Men's Journal's Blog, page 141
April 14, 2025
Jack Black Found the Coolest Way to Address 'A Minecraft Movie's' Chicken Jockey Drama
While A Minecraft Movie continues its red-hot run over the first two weeks in theatres, the popular video game-turned-film is breaking records along the way.
After setting a new mark for the best opening weekend domestically at the box office, pulling in $162.7 million, A Minecraft Movie wrapped up its first 10 days in theatres in fashion. As Variety reported, the film pulled in $80 million in its second weekend and is up to $281 million domestically and $550 million globally.
These marks moved the Jack Black and Jason Momoa-led film into the No. 1 spot for the year, surpassing Captain America: Brave New World ($199 million domestically and $410 million globally).
Among the headlines A Minecraft Movie is making, the chicken jockey trends that have gone viral on social media may be the most intriguing.
Police had to kick several kids out of the theater during a showing of #Minecraft
— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) April 6, 2025
They were screaming and throwing popcorn during the ‘Chicken Jockey’ scene pic.twitter.com/qLU71sFjOY
As seen above, the specific scene involving the "chicken jockey" has ignited wild reactions in theatres across the country. It’s even led to police being called, fans being removed from movies and some incredibly chaotic moments.
While movie theatres seem to be preparing for this, one specific location called in a special kind of help before a screening — Jack Black.
Black, who plays Steve in the movie, was seen in a clip posted by Screen Rant asking fans not to throw popcorn or chicken jockey.
Jack Black showed up at a screening of #MinecraftMovie to ask fans not to throw popcorn all over the movie theater:
— Screen Rant (@screenrant) April 14, 2025
“No throwing popcorn and also absolutely no chicken jockey! I am Steve.” pic.twitter.com/bM2MR0T9IW
“No throwing popcorn and also absolutely no chicken jockey! I am Steve," Black said to the audience.
The moviegoers were stunned when they realized it was Black. However, it's unknown if the actor/comedian's comments ultimately helped keep things calm during the movie.
Related: 'The Last of Us' Star Issues Warning About Season 2: 'Hold Onto Your Hats'
Top Tax Day Freebies and Discounts for 2025
It's April 15, which is tax day in the United States even for those who decide to file for a tax extension. To help ease the burden, many restaurants and food chains are offering a silver lining to the annual filing frenzy with a range of enticing food and drink deals. From pizzas and pasta to pastries and doughnuts, these promotions provide a well-deserved break for taxpayers looking to treat themselves after submitting their returns.
ABC News reported that Burger King is offering a nostalgic nod to affordability with 1-cent cheeseburgers for Royal Perks members who spend at least $1. The deal is available in-store and online, but it excludes Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories.
California Pizza Kitchen is offering CPK Rewards members $10 off orders of $40 or more, valid through April 17 for dine-in, takeout, or delivery. Similarly, Casey's is rewarding its loyalty members with a free one-topping large pizza when they purchase any large pizza—redeemable within 21 days or by May 6.
Fazoli’s is dishing up comfort food with a buy-one-get-one free baked spaghetti deal using the promo code "TAX25" at participating locations. Over at Great American Cookies, customers can enjoy a sweet treat with a buy-one-get-one free chocolate chip cookie cake slice.
Doughnut lovers can score big at Krispy Kreme. On April 15, customers who purchase a dozen doughnuts can get a second dozen for the price of their local sales tax. Online orders using the promo code “TAXBREAK” receive the second dozen free.
Olive Garden is extending its popular “buy one, take one” deal through May 4. Diners ordering an entree priced at $14.99 or higher can choose a second chilled entree to take home, and the original entree comes complete with soup or salad and unlimited breadsticks. The offer applies to dine-in, takeout, and delivery via Olive Garden’s website or app.
Paris Baguette is offering PB Rewards members a free pastry with any beverage purchase, and Potbelly is giving away a free Original sandwich with the purchase of another, using the code "BOGO."
Pizza fans can grab a $7 discount at Round Table Pizza on any Large or XL pizza with the code “RTP220,” valid through April 17.
Convenience store 7-Eleven is offering $10.40 off any $20+ order placed through the 7NOW Delivery app with the code "WRITEOFF." Rounding out the list, Smoothie King is giving Healthy Rewards Members $3 off orders over $15 or $4 off orders over $20 on April 15 only.
Whether you're getting a refund or paying in, these promotions add a bit of sweetness (and savings) to an otherwise stressful time. Be sure to make Tax Day a little more bearable and maybe even delicious by taking advantage. These deals offer the perfect post-filing treat.
Anthony Mackie's Bold 'Avengers: Doomsday' Claim Ignites Major Marvel Debate
Anthony Mackie is set to reprise his role as Captain America in the highly anticipated 2026 film Avengers: Doomsday. However, with filming set to get underway and the rumors continuing to ramp up, fans have had plenty to say about it.
While the most common responses regarding the latest film in the Avengers series typically involve speculation and theories about storylines, Mackie's latest comments sparked an interesting debate.
During an interview with IGN's Jim Vejvoda, Mackie predicted that Avengers: Doomsday will "give the audience that old Marvel feeling that they always had."
After Captain America: Brave New World joined the other MCU Phase Five films that received hit-or-miss ratings, this comment brought plenty of pushback from Marvel fans.
Anthony Mackie attends the World Premiere Of Marvel Studios' "Captain America: Brave New World" at TCL Chinese Theatre. “We're supposed to go out this week and we'll be out there [filming]. Everybody's excited. I feel with the script and having the Russo brothers back, it's going to be great.” Mackie said,
"I'm really excited for what this project is going to be. It's going to give the audience that old Marvel feeling that they always had.”
Some fans immediately pointed to Brave New World and other recent films while insinuating they weren't fully buying into this hype yet.
"They also said that BNW was gonna be like Winter Soldier ... It was not," read one response.
"Will it have Iron Man, Captain America, Black Panther?" said another.
"Would be great. Marvel hasn’t been the same since End Game," replied one fan.
"fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me," replied another.
Other fans argued that they were seeking an entirely new feel from Marvel movies, as opposed to returning to the old.
"But I want a “NEW” marvel feeling," said one fan.
"Number 1 thing wrong with movies these days, chasing dopamine hits from the past rather than trying to create new memories and new moments," replied another.
"The fact he said this really says a lot about the recent Marvel movies/shows," read one comment.
Among the many responses, some fans pointed to Avengers: Endgame as a movie that gave them that "old Marvel feeling," while others cited belief in the Russo brothers.
“What about the last one?" read another response.
"Knowing that the Russo’s are back working on these films oh, I know it’s about to be a fantastic time," said one fan.
"I have high hopes for this upcoming Avengers movie. I think it will be great, and it will definitely deliver," replied another.
Mackie's comments didn't fully resonate with fans, as many made it known that they want to see the "old Marvel" before believing the hype.
Avengers: Doomsday is poised to bring plenty of name recognition and intrigue, but it sounds like Marvel fans have set the bar extremely high, which is what we should expect from this series.
Related: Tom Hiddleston Breaks Silence on Loki's Return in 'Avengers: Doomsday'
'The Last of Us' Star Issues Warning About Season 2: 'Hold Onto Your Hats'
Following an explosive debut season for The Last of Us, Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey officially returned for their encore performance on Sunday, April 13.
With season two officially premiering at the end of last week, the tremendously popular HBO show has hit the ground running. There's new drama, higher stakes and according to Ramsey, who plays Ellie, information about how the infected have evolved even more.
During an interview with Collider, Ramsey offered a warning when asked if fans will learn more about the evolution of the infected. The 21-year-old was about as brutally honest as imaginable while addressing the topic.
Bella Ramsey (L) and Pedro Pascal attend the Los Angeles premiere of HBO Original Series "The Last Of Us" Season 2 at TCL Chinese Theater. "Yeah, exactly. Yep, there’s going to be plenty of them. Watch out and hold onto your hats," Ramsey said.
However, the teasers didn't stop there, as Ramsey also explained that the new season could make people feel "slightly emotionally traumatized."
"I think people are going to feel like they’ve been on a pretty intense roller coaster," Ramsey told Collider. "I just hope that people keep their seatbelts on the whole time because it’s pretty mad.
"I think that people will hopefully feel really satisfied by the journey of it. I hope people are slightly emotionally traumatized because it’s supposed to make you feel a lot."
With the new season just underway, the reviews and reactions have poured in rapidly. Rotten Tomatoes has given The Last of Us season two a rating of 96% from 86 total critic reviews at the time of this article.
The early returns from fans haven't been quite as high, but the show checks in with a Popcornmeter of 67% off more than 250 ratings.
Related: 'The Boys' Antony Starr Reveals the 1 Robin Williams Movie That Gets Him Emotional
Omarosa Talks Hulu’s ‘Got to Get Out’ — and Her 'Survivor' Dreams
To say Omarosa Manigault Newman is a great get would be an understatement. One of the most memorable reality TV stars of all time – who is known just by her first name at this point – undoubtedly has networks banging on her door at all times.
The latest venture for the former White House aid, 51, is Hulu's new competition series Got to Get Out where 20 people – half of whom are celebrities – attempt to escape a house and steal $1 million from each other.
While wading through the pile of offers she likely receives on the daily, Omarosa, who shot to fame after her breakout appearance on season 1 of The Apprentice, told her agent she wanted "to do something that will reflect my love for the genre" as she celebrates her 20th year on television. "I love reality TV. Make no mistake," she says. "And a couple of the pitches were interesting, but this was interesting because it was so different than anything I've done. I have never done a show like this. I can't even tell you what would be close to this because there wasn't that type of structure. In Big Brother, there are all these rules and limitations and restrictions on what you can and cannot do. This show is like if you see a green light, run for your life, get out of there. You get out with money. It was that lack of restrictions that gave us, I think, some of the best moments on TV. So when he pitched it to me, I was really excited about the concept and really excited about getting to know the other people."
Speaking of other people, Omarosa acknowledges her cast mates "absolutely" had preconceived notions about her prior to playing the game together – which she notes was a "disadvantage."
"You walk into a house and I could hear them whispering in the other room," the Ohio native explains. I was trying to walk into the kitchen the first time and they're like, 'Did you hear?' Oh, we're obsessed here. ... So then how is it possible to even build any type of rapport with people or just say, 'Hey, look, trust me, I want to work with you.' In reality, I wanted to take all the money and run, but trying to overcome that obstacle of them knowing me, knowing the shows I've done, knowing the major game plays that I've made, I've made some really big moves in games. I've won tons of comps in these games, and I've eliminated contestants on reality shows. ... So it was really hard to overcome that, and then I realized I don't have to overcome it. I'm just going to kind of lean into it and try to actually leverage the apprehension that they had with working with me by just gathering intel. So that's what I did."
Meanwhile, in the midst of all this gameplay, Omarosa was also studying for law school and is set to graduate soon. She even set up shop inside the house so she had time and space to study, which also made her miss some of the action. "I didn't think I had missed out on a lot until I watched a show," she says. "I was like, oh my gosh, when did that happen? And then I could tell by what people were wearing and where they were that it was certainly during that time, but I don't regret it. I knew that there was a risk of some impact on my game by doing this, but I really wanted to be a part of it. They wanted me to be a part of it, so I was just really grateful that I could do it because there were so many shows that I have not been able to participate in the last three years while I was studying, so I was just a sigh of relief that I was able to do it. But now watching a show, I'm like, oh my gosh, so many different things were going on while I was in my little makeshift office."
In the end, she walked away with a little over $42,000 out of a bigger prize pot the remaining 16 players split. Now she's manifesting her next run on reality TV – a celebrity season of the long-running CBS series Survivor.
"I've been talking to Jeff Probst probably 20 years, every time I see him and Mark Burnett as well, about Celebrity Survivor. And there have been rumors over the years that that would manifest, and it's been 20 years and hasn't," Omarosa says. "There are a lot of celebrities that want to do it. Some of them who are even more passionate than I am. I want to do it, but there are people who will message me or text me or see me at an event, and we are just kind of hoping and praying that this manifests. And as physical as this particular game is, give time to train and get ready, and I would be so excited to do celebrity version of Survivor."
She adds, "It's got to happen. I've heard all the chatter about Traitors. I'm open to doing Traitors. I think it's a brilliant show, and I love the way reality TV has evolved to these more sophisticated gaming. It is not just that you have an alliance, but you have to be strategic about who you take out and how you present yourself in the game."
Got to Get Out is currently available for streaming on Hulu.
Key Detail Emerges About Gene Hackman, Betsy Arakawa Property After Deaths
It has now been more than six weeks since Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s bodies were discovered at their Santa Fe property—and new details are still emerging to help answer lingering questions about exactly what the timeline of their final days looked like.
One of the most mysterious parts of the couple’s story is exactly how Arakawa contracted hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a serious viral infection that is typically spread by rodents. On Monday, CNN helped make better sense of the diagnosis via reports they obtained from the New Mexico Department of Public Health.
Related: Gene Hackman Was Haunted By 1 Lost Role
The report claimed that multiple rodents and rodent nests were found throughout the 12-acre property which, in addition to their home, housed eight outbuildings. An environmental assessment of their property was conducted a week after the couple’s bodies were discovered. According to the report, rodent droppings were found in each of those outbuildings, which included three detached garages.
In each of those three garages, authorities also discovered a live rodent, a dead rodent, and a rodent’s nest.
The reason for the assessment, according to CNN, was to assess the safety of first responders who may have potentially been exposed to hantavirus. New Mexico State Public Health Veterinarian Erin Phipps stated that there were no signs of rodent activity in the couple’s residence.
“The other eight buildings on the property were accessible to rodents, the report stated,” wrote CNN’s Veronica Miracle. “In two vehicles on the property (listed as a working or abandoned vehicle or farm equipment), there were also sightings of rodents, a nest and feces. Investigators also found live traps in the outbuildings.”
The presence of the live traps, according to TMZ, may indicate that a rodent infestation may have been an ongoing problem on the property.
'Bikinis or Nothing,' Sean Connery's Granddaughter Turns Heads With James Bond-Inspired Photos
The granddaughter of Sean Connery, Saskia Connery, just dropped what seems to be her latest James Bond-inspired Instagram post. The photoset is stunning, but the message of the caption is perhaps the most Bond-coded, and perhaps, a secret shout-out to recently retired Bond producers, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.
On Monday, April 14, Connery dropped a massive photoset of herself in Indonesia with the caption: "bikinis or nothing - countdown till summer."
As the caption indicates, the photos show Connery in a variety of bikinis, ready for the summer adventure. And her underwater-adventure style is very Thunderball-esque, perhaps the most famous of the aquatic 007 adventures her grandfather starred in. Like Bond creator Ian Fleming, Connery loves island life, and generally makes her home in the Bahamas, where she's part of Ocean Conservation efforts on behalf of The Connery Foundation.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Saskia Connery (@saskiaconnery)
But, in addition to her photos looking like something straight from an old James Bond paperback cover, Connery's "bikinis or nothing" quip might have been a reference to the production company EON, which managed the James Bond films from 1962 to 2021, and recently, acquiesced to Amazon. EON stands for "Everything or Nothing," a phrase that echoes James Bond's family motto "The World is Not Enough."
Whether or not Connery was paying tribute to the era of EON ending or not isn't clear. But, in her adventure to help preserve the world's oceans, it's clear that once again, Saskia Connery is keeping the spirit of James Bond very much alive. Amazon should take notes.
Related: James Bond Amazon Takeover Could Mean Spinoff 007 TV Shows
Why Bill Belichick's Girlfriend Was on the Field for North Carolina Practice Revealed
The video has already gone viral, so let's break down what Bill Belichick's girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, was doing at the University of North Carolina's spring football practice on April 12.
The 24-year-old former college cheerleader was seen making her way back and forth from the sidelines to the field to help the NCAA coach out. She made hand gestures at an audio tech while talking into the microphone and then clipping it onto Belichick — and it was all in a day's work. There was a purpose to her mission.
According to NBC Sports, Hudson is working "as [an] assistant producer or coordinator producer or executive producer [on] the documentary/infomercial that was set for NFL Films until it wasn’t." The special was supposed to be a part of NFL Network's offseason programming, but it was nixed due to some bad blood between Belichick and NFL owners.
How has this crazy video of Bill Belichick’s girlfriend at UNC spring practice not yet gone viral?!
— John Ziegler (@Zigmanfreud) April 13, 2025
In this history of famous men who were P-whipped, no one has ever been more whipped than Bill Belichick!
👀😱😂🤦♂️🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/aj7lCXzuRx
"We’re told that some owners aren’t thrilled with the decision to feature Belichick on an NFL-owned platform," Mike Florio reported for ProFootballTalk in early March. "Beyond the specific bridges Belichick has obliterated and the more general attacks on pro football as spearheaded by his consigliere, Mike Lombardi, Belichick is inching toward persona non grata territory as far as some NFL owners are concerned."
As for Hudson, NBC Sports was unclear as to whether the production company, the university, or her boyfriend were paying her for her on-set role. As the media outlet noted, "If it were the school, there would be a public record of it."
Still, Belichick and Hudson continue to make headlines about their 48-year age gap, but they seem unbothered by the criticism. Their relationship extends beyond their private life and is now spilling over to the football field.
Related: Bill Belichick's Girlfriend Gives a 24th Birthday Nod to His UNC Job
Andre Agassi Clears the Air About Ex-Wife Brooke Shields
Andre Agassi is happily married to Steffi Graf, but there was a time in the past when he was coupled up with Brooke Shields. The former duo was married from 1997 to 1999, and the 59-year-old actress had some curious things to say about her ex in her recent memoir, Brooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old.
"I’m glad I never got pregnant with my first husband because it would have been a disaster,” Shields wrote. “When we got divorced he made that very clear.” She also claimed that he often played into her issues with body image.
“When I would profess my insecurities to my first husband, he would always say, ‘I wish you could see yourself the way I see you.’ However, when I said, ‘Will you still love me if I’m big and fat?’ I could never have expected his response,” she alleged in the book.
Steffi Graf (L) and Andre Agassi attend the grand opening of Sphere on September 29, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. His reported response? “I love you too much to let you get big and fat," Shields wrote.
Agassi was asked about his reaction to his ex-wife's claims, and he took the high road.
“I have always wished nothing but the best for her,” the retired athlete told Us Weekly. “I guess maybe one of the reasons why I don’t know much about it is because I don’t want to be in a position to necessarily comment on it one way or another, except rooting for her. I mean, at the end of the day love wins and I try to love everyone.”
In her 2014 book, There Was a Little Girl, Shields talked about Agassi's addiction to meth which he had already revealed in his 2009 bombshell memoir, Open.
"I was so unbelievably clueless," Shields wrote in her first book. "To this day, I think to myself 'My God, Brooke. All you've seen in your life, and you couldn't pick this up?' But if you watch these athletes play, they play five, six, seven hours at the highest level and they keep going and going and the regimen surrounding them is so intense that my justification was, I guess you need to blow off steam when you can."
Shields married Chris Henchy in 2001, and they share two daughters, Rowan, 21, and Grier, 19. Agassi and Graff also married in 2001 and share son Jaden, 23, and daughter Jaz, 21.
Related: Tennis Legends Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf Reveal the 1 Rule in Their Marriage
April 13, 2025
'Stranger Things' Star Gives Cryptic Response About Character's Fate in Final Season
It didn’t take long after the series debut for Stranger Things to become a fan-favorite show. Following its premiere in 2016, each season has thrown fans numerous curveballs, leaving them with no shortage of questions following each finale.
Heading into the fifth and final season of Stranger Things, which is expected to debut late in 2025, many of the looming questions may finally have answers. Beyond that, fans can hope to get closure on the popular cast after their years of battling supernatural forces.
Finn Wolfhard, who plays Mike Wheeler, opened up about the show's final season but made sure to avoid giving away spoilers regarding his character's fate.
Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo at the premiere of season 4 of 'Stranger Things' held at Netflix Studios Brooklyn.Nina Westervelt/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images
During an interview with People, Wolfhard offered a broad range of emotions about how things play out with his character, leaving many fans scratching their heads.
"I was so happy with his ending, and I don't know, I was satisfied, but I was also very confused and sad, but also very happy," the actor, 22, tells PEOPLE in an exclusive interview.
"I felt like I was in a dream or something. None of it felt real. I don't know, it felt perfect," he continues.
On one hand, Wolfhard saying that it "felt perfect" is great news, but it's also a major cliffhanger as fans await the new season. Not surprisingly, the cast isn't likely to give anything away regarding the fifth season, but there's a lot to be excited about and many questions to seek answers to.
Related: The Final Season of 'Ted Lasso' Might Not Be When You Think
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