Lists Shapeshifters Six Onscreen Shapeshifters Who Deserve More Love From demons to adorable pets, let’s hear it for these lesser-known shapeshifters! By Lorna Wallace | Published on December 9, 2024 Comment 0 Share New Share Shapeshifting, unsurprisingly, comes in many different shapes and guises. Marvel’s Mystique is able to mimic anyone, while the Genie from Aladdin (1992) can transform into basically anything. And then there are the more sinister shifters who inspire fear: Pennywise and his knack for horrifying creatures, the Thing with its disturbing biological mash-ups, and the absolutely ruthless liquid metal T-1000. All of these shapeshifters are rightfully pop-culture icons, but I want to spend a little time talking up a few shifters who don’t get enough time in the spotlight. A quick note before I get started: I’m not counting people/creatures who only shift into one other form, e.g. werewolves and the Hulk. With that said, here are six shapeshifters from films and TV shows that deserve a little more love. The Shape Shifter from Gravity Falls Twins Dipper (Jason Ritter) and Mabel (Kristen Schaal) come across a lot of creepy creatures while spending their summer in Gravity Falls, but one of the scariest has to be the Shape Shifter (Mark Hamill). While this nightmarish creature can take on the shape of anything, it has to see the thing in order to mimic it. Having been trapped in a hidden underground bunker for many years, the Shape Shifter has a field day when it gets its hands on the monster-filled journal that Dipper found. Although the Shape Shifter can perfectly mimic humans—which creates some excellent character drama—I’m more partial to its various supersized bug forms (as well as its natural form, which also happens to be rather insectile!). But I think its best trick is twisting its various guises together, resulting in some horrifying abominations that are rather reminiscent of the alien from The Thing. The Dipper-Mabel hybrid creature pushes the body horror further than I was ever expecting from such a kid-friendly show.   The Polymorph from Red Dwarf The Polymorph is a fairly blatant comedic homage to the Xenomorph from the Alien films (not that I knew that when I first saw the episode as a kid!). Not only does the Polymorph go through Xenomorph-esque transformations throughout its life cycle, but its final large form even features an inner mouth appendage that shoots out. While the small worm-like version of the creature looks pretty silly (and makes hilarious little noises), the fully-grown version is a slimy nightmare that I’d prefer not to encounter. The genetically engineered Polymorph tailors its appearance to each victim—much like Pennywise—in order to suck out whichever emotion it desires to feed upon. Lister (Craig Charles), Rimmer (Chris Barrie), Cat (Danny John-Jules), and Kryten (Robert Llewellyn) aren’t the most adept group at the best of times, but the situation gets even worse after the creature has consumed Lister’s fear, Rimmer’s anger, Cat’s vanity, and Kryten’s guilt. Thankfully though, luck is on their side! Lucifer from Hazbin Hotel Lucifer (Jeremy Jordan) doesn’t get much screen time in the animated musical comedy series Hazbin Hotel, but his appearances always pack a punch. As well as being the shapeshifting King of Hell, Lucifer is also the absentee, and yet overprotective, father of main character Charlie (Erika Henningsen). Although Charlie pours her heart into the Hazbin Hotel—which aims to rehabilitate demons in order to get them into Heaven—Lucifer is too much in his own head to give Charlie the support she needs. But although he’s scatter-brained and socially awkward, he’s still the King of Hell for a reason. [Spoilers for the season one finale of Hazbin Hotel follow.] In the final episode (video above), Charlie and co. are struggling to protect the hotel, and each other, from the assault that’s being dished out by the angelic Exterminators, but then Lucifer swoops in diabolus ex machina style to save the day. While battling Adam (Alex Brightman), Lucifer makes full use of his shapeshifting abilities, transforming into a snake, goat, bird, horse, and octopus in order to beat—and, let’s be honest, taunt—the angel. Best of all, in each animal form, the fallen angel always retains a few of his stylistic flourishes, with his dapper top hat and bow tie being permanent fixtures. The Bounty Hunters from the Critters Films  I’ve previously written fairly extensively about my love of films that are so-bad-they’re-good, and the Critters franchise definitely falls into that category. Although they’re B-movies, I stand by the practical creature effects being genuinely fantastic. However, it’s not the endlessly hungry Krites that I’m focusing on today. We first meet the shapeshifting bounty hunters, Ug and Lee, in their default forms that sport green featureless heads. To prepare for their mission of Krite elimination on Earth, they watch a primer on human culture, during which Ug sees a video of rock star Johnny Steele (Terrence Mann) and takes on his form. Lee, however, remains undecided and in Critters 2: The Main Course (1988) we get a little more information about why that is. Ug is asked why he chose the singer, while Lee is “still a nothing-face,” to which he replies, “Because this body fit. Lee stays a nothing-face until he finds the right self. Can’t live in the wrong self.” Lee’s shapeshifting is often played for laughs, and the form he spends the most time in—and seems to be the most comfortable in—is that of a Playboy centerfold model (played by Roxanne Kernohan). But paired with Ug’s comments about needing to find “the right self,” Lee’s choice is actually pretty poignant in terms of gender identity and expression. Morph from Treasure Planet Disney animation has a fairly extensive roster of shapeshifters—along with Aladdin’s previously mentioned Genie, there’s Maui from Moana (2016), Pain and Panic from Hercules (1997), Camilo from Encanto (2021) and Merlin and Madam Mim from The Sword in the Stone (1963). But this impressive line-up has led to Morph, from box-office flop Treasure Planet (2002), becoming a little lost in the mix. While Treasure Planet is no masterpiece, there are elements of the film that really work, and have managed to grab hold of my heart, and one of those elements is Morph. Long John Silver is known for having a pet parrot perched on his shoulder, but in this sci-fi take on the classic Robert Louis Stevenson book, the iconic pirate of course needed a suitably sci-fi pet. Enter Morph—a tiny floating pink blob that can, well, morph into any shape. Morph’s default form is adorable all on his own, but his tiny versions of other characters in the film really steal the show for me.   Aside from looking cute, Morph also has the personality of a cheeky puppy and, like many a canine companion, he’s also a fantastic judge of character. Although Jim (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Silver (Brian Murray) are initially at odds with each other, Morph takes a shine to both of them and his instincts are proven to be right as the pair eventually develop a genuinely tender father-son relationship (which is another strong suit of the film!). Doric from Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023) is a film that knows how to have fun and one scene that really sticks out in my mind is the one-take chase sequence through Neverwinter. Shapeshifting druid Doric (Sophia Lillis) infiltrates Forge’s (Hugh Grant) castle on a reconnaissance mission, but while eavesdropping as a fly, her presence is detected. To escape, Doric shifts into whichever animal—be that rat, cat, or bird—can best maneuver through the current environment. Although the scene wasn’t actually shot in one continuous take, it’s stitched together so seamlessly that it still generates that breathlessly propulsive feeling. And not only is it fun to see Doric constantly adapting her form to suit the situation, but the scene is also packed with comedy—from the armored guards clumsily scurrying after her rat form to the family who are shocked by a cat falling down their chimney and then suddenly transforming into a human (or, well, a tiefling to be exact). I’m sure there are plenty of other shapeshifters out there who deserve their moment in the sun, so feel free to leave your own favorite underrated examples in the comments below![end-mark] The post Six Onscreen Shapeshifters Who Deserve More Love appeared first on Reactor.

Hatred Born Out of Delusion

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A new method using real hailstones and CT scanners has revealed how they grow.

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An Ohio homeowner told police he heard a noise on his balcony early Sunday morning, found an intruder in his residence, and opened fire.West Chester police spokesperson Barb Wilson told WXIX-TV the suspected intruder later died at a hospital. West Chester is about a half hour north of Cincinnati.'If this goes to trial (and it should not), put me on the jury. I’ll thank him for saving future break-ins and possibly people’s lives and send him on his way.'Police were called to the 7500 block of Shawnee Lane around 5 a.m., Wilson told the station, adding that a preliminary report indicates the homeowner heard suspicious noises on his balcony and discovered an intruder in his home.Wilson told WXIX the homeowner is being cooperative with police.The Cincinnati Enquirer said authorities didn't identify the male home invasion suspect.A neighbor told the station in an on-camera interview that the incident was "very shocking and disturbing. I never expected anything like that to happen around here." The neighbor — who lives across the street from the apartment complex where the incident occurred — added to WXIX that she wonders what led to it and is now concerned for her children's safety.How are others reacting?Commenters under the WXIX Facebook post about the incident seem sympathetic to the homeowner:"Well ... that's the risk he assumed by choosing being a criminal instead of a decent productive citizen," one commenter wrote. "Condolences to his family, but he reaped consequences of poor choices, and there's personal accountability. No one to blame but [himself].""This is the American way!" another user exclaimed."Thank God for 2A," another commenter noted."Taxpayers' money saved," another user said. "Don't enter where you aren't supposed to be, and you won't get shot.""If this goes to trial (and it should not), put me on the jury," another commenter requested. "I’ll thank him for saving future break-ins and possibly people’s lives and send him on his way.""Guess he won’t be doing that anymore ..." another user observed."No crime by the homeowner," another commenter declared.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Over the last few weeks, clusters of large drones have been spotted flying around the Raritan River, which is located near North Central New Jersey. These alleged sightings have sparked concerns due to their proximity to President-elect Donald Trump’s Bedminster golf course as well as Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility. According to reports, these drones have been appearing since mid-November and usually return on a daily basis, flying in formation. In response, the FAA has issued temporary flight restrictions over Bedminster golf course and Picatinny Arsenal. The FBI has also been investigating. However, the FBI and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas’ involvement doesn’t make Glenn Beck feel any better. “Does anybody think [Mayorkas] has any credibility whatsoever? He's like, ‘Well, I don't know what's going on,”’ he says, pointing out that Mayorkas also didn’t know what was going on at our border. The FBI as well as New Jersey law enforcement have given similar statements, claiming that they don’t know where these drones came from or what their purpose is. Glenn has some theories, however. “That could very well be surveillance on the average American because they’re doing police work, [or] it could be our government doing it,” he says, noting that the sheer size of these drones (some reportedly as big as cars) likely aren’t owned by hobbyists. “I think this is most likely our government. Second most likely — this is a China balloon,” he says. “The Chinese military drones that are in these gigantic fields, and thousands of thousands of them are flying in formation ... God forbid we get into World War III. Our aircraft carriers are going to be the horses of World War I.” Co-host Stu Burguiere, however, thinks that it wouldn’t even take military personnel or government officials to pull off a drone attack. “I think a lot of normal people could put that together with not that much effort,” he says, calling the prospect “terrifying.” Glenn then recalls an equally terrifying memory, in which a man demonstrated how drones will be the next weapon of war. To hear it, watch the clip above. Want more from Glenn Beck?To enjoy more of Glenn’s masterful storytelling, thought-provoking analysis, and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

President-elect Donald Trump spoke to NBC News' Kristen Welker for over an hour Sunday, detailing what he intends to do on his first days in office. When asked whether he actually intends to fire FBI Director Christopher Wray — whose term does not expire until 2027 — Trump answered in the affirmative and provided a damning justification. "I can't say I'm thrilled with him," Trump told Welker. "He invaded my home. I'm suing the country over it. He invaded Mar-a-Lago. I'm very unhappy with the things he's done." The FBI raided Trump's Palm Beach residence in August 2022 — something the bureau did not similarly do when investigating Biden over his admitted transport and possession of classified documents. Following the raid — which Wray later suggested was not a raid at all — Biden Attorney General Merrick Garland illegally appointed Jack Smith as a special prosecutor to investigate Trump's retention of government documents at his home in Florida. While Smith brought 37 felony counts against Trump, the case was ultimately dismissed. In August 2024, Trump attorney Daniel Epstein filed a notice of intent to sue the DOJ for $100 million. Epstein noted in the administrative tort claim that Garland and Wray's decisions pertaining to the raid "were inconsistent with protocols requiring the consent of an investigative target, disclosure to that individual's attorneys, and the use of the local U.S. Attorney's Office." 'In the history of our country, nothing like this has ever happened.' "Garland and Wray's decisions regarding the Mar-a-Lago raid were not grounded in 'social, economic, and political policy' but in clear dereliction of constitutional principles, inconsistent standards as applied to the prospective plaintiff, and a clear intent to engage in political persecution," continued Epstein. "Attorney General Garland, FBI Director Wray, and Special Counsel Smith's targeting, indictment, and harassment of President Trump has always been a malicious political prosecution aimed at affecting an electoral outcome to prevent President Trump from being re-elected." Extra to taking issue with the raid, which may end up costing the the U.S. government a significant sum, Trump suggested to Welker Sunday that high crime rates and Wray's comments about the Butler shooting further spiked his confidence in the current FBI director. "When I was shot in the ear, [Wray] said, 'Oh, maybe it was shrapnel.' Where's the shrapnel coming from? Is it coming from heaven? I don't think so," said Trump. "We need somebody to straighten — you know, I have a lot of respect for the FBI, but the FBI's respect has gone way down over the last number of years." Despite having spoken at length earlier in the interview about Trump's pick of Kash Patel for his next FBI director, Welker asked about the technical necessity of canning Wray. "It would sort of seem pretty obvious that if Kash gets in, he's going to be taking somebody's place," Trump responded. "Right? That somebody is the man that you're talking about." Welker repeatedly attempted to goad Trump into stating that he would direct Patel to go after his political opponents, but Trump underscored that when it comes to his proposed FBI director as well as with his proposed attorney general, former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, he will take a hands-off approach. "He's going to do what he thinks is right," said Trump. "If they think that somebody was dishonest or crooked or [a] corrupt politician, I think he probably has an obligation to do it." While emphasizing it would be up to Bondi and Patel to take action, Trump nevertheless reiterated his displeasure with the current DOJ and FBI. "What they've done to me with weaponization is a disgrace," said Trump. "In the history of our country, nothing like this has ever happened. And I've won these cases. I've won every one, and the rest are in the process of being won. Deranged Jack Smith is on his way back to the Hague where he can execute people. This is where he should have stayed. ... I think he's dangerous even being there." Following Trump's Nov. 30 announcement that he would nominate Patel, Wray's potential replacement shared the following statement: "It is the honor of a lifetime to be nominated by President Trump to serve as Director of the FBI. Together, we will restore integrity, accountability, and equal justice to our justice system and return the FBI to its rightful mission: protecting the American people." Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!