Movies

Starring Eddie Redmayne, The Day of the Jackal on Peacock and Sky was a huge success when its first season launched, becoming Sky’s most popular new series ever in the UK. The show centers around a skilled killer and master of disguise who takes on a dangerous assignment: assassinating a well-known political figure. He’s offered a particularly risky – and lucrative – job after an attack on the politician.

TMZ reports that Brett Ratner’s comeback is quickly moving forward with Rush Hour 4. A source says the movie is “definitely happening – and coming soon!” Pre-production could start in just a few weeks, with filming planned for this fall. A dedicated fan’s strong support reportedly helped get the project greenlit. Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker are both expected to return as their famous characters after almost 20 years, though details about other cast members haven’t been announced yet.

According to Alex Perez in The Cosmic Circus’ February Q&A, there’s a strong possibility that Avengers: Secret Wars will be split into two movies. If that happens, it would effectively turn the story into a three-part series, consisting of Avengers: Doomsday, Secret Wars Part 1, and Secret Wars Part 2.

This week’s late night shows featured some interesting promotional moments beyond the usual interviews. Amber Ruffin used her appearance to promote her new play, and Guillermo gifted Kate Hudson with his own brand of salsa. Jimmy Fallon also seems to have a growing relationship with the famous Sardi’s restaurant – this week, they rebuilt a Sardi’s booth on The Tonight Show for Ethan Hawke, complete with original caricatures and custom dishes. This follows a similar event for Billy Crudup’s portrait unveiling. It’s hard to say if these collaborations are about business or just Fallon’s love for Broadway, but they’re definitely happening. Here’s a look at other highlights from late night this week.

It’s become clear that many films now include original songs, often during the credits, as a way to attract Oscar nominations. Even movies that aren’t musicals do this, sending the songs to Academy voters for consideration. You might wonder why this is necessary for musicals already filled with songs—but only original songs qualify for awards. Therefore, films need to create and add entirely new songs to be eligible.

The film Marty Supreme will be available to stream online on February 10th, only 47 days after it hit theaters. Following a successful run in cinemas, A24 is confident Marty Supreme will also perform well on digital platforms.

This French historical romance, which came out in 2019, gained popularity not through twists or sensationalism, but by being genuinely moving and telling a beautiful story. Even now, years later, it continues to resonate with viewers, making its removal from HBO Max particularly disappointing for those just finding and appreciating its richness.

These two actors have been in a lot of critically acclaimed films lately. Though they haven’t often appeared in the same projects, their chemistry is clear whenever they do work together. Right now, they’re starring in the most popular movie on streaming, and they were also leads on a very successful TV show.

We owe a debt of gratitude to Thank Frog for The Muppet Show. This new half-hour special, available on Disney+, feels like a fresh start for Jim Henson’s beloved characters (or, as Miss Piggy might say, their younger selves!). It’s exactly what the franchise needed. Produced by Seth Rogen, the show closely resembles episodes of the original Muppet Show from 50 years ago – from the iconic theme song and practical effects to the familiar heckling of Statler and Waldorf, who even joke about how faithfully it recreates the original. Despite being owned by Disney, the Muppets risk being overshadowed by bigger franchises like Star Wars and Marvel. So, if this special feels like Kermit and the gang are trying to impress Disney executives, that’s a good thing! The Muppets are at their best when they’re the underdogs, and they deliver a fantastic performance.

Currently, Avatar: The Way of Water is the most popular movie on Disney+ worldwide, according to FlixPatrol. It has a popularity score of 260. This increase in viewers likely comes as fans anticipate the possible streaming release of Avatar 3 in the near future.