Even movies that spark a lot of disagreement can still impress those who initially criticize them. In a time when people are hungry for fresh, new stories, directors who provide them often win over even the most skeptical viewers. From touching animated films to intense thrillers, these movies represent some of the best filmmaking of the 2020s.
According to Brickfanatics, LEGO recently reviewed 143 ideas submitted by fans and turned down five of them that were based on Studio Ghibli films. Four of these designs were inspired by the beloved movie My Neighbor Totoro (1988), and one was based on the Oscar-winning Spirited Away (2001).
Nathan Greno, the director of Tangled, recently discussed a potential sequel while promoting his new Netflix animated movie, Swapped, which comes out on May 1st. He revealed that Disney did consider making Tangled 2, but ultimately decided against it. The main reason was a lack of a compelling story idea that could successfully continue Rapunzel and Flynn’s adventures in a new film.
On April 27th, developers working on Magic: The Gathering Arena announced they plan to form a union with the Communications Workers of America (CWA). A strong majority of the development team confirmed their support for this decision.
The show launched at number 7 on the platform’s Top 10 list and is among the 15 most popular animated series debuts ever.
Look, it’s the worst when a show you love ends badly – it can really ruin your whole opinion of the series, you know? But Charmed actually managed to stick the landing, and I think a big part of that was they didn’t try to be all shocking or gimmicky with the finale. They really focused on what the show was about – family and fate – and gave the characters the send-off they deserved. People stayed with those sisters for eight seasons because we cared about them, and the finale remembered that. It was all about closure, and they delivered.
Netflix has picked up a second season of the animated Stranger Things spin-off, and it’s coming this fall. The Hollywood Reporter recently interviewed showrunner Eric Nobles about the renewal and what fans can expect, especially after the first season received mixed reviews. In fact, Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 earned the lowest Rotten Tomatoes scores in the franchise, with critics giving it a 63% rating and audiences a 54%.
Joining the series with the animated show, Moura plays Captain Brander Lawson, a tough but dedicated detective and father trying to keep the peace on the chaotic planet of Janix. However, his strong sense of justice frequently clashes with Maul, as this determined “street-smart cop” struggles to oppose the criminal organization Maul is rebuilding after the Clone Wars.
Despite initial doubts, Gladiator II finally arrived in theaters in 2024, starring Pedro Pascal and Paul Mescal. Connie Nielsen returned as Lucilla, and Denzel Washington joined the cast, bringing a lot of star power to the film. This combination of actors gave fans hope that the sequel would be at least enjoyable, and perhaps even receive positive reviews.
John Singleton, a director who grew up in South Central Los Angeles and graduated from USC film school, was known for authentically portraying the lives of young Black people – a perspective rarely seen in mainstream cinema before his work. He was also a versatile filmmaker, skillfully incorporating elements from various genres like road movies (as seen in Poetic Justice), westerns (Rosewood), blaxploitation films (Shaft), and thrillers (Abduction). Though he tragically passed away seven years ago at the age of 51, his impact on film endures. This week, three of his most celebrated films – Boyz n the Hood, Poetic Justice, and Baby Boy – are being added to the Criterion Collection as his ‘Hood Trilogy,’ making it a fitting time to consider his complete filmography and how his nine features stack up against each other.