Movies

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when approaching Tolkien’s work, even if you love books. His world of Middle-earth is incredibly detailed, with completely invented languages and a rich, complex history. It’s also a bit complicated because many of his most famous books were published after his death, thanks to the work of his son, Christopher, who managed his literary estate. But don’t worry! Think of this as your helpful guide to the essential books for any dedicated Tolkien fan.

The trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day shows that Peter Parker’s DNA is changing, which is affecting his powers. While it’s unknown what this will ultimately mean, this isn’t the first time Spider-Man has faced such a challenge. The idea of his abilities being altered has been used in many stories over the years, so there are several ways this new plot could go.

The first episode of Invincible season 4 sees Mark Grayson returning as Invincible, facing new enemies while still healing from his fight with Conquest. Atom Eve is also recovering, learning to control her powers after pushing her limits during that same battle. This recovery has led to some unexpected developments in Mark and Eve’s relationship, though it’s a more hopeful direction than what happens in the original comic book.

Many highly-regarded mecha anime, even those considered better than Neon Genesis Evangelion, actually owe a debt to it, demonstrating its huge influence on both creators and viewers. Other shows explore the genre in fresh and unique ways, while some are simply the strongest installments in their respective series – earning them a place alongside, or even above, Evangelion in terms of quality.

Traditional Westerns aren’t as widely watched as they used to be, largely because modern Westerns tend to focus less on romanticized myths. However, every now and then, a true Western still appears, and The Dirty Black Bag, an Italian TV series, is a prime example.

In 2006, audiences saw a comic book movie that felt completely different from anything they’d seen before. V for Vendetta, adapted from the work of Alan Moore and David Lloyd, used the familiar elements of a superhero story to explore a dark, fascist future. Surprisingly, it also went on to inspire a major online movement.

The story centers on Muad’dib, destined for immense power, and his fulfillment of an age-old plan to establish a ruler unlike any other – one born of humanity, not divine origin.

Even though the actors were getting older by the last season and the show’s ending wasn’t universally loved, the first two seasons of Stranger Things brilliantly combined relatable characters, funny coming-of-age moments, science fiction, scary horror, intriguing mysteries, and thrilling conspiracy elements. It easily could have been a chaotic failure, but it wasn’t.

When people learned Patrick Wilson was joining Season 3 of The Last of Us, many immediately thought he’d be playing Jerry, Abby’s father. Jerry is the surgeon Joel kills, an act that supposedly prevents a vaccine for the Cordyceps infection from ever being created. However, Wilson wasn’t the actor who briefly portrayed Jerry at the end of Season 1.

In a Rolling Stone article, Evan Wright spent time with the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion of Marines, earning their trust over time and revealing their true characters as the war progressed. This access to unseen realities is what makes Generation Kill a standout war drama on HBO – and also what prevents it from fully connecting with viewers. Like the war itself, the series is complex and challenging, but many people prefer to avoid such difficult truths.