Movies

Approximately five years ago, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge debuted at Disneyland, though initial attendance fell short of our projections. Despite this, the new theme park area was truly remarkable. It wasn’t until several months later that Rise of the Resistance, one of Disneyland’s top attractions today, opened and fully realized the land. While there were many appealing aspects to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, it also had some noticeable absences.

It appears that if 2024 serves as an indication, the Western genre is far from extinct. This year saw the premiere of Kevin Costner’s self-directed Horizon series at Cannes, a three-hour self-funded labor of love. The fact that Costner was able to screen his Western epic at Cannes, despite its mixed reviews, suggests that the genre retains some influence in the film industry landscape.

In this story titled “Uglies,” inspired by Scott Westerfeld’s 2005 dystopian novel, we find ourselves in a future society where everyone is initially considered “ugly.” However, at age sixteen, individuals undergo transformative cosmetic surgeries to become “pretty.” Tally Youngblood (Joey King) experiences a shift in her best friend Peris (Chase Strokes)’s personality after his surgery. This prompts her to seek out a group of rebels, known as “The Smoke,” who live independently and embrace their natural selves. Among this group, Tally befriends Shay (Brianne Tju) and the leader, David (Keith Powers). As Tally delves deeper into her world, she uncovers a disturbing truth about her upbringing. She then takes a stand against Dr. Cable (Laverne Cox), the innovator behind this cosmetic surgery, to bring change and challenge the status quo.

In a fresh twist for the Star Wars universe, a new offering – LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy, premiering exclusively on Disney+ tomorrow – aims to surprise fans by incorporating their creative ideas and contributions into its four-episode run. Among the familiar faces gracing this unique series is Darth Jar Jar, an ominous counterpart to the lovable yet annoying Gungan character, who first appeared nearly a decade ago in the Star Wars prequels, born from the collective imagination of passionate viewers.

Chad McQueen, son of Steve McQueen and a man who pursued both acting and auto racing, famously playing the antagonist Dutch in the initial two Karate Kid films, has passed away at the age of 63.