I’m a big fan of Paul Mescal and think he’s a truly gifted actor, and I also find Jessie Buckley captivating to watch. That’s why I was so eager to see Hamnet at the Chicago International Film Festival. I wasn’t prepared for how deeply the film would affect me, or for its thoughtful exploration of life and art.
Though inspired by the works of J.R.R. Tolkien – the author behind The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies – this show takes a different, more creative path with the world of Middle-earth. This is largely because the series isn’t based on one specific book, but instead draws from various parts of Tolkien’s writings that built the foundation for his stories.
As a lifelong Star Wars fan, I was pretty upset when things started changing after Return of the Jedi. George Lucas always had a bigger picture in mind, and when he finally got to tell it with Episode I, he actually went back and tweaked the original trilogy to fit his new vision. It was a shock when the original Star Wars from 1977 was re-released in 1997 – two years before The Phantom Menace came out – with a bunch of changes. It just didn’t feel quite the same anymore.
The 1980s saw a huge leap in special effects, particularly benefiting fantasy, sci-fi, and horror films. These movies were able to create visuals that felt more real and believable than ever before. Many directors today look back at this decade as a prime example of how to solve filmmaking challenges with practical effects, leading to a number of classic, visually impressive films.
Released on December 22, 1978, Invasion of the Body Snatchers wasn’t just a remake of the 1950s classic; it was a new take on Jack Finney’s 1955 novel, The Body Snatchers. This version modernized the story, moving the action from a quiet town to the busy streets of San Francisco and increasing the tension. Instead of focusing on Cold War anxieties, the film explored contemporary issues like psychotherapy and the importance of the individual, all set against the backdrop of a post-Watergate America. Ultimately, it was a story as much about people becoming emotionally disconnected as it was about an alien invasion.
HBO has always been known for creating some of the most critically acclaimed and well-made shows on television. The recent merger between Netflix and Warner Bros. is likely to affect HBO, as many of its shows will now be available on Netflix alongside the streaming giant’s existing content.
On the Insider podcast “How Real Is It?”, medieval fortifications expert Michael Fulton, a history professor at Western University in Canada, reviewed the defenses shown in several films, including the 2003 movie The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Unfortunately, he found the portrayals lacking in accuracy.
At a recent Q&A, director James Cameron shared that while he was pleased with how The Abyss was made, he wasn’t happy with the final cut. He felt the theatrical version was altered too much based on early audience reactions, and didn’t live up to his vision. However, this assessment doesn’t quite reflect the film’s quality. The Abyss remains visually stunning – it even won an Oscar for Best Visual Effects – and is well-made in every other aspect, earning it a strong 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Disney has announced that season 2 of Paradise will premiere on Monday, February 23, 2026, on both Hulu and Hulu with Disney+. The new season of this suspenseful political thriller will begin with three episodes, and then release new episodes every Monday until it concludes. This is a shift from the first season, which aired on Tuesdays.
As Stranger Things heads towards its finale, fans are still processing the first four episodes of the fifth season. The biggest shock was likely the reveal about Will Byers and his newly awakened psychic powers, which stem from the villain Vecna. But another surprise emerged in the fourth episode: the return of a character who hadn’t been seen in a long time. The show’s creators are now explaining their decision to bring this character back and are also dismissing a popular fan theory.