BDAY LOVE

From the Frontlines: Gabriel Leavin's Relentless Approach to Injury Law

By: Matthew Kayser

When people hire a lawyer after an injury, they want someone who will fight for them. Tirelessly. Not just someone who files paperwork or negotiates with insurance companies. They want someone who will go to court if needed. Someone who takes their case seriously.

Gabriel Levin knows this. He has built his entire practice around it. "I don't just settle cases, I prepare them as if each one will go before a jury," explains Levin, founder of the Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers. "That mindset allows me to uncover details and build cases that insurance companies take seriously."

Courtesy of Gabriel Levin

The Trial Mindset

Levin practices in Philadelphia and Fort Lauderdale, representing injured clients in a range of cases, from minor crashes to life-altering injuries. He describes himself first and foremost as a trial attorney. "I'm directly involved in every phase of litigation," he says. "Unlike many firms, I never hand off a case to an associate or paralegal. If you hire me, you get me, from start to finish."

He makes that clear from the beginning of each case. "My clients know that when they hire me, they're getting a fighter who treats their case like it's my own."

Building a Firm That Feels Different

Levin started the Levin Firm with a simple idea: make injury law personal again. "I saw too many people being treated like numbers by insurance companies, or worse, by their attorneys," he says.

He wanted to build a firm where clients are never left in the dark. That means answering calls. That means keeping people informed. "I overcame early challenges by making myself personally available to every client. That built trust and helped to change the perception that lawyers are too busy to care."

Trial as a Strategy, Not a Last Resort

Insurance companies often expect attorneys to avoid a trial. Levin flips that script. "Where other attorneys view trial as a last resort, I see it as the foundation of any serious claim strategy," he explains.

That strategy gets results. Levin recalls a case involving a construction worker with a serious back injury. "I worked closely with medical experts to build an airtight narrative."

The result?

"We secured a multi-million dollar settlement."

Staying Grounded in the Work

Levin has tried and resolved hundreds of cases. He has recovered millions for his clients. But his focus stays on the individuals behind the files: "We don't treat cases like statistics at the Levin Firm. We treat them like people's lives, because that's what they are."

Levin brings the same approach to every case, whether it settles or goes to court. "Every injury, every lost paycheck, every anxious night matters to us."

Expanding While Staying Focused on What Matters

Levin sees growth ahead for his firm. "I see the Levin Firm reaching more communities while maintaining our core value: personalized, elite legal representation. My dream is to expand without losing our soul, to always be the firm where clients feel seen, heard and fiercely represented."

He also wants to mentor the next generation. "I'd like to mentor younger attorneys who share my passion for justice and client care."

That kind of commitment isn't flashy. But for Levin, it's everything. "If you want to tell the story of a relentless trial attorney who blends heart with strategy, then you're telling the right story."

The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, financial, medical or professional advice. Readers should not rely solely on the content of this article and are encouraged to seek professional advice tailored to their specific circumstances. We disclaim any liability for any loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from the use of, or reliance on, the information presented.

BDAY LOVE

Prince George 'aware' of royal role, changes to come

Mirrorpix / MEGA

While Prince George is only 12, the young royal is reportedly "undoubtedly aware" of his future as the next Prince of Wales and, ultimately, King of England. Historian Marlene Koenig told Us Weekly that Prince William and Kate Middleton have prepared the youngster for the "changes" that are inevitable with his future.

George was able to serve as a trainbearer during King Charles III' coronation, and the historic moment was special for the Wales brood.

"George is the first member of the Royal Family to have such a role in the service," Koenig said. "If the young prince was nervous, he didn't show it."

Charles and William's presence gave George a glimpse into his future and progression as a royal.

"The Coronation provided the young prince with the knowledge that he, too, would one day be crowned in a coronation ceremony," Koenig explained. "George may be a 12-year-old schoolboy who loves sports, but he is most certainly aware of his future."

While becoming king is further down the line for George, the New York Post reported the prince is soon expected to attend the prestigious Eton College, which his father and uncle Prince Harry also attended.

BDAY LOVE

'The Crown' actor set as next major 'Star Wars' villain

From playing a royal to heading to the dark side.

The Crown alum Matt Smith has signed on to play the villain in the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter film alongside Ryan Gosling and Mia Goth. The flick is slated to hit theaters on Memorial Day Weekend in 2027.

MEGA

The movie will be directed by Deadpool & Wolverine's Shawn Levy. His frequent collaborator, The Adam Project screenwriter Jonathan Tropper, handled the script. No further information has been revealed about Smith's role, and plot details are currently under wraps. The film will go into production this fall.

According to reports, the new movie is set five years after the events of Disney's sequel trilogy, which concluded with 2019's Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

Smith received an Emmy nomination for playing Prince Philip on Netflix's series centered around the British royal family. The 42-year-old is currently playing Daemon Targaryen on HBO Max's House of the Dragon, which will air its third season in 2026.

Lumeimages / MEGA

Gosling is set to star in Star Wars: Starfighter. "The reality is that this script is just so good. It has such a great story with great and original characters," he said in an interview. "It's filled with so much heart and adventure and there just really is not a more perfect filmmaker for this particular story than Shawn."

BDAY LOVE

Sarah Ferguson tried to get with golf GOAT, book says

Mirrorpix / MEGA

Sarah Ferguson had her eyes on Tiger Woods and other younger male celebrities after her public split from Prince Andrew. In Andrew Lownie's new book, Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, he explores Ferguson's crushes after ending things with the controversial prince.

"On a trip to New York, Fergie asked her staff to find out if John F. Kennedy Jr… was in town and, discovering where he was, she invited him for drinks or dinner at her hotel, which he accepted," Lownie wrote. Despite Kennedy agreeing to meet with Ferguson, Lownie claimed that the meeting never took place.

Chris Kleponis – CNP / MEGA

Though Kennedy and Ferguson didn't work out, she was also interested in "gorgeous" Woods, according to Lownie, who claimed the duchess told Piers Morgan about her crush.

While the duo never dated, they were photographed hugging in 1997, after the golf star won the Byron Nelson tournament in Texas. When Woods won the Masters in 2019, Ferguson celebrated the athlete on Instagram.

"Never have I been more proud," she wrote on the social media app at the time. "Good days and bad days, Tigers' heart is loyal, steadfast and he is an amazing friend."

While Ferguson described Woods as a friend, Lownie claimed the duchess was hopeful things would become romantic and she would "follow him around the [golf] course for a bit and see how I get on." However, being a professional golfer most likely didn't make room for "dating royals."

"Poor old Tiger isn't going to know what's hit him," Morgan allegedly told Ferguson, according to Lownie.

Lownie also claimed Ferguson had an interest in George Clooney and "plagued" The Bodyguard star Kevin Costner with "raunchy phone calls."

BDAY LOVE

CNBC's Joe Kernen shuts down Trump's poll number lie to his face

Donald Trump cannot fathom the reality of his poll numbers.

The current president called into CNBC to spar with Joe Kernen after the anchor reported on Trump's less-than-stellar standing with Americans in his second term.

CNBC/YouTube

"I have the best poll numbers I've ever had," the Republican leader told Kernen, who clarified that the statistics Trump was talking about were only polled amongst Republicans and not all citizens.

The Apprentice star said CNBC was the "worst of them all" when it comes to reporting and cited CNN's chief data analyst Harry Enten as more credible.

Trump doubled down on his support for Enten, claiming he "went crazy over how well" the right-winger was doing in the polls before telling the CNBC audience to watch CNN to "see about the numbers."

The businessman alleged his approval rating was at 71 percent and, among conservatives, boasted that the figure is around 94 to 95 percent.

Following Trump's row with Kernen during their call, Enten explained to CNN's John Berman that he wasn't garnering favor with the commander-in-chief. "I give him a fair shake. I don't give him a positive spin," he noted about the numbers.

CNN/YouTube

"If we are comparing him to other presidents at this point in their presidencies, he is the second lowest on record compared only to himself, who does worse," Enten explained. "When you're comparing yourself to Richard Nixon and you say you're doing better than Richard Nixon in your second term, that's not exactly a good position to be in."

BDAY LOVE

Former Superman Dean Cain to be 'sworn in as an ICE agent ASAP'

The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency is getting a new celebrity officer.

Actor Dean Cain — who starred as the title superhero in the ABC series Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman — claims he's becoming an ICE agent "ASAP" to help Donald Trump and his administration with their arrest goal.

2006 Kathy Hutchins / Hutchins/Newscom/The Mega Agency

During an appearance on Jesse Watters' Fox News show, the 59-year-old revealed how quickly he decided to join the government agency.

"I put out a recruitment video yesterday, I'm actually a deputy sheriff, a sworn deputy sheriff and a reserve police officer. I wasn't part of ICE, but once I put that out there and you put a little blurb on your show, it went crazy. So now I've spoken with some officials over at ICE and I will be sworn in as an ice agent, ASAP," Cain revealed.

The Out of Time actor made it clear he's unsure if he will be taking part in the massive ICE raids. However, Cain noted, "I would be there in a heartbeat."

"Hopefully a whole bunch of other former officers, former ICE agents, will step up and we'll meet those recruitment goals immediately and will help protect this country," he said.

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

The right-wing Hollywood star recently condemned Superman director James Gunn's statement about how the character's immigrant background plays into "the story of America." The character is originally from the planet Krypton.

"Bringing Superman into it, I think that was a mistake by James Gunn to say it's an immigrant thing, and I think it's going to hurt the numbers on the movie," Cain explained in an interview. "I was excited for the film. I'm excited to see what it is because James Gunn seems to have a sense of humor and the last iterations of Superman didn't have much humor, and I love the humor in Superman. So, I'm rooting for it to be a success, but I don't like that last political comment."

BDAY LOVE

'Grotesque puppet show': CNN alum ripped for interviewing AI version of Parkland victim

Ron Sachs – CNP / MEGA

Jim Acosta's journalistic integrity is being questioned after the CNN alum interviewed an AI avatar of Parkland shooting victim Joaquin Oliver, who died in the 2018 tragedy along with 16 other people. While the conversation was organized by Oliver's parents' gun control group, Change the Ref, in honor of his 25th birthday, the decision wasn't well-received.

"I was taken from this world too soon due to gun violence while at school," the AI version of Oliver said in the interview. "It's important to talk about these issues so we can create a safer future for everyone."

The AI version of Oliver went on to discuss the Second Amendment with Acosta.

"I believe in a mix of stronger gun control laws, mental health support and community engagement," it said. "We need to create safe spaces for conversations and connections, making sure everyone feels seen and heard. It's about building a culture of kindness and understanding."

"Though my life was cut short, I want to keep inspiring others to connect and advocate for change," the AI Oliver added.

The mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, continues to be used in activism against gun violence. But viewers didn't feel like Acosta moved the needle with his AI interview, which he shared on YouTube.

Critics took to Bluesky to share their concerns.

"You don't have an interview. You're facilitating a grotesque puppet show, using grieving parents' heartbreak for a bit," one Bluesky user wrote. "The bar is in hell and you still managed to trip on it."

"You're interviewing an AI recreation of a person who was murdered by a spree killer? Wow," another Bluesky user complained to Acosta. "It's hard to accept that no one around you suggested that this was probably in the worst possible taste. AI exists, we know that, but just because you CAN do something with it, that doesn't mean you SHOULD."

"'I'll have a one of a kind interview with Joaquin Oliver.' … No, you won't. You're talking to a glorified answering machine message, you dingbat," another critic wrote.

https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:zgu2azx6tvj7s4bhbvhtz5ac/post/3lvmid4gcp22m?
BDAY LOVE

Colleen Hoover's 'It Ends With Us' follow-up debuts first trailer: Watch

Paramount Pictures/YouTube

Colleen Hoover is returning to the big screen with another adaptation of one of her books. A year after the headline-making adaptation of her 2016 novel It Ends With Us opened in theaters, the first trailer for the adaptation of her 2019 book Regretting You has debuted.

Allison Williams, Dave Franco, McKenna Grace, Willa Fitzgerald, Scott Eastwood and Mason Thames star in the film, which centers around a young mother and widow (Williams) as she bonds with her widowed brother-in-law (Franco) over their mutual loss, all while navigating the complex relationship with her teen daughter (Grace) as they both explore new romances.

After screenwriter Susan McMartin handled the script, while The Fault in Our Stars filmmaker Josh Boone directed Regretting You.

It Ends With Us — which performed well at the box office in spite of mixed reviews — was famously directed by star Justin Baldoni. His legal drama with costar Blake Lively is still playing out in court.

Hoover's books are clearly resonating with Hollywood. Her 2022 novel Reminders of Him is getting an adaptation starring Maika Monroe in early 2026, and an adaptation of her 2018 novel Verity starring Anne Hathaway, Josh Hartnett and Dakota Johnson is due in October 2026.

BDAY LOVE

'Wednesday' season 2 reviews are in: What the critics are saying

Everyone's favorite moody teenager is back!

Season 2, Part 1, of Netflix's Wednesday starring Jenna Ortega and Catherine Zeta-Jones is out now — and critics are weighing in.

Courtesy of Netflix

Perhaps the most beloved member of the Addams Family, Wednesday (Ortega) returns to Nevermore Academy for the fall term as she continues to use her psychic abilities to try to solve a shocking mystery and dive deeper into her ancestral history.

Variety's Aramide Tinubu applauded the series' consistency and the abilities of its leading lady. "Like its first season, the first part of Wednesday Season 2 is spooky, kooky and mysterious. As Wednesday races against the clock to unpack her startling vision of Enid and prevent it from coming to fruition, she understands there are certain darker aspects of her precognitions she still hasn't grasped," she wrote. "Wednesday has been criticized for being a Netflix-ified version of the Charles Addams classic, with Nevermore standing in as a Hogwarts-type institution. And while that may be true, it doesn't diminish the exquisite details embedded in the show, its mystifying darkness or Ortega's commanding control of her character."

MEGA

While some praised Ortega, others critiqued her performance. The Hollywood Reporter's Daniel Fienberg, for example, claimed the young star gets "lost" amid the "overcrowded" season.

"Whereas my original review of the first season praised Wednesday for having the restraint and focus to not simply become The Addams FamilyWednesday has simply become The Addams Family, complete with a recast, still underutilized, Lurch (Joonas Suotamo) and the always handy Thing (Victor Dorobantu). Only Uncle Fester (Fred Armisen) hasn't become a full-time member of the ensemble, but he appears in the midseason' 'finale' (words have lost all meaning)," he wrote.

The Guardian's Sarah Dempster gave the series' latest installment four stars but seemed to have mixed feelings on the story. "Fun is to be had in the return of Catherine Zeta-Jones's, woozy, pillowy Morticia Addams if not in Luis Guzmán's lumpy, grinning Gomez, whose character, as ever, seems oddly unfinished, as if he'd abandoned rehearsals halfway through, having been distracted, perhaps, by a scotch egg," she wrote, adding that "minor quibbles aside, the season opener is wonderfully skittish and dense with jokes and plot."

BDAY LOVE

Pop star dominates 2025 MTV VMAs

Lady Gaga and her iconic meat dress made quite an impact at the 2010 MTV VMAs, and the pop star continues to build a legacy at the award show 15 years later, as she is the most-nominated artist this year.

The Mother Monster's 12 new nominations include artist of the year, best album for Mayhem and best direction, best art direction, best cinematography, best editing, best choreography and best visual effects for "Abracadabra." She scored the other four nominations — video of the year, song of the year, best collaboration and best pop — for her hit duet with Bruno Mars, "Die with a Smile."

Lisa OConnor/AFF-USA.com / MEGA

Aside from Gaga, Ariana Grande, The Weeknd, Billie Eilish, Charli XCX, Bad Bunny, Doechii, Ed Sheeran, Jelly Roll, Miley Cyrus and Tate McRae all scored multiple nominations for their work this year.

This is Gaga's third time dominating the awards show, and fans were enthusiastic about the news.

"Lady gaga is the best out there," one fan wrote.

"The run Gaga has been on is unmatched. Each era, something new, but always fresh," another penned.

"THIS REALLY IS GAGAS YEAR," someone else declared.

But not everyone was thrilled for the "Just Dance" chart-topper.

"Did that with 0 good songs in over a decade. Impressive. Not that much deserved. Right, guys?" one critic wrote.

"And that's how you know the entire industry is rigged," another hater shared.

BDAY LOVE

'South Park' mocks DHS for using controversial premiere episode as ICE recruitment ploy

South Park isn't having it with Donald Trump and his administration's antics.

After the United States Department of Homeland Security used a teaser still from the Comedy Central series to encourage people to join ICE, the show's creators took to X slam the agency.

"Wait, so we ARE relevant?" South Park's X account commented on the DHS post, adding a crude hashtag for "eat a bag of d****."

The X exchange is just the latest move in the back and forth between the White House and the adult cartoon, which never backs away from making fun of the Republican president. In the season 27 premiere, South Park depicted Trump in bed with Satan while complaining about his microp****. 

The Trump admin lashed out at South Park in response: "This show hasn't been relevant for over 20 years and is hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention," spokesperson Taylor Rogers said in a statement. "President Trump has delivered on more promises in just six months than any other president in our country's history – and no fourth-rate show can derail President Trump's hot streak."

Comedy Central

"The left's hypocrisy truly has no end – for years they have come after South Park for what they labeled as 'offense' content, but suddenly they are praising the show," Rogers continued. "Just like the creators of South Park, the left has no authentic or original content, which is why their popularity continues to hit record lows."

According to Nielsen and internal data, South Park's season 27 launch raked in 5.9 million viewers across Comedy Central and Paramount+ in its first three days.

Comedy Central

On the season premiere episode titled "Sermon on the 'Mount," creators crafted a bold takedown of Trump and Paramount Global after the company settled a defamation lawsuit with the former star of The Apprentice.

BDAY LOVE

'80s cop series gets Netflix comedy movie remake

ABC/Disney

Popular 1980s police procedural T.J. Hooker is getting a revival on Netflix. According to TheWrap, Jarrad Paul and Andy Mogel are developing a film adaptation of the series for the streaming platform.

The cop series starring William Shatner, Heather Locklear and James Darren first premiered in 1982 on ABC and aired its final episode in 1986 after five seasons.

The original show chronicles "the weekly adventures of tough-as-nails veteran police officer Sgt. T.J. Hooker, who rides the beat with his rookie partner Vince Romano."

Deadline first reported the news, noting that the retelling could take a comedic turn as the original "roughneck" approach to crime fighting could be seen as "out of place in a more woke world."

On X, fans of the series had a mixed reaction to the news.

"I am sure @WilliamShatner is ready and able to reprise the role," one user joked of the now-94-year-old actor, who portrayed the titular cop.

"The T. J. Hooker cast was perfection," another fan chimed in. "Netflix will juice it up so only the names are recognizable. So why not just write a new script? The target audience wasn't born for the original show."

"How can you top the 1980s and this cast… I watch the reruns and laugh," someone else shared. "It was so bad it was good."

"More proof Hollywood is creatively bankrupt," yet another person griped.

BDAY LOVE

'Freakier Friday' reviews are in: What the critics are saying 

Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan are officially back for Freakier Friday.

The A-listers return to the iconic dual roles of mother (Tess) and daughter (Anna) from the 2003 Disney smash Freaky Friday in the highly anticipated sequel, which opens in theaters on August 8.

©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

In the 2025 installment, the mother-daughter duo has déjà vu when the body-swap experience plagues them yet again. This time, Anna's daughter and soon-to-be stepdaughter get involved in a four-way switch.

With the two Hollywood stars reunited and a new twist on the premise, what do the critics think of Freakier Friday? Deadline's Pete Hammond admits that although the plot laid out by screenwriter Jordan Weiss may be confusing, the flick is a good time for all.

"I do have to confess that with all of this body switching and the various subplots Weiss has introduced, it isn't always easy to keep track of it all, but in the end it pays off, a feel-good comedy ripe for the times as evidenced by the loud laughter at the screening I attended of this nostalgic Disney film that is about as Disney as it gets," he wrote.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw heaped praise on Curtis for her comedic chops and the script for not being melodramatic. "Another version of this movie might have wanted to dip its toe into the issues of body image and identity: Freakier Friday keeps it light, partly as a result of Curtis's jokey grandma, in whose knockabout generational presence there is no question of anything tricky. Curtis gets the laughs with her puppyishly uninhibited performance and there are some great gags, including one at the expense of oldsters who use a certain social media platform," he wrote.

As for Lohan, the critic claims she does a "reasonable job, although her own body-swapped status as the legendary wild-child of old who is now playing a stressed middle-aged person has to remain unemphasized, simply because Lohan doesn't really have the comedy chops."

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

According to Variety's Owen Gleiberman, the sequel misses the opportunity to expand the rebranding of the switch-up situation. "The stage is set for an even wilder comedy than Freaky Friday. Yet somehow it doesn't quite happen that way. What we're longing to see is that inside-out performative magic, the irrepressible primal comedy of an actor playing a character who's literally channeling someone else. We want to feel that body-swap tension. But in Freakier Friday this plays out in a weirdly limited way and for a confluence of reasons," he wrote.

The Washington Post's Ty Burr gave it two and a half stars, calling it an "unnecessary" yet "inoffensive" sequel. "More frantic than funny but sweet in its plastic Disney way, Freakier Friday will be a welcome and effective date movie for mothers, daughters, grandmothers and anyone else who had the 2003 Freaky Friday on heavy DVD rotation with Mean Girls in the first years of the new millennium. All other audiences are warned away," he wrote.

BDAY LOVE

Francis Ford Coppola shares health update from Rome hospital

Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA

Francis Ford Coppola took to Instagram to reassure fans that he is ok after being hospitalized in Rome for heart-related issues.

"Da Dada (what my kids call me) is fine, taking an opportunity while in Rome to do the update of my 30-year-old afib procedure with its inventor, a great Italian doctor – Dr. Andrea Natale! I am well," Coppola told fans.

Both friends and fans rushed to share their love for the filmmaker in the comments section.

"We love you, honey," Sharon Stone, who starred in Coppola's The Rainmaker, wrote.

"This is wonderful news that all went well…Rest and recover! "🙏🏼Btw, The Godfather Part II has been playing a lot lately," Lynn Sellers wrote. "I'm always happy to see it, especially to see my late husband, Bruno Kirby. I still have his Young Clemenza shoes and hat from it."

Along with Stone and Sellers, The Godfather actor Andy Garcia and Goodfellas alum Frank Sivero also shared their support via social media.

"Francis, I will say a prayer for you. I want you to take care of yourself. You just finished a big tour. God bless, friend," Sivero wrote.

According to TheWrap, local outlets in Italy first reported that Coppola was hospitalized for a mild heart arrhythmia shortly after ending his U.S. tour for his movie Megalopolis. Italian outlets reported that the director already had an appointment scheduled with Dr. Natale, but while preparing for a procedure, physicians noticed an arrhythmia. Coppola's medical team reportedly decided it was best to keep him under observation.

BDAY LOVE

'War of the Worlds' adaptation starring Ice Cube scores impressive 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes: What went wrong

Ice Cube's War of the Worlds reboot is facing harsh criticism.

After the newest version of the sci-fi classic — starring the rapper and Eva Longoria — hit Amazon Prime Video in July, the film received a zero percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The audience score, with more than a thousand reviews, stands at a low 14 percent.

Courtesy of Prime Video

In the flick — which is based on H. G. Wells' original novel — Ice stars as a surveillance expert for the Department of Homeland Security who deals with aliens taking over through his computer.

While the 2005 adaptation starring Tom Cruise and directed by Steven Spielberg was beloved, the updated installment seems to be getting ripped apart by people on social media.

"War of the Worlds (2025) is the worst adaptation of the source material to date," one X user lamented. "It had no ideas beyond the found footage approach and even then the film is struggling to find ways to present coherent scenes. Ice Cube is so lost. Maybe one of the worst movies I've ever seen."

"That new War of the Worlds movie was hilariously awful," a second person penned in an update.

Courtesy of Prime Video

"This new War of the Worlds movie might be the worst movie I have seen in years," a third added.

Variety film critic Peter Debruge wished he could get his time and money back that he spent on the movie. "It's really only worth watching to see Ice Cube jump out of his chair and shout, 'Take your intergalactic a**** back home!' When it comes to customer satisfaction, does Amazon's refund policy apply to stuff like this?" he penned.

The watch only received one star from Empire's Ian Freer, who called it "prime nonsense" and a "witless affair that fumbles the one or two good ideas it has."

MAR/Capital Pictures / MEGA

"If Steven Spielberg's 2005 War Of The Worlds tapped deeply into post-9/11 anxieties, this latest update feeds into all the fears of today — the invasion of privacy, the dangers of data farming, the duplicity of governments, where Amazon will dump your package — but doesn't have any idea about how to make them feel real or pertinent," the writer noted.

BDAY LOVE

Raven-Symoné details ex's shocking behavior surrounding baby conceived from affair

Raven-Symoné spilled the tea about her former boyfriend.

While sitting down with Jeff Lewis for SiriusXM's Jeff Lewis Live, the radio host pressed the Disney Channel alum about her past long-term relationship where the man cheated on her, got another woman pregnant and then asked Symoné to be the godmother.

2023 Kathy Hutchins / Hutchins Photo/Newscom/The Mega Agency

During the chat, Lewis pressed the That's So Raven star — who is now married to wife Miranda Maday — about the tumultuous romance. "I wanted to ask you about your past relationships because you had said, I believe, that you were in a relationship for seven years, Raven?" the Flipping Out cast member asked.

"I was," Symoné confirmed, while also making clear it was with a man.

"And he stepped outside of the relationship, is that correct?" Lewis questioned.

"That's a nice way to put it, yes," the Cheetah Girls actress said.

"And he got another woman pregnant?" the Bravo star inquired before Symoné replied, "Yes."

David Acosta/Image Press Agency

When Lewis asked if the anonymous person was someone who was also in the spotlight, the former child star explained, "Um, in our community, he's pretty well known. Like in the community that he works in, yeah. He's pretty okay. Wow. I wasn't expecting that."

"He didn't have a car. We were together for a really long time and he got another girl pregnant," she said. "And the best part of it was he asked me to be the godmother of the kid. And we're still in communication now. He's been through a lot. So, there's nothing but love and respect for all that he's gone through in his family. But he still talks about it all the time. D******."

Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency / MEGA

Symoné tied the knot with her current spouse in 2020. In June, the couple celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary. "What time has given us is only measured by the love and growth we share," the funny lady penned in an Instagram tribute to Maday. "Hugs to sides-eyes, to kisses and snuggles, to space we have tackled, monsters and celebrated the wins."

BDAY LOVE

6 movies and TV shows coming to Prime Video in August

Prime Video is ready for all of your streaming needs this summer.

From hilarious comedy series to new original movies with A-list actors, the platform is serving up something for everybody in August.

Here are the top six titles hitting Amazon Prime Video this month…

MORE: Follow Wonderwall on MSN for more top news and photo galleries

6. Death Becomes Her (August 1)

The 1992 comedy romp Death Becomes Her stars Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn and Bruce Willis. The plot centers around a writer, Helen Sharp (Hawn), whose husband (Willis) falls into the arms of Hollywood actress and former friend Madeline Ashton (Streep). Years later, Sharp confronts the now-married pair after taking a mysterious drug that grants eternal life to the person who drinks it.

5. Built in Birmingham: Brady and the Blues (August 1)

The five-part docuseries Built in Birmingham: Brady and the Blues follows former NFL star Tom Brady as he begins his journey as part-owner of an English soccer club. No stranger to leading a team to victory, the program follows Brady and the athletes as they attempt to build a championship team.

4. Pulp Fiction (August 1)

The 1994 thriller Pulp Fiction — which was directed by Quentin Tarantino and stars John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis and Uma Thurman — centers around four different intertwining stories of crime and violence in Los Angeles. The flick was nominated for seven Oscars and took home Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen.

3. 30 Rock (August 1)

The hilarious NBC comedy series 30 Rock — which ran from 2006 until 2013 — is a surrealist sitcom created by Tina Fey. The plot follows the trials and tribulations of the cast and crew of a Saturday Night Live-like program. The show racked up 16 Emmy Awards during its run.

2. The Map That Leads to You (August 20)

The Madelyn Cline and KJ Apa-led romantic drama The Map That Leads to You will have you reaching for the tissue box. Adapted from the novel of the same name by J.P. Monninger, the Prime Video original sees Heather (Cline) embark on a European adventure when she meets Jack (Apa) and the two go on a journey they never saw coming.

1. The Pickup (August 6)

 Eddie MurphyKeke Palmer and Pete Davidson join forces in the Prime Video original The Pickup. The action comedy centers around two unlikely armored truck drivers, Russell (Murphy) and Travis (Davidson) as they are followed by criminals led by a mastermind, Zoe (Palmer).

BDAY LOVE

Eddie Murphy and Pete Davidson's 'The Pickup' reviewed: What the critics are saying

Photo by Courtesy of Prime Video – © Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video's new film The Pickup features an A-list cast comprised of Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, Keke Palmer and Eva Longoria, but critics aren't impressed. Murphy and Davidson may be two of the biggest names in comedy, but according to reviews, their Tim Story-directed team-up just isn't funny.

"A routine cash pickup turns into a deadly pursuit when two mismatched armored truck drivers are ambushed by ruthless criminals with plans beyond the cash," the film's official logline reads.

"As an action-comedy starring Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson and Keke Palmer, it all reeks of overbearing cheapness to where we're left to wonder why anyone would bother," Matt Goldberg wrote in his review for TheWrap. "It plays like the Temu version of better buddy-comedy action films where no human hands touched it during production, and then [it] falls apart the moment you look at it funny."

"But neither the script nor Story's direction really gives anyone much of a chance to shine," Goldberg continued. "So much of the movie is confined to the interiors of the armored truck, and Story's camera is always just trying to keep up with the speaker rather than provide any space for a comic beat to land."

The Hollywood Reporter noted that the cast is talented, but their star power couldn't compensate for the flaws within the storytelling.

"The film boasts a strong comic cast with Murphy, Davidson and Palmer at the lead. Their chemistry is naturally compelling, which helps us buy into their increasingly ridiculous situation," Lovia Gyarkye wrote for The Hollywood Reporter.

"But the adventure often seems random in its humor and low in its stakes," she continued. "There seems to be an effort to outsmart viewers familiar with the beats of this kind of plot, and while that's initially somewhat charming, the antics start to wear on you."

Gyarke noted that the "jokes start to become repetitive and the character dynamics more one-dimensional."

While The Pickup weaves together comedy and action, Deadline depicted the project as flat.

"There are a few twists and turns — literally — in this action flick, and the action part of it is perfectly serviceable even if the expected hilarity from two former [Saturday Night Live] stars in a dream pairing (young and old comic genius combined) fails to materialize and is mostly left to Davidson to do the heavy lifting," Pete Hammond wrote for Deadline.

Murphy is a lauded comedic talent, but even he couldn't save the lackluster action-comedy flick.

"It's a shame, because Murphy is still one of the funniest personalities in Hollywood. He always feels like he's trying, even if some of his movies aren't great. In The Pickup, not only is the movie bland and lifeless, but Murphy is also clearly uninterested in the events unfolding on the screen," Nate Richard wrote for Collider.

BDAY LOVE

Musk donated millions to Trump after fallout

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Elon Musk and Donald Trump had a public falling out earlier this year, but the tech tycoon still gave a reported $15 million to the president's Super PAC MAGA Inc. in the wake of their friendship breakup. The Federal Election Commission shared that aside from contributing to MAGA Inc., Musk also gave to the Congressional Leadership Fund and the Senate Leadership Fund.

During the 2024 election, Musk reportedly donated $300 million to Trump and Republicans. He was later brought on to manage Trump's new DOGE department. Once his time in the role came to an end, he publicly criticized Trump's One Big, Beautiful Bill and accused the former reality star of being mentioned in the Jeffrey Epstein files. He made the additional $15 million in donations on June 27 — weeks after dropping the Epstein bomb.

Musk and Trump were close during the election and early in the president's second term, but things have greatly shifted.

"I'm sorry, but I just can't stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination," Musk told followers on X. "Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it."

"This spending bill contains the largest increase in the debt ceiling in US history! It is the Debt Slavery Bill," he also wrote.

Trump responded by publicly calling Musk a "big-time drug addict."

BDAY LOVE

NASA boss announces plans to build a nuclear reactor on the moon

Donald Trump's administration plans to get a nuclear reactor on the moon.

According to a leaked internal memo, Transportation Secretary and acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy has announced the plans to place an electricity-generating reactor up in space.

Chris Kleponis – CNP / MEGA

"To properly advance this critical technology to be able to support a future lunar economy, high power energy generation on Mars and to strengthen our national security in space, it is imperative the agency move quickly," he wrote.

According to one NASA source, Duffy's ambitious plans — which could come to fruition by 2030 — are "about winning the second space race."

Chris Kleponis – CNP / MEGA

Per Duffy's memo, if Russia or China were to cross this milestone before the United States, they could "declare a keep-out zone which would significantly inhibit" America's progress.

NASA is set to appoint someone to lead the reactor project. The agency will also have to get private industry feedback within 60 days. 

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

The current goal for NASA to get the reactor on the moon is slated for 2030, the same year China reportedly intends to land on the lunar space.

BDAY LOVE

Trump rages at radio host over MAGA commentary

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Donald Trump publicly attacked Charlamagne tha God after the radio personality criticized the president while on Lara Trump's My View with Lara Trump show.

"I wouldn't give it a good rating simply because the least of us are still being impacted the worst," Charlamagne told Lara after she asked him to share his thoughts on the second Trump administration.

"Anything that takes away Medicaid from people and will put people in a worse financial situation than they were previously in, I'm not for," he added, referencing budget cuts in the president's One Big, Beautiful Bill.

Lara's father-in-law took to Truth Social to react to Charlamagne's comments

"The very wonderful and talented Lara Trump, whose show is a big ratings success, put racist sleazebag Charlamagne 'The God' (Why is he allowed to use the word 'GOD' when describing himself? Can anyone imagine the uproar there would be if I used that nickname?). He's a low-IQ individual, has no idea what words are coming out of his mouth, and knows nothing about me or what I have done, like just ending 5 Wars, including a 31-year bloodbath between Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, where Seven Million people have died, and there was no end in sight," Trump wrote.

"He didn't know that, or India and Pakistan or, wiping out Iran's nuclear capabilities, or closing the horrendous open Border, or creating the greatest economy, where prices and Inflation have come way down, and where STUPID and CORRUPT JOE BIDEN set the record for doing the Worst Job as President, EVER," the former reality star continued. "But this dope, Charlamagne, would vote for Sleepy Joe or Kamala? Remember, one year ago our Country was DEAD, now it's the 'HOTTEST' Country anywhere in the World. MAGA!!!"

BDAY LOVE

'All out war': Gavin Newsom vows to 'fight fire with fire' in standoff with Texas

Gavin Newsom is taking action against Republicans.

After Texas Democratic representatives fled the state to stop right-wing politicians from trying to enact controversial redistricting legislation, the California Governor made it clear that he's a proponent of independent redistricting and a national framework. He also revealed that a proposal supporting his views is being advanced in the legislature.

UPI/Newscom/MEGA

"The proposal that we're advancing with the legislature has a trigger only if they move forward, to dismantling the protocols that are well-established," Newsom explained during a press conference. "Would the state of California move forward in kind? Fighting? Yes, fire with fire."

When the liberal politician was questioned on whether Democrats had drafted redistricting maps, Newsom admitted he hadn't seen any plans but noted that people in the party were continuing to talk about how to respond to conservatives.

"That process has to have the concurrence, the support of two-thirds of the legislature," Newsom said. "The maps, we believe, should be transparent. They should be provided in a transparent way to the public and as a consequence, those maps are being processed and will be brought to light."

Annabelle Gordon – CNP/Newscom/MEGA

The 57-year-old pointed out how it's vital that the people of California have their say in the matter if they have to pull the trigger. "We will offer them the opportunity to make judgments for themselves, again, only if Texas moves forward," Newsom said. "I'll reinforce that we believe it should be a national model, independent national redistricting and it would revert back to its original form, but it's done in response to the existential realities that we're now facing. Things have changed, facts have changed, so we must change."

"They've triggered this response and we're not going to roll over and we're going to fight fire with fire, but we're going to do so not just punching with the weight of the fourth largest economy, the most populous state in our union, the size of 21 state populations combined," he said. "We also will punch above our weight in terms of the impact of what we're doing and I think that should be absorbed by those in the Texas delegation. Whatever they are doing will be neutered here in the state of California and they will pay that price."

California GOP Chairwoman Corrin Rankin responded to Newsom's plans, claiming the move could challenge Californians' constitutional rights.

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

"While Governor Newsom frames this redistricting as a defensive move, it undermines California's nationally respected, voter-approved Citizens Redistricting Commission and if successful, sets a dangerous precedent that voters' choices can be overruled whenever politicians find it politically convenient," she said. "Our primary concern is safeguarding Californians' constitutional rights against partisan manipulation disguised as defending democracy; true democracy means empowering voters, not politicians, to decide representation."

When multiple Democratic politicians escaped the state of Texas to block a redistricting vote, the southern state's Governor Greg Abbott threatened to arrest and expel the lawmakers if they do not return.

One of Texas' left-wing representatives Julie Johnson called the situation the start of a "national war" and "an all-out war" on democracy with Donald Trump at the helm. "We come from a state of great pride and I never thought as a Texan, as an elected member of the Texas House of Representatives and now as an elected member from Texas to the United States House of Representatives, that I would see the governor of the proud state of Texas bend a knee to a felon from New York," she said. "I never thought I'd see the day, but here we are."

BDAY LOVE

Stephen Colbert scores first post-'Late Show' gig

CBS Entertainment

CBS essentially fired Stephen Colbert when the network canceled The Late Show, but the comedian isn't hurting for work. He already has a new late-night gig lined up — with a caveat. According to TheWrap, Colbert will guest star on Elsbeth playing a fictional late-night host named Scotty Bristol who hosts a show called Way Late With Scotty Bristol.

The spinoff of The Good Wife and The Good Fight stars Carrie Preston as crime solver Elsbeth Tascioni. It's unclear how Colbert's character will factor into the plot.

Like The Late Show, Elsbeth airs on CBS, which caused a media firestorm when it announced its decision to end the long-running late-night talk show in 2026.

"We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire The Late Show franchise," CBS executives said in a statement. "We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late-night television. This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night. It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at [parent company] Paramount."

While the network asserted that it was a business move, rumors continue to spread that Colbert lost his show due to his criticism of Paramount's $16 million settlement with Donald Trump after the president sued CBS over a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris.

"I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings," Trump said on Truth Social.

The president later claimed he wasn't responsible for CBS' decision to end The Late Show.

"Everybody is saying that I was solely responsible for the firing of Stephen Colbert from CBS, Late Night. That is not true! The reason he was fired was a pure lack of TALENT, and the fact that this deficiency was costing CBS $50 Million Dollars a year in losses — And it was only going to get WORSE," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

"Next up will be an even less talented Jimmy Kimmel, and then, a weak, and very insecure, Jimmy Fallon," Trump continued. "The only real question is, who will go first? Show Biz and Television is a very simple business. If you get Ratings, you can say or do anything. If you don't, you always become a victim. Colbert became a victim to himself, the other two will follow."

BDAY LOVE

Russia backs down after Trump moves nuclear subs closer to Moscow

Russia is backing down.

After a top Kremlin official made "highly provocative statements" that made Donald Trump move United States nuclear submarines closer to Moscow, the country issued an apology to American leadership.

Yuri Gripas – Pool via CNP / MEGA

"Overall, of course, we do not wish to be drawn into such discussion or comment on it. We approach any statements related to nuclear issues with great caution," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said. "As you know, Russia holds a responsible position. President [Vladimir] Putin's stance is well known."

"Russia takes the issue of nuclear non-proliferation very seriously," Peskov continued. "And, of course, we believe that everyone should be extremely careful when it comes to nuclear rhetoric."

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Russia's former President Dmitry Medvedev caused alarm when he took to X to lash out at Trump over possible United States sanctions on Moscow in response to the country's ongoing war with Ukraine.

"Trump's playing the ultimatum game with Russia: 50 days or 10. He should remember two things: 1. Russia isn't Israel or even Iran. 2. Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war," one post read.

Trump took to Truth Social to fire back at Medvedev's threats. "I have ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions, just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that," he wrote.

Kyodo/Newscom/MEGA

As Trump left the White House on his way to his New Jersey golf club, he doubled down on the move. "When you talk about nuclear, you have to be prepared. And we're totally prepared," he told reporters.

In response to Trump's military order, Peskov claimed in a statement, "U.S. submarines are already on combat duty. This is an ongoing process."

BDAY LOVE

8 movies and TV shows coming to Netflix in August

Netflix is giving subscribers reasons to stay inside this August.

From the return of fan-favorite series to action-packed franchises, here is everything new you can watch on the streaming platform in the coming weeks.

MORE: Follow Wonderwall on MSN for more top news and photo galleries

8. Fast and Furious Movie Collection (August 16)

A significant portion of the Fast and Furious franchise lands on Netflix on August 16. Viewers will be able to watch The Fast and the Furious, 2 Fast 2 Furious, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, Fast Five, Fast and Furious 6, Furious 7 and Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw. (You'll have to look elsewhere for the fourth installment, Fast & Furious, as well as the three most recent films in the franchise: The Fate of the Furious, F9 and Fast X.)

7. The Departed (August 1)

Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Wahlberg star in the classic 2006 film The Departed. The movie follows a South Boston cop, Billy Costigan (DiCaprio), as he goes undercover to break into a mob boss' (Nicholson) inner circle. The flick nabbed four Oscars: best picture, best director for Martin Scorsese, best adapted screenplay and best editing.

6. Titans: The Rise of Hollywood (August 5)

Titans: The Rise of Hollywood is a six-part docudrama series that chronicles Tinseltown's early stages throughout the early 20th century.

5. The Truth About Jussie Smollett (August 22)

The Truth About Jussie Smollett is a 90-minute documentary that examines the alleged hate crime Jussie Smollett suffered in 2019. The special hosts interviews with the Empire star himself along with police, lawyers, journalists and investigators involved in the case.

Courtesy Netflix

4. Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser (August 15)

The shocking behind-the-scenes tell-all Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser, features former contestants and producers from the former NBC series The Biggest Loser as they reveal the damaging situations they were allegedly put through. Trainer Bob Harper and longtime host Alison Sweeney are interviewed for the documentary.

3. My Life with the Walter Boys Season 2 (August 28)

The hit teen drama series My Life with the Walter Boys is back for Season 2. Jackie returns to Colorado set on fixing her relationship with Alex and setting boundaries with Cole. Unfortunately, Alex is deep in rodeo ambitions.

2. Thursday Murder Club (August 28)

Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan star in the crime comedy Thursday Murder Club. The film follows a group of friends in a retirement home who set out to solve a crime.

1. Wednesday Season 2 (August 6)

Jenna Ortega and Catherine Zeta-Jones are back for the second season of Wednesday, which sees Wednesday Adams returning to Nevermore Academy, where she dives deeper into her family's legacy while dealing with the trials and tribulations of being a teenager.