Movies

Throughout his long filmmaking career, Tim Burton has consistently delivered visually stunning movies with impressive effects, no matter the overall quality of the film. While his signature gothic and whimsical style usually leads to the best results, Burton has occasionally experimented with other genres. These experiments have sometimes paid off, as seen in films like Big Fish and Ed Wood, but other times, like with Dumbo and his 2001 remake of Planet of the Apes, they haven’t resonated with critics or audiences.

There are shows on this list I just find myself returning to, and it’s pure comfort. Once you’re past the big twists and shocking moments – when you know what’s going to happen – you can really settle in and appreciate the little things. I find myself noticing new jokes, or a brilliant performance I missed the first time around. These superhero shows really prove something: sometimes, knowing the destination actually makes the ride even better.

As a huge movie fan, I found something really interesting about Eternity. It’s a romantic comedy set in the afterlife, and both Elizabeth Olsen and Miles Teller play characters who’ve passed away – but with a twist! They initially portray 90-year-olds, but then suddenly appear as they were in their thirties. The film explains this beautifully: when people arrive in the afterlife, they take on the appearance they had when they were happiest. So, it wasn’t just about playing characters in a unique setting, but also about both actors stepping outside of portraying their actual ages – a clever concept, I thought!

As a movie fan, I remember Self/Less being a total disappointment. It only scored an 18% on Rotten Tomatoes and really bombed at the box office – it made just $31 million on a $26 million budget. Looking back, it’s not a huge shock, considering Ryan Reynolds’ career really took off a year later with Deadpool. It’s a shame, though, because the director, Tarsem Singh, had done some visually stunning work before, like with The Cell and Jennifer Lopez, but he couldn’t seem to capture that same magic with this one.

Tom Stoppard was born Tomáš Sträussler in Czechoslovakia in 1937. When he was less than two years old, his family fled the Nazi invasion, first to Singapore. A few years later, when he was five, everyone except his father moved to India. His father, a doctor, remained in Singapore to continue helping people. Tragically, he died when the ship he was traveling on was bombed by the Japanese army. In India, Tom and his brother went to an American school where he began using the name Tom and eventually took his stepfather’s last name, Stoppard. By 1946, the family had settled in Nottingham, England.

Vanessa Hudgens recently shared a touching photo on social media. It shows her partner, Cole Tucker, holding her hand while she’s in a hospital bed, preparing to give birth to their baby.

Oliver explained that filming scenes in the Great Hall, packed with extras, created a surprising sensory experience. “Even when I watch those scenes now, I can still smell things like roasting vegetables or oil – and it’s not a pleasant smell!” he told People magazine while promoting the second season of Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking.

That group you see is Brook’s old crew, from long before he became the skeletal musician who later joins the Straw Hat Pirates. Brook has one of the most heartbreaking stories in One Piece, and the hints about his past actually appear much earlier than you might expect.

After a three-year wait, the first part of Stranger Things Season 5 is finally here. Netflix is releasing the final season in three parts to build anticipation and maximize viewership. The first four episodes were released just before Thanksgiving, with the next three coming out at Christmas 2025, and the last episodes, which will conclude the series, scheduled for New Year’s Eve.

December 2025 on HBO Max will feature a collection of fascinating documentaries about sports and music, alongside other highly anticipated shows and movies. See the full list below!