Entertainment

Having recently garnered an Oscar, it’s evident that Paramount can no longer afford her for a full “Star Trek” series. Instead, we have “Section 31,” a spinoff film from “Star Trek: Discovery” currently streaming on Paramount+. This film is disorganized, misguided, and repetitive, filled with ideas it only scratches the surface of. Despite its brief 80-minute runtime, I found it difficult to finish within days, which is telling given my deep affection for “Star Trek” and the series that spawned Section 31 – “Deep Space Nine,” which ran for seven seasons from 1993. Led by the captivating Avery Brooks as Captain Benjamin Sisko, the franchise’s first African American lead, “Deep Space Nine” was a groundbreaking show. Sisko was a complex Starfleet officer, a religious figure for the Bajoran people, a single father, and one of the most intricate characters in the franchise.

“Deep Space Nine” challenged the boundaries of the franchise, at times shattering them completely, making “Star Trek” more alien, thought-provoking, and blissful in its offerings. The concept of Section 31 was introduced in later seasons. They were a covert group who believed they were safeguarding Earth and the United Federation of Planets through extrajudicial means such as mind-wipes, political assassinations, and espionage. However, most of Starfleet remains unaware of their existence, and those who do know are simply complicit in overlooking them.

Joan Baez openly admits her appreciation for the film “A Complete Unknown”, attributing it largely to Monica Barbaro‘s Oscar-nominated performance. Baez praised Barbaro’s acting, stating that she enjoyed the movie because Barbaro closely resembled her and accurately portrayed her gestures. “She embodied me so well,” Baez said. “If I didn’t think she was good at … Read more

Quan, who has a charming yet ordinary demeanor that suits everyday characters well, portrays Marvin Gable, a genial Milwaukee realtor unwillingly drawn back into the violent gang lifestyle he believed he had left behind. The unexpected return of a large group of thugs in his life is Rose (Ariana DeBose, another Academy Award winner), an ex-mob lawyer who previously worked for Marvin’s brother, Alvin, also known as Knuckles (Daniel Wu). Rose had deceived Knuckles and was believed to be dead; however, Marvin didn’t kill her because he harbored secret feelings for her. Now, she’s resurfaced, prompting Knuckles’s men to pursue both Rose and Marvin.

Every week, we delve into the mind-bending plot twists of a popular TV series by focusing on its most peculiar, perplexing, and significant unanswered questions following each episode. Expect plenty of speculation, some of which may appear eccentric.

In a majority of films, being labeled as the antagonist during Oscar season can be akin to stepping on a landmine. For instance, who could have foreseen that the vibrant rom-com “La La Land,” initially welcomed at the Venice International Film Festival in 2016, would later be criticized as “regressive” and an example of white liberal self-indulgence? For Emilia Pérez, assuming the villain role seemed almost destined. The movie centers around a Mexican gangster undergoing a secret transition, transforming into a philanthropist, only to find herself in a family drama akin to “Mrs. Doubtfire.” It premiered at Cannes this past May, where it bagged two significant awards and was picked up by Netflix, signaling its potential as a major contender for awards. Critics on the Croisette praised Audiard’s ambition, but even those most supportive could sense trouble brewing: The French musical handled sensitive subject matter with the finesse and depth you’d expect from the French and from musicals. New York critic Bilge Ebiri described Emilia Pérez as “bold in its absurdity,” yet pointed out that the film was “laden with giant culture-war landmines,” suggesting that viewers would still be arguing about it long after the festival had ended.

This seems pretty obvious, but just in case, there are spoilers for this week’s Severance in here.

In a refreshingly straightforward and humane storyline reminiscent of the Italian neorealists’ favorite themes, this captivating film has been cleverly twisted with an absurdly comical and romantic twist. The protagonist, Angela (portrayed by Anna Karina, a muse to Godard and later his wife), yearns for motherhood, but her aloof partner, Emile (Jean-Claude Brialy), is reluctant due to an upcoming bicycle race. In steps their mutual friend, Alfred (played by Jean-Paul Belmondo), who has feelings for Angela, to lend a helping hand in this unique predicament.

Looky here, friends! We’re talking about little goats here, but let me spell it out for you – it’s a secret code for something else altogether. It seems that the ‘baby goat’ moment has arrived, though not exactly as we might have imagined. So, let’s celebrate this unexpected turn of events!

This week, I’ve found myself in the shoes of Peter Hepson and Bill Hepson, two relentless corporate raiders from the Roy family. While Peter continues his high-stakes game without a second thought, my twin brother, Bill, has had an unexpected change of heart after a brush with death on his private jet. He reassessed his values and decided to step down from our thriving venture capital firm, Hepson Capital, to donate most of his wealth to charitable causes instead. Unfortunately, this selfless act was met with a tragic end – Bill was killed by none other than his own twin. It’s safe to say that sibling rivalries can escalate, but this seems like an extreme response.

Shortly after, I find myself approaching Dr. Mel King, who seems quite rattled due to the possibility that Ginger’s daughter and caretaker could have abandoned her mother. In these situations, I understand when to offer comfort to my colleagues. I reassure Mel that even if she isn’t sure what to say to Ginger at this moment, her patient needs her. “You can do it,” I tell her, and indeed, a few moments with the Mother of Residents and a calming session on her lava lamp app seem to put Mel back on track. After all, she is Ginger’s doctor, and she can take care of her until they locate Rita. To top it off, a gentle check-in with her special needs sister, Becca, only strengthens my belief that Mel is truly exceptional – she’s certainly one of the best among us here at The Pitt.