Indian Rupee Forecast

Initially, there was much intrigue surrounding Ridley Scott’s upcoming film, “Gladiator II.” Questions like, “Who is the enigmatic character played by Denzel Washington?” or “Why is Pedro Pascal’s Roman general battling in the Colosseum?” or even “Who is Lucius’ (portrayed by Paul Mescal) father?” remained unanswered. Regrettably, the promotional content for this long-anticipated sequel, particularly its two large trailers, have disclosed more than intended about the movie, including the solution to that crucial last question. The most recent trailer, unfortunately, has inadvertently given away that Lucius is the biological son of Maximus Decimus Meridius (played by Russell Crowe in “Gladiator”).

Jerry Seinfeld, a well-known comedian who starred in the hit show “Seinfeld,” has recently expressed a different perspective regarding the impact of the “extreme left” on modern comedy. In an interview on his friend Tom Papa’s podcast, Breaking Bread, Seinfeld retracted some controversial statements he made earlier this year. He had previously suggested that the absence of popular TV comedies in today’s era was due to the effects of the “extreme left,” political correctness (P.C.), and an excessive concern about offending others.

2022’s film “Smile,” penned and directed by Parker Finn, took me aback. It’s a stark, somber portrayal of society’s treatment towards individuals battling severe mental health issues, cloaked as gruesome supernatural horror. The initial release seemed to have taken Paramount off guard too, with the planned streaming debut scrapped following excellent test screenings. The movie’s success, given its bleak subject matter and absence of any cheer or happy ending, is somewhat astonishing. What might be unexpected about “Smile 2” is that despite its increased profile as Paramount aims to establish it as a series, it doesn’t feel sanitized or diluted compared to the original.

Parker Finn’s 2022 film debut, titled “Smile“, bears a clear resemblance to classic chain-possession horror movies such as “The Ring” and “It Follows“. In these films, a deadly curse is passed from one victim to another, with the tormented main character attempting to break free. While it shares similarities with its predecessors, “Smile” was successful due to the unique style and persistent tension brought by its writer-director, as well as the chilling ordinary method of transmission – a wide, menacing grin. The movie was made for around $17 million and earned over $200 million globally, ensuring a follow-up would be produced.