London Activists Rally to Break the “Bronze Ceiling” With This Feminist Statue

Mar 07, 2018

We’ve all heard about breaking through the glass ceiling, but what about the bronze ceiling? A letter signed by more than 40 high profile British men aims to do just that — by calling for the erection a memorial statue of early British feminist Mary Wollstonecraft.

In an open letter to the Guardian, the signatories — which include Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and actors Sam West and Jason Isaacs — ask the public to support “Mary on the Green,” a campaign to construct a memorial to Wollstonecraft at Newington Green in London. There will also be a petition launched on March 8 — International Women’s Day — in support of the campaign.

Wollstonecraft was a writer and public figure who way back in 1792 penned A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. In it, she argues that women are equal to men and only appear inferior due to lack of education and opportunity. She was a dyed-in-the-wool human rights activist, brilliant academic, war correspondent, and the mom of Frankenstein author Mary Shelley. A lady way ahead of her time, to be sure, and one of the world’s early and most influential feminists. So why is she not commemorated in the British capital, like so many historic British men?

In their open letter, the men point out that statues of those Wollstonecraft influenced, like Millicent Fawcett, Thomas Paine, and William Gladstone, already stand in London’s parks and squares. In a line that was perhaps included to quell male fears of Wollstonecraft’s feminist power, the men point out that she called for women not “to have power over men but over themselves.”

The push to get Wollstonecraft recognized in statue form was actually started last International Women’s Day by 80 female politicians, academics, and public figures. According to the “Mary on the Green” campaign they created, “Over 90 percent of London’s statues commemorate men, leaving many incredible women uncelebrated and ignored, like Mary Wollstonecraft.” The campaign has so far earned more than $80,000 in donations of the $277,820 they say they will need to get the project off the ground.

With more than 120 prominent men and women now supporting the initiative, a bronze memorial of one of feminism’s early badasses seems all but inevitable.

“Her life sends a message of encouragement to young people in a world divided along gender and class lines,” says the campaign. “Wollstonecraft’s work is far from done.”

What do you think? Tell us @britandco!

(Photos by Jack Taylor + Hulton Archive / Getty)

10 New Books For April That Your Group Chat Will Devour

Each month I tell myself there's no way I'm going to fall in love with new rom-com or self improvement books, but somehow I always do. Between BookTokand book club discoveries, I can't get enough of all the talented authors out there. It seems like there are endless tales of romantic mishaps, pop cultural hot takes, and high-stakes mysteries with endings that leave me reeling. That's honestly what makes reading so much fun!

If you need a new dose of romance — or a social commentary that makes you reevaluate your relationship with overthinking — check out these 10 must-read books coming in April! In case you can't get enough, be sure to review the hot new books from March!

Must-Read New Books Coming In April 2024

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Old Flames and New Fortunesby Sarah Hogle

Romina Tempest has been using her magical gift to create beauty and romantic love around her, even if said love is evading her. It's been like this for the past decade, but she's learned to live with the decision that ended her chance at romance.

Creating magic in her floral shop, Romina can't help but get excited when she learns about a dream angel investor's upcoming (and very prestigious) wedding. Cooking up an elaborate scheme to help her business, she and her co-worker Trevor decide to pretend they're in a relationship.

Things go fairly well until she realizes Trevor knows the man responsible for her love deficit: Alex King. It's a recipe for disaster, but maybe a bit of magic can help.

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Just For the Summerby Abby Jimenez

Justin and Emma are in the same predicament: every person they date seems to end up in a successful relationship after dating them. Unfortunately for Justin, everyone knows. However, they hope that dating each other will undo whatever omen is hovering over their chance at love.

Over the summer, they spend time together on Lake Minnetonka and become wrapped up in each other's lives. From an overbearing mother to a sudden change in family dynamics, Emma and Justin begin to suspect their mutual bad luck in love may not have been so bad after all.

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An Inconvenient Wife by Karen E. Olson

Kate Parker was Hank Tudor's efficient assistant before she took on the role of wife #6. She knows about his previous marriages, but she's too busy enjoying the beginning of their relationship. Before she can fully enjoy their honeymoon, their plans are interrupted when a dead woman is discovered near Hank's vacation home. The twisted part about this death is that it isn't the first time a headless body has shown up.

Kate finds herself on the other side of Hank Tudor's life, where there are countless secrets and his demeanor grows colder with every question she has. With the help of his fourth wife Anna Klein, she beings uncovering the truth behind these deaths, and how far the wealthy will go to get rid of scandal or competition.

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The Husbandsby Holly Gramazio

Lauren feels like she'd remember whether she was married or not, but the people around her are convinced she's always had a husband: Michael. Sadly, she's having trouble proving she doesn't know who he is because there are too many signs that they've been together.

In the midst of her confusion, Michael disappears into the attic and a new husband appears for Lauren. She watches in fascination as life slowly tweaks to accommodate this new marriage, and she wonders how many lives she's able to live. The more husbands Lauren sees, the more she realizes that jumping from one marriage to the next may not be worth it. That finding one version of happy is enough.

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Daughter of Mine by Megan Miranda

Hazel Sharp has a complicated relationship with Mirror Lake. It's the place she grew up, but she's got conflicted feelings about her mother's sudden disappearance and the unshakable feeling that one of her brothers really doesn't like her. When she's forced to come back after her father dies, Hazel has to deal with suddenly inheriting his house — and wondering why a car was discovered in their backyard lake.

She knows she should probably leave it alone, but Hazel can't help but feel like it's time to uncover what happened to her mother. What'll she discover is far worse than anything she could've imagined.

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The Age of Magical Overthinkingby Amanda Montell

Have you noticed you have a tendency to overthink? Join the party because we've all been living in an analytical bubble, but there may be hope! In The Age of Magical Overthinking, author Amanda Montell breaks down the things we tend to overthink and why they occupy our brain so much.

From celebrity worship to a hilarious chapter about Mercury Retrograde, she talks about the way we relate to pop culture and life around us in a way that's easy to understand. And, she makes it clear that she's still an optimist who believes there's a method to our supposed irrationality.

How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang

Fate doesn't always bring people together in cute ways that make our hearts patter. Sometimes our hearts are shattered and there's no way we can see a future with someone. In How to End a Love Story, Helen Zhang is a successful young adult author whose carrying around insecurities and anger from her past. 13 years ago her younger sister committed suicide, but the family blames the young man whose car was caught in her sister's choice — Grant Shepard.

Despite the fact his life was just as affected by the horror of the tragic accident, he's shunned by the Zhang family and doesn't see Helen until he becomes the Co-Executive Producer of an adaption of her latest amazing novel. 13 years hasn't been enough to erase the resentment Helen feels until a writer's group bonding trip starts breaking down the walls she's built up.

Helen and Grant both have issues, but are willing to see how far their connection will take them. It all boils down to whether they can see a future for themselves that doesn't involve being weighed down my outside opinions and a ghost from the past.

Deep Is the Fen by Lili Wilkinson (April 16)

Merry has her own version of paradise in her small village despite losing her mother. She still has her father and two best friends without the need for the magic that's been banned. But, her perfect slice of heaven is threatened when she learns one of her best friends is joining the secret society of Toadmen. Although she doesn't consider herself a witch, she can see the dark magic that covers the Toadmen — including her dad.

To help save her best friend, she begrudgingly teams up with her rival Caraway. Together they form an uneasy bond that's consistently tested by things the latter hides from her. She eventually learns he isn't her real enemy and that something much sinister lurks behind the legacy of the Toadmen. It'll take more than her knowing eyes and Caraway's advanced magic to stop an ancient horror.

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Funny Storyby Emily Henry (April 23)

Funny Story is the latest Emily Henry book that's been on my radar for a while! Daphne feels like she has the perfect love story with her fiancé Peter, but he decides his love story should actually involve his best friend Petra — and then leaves Daphne before their wedding. Facing this unfortunate news, Daphne decides there's no use in wallowing and moves forward with her life in Waning Bay, Michigan.

Faced with the reality she's back to a single income, she moves in with Miles Nowak...Petra's ex. Sparks don't immediately fly until one fateful day convinces them to play a long game of pretend. After receiving invites to their exes' wedding, Daphne and Miles decide to find "love" in each other, and to put everything on display for the world to see. After all, it's the best way to rub something in Peter and Petra's faces. But, feelings don't always know when people are pretending and this duo quickly forms a bond, whether that was a part of the plan or not.

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The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl (April 23)

Stella isn't the first person you'd call to go on a spontaneous trip, but life — and her deceased mother's inheritance — nudge her to explore life beyond what she knows. Reluctantly traveling to Paris, Stella doesn't enjoy the city at first. She'd rather find a comfortable rhythm she's used to until she crosses paths with a gorgeous vintage Dior dress she can't bring herself to walk away from.

Intrigued by the way it makes her feel (and the confidence it gives her), Stella decides she's ready to see what life has to offer, and the people and experiences she encounter encourage her to grab life by the horns. At the center of her renewed sense for living is the discovery that she truly feels alive when indulging in delicious food, art, and literature.

The more she allows herself to live, the more Stella is able to understand who she is and how her identity is connected to the past.

Follow our Amazon page for more of our top new book picks!

Brit + Co. may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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Gwen Stefani & Blake Shelton Prove Second Time's The Charm In Love

One of the things I fondly remember about 2015 is learning that Gwen StefaniandBlake Shelton were dating. I was sad when she decided to divorce her ex-husband Gavin Rossdale, but I was onboard with her finding a new version of happiness! I've actually wondered if she was surprised to find that in Blake and vice versa.

Since I'm a nosy cookie, I decided to take a fun trip down memory lane to see how Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton's love story has evolved over the years. There's nothing quite like seeing two people find success in love and marriage again to keep my romantic dreams alive!

A Full Relationship Timeline For Gwen Stefani And Blake Shelton

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April 2014 — Gwen Stefani And Blake Shelton Meet As Co-Workers On The Voice

We've all heard that workplace romances are bad for business, but that's not always the case. In Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani's situation, meeting at work was one of the best things that happened for them! They met while taping Season 7 of The Voice, but kept things friendly and professional given they were still married to their former spouses, Gavin Rossdale and Miranda Lambert.

November 2014 — Blake Shelton And Gwen Stefani Take A Selfie Together

In a picture that's still on Gwen's Instagram page, the former co-workers snapped a cute selfie together that showed them happily grinning. She captioned it, "💓him @blakeshelton@nbcthevoice gx."

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July and August 2015 — Gwen Stefani And Blake Shelton Announce Their Divorces

Despite the fact Blake Shelton and his ex-wife Miranda Lambert had been together for a decade, they shared an exclusive statement with The Associated Pressabout their decision to divorce. "It is with heavy hearts that we move forward separately. We are real people, with real lives, with real families, friends and colleagues. Therefore, we kindly ask for privacy and compassion concerning this very personal matter," they said.

When Gwen appeared on The Howard Stern Showin 2016, she revealed she wasn't expecting Blake's situation to mirror her own. "I was in shock, because I felt like he was exposing me...I had this huge weight on me and nobody but my parents and obviously everybody involved knew."

The two began confiding in each other and eventually developed a friendship that would set the tone for their romantic relationship.

January 2016 — Blake Shelton Gifts Gwen Stefani A Horse

It's always nice when the person we're dating pays attention to our interests and hobbies, which is exactly what Blake Shelton did when he gifted Gwen a horse! She shared a gorgeous snapshot of the beautiful 'Halo' on Instagram and wrote a little snazzy caption to celebrate how gorgeous the horse is.

Blake joked with Entertainment Tonight, "Gwen, she loves riding and she loves horses. It's actually so funny that people are so shocked by that, but [just try to] name me one girl on the planet that doesn't love horses or just think that they are beautiful."

Image via Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

February 2016 — Gwen Stefani And Blake Shelton Make Their Relationship Red Carpet Official

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani were glowing as they posed for pictures on the red carpet of Vanity Fair's Oscar party in 2016. USA Today reported that Gwen wore a red-hot dress by Yanina Couture while Blake stayed true to his all-America cowboy casual look.

That same month Blake shared how much of a positive impact Gwen had on his life. He told Billboard, "Gwen saved my life. Who else on earth could understand going through a high-profile divorce from another musician? You can’t even imagine the similarities in our divorces."

When Gwen appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show in 2022, she dished about her and Blake's red carpet debut. "I think I played at the party and then we went out that night...That melts me when I see it. It's such a moment for me — a good one," she said with her signature smile on her face.

Image via Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NARAS

November 2017 — Gwen Stefani Encourages Blake Shelton to Celebrate His Sex Symbol Status

More than a year later, Blake was crowned People's Sexiest Man Alive in 2017, and initially, it shocked him. He joked that maybe People chose him as a last resort, but was quick to highlight how Gwen encouraged him to embrace his new title. "She goes, ‘Listen to me, you’re going to regret this for the rest of your life if you don’t take this gift and just live in the moment.'"

Image via Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

June 2018 — Blake Shelton Shows His Support For Gwen Stefani's Las Vegas Residency

When it came time for Gwen Stefani to jumpstart her Las Vegas Residency in 2018, Blake Shelton made sure to show his full support for her. She shared a series of cute pictures on Instagram that showed the two sharing a intimate kiss moments before she hit the stage for the first time.

Image via Rich Fury/Getty Images

August 2019 — Gwen Stefani And Blake Shelton Appear on The Voice as Judges Again

People shared that when Gwen Stefani returned as one of the judges on The Voice in 2017, it was like a happy reunion for her. "I’m so happy to be back. My life changed so much on this show...then to be with my best friend Blakey, and to be here with Kelly and John, I feel pretty lucky right now," she exclusively told the outlet.

Image via Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

December 2019 — Gwen Stefani And Blake Shelton Release Their Duet "Nobody But You"

As part of Blake's album Fully Loaded: God's Country, he and Gwen recorded "Nobody But You" together. He said the song perfectly aligned with what was going on in his life during an interview with People. "I also realized how important it is for me and where I am in my life, and I think that's why [writer] Shane [McAnally] was trying to get it to me," he said.

The couple went on to perform it at the Grammy's in 2020 and it was obvious they felt every lyric they sang.

Image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeart Media

July 2020 — Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani Share "Happy Anywhere" During Lockdown

When the pandemic was still very fresh and everyone was on lockdown, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani shared another single — "Happy Anywhere" — on Instagram. Once again, their love for each other was evident in the way they looked at each other while singing.

Gwen also shared how the pandemic brought them closer together during an interview with Entertainment Tonight. "We got to be in Oklahoma as a family. We got to do things we never get to do, like try to make sourdough bread, like everybody else in America, and just do so many fun things -- garden, tear down trees, plant tons of different things," she said.

Image via Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

October 2020 — Gwen Stefani And Blake Shelton Get Engaged

After five years of dating, the happy couple sharing the happy news that they were engaged! Gwen posted another amazing picture of them while showing off her new ring on Instagram in 2020. Her caption simply read, "@blakesheltonyes please! 💍🙏🏻 gx". But, that doesn't mean the couple didn't have some things to discuss and work on prior to entering a new chapter together.

During a video interview with the Today show hosts in 2021, Gwen briefly talked about this. "I think there was a lot to consider when you have so many people involved. Children, and their hearts, and everybody in my family [and] his family, we all went through a lot together," she said.

July 2021 — The Happy Couple Walk Down the Aisle Together

Less than a year of announcing their engagement, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani got married at his ranch in Oklahoma. Based on the snapshots shared by People, the couple looked d*mn good! I literally have Gwen's wedding dress saved as inspo for my own special day!

Since then, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani have shown up for each other in truly inspiring ways. That's not to say they have a perfect relationship though because relationships take work. But, it seems like they've truly found their sweet escape in each other no matter how much work it takes to keep their love going BTS.

April 2024 — Blake Shelton And Gwen Stefani Are Still Going Strong

As far as those divorce rumors? Gwen Stefani laid them to rest. She told Nylon, "It’s just lies. The truth is the truth, and we know what that is. And so that [negativity] would never penetrate just by me being vulnerable and sharing a song that I didn’t write for anybody else but myself and Blake." The song she's referencing is "Purple Irises" which is another sweet ode to their love.

*Sigh* They sure know how to make me believe that loving someone is a beautiful choice.

How do you feel about Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton's relationship? Check out the latest on John Legend and Chrissy Teigen's too!

Lead image via Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

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5 Life-Changing A24 Movies That Are Worth The Watch

I love the magic of the movies (my monthly Alamo Drafthouse membership proves it), but there's no other type of movies that do it for me like A24 movies. The studio, made big for their work in film production and primarily, distribution, has been around since 2012 but just recently came to the mainstream with heavy-hitting titles like The Iron Claw, Moonlight, Everything Everywhere All At Once, The Whale, Aftersun, and many more.

I've crafted a list of 5 must-watch A24 movies you need to see to understand the hype. A24 movies range from surreal to horrific, and comedic to heartwarming, so there's something for everyone. Let's dive into it!

What is special about A24 movies?

Lady Bird (2017)

There are many things that make A24 movies stand out: stunning visual composition, original style, bold plot lines, mind-bending themes, and their support of indie talent (both directorial and for actors), but most of all, A24 movies are special because they stray from the status quo. The studio has built up a passionate fan base of film-lovers, which also contributes to their reputation.

Does HBO have A24 films?

The Florida Project (2017)

Yes, HBO has over 100 A24 movies available for streaming. The studio struck a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery in December 2023 to bring its entire collection of new releases to HBO, Max, and Cinemax. Any new A24 movies that come out will also be added to the platforms for a set period of time.

Are there any upcoming A24 movies?

Dream Scenario (2023)

Yes, A24 has a lot of movies slated for the future. These are the upcoming A24 movies we know of:

MaXXXine (July 2024) – Mia Goth, Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Lily Collins, Halsey, Giancarlo Esposito, and Kevin Bacon
Sing Sing (July 2024) – Colman Domingo
Eddington(no release date) – Emma Stone, Joaquin Phoenix, Austin Butler, and Pedro Pascal
Janet Planet (no release date) – Julianne Nicholson and Zoe Ziegler
Civil War (no release date) – Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Cailee Spaeny, Karl Glusman, and Sonoya Mizuno
We Live In Time(no release date) – Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield
Y2K (no release date) – Jaeden Martell, Julian Dennison, Rachel Zegler, Lachlan Watson, Mason Gooding, The Kid Laroi, Eduardo Franco, Miles Robbins, Fred Hechinger, Alicia Silverstone, Tim Heidecker, and Daniel Zolghadri
Death of a Unicorn (no release date) – Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega
A Different Man (no release date) – Sebastian Stan, Adam Pearson, and Renate Reinsve
The Front Room (no release date) – Brandy, Kathryn Hunter, Andrew Burnap, and Neal Huff
I Saw the TV Glow (no release date) – Justice Smith, Brigette Lundy-Paine, Phoebe Bridgers, Danielle Deadwyler, Amber Benson, Conner O’Malley, and Fred Durst
The Legend of Ochi (no release date) – Helena Zengel, Willem Dafoe, Emily Watson, and Finn Wolfhard
Mother Mary (no release date) – Anne Hathaway, Michaela Coel, and Hunter Schafer
Opus (no release date) – Ayo Edebiri, John Malkovich, Murray Bartlett, Amber Midthunder, Stephanie Suganami, Young Mazino, and Tatanka Means
Talk 2 Me (no release date) – sequel to A24's Talk to Me
Wizards! (no release date) – Pete Davidson, Naomi Scott, Sean Harris, Orlando Bloom, and Franz Rogowski.
The Backrooms (no release date)

Which A24 movies have won awards?

Moonlight (2016)

A24 has been nominated for 55 Academy Awards with 16 wins total thus far.

2016: Best Actress for Brie Larson’s performance in Room, Best Documentary Feature Film for Amy, and Best Visual Effects for Ex Machina.
2017: Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor for Moonlight.
2021: Best Supporting Actress for Yuh-jung Youn’s performance in Minari.

In 2023, A24 gathered more critical acclaim than ever before, being nominated for 18 Oscars. Everything Everywhere All at Once won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing. The Whale won Best Actor and Best Makeup and Hairstyling.

Has A24 made TV shows?

Beef (2023)

Yes, A24 has made a handful of TV shows since founding the studio in 2012. The shows include: The Curse, At Home with Amy Sedaris, Beef, The Carmichael Show, Euphoria, I'm Sorry, Irma Vep, Mo, Mr. Corman, Ramy, and Ziwe.

My Top 5 A24 Movies You Need To See To Believe The Hype

The Whale (2022)

This A24 movie is a total tearjerker, but it's 1000% worth the box of tissues, IMO. The plot introduces Charlie, a morbidly obese English teacher who’s grown to be extremely reclusive and self-destructive due to his appearance and overall mental health.

In the movie, Charlie aims to reconnect with his abandoned daughter, Ellie (Sadie Sink), and we watch their tense relationship develop as Ellie primarily consults Charlie for help on her English homework.

Despite efforts to help Charlie turn his life around – by Liz (his primary caretaker), Thomas (a local missionary), and Ellie – he spirals.

The Whale is an absolute emotional roller coaster of a movie and one of Brendan Fraser’s best works I’ve ever seen. It can be grotesque at times, but no detail, either plot-wise or visually, is in there for fluffing up the timeline.

It’s a must-watch considering its positive critical acclaim with over 20 awards won.

Beau is Afraid (2023)

Beau Is Afraid follows Beau (Joaquin Phoenix), a severely anxious man, and his journey to get back to his mother. He embarks on an unusual odyssey through everything from crime, injury, love, and most of all, grief.

The general tone of the movie is very surreal, and the beautiful visuals and wonky plot line work together to create a sense of wonder.

I really enjoyed Joaquin Phoenix’s performance in this wacky, very A24-esque film, and probably felt every emotion ever while watching it. It ranges from violent to tender, and it’s very intriguing because due to Beau’s anxiety, you can’t clearly tell what’s real and what’s not.

Phoenix was nominated for a Golden Globe for his work with Beau Is Afraid.

Midsommar (2019)

A lot of A24 movies follow an explicitly surreal vibe, and Midsommar starring Florence Pugh and Jack Reynor is definitely no exception. Ari Aster steps in as director for this film, giving it his own twist of horror and dark comedy.

Midsommar centers around dysfunctional couple Dani (Florence Pugh) and Christian (Jack Reynor) who are invited to rural Sweden to celebrate the midsummer festival with some friends with family ties there.

What they don’t know is that they’re essentially staying there with a cult. Aaand things get even more complicated when their friend group gets dosed with psychedelic mushrooms in the midst of the midsummer ceremonies.

Midsommar definitely leans on the creepy and gory side, but I don't think it really eclipses the beauty of the cinematography and compelling storyline.

The Bling Ring (2013)

Written and directed by Sofia Coppola (Lost in Translation, Marie Antoinette, Priscilla), The Bling Ring is one of my favorite A24 movies. I had a phase of pure obsession once, where I probably watched it 5 times in a month.

The Bling Ring is based on a real story, and it’s just such a period piece, encapsulating the culture of fame and celebrity in early 2010’s Los Angeles with pretty spot-on accuracy. It’s packed with tons of visual details from the zebra-print clothing to the flip phones that speak to the trends of the time. Not to mention, the soundtrack is bomb.

Following a squad of bored, fame-obsessed teens who keep tabs on LA-based celebs from the likes of Paris Hilton and Audrina Patridge to break into their homes while they’re away, The Bling Ring shines a light on the real-life group’s tactics as well as each teens’ obsession with money and fame (and the problems it ultimately causes).

The cast features a stacked ensemble: Emma Watson, Katie Chang, Israel Broussard, Taissa Farmiga, Claire Julien, Georgia Rock and Leslie Mann.

The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)

Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos (who also directed Poor Things with Emma Stone), The Killing of a Sacred Deer is an absurd tale of a family who begins to fall mysteriously ill after they connect with Martin (Barry Keoghan), a boy whom Steven (Colin Farrell) the father of the family had been friendly with since Martin’s father died.

Much like his disruptive role in Saltburn, Barry Keoghan as Martin stirs the pot in an elusive way. This movie is definitely chilling and will leave you wondering the logic of the plot (common with most A24 movies).

All A24 Movies To Watch Now

Priscilla (2023)

20th Century Women
Aftersun
After Yang
A Ghost Story
All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt
American Honey
Amy
Beau Is Afraid
Barely Lethal
Backstabbing for Beginners
Bodies Bodies Bodies
The Ballad of Lefty Brown
The Blackcoat's Daughter
The Bling Ring
The Captive
Causeway
The Children Act
Climax
Close
C'mon C'mon
The Death of Dick Long
De Palma
Dicks: The Musical
The Disaster Artist
Dream Scenario
Earth Mama
The Elephant Queen
Eighth Grade
Elizabeth: A Portrait in Parts
The End of the Tour
Enemy
Equals
The Eternal Daughter
Everything Everywhere All at Once
Ex Machina
The Exception
False Positive
The Farewell
First Cow
The Florida Project
First Reformed
Free Fire
Funny Pages
Ginger & Rosa
Gloria Bell
God's Creatures
Good Time
The Green Knight
Green Room
High Life
Hereditary
Hot Summer Nights
How to Talk to Girls at Parties
Instinct
In Fabric
The Inspection
The Iron Claw
Into the Forest
It Comes at Night
Jerry Lee Lewis: Trouble in Mind
The Kill Team
The Killing of a Sacred Deer
Krisha
Lady Bird
Laggies
Lamb
The Last Black Man in San Francisco
The Last Movie Star
Lean on Pete
The Lighthouse
Locke
The Lobster
The Lovers
Low Tide
Love Lies Bleeding
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
The Monster
Men
Menashe
Midsommar
Mid90s
Mississippi Grind
Mojave
Moonlight
Morris from America
My Mercury
Native Son
Never Goin' Back
Oasis: Supersonic
Obvious Child
Occupied City
On the Rocks
Open Wide
Outlaws
The Rover
Pearl
Past Lives
Pi
A Prayer Before Dawn
Problemista
Red Rocket
The Sea of Trees
Share
Showing Up
The Sky Is Everywhere
The Slice
Slow West
Son of a Gun
The Souvenir
The Souvenir Part II
The Spectacular Now
Star at Noon
Stars at Noon
Stephen Curry: Underrated
Stop Making Sense
Swiss Army Man
Trespass Against Us
The Tragedy of Macbeth
Tusk
The Vanishing of Sidney Hall
Val
The Whale
When You Finish Saving the World
While We're Young
White Noise
Woman Walks Ahead
Woodshock
X
You Hurt My Feelings
Zola
The Zone of Interest

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Images via A24.

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"Challengers" Review: Zendaya's Nuanced Performance Solidifies Her As An Oscar Contender

The first few trailers for Zendaya's Challengers hooked me with the promise of a steamy love triangle and plenty of drama on and off the tennis court. I can now confidently say this is one of the best movies of the year — if not Zendaya's entire career. The film (which just nabbed a 100 percent Rotten Tomatoes score) explores love and passion in a totally different way than I expected. And while it engages your senses, more than anything, it makes you feel.

"Challengers" Is A Fully Emotional Experience

Image via Amazon MGM Studios

Challengers (directed by Luca Guadagnino) is a full experience thanks to the visuals, sound design, and score. The first 10 minutes alone will make you want to re-enter your tennis era, and the vibrant feel of Challengers makes everything from a American college campus to a backyard feel like the Italian coast.

This backyard is where we see Mike Faist's Art, Josh O'Connor's Patrick, and Zendaya's Tashi truly mesh for the first time. Both Art and Patrick want Tashi's number, but while she's curious, she's not so sure she should offer it up. They spend time talking about tennis and college, and later that night, Tashi promises her number to the one that wins their match, rather than the one that catches her eye or moves her. It's a telling choice that has major ramifications later on in the story. Tashi just wants to watch drama unfold, especially if it makes the boys' tennis more emotional (she, as the kids say, loves mess).

Image via Amazon MGM Studios

From this point on, Tashi, Patrick, and Art move as a unit, even when their relationships end. Tashi's at the helm, and while she's definitely the mastermind, she's more like their North Star than a leader giving them direct orders. Patrick and Art follow her light over the course of the next 13 years, to a Challengers tournament that pits the estranged friends against each other.

It's very clear what both men think about her, and the smallest details reinforce they are in love. (For instance, at one of Tashi's early matches, their eyes linger on her even after she's hit the ball, while she barely moves a muscle to keep up with their match later in the movie).

"Challengers" Is More About The Characters Than Tennis

Image via Amazon MGM Studios

Even though all three leads are fully-formed, individual characters (with wildly different personalities, might I add), they switch places at any given point in the story to fill each other's emotional shoes. One moment, Art is hopeful, Tashi is calculated, and Patrick is driven. The next Tashi is entirely focused on tennis, Art is willing to bend the rules of right and wrong to get what he wants, and Patrick is left in their wake. You can never truly root for one person before the tables are turned, but despite it all, the tension between them always leaves you wanting more.

Image via Amazon MGM Studios

While the movie has a number of tennis matches (which means an endless amount of tennis grunts), the most impactful moments for me are the quiet ones. We know Art and Patrick are in love with Tashi, but we're never quite sure what Tashi thinks about herself.

The Spider-Man actress brings a nuance to the character we haven't seen from her before, and there's a cautious tenderness to the moments where Tashi's back is facing another character, or where she's standing alone. You can almost see the gears turning in her head. "Almost" is the most important word because Challengers is full of "almosts": Tashi almost apologizes, Art almost chooses himself over everyone.

Image via Amazon MGM Studios

Challengers is full of open-ended emotions that serve as an exploration of human nature in all its complicated, manipulative, dreamy glory. It's a movie about passion and love and desire — and it's one that leaves you wondering who, or what, the object of that desire is.

Let us know your thoughts on Zendaya's Challengers on Facebook. Check out the rest of our Spring Movie Preview and the Most-Anticipated 2024 Movies!

Lead image via Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

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Theresa Nist Shares Her Honest Thoughts About Getting Divorced From Gerry Turner

We can't believe that the first season of The Golden Bachelor and the subsequent wedding are over! Where did the time go?! We thought Golden Bachelor, Gerry Turner, and winner of the show, Theresa Nist, would've drifted off into happily ever after, but we guess life had other plans for them since they're now getting divorced. It's certainly heartbreaking given how much they enjoyed spending time together, but only they know what's best for them!

Here's everything we know about their divorce following their publicized The Golden Bachelor wedding!

Theresa Nist Speaks Out About The End Of "The Golden Bachelor" Marriage

Image via John Fleenor/Disney

Theresa Nist took to Instagram to share her thoughts about the end of her marriage to Gerry Turner. She's aware that everyone has opinions about what happened, but she's asking for people to be considerate as they navigate a new process. She partially wrote, "For everyone else who is confused and angry and who does not understand, please try to find it in your heart to understand and to try a little kindness...Sometimes things don’t go the way you planned and that’s okay."

It seems like she's doing her best to remain positive in light of everything that's happened. We can only imagine how scary it is to open yourself up to love in the public eye and become the topic of everyone's conversation.

"The Golden Bachelor" Couple Are Ending Their Marriage

Image via Disney/John Fleenor

Just when we thought things were working well for "The Golden Bachelor" couple, they decided to announce the end of their short-lived marriage on Good Morning America. Gerry Turner told host Juju Chang, "Theresa and I have had a number of heart-to-heart conversations, and we’ve looked closely at our situation, our living situation, so forth and -- and we’ve kind of come to the conclusion mutually that it’s probably time for us to -- dissolve our marriage."

Theresa Nist clarified that she doesn't want the people who rooted for them to believe love and marriage are hopeless. "We want none of that to change for anybody," she said.

We're sure that they truly had a connection, but it's not easy trying to navigate merging your life with someone no matter how old you are. It seems that Gerry and Theresa couldn't bear the thought of one of them being separated from their families, ultimately resulting in the tough decision that getting married may not have been the best thing to do.

We hope that they take as much time as they need to continue navigating their decision to end their public marriage.

"The Golden Bachelor" Blended Family Went On "Celebrity Family Feud"

Disney / John Fleenor

Gerry and Theresa's newly-blended family revealed that they filmed an episode of Celebrity Family Feud in early April – and their opposing team wasn't that unfamiliar!

Theresa's daughter Jen posted some behind-the-scenes photos on Instagram, noting that the family went up against more Bachelor Nation members like Joey Graziadei, Kelsey Anderson, Charity Lawson, Dotun Olubeko, Zach Shallcross, and Kaity Biggar for their episode of Celebrity Family Feud.

Jen also gave us loose details about when the episode would officially air, writing in the caption of her Instagram post: "you’ll have to watch to see how it went down but no I’m not really sure when it’s going to be on… August?!"

Gerry posted a little preview too, saying that he "had a GREAT time at Celebrity Family Feud with the blended family."

Gerry's daughter Angie seemed super excited about being on Celebrity Family Feud as well, writing in her Instagram post that her dreams were fulfilled being on the show.

"Since I was little I wanted to be on family feud," she wrote. "I would dream about it and assemble my team in my mind. Yesterday…it happened!!!! We played celebrity family feud!!! It was so much fun."