Captain America: Brave New World Actor Confirms They’ve Been Cut From The Marvel Movie, And What A Bummer

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is constantly bringing new content to fans, both in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. There are a number of highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movies coming down the line, the next one being Captain America: Brave New World. Although one actor from the movie confirmed they’ve been cut and what a bummer for their fans.What we know about Captain America: Brave New World is fairly limited, due to Marvel’s tight security. The cast list for Captain America 4 originally included WWE’s Seth Rollins as a member of the Serpent Society. But during a recent appearance on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, he revealed his planned role was left on the cutting room floor. In his words:Well, does my NDA still apply if I’m not in the film anymore? Truth be told, any answer I gave would only be my opinion on it. The script went through a lot of rewrites and reshoots so what I was there to do, essentially my role got either repurposed or completely erased.I’m not a lawyer, but I personally wouldn’t be messing with those Marvel NDAs. Although I guess he technically didn’t reveal anything about the movie; Rollins just shared why he won’t be appearing any more. And it definitely sounds like he’s understandably bummed.Fans who have sent years watching the Marvel movies in order have heard about the way certain projects change and develop as they’re filming. The pressure is on for Captain America: Brave New World to deliver without Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers, so it stands to reason that rewrites might occur. Later in the same podcast appearance, Seth Rollins spoke more about his journey with the blockbuster, offering:So I did do a bit of an audition to possibly pop into another role, I believe, or the repurposing of my role, I’m not exactly sure on what it was. But they ended up going in a different direction with it. And yeah my understanding was there were just a lot of rewrites and a lot of reshoots, and they know they’ve got a finished product that hopefully they’re happy with, and hopefully it’s successful, but it will be sans Seth Rollins.Talk about a bummer. Landing a role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a dream for many actors out there Seth Rollins no doubt would have been awesome in his scrapped role. Hopefully he’ll get the chance to join in on the fun in a future project, since he’ll no longer be in the new Captain America flick.While the WWE icon will be missing, fans are hyped about some other names in the next MCU movie, including Harrison Ford, Liv Tyler, and Giancarlo Esposito. We’ll just have to wait and see how it all shakes out later this Winter.Captain America: Brave New World will hit theaters on February 14th. For now, check the 2025 movie release dates.Your Daily Blend of Entertainment News

UK scientists uncover startling new link between HRT and Alzheimer’s

Science and Health

OAP struggling with dementia (Image: Getty)Women using Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to treat menopause-symptoms could be at greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s, UK scientists claim. Previous studies have suggested HRT poses a health risk factor but now Liverpool John Moores University claim to have uncovered a new link between it, Alzheimer’s and a rare gene. They claim an ‘apolipoprotein E’ gene variant – instructing our bodies to make a protein to transport cholesterol and other fats in the bloodstream – called APOE e4 is ‘firing’ the progression of Alzheimer’s in women undergoing HRT. And they warn it calls into question UK drugs appraiser the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) support for HRT in managing menopausal symptoms. First author Dr Ainara Jauregi-Zinkunegi, post-doctoral researcher in neuroscience at LJMU, explained: “We decided to examine the effects of HRT on cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers linked to Alzheimer’s. “What we found is that the disease’s fluid pathology is high when HRT use is paired with presence of a gene variant APOE e4 – but not otherwise.”Dr Richard Oakley, Associate Director of Research and Innovation at Alzheimer’s Society, told the Daily Express: “We need further, longer term, larger studies with more diverse participants to confirm the results and fully understand this risk and to weigh this against the benefits offered by HRT for some women.” HRT replaces the hormones oestrogen or progestogen, or both, when women’s periods stop – normally between the ages of 45 and 55. It is administered using gels, creams, pessaries, tablets, patches or sprays and is sometimes prescribed during perimenopause, as the hormones start to fluctuate but before menstruation stops altogether. The APOE e4 gene variant is present in approximately 1 in 4 people – with only 2-3 per cent carrying two copies – and has previously been hinted at having a link in the development of dementia.Inheriting the APOE4 gene however does not necessarily mean a person will definitely develop the disease The APOE gene comes in several different forms, or alleles. APOE3 is the most common and not believed to affect Alzheimer’s risk – while the rare APOE2 may even protect people from Alzheimer’s.The reason APOE4 specifically increases Alzheimer’s risk is not well understood. Recent studies suggest problems with brain cells’ ability to process fats, or lipids, may play a key role in Alzheimer’s and related diseases.The LJMU team – publishing its findings in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association – studied fluid biomarkers data from 136 women.The woman have an average age of 66 and had no cognitive problems, and the team compared HRT users with non-users, including whether they carried the APOE e4 variant.Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) pathology is traditionally characterized by the accumulation of abnormal proteins in the brain. These proteins include beta-amyloid (Aβ) and tau.In the LJMU study, average levels of that biomarker – phosphorylated tau by amyloid beta-42 – were comparable across HRT users and non-users. But shockingly they found women using HRT who had at least one APOE e4 gene had levels of the same biomarker over 60 per cent higher.   They concluded that elevated levels of these biomarkers are likely to indicate increased Alzheimer’s Disease-related pathology in these women and, thus, a higher risk of developing dementia. HRT was not associated to higher biomarkers levels in the absence of APOE e4. LJMU say if their findings are proven in further studies then it would suggest that women found to have the APOE e4 gene variant should be cautioned against using HRT.The university adds: “(The” discovery  a gene could be ‘firing’ the progression of Alzheimer’s in women undergoing HRT further calls into question NICE’s support for HRT in managing menopausal symptoms.Dr Davide Bruno, a Reader in neuropsychology at LJMU, who led the study, said: “If our results are confirmed (in further studies), they would caution against HRT use in women at elevated risk for Alzheimer’s due to genetic susceptibility.”People who are already at elevated risk of AD, such as those with the e4 variant of APOE, even if currently asymptomatic, may be more susceptible to possible negative effects of hormone replacement.”There is still a lot we don’t know but it may be prudent to test women for presence of the APOE e4 variant before HRT administration, at least until more knowledge on this matter is acquired.” And he added: “We think this may be a scenario whereby exposure to oestrogen might be beneficial for healthy neurons, but in contrast oestrogen might worsen damage in ‘sick’ neurons.” In 2021 a study of nearly 400,000 women, found both new and old HRT drugs reduced the risk of diseases that cause dementia. The study found that the effects differed based on many things: dose, type of medication, length of treatment, age, and time from menopause. Another study in Denmark, following dementia rates of over 55,000 women showed the opposite, that HRT increases dementia risk. Part of the reason of the uncertainty is that many studies only show a connection between dementia and HRT, but they can’t tell us if HRT leads to dementia.OAP struggling with dementia (Image: Getty)On Friday, NHS England told the Daily Express the licensing and prescribing advice for HRT drugs was a matter for NICE.NICE, funded by the Department of Health and Social Care, recently updated their guidance to GPs last November on HRT for menopause management, including possible links to dementia.After a detailed analysis of data on links between HRT and conditions such as heart disease, stroke, some cancers and dementia, NICE concluded HRT does not affect life expectancy.NICE concluded the risk of dementia was slightly higher if women started taking HRT after the age of 65 but said in younger patients there was no elevated risk of developing dementia.Dr Marie Anne Ledingham, consultant clinical adviser to NICE, said last November: “The risks are very low in the population, and HRT can provide huge benefits at a very difficult point in many women’s lives.”The Daily Express contacted NICE on Friday for a response to the new LJMU study’s findings.A NICE spokesperson told us: “Our recently published guideline on the identification and management of the menopause provides reliable evidenced-based information on the benefits and risks of HRT to aid shared decision making between women and their healthcare professionals when discussing management options.“Our independent committee advised that although HRT is effective for symptoms, it should not be used for the prevention of dementia.“When new high-quality evidence is published which could affect our recommendations, NICE will review it and consider whether our guideline needs to be updated.“Women need to feel confident that when they talk to a GP about their symptoms, they will be offered advice and options that meet their needs and supported to make choices that are right for them.“In order to help women NICE has published a discussion aid on HRT and the likelihood of some medical conditions, to support GPs in their discussions with patients.”* The LJMU paper ‘Menopausal hormone therapy is associated with worse levels of Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers in APOE4-carrying women’ has now been published in Alzheimer & Dementia. EXCLUSIVE COMMENT – Dr Richard Oakley, Associate Director of Research and Innovation at Alzheimer’s Society Dr Richard Oakley, Associate Director of Research and Innovation at Alzheimer’s Society (Image: handout)”One in three people born today will develop dementia in their lifetime, making it the biggest health and social care issue of our time. “Women are more likely to develop dementia than men, however, there is still so much we don’t know about this topic. Studies like this are so important to unpick the factors which contribute to dementia risk in women.  “Previous studies have shown that people who carry the APOE4 gene are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. We welcome this study which explores the potential links between women who carry the APOE4 gene, taking HRT, and Alzheimer’s disease. “According to this early stage study, for women who do not carry the APOE4 gene, there is no link between taking HRT and some changes in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s. “However, for women who do carry the gene, HRT treatment may be linked to the development of these associated changes in the brain. “We mustn’t forget that this study does not follow women long enough to know if they went on to develop Alzheimer’s disease later in life.  “We know that the studies we have so far into taking HRT and the risk of dementia in women are conflicting, with some suggesting that the therapy is beneficial, whilst others suggest an increased risk of dementia. “We need further, longer term, larger studies with more diverse participants to confirm the results and fully understand this risk and to weigh this against the benefits offered by HRT for some women.  “Alzheimer’s Society part-funded a study which showed that there are different risk factors of developing dementia, including lifestyle. “While some risk factors cannot be reduced or avoided, many others can by keeping active, living a healthy lifestyle and staying social. “We encourage anyone worried about dementia symptoms in themselves or a loved one to speak to their GP. “You can also use our dementia symptoms checklist at alzheimers.org.uk/checklist. Alzheimer’s Society is here for everyone affected by dementia. Please call our Dementia Support Line on 0333 150 3456, or visit alzheimers.org.uk.”

Alishan ranked 19th among NYT’s “2025 Travel Destinations”

Travel

By Sam Garcia / Staff writer, with CNA

Taiwan’s Alishan was included in the New York Times’ “2025 Travel Destinations: 52 Places to Go This Year,” a collection of 52 idyllic places to visit around the world.As the only Taiwan destination that made the list, Alishan ranked 19th.This inclusion on the Times’ list is an important international recognition of Alishan’s rich natural beauty and cultural heritage, Chiayi County Commissioner Weng Chang-liang (翁章梁) said.

Photo: Thomas Bird, Taipei Times
In recent years, the Alishan National Scenic Area Headquarters, Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office and Chiayi County Government have worked together to improve Alishan, enhance its environment and create an international tourist destination, the county government said in a press release today.With 112 years of history, the 71.4km-long Alishan Forest Railway was finally reopened in July last year after 15 years of repair work.

The Business Cost Of Fake News: Lessons For Leadership In An Era Of Misinformation

Business News

Earlier this month, Meta announced a controversial shift in its approach to misinformation, replacing independent fact-checkers on Facebook and Instagram with a Community Notes-style system. As the company framed it, this move is designed to support “more speech and fewer mistakes” by leveraging user contributions to contextualize misleading posts. However, this decision has sparked a wave of criticism. Last week, the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) released an open letter to Mark Zuckerberg, warning of the increased risks of misinformation and its consequences for businesses and society. The letter underscored that this approach undermines accountability and could exacerbate the rapid spread of fake news, leaving businesses particularly vulnerable.

The Financial And Reputational Fallout Of Fake News

Indeed, we’ve seen how quickly fake news can upend financial markets and corporate reputations. In 2023, for example, a fabricated tweet showing a fake explosion near the Pentagon rattled the U.S. stock market, causing a brief but impactful downturn. Then there was the notorious case of Eli Lilly’s fake tweet promising free insulin in November 2022. That cost the pharmaceutical multinational $22 billion in the stock market. This isn’t a new phenomenon – as far back as 2013, a fake report of explosions at the White House caused the S&P 500 to lose $130 billion in market capitalization within minutes.

Research Insights: X’s Community Notes And Their Limits

These examples demonstrate that fake news is more than an annoyance – it’s a significant economic and reputational threat. For managers and CEOs, the lesson is clear: their businesses need to act swiftly and decisively in the face of misinformation.

This was one of the conclusions from our years of research built on a database of around 240,000 notes from X’s (formerly Twitter) Community Notes program. This is a system where users collaboratively provide context to potentially misleading posts. We sought to analyze the causal influence of appending contextual information to potentially misleading posts on their dissemination. While the program offered valuable insights into combating misinformation, our findings reveal critical limitations.
In this study, we found that Community Notes double the probability of a tweet being deleted by its creator. However, as we point out, the note often arrives too late, as around 50% of retweets happen within the first six hours of a tweet’s life. While Community Notes reduce on average retweets by more than 60%, the median note takes over 18 hours to be published – too slow to combat the initial, viral spread of misinformation. This confirms an MIT study in 2018 which showed that falsehoods can go “10 to 20 times faster than facts”.

It also highlights a critical challenge: while community-driven fact-checking is a valuable tool, its current design and speed are insufficient to mitigate the rapid dissemination of fake news. And the latter is only getting faster.

The Leadership Imperative: Proactive Strategies Against Fake News
As researchers and observers of the misinformation landscape, we believe that businesses must adopt proactive measures to safeguard their reputations and operations. Here are key strategies media and company experts recommend which can be easily implemented into business practices:

Speed Matters: The rapid spread of fake news demands equally rapid responses. Investing in real-time monitoring tools and developing robust crisis communication strategies are essential steps to mitigate misinformation before it takes root.
Leverage Collective Intelligence: Just as Community Notes taps into the wisdom of the crowd, businesses can collaborate with fact-checking organizations or third-party platforms to ensure accurate information reaches stakeholders in a timely manner.
Educate and Empower Employees: Internal vigilance can be a company’s first line of defense. By training employees to identify and respond to misinformation, organizations can create a culture of preparedness and resilience.

The Cost Of Underestimating Fake News
As we said earlier, we’ve seen firsthand how fake news can lead to financial and reputational damage. In 2018, a forged memo from the U.S. Department of Defense falsely claimed regulatory violations in the merger of a semiconductor company. This misinformation caused the companies involved to lose millions in valuation and temporarily stalled their merger discussions. Similarly, in 2019, Tesla faced scrutiny when a viral, fake video claimed one of its autonomous vehicles had crashed into a robot. Although debunked, the video fueled debates and tarnished Tesla’s reputation during a pivotal innovation phase.
In another notable example, JP Morgan faced a “misinformation shock” in 2017 following allegations it had transferred $875 million into the account of an oil minister in Nigeria. Despite an English court ruling in its favor, the fake allegations cost the company a “2.7 standard deviation” in its external reputation score. The cascading effects included lost revenue, increased regulatory scrutiny, and reputational damage. Such examples highlight that even when misinformation is corrected, the damage to trust and reputation can linger. For us, the takeaway is clear: vigilance is not just necessary – it’s critical.
The Way Forward: Leadership In The Age Of Misinformation
Meta’s decision to replace independent fact-checkers with a Community Notes-style system on Instagram and Facebook highlights the urgency of addressing misinformation at scale. As our research demonstrates, these systems need to evolve to match the speed of misinformation’s spread.
We believe that integrating AI-driven tools could significantly enhance human efforts, enabling faster detection and flagging of potentially harmful content. For example, machine learning models trained to identify patterns of misinformation can serve as an early warning system, while large language models (LLMs) can complement these efforts. LLMs analyze the linguistic and thematic patterns of viral posts to provide real-time contextualization. This dual approach allows platforms and companies to respond to misinformation more effectively and in near real-time. Moreover, fostering partnerships between social media platforms, governments, and private entities could lead to more unified standards for combating fake news.

There is also an opportunity for businesses to take the lead in advocating for robust content moderation and fact-checking frameworks – especially on social media. After all, according to Business Dasher, an average 94% of American businesses use social media and three-quarters of small businesses use it for essential functions like sales, customer and marketing services. In an economy where trust is as valuable as revenue, underestimating the impact of fake news is no longer an option. By learning from research and real-world examples, companies can turn the challenges of misinformation into opportunities for resilience and integrity – proving that today’s crises can be the foundation of tomorrow’s success.
Ultimately, combating misinformation requires a blend of technological innovation, collaborative intelligence, and proactive leadership. The stakes are too high for complacency. By staying ahead of the curve, businesses not only protect themselves but also contribute to a more informed and resilient society.
David Restrepo Amariles, HEC Associate Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Law, Hi! PARIS Fellow, and Worldline Chair Professor
Thomas Renault, Assistant Professor of Economics at the University Paris I.
Aurore Troussel Clément, lawyer and HEC PhD candidate in AI and law.
Daniel Brown is Head of HEC Research Communication.

Melanoma-afflicted Bay of Plenty author Ron Murray dies three days after receiving final book

Arts & Culture, Books

He carried on and completed About Those Shells: A Seashell Aficionado’s Gentle Guide and Tribute to the Common Shells of the Bay of Plenty, in which he shared with others the beauty he found in shells.One of Ron Murray’s last photos at the beach, photographing shells for his novel About Those Shells. Photo / James SmithMurray held the book in his hands and died peacefully three days later.His wife Jill said he was “visibly and physically relieved” when the books arrived due to his quick decline in health. His memory was failing, but even then, a pen and pad were kept by the bed so he could write down anything he’d remember at night.AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.“The written word is something he really loved – it was only [in] the last two weeks when he stopped doing all the crosswords and things … The shell book was the only thing that kept him going, and when they arrived, his health declined.”Jill and Murray first met in 1978 and were together for over 40 years. They met over their backyard fences in Auckland when they were flatting as 20-year-olds, she said between laughter.Even though he’s gone now, she said they had many good years together filled with lots of travel, humour, and love for their two sons.Ron Murray and his wife Jill. Photo / Ron MurrayHe wasn’t a “standard issue” type of person, but rather a “multi-faceted, sharp-minded, and quirky” individual: so quirky that he was that younger kid saving all his pocket money to buy an encyclopaedia instead of a soccer ball.A former colleague and friend of Murray’s, James Smith, said he first met him about five years ago while working in public relations, but it was during his last living month that he got to know Murray better.Smith helped Murray photograph the shells for his book – something he was “very particular about”, too – and said, “Ron was determined not to let cancer overshadow his joy in life.”“I got to know him a lot better and to help him fulfill his dream, because the book is [the result of] quite a lot of inspiration about the shells he’s collected over the years … He was determined to get it published because he knew he was running out of time.”His favourite memory with him would be “one of the last”: when Murray called him when the books arrived, wanting Smith there so they could open the package together.“It made me feel privileged and humbled. When we opened it, you could honestly see the joy and relief on him as he flicked through the pages.“He said, ‘Great, mission accomplished’.”AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.Jill said her favourite things about her husband were that he was a man of many talents, and his generosity and willingness to give time to people.He loved woodturning and surfing, also ensuring that when he passed, his loved ones had items to remember him by.He wrote notes and poems for people and put them into rubber bands around his newly received books along with bowls he made, which Jill has been delivering on his behalf.Murray had expressed before he passed away that he wanted a gathering at a later date and not a funeral. His wish has been fulfilled, and his family and friends will gather on March 1 in Pāpāmoa to celebrate his life.If anyone wants to buy his final novel About Those Shells, it’s available on Amazon.com.The front cover of About Those Shells by Ron Murray.Malisha Kumar is a multimedia journalist based in Hamilton. She joined the Waikato Herald in 2023 after working for Radio 1XX in Whakatāne.AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.

Can Trump Travel As President? Here’s Where His Convicted Felon Status Could Be A Problem.

Travel

ToplinePresident-elect Donald Trump was formally convicted of a felony Friday after he was found guilty in May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, a status that could impact his travel as president to the dozens of countries that refuse or restrict entry to potential visitors with a felony on their criminal records.

Key Facts

Judge Juan Merchan gave Trump an “unconditional discharge” Friday, meaning he won’t face any penalties for his crimes, including restrictions on travel that could have been imposed by the state of New York with a probation or other sentence.

But that doesn’t mean he’ll be exempt from the tough international travel restrictions other countries apply to felons—including India, China, Canada and the United Kingdom, all of which have strict requirements for visitors with criminal histories, if they’re allowed in at all.

Sixteen countries, including the United States, don’t allow foreigners with felony convictions to enter the country, and another 22 have laws that allow them to kick out any visitors once their record is discovered, even though they don’t actively screen criminal records at points of entry, according to World Population Review.

Trump’s sentencing means he can now formally appeal his conviction and try to have it overturned, which he has said he plans to do, and even without a successful appeal it’s possible international leaders would make exceptions for a sitting president.

Countries that may pose an issue for Trump to visit in his next term include Canada, which is set to host next year’s G7 summit, and Israel, Japan, the U.K., India, China and Argentina, all of which he visited in his first term.

Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you’ll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.

Surprising Fact
Trump wouldn’t be the first president to need a travel exception. Former President George W. Bush had to apply for a special waiver to enter Canada due to a misdemeanor drunk driving conviction from 1976.

What Countries Deny Entry To Convicted Felons?
India, China, Japan, Iran, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Kenya, Argentina, Canada, Australia, Taiwan, Cuba, Israel, New Zealand and Macau, according to World Population Review.
What Countries Have “denied If Discovered” Laws?
Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico, Ethiopia, Egypt, the Philippines, Turkey, Tanzania, South Korea, Morocco, Ukraine, Malaysia, Peru, Nepal, Chile, Cambodia, Tunisia, the Dominican Republic, the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Singapore and Ireland, according to World Population Review.
What Countries Did Trump Visit In His First Term?
Trump visited Saudi Arabia, Israel, Italy, Vatican City, Belgium, Poland, Germany, France, Japan, China, South Korea, North Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines, Switzerland, Canada, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Finland, France, Argentina, Japan, Afghanistan, India and the West Bank between May of 2017 and February 2020.
What Else Could Trump’s Felony Conviction Impact?
Trump isn’t allowed to legally own a gun now that he’s a convicted felon, and he’ll have to provide a DNA sample for New York’s crime database per state law. Trump will still be able to vote under Florida state law, where he has lived and been registered to vote since 2020. Trump will not be able to pardon himself because he was convicted on a state charge, not a federal one.

Key Background
A jury found Trump guilty on 34 felony counts after a weekslong trial involving a hush money payment his ex-attorney Michael Cohen made to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. Trump reimbursed Cohen through a series of payments incorrectly labeled as being for legal services, and he was convicted of falsifying business records. Trump is the first-ever former or sitting president to be formally convicted of a felony.

Further Reading

Achilles Information Limited appoints Mr. Manish Patel as General Manager, USA and Canada

Technology

Achilles is pleased to announce that Manish Patel has joined the Achilles Group to head up our recently acquired GRMS business in the newly created role of General Manager, USA and Canada.

Manish joins us from a 20+ years fintech risk management background. Most recently, he was Vice President, Commercial at Featurespace™, a world leader in Enterprise Financial Crime prevention for fraud and Anti-Money Laundering. Prior to this, Manish spent 8 years working with ACI in a variety of senior leadership roles across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and North America. Manish resides in Florida.

Manish’s appointment strengthens Achilles Group’s growth ambitions and reinforces GRMS’ role as the go to business and technology partner for North American clients wishing to proactively manage and reduce supply chain risk and enhance business resilience.

Manish will work closely with GRMS’ cofounders, Gerard Smith and Joe Fabiani, building on their work over the last 14 years to accelerate GRMS’s trajectory in North America as well as oversee its integration with other businesses within the global Achilles Group to provide our clients with a wider range of solutions and even greater value.

Great Movies From the ’00s That Bombed At The Box Office

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Sometimes, there are some movies out there that just bomb. Like, either fall flat entirely or end up being disappointments. But there were actually a ton of those types of movies in the 2000s from so many different studios and different genres, and many of them happen to be great – or, at the very least, entertaining. Here are some box-office bombs (all according to Box Office Mojo) that are actually worth the time.(Image credit: WDAS)Treasure Planet (2002)I literally can’t think of a better example than Treasure Planet. It is an adaptation of the novel Treasure Island, one of Disney’s 2000s films that just utterly flopped. The film has stunning animation, a really cool soundtrack, and memorable characters. But while it cost $140 million to make, it only earned $109.6 million. Thankfully, the film itself has gained a lot more praise over the last few decades.(Image credit: Sony Pictures Releasing)Punch-Drunk Love (2002)When you think of Adam Sandler’s best rom-com movies, I’m sure there are plenty that come to mind. Still, one of his best dramas is Punch-Drunk Love, a film directed by Paul Thomas Anderson that tells the story of a man with social anxiety who falls for his sister’s co-worker. The movie, while very heartfelt and a great testament to Sandler’s acting skills, only earned $24.7 million on a $25 million budget.(Image credit: Sony)Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007)Directed by Jake Kasdan, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story stars John C Reilly as the titular subject. It tells a fictional story of a rock and roll star and is hilarious and so much fun. But the film only ended up earning $20.6 million on a $35 million budget, which is honestly shocking considering how many stars are in it.(Image credit: DreamWorks)Sinbad: Legend Of The Seven Seas (2003)Prior to the later years of DreamWorks, when we were just consumed with all the Shrek films and so much more, the animation company was still releasing some 2D hits – one of them being Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas. It’s all about a pirate who travels the sea with his crew to recover a stolen magical book that would save Sinbad from a death sentence. As someone who does love this film, I was shocked to see it only made $80 million on a $60 million budget, which is a disappointment.(Image credit: Warner Bros.)Death To Smoochy (2002)Directed by Danny DeVito and starring Robin Williams, Death to Smoochy is a black comedy film about a former children’s television host who makes it his mission to sabotage the man who replaced him. Despite having a great star at the helm and a good cast, the film only made $8.3 million on a $50 million budget, but the movie is funny and has a great story.(Image credit: Warner Bros.)Osmosis Jones (2001)I don’t know how it happened, but Osmosis Jones has become ingrained into my brain as an older Gen Z’r who grew up viewing this film in her science classes. The movie is all about a white blood cell that teams up with a cold pill and how it works to save the humans it inhabits. Yes, this is a movie, and it’s hilarious. It stars Chris Rock, but somehow, the movie made only $14 million on a $70 million budget.Your Daily Blend of Entertainment News(Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford (2007)I know that title is a handful, but hands down, I think The Assassination of Jesse James by The Coward Robert Ford is one of Brad Pitt’s best films, and no one talks about it. The movie, based on the novel of the same name, follows the lives and relationships of Jesse James and Robert Ford and what led to James’s murder. While the movie cost $30 million to make, it ended up only making $15.3, but it is worth every second.(Image credit: Disney)The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)I was shocked when I found out The Emperor’s New Groove was actually a box office disappointment, despite growing up loving this movie. The movie is about an Emperor who is selfish and accidentally turns into a llama thanks to his ex-advisor. He now has to find a way to become human again. The movie is so much fun, but it had a $100 million budget and only earned back $169.7 million, which makes it a disappointment.(Image credit: Mosfilm)Solaris (2002)There was so much going for Solaris – directed by Steven Soderbergh, produced by James Cameron, a star-studded cast, and telling a fun sci-fi story in a space station that orbits a planet and the struggle of survival. But the movie only made $30 million on a $47 million budget.(Image credit: Searchlight Pictures)Sunshine (2007)Director Danny Boyle is responsible for many notable films, from Slumdog Millionaire to 28 Days Later; however, Sunshine is one of the few that was a total bomb. The sci-fi thriller follows the story of several astronauts who are sent to reignite the sun as it threatens Earth’s lives. Sure, there are some scientific inaccuracies, but the movie is stunning and has excellent acting. Unfortunately, it only made $34.8 million on a $40 million budget.(Image credit: Touchstone Pictures)The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)As someone who has binged all of Wes Anderson’s movies, I was surprised to see that The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou bombed. The movie had so many stars, plenty of color (as most Anderson films have), and a fun story, but it only earned $34.8 million on a $50 million budget.(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004)Chances are, you haven’t heard of this film, as I didn’t before I checked it out. Kerry Conran directed the movie, which has a stellar cast, a fun story, and really cool visual effects. But the movie was a bomb, only making $57.9 million on a $70 million budget.(Image credit: Universal)Children Of Men (2006)Children of Men is another great thriller on this list, and Alfonso Cuaron brought it to the big screen. Set in the year 2027, the film follows the brink of human collapse as refugees seek help in the United Kingdom. While it’s an interesting idea with a lot of promise, the movie didn’t even make back its budget, with only $70.5 million against $76 million. There are so many great behind-the-scenes facts about Children of Men, too, ones you should check out.(Image credit: Dreamworks)Almost Famous (2000)Directed by Cameron Crowe, Almost Famous is a comedy-drama that is so much fun. It tells the story of a teenage journalist who follows a rock band in the 1970s to write his first cover story for Rolling Stone magazine. The movie itself received several Academy Award nominations but only earned $47.4 million on a $60 million budget.(Image credit: 20th Century Fox)Idiocracy (2006)Mike Judge brought Idiocracy to the screen in 2006. The movie tells the story of a librarian and a prostitute who are put in an experiment to wake up several hundreds of years in the future in a world that isn’t intelligent. The movie received good reviews but failed to even make back its $2.4 million budget, earning an abysmal $495,303.(Image credit: 20th Century Studios)Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)There are some fantastic stop-motion films out there, and Fantastic Mr. Fox certainly tops that list. But did you know that Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox was actually a box office disappointment? Despite receiving critical acclaim, the movie only made $46.2 million on a $40 million budget.(Image credit: Universal Pictures)Peter Pan (2003)Was I a part of the generation that absolutely went feral over Jeremy Sumpter as Peter Pan in Peter Pan? You betcha, but what I didn’t know was that this adaptation of the classic fairytale, despite having a big fanbase now, was actually a bomb. The film cost $130 million, while it only earned back $122 million. That’s honestly stunning to me because you have seen this movie. Excellent, all of it.(Image credit: Disney)A Christmas Carol (2009)You know, it’s funny. I distinctly remember going to the theater to see this movie with my dad because I was such a fan of Jim Carrey’s best movies. I remember seriously loving this interpretation of A Christmas Carol. But despite the interesting animation and great motion-capture performance from Carrey, this movie didn’t make a profit against its budget.(Image credit: Disney)Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)Disney really lost a lot of money in the 2000s with some of its releases because Atlantis: The Lost Empire bombed so hard. While the movie itself is beautifully animated and has a voice cast that features the likes of Michael J. Fox, James Garner, and more, it did not do well and only surpassed its budget but didn’t make a profit.(Image credit: Universal Pictures)Slither (2006)While James Gunn has made himself known nowadays for his other sci-fi movies, there was a time when some of his older films did bomb. Slither, a sci-fi horror film, tells the story of a town that becomes the host for an alien parasite. The movie, while it had a small budget, didn’t even make it back, earning only $12.8 million.(Image credit: Dreamworks)Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002)Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron is an excellent example of a movie that has earned a lot more fame over time rather than when it was initially released. It follows a horse that tries to escape capture during the American Indian Wars and receives help from other horses. It’s not like most other animated films out there, and while people love the movie now, the film only earned $122.6 million against a $80 million budget, making it a disappointment.(Image credit: DreamWorks Pictures)The Ruins (2008)If you’re looking for a horror film, then The Ruins might be the one for you. Based on the novel of the same name, The Ruins is about a pair of couples who happen to go on vacation to Mexico and visit an old Mayan ruin, only for it to be inhabited by vines that eat people. An original horror idea, the movie is a ton of fun, but when it came out, it only earned $22.9 million on a $25 million budget.(Image credit: Arrow Films)Donnie Darko (2001)Donnie Darko has become a cult classic over the years. It tells the story of a teenager who suffers from sleepwalking. This actually prevents him from getting in an accident, and because of this, he ends up having visions of someone saying the world is going to end soon. Yeah, this movie is weird, but it’s a heck of a good time. When it first came out, it only earned $4.5 million on a $7.5 million budget.(Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)Speed Racer (2008)In a world where the Fast and Furious movies have dominated the big screen in any form when it comes to car chases, Speed Racer was a welcome change from that. Directed by The Wachowskis, the film is based on the manga of the same name and follows a teenage racer. The movie is a ton of fun and has some great action sequences, but it only earned $93.9 million on a $120 million budget.(Image credit: DreamWorks)The Road To El Dorado (2000)Everyone always forgets about The Road to El Dorado, at least in my experience. The movie, hailing from DreamWorks Animation, tells the story of two con artists who won a map that supposedly leads them to the city of El Dorado, but of course, when they arrive, the people who live there think they are gods. While the movie is hilarious in many ways, it didn’t earn that much money, earning only $76.4 million against a $95 million budget.(Image credit: The Weinstein Company)Grindhouse (2007)What do you get when you combine two crazy directors, Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino, and make a horror comedy/slasher film? You get Grindhouse, a movie that has two films in one. While Grindhouse won’t be on any list for the best horror movies ever, it’s a heck of a lot of fun for a scary film. But, despite its impressive cast, the movie only made about $25.4 million and didn’t surpass its budget.(Image credit: Sony Pictures Releasing)Ali (2001)When you think of the best Will Smith movies, hands down, Ali is one that comes to mind. He portrayed the famous boxer Muhammed Ali, earning him an Academy Award nomination. However, despite being a career win for Smith, the film only earned $87.7 million and didn’t surpass its initial budget.(Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)Pay It Forward (2000)If you’re looking for a romantic drama that no one seems to talk about, then you have to check out Pay It Forward. The film is about a child who decides to launch a movement called “pay it forward” and how it changes the community and the people he loves. The movie teaches some good lessons and is sweet in many ways, but it only earned $55.7 million against a $40 million budget.(Image credit: Warner Bros.)Poseidon (2006)Adapting the 1969 novel The Poseidon Adventure, the film tells the story of the survivors of a capsized ship and how they must survive. The film has a big cast, led by Kurt Russell, but it didn’t earn that much money. On a budget of $160 million, the movie only earned back about $181.7 million, which is a disappointment, which is a shame because it really is a lot of fun.(Image credit: Universal Pictures)Mulholland Drive (2001)While David Lynch is known for making some pretty successful films, Mulholland Drive is one of the few that wasn’t. Starring Justin Theroux and Naomi Watts, the film mainly follows a new actress and her time in L.A., as well as the people she meets and the mysteries that happen. Despite having great reviews, the film only earned $20.1 million worldwide.(Image credit: Universal)Evan Almighty (2007) A spinoff of Bruce Almighty, this film starring Steve Carell is one that I have always personally enjoyed. This time, it follows Evan as he is chosen by God to essentially become the new Noah and create a boat for a giant flood. While the film did not receive the best reviews, it’s a film I always think is fun for families to enjoy and has plenty of funny moments – and the movie only earned $174.4 million, not surpassing its initial budget of $175 million.(Image credit: Touchstone Pictures)The Alamo (2004)The Alamo is what you would expect it to be—a movie about the famous battle at the Alamo. Is it going to be one of the best war movies out there? No, but it is still exciting to watch, especially with its big cast. However, the movie only earned $25.8 million when it had a budget of $107 million.Honestly, there are other tremendous or exciting movies out there that bombed but deserve so much more praise now. Maybe now you’ll have a movie marathon with all these great picks.

Unlocking the Ignorosphere: Tokyo’s Breakthrough in Atmospheric Science

Science and Health

The sun rises above the Pacific Ocean revealing the terminator, the line between night and day on Earth, in this photograph from the International Space Station as it orbited 259 miles above and about 500 miles north of Hawaii. Credit: NASA
Researchers have revolutionized atmospheric studies with JAGUAR-DAS, a new system that merges observational data with numerical models to explore the atmosphere up to the lower edges of space.
Spanning nearly two decades, this dataset could enhance climate models and improve weather forecasting, while opening doors for collaborative research between atmospheric and space scientists, potentially altering how we understand the Earth-space interaction.
Groundbreaking Atmospheric Research
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a groundbreaking dataset that spans the entire atmosphere, opening the door to studies in regions that were previously difficult to explore. Using an innovative data-assimilation system called JAGUAR-DAS, which integrates numerical modeling with observational data, the team compiled nearly 20 years of atmospheric data. This dataset covers multiple atmospheric layers, from ground level to the edge of space.
By analyzing how these layers interact vertically and globally, scientists hope to improve climate models and enhance seasonal weather forecasts. The data also provides opportunities for collaboration between atmospheric and space scientists, offering new insights into how space and our atmosphere interact to impact life on Earth.
Complaining about the weather — and blaming forecasters when predictions fall short — is a common pastime. However, predicting the weather is no simple task. The atmosphere is a complex, interconnected system with multiple layers, and climate change is making it even harder to predict both long-term trends and sudden, extreme weather events.
This infographic shows the multiple layers of our atmosphere, extending from the ground up into space, and how the new dataset compares in coverage to those currently available. Credit: D.Koshin, K. Sato, S. Watanabe and K. Miyazaki, 2025/ Progress in Earth and Planetary Science (PEPS)
Launch of JAWARA: A New Atmospheric Dataset
To help overcome these increasing challenges, researchers have created a dataset of the entire atmosphere. Ranging from September 2004 to December 2023, it spans multiple levels of the atmosphere from ground level up to the lower edge of space, about 110 kilometers above Earth’s surface. The region between about 50 km to 110 km (though exact ranges vary) is particularly of interest, as it is so notoriously difficult to study that it had previously been dubbed the “ignorosphere.”
This region is too low for satellites and too high for weather balloons to observe, resulting in a shortage of data and consequently research. However, it is a fascinating area, characterized by vast global atmospheric tides and small-scale gravity waves that affect wind and temperature. It also plays an important role in the intensity of the impact of space weather events.
[embedded content]Our weather is influenced by many factors, at ground level (such as mountains and human activity), interactions in our atmosphere, and space (such as auroras and magnetic fields). Credit: Kaoru Sato
Insights and Opportunities from the New Dataset
“The JAWARA (JAGUAR-DAS Whole neutral Atmosphere Reanalysis) dataset is a strong research tool which, for the first time, makes it possible to quantitatively understand atmospheric general circulation and the hierarchal structure of waves and vorticies in the mesospheric layer (which is above the stratosphere and about 50-90 km above Earth’s surface) and lower thermospheric layer (about 90-110 km above Earth’s surface) of the atmosphere, including the ignorosphere,” explained Professor Kaoru Sato from the University of Tokyo.
“If we can better understand these layers, it would improve our ability to respond to climate change, extend the lead time of seasonal forecasts, and advance our understanding of space weather phenomena.”
Advancing Atmospheric and Space Science
The team developed its new JAGUAR-DAS high-speed data assimilation system as part of an international project led by Sato. The system integrates observational data into a numerical model which can then produce data on atmospheric conditions. The resulting dataset, named JAWARA, makes it possible to perform detailed analysis of the general circulation of the atmosphere and its hierarchical structure.
“Atmospheric general circulation models which range up to the lower edge of space have only been developed by a limited number of research institutions around the world, including our own,” said Sato. “Recent studies indicate that extreme stratospheric phenomena can start at least in the upper mesosphere. Therefore, quantitative elucidation of phenomena in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere is extremely important for weather forecasting.”
The dataset is now openly available, and the team intends to use it to study the large-scale circulation and the hierarchical structure in the atmosphere, as well as vertical and interhemispheric (i.e., between the Northern and Southern hemisphere) couplings. They also hope to work in collaboration with space scientists to study the interactions between the atmosphere and space, particularly the mesosphere (where the highest clouds form) and ionosphere (located within the thermosphere and about 60-300 km above Earth’s surface, where many satellites are based).
Reference: “The JAGUAR-DAS whole neutral atmosphere reanalysis: JAWARA” by Dai Koshin, Kaoru Sato, Shingo Watanabe and Kazuyuki Miyazaki, 10 January 2025, Progress in Earth and Planetary Science.DOI: 10.1186/s40645-024-00674-3