Entertainment
Melissa Barrera Says ‘a Lot of People’ Got Fired for Palestine Support
Melissa Barrera has shared that her firing from the “Scream” franchise by producers over her social media posts relating to Israel and Gaza wasn’t “the first time that that has happened to someone, and it won’t be the last.”
Speaking in a podcast interview with Latino USA, Barrera agreed with host Maria Hinojosa’s assertion that she had been “blacklisted” by the series producers, but added that “a lot of people got fired from their jobs, not just in the entertainment industry … for basically saying Palestinians deserve human rights and they shouldn’t be getting bombed and attacked in this way.”
“It’s sad to me that there are interests that are more important to certain people, of power and money … They will do everything they can to shut people up from saying that people deserve to live, that children deserve to grow up,” Barrera continued. “I try to continue to have hope because I do feel that there’s a lot more people out there that care — that actually do care about each other — and that understand that we’re all connected. We can’t turn a blind eye to something that is happening on the other side of the world just because it’s on the other side of the world, because, before we know it, it’s right here on our doorstep. People, especially in this country, realized that this year.”
Barrera was the lead of the “Scream” franchise in the 2022 series revival and its 2023 follow-up “Scream VI.” As a seventh sequel was being developed, producers at Spyglass Media announced that Barrera would not be a part of future entries, describing the actor’s posts about recent military attacks by Israel on Gaza as “antisemitism” that “flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech.” In turn, Barrera released a statement condemning antisemitism, Islamophobia and “hate and prejudice of any kind” and that she would “continue to speak out for those that need it most and continue to advocate for peace and safety, for human rights and freedom.”
“We just have to name things for what they are, even if there’s consequences,” Barrera said on her Latino USA interview. “I was one of a lot of people that faced consequences, but I’m on Broadway now. I’m still here. … It took me in a direction of actually taking more control of my life and not allowing other people to have control over my life.”
Barrera went on to discuss her coming production banner and her role as an executive producer on the documentary “Traces of Home,” which follows a Mexican-Palestinian family. The film will be distributed by Watermelon Pictures.
“If you go to Mexico City, there’s Palestinian flags everywhere. There’s graffiti everywhere that says ‘Palestina libre’ It’s very much ingrained in our culture. The indigenous people of Mexico are leading that charge,” Barrera said. “Even though the the specifics of the struggles are different, I think we see ourselves in them.”
Barrera appeared on Latino USA to promote her role in the ongoing Broadway production “Titanique,” which is now roughly halfway through its run at the St. James Theatre. The production earned four nominations at June’s Tony Awards, including best musical.
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movies
Ben Jones Dead: Cooter On ‘Dukes Of Hazzard,’ Georgia Congressman Was 84
Ben Jones, known to millions as the affable — if mischievous — mechanic Cooter on The Dukes of Hazzard, died today at the age of 84. His wife, Alma Vitor, said that Jones had died of a massive heart attack while “resting in his favorite chair waiting for the Braves to come on and whoop the Yankees.”
Jones played “Crazy” Cooter Davenport on all seven seasons of the original show from 1979-1985 as well as in the made for TV “Reunion” movie in 1997 and the 2000 one-off Hazzard in Hollywood. While many may remember Cooter as a gregarious good ‘ol boy, the character had a wild, rebellious side in the first season of the show. Often called an “honorary Duke,” he owned the local garage which just happened to be across the street from the Sheriff’s station, allowing him to keep an eye on the comings and going for the Duke cousins.
Jones’ second act was an auspicious one. After serving as president of SAG’s Georgia Branch and as chairman of the Georgia Film Commission, Jones won the race for Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District in 1988. He was re-elected in 1990. While on Capitol Hill, Jones was Democratic whip, a member of the Committee on Veteran’s Affairs and a member of the Committee on Public Works and Transportation. In 1994, he ran against Newt Gingrich in another district and lost.
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Here is the full text of Alma Vitor’s statement on social media:
I lost the love of my life today. Ben passed from a massive heart attack. He was home resting in his favorite chair waiting for the Braves to come on and whoop the Yankees. Ben had the most amazing rich full life. He loved and was loved by so many. He will be missed. I loved him so so much.

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Entertainment
‘Scream’: Matthew Lillard, Skeet Ulrich Also Don’t Know Tatum’s Killer
Matthew Lillard and Skeet Ulrich addressed one of the long-standing mysteries in the “Scream” franchise Saturday: Who was in the Ghostface costume when Tatum Riley (Rose McGowan) was killed?
During the “Scream” 30th reunion panel at Midsummer Scream in Long Beach, Calif., Lillard and Ulrich, who played knife-wielding best friends Stu Macher and Billy Loomis, respectively, in Wes Craven’s “Scream,” were asked point-blank if they knew who was responsible for the fan-favorite character’s brutal slaying.
Their answer? “To be honest, not even [screenwriter] Kevin Williamson knows who killed [Tatum]. And he wrote the damn thing,” Ulrich, who appeared alongside original “Scream” stars Lillard, Jamie Kennedy, Joseph Whipp, as well as stunt actor Lee Waddell and Ghostface voice performer Roger L. Jackson.
“And we never discussed it,” he continued. “So, it’s really fan theory, which I think is great. But, I don’t know. No one knows.”
As fans of the iconic horror film will recall, McGowan’s death is one of the more memorable ones in the movie, as she’s killed by a closing garage door while trying to escape the Ghostface killer – who is later revealed to be two people (the aforementioned sinister BFFs).
Over the decades, it has never been formally confirmed whether Lillard’s Stu or Ulrich’s Billy dealt the final blow to Tatum, with fans making cases for both bad guys online.
However, Lillard indicated that he believed his character was responsible for the slaying, telling the crowd at the famed horror convention, “I always say it’s because she said ‘no’ to going to prom.”
This wasn’t the only behind-the-scenes tidbit shared during Saturday’s panel, as Lillard and Ulrich recalled how demanding the final sequence of the movie was to film.
The 42-minute stretch, known as “Scene 118” or the house party face-off, required 21 consecutive night shoots to complete.
“When you see the film, the energy that he and I and Neve [Campbell] and everybody is producing, we had to do daily for all that time,” Ulrich shared. “So, that sticks out to me as being most memorable. And fun, because I got to hit [Lillard] with a phone.”
Lillard co-signed this comment, chiming in with, “We shot at night. So, we were living a nocturnal life. And also, back then, we only had one camera … you would have to do a take on every angle, every set-up multiple times. So, that sequence is really brutal and stands out in my memory.”
Fans will get to see this iconic sequence on the big screen again this fall, as Paramount Scares, the dedicated horror brand for Paramount Pictures, confirmed at the panel that the movie would be re-released in theaters in October in honor of the 30th anniversary.
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Entertainment
The 3 Best Movies to Watch on Prime Video This Week
Need some help on what to watch this week? You know we’ve got your back.
With the start of August came a whole new batch of movies and shows over on Prime Video. But at the moment, you might be thinking about getting the kids back to school, or the work you have to get done this week, or literally anything else on the ever-growing list of things to think about. So don’t let picking a movie to watch become another annoying task.
Here are the three best movies to watch on Prime Video this week.

Fighting with My Family
I’m sure I’ve recommended this before, but with Florence Pugh back on our screens right now thanks to — light spoiler alert — “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” I think it’s time to re-up “Fighting with My Family.”
Long before her Marvel days, Pugh played a young wrestler named Saraya, who only wanted to make it big. When she’s given the chance to go to the United States to do so, Saraya trains hard, changes her stage name to Paige, and learns exactly what it takes to be a pro wrestler (especially as a woman). It’s a very solid sports film, and based on a true story at that.
Pugh is flanked by Lena Headey, Vince Vaughn, Dwayne Johnson and more in this movie, and it doesn’t take much for you to see exactly how she eventually got the role of Yelena Belova in the MCU.

Blue Beetle
We’re still a ways out from James Gunn’s next Superman film “Man of Tomorrow,” but we do know that Xolo Maridueña will be in it. He’s returning as Blue Beetle for Gunn’s DCU. But have you seen his first run as the character?
“Blue Beetle” was a superhero film that flew a bit under the radar when it released under the previous DC regime in 2023. Maridueña stars as Mexican American teenager Jaime Reyes, a recent college grad who becomes host to an ancient alien scarab that gives him special abilities.
Fortunately, “Blue Beetle” found more of an audience when it landed on HBO Max for its streaming debut. If you didn’t and/or don’t have HBO Max, but you do have Prime Video, now is your chance to check it out, and make sure you’re prepared for “Man of Tomorrow.”

Masters of the Universe
If you missed “Masters of the Universe” in theaters, it’s now streaming, and honestly? It’s a pretty fun time, whether you’re a previous fan of the IP or not.
In it, Nicholas Galitzine stars as Adam Glenn, later known as He-Man. He’s the Prince of Eternia, but sent to Earth when Skeletor successfully executes a hostile takeover of the land. To get home, Adam needs to find the Sword of Power — which takes him awhile, despite leaving Eternia with it.
This movie is campy and delightful, and at the very least, it proves that Galitzine should be allowed to do absolutely any comedy project he wants. Does “Masters of the Universe” lean on humor a bit too much? Sure, that’s a valid critique. But, in general, it’s a fun time watch, even if it’s only a one-time watch.
The post The 3 Best Movies to Watch on Prime Video This Week appeared first on TheWrap.
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