Movies

Stephen King famously described The X-Files as a detective show where the mysteries lead to terrifying experiences rather than a criminal. The series was a hit with both audiences and those who worked on it. Vince Gilligan, the creator of Breaking Bad and a writer for The X-Files, credited the show with teaching him everything he knew about running a television series, calling it his “film school.” But in today’s world, what makes The X-Files still resonate with viewers?

Most TV shows released recently leave viewers with some level of “binge regret” – that feeling of wishing they’d paced themselves. However, a few stand out, like Shōgun, Rivals, Pluribus, and The Pitt. But being good isn’t enough; truly exceptional shows dominate the conversation and consistently appear on “best of the year” lists. A recent eight-episode series on HBO has achieved this rare status.

The latest Star Wars trilogy disappointed many viewers, but the franchise is now regaining popularity thanks to shows like The Mandalorian and Andor, which have created excitement for new movies. With The Mandalorian & Grogu coming out later this year and a film starring Ryan Gosling as a Starfighter planned for the future, fans are looking forward to what’s next.

Last week, Ebaster shared a list of excellent, multi-season shows perfect for binge-watching on Netflix, including recently added favorites like Southland. We also featured some of the greatest TV shows ever made that you can currently stream on Netflix, such as Breaking Bad. Don’t forget to check out SR’s weekly list of the best new shows to binge-watch, too!

Although it won’t be released until early next year, we now know the premise of The Last Orbit: a potentially dangerous asteroid called YR4 is predicted to come close to Earth or the moon in 2032. While a work of fiction, the book is grounded in real science and explores the possible consequences if the asteroid were to pose a genuine threat.

Tariffs put in place by former President Donald Trump have significantly impacted the video game industry. Because most gaming hardware is made overseas, prices have gone up on popular consoles like the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and the original Nintendo Switch, along with many gaming accessories. Interestingly, the newer Nintendo Switch 2 has avoided any price increases since its release.

Rosi’s latest video essay explores the uneasy feeling of living with constant uncertainty. It focuses on how acutely this is felt in many European cities, where modern buildings stand alongside ruins from World War II and even older historical damage, a reminder of both human and natural disasters. Residents live with the ever-present threat of events like volcanic eruptions, which dwarf the earthquake risks faced in places like California.

To stop Mayor Jerry from building a highway, Mabel disguises herself as a robotic beaver, essentially transferring her consciousness into a mechanical body. She hopes to lure the animals back to their home. By the end of the story, Hoppers delivers a satisfying conclusion, bringing Mabel’s adventure and her friendships with the animals to a close.

Warner Bros. Pictures plans to release The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum in U.S. theaters next year. The film will be directed by Andy Serkis, who famously played Gollum/Sméagol in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and also appeared in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

I’m so excited for the final season of Euphoria next month, and I can’t wait to see Sydney Sweeney back as Cassie! But honestly, I was blown away to hear about how huge The Housemaid has been. It’s already made almost $388 million worldwide, which is amazing! Apparently, it even broke her own box office record – she previously held it with Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which made over $377 million. That’s incredible!