the firing of Justin Roiland and Scott Marder coming aboard as showrunner. In spite of all that, “Rick and Morty” has continued to deliver funny, visually inventive, and otherwise great episodes, providing there is still life in the show even after a decade on the air.
Because of the comparatively muted discourse, combined with the general drop-off in media coverage of the show, “Rick and Morty” has been able to focus less on its continuity and more on simply telling hilarious and entertaining standalone stories. At the same time, it still occasionally delivers more “canon-heavy” episodes.
Case in point: Now that the tale of Rick Prime — the one responsible for the death of Rick’s wife, Diane, in every dimension — is over, the show has found time to bring Diane (Kari Wahlgren) back for one last story. In the season 8 finale, Rick (Ian Cardoni) purges every memory of his late wife from his brain, believing this will finally allow him to move on. However, in doing so, he causes a sentient memory of his younger self to hijack Beth’s (Sarah Chalke) brain and force her to rescue Diane. This results in an episode that does something unthinkable for this series: giving Rick a happy life … kind of.
Rick finally gets a happy life, kind of
Adult Swim
Upon learning that Beth is about to die suicide so as to not lose the memory of her mother living inside her, Rick comes in to save her and reassures her that the real Diane would never want her daughter to do this. Memories are skewed versions of reality anyway. But still, Rick accepts his responsibility for not being there for his kid growing up. More importantly, he has a moment of compassion, as he decides not to delete the sentient memory of Diane and younger Rick. Instead, he allows them to live in their own little reality in a floating memory machine, allowing Memory Rick and Diane to reside happily together for the rest of their days.
It’s a very rare moment of empathy for Rick, as he allows for someone else, specifically another version of himself, to get the life he wishes he could have. Even just a season ago, Rick would have rather killed Memory Rick than allow someone other than him to be together with Diane again. But this Rick is different; this is a Rick who’s met Zack Snyder and James Gunn. He’s grown and changed over the years. Even if the “Rick and Morty” approach is to never let continuity take away from a good standalone story, the show has definitely developed and changed alongside Rick. Now, after eight seasons, it’s nice to know there’s at least one version of the character who’s not merely a messed-up, cynical alcoholic but is instead living happily out there in space.
Sex and the City is one of HBO shows that got the world talking, and Michael Patrick King’s beloved comedy series is still a vital part of the pop culture landscape decades later. Its spinoff And Just Like That just wrapped its third season for those with a HBO Max subscription, but it was recently announced the show was ending. Luckily there is some good news to this situation.
I’ve been enjoying Season 3 of And Just Like That, which seemingly ended its narrative last night. But today HBO Max’s Instagram posted a message from King about the show’s future… or lack thereof. You can read it below:
cameo by Kim Cattrall? We can only hope.
The Sex and the City follow-up has had an interesting life on TV, going viral a number of times throughout its three-season run. Some fans hate watched And Just Like That, taking umbrage with newcomer Che Diaz, as well as the treatment of favorites like Steve and Harry. But the show was clearly popular regardless, which is why I’m surprised its run is ending after just three seasons.
Fans like myself love the characters of the Sex and the City universe, which is where that passion comes from. Case in point: I begged for Carrie and Aidan to break up… which I was finally given in Episode 9. Episode 10, which was seemingly the finale, saw her finally hook up with Duncan, and there were also some big cliffhangers such as Brady getting someone pregnant and Giuseppe moving in with Anthony.
(Image credit: HBO Max)
And Just Like That ending after Season 3 is disappointing news, but I’m thrilled that we’ll be getting two more episodes. The tenth ep of the season “Better Than Sex” moved a bunch of plot points forward, but it didn’t feel like a series finale. So we’ll have to wait and see how Sarah Jessica Parker and the gang end things when that two-part finale comes to our homes.
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And Just Like That‘s third season is streaming now as part of the 2025 TV release schedule, and Sex and the City can also be re-watched on HBO Max.
If you feel like you’ve seen everything the best streaming services have to offer, buckle up, because you haven’t. August is kicking off with a variety of new streaming releases on the 2025 TV schedule, which means you can spend the weekend exploring new worlds like 18th-century Hawaii, a post-apocalyptic wasteland, and even Oxford. In other words, you can watch the premieres of Anthony Mackie’s Twisted Metal Season 2, Jason Momoa’s Chief of War, and the new Netflix romance My Oxford Year.
So, as we try to figure out what to watch first, here’s what the critics are saying about these new projects.
(Image credit: Peacock)
2023 was seriously the best year for video game adaptations with hits like The Super Mario Bros. Movie and The Last of Us. But, we can’t leave out Peacock’s adaptation of Twisted Metal, which is about an amnesic milkman who’s sent to deliver a mysterious package across the post-apocalyptic Wasteland. It rocked back then, and now it’s back to rock harder with Season 2.
Roger Ebert noted that it felt like everything went up a notch, sure to provide greater satisfaction for longtime fans and new ones:
While the first season often seemed afraid to get weird, the writers embrace their insanity this time around, mixing playful humor into the carnage. Thinking about it after a dozen episodes, there’s not exactly a wealth of character details or narrative twists, but everyone simply seems to be having more fun this year, and that can be infectious. If the first season felt like an obligation to ride a wave of video game adaptations, the second feels like an honest effort to satisfy both fans of the games and those who never played them. The result is a season that finds its tone in ways that the first never did.
Based on Brian Tallerico’s claims of Season 2 having “more action, personality, character development, and effective humor,” these are the ingredients that make a perfect sequel worth watching.
You’re always hoping a show’s second take is willing to take risks and improve on everything that came before to keep audiences hooked. CBR’s Joshua M. Patton agrees that Season 2 brings new improvements to its characters, which helps add emotional stakes to this crazy story:
The series succeeds in allowing viewers to capture the feeling of playing the game, even those who never did. Still, it’s the characters who make the show work, because viewers understand why they make the choices they do. Without these deeply personal stakes, the fun, crazy action of the tournament itself would feel empty.
Indeed, you do need to feel for your characters to care about their fates. As the first season’s finale introduced the concept of the deadly tournament John Doe competes in, Season 2 looks to raise the stakes that the previous season presented.
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So, you better believe it’s worth tuning into it with your Peacock subscription.
(Image credit: Apple TV+)
Chief of War Is A Visual Spectacle With a Deep Dedication to Hawaiian Authenticity
Chief of War (which is streaming with an Apple TV+ subscription) takes streamers to the 18th century, where Jason Momoa plays warrior chief Ka’iana, who is rebelling against the unification of Hawaiʻi. As the Aquaman actor co-created the show and incorporated Pacific Islander representation in its cast, crew, and location, Kelly Lawler’s review for USA Today explained how much she loved the show’s use of grand storytelling scale as it shined a spotlight on key moments in Hawaiian history:
[Chief of War] brings the scale and power of Hollywood storytelling to Hawaiian history and politics, the way we’ve seen stories of American and European history for countless series and films before. And ‘War’ does this with a thrilling pace and superb performances. It’s the best kind of expensive, ambitious streaming TV: You’ll binge-watch it because you can’t look away from the spectacle.
It’s about time that Hawaiian history got a big-budget treatment in mainstream streaming. Clearly, Chief of War is a passion project for Jason Momoa, who made sure his ancestors were portrayed in a glowing light. Aramide Tinubu’s review for Variety praised the historical drama series for allowing audiences to learn about Hawaiian history they’ve never seen on screen before:
‘Chief of War’s’ nine-episode first season is vast and full of traditions hardly seen before on television. Staying true to history, the majority of the story’s dialogue is in Hawaiian, a now critically endangered Polynesian language. As a result, audiences may struggle to find their footing in the series’ initial episodes. However, those willing to truly immerse themselves in this narrative will get a bird’s-eye view of the inner conflicts and histories of the Hawaiian islands.
It’s amazing to know that Chief of War uses character-driven narratives and grand visuals to not only bring Hawaiian history to life but also deeply resonate with it. With slo-mo running scenes and a volcano erupting mid-shoot, we’re in for a remarkable ride with this show.
My Oxford Year May Be a Mixed Bag, But It Still Makes For An Entertaining Watch
The 2025 Netflix release of My Oxford Year stars Sofia Carson as Anna, who experiences a life-changing trip to Oxford after meeting a charming local there. Archi Sengupta’s review for LeisureByte explained that while she thought the rom-com film presented itself with a “generic” plot, it still had a positive takeaway that made the book adaptation worth watching:
Good performances and a beautifully shot Oxford make My Oxford Year a moving, warm watch. Although we have seen this story a few times, it’s still impactful and moving, and the romance is relatable, giving you goosebumps. All in all, a good watch.
Rom-coms do tend to follow familiar plots. But if each star can bring their A-game, you know you’re in for a good time.
Brandon Yu wrote a harsher review for The New York Times, calling the movie “joyless,” but he still liked its unpredictability thanks to its plot twist:
Adapted from the novel by Julia Whelan, ‘My Oxford Year’ may quickly fall prey to this trap, but it has the benefit of having a trick up its sleeve, switching from one genre trope to another halfway through. The halfhearted execution remains, though.
Listen, it’s normal for romance movies like this one to be a mixed bag review-wise. So, you can draw your own conclusions about My Oxford Year with a Netflix subscription.
Personally, I always find it refreshing when a rom-com flips the script. Audiences will be kept on their toes, and the emotional payoff will surely hit harder. So, I’ll for sure be checking this film out.
Based on the reviews of each new streaming release, it looks like I have a date with my couch this weekend. Season 2 of Twisted Metal is expected to take me on a wild ride. Chief of War will time-travel me to 18th-century Hawaii. Meanwhile, My Oxford Year should hit me with some romantic vibes. So, with all that considered, I think I’m going with Chief of War first since I love historical dramas and visual masterpieces.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a well-oiled machine, and fans are constantly treated to new content in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. One of the most highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movies is Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther 3, which is still in its earliest stages of development. A new rumor claims to know when it’ll hit theaters, and I really hope it’s true.
Those who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order will know that some franchises stand out as fan favorites. Black Panther is definitely in that category, which is why fans are so eager to see what comes next after Wakanda Forever’s ending. In a new episode of The Hot Mic, scooper Jeff Sneider offered a timeline about that developing threequel. He offered:
Black Panther 3, that’s February 2028. That’s going to start production at the top of 2027. And that will be in theaters February 2028.
Denzel Washington revealed he’s expected to have a role in the blockbuster. Although exactly who he might play in Black Panther 3 is a total mystery.
Given how little progress has been made so far, a February 2028 release date seems reasonable for Coogler’s threequel. We’ll just have to wait and see if/when this schedule is confirmed by the studio.
(Image credit: Marvel Studios)
Narratively, there are plenty of threads to pull from with a third Black Panther movie. The first sequel ended with Shuri becoming the next Panther, but not taking the throne. It was heavily implied that M’Baku might become king, but Wakanda Forever’s credits scene revealed that T’Challa and Nakia had a secret son. As such, he might have his own claim to the throne.
We might have to wait a few years to see another BP movie, but connections to Wakanda continue to be part of the MCU. The animated series Eyes of Wakanda is on Disney+ now, and the Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement confirmed Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, and Tenoch Huerta Mejía would be reprising their roles as Shuri, M’Baku, and Namor, respectively.
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All will be revealed when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18th, 2026, as part of the 2026 movie release list. Let’s just hope that we get information about the future of the Black Panther franchise sooner rather than later.
Behind-the-Scenes Promo for New ‘Red Sonja’ Movie with Matilda Lutz
by Alex Billington August 1, 2025 Source: YouTube
“To see my people again is all I dreamed of…” She must fight to return home! Goldwyn Films has debuted a behind-the-scenes promo featurette for the new Red Sonja fantasy action movie, based on the famous Red Sonja “She-Devil with a sword” character which was featured in Marvel Comics during the 1970s. There was already a famous Red Sonja movie from 1985 featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Brigitte Nielsen as Red Sonja. This action-packed new adaptation will be released in theaters this August. Enslaved by an evil tyrant who wishes to destroy her people, barbarian huntress Red Sonja must unite a group of unlikely warriors to face off against Draygan The Magnificent. Directed by action filmmaker M.J. Bassett, this new Red Sonja stars Matilda Lutz (from the thriller Revenge) as the title character, with Wallis Day as Annisia, Robert Sheehan as Draygan, Michael Bisping, Martyn Ford, Eliza Matengu, Rhona Mitra, and Veronica Ferres. They clearly spent a ton of movie making this new Red Sonja movie – huge sets, full-on costumes, tons of actors & extras. At least it seems like many of the epic fight scenes were shot practical & look intense.
Here’s the behind-the-scenes promo (+ the UK trailer) for M.J. Bassett’s Red Sonja, direct from YouTube:
You can rewatch the main official trailer for M.J. Bassett’s Red Sonja right here to view even more footage.
An adaptation of the comic book, Red Sonja, a vengeful warrior known as a “She-Devil with a sword”. Enslaved by an evil tyrant who wishes to destroy her people, barbarian huntress Red Sonja (Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz) must unite a group of unlikely warriors to face off against Draygan The Magnificent and his deadly bride, Dark Annisia.Red Sonja is directed by the English genre filmmaker M.J. Bassett, director of action movies Deathwatch, Wilderness, Solomon Kane, Silent Hill: Revelation, Inside Man: Most Wanted, Rogue, and Endangered Species previously, plus eps of the series “Agent Stoker”, “Quantum Leap”, “The Equalizer”, “FUBAR”. The screenplay is written by Tasha Huo (also of “The Witcher: Blood Origin”, “Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft”). Based on characters originally created by Robert E. Howard, as adapted by Roy Thomas into the comic books first published in 1973. It’s produced by Avi Lerner, Joe Gatta, Yariv Lerner, Mark Canton, Courtney Solomon, Joey Soloway, Luke Lieberman. Samuel Goldwyn Films will debut M.J. Bassett’s Red Sonja movie in theaters starting on August 15th, 2025 later this summer. Who’s down?
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