‘Parents are precluded from exercising their religious obligations to raise and care for their child at a time when it may be highly significant.’
A lawsuit over whether parents are allowed to know about what their schools are telling their children is going to continue.
Officials with the Thomas More Society say that U.S.. District Court Judge Roger T. Benitez in California has denied in a court order all Motions to Dismiss in Mirabelli v. Olson.
That lawsuit challenges “Parental Exclusion Policies” adopted by schools that specifically prevent parents form knowing about some of their own children’s activities in school.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta and members of the California Department of Education and the Escondido Union School District had demanded the case be thrown out.
They had claimed that their rules limiting what parents are allowed to know was “just a suggestion” so there was nobody really harmed by their agenda.
However, Benitez found that the parents “enjoy standing and have stated plausible claims upon which relief can be granted.”
“The Supreme Court has long recognized that parents hold a federal constitutional Due Process right to direct the heath care and education of their children,” the judge said.
“The Defendants stand on unprecedented and more recently created state law child rights to privacy and to be free from gender discrimination.”
Paul Jonna, special counsel with the society, explained, “We are incredibly pleased that the Court has denied all attempts to throw out our landmark challenge to California’s parental exclusion and gender secrecy regime. Judge Benitez’s order rightly highlights the sacrosanct importance of parents’ rights in our constitutional order, and the First Amendment protections afforded to parents and teachers.”
The judge said, “By concealing a child’s gender health issues from the parents, parents are precluded from exercising their religious obligations to raise and care for their child at a time when it may be highly significant. [T]he teachers make out a plausible claim for relief under the First Amendment’s Free Exercise Clause.”
The judge added, “This Court concludes that, in a collision of rights as between parents and child, the long-recognized federal constitutional rights of parents must eclipse the state rights of the child.
The world’s largest religious gathering kicks off in India on Monday amid health and environmental concerns.
Over the next 45 days, an estimated 400 million Hindu pilgrims will converge on the city of Prayagraj, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.
The Maha Kumbh mela is one of the most sacred pilgrimages for Hindus and is celebrated once every 12 years.
It is held on the banks of the Ganges and Yamuna and where the two rivers meet.
Pilgrims from all sections of the faith will take part, including Sadhus and Sadhvis (religious men and women), and ascetics and hermits who leave their seclusion only during the Maha Kumbh mela.
For pilgrims, the Maha Kumbh mela serves as a symbolic journey of self-realisation, purification and spiritual enlightenment.
A ritualistic dip in the sacred rivers is a spiritual purification, a symbolic cleansing of the body and soul and renews the connection with the divine.
Image: Holy men take part in a religious procession. Pics: Reuters
Security, toilets and tents
To facilitate this mega event a pop-up tent city over 10,000 acres has been set up as a new district – the Mahakumbh Mela District.
More than 160,000 tents have been pitched to accommodate hundreds of thousands of people.
Temporary roads of about 400km (248.5 miles) and 30 pontoon bridges over the two rivers have been laid as well.
Meanwhile, electric substations, police stations, clean water supply lines, 150,000 toilets and over 200km of sewage lines have been constructed too.
Image: Holy men arrive and bands perform ahead of the festival. Pics: Reuters
Water quality monitoring systems have been installed along the river banks to track pollution in real-time, ensuring that the Ganges remains safe and clean for ceremonial bathing.
Hundreds of doctors and nurses have been drafted in and a 100-bed central hospital and two 20-bed secondary hospitals have been set up.
Special trains, extra flights and public busses have all been laid on for the event.
Security will be overseen by a 50,000-strong police force aided by thousands of AI-enabled cameras and drones for aerial surveillance.
Image: Pics: Reuters
Managing such a crowd requires meticulous planning supported by cutting-edge technology.
Radio Frequency Identification wristbands (RFID) and mobile apps will track the headcount of pilgrims and provide real-time data on crowd density, behaviour analysis, and alert systems in potential high-risk zones.
For the first time at such a large scale facial recognition technology and biometric identification will play a pivotal role in ensuring safety and security.
Pilgrims’ data will be registered allowing authorities to identify individuals and track missing persons.
There are six auspicious days across the festival and five million people are expected to take a holy dip on each of these days.
It’s reported an estimated $815m (£661m) has been spent on the event.
Image: Naga Sadhus – Hindu holy men – and devotees arrive at the festival. Pics: Reuters
Health and environmental impact
Health activists have raised concerns about the impact of such a large gathering.
Poor conditions in the winter expose people to health risks including contagious disease, and respiratory, faecal-oral, vector-borne, zoonotic and blood-borne contamination.
Other air-borne infections like tuberculosis, influenza and meningococcal disease also have the potential to spread quickly during the mass-gathering.
Image: Holy men ahead of the festival. Pic: Reuters
Communicable diseases pose a threat to global health due to international connectivity, primarily through air travel as experienced during the COVID pandemic.
There is also concern about the environmental impact as the large crowd will generate a staggering amount of pollution on land and water including non-degradable plastics.
Inefficient collection and improper disposal will have an effect on the surrounding areas and landfills.
Mass bathing gives rise to pollution that causes a decline in dissolved oxygen levels harmful to aquatic life.
Construction activities on the river can damage its banks and divert the waters, affecting spawning grounds for fish.
The use of chemical pesticides to control insects during the event can further harm aquatic biodiversity.
Naga Sadhus
The Maha Kumbh mela is a kaleidoscope of people from all walks of life.
But it is the Sadhus (Hindu holy men) that will be the centrepiece of the celebrations.
In particular, are the Naga Sadhu’s – revered individuals known for their intense spiritual practices and complete renunciation of worldly possessions.
Braving the cold winters in little or no clothing they cover themselves in ash as an adornment.
Their presence adds a mystical dimension as they have the privilege to lead the processions and are the first to take the Shahi Snan (royal bath), a sacred ritual that acknowledges their spiritual importance.
In the past, the order for the Shahi Snan was a friction point.
Several violent clashes occurred between the 13 akharas (schools) over this hierarchy, even resulting in deaths.
The Maha Kumbh mela finds its origins in the ancient Hindu legend of “Samudra Manthan” (churning of the cosmic ocean), in the Rigveda, one of the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism.
The event is a showcase of the government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg speaks to questions during a news conference at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport November 21, 2024 in Arlington, Virginia.
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U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg speaks to questions during a news conference at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport November 21, 2024 in Arlington, Virginia.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
From handling crises in the rail and airline industries to overseeing the distribution of billions of dollars in infrastructure funding, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has taken on a lot over the last four years.
Now, his tenure is coming to an end.
Host Scott Detrow speaks with Buttigieg about what the Biden administration accomplished, what it didn’t get done, and what he’s taking away from an election where voters resoundingly called for something different.
For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org
The 46,000-student UCLA campus — adjacent to Palisades fire evacuation zones — is on edge and has all but emptied out amid poor air quality and a university decision to move classes online this week.
UCLA officials said Sunday there is no immediate danger to the Westwood campus. But when the fire pushed toward Brentwood, the university sent out notices putting students on high alert, advising them to “to stay vigilant and ready to evacuate” if conditions changed.
Chancellor Julio Frenk, who took the helm this month, has been posting video statements on Instagram and X to encourage the UCLA community to be resilient.
“We’re continuing to monitor the situation very closely and we have plans in place for whatever situation might arise,” Frenk posted on Instagram on Sunday. “As of now, there is no evacuation order or warning for our campus. But I know that many of us are facing real challenges. There continues to be a lot of uncertainty and fear about the future. There’s concern about air quality. There is a lot of worry about homes.”
UCLA has developed a plan to bus students off-site — about 14,000 live on campus — if fire authorities issue a mandatory evacuation order.
On Sunday, it appeared that many students had already made their own decision.
The usually boisterous Dickson Court next to Royce Hall was empty except for a few tourists and neighborhood residents walking their dogs. Most dining halls were closed. “The Hill,” the northwest region of campus where dorms are concentrated, was largely silent in the second week of the spring quarter, aside from the sound of students scrambling to leave.
UCLA senior Elliott Cho moves out of his dormitory Jan. 12, 2025. “It’s not safe to be here because of the air quality,” Cho said.
(Carlin Stiehl/For the Times)
At a dorm area by De Neve Drive, students stood on the street with packed bags and bright yellow moving carts, waiting for parents, Lyfts and Ubers to drive them to airports, friends’ homes in Northern California or out of the state. The scene resembled a moving-in or moving-out day rather than winter quarter kickoff.
“Almost everyone is gone,” said Titi Olotu, who pulled up in a car to grab her belongings and head home to Sacramento while classes are conducted remotely through at least Friday.
Olotu initially left her Olympic Hall dorm amid smoky campus conditions Thursday to stay with an aunt near East L.A. She returned to campus Sunday to grab her passport and other personal documents.
“I’m probably one of the last to officially leave,” said Olotu, a second-year biology major. She went viral on TikTok with her videos criticizing UCLA for staying open for on-campus instruction Wednesday, the day after the Palisades fire — at nearly 24,000 acres and 11% contained Sunday — broke out.
“I wish things had been done better overall,” Olotu said.
The few students left on campus tended to be resident assistants — who work in dorms in exchange for free room and board and other benefits — and international students whose families were far away.
At the Saxon Suites residential hall, Tommy Contreras decided to stay put because of his responsibilities as a resident assistant and as a representative in the Undergraduate Students Assn.
UCLA’s Rieber Court on Jan. 12, 2025.
(Carlin Stiehl/For the Times)
“It’s a ghost town,” said Contreras, who estimated about 10 students were left Sunday out of the 120 he and a co-worker supervised in their part of the residential hall.
“At least thousands have left,” said Contreras, a third-year student majoring in political science and public affairs. He has been working with student government representatives to collect relief donations for the Dream Center Foundation, a charitable group. “I was on campus and yesterday I saw just one other person.”
Late last week, Contreras said, he could view the Palisades fire from his dorm. He was relieved now that there were no longer flames in his line of sight, he said.
“We are glad UCLA is working with us. For example, the dorm front desks have masks and the university has been responding to us needing to go to class remotely,” he said. “Still, it’s been tough. There are people with asthma and in need of air purifiers. We have had days where the floor is black and ash falls out of the sky. But we’re one UCLA community working though this together.”
Evan Li and Matthew Li, roommates who are not related and live in an apartment south of campus, decided to stick around. On Sunday afternoon, they played a game of horse at basketball courts off De Neve Drive while students nearby scurried to leave.
“I don’t think the fire is a threat to us,” said Evan Li, a senior who studies computer science and applied mathematics. “And home is far away if I tried to go there now.” His family is in Toronto.
Matthew Li, a senior majoring in neuroscience, said his mother in Sacramento had called him to discuss possibly coming home. But he said last-minute flights were too expensive, and he also thought the danger wasn’t immediate.
“I’m thinking we’ll be back to normal soon enough,” Matthew Li said.
In the case of a mandatory evacuation, UCLA said meeting points would be Pauley Pavilion and Tipuana Apartments, from which the university would provide transportation to alternative housing. Communications would include announcements via Bruin Alert.
UCLA has not disclosed where students would land if evacuated.
Sophomore Reia Uchiumi, left, and senior Ariel Tan move out of a UCLA dormitory.
(Carlin Stiehl/For the Times)
In a statement to The Times, the university administration said that the “safety and well-being of all Bruins remains our top priority” and that its Office of Emergency Management had “identified several suitable locations” for potential evacuees and would “determine specific sites based on student and operational needs.”
“We have surveyed all students in university-owned housing and in the Westwood area and stand ready to transport and house any students who indicated they need temporary housing,” the statement said.
“In the event of an evacuation, international students, and any students or employees who need housing, will be given shelter, food, supplies and wi-fi at an off-site location, free of charge,” a FAQ on the university’s website said.
Samsung’s M8 smart monitor is heavily discounted, providing an affordable external display option for your MacBook or Mac mini.
Samsung monitor discounts can be found at both Amazon.com and Samsung.com today, with the 32-inch M8 4K display on sale for $399.99. This reflects a 43% price cut off retail for the smart monitor that has USB-C, HDMI and USB-A ports.
The higher-end Samsung ViewFinity S9 monitor is also marked down to $999.99 at Amazon and Samsung.com, delivering a $600 discount off MSRP. This 5K matte display offers DisplayPort and Thunderbolt 4 (90W) connectivity, the latter making it easy to pair with a modern Mac. The 27-inch S9 also supports Apple AirPlay and has a 4K SlimFit camera.
Amazon also has deals on Mac computers, from the M4 Mac mini for $569 to the 13-inch MacBook Air M3 for $1,099. You can find a roundup of the offers in our Mac Price Guide.
Welcome to the BJJ Beat! On this recurring feature, we’ll tackle the biggest news from the professional grappling scene, and roll everything up in an easily digestible and familiar jiu-jitsu format.
“Just found out I did my last match with 3 stomach ulcers,” Musumeci wrote on his Instagram stories with a photo from the hospital. “After I couldn’t stand straight from the pain.
“Too much stress,” he said about the cause. “Fixing them now. Will be 100% for next match. Thank you everyone that supports me.”
Six UFC Fight Pass Invitational events planned for 2025, UFC FPI 10 set
Speaking of Mikey Musumeci and the UFC’s plans to “take over” the BJJ scene, the promotion recently announced that they plan to host six UFC Fight Pass Invitational events in 2025. These UFC FPI events are targeted to happen in March, June, July, September, October and December this year.
While no specific dates were revealed for the others, their next event, UFC Fight Pass Invitational 10 is already set to happen on March 6. No headliners or matches have been revealed just yet, but Musumeci previously stated that he expects to be part of that.
UFC also previously announced that Musumeci’s debut on UFC FPI 9 was viewed in 136 countries, and was the most watched grappling event in Fight Pass history.
Tony Jeffries at the Beijing OlympicsPhoto by Clive Rose/Getty Images
Move of the Day
Olympic bronze medalist boxer Tony Jeffries wins BJJ debut
Tony Jeffries, a 2008 Olympic bronze medalist boxer, is currently hooked on jiu-jitsu.
Jeffries retired from competition back in 2012 due to hand injuries, before becoming a renowned boxing coach and YouTuber. He enrolled his kids into jiu-jitsu, before eventually trying it himself and getting addicted to the sport.
The Olympic boxer scratched his competition itch in a vastly different sport, and recently won his first ever BJJ tournament as a 39-year-old white belt. Watch the matches below, where Jeffries got emotional in his return to competition.
Rolls
WNO champ vs. Polaris champ headlines WNO 26
WNO 26 is set for February 7, and the main event will be a WNO champion vs. a Polaris champion. As recently announced, two-division WNO champ Diego “Pato” Oliveira will defend his lightweight title against Polaris featherweight champ Keith Krikorian.
Diego Pato is a five time BJJ world champion across gi and no gi, and took silver at ADCC 2024. He is coming off a dominant tournament win at the 2024 IBJJF Crown. Keith Krikorian, a former ADCC Trials winner, moved up a division and is fresh off an impressive win at Polaris 30.
Also announced for the WNO 26 card is PGF champion Ryan Aitken taking on Luccas Lira, and Daniel Sathler vs. Michael Sainz.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Cooldown
Craig Jones details the numerous times he came close to dying in 2024
Whether it’s death threats for going against ADCC, getting drugged in Colombia, or entering a war zone in Ukraine, Craig Jones had a pretty insane 2024. Watch the BJJ star and CJI promoter detail various dangerous situations that he got into this past year:
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Review
To close things out, here are other interesting BJJ stories you might have missed:
For the latest Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) and grappling-related news click here.
Landman dropped on Paramount+ just two months ago, on November 17, 2024, with a two-episode premiere. And in that short span of time, it’s made quite an impact. According toUSA Today, the Taylor Sheridan series rapidly rose to become the #1 most-viewed Paramount+ original, of all time. Starring Billy Bob Thornton, Golden Globe winner Demi Moore, Mad Men actor Jon Hamm, and Legally Blonde actress Ali Larter, among others, season 1 wrapped up with an explosive finale on January 11, 2025.
Fans are now champing at the bit for more Landman, and many are asking if the series will get another season. Read on to find out what we know about the possibility.
What is ‘Landman’ About?
Landman is an 11-episode modern western drama helmed by Yellowstonecreator Sheridan. Thornton leads the cast as Tommy Norris, an oil company operations VP and petroleum landman. “Set in the proverbial boomtowns of West Texas, Landman is a modern-day tale of fortune seeking in the world of oil rigs,” reads an official plot description of the show, per Whattowatch.com. “Based on the notable 11-part podcast Boomtown from Imperative Entertainment and TexasMonthly, the series is an upstairs/downstairs story of roughnecks and wildcat billionaires fueling a boom so big, it’s reshaping our climate, our economy and our geopolitics.”
Where to Watch ‘Landman’ Season 1
You can stream Landman season 1, from start to finish, on Paramount+.
Will ‘Landman’ Return to Paramount+ For Season 2?
According to Pinkvilla, there is a good chance Landman will return for season 2 — especially considering the popularity of the first season. In fact, the outlet reported that Moore commented on a potential season 2 during the Cannes Film Festival in May of 2024. “I’ve already completed the first season and I’m excited for us to start the second, which will be at the beginning of next year,” she reportedly said at the time.
Though the network hasn’t confirmed Moore’s assertion that the second season will beginning filming in early 2025, strong critical reviews (a 79% on Rotten Tomatoes) and avid audience interest indicate that the series will more than likely return for at least one more season.
Travellers visiting a picturesque Caribbean Island have been warned they could be jailed if they are caught swearing in public.
St Kitts, a tiny island nestled in the West Indies, is a popular tourist destination for cruisers.
It is home to the Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Warner Park cricket stadium.
The island is home to around 34,000 people with tourism as one of the biggest drivers for its economy, with hundreds of thousands of people arriving each year.
But many tourists visiting the island will be unaware of the unusual anti-swearing laws.
In 1961, the island introduced a law that prohibited the use of any language that is abusive, blasphemous, indecent, insulting, profane, or threatening. Anyone caught using bad language can be fined $500 Caribbean Dollars – around £150 – or jailed for six months in severe cases.
YouTuber Jason, part of the Travel Scouts, warned: “St Kitt’s has a no profanity law. Profanity is banned, as is insulting and indecent language, and they have been known to enforce this with both jailtime and large fines.”
It’s not just tourists who need to be aware of the law either. In 2016 rapper 50 Cent fell foul of the no swearing rules after performing a concert on the island.
According to the BBC, the musician, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, was arrested after performing at a festival along with a member of his entourage. The star is said to have used “indecent language” while performing his song P.I.M.P.
After being released from custody he is said to have been fined £18,000. In a post on Instagram at the time, he wrote: “What you in for murder? All I said was n***** LMAO (laughing my ass off).
St Kitts and Nevis isn’t the only destination Jason warns has an unusual law travellers need to watch out for either. He says people visiting Grenada should be aware of the indecency laws when stripping down to their bathing suit.
He explained: “The St George’s port is visited by most cruise lines but you need to know about the indecent exposure law. According to this law you can wear swimsuits only on the beach.
“So if you’re in Grenada, make sure you cover up before you head back to the ship.”
Netflix’s American Primevalmarks the revival of cutting-edge storytelling in the epic Western genre. The Western series, starring Taylor Kitsch and Betty Gilpin, kicked off the new year to a bloody, violent start. Written by Mark L. Smith, who also co-wrote the screenplay for The Revenant, the striking television show offers viewers a brutal depiction of what it meant to live during a tumultuous time in history, filled with death and uncertainty. Set in Utah in 1857, the story follows Isaac Reed (Kitsch) as he encounters Sara Rowell (Betty Gilpin) and her son, Devin Rowell (Preston Mota), as they fight for survival living on the frontier while different factions fight for control over Utah and southern Wyoming.
American Primeval doesn’t hold anything back, especially the violence. It’s a bloodbath, touching on topics like genocide, so for the faint of heart, it’s best to avoid the series. Episode 1, for example, contains barbaric imagery in a scene involving a campsite being attacked. It’s a shocking yet stunning scene that embodies the realities of that time and the atmosphere in America, which allows the audience to have a better understanding of the harrowing circumstances. This isn’t Yellowstone, so be prepared to see and experience a Western like never before.
American Primeval begins by introducing viewers to Sara Rowell and her son Devin, who’ve set out to cross frontier territory in search of Devin’s father. The Mormons, Jacob Pratt (Dane DeHaan) and Abish Pratt (Saura Lightfoot-Leon), stop and offer Sara and Devin to join them on the wagon trail. All appears to be going smoothly and mother and son are hopeful to reach their destination until things take a turn for the unimaginable.
As the group reaches a campsite, and they enjoy dinner, Sara converses with another Mormon woman, but the conversation ends abruptly as an arrow kills the woman Sara is talking to. Once that arrow pierces the woman’s skull, hundreds more follow, inciting chaos and panic among the people.
The hopefulness felt at the beginning becomes instantly lost in dread as Sara and Devin experience the brutality of the war over this territory. Viewers see people running left and right, fighting to survive this ambush, but much to their, and the audience’s, dismay, there’s nowhere to run. The two-minute sequence feels like an eternity and creates a sense of anxiety as these characters stare death in the face. At one point in the scene, viewers see Jacob Pratt get scalped, which is when a human’s scalp is forcibly removed with his hair still attached, a horrific way to die. Sara and Devin barely escape the attack with their lives, and almost everyone at the campsite is dead at the end of the two-minute scene.
The Western Genre Is Rarely This Violent
The Netflix series has revamped the Western genre in a way that’s never been done before, or at least achieved in doing so. Westerns like 1923 and 1883 barely scratch the surface of realism in terms of the violence seen during that time in American history. American Primeval doesn’t hold back on expressing the brutality of the time period and the innocent lives that were caught in the crossfire. The first episode served as an introduction to the violent chaos that awaits in the six-episode series, but it’s still the most horrific two minutes in the entirety of the show.
It may be Taylor Sheridan’s most acclaimed script, and Jeff Bridges masters the Western genre in this great streaming hit.
The creatives behind American Primeval encapsulate the unpredictable nature of living in the 1850s and have created a visceral experience by basing it in reality and not shying away from those heinous acts. The dark-toned cinematography adds to that palpable dread and fully immerses the audience in believing they’re standing next to these characters, bearing witness to the sanguinary odyssey. The episode succeeds in creating a shift within this genre, and fans of Western content should be excited about what’s to come.
The Real-Life Massacre That Inspired the ‘American Primeval’ Scene
Like any other series, Netflix’s American Primeval takes creative liberties for an additional layer of drama, but the brutal sequence in Episode 1 was based on the real-life horrors of The Mountain Meadows Massacre, in which Mormons committed genocide against pioneers from Arkansas. The vicious attack occurred between Sept. 7 and 11, 1857, and saw a total of 120 casualties, including men, women, and children. The massacre was one of many as tensions grew between the United States military and the religious group Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Get ready for a bloody fight for survival later this month on Netflix.
While inciting this massacre, the Mormons manipulated Indigenous people to participate in the violent act and used their tribal heritage as a disguise to execute the plan. Historical figure Brigham Young’s (Kim Coates) knowledge of the mass murder is uncertain as some accounts say he had no knowledge of such plans, and others say he was complicit but attempted to hide the role he played in the massacre. In this series, Young is portrayed as a religious zealot and is the clear antagonist. It’s a remarkable episode, and it’s worth watching to educate yourself on the brutalities of American history that, unfortunately, remain hidden. American Primeval is streaming on Netflix.
Denzel Washington has dabbled across several genres in his time as a Hollywood leading man, but he’s only ever been in one true horror movie, 1998’s Fallen, and it deserves far more recognition than it gets. The supernatural religious horror movie features Washington as a seasoned Philadelphia police detective who is investigating a series of ritualistic murders that are reminiscent of those committed by a serial killer he had already put on death row. What begins as a religious thriller veers into supernatural horror with the introduction of genuine demonic possession as the narrative unfolds.
While Fallen was regarded as a box office flop upon its release, it has gained a certain cult status over the years, and is widely regarded as one of Denzel Washington’s most underrated movies. The stand-alone movie has an original, creative plot that is appropriately dark for a creepy religious horror movie, and it features solid performances from a quietly excellent cast. When all factors are considered, the fact that many casual moviegoers haven’t even heard of Fallen, much less appreciate it, seems incredible.
Denzel Washington had a breakout year in the ’90s, starring in iconic roles in critically acclaimed films such as Philadelphia and The Pelican Brief.
Fallen Is Denzel Washington’s Only Horror Movie
He’s Done Thrillers, But Never Anything Else That’s True Horror
As a two-time Academy Award-winner, Denzel Washington is justifiably recognized as an all-time great dramatic actor. However, he has crossed into both the action and thriller genres often, with major hits like The Bone Collector, The Book of Eli, and Crimson Tide under his belt, in addition to his many memorable dramatic roles. Washington has been particularly successful in crime thriller roles, some of which have had creepy elements to them.
Fallen – Key Details
Release Date
Director
Budget
Box Office Gross
RT Tomatometer Score
RT Popcornmeter Score
January 16th, 1998
Gregory Hoblit
$46 million
$25.2 million
40%
72%
Despite the number of thrillers to his name, Fallen is the only Denzel Washington movie that can ever really be considered horror. Thanks to its heavy supernatural elements and the underlying creepiness of its religious aspects, Fallen firmly crosses the line from a crime thriller into supernatural religious horror. Predicated on genuine and prolific demonic possession, the anxiety-inducing narrative about an evil entity that jumps from person-to-person by touch has all the trademarks of multiple horror subgenres, and it’s a classic example of the late 1990s fascination with serial killer movies to boot.
Fallen Has An Incredible Cast That Includes John Goodman & James Gandolfini
The Under-The-Radar Movie Has Several Big Stars
In addition to Denzel Washington, Fallen features a surprising number of big-name actors for a movie that feels all but forgotten in most cinematic circles. The partner of Washington’s Detective John Hobbes is played by John Goodman, who played Walter Sobchak in The Big Lebowski that same year. A year before he became an international superstar as Tony Soprano in HBO’s The Sopranos, James Gandolfini had a small role as Hobbes’ friend at the precinct, and has a memorable and entertaining scene in which he’s possessed by a demon.
The demon’s name is Azazel, which is a reference to the biblical fallen angel of the same name who is responsible for introducing humanity to forbidden knowledge (hence the movie’s title).
Donald Sutherland (Citizen X, The Hunger Games) plays a fellow investigator who eventually gets on Hobbes’ trail as a suspect for the string of murders that have been committed, and Elias Koteas (Let Me In, Some Kind Of Wonderful) portrays twisted serial killer Edgar Reese, from whose death row execution the narrative unfolds. Embeth Davidtz (Schindler’s List, Matilda) shines as the source of exposition, Gretta Milano, convincingly playing terrified and unsettling in her own right during the events chronicled in Fallen.
Fallen Is An Extremely Underrated & Creepy Religious Horror Film
It’s Based Upon Occult Serial Murders And Demonic Possession
One of the defining elements of Fallen, and the major reason why it’s particularly deserving of more attention than it gets, is its well-crafted and original premise. The notion of a demon tormenting a person not by invading their body, but by possessing those around them and taunting them incessantly, brings a level of creepiness and paranoia to everything. With a cast that’s up to the task, the premise is played out well and is definitely entertaining from a horror perspective. The sing-song taunt of the demon Azazel is up there with the best of the 1990s iconic horror elements.
Director Gregory Hoblit also does a great job of creating a haunting environment throughout the movie. He plays with shadows and lighting particularly well, making things seem as though they’re moving in the dark and thereby elevating the already high level of paranoia that the audience has when confronted by a demon that can use anyone at any given time as long as they touch them to “pass it on”. Hobbes’ final confrontation with the demon Azazel and the shocking twist ending are the exclamation points on why Fallen deserves far more credit than it gets.
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Fallen (1998) is a supernatural thriller centered on Detective John Hobbes, played by Denzel Washington, who confronts a series of mysterious murders linked to a malevolent, ancient force. As the investigation unfolds, Hobbes realizes the killer possesses the ability to shift from one body to another, leading to a tense and eerie cat-and-mouse chase. Directed by Gregory Hoblit, the film delves into themes of good versus evil and fate.
Release Date
January 16, 1998
Runtime
124 Minutes
Cast
Denzel Washington
, John Goodman
, Donald Sutherland
, Embeth Davidtz
, James Gandolfini
, Elias Koteas
, Gabriel Casseus
, Robert Joy
, Aida Turturro
, Michael J. Pagan
, Frank Medrano
, Ronn Munro
, Cynthia Hayden
, Ray Xifo
, Tony Michael Donnelly
, Tara Carnes
, Reno Wilson
, Wendy Cutler
, Jeff Tanner
, Jerry Walsh
, Bob Rumnock
, Ellen Sheppard
Character(s)
John Hobbes
, Jonesy
, Lt. Stanton
, Gretta Milano
, Lou
, Edgar Reese
, Art
, Charles
, Tiffany
, Sam
, Charles’s Killer
, Mini Golf Owner
, Society Woman
, Society Man
, Toby
, Teenage Girl
, Mike
, Denise
, Lawrence
, Fat Man
, Schoolteacher
, Nun on Bus
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