Movies

As a big fan of Bridgerton, I was really interested to hear showrunner Jess Brownell talk about a change they made in season 4. Remember the Cavender’s party? It’s a key scene, and they decided to tweak how things played out. Instead of Benedict immediately stepping in to help Sophie when Philip Cavender was bothering her, they actually showed Sophie helping another maid, Hazel, first. It was a cool way to show her strength and agency before Benedict came to the rescue, and Brownell explained that was the intention behind the change.

As a fan eagerly awaiting more, I’m relieved to hear some clarity around the timeline for Severance season 3. There was a significant gap since the finale of season 2, which left us all wondering when we’d see the innies’ takeover of the severed floor at Lumon continue. Thankfully, one of the show’s stars has now clarified when filming is expected to begin, easing my worries about a potentially long wait.

Sam Raimi has directed many excellent movies, but most fans agree his 2004 film, Spider-Man 2, is his masterpiece. It’s the most widely popular film he’s ever made, building on the success of the first Spider-Man movie and raising the stakes even higher.

George Saunders recently discussed the value of art during challenging times on The Late Show. He explained that writing as if for a very intelligent reader pushes him to think more deeply. When that reader encounters his work, it gives everyone a chance to rethink what’s true. It’s easy to feel like entertainment doesn’t matter when serious things are happening, but sometimes it can help us process events, connect with shared feelings, or simply find a bit of relief. Here’s a look at who provided that this week on late-night shows.

The start of Bridgerton season 4 unfolds like a classic Cinderella tale, as the identity of the woman who catches Benedict’s eye remains hidden. We soon discover this mysterious woman, known as the Lady in Silver, is actually Sophie Baek, a determined and diligent maid who worked for the late Earl of Penwood, Richard Gunningworth.

The new action thriller Revolver Lily, directed by renowned filmmaker Isao Yukisada, stars Ayase Haruka (known for Our Little Sister and Ichi) in her first action-leading role, a performance already recognized with a Best Actress nomination at the 2024 Japanese Academy Awards. The film features a compelling premise – a retired elite assassin forced back into action – and a recently released clip, “Train Trespass,” hints at a thrilling blend of *John Wickstyle action set in the glamorous Roaring Twenties.

Because The Pitt unfolds during a single emergency room shift, some characters who appear earlier aren’t immediately present, which can be a little confusing. For example, social worker Kiara is mentioned but doesn’t appear in season 2, suggesting she’s simply off duty that day. However, episode 4 of season 2 makes it clear that Dr. Collins has left for good.

Chris Hemsworth’s new cyber-thriller is performing well on HBO Max, despite receiving mixed reviews from critics (currently at 33% on Rotten Tomatoes). While known for playing Thor in the Marvel films, Hemsworth has also taken on diverse roles in other projects, including action-packed movies like Furiosa: A Mad Max Story and voice work in Transformers One.

I’ve been following the Absolute Batman series, and issue #16 really hit me hard. It’s heartbreaking to see Bruce Wayne grappling with the aftermath of his fight with Bane – his friends are seriously hurt, and some are even… changed. Seeing him visit Oz Cobblepot and Harvey Dent in the hospital was so tense. You can feel his guilt and desperation. It’s amazing how he turns to Wonder Woman for help, remembering the debt she owes him from their earlier adventure. He’s desperate to find a way to restore Waylon, his friend, after those scientists at Arkham turned him into… well, something resembling a crocodile. It’s a really powerful story about responsibility and friendship.

As a long-time fan, I noticed something interesting! Before HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the movie A Knight’s Tale – with Rufus Sewell, Paul Bettany, and Alan Tudyk – told a very similar story way back in 2001. While George R.R. Martin’s tales came first, it’s cool to see they both seem to pull from the same historical source. Honestly, I think Martin’s version is just a bit more compelling!