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Why Did Ben Affleck Quit Playing Batman ( Photo Credit – Facebook )

After a few caped misadventures and one suit-wearing existential crisis, Ben Affleck officially bid goodbye to Batman in 2022. “That’s part of the pressure that comes with doing it,” he admitted while reflecting on the relentless demands of the superhero world during a 2017 interview with USA Today. In another candid (and colorful) interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Affleck opened up about why he hung up the cowl for good—and let’s just say, it wasn’t all Batmobiles and hero poses.

Affleck first jumped into the Batman gig with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, bringing his gruff charm to Gotham. He even gave the role his signature “world-class Boston finesse”. But in his own words, what started as an exciting chapter quickly became “somewhat repetitive and less interesting.” Affleck had fun working in Batman v Superman, but the...

Spoiler Alert !!!Spoiler Warning for The Penguin Episode 7

The Penguin’s penultimate episode delivered an intense and shocking ending that immediately set things up for an epic showdown between Sofia Gigante and Oz Cobb. Episode 7, entitled ‘Top Hat’, revealed Penguin’s history and what ultimately led him to his dark path.

Credits: Colin Farrell in The Penguin / HBO

After that incredible scene – a massive explosion that shook Gotham City – many viewers might be wondering if Bruce Wayne will finally show up. This incident is indeed a Batman-level threat, and there’s no way HBO would miss this chance to give fans something to cheer on.

Robert Pattinson’s Batman Should Appear in The Penguin Episode 8

In Episode 7, the audience had a glimpse of Colin Farrell’s Oswald Cobb’s childhood. He was seen living with his mother and two brothers. It was evident that he did not have a great bond with his siblings,...

Well, Love Is Blind delivered the most uneventful season-ender of all time, with most of the couples breaking up ahead of Wednesday’s Season 7 finale. But because we have the commitment that the contestants seem to lack, let’s see this thing through and discuss how it all ended.

This season of the reality dating series looked much like seasons past: A group of singles met potential partners in adjoined rooms — called pods — in hopes that they might fall in love without the distraction of physical appearance. But there was a notable difference in the Washington D.C.-set Season...

The Voice teed up a mixed bag Monday, kicking off Season 26’s Battles with four eliminations, two Steals and at least one matchup that was heaven-sent. Read on, and we’ll discuss it all!

Team Snoop: Christina Eagle (Grade: A+) defeated Gail Bliss (Grade: A) on “Redneck Woman” | Though the country singers were exceedingly well-matched on their rollicking Gretchen Wilson cover, I had to give the edge, however slight, to Christina. Gail sounded radio-ready and record-perfect, but so did her opponent — and her opponent has the more interesting voice.

More from TVLineWhat We Do in the Shadows Premiere Recap: Look...

Ghosts are ubiquitous and zombies have had their moments of dominance, but of all the classic horror monsters, vampires have the strongest claim for the greatest film legacy. The vampire genre is nearly as old as cinema itself, with F.W. Murnau’s “Nosferatu” scaring up audiences in 1922, followed by the countless iterations that came in its shadow. Every era and every filmmaking country has since taken up its own spins on the myth of the vampire, from Universal Studios’ “Dracula” series beginning with Tod Browning’s Bram Stoker adaptation in 1931, all the way up to Iranian-American director Ana Lily Amirpour’s indie feminist twist “A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night” in 2014.

2024 has not exactly been a banner time for brilliant takes on the horror genre’s most iconic creatures of the night, with the most notable bloodsucking project to come out this calendar year being the fun but ultra-silly “Abigail.

The Vampire is as old to cinema as the horror genre itself is. From the influential expressionism of Nosferatu (1922), the many more direct popular literary adaptations like Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) and the modern romance meshing approach of Thirst (2009), vampires seem to have a long lasting significance in the history of horror. Vampires have even transcended into the worlds of exploitation with cult classics like Blacula (1972) and to parody in lesser cult classics like Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995). The key argument I make with this heavily abridged history of Vampires is that not only does anyone remotely familiar with the concept of horror know what a “classic vampire” is but that what constitutes as a “vampire film” is a loose definition.

Bleeding (2024) is a modern retooling of the fundamental traits associated with vampires that delivers a moody character drama with a young adult crime twist. Bell switches gothic castles...

Over the weekend, you might have spotted some chatter on social media about a Mr. Freeze movie being in the works. Based on information published in Production Weekly (which doesn't ever really mean much), it would be set in the same world as The Batman and The Penguin.

There are already rumblings about Mr. Freeze being The Batman - Part II's villain due to the sequel's winter setting, so a spin-off revolving around Dr. Victor Fries isn't too outlandish.

DC Studios co-ceo James Gunn was asked about the rumour on Threads and initially only added fuel to the fire with what proved to be a surprisingly vague response from the Superman director.

"I haven’t heard that one but there are a lot of rumors out there this week," he started. "Some of them are true, some are partially true, and some aren't true at all. If it’s fun...

Richard Harris played Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter movies until his death forced the studio to recast the role with Michael Gambon. With the upcoming Harry Potter TV series starting the casting process, some fans have thought that Harris’ son, Jared Harris, would make for a good Dumbledore.

During an interview on the The Independent series Go to Bat, Jared Harris was asked if he’d be down to play Dumbledore in the Harry Potter TV series. His response should shut down any more fan casting. “No, thank you,” he said. “Also, I mean, why do it? I don’t understand. The films were fantastic – leave them alone.” Although Harris doesn’t seem keen on the idea of a TV series, he did acknowledge that “a lot of storytelling” was left out of the movie franchise.

While Harris may not be an option to play Dumbledore, Gary Oldman...

Matt Reeves has revealed that he is almost done with the script for The Batman Part II. Fans are speculating who the next antagonist will be for the Bat of Gotham. While they are keen on seeing someone like the Court of Owls in a live-action setting, there is one reason why fans think it might be a bad idea.

Robert Pattinson as Batman in 2022’s The Batman | Credit: Warner Bros

The first Batman film with Matt Reeves dealt with a family conspiracy that spanned the deep history of Gotham, heavily concerning the Waynes. Should Matt Reeves’ sequel deal with the Court of Owls, fans are concerned that the plot of the film might be a little repetitive for audiences’ tastes.

DC must save the Court of Owls for the Dcu The Court of Owls || Credit: DC Comics

The Court of Owls is a set of Batman villains that fans...

Christian Bale followed in the footsteps of many actors before him who played a live action Batman. But there were certain differences with his own take on the character that perhaps made his Batman a bit easier to play.

Christian Bale once shared what made his Batman different from the others Christian Bale | Mike Marsland/WireImage

Bale might’ve done more physical work to fill in his Batsuit than his predecessors. Unlike Michael Keaton and George Clooney before him, Bale had to gain significant weight and muscle to honor his character. But because of the weight loss he experienced in The Machinist, Batman Begins director Christopher Nolan was concerned. Nolan wasn’t as confident as Bale was that he could’ve packed on enough muscle in time.

“I kind of knew I could do it. I think Chris was probably worrying far more than me,” Bale once told BBC. “I...

Shay Mitchell’s new series Thirst has lofty goals of blending cultural discovery with tasty beverages. As the Canadian actress journeys to locales like Peru, her enthusiasm draws viewers along. However, limitations become apparent. While beautiful spots and drinks delight, Mitchell’s caution pulls focus.

A skilled actor and entrepreneur, Mitchell makes an inviting host. Her love for travel and toasts inspired the show. Episode one follows her Peru trail. Yet where most seek local spirituality, Mitchell prioritizes liquids. This lighthearted focus risks minimizing cultural meanings.

Mitchell gracefully represents local foods, like sacred coca tea. But constant rodent-rabbit brings an anxious air, distracting from history. Understandably jittery, her discomfort becomes central early on. Overall, tensions arise between entertainment and education. Moments exploring wine and traditions with expertise shine brighter.

Strong potential exists to more deeply quench viewers’ thirst for understanding. With preparation and bravery embracing unfamiliar experiences fully, Mitchell could...

Whilst last night in many ways represented Marvel Studios' moment in the spotlight at this year's Comic-Con in San Diego, earlier in the evening comic franchise fans were also treated to a panel for Matt Reeves and Craig Zobel's hotly anticipated HBO Original The Batman spin-off series The Penguin. And during the event, star Colin Farrell beamed into Hall H via Zoom to introduce a brand new trailer for his upcoming crime series, set a week after Paul Dano's Riddler flooded Gotham at the end of The Batman. Check it out below:

As you'll recall, a power vacuum opened up in Gotham following the death of mob boss Carmine Falcone (John Turturro) in Reeves' 2022 take on the Caped Crusader, and as crime (and a lot of water) continues to flood the streets of the city in The Penguin, Farrell's Oz Cobb clearly has his eyes set on taking over.

Original plans called for The Flash to end with Michael Keaton's Batman in the Dceu. He'd have gone on to appear in Batgirl and Batman Beyond, likely meeting Ben Affleck's Caped Crusader in Crisis on Infinite Earths.

DC Studios scrapped all of those ideas, and the plan is to introduce a new Batman in Andy Muschietti's The Brave and the Bold. That story will revolve around Bruce Wayne training his son, Damian, as Robin, adapting elements from Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely's Batman and Robin.

We still don't know who is writing the movie and, based on several comments from DC Studios co-ceo James Gunn, the Caped Crusader is still a long way from being cast in the Dcu.

The Boys and Supernatural star Jensen Ackles remains a fan-favourite choice to play the Dcu's Caped Crusader, and he's no stranger to the role after lending his voice...

Albums revolving around the subject of nascent motherhood are tricky propositions. They can too easily slip into weepy tributes to pristine bundles of flesh or get bogged down in awe-filled self-aggrandizement. After all, is there anything more godlike than creating another human being?

Natasha Khan, a.k.a. Bat for Lashes, largely evades both of these pitfalls on her sixth studio album, Dream of Delphi. The British singer-songwriter gave birth to her first child—Delphi, named after the Greek oracle—at the height of the pandemic, and the self-produced album serves as a humble, meditative tribute to the innate bonds between a mother and her child.

Inspired by French film scores and Japanese ambient music like that of the late Sakamoto Ryuichi, the album’s 10 compositions are lyrically sparse, with a handful eschewing language altogether. The lyrical minimalism of the shoegazy lullaby “Delphi Dancing” conveys the inarticulable emotions of new...

With the success of Matt Reeves’ The Batman (2022), fans of the DC universe have been eagerly awaiting any developments regarding the expansion of this gritty and dark take on Gotham City. The latest buzz among fans revolves around the casting of one of the notorious enemies of Batman (& Wayne family’s friend) in the forthcoming TV show, The Penguin.

Yes, we are talking about the much-awaited casting of DC’s supervillain, Carmine Falcone, and it appears that speculation and theories can finally be put to rest. A subtle hint has been dropped that Mark Strong may play the character in the upcoming Max show.

Colin Farrell as Oswald Cobblepot in The Penguin (credit: Max)

Acclaimed for his roles in flicks such as Stardust and Sherlock Holmes, Strong, 60, has a background in playing convincing and menacing characters, making him a perfect fit for a villainous role in the DC universe.

The Penguin...

With its list of new releases for May 2024, HBO streamer Max is bringing back one of the best comedies on television.

Hacks season 3 premieres on May 2 and will continue the tortured (platonic-ish) love affair between comedy superstar Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and her former joke writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder). That will be followed up by Pretty Little Liars: Summer School on May 9.

Movie-lovers have more than enough to keep them occupied in May 2024 as well. The latest John Green adaptation, Turtles All the Way Down, will premiere on May 3. That will be followed by intriguing original documentary MoviePass, MovieCrash on May 30. Max is also putting its Warner Bros. origins to good use with a bunch of excellent library movies like The Iron Claw on May 10 and Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice on May 26.

Here’s everything coming to HBO and Max in May.

New on HBO and Max...

The lineup for the 77th Cannes Film Festival has officially been unveiled. As of right now, 19 films will be competing for the prestigious top prize, the Palme d’Or. The festival will be running from May 14 through the closing ceremony on May 25 in the small town on the French Riviera. This year’s jury will be led by Greta Gerwig, fresh off of her success writing and directing “Barbie,” which earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. The remaining members of the jury have yet to be announced.

Having an idea of a filmmaker’s history at the festival can sometimes help give us an insight as to who could be in the best position to take home the Palme. For example, two of this year’s entries come from filmmakers who have previously claimed the Palme. Another five are from directors who have won prizes in official...

Following in the wake of the Spike Lee-directed remake in 2013, Park Chan-wook’s South Korean masterpiece Oldboy (2003) is getting a small screen adaptation, we’ve learned.

Lionsgate Television is partnering with renowned filmmaker Park Chan-wook to develop his acclaimed film Oldboy for television, marking the first English-language series adaptation of the iconic property. This comes as Park’s The Sympathizer just debuted on HBO.

Park Chan-wook, who of course directed and co-wrote the original South Korean film, is attached to produce the upcoming “Oldboy” TV series along with producing partner Syd Lim.

“Lionsgate Television shares my creative vision for bringing Oldboy into the world of television,” said Park. “I look forward to working with a studio whose brand stands for bold, original and risk-taking storytelling.”

“Park is one of the most visionary storytellers of our generation, and we’re excited to partner with him in bringing his cinematic masterpiece to the television screen,...

Get ready to witness cinema's most stomach-churning twist all over again: "Oldboy" is coming to television. The 2003 Park Chan-Wook masterpiece (which was based on a manga by Garon Tsuchiya) is going to be remade as an English-language TV show, /Film has learned, and Park will be directly involved in crafting this new version.

Park is partnering with Lionsgate Television to develop a series adaptation of the impressively f***ed-up story and will produce the show along with his frequent collaborator Syd Lim. "Lionsgate Television shares my creative vision for bringing 'Oldboy' into the world of television," Park said in a press release. "I look forward to working with a studio whose brand stands for bold, original, and risk-taking storytelling." Past Lionsgate Television productions range from "Mad Men" to "Party Down" to "Yellowjackets," and given the company's wide-ranging list of past streaming and network partners, it's still too soon...

Park Chan-wook is developing his acclaimed film Oldboy for the first time as an English-language series in partnership with Lionsgate Television. Park, who directed and co-wrote the original film, is set to produce the series alongside producing partner Syd Lim.

The 2003 feature is an adaptation of the Japanese manga of the same name written by Garon Tsuchiya. It follows Oh Dae-su (Choi Min-sik), a man taken off the streets and imprisoned for 15 years who is one day released and given 5 days to find his captor.

Oldboy is the second title in Park’s Vengeance trilogy, following Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002) and preceding Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (2005). It earned multiple accolades including the Grand Prix at Cannes in 2004, a first for a South Korean film. Spike Lee remade the film in 2013 with Josh Brolin portraying the lead character, Joe Doucett.

“Lionsgate Television shares my creative vision for bringing Oldboy into the world of television,...

Korean auteur Park Chan-wook is set to adapt his 2003 masterpiece “Oldboy” as an English-language TV series alongside Lionsgate Television, the studio announced on Wednesday, April 17.

Park, who directed and co-wrote the original action mystery film, is attached to produce the “Oldboy” series adaptation alongside his producing partner Syd Lim.

Park is fresh off “The Sympathizer,” his limited series starring Robert Downey Jr. that just debuted on HBO this past weekend. And while it’s not the first English-language remake of “Oldboy” following Spike Lee’s 2013 film starring Josh Brolin, it will be the first time the film will be adapted for the small screen.

“Lionsgate Television shares my creative vision for bringing ‘Oldboy’ into the world of television,” Park said in a statement. “I look forward to working with a studio whose brand stands for bold, original and risk-taking storytelling.”

“Oldboy” was adapted from a Japanese manga of the same...

A mainstay of hope across comics, cartoons, and movies, the Justice League unites Earth’s mightiest heroes against universe-threatening villains. While its live-action adaptations have been a hit-and-miss, the animated League has consistently delivered.

A still from Justice League: Warworld

The latest in this list is “Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part One”. It is the eighth movie of the Tommorverse and the first of a proposed trilogy. In a recent interview, the creative minds behind the latest Justice League movie shed light on the fascinating behind-the-scenes process of bringing these animated adventures to life.

SUGGESTEDThe Justice League Animated Series That Never Was: WB Forced Bruce Timm to Drop a Revolutionary Show Idea to Focus on ‘Superman: The Animated Series’

DC Had To Retro Engineer Entire Tomorrowverse to Get to Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Two

Adapting classic comics...

Disney+ has reveled the release date for its ambitious Korean political drama Uncle Samsik, starring Song Kang-ho in his TV series debut. The show will launch with a five-episode premiere on May 15 exclusively on Disney+ internationally and on Hulu in the U.S. The 16-part series will then unfurl in batches of two episodes per week until a three-part season finale drops on June 19.

Uncle Samsik is directed by veteran Korean writer and filmmaker Shin Yeon-shick (The Russian Novel, Cobweb), who is also making his series debut with the project.

Set in 1960s Korea, the series follows Kim San, an ambitious idealist who is driven to turn his country’s fortunes around. A recipient of an Albright Scholarship, San wants nothing more than to transform his country into an industrial nation and deliver an American level of affluence to the people of Korea. Determined to become a success, San attracts...

Bruce Timm is one of the most popular artists, animators, writers, producers, and directors. Having worked in some of the biggest animated shows of all time – Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, Batman Beyond, Justice League, and Justice League Unlimited, Timm became one of the leading names in the Dcau. But other than working for the DC Animated Universe, he has worked on many other projects in his career.

Bruce Timm | image: Wikimedia Commons

The success of Batman: The Animated Series led to many accolades for Bruce Timm and the rest of the team behind the mega hit show. And one of the greatest compliments came in the form of Steven Spielberg, who absolutely loved the show. His love for the show extended to the legendary director wanting to collaborate with Timm on another animated show, which later took the form of Freakazoid.

Bruce Timm Collaborated With Steven...

Remember watching DC Animated Universe and being captivated by the dark brilliance of “Batman: The Animated Series” or the epic team-ups of Justice League? A huge part of that magic came from the visionary hand of Bruce Timm, a true titan of DC animation.

A still from Batman: The Animated Series

But even the best storytellers face roadblocks, and for Timm, one such hurdle was the infamous Bat-embargo. This wasn’t a supervillain plot, but a real-world decision that had a lot of effects on DC in the long term.

Suggested“The idea of Michael Keaton doing it is cool”: Batman Beyond Live Action Originally Considered Another Hollywood Legend for Old Bruce Wayne Before the U-Turn

While the period mostly derailed the Dcau’s expansion, Timm was not much bothered by this decision.

What Was The Bat-Embargo?

A still from the Justice League Animated Series

In the mid-2000s,...

Looking at all the Batman movies that have been made so far, people might have noticed that a lot of the villains are repeated in the cinematic universe. From Christopher Nolan’s hot-take on The Joker to Matt Reeves with The Riddler, these villains are very well-known characters around the world.

Well, our team found something called the Bat-embargo which is essentially the reason for the lack of villains in the Dcau. The entire embargo is based on Christopher Nolan’s films and it seems that the Bat embargo is the reason why the Dcau has some obscure villains and the live-action has some fewer choices!

Christian Bale in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises

Christopher Nolan Was The Reason For Bat-embargo!

It is no secret that the adaptations of the DC Comics are more chaotic than Marvel Comics. With several versions of the same character playing in three different projects,...

Few heroes hold the cultural prestige of Batman. The Dark Knight’s persona, pursuit of justice, and iconic silhouette have cemented him as a mainstay in all of fiction. Batman is mostly linked only to Bruce Wayne, the billionaire playboy who dons the cowl by night.

A still from Batman Beyond (1999)

However, the mantle has been passed down in the comics and animations, most notably in the “Batman Beyond” series (1999-2001), which introduced Terry McGinnis as a new Batman in a futuristic Gotham. Fans have long clamored for a movie adaptation of “Batman Beyond,” and a new piece of fan art has ignited renewed excitement.

Suggested“The version of Gotham that this guy hails from is very much the Joker’s”: Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League’s Elseworld Joker May Never Have Met Batman Before His Arrival in the Upcoming Season 1 Expansion(Exclusive)

Concept Art Takes Batman Truly...

Take down the Bat-signal for now, Bat-fans. Because Matt Reeves’ follow-up to The Batman has been, erm… Bat-delayed? For a while now, the sequel has been expected to hit our screens in late 2025 – bringing Robert Pattinson back in the cowl as Bruce Wayne, continuing his more detective-focused take on the Dark Knight. But thanks to a reshuffle at Warner Bros, The Batman Part II officially has a new date – and it’s moved back by a whole year.

Per the new schedule, The Batman Part II is now expected to hit cinemas on 2 October 2026 – meaning the sequel will finally arrive four-and-a-half years after the first film. In the meantime, fans can content themselves with the arrival of tie-in Max series The Penguin, bringing the return of Colin Farrell’s gangster as he attempts to consolidate power in Gotham. That show is due to arrive on screens later in 2024 – sure to...

Knocked Loose have announced a new album, You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To, arriving May 10th via Pure Noise Records. The video for the lead single “Blinding Faith” is available to stream below.

The news comes as the Kentucky hardcore outfit wrap up a European/UK tour before returning to North American for a spring headlining tour featuring support from Show Me the Body and Loathe. The extensive outing will kick off April 27th at Sick New World in Las Vegas and run through a June 9th show in St. Petersburg, Florida, with tickets available here.

The new song “Blinding Faith” has already been popping up in setlists and is a crushing example of the band’s sound on its new LP. Everything has been cranked the extreme, from Brian Garris’ throat-shredding vocals to the whiplash tempo changes and frenetic guitar work. This is hardcore verging on metalcore/industrial nu-metal,...

Bat for Lashes is back with the announcement of a new album, The Dream of Delphi, out May 31st via her new label home Mercury Kx. As a preview, the dream pop artist born Natasha Khan has shared the title track and its accompanying video.

The Dream of Delphi was named after and inspired by Khan’s daughter, who was born in the summer of 2020. According to a press release, her sixth studio full-length is a concept album about motherhood featuring “devotional love songs about the spirituality, ancestry, and folklore, but also the mundane, selfless and tender aspects of child rearing that all mothers can attest to.” It’s partially told through a character called the Motherwitch.

Khan added that the title track is “the manifesto of the album. It’s like a spell being cast. It’s the conjuring, the manifestation, the drawing-down of Delphi from the ether. This...

Shiro Kaieda, a highly respected navy captain, engineers the deliberate crash of his submarine, the Yamanami, along with the staged deaths of himself and his entire crew. Little do many know that this orchestrated tragedy is part of a covert operation sanctioned by both the Japanese and United States governments. Kaieda and his crew were secretly assigned to operate the Sea Bat, an advanced nuclear-powered submarine. While the Sea Bat project was spearheaded by the US Navy, it was financially backed by Japan as a strategic move to fortify the island nation’s defenses against potential threats. However, Kaieda harbors ambitions far beyond simply commanding a cutting-edge vessel; he seizes control of the Sea Bat and boldly proclaims it as the independent nation of Yamato. Kaieda strategically maneuvers the vessel in international waters, even launching defensive attacks against the US 7th and 3rd fleets. As tensions between the US and...

Directed by Kohei Yoshino, The Silent Service depicts a gripping story about American bigotry. Kaiji Kawaguchi, the creator of the manga this series is based on, is something of a genius, I must say. I am not surprised that people were genuinely concerned by the idea of Japan he portrayed in the manga. To be fair, the year was 1988 when The Silent Service started publishing, and people were still very uncomfortable with the idea of Japanese remilitarization. While Japan’s stance on moving on from its aggressive past is a debate for another time, I must add that I am fascinated by Kawaguchi’s understanding of global politics. Through its narrative, The Silent Service has addressed the biggest issue in modern-day geopolitics: American hegemony. It serves as a commentary on the Machiavellian attitude of the US government and how it is the greatest deterrent to world peace. The series also...

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Last year, McFarlane Toys finally provided a wave of action figures based on Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy. Of course, Christian Bale's Batman was included, as well as a variety of villains from across all three films, including Scarecrow (Cillian Murphy), Joker (Heath Ledger), Two-Face (Aaron Eckhart), and Bane (Tom Hardy). However, the line was missing a few key villains, perhaps most notably, Anne Hathaway as Catwoman from "The Dark Knight Rises." But McFarlane Toys is about to fix that problem.

Available for pre-order now, McFarlane Toys has an exclusive Gold Label 7-inch action figure and vehicle set that includes both Selina Kyle suited up in her tactical Catwoman gear, as well as the signature Batpod vehicle that she cruises through Gotham City on while Batman soars through the skyline in The Bat aerial vehicle. Whether or not...

Clockwise from upper left: Memento (Lionsgate), Oppenheimer (Universal), Batman Begins (Warner Bros.), The Prestige (Touchstone Home Entertainment), Insomnia (Warner Bros.)Graphic: AVClub

In the years since Christopher Nolan’s feature directorial debut, Following, was released, Nolan has risen from indie darling to blockbuster sorcerer, one of those rare modern filmmakers...

"Justice League Unlimited" is a pinnacle of superhero cartoons. Had its airing not intersected with my childhood, my fascination with comics probably wouldn't have blossomed the way it did.

The terrific final product wasn't a sign of the creators always working under ideal conditions, however. In the 2000s, Warner Bros. was quite particular about letting DC Comics characters appear in more than one show at a time, apparently out of concern that audiences would be confused by multiple versions of the same character -- hence the infamous "Bat-Embargo." 2004, the year that "Justice League Unlimited" began, also saw the premiere of "The Batman," a solo cartoon about, well, Batman, but set in a different continuity. Batman's villains and supporting cast were therefore off-limits to the "Justice League" team.

Gotham City wasn't the only corner of the DC Universe hit by this embargo. Aquaman and his associated characters were also made verboten...

There was a time when any great international actor tended to be reduced to their perceived Hollywood counterpart whenever they were discussed in the U.S. press. Under this outmoded prerogative, Korean screen icon Song Kang-ho easily could be described as his country’s simultaneous answer to both Marlon Brando and Tom Hanks, such is his seemingly contradictory blend of sardonic physicality, fearsome technique, lyrical humanism and overwhelming likability. Today, thankfully, it is sufficient to simply describe Song Kang-ho as Song Kang-ho: “One of the protean greats of world cinema — a master, end of,” as Tilda Swinton, a co-star with Song in Bong Joon Ho’s Snowpiercer (2013), once summed him up in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

For global movie buffs, arguably one of the most exciting stories of the past 30 years has been the renaissance and growing global reach of Korean cinema — and no figure has been more...

There’s no place like Prime Video for the holidays! The streamer is celebrating the holiday season from the jump, ringing in the holiday season with “Candy Cane Lane,” starring Eddie Murphy and Tracee Ellis Ross, and continuing with a collection of rom-coms and animated specials, such as the DC Comics special “Merry Little Batman.”

Throughout December, Prime Video will also make way for dozens of classic and original films and series, including the sophomore seasons of “Reacher” and “Coach Prime,” the complete “7th Heaven,” and multiple entries into the original “Star Trek” film series.

Continue below to see The Streamable’s must-watch picks this month and see everything coming to Prime Video in December!

30-Day Free Trial $8.99+ / month amazon.com What are the 5 Best Shows and Movies Coming to Prime Video in December 2023? “Candy Cane Lane” | Friday, Dec. 1

Eddie Murphy leads the new Christmas romp as Chris, a man determined...

When Matt Reeves released :a[The Batman]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/the-batman/' target='_blank' rel='noreferrer noopener'} in cinemas last year, it didn’t just unleash a brand new Dark Knight on the world – it began the building of a whole new Gotham. Bruce Wayne’s beloved city often shape-shifts along with the material, whether depicted as a gaudy neon-lit ‘toon-scape (the Joel Schumacher Bat-flicks), a thrumming contemporary urban environment (:a[The Dark Knight trilogy]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/dark-knight-trilogy-complete-story-of-christopher-nolan-batman/' target='blank' rel='noreferrer noopener'}), or festering with a scuzzy ‘70s New Yorkian grime (:a[Joker]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/joker/' target='blank' rel='noreferrer noopener'}). Given all of The Batman’s film noir influences, the Gotham of Reeves’ film is one rife with corruption – boasting grandiose architecture, an oppressive atmosphere, and packed with shady places for dark...

“The View” hit a bit of an awkward silence on Monday morning, after host Ana Navarro joked that the ABC show’s executive producer is a perpetrator of posting “thirst traps” online.

The moment came as the women were discussing a story about a woman who does not appreciate her husband liking other women’s photos online, and host Alyssa Farah Griffin argued that it depended on what kind of photos the man was liking. If he was engaging with “thirst traps” — deliberately evocative photos posted to earn a reaction — then it would be a problem.

For Sara Haines, it was a struggle to believe that the man would be liking thirst traps, because so few people she or her husband follow would ever post thirst traps at this point, due to their age.

“What do you mean you don’t follow thirst traps, don’t you follow Brian?” Navarro joked.

Ángel Manuel Soto and Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer's "Blue Beetle" (check out our review here) may not have been a box office success, but the latest venture from DC Studios and one of the last films of the DC Cinematic Universe before James Gunn and Peter Safran revamp the studio is thankfully one of the most fun. Not to mention, it's also one of the rare instances where a superhero movie embraces cultural specificity, instead of just perpetuating the same ol' white stories over and over again. If you've yet to see the film, here's what to expect.

Jaime Reyes (Xolo Maridueña) is a recent college grad returning home and ready to take on the world, but a lot has changed over the last four years, and home looks quite a bit different. Thrust into a bit of a quarter-life crisis, Jaime searches for purpose when he comes across an ancient...

We have one major mystery down!

While many of us probably suspected that Dylan Shakes was alive and that he had gotten away from his father's abuse, it was lovely to have that confirmation during Harlan Coben's Shelter Season 1 Episode 6.

It was also so touching to have that reunion between Dylan and Mrs. Friedman.

Mickey was a bit of a lone wolf for most of the hour, and it landed him in quite a terrifying position, with new information about Abeola and all his father has been involved in and him escaping for his life.

What happened to the buddy system, Mickey? This is getting too stressful!

With the number of mysteries that this series drops at us rapidly, it's nice to have a clear-cut answer for at least one of them and bits and pieces of things coming together for some others.

Shelter has been a blast to watch...

The rock duo Black Pistol Fire is made up of guitarist/lead vocalist Kevin McKeown and drummer Eric Owen – and today, Gravitas Ventures has given Owen’s directorial debut, the psychological thriller Thirst, a digital release! We have the film’s trailer embedded above to help you decide whether or not this is a movie you would like to check out. If it does look like something you’d want to watch, it can be found on Amazon at This Link.

Also scripted by Owen, Thirst has the following synopsis: Insomnia spreads in a small town, causing fear and panic. As the situation becomes dire, two couples find salvation on an abandoned ranch until nefarious characters descend upon the land, claiming it as their own, and chaos ensues.

The film stars Brian Villalobos (Love & Death) and newcomer Lori Kovacevich alongside Michael Gmur (Book Club), Federica Estaba Rangel (Last Girl Standing...

When it was announced that both Sunny and Sadie Sandler would be appearing in You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah starring and produced by their dad, Adam Sandler, calls of the dreaded and often nasty “nepo baby” phrase made the waves. Now, with the movie proving quite successful on Netflix, director Sammi Cohen is working to silence any critics of the Sandman, saying he’s been doing a similar thing for most of his career anyway.

Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah director Cohen suggested that anyone who continues to claim that Sunny and Sadie – who are 14 and 17, respectively, and have had numerous bit parts in Sandler’s movies – hasn’t had their eyes open. “Sandler has a reputation for making movies with his friends, and that’s something we all want to do. What I say is, he...

Image Source: Getty / Tommaso Boddi / Netflix

Netflix's "You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah" hit close to home for Adam Sandler and his family. For Sandler's youngest daughter, Sunny Sandler, who stars alongside her dad and sister in the movie, filming for the production was extra special thanks to the fact that it nearly coincided with her actual bat mitzvah when she turned 13.

"We got to do the real-life bat mitzvah and then left to make the movie."

Speaking with People shortly after the film premiered on Aug. 25, Director Sammi Cohen reflected on what it was like for the cast and crew to jump from witnessing a real-life coming-of-age moment to capturing the experience on film. "What's really funny is right before we started prepping for the film, Sunny had her actual bat mitzvah," Cohen said of Sunny's big day. "So I went to that service, and we...

Adam Sandler is known for having released crowd-pleasing comedies for decades, but it’s Sammi Cohen — director of the new Netflix feature You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah — who has the distinction of helming the actor’s best-reviewed film, according to Rotten Tomatoes.

Released Friday, My Bat Mitzvah is a Sandler family affair, with Sandler playing Danny Friedman, father to daughters Stacy (Sunny Sandler) and Ronnie (Sadie Sandler), who are portrayed by Adam Sandler’s real-life teen children. Adapting Fiona Rosenbloom’s 2005 novel of the same name and focusing on Stacy and best friend Lydia (Samantha Lorraine) — whose bat mitzvah plans fall apart over their mutual interest in a popular boy — the movie also includes Adam Sandler’s real-life wife Jackie Sandler as Lydia’s mom, in addition to Idina Menzel as mother to Stacy and Ronnie.

During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Cohen discusses Adam...

How often do we come across a teen comedy-drama that stays true to the genre and has a smattering of coming-of-age elements in it? Netflix rarely gives us a film that has young children in the lead and makes it about friendship instead of romance and other risqué subjects. You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah is a Netflix romance drama film based on the book of the same name by Fiona Rosenbloom. Written by Alison Peck and directed by Sammi Cohen, the movie, released on August 25, 2023, takes us through the lives of a young schoolgirl and her best friend.

The film revolves around two teenage girls: Stacy Friedman and her best friend, Lydia Rodriguez Katz. They have been planning each other’s perfect bat mitzvah for many years in the hope of making it a talking point at their school. For those not in the know, a...

The most wonderful time of year is nearly upon us! With Halloween season just around the corner, Peacock unveiled an impressive lineup today of more than 100 Halloween, horror, thriller, and spooky season titles hitting the platform this September.

Get ready, the list is massive…

Whether you’re looking for recent releases like Hypnotic, or cult gems like Slither, Peacock invites you to face your fears in September. Binge complete freakish franchises like Chucky, Saw, and Amityville, or tune-in for fun family fare that includes Ghostbusters and Casper. Look for a variety of classic horror to arrive on the streaming service mid-September.

Speaking of “Chucky,” if you’re looking to catch up on the series ahead of season three, Peacock brings “Chucky” season two to their Halloween HQ on September 4. That gives you a whole month to catch up before the October 4 premiere of “Chucky” season three.

Full Peacock Halloween horror highlights below.

Sunny Sandler in You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah. Photo: Netflix Good teen comedies work because of their ability to capture, with empathy and warmth, the whirlwind that is being a teenager. It’s not just that everything is moving fast, changing constantly, and all burdened with...

Directed by Eric Owen Written by Eric Owen Starring Brian Villalobos, Lori Kovacevich Insomnia spreads in a small town, causing fear and panic. As the situation becomes dire, two couples find salvation on an abandoned ranch until nefarious characters descend upon the land, claiming it as their own, and chaos ensues. On Digital on September 5

The post Thirst – Official Trailer appeared first on Horror News | Hnn.

"Something's not right... and I can feel it." Gravitas has unveiled the trailer for an indie horror movie titled Thirst, marking the directorial debut of musician / filmmaker Eric Owen – best known as the drummer with alternative rock duo Black Pistol Fire. Yet another new insomnia-related project (also check out Still Up from Apple TV+). In Thirst, insomnia spreads in a small town, causing fear and panic. As the situation becomes dire, two couples find salvation on an abandoned ranch – until nefarious characters descend upon the land, claiming it as their own. As always happens in these kind of apocalyptic films. After experiencing water problems in Austin, Owen says he was inspired to write this script. "I thought 'what if the water was what gave us insomnia and we didn’t know it?' and this set me on my path to writing Thirst." The film stars Brian Villalobos, Michael Gmur,...