Movie and TV show reviews

In my perspective, I’ve continued my journey into dark sci-fi narratives with my role in “Common People” on Black Mirror, following the success of my previous sci-fi projects on Apple TV+. This gripping episode, serving as the opening act for season 7, stands out as one of the most impactful and resonating episodes in the series. By weaving a chilling tale that mirrors the increasing prevalence of subscription models in our society, this first episode of Black Mirror’s seventh season sheds light on the mounting predicaments faced by a couple who find themselves trapped after agreeing to a new healthcare subscription service.

In the fourth season of Ghosts, Trevor’s narrative takes an unexpected turn, signifying a significant change for the character. Asher Grodman notes that this development has been long-planned. This popular CBS comedy, modeled after the British series with the same name, revolves around a young couple inheriting a haunted house, inhabited by ghosts each with unique traits and unresolved issues. Trevor, a 1990s Wall Street playboy adored for his humorously arrogant demeanor and deep-seated emotions, sees his storyline evolve in Ghosts season 4 as it is unveiled he has a daughter.

In Netflix’s latest Western series Ransom Canyon, the persistent conflict between Davis Collins and Staten Kirkland is driven by romantic rivalry, property disputes, and centuries-old small-town animosity. Despite being brothers-in-law following Staten’s wife’s (Davis’s sister’s) demise, Josh Duhamel’s character Staten and Eoin Macken’s Davis have a history of friction that predates their current situation. The Kirkland and Collins families are among the wealthiest in Ransom Canyon, and their wealth significantly influences the town as a whole.

In the third season of “The Wheel of Time,” six key characters met their end, yet these deaths vary from the books in some aspects. The expansive nature of Robert Jordan’s “Wheel of Time” series is such that it teems with countless characters, each contributing to the richness and depth of his intricately woven world. However, due to the constraints of television – specifically, a maximum of eight hours per season and a budget for casting – certain characters who are still alive at this stage in the novels were unfortunately written out in the third season.

The “Danger!” archetype revolves around creatures inspired by cryptids or folklore. To activate a “Danger!” monster, it’s shown from the hand and then the opponent randomly chooses one of the player’s cards to discard. If the “Danger!” card isn’t chosen, it gets Special Summoned and the player draws a card. If it is chosen, it gets discarded but triggers another effect. This can be advantageous as it’s usually a win-win situation. Strategically, playing the “Danger!” card when you have only one remaining card or in an archetype that benefits from graveyard (GY) and discard effects is effective. There are nine different “Danger!” cards to choose from, so which ones should be prioritized?

In season 6 of “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine”, the long-running romance between Worf and Lt. Commander Jadzia Dax, played by Terry Farrell, culminated in the episode “You Are Cordially Invited…”. Jadzia, with her bold, spontaneous, vivacious nature, starkly contrasted Worf’s formal demeanor. Essentially, Jadzia Dax was the ideal balance for Worf’s rigid personality. Their relationship is one of the most memorable in “Star Trek”. It’s oddly surprising that none of Worf’s friends from “Star Trek: The Next Generation” attended their wedding.

In an interview with TV Insider after the episode, Minear hinted that viewers will see Bobby Nash again on screen, stating, “This is not just his last appearance this season.” When asked about potential ways we might encounter Captain Bobby Nash in future episodes, or if he would reappear as a flashback, dream sequence, or hallucination, the showrunner provided some insight while ensuring clarity about the character’s fate. Here’s what he had to say:

Last Friday, the actor known for “Swingers” visited the Oval Office to speak with the President. After their conversation, both the official White House Twitter and Instagram accounts posted a playful parody of “Wedding Crashers,” titled “The White House Gatecrashers.” This image depicted Vaughn instead of Owen Wilson, alongside Trump.

A key aspect that folk horror appears to emphasize is the contrast between the collective and the individual. This genre seems to express an underlying unease about the balance between feeling connected and being isolated. In the movies mentioned, the main character often finds themselves as an outsider, clashing with a society they join or become a part of. The source of terror in these stories is usually not some monster or supernatural entity, but rather the people themselves.

Despite the challenges, Ryan Coogler’s film “Sinners” astonishingly achieved an exceptional A rating. This is a unique feat as it makes “Sinners” the first R-rated horror movie to secure an A grade on CinemaScore since the system was developed. The last horror production to attain this distinction was the PG-13 “Five Nights at Freddy’s”, which received an A in 2023. Notably, this is the fourth consecutive A rating for director Coogler. His films “Creed” (2015), “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (2022), and the original “Black Panther” (2018) all received an A rating, while the latter even earned a rare A+ grade.