Kim Kardashian is clearing up the confusion around her latest vacation post on social media after some fans questioned the timing.

The Skims founder, 45, posted a carousel of family happy snaps via her Instagram on Thursday, July 16, which showed her and her loved ones enjoying a fun getaway. “Lake life,” she captioned the image.

The post went live around the same time that Kris Jenner announced the death of her mother, Mary Jo “MJ” Shannon, at 91.

The timing left fans scratching their heads, with some accusing Kardashian of being insensitive.

Related: Kim Kardashian Breaks Silence on Grandmother Mary Jo ‘MJ’ Shannon’s Death

Kim Kardashian is paying tribute to grandmother Mary Jo “MJ” Shannon after her death at age 91. “My sweet Grandma MJ, my best friend, my gossip buddy, my forever twin…” Kardashian, 45, wrote via Instagram on Thursday, July 16. “You taught all of us the importance of family, and those values are something we’ll carry […]

“Didn’t your grandmama just pass? This couldn’t wait to the weekend 😕,” one follower wrote, while another chimed in to add, “I’m so confused.”

Others threw their support behind Kardashian however, with one person commenting, “Do you guys really think she would post this intentionally at the same time as the news of her grandma passing? It’s clearly a scheduled post. Get a grip.”

In response to the confusion, Kardashian took to the comments section to clarify what had occurred, confirming it was in fact a scheduled post.

“This post was scheduled a few days ago before we lost MJ, so its timing came right alongside her passing,” she explained. “I’ve been by my mom and grandma’s side this past week, and my heart is completely with my family right now. We love and miss her so deeply, and in the days ahead, we’ll be focusing on celebrating her beautiful life 🕊️🤍.”

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Related: Kris Jenner’s Mom Mary Jo ‘MJ’ Shannon Dead at 91

Kris Jenner’s mother, Mary Jo “MJ” Shannon, has died at age 91, less than two weeks before her 92nd birthday. “Today, we said goodbye to my beautiful Mommy MJ. 😞💔,” Jenner, 70, wrote via Instagram on Thursday, July 16. “There are no words that could ever capture what she has meant to me or the […]

An hour after the scheduled vacation post dropped, Kardashian shared a heartfelt tribute to her late grandmother.

“My sweet Grandma MJ, my best friend, my gossip buddy, my forever twin… You taught all of us the importance of family, and those values are something we’ll carry with us forever!!!!! You were the woman who showed me what it meant to be a hardworking businesswoman. You gave me my very first job at your store in San Diego and taught me lessons about work ethic, strength, and confidence that I’ve carried with me ever since,” Kardashian wrote.

The caption continued, “You always believed in me, championed me, and were my safe place. You truly were the matriarch of our family, and your love is woven into all of us. I know you’re at peace now. Give Papa Harry, Aunt Karen, and my dad a hug for me. You will always be a part of me, I love you soooooo much and I will miss you forever and ever. 🤍 YOU ARE THE BEST OF US!!!”

Though Star Trek is one of the most bankable franchises in the world today, Star Trek: The Original Series debuted in 1966 to low ratings, and only avoided cancellation after its second season due to an organized letter-writing campaign. Local TV syndication of the original series’ first three seasons led to a resurgence, which led to conventions, merchandising, and eventually, the promise of a new series: all the newfound fan interest prompted Paramount to announce Star Trek: Phase II in 1977, a new series with the original cast returning (except for Spock). But when that series never made it to air, the road for Star Trek: The Motion Picture opened up.

The film was a modest success, but derided for its slow pacing and lack of action — issues which were corrected by the far-better received Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, which promptly saved the franchise. Only it didn’t: Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, did, by repairing a franchise most didn’t recognize had been broken.

‘Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan’ Broke the Franchise (and Its Follow-up Didn’t Help)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is widely heralded as the best film to feature the original cast, and rightly so. Ricardo Montalban‘s Khan makes a seamless transition from television baddy in “Space Seed” to full-blown movie villain, in turn bringing out the best in Captain Kirk himself,William Shatner. The battle scenes are remarkable and full of action, and the death of Spock is among the most heartbreaking moments in the sci-fi genre.

It was not, however, even the most shocking moment in the film’s production; that honor would have to go to creator Gene Roddenberry‘s active attempts to sabotage the film.While much of that can be attributed to Roddenberry’s indignation at being ousted from his creative role in the film franchise, he did make a point: Paramount sold Star Trek‘s soul for Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan‘s bigger box-office. Roddenberry felt the movie militarized Starfleet, with its excessive violence at odds with the pacifist ideals he had instilled in the franchise from the start, best exemplified in Starfleet’s Prime Directive. One can debate if his views are justified or not, but it’s hard to deny the distinct change in tone from the first film to the second, from philosophy to frontier justice.

And if Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan “broke” Roddenberry’s vision of the franchise, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock stepped on the pieces. Its very existence is attributed to reversing the death of the ever-popular Spock (Leonard Nimoy), tainting the film’s legitimacy within the franchise. The militarization of Starfleet was still very much in play, and the exploration and discovery that drove the original series had fallen by the wayside. But the biggest thorn in the creator’s side came from the decision to destroy the USS Enterprise, which Roddenberry saw as an essential part of the franchise, as important as any one character. While the film did serve as a Band-Aid of sorts, with the themes of loyalty and friendship hewing far closer to Roddenberry’s vision, it didn’t fix what had been broken.

How ‘Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home’ Fixed the Franchise

The Star Trek franchise was at a crossroads: would the fourth Star Trek film continue the box-office-friendly trajectory it was currently on, arguably more Star Wars than Star Trek; or would it restore Roddenberry’s vision? The answer: Both. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home stood out as the highest-grossing Star Trek movie until the release of 2009’s Star Trek, which rebooted the franchise.

Otherwise known as “the one with the whales,” Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home sees the crew in exile on Vulcan after the events of the last film, set to return home, voluntarily, to face the consequences of their actions. Only their travel back to Earth coincides with the arrival of a giant, cylindrical probe that renders anything in its path powerless, with a signal aimed at the Earth’s oceans.

Here is where the film starts franchise repairs. Other sci-fi films would have spent the entire run time searching for a way to destroy probe, wrapping up the movie with a spectacular final battle that sees it blown to bits. But Star Trek IV allows the crew of the ex-USS Enterprise to take the time to study what the monolith is searching for, before realizing that it is the sound of extinct humpback whales. And the plan they formulate involves not confrontation, but going back in time to explore the “strange new world” of 1986 San Francisco.

Again, it would have been easy to simply take what they needed and go, but the peaceful, right way to do it is to gather what is necessary without resorting to violence. This also gives each crew member a chance to shine, and brings back the humor and optimism that had been missing from the last two installments. And when the whales they plan on taking home are under threat from a whaling ship, they hilariously uncloak their Klingon Bird of Prey and teach the whalers a lesson they’ll never forget. They bring the whales back to the future along with cetologist Dr. Gillian Taylor (Catherine Hicks), a return to the casual disregard of a sacred timeline that has been an element of the series from the start. The whales answer the signal, the giant monolith goes away, and all is well in the Federation — and the franchise — again.

In David Alexander‘s Star Trek Creator: The Authorized Biography of Gene Roddenberry, Alexander notes that Roddenberry loved the film; its anti-war, pro-environment and optimistic messaging, combined with the central dilemma being resolved with intelligence and humor, endeared it to the Star Trek creator. It was, and is, a return to form, capped off with the introduction of the newly christened USS Enterprise, NCC-1701-A, righting the wrong and symbolizing that the franchise has been fixed. Until Star Trev V: The Final Frontier screwed it up again, that is.

Maid in Manhattan will celebrate its 24th anniversary this December, but Jennifer Lopez is acknowledging the milestone early. In a social media carousel, she reflected on the film and her co-stars, and it’s no surprise the first slot showed the actress in that pink strapless dress. More than two decades later, we’re still obsessed with the gown, and a new arrival on Amazon confirmed that the style is forever chic.

For that wedding or special event on your calendar, the Thboeer Strapless Pleaded Dress is a modern twist on the look worn by Marisa Ventura (Lopez’s character). It has a similar strapless sweetheart neckline with horizontal bunching, and even flows into a pleated maxi that’s breezy and comfortable for all kinds of occasions.

Get the Thboeer Strapless Pleaded Dress for $54 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

We might even like the alternative better than the original because it includes a long scarf that looks incredibly elegant when draped over the back. The blush pink hue is spot-on for the Lopez’s on-screen look, but the same style also comes in 45 other colors — yes, really! — so you can nail the vibe for whatever celebration or season you’re dressing for. The $54 find is an inclusive option, too, as sizes range from 0 to 30. In fact, it would make a smart bridesmaid dress since it comes in so many colors and sizes — and looks flattering on everyone!

Related: Jennifer Lopez Wore the Loose Shorts Style Lazy Fashion Girls Love

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Even the most fashionable women among Us have days when stiff denim staples and pretty puff-sleeved dresses feel like a no-go. However, rather than dressing in loungewear, this summer, the low-effort fashion girlies are reaching for breezy Bermuda shorts. The longer-length alternative feels elevated, elegant and rich. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that Jennifer Lopez gave the shorts […]

“Twenty-something years later and I still think about Marisa Ventura,” Lopez wrote in the Instagram caption of the 19-photo round-up. “A girl from the Bronx, playing a girl from the Bronx, who dared to dream bigger than her zip code.”

The Thboeer dress is a newer offering on Amazon, but early reviews include real-life photos that show how spot-on it is to Lopez’s version.

“It’s lightweight, comfortable, and fits true to size,” a five-star reviewer said. “The pleats flow beautifully. I felt elegant but still comfortable enough to dance the night away. Definitely a timeless piece I’ll wear again for other events!”

The next time you have a special event on the calendar, ensure you have a stunning look — with some Lopez-inspired flair! — with this all-season dress. And who knows? You might get your happily ever after, too.

Get the Thboeer Strapless Pleaded Dress for $54 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

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

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Related: We‘re Copying Amal Clooney‘s ‘Yacht Wife‘ Sundress Look for Under $50

Rather than following every fly-by fashion trend, Amal Clooney often reaches for polished, timeless designs that look great in every decade. Case in point: a nautical sundress she wore back in 2014 is still on our mood board, and we finally found a true lookalike on Amazon — for under $50! Back before she officially became a Clooney, the […]

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More than two decades after Scott Peterson was convicted of murdering his wife, Laci Peterson, and their unborn son, Conner, many people are not convinced that he actually committed the killings.

In light of the Los Angeles Innocence Project’s motion seeking a new trial on behalf of Scott, veteran legal analyst and defense attorney Chris Pixley investigated the case in A&E’s docuseries Scott Peterson: The New Evidence.

Keep reading to learn about the biggest bombshells revealed in part one of the docuseries, which premiered on Thursday, July 16.

Inside Scott Peterson’s Arrest

After Laci was last seen on December 24, 2002, Conner’s body was found in the San Francisco Bay on April 13, 2003, and Laci’s body was found nearby on April 14, 2003. Scott was then arrested for their murders on April 18, 2003, and he was convicted on November 12, 2004.

Scott was originally sentenced to death, but was resentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 2021 because potential jurors were improperly dismissed. He remains behind bars at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, California.

Related: Netflix and Peacock’s Dueling Scott Peterson Docs: How They Compare

Courtesy of Netflix Netflix and Peacock are both revisiting Scott Peterson‘s conviction for pregnant wife Laci Peterson‘s murder in two different documentaries. In July 2024, Peacock announced its three-part docuseries, Face to Face With Scott Peterson, which featured Scott breaking his silence two decades after he was found guilty for the murder of Laci and […]

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The Los Angeles Innocence Project’s Arguments for Scott Peterson’s Appeal

“Scott Peterson always maintained his innocence. And now the Los Angeles Innocence Project is arguing to the federal court that the constitutional basis of his conviction is not viable and that he was wrongfully prosecuted and convicted. First they’re arguing that new fetal biometric science suggests that Laci Peterson likely didn’t die on December 24, 2002. That she may not have died for many days or even weeks later,” Pixley explained in the docuseries. “If they’re right, that means that Scott Peterson is innocent.”

The LAIP’s second argument is that “new computational hydrodynamic modeling suggests that if Laci Peterson’s body had been placed in the bay in the location where Scott Peterson was fishing, her body and Connor’s body would not have been recovered where they were.”

Additionally, the organization is “challenging the integrity of the investigation.”

Visiting Scott Peterson and Laci Peterson’s Home

During the docuseries, Pixley and retired officer Ninette Toosbuy went to the Peterson’s house to understand the scene of the alleged crime. They noted that the area was very “open,” which would have made it hard for Scott to place Laci’s body into the trunk of his pickup truck without being seen by a neighbor. However, that is what police claimed he did.

Police Argued That Scott Peterson Dumped Laci Peterson’s Body During a Boat Ride

The Modesto Police Department initially argued that Scott killed Laci at their home, put her body in his car and drove her to a marina so he could drop her body in the water during a boat ride.

“The boat is problematic in a number of ways. First of all, if Peterson drove this shallow bottom boat from his warehouse to the Berkeley Marina with his wife’s body in the back, the state’s theory requires Scott to have used a boat cover to conceal Laci’s body. But the physical evidence doesn’t support that argument,” Pixley said. “The LAIP says that the boat straps show no real sign of wear and tear.”

Related: Scott Peterson Chose ‘Not to Participate’ in Netflix’s Laci Peterson Doc

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The team behind Netflix’s American Murder: Laci Peterson docuseries offered Scott Peterson a chance to participate — but he chose not to. “We did reach out to Scott and we had a couple of conversations with him in prison,” director Skye Borgman exclusively told Us Weekly. “He ultimately decided not to participate in our documentary.” […]

Pixley added that it was visible at the time of day that Scott went out on the boat, making it likely he would have been seen with the body if he had it with him.

Pixley and Toosbuy both agreed that police quickly determined detectives believed Scott committed the murders because he didn’t follow all of their orders and he acted differently than Laci’s other loved ones.

However, the LAIC argued that police were “focused with tunnel vision on Scott Peterson right out of the gate.”

Scott’s former attorney, Mark Geragos, agreed and said, “They had tunnel vision that it was Scott to any logical, rational explanation otherwise.”

Inside Scott Peterson’s Interrogations

Scott was interrogated the same day that Laci went missing and the tape was released to the public. The state argued that Scott did not appear to be grieving or concerned during the interrogation, and he even took a phone call during it.

“What the public hasn’t been made aware of was that that phone call was coming in from Laci’s sister, Amy,” Pixley said.

Toosbuy said that police likely already knew they believed he was the suspect during his first interrogation.

Pixley added that Scott’s “cooperation with the police was significant,” noting that “he agreed to multiple interviews on the day of her disappearance.”

“Peterson also agreed to turn over to them all of his devices … he agreed to give them a lie detector test,” Pixley continued, noting that he never took a lie detector test because his father felt uneasy about it.

Related: Netflix Announces Laci Peterson Doc After Convicted Killer Scott Speaks Out

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Netflix announced a docuseries about Laci Peterson‘s murder as Peacock is preparing to release a special with her husband — and the man convicted of her killing — Scott Peterson. “One of the most infamous true crime cases, 20 years later with new, exclusive information and Laci’s mother and friends speaking for the first time,” […]

Scott Peterson Was Having an Affair Before Laci Peterson’s Death

Scott initially didn’t tell police he was having an affair with Amber Frey at the time Laci disappeared. However, Pixley argued that Scott being a cheater didn’t make him a killer.

“The fact that Scott Peterson cooperated with the police, extensively on the day of his wife’s disappearance and the days that followed, lays groundwork for a previous argument that this guy was doing everything he could to find his wife,” Pixley said.

Police Claimed That Scott Peterson Kept the Purchase of His Boat a Secret

Geragos said the theory that Scott took out the boat to get rid of Laci’s body “never made any sense.”

Prosecutors argued that Scott bought the boat with the “purpose of murdering his wife and using the boat to deposit her body in the San Francisco Bay.” However, Scott claimed he bought it for his father-in-law as a Christmas gift and he allegedly took it out on the day of Laci’s disappearance to test it out.

In 2024, the LAIC found handwritten notes in the Peterson’s home about the boat that were allegedly written by Laci and were never given to the defense team.

“If true, that means that not only was she aware of the boat, but that she participated in the purchase of accessories for the boat. And if she knew about Scott’s boat, the whole argument at the time of the trial that he premeditated her murder and purchased the boat in order to carry out the disposal of her body is false,” Pixley said.

Pixley recruited the help of an independent handwriting examiner, who confirmed the note was likely written by Laci.

Scott Peterson Was Accused of Dropping Laci Peterson’s Body in the Water

Pixley further reflected on the police’s theory that Scott dropped Laci’s body in the water during a boat ride. He explained that new science “challenges” the police’s arguments that the bodies washed up in a place that made sense for where Scott would have allegedly dropped them.

Related: Where Scott Peterson Stands With His and Wife Laci’s Family After Her Murder

Netflix Convicted murderer Scott Peterson originally had the support of his and Laci Peterson‘s family after her death — but allegiances have since shifted. American Murder: Laci Peterson, which premiered on Wednesday, August 14, highlighted the voices of Laci’s family and friends two decades after her death. Laci went missing in 2002 while she was […]

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“The Los Angeles Innocence Project makes the argument that the new tidal science changes this case and undermines the reliability of the verdict here,” he said, noting that new tidal science “places the bodies being inserted in the bay from a shallow water location, like the Albany Bulb.”

Pixley went on to note that there’s “no suggestion Scott Peterson was at the Albany Bulb” and there’s “no suggestion that he drove his car out in that direction” at the time of Laci’s disappearance.

Laci Peterson’s Disappearance Was Considered a ‘Timeline Case’

Pixley said that Laci’s disappearance was considered a “timeline case.”

“The state established their entire timeline on the basis of the testimony of one person, Karen Servas, the Petersons’ neighbor. But was Karen Servas’ testimony as critical as prosecutors made it out to be?” Pixley asked.

Servas found the Petersons’ dog, McKenzie, unattended with her leash attached on the front yard on the morning of December 24. She placed the dog in the Petersons’ backyard before she went on errands.

The state argued that Laci must have been dead on the morning of December 24, which was why she didn’t take McKenzie out on her morning walk. “The state never addressed how McKenzie got a leash on in the first place, why she was out in the front yard or any alternative timeline that would’ve involved Laci preparing to go for a walk and being called back into the house,” Pixley said.

Chris Pixley Questions the Modesto Police Department’s Investigation

Pixley argued that the Modesto Police Department wasn’t qualified to handle the case because murder was uncommon in the area.

He also said that they didn’t follow up with many witnesses. “Fifteen witnesses came forward with eyewitness sightings of Laci. The sheer number of eyewitnesses, that’s compelling,” Pixley said. “The witnesses placed Laci Peterson walking her dog in her neighborhood after the time that Scott Peterson would’ve left for his warehouse and for the Berkeley Marina. The majority of the witnesses contradict Scott’s and the state’s timeline of events.”

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Related: Is Scott Peterson Still in Prison? Case Updates Amid Appeal Attempts

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More than two decades after Laci Peterson vanished on Christmas Eve 2002, her husband Scott Peterson remains behind bars — but his legal team is still fighting to overturn his conviction. Scott was found guilty in November 2004 of murdering his pregnant wife and their unborn son, Conner, and his case continues to draw national […]

“That’s not something you can dismiss, but it was actively being dismissed by the investigators,” Pixley said, adding that the findings “challenge” if it was a “thorough investigation” because witness testimonies were dismissed.

Pixley went on to speak to several of the witnesses, who corroborated that police never followed up to discuss their version of events when they saw Laci walking McKenzie on the day of her disappearance.

The case will continue to be broken down when part 2 of Scott Peterson: The New Evidence airs on A&E on Friday, July 17, at 8 p.m. ET.

The past couple of weeks have been difficult for the box office. The likes of James Gunn and Peter Safran‘s Supergirl, Illumination‘s Minions & Monsters, and the live-action Moana movie all struggled in their theatrical debuts, showing yet again that audiences are hungry for fresh ideas. This weekend, there is almost no doubt that the biggest new arrival will be far from a disappointment, as Christopher Nolan‘s most ambitious film yet, The Odyssey, sails onto global screens. Aside from what’s going on at the box office, what else should you be watching this weekend? Here’s a list of three movies you should stream this weekend on Netflix.

Disclaimer: These titles are available on US Netflix.

1

‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’ (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 64% | IMDb: 6.6/10

Based on Suzanne Collins‘ books of the same name, The Hunger Games is one of the biggest movie franchises of the past two decades. In 2023, a prequel to the hugely successful original, set 64 years before Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) volunteered as tribute, arrived in the form of The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, which follows an unlikely, complicated, blossoming romance during the 10th Hunger Games.

Ahead of the release of a second prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping, this November, remind yourself of the twisting drama and dark romance of The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes this weekend. Starring the likes of Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, and Viola Davis, this gripping story is led by an outstanding cast packed with talent, all working at their best.

2

‘Apollo 13’ (1995)

Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 7.7/10

Right now, Tom Hanks is treating theatergoing audiences to acclaimed family fun in Toy Story 5. If you can’t get enough of one of Hollywood’s best, then why not catch his ambitious sci-fi gem this weekend on Netflix? Based on the book Lost Moon by Jim Lovell and Jeffrey Kluger, two-time Academy Award winner Ron Howard‘s Apollo 13 follows NASA’s attempts to return the damaged ship safely to Earth.

As grand in its scope and sentiment as it is detailed in its character drama, Apollo 13 might be one of the most underrated sci-fi movies of the ’90s. Boasting one of Hanks’ best performances, alongside Bill Paxton, Top Gun: Maverick‘s Ed Harris, Gary Sinise, and Kevin Bacon, this box office smash is just as breathtaking today as it was three decades ago when it earned a global haul of $335 million against a $65 million budget.

3

‘High Fidelity’ (2000)

Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | IMDb: 7.4/10

We might watch movies for visual pleasure, but the art of curating a great soundtrack is also worth celebrating. With that in mind, why not indulge in one of the very best this weekend — featuring the likes of Elton John, The Velvet Underground, Queen, Elvis Costello, and more — in High Fidelity, Stephen Frears’ 2000 romantic comedy based on Nick Hornby’s 1995 novel of the same name.

The film stars John Cusack as Rob Gordon, the owner of a failing record store who believes in the traditional consumption and selling of music. After his girlfriend, Laura (Iben Hjejle), walks out on him, Rob is forced to examine what went wrong. An undeniable modern cult classic, this brilliantly funny and surprisingly touching rom-com is a must-watch for anyone with even a slight taste in music.

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Release Date

March 31, 2000

Runtime

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113 minutes

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Even the most ambitious filmmakers have to start at the bottom — and that was surely the case for Christopher Nolan. The Oscar-winning director, whose adaptation of The Odyssey has been a highly anticipated summer blockbuster, has the brand power of a major movie star or established piece of IP today. But back in the ’80s, he began his legendary career by making micro-budget mystery noirs with a crew of friends in the United Kingdom.

Back then, even though he still had a long way to go, Nolan constructed the prototype for his signature style in his early short Doodlebug and his debut feature film, Following. However, another, earlier short, Tarantella, shows Nolan at his rawest and most amateurish. Channeling the surrealist nightmares of David Lynch, Nolan’s 1989 short is difficult to track down online, making it all the more alluring to every die-hard fan.

Christopher Nolan’s ‘Tarantella’ is a Surrealistic Experiment

Image via UCL Film Society

Considering that Nolan has comfortably earned legend status in the world of film-making, everything he’s ever worked on will surely be preserved and remastered to survive the rest of time. For now, though, Tarantella, co-directed by Roko Belic, is more or less impossible to watch in high-quality form; it periodically turns up on fan-run message boards, where it then inevitably gets taken down for copyright purposes.

It stars the director himself in his lone on-screen performance, along with his brother and recurring collaborator, Jonathan Nolan, playing, respectively, a tortured young man in black and a young man in white. While Nolan would become synonymous with dynamic, time-bending narrative structures, Tarantella is devoid of any plot, as the short is a collection of feverish images consisting of spiders and demons that have haunted the two young men. It is an experimental voyage into the subconscious without the spectacle (and certainly budget) of Inception.

Watching this amateurish manipulation of the form will recall the early work of the late David Lynch, whose name became synonymous with these kinds of inscrutable explorations of dreams and distorted realities. It’s not as polished or formative to Nolan’s own filmography as Eraserhead was for Lynch, but Nolan’s interest in deconstructing film language was evident from the start.

The Early Signs of Christopher Nolan’s Style in ‘Tarantella’

Shot on 16 mm color film and devoid of dialogue, Tarantella features various Nolan hallmarks, including the manipulation of time and reality, fragmented editing, and characters absorbed by their own minds. Despite its fantastical imagery, all the surrealist shots of spiders and other non-sequitur dreamlike images feel quite tactile, akin to Nolan’s steadfast commitment to using practical effects over CGI and grounding outlandish scenarios like space travel and comic book universes. Nolan is not a director who operates on a frugal budget, but it’s impressive to see how far he could stretch a dollar in the late ’80s and early ’90s.

There is one element present that never turned up in any of his future work: the director himself on screen. Seeing Nolan appear on camera in one of his movies — something he’s never done since, even in cameo form — is quite jarring. Indeed, there was a time when he couldn’t rely on Christian Bale or Matt Damon to be his leading men, and had to get the job done himself.

Beyond just serving as a curio in Christopher Nolan’s monumental career, Tarantella serves as a reminder that the Odyssey director is overdue to make his foray into the horror genre. From each Joker (Heath Ledger) monologue in The Dark Knight to the church speech scene in Oppenheimer, Nolan has long specialized in crafting nerve-wracking scenes with minimal touches. His control of uncanny moods and unsettling auras is distilled to its most essential in his early short.

Like most early shorts by great auteurs, Tarantella is not as much a clear-cut blueprint for Nolan’s future masterpieces, but rather, a charming expression of a young filmmaker working out his creative muscles. Rarely do we see Nolan this raw and loose, as he’s made a career off of clinical and calculating mystery thrillers, sci-fi epics, and expansive biopics. He may not always be in complete control of the frame, but his palpable effort and theatrical flair behind and in front of the camera in Tarantella unlocks a vulnerability that would be harder to decrypt in his features.

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Memento

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Release Date

October 11, 2000

Runtime

113 minutes

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An installment of one of the biggest science fiction franchises has returned to the streaming charts. This film, in particular, was directed by Guillermo del Toro and features the talents of Idris Elba, Charlie Hunnam, Rinko Kikuchi​​​​​​, Charlie Day, and Ron Perlman. 13 years after its release, it has found a brand-new audience.

Del Toro has worked on a variety of projects throughout his career. While most of his works fall under fantasy, such as Pinocchio, Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia, and Pan’s Labyrinth, he has also dabbled in science fiction, with his most recent work being 2025’s Frankenstein. But in 2013, del Toro directed a science fiction feature that not only performed well at the box office but also spawned its own franchise.

Pacific Rim is a 2013 film in which giant mecha robots, controlled by at least two people, fight alien Kaiju monsters that emerge from the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. Since its release, the film has grossed over $411 million worldwide at the box office and has led to a sequel titled Pacific Rim: Uprising, a TV series called Pacific Rim: The Black, and an upcoming untitled prequel. Recently, Pacific Rim landed at #10 on Vudu’s Top 10 Movies in the United States, just below Project Hail Mary, proving that 2026 has been a strong year for the science fiction genre.

Is ‘Pacific Rim’ Worth Watching?

Since its release, Pacific Rim received mostly positive reviews, earning a 72% critics’ score and a 77% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Meanwhile, on Letterboxd, it has a 3.5 rating from viewers. According to critics, Pacific Rim feels like a Transformers movie mixed with plots from Godzilla or Independence Day. However, some praised Pacific Rim, saying it was able to make monster movies fun and that it was able to build its own “language and mythology.”

Collider’s Matt Goldberg gave Pacific Rim a “B” rating in his review, stating that it’s “pure action bliss” and that watching the movie felt exhilarating. He also makes the Transformers comparison, as other critics do, but claims that Pacific Rim made those fight scenes feel “puny by comparison.” However, he does have some issues with the characters, stating that Charlie Hunnam as Raleigh Becket almost became “one of the most forgettable heroes in years.”

Pacific Rim is available to stream on Vudu. Follow Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

July 12, 2013

Runtime

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131 minutes

Producers

Jon Jashni, Mary Parent

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Comedies, soaring romances, political epics — a quality historical drama never gets old. The best variations on this long-standing staple of Korean television flourish thanks to the sub-genre’s reliable and flexible structure. All that traditional costume drama appeal — the visual splendor of a bygone period — pairs perfectly with time travel whimsy, forbidden love, and the scheming, backstabbing web of political corruption lying coiled underneath the glamour.

The East Palace puts a supernatural horror spin on court drama intrigue. The Netflix original arrives surrounded by a torrent of anticipatory buzz. Its three primary leads are some of the reigning best in the business, and director Choi Jung-kyu (The Devil Judge) and screenwriters Kwon So-ra and Seo Jae-won (Bulgasal: Immortal Souls) have ample experience with acclaimed, eminently watchable dark fantasy thrillers. The East Palace is no exception. Netflix and the Imaginus production company — last year’s Tempest and the recent hit Can This Love Be Translated? — have delivered the first K-Drama blockbuster of 2026.

What Is ‘The East Palace’ About?

Something has cursed the royal family — or someone. Nearly all the King’s (Cho Seung-woo) heirs have perished under incomprehensible circumstances. Desperate to drive out the demonic force before his youngest son suffers the same fate, the King kidnaps Gu-cheon (Nam Joo-hyuk), a preternatural expert on all things spiritual. A childhood near-death experience has granted Gu-cheon the ability to both see the spirits who reside in the mortal realm and to (painfully) travel into their hellscape, a crimson-tinted dimension called the Realm of Gwi. Some spirits are mythical innocuous irritants, and others are nefarious human souls determined to punish those who inflicted profound injustices upon them before their deaths. These lingering tempests of fury can’t pass into a peaceful afterlife until they heal from their resentment. If Gu-cheon’s words can’t reach them, then his sword usually does the job.

It’s precisely because of his traumatizing past and his “I see dead people” predicament that Gu-cheon would prefer to sleep his days away in an inebriated haze. Unfortunately, if he doesn’t banish the ghostly murderer with all expediency, the King will personally sever Gu-cheon’s head from his shoulders. Together with Saeng-gang (Roh Yoon-seo), a noblewoman who hears phantasmal whispers and conceals a separate agenda, Gu-cheon investigates the palace’s history. To no one’s surprise, there are too many sordid proverbial skeletons in the royal closet to count. Who is the real enemy? Can anyone be trusted?

‘The East Palace’s Production Value Is a Feast for the Eyes

From Episode 1 to the finale’s last frame, The East Palace is beautiful to watch. No aspect of the production design feels compromised by budget allocation, be it the sunlit outdoor scenery filmed on location in Yeoncheon County, Gyeonggi Province, the exterior and interior castle architecture, or the eye-catching costumes with their precise, woven detailing. The simplest sight, like Gu-cheon descending into the lake at night, carries a pervasive sense of heaviness as the navy-blue water gradates into shadows and the moonlight splinters over the surface.

A series shaped around Korean folklore and shamanism, and therefore heavily reliant on computer-generated visual effects, needs the proper visual heft. If the CGI falls short, the suspension of disbelief shatters. The East Palace has plenty of room to creatively play with the Realm of Gwi’s visual identity and the various monsters’ otherworldly designs. The former excels with color-coding, starkly contrasting the human world and Gwi’s (yes, the ears of KPop Demon Hunters fans will perk up at “gwi-ma”) infernal mirror. As for the latter, the easiest immediate comparisons might be All of Us Are Dead or Sweet Home, but The East Palace‘s gruesome threats evoke the series’ folklore inspirations. The action sequences’ ambitious choreography and sleek accompanying cinematography practically steal the show.

A Tremendous Cast Grounds ‘The East Palace’s Twisty Mysteries and Grim Fantasy Action

Image via Netflix

Another contender for the show-stealing award must go to the cast’s captivating performances. With almost 30 award wins and a sublime track record (Stranger, Sisyphus: The Myth) under his belt, the highly regarded Cho has proved he can play any archetype under the sun with a measured nuance that invites studying. It’s no surprise that one of Korea’s finest current working actors is magnificent here; he glides from cunning, imposing, smug, livid, and a man harboring slivers of untapped affection and anguish on an effortless-seeming dime. The East Palace marks his first time on the small screen since 2023 and his first time joining a streaming-exclusive series, and he’s worth the figurative price of admission.

Roh, the most newcomer-adjacent of the main trio, continues riding the fame wave after her breakout roles in Crash Course in Romance and Hear Me: Our Summer each secured her a prestigious award. This is the kind of phenomenal star turn that would propel her into the limelight if she wasn’t already commanding it — a wronged woman who’s a crack shot with a bow and arrow, fearsome, composed, pragmatic, prone to losing her temper, yet always a heat-seeking revenge missile aimed at the architect of Saeng-gang’s tragic loss. The demeanor she presents to the world is, of course, a shield born from that very same trauma. The more tragedies that strike her wounded heart, the more her living spirit unravels.

Nam also rejoins the K-Drama world after three years. Given his reputation as a versatile and charismatic romantic lead in contemporary series (Twenty-Five Twenty-One, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo), it’s fantastic to see him tackle a historical action protagonist. He hits just the right notes of exasperated wisecracks, resigned determination, and tormented world-weariness. Gu-cheon holds his internal haunting at bay, but only just; like his round trips to the spirit realm, his pain and guilt always resurface. As for The East Palace‘s narrative foils and partners in ghost hunting, Gu-cheon and Saeng-gang’s gently blossoming chemistry flourishes their journey from spine-bristling dislike and combative bickering into a trusted companionship. The romance crowd will detect the undercurrents of a little something more than friendship, but above all, Saeng-gang is Gu-cheon’s equal and guardian. They protect and rescue each other. Overall, the series’ best moments aren’t the monster-slaying bloodshed but the familial beats — where old reopened wounds and fresh betrayals cut equally deep.

A few scenes do fall prey to television’s low-lighting trend. The East Palace‘s dialogue can also be a little too on the nose at times. Since it balances a plethora of concepts, rules, and revelations, this series is a case where overclarification or overt statements can be forgiven. The momentum driving its intriguing start doesn’t waver, but the mix of bloodthirsty scheming, supernatural horror, and royal family drama truly kicks off like a rocket launch at the halfway point. I value my sleep, but once the sinuous twists struck like cascading dominoes, I stayed up until the wee hours to finish all eight episodes. If The East Palace sounds like your kind of rollercoaster ride through elegant production, polished action, and epic period fantasy, you’ll likely do the same.

The East Palace premieres July 17 on Netflix.

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Release Date

July 17, 2026

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Network

Netflix

Directors

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Choi Jung-kyu

Writers

Kwon So-ra, Seo Jae-won

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Cast

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Pros & Cons

• The main trio’s riveting performances are worth the watch alone.
• The production design is excellent all around.
• The action and camera choreography work together to create pulse-pounding scenes.

• Some of the exposition-heavy dialogue isn’t as organic as it could be.

Livingstone College has addressed speculation after Gabrielle Muñoz, a softball player at the school, died on July 9. She was 19.

“As we continue to honor Gabriella’s life, we are aware of inaccurate reports circulating online regarding the circumstances of her passing,” the school, located in North Carolina, posted via Facebook on Sunday, July 12. “To ensure the accuracy of information shared with our community, we wish to clarify that Gabriella did not pass away on the Livingstone College campus. She passed away while in Texas, away from campus. Any reports stating or implying otherwise are false.”

The cause and manner of Muñoz’s death are still pending, according to Houston’s KHOU. 

Livingstone president Anthony J. Davis said it was “difficult to understand the insensitive actions that some will take during this time of our campus community grieving.”

“Our focus remains on honoring Gabriella’s life, celebrating her many contributions to our campus community, and supporting all who are mourning this tremendous loss,” he added. “We respectfully ask our community and the public to refrain from sharing unverified information or engaging in speculation that may cause additional pain to those who are grieving. We extend our continued prayers and deepest condolences to Gabriella’s family, loved ones, teammates, coaches, and all who knew her.”

The school has not specifically stated what kind of rumors have been perpetuated after Muñoz’s death. 

“Gabriella represented the very best of Livingstone College” the school said in a statement. “While her athletic abilities made her a valuable competitor, it was her bubbly personality, gentle spirit, and genuine kindness that truly distinguished her. Beyond the softball field, Gabriella exemplified the highest standards of academic excellence.”

Muñoz’s obituary also highlighted her passions outside of the softball diamond. 

“Her creativity knew no bounds, often expressed through her love for crafts,” the obituary reads. “Gabi had a zest for life that was evident in her love for hiking, beach trips with her sister and friends, and her fondness for country music. She was an avid reader and cherished spending time with her friends and family, creating memories that will be treasured forever.”

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The remembrance added, “Gabi’s faith was the cornerstone of her life. An active member of her church’s youth group ministries, she found joy in studying her bible and living by her faith in God. Her strong beliefs guided her actions and interactions, leaving a lasting impact on those around her.”

Muñoz is survived by her parents, Brandon and Jennifer, brother Noah, and sister Isabella. 

A celebration of life will be held in Katy, Texas on Friday, July 17. 

Taylor Frankie Paul’s legal team has responded after child welfare officials raised concerns about the wellbeing of her three children.

According to legal documents published by TMZ on Wednesday, July 15, Utah’s Division of Child and Family Services filed a petition asking a juvenile court to find that her three children are “abused, neglected or dependent.”

The filing also asked the judge to order protective supervision services, appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the children and issue any additional orders deemed to be in their best interests.

Per the outlet, the Utah Attorney General’s Office filed the petition this week and requested an expedited hearing.

Related: Why Legal Move by Taylor Frankie Paul’s Ex Tate May Be a ‘Losing Battle’

This week on Legally Us, Rachael Bennett, a certified family law specialist and senior attorney at Sullivan Law & Associates, breaks down Taylor Frankie Paul’s latest legal battle with her ex Tate Paul. On June 30, Tate, 32, filed a temporary restraining order in a Utah court, with a hearing requested. He also filed a […]

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star, 32, shares son Ever, 2, with Dakota Mortensen as well as two children — daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 6 — with her ex, Tate Paul.

In response to the news of the filing, the reality TV star’s legal team shared a statement with Us Weekly on Thursday, July 16.

“It was recently decided that the ongoing custody actions would be best suited for juvenile court, a common step for families engaged in highly contentious, complex custody matters,” Paul’s legal representatives said via the statement. “Taylor is not deterred by this transition; she welcomes the added structure and oversight it provides and looks forward to continuing her progress toward normalizing custody and becoming the healthiest version of herself.”

The statement continued: “Taylor remains fully committed to doing whatever is necessary to reach that goal and will not be swayed from it. Taylor appreciates the professionalism of DCFS and its representatives.”

Last week, Paul shared a cryptic post via social media amid her contentious legal and custody issues.

“Today was extremely difficult, meanwhile, there has been at least 12+ people throughout this trying to make it harder,” Paul captioned an Instagram Story on July 8. “Thank you God for revealing them all want to be nothing like them.”

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She added, “They bully, I defend myself. not the same. Pay attention how this plays out. I trust.”

It’s unclear exactly who Paul was referring to in her social media post. However, the cryptic message came hours after she appeared in court amid the ongoing custody battle over Ever with Mortensen. Both Paul and Mortensen secured wins on July 8.

The judge ruled that Paul will receive more unsupervised time with Ever, expanding her weekend visitation. The win came despite claims from Mortensen’s legal team that Paul has taken “less than half” of her allocated parenting time. Mortensen was also granted longer weekends with Ever on July 8. (Mortensen was initially granted temporary custody of Ever in March.)