Tom Hanks was clearly influenced by Saving Private Ryan, a film celebrated for its realistic and powerful depiction of war. His new 20-hour documentary series goes further in detail than the movie could, exploring the entire scope of World War II and offering a more complete picture of the conflict that Saving Private Ryan first brought to life in 1998.
Gollum’s life was completely transformed when he found the One Ring. Over centuries, he changed from the creature known as Smeagol into Gollum. Through his conversations – both with himself and others – we get a glimpse into what drives him. With The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum coming out on December 17, 2027, now is a good time to revisit some of his most important lines.
Early mecha anime such as Tetsujin 28/Gigantor, Mazinger Z, and Giant Robo laid the groundwork for the genre. Mobile Suit Gundam then popularized it, and more recent shows like Code Geass and SSSS.Gridman continue to keep mecha anime popular today. While these series are incredibly influential, they aren’t perfect. Creating a truly great mecha story is challenging, but these anime manage to do it seamlessly.
Jennifer Lopez’s performance is a highlight of the film and many think it deserved Oscar attention. Now that the movie—which is similar in style to Goodfellas—is available on Tubi, it’s clear this is her best acting work to date.
NBC has canceled the series Brilliant Minds due to low ratings, particularly when compared to other shows on the network.
Attempts to continue The Matrix beyond the original film have unfortunately missed the mark. The Matrix Reloaded tries to do too much with its plot, becoming confusing and lacking in depth, though it does feature some impressive action. The Matrix Revolutions offers a disappointing end to the trilogy, relying on a contrived plot device to resolve a major issue. And The Matrix Resurrections, released after a long hiatus, doesn’t feel like a true Matrix film. Directed by only one of the original creators, it has clumsy action, overly obvious self-references, and doesn’t add anything meaningful to the story beyond some criticisms of the studio.
Disney+ has a lot of great science fiction shows, but Star Wars: Skeleton Crew really shines. It first came out in December 2024 and is easily one of the best sci-fi series on the platform – you might have even missed it! Best of all, with only eight short episodes (around 30-40 minutes each), you can watch the whole thing in about four hours – perfect for an afternoon or evening of binge-watching.
Brandon Sanderson’s The Stormlight Archive is a popular fantasy series, and it’s all connected to his even larger fictional world called The Cosmere. It’s a vast universe, similar to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in its scope. Apple TV recently acquired the rights to adapt these books, starting with a film series based on Mistborn and a TV show based on The Stormlight Archive. They likely have plans for even more adaptations in the future.
According to streaming data from FlixPatrol, The Mandalorian is back in the top 10 most-watched shows on Disney+. The Star Wars series, featuring Timothy Olyphant as Cobb Vanth, is currently ranked ninth in the United States. It’s joined on the list by the newer Star Wars series, Maul – Shadow Lord, which is currently number one.
In the second-to-last episode of season 8, Monica (Bridget Regan) is fatally shot twice in the chest. Initially appearing to be a rideshare driver, her attacker is revealed to be a hired assassin. After trying to escape Los Angeles due to her involvement in criminal activity, Monica is taken to a secluded place. Her last request is to not be shot in the face, and thankfully, that wish is honored. The episode ends with a clear shot of her body, confirming her death.