Tag: Samuel L Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson Narrates The Next Chapter of The Original Icon: SUPERSTAR
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Iconic Superstar sneaker connects diverse celebrities across music, sports, and fashion.

Surreal ‘Hotel Superstar’ campaign showcases the sneaker’s timeless design and cultural relevance.

Subtle design upgrades to the classic Superstar, blending nostalgia and modern style.
The adidas Originals Superstar is back in the spotlight, and this time, it’s getting the full Hollywood-meets-streetwear treatment.

Source: adidas Originals / adidas Originals

For its Spring 2026 campaign, adidas Originals has teamed up once again with the legendary Samuel L. Jackson, who returns as the voice and face of the franchise’s latest cinematic chapter. Think less traditional ad, more stylish short film — complete with surreal vibes, famous faces, and a hotel where time doesn’t exist.

A Star-Studded Search for “Superstars”

In the new campaign, Samuel L. Jackson plays a traveler on a mission, roaming the mysterious “Hotel Superstar” in search of his perfect pair. Along the way, he runs into a seriously impressive lineup of cultural heavy-hitters, all rocking the iconic sneaker.

That cast includes:

Kendall Jenner

JENNIE

Lamine Yamal

Baby Keem

James Harden

Tyshawn Jones

Olivia Dean

Each celebrity represents a different corner of music, sports, fashion, and culture — showing how the Superstar has stayed relevant across generations.

Source: adidas Originals / adidas Originals

Inside the “Hotel Superstar”

Directed by photographer and filmmaker Thibaut Grevet, the campaign unfolds inside a dreamlike hotel filled with endless hallways and doors that open into each star’s world.

As Samuel L. Jackson moves from room to room, viewers get a glimpse into each icon’s creativity and personality — all tied together by the same classic sneaker. It’s a clever way of showing how the Superstar connects people across time, trends, and industries.

”The campaign celebrates the next era of the Superstar through both timeless design and cultural relevance,” said Annie Barrett, Vice President of Marketing, adidas Originals. “Superstars never go away, they are timeless and iconic. This season, we continue to show the relevance of this sneaker across music, fashion, sport, and art. The new campaign pushes the bounds of reality with unexpected twists, with Samuel L. Jackson leading this dynamic narrative.”

A Fresh Take on a Classic

Alongside the campaign, adidas is also updating the Superstar look for Spring 2026 with subtle design upgrades. Expect:

The classic black-and-white base, now boosted with bold red accents

Sleeker textures and cleaner finishes

A mix of nostalgic athletic vibes and modern tailoring

The men’s line leans into relaxed tracksuits, color-blocking, denim shorts, and neutral-toned jerseys. Meanwhile, the women’s collection reworks the track jacket in everything from faux leather to crochet, blurring the line between sporty and high-fashion — with Kendall Jenner leading the way.

Source: adidas Originals / adidas Originals

Going Global

The Superstar Spring 2026 campaign is rolling out worldwide with digital content, brand activations, and immersive in-person experiences designed to bring “Hotel Superstar” to life.

With Samuel L. Jackson guiding viewers through a surreal world and stars like Baby Keem, JENNIE, and James Harden adding their own flavor, adidas is reminding everyone why the Superstar is still exactly that — a superstar.

Check it out down below:
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Rebecah Jacobs

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February 26, 2026
Ken Burns’ ‘American Revolution’ Review: History Maestro Delivers Greatest Hits Plus More In Timely PBS Series

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In many ways, Ken Burns is the Van Halen of historical documentary directors.

Before you jump, hear me out.

Watching the acclaimed filmmaker’s upcoming The American Revolution with some apprehension, it became clear that the six-part PBS series is the soulmate to Van Halen’s seminal but commercially disappointing 1981 album Fair Warning – in a very good way.

Debuting Sunday on PBS stations, the often-languorous American Revolution has all the slow pans across paintings and maps that appear in all of Burns’ work from 1981’s Brooklyn Bridge to The Civil War, 2009’s National Parks, biographies of Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, 2011’s Prohibition, 2017’s The Vietnam War and last year’s Leonardo da Vinci.

Along with Burns and his and co-directors David P. Schmidt and Sarah Botstein’s use of evocative locations and out-of-focus re-creations, American Revolution has narration by Peter Coyote, and high-definition but measured sit-down interviews with historians.

With techniques made famous and mockingly infamous by The Civil War and subsequent Burns projects, American Revolution uses letters and meticulous examination of the time to represent ordinary men and women in extraordinary situations. Like so many Burns projects, there are those celebrity voice-overs from the likes of Samuel L. Jackson, Meryl Streep Tom Hanks, Paul Giamatti (playing, you guessed it, John Adams), poet Amanda Gorman, Hamilton vet Jonathan Groff (not playing who you think) and Michael Keaton to name but a handful.

(L-R) Tom Hanks, Paul Giamatti, Amanda Gorman, Michael Keaton, Meryl Streep, Samuel L. Jackson and Jonathan Groff

Getty Images/Rich Polk for Deadline

Yes, there is a lot of the Burns tried and true in American Revolution. Add to that the fact that you know how it all turns out and, even as a student of American history, you get my trepidation going in.

So, let’s get back to that Van Halen comparison for a second.

Similar to the fourth album release from the David Lee Roth-fronted rockers, Burns’ take on the war that created America does stick to the decades-old methods and formats that have worked for him since The Civil War exploded on the small screen in 1990. When Fair Warning came out in 1981, some critics noted that it too had all the hallmarks of previous Van Halen albums and no real evolution.

Yet, some also acknowledged “Eddie [Van Halen]’s latest sound effects” and the submerged introduction of synthesizers to the band’s palate. The latter revelation was a game changer obvious to anyone who over the years followed the band after its synth-heavy blockbuster 1984.

In that context, when it comes to the quietly ambitious American Revolution, you don’t need to look too hard to notice something different going on under the surface from previous Burns works. Let’s put it this way: You don’t need to look too hard at a calendar, your local defunded PBS station or much else to see 2025 is almost as far away from 1990 as it is from 1981 or 1776.

The world has changed, the medium has changed, America has changed, and the stakes have definitely changed.

‘The American Revolution’

PBS

On the most integral level, the past decade in our frayed Republic has seen a domination by MAGA madness and the largely toxic discharge of social media. So, to put it mildly, there’s a lot of blood in the water in the culture and our sense of our collective history.

Having spent most of the past decade making American Revolution, Ken Burns clearly knows that. To that, like Van Halen’s Fair Warning, there is an urgent undercurrent that wasn’t in Burns’ previous films. Something is stirring in him, and in us — and the saga of the creation of this often unruly nation has something to tell us about what is happening now.

How that manifests itself for viewers likely depends on your own patience with the long series, and your voter-registration card.

Regardless of where you stand on the political spectrum or regarding Flat Earthers, there is no denying the inviolable sense of time and place in American Revolution. It’s as if Eddie Van Halen, without telling anyone, added an extra two strings on his guitar to reverberate through his Marshall stack, and the ages.

Eddie Van Halen

AP Photos

This is not the kind of American history MAGA loyalists like, and not just for the reasons you might think. To that, with the almost last breath of the Van Halen analogy, part of the success of The American Revolution is how it is loud and proud in a quiet way.

For another thing that perhaps won’t land well with MAGA crowd: it’s also complicated and quite diverse.

Which is to say, if you are looking for the Founding Fathers and their friends to be the guys in the white hats, you might want look somewhere else. For instance, not all the good guys are white (the David Oyelowo-voiced Olaudah Equiano is one example), and not all of them are guys (the Maya Hawke voice of Betsy Ambler).

Burns’ American Revolution also burns to a crisp the prevailing notion of the Great Man of American History.

Sorry George Washington and Alexander Hamilton fans, but there’s a lot more going on in the taverns where much of it happens than those infectious Lin-Manuel Miranda tunes tell you. Opening up the aperture, American Revolution often stares straight into the ugly and unsavory realpolitik of nation creation, with broken and bumbling men and women, well-meaning or not, stumbling into an idea of a better tomorrow.

Between the incomprehensibility and the incompetence on the side of the British Empire and the side of the American rebels that Burns outlines in American Revolution, the chaotic colonists’ attempts to free themselves from the rule of George III could have had all the hallmarks of a prequel to The Poseidon Adventure, with more boats.

As the losses and bodies pile up for the rebels (I’m not saying Battle of Long Island, but I’m saying Battle of Long Island), you many even wonder why they just didn’t give up to fight another day — you won’t be alone. That feeling and, dare I say it without seeming too fancy, the contemporary subtext, is part of Burns and gang’s genius with American Revolution.

You want to look away because it is almost painful to be so deep in the muck, and you know how it ends, so why must we be stuck in this muck? Can’t we get to the glories of Independence Hall? Yet despite those typical barriers to belief, you should keep watching.

Why?

Truth be told, with all the mishaps (to put it politely) and egos among the deeply divided rebels, as the episodes move along something delightful and insightful emerges over the talking-head historians, history lessons and trivia.

Even in this dank decade for American democracy that we are living in now, the recently neglected sense of the near universal inspiration created by our centuries-old revolution springs to life anew. Turns out, the tale of the wild American dogs chasing the Brits back over the pond and beginning one of the greatest leaps of faith in human history still makes for pretty damn good history, on the small screen and otherwise.

Or, in the words of Van Halen: “Change, nothin’ stays the same/Unchained, and ya hit the ground runnin’.

You also get some unconventional wisdom from American Revolution amidst stories you’ve heard a million times before — great stuff to show off at your kids’ school recitals and soccer practices.

The motivations behind Benedict Arnold’s turn to the British side, for example, actually turns out to be much more about the heart and of the divine than they ever taught us in school. Gen. Arnold (voiced by Keaton, who you are kinda dying for him to say “I am a traitor” in a “I am Batman” way) was all too human, it seems.

To be honest, especially when it comes to the American rebels partnering with the French and their despotic monarchy against George III and the Redcoats, Arnold’s betrayal of Washington (the latter voiced by the once George W. Bush-portraying Josh Brolin) and alliance with the British makes some degree of sense, at least from his perspective.

Which is to say, if you are interested in real people, real battles (literal, social, racial and political) and the messiness of what 1776 was and is all about, American Revolution is a tome well worth sticking with until the end – even though we all know how it ends.

Or do we?

To paraphrase that great American poet and hopefully future Ken Burns subject Gil Scott-Heron: The American Revolution will be televised, and it will be well worth watching.

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Dominic Patten

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November 14, 2025
20 Celebrities Who Chose Sobriety: Stories Of Strength, Change & Redemption

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Source: Warner Bros. TV / Getty

Drugs, alcohol, and fame have long been intertwined in Hollywood’s industry. The constant pressure to perform, maintain a public image, and navigate global scrutiny often drives stars toward self-destructive habits, which are often disguised as a form of relief. For decades, the entertainment industry has glamorized excess, but the reality behind the scenes is far more sobering. It’s a reality that sometimes includes addiction, public breakdowns, and tragic losses. From music icons to movie legends, sober celebrities have found themselves at the crossroads between fame and freedom, choosing recovery as their greatest comeback.

RELATED: Offset Opens Up About Dirty Doggin’ During Cardi B Marriage, Somberly Says He Regrets Continuous Creepin’—‘I Was Being Selfish’

The industry’s culture of indulgence can lead to dark spirals, mental health struggles, ruined relationships, and even death. It doesn’t always have to end that way, though. Countless stars have fought their way back from addiction, redefining themselves through sobriety. They’ve proven that strength and vulnerability can coexist, and that healing isn’t weakness, but rather a form of power.

Recently, Offset and Allen Iverson have become the latest public figures to open up about their journey to sobriety. Offset revealed that he’s been four years clean from codeine, saying his son inspired him to quit after realizing drugs weren’t necessary for creativity. Meanwhile, NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson announced he’s been six months sober from alcohol, calling it one of the best decisions of his life. Both men’s stories show how breaking free from destructive habits can spark a new era of clarity, health, and purpose.

Their stories mirror a growing wave of celebrities who are redefining what strength looks like. Sobriety isn’t just about quitting; it’s about reclaiming control, mental clarity, and emotional stability. From those who hit rock bottom to those who simply wanted better for themselves, their decisions to change prove that redemption is always possible, regardless of fame or fortune. They also further emphasize that recovery and self-control can coexist with success. Check out a list of 20 sober celebrities whose journeys reflect the courage it takes to walk away from addiction, temptation, and old habits in pursuit of peace and purpose. Congrats to all of these people for making a tough but essential decision for the greater good.

1. Robert Downey Jr.

Source:Getty

Once one of Hollywood’s most infamous addicts, Downey Jr. spent years battling heroin and cocaine before finding recovery in 2003. Through therapy, meditation, and family support, he rebuilt his career and life…ultimately becoming Iron Man and one of cinema’s greatest comeback stories.

2. Offset

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The Migos rapper opened up about being fur years sober from codeine, saying he quit after realizing how it affected his family and creativity. He credits fatherhood and self-discipline for helping him stay focused and grounded.

3. Steve-O

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Known for his chaotic Jackass stunts, Steve-O’s partying spiraled into heavy drug use and near death experiences. After an intervention from friends in 2008, he entered rehab and has been sober ever since, now using his platform to help others in recovery.

4. Lena Waithe

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The Emmy-winning writer and producer decided to give up alcohol to prioritize her mental clarity and creative flow. She’s spoken about how sobriety has sharpened her focus and deepened her storytelling.

5. Mary J. Blige

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The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul endured years of alcohol and cocaine abuse while hiding behind fame and success. Over a decade sober, she credits faith, therapy, and music for her healing, calling recovery her “greatest victory.”

6. Eminem

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The rap legend nearly died in 2007 after a methadone overdoes during his battle with prescription pill addiction. Now more than 15 years sober, he says his kids and music gave him purpose to fight for life again.

7. Macklemore

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The Grammy-winning rapper has long been open about his struggles with alcohol and relapse. He continues to live sober and uses music to inspire others to stay strong through addiction recovery.

8. Samuel L. Jackson

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Before becoming one of Hollywood’s most respected actors, Jackson fought heroin and cocaine addiction in the 1980s. Now more than 30 years sober, he credits his wife and family for helping him stay grounded.

9. Demi Lovato

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The pop star’s battles with addiction, overdose, and recovery have been public and painful. Lovato has since found a balanced path, embracing therapy, music, and faith as key parts of their sobriety and mental health journey.

10. Anthony Anderson

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The Black-ish star quit drinking to improve his health and manage diabetes. He says sobriety has given him renewed energy and helped him live more intentionally.

11. Allen Iverson

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Once known for his hard-living lifestyle, the NBA Hall of Famer revealed he’s now six months sober from alcohol. Iverson says the change has brought him peace and a clearer sense of direction.

12. Russell Brand

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The British comedian spent years addicted to heroin and alcohol before entering rehab in 2002. More than 20 years sober now, Brand advocates for recovery, mindfulness, and purpose through his books and podcasts.

13. Fantasia Barrino

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The American Idol winner once leaned on alcohol to cope with pain and pressure after early fame. Today she’s years sober, crediting prayer, family, and self-love for helping her heal.

14. Brad Pitt

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After his public divorce from Angelina Jolie, Pitt sought help for his heavy drinking and depression. Since getting sober, he’s spoken about the power of therapy and emotional honesty in his recovery.

15. Chris Rock

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The comedian revealed he quit drinking and started therapy to manage depression and trauma. He says sobriety has brought him calm, focus, and a deeper sense of personal peace.

16. Doja Cat

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In 2024, Doja Cat shared that she quit drinking after realizing alcohol made her feel “out of control.” She says sobriety has sharpened her creativity and made her feel more in tune with herself.

17. Ben Affleck

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Affleck’s long struggle with alcoholism has led to multiple stints in rehab and public relapses. Now asober and self-aware, he continues to focus on family, acting, and long-term recovery.

18. Doechii

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The rising rapper revealed she was constantly drinking and partying early in her career until she lost sight of herself. After quitting alcohol, she says her creativity and confidence returned stronger than ever.

19. Naomi Capmbell

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The supermodel faced addiction struggles in the early 2000s, entering rehab for cocaine and alcohol abuse. Now sober and focused on health, she’s become an advocate for wellness and emotional recovery.

20. Charlie Sheen

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Once known for his wild partying and public meltdowns, Sheen’s addictions to drugs and alcohol nearly destroyed his career and family life. He’s now been sober since 2017, crediting fatherhood and self-reflection for helping him find peace and stability.

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Davonta Herring

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October 13, 2025
Deep Blue Sea Is Still One of the Greatest Shark Movies 25 Years On

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Deep Blue Sea, a big dumb movie about big smart sharks, is still an entertaining action horror 25 years after it first swam onto our screens.

Director Renny Harlin has had a wild career in action and in horror. There are highs (The Long Kiss Goodnight, Cliffhanger) and lows (Cuthroat Island, Exorcist: The Beginning). Deep Blue Sea didn’t exactly end up being lauded as a cheesy horror-laced gem like its fellow 1999 blockbuster The Mummy, but in the realm of shark movies? It’s still got teeth.

It sees researchers at an underwater facility trying to find the cure for Alzheimer’s disease by studying the regenerative qualities of sharks’ brains. Unfortunately, it’s crunch time for the project financially, and the head honcho, Russell Franklin (Samuel L. Jackson), is coming to see how close they are to a breakthrough.

It turns out they’re very close. However, in typical movie scientists’ thinking, the head researchers (played by Stellan Skarsgard and Saffron Burrows) dope the test sharks to achieve the result. Consequently, the Mako sharks are not only bigger and faster but smarter, too. So when a violent storm and a gnarly accident occur, the smart sharks take the chance to get out and chomp on any poor souls unlucky enough to be in the way. Therefore, the choices for the crew are simple. Get to the surface, drown, or get eaten.

The Shark Movie Problem

Make no mistake. Much like exorcism movies, Shark movies have been chasing an unattainable high for some time. Genre standouts that transcend said genre, such as Jaws and The Exorcist, make it extremely difficult to follow. I have genuinely lost count of how many times I’ve had hopes for a shark movie and been bitterly disappointed. And it’s been almost 50 years since Jaws and its mechanical shark set the benchmark. There have been a lot of frankly awful spins on the template in that time.

So, admittedly, the bar is pretty low for shark movies to clear beyond Jaws. There’s more to it than just because Jaws exists (the change in how sharks are perceived especially). But misunderstanding what made the idea of colossal monsters of the deep lurking beneath your feet in the ocean so damn terrifying is a big part of it.

While Deep Blue Sea is undoubtedly quite goofy at times and clearly uninterested in abiding by actual shark behavior (some of which is admittedly explained away by their enhanced abilities), it doesn’t forget the golden rule. Feed on the fear of the deep and the things in it.

The scenes underwater where the human crew are at the mercy of the killer beasts have tension to them. Especially those in open water where Thomas Jane’s grizzled shark wrangler Carter Blake plays a game of chicken. On a personal level, there’s a moment that filled me with dread that wasn’t inherently scary itself. Carter swims through a mesh tunnel in the facility’s caged-off section of the sea. When he arrives at its exit, the shot shows just how insignificant that tunnel feels in comparison to the cavernous blue murk surrounding it. Deep Blue Sea may be a largely daft chomper romp, but it has its moments to make thasalaphobia sufferers uncomfortable. Credit has to be given for the often superb use of space.

Disaster in the Deep Blue Sea

It also mixes in a little bit of the classic disaster movie format. After some shark shenanigans, the underwater facility begins to flood and crumble. The crew traverses all manner of perilous situations, trying to get to the surface whilst the sharks gain more ground (well, water). It may not have been enough on its own to make a competent disaster flick, but it adds something to the monster movie format that rules the movie’s structure. Also, it helps that the facility itself is a great setting.

Perhaps most importantly, Deep Blue Sea moves along with the same single-minded focus of a shark. It gets the guff out of the way quickly. From there, it’s a straight shoot of sharks vs. humans vs. crumbling undersea facility for over an hour. Pure popcorn delight.

I do not want to sound old, but the kind of film Deep Blue Sea is increasingly difficult to find in modern-day cinema. Sure, there are plenty of genuinely low-rent homages to the action/horror hybrid. The sequels are underwhelming proof of that. On this scale, there’s simply nothing quite like it. It may not have The Mummy‘s swagger, but it’s just as gloriously entertaining in its own way.

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Neil Bolt

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July 28, 2024
Argylle, Matthew Vaughn’s “Layer Cake” of a Movie Still Not Ultimately as Layered as The Lost City

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Upon watching the first thirty-five seconds of the trailer for Argylle, it doesn’t take fans of 2022’s The Lost City very long to immediately spot a certain glaring correlation between the latter and the former. Right down to Argylle’s, spy novel author, Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard, not to be confused with Jessica Chastain, who once starred in a Matthew Vaughn-written movie called The Debt), being extremely introverted and “married to her work.” While The Lost City’s Loretta Sage (Sandra Bullock) might not have a cat she’s devoted to the way Elly is (another extremely gimmicky element of the movie), she embodies, for all intents and purposes, the same “lonely cat lady” trope. Where Loretta has a pushy manager, Beth Hatten (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), hounding her to finish the book so she can start her tour of it, Elly has her pushy mother, Ruth Conway (Catherine O’Hara), to make her write a different ending to the final installment in the Argylle series.

After reading the finale to the book, Ruth insists that Elly owes her readers more than that. Just like Dash McMahon a.k.a. Alan (Channing Tatum), the cover model for Loretta’s books, insists that she owes it to her readers to keep the Lovemore series—steeped in the erotic romance-adventure genre—going, even though she announces her plans to end it. Like Elly, she’s run out of things to say…and she also just thinks the books are generally schlocky, and not representative in the least of her true intelligence. The same ultimately goes for Elly, after Argylle’s screenwriter, Jason Fuchs, throws in an amnesia plotline that will eventually reveal Elly is an untapped reserve of far more intelligence than she lets on. An “alter ego” that will inevitably lead to her wearing an atrocious sequined gold dress that she doesn’t quite rock with the same panache as Loretta with her fuchsia sequined jumpsuit (on loan, of course).

Loretta’s own intelligence, too, has been suppressed in favor of using her archaeology degree to make the main character in her series seem more “believable.” Even though there is nothing believable about an archaeologist named Dr. Lovemore. An archaeologist named Dr. Sage, on the other hand, slightly more so. Alas, Loretta no longer pursues her archaeological ambitions “legitimately.” And that’s been making her feel like enough of a sham lately to call it quits on the erotic novel front. Stuck on the last chapter, just as Elly is with her own final installment in the Argylle series, Loretta decides to slap together an ending, much to Alan’s dismay. Not just because it puts him out of a job, but because he has a long-time crush on Loretta and losing proximity/access to her, however rare, is a bitter pill to swallow. Loretta, of course, couldn’t be more oblivious to his affections…in the same mousy, bookish manner that Elly is oblivious to the fondness Aidan Wilde (Sam Rockwell) has for her when he initially approaches her on a train under the guise of being a “regular Joe.”

Turns out, he’s there to save her from the bevy of fellow spies on the train (a concept that itself reeks of the banal Brad Pitt movie, Bullet Train) out to kidnap her for, what else, her savvy spy mind. As displayed with unexpected perspicacity and foresight in the books she’s written. Foresight that is so accurate, as a matter of fact, that the top/most dangerous spy organization in the world, the Division, truly believes she’s the only one who can find what (or rather, who) they’re looking for. In the same fashion, Abigail Fairfax (Daniel Radcliffe), the man who kidnaps Loretta in The Lost City, does so because, as he reminds her, “Your fictional archaeologist was making real translations of a dead language. Something no one else has been able to do.” He then reminds her that she was once a young college student doing her dissertation on the lost language that will lead Abigail to the Crown of Fire, a valuable yet priceless treasure that has thus far only been the stuff of lore. Until Loretta gave Abigail hope that she could crack the code to finding it.

Aidan, too, hopes that Elly can use her unique writer’s brain to tap into some arcane spy knowledge that will lead them to the British hacker who holds the Masterkey (better known as a USB drive) with all the damning evidence against the Division and its corrupt members. And, naturally, because Vaughn expects us to believe that Elly is just that shrewd (along with a lot of other things we’re supposed to “just believe”), she effortlessly figures out how to find him as she and Aidan embark on an increasingly dangerous, unexpected and all-over-the-map (literally and figuratively) journey. Which, yes, is precisely what happens in The Lost City. Except the hijinks that ensue once Loretta is kidnapped (also forced to take a plane she doesn’t want to get on, as is the case with Elly) are at least far more humorous and endearing to watch unfold (not to mention much less filled with so much expository dialogue).

Maybe this is because one knows that The Lost City isn’t trying to be everything to everyone. Doesn’t seek to extend beyond the confines of its rom-com adventure genre. One that mimics the spirit of 80s classics like Romancing the Stone and the various Indiana Jones movies of that decade. This being what The Lost City does as well, and yet with just a dash more credibility and a tone that is far less “look how clever we, the writer and director, are.” Goddamn, they’re acting like they’re capable of the kind of artful meta plotline that was present in Scream. Unfortunately, that’s not the scenario.

In any event, even The Lost City couldn’t fully melt the hearts of critics like Manohla Dargis, who wrote at the time of the film’s release: “The Lost City remains a copy of a copy.” One supposes that makes Argylle a copy of a copy of a copy. And not a very well-executed one at that. Not half as well-made as The Lost City anyway, a film that has apparently stoked a rash of imitators in the genre, including the J. Lo atrocity that was Shotgun Wedding.

Perhaps the sudden increased interest in spy and/or action-adventure rom-coms is a sign of the times, what with a reboot of Mr. and Mrs. Smith in TV series format also occurring this year. Whatever that sign is, it doesn’t exactly bode well for the “new Cold War”…or the hooey content of movies like Argylle.

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Genna Rivieccio

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February 7, 2024
Argylle’s Twists and Post-Credits Scene, Explained

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This post contains spoilers for Argylle.

Update, February 2, 12:30 p.m. ET: The actual writers of Argylle, the book, have been revealed: Terry Hayes, an Australian author and screenwriter best known for 2013’s I Am Pilgrim, and Tammy Cohen, a British writer of psychological thrillers. The pair went public in an interview with The Telegraph. Both Hayes and Cohen were previously floated by Vanity Fair as prime suspects for authorship of Argylle.

“God, I hope all the people that pre-ordered on the basis that Taylor wrote it aren’t disappointed,” Cohen told the publication in reference to the popular theory that Taylor Swift was behind the book.

“I hope they are!” Hayes quipped. “If that’s why they buy a book, they deserve every punishment they get.”

The hardest part of keeping their involvement with the project a secret for the last three years was “not being able to tell my support group of writer friends who I ring up every time I get into a mess,” Cohen said. “And also trying to account for a large amount of time when I apparently haven’t produced a book.” Hayes, who took a decade to complete his second novel, 2023’s The Year of the Locust, joked, “That was no problem for me.”

The original post continues below.

In the lead-up to Argylle, a new spy thriller from director Matthew Vaughn, Swifties and civilians alike attempted to decipher who wrote the novel that supposedly inspired the film. But in the words of Jodie Foster in True Detective, the world has been asking the wrong question. The issue isn’t who wrote Argylle, it’s why that author’s identity has been kept under wraps when the film’s biggest twist and post-credits scene motives have already been revealed.

First, a refresher: The film stars Bryce Dallas Howard as Elly Conway, author of a series of novels about a spy named Argylle. There is also an actual Argylle novel allegedly written by a real Elly Conway, who has a verified social media presence. Onlookers have speculated that the book was written by everyone from an under-the-radar real novelist to Taylor Swift. The Argylle team waited a while to extinguish that last bit of gossip, though Vanity Fair’s sources confirmed back in October that Swift is not the author. As John Cena, who plays henchman Wyatt in the film, recently told Today: “I can’t think of a better way for people to get to know Argylle—a movie where the tagline is, ‘The greater the spy, the bigger the lie’—than with some misdirection, some spy-type deception,” adding, “I got to debunk the rumor, but I’m grateful for Taylor and her fans to be so engaged, and it really fits in with our theme.”

The film version of Argylle contains details that can also be found in the real Conway’s digital footprint. The character mentions working as a small-town waitress before she was in an ice skating accident; Conway’s actual author bio on the Penguin Random House website mentions that “she wrote her first novel about Agent Argylle while working as a waitress in a late-night diner.” An author’s note in the book states that Conway conceived of the plot in a “febrile dream” that occurred after a “terrible accident.”

In the film, a fan of Conway’s points out the author’s talent for predicting real-life geopolitical events in the pages of her novels. “The secret is research, research, research,” Howard’s character replies. “Although that is what I would say as a real spy, so…” This is apparently what catches the attention of The Division, a cartoonishly evil group that begins to hunt Conway. In turn, the CIA sends Sam Rockwell’s spy, Aidan Wilde, to protect Elly.

Conway doesn’t know who to trust—an anxiety that is vindicated when she discovers that the people who purport to be her parents (played by Bryan Cranston and Catherine O’Hara) are actually Division baddies posing as mom and dad.

And then the film takes another twist. We learn that Elly Conway is not a real person, but a new identity that the evil duo gave Howard’s character after she began suffering from amnesia. Elly Conway is actually Agent R. (as in Rachel) Kylle, Samuel L. Jackson’s former CIA director, Alfred Solomon, tells her. Kylle was a top agency operative who fell into a coma and was then brainwashed by the opposition. The Division tricked her into becoming a reclusive author in hopes that her novels, based on Kylle’s actual repressed memories, would lead them to an all-important missing data file. As Alfie summarizes it: “The books are not predictions. They are memories of who you are.”

Of course, the real-life novel nods to this reveal. Conway dedicates the book to “Mom and Dad, who have been beside me every step of the way.”

Rachel’s amnesia begins to fade as her combat skills return. By the end of the film, just call her Zach Bryan, because she remembers everything and can thus save the day in outlandish fashion.

(from left) Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard) and Alfred Solomon (Samuel L. Jackson) in Argylle, directed by Matthew Vaughn.Peter Mountain/Universal Pictures,Apple Original Films,and MARV

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February 2, 2024
25 Famous Black Actors Of All Time: From Denzel Washington To Will Smith

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Hollywood teems with aspiring actors seeking stardom, yet only a select few attain great success. For black actors, the journey is often more arduous, marked by discrimination and limited opportunities. Who are some of the greatest black actors in the film industry? From Oscar winners such as Denzel Washington, and iconic figures like Sidney Poitier, to charismatic movie stars like Will Smith, each distinguished Black actor mentioned here has rightfully earned their spot through an impressive body of work and unforgettable performances. In honor of Black History Month this February, here’s a compilation of some of the famous black actors in the industry.

25 famous black actors of all time

1. Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington is a highly accomplished black actor known for his outstanding performances in movies. Born on December 28, 1954, in Mount Vernon, New York, he has become one of Hollywood’s most respected and successful stars. Denzel has received numerous awards, including two Academy Awards for Best Actor, showcasing his incredible talent and versatility on the big screen. His impressive filmography includes iconic roles in blockbuster films like Training Day, Glory, and Malcolm X.

2. Forest Whitaker

Forest Whitaker is a highly regarded African American actor known for his remarkable contributions to the film industry. Born on July 15, 1961, in Longview, Texas, he has established himself as a versatile and talented performer. Forest has received various accolades, including an Academy Award for Best Actor for his captivating portrayal of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in the film The Last King of Scotland.

Throughout his career, Forest Whitaker has showcased his acting prowess in a wide range of roles, from intense dramas to inspiring biopics. His notable works include performances in movies such as Bird, The Butler, and Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai. Additionally, Forest has been recognized for his contributions to both film and humanitarian efforts.

3. Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman, born on June 1, 1937, in Memphis, Tennessee, is an iconic actor and film narrator with a career spanning decades. Known for his distinctive voice and commanding presence, Freeman has earned numerous accolades, including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Million Dollar Baby.

Freeman’s filmography boasts a diverse range of roles, from memorable characters in classics like The Shawshank Redemption and Driving Miss Daisy to powerful performances in contemporary hits like The Dark Knight and Invictus.

4. Will Smith

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Will Smith, born on September 25, 1968, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is one of the best black actors, producer, rapper, and one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars. He gained fame in the late 1980s as part of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince before making his film debut.

Smith’s acting career took off with the hit TV series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, showcasing his comedic and dramatic talents. He seamlessly transitioned to the big screen with blockbuster successes like Independence Day, Men in Black, and Bad Boys.

5. Sidney Poitier

Sidney Poitier, born on February 20, 1927, in Miami, Florida, is a legendary actor, film director, author, and the first African-American to win the Academy Award for Best Actor. Raised in the Bahamas, Poitier moved to the United States at age 15.

Poitier’s acting career took off in the 1950s, and he became a trailblazer for black actors during a time of racial inequality in Hollywood. He earned acclaim for his roles in films such as Lilies of the Field, for which he won the Academy Award in 1963, and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.

Beyond breaking barriers, Poitier also directed films like Uptown Saturday Night and A Piece of the Action. His impact extends to his writing, with notable works like his autobiography, The Measure of a Man.

6. Jamie Foxx

Jamie Foxx, born Eric Marlon Bishop on December 13, 1967, in Terrell, Texas, is among top black actors, singer, comedian, and producer. He adopted the stage name Jamie Foxx to avoid gender bias in the entertainment industry.

Foxx rose to prominence as a stand-up comedian and gained recognition with his work on the sketch comedy show In Living Color in the early 1990s. He transitioned to acting, making his mark in films like Any Given Sunday and Collateral.

His breakthrough came with the biographical film Ray (2004), portraying legendary musician Ray Charles. Foxx’s remarkable performance earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor, establishing him as a leading figure in Hollywood.

7. Cuba Gooding Jr.

ALSO READ: Everything To Know About The Mean Girls Star Reneé Rapp Who’s Become Gen Z’s Latest Obsession

Cuba Gooding Jr., born on January 2, 1968, in The Bronx, New York, is an acclaimed actor known for his versatile performances across various film genres. He comes from a family with connections to the entertainment industry, with his father being a singer.

Gooding gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Tre Styles in John Singleton’s critically acclaimed film Boyz n the Hood (1991). His breakthrough performance earned him praise and set the stage for a successful acting career.

One of Cuba Gooding Jr.’s most iconic roles came in 1996 when he starred as the charming football player Rod Tidwell in Cameron Crowe’s Jerry Maguire. His memorable line, Show me the money! became a cultural catchphrase, and he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for this role.

8. Mekhi Phifer

Mekhi Phifer, born on December 29, 1974, in Harlem, New York, is an African American actors actor best known for his roles in both television and film. He grew up in a single-parent household and pursued acting as a career from a young age.

Phifer gained significant recognition for his captivating performances as Dr. Gregory Pratt on the medical drama series ER, where he appeared from 2002 to 2008. His portrayal of the character earned him widespread acclaim and showcased his versatility as an actor.

In addition to his television success, Mekhi Phifer has appeared in several notable films. One of his breakthrough roles was in the critically acclaimed film Clockers (1995), directed by Spike Lee. He continued to make a mark in the industry with roles in movies like Soul Food (1997), and 8 Mile (2002) alongside Eminem, and O (2001), a modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello.

9. Laurence Fishburne

Laurence Fishburne, born on July 30, 1961, in Augusta, Georgia, is a highly acclaimed black movie star, producer, and director. With a career spanning several decades, Fishburne has established himself as a versatile and respected figure for his memorable performances in the entertainment industry.

Fishburne gained early recognition for his role as a troubled teenager in the film Boyz n the Hood (1991), directed by John Singleton. However, his breakthrough came with the iconic role of Morpheus in the groundbreaking science fiction film The Matrix (1999), directed by the Wachowskis. The success of The Matrix trilogy solidified Fishburne’s status as a prominent actor in Hollywood.

10. Wesley Snipes

Wesley Snipes, born on July 31, 1962, in Orlando, Florida, is a versatile American actor, film producer, and martial artist. Known for his charismatic screen presence and action-packed roles, Snipes has left a significant mark on the entertainment industry.

Snipes gained prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s with roles in films such as Major League (1989) and New Jack City (1991). However, he became a household name with his portrayal of the vampire hunter Blade in the successful Blade film trilogy, beginning with Blade in 1998.

11. Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson, born on December 21, 1948, in Washington, D.C., is an iconic American actor and film producer with a prolific career spanning decades. Known for his commanding presence, distinctive voice, and versatility, Jackson has become a widely recognized figure in the entertainment industry.

Jackson’s breakthrough came with his collaboration with director Spike Lee in films like Do the Right Thing (1989) and Jungle Fever (1991). However, it was his role as Jules Winnfield in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction (1994) that catapulted him to international fame, earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

12. Larenz Tate

Larenz Tate, born on September 8, 1975, in Chicago, Illinois, is one of famous african american actors known for his dynamic performances in film and television. With a career spanning several decades, Tate has established himself as a talented and versatile actor.

Tate gained early recognition for his breakout role in the critically acclaimed film Menace II Society (1993), where he portrayed the character O-Dog. He continued to showcase his acting prowess in movies like Dead Presidents (1995), Love Jones (1997), and The Postman (1997).

In addition to his success in film, Larenz Tate has made a significant impact on television. He has been featured in various TV shows, including his notable role as Bart Black Shawn Johnston in the popular series Power.

13. Chadwick Boseman

Chadwick Boseman, born on November 29, 1976, in Anderson, South Carolina, was a black American actor known for his powerful performances and significant contributions to the film industry. Unfortunately, he passed away on August 28, 2020, at the age of 43.

Boseman gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of historical figures, most notably Jackie Robinson in 42 (2013) and James Brown in Get on Up (2014). However, he achieved global stardom and became an icon for his role as T’Challa/Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, debuting in Captain America: Civil War (2016) and headlining Black Panther (2018).

14. Eddie Murphy

Eddie Murphy, born on April 3, 1961, in Brooklyn, New York, is a highly influential black actor, comedian, writer, producer, and singer. Murphy’s career began in the late 1970s as a cast member on the comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL), where he gained widespread recognition for his comedic talent.

In the 1980s, Eddie Murphy transitioned to film and became one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. His breakout role came in 48 Hrs. (1982), followed by numerous successful films such as Beverly Hills Cop (1984), Coming to America (1988), and The Nutty Professor (1996). Murphy displayed his versatility by taking on various roles, from action films to family comedies.

15. Idris Elba

Idris Elba, born on September 6, 1972, in London, England, is a British actor, producer, musician, and DJ. Known for his commanding presence and versatility, Elba has established himself as one of the most respected and sought-after actors in the entertainment industry.

Elba gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Stringer Bell in the acclaimed television series The Wire (2002-2004). His notable film roles include performances in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013), where he portrayed Nelson Mandela, Beasts of No Nation (2015), and as Heimdall in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films

16. Michael B. Jordan

Michael B. Jordan, born on February 9, 1987, in Santa Ana, California, is one of the best black actors and producers out there. He rose to prominence for his compelling performances in both film and television, establishing himself as a leading figure in the entertainment industry.

Jordan’s breakthrough came with his role as Wallace in the critically acclaimed television series The Wire (2002-2004). He gained widespread recognition and acclaim for his portrayal of Oscar Grant in the film Fruitvale Station (2013).

His career continued to soar with notable roles in movies like Creed (2015), where he played the lead role of Adonis Creed, and as Erik Killmonger in Marvel’s Black Panther (2018).

17. James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones, born on January 17, 1931, is a top black actor known for his commanding voice and versatile performances in both stage and film. With an illustrious career, he has received acclaim for his work in classics like The Great White Hope on Broadway, earning him a Tony Award.

Jones is also famous for providing the voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars franchise. His impactful contributions to the entertainment industry have solidified him as a legendary figure in acting.

18. Don Cheadle

Don Cheadle, born on November 29, 1964, is an accomplished American actor, producer, and author. With a career spanning decades, Cheadle has showcased his talent in a variety of roles, earning critical acclaim and several award nominations. He gained recognition for his performances in films like Hotel Rwanda, earning an Academy Award nomination, and in the Ocean’s Eleven trilogy. Cheadle’s versatility extends to television, where he starred in the series House of Lies, earning a Golden Globe Award.

19. Billy Dee Williams

Billy Dee Williams, born on April 6, 1937, is an American actor, artist, and singer. He gained fame for his smooth and charismatic performances, earning him a place as a notable figure in Hollywood.

Williams is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Lando Calrissian in the Star Wars franchise, appearing in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.

Beyond his sci-fi roles, he showcased his acting prowess in films like Lady Sings the Blues alongside Diana Ross and Mahogany. Williams is recognized not only for his acting but also for his artistic talent, as he is a skilled painter.

20. Terrence Howard

Terrence Howard, born on March 11, 1969, is an American actor, singer, and film producer. He rose to prominence for his versatile performances in various films and television shows. Howard gained critical acclaim for his role in Hustle & Flow, earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. He is also known for his role as James Rhodey Rhodes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appearing in the first Iron Man film.

21. Harry Belafonte

Harry Belafonte, born on March 1, 1927, is an American singer, actor, and social activist. He is widely regarded as one of the most successful and influential entertainers in the world. Belafonte’s career spans over seven decades, during which he achieved fame as a singer with hit songs like Banana Boat Song (Day-O) and Jamaica Farewell.

In addition to his musical success, Belafonte made significant contributions to the civil rights movement. He used his platform to advocate for social justice, participating in various protests and supporting initiatives to address racial inequality, adding him to the list of good black actors in Hollywood.

22. Keith David

Keith David, born on June 4, 1956, is an American actor and voice actor with a prolific career spanning film, television, and theater. Known for his distinctive voice and versatile acting skills, David has become a respected figure in the entertainment industry.

He has appeared in a wide range of films, including notable roles in Platoon, The Thing, They Live, and Crash. In addition to his on-screen work, David has made significant contributions as a voice actor, lending his talents to animated projects, video games, and narration.

23. Richard Pryor

Richard Pryor, born on December 1, 1940, was an iconic American stand-up comedian, actor, and social critic. Widely regarded as one of the greatest comedians in the history of stand-up comedy, Pryor’s influence extends far beyond the stage. His innovative and raw approach to comedy addressed social issues, racism, and personal experiences, setting a new standard for the genre.

Pryor’s career spanned several decades, and he released numerous comedy albums, earning multiple Grammy Awards for his work. He also found success in the film industry, starring in movies such as Silver Streak, Stir Crazy, and Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip.

24. Danny Glover

Danny Glover, born on July 22, 1946, is an acclaimed American actor, film director, and political activist. With a career spanning several decades, Glover has made significant contributions to the entertainment industry and beyond.

Glover gained widespread recognition for his role as Roger Murtaugh in the Lethal Weapon film series alongside Mel Gibson. His performances in films such as The Color Purple, Witness, and Predator 2 further solidified his status as a versatile actor.

In addition to his successful acting career, Glover is known for his activism and advocacy work. He has been a vocal supporter of various social and political causes, including civil rights, labor rights, and humanitarian issues.

25. Clifton Powell

Clifton Powell, born on March 16, 1956, is an American actor, producer, and comedian known for his diverse contributions to film and television. With a career spanning several decades, Powell has established himself as a versatile performer in the entertainment industry.

Powell has appeared in numerous films, showcasing his acting prowess across various genres. Some of his notable film credits include roles in Menace II Society, Dead Presidents, and Ray. In addition to his work in film, Powell has made appearances on television shows, gaining recognition for roles in series like South Central, Roc, and House of Payne.

ALSO READ: 66th Grammy Awards: Stellar Performance Lineup Revealed Ft Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Bruna Boy, and More

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January 31, 2024
Ripping the Headlines Today – Paul Lander, Humor Times

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Making fun of the headlines today, so you don’t have to

The news, even that about Taylor Swift fans (aka “Swifties”), doesn’t need to be complicated or confusing; that’s what any new release from Microsoft is for. And, as in the case with anything from Microsoft, to keep the news from worrying our pretty little heads over, remember something new and equally indecipherable will come out soon:

Really all you need to do is follow one simple rule: barely pay attention and jump to conclusions. So, here are some headlines today and my first thoughts:

Ted Nugent sends a harsh message about Taylor Swift’s music — and Swifties clap back

… So, it’s the Swifties vs. the not so swift …

Something stinks: Why #TrumpSmells is trending on X

Can’t believe no judge has pounded the gavel and proclaimed “Odor in the court, odor in the court,” when Trump enters.

Tesla owner says he had to cancel Christmas plans because car would not charge in freezing weather

On the upside his Model 3 didn’t back over his kids.

The ‘why’ behind the effort to recruit Romney for president in 2024

Joe Biden shrugs it off and says “kids, today…”

Mariah Carey and Bryan Tanaka split after 7 years together, day after Christmas

Her new Holiday classic ‘All I Want for Christmas is You (To Get Lost).’

Ozempic overdose? Poison control experts explain why thousands OD’d this year

And looked great while doing so.

Kim Guilfoyle to Alina Habba: “If you could please get my fiancée and his brother off, I’d really appreciate it’

Oh, there’s a good chance she’s getting them off, all right.

Spirit Airlines put a 6-year-old on the wrong flight and flew him 160 miles away from his family

On the bright side, their luggage arrived okay.

Lindsey Graham clucks at New York officials over Chick-Fil-A bill

You’d think he’d be more a Dairy Queen guy.

Jessa Duggar welcomes baby No. 5 with husband Ben Seewald

This woman doesn’t have a uterus, she has a Gymboree …

Biggest Christmas shopping season ever

Beware, if stuff was missing under your tree, you might have been visited by ‘Santos’ Claus.

Happy 75th birthday to Samuel L. Jackson

F#$k yeah, motherf#$er.

Teacher lived with over 300 cats, chickens and ducks in mobile home, Florida sheriff says

Cats and chickens and ducks, oh my.

You are the father!’ Maury Povich declares to Denver Zoo orangutan

… So, that lets 45. and Gary Busey off the hook for Eric Trump …

Paul Lander is not sure which he is proudest of — winning the Noble Peace Prize or sending Congolese gynecologist Dr. Denis Mukwege to accept it on his behalf, bringing to light the plight of African women in war-torn countries. In his non-daydreaming hours, Paul has written for Weekly Humorist, National Lampoon, American Bystander, Huff Post Comedy, McSweeney’s, Bombeck Writers Workshop Blog and the Humor Times, written and/or produced for multiple TV shows and written standup material that’s been performed on Maher, The Daily Show, Colbert, Kimmel, etc. Now, on to Paul’s time-commanding Special Forces in Khandahar… (See all of Paul’s “Ripping the Headlines Today” columns here.)

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January 2, 2024
The Marvels Review: Brie Larson, Imam Velani, and Teyonah Parris’ battle of bangles is half-baked but amusing | PINKVILLA

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The Marvels Plot

As Kree, a faraway civilization undergoes leadership changes, the new Supremo decides to take revenge against Captain Marvel who they seem to be blaming for their nightfall. Carol Danvers, meanwhile, is working away when she learns of an anomaly in space and tries to solve it on her own, unknowingly building a connection between all the “Marvels”. She transports places with a teenager, who happens to be none other than the amateur superhero, Kamala Khan aka Ms. Marvel, and then with Monica Rambeau, the kid she left behind years ago.

All hell breaks loose as Dar-Benn charges upon multiple spatial locations to take down what’s dear to Captain Marvel and, in the meantime, hunts for the other bangle that would allow her the maximum strength to build her planet a new sun. Only, the bangle is on earth, firmly placed on the arm of an unaware Kamala Khan. This now ensues a confusing, spot-changing, spatial battle to convince Dar-Benn and save Earth’s sun.

Watch The Marvels trailer

The Goods

The cinematics. Marvel Studios had been known for bringing comics to life and taking them beyond with its magic. The recent few years have shouldered the brunt of the audience with arguably bad editing and visual effects, it seems that The Marvels took its time to become worthy of the legacy left behind.

The unexpected comic relief that was once enjoyed by fans of earlier MCU seems to have returned. It’s not in-your-face and even slightly questionable like in Deadpool and neither is it flat falling like in the past couple of films. The humor is spread out and light, not needing a lot to engage the viewers, which may after all work in its favor.

The Bads

The highly anticipated Marvel Studios creation, led by Captain Marvel’s story, breaks into havoc quite early on. As multiple teleportations happen all at once, the action scenes are scarce, breaking flow every too often. At times, it even seems that there are too many superheroes with only one not-so-evil villain, diminishing the power of the revenge story.

Park Seo Joon’s role- or lack thereof- may just become a major downfall for fans of the star who probably went in expecting more than one verse of singing and short-handed dialogues that ended without climatic glory for Prince Yan. His cameo came off as more of an incomplete storyline. Towards the end of the movie, there are so many things in so many places breaking into each other that you almost want them to take a breather.

Acting Performances in The Marvels

Brie Larson does not take it upon herself to pull the weight of the film and it shows. She appears almost nonchalant in some scenes which one would not expect from the lead cast. Teyonah Parris, on the other hand, goes in too deep too soon with emotive eyes and flashy moves that don’t make up for her contribution to the creation. Iman Vellani is indifferent to her webseries portrayal and that’s about it from her as she continues to fan over Captain Marvel.

Samuel L. Jackson has to be our pick for the best acting, thanks to his reigning command over the role of Nick Fury, and we best leave talk about Park Seo Joon’s role to a minimum.

Final Review: The Marvels

The Marvels is not for die-hard fans of the comic books. For MCU fans, it may be different to watch the movie with context and they may perceive it as an improvement from the last few attempts of the Studios. For unaware viewers, it’s a weekend runner that comes full circle and leaves not much to the imagination, making for an acceptable watch.

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November 9, 2023
Marvel Fans React To Martin Scorsese’s ‘Killers Of The Flower Moon’

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In a controversial opinion piece penned for The New York Times, acclaimed film director Martin Scorcese argued that Marvel movies cannot be classified as cinema. The Onion asked fans of the action movie franchise what they thought of Scorcese’s latest film, Killers Of The Flower Moon, and this is what they said.

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October 20, 2023
Samuel L. Jackson Explains Giving Scarlett Johansson And Ryan Reynolds ‘10 Pounds Of Bees’

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Samuel L. Jackson is reflecting on the un-bee-lievable gift he once gave now-exes Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds to celebrate their 2008 wedding.

While speaking with Vulture, the “Secret Invasion” actor explained what inspired him to give the pair the outlandish present.

Jackson starred in 2017’s “Hitman’s Bodyguard” alongside Reynolds, whom he coined a “savvy motherfucker,” but explained that he first met the Canadian actor through Johansson, his Marvel co-star.

Because Jackson said the “Black Widow” actor “was always talking about nature,” it only made sense for the “Shaft” star to bestow her and Reynolds with a beehive containing “10 pounds of bees.”

“So I had my assistant go out and buy 10 pounds of bees, and then I bought them bee suits and the whole thing,” Jackson recalled. “They kept bees for a while. They got honey for a couple of years while they were married.”

He added: “And then one day the bees abandoned the hive or they abandoned the queen or some shit.”

Johansson and the “Deadpool” star called it quits in 2011. Just a year later, Reynolds tied the knot with actor Blake Lively. The pair share four children.

The “Lucy” actor moved on to marry French journalist Romain Dauriac in 2014, but the two parted ways in 2017. The exes share an 8-year-old daughter, Rose Dorothy.

Johansson is now married to comedian Colin Jost after they wed in October 2020. The two welcomed their son, Cosmo, in August 2021.

In February, Reynolds dished about the unconventional gift while appearing on “Late Show With David Letterman” in 2009, quipping that he halfway expected to receive a “bloodless corpse of a frat boy” as a wedding gift from the “Pulp Fiction” star.

“But no, [Jackson’s assistant] comes back [to my front door] from the trunk, and he brings this square box, and it’s humming to an insane degree. He tells me that there are 10,000 bees in here, and Mr. Jackson would like you to have this beehive,” Reynolds explained.

He added: “So I said, ‘I guess we’re putting that in the backyard?’ And he says, ‘Yes.’ So he hands me a couple of beekeeping outfits and a lifetime subscription to the American Beekeepers Journal. The next thing I know, I’m making honey.”

Reynolds went on to joke that, despite being petrified by the gift, the bees turned out to be “a great security system” for his home.

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July 20, 2023
Emilia Clarke says she almost ran Samuel L. Jackson over on the ‘Secret Invasion’ set | CNN

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CNN
—

Emilia Clarke was thrilled to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but a near accident involving Samuel L. Jackson almost sent her reeling.

“I nearly ran him over,” the “Game of Thrones” star revealed to Yahoo Entertainment in a video interview published on Friday, in reference to a mishap on the set of the new MCU series “Secret Invasion.”

Clarke described how she was instructed to drive a Lada – which she explained “is like a very old Russian car” – for a scene in the sci-fi thriller show, in which she was supposed to drive right up to the camera, and Jackson, and stop short.

The transmission and the shifter were confusing, though, as the Lada had something like six knobs and 10 pedals, akin to “a tractor,” Clarke explained.

Production was running behind, however, and there was pressure to get the shot, so Clarke went for it.

“I pressed the wrong thing, I pressed the accelerator rather than the brake,” she said.

The actor was able to correct her error in the nick of time though, thereby avoiding certain disaster and a collision with Jackson – a.k.a. Nick Fury.

As for how Jackson handled the moment, Clarke said, “He was very gentlemanly and lovely and nice.”

But, Clarke continued to say, “Then I cried a little bit and someone else drove it for me.”

“Secret Invasion,” also starring Cobie Smulders, Ben Mendelsohn and Oscar winner Olivia Colman, follows a covert infiltration of alien race Skrulls – first introduced in 2019’s “Captain Marvel” – on planet Earth.

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June 24, 2023
Cobie Smulders on Her Tragic MCU Fate: “I’m Pretty Sure This Is It”

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This feature contains spoilers about the series premiere of Secret Invasion.

From the moment she was offered a role in Secret Invasion, Cobie Smulders knew she’d be saying goodbye. She’s held on to the twist for well over a year—fashioning “a whole shuffle-step dance” at press events, carefully talking around her fate in the MCU’s newest series without giving anything away. Now she can at last discuss it, and breathes a palpable, slightly melancholy sigh of relief in her first interview. “Finally it’s out there,” she tells me over Zoom. “I’ve been well trained—yeah, I’ve had to keep secrets.”

Spoken like a true Marvel veteran. Smulders has been part of the MCU machine for more than a decade, going back to her first appearance in 2012’s original Avengers movie as Maria Hill, the right-hand woman to Samuel L. Jackson’s SHIELD director, Nick Fury. The sharp, levelheaded, analytical character popped up in many more movies as the MCU’s mythology evolved and its heroes came and went; eventually, she became one of the last Phase One figures standing. Hill rarely drove the action, but took part in several of the franchise’s most indelible moments as a crucial strategic contributor, and was set to make her big return in Secret Invasion, the Disney+ series centered on Fury. This turned out to be her last chapter—well, presumably.

Hill dies at the end of the series premiere, which is set in Moscow. She’s reunited with a weathered Fury as they prepare to stop Gravik (Kingsley Ben-Adir) and his team of rebel Skrulls—shape-shifters who’ve invaded Earth and can take on the appearance of any human. An attack against Fury and his allies in a town square culminates in Hill getting shot by a Skrull who’s taken on the appearance of Fury. Hill’s dizzying final few seconds of life find her grappling with the possibility that her closest ally has betrayed and killed her. When the real Fury realizes what’s happened, he tells her it wasn’t him, but it may be too late. In that ambiguity, the series’ conflict is set in motion, fueled by Fury’s grief and quest for revenge.

We’re now firmly in the era of multiverses and time-jumps, so question one: Is Hill really dead? “I mean, I didn’t know I was an alien in Spider-Man,” Smulders cracks, referencing the twist of her appearance in Far From Home. “There is a multiverse now, so anything is possible. But I’m pretty sure this is it.” (As for rumors that she appears in this fall’s The Marvels, Smulders denies them: “I don’t know anything about that.”) During our conversation, Smulders speaks of Hill’s fate with a certain finality, having made peace with the fact that this is likely the end. “It felt and it feels strange,” she says. “Maria Hill’s passing is very real, and it’s shocking, and it feels very human.” She adds, “It was a sad day.”

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David Canfield

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June 23, 2023
Secret Invasion Episode 1 Recap and Ending, Explained: Samuel L. Jackson Enters MCU’s Phase 5

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Disclaimer: This article contains major spoilers from Secret Invasion episode 1-2

After seven odd series featuring our favourite Avengers and new superheroes in everything between a sitcom and a detective drama, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is back with a new series. Secret Invasion directed by Ali Selim, starring Samuel L. Jackson who returns to play Nick Fury is expectedly different. Joining him are Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders), special agent Sonya Falsworth (Olivia Coleman making her MCU debut), General Talos (Ben Mendelsohn), newly introduced Skrull G’iah (Emilia Clarke) and others. Like most series coming from the studio of late, it continues the MCU’s trend of ground-level storytelling. Across 6 episodes, the espionage thriller is set to play out a conflict between the shape shifting Skrulls and Fury. Basically, we can trust nobody.

Secret Invasion picks up years after the events of Captain Marvel (2019). Back then, Nick Fury and Carol Danvers had promised the Skrulls that they would find them a home, a promise that wasn’t fulfilled. Turns out, the repercussions of lying to a powerful alien race that can take on your mom’s disguise are huge. The first two episodes barely have any superhero action save for an off-duty James Rhodes (Don Cheadle). This is a major departure from the popular comic book run that revolved around Skrulls secretly spying on humans using their abilities to take their form and featured pretty much everything major Marvel superheroes out there.

Filmfare had the opportunity to view the first two episodes of Secret Invasion ahead of the show’s release. Here’s everything that went down in the premiere and what it all leads up to in the next episode.

What happens in episode 1 of Secret Invasion?

Secret Invasion episode 1 opens in Moscow, Russia. We see Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) meeting Agent Prescod who tells him that the Skrulls are responsible for the terrorist attacks happening across the globe. He urges Ross to call Nick Fury to Earth from the S.A.B.E.R Space Station and shows him the Skrulls’ plans to back up his claims. Ross doesn’t look convinced but agrees to make some calls. When he starts acting suspiciously, Prescod senses something is wrong and attacks him. After a chase sequence, it is revealed that Ross is a Skrull – Talos. Of course, this brings Nick Fury back to Earth and he links up with Maria Hill and Talos to take care of the Skrull insurgency.

Talos briefs Nick Fury about the rebel Skrulls who are tired of waiting around for Fury to find them a new home. They have taken human form and have been orchestrating terrorist attacks to wipe out humans from the planet. And it looks like there are more of them than Fury would like to believe. Talos was kicked out of the Skrull council and Gravik (Kingsley Ben-Adir), a rebel leader, took his place. Elsewhere, we see James Rhodes talking to the President about Fury’s absence on the space station. The president asks him to deal with Fury, naturally upset that he has abandoned his priorities in space.

Fury gets kidnapped while he’s on a walk and when he reaches his destination, he is surprised to meet MI6 agent Sonya Falsworth, an old accomplice. Meanwhile, we see G’iah who along with rebel Skrulls has been living in nuclear power plants that have been shut down for years (Skrulls are not affected by radioactivity), bring a Skrull into the fold. Here, it is revealed that they have been living as refugees and kidnapping humans to not just take on their faces but also their minds. It is important to note that G’iah is Talos’ daughter who has joined Gravik and his cause. The latter has a bigger stake in stopping the insurgency.

What happens at the end of Secret Invasion episode 1?

Amidst all the chaos, Nick Fury, Maria Hill and General Talos are informed of a terrorist threat from a rebel called Vasily Poprishchin. They need to get a handle on the situation before Sonya, who is also looking for information against the Skrulls, finds out. And she isn’t as forgiving. Gravik asks G’iah to bring over bombs from Vasily. She gets her hands on the bombs before Fury and Co. get there. Maria fails at stopping G’iah. Next up – Talos tries to stop G’iah and reveals that her mother Soren is dead and tells her to stop working with Gravik. This doesn’t work and G’iah carries on with the bomb.

After another confrontation between Talos and G’iah, we learn that there are so many Skrulls that it is hard to pinpoint who is a human and who is a Skrull in human form. And remember how nobody stopped G’iah from delivering the bombs? Yeah, the bombs did explode. During the attack, Gravik takes on Nick Fury’s disguise and mercilessly kills Maria Hill.

So is Maria Hill really dead?

The most shocking part of Secret Invasion episode 1 is Maria’s death. The character has been on the Marvel roster for years now. To take her out in a show that had the perfect opportunity to explore her story further seems like a strange move. While Gravik kills Maria, Fury feels responsible (as he should). It is a heartbreaking moment in a show steeped in the lingering feeling of loss. Maria trusted him and has been a consistent help to Fury since she was first introduced in The Avengers (2012). Hill dies in his arms. Not only did Fury lose one of his most important allies, but his presence in Russia also complicated things for the U.S.

What will happen in episode 2?

While the first episode is slow in the build-up, the next episode moves fast. Without spoiling much, Fury will be left to deal with the fallout of the terrorist attack. Not only will he have to contend with his personal loss but also answer for his part in Maria’s death. Episode 2 will also reveal more about the rebel Skrulls’ plans. More importantly, Fury will be visited by an old friend who will come bearing unexpected information and intentions.

The first episode of Secret Invasion is currently streaming.

SEE ALSO: Marvel delays Avengers 5, Fantastic Four and other movies. Details inside

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Tanzim Pardiwalla

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June 21, 2023
Sylvester Stallone Reveals Which MCU Character He Wishes He Could Have Played

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By Melissa Romualdi.
Published: 37 mins ago

Sylvester Stallone is reflecting on his six-decade-long career, which spans across more than 50 films that have reportedly collectively grossed about $3 billion at the box office.

Although the actor has had many successful leading roles like his infamous character, Rocky Balboa, he does wish he could have taken on a certain role where he wouldn’t have been “the main guy.”

In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the 76-year-old actor looked back on his contributions to the comic book sphere, revealing that he wouldn’t have been opposed to portraying a specific character in the MCU

READ MORE:
Sylvester Stallone Reveals He Had A ‘Reawakening’ After Nearly Getting Divorced

When asked is there’s a certain comic book character that he’d like to play, Stallone noted that he doesn’t “look like any comic book character.”

“Like, I could have never played the Terminator,” he said. “No one would make a robot with a crooked mouth and voice that sounds like a pallbearer. It just doesn’t work.”

However, the actor revealed that there is a character he’d want to portray- the one Samuel L. Jackson ended up playing, the MCU’s Director of Nick Fury.

READ MORE:
Samuel L. Jackson Is Proud Of His Superhero Movies: ‘Movies Are Movies’

“I thought I could have done something like that, where I’m not the main guy,” he said of the character “with the eyepatch.”

For more on Stallone’s impressive career, including everything from regrets to feuds, check out his in-depth interview with THR.

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Melissa Romualdi

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November 7, 2022