Movies

The Sniper series started 33 years ago, in 1993. The first film starred Tom Berenger and Billy Zane, and was directed by Luis Llosa. It follows veteran American sniper Thomas Beckett (Berenger) as he mentors an inexperienced sharpshooter (Zane) during an assassination mission in Panama. Despite receiving generally negative reviews, the Sniper franchise has continued to grow, releasing numerous sequels. Berenger reprised his role in Sniper 2 (2002) and Sniper 3 (2004), while Chad Michael Murray took over as the lead in 2011’s Sniper: Reloaded and has been the central figure in subsequent films.

I’m hearing some exciting news about the next Hannibal film! Sources say they’re planning to start shooting this summer, and Italy will be the stunning backdrop. Apparently, they’ll be setting up shop at Cinecittà Studios in Rome, and the team is already on the ground doing prep work and scouting locations. It sounds like things are really moving forward!

This change is one reason why some recent anime are being hailed as exceptional. The best new anime are remarkably self-aware; they recognize audience expectations and cleverly subvert them to evoke surprise, connection, or even unease. They might deliberately pace things slower when viewers anticipate action, or they might deconstruct well-known genres to reveal their underlying structures. These series maintain the enjoyable elements of classic anime while reimagining previously unquestioned conventions.

More to come…

As a total cinema and TV devotee, I remember when Netflix really started making its own shows back in 2012. Lilyhammer and House of Cards were the first ones, and they definitely grabbed my attention! One of the early Netflix Originals was Hemlock Grove, a spooky fantasy horror series created by Brian McGreevy. It premiered in 2013 and lasted for three seasons, though it didn’t exactly win over the critics – and honestly, they had some good points!

Okay, so the premise of this show? It’s pretty familiar territory. Basically, a bunch of people date around in this camp-like setting, and eventually start pairing off. The interesting twist is this ‘Promise Room.’ You find someone you click with, you bring them in there, and you both reveal your ages. Then, you decide if you want to keep things going. They introduce this room right away – it’s like this treehouse with a red room inside, and there are these gold rings sitting there. You don’t actually have to promise to marry anyone, but if you decide to couple up, you do have to wear the promise ring. It’s a commitment, but not necessarily a lifelong one, you know?

The new thriller, 13 Days, 13 Nights, is coming to the United States later this month. It tells the true story of the dramatic evacuation of people from Kabul after the Taliban took control in August 2021. The film centers on a humanitarian worker and a French Commander who are both stuck inside the French embassy with hundreds of civilians. The Commander has a daring escape plan, but he needs help to pull it off.

Fans of British TV have an even bigger advantage when it comes to location spotting. While many American period pieces are filmed on studio backlots, the grand estates used in British dramas are often genuine historical landmarks. These houses have witnessed significant events, unlike those only featured in TV shows. For example, Highclere Castle, famously known as Downton Abbey, is actually the ancestral home of the Earl of Carnarvon, who discovered King Tut’s tomb – his death even helped create the legend of the mummy’s curse. The building used as Spectre headquarters in the James Bond film isn’t just a set; it’s also where Winston Churchill was born and was featured in Gulliver’s Travels and Bridgerton (though Bridgerton films in many locations). Just as New York City feels like a character in Sex and the City, British stately homes are like seasoned character actors – versatile, well-connected, and with a rich history of their own.

I found myself really drawn into the way Eleanor tries to support Nancy’s husband, Robert, after her death. Their connection is… complicated, to say the least, and watching them navigate that, especially with both their families breathing down their necks, was compelling. Meanwhile, Mary is off doing her own investigation, which is interesting, but honestly, it’s the stuff beneath the main mystery that really makes Imperfect Women stand out. It’s those deeper layers that elevate the whole story and kept me hooked.

According to FlixPatrol, the TV show Tracker recently climbed three spots on Paramount+’s U.S. Top 10 list, moving from sixth to third place on March 11th. This put it ahead of South Park, which had briefly returned to number one. Since South Park isn’t currently releasing new episodes, it’s expected to drop in the rankings, potentially leading to a close competition between Tracker and Marshals. Both shows release new episodes on the same days, but early data suggests Tracker may ultimately perform better.