Movies

As a huge fan of Boots Riley’s work since Sorry to Bother You, I was really excited for his new film, Boosters. And let me tell you, it doesn’t disappoint! It’s even more wild and imaginative than his last one – think bright, over-the-top visuals and costumes. The story follows a crew of female shoplifters, led by the fantastic Keke Palmer, who are basically modern-day Robin Hoods, stealing from a high-end chain store headed by a delightfully icy Demi Moore. They then sell the goods at affordable prices to people in need. It all builds into a really powerful statement about capitalism and worker solidarity, and honestly, it really hits home with how many of us feel lost and powerless these days, not just in America, but everywhere.

When James Gunn began building the DC Universe, he pledged that each movie and show would have its own unique feel, unlike the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Many feel that despite the variety of Marvel films and series – like Black Panther, Werewolf by Night, and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law – they often share a similar tone. Whether that’s true or not, it’s become how many people see Marvel, and the DCU has an opportunity to be different by embracing diverse styles and storytelling, mirroring the varied nature of comic books.

Directed by James Jones, a highly acclaimed documentary filmmaker with BAFTA and Emmy awards, and Megumi Inman, Fukushima: A Nuclear Nightmare offers a detailed look at the devastating Fukushima nuclear accident. The film uses firsthand accounts from those who experienced the disaster to tell the story in real-time.

The sequel will bring back familiar actors, and some new voices will be joining the cast as well. A beloved character from the original game, Yoshi – the cute green dinosaur who often helps Mario – will also appear, hinted at in a short scene after the first movie ended.

New photos offer a first look at the upcoming Friday the 13th prequel series, hinting at the horror to come. One image shows a hand – likely Linda Cardellini as Pamela Voorhees – gripping a bloodstained knife. Another reveals the legs of two camp counselors, possibly explaining the source of the blood. A final, unsettling picture depicts the Crystal Lake dock at night. You can see the photos below.

Late night shows experienced some noticeable tension with their audiences this week. While two audience interactions already made a ‘top five’ list, there were two other interesting moments. On Have I Got News for You, comedian Gianmarco Soresi jokingly pointed out the audience’s muted reaction to a controversial joke about America and Israel, compared to their response to a joke about the Iran war and the Epstein case. He simply said, “Oh, less applause for that one I noticed.” Meanwhile, when Conan O’Brien was a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to discuss the Oscars, he seemed uneasy with the audience chanting his name, telling them, “You sound like an angry jury, so just settle down.” It seems the audiences are often more engaging than the celebrities themselves – except for one instance on the top five list.

Starting soon, Amazon is increasing the price of its ad-free Prime Video plan from $2.99 to $4.99 per month. They’re also renaming it “Prime Video Ultra.”

Andy Weir’s realistic and scientifically detailed writing first captured audiences with 2015’s The Martian, which cleverly showed how to survive on Mars using resourceful methods. In contrast, directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, known for the playfully self-aware humor of 2014’s The LEGO Movie, bring a very different style. This seems like an odd pairing, given how much science is in Weir’s book. While the directors mostly respect the original story, the movie’s blend of science, comedy, and emotion doesn’t always flow perfectly. However, their direction is fantastic, creating stunning visuals that easily overshadow any minor tonal issues.

Rosamund Pike recently discussed her experience making the movie Doom on the How to Fail with Elizabeth Day podcast, and didn’t hold back. She described it as a complete disaster and one of the worst films ever made. Doom, a sci-fi action horror movie inspired by the popular video game, starred Pike as Dr. Samantha “Sam” Grimm, alongside Dwayne Johnson as “Sarge” and Karl Urban as the lead character, “Reaper.” Pike admitted she felt unprepared for the action-heavy role, especially considering her background in films like Pride & Prejudice, and shared her honest thoughts about the production.

The film Reminders of Him, starring Maika Monroe and Tyriq Withers, had a limited release in theaters by Universal Pictures, hoping to continue the success of previous movie adaptations of Colleen Hoover’s novels. Audiences have already shown strong support for these adaptations, with It Ends With Us earning $351 million and Regretting You bringing in $90.4 million at the box office.