Tapped out: Decrepit mock-rockers reach underwhelming ‘End’



Beatles don’t come cheap.

A quartet of movies based on the Fab Four is coming our way, and while the films aren’t close to releasing yet, we’re getting a peek at the price tag for the project.

$400 million.

‘By saying “Free Palestine,” you’re not admitting what you really think.’

Now, that may be the catering budget for your average Marvel movie, but it’s still an alarming figure for four dramatic features. All four films, to be shot over an extended 15-month period, will be helmed by Sam Mendes (“Skyfall,” “1917”).

“Can’t Buy Me Love,” perhaps, but money will get you some recognizable faces.

Let’s meet the Beatles: John Lennon (Harris Dickinson), Paul McCartney (Paul Mescal), Ringo Starr (Barry Keoghan), and George Harrison (Joseph Quinn).

The Liverpool lads remain a permanent part of pop culture — for us older folk. But is that the case for Gen Z, the generation most likely to visit theaters?

“Money (That’s What I Want).” And they’ll need plenty of it to recoup those exorbitant costs ...

Spinal Nap

These reviews don’t go to 11. In fact, some are real “s**t sandwiches.”

“Spinal Tap: The End Continues” hits theaters this weekend, 41 years after the original mockumentary made this faux band immortal. We certainly didn’t need a new “Spinal Tap” movie. The original, directed by and co-starring Rob Reiner, gave us so many classic lines and gags, it feels like it never went away.

The new film features the key original cast members (Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest, and Michael McKean) along with returning co-stars (Fran Drescher, Paul Shaffer) and copious cameos (Paul McCartney, Elton John).

Reviews have been mixed so far, with even the positive notices saying the sequel can’t come close to measuring up to the original.

What could?

One relief? It appears Reiner’s late-stage Trump derangement syndrome didn’t enter the frame, beyond a brief reference to Stormy Daniels. Phew.

The bad news is one distinct reality. Reiner’s directorial career fell off a creative cliff after a stunning run of movie classics (“Stand By Me,” “Misery,” “When Harry Met Sally,” “A Few Good Men,” “The Princess Bride”). He hasn’t had a hit since 2007’s “The Bucket List,” a film few would rank near the top — or even middle — of his filmography.

More than one critic cited a brutal line from the 1984 original in their reviews — the aforementioned sandwich ...

Seinfeld stands up

For a guy who made a show about nothing, Jerry Seinfeld suddenly has something profound to say. And he’s virtually all alone in saying it, especially in the rarefied air of modern celebrity.

The legendary comic teed off against the pro-Palestinian movement, comparing it to the KKK. Except the latter group at least scores points for honesty.

Not this bunch, the sitcom superstar said.

Free Palestine is, to me, just — you’re free to say you don’t like Jews. By saying “Free Palestine,” you’re not admitting what you really think. So it’s actually — compared to the Ku Klux Klan, I’m actually thinking the Klan is actually a little better here because they can come right out and say, “We don’t like blacks; we don’t like Jews.” OK, that’s honest.

The comments come as nearly 4,000 of his industry peers pledge not to work with film groups with Israeli ties for their complicity with war crimes.

Seinfeld has all that sitcom money at this point. He also has a bigger moral compass than many of his peers, apparently ...

RELATED: Grieving Charlie Kirk: How to cling to God in the face of evil

JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images

Sunny makes sense

“There are no words,” we often say in the face of tragedies like Wednesday’s shocking murder of conservative superstar Charlie Kirk. Unfortunately, the media generally insists on talking anyway.

Sometimes, miraculously, they get it right. Like “The View” host Sunny Hostin, of all people:

This man was 31 years old with two children, I think ages 1 and 3, a family man, a wife. Now, all these children will grow up without their father. This woman will grow up, you know, grow old without her husband. I just — this country — there’s just no place for this kind of violence in this country. I am heartbroken over it. ... The First Amendment is the first amendment for a reason. We should be able to voice whatever opinions we have.

God bless Charlie Kirk and his family.

Sick of me yet? Pompous pest Pascal in desperate race to make America hate him



Pedro Pascal has a Rachel Zegler problem, and he doesn’t even know it.

The ubiquitous actor (he’s in four movies and a TV show this year alone) is set to play Reed Richards in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” on July 25. The Marvel Comics supergroup previously hit theaters in several lackluster films, most recently the 2015 dud starring Miles Teller.

Rob Reiner’s reign as the ultimate Trump derangement victim may be over.

So plenty is riding on this reboot of a reboot. Enter Pascal, who can’t stop making incendiary comments to alienate potential ticket buyers. Remember how he compared Trump voters to Nazis?

See the Zegler connection?

Pascal recently attacked J.K. Rowling for the crime of defending women against trans women in sports. Does he regret his profanity-laced rant against the author?

Nope. Per Variety:

"The one thing that I would say I agonized over a little bit was just, 'Am I helping? Am I f**king helping?'" Pascal told [Vanity Fair]. "It’s a situation that deserves the utmost elegance so that something can actually happen, and people will actually be protected. Listen, I want to protect the people I love. But it goes beyond that. Bullies make me f**king sick."

If “The Fantastic Four” underwhelms at the box office, Pascal may find his opportunities to offer such "help" rapidly disappearing.

RELATED: Pedro Pascal gets political after acting in reportedly anti-MAGA movie: 'F**k the people that try to make you scared'

Photo by Sebastien Nogier/Pool/Getty Images

He/his/has-been

They’s ba-ack!

Actor Ezra Miller resurfaced this week, announcing plans to co-write and star in a vampire movie co-created by filmmaker Lynne Ramsay. The actor, who switched to they/them pronouns mid-career, made all the worst headlines in recent years.

Miller’s rap sheet would make Alec Baldwin blush.

The star’s breakout film, 2023’s “The Flash,” flopped. That gave Hollywood permission to quietly cancel the nonbinary star.

Miller is penning a comeback story. Here’s betting audiences won’t care no matter how Miller refers to himself/themself ...

Rosie takes Trump derangement crown

Rob Reiner’s reign as the ultimate Trump derangement victim may be over. The once-mighty director behind “Misery,” “The Princess Bride,” and “This Is Spinal Tap” admitted he sought therapy following President Donald Trump’s 2024 victory.

Enter the new TDS queen, Rosie O’Donnell.

Not only did “The Flintstones” star flee America for Ireland following November 5, she can’t get her longtime nemesis out of her head. She recently suggested a recount to make extra sure Trump won in November.

Now, she’s admitting Trump’s revival had other effects on her.

“I was very, very depressed. I was overeating. I was overdrinking,” O’Donnell told Cuomo. “It hurt my heart that America believed the lies about him. And then it broke my heart to be in a business that creates and sells those lies for profit.”

Your move, Reiner ...

Late night host's Mamdani mania

Seth Meyers is all in on socialism.

If that wasn’t clear by his past monologues, the former “Saturday Night Live” player made it clear via his love for New York’s Zohran Mamdani — the avowed socialist whose surprise primary victory over Andrew Cuomo Tuesday gives him a great shot at being New York City's next mayor.

See, fellow Democrats. You don’t have to shift to the center. Go the full Mamdani! And if that means diminishing October 7 or embracing the kind of "wealth redistribution" that always leads to breadlines, all the better!

“The point is, Bernie's right. Bernie’s right," gushed Meyers. "All we have is each other."

"And to the liberals who are always saying we need a liberal Joe Rogan: Are you seeing this?" the desk-chair revolutionary continued. "It turns out all you need to do is be more like Bernie Sanders. There's no secret trick. You just need to be genuine. You need to run on ideas that will improve people's lives.”

Just ask the fine folks of Chicago, currently wilting under another socialist regime. Let’s see how long before Mayor Mamdani’s poll numbers reach 14% like Chicago’s own Brandon Johnson ...

Moron Maron misses mark

Poor Marc Maron.

The far-left comedian had a meltdown on his “WTF Podcast” this week, bemoaning how anti-woke comedians had won the culture war.

He’s right. Mostly.

Need proof? Bert Kreischer just snagged a Netflix sitcom and Shane Gillis will host the upcoming ESPYS telecast.

That leaves Maron, who recently announced the end of his long-running podcast, bemoaning that cancel culture no longer silences stand-up.

Comedians against comedy. Good riddance, Marc ...

'Bond' boon

Oh, and “Dune” director Denis Villeneuve will direct the next James Bond film. That’s the first good 007 news in so long we forget the last item.

Don’t Let The ‘Christian Nationalist’ Slur Shame You Into Hiding Your Faith

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://thefederalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Screenshot-2024-02-21-at-4.16.45 PM-1200x675.png crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//thefederalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Screenshot-2024-02-21-at-4.16.45%5Cu202fPM-1200x675.png%22%7D" expand=1]The aim of the 'Christian nationalist' smear is to bully — so that when you count the cost of faithfulness, you conclude it is too high.

How Leftists Neuter Religious Conservatives With The ‘Christian Nationalist’ Smear

At this point, anyone who believes the most obvious Christian teachings will be branded a Christian nationalist. It’s inevitable.

Steven Spielberg, Rob Reiner to co-host Hollywood fundraiser for President Biden at up to $500,000 per ticket



A group of Hollywood elites will host Joe Biden's first star-studded, Tinseltown fundraiser since the president announced his bid for re-election.

While the event is formally hosted by former United States Ambassador to Spain and Andorra James Costos and designer Michael Smith, it will be co-hosted by many others, including iconic filmmaker Steven Spielberg.

Tickets start at $1,000 per person, Deadline reported, but rise to $500,000 for those who wish to be listed as co-chairs of the event.

A ticket for $25,000 or more will provide access to the photo line, which could possibly include first lady Jill Biden, who will reportedly attend the event. Proceeds go to the Biden Victory Fund, a fundraising committee for the Democratic National Committee and Biden's campaign.

Despite Spielberg's obvious interest in politics, supporters of Israel have questioned the director about his lack of comments on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Spielberg was asked by the president of Holocaust Survivors Foundation USA to speak out against the war, Los Angeles Magazine reported:

"I, along with countless other Survivors, are so heartbroken that, since October 7, 2023, you have not spoken out and publicly taken a stand against terrorism, against Hamas and the millions who celebrate the shedding of Jewish blood," wrote David Schaecter, a 94-year-old Holocaust survivor.

As Hollywood in Toto reported, Spielberg's silence is especially peculiar considering the fact that following his 1993 film "Schindler's List," Spielberg created the USC Shoah Foundation, a group dedicated to telling stories about the Holocaust.

Another co-host of the Biden event is the virulently anti-Trump Rob Reiner.

Reiner recently reaffirmed his disdain for former President Trump when he told MSNBC's Ari Melber on "The Beat" that Trump would likely govern as an "authoritarian," while Biden actually "believes in the Constitution."

"I’m trying to impress upon people as best I can that every time we have a presidential election, they always say, this is the most important election of our lifetime. They’re tired of it. This one actually is," Reiner began.

"You have one candidate in Trump who actually tells you he’s going to govern like an authoritarian. He says it. It’s not a mystery," he claimed. "You have another guy who has been there, knows how to run the government, believes in the Constitution, believes in democracy, the rule of law, and you’ve got to make a choice."

"You have to make a choice. Do we want fascism, or do we want to continue the 248 years of self-rule?" Reiner asked.

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C



Outspoken left-wing celebrity Bette Midler has claimed that former President Donald Trump tortured the truth to the point of death during a CNN town hall earlier this week.

Trump appeared on the left-leaning cable channel on Wednesday night for the event. Midler has offered scathing critiques of his performance.

"Dear Donnie, Well, that was the most depressing, demented, dim-witted performance any of us have ever seen on CNN, and that's saying a lot. Thnx for reminding us yet again that you are a menace to society, & a sore loser in the grip of a dangerous fantasy that could kill us all," Midler tweeted on Friday. "Trump put #Truth in a chokehold on #CNN and squeezed for 75 minutes. Then he bludgeoned it, kicked it, slashed it, dismembered it, lynched it and left it for dead. CNN has a lot to answer for," she asserted.

\u201cTrump put #Truth in a chokehold on #CNN and squeezed for 75 minutes. Then he bludgeoned it, kicked it, slashed it, dismembered it, lynched it and left it for dead. CNN has a lot to answer for.\u201d
— bettemidler (@bettemidler) 1683902500

Rob Reiner, another frequent Trump critic, has suggested that voting for Trump amounts to a vote for "White Christian Nationalism" and "Fascism." He has also claimed that the former president is "mentally ill."

"The choice could not be clearer. If you want White Christian Nationalism, if you want Fascism, vote for Trump. If you want Human Decency, if you want Democracy, vote for Biden. That's it, and that's all," Reiner tweeted on Friday. "There's no other way to say this: Donald Trump is a Liar, a Criminal, and is mentally ill," he tweeted on Thursday.

\u201cThe choice could not be clearer. If you want White Christian Nationalism, if you want Fascism, vote for Trump. If you want Human Decency, if you want Democracy, vote for Biden. That\u2019s it, and that\u2019s all.\u201d
— Rob Reiner (@Rob Reiner) 1683907112

Reiner has previously claimed that Trump supporters are hateful, racist, misogynists.

"Donald Trumps Cult followers believe he was sent by God to make America a White Christian nation. They are blind, filled with hate, racism and misogyny. They live in a 6,000 year old world where women and minorities have no rights. They can't be reasoned with. Don't try. VOTE!!!" he tweeted last year.

\u201cDonald Trump\u2019s Cult followers believe he was sent by God to make America a White Christian nation. They are blind, filled with hate, racism and misogyny. They live in a 6,000 year old world where women and minorities have no rights. They can\u2019t be reasoned with. Don\u2019t try. VOTE!!!\u201d
— Rob Reiner (@Rob Reiner) 1658695516

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Liberals and celebrities suffer complete meltdowns over Trump being reinstated on Twitter: 'How many Americans will die'



Twitter CEO Elon Musk reinstated the official account of former President Donald Trump. The reinstatement of the former president of the United States caused liberals and celebrities to suffer a complete meltdown.

Musk ran a poll asking Twitter users if Trump should be reinstated on Twitter. The 24-hour Twitter poll resulted in 51.8% of users voting "Yes" to reinstate Trump, compared to 48.2% of users saying to permanently ban Trump. More than 15 million Twitter users voted in Musk's poll.

Musk tweeted, "The people have spoken. Trump will be reinstated."

Liberals and celebrities seethed over the decision to reinstate Trump on the social media platform. Reactions on Twitter from leftists viciously attacked Trump as well as Musk.

David Leavitt: "How many Americans will die because @elonmusk brought @realDonaldTrump back onto Twitter? He's Back and every American who dies because of @realDonaldTrump being back on Twitter is @ElonMusk's fault."

Filmmaker Rob Reiner: "Elon Musk is letting a man who led a violent Insurrection to overthrow the United States Government back on this platform. Letting the Lies and Disinformation continue to poison the American bloodstream."

Leftist commentator Keith Olbermann: "After this week, Terrorist Trump's $8 would constitute half of Musk's income from Twitter."

Former Clinton Secretary of Labor Robert Reich: "Memo to Elon, freedom of speech doesn’t mean freedom to incite an insurrection."

Blink 182 singer Tom DeLonge: "Elon is a trail blazer holding massive insecurities. His desire to be funny, and cool is loud. He is seemingly most moved by, literally, people just liking him? It now seems like a disease to me? But supporting this racist, treasonous f*** makes me want vomit and quit Twitter."

Liberal writer Julia Ioffe: "There it is. He paid $44 billion and destroyed Twitter to reinstate Trump."

NAACP president Derrick Johnson: "Any advertiser still funding Twitter should immediately pause all advertising now."

Actress Mia Farrow: "Get blood pressure pills."

Huffington Post writer S.V. Date: "Trump was banished from Twitter not because of cancel culture, but because he attempted a coup using Twitter as a tool and THEN CONTINUED RILING UP HIS MOB EVEN AFTER IT FAILED. 2) Getting back on Twitter will remind many people what a dangerous, unhinged president he was.”

Rep. Liz Cheney: "With Trump back on Twitter, it’s a good time to watch this Jan 6 hearing. It covers each of Trump’s tweets that day, including those that have been deleted, and features multiple Trump WH staff describing his inexcusable conduct during the violence."

Actress Bette Midler: "WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? This a**hole is going to give that lying sack of s**t another crack at the brass ring! Vote NO to reinstate him on TWITTER!"

TV producer Andrew Kimmel: "Elon Musk is a c***."

Democratic activist Scott Dworkin: "@realDonaldTrump belongs in prison not on Twitter. This is bulls**t."

Leftist activist Shannon Coulter: "Just emailed the head of safety at Apple and Google respectively to ask if their app stores will continue to carry the Twitter app now that Elon Musk has reinstated Donald Trump."

ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt: "For @elonmusk to allow Donald Trump back on Twitter, ostensibly after a brief poll, shows he is not remotely serious about safeguarding the platform from hate, harassment and misinformation. As we've said before, Trump used Twitter to foment intolerance, issue threats and incite a violent attack against the US government. Moreover, he has shown no indication that he would do anything different if given the opportunity. When @ADL and other #StopHateforProfit leaders met with Elon Musk on 11/1, he committed to not replatform anyone, regardless of stature, until he installed a transparent, clear process that took into consideration the views of civil society. @elonmusk's decisions over the last month have been erratic and alarming, but this decision is dangerous and a threat to American democracy. We need to ask — is it time for Twitter to go?"