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“I wish I had kept those scenes”: the 1992 erotic thriller that cut Gary Oldman for being “too good”
Gary Oldman’s scenes were removed entirely from the 1992 erotic thriller Final Analysis because, according to director Phil Joanou, his performance left test audiences wanting more of a minor character. Joanou said viewers’ frustration when the character disappeared disrupted the film, making Oldman’s strong supporting performance a problem for the wider story. Oldman spent five…
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Manchester City’s legacy rests on outcome of alleged financial breaches
The editorial argues that Manchester City’s era of unprecedented success could be permanently tarnished if an alleged guilty verdict for financial rule breaches is upheld. It says the club’s trophies and iconic moments, including Sergio Agüero’s 2012 title-winning goal, would be viewed differently if they were achieved through illicit financial support. The alleged breaches cover…
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5 ’80s and ’90s Sitcoms Too Strange to Last, Ranked
The article ranks five ’80s and ’90s sitcoms whose unusually surreal premises were too unconventional for sustained mainstream success. It argues that these shows were not simply failed attempts to copy popular sitcom formulas, but ambitious experiments involving fantasy, imagination and unsettling tonal shifts. – The People Next Door: Wes Craven’s short-lived sitcom followed a…
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Russia reportedly expands Ural command site linked to nuclear retaliation system
Russia is reportedly expanding Facility 1335, an underground command centre in the Ural Mountains linked to the Soviet-era Perimeter system, known in the West as “Dead Hand”. The system was designed to enable a retaliatory nuclear strike if a major attack destroyed Russia’s leadership or severed communications, making the reported work significant amid heightened tensions…
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The 10 Greatest Planetary Romance Books of All Time, Ranked
The article ranks planetary romance novels, a science-fiction subgenre centred on extraordinary journeys across alien worlds rather than conventional romantic relationships. It highlights stories where strange ecosystems, civilisations and life forms drive the plot, often exploring discovery, communication, cultural conflict and humanity’s struggle to adapt. – Stanley G. Weinbaum’s *A Martian Odyssey* follows chemist Dick…
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What is the ancient instrument featured on The Troggs’ 1966 hit ‘Wild Thing’?
The Troggs’ 1966 recording of ‘Wild Thing’ helped make the sexually suggestive song a landmark of rebellious rock and roll. Written by Chip Taylor in 1965, it was initially recorded by the Wild Ones but only became a major success after The Troggs gave it a louder, more aggressive sound. The song’s distinctive instrumental break…
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Texas dropped some celebrations against Tennessee that were about as unhinged as they come
Texas players made two controversial celebrations during their ranked SEC victory over Tennessee, drawing widespread attention online. Colin Simmons was penalised for mimicking urinating after a sack, while Raleek Brown performed an exaggerated gesture after scoring, prompting criticism and ridicule. Simmons’s celebration reduced a 16-yard sack to a one-yard loss because of the unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty,…
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Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave’s 5 Weirdest Little Guys, Ranked
Polygon ranks the five weirdest recruitable characters in Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, a game whose roster is generally more grounded than recent Fire Emblem entries despite featuring several bizarre personalities: – Jester: A bloodthirsty warrior concealing genuine regret and sadness behind his facade, expressing remorse in battle dialogue despite outward bravado about loving violence. -…
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What’s the weirdest thing that happened to you in a tabletop RPG?
The article asks tabletop RPG players to share the strangest incidents from their games, focusing on the unpredictable stories that emerge when players, dice and game masters interact. It presents the topic as a celebration of tabletop role-playing’s improvisational nature, where unexpected decisions and failed plans can create memorable moments. Rather than reporting a conventional…
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Unseasonal warmth to bring London temperatures up to 26C
Britons are experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures this weekend and next week, with the Met Office predicting highs of 26C in London by Tuesday. This continued heat follows Britain’s warmest summer on record, which prompted widespread hosepipe bans affecting 30 million people and drought declarations across three-quarters of England and all of Wales. The persistent warmth…