By Jennifer Asencio
| Published 17 seconds ago

The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin is a tour de force that was created by Jeremy Boreing and Daily Wire Plus based on the books by Stephen Lawhead. It ran across some controversy when no critics would give it an honest viewing, resulting in no Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score, but viewers awarded it an 88% on the site. Oscar-winning screenwriter Roger Avary praised the show on The Joe Rogan Experience as being much better than competition like Rings of Power or the Game of Thrones spin-offs.

Now, it seems that praise has been validated. Actor Colin Cunningham, who played King Vortigern in episode 3, “A Fatherless Child,” has been nominated for a British Columbian Leo Award for Best Lead Performance in a Dramatic Series. The Leo Awards are like a British Columbian version of the Golden Globes, honoring both movies and television for excellence in Canadian broadcasting arts. Cunningham was born in Los Angeles but has been a staple of many Canadian-made television shows, which made him eligible for this honor in ways the rest of the cast was not.

Colin Cunningham’s Award-Nominated Performance

Cunningham’s resume includes turns on Stargate SG-1, DaVinci’s Inquest, and Falling Skies, all of which have Canadian roots. He also had a major role in the short-lived comic book adaptation Preacher. He only appeared in one episode of The Pendragon Cycle, but it was one of the most significant episodes of the show, and King Vortigern was at the center of it.

In the episode, Saxon invaders are overtaking Briton, and various tribal kings are drawing lines that favor either Briton or allying with the invaders. Vortigern has appointed himself High King of Briton and is fortifying himself against the invaders, but his advisors are giving him bad counsel, and he himself is a tyrant. After executing one of his advisors, he demands Merlin’s wisdom, but the young wizard refuses to serve a despot, allying instead with the Pendragon brothers, Aurellius and Uther.

There is a lot of dramatic tension in the Vortigern character as he struggles with his errors and sees his entire world fall in shambles around him. Episode 3 is also the beginning of Merlin’s tale, carrying with it a lot of mystery and magic as the future advisor of Arthur copes with his own trauma and returns to the world of Men from a self-imposed exile.

The clash between these two repentant personalities ends both tragically and with a spark of new hope as Merlin bridges the gap between the Briton of before and the future Briton under the Pendragon family; Vortigern is the king of all that is old and traditional, and Colin Cunningham carries his weighty crown with a regal determination to do what is right at all costs and regardless of consequences.

The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin is an excellent show that is still awaiting its due credit, but the nomination of Colin Cunningham for a Leo Award has finally broken another, more sinister cycle by acknowledging that the show exists and has merit. Good luck to King Vortigern on his nomination, and may he have better luck being crowned Best Lead Actor than he did High King of Briton!

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF LAIKA

In the realm of animation, a world of wonder unfolds, where imagination knows no bounds and storytelling emerges with meticulous precision. From a young age, Laika and the whimsical domains of stop motion have captivated audiences, as armatured animated characters spring to life through a choreography of diligent movement and emotion, igniting a passion that still endures.

Founded in 2005 in Portland Oregon, LAIKA Studios for the past 15 years has delighted audiences on a global scale with its masterful stop-motion animated features as the five films under their belt all represent the highest levels of quality, earning a reputation for blending innovative narratives with intricate craftsmanship and technology.

This celebration of artistry is at the forefront of the British Film Institute’s latest exhibition, LAIKA: Frame x Frame. which opened its doors on August 12th and running until October 1st at BFI Southbank, this exhibition is part of the broader Stop Motion: Celebrating Handmade Animation on the Big Screen season. LAIKA invites audiences to explore the heart and soul of their creations through Frame x Frame. This free exhibition offers a unique opportunity to delve into the artistic precision and innovative techniques that bring these beloved films to life through an unparalleled level of detail in the physical puppets, intricately crafted sets, costumes and awe-inspiring props. With over 700 artefacts on display, this narrative-enriched immersive experience evokes the very best of this medium and allows the viewer to explore the sophisticated artistry behind one of the most celebrated and dedicated studios in stop-motion animation.

CRAFTING A DREAM

As Director Henry Selick aptly articulated, “What stop motion does best is present real objects magically brought to life in a very imperfect situation; the hand of the artist is there, the electricity of someone touching, massaging and torturing themselves to get life out of an inanimate object.” This sentiment perfectly encapsulates the essence of the LAIKA: FRAME x FRAME exhibition, an intimate exploration of the artistry and dedication that defines LAIKA and its beloved films.

Dan Pascall, LAIKA’s Senior Manager of Event and Production Marketing, shared insights during his opening speech into the exhibition’s inception: “When we first started to develop this exhibition, knowing that we were going to be partnering with the BFI, it was clear that we needed to delve deeply into our artistic processes. Our goal was not only to showcase hero puppets and key sets but also to highlight the design and development phases behind each project. This was an opportunity to reveal aspects that previous exhibitions often overlook, offering a rare glimpse behind the camera into the many different departments that collaborate to bring our stories to life.” The title Frame x Frame emerged from this vision, serving as a guiding theme for the exhibition.

Each film receives dedicated attention as visitors traverse distinct titled areas focusing on different aspects of the animation process each diving into the unique tapestry of artistry and collaboration necessary to create the studio’s celebrated films. In the section dedicated to Coraline: It Takes a Village, attendees can witness the collaborative spirit that unites different departments, underscoring the community effort required to bring a Laika feature to life. Transitioning to ParaNorman: Bringing to Life, highlighting the complexity of puppet construction, elaborating on the specialized roles within the puppet department, such as hair detailing, costume design, silicone casting, and sculpting, each integral to creating characters that resonate with audiences. Moving on to The Boxtrolls: Engineering Magic, visitors will be enchanted by the originality embedded in prop development, with each handmade item reflecting the meticulous design and replication processes uniquely employed by Laika, where no off-the-shelf solutions suffice. The exhibit then leads to Kubo and the Two Strings: Expanding Worlds, which showcases how visual effects seamlessly enhance the stop-motion technique, revealing the tools and techniques that the VFX and camera departments employ to amplify the film’s whimsical wonder. Finally, Missing Link: Setting the Stage investigates animation as performance, emphasizing the importance of ergonomic rigging designs that facilitate animators’ movements, allowing them to navigate the intricacies of their crafted sets comfortably. Each segment of the exhibition not only reveals the technological and artistic innovations behind Laika’s films but also tells a unified story of passion, collaboration, and the relentless pursuit of excellence that defines this renowned animation studio.

MADE BY HUMAN HANDS

As visitors explore the exhibition, they will encounter a single frame dedicated to each film within each of the five sections, amplified by a constellation of supporting artefacts. The layout enhances the understanding of what it takes to breathe life into a single shot which is just one 24th of a second, with displays featuring illustrated concept art, character designs, storyboards, costumes, puppets, props, sets, and innovative digital content. This collection not only highlights the extraordinary attention to detail that LAIKA is known for but also captures the boundless creativity of the studio. The wonder of this medium lies in the beauty of such tiny details, the delicate features and small elements meticulously designed in miniature, are waiting to be discovered, these intricacies breathe life into the enchanting worlds we see on screen, from lights that are hand-wired to turn on, banners that sway in the breeze, hands and other appendages, to the 881 individual 3D-printed parts that made-up the Moon Beast,  the devil is truly in the details. This innovative approach has allowed LAIKA to unearth previously unseen materials from their extensive archives, enriching the experience. Pascall further elaborated on the logistical challenges of transforming their expansive Portland studio—spanning 300,000 square feet—into a compact yet immersive 3,500-square-foot space in London, emphasizing the meticulous planning behind the exhibit.

BUILDING A VISUAL IDENTITY

The exhibition is exquisitely well-lit and laid out, the design fosters a sense of enchantment, with curious cabinets and drawers filled with wonders of 2D and 3D elements such as textiles and 59 unique pieces that make up one character’s face as it takes over 150,000 frames to make each film, along with interactive screens that showcase some behind-the-scenes material to elevate the experience. The sheer volume of display items astounds, serving as a testament to the labour and love woven into every frame. After all, it takes a community of creators to make magic.

For Laika, All Roads started with Coraline, it’s their cornerstone movie after all, celebrating 15 years with a 3D remaster which just had its premiere at the BFI Southbank so that is exactly why we start this experience with a stunning recreation of Coraline’s Other Garden. As you step into this life-sized replica alive with a kaleidoscope of wondrous flora and fauna, you feel an immediate connection to the film’s protagonist, enveloped by her whimsical fantastical world. It is a captivating introduction that invites visitors to engage with the exhibit intimately, capturing personal moments against the vibrant backdrop of Coraline’s story. This immersive setting sets the tone for the exhibition, highlighting Laika’s dedication to creating relatable and fantastical realms. The exhibition concludes with a sneak peek into their 6th upcoming featured, Wildwood. Here, visitors are treated to a custom animated introduction and behind-the-scenes content, offering a tantalizing glimpse of what Laika has in store for the future.

The exhibition serves as a testament to the labour-intensive nature of this art form and highlights the profound level of patience, vision, and sheer artistry involved in crafting compelling stop-motion narratives. As visitors weave through the meticulously curated displays, they are invited to witness firsthand the transformative journey of Laika’s beloved characters, each brought to life through a careful orchestration of artistry and technology.  Laika Frame x Frame is not merely an exploration of animation; it is an odyssey into the heart of storytelling itself, celebrating the harmonious interplay between imagination and craftsmanship that continues to inspire generations.

CELEBRATING STOP-MOTION’S LEGACY AND RELEVANCE

The Laika: Frame x Frame exhibition is not merely a retrospective; it is a celebration of the craft that has forged Laika’s identity and a nod to the significant role that stop motion plays in the broader cinematic landscape. In an era when animation continues to evolve, Laika’s meticulous, frame-by-frame storytelling operates as a reminder of the patience, vision, and artistry entailed in creating these masterpieces. As we appreciate these films, we also recognize their ability to resonate with audiences of all ages—reminding us that animation is not just for children but an art form capable of probing profound themes and emotions. With the BFI’s commitment to showcasing animation as an essential part of cinematic discourse, this exhibition serves as a vital cultural opportunity, inviting both seasoned fans and newcomers to embrace the magic of stop-motion enriching our understanding of the artistry and dedication behind these beloved films as every frame tells a story waiting to be discovered. 

If you must blink, do it now…

You need to book your free tickets in advance – from here.

Scooter Braun declared his love for girlfriend Sydney Sweeney with a public toast.

In an Instagram video shared by music industry entrepreneur Steve Rifkind on Sunday, June 14, Braun, 44, gushed over his girlfriend aboard a private jet from Texas after watching the New York Knicks’ NBA championship victory on Saturday, June 13. (The Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in the 2026 NBA Finals.)

“Syd, I love you and your family so much,” Braun can be heard saying as he raised a toast to Sweeney, 28, and his other guests on the flight.

He continued, “You are the greatest good luck charm for a New York Knicks and Jets fan in history.”

Related: Inside Sydney Sweeney and Scooter Braun’s ‘Very Serious’ Romance

Sydney Sweeney and Scooter Braun are slowly “blending their lives” as they become more committed, a source exclusively tells Us Weekly. “They are the real deal, and their relationship has become very serious,” the insider shares, noting that “people around them thought that this would be just a fling, but they are committed.” Sweeney, 28, […]

“The Jets could win the Super Bowl … I don’t know,” Braun went on to predict.

The music manager and the Euphoria actress were first linked in June 2025 when they spent time together in Italy ahead of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s wedding.

In May, Sweeney made their romance Instagram official, sharing images and videos of them together at the Stagecoach music festival. Two weeks later, she shared a sweet montage of video clips of her and Braun on various dates.

“They are the real deal, and their relationship has become very serious,” a source exclusively told Us Weekly in April, adding that “people around them thought that this would be just a fling, but they are committed.”

The Housemaid actress “really appreciates Scooter’s support with all her projects,” the source said. “[She] loves hearing his feedback.” Braun is “emotionally invested in her career and wants the best for her,” added the insider, noting that Sweeney finds his interest in her career “very endearing and feels loved and appreciated by him.”

“They are slowly integrating their families and blending their lives, making the relationship more serious,” the insider told Us. “Sydney is a hopeless romantic at heart and likes being in a committed relationship.”

During a May podcast interview, Braun was effusive about finding love with Sweeney.

“I’ve met an extraordinary woman, kind and generous and smart, and real and down-to-earth,” Braun said on the “Second Thought With Suzy Weiss” podcast.

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The music manager didn’t mention Sweeney by name but said that his new relationship has been “one of the biggest surprises ever.”

Asked whether he had watched the third and final season of HBO’s Euphoria, which gave Sweeney her break in Hollywood in 2019, Braun praised Sweeney’s acting talents.

“I am catching it. I’m biased … I like it. I think there’s been an incredible performance by a certain actress,” he said.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 31 seconds ago

These days, Toy Story is a cultural institution, one that goes back to 1995. That was when the first film premiered and ended up changing the world of animation forever. Pixar’s 3D animation blew the minds of everyone who had grown up watching Disney’s classic, 2D cartoon classics like Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, and The Lion King. Eventually, Disney read the writing on the wall and bought Pixar, making three-dimensional, CG-animated cartoons the norm. We’ve gotten some real bangers since then (like Frozen), but it came at a cost: the 2D animation style we all grew up with officially became a thing of the past.

When the first Toy Story came out, I was still in middle school, and this movie absolutely blew me away. As an adult, though, it feels bittersweet knowing that this excellent movie more or less killed the kind of animation that defined my entire childhood. That hasn’t kept me from enjoying the film, however, and the wacky misadventures of Woody and Buzz Lightyear always put a grin on my face. Looking to take out a few of your favorite figures and dive into an entire toy box of nostalgia? You don’t have to travel to infinity and beyond. All you have to do is stream Toy Story on Hulu!

He Wants To Be A Cowboy, Baby

The premise of Toy Story is that all toys are alive and secretly pretend to be inanimate objects when humans are around. Young Andy has a collection of awesome toys, including his favorite: Woody, an old-timey sheriff. For his sixth birthday, he gets a cool new sci-fi toy named Buzz Lightyear. However, Buzz doesn’t realize he is a toy and believes his back-of-the-box origin story that he is a Space Ranger on a cosmic mission. Woody and Buzz fight over who and what they are, eventually getting left behind at a gas station. There, these foes must become friends and work together to get back home.

The premise of Toy Story is elegantly simple and creates an instant, cross-generational appeal. Obviously, younger audiences really loved the premise because they loved to imagine that their own toys came to life at night and got up to their own bizarre misadventures. Meanwhile, older audiences loved the sheer nostalgia of the premise, remembering the days when they entertained themselves through the power of pure imagination. Amusingly enough, this movie was basically Disney’s way of snatching this narrative conceit from the horror genre. These toys don’t want to kill you, like Chucky; they just want you to have fun while, behind closed doors, they bicker and cajole like the world’s weirdest found family.

Feeling A Little Buzzed

The simplicity of the premise also leaves room for plenty of world-building. Woody and the rest of his buddies show us how the toys have developed their own kind of secret society, one that flourishes while the humans aren’t watching. We even see how that society is broken up into different cultures, like the goofy aliens at Pizza Planet revering the claw within the claw machine as a kind of godlike being. The character of Buzz Lightyear, meanwhile, answers the natural question of whether all the toys know they are toys or not. Really, every scene advances our understanding of this world without slowing down the story for an awkward lore dump. 

Part of why Toy Story feels so breezy is the natural chemistry between some surprisingly great voice actors. The cast choices sometimes include some fun meta jokes, like having Full Metal Jacket’s R. Lee Ermey voice a Sergeant leading some little green army men. Meanwhile, the famously irascible Don Rickles plays Mr. Potato Head, the sarcastic cynic in a group of goofball optimists. Wallace Shawn, meanwhile, uses his trademark weird voice to turn what could have been a terrifying Tyrannosaurus Rex into a comic fraidy cat. Throw in Annie Potts voicing a hilariously seductive Bo Peep, and you have a perfectly eclectic supporting cast for the toys.

Learning To Kiss And Make Up

The real powerhouse performers are our two leads, Tom Hanks and Tim Allen. On paper, these seemed like weird casting choices: neither had much animation experience, and neither had ever worked together before. Nonetheless, each is perfect. Hanks plays Woody as a natural leader whose minor insecurities keep leading to major comic foibles. Meanwhile, Allen plays Buzz as someone confident to a fault, destined to butt heads with Woody. Fortunately, Hanks and Allen have a natural, easygoing chemistry, and their onscreen quarrels feel more like spats between longtime friends than knock-down, drag-out fights between newfound enemies.

Compared to later sequels like Toy Story 3 (which Quentin Tarantino, of all people, dubbed one of the best films of the century), the animation in the first Toy Story is a little stiffer. However, in rewatching the movie, I was taken aback by how well it holds up. It’s still a jaw-dropping film, and the gorgeous animation is (mostly) as impressive now as it was over 30 years ago. I’m still sad that this movie served as the death knell for 2D animation, but seeing how good it looks, I can’t blame audiences and animators alike for seeing this 3D animation as the wave of the future.

There’s not much more to say, really: Toy Story was our first real introduction to Pixar, and it’s just as beautifully brilliant and hilariously weird as you remember. The voice cast does an amazing job bringing colorful characters to life, and the movie does more worldbuilding in its short runtime than Game of Thrones did in an entire season. As an added bonus, this is the rare nostalgic treat that is perfect to share with your own children, and you can now stream it on Hulu. Unless your kid prefers just zoning out on his iPad; in that case, maybe you guys should skip straight to Toy Story 5!  

It’s been at least an hour since a streaming service made a major change, so Prime Video were clearly feeling left out. While Disney is busy folding Hulu into Disney+ and nearly every major platform continues tweaking prices, blocking account sharing, restricting their originals to the north west part of Greenland for 3 hours on a Sunday and introducing 19 ad tiers, Amazon’s streamer is taking a slightly different route. It is not merging with another service, at least not right now. No, there’s another tier.

Prime Video has officially begun notifying subscribers that Prime Video Ad Free will become Prime Video Ultra. The current Ad Free plan was replaced on April 10, with the new Ultra tier priced at $4.99 per month. An annual version will also be available for $45.99, which Amazon says represents a 23% yearly saving. Well, we do enjoy savings.

The good news for subscribers who mainly paid to avoid interruptions is that the new tier will still remove ads, and the bigger change is that Prime Video Ultra adds several upgraded viewing features, including 4K UHD video and Dolby Atmos audio, so that’s a lot more favorable for those who want the very best with their streaming.

It will also include a big boost for those people who like to download shows and movies while travelling. The base level Ad Free version only allowed 25 titles for offline viewing, while Ultra will raise that limit to 100, while it will also increase concurrent streams from three devices to five, which makes the plan more useful for larger households. Amazon is not launching a major password-sharing crackdown here, at least for now, and the five-stream limit gives Ultra a more flexible edge.

What Streams on Prime Video?

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Prime Video’s library has exploded in recent years with a great combination of prestige series, big budget IPs and of course, plenty of Dad TV. Original series have included Fallout, Reacher, The Boys, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and The Summer I Turned Pretty, alongside original movies such as Heads of State, Red One, Road House, and The Accountant 2. The platform also carries live sports from the NFL, NBA, WNBA, NASCAR, NWSL, and The Masters.

Recent and upcoming Prime Video titles include Alan Ritchson (Reacher) as Jack Reacher in Reacher, Hero Fiennes Tiffin (After) as Sherlock Holmes in Young Sherlock, John Krasinski as Jack Ryan in Jack Ryan, and Nicole Kidman (Big Little Lies) in Scarpetta.

Prime Video Ultra is currently available for U.S. subscribers only.

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Release Date

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February 3, 2022

Network

Prime Video

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Showrunner

Nick Santora

Directors

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Omar Madha, Carol Banker, Julian Holmes, Lin Oeding, M.J. Bassett, Norberto Barba, Stephen Surjik, Thomas Vincent

Writers

Cait Duffy

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The streaming wars have had plenty of surprises and deals that made perfect sense. We also reckon we’ve seen about seventy billion different streaming apps by this stage, but one of the most well renowned streamers has a new parent company in the shape of Fox. The company behind Fox News, Fox Sports, Fox Entertainment, and Tubi is set to spin the Wheel of Streaming Forture and this time, they’ve landed on… Roku.

Fox Corp. is buying Roku in a cash-and-stock deal valued at approximately $22 billion, including debt. The agreement will give Fox access to the Roku Channel, Roku’s first-party data, and a platform that reaches more than 100 million global streaming households. For Fox, which already owns the free ad-supported streaming service Tubi, it represents a huge expansion for them in the streaming and connected TV space.

As for the numbers portion of the announcement, Fox will pay $96 in cash and 0.9693 shares of its Class A common stock for each outstanding Roku Class A and Class B share. The transaction values Roku at $160 per share, so once the deal closes, existing Fox shareholders are expected to own approximately 73% of the combined company, while Roku shareholders will own around 27%.

Why Is Fox Buying Roku?

Fox has stated that Roku will continue to operate in the same way which is important for its long term success, given how many major entertainment companies rely on Roku’s platform to reach viewers through apps, channels, and advertising partnerships. Roku tends to operate more as a gateway for streamers rather than a brand in its own right, and they’ve been keen to reassure their current partners that nothing will be changing in the short term. Fox and Roku were also keen to point out that said the combined business will become the third-largest player in U.S. television by share of viewing.

That would place Fox in a stronger position as traditional TV continues to shift toward streaming, ad-supported platforms, and connected devices. The deal also helps Fox in terms of its data and distribution, because Roku’s viewing data can now be shared with Fox. That becomes really valuable for Fox as advertisers look for new ways to reach viewers. Combined with their current data, plus Tubi in their portfolio as well, Fox is now in a pretty strong position.

Honestly, there aren’t many good action movies that aren’t also somewhat rewatchable, or at least it’s hard to think of examples. Maybe something particularly brutal or heavy-going might not be the easiest thing to revisit, but honestly, good action movies basically always make for good entertainment, and good entertainment is worth going back to, time and again, for hopefully obvious reasons.

There’s also a fair amount of subjectivity when it comes to declaring a set of movies as more rewatchable than other movies within the same genre, so that makes the following a little difficult to do. These are very rewatchable action movies, and indeed, some of them are also among the very best action movies ever made (and a few do cross over into other genres beyond “just” action, if that’s worth mentioning as a disclaimer of sorts).

10

‘Die Hard’ (1988)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Die Hard makes the act of making an action movie look easy. There are so many choices here that feel like no-brainers, as in, like, of course the villain should be charismatic, and of course the hero should feel like an underdog, and of course a confined setting keeps things tense, and of course you should build to the most impressive action moments (and have them happen near the end), and of course you should keep all the side characters engaging and distinguished from one another.

Yet not all action movies get all these things right, which is plain to see, as more than 99% of action movies are inferior to Die Hard (including all the sequels to Die Hard, though that third one is fun, and the fourth has its moments to a greater extent than some people like to make out). Die Hard (1988) is just everything an action/thriller film should be, and even if you can get so much out of it from just one viewing, it is, nonetheless, greatly rewarding to watch again and again.

9

‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ (2023)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

This is one of those movies that might well demand repeat viewings, since there’s an almost overwhelming amount of stuff going on in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. It is admittedly more than just a straightforward action movie, since it’s got a good many science fiction elements, and if you want to count “animation” as a genre (which is a little iffy, but you do you), then yes, it’s a work of animation.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse introduced the idea of the multiverse, as it relates to Spider-Man, and was already pretty maximalist, but then Across the Spider-Verse blows it up even more, and explores it all further. There are so many things going on in the background, non-stop jokes and references, and also a plot that never really stops barreling forward, so there’s more than enough here that might well only be noticeable on a second (or third, or fourth, etc.) viewing.

8

‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’ (1991)

Image via Tri-Star Pictures

Possibly James Cameron’s finest achievement so far, as a director (if you don’t consider Titanic his best, at least) is Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Now, the first Terminator still delivers some good action with its time-travel story, but it’s not quite as grand as Terminator 2, and there is a bit more of a focus on horror over action. The sequel, on the other hand, has its tense (and occasionally scary) moments, yet there’s more of a budget here, and everything’s a good deal more explosive.

The premise is sort of the same in both movies, since villainous forces from the future want to stop John Connor from one day leading the human resistance against the machine uprising, and then the resistance sends back someone (or something) for protection. Terminator 2: Judgment Day is paced so well and proves remarkably entertaining, both when things are getting blown up/destroyed/shot at, and when there’s more of a focus on the surprisingly engaging characters, too.

7

‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ (2022)

Image via A24

Everything Everywhere All at Once deals with the multiverse, a bit like the aforementioned Spider-Verse films, but there is a different approach taken here, not to mention a more adventurous mix of genres tackled within this single movie. It begins as a family dramedy of sorts, and then the main character is thrown into a massive conflict regarding the fate of the multiverse, and the viewer is supposed to feel just as overwhelmed and confused.

There’s so much chaos throughout, but you do get a handle on it at a point, or find certain things in Everything Everywhere All at Once starting to click, to some extent. If you watch it more than once, things’ll probably click sooner, and then there’s the capacity for further clicking to take place; for things that might not have clicked before to do so. Or watching it again will be another dizzying and overwhelming experience. In that instance, at least it’s all chaotic, dizzying, and overwhelming in a surprisingly enjoyable way.

6

‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ (1981)

That Steven Spielberg guy seems like a pretty capable director, you know? Knows what he’s doing, in other words, to put it mildly. To drop the biggest understatement of all time. Sorry, dropping the bit. It’s a silly bit. Spielberg is Spielberg. Spielberg does not deliver perfection 100% of the time, but he’s directed more perfect movies than the vast majority of filmmakers out there (be they currently active or iconic directors who worked in the past).

So, yes, Raiders of the Lost Ark is an absolute classic. It’s Spielberg’s purest action movie, and maybe his most entertaining, even if it has some competition with other films when it comes to crowning what Spielberg’s best blockbuster is (he did, after all, direct Jaws and Jurassic Park). There’s a simple adventure story here, with the hunt for a MacGuffin and all, but the craft found in Raiders of the Lost Ark is undeniably good, and makes the whole movie a very easy one to revisit time and again.

5

‘The Raid 2’ (2014)

Image via Sony Pictures Classics

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The Raid already felt about as good as modern-day martial arts movies could be, and then along came The Raid 2, which arguably exceeded the original in terms of quality. The first was more direct, and perhaps better-paced, admittedly, but The Raid 2 was even more ambitious, had more action, and, perhaps most importantly, also made sure to have a much greater variety of action than the first movie.

You can see The Raid as a proof-of-concept for what would then become The Raid 2. There’s a bit of a convoluted story about going undercover to take down people involved with organized crime, and it’s serviceable enough, but mostly works because it gives the film an excuse to have a large number – and wide variety – of action scenes. The action sequences here are all incredibly rewatchable, so the fact that there are so many such scenes makes the movie as a whole easy to revisit, if you’re a big action/martial arts movie fan.

4

‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’ (2003)

Image via New Line Cinema

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Okay, this is the last movie that’s not first and foremost an action film, but The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King still feels like it belongs here. There is a ton of action in this movie, with more of a focus on battles than was seen in the other two (still quite action-packed) films, and even with it primarily being a fantasy movie, and so much time spent on the Hobbits and their journey, it’s still big on action.

It’s also a little strange to single out one film in this trilogy, since they’re all needed to tell the overall story that is The Lord of the Rings, but The Return of the King is the one with the most action. If you’re rewatching The Return of the King, it’s probably because you’ve also recently rewatched The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers… so, you know, maybe they should be here too. Oh well. Consider them honorably mentioned.

3

‘Mission: Impossible – Fallout’ (2018)

Image via Paramount Pictures

The Mission: Impossible series is technically a spy-related one, though there was a definite shift toward bombastic action as early as the original movie’s first sequel, and it’s never really looked back since then. Things might’ve gotten a bit too grand by the time of the eighth(!) movie, in 2025, but the build was fun and rewarding for a good many years there, with the series reaching its peak, in this department, with the sixth overall movie, Mission: Impossible – Fallout.

This one just has everything you could want out of a spy/thriller/action/adventure movie, with a plot that is more or less about saving the world, just done in a way that works, and supported with some of the best action ever seen in a movie made on this kind of scale. It all just keeps going and going, building and building, perfectly going right up to the line of too much, and thankfully never quite crossing it. The balance here is undeniably perfect, and it’s honestly hard to come up with even nitpicky ways in which Mission: Impossible – Fallout might be flawed.

2

‘Kill Bill: Vol. 1’ (2003)

Image via Miramax Films

With Kill Bill, it’s Vol. 1 that feels the most like an action movie. Vol. 2 has a couple of memorable moments of action, and it does still feel like a martial arts movie at times, thanks to the extended flashback showing the protagonist’s training, but most of her fighting done throughout the saga is kept in Vol. 1, which is the bloodier and more exciting part of her overall quest for vengeance.

You don’t really need to rewatch the first Kill Bill to understand the basics or anything, but it’s more just the film being so much fun – and such a blast – that makes it rewatchable. There are also things that can be appreciated if you watch it for a second or third time, knowing the full story, which is worth acknowledging (again, there are flashbacks in Vol. 2 that take place before the events seen in Vol. 1).

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‘Seven Samurai’ (1954)

Image via Toho

Sure, the idea of revisiting something that’s over three hours long sounds potentially daunting, but it’s more than worth doing when the movie is as great as Seven Samurai. There’s an argument to be made that it invented the modern-day action film, perfectly telling a very compelling story about the people of a village hiring a group of warriors to defend themselves against an incoming bandit attack.

That attack is what the climax of Seven Samurai focuses on, and, yes, it does have to be acknowledged that before the final act, there isn’t a ton of action, yet Seven Samurai remains very engaging as a drama. And it’s the dramatic elements that get you to care about – and feel more invested in – the action that the film presents in its final hour or so. Everything’s perfectly paced and in its right place, with Akira Kurosawa making the act of directing such a huge and ambitious movie look remarkably effortless.

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Seven Samurai

Release Date

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April 26, 1954

Runtime

207 Minutes

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Director

Akira Kurosawa

Writers

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Akira Kurosawa

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Through the first half of 2026, Netflix is on a hot streak with its original films. The standout so far has been the sci-fi action epic War Machine starring Reacher‘s Alan Ritchson, which surged into ninth place on the platform’s all-time global viewership charts with 139.9 million views, but Matt Damon and Ben Affleck‘s The Rip and the Michael B. Jordan family animated adventure Swapped have also reached some impressive milestones. Yet, none have been quite as towering as last year’s breakout global sensation KPop Demon Hunters. This week marks the first anniversary of HUNTR/X’s game-changing debut, and since then, viewers have kept watching Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, if its streak of 50-straight weeks in the English top-ten is any indication.

Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans‘ Sony Pictures Animation feature has accomplished so much since everyone heard “Golden” for the first time, from becoming the first soundtrack to ever have four songs in the Billboard Hot 100 at once to winning the Oscars for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. While the music was everywhere, the action-adventure was hailed by critics and audiences alike and soared to #1 all-time on Netflix with an unparalleled 325.1 million views. There’s no time like the present, then, to reflect on the adventure to seal the Honmoon that started it all, and the streamer has a few plans to make it a proper celebration, from anniversary screenings to a global TikTok watch party, anniversary edition vinyls, and much more. Among the new KPop Demon Hunters items heading to shelves is a collaboration to bring to life a certain supernatural messenger tiger.

Netflix and LEGO have revealed a new set that will allow fans to construct Rumi and Jinu’s pal, Derpy Tiger, and his little six-eyed magpie companion, Sussie. Made to be built and displayed with 825 pieces, it depicts Derpy loyally sitting in place and poseable with multiple spots to perch Sussie on his head. His mouth can either be shut or open with a special, friendly message to share, and he comes with a flower pot that he can try and fail to tip back up. It acts as a colorful commemoration of one of the movie’s most beloved characters and his clumsy quirks.

What’s the Status on a ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Sequel?

Buzz for a sequel remains high one year after KPop Demon Hunters, especially given how much of this world and its Korean-inspired lore is left to explore. Back in March, Netflix officially confirmed that the follow-up was happening, with both Kang and Appelhans back as writers and directors and Arden Cho, May Hong, and Ji-young Yoo likely reprising their roles as the speaking voices of HUNTR/X alongside EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami. Animation takes time, though, so it’s not expected to arrive until 2029. Although there’s no idea where the story is heading next, both sides of Rumi, Mira, and Zoey have expressed their opinions on what the next film should be, from a globe-trotting new adventure sending the group to different cities across the globe to a darker Andor-like story that explores real Korean history.

Whatever comes next, Kang assured in an interview with Collider’s Perri Nemiroff that it will be true to what she and Appelhans want to do with these characters and this world, not unlike the original KPop Demon Hunters.

“Yeah, anything that we do after this, I think, will be exactly like how we approached the first movie, which is, it’s everything that we wanted to see and we wanted to challenge ourselves with. So, anything from us after this one will be exactly that, and it’ll be what we want to see. Well, we’ll, of course, look at what other people want to see, as well, but as directors and writers, you have to be true to yourself, and be your harshest critic, and that’s what we were with the first film, and we have very high standards, and we will still stick to those standards in every single inch of whatever we make next. So, yeah, it’ll be hard. I mean, it will be just as hard as this, and probably harder, but we’re up for the challenge.”

The new KPop Demon Hunters LEGO Derpy Tiger and Sussie Bird set will be available for pre-sale globally on the official LEGO website and will officially launch in stores on August 1. Get your first look at the new set in action in the gallery above.

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Release Date

June 20, 2025

Runtime

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96 minutes

Director

Chris Appelhans, Maggie Kang

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Writers

Hannah McMechan, Chris Appelhans, Maggie Kang, Danya Jimenez

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Producers

Michelle Wong

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Just a day after going viral for a rare family pop-out, Nicki Minaj sparked conversation about her political views. She’s been taking heat for the past few months after publicly supporting President Donald Trump and his administration in their second term. Still, the backlash hasn’t swayed Nicki’s stance. In fact, on Sunday, she took to social media to wish Trump a happy birthday using AI-generated images that turned heads!

RELATED: Growin’ Up! Nicki Minaj Steps Out With Son Papa Bear & Husband Kenneth Petty In RARE Public Appearance (VIDEOS)

Nicki Minaj Shares Shoutout For Trump’s 80th Birthday

On Sunday (June 14), Trump ushered in his 80th birthday with a UFC cage fight on the White House South Lawn. UFC reportedly spent over $60 million to stage the fight, which was temporarily delayed due to inclement weather. Additionally, at least seven federal agencies came together to contribute resources and manpower to the event. Trump was seen in photos attending the backyard event.

And while Trump celebrated his birthday with a professional tussle, his self-proclaimed #1 fan gave him his flowers online! In an X post, Minaj wrote “Happy 80th birthday Mr. President 🎉🎀.” The post included four seemingly AI-generated images. One shows her in a Marilyn Monroe getup, smiling next to Trump. Another shows her and Trump dressed in black hoodies with the caption, “Real recognize real.” A third image shows an animated version of Nicki Minaj and Donald Trump holding hands. Meanwhile, the fourth photo shows Nicki Minaj, Trump, Elon Musk, and Sydney Sweeney all dressed in hot pink, sitting in a luxury car with a pink interior. Trump appears to be making a hand sign as the remaining three mug for the camera.

Social Media Reacts To Birthday Post For President 

Nicki Minaj’s tweet has been viewed over 9.9 million times since being posted at 8 p.m. eastern time on X. It’s also collected over 139,000 likes and nearly 6,000 replies. While some Barbz stood behind their Queen’s birthday shoutout, others in the replies shared everything from disappointment to jokes.

Keep scrolling to see reactions from Minaj’s comment section!

I’m sorry but these are taking me out 🤣 pic.twitter.com/QJCiCJOaWW

— The Female Weezy ♓️💕 (@KillDaDJ_) June 15, 2026

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At what point did you think this was okay?

— Dudu Ngubane (@DuduNgubane3) June 15, 2026

Nicki Minaj thank you for standing strong against those who have tried to bring you down. You are right to do what you want to do and to show other people that it doesn’t come down to skin color it comes down to Good and Evil it comes down to principles and what you want to be…

— VoteMeritNOTColor (@VoteMeritXColor) June 15, 2026

I can’t believe the real Nicki Minaj posted this 😂😂😂

— mayowa 🍀 (@bigZUKO_) June 15, 2026

The real recognize real pic made me ki ki so hard😂😂😂😂

— Baby Esohe (@Esohe__) June 15, 2026

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Sydney in the back seat pic.twitter.com/yMN3nlvDAN

— Tony (@AntonyWarware) June 15, 2026

I really think you’re just a big troll 😭😭😭

— ★ Joaquín (@DreamGuzman) June 15, 2026

Nicki Minaj posting AI Trump thirst traps for his 80th is wilder than her last album rollout. From Anaconda to ‘MAGAconda’ Who hurt you, queen? The polls? Your streams? This is why the culture moved on. pic.twitter.com/ipuHKH760W

— oshamo (@oshamo360) June 15, 2026

we always seem to take two steps forward just to end up going four steps back.💔 pic.twitter.com/kpxO38tdeE

— joshua. (@livingthroughJ) June 15, 2026

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Trumps dayyyyyyy 🎂 pic.twitter.com/dRltzXkEad

— Aarush 💕 (@arush8477) June 15, 2026

He won’t remove your baby daddy’s ankle monitor you know 💀… pic.twitter.com/Z1VUlqvlMN

— Call Me Nate (@Nkosina68698312) June 15, 2026

It’s well within your right to support whom you want,however it’s also insane to bet against your long term interests..

LAT ( Life After Trump) is going to hit so different

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— My two cent (@gantboom1) June 15, 2026

Two days in the row! Hey Queen, we miss you so much and glad you’re doing well 🥰

— Minister 😈♍️ (@Trestarluvroman) June 15, 2026

Nicki I’m tired of the orange peel… IMMA STILL LOVE YOU THO! pic.twitter.com/bNgcnpqowo

— MS/ONIKA 💕 (@MSONIKABARBIE) June 15, 2026

Nicki Has Been Standing Strong Behind Trump

As previously reported, Nicki Minaj stunned hip hop fans when she publicly aligned herself with President Trump in late 2025. She threw her support behind him at AmericaFest, expressing her admiration and respect for him. At one point, she credited him for inspiring hope to “beat the bad guys” while keeping his “integrity intact.”

Earlier this year, the White House invited her to speak at the Accounts Summit and President Trump introduced her, acknowledging that she’s “been such a great supporter” despite catching heat from “her community.” When she took the mic, Nicki Minaj returned the love and praise, denounced any “bullying” of the president and said “God is protecting him.”  

RELATED: Been About Him! Nicki Minaj Reveals What Led Her To Publicly Support Trump & Embrace The MAGA Movement

Val Kilmer’s legacy has once again become the center of controversy after filmmaker Adam Marcus reignited criticism of the late actor with a series of explosive allegations. 

Marcus recently faced backlash after describing Kilmer as “the worst human being” he had ever known, but he is refusing to back down. 

The director, who worked with Kilmer on the 2008 film “Conspiracy,” insists his comments were not an attempt to attack a deceased star but rather a continuation of concerns he says he has publicly shared for years.

Adam Marcus found himself under fire after a social media post about Val Kilmer went viral. 

In the post, the director alleged that Kilmer was frequently late, verbally abusive, physically aggressive, and often under the influence during production. 

Marcus claimed the experience became so overwhelming that it almost pushed him out of the film industry entirely. According to him, the actor Kilmer “acted completely unprofessional” despite being paid $1.5 million for the project.

The reaction online was swift, prompting Marcus to remove the post from Threads. However, he told the Daily Mail he stands by every word.

“What I said about Val in that post was that he was the worst human I had ever met. That is true. There’s no hyperbole to that,” Marcus said.

The director maintained that his criticism was not new, noting that he had discussed his experiences publicly years before Kilmer’s death.

Kilmer Allegedly Changed Once Filming Began

Adam Marcus explained that his relationship with Val Kilmer started on a positive note. As a longtime admirer of the actor, he was thrilled to cast him in “Conspiracy” and described their early interactions as friendly and collaborative.

According to the 58-year-old, Kilmer even acknowledged rumors about his past behavior while assuring him he had changed.

“He said, ‘But I turned over a new leaf. I’m a new man,’” Marcus recalled. However, the director claims everything shifted once production moved to New Mexico.

“Day one of the shoot, he showed up three hours late to set,” Marcus alleged, claiming Kilmer was suffering from alcohol poisoning and required medical attention from an ambulance crew before filming could continue.

According to him, the late Hollywood star tearfully apologized and promised things would improve, but the issues allegedly escalated as filming continued.

Val Kilmer Accused Of Physical And Verbal Misconduct

One of Marcus’ most shocking allegations involves an incident he says occurred less than a week into filming.

“By day six, he showed up to set completely out of his mind,” he alleged. According to Marcus, Kilmer became fixated on showing off a new pair of Crocs. 

When he asked him to wait while a shot was being prepared, he claims Kilmer kicked him in the crotch. “As I turned to my [director of photography], he kicked me in the crotch with his Crocs,” Marcus said.

Marcus further alleged that the “Top Gun” star repeatedly used a homophobic slur and directed it at him in front of cast and crew members.

He also claimed Kilmer made inappropriate advances toward women on set, including his wife and co-writer Debra Sullivan. Sullivan backed up those allegations, telling the Daily Mail, “He kept grabbing my a**.”

Kilmer’s Behavior Was Remembered Differently By Others

Not everyone involved with “Conspiracy” shares Marcus’ perspective. Actor Jude Lanston, who appeared in the film, said Val Kilmer was gracious during their scenes together and even went out of his way to introduce himself afterward.

“Honestly, working with him was amazing,” Lanston said. However, he also claimed he witnessed some of the behavior Marcus described.

“I saw how he treated everybody else,” he said, adding, “He kicked the guy in the nuts.” When asked about Marcus’ viral post, Lanston added, “Everything was true.”

Other cast members offered more measured reactions. Jennifer Esposito said she had a “fine” experience working with Kilmer and urged people to focus on living individuals accused of misconduct. 

Christopher Gehrman also spoke positively about the actor, calling it “an honor” to work alongside him.

Val Kilmer’s Reputation Followed Him Throughout Hollywood

Marcus is hardly the first filmmaker to publicly criticize Kilmer’s behavior. Over the years, several high-profile directors shared stories about difficult experiences working with the actor. 

“Batman Forever” director Joel Schumacher famously called him “childish and impossible,” while Oliver Stone told Rogerebert.com in 2025 that Kilmer’s “personality was not easy to get along with.”

Richard Stanley was even more blunt, saying, “I don’t like Val Kilmer, I don’t like his work ethic, and I don’t want to be associated with him ever again.”

Kilmer himself addressed the criticism during his lifetime. In a 2017 Reddit AMA, he suggested his reputation stemmed from his intense focus on acting.

“I only cared about the acting and that didn’t translate to caring about the film or all that money,” he said. In his 2021 documentary “Val,” the actor offered perhaps his most candid reflection.

“I have behaved poorly. I have behaved bravely. I have behaved bizarrely to some,” Kilmer said, further noting, “I deny none of this and have no regrets because I have lost and found parts of myself that I never knew existed. And I am blessed.”