8 Action Heroes Who Defined the 2000s

The 2000s brought a new wave of action movies, both in America and internationally, and featured a diverse group of heroes. These characters ranged from purely good to interestingly imperfect, creating some of the most memorable action heroes of the decade.

Netflix’s New 8-Part Feel-Good Series Is the Perfect Weekend Binge

Even though the show is rated for older teens, it has plenty of exciting and relatable moments that everyone in the family can enjoy. The series follows Adriana Russo, played by Madelyn Keys, as she pursues her dream of becoming a professional figure skater, and it shows both the challenges of competitive skating and the personal relationships she builds along the way.

How To Watch Every 2026 Oscar Best Picture Nominee

Voting rules for the Academy Awards are stricter this year, requiring members to prove they’ve seen every film in their category. This change is expected to lead to more thoughtful and reliable results. There are ten films nominated for Best Picture, and if you’d like to watch as many as possible before the awards ceremony in March – or at least focus on the likely winners – there are plenty of ways to do so.

Darth Maul vs Darth Vader: Epic Duel Coming to Star Wars Canon in Maul: Shadow Lord

Darth Maul and Darth Vader did battle in the older Star Wars Legends stories, but that fight isn’t considered part of the official story anymore since Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012. Within the current official timeline, the closest they ever came to crossing paths was in Star Wars Rebels, where Maul brought Ezra Bridger to an ancient Sith temple in search of a valuable artifact. But now, Star Wars might finally be setting the stage for a confrontation between these two powerful dark side characters.

2026 Oscar Nominations – ‘Sinners’ Sweeps and The Rock Snubbed

Ryan Coogler’s historical vampire film, Sinners, achieved a remarkable feat by receiving 16 nominations, including nods for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay – a rare accomplishment for films in this genre. One Battle After Another, despite underperforming at the box office, also earned a significant 13 nominations and was considered a strong Oscar hopeful. Frankenstein garnered nine nominations, though surprisingly, director Guillermo del Toro wasn’t nominated for Best Director.

‘Artificial Stupidity.’ Critics Have Seen Mercy, And They’re Not Holding Back On Chris Pratt’s A.I. Thriller

Chris Pratt stars as Chris Raven, a detective on trial, and Rebecca Ferguson plays Judge Maddox, an artificial intelligence who acts as his judge, jury, and possible executioner. In a review of Mercy, Eric Eisenberg from TopMob criticizes the plot as completely nonsensical, stating that this lack of a solid story prevents the film from being either thought-provoking or enjoyable. He gave the movie a rating of 1.5 out of 5 stars.

Ben Affleck Speaking Spanish in The Rip Is the Happiest He’s Looked in Months

It’s become a trend for attractive American actors to showcase their ability to speak another language, and French is a popular choice. Actors like Bradley Cooper, Holt McCallany, and Timothée Chalamet have given interviews in French, subtly signaling their unique skillset. In today’s competitive Hollywood landscape, especially with streaming services reaching global audiences, being bilingual is a definite advantage. (I was recently impressed by Tim Baltz’s French in I Love LA.) However, Ben Affleck’s recent Spanish usage feels different. He’s already achieved significant success – directing an Oscar-winning film, playing Batman, and becoming a popular internet figure. There’s little left for him to prove professionally. So, it’s refreshing to see him highlight a skill he developed as a teenager while living and working in Mexico. (His long acting career is also noteworthy.) While The Rip might be a bit slow-paced, showcasing his Spanish feels like a personal enjoyment for Affleck and a welcome surprise for viewers.