All posts filed under: CELEBRITIES

A graphic illustrating a media exploration of the Lizzie Borden case.

Exploring the Lizzie Borden Case on Halloween

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When the name Lizzie Borden comes up, what’s the first thing that pops into your mind?

If you’re like many, it evokes images of a 19th-century woman accused of gruesomely murdering her family. But here’s the twist: Lizzie was never convicted. In fact, she was acquitted, leaving a legacy shrouded in mystery and intrigue.

That’s why I was thrilled to invite Ashley Dees, a research and instruction librarian at the University of Mississippi, to speak to my class this Halloween about the infamous Borden case. Dees uses true crime research as a vehicle for enhancing critical thinking skills, which is especially relevant in today’s world where the reliability of information can often come into question.

A collection of thriller movie posters.

Brains Over Blood: A thriller fan’s guide to smart scares

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As a Halloween enthusiast, you might assume that I really like horror movies … I don’t.

Plot twist: I’m not.

Blood, guts, and excessive gore? Hard pass. Movies like “Saw” and its many splattery sequels aren’t for me. I’ve also never been particularly scared of monsters, witches or zombies. Why? Because they’re fictional — and often so over-the-top that they feel more like fantasy than fear.

A Star Wars movie poster graphic.

Awakening the Force Within: What Star Wars taught me about strength, courage, and growing up

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In 1983, my life changed forever. I wasn’t in a galaxy far, far away — but I might as well have been. That was the year I saw my first “Star Wars” film: “Return of the Jedi.” It was my personal origin story. And like many girls growing up in the ‘80s, I didn’t just want to watch Princess Leia — I wanted to be her.

I dreamed of flying speeder bikes through the mossy forests of Endor, living among the cuddly-yet-fierce Ewoks, rescuing Han Solo from a block of carbonite, and learning to wield The Force like a true Jedi Knight. Leia wasn’t just royalty — she was resilience, intelligence, and quiet power, wrapped in cinnamon bun hair and white robes. She gave girls like me permission to imagine ourselves as heroes.

A poster from "The Bling Ring" featuring the cast and actor Israel Broussard.

‘The Bling Ring’ review: If you’re ‘Pretty Wild,’ karma often comes with cuffs

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There were two reasons I couldn’t wait to see “The Bling Ring” this weekend. First, it stars Mississippi native Israel Broussard, who plays one of the infamous teen burglars who broke into celebrity homes and stole high-end designer clothes, jewelry and accessories.

I had the chance to interview Israel by phone last week, and he struck me as a polite, thoughtful young man with a bright future. After all, landing your first major role in a Sofia Coppola film? That’s no small feat.

Kit Williamson, who was featured in Mad Men.

Mad Men Meets Mississippi: Kit Williamson’s unexpected connection

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With the “Mad Men season finale airing tonight, I was surprised to discover a Mississippi connection: Kit Williamson, a Jackson native and former St. Andrew’s student, landed a role this season as ad exec Ed Gifford.

I caught up with Williamson by phone last week. While our story ran in Saturday’s paper, much of it had to be trimmed — so here’s the full scoop.

Actor Israel Broussard, who starred in The Bling Ring.

From Saucier to Sofia Coppola: Mississippi teen shines in ‘The Bling Ring’

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If you’re headed to the movies this weekend, check out “The Bling Ring” — not just for the buzz, but for Mississippi’s own Israel Broussard, who stars as Marc in his first major film role.

Directed by Sofia Coppola and inspired by a “Vanity Fair” article, “The Bling Ring” tells the true story of a group of L.A. teens who stole millions in designer goods from celebrities like Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan. Broussard plays a shy, insecure teen lured into the group’s glamorized crimes.

A poster featuring William Faulkner and some of his most popular books.

Want to hear William Faulkner’s Mississippi drawl? Check out this rare 1952 film.

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‘Early in his life, William Faulkner experienced a moment of clarity that would shape his legacy as one of America’s greatest writers. “I discovered that my own little postage stamp of native soil was worth writing about,” he said, “and that I would never live long enough to exhaust it.”

This quote, shared on the website Open Culture, beautifully captures Faulkner’s lifelong devotion to his Mississippi roots — a devotion that fueled the creation of Yoknapatawpha County and a literary universe unlike any other.

Actress Sela Ward leads a charity called Hope Village.

From Meridian to Hollywood and Back: Sela Ward’s mission to help Mississippi’s kids

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Before she was a crime-solving DNA expert on “CSI: NY” or winning Emmys for “Sisters,” Sela Ward was just a barefoot kid growing up in a quiet Meridian, Mississippi neighborhood — riding bikes, swimming in lakes, and sneaking into caves with friends for pretend séances.

These days, she still returns home — not just for family, but for a cause close to her heart: Hope Village for Children, the residential care facility she founded in 2002 for Mississippi kids in the foster system who need a safe place to land.

Kim Kardashian visits Northpark Mall in Jackson, Mississippi.

Kim Kardashian visits Jackson — and yes, she brought the khaos with her

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So, what happens when one of the world’s most polarizing reality stars drops into Mississippi for a perfume signing? Answer: You get flashing lights, flashing phones, and a whole lot of sparkly outfits.

Northpark Mall in Ridgeland rolled out the red carpet — plus an ambulance, fire truck, and multiple police cruisers — for Kim Kardashian’s appearance at Belk to promote her perfume, True Reflection. Fans who shelled out $95 for the fragrance got the chance to meet the star between 6 and 8 p.m., and let’s just say the turnout didn’t disappoint.

An orange illustration about films.

Rewind and Rethink: A deep dive into vintage films that stir the soul and shake the mind

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Tired of the predictable plots and CGI overload of modern movies, I recently decided to hit rewind and rediscover some cinematic gems from the past — films that hinge on powerful performances, sharp writing, and character-driven storytelling.

What started as a casual dive into the early work of Jack Nicholson quickly turned into a deep, fascinating journey through the psychological, the emotional, and sometimes the downright disturbing.

Movies starring Brittany Murphy.

Remembering Brittany Murphy: Underrated performances and the tragic loss of a rising star

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Brittany Murphy was one of those rare talents in Hollywood — versatile, magnetic, and utterly unforgettable. From her quirky comedic timing in “Clueless” to her raw emotional range in darker dramas, she had a screen presence that drew you in, no matter the genre.

And beyond acting, she had another gift: a beautiful singing voice that audiences only got a small taste of, most notably through her voiceover work and musical performances in “Happy Feet.” I always believed Murphy had a long, diverse career ahead of her — possibly even a future on Broadway where she could blend her acting and vocal talents.

A feature story about a Muppet exhibit that was coming to Mississippi featuring Kermit on the cover.

Jim Henson’s Fantastic World comes to Mississippi

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It’s hard to imagine childhood without the Muppets, and since “Sesame Street” debuted in 1969, generations have grown up with Jim Henson’s unforgettable creations. Now, Jim Henson’s Fantastic World — a traveling Smithsonian exhibit — brings his incredible legacy to the Mississippi Museum of Art.

Hailing from the Mississippi Delta, Henson transformed his early love for puppetry into iconic shows like “The Muppet Show” and “Sesame Street,” captivating audiences worldwide. This exhibit offers a rare glimpse into his creative process with 100 original pieces, including puppets, sketches, storyboards, and videos.

Kermit the Frog

Exclusive Interview with Kermit the Frog: Mississippi roots, new projects, and life lessons from the legendary Muppet

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I recently had the unique opportunity to interview the legendary Kermit the Frog for “The Clarion-Ledger.” Known worldwide and deeply connected to Mississippi through his creator Jim Henson — born in Greenville — Kermit shared insights into his roots, career, and views on fame.

Kermit was delighted to learn his swamp home was identified as Deer Creek in Leland, Mississippi, describing his upbringing fondly despite his small size. He humbly compared himself to other Mississippi icons like Elvis and Oprah, crediting their “regular folks” charm to growing up in the state. When asked about current projects, Kermit highlighted holiday specials, a viral Queen cover, and a potential movie.

A newspaper page featuring local Mississippians who are fans of the vampire trend in books and television.

Mississippi Roots of HBO’s True Blood: How Charlaine Harris’ Southern Vampire Series shaped the hit show

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Did you know that HBO’s hit series “True Blood” has deep ties to Mississippi? The show is based on “The Southern Vampire Mysteries” novels by Mississippi native Charlaine Harris.

Born in Tunica in 1951, Harris grew up in the South, the daughter of a farmer-turned-school principal and a librarian. After graduating from Rhodes College in Memphis, she worked as a journalist in Clarksdale and Greenville before publishing her first novel, “Sweet and Deadly,” in 1981.

A hand floats in the ocean, representing the idea of horror.

Stephen King’s ‘Nightmares & Dreamscapes’ vs. ‘Masters of Horror’: Which series delivers the bigger scares?

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If you’re a fan of horror anthologies, you may have come across Stephen King’s “Nightmares and Dreamscapes,” the 2006 TNT miniseries based on King’s short stories. While the show delivers a few compelling moments, it doesn’t quite reach the chilling heights of Showtime’s edgier “Masters of Horror” series.

One of the standout episodes from “Nightmares and Dreamscapes” is “The End of the Whole Mess,” a haunting tale about a genius who creates a serum to end human aggression — only to trigger a global catastrophe. Another worth-watching installment is “Autopsy Room Four,” featuring Richard Thomas (John-Boy from “The Waltons”) in a role that’s a far cry from his wholesome TV past.

An eyeball with a reflection of horror.

Film Review: ‘Don’t Look Now’ should be heeded by viewers

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If I had watched this “psychic thriller” in 1973, (which would have been difficult since I was born in 1974) I probably would have found it eerie and disturbing, but 30 years later, it just doesn’t have much impact.

It’s about a couple, John and Laura Baxter, whose young daughter drowns in a pond at their home. They later go to Venice, where Laura (Julie Christie) meets a psychic who tells her she has seen her daughter and that she is happy. John (Donald Sutherland) also begins to see someone resembling the daughter running around the city, so he follows her, which proves to be a very bad decision.