Movies

We find ourselves in a unique era where theater snack containers are becoming more and more extravagant. It appears that movies aren’t just focusing on selling tickets anymore; they’re also aiming to sell merchandise within the theater at the same time. This trend has primarily manifested as increasingly intricate popcorn buckets, but the upcoming Disney film Moana 2 is breaking new ground. Indeed, Moana 2 will offer a popcorn bucket, but it’s also introducing something novel: a nacho boat.

Grew up during the heyday of Disney Channel, where fresh episodes of “Hannah Montana” and “Wizards of Waverly Place” aired weekly, and the top shows had exciting crossover events. As these series hold a dear spot in my memory, I felt hesitant upon hearing that the sitcom starring Selena Gomez was being revived. However, once “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place” appeared on the 2024 TV lineup, I couldn’t resist giving it a try, and I must say it feels comfortingly familiar. Yet there are two aspects that have left me slightly uncomfortable.

Happy Election Day to all those celebrating! It’s a big one today, and as voters continue lining up to cast their ballots in this pivotal election, more opinions about the candidates continue to emerge from Hollywood, this time from Hellboy actor Ron Perlman. Never one to bite his tongue about former president Donald Trump, Perlman firmly believes that Democratic presidential hopeful Kamala Harris really has Trump shaking in his boots.

Actress Daisy Ridley, known for her role as Rey Skywalker in the Star Wars series, is swapping lightsabers for assault rifles in the forthcoming action-thriller directed by Martin Campbell, who previously helmed Casino Royale, a highly praised James Bond film. Prior to her Star Wars solo film, Ridley has been securing several intriguing roles ahead of time. Her newest role is that of a Marine Corps commander, where she’ll need to employ her exceptional fighting abilities to fend off assailants and rescue hostages in the movie titled Dedication.

Back in the day, digital art was essentially limited to 8-bit graphics on our beloved Atari or the video game Metal Gear Solid we bought (or regretfully so) for our kids. But oh, how times have changed! Today, this medium has transcended its early, somewhat childish connotations, finding its way into practically every aspect of our daily lives. It’s now in the form of playful emojis, immersive virtual reality experiences, and the limitless manipulation possibilities offered by Photoshop and AI. As a fan, it’s truly amazing to witness this evolution!