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Indian Exec Raj Nayak Launches House Of IP

Former Viacom18 COO Raj Nayak has launched House of IP, an events and entertainment studio aimed at building intellectual property. Nayak has teamed with influencer and online content firm Yaap Digital on the venture, which will work across entertainment, sports, music festivals, digital formats, and branded experiences. The idea is to incubate original ideas from their conception through to commercialization and provide IP owners with advice on strategy, branding building, content development and making cash. “At a time when content is fragmented, attention spans are shrinking, and brands are seeking more immersive and ownable experiences, the need for strong, scalable IPs is more urgent than ever,” said Nayak. “This venture is about building cultural properties that connect deeply with audiences while delivering real value to brands and platforms.” Nayak already runs a company called House of Cheer, a ‘happtech’ business aimed spreading...

Image Source: Paramount Pictures Star Trek III: The Search for Spock had big shoes to fill when it hit theaters on June 1st, 1984, following straight after the massively praised Wrath of Khan. That film had left fans with pretty high expectations and set the bar really high for what would follow. Reviews were divided on it—some connected with the way the film was written, while others just didn’t think it was good. That split critics quite a bit at the time, actually. The movie made huge money, $87 million from theaters around the world, and the budget had been just $16 million. It was a positive movie experience for many, so people didn’t mind if critics had mixed opinions. The emotional storyline grabbed a lot of people, but not all were satisfied. But now, 41 years later, this movie is getting a serious re-evaluation. It’s not just some bridge...

In 2017, Chechen-born filmmaker Déni Oumar Pitsaev was gifted a piece of land in Pankisi by his mother. A Georgian valley region at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains near the Chechen border, Pankisi serves as a proxy homeland for Chechen refugees who fled their native country during multiple wars with Russia. Pitsaev’s mother bought the land for his son so he could resettle with his community and hopefully start a family. Alas, any homecoming after living in exile, no matter how provisional, inevitably means confronting a past fraught with loss — not just of a motherland, but also of identity and ancestry.

Pitsaev’s debut feature “Imago” chronicles the filmmaker’s experience in Pankisi as he reconnects with his Chechen relatives while deciding whether to build a house upon his newly acquired land. Conceived pre-covid and filmed across the previous two summers, the film has its formal roots in direct...

If there's a television canon, then "Avatar: The Last Airbender" is definitely in it. Since its debut on Nickelodeon in 2005, the animated fantasy show has remained beloved by its oldest fans and won the hearts of countless new ones. Personally, "Avatar: The Last Airbender" has one of my favorite character ensembles in all of TV. Its leads were young enough for the target audience to relate to, yet complex enough for adults to be just as rewarded watching them.

Take Zuko (Dante Basco), the scarred prince of the Fire Nation who goes from villain to hero. Best redemption arc ever? It's up there. But standing next to Zuko as one of the show's most complex characters is his sister, Princess Azula. While her brother was always torn between good and evil, Azula relishes the latter. She seems like the "perfect" Princess: powerful, ruthless, and favored by her father Fire Lord...

A four-part series recounts the infamous trial that captured the nation’s attention starting in 1994. The docuseries offers an account of the murder investigation, the dramatic legal proceedings, and the turbulent aftermath that followed. It follows the sequence of events surrounding a case that sparked debate long after the verdict was rendered. The program concentrates on the contentious legal maneuvers and strategic blunders during the trial, all against a backdrop of societal tension and media frenzy.

This production scrutinizes the case without venturing into every detail of its subject’s life. Instead, it assigns the spotlight to courtroom drama, investigative errors, and the lasting imprint on cultural memory. Archival footage and carefully selected interviews work together to reconstruct events with a sober intensity. There is a measured wit in how mundane legal missteps are exposed alongside reminders of deep-seated societal divisions, especially those that surfaced in a time of heightened racial scrutiny.

When thinking of John Wayne, it’s nearly impossible not to picture him as the no-nonsense cowboy in the Western genre — the kind of guy who rides into town, guns blazing, ready to take on any challenge. However, in Howard Hawks’ 1948 masterpiece Red River, Wayne takes on a role that completely overturns that familiar image. Here, he’s Thomas Dunson, a brutal cattle baron whose descent into dictatorship is as unforgiving as the land he’s trying to conquer. It's a role that lets Wayne explore a darker side of masculinity and one that has more in common with a Shakespearean tragedy than a typical Western.

But Red River was far more than a stepping stone to Wayne’s future anti-heroic roles. It’s a film that redefines the Western, turning away from the usual tale of outlaws and gunslingers to focus on a large group of cattlemen making the...

Belle Gibson took the world by storm when her claims of surviving brain cancer through natural and alternative medicine were revealed to be a scam. By the time her claims were proven to be false, she had already made a lot of money from her app and cookbook called The Whole Pantry.

Years after her scam was exposed and she was fined by the Federal Court in Australia, Gibson reportedly has yet to pay the $440,000 fine to Consumer Affairs Victoria. Gibson’s empire reportedly earned in the millions during its heyday but the con artist has reportedly failed to pay the fines.

Belle Gibson is yet to pay $440,000 in fines to the Australian court A still from Apple Cider Vinegar | Credits: Netflix

Health fraud is truly one of the most despicable things one can do (not that other scams are in any way morally good). Australian influencer Belle Gibson became...

Few films deserve the accolade of the most affecting war movie ever made more than The Search. The 1948 film directed by the four-time Academy Award-winning Fred Zinnemann explores the heartbreaking plight of children caught in the crossfire of World War II. The Search also takes pride in the distinction of being the first American movieto be shot in the actual ruins of post-war Europe. The story is devastatingly emotional, following the parallel journeys of a brave young Czech boy, Karel (Ivan Jandl), and his mother (Jarmila Novotna), who, after surviving a Nazi concentration camp where they were separated, wander through southern Germany searching for each other. In Karel's determination to survive, he encounters Montgomery Clift's Steve, an American soldier who helps him regain a sense of normalcy after the traumas he experienced under the Nazis. In shattering detail, The Search delves into the psyche of innocent, frightened children still...

“I was sure none of these people at the Actors Studio actually considered me an actor. I was a pretty boy, a real conventional kid who somehow had staggered into this mélange." - Paul Newman, The Extraordinary Life Of An Ordinary Man

For Montgomery Clift, there was Howard Hawks’ Red River...

The fantasy world of Avatar: The Last Airbender has been one of the most fascinating animated fantasy action tales of all time.

Created by Michael Dante DMartini and Bryan Konietzko and produced by Nickelodeon, the franchise has grown and expanded to include series and movies, both animated and live-action, books and comics, video games, and much more.

Team Avatar in Avatar: The Last Airbender | Credit: Nickelodeon

Set in an Asian-inspired setting and having various other Asian elements, the story follows the journey of twelve-year-old Aang, the current Avatar, who can bend all four elements— water, earth, fire, and air. However, the story is not restricted to Aang but features dynamic characters and side stories that add to the narration’s richness, keeping it fresh and intriguing.

While in the world of Avatar, these supporting stories have generated a lot of buzz and intrigue, few have intrigued fans as much as...

Max is bringing a lot of content in February, with the highlight being HBO’s Original ‘The White Lotus.’ Here’s every movie and TV show coming to the platform next month.

Titles coming to Max in February

February 1

42 (2013)

Accidentally Brave (2023)

Bad Boys (1995)

Bad Boys II (2003)

Brian Banks (2019)

Cabin in the Sky (1949)

Cleats & Convos with Deebo Samuel, Episode 114 (B/R)

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

Deepwater Horizon (2016)

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1932)

Dredd (2012)

Duplicity (2009)

Entertainment (2015)

Experimenter (2015)

Final Destination (2000)

Final Destination 2 (2003)

Final Destination 3 (2006)

Final Destination 5 (2011)

Ivanhoe (1952)

Jackie (2016)

Jezebel (1938)

Jupiter’s Darling (1955)

Just Mercy (2020)

King Solomon’s Mines (1950)

Kitty Foyle (1940)

Kusama: Infinity (2018)

Lady Be Good (1941)

Lassie Come Home (1943)

Life Partners (2014)

Lili (1953)

Little Women (1949)

Love & Basketball (2000)

Mad Money (2008)

Malcolm X (1992)

Mary of Scotland (1936)

Massacre (1934)

Mechanic: Resurrection (2016)

Mildred Pierce (1945)

Mister Roberts (1955)

Mr. Church (2016)

Mrs. Miniver (1942)

Neptune’s Daughter (1949)

Noma: My Perfect Storm (2015)

One Way Passage (1932)

Safe in Hell (1931)

Shadow on the Wall (1950)

Skate Kitchen...

The story of Pan Am Flight 103 is one that continues to haunt much of Britain. In 1988, a transatlantic flight to America exploded over the Scottish town of Lockerbie, killing all 243 passengers and 16 crew members. Parts of the aircraft fell onto the town and killed another 11 people.

A bomb aboard the plane was responsible for the carnage. The search for answers continues to this day, as American authorities are set to hold a federal trial for the latest suspect in the bombing that created the deadliest terrorist attack in the history of the UK. The hunt for justice has left deep divisions between the victims’ families, and one advocate in particular, at the center of this Peacock miniseries, came to represent the knotty and obsessive hunt for the truth.

“How can you, of all people, prepare to be in the same room as him,” a particularly forward prison guard asks Dr.

On Friday November 29 2024, Oxygen broadcasts Lady of the Dunes!

The Search & The Obsession Season 1 Episode 2 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Lady of the Dunes,” titled “The Search & The Obsession,” promises to be an intriguing addition to the series. This episode focuses on a detective who finds himself consumed by his case, diving deep into the mysteries that surround him. As he investigates, his obsession begins to take over, leading him to question his own motives and the impact of his relentless pursuit of the truth.

Meanwhile, a son embarks on his own journey for answers. He is determined to uncover the secrets that have haunted his family for years. His search intertwines with the detective’s investigation, creating a complex web of emotions and revelations. The episode explores themes of obsession and the lengths one will go to for closure.

Viewers can expect a mix of suspense and drama...

Throughout the history of the Oscars, there have been many directors who have received acclaim for their commitment to bringing classic Hollywood movies to life. Since its first award ceremony held nearly a century ago, the Oscars have been recognized as the highest honor achievable in the movie industry. Many actors, composers and directors have received recognition from the Academy, for their hard work in creating many acclaimed movies.

Since the first ceremony in 1929, the Academy has awarded directors for their dedication to transforming a script into a movie using actors, visual effects, and cameras. With the 96th ceremony set to take place on March 3, 2025, there are already predictions on who will receive nominations in the Best Director category. Many directors, including Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese, have received multiple wins and nominations for their work in directing.

Frank Capra Won 3 Best Director Academy Awards Out Of 6 Nominations

Italian-American director...

The independent filmmaking community is up in arms over the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences’ recent decision to gut its archive and library, with some calling the cutbacks “a huge step backwards” and “disastrous” as they put pressure on the Academy to reconsider its decision.

On Oct. 30, AMPAS laid off 16 employees, roughly 2% of its total workforce. They were from the Academy Film Archive, which is responsible for the preservation, restoration and documentation of motion pictures, and the Margaret Herrick Library, home to millions of pieces of film history, from books to photographs to concept art to Oscar facts and more. The affected employees included archive director Mike Pogorzelski, preservation officer Josef Lindner and head of cataloguing Mike Brostoff, among others — many of whom have worked there for decades.

At the time of the layoffs, Academy CEO Bill Kramer characterized the staff cuts as part of a larger organizational restructuring.

As a Halloween week treat for our readers, we have an exclusive first-look preview of Hello Darkness #5, the horrifying continuation to the new ongoing anthology series from Boom! Studios. In today's preview, we have a tease of horror stories from Garth Ennis, Becky Cloonan, Sarah Andersen, Sarah Gailey, Liana Kangas, Jeremy Bastian, Ziyan Qiu, James Tynion IV, and Werther Dell'Edera!

"Boom! Studios today revealed a spooky first look at Hello Darkness #5, the horrifying continuation to the new ongoing anthology series featuring what Boom! Studios is known for–the best in modern Horror, Fantasy, and Mystery, not to mention the darkest stories yet from a murderer’s row of world class creators including R.L. Stine, Francesco Francavilla, Garth Ennis, Becky Cloonan, James Tynion IV, Werther Dell'Edera, John Arcudi, Ryan Sook, Cullen Bunn, Daniel Bayliss, Sas Milledge, Sarah Gailey, Liana Kangas, Marguerite Bennett, Luana Vecchio, Michael W. Conrad, Martín Morazzo, Andy Lanning,...

Michel Hazanavicius, the Oscar-winning director of “The Artist” whose animated film “The Most Precious of Cargoes” competed at this year’s Cannes and was subject to some backlash due to its depiction of Auschwitz victims, has penned an op-ed denouncing rising antisemitism in France.

Hazanavicius, who is the Jewish son of Holocaust survivors from Eastern Europe, rhetorically asked in French newspaper Le Monde, “Why do I have the impression that more and more people have an issue with the simple fact of addressing the genocide against Jews?”

“Why do I have the impression that as a member of a minority like any other, which has had its share of tragedies, I’ve become a member of the dominant caste, the figurehead of oppression, imperialism and injustice? As if being Jewish had become something really murky, vaguely suspect, possibly detestable. How could I have become so evil in such a short time?...

Quick Links Why Did The Office Change the Actress Who Plays Pam's Mom? Michael Scott Dated Pam's Mom For a Bit & It Was Horrible Pam's mom was an important character in The Office. She had a great relationship with her daughter and also dated Michael Scott for a bit. Helene Beesly was played by two different actresses: Shannon Cochran and Linda Purl. Helene appeared briefly at the beginning of the second season and didn't come back until the sixth season to attend her daughter's wedding, which is when she officially meets Michael.

Pam's mom, Helene Beesly, is a small character in The Office, but she was a part of many people's favorite storylines. Many viewers might not have even noticed, however, that Helene was played by two different actresses, since Shannon Cochran's portrayal was so short-lived. Cochran and Linda Purl both portrayed the character. Cochran played Helene in The Office Season 2, Episode 2, "Sexual Harassment.

Actor Leonard Nimoy was known for his role as Spock in the original Star Trek. The actor played the role for three seasons in the show and even reprised his role for the original films featuring the same cast. He also had a cameo as Elder Spock in J.J. Abrams’ reboot Star Trek and Star Trek: Into Darkness.

As a filmmaker, Nimoy is known for helming the classic Three Men and a Baby. However, he made his debut with the third Star Trek film The Search for Spock. While the actor’s new position made it awkward for the rest of the cast, Nimoy also reportedly respectfully insulted the directors of the first two films while pitching himself for the job.

Leonard Nimoy Proved Why He Was Perfect To Direct A Star Trek Film Leonard Nimoy in Star Trek | Credits: Paramount Pictures

The Star Trek franchise gained a new...

After teaming with Noah Baumbach to direct one of the best-ever documentaries about filmmaking, De Palma, Jake Paltrow is back with a new feature. June Zero is a vividly textured telling of the preparations for the 1962 execution of Adolf Eichmann through a triptych of perspectives––a Jewish Moroccan prison guard, an Israeli police investigator (and Holocaust survivor), and a clever and precocious 13-year-old Libyan immigrant. In advance of the June 28 release from Cohen Media Group, we’re pleased to exclusively reveal a series of influences the director has programmed for NYC’s Quad Cinema.

“Origin Stories: Jake Paltrow’s Notes on June Zero,” which runs June 21-27, features seven films that informed and influenced June Zero, with titles spanning humanist deep-cuts of world cinema from the likes of Miloš Forman and Abbas Kiarostami to underscreened classics of 1970s Israeli cinema. Watch the exclusive trailer for the series below, along with...

The Kryptonian Age #1 continues the iconic Gotham by Gaslight story with a twist: Batman will team up with Superman in a Victorian era Gotham. Fans can expect a thrilling continuation with new characters like Selina Kyle and Talia al Ghul joining the fray in this enticing comic series. This new entry in the Elseworlds line is a must-read for Batman fans, promising an expanded world of Victorian Gotham filled with mystery and action.

Warning! Spoilers for Batman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age #1 ahead!DC's beloved Elseworlds line returns with a sequel to one of its most iconic Batman stories, Gotham by Gaslight. The original, written by Brian Augustyn with art by Mike Mignola, was released more than 30 years ago to huge acclaim, kicking off the Elseworlds imprint of alternate reality stories. The new series revives the imprint and builds off of the Victorian version of Gotham by...

Join the captivating journey into the past with “History’s Greatest Mysteries” as they embark on “The Search for Alexander the Great.” Tune in at 9:00 Pm on Monday, June 17, 2024, on History Channel for an intriguing exploration into the life and legacy of one of history’s most legendary figures.

More than 2000 years after his death, the story of Alexander the Great continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Renowned for his military prowess and visionary leadership, Alexander’s conquests reshaped the ancient world and left an indelible mark on history.

In this episode, “History’s Greatest Mysteries” delves deep into the enigmatic life of Alexander, unraveling the mysteries surrounding his fabled exploits and untimely demise. From his epic battles across the Mediterranean to the legendary city of Alexandria, viewers will be immersed in the rich tapestry of Alexander’s world.

Featuring expert insights, archaeological discoveries, and dramatic reenactments, “The Search for Alexander the...

Spock's iconic catchphrase takes a dark turn in Star Trek: Defiant #15 as he falls under the control of the evil "Conspiracy" aliens. The parasites corrupt Spock's famous quote, twisting it into a sinister mission statement as they seek to dominate the entire Star Trek universe. In a terrifying twist, Spock struggles to assert control as his eyes turn completely black under the influence of the "Conspiracy" aliens in issue 15.

Warning: contains spoilers for Star Trek: Defiant #15!

Spocks iconic Star Trek catchphrase is taking on a horrifying new meaning as he slowly submits to the franchises most disgusting alien race. The Conspiracy parasites have returned to take over the Federation in the pages of Star Trek: Defiant. Spock attempted to communicate with them, and was taken over for his troubles. Now, in issue 15, as he slowly succumbs, he flips his iconic catchphrase in a terrifying way.

Star Trek: Defiant #15 is...

In Simon Pegg’s immortal comedy series Spaced, his character Tim declares: “Every odd-numbered Star Trek movie is shit.” This is, of course, hilarious today, because Pegg was in two odd-numbered Trek films, and even co-wrote the 13th movie, 2016’s Star Trek Beyond. But, the fandom myth of the odd-numbered Star Trek “curse” almost certainly begins with 1984’s Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Released in movie theaters on June 1, 1984, the third Star Trek feature film was really the second part of what would become a trilogy of films, concluding with The Voyage Home in 1986. But, more than that, The Search for Spock was a pivotal moment in which the more mature aesthetic of Star Trek truly came into its own. Despite the unkind things said about The Search for Spock over the years, the truth is, the movie is perhaps more representative of the franchise as a whole...

The Zone of Disinterest: Hazanavicius Reanimates the Holocaust in Moral Fable

What’s most interesting about director Michel Hazanavicius are his valiant attempts at dabbling in multiple genres and styles, clearly exemplifying a broad taste in cinematic subjects and inspirations. Unfortunately, most of these attempts often feel as if they’re missing key ingredients to make them noteworthy. After an earnestly disastrous remake of Fred Zinneman’s The Search (2014), a curiously dull biopic with Godard Mon Amour (2017) and a remake of a meta Japanese zombie comedy in Final Cut (2022), it would seem Hazanvicius works best when navigating humorous elements (like his Oss Bond spoofs from earlier in his career).…...

Martha Hackett played multiple alien roles across Star Trek, including Seska, T'Rul, and Androna in different series. Her range includes playing a Bajoran, Cardassian spy, and Romulan, showcasing her versatility as an actress. Apart from her TV roles, Martha Hackett also lent her voice to Star Trek video games, expanding her contribution to the franchise.

Best known as Star Trek: Voyager's duplicitous Seska, Martha Hackett has played members of five different alien species in the wider Star Trek franchise. Martha Hackett played a recurring role in the first two seasons of Voyager as Seska, a former lover of Commander Chakotay (Robert Beltran) and a thorn in the side to Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew). Eventually, Martha Hackett's Seska was killed off in Voyager's season 3 premiere, but returned as an evil hologram in "Worst Case Scenario" toward the end of that year.

Seska wasn't Martha Hackett's first role in the Star Trek universe,...

Of all the films premiering at Cannes this year, “The Most Precious of Cargoes” is both an anomaly (the first animated feature to compete for the Palme d’Or since “Persepolis” in 2007) and the most likely to become a classic. Blending the heavy lines of early-20th-century woodcuts with the gentle pastels of watercolor painting, “The Artist” director Michel Hazanavicius finds a poignant way to address not only the horrors of the Holocaust, but the kindness that combated it, crafting an indelible parable destined to be watched and shared by generations to come.

The polar opposite of “The Zone of Interest,” his hand-drawn adaptation of the slender but impactful novel by Jean-Claude Grumberg engages audiences at the gut, rather than in some abstract intellectual way. It focuses on neither the culprits nor the victims, but average folk who tried to remain neutral — as if such a thing were possible — until...

Sisko was destined for more than Admiral - a unique Starfleet officer, father, and decision-maker. Season 3 confirms Sisko's reluctance to become Admiral, mirroring Kirk's desire to stay on the bridge. Sisko's role as Emissary to the Prophets elevates him beyond any Starfleet Admiral, making a greater impact.

Captain Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) was never going to become an Admiral in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine because he was destined for greater things. The Starfleet admiralty is supposed to be something that Star Trek captains aspire to, but both Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) struggled with their promotions. Kirk wasn't comfortable being confined to a desk, while Picard bitterly disagreed with Starfleet's decision to abandon the Romulans. If Sisko had been made Admiral at the end of DS9, it's likely he would have had a similarly negative experience.

Sisko was destined for greater things...

Avatar comics extend the beloved TV series, offering new perspectives and filling in gaps left by the show's conclusion. The Lost Adventures anthology maintains the show's lighthearted vibe while providing deeper insights into familiar characters. Graphic novel trilogies like The Promise and The Search delve into complex storylines post-tv series, enriching the Avatar universe.

For fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender, there is a whole world to explore beyond what happened on screen, in the form of comic book stories that extend the universe of Avatar. Serving largely as a continuation to the television series, as well as offering a number of stories set during the events of the show, Avatar comics have proven the medium to be a perfect fit for the franchise.

Of course, many fans will be drawn to Avatar comics to find out what happens to their beloved characters after the finale of The Last Airbender,...

The USS Defiant in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was introduced, not for ratings, but to aid in the Dominion War. Star Trek: DS9 laid ground for Voyager with shared characters and ideas, leading to both shows influencing each other during development. The USS Defiant was initially going to be named Valiant, but vetoed due to 'Voyager', linking past ships with the various series.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's iconic starship, the USS Defiant, got its name thanks to Star Trek: Voyager. The Defiant was introduced in DS9 season 3, episode 1, "The Search, Part 1", written by Ronald D. Moore, the writer's first script for Deep Space Nine. Contrary to popular belief at the time, the USS Defiant was not introduced to improve Deep Space Nine's ratings, but was instead introduced to give Commander Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) a means to defend the station during what would become DS9's Dominion War.

Star Trek: DS9 almost had its first Romulan crew member in "The Search" but the character was dropped. USS Defiant broke Starfleet rules by having a cloaking device assigned by the Romulans, overseen by Sub Commander T'Rul. Sub Commander T'Rul was supposed to be a recurring character, but the producers saw limited potential.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine had plans to introduce the franchise's first Romulan crew member, but the character was abandoned after only two episodes. After centuries of being enemies, the threat posed by the Dominion eventually forced the Federation into an alliance with the Romulan Star Empire in DS9 season 6. Three years earlier, there were plans to introduce a recurring Romulan crew member to the cast of Star Trek: DS9 in the two-part season 3 opener, "The Search".

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 3, episode 1, "The Search, Part 1" has a number of firsts for the show. "The Search" introduces the USS Defiant,...

Warning: This article contains Spoilers for Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 4, "Face the Strange"Mutineer Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) calls her future self a "shapeshifter" during Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 4, but does this mean that she's aware of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's Changeling villains? In Discovery season 5, episode 4, "Face the Strange", Burnham, Commander Rayner (Callum Keith Rennie) and Commander Paul Stamets (Anthony Rapp) are thrown backwards and forwards in time by a Krenim time bug. To return to the 32nd century, Burnham is forced to fight her younger self, who believes that she's a shapeshifting infiltrator determined to sabotage the USS Discovery.

Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 4, "Face the Strange" was written by Sean Cochran and directed by Lee Rose.

Changeling infiltrators caused many problems for Captain Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) and the crew of Deep Space Nine during the Dominion War. However, DS9's conflict with...

Pema Tseden's second feature film is a landmark for Tibetan cinema, being the first ever film from the country to be shot entirely with a Tibetan crew in the Tibetan language, while it is also noteworthy that the production was supported by renowned Chinese 5th Generation filmmaker Tian Zhuangzhuang.

The Search is screening at San Diego Asian Film Festival Spring Showcase

A director, a cinematographer and a producer drive through the Amdo region of Tibet, scouting actors for the “Drime Kunden” opera, which is traditionally performed for the Tibetan New Year and revolves around a prince who, selflessly, gives away his wife, his children and his own eyes to those in need. Eventually, they reach a village where they find the perfect actress to play Made Zangmo, Drime Kunden's wife. However, the girl is very shy, and furthermore, will not perform unless her boyfriend, who has left the village...

Azula's mental breakdown after the events of Avatar: The Last Airbender led her to a path of redemption. Despite her manipulative ways, Azula helped Zuko gain confidence as Fire Lord by challenging him secretly. Azula, once an antagonist, embraced her destiny and accepted her role as Zuko's advisor in the Smoke and Shadow comics.

Azula was in a pretty bad shape after the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender ended with her in prison. The Fire Princess spent most of the series as an antagonist for both her brother Zuko and the titular Avatar, Aang. As Aang trained to embrace his abilities and restore balance to the world, Zuko turned against his father and joined Aang's efforts. Azula spent her time hunting them down for her father, wanting to become the next Fire Lord instead of her brother. When Aang defeated Ozai, that was only part of her downfall.

Her...

"Avatar: The Last Airbender" told a complete and epic story across three seasons and 61 episodes, from 2005 to 2008. Now, it's been confirmed the Netflix-helmed live-action remake of "Avatar" will get to carry this story to the finish line once more.

The 2012-2014 sequel series "The Legend of Korra" showed what happened decades later, but there are other stories following the original Team Avatar after the series' wrap-up. And no, I don't mean the upcoming animated "Avatar" movie, releasing in 2025, that will follow these heroic kids as adults.

Since 2012, Dark Horse Comics has been publishing licensed "The Last Airbender" graphic novels, varying in length from trilogies to 80-page one-shots. The comics were first written by cartoonist Gene Luen Yang and drawn in the style of the animated series by artist duo Gurihiru (the same comic-creating team that went on to make "Superman Smashes The Klan"). Control has since been handed over...

Netflix's live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender adaptation referenced a major character from the Avatar comics. This character played a vital part in the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Ursa, the mother of Zuko and Azula. Through this reference, Netflix paid homage to the expanded universe of Avatar that continued after the cartoon's conclusion.

The following contains spoilers for Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 1, Episode 6, "Masks," now streaming on Netflix.

In "Spirited Away," the fifth episode of Netflix's live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender adaptation, Aang encountered Koh the Face Stealer. Unlike in the cartoon, Koh had captured Katara and Sokka, so rather than simply escaping Koh's lair, Aang needed to find a way to appease the malicious spirit. In the following episode, "Masks," Aang went to Avatar Roku's shrine in the Fire Nation to ask for his advice, as he had bested Koh once before. Roku gave Aang a small,...

This article contains spoilers for Netflix's "Avatar: The Last Airbender."

Adaptations and re-imaginings are a tricky thing. They have to capture and recreate the essence of the original while also making changes for (potentially) a new medium, different times, and a new audience. The best ones recognize this and rebuild and remix the original until they end up improving it and making something that feels fresh and brand-new, like HBO's "Watchmen" series or Netflix's animated series "Scott Pilgrim Takes Off." Another opportunity with adaptations is the benefit of hindsight. Even the most meticulous authors and creators cannot possibly think of absolutely everything ahead of time. This offers an opportunity for re-tellings to bring elements that were introduced later in the original story to the forefront.

Netflix's "One Piece" does this. The live-action adaptation of the legendary and long-running manga by Eiichiro Oda introduces the character of Garp much earlier...

John Oliver was on NBC’s Today Show when he learned that his former boss Jon Stewart was returning to host The Daily Show.

Stewart was unveiled by Comedy Central earlier today as the Monday night host for the late-night show through the election with the news team correspondents handling the other days.

Oliver said he was “surprised” to hear the news, but said it will be “exciting to see what he does” and compared him to Michael Jordan.

Related: ‘The Daily Show’: Inside The Search For A New Host As Duos Behind The Desk Take Center Stage

The Last Week Tonight host added that he believes The Daily Show needs a permanent host and threw his weight behind former correspondent Roy Wood Jr., who quit the show last year, or Amber Ruffin.

“I mean, that’s, that is a surprise,” Oliver said. “That’s a show that needs a host.

Jon Stewart will make a surprising return to The Daily Show, 25 years after starting on the show. He will host the Comedy Central late-night show one night a week through the 2024 election cycle.

The news comes eight years after he stepped down from hosting the show, which revolutionized late-night television and brought through the likes of Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, Samantha Bee and Steve Carell.

Here it is, your Moment of Zen pic.twitter.com/Y6AFBkJtOx

— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) January 24, 2024

Deadline told you back in November that one of the ideas floated for a new host was to bring in a major name to front the show through the election. Stewart will host on Monday nights, which are believed to be the show’s most watched day and gives him plenty of news from the weekend to catch up.

Related: ‘The Daily Show’: Inside The Search For...

The live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender series has the opportunity to explore untold stories from the Avatar universe, including characters like Suki. Suki's imprisonment in the graphic novel "Suki, Alone" adds depth to her character and highlights her mental strength and vulnerability. Developing Suki's character in the live-action series can strengthen some main plot points and provide a deeper understanding of her growth and involvement in helping others.

Netflix's live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender has the opportunity to include one character-building story the animated series couldn't include. Following the Avatar: The Last Airbender trailer, there's more hope that the series can correct what the live-action film wasn't able to do, such as replicate the various bending styles more accurately. From the CGI on animal hybrids like Appa and Momo to the elaborate locations like Omashu, the live-action series seems to be checking a lot of boxes, even though it's...

On Saturday, December 30, 2023, an intense and compelling story unfolds on 48 Hours. Debbie Boyd, tormented by uncertainty for a staggering 15 years, relentlessly pursued the whereabouts of her daughter Christie Wilson’s body, whose killer was none other than Mario Garcia, a convicted murderer. With unwavering determination and resourcefulness, and with the assistance of two relentless investigators, she ultimately obtained the answers she sought.

Join correspondent Erin Moriarty and the 48 Hours team as they delve into Debbie Boyd’s remarkable journey in an encore presentation of 48 Hours: “The Search for Christie Wilson.” This special episode will air on Saturday, December 30, at 9:00 Pm, both Eastern Time and Pacific Time, on the CBS Television Network.

Netflix's live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender can use the lore and backstories established in the Atla comics to build a clearer and more nuanced world. The graphic novels fill in gaps and deepen the franchise, allowing the live-action series to incorporate elements from Legend of Korra and the comics from the start. By borrowing from the comics and supplemental material, Netflix's adaptation can answer crucial questions and flesh out characters and plots that viewers didn't see in the original series.

Netflix's live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender has one huge advantage over Nickelodeon's original Atla animated series — and it needs to use that upper hand wisely. Created by Michael Dante Dimartino and Bryan Konietzko, the three-season Avatar: The Last Airbender began airing in 2005. The fantasy-action show's epic story came to a conclusion in 2008. By 2012, it spawned a sequel, The Legend of Korra — though that isn't the only world-expanding narrative to follow Atla.

No actor has ever won the Best Actor Oscar for their film debut, and nominations in this scenario are rare. Best Actress winners are sometimes honored for their debut film roles, potentially due to fewer established actresses in Hollywood. Male-led films and more male lead performances result in fiercer competition for Best Actor at the Oscars.

A shocking statistic about the Oscars shows that no actor in one particular scenario has ever won the Academy Award for Best Actor. Nominations for the upcoming 96th Academy Awards will be announced in January, but predictions for the 2024 Oscar nominees have been circulating for a while. The list of predicted Best Actor nominations for the 2024 Oscars is stacked. Among the possibilities are seasoned actors like Leonardo DiCaprio for Killers of the Flower Moon, Paul Giamatti for The Holdovers, and Bradley Cooper for Maestro.

The two other strongest contenders for Best Actor nominations at...

American Beauty (1999)A sexually frustrated suburban father has a mid-life crisis after becoming infatuated with his daughter’s best friend.Rating: 8.3/10Stars: Kevin Spacey (Lester Burnham), Annette Bening (Carolyn Burnham), Thora Birch (Jane Burnham), Wes Bentley (Ricky Fitts)20th Century Women (2017)The story of a teenage boy, his mother, and...

Graphic: Images: IMDBAmerican Beauty (1999)

A sexually frustrated suburban father has a mid-life crisis after becoming infatuated with his daughter’s best friend.

Rating: 8.3/10

Stars: Kevin Spacey (Lester Burnham), Annette Bening (Carolyn Burnham), Thora Birch (Jane Burnham), Wes Bentley (Ricky Fitts)

20th Century Women (2017)

The story of a teenage boy, his mother,...

The Genesis Device in Star Trek was originally designed to create life but was turned into a devastating weapon. Star Trek: The Next Generation Special: Riker serves as a continuation and sequel to Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, focusing on the Genesis Device. The Genesis Device, despite its potential as a weapon, was destroyed due to the unstable protomatter used as fuel, but its legacy continues to cast a long shadow in the Star Trek universe.

One of the most destructive creations in Star Trek, Wrath of Khan’s Genesis Device began as a tool for creating life, before being turned into a deadly weapon. In addition to driving the plots of Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan and its sequel, The Search For Spock, the Genesis device's horrifying legacy has been explored in other Trek media, including Marvel's 1998’s Star Trek: The Next Generation Special: Riker.

Star Trek: The Next Generation...

The Tibetan-language film will premiere out of competition.

Beijing-based Rediance has acquired worldwide rights to Snow Leopard, the final film completed by late Tibetan director Pema Tseden, ahead of its premiere at the 80th Venice International Film Festival.

The company has also secured worldwide rights to Short Story, a short film from Absence director Wu Lang, which will play in Venice’s Horizons Short Films Competition.

Snow Leopard will screen Out of Competition and centres on an argument between a father and son after a snow leopard breaks into the sheep pen of a nomad and kills nine rams. The...

What’s there to say about French director Michel Hazanavicius? His two “Oss 117” films with Jean Dujardin are foreign cult comedies. And then the duo struck gold stateside with “The Artist,” which won Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor at the 2012 Oscars. But Hazanavicius hasn’t caught on with US audiences since then: not with 2014’s “The Search” with his wife Bérénice Bejo, or 2017’s “Redoubtable,” a regrettable biopic dramedy about Jean-Luc Godard.

Continue reading ‘Final Cut’ Trailer: Michel Hazanavicius’ Zombie Remake Screens At Tribeca Next Week, Hits Theaters On July 14 at The Playlist.

Pema Tseden, a Tibetan filmmaker of Chinese citizenship whose films regularly played at Venice film festival, has died aged 53. His death was reported by Chinese media today. No cause of death was given but unverified Chinese media reports said he had a heart attack.

Widely regarded as China’s leading filmmaker working in the Tibetan language, Tseden’s credits include Jinpa, produced by Wong Kar Wai, which won best screenplay when it premiered in the Horizons section of Venice in 2018.

Tseden was working on two films at the time of his death: Snow Leopard, which is in post-production after being filmed last year in the Three-River Source National Nature Reserve, and another film that he was in the process of shooting.

Born in 1969, in the the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of China’s Qinghai Province, Tseden studied at Beijing Film Academy and made his directing debut in 2005 with The Silent Holy Stones.

On the Billboard 200 albums chart for the tracking week that ended April 13, Morgan Wallen‘s “One Thing at a Time” continued its run at number-one, claiming the top spot for the sixth straight week. Read more about this week’s chart here at Billboard.com.

“One Thing at a Time” dropped only three-percent from week to week to achieve 167,000 equivalent album units based on its combined album sales, individual track sales, and online streams. Streaming represented the vast majority of the album’s activity: 158,500, or over 211 million streams of tracks from the album. Album sales accounted for 6,000 units. And track sales accounted for 2,500 units.

SEEPost Malone shows a softer side with new single and video ‘Chemical’ [Watch]

That was good enough to hold off this week’s top debut: Nf‘s “Hope.” The rapper came in at number-two with 123,000 units, mostly from sales. That follows two previous albums that launched at...