Category: Celebs

Entertainment, news, celebrity updates, pop culture, film, music, and television.

  • Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Jumpstart Booster Box Is 28% Off at Amazon

    Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Jumpstart Booster Box Is 28% Off at Amazon

    As of Aug. 26, the Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Jumpstart Booster Box with 24 boosters is available at Amazon for $119.99, reduced from $167.76. That is a 28% discount and a savings of $47.77.

    A beginner-friendly way to play Magic: The Gathering

    Getting into Magic: The Gathering can feel intimidating if you do not know the rules or how to build a winning deck. (Seriously, some of those picnic tables got heated when I was in undergrad.) But if you want to grab a friend and start playing, the game’s Jumpstart format lets you learn as you go.

    Jumpstart boxes are designed for quick, casual matchups. Rather than drafting cards one at a time, each player opens two 20-card boosters, shuffles them together, and has a ready-to-play deck. The box contains 24 boosters in total, and each booster includes the land cards needed to get started.

    With 51 possible Marvel Super Heroes themes in the set, players can combine favorite heroes and villains to create unexpected card combinations. Reviewers also say the box is a good way to look for cards featuring characters such as Dr. Doom, Vision, and Scarlet Witch.

    Source: mashable.com

  • How to Watch Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad Online for Free

    How to Watch Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad Online for Free

    TL;DR: Watch Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad in La Liga for free on CazéTV. Use ExpressVPN to access the free live stream from anywhere in the world.

    The 2026/27 La Liga season is already shaping up to be an exciting campaign, and the second week of action features a highly anticipated clash between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad.

    Real Madrid made a winning start to the season, defeating Espanyol 2-1 in their opener. England’s World Cup star Jude Bellingham was among the scorers. Real Sociedad, meanwhile, lost their opening match to Betis and will be aiming to respond with a victory.

    That will be a difficult task against a Real Madrid attack featuring Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé, and Vinícius Júnior. Here is everything you need to know about watching Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad online from anywhere in the world.

    When is Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad?

    Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on Aug. 26. The La Liga fixture will be played at the Santiago Bernabéu.

    How to watch Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad for free

    Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad is available to stream live for free on CazéTV.

    CazéTV is geo-restricted to Brazil, but a VPN can help viewers access the service while abroad. A VPN masks your real IP address and connects your device to a secure server in Brazil, allowing you to stream Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad for free from anywhere in the world.

    Follow these steps to watch the match:

    1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN. ExpressVPN is our recommendation.
    2. Download the VPN app on your preferred device.
    3. Open the app and connect to a server in Brazil.
    4. Visit CazéTV.
    5. Watch Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad for free from anywhere in the world.

    Can you watch Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad with a free VPN?

    The best VPNs for streaming are generally not free, but many offer generous money-back guarantees. By using one of these guarantees, you can watch Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad without making a long-term financial commitment.

    This is not a permanent solution, but it can give you enough time to stream this fixture, along with Premier League matches, before requesting a refund.

    What is the best VPN for La Liga?

    ExpressVPN is a strong choice for bypassing geo-restrictions and streaming live sports on CazéTV. Key features include:

    • Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil
    • Easy-to-use apps for major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, and Mac
    • A strict no-logging policy designed to keep your data secure
    • Fast connection speeds without throttling
    • Up to 10 simultaneous connections
    • A 30-day money-back guarantee

    A two-year ExpressVPN subscription is currently on sale for $68.40 and includes an additional four months free, representing 81% off for a limited time. The plan also includes one year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

    Alternatively, a one-month ExpressVPN plan is available for $12.99.

    Use ExpressVPN to watch Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad for free from anywhere in the world.

    Source: mashable.com

  • How to Watch Al-Ahli vs. Auckland Online for Free

    How to Watch Al-Ahli vs. Auckland Online for Free

    Watch Al-Ahli vs. Auckland in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup for free on CazéTV. With ExpressVPN, viewers can access the livestream from anywhere in the world.

    The 2026 World Cup may have just ended, but FIFA has already moved on to its next tournament: the Intercontinental Cup. First played two years ago, the competition is a relatively new addition to world soccer and functions as a global counterpart to the Champions League, featuring leading clubs from all six FIFA confederations.

    The 2026 tournament begins with Al-Ahli vs. Auckland in the African–Asian–Pacific Cup playoff. The match brings together two of the biggest teams from the Saudi Arabian and New Zealand leagues.

    When is Al-Ahli vs. Auckland?

    Al-Ahli vs. Auckland in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup kicks off at 2 p.m. ET on Aug. 26. The match will be played at King Abdullah Sports City.

    How to watch Al-Ahli vs. Auckland for free

    The FIFA Intercontinental Cup match between Al-Ahli and Auckland is available to stream live for free on CazéTV.

    CazéTV is geo-restricted to Brazil, but viewers outside the country can use a VPN to access the stream. A VPN hides your real IP address, or “digital location,” and connects your device to a secure server in Brazil, allowing you to watch Al-Ahli vs. Auckland for free from anywhere in the world.

    Follow these steps to stream Al-Ahli vs. Auckland for free:

    1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN, such as ExpressVPN.
    2. Download the VPN app on your preferred device.
    3. Open the app and connect to a server in Brazil.
    4. Visit CazéTV.
    5. Watch Al-Ahli vs. Auckland for free from anywhere in the world.

    The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but many offer generous money-back guarantees. Taking advantage of these offers can let you watch Al-Ahli vs. Auckland without committing to the full cost. While this is not a long-term strategy, it provides enough time to stream this match, along with Premier League action, before recovering your investment.

    What is the best VPN for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup?

    ExpressVPN is recommended for bypassing geo-restrictions and streaming live sports on CazéTV for several reasons:

    • Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil
    • Easy-to-use apps for major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows and Mac
    • A strict no-logging policy designed to keep your data secure
    • Fast connection speeds without throttling
    • Up to 10 simultaneous connections
    • A 30-day money-back guarantee

    A two-year ExpressVPN subscription is available for $68.40 and includes an additional four months free, representing 81% off for a limited time. The plan also includes one year of free unlimited cloud backup and typically comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, a one-month plan is available for $12.99.

    Use ExpressVPN to stream Al-Ahli vs. Auckland for free from anywhere in the world.

    Source: mashable.com

  • Rockstar Addresses Heartbreaking GTA VI Leaks

    Rockstar Addresses Heartbreaking GTA VI Leaks

    After a week of Grand Theft Auto VI leaks, Rockstar Games has addressed the Cyberleek situation in a rare public statement, calling the leaks “heartbreaking.”

    In a post on its X account, Rockstar confirmed that the leaked videos do show GTA VI gameplay. The company’s parent firm, Take-Two Interactive Software, had previously acknowledged the footage in subpoenas seeking to unmask the culprits.

    Rockstar also apologized for the long wait to release Grand Theft Auto VI and share more official details about the game.

    “It would be an understatement to say that having videos of Grand Theft Auto VI gameplay leak in this way has been heartbreaking for our team, and this is obviously not how we intended for you to see the game after all this time,” the statement said. “We are very sorry that everything has taken as long as it has — from getting the game finished (nearly there!) to sharing more details and official gameplay, and providing the community with everything you want to know.”

    Cyberleek releases another GTA VI gameplay clip

    Despite Rockstar’s statement, the leaker known only as Cyberleek appeared unfazed, releasing a fifteenth Grand Theft Auto VI gameplay clip online shortly after the company issued its statement on Wednesday morning.

    More GTA 6 Cyberleek updates have detailed everything leaked so far and what could be next.

    Rockstar said it knows the official gameplay reveal must “exceed your expectations.” The reveal remains scheduled for Thursday on Netflix and is expected to show more of GTA VI’s gameplay, plot and characters than the Cyberleek videos, which have primarily shown protagonist Jason beating up non-player characters and stealing cars.

    With Grand Theft Auto VI scheduled to launch on Nov. 19, Rockstar will hope the leaks ultimately have little effect on the game’s release.

  • Cyndi Lauper’s “Table Manners” Episode Is an Instant Classic

    Cyndi Lauper’s “Table Manners” Episode Is an Instant Classic

    Music icon Cyndi Lauper is the latest guest on Table Manners with Jessie and Lennie Ware, where she discusses family, music, food, and her activism over a memorable meal.

    In the food-focused interview podcast released Wednesday, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and lifelong New Yorker joined Jessie and Lennie Ware for her favourite meal: borscht followed by fig and almond tart.

    Cyndi Lauper on music, family and marinara

    During the conversation, Lauper reflects on her Sicilian family upbringing, major hits including “True Colors” and “Girls Just Want To Have Fun,” and the challenges of making marinara. She also discusses the documentary Let The Canary Sing, her lawsuit involving her band Blue Angel, and some of her favourite New York restaurants, including Le Veau d’Or, Lucien and Frankie’s.

    The singer also talks about her charity work advocating for the rights and health of women, girls and LGBTQ+ people.

    “The only time that I really felt and cried was at the first women’s demonstration when everybody wore pink hats, and I saw these young girls with these signs, “Girls Just Want to Have Fundamental Rights.” And I used to get in trouble for talking about feminism!” says Lauper in the video above.

    From YouTubers and TikTok stars to streamers and podcasters, Mashable talks to creators about how they built their platforms, the gear they swear by and the trends they see coming next. Read more of our creator coverage, sign up for the Trending Now and Top Stories newsletters, or get Mashable push alerts to discover the internet’s most exciting voices.

    Source: mashable.com

  • Dawson’s Creek Star Busy Philipps Diagnosed With Rare Brain Tumour at 47

    Dawson’s Creek Star Busy Philipps Diagnosed With Rare Brain Tumour at 47

    Actress Busy Philipps has opened up about her recent health battle, revealing she was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor earlier this year. Following a routine full-body MRI in February, the 47-year-old underwent surgery in early March, just before production began on her new television series, Cupertino.

    Reflecting on the life-altering diagnosis, the star expressed immense gratitude. “I’m grateful that I’m alive,” she told PEOPLE. “I didn’t know why I wanted to get this scan except for the fact that I just did.”

    An Intuitive Choice and a Crucial Push

    The decision to schedule the scan came during an incredibly emotional time. When Busy lost her friend and Dawson’s Creek co-star, James Van Der Beek, to colon cancer in February, a severe blizzard in New York City initially forced her to postpone the appointment for several weeks.

    However, her ex-husband and close friend, Marc Silverstein, strongly encouraged her not to delay the procedure any longer. “He’s like, ‘Maybe it’s the best thing you could do for your friend this morning. Go get that scan,’” the White Chicks actress recalled. Shortly after, Beverly Hills internist Dr. Justin Donlan informed her that he had identified a lesion on her brain that required further medical evaluation.

    The Shock of the Diagnosis

    The initial moments of processing the diagnosis were a whirlwind of emotion. Philipps described how she communicated the news to Silverstein. “The texts to my ex-husband are comical. While I was on the phone with Dr. Donlan, I texted Marc, ‘OMG I have a brain tumor.’ And he wrote back, ‘Busy, what? What are you saying? What are you talking about?’ I was like, ‘It looks fine. It’s probably benign. I don’t know.’”

    However, the gravity of the situation quickly became clear after her MRI results were fully analyzed. Doctors delivered a sobering message: “‘This is a real tumor, and it’s inside your brain. And Busy, it’s got to come out.’“

    The revelation took an immediate physical and emotional toll. “I was hyperventilating and trying to breathe.” Philipps also shared that her 18-year-old daughter, Birdie, ‘was kind of beside herself and really, really scared and overwhelmed with emotion’.

    Despite her own fear, the actress focused on comforting her daughter. “I just kept saying to her, ‘Birdie, you’re just not in the movie where your mom dies your senior year of high school. That’s just not the movie that you’re in. I promise you,’” she added.

    Surgery and Pathology Results

    On March 2, Philipps underwent a complex five-hour operation during which neurosurgeons successfully removed a 2.6cm mass from her brain. A subsequent biopsy identified the growth as a grade 2 oligodendroglioma, which is a rare type of brain tumor defined by specific genetic alterations.

    Her neuro-oncologist, Dr. Alexandra Miller of NYU Langone, explained to PEOPLE that oligodendrogliomas are quite uncommon, with only about 1,100 to 1,300 cases diagnosed annually in the United States.

    Addressing the prognosis, Dr. Miller clarified the nature of the condition: “It is considered malignant, but it has the best prognosis of all of the malignant gliomas.“ She added, “It’s sort of defined as a cancerous tumor based on the ability of the tumor to regrow over time, rather than it looking very malignant under the microscope.”

    A Complicated Recovery and Looking Ahead

    Though the tumor was successfully removed, Philipps faced a challenging recovery period. She developed a staph infection in her surgical incision, requiring a secondary operation on April 27 to clean the wound and remove a titanium tack from her skull. Fortunately, medical professionals caught the infection early before it could progress deeper.

    Today, Philipps does not require chemotherapy or radiotherapy, though she will continue to undergo regular monitoring scans to ensure the tumor does not return. Her surgeon has expressed high confidence, noting there is a great chance the tumor may never come back.

    Ultimately, Philipps hopes her story encourages others to trust their instincts when it comes to their health. “We are frequently told by doctors that there is nothing to worry about [when] you kind of know that there’s something to worry about,” she emphasized. “There’s nothing to be afraid of in having information. It’s only empowering.”

  • Brooklyn Beckham Hits Back at Critics Who Told Him to ‘feed’ Wife Nicola Peltz

    Brooklyn Beckham Hits Back at Critics Who Told Him to ‘feed’ Wife Nicola Peltz

    Brooklyn Beckham is making it clear that he will not tolerate any negativity directed toward his wife, Nicola Peltz. The aspiring chef and media personality recently faced online backlash after sharing a home-cooked meal on Instagram, prompting him to swiftly shut down a critical commenter.

    Beckham took to social media to showcase his latest culinary creation: a classic, comforting cottage pie. While the majority of the comments on his post focused on offering constructive cooking tips—such as how to make the filling less watery or how to get his potatoes extra crispy—one user decided to take an unnecessary swipe at Peltz’s physical appearance.

    As reported by the Daily Mail, the commenter said: “Do you comment on everyone who is concerned about your wife and how sickly she looks?”She puts herself out there, feed her.

    Beckham did not hesitate in hitting back with a stern reply, writing: “Don’t ever talk about my wife.”She’s absolutely beautiful and you should never comment on a woman’s body. It’s disgraceful.”

    The Impact of Body Shaming in the Public Eye

    The harsh ‘skinny shaming’ directed at Peltz highlights a wider, ongoing issue facing public figures today. This incident occurred shortly after pop star Ariana Grande announced she was taking a step back from the spotlight.

    A representative for the 33-year-old revealed she would be taking ‘much-deserved break’ once her Eternal Sunshine Tour concludes in London in September. The representative told PEOPLE that this planned hiatus comes amid ‘endless ongoing public scrutiny,’ pointing to growing social media discussions regarding Grande’s physical appearance.

    The announcement followed the release of her “Petal” music video, which featured a satirical take on Hollywood producers making critical, objectifying remarks about her body before Grande’s character humorously dispatches them. The video renewed online discourse surrounding body shaming, with Jameela Jamil calling out the singer’s team.

    Addressing her upcoming hiatus during a live performance in Chicago, Grande told her fans: “So basically, the announcement that was made yesterday was not a reactive or impulsive thing,”

    She continued: “It is something that I had decided to plan that I had quietly made a long time ago and it’s a decision that was made from a thoughtful and empowered place. And I want you to know many things can be true at the same time.”

    Inside the Ongoing Beckham Family Rift

    Beyond dealing with social media trolls, Brooklyn Beckham remains deeply estranged from his family. Brooklyn and Nicola Peltz have been married since 2022, but they quietly renewed their vows in a private ceremony. The couple now marks that vow renewal date as their official anniversary, steering clear of their original wedding date, which was plagued by controversy.

    The rift between Brooklyn and his parents, David and Victoria Beckham, has reportedly persisted for years. In a bombshell statement released in January, Brooklyn claimed his parents had tried to ‘ruin his relationship’ with the 31-year-old actress and had ‘controlled’ his ‘life.’

    He also alleged that his mother, Victoria Beckham, 52, ‘danced very inappropriately’ on him’ after she reportedly ‘hijacked’ the newlyweds’ first dance during their original wedding.

    An anonymous source told The Sun: “Brooklyn and Nicola’s first wedding in April 2022 is not an occasion they look back on fondly.“Nicola ended up in tears. It’s not something they want to be reminded of.“Their second wedding, where they renewed their vows last August with just her family and their friends, does hold so many happy memories, however.“Going forwards, they’ve decided that this is the date they will celebrate publicly together.”

    Adding fuel to the rumors, Brooklyn recently revealed he had a tattoo honoring his mother removed from his left chest.

    A Detailed Timeline of the Beckham Family Feud

    To understand how relations between Brooklyn, Nicola, and the rest of the Beckham family became so strained, here is a chronological breakdown of the key events:

    April 2022: The Florida Wedding

    On April 9, 2022, Brooklyn and Nicola wed in a lavish ceremony in front of 500 guests at her family’s estate in Palm Beach, Florida, two years after getting engaged.

    August 2022: Reports of Tension Emerge

    Only a few months after the wedding, media sources began reporting on a ‘full-on cold war’ between Nicola and her new mother-in-law. According to Page Six, ‘the build-up to the wedding was horrendous’ and they ‘can’t stand each other and don’t talk’. Reports also claimed much of the feud stemmed from Nicola’s decision to wear a Valentino wedding dress instead of a piece designed by Victoria’s fashion house, though both parties appeared to dismiss those rumors at the time.

    March 2023: A United Front

    The family put on a united front in March 2023, appearing happy together as they posed for photos at Victoria’s fashion show in Paris.

    April 2025: The Rift Reopens

    Two years later, the divide became apparent again when Brooklyn and Nicola reportedly snubbed David Beckham’s landmark 50th birthday celebration at Cipriani Downtown Miami. Around the same time, TMZ claimed that Brooklyn and his brother Romeo were not speaking due to a fallout over Romeo’s girlfriend, Kim Turnbull, who allegedly had a ‘romantic connection’ with Brooklyn ‘several years ago’. Cruz Beckham later insisted that Brooklyn and Kim had never actually dated. Still, by May 2025, Brooklyn and Nicola were noticeably absent from David’s continuing birthday celebrations.

    July 2025: Social Media Unfollowings

    In July 2025, the siblings seemingly cut digital ties, with Brooklyn and Nicola unfollowing Romeo and Cruz, and vice versa.

    August 2025: Vow Renewals Without Parents

    David and Victoria Beckham were notably absent from Brooklyn and Nicola’s private vow renewal ceremony. By December of that year, reports surfaced that Brooklyn and his parents had unfollowed one another entirely on social media.

    December 2025: Cruz Clears the Air

    Responding to claims that his family had unfollowed Brooklyn, Cruz posted on his Instagram Stories: “NOT TRUE. My mum and dad would never unfollow their son … Let’s get the facts right. They woke up blocked … as did I.”

    January 2026: Legal Communications and Bombshell Claims

    In January 2026, reports emerged that Brooklyn had sent a legal letter to his parents insisting they only contact him through his lawyer. Victoria reportedly breached this boundary when she ‘liked’ an Instagram post he made about a roast chicken.

    On January 19, Brooklyn broke his silence by posting a series of explosive statements on his Instagram Stories, alleging his parents tried to ‘ruin’ his relationship, have ‘controlled’ his life, and prioritised ‘Brand Beckham’ over everything else.

    March 2026: David’s Unanswered Birthday Message

    David Beckham tried to reach his son on his birthday, posting a childhood photo and writing: “27 Today. Happy Birthday Bust. We love you.” David tagged Victoria in the tribute but was unable to tag Brooklyn, who had blocked him. Brooklyn did not publicly acknowledge the post.

    June 2026: A Hand-Delivered Note and Commercial Swipes

    The drama continued in June 2026 when Brooklyn’s 14-year-old sister, Harper, was photographed outside Brooklyn’s door hand-delivering a letter. Brooklyn and Nicola were believed to be in New York at the time. A representative for the Peltz-Beckhams issued a sharp response, stating: “That photographers were in place as the letter was hand-delivered says it all – this was choreographed for the cameras.”

    Shortly after, Brooklyn starred in a DoorDash commercial during the World Cup, seemingly taking a direct swipe at his family. In the ad, he says: “You’re probably wondering why I’m watching the FIFA World Cup 2026 from home. It’s a long story.”

  • Dolly Parton’s No. 1 Song Was Banned From Radio Over ‘suggestive’ Lyrics

    Dolly Parton’s No. 1 Song Was Banned From Radio Over ‘suggestive’ Lyrics

    The music world is mourning the loss of country music icon Dolly Parton, who has passed away at the age of 80. Following her passing, fans and historians are looking back at her legendary career, including the surprising controversy surrounding one of her biggest hits, which was once banned by radio stations and disc jockeys for supposedly suggestive lyrics.

    In her book, Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics, the late singer-songwriter recalled how radio programmers refused to broadcast her 1975 single “The Bargain Store.” She explained that conservative country music broadcasters deemed the track’s wording “dirty” or too provocative for the airwaves at the time.

    Dolly Parton Passes Away at 80

    The country music legend passed away at age 80, as confirmed by her family in a heartbreaking statement released on Tuesday (25 August). Her publicist, Marcel Pariseau, stated that she had been receiving treatment at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center prior to her death, which followed a brief illness. While the specific form of cancer has not been publicly disclosed, her team shared an emotional tribute to her lasting impact:

    “Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. “

    Her representatives added:

    “After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.”

    Why “The Bargain Store” Faced a Radio Ban

    Decades before her passing, Dolly Parton faced significant pushback from conservative radio programmers. The primary issue with her 1975 release, “The Bargain Store,” lay in lyrics that some DJs suspected were coded references to prostitution. Listeners and programmers took issue with lines suggesting that a bargain was waiting inside.

    The specific lyrics that sparked the controversy read:

    “The bargain store is open, come inside. You can easily afford the price.”

    The song continues:

    “Love is all you need to purchase all the merchandise. And I can guarantee you’ll be completely satisfied.”

    In her memoir, Parton strongly defended her songwriting, asserting that her intentions were entirely wholesome and that the suggestive double meaning was purely in the minds of the listeners.

    “When I wrote ‘The Bargain Store,’ I swear on my life that I was never thinking about love in any vulgar way.”

    She added:

    “Somehow, this lyric is a dirty thing to a man. But I never saw it that way. Every man I know thinks it’s dirty.”

    A Metaphor for a Broken Heart

    According to Parton, the “bargain” referenced in the title was never meant to be physical. Instead, she used the concept of a secondhand shop as a metaphor for entering a new relationship while carrying emotional baggage from past heartbreak.

    She explained her creative thought process in her book:

    “All I was thinking of was the heart: ‘If you don’t mind the merchandise is slightly used, with a little mending it can be good as new.’

    She further clarified the emotional message she intended to convey:

    “I was saying that you’ll be surprised at how good this broken heart is. Just take it. You’ll never be sorry that you did. “

    “The words just meant that I’ve had relationships: I’ve been through stuff; I’m not new at this.”

    Despite her confidence in the track, the initial reaction from radio programmers was a major disappointment for the artist.

    “I thought for sure that I had written a hit song,”

    Parton wrote, adding:

    “And then the disc jockeys wouldn’t play it.”

    Fortunately, the censorship did not last. Airplay eventually picked up, and “The Bargain Store” went on to climb all the way to the No. 1 spot on the charts. The track became Parton’s fifth solo number-one country hit, cementing its place in music history and spending a total of nine weeks on the country charts.

  • Ridley Scott’s ‘The Dog Stars’ Divides Critics Before Qui…

    Ridley Scott’s ‘The Dog Stars’ Divides Critics Before Qui…

    Ridley Scott's latest feature, "The Dog Stars," opens in U.S. theaters on August 28, 2026. The film adapts Peter Heller's novel and stars Jacob Elordi and Margaret Qualley alongside Josh Brolin, Guy Pearce, Allison Janney, and Benedict Wong. Running time is 118 minutes with an R rating for strong language and violence. Read also: Sacha Baron Cohen Revives Ali G for New Feature Film After Two Decades.

    The story follows a lone survivor navigating a barren wilderness after an unspecified cataclysm. This premise echoes recent post-apocalyptic titles such as "A Quiet Place," the "28 Years Later" movies, "The End We Start From," and the HBO series "Station Eleven." Johnny Oleksinski of the New York Post describes the genre as "It's the end of the world, so let's go on a hike." Read also: Only Murders in the Building Season 6 Heads to London with December Premiere Date.

    “It’s the end of the world, so let’s go on a hike.”

    — Johnny Oleksinski, New York Post

    Oleksinski calls the movie a "dog of a movie" that adds little to the familiar formula. He writes that the film is "lacking variation" and "running on the fumes of the much better aforementioned titles." The critic refers to Scott as "the once-great director (and now my tormentor)."

    David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter offers a contrasting view. He describes the film as Ridley Scott's most satisfying effort since "The Martian," praising its reflective tone amid brief action bursts. Rooney calls it a "subdued but pleasingly soulful dystopian western."

    “subdued but pleasingly soulful dystopian western”

    — David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter

    Rooney also notes Disney's low-key release strategy. The film was pushed from a spring slot to late summer with minimal marketing, no U.S. red-carpet premiere, and a trailer that resembles many generic post-apocalyptic thrillers. He suggests the studio expects limited commercial appeal, especially as TV series like "The Last of Us" have ceded ground.

    With sharply divided reviews and a quiet launch, "The Dog Stars" arrives as a test of whether Scott's veteran craftsmanship can still draw audiences to a familiar end-of-the-world hike.

  • Hurdle Hints and Answers for August 26, 2026

    Hurdle Hints and Answers for August 26, 2026

    If you enjoy daily word games such as Wordle, Hurdle offers a five-round challenge that gets progressively more revealing.

    In the first round, you must guess the word while the game identifies correct, misplaced and incorrect letters. Solving a round moves you to the next hurdle, where the answer from the previous round becomes your first guess. Depending on the words, that can provide several clues—or none at all.

    In the final hurdle, all the correct answers from the previous rounds appear, with correct and misplaced letters clearly indicated. Keep in mind that the number of times a letter is highlighted in earlier guesses does not necessarily show how many times that letter appears in the final answer.

    Today’s Hurdle answers and hints

    Stuck on one of today’s Hurdle rounds? Here are the hints and answers:

    • Hurdle Word 1 hint: Hurled
      Answer: THROW
    • Hurdle Word 2 hint: Doomed
      Answer: GONER
    • Hurdle Word 3 hint: Belief
      Answer: FAITH
    • Hurdle Word 4 hint: Member of the Catholic Church
      Answer: FRIAR
    • Final Hurdle hint: A tooth
      Answer: MOLAR

    For more daily puzzles, visit Mashable’s games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crosswords and more. You can also sign up for Mashable’s Top Stories newsletter or enable Mashable push alerts for more technology and digital culture news.

    Source: mashable.com