Minority Mindset

Harder’s latest film feels more assured than his previous work, featuring even more visually appealing settings and a more intricate storyline. While his confidence sometimes leads to unbelievable scenarios, particularly regarding the character CW’s online skills, it mostly adds to the film’s lighthearted entertainment. Like his earlier film Influencer, this one doesn’t offer a deeply critical look at internet culture, though it does include some sharp observations and political commentary. Ultimately, the film’s success rests on Naud’s performance, as she clearly relishes her role, and the audience does too. It’s so enjoyable that a third film, set in another exotic location, would be entirely welcome.

Shows like The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka, along with the new movie The Mandalorian & Grogu, are all part of a larger, connected story. This story is expected to lead to a team-up movie directed by Dave Filoni, which will largely adapt the popular Thrawn trilogy from the old Star Wars Expanded Universe – stories that originally followed Return of the Jedi before Disney bought Lucasfilm. Now, some fans are wondering if Disney is using this adaptation to address or revise aspects of the more recent sequel trilogy. But is focusing on this specific, older part of Star Wars lore a smart move, or is it too narrow a focus?

It’s been a challenging year for Jimmy Kimmel’s show. In September, Disney and ABC temporarily paused JKL after criticism of Kimmel’s comments about the murder of conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk. After a week and a viewer boycott, the show returned, though some local stations owned by Nexstar and Sinclair initially refused to air it – they eventually added it back to their lineups after just four days. Now, Disney has renewed Kimmel’s show for another year. Here’s to that!