Movies

Following the huge success of “Avatar” in 2009, creator James Cameron spent thirteen years developing and releasing its sequel, “The Way of Water.” Surprisingly – and I admit I was one of those surprised – the second film also performed exceptionally well at the box office, earning over $2.3 billion worldwide. Beyond its financial success, it was a stunning cinematic achievement that broadened the world of Avatar and even improved the original film’s somewhat uneven story.

Stephen Colbert recently interviewed Kumail Nanjiani about the ending of his stand-up special, Night Thoughts, which was named the best of 2025 by Vulture. Nanjiani described how he ended the show by telling the audience, “Things are tough, but you’re going to be okay,” and then had them repeat the phrase back to him. Colbert explained that this moment encapsulates the best of late-night talk shows – acknowledging difficult truths while still offering a sense of hope and reassurance. He compared it to the optimistic spirit found in the work of Alexander Pope, and highlighted other late-night hosts who offered similar messages of hope this week.

Both on screen and in real life, Arnaud is the most experienced member of the cast at 40 years old, playing a contrasting role to the younger leads who are in their early twenties. He’s a familiar face, having appeared in many shows like Schitt’s Creek, Yellowjackets, and unReal, and had starring roles in The Borgias on Showtime and The Moodys on Fox. What sets Arnaud apart is his ability to play both straight and LGBTQ+ characters, which is unusual in an industry that often typescasts actors. While he’s consistently worked, Heated Rivalry represents his biggest opportunity yet – it’s the first time he’s been the central focus of such a popular show.

It just doesn’t feel like Christmas without watching at least one holiday movie. But if you’re not really in the Christmas mood and traditional films aren’t your thing, we’ve put together a list of movies that offer a bit of seasonal cheer without all the typical sweetness – perfect for those who can’t stand regular Christmas movies!

Sylvie was the main speaker at the “Future of Fashion” event, and things were going smoothly until the Q&A. That’s when Marcello made a scene, dramatically taking off his sunglasses and turning the focus to himself. Sylvie managed him well, but then Emily unexpectedly started arguing with her ex right there at the event. On top of that, Marcello announced he’d left his family’s business – a strange way to share that news, and it seems like he could really use some PR help. Considering his history and reputation – his mother describes him as reckless and unreliable – it’s hard to believe he’ll succeed with whatever he’s planning.

As a total movie buff, I have to say some films just define the holidays, you know? Like, you can’t really have December without revisiting classics like How the Grinch Stole Christmas, A Christmas Story, The Family Stone, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Home Alone. They’re just so comforting and bring back all these great memories. I mean, we watch them every year, quote lines constantly, and they’re basically on repeat until spring! They’ve truly earned their spot as holiday movie essentials.

Initial reactions to the new “Anaconda” movie are mostly good. MOVIEDEATHBLOWS, posting on X (formerly Twitter), called it “one of the funniest movies” they’ve seen all year. They described the film as a blend of “Be Kind Rewind,” “Strange Wilderness,” and the original “Anaconda,” with a wildly playful energy.

After just three episodes, Spartacus: House of Ashur has successfully refreshed the franchise. The new series is clearly different from the original, but still captures the spirit of the 2010 Spartacus show that fans enjoyed. Episode 4, “Blood and Bone,” really emphasizes this, demonstrating that this version of Ashur is a completely new and even more calculating character than he was before, free from Batiatus’ control.

The film opens with Linda’s daughter describing her mother’s struggles, rather than her own, telling a therapist, “Mommy is… stretchable.” This immediately reveals the emotional strain on Linda, as evidenced by the actress’s worried expression. Linda vehemently denies needing therapy, but her reactions show how quickly she’s falling apart. The movie powerfully depicts the constant, overwhelming stress of single-handedly raising a child with complex medical needs—her husband is mostly absent, appearing only briefly at the end. The question becomes: is Linda truly flexible, or is she stretched so thin that she’s on the verge of breaking? A closer look reveals the subtle signs of her struggle.

The fifth season ended with a hint of where the show might go next: Greece. In the final scene, Emily receives a postcard from Gabriel asking her to join him there. This comes after Gabriel successfully impresses billionaire Thomas Heatherton and secures a better position, which sets the stage for the next chapter of the story.