Entertainment

It’s possible that Lucas may have been creating these prequels more for his personal satisfaction than for the audience, despite his claims that they were children’s movies. The original Star Wars trilogy was inspired by various elements of his childhood, such as Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers serials, westerns, World War II films, and samurai movies like Akira Kurosawa’s “The Hidden Fortress.” The prequels continued this theme by combining elements from biblical epics, cloak-and-dagger intrigue, and Ray Harryhausen-style monster action. Even the often criticized love story in the films can be seen as a nod to the romantic, dreamy style of Hollywood romance in the 1950s and ’60s.

Approximately four decades after its release, the instances where Akira revs up the accelerator continue to be among the most legendary animated sequences ever produced. Katsuhiro Otomo’s cinematic rendition of his own manga series manages to condense a significant amount of narrative into its two-hour duration. While it still makes room for existential musings and introspective insights on rebellious youth, its pulse-pounding excitement offers an equally insightful glimpse into the characters’ inner workings. The action also seems intrinsically connected to the sociopolitical apprehensions of the era, as evidenced by the film’s renowned bike chases and high-speed slides across the urban landscapes of Neo-Tokyo. The cyberpunk chaos escalates into gunfights involving telekinesis and colossal mutant infants, all of which are breathtakingly spectacular and etched deeply in the memories of admiring filmmakers.

2025 finds Tom Hardy delving deeper into the realm of crime and action, as he currently graces our screens in Guy Ritchie’s series “MobLand” on Paramount+. Additionally, he is associated with two distinct projects by Cary Fukunaga. Of significant note for this ranking, his joint venture with director Gareth Evans, “Havoc,” premieres on Netflix today. Although a considerable portion of Hardy’s captivating work lies within this genre, this list showcases nearly all of his notable movie performances. Roles that didn’t fully utilize Hardy’s talents were omitted from the list, along with three early films (2003’s “LD 50 Lethal Dose,” 2004’s “EMR,” and 2007’s “The Inheritance”) that were not accessible for streaming or digital rental during the ranking process. While Hardy has made notable contributions to television (his portrayal of Heathcliff in the 2008 adaptation of “Wuthering Heights” is defining; his role in “Peaky Blinders” is solid; and “Taboo,” a series he co-created with his father, is essential viewing), this list primarily focuses on his major film roles. Hardy leaves an indelible mark in every movie he appears in.

Joe has chosen to disentangle himself from Lockwood and New York, his usual strategy for starting fresh in a new location, hoping that the same issues won’t follow him wherever he goes. Here are the steps he plans to take:

1. Plant Reagan’s teeth in Harrison’s gym bag as a means of ensuring his silence; then frame Maddie for murder, sending both of them to prison and out of his way. I’m glad we didn’t have to witness Joe pulling out Reagan’s teeth again. It reminds me of the first time he did it, when he wasn’t sure he could do it. Anyway, it’s nice that we’ve developed a shorthand, us and You.

2. Keep track of Kate using the earbuds she apparently forgot he could trace.

3. Carry an engagement ring to make a lifelong commitment with Louise official. When you feel it, you know!

In this setting, many individuals at Étoile find themselves isolated due to their deep passion for the performing arts, making it challenging for them to form genuine connections with others. Jack’s dedication to his work has left him with little more than professional acquaintances, as he struggles to foster friendships. Cheyenne holds her art in high regard and tends to dismiss those who don’t meet her lofty standards. Mishi, who has devoted her youth to dance, has missed out on crucial social interactions with peers. Tobias’s fixation on his choreography often pushes people away, leaving him alienated; only those who can help him realize his vision in precisely the way he envisions it hold any significance in his life. These episodes delve into the loneliness that pervades these characters and its impact on their few meaningful relationships.

Fantastic news! Joe considers Louise as his soulmate, though if she isn’t, he might have to resort to something drastic – possibly harming her. When Louise wakes up, Joe explains that the handcuffs were to prevent her from accidentally walking on her injured ankle. It’s just another normal action for this ordinary guy, which I find quite endearing. He then removes the handcuffs, and her ankle does seem severely hurt. (I was anticipating a twist where he caused the injury, but it seems we’re taking a different path here.)

In the recently published biography titled “Gandolfini: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend” by Jason Bailey, who is a critic, film historian, and contributor for Vulture, we delve into the intricate journey that led the actor to the orbit of “Sopranos” creator David Chase. Given Gandolfini’s private nature, the book mainly focuses on his life from an external perspective. As he granted only two comprehensive solo interviews throughout his career (one of which was with me in my role as a TV critic for the Star-Ledger), it is intriguing to learn about him through the perspectives of those who later came to know him as a colleague and friend. Even before he achieved fame, Gandolfini was known for his unpredictable, impulsive, and at times enigmatic demeanor.

If you missed out on pre-ordering the Nintendo Switch 2, there’s still a chance to satisfy your gaming cravings. In the meantime, here’s some exciting news that might keep you going: According to reports, Sydney Sweeney is set to star in an upcoming movie adaptation of the game “Split Fiction,” directed by Jon M. Chu … Read more

The new season drops on Amazon Prime Video on July 16 with all 11 episodes to close the books up.

While Top Chef may be highly respected within the culinary sphere, it’s important to remember that it’s essentially a competition, or a game, as much as it is a platform for chefs. There are many talented chefs who shine on this show, in battles against Bobby Flay, or in Iron Chef arenas where a WWE referee could easily be mistaken for a ring announcer. However, there are countless other chefs who excel quietly at their jobs. Is it impressive when a chef can whip up a Michelin-star dish in 20 minutes without any utensils and an unexpected ingredient while blindfolded? Definitely. Does that mean you’re a bad cook if you can’t do the same? Absolutely not.