Fantasy shows are most successful when they combine magical elements with realistic human stories about things like power, family, loss, and finding oneself. These shows, whether based on popular books or completely original, have become major parts of our culture. They spark a lot of conversation online, create passionate fan groups, and prove that stories about magic, monsters, and heroes appeal to everyone.
These three games are great examples of titles that overcame initial negativity. While they all started with a lot of buzz, they also faced criticism and weren’t always well-received at first. However, playing them now reveals that solid gameplay and smart design ultimately stand the test of time. If you’re willing to give them another try, you’ll find they lived up to the original excitement.
Jack Torrance, famous for his part in The Shining and Doctor Sleep, actually makes a brief appearance in Stephen King’s IT. However, the series Welcome to Derry significantly expands his story. This new focus reveals Jack and his psychic ability, ‘the shining,’ are central to understanding Pennywise’s powers – and we get to see much more of the character than ever before. The series also introduces Jack’s grandmother, Rose, who shared his ability. Though mentioned in both The Shining and Doctor Sleep books and films, Rose never appeared on screen in the movies directed by Stanley Kubrick or Mike Flanagan, until now – she’s featured in Season 1, Episode 3 of IT: Welcome to Derry.
Skyrim is undoubtedly one of Bethesda’s most successful games. While previous Elder Scrolls titles were well-liked, Skyrim really launched the series to a new level of popularity. It continues to sell incredibly well, partly because Bethesda has repeatedly re-released it instead of releasing The Elder Scrolls 6. But what makes Skyrim one of the most famous and cherished RPGs ever made? With the game turning fourteen, I’m going to try and explain its enduring appeal.
With the 25th anniversary of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Universal has released a new 4K version of the holiday favorite. It’s available as a regular release and a special limited-edition SteelBook. This isn’t just a re-release, though – the 4K version features improved picture quality and enhanced bonus features.
Elizabeth Olsen, star of WandaVision, recently told Inverse that she sees the upcoming VisionQuest as the final piece in a three-part story that began almost five years ago. She explained that Paul Bettany recently shared details about the show with her, and he seemed very proud of it. Olsen believes VisionQuest, along with WandaVision and the Agatha All Along series, creates a complete arc, and she’s looking forward to seeing it.
Marvel has been struggling to generate excitement for the Avengers and X-Men recently. While they’ve announced Brian Michael Bendis’s return for a brief Avengers story and previewed the next chapter of the X-Men’s adventures following the Krakoa era at New York Comic Con, these efforts haven’t really addressed the core issues. Marvel needs a way to reignite interest in both teams, and I believe bringing back the Avengers Unity Squad – the Uncanny Avengers – is the answer.
Director Edgar Wright is known for his fast-paced, visually dynamic films, a style that’s been hard for others to copy. This energy was evident from his early work like Shaun of the Dead, continued through films like Hot Fuzz and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, and seemed to reach its height with Baby Driver. While Last Night in Soho attempted his signature style, it suffered from a confusing story. Now, with The Running Man, Wright’s trademark flair appears inconsistently, though the performance by lead actor Powell is still captivating.
Fans of the sitcom A.P. Bio will be disappointed to learn that all four seasons are leaving Netflix on November 15th, just a year after the show joined the streaming service. Created by Mike O’Brien and executive produced by Seth Meyers, the series stars Glenn Howerton (known from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) as Jack Griffin, a former Harvard professor who loses his way. Forced to return to his hometown of Toledo, Ohio, he takes a job teaching at the made-up Whitlock High School. Despite being hired to teach AP Biology, Griffin mostly uses his students to help him get revenge on those who have wronged him.
I’ve never really gotten into Skyrim, despite its popularity and influence on other games I love. For the past 14 years, I’ve been trying to explain why it just didn’t click with me. It’s not that I think the game is bad, or that people who enjoy it are wrong—it’s just that something about the series hasn’t resonated with me personally.