Movie and TV show reviews

In the wee hours of the night, the soulful rhythm of Cowboy Bebop captivated me so profoundly that it drowned out everything else in my world. Or perhaps it was the mind-bending exploration of Neon Genesis Evangelion that compelled me to reconsider life’s deepest questions when I least expected it. Truly, anime has a knack for delivering experiences like these – intense emotional journeys and groundbreaking creativity at its finest.

In anticipation of a climactic episode featuring Voight reflecting on his life and Reid taking a significant action against the Intelligence Unit, the last episode of Chicago P.D.’s spring 2025 television lineup was undeniably intense throughout. Despite the turmoil the unit faced, as showrunner Gwen Sigan put it, they were “in deep trouble,” the finale ultimately concluded on a mostly positive note. During my conversation with Sigan, I couldn’t help but inquire about the guest list for Burgess and Ruzek’s long-awaited wedding and why an episode titled “Vows” didn’t contain any actual wedding vows.

The film offers a blend of hearty laughter, as characters Pete and Ellie navigate a significant life shift, alongside a tender and poignant tale about a freshly formed family bonding. With Instant Family gaining popularity on streaming platforms, it’s clear that many viewers are seeking comparable films. Fortunately, there is an abundance of movies in the genre that strike a balance between evoking emotions related to parenthood and family life, while still delivering plenty of humor.

In the direction of Joe Wright (with script development aid from an unacknowledged Emma Thompson, who had previously acted in and penned the script for it), and authored by Deborah Moggach, the film Pride and Prejudice boosted Keira Knightley’s career into stardom. Surrounding an assorted group of talented actors such as Donald Sutherland from Hollywood elite, it also brought Carey Mulligan to prominence. This adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel centers around a complex yet witty romantic comedy, filled with clever one-liners that not only charm audiences with a rosy depiction of romance but take the breath away of hopeless romantics everywhere. It’s a tactic that many modern romantic comedies struggle to replicate, even with equally impressive casts, making the 2005 version unparalleled in its class.

In the tenth season of Chicago PD, Jesse Lee Soffer’s character Jay Halstead departed from the series. Additionally, important characters like Sophia Bush portraying Detective Erin Lindsay and beloved figure Al Olinsky (played by Elias Koteas) left due to professional advancements and a fictional death, respectively.

Veteran actor McDonough, known for playing hardened characters in shows like “Justified,” “The Flash,” and “Yellowstone,” as well as his latest role opposite Sylvester Stallone in “Tulsa King,” demonstrates the same level of skill in this film as he does when portraying characters who side with the good. In this story, McDonough takes on the character of Joe Wainwright, a retired bull rider whose neck was injured while riding an aggressive bull, an accident partly caused by his own recklessness following a drinking binge. It’s worth noting that Joe’s poor decision to ride the bull came after he had lost his wife to cancer, a loss that drove him to alcohol. Ruvé McDonough, the actor’s real-life spouse, makes a brief appearance in flashbacks as their on-screen counterpart.

In a compelling portrayal by talented actress Buliana Simon, Aisha, a 26-year-old Sudanese immigrant caregiver living in the bustling city of Cairo, particularly in the rough neighborhood of Ain Shams, is shown tending to the elderly, managing their medications and maintaining their apartments. She frequently witnesses and narrowly escapes the chaos and violence that break out on the streets. Her primary means of safety lies in a questionable alliance with ruthless gang leader Zuka, played by rapper Ziad Zaza. The story begins with Aisha departing from the workplace at day’s end, having made a duplicate key for Zuka, as part of their ongoing arrangement: Aisha steals house keys, and Zuka ensures her protection in exchange.

Initially slated for a summer release next year, specifically on May 1, 2026, the film titled “Avengers: Doomsday” has had its premiere date moved. Now, it’s scheduled to hit theaters on December 18, 2026, potentially competing against films like “Dune: Messiah”, “Shrek 5”, and Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of “The Chronicles of Narnia”.

In essence, Christopher McQuarrie, both co-writer and director, might have taken on more than he bargained for with the supposed conclusion to the Ethan Hunt saga: shortly after the unveiling of “Dead Reckoning – Part One” in 2023, the sequel was rebranded as “The Final Reckoning,” dropping the “Part One.” This decision by McQuarrie and Paramount Pictures suggests that there’s still a lot connecting these two movies, and it even ties back to the entire series, adding weightier stakes to the narrative – even greater than the apocalyptic events that fueled each mission. With its premiere on May 23 approaching, EbMaster has prepared a refresher for fans to get up-to-speed on the franchise before “The Final Reckoning” hits the screens.

These last two titles won’t be accessible until 18 months after their respective seasons conclude, adhering to the conventional pattern of window release. “Countdown” is expected to launch in late June, with “Butterfly” premiering towards the end of summer. The response from buyers during the company’s LA Screenings presentation was overwhelmingly favorable, as reported by Ottinger.