Movies

As a lifelong cinema fan, I’ve been following the developments at Paramount and now SkyDance closely. Even before the merger was complete, there were whispers about the future of Star Trek, though many rumors never came to fruition. CEO David Ellison kept emphasizing how important Star Trek was to the company, both for TV and big-screen movies. But then, things shifted. He and his partners made a serious play to acquire Warner Bros. – imagine getting access to all those franchises! When it was just Paramount, Star Trek was a cornerstone of their film slate. Now, with Warner Bros. bringing Batman, Lord of the Rings, Godzilla, Harry Potter, and so much more to the table, Roddenberry’s universe doesn’t seem like SkyDance’s surest path to box office success anymore. Considering the history of Star Trek films and how much the movie world is changing, I honestly wonder if SkyDance will even bother making another Star Trek movie again.

MrBeast has said he’d like to help fund a live-action Naruto series. He posted on X (formerly Twitter) asking for one to be made, offering his financial support. This isn’t a new interest for him – he’s worked with VIZ Media before on Naruto-related merchandise.

1991 was a big year for Star Trek. It celebrated its 25th anniversary with the release of Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, which was the last movie featuring the original cast. They even left their handprints in cement at TCL Chinese Theaters in Hollywood! At the same time, Star Trek: The Next Generation was incredibly popular, finishing its fourth season and starting its fifth.

Marvel Studios hasn’t confirmed rumors of a fight between Yelena Belova and Mystique in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday movie. The speculation started on X (formerly Twitter) when a user wondered if the two characters would face off, but there’s no official evidence to support this claim.

It’s still early days, but the new season of The Comeback, which premiered after a 12-year wait, seems to be tackling relevant issues in the entertainment world, like anxieties about AI and the power of streaming services. The season opens in 2023 with Val preparing to play Roxie Hart in Chicago on Broadway, and as usual, she’s being followed by cameras. Ella Stiller’s character, Patience, is documenting everything for social media, while Jane is reluctantly filming as a favor to Val – a complicated one, stemming from a $25,000 gift Val gave her years ago. Their dynamic is instantly familiar and enjoyable. However, Jane’s comment that this all feels like a repeat of the previous documentary raises a slight concern. The Comeback has always been known for being innovative, so the season needs to offer something new to stay engaging.

Greg is completely new to this experience, and the show keeps reminding us of that. He’s acting like a typical freshman – feeling homesick, trying to make friends, and stumbling along the way. Luckily, Steve Carell is so likable that his character’s naiveté remains endearing.

In 1880s London, the Forsytes are a wealthy and influential family who’ve gained social status through advantageous marriages. The peak of their success is the marriage of Jolyon Forsyte to the popular and well-connected Frances. However, this newfound status will be challenged as nearly every member of the family creates drama and threatens to ruin the Forsyte reputation.

I haven’t been able to stop thinking about a scene from the show where David Harbour and Jason Bateman sang a phrase together while riding funny bikes. My wife was definitely confused by me randomly shouting “life-insurance physical” all week! The moment happens around the middle of an episode, after Clark and Floyd have bonded during a bike trip focused on wine tasting. They’re trying to get Floyd in shape so he can pass a life insurance medical exam and feel more secure. The episode deals with heavy themes – Floyd talks about his anxieties, his stepson Richard struggles with his mental health and at school, and the family is burdened with debt. As Floyd explains to Clark, after having a bit too much wine, “When you lie down in bed, you feel like your heart’s supposed to rest. Mine just races…like a bird heart.”

As a longtime Trek fan, I was genuinely surprised and delighted to hear Jolene Blalock is returning to the franchise! It’s fantastic to see her reprise her role as T’Pol in Star Trek: Lower Decks. Creator Mike McMahon really pulled off a coup getting her back, especially considering Jolene had completely stepped away from acting – and Star Trek in general – after Enterprise ended. She’d disconnected from the whole community, so this comeback feels truly special. Unlike the rest of the Enterprise cast, she’s getting another chance to beam aboard, and I, for one, am thrilled!

Since its start in 2018, the anime That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (known as Tetsura in Japan) has become a leading series in the isekai genre. Even though it’s only had three seasons so far, the upcoming fourth season, premiering in April, suggests the show aims to demonstrate that longer anime seasons are more satisfying than the shorter seasons that were popular in Winter 2024.