The Legal Fallout From Warner Bros. Shoving Its Pandemic Movies Onto Streaming Is Still Shaking Out
Warner Bros. adopted a pandemic‑era strategy of releasing its 2021 blockbusters, including *Tenet* and *The Matrix Resurrections*, simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max. The move sparked a lawsuit from longtime financier Village Roadshow, which argued the streaming window cannibalized box‑office revenue and jeopardized its profit share. After arbitration and Roadshow’s Chapter 11 filing, the parties settled, with Warner receiving $57 million and relinquishing any claims to the franchise. The settlement ends a decade‑long partnership but underscores the fallout from streaming‑first releases.
Jake Johnson and David Boreanaz to Have a Schlubby Detective-Off on NBC's Fall Schedule
NBC announced that four of its eight recently ordered pilots will move forward to series for the 2026‑27 season. The lineup includes Sunset P.I., a single‑cam comedy starring Jake Johnson as a Los Angeles private detective, a reboot of the...
Anyways, Disney's Bringing "Wonderwall" To IMAX
Disney announced an untitled Oasis documentary, dubbed “Wonderwall,” will debut in IMAX on September 11 before streaming on Disney+ later in 2026, marking a rare premium‑format music film for the studio. At the same time, Disney‑ABC filed a petition with the...
Shaw Brothers' Kung Fu Films Carved a Bloody Path for Mortal Kombat
The article reveals that Hong Kong studio Shaw Brothers, with nearly 1,000 gritty kung‑fu titles, provided the visual and thematic DNA for Midway’s 1992 fighting game Mortal Kombat. Co‑creator John Tobias cites Shaw’s authentic choreography, colorful rosters and over‑the‑top violence as direct...
Is Vampire Crawlers Too Easy for Its Own Good?
Poncle’s turn‑based spin on the hit auto‑battler Vampire Survivors, Vampire Crawlers, replaces weapons with cards and adds a combo multiplier. The combo system lets cheap cards explode in power, letting players run decks that play every card each turn with...
Power and Vulnerability Are at Play in Pragmata
Capcom’s new action‑adventure Pragmata centers on Hugh, a grizzled software engineer, and Diana, a small AI girl who can hack hostile robots on a moon base. Their interdependence mirrors the classic Ico escort dynamic, but the game adds shooter mechanics,...
The Other Bennet Sister Gets Her Due in a Sparkling New Adaptation
BBC One’s new miniseries "The Other Bennet Sister" reimagines Jane Austen’s overlooked character Mary Bennet, following her journey from Longbourn to a London governess role. Based on Janice Hadlow’s 2020 novel, the four‑part drama stars Ella Bruccoleri and streams in...
Britt Lower Finds some Evidence in Harlan Coben's I Will Find You Teaser
Netflix adds Britt Lower to its 12th Harlan Coben adaptation, "I Will Find You," set to debut June 18, while Apple TV releases a chilling trailer for the new thriller "Cape Fear" starring Javier Bardem, premiering June 5. Sky TV renews the...
"Gary" Gives in to The Bear's Worst Tendencies
Hulu released "Gary," a surprise hour‑long prequel to FX’s acclaimed series The Bear, starring Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss‑Bachrach, who also wrote the episode. The story follows Richie and Mikey on a chaotic day in Gary, Indiana, ending with a...
Netflix Just Wants to Give Subscribers the Louis C.K. "Option"
Netflix announced it will stream a new Louis C.K. comedy special this summer, framing the decision as giving subscribers an "option" to watch a popular comedian despite his past sexual‑harassment admissions. The move follows a 2017 fallout when Netflix pulled...
The Devil Wears Prada 2 Turns the Weekend Box Office Into a Runway
The Devil Wears Prada 2 dominated the weekend box office, earning $77 million domestically and $156 million internationally for a near‑$234 million worldwide total, the second‑largest international opening of the year. Disney also made headlines by hiring artist Alexis Franklin to create an intentionally...
SAG-AFTRA Reaches Tentative Studio Agreement to Avoid a Repeat of the 2023 Strikes
SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have reached a tentative four‑year agreement, aiming to prevent a repeat of the 2023 strikes. While the contract details remain confidential, reports suggest the studios will increase contributions to the...
Yeah, Andy Serkis Didn't Really Know Who Snoke Was While Filming Star Wars, Either
Andy Serkis revealed on the Happy Sad Confused podcast that he never knew who Supreme Leader Snoke was while filming the Star Wars sequel trilogy. He described the role as a moving target, with the script constantly evolving and his scenes...
Staff Picks: Ayo Edebiri's Broadway Debut and an Exploration of the Divine
The staff picks highlight two distinct artistic experiments. Jacob Oller reviews Caroline Golum’s small‑scale film adaptation of Julian of Norwich’s medieval mystic text, "Revelations of Divine Love," noting its stage‑like aesthetic and Tessa Strain’s compelling debut. Drew Gillis celebrates Ayo...
Inventory: 10 Gimmick-Driven Shark Movies Trying to Outswim Jaws
The article surveys a wave of gimmick‑driven shark movies that try to out‑shine Spielberg’s classic by adding fresh hooks—3‑D spectacles, oversized predators, wartime settings, flooded towns, and even serial‑killer angles. It highlights titles such as *Jaws 3‑D*, *The Meg*, *Beast...
Society Has No Choice but to Contend with AI-Resurrected Val Kilmer, Says His Daughter
Val Kilmer’s daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, publicly endorsed the AI‑generated recreation of her late father in the upcoming film *As Deep As The Grave*. She argued that Kilmer had consented before his death and that the technology can establish a licensing...
Netflix Announces Another Series Called Lovesick, This Time with Claire Danes
Netflix announced a new drama series called *Lovesick* starring Claire Danes as a breast‑cancer surgeon confronting her own diagnosis, marking her return to the platform after *The Beast In Me*. A24’s UK division secured TV rights to Alexis Hall’s BookTok‑fueled...
The World Is a Horny, Repressed Nightmare in One Night Only Trailer
Will Gluck’s new rom‑com One Night Only debuted a trailer featuring a society where premarital sex is legal only 12 hours a year. Director Dan Reed criticized the Michael Jackson biopic for glossing over abuse allegations, while the film still...
A24 to Take a Page From BookTok for Boyfriend Material
A24’s UK division has optioned the TV rights to Alexis Hall’s 2020 novel Boyfriend Material, a BookTok‑favored enemies‑to‑lovers romance, signaling the studio’s push into TikTok‑driven IP. The novel’s popularity on BookTok helped secure the deal, though A24 has offered no production...
Aphelion Can't Stay in Orbit
Don’t Nod’s new sci‑fi title Aphelion drops players into a 2062 climate‑crisis Earth and follows ESA’s Hope‑01 mission to the distant, icy world Persephone. Players alternate between astronaut Ariane Montclair, a skilled climber, and Thomas Cross, an injured survivor racing...
Staff Picks: A Great Millennial Comedy and an Acerbic Debut Novel
The staff picks highlight two distinct cultural releases: the second season of Camilla Whitehill’s millennial dark comedy *Big Mood* on Tubi, and Madeline Cash’s debut novel *Lost Lambs*. *Big Mood* returns with a year‑later story that deepens its focus on...
Antoine Fuqua Reportedly Got an Extra $15 Million for Those Allegation-Removing Michael Reshoots
Director Antoine Fuqua’s compensation for the Michael Jackson biopic jumped from $10 million to $25 million after the Jackson Estate forced a 22‑day reshoot that stripped all references to sexual‑abuse allegations. The reshoots were financed as advances against royalties, inflating the already...
SiriusXM and iHeartMedia Might Be the Next Media Leviathans to Absorb Each Other
SiriusXM and iHeartMedia are reportedly exploring a merger that would combine the nation’s largest satellite and broadcast radio operators. Sources cited by The Hollywood Reporter say investment firms led by Irving Azoff and Apollo Global Management could facilitate the deal....
Margaret Qualley and Callum Turner Are Apparently Starring in Smile Director's Possession Remake
Paramount is moving forward with a remake of Andrzej Żuławski’s 1981 cult horror Possession, enlisting Margaret Qualley and Callum Turner as the leads. The project is helmed by Parker Finn, the director of the recent hit Smile, and was first hinted at...
Michael B. Jordan to Make Battlefield Movie that Definitely Won't Just Look Like Every Other War Film
Michael B. Jordan and acclaimed filmmaker Christopher McQuarrie are developing a film adaptation of Electronic Arts' long‑running Battlefield franchise. McQuarrie will write, direct and produce, while Jordan will produce and could also star. The move follows Battlefield 6 becoming the best‑selling video...
Noah Hawley Won't Be Adapting Any Specific Far Cry Game for FX Show
Noah Hawley confirmed to the FX network that his upcoming Far Cry series will not be a direct adaptation of any existing game. Instead, he will craft original, anthology‑style stories that echo his work on Fargo and Legion, treating the...
Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler Are Officially Starring in Joseph Kosinski's Miami Vice '85
Joseph Kosinski’s new film Miami Vice ’85 will star Oscar‑winner Michael B. Jordan and rising star Austin Butler. The movie is a period piece set in 1985 and is scheduled for an August 6, 2027 release, shot in IMAX with the director’s...
MrBeast Claims Sexual Harassment Accuser Is "Clout Chasing"
MrBeast’s production arm, Beast Industries, is facing a lawsuit from former employee Lorrayne Mavromatis who alleges sexual harassment, gender‑based discrimination, and violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act. She claims CEO James Warren made inappropriate comments about her appearance,...
Clayface Is Very Much a Body Horror Blob Man in First Teaser Trailer
DCU’s upcoming horror‑infused superhero film Clayface debuted its first teaser, revealing a grotesque, shape‑shifting monster. The story follows actor Matt Hagen, played by Tom Rhys Harries, whose facial disfigurement leads him to an experimental procedure that turns him into a...
Obsession Director, Curry Barker, to Chew on A24's Texas Chainsaw Massacre Reboot
A24, which secured the Texas Chainsaw Massacre rights in February 2025, is launching a new film and television reboot of the iconic horror franchise. Director Curry Barker, known for his low‑budget YouTube hit "Milk & Serial," has been appointed to...
Revisit Day 2 of The Best A.V. Club Stage Ever at SXSW 2026, Including Our Screening of Girl
Leaving Neverland, the two‑part documentary exposing Michael Jackson’s alleged sexual abuse of Wade Robson and James Safechuck, premiered at Sundance 2019 to a stunned audience and immediate controversy. After a brief HBO broadcast, the Jackson estate sued, leading to a 2024 settlement...
Evil Dead Burn Heats up with New Teaser Trailer and Earlier July Release
The sequel *Evil Dead Burn* has moved its theatrical debut from July 24 to July 10, 2026, after a teaser trailer debuted alongside Lee Cronin’s *The Mummy*. French director Sébastien Vaniček, fresh from the acclaimed *Infested*, leads the project with Sam Raimi’s full...
The Combination Bomb/Heist Thriller Fuze Works Best without All the Chatter
David Mackenzie’s new thriller *Fuze* blends a bomb‑defusal scenario with a heist, relying on sparse dialogue and razor‑sharp editing. The film’s first half showcases a tightly paced duel between bomb squad and thieves, buoyed by solid performances from Aaron Taylor‑Johnson,...
Floridian Bloodlust Is on Full Display in The Python Hunt Documentary Trailer
The documentary "The Python Hunt" captured a special jury prize at SXSW and will debut in New York on May 8, spotlighting Florida’s invasive python removal contest. James Gunn posted the first set photo for the upcoming Superman sequel "Man Of...
What's on TV This Week—Half Man, Stranger Things: Tales From '85, and Running Point
This week’s TV lineup features a mix of new premieres and season continuations across major networks and streaming platforms. HBO debuts the limited series "Half Man" starring Richard Gadd, while Netflix rolls out the animated spin‑off "Stranger Things: Tales From...
Great Job, Internet: Let's Review This Fake The Pitt PS2 Game
HotelArtThief, an online comedy collective, dropped a fan‑made parody titled "The Pitt: The Video Game" less than a day after HBO's second‑season finale. The game features recognizable faces of the show's cast rendered in blocky, low‑poly graphics, a mix of...
Wayans Brothers Threaten a White Chicks 2 if Scary Movie 6 Is a Success
The Wayans brothers hinted that a sequel to their 2004 hit *White Chicks* could materialize if the upcoming *Scary Movie 6* performs well at the box office. Marlon and Shawn Wayans, speaking with Entertainment Tonight and co‑star Anna Faris, framed...
We Love the '80s Homage of 8-Bit Platformer Lovish
The Playfield column, guest‑written by Moises Taveras, reviews three current releases: Lovish, an 8‑bit‑styled platformer that pairs retro humor with modern speed; Dosa Divas, an RPG that uses a dysfunctional family storyline to deepen its emotional impact; and Raiden Fighters...
Disney Just Laid Off the Team Responsible for Giving the MCU Its Shared Visual Identity
Disney announced a company‑wide reduction of roughly 1,000 jobs, with Marvel Studios taking a heavy hit. The visual development department that defined the MCU’s shared aesthetic was almost entirely eliminated. The team, assembled by Kevin Feige, crafted early character designs,...
Cassie Lang Will Return in Avengers: Doomsday
Kathryn Newton has confirmed she will reprise Cassie Lang in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, a reveal shared via an Instagram chair‑unboxing. The casting news arrives as Disney announces 1,000 layoffs and a near‑total dismantling of Marvel’s in‑house VFX team, raising questions about...
Roommates Continues Happy Madison's Unlikely Netflix Streak of Teen Girl Comedies
Netflix released "Roommates" on April 17, 2026, marking Happy Madison’s pivot toward female‑directed teen‑girl comedies. The film, directed by Chandler Levack and starring Sadie Sandler and Chloe East, blends realistic college‑room dynamics with a black‑comedy climax. A Dean‑of‑Student‑Life framing device...
Project Hail Mary Will Continue Orbiting Theaters for the Time Being
Amazon MGM announced at CinemaCon that the sci‑fi hit Project Hail Mary will stay in theaters longer, postponing its Prime Video debut and even returning to IMAX for a week. The film has already grossed $517 million worldwide, making it one...
Super Meat Boy 3D Is the Best Possible Execution of a Fundamentally Bad Idea
Super Meat Boy 3D, developed by Sluggerfly, brings the beloved 2D indie platformer into a three‑dimensional space with polished visuals and fluid controls. While the game captures the original’s fast‑paced, metal‑driven aesthetic and offers satisfying early levels, its core premise—3D...
Young Women Aren't Directing Enough Movies. Chandler Levack Has Two Out This Weekend.
Director Chandler Levack is making a rare splash by debuting two films on April 17— the indie theatrical *Mile End Kicks* and the Netflix comedy *Roommates*. Both movies spotlight imperfect young women navigating love, career, and friendship, but they differ...
Reports From Doug Liman's Big Gray AI Movie Box Sound Bleak
Director Doug Liman is shooting his cryptocurrency thriller *Bitcoin: Killing Satoshi* inside a massive gray‑box soundstage where all backgrounds, lighting and set extensions are generated by artificial intelligence. By swapping traditional locations and set construction for AI‑created environments, the production...
NCIS Franchise Now up to Seven Total Spin-Offs Thanks to LL Cool J's NCIS: New York
CBS announced the production of NCIS: New York, its seventh spin‑off in the long‑running NCIS franchise. The series will star Scott Caan alongside LL Cool J, who returns as special agent Sean Hanna from NCIS: Los Angeles. Veteran NCIS writer‑producer R. Scott Gemmill is penning...
It's Ghoulish Puppet Show Time as Val Kilmer "Appears" In As Deep As The Grave Trailer
The trailer for the historical drama "As Deep As The Grave" ends with an AI‑generated avatar of the late Val Kilmer whispering a warning line. Director Coerte Voorhees says Kilmer wanted to be in the film but was too ill, and his...
The BBC Is Also Laying Off 2,000 of Its Employees
The BBC announced it will cut roughly 2,000 jobs, representing about 10% of its workforce, as part of an $815 million cost‑reduction program unveiled in February. The layoffs are the largest staff reduction the public broadcaster has faced in 15 years...
Jury Says Ticketmaster and Live Nation Ran Monopoly, Hiked up Ticket Prices
A federal jury in New York found Live Nation and its Ticketmaster unit liable for antitrust violations, confirming the companies operate as a monopoly that overcharges fans by about $1.72 per ticket. The six‑week trial ended with a verdict that...
CBS Is Already Thinking About What Could Replace Byron Allen
CBS will fill The Late Show’s slot with Byron Allen’s "Comics Unleashed" under a one‑year time‑buy deal that delivers immediate cash but is not viewed as a long‑term solution. Network chair George Cheeks says CBS still believes in late‑night TV,...