fact or fiction
Is it a fact or is it merely fiction? Exploring and debunking conspiracies and the lesser known truths in the world of politics.
Box Office Battle: Weapons Roars to the Top, Freakier Friday Follows in Strong Second
Start ## Box Office Competition: "Weapons" Takes First, "Freakier Friday" Comes in Second Strongly The horror-thriller "Weapons" has taken a commanding lead in a thrilling summer box office battle, opening with an impressive $18.2 million on Friday. In contrast, Disney's "Freakier Friday" had a strong debut, debuting in second place with $12.7 million. ### All of the cylinders are hit by "weapons." *Weapons*, directed by Zach Cregger, smashed into more than 3,200 theaters and made $5.7 million just from previews on Thursday. After just a few recent standouts, it ranks among the highest-grossing opening days for original horror films in the post-pandemic era with its combined Friday total. In a market that is frequently dominated by sequels and superhero blockbusters, industry analysts are now projecting a domestic opening weekend in the range of $42–47 million, a remarkable achievement for an original title. The film is already well on its way to profitability with a production budget of approximately 38 million dollars. The response from critics and the public has been particularly strong. CinemaScore users gave the movie an A–, a remarkable achievement for a horror movie. More than 60% of viewers would "definitely recommend" it to others, according to post-screening polls. Critics have praised the story because of its combination of tense atmosphere, shocking twists, and deeper emotional themes. They see it as more than just another entry in the genre. Cregger, best known for the surprise hit "Barbarian," has once more demonstrated his ability to combine originality and suspense. Not only does "Weapons" provide a few moments of pure terror, but it also tells a multilayered story about grief, loss, and how people deal with their deepest fears. ### "Freakier Friday" Strikes a Sadistic Note Even though "Weapons" took the top spot, "Freaker Friday" also made a big splash. Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis are back in the beloved comedy sequel, which brought the story to a new generation and pleased longtime fans. The movie opened on Wednesday in a few markets and made 3.1 million dollars in previews before it did well on Friday. It now has weekend projections of $30–32 million, which is a great return for a family comedy with a reported $40 million production budget. The film received a positive response from audiences, earning an "A" CinemaScore and high audience ratings across major review platforms. The film has received praise from viewers for retaining the original's charm while introducing new comedic setups and heartfelt scenes. The body-swapping antics that drive the plot are bolstered by the emotional weight of Lohan and Curtis's chemistry, which is still as engaging as ever. Reminiscence-based marketing also contributes to the film's popularity. In its marketing campaign, Disney used callbacks, Easter eggs, and cast photos side-by-side to evoke fond memories of the 2003 film. Many theaters reported sell-out performances on Friday night, indicating that the strategy worked. ### Two Different Routes to Achievement There is no greater contrast between the two films. *Weapons* is aimed squarely at thrill-seekers and fans of horror, and it thrives on atmosphere, dread, and shocking narrative turns. On the other hand, "Freaker Friday" attracts audiences of all ages with its warmth, humor, and family-friendly appeal. Both are thriving at the box office despite their differences. *Weapons* should continue to gain momentum in the coming weeks due to strong word-of-mouth from horror enthusiasts and genre critics. Family audiences and repeat viewers are likely to support "Freakier Friday" throughout its run. *Weapons* has already begun to amass a respectable international following, with its initial day of sales bringing in more than $11 million from international markets. In just 24 hours, it has reached nearly $30 million globally in addition to its domestic haul. In the coming weeks, "Freakier Friday" will expand internationally, where its appeal to people of all generations could generate additional revenue. ### Summer box office increases The results this weekend show how different moviegoers' tastes will be in 2025. When done with care and creativity, original, high-concept horror can still sell out theaters, and a well-executed sequel with a strong nostalgic pull can attract a sizable audience. *Weapons* is a clear win for Warner Bros.' investment in original, director-driven projects and another summer success story. "Freaker Friday" demonstrates for Disney the value of providing audiences with a satisfying continuation of a story they already love and the enduring power of beloved properties. *Weapons* is expected to win the weekend with just over $43 million, while *Freakier Friday* is likely to come in second place with $31 million. Both films win in the end, demonstrating that in today's competitive box office environment, there is room for heartwarming laughs as well as terrifying scares. writing...
By GLOBAL NEWS5 months ago in The Swamp
Gold futures trade off highs as White House to issue clarification on bullion tariffs
After the White House indicated that it would issue a formal clarification regarding the tariffs that are affecting imported bullion, gold futures saw a decline from their record intraday highs on Friday. The move followed a volatile morning in which U.S. gold futures briefly surged past three thousand five hundred thirty dollars per ounce, driven by confusion over whether certain gold bars would be subject to new import duties.
By GLOBAL NEWS5 months ago in The Swamp
Rachel Reeves’ New HMRC Crackdown: Why Your Savings Could Soon Cost You More Than You Think
In a bold and controversial move aimed at tightening tax enforcement, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has approved new regulations that could drastically reshape how your savings are monitored — and taxed. Starting in April 2027, banks will be legally required to collect and share customers’ National Insurance numbers with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). This sweeping change, part of a broader government strategy, is meant to clamp down on individuals who exceed their Personal Savings Allowance (PSA) — potentially exposing millions to unexpected tax bills.
By Waqar Khan5 months ago in The Swamp
Intel’s CEO, Under Attack From Trump, Is Already at Odds With His Board
**The Trump-attacked CEO of Intel Already Disagrees With His Board** Trump's attacks on Intel's CEO have already put him at odds with his board. Intel’s CEO, under attack from Trump, is already at odds with his board. Trump's attacks on Intel's CEO have already put him at odds with his board. Intel’s CEO, under attack from Trump, is already at odds with his board. Intel’s CEO, under attack from Trump, is already at odds with his board. Intel’s CEO, under attack from Trump, is already at odds with his board. Intel’s CEO, under attack from Trump, is already at odds with his board. Intel’s CEO, under attack from Trump, is already at odds with his board. Intel’s CEO, under attack from Trump, is already at odds with his board. Intel’s CEO, under attack from Trump, is already at odds with his board.
By GLOBAL NEWS5 months ago in The Swamp
So, What’s It Really Like Living Outside the U.S.?
The Question That Always Comes Up Every time I meet someone from the United States, whether it’s at an airport lounge, an online forum, or a random café conversation, there’s one question that almost always pops up:
By Inzamam Ul Haq5 months ago in The Swamp
Wednesday Season 2’s Surprising Rotten Tomatoes Score
Wednesday Season 2 has arrived on Netflix and the reaction from critics has been unexpectedly positive with a Rotten Tomatoes score that surprised both fans and industry insiders alike Early reviews have given the season a fresh rating in the low 80s surpassing Season 1’s score of 73 percent and signaling that the show is finding stronger footing with critics The season began with Part 1 of its new story arc released on August 6 2025 consisting of the first four episodes of the season With just over 50 reviews counted the critical consensus places Wednesday Season 2 between 79 and 84 percent depending on the source Some publications report an 81 percent score while others cite 82 or even 84 giving the season a Certified Fresh label on Rotten Tomatoes This improvement may not seem dramatic at first glance but in the world of streaming television where sequels often struggle to retain freshness and originality a jump of 8 to 11 percent is considered a notable achievement For fans of the series the news confirms what they have long believed Wednesday is not just a viral sensation but a show capable of critical growth and narrative depth Jenna Ortega once again anchors the show with a performance that critics are calling darker sharper and more emotionally nuanced than her breakout in Season 1 Her portrayal of Wednesday Addams continues to be the soul of the series with many reviews praising her command of dry wit combined with increasingly complex emotional stakes The second season leans more heavily into horror elements and expands its world with more Addams family involvement which reviewers have described as bold creative and sometimes even gothic in scope Despite the acclaim not all reviews are glowing Some critics argue that the pacing remains uneven and that the show occasionally buckles under the weight of its multiple plotlines One review called the story formulaic another said the tone sometimes shifts too quickly from quirky to grim But these critiques are currently outweighed by the praise as evidenced by the overall Rotten Tomatoes score which suggests broad approval across a diverse group of outlets Compared to Season 1 which debuted in late 2022 with 105 critic reviews and a 73 percent score the early momentum for Season 2 suggests it could ultimately finish with a higher overall average especially once Part 2 of the season drops in September The structure of Season 2 split into two parts has also helped build anticipation Netflix confirmed that Part 2 will premiere on September 3 2025 offering viewers the rest of the season and likely prompting another wave of reviews and possibly an updated Rotten Tomatoes rating Interestingly Netflix renewed the show for a third season in July 2025 before Season 2 was even released indicating strong internal confidence in the series The early Rotten Tomatoes performance only reinforces that bet with many outlets already referring to Season 2 as a creative success and a sign of growth not decline The Rotten Tomatoes score has become an increasingly influential benchmark for streaming success and while viewership numbers remain important critical reception can significantly impact the longevity of a series In this case Wednesday has managed to both retain its massive fan base and improve its standing among critics an increasingly rare feat for serialized streaming content where second seasons often falter Wednesday’s Season 2 has proven it can evolve beyond its debut season’s novelty embracing more ambitious storytelling and deeper character development while still delivering the macabre humor and stylistic flair that fans love Jenna Ortega’s performance remains a centerpiece but stronger ensemble work more dynamic writing and more daring creative risks appear to be paying off With only half the season released the critical conversation is likely just beginning but based on the current Rotten Tomatoes score Wednesday Season 2 is off to a better than expected start and could cement the show as one of Netflix’s most valuable original properties in the long term Whether the final episodes sustain or elevate the early praise remains to be seen but for now Wednesday’s return is not just successful it’s surprisingly well received by critics too
By GLOBAL NEWS5 months ago in The Swamp
Denied for lack of funds, not lack of pain!. Content Warning.
This piece was born from a moment too familiar to too many when systems fail, but pain persists. “Denied for lack of funds, not lack of pain” is not just a title; it is a testimony. It speaks to the quiet battles fought in waiting rooms, on hold lines, and inside bodies that carry more than they are allowed to claim.
By Vicki Lawana Trusselli 6 months ago in The Swamp
Tales From The Drunk Side
Due to all the turf condition stance claiming making her an independent spirit, Mrs. Katz stayed occupied inside the same secret place, as in the past, performing miles of smiles, despite being out of the money. Suddenly a long-time faithful companion Miss MM decided to show affection with a well-wisher's delivery, winning white lilacs.
By Marc OBrien6 months ago in The Swamp
