Movies

As a huge action movie fan, I remember the 2000s being all about topping the last insane stunt. Tom Cruise and Vin Diesel were constantly trying to outdo each other, and honestly, it was amazing to watch. Michael Bay really defined that era, and people even started calling his signature style ‘Bayhem’ – which is exactly what it sounds like! It’s over-the-top, super flashy, and just relentlessly explosive. Sure, it can be a bit much for your senses, but let’s be real, it’s undeniably fun to watch things blow up in the coolest way possible.

Ben Jordan, the actor who portrays Peter Parker’s face, recently shared a post on Instagram with a spider emoji and the caption “IYKYK,” strongly suggesting that work on a Spider-Man game—likely developed by Insomniac—is starting or already happening. It’s unclear if this means development of Marvel’s Spider-Man 3 has begun, or if Spider-Man will appear in a different game altogether.

Wow, the animation we’ve seen in the 2020s has been incredible! I’ve been consistently blown away, and films like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, The Boy and the Heron, Encanto, The Mitchells vs. The Machines, and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish really stand out as some of the best animated movies we’ve gotten so far this decade.

You might remember that Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown was first announced a few years ago. Ubisoft put together a team to create the game, which released in January 2024. However, even though they had planned expansions and a sequel, the game didn’t perform as well as Ubisoft hoped, so they cancelled those plans. Fans were surprised by this quiet decision, but the project was ultimately dropped. Now, there’s a new rumor suggesting Ubisoft might give Prince of Persia another chance, as the original development team is reuniting.

More to come…

As a movie fan, it feels like when it comes to kids’ films, everyone only talks about how much money they make, not how good they actually are. Studios pour tons of money into making these movies because they know families will go see them, but the discussion always ends with box office numbers. It’s frustrating because there’s so much more to a great movie than just how much money it earns!

Released in 2019, Endgame quickly became the highest-grossing movie ever, earning over $2.7 billion globally. It broke records by making $1.2 billion in its first five days. For fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the film was a memorable and emotional experience, bringing together beloved characters in a final stand against Thanos, and marking the end of their journey after more than ten years.

What sets this apart from other action movies is the character of Shale’s girlfriend, Jane, who teaches at a challenging high school in Miami. It’s an interesting mix – taking inspiration from over-the-top action films but also following the popular trend of stories about a strict authority figure helping troubled minority students. It’s a bold and unexpected combination.

Bowser’s development in this film allows for nods to other games in the Mario series. He’s shown as genuinely changed after being reduced in size at the end of the first movie, and the film confirms this isn’t just an act – even when Mario restores his size, Bowser’s new personality remains.

Today’s word is HABIBI! Ramy Youssef, Elmo, and everyone at Sesame Street are wishing you a happy Arab American Heritage Month!