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Whether he's trying to avoid an explosion, save the love of his life, or make it to school on time, the one thing you can always expect from most Tom Cruise movies is a running scene. It's one of Cruise's trademarks that's arguably just as important as the death-defying stunts he pulls off for our pleasure. The truth is that when he starts moving like the bus from "Speed," the energy of the film does too. The man's got places to be, and he's gotta get there looking awesome.

It's no secret that Cruise is a movie star and loves playing into the notoriety of enveloping the screen with his magnetism -- even with dreck like "The Mummy." To this day, it still baffles me how Cruise feels so lost in the failed startup to the monster mash cinematic universe. But at least there's a running scene. Rather than Cruise sprinting by his lonesome,...

Batman franchise fans and DC lovers are in for a treat this coming April. According to new retail listings, the popular anime movie Batman Ninja is getting a 4K Ultra HD release on April 15. The facelift lands at the perfect moment, giving both Batman diehards and DC anime newcomers the chance to watch Warner Bros. Japan's bold reimagining of the eponymous Dark Knight in glorious HD.

Batman Ninja sees Gorilla Grodd transplant Gotham's brooding caped crusader and his iconic rogues gallery into feudal Japan. The film was warmly received by critics and audiences alike; its 82% Rotten Tomatoes score is indicative of a large enough audience to warrant a sequel; the upcoming 4K release comes on the heels of its follow-up movie, Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League, which drops on digital on March 18 and will likewise receive an April 15 physical release. The Batman Ninja manga adaptation, illustrated by Masato Hisa,...

If you think about the sorts of genres movies about samurai fall into, it’s understandable to think about epics (Seven Samurai), grim dramas (Harakiri), or maybe even Hollywood action movies (like The Last Samurai). Stories about samurai and samurai times can do a bit of everything when it comes to genre and tone, and that includes samurai movies sometimes also functioning as comedies.

Popular Japanese historical fiction novel series Oedo Fire Slayer -The Legend of Phoenix- , known as Hikuidori: Ushuboro Tobigumi in Japan, received a double dose of adaptation news today, with the series getting both a manga and anime adaptation within the next year. A trailer for both projects was announced alongside the news, showing the anime versions of the Oedo Fire Slayer characters. Oedo Fire Slayer -The Legend of Phoenix- Manga and Anime Announcement Trailer Related: Fire Force Season 3 Reveals New Trailer, Visual and Main Staff Oedo Fire Slayer -The Legend of Phoenix- is written by Naoki Prize award-winning Japanese novelist Shogo Imamura, who also writes the Last Samurai Standing manga series alongside Katsumi Tatsuzawa’s illustrations. Oedo Fire Slayer , known as Hikuidori: Ushuboro Tobigumi in Japan, is published by Shodensha, and 13 volumes have been released. The manga adaptation of Oedo Fire Slayer will be published in Weekly Shonen Champion in...

Hiroyuki Sanada has had a stellar year. The actor has not only been part of one of the biggest breakout series of 2024, FX on Hulu’s Shōgun, but he played the production’s main role. While audiences have previously seen him show off his incredible talents in movies like The Last Samurai, Mortal Kombat, and John Wick: Chapter 4, his appearance in the historical drama launched his career to new heights and has found his name on one award show ballot after the other. His perfect portrayal as the clever and powerful Lord Yoshii Toranaga drew audiences in and kept them hooked to see how everything would play out during the show’s premiere season.

After seeing the epic historic spectacle of Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava, Subhash K Jha revisits Jodhaa-Akbar celebrating the brilliant film that starred Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai. As a special bonus, the director reveals some fascinating facts about the making of the film.

Jodhaa-Akbar is watchable as a splendidly spiced-up slice of history. Or just savour the chemistry between the warrior and the princess, with hundreds of junior artistes, elephants, rabbits, and parrots accompanying the couple’s journey. This historic moment that takes us beyond the dynasties of Mughal history couldn’t have been possible without Hrithik’s amazing capacity to infiltrate the portals of divinity through dance movements.

As we traverse the simply stunning spectacle of Ashutosh Gowariker’s historical epic, often wonder-eyed and open-mouthed, we end up looking at Akbar as interpreted by Hrithik rather than as what the Mughal legend might have been.

The body language of...

Everyone was surprised when FX said it was ordering not one but two more seasons of Shōgun, its award-winning samurai drama from last year. Sure, the show was a big success, but the first season adapted the whole of James Clavell's novel, Shōgun. That meant that showrunners Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks were going to have to go off-book and come up with a whole new idea for what comes next.

At one point, it sounded like they were having trouble, but they must have broken through, because Marks sounded optimistic when talking to Deadline at the Critics Choice Awards. “We’re coming out of the writers room now. We’re also done with the 10 episodes and we have our finale now," he said. "That’s allowing us to start figuring out how we’re going to shoot this. But we’re very excited about the plan.

I think the thing to take away,...

Junichi Okada, who enters this dangerous game with one goal: to save his ailing wife and child.”

Who is in the cast for Last Samurai Standing?

For a long time, Junichi Okada was the only confirmed cast member. Some Netflix subscribers would be familiar with Junichi Okada if they streamed the Japanese crime-thriller Hard Days. Others may recognize him for his voice work on animated titles Tales from Earthsea and From Up on Poppy Hill. Outside of Netflix, the actor has starred in several historical dramas.

Junichi Okada shared his excitement with Netflix about the project;

“When Netflix executive producer Mr. Takahashi reached out to me, I was still acting in historical dramas. Back then, I was already thinking of ways to make this genre a hit, not just in Japan, but all over the world. I saw their potential for action, drama, social commentary, and entertainment, but I knew they could be taken further.

Quick Links I Watched Every Episode of Power Rangers Operation Overdrive Weekly and Mostly Enjoyed It I'm Not Blind to the Fact That Operation Overdrive is a Deeply Flawed Season Operation Overdrive Has Enough Strengths to Make it Worth Watching For Power Rangers Fans

Anyone who spends a short time in the Power Rangers fandom can quickly identify which seasons are the least liked. While installments like Wild Force, Turbo and Samurai were once heavily maligned, these days it's Megaforce and Ninja Steel that soak up most of the audience's ire. But while I've watched as the former three seasons have been re-evaluated for the better, one season I haven't seen the needle move on at all is Power Rangers Operation Overdrive.

Power Rangers Operation Overdrive is often considered one of the worst seasons in the franchise, but I find it to be underrated. It's deeply flawed and far from...

Shinichiro Watanabe is one of the most critically acclaimed anime directors who has given birth to many original titles like Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Space Dandy, and so many more. These series have played a key role in shaping our childhood, leaving a lasting impact on modern pop culture.

A still from Cowboy Bebop. Credits: Studio Sunrise

Each title will be distinct from the previous one, making his work so diverse yet so appealing. His works are often seen as a cornerstone in the anime industry, where he features a hard-hitting background score that appeals to the masses.

However, he was close to throwing it all away, as his answers did not rub the right way with the journalists when Watanabe-Sensei started his journey as an anime director.

Shinichiro Watanabe almost threw away his career for being “young and naive”

Without a shadow of a doubt, Shinichiro Watanabe is the most recognized anime director,...

Gladiator II continues to battle its way up the box-office ranks as its theatrical run nears its end. However, Paramount Pictures may not be entertained when the final financial returns from Ridley Scott's epic historical sequel emerge.

Via Collider, the Gladiator sequel has moved up the all-time R-rated movie box office charts with its current tally of $455.7 million worldwide, closing with $1.2 million last weekend and now showing in less than 1,500 cinemas domestically as its theatrical run draws to a close. Gladiator II is now among the 30 highest-grossing R-rated films in history, surpassing 2003's The Last Samurai ($454.6 million worldwide) to jump into 30th place on the all-time list.

Related Ridley Scott Loses Gladiator II's Paul Mescal for Next Film, Euphoria Star Eyed for Replacement

Paul Mescal will no longer star in Ridley Scott's next film, and reports hint that one of the stars of HBO's Euphoria will soon have the role.

Anime production company N Lite and U.S. streetwear fashion brand Hypland have united to spotlight black anime characters in the first of multiple planned apparel releases.

Via a press release, N Lite has announced a multi-collection partnership with Hypland for anime-inspired streetwear. The first collection spotlights the Emmy Award-winning series Afro Samurai from renowned studio Gonzo, bringing the Wu-Tang Clan on board as a creative partner. Later drops will spotlight black anime characters through apparel and merchandise based on N Lite’s original afrime ("afro-anime") IP and legacy anime IP featuring black characters. The collection begins its rollout in the summer of 2025. Readers can check out the promotional art and more details below.

Related Sailor Moon's New Officially Licensed Faux Leather Jacket Is a Perfect Tribute to the Ultimate '90s Magical-Girl Anime

Hot Topic releases a new Sailor Moon collection for Winter, featuring the perfect Pretty Guardian...

Andor managed to completely change how fans look at Star Wars. When the series is conflated with lightsabre, space magic, Jedi, Sith, and the works, it is often forgotten that Star Wars is about one thing and one thing alone: rebellion in the face of oppression.

Andor || Credit: Lucasfilm

Andor was one of the best projects to come out under Disney, taking every gritty approach to the world of Star Wars, being a spin-off of Rogue One. While Rogue One has its fair share of scenes with the likes of Vader, still dribbling into the fantasy side of the IP, Andor managed to make the galaxy far, far away a lot more familiar.

Diego Luna drew from his personal life for the character of Andor Diego Luna || Credit: Lucasfilm

Diego Luna, when the show was first coming out, sat down with Rolling Stone to talk about how his character drew...

Michael Mann is one of the most under-discussed directors of the last forty years, a master of digital cinema who deserves more recognition than he gets. From his excellent first film, the fantastic neo-noir heist movie Thief, to his critically acclaimed biographical dramas like Ali, Public Enemies and Ferarri, Mann has a versatile career that spans several genres over several decades.

But Mann's best work came from his short run of action films, starting with the now classic cops and robbers thriller Heat and culminating in the big-screen adaptation of the hit 1980s television series Miami Vice. Sandwiched in between those two films is arguably Mann's best work: Collateral. Collateral is a masterful action movie that combines a fantastic Tom Cruise performance and many of Mann's best talents into one film. There's gorgeous cinematography, fantastically surprising performances and a quiet undercurrent theme about the emptiness of cities and what a...

Tom Cruise has built a career for himself running away from things in movies. But, imagine Tom Cruise running... with samurai swords. Before he flew away from Henry Cavill in a helicopter, climbed the Burj Khalifa, and skydived off a cliff, Tom Cruise traveled back to Feudal Japan in one of his best and most divisive action movies, The Last Samurai. Directed by Edward Zwick, the film has garnered a strong fan base since its release in 2003, and new audiences are about to discover it as The Last Samurai has landed a new streaming home.

The Last Samurai was recently added to Prime Video's ranks for the new year. Cruise stars as Nathan Algren, an American Civil War captain who is hired by the Japanese government to modernize the army's tactics during the Meji Restoration in the 1870s. Alongside Tom Cruise, the film also stars Ken Watanabe, who plays...

Tom Cruise is no stranger to box office hits and iconic roles, but one of his most ambitious projects, The Last Samurai, is making its way back into the spotlight. The 2003 historical epic, which boasts a 66% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes and a much stronger 83% audience score, is now available to stream on Prime Video as of today. Directed by Edward Zwick, The Last Samurai stars Cruise as Nathan Algren, a disillusioned American Civil War captain hired by the Japanese government to help modernise its army during the 1870s Meiji Restoration.

Despite being some of the biggest movie stars on the planet, Denzel Washington and Bruce Willis only collaborated once in the late 90s, with their film being the center of a major controversy. The Siege was the first and only film the two did together, with each having massive hits both before and after they finally appeared in a movie together. Their films have endured for decades, and will continue to do so.

Denzel Washington has a particularly strong filmography in the '90s, with Malcolm X, Philadelphia, He Got Game, and Much Ado About Nothing. Bruce Willis was considered one of the best action stars of all time in that decade, starring in films like the Die Hard franchise, The Fifth Element, and Armageddon. When they finally collaborated on The Siege, it failed to live up to the lofty heights of the two star's other films, with the most...

Tom Cruise had no issues in going up against Harvey Weinstein way before the MeToo scandal brought down the Hollywood producer. Last year, fans heard from director Todd Field about how Cruise helped him to avoid Weinstein from hijacking his film. Interestingly, Cruise also took his chance to parody Weinstein in one of his roles.

Tom Cruise as Les Grossman in a still from Tropic Thunder | Credits: DreamWorks Pictures/Paramount Pictures

In Ben Stiller’s Tropic Thunder, the Mission: Impossible actor played an over-the-top movie producer. Many speculated that the role was based on Weinstein while others also commented that the role carried resemblances to producer Scott Rudin. Fans believed that Cruise used the role to call out Weinstein’s aggressive behavior at a time when he was still all-powerful in the industry.

Tom Cruise parodied Harvey Weinstein and exposed his bullying behavior Harvey Weinstein | Credits: Georges Biard, licensed under...

Tom Cruise departed from his usual kinds of movies to do The Last Samurai. At a time when Cruise was stepping into futuristic roles, little did fans expect of him to go back in time for an epic period action drama. The film involved a lot of martial arts sequences and Cruise loved a challenge when it came to such roles. Cruise also delivered acting-wise, bringing an emotional and psychological depth to his character, Captain Nathan Algren.

Tom Cruise in a still from The Last Samurai | Credits: Warner Bros. Pictures

However, one stunt artist might’ve given Cruise a run for his money when it came to commitment to their role. The said artist was injured during a scene but decided to stay in character even though he was just a background actor. While Cruise was nominated for a Golden Globe, the stunt artist’s effort went largely unnoticed.

Tom...

Wicked, Dune: Part Two and Emilia Pérez lead the list of honorees for the American Cinematheque’s fourth annual Tribute to the Crafts, which will take place at AC’s Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood on January 9.

Tribute to the Crafts honors those who are at the very heart of filmmaking and have exhibited extraordinary work behind the camera over the past year. The evening will celebrate individuals in 12 categories covering all aspects of filmmaking and will showcase clips from each of their respective films.

Wicked is being honored for Costume Design, as well as for the trio of Production Design, Set Decoration and Prop Master. Dune: Part Two will be recognized for Sound and Visual Effects, while Emilia Pérez is named for its Choreography and Editing.

Other achievements in films being singled out include Casting for Saturday Night; Cinematography for Nickel Boys; Hair & Makeup for The Substance; Music Score for...

Directed by Kenji Kamiyama, The War of The Rohirrim movie is turning heads with its stellar visuals and enchanting storyline. It breathes life into J.R. R. Tolkien’s world of fantasy through its exceptional and impeccable animation.

But most of all, the film is a reinvention of storytelling and the common tropes in the adventure and fantasy genre. Like most great artists, Kamiyama took inspiration from a famed Director who supposedly had a beef with Miyazaki.

Hèra in a still from the movie | Credit: Warner Bros

In an interview, he revealed two of his greatest inspirations for the upcoming movie. From incorporating color-coded lights to drums, the film is theatrical in every possible sense. It redefines animation and storytelling in more ways than one.

But his comment on the famed filmmaker recenters to the latter’s controversy regarding Miyazaki. It also ties well with the Ghibli Director’s famous feuds and controversies.

Japan has a robust and storied history of film, with some of the most influential movies of all time coming from the country. Akira Kurosawa is considered one of the greatest directors of all time, Kurosawa's movies helped pioneer the modern Hollywood blockbuster, with monumental films like Seven Samurai, and Yojimbo, which played a major role in shaping the Hollywood Western, and vice versa. In fact, George Lucas was heavily influenced by Kurosawa's films when making Star Wars, particularly The Hidden Fortress, as they share many similarities.

Japan's cinematic history is incredibly varied, with some of the greatest films fitting into a variety of genres, including samurai stories, family dramas, and horror. Alongside legendary directors, these films also include some of the best acting performances of all time, with some of the best actors in the world. Actors like Hiroyuki Sanada, Setsuko Hara, and Toshirō Mifune have all played significant roles in Japan's film industry,...

Sunday Am Writethru: Refresh for chart and more analysis What’s the trick to keeping the post-Thanksgiving period alive? Great holdovers from the holiday weekend before.

One of the dullest box office periods historically of the year is not in 2024 with all films grossing $132M, the best this frame has ever seen. That surpasses the previous record back in 2018 when all movies totaled $120M. And that’s because this weekend is powered by Moana 2, Wicked and Gladiator II ($12.4M).

More to celebrate: Moana 2 at $600M worldwide, just pased the lifetime global of the first movie’s $582M.

Omg that’s a low opening for Y2K!

It’s not like any major studio dared to launch a tentpole this weekend, a la Warner Bros. back in 2003 with Tom Cruise’s...

Quick Links Gladiator II Got Audiences Thinking About The Roman Empire, Again Recent Sword And Sandal Media Have Tried To Revive The Genre Focusing On Gladiatrices Could Be The Genre's Fresh Focal Point

Ridley Scott's Gladiator was a turning point for the sword-and-sandal genre, which had been suffering since the mid-sixties. Pumping in modern effects to bring a magnificent scale and realism, mixed with his penchant for three-dimensional practical sets built a livable, breathable world for actors and audiences to feel and experience. Following this, the epic genre experienced a short boost in the early 00s with hits like Troy, The Last Samurai, and 300 keeping audiences excited about swordplay and epic speeches.

Gladiator II hit theatres in the US just last month, and with the epic director Ridley Scott leading the charge once again for the genre, the question of the film's ability to lead the charge for...

Created by Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo, FX's Shōgun first debuted on February 27, 2024. The series takes place in the year 1600 when Japan is on the cusp of a century-defining civil war. Hiroyuki Sanada stars as Lord Yoshii Toranaga, who finds himself in danger from the Council of Regents. The rest of the main cast includes Cosmo Jarvis, Anna Sawai, Tadanobu Asano, Hiroto Kanai, Takehiro Hira, and Moeka Hoshi.

While a premiere date is yet to be announced, FX renewed the show for seasons 2 and 3 in May. Assistant Stunt Coordinator Sharlene Royer expresses her excitement to return to Shōgun, with the stunt team currently on standby. Royer became the first Black female stunt coordinator to win a Leo Award after her work on CBS' Tracker. She has also been involved with projects such as X-Men: Days of Future Past, DC's Legends of Tomorrow, Child's Play, and Star Trek Beyond.

Related...

Moana 2‘s “Hauʻoli lākou” aka good luck continues this weekend as it eyes a $60M second frame.

For the post-Thanksgiving first weekend of December, that’s an absolute mind-blowing record for a No. 1-ranking title, whether holdover or new release. The previous high for this frame was in 2019, when the third weekend of Frozen 2 cleared first place with a third-weekend $35.1M take, -59%. Understand, this coming weekend is traditionally a dead zone as audiences, particularly women, get distracted by holiday activities.

Moana 2‘s second weekend is looking to be around -57%; the first 2016 film eased by 50% in the post-Thanksgiving period with a $28.2M second weekend.

Given the prospects for bad business during the post-Thanksgiving weekend, studios sidestep any tentpole openings; the last notable debut was in 2003, when Warner Bros’ Tom Cruise epic The Last Samurai posted $24.2M. Last year at this time there was AMC Theatres’ Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé,...

Brad Pitt's best movies feature him in a variety of interesting roles, from the chaotic Tyler Durden in Fight Club to the Nazi-killing soldier Aldo Raine in Inglourious Basterds. However, one of his most beautifully tragic portrayals comes in the form of Tristan Ludlow, the lead character in the 1994 Western epic, Legends of the Fall. Based on Jim Harrison's 1979 novella of the same name, the film follows Tristan as he and his brothers, Alfred (Aidan Quinn) and Samuel (Henry Thomas) enlist in World War I. The film explores the domino effect this decision has on Tristan's life.

Legends of the Fall is a drama film directed by Edward Zwick, starring Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, and Aidan Quinn. Set in the early 20th century, the movie follows the lives of the Ludlow family, focusing on the complex relationships between three brothers and their father against the backdrop of dramatic historical events.

Here’s why Hollywood directors tend to promote Tom Cruise ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Yes, you read that right, Tom Cruise didn’t just pick directors to helm his movies. Nope, he turned Hollywood’s top filmmakers into his personal image architects, fine-tuning every frame to make sure he looked like the ultimate action hero. From day one, Cruise had a knack for teaming up with heavyweights—Scorsese, Kubrick, De Palma. But here’s the twist: even these powerhouse directors felt like they were working for him, not the other way around. Their job? Craft a killer movie and a killer version of Cruise.

Take the Mission: Impossible franchise, for instance. Cruise played Ethan Hunt in over six films—a secret agent so mysterious that he barely had a personal life. Forget backstories or deep character arcs; Hunt was more an action figure than a person. That blank-slate hero let Cruise...

If your thirst for non-stop action isn’t sated by the bloodletting in “Gladiator II,” take a gander at previous epics like “Spartacus” and “Ben-Hur,” which both heavily influenced the original “Gladiator.”

We’ve also thrown in some cinematic suggestions that go beyond Ancient Rome, with sprawling battles in West Africa, Persia, Spain, Japan and Norway, and confrontations that don’t necessarily involve a sword and shield.

Behold some great, epic action movies like “Gladiator II” to watch next.

(Universal Pictures) Gladiator (2000)

The Oscar-winning Ridley Scott epic is obviously the template for the new sequel, but if for some reason you haven’t seen Russell Crowe’s Maximus (almost) single-handedly upending the Roman Empire, you should remedy that with due speed. The film, which won five Oscars, including one for Crowe as Best Actor, is always worth revisiting, especially in light of the many callbacks in the new film. Strength and honor!

Tom Cruise, the Hollywood megastar, has always heeded his own counsel, and for better or for worse, the choices he made throughout his career paid off. Now, at the pinnacle of the industry, Cruise can boldly claim that he is the last true Hollywood icon left standing. And such a label comes with its own set of responsibilities.

Tom Cruise [Photo by Dick Thomas Johnson licensed under Cc By 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons]

Cruise is not the first actor to say no to sequels. The trend was only popular with sci-fi or action-adventure films like Star Wars and Indiana Jones. For artists looking for something more creatively grounded, sequels were never an option.

It didn’t come as a surprise then that an actor like Cruise refused to entertain the idea of a sequel well until the 2000s when he left behind his Oscar-baiting career to pursue something more theatrically motivated aka the Mission: Impossible franchise.

A new streaming series centered on Kerala’s ancient martial art Kalaripayattu is being developed by director Abhilash Vijayan (“That Elephant From the Bridge”) and producer Nithin Lukose (“Paka: River of Blood”) and is participating at India’s Film Bazaar.

Set in 16th century Kerala, “Chekavar” follows a teenage warrior who secretly takes on a mission from the King of Kuttiyadi to lead an army against the rebellious Lord of Palayi, who has executed 44 of the king’s swordsmen. The young protagonist must prove himself worthy of his legendary father Thacholi Othenan’s legacy while mastering Kalaripayattu.

“I’ve been familiar with these stories since childhood. Characters like Thacholi Othenan, Unniyarcha and Aromal Chekavar stood as heroic figures of folk mythology,” Vijayan told Variety. “Later in life, I discovered Japanese Samurai cinema, particularly through the films of Akira Kurosawa, and became an instant fan.”

“The parallels between the lives of...

David Dastmalchian has long been appearing in major motion pictures, from his role in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight to appearing in the McU's Ant-Man movies, James Gunn's The Suicide Squad, and so much more. However, off the screen, Dastmalchian is just as much of a fan as the rest of us.

Cbr's Kevin Polowy recently paid a visit to Dastmalchian's home to better get to know the actor and comic book writer. As part of Cbr's first "One of Us" video, Dastmalchian confirms that he's a huge fan of comic books, making his roles in the aforementioned films extra special. Fans can get a look at just how much Dastmalchian appreciates comic books as the Late Night with the Devil star shows off his collection. Check it out by watching the video below.

Related 'That's a Fun Story': David Dastmalchian Pitches Idea for Polka-Dot Man's Return...

Christmas-themed releases have always been a mix of movies that can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of where they are from or what religion they follow, and then movies that are for a certain kind of audience. Upon closer inspection, you’ll also notice the difference in the quality of filmmaking between these two categories of Christmas films, with one feeling timeless and the other reeking of blandness and regression. I have grown up watching stuff like Home Alone, Die Hard, Jingle All the Way, and of course, How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Amongst recent releases, there are some good examples like Klaus, Anna and the Apocalypse, Krampus, and Merry Little Batman. But it seems like this snowy landscape has been hijacked by Netflix now. And the streaming platform is giving Hallmark a run for its money with garbage like the Princess Switch films, Love Hard, A Not So Merry Christmas,...

When the production rights to Power Rangers were bought back by Saban Brands in 2010, fans were excited to see the first series of the New Saban Era. Power Rangers Samurai was adapted from the Japanese tokusatsu series Samurai Sentai Shinkenger, following a team of Rangers based around the themes of samurai and family legacy. Both Samurai and Shinkenger are notable for being the first entry in their respective series to be shot in HD.

While Power Rangers Samurai wasn't as great as many fans hoped for, there were a lot of great elements. Notably, Samurai was the season that put Power Rangers back on the map, introducing a whole new generation of fans to the franchise. Across its two seasons, Power Rangers Samurai featured some great fight scenes, some in terms of their choreography or camera work, and others for their emotional stakes in the story.

"The Team Unites" Gave...

James Cameron's Avatar has an uncanny resemblance to Edward Zwicks 2003 film, The Last Samurai. Although Avatar has elements that distinguish it from other movies, it's difficult to deny that it is thematically and narratively similar to The Last Samurai. The fact that Avatar is the highest-grossing movie of all time is a testament to how its world-building and visual effects make it a groundbreaking film. However, it's clear to see that Avatar utilizes several tropes that have been seen in other projects including The Last Samurai.

Given Avatar's similarities to The Last Samurai, it was only a matter of time before Cameron was accused of copying the film. Cameron has denied these accusations and claims to have had the idea for Avatar long before the release of the movies he is said to have copied (via Insider). It is worth noting that The Last Samurai isn't the only...

Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning is almost here, and here is a full breakdown of the main cast of characters that will appear in the film. The upcoming eighth Mission: Impossible film will continue the story of Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One, bringing back many of the franchise's iconic cast members. There are plenty of returning characters from throughout the series, as well as a few new ones, making Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning the biggest one yet.

The first trailer for Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning is out now, giving a look at the latest Mission: Impossible movie. The eighth film will see Ethan Hunt and the Imf continue their fight against the dangerous AI known only as the Entity, picking up right where Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One left off. So, here is everyone who is on the Imf team, who is on the Entity's team,...

Alex Boden, producer of Max/Wowow series “Tokyo Vice,” outlined the hurdles and triumphs of filming the first U.S. studio streamer series shot entirely in Japan during a keynote at the Tokyo International Film Festival. The keynote was delivered as part of a Motion Picture Association event at the festival.

Created by J.T. Rogers and starring Ken Watanabe, Ansel Elgort, Rachel Keller and Kikuchi Rinko, the series followed a Western journalist working for a publication in Tokyo who takes on one of the city’s most powerful crime bosses.

Boden spent nearly two years in Japan producing both seasons of “Tokyo Vice.” Before production began in 2020, several international producers had advised against shooting entirely in Japan, citing lack of incentives, studio availability and complex permission processes.

“They’d gone to other countries like New Zealand for ‘The Last Samurai,’ Germany for ‘Speed Racer,’ Taiwan for ‘Silence’ – anywhere else but Japan,...

A decades-old unproduced screenplay set during Japan’s 1868-’69 civil war has been dusted off and given thoroughly modern action-movie treatment in Kazuya Shiraishi’s “11 Rebels.” A highly entertaining and highly blood-drenched take on the trusty old tale of crooks and miscreants embarking on a military suicide mission on the promise of being pardoned should they happen to survive, “11 Rebels” has just the right balance of spectacular swordplay, revenge-fueled drama and double-crossing political intrigue.

After opening the Tokyo Film Festival, Shiraishi’s lusty samurai slash-’em-up will march into Japanese cinemas on Nov. 1. A slightly different version of the film has been acquired for North America by specialty distributor Well Go USA. Fans of FX’s smash-hit “Shogun” series should find plenty to like about this handsomely produced tale set in the dying days of feudal Japan. In the broader scope of samurai cinema, it combines the chamber...

Tom Cruise's anticipated return film at Warner Bros. takes a major step in the right direction. The upcoming collaboration between Cruise and Alejandro Gonzlez Irritu gets an important progress update.

According to Variety, the untitled Warner Bros. movie is set to begin principal photography in the U.K. as early as next month. The news comes after the film confirmed its star-studded cast this past summer, including Oscar-nominated Anatomy of a Fall star Sandra Hller, Breaking Bad and Killers of the Flower Moon's Jesse Plemons, Emmy-winning Roseanne actor John Goodman and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' Michael Stuhlbarg. Everything Now's Sophie Wilde and Academy Award winner Riz Ahmed have also been tapped to star in the project.

Related Tom Cruise Starred in This 39-Year-Old Dark Fantasy Box Office Flop

Immediately after Blade Runner, iconic director Ridley Scott worked with a team of design wizards to make an immersive,...

Jason Blum couldn’t reveal details today about Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 but he brought New York Comic Con attendees the poster for the sequel to last year’s highest grossing horror movie.

The first movie opened during the actors strike, day-and-date on Peacock and defied all hurdles during last fall’s marketplace. The movie based on the hit videogame was an anomaly performing equally well in theaters and on Peacock since it was a hot fan frenzied franchise. Five Night’s Freddy‘s was Peacock‘s most-watched film or series ever in its first five days, besting previous record-holders Halloween Ends, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Bel-Air and The Best Man: The Final Chapters.

Blum gave props to the pic’s screenwriter Scott Cawthon for having the foresight that it would be a hit. The movie won over fans in its faithful-to-the-videogame production design, down...

Tom Cruise is one of the most recognizable stars with a global fame that few other actors have experienced. During his lengthy career that started in the 1980s, Cruise has gone from strength to strength as an actor, establishing himself as one of the most bankable commercial stars in Hollywood with his movies grossing billions of dollars globally.

Tom Cruise starred in 2003’s The Last Samurai (Credit: Warner Bros).

In 2003, Cruise starred in the period action-drama film The Last Samurai, which marked the start of his long relationship with Japan and its culture. During an interview, Cruise spoke about his preparation for the movie and revealed the great lengths he went to assimilate into the Japanese culture. Here is what Cruise had to say, which proves the actor deserves his own day in Japan.

Tom Cruise Recalled His Intense Training For The Last Samurai

Tom Cruise played the role of...

Tom Cruise is a name synonymous with Hollywood stardom, especially in the action and thriller genres. Though his career peaked in the 80s and 90s, the 2000s also saw some stellar performances and iconic roles that further cemented his status as a versatile actor.

Despite his eventual transformation into the industry’s biggest action star, Cruise has produced his fair share of hits in other genres as well. Below are the top 7 Tom Cruise movies from the 2000s, ranked based on their impact, critical acclaim, and Cruise’s remarkable performances.

1. Minority Report (2002)

Director: Steven Spielberg

Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Neo-noir

Runtime: 145 min

Starring: Tom Cruise, Colin Farrell, Samantha Morton

Tom Cruise’s collaboration with Steven Spielberg resulted in Minority Report, a mind-bending adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s short story. The film showcases Cruise as John Anderton, a futuristic cop who arrests criminals before they commit crimes. The movie’s unique...

Exclusive: Radar Pictures is producing an adaptation of the Larry Loftis’ bestseller, Into the Lion’s Mouth: The True Story of Dusko Popov – World War II Spy, Patriot, and the Real-Life Inspiration for James Bond, which The Karate Kid and Pink Panther 2 filmmaker Harald Zwart will direct.

Loftis is writing the script, based on his book.

Into the Lion’s Mouth follows Dusko Popov, a double agent during WWII, who was also a suave and sophisticated playboy who is secretly spying for both the British and the Germans. In a daring twist, Dusko betrays the Germans and helps bring down the Nazi regime.

“The most remarkable aspect of this story is that it is entirely true,” said Zwart. “Thanks to Larry Loftis’ meticulous research and compelling writing, the narrative not only presents facts but also uncovers historical insights that may have previously gone unnoticed. It feels as if you’re...

Plot: When a preacher arrives at a British settlement in 1830s New Zealand his violent past is drawn into question and his faith put to the test as he finds himself caught in the middle of a bloody war between Māori tribes.

Review: When many of us picture Maori culture, the first film that comes to mind is usually Once Were Warriors. Director Lee Tamahori’s contemporary 1994 drama looked at the modern legacy of the Maori people. After four decades of Hollywood fare, including Mulholland Falls, The Edge, XXX: State of the Union, and the James Bond film Die Another Day, Tamahori returns to the subject of his feature debut but through a very different lens. The Convert is an epic yet intimate look at Maori culture in the early 19th Century, just as the British Empire expanded its colonialization. Told through the experiences of a preacher welcomed into tribal society,...

Tom Cruise almost ruined his pretty face after he suffered a small injury while filming an intimate scene with Gina Gershon in the 1988 film Cocktail. Before he became a staple icon in the action genre, the famed A-lister once dominated the romantic-comedy scene as a heartthrob.

Credits: Tom Cruise in Cocktail / Walt Disney Studios

The actor has come a long way in his career, and being a seasoned star encouraged him to help out and guide his rookie costars. This was exactly what he did when he worked with Gershon in the said movie, though he sort of slipped up and it backfired on him.

Gina Gershon Almost Broke Tom Cruise’s Nose During a Love Scene

Gina Gershon was a mildly famous actress when she took the opportunity to collaborate with Tom Cruise in Cocktail. At the time, she had only done four movie projects, which pushed her to...

Tom Cruise's fighting in The Last Samurai earns a positive review from a real-life martial arts and katana instructor. Released in 2003, historical epic The Last Samurai is directed by Edward Zwick, with Cruise starring as Nathan Algren, a U.S. Army Captain who finds himself torn between two sides after being taken hostage by samurai warriors in 19th century Japan. The film, which also stars Ken Watanabe and Billy Connolly, features a number of intense action sequences, with Nathan engaging in various battles after learning to fight like a samurai.

In a recent video for Insider, martial arts and katana instructor Seki Nobuhide Sensei analyzes a ninja ambush scene from The Last Samurai, grading it for its accuracy. While he admits that the scene is "not very realistic" overall, he does praise Cruise's fighting and his use of jujutsu while in a confined space. One thing the film gets wrong,...

The Elusive Samurai is a fantasy anime adapting Yusei Matsui's manga of the same name. The story is set in Feudal Japan and follows Hojo Tokiyuki, a young samurai whose family was killed. On the run, he seeks revenge on the warrior who betrayed his family. The series is loosely inspired by the actual historical figure of Hojo Tokiyuki, telling an action-packed and engaging narrative that explores the themes of revenge, loyalty and honor.

As Tokiyuki starts out on his mission in The Elusive Samurai's historically accurate anime, he soon gathers a party of like-minded warriors who help him on his journey. Together, they call themselves the Elusive Warriors, and they work together to restore the Hojo clan's reputation and reclaim Kamakura. Their mission is not an easy one, with the villainous Ashikaga clan posing a serious threat to their safety as time goes on. As the main group in The Elusive Samurai,...

Scad AnimationFest 2024 has officially wrapped, and here are the five coolest things I saw while at the event. Scad AnimationFest is the Savannah College of Art and Design's yearly celebration of the art of animation, with it taking place in Atlanta, Georgia and featuring all kinds of industry professionals. This year, Scad AnimationFest 2024 featured creatives and execs from places like Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, Warner Bros. Animation, DreamWorks Animation, Netflix, and more, and while there were all kinds of exciting things to see while there, these five were by far the coolest.

I first attended Scad AnimationFest in 2023, and after spending my first weekend covering the festival, I instantly fell in love. While there, I got to interview Nimona's Ted Ty as well as some of the creatives from the series Krapopolis, with that being just the tip of the iceberg of what was shown at the festival. I...

You won’t believe it, but Tom Cruise who happens to be one of Hollywood’s heavyweights, once acted out of Fomo, while shooting The Last Samurai with Ed Zwick in 2002. As the filmmaker recalled his opportunity to meet with three of the most acclaimed directors in the entertainment industry—David Fincher, Cameron Crowe, and Steven Spielberg, Zwick mentioned clicking a picture with them.

Tom Cruise in a still from Top Gun: Maverick | Image: Paramount Pictures

Unfortunately, since Tom Cruise was busy with Steven Spielberg, somewhere on the set, he and the filmmaker were the ones absent from the image. Well, while Spielberg wasn’t bothered missing out on the image, Cruise was quite disappointed. So what he did next was truly hilarious.

Ed Zwick Recalled His Auspicious Meeting with the Acclaimed Directors

The Last Samurai filmmaker Ed Zwick vividly remembers the day he met three of the most legendary filmmakers of Hollywood.

Interviews can be pressuring especially when one is put on the spot and asked if someone is gay or not, and Colin Farrell might have felt the same when he was questioned about Tom Cruise’s real orientation.

Credits: Colin Farrell in Hart’s War / Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Farrell’s answer was indeed hilarious, and it was quite the ice-breaker for such a very random question. He and Cruise have worked together in the past as well so it might have been a jest between friends.

Colin Farrell Said The Funniest Thing About Tom Cruise During An Interview

In 2002, actor Colin Farrell almost slipped and outed Tom Cruise in a press junket while promoting his movie Hart’s War. In the interview, he was asked if he thought the Mission: Impossible star was gay or straight. At first, he answered, “Gayaaahstraight.”

maybe not the most insane thing said but this has to be mentioned pic.