Today's Movies Pulse
Michael Jackson Biopic Targets 1988 Rise Amid Settlement Silence
Antoine Fuqua’s Michael biopic, starring Jaafar Jackson as his uncle, shifts focus to the pop star’s 1988 ascent rather than his early career. A settlement clause prevents any mention of the late artist’s child‑abuse allegations, and many Jackson family members declined to participate, positioning the film as a rehabilitation effort.
After Hours of Uncertainty, B Unnikrishnan Withdraws Resignation as FEFKA General Secretary
Director B Unnikrishnan announced his resignation as FEFKA general secretary on April 24, prompting an emergency council meeting in Kochi. After intense deliberations, he withdrew the resignation and will remain in the role with a trimmed set of responsibilities. Unnikrishnan used the episode to call for fresh leadership while emphasizing the federation’s need for continuity. He also reiterated concerns about soaring production costs, noting that a star‑driven Malayalam film now costs roughly ₹40 crore (about $4.8 million).
Riz Ahmed Stars as James Bond and Hamlet
Riz Ahmed headlines Prime Video’s satirical series “Bait,” where he plays Shahjehan Latif, a Pakistani actor auditioning for James Bond, exposing the racial bias of the iconic role. Simultaneously, Ahmed stars in Aneil Karia’s film adaptation of “Hamlet,” recasting the...
Sanjay Dutt’s Aakhri Sawal New Promo Raises Ayodhya 1992 Question
A new promotional clip for Sanjay Dutt’s upcoming film Aakhri Sawal spotlights the December 6, 1992 Ayodhya incident, directly questioning the Babri Masjid demolition. The teaser suggests the movie will examine the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s alleged involvement in that historic event. Directed...
Impure Nuns | Kegareta Nikutai Seijo (1958)
Michiyoshi Doi’s 1958 drama Impure Nuns (Kegareta Nikutai Seijo) is now recognized as one of Japan’s earliest feature films to portray lesbian desire. Produced by the low‑budget Shintoho studio, the film was released under sensational titles like Dirty Flesh Body and vanished from...
The Eighth Gabès Cinema Fen Pays Tribute to Óliver Laxe - Festivals / Awards - Tunisia
The eighth Gabès Cinema Fen runs from April 26 to May 2, featuring a full retrospective of Franco‑Galician director Óliver Laxe, whose film Sirāt will close the event in an open‑air screening. Festival director Afef Ben Mahmoud emphasizes environmental themes,...
‘I Swear’ Review: Sweet, Sensitive John Davidson Biopic Proves the Genre Still Matters
Kirk Jones’s biopic "I Swear" follows the life of John Davidson, a man who developed Tourette syndrome at age 12. Robert Aramayo leads the cast, delivering a subtle performance that captures the disorder’s verbal and physical tics. The film traces...
Kyra Bartley Joins COUSIN as Its Second Director
COUSIN, a boutique production house founded in late 2025, has added acclaimed director Kyra Bartley as its second director, expanding its representation into Australasia. Bartley leaves Finch after eight years, bringing Cannes, D&AD and a 2024 SHOTS Director of the...
Warner Bros Shareholders Greenlight $155B Paramount Mega-Merger
Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders unanimously approved a $111 billion merger with Paramount, offering $31 cash per share. The vote follows a fierce bidding war that saw Netflix briefly challenge Paramount for the deal. While the approval marks a major milestone, the...
Trump Attends David Ellison’s Private DC Dinner After WBD Shareholders Approve Paramount Merger
Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders approved Paramount Skydance's proposed acquisition, moving the $30 billion merger into the regulatory stage. The deal includes a $0.25 per‑share quarterly “ticking fee” if closing passes September 30 and a $7 billion termination penalty if blocked. Donald Trump attended an...
Calif. AG Rob Bonta: ‘Red Flags Everywhere’ on Paramount/WBD Merger
Paramount Pictures announced a $110.9 billion equity acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, a deal that still requires state-level approval in California. Attorney General Rob Bonta warned that the merger faces “red flags everywhere,” citing concerns over consumer pricing, employee wages, and market competition....
WGA Warns Warner‑Paramount Merger Would Be Disastrous
WGA statement on Warner shareholders approving Paramount deal: The proposed merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery would be a disaster for writers, the entertainment industry, consumers, and the country. While shareholders approved this deal today, this merger is far from...
Rose Of Nevada Review: Venice Premiere Meets UK Release
My review of Rose Of Nevada (dir. Mark Jenkin) is up here: https://t.co/UlycOl9u2D (it premiered at Venice last August and gets its UK release today)
African Storytelling Is a Growth Market Hollywood Is Missing, Says Next Narrative Africa Fund Study
The Next Narrative Africa Fund (NNAF) released a study with Parrot Analytics showing that global demand for African and diaspora film and TV outpaces supply, especially for non‑English titles. Non‑English African stories represent 28% of audience demand but only 16%...
Skeptical at First, I Adore Lost Boys Musical
The Lost Boys is one of my favorite movies ever. I was very skeptical and worried about a musical adaptation. I was wrong. It’s so much fun. So epic and entertaining. Lots of smart changes, but also lots of nostalgia. I really...
David Harbour Leads Emmys Supporting Actor Race
Emmys: Supporting Actor (Limited/Movie) — David Harbour Emerges as Frontrunner as ‘Half Man’ Acting Submissions Loom https://t.co/orKgW8sKf0 via @variety
Studios Commit to 45-Day Theatrical Windows at CinemaCon, Pushing Back on Early Premium VOD
Universal, Disney, Warner Bros., Paramount and other majors announced at CinemaCon 2026 that they will honor theatrical windows of at least 45 days, a stark reversal of the early premium‑VOD model that saw movies jump to streaming in as little...
Theron and Egerton Deliver Thrilling River‑Wild‑Style Action in APEX
Baltasar Kormákur’s APEX on Netflix is very much my jam. Charlize Theron & Taron Egerton give us their gonzo, white-knuckle version of DEAD CALM and THE RIVER WILD. My review: https://freshfiction.tv/apex-review-charlize-theron-and-taron-egerton-get-dead-calm-on-a-river-wild/
Apex Review: Taron Egerton Hunts Charlize Theron In This Predictable But Effective Netflix Thriller
Netflix’s latest thriller “Apex,” released April 24, 2026, pairs Charlize Theron with Taron Egerton in a cat‑and‑mouse hunt set in the Australian wilderness. The plot follows Theron’s grieving Sasha, who becomes the target of Egerton’s psychopathic hunter Ben, complete with...
‘Apex’ Review: Woman Is the Most Dangerous Game in Charlize Theron’s Threadbare Netflix Thriller
Netflix’s latest thriller "Apex" drops on April 24, starring Charlize Theron as a thrill‑seeking mountaineer who survives a deadly hunt after her husband’s fatal fall on Norway’s Mt. CGI. The plot follows her solo trek to Australia, where she becomes...
“APEX”
“Apex,” directed by Baltasar Kormákur, follows grief‑laden Sasha (Charlize Theron) as she wanders the Australian outback five months after a fatal rockslide. When she encounters the unsettling Ben (Taron Egerton), the film shifts from a meditative survival story to a...
Does Anne Hathaway Really Sing in ‘Mother Mary’?
Anne Hathaway not only acts but also sings every track in the new pop‑drama “Mother Mary,” directed by David Lowery. The film, inspired by icons like Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga, features original songs written by Charli XCX and Jack Antonoff, with production by...
Stranger Things: Tales From '85 Can Learn One Lesson From Marvel's X-Men '97
Netflix’s upcoming animated spin‑off *Stranger Things: Tales from ’85* opts for 3‑D CGI instead of a retro‑inspired 2‑D look. The decision contrasts sharply with Marvel’s *X‑Men ’97*, which blended classic Saturday‑morning aesthetics with modern animation. Critics argue the CGI style...
Warner Bros. Discover Approves $110B Paramount–Skydance Merger; Regulators up Next
Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders voted overwhelmingly to approve a $110 billion merger with Paramount Skydance, handing media mogul David Ellison control of Warner’s film studio, streaming platforms, and cable assets such as HBO and CNN. The deal faces fierce opposition from more than 4,000 Hollywood...
New Mortal Kombat 2 Trailer Leans Into Classic Theme and Cast Roll Call, but One Character Is Oddly Left Out
Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema dropped a fresh trailer for the upcoming *Mortal Kombat 2*, spotlighting classic theme music and new roster members such as Sindel and Quan Chi. The promo features a full character roll‑call, but notably omits Cole Young, the...
The Next Best Picture Podcast – Interview With “Mother Mary” Filmmaker David Lowery
David Lowery’s new psychological drama‑thriller "Mother Mary" starring Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel is now playing in limited A24 theaters and will expand nationwide on April 24. The film, written and directed by Lowery, features an all‑female core cast and...
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc Streaming on Crunchyroll Next Week
Crunchyroll announced that *Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc* will debut on its platform on April 30, 2026. The release is timed with the service's Ani‑May 2026 event, which includes special subscription discounts. The film picks up immediately after...
Michael Set to Shatter Global Opening Records, Outpacing Oppenheimer
#MICHAEL poised to crush industry’s 75M-85M 5-day opening projections overseas, kicking off its Global #BoxOffice run grossing spectacular 18.5M on WED Opening day at intl. markets, including TUE Previews, already beating #Oppenheimer’s 15.9M WED+THU grosses in just one day. Opening could...
Strong Performances and Concerts, Yet Movie Feels
Michael has some fantastic performances from the leads & amazing concert reenactments. The movie falls short and feels like fan service. @michaelmovie #MichaelMovie https://t.co/rrOh1HaGOF
New Trailer for 'The Birthday Party' Island Drama with Willem Dafoe
Quiver Distribution released a fresh U.S. trailer for Miguel Ángel Jiménez’s drama The Birthday Party, starring Willem Dafoe as a 1970s Greek magnate hosting his daughter’s 25th‑birthday on a private island. The film, which debuted at Locarno in 2025, explores themes of power,...
Theron's APEX: A Streaming Original Worthy of “Real Movie” Status
THR's review of Charlize Theron in APEX: "It’s the rare breed of streaming original that can safely be called a real movie." https://t.co/j7OuIIYxJG
HBO to Produce Six‑Episode Series on Vrabel‑Russini Sc
Just waiting for the release to hit my inbox that HBO is developing a six episode limited series on the Vrabel-Russini scandal from the DTF ST. LOUIS creators
2027 Oscar Predictions: The Awards Alchemist’s First Look at the 99th Academy Awards
The Awards Alchemist unveiled its first look at the 99th Academy Awards, naming Christopher Nolan’s "The Odyssey" as the front‑runner for Best Picture. The piece outlines a four‑point forecasting framework—director pedigree, cast strength, thematic relevance, and alignment with recent Academy...
Willem Dafoe Returns in New “Birthday Party” Trailer
New Trailer for 'The Birthday Party' Island Thriller with Willem Dafoe https://t.co/6Pwujdt01Z #TheBirthdayParty #indiefilm #WillemDafoe #VicCarmenSonne #Greece https://t.co/eoxesnUjXG
Audiences Adore New Michael Film, Critics Remain Lukewarm
And to no surprise, audiences are liking new #Michael movie WAY more than film critics did. https://t.co/inMzQo06Yz
‘The Midway Point’ Due Via On Demand May 19 From Level 33
Level 33 Entertainment is set to launch the coming‑of‑age drama *The Midway Point* on-demand on May 19, 2026. The film follows a young man on the autism spectrum navigating identity, friendship and first love in modern‑day California. It features a recognizable cast...
“Michael,” Reviewed: A Sanitized Bio-Pic That’s All Business
Antoine Fuqua’s upcoming biopic “Michael” offers a polished, business‑focused look at the life of pop icon Michael Jackson. Critics describe the film as a sanitized portrayal that prioritizes brand protection over artistic depth. The project arrives amid a surge of...
Come to Venice with IndieWire
IndieWire has opened applications for its 2026 Future of Filmmaking Venice Intensive, a nine‑day program running September 1‑9 that grants participants full festival accreditation, eight nights of lodging, and curated cultural experiences on the Lido. Applicants must submit by the July 6...
Must‑Watch Documentary Featuring Hilarious Xan
If you haven’t seen this (or if you have), go see this. Great doc. Great moment in history. Xan is a hoot and a half. https://t.co/Bivoh0PalA
A24’s ‘The Moment’ to Begin Streaming on HBO Max May 29
A24’s new film *The Moment* will debut exclusively on HBO Max in the United States on May 29, with a linear broadcast the following day. The movie follows a rising pop star confronting fame and industry pressure as she prepares for an...
Stream These Movies and TV Shows Before They Leave Netflix in May
Netflix will remove several high‑profile titles from its U.S. catalog on May 1, including the Oscar‑winning drama “12 Years a Slave,” the action‑packed “Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation,” and Sofia Coppola’s biopic “Priscilla.” The departures reflect the end of licensing agreements that typically...
Sign Us Up for Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler’s Miami Vice Reboot
Universal Studios announced *Miami Vice ’85*, a reboot of the 1980s TV series slated for an August 6 2027 theatrical release. Oscar‑winner Michael B. Jordan will portray Tubbs opposite Austin Butler as Sonny, with Joseph Kosinski—director of *Top Gun: Maverick*—at the helm. The film is...
Travis Knight and LAIKA to Debut 'Wildwood' Footage and Exhibition at Annecy
LAIKA’s upcoming stop‑motion feature Wildwood will hit theaters on October 23, 2024, and the studio is debuting exclusive footage at the Annecy International Animation Festival (June 21‑27). Director‑CEO Travis Knight makes his first Annecy appearance to introduce a special exhibition that runs...
The Next Best Picture Podcast – Interviews With “Fuze” Stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Sam Worthington, And Director David Mackenzie
British crime‑thriller "Fuze," directed by David Mackenzie and starring Aaron Taylor‑Johnson, Sam Worthington and Theo James, debuted at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival to positive reviews for its tense action and twists. The plot centers on a citywide evacuation...
Warner Bros. Discovery Shareholders Approved the Paramount Merger — What Happens Next? And How Soon?
Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders voted overwhelmingly to approve the $111 billion merger with Paramount‑Skydance, creating a combined studio under CEO David Ellison. The parties aim to close the transaction by the third quarter of 2026, subject to remaining regulatory approvals. Federal...
Andy Serkis Defends His Animal Farm Movie as What Orwell Wanted
Andy Serkis has launched an animated version of George Orwell’s *Animal Farm*, injecting rap verses, sci‑fi visuals, a pronounced fart joke and a markedly happier third act. Early reviews are sharply divided, with some critics applauding the bold reinterpretation while...
Director Angel Manuel Soto Hosts CCXP Mexico Panel
If you’re going to CCXP Mexico City this weekend, I’m hosting my director panel with @angelmanuelsoto on the Thunder Stage on Sunday at 12:45pm. Angel will discuss 'Blue Beetle,' 'The Wrecking Crew,' and so much more. He's also going to...
New Book Exposes Unreported Hollywood Writers' Strike Showdown
I have one last excerpt from my new book out today--this one about the Hollywood writers’ strike in 2023. It includes some previously unreported material about the showdown b/w the writers and prominent studio execs like Ted Sarandos and David...
Kat Graham’s Diana Ross Was Cut From Michael
Kat Graham disclosed that her portrayal of Diana Ross was removed from the Michael Jackson biopic "Michael" after legal considerations forced the cut. The film, slated for an April 24 release, has already omitted several Jackson family members, including Janet,...
Overland Expo Presents the Film Festival Lineup for West 2026
The Overland Expo West in Flagstaff, Arizona (May 15‑17, 2026) will host the 12th season of the Overland Expo Film Festival, sponsored by Remote Vans. Opening night features the debut of Desk to Glory’s Season 2 episode “Why We Overland: For...
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kat-graham-diana-ross-042326-c6c3f7173128424e82b2b3b269361d4e.jpg)
Kat Graham Says Role as Diana Ross Was Cut From Michael Jackson Biopic over 'Certain Legal Considerations'
Kat Graham disclosed that her scenes as Diana Ross were cut from Antoine Fuqua’s Michael Jackson biopic, "Michael," after undisclosed legal considerations emerged. The film, starring Jaafar Jackson as the pop icon, is slated for an April 24 theatrical release. A...