Movies

Interestingly, the ending of the Targaryen civil war, known as the Dance of the Dragons, was foreshadowed in the original Game of Thrones series. While TV shows often change book storylines, it’s a risky move that can upset viewers. House of the Dragon will likely make some alterations, but the fate of Rhaenyra Targaryen will remain important, as her death was a crucial event in George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood and was even subtly hinted at by Joffrey Baratheon in Game of Thrones.

Yoshihiro Togashi often foreshadows a character’s death well in advance, subtly setting up the circumstances through the power system (‘Nen’), the way the story is told, and by removing any potential saviors. Because many characters already have these warning signs, the continuation of Hunter x Hunter isn’t just thrilling – for some of them, it likely signals their approaching demise.

The likely cancellation of Amazon’s new Lord of the Rings MMO has made the future of video game adaptations seem less secure. However, there’s some positive news: reports indicate that at least two large-scale Lord of the Rings role-playing games (RPGs) are potentially in development. One is being created by Crystal Dynamics, known for the Tomb Raider series, and another is rumored to be in the works at Warhorse Studios.

The most popular movies from the 1980s – from exciting adventures to culturally significant films – are always enjoyable to watch again and again. What makes them truly special is their ability to leave a lasting impression on viewers.

My friend Jennifer Contino, a pioneer in online comic book journalism, is having surgery today. It reminded me of a question she asked me a while ago: did the TV show ‘The Partridge Family’ actually feature a visit to an adult film set in their comic book series?

A filmmaker could approach the story of Thomas Mann’s life – or that of his wife, Erika, a fascinating figure who was an actress, war reporter, and writer in a marriage of convenience with poet W.H. Auden – from many different angles. However, Pawlikowski’s film, Fatherland, focuses on a very specific and limited timeframe, compressing events even further by placing the recent suicide of Erika’s brother, Klaus, within the narrative of a single journey. Pawlikowski is known for concise filmmaking, and at just 82 minutes, Fatherland is strikingly short and impactful. This narrow focus isn’t a mistake; it’s a deliberate choice that highlights the disorientation and unreality of trying to rebuild life after a world-shattering event. The war has left everything broken, and people are desperately trying to piece things back together into something resembling normal society. In Eastern Europe, this means erasing the recent past and starting over with communist ideals, all under increasing Soviet control. In the West, it means denying any connection to Nazism and moving forward as if nothing happened, a process subtly guided by the CIA.

For me, the really great horror games don’t rely on jump scares or loud noises. They get under your skin in different ways – sometimes with a creepy atmosphere, sometimes through a disturbing story, and sometimes by making you feel like you’re part of something awful. It’s not about monsters popping out; it’s the kind of horror that sticks with you, like that feeling you get when you think you see something move in the shadows when you’re trying to sleep.

Denis Villeneuve’s Dune films have achieved what many thought impossible: a successful movie series based on a notoriously difficult-to-adapt novel. This makes the comparisons to Star Wars even more apparent, despite the two franchises being very different. With both Dune and Star Wars scheduled for release in 2026, these two cinematic giants are poised for a major showdown.

The second season of Rivals has received a perfect score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, boosting the show’s overall score to an impressive 97%. The series, which premiered in 2024 with a 95% rating, stars David Tennant, Brendan Patricks, Danny Dyer, Aidan Turner, Bella Maclean, Lisa McGrillis, and a talented ensemble cast. Adapted from the bestselling novel by Jilly Cooper, Rivals previously won two BAFTA TV Awards and is now poised for even more success after this outstanding second season.

According to reports, Uwe Boll has begun filming 23 Years Later – The Castle of the Dead, a zombie movie he describes as an unofficial sequel to House of the Dead. Jonathan Cherry and Ona Grauer, who starred in the original House of the Dead, are reprising their roles. It’s important to note that this new film isn’t officially connected to the House of the Dead video game franchise, as Boll doesn’t have the rights to use the game’s title.