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In what may be a harbinger of things to come, Paramount has suddenly pulled one of its biggest fall releases — Clifford the Big Red Dog, the live-action take on the beloved children’s series — from its theatrical release schedule. The film was due on September 17. But as per Deadline, the studio has yanked it, over concerns about the surging COVID cases brought about by the Delta variant.

Despite fears, voiced by the CDC and Dr. Anthony Fauci, that the country’s battle with the pandemic is taking a turn for the worse, Paramount isn’t looking to scotch the movie’s theatrical release entirely. (And there’s no word of any similar plans with their other big movies, including the already delayed Top Gun: Maverick.) They aren’t looking to dump it on their new streamer, Paramount+. Instead, they’re looking for a new release date. Still, it’s the first movie to get delayed due to the new, evolved strain of the disease that has already done a number on the planet.

The Clifford movie has come under considerable social media scorn, with many mocking the curious design of its giant CGi mutt. But according to Deadline, it’s been tracking very well, and the belief is it could be a big bread winner, at least once parents feel safe taking their brood to movie theaters.

(Via Deadline)

Kanye West held a listening event for Donda, his long-awaited new album, earlier this month. It took place at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where the rapper stood by himself on the venue’s large floor to premiere songs from the album, which boasted guest appearances from Jay-Z, Lil Baby, Roddy Ricch, Lil Durk, Vory, and more. While many expected the project to arrive shortly after the event, that was not the case. Instead, Kanye opted to keep tweaking the album for a future release. He even moved into the Atlanta stadium in order to fully focus on completing the project.

Now Kanye has announced a second listening event for the album. He shared the news on Instagram and confirmed that it will take place on August 5, with the album rumored to drop the following day. The rapper’s label, Def Jam Recordings, also announced the news, adding that it would once again take place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The label also revealed tickets to attend the event will be made available on August 2, starting at 10 a.m.

It was just a day ago that TMZ reported that another Donda listening event was possibly in the works. The publication adds that Kanye is hoping to make it substantially different from the first iteration, following an ask from Live Nation and Creative Artists Agency, as they fear a smaller amount of tickets for the August 5 showcase will be sold.

The wait for Drake’s highly-anticipated sixth album Certified Lover Boy is nearly over. The Toronto rapper has kept fans waiting for the project’s release for the better part of a year. It was originally set to arrive back in January after Drake shared a nostalgic trailer for the release. It was later delayed as a result of Drake rehabbing from knee surgery for than he expected. While a new date was never announced, many hopped that Certified Lover Boy would arrive by the end of the summer and now, it seems like that will be the case.

Drake hopped on Fri Yiy Friday, a show on Sirius XM’s Sound 42 station which is led by his OVO Sound team, to share a new update about Certified Lover Boy. “Album’s ready… album’s cooked, looking forward to delivering it to you” he told the show’s hosts, OVO Mark and OVO Noel. Drake then took a shot at the competition with his next statement. “Certified Lover Boy on the way and that’s for anyone in the way.”

This comes after Drake revealed the project was in the mixing stage earlier this month. “You know Uncle Drake’s on his way back home to mix the album,” he said on a July 9 edition of the Fri Yiy Friday show. Elsewhere, Drake recently teamed up with Smiley for “Over The Top” before signing on to executive produce a documentary about the experiences of Black hockey players with LeBron James, Maverick Carter, and Adel “Future” Nur

You can listen to Drake’s announcement in the video above.

The United States men’s basketball team will compete for a gold medal. Despite a rocky start on Saturday, the American offense came to life in the game’s final three quarters en route to a blowout win over the Czech Republic. Now, thanks to the 110-76 victory, the team earned a spot in the knockout round, and find themselves three wins away from their fourth consecutive Olympic gold.

The Czech Republic came to play early on. While the U.S. looked sluggish in the game’s early moments, the Czechs raced out to a 9-2 lead and ultimately went up by as many as 10 points in the game’s first frame.

The main issue for the Americans came from the inability to hit shots, a common issue for the team during the tournament. The team went 7-for-19 (36.8 percent) from the field and 4-for-11 (36.4 percent) from three in the first frame, with the Czechs hitting anything they wanted, shooting 10-for-16 (62.5 percent) and 3-for-5 (60 percent), respectively. As a result, Team USA found itself down 25-18 after one frame, although they did have one rather impressive moment when Zach LaVine tossed up a prayer that got answered.

A seemingly different U.S. team came out of the break, as the team looked much more crisp on both ends of the floor to start the second quarter. Eventually, Kevin Durant knocked down a transition three that served two purposes: It gave the Americans their first lead of the night at 34-33, and it made Durant the leading scorer at the Olympics in the men’s program’s history.

Team USA ended up taking a 47-43 lead into the half, largely behind a narrow advantage from the three-point line. They made one more field goal and attempted three more shots from the field than the Czechs, but went 7-for-21 from three compared to 4-for-8 by their opponents. While efficiency wasn’t quite there, the sheer number of attempts made for a major difference. Durant’s 13 points led the way for the United States, while Illinois native Blake Schilb’s had 14 to lead all scorers.

Out of the break, Team USA started to pour it on. The shotmaking — particularly from behind the three-point line — that the team started to show in the second quarter became permanent, while the side showed a defensive intensity that made life miserable for the Czechs. Durant and Jayson Tatum did much of the heavy lifting on the offensive end of the floor, with Tatum scoring 17 in the second half and Durant scoring 10.

Tatum’s 27 points lead all scorers, while Durant had 23 with a game-high nine rebounds and six assists. The team eventually struggled to miss, going 45-for-72 (62.5 percent) from the field and a scorching hot 20-for-41 (48.8 percent) from three. Despite Schilb’s big night (17 points, five rebounds) and Tomas Satoransky stuffing the stat sheet (12 points, eight assists, six rebounds), the Czechs just could not keep up with that level of team-wide production.

Now, the Americans will sit back and wait to see who’s up next. We won’t learn until Sunday who the Americans play, but the potential looms large for a quarterfinal showdown with either longtime international rivals Spain, or a Slovenia team that boasts Luka Doncic.

An absolutely gigantic basketball game will take place in the early hours of Saturday morning. The United States, the No. 1 men’s basketball team in the world, and the Czech Republic, which are ranked 12th, will go head-to-head in Olympic group play. It’s the final game in Group A play, and while it is not technically an elimination game, the loser will slide into third place in the group.

While the top-2 in each group advance, the three third-place teams in the tournament will then be ranked to determine which two go through. They’ll be sorted by points, with the tiebreakers (in order) being point differential, points scored, and FIBA ranking. Basically, being in third place is not fun, and both of these teams have a big-time vested interest in not falling into that spot.

Still, the Americans are overwhelming 23.5-point favorites, while the Czechs have one active NBA player (Tomas Satoransky) on their roster. It is hard to see the United States losing this game, but the team has shown cracks in the armor in exhibitions and Olympic play up to this point, so perhaps Sato and co. can pull off a monumental upset.

As for you, dear viewer, here’s the deal on watching. You know Peacock, that app where it seems like everything related to the Olympics lives? Well, you could watch there, but if you do not want to (either because you don’t have Peacock or because you are also tired of the decentralization of television), good news! If you have a cable or satellite provider, you can click on this link and watch there. It does not air on television, but this is a mechanism to use what you pay for in order to watch it.

Please, enjoy the basketball — and don’t forget to make a run for coffee and a bagel or something, this one tips right around breakfast time.

Tip Time: Saturday, July 31 at 8 a.m. ET
TV Channel: None
Streaming Info: NBCOlympics.com (with TV provider login) and Peacock app (with premium subscription)

Hours after acquiring Kris Dunn from the Hawks using a trade exception, Boston struck again, absorbing Dallas wing Josh Richardson into the remainder of the exception created in the Gordon Hayward deal last offseason, according to a report from Shams Charania of The Athletic.

It’s unclear now which players or picks are headed back to Dallas in the deal.

After a season in which they were criticized for a perceived lack of defensive intensity and grit, adding Dunn and then Richardson seems like a response from Boston. After trading Kemba Walker to Oklahoma City, the Celtics also simply have a big hole in the backcourt, so adding younger talent to play at the guard spots is helpful as well.

However, Richardson is coming off a season in which he shot just 43 percent from the field and struggled to make an impact in Dallas’ first-round series against the Clippers. Even with that said, he is 6-5 with good length and grades out as a decent turnover creator as well as a neutral defender by metrics like Defensive Box Plus-Minus.

As of now, the Celtics have bolstered their backcourt depth with two upside plays without giving up much, but they are likely not done in Brad Stevens’ first offseason as president of basketball operations.

We’re learning a lot of rich and strange details about Donald Trump’s final months in office, thanks to an onslaught of books with lots of juicy dirt. But this most recent bit comes from some simple reporting. The New York Times reported on some new documents provided to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. And it seems that, in late December, the now-former president was so desperate to retain power that he pressed the DOJ to simply claim it was corrupt and let him work his underhanded magic.

The exchange happened on December 27, a week and a half before the fateful events of Jan. 6. It found Trump leaning on Jeffrey A. Rosen, the acting attorney general. His predecessor, the recently departed William Barr, despite having done plenty for Trump, had refused to go that extra mile. Neither did Rosen, it seems, but not without Trump trying.

“Just say that the election was corrupt + leave the rest to me,” Trump asked Rosen, according to notes taken by Rosen’s deputy, Richard P. Donaghue. By “me,” he was also referring to other congressional allies, though he did not specify any by name. That said, at other points during the call he name-checked such noted congressional Trumpists as Jim Jordan, Ron Johnson, and Scott Perry, the latter a representative from Pennsylvania.

Both Jordan and Johnson have denied any role in Trump’s alleged attempts to overturn the election, while Perry — one of a number of lawmakers who still claim Trump won, despite lack of evidence — did not respond to requests for comment.

While this may seem like typical Trump antics, New York representative Carolyn B. Maloney, chairwoman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, saw them as hard proof of something truly dastardly. “These handwritten notes,” she said in a statement, “show that President Trump directly instructed our nation’s top law enforcement agency to take steps to overturn a free and fair election in the final days of his presidency.”

(Via NYT)

When most people think about Los Angeles, endless sunshine, quintessential beaches, laidback living, and A-list celebrity sightings come to mind. Having lived in LA most of my life, I feel obligated to add some texture to that. My home city isn’t always as perfectly polished as it appears on TV screens and IG influencer profiles. Don’t get me wrong, I love it. But the bumper-to-bumper freeways and overcrowded tourist attractions can get old.

That’s why I tend to venture outside of the city whenever I need some room to breathe. (A sentence that actually references the destination in this case, as in: “venture” + “ahhhhhhh” — something I promise I just noticed.)

Just an hour north of LA (depending on where you are, it can take longer), this small beachside city has become my go-to hideaway for all things outdoorsy. It’s also a haven for fresh AF seafood, hand-crafted brews, and surf culture. Every time I visit I feel almost instantly relaxed. Exhale the smog, inhale nothing but briny sea air.

For a taste of what the golden state of mind is all about, here’s my guide to where to play, eat, stay, and party in Ventura Beach — SoCal’s most underrated beach destination.

PART I – Where to Play

Bike the Ventura River Trail

There is no shortage of endless summer vibes in Ventura, which makes it an outdoor enthusiast’s playground. After all, it’s easy to stay active and leave the comfort of your Airbnb when it’s 75 and sunny outside. One of the best ways to take in Ventura’s lush vegetation and wildlife is by biking up the Ventura River Trail. Starting under the historic Ventura pier, the 34-mile out and back trail leads you through the bustling downtown streets, diverse agriculture, and riverside views — extending all the way to the neighboring city of Ojai. Here, you can explore and grab lunch before pedaling back. I may not have been able to walk the next day, but the sore legs were totally worth the afternoon adventure.

Assuming you can’t fit your beach cruiser in your carry-on suitcase, Wheel Fun Rentals has plenty of bike options and self-guided tours to get you where you want to go. If you’d rather take a leisurely stroll down the boardwalk, try out the Quad Sport or Chopper. These contraptions are basically lawn chairs on wheels. The Double Surrey Cycle is also a blast for groups (I don’t recommend hitting the brewery with your friends until after the ride).

Catch Waves at Surfers Point Beach

If you couldn’t already guess by the name, Surfers Point Beach at Seaside Park is one of the most popular surf spots in Ventura. You’ll see tons of surfers in the water like a herd of seals frolicking pretty much any time of the day. West of the pier off Figueroa Street, the point offers a variety of waves that break onto a moderately rocky shore. I’m only an amateur surfer at best, but I spent a few early mornings here as a teen to catch some waves before (barely) making it to school on time. Meaning that there are certain days when the waves are tame enough for beginner to intermediate surfers, too. Just make sure to check the surf forecast before you jump in, as the swells can get pretty big if you’re not careful (I made this mistake once and clearly it had an impact).

You can get everything you need to hit the waves at Seaward Surf & Sport. They have wetsuits, two different soft-top board types (depending on your experience), and other water equipment that you can rent for up to a week.

Paddleboard, Pedal Boat, and Kayak at Ventura Harbor Village

If surfing is a bit too far out of your comfort zone, head to Ventura Harbor Village to spend a few hours out on the still waters instead. Ventura Boat Rentals supplies kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and my personal favorite, swan-shaped pedal boats that are all first come first serve. I love these rentals because I can get a tan and exercise while enjoying the cool ocean vibes, rather than just laying on the sand all day (although I’m not opposed to this either). The best part about the harbor is that it’s surrounded by waterfront dining and boutique shops – go to Harbor Village Gallery and Gifts for unique souvenirs and local art.

Maybe your willpower is stronger than mine, but I cannot leave the harbor without making a pitstop at Coastal Cone Ice Cream. There are 40 flavors of ice cream and sorbet to choose from, but what draws me in every time is the Taiyaki. It’s a fish-shaped ice cream cone with a center filling of your choice (Nutella is my go-to) and your favorite toppings. Even if your stomach can’t make it through the entire cone, the aesthetically alluring dessert is worth trying.

PART II – Where to Eat & Drink

Anacapa Brewing Co.

Beer-lovers will be happy to learn that Ventura is home to a slew of breweries. I’m not a huge beer gal, but I can appreciate a good handcrafted golden ale. In fact, it’s basically become a tradition for me to stop at Anacapa Brewing Co. to grab a cold one and lunch any time I’m in town. Smack dab in the middle of Main Street, the brewery features a seasonal rotation of over 30 beers, ranging from stouts and IPAs to lagers and ciders. That first hoppy sip is especially thirst-quenching after a few hours in the sun.

What I appreciate about Anacapa Brewing Co. is that their dining menu offers more than just your typical greasy bar food. I’ve had most of their menu items at this point, and I can attest to the fact that everything is fresh, flavorful, and decently priced. Plus, the portion sizes are big enough to have leftovers. The Bratzel Bites – AKA, warm, buttery pretzel bites paired with bratwurst and house IPA cheese dip – is easily the most enticing appetizer on the menu. But for something a little lighter, I always get the classic caesar salad with shrimp. You really can’t go wrong with a caesar salad, but this one is truly *chef’s kiss.* The diverse main course menu has everything from pizza and pasta to tacos and sandwiches. Order the fried chicken and waffles sandwich for the ultimate sweet meets savory kick.

Lure Fish House

For dinner, make your way to Lure Fish House for all things seafood. We’re talkin’ oysters, ceviche, and shrimp cocktail galore. The seasonally-focused menu features local, organic produce and sustainably sourced seafood that looks just as appetizing on the plate as it tastes in your mouth (I’m all about meal presentation). The Spicy Seafood Ceviche is a must – it will make every pescetarian’s heart swoon. If you’re looking to get your drink on, order one of the specialty cocktails made with freshly squeezed juice. Trust me when I say you won’t regret ordering the roasted blueberry basil margarita. It’s that perfect medium of being strong enough to taste the tequila, but flavorful enough to actually enjoy it.

Aside from the mouth-watering menu, Lure Fish House’s ambiance feels like that of a high-class Mediterranean restaurant. Compared to most places in Ventura, its menu is a bit pricey but the oyster bar, locally sourced ingredients, and posh atmosphere are 100 percent worth the final check.

Tony’s Pizzaria

Is there anything better than the first hot, gooey, greasy, cheese-filled bite of pizza? I honestly don’t think there is, especially if it’s a slice from Tony’s Pizzaria. Founded in 1959, the retro family-owned pizza shack has basically become a staple landmark in Ventura. Located just outside of Surfers Point, the beloved pizza spot is often bombarded by ravenous, wetsuit-wearing surfers after a gnarly sesh.

I know that pineapple on pizza is a controversy strong enough to rip families apart, but the Hawaiian Slice Special is literally orgasmic. I’m not ashamed to admit I’ve ordered it at 11 a.m. the second Tony’s opened its doors for the day. If you’re a fruit-on-pizza hater (you’re missing out), then try Tony’s Extra Special. It’s a pizza explosion of sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, green peppers, red onions, and olives.

PART III – Where to Chill

Go Shopping on Main Street

Main Street in Downtown is great because it feeds my shopping addiction without totally breaking the bank. There are tons of thrift stores along the main stretch, where I usually end up spending most of my time in Ventura. There’s something therapeutic about sifting through endless racks of worn-out clothes, especially when you’re rewarded with a nifty vintage piece. But if the tireless search through ripped jeans and old college T-shirts doesn’t seem as exciting to you, there are plenty of other local businesses you can peruse – there are book stores, antique shops, music stores, art studios, gift shops, and a movie theater all within a few steps from each other.

Check out the full list of stores and restaurants here.

Ventura Pier

Of course, you can’t go to Ventura without hitting the beach at least once per day. Although it can get crowded during the thick of summer, most beaches in Ventura are nowhere near as packed as those in LA. My personal favorite place to chill out is at the Ventura Pier. It’s a short walk from Main Street and close to the boardwalk. On the pier, you’ll find a couple of different restaurants, fishermen casting their lines, iPhone photographers capturing the nautical scenery, and views of sand-covered kids chasing the crashing waves.

This is also the best location for taking in the medley of pink and orange hues at sunset.

Marina Park

Nothing says summer like a classic afternoon cookout by the beach. Stop by the local market to pick up some hotdogs and buns, then head to Marina Park – it’s the superior barbecue spot in Ventura. With 15 acres of both grass fields and beach, multiple playgrounds for kids, picnic tables, and public grills, you can spend an entire day hanging out here. About a 10-minute drive from Main Street, the best way to get to Marina Park is by taking the Seaward exit off of U.S. Highway 101. Tip: Get to Marina Park early because the grills and tables will go fast!

PART IV – Where to Stay

Bella Maggiore Inn

Complete with the charm of a small Italian inn, friendly service, and the haunting of an infamous past, Bella Maggiore Inn is perfect for anyone on the search for a unique lodging experience in Ventura. Built in 1927, the European-inspired property is located just a few blocks from the beach and pier.

Here’s where it gets interesting…The hotel is rumored to have been a brothel and hangout spot for gangsters in the 1940s. Legend has it that a woman named Sylvia Michaels who frequently visited the brothel was found dead in one of the hotel rooms. According to guests, her ghost still walks the halls of Bella Maggiore Inn. Many even claim to get whiffs of her rose-scented perfume throughout their stay. If you’re down to get a little spooky, the Bella Maggiore Inn is the spot for you.

The Pierpont Inn

Another historic but less haunted option is The Pierpont Inn, which began entertaining guests in 1910. The boutique hotel offers 81 rooms, including two cottages, six craftsman-style suites, and one honeymoon suite. The best part is that the property sits atop an ocean bluff. AKA, entrancing ocean views. The romantic Pierpont Inn also has a landscaped rose garden, making it a quaint oasis to come back to after a long day of surfing and sipping IPAs.

Actors suing film companies for alleged shortchanging on profits: It’s all the rage! On Thursday, Scarlett Johansson shocked the industry by suing one of the largest mega-corporations in the world, Disney, for simultaneously releasing Black Widow in theaters and on Disney+ (for PVOD, but still). Now Gerard Butler is doing something similar-but-different, for the 2013 franchise-started Olympus Has Fallen.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Scottish actor filed a fraud claim against Nu Image, Millennium Media and Padre Nuestro Productions, alleging that they owe him at least $10 million more than they paid him. Butler claims he hasn’t seen a dime in net profits from the film, which grossed around $170 million worldwide and yielded two sequels, both of which starred him.

The claim also alleges that the companies launched a “comprehensive, premeditated scheme” to hide profits and deprive Butler of what he’s owed from them.

Olympus Has Fallen stars Butler as a Secret Service Agent who helps foil an attempted coup of the White House — a plot that also fueled the same year’s White House Down, starring Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx. Olympus proved the bigger hit.

The suit was filed the day after Johansson’s, which accused Disney of not renegotiating their contract with her before they decided her long-awaited MCU solo movie would drop on their streamer. That film went on to a pandemic record opening weekend but has since underperformed, clocking in at one of the franchise’s lowest grossers. As Hollywood contracts are thrown into further disarray amidst a rapidly changing industry, expect more of the same — or, in the case of Butler, to come for what they’re allegedly owed.

(Via THR)

One day after the NBA Draft and a pair of Eastern Conference playoff teams came to terms on a trade. The Boston Celtics, which have been in serious need of point guard depth, and the Atlanta Hawks, which could use a big man in the short-term, worked out a deal that helps both teams.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Tristan Thompson is headed to the Hawks, and in exchange, the Celtics will acquire Kris Dunn and a second-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

While neither Dunn nor Thompson are game-changers, they are able to provide a little stability to a pair of positions that have question marks. Boston’s point guards are a mishmash of Marcus Smart and a trio of young dudes (Carsen Edwards, Payton Pritchard, Tremont Waters), and while Dunn isn’t going to go in and win the starting job barring something unforeseen, he gives them a competent option off the bench and a person who can provide some defensive tenacity on the perimeter.

As for the Hawks, the team won’t have promising young big man Onyeka Okongwu for six months following offseason shoulder surgery. While he should be back in time for the pre-All-Star push and the second half of the season based off of that timetable, they could use an option behind Clint Capela that does not involve going small with John Collins (should he re-sign) or Danilo Gallinari, and Thompson gives them exactly that. Neither team is taking on a long-term contract in the deal, either, as both players are free agents at the conclusion of the 2021-22 campaign.