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A part of me feels protective of the filmmaking team behind The Alto Knights. For one, Barry Levinson has had a historic and varied career, directing everything from Good Morning, Vietnam to Bugsy and his best collaboration with Robert De Niro, Wag the Dog. This marks his fourth film with the legendary actor, but unfortunately, it is more of a disappointment—much like Sleepers, What Just Happened, and The Wizard of Lies.

Another factor is De Niro’s third collaboration with Nicholas Pileggi, the Academy Award-winning screenwriter of Goodfellas and Casino (he also executive produced The Irishman). Pileggi lived it. De Niro brings his characters to life. However, many have pointed out that the film is full of crime tropes as if this is the first time it’s happened. I mean, how else do they become them in the first place?

The Alto Knights Review and Synopsis RelatedBlack Bag...

Exclusive: Outer Banks breakout Chase Stokes is stepping behind the camera for his feature directorial debut with the coming-of-age drama I Told the Sunset About You. The project is based on an original concept by Stokes with Monarch Media’s Steve Barnett, Alan Powell and Vicky Patel producing the film through their company Monarch Media.

The film is described as a contemporary Bonnie and Clyde romantic thriller about a restless local waitress who is stuck in a monotonous routine until she meets Jameson, a quiet drifter passing through on his way to the Pacific coast. Their unlikely connection sparks a spontaneous journey westward, leading to unexpected gambles that transform their lives forever.

“I’m very excited that the Monarch team has given me the opportunity to extend my love for filmmaking beyond being in front of the camera,” said Stokes. “It’s always been a goal to get in the...

Kelsea Ballerini looks stunning as she hits the red carpet at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards held at Dolby Theatre on Monday evening (March 17) in Hollywood.

The 31-year-old country music star and past winner went solo for her latest red carpet appearance, and she’ll be taking the stage as a presenter during tonight’s show.

For a majority of her recent red carpet outings, Kelsea has been joined by her boyfriend Chase Stokes, but seems to be flying solo.

The day before, she posted a cute selfie with Chase on her Instagram story, and wrote, “imy,” which means “I miss you.”

While she isn’t nominated this year, Kelsea has been up for four awards in the past. In 2017, she was up for Best New Artist and Best New Country Artist, winning both, and in 2023, she was up for Best Best Collaboration and Country Song of the Year for “Half...

Leave it to the multifaceted filmmaker Steven Soderbergh to make a thoughtful and pensive spy thriller that thrills while having something to say that is always bubbling beneath the surface. The director of Out of Sight, Sex, Lies, and Videotapes, and the Academy Award-winning film Traffic’s latest, Black Bag, is a sharp and engaging genre film with a license to thrill.

Black Bag explores power dynamics and existential themes in human relationships through a spy lens that is fun, sexy, and silky smooth—a thinking person’s popcorn film that has the common courtesy of allowing the viewer to catch up with the script, teaching up, not down, and never patronizing.

This is easily being Soderbergh’s most accessible movie since Ocean’s Eleven.

RelatedKinda Pregnant Review — Schumer’s Netflix Comedy is Brutally Unfunny and Misguided Black Bag Review and Synopsis

Working with a script from David Koepp (Spider-Man), Black Bag follows a married couple,...

I love a movie where the main character, with Meg Ryan’s eyes and Dennis Quaid’s jawline, prepares for a fight by punching his already bloody and battered fists into a shattered pile of glass to prove a point. Not only does Novocaine want to pull the viewer through the unthinkable, but it drags the viewer in on a enthralling ride that refuses to let up.

Novocaine pushes the envelope with its gallows humor. Tell me you don’t wince in pain watching bits of glass in Jack Quaid’s knuckles while laughing hysterically every step of the way. It’s a pure shot of hilarious adrenaline that never lets up because all it wants to do is put our hero through the wringer—sometimes literally—ratcheting up a relentless amount of tension and laughs.

RelatedKinda Pregnant Review — Schumer’s Netflix Comedy is Brutally Unfunny and Misguided Novocaine Review...

Created by Josh Pate, Jonas Pate, and Shannon Burke, the action-adventure mystery teen drama Outer Banks. It is regarded as one of the popular coming-of-age stories with a stellar cast including Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, Rudy Pankow, and others. What starts with a seemingly forbidden romance story in an ideal vacation town setting turns out to be a hunt for treasure with a lot of low and high waves coming their way.

Rudy Pankow and Madison Bailey as JJ & Kiara | Credits: Netflix

Upon release, the critics shared that the show is intriguing and fun enough to keep the audience hooked along the way. It received a positive response from the audience and critics, who expressed that the characters on the show are interesting and have great chemistry. Some mentioned that the plot of the show reflects a young adult novel. However, a feud between two actors in real...

You cannot deny how awe-inspiring the story of Rule Breakers is despite the melodramatic, made-for-television trappings on full display. However, at its core, this feel-good film is empowering, showcasing the steep hill women from this part of the world must climb for their right to greatness.

The thing is, the tale of these characters is about a group that doesn’t have an inherent right—far from it. Their story is so compelling that it transcends clichés and tropes, highlighting something we often discuss, see in Instagram posts, or pull from our favorite quote books.

Rule Breakers is about resilience—the key to any good story—and it has it in droves.

RelatedKinda Pregnant Review — Schumer’s Netflix Comedy is Brutally Unfunny and Misguided Rule Breakers Review and Synopsis

The story follows Roya Mahboob (Nikohl Boosheri), a young girl with a passion for computers, living in a community that expects...

Chase Stokes stars in the new movie Marked Men: Rule + Shaw, which is now available to watch at home!

The 32-year-old actor stepped out alongside the cast for a special screening of the movie on Wednesday (February 26) at Alo in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Chase was joined by co-stars Sydney Taylor, Ella Balinska, Dajana Gudic, and Nancy De Mayo.

Here’s the film’s synopsis: “Shaw, a pre-med student, has loved Rule, a rebellious tattoo artist, for years, though he’s only ever seen her as a family friend. After one uninhibited night, they’re forced to confront buried feelings while navigating grief, family expectations, and fear of commitment—testing whether love between two people from such different worlds can truly survive.” You can now rent the movie on demand or own it on digital!

Chase recently opened up about what drew him to the source material for Marked Men. The...

Exclusive: Monarch Media has secured the rights to A Walk to Remember, the seminal early aughts coming-of-age romance from Nicholas Sparks, with plans to develop a reboot alongside the original film’s producers Denise Di Novi and Hunt Lowry.

An enduringly popular bestseller published in 1999, A Walk to Remember follows a rebellious high school senior who falls for a quiet, faith-driven girl after being forced to participate in a school play, discovering the transformative power of love, forgiveness and the beauty of living each day with purpose.

Famously, Shane West and Mandy Moore broke out with their turns in the original 2002 film adaptation from Warner Bros. While the Adam Shankman film made less than $48 million in theaters, it remains one of the most popular titles in the modern rom-com canon to this day.

The full producing team on the reboot will include Steve Barnett, Alan Powell and Vicky Patel for Monarch Media,...

Kelsea Ballerini is calling out fans who have been making negative comments about her ex-husband Morgan Evans while attending her concerts.

The 31-year-old country singer stopped the show in the middle of her song “Penthouse” on Sunday night (February 23) to ask the audience to stop screaming negative things about Morgan.

For those who don’t know, “Penthouse” was written about her divorce.

“It hurts putting s–t in a box / And now we don’t talk / And it stings rolling up the welcome mat / Knowing you got half,” Kelsea sings.

So, what were the comments?

Keep reading to find out more…

Fans tend to scream the words “you got half” and social media reports claim that some fans will say “F You Morgan” during the pause.

When Kelsea stopped the show, she told the crowd, “Guys, we have to stop saying that. Seriously, we’re three years past it, everything’s fine now.

Rumors are swirling about Marked Men's streaming release after a supposed update appeared online. 

Marked Men: Rule + Shaw is the latest romance from The Notebook director Nick Cassavetes, adapting Jay Crownover's 2012 novel, Rule. 

The film stars Outer Banks actor Chase Stokes and American Born Chinese's Sydney Taylor as a pair of long-time family friends, one a bad boy tattoo artist and the other a buttoned-up pre-med student, who after a night of unexpected intimacy are forced to address their potential feelings for one another. 

Read full article on The Direct.

Outer Banks star Chase Stokes is leaving little to the imagination by going naked in this exclusive clip from his film Marked Men: Rule + Shaw!

The clip features Chase‘s character, Rule Archer, after an intimate escapade with Inanna Sarkis‘ character, Jordan.

Jordan is not pleased when Rule says she can leave her number and head out…all while he’s covering himself to keep from being exposed.

Keep reading to find out more…

Here’s a synopsis of the film: Shaw (Sydney Taylor), a pre-med student, has loved Rule (Stokes), a rebellious tattoo artist, for years, though he’s only ever seen her as a family friend. After one uninhibited night, they’re forced to confront buried feelings while navigating grief, family expectations, and fear of commitment—testing whether love between two people from such different worlds can truly survive.

Also starring in the upcoming movie are Alexander Ludwig,...

Kelsea Ballerini revealed that she “might need help” while on stage during a recent show. She has been struggling during her Patterns Tour as she was laid up with the flu. It caused a lot of pain and questions but now, she suffered another setback. So, what happened? Keep reading for more details.

Kelsea Ballerini Reveals She ‘Might Need Help’ On Stage

Things are going relatively amazing for Kelsea Ballerini in 2025. Despite not winning, she and Noah Kahan were nominated for a Grammy. She is also the newest coach on The Voice and is already winning over viewers and fans. Her love life is amazing as she and Chase Stokes just celebrated two years together. Plus, she has a hit tour which her fans are gushing over. Unfortunately, Kelsea has been ill, forcing her to postpone shows or end them early. That has caused people to speculate if she is...

"If you saw me with another guy, would you be okay with it?"...

Many may complain that the third installment of the Paddington franchise, Paddington in Peru, pulls at the heartstrings so blatantly that it feels manipulative. However, I contend that this is precisely why we love this Andean Spectacled Bear so much. Our affection has only grown from these moments and is in full bloom.

This franchise is so positive that one might argue it’s stickier and sweeter than a citrus preserve. Yet, Paddington in Peru maintains the love and levity that has become the trilogy’s signature. It’s a fun family film that knows its audience and keeps them coming back for more.

Paddington in Peru Review and Synopsis

Paddington in Peru’s story is relatable, as Paddington (Skyfall’s Ben Whishaw) receives word that his relative is acting strangely. That relative is his Aunt Lucy (Vera Drake’s Imelda Staunton), the sweet woman who raised him in the Peruvian Amazon.

Your living room is about to get steamy thanks to the impending February 28 digital release of Nick Cassavetes’ (The Notebook) latest romance flick, Marked Men: Rule + Shaw. To celebrate the movie’s at-home arrival, Collider is excited to exclusively debut a brand-new poster that shows off the hunky men driving the film’s narrative. Featuring Chase Stokes (Outer Banks), Alexander Ludwig (The Final Girls), Matthew Noszka (No Hard Feelings), and Evan Mock (Gossip Girl), the image puts the titular guys front and center, allowing each of them to fully bask in the thirst-trap of it all. It wouldn’t be a proper Marked Men adaptation without plenty of skin showing, and in the case of today’s poster, viewers certainly won’t be hurting for that. Signifying himself as the title’s leading man, Stokes’ Rule Archer positions himself at the front of the line, his arms and chest nearly entirely covered in tattoos,...

“Valiant One” is a new live-action military thriller upcoming directed by Steve Barnett, starring Chase Stokes, Lana Condor, Destin Borges, Callen Mulvey and Jonathan Whitesell, now playing in theaters:

“…with tensions between North and South Korea, a US helicopter crashes on the North Korean side.

“Now the survivors must work together to protect a civilian tech specialist…

“…and find their way out without the help of military support.”

Click the images to enlarge…

_...

The Voice coach, Kelsea Ballerini, is responding to rumors that she’s pregnant with her first child.

The rumor mill went into overdrive after she canceled a few of her upcoming tour dates.

Kelsea was sick before her concert in Buffalo, New York, a few days ago, but she tried to push through.

Unfortunately, she had to end the show prematurely and later took to social media to apologize to fans.

She posted an update and informed concertgoers that their tickets would be valid for the rescheduled dates.

Kelsea also rescheduled the dates for her tour stops in Pittsburgh and Toronto “to the end of the tour, April 11th, 12th, and 13th, and I will make them the best shows I’ve ever played my whole life.”

@kelseaballerini

flu got the better of me. i’m so so sorry my friends, i tried my best. rescheduled dates are posted.

The Voice coach, Kelsea Ballerini is addressing pregnancy rumors amid her recently postponed shows. She is out on tour and is aiming to give it her all. Unfortunately, that has not been happening and she has had to leave performances early or reschedule shows altogether. So, what is going on and is she expecting a baby? Keep reading for more details.

Kelsea Ballerini Addresses Pregnancy Rumors

This is a huge year for Kelsea Ballerini. She is the new coach on The Voice and viewers love her so far. Plus, she has hit the road for her 2025 tour which goes through April. Along with that, Kelsea and Noah Kahan were nominated for a Grammy. Finally, she is in a very happy relationship with actor, Chase Stokes who has been such a support system for the last two years. Life is pretty great for her aside from the fact that her beloved pup,...

Lana Condor has "an obsession with war films".The 27-year-old actress - who stars alongside Chase Stokes in the new action-thriller film 'Valiant One' - has recently fulfilled her long-held ambition of starring in a war film.She told Collider: "Weirdly, I have an obsession with war films. I love thrillers. "I don’t know what that says about me, but they are more my comfort movies than anything else. I’ve always loved watching them, and I’ve always thought, 'Man, I would love to know what it’s like to make something like that.' "And so, when I got the opportunity to do 'Valiant One', it was the first time that our amazing producers and our amazing director and the production company and just someone in the industry, in general, believed I could do something so wildly different from what I’m known for,...

Critics Choice Awards 2025: Full List Of Winners (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Critics Choice Awards 2025: The award season continues with another much-coveted award night. It is the 30th Annual Critics Choice Awards, where both films and television artists are awarded. Shogun has secured quite a few awards, including Best Drama Series. Deadpool & Wolverine and Emilia Perez, too, bagged two top awards at the ceremony. Keep scrolling for the complete winners list.

For the uninitiated, the ceremony was held at the Barker Hangar at the Santa Monica Airport on February 7. It was live-streamed on E! According to reports, it was supposed to be held on January 12 but was postponed due to the California fires.

American comedian/actress Chelsea Handler hosted the Critics Choice Awards 2025, while many Hollywood actors took the stage to present the trophies. The list includes Aldis Hodge, Allison Tolman, Chase Stokes, Craig Robinson, David Alan Grier, David Harbour,...

The stars shined bright at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards on Friday night. The best of film and television were celebrated at ceremony hosted by Chelsea Handler, but who came to slay on the red carpet?

Many of Hollywood’s most famous celebrities converged at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica decked out in their best attire. From timeless elegance to fashion forward statements, we’ve collected the most eye-popping gowns and stylish tuxedos at the 30th Critics Choice Awards. Tour our photo gallery above to see what everyone was wearing on the red carpet.

The Critics Choice Awards will broadcast live on E! (7–10 p.m. Et/Pt) from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. The show will also be available to stream the next day on Peacock. The movie nominees were led by Conclave and Wicked, with 11 each, while the TV side was dominated by Shōgun with six bids.

The...

The stars shined bright at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards on Friday night. The best of film and television were celebrated at ceremony hosted by Chelsea Handler, but who came to slay on the red carpet?

Many of Hollywood’s most famous celebrities converged at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica decked out in their best attire. From timeless elegance to fashion forward statements, we’ve collected the most eye-popping gowns and stylish tuxedos at the 30th Critics Choice Awards. Tour our photo gallery below to see what everyone was wearing on the red carpet.

The Critics Choice Awards will broadcast live on E! on Friday, Feb. 7 (7–10 p.m. Et/Pt) from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. The show will also be available to stream the next day on Peacock. The movie nominees were led by Conclave and Wicked, with 11 each, while the TV side was dominated by Shōgun with six bids.

The 2025 Critics Choice Awards will finally be happening Tonight (February 7) after multiple delays and we have everything you need to know about the show.

The annual awards show, which honors the best in both movies and television, was originally scheduled for January 12, but the show was delayed twice due to the Los Angeles fires.

Chelsea Handler is still hosting the show and it’s still being held at the original location, the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif.

Going into the ceremony, Wicked and Conclave are the top 2 nominated films this year, both garnering 11 nominations. FX’s Shogun has the most TV show nominations this year with 6 total.

We have all the details you need to know about the nominees, the presenters, and how to stream the show from home.

Keep reading to find out more…

How To Watch

The show is airing live on E! this year at 7pm Et/Pt.

The 30th annual Critics Choice Awards are set to take place Friday, February 7 in Santa Monica, marking latest step along the path to the Oscars.

The Critics Choice Awards were originally scheduled to take place January 12, but was pushed first to January 26 and then tonight after the L.A. wildfires decimated the towns of Pacific Palisades and Altadena. As a result of the changes, E!’s traditional red carpet pre-show was canceled.

What Time Are The Critics Choice Awards?

The ceremony, which Chelsea Handler is hosting from Barker Hangar, begins at 4 p.m. Pt/7 p.m. Et on Friday, February 7.

Where Can You Watch The Critics Choice Awards?

The ceremony will be broadcast live on E! at 7 p.m. Et, with the show tape-delayed on the West Coast to air at 7 p.m. Pt. It will be available to stream on Peacock on Saturday.

The show can also be followed...

Kelsea Ballerini had to end a recent concert early and is postponing several upcoming dates on her Kelsea Ballerini Live Tour.

The 31-year-old country music star only played a few songs onstage at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY on Thursday night (February 6) before ending the show.

She took to social media in the aftermath to issue an explanation and to reveal new dates for the show and two others that have been moved back.

Keep reading to find out more…

A few hours before the concert was scheduled to begin, Kelsea told fans that she had been under the weather but was starting to feel better. She said that she’d be taking the stage to perform.

“For those sweet angel humans asking, i’m feeling better. got some good rest (Wow I Forgot How Much I Love Sleep) and the meds are doing their job and i can’t...

All You Need To Know About Critics Choice Awards 2025 (Photo Credit – Instagram)

After the 2025 Golden Globe Awards and the Grammy Awards, the next annual ceremony all set to be hosted is the Critics Choice Awards event. The awards are finally happening despite being postponed twice due to the California wildfires. Fans are excited to witness the special night.

Several of the top stars will descend on the red carpet to celebrate last year’s wins in film and television. Here’s what we know about the upcoming awards ceremony, including the date, the streaming details, who will be hosting the event, and more.

Critics Choice Awards 2025: Date & Streaming Details

The 2025 Critics Choice Awards will be held on February 7 at the Barker Hangar at the Santa Monica Airport, California. It was initially supposed to be held on January 12 but was postponed twice due to the unfortunate wildfires plaguing the area...

The full list of presenters for the 2025 Critics Choice Awards has been revealed.

After some delays caused by Los Angeles fires, the show will air on E! on Friday (February 7) without a red carpet.

Going into the ceremony, Wicked and Conclave are the top 2 nominated films this year, both garnering 11 nominations. FX’s Shogun has the most TV show nominations this year with 6 total.

On Thursday, we learned the talent who will take the stage to hand out the awards.

Head inside to see who will take the stage at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards…

2025 Critics Choice Awards Presenters List

Aldis Hodge

Allison Tolman

Chase Stokes

Craig Robinson

David Alan Grier

David Harbour

Ewan McGregor

Jackie Chan

Jesse Eisenberg

Jimmy O. Yang

Josh Groban

Justine Lupe

Kate Hudson

Kathryn Hahn

Keri Russell

Kristen Bell

Lupita Nyong’o

Mark-Paul Gosselaar

Matt Bomer

Melissa Rauch

Meredith Hagner

Michelle Yeoh

Natasha Lyonne

Orlando Bloom

Rachel Brosnahan...

Gold Derby’s top news stories for Feb. 6, 2025. The Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer gets over 200 million views in first day

Prepare to launch!

The debut trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps racked up 202 million views in its first 24 hours across all platforms, the most views ever for a Marvel YouTube live-stream, and became the number one trending video on YouTube, according to Disney.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps invited a live audience and key cast members to U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Home of Space Camp, in Huntsville, Ala., to officially launch the film’s inaugural trailer. Fans from around the world tuned in via a Marvel livestream to catch the big debut in real time with the Saturn 5 rocket serving as the backdrop.

Cast members Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach commandeered the countdown and launch surrounded by fans outside the National Geographic Theater.

Set...

Kelsea Ballerini didn’t just show up at the 2025 Grammys—she arrived. At 5ft 7 (170.2 cm), the country-pop star knows how to command attention, and this year, she fully embraced high-glamour French couture in a Tamara Ralph Fall 2024 bugle-beaded black mini dress with a conical bra top and subtle shimmering fringe. But the dramatic white opera cape—with puffed sleeves and an elongated train—truly made this a statement moment.

Ballerini has previously admitted that she was once hesitant to wear high heels because of her height, but now she confidently embraces them. “For a long time, because I’m pretty tall, I was scared to wear heels, but now I wear them all the time,” she shared.

Her 2025 Grammys look proved just that, as she completed her ensemble with ultra-pointy Christian Louboutin Kate Max pumps, adding a razor-sharp finish to her striking red carpet appearance. A fan of sleek footwear,...

The Critics Choice Association (Cca) has announced the lineup of presenters for the 30th annual Critics Choice Awards. The likes of Jackie Chan, Lupita Nyong’o, and Kathryn Hahn will all present, in addition to Jesse Eisenberg, star of “A Real Pain,” which nabbed three Critics Choice nominations at this year’s awards.

The full list of presenters includes: Aldis Hodge, Allison Tolman, Chase Stokes, Craig Robinson, David Alan Grier, David Harbour, Ewan McGregor, Jackie Chan, Jesse Eisenberg, Jimmy O. Yang, Josh Groban, Justine Lupe, Kate Hudson, Kathryn Hahn, Keri Russell, Kristen Bell, Lupita Nyong’o, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Matt Bomer, Melissa Rauch, Meredith Hagner, Michelle Yeoh, Natasha Lyonne, Orlando Bloom, Rachel Brosnahan, Randall Park, Rufus Sewell, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Shanola Hampton and Wendi McLendon-Covey.

The awards ceremony, hosted by comedian Chelsea Handler, will broadcast live from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica and will be available to stream the next day on Peacock.

A U.S. Army helicopter crashes in North Korea, stranding a group of soldiers and a civilian tech specialist behind enemy lines. With no hope of rescue, the survivors must fight to escape, confronting hostile terrain and soldiers at every turn.

Beneath the surface of this action-driven plot emerges a deeper narrative: a symbolic deconstruction of the order governing military and geopolitical interactions. The crash, appearing as a random accident, serves as a metaphor for systemic breakdown—impacting both the characters and the established frameworks of American global engagement.

What starts as a routine mission transforms into a raw struggle for survival in an environment where technological superiority offers no guaranteed protection.

The Burden of Leadership and the Price of Heroism

Chase Stokes portrays Edward Brockman as a reluctant hero—a character who shifts not from innate greatness, but script-driven necessity. Initially, Brockman represents a desk-bound tech officer dreaming of Silicon Valley,...

Kelsea Ballerini has her man Chase Stokes by her side!

The cute couple posed for photos together as they arrived at the 2025 Grammy Awards on Sunday (February 2) at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

For the event, the 31-year-old “First Rodeo” singer and the 32-year-old Outer Banks actor coordinated in black and white outfits.

Also joining Kelsea on the red carpet was Noah Kahan. The two were nominated for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for their song “Cowboys Cry Too,” but they lost to Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus’ song “II Most Wanted.”

The Grammys telecast is airing on CBS this year and you can also stream the show live on Paramount+. Comedian Trevor Noah is returning to host the ceremony for the fifth consecutive year. Make sure to check out the full list of nominations, led by Beyonce with 11 mentions.

Fyi: Kelsea is wearing a Tamara Ralph dress, Christian Louboutin shoes,...

Quick Links'Valiant One' Is an Immersive and Electrifying Action ThrillerStokes Fully Commits to Embodying a U.S. Army Soldier in 'Valiant One'

Outer Banks breakout star Chase Stokes is once again showcasing his leading man skills by headlining the action war thriller Valiant One, in which the Netflix alum appears as Captain Edward Brockman, a soldier who has never seen much of the battlefield and feels more content doing tech work than engaging in dangerous combat. When the helicopter he's traveling on crashes in North Korea, Brockman must discover his courage and strength and lead the inexperienced tech specialists through enemy territory to safety.

Valiant One features the additional talents of famous faces like Lana Condor and Desmin Borges, with both the cast members and director Steve Barnett going to great lengths to ensure that Valiant One provides an authentic and honorable look at the lives of resilient American...

Quick LinksWhat Is 'Valiant One' About?Chase Stokes Can Carry Leading Roles With EaseAnd Has the Potential To Do More

Ever since Chase Stokes landed the role of John B. Routledge in Netflix’s wildly popular series Outer Banks, his fanbase has grown exponentially, and understandably so. As the ringleader of the Pogues, John B acts as an anchor for the show and is undoubtedly one of Outer Banks’ most beloved characters. Given his charisma and charm, Stokes’ presence onscreen is alluring and delightful to watch. Relatively new to the business, Stokes doesn’t have a slew of major acting credits to his name. However, thanks to his big break with Netflix, that’s beginning to change, which means there’s much more for fans of the actor to enjoy.

Since scoring the role of John B, Stokes’ landed a recurring role in the 2021 Prime Video thriller series Tell Me Your Secrets.

Last Updated on February 3, 2025

Plot: With tensions between North and South Korea, a US helicopter crashes on the North Korean side, now the survivors must work together to protect a civilian tech specialist and find their way out without the help of US military support.

Review: A war film starring two actors who appear in popular teen dramas from Netflix doesn’t exactly scream high quality. And given the time of the year, it’s easy to go into Valiant One with rock-bottom expectations. And I think that mindset will only help the film as it’s surprisingly competent in nearly all aspects. As evidenced throughout indie action, it’s really hard to accomplish believable action on a budget. And seeing as how that’s the main draw for most people, it needs to be handled competently. So I was very impressed with how much Valiant One was able to...

Last Updated on February 3, 2025

Earlier this week, we predicted that Dog Man was going to take a huge bite out of Companion’s opening weekend, and it looks like the gulf between both is getting wider as the weekend goes on. Dog Man, which is an animated spin-off of the Captain Underpants series, is opening much higher than we expected, with it likely to earn a massive $35 million at the weekend box office. By comparison, Deadline is revealing that Drew Hancock’s Companion might not break the $10 million mark this weekend, with it opening in a distant second place.

Now, the news isn’t all bad for Companion. Sporting excellent reviews (including from our own Tyler Nichols), and a solid B+ CinemaScore (very high for a horror flick), word of mouth should be good. Horror fans might discover this one in the coming weeks, although it will have steep competition from the gory rom-com,...

No Other Land, Academy Award-nominated for Best Documentary Feature, opens today in New York at Film Forum from mTuckman Media/Cinetic Media with a limited theatrical expansion next weekend.

The doc is written, directed, produced and edited by a collective of Palestinian and Israeli activists and filmmakers — Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor. It premiered at Berlin, winning Best Documentary, followed by a widely decorated festival sweep. It sits at 100% with Critics on Rotten Tomatoes (57 reviews). Deadline’s Matthew Carey interviews the filmmakers here.

The release started circulating against the backdrop of the brutal Israel-Hamas war, currently in a period of ceasefire. It predates the war but explores root causes of enmity as the filmmakers chronicle the Israeli military’s incremental expulsion of the West Bank community of Masafer Yatta — home to 20 ancient Palestinian villages.

Over a period of five years (2019–23), Masafer Yatta resident and Palestinian...

Country star Kelsea Ballerini doesn’t quite understand why anyone would complain about artists like Beyoncé and Post Malone being nominated in country categories.

The 31-year-old singer, a Grammy nominee this year in the best country duo/group performance category, spoke on SiriusXM’s Fierce: Women in Music on Friday about the upcoming awards. Show host Lori Majewski asked the Tennessee native about what she thinks about artists like Beyoncé, Post Malone and Kacey Musgraves, who dabble in several genres, being nominated against “hardcore country” performers like Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson.

“That category, to me, represents what country music has been this year, and that’s what the album of the year category should represent. What has happened in country music and been successful in groundbreaking this year. I don’t really understand the other opinions other than like, it’s amazing to have huge, respected artists and other...

An unpretentious B-movie made with A-grade effort, “Valiant One” packs decent action and mostly sturdy drama into the tale of U.S. soldiers whose mission near the Dmz goes haywire and leaves them stranded in North Korea. The first film directed by longtime producer and production executive Steve Barnett (“300”) doesn’t add anything to the “trapped behind enemy lines” playbook but does offer a pacy combination of well-executed combat scenes and reluctant-hero drama that should play especially well with military movie buffs. Boasting solid central performances by Chase Stokes (“Outer Banks” series) and Lana Condor (“To All the Boys” films), “Valiant One” opens in limited U.S. cinemas on Jan. 31.

“Valiant One” is the kind of mid-size action movie we’ve seen much less of in commercial theatrical release since these straight-to-streaming days began. Though lacking the scale of a big-budget spectacular — it’s no “Black Hawk Down” — the...

“Valiant One” is the new live-action military thriller directed by Steve Barnett, starring Chase Stokes, Lana Condor, Destin Borges, Callen Mulvey and Jonathan Whitesell, releasing January 31, 2025 in theaters:

“…with tensions between North and South Korea, a US helicopter crashes on the North Korean side.

“Now the survivors must work together to protect a civilian tech specialist…

“…and find their way out without the help of military support.”

Click the images to enlarge…...

Movies like Valiant One, a new “American” action thriller from Steve Barnett, who co-wrote the dud with Eric Tipton, can go well beyond frustrating. Sure, the film has good intentions, trying to portray servicemen and women in a positive, albeit grueling, light. Does that mean we must treat the subject matter with such a contrived story?

Yet, even with the action film’s limited budget, time and care for the plot are jettisoned in favor of a political slant we have seen thousands of times before. However, none of that can cover the lousy acting, gaping plot holes, and puzzling character decisions that make you want to pull your hair out. Yet, Hollywood keeps recycling these movies, and we keep gobbling them up.

Related Pulp Fiction 30th Anniversary — Amazon Exclusive 4K Uhd Collector’s Edition Valiant One Review and Synopsis

The story follows Captain Edward Brockman (Outer Banks’s Chase Stokes...

Chase Stokes, star of Netflix’s “Outer Banks” series, spoke to the “Morning Mash Up” on SiriusXM Hits 1 about staying close with his costars — including Rudy Pankow, who departed the show after the death of his character, JJ, at the end of Season 4. Stream Chase’s full interview on the SiriusXM app now.

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Every morning, wake up with Ryan, Nicole, and Stanley T on SiriusXM Hits 1 (Ch. 2) as they deliver big laughs, bigger guests, and the biggest music hits. Tune in for a daily lineup of great tracks from the hottest voices in pop, plus interview clips and anecdotes.

The post Chase Stokes Opens Up About Friendship with Rudy Pankow Following His ‘Outer Banks’ Exit appeared first on SiriusXM.

“Valiant One” is a new live-action military thriller upcoming directed by Steve Barnett, starring Chase Stokes, Lana Condor, Destin Borges, Callen Mulvey and Jonathan Whitesell, releasing January 31, 2025 in theaters:

“…with tensions between North and South Korea, a US helicopter crashes on the North Korean side.

“Now the survivors must work together to protect a civilian tech specialist…

“…and find their way out without the help of military support.”

Click the images to enlarge…...

In the landscape of contemporary romance, Rule (Chase Stokes), a tattoo artist, and Shaw (Sydney Taylor), a seemingly perfect student, emerge as complex characters wrestling with deep family wounds.

Their relationship—a nuanced exploration of unspoken connections—reveals the intricate dynamics of modern emotional interactions. Rooted in long-standing friendship, they navigate a delicate dance of subtle glances and hesitant interactions.

The narrative delves into emotional barriers and personal struggles that shape romantic experiences. Rule, burdened by his twin brother’s death, wrestles with vulnerability, while Shaw grapples with her mother’s intense social pressures. Their story peels back layers of interpersonal complexity, challenging typical romantic tropes and examining the intricate psychological landscapes that influence human connections.

“Marked Men: Rule + Shaw” offers a raw glimpse into the fragile terrain of young relationships, inviting viewers to reflect on the depth and authenticity of emotional bonds.

The Inked Psyche: Character Development in “Marked...

It’s been months since the second part of Outer Banks Season 4 was released on Netflix, but I can tell you that I’m still unwell. Who knows how long it’s going to take to get over this infuriating season and devastating season finale, but it certainly won’t be anytime soon. While re-watching the first three seasons of Netflix’s adventure teen-drama series, which found worldwide success, offers at least a slight hint of comfort, the developments regarding Outer Banks’s fifth and last season make my world crumble. Again.

Even though Outer Banks became one of the most successful series of the 2020s so far, the Netflix hit series has received tons of backlash ever since the fourth season was released. From controversies regarding tensions on set, shocking character deaths, painfully cringe interactions, and questionable character developments, Outer Banks is certainly in the thick of it. Unfortunately,...

Chase Stokes shared the rule that he and Kelsea Ballerini implemented to keep their relationship strong with their busy schedules.

The 32-year-old actor is currently promoting his new movie Marked Men: Rule + Shaw, and his 31-year-old country music star girlfriend just kicked off a concert that will keep her on the road.

How do they stay in touch and keep the spark strong when work keeps them apart? Chase revealed their secret while on SiriusXM Hits 1 The Morning Mash Up.

Keep reading to find out more…

“I mean, we [are] very fortunate to be in a place to be able to get to each other no matter what it takes. So, you know, like for example, we were both in Nashville. She left to go start this tour. I’ve been on the road, so I’ll go from here and I’ll go find her on the road and go...

I always have a great time talking to Lana Condor and Chase Stokes. I have been interviewing the Netflix alums about their respective projects – Lana with all the “To All the Boys” films and Chase with the “Outer Banks” series. Now, both actors star in the action-drama “Valiant One” based on true events. From

The post “Valiant One” Interview with Lana Condor, Chase Stokes appeared first on Manny the Movie Guy.

There are few directors with as eclectic of a career as Nick Cassavetes. From The Notebook to God Is A Bullet, the type of movie he makes can span quite a wide range. He switches back and forth between darker stories and sappy romances so you never quite know what you’re going to get with him. His latest film, Marked Men: Rule + Shaw (which I can’t help but constantly call it Marked Men: Hobbs and Shaw) takes the latter approach and puts the book series Marked Men in his sights. The adaptation really wasn’t for me (check out my review Here) but I’m sure there are teen girls who will love the melodrama on display here.

I sat down with stars Chase Stokes and Sydney Taylor to discuss the film. We discussed what it was like to work with director Nick Cassavetes and if there was...

Walking in the steps formerly trodden by the likes of the casts of Riverdale, Beverly Hills, 90210, and Happy Days, the blossoming stars behind Netflix’s hit teen-targeted series, Outer Banks, are now looking for ways to reinvent themselves following the show’s upcoming fifth and final season. It isn’t always easy to separate yourself from a character you’ve played for so long during your formative years, with casting directors seeing you as a one-trick pony. That’s why Outer Banks star Chase Stokes says that the choices he makes over the next few years will be the “most important” of his career.