We’re going beyond the hype this week and putting our focus on a few films — some in theaters, some streaming — you might not have heard about, but should.

Here’s our roundup.

“Girl You Know It’s True”: One of the biggest music scandals to rock the industry came in the shocking reveal that the two lead singers of the late ‘80s/early ‘90s pop group Milli Vanilli lip-synched all their songs, never singing one friggin’ note. That confession further tarnished the rep of the Grammys, which anointed the duo with its best new artist trophy, an honor later revoked. Director/screenwriter Simon Verhoeven’s entertaining biopic looks at how greed and fame fueled the calculated, infamous rise of the German group made up of two attractive Munich club dancers, the late Robert Pilatus (Tijan Njie) and Fab Morvan (Elan Ben Ali). Framed as sort of a rags to excessive riches story and as a well-deserved slap to the two-faced music industry, “Girl You Know It’s True” is executive produced by many involved in this public hoodwinking. But while that gives you pause the resulting film doesn’t let either singer off the hook — showing how they became drug-snorting, bed hopping divas that demanded sushi (and flew into a rage if they didn’t get it) along with one red Ferrari. But it is sympathetic to their plight as well, showing how they, like so many pre-packaged performers (cooked up in this case by producer Frank Farian — played well by Matthias Schweighöfer in a Spicoli-like wig) were lucrative puppets in a hit-making machine that celebrates bouncy tunes and hot looks over actual singing talent. “Girl You Know It’s True” doesn’t always work (the fourth-wall breaking narration hits a false note and the industry skewering and racist reactions to the two could have been even more pointed) but even at 2 hours, this one is as catchy as, well, a Milli Vanilli song. Details: 3 stars out of 4; available to rent and stream Aug. 9.

“Twilight of The Warriors: Walled In”: A few decades back, martial arts movies were supremely popular, side-kicking their way into American theaters and onto VHS and DVD. Today, the deluge has turned into more of a trickle. Director Soi Cheang throws it back to that heyday with this seamlessly edited, action-stuffed Hong Kong epic that’s visually arresting and massively exciting. Already a huge hit in Hong Kong, it’s a summer find that lands in theaters this week. it sets itself in Kowloon Walled City, a decaying, large-scale Hong Kong slum where a refugee named Chan Lok-kwan (the lithe, acrobatic Raymond Lam) lands after being hoodwinked by triad leader Mr. Big (martial arts superstar Sammo Hung) over an ID card. Lok-kwan jets off with a bag of Mr. Big’s blow and catches the eye of Cyclone (Louis Koo), a barber/gangster with cred and connections to a decades-old grudge match. Cyclone gets him a job and sets him on a path for a new life. The plot gets far more tangled than that and draws in past vendettas and secret legacies. It serves as a bouncy functional diving off point into a pool of tightly choreographed brawls that are guaranteed to make you blurt out “ow, ouch.” They’re spectacular, vigorous sequences in what’s a very stylized production (the underworld look is incredible to behold) that rockets to a massive showdown that might just make you applaud in your seats. See it on the big screen. Details: 3½ stars; in theaters Aug. 9.

“The Last Front”: These days, a good, old-fashioned World War I-set thriller can be hard to come by. Director/screenwriter Julien Hayet-Kerknawi comes to the rescue with this intense, visually striking first feature that feels an awful like a Western. Rather than tell a soldier’s story (a staple of this genre), he focuses on the Lamberts, a Belgian farm family. Grieving widower Leonard Lambert (“Game of Thrones” Iain Glen) reluctantly leads the charge against the Germans as they advance on his farm where he lives quietly with his dreamy son and uptight daughter. An unfortunate encounter with the drunken, rage-fueled lieutenant Laurentz (Joe Anderson, in full-blown hissable mode) thrusts Leonard into helping all villagers as his grief turns into fury. “The Last Front” does grab you but it isn’t subtle by any means — even when it depicts artful scenes in nature as a sharp contrast to the blood men spill in battle. But it’s done with such conviction and passion, you won’t mind. Details: 3 stars; in select theaters Aug. 9.

“This Closeness”: A quick trip to Philadelphia for a high school reunion leads an attractive but seriously self-absorbed Gen-Z couple, Tessa and Ben (Kit Zauhar and Zane Pais) to rent a sliver of a room in an apartment. Their host (Ian Edlund) turns out to be introverted and socially awkward, traits that both annoy and fascinate this couple stuck in a rut. Zauhar is also writer and director here, and her very funny, squirmable sophomore feature gazes at how we wall ourselves off from each other even when we happen to be together. During Tessa and Ben’s brief stay, jealousies, hookups, slights and arguments happen and point to personality fractures in all parties involved. Zauhar is a dexterous actor and an astute observer of frayed, worn-down relationships and how they come loaded with baggage that tends to get unloaded in an unhealthy way. Her bit involving the hot-and-cold frustration over a malfunctioning air conditioner is ingenious, and serves as a perfect metaphor for her bickering couple. She’s the real deal, and I can’t wait to see what the New York-based filmmaker comes up with next. Details: 3 stars; available to watch for free on MUBI.

“Starve Acre”:  A few years back, A24 gobsmacked us with one of the strangest Icelandic folk horror yarns ever. It was about a cute but unsettling half-human lamb. If you thought that one — called simply “Lamb” — was weird, just wait till you get a load of director/screenwriter Daniel Kokotajlo’s ‘70s-set brain messer featuring an ominous bunny. It’s beyond weird, and I mean that as a compliment. Matt Smith and Morfydd Clark star as a none-too-happy British couple living on his family’s rugged, isolated land — rooted in a nasty bit of back history — way out in the country. When their boy starts doing odd “Omen”-esque acts, they begin to worry — for good reason. Then the unexpected happens, shifting the entire film. Based on a novel by Andrew Michael Hurley, “Starve Acre” is bizarre from start to bloody finish. If you like literal-minded, meat-and-potatoes horror films, avoid it. But if you dig moody oddities with a dash of humor and a Gothic look that puts you ill at ease throughout, grab it. Details: 3 stars; available to rent on multiple platforms.

“The Abandon”: If funds and time are tight, it’s never wise for a filmmaker to shoot at a variety of locations. It’ll only create more headaches. Director Jason Satterlund and screenwriter Dwain Worrell wisely keep most of their action contained to the inner walls of a strange cube where wounded soldier Miles Willis finds himself trapped. A claustrophobic story such as this one relies heavily on ingenuity and good acting to make you care. The ever-game Jonathan Rosenthal does just that. His performance is a very physical one since he gets battered about while the cube starts to slowly close in on him. Miles isn’t alone, though, and communicates with another (Tamara Perry) without ever seeing her. She, too, is stuck for no apparent reason. Questions, suspicions and surprises swirl about as each tries to figure out if they can trust the other. “The Abandon” succeeds on a variety of levels, as a taut survival thriller, a kicky sci-fi film and an emotional drama (I was surprised how this one got to me at times). It also hits you with a “what the hell” finale that swings open the door for a sequel. Bring it on. And the meantime, let’s hope Rosenthal and Satterlund get the notice they deserve. Details: 3 stars, available now to rent.

“Detained”: In this over-the-top but satisfying neo-noir that cribs heavily from “The Usual Suspects” playbook, a disoriented hit-and-run suspect Rebecca (Abbie Cornish) finds herself relentlessly interrogated by two badgering detectives (Laz Alonso and Moon Bloodgood) over a crime she can’t remember committing. Did Rebecca really mow someone over? Or is she just being framed? Director and co-screenwriter Felipe Mucci keeps us guessing throughout in this implausible, unhinged shocker that’s recklessly enjoyable and well-acted. Beware, though, it does go overboard with a couple of “surprise” reveals. Those can be easily forgiven since this is a finely tuned ride ideal for toss-the-brain-aside weekend consumption. Details: 2½ stars; available to rent now.

“Duchess”: Clunky,  junky and devoid of any nutritional value, director/co-screenwriter Neil Marshall’s inept crime thriller wants to meld a Guy Ritchie caper with a Jackie Collins novel, and it winds failing at both. Charlotte Kirk stars as a brash London pickpocket who falls for a hot guy (Philip Winchester) involved in illicit activities, including diamond trafficking. Kirk’s character Scarlett/Duchess provides lackluster voice-over narration in a derivative bore that jets back and forth to the Canary Islands and London. The blah fight scenes get pointlessly gory and the romance is a yawner  It’s a star vehicle for Kirk who isn’t able to convince us why we want to spend any time with Duchess. The camera certainly cozies up to her, worshiping her body to excessive levels. It’s hard to imagine that this came from the same filmmaker who gave us “The Descent.” Details: 1 star; available to rent Aug. 9.

Contact Randy Myers at soitsrandy@gmail.com.

James Royal, Ph.D. | Bankrate.com (TNS)

Social Security provides benefits not only to retired workers but also to spouses who have not contributed to the program. Spouses are one of the many beneficiaries of Social Security, and even ex-spouses can claim a payout from the program in some circumstances.

When you apply for Social Security, you automatically apply for the greater of your benefit or half your spouse’s benefit. The average monthly payout for all retired workers was $1,918 in June 2024, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA), while those claiming spousal benefits received an average check of about $911.

Here’s how Social Security works for those looking to claim a spousal benefit.

Claiming spousal benefits from Social Security: How it works

When a worker files for benefits from Social Security, the worker’s spouse may be able to claim a benefit based on the worker’s contributions. For spouses to receive the benefit, they must be at least age 62 or care for a child under age 16 (or one receiving Social Security disability benefits). In addition, spouses cannot claim the spousal benefit until the worker files for their benefit.

There are other important caveats about the spousal benefit as well.

How much should you expect to get from spousal benefits?

“Spousal benefits are capped at half your spouse’s benefit at full retirement age. If [the worker] waits beyond that to claim, the spousal benefit cannot grow further,” says Claire Toth, former managing principal and senior wealth strategist at New Jersey-based Peapack-Gladstone Bank.

Toth is referring to the strategy of a retiree not claiming benefits until past full retirement age (typically between 66 and 67) in order to claim a bigger monthly benefit. Social Security will boost your benefit substantially if you delay filing until as late as age 70. It’s one way to juice your payout without working more.

However, if your spouse files before full retirement age, you will likely receive a permanently reduced benefit. Benefits may be reduced so that the spouse receives as little as 32.5% of the retiree’s benefit. The spousal benefit is reduced by about seven-tenths of 1% for each month before full retirement age, up to 36 months. If you exceed the 36 months, Social Security will dock about four-tenths of 1% for further months.

The math can be complicated, but Social Security provides a tool to calculate spousal benefits.

The exception to this rule of filing early is if a spouse is caring for a child under age 16 or one who is disabled, in which case the benefit is not reduced. In fact, this spouse could claim the spousal benefit at any age if they’re caring for a child who also receives benefits.

Who is eligible for spousal Social Security benefits?

In general, you may be eligible if you are married, divorced or widowed and your spouse was eligible for benefits.

Those who apply for spousal benefits must have been married for at least one year. Your spouse must also have begun receiving Social Security benefits — unless you are widowed. In the latter case, you may be able to receive the full amount of your late spouse’s benefits as opposed to the spousal benefit, assuming their benefit is higher than yours. However, you will not be eligible to receive your late spouse’s benefit if you remarry.

Even ex-spouses can file based on your earnings. The requirements for claiming benefits based on your ex-spouse’s work record include:

—You are unmarried.

—You must have been married at least 10 years.

—You must have been divorced from the spouse for at least two consecutive years.

—Your ex-spouse must be entitled to Social Security retirement or disability benefits.

—The benefit you would receive from your work record would be less than this spousal benefit.

“In theory, a person could marry someone new every 10 years and give them a spousal benefit as a parting gift,” says Russell D. Knight, an attorney in Chicago. “It’s better than nothing.”

But it’s not like that money comes out of your monthly benefit check, so rest easy.

“When this happens, there’s no reduction to either the high earner or the current spouse – the Social Security Administration deals with this actuarially,” says Warren Ward, CFP at WWA Planning & Investments in Columbus, Indiana.

Strategies for claiming a spousal benefit

Social Security offers quite a few options for how to claim your benefits, and while the options are meant to give flexibility to retirees and others, they do create more complexity. Everyone wants to get all the benefits they’re entitled to, and this complexity might obscure an avenue to receiving more money from the program.

Spouses have a few ways to proceed here, and the best course of action often depends on your personal financial situation.

When should you claim spousal benefits?

While the best age to claim spousal benefits is a personal decision, you can’t claim these benefits before age 62. If you opt for sometime after reaching age 62 and before your full retirement age, you’re likely to see your benefits reduced.

And if you wait until after your full retirement age, benefits won’t increase. The wage earner may benefit from delaying benefits until age 70, but the spouse applying for benefits won’t.

For those looking to max out their spousal benefit, one course of action is obvious.

“The best strategy to claim Social Security retirement benefits as a spouse is to wait until you reach normal retirement age, 65 to 67, depending on birth year,” says Lindsay Malzone, a Medicare expert who has worked at Medigap.com. “Unless you currently care for a qualifying child, you will receive a reduced benefit if you have not yet attained normal retirement age.”

But there are exceptions to this general rule, especially if you believe your longevity is an issue.

Related Articles

Microsoft says Iranian hackers targeted US political campaigns

Pandemic shifted US jobs out of big cities into smaller metros

When do airlines give vouchers for delays?

Maximize credit card points with just one (big) skill

McDonald’s will launch a Collector’s Meal with six nostalgic cups on Aug. 13

“We usually start by considering health: How long did the same-sex parent live and what’s the current health situation for both partners,” Ward says. “Those with long expected life spans and good health are usually best off waiting until the maximum benefit is available. Those with shorter life expectancies or poor health may be better off starting sooner. Those with a terminal illness can file ‘as of’ six months ago and start receiving payments immediately and collect a check for those ‘missed’ payments.”

The spousal benefit may also offer some flexibility for older filers. For example, a spouse may be able to claim spousal benefits on a worker’s account and then later claim benefits on his or her account. If your spouse was born before Jan. 2, 1954 and has already reached full retirement age, your spouse can receive the spousal benefit and delay receiving their own retirement benefit until later. If your spouse was born after this date, this option no longer exists.

Spouses may also take their own benefit early and then switch to their partner’s benefit later.

“I have several clients where her own benefit is less than or very close to half the spousal benefit and he plans to wait until age 70 to claim,” Toth says. “In that case, the wife is often best off claiming early — sometimes as early as age 62 — and then switching to the spousal benefit when her husband claims. Her benefit only continues until the first death, and the survivor gets his benefit. Even if they both make it into their 90s, this is often the best result.”

And Social Security does also offer flexibility for a spouse whose partner dies.

“If the higher-earning spouse dies, the current spouse can claim the higher of their own benefit or that of the higher earner,” says Ward. “This is certainly better than nothing, but it does represent an overall ‘pay cut’ for the survivor.”

Planning for Social Security can be tough, but Bankrate’s calculator can help you estimate your Social Security earnings. Ward points out that the SSA’s website, financial planners and most brokerage firms also offer planning options and tools to help you out.

Those looking for other sources of retirement income should be sure that they consider all types of retirement plans that may be available to them, including IRAs, 401(k)s and pensions.

Bottom line

Spouses have a lot of flexibility, thanks to the Social Security spousal benefit. As you near retirement, you’ll want to explore your options on how best to take advantage of the program and maximize your benefits from the program.

(Visit Bankrate online at bankrate.com.)

©2024 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

By KATE BRUMBACK Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — Water quality data used by Paris Olympics organizers shows that bacteria levels in the Seine River were within acceptable levels on the days that athletes swam in the famed waterway, according to their tests and established thresholds.

The Associated Press obtained the results of daily tests for fecal bacteria on water samples taken at four points in the river two or three times daily. The data spans a period from July 19, a week before the opening ceremony, through Thursday, when the women’s marathon swim was held and a day before the men’s marathon swim.

Officials have been sharing some water quality data at briefings during the Games, but the new information is a more complete set of numbers, including the results from at least two tests each day for all four sampling sites.

The river that flows through the heart of France’s capital has been so polluted that swimming has been banned for a century with a few exceptions. Paris launched massive infrastructure improvements costing 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) to ensure the Olympic triathlon and marathon swimming events could be held in the Seine.

Officials claimed success after the competitions went forward largely as planned.

But the data shows that the levels of E. coli and enterococci bacteria were much higher than are deemed acceptable for competition on many days over the three-week period, generally registering as “poor” for three or four days after heavy rain fell. That raises questions about Paris’ long-term plans to allow the public to swim in the river beginning next summer.

Peru’s Maria Alejandra Bramont-Arias competes during the marathon swimming women’s 10km competition at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Weather has an enormous effect on the Seine’s cleanliness. Rain can cause runoff and wastewater — and, therefore, bacteria — to flow into the river. On the flip side, warm temperatures and the sun’s ultraviolet rays can kill the germs. Hot and sunny weather during the Games has occasionally given way to drenching rain.

Elevated bacteria levels following downpours caused the cancellation of some test runs meant to allow athletes to familiarize themselves with the course ahead of both triathlon and marathon swimming events. They also resulted in the men’s individual triathlon being delayed by a day, but otherwise, the Olympic events were held as planned in the river.

Several athletes who swam in the Seine reported gastrointestinal illnesses after their events, but it wasn’t clear whether bacteria in the water were to blame.

There were notable downpours during the Games’ opening ceremony on July 26 and the night of July 31, after the individual triathlon competitions were held earlier that day. Each time, the bacteria levels in the river increased dramatically and took several days to dip back below the level deemed acceptable, the data shows.

Related Articles

Marta plays for Olympic gold one more time when Brazil meets US in women’s soccer final

Olympians are turning to OnlyFans to fund dreams as they face a ‘broken’ finance system

Like Noah Lyles, Olympians with COVID are competing in Paris. Restrictions are a thing of the past

Noah Lyles decided to race with COVID-19. The USOPC’s CEO is ‘100% comfortable’ with that decision

LeBron James, still leading the way for the US at age 39, has another chance at an Olympic gold

The numbers reveal how levels can differ from one testing site to the next, even though all the areas are relatively close together.

On Monday, when the triathlon mixed relay was held, all four sites had acceptable levels for E. coli, while the enterococci level was too high at one site. But that site, the Port du Gros Caillou, was outside the relatively short course used for the relay.

Under guidelines set by World Triathlon and World Aquatics, the two sports’ governing bodies that decided whether the Olympic events would go forward each day, “good” water quality can include up to 1,000 colony-forming units of E. coli and up to 400 colony-forming units of enterococci per 100 milliliters.

The bacteria levels can change remarkably in a short amount of time. The Port du Gros Caillou site registered a “poor” level of 436 units of enterococci at 5:45 a.m. Monday. At 12:25 p.m., it showed a “very good” 99 units.

Most strains of E. coli and enterococci are harmless, and some live in the intestines of healthy people and animals. But others are dangerous and even a mouthful of contaminated water can cause infections in the urinary tract or intestines. Several factors determine whether a person falls ill after exposure, chief among them a person’s age and general health.

M Health Fairview and family support services center Family Values for Life have partnered to provide back-to-school vaccines this Saturday.

Held at M Health Fairview’s Roselawn Clinic in St. Paul, the event is open to children ages four to 17 who are “at risk of school exclusion due to missing required vaccines and who face barriers to receiving immunizations at usual clinics,” according to a Family Values for Life press release.

Health insurance is not required, but those with insurance should bring that information, according to the release. Children must be accompanied by a legal guardian who should bring all immunization records and related documents to the event.

Families can select a time slot at signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/1163508010035/false#/invitation, but arrivals outside of the selected time will be accepted.

The event location is 1983 Sloan Place, Suite 1, St. Paul, MN, 55117.

Sponsors include the University of Minnesota Physician’s Black Initiative Network and Cross-Cultural Leadership Network.

Related Articles

Olympians say conversations on sports, mental health are changing

Meet Beacon the therapy dog, bringing joy from Pasadena to Team USA

Walz’s personal experiences shape his health policy outlook

Harris’ California health care battles signal fights ahead for hospitals if she wins

Lawmakers push for more consideration into MDMA-assisted therapy for veterans