Month: April 2026

Quentin Tarantino is not a filmmaker with many, if any, films that are considered “misses.” Every movie in the writer-director’s filmography is certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, and all but two are 84% or higher.

Even with a nearly perfect body of work, including films like Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill: Volume 1, Inglourious Basterds and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, something has to be at the bottom. Tarantino himself has a clear opinion on what is the least impressive of his career.

Quentin Tarantino movies by #Tomatometer heading into #OnceUponATimeInHollywood: pic.twitter.com/NASKV2TMR9

— Rotten Tomatoes 🍅 (@RottenTomatoes) July 26, 2019

In The Hollywood Reporter’s Director Roundtable series, also featuring Gus Van Sant, Ben Affleck, Ang Lee, David O. Russell and Tom Hooper, the director, promoting Django Unchained at the time, gave his answer.

“Death Proof has got to be the worst movie I ever make. And for a left-handed movie, that wasn’t so bad, all right? — so if that’s the worst I ever get, I’m good. But I do think one of those out-of-touch, old, limp, flaccid-dick movies costs you three good movies as far as your rating is concerned.”

Tarantino’s Death Proof was a part of a unique collaboration with fellow director Robert Rodriguez to create an official double feature called Grindhouse. Rodriguez’s film, Planet Terror, paired with Death Proof to complete the final product.

Death Proof. 2007 pic.twitter.com/hzWUawhQJh

— 𝔰𝔢𝔩𝔢𝔠𝔱𝔬𝔯 (@SelectedCinema) April 23, 2026

The film, starring Kurt Russell, currently sits at 67% from critics and 71% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. While Tarantino considers it to be his worst work, Death Proof is still a cult classic that many fans love. The film holds a 3.6/5 rating on Letterboxd, which is far from a film that moviegoers don’t like.

Since Tarantino broke into the business with his debut film, Reservoir Dogs, in 1992, he has made a total of nine movies. He has repeatedly said that he will limit himself to 10 films before calling it quits, only allowing the director one more.

It is still undecided what that final project will be. Tarantino wrote a sequel film for Brad Pitt‘s character, Cliff Booth, that will premiere in 2026, but was directed by David Fincher. This week, it was announced that a sequel to Django Unchained is in development without his involvement at all.

Due to Tarantino’s self-imposed 10-film rule, the era of his stories and characters getting new life without him is just beginning.

When it comes to car maintenance, there are some jobs that you might assume should be performed by experienced mechanics only. But with prices for an oil change ranging from anywhere between $25 and $125 depending on where you take your car and what kind of vehicle you own, the cost of keeping your car running smoothly can stack up, and you might be considering doing it yourself.

Like tuning up your garage door springs and restoring cloudy headlights, changing your oil yourself isn’t as difficult as you might be thinking. If you’re a beginner to at-home car maintenance, you might be surprised to learn just how quickly and easily you can complete this task at home, in just 30 to 60 minutes. 

Read on for all the information you’ll need to change your oil at home, including the tools required, the mistakes you’ll want to avoid, answers to any questions you might have, and step-by-step instructions.  

Why Changing Your Oil Is Important

Oil keeps your vehicle running smoothly. It lubricates all of the engine’s components and prevents damage: Without it, those moving parts would rub against each other and end up breaking, leading to expensive repair work. However, over time, the oil in your engine can pick up dust, dirt, and other debris. Dirty oil is less effective as a lubricant, and can reduce your car’s performance. Regular oil changes are an important part of your overall car maintenance to ensure peak performance and keep your car running for longer. 

We reached out to fabricator and mechanic Gabriel Scheuher, who creates car maintenance content for more than 72,000 followers on Instagram, for advice. He explains: “It’s important to change your oil regularly, because it cools engine components by carrying heat away, protects against corrosion and sludge buildup, and cleans by suspending dirt, metal particles, and combustion byproducts.”  

Related: The Best Tool Organization Ideas for Garages, Workshops, and Small Spaces

How Often Should You Change Your Oil?

The frequency with which you need to change your oil depends on the make and model of your car, and we would always recommend checking your owner’s manual for specific guidance. As a general rule, however, it is best to change the oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles for older cars. More modern vehicles, meanwhile, can run between 5,000 and 7,500 miles between oil changes.

It is worth noting that if you are using synthetic oil, this lasts considerably longer, and you may be able to go as much as 15,000 miles before requiring an oil change. 

Tools and Supplies You’ll Need

Make sure you have all of the following on hand before you begin:

• Motor oil (your owner’s manual will include details on the correct grade and amount of oil you should need)
• Oil filter
• Socket wrench
• Oil drain pan
• Funnel
• Jack and jack stands (optional)
• Gloves/rags to minimize mess 

Related: Is Garage Insulation Worth It? How to Choose the Right Type

How to Change Oil

Step 1: Warm Up the Engine

Start the car and run the engine for a few moments: This will warm up the oil, helping it to flow better. “First, the oil temperature has to be warm so that the oil is thin,” says Scheuher.

Step 2: Park Safely and Lift the Car

Position the car on a flat surface and engage the parking brake. Then, if necessary, raise the car on a jack stand to provide easy access to the oil drainage. 

Step 3: Locate the Drain Plug and Oil Filter

The drain plug is a large nut under the car’s oil pan, which you’ll usually find below the engine. The oil filter will be located near the oil pan, and should be clearly labeled. If you’re unsure of where to find the drain plug and oil filter on your car, you can refer to your owner’s manual. 

Step 4: Drain the Old Oil

Place the drain pan under the plug, ensuring that it will be big enough to contain all of the oil. Then, remove the drain plug. The oil will start to flow out into the pan. Allow the oil to fully drain from the car.

Step 5: Replace the Oil Filter

Unscrew and remove the oil filter, being careful not to spill any oil that may still be inside. Then, using a gloved finger, lightly oil the rubber gasket on your new oil filter, and install it in the old filter’s place, screwing it in tightly by hand. Applying a thin layer of oil to the gasket will help to create a seal as you tighten it. 

Step 6: Reinstall Drain Plug

Return the drain plug to the bottom of the oil pan, screwing it back in until it’s a snug fit. It is important that you don’t overtighten, as an overly tight fit can damage the drain plug and by extension the oil pan.  

Step 7: Add New Oil

You can now lower the car back to the ground and pop the hood. Before adding the new oil, be sure to check the manufacturer-recommended amount for your vehicle. Once you have the correct amount, use the funnel to pour the new oil into the hole in the oil filter. 

Step 8: Check Oil Level and Run Engine

Checking that you’ve got the right oil level is really simple: Pull the dipstick from its tube, wipe with a paper towel or rag, and reinsert it. Then remove it one more time to check that the oil is lined up with the “full” line on the stick. If it’s not quite full enough, carefully add more oil in small volumes using the funnel until you reach the “full” mark on the dipstick. 

Keeping the car in park, start the ignition and run the engine briefly. “Leave it running for around one minute, then check the oil level again,” advises Scheuher. “If needed, refill.” 

Related: How to Clean Cloudy Headlights With WD-40

Tips for At-Home Oil Changes

“Don’t hurry, and stay chill so you don’t forget anything in the process,” says Scheuher. Useful pointers to keep in mind when changing your oil include: 

• Lay down cardboard or newspaper before beginning to avoid a mess.
• Before removing the old oil, it can help to loosen the oil cap first to help it drain out faster. 
• Don’t overtighten the drain plug or oil cap when reinstalling them.
• Always double-check the oil level.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Doing an oil change by yourself for the first time can feel daunting, but it really isn’t that complicated, as long as you keep an eye out for the following common mistakes that beginners can make: 

Using the Wrong Type of Oil

Firstly, using the wrong type of oil can cause issues, because different oils have different levels of viscosity, and your car’s manufacturer will specify the exact right kind of oil to keep that particular engine running smoothly. You can easily check this in the owner’s manual. Additionally, the oil cap on your car may include a recommended oil type.

Overfilling or Under-filling

When refilling the oil, be sure not to add too much or too little. The correct amount of oil for your car will be specified in the owner’s manual. 

Forgetting to Replace Parts

Another easy mistake is forgetting to replace the drain plug or oil filter once you have completed the oil change.

Overtightening Parts

Similarly, once you do replace the plug and filter, it’s important not to overtighten them. Fitting these too tightly can cause the plug and oil pan to break once the engine is running. 

Not Checking for Leaks

Once the job is complete, not everybody looks for leaks around the oil filter and under the vehicle. This can help you ensure everything was put back correctly.

Related: The Right Way to Pressure Wash Your House (Without Damaging It)

How Long Does an Oil Change Take?

When taking your car to an auto shop to get the oil changed by an experienced mechanic, the job is usually done in 15 to 30 minutes. If you’re doing it by yourself at home, expect it to take a little longer: around 30 to 60 minutes. The first time you do it, it will probably take the full hour, maybe slightly longer. But when you’ve completed the task once, you’ll find doing it a second time is much faster and more straightforward. 

“It normally depends on what car you’re working on,” adds Scheuher. “There are cars where you need 15 minutes, but there can also be cars where it takes two hours. It also depends on if you have a lift or only a carjack. It’s most important that you take your time and don’t rush, because if you forget something it can cause big and expensive issues.” 

DIY vs Professional Oil Change

There are some pretty great advantages to changing your own oil, most notably being the money you’ll save, and the control you’ll have over choosing your own materials. However, there are also perks to taking your car into a shop for an oil change. Professional, experienced mechanics will be able to get the job done more quickly, and with less mess. Ultimately, the choice is yours.

What to Do With Old Oil

Put all old oil in a firmly sealed container. Do not pour it down a drain. There are a number of ways to get rid of your old oil that are safe and environmentally sound. Many stores accept used oil. Alternatively, you can take it to a recycling center, or to an auto shop, which will have its own methods of safely disposing of used oil. You should never dump old oil.

Related: Pros Reveal the Right Way to Stain a Deck for Long-Lasting Results

FAQs

Is it hard to change your own oil?

Changing your own oil might seem like a complicated task, but it’s simpler than you might think. “It’s easy to do it yourself if you have the needed tools like a carjack/lift, a ratchet with the needed nuts, and the oil filter and the right oil for your exact type of car,” says Scheuher.

Can I change oil without lifting the car?

This depends entirely on the kind of vehicle you’re working on, and the amount of clearance between the ground and the bottom of the car. Sometimes, there will be sufficient space to allow you to drain the oil pan and replace the plug and filter. If you don’t have access to a car lift, then you may be able to create enough clearance using a standard carjack. 

What oil should I use?

The kind of oil you use will vary from vehicle to vehicle. If you’re not sure, then you can check the owner’s manual or the cap on your oil filter.

Do I need to change the filter every time?

Yes, it’s important that you replace the oil filter each time you change your oil. This helps to prevent contamination, where traces of dust and metal from your previous oil get back into the engine.

There wasn’t anything too interesting about the first half between the New York Knicks and the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday night. The Knicks led 83-36 at halftime in the closeout contest that could potentially send New York to the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the third consecutive year.

Fans got some extracurricular fireworks with just under five minutes remaining in the second quarter. With the Knicks at the free-throw line, Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels and New York’s Mitchell Robinson locked arms under the basket and wouldn’t let go. The players had to be separated by several other players and coaches on both teams, and they were eventually both ejected from the game.

FIGHT NIGHT IN ATL 🤯

Mitchell Robinson and Dyson Daniels both just got ejected. Oh my goodness. pic.twitter.com/3I3iuB1io4

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 1, 2026

It was hard to see which player started the altercation, but, understandably, both teams are sick of each other. The Hawks took a 2-1 lead in the series after game 3, and many people expected the series to be competitive after that. Instead, New York has taken a stranglehold on the series and looks to be headed to the next round if they close out game 6.

The Knicks have championship aspirations this year after failing to get to the NBA Finals the last two seasons. Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Josh Hart form the core of a Knicks team that has built a talented roster over the last half-decade, but is still looking to fully realize their potential.

Atlanta had a strong second half of the season after trading longtime franchise star Trae Young to the Washington Wizards. Jonathan Kuminga and C.J. McCollum have been great additions for a young team that has a chance to rapidly improve in the Eastern Conference. It should be a little concerning, though, why the team fell apart in the last three games of the series after looking like they could put up a serious fight early on.

Related: Victor Wembenyama is the First Unanimous NBA Defensive Player of the Year

The Knicks would take on the winner of the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers series. The Celtics are looking to close that one out tonight in Philly, but the Sixers have tremendous confidence after taking the fifth game in Boston.

The name’s Bond—James Bond. The iconic super spy has been front and center in one of the most popular film franchises for over 60 years. As the world waits for Daniel Craig‘s replacement in the 26th Bond film, it’s natural that fans are revisiting their favorite 007 actors. And as much os the vivid prose of James Bond books defines the character, it’s the images from the films that fans tend to remember the most.

More than any other film franchise, the images of the James Bond movies represent a fascinating tradition of big-budget action movies. And that’s because the action, costumes, props, and sets of the 007 movies have, almost always, been created entirely in real life. In the new James Bond video game, 007 First Light, a real actor, Patrick Gibson, is playing Bond.

And so, the flesh-and-blood visage of Bond is perhaps the most crucial element of this over-the-top film franchise. In celebration of the various men who have played Bond, here are 31 great photos of 007 over the years.

Here’s a look at all the major Bond films through the years, and the James Bond actors who played the badass spy.

1. Sean Connery as James Bond

French actress Claudine Auger and Scottish actor Sean Connery star in director Terence Young’s 1965 James Bond movie Thunderball—in French, Operation Tonnerre—which was based on the novel by Ian Fleming.

2. Sean Connery as James Bond

3. Sean Connery as James Bond

Connery in 1963’s From Russia With Love.

4. Sean Connery and Ursula Andress

Sure, she was the first Bond Girl—and thanks to scenes like this one in 1962’s Dr. No, the stunning Ursula Andress unquestionably set the standard for the many beautiful ladies who followed in her footsteps.

5. Sean Connery as James Bond

In a scene that came to define the early Bond franchise (and was famously parodied in The Simpsons), villain Auric Goldfinger (Gert Frobe) laughs as Bond (Connery) lies strapped to a table beneath a laser weapon in a still from 1964’s Goldfinger, directed by Guy Hamilton.

6. George Lazenby as James Bond

George Lazenby takes aim at his pursuers in a scene from 1969’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Lazenby only portrayed Bond once, but was later featured in the 2017 documentary Becoming Bond.

7. George Lazenby as James Bond

Lazenby (center) as Bond in a gambling scene from On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

8. George Lazenby as James Bond

Lazenby films a scene for On Her Majesty’s Secret Service on location on the Praia do Guincho (Guincho Beach), near Cascais in Portugal, 1969. On the left is Hunt.

9. George Lazenby as James Bond

Lazenby as Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

10. Roger Moore as James Bond

Moore starred as Bond seven times—more than any other actor—beginning with Live and Let Die in 1973. Here, Moore is shown on the set of 1979’s Moonraker.

11. Roger Moore as James Bond

Moore on the set of 1983’s Octopussy, his penultimate performance as 007.

12. Roger Moore as James Bond

Moore and actress Barbara Bach on the set of 1977’s The Spy Who Loved Me.

13. Roger Moore as James Bond

Moore and actress Jane Seymour on the set of 1973’s Live and Let Die.

14. Roger Moore as James Bond

Moore on the set of Live And Let Die.

15. Roger Moore as James Bond

Moore at the wheel of a speedboat in a scene from Live and Let Die.

16. Roger Moore and Barbara Bach

Russian major Anya Amasova, aka “agent Triple X,” (portrayed by Barbara Bach) threatens Bond, who draws a gun against her in a scene from 1977’s The Spy Who Loved Me, the eleventh film of the Bond saga.

17. Roger Moore and Richard Kiel

Bond (Moore) battles with “Jaws” (Kiel) on the set of The Spy Who Loved Me. Kiel’s physically dominating character became one of the most iconic Bond villains of all time.

18. Timothy Dalton as James Bond

Welsh actor Timothy Dalton poses as 007 for the 1987 Bond film The Living Daylights.

19. Timothy Dalton and Maryam d’Abo

Dalton as 007—holding his trademark Walther PPK—and actress Maryam d’Abo as Kara Milovy in a publicity still for The Living Daylights.

20. Timothy Dalton as James Bond

Dalton and d’Abo on the set of The Living Daylights, in one of the most classic scenes in the Bond cinematic history.

21. Timothy Dalton as James Bond

Dalton on the set of The Living Daylights.

22. Pierce Brosnan as James Bond

Irish actor Pierce Brosnan stars as Bond alongside English actor Sean Bean as Alec Trevelyan in 1995’s GoldenEye.

23. Pierce Brosnan and Izabella Scorupco

Polish actress Izabella Scorupco (portraying the character Natalya Simonova) films a jungle scene with Brosnan for GoldenEye.

24. Pierce Brosnan as James Bond

 Simonova and Bond flee from an exploding train in a scene from GoldenEye.

25. Pierce Brosnan and Denise Richards

Denise Richards and Brosnan on the set of 1999’s The World Is Not Enough, directed by Michael Apted.

26. Pierce Brosnan and Sophie Marceau

Brosnan and Sophie Marceau in The World is not Enough.

27. Pierce Brosnan as James Bond

Brosnan in GoldenEye.

28. Daniel Craig as James Bond

29. Daniel Craig as James Bond

Craig and Ukrainian-born actress Olga Kurylenko get into a taxi during the shooting of 2008’s Quantum of Solace, the 24th film in the franchise.

30. Daniel Craig as James Bond

Craig is seen on location during the filming of Spectre in Rome, Italy.

31. Daniel Craig and Lea Seydoux in No Time to Die

Daniel Craig and Lea Seydoux on the set of No Time to Die. This lengthy opening, pre-titles sequence, one of the longest in Bond film history, was shot on location in Matera, Italy.