Entertainment

Lite Version

When “Elemental” opened to less than $30 million in the US in mid-June, box-office analysts and reporters were quick to label the animated movie a “flop,” one that was almost sure to lose money.

The animated love story is [now] bearing down on $150 million in the US, meaning it will have earned five times its opening-weekend total – a multiple no Pixar movie has achieved since the original “Toy Story.”

It’s almost time. ⏰

Watch the brand-new trailer for Marvel Studios’ Loki Season 2, an Original series, streaming October 6 on Disney+.

Thousands of television and film writers who are part of the Writers Guild of America are in the middle of a historic strike. They're forming picket lines in front of studios, and productions in New York and Los Angeles and shutting down active sets. The last time they went on strike was 15 years ago — when streaming’s impact on the film and television industry was only just taking shape. This time around, they are striking for better residuals and rights against the looming threat of AI, among other concerns.

At the core of this dispute is streaming and how it's revolutionized the industry. Companies like Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV+, and more have given consumers an unprecedented array of films and TV shows and opened the door to new voices that don’t have to adhere to mainstream network formats. On the other hand, streaming has also changed how television gets produced, the role writers play, and how they get paid. We interviewed four television writers and showrunners about how streaming has changed how they work, how their incomes have taken a hit, and why it has become harder than ever to build a career.

I picked up the Criterion BluRay during Barnes & Noble’s sale this summer after being aware of the film for a while. I was intrigued by the single-room story and the exploration of condemning someone as guilty, and the film totally blew me away. The acting was stellar, the writing is timeless, and the cinematography was magic the way it kept a single room visually interesting for 90 minutes.

10/10 everyone should watch it

The Great Hunt begins September 1, but your hunt begins now. Watch the Official Trailer for #TheWheelOfTime season 2, and see what you can find…

I loved the first season because I'm a huge fan of Pratchett and Gaiman, so was a little nervous that the next series, with no source material to adapt wouldn't hit the mark. But then I saw that Neil had asked John Finnemore to help him write it, and that sealed it for me. No one could replace Terry, but John Finnemore comes damn close.

Anyway, season 2 is wonderful, with some beautiful little references to Pratchett's Discworld. Also, I'd gladly watch Sheen and Tennant together in anything.

The Empire recruits Bel Riose to investigate the resurgent Foundation. Hari leads Gaal and Salvor to a desert planet.

This is strangely hypnotic for those 90's kids.

An old friend returns to the neighborhood after several years away and struggles to recognize the world in which he grew up. Zerocalcare would like to do something for him but realizes that he is unable to help him feel at home again and make the right choice to find his place in the world.

"This World Can’t Tear Me Down", by Italy's most beloved cartoonist Zerocalcare, arrives June 9th, only on Netflix.

Gaal has a disturbing vision. Day’s bond with Queen Sareth grows stronger. The Vault opens and reveals a cryptic message.

"The two most notable facts about Oppenheimer’s life are that he first sped up the creation of nuclear weapons, and then failed utterly to restrict the nuclear arms race he had helped begin."

I finally got the opportunity to watch Asteroid City. I am a long-time fan of Wes Anderson, but none of the people around me share my joy in his movies so I have to gush about it online.

Something about this film hit me really hard while watching, something in the way that the film uses multiple layers of storytelling about telling a story and how that highlights the real emotions being shown. I'm definitely going to have to find the time to watch it again.

Those who have seen it, what are your thoughts on the movie? Aside from whether you enjoyed it, did you get anything deeper out of it beyond the offbeat comedy?

The Congress is one of my favorite movies that seemingly no one has seen. It's loosely based off the Stanisław Lem book "The Futurological Congress", but has a focus on what advanced technology could mean for actors. I highly recommend giving it a shot.

Hey fellow bees.

I like listening to podcasts as it helps me focus and is just a fun way to experience other peoples thoughts and opinions.

Recently I started listening to actual audio dramas, like the ones produced by QCode (Carrier, Blackout) or even the narrated Hobbit / LOTR books with sound effects.

Are there any other good audio dramas or producers that you can recommend? Any genre is OK, just the ones you like most!

It really feels like Disney is underutilizing the Muppets. Every time they want to do a live action remake they should be looking at a Muppet version instead.

While several studios and streamers have opted to cancel their upcoming events — most notably the Oppenheimer red carpet in New York set for Monday — Disney moved forward with the premiere, leaning on its theme park characters in the absence of the actors.

The actors has effects beyond our shores.

I figured this article, written by the brilliant Kim Masters, is worth a read agian given the incoming SAG-AFTRA Strike