Category: News

It’s finally summertime. Kids are out of school and family vacations are underway, so beaches are packed with locals and tourists. But there are a few tourists no one expects to see as they turn themselves like a rotisserie chickens while they soak up the sun, and one of them is a bear.

That’s right, beachgoers got a pretty big surprise while enjoying the sun in Destin, Florida. There were families playing in the water and hanging out on the sand when a black bear swam out of the gulf and ran across the beach. It’s not clear where the bear came from or how it got in the water unnoticed. From the video, it seems like the bear just sort of emerged with no explanation as to how it got there in the first place.

Thankfully, no one was hurt and the black bear scurried off uninterested in the people around him. But a bear wasn’t the only unusual sighting at the beaches on the Gulf Coast. Just about two hours away in Orange Beach, Alabama, people were also met with surprise visitors.

People hanging out near boats in shallow water got a view of marine life that you don’t usually see that close to shore. A school of hammerhead sharks decided they wanted to swim in warmer water and maybe see what people looked like up close. Who knows, maybe they were having a field trip to the surface after bumping into Ariel and Sebastian.

“There were four to six of them and they were kinda just thrashing around in the water chasing bait fish, so I just kinda stayed there and watched them,” Paul Hubbell told WWLTV.

But seriously, this should go without saying, if you run into a group of sharks hanging out by boats, don’t bother them. As with any unexpected encounter with wildlife, experts suggest never approaching wild animals—don’t feed them or attempt to interact with them in any way. So while hammerhead sharks are generally disinterested in humans, you shouldn’t go try to pet them.

Not sure what’s in the water on the Gulf Coast, but if you plan to vacation there for their white sand beaches and crystal clear water, you might want to bring a set of binoculars to keep an extra eye out for bears and sharks.

“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” has been out for a little while now and kids everywhere have been enthralled. Toys, costumes and repeat screenings of the movie are a pretty common theme in people’s houses right now, but there’s one thing parents likely hear more than anything from that movie—the “Peaches” song.

“Peaches” is a sweet melody sung by Bowser, otherwise known as King Koopa, about Princess Peach, his eternally unrequited love interest. Koopa has been after Princess Peach since I was a literal child, and while I think it may be time for him to move on, he clearly does not. Thus we are blessed with a tune heard around the world, and thanks to Jack Black, we even have a music video to accompany the song.

But the cutest rendition of “Peaches” comes from a 7-year-old who sang the song at his school’s talent show while dressed as Bowser.

The boy’s mom, who runs the TikTok page @letsgocairo, uploaded the video that now has over 6.6 million views and more than 730K likes. He takes his seat at the piano and starts plunking out the notes in his King Koopa costume. As soon as he starts to speak the first few words, you hear giggles from the crowd, but once the singing starts, he suddenly isn’t alone.

The entire room full of kids watching the talent show start singing along and waving their arms to the music. Parents and teachers in the room are thoroughly amused as they giggle while the kids start shouting, “I love you,” which is part of the song.

“Why am I crying? This is so wholesome,” one person wrote, complete with crying emojis.

“He got the WHOLE CROWD GOING!!!! TURNED IT INTO A MINI CONCERT! absolutely amazing and so talented!!! great job my dude!!!,” another person said.

“I can’t love this enough‼️🤣💖” someone wrote.

Several people tagged Jack Black in hopes he would see his tiny protege absolutely making the crowd go wild at an elementary school talent show. Check out the adorable video below.

@letsgocairo

search “letsgocairo” on youtube to see full video. Don’t forget to like, share and comment. #singing #sing #peaches #blackkids #littlevoice #littlekids #talentshow #viral #viralvideo #viraltiktok #supermariobros #supermariomovie #viralkids @Jack Black

Sure, kids’ parties are fun for the kids. But you know who they’re a living hell for? Literally everyone else. Be it the poor mom or dad having to whip up decorations on a dime store budget, food that adheres to all allergies and preferences, and at least one overly expensive bounce house…or the other parents trying to wrangle their sugar-crazed child once the party is over. And let’s not forget the brave souls who arrive as Spider-Man or a Disney Princess and do a whole song and dance for an hour and a half.

And to top it all off, no matter how much effort is put into throwing this shindig, it will pale in comparison to the meticulously curated soirees seen on Pinterest Boards and social media. It’s all enough to make adults dread the entire experience.

However, one mom decided to completely lean into this fact of life with her no-B.S. party invitation, and millions of fellow parents are absolutely loving it.

The invite was posted on TikTok by Nat Lele, whose son brought it home from school. It read as follows:

“Evan, you are invited to [Insert Child’s Name Here] fifth birthday party. This event is brought to you by Pinterest Fails and the Dollar Store, so please set your expectations appropriately.”

Throwing out a ridiculously hodgepodge party theme, based of course on her kid’s random ideas, the invite continued:

“As requested, the theme will be unicorns but with rainbows and maybe bats, but there should be princesses and also Minnie and we need dancing lights so dress accordingly. Please pack a bathing suit, sunscreen, puddle jumpers, etc. in case your sweet baby angels decide our original plan sucks and the pool would be a better time.”

@not.just.nat #greenscreen These are my people. #birthdayparty #partyinvitations #parenting #funny #hilarious #adultjuice ♬ Comedy Music – Nissa

To be honest, a rainbow-unicorn-bat-princess-Minnie dance party by the pool sounds pretty lit.

Most relatable of all, the invite concluded by giving parents themselves a chance to opt out of the party altogether, saying that:

“If you would like to drop off and run, we support that entirely. If you would like to stay, we will provide adult juice and deny any offers to help, to be polite, but deep down, want to support you. You do you.”

Of course, Lele will absolutely be attending, because, as she put it, “These are my people. This is the kind of mom I can be friends with.”

Lele wasn’t the only one who was totally on board with the mystery mom’s refreshingly real approach. The video got over 4.5 million views, over 670,000 likes and oodles of comments from other parents showing their support.

“This is incredible. It’s what we’re all thinking when hosting kids parties 😂,” one person wrote.

Another added, “I’m glad a parent is finally lowering the standards/expectations because I’m done with these Pinterest/IG inspired kid parties 🙌🥳🍹”

Others were excited to see how the party would actually pan out. One person joked that they “Can’t wait to see how everyone interprets ‘dress accordingly.’ Someone better be dressed like a bat princess.”

“PLEASE update us when you attend. I NEED to know how this sick party rolls out,” another added.

Good news: Lele agreed to post a follow-up video showing how the party went. To find out for yourself, follow her on TikTok.

And parents—next time you’re feeling the pressure from your own party planning, remember that brutal honesty is sometimes the best policy.

Dr. Seuss’ early books predate rap music by more than three decades, but anyone who has read the rhythmic “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish” or the tongue-twisting “Fox in Socks”—or any of Seuss’s delightful rhymes, really—can instantly see the connection between the two.

In fact, my daughter was just asking me the other day if anyone had made Dr. Seuss books into rap songs, and I told her about a man I wrote about a few years ago, Wes Tank, who went viral for putting Dr. Seuss rhymes to smooth Dr. Dre beats.

But now there’s a new Seuss rapper who goes in a slightly different direction than Tank, hearkening to the fast rap stylings of Eminem and Busta Rhymes. Jordan Simons has garnered a following of 23 million TikTok users, simply by rapping Dr. Seuss books.

Well, “simply” is a bit of an understatement.

Like, the ABCs are simple, right? Dr. Seuss made a fun little book that helps familiarize kids with the sounds of the alphabet, but it’s never sounded like this:

@jordansimons4

Rappin “Dr. Seuss’s ABC” by Dr. Seuss! #rappinrhymebooks #DrSeuss #FYP #fyp #foryourpage #rap #bars

Right?!?

I read “Fox in Sox” so many times to my kids over the years, I have the whole book memorized. And in my wildest dreams, I could never do this:

@jordansimons4

(Part 1/2) Rappin “Fox in Socks” by Dr. Seuss! #rappinrhymebooks #DrSeuss #fyp #foryourpage #rap #bars

Part 2 is just as impressive. (The tweetle beetle battle part has always been my favorite to read.)

How about “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish”? I read that so many times as a child, I had it memorized before I had my own kids. And still, could I ever pull off this feat? Nope.

@jordansimons4

Rapping “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish” by Dr. Seuss #RappinRhymeBooks #DrSeuss #rap #bars #fyp #foryourpage

Simons’ most popular video to date was his rapping of “Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can you?” It may not be as well known as some of Seuss’ other books, but when you see it you’ll see why it’s been watched more than 36 million times.

@jordansimons4

(REPOST) Rappin “Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?” By Dr. Seuss ! #rappinrhymebooks #DrSeuss #fyp #foryourpage #rap #bars

You can follow Jordan Simons on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.

On May 10, Beyoncé kicked off her Renaissance World Tour in Stockholm, Sweden. Michael Grahn, Danske Bank’s chief economist in Sweden, is now claiming that the pop star had an impact on inflation purely by stopping by.

According to Politico, new data from Statistics Sweden shows a 0.3-percent rise from April to May. This is sparked by “a broad set of goods and services, for instance, hotel and restaurant visits” and “recreational services,” which the publication notes as including concert ticket purchases.

“Beyoncé’s start of her world tour in Sweden seems to have colored May inflation. How much is uncertain, but probably 0.2 p.p. of the 0.3 p.p. that hotels/restaurants added,” Grahn said. “We expect this upside surprise to be reversed in June as prices on hotels and tickets reverse back to normal.”

However, the publication pushed back against Grahn’s statement, pointing out that large concerts or sports events can boost hotel prices and other costs in towns, but this does not stay permanently or affect the entire country.

Politico goes on to showcase another example of this, using the Roland-Garros tennis tournament in Paris as an example, which caused hotel prices to rise by 4.3 percent. Beyoncé also held a concert in Paris during her current European tour and the situation was similar.

Over the past few years, there has been bad blood between Queens Of The Stone Age’s Josh Homme and ex-wife Brody Dalle. He addressed all that in a statement earlier this year, and now he’s singing about it on the new Queens Of The Stone Age single “Paper Machete.”

In a recent NME interview, Homme was asked, “On ‘Paper Machete,’ you sing about your separation from your wife. Did it feel exposing to write about a topic that’s clearly still so raw?” He replied, “I’m supposed to write about my life. It’s supposed to be real and honest. Am I supposed to write about the mating call of the upchuck swallow? All it’s really supposed to be is as real, honest, and vulnerable as it can be, because that’s my job. How many songs have been written about break-ups, or get-togethers? That’s what they’re for, right? ‘One is the loneliest number…’ It goes on and on. So I don’t worry about that. What would be the possible worry about speaking from an honest spot in yourself?”

On the song, Homme doesn’t hold back with lyrics like, “The truth is just a peace of clay / You sculpt, you change, you hide, then you erase / You think you’re brave? / All the plans you made / Behind my back and from far away? / Truth is, face to face, you’re a coward / Sharp as a paper machete.”

Listen to “Paper Machete” above. Yesterday, the band released a video for recent single “Carnavoyeur,” so find that below.

In Times New Roman… is out 6/16 via Matador. Find more information here.

Marvel hasn’t released a new Disney+ series since last year’s She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, so the anticipation is high for Secret Invasion. The new show features the return of Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury as the weary spymaster grapples with his failure to protect the Earth from Thanos and the chaos that ensued. However, Fury doesn’t have time to sulk as the shape-shifting Skrulls move from friend to enemy in this espionage thriller.

While only the first two episodes were provided to critics, there seems to be an overwhelming consensus that Secret Invasion leans into the political vibes that made Captain America: The Winter Soldier one of the best MCU films of all time. That said, some critics were feeling the show more than others, but there’s almost universal agreement that the surprisingly stacked cast elevates the series.

You can see what the reviews are saying below:

Richard Newby, Empire:

Secret Invasion, created by Kyle Bradstreet, is not a superhero show. This may surprise those familiar with the 2008 comic storyline from Brian Michael Bendis and Leinil Francis Yu, which saw nearly every costumed hero and villain mix it up with the alien intruders; the Disney+ series ditches The Avengers in favor of cold, hard espionage. It’s an area the Marvel Cinematic Universe has played in before, with Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Black Widow being notable examples. But even then, we were still firmly in the world of heroes. In Secret Invasion, spies cannot be heroes by their very nature, and the murky moral waters they must wade through are anything but the expected Marvel method.

Rachel Leishman, The Mary Sue:

There’s a reason that Captain America: The Winter Soldier is still one of the most beloved of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s rooted in our love for mystery. Right out the gate, Secret Invasion has you on the edge of your seat just given the simple nature of its presence. We don’t know who to trust. Any time a character acts slightly different than we’re used to, you’ll feel an overwhelming need to scream “SKRULL” on your coach.

Adam Barnhart, Comic Book:

Where the series shines exceptionally well is when it lets Samuel L. Jackson be himself. Though the episodes reviewed are without Jackson’s trademark “motherf-cker,” his wit and charm are still put on full display. Secret Invasion is very much the show of Nick Fury, and that might be its saving grace. After 15 years of playing the character, viewers get to see what makes the former SHIELD boss tick, finally providing some storylines that peel back the layers of the walking enigma. It’s an examination of the character in only a way Jackson could accomplish, and it’s something that’s long past due.

Daniel D’Addario, Variety:

In its early going, “Secret Invasion” stands out for its willingness to go places, and its reticence to call attention to itself. Consider that, in the two-and-a-half years since Marvel began its project of airing series that explicitly complement what’s happening in their film universe on Disney+, its TV shows have looked for all the world like segmented feature films, albeit with a little less major-scale action and with franchise stars like Chris Hemsworth and Paul Rudd juuuust out of view. Ever since “WandaVision,” the show that started this period for Marvel, wound up ditching its novel episodic premise in time for a big climactic fight, these shows have often struggled to make the case for themselves as shows. These two episodes, by contrast, work.

However, other critics were not so intrigued by Marvel’s return to the spy genre. Despite the stellar cast, the first two episodes of Secret Invasion is not the MCU’s version of Andor that some fans were hoping for:

Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter:

Through two episodes, the series itself is a disappointment. A tremendous cast, led by Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Olivia Colman and Don Cheadle, keeps things generally watchable and, when they’re given the opportunity to interact, you can spot the best version of the show. But for the most part, Secret Invasion is more dour and even dull than one might expect from its John le Carré/Graham Greene trappings.

Jesse Hassenger, The Wrap:

Jackson, Mendelsohn, and Colman will likely keep the whole thing watchable, and if Kingsley-Adir and Clarke get more to do as it progresses, maybe it’ll become more than that. At first, though, anyone hoping for the MCU equivalent of “Andor” that Jackson seems up for – a dark espionage drama with some fantasy trimmings – will likely be disappointed.

Ben Travers, IndieWire:

To say the first two episodes are suspense-free wouldn’t be entirely fair. The premiere’s climax works well enough, and the hourlong entries move along without the obvious bloat of past MCU TV shows. Still, “Secret Invasion” proves as tepid as it is inert. The cast, featuring multiple Oscar winners and future recipient Ben Mendelsohn, is barely given room to do anything — even Jackson, who has the most screen time, barely fits in a raised eyebrow or trademark shout. Colman and Ben-Adir fare best, unleashing their wild sides in all-too-brief spurts, and it’s exciting to see Mendelsohn play a good guy for once. But like with most Marvel entries, these dynamic talents are conscripted to spout blunt exposition, rote dialogue, and forced quips.

Meghan O’Keefe, Decider:

Secret Invasion‘s first two episodes introduce an intriguing concept. Nick Fury really did create a galactic crisis through his own inattention. Can he fix it before it’s too late? The irony is that the bar has been raised so high in terms of what genre fans should expect from streaming shows that Secret Invasion itself feels a little late. The scripts are flabby, the visuals uninspired. Five years ago, Secret Invasion would have been top-tier genre entertainment. Now it feels, like Fury, a few important steps behind the competition.

Marvel’s Secret Invasion premieres June 21 on Disney+.

Bradley Beal‘s name has seemingly popped up in trade rumors for years, and even though he just finished up the first year of a 5-year, $251 million contract extension, a potential Beal deal is back in the rumor mill. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Washington’s front office and Beal’s representation are reportedly keeping in touch as teams are reaching out to gauge his availability.

Shams Charania and Josh Robbin of The Athletic confirmed the news, saying that both sides will work together on finding Beal a new team in the event the Wizards opt to rebuild.

The Athletic noted that while no decisions have been made yet on the long-term future of the Wizards, “the Miami Heat are expected to be prominent suitors for Beal if he reaches the market.” Beal is one of the more unique contracts in the NBA, because beyond the fact that his deal is gigantic — he’ll make an average of $50.2 million over the life of the deal and has a player option in 2026-27 worth $57.1 million — he has a full no-trade clause and has the ability to veto any deal.

Beal, who turns 30 at the end of June, is a three-time All-Star and has only suited up for the Wizards over the course of his NBA career. Last season, he appeared in 50 games and averaged 23.2 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.9 rebounds in 33.5 minutes per game while Washington went 35-47 and finished in 12th place in the Eastern Conference for the second year in a row.

Carrie Fisher‘s last movie is finally coming out, seven years after her death.

In Wonderwell, which is described as a “coming-of-age fairy tale set between modern-day Italy and an imaginary realm just beyond,” the Star Wars legend plays the “enigmatic” Hazel, who helps guide the main character.

“The journey we have taken as filmmakers with this movie, has been as perilous as that of the movie itself,” director Vlad Marsavin told Deadline about the delayed release. “From filming to screen it has taken us seven years. The visual effects on a movie of this magnitude takes time, but we were challenged with COVID lockdowns and of course the passing of our wonderful Carrie Fisher. Now is the perfect time to share her magical on screen moments as Hazel.”

Marsavin also shared a delightful story about how Fisher was always the life of the party.

“Carrie was full of energy during filming and even celebrated her 60th birthday with us in Italy where we shot the movie. After a night shoot, which went on until 2am, she invited the whole team to celebrate with her and the party ended up being shut down by the police because it was deemed a little too loud. Her passing was very emotional for the whole team.”

Wonderwell, which also stars Rita Ora, Nell Tiger Free, Sebastian Croft, and Kiera Milward, will have a limited theatrical run via AMC followed by a digital release from June 23, 2023.

(Via Deadline)

Doja Cat fans are thirsty for new music, which is arriving soon. Today (June 14), she finally gave fans a taste of what to expect from her impending new era.

Her new single, “Attention,” drops this Friday, and is believed to be the lead single from her upcoming fourth album. In a clip shared on social media, Doja is seen arriving to a red carpet, which is filled with fans and photographers. She is seen sporting a shorter hairdo, which she began rocking last summer, and it looks like she will maintain this aesthetic over the course of the album cycle.

Though a snippet of new music can be heard for only a few seconds, it sounds like Doja may be taking on a more rock-influenced sound. Over rattling percussion, Doja raps “Look at me, look at me / You lookin’?”

Doja has been teasing the follow-up to Planet Her for the past few months now, but it’s not clear what the sound will consist of. She’s previously suggested that her fourth album will have a punk sound, as well as a pure rap sound, and even an EDM sound, so it could go in any direction at this point.

You can check out the “Attention” teaser clip above.