Movies

The event is truly special, not just because of the famous people attending, but because of how enthusiastic and engaged everyone is. Many haven’t seen each other for decades, and while they’re all older, they’re clearly energized by discussing the Harlem Renaissance, likely because its meaning is still debated today. Ida Mae Cullen, the wife of poet Countee Cullen, pointed out that people often mistakenly believed the Renaissance happened in the 1930s, when it actually began in the 1920s. There’s ongoing discussion about whether the Renaissance was a specific moment in time, or if its influence continued for much longer. Poet Arna Bontemps, who sadly passed away the following year, described the period as a way of understanding the entire Black experience, from the past to the present, and how it reshaped both history and the future.

The second episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 1 marks the start of the tournament with the arrival of the Targaryens at Ashford Meadow. The show, a Game of Thrones spin-off, began by introducing Dunk, a young man whose knight mentor recently died. Now without a clear path forward, Dunk travels to the tournament hoping to prove himself and earn knighthood. Along the way, he takes on a young boy named Egg as his squire.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms does a commendable job of weaving the Targaryens into the story in the second episode. They’re presented as a part of Dunk’s journey, not the main focus. This helps explain Dunk’s (played by Peter Claffey) disappointment with the lords who’ve overlooked Ser Arlan of Pennytree (Danny Webb), and it shows that powerful people aren’t always boastful. This realization about the complexities of people comes at a crucial moment for Dunk, as his self-assurance is waning just as he reaches a critical turning point.

Steven Spielberg’s Jaws changed how movies are made, creating the modern blockbuster. By tapping into our deep-seated fear of the ocean and its hidden creatures, the film proved that spectacle and wide appeal could draw huge audiences. Without Jaws, the idea of a big, summer movie focused on thrills and entertainment might not have developed as it did, and we likely would have seen fewer shark movies over the years.

This week’s episode of Industry featured the German word habseligkeiten, described as the possessions closest to your heart. The show explains it as the few belongings carried by refugees or treasured keepsakes like sea glass – things often associated with those who have little. It struck me that the Bauer family, whose historic bank is being taken over by a newer, somewhat disreputable company, see themselves in this way. As they lose control of their financial empire – an empire that once funded even Hitler – what personal items or values will they hold onto as they step back from the modern world?

I’m really loving how Siegfried’s story is unfolding this season. It’s not being hurried, and he’s slowly learning and changing with each episode. After being isolated for about four years, it’s clear Siegfried needs connection with others. He’s a bit unusual and benefits from the gentle guidance of normal social interaction. It reminds me of a friend who spent too much time alone and started talking to himself, then immediately telling himself to be quiet! I told him it’s perfectly normal to talk to yourself, but the shushing was what made it strange. Siegfried needs that kind of honest feedback, and luckily he now has people around him who can give it. He can’t just live on sardines and disappear on mysterious trips, and it’s becoming clear that kind of isolation comes at a cost – it leads to loneliness. I say it every week, but we should all be thankful for Mrs. Hall.

Before competing in his fourth Olympics, Kenworthy spoke with The New Yorker about how the popular HBO sports drama deeply connected with him on both a personal and career level. He confessed that he initially brushed the show off, even describing it as overly explicit.

With so many Stephen King stories adapted for the screen, it’s hard to know which ones are hidden gems worth revisiting. But a few consistently stand out as being overlooked, despite not getting much attention when they were first released. One such adaptation features Timothy Olyphant in a leading role.

Kaley Cuoco pretty much revealed the news herself, even without directly confirming it. While talking to Entertainment Tonight about her new show, Vanished, she clearly struggled to hide her reaction when asked about potentially returning as Penny. It wasn’t her words that gave it away, but her obvious facial expressions – she couldn’t hide her excitement!

As of January 25th, Sinners and The Smashing Machine are both currently the most-watched titles on HBO Max, according to FlixPatrol. The Michael B. Jordan film has overtaken The Holdovers, which is now in third place on the streaming service.