Thursday Tanlines

Chelan Simmons

At AOL, The Horror Movie Scene That Will Make You Think Twice About Tanning

Beyond the usual concerns associated with tanning beds, "Final Destination 3" offered another reason to be afraid of those glowing, metal coffins. The film follows a group of recent high school graduates who narrowly escape death via rollercoaster after one of their classmates experiences a premonition. However, death refuses to let them escape, and the group begins to die in freak accidents. In one of the franchise's most horrifying and iconic kill scenes, Ashley Freund (Chelan Simmons) and Ashlyn Halperin (Crystal Lowe) are burned to death in tanning beds.

Crystal Lowe

 

Chelan is kind of pale.

Hoping to deepen their tans before graduation, the best friends hit up the tanning salon. They obliviously set themselves up to boil and fry after a slushie, an A/C unit, and loose shelf work together to trap them in the rapidly overheating beds. Their goggles melt, the glass beds shatter around them, their skin blisters and chars, all while "Love Rollercoaster" ironically plays overhead.

It's a brutal, fiery death that's guaranteed to make viewers think twice about going tanning.

Why would Ashlyn need a tanning bed? 

Oregon, My Oregon

This sign at an Oregon theatre is objectively untrue.

We don't have exact points in history for either, but the Odyssey was written around 700 BCE, and the earliest mention of Israel came in 1213 BCE, with Jews undoubtedly having been around a lot longer before then.

But more… pic.twitter.com/B9vuBFqAg6

— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) July 18, 2026

Insty, THE CORBYNIZATION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY CONTINUES APACE: Provocative Lake Oswego theater’s marquee message about Jews provokes criticism, worry.

The foremost criticisms of the marquee missive included that the statement was incorrect – and that it might spark antisemitic acts, such as the death threat scrawled on Northwest Portland’s Congregation Beth Israel building in 2022.

“It’s historically inaccurate. That’s the first piece,” said Rabbi Eve Posen of Congregation Neveh Shalom in Southwest Portland. “It’s a movie that doesn’t need much to get people to come see it, so why the theater would make this decision knowing that it’s historically inaccurate makes no sense.”

Historians generally date “The Odyssey” to the eighth or seventh century B.C.E., while the Jewish people predate that period by centuries.

Posen said she began receiving complaints Wednesday morning from congregants who were offended by the message. Others in the community also were outraged by the theater’s message.

In an email to the theater, West Linn resident Abby Farber wrote: “I think your marquee advertising ‘The Odyssey’ contains an inappropriate reference to Jews. If it’s an attempt at humor, it falls flat. Moreover, in this era of rising antisemitism, I think it’s also highly distasteful to everyone who is a fair-minded person.”

Farber continued: “What do Jews have to do with this piece of fictional art? Why bring up a religion? Definitely not funny.”

Flotsam and Jetsam - The View from Stolen Land

We get to start with something light today. I was going to save this for "random celebrity news", but it blew up yesterday: Breaking911 @Breaking911, ""Billie Eilish at the Grammys: "Nobody is illegal on stolen land. We need to keep fighting and speaking up. Our voices do matter...f*ck ICE."" Kind of cold, no thanks. James Lindsay, anti-Communist @ConceptualJames, "Let's talk about the opening part of this statement: "nobody is illegal on stolen land." We can break it down, but we should also know what it
is. What we are looking at is Chinese-style political sloganeering called "tifa" (提法). Communist communications ever since Mao took over China (and the CCP before that) almost always follow this kind of formulation, called 提法 (tífǎ), which literally translates as "watchwords" or "slogans." Literally, it means to lift up or present or highlight the core message or political principle in play through a charged slogan. . . . " But Metro remembers Billie Eilish gets permanent restraining order against man who repeatedly turned up to her home. A little casual hypocrisy is common in celebrities, as well a most humans. 

From NYPO, Native American tribe that owns land under Billie Eilish’s LA mansion has message for virtue-signaling singer "Eilish has not contacted our tribe directly regarding her property, we do value the instance when public figures provide visibility to the true history of this country,” a Tongva spokesperson told the Daily Mail. “It is our hope that in future discussions, the tribe can explicitly be referenced to ensure the public understands that the greater Los Angeles Basin remains Gabrieleno Tongva territory,” the spokesperson added." Insty says THIS IS THE MOST ENTERTAINING TIMELINE: Clay Travis @ClayTravis, "A Native American tribe says that Billie Eilish’s mansion is on their stolen land. She must immediately hand title to her mansion over to the tribe and move. She stole their land. Unacceptable." Quote End Wokeness @EndWokeness, "BREAKING: Tongva Tribe says Billie Eilish is living in a mansion built on "ancestral land" taken from them." And has A QUESTION THAT ALL BLUE STATE PROPERTY OWNERS SHOULD BE ASKING: The Drunk Republican @DrunkRepub, "If I’m on stolen land why the F am I paying property taxes?" CSPAN @cspan, "@SenTedCruz: "Are we right now on stolen land?" Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos: "I have no idea of the history of this land." Warner Bros. Discovery exec Bruce Campbell: "Nor do I." Cruz: "That speaks volumes...that neither of you are willing to say 'hell, no.'" The Babylon Bee @TheBabylonBee, "Here Are 12 Fun Crimes You Can Get Away With If You Just Say 'We Are On Stolen Land' https://buff.ly/zszCW3c"

From Da Signal, House Passes Shutdown-Ending Package. At News Wax, Trump Signs Bill Ending Partial Government Shutdown. Did you notice the shut-down? Can I get a refund for what they didn't do? Also, Dems Seek Delay in Nomination Proceedings of Warsh for Fed Chair. It's what they are, it's what they do. Industry Week touts an ISM Report: Manufacturing Activity Returns to Expansion in January. Richard Grenell @RichardGrenell, "I asked the Post reporter if she knew what debt reserves were. She didn’t. She was reporting on an Arts Institution in financial crisis, paying staff with debt reserves, and didn’t even know what that meant. Reporters don’t care that they don’t know the subject matter they report on." Quote Josh Kraushaar @JoshKraushaar "“The Kennedy Center is not closing because of any structural necessity. The situation is far simpler: This is a self-inflicted crisis created by Trump and Ric Grenell, for which they bear full responsibility.”

Jeff Charles at TownHall reports US Fighter Jet Shoots Down Iranian Drone. Bob Hoge at RedState, US Blasts Iranian Drone Out of the Sky, Blocks Attempted IRGC Takeover of Oil Tanker. Fox News @FoxNews, "BREAKING: The U.S. military shot down an unmanned Iranian drone after it "aggressively approached a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier with unclear intent," a U.S. Central Command spokesman told FOX News. "USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) was transiting the Arabian Sea approximately 500 miles from Iran’s southern coast when an Iranian Shahed-139 drone unnecessarily maneuvered toward the ship," the spokesman added." James Woods @RealJamesWoods, "Are you the guy who sent pallets of cash to Iran to fund their nuclear weapons program?" Quote Barack Obama @BarackObama "If Congress doesn’t act, the last nuclear arms control treaty between the U.S. and Russia will expire. It would pointlessly wipe out decades of diplomacy, and could spark another arms race that makes the world less safe. This piece is worth the read..." Reuters whines Musk says steps to stop Russia from using Starlink seem to have worked. From CEPA, If NATO Dies, Long Live NEATO. "It is time for Europe to bite the bullet and build a new defensive alliance because the alternative of inaction is unthinkable." "Given the geography (and Canada notwithstanding), the new alliance might reasonably be termed the North-East Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NEATO for short."

From Twitchy, One of the BIGGEST Bombshells Yet Buried in Latest Epstein Doc Dump and MUST-Read Thread Breaks It Down. Sayer Ji @sayerjigmi, "1/ The DOJ just released thousands of pages of Epstein files. And buried inside them may be one of the biggest bombshells no one is talking about: The blueprint for a 20-year financial architecture designed to turn pandemics into a profit center. Offshore vaccine funds. Pandemic reinsurance triggers. Donor-advised fund structures designed to profit under the cover of charity. Simulation programs. Career pipelines into pharma and the World Economic Forum. All built years before COVID-19. All running through Gates, JPMorgan, and Epstein. We now have the documents." PJM's Scott Pinsker enjoys a little schadenfreude, The Worldwide Humiliation of Bill Gates: From Tech God to Global Embarrassment. Althouse is struck by Fresh muffins and steaks. "If I'm reading this right, both victims and predators were conceptualized as food to Epstein and whoever Susan Hamblin is. Many of the commenters over there at X seem to think they are talking about actual food." And, Politico chooses the photograph with the blue dress. From Ace, Under Threat of Criminal Contempt, Bill and Hillary Clinton "Agree" to "Testify" about Jeffrey Epstein... But Won't Set a Date to Testify. "They claim that they'll testify -- but it's a stalling tactic. Now they want to set up a date for their testimony, but they can't commit to any particular date. So this is more contempt. Even if it happens, it will be a festival of perjuries that will make "it depends on what the meaning of 'is' is" look bush-league."

In misc. Trumpiania, Don Surber puns Trump: The Wizard of Ours, "Scott Adams called him a wizard of persuasion and the cartoonist was right." At NYPo, the Divine Ms. Devine, thinks ‘Melania’ serves as a dainty middle finger to Trump’s media tormenters — who were wrong about everything. Sundance at CTH presents a Remarkable Rendering of White House Ballroom Currently Under Construction. PJM's Stephen Kruiser says Hide Your Bunnies — Marjorie Taylor Greene Is Now MAGA's Crazy Ex.

Betsy Stauffer at LI has a New Poll that Shatters the Narrative: Voters Overwhelmingly Back Deportations and ICE. “Americans support deporting those in the country illegally by a [nearly] 2-to-1 margin, 61% to 34%.” From OTP, More Than 60% Of Midterm Voters Support Deporting Illegal Immigrants, Poll Finds. Bonchie @bonchieredstate "So…wouldn’t that mean it…hasn’t become politically toxic?" Quote Eric Levitz @EricLevitz, "Donald Trump's immigration agenda has become politically toxic. And yet, as of mid-January, voters still felt the GOP was "better equipped" to handle immigration than the Democratic Party by an 11-point margin, according to a WSJ survey."

From Twitchy, a Black ICE Agent Hit With Racial Slurs After Asking Trans Agitator, ‘Are You a Man?’ Brandon Straka #WalkAway @BrandonStraka,"This scene is from an old miniseries called “Holocaust”, showing in the early days of the Nazi takeover citizens breaking windows, looting, burning things, and beating innocent people. At the time this aired this behavior was shocking to see. It literally looks exactly like how the left behaves on a regular basis now." Tom Knighton at TAW, This is who they're protecting. Cathy Salgado at PJM, New York Released Almost 7,000 Criminal Illegal Aliens. Amy Curtis @RantyAmyCurtis, "Mamdani is also telling the Queens DA not to prosecute the knife-wielding criminal. Good job, New York." Quote End Wokeness @EndWokeness, "Mayor Mamdani just visited a man who got shot while charging at a cop with a knife." Driscoll at Insty, THE LEFT DOESN’T WANT TO DEFUND THE POLICE, THEY WANT TO BE THE POLICE: Border Control. At Border Control, A reminder, should one be needed, that we live in an age of ironies: Minneapolis Spring @mpls_spring, "WATCH: Community defenders stop an out of state vehicle at the filter blockade, run the plate through a database, and confirm whether the vehicle is affiliated with abductors before letting it through." J Michael Waller @JMichaelWaller, "This "checkpoint" looks lame, but it's the start of a network of what will become stronger and more numerous checkpoints. Such illegal checkpoints are early nodes of an illegal policing system characteristic of insurgencies worldwide. Loyal citizens should take them down." Nick Arama at RedState sees the Anti-ICE Crew Is Not Happy at All About What Just Happened to Their 'Checkpoint' in Minneapolis Minneapolis Spring @mpls_spring, "Defenders report: Everyone's safe, but they rolled up pretty heavy, stole the barricading materials and most of the supplies." johnny maga @_johnnymaga, "Some patriot purchased a pro-ICE billboard in San Francisco ahead of the Super Bowl declaring them the “Defensive player of the year” and it’s triggering all of the libs. “It made me sick to my stomach.” This is awesome." Jonathan Turley, The Remaking of Alex Pretti: Imperfect Times Demand the Perfect Hero.

At the College Fix, a Trio of Minnesota law professors decry arrest of Don Lemon: ‘attack on free press.’ Libs of TikTok @libsoftiktok, "BREAKING: William Kelly who filmed himself storming a church in Minnesota and harassing congregants has been ARRESTED by the FBI." Hat Hair's Beege Welborn has the Video of the Bearded, Snaggle-Toothed Terrorizer of Small Church Children Foaming at the Mouth.

Shipwreckedcrew writes about "Judges Gone Wild" -- On The Question Of Ending "Temporary Protective Status" For Venezuelans and Haitians. "Nothing is "temporary" -- it all depends on correctly crossing and dotting the "t's"and "i's" after the right calls and emails are exchanged with enough agencies to make a judge happy months later." NYPo reports the Judge who blocked Trump’s Haitian deportations bankrolled Dems — including Biden who let migrants in.

Lauren Chen @TheLaurenChen, "White progressive rediscovers slavery from first principles." Quote Mass Daily News @MassDailyNews, "Boston-area woman is thrilled after taking in a Haitian migrant and says it’s like having your own personal chef." Just AWFL. 

Dave Strom at Hat Hair, The SAVE Act Is Popular, and Democrats Are Terrified of It. Chris Queen at PJM points out Voter ID Isn’t Racist — Democrats’ Arguments Against It Are. Ace, Chuck Schumer: Requiring Voters to Show ID to Vote Is "Nothing More Than Jim Crow 2.0" "Everything's Jim Crow. No, man, it's worse than Jim Crow. It makes Jim Crow look like Jim Eagle. Malarkey!" Also, CNN: The Flight From Blue States Will Net Republicans +7 House Seats and +7 Electoral College Votes in 2032; Even if Democrats Win All Three "Blue Wall" States, They'll Lose the Presidency "Unfortunately, the census won't be taken until 2030 and reapportionment won't happen until the following election in 2032. It's something, I guess."

John Sexton at Hat Hair sees Gavin Newsom Wants to Be President, But thinks It Could Be a Tough Sell. The Center Square CA, Medi-Cal spends $608M monthly on cooking, cleaning home services, even for illegal immigrants. Dean W. Ball @deanwball, "In all seriousness: the fundamental practical message of the Democratic Party is that you should expect to pay European-level taxes for South African-level public services. Nobody in the Party really offers a solution, though their brightest think we should build more housing." Quote Mayor Muriel Bowser @MayorBowser "Just announced: 5 pop-up salt distribution locations this weekend! Bring a bucket, a wagon, a box—anything to come pick up salt to address icy and hazardous conditions near your home."

At Althouse, "Jill Biden’s ex-husband was arrested Monday on charges he murdered his wife in their Delaware home in December...." "The NY Post reports."Jill Biden, 74, divorced Stevenson in 1975 after a five-year marriage. Two years later she wed then-Senator Joe Biden (D-Del.). Stevenson has accused Jill of having an affair with the one-term Democratic president prior to their divorce...." She has questionable taste in men.

Stacy McCain is saddened by the ‘End of Watch’ for a Georgia Cop "When you think of law enforcement in Georgia, you might think of guys named Bubba or Roy, but probably not Pradeep Tamang, a native of Nepal, a small country wedged between India and Tibet. More than 10 years ago, when Pradeep was still a child, the Tamang family came to America and settled near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where he later worked as a corrections officer at Dauphin County Prison." Nepal produces the Gurkhas, soldiers known for their ferocity in battle. 

Cam at Bearing Arms sees Pirro Attempts Damage Control After Controversial Carry Comments.

Sundance at CTH, Senate Intelligence Vice-Chair Mark Warner Holds a Press Conference, Extremely Concerned About Intelligence Community Control of Govt Being Weakened. He's very upset Tulsi may dig into the role of foreign agents in Democrat's 2020 election "win."

From Fox, Top teachers union under fire as lawmakers push to strip union of unique federal charter: 'Lost their way' "GOP Reps Buddy Carter and Mary Miller spoke to Fox News Digital about why the NEA's charter should be revoked." News Wax hears Trump Seeks $1 Billion From Harvard University in Damages.

Ace, Jury Awards $3.2 Million Judgement to Man in Defamation Case Resulting From, Get This, Yet Another Race Grifter Hoax "Andrew Kerr:" at the Free Bacon, Mainstream Media Breathlessly Covered an Alleged Hate Crime in Which White Kids Forced a Black Classmate To Drink Urine. It Was a Giant Hoax. "Texas judge orders $3.2 million judgment against black mother and attorney who falsely alleged her son was 'tortured' by white friend."

Cathy Salgado cites War Department Says Scouting America Must Reform, Reject DEI. At Hollywood in Toto, Controversial Comic Cancelled for Outrageous Renee Good Joke "Ben Bankas routinely pushes boundaries of stand-up comedy and bad taste." An obvious play on words with her last name. I saw it and refrained. But I don't make my living as a stand-up comedian, thank God.

From Da Caller, First Major Medical Org Comes Out Against Trans Surgeries for Minors "The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) released new guidance on Tuesday cautioning physicians against performing gender-transition surgeries on minors, marking a significant breakthrough for critics of the procedures who have long called on major medical associations to be transparent about the harms associated with medicalizing gender dysphoric children." T. Adams at And Another Thing sez Let's Talk About Left-Wing Quackery, in general. You're going to need a bigger blog. 

The Wombat has Rule 5 Monday: Boots & Bikinis and FMJRA 2.0: Better Late Than Never up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

Random Celebrity News

For some values of random, celebrity and news. It's been a while and there's been a bit of build up in my digital fridge. At the Fiction Horizon, Sydney Sweeney Sparks Backlash After Cozy Moment With Freed Israeli Hostages Leaves Fans Divided.

"Sydney Sweeney is facing strong reactions online after meeting with two Israelis who were previously held hostage by Hamas. The moment came to light after pro-Israel advocacy group StandWithUs shared a photo of the actress standing with Noa Argamani and Avinatan Or. According to the group, the pair were taken during the October 7, 2023 attacks and later freed from Gaza in June 2024 during an Israeli military operation. In the photo posted by StandWithUs, Sweeney stands between them, smiling, with her arms placed behind their backs.
. . .
not everyone reacted positively. Many users criticized Sweeney for appearing with a group tied to pro-Israel advocacy. Others brought up her rumored connection to music executive Scooter Braun, who has previously helped raise funds for both Israeli hostage families and Palestinians in Gaza. One comment simply read, “Ewww.” Another said, “That’s the disappointment of the year.”

AlphaFox @alphafox "If you missed the full Sydney video, here you go:" At BIS, Paige Spiranac Says She’s Getting Death Threats Over Cheating Scandal. Some people take golf seriously. I don't

Paige Spiranac was recently caught in some controversy. She was accused of cheating during a tournament, confronted about it right on the green during match play, and reduced to tears. And now, she’s saying things have gotten even worse for her.

During the Internet Invitational, a Barstool Sports-sponsored golf tournament featuring 48 influencers competing for a $1 million prize, Spiranac was caught on camera during the final match brushing down tall grass in the rough. The move helped improve the lie for her teammate Malosi Togisala.

Even the most casual of golfers knows that improving a lie in any manner is a violation of golf rules. You can’t alter the course conditions. How Paige, an accomplished golfer, wouldn’t know that is anybody’s guess.

From Atop Da Hill, Lady Gaga Suffered Psychotic Break After Filming ‘A Star Is Born. How could she tell?

Lady Gaga says she had a “psychotic break” after filming “A Star is Born.” In an interview published Thursday by Rolling Stone, the “Abracadabra” singer said she was on lithium while filming the Bradley Cooper-directed movie to treat and prevent manic episodes.

Once the movie finished filming, Gaga went on a world tour to support her “Joanne” album, where she said that her mental health had taken an extreme hit.

“There was one day that my sister said to me, ‘I don’t see my sister anymore.’ And I canceled the tour,” the singer, whose real name is Stefani Germanotta, told the publication. “There was one day I went to the hospital for psychiatric care. I needed to take a break.”

Mike Cantrell at PJM hears  Billionaire Elon Musk Strikes Back Against Billie Eilish for Calling Him 'Pathetic Pu**y' Maybe, but he's a rich pathetic pussy.

Billionaire Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk struck back at pop superstar Billie Eilish after she recently launched an unhinged rant against him, calling him a “f***ing pathetic p***y b***h coward” for not bankrupting himself to help the poor. Eilish should probably stick to making music, because her foray into politics continues to make her look painfully uneducated. 
. . .
On Monday evening, Musk responded to Eilish’s comments, saying, "She's not the sharpest tool in the shed." When the topic is politics, especially poverty, the issues run far deeper than the singer understands. First of all, while the rich certainly should, morally speaking, use their wealth to improve the world around them, that moral duty doesn’t require them to support someone from cradle to grave.

Pro Football Network, BKFC Ring Girl Makes Feelings Known on Working for Co-Owner Conor McGregor

Alyssa Spivack is an Argentinian social media influencer, model, and BKFC ring girl. She is also a licensed Florida realtor and an ambassador for companies like Fashion Nova and Impossible Kicks. Currently, she has over 219k followers on Instagram and over 156.9k followers on TikTok. Recently, during an “Ask me anything” interaction with her followers, Spivack was asked, “What’s it like working for Conor?” She replied, “I love working with BKFC! @thenotoriousmma definitely brings an incredible energy to the fights that is totally unmatched! Always a fun time.”

McGregor uses his flamboyant style and social media presence to promote BKFC fights and events. He is also seen drinking, dancing, and partying with the ring girls and other BKFC members and fighters, sometimes even feuding with some, like Mike Perry. “The Notorious” has not been active inside the octagon since his 2021 leg injury. However, the buildup for his fight with Michael Chandler has been going on for a long time, and recently, both have teased that it will happen soon.

Mike Cantrell again,  Actress Raises Concern With Nude Content, Erratic Behavior in Strange Social Media Posts. Since when is that unusual in Hollywood? 

Actress Taryn Manning, most well known for her role in the hit Netflix series Orange Is the New Black, is causing concern among many of her fans after she posted a bunch of naked images and videos that also show her exhibiting bizarre behavior. For a lot of folks, it echoes the weird content pop sensation Britney Spears has posted on Instagram in recent years, worrying fans that Manning might be heading straight into a serious mental health crisis. 

Things took a strange turn on Monday, when Manning posted a video on Instagram of herself dancing around barefoot with her breasts playing peek-a-boo from within an unbuttoned shirt. Not long after the initial clip, she posted another, this time doing a strip tease and ditching her top completely. She captioned the video, "We have zero control of the outcome. Your birthday suit is yours. Remember we only became self-conscious after EVE messed up. Go back to the roots. Be free again."

The Jerusalem Post admires how Scarlett Johansson refused to remove Holocaust plot from Eleanor the Great. Good for her. It must be nice to have FU money.

Scarlett Johansson, whose films have grossed more than those of any other actress in history, put her clout to good use to save Eleanor the Great, her directorial debut, after a backer pulled out at the last minute, demanding that she change the Holocaust storyline that is central to the plot.

The movie stars 96-year-old June Squibb, who plays the best friend of a Holocaust survivor and who finds an unusual way to honor the memory of her friend’s family: Stumbling into a Holocaust survivor’s group, Eleanor pretends that the survival story is hers. In an interview with The Telegraph done at the Cannes Film Festival, where the film had its world premiere, and published ahead of the film’s UK premiere, Johansson said that with just weeks to go before filming began, a backer demanded that the Holocaust references be cut, or they would pull their funds.

The article quotes Johansson as saying, “I mean, if they’d said, ‘I’ll only back this if you shoot in New Jersey,’ or ‘We need to get this done by the spring’, then that would have been one thing. But they were objecting to what the film actually was. It had to be about what happens when someone gets caught in the worst lie imaginable; if not the Holocaust, then what could it be? They offered no alternative. It was just, ‘This is an issue.’”

Twitchy says Amanda Seyfried Says Socialism Is a Gorgeous Idea Because She’ll Never Actually Have to Live Under It. You never lose money betting on the ignorance of Hollywood stars.

Amanda Seyfried is a Hollywood actress. She was in Mamma Mia and Ted 2 to name a few of her projects. She should stick to acting because her political opinions are garbage.

Variety @Variety "Amanda Seyfried says “socialism is a gorgeous idea” as she grapples with the current state of America: "How about we all don’t have any kind of agendas? How about our agenda is take care of each other? I know [socialism] doesn’t work perfectly, or that people understand what the word actually means. For me, it’s taking care of each other. If I have more money, I can spend more money on other people" https://variety.com/2025/film/news"

From NYPo, Zoe Saldaña sparks backlash for claiming her ‘Avatar’ character is ‘racist’ Everything is racist. Even blue aliens.

Zoe Saldaña made a bold statement about her “Avatar” character, Neytiri. “Let’s face it, Neytiri’s a racist,” the actress, 47, said in a recent interview with CinemaBlend while promoting “Avatar: Fire and Ash.” “And she just… and she loses sight because of this blind fury that she has,” Saldaña continued.

The Oscar winner explained how Neytiri’s behavior affects her relationship with Jake Sully, played by Sam Worthington. “She loses sight that the person that she loves the most and respects the most in her life is her husband, and he is human, he’s a sky-person and I think it takes a lot of courage for Jake to be honest with her and to force her — even knowing that she is broken, that he knows that she needs to face this, because he sees in the direction that she’s heading and I think it’s much more familiar to him where Neytiri’s heading than for Neytiri herself,” she said.

Pop Culture, Kate Hudson Responds After Being Called ‘Monster’ by Real-Life Son of ‘Song Sung Blue’ Musician. Really, all she does is read the script.

Kate Hudson is weighing in after being called a “monster” by the real-life son of Song Sung Blue musician Mike Sardina. The actress, who plays Claire Sardina opposite Hugh Jackman’s Mike in the true story of Neil Diamond cover band Lightning & Thunder, has responded to criticism from Mike’s son, Michael Sardina Jr., who told the Daily Mail that the film is “all lies” and that he was “purposely cut out of the film,” despite being paid to consult on it.

“Honestly, I don’t even know — out of respect for our filmmakers, I’m not the right person to speak to it,” Hudson told The Hollywood Reporter in a new interview, adding that she had gotten to know the real-life Claire throughout the process: “I’m so happy that I got to know Claire, who’s such a wonderful woman, and she’s so happy with the movie.”

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: All You Can Eat marinated and ready for consumption at The Other McCain.

RIP: Brigitte Bardot

 Via Althouse, Goodbye to Brigitte Bardot.

"Brigitte Bardot, the pouty, tousle-haired French actress who redefined mid-20th-century movie sex symbolism in films beginning with 'And God Created Woman,' then gave up acting at 39 to devote her life to the welfare of animals, has died. She was 91." The NYT
reports.

President Macron writes: "Her films, her voice, her dazzling glory, her initials, her sorrows, her generous passion for animals, her face that became Marianne, Brigitte Bardot embodied a life of freedom. French existence, universal brilliance. She touched us. We mourn a legend of the century."

Much as I've admired Brigitte Bardot for her great beauty, I have never seen a Brigitte Bardot movie, not even "Contempt."

 

"We must rebel when we're trapped by circumstances, conventions."

Here's her filmography, full of titles I'm sad not to recognize.

"At best, Ms. Bardot was considered eccentric in her later years, prompting observations that this former sex kitten, as she was often called, had turned into a “crazy cat lady,'" 

it says in the NYT obituary.

At best? That's because of this: "In 2004, she was convicted of inciting racial hatred, and fined, for similar comments in 'A Cry in the Silence,' a nonfiction best seller in which she referred to Muslims as 'cruel and barbaric invaders.' By 2008, she had been convicted of the same charge five times."

 

And:

Interviewed by the magazine Paris Match in January 2018, she denounced the #MeToo movement, calling actresses’ claims of sexual harassment “hypocritical, ridiculous, without interest.” A few weeks later, in a “Saturday Night Live” sketch, Kate McKinnon, as Ms. Bardot, shouted, “Free Harvey Weinstein!” Catherine Deneuve, played by Cecily Strong in the sketch, explained, “Brigitte is very old and very wrong.”

She was also said to be a recluse:

“I am not a recluse,” she told The Toronto Star in 1988. “I live like an unsociable person; it is different.” “People,” she added, “get on my nerves.”

Like Althouse, I can't honestly say I've ever seen a Bardot movie, but her name was one worth conjuring with. Her subsequent history was even more remarkable. While I'm not an animal rights advocate, I sympathize a bit, and her setting aside an astonishing career to follow it is outstanding. And she was right about Muslims. 

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Old Trucks & Young Girls up on time and under budget at The Other McCain.

Tattoo Thursday

Entertainment Weekly, Millie Bobby Brown reveals the Star Wars quote she wants as a tattoo: 'I love that line'

When asked about her favorite movie quote during an interview with Collider published on Tuesday, the Stranger Things star revealed the quote is actually one she's thinking she "might get" on her body next, joining the eight tattoos she's already revealed.

"Star Wars: 'I love you.' 'I know,'" Brown recited, invoking the iconic and beloved lines spoken by Han Solo and Princess Leia Organa in Star Wars Episode V: Empire Strikes Back. Brown explained that a recent moment when she and Bongiovi randomly quoted it to one another reminded her of how much she loves it.

The other day, I said it to Jake," she recalled. "He was like, 'I love you.' And I was like, 'I know.' And he was like, 'What are you, Han Solo?' And I was like, 'Yeah.' I just love that. I love that line. It's so cute." After a moment of thought, the star added, "Actually, I might get that as a tattoo."

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Roll Tide up on time and under budget at The Other McCain.

Random Celebrity News

For some values of "random", "celebrity" and "news." Across Da Pond at Da Mail, Mystery as missing Ukrainian model, 20, is found 'close to death' by the side of a road in Dubai 'with her spine, arms and legs broken after hotel party'. 

A Ukrainian model who went missing after a party earlier this month was found in Dubai dumped by the side of a road with horrific injuries. Maria Kovalchuk, who was 20 this month, had been missing for eight days after telling friends she had been invited to a party at a hotel on March 9. She was set to attend the event 'with two men who introduced themselves as representatives of the modelling business,' according to several Ukrainian media reports.

The model told her mother, Anna, that she would be staying with these representatives for the night, but she subsequently disappeared. Maria had booked a flight to Thailand that departed Dubai on March 11, but did not turn up at the airport.

Anna and concerned friends then contacted local authorities who launched a search for Maria and opened an investigation, but she remained missing for several days. On March 19, ten days after she first went missing, a battered and bloodied Maria was found dumped at a roadside in Dubai with her limbs and spine broken, according to Russian outlets Shot and Life.

At Bored Panda,  Police Reveal Model Fell From Dubai Construction Site, Family Believes She Was Trying To Escape. 

Ace, Alec Baldwin's Fake Hispanic Wife Cucks Him on Worldwide Television, Tells the World that the Actor Once Prosecuted for Manslaughter Lies Incessantly and Shouldn't Be Believed

Noted Ladykiller Alec Baldwin has a new reality show on TLC, presumably because he's now uninsurable and unable to get hired to act. He actually shows his seven children on camera because that's very healthy for their development, as his Selfish Little Pig Daughter can tell you. In what may or may not be an attempt to stir controversy to get people to notice this show is even on the air, his Fake Spanish Wife Hilarious cucked him publicly.

The Mix,  Alec Baldwin’s Wife Forces Him To Make Embarrassing Public Apology To Her After Their Red Carpet Spat Goes Viral "The video showed Alec, 66, and Hilaria, 41, in bed together. In it, Alec apologized for “manterrupting” and admitted to having “correctile dysfunction.” Despite this, it was clear that Hilaria was the one dictating the terms of his apology."

From Fox, Jillian Michaels reveals simple workout to extend your lifespan 'up to 7 years' "'Fitness is the No. 1 form of preventative medicine,' Michaels says" Will 2 hours a day on the beach do? 

While various factors contribute to health, fitness remains exceptionally important, according to fitness expert Jillian Michaels, a supporter of the Make America Healthy Again movement.
. . .
"One hundred and fifty minutes of walking a week has been shown to extend your lifespan by up to seven years. Something simple like that goes such a long way," she said.

At the Guardian,  I’m the Canadian who was detained by Ice for two weeks. It felt like I had been kidnapped, Jasmine Mooney, a minor Canadian actress.

I started working in California and travelled back and forth between Canada and the US multiple times without any complications – until one day, upon returning to the US, a border officer questioned me about my initial visa denial and subsequent visa approval. He asked why I had gone to the San Diego border the second time to apply. I explained that that was where my lawyer’s offices were, and that he had wanted to accompany me to ensure there were no issues.

After a long interrogation, the officer told me it seemed “shady” and that my visa hadn’t been properly processed. He claimed I also couldn’t work for a company in the US that made use of hemp – one of the beverage ingredients. He revoked my visa, and told me I could still work for the company from Canada, but if I wanted to return to the US, I would need to reapply. I was devastated; I had just started building a life in California. I stayed in Canada for the next few months, and was eventually offered a similar position with a different health and wellness brand.

I restarted the visa process and returned to the same immigration office at the San Diego border, since they had processed my visa before and I was familiar with it. Hours passed, with many confused opinions about my case. The officer I spoke to was kind but told me that, due to my previous issues, I needed to apply for my visa through the consulate. I told her I hadn’t been aware I needed to apply that way, but had no problem doing it.

Then she said something strange: “You didn’t do anything wrong. You are not in trouble, you are not a criminal.” I remember thinking: Why would she say that? Of course I’m not a criminal! She then told me they had to send me back to Canada. That didn’t concern me; I assumed I would simply book a flight home. But as I sat searching for flights, a man approached me.

“Come with me,” he said. There was no explanation, no warning. He led me to a room, took my belongings from my hands and ordered me to put my hands against the wall. A woman immediately began patting me down. The commands came rapid-fire, one after another, too fast to process.

At Althouse, "When those on the creative side of fashion could be using their platform to share progressive values, it seems like many are acquiescing rather than pushing back."

"It’s frustrating to see the industry take a step back."

Said Sara Ziff, who leads a "models’ rights" organization. She's quoted in "Why Ultrathin Is In/When it comes to fashion models, the body diversity revolution appears to be at an end" (NYT).

Extreme thinness among models is “not really new — this kind of thing is cyclical,” she said. But this time around, she added, “it seems to echo the current political climate.”

Political???

Finally, the long awaited (and dreaded) remake of Disney's Snow White is out, and reviews are, shall we say, mixed. Hollywood in Toto's Christian Toto was surprisingly Christian, Girlboss ‘Snow White’ Worms Its Way Into Our Hearts

Savvy souls understand that going into Disney’s live-action take on its 1937 animated film. Judged on its own merits, the new “Snow White” delivers in ways live-action cash grabs films often don’t.

It can stand on its own, boasts strong performances and doesn’t bludgeon you with woke.

Yes, Rachel Zegler’s heroine is empowered in ways that are thoroughly modern, and Team Disney tweaked other factors to make it less “problematic.” Zegler’s performance still feels rooted in our storytelling past.

At Reason,  Forget Woke Snow White. Disney's Remake Is More Like Socialist Snow White. "The long-delayed remake is a flat, limp, relentlessly boring film, strung along by bland, uninspiring songs."

And the movie is indeed a trainwreck. The problem isn't that it's woke. It's that it's awful—and lamely, bluntly socialist.

The remake's big idea was to twist the idea of the word "fair." See, in earlier versions of Snow White, an evil queen asks a magic mirror, "Who is the fairest of them all?" It's always the queen, until one day the mirror responds that it's actually her stepdaughter, the Princess Snow White. The question, "who is the fairest," in other words, has always been a question about beauty. But in the remake, there's something else going on. The movie goes to great lengths to demonstrate that the queen isn't fair because she's not a socialist. I am not kidding.

Bleeding Fool reports Zegler & Gadot Reportedly Clashed During Disney’s ‘Snow White’ Filming

Whatever is to become of the new live action remake of Disney’s Snow White & the 7 Dwarves cartoon at the box office, Ynetnews reports what surely won’t be a surprise about its two stars:

In the case of the new adaptation of “Snow White,” reality appears to mimic fiction. While there’s no prince, dwarfs or poisoned apple, there are two rival women — one with a pure and kind heart, and the other filled with hatred and ignorance. Ironically, the former, Israeli actress Gal Gadot, plays the Evil Queen.

Yes, and one could argue this is a particularly bad case of timing, all because Gadot presumably wants to prove she’s got no issues playing a crook. But it doesn’t make this a good choice for a film project, based on the PC narrative Snow Woke goes by.

 

Since Gadot and Rachel Zegler, who portrays Snow White, reportedly do not get along and have no interest in being in the same space, Disney Studios has been forced to keep them apart as much as possible. They were sent to promote the film at separate events, except for a few key occasions, such as the Academy Awards, where they were compelled to present an award together, and the film’s premiere over the weekend, where their interaction was minimal and limited to a few photos with obviously fake smiles.

Last week, Zegler was sent alone to Spain to promote the film, while Gadot seemed to land the better assignment: On Sunday, she attended Disneyland in California, meeting iconic Disney characters, from Mickey and Minnie Mouse to the notorious villains of animated films. Much to everyone’s relief, Zegler was not present, sparing the event at “the happiest place on Earth” from any potential tension.

Driscoll at Insty, DISNEY’S SNOW WOKE EXPECTED TO TANK AT BOX OFFICE AS PROJECTIONS KEEP FALLING: 

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Sunday Night Loungewear up and at 'em at The Other McCain.

Random Celebrity News

For some values of "random", "celebrity" and "news". First, from BIS, Fiery Erin Andrews Blisters Fan Who Criticized Her Appearance: ‘Shut Up!’

Fox Sports NFL sideline reporter Erin Andrews responded sharply to a fan’s inappropriate comment about her appearance during a recent broadcast.

The incident occurred after she covered the 49ers-Buccaneers game in Tampa, where she explained that her “glow” was due to sweating from the high temperatures. It was rather toasty that day. Like real toasty. You can see Andrews just pouring sweat under the Florida sun.

A fan, though, suggested on social media that her condition was due to “hot flashes.” “It’s called sweat and I need a shower,” she said in a recent installment of her and Charissa Thompson’s “Calm Down” podcast, to which “some a–hole wrote, ‘It’s hot flashes.’”

Come on, y’all. Erin Andrews isn’t 25 anymore, but she’s not that old.

From Breitbart,  ‘Wicked’ Star Ariana Grande Claims Her Character Has Lesbian Tendencies: ‘Every Day in the Emerald City Is a Pride Parade’

Pop superstar Ariana Grande has claimed that her character in Wicked has lesbian tendencies, adding that “every day in the Emerald City is a Pride parade.” 

Ariana Grande made the claims in an interview this week with The Gay Times. 

When asked if her character Glinda and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) could be a romantic couple, she replied: “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with celebrating the deep connection that both of them have. I think they do have a real relationship, it is true love, which is probably why people are shipping it because what they build with each other is an unbreakable bond.”

She said they provide “such a safe space for one another, which is what all relationships should be. So, you know, whether it’s romantic or platonic — Glinda might be a little in the closet — but if there were a time, you never know. Give it a little more time.”

Actually, the Critical Drinker gave Wicked a surprisingly good review.  

The Mix,  ‘Yellowstone’ Star Kelly Reilly Blasts The ‘Fakeness’ Of Hollywood – ‘I Stay Out Of It’

Kelly Reilly has been playing Beth Dutton on Yellowstone for the past six years. Despite starring on one of the most popular shows on television, Reilly has no interest in participating in the “fakeness” of Hollywood.

“I don’t participate in the noise in any way. I stay out of it. The only safe place for me is in the work – and then home with my husband. Very boring,” Reilly, 47, told Town & Country Magazine. “It can become a cyclone of [expletive] and fakeness, and I know I won’t find my worth in that,” she added.

Just before Reilly was cast on Yellowstone, she moved from New York City to the English countryside with her husband Kyle Baugher. “I have always loved my job, but the business can sometimes present challenges that I didn’t feel I was cut out for,” Reilly continued. “I just wanted to go back to theater and do two or three plays a year, and live ­quietly. That didn’t feel like a second prize. It felt like a choice, the life I wanted to have.”

Breitbart, ‘Full House’ Star Candace Cameron Bure: Trump’s Election Is Evidence Faith Is Making a Comeback in America

Speaking to Fox News on Friday, Full House star Candace Cameron Bure agreed that the election of Donald Trump is evidence that faith is making a comeback in America.

Bure gave a resounding “yes” when Fox News asked if she thought that the election results are proof that faith is coming back in the U.S.

“Yes, I mean, listen, everyone was blown away by this election,” she replied, “it was just a red sweep and more shocking than a lot of people realized.”

She noted that a major reason for Trump’s victory was economic, saying, “a lot of people had a hard time in the last four years trying to buy groceries, you know?”

Bure said that she has pulled back a bit from making too many political proclamations in public in the wake of her days co-hosting ABC talk show, The View, but that she and her family talk politics often.

Not buying it, myself.  

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: A Girl & Her Jeep up on time and underbudget at The Other McCain.