Latest from CinemaBlend in Feature

I Love Horror, But Nothing Prepared Me For Body Horror From Martin Scorsese

Rich Knight — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 11:05:00 +0000

Did you know that Martin Scorsese once made a horror movie? I mean, it’s okay to admit that you didn’t, because I certainly didn’t until recently, and I thought I’d seen all of Scorsese’s movies, from the ‘60s all the way up to current day.

However, that’s not fair, since the “horror movie” I’m referring to isn’t an actual “movie,” per se, but rather a short titled The Big Shave, which came out in 1967, the same year as his feature-length debut, Who’s That Knocking at My Door?

That said, The Big Shave is definitely horror, albeit only six minutes in length, and one that I would put up there with the best body horror movies of all time. Here’s why.

(Image credit: New York University's Tisch School of the Arts)

I Love Horror, But I Simply Could Not Watch This Short All The Way Through Without Turning My Head

I’ve seen most of the best horror movies ever made, and a vast majority of them don’t scare me. I mean, I LIKE them, but it’s not like they make me cover my eyes or turn my head (I’m talking about the ones that I can actually watch, that is. Some I can’t).

I could not sit through The Big Shave without turning my head, which I must say, is the highest compliment for somebody who regularly watches horror. In short, a man (Peter Bernuth) goes into the bathroom and simply shaves himself. All the while, Bunny Berigan’s “I Can’t Get Started” plays throughout. That’s it.

However, that’s not quite it. Because even though the silent protagonist shaves himself just fine at first, he keeps shaving…and shaving…and shaving! There’s a little bit of blood at first…then more blood…then even more blood, until he just starts shaving off his skin. And by the halfway point, I was just like, “Stop! Stop!” which I guess was the point, given what the film has been interpreted to actually be about…

(Image credit: New York University's Tisch School of the Arts)

Some Say It's Meant To Be Allegorical For Vietnam

The Big Shave is also known as Viet ‘67, and ahhh. NOW The Big Shave makes a bit more sense. At its heart, the short is about pointless self-mutilation, and it seems that Scorsese was making a point about America’s involvement in the Vietnam War and how we were futilely hurting ourselves by engaging in the conflict.

In that way, even though nobody would mistake this short of a man shaving in his bathroom as a war movie, it actually very much could be interpreted as one, just as Godzilla can be interpreted as an allegory for the atom bomb.

So, yeah, Scorsese directed both a body horror short and an anti-war short, all in one shot. Amazing stuff!

(Image credit: New York University's Tisch School of the Arts)

Honestly, Try To Watch It For Yourself. I Dare You. See How Long You Make It

So, now, I have a challenge for you. I want you to WATCH The Big Shave for yourself and see how long you can last. Yes, I’m definitely hyping this film up, and you might watch it and think, This Rich Knight guy was just farming for clicks.

I’m being dead serious. Because as somebody who has actually cut himself shaving (I’m pretty sure all males have done it at some point), the genuine terror of REALLY hurting yourself is palpable. And just the idea of cutting yourself until you’re a bloody mess is nightmare fuel.

So, even though this is also technically a silent movie, it’s one of the most effective silent/body horror/anti-war short films you’ll ever watch. So, give it a try, and let me know your thoughts!

People Are Mad About The Odyssey, But It's Not Bothering Me

Hugh Scott — Sat, 11 Jul 2026 18:05:00 +0000

Christopher Nolan’s next film, The Odyssey, is still a few days away from hitting the 2026 movie schedule, but for months it's been in the firing line for angry people on the internet. I know it’s best to stay out of the comment section, but sometimes I can’t help myself. It doesn’t take long when I do dip my toes in to see some of the major complaints that people have even before seeing the movie. I have to say, none of these are concerns of mine. I remain highly optimistic about this epic that is about to unfold for all of us seeing the movie next week.

(Image credit: Universal)

The Casting Seems To Be The Focus Of Many Commenters’ Ire

There is no question that Nolan has assembled one heck of a cast. Matt Damon leads the movie as Odysseus. Anne Hathaway is playing his wife, Penelope. Tom Holland is playing Telemachus, his son. Joining them, we’ve got stars like Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Samantha Morton (who has apparently killed it with her performance), and Jon Bernthal, along with many others. It’s stacked. There are two or three cast members who have some people upset, and it makes no sense.

Lupita Nyong'o (Helen of Troy), John Leguizamo (Eumaeus), and Elliot Page (Sinon) have drawn the most wrath, and Travis Scott (playing a bard) has also taken some shots. Of course, it’s easy to see why these four have been in the firing line, and frankly, I think it’s all silly (and offensive, of course). The Odyssey is a myth. It’s not history. Historical accuracy should take a backseat to storytelling in this case. Helen of Troy wasn’t a real person, so why does it matter if the actress playing the character doesn’t look Greek or Spartan? Nyong'o certainly fits the description of being beautiful, and she is one of the most talented actresses in the world. That’s by far enough for me.

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

The Accents, Armor, And Ships Are Also Popular Complaints

The second most common whine is that the armor Odysseus and his men wear is not period-accurate. I’m all for historical accuracy in film; in fact, it’s often a deciding factor in whether I like a movie or not (I’m looking at you, Napoleon), but again, this is a myth. I don’t care that Damon and his cohorts are dressed in armor that doesn’t fit the age. That’s not the point of the story here. Let’s be honest, period-accurate armor looks rather ridiculous, and so making it look “cooler” is just fine by me. The same goes for the ships used by our hero and his men. Yeah, they look more like Viking ships than boats from ancient Greece, but again, this story is a myth, so why care?

Another popular refrain seems to be that all of the actors are using American accents in the movie, even the Brits. I have to say, again, why is this something people are mad about? They aren’t speaking ancient Greek in this modern telling of the myth, either. No one is upset about that, because everyone understands why the movie is in English, so what does it matter which accents are being used? Nolan apparently was looking for consistency, and so this decision makes total sense. This is seriously just complaining to complain.

Luckily for me, none of these creative decisions bother me in the slightest, and I can say that this is by far my most anticipated movie of the summer.

I Had Four Hours To Burn, So I Rewatched Zack Snyder's Justice League, And I Again Owe An Apology

Rich Knight — Sat, 11 Jul 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Flashback to 2021, and you couldn't find a bigger hater of the Snyderverse than me. Hell, I even danced on its grave when we received word that it was finally over.

However, flash-forward (DC pun not intended) to 2026, and I've actually come around on the failed DCEU. Maybe it's because I wasn't in love with James Gunn's Superman, or perhaps it’s because I have no interest whatsoever in Supergirl (and apparently, I'm not alone), but I've been giving Zack Snyder's DC movies another chance recently, and oh, man. I think I owe Zack Snyder yet ANOTHER apology.

You see, I already apologized for Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, and after rewatching the four hour long Zack Snyder's Justice League, I have to apologize again, because this movie is amazing. Here's why.

(Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)

I Originally Thought This Movie Was Way Too Long. But Now, It Feels Just Right When It Comes To Pacing

You want to know what's crazy? Not too long ago, I rewatched Joss Whedon's version of Justice League, which is only two hours long, and it's so bad that it actually feels LONGER than Snyder's version, which is literally double the runtime. I think this is because Whedon's Justice League feels aimless and dull, whereas Snyder's version has direction and vision. And look, no offense to Whedon, as he was given the impossible task of reshooting aspects of Snyder's movie into something feasible for the big screen, but his version just does not work.

However, after rewatching Zack Snyder's Justice League, I am in awe at how he was able to take all of these characters and still have it all make sense. For example, in his version, Batman and Wonder Woman's quest to assemble a team really feels cohesive and organic, whereas in Whedon’s version, it all feels like a hurried mess, which is strange because it also feels plodding.

We get more backstory for all of the characters in Snyder’s version, as well as a true villain in Darkseid, who I'll get into later. Snyder's version is also (surprise, surprise) way darker in tone than Whedon's version, which is also something I now appreciate over the more upbeat Superman from James Gunn.

Honestly, it's really weird that all of the things that I once hated about the Snyderverse – the overseriousness, the darker tone, etc – I now view as pluses. However, I think there's one reason in particular why I love this movie now.

(Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)

Cyborg's Story Is The Heart Of This Movie

One character who I always thought never got his time to shine when it came to the Snyderverse was Cyborg. Played by Ray Fisher, you could tell that he had a bigger role in Whedon's Justice League, but there was just something…missing.

In Zack Snyder's Justice League, however, almost the entire plot hinges on Cyborg’s role in the story. The fact that his role was truncated so much in Whedon’s version just goes to show you why that film felt like such a mess, because Victor Stone's (Cyborg) role is absolutely vital in Snyder's cut.

Stone's father, Silas (Joe Morton), is kidnapped, and Cyborg joins the team. He was a former athlete and had to be reconstructed after a horrible car accident, so his journey as a broken man to one of the saviors of the world is thoughtful and surprisingly heartfelt.

Also, being that Cyborg has such a connection to this film's Macguffin in the Mother Boxes, he’s essentially the most important character in the entire film, and I really appreciate that when watching this a second time.

(Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)

I Also Find All Of The Characters-Even The Flash-To Be Interesting In This Film

You know, when I first saw Zack Snyder's Justice League, I still very much loathed all of the scenes involving Ezra Miller's The Flash. Upon a second viewing, I find that I actually like him, as well as pretty much every other member of the Justice League this time around. It might be because I, like others, actually enjoyed the eventual Flash movie that came out in 2023 (I even wrote about how it annoyed me that it didn't do better at the box office).

The Flash is incredibly important in this film. When the world starts to be destroyed, The Flash has to reverse the flow of time using the Speed Force, which allows Superman (Henry Cavill) and Cyborg to get the job done.

And, what about Aquaman? I liked Jason Momoa's first Aquaman movie - to a certain extent - but I found him super annoying in Justice League. However, I guess adding more screen time for him makes him more interesting this time around. I also think that learning more about the other metahumans and the Atlanteans makes him feel more at home here.

Not only that, but this movie has freaking Martian Manhunter (Harry Lennix) in it. I mean, it's at the end, and it's pretty much just a cameo, but at least he's here. What's not to love?

(Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)

I Also Love This Version Of Darkseid

I know I keep harping on Joss Whedon's Justice League, but a big reason why I feel that movie failed was that its main antagonist, Steppenwolf (Ciaran Hinds), was super lame. It's just that he didn't seem like a worthy opponent for the likes of Superman, Wonder Woman, or The Flash.

In Zack Snyder's Justice League…well, he's still pretty lame, but much better since you don't feel like he's the REAL final boss. The main boss would be Ray Porter's Darkseid, who is a way more terrifying villain and an existential threat to humanity.

Darkseid is all about that Anti-Life Equation, and we learn that he's been a threat to Earth for millennia, what with the Old Gods waging war against him to prevent him from taking over the planet. All of this backstory really elevates the danger he presents, making him feel like a truly worthy adversary.

Unfortunately, since this was pretty much the end of the DCEU, we never got to see Darkseid get his own movie where he got to be the central villain, but I really appreciate what we got in this movie. He’s absolutely horrifying.

(Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)

In The End, The Further We Get Away From The Snyderverse, The More I Find That I Miss It

When looking at the upcoming slate of DC films (and TV–let's not forget about TV), I think there's a lot to look forward to (Especially when it comes to Clayface, which I can't wait for!) Yet…I kind of now miss the Snyderverse.

I don't know what it is. It might be because I used to pledge allegiance to the MCU, and I think I viewed the DCEU as a pathetic alternative. After getting off the Marvel hype train quite a while ago, I've since been reevaluating the Snyderverse, and I think I had it all wrong.

Was it too dark and broody? Maybe, but upon reflection, it was actually a novel alternative to the overly cheery MCU. I now find that I get nothing out of movies like Captain America: The Winter Soldier or Guardians of the Galaxy upon a rewatch, and I view them more as artifacts than anything else.

Movies like Zack Snyder’s Justice League and Batman v. Superman? They just seem to get better with age. So, if you happen to be reading this, Mr. Snyder. I’m sorry! Your fans were right all along, and I’m happy that the powers that be eventually RELEASED THE SNYDER CUT!

The Five-Star Weekend Wasn't A Female Rage Show, But Still Felt Like One

jerricatisdale@gmail.com (Jerrica Tisdale) — Sat, 11 Jul 2026 11:05:00 +0000

The Five-Star Weekend, which you can watch with a Peacock subscription, continues the streamer's tradition of having a fascinating collection of miniseries and original programming. It follows Hollis (Jennifer Garner) as she invites four of her closest friends away for a weekend to escape her grief. The series has plenty of heartfelt moments and twists.

The book-to-screen adaptation is enjoyable but not one of Peacock’s best TV shows. However, some of its strongest elements are its exploration of womanhood, grief, friendship, and the boundaries and restrictions people set for themselves.

The Five-Star Weekend is a lot more wholesome than many of the best female rage movies, but it still feels like one.

Warning: The Five-Star Weekend spoilers are ahead. Proceed with caution.

(Image credit: Peacock)

Most Of The Characters Are Oppressed In Some Way By A System Or Traditions

Each of the main characters is dealing with a crisis. Hollis is managing her grief, while Brooke (D'Arcy Carden) is dealing with her husband’s scandal and discovering a new part of herself. Tatum (Chloë Sevigny) has a major health scare, Gigi (Gemma Chan) has a huge secret, and Dru-Anne (Regina Hall) has a major PR problem. They’re all trying to handle their issues in their own ways.

However, it’s not leading to the healthiest coping mechanisms. For example, Gigi is lying to everyone and setting herself up for heartbreak. Despite their destructive choices, a lot of their issues are tied to the men they associate with or to societal standards.

Brooke’s husband is especially oppressing her. Her rage and transformation come when she’s finally with a supportive group of women. Gigi and Hollis are both in love with a dead man who, in a way, betrayed them both. The gift he gives them is each other. However, the tragedy of it all is that he also tears them apart.

Most female rage movies involve some sort of crusade or act of revenge against those who harm. It could also involve just unhinged behavior to fit into societal norms. The Five-Star Weekend is about women breaking free of chains. Chains of past relationships, societal norms, and the boxes they and others put them in. Female rage can come in how characters change their lives after experiencing heartbreaking losses: personal, career-wise, or image-wise. It’s about women taking back their power.

All the women in The Five-Star Weekend fall into that category.

(Image credit: Peacock)

The Female Friendship Is What Empowers Them But Is Imperfect

Great movies about female friendships show unbreakable bonds. The Five-Star Weekend shows the opposite. All of these bonds are not as strong as they were. They are shaky, but they’re ultimately what gives these women the power to change.

The latter half of the series really conveys how transformative this weekend is for these women and their friendship. Hollis and Tatum even renew their friendship spark. I am not sure if this Peacock series does justice to the book, but I hope it got the bonds right. In many female rage movies, something happens (a tragedy) to force the protagonist on their journey. In The Five-Star Weekend, a tragedy happens, but the women encourage each other on their journey.

(Image credit: Peacock)

The Five-Star Weekend Isn't A Show About Revenge, But Healing, And That Can Be A Greater Revenge

The Five-Star Weekend is about healing. These characters aren’t trying to make anyone pay for hurting them but are finding a way to live again, despite pain and barriers. Many female rage movies are all about revenge as a way of healing. This TV show proves that no longer being held down by hurt can be revenge.

This Movie Crossword Puzzle Quiz Is All About Classic Books That Inspired Big Films

Kelly West — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 12:38:45 +0000

With The Odyssey's highly anticipated theatrical release right around the corner, the time seems right to look back on some of the book-to-screen adaptations that have been released over the years. That brings us to this week's movie quiz, which is all about classic books that were made into movies. Don't worry, this one only requires a general knowledge of the films and the books on which they're based. So if you still haven't gotten around to reading all of the titles in this quiz, you may still be able to ace it!

For the quiz below, we'll reference a movie, and you guess the book on which it's based. How many clues can you solve?

As A Movie Lover, I Wish I Could've Seen Minions & Monsters As A Kid

Riley Utley — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 16:05:00 +0000

As a kid who grew up on Despicable Me and an adult who has not historically been a fan of the Minions movies, I was apprehensive about the latest installment of this franchise. However, after seeing Minions & Monsters reviews, I knew I had to check out this entry on the 2026 movie schedule. Now, I’ve seen it, and not only am I happy I spent 89 minutes watching this film, but I also left thinking about how I really wish it existed when I was a child.

I quickly fell in love with films and the art of making them when I was a kid. I was also always transfixed by movies about movies – like the beloved musicals Singin’ in the Rain and La La Land. It was through these two things that I found my passion for film. Then, I realized that Minions & Monsters has the power to do just that too, which is why I wish I had seen it as a kid.

Minions & Monsters Is Such A Fun Introduction To How Movies Are Made And Film History

What I really loved about Minions & Monsters is how it made making a movie the plot while also making tons of remarkable jokes about iconic films. So, it was all around just a jam-packed story about movies that feels like it was made for film lovers.

From the story perspective, we followed James, Henry and Ed as they traveled with the Minions. When they arrived at a film studio, they realized they wanted to make a movie. That’s how the monsters came into play. So, Minions & Monsters shows us the adventure that ensues as these yellow creatures learn how to make a movie (and defeat some monsters). And honestly, it reminded me of being a kid, picking up a camera and going for it.

Then, along with that, the film is full of references and jokes about old, classic films. From an A+ sequence that felt like an homage to Jaws (one of Steven Spielberg’s best movies) to an incredible Citizen Kane bit to a joke involving iconic directors’ names that literally had me laughing out loud, I couldn’t get enough of how Minions & Monsters showed its love for Hollywood.

And by showing this love, young viewers can get a great, albeit very silly, introduction to filmmaking and film history.

I Really Hope Minions & Monsters Helps Kids Fall In Love With Movies

Now, kids might not get everything I just wrote about on their first watch. However, it could inspire them to learn about film, and I wanted something like that when I was younger.

I think the reason why Minions & Monsters works so well is that it's such a sincere love letter to movies while also being an action-packed and ridiculous movie within the world of Despicable Me. I really think it could inspire a new generation to get into the world of filmmaking and film history, and if it does that, I think it’s a success.

Of course, Minions & Monsters has made money at the box office, and it’s gotten good reviews. So it is a success. However, I also hope it can be that film that makes a kid fall in love with movies. I certainly know that’s the impact it would have had on me if I’d seen it as a kid.

I Was Here For Elle's Bonkers Storylines Until One Twist Gave Me Whiplash

Riley Utley — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 22:00:00 +0000

Spoilers for Elle are ahead! You can stream all of Season 1 with an Amazon Prime subscription right now.

Elle, the prequel series to Legally Blonde (one of the best movies of the 2000s), has premiered on the 2026 TV schedule, and it reminds me so much of the soapy and silly teen dramas I grew up watching. I mean that in every way too. On the one hand, it features fun, romantic, and exaggerated plots like those shows from the 2000s and 2010s. On the other hand, it features some wild whiplash-worthy and confusing plot twists many of those shows had too.

So, while I was here for all of Elle’s absurdity, I have to say, there was one bonkers plot twist I couldn’t get over.

(Image credit: Prime Video)

Overall, I’m Here For How Bonkers Elle Is

Listen, I can get behind outlandish storylines and silly plot points. In fact, I love when a show leans into them.

For example, Elle’s new school having essentially no sports other than cross-country is ridiculous, but I was here for it. I thought it was creative and quite fun to see Lexi Minetree’s character put together a homecoming event around a cross-country meet. Plus, it was this event that really helped solidify Elle’s love triangle that I’m now very invested in.

Also, while the entire show revolving around Elle and her friends exposing their corrupt principal was admittedly crazy, I was so entertained by it that I binged all of Elle incredibly fast. I was here for them all getting detention so they could break into his office (which led to the best episode inspired by one of the best movies from the ‘80s, The Breakfast Club), and I thought it gave the show some interesting and high stakes.

However, while I dug these bonkers storylines and choices overall, there was one unexpected plot twist that was too much.

Amazon Prime Video: 30-day free trial
An Amazon Prime membership offers so much more than just streaming. Throw in free, fast delivery, Prime Gaming and Reading, as well as exclusive offers. With one of the biggest libraries of on-demand content, watch Elle, Off Campus, Every Year After and so much more. Trial for 30-days, thereafter pay $14.99 a month, or save 22% by paying $139 upfront for the year.View Deal

(Image credit: Justine Yeung/Prime)

The Death Of Shannon’s Mom Gave Me Whiplash

To be frank, I didn’t know Elle was a show where abruptly killing a character off was an option. This pink bubbly comedy was the last place I expected that to happen. However, at the end of Episode 4, Shannon’s mom died, and that’s the plot twist that gave me whiplash.

It came right after Shannon had broken up with Miles, and Elle had kissed him at the end of the cross-country meet. So, this death added extra drama to the romance situation, which felt very weird and unnecessary.

Then, Elle attempted to help Shannon and fix the mess she made with Miles by planning Shannon’s mom’s memorial in Seattle. This is where things got even weirder, because she decided it’d be a good idea to hold it in a Rainforest Cafe. I know these are teenagers making decisions, so logic isn’t exactly something they use. However, this was truly crazy.

Overall, the way Elle killed off Shannon’s mom and then used her death as a point of drama in both the principal corruption storyline and the love triangle was odd. If they were going to have it, it should have been its own main storyline, not a plot point used to make two other storylines more dramatic.

However, it did not ruin the show for me at all. As I said, for the most part, I really enjoyed this Legally Blonde prequel, and I will be tuning in for Season 2. But I also can’t deny that this one crazy plot twist did baffle me to my core.

I Thought YouTube's BattleBots Pro League Would Be An A+ Reboot. I Was Wrong

Hugh Scott — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 13:02:34 +0000

I’ll admit I was probably a little irrational in my personal hype for BattleBots Pro League, which kicked off last week on YouTube. I mean, it’s not like I was counting down the days to the premiere, but BattleBots is a serious guilty pleasure of mine, and I love YouTube shows because of the freeform opportunities on the streaming platform. Instead, I ended up being severely disappointed by the debut of the new reboot of the long-running robot fighting competition.

(Image credit: YouTube)

The Biggest Problem Is Not Adapting To The Format

The thing I love the most about YouTube is that there are no constraints, especially when it comes to the length of a video. A video can be two minutes long, or it can be eight hours long. On linear TV, shows are boxed into (generally) 30-minute or 1-hour time blocks, and that doesn’t account for commercial time. A 30-minute show on a regular cable network, like on the Discovery Channel, BattleBots' most recent TV home, is really more like 22 minutes, give or take. On YouTube, there is no reason to stay contained to that.

That’s not what the new BattleBots Pro League did. Instead, at least the show’s first episode is 21 minutes and 37 seconds. About the same length as a typical episode on Discovery would have been. What’s worse is that the editing is exactly the same. Instead of adapting the show to the streamer, they simply made the same show and posted it on YouTube. Why not give us more? Big Brother has figured it out. More battles, more backstory, more behind-the-scenes of the teams and their robots? Instead, it’s basically the same show that has been canceled three different times in the past.

The sky is the limit with YouTube, but we got the same format as before.

(Image credit: YouTube)

I’m Holding Out Hope That Things Could Adjust

I’m not ready to give up on the show right away. It’s perfectly plausible that the producers made the show with the intention of selling it to a linear cable network or a more traditional streamer like Netflix. Now that they have the show on YouTube, there is still time to adjust. Give us more time with the teams, and a greater understanding of the robots and how they work. Produce shorts of behind-the-scenes action of the teams building and rebuilding their bots.

As I said, the sky is the limit here. The show doesn’t have to be 22 minutes. Make it 35. Or 43. Pepper in some more backstory. Give us some ancillary videos with deep dives on the teams and the bots. Heck, with YouTube, you can make different videos for each aspect of the show. One that is just the battle, one that is the backstory for each team, and one that shows the aftermath.

I stopped watching cable TV because of how formulaic much of the content got, and I’ll never give up my YouTube Premium subscription because so many videos upend industry norms (among other reasons). Throwing what is essentially a mid-2000s-style cable show on YouTube doesn’t make it hip; it just shows how tired the format is.

Strung Is A Wild Horror Movie, And A Few Things Made It Worth The Ride

jerricatisdale@gmail.com (Jerrica Tisdale) — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 18:05:00 +0000

Peacock has been around since 2020, but it still feels like the new kid on the block. In the oversaturated world of streaming services, Peacock has a lot of competition. However, it has made many smart programming choices. Taking over Love Island and buying the US rights for The Traitors were genius moves. Its programming catalog also has plenty of amazing original TV shows.

The streaming newbie has also been adding more original movies. I have seen a few and had mixed reactions, but Strung is the first Peacock original movie that I really enjoyed. Is it the perfect film? No, but that’s part of its charm.

Warning: Strung spoilers are ahead. Proceed with caution.

(Image credit: Peacock)

Strung Has A Simple Premise That Gets Crazier As It Continues

Strung doesn’t let you know what type of movie it is until the midway mark. You’re not sure if it’s a paranormal movie, a mystery film, or a romantic drama. You’re just not sure where all this is headed until the picture starts to become clearer. I think Strung can best be described as an over-the-top thriller. It takes all the elements of a thriller and heightens them to the point of almost parodying the genre. At the end of Strung, I saw that Tyler Perry was a producer. Everything made more sense.

He does a particular genre of films that are polarizing. Many of his most popular movies and TV shows follow a similar pattern to Strung. I have seen quite a few of Malcolm D. Lee’s films, and he’s more known for comedies, so Strung feeling like a parody at times makes sense. Alan B. McElroy is better known for writing horror movies, so the two creatives balance each other out. The film is funny at times, but also bonkers in a psychological thriller way.

The film’s premise is simple: a woman gets a new dream job, only to discover it’s less a dream and more a nightmare. Then it becomes much more sinister as a movie about murder, betrayal, deception, and dubious characters. It’s the plot progression that gives Strung its character and charm.

(Image credit: Peacock)

The Bond Between Laila and Zuri Is One Of The Main Reasons To Watch, And It Also Reminds Me Of The Power Of A Great Mentor

Laila (Chloe Bailey) and Zuri’s (Romy Woods) bond is what I found most enthralling about the movie. We witness a scared, traumatized girl form a connection with another scared, traumatized woman. Their love of music creates this trust and admiration. However, their closeness grows into a loving and protective sisterhood/surrogate parental figure relationship.

Zuri and Laila flourish because of Laila’s gentle and effective mentoring. Their relationship reminded me of the importance of influential and kind mentors for children who especially need extra care and attention. Strung is a lot of things, and one of those is that it’s a very good movie about the power of teachers and mentors. It’s another movie that many teachers can relate to and enjoy.

A good mentor can really change the trajectory of someone’s life. Zuri cannot evolve without Laila’s guidance and support.

(Image credit: Peacock)

Strung Doesn't Take Itself Seriously, And I Love That

I am still unsure if Strung aims to be more of a parody than a straightforward thriller. It has so many aspects that feel too over-the-top to take seriously. Many of the characters’ behaviors don’t seem realistic in the slightest. Then it has many shock-value moments. For example, we discover that Marcus (Lucien Laviscount) and Audra (Lynn Whitfield) are having an affair. It’s not ridiculous to think that Marcus would find Audra attractive.

The ridiculous part comes with how the scene plays out. It’s also a mess that Marcus is having sex with all three of the main women. His relationship with Audra showcases her wickedness because she’s sleeping with her daughter’s husband and shows no remorse. Thrillers often have twists about dangerous and deceptive husbands.

This makes Strung fall in line with many other thrillers, but the shocking part is that Audra is the ringleader behind everything that has happened. When Strung reveals the big twist, it goes all in with the ridiculous premise and behavior. I am someone who enjoys over-the-top movies. It’s not a respected art form, but it is one.

A good over-the-top movie can be really entertaining and allow your brain to simply enjoy the wild ride. This is how I felt watching the last act of Strung. It was ridiculous for ridiculous's sake.

(Image credit: Peacock)

The Film Gives Peacock Some Variety I Wasn't Expecting, But I Hope It Continues

Peacock still needs to really grow its original movie collection. However, none of its films feel that similar. It’s not producing a bunch of the same movies but trying to expand its catalog to give all movie fans something they can enjoy on the streaming service.

I hope the platform continues to grow and experiment. I want to see Peacock explore more movies in different film genres. It’s one of the streaming service underdogs, and I believe it has the potential to be one of the big ones. It just needs to give more projects like Strung a chance.

(Image credit: Peacock)

It Won't Be Everyone's Thing, But I Think It Could Be A Cult Classic In The Making

I imagine in a few years, small theaters will be showing Strung as a midnight special or double feature. It has the quality and potential to be something many will flock to watch as part of a cult viewing experience. It’s a fun movie that I believe will eventually have a dedicated audience to watch it years from now. As someone who often loves cult classics, I think Strung reminds me of so many other ones.

It may not share their plot, but it has a quality to it that feels like something destined to take a place with a cult audience. It will be quoted one day, I know it. Strung has trended on Peacock's top movie lists for several days since its premiere, which shows it's popular among general audiences. However, I think the cult audiences will really give it its legacy one day.

Strung is another movie that proves the Peacock subscription is worth the price.

I Thought Charli XCX’s The Moment Would Be Super Moody, And Then I Watched It

Heidi Venable — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 15:05:00 +0000

When I first started reading reviews for Charli XCX’s The Moment, there were a lot of things that intrigued me. The “Boom Clap” singer is one of the biggest artists in the world, for one, and I assumed that with A24 involved, the project would be as unique as Charli herself. However, a “365 party girl” I am not — I’m definitely not bumpin’ that — so I skipped it when it initially hit the 2026 movie calendar. When The Moment became available to stream with an HBO Max subscription, I had to check it out, and man, it was so much more than I expected.

(Image credit: A24)

What Was I Expecting From The Moment?

From the previews, I thought The Moment looked like a lightly exaggerated story of Charli XCX fighting the corporate greed machines that wanted to stomp all over her creativity. I expected a moody artist, mopily rolling her eyes at executives who didn’t “get” it and just wanted her brat summer to be a perpetual paycheck.

I suppose there was some of that, but moody and mopey aren’t Charli’s style. Her plight was actually both respectable and relatable, as she tried to execute a vision that stayed true to herself and served her fans — and she wanted to do it without completely burning out.

(Image credit: A24)

I Didn’t Expect The Moment To Be So Funny

The humor was something I really didn’t expect, and I’m not sure why, especially with a cast that includes Jamie Demetriou, Kate Berlant and Rachel Sennott, not to mention Alexander Skarsgård, who is unhinged as the concert film’s director. Sure, there was some biting commentary — there’s no way those Eras Tour vibes were by accident — but it was often so subtle that I found myself laughing out loud while wondering if there’d even been a joke.

It felt

As a Millennial who grew up watching Spice World, there was a lot of that but plenty of This Is Spinal Tap, too. That giant lighter prop that Skarsgård’s Johannes wanted to put Charli XCX in and then light on fire seemed destined for a Christopher Guest-esque mishap, and Charli’s timing was brilliant after seeing her dummy stand-in crash to the stage while flying over it:

Is that me?

Some of the funniest jokes were just thrown away (that’s not an insult), with a character muttering something in the background, never winking to the camera in a way that reminded me of Best in Show.

(Image credit: A24)

The Moment Doesn’t Take Itself Too Seriously But Also Shows Incredible Heart

In addition to the comedy, I didn’t expect Charli XCX to go on such an insightful journey about what the moment was and what she wanted to gain from it. She got particularly vulnerable in the final scenes of the movie, when she admitted she didn’t want brat summer to end, saying:

I know it’s not chic to be the last person at the party, but I think I hate going home.

I’m really glad I decided to watch The Moment, even after reading reviews that told me if I wasn’t a loyal Charli XCX fan, I probably wouldn’t get it. I think I very much did get it, and I loved the humor and the satire and vulnerability of it all.

The Moment is available to stream on HBO Max now.

One 2014 Disney Movie Would Make For A Better Live-Action Adaptation Than Moana Or Lilo & Stitch

Rich Knight — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 20:05:00 +0000

When it comes to the live-action Disney adaptations, it's usually not hard to figure out which animated features will get the greenlight. For example, Tangled is kind of a no-brainer, with the only surprise being that it took so long.

That's why, when we got a live-action adaptation of Lilo & Stitch and will soon get one for Moana, I kind of just rolled my eyes. Not because either is a bad choice (I love Moana, after all), but because they're just so…obvious.

You know which animated movie wouldn't be an obvious choice? 2014's Big Hero 6, which I think would make for an amazing live-action adaptation. Here's why.

(Image credit: Disney)

Big Hero 6 Could Actually Benefit A Great Deal In Live-Action

Some movies probably wouldn't be great for live-action adaptations, such as The Aristocats, which was thankfully cancelled. I only say this, though, because what could you actually DO with The Aristocats to give it new life for a new audience? I know that's not Disney's ultimate intention when greenlighting these adaptations (their ultimate intention being $$$, of course), but as a viewer, that's what I look for when I watch these adaptations: What has been added to make it feel new?

Well, for Big Hero 6, I think a lot can be done in live-action that would make it genuinely exciting to see again with actual actors. Loosely based on the Marvel comic of the same name, Big Hero 6 is about a young robotics expert who loses his older brother to nefarious means, and his quest to avenge him with the help of his brother's former university friends, and also a lovable nurse robot named Baymax.

All of the tech-centric action was cool in animated form, but I think it would be exponentially cooler in live-action, especially with the advanced city of San Fransokyo as a backdrop. Sure, Disney owns Marvel and has no shortage of comic book movies, but Big Hero 6 is unique in that it’s a comic book film directly aimed at a younger audience, which I think would make it stand apart from other Disney live-action adaptations.

(Image credit: Disney)

It's A Bit Of A Cult Movie For Disney, So It Might Even Gain A New Following

Another thing that kind of annoys me with these adaptations is that they're usually for movies that kids might have already seen in animated form. For example, looking back at the Disney Renaissance, we've already gotten adaptations of the most popular films of that era: The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, and Mulan (with Hercules still on the way).

Did we get an adaptation for The Rescuers Down Under? Did we get one for Pocahontas? No, and no, and that's because Disney ostensibly only wants to bet on sure things. So, again, Lilo & Stitch and Moana make sense...but haven’t kids likely already seen them in animated form? Even with three different television series, Big Hero 6 has kind of always felt like a cult movie when it comes to Disney (sort of like Bolt), and I think a live-action adaptation could bring new eyes to this awesome story.

That said, there’s one main reason why I think a live-action Big Hero 6 would work.

(Image credit: Disney)

I Just Want More Baymax

I’ll be honest with you. I know the world loves Stitch as a character, and that people have embraced Maui, but I just don’t have much enthusiasm for either of them. Do you know who I do love? Baymax.

In fact, who doesn’t? The lovable healthcare robot is the standout character in Big Hero 6. I think a live-action Baymax would be the absolute cutest, and I think it would really stand out if he was brought back to the big screen.

The beauty is, with the way AI and tech are heading, Baymax makes more sense now than ever. A lot of people have kind of rallied against AI these days, but Baymax represents the side of it that is actually quite welcoming. So, maybe it would actually behoove Disney to put Baymax front and center in a live-action film, especially with the way they’re now leaning into AI. Just a thought.

The Sheep Detectives Delighted Me, And As A Mystery Novel Fan, I Really Loved A Few Elements

jerricatisdale@gmail.com (Jerrica Tisdale) — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 15:02:47 +0000

I heard that The Sheep Detectives may seem like a silly movie, but it has a lot of heart. Therefore, I couldn’t wait to watch it once it became available on streaming services. The film is one of the movies that makes the Prime Video subscription a must for movie fans. It’s a nice blend of comedy, drama, and a very intriguing mystery.

The mystery elements are really what made The Sheep Detectives endearing. It feels like a classic mystery film, just with sheep trying to solve the murder. Come for the sheep, stay for the movie’s love of mystery novels.

Warning: The Sheep Detectives spoilers are ahead. Proceed with caution.

(Image credit: Amazon MGM Studios)

The Sheep Detectives Follows Many Standard Mystery Novels, But in A Children's Book Way

The Sheep Detectives feels like what happens when a children’s book and a mystery novel marry. It has elements and qualities of both. The abundance of animals gives it the same whimsy and imagination that you would see in a beloved children’s book or fairytale.

The animals also have some innocence that only comes from fictional animals. However, despite the animals’ playfulness, The Sheep Detectives mimics mostly aspects and elements of mystery novels. The animals make the adventure and story cute, but it’s a dark concept with murder, betrayal, and the sad toll and burden of death and grief.

The Sheep Detectives is based on the German book, Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Story by Leonie Swann. I am not sure if the original novel has the same children’s book mixed with mystery novel quality, but it novel origins automatically give it more of a fable quality.

(Image credit: Amazon MGM Studios)

It Highlights The Power Of Reading, Especially Fiction

George (Hugh Jackman) reading to his animals helps them develop a bond with him. Lily (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) develops a love for mysteries, which makes her such a good detective. The movie implies that reading can become an educational tool that makes people more intelligent, but also better at their jobs.

Tim (Nicholas Braun) is treated like an idiot, but he eventually starts to become good at his job of police work because of Lily and company’s influence, but also from developing a love of reading mystery novels. Novels are treated as a major resource in helping make these characters more competent.

Books are powerful, and I feel like The Sheep Detectives is an ode to how reading can transform people, animals, and things. Sheep cannot solve mysteries without books.

(Image credit: Amazon MGM Studios)

If You Read Enough Mystery Novels, You Can Predict Elements Of The Sheep Detectives, And That's Not A Bad Thing

Hugh Jackman has died a lot in movies, but his death in The Sheep Detectives was one of the most emotional. This made us highly invested in solving this crime. The film follows the pattern of other mystery stories, so it is easier to predict who killed George.

The Sheep Detectives may have made some major changes from the book version, but this version of the story gave us plenty of hints to figure out the ending. I think there is comfort in being able to see where a story is likely heading, or trying to predict how everything ends. That’s one of the reasons I enjoy mystery novels so much.

I want to join the investigation and try to solve it along with the characters. I also want to see these characters again in more movies.

Minions & Monsters Takes Top Banana At Fourth Of July Box Office, But I’m Surprised By How Close The Race Was

Heidi Venable — Sun, 05 Jul 2026 22:11:05 +0000

It’s not a huge surprise that Minions & Monsters took the top spot at the box office for Fourth of July weekend, but the mischief-makers certainly didn’t set off the expected amount of fireworks. Toy Story 5’s $31 million in its third weekend on the 2026 movie calendar was a little too close for comfort to Minions & Monsters’ $36.4 million three-day domestic opening, so what happened?

(Image credit: Illumination)

I’ll get into some of the potential speedbumps the banana-loving yellow blobs had to overcome, but the Fourth of July falling on a Saturday might have been partially to blame. According to Rentrack (via Variety) this year’s overall ticket sales in North America topped out at around $121 million Friday and Saturday, when theaters usually take in between $150 million and $200 million over the Independence Day weekend.

Let’s break down what's going on, but first, please enjoy this offering of your Top 10 movies for the three-day weekend, per The Numbers. (* denotes a new release)

Weekend Box Office: July 3-5

TITLE	WEEKEND TOTAL	DOMESTIC TOTAL	LAST WEEK	THEATERS
1. Minions & Monsters*	$36,400,000	$61,441,000	N/A	4,243
2. Toy Story 5	$31,000,000	$366,348,690	1	3,975
3. Young Washington*	$20,847,688	$20,847,688	N/A	2,700
4. Supergirl	$9,600,000	$58,470,000	2	3,602
5. Disclosure Day	$6,000,000	$105,312,000	5	2,702
6. Obsession	$5,300,000	$245,318,000	3	2,640
7. Backrooms	$3,308,387	$190,480,127	6	2,396
8. Jackass: Best and Last	$2,700,000	$14,690,000	4	2,855
9. Scary Movie	$1,130,000	$106,252,000	7	1,158
10. The Invite	$800,708	$1,369,500	17	28

Minions & Monsters Boosted By International Numbers

It’s hard to be too concerned for the Despicable Me spinoff, which seems practically guaranteed to approach $1 billion — if not surpass it — by the end of its run. Minions & Monsters hit theaters on Wednesday, earning a five-day domestic total of $61.4 million, which was on the low end of projections. International numbers, however, exceeded the expected $90 million, bringing in $98.4 million for a combined opening weekend of $159.8 million.

With an estimated budget of $85 million, making back that cash isn’t a concern for Illumination and Universal Pictures, but it’s a bit worrisome that the seventh movie in the franchise has recorded the worst opening, despite many reviews calling it the best Despicable Me movie yet. Take a look at how this latest venture compares the rest of the franchise’s domestic debuts, according to Box Office Pro:

Despicable Me/Minions Box Office Debuts
TITLE	3-DAY TOTAL	4/5-DAY TOTAL
Despicable Me (2010)	$56.3 million	N/A
Despicable Me 2 (2013)	$83.5 million	$143 million (Wed-Sun)
Minions (2015)	$115.7 million	N/A
Despicable Me 3 (2017)	$72.4 million	$99 million (Fri-Tues)
Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022)	$107 million	$123 million (Fri-Mon)
Despicable Me 4 (2024)	$75 million	$122.6 million (Wed-Sun)
Minions & Monsters (2026)	$36.4 million	$61.4 million (Wed-Sun)

So what happened? As I mentioned above, families may have had Saturday reserved for other things, with World Cup matches also throwing a wrench in some movie-going plans. However, Toy Story 5 is a formidable foe, clearly taking some of Minions & Monsters’ audience to earn nearly as much as the new release in its third weekend.

We also can’t overlook that this is the seventh movie in the Despicable Me series, and it’s possible that kids and/or their adult supervision have simply had their fill.

(Image credit: Angel Studios)

Young Washington Benefits From Its Fourth Of July Release

Moviegoers may be wanting fewer Minions in their lives, but Young Washington is seeing the exact opposite reaction. The under-the-radar George Washington biopic stars William Franklyn-Miller as the future OG POTUS, along with an impressive supporting cast of Mary-Louise Parker, Kelsey Grammer, Andy Serkis and Ben Kingsley. Its $20.8 million opening beat out all other non-animated movies for No. 3 this week and scored the highest live-action debut for Angel Studios.

In fact, the historical war drama had the second-best opening of any Angel product, behind 2025’s animated David ($22 million). Young Washington focuses on George Washington’s command in the French and Indian War between 1753 and 1755, and due to its success, a sequel based around 1776 has already been ordered.

How Critics Rated This Week’s New Releases

Positive feedback can lead to good word-of-mouth advertising, which could drive new audiences to theaters in subsequent weeks, so how did things look on Rotten Tomatoes and CinemaScore?

RANK/TITLE	RT CRITICS	RT AUDIENCE	CINEMASCORE
1. Minions & Monsters	91%	75%	A-
3. Young Washington	59%	92%	A

Young Washington likely got a boost from its Fourth of July debut, but high scores from those patriotic ticket-buyers — who enjoyed the film much more than critics — might help it next week. As for Minions & Monsters, I feel pretty confident that those who were either busy for Fourth of July or taking in Toy Story 5 will make it out and help avoid a sophomore-weekend crash.

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Supergirl Takes A Dive On Second Weekend

Speaking of sophomore dips, Supergirl fell a devastating 74% from weekend to weekend, earning just $9.6 million for a domestic total of $58.5 million 10 days after the DC Studios product’s disappointing opening. With an additional $48 million from international markets, it’s skirted into nine-digit territory with $100.4 million overall.

We’ve put some thought into what’s going on with all the Supergirl hate, and for those of us who have seen the movie, we don't think it deserves the viral lambasting it’s gotten. However, unless things take a drastic turn for the DCU’s second feature, which reportedly cost $170 million to make (not including marketing and promotion), Supergirl is projected to lose at least $100 million, Variety reports.

(Image credit: Focus Features)

Obsession Crosses A Big Milestone As It Finally Falls From Top 5

Obsession had basically set up shop in the box office Top 3 since its May 15 release, but for the first time, it dropped this week — its eighth weekend — to No. 6. But let me be clear — that’s not a bad thing, and there’s actually a good reason. Obsession is now available to rent or buy digitally. Now people can experience Obsession’s horror (and comedy!) from the discomfort of their own homes.

Not everybody chose to do so, however, and its continued ticket sales at the theater were enough to push it past the $400 million mark worldwide, earning $245.3 million domestically and $157.8 million overseas for a combined $403.1 million.

(Image credit: A24)

The Invite Hits The Top 10 Ahead Of Wide Release

The buzz is building for The Invite, and despite only showing in 28 theaters this week, it’s already taken a place in the Top 10. With Olivia Wilde’s new comedy drawing Rotten Tomatoes scores in the 90th percentile (from both critics and audience), I can’t wait to see how far it can climb when it goes wide July 10. The movie stars Wilde along with Seth Rogen, Edward Norton and Penélope Cruz, and critics are calling it a “2026 highlight.”

(Image credit: Disney)

What To Expect From Moana And Evil Dead Burn

The live-action remake of Moana is the big one to keep your eye on next weekend, with Box Office Theory projections looking at a three-day domestic premiere of $62 million (with $57 million and $72 million being the low and high ends).

The upcoming horror flick Evil Dead Burn, meanwhile, is expected to see around $28 million.

Be sure to grab your tickets to a movie this week, then meet me back here next Sunday to break down all the highlights.

Why Supergirl's Box Office Stumble Doesn't Have Me Worried About The DCU

Hugh Scott — Sun, 05 Jul 2026 21:05:00 +0000

Supergirl, starring Milly Alcock, hit theaters last weekend as the latest superhero movie on the 2026 movie schedule, and with it, we’re officially multiple films into the somewhat newly revamped DC Universe, led by James Gunn and Peter Safran. Maybe predictably, a lot of people don’t like the movie and are already calling for Gunn’s firing…or something. To be honest, sometimes I just don’t get the complaints. The movie has underperformed at the box office, but I don’t think that means it's time to scrap the whole project, and you need look no further than the early days of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The MCU Didn’t Exactly Light The World On Fire At First, Either

Like the new DCU, the MCU kicked off with a hit. DC had Gunn’s own Superman last summer, and Marvel had 2008’s Iron Man. The next Marvel release, The Incredible Hulk starring Edward Norton, dropped a month later in June 2008. Marvel was on a high, and still, Hulk disappointed at the box office, much like it appears Supergirl will. Two years later, in May 2010, Iron Man 2 came out, and while it did fine at the box office, it’s usually one of the lower-rated MCU films.

It really wasn’t until the first Avengers movie was released in 2012 (taking in more than $1.5 billion) that the MCU really started flying high. Sure, all the movies released before that, including Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger, did decent, but they weren’t the juggernauts that MCU films would be throughout the rest of the decade. After 2012, and especially in the Avengers movies, the MCU crushed all competition, including, and especially, the sputtering DCEU.

(Image credit: Warner Bros Pictures)

There Are Other Factors Involved

This isn’t a perfect analogy, of course. In 2012, the world was gaga for superhero movies, but 14 years and about a million movies later, some people are understandably burnt out on the genre. Superhero movie fatigue is real, and I think that’s at play here. The reaction to Supergirl has been way harsher than it deserves. It’s not a perfect movie, I grant you. The villain is pretty ho-hum, and it is a little jarring, tone-wise, compared to Superman.

However, as others at CinemaBlend have said, it’s a perfectly fine movie. It’s funny, it’s heartfelt, Alcock is great, and it skips along at a brisk pace (and a reasonable runtime). I thought it was funny, in the same way that Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy movies are. In fact, I think the whole thing bodes well for the DCU, which is clearly going for something very different than the MCU (at least, as different as you can be in the same genre). Up next is a straight body-horror movie with Clayface, which will be out in October, before we get the sequel to Superman, Man of Tomorrow, on the 2027 movie schedule.

I think after next summer we’ll have a much better idea just where the DCU stands and what kind of future it has. Calling for a shakeup now is impatient.

Dutton Ranch's Finale Fell Into The Same Pattern As Other Yellowstone Shows, But I'm Not Mad About It (Yet)

Nick Venable — Sun, 05 Jul 2026 20:45:00 +0000

Spoilers below for anyone who hasn’t yet streamed Dutton Ranch’s Season 1 finale via Paramount+ subscription or watched it on Paramount Network, so be warned!

Since its earliest days, the Yellowstone franchise has leaned almost entirely into the idea that nothing in life is more important than land and family, and those imposed truths have been all kinds of self-evident over the years, extending to the various prequels and spinoffs. To that end, Dutton Ranch veered into some familiar territory with its Season 1 finale cliffhanger that hearkened back to the Dutton family’s heightened drama back in the flagship’s second season, as well as Marshals’ own potentially deadly finale.

Let’s first lay out what happened in Dutton Ranch’s “El Padrino,” and then we’ll touch on how it seems to be a retread of this franchise’s most common narrative twists, though not necessarily in the worst ways.

(Image credit: Paramount+)

Carter Got Snatched Up By Joaquin's Ruthless Dad Mariano

When this season kicked off, I was hoping that Finn Little's Carter would become an independent character who handles duties correctly and proudly, and one who amasses accomplishments, without just being a headache for Rip and Beth due to his endless line of terrible decisions. Of course, he fell into the latter role immediately, and has yet to do anything inarguably brilliant. (Squatting at the late Dwight's house is maybe his smartest move.)

I guess it's good that he didn't get a chance to screw up his plan to run off with the pregnant-and-panicking Oreana — which he definitely would have — before he was knocked out and kidnapped by henchmen working for the Season 2 big bad, Mariano Reyes (portrayed by Raoul Max Trujillo ). Naturally, that abduction went down when Rip and other protagonists were defending their home from another batch of Mariano's murderous crew.

Yellowstone-Verse Villains Always Jump To Kidnapping And Putting Younger Characters In Danger

The origin story for this narrative quasi-trope stems back to Yellowstone's big Season 2 cliffhanger in the penultimate episode, "Enemies by Monday," leading to the emotional finale follow-up, "Sins of the Father." That's when baddies Malcolm and Teal Beck upped their ante in the fight against the Duttons by kidnapping Tate and sending Kayce and Monica down an emotional spiral. Of course, it was all resolved before the end, so fans didn't have to worry during the between-seasons hiatus.

Not that getting older and assumedly wiser has helped Tate avoid stressful situations. Marshals' Season 1 finale surprisingly delivered a somewhat similar ending (albeit with tonal differences) by having Chris Mulkey's emerging antagonist Tom Weaver offering to take Tate on a friendly fishing trip down in Texas. The difference there is that nobody is aware just yet that Weaver is the bad guy, so it doesn't look like a kidnapping yet.

Even beyond that, 1883 kicks off with Elsa Dutton's fate being sealed, and watching Tim McGraw's family patriarch attempting to keep his baby girl safe remains heartbreaking. 1923 doesn't fit the bill as much, given all of Jacob and Cara Dutton's kids are fully grown, but so much of their worry and grief is locked into the next generation's safety and prosperity, or the lack thereof, and they do wonder about Spencer's whereabouts for much of the show, so it mostly counts.

(Image credit: Paramount+)

I'm Cool With Dutton Ranch's Samey Kidnapping Arc If Carter Comes Out Of It A Better Character

Look, I get that a TV franchise so concerned with land ownership and families is going to make both of those elements core parts of each season, from the premiere to the finale, and that Dutton Ranch probably needed to put one of its most familiar characters at risk instead of tying the concluding stressors to characters that audiences only met in the past eight weeks of eps. Sure, it would have sucked if J. R. Villarreal's Azul was kidnapped instead, but probably not enough to keep viewers worried until Season 2 arrives.

Plus, the neo-western has convincingly portrayed Carter's life as being less than ideal. He's easily butthurt, he doesn't have innate cowboy skills, he's too old for a normal high school existence, and too sheltered to have realiable friends and/or romantic interests. So something had to happen to get this dude out of his rut. (Probably would have been smarter for him NOT to have insulted both Beth and Rip as his stand-in parents, but so be it.)

Even though being held captive didn't do much to help turn Tate into a cool, courageous and/or respectable character — sorry, dude — Carter being older and slightly more mature could have an effect on how he comes out of this dangerous ordeal. He needs to hit a point of no return, but with a more positive path forward instead of becoming the local area's youngest drunkard.

As such, if Carter comes out of his kidnapping crisis with a harder edge, an obvious sense of bravery, and a new set of survival skills, then I will not only give Dutton Ranch a pass for dipping back into the "kidnapped offspring" playbook, but I'll also go into Season 2 with a renewed sense of excitement. Of course, we won't actually know what happens until the new episodes get here anyway, so I guess it's all a moot point.

You know what isn't a moot point? The identity of Oreana's baby daddy. But I guess those answers aren't coming until later, either.

Dutton Ranch Season 2 is on the way, but won't be here until after the 2026 TV schedule has wrapped up. In the meantime, all episodes can be streamed on Paramount+.

Million Dollar Nannies Has Great Drama, But There's One Thing I Wish I Saw More Of

mick.joest@CinemaBlend.com (Mick Joest) — Sun, 05 Jul 2026 17:05:00 +0000

I recently got roped into a new series on the 2026 TV schedule and am now binging Million Dollar Nannies with my Hulu subscription. While I'm enjoying it thus far, there's one key thing holding it back, in my opinion, when deciding whether it's worthy of being mentioned among the best reality shows on TV right now.

The series follows a group of young nannies as they set up shop in Ibiza and offer vacation nanny services to wealthy people on vacation. There's partying, drama, and beautiful views. The only thing I don't see is what it's like on the job, which I feel is a major component missing from this otherwise great show.

(Image credit: Disney/Andrea Miconi)

Million Dollar Nannies Shows Very Little Of The Cast Actually Doing Their Jobs

Don't get me wrong: I love hearing the young group in Million Dollar Nannies go on about past issues with families, their personal lives, and talking smack about each other. I guess when I signed on to watch this show, I assumed I would see what it's like to be a nanny for the rich and famous. Well, rich, because I'm not sure many of the families featured on the show thus far's fame goes beyond the boundaries of TikTok.

So far, we've seen the nannies apply to their job, but once they get the contract, we don't see what a day entails for these people once they get the gig. What exactly is the difference between being a nanny and being a nanny for the ultra-wealthy? Is the pay even better?

Sure, we get confessional segments in which we learn about dealing with high-maintenance clients, and some storylines show the lines you absolutely shouldn't cross. That said, I think I've learned more about this gig from Fran Drescher, which makes me want a revival of The Nanny even more.

(Image credit: Disney/Andrea Miconi)

Million Dollar Nannies Is Heavy On The Drama, Which Is Great

While some of the drama feels so scripted it would put 90 Day Fiancé to shame, I can't help but admit I'm addicted to the drama of Million Dollar Nannies. Even if they lay the fights on a bit thick from time to time, listening to the cast bicker and talk about how their own actions impact the reputation of the agency is great.

I Finally Got Around To Watching If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, And As A Parent, It Struck A Chord

Rich Knight — Sun, 05 Jul 2026 11:05:00 +0000

As you can probably ascertain from my name, I'm not a mom.

Even so, I still wanted to watch 2025's If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, which Time Magazine once called “Uncut Gems for Moms.” Well, since Uncut Gems is one of my favorite movies (mostly because of its amazing Adam Sandler performance), I definitely wanted to check it out, and whoa, baby. What a movie!

Now, even though I'm not a mom, I am a dad, and can I just say that I connected with this movie way more than I thought I would? Here's why.

Even As A Dad, I Worry About Being Perceived As A Bad Parent

Just recently, I wrote about how I'm upset that Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey is rated R, and it’s mostly because I wanted to take my kids to see it. Now, back when I was a kid, my dad took me to see Terminator 2: Judgment Day when I was only 8, and that’s because parents back then didn't seem to care about taking their kids to see R-Rated flicks. But today, the main reason why I won't take my kids to see The Odyssey isn't because of the mature content (though that's definitely a part of it). It’s mostly because I don't want to be seen as a bad parent taking my kids to see R-rated films.

I'm always thinking about stuff like this (especially as a Black dad, since we're often already perceived to be bad parents from the get-go). Well, Rose Byrne in this movie is constantly feeling like the “bad mom,” and it drags her down. Her daughter has a gastrointestinal illness and needs a tube in her stomach, and Byrne's character constantly feels guilty from all the judgment she receives from others, which is SUPER relatable to me.

So, even though this movie is referred to as “Uncut Gems for Moms,” I definitely felt that tension, too, and I'm not even a mother!

There's Also Always The Fear That Anything Could Just Go Wrong At Any Moment

If you search up what genre this movie is in, you'll likely find it under “psychological drama.” I've also heard people refer to it as a “horror” movie (“realistic horror,” but still!). And, you know what, I agree, because this movie IS scary, though not in the traditional sense.

It mainly tackles motherhood and mental health, and in brutally realistic ways. For example, there's one woman who is undoubtedly suffering from postpartum depression, and she’s constantly worried about her baby. Now, while I have no way of knowing what a woman goes through following childbirth, I will say that as a parent, I have a constant, overwhelming sense of dread that something could happen to my children at any time, and this has been going on since their births.

The same could be said of Rose Byrne's character. She’s both constantly worried about her child, but also in constant need of a break, as she feels alone in taking care of her kid, which I'll talk about next.

Lastly, I Definitely Understand The Feeling Tired All The Time Part

My wife is a nurse, so there will be times when she works four days in a row. This, of course, means that I have the kids for four whole days at a time during these summer months, and anybody with kids will tell you that being a parent is a full-time job in itself.

Thankfully, my in-laws are always available if I need to take a gym break, but I know what it's like to be tired all the time, and Rose Byrne deserved that Best Actress nomination for playing a mom who is literally tired for an entire movie.

And, sister, same. As a parent, I FEEL that to my very core. I may be a dad, but I know what it's like to feel exhausted from morning til night, and that's why even though I might not be a mom, this movie speaks to me on every level.

Stop The Slop, Big Brother: It's Time To End This Punishment

Kelly West — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 21:05:00 +0000

I've been watching a lot of past Big Brother seasons lately, in anticipation of Big Brother Season 28. One strong opinion about a certain twist in the game has resurfaced in me with vigor, and I need to talk about it. We recently learned that Season 28 will be themed around a "time trip." So... maybe this would be the perfect season to leave the Big Brother Slop punishment in the past?

(Image credit: CBS)

Big Brother is a notoriously unserious show. Amidst their efforts to send one houseguest packing each week, these housebound contestants are subjected to a range of ridiculous scenarios and punishments. They're slimed during competitions and made to wear goofy themed costumes, to name a couple of examples.

Fans know and expect regular doses of absurdity from the long-running CBS series, and we wouldn't want it any other way. Slop, on the other hand, isn't fun or funny or exciting. The houseguests seem to hate it, which I know is the point, but I also don't know a single fan who cares about this particular punishment, at least, not in any kind of positive way.

(Image credit: CBS)

Slop looks like oatmeal, but based on complaints about it from the houseguests, it sounds like it doesn't actually taste like oatmeal, nor does it have the same texture. Prior to Season 7, the food punishment each season was to restrict the impacted houseguests' diet to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Slop was introduced during Big Brother All Stars, in 2006, and has remained the food punishment each season since. In 2011, the Have Not twist was introduced, adding an uncomfortable bedroom and cold showers to the slop punishment for the three or four affected houseguests each week.

(Image credit: CBS)

Have Nots do have a limited number of other options (pickles, some spices and condiments, protein powder, etc.) to supplement their diets, but slop is their main food source for the week. It seems like every season, houseguests complain about how being on slop makes them feel. Whether it's lack of energy, gastrointestinal discomfort or just feeling super hungry because they're not eating the slop, it certainly seems to serve its presumed purpose of putting have nots at a disadvantage. Yet, I can't remember the last time anything slop-related was entertaining on the live feeds or in the episodes. It's just a thing that gets forced on a few houseguests each week until the Have Not punishment ends for the season.

(Image credit: CBS)

To be clear, I'm not saying they should completely get rid of the Have Not room or punishment. I appreciate the creativity that goes into designing that room, particularly when the design relates (in some dreary, creepy or otherwise negative way) to the theme of the house. Plus, it disrupts the usual sleeping arrangements from week to week, which can have an impact on the social dynamics of the game. Keep the Have Not twist if you want, let's just lose the slop requirement, or change it to something that gives the houseguests more options to get enough to eat to be their usual selves.

I'm not sure what the substitution to slop should be. Maybe it's some other limitation on the Have Nots' diet that still allows them to get enough basic nutrients throughout the week. At the very least, maybe there's an alternate punishment to slop that houseguests can choose. Meaning, if they want to eat normal food for the day, they have to take some other punishment or restriction.

As 2026 marks twenty years since Slop was first introduced, I think it's high time Big Brother does away with it, or finds a way to change up the food restriction to make it interesting, and preferably doesn't leave the affected houseguests down for the count for days.

Big Brother Season 28 kicks off on the 2026 TV schedule on July 9th, with the live feeds starting the day after. You'll be able to watch the feeds and catch up on past episodes with a Paramount+ subscription.

I Think I Like Toy Story 4 More After Seeing The New Movie

Sarah El-Mahmoud — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 11:05:00 +0000

We just passed the halfway point of the year, and I can confidently say that Toy Story 5 is definitely one of my favorite 2026 movies. Pixar’s latest gave me everything I wanted out of a sequel to a franchise I’ve grown up with my whole life, and seeing Jessie finally get her moment is a big reason why. Days after I walked out of the theater with a big smile on my face over the new animated film, I decided to give its predecessor, Toy Story 4, another shot, and I’m very happy I did! Let’s get into it.

(Image credit: Pixar)

What I Thought About Toy Story 4 When It First Came Out

While it took me a double-take to believe it, Toy Story 4 came out seven years ago. I remember going to see it in the theaters opening weekend just like I did for its newest installment – but I recall being very disappointed and feeling kind of icky about it. Given, for context – it was the first Toy Story movie that came out since I became an adult.

My most potent memory about the movie was the Toy Story 4 ending where Woody and Buzz say goodbye to each other with “To infinity and beyond”. I can recall the heavy sigh the scene incited from me like it was yesterday. To me, I think it felt like Pixar was trying to recreate the perfect ending of Toy Story 3 with another heartfelt goodbye between two major characters, and it just didn’t hit the same as last time, in what I would consider one of the best Pixar movies ever made.

Otherwise, I remember liking Forky and thinking Toy Story 4 was OK overall, but just kind of unnecessary. What a difference seven years makes!

Disney+: from $11.99 a month w/ ad-supported plan
Disney+ is the home for all the Toy Story movies and shorts. A Disney+ subscription starts at $11.99 a month for its new ad-supported plan. Go ad-free and pay $18.99 a month or save 16% and pre-pay $189.99 for a yearView Deal

(Image credit: Pixar)

What I Think After My Recent Rewatch After Seeing Toy Story 5

After loving Toy Story 5 as much as I did, I started to question my previous feelings about Toy Story 4. Was it really as bad as I thought it was? After my latest viewing, I can confirm that I was way too harsh on the sequel, and I think I know why. Toy Story 4 had to follow Toy Story 3, and even though it had been almost a decade since it had come out at that point, I wasn’t sold on the idea of Woody, Buzz and the gang coming back yet. Technically, I still think of Toy Story 4 as the weakest of the movies, but really not by much.

This time, I really appreciated Toy Story 4 for how it took some time to explore Woody’s life post-Andy. I kind of think of it as a metaphor for being an empty-nester parent who’s trying to find your purpose after your kid goes to college. I haven’t had that experience myself, but I’ve seen my parents struggle to redefine themselves since I went away to college and became an adult. With that in mind, I found Woody’s journey to be really meaningful, and his decision to “retire” (which becomes a hilarious gag in 5) and go after Bo Peep isn't sad, but a really beautiful start of a new chapter for him.

After watching Toy Story 5, I also was curious about seeing more of Bonnie from before and how the toys adjusted to being part of her room before. I really like how both 4 and 5 explore different ways that toys can be helpful to kids through Bonnie – who I realized now is very different from Andy and very much of her generation. And, I'm happy we have multiple kids in the Toy Story franchise.

The conclusion that I’ve come to is that every Toy Story movie has been made with complete love and care, and I’ll be happy to take more as long as there’s another good story to tell. And I like how each one has a few different main characters to come back to depending on how I feel the next time I want to go back and watch a Toy Story movie. If you felt similarly to me about Toy Story 4, I very much recommend a rewatch!

The Bear Had 7 Callbacks That Hit Me Right In The Feels During My Season 5 Binge

Heidi Venable — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 21:05:00 +0000

Spoiler alert! This story contains spoilers for all five seasons of The Bear, which can be streamed now with a Hulu subscription.

The Bear has served its final meal by way of an eight-episode fifth season that takes place almost entirely on one stressful, rainy day. I couldn’t help but binge through Season 5 as soon as it hit the 2026 TV schedule — especially after watching the standalone episode “Gary,” which is not required viewing but should be, because it’s great — and I was not ready for the emotions that hit me with all of the great callbacks to previous seasons.

The Bear Season 5 was hailed by critics as a return to form, forgoing tons of guest stars and drama outside of the restaurant to watch how the staff came together under seemingly impossible conditions for what might be one last night of service. As an eight-episode meal, I was fully satisfied, and it was the tasteful sprinkling of nods to its past that really put it over the top. Here were some of my favorites:

(Image credit: Hulu)

The ‘Original Berf’ Shirts Made A Big Comeback

The printing error that caused The Original Beef of Chicagoland T-shirts to actually read “Original Berf” may have been just another thing to go wrong for Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) back in Season 2. Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), however, knew all along that those were collector’s items, and they sure came in handy when a burst pipe sullied all of the chefs’ white coats in Season 5. As he said in his rousing pre-service speech:

If we’re going to invite people into our home, we’re gonna look like a fucking family.

I was so tickled to see those shirts on everyone for the rest of that night’s service.

(Image credit: Hulu)

Carmy Jokes About Getting Locked In The Freezer

A pivotal moment in Season 2 came when Carmy got locked in the walk-in freezer because he hadn’t gotten the handle fixed. He unwittingly ended things with Claire (Molly Gordon) and then got into a horrible shouting match with Richie. Thank goodness there was a locked door between them.

Season 5 showed just how far the “cousins” had come, as Carmy finds Richie in the freezer having a panic attack. He talks him through it, and as he turns to leave and give Richie some privacy, he pretends he can’t open the door, momentarily freaking Richie out even more. I was certainly fooled, and it leads to such a joyful moment between the two.

(Image credit: Hulu)

Sydney's Coca-Cola Short Ribs Saved The Day

The Coca-Cola-braised short ribs made their appearance in Season 1 as a dish that reminded Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) of her late mother. She worked with Carmy to perfect the balance on the dish, and it was lovely to see Season 5 open with her pulling out the ribs and Coke bottles to make the dish for the final family meal we’d see.

However, the ribs got an even bigger day in the sun when Carmy dropped the lamb dish that was supposed to go to the man they thought was responsible for deciding whether or not they’d get a Michelin star. Carm tells Sydney to serve the short ribs instead, saying they’re better than anything he’s ever made.

(Image credit: Hulu)

Sydney Finally Tells Carmy He Made The Beat Meal She’d Ever Eaten

Carmy’s praise of Sydney’s short ribs was really just returning the favor, because earlier in the service, he had prepared a serving of the lamb tonnato for her to try as a menu option. Without fanfare (but with very meaningful glances), they had this exchange:

Sydney: Second-best bite I’ve had in a long time.
Carmy: Yeah?
Sydney: Yeah.
Carmy: What was the first best?
Sydney: I had this grapefruit scallop dish at Empire a few years ago.

We’d previously heard Sydney tell Marcus that’s how she ended up at The Original Beef, staging under Carmy, and we saw Carmy agonizing over that dish with Chef David Fields (Joel McHale) literally over his shoulder. However, this was the first time that it all clicked for Carmy.

(Image credit: Hulu)

Sugar’s Husband Craves Sydney’s Bolognese

If The Bear fans weren't convinced that Sydney earned her spot taking over for Carmy, Season 5 did everything it could to remind us how good she is. When the chef asks Sugar’s husband Pete (Chris Witaske) to help with the trash in exchange for her cooking him any meal he wants, Pete is quick to say, “Bolognese!”

It’s a super subtle reference, but think back to Season 3, when Sydney brought Sugar (Abby Elliott) and Pete a care package after Sugar had her baby. Amongst the items she brought them was bolognese, and clearly that left an impression on Pete!

(Image credit: Hulu)

You Can’t Keep A Carmy-Sydney Shipper Down

From the beginning there have been questions and very strong opinions about Carmy and Sydney and whether they would (or should) get together. There was so much tension between them that “Yes, chef!” became, like, the hottest thing ever. Ayo Edebiri consistently shut down that possibility, but how could Carmy’s mom Donna (Jamie Lee Curtis) possibly know that? In a Season 5 wink to fans, Donna asks Pete, “Are they dating?” and Pete stammers a bit before landing on:

Um, I don’t think so, but there are a lot of, there’s some theories.

Say what you will, but I think that hug during Sydney and Carmy’s big emotional moment in the series finale was more intimate than any kiss. For me, their chemistry as colleagues goes deeper than romance.

(Image credit: Hulu)

Richie Calls Marcus ‘Cousin’

One of the more confusing aspects of The Bear’s first few episodes in Season 1 was that Richie and Carmy referred to each other as “Cousin,” only to reveal they’re not actually related. Richie was best friends with Carmy’s brother Mikey, and when Mikey died, it really was like they both lost a brother. They continued to call each other “Cousin” in good times and bad as a term of endearment, and in the end, Richie passes the nickname on to Marcus (Lionel Boyce).

Sydney and Richie may have been the ones put in charge of the restaurant when Carmy chose to step away, but the final episodes gave a strong indication that Marcus was the one Carmy was passing the torch to. In addition to inheriting the familial nickname, Marcus was also the beneficiary of Carmy’s journals, where he sketched dishes and worked out new creative recipes. It was a beautiful ending for one of The Bear’s best characters.

There were plenty of other moments that stuck out, and I can safely say that all of the anxiety and shouting and fretting and talking over each other was well worth it to see how The Bear served its last meal by bringing back so many of the dishes we loved the first time around.

A New George Washington Biopic Is Flying Under The Radar, And There Are Two Reasons I'm Excited For It

Hugh Scott — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 14:05:00 +0000

While Young Washington probably won’t be breaking any box office records when it’s released this weekend as part of the 2026 movie schedule, I think it’s flown under the radar for most people. There are some reasons, I believe, for that, which I’ll get into, but I’m still excited to see it, even if I’m admittedly a little wary of the production. There are two reasons, as a matter of fact, that have me excited, and one I’m nervous about how good the movie will be.

(Image credit: Angel Studios)

A Time In Washington’s Life That Isn’t Well Known And A Stellar Cast

What I’m most excited about is the time period that Young Washington is covering. While there are countless movies and TV shows about Washington’s time as the General of the Continental Army during the American Revolution, and probably just as many about his time as the first President of the United States. Americans are also incredibly well-versed in the early life of George Washington, at least the cherry-tree story (which likely is more fable than fact).

However, there aren’t very many representations of Washington at the beginning of his army service. This historical film covers that, specifically his time as second-in-command of the Virginia Regiment during the French and Indian War in the 1750s. Long before he would command the Continental Army against the British in the Revolution, he fought in the British army, famously making his bones on the (then) Western Frontier during the French and Indian War. This is a time period that is often glossed over, and I could be wrong, but I don’t remember a movie about this time.

The other reason I’m excited for the movie is the stellar cast. Washington is played by a newcomer whom I’m unfamiliar with, William Franklyn-Miller, but much of the cast is very well known. Washington’s mother, Mary Ball Washington, is played by Mary-Louise Parker. Robert Dinwiddie, the Brit running Virginia at the time, is played by Ben Kingsley. Andy Serkis is British General Edward Braddock, who was Washington’s superior, and Kelsey Grammer is playing Lord Fairfax, a prominent Virginian at the time. It all adds up to a pretty spectacular cast.

(Image credit: Angel Studios)

This Could Feel Like An Old TV Movie

I can’t say I’m without some doubt here. I’m specifically talking about the production company and the budget. The movie is produced by Angel Studios, which is a company that has, for the most part, concentrated on movies and TV shows with heavy Christian overtones. Angel’s best-known movie is 2023’s controversial Sound of Freedom, which was heavily criticized for its accuracy and the way it presented the true story of Tim Ballard.

That isn’t what I have an issue with, because not all of the company’s movies are heavy-handed, and I think faith-based stories can be as inspiring as anything else, if done well. What concerns me more (and something I’ve seen in early reviews) is the production quality. I couldn’t find a reliable report on Young Washington’s budget, but at least one review indicated that the CGI wasn’t exactly Avengers-level. I worry that this movie might be aspiring to something it is not. Still, overall, the early reviews have been mostly positive, so I’m excited to see it.

The Internet Is Big Mad About Zack Snyder's Upcoming Escape From New York Remake

Hugh Scott — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 20:05:00 +0000

It might not come as a surprise to you that some internet denizens are not exactly overjoyed with the idea of a remake of the 1981 John Carpenter classic Escape From New York. It's the latest attempt to remake the classic sci-fi flick, this time with Zack Snyder on board to direct.

I get it. I love the movie, too, and I understand why people don’t see any reason for this classic starring Kurt Russell (maybe his best collab with Carpenter) ever to be remade. Still, if I’m honest, some of the reactions are pretty over the top. Here are a few comments I’ve found in the days since the remake was first announced.

The Director Is Taking Some Heat

Zack Snyder is a polarizing director. Some love his work and have gone so far as to put forth a massive campaign that lasted for years to release “The Snyder Cut” of Justice League. That worked, and his fans love it. Others are, let’s just say, less enthusiastic about the director taking a swing at Escape from New York. Redditor r/JWitjes commented:

Zack Snyder directing Escape from New York, now there's a true horror story.

Another Redditor, appropriately named r/CancelThis2077 wrote:

How creatively bankrupt is Hollywood that Escape from NY needs a remake, and that Zack Snyder would be the one to direct it?

Synder directing wasn't the only news that fans of the OG movie took aim at though.

(Image credit: StudioCanal)

Kurt Russell Can't Be Replaced As Snake Plissken

There is no question that Kurt Russell's Snake Plissken is one of the best sci-fi characters of all time. He's a man of action and few words (and even fewer working eyeballs). Many fans say he just can't be replaced by anyone in the role. X user @RealBSP3, commenting on a post by @Nerdcognito, wrote:

Nobody has Kurt Russell energy.I'm not going to try to watch someone else fill his shoes.Highlander is pushing it. This is over the edge.June 13, 2026

He wasn't alone, of course. Redditor r/Suitable_Community66 wrote:

Kurt Russell is simply irreplaceable in this role.

Many critics of the idea of an Escape from New York remake simply don't like the idea of remaking classics

Why Mess Up A Classic?

Finally, the last group of people unhappy with the idea are people who love the movie and think a remake would only flop, or worse, tarnish the reputation of the original. Responding to the news on X, @jordanjabroni summed it up pretty simply:

This is quite possibly the worst news ever. https://t.co/jgEkvYhRzfJune 1, 2026

Another post on X responding to the news had a harsh take not just on the Escape from New York remake, but on all remakes:

IMO the only purposes for these reboots is to nullify the originals. Sure some are good, but judging by the Disney / Netflix / Amazon stuff it's generally a twisted version of something people love so they can become hostile or at least indifferent to it ...skeptical lolJune 13, 2026

That was hardly the only similar thought on the idea of remaking movies:

Don't remake masterpieces, you idiots. Remake movies that had a good story or idea but were botched by the director / producer / studio.April 13, 2026

If you don’t love the idea either, keep in mind that over the years there have been multiple attempts at remaking or rebooting Escape From New York. Robert Rodriguez was tapped to remake the movie about a decade ago, but it never came to be. Looking back through the CinemaBlend archives, there have been multiple announcements going back to the early 2010s hyping up remakes, and none have come to fruition.

Will Zack Snyder be the one to break this curse? Time will tell. We're certainly not going to see it on the 2026 movie schedule, or the 2027 schedule for that matter. In the meantime, you can rewatch the original with a Prime subscription, which is what I plan to do.

My Friend Said Obsession Was Scary, But I Found It Hilarious. Here's Why We're Both Right

Rich Knight — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 17:05:00 +0000

Let me tell you. I love horror, but it took everything in my power to go see Obsession.

That's because its reputation precedes it as being a scary movie, so I was 100% terrified to see it. Then I did see it, and…I thought it was hilarious. I mean, I laughed probably 50% of the film’s runtime.

However, when I told my friend that I found it more funny than scary, he said, “Naw, man. It was terrifying.” I just wondered how two people could have such wildly different reactions to the same movie. Then it hit me…

(Image credit: Focus Features)

My Friend Was Once In A Relationship That I Think Gave Him PTSD

I think we’ve all had at least one friend who was in a terrible relationship. I'm talking about a “You need to get away from this person,” kind of courtship. And yes, my aforementioned friend was in a relationship like this for YEARS. All of us told him, “She's no good for you, man,” as she was manipulative, overbearing, and selfish. So, I think my friend was definitely getting PTSD when watching Nikki (Inde Navarrette) go psycho on Bear (Michael Johnston).

Now, unlike Bear, my friend didn't make a selfish wish on a One-Wish Willow to be with this woman. Instead, I'm not sure how they met. I just know that once they did, she was with my friend CONSTANTLY. Now, this isn't necessarily a bad thing, as a lot of my friends got girlfriends and lost touch, only to get married and have kids.

That said, this woman was driving my friend insane, and she'd sometimes both physically and emotionally abuse him. Thankfully, after YEARS of this kind of poor treatment, they both walked away from each other. In that way, I think my friend was definitely reliving some of those bad memories when he watched Obsession. That said…

(Image credit: Focus Features)

I've Never Been In A Relationship With An Obsessive Girlfriend, So I Found The Film Funny

There are a lot of creative theories about Obsession (some even think that Bear might have had a shot with Nikki if he just told her his feelings), but I think most people come out of the film feeling bad for Nikki, and that Bear is the true antagonist. So, yes, I definitely felt horrible for everything Nikki had to experience (yes, even after that scene).

However, I've also never had any woman be “obsessed” with me. So, I found most of Nikki's outlandish moments to be comical. For instance, there's a moment when Bear wants to go to a “guys night out,” and when he tells Nikki, who’s taking a shower, she shuts off the water abruptly, and there’s this loud noise. Now, I've seen a lot of horror movies, but none where somebody turning off the shower could be considered a jump scare.

Or, what about that infamous scene when Nikki is crying in the corner? Yes, her uncanny valley expression was creepy, but I also found it funny that she was watching Bear while he slept. So, I guess the fact that I found Obsession funny while my friend found it scary just means one thing…

(Image credit: Blumhouse)

I Think It's A Very Different Movie If You Find It Relatable, From Either Nikki Or Bear's Perspective

I’ve heard a lot of women speak out about how they’ve known men like Bear who seem nice on the surface, but are actually not nice people, and that they understand Nikki’s pain of being controlled. I’ve also heard men chime in and say that Bear doesn’t actually really “see” Nikki, and only sees an idea of what he thinks she is, or what he wants her to be.

I love all of these interpretations, and I think this film really resonates with people (and possibly terrifies them) if they see themselves in either Nikki or Bear’s shoes, as my friend did.

Personally, I couldn’t relate (especially since it’s now harder for me to connect with characters who are much younger than me), so I found all of it quite humorous.

So, did you find Obsession to be funny, scary, or both? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

See If You Can Ace This Kind Of Hard Independence Day Movie Crossword Puzzle

Kelly West — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 14:01:36 +0000

This weekend is not just any Fourth of July. The U.S. is celebrating its 250th birthday, so I would be remiss if I didn't dedicate this week's movie quiz entirely to a movie that is, well, somewhat connected to the annual holiday. I mean, it's less about the nation's independence as it is about humans trying to survive a global alien invasion, but the days the event takes place and the title of the movie line up, so it counts.

I know I'm not alone in having seen Independence Day countless times since its release in 1996. With that in mind, I tried to make this puzzle just a little bit harder than the usual movie quizzes I do. See how many clues you can solve! And if it's too hard, maybe it's time to revisit the movie. Independence Day is streaming with a Disney+ subscription.

Disney+: from $11.99 a month w/ ad-supported plan
Disney+ is the home for the MCU, Star Wars, and some great action movies, including Independence Day. Plans start at $11.99 a month for its new ad-supported plan. Go ad-free and pay $18.99 a month or save 16% and pre-pay $189.99 for a year.View Deal

Where Is All This Supergirl Hate Coming From? Seriously, What Is Going On?

Mack Rawden — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 19:05:00 +0000

What is going on right now? Seriously, what is going on? I can’t navigate my browser anywhere on the Internet without stumbling into five takes about how Supergirl is hot trash in a cape. The weird thing, though, is that I’ve seen Supergirl, and it’s not hot trash in a cape. It’s just the latest mediocre superhero movie in a long line of mostly mediocre superhero movies that we’ve gotten in the last five years. So, why are we all acting like this one is uniquely problematic and offensive?

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

I saw Supergirl like two weeks ago at a screening in St Louis that was filled with like ninety percent randoms and ten percent press. I had a pretty good time. My wife had a pretty good time. A co-worker I went with and his buddy both had pretty good times. All of us thought it was a nice enough way to spend (less than) a couple hours.

I didn’t have individual conversations with everyone else in the crowd, but their general reactions seemed to match our feelings too. Everyone seemed to stay engaged. They laughed moderately at most of the jokes, leaned forward in their seats at the appropriate times and the bits of conversations I picked up leaving the theater were all blandly positive. It was like we all collectively gave it a weak thumbs up.

On my way home (before I started driving), I texted my buddy who is a big superhero fan. This is the exact copy of the message I sent him…

Just saw Supergirl. It’s nice enough. Milly is good. Momoa is having a ton of fun. Story is bland. Nothing special.

I assumed most reviews would fall somewhere in the 2.5-3.5 out of 5 range, and I was right. If you look on Rotten Tomatoes, the majority of them are mixed bag positives, but to my surprise, there’s a solid minority that are extremely, almost aggressively mean. That negativity (even from some huge outlets) is also mirrored on social media, where thousands of angry posts are accusing Supergirl of being some kind of embarrassing disaster. I’ve seen quite a few going a step further and saying DC needs to examine whether its entire new James Gunn franchise is even working because of how bad this movie allegedly is.

Wait, what? Maybe this is the moment where people just collectively decided they were sick of watching run-of-the-mill superhero movies, and Supergirl was the unlucky victim of that pent-up anger? Maybe fans and critics are willing to be a lot meaner and say things they wouldn’t normally say because it’s about a female superhero? Maybe DC fans have higher expectations than Marvel fans? Maybe some of the people commenting haven’t actually seen the movie and are just riled up about comments people involved made on the press tour?

I don’t know what’s going on. I’m not going to try and get in the heads of other people, but I will say that everyone I know who has seen the movie in real life, that didn’t go in with an obvious agenda, thought it was fine enough.

Fine enough as in a mixed bag. Alcock and Momoa are both quite good. Her dynamic with Superman works well, and there are a lot of fun individual scenes that keep the momentum up. That being said, there are also clearly some problems here. Most of the characters are a little one-note. The villain is weak. The soundtrack makes some odd choices. The stuff about Supergirl's backstory doesn't hit as hard as it should because not enough time is spent on Krypton.

It's definitely not The Dark Knight or even Avengers 1. It's a lot closer to something like Ant-Man And The Wasp, but instead of people talking about it like it's Ant-Man And The Wasp, they're talking about it like it's Superman IV or Ghost Rider II. It's not. Don't listen to the people telling you it is. The truth is Supergirl is fine enough. It's the latest mediocre superhero movie in a long line of mostly mediocre superhero movies, and while that's not ideal, it's better than what you've been hearing.

The Legally Blonde Prequel Has A Hilarious Reveal About Elle Woods I Can't Stop Thinking About

Sarah El-Mahmoud — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 18:05:00 +0000

SPOILERS are ahead for Elle, now streaming with a Prime Video subscription.

One of my favorite things about Legally Blonde is how many beloved lines came out of a single script. Elle Woods has so many great lines said by Reese Witherspoon, but my favorite has to be when she declares that she and her little doggy Bruiser Woods are both “Gemini vegetarians.” Especially as a longtime resident of Los Angeles myself, it’s literally the perfect way to make fun of us with a single line. And in the prequel series, Elle, they ran with the quote in a direction I really didn’t expect.

The entire first season of Elle just premiered on the 2026 TV schedule, and while it took a couple of episodes to grow on me, I don’t agree with a lot of the critics. It’s a delightful series, and I hope it continues. Anyways, my favorite Elle Woods-coded moment comes in episode seven after Elle and her friends serve their time in detention and she’s explaining the situation to her mother Eva (played dynamically by June Diane Raphael). She ends up saying this:

Maybe there are other sides to me. Maybe I’m not the rule-abiding Gemini I always thought. I mean even Mrs. Burke accused me of being a Cancer.

Elle completely defines herself by her astrological sign of Gemini, because of course she does, but this time when she talks about it, her mom admits something. In Eva's words:

When I was pregnant, your dad had a pool at the office, and everyone bet on which day you’d be born… We wanted to stay in the good graces of the head of Cedars' plastic surgery division, who had placed a bet on June 20.

So while Elle thought she was a Gemini her whole sixteen years of life thus far, she learns that she’s technically a Cancer. It was hidden from her thanks to a bet that went on between her dad and his work buddies. Here’s her actual birthday, according to her mom:

June 21st at 12:01am… Technically your head was out at 11:59.

What I love about this is, of course, a Legally Blonde prequel series that would talk about the origins of Elle Woods’ astrology and deepen it. It just makes sense. Plus, as an L.A. girlie myself who had my own phase of over-analyzing my astrology, I absolutely love this development for her. Elle being humbled by astrology just made me laugh so hard, because it's just so on brand for her.

While she’s definitely a Gemini icon no matter what, I think her having a Cancer cusp makes a lot of sense because that sign, in its broadest sense, is known to be for very intuitive, loyal, nurturing and moody people, which is Elle Woods!

From my understanding, when you’re a cusp, you can kind of take on the traits of both signs you are kind of in between, so Elle can be both now. Now every time I rewatch Legally Blonde, I'll be thinking about how Elle's darkest secret is probably that she's technically a Gemini/Cancer cusp. Here’s my favorite line that the whole scene leads up to:

Great. So my head’s a Gemini, my body's a Cancer. This changes my entire emotional narrative... How does a Cancer cusp even answer the phone?

Later on, Elle must have decided to claim her Gemini side rather than Cancer – but the teenage identity crisis in that moment on Elle is too perfect! Bravo to the creators, because this reveal was so well handled, and I'm claiming it for her.

I Watched Amores Perros In Theaters For The 1st Time, And These Things Stood Out More 25 Years Later

jerricatisdale@gmail.com (Jerrica Tisdale) — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 21:07:30 +0000

Amores Perros is one of my favorite movies of all-time. It’s the film that introduced me to one of my favorite actors ever, Gael García Bernal. It’s one of his best movies. The movie won me over instantly, and I have seen it a few times, in a few different ways. However, I haven’t seen it in a while, and have never gotten the chance to see it in a theater.

For the 25th anniversary, Mubi gave the film a limited theatrical release. I caught the movie at a local theater, and it reminded me of the timeless bleakness and triumph of Amores Perros.

Warning: Amores Perros spoilers are ahead. Proceed with caution.

(Image credit: Alta Vista Films)

I Didn't Notice How Much The Dogs' Stories Mimicked Their Owners Until This Watch

In Amores Perros, El Chivo (Emilio Echevarría) says at some point that dogs often become like their humans. We see this throughout the film. Octavio (Gael García Bernal) and Cofi are both innocent creatures at the start. However, they become more and more ruthless, cutthroat as the film continues.

Cofi goes from a friendly, careless dog to a ruthless killer. Octavio becomes the same. Then Cofi becomes El Chivo’s dog. We see the effects of how Octavio trained him to become a killer. He now only knows this way of life, and cannot live among normal dogs. This is basically El Chivo’s story. He only realizes how lost he has become when Cofi kills his other dogs.

Valeria (Goya Toledo) and Richie are beautiful and pampered. Then an unexpected event leaves them both physically and emotionally scarred. I didn’t really notice how closely all the dogs’ stories are the same as their owners' until this viewing.

(Image credit: Alta Vista Films)

I Always Saw Amores Perros As A Bleak Film, But Realized It Does Have Some Hope

Amores Perros is considered one of the best Mexican movies for many reasons, but one is that it’s insanely bleak. It’s a film about how people hurt each other in the quest for love, success, and money. I love a good bleak movie, but as I age, I prefer movies with a sprinkle of hope at least. Reality can be too dark sometimes, so I need my cinema to provide some levity. Nonetheless, I have seen Amores Perros many times. I expected its bleakness.

However, it must have been too long since I last saw it because I didn’t remember much hope in it before, but El Chivo’s storyline ends on a very hopeful note. This ruthless killer can change because of his love for his child. It shows that men are not completely doomed. Love can still heal and change people for the better. It’s an optimistic take that I didn’t remember the other times I saw it, but it will stick with me this time.

(Image credit: Alta Vista Films)

The Film Has Some Really Interesting Conversations About Class, But Not How I Expected

Many great movies explore race, social justice, and class struggles. Amores Perros is a movie very much about class struggles. Octavio does all he does to get out of his situation to be with Susana (Vanessa Bauche). We see three different social classes featured in the film, but they all end up with the same problems. The movie isn’t saying class doesn’t matter, but it’s saying we’re united in our struggles. Love unites us in bad and good ways.

Class divides people, but humans are humans no matter their social status. Amores Perros is a rare film that showcases a strong debut movie that continues to surprise and enlighten.

Voicemails For Isabelle Is One Of My Favorite Romantic Movies In A While, And I Think I Know Why

jerricatisdale@gmail.com (Jerrica Tisdale) — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 21:00:00 +0000

Great love should make you cry. Because to love truly, recklessly, and beautifully means to open your heart up completely. That kind of true love can only end in tears, one way or another. Voicemails for Isabelle reminds you that love has to hurt.

The sad reality of living and loving is that we love people that we will eventually lose, or will lose us. Many great love movies discuss unrequited love or the agonizing pain of a breakup, but some even better ones explore losing a soulmate and finding another while healing.

That’s the main premise of Voicemails for Isabelle, but only partly why it’s such a beautiful love story.

Warning: Voicemails for Isabelle spoilers are ahead. Proceed with caution.

(Image credit: Netflix)

Voicemails For Isabelle Wasn't Just A Love Story Between The Main Characters But An Ode To Sisters

My sisters mean the world to me. To lose them would destroy me because they are, in many ways, my best friends and two of my soulmates. If you have a sister that you’re close with, you automatically feel Jill’s (Zoey Deutch) pain. Isabelle (Ciara Bravo) is her world. Isabelle was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at a young age, so Jill knows that Isabelle likely won’t live to old age. However, knowing someone will die doesn’t prepare you for the devastation when it happens.

Jill knows Isabelle will die. We know Isabelle will die, but we all mourn this loss. The main love story of Voicemails for Isabelle is between these sisters. Jill and Wes’s (Nick Robinson) love story is secondary but just as profound. Jill wants a love story similar to the great rom-com movies.

Wes provides this for her, and their love story makes you swoon. However, Isabelle and Jill’s love is what drives the movie. It gives it heart and soul. You care equally about Jill’s love with Wes and Isabelle. Not many romantic movies show two love stories happening simultaneously. Jill’s love for Isabelle shows an everlasting love that can’t be broken, even in death. Her love for Wes shows something new and fragile, but just as important to her, especially during this time in her life.

(Image credit: Netflix)

The Film Also Had Some Empowering Messages That I Think Many Will Connect With

Like with many great love movies, Wes and Jill eventually reach the conflict portion of their relationship. Their breakup isn’t devastating, like some others, because it’s important to their growth as a couple. It’s also inevitable as part of the film’s formula and plot.

However, the main purpose of Wes and Jill’s breakup is to show that Jill doesn’t need Wes. She’s fine on her own. I think that’s such a powerful message in a romantic dramedy. Many films, especially centered on romance, focus on the woman needing the man to feel complete. We have even seen so many epic moments and lines that declare this exact sentiment. The woman is not her full, true self without the love of this man. It may go both ways in many films, but sometimes it is put out there that the woman needs this man more than it emphasizes the man needing the woman.

Voicemails for Isabelle shows something different by having Jill state that she doesn’t need Wes. It’s very clear that he needs her, though. I love movies that empower women, because they often go against societal norms, especially those still held up as the standard. By showing Jill thrive with or without Wes, this movie breaks some romantic movie clichés. Wes adds to Jill’s life, but he isn’t the prize or the goal. She has bigger dreams that don’t revolve around him.

(Image credit: Netflix)

Nick Robinson And Zoey Deutch Had Chemistry That Felt Effortless And Natural

Zoey Deutch is no stranger to charming Netflix fans. Everyone loved her with Glen Powell in Set It Up. She repeats this success with Voicemails for Isabelle, and that really helps make it one of Netflix’s best romantic movies. Nick Robinson is also no stranger to onscreen chemistry. He has had it in many of his romantic movies, including in one of the best LGBTQ+ romantic movies, Love, Simon. Therefore, no one is surprised that they’re great together in Voicemails for Isabelle.

It’s their chemistry that makes it one of our favorite romance films of the year. Maybe the movie would have worked with different leads, but Robinson and Deutch are perfect in these roles. Their chemistry feels natural, playful, and a little bit anxious. It’s how two strangers falling in love should feel, especially when one is hiding a major secret. Robinson and Deutch may be another set of actors with amazing chemistry that I need to see in more things together. When you find actors who know how to make you smile while watching them, you just want more of that feeling.

(Image credit: Netflix)

Wes Felt Like A Male Character Written By A Woman, We Need More Of That

Some people adore male characters written by women. They love how gentle, sensitive, caring, and considerate they feel. They’re the dream guys. However, I am someone who sometimes doesn’t like romantic book male leads because sometimes they feel a little too unrealistic. However, Voicemails for Isabelle made me appreciate the appeal of male characters written by women, especially in modern times.

I loved that Wes and Jill were getting hot and heavy, but Wes stopped. He knows it’s unethical for him to have sex with Jill when she doesn’t know everything, especially something as big as him having access to her private voicemails with her deceased sister. Far too many past romantic movies didn’t consider the idea of consent being murky if all details about a partner are not known before they have sex. This moment in Voicemails for Isabelle stood out so much because it’s something only a character written by a woman may consider.

We also watch Wes yearn harder for Jill than she does for him. Nick Robinson masters the longing look in Voicemails for Isabelle. Additionally, so many movies have that moment where the guy sees the woman look gorgeous for the first time and drools and falls head over heels. That moment comes for Wes when he hears how quirky she is with her sister and standing up to the podcast guy. Wes also manages to redeem himself.

He does more than enough to make up for his deceit. Despite his trickery, I never disliked or judged Wes, and that’s because director and screenwriter Leah McKendrick did such a good job of creating this very likable fictional man. His secret is uncomfortable, but because of Wes as a character, it’s an easy one to overcome.

(Image credit: Netflix)

Voicemails For Isabelle Was The Perfect Blend of Cheesy, Sentimental, Funny, And Romantic

Voicemails for Isabelle inspires so many emotions. It touches the heart in more ways than one. I loved every minute of it, and I knew I would the moment it played Robyn’s “Dancing on My Own” (one of my personal favorite songs). The moments with the song are so gorgeously cheesy.

I laughed plenty of times, almost cried a few, wanted to call my sisters, and had so many moments when the romance had me twirling my hair. I don’t think Netflix will top this one in my heart.

I Am Not Fully Sold On Not Suitable For Work, Except For This One Part

jerricatisdale@gmail.com (Jerrica Tisdale) — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 18:00:00 +0000

I love so many of Mindy Kaling’s TV shows. I think I am her target audience because I am a rom-com lover who appreciates complex female leads. Many of her best projects fall in this category. If I see Kaling’s name attached to a project, I will check it out. I adored Never Have I Ever through its run, and even debated between Team Ben and Team Paxton.

I watched The Mindy Project, Champions, The Sex Lives of College Girls, Running Point, and Four Weddings and a Funeral (one that was severely underrated). Therefore, I was willing to give Not Suitable for Work a chance. I wasn’t sold on the concept, but I trusted Kaling to not let me down.

Warning: Not Suitable for Work spoilers are ahead. Proceed with caution.

(Image credit: Hulu)

Not Suitable For Work Doesn’t Make Me Swoon, But I Haven’t Given Up on It Yet

The series follows five 20-somethings trying to make it in their various fields. They have creative and corporate jobs to show the spectrum of the workforce. Not Suitable for Work feels like many other sitcoms similar to Friends. That may be the show’s main issue. It feels too similar to Friends, How I Met Your Mother, Living Single, and many other sitcoms surrounding friend groups.

This makes it hard not to compare Not Suitable for Work to those shows. Most of them execute this premise better. Additionally, because the series feels so standard, it has become extremely predictable. I found it very easy to guess all the major moments in the Not Suitable for Work Season 1 finale. They followed a similar concept to other movies and TV shows. There is a similar comfort level to Mindy Kaling’s shows, but I wouldn’t call them predictable.

This is the first of her series that I felt was too easy to predict and lacked some originality. It could also be because of how much I loved FX’s Adults. Though the shows aren’t very similar, they feel in competition because of their premises. That one is such a funny, unique look at Gen Z living, loving, and working. Not Suitable for Work doesn’t have the same coolness as that show, and that’s fine, but it’s still missing some classic Kaling charm.

However, I have not written the show off yet. It still has a lot of potential. Abby (Avantika Vandanapu) and Kel’s (Nicholas Duvernay) romance has the possibility of being the show’s saving grace. They already remind me of some classic secondary couples, like Monica (Courteney Cox) and Chandler (Matthew Perry) from Friends and all their great moments. Kaling’s shows often need a great romance to make us invest in it.

Not Suitable for Work is banking on AJ (Ella Hunt) and Josh (Jack Martin) being that couple, but I think it will be Abby and Kel. They’re already more interesting and had so many cute moments in the first season. It makes me curious to see the bigger ones in future seasons. Abby and Kel’s potential is enough to keep me invested.

Not Suitable for Work is not a bad show by any means, but I just know there is a better show within it. I hope that comes out if Hulu renews it. I need its renewal to prove my criticisms wrong.

Upcoming 2027 Movies: New Release Dates For Theaters And Streaming

Nick Venable — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 23:18:57 +0000

Quick Links

January Movie Releases
February Movie Releases
March Movie Releases
April Movie Releases
May Movie Releases
June Movie Releases
July Movie Releases
August Movie Releases
September Movie Releases
October Movie Releases
November Movie Releases
December Movie Releases

Though many dozens of 2026 movie releases are still on the way, it’s never too early to start looking ahead to 2027, as there are already several upcoming horror movies, animated sequels, upcoming Marvel films and much more with dates already locked down for when they’ll hit theaters and streaming services. We’re talking new Pixar, new Blair Witch, new Judd Apatow, new DCU movies, and at least two new Jason Statham movies. Not to mention Narnia, Dragons, and Rambo, oh my.

Scroll down to see all the biggest movies currently set to drop in 2027 — or click one of those Quick Links — with dates subject to change as studios alter their release plans. (Remember to bookmark this page to stay current, and to let us know you care, even though we won’t actually know.) Now onto the movies!

January 2027 Movie Releases

(Image credit: Cineverse)

The year is starting off with the feature directorial debut from Black Swan and The Boogeyman screenwriter Mark Heyman, followed by releases starring acting GOAT Viola Davis and cinematic sports GOAT (DOG?) Air Bud. Yellowstone prequel vets Isabel May and Brandon Sklenar also have new movies on the way.

January 1
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
Pendulum	Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Norman Reedus, Phoebe Dynevor	Mark Heyman / Mark Heyman	Horror	Theaters

January 15
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
The Beekeeper 2	Jason Statham, Jeremy Irons, Pom Klementieff	Timo Tjahjanto / Umair Aleem, Kurt Wimmer	Action Thriller	Theaters
Children of Blood and Bone	Chiwetel Ejiofor, Idris Elba, Viola Davis, Cynthia Erivo	Gina Prince-Bythewood / Tomi Adeyemi, Gina Prince-Bythewood	Action-Adventure, Fantasy	Theaters

January 22
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
Air Bud Returns	Tyler Labine, Tracy Ifeachor	Robert Vince / Robert Vince	Sports Family Comedy	Theaters

January 29
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
Karoshi	Isabel May, Giancarlo Esposito, Cynthia Erivo	Takashi Doscher / Takashi Doscher	Action Thriller	Theaters
The Rescue	Brandon Sklenar, Josh Duhamel, Hassie Harrison, Josh Lucas	Potsy Ponciroli / John Fusco	Action Thriller	Theaters

February 2027 Movie Releases

(Image credit: Disney)

February 2027 is already shaping up to be a big month for youth-skewing fare, from the newest Ice Age movie to a CoComelon movie, with Greta Gerwig's highly anticipated Narnia feature bridging the generation gap between moviegoers.

February 5
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
The Comeback King	Glen Powell, Cristin Milioti, Madelyn Cline	Judd Apatow / Judd Apatow & Glen Powell	Comedy	Theaters
Ice Age: Boiling Point	Denis Leary, John Leguizamo, Simon Pegg, Queen Latifah, Ray Romano	John C. Donkin	Animated Comedy Adventure	Theaters
Lords of War	Nicolas Cage, Bill Skarsgård, Laura Harrier	Andrew Niccol / Andrew Niccol	Action Thriller	Theaters
Remain	Jake Gyllenhaal, Phoebe Dynevor, M. Night Shyamalan	M. Night Shyamalan / M. Night Shyamalan	Fantasy, Romance, Thriller	Theaters

February 12
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
Narnia: The Magician's Nephew	Daniel Craig, Meryl Street, Carey Mulligan	Greta Gerwig / Greta Gerwig	Fantasy Adventure	Theaters (Streaming on Netflix starting April 2)
The Nightingale	Elle Fanning, Dakota Fanning, Douglas Hodge	Michael Morris / Dana Stevens	Historical War Drama	Theaters

February 19
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
CoComelon: The Movie	Nicholas Hoult, Rhys Darby, Ike Barinholtz	Kathleen Thorson Good / Adam Pava	Animated Comedy	Theaters

February 26
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
K-Pop: The Debut	Tony Revolori, Ji-young Yoo, Eric Nam	Benson Lee / Elyse Hollander, Eileen Shim	Musical Dramedy	Theaters
Panic Carefully	Julia Roberts, Elizabeth Olsen, Brian Tyree Henry, Eddie Redmayne	Sam Esmail / Sam Esmail	Thriller	Theaters
Live Like That	Roselyn Sanchez, Esai Morales, Richard Cabral	Dito Montiel / Dito Montiel	Crime-Drama Biopic	Theatrical

March 2027 Movie Releases

(Image credit: Cineverse)

March 5
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
Gatto	Mark Ruffalo, Laurence Fishburne, Ismail Elsene	Enrico Casarosa / Andrea Warren	Animated Comedy	Theaters
The Thomas Crown Affair	Michael B. Jordan, Adria Arjona, Aubrey Plaza, Kenneth Branagh	Michael B. Jordan / Drew Pearce, Wes Tooke	Comedic Action-Adventure	Theaters

March 12
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
The Exorcist: Martyrs	Scarlett Johansson, Hamish Linklater, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Carla Gugino	Mike Flanagan / Mike Flanagan	Horror	Theaters

March 19
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
Sonic the Hedgehog 4	Jim Carrey, James Marsden, Keanu Reeves, Ben Schwartz	Jeff Fowler / Pat Casey, Josh Miller, John Whittington	Action-Adventure	Theaters
Wolf Creek: Legacy	John Jarratt, Stacy Clausen, Laura Gordon	Sean Lahiff / Duncan Samarasinghe	Horror	Theaters

March 26
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
Day Drinker	Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Madelyn Cline	Marc Webb / Zach Dean	Action Thriller	Theaters
Godzilla x Kong: Supernova	Dan Stevens, Jack O'Connell, Kaitlyn Dever, Sam Neill	Grant Sputore / Dave Callaham	Sci-Fi Action-Adventure	Theaters

April 2027 Movie Releases

(Image credit: Nintendo / Sony Pictures)

April 9
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
Get Lite	Storm Reid	Teyana Taylor / Eric Gross	Music Drama	Theaters
The Revenge Of La Llorona	Jay Hernandez, Monica Raymund, Raymond Cruz	Santiago Menghini / Sean Tretta	Horror	Theaters

April 23
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
F.A.S.T.	Brandon Sklenar, Sam Claflin, Wilson Bethel	Ben Richardson / Taylor Sheridan	Action, Crime Drama	Theaters

April 30
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
The Legend Of Zelda	Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, Bo Bragason	Wes Ball / Derek Connolly, T.S. Nowlin	Action-Adventure	Theaters
Monitor	Brittany O'Grady, Taz Skylar, Ines Høysæter	Matt Black / Ryan Polly	Horror, Mystery	Theaters

May 2027 Movie Releases

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

May 6
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
The Resurrection Of The Christ: Part One	Rupert Everett, Riccardo Scamarcio, Jaakko Ohtonen	Mel Gibson / Mel Gibson, Randall Wallace	Historical Drama	Theaters

May 7
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
Beach Read	Kevin Bacon, Andie MacDowell, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Phoebe Dynevor	Yulin Kuang / Yulin Kuang	Romantic Comedy	Theaters

May 21
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
Bad Fairies	Cynthia Erivo, Ncuti Gatway, Dee Bradley Baker	Megan Dong & Oliver Staphylas / Deborah Frances-White	Animated Comedy Adventure	Theaters
The Catch	Emma Stone, Chris Pine, Ashley Padilla, Druski	Dave McCary / Travis Helwig, Patrick Kang, Michael Levin, Jen Statsky	Romantic Comedy	Theaters
Paranormal Activity 8	TBA	Ian Tuason / Ian Tuason	Horror	Theaters

May 28
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
Star Wars: Starfighter	Ryan Gosling, Amy Adams, Matt Smith, Mia Goth	Shawn Levy / Jonathan Tropper	Fantasy Action-Adventure, Sci-Fi	Theaters

June 2027 Movie Releases

(Image credit: Dreamworks)

June 4
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
John Rambo	Noah Centineo, David Harbour, James Franco, Jefferson White	Jalmari Helander / Rory Haines, Sohrab Noshirvani	Action-Adventure, Thriller	Theaters

June 11
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
How To Train Your Dragon 2	Mason Thames, Gerard Butler, Cate Blanchett, Nico Parker	Dean DeBlois / Dean DeBlois	Action-Adventure Comedy	Theaters

June 20
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse	Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Brian Tyree Henry, Jake Johnson	Bob Persichetti, Justin K. Thompson / Dave Callaham, Phil Lord & Christopher Miller	Animated Superhero Action-Adventure	Theaters

June 25
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
Untitled Ocean's Eleven Prequel	Margot Robbie, Bradley Cooper	Bradley Cooper / Bradley Cooper, Charles Randolo, Carrie Solomon	Crime Thriller	Theaters

June 30
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
Shrek 5	Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, Skyler Gisondo	Brad Ableson, Walt Dohrn, Conrad Vernon / Michael McCullers	Animated Comedy Adventure	Theaters

July 2027 Movie Releases

(Image credit: DC)

July 9
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
Man Of Tomorrow	David Corenswet, Nicholas Hoult, Milly Alcock, Rachel Brosnahan	James Gunn / James Gunn	Superhero Action-Adventure	Theaters

July 23
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
A Minecraft Movie: Squared	Jack Black, Jason Momoa, Kirsten Dunst, Jennifer Coolidge	Jared Hess / Chris Bowman, Chris Galletta, Jared Hess, Gavin James, Hubbel Palmer, Neil Widener	Comedy Action-Adventure	Theaters

July 30
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
A Quiet Place Part III	Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy, Jack O'Connell, Katy O'Brian	John Krasinski / John Krasinski	Horror, Sci-Fi Drama	Theaters

August 2027 Movie Releases

(Image credit: Disney)

August 6
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
The Bluey Movie	David McCormack, Melanie Zanetti	Joe Brumm, Richard Jeffery / Joe Brumm	Animated Comedy Adventure	Theaters
Jason Statham Stole My Bike	Jason Statham	David Leitch / Alison Flierl, Scott Chernoff	Action Comedy

August 13
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2	Derek Wilson	Yashar Kassai, Kyler Spears, Jeff Rowe / Jeff Rowe	Animated Action-Adventure	Theaters

September 2027 Movie Releases

(Image credit: Disney)

September 3
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
The Simpsons Movie 2	Dan Castellanetta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer	TBA	Animated Comedy Adventure	Theaters

September 10
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
The Conjuring: First Communion	TBA	Rodrigue / Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing	Horror	Theaters

September 24
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
Untitled Blair Witch Movie	TBA	Rodrigue / Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing	Horror	Theaters

October 2027 Movie Releases

(Image credit: Warner Bros. )

October 1
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
The Batman: Part II	Robert Pattinson, Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Andy Serkis, Jeffrey Wright	Matt Reeves / Matt Reeves, Mattson Tomlin	Action, Crime Drama	Theaters

October 15
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
The Mummy 4	Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah	Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett / David Coggeshall	Action-Adventure, Horror	Theaters

November 2027 Movie Releases

(Image credit: Disney)

November 5
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
Margie Claus	Melissa McCarthy, Cole Escola	Kirk DeMicco / Ben Falcone, Damon Jones	Animated Musical Comedy	Theaters

November 12
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow	Daisy Edgar-Jones	Sian Heder / Mark Bomback, Sian Heder, Gabrielle Zevin	Romance	Theaters

November 19
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
Gremlins 3	TBA	Chris Columbus / Carl Ellsworth, Zach Lipovsky, Adam B. Stein	Horror Comedy	Theaters

November 24
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
Frozen III	Kristen Bell, Idinia Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad	Trent Correy, Jennifer Lee / Jennifer Lee	Animated Comedy Adventure	Theaters

December 2027 Movie Releases

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

December 17
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
Avengers: Secret Wars	Robert Downey Jr. Pedro Pascal, Wyatt Russell, Vanessa Kirby	Anthony Russo & Joe Russo / Stephen McFeely	Superhero Action-Adventure	Theaters
The Housemaid's Secret	Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, Kirsten Dunst, Paul Anthony Kelly	Paul Feig / Rebecca Sonnenshine	Thriller	Theaters
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum	Anya Taylor-Joy, Elijah Wood, Leo Woodall, Kate Winslet	Andy Serkis / Philippa Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, Arty Papageorgiou, Fran Walsh	Fantasy Action-Adventure	Theaters

December 22
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
Buds	TBA	TBA	Animated Comedy Adventure	Theaters

December 25
Title	Cast	Director / Writer	Genre	Where To Watch
Untitled Nancy Meyers Film	Tony Hale, Penélope Cruz, Owen Wilson, Jude Law, Kieran Culkin	Nancy Meyer / Nancy Meyer	Romantic Comedy	Theaters

Is it too early to start planning for 2028? Yes, yes it is.

Xbox Can Bring Halo Back To TV Provided It Doesn't Repeat These Mistakes

mick.joest@CinemaBlend.com (Mick Joest) — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 20:05:00 +0000

Halo tried to bring a live-action series to the world, but it was short-lived. The series, which was recently made available for those with a Netflix subscription, ended after only two seasons. That said, there's recent news that Microsoft could make another run at bringing it back to Hollywood, and I think it's a great idea provided they avoid the mistakes of the first attempt.

As studios prepare various upcoming video game movies that will hopefully make a billion dollars at the box office, Microsoft is trying to find another franchise like Minecraft to be a new hit. Chief Content Officer Matt Booty told EW they have plans to make more movies in Hollywood, and that Halo is definitely in the mix for a potential comeback:

Halo, first and foremost, is one of our biggest franchises. It's iconic to Xbox and we're certainly going to invest going forward.

It's not surprising that Microsoft wants to try to make Halo work, given it's the biggest Xbox IP out there. It's also not crazy to believe it'll work if the proper rules are followed, many of which weren't when the series was first made for Paramount+.

(Image credit: Paramount+)

Leave The Armor On

Halo made the decision to remove Master Chief's helmet, and while I wasn't as bent out of shape as some were about that, having him get buck naked did feel like a bit much. Ultimately, the series had mixed reviews for a reason, and trying to move the Spartans away from wearing their armor all the time was a big part of that.

Spartan armor did a lot of the heavy lifting in what made the show feel like Halo, so trying to limit it felt like a big mistake. We've seen from shows like The Mandalorian that it's completely fine to put the lead behind a mask. There's no reason this show keeps John behind the mask this time around, and it helps the series feel more like the games in that regard.

(Image credit: Paramount+)

Stick To The Script

Halo has a rich number of works for creatives to page through, even beyond the video games. There are dozens of novels out there in which people expanded the lore of the series, and all of them would've been great to reference when working on the original television series.

There's no need to make Halo more accessible or like other sci-fi shows. This gaming series didn't become a major IP for Xbox by chance, and I think we've seen from the litany of recent successful video game adaptations that remaining faithful to the source material is the way to go. We now have a generation of adults who were raised alongside these games, and they're passionate enough about them that they want to see them done right.

I think there's a possibility that the canceled Halo series could've eventually gotten to the cool stuff people wanted to see. The challenge facing streamers these days, however, is that they don't get a season to find their ground before things get good. So, whoever works on the next attempt to make Halo a hit series or movie, make sure to take fan opinion to heart, even if their feedback can be negative at times.

As mentioned, the Halo series is over on Netflix to stream right now. I enjoyed the series for what it was, but would welcome a more faithful adaptation down the road if Microsoft is committed to making it happen.

I Am NOT Cool With Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey Being Rated R. Here's Why.

Rich Knight — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 17:05:00 +0000

There have been a lot of people complaining about Christopher Nolan's upcoming movie, The Odyssey, but I'm not one of them.

Or, at least, I wasn't. That is, of course, until I found out that the movie was going to be rated R, and what the hell, Christopher Nolan? Seriously, what the hell? Now, it's not that I'm averse to R-rated movies. Horror, after all, is my favorite genre, and most horror films are rated R.

However, there's just something about this movie in particular that bugs me about it being rated R, and here are just a few of those reasons.

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

First Of All, I Was Really Looking Forward To Taking My Kids To See This Movie

Now, even though my dad took me to see Terminator 2: Judgment Day when I was only 8-years-old, I'm not quite at the point myself where I feel comfortable taking my children, who are 10 and 9, to an R-rated movie. I felt guilty for taking my then-six-year-old son to see Godzilla Minus One, and that was only PG-13.

However, as an avid reader, I've talked about Homer's The Odyssey to my children on multiple occasions. I've called the epic poem a great adventure story, and I've regaled them with descriptions of Odysseus’ many complications on getting back home.

So, when there was word that Nolan was doing The Odyssey, I was pumped to take my kids since I thought it would be PG-13 like his Dark Knight trilogy, or like Inception, as why WOULD it be rated R? Which brings up another issue I have…

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

What In The Story Of The Odyssey NEEDS To Be Rated R?

If you had told me when I was a kid that there would be an R-rated movie about Jesus Christ, I never would have believed you. Granted, I didn't know that there was already an R-rated film about Jesus called The Last Temptation of Christ, which is one of Scorsese's best movies, but I still probably wouldn't have believed you. Then, in 2004, we got Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, which is one of the bloodiest movies you will ever see in your entire life (talk about a horror movie!).

Now, after seeing it, I get it. All of the gory details of Christ's journey to His crucifixion that are hinted at in the Bible are brought to full, bloody life in Gibson’s film. So, I understand why it “had” to be rated R. Does Nolan's The Odyssey really have to go into graphic detail when it comes to the text? I mean, yes, I know it can be interpreted that Odysseus was unfaithful to his wife along the way, and yes, I know lots of his men die awful deaths.

I also know that when Odysseus gets back home, he, well…I don't want to spoil anything for an ancient poem, but he doesn't take too kindly to all of his wife's many suitors. But, do we need to see all of that in VIOLENT DETAIL? I mean, I guess we do since it’s rated R, but still! Couldn't Nolan have thought of the children who might want to see this (namely mine)?

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

I'm Still Looking Forward To It, But Strangely, Less So Now

I actually really wanted to see Nolan's take on The Odyssey, but with this R-rating, I'm strangely much less enthused now. Yes, I know a part of it is that I now can't take my kids, but it also just doesn't sit right with me that this story is rated R.

It makes me think about Madeline Miller's wonderful novels, The Song of Achilles and Circe. Those stories delve into the ancient poems and add life to them without getting too deep into the darker aspects of Homer's stories.

That's what I was looking forward to the most with this movie, and now, that just seems less likely to me with this R-rating. Are you happy with the rating? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I Enjoyed Supergirl, But I Wish It Hadn't Fallen Into One MCU Trap

Erik Swann — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 13:05:00 +0000

Be warned, as spoilers for DC Studios’ Supergirl lie ahead.

The second film in the DCU has arrived, as Supergirl has finally made its way to cinemas as part of the 2026 movie schedule. So far, reactions to the Milly Alcock-led film have been a mixed bag, but I mostly appreciated director Craig Gillespie’s take on the Girl of Steel. Of course, the movie isn’t perfect, and I can admittedly see the cracks even as I revel in the brighter spots. One particular flaw that I’ve been thinking about since my showing also represents a faux pas that’s common within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Supergirl Unfortunately Can’t Avoid A Recurring MCU Trap

I want to be very clear in saying that I’m a major fan of the MCU and have greatly enjoyed the vast majority of Marvel films and shows. (I even defend flicks like The Incredible Hulk and Eternals.) But, as with Supergirl, I can also acknowledge the MCU’s imperfections, and fans certainly know by now that the franchise has a villain problem. Only a select group of movies in the series feature layered antagonists. Sure, you have great baddies like Thanos, Killmonger and Vulture, but there are also the likes of Malekith, Whiplash and Kro.

Sadly, Gillespie’s movie is also weakened by the inclusion of a one-dimensional villain, Krem of the Yellow Hills. Played by Matthias Schoenaerts, Krem is quickly established as the leader of a group of space pirates known as the Brigands…. and that’s pretty much it. Schoenaerts does effectively chew up scenery and, admittedly, even in the Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow comic (which inspired Ana Nogueira’s screenplay), Krem is a relatively straightforward bad guy.

(Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures)

However, I hoped Krem still would’ve been fleshed out a bit and become more memorable as a result. What viewers are left with is just a crude and cruel human trafficker who feels more like a plot device than a character. And this is all even more disappointing when considering that 2025’s Superman delivers an excellent bad guy in Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor, who’s going to evolve in the upcoming follow-up, Man of Tomorrow. Ultimately, I can’t help but wonder if more material involving Krem was left on the cutting room floor.

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

I’m Still Hopeful About Future DCU Villains

Krem may leave a lot to be desired, but his characterization hasn’t extinguished my hopes for the bad guys that’ll eventually populate the DCU. It’s no secret that there are plenty of interesting DC Comics villains, and co-studio heads James Gunn and Peter Safran seem to be aware of that, based on their upcoming projects at least. For instance, Gunn’s Man of Tomorrow is set to introduce Brainiac, with Lars Eidinger portraying the character. Meanwhile, Thaal Sinestro will appear in Lanterns and be played by Ulrich Thomsen.

Anyone who desires any further evidence of DC Studios’ interest in villains needn’t look any further than the upcoming body horror film Clayface and, based on early footage, it’ll serve as an origin story of sorts for one of Batman’s greatest rogues. So, if anyone has any concerns about the DCU not highlighting any notable villains, it may be a bit early to sound the alarm.

No matter how good those antagonists get, though, Krem will certainly remain a low point for this burgeoning superhero franchise in that regard. It’s obviously important for a movie to have a keen amount of focus on its titular hero(es), and Supergirl does that. Still, those do-gooders need to be paired with equally complex baddies that challenge them on multiple levels. With any luck, both the DCU and the MCU (which will soon mark the arrival of Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom) will produce some other villains worth raving about.

Check out Supergirl, which is playing in theaters nationwide right now.

Macaulay Culkin's Return To Acting In A 2003 Crime Drama Should Be Talked About More

Rich Knight — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 22:05:00 +0000

If somebody says, “Macaulay Culkin,” I guarantee that 9 out of 10 people will likely think of Home Alone, which I suppose makes sense since it’s such a beloved classic, and Macaulay Culkin is the face of it.

For a lot of people, Christmas isn't Christmas without Home Alone, so for many, Macaulay Culkin represents the holiday itself. However, what if I were to tell you that one of his best NON-Home Alone movies wasn't just My Girl or The Good Son, but also a 2003 crime drama called Party Monster about the ‘90s New York City club scene?

If you’ve watched it, cool. But if you haven’t, let's talk. Oontz oontz oontz!

(Image credit: Strand Releasing)

Firstly, Party Monster Was Essentially Macaulay Culkin's Return To Acting

Take a look at Macaulay Culkin's filmography, and you'll see that he had an extremely busy 90's (he's even in one of my favorite horror movies, Jacob's Ladder!). However, you’ll also notice that his career came to a screeching halt after 1994’s Richie Rich. In fact, when looking at his best movies, you'll likely surmise that most of his best films are from when he was a child.

In pursuit of actually living a “normal” life, he decided to leave acting for an extended hiatus, and when he returned, it was with a way different image in the movie, Party Monster, which is based on James St. James’ memoir, Disco Bloodbath.

In the film, Culkin plays the real-life club promoter, Michael Alig, a.k.a the “King of the Club Kids,” while Seth Green plays his friend, James St. James, who really introduces Alig to the club scene in the first place. Culkin’s role is surprising in this film, though, because he plays a drug addict who later becomes a criminal, which is a far cry from playing Richie Rich, I'll tell you that much.

(Image credit: Strand Releasing)

If You Have Any Sort Of Desire To Learn More About The New York Club Culture, This Is Your Movie

Another reason why I think more people should talk about this film - besides Macaulay Culkin, of course - is to learn more about the club scene back in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Now, growing up in the ‘90s, I clearly remember three things about people who went clubbing on a regular basis - one, they always had glowsticks on hand, two, they were perfectly okay with hooking up with sweaty strangers, and three, they were usually fond of drugs…typically ecstasy.

And, this movie definitely covers two out of the three quite well, as there’s lots of sex, and lots of drugs. But, what I also like about the film is how it covers the LGBTQ+ aspects of the New York club scene. Marilyn Manson is in the movie, vamping it up, and Macaulay Culkin plays an openly gay character in Michael Alig, and it’s all just wonderful to see.

Not so wonderful is the drug use. In fact, all of the problems Michael Alig experiences (including his ultimate crime) are due to drugs, and the problems that come along with them. That’s why this film really resonates with me, since I knew kids who were deeply into drugs and partying, and sometimes took me along for the ride (I peaced out, though, when they started popping pills). This movie showcases all of that really well.

(Image credit: Strand Releasing)

It's An Early 2000s Gem, And One You Should Check Out To Take You Back To The '80s and ‘90s

Though I wouldn’t consider Party Monster to be one of the best movies of the 2000s, I would say that it’s one of the best representations of a certain part of the ‘90s.

Party Monster is loud, colorful, in your face, and violent, but it also has a sort of strange detachment to it all. A lot of this is due to Caulkin’s performance, but it also has to do with the filmmaking itself, which puts us at the heart of the club scene, but also feels like it’s keeping us away somehow.

It’s a film that, if you lived in that era, you’ll recognize the whole vibe and energy. And, if you happen to miss that bygone time, might I suggest this early 2000s gem?

Toy Story 5 Lassos Another Big Box Office Win, But Just How Bad Was Supergirl’s Debut?

Heidi Venable — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 21:52:47 +0000

Movie lovers came out to play this weekend, but unfortunately for the new releases — Supergirl and Jackass: Best and Last — it was the toys everybody was talking about. Toy Story 5 reigned supreme at the box office again, falling just 56% from its record-breaking opening to rope in another $70 million domestically. Supergirl, meanwhile, hit the 2026 movie release calendar to the tune of $38 million in the U.S. and Canada, but is there hope for the DCU’s sophomore feature?

I’ll break that down, as well as what happened to the final Jackass movie, which along with Disclosure Day, fell below — surprise, surprise — Obsession, which maintained its No. 3 spot this weekend after 45 days in theaters.

First, however, let's take a look at the Top 10 chart. (Any * denotes a new release.)

Weekend Box Office: June 26-28

TITLE	WEEKEND TOTAL	DOMESTIC TOTAL	LAST WEEK	THEATERS
1. Toy Story	$70,000,000	$297,241,642	1	4,425
2. Supergirl*	$38,000,000	$38,000,000	N/A	3,602
3. Obsession	$9,800,000	$233,903,000	3	2,965
4. Jackass: Best and Last*	$8,400,000	$8,400,000	N/A	2,855
5. Disclosure Day	$8,100,000	$94,384,000	2	3,357
6. Backrooms	$4,315,190	$184,185,938	4	2,396
7. Scary Movie	$3,000,000	$103,524,000	5	2,004
8. BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War — The Calamity*	$1,954,000	$2,954,000	N/A	943
9. The Mandalorian & Grogu	$1,600,000	$175,253,370	7	1,250
10. Leviticus	$929,280	$5,366,463	9	965

Supergirl’s Opening Falls Below Expectations

There was reason for concern going into this weekend for Supergirl, with Milly Alcock even admitting a flop was one of her biggest fears just days ahead of its release. Projections started to look comparable to The Marvels, and that’s not a good thing. The 2023 MCU film debuted to $47 million, which was the lowest opener for the Marvel Cinematic Universe to date. Supergirl didn’t even reach that, drawing $38 million (though on an admittedly smaller budget).

Domestic expectations for the Milly Alcock flick ranged from $39 million up to $55 million, which even if it had landed on the higher end would have been a tepid start for a summer tentpole. Supergirl didn’t get much help overseas, either, earning just $30 million more, per The Numbers, for a global total of $68 million. With a reported budget of around $175 million, it will need to gross between $315 million and $375 million to break even.

How did Supergirl's debut compare to last year's Superman?

2025's Superman starring David Corenswet earned $125 million domestically over its three-day opening weekend and went on to earn $618 million worldwide by the end of its theatrical run. Milly Alcock's Supergirl brought in $38 million from Friday to Sunday.

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

How Critics Rated This Week’s New Releases

Reviews for Supergirl didn’t exactly help to hype the movie up, though they weren’t all as bad as one critic’s viral thrashing. Sometimes a good Rotten Tomatoes’ audience rating or high CinemaScore grade can indicate that word-of-mouth advertising will lead to longer legs in the box office. Take a look at how this week’s new releases were graded:

RANK/TITLE	RT CRITICS	RT AUDIENCE	CINEMASCORE
2. Supergirl	56%	77%	B-
4. Jackass: Best and Last	88%	85%	A-

Moviegoers were slightly kinder to Supergirl than the critics. It will be interesting to see what the slow start means for upcoming DCU movies, especially those based on lesser-known characters like Clayface, which stars Tom Rhys Harries and hits the big screen in October.

Meanwhile, critics and audiences alike seemed to approve of Jackass: Best and Last. However, reviews of the Jackass swan song didn’t help it much with ticket sales.

(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)

Jackass: Last And Best Sees Franchise-Worst Opening

The final chapter of the quarter-century-old stunt show was both the highest-rated on Rotten Tomatoes and lowest-earning of the franchise. Jackass: Best and Last’s 88% on RT is slightly higher than Jackass Forever’s 86%, but the box office debut numbers tell a much sadder story. In order of best to worst opening weekends are:

Jackass 3D (2010): $50.4 million
Jackass: Number Two (2006): $29 million
Jackass Forever (2022): $23.2 million
Jackass: The Movie (2002): $22.8 million
Jackass: Best and Last (2026): $8.4 million

Jackass: Best and Last does feature new stunts, but those are mixed in with plenty of old clips. Also, Johnny Knoxville’s past concussions and brain injuries — namely his “catastrophic” run-in with a bull — require that he not be hit in the head anymore, meaning that he wasn’t able to partake in the more extreme events of the latest film.

I’m not sure if those factors played into low turnout in theaters, but with the movie seeing such high praise, maybe there’s hope for future weeks. Either way, the movie only cost a reported $10 million to make, so this isn’t in any way a disaster.

(Image credit: VIZ Media)

BLEACH Anime Event Nabs A Top 10 Spot

Anime fans have a reason to celebrate this week’s box office, as their combined forces put BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War — The Calamity into the Top 10. Fathom released the first three episodes of the series’ final season in theaters before they hit streaming, where the compliation earned $1 million on opening night Thursday and an additional $1.95 million Friday through Sunday.

The special release was a limited four-day event (June 25-29) that included behind-the-scenes content and an exclusive interview with creator Tite Kubo. BLEACH is a series that’s perfect for first-time anime watchers and can be streamed with a Hulu subscription.

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

Will Minions & Monsters Mean Trouble For Toy Story 5?

Speaking of disasters, those chaos-causing yellow blobs are returning to the big screen with Minions & Monsters being released Wednesday, July 1. The midweek debut corresponds with the opening of the new Universal Kids Resort theme park in Texas (which my pre-teen loved, despite the park being geared toward younger kiddos).

I'm not sure there's anything that could stop a Despicable Me spinoff from doing gangbusters at the box office, but it certainly won't hurt that reviews for Minions & Monsters are calling it the best of the whole franchise. How do you like them bananas?

According to Coming Soon, the new Illumination animated offering is projected to bring in between $75 million and $85 million next Friday through Saturday — and up to $115 million over the five-day holiday weekend. That’s more than enough to knock Toy Story 5 from the top spot, and with what I’d imagine is a pretty big overlap in audience, I'm curious as to just how far Buzz, Jessie, Woody and the gang will fall.

We’ll find out next week, so make sure to hit up your local theater and then join me back here next Sunday to look at how the box office plays out!

I Don't Think Enough People Talk About Ben Stiller As A Director, And I Think That Should Change

Rich Knight — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 11:05:00 +0000

Not too long ago, I wrote about one of my father’s and my father-in-law’s favorite movies, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and it was directed by the one and only Ben Stiller.

However, I feel like even though Stiller has a rock solid filmography when it comes to movies that he’s directed, a vast majority of people still think of him as the fashion model, Derek Zoolander (Which he also directed), or as the bumbling lead in the Meet the Parents series (which we’re getting a fourth movie soon starring Ariana Grande, by the way).

But, like other prominent actors/directors, such as Clint Eastwood, Robert Redford, and Jodie Foster, I think we need to celebrate Ben Stiller’s directing career as well, since I don’t think nearly enough people talk about it.

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

First Off, His Directorial Debut, Reality Bites, Still Resonates With Gen X

There are a select few directors who make a great, career-defining movie on their first try, and then there are directors who make good, fairly competent movies on their first attempt, and 1994’s Reality Bites fits somewhere closer to the latter. However, this is coming from a Millennial. When Reality Bites came out, I was only 11 years old, and so I didn’t even see it when it first debuted.

Do you know who did, though? My Gen-X, older sister, and this is a movie that’s a lot more catered to people like her than it is to people like me. For Generation X, Reality Bites has become a bit of a cult movie that resonates with them, and I can see why.

Starring Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke, Janeane Garofalo (Does it get more ‘90s than her?), and Ben Stiller, Reality Bites is about an aspiring documentarian (Ryder) who’s just trying to get her name out there and forge relationships, namely with Ethan Hawke, who plays a guitarist. It’s all about struggling after college to make a way for yourself, and it certainly feels like a time capsule.

That said, it’s important that it DOES feel like a time capsule - one that perfectly encapsulates the anxieties and struggles of being a recent adult in the ‘90s. It may not entirely speak to me, but for a certain demographic, this feels like it was specifically made for them, and it was Stiller’s directorial debut. A generational cult classic? Quite the start.

(Image credit: Sony Pictures Releasing)

You Want Silly Movies? Check. You Want Dark Comedies? Check Again.

I mentioned earlier that Stiller directed Zoolander (both movies) and that's about as silly as it gets. And, when it comes to early 2000s films, I think a lot of people will tell you that the first Zoolander is an important comedy for just how absurd it is. Honestly, when I think of early 2000s comedies, Zoolander is right up there with movies like Wedding Crashers, Old School, and Dodgeball, when it comes to overall silly comedies.

However, the first Ben Stiller-directed movie that I ever saw wasn't Reality Bites, but rather, a pitch-black dark comedy starring Jim Carrey. Now, Jim Carrey WAS my childhood, and I watched him in pretty much everything back in the ‘90s. Carrey was always an expert in playing weirdos, and that's what I was accustomed to seeing whenever my dad would take me to see Jim Carrey movies.

But, by 1996, I was 13-years-old and could see PG-13 movies on my own, which is just what I did when I saw that year's Jim Carrey movie, The Cable Guy. That said, The Cable Guy wasn't like other Carrey films, as he wasn't just weird in this one. He was creepy!

In this story, Carrey plays an obsessive cableman just looking for a friend. His idea of “friendship” verges on being an outright stalker, and Carrey is funny, but also genuinely unsettling. Plus, the crazy thing is, the same guy who developed the “Blue Steel” face in Zoolander is also the same guy who made Carrey creepily sing “Somebody to Love” by Jefferson Airplane. Now that's what I call directorial range!

(Image credit: DreamWorks Pictures)

Plus, I Don't Think It Should Be Understated Just What A Risk-Taking Movie Tropic Thunder Actually Was

People are always talking about “movies that could never be made today” (though the recent Scary Movie's whole schtick was about being as politically incorrect as possible…and audiences approved). Do you know one movie that I genuinely do think was pretty audacious upon its release? 2008’s Tropic Thunder, which was Stiller's fourth directorial effort.

The story of actors filming a war movie who are actually dropped off into a real war zone, Tropic Thunder is absurd to the nth degree, but also has a genuine, IDGAF, punk rock attitude that is wholly unique and impressive for its time, and still today, really.

Yes, everybody remembers it for Robert Downey Jr. as a dude playing a dude disguised as another dude, but the dirty (and some might even say “mean-spirited”) jokes in this movie really are quite shocking. Especially for modern audiences.

Which I think is really cool. Given the safe comedy that Ben Stiller typically stars in, one would probably not imagine that he would make a vulgar movie like Tropic Thunder, but he did, and we're all the better for it.

(Image credit: Apple Studios)

And Television! Can I Talk About Severance?

For a while now, television has been a great second home for filmmakers to explore more long-form, versatile projects, and I think one would be hard-pressed to find a more versatile project than Severance (when are we getting Season 3, by the way?), which is probably one of the most inventive sci-fi shows in the past 10 years.

The gem of Apple TV, Severance is all about work/life balance, and the mysteries in-between. At times darkly funny, but also strangely eerie (even verging on creepy), Severance is the brainchild of Dan Erickson, but a lot of the series is directed by Ben Stiller, and it shows!

Adam Scott - who was also in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty - is our protagonist, and Stiller does a great job of showing how work can both give one’s life purpose but also be life-draining, and he handles the mystery of what’s really going on extremely well.

Severance is just another example of how we can’t quite peg what kind of director Ben Stiller wants to be, which is really rewarding for somebody who follows his work.

(Image credit: 20th Century Fox)

In The End, Stiller Will Likely Always Be Known For Comedic Roles, But He Is One Hell Of A Director

As I hope you can see, if you scroll through Stiller’s filmography, you’ll find a number of comedic performances in the Actor column. However, if you check out his Director column, you’ll see just how versatile he’s always been.

From cult movies to silly comedies to dark comedies, to TV work (Let’s not forget The Ben Stiller Show), Stiller has definitely made a name for himself as a director if you’re looking.

Which is important, because again, I don’t think “Director” is the first word that comes to most people’s minds when they think of Ben Stiller, but it should be, since he’s one of the greats.

So, out of all of the projects that he’s directed, which one’s your favorite? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Supergirl Is Only The Second Film In The James Gunn DC Universe, But A Trend I Love Is Emerging

Hugh Scott — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 21:05:00 +0000

If there is one word I would use to describe Supergirl, it’s “fun.” The film, which hits the 2026 movie schedule this weekend, has a very James Gunn vibe. It’s not directed by Gunn or written by him; those credits go to Craig Gillespie and Ana Nogueira, respectively. Still, Supergirl feels more like Guardians of the Galaxy than anything in the pre-Gunn era of the (formerly) DCEU, and not just because of the brisk runtime. Gillespie and Nogueira definitely put their imprint on it, but the new DC Universe already feels more cohesive than anything DC has done before, outside of The Dark Knight Trilogy.

(Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)

That Humor And Those Needle Drops

To be sure, Supergirl has some very poignant moments (though some people seem to disagree with that) and doesn’t shy away from some pretty heavy themes playing out with Milly Alcock’s Supergirl/Kara Zor-El. However, it’s also filled with great jokes and funny moments. In that respect, it feels very much in the style of Guardians or Peacemaker (the first DC show created by Gunn). Some of the humor is raunchy, and the language is definitely PG-13. I loved all of that. It made the emotional moments more powerful and kept the movie chugging along at a great pace.

Then there are the needle drops. One reason I really love Gunn’s work on comic book movies is how great he is at picking songs. Bringing back a somewhat overlooked track from a quarter century ago in Superman with “Punkrocker” by Teddybears, featuring Iggy Pop, was brilliant. While Supergirl doesn’t really reach that deep into the annals of pop culture, adding some bangers by great current artists like Wet Leg, Wolf Alice, and Halsey feels perfect.

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Where Will The Future Projects Fall?

One of the things the MCU really got right when it was firing on all cylinders was keeping a cohesive vibe, no matter who was directing or writing whichever movie was coming out. The DCEU was all over the place in that respect. Gunn, Gillespie, and Nogueira seem to have made a conscious effort to focus on this in the new DCU. The sum of the parts should add up to something. How this will work going forward will be fascinating to see.

Up next for DC television shows is Lanterns, which will hit the 2026 TV schedule in August, and the next DC film to be released will be the body horror Clayface in October. Lanterns is being described as having a detective show vibe, while obviously a horror movie like Clayface is unlikely ot have many lighter moments, but I can’t wait to see how they fit in here. The 2027 movie schedule includes Man of Tomorrow, the sequel to Superman, written and directed by Gunn, so I do expect that to bring the same energy as these first two movies.

All in all, I can’t wait to see this universe continue to expand and evolve, and I’m trusting the hand of Gunn more and more.

I Thought The Amazing Digital Circus Was Just Cringe YouTube Stuff, Then My Daughter Made Me Watch

mick.joest@CinemaBlend.com (Mick Joest) — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 18:05:00 +0000

I'd seen The Amazing Digital Circus referenced at conventions and other events in recent years, but I never gave it a ton of attention. What little I knew of it was that it started on YouTube, and from my limited, thirty-something worldview, it felt cringe for a man of my age to even engage in it.

Fortunately, I have a brilliant young daughter who desperately wanted me to watch it with her, so I fired up my Netflix subscription and off we went. Nine episodes later, I fully admit I was wrong, and I totally get why so many people went to see the final episode in theaters. It may be cringeworthy to some, but The Amazing Digital Circus ended up being one of the best sci-fi shows I've seen in a while.

(Image credit: Gooseworx)

What Is The Amazing Digital Circus About

Without going too deep into spoilers, The Amazing Digital Circus kicks off when a young woman wakes up in a virtual reality space surrounded by characters. She can't remember her own name, but does have vague memories of her past life. It turns out that's the same as everyone in this space, which is run by Caine, the ringmaster who has god-like powers and the ability to shape the digital world.

With, seemingly, no way of escaping, Caine constructs scenarios for Pomni, the given name to the jester girl that spawned in, and the rest of the crew. It's vital the team participate, as it seems when they stop engaging with the madness, they "abstract" and become an unrecognizable beast. It's a colorful, chaotic world filled with wild happenings, which can wear down anyone trapped for eternity.

As for what age group it's suitable for, the general consensus online is that it's pretty PG-13. I would say it's a very mild PG-13, and if your kid went to see Five Nights At Freddys, they'll have no problem watching this. The profanity is largely mild and doesn't happen often, so really it's just the darker themes of the show that may be cause for concern.

(Image credit: Gooseworx)

It May Appeal To Kids, But The Story Itself Rivals High Concept Sci-Fi

Science fiction shows are struggling right now, so imagine my surprise when The Amazing Digital Circus reminded me of one of my favorite villains from Star Trek: Voyager. Anyone familiar with "The Thaw" will want to check this out, as it's that concept stretched out over the course of nine wonderful episodes.

Two Psychos Falling In Love Is One Of My Favorite Romance Tropes. Thank You, Deli Boys

jerricatisdale@gmail.com (Jerrica Tisdale) — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 14:05:00 +0000

I think psycho love stories are cute. Before you call the police, let me explain. Several shows and movies display fictional love stories between two mentally unwell people. Maybe their hobbies include murder or just destruction. These are the Harley Quinns and Jokers of the world. The couples who create magic and mayhem. This has been a very niche genre that often brings me joy. Deli Boys, available with a Hulu subscription, recently did a psycho love story.

In Season 2, Lucky (Poorna Jagannathan) begins a new relationship with shady casino owner Max Sugar (Fred Armisen). Their attraction quickly blooms into a full romance. Both are crazy, ruthless people, so it’s an electric romance. The TV world needs more romances like Lucky and Sugar.

Warning: Deli Boy spoilers are ahead. Proceed with caution.

(Image credit: Hulu)

Psychos Falling In Love Makes It Seem Like Everyone Has a Soulmate

In the real world, you should probably not engage in a toxic romance. It will leave psychological scars and likely mimic a breakup story movie. Your heart and soul will get crushed. However, toxic romances are not just enjoyable but encouraged in fiction. It’s a very popular genre. I am not a fan of dark romance books, but I am a fan of movies and TV shows where two crazy people find each other and make it work.

I was a Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Spike (James Marsters) fan, but I adored Drusilla (Juliet Landau) and Spike when they were initially introduced. He adored her. They were both insane, but it worked. They seemed destined to be together because she found him one day and transformed him from a weak man into a cool vampire. They were my first taste of psychotic characters finding love.

Psychotic characters are supposed to be void of love and beyond redemption. However, these couples somehow seem destined. Lucky and Sugar have a similar vibe because they’re both committing to lives of crime. They don’t need much, but end up needing and wanting each other. The hopeless romantic in me loves the idea that even psychotic people need love and can make it work.

(Image credit: Hulu)

Deli Boys Reminds Me Of How Funny Most Of These Serial Killer Love Stories Are

There are far too few of the best romantic comedies about psychotic love stories. They can be funny too. Imagine cutting up a body while arguing with someone for not taking out the trash? Love in general is kind of a funny thing, but add the aspect of someone being clinically insane on the topic of it? That’s just comedy.

Mr. Right is a quirky romantic comedy where an assassin falls in love. It’s one of Anna Kendrick’s most fun movies. Her character seems normal, but eventually becomes fine with her partner’s profession. She has some psycho in her as well. There definitely aren’t enough romantic movies that explore the idea of two characters who are a little (or a lot) crazy trying to make a relationship work.

We don’t support serial killers or psychos in real life, but fiction has the opportunity to explore dark topics in fun ways. Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver is a part of The Ruinous Love Trilogy. It’s a popular BookTok series. The first book, at least, explores two serial killers finding love.

The book has a lot of comedy and is more proof that this genre can be popular and funny if done well. I didn’t love Butcher & Blackbird, but I really enjoyed its concept.

Watching Lucky and Sugar deal with their relationship issues (like going to therapy), but threatening the therapist, is comedy gold.

(Image credit: Hulu)

It’s Kind Of Sweet Seeing Someone So Crazy Be Vulnerable

Sometimes the villain gets the girl. Often, movies and shows focus on villains with singular goals: Destroy the hero or the world. However, occasionally, especially on TV shows, the bad guy falls in love. I was not a full Reylo shipper, but I did understand the appeal of Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Kylo Ren’s (Adam Driver) potential romance. The sort of romance inspired a lot of successful fan fiction because it spoke to the idea that someone can be saved by love.

Kylo left the dark side because of Rey’s influence. She inspired him to be a better person and allowed him to be vulnerable when he was set on being evil. Rey and Kylo don’t exactly fit the idea of two psychos falling in love, because only one is in this pairing, but it showcases the idea that a dark character can be vulnerable with the person he loves.

There are many examples of two psychos falling in love, from couples in The Vampire Diaries to romances in books such as The Cruel Prince. Crazy love can also have psychotic characters show sweet sides. We see Lucky become vulnerable with Sugar. He also does some sweet things for her throughout their relationship, even if some of them are criminal.

(Image credit: Hulu)

The Chemistry is Really What Carries These Stories, Deli Boy Proves This

Fred Armisen has had a ton of great performances, and I have seen many of them. I never thought Fred Armisen was hot, but I did while watching him as Sugar on Deli Boys. There was just something hot about his evilness as this character. Poorna Jagannathan and Armisen are hot together. Similar to her character on Never Have I Ever, Jagannathan’s Lucky proves that women over 50 can still be sexy and find love.

Armisen and Jagannathan have insane amounts of chemistry, which helps sell this criminal couple as a romance. You want them together and to do bad things. I think that goes to the heart of the appeal of two bad guys getting together. They’re hot together. Obviously, this isn’t always the case, but when it works, it really works. Lucky and Sugar really work as these toxic criminals who find love, even if only briefly.

(Image credit: Hulu)

Deli Boys Had An Element Of Uncertainty About Betrayal; The Danger Aspect Of Two Killers Falling In Love Adds To The Appeal

One of my favorite examples of two psychos falling in love is Love Quinn (Victoria Pedretti) and Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) from You. They were perfect for each other. However, Joe ends up killing Love during the You Season 3 finale. Even though they should have been able to work it out, it ends in tragedy and betrayal.

As much as psychos want to live normal, happy lives, at the end of the day, they’re drawn to darkness. Love and Quinn could only end with one of them dead. Lucky and Sugar should have been a powerful crime couple. This was not their fate.

Sugar betrayed and manipulated Lucky. Our girl deserved better in the end. She got revenge, but had to suffer a broken heart. If you’re going to love a madman (or woman), you need to expect that it could come with a major heartbreak, one that may end in tragedy or unforgivable behavior.

Supergirl's Ending Is The One Major Comic Change That I Honestly Think Was Necessary

Nick Venable — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 22:00:00 +0000

Major spoilers below for the newest DCU movie Supergirl, so limit your super-senses if you haven’t yet watched.

Anyone who thought Supergirl would be one of those 2026 movie releases that sparks absolutely zero backlashes and gripe-filled tirades, the past week or two much have felt like pure hell. Reviews for the comic book adaptation have seemingly skewed far more negative than positive, with gobs of DCU skeptics quick to rain down the hate. I had a pretty good time overall, and enjoyed the characters more than the story, with my own biggest issues stemming from the myriad changes made in adapting Tom King and Bilquis Evely’s A+ comic miniseries.

Not all the alterations felt like kryptonite suns, to be sure, and I actually think the vastly different ending that caps the live-action version was the best move possible for Milly Alcock’s Supergirl future. But I’ll get to that after talking out some of the other changes.

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

I Was Surprised And Disappointed By Supergirl Skipping Over So Much Of Tom King's Storytelling

I'm a diehard fan of Tom King's writing most of the time, and while I understand that Supergirl's mass-market appeal meant we wouldn't get Ruthye's lofty and veering narration throughout the movie, I was gobsmacked by how many other elements from the source material were apparently absent from Ana Noguiera's screenplay. Though in retrospect, it's indubitably obvious why Woman of Tomorrow was removed as the film's subtitle.

To be sure, the basic idea of Ruthye's tagging along with Supergirl on a revenge mission to take down the murderous Krem is intact, as are some other elements like the green sun taking Supergirl out of commission during a pivotal time for Ruthye. But a lot of the poignant time-jaunts and side-stories that make King's narratives so rich on the page were replaced with more generic FX-driven battle sequences. Understandable, I guesssss. But not ideal.

Beyond the ending, the other obvious "change is good" exception is Jason Momoa's expertly visualized Lobo, who steals every scene he's in just by being a sneering mountain of enging-revving chaos. Ah, but this is still only a half-exception, since King's original idea for the comic's arc did include the immortal Czarnian. (I also really liked Matthias Schoenaerts' bonkers performance as Krem in a vacuum, but don't think it tops the comic's villain.)

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

I Think Changing Supergirl's Ending Was Absolutely Necessary For The Future Of The DCU

The final issue of Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow starts of seemingly like it would be perfect fodder for live-action, then makes a leap that just doesn't happen in mainstream movies. (Spoilers for that ending for anyone who wants to avoid them.) Here's the heavily summarized version.

Ruthye has the smack-talking Krem captured as her hostage, and then lets him go for a one-on-one fight where she emerges victorious, but she's unable to bring herself to kill him. Supergirl then returns, and has a heartfelt talk with Ruthye that also quells her own urges to kill Krem. In a distant-future epilogue, Krem is released from the Phantom Zone as a repentant and haggard shadow of his former self, begging an elderly Ruthye for forgiveness. Her response is merely to thwack him with a cane and leave him to dwell in his shame and regrets.

A brilliant and meaningful coda that works without question in the comic book medium, but is so not Hollywood. Plus, that flash-forward was the perfect end for King and Evely's story, and without the impetus to set seeds for the future. Not the case for Supergirl, which needed to build up Alcock's return in Man of Tomorrow. So it was smart to change things for with an in-the-moment ending for the film.

More importantly, I love that Kara takes the moral high ground by stopping Ruthye from staining her conscience with Krem's murder, and then doesn't need to be pushed very hard into killing Krem herself. That cold-blooded act truly puts Supergirl into another category from her Kryptonian cousin (and presumably the DCU's eventual Batman), and justifies the "anti-hero" description that has been used by Gunn & Co. to describe her.

Why I'm Bummed About Taylor Swift's Toy Story 5 Song

Sarah El-Mahmoud — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 17:05:00 +0000

SPOILERS AHEAD for Toy Story 5.

'If you’re both a fan of Taylor Swift and Pixar, the last couple of months might have been an exhilarating rollercoaster (if you’ve been following what’s been going on, that is). As someone who is terminally online, I’ve been following the rumors of Taylor Swift having a Toy Story 5 song since the first big clue dropped in May. The song, titled “I Knew It, I Knew You,” is amazing, obviously, but something about it just didn’t hit right with me.

(Image credit: Pixar)

Taylor Swift’s Toy Story 5 Song Played With My Heart

By the time Taylor Swift confirmed she’d be on the Toy Story 5 soundtrack, there was a month of lead-up, and I started to make it out to be more than it ultimately was. I had hopes that it would play during the movie itself and might coincide with Jessie reuniting with her other kid, Emily – perhaps as a callback and bookend to the Sarah McLachlan song “When She Loved Me”.

I was pretty convinced it wouldn’t be an end credits song too after writer/director Andrew Stanton said when he said he's seen “the song on the end” and it was “not Taylor Swift” after the rumor started spreading. I figured that meant it was definitely during the movie, and Stanton was being cheeky, hinting at that.

Then, in an effort to make the experience of Toy Story 5 a fresh experience for myself, I even decided not to listen to the song in its entirety until I watched the movie on opening night. But then I found myself a bit disappointed when the song ultimately turned out to be a song in the credits rather than coinciding with a pivotal moment in the movie.

Jessie doesn’t reunite with Emily as I imagined the song was suggesting. Instead, the song isn’t really talking necessarily about the events of the movie at all and feels more like Swift was inspired by the sequel to write something that can stand on its own. I know I wasn’t alone in theorizing this because I saw other Swifties/Pixar fans guessing how the song would connect with Toy Story 5, and that’s not how things played out.

(Image credit: Pixar)

Why I’ll Get Over It

“I Knew It, I Knew You” is not what I expected, but in some ways that’s actually a good thing. I really enjoyed Toy Story 5 – especially for its cathartic Jessie story, and it didn’t need a Taylor Swift song in the middle of it in order to be made better. I also didn’t need Jessie to reunite with Emily either. The fact that she found a lunchbox instead that led her to learn Emily had named her own daughter after her made me teary-eyed. I wasn’t expecting the reveal, and it was all the more sweet because of that.

I’m happy there’s a Toy Story 5 song written by one of my favorite artists, even if the rollout had me super confused. I wish I didn’t have to feel like I was a toy being spun around by a five-year-old because Taylor Swift is part of the movie, but I guess I assumed a lot of things, too. Anyways, I absolutely didn’t know it, but the new Toy Story 5 is definitely one of my favorite 2026 movies, so there’s a happy ending to it all, either way.

Big Trouble In Little China Turns 40 Next Month. Here's Why Jack Burton (Who?!) Still Rocks

Rich Knight — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 11:05:00 +0000

I don’t know how many times I’ve rewatched Big Trouble in Little China, but it’s a lot. And, why not? It’s my favorite movie!

Well, on July 2nd, Big Trouble in Little China turns 40 years old, and this upcoming anniversary just makes me think about how much I love Kurt Russell’s character, Jack Burton (who?!), in the movie, because he seriously still rocks, even after all these years.

So, no offense to James Hong’s David Lo Pan, but today, I want to talk about ol' Jack Burton. And, if I’m not done talking about him by dawn…call the president.

(Image credit: 20th Century Fox)

For One Thing, Is There Any More Quotable Character In Cinema History Than Jack Burton?

Kurt Russell has played so many great characters (with cool lines) that I’m sure it’s kind of hard to settle upon one in particular. Quite a while ago, I talked about his role in Tango & Cash, which I consider a hidden gem, and just how outrageous he is in that movie, with such funny lines.

Well, despite all of the great, quotable characters Russell has played in his lengthy career, I think one would be hard-pressed to find another character who’s more quotable than Jack Burton. I mean, everything he says is quotable. For example, I use the lines, “I know. There’s a problem with your face.” “Everybody relax. I’m here,” and “Are you crazy? Is that your problem?” at least once a week.

What makes his lines so great is that anybody who hears them will know EXACTLY what movie you’re quoting, especially if you do it in the same cocky manner that Jack Burton always does it in. I mean, there are some movies (such as Schwarzenegger flicks like Commando) that are infinitely quotable, but none that I can think of where EVERY line of dialogue from one character is memorable. That’s something else entirely.

(Image credit: 20th Century Fox)

Also, What Other Movie Makes Its “Hero” The Sidekick Without Them Even Knowing It?

When I first saw this movie as a child, it actually scared me. I also didn’t realize that it was meant to be a comedy. When I watched it as an adult, I realized right off the bat that this movie was supposed to be funny, and the clearest indication is that Jack Burton thinks he’s the hero when he’s actually the sidekick to Wang Chi (Dennis Dun).

Throughout the film, Wang is really doing all of the work. Jack gets swept up into this world of magic (“the darkest magic…my soul swims in it.”) and the whole time, he thinks he’s really making a difference, when it’s really Wang handling all of the major issues, mostly through martial arts.

Sure, Jack ultimately kills Lo Pan when he catches a knife, then throws it right back at him (“It’s all in the reflexes.”), but for most of the film, Jack is a big goofball surviving by the seat of his jeans, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

(Image credit: 20th Century Fox)

And, The Best Part Is, He’s Probably More Popular Today Than Ever Before

There are popular cult movies like Office Space, Army of Darkness, and Grandma’s Boy, and then there are SUPER popular cult movies like The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Eraserhead, and Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and I think Big Trouble in Little China now fits comfortably in the latter category rather than the former.

And, it wasn’t always this way. There was a time when I feel like only a select few people had even heard of Big Trouble in Little China, as it was a flop upon release and found its home on regular TV, right alongside clunkers like Howard the Duck and The Garbage Pail Kids Movie. However, whereas those last two films feel like relics of the ‘80s, BTiLC feels more alive than ever.

There have been comics made of it, and I’ve seen plenty of people cosplaying as Jack Burton at many a Comic-Con. Because the thing is, tons of people love this movie now, and Kurt Russell’s portrayal of Jack Burton is the main reason why. So, happy 40th anniversary, BTiLC and Jack Burton! You really shook the pillars of Heaven.

Other Superhero Movies Need To Take Inspiration From Supergirl’s Runtime

Mack Rawden — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 22:05:00 +0000

I went to see Supergirl earlier this week, and contrary to what you may have heard from some haters, it’s a fun ride. It’s not exactly The Dark Knight or even Iron Man 1, but it’s a nice time at the movies. It’s got some enjoyable action sequences, a lot of laughs, good performances from likeable co-stars Milly Alcock and Jason Momoa in particular, and most importantly for this article, a breezy little runtime of one hour and forty-seven minutes.

To be clear, I’m not here to advocate that one hour and forty-seven minutes is a scientifically proven perfect runtime for every movie. It’s not. It’s not even the perfect runtime for every superhero movie. What I am here to zealously advocate for, however, is a movie being the right length for its tone, subject matter and the story it’s trying to tell. That’s not something every so-called event film gets, and it’s something DC, in particular, has often struggled with.

The History Of DC Runtimes

Here are the runtimes for every major, non-animated DC release since Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy concluded. Supergirl (1 hour, 47 minutes), Superman (2 hours, 9 minutes), Joker 2 (2 hours, 18 minutes), Aquaman 2 (2 hours, 4 minutes), Blue Beetle (2 hours, 7 minutes), The Flash (2 hours, 24 minutes), Shazam 2 (2 hours, 10 minutes), Black Adam (2 hours, 5 minutes), The Batman (2 hours, 56 minutes), The Suicide Squad (2 hours, 12 minutes), The Snyder Cut (4 hours, 2 minutes), Wonder Woman 1984 (2 hours, 31 minutes), Birds Of Prey (1 hour, 49 minutes), Joker 1 (2 hours, 2 minutes), Shazam 1 (2 hours, 12 minutes) Aquaman 1 (2 hours, 23 minutes), Justice League (2 hours), Wonder Woman (2 hours, 21 minutes), the other Suicide Squad (2 hours, 3 minutes), Batman V Superman (2 hours, 31 minutes) and Man Of Steel (2 hours, 23 minutes).

There are definitely some bangers on the above list. Joker 1 is obviously great. The Batman, Wonder Woman 1 and several others are also strong movies. Quite a few more are pretty solid, but so many others are flat out just not that enjoyable to watch because they drag and get boring. Wonder Woman 1984 has a fun little throwback vibe for a little while, but it does not even come close to sustaining that over more than two and a half hours. I swear Man Of Steel features like ten or fifteen entire minutes of characters being thrown into different buildings. At least a half dozen of these movies are a slog to get through, but they may have been a lot more enjoyable if they cut 20 or 30 minutes out.

It’s wild that only two of the movies on the above list are under two hours. I’m definitely not arguing that Supergirl and Birds Of Prey are the best two films on the list. Birds Of Prey has some issues, and Supergirl is definitely not as good as at least the first three titles I mentioned. That being said, they’re more enjoyable than a lot of the stuff on the list because they get in and they get out. They don’t need more time to stretch out the story; so, they leave the extra bits on the cutting room floor. They were edited with a sense of pace and purpose in mind.

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

A Movie Should Be As Long As It Needs To Be

Maybe it’s because movie tickets have gotten really expensive. Maybe it’s because there’s more to watch at home via streaming services than ever before. Maybe it’s because our expectations have just collectively changed. Whatever the reason, there’s this prevailing idea right now that only certain movies are worth seeing in theaters, and if we actually go see those in theaters, we better get enough value for our money. The thing is, though, the value that’s most important to everyone is the movie being good or at least fun to watch.

And the thing about good movies is that there’s no inherent correct runtime. Each individual movie should be as long as the movie needs to be, which is sometimes under ninety minutes and sometimes three hours. That might sound stupidly obvious, but a lot of so-called event films, and especially superhero films, get stuck on this idea that they need to be long so they’ll feel epic and important. But not every superhero movie necessarily needs to feel epic. Some of them need to be honest that the stakes just aren’t that high.

For every assemble-the-team-style narrative like in Avengers 1 or creatively artsy and well-made prestige piece like Batman Begins, there are a half dozen that just want to provide a nice escape. They’re just trying to tell a relatively basic story, hit us with a couple of big action moments, offer a few laughs and send us on our way. Those movies in particular need to have a runtime that’s proportional to their momentum. If they can maintain the energy, excitement and laughs for two hours, then they should be two hours. If they start running out of steam after an hour and a half, then they should trim the fat.

I’ve probably been to the movies close to a thousand times in my life, and I’ve never watched a bad movie and thought, well, at least it was really long, so I got my money’s worth. Has anyone ever thought that in the history of going to the movies? The point of watching a movie is to be entertained, and everyone on Earth and Krypton would rather watch good content for an hour and forty-five minutes than bad content for two and a half hours. Shoutout to Supergirl for remembering that.

People Didn't Love The Third Tobey Maguire Spider-Man, But I Still Wish We Got A Fourth Movie

Rich Knight — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 21:05:00 +0000

With Spider-Man: Brand New Day coming out on July 31st, we’re getting a fourth Tom Holland (and Zendaya) Spider-Man movie, and cool. I’m looking forward to it. However, do you know what gets me down? The fact that we never got that fourth Tobey Maguire Spider-Man flick.

Because, honestly, a fourth Sam Raimi Spider-Man movie has always been a dream of mine. Yes, I do love how Raimi came back to Marvel and brought his horror sensibilities to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but his Spider-Man movies (most notably Spider-Man 2) were the first time that I really thought Hollywood nailed comic book flicks.

So, even though I’m cool with a fourth Tom Holland Spidey movie, here’s why I still wish we got that fourth Tobey Maguire Spider-Man film.

(Image credit: Sony Pictures Releasing)

I Liked Spider-Man 3, But It Was Kind Of A Mess

A lot of people really love Tom Holland’s third Spider-Man movie, No Way Home, and I’m one of them. I especially loved seeing my favorite cinematic Spider-Man, Andrew Garfield, return, as well as Tobey Maguire. However, one might argue that No Way Home was a bit overstuffed, and really shouldn’t have been a multiverse movie at all. Because in a lot of ways, there was a bit too much going on in that film.

Well, speaking of “too much going on,” I think the king of that is 2007’s Spider-Man 3, which had so many subplots going on that it really did feel like being trapped in a web. We had Peter and MJ’s relationship falling apart. We had a new villain in Sandman. We had Topher Grace being Peter’s rival, Eddie Brock, who eventually became Venom. We had Bryce Dallas Howard as Peter’s new love interest, Gwen Stacy. We had James Franco becoming the New Goblin. I mean, it was all just TOO FREAKING MUCH!

And, honestly, it wasn’t a great film to end the trilogy on. Because, yeah, while I love a great trilogy just as much as the next person, I genuinely feel like a middling third movie can taint the other two films. For example, take The Dark Knight Rises. I know some people love that movie, but besides it being one of the weaker Christopher Nolan movies (if you ask me), I also just think it brings down the other two movies, which were both bangers. And I think the same goes for Spider-Man 3, which I don’t even hate.

Because that’s the thing. I DON’T detest Spider-Man 3 as so many people do. However, it’s such a mess that I think it brings down the other two films when viewed as a whole. So, I think a fourth movie could have fixed that problem, especially given what the fourth movie might have been…

(Image credit: Sony Pictures Releasing)

What We Know About What Spider-Man 4 Could Have Been Sounds Pretty Cool

Am I the only one who wanted a fourth Tobey Maguire Spider-Man movie? No, of course not, as there are plenty of fans who want this as well. That said, do I want a NEW version of Spider-Man 4? No, not really. Because this article isn’t about the future, or about getting Raimi back in the saddle to direct another Spider-Man movie. No. This is more of a “what-if” scenario, as in, What-if we got that fourth Spider-Man movie back in 2011? How cool would that have been?

Well, according to ScreenRant, the fourth, cancelled Spider-Man movie might have featured John Malkovich as Vulture (We’d later see Michael Keaton fill that role in Spider-Man: Homecoming), and Black Cat might have also been in the film, possibly played by Anne Hathaway, who would later go on to play Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises, so apparently, she was always destined to be a cat person. Cooler still though, was that Bruce Campbell might have been in the movie as Mysterio (Who Jake Gyllenhaal would later play in Spider-Man: Far From Home).

There is also speculation that Dr. Curt Connors, who was played by Dylan Baker in Maguire’s Spider-Man films, might have actually finally transformed into The Lizard. And, do you know what this sounds like to me? It sounds like the beginning of the Sinister Six! Now, I know The Sinister Six was supposed to get their own movie in The Amazing Spider-Man universe, but that was ultimately scrapped, which I’m not particularly mad at since I genuinely detest The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (I’ll actually get to those movies in a second).

A movie with then-unseen characters like Vulture, The Lizard, and Mysterio vs. a seasoned Spider-Man? How could you NOT have wanted to see that?

(Image credit: Sony Pictures Releasing)

I Kind Of Like The Amazing Spider-Man Films, But I Also Kind Of Wish They Never Existed

As I said earlier, Andrew Garfield is my favorite Spider-Man, but I’m sorry, The Amazing Spider-Man 1 and 2 are quite possibly the worst Spider-Man flicks ever made. I mean, the first one wasn’t terrible. In fact, I actually kind of dig it. But that second TASM is arguably the worst in the entire franchise (though some may say Spider-Man 3 edges that out).

That’s another reason why I wish a fourth Tobey Maguire movie got released. It would have meant that we likely never would have gotten a reboot of the franchise, and thus, no TASM movies at all. Would this be a bad thing? Well, in a sense, yes, since it means that we never would have gotten my favorite Peter Parker/Spider-Man in Andrew Garfield. However, it also means that we never would have gotten THAT version of The Lizard, or THAT version of Electro.

It also means that we wouldn’t have gotten Gwen Stacy’s death mishandled so poorly. It also means that we wouldn’t have gotten Spider-Man: No Way Home, as there wouldn’t have been multiversal Spider-Men to pull from, which is probably just best saved for the Miles Morales Spider-Man movies anyway.

Honestly, in a lot of ways, it’s actually kind of hard to imagine the ripple effect that a fourth Tobey Maguire Spider-Man movie might have had if it had ever been made. For example, would we still be getting Tobey Maguire Spider-Man movies to this very day? It makes one wonder…

(Image credit: Sony Pictures Releasing)

I Love Tom Holland, But Similar To Hugh Jackman Being The Only Wolverine, I Wish Maguire Was The Only Spider-Man

…and it leads me to this conclusion: If we had gotten that fourth Spider-Man movie, then Tobey Maguire might still be the only actor to have played the webhead in the live-action films. You might think this is absurd, since the powers that be would definitely want a younger Peter Parker eventually, but just look at Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. There has only been one live-action version of the character (Let’s ignore Deadpool & Wolverine’s variants for a moment), and that would be cool if there was only one live-action Spider-Man, too.

Because while I do like Tom Holland in the role, I’d much prefer it if we only had one live-action Spider-Man, similar to Wolverine. I love how Maguire is an older Spider-Man, since that’s my favorite version of the character, and I think his getting older could be a good plot point, rather than him repeatedly being brought back to high school age.

Aside from everything I’ve already mentioned, I think this is the biggest reason why I wish there had been a fourth (successful!) Spider-Man movie with Tobey Maguire, and it’s because I’d love to only see him underneath the mask. But alas, we'll never know.

What do you think, though? Do you wish there was only ONE live-action Spider-Man actor, and a fourth movie with him in it? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Toy Story Experts Should Ace This Crossword Puzzle Quiz

Kelly West — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 19:31:22 +0000

I've had Toy Story movies on the brain since seeing Toy Story 5 in theaters last weekend. Naturally, this week's movie quiz had to be focused on the iconic Pixar franchise, which has been going strong for decades.

I should mention that you don't need to have seen Toy Story 5 to do the quiz below. Familiarity with the characters and some quotes and plot tidbits from the first four Toy Story movies is all that's required if you want to solve all of the clues in the quiz.

I’m Eyeing This TV On Sale For Prime Day So I Can Make A Specific Upgrade To My Movie Watching

Hugh Scott — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:05:00 +0000

It seems like every Amazon Prime Day, in addition to looking out for streaming deals, I’ve got my eye on a TV. I have yet to pull the trigger on a new TV, mostly because I’ve been hoping to get a deal on a 55” OLED Samsung. There’s a specific reason I want a Samsung: it’s one of the few brands I can use with my Philips Hue lights without any additional hardware. If you aren’t familiar with how Philips Hue lights can make movie watching even cooler, check it out.

(Image credit: Philips Hue)

The Light Spills Out Past The Screen

At this point, I’ve replaced 100% of the light bulbs in my house with smart bulbs from Philips Hue. It’s a project that started a decade ago, and as bulbs have burned out, I’ve replaced them. I could talk for hours about how much I love my lighting setup for practical reasons. I love setting different moods with my lights and the ease with which I can set up timers on every light in my house. I also love how much fun I have with the setup.

One of the most fun things I’ve added is the Sync Box, which connects to lights behind my TV and, as the name suggests, syncs with what I’m watching. It means that the light from a movie spills out from behind the TV onto the wall. It also connects to the other lights in my family room, creating a truly immersive experience. I especially love watching MCU movies with it. Is this necessary? Of course not, but I really do love it, and I recommend it to anyone thinking about getting Philips Hue lights. The only drawback is that the box is kind of tricky to set up, but Samsung and Philips have a solution.

Samsung TVs Are Now Compatible With Philips Hue

In 2022, Philips and Samsung announced that new Samsung TVs would have hue capability built in. That means you don’t need the Sync Box anymore. You just need the basic Hue setup and lights, and you can sync them with your TV, sans extra box. My sister recently renovated her basement and bought a Hue-compatible Samsung, and I absolutely love it. That has me once again shopping for TVs. If I’m going to invest in one, I want to make it an OLED.

20% off a Samsung 55" OLED television for Prime Day! View Deal

That makes this Prime Day deal on the Samsung S90H, a 55” OLED, tempting. I mean, really tempting. It’s still not exactly “cheap,” but it’s $400 less than normal. OLEDs have really been out of my price range since they were introduced, and while this is still more than I would like to pay for TV, I feel like I’m in one of those classic situations. It’s not the price I want, but it’s not totally out of the ballpark either. As summer heats up on the 2026 TV schedule, I really think it might be time to buy.

I Know I'm The Only One Who Feels This Way, But Batman Forever Is The Worst Batman Movie, And By A Wide Margin

Rich Knight — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 14:05:00 +0000

When it comes to ranking the Batman movies, I think most will agree that The Dark Knight is perched firmly at the top.

However, what about the bottom of the list? Well, I think things get a bit trickier there. Sure, I know exactly what Batman movie people want to place at the bottom (and I’ll get to it in a few), but for my money, the worst live-action Batman movie is 1995’s Batman Forever, and by a wide margin.

And, look, I know I’m pretty much the ONLY person who says this, but I have my reasons. Here are just a few.

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Let's Get This One Out The Way First. Yes, I Think Batman Forever Is Worse Than Batman & Robin

When I ranked the Batman movies, I put Batman & Robin at the bottom, but it’s not because I think it’s the worst. No. It’s actually because I’m a man of the people, and I know everybody hates Batman & Robin. But personally, I LOVE it, and I always have (I actually now like Batman v. Superman, which surprises me). Because what people think is its biggest weakness–that it’s way too silly–I think is its biggest strength, since Batman & Robin always has its tongue firmly in its cheek, right down to Clooney’s silly performance.

Which is the thing, really, because Batman Forever doesn’t entirely commit to being camp like its follow-up. Directed by Joel Schumacher after two successfully dark Tim Burton Batman movies, Batman Forever often walks the line between something that wants to be taken seriously and something that’s incredibly goofy, and this mishmash kind of throws it off for me.

I think it also might be because Val Kilmer commits to being an amazing Batman, which actually works AGAINST this movie, which I’ll get into next.

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Val Kilmer Is A Great Batman In A Bad Batman Movie

I know some people think Val Kilmer isn’t at his best in this movie when compared to other Batmen, but I think Kilmer does a good job of playing both Bruce Wayne and Batman, which is never an easy task.

As Wayne, he’s charming, and as Batman, he doesn’t brood like Bale’s or Pattinson’s versions, nor is he a tired bruiser like Ben Affleck. Instead, he’s actually more similar to the quieter (but somehow more lethal) Michael Keaton, but slightly modified to fit this movie's more colorful tone. And, I don’t think that should be understated. Val Kilmer is just a tad beneath Keaton for me.

That works against him since the playful tone is dialed up to a million, what with Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Carrey hamming it up, and it just throws the whole thing off since Batman sometimes seems like he’s in a different movie. Oh, and speaking of Jim Carrey…

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

I Agree With Tommy Lee Jones. I Can't Sanction Jim Carrey's Buffoonery

Jim Carrey–who was my childhood–has a really funny story about a time he went up to Tommy Lee Jones outside of work, and Jones told him that he couldn’t “sanction” his “buffoonery.” And honestly, when it comes to Carrey’s performance as The Riddler, I’m with Jones on this one.

Now, don’t get me wrong. Tommy Lee Jones singing “Trick or treat” at Wayne Manor beside Carrey is ludicrous to the nth degree, but I really do feel like Carrey goes WAY over the top (even more than usual for the ‘90s) in this movie. It really makes me kind of despise his character.

And, I’m talking about despising him just as much as I despise Jared Leto’s Joker in Suicide Squad. That’s how much I loathe Jim Carrey’s manic performance in this movie. Even as a kid, I just found it so annoying.

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

That Said, It Still Has Its Positives!

Here’s the thing. While I genuinely can’t stand Batman Forever, I do have to give some props to its visual style. The backdrops and designs are colorful in a way that really does look like a comic book at times, so kudos to that.

Oh, and the soundtrack is still bananas. “Kiss From a Rose” by Seal is way too good a song for this middling movie. Method Man’s “The Riddler” is also great, as is U2’s “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me.”

But the rest? Put it straight and directly in the trash.

Running Down What The Boy Meets World Cast Has Said About The Ben Savage Estrangement

Erik Swann — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 21:05:00 +0000

Boy Meets World cast members Rider Strong, Danielle Fishel and Will Friedle have been stoking up nostalgia amongst fans over the last few years via their rewatch podcast, Pod Meets World. The three actors have been talking about a variety of topics related to the beloved TGIF sitcom, including moments they loved and storylines they disliked. Someone they haven’t been reminiscing with is co-star and friend Ben Savage, with whom they've been estranged, and they’ve said quite a bit about the situation.

(Image credit: ABC)

Rider Strong Recalls Reaching Out To Ben Savage About The Rewatch Podcast Before The Estrangement

Around the time Pod Meets World premiered in 2022, Fishel addressed Savage’s absence, explaining that he didn’t want to be a part of the show because he wasn’t sure it was “his thing.” It was in 2023, though, that Fishel and her co-stars revealed, during an interview with Variety, that Savage eventually “ghosted” them. They discuss this topic more in their documentary, Doc Meets World, in which Strong recalled (via Us Weekly) what happened after he, Friedle and Fishel reached out to Savage:

Ben refused to do the [rewatch] podcast [‘Pod Meets World’], but we still communicated with him, still on friendly terms, we thought. But he unfollowed us on Instagram and blocked our phone numbers. I feel sorry that he’s missing out on the experience that Danielle [Fishel] and Will [Friedle] and I are having.

On the ‘90s teen sitcom, Strong played Shawn Hunter – the best friend of Savage’s Cory Matthews – and reprised the role on the spinoff series, Girl Meets World (which he only learned about in the press). Despite the bond between their two characters, Strong said he and Savage were “never close.” Still, he seems to feel bad about no longer having him in his life and, in the doc, Strong recalled telling Savage he was “really going to miss [him] doing” the podcast and that he thought his former scene partner was “making a mistake.”

(Image credit: ABC)

Danielle Fishel Gets Real About Missing Her Friendship With Ben Savage

Savage and Fishel spent a lot of time together, since she played Cory’s girlfriend and eventual wife, Topanga Lawrence. Fishel and Savage also starred alongside each other on Girl Meets World, and they apparently remained close until the estrangement. While chatting with People, Fishel recalled how she and Savage looked forward to the time that he would become a dad, and he and his wife, Tessa Angermeier, welcomed their first child in 2025. As for how she feels about Savage not joining the podcast, Fishel said this:

….I also really come from a place of immense understanding and grace when it comes to the fact that not everybody wants to look back over their past with a fine-tooth comb. Not everybody wants to talk about uncomfortable truths. Honestly, there's nothing wrong with not wanting to do that. The three of us said it was something that we did want to do. And although we were nervous, it was a journey we were willing and excited to go down.

The Dancing with the Stars alum went on to say she “would never try to shove that perspective down somebody's throat and make them do it.” She can understand that the podcast project wasn’t for Savage, but she’s still hopeful that “when the time is right,” the story of [their] friendship will continue” unless she’s proven “wrong.”

(Image credit: ABC)

How Will Friedle Is Still Trying To Connect With His On-Screen Brother

Will Friedle is certainly someone who recognizes how much BMW still resonates with fans, which factored into his decision to take part in the rewatch podcast. Known for his role as the kooky Eric Matthews, Friedle was also disappointed when the man who played his TV sibling opted not to join the podcast. Friedle told Variety in 2023 that the estrangement was a “sore subject” due to his “shared history” with Savage. At one point, Friedle even called Savage once a day for 30 days. Per the doc, Friedle was blocked, but he’s not giving up hope:

It's been hard. I mean, just today, literally we were recording an episode this morning of Pod Meets World and there came a question that we all wanted to know, that we know if Ben had been on with us, it would have been answered like that and we would have heard a great story. There's so many times I want to pick up the phone and still do. I know I'm shouting into the void, but I'm going to keep doing it. I haven't given up on my friend. And I'm hoping that he comes back into our lives at some point, and when he does, we're going to have a lot to talk about.

Of course, it remains to be seen whether such a conversation will actually take place. But, on the other side of the equation, some may wonder how Savage feels about his former friends’ attempts to reach out. He hasn’t formally responded, as of this writing, but he may or may not have alluded to it in a post.

In June 2025, Savage shared a post on Instagram, and it includes a couple of photos of him and his baby daughter. What’s most notable about this post, regarding the actor/former political candidate’s estrangement from his friends, is the two-word caption: “Good company”. Check out the post down below:

A post shared by Ben Savage (@bensavage)
A photo posted by on

So is that brief message simply a brief way for Savage to signify his joy over being with his child? Or is that a veiled dig at Savage’s friends to signify that he’s content with the “company” he’s keeping now? It could very well be the former, and some fans could just be reading too deeply into this. Still, given this estrangement, it’s honestly hard not to consider whether there’s a double meaning here.

In any case, though, there doesn’t seem to be any true momentum when it comes to a potential reconciliation between Ben Savage and his former co-stars. We, of course, can’t say with certainty that he’ll absolutely never talk to Danielle Fishel, Rider Strong and Will Friedle ever again. And, if that happens, it wouldn’t be surprising at all if the three podcasters were to inform fans of that long-hoped-for encounter.

Stream all seven seasons of Boy Meets World – and the three seasons of spinoff series Girl Meets World – now using a Disney+ subscription.

Outlast: The Jungle Was Intriguing, But Not In Ways I Expected

jerricatisdale@gmail.com (Jerrica Tisdale) — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 16:05:00 +0000

I watched the first season of Netflix’s Outlast and really enjoyed it. It was an intense show that hit me emotionally. My investment came from the series showcasing humans in all their messy forms. I always planned to watch season 2, but got distracted by the million and one other things I can watch with my Netflix subscription. Then I saw Outlast: The Jungle premiered and decided to watch it before watching the second season.

Outlast: The Jungle is the same series as the original Outlast, but with slight differences. However, it felt a lot lighter and more hopeful than the first season. That one felt bleak. The more inspirational and positive lens actually made me really enjoy this series.

Warning: Outlast: The Jungle spoilers are ahead. Proceed with caution.

(Image credit: Netflix)

Outlast: The Jungle Ended Up Inspiring Me Because Of The Girl Power Tone

I love inspirational movies starring women. There are also plenty of girl-power-focused TV shows. These films and TV series highlight female empowerment. Women can run the world, and these fictional landscapes highlight this fact. However, I have not seen many survival series that focus on amplifying women as these powerful hunters, nurturers, and strategists in the wild.

From the start of Outlast: The Jungle, you understand that the women are the most valuable characters. They are calm, observant, and skilled. We kind of suspect (and hope) that the women on Team Alpha will end up on top.

They are showcased as the most determined, intelligent, patient, kind, and gritty in the series. You want to be around these women. I loved that the season felt especially filtered through Maddy Jones and Nikki Hru’s lenses. They were the narrators and stars. We need to see more reality TV shows that give women a platform to demonstrate how their skills and natural abilities make them an asset in difficult situations, such as surviving in the jungle.

(Image credit: Netflix)

I Expected Villains But They Were Kind Of Laughable In The End

Many of the men on Outlast: The Jungle don’t come across in the best light. They take alpha male tendencies to the next level. This isn’t the case for every man this season, but far too many of them. The male members of Charlie, in particular, were extremely hard to stomach this season.

They basically came off as bullies who behaved badly until the bitter end, with a strong emphasis on "bitter." They burned down their camp and destroyed their supplies before leaving, just to make sure none of the remaining survivalists could take their leftovers. Additionally, they left talking about how badly everyone else sucked. It showed their very poor character.

You couldn’t even hate these men because they felt so laughable at the end. Almost caricatures of bad guys. They got foiled by the women, aka Outlast: The Jungle’s heroes, in the end.

Additionally, their final acts just make you happy that they got out. Outlast: The Jungle Season 1 Episode 7, “A Shot to Win,” had me on the edge of my seat. I really wanted Alpha to beat Charlie, but things looked so rough. This made it more satisfying when the finale started with Charlie’s elimination. Couldn’t have happened to better guys.

(Image credit: Netflix)

The Ending Was Very Satisfying Because Of The Winners

I saw no other satisfying ending than Maddy and Nikki winning the season. They had done everything right, including dealing with people stealing from them. They stole too, but they did it as revenge, so it felt justified. As previously stated, Outlast: The Jungle felt like it was about Maddy and Nikki. Therefore, every other tribe had done something that made it hard to root for them.

Even when the women decide to leave Leiya Pillitteri behind, you understand because the series paints her as a liability. Nikki and Maddy tried to keep her, but she just wasn’t made for this show. The editors really favored Nikki and Maddy, likely because they knew the outcome. Nonetheless, it worked.

I cheered when the women finally won the show. Reality TV is full of iconic moments, but it’s rare when it ends satisfyingly. This feeling of peace about the winner is due to brilliant editing. We know the heroes from the start, and just take the journey.

(Image credit: Netflix)

Outlast: The Jungle Had A Bit Of An Honor And Integrity Message That I Unexpectedly Connected With

I despise the words honor and integrity on reality competition shows. Big Brother and shows like it often involve at least one contestant obsessed with playing the game with honor and integrity. They will not compromise their morals to win a show. The money isn’t that important to them. In real life, I completely agree that most things should involve some honor and integrity.

However, on a show for money, you know what you signed up for. You should want to win and play as hard as possible to get the prize. Therefore, it’s not fun to watch people try to moralize a game that should have limited morals. Nonetheless, somehow Outlast: The Jungle became an unexpected display of morals.

Outlast Season 1 felt the opposite. So many people were just ruthless that it became difficult to watch. The Jungle takes the opposing view. Nikki and Maddy win because they’re the most honorable team. They’re kind and encouraging, even when Leiya starts to cost them the win.

The show almost acts as proof that honor and integrity do matter in the end. It can lead to decisions that end in a favorable result. I still believe you can lack honor and integrity on reality TV and still win and be a good person. However, I enjoyed that Outlast: The Jungle shows a different perspective. I like the idea that honor and integrity still have a place on reality TV.

(Image credit: Netflix)

The Series Felt Grittier And Real, Which Contrasted It From Other Survival Shows I Watched

I loved Survivor 50, but I am an inconsistent viewer. However, I have seen enough to know the show fairly well. It’s a fun family series that often makes light of the dire situations. It takes out all the danger and darkness of trying to survive on an island. However, we know that they barely eat, face dangerous environmental situations, and play a cutthroat game. It’s not all rainbow and sunshine, but the Survive editing makes it feel less intense than what’s actually happening.

In Outlast: The Jungle, you feel every moment of danger. It exemplifies the darkness and danger that you would expect when living in the wilderness for a few days. This grittier approach to survival just makes the series more compelling. I hope Netflix continues to renew Outlast and Outlast: The Jungle because it feels just as intense as some of the best survival movies.

Universal Kids Resort Was Built For Kids. 3 Things My Pre-Teen Still Loved

Heidi Venable — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 13:43:05 +0000

It’s a big year for Universal theme parks, as Epic Universe celebrated its first anniversary, and now Universal Kids Resort — a park geared toward families with young children — is set to make its grand opening. Featuring seven different lands themed around kid-favorite movies like Shrek and Trolls, Universal Kids has been specifically created for ages 3 to 8, though all ages are welcome.

In fact, I was able to take my 11-year-old to visit Universal Kids Resort ahead of its July 1 opening, and not only was there plenty for her to do, she absolutely loved the experience — in spite of the intense Texas heat! Let’s take a look at 3 things she wasn’t able to stop talking about.

(Image credit: Heidi Venable/Future)

Staying At Universal Kids Resort Is A Treat For All Ages

Universal Kids Resort is located in Frisco, Texas, (just north of Dallas), and even though that’s in my neck of the woods, it was totally worth it to actually stay in one of the hotel’s 300 rooms. My daughter couldn’t agree more. First of all, the decor is so bright and colorful, you can’t help but get excited for what’s in store.

After checking in (and taking pictures with SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick, who greeted us in the lobby), we made our way through the rainbow tunnel, up the elevator and down the brilliantly colored hallways, and that was when things really got "fire" for my 11-year-old.

(Image credit: Heidi Venable/Future)

The room itself was so cute, offering a queen-size bed for parents and bunk beds for kids (suites are available that sleep up to six guests). My daughter immediately climbed the ladder to the top bunk and posed for photos in front of the colorful walls. Our room even included a view of the park, and we spent a long time looking out, identifying the different universes we could see and planning which rides we wanted to hit first the next day.

As far as the hotel amenities, they keep it simple with a cafe (with a bar), a pool (with lifeguards) and a small arcade, but for me the best part of staying at the resort was being mere steps away from the park the next day — as well as being able to easily head back to our room when we needed a break.

I spoke to Sharon Parker, director of marketing and sales for Universal Kids Resort, and she pointed out a couple of other advantages that parents might find interesting:

The perk of being here at the hotel is the ability to be able to have early park access. You get one hour before general admission guests — there’s a lot you can do within an hour. Then you have your dedicated entrance into the park, and when you’re going around and buying that merchandise, if you decide that you don’t want to carry that around, you can ask that it be delivered to the hotel where you can pick that up.

After experiencing the resort, I’m not sure my daughter would let us return to Universal Kids and not stay overnight.

(Image credit: Universal Kids Resort)

Jurassic World Adventure Camp Had The Best Rides For My Pre-Teen

Because Universal Kids is for the younger crowd, the thrills are mild compared to other theme parks. There are no big drops and nothing goes upside down, but I was pleasantly surprised at how many rides my 11-year-old — who typically jumps on the biggest roller coasters without a second thought — wanted to go on.

For her money, Jurassic World Adventure Camp offered the best experience. The Cretaceous Coaster was her favorite ride in the whole park, offering a slightly more thrilling experience than the other kids coaster, Rhonda’s TrollsFest Express. Take a closer look at the Cretaceous Coaster below:

A post shared by Chris Hassan (@chrisdhassan)
A photo posted by on

Elsewhere in the dino-filled land, Mr. DNA’s Double Helix Spin was a hit, and she got to burn off some energy running around the Jurassic World Lookout Towers. A couple of other ride highlights were the Swings Over Del Mar in the Puss in Boots land, Bobbing Barrels in Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom, and the Minions’ Bello Bay Cruise, which is a must-do.

Parents be warned, you will get wet on those last two, but you probably won’t mind in that Texas heat.

(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)

Kids Will Flip Over The Triple Gooberberry Sunrise (And The Chicken Strips)

There are snack and meal options all over Universal Kids, naturally, but if you’re looking for one of the wildest treats, you’ve got to hit up Goofy Goober's in the SpongeBob universe for the Triple Gooberberry Sunrise ice cream sundae.

(Image credit: Heidi Venable/Future)

This delicacy from The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie gave my tween the sugar rush she needed to keep going, as it is described as: "Vanilla & chocolate ice cream, strawberry Dole Whip, chocolate fudge, with crushed smore’s cookies crumble and strawberry Pop-Tarts pieces, whipped topping, banana, and a cherry on top."

To get this monstrosity in the souvenir cup, it’ll put you out $19.99, but come on mom, it’s vacation!

I loved that there were options for both adventurous little eaters and pickier ones, and even your typical snacks like soft pretzels were given the Universal treatment:

(Image credit: Heidi Venable/Future)

Also, if your kids are chicken tender aficionados like mine, the ones at Universal Kids Resort definitely made the grade. In fact, my 11-year-old raved about them so much, I stole a bite when she ordered them a second time, and it truly was tastier than it had any right to be.

If you go the chicken route, allow me to recommend the Jurassic World Canteen, where the Dinosaur Bites set a full scene with dino nuggets atop a mashed potato volcano, complete with barbecue sauce lava. Broccoli trees surround them, making for the perfect prehistoric meal.

Universal Kids Resort’s opening is one of the most exciting theme park events in 2026 for how it caters to the whims of young children first, but my experience proved that there’s something there for kids (and kids at heart) of all ages. Teens, tweens and adults may not be able to find the thrill rides they seek in other parks, but they might just be surprised at what fun they can have while accompanying their children or younger siblings.

Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas, opens Wednesday, July 1, coinciding with the 2026 movie release of Minions & Monsters.