Movies

You might recognize the premise: a grim future where a struggling population is forced to compete in a deadly game, all broadcast as entertainment by powerful leaders who are exploiting everyone. This describes both the recent movie The Long Walk (based on a Stephen King novel written as Richard Bachman) and the new film The Running Man. Both films closely follow their source material, drawing on real-world issues of inequality and our increasingly unsettling present. However, while The Long Walk director Francis Lawrence chose an even more depressing ending than the book, The Running Man director Edgar Wright went with a surprisingly optimistic finale that feels a little unrealistic.

Wright used his love of Cinematrix to create seven unique grids, and we’re excited to share one each day for the next week. We’re starting with a Cinematrix grid inspired by Stephen King – check it out and give it a try!

The most significant news in late-night television this week is the passing of Cleto Escobedo III, the bandleader for Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Jimmy Kimmel honored his friend with a heartfelt and humorous monologue on Tuesday night. He struck a perfect balance between sadness and funny anecdotes, which is exactly what people want when remembering someone. Seeing Cleto’s parents in the audience made the tribute even more moving. It was a difficult moment for Kimmel, but he handled it with grace and strength.

As a huge K-drama fan, there are a few shows I’m really hoping get another season. Some left us with so many unanswered questions or just ended at a point where the story felt unfinished. It’s frustrating because, honestly, not every K-drama gets the satisfying conclusion it deserves, and there are stories I’d love to see continued – they’re just too good to leave hanging!

Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley are a writing and directing team known for their work on comedies. They previously wrote the screenplays for films like Horrible Bosses, The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2. They made their directorial debut with the 2015 film Vacation, and have since directed Game Night (2018) and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023).

As a huge follower of celebrity news, I’ve been keeping up with the drama between Ray J and Kim Kardashian. Their lawyer, Alex Spiro, just responded to Ray J’s lawsuit. Basically, Ray J – William Ray Norwood Jr. is his full name – is sticking to his story that he didn’t leak that old tape with Kim Kardashian back in 2007. He claims they both agreed to release it, and even says Kim’s mom, Kris Jenner, was involved. Spiro told Page Six…

The movie The Fantastic Four: First Steps launched Phase Six of the Marvel Cinematic Universe on July 25th. While it was the first big-screen adaptation of Marvel’s First Family and received generally positive feedback with a solid performance in theaters, it didn’t stay at the top of the charts for long. According to FlixPatrol, Freakier Friday has quickly become the more popular choice.

Back in 1999, the creators behind the classic Batman: The Animated Series – Paul Dini, Bruce Timm, and Alan Burnett – took a risk with a follow-up series. This new show introduced Terry McGinnis, a teenage crime fighter operating in a futuristic, dark version of Gotham City. Terry wasn’t alone, though – he had help from an older Bruce Wayne.

I’ve picked out three movies for this weekend, offering a little bit of everything. There’s a brand new animated film on Netflix that looks great, a scary movie based on a Stephen King story, and a high-energy action flick starring a major Hollywood star. Let’s dive in!

Machado’s character, Eva Muñoz, is a powerful force in the show. As the ex-wife of the villain, Senior, and a partner at Jacobson-Moore, she brings a dynamic energy to every scene. While Eva is working with Olympia and Matty to take down Senior, they quickly realize she’s unpredictable and may have her own agenda, making it hard to know if she’s truly on their side.