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We’re used to TV shows like Law & Order giving us ripped-from-the-headlines episodes. But American Idol? That’s definitely a new one.

Sunday’s episode, which marked the fourth week of Season 23 auditions, ended with a powerful performance from 19-year-old Freddie McClendon, whose father’s murder became a media sensation and true-crime obsession.

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Twenty years after a bitter rivalry tears a tight-knit Cape Malay community apart, the ghosts of the past threaten to consume a whole new generation in Muneera Sallies’ “Old Righteous Blues,” a story of music, family and reconciliation set within the colorful world of Christmas choir bands in South Africa’s Western Cape region.

The film, which plays this week at the Joburg Film Festival, was South Africa’s submission for the best international feature film race at the 97th Academy Awards. It stars Ayden Croy as Hantjie Jansen, an ambitious young musician with a lifelong dream to restore his town’s Christmas choir band, the Old Righteous Blues, to the glory it had before a bloody leadership battle split it — and the community it once held together — apart.

The movie is rooted in the musical tradition of the kerskoors, which are believed to be unique to the rural Colored communities of the Western Cape.

Romantic K-Drama Watchlist ( Photo Credit – Instagram; Twitter )

Valentine’s Week is about to begin, and it’s the perfect time to binge-watch romantic K-dramas with your loved one. So, here are 6 upcoming Korean series recommended for you to stream this love-filled week.

K-drama fans assemble! It’s a great week for you all. Not only because it is Valentine’s Week but also because an exciting lineup of K-dramas is about to hit the small screens. Although a diverse genre of K-dramas has been set for the month’s release, this article will focus on the love-filled romantic comedies that can be enjoyed with your loved one.

Well, all you have to do is grab your partner, set up the lights, bring a tub full of popcorn, put a sheet mask on your face, and you are ready for a K-drama marathon this week. We have curated 6 upcoming romantic dramas...

For every shōnen action manga series or 'by the numbers' isekai storyline, there's bound to be others that have the opposite problem. Plenty of manga will start with intriguing storylines that slowly unravel readers' brains as the characters and story beats become less consistent. Interesting characters from early chapters can become lost in the shuffle in the chaos of what's happening in the story. It contributes to readers being hit with the feeling that the manga they're reading can move too quickly.

However, these flawed stories can still fascinate in their own way. Sometimes, a reader may not want to read a story that makes perfect sense. Being able to turn their brain off and enjoy a chaotic story could fulfil in its own right. These series might not be easy to follow, but the amount of confusion they bring is still fascinating.

Pandora Hearts's Confusing Layout Makes the...

Exclusive: If there’s one takeaway from the holiday box office season, audiences couldn’t quit Focus Features’ period gothic horror movie Nosferatu.

The Robert Eggers-directed title is now the Universal specialty label’s second highest-grossing release at the domestic box office at $84.4 million, overtaking 2005’s three-time Oscar winner Brokeback Mountain ($83M) and ranking behind the studio’s top-grossing title ever, 2019’s Downton Abbey ($96.8M). On a global basis, Nosferatu ranks as Focus’ seventh highest-grossing title with north of $142M worldwide.

Also noteworthy, Nosferatu is reaching its great heights at the B.O. sans award noms from the Golden Globes or Oscars (which have yet to be announced) or festival buzz; such lynchpins were in part responsible for the breakout success of 2005’s Brokeback Mountain, Ang Lee’s gay-themed Western.

Focus also has bragging rights in that Nosferatu beats the domestic haul of any title, including horror, when compared with its specialty rival A24.

In her first major casting since breaking out with Cannes hit Emilia Pérez, Karla Sofía Gascón has signed on to star in Las Malas, a Spanish-language adaptation of the dark fairy-tale novel Bad Girls by author Camila Sosa Villada.

Armando Bó, who won an Academy Award for co-writing Alejandro González Iñárritu’s 2014 drama Birdman, will direct the feature and is co-penning the script with Josefina Licitra.

The project hails from About Entertainment, based in Argentina and Uruguay; Infinity Hill, best known for its Oscar-nominated film Argentina 1985; and Suma Content, the Spanish independent global production company.

Gascón will lead the feature in the role of Aunt Encarna, a tough but motherly leader of a group of trans sex workers, whose routine is upset when she finds an abandoned baby and decides to adopt him without realizing she is putting everyone around her in danger.

Girls was the debut novel by Villada,...

It wouldn’t be an official Saturday Night Live season without disgruntled comedians complaining that the nearly 50-year-show ripped off their jokes. Sometimes, the accusations are eye-rolling — in October, a New York stand-up complained that Andrew Dismukes’ “Hey Soul Sister” sketch copied his bit. But there’s not much to the allegation — both simply make fun of Train’s cringe song. Get in line. People have been ripping that song for years.

The Whitest Kids U' Know, the 2000s sketch comedy group with a cult hit on IFC, might have a more credible claim to comedy idea theft after the recent John Mulaney episode. As Matt Belloni observed in his What I’m Hearing column, “Last week’s Beppo the monkey astronaut sketch on SNL looks very similar to this ‘Bo Bo the Monkey’ sketch by the Whitest Kids U’ Know from about 15 years ago.”

While the Kids haven’t complained publicly,...

Kang Bo’s Kingdom Of The Insomniacs has picked up the top Busan Award at the Asian Project Market (Apm) in South Korea.

The 27th edition of the Apm wrapped on Tuesday evening (October 8) after four days, taking place at the Asian Contents & Film Market (Acfm) during the Busan International Film Festival (Biff). A total of 30 feature film projects from across Asia met with potential finance, co-production partners and international distributors.

Scoll down for full list of winners

Chinese fantasy drama Kingdom Of The Insomniacs marks Kang Bo’s second narrative feature and follows mushroom farmers plagued with insomnia and an aging disease.

Chicago Med Season 10 Episode 1 wasted no time before throwing the hospital into chaos.

A mass casualty event happened at the worst possible time, but it was a great way to introduce the medical drama’s new era.

The medical cases were almost secondary to the character conflicts, and that’s how it has always been for Med. Hopefully, the rest of the season will be as strong as this opening.

(NBC/George Burns, Jr.)

Goodbye, Dr. Marcel… Hello, Dr. Frost Med’s Newest Resident Helps Ease The Pain Of Losing Marcel

When Chicago Med announced Dominic Rains’s departure as Crockett Marcel, I didn’t think anything would ease the pain of losing my favorite character.

Marcel’s absence was explained in a blink-and-you-miss-it moment when Ripley mentioned a farewell party before Marcel went to Boston.

It’s irritating that Dick Wolf shows keep doing this. People’s disappearances are...

Fox’s new mystery series, Murder in a Small Town, premieres Tuesday, September 24.

It’s adapted from L. R. Wright’s nine-book series about detective Karl Alberg, who hopes to escape his city cop life for quieter coastal living but still finds more secrets and murder amidst the small town.

Rossif Sutherland plays Karl Alberg, while Kristin Kreuk portrays Cassandra Mitchell, the local librarian and Alberg’s love interest and muse.

(James Dimmock/ Fox)

TV Fanatic has the pleasure of chatting with Sutherland and Kreuk, where they shared their enthusiasm for the series and how it differed from other crime procedurals.

Both actors shared that while the weekly cases were fascinating, the series’s draw will be the development of Karl and Cassandra’s relationship. We can’t wait to see that blossom.

Murder in a Small Town’s Rossif Sutherland & Kristin Kreuk Tease Karl and Cassandra’s Relationship and...

I’m not going to lie. I’m a Sims fan. But really, that’s putting it mildly. I am a Huge fan of the Sims.

I had The Sims when it first dropped in 2000 and have bought and used every single expansion pack, game pack, stuff pack, and kit. Plus, most of my terabyte hard drive is used for Sims mods.

I am the real deal. I speak in Simlish to my cats. I use Sims inflections when I talk. Thankfully, I have very few Irl friends, so most don’t know the lengths I go to for my Sims.

(Carissa Pavlica/Sims 4 Screenshot)

Well, now you do. You all do. The cat is out of the bag. I’m surprised that there was never a cat-in-a-bag scenario in the Sims. Maybe it’s coming.

There is big news in the world of The Sims today. First of all,...

While it sounds like Days of Our Lives‘ Bo and Hope return is extraordinarily good news, I’m scared to get excited.

We’ve been down this road too many times with this iconic couple in recent years, starting with when Bo returned after being presumed dead for years just in time to rescue his Fancy Face from a suddenly evil Aiden… only to die of a brain tumor less than a month later.

Bo’s latest return wasn’t much better, so how can I possibly trust that the latest news about Bo and Hope is going to be a real reunion for them?

(Courtesy of NBC, Howard Wise/JPIStudios)

The Last Days of Our Lives Bo And Hope Return Was A Huge Disappointment Bo Ended Up In A Coma Before He Could Reunite With Hope

It’s been a couple of years since Bo and Hope’s last return,...

Following the release of the Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo stage play key visual in July, the official website for the upcoming stage play adaptation of Yoshio Sawai's surreal comedy manga series, titled Cho Hajike Stage Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo , released visuals of its eight main cast members. Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo played by Sho Kato Beauty played by Haruka Kudo Heppokomaru played by Yuta Higuchi Hatenko played by Shunya Osawa (ORβIT) Tokoro Tennosuke played by Usagi (Longcoat Daddy) Softon played by Junya Komatsu Don Patch played by Takuo Inari (Gekidan Karagumi) Dengakuman (The cast has not been disclosed) Additionally, Riona Tatemichi , a stage play actress who has appeared in the Sailor Moon musical series (2014-2022) and Attack on Titan - the Musical (2023-2024), will play the role of Torpedo Girl. "I first encountered Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo when I was in the early grades of elementary school," said Tatemichi. "The manga had an impact on me even at a young age,...

Days of our Lives weekly spoilers September 16-20, 2024 have Ej Dimera (Dan Feuerriegel) stunned by a development. And we have some details on the upcoming return of Bo Brady (Peter Reckell) alongside Hope Brady (Kristian Alfonso) on Dool.

Days of our Lives Weekly Spoilers 9/16-9/20/2024

On Monday, while Sarah Horton’s (Linsey Godfrey) hypnosis session seemed to be a fail, there’s more at work here than we see. Sarah visualized someone behind the wheel, but said her memories are vague.

Yet it seems she’s holding back on identifying Fiona Cook (Serena Scott Thomas) to protect her husband, Xander Cook (Paul Telfer). Other Days of our Lives spoilers indicate that Alex Kiriakis (Robert Scott Wilson) comforts a grieving Stephanie Johnson (Abigail Klein).

Fake Abigail, (played by AnnaLynne McCord), finds herself on the defensive with Chad Dimera (Billy Flynn). Also, Fiona drops a big secret on her son, Xander. Is...

Bo Burnham is a multitalented creative who has been conspicuously absent from the big and small screen since 2021. After appearing in Promising Young Woman in 2020 and performing the tour-de-force stand-up routine Bo Burnham: Inside during the pandemic in 2021, Burnham has largely disappeared from the public to work on new projects behind the scenes. One such project is The Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show, which debuted on HBO in March 2024.

While Carmichael takes center stage on the intimately revealing reality TV show, Burnham appears secretly on the show as a masked friend and confidant named Anonymous. Carmichael speaks to Anonymous as a therapeutic sounding board and seeks his relationship advice, further establishing the profound friendship between Burnham and Carmichael. For fans of both comedians, The Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show provides must-see entertainment that explores family, friendship, and the longing for lasting connections.

Who Is Bo Burnham?

Netflix

Born Robert Pickering Burnham in...

Full of false leads and meandering shifts of focus, Singaporean director Yeo Siew Hua’s story of a missing child initially appears to be a straight-up thriller. Here is a young couple with their child Little Bo, being filmed in the park by Bo’s overbearing grandmother. Here they are at home, miserable shells of their former selves, watching all the home movies they can find in the hope of finding a hint of what might have happened to Little Bo, who has now been missing for three months.

Her father Junyang (Wu Chien-ho) comes in with sandwiches; he could be sleep-walking. Peiying (Annica Panna), her mother, hasn’t bothered to dress properly; she seems to be all eyes, staring at the screen. There is no hint of the glamorous clubber we will see later, as the films of the family’s lives before their loss keep popping up. The...

Sigourney Weaver will be joining the cast of the upcoming Star Wars movie, The Mandalorian & Grogu. The news comes three months after the actor was said to be in talks with Lucasfilm.

Weaver confirmed her involvement in the project during a recent interview with Deadline. "I'm playing a role in The Mandalorian & Grogu. I got to meet Grogu for the first time the other day," the actor said when asked about her current work schedule. "I'm filming that before I go to London for The Tempest next year," she added. There is no further information about her role at this time.

Related The Acolyte's Cancellation Speaks to How Troubled the Star Wars Brand Is

The cancellation of The Acolyte speaks to the status of the Star Wars brand, and an upcoming movie may be make or break for the Disney franchise.

The Mandalorian series creator Jon Favreau will direct the film.

Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman had their work cut out for them when it came to the MCU‘s highly-anticipated superhero team-up.

At Monday’s Deadpool & Wolverine premiere in New York, the duo told Deadline about the pressure to meet fans’ “sky-high” expectations of finally bringing their characters together on the big screen.

“I think both of us had such high expectations for the movie,” said Jackman. “So, yeah there’s risk because we wanted this to exceed those expectations, and both of these characters mean so much to us. Our friendship is one of the most important things in my life. So, we wanted to be as great as we could be, and thankfully for me, it’s exceeded every one.”

Reynolds added, “Those same tenants could be broadly applied to the audiences of these movies. I mean, their expectations are sky-high. And you can’t just meet them,...

Squid Shock Studios hails from Thailand, bringing their first full game release in Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus. And what a debut it is. Bō takes the metroidvania genre by storm with its gorgeous hand-drawn visuals, engaging combat, and world just begging to be explored.

Set in a land steeped in Japanese folklore, you play as Bō, a celestial blossom who finds themselves embarking on a mysterious journey. Right away, Bō draws you into its visually stunning world. Ink brush strokes and watercolor hues come to life, depicting a cast of characters plucked from legend. Fox spirits, ghosts, and demons seem ready to leap off the page and tell their tales. It’s easy to get distracted, stopping just to appreciate the scenery of cherry blossom forests or seaside villages awash in color.

Beyond his fair looks, Bō proves to have formidable fighting skills and platforming prowess. You’ll...

The Mandalorian is arguably the most popular Star Wars series to emerge from Disney taking the space opera franchise to the streaming arena. Starring Pedro Pascal in the lead role, the series explores the post-Return of the Jedi timeline in the franchise.

Pedro Pascal plays the role of Din Djarin in The Mandalorian (Credit: Lucasfilm).

The series is expected to merge with some of the other post-Return of the Jedi shows in a feature film directed by Dave Filoni. During an interview, Filoni spoke about his upcoming film and whether it would serve as a finale to The Mandalorian. Filoni’s comments suggest that Pedro Pascal’s character could be killed off in the film, and here is why.

Dave Filoni Hints The Mandalorian Will Continue Without Pedro Pascal

The Mandalorian stars Pedro Pascal in the lead role of Din Djarin, a bounty hunter from Mandalore, who finds and adopts a force-sensitive child,...

Frenchie's absence in The Boys season 4's marketing raises fears of his death, adding suspense to the beloved character's fate. Frenchie's potential death would be a narrative game-changer, raising the stakes and adding emotional depth to the show. Speculation around Frenchie's fate in season 4 is fueled by the show's marketing, promising a dramatic storyline ahead.

One character from The Boys season 4 has long been theorized to die, with the show's marketing material making this way more likely. This theory was first concocted when the teaser trailer for The Boys season 4 was released. This trailer highlighted what the world of The Boys is looking like after season 3's ending, with the public split between siding with Starlight or backing Homelander.

This storyline promises big things for The Boys' cast of characters, with the titular group still aiming to take down corrupt Supes. From this promising plot to the developments found in...

By Le Chou

Her two most recent films achieved a combined $40M at the Vietnam box office. No other producer comes close at the local box office. To put into context, a film in Vietnam is deemed a blockbuster if it grosses $4M (100 billion Vnd). Yet, her name has gone largely unnoticed.

In 2024, Nguyen Huu Tuong Vi cemented herself as one of the top producers in Vietnam with the monumental success of “Mai”, the highest grossing Vietnamese film of all time from director Tran Thanh. To date, the film has amassed $23M+ at the global box office; $21M in Vietnam via Cj Hk Entertainment and $2M+ in North America and Europe via 3388 Films.

But back when she was trying to break into the industry, it wasn't producing what she had in mind. In 2007, Tuong Vi participated in a screenwriting course funded by the Ford Foundation and continued this writing path...

Exclusive: Big news here. Hot off his Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for Barbie, Ryan Gosling is launching a new production company General Admission with former Apple Original Films executive Jessie Henderson. In launching the new venture, the duo have inked a three-year first-look film deal at Amazon MGM Studios.

General Admission’s objective will be to collaborate with world class filmmakers to create bold theatrical and streaming events within all genres – fun, transportive entertainment for everyone. Under the pact, Amazon MGM Studios will have a first look on narrative features–some of which Gosling will star in–that General Admission intends to produce for both theatrical and streaming.

“We are so thrilled that Ryan Gosling and Jessie Henderson will make Amazon MGM Studios the home of their new company, General Admission,” said Courtenay Valenti, head of film, streaming, and theatrical at Amazon MGM Studios. “ As the name of their company conveys,...

Modern Warfare 3 is already old news, as new rumors have started circulating about the next title in the franchise. Treyarch is reportedly working on this year’s Call of Duty (Cod) title, bringing back the next edition of Black Ops, based on the Gulf War.

Just as in Modern Warfare 3, tons of remastered maps are rumored to be brought back in Black Ops: Gulf War as well. One of those maps that’s reportedly confirmed for now is Nuketown. The map first appeared in a Black Ops (Bo) title back in 2010 and is based on a fictional nuclear test town in Nevada, U.S.A.

This Chaotic Map is Getting Yet Another Remastered Iteration

Nuketown is all set to return with this year’s Call of Duty: Black Ops title.

The map was first remastered for Bo 2 (2012), titled Nuketown 2025. In the following title, BO3 (2015), the map was once again remastered and released as Nuk3town.

Ahsoka actor Diana Lee Inosanto confirms fans were right about the Nightsister hints in The Mandalorian Season 2. Inosanto knew Morgan Elsbeth's true origin during The Mandalorian's production and found the online debate amusing. The planning of Ahsoka and Morgan's arcs suggests that Dave Filoni had already worked out their stories in 2020.

Ahsoka actor Diana Lee Inosanto has confirmed fans were right when they picked up Nightsister hints back in The Mandalorian season 2. Diana Lee Inosanto's Morgan Elsbeth made her debut in The Mandalorian season 2, episode 5. Many viewers immediately picked up on one line of dialogue, in which Ahsoka Tano told Din Djarin her people were wiped out during the Clone Wars; this led to a popular theory Morgan was in fact a Nightsister of Dathomir. This seemed unlikely - Morgan doesn't physically resemble a typical Nightsister - but proved correct.

Now, Inosanto has confirmed these hints were planned all...

Animal Makers Give An Epic Comeback To Swanand Kirkire For Criticizing Ranbir Kapoor Starrer ( Photo Credit – Instagram; IMDb )

Despite creating havoc at the box offices with its monstrous collections, Animal has also been at the receiving end. Just like Kabir Singh, Ranbir Kapoor starrer is also being called out for glorifying toxic masculinity and misogyny. While a section of social media users are bashing the film left, right, and center, Bollywood lyricist and poet Swanand Kirkire also made headlines for criticizing the Sandeep Reddy Vanga directorial. Taking to Twitter, he penned a series of tweets slamming the film and Rk’s character for its treatment of women.

In his Tweet, Kirkre voiced his concern and named a few films that he said have taught him how to respect women, their rights, and their autonomy. He further said that such films will take Indian cinema in a scary and dangerous direction.

Bo-Katan actress Katee Sackhoff anticipates a meeting between her character and Ahsoka Tano in The Mandalorian. Ahsoka and Bo-Katan have a deep history, going from enemies to allies in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels. While the encounter may not happen immediately due to narrative reasons, fans are eager to see the reunion and explore the characters' histories further.

Bo-Katan actress Katee Sackhoff antiicipates a coming encounter between her character and Rosario Dawson's Ahsoka Tano, the inevitable crossover between The Mandalorian and Ahsoka. Viewers familiar with Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels will be well aware of the deep history between Ahsoka Tano and Bo-Katan Kryze, enemies during the Clone Wars who became good friends and close allies. Both animated Star Wars characters are now live-action, meaning a reunion seems inevitable.

Related The Mandalorian Season 4 Updates: Cast, Story, & Everything We Know With...

Toy Story 5 has the opportunity to give the franchise's supporting characters bigger roles, exploring their individual stories and personalities. Andy's return in Toy Story 5 could prove controversial, but it could also provide a chance to see him as an adult with his own children. Adding Zurg to Toy Story 5 could create a more compelling villain, laying the groundwork for a potential Lightyear sequel.

Pixar is known for its lovable characters, and Toy Story 5 has plenty to choose from if it wants to create bigger roles for familiar faces. Toy Story 4 shone the spotlight on Bo Peep, but there are other characters who are just as deserving of increased attention. Each new Toy Story movie has introduced Woody and Buzz to memorable toys and people, some good and some evil.

After Toy Story 5 was confirmed, speculation began immediately about how the franchise would top its previous installments.

Jackdaw is a simple yet intense thriller with gritty cinematography and well-developed characters, making it a riveting watch. Oliver Jackson-Cohen delivers a nuanced and emotionally vulnerable performance as the titular character, adding depth to the gripping tale. The film's focus on a driven, pained protagonist, along with its effective editing and intense motorcycle sequences, keeps the tension high throughout.

Written and directed by Jamie Childs, Jackdaw is a simple, taut thriller with enough character development and tension to keep us riveted. The cinematography has a gritty feel and the film is well-lit despite the action taking place in the dark. The story is bare bones, but that’s certainly not a knock against the film at all. Rather, Jackdaw is exactly the kind of movie we’ve been missing — straightforward, intense, and well-acted. It never needed to have multiple, or even complex, storylines to be good, and Childs delivers an intriguing,...

Quick Links All Solstice Shrine Locations & Solutions In Sea Of Stars How To Beat Elder Mist (Second Fight) In Sea Of Stars

The Moon Bo and Sun Blade in Sea of Stars are, respectively, Valere and Zale’s best weapons in the game, and they can give a mighty advantage against the final boss. There are several weapons for you to use in the game, spread across all the playable characters. While there are great options to equip for the final confrontation, mostly found on the last map, the best weapons for Valere and Zale in Sea of Stars are hidden away behind a secondary objective. These weapons are not obligatory for the conclusion of the game, but they can give an edge to the Solstice Warriors.

This article contains massive Spoilers for Sea of Stars.

To be able to hunt down the legendary weapons for Valere and Zale, namely...

Where to Watch Powered by Bo-Katan's story in The Mandalorian season 3 was set up by creator Dave Filoni 10 years ago, showing his long-term vision for the character. Filoni developed a backstory for Bo-Katan, including her relationship with her sister Satine and her father, which was finally referenced in The Mandalorian. Filoni's original plans for Bo-Katan, including her live-action portrayal, came to fruition in The Mandalorian season 3, showcasing his long-standing vision for the character.

Bo-Katan Kryze's The Mandalorian season 3 was set up 10 years ago by creator Dave Filoni. Initially conceived as a female Mandalorian Death Watch warrior, Bo-Katan was given more prominence in Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 5. Filoni elected to make her the sister of Duchess Satine Kryze, a very different origin for Bo-Katan than what George Lucas planned. By the time the show had been completely mapped out, Bo-Katan was a central figure in the final arc,...

The Mandalorian fans have given a damning verdict on the third season finale.

Released on Disney+ on Wednesday morning (19 April), the episode, titled “Chapter 24: The Return”, brought a number of story arcs to a close.

Spoilers follow for season three of The Mandalorian – you have been warned!

In “The Return”, Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his force-sensitive ward Grogu, along with Katee Sackhoff’s Bo Katan, finally defeat the villainous Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) and reclaim the planet Mandalore for the Mandalorian people.

The episode ends with Din formally adopting Grogu as his child, bestowing on him the name of Din Grogu. The pair are given a cabin to live in by Greef Karga (Carl Weathers).

Despite some shocking celebrity cameos, and the emotional return of a past Star Wars actor, the third season of The Mandalorian has received a tepid response from fans, and the finale failed to win many people over.

Warning! This article contains Spoilers for The Mandalorian season 3, episode 7.

A theory surrounding Giancarlo Esposito's Moff Gideon from The Mandalorian claims the Imperial villain has a game-changing heritage. Throughout much of The Mandalorian, Moff Gideon's past has remained a mystery. Aside from the details about the Great Purge of Mandalore and Gideon's feud with Katee Sackhoff's Bo-Katan Kryze, not a lot has been revealed in regard to Gideon's backstory.

While it is evident Gideon has an ongoing rivalry with the Mandalorians, large portions of his plans and history have been left in the dark. The Mandalorian season 3, episode 7's introduction of an Imperial Shadow Council for Star Wars certainly shed some light on Gideon's plans, though his past remains vague, to say the least. That being said, one The Mandalorian theory outlines the potential heritage for Moff Gideon in what would be sure to provide a shocking,...

Last week at Star Wars Celebration, Disney released a flurry of exciting announcements, such as an Ahsoka trailer and three new movies (which are really, truly going to happen this time, promise!). Yet while fans embraced the news, the crown jewel of Disney’s Star Wars TV universe — The Mandalorian — was arguably having its worst week ever.

The show’s latest episode, “Guns for Hire,” scored the drama’s weakest fan reviews (via IMDb) since the neo-Western sci-fi drama launched four years ago. The episode wasn’t entirely an outlier, as fan gripes about the show’s third season have been rising in general, with the series’ Rotten Tomatoes user reviews this season plummeting from their usual low-90s perch to just 57 percent and its IMDb average similarly (though not as sharply) ebbing downward.

Critics widely praised the show’s third-season premiere (Disney typically only provides one episode of The Mandalorian...

Warning! This article contains Spoilers for The Mandalorian season 3, episode 5.

The Mandalorian season 3, episode 5 should silence any doubts about the story of the titular character's third outing after bringing its many lingering plot threads together. Thus far, The Mandalorian season 3 has come under fire from certain sects of the Star Wars fanbase. With episode 1 admittedly spinning its wheels somewhat in regard to recapping the events of The Book of Boba Fett, the subsequent chapters have been incorrectly labeled as "filler," with the word continuing to be misused by popular franchise fandoms.

While the more commonly praised elements of the show thus far include the Easter eggs in The Mandalorian season 3 that have provided neat Star Wars connections, the overall story of season 3 has led many to voice their concerns over where the season is going. However, these criticisms have been somewhat unfounded given the episodic, serial nature of The Mandalorian...

Warning! Spoilers ahead for The Mandalorian season 3, episode 5.The Mandalorian season 3, episode 5 “Chapter 21 – The Pirate” is a game-changing episode. Some viewers have criticized The Mandalorian season 3 for an overall lack of direction, arguing stories felt disconnected from the overarching narrative. While the direction of growth for Pedro Pascal's Din Djarin, Katee Sackhoff's Bo-Katan Kryze, and even Grogu has seemed clear, it has often felt disjointed, with no discernible link to the B-plots.

All that changes in The Mandalorian season 3, episode 5, which skillfully weaves the different treads together. It includes welcome cameos from old friends introduced in live-action for the first time, a return to Nevarro, and even the resolution of the Gorian Shard subplot. Even more excitingly, though, the episode begins to put the pieces of Moff Gideon's story together, with a reveal that could have massive implications not just for The Mandalorian but for the overarching Star Wars story at large.

Willow creator Jon Kasdan has taken issue with the framing of the TV sequel series’ fate as “cancelled,” and instead feels confident the fantasy saga will continue… someday.

Addressing news reports that the Disney+ series was “cancelled” after one season, Kasdan countered in a series of tweets, “I feel fairly confident that, if asked, neither I, nor the folks at Lucasfilm, would or have characterized it quite that way.” Instead, he says, “The truth is less splashy” — that last week the main cast was released from their options, so that they might pursue other work in the coming year.

More...

Tyra Banks has strutted into the Dancing With the Stars ballroom for the last time. After a three-year stint as host, Banks is exiting the Disney+ reality competition, TVLine has confirmed.

Banks broke the news herself in a TMZ interview on Friday, stating that she plans to devote more time to her business ventures, including her ice cream company SMiZE & Dream.

More from TVLineWillow Creator Says Series Is 'Not' Cancelled -- 'Darker, Better' Season 2 Just Won't Happen Anytime SoonWillow Sequel Series Cancelled at Disney+ After 1 SeasonThe Mandalorian Recap: 'It Was a Trap!' -- Plus, What Secret Is Bo Keeping?...

After Tom Sandoval got caught in an affair with Raquel Leviss, he was seen emerging from his home with his now ex, Ariana Madix, alongside suitcases, but he was not moving out, according to a friend of the devastated Vanderpump Rules star. Tom premiered as a bartender in Vanderpump Rules season 1, where he was dating former co-star Kristen Doute. Kristen accused Tom of cheating on her with a girl in Miami, which Tom denied, gaslighting Kristen in a way that seemed to imply she was mentally struggling. Ariana was then introduced in Vanderpump Rules season 2, where she and Tom began to date, a relationship that lasted nine years until she found explicit texts from their friend Raquel.

Though Vanderpump Rules season 10 has focused on an alleged relationship between Raquel Leviss and Tom Schwartz, viewers are now learning that the Tom in question is Tom Sandoval. As Ariana's world is torn apart,...

Heitor Dhalia, one of Brazil’s foremost and most ambitious movie auteurs, director of “Drained,” “Adrift” and “Bald Mountain,” is teaming with Netflix to make “DNA do Crime,” a banner title for the U.S. streaming giant in Brazil, one of its largest international markets.

Described by Dhalia as “one of the biggest series ever produced in Brazil,” the eight-part scripted skein, which goes into production on Oct. 31, turns on a heist of epic proportions, which takes place on the Brazil-Paraguay border.

When federal police officers are called in to investigate, they discover “the beginning of a thread that unravels, like no other, the construction of crime in the country,” the synopsis runs.

“The series will try to open a new paradigm for the genre,” Dhalia told Variety. “It also talks about the tragic flaws in all of us, our deep nature,” he added.

Inspired by true events, “DNA do Crime” is created by Dhalia.

There's just something different about "Star Wars" in animation. Both "The Clone Wars" and "Rebels" took advantage of the medium, pushing the boundaries of what George Lucas' original vision could look and feel like on their way to becoming some of the most well-received and critically acclaimed installments of the entire franchise. Even the live-action Disney+ shows seem aware of this fact, with "Star Wars" guru Dave Filoni bringing entire characters and storylines over from previous animated shows -- the Darksaber, Bo-Katan, Ahsoka Tano, and Cad Bane, just to name a few -- in a concentrated effort to...

The post Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 2 Trailer: Attack of the Clones, Again appeared first on /Film.

While Daniel Craig’s celebrated extended occupancy as star of the James Bond franchise has come to a poetic end with the recent release of No Time to Die, conversations about his replacement are rampant. Yet, with the field of candidates being more demographically open than previous vacancies, speculators might overlook the possibility of a more conventional—white and British—Bond, like, say, superstar Henry Cavill. Thus, the arrival of a deepfake video with Cavill swapped in as Bond is opening some eyes.

Deepfake/VFX artist StryderHD has provided a simulation of sorts for a prospective Henry Cavill James Bond tenure with a new video that places The Witcher and Man of Steel star into 1987 outing The Living Daylights over the countenance of Timothy Dalton. Indeed, the video—which further cements the eerily-realistic nature of shockingly-accessible, rapidly-improving deepfake technology—effectively demonstrates how seamless of an aesthetic transition the role of Bond would be for Cavill.

The Primetime Emmys ceremony will broadcast on Sunday night, September 19, but the vast majority of awards will already have been presented by then. The Creative Arts Emmys go out over the course of three ceremonies on September 11 and 12, honoring the best in nonfiction, variety, animation, guest acting, behind-the-scenes crafts and much more. More than a thousand Gold Derby users have been predicting the winners in 27 of those categories. Scroll down for their complete predictions by category listed in order of our racetrack odds. Our projected winners are highlighted in gold.

SEEEmmy revenge for Oscar-snubbed documentaries? ‘Welcome to Chechnya’ neck-and-neck with ‘Dick Johnson is Dead’ in our odds

First and foremost, our users are betting on a good weekend for “Saturday Night Live.” It’s already the most awarded series in Emmy history, and just among the categories we’re predicting it’s anticipated to win four times: Best Variety Sketch Series,...

A perfect storm of titles previously delayed by the pandemic combined with features set to launch on the back of the Netherlands Film Festival later this month means that a bumper harvest of home-grown films is set for release in Dutch theaters this autumn.

Anticipated titles include Alex van Warmerdam’s latest feature “No. 10,” which tells the story of an actor who cannot recall his past but who is strong-armed into his future by a group of strangers.

“Goldie” director Sam de Jong also looks set to return with his third film, “Met Mes,” a satire about the media focusing on a TV personality who exaggerates the theft of a new camera, which leads to unforeseen consequences.

Other films creating buzz include “My Father Is an Aeroplane,” directed by Antoinette Beumer (“Jackie”), which is set to open the Netherlands Film Festival.

Based on Beumer’s 2018 novel it tells the story...

As Emmy voting draws to a close, the 2021 music nominations span rookies to regulars. Here’s a guide, sizing up the competition in seven categories including scoring, supervision and song.

There is a wealth of music nominated across different sounds and genres. Variety breaks it all down in the annual Emmy chart.

Music Composition for a Series

“Bridgerton” (Netflix)

Composer: Kris Bowers

Two previous nominations (two this year)

“Diamond of the First Water”

Period-appropriate strings dominate small-ensemble score.

“The Crown” (Netflix)

Composer: Martin Phipps

Six previous nominations

“The Balmoral Test”

Harp, women’s voices for Diana’s entry into the royal family

“The Handmaid’s Tale” (Hulu)

Composer: Adam Taylor

One previous nomination

“The Crossing”

Eerie textures, string quartet, for June’s capture and torture

“Lovecraft Country” (HBO)

Composers: Laura Karpman, Raphael Saadiq

One win, three noms for Karpman; first nom for Saadiq

“Rewind 1921”

Operatic aria, large orchestra play requiem for...

Apple TV+’s Ted Lasso leads the nominees for the 37th annual Television Critics Association (TCA) Awards, which will forego an in-person ceremony once more and instead announce the winners at an as-yet-specified date.

The Jason Sudeikis-fronted comedy amassed five nominations from the critics organization, which counts several TVLine staffers among its members, while Disney+’s WandaVision, HBO’s I May Destroy You and Mare of Easttown, and HBO Max’s Hacks each netted four nods. (Of note: Categories have been expanded this year to feature a total of eight nominees each, with the exception of Outstanding Achievement In Variety,...

The Mandalorian season 2 not only marked the return of fan-favorite bounty hunter Boba Fett but it also cleared the way for his own spinoff series. Indeed, the final scene of the live-action series’ epic second season concluded with Fett ascending Jabba’s throne on Tatooine, ready to get back to business.

Temuera Morrison and Ming-Na Wen star in the spinoff, which follows the further adventures of Fett and assassin Fennec Shand after their brief stint with Din Djarin and Grogu on The Mandalorian. But while The Book of Boba Fett will serve as the vehicle with which to tell Fett’s own story after the events of Return of the Jedi, it reportedly won’t be completely separate from The Mandalorian universe.

According to a report from Collider, fans should think of The Book of Boba Fett as “The Mandalorian Season 2.5,” and they should also expect characters from the flagship...

Amid the rush of anti-Asian hate crimes that have made headlines in recent weeks, Bowen Yang visited SNL‘s Weekend Update to share his thoughts on how Americans can help Asian-American Pacific Islander communities.

Yang began the bit by feigning shock at his title card which read “Asian Cast Member,” to which Jost replied that he requested that intro. “Yeah, I set your ass up, feels good!” Yang quipped.

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For all of its action, its tight-as-a-drum storytelling and stunning special effects, there’s one problem that continues to beset The Mandalorian – a lot happens without a lot really happening.

That is to say, plenty of action occurs, with wonderfully realised set-pieces making the most of the Star Wars style, incorporating minor characters and putting them front and centre. And yet, apart from discovering that Baby Yoda has a penchant for eating the eggs of an endangered species, things haven’t much moved on since the opening episode.

Mando and Din Djarin is still looking for a Jedi, so that he can deliver Baby Yoda to someone who will care for him. He knows that he needs to find some other Mandalorians in order to track down the mythical Jedi, and while he’s spent the last two episodes not finding any, episode three finally brings him into contact with a trio of his kind.

The Mandalorian is squaring up to hit a home run on October 30th. The show launched Disney+ with a bang last year, received 15 Emmy nominations and created a bona fide pop culture phenomenon in the adorable form of Baby Yoda. We already got a decent look at it in the first trailer, as well as with some very cool character posters, and now we’ve got what’s likely our final peek at the series with this new promo, which sets us up perfectly for the premiere in just a few weeks.

This fresh footage indicates that the next run of the show is likely to match the quality of the first season. From here on out, the big bad is Giancarlo Esposito’s Moff Gideon, who ominously wields the Darksaber. This holds enormous significance for the Mandalorian people as it was the weapon of the first Mandalorian ever to enter into the Jedi Order.