Movies

In a challenging scenario, Paul Mescal, the star of Gladiator II, might have found it difficult to meet the formidable expectations set by the enduring legacy of Gladiator and collaborating with director Ridley Scott. Given that he is portraying Lucius, the film’s primary character who coincidentally is the grown-up son of Maximus (played by Russell Crowe), and sharing screen time with acting titans like Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal, it is no small task.

As Christmas approaches swiftly, people everywhere are seeking out heartwarming, joyful movies to usher in the snug season, opting for both timeless favorites and fresh new releases to get into the holiday spirit. Although timeless gems such as “It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street“, and “Meet Me in St. Louis” remain the cornerstone of Christmas cinema, there have been several notable adaptations of well-loved films that left fans thoroughly impressed.

Regardless of being located within an expansive subterranean shelter years following a global catastrophe that devastated Earth’s surface, Apple TV+’s Silo remains surprisingly pertinent to contemporary issues and our present-day lives – it’s not merely because more people are starting to stockpile supplies for doomsday scenarios. The first season finale depicted Juliette Nichols (Rebecca Ferguson) exiting the vault and venturing to the surface, as the silo inhabitants teetered on the edge of a violent uprising. Many secrets about the underground shelter and its corrupted government were unveiled. However, due to massive screens dispersed throughout the silo, the residents are largely in the dark when it comes to accurate information concerning life above ground.

Scott Beck and Bryan Woods’ “Heretic” undeniably falls under the horror genre, but it stands out as an unusual representative of this category. Rather than relying on jump scares or graphic violence, this latest offering effectively chills you to the bone by focusing on characters engaged in a tense dialogue. The movie’s effectiveness can be attributed to various elements, but the captivating performances by leads Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, and Chloe East are undoubtedly crucial. I had an opportunity to speak with these actors about evoking fear for the film during its Los Angeles press day at the end of last month.

Even though some people are yet to see Season 2 of “One Piece” on TV schedules for 2025, it’s important to remember you can catch a significant part of the anime series with a Netflix subscription. Although the selection isn’t as extensive as what Hulu or Crunchyroll offer, Netflix recently added an episode not available on either platform, making it a must-watch for fans!