The Sunday edition.

‘A political witch hunt’: Trump’s unhinged rant addresses hush money trial verdict

Judge Juan Merchan finally put President-elect Donald Trump’s hush money case to a close. Despite the judge’s lenient sentencing, Trump claimed to be victimized by the court system.

Before he was sentenced, Trump was allowed to address the court regarding any concerns he had. “This has been a very terrible experience. I think it’s a tremendous setback for New York and the New York court system.” Trump added that this case was merely an injustice brought upon him by Democrats and District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

10 best LGBT films that don’t bury their gays

You know how it goes—gay people in the movies don’t often make it to the credits. It’s an unfortunate trope that became so overabundant in media that people came up with a name for it “bury your gays.”

With all the politicians actually trying to bury the gays in America these days, I need some stories where the gays come out on top—or at least alive. So here they are, 1o best LGBTQ films where queer people have the last laugh.

10 best ‘good for her’ horror films

Revenge is sweet at times, and horror is the perfect genre for that. “Good for her” isn’t a new subgenre, but its name originated from a line in Arrested Development said by Lucile Bluth. The subgenre typically focuses on women who endure trauma and or difficult circumstances and take back their agency.

There are a number of “good for her” horror films to check out, most of which aren’t that intersectional (which is a slight problem), and some of them might not be easy to stomach. Especially since the rape-revenge subgenre is occasionally folded into a “good for her” horror film. But instead of focusing on just any era for these films, I’m honing in on the 2010s for this list. Why? Because there’s no harm in revisiting older films. The following are some of the best “good for her” horror films from the 2010s.

10 best vampire horror films, ranked by thirstiness

Vampires are usually sexy as hell, am I right? Throughout the decades, we’ve dealt with a range of vampires in horror films. And some vampires are too monstrous for certain fans (meanwhile some of us aren’t scared away by that) to consider scorching.
Instead of talking about the hottest vampires, though, I’m diving into some of the best vampire horror films that incite…thirstiness. Grab your decanter full of blood and let’s see where each film ranks. Sorry to say that Dracula (1931), Dracula’s Daughter (1936), Let Me In (2010) won’t be making this list for various reasons. But be sure to watch those if you’re a connoisseur of vampire horror.

Nosferatu (1922)

Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu was inspired by this film, in case you didn’t know! Nosferatu is a silent horror film that follows a woman who is preyed on by the mysterious vampire, Count Orlok (Max Schreck). The performances are expressive, and Count Orlok is very dramatic throughout the film’s runtime. But as a vampire horror film, it’s not all that sexually charged.

Kelsea Ballerini dishes on ‘wildly uncomfortable year’ just days before kicking off her first-ever arena tour

Kelsea Ballerini is reflecting on her past year. The “Penthouse” singer took to her Instagram to share a few words with her fans about what she learned in 2024, just before she heads out on the road for her upcoming tour later this month.

Alongside her words, she shared a carousel of photos, starting with a photo of Ballerini smiling into the camera with a beautiful body of water behind her. As you scroll through the images, you will find photos of the singer on stage, videos of her and her boyfriend, Chase Stokes, and other moments throughout the year with friends and family.

Ken Urker Talks Regrets Over Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s Pregnancy Timing in Life After Lockup Season 2 Trailer

The trailer for season 2 of Life After Lockup dropped on Monday, January 6, and we are already on the edge of our seats. Hopefully, you’ve been keeping up with the drama surrounding Gypsy Rose Blanchard, Ryan Anderson, and Ken Urker, but in case you haven’t, sit tight because it’s about to be a wild ride.

In the season 2 sneak peek, Blanchard and Urker are talking about their new baby girl, Aurora Raina Urker, who the couple announced the arrival of on January 1 on Urker’s Instagram page. “Welcoming 2025 with the greatest gift of all ?,” He wrote in the caption.

Maria Bakalova on ‘The Apprentice’: ‘People are a little bit anxious to talk about this movie’

There’s been a lot of buzz surrounding Ali Abbasi’s Sebastian Stan-fronted Trump biopic, The Apprentice. And yet, so many Hollywood stars, studio execs, and media outlets are hesitant to comment on the film due to its contentious subject matter—something star Maria Bakalova is well aware of.

From the get-go, The Apprentice was bound to be divisive. The not-quite-a-biopic, which was first announced back in May 2018, struggled to find distribution for years, and was supposedly passed on by filmmakers such as Paul Thomas Anderson and Clint Eastwood before finding its director in Ali Abbasi. When The Apprentice eventually released in theaters in Oct. 2024, it faced a bevy of legal woes and threatened lawsuits from Trump’s campaign team, with the man himself even slamming the movie for being a “politically disgusting hatchet job.” Yep, sounds like something Trump would say!

‘The new mind virus’: Right-wing anti-wokeness bullying has now targeted… firefighters in LA?

DEI-chasing conservatives, champing at the bit, have located another shiny tragedy for which to breathlessly dog-whistle.

As Los Angeles-area firefighters (with assistance from Canadian “Super Scooper” planes) battle multiple devastating blazes that have claimed 11 lives and destroyed over 10,000 structures, right-wing culture warriors have found a new target for their homophobic, anti-Black, and broadly anti-diversity crusade: the fire department itself.

It’s not too late to get tickets for Justin Timberlake’s 2025 ‘Forget Tomorrow World Tour’: Here are the cheapest prices, cities, and dates

Justin Timberlake is continuing his “Forget Tomorrow World Tour” in 2025, kicking it off on Monday, January 13. While the singer only has 16 shows left in North America before he jets off to Argentina for Lollapalooza, it’s not too late to get your hands on some tickets.

Throughout Timberlake’s tour, there have been some hiccups along the way where Timberlake was forced to reschedule a few shows due to health issues. The “Mirrors” singer took to his Instagram to share that he had to reschedule six shows, writing:

The Mean Girls Broadway Tour is Hitting the Road in 2025: Here’s The Full Schedule and How To Get Tickets

Mean Girls The Musical is heading out on the road this year! The first few stops were held in Lubbock, Texas, and will be making their way to Santa Barbara, Orlando, New Haven, and other cities around the United States.

Mean Girls The Musical first debuted on Broadway in New York City on October 31, 2017, and has been a hit ever since. The Tina Fey-written movie turned musical was nominated for over 12 Tony Awards and won Outstanding Book of a Musical at the 2018 Drama Desk Awards. After 833 performances, the show is now closed on Broadway but has been kept alive through touring events like this one!

10 films directed by women in 2024 to binge watch ASAP

Hands down, 2024 was an amazing year for films directed by women. The year showcased many films featuring amazing stories and cinematography that captivated viewers worldwide. Women directors brought to the world some of 2024’s most memorable films (dare I say masterpieces), and each deserves a few hours of your time. Here are ten films that were released in 2024 that you need to add to your must-watch list.

Woman of the Hour

Woman of the Hour served as Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut, and she also stars in the film. The film is based on the real-life story of “The Dating Game Killer,” Rodney Alcala, who appeared on a dating show in 1978 and won a date with a woman named Sheryl Bradshaw. It was later discovered he had murdered at least five women by the time he appeared on the show.

‘The Vanishing’ interview: Ana Ortiz and Francesca Noel talk about the wide demographics for Goosebumps

The Mary Sue interviewed Ana Ortiz and Francesca Noel about their roles in The Vanishing and how it appeals to audiences of all ages. Whether you grew up devouring Goosebumps books, are a parent introducing it to your kids, or a newcomer, this new series offers something special for everyone.

Goosebumps is for everyone!

As someone who grew up with Goosebumps, the books, the TV show, and literally any content I could find, I couldn’t wait to share it with my family. My partner had only read a couple of books, and my eight-year-old daughter had no exposure to the series. Yet, when we all watched the first season in 2023 together, we were all hooked.

‘Have you nothing to say?’: LA Mayor Karen Bass’ silence on deadly wildfires speaks volumes

Leave it to our elected officials to drop the ball when we need them most!

As wildfires continue to rage across greater Los Angeles, residents have never been more uncertain of what’s next. As of now, 35 thousand acres remain ablaze, and over 10 thousand structures have been destroyed between the Palisades Fire on the west side and the Eaton Fire near Altadena in the east. With their futures in limbo, you’d think leaders like Mayor Karen Bass would, at the very least, try to provide a modicum of comfort to victims. Instead, she’s doubling down on her own assertion that the city’s fire response has been A-okay, actually, and staying silent when pressed for answers.

Hoda Kotb’s ‘Today Show’ sendoff was a star-studded event

After 17 years of The Today Show, Hoda Kotb has left the building–literally, not figuratively, in her last appearance on Hoda & Jenna. To borrow a phrase from another 30 Rockefeller Plaza icon, Stefon,The Today Show‘s “Hoda-bration” for Kotb’s last day hosting the fourth hour had everything: special guests, musical performances, and a tunnel of love.

Kotb announced her imminent departure from the morning show back in October 2024. Her final show on January 10, 2025 was dedicated to her many years of service. As it should be! She’s an absolute icon.

‘The Internet can also be full of wonderful people’: From teen bride to empowered woman, one Redditor’s journey to leave a toxic marriage

Sometimes, the internet gives us stories that are messy, raw, and ultimately empowering. Ones that make us pause and say, “This is why I still believe in the power of people.” One Redditor’s journey, chronicled over a series of posts, is exactly that kind of story.

From being a teen bride in a traditional marriage to finally finding the courage to leave her toxic husband, this woman has shown resilience, growth, and self-awareness in a way that feels deeply relatable and inspiring. Let’s go back four months ago to the start…

‘… maybe she wouldn’t have had kids at all’: Shari Franke’s memoir highlights the dangers of thrusting motherhood on women

In her new memoir, The House of My Mother, Shari Franke questions how things might have been different if her mother, convicted child abuser Ruby Franke, hadn’t grown up in a home where she was told having children was the only path to fulfillment.

Franke’s searing memoir tells the whole story of her and her siblings’ lives leading up to the day in August 2023 when Ruby, a famous family vlogger, was arrested on charges of aggravated child abuse. The internet had spent over a decade watching Ruby post daily vlogs of her children on the 8 Passengers YouTube channel, which attained over 1 million subscribers at its peak. However, Franke has now come forward to fix the narrative, confirming that the happy Mormon family viewers saw on YouTube was not the reality. Ruby’s abuse started long before the most extreme physical abuse of the youngest Franke children that led to her arrest. From the onset, Ruby had ruled her house with an iron fist, emotionally abusing her children, denying them mental health care, and treating them coldly and cruelly as “guests” in her home.

SNL announces first shows of 2025, and a bizarrely iconic host/musical guest double feature

Saturday Night Live is celebrating 50 years this season and we’ve had some great hosts so far. But the newly announced line-up for January really takes the cake.

The host and musical guest, which is typically only the same person when a professional singer pulls double duty. This time around, the artist serving as host and musical guest is none other than Timothée Chalamet. You’re probably thinking to yourself “does he sing” and the answer is yes but it is sort of complicated.

‘Convicted felon President-elect’: Trump mercilessly dunked on by the internet post-sentencing

So Donald Trump doesn’t have to pay a fine nor does he have to go to jail for his conviction per his sentencing. He is, however, always going to be labeled as a convicted felon. Which, kind of hilarious (sarcastic) seeing as most felons cannot hold public office…

Trump officially being a convicted felon has many online mocking him and rightfully so. Convicted felons have limited rights in the United States, some of those linked to political positions, so it is ironic that a convicted felon is about to be inaugurated. Feels like that should be impossible and yet here we are.

‘Pathetic’: Trump’s unconditional discharge is rightfully dragged by the internet

The internet is dragging Donald Trump’s unconditional discharge in his hush-money case, which formally convicts him as a felon but forgoes any punishment.

Trump stood trial in early 2024 on charges of 34 counts of fraud related to the hush money he paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels and the documents he falsified to cover up his actions. According to Daniels, she and Trump had an affair in 2006. When Trump launched his 2016 presidential campaign, he arranged for his lawyer, Michael Cohen, to pay Daniels off to prevent her from going public with the story. However, he got himself into significant legal trouble when he paid Cohen back but improperly recorded the payment as a legal expense. Trump then falsified further business records to hide his crime, leading to the whopping 34 felony charges of fraud, of which he was found guilty. Things took quite an interesting turn when Trump was re-elected President of the United States before sentencing for his 34 felony charges.

‘She made me a cat person’: A heartbreaking Reddit post about love, loss, and cats

If you’ve ever doubted the emotional power of cats, go ahead and grab your tissues now. A post in r/cats has captured hearts across the internet. This Reddit story weaves together themes of love, loss, and the enduring comfort of bonding with a cat.

Prepare to cry

The original post starts with a gut punch, I’m not ashamed to say this entire thread brought me to tears. The Redditor (OP) shared that his girlfriend passed away at the beginning of the new year after a battle with pneumonia. But this isn’t just a story of grief, it’s also a love letter to two very special cats, Olive and Pearl, and the girlfriend who made him see the light about our furry companions.