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1991 Action Thriller, Ranked Among 'Best Action Movies of All Time,' Is Finally Streaming on Netflix
This iconic 1995 action thriller has made its way to streaming.
Point Break became an instant classic 35 years ago when it was released in theaters. It has since been called one of the “Best Action Movies of All Time” by Time Out.
The film was directed by Kathryn Bigelow and stars Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves, Gary Busey, Lori Petty, John C. McGinley, James LeGros, and Anthony Kiedis. It hit Netflix on October 1.
Point Break follows an FBI agent who “infiltrates a band of surfers who are behind a string of heists. As he gains their trust, he gets swept up in their seductive lifestyle,” according to thes streamer.
The film celebrated its 35th anniversary earlier this year with a theatrical re-release that featured an introduction by Matt Archbold, Swayze’s surf double.
Additionally, Point Break was updated with 4K restoration created by Resurgence Media Group, Saga Arts, and Fathom Entertainment.
“Few films have built a following as loyal as Point Break’s,” Shannah Miller, the vice president of marketing at Fathom Entertainment, told Variety in July. “Thirty-five years after it first hit theaters, this newly restored 4K version gives that devoted following exactly what they’ve been asking for: Bodhi, Johnny Utah and those legendary surfing and skydiving sequences, back where they belong on the big screen.”
Point Break is now available on any screen that streams Netflix.
The Pioneer Woman's Plush $20 Scalloped Floral Throw Blanket Is Oversized for Maximum Coziness
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Nothing signals the return of cool weather quite like the sudden need for a cozy throw blanket. You find yourself wrapping it around yourself while curled up on the couch and burrowing underneath it while relaxing in bed. In other words, there are plenty of good excuses to make some room in your home for The Pioneer Woman Scalloped Throw Blanket.
Available for just $20 at Walmart, the reversible accent piece comes in three beautiful hues. There’s soft rose herb, ideal if you want to introduce a pop of girly pink to the room. If you’re shopping for something crisper, green river’s sage undertones will bring a little natural elegance to your space. The muted sandy beach option is great if you favor a simple neutral.
The Pioneer Woman Scalloped Throw Blanket, $20 at Walmart Shop at WalmartThe blanket is etched with a classic floral print featuring tumbling white blossoms that pop against their soft-toned backdrops. Flip it over to reveal an inverted scheme that mirrors the other side, with colorful flowers cascading down a white background. The blanket’s distinctive scalloped ruffle trim lends it a daintiness that wouldn’t be out of place in a country manor or a cozy hillside cottage.
Bringing that charming cottagecore energy to your own space is so easy thanks to pieces like this. It’s stunningly soft, according to reviewers, and measures an impressive 50 inches wide and 72 inches long. The oversized dimensions give it a little more substance than the average throw blanket, so you could cover your entire bed or snuggle with another person. It even looks elegant draped over a couch or folded at the foot of the bed.
The reviews are outstanding, with shoppers offering high praise for the texture and aesthetic appeal alike. “This blanket is absolutely stunning,” one person wrote, adding that it’s “beautiful and soft.” Another customer said they loved the “cozy” feel and noted that the pattern is “perfect with any decor.”
Shop More Home Deals- Junovo Fluffy Area Rug, $20 (was $30) at Walmart
- Jessy Home Oversized Bath Sheet Towel Set of 4, $32 (was $50) at Walmart
- Astercook 15-Piece Knife Set, $40 (was $200) at Walmart
With the holiday season just weeks away, now’s also a great time to snap up a few sweet treasures for the MVPs in your life. The Pioneer Woman Scalloped Throw Blanket is an affordable choice that will instantly warm their heart while keeping them toasty all season. Pick it up in your preferred color while it’s in stock at Walmart.
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Beloved 2000 Cheerleading Movie Is Now Streaming on Netflix
Be aggressive, be, be aggressive! If that cheer sends you straight back to the summer of 2000, you’re in luck.
Bring It On, the cheerleading comedy starring Kirsten Dunst and Gabrielle Union, is now streaming on Netflix. The film arrived Oct. 1 as part of a big batch of library additions that also includes The Devil Wears Prada, Love Actually and the entire Twilight saga. Netflix doesn’t always say how long licensed titles stick around, so it’s smart to queue it up sooner rather than later.
Dunst stars as Torrance Shipman, the newly crowned captain of San Diego’s Rancho Carne Toros. Torrance soon discovers that her squad’s championship routines were lifted from the East Compton Clovers, led by Union’s sharp-tongued captain, Isis.
What could have been a simple rivalry comedy became something smarter. Rather than turning either team into villains, the film makes Torrance own her squad’s mistake and build something original. The Clovers win nationals on their own merit, and the Toros settle for second. It was a surprisingly honest ending for a teen movie, and it’s a big reason the film still sparks conversation more than two decades later.
The cast also includes Eliza Dushku as Torrance’s tough-talking teammate Missy and Jesse Bradford as Missy’s misfit, punk-loving brother, Cliff. Director Peyton Reed went on to helm Marvel’s Ant-Man films.
Bring It On opened at No. 1 at the box office in August 2000 and launched a string of direct-to-video sequels. (*It even inspired a 2012 Broadway musical, with music co-written by Lin-Manuel Miranda years before Hamilton.)
Its stars kept climbing, too. Dunst went on to the Spider-Man trilogy and an Oscar nomination for The Power of the Dog. Union became a TV lead in Being Mary Jane and a successful producer.
So grab your pom-poms, or at least the remote, and spirit fingers your way to Netflix. Ready? Ok!
Billy Ray Cyrus’ Ex-Wife Claims He Isolated Her From Loved Ones and Kept Her in a ‘Farm Prison’
Billy Ray Cyrus‘s ex-wife Firerose is speaking out again about their turbulent marriage, claiming the country singer gradually isolated her from friends, church, and even her own music while they lived together in Tennessee.
The Australian singer, 37, told Page Six she described the property as a “farm prison,” alleging she couldn’t freely leave during their relationship.
Cyrus, 65, has previously denied wrongdoing, and a source close to him pushed back strongly against Firerose’s latest claims.
Why Does Firerose Call Billy Ray Cyrus’ Farm a ‘Prison’?Firerose alleged that Cyrus “physically, strategically, and emotionally completely isolated [me] from everyone who cared about me.”
“It’s classic narcissistic abuse,” she told Page Six. “I call it farm prison, because that’s what it was for me. I was for years not allowed to freely come and go from my own home.”
She said the restrictions did not happen all at once. “There were all these rules that I had to follow,” Firerose said. “It happens gradually … this is what your life is going to be.”
What Does Firerose Say She Was Not Allowed to Do?According to Firerose, everyday activities became difficult or off-limits. “I didn’t have a car, and I wasn’t allowed to just meet friends for coffee, just basic things, go to church or record music, solo music,” she claimed.
She previously told Page Six in June 2024 that she felt afraid to speak freely during the marriage and said she even had to ask permission to send text messages.
How Has Billy Ray Cyrus’ Side Responded?A source close to the singer disputed Firerose’s account, telling the outlet, “This is a cry for attention, this is Firerose trying to ruin Billy Ray’s name and it’s really hurtful.”
The source also said Firerose “willingly moved in with Billy Ray.”
During the former couple’s divorce battle, Cyrus also accused Firerose of trying to isolate him from his family.
His longtime manager, Scott Adkins, separately alleged in a sworn affidavit that Firerose had behaved combatively during their relationship, People reported in June 2024.
When Did Firerose and Billy Ray Cyrus Divorce? NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – AUGUST 23: (L-R) FIREROSE and Billy Ray Cyrus attend the 16th Annual Academy of Country Music Honors at Ryman Auditorium on August 23, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for ACM)Firerose and Cyrus were engaged for about a year before marrying. Their marriage lasted roughly 10 months before falling apart in 2024 amid competing accusations from both sides, according to a timeline Vulture detailed. Their divorce was finalized in August 2024. Firerose is now preparing to release new music, while Cyrus has moved on romantically with actress Elizabeth Hurley.
Cyrus hasn’t commented on his ex-wife’s claims yet.
Gypsy Rose Blanchard's Final Message To Former Fiancé Ken Urker Revealed
Just hours before Ken Urker was found dead, Gypsy Rose Blanchard sent him a voice note that went unanswered, TMZ reports.
The note was sent around 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1, in which she wished him a happy birthday and talked about their daughter, Aurora. According to sources who spoke with the outlet, Blanchard began by apologizing after a photo that showed their daughter’s face had leaked online. She said she would find out who was responsible, saying she believed it was from her private Facebook page where she had posted the picture. In the note, she apologized for it happening on Urker’s birthday.
She also asked if they could FaceTime later so that their daughter could see him.
“We’re told the voice note disappeared around 2 PM, leading those close to the situation to believe Ken listened to it … but he never responded.,” TMZ wrote.
A separate report from TMZ detailed how the two were taking some time apart, but were still together and were even planning to move into a new apartment. Sources told the outlet that Urker asked for some space, and she had been staying with her parents. It stemmed from Urker’s drinking, which had become a problem in recent months and created a strain on their relationship.
Urker was found dead at his home in Raceland, Louisiana, on Thursday, Oct. 1, the same day as his 34th birthday. TMZ reports that syringes and a spoon near a brown, powdery substance were found near Urker’s body, as well as another syringe on the nightstand. According to law enforcement records, a caller warned the police that Urker had threatened suicide, owned a gun, and was “dark place.” The police report obtained by TMZ classified his death as an overdose, with an autopsy being conducted on Friday morning.
No official cause of death has been released.
‘When Harry Met Sally’ Star Billy Crystal Opens Up About Losing His Home of 46 Years: 'Everything Was Gone'
Billy Crystal is opening up about losing the Pacific Palisades home where he and his family spent 46 years building a life together.
Crystal and his wife, Janice Crystal, had lived in the house since 1979, raising their two daughters there and later welcoming their grandchildren into the same family home. The loss inspired his new Broadway show, 860, named after the home’s address and centered on grief, family, and finding a way forward.
View this post on InstagramNow, the 78-year-old actor is sharing more about the night they lost it, what survived, and how his family leaned on one another afterward.
What Happened to Billy Crystal’s Home?The Tony Award winner told Playbill in an interview published on Friday, October 2, that he and Janice left as tensions around them grew.
Later, while staying at their daughter’s home, they learned the house was gone. “We got the news that everything was gone,” Crystal recalled, describing the experience as “an enormous, empty feeling.”
After the January 2025 fire, Crystal said the home had held family memories for decades.
“Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can’t be taken away,” he shared in a heartbreaking statement published by The Hollywood Reporter at the time.
What Did Billy Crystal Save From the Fire?Very little survived physically. “No, a few tiny little things,” Crystal said when asked whether the family had saved sentimental belongings. Among the losses were old home movies his father recorded, including footage of Mickey Mantle and family gatherings. Some of those memories survived because they had been transferred to the cloud.
“Thankfully, we had said, ‘Let’s put them on the cloud so we have them.’” Crystal told Playbill. “It’s amazing that it was reduced to powder. It’s crazy. It’s crazy.”
How Did Billy Crystal Help His Grandchildren Cope?The Harry Met Sally star said his grandchildren, now 23, 20, 16 and 13, watched the devastation unfold with the rest of the family. “So watching with them, you feel a responsibility to be strong for them, to show them it’s going to be okay. We’ll be okay,” he said. But he and Janice did not hide their emotions.
“If Janice and I cried in front of them, we cried in front of them,” Crystal said. “If we held on to each other, we did.”
How Is Billy Crystal Moving Forward? View this post on InstagramCrystal began filming what was happening on his phone as the fire unfolded and kept documenting the aftermath. “I started writing, and the writing took me out of the horror,” he told Playbill.
View this post on InstagramFor Crystal, the story is now less about the house itself and more about the family memories inside it, the pieces that remain, and finding a way forward after losing something that had been part of their lives for nearly half a century.
860 is now playing at the Imperial Theatre in New York City through January 3, 2027. More ticket details are available here.
From Hallmark Hunk to 'American Hostage': Inside Kristoffer Polaha's Jaw-Dropping Transformation (Exclusive)
With over 20 Hallmark Channel movies under his belt, Kristoffer Polaha might sound like a one-trick pony who’s easy on the eyes and has mastered the art of the meet-cute. But in between those sweet-as-can-be onscreen romances, Polaha, 49, has built up an impressive resume of darker roles, from an undercover CIA intelligence agent in Jurassic Park: Dominion to a dad imprisoned underground for months in Harlan Coben’s Shelter.
The actor’s latest role may be his most intense yet, in the new MGM+ series American Hostage with Giovanni Ribisi and Jon Hamm. Based on a true story, Polaha plays former Indianapolis mortgage banker Dick Hall, as he’s taken hostage in 1977 by disgruntled client Tony Kiritsis (Ribisi), who demands to go live on the air with revered local radio host Fred Heckman (Hamm).
Tony Kiritsis holds a sawed-off 12-gauge shotgun wired to Richard Hall’s head in front of scores of newsmen and police on February 8, 1977 — the premise of the 2026 MGM+ series “American Hostage.”Polaha gained 25 pounds to play Hall, who survived the real-life 63-hour standoff, despite having the muzzle of a sawed-off shotgun planted at the base of his head and a “dead man’s wire” running from his neck to the gun’s trigger. With Kiritsis holding the gun behind Hall, the shotgun would have gone off if either man made any sudden movements. Hall didn’t talk about the incident for 40 years.
“This is the kind of project I wanted to be a part of from the word ‘go,’ because it allows you to get gritty and to dig deep,” Polaha exclusively told Parade. “And to create a world that truly existed in 1977, recreating something that really happened is, in and of itself a thrill. It’s
a different type of entertainment entirely.”
Steven Ackerman/MGM+/Sony Pictures Television
On the surface, the emotional turmoil of American Hostage, an eight-episode series that premiered on Sunday, September 20, is a far cry from Hallmark’s quaint romances and cozy mysteries. But Polaha told Parade they have more in common than meets the eye.
Similar to Hallmark viewership, women are twice as likely as men to tune into true crime programming, according to the Pew Research Center. And, Polaha pointed out, many of those viewers are attracted to those genres because they can trust there will be satisfying closure at the end, whether the girl gets the guy or the cops get the criminal.
The same is true for the “gritty faith movies” Polaha and his fans gravitate to. Before his next Hallmark Christmas movie, November 15’s Mistletoe & Mimosas, he’ll star in a new Christian drama about infidelity, “The Space Between Us,” premiering via Angel Studios on October 8.
“What I love about my career and about my audiences is that they’ve been gracious enough to allow me to play in all these different quadrants,” he told Parade. “I’ve been able to leap from Hallmark to a show like American Hostage, and the audience doesn’t feel betrayed. … There’s been a lot of grace and a lot of support, and as an actor, that to me is like hitting 777 on the One-Armed Bandit (slot machine).”
Kristoffer Polaha Says Hallmark Movies Are Challenging to Make, TooBut not everyone can juggle those extremes so easily. The stretch it takes to go from rom-coms to true crime can be tricky, and vice versa. Polaha told Parade, “There are an awful lot of actors who are wonderful, (but) who would fail miserably at Hallmark because it takes a very specific skill set. It’s actually a very difficult medium to thrive in, and the men and women who bring you these movies, they’re very, very good at what they do.”
While talking shop on the set of American Hostage, Polaha recalled with a laugh, “Giovanni Ribisi was like, ‘Can you imagine me on a Hallmark film?’ I was like, ‘I mean, it would be something! Of course you could do it, it’d be amazing, but there’s so many things that you have to buy in to.'”
In addition to being able to manage incredibly quick shoots (usually just 15 days for a whole movie), Polaha said, “You have to be really good at that suspension of disbelief. You have to almost say, ‘You know what? I’m gonna drink the cocoa, and I’m gonna catch her when she falls, and I’m gonna smile through this thing, and I’m not gonna judge it, and I’m not going to mock it, and I’m not going to be glib about it.’ I’m gonna do this thing where I truly believe that this place exists.”
Tamera Mowry-Housley and Kristoffer Polaha in Hallmark’s “Mistletoe & Mimosas,” premiering on November 15.Courtney Julian/Hallmark Media
“That suspension of disbelief is really difficult for a lot of actors,” he continued, “because I think it makes them feel foolish, or it makes them feel naive, or it makes them feel simple. … The idea of like really jumping into this Hallmark universe and really buying into the idea of grown adults who’ve never experienced real love and who find it for the first time? It’s very quaint.”
“You have to have buy-in (from each actor), and there are a lot of people who are either too jaded or too worldly, too urban, too sophisticated,” Polaha said. “Those are all amazing qualities that would work in much darker, heavier fare. But you’ve gotta leave that behind to make a good Hallmark movie.”
Where can you catch Kristoffer Polaha next?- American Hostage drops new episodes each Sunday night on MGM+ through November 1.
- The Space Between Us will be available to stream via Angel Studios on October 8.
- Mistletoe & Mimosas premieres on Hallmark Channel on November 15 at 8 p.m. ET and will be available to stream via Hallmark+ the following day.
Walmart’s $68 3-Drawer Dresser Has Deep Storage for Stashing Away Summer Clothes
Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
Fall has a way of sneaking up on you, and suddenly you’re packing away summer clothes, shoes, blankets, and seasonal decor wherever you can find space. Having the right storage makes that transition much easier, especially when you know you’ll want everything again once warm weather returns. A dresser with roomy drawers can keep those seasonal items organized and accessible instead of leaving you to dig through a pile of mismatched bins next year.
One storage solution worth checking out is the Aiho 3-Drawer Dresser. Right now, it’s on sale for 47% off at Walmart, bringing the price down from $130 to just $68. With its simple design and generously sized drawers, it’s useful for storing everyday essentials while also giving seasonal items a designated home.
Aiho 3-Drawer Dresser, $68 (was $130) at Walmart Shop at WalmartThe dresser has three deep drawers that can hold clothing, bedding, toys, accessories, and seasonal decorations without taking up an excessive amount of floor space. If you need more room, there’s also a four-drawer version currently on sale for $90. That gives you the option to choose the configuration that makes the most sense for your space, whether you’re organizing a bedroom, hallway, living room, or home office.
The dresser measures 23.6 inches long, 15.8 inches wide, and 32.3 inches tall, giving you a fairly compact footprint with useful vertical storage. Each drawer measures 20.2 inches long, 12.8 inches wide, and 6.4 inches tall, so there’s enough room for folded clothing and other household essentials without making the unit overly bulky. It can support up to 35 pounds, while the durable wood construction is designed for everyday use.
Smooth drawer rails help the drawers open and close without a struggle, while recessed cutout handles keep the front looking clean and streamlined. The dresser also includes an anti-tip device that helps secure it in place and reduce the risk of it tipping over. That’s particularly useful if you have children or pets who might bump into furniture, making it a more reassuring choice for bedrooms, playrooms, and other high-traffic areas.
The smooth black finish and minimalist design make it easy to work into different rooms without looking out of place. It can serve as a traditional dresser in a bedroom, a storage cabinet in the hallway, or a place to keep office supplies in a workspace. You could also use the top surface for framed photos, a small lamp, plants, or seasonal decor, letting it function as both useful storage and part of your room’s decor.
Shop More Deals- Concetta 8-Drawer Fabric Dresser Storage Chest, From $47 (was $67) at Walmart
- Polup Metal Freestanding Storage Cabinet, $145 (was $170) at Walmart
- Climbhope Collapsible Stackable Storage Bin, From $87 (was $166) at Walmart
For a practical storage solution that won’t break the bank, the Aiho 3-Drawer Dresser is a versatile pick for keeping clutter under control. And with Walmart’s current 47% discount bringing the price down to just $68, you can save $60, or even pick up two and place them side by side if you need extra storage.
Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales, twice a week.
Oatly Is Dropping Three New Flavors for Fall
Oatly is giving your fall coffee routine a very unexpected makeover.
The oatmilk brand has just added three new products to its lineup: Popcorn Barista Edition, Churros Barista Edition, and Matcha Latte. The new flavors are rolling out at grocery stores nationwide, giving home baristas a few unconventional options for their next latte, iced coffee or afternoon pick-me-up.
First up is the Popcorn Barista Edition, and don’t expect to open the carton and be hit with an overpowering movie-theater popcorn flavor. The popcorn note is surprisingly subtle, without an overly salty or artificial-butter taste. It reminded me of cereal milk, the slightly sweet, comforting flavor left in the bottom of the bowl. According to Oatly’s press release, the barista version is designed to foam, steam and blend, so it can go into an iced coffee or a latte. The brand also suggests pouring it over a bowl of cereal, which honestly feels like the natural fit.
The Churros Barista Edition leans more fully into the cozy side of fall. It has an appetizingly carby quality, with cinnamon undertones that bring to mind a warm, freshly fried churro dusted with cinnamon sugar. I could especially see this one working well in an iced coffee or latte when you’re craving something a little sweeter.
Then there’s the Matcha Latte, which offers a slightly different take on the fall flavor lineup. If you love matcha but aren’t a fan of its bitterness, this is an easy way to get your fix. Made with real matcha and a hint of vanilla, the ready-to-drink latte delivers that familiar earthy flavor but gentler. There’s no whisking involved: Just shake, pour over ice and go.
The new products are rolling out at Kroger, Albertsons, and Raley’s, although the selection varies by retailer. Kroger and Albertsons are carrying the Churros Barista Edition and Matcha Latte, while Raley’s is stocking all three new flavors, including the Popcorn Barista Edition.
All three flavors are dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free, non-GMO and Kosher Pareve.
So if you’re bored with the same fall coffee routine, Oatly’s latest lineup offers a few decidedly different ways to shake things up this season.
'Happy Days' Actress, 72, Rocks Her Signature Short Hair in Rare Public Appearance
Actress Lynda Goodfriend, 72, who portrayed Richie Cunningham’s (Ron Howard) wife, Lori Beth Cunningham, in the hit ’70s sitcom Happy Days, was paparazzied while taking a stroll in September 2026.
The pictures, taken in Burbank, California, were released by The Daily Mail. The candid images showed Goodfriend wearing a white button-down tucked into blue jeans. She finished off her outfit with a white statement necklace, a black belt, and black sneakers. Her signature short hair was styled in a side part.
Goodfriend, who began starring in Happy Days during its fifth season, has stepped away from being an actress and is now a well-known acting teacher. In a 2024 interview with Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz, Goodfriend explained that following “Happy Days and a couple other series” she appeared in, she “decided [she] really wanted to teach.”
She said that after she “opened up [her] own acting school,” some of her students urged her to be their manager. While she was initially hesitant about being a manager, she “became very successful” and enjoyed the work.
“I loved doing that. I loved helping actors and coaching actors, and I did that for about 22 years,” said Goodfriend, who appeared on Happy Days until its 11th and final season, which ended in 1984.
She then explained that she began feeling “a little burned out” as a manager, so she decided to teach classes at the New York Film Academy.
“I missed teaching because I closed my school when I really started managing, so somebody said, ‘New York Film Academy,’ I said ‘I’ll go and teach a class. How fun, just one class.’ And I just loved it,” said the actress during the 2024 podcast interview. “And I love teaching. There’s something exciting always, in all these years of teaching. I love the lightbulb going off in somebody that’s just on the beginning of their path. I started teaching there a couple classes, maybe three classes.”
Eventually, she became the “chair of the acting department for 11 years,” before changing her position to “creative director.”
‘Back to the Future’ Star Michael J. Fox, 65, Receives 'Highest Civilian Honor' Amid Parkinson’s Battle
Michael J. Fox received one of Canada’s highest civilian honors Friday, earning a standing ovation as he was promoted to Companion of the Order of Canada for his decades of advocacy for people living with Parkinson’s disease.
CBC reported on Friday, October 2, that the celebrated actor was honored at a ceremony at Rideau Hall, where Gov. Gen. Louise Arbour formally promoted him to Companion.
Rideau Hall cited Fox’s “powerful global advocacy and unflinching honesty about Parkinson’s” in recognizing his work, CBC reported.
What Did Michael J. Fox Say About the Honor? View this post on InstagramThe Back to the Future actor said the moment left him feeling both pride and humility as he reflected on growing up in Canada.
“It’s so many things. But mostly it’s just growing up in Canada, loving this country, loving what it stands for and how it’s progressed and corrected course when it needed to, and stayed the course when it needed to,” he told The Canadian Press after the ceremony, as reported by iPolitics.
View this post on InstagramFox added, “At the end, you have a 65-year-old guy who’s uniquely Canadian because of all those things.”
Why Was Michael J. Fox Promoted in the Order of Canada?The honor recognized Fox’s work raising awareness and funding research into Parkinson’s, the progressive neurological disorder he publicly revealed he had in 1998.
Fox founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000 and has spent years using his public platform to push for new treatments and a cure.
“I’m privileged to commit my time and energy to bringing everything I’ve got to help cure this disease,” he recently told People.
How Has Parkinson’s Changed Michael J. Fox’s Life?Fox has spoken candidly about the increasing challenges he faces. “Of course, things have gotten harder over the years,” he told the outlet.
He has also said the diagnosis changed how he thought about fame and success.
“You think about a 19-year-old, 17-year-old kid, you want to be rich and famous and change the world, and you want to be the big ‘it’ thing,” Fox told USA Today in July. “And when you start to search for a cure for a disease, that stuff is just so silly.”
Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s Ex Ryan Anderson Breaks Silence on Ken Urker’s Death
Ryan Anderson is speaking publicly about Ken Urker’s death, putting aside their difficult history as he expressed concern for ex-wife Gypsy Rose Blanchard and her daughter, Aurora.
Anderson, a special education teacher, was previously married to Blanchard. Urker later became her partner and the father of her daughter, who was born in December 2024.
Anderson broke his silence during an appearance on The Sarah Fraser Show on Friday, October 2, where he opened up about how he learned of Urker’s death, his complicated feelings about their past, and why his thoughts quickly turned to Blanchard and Aurora.
He said he first learned the news from a friend who contacted him after seeing reports online. His initial reaction was disbelief.
“I didn’t believe it at first. I was like no,” he said, adding that his “initial thought was shocked, of course.”
How Did Ryan Anderson React to Ken Urker’s Death?Anderson acknowledged that he and Urker had a strained relationship.
“Me and Ken never really saw eye to eye,” he said. Although the two never met in person, Anderson said they had “exchanges on the phone” and text messages that “were never good.”
Still, he made clear that their past did not lessen the shock of Urker’s death. “But you still hate to hear that somebody passed away, you know what I mean?” he said. “I didn’t like him as a person,” Anderson added, while stressing that he still hated hearing what happened.
What Did Ryan Say About Gypsy Rose Blanchard?Anderson said his thoughts quickly turned to Blanchard and Aurora. “My immediate thought went to, ‘How’s Gypsy?’” he said before adding, “And what about their kid?”
The former couple has not been in regular contact. “Actually, I haven’t talked to Gypsy in almost a year,” Anderson revealed, calling it “the longest stretch we’ve ever gone without talking.”
Did Ryan Anderson Reach Out to Gypsy’s Family?After hearing the news, Anderson contacted Blanchard’s father, Rod. “I texted Rod, her dad,” he said. “I said, ‘Hey, man, I’m hearing this news. If it’s true tell Gypsy I’m sorry.’”
He also asked Rod to tell her, “I’m here if she needs me.” Anderson explained, “I was always somebody who could make her laugh when she was sad or give her comfort.”
Would Ryan Speak to Gypsy Again?Anderson said he would be willing to support Blanchard if she contacted him. “If she does I would be there for her strictly as just being there for her because I always was,” he said.
Despite the complicated history surrounding all three, Anderson said his priorities were clear. “My main concern is Aurora and Gypsy and his family,” he said. “I care. I wish her the best.”
People reported that Urker died on Thursday, October 1, at age 34. His death remains under investigation, and Blanchard has said she believes he died from an overdose, though the official cause has not yet been confirmed, according to NBC News.
Authorities have said they found no evidence of foul play so far, while toxicology results are still pending.
Vionic’s Top-Rated Slides With ‘Great Arch Support’ Are 60% Off With an End-of-Season Nordstrom Deal
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Some of the best deals you can find on top brands come at the very end of a season and even into the start of the next one. With summer firmly in the rearview, Nordstrom has slashed prices on its selection of warm-weather attire, including several popular shoe styles. Fall may be all about boots and loafers, but cashing in on an end-of-season sandal sale can mean saving big on shoes you’ll still wear all the time when the weather warms back up. Plus, a supportive pair of slides is something you can actually slip on any time of year to keep your feet comfy as you work around your house or on a quick walk out to the mailbox. That’s why we’re so excited to see the Vionic Evie Slide Sandals on sale for a whopping 60% off at Nordstrom right now.
Fans of Vionic shoes love how they pair chic designs with orthotic support that cushions every step, but they often come with a price tag that can put a strain on your budget. Normally $125, the Evie Slide Sandals are now available for as low as $50 at Nordstrom, saving savvy shoppers $75 on a versatile shoe that’ll hold up season after season. The best deal currently is on the rose violet color at a full 60% off, but five additional colors are on sale at various price points as well. You can also shop them on Amazon, where certain sizes and colorways are up to 56% off right now.
Vionic Evie Slide Sandals, From $50 (were $125) at Nordstrom and Amazon Shop at Nordstrom Shop at AmazonThese sandals have a classic slide look with a flexible ribbed fabric upper and top-notch support that won’t leave your feet aching, even after a full day of walking. While they’re a great pair to keep by your door and slip on for quick errands, the elevated, textured look means they’re also a solid pick to wear with everything from flowy skirts and dresses to casual workwear.
Designed with Vionic’s signature suede-lined contoured footbed, these slides have “great arch support” and shock-absorbing cushioning that helps keep your legs and feet from feeling fatigued. Reviewers consistently raved about how these slides provide real relief from foot woes like plantar fasciitis and heel pain without sacrificing an ounce of aesthetic appeal. Multiple Nordstrom customers compared wearing these cushy sandals to “walking on clouds,” adding that they feel that way right out of the box. “These slides need no break-in period,” a shopper said.
Available in women’s sizes 5 through 13, select colors also come in narrow and wide widths. Several shoppers mentioned that this style runs slightly large, and Nordstrom’s product page also suggests purchasing a half size smaller than your usual size.
Shop More Deals- Vionic Etna Crossover Slide Sandals, $70 (were $130) at Nordstrom
- Olukai Hila Water Resistant Slide Sandals, $44 (were $85) at Nordstrom
- Tory Burch Miller Jelly Thong Sandal, $96 (were $200) at Nordstrom
Whether you need to replace a worn-out pair or want to update your sandal collection with an off-season steal, you won’t want to miss the chance to snag the Vionic Evie Slide Sandals while they’re up to 60% off at Nordstrom.
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These Twilight Stars Active Group Chats Include ‘Some Werewolves, Some Volturi’
Although my favorite vampire may belong to another supernatural franchise (*cough, Eric Northman, *cough), there’s something especially satisfying about discovering that actors who played an onscreen family actually enjoy spending time together off camera.
Nearly 20 years after Twilight first premiered, Kellan Lutz and Peter Facinelli are proving that their fictional Cullen family bond has become something of a reality. The former co-stars recently reunited for a vacation with their families in Turks and Caicos, and their conversations about the Twilight cast revealed just how much their friendships have endured.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Lutz, who played Emmett Cullen, and Facinelli, who portrayed family patriarch Carlisle, opened up about the multiple group chats that keep their former castmates connected.
One is called “Vamily,” a combination of vampire and family. Another, simply called “The Cullens,” includes a larger circle of their former costars, including Nikki Reed, who played Rosalie.
And apparently, the supernatural guest list doesn’t end there. “We have a larger one that has some werewolves in it, some Volturi,” Lutz explained, referencing the rival supernatural groups from the franchise.
Facinelli also joked that Robert Pattinson, who played Edward Cullen, has his own special line of communication. “Rob has his own bat phone, so we just call him on that,” he quipped.
View this post on InstagramThe group chats are only part of the friendship. Lutz and Facinelli have vacationed together with Jackson Rathbone, who played Jasper, and are hoping Ashley Greene, who portrayed Alice, can join a future getaway.
Their recent tropical vacation also gave Lutz, now a father of two, an opportunity to reflect on how his relationship with Facinelli has evolved. During filming, he looked up to his older costar for the way he balanced acting, marriage and fatherhood. Now, Lutz is experiencing that chapter himself. “It’s just magical watching our kids play together,” he said of the trip.
The vampires may have been immortal on screen, but the friendships they formed have managed to last through marriages, parenthood and nearly two decades of life beyond Forks.
TCM October 2026 Schedule: Halloween Movies, Hitchcock, Vincent Price and More
Halloween is taking over Turner Classic Movies this October, with a month packed with horror legends, creepy classics and plenty of beloved movies for viewers who aren’t looking for a scare.
TCM’s October 2026 schedule builds toward an all-day Halloween marathon on Saturday, Oct. 31, featuring Dracula, The Mummy, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Bride of Frankenstein and more.
But viewers won’t have to wait until Halloween for spooky season to arrive.
Throughout October, TCM is spotlighting horror icons including Vincent Price and Lon Chaney, showing several Alfred Hitchcock favorites and filling late-night hours with monster movies, psychological thrillers and cult favorites.
There are also plenty of major movies outside the horror genre, including All the President’s Men, The Manchurian Candidate, The ’Burbs, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Paper Moon and The Thin Man.
Here are some of the biggest movies and Halloween highlights airing on TCM in October 2026. All times are Eastern.
TCM October 2026 Schedule Highlights Friday, Oct. 2TCM begins the first Friday night of October with a celebration of silent-film legend Lon Chaney.
8 p.m. — Lon Chaney: A Thousand Faces (2000)
9:30 p.m. — Man of a Thousand Faces (1957)
11:45 p.m. — The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
Political thrillers take over Sunday night, beginning with Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman in the Oscar-winning All the President’s Men.
8 p.m. — All the President’s Men (1976)
10:30 p.m. — The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
Mysteries dominate the evening, including the Agatha Christie adaptation And Then There Were None and Alfred Hitchcock’s Suspicion, starring Cary Grant and Joan Fontaine.
8 p.m. — And Then There Were None (1945)
9:45 p.m. — Murder She Said (1961)
11:30 p.m. — The Kennel Murder Case (1933)
1 a.m. — Suspicion (1941)
Director Joe Dante gets the spotlight with a three-film primetime lineup. Matinee kicks things off before Tom Hanks, Carrie Fisher and Bruce Dern star in the dark comedy The ’Burbs. The Howling follows at midnight.
8 p.m. — Matinee (1993)
10 p.m. — The ’Burbs (1989)
12 a.m. — The Howling (1981)
The night begins with Jane Fonda in They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? before Hitchcock’s Lifeboat. Then TCM turns decidedly spooky with a string of 1950s science-fiction and monster movies.
8 p.m. — They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? (1969)
10:15 p.m. — Lifeboat (1944)
12:15 a.m. — The Blob (1958)
1:45 a.m. — Fiend Without a Face (1958)
3:15 a.m. — The Thing From Another World (1951)
4:45 a.m. — Them! (1954)
William Powell and Myrna Loy take over primetime with The Thin Man and three of its sequels.
8 p.m. — The Thin Man (1934)
9:45 p.m. — After the Thin Man (1936)
11:45 p.m. — Another Thin Man (1939)
1:45 a.m. — Shadow of the Thin Man (1941)
Fans of Monty Python get an entire evening devoted to the comedy troupe, beginning with Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
8 p.m. — Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
10 p.m. — Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979)
12 a.m. — Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life (1983)
October gets significantly spookier in the middle of the month. Gaslight begins the evening before Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street leads into a late-night marathon of Dracula and Frankenstein movies.
8 p.m. — Gaslight (1944)
10:15 p.m. — Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1982)
12:45 a.m. — Brides of Dracula (1960)
2:30 a.m. — The Blood From the Mummy’s Tomb (1971)
4:15 a.m. — Dracula Has Risen From the Grave (1968)
The monster marathon continues into Friday morning with Dracula A.D. 1972, The Curse of Frankenstein, The Horror of Dracula and The Mummy.
Friday, Oct. 16Hitchcock takes center stage Friday night, including several of the director’s most celebrated movies.
The evening includes Blackmail and The 39 Steps before Grace Kelly stars in Dial M for Murder and Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint close out the night in North by Northwest.
9:15 p.m. — Blackmail (1929)
10:45 p.m. — The 39 Steps (1935)
12:30 a.m. — Dial M for Murder (1954)
2:30 a.m. — North by Northwest (1959)
Another Hitchcock favorite gets a much earlier timeslot Saturday night, with James Stewart and Grace Kelly starring in Rear Window.
8 p.m. — Rear Window (1954)
10 p.m. — Paper Moon (1973)
It’s a great night for anyone looking for some spooky comedy rather than outright horror.
8 p.m. — Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)
10:15 p.m. — I Married a Witch (1942)
1:45 a.m. — The Stranger (1946)
3:30 a.m. — Deathtrap (1982)
Universal Monsters get their turn in the spotlight, with Frankenstein and The Invisible Man airing back-to-back.
8 p.m. — Carl Laemmle (2019)
9:45 p.m. — Frankenstein (1931)
11 p.m. — The Invisible Man (1933)
12:15 a.m. — The Black Cat (1934)
1:30 a.m. — The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945)
Clint Eastwood’s The Beguiled kicks off another night of unsettling movies before The Sentinel and the Val Lewton horror favorite I Walked With a Zombie.
8 p.m. — The Beguiled (1971)
10 p.m. — The Sentinel (1977)
11:45 p.m. — I Walked With a Zombie (1943)
1 a.m. — Bedlam (1946)
Vincent Price takes over the night before Halloween.
TCM will premiere the new documentary Vincent Price: What Keeps Us Alive at 8 p.m., followed by several of Price’s best-known horror movies, including The Fly, House of Wax and House on Haunted Hill.
8 p.m. — Vincent Price: What Keeps Us Alive (2026)
9:45 p.m. — The Fly (1958)
11:30 p.m. — House of Wax (1953)
1:15 a.m. — House on Haunted Hill (1958)
TCM is devoting much of Saturday, Oct. 31, to monsters, horror movies and other Halloween-friendly fare.
The fun begins at 7 a.m., but the lineup really gets going in the afternoon with Bela Lugosi’s Dracula, followed by The Mummy, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Bride of Frankenstein.
Frank Langella’s 1979 version of Dracula takes over primetime, followed by Brian De Palma’s Phantom of the Paradise and the 1942 horror favorite Cat People.
7 a.m. — The Hypnotic Eye (1960)
8:30 a.m. — Dr. X (1932)
10 a.m. — The Mystery of the Wax Museum (1933)
11:30 a.m. — Transylvania 6-5000 (1963)
12 p.m. — Pufnstuf (1970)
1:45 p.m. — Dracula (1931)
3:15 p.m. — The Mummy (1932)
4:45 p.m. — Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1932)
6:30 p.m. — Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
8 p.m. — Dracula (1979)
10:15 p.m. — Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
12 a.m. — Cat People (1942)
Related: Huluween 2026 Schedule: Every Halloween Movie and Show Streaming on Hulu This October
Pedro Pascal Says Learning Cello for 'Behemoth!' was 'Hell and Heaven'
Pedro Pascal can now add playing the cello to his resume. At the world premiere of his drama, Behemoth!, at the New York Film Festival, Pascal sat with writer-director Tony Gilroy (Andor) and co-stars Eva Victor and Will Arnett to discuss the film. According to PEOPLE, during the press conference on Friday, Pascal opened up about how difficult it was to learn the cello.
“Remembering that there was an actual character to play that was in a story other than just the cello,” Pascal said. “The cello was the main character of my life for several weeks leading up to shooting. I took it with me everywhere I went.”
Pascal said learning the cello normally takes a year, but he had to “fast-track” training for the production and cram it all into a week. He described this as “the hardest thing that I’ve ever done creatively for a part.”
“Everything surprised me; it was hell…and heaven,” he added. “It was incredible to be sort of in lessons again with another artist, number one, and to kind of stimulate the physical challenge of it and the meticulousness around it.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 02: (L-R) Tony Gilroy and Pedro Pascal speak onstage at the “Behemoth!” press conference during the 64th New York Film Festival at Walter Reade Theater on October 02, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for FLC)Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
At the panel, Pascal revealed he was nervous about his role in Behemoth!. Though he told Gilroy he was unsure he could play the role after reading the script, Pascal said the film’s story pulled him in, describing it as a “challenge in a good way.”
“I was so taken by what the story was and the kind of intimacy of all of it, in the way [of] how intimate it can feel to listen to music and to be guided by music,” Pascal said.
Behemoth! will arrive in theaters on Dec. 4.
Inside Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Ken Urker’s Relationship Before His Death
Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Ken Urker were taking some time apart before his death at 33, but the two were still together, and they were even planning to move into a new apartment, TMZ reports.
Sources told the outlet that Urker asked Blanchard for some space, and she had been staying with her parents for the past couple of weeks. But during that time, they had been moving their belongings out of their old apartment and into a new place. The sources further “stressed” that they had not broken up and weren’t even on a break. Instead, it was just some time apart.
And the reason for that was because of Urker’s drinking, with sources telling TMZ that he had been “privately battling an alcohol problem for the past few months, knew he had an issue, and attended at least one Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.” It had created a strain on his relationship with Blanchard.
The sources added that when Blanchard and her parents were moving things out of the old apartment, they discovered an empty Crown Royal box.
Urker was found dead at his home in Raceland, Louisiana, on Thursday, Oct. 1, the same day as his 34th birthday. TMZ reports that syringes and a spoon near a brown, powdery substance were found near Urker’s body, as well as another syringe on the nightstand. According to law enforcement records, a caller warned the police that Urker had threatened suicide, owned a gun, and was “dark place.” The police report obtained by TMZ classified his death as an overdose, with an autopsy being conducted on Friday morning.
No official cause of death has been released.
The Parenting Advice Grandparents Swear by That Big Little Feelings Says Is Outdated
These days, there are an endless number of parenting resources at our fingertips. Different books, Substacks, podcasts and social media accounts provide plenty of advice and suggestions to help us navigate super specific scenarios. When we find tactics that work for us and our kids, nothing feels better.
That being said, some of the strategies that might work best for your family could lead to some tricky dynamics with the grandparents in your life, especially if they disagree with any of your approaches or if they themselves listen to unhealthy child-rearing advice.
Big Little Feelings founders Deena Margolin and Kristin Gallant, parenting experts with over 3.5 million followers on Instagram, understand the challenge of holding to your chosen parenting style in front of your own parents—especially when facing tantrums, whining, bedtime stalling and other difficult moments.
Here, they reveal what they call the “number one” piece of parenting advice many grandparents swear by that they believe is outdated, and what philosophy they stand by instead. Plus, Gallant tells Parade how this all ties in with her “biggest learning in nine years of mothering”—which I believe is a much-needed lesson (or reminder) for us all.
Related: The #1 Hack To Get Your Child or Grandchild’s Attention Without Yelling
The #1 Piece of Outdated Parenting Advice That Grandparents Swear By, According to Big Little Feelings“I instantly know,” Gallant tells Parade. “It’s that your child is out of control and you need to toughen them up. You need to send them to the room or spank them or whatever disciplinary measure that they did—that would be the number one.”
“Agreed,” Margolin says. “That’s what came to my mind—that big feelings and letting your kid express their healthy feelings is ‘letting them get away with it.'”
That’s not the case at all, Margolin explains.
“All feelings are OK, certain behaviors are not,” she tells Parade about their philosophy, and what to communicate to your children in those hard moments. “That’s my job to teach you how to handle those feelings in those situations and those problems in healthier, better ways over time.”
Related: The Surprising Phrase You Should Stop Saying to Your Child or Grandchild—and What To Say Instead
The Challenge of Communicating About Different Parenting Styles With Your Own ParentsIf a family member or close friend doesn’t understand why you’re choosing to parent in a certain way, it can feel isolating and frustrating, to say the least. It’s almost like we need a way to send someone a parenting article without the link screaming, “This is about you.”
Gallant jokes, “No, we should, I think, take their phone because you know that AI and everybody in the world is always listening. So the way that I take my husband’s phone and I’m like, ‘Therapy, diamonds, puppies, kittens,’ take your mom’s phone or your dad’s phone and just be like, ‘Feelings, therapy, emotional regulation,’ you know, and then [the] algorithm will start.”
Related: 4 Phrases Parents and Grandparents Should Avoid Using Right After School—and Why
But in all seriousness, it can be incredibly challenging to navigate conversations and visits when individuals you love disagree with your parenting style.
Gallant stresses that the most important thing is to trust yourself—and also to not feel like you have to convince anyone else that what you’re doing is right for your family.
“My biggest learning in nine years of mothering is that my boundary when it comes to parenting my kids (now that I’m nine years in, it wasn’t so much at the beginning) is that I do know how to parent my kid, and I know how I like to parent my kid,” she tells Parade. “And I’m not saying it’s right for everybody’s kids, but I know it’s right for my house [and] my kids, and my job is not to convince you—whether it’s [a] grandparent, whether it’s [a] stranger at the mall, whether it’s my sister-in-law [or] mother-in-law—it’s actually not my job to convince you [of] anything at all.”
However, that doesn’t mean you never have to have hard conversations.
“Now, if you cross a line and you personally do something that does not fall within something that’s OK with us, I’m going to have to have a talk and tell you why that boundary is not OK,” Gallant clarifies. “However, outside of that, it’s not my job to convince you that this is the right way to do anything because what happens is you get really exhausted and fired up and it’s emotional and you’re sending all these things, and then they’re still saying it and it becomes so frustrating.”
“They can think whatever they want to think, as long as they don’t act upon something that crosses my boundary,” she says. “You can think whatever you want to think. [It’s] not my job to convince you.”
Self-trust, for the win.
Up Next:
Related: The Genius Trick for Easier Mornings With Kids: ‘It Changes Everything’
Sources:Courtesy Alex Stone Photography
- Parent coach Kristin Gallant and licensed marriage and family therapist Deena Margolin are best friends and busy moms behind “Big Little Feelings.” Margolin studied under Dr. Dan Siegel, and brings clinical experience specializing in interpersonal neurobiology and the connection between parent-child relationship, brain growth and emotional development. Gallant has a background in international affairs, a concentration in maternal and child education, and she’s a vocal mental health advocate. They have 3.5 million followers on Instagram.
Tony Romo, CBS Sports Agree To Part Ways Following OWI Arrest
Tony Romo will not be returning to CBS Sports as an NFL game analyst, the network announced on Friday, October 2. This comes after he was arrested in July on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
“CBS Sports and Tony Romo have mutually agreed to part ways,” the network said in a statement. “We thank Tony for his contributions over the past nine years and wish him the best moving forward.”
Romo was arrested after a traffic stop in Milwaukee on July 23, with court records showing that one of the arresting officers said he detected a “strong odor of an alcoholic beverage” on Romo’s breath. The former NFL quarterback performed poorly on the field sobriety tests and was taken into custody. He was later released. On Sept. 1, Romo pleaded no contest.
Romo was placed on indefinite leave shortly after the arrest, with J.J. Watt taking over his role on CBS’ No. 1 NFL broadcast team. He still had four years and $72 million remaining on the 10-year, $180 million contract he signed with CBS in 2020, with The Athletic reporting that the two sides reached a financial settlement.
“I’m proud of what I accomplished at CBS Sports over the last nine years. I approached my role as a game analyst the way I’ve approached everything in my life – with a desire to win and be the best that I can be,” Romo, said in a statement released after CBS’ announcement.
“I’m going to use this time to take a break, something I’ve never done before, and focus on my health and my family before moving on to my next opportunity,” he continued. “I am grateful for my time with CBS Sports and for the continued support of my family and friends, as well as the NFL community and fans.”
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler Return to the Deep Dark Wood; Does 'Gruffalo Granny' Live Up to the Original Classic?
If there is one children’s book that has stood strong throughout the test of time, it’s The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Alex Scheffler. The story of the monster in the forest and the mouse willing to trick it is beloved by millions, with adults passing the story down to their children.
It’s always hard to follow up with a sequel, but the pair managed it with The Gruffalo’s Child, and now it’s time for a third in the series, Gruffalo Granny. The children’s book is already available to buy, but is it worth it?
Simply put, yes! If you adored the rhyming and the heartfelt tale of the original story, you’ll adore this one. My favorite part is that there are mentions of Donaldson and Scheffler’s other books, Room on the Broom, Charlie Cook’s Favorite Book, The Spiffiest Giant in Town, and The SNail and the Whale throughout the story, bringing the universes together in a fun way.
The artwork is vivid, as you would expect from this series. Each page has been developed with care, bringing reminders of the original story through the use of the fox, owl, snake, and mouse. The coloring matches previous tales, and there’s the added fun of showing how Gruffalos look as they grow old with age. It’s not just about the future, but about the prickles as well.
Courtesy of Penguin Young ReadersMy favorite part was seeing how even the Gruffalo has started to change with age. His fur is a little messier, and he doesn’t look as menacing as he once did. Part of that comes with him now raising his child, who still carries Stickman everywhere she goes.
Of course, there is always a sweet twist at the end. The idea of the main character going out to kill another animal seems absurd for a children’s story. Would the Gruffalo Granny be all that mad that she didn’t get mouse in her stew? Well, I’ll leave you to read what the twist is, but it made me chuckle as we learn that her son temporarily forgot something about her.
Part of me wishes that Granny was in a bit more of the book. The story is more about the Gruffalo’s child getting ready for Granny’s visit for the first time, so she’s excited, and the story moves onto the inclusion of the universe as a whole. However, I get a sense that there could be more now that Granny has arrived. Maybe we can see Granny and Child heading out on an adventure in the forest.
Gruffalo Granny is a must-have addition to the entire collection. It’s one of those to read over and over again to the children, and yes, I gathered my tween and teen to read this to them as we did with the original stories when they were babies.
