Movies

I’ve been a huge fan of Nicholas Brendon since the beginning! Did you know he was born in 1971 as an identical twin? His twin brother, Kelly, even made a quick appearance on Buffy! I always admired how he took up acting to help overcome his stutter, and it was amazing to see him become a spokesperson for the Stuttering Foundation of America during Buffy‘s most popular years. As Xander Harris, he really helped make being a ‘geek’ cool in the ’90s. He joined the show in 1997 and stayed with it right through the very end. Over those seven seasons, Xander’s character had such a wild ride – dating demons, losing an eye, dealing with doppelgängers, and even briefly knowing everything about the U.S. military! It was incredible to watch.

With so many great TV shows released in the 2020s, it’s impossible to watch them all. For example, some people love shows like The Pitt but haven’t gotten around to Paradise, while others are still thinking about The Last of Us but are now enjoying the new Scrubs. So, let’s highlight some other fantastic series from the last five years that deserve more attention.

Shows like Band of Brothers and The Haunting of Hill House are examples of truly memorable miniseries. Band of Brothers follows a close group of American soldiers battling through the horrors of World War II, while The Haunting of Hill House tells a chilling story of family trauma and a relentless, frightening presence. These series, spanning different genres from drama to horror, have become benchmarks for limited-run television.

Taylor, who has shared her own experience as a survivor of domestic violence on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, recently explained why she felt it was important to address the issue publicly. In a post on her Instagram Stories, she wrote that her past compels her to speak out against all forms of domestic violence, though she didn’t name anyone involved. She expressed her concern for the children involved and hopes they remain safe.

Over the past two decades, The Comeback has changed quite a bit with each of its three seasons, leaving viewers unsure what to expect. The show originally premiered on HBO in 2005, focusing on the early days of reality television and a Hollywood that wasn’t quite ready for it. However, it stood out thanks to its heart, particularly through the character of Valerie, who simply wanted to continue her career.

Byrne consistently brings a unique and compelling personality to her roles, often portraying characters with a tough outer shell hiding a sensitive side. This combination is especially effective in Tow, where she expertly portrays a complex range of feelings and motivations.

Wow, what a night for Paul Thomas Anderson! He just blew past filmmaking legends like Altman and Scorsese at the Oscars, snagging three trophies and cementing his status as a true heavyweight. It feels like he’s officially been welcomed into the inner circle. The big question now is: will someone give him another massive budget? I’m hearing whispers about a potential adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s The Crying of Lot 49, but honestly, will audiences even tune in if they didn’t see whatever comes first? Or, knowing PTA, will he pull a move like he did after Magnolia or There Will Be Blood and go for something smaller, more personal and introspective? That’s always a possibility, and frankly, I’d be just as excited.

The karaoke scene in Project Hail Mary feels off, possibly because Hüller sings the song a little too well, and because her character, Eva, remains so mysterious. It’s unclear if we’re meant to feel moved by a seemingly emotionless woman expressing herself only through nervousness, or amused by the unexpected vocal talent of a government official. Even the song itself feels like an awkward attempt to connect with the audience – why a recent pop song instead of a well-known karaoke staple? It could also just feel strange because Sandra Hüller already has a memorable karaoke scene in another film, but it doesn’t quite land here.

Originally, “fan service” meant things like suggestive imagery or scenes. But now, it refers to anything a show does simply to please its audience. These anime offer fans exactly what they enjoy, and it doesn’t necessarily involve making characters sexualized – it’s about giving the audience what they’re hoping for.

The Jurassic Park movies are undeniably one of the most famous and successful movie series ever made. Not only have they consistently earned a lot of money at the box office, but critics have generally liked them too. The franchise continues to be a hit with audiences even now – for example, Scarlett Johansson’s Jurassic World Rebirth earned $869.1 million in 2025, signaling a strong new direction.