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Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Dazzle at Star-Studded NYC Wedding: A Night to Remember!

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Taylor Swift and her fiancé, Travis Kelce, were the picture of romance as they attended a friend’s wedding in New York City on Saturday.

The globally acclaimed singer and the Kansas City Chiefs star, both aged 36, were seen sharing a tender moment, holding hands as they made their way to the Brooklyn celebration.

This public appearance adds to the growing anticipation surrounding their much-talked-about July wedding, which has been creating quite a buzz.

Swift nearly stole the spotlight at the event with her dazzling Maria Lucia Hohan gown, a piece valued at approximately $2,280.

Her dress, crafted from golden silk mousseline, featured elegant ruching across the bodice and a flowing ankle-length skirt, beautifully highlighting her toned arms.

It featured sizable cutouts over her back – which her fiancé highlighted as he placed a hand over the cutouts after they stepped out of their SUV – and she elevated her stature with a pair of open-toe heels.

Taylor Swift and her fiancé Travis Kelce put on a loved-up display as they arrived at what appeared to be a friend's wedding in New York City on Saturday

Taylor Swift and her fiancé Travis Kelce put on a loved-up display as they arrived at what appeared to be a friend’s wedding in New York City on Saturday

The pop superstar and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, both 36, displayed some PDA as they held hands upon arriving at the celebration in Brooklyn

The pop superstar and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, both 36, displayed some PDA as they held hands upon arriving at the celebration in Brooklyn

Swift added a regal touch with a golden ribbed clutch, a gold necklace with a small diamond at the center and dangling earrings comprised of opals arranged to look like rain showers. 

Kelce contrasted her with a striking navy pinstriped suit, which he paired with lustrous patent leather shoes.

He dressed down his suit with a simple black T-shirt and matching sunglasses, and the NFL star added some major bling to his wedding outfit thanks to a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ‘Rainbow.’

The gleaming watch – which sells for between $400,000 and $550,000 on the secondary market – featured an 18k white gold case and bracelet, along with a diamond pavé dial and a bezel of rainbow-colored sapphires.

Kelce previously flaunted the timepiece on Friday night, when he and his fiancée were spotted enjoying a night on the town in the Big Apple. 

Swift is known for her own impressive collection of ultra-expensive luxury wristwatches, but she appeared to have skipped them in favor of matching gold bracelets with opal links. 

She and the football star didn’t share any details about the wedding they were attending, but a fellow attendee surreptitiously snapped a photo of the two chatting with one of their friends, which was subsequently posted by a Swiftie fan account on X.

The couple’s weekend outing came after Kelce’s coach, Andy Reid, confirmed that he will be attending their upcoming nuptials.

Swift threatened to steal the attention at the event thanks to her shimmering Maria Lucia Hohan dress, which retails for around $2,280

Swift threatened to steal the attention at the event thanks to her shimmering Maria Lucia Hohan dress, which retails for around $2,280

Her golden dress, which was ruched across the low-cut top and ankle-length skirt, showcased her fit arms, and she elevated her stature with a pair of open-toe heels

Her golden dress, which was ruched across the low-cut top and ankle-length skirt, showcased her fit arms, and she elevated her stature with a pair of open-toe heels

Swift's golden silk mousseline dress featured cutouts over her back that her fiancé highlighted when he placed a hand their as they walked into the venue

Swift’s golden silk mousseline dress featured cutouts over her back that her fiancé highlighted when he placed a hand their as they walked into the venue

She added a regal touch with a golden ribbed clutch, a gold necklace with a small diamond at the center and dangling earrings comprised of opals arranged to look like rain showers

She added a regal touch with a golden ribbed clutch, a gold necklace with a small diamond at the center and dangling earrings comprised of opals arranged to look like rain showers

Kelce contrasted her with a striking navy pinstriped suit, which he paired with lustrous patent leather shoes

Kelce contrasted her with a striking navy pinstriped suit, which he paired with lustrous patent leather shoes

The NFL star added some major bling to his wedding outfit thanks to a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 'Rainbow,' an 18k white gold watch with a diamond pavé dial and a bezel of rainbow-colored sapphires, which sells for between $400k and $550k on the secondary market

The NFL star added some major bling to his wedding outfit thanks to a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ‘Rainbow,’ an 18k white gold watch with a diamond pavé dial and a bezel of rainbow-colored sapphires, which sells for between $400k and $550k on the secondary market

Swift is known for her own impressive collection of ultra-expensive luxury wristwatches, but she appeared to have skipped them in favor of matching gold bracelets with opal links

Swift is known for her own impressive collection of ultra-expensive luxury wristwatches, but she appeared to have skipped them in favor of matching gold bracelets with opal links

During an appearance on Thursday on 96.5’s The Drive, the three-time Super Bowl winner was grilled on whether he had received his invitation to the year’s most anticipated wedding.

‘Well, I probably have. And if I don’t outgrow my tuxedo before then, I’m going,’ confessed Reid. ‘But you keep talking about this barbecue, I might have to go get some.’

The Drive host, Carrington Harrison, suggested that the 68-year-old Chiefs coach should get a new ensemble for the special occasion. However, Reid didn’t seem too keen on the idea.

‘I’m not the show; I’m just going to show up,’ he said. ‘I’m so happy for them. When you come down to it, it doesn’t matter how big the show is around them. 

‘They’re in love and that’s the most important thing,’ Reid added. 

His comments followed reports about the unusual way guests have been receiving invitations to Swift and Kelce’s wedding.

Despite her busy schedule, the global superstar has taken it upon herself to invite guests and celebrity friends by calling them on the phone.

Swift has been making some calls herself while her team has also been helping with others, TMZ reported.

She and the football star didn't share any details about the wedding they were attending, but a fellow attendee sneakily snapped a photo of the two chatting with one of their friends, which was subsequently posted by a Swiftie fan account on X

She and the football star didn’t share any details about the wedding they were attending, but a fellow attendee sneakily snapped a photo of the two chatting with one of their friends, which was subsequently posted by a Swiftie fan account on X

The couple's weekend outing came after Kelce's coach, Andy Reid, confirmed that he will be attending their upcoming nuptials; Reid is pictured in January in Las Vegas

The couple’s weekend outing came after Kelce’s coach, Andy Reid, confirmed that he will be attending their upcoming nuptials; Reid is pictured in January in Las Vegas 

However, guests have not been informed of the exact location of the nuptials or given a specific date. Instead, they have been told to keep their schedules open for the summer.

Insiders said that calling guests, as opposed to sending traditional invitations, is meant to prevent leaks and keep wedding details private. 

The day before celebrating their friend’s wedding, Swift was pictured stepping out in New York City while wearing a summery floral dress and holding hands with Kelce.

On Thursday, she was spotted going solo in a bridal-white top as she arrived at the exclusive membership club Zero Bond.

The Daily Mail recently confirmed that Swift and Kelce are set to marry in NYC on July 3.

It was previously speculated that the couple would say ‘I do’ at her lavish Rhode Island estate.

Guests who received an invitation have also been required to RSVP with a signed NDA to help keep details of the ceremony private, per a source.

The exact location of the wedding is not known, but it is said to be an arena or museum-like space.

The day before celebrating their friend's wedding, Swift was pictured stepping out in New York City while wearing a summery floral dress and holding hands with Kelce (pictured)

The day before celebrating their friend’s wedding, Swift was pictured stepping out in New York City while wearing a summery floral dress and holding hands with Kelce (pictured)

On Thursday, Swift was spotted going solo in a bridal-white top as she arrived at the exclusive membership club Zero Bond. The Daily Mail recently confirmed that she and Kelce are set to marry in NYC on July 3

On Thursday, Swift was spotted going solo in a bridal-white top as she arrived at the exclusive membership club Zero Bond. The Daily Mail recently confirmed that she and Kelce are set to marry in NYC on July 3

The Daily Mail previously reported that Swift has asked her longtime friend Selena Gomez to be her bridesmaid, but the Spring Breakers star has turned her down multiple times; pictured together in 2024 in Beverly Hills

The Daily Mail previously reported that Swift has asked her longtime friend Selena Gomez to be her bridesmaid, but the Spring Breakers star has turned her down multiple times; pictured together in 2024 in Beverly Hills

Swift and Kelce kicked off the fierce interest in their upcoming wedding when Kelce proposed in August.

The Super Bowl winner had transformed his Kansas City estate into a picturesque garden wonderland for what became a romantic photoshoot.

Kelce popped the question shortly after his soon-to-be wife made a guest appearance on his New Heights podcast.

The Daily Mail previously reported that Swift has asked her longtime friend Selena Gomez to be her bridesmaid, but the Spring Breakers star has turned her down multiple times. 

That’s despite the fact that the Eras Tour superstar attended Gomez’s wedding to music producer Benny Blanco and even delivered a speech in her honor.

Sources said Gomez had politely declined Swift’s invitation to be part of her bridal party out of fears that she might steal the spotlight from her good friend.

Swift is also said to have asked her model friend Gigi Hadid to be a bridesmaid.

Tommy Fury’s Surprising Absence: Why He Missed His Niece’s Wedding at 16

In a surprising twist, Love Island U.K. alum Tommy Fury was noticeably absent from a significant family event: his niece Venezuela Fury’s wedding to Noah Price. The wedding took place on the picturesque Isle of Man, drawing close family members together for the celebration.

While Tommy’s partner, Molly-Mae Hague, attended the ceremony alongside their three-year-old daughter Bambi—who took on the adorable role of flower girl—Tommy himself was not spotted in any of the family photographs. Venezuela’s parents, the renowned boxer Tyson Fury and Paris Fury, hosted the event, making Tommy’s absence all the more conspicuous.

Speculation has arisen that Tommy, at 27, was preoccupied with rigorous training for his upcoming boxing match against Eddie Hall. Set to take place at the AO Arena in Manchester on June 13, the bout demands his full attention. His recent Instagram activity on May 9 highlighted his dedication, featuring clips of him practicing with a speed bag, doing push-ups, and lifting weights.

“Ready to GO. 🕺🕺🥊🥊 5 weeks out,” Tommy captioned the post, emphasizing his focus on the upcoming fight.

Tommy Fury and Molly Mae Hague Relationship Timeline From Love Island UK to Parenthood

Tommy Fury’s relationship with Molly-Mae Hague, another Love Island U.K. alum, has been a topic of interest since they left the villa together. The couple has experienced an on-and-off romance over the past five years. Tommy, a professional boxer and one of the standout bombshells from season 5 in June 2019, initially explored connections with other contestants before ultimately being drawn to Molly-Mae.

Us Weekly has reached out to Tommy’s spokesperson for comment.

Tommy’s fight against Hall, 38, is set to take place one day after Hague’s projected due date on June 12. In a recent vlog, Hague assured fans she wasn’t upset over Tommy’s fight being scheduled so close to her due date.

“A lot of questions about, ‘How do you feel about Tommy’s fight,’ and obviously the date of it,” she told viewers in April. “Obviously I knew that you guys were going to be concerned about that and have questions about that, but fear not.”

The Love Island U.K. star went on, “Fear not fair maiden because we’re actually feeling really, really good about it and have a really good plan in place.”

Hague insisted that she was “not worried and I’m actually really, really happy” that Tommy got a fight on the calendar. (Tommy last stepped into the ring on May 9, 2025, when he defeated Kenan Hanjalic by unanimous decision in Budapest, Hungary.)

Why Tommy Fury Skipped 16-Year-Old Niece Venezuela Wedding Bambi

Bambi Fury with Venezuela Fury.
Courtesy of Molly-Mae Hague/ Instagram

“Just having a date for something and having a focus and us having something to look forward to in the fight, it’s actually a really, really, really positive thing and he will be here when I get home. He will be able to support me,” she noted.

Meanwhile, Hague documented some special moments for daughter Bambi at Venezuela and Noah’s wedding on Saturday, including showing off the six-tiered, blue wedding cake decorated with blue-and-yellow roses.

Venezuela wore a strapless, lace mermaid gown from designer Ava Rose Hamilton for the ceremony while Bambi was dressed in a blue princess gown to perform her flower duties. Hague wore a black lace jumpsuit.

Boxer Tyson Fury Hasnt Spoken to Wife Paris in 3 Months Since Starting Fight Training

Boxer Tyson Fury has trained tirelessly for his upcoming fight with Oleksandr Usyk, and it’s taken a toll on his personal life. Fury, 36, is looking to avenge the loss he took in May when Usyk, 37, beat him in a split decision victory after 12 rounds. It is the only loss of his career. […]

Venezuela previously confirmed that her now-husband proposed at her 16th birthday party in September 2025.

“Congratulations to @venezuelafuryofficial and @7noahprice on getting engaged,” her mom, Paris, announced via Instagram on September 27, 2025. “Both only young but when you know you know! Still in shock, but very happy for you both.”

Breaking News: US-Nigeria Alliance Successfully Eliminates Top ISIS Leader in Strategic Raid

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(The Hill) — On Friday evening, former President Trump announced that a collaborative effort between the United States military and Nigerian forces successfully led to the elimination of a prominent ISIS leader.

“Under my orders, courageous American troops along with the Nigerian Armed Forces successfully carried out a highly detailed and intricate mission to remove the world’s most active terrorist from the field,” Trump shared in a Truth Social post.

Trump identified the target as Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, whom he described as “second in command” of the terrorist organization, noting that al-Minuki had been concealed in Africa.

“His reign of terror on the African continent and his role in orchestrating attacks against Americans has ended,” Trump added. “With his elimination, ISIS’s global capabilities are significantly weakened. I extend my gratitude to the Nigerian Government for their cooperation in this mission. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”

According to a statement released by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) on Saturday, their preliminary analysis indicates that the operation also resulted in the deaths of additional ISIS leaders alongside al-Minuki.

“As President Trump shared last night, AFRICOM in coordination with the Armed Forces of Nigeria, bravely and valiantly conducted a successful mission that resulted in the elimination of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, and multiple other ISIS leaders,” AFRICOM Commander Gen. Dagvin Anderson said in the Saturday release. 

“This operation underscores the exceptional value of the U.S.-Nigeria partnership and was made possible through the cooperation and coordination of our forces in recent months,” Anderson continued. “Make no mistake, our two nations will relentlessly pursue and neutralize terrorist threats and are committed to protecting our people and interests.”  

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu commended both military forces in a Saturday statement, calling it a “significant example of effective collaboration in the fight against terrorism.”

“Our determined Nigerian Armed Forces, working closely with the Armed Forces of the United States, conducted a daring joint operation that dealt a heavy blow to the ranks of the Islamic State,” he said. 

The Trump administration has previously targeted alleged ISIS members in the African nation. In what the president called a “Christmas present” to the militant group last December, the U.S. military launched strikes on “ISIS Terrorist Scum” in northwest Nigeria. 

Multiple ISIS members were killed in that strike as well, according to AFRICOM.

NY Times Faces Backlash Over Controversial Israel Coverage as Critics Accuse Bias

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If you missed the recent controversy involving The New York Times, here’s a quick overview of what happened and its broader implications.

At the center of the storm is Nicholas Kristof’s unusual column from last Monday, where he repeated discredited claims alleging that Israeli dogs had assaulted Palestinian prisoners. Critics have been vocal, pointing out that Kristof seemed to uncritically accept information from sources known for promoting Hamas narratives.

The claims made by Kristof are so extraordinary that the Israeli government has announced plans to pursue a defamation lawsuit against both him and the Times.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented, accusing Kristof and the newspaper of “slandering the soldiers of Israel,” and of spreading a harmful myth equating Hamas’s violent acts with the actions of Israel’s military forces.

This situation draws attention to the documented incidents of Hamas militants committing assaults, including against women, children, and even the deceased, during and after their attack on October 7, 2023.

Those proven war crimes are a prime reason why the paper’s dogmatic defense of Kristof’s column is as outrageous as the column itself. By embracing without reservations the Hamas-tainted sourcing and the author’s claims that echo ancient antisemitic tropes about Jews, the Times has tied itself to wild assertions that most rookie reporters would suspect.

Laughable defense

Despite some internal misgivings about how such preposterous claims got through the editing process and were published, the paper’s top editors have issued unyielding statements defending the column and its extreme assertions.

In one of those statements, the editors called the column a “deeply-reported piece of opinion journalism” and insisted it “draws together on-the-record accounts and cites several analyses documenting the practice of sexual violence and abuse conducted by various parts of Israel’s security forces and settlers.”

The most laughable claim is that the column was “extensively fact-checked.” How do you fact check the claim of dogs raping prisoners when science says it’s not anatomically possible?

That’s not independent fact-checking, that’s just repeating the writer’s and his sources’ assertion without offering a shred of new evidence.

Also, the reference to the column being “opinion journalism” does not confer an exemption from facts. In my long experience with opinion writing, I have kept in mind a line from the late, great Daniel Patrick Moynihan, who said, “You’re entitled to your own opinions, but not your own facts.”

Others have made similar points about Kristof’s work, including Free Press columnist Matti Friedman and Dan Senor on Senor’s always-excellent podcast, “Call Me Back.”

According to Friedman, Kristof’s column is a prime example of “a broader shift in modern journalism,” where many people have traded credibility to become “a weapon in the fight for justice.”

He and Senor also make the key point that if the column’s wild assertions are even plausibly true, they would be the basis of a “bombshell news story.”

But other than defending Kristof, the paper has not followed the sensational claims with an attempt to uncover evidence that could show the events actually happened.

As such, the Times’ reactionary defense strikes me as a moment whose significance goes well beyond the views of a biased writer and his biased editors’ incompetence.

The episode marks a turning point in the American left’s divorce from Israel. The column, and the paper’s bombastic defense, ends any hope the marriage can be saved.

The Times is the lead spear carrier for the radical left-wing of the Democratic Party. The issues, people and language the paper champions are table setters for much of the progressive agenda.

From DEI to transgender surgeries, to hating Donald Trump and promoting climate change dogma, the Gray Lady has become the Pink Lady.

No leftist cause is too wild or impractical to embrace, and that certainly includes demonizing the lone Jewish state.

Open season on Israel

Although the paper has stopped short of directly calling Israel a colonizing entity, its views about the region and its wars consistently condemn Israel while giving Hamas, Hezbollah and other Iranian terror proxies every benefit of the doubt.

In that context, the paper’s conduct in the case at hand reads like a signal to Dems that it’s open season on Israel.

In truth, radical Dems have been increasingly turning against Israel in recent years. The handful of House members known as the squad often make blatantly antisemitic comments, and 40 of 47 Dem Senators recently voted against supplying Israel with defensive weapons.

Meanwhile, complaints accusing the Times of biased Mideast coverage are nothing new among many Israeli and American conservatives, including but not limited to Jewish ones.

But this time is clearly and painfully different. The Kristof defense is not just chiding Israel or dreamily pushing for a two-state solution.

Rather, it resembles a condemnation of Israel’s right to defend itself from those who vow to eliminate it.

Kristof’s column reeked of the same anti-Israel bias that is increasingly finding its way into the paper’s every nook and cranny.

Reporters openly accused Netanyahu of talking Trump into the war against Iran, as if America has no interest of its own in eliminating the mullahs’ nuclear program.

Antisemites make the same argument, and both they and the Times ignore Trump’s long history of declaring that he would do whatever it takes to stop the program.

Nor does the Times give much credence to Iran’s consistent promise to eliminate the two nations it calls the “Little Satan” and the “Great Satan.”

On top of the paper’s cockeyed coverage, comes now one of the weirdest and most lopsided stories it has published.

Here are the “nut” or overview paragraphs of a long article that started on the front page of the May 12th print edition, the day after Kristof’s column ran.

“A New York Times investigation found a well-organized campaign by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government that embraced Eurovision as a soft power tool, and a secretive contest organizer that was ill-equipped to respond.

“As the normally lighthearted contest became a proxy fight over Middle Eastern affairs and human rights, Eurovision struggled to defend a core tenet: Politics play no role in the event.”

Yes, that’s some “lighthearted contest” where other nations called for Israeli contestants to be denied admission and demanded a Palestinian state because of the war in Gaza.

Slanted coverage

Yet it’s only Israel’s conduct the Times sees fit to examine with a fine-tooth comb.

Better, it look inward. Consider the photo mistake where it showed a supposedly starving Gaza baby, only to concede after complaints that the baby’s doctor said it was born with health and genetic conditions that affected brain and muscle development.

Or how about its story claiming Israel bombed a Gaza hospital killing hundreds of people? It was eventually followed by an admission that the coverage should have been “more journalistically rigorous.”

Notice how the big mistakes all favor the same side. Hopefully, the same editors will wake up and make a u-turn on Kristof.

Historic Civil Rights Hub Sees Renewed Push for Black Political Representation Amid Growing Advocacy Efforts


In Montgomery, Alabama, known as the birthplace of the modern Civil Rights Movement, thousands assembled on Saturday to resist the attempts by conservative states to dismantle congressional districts that have been pivotal in achieving Black political representation.

This rally in Montgomery, a city with a rich history of civil rights activism, was organized in response to a recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that has significantly weakened the Voting Rights Act. This judicial ruling has prompted several southern states to hastily redraw district lines. The choice of Montgomery is symbolic as it was the site of the historic Montgomery Bus Boycott and the starting point for the Selma-to-Montgomery voting rights march, highlighting the ongoing struggle for equality across generations.

Rev. Bernice King, standing near the iconic location where her father, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., once rallied voting rights marchers in 1965, emphasized the profound impact and dedication of that era’s civil rights activists. She noted that their efforts set the course for future changes in the nation.

“More than six decades later, we return as new generations to this revered ground to reclaim and honor that legacy,” King declared. “The recent Supreme Court decision necessitates our presence here. It is not merely a legal ruling but a moral outrage and a brazen attack on Black political power,” she asserted.

King further stressed that the decision undermines the sacrifices made by her parents and others who faced brutal opposition — enduring attacks from dogs, batons, bombs, and billy clubs — to ensure that Black individuals and marginalized groups could fully engage in American democracy.

Civil rights leaders, Democratic members of Congress from across the country, union leaders and pastors spoke at the rally titled “All Roads Lead to the South.”

The crowd gathered in front of the Alabama Capitol, the place where the Confederacy was formed in 1861 and where the elder King spoke in 1965 at the end of the voting rights march. The stage stood in front of Capitol statues of Confederate President Jefferson Davis and civil rights icon Rosa Parks, tributes erected nearly 90 years apart and reminders of the state’s complex history.

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey called Montgomery “sacred soil” in the fight for civil rights. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell of Alabama said the gathering was not a protest, but “a call to action.” Speakers called upon voters to show their numbers at the ballot box.

“They think they can draw us out of power. They do not know the sleeping giant that they just awakened,” said U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat from New York.

Attendees stood for hours in summerlike temperatures for the rally that stretched on for more than four hours. The crowd was led in chants of “we won’t go back” and “we fight.”

Some in the crowd said the effort to redraw lines has echoes of the past.

“We lived through the ’60s. It takes you back. When you think that Alabama’s moving forward, it takes two steps back,” said Camellia A Hooks, 70, of Montgomery.

The recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling involving Louisiana hollowed out the voting rights law that was already weakened by a separate decision in 2013 and then narrowed further over the years. That helped clear the way for stricter voter ID laws, registration restrictions, and limits on early voting and polling place changes, including in states that once needed federal preclearance before they could change voting laws because of their historical discrimination against Black voters.

Veterans of the Civil Rights Movement are alarmed by the speed of the rollbacks, noting that protections won through generations of sacrifice have been weakened in little more than a decade.

Kirk Carrington, 75, was a teen in 1965 when law enforcement officers attacked marchers in Selma on what became known as “Bloody Sunday.” A white man on a horse wielding a stick chased Carrington through the streets.

“It’s really just appalling to me and all the young people that marched during the ’60s, fought hard to get voting rights, equal rights and civil rights,” Carrington said. “It’s sad that it’s continuing after 60-plus-odd years that we are still fighting for the same thing we fought for back then.”

City will be affected by Supreme Court ruling

Montgomery is home to one of the congressional districts that is being altered in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling.

A federal court in 2023 redrew Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District after ruling that the state intentionally diluted the voting power of Black residents, who make up about 27% of its population. The court said there should be a district where Black people are a majority or near-majority and have an opportunity to elect their candidate of choice.

But the Supreme Court cleared the way for a different map that could let the GOP reclaim the seat. While the matter remains under litigation, the state plans special primaries Aug. 11 under the new map.

U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures, who won election in the district in 2024, said the dispute is not about him but rather people’s opportunity to have representation.

“People tell us that we are not who we once were,” Figures said of the South. “That is true, but we certainly aren’t where we need to be,” he said.

Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, a Republican, said that the Louisiana ruling provided an opportunity to revisit a map that was forced on the state by the federal court.

“People tend to forget what happened. When this thing went to court, the Republican Party had that seat, congressional seat two,” Ledbetter said last week. “There’s been a push through the courts to try to overtake some of these red state seats, and that’s certainly what happened in that one.”

Shalela Dowdy, a plaintiff in the Alabama redistricting case, said the fight will continue inside and outside of the courtroom. A three-judge panel has scheduled a May 22 hearing on a request to try and stop Alabama from switching maps.

“We are not going down without a fight. We are not going back to Jim Crow maps,” Dowdy said.

Tragic Pool Party Incident: Toddler Drowns While Mother Allegedly Distracted by Phone and Alcohol

A tragic incident unfolded at a pool party in Florida, where a four-year-old girl tragically drowned after being unnoticed for nine minutes. The incident, according to state police, occurred while the child’s mother was allegedly preoccupied with her cellphone.

Rosette Pierrecius now faces charges of child neglect resulting in great bodily harm. Despite these serious allegations, she has entered a plea of not guilty, as indicated in court documents.

The unfortunate event took place on May 9 during a birthday celebration. Pierrecius had attended the party with her daughter, who was dressed in swimwear but reportedly did not know how to swim. This information was detailed in a probable cause affidavit sourced by Oxygen.

According to the police report, Pierrecius explained that she had briefly left her daughter wrapped in a towel to use the restroom, entrusting her care to two other children, believed to be aged between 8 and 10. However, upon discovering the bathroom was locked, she returned only to find all three children missing.

In a heart-wrenching turn, another adult eventually noticed the missing girl at the bottom of the pool. Pierrecius, who was desperately searching for her daughter, had not seen her until it was too late. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers at poolside gatherings and the critical importance of vigilant supervision.

But CCTV footage contradicted parts of her story. 

Police wrote that the footage showed Pierrecius did not leave her daughter wrapped in a towel under the supervision of other children. Instead, while Pierrecius was allegedly looking at her phone and walking around the pool deck, the girl walked down the pool steps and inched her way into the deeper end until she was submerged underwater. 

Investigators wrote that Pierrecius was “never” supervising the victim while she was in the water and at one point was seated in a lounge chair near the area where she claimed to have left her daughter. 

The footage also showed that another adult pulled the 4-year-old out of the pool. She was transported to the hospital, where she later died. 

When Pierrecius was brought to the police station, she admitted that she let her daughter play in the pool despite knowing she could not swim, police wrote in the affidavit. 

Pierrecius also told investigators that she did not know the children she claimed to have asked to watch her daughter and that she never asked an adult to supervise her. She also said she thought her daughter was still in the chair when she left for the bathroom and did not realize she was in the pool. 

The mom also said she drank six beers at the party. A preliminary breathalyzer test later showed she registered above the legal driving limit in Florida, police wrote in the affidavit. 

The party was not child-friendly, according to authorities.  

“I’m very comfortable saying that this party shouldn’t have happened there in the first place,” Bradenton Police Department spokesperson Meredith Censullo told ABC7 WWSB. “It was not a party that was meant for children. It was primarily adults that were there.” 

The girl was not using a flotation device, said Censullo, adding, “This went beyond an accidental drowning to the point of neglect.” 

An attorney for Pierrecius did not immediately return a request for comment from Oxygen.

Alec Baldwin Responds to Elon Musk’s Remarks About Lupita Nyong’o

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Alec Baldwin was quick to defend Lupita Nyong’o after Elon Musk criticized her casting as Helen of Troy in the upcoming film adaptation of Homer’s “The Odyssey.” Musk commented unfavorably on Nyong’o’s suitability for the role, which in Greek mythology, is that of Zeus’s daughter whose striking beauty incited the legendary 10-year Trojan War, following her abduction by the Trojan prince Paris.

In addition to portraying Helen, Nyong’o will also take on the role of Clytemnestra, Helen’s sister, who, while attractive, did not possess the allure said to have launched a thousand ships.

The exchange began when Matt Walsh, a political commentator and podcast host, expressed his skepticism on X, declaring, “Not one person on the planet actually thinks that Lupita Nyong’o is ‘the most beautiful woman in the world.’”

Baldwin defended Nyong’o via Instagram: ‘Dear Elon… but she IS the most beautiful woman in the world,’ alongside a photo of the 43-year-old Kenyan-Mexican actress.

Walsh, who has faced criticism for allegedly promoting white supremacy and spreading racist conspiracy theories, then shifted his critique towards the film’s director.

Walsh, whose critics have accused him of promoting white supremacy and spreading racist conspiracy views, then directed his attack on the film’s director.

Alec Baldwin didn't take kindly to Elon Musk disparaging Lupita Nyong'o's looks over her casting as Helen of Troy in the upcoming film The Odyssey; seen on March 9

Alec Baldwin didn’t take kindly to Elon Musk disparaging Lupita Nyong’o’s looks over her casting as Helen of Troy in the upcoming film The Odyssey; seen on March 9

The outspoken actor defended Nyong'o via his Instagram page by stating, 'Dear Elon… but she IS the most beautiful woman in the world'; Nyong'o seen in March 2025

The outspoken actor defended Nyong’o via his Instagram page by stating, ‘Dear Elon… but she IS the most beautiful woman in the world’; Nyong’o seen in March 2025

‘But Christopher Nolan knows that he would be called racist if he gave “the most beautiful woman” role to a white woman. Nolan is technically talented but a coward. Too afraid to do anything that even slightly challenges the spirit of the age,’ Walsh concluded.

Musk seconded Walsh’s opinion by writing, ‘True.’

When someone posed the question, ‘Why is Christopher Nolan like so many other directors so keen to race swap white characters?’ Musk responded, ‘He wants the awards.’

The billionaire said Nolan has ‘lost his integrity’ by casting Nyong’o in the role.

In another post, Walsh claimed people would be ‘driven to murderous violence’ if Sydney Sweeney had been cast in a film as ‘the most beautiful woman in Africa.’

‘Absolutely true,’ Musk chimed in. ‘Such hypocrisy in Hollywood.’

Earlier this month, rumors began to circulate online that 39-year-old transgender actor Elliot Page had been cast as Achilles, the legendary hero of the Trojan War, which also set Musk on edge.

He wrote on X that the idea was ‘one of the dumbest and twisted things I’ve ever heard.’

When conservative commentator Matt Walsh inferred the Kenyan-Mexican actress wasn't beautiful enough to play the daughter of Zeus, Musk wrote, 'True'; Musk seen Thursday in Beijing

When conservative commentator Matt Walsh inferred the Kenyan-Mexican actress wasn’t beautiful enough to play the daughter of Zeus, Musk wrote, ‘True’; Musk seen Thursday in Beijing

The billionaire Tesla CEO said The Odyssey director Christopher Nolan (seen in 2024) has 'lost his integrity' by casting Nyong'o in the role and 'wants the awards'

The billionaire Tesla CEO said The Odyssey director Christopher Nolan (seen in 2024) has ‘lost his integrity’ by casting Nyong’o in the role and ‘wants the awards’

Baldwin - seen with wife Hilaria in December 2025 - is clearly not a fan of Musk's

Baldwin – seen with wife Hilaria in December 2025 – is clearly not a fan of Musk’s

Nyong'o - seen in May 2025 - was crowned People magazine's Most Beautiful in 2014, the same year she won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role as Patsey in 12 Years a Slave

Nyong’o – seen in May 2025 – was crowned People magazine’s Most Beautiful in 2014, the same year she won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role as Patsey in 12 Years a Slave

After it was announced that Page will portray the character Elpenor, Musk reposted a mean-spirited tweet that read, ‘I’m not mocking her masculinity. I’m denying its existence.’

Meanwhile, Nyong’o – who took home the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2014 for her role as Patsey in 12 Years a Slave – was crowned People magazine’s most beautiful that year.

‘It was exciting and just a major, major compliment,’ the actress said at the time. ‘I was happy for all the girls who would see me on [it] and feel a little more seen.’

Nyong’o used to base beauty on what she saw on television. ‘Light skin and long, flowing, straight hair,’ she told the publication. ‘Subconsciously you start to appreciate those things more than what you possess.’

She added that her mother, Dorothy, ‘always said I was beautiful, and I finally believed her at some point.’

Rhapsody Of Realities 17 May 2026: Guard Against Deception

Rhapsody Of Realities 17 May 2026 By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (Christ Embassy): Guard Against Deception

TOPIC: Guard Against Deception (Rhapsody of Realities 17 May 2026)

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3).

Rhapsody Of Realities For Today’s MESSAGE:

Genesis chapter 3 exposes a recurring and dangerous pattern of deception that has persisted throughout history. It begins with Eve faithfully recounting to Satan what God had said about the tree of knowledge of good and evil that was in the garden of Eden: “…We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.” (Genesis 3:2-3).

Then Satan responded, “…Ye shall not surely die” (Genesis 3:4). He contradicted God directly. But it didn’t end there. The next verse reveals something deeper as Satan continues, “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5).

With that statement, Satan moved from contradicting God to accusing Him of deception. It’s the same thing today; those who are masters of deception accuse others of misinformation. Satan accused God of misinformation. His suggestion was that God knew the “real truth” but withheld it from Adam and Eve. This is the master of deception pretending to tell the truth.

This pattern of satanic manipulation of truth through subtlety echoes in other biblical narratives. For example, in 2 Samuel 13, we see a similar deception at play. The story began with Amnon, the son of King David who developed a lustful obsession for his sister Tamar.

The Septuagint clarified that this was a lust-driven love, not genuine affection. His obsession intensified, and he became sick with longing. The danger emerged when Amnon’s friend Jonadab, described as “a very subtle man,” intervened. Jonadab was a cunning advisor who manipulated Amnon into destructive actions that ultimately led to tragedy and death.

You must guard your heart against deception by staying with what God has said in His Word. Refuse Satan’s contradictions and perverted truths. Reject every voice that questions the veracity of God’s Word. When your heart is established in God’s truths, you become unmovable, discerning and protected. You recognise deception for what it is and you remain grounded in the integrity of God’s Word.

PRAYER

Dear Father, thank you for your Word that keeps me established in truth. My heart is guarded by your wisdom, and I walk in discernment by the Holy Spirit, who secures my path in your light, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

2 Corinthians 2:11 (ASV) that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Genesis 3:1-5 (NKJV) Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” [2] And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; [3] but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’” [4] Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. [5] For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Proverbs 4:20-22 (KJV) My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. [21] Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. [22] For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
John 8:12-30 & 1 Kings 20-21

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
1 Corinthians 10:1-13 & Proverbs 13

DIVINE HEALTH CONFESSIONS – 17TH MAY 2026

Dear Father, I thank You for the glorious life You have given me in Christ Jesus, a life of blessings, excellence, health, and strength. I walk in Your marvelous light, displaying Your virtues to my world. I live above sickness, defeat, and demonic influence because I live in Christ.

Keep saying it, don’t stop talking it! Remember, you can make your way prosperous with words. Get talking today!

Remember to share with all your friends and loved ones today. Thank you and God bless you richly.

Rhapsody of Realities 2026 Devotional was written by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (D.Sc., D.D.). President of Loveworld Inc. aka Christ Embassy Int’l.

REMINDER!!! JESUS IS COMING SOON

ARE YOU BORN AGAIN? IF NO, WHY NOT ACCEPT JESUS NOW!

Accept Jesus Christ today and secure a life of eternal rest and Glory by saying this short prayer below:






Lord Jesus, I believe you died for my sins, Forgive me of all my iniquities. I accept you as my Lord and Saviour from today and forever.



Come and Be the Lord of my life and I am willing to obey Your command and live according to Your will by Your Grace, Thank you for accepting me into Your fold

AMEN!!! John 6:37…and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Massachusetts Governor Seeks US Navy Assistance for Recovery Mission on Sunken Fishing Vessel

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Governor Maura Healey of Massachusetts has reached out to the U.S. Navy for assistance in probing the tragic incident involving a fishing boat that sank earlier this year, resulting in the loss of seven crew members. This request has been confirmed by the Navy to Fox News Digital.

In a joint effort, Healey and State Senator Bruce Tarr have appealed to the Secretary of the Navy, seeking aid in recovering a video recorder and hard drive from the wreckage of the Lily Jean. This vessel went down in January and now rests over 300 feet deep in the Atlantic, approximately 25 miles off the Massachusetts coast, as reported by WFXT-TV. The retrieval of these items could potentially shed light on the cause of the vessel’s sinking.

A representative from the Office of the Secretary of the Navy informed Fox News Digital on Saturday that they have received the communication from the governor’s office. They stated, “We are currently preparing a response, which will be sent directly to Governor Healey.”

Governor Healey is also determined to recover the bodies of the six remaining crew members from the 72-foot boat, which tragically sank on January 30.

Split of Gov. Maura Healey and a memorial to the Lily Jean

Governor Healey’s request for Navy assistance highlights the ongoing efforts to uncover the details surrounding the unfortunate accident that claimed seven lives. (Jonathan Wiggs/The Boston Globe via Getty Images; Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

The body of Lily Jean Captain Accursio “Gus” Sanfilippo is the only one that has been recovered.

The six others who died in the sinking include crew member Paul Beal Jr.; crew member John Rousanidis; crew member Freeman Short; crew member Sean Therrien; and NOAA fisheries observer Jada Samitt.

“What caused it is not as important as retrieving the crew,” Donna Short, the mother of Freeman Short, a 31-year-old who was planning a wedding, told WFXT.

She said she spoke to him a few days before he went out on the doomed trip.

“He told me, ‘Hey mom, you know I’m going to be going,’ and I told him I loved him,” she said, adding that recovering his body is a “matter of laying him to rest where his legacy began next to both of his grandfathers, who are veterans.”

Placard honoring the crew of the Lily Jean at Gloucester Fisherman's Memorial

A placard honoring the crew of the Lily Jean is displayed at the Gloucester Fisherman’s Memorial in Gloucester, Mass., on Jan. 31, 2026. (Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe)

The National Transportation Safety Board and the U.S. Coast Guard are involved in an ongoing investigation into the sinking.

The Coast Guard’s search for the missing crew members was suspended on Jan. 31, a day after the sinking, and the NTSB said it doesn’t do recoveries, according to WFXT.

When the Lily Jean sank, Coast Guard watchstanders received an emergency position indicating a radio beacon (EPIRB) alert at about 6:50 a.m. registered to the vessel.

USCG crews attempted to contact the boat, and after getting no response, issued an urgent marine information broadcast (UMIB), according to officials.

Multiple aircraft, cutters and small boats searched 1,047 square miles over 24 hours, finding debris near the location where the EPIRB was activated, along with the captain’s body and an unoccupied life raft that had been deployed.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey talking with Captain Jamie Frederick of the U.S. Coast Guard

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey talks with U.S. Coast Guard Captain Jamie Frederick after a press conference in Gloucester on Jan. 31, 2026. The Coast Guard called off the search for the fishing vessel Lily Jean, which had seven crew members. (Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe/Getty Images)

Search and rescue mission coordinators, on-scene commanders and the Coast Guard determined on Jan. 31 all reasonable search efforts for the missing crew members had been exhausted.

“The purpose of a Coast Guard investigation is to identify measures that can improve the safety of life and property at sea, not to assign civil or criminal blame,” the Coast Guard wrote in a statement at the time.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Healey’s office for comment.

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Top 5 Comic Book Movie Reboots That Fell Flat




Since the release of Bryan Singer’s “X-Men” in 2000, superhero films have become a Hollywood powerhouse. Although iconic superhero movies like “Superman: The Motion Picture” and “Blade” paved the way before the X-Men’s cinematic debut, Singer’s film adaptation of Marvel’s beloved mutants sparked a new era of comic book blockbusters in the 21st century, capturing audiences worldwide.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe, in particular, has reigned supreme throughout the 2000s and 2010s, amassing over $30 billion in box office revenue. Yet, not every superhero endeavor hits its mark, and when a franchise takes a hiatus, it often opens the door for reimagining. Comic book movie reboots have become a staple, with some achieving remarkable success. For instance, “Fantastic Four: First Steps” garnered over $500 million, and “The Amazing Spider-Man” revitalized the web-slinger after Sam Raimi’s original trilogy ended without a fourth installment.

While many rebooted superhero films find financial success and fan approval, others miss the mark, faltering critically, commercially, or both. Capturing the essence that made the originals beloved is no easy feat. Several attempts have stumbled in their efforts to rejuvenate dormant franchises, ranking among the most disappointing comic book movie reboots in history.

The “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” began as an independent black-and-white comic book series but only gained widespread recognition with the 1987 animated TV show. The cartoon’s overwhelming success propelled the franchise into a multimedia phenomenon, leading to a film series that started with the 1990 release of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” This trilogy used practical effects and rubber suits to bring Donatello, Raphael, Leonardo, and Michelangelo to life, concluding with a final installment in 1993.

After a 14-year hiatus, the Turtles returned to theaters in 2007 with “TMNT,” a departure from live-action to CGI animation. This shift stripped away some of the original films’ charm. Additionally, “TMNT” attempted to align more closely with the darker tone of the original comics, a significant contrast to the lighter animated series and the initial film trilogy.

TMNT (2007)

While the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” started out as a black-and-white independent comic book series, it didn’t become widely known until 1987’s animated show of the same name premiered. The cartoon was a massive success, launching the franchise into a profitable multimedia beast. Its popularity also launched a “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” film franchise, beginning with “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” in 1990. The trilogy of films used practical effects and rubber suits to bring Donatello, Rafael, Leonardo, and Michelangelo to life on the silver screen, with the final movie arriving in 1993.

That was the last live-action film for 14 years, and the Turtles wouldn’t grace the silver screen again until 2007’s “TMNT.” This time, the Turtles received the CGI animation treatment, removing the live-action charm of its predecessors. On top of that, “TMNT” tried to adhere more closely to the comics, which have always been considerably darker in tone than the animated series and first three movies.

While this wasn’t necessarily a bad idea, most fans weren’t as familiar with the comics as they were its more kid-friendly adaptations. The film didn’t have the most nuanced script, as it focuses on the Turtles starting out separated, needing to come back together to save the world. “TMNT” cost $34 million to produce, and it made over $95.8 million at the box office, so it was financially successful. Despite this, critics were not impressed with the movie, which featured animation that looked odd, even by mid-2000s standards.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014)

“TMNT” made a tidy sum, but the critical reaction and relatively low box office performance didn’t earn it any sequels. As a result, the franchise sat quiet for another seven years before its next reboot, which combined live-action with CGI, motion-captured Turtles in yet another movie titled “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” The film’s plot offers a fairly typical adventure for the TMNT, as it focuses on the Turtles working with April O’Neil (Megan Fox) to thwart the Foot Clan and its leader Shredder (Tohoru Masamune) to protect New York City.

As a reintroduction of the TMNT in a new film franchise, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” worked. The film cost $125 million to produce, and it made a little more than $485 million at the global box office. While that’s certainly good for the studio’s bottom line, the movie has the franchise’s best box office, but was slammed with some of the worst reviews. “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” holds a 20% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The film’s Popcornmeter of audience ratings is barely better at 50%, showing that viewers were almost as unimpressed as professional film critics. The mismatch of terrible reviews and positive box office performance suggests that enough viewers enjoyed the big-budget presentation of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” Since Hollywood often makes decisions based on a movie’s bottom line, the film earned a sequel. Unsurprisingly, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows” did worse than its predecessor, which critics called dull, over-inflated, and uninspired.

Fantastic Four (2015)

Of all Marvel Comics’ film properties, none have had a tougher time at the box office than the “Fantastic Four.” The comics have proven difficult to bring to life on the silver screen, and if you count director Roger Corman’s 1994 unreleased live-action movie, the franchise has been rebooted three times. The first came in 2005 and did well enough to spawn a sequel, but that franchise died out with 2007’s “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.” Fox, which owned the rights, tried once more in 2015 with director Josh Trank’s “Fantastic Four.”

The concept revolved around the “Ultimate Fantastic Four” comics, which was a reboot in a separate universe from Marvel Comics’ Earth-616. Fox described the film as “a contemporary re-imagining,” which is apt. The team was first introduced in 1961, so it made sense to update the premise somewhat. Unfortunately, “Fantastic Four,” which the studio stylized as “FANT4STIC,” significantly underperformed at the box office and is often listed as one of the worst comic book movies ever made.

The day before the movie premiered, Trank took to X, writing, “A year ago, I had a fantastic version of this. And it would’ve received great reviews. You’ll probably never see it. That’s reality though” (via Entertainment Weekly). Trashing your own movie before its premiere isn’t a good sign, and critics and fans did indeed hate the film. “Fantastic Four” only managed to make $167.9 million on a budget of $120 million, ending all plans for a sequel.

Hellboy (2019)

In 2004, director Guillermo del Toro released “Hellboy,” starring Ron Perlman as the titular hero from Mike Mignola’s Dark Horse Comics series. While it wasn’t a financial success, del Toro made a sequel, “Hellboy II: The Golden Army,” in 2008, ending his time with the franchise. The “Hellboy” IP remained untouched for 11 years until director Neil Marshall brought “Hellboy” back to theaters with David Harbour in the starring role.

Unfortunately, “Hellboy” was a massive failure on all counts, including at the box office, killing the franchise without any hope for a sequel. The 2004 “Hellboy” has a rating of 81% on Rotten Tomatoes, while its 2019 counterpart sits at 17%. That didn’t help its box office earnings in the least, as word of mouth trashed the film. “Hellboy” made only $55 million on a production budget of $50 million, which made it clear to anyone who hadn’t seen it yet that they shouldn’t bother.

This opens the question, ‘What went wrong with “Hellboy” that caused it to fail so miserably?’ There were several factors that led to its terrible showing, but centrally, fans didn’t want it. Most fans of the franchise wanted to see del Toro helm a threequel, but that didn’t happen. Instead, a reboot that nobody asked for took a bad script with an inconsistent and contrived plot and rushed forward to production. Another problem was the film’s R rating. It brought in unnecessary and excessive gore, which wasn’t needed or desired.

The Crow (2024)

If there ever was a cursed superhero film franchise, it’s “The Crow.” The 1994 adaptation of James O’Barr’s 1989 comic book series did an excellent job of portraying the story on the silver screen, but its production resulted in the death of its star, Brandon Lee. His shooting on the film’s set made the movie’s tone all the darker, and subsequent sequels failed to recapture the original’s success. The franchise released three sequels, all of which pale in comparison to “The Crow,” as did the short-lived TV series, “The Crow: Stairway to Heaven.”

“The Crow” sat idle for 19 years until its 2024 reboot hit theaters after delays. The recent film is somewhat based on the original comic book series. Bill Skarsgård plays the lead role of Eric Draven, and while the plot generally follows the comics, the tone and many of its details don’t. The movie’s style wasn’t on point at all, making it seem disconnected from the franchise, and the pacing is so awful that you’re wishing it was over before the movie gets going.

In Reuben Baron’s review of “The Crow” for Looper, he lists only one action scene and FKA Twigs, who plays Eric’s girlfriend, Shelly Webster, as pros, calling the film “A load of caw-caw.” Other critics similarly trashed the movie’s pacing, calling it mostly dull and disappointing. “The Crow” holds a 22% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and it was a bomb, earning only $24.2 million on a budget of $50 million.