latest movie is A Mosquito in the Ear, in theaters now.

Keep scrolling for more fun facts from Lacy – including an iconic email from Diane Keaton he’ll always treasure.

1. When it’s my turn to cook, it’s definitely steak on the grill.

2. When people talk about The White Lotus to me, they typically start [with], “We couldn’t stand your character!” That, or they throw some family member under the bus: “You are just like my brother-in-law…”

3. I just finished [bingeing] Task. I have always loved Mark Ruffalo, but my God, is he good on that show.

4. My celebrity crush growing up was Chilli from TLC.

5. My dad lost his wallet once when we were at the beach. I was probably 6 or 8. A couple found it and knew my grandparents and called. My dad and I drove together to get it, just [us two]… I think about that small moment often.

6. What I remember from my time on Girls was thinking everyone was so nice and talented on a whole other level. I felt like I was trying to keep up!

7. I used to read reviews when I was younger. But that search for acceptance from outside sources leads to insanity.

8. I have two little boys, so most Saturdays are filled with sports and activities and visits to the library.

9. Working on All Her Fault was wonderful. Sarah [Snook] would bring her ukulele, and I would bring this little guitar, and we would pass the time playing together.

10. It’s summer, so the MLB app is getting a lot of use at the moment. I can get the NESN broadcast for all the Sox games.

11. Idon’t do a ton of karaoke, but I go Black Sabbath. Specifically, “War Pigs.” I like it because there’s nothing cute about it. You have to go for it.

12. Everyone was so kind when I started on The Office. It was my favorite show, and I was so nervous to join and looked up to all of them.

13. My favorite comfort meal is Detroit-style pepperoni pizza.

14. My first car was a black ’98 Honda Accord coupe. Stick.

15. I have been so fortunate to travel the world for this job. I got to work in Havana a year and a half ago; my first time in Cuba. It was incredible.

16. I was in William Friedkin’s final movie, The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial. He was an amazing guy and an absolute legend.

17. I think I quote Arrested Development more than any movie.

18. I had a meeting with Ivan Reitman about 15 years ago. Ghostbusters was, and is, my favorite movie. And he was so incredibly kind. I didn’t mention Ghostbusters or Stripes or Animal House in the meeting. But before I left, I asked for a piece of paper and wrote him a note thanking him for everything.

19. The book I come back to again and again is Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger.

20. If I wasn’t acting, I’d like to work in historic preservation in coastal New England.

21. “Astral Weeks” by Van Morrison brings back great memories. Some of those songs played during my wedding and it reminds me of being back home.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

22. Diane Keaton sent me a very kind email after she saw a cut of Love the Coopers. She was so cool and generous. It meant so much for her to reach out like that.

23. When I was 17, I was hired to rebuild a mini-golf course at a marina. I had zero experience and zero skills… I smoked a lot of cigs, got a hell of a tan and completed one and a half holes in 10 weeks. 24. I still want to learn Italian. And direct a film — in English.

25. If I’m in a [funk], I’ve got a few friends I call. Guys that can offer up compassion and reality in equal measure.

When it comes to the crime genre, it doesn’t get much more popular than gangster movies. There’s something that audiences find endlessly compelling about these kinds of criminals and the codes they live by. Their stories are violent, thrilling, sometimes funny and other times downright bizarre. Whether it’s films that are based on real-life gangsters or completely fictional ones, audiences can’t seem to get enough.

Organized crime, the mob, the mafia, the Outfit, the Five Families, and a whole slew of other criminal enterprises have been inspiring compelling entertainment for decades upon decades. Some of the greatest directors of all time have taken a shot at making a gangster movie, and some have taken so many shots that their careers look like Sonny’s car in The Godfather. Many gangster movies are good, some are great, and some are perfect from the first scene to the last.

‘Scarface’ (1932)

Image via United Artists

While its title has become synonymous with the Brian De Palma-directed remake starring Al Pacino, the original Scarface is the most perfect pre-Code gangster movie ever made, a seminal tale that inspired and influenced dozens of movies. Directed by Howard Hawks, it was based on the novel by Armitage Trail, which itself was inspired by the most famous gangster of all time, Al Capone. The film was considered shockingly violent for the time and still packs a punch today.

Paul Muni plays Tony Camonte, an immigrant and enforcer in the Chicago mob. The film follows a standard rise and fall narrative, as Tony kills off his rivals and becomes the city’s most powerful crime boss before going down in a hail of bullets. Many of the standard tropes of the gangster subgenre were established in Scarface, while Hawks’ moody direction and use of black humor would influence filmmakers like De Palma and Martin Scorsese. There were classic gangster movies made before Scarface and many made after it, but its perfection has never been questioned.

‘White Heat’ (1949)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Few gangster protagonists from the Hays Code era are more ruthless than Cody Jarrett, the bank-robbing psychopath played by James Cagney in White Heat. Cagney had already appeared in a number of gangster movies by the time he took the role of Jarrett, but White Heat would eclipse all of them, and every other film, in his long and storied career.

Jarrett is a violent gang leader with some serious mommy issues. After he and his gang pull off a train heist, he pleads guilty to a different crime to avoid getting pinched for the robbery. When his Ma is murdered by his former associates, Jarrett breaks out of prison with the help of an undercover agent. With the police in hot pursuit, the film ends with an iconic fiery climax featuring Cagney’s famous “Top of the world!” line. Directed by the prolific Raoul Walsh, White Heat is a perfect gangster noir with a perfect gangster performance.

‘The Godfather’ (1972) & ‘The Godfather Part II’ (1974)

Image via Paramount Pictures

After the Production Code withered and died in the ’60s, crime films began to depict the kind of bloody violence that had only been hinted at before. Bonnie and Clyde was a landmark crime film that broke many cinematic taboos with its violence and precipitated the New Hollywood era, which led to Francis Ford Coppola‘s essential gangster saga The Godfather. The original classic and its sequel are considered among the greatest American films ever made, and the two films are so entangled together that they’ve often been edited together and released as one epic feature.

Charting the rise of the Corleone family in America, from young Vito’s childhood as an immigrant to his son Michael’s succession of him as the head of their criminal empire, together the films tell a complete tragedy. So much of the language, style and character elements that would define the modern gangster film were established here by Coppola and his perfect cast. Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro give dual Oscar-winning performances as Vito at different stages of his life, while Al Pacino plays Michael’s entire rise to power, alongside James Caan as his brother Sonny, Robert Duvall as consigliere Tom Hagen, Diane Keaton as his suffering wife Kay, and John Cazale as poor Fredo.

‘Battles Without Honor and Humanity’ (1973)

Image via Toei

Advertisement

While Coppola was in the midst of creating his American crime saga, in Japan, director Kinji Fukasaku was creating his own with the five-film yakuza series Battles Without Honor and Humanity. The first film in that saga is often considered the greatest yakuza film ever made. The film is dense with the details and traditions of the Japanese underworld and, like The Godfather, it ushered in the modern era of yakuza films.

Bunta Sugawara plays Shozo Hirono, a war veteran sent to prison for killing a yakuza member. Inside, he befriends another yakuza member and, upon his release, joins a crime family. From there, the film is an escalating series of violent betrayals and criminal machinations, and it’s only the tip of the iceberg in terms of the larger saga. Battles Without Honor and Humanity is an epic crime film in every sense of the word, and for any crime film fans who are only acquainted with stateside gangster movies, it’s the perfect entry into yakuza cinema.

‘The Long Good Friday’ (1980)

Image via HandMade Films

Advertisement

Japan isn’t the only other country to have a rich history of gangster cinema. Britain has contributed a number of its own brand of underworld associates. There are ’70s classics like Get Carter and more modern films like Sexy Beast, but the most perfect British gangster film is The Long Good Friday. Starring Bob Hoskins in an iconic performance as a crime boss who gets more trouble than he bargained for when he tries to go legitimate, it’s a crime thriller that proves that things are just as vile and violent on the other side of the pond.

Hoskins plays Harold Shand, a gangster with delusions of grandeur and plans to develop the London Docklands with money from an American investor he’s courting. His plans get cocked up when his associates start to get violently killed off by unknown assailants, sending Harold on a day-long odyssey of violence while trying to maintain professional appearances. Hoskins is of perfectly coiled intensity in the role, with Helen Mirren just as wicked by his side. The Long Good Friday is best remembered for its iconic cynical ending, but the entire journey to get there is just as perfect.

‘Once Upon a Time in America’ (1984)

Image via Warner Bros.

Advertisement

Robert De Niro broke out in his criminal role in Martin Scorsese’s Mean Streets, which convinced Francis Ford Coppola to cast him in The Godfather Part II in the role that won him an Oscar, but his first leading role in a gangster movie came with Sergio Leone‘s Once Upon a Time in America. As the final epic film from the influential director, its legacy was complicated by the American distributors who re-edited the film against Leone’s wishes and removed over an hour of footage from it. It has since been restored, and the uncut version represents the most perfect epic gangster film ever made.

De Niro plays Noodles, a Jewish youth who comes of age in New York City in the early 20th century and, along with his friend Max (James Woods), rises to power as a prominent gangster. More than just a rise and fall arc, the film is a tapestry of American crime, chronicling the major historical events that shaped both the city of New York and its underworld. Shot on locations around the world, and with massive sets built in Rome, Once Upon a Time in America has a scale almost unmatched in any other gangster film, and it’s a perfect swan song for Leone.

‘The Untouchables’ (1987)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Advertisement

De Niro plays Capone in Brian De Palma’s The Untouchables, but the focus of the film is all on the cops in this perfect popcorn movie. Inspired by the true story of the men who brought down the most notorious gangster, the film invents a wildly entertaining plot filled with action, sharply written dialogue by David Mamet, a sweeping score by Ennio Morricone, and a terrific cast. Its status has since risen much higher since its initial release, representing the kind of handsomely produced adult-oriented blockbuster that Hollywood barely makes anymore.

Kevin Costner plays Elliot Ness, the federal agent tasked with taking down Capone in Chicago, a task easier said than done in a city filled with corruption. To combat the criminals, Ness enlists the help of veteran cop Malone (Connery), as well as an accountant and a hotheaded rookie. The cast is immaculate from top to bottom, and De Palma gives the film a sweeping style, with great use of real Chicago locations. The standout sequence is the train station shootout, which is a perfect sequence of suspense.

‘Miller’s Crossing’ (1990)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Advertisement

The Coen Brothers are well associated with the crime genre, having directed a number of neo-noir masterpieces. Included in that list is their one and only gangster film, Miller’s Crossing. A feature-length homage to the work of hard-boiled novelist Dashiell Hammett, it’s an impossibly stylish crime film filled with some of the Coens’ most crackling dialogue and their most devilish characters.

Gabriel Byrne is the film’s antihero, Tom Reagan, the most trusted confidant of Irish crime boss Leo O’Bannon (Albert Finney). When a mob war threatens to erupt, Tom plays every angle and pits his enemies against each other to come out on top. Bodies pile up, doubles are crossed, and backs are stabbed as the Coens unleash their full visual flair. Miller’s Crossing came out the same year as several prominent gangster films and was unfortunately overshadowed by them, but it’s as perfect a film as the Coen Brothers ever made, which is certainly nothing to sneeze at.

‘Goodfellas’ (1990)

Image via Warner Bros.

Advertisement

As perfect as Miller’s Crossing is, it’s still not as good as the best gangster movie released in 1990, and, for this writer’s money, the greatest gangster movie ever made, Goodfellas. Martin Scorsese is the filmmaker most synonymous with the genre. He directs from experience, having grown up in Little Italy in New York City and witnessing much of the organized crime and the violence it wrought right outside his window. Any of his movies could fill a spot here, but Goodfellas is his greatest cinematic achievement.

Based on the non-fiction book Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi, which chronicles the life of gangster Henry Hill, the film is a criminal portrait of the work-a-day gangster. The wiseguys in this movie aren’t the powerful bosses sitting in opulent offices but streetwise hustlers and thieves who run schemes and shakedown businesses. Ray Liotta plays Hill with a livewire energy, while Robert De Niro returns to the genre as the old pro, but it’s Joe Pesci who runs away with the film (and an Oscar) as Henry’s friend with a hair-trigger temper. The energy of the actors is matched in every frame by Scorsese’s bravura filmmaking, Thelma Schoonmaker‘s rapid-fire editing and a classic soundtrack.

‘City of God’ (2002)

Image via Miramax Films

Advertisement

Goodfellas might be the greatest gangster movie ever made, but it was far from the final word on the genre. The ’90s were filled with new crime classics, and the 21st century has seen all sorts of unique variations to the format. Many of them bear the influence of filmmakers like Scorsese, none more so than the Brazilian crime epic City of God. Set in the titular slum of Rio de Janeiro, the film charts the rise of organized crime and its cycle of violence through the eyes of its residents.

Rocket (Alexandre Rodrigues) and Li’l Ze (Leandro Firmin) are youths raised in the favelas, their lives shaped by the crime that surrounds them. Rocket grows up to become a photographer, chronicling the gang wars, while Li’l Ze becomes a ruthless drug lord. The violence comes fast and furious in the film, and it’s unflinchingly depicted. City of God has been criticized for its crime-ridden depiction of the city, and applauded for bringing more film productions to it. Co-directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund, the film has breathless pacing and boundless energy, surging through its decades-spanning narrative with blunt force.

Beyoncé has built a career defined by precision, discipline, and an almost unmatched attention to detail, qualities the superstar has repeatedly connected to her Virgo zodiac sign. Born on September 4, Beyoncé has proudly embraced her astrological identity through interviews, birthday celebrations, and songs such as “Gift From Virgo” and “Virgo’s Groove.” She has even blamed her tendency to overthink on being a Virgo, while people who have worked with her have described the extraordinary effort she puts into perfecting every performance.

However, Beyoncé’s relationship with perfection appears to be evolving. After decades of allowing her Virgo characteristics to influence her public identity, the singer now says she is more interested in growth, storytelling, and creative freedom than creating something technically flawless.

5

Beyoncé has never hidden the more complicated side of her meticulous personality. During a 2013 interview with GQ, the “Crazy in Love” singer directly connected her tendency to overanalyze situations to her Virgo zodiac sign.

“Because I’m a Virgo, I will think myself into a crazy frenzy, and I will re-think and re-think and figure out, you know, way too many things,” she admitted, which closely reflects several qualities astrologers traditionally associate with Virgo. The earth sign, which is ruled by Mercury, is frequently characterized as analytical, practical, organized, and detail-oriented.

Those traits can reportedly help Virgos solve problems and notice details other people overlook. However, their careful approach may also result in overthinking, excessive self-criticism, or difficulty accepting work that feels incomplete.

Her Virgo Identity Has Appeared Throughout Her Music

5

Beyoncé has not confined her interest in astrology to occasional interviews. She has incorporated her Virgo identity into multiple musical eras. Her 2003 debut solo album, “Dangerously in Love,” included a sensual track titled “Gift From Virgo.” The same album featured “Signs,” a song structured around the singer reflecting on romantic experiences through different zodiac signs.

Nearly two decades later, she returned to her astrological identity with “Virgo’s Groove,” a six-minute disco-funk track from her 2022 album, “Renaissance.” Beyoncé released an official lyric video for the song, which later earned a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance.

The title was another unmistakable acknowledgment of the singer’s sun sign, but “Virgo’s Groove” also arrived during an album era deeply concerned with freedom, pleasure, and escaping judgment.

By naming songs after her sign at vastly different points in her career, Beyoncé turned Virgo from a biographical detail into a recurring part of her creative identity. “Gift From Virgo” appeared as she established herself outside Destiny’s Child, while “Virgo’s Groove” arrived after she had already become one of the industry’s most influential performers.

Beyoncé’s Work Ethic Has Become The Stuff Of Legend

5

Beyoncé’s reputation for exacting standards is supported by more than astrological interpretation. Kelly Rowland previously told Vogue that her former Destiny’s Child bandmate might remain awake until 4 a.m. before a performance while handling something as small as a button on a costume. “Her hand’s in everything,” Rowland explained.

In another interview with British Vogue, Beyoncé acknowledged that she expects a great deal from herself and the people working around her. “I’m not just self-critical. I’m critical,” she said. “I’m not so critical that I don’t understand what’s great and what’s not, but I do push people. I push them, and I push myself. It’s just who I am. I was that way when I was nine years old. And no one taught me that; it’s just who I was.”

That discipline can be seen in Beyoncé’s intricately choreographed live performances, elaborate visual albums, carefully planned releases, and tightly controlled public image. Her 2019 concert film, “Homecoming,” offered one of the clearest looks at that process. The project documented the extensive rehearsals and creative decisions behind her groundbreaking 2018 Coachella performance, which featured a large group of dancers and musicians while celebrating historically Black colleges and universities.

The Superstar Celebrated Her Fellow Famous Virgos

5

Beyoncé’s pride in being a Virgo extends beyond her own birth chart. Ahead of her 40th birthday in September 2021, the singer created a “Virgo Yearbook” on her website celebrating other celebrities born under the sign. The collection included throwback photographs of famous Virgos, with the late Kobe Bryant receiving an MVP distinction. “Wishing all Virgos a Happy Birthday!” Beyoncé wrote in a message accompanying the tribute, according to PEOPLE.

Astrologers describe Virgo as a sign associated with service, refinement, adaptability, and continuous improvement. Those ideas align naturally with Beyoncé’s image as an artist who rarely repeats herself without finding a way to expand or reinvent the material.

Still, astrology is a belief system rather than a scientific explanation for personality. Beyoncé’s accomplishments are the result of talent, training, business judgment, and decades of demanding work. Her Virgo identity offers a symbolic way to describe that approach, rather than a proven cause of it.

Beyoncé No Longer Wants Perfectionism To Define Her

5

Despite her long-standing reputation as a perfectionist, Beyoncé has recently pushed back against the idea that flawlessness remains her primary objective. In a 2024 interview with GQ, she was asked whether her perfectionist reputation had ever become a burden.

“I create at my own pace, on things that I hope will touch other people,” she explained. “I hope my work encourages people to look within themselves and come to terms with their own creativity, strength, and resilience. I focus on storytelling, growth, and quality. I’m not focused on perfectionism. I focus on evolution, innovation, and shifting perception.”

Beyoncé may still possess the attention to detail commonly associated with her Virgo sun, but she no longer appears interested in allowing the pursuit of perfection to restrict her creativity. After years of rethinking decisions until she reached a “crazy frenzy,” the superstar is now placing liberation above flawlessness.

NEEL Gel skips the usual cosmetic-industry playbook for a biotech approach built around a single peptide.

Most skincare lines start with a formulator and a marketing brief. NEEL Gel started with longevity researchers at Yuvan Research Inc. and a peptide that’s been drawing attention in genomics circles for reasons that have nothing to do with wrinkles. The company markets the gel less on cosmetic promises and more on a claim that’s unusual for the beauty aisle: that it targets biological aging at the gene level. It’s patented technology, and its most notable daily user is a name genomics researchers would recognize — Stanford Genetics professor Dr. Michael Snyder.

The Peptide Behind It

The formula centers on GHK-Cu, a naturally occurring peptide the body produces less of with age. Interest in it accelerated after researchers used gene-expression data from the Broad Institute — a joint MIT and Harvard research center — to show that GHK-Cu could shift the activity of roughly a third of the genes analyzed toward patterns associated with younger tissue.

3

Turning that data point into a usable product took Yuvan Research three years. GHK-Cu is unstable in the presence of oxygen, which is a real problem for a skincare product that has to survive a shelf, a bathroom cabinet, and repeated air exposure every time it’s opened. The company’s answer was to move away from standard jars and tubes toward an applicator engineered to limit air contact and preserve the peptide’s potency.

3

What the Clinical Trial Found

Rather than relying on lab data alone, Yuvan Research put the gel through an Institutional Review Board–approved clinical trial, run by a professor of dermatology at Royal Victoria Hospital, McGill University. Twenty-one middle-aged women used the gel daily for three months; before-and-after ultrasound imaging measured the change in their skin. On average, collagen fiber density increased by 28 percent — a meaningful figure given that collagen makes up 60 to 70 percent of the skin’s structure.

The Snyder Connection

The product’s profile got a boost from a name well known in genomics: Dr. Michael Snyder, director of Stanford’s Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine. In a video interview produced by Yuvan Research, Snyder says he’s used NEEL Gel daily for more than two years and describes it as one of the only skincare products in his personal routine, alongside a moisturizer. It’s worth being clear about the source here — the interview is company-produced, not independent reporting on Snyder’s routine — but Snyder is a real, prominent figure in the genomics field, and his willingness to put his name behind the product is notable regardless of who filmed the conversation.

Beyond Skincare

3

Yuvan Research is now exploring GHK-Cu outside topical use. An early trial, led by a hospital gastroenterology department, is testing an oral form of the peptide alongside another compound for inflammatory bowel disease. So far, four patients have reportedly seen their colitis go into remission within two months of treatment. That’s a very small, uncontrolled sample with no published data yet — worth watching, but nowhere near evidence that oral GHK-Cu treats IBD, and not something anyone should act on outside of a monitored clinical trial.

For now, Yuvan Research’s stated focus remains where it started: developing science-backed approaches to the biological mechanisms behind skin aging.

Lil Nas X is facing a heartbreaking loss as he continues navigating a deeply personal chapter in his life. The rapper and singer took to social media with an emotional message on Saturday, letting fans know that someone especially close to him had passed away.

RELATED: Lil Nas X Shares Mental Health Update After Spending Months In Rehab Following His Arrest (VIDEO)

Lil Nas X Mourns His Mom With Heartfelt Tribute

The ‘Old Town Road’ hitmaker shared throwback photos of his mother, Tameka Hill, alongside a brief but emotional tribute. “RIP TO THE BADDEST EVER! LOVE U FOREVER, MOMMY,” Lil Nas X, 27, wrote. “This one’s gonna hurt.” Further details surrounding Hill’s death had not been publicly revealed at the time of publication. Us Weekly reports that Hill is survived by Lil Nas X and her multiple other children.

Roomies Rally Around Rapper Amid Loss

Folks quickly ran to The Shade Room’s Instagram comment section to show Lil Nas X some love, and the comments definitely started rolling in. Some people pointed out that he’s been going through a lot lately, while others simply shared their condolences and sent him prayers during this difficult time. Meanwhile, a few folks couldn’t help but agree that his mama was definitely a baddie.

One Instagram user @ryondanyell_ said, “This is a different type of pain 🙏🏽 My condolences.”

This Instagram user @forever_mistah added, “May God protect him and strengthen his mental capacity. 🙏🏾”

And, Instagram user @cho_lowww wrote, “D*mn & he just got himself back on track my condolences smh man”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @keisheraa shared, “oh y’all couldn’t take her in that first picture😍”

While Instagram user @diam0ndm0nae commented, “she definitely look like the baddest”

Finally, Instagram user @crystiannadances said, “😢😢😢 I hope she got clean and made amends with him before she passed 💔💔💔”

He Previously Opened Up About Their Complicated Relationship

While Lil Nas X has rarely spoken publicly about his relationship with his mother, he previously acknowledged that the two had a complicated dynamic. In a 2020 interview, the artist, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, said his mother struggled with addiction and that they weren’t particularly close.

“I never really talk about my mom. She’s an addict, so we don’t have the closest relationship,” he said at the time. He also explained that he had attempted to help his mother but that things “didn’t quite work out,” while emphasizing that there was still love between them. Hill’s death also comes during a significant period in Lil Nas X’s own life. The Grammy-winning artist has been open with fans about his mental health and sobriety journey following a stint in inpatient treatment in late 2025 for undisclosed “issues.”

RELATED: Lil Nas X Speaks Out As His Lawyer Seeks To Move His Felony Battery Case To Diversion Program (UPDATE)

Prime Video is one of the most popular streaming services around right now.

A big reason why is the sheer breadth and volume of films it offers.

From summer blockbusters like Masters of the Universe with Nicholas Galitzine to compelling dramas like He Went That Away with Jacob Elordi, the Amazon platform has every movie for every taste.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

Every month, like fellow streamers Netflix, HBO Max and Hulu get rid of some of its content to make room for newer selections.

Watch With Us has compiled a list of all the movies, shows and specials that will expire on August 31.

Prime Video Movies and Shows Leaving on August 31:

12 Angry Men (1997)
52 Pick-Up (1986)
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)
Air (2015) 5.1
All Is True (4K UHD) (2019)
All the Right Moves (1983)
Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold (1987)
American Buffalo (1996)
Animal Kingdom (2010)
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. (2023)
Beach Blanket Bingo (1965)
Assassination (1987)
At Any Price (2012)
Avenging Force (1986)
Backdraft 2 (2019)
Beach Party (1963)
Beach Blanket Bingo (1965)
Bikini Beach (1964)
Muscle Beach Party (1964)
The Believers (1987)
The Berlin Affair (1985)
The Best Man (1964)
Best Seller (1987)
The Big Trip (2020)
Bingo (1991)
Bio-Dome (1996)
The Black Stallion (1979)
The Black Stallion Returns (1983)
Bolero (1984)
Bora Bora (1970)
Bottoms (2023)
Breathless (1983)
Broken Horses (2015)
Brooklyn’s Finest (2010)
Bulletproof Monk (2003)
Cactus Flower (1969)
Capote (2005)
A Cinderella Story (2004)
The Cleanse (2018)
Coffy (1973)
The Craigslist Killer (2011)
Cruel Intentions 2 (2001)
Cruel Intentions 3 (2004)
Dark Blue (2003)
Daybreakers (4K UHD) (2010)
Deadly Intent (1988)
The Death and Life of Bobby Z (2007)
The Detonator (2006)
The Devil’s Tomb (2009)
Diary of a Madman (1963)
Disturbing Behavior (1998)
The Dogs of War (1981)
Dream Lover (1994)
Epic Movie (2007)
Exodus (1960)
Extract (2009)
Eye Of The Needle (1981)
Fallen (2017)
Fiddler on the Roof (1971)
A Fistful of Dollars (1967)
For a Few Dollars More (1967)
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1967)
The Magnificent Seven (1960)
Return of the Magnificent Seven (1966)
Guns of the Magnificent Seven (1969)
The Magnificent Seven Ride (1972)
The Final Girls (2015)
The Final Option (1983)
Finding Your Feet (2018)
A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
Fled (1996)
Foxy Brown (1974)
Freaks of Nature (2015)
The Fuller Brush Man (1948)
Gas Pump Girls (1985)
Gator (1976)
Gemini Man (2019)
Getting Even with Dad (1994)
Going Steady (1958)
Good Boy! (2003)
A Good Person (2023)
Grace: The Possession (2014)
The Grudge (2004)
The Grudge 2 (2006)
Hardwired (2009) 4.7
The Heavenly Kid (1985)
Hero And The Terror (1988)
Hostel (2006)
Hostel Part II (2007)
How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)
The Human Contract (2009)
The Hurt Locker (2009)
Ice Castles (2010)
The Idolmaker (1980)
Illegally Yours (1988)
Impulse (2008)
It Should Happen To You (1954)
Jinxed! (1982)
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling (1986)
Johnny Be Good (1988)
Judgment at Nuremberg (1961)
Just Add Water (2008)
Landscape with Invisible Hand (2023)
Lars and the Real Girl (2007)
The Last Hurrah (1958)
The Last Time (2007)
Leaving Las Vegas (1996)
Leviathan (1989)
Little Bitches (2018)
London (2006)
Loser (2000)
The Lost (2012)
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (2022)
The Madness of King George (1994)
Magic in the Water (1995)
Malone (1987)
Man Down (2021, s/b 2016)
The Man in the Moon (1991)
Mardi Gras: Spring Break (2010)
The Marine 6: Close Quarters (2018)
Married Life (2008)
Mata Hari (1985)
The Mean Season (1985)
Moonfall (2022)
Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)
Mr. 3000 (2004)
Nana (1983)
Navy SEALS (1990)
The Nut Job (2014)
The Octagon (1980)
Once Upon a Crime (1992)
Original Sin (2001)
The Package (1989)
Patty Hearst (1988)
The Phantom Of The Open (2022)
The Power of One (1992)
A Prayer For The Dying (1987)
The Protégé (2021)
Public Enemies (2009)
Pumpkinhead: Ashes To Ashes (2006)
Puss in Boots (2010, s/b 1988)
Race the Sun (1996)
Regression (2016)
Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985)
Retreat (2011)
Road House (1989)
Roadhouse 66 (1984)
Ronin (1998)
The Rosary Murders (1987)
Runaway Jury (2003)
S.W.A.T.: Under Siege (2017)
Saved! (2004)
The Seagull (2018)
Secret Admirer (1985)
SLC Punk 4K [Ultra HD] (1999)
The Solid Gold Cadillac (1956)
Some Girls (1988)
Southpaw (2015)
The Square (2009)
Against the Dark (2009)
Flight of Fury (2007)
Pistol Whipped (2008)
Urban Justice (2007)
St. Trinian’s (2009)
Stigmata (1999)
Still of the Night (1982)
Stormy Monday (1988)
Strange Invaders (1983)
Sword Of The Valiant: The Legend of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (1984)
The Take (2016)
Tell It To The Judge (1949)
The Care Bears Movie (1985)
The Cutting Edge (1992)
The Cutting Edge: Going for the Gold (2006)
The Cutting Edge 3: Chasing the Dream (2008)
The Cutting Edge 4: Fire and Ice (2010)
The Tenth Man (1988)
Three Amigos! (1986)
Three Thousand Years of Longing (2022)
Thumbsucker (2005)
Ticking Clock (2011)
To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)
Tropic Thunder (2008)
True Confessions (1981)
Urban Legends: Bloody Mary (2005)
Waiting… (2005)
Walking Tall: Lone Justice (2007)
Warm Bodies (2013)
Warrior (2011)
Whatever It Takes (2000)
Where’s My Roy Cohn? (2019)
White Lightning (1973)
Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (2022)
Without Warning (1980)
Witness For The Prosecution (1982)
Wolf Creek (2005)
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
World War Z (2013)
Wrong Turn (2021)
The Wronged Man (2010)
Yellow (2007)
Yentl (1984)
Zombie Strippers (2008)
1984 (1985)
Apple (1980)
Betrayed (1988)
The Betrayed (2008)
Blonde Ambition (2008)
Bones and All (2022)
The Boost (1988)
Born of War (2014)
Bowling for Columbine (2002)
A Breed Apart (1984)
Carbon Copy (1981)
Charlie Bartlett (2008)
Club Fed (1990)
Cold Heaven (1992)
Crazy Legs (1987)
Crime Against Joe (1956)
The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course (2002)
Dance With Me Henry (1956)
Defense Play (1988)
Deja Vu (1985)
Desert Sands (1955)
Detective School Dropouts (1986)
Don’t Worry, We’ll Think of a Title (1966)
Down Twisted (1987)
Dungeonmaster (1985)
Eureka (1981)
Exterminator 2 (1984)
Extremities (1986)
The Fake (1953)
Fashion Model (1945)
Finders Keepers (1967)
Fool For Love (1985)
Forbidden Love (1982)
A Force of One (1979)
Foxfire Light (1983)
Friday Foster (1975)
The Further Adventures of Tennessee Buck (1988)
Gidget Goes To Rome (1963)
The Golden Seal (1983)
Gor (1988)
Grievous Bodily Harm (1988)
Hannibal Brooks (1969)
Hansel and Gretel (1987)
The Happy Ending (1969)
Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (1991)
Harsh Times (2006)
Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush (1968)
The Hotel New Hampshire (1984)
House of 1,000 Dolls (1968)
House of Games (1987)
The Informers (2009)
Kalifornia (1993)
Kid Colter (1985)
The Killer Is Loose (1956)
The King of Comedy (1983)
Kings Go Forth (1958)
Koyaanisqatsi (1982)
Powaqqatsi (1988)
Lady Of Vengeance (1957)
Last Embrace (1979)
The Last Time I Saw Archie (1961)
Lions for Lambs (2007)
Little Norse Prince Valiant (1970)
Longshot (1986)
Love Field (1993)
The Loves of Carmen (1948)
Making Mr. Right (1987)
The Marsh (2007)
Messenger of Death (1988)
Meteor (1979)
Million Dollar Madness (1986)
The Mod Squad (1999)
Much Ado About Nothing (1993)
The Naked Cage (1986)
The Naked Face (1985)
New Year’s Evil (1980)
Ninja Vengeance (1992)
Nutcracker: The Motion Picture (1986)
Outpost in Morocco (1949)
Penitentiary (1980)
Penitentiary 2 (1982)
Platinum Blonde (1931)
Platoon Leader (1988)
The Pope of Greenwich Village (1984)
Private Valentine: Blonde & Dangerous (2009)
Race for the Yankee Zephyr (1984)
The Ranch (2004)
Rappin’ (1985)
Romantic Comedy (1983)
Samaritan: The Mitch Snyder Story (1986)
Savage Weekend (1979)
Separate Ways (1981)
Shake Hands with the Devil (1959)
Shanghai Surprise (1986)
She (1985)
Sheba, Baby (1975)
Showgirls (1995)
Slam Dance (1987)
Sleepover (2004)
Snow White (1989)
Solarbabies (1986)
Summer Heat (1987)
Sunnyside (1979)
Survival Game (1987)
Taffin (1988)
The Lodger (2008)
A Man Called Otto (2023)
The Mist (2007)
The Notebook (2004)
Only Angels Have Wings (1939)
The Secret of My Success (1987)
Somewhere in Queens (2023)
The Talk of the Town (1942)
Till (2022)
Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
Green Room (2016) 6
Janet Planet (2024)
Low Tide (2019)
Red Rocket (2021)
Revenge of the Green Dragons (2014)
Stars at Noon (2022)
Woodshock (2017)
Zola (2021)
Ten Seconds to Hell (1959)
Those Lips Those Eyes (1980)
Tough Guys Don’t Dance (1987)
The Town That Dreaded Sundown (2014)
Under Fire (1983)
Underground Aces (1980)
Vicious Lips (1986)
Viper (1988)
Visit to a Chief’s Son (1974)
Von Richthofen and Brown (1971)
Welcome to L.A. (1976)
We’ll Never Have Paris (2015)
The Whales of August (1987)
The Wicked Lady (1983)
Windows (1980)
The Wizard of Loneliness (1988)
Zarak (1956)
The Broken Star (1956)
The Fighting Marshal (1931)
Fort Bowie (1958)
The Great Scout & Cathouse Thursday (1976)
Gun Brothers (1956)
The Kid (2019)
More Dead Than Alive (1969)
Outlaw Trail (1944)
Overland Pacific (1954)
Posse (1993)
Support Your Local Sheriff (1969)
Support Your Local Gunfighter (1971)
Surrounded (2023)
Wyoming Renegades (1955)
The 3 Worlds of Gulliver (1960)

Feature-length animation is one of the most impressive and wildly expressive forms of storytelling that cinema has to offer, with such a massive variety and creative possibilities that have made it a deeply compelling industry for over a hundred years. However, just as there are many deeply impressive works of art made within the medium of animation, there are also many notoriously abysmal animated films that have wasted the potential of the art form in their failures.

From painfully inadequate sequels attempting to cash in on the success of actually great animated movies to outright bad cash-grab ideas, a bad animated movie is certainly easy to spot, as the animation quality alone is often enough to deter audiences. However, to be one of the absolute worst animated movies in film history, a bad animated film has to go steps beyond, not just being inadequate in its filmmaking, but actively terrible from conception all the way to execution.

10

‘The Emoji Movie’ (2017)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

The Emoji Movie is one of those laughably out-of-touch concepts that any regular person could tell was a terrible idea, yet thanks to “appealing to the younger generation”, it somehow was enticing enough to Sony Animation Studios. This empty rage bait film certainly tried to tap into a trend of 2010s culture, but went about it in the worst way possible, completely overestimating how much regular people actually cared about Emoji as a concept.

However, this type of corporately commercialized animated movie has found success before, as it clearly is following in the footsteps of a genuine animated masterpiece like The Lego Movie. However, there is no soul or passion to be found in The Emoji Movie, instead being a barrage of bright colors, egregious product placement, and some of the most banal, unfunny jokes possible. In terms of higher-budget studio animated movies of the modern era, it’s hard to imagine a film worse than The Emoji Movie.

9

‘The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat’ (1974)

Ralph Bakshi‘s Fritz the Cat was far from a perfect animated movie, but it’s carved out a genuine niche for itself over the years thanks to its shocking X-rated content as one of the first prominent examples of a raunchy animated experience designed for adults. The greatest long-lasting strength of the film is the vision and distinct style of Bakshi’s filmmaking, so the concept of a sequel without the involvement of either Bakshi or original comic author Robert Crumb is already jarring.

The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat is one of the bastardized sequels in the animation world, completely removing any of the charm and distinct strengths of the original film and feeling like a watered-down, neutered version of the previous film. This cash grab sequel simply doesn’t have the soul or heart to really be worthwhile, as while it may not be as controversial as the original film, this also makes it much more forgettable.

8

‘Belle’s Magical World’ (1998)

Image via Buena Vista Home Entertainment

Once the advent of the home video market allowed for smaller-scale, cheaper animated films to find an audience without needing to release in theaters, Disney found a lot of lucrative success in creating cheap sequels to their classic films, entirely relying on their reputation. However, among the many terrible Disney movies that sprung up during this trend, Belle’s Magical World is easily the laziest, most poorly executed sequel that the studio has ever released.

This anthology film, from its very conception, was created for no reason other than to siphon potential profits from Disney fans looking for more enjoyment out of the Beauty and the Beast brand, with this releasing only months after the previous sequel, Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas. It’s a lazy, poorly animated stitching together of 3 loosely connected stories that were originally created for a potential Beauty and the Beast TV show before being reworked into this incredibly forgettable film.

7

‘Foodfight!’ (2012)

Image via Viva Pictures

Due to the inherent difficulties and technical undertaking that animation as a medium requires, production issues and delays can be that much more detrimental to an animated film, with one of the most prominent examples being the grocery store brand adventure film Foodfight. Originally planned for a 2003 release date, a painful production kept the film from reaching audiences until 2011, by which point every aspect of the film had soured and curdled like a carton of milk that expired years ago.

It certainly didn’t help that the core premise of the film was never anything worthwhile to begin with, as simply throwing a bunch of commercial mascots on screen and telling a generic mystery story was never going to be all that effective. This, combined with some laughably bad animation and obnoxious voice acting, quickly made the film one of the most infamous animated movies ever made and an absolute failure, costing tens of millions of dollars and getting next to no returns.

6

‘Delgo’ (2008)

Image via Freestyle Releasing

Yet another animated film that was made a victim of a disastrously long development cycle, Delgo took nearly a decade to release after starting development in 1999, yet still managed to be one of the most generic and uninteresting animated fantasy movies ever. It’s a near-unwatchable animated film for a multitude of reasons, although most prominently because of the unsavory visuals and incredibly boring storytelling.

The film fundamentally lacks any of the core elements that actually make original animated fantasy worlds so compelling, simply hoping that if they throw enough lore and fantastical elements on-screen, then it will come together into something watchable by the end. However, as a final product, the film acts as nothing more than a waste of its $40 million budget and is often considered one of the largest box-office bombs of the 2000s. The only remaining legacy that the film has is connected to its abject failure, as there truly is nothing worthy of note about the actual content of the film itself.

5

‘Animal Farm’ (2025)

Image via Angel Studios

Advertisement

Finding success in adapting classic novels has been a timeless tactic for animated films for generations, with George Orwell‘s masterpiece Animal Farm even having a half-decent 2D animated adaptation less than a decade after the novella was released. However, over 70 years after the previous animated adaptation, Andy Serkis‘s modern take on Animal Farm butchers the classic to a point of being nearly unrecognizable. It turns a timeless classic into a barrage of pop culture jokes and misaligned messaging that actively works against the messaging of the original story.

Its failures are so brazen and so overwhelming that it left a searing and aggressive impact on audiences since its announcement, yet the final film managed to be even worse than the lowest expectations placed upon it. Its new additions feel cheap and actively distracting, while its attempts at directly adapting scenes from the original story are undercut by an outwardly ineffective execution.

4

‘The Legend of the Titanic’ (1999)

Image via Mondo TV

Advertisement

After James Cameron‘s Titanic became the highest-grossing movie in the world, a wide array of different studios attempted to cash in on its success by creating cheap knockoffs, hoping to ride the wave of Titanic interest. This managed to somehow translate to multiple animated Titanic movies, yet the worst of the bunch is easily The Legend of the Titanic, as it’s the only one that tried to sanitize the disaster story so much that nobody actually dies on the Titanic.

This moral failure of the film manages to be the tip of the iceberg in terms of its wild plot inclusions, as it also features a side plot of talking rat immigrants, a criminal gang of sharks working with humans that caused the iceberg, and a giant talking octopus that saves everyone aboard the ship. It’s a maddening experience that manages to get more chaotic as it goes on, although this chaos only serves to make the film that much worse and near-incomprehensible.

3

‘Ratatoing’ (2007)

Image via Vídeo Brinquedo

Advertisement

The concept of a “mockbuster” that directly copies and attempts to siphon the success of an already existing popular film is wildly rampant in the world of feature-length animation, as it’s easy to trick young children who aren’t aware that what they are watching is a cheap ripoff. Brazilian animation studio Video Brinquedo was one of the most infamous in this regard, with the face of their outright deception being Ratatoing, a blatant riff on Pixar’s Ratatouille.

The only real similarity that these films actually share is that they both feature a rat who loves to cook, as Ratatoing instead tells a strange story of a famous rat chef and his friends going off on missions to steal ingredients, only for his scheme to be uncovered and put at risk by a group of nosy customers. Complete with animation that would feel outdated even if it were released in the 90s, Ratatoing at times feels like a strange hallucination instead of an actual cinematic experience released for purchase on DVD.

2

‘The Christmas Brigade’ (1999)

Director: Michael DeVitto

Advertisement

It took a great deal of time for other studios to meet the standard set by Pixar with their groundbreaking 3D animated movies in the 90s, with many of the other attempts at 3D animation having aged exceptionally poorly as a result. However, even in the era in which The Christmas Brigade released, it wouldn’t be a stretch to call the film a fundamental failure in the medium of feature-length animation. The 3D models are low-quality, and the animation is constantly glitching, with many characters simply flying through walls and clipping through the scenery to the point where it was actually made a plot point in the film.

Acting as a sequel to the 22-minute short film The Christmas Light, The Christmas Brigade does everything in its power to pad its 72-minute runtime. The actual main content of the film largely ends after 40 minutes, with the final 32 minutes being a combination of CGI characters singing Christmas Carols and playing the entire runtime of the original 22-minute short, now with a commentary from the characters in-universe. It’s a film that, at its core, is emblematic of the technological advancement that 3D animation has undergone since the 90s.

1

‘Finding Jesus’ (2020)

Image via WOWNow Entertainment

Advertisement

All of the other films on this could, even at their worst, make a feigned argument of genuine attempts being made to create something watchable that could be enjoyed by someone, even if it required that someone to have low standards. However, it’s difficult to imagine a single person who could find enjoyment in watching Finding Jesus from beginning to end, as it’s one of the most boring, lazily constructed insults to the medium of animation that has ever been made.

This faith-based riff on Finding Nemo sees a duo of fish friends traveling across the sea to hear stories of faith and joy about the love of god and the kindness of Jesus Christ. It should be stated that this film’s failures have nothing to do with it being a story centered around Christianity and everything to do with the fact that it uses only a handful of shots of original animation and repeats these same shots for 69 minutes straight. You get the gist of the film by the first 5 minutes, leaving the remaining 64 minutes to be an agonizing act of tedium and the cinematic equivalent of watching a computer screensaver while listening to the world’s most boring audiobook.

Advertisement

Finding Jesus

Advertisement

Release Date

December 29, 2020

Runtime

69 minutes

Advertisement

Director

Jason Wright

Advertisement

Producers

Karl Ireland

Advertisement

• 

  KJ Schrock

  Professor Shark / Boo Cakes / Mr Sushi (voice)

  Advertisement
• 

  Angie Gillespie

  Narrator / Joy (voice)

  Advertisement
• 

  Victor Merchan

  Henry (voice)

• 

  Sarah Taylor

  Advertisement

  Muggles / Delfi / Scales / Snaps (voice)

Advertisement

Advertisement