Advertisement
Home Blog Page 94

‘The Odyssey’ Trailer: Matt Damon Stars in Christopher Nolan’s Epic Tale

Universal Pictures’ early Christmas gift to fans of epic storytelling is the release of the first official trailer for The Odyssey. The nearly two-minute trailer shows Matt Damon as Odysseus struggling to make it home after the Trojan War.

The film is based on Homer’s epic poem and brought to life by Oscar-winner Christopher Nolan (Oppenheimer). Nolan writes, directs, and serves as a producer. Emma Thomas also produces, with Thomas Hayslip executive producing.

Universal’s official description of the film reads: “Christopher Nolan’s next film, The Odyssey, is a mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new IMAX® film technology. The film brings Homer’s foundational saga to IMAX® film screens for the first time.”

In addition to Matt Damon, the 2026 theatrical release stars Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron. Universal’s set a July 17, 2026 release date. 

The Odyssey Poster
Poster for ‘The Odyssey’ (Photo Credit: Universal Pictures)

 

‘Song Sung Blue’ Review: Jackman and Hudson Shine in This Heartfelt, Soul-Stirring Musical Drama

Song Sung Blue Review
Hugh Jackman as Mike Sardina and Kate Hudson as Claire Stengl in ‘SONG SUNG BLUE’ (Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features © 2025)

It’s not often that a film genuinely and movingly captures those on the outskirts of fame with as much heart as Song Sung Blue. Based on an inspiring true story that most people aren’t aware of, Song Sung Blue focuses on the struggles of a couple of cover artists who perform at state fairs, crowded bars, and even a Thai restaurant. Fame’s not the goal. Instead, they’re chasing the transformative feeling of singing in front of an audience.

The music-driven film, named after Neil Diamond’s 1972 hit, opens with the introduction of Mike Sardina (Oscar nominee Hugh Jackman), a musician who goes by the stage name “Lightning.” When we first meet Mike, he’s describing his stage persona as a mix of Chuck Berry, Barry Manilow, and The Beatles – a rocking god. It’s only after he lets his performance persona slip that we meet the real Mike: a divorced man celebrating 20 years of sobriety at an AA meeting, struggling to find a way to pay his mortgage, and trying to be a stable father for his daughter.

Mike’s life finds its rhythm when he meets Claire (Oscar nominee Kate Hudson). Hudson plays Claire – a Patsy Cline stylist and part-time hairdresser – with a grounded, luminous warmth that feels incredibly lived-in. Their meet-cute isn’t a sizzling encounter; it’s a quiet, flirtatious conversation backstage where she suggests he stop doing the Don Ho covers he loathes and start channeling Neil Diamond.

Mike’s immediate reaction is to dismiss the idea; he holds Neil Diamond in high regard and doesn’t feel worthy. However, when Claire suggests that he “interpret” Neil, Mike realizes she’s on to something.

The chemistry between Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson is the film’s heart and soul. Mike and Claire’s romance isn’t flashy; it feels like two real people who have been through the wringer and finally found a partner who shares the same dreams. When they eventually join forces as “Lightning & Thunder,” you aren’t just rooting for their act; you’re rooting for them to succeed and find happiness as a blended family. Part of the film’s strength, and why it makes its way into the most cynical of hearts, is the quiet dignity Jackman and Hudson give to these characters based on real, decent people.

Tribute artists are too often unfairly maligned, but that’s not the case with Song Sung Blue. It would have been easy to toss in a few lighthearted jabs at a guy so unfailingly committed to his Lightning persona to the point of sporting one on a fake tooth. The movie treats Mike and the other tribute artists’ passion with total respect. There’s a fantastic sequence where Lightning & Thunder end up opening for Pearl Jam, and seeing Mike’s earnest, sequined Neil Diamond persona win over a grunge crowd is really moving. It reminds you that good music transcends genres and that demographics aren’t set in stone.

The film doesn’t stay in the feel-good zone since its plot is based on the emotional roller coaster of the true story. The real Mike and Claire’s lives took a few incredibly bleak turns, and Song Sung Blue shows them dealing with sudden tragedy, followed by the desperation of handling massive medical bills and the grueling reality of physical and mental recovery. It’s in the movie’s more heartbreaking moments that Hudson and Jackman really deliver.

Hudson’s portrayal of Claire’s descent into depression following a devastating, life-altering accident is raw and painful to watch. And Jackman’s performance as a father and husband desperately trying to hold his family together while hiding his own failing health is equally poignant. When Mike describes singing the songs people need because they are the songs he needs, Jackman delivers the line with an honesty that perfectly encapsulates the film’s message.

The entire ensemble is terrific, with standout performances from Michael Imperioli (The White Lotus) as a Buddy Holly impersonator who’s instrumental in helping Mike and Claire book gigs and Mustafa Shakir (Love Hurts), utterly engaging as a James Brown impersonator. Ella Anderson (Suncoast), Hudson Hensley, and King Princess (Nine Perfect Strangers) are impressive as Mike and Claire’s children who make up the blended family. Fisher Stevens (Succession) is entertaining as a dentist/Lightning & Thunder’s manager, and Jim Belushi (The Chronology of Water) has a handful of fun scenes as a tour bus driver with casino connections.

John Beckwith (Three Women) appears in the small but pivotal role as Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder and nails it.

The costumes are outstanding, capturing Lightning & Thunder’s take on Neil Diamond’s wardrobe and vibe. Of course the soundtrack’s impressive since it’s full of Diamond’s catchiest tunes, including “Sweet Caroline,” “Forever in Blue Jeans,” “Cherry, Cherry,” and “Play Me.” You can’t go wrong with a Neil Diamond playlist. The real Mike was a huge fan of Diamond’s lesser-known song “Soolaimon,” and audiences are going to have a tough time getting that single out of their heads thanks to the film’s multiple performances of it.

Song Sung Blue, written and directed by Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow), manages to balance humor with the heavy reality of addiction and loss. It suggests that lightning can strike twice, sometimes with good fortune and sometimes with devastating tragedy.  

Song Sung Blue is a soul-stirring, bittersweet tribute to the “interpreters” of the world who keep going, no matter the hardships or challenges thrown their way. By acknowledging the power of music, the film conveys the resilience of the human spirit, the importance of following your dreams, and the beauty of finding a second chance at love.

GRADE: A

Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 2 hours 13 minutes
Release Date: December 25, 2025

‘Mayor of Kingstown’ Season 4 Episode 9 Recap: “Teeth and Tissue”

Mayor of Kingstown Season 4 Episode 9 Recap
Lennie James as Frank Moses and Jeremy Renner as Mike McLusky in ‘Mayor of Kingstown’ episode 9, season 4 (Credit: Jeremy Parsons/Paramount+)

Paramount+’s Mayor of Kingstown season four episode nine—the penultimate episode—opens with the discovery of Robert’s body and a huge police presence outside of his house. Ian (Hugh Dillon) confirms that by the time the cops showed up in Belleville, Callahan was already gone. He promises Mike (Jeremy Renner) that everyone is focused on finding him. Mike pledges to kill him for Kyle’s sake.

(The following is a recap of season four, episode nine, and there are spoilers.)

DA Evelyn Foley (Necar Zadegan) is upset that Robert committed suicide before she could bring him to justice. She’s also sorry that Tracy was murdered. Mike asks that she release Kyle since he’s almost been killed three times behind bars and now he’s just looking for a way to kill himself. He insists he’s going to deliver Frank Moses for prosecution, so she needs to get Kyle out now.

Evelyn will release him within 24 hours if Mike delivers Frank.

Mike pays Frank (Lennie James) a visit at his warehouse, and Frank’s in mourning over the death of his friend of 50 years, LJ, who was just gunned down. Frank can’t believe it happened in Kingstown and that he was shot directly in the face. No one saw anything, and Mike confirms witnesses never come forward in Kingstown. Frank warns that he’s going to destroy the entire town to get to whoever killed LJ.

Lamar (Zuri James), Bunny’s driver who drove him into an ambush on Frank’s orders, is in a panic over LJ’s murder. Mike had promised him the only way to get through this alive was to kill LJ; that would earn him Bunny’s forgiveness. Of course, that also puts him in Frank’s crosshairs. Mike assures him he’s taken care of the situation, and he should just return to Bunny’s crew.

Over at the prison, Warden Nina Hobbs (Edie Falco) tells the guards that Deputy Warden Torres has resigned. After she dismisses the group, she tells Breen that he’s being put on restricted duty after an excessive force complaint was filed. Breen reacts angrily and Hobbs reminds him to watch how he speaks to her. He’s lucky he still has a job.

Cindy Stephens (Laura Benanti) checks on Kyle (Taylor Handley) but he refuses to move or speak.

Mike meets with Evelyn and Kyle’s lawyer, Barry Chester (Mackenzie Astin). Barry is going to say that he wasn’t an effective councilor (he doesn’t mind lying to help), but he’s not sure why the DA would be ready to let Kyle out. He’ll file paperwork to rescind Kyle’s plea.

Mike heads over to the prison and Cindy breaks the news that Kyle won’t speak with him. He’s basically catatonic at this point. Mike insists on seeing him and stands outside Kyle’s cell, telling him all he needs to do is sign the paperwork and he’s free. Kyle wants to give up and Mike reminds him about his baby and how much Mitch needs him. Mike wants him to channel his rage and make it work for him. They will find Callahan and bury him.

 “This is the most important moment of your life. And we’re going to get through it together,” says Mike.

Mayor of Kingstown Season 4 Episode 9 Recap
Jeremy Renner as Mike McLusky and Edie Falco as Nina Hobbs in ‘Mayor of Kingstown’ episode 9, season 4 (Credit: Jeremy Parsons/Paramount+)

Mike tells Warden Hobbs that Kyle’s attorney needs to be walked in as soon as he arrives. There’s no time to waste. She’s impressed he handled this so quickly, and he asks what he can do for her. She confesses the Colombians are looking for someone else to blame, in addition to Torres, for the hijacking of their shipment. They want whoever fed the information to the Crips. Once she delivers that name, they promise she’ll be free.

She admits Torres was a good man; she’s the one who brought him into this. He didn’t deserve to be her scapegoat.

Mike returns to Frank and tells him that Lamar killed LJ and KPD has video of it. And now here comes the bombshell Frank’s not expecting. Mike reveals that he knows Frank was behind the hit on Bunny. When Frank’s attempt to murder Bunny and take over Kingstown didn’t work, Lamar was, as Mike describes it, “in a vise.” Lamar chose to go after Frank and not Bunny.

Mike claims he doesn’t care if Frank decides to go after Bunny again. He’s lost most of his family and Kyle’s barely hanging on. Mike says he’s given too much to Kingstown and is tired of all of it.

Kyle signs the papers rescinding his guilty plea.

Mike orders Ian to catch Frank in the act of killing Lamar, giving him the address for where to find him. He only wants Ian and Stevie to handle it; this is key to getting Kyle out of jail.

Lamar is tased and tossed into the back of a van. Meanwhile, Callahan sits down for lunch and receives a call asking how he’s doing.

Bunny packs his things at the hospital and rages about taking down Frank as Mike watches. Mike reminds him he needs to let the KPD do their job, and Bunny agrees that he will wait to kill Frank when he’s locked up. Mike lets Bunny in on the fact he’s now got Warden Hobbs in his pocket. He suggests that maybe it’s time to cut Kevin (Bunny’s guard on the inside) loose.

Once he’s out of the hospital, Bunny talks to Raph and says he’s ready to wipe out the Colombians on the outside. Raph can take care of the ones in prison.

Frank pulls up at the address just as Ian and Stevie (Derek Webster) are running out of patience on their stakeout. Frank has a small gun in his hand as he steps inside the house. Lamar’s taped to a chair and gagged as Frank approaches him, angry that he must take care of this business himself. LJ’s death has Frank acting rashly, and he kicks over Lamar’s chair, reminding him he gave him an opportunity.

Frank can’t forgive Lamar for killing his best friend and pumps six shots into him. Ian and Stevie approach, guns drawn. They grab Frank just as he’s putting the key back under the doormat. He’s placed under arrest.

Over at the prison, Cindy and Clyde (John Cenatiempo) are dealing with a prisoner in Ad Seg who has smeared feces all over his body. Neither guard wants to clean the cell, and Clyde calls for Breen to head to Ad Seg with a mop.

Breen is disgusted by the mess and while everyone is distracted with Breen, Kyle takes more of the drugs that Callahan smuggled to him.

The prisoners chant “Breen eats shit,” and Breen’s had enough. He storms out of Ad Seg.

Evelyn joins Mike waiting for Frank to be brought to the station. Frank’s avoided having dirty hands in Detroit, and neither the police nor the FBI could ever find anything to charge him with. It was only after LJ was murdered that Frank pulled the trigger himself.

Mike doesn’t say a word to Frank as Frank’s brought past him in handcuffs into the station.

Mayor of Kingstown Season 4 Episode 9 Recap
Matthew Del Negro as Breen in ‘Mayor of Kingstown’ (Credit: Jeremy Parsons/Paramount+)

Breen returns to Ad Seg with a shotgun and immediately kills Clyde. He turns the shotgun on Cindy but she’s in a locked area and the glass shatters as she hides. Breen then walks through the area, shooting into the cells and killing prisoners. Cindy radios for help and then shakes as she tries to open a locker.

Kyle has remained calm in his bed this entire time until he hears Breen reloading. He finally stands and moves toward the bars as Cindy gets an assault rifle. The few inmates still alive plead with Breen not to shoot them, but Breen continues methodically moving from cell to cell.

Kyle stands right next to the bars in his cell and doesn’t flinch. Breen is mere inches away, shotgun pointed at Kyle’s chest, when Cindy fires a shot. Breen goes down. Kyle’s still alive and returns to his bed without saying a word.

By the time Mike pulls up there’s a line of ambulances and coroner vans, along with a dozen police cars. Mike passes by Hobbs standing over a line of body bags and continues until he sees Cindy’s car. They hug, and Cindy is obviously in shock.

Warden Hobbs escorts Kyle out of the prison and Mike hugs him, but Kyle still doesn’t say anything. They drive in silence to the diner where Ian and Stevie are waiting. Mike picks up a bag of food to go, and Ian assures him they’ll try and get something on Callahan before Mike returns. Mike’s going to take Kyle out of the city.

Stevie opens the diner’s door to leave and is met with a volley of gunfire. The first shot hits Stevie in the shoulder as heavily armed men in tactical gear pour bullets into the diner while approaching.

Episode nine ends with Mike, Ian, Stevie, and Kyle pinned down.

‘Best Medicine’ Preview: Cast, Plot, Photos and Premiere Date

Fox has set a Sunday, January 4, 2026 premiere date for Best Medicine, a new dramedy based on the international hit Doc Martin. The one-hour series stars The Good Wife‘s Josh Charles, who moves to a small town and prefers to keep to himself. The trailer shows that isn’t going to be easy.

The series will move to its normal time period of Tuesdays at 8pm ET/PT beginning January 6th.

Season one stars Josh Charles as Dr. Martin Best, Abigail Spencer as Louisa Gavin, Annie Potts (Young Sheldon) as Aunt Sarah, Josh Segarra (Sirens) as Sheriff Mark Mylow, and Cree (Twinless) as Elaine Denton. Doc Martin‘s Martin Clunes is a special guest star, playing Martin Best’s father, Dr. Robert Best.

The series also features recurring guest stars Didi Conn as councilwoman Geneva Potter, Clea Lewis as pharmacist Sally Mylow, Stephen Spinella as Greg Garrison, Jason Veasey as George Brady, Cindy De La Cruz as Jeannie, John DiMaggio as Bert Large, and Carter Shimp as Al Large. Wattson guest stars as “the stray but loveable Copernicus.”

Josh Segarra
Josh Segarra in season one (Photo by Francisco Roman © 2026 Fox Media LLC)

Fox offers this lengthy description of Best Medicine:

“The series follows Martin Best (Charles), a brilliant surgeon who abruptly leaves his illustrious career in Boston to become the general practitioner in a quaint East Coast fishing village where he spent summers as a child. Unfortunately, Martin’s blunt and borderline rude bedside manner rubs the quirky, needy locals the wrong way, including schoolteacher Louisa Gavin (Spencer). He quickly alienates the town, even though he’s all they have.

Although Martin can expertly address any medical ailment or mystery in this idiosyncratic town, he’s really just desperate to be left the hell alone. Instead, he keeps getting dragged smack into the middle of their personal chaos, feuds, and fantasies. What the locals don’t know is that Martin’s terse demeanor masks a debilitating new phobia and deep-seated psychological issues that prevent him from experiencing true intimacy with anyone. But tenacity is the creed of everyone in their small village, and the people who live there may be exactly what the doctor ordered.”

Liz Tuccillo guides the series as showrunner and executive producer. Additional executive producers include Ben Silverman, Rodney Ferrell, Howard T. Owens, Mark Crowdy, Philippa Braithwaite, Jay Karas, and Tyson Bidner.

Michael Potts and Josh Charles
Michael Potts and Josh Charles in the special advance series premiere on Sunday, Jan. 4 (Photo by Francisco Roman © 2026 Fox Media LLC)
Josh Charles
Josh Charles in the “Bean There, Done That” episode (Photo by Francisco Roman © 2026 Fox Media LLC)
Annie Potts
Annie Potts in the special advance series premiere (Photo by Francisco Roman © 2026 Fox Media LLC)
Didi Conn, John Quilty and Abigail Spencer
Didi Conn, John Quilty, and Abigail Spencer in ‘Best Medicine’ (Photo by Francisco Roman © 2026 Fox Media LLC)

‘Crime 101’ – Behind the Scenes with Chris Hemsworth

Amazon MGM Studios’ behind-the-scenes look at Crime 101 features the film’s stars describing what’s in store for audiences when the thriller opens in theaters on February 13, 2026. Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo promise huge action scenes, stunts, chase sequences, heists, and wild robberies.

Barry Keoghan and Halle Berry also star along with Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Nick Nolte.

Amazon MGM Studios offers this description: “Set against the sun-bleached grit of Los Angeles, Crime 101 weaves the tale of an elusive thief (Hemsworth) whose high-stakes heists unfolding along the iconic 101 freeway have mystified police. When he eyes the score of a lifetime with hopes of this being his final job, his path collides with a disillusioned insurance broker (Berry) who is facing her own crossroads, forcing the two to collaborate.

Determined to crack the case, a relentless detective (Ruffalo) closes in on the operation, raising the stakes even higher. As the multimillion-dollar heist approaches, the line between hunter and hunted begins to blur, and all three are forced to confront the cost of their choices—and the realization that there’s no turning back.”

Bart Layton (American Animals) adapted Don Winslow’s novella and directs. Producers include Layton, Chris Hemsworth, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Derrin Schlesinger, Dimitri Doganis, Shane Salerno, and Benjamin Grayson. Bergen Swanson, Sarah-Jane Wright, Amelia Granger, Joely Fether, and Peter Straughan are executive producers.

Crime 101 Poster
Poster for ‘Crime 101’ (Photo Credit: Amazon MGM Studios)

Mission: Shovel? Tom Cruise Unveils Secret New Comedy ‘Digger’

Tom Cruise is Digger Rockwell. But who is Digger? What’s his story? Your guess is as good as anyone’s. The secret project unites Cruise and Oscar-winning filmmaker Alejandro González Iñárritu for the first time, but apart from Cruise’s character’s name and the fact he does actually use a shovel, not much is known about the 2026 comedy.

Warner Bros. Pictures dropped the perfect title announcement teaser, which gives away absolutely nothing. We see Cruise in boots, holding a shovel, and then walking on a railing at the beach. 

Digger, a comedy of catastrophic proportions, will open in theaters on October 2, 2026.

Digger Poster
Poster for ‘Digger’ starring Tom Cruise (Photo Credit: Warner Bros Pictures)

 

‘Imperfect Women’ Series Debuts First Photo of Elisabeth Moss and Kerry Washington

Imperfect Women
Elisabeth Moss, Kerry Washington and Kate Mara in ‘Imperfect Women’ (Photo Credit: Apple TV)

Apple TV dropped the first photo from the upcoming limited series Imperfect Women, based on the book by Araminta Hall. The photo shows the series’ stars, Emmy winner Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid’s Tale), Emmy winner Kerry Washington (Little Fires Everywhere), and Kate Mara (House of Cards), all smiles while clinking wine glasses in a toast. 

Joel Kinnaman (For All Mankind), Corey Stoll (Billions), Leslie Odom Jr. (Hamilton), Audrey Zahn (Wildcat), and Jill Wagner (Special Ops: Lioness) also star. The ensemble includes Rome Flynn (With Love), Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary), Violette Linnz (Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty), Indiana Elle (The Housemaid), Jackson Kelly (The Pitt), Keith Carradine (Madam Secretary), Ana Ortiz (Ugly Betty), and Wilson Bethel (All Rise).

“Imperfect Women examines a crime that shatters the lives of a decades-long friendship of three women. The unconventional thriller explores guilt and retribution, love and betrayal, and the compromises we make that alter our lives irrevocably,” reads Apple TV’s synopsis. “As the investigation unravels, so does the truth about how even the closest friendships may not be what they seem.” 

The eight-episode thriller will premiere on March 18, 2026, with the release of the first two episodes. New episodes stream on Wednesdays.

Annie Weisman (Based on a True Story) created the series and serves as writer, executive producer, and showrunner. Elisabeth Moss, Kerry Washington, author Araminta Hall, Lindsey McManus, Pilar Savone, and Kay Oyegun. The series is produced by 20th Television and Apple Studios.

‘Fire Country’ Season 4 Episode 9 Preview: “Who Owns the Dirt”

CBS’s Fire Country heads into its winter break with a turf war brewing involving Station 42. Season four, episode nine – “Who Owns the Dirt” – will air on Friday, December 19, 2025 at 9pm ET/PT.

“Who Owns the Dirt” Plot: When a red flag warning sets the stage for a volatile day, a turf war between Station 42 and neighboring Drake County comes to a head. Tia Napolitano and Barbara Kaye Friend wrote the episode, and Eagle Egilsson is the director.

Max Thieriot stars as Bode, Kevin Alejandro is Manny, Diane Farr is Sharon, Jordan Calloway plays Jake, and Jules Latimer stars as Eve.

Fire Country Season 4 Episode 9
Max Thieriot as Bode Leone and Kevin Alejandro as Manny Perez in ‘Fire Country’ season 4 episode 9 (Photo: Sergei Bachlakov © 2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)

Fire Country Description, Courtesy of CBS:

Fire Country stars Max Thieriot (SEAL TEAM) as Bode Leone, a young convict who sought redemption and a shortened prison sentence by joining a prison release firefighting program in Northern California, where he and other inmates were partnered with elite firefighters to extinguish massive, unpredictable wildfires across the region. It’s a high-risk, high-reward assignment, and the heat is turned up when Bode was assigned to the program in his rural hometown, where he was once a golden all-American son until his troubles began.

Years ago, Bode burned down everything in his life, leaving town with a big secret. Now he’s back, with the rap sheet of a criminal and the audacity to believe in a chance for redemption with Cal Fire.

Jules Latimer
Jules Latimer as Eve Edwards in season 4 episode 9 (Photo: Sergei Bachlakov © 2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)
Max Thieriot
Max Thieriot as Bode Leone in season 4 episode 9 (Photo: Sergei Bachlakov © 2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)
Jules Latimer and Elias Kacavas
Jules Latimer as Eve Edwards and Elias Kacavas as Tex in season 4 episode 9 (Photo: Sergei Bachlakov © 2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)
Jules Latimer
Jules Latimer as Eve Edwards in season 4 episode 9 (Photo: Sergei Bachlakov © 2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)

 

‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Review – A Visually Stunning Epic of High Stakes and Fiery New Foes

Avatar: Fire and Ash review
Varang (Oona Chaplin) in 20th Century Studios’ ‘AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH’ (Photo © 2025 20th Century Studios)

Courage, sacrifice, and family are at the core—surrounded, of course, by dazzling visual effects—of filmmaker James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash. The third outing in the sci-fi film series again focuses on the adventures of Jake Sully’s family and the Na’vi, picking up right after the events of Avatar: The Way of Water.

Avatar: The Way of Water ended with Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) mourning the loss of their eldest son while trying to convince their friends and allies, the Metkayina, that the war with the humans is not over. Sully knows that the avatar of his enemy Colonel Miles Quaritch will be leading the military forces from Earth as they continue to try and colonize Pandora. He also knows Quaritch will never stop hunting him.

Neytiri is too grief-stricken to think objectively and has begun to hate all humans. That includes young Spider (Jack Champion), despite his love and loyalty to Sully and especially to Kiri (Sigourney Weaver), their adopted teenage daughter and biological daughter of the deceased Dr. Grace Augustine.  Kiri is only just discovering her deep connection to the planet Pandora and her strong bond with its nature.

But the Sully family and the Metkayina soon discover a new deadly enemy, the Mangkwan clan—also known as the Ash People. Their leader, the fiery and bloodthirsty Varang (Oona Chaplin, Game of Thrones), is determined to kill off all the other tribes.

So now Sully, his family, and the Metkayina are fighting not one but two enemies: Colonel Quaritch and his military army and the violent and fire-obsessed Mangkwan. Their home and beloved Pandora, under threat of colonization, are at stake.

Action-packed and a visual spectacle, Avatar: Fire and Ash is another monumental achievement in special effects and filmmaking.  It’s an epic science fiction adventure film that needs to be seen in theaters, and preferably in 3D if possible. The flying sequences, especially the opening scene, are a jaw-dropping experience.

The best new character in the film franchise is Varang, wonderfully portrayed by Oona Chaplin, a true leader of her tribe who’s a mighty and ruthless warrior.  She’s one of the best villains or antiheroes to come along in cinema in years.

Stephen Lang still steals every scene he’s in as Colonel Quaritch, only now he’s a huge blue avatar like Sully. The scenes featuring Lang and Sam Worthington crackle with tension and suspense.

Zoe Saldana adds new depth and emotion to Neytiri, who is nearly overwhelmed with grief and hatred but must find a way to focus to save her family from both enemies as well as help them get through their tragic loss. It’s a much deeper and more moving performance this time around.

Avatar: Fire and Ash has a few issues; the biggest is with the big battle scene late in the film. The action is so chaotic and choppy that it’s hard to follow and figure out which character just fell, which got shot, who got burned, etc. It’s a problem the film series had in The Way of Water as well.

Another issue is the running time of three hours and 17 minutes, which feels way too long. The third film of the series would have benefitted from some tighter editing, especially in the first 40 minutes, making it a better-paced film. Also, an intermission couldn’t hurt.

Still, with amazing visual effects, strong performances, and stunning flying sequences, Avatar: Fire and Ash is worthy of taking a trip to the theater to truly appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship of the film.

GRADE: B+

Rating: PG-13 for bloody images, action, thematic elements, intense sequences of violence, some strong language, and suggestive material
Release Date: December 19, 2025
Studio: 20th Century Studios         

Baabaa-Black Ops: ‘The Sheep Detectives’ Trailer is Pure Whimsy

The Sheep Detectives released its first trailer at a time when the world could definitely benefit from a lot less stress. A movie about woolly investigators is precisely the sort of whimsical joy we need, and the trailer is two minutes of sheer fun.

Hugh Jackman leads a cast that includes Nicholas Braun, Nicholas Galitzine, Molly Gordon, Hong Chau, and Emma Thompson. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, Chris O’Dowd, Regina Hall, Patrick Stewart, Bella Ramsey, Brett Goldstein, and Rhys Darby fill out the ensemble.

“In this witty, new breed of mystery, George (Jackman) is a shepherd who reads detective novels to his beloved sheep every night, assuming they can’t possibly understand,” reads Amazon MGM Studios’ synopsis. “But when a mysterious incident disrupts life on the farm, the sheep realize they must become the detectives. As they follow the clues and investigate human suspects, they prove that even sheep can be brilliant crime-solvers.”

Kyle Balda (Minions: The Rise of Gru) directs and Craig Mazin (The Last of Us) adapted Leonie Swann’s novel Three Bags Full. Lindsay Doran, Tim Bevan, and Eric Fellner serve as producers, with Sarah-Jane Wright, Amelia Granger, Aditya Sood, Tyson Hesse, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Tim Wellspring executive producing.

The Sheep Detectives will help kick off the summer movie season on May 8, 2026.

The Sheep Detectives Poster
Poster for ‘The Sheep Detectives’ (Photo Credit: Amazon MGM Studios)

Trending