The 1990s were a fantastic decade for anime films, with at least one truly exceptional movie released every year. While major studios like Studio Ghibli and Gainax consistently delivered hits, popular series such as Pokémon also made impressive transitions to the big screen. Generally, these films were visually stunning for their time, boasted creative stories, and were filled with genuine emotion.
Inara Serra is a standout character in Firefly, but looking back, some of her storylines haven’t aged well. While the show was forward-thinking for its time in depicting a sex worker, modern feminist perspectives reveal problematic and sexist elements within that portrayal, consistent with other works by Joss Whedon. Despite this, Inara remains a highlight of the series, brilliantly brought to life by Morena Baccarin, and she deserved a more thoughtfully written arc.
Paul Tazewell, the costume designer for Wicked, explained that Elphaba’s cardigan acted like a comfortable robe, especially considering she didn’t have access to modern stores. He told NPR that she creates her own clothes, weaving them in her treehouse from materials around her, and the sweater fits that resourceful character. He playfully suggested that a glamorous black robe wouldn’t make sense for her – where would she even get it? Perhaps a future Wicked story could explore Elphaba’s journey into the world of fabrics and textiles.
Elements from the film – Uma Thurman’s character, Lucy Liu’s O-Ren Ishii, Sonny Chiba’s swordmaker, the iconic music by Tomoyasu Hotei, and more – continue to inspire artists and are frequently referenced, imitated, or sampled. This influence isn’t surprising, as Quentin Tarantino’s films are so detailed and engaging that viewers continue to find new things to appreciate with each rewatch. Many fans believe an extended cut would only enhance the experience.
The new series will still tie into the existing Marvel Cinematic Universe, most notably through the return of Ben Kingsley as his character Trevor Slattery. This will be Slattery’s fourth appearance in the MCU, after first appearing in the 2013 film Iron Man 3. He was a somewhat divisive character with fans when he debuted, as he played a key role in a major plot twist involving the true identity of the Mandarin.
I’m completely captivated by the story of Dunk! It’s amazing watching him journey to Westeros after losing Ser Arlan, and even more incredible that he picks up a squire, young Egg, along the way. He dreams of becoming a renowned knight, hoping to earn a place with a great house—he even dares to imagine serving the Targaryens! But as soon as the Targaryens and the Iron Throne appear, things naturally get complicated. What I love is that through all the drama, Dunk remains wonderfully down-to-earth. There’s a really endearing moment where, after a battle, he awkwardly tries to rally the crowd and then immediately asks Egg, “Was that ill-handled?” It’s just so him. The series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, premieres on HBO and Max on January 18th, and I can’t wait to follow their adventures each week!
The studio vowed to strongly oppose any outcome it disagrees with. It also promised to publicly voice its concerns if either streaming service succeeds in acquiring Warner Bros.
Sony has already successfully revived Will Smith’s older films, most notably the Bad Boys franchise, even during the pandemic. Now, they’re considering bringing back Men in Black, and it hinges on Smith’s willingness to participate. Deadline reports that Sony is working on a script by Chris Bremner, who wrote Bad Boys for Life, with the intention of offering Smith the first opportunity to star. While the size of his role is still uncertain, it’s unlikely they’d go to such lengths for a small part.
This trailer shows us more of Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey), especially how he interacts with the nobility of Westeros. One character, a Targaryen you might not immediately recognize due to his hair color, shows him a surprising amount of respect.
The opening scene of The Godfather is famous for its memorable lines, especially Vito Corleone’s threat, “I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse.” However, his powerful response to the pleading Bonasera is equally striking, immediately establishing Vito as a man of unwavering principles and demanding respect.