A parent's guide to 'Freakier Friday': Is it suitable for young kids?

A parent's guide to 'Freakier Friday': Is it suitable for young kids?

Lindsay LohanandJamie Lee Curtis' body-swapping shenaniganswere a seminal movie moment for young film fans in the early 2000s, and the actresses are back to entertain another generation with more freaky hijinks. Rocker girl Anna (Lohan) and her psychiatrist mom Tess (Curtis) first switched places in 2003's "Freaky Friday." It happens again – this time alongside a couple of teen girls, Anna's daughter Harper (Julia Butters) and soon-to-be stepkid Lily (Sophia Hammons) – in director Nisha Ganatra's fantasy comedy sequel "Freaker Friday" (in theaters now). It is a Disney movie, so wholesomeness abounds, but is it actually for kids of all ages? Here's what parents need to know about "Freakier Friday" going in: Join our Watch Party!Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox The new "Friday" runs back a bit of the plot from the original, where Anna and Tess swap bodies on the eve of the mom's wedding and better understand each other's lives. The sequel finds single mother Anna engaged to likable British chef Eric (Manny Jacinto) after just six months of dating, and surfer girl Harper and Eric's somewhat snooty daughter Lily don't get alongat all. After a visit with an oddball fortune teller (Vanessa Bayer) during the bachelorette party, Anna switches with Harper while Tess ends up in Lily's body (and vice versa). While mother and daughter venture off on scooters to find the psychic – plus enjoy the metabolism and flexibility of having young bodies – the girls do their darnedest to try and ruin the wedding so they don't have to be stepsisters. "Freakier Friday" is rated PG by theMotion Picture Association"for thematic elements, rude humor, language and some suggestive references." But nothing's too extreme or scandalous, really. There's some singing of the Chumbawamba song "Tubthumping" that's got a slightly saucy word in the lyrics, though your kids might already know that from TikTok. Anna's old flame Jake (Chad Michael Murray) shows up, and Harper-as-Anna tries to come on to him in the most awkward way possible, thoughakin to The Outfield, Jake likes his girls a little bit older and hits on Lily-as-Tess. The first "Friday" was very much geared toward teens and tweens, and the same goes for the sequel. The main kid characters are teens navigating their parents getting remarried, so older children will be able to wrap their heads around that and are more apt to find that Anna's old band, Pink Slip, still slaps. "Freakier" is mostly fine for younger audiences; they just might find a lot of the serious convos and deeper family/parenting themes (plus one trip to the DMV) boring. That said, little kids often look up to their teen and tween siblings, so it might be a chance for some bonding time. The music is pretty cool and there are plenty of goofy moments that will appeal to little ones, like an epic schoolyard food fight, Tess testing out a lip plumper, and she and Anna doing highway jumps in Jake's sweet Camaro. Yes! Popcorn buckets are all the rage these days with big theatrical releases, and the one for "Freakier Friday" really leans into the movie's body-swap theme. Marcus Theatres, a chain of cinemas with locations in 17 states, is selling collectiblepopcorn buckets and drink cupswith swappable covers. So the popcorn bucket can be used for soda and the soda cup can be used for popcorn. Most Marcus locations have the items for sale now. (Here's alist of showtimes and locationson the chain's website.) They're not as cool as thatgigantic light-up Galactus popcorn bucket, but certainly your kids might have some fun with them. The "freakquel" is in theaters, and because of the high anticipation going in, it might be there for a while with no other major kid-friendly releases coming to cinemas soon. That means those hoping to stream it at home will have to wait a tick. If the movie follows a similar path as the recent Disney release"Lilo & Stitch,""Freakier Friday" will likely be available on demand in early to mid-October and on Disney+ in November. Contributing: Melina Khan This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Is 'Freakier Friday' OK for kids? Our guide for parents.

byAlpha World

in

August 08, 2025

A parent's guide to 'Freakier Friday': Is it suitable for young kids?

A parent's guide to 'Freakier Friday': Is it suitable for young kids? Lindsay LohanandJamie Lee Curtis' body-swapping shenan...

Read More

Hulk Hogan’s Wife Sky Daily Says He Hasn’t Been Cremated Yet After Brooke Hogan Questions Lack of Autopsy

Hulk Hogan's Wife Sky Daily Says He Hasn't Been Cremated Yet After Brooke Hogan Questions Lack of Autopsy

Julio Aguilar/Getty Hulk Hogan's wife Sky Daily wrote on Instagram that his body has not yet been cremated because his family still has questions about his "medical care" Daily's post comes after Brooke Hogan cast doubt about her father's cause of death and asked why he didn't have a full autopsy Brooke responded to Daily's post saying she will "personally" pay for her late father's autopsy Hulk Hogan's wife said his body has not yet been cremated and that she is "making sure every question about his medical care is answered" after his daughterBrooke Hoganexpressed speculation surrounding his cause of death andlack of autopsyearlier this week. In an Instagrampostthe evening of Wednesday, Aug. 6, Hulk's third and current wifeSky Dailyopened up about his  funeral service on Tuesday, Aug. 5, and shared more details about what will happen to the late professional wrestler's body. "Terry chose cremation knowing this physical life is temporary and his heavenly body eternal," Daily wrote, referring to Hulk's birth name, Terrence Gene Bollea. "He has not yet been cremated, as our family is making sure every question about his medical care is answered first. Once we have that peace of mind, we will honor his wish and fulfill it with love and respect." Daily's post continued: "There are heartbreakingly misleading media stories created by faceless AI accounts or by people not close enough to truly know what was happening. Please be patient and know this: he was deeply loved, well cared for, and surrounded by that love until his very last moment." Hulkdied on July 24after first responders were called to his Clearwater, Fla., residence for a cardiac arrest emergency. He was 71 years old.PEOPLE laterreportedthat Hulk died from a heart attack and had also been diagnosed with leukemia, a condition the formerHogan Knows Beststar kept private. The medical records obtained by PEOPLE also showed Hulk had requested to be cremated. Earlier this week, Brooke, 37, appeared on thepodcastof her late father's former best friend Bubba the Love Sponge, where she cast doubt on her dad's cause of death, while also questioning why there has yet to be a full autopsy with toxicology reports that would show what was in his system at the time of his death last month. Sky Daily Hogan/Instagram "I do think it's weird that no autopsy was performed because, yes, you can have a heart attack, but what was the reason for the heart attack is the question," Brooke said. Minutes later, Brooke added, "For me, the no autopsy and the leukemia out of nowhere hits me as B.S." https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf On Thursday morning, Brooke responded to Daily's Instagram post with a post of her own saying she'll pay for her father's autopsy. Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "I'm glad to see that my dad has not been cremated and that Sky is waiting because of family questions," Brookewroteon her Instagram Stories. She added, "With all of the speculation and uncertainty of my dad's death, I want to personally offer to pay for an autopsy if that's what it takes to get it done. My dad's dignity and legacy deserves it." Read the original article onPeople

byAlpha World

in

August 08, 2025

Hulk Hogan’s Wife Sky Daily Says He Hasn’t Been Cremated Yet After Brooke Hogan Questions Lack of Autopsy

Hulk Hogan's Wife Sky Daily Says He Hasn't Been Cremated Yet After Brooke Hogan Questions Lack of Autopsy Julio Aguilar/Getty Hulk H...

Read More

Canyon Fire north of Los Angeles explodes in size; thousands evacuate

Canyon Fire north of Los Angeles explodes in size; thousands evacuate

Firefighters north of Los Angeles were working Friday, Aug. 8, togain control of a wildfire that sparked a day earlierand exploded in size, forcing thousands of people to flee their homes as flames neared several communities. TheCanyon Firewas first reported around 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 7 in a mountaineous area near Lake Piru, a resevior located about 50 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. The blazesoon threatened ranches and other nearby properties. Fueled by dry conditions, high heat and strong winds, the fire has since torched 4,856 acres of land in Ventura and Los Angeles counties,according to Cal Fire, the state's firefighting agency. The cause of the blaze remains unknown and so far no structures have been reported damaged. The fire was last pushing toward power lines and the communities of Hasley Canyon, Hathaway Ranch and Val Verde, according to a late night update from fire officials. Multiple helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, including severalair tankers, droppedwater and retardant on the flames throughout the afternoon. Officials also requested additional firefighters, including hand crews, engines and bulldozers, Andrew Dowd, a spokesman for the Ventura County Fire Department, told theVentura County Star, part of the USA TODAY Network. "Firefighters are working incredibly hard through steep terrain in hot weather with very dry fuels," Dowd said. The Canyon Firewasn't the only dangerous blaze that's recently led to evacuations in California and others states in the West. TheGifford Fire burning in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo countieshas consumed 155 square miles of land, making it the largest wildfire the state has seen this year. The blaze, which was 15% contained as of Aug. 8, is threatening hundreds of structures and has injured at least three people, officials said. In Riverside County, south of Palm Springs, the Rose Fire has burned 1,690 acres of land and was at 30% containment, according to Cal Fire. The blaze forced evacuation orders and is threatening nearly 500 structures, authorities said. In Colorado, firefighters werebattling blazes across the statethat ignited amid a heat wave. One of the fires, the Lee Fire, was estimated to have burned 45,000 acres, making it the largest wildfire the state has seen this year. Well before the start of wildfire season, which runs from the summer through October, California experienced a number of devastating blazes that swept through the southern region of the state. ThePalisades and Eaton fires ignited in early January and exploded in size, fueled by record winds and drought conditions. The blazes tore across working class communities and ritzy cliffside mansions, torching thousands of homes. Officials have tied 31 deaths to the blazes, but a recent studysuggested the fires may have led to as many as 440 deaths. With an estimated $65 billion in losses, the two wildfires are expected to be the costliest in recorded U.S. history. The summer has kept up the uptick of wildfire activity. On Aug. 1, the Gifford Fire broke out northwest of Los Angeles County and has since torched 155 square miles of land, making it nearly three times the size of the Palisades and Eaton fire combined. Looking ahead, fire officials say heat waves and drought conditions will only fuel more blazes. "Fire potential across California is expected to increase steadily through summer,"Cal Fire said in a fire season outlook. "In Southern California, the threat is driven by persistent drought, high grass loads, and weakening coastal moisture. In Northern California, a developing flash drought and early-season dryness are pushing conditions toward critical levels faster than usual." Contributing: Nate Trela, Fort Collins Coloradoan This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Canyon Fire north of LA intensifies as nearby communities evacuate

byAlpha World

in

August 08, 2025

Canyon Fire north of Los Angeles explodes in size; thousands evacuate

Canyon Fire north of Los Angeles explodes in size; thousands evacuate Firefighters north of Los Angeles were working Friday, Aug. 8, togain ...

Read More

Wounded Pennsylvania troopers recovering after chaotic shooting that left gunman, neighbor dead

Wounded Pennsylvania troopers recovering after chaotic shooting that left gunman, neighbor dead

A man fatally shot his neighbor in rural Pennsylvania and then unleashed a hail of gunfire on first responders, wounding two state troopers, running an EMT off the road and sniping a police drone from the sky, officials said. Thechaotic scene unfolded Thursday morningafter Thompson resident Lori Wasko's boyfriend called police to report gunfire. Police arrived to find the 57-year-old woman dead and her 61-year-old neighbor, Carmine Faino, lying in wait to ambush them. One of the wounded troopers commandeered a tractor trailer to block the roadway and prevent other motorists from driving into harm's way as police say Faino continued to shoot, targeting a police drone as he holed up near a propane tank that officials feared could be used as a bomb. He also fired at an SUV driven by an emergency worker before being shot and killed by police. The Susquehanna County coroner's office said an autopsy was conducted Friday morning on Faino, but the results were not immediately available. Police have not said what led to the shootings. "I don't want to speak to his motive leading up to this. I would say you can draw certain conclusions from the standpoint that we believe Faino shot our victim prior to our arrival and then from a position of tactical advantage fired dozens and dozens of rounds," state police Col. Christopher Paris said. He said Trooper Joseph Perechinsky applied a tourniquet to his injured colleague, Trooper William Jenkins, and, despite his own injuries, ordered the driver of a tractor trailer to block the road. Perechinsky was "still thinking at that point in time, after being shot twice in the chest, what can I do to secure this location? What can I do to make sure nobody else gets hurt?" Paris said. Gov. Josh Shapiro called the two troopers heroes and said Perechinsky "saved lives." "He acted decisively. He acted thoughtfully. And the work he did today exemplifies the absolute best of the Pennsylvania State Police," Shapiro said. A spokesperson for Geisinger, a hospital network where the two wounded troopers are being treated, said in an email that, as of late Friday morning, Jenkins was listed in good condition and Perechinsky in fair condition. Both had been wearing ballistic vests and are "lucky to be alive," Paris said. The shooting happened in Thompson Township, some 163 miles (262 kilometers) north of Philadelphia. The township has long been without its own police force and, like much of Susquehanna County, relies on the state police for emergency response, which is free to local taxpayers. About one-quarter of Pennsylvanians — largely in rural areas — receive some sort of police coverage from the state police. Erika Mills, who lives near the site of the shooting, said the lack of a local police department has left the area less safe and more vulnerable to crime. She also said it made the response to the shootings more difficult. "They know they have a large window of time before state police could be on scene," she said. ___ Scolforo reported from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Whittle reported from Scarborough, Maine. Ramer reported from Concord, New Hampshire. Mark Levy in Harrisburg contributed.

byAlpha World

in

August 08, 2025

Wounded Pennsylvania troopers recovering after chaotic shooting that left gunman, neighbor dead

Wounded Pennsylvania troopers recovering after chaotic shooting that left gunman, neighbor dead A man fatally shot his neighbor in rural Pen...

Read More

Eddie Murphy Shares Never-Been-Told Beyoncé Story From the Making of “Dreamgirls”

Eddie Murphy Shares Never-Been-Told Beyoncé Story From the Making of "Dreamgirls"

Dreamgirlshit theaters in 2006 Eddie Murphy appeared in the film alongside Beyoncé and Jennifer Hudson The actor revealed a candid on-set moment he witnessed between the two in a new interview Eddie Murphydoesn't forget a good story, especially when it involvesBeyoncé. During an appearance on the Thursday, Aug. 7, edition of360 With Speedy, the actor was asked to share a story about the singer. This led him to reflect on a candid on-set moment he witnessed between hisDreamgirlscostars Beyoncé andJennifer Hudson. "I didDreamgirlsright when I was getting divorced," said Murphy, referring toNicole Murphy, whofiled for divorce from the actor in 2005after 12 years of marriage. The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! Kevin Mazur/Getty "I was kind of like on automatic pilot, and I don't remember a lot of making the movie," he said about the film, which hit theaters in December 2006. https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf "My Beyoncé memory — and neither one of them knows that I know this — I watched Jennifer Hudson and Beyoncé, they were in between shots, they were on stage, and Jennifer was new in show business and she had, I guess a finger, right between, was ashy, and she was licking her fingers and getting the ash like that," said Murphy while demonstrating the motion. Murphy said that Beyoncé immediately grabbed Hudson and said, "Ooh girl, don't do that. I'll get you some cream." "And it was quiet between the two of them, but I saw it," said Murphy. "And this might be the first time I share that with anyone. That's my Beyoncé memory." DreamWorks/Courtesy of Everett Collection Dreamgirlsis based on a 1981 Broadway musicalof the same name, which originated withLoretta Devine,Sheryl Lee Ralph, andJennifer Holliday, who played Lorrell Robinson, Deena Jones, and Effie White, respectively. For the 2006 film,Anika Noni Roseplayed Lorrell, Beyoncé played Deena, and Hudson played Effie. The movie musical also starredJamie FoxxandDanny Glover. In the film adaptation, Effie is initially the lead singer, but is pushed aside by manager Curtis (Foxx), who puts Deena front and center, causing friction. The story follows all the ins and outs of their rise to fame. Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Hudson's performance allowed her to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress at the 79th Academy Awards in 2007. That year,Dreamgirlswas up for eight Oscars. Read the original article onPeople

byAlpha World

in

August 08, 2025

Eddie Murphy Shares Never-Been-Told Beyoncé Story From the Making of “Dreamgirls”

Eddie Murphy Shares Never-Been-Told Beyoncé Story From the Making of "Dreamgirls" Dreamgirlshit theaters in 2006 Eddie Murphy appe...

Read More