Movies

I was reading Variety today, and apparently Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is taking on a really interesting role! He’s going to be playing a 75-year-old man in a film called Lizard Music, which is based on a pretty beloved, kind of underground novel by Daniel Pinkwater. From what I understand, this meant he had to lose a substantial amount of weight for the part, and he was telling Variety just how great it felt to do so. He shared this during a recent red carpet interview for his upcoming A24 movie, and he told the outlet:

Directed and written by Harry Lighton, Pillion explores the connection between Colin (Melling), a kind but slightly clumsy man, and Ray (Skarsgård), the leader of a motorcycle gang. They begin a relationship and eventually move in together, which develops into one defined by power dynamics and the roles of dominance and submission within BDSM. Ray takes on the role of the “dom,” while Colin becomes the “sub.” Lighton’s LGBTQ+ romantic comedy aims to offer a more complex and thoughtful portrayal of these kinds of relationships.

If you haven’t seen the most important films in the gangster genre, The Godfather, The Godfather Part II (1974), and The Godfather Part III (1990) tell the story of the Corleone family and their criminal business. Though Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone is captivating in the first movie, the series mainly follows the dramatic changes in his son, Michael Corleone (Al Pacino). Francis Ford Coppola’s Godfather films are still considered brilliant, but some parts of this epic gangster story might be harder to watch in 2025 than they were before the year 2000.

Called The Asset, this exciting thriller follows a new agent who must get close to the wife of a drug smuggler while working undercover. As she gets closer to her target, the assignment becomes increasingly complex. Netflix has just released a first look at the series (see it below) and announced it will premiere on the streaming service on October 27, 2025. The Asset promises to be a gripping watch.

Reid’s research follows Disney’s financial reports and the tax breaks the U.K. offered for the movie’s long production process. This provides an unusual glimpse into the inner workings of the company – and the findings are a concerning sign of how much risk is now involved in Lucasfilm and Disney’s approach to making big-budget films.

According to his account, ABC’s decision came at the worst possible moment – just as guests were traveling to the studio, and the seats were full of excited audience members. Because of this, everyone had to be evacuated, and Kimmel & Co. had to leave quickly. He adds that being followed home by two helicopters certainly didn’t ease anyone’s anxiety.

Before the movie comes to select theaters and then Netflix, the streaming service has revealed the first official image of the Creature with a new poster. The horror film boasts a famous cast, including Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi. Elordi plays the Creature in this fresh adaptation of Mary Shelley’s famous horror story. It’s a new take on a classic!

Peter Jackson’s films really emphasized the link between Dwarves and axes. In fact, several of Thorin’s companions – including Dwalin, Glóin, and Bofur – were given axes or axe-like weapons, even though the book didn’t say they used them. These depictions, along with other media, helped solidify the idea of Dwarves wielding axes in the public imagination. However, even though it’s a common idea, axes weren’t necessarily the natural weapon choice for Dwarves. Logically, smaller fighters like Dwarves would likely prefer longer weapons, like spears, to compensate for their shorter reach. So, why did Tolkien choose axes as the Dwarves’ main weapons? While Tolkien never explained this specifically, there are a few possible reasons, connected to both the history of the Dwarves within his stories and the real-world cultures that inspired them. It’s an interesting question, and one with multiple potential answers. Ultimately, the choice is a fascinating part of Tolkien’s world-building.

According to Bloody Disgusting, the telethon will feature a number of celebrities from the 1980s, and viewers can expect hidden surprises – known as Easter Eggs – and intentionally distorted signals. Dedicated fans can dial 1-855-4-HAWKINS to participate and see what unfolds.

With that being said, as soon as I saw the first trailer for First Steps, I got the feeling this was exactly the Fantastic Four movie I’d always wanted. And thankfully, it lived up to my expectations! I really enjoyed almost everything about it, and I’m thrilled it’s now available on VOD so I can rewatch it.