I’ve watched a lot of crappy movies this year. While the 2025 movie schedule has given us some unforgettable flicks we’ll be talking about for years to come, there’s also been a lot of garbage. War of the Worlds, the latest and possibly strangest adaptation of H.G. Wells’ iconic sci-fi novel about aliens invading Earth, might be the worst movie I’ve seen all year. However, though the movie feels like a 90-minute ad for an Amazon subscription (a membership is required to watch it, by the way), I think I actually like it in a weird way.
Yeah, the movie is schlocky, flat, filled with more plot holes than Amazon references, and features too many death fake-outs to count, but I can’t sit here and say I didn’t enjoy myself watching Ice Cube take on alien forces from behind a computer screen. Hear me out!
(Image credit: Prime Video)
This Movie Is Objectively Bad, But I Couldn’t Stop Watching
the War of the Worlds trailer with a block of text reading “It’s worse than you think,” and they’re not kidding. This is one of the worst movies I’ve ever watched, and that’s coming from a guy who was once part of a group called “The Shitty Movie Crew,” where we’d watch gems like Transmorphers and Slappy and the Stinkers. Even without the constant barrage of Amazon product placements used to propel the plot, this movie sucks. However, I couldn’t stop watching.
pretty much a computer screen movie, with everything being seen through the computer of Ice Cube’s character, DHS surveillance expert Will Radford. Whether he’s spying on his kids (played by Henry Hunter Hall and Iman Benson) or speaking with other government officials (played by Eva Longoria and Clark Gregg), Radford is always seen through his computer screen.
This creates a campy and cheesy effect that looks like something out of a bad FMV computer game in the ‘90s, where you watch terrible cutscenes before solving various puzzles. It’s not good and looks awful at times, but it added a certain charm to the experience.
(Image credit: Prime Video)
However, The Amazon Product Placement Is A Bit Much
I am a forgiving man. I can overlook the phoned-in performances, I can handle the obvious plot holes and things that don’t make sense, and I can forgive the cheesy computer-generated visual effects found throughout War of the Worlds, but what I can’t handle are all the product placements for Amazon services that take over the final act.
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They are few and far between in the beginning (talk of spying on people’s Amazon carts, a supporting character is a Prime delivery driver, etc.), but by the end of the movie, things go to a ridiculous level. I won’t spoil everything for those who haven’t seen it yet, but Amazon’s Prime Air (a drone delivery service) plays a major role in the fight to save humanity. I think I can feel the collective groan from everyone who’s watched so far.
Again, I don’t think War of the Worlds is a good movie; far from it. But I can’t sit here and act like I didn’t have a good time watching this utterly absurd retelling of one of the best sci-fi stories of all time.
When you think of modern-day stars, there are plenty who have tattoos. I’m sure we could probably even name a few that will appear in films on the 2025 movie schedule. Despite it being less taboo to ink oneself these days, Taron Egerton has never gotten one before. However, he nearly did after filming his latest film, She Rides Shotgun – until his mom found out.
The film features Egerton as Nate, a former convict who is trying to make a life for himself and his daughter (played by Ana Sophia Heger), but they are both chased down by enemies. In the film, Nata sports several different tattoos, all of which were drawn onto Egerton’s body, and he openly admitted he loved the process of obtaining and designing them:
I really enjoyed it. Yeah. It felt like a real process. It took probably an hour or something and it really felt like the moment to… really reflect on what we were going to shoot and where he was at psychologically, emotionally. And there’s something really glorious about those tattoos, and that they’re all very expressive. They’ve all got little stories behind them, and they’re all from certain times in his life… I really enjoyed the process of designing them. I miss them, actually. I miss them now that they’re gone.
Avengers cast getting matching ones always comes to mind when the subject comes up. Major stars like Jason Momoa have taken great care with tattooos and even shared the meaning behind many of them, so it’s not like getting a She Rides Shotgun tattoo would have been that outside-the-box of a choice. It just didn’t work for Egerton’s mom.
I still think if he were to have gotten a tattoo from a film, She Rides Shotgun would have been the one. The movie is thrilling from beginning to end and tells an exciting story about what a father would do for their daughter, and how trauma changes people. The tattoos were just an extra piece of the puzzle.
Egerton’s had a big year with Smoke and now She Rides Shotgun in limited theatrical release. People keep asking him about James Bond and Wolverine lately, too. But now I’m mostly curious about whether or not he’ll ever bit the bullet and ink himself. Only time will tell.
Quay Brothers’ ‘Sanatorium Under the Sign of the Hourglass’ Trailer
by Alex Billington August 1, 2025 Source: YouTube
Film Forum has revealed an official trailer for the film Sanatorium Under the Sign of the Hourglass, the first feature in 20 years by animation masters The Quay Brothers. This originally premiered at the 2024 Venice Film Festival last year, and also played at the London Film Festival. Presented by Christopher Nolan, who is a huge fan of these two eccentric filmmakers, Sanatorium Under the Sign of the Hourglass is a 75 minute feature mixing both live-action & stop-motion animation. It will be playing in cinemas starting at the iconic Film Forum theater in NYC starting at the end of August. A ghostly train journey on a forgotten branch line transports a man visiting his dying father in a sanatorium to the edge of a mythic forest. Based on the book of the same name by Polish writer Bruno Schultz. Told in seven chapters corresponding with seven prophetic, mystical viewing lenses, the film bends objects, time, and dimensions as Josef navigates the realm between dreams and reality. With Allison Bell, Andrzej Klak, Wioletta Kopanska, Zenaida Yanowsky. It’s described in reviews as: “Wonderfully strange and beguiling. An enchanting fantasia.” This definitely looks like it is very experimental and strange – for anyone who is into peculiar & alluring cinema.
Official trailer (+ poster) for Quay Bros’ Sanatorium Under the Sign of the Hourglass, via YouTube:
The first feature in 20 years by animation masters The Quay Brothers is inspired by the writings of Polish author Bruno Schulz. In a mixture of live action & breathtakingly intricate stop-motion puppetry, the Quays follow the journey of Josef, who arrives at a labyrinthine sanatorium in search of his dying father. Told in 7 chapters corresponding with 7 prophetic, mystical viewing lenses, the film bends objects, time, and dimensions as Josef navigates the realm between dreams and reality.Sanatorium Under the Sign of the Hourglass is directed by the iconic American twin filmmakers Stephen Quay & Timothy Quay (aka the Quay Brothers), directors of films Punch & Judy: Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy and Institute Benjamenta or This Dream That One Calls Human Life previously, along with tons and tons of short films. Produced by Lucie Conrad and Izabela Kiszka-Hofilk. This first premiered at the 2024 Venice Film Festival last year. Film Forum will debut the Quay Brothers’ Sanatorium Under the Sign of the Hourglass in select US theaters (at Film Forum first) starting August 29th, 2025 coming soon. In conjunction with this opening: The Quay Brothers — on 35mm, featuring 3 classic shorts in 35mm, curated by Christopher Nolan, as well as Nolan’s short documentary, Quay, will play on Wednesday, August 27th at Film Forum in NYC.
Find more posts in: Animation, Indies, To Watch, Trailer
American Idol may not be returning before the end of the 2025 TV schedule as the new season will be premiering in 2026, but fans are already speculating who could be part of the judges’ panel. The latest season of the long-running singing competition series saw returning judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, with Idol winner Carrie Underwood joining the fun. There have been rumors that Underwood might be leaving the show already, and Bryan is also part of those rumors, but the latter is weighing in on his future on American Idol.
Bryan has been a judge on Idol since the show was revived in 2018, along with Richie. Katy Perry, who also had been on since the revival, exited in 2024 to focus more on her music and was replaced by Underwood. While it’s unknown who will be returning and if anyone will be leaving, Bryan told Taste of Country that Underwood’s first season on the other side of the table was a success:
[She] really enjoyed it. I know she had a great time in the role.
Underwood nearly quit American Idolduring her season as a competitor before she won the whole thing and then came back as a judge 20 years later, she is a walking ad for how your life can change because of the show. She’s one of the most famous Idol contestants, and it was so great seeing her as a judge this past season, knowing what those contestants are going through. Despite the rumors, Bryan shared his prediction on Underwood returning, and they’re pretty good:
reported feud with Richie:
Last year was really, really incredible with Carrie and Lionel and Ryan [Seacrest]. And the main thing is just, have fun with American Idol and have fun with the kids [contestants].
At this point, it’s really anyone’s guess as to who will return. Even though Luke Bryan has a great time on the show, it’s hard to tell if he will be up to returning, as well as Carrie Underwood. There’s no word on Lionel Richie thinking about leaving, so he is probably safe. But as for Bryan, all fans really have to do is wait and see:
We’ll see what happens.
Of course, American Idol has switched up the judges’ panel over the course of its entire run, so it wouldn’t be surprising if that were to happen again. But the wait will just have to continue until an official announcement is made.
Disneyland is the happiest place on Earth, but apparently, for some people, the joy that comes from fun rides and great vibes just isn’t enough. As much has been said about Disney Adults, they are adults after all, and anybody who has been in the theme park world for any length of time has certainly heard stories of people getting up to…adult activities on theme park rides. It turns out actor Dave Franco is one adult who has done just that.
(Image credit: Walt Disney World)
Dave Franco Reveals He Had Sex On Pirates Of The Caribbean
Franco, who stars in the new well-reviewed film Together, recently appeared on the Call Her Daddy podcast, where host Alex Cooper asked him what the wildest place he had ever had sex was. The actor revealed an event, at an undisclosed time in the past, where he got a little freaky on one of Disneyland’s classic attractions. He said…
Something may have happened at one point on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland. The fucked up part about that is, I think there’s cameras on every inch of that place, but we were pretty covert. We’ll leave it at that.
banned from Disneyland for this particular activity, but it’s certainly possible, so people should beware.
People Having Sex On Disney Parks Rides Is Far From Uncommon
A quick glance at Reddit reveals plenty of stories from both people who have attempted amorous encounters on Disneyland rides, people who have witnessed such things, and the Cast Members who had to deal with it. If nothing else, it confirms that even if you don’t think anybody saw you having sex on the Haunted Mansion, people absolutely did.
Pirates of the Caribbean does appear to be a popular choice for those looking to get busy at Disneyland. It makes some sense. The ride doesn’t have a lap bar or any other seat restraint, and it’s also the longest ride at Disneyland, giving you the most time to do whatever it is you’re going to do. Though it’s also one of the best rides at Disneyland, and you’re going to miss a lot about it if you’re…otherwise engaged.
That said, please don’t have sex at Disneyland. I have to get on that ride after you, and I don’t even want to think about what the previous rider was up to.
First Look Teaser for Hulu’s ‘Tempest’ Korean Conspiracy Thriller Series
by Alex Billington August 1, 2025 Source: YouTube
“We will brave the tempest and head towards the north star.” Hulu has revealed the first look teaser for a new conspiracy thriller series titled Tempest in the US, also known as The North Star in other countries (based on that opening quote that’s also in the trailer), arriving for streaming in September. Set in Korea, Tempest follows Seo Munju, a former UN Ambassador whose life gets flipped on its head when her husband, a presidential candidate, is assassinated in front of her. To discover the truth behind the attack, Munju takes up her husband’s role, becoming the party’s presidential candidate. With her life now constantly in danger, Sanho, a mysterious mercenary, will step up to keep her safe as her bodyguard. However, with little known about him, can Munju really trust him? Featuring “one of the most impressive international line-ups in a Korean drama to date.” Check out this cast! Tempest stars Gianna Jun, Gang Dongwon, John Cho, Lee Misook, Park Haejoon, Christopher Gorham, Michael Gaston, and Spencer Garrett. The series is also written by the same writer of the script for Park Chan-wook’s Decision to Leave (one of my faves). This is such a slick teaser – just enough in it to make me interested and curious but without giving away anything.
Here’s the first teaser trailer (+ poster) for Kim Hee-won’s series Tempest, direct from Hulu’s YouTube:
Tempest follows Seo Munju, a skilled former diplomat, as she tries to uncover the truth behind an attempt on a presidential candidate’s life. After discovering the candidate was accused of being a North Korean spy, Munju digs into his past, unlocking a Pandora’s box of deception, state secrets and more. Protected by Paik Sanho, a mercenary with a suspicious history and a hidden backer, Munju repeatedly finds herself under attack as she uncovers an international conspiracy stretching all the way to the White House. But, with danger drawing ever closer, will Sanho be able to keep his principal safe and his emotions in check?Tempest, also known as The North Star, is an action series created and written by Chung Seo-kyung, acclaimed writer of the films Lady Vengeance, Family Matters, I’m a Cyborg But That’s OK, Thirst, The Handmaiden, The Truth Beneath, Decision to Leave. Featuring episodes directed by Kim Hee-won (Old Goodbye, “Little Women”, “Queen of Tears”) and Heo Myung-Haeng (a fight choreographer / stuntman). Made by Action School, Imaginus, Showrunner, Studio AA. Disney will debut the Tempest series streaming on Hulu in the US starting on September 10th, 2025 coming up soon. Anyone want to watch this series?
Find more posts in: Foreign Films, Streaming, To Watch, Trailer
