by admin | Apr 12, 2025 | Articles, Cinemablend Articles
The Final Destination franchise is headed back to the big screen, with the upcoming sixth entry, Bloodlines, set to land on the 2025 movie schedule. The pentalogy of scary flicks has carved out a permanent spot in horror history, thanks to its creative death scenes and unique concept. Looking back, though, one of the film’s original writers admits they have one major regret, and it’s pretty hilarious.
Producer and co-writer Glen Morgan reflected on how he, director James Wong, and original writer Jeffrey Reddick pushed back against studio pressure to create a personified version of Death. Morgan explained to Empire Magazine (via Comicbook.com) that the team rejected the idea of a visible villain in favor of something more abstract, an unseen force that kills with eerie precision. It gave the film its edge but, now, Morgan jokes about why they might’ve talked themselves out of millions:
Iconic horror villains like Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers and Ghostface have long reigned over the Halloween costume aisle, and Final Destination never offered fans a face to latch onto.
Jeffrey Reddick, who wrote the original script and shares story credit, initially shaped a more traditional horror structure. However, with Glen Morgan and James Wong’s involvement while making the leap from TV to film, the project evolved into something smarter and more psychological. Fans will hopefully continue to appreciate this move, even if it means there’d never be a Death action figure beside Chucky or Annabelle.
Final Destination, with masked villain or no masked villain, still gets a lot of love and is considered one of the best horror movies. You can see its impact throughout modern horror, especially how it’s been parodied and copied. Those crazy Rube Goldberg-style death scenes are super recognizable, even though there isn’t a traditional villain involved. If the teaser for Bloodlines is anything to go by, we might see some brand new ways to bite the dust that could top what we’ve seen before, and I’m all for it. Honestly, I wouldn’t be shocked if this ends up being the best sequel in the series!
The long-anticipated upcoming horror movie, Final Destination: Bloodlines, hits theaters on May 16th. Morgan, Wong, and Reddick may not have cashed in on merch back in the day but, with the return of the series, and all previous films now streaming with a Max subscription, they might just see another payday.
by admin | Apr 12, 2025 | Articles, Cinemablend Articles
Just as the “Summer Blockbuster” section of the 2025 movie schedule is getting underway, Christopher McQuarrie’s Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning will be taking over thousands of screens around the world as legions of moviegoers pile in to see Tom Cruise’s next big stunt. As a longtime fan of the Mission: Impossible movies, I’ll be there right beside them. However, there are some big questions I need the upcoming action movie to answer.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to come with me as I dive into six of the biggest questions I have about The Final Reckoning, and the Mission: Impossible franchise as a whole before Ethan Hunt kicks off his next, and potentially final mad dash to save the world from total destruction.
massive callbacks to earlier entries, especially the “Rabbit’s Foot.” This mysterious weapon of mass destruction introduced as the MacGuffin in Mission: Impossible III nearly 20 years ago hasn’t been featured or discussed in the franchise since Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) defeated Owen Davian (Philip Seymour Hoffman) way back in 2006, and I honestly forgot about it.
But the re-emergence of the device all these years later has me wondering, what exactly is the Rabbit’s Foot? I know it’s a device that could bring an end to humanity as we know it and that it’s highly sought after (presumably by the Entity this time around), but what is it besides some mysterious biological weapon? The third movie never really did a good job of explaining things, and I hope we’re not left out in the cold once again.
he was the CIA director after moving on as IMF chief during his five-movie absence. And while I’m glad to have both the character and Czerny (his work in Clear and Present Danger is still the stuff of legend), I’m wondering if he’ll be a villain, a hero, or something in between and more than just a perennial thorn in Ethan Hunt’s side.
In his first two appearances in the franchise so far, Kittridge has been a little bit of both an ally and a nemesis of Hunt and his IMF team, which has created a fun and engaging dynamic along the way. I wouldn’t be mad if The Final Reckoning leaves this ambiguous, but some closure would be nice by the time the credits roll, especially if this ends up being the final movie in the series.
the latest The Final Reckoning trailer, it looks like the evil and mysterious AI is once again going to be a major part of the movie.
If that’s so, I hope the movie dives into how the Entity went rogue in the first place. It was revealed in Dead Reckoning that it was created by the United States government as a military tool, but at some point, it went into business for itself and set off the events of the movie (and the upcoming sequel). I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if the new Mission: Impossible movie opens with the entity’s backstory.
his history with Ethan Hunt. But with Hunt having that history (good, bad, and very bad), the AI could have chosen anyone willing and able to act as its assistant and make sure the mission was successful. That said, I think there has to be something more there.
I need Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning to answer these questions: Why exactly was Gabriel selected? Was it his connection to Hunt, was it his name, is Gabriel even his name? If handled properly, I think Morales’ character could end up being one of the franchise’s best villains.
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning ending, it was revealed that Gabriel killed Ethan’s lover before Hunt started working with IMF. This leads me to believe that their connection – they are mortal enemies after all – didn’t just start with that tragic killing, but instead earlier before that.
Some big questions I have as I prepare myself for The Final Reckoning are about their shared history. How far does it go? Were they once friends before becoming adversaries? Why are they so similar yet so different? Hopefully, these are all answered by the time the credits roll.
talk of an extended standing ovation when the movie premieres at Cannes in May 2025, and I’m thinking that Paramount is actually going to end this franchise after all these years.
But still, is this actually the END, and if so, how is it going to end? Will Ethan Hunt get to retire on a beach somewhere, or will he suffer the same fate as Daniel Craig’s James Bond in No Time to Die? I’m honestly torn because I love these movies but also don’t want them going on and on for years and decades to come.
I guess I’ll find out if these questions get answered when Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning opens on May 23rd. Until then, I’ll just have to wait…
by admin | Apr 12, 2025 | Articles, Cinemablend Articles
Manifestation can be a powerful tool at times. It’s true that it may not always work and spark the desires of those using it, but it certainly can’t hurt to say or do something to try to make something positive become a reality. After watching a viral video, I’m wondering if Tom Holland is such a person who likes to manifest. That’s because the compilation piece shows the fan-favorite actor answering questions and making comments that would eventually come true. Among them is talk of Spider-Man, his eventual partner Zendaya and more.
Words certainly have power, and that’s certainly apparent, based on the video that the Instagram account marvelmovies shared. The reel is composed of interviews that the 28-year-old actor and entrepreneur has taken part in over the years. In one instance, he’s asked about who his celebrity crush is, to which he responds Zendaya. Another throwback clip shows him talking about his desire to play Spider-Man in a decade’s time and, of course, he eventually achieved. Check out the full video down below:
Jake Gyllenhaal. And let’s not forget that mention of the three Spider-Men meeting up. However, given the British actor’s hesitance to answer, he may have known what was being planned for what became Spider-Man: No Way Home. Regardless, I’m impressed by these correct calls.
It is interesting, though, to see a reel of the various developments Tom Holland foreshadowed. What really makes me smile is the “celebrity crush” comment, considering where Holland’s relationship with Zendaya stands today. After years of dating, the two reportedly became engaged in December 2024, and their upcoming nuptials remain a topic of discussion and speculation. While they mostly keep their romance private, they seem to have a tight bond and are very protective of each other. The viral video in which Holland warded off paparazzi to defend his lady.
Of course, from a professional standpoint, the Billy Elliot alum has also been quite successful. It could certainly be said that his casting as the web-slinger is probably the biggest feather in his cap, and he’s not done with his Marvel Cinematic Universe role. He’s reprising the role of Peter Parker in the fourth Spider-Man flick, which has been subtitled Brand New Day. It’s wild to think that years ago, the actor had aspirations to play one of the most popular superheroes in the world and is now among the best live-action Spidey actors.
Beyond Tom Holland’s excellent manifestations, he’s managed to find major success in other specific ways. He and Zendaya also teamed up for Christopher Nolan’s latest film, The Odyssey, which is currently in production. On top of that, Holland will star alongside Austin Butler in American Speed, a crime drama being produced by Amazon MGM Studios. If that weren’t enough, Holland also successfully launched a line of non-alcoholic beer called Bero.
Life is certainly good for the A-lister and, as a fan, I’m happy to see him doing well. It’s honestly up to a person’s interpretation as to whether he truly manifested his love life and professional status. However, what I’d hope we can all agree on is that the Cherry star is a shining example of what happens when a person opts to work hard and think optimistically.
by admin | Apr 12, 2025 | Articles, Cinemablend Articles
One of our most anticipated events on the 2025 movie schedule has to be the release of Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, as it will be an action-packed and stunt-heavy possible conclusion to the franchise after Cruise has been blowing our minds for nearly 30 years. However, this week’s news that The Academy has added a stunt category at the Oscars has fans livid for the actor (and Mission: Impossible’s achievements), given the timing of the whole thing.
As announced on Thursday by The Academy’s Board of Governors, a new award for “Achievement In Stunt Design” will officially debut at the 100th Oscars ceremony taking place in the year 2028 for 2027 releases. Knowing that The Final Reckoning is coming two years before that has fans all worked up, as this person posted on Twitter:
Tom Cruise’s work across the last three decades. His work, and specifically the action in Mission: Impossible, has pushed the limits of what we think is possible in film.
From Cruise’s Fallout halo jump to his climb up the Burj Khalifa in Ghost Protocol to that motorbike cliff jump in Dead Reckoning or plane hang in Rogue Nation, the actor and his team have pulled off mind-boggling stunts over and over again.
Fans are understandably hurting on behalf of Cruise regarding the timing of the whole thing. Here’s another one:
Even though Tom Cruise is one of the biggest Hollywood stars and most beloved actors, he’s somehow never won an Oscar, despite being nominated four times. Most recently, his work on Top Gun: Maverick was in contention for Best Picture (along with five other nominations, one of which the movie won for Best Sound), but he chose not to attend the ceremony.
If this category was introduced a few years ago, the actor most certainly would have been in contention and even won for Mission: Impossible, but it seems like he’s just missed the boat. And we’re all bummed about it, as this fan wrote:
It feels valid that fans of Tom Cruise and his movies are livid, especially since calls for the category have been in conversation for so long. As another Twitter user wrote:
While one fan even commented that it’s not “too late to delay” the upcoming Mission: Impossible to 2027 just to see the movie win an Oscar, a third Top Gun movie is still in development. That could potentially place Tom Cruise in the Oscars game for this award in the future. Plus, I’m sure that even if The Final Reckoning is the last time we see Ethan Hunt, the actor will not leave action behind.
Even so, as another Twitter user said, it’s just too bad The Academy is “robbing” Cruise of one for this year.
We’ll be waiting three years for the stunt category at the Oscars to debut, but movies starting in 2027 will get to recognize stunt teams and performers, and that in itself is a huge win.
Stunt teams risk their lives to make the scenes we watch on screen as immersive, entertaining and shocking as they are, and we can’t wait to see them finally get the recognition they deserve at the 100th Oscars!
by admin | Apr 12, 2025 | Articles, Cinemablend Articles
There were a number of incredible dresses worn to the 2025 Oscars, but none truly took my breath away quite like Halle Berry’s did. The actress showed up to the event to present a tribute to the James Bond franchise and, in a way, paid tribute to her time as a Bond girl in Die Another Day, one of Berry’s best films. She wore a mirrored Christian Siriano dress that fit her like a glove, and she looked absolutely incredible. Everyone was talking about the stunning look, however, now the designer is opening up about what made this particular dress so difficult.
Siriano explained that the dress in question was quite a difficult piece, especially because of the amount of sequins and mirrored pieces that make up the entire dress. Apparently, the pieces didn’t hold onto the dress very well, so the night before, Siriano and his team of dressmakers worked tirelessly to ensure nothing fell off the dress while the 2002 Best Actress Oscar winner wore it on Hollywood’s biggest night. He explained to InStyle:
Netflix subscription holders can see her in The Union, which was a hit on the streamer last year, and she is set to star in an upcoming film with Chris Hemsworth. She’s clearly still in full icon mode, on and off the red carpet. If this Oscar’s moment was any indication, Berry’s next era is going to shine just as brightly.
by admin | Apr 12, 2025 | Articles, Cinemablend Articles
In 2023, Barbie lit up the box office, sparked a cultural wave and turned its cast of Kens into instant icons. Turning down a role in the pink-splashed, billion-dollar box office juggernaut might seem like a major misstep. For actor Matt Bomer, though it was the right call. He’s not losing sleep over it, and he recently explained just why that’s the case.
Matt Bomer has had plenty of major opportunities throughout the course of his career, and Barbie certainly would’ve been a nice notch in his belt. He spoke to Business Insider and opened up about why he walked away from the blockbuster. The Fellow Travelers star explained that he was originally in the running to play a Ken but ultimately declined the role to prioritize his family and give his full focus to his work on Bradley Cooper’s Maestro, a seven-time Oscar-nominated Leonard Bernstein biopic. Bomer explained his rationale with the following sentiments:
viral pop culture moment like Barbenheimer, which collectively grossed over $1 billion worldwide and dominated every conversation from the box office to the Oscars. Still, I appreciate the Bomer stuck to his creative guns, and I’m happy he has no regrets.
In the years since, Barbie hit the big screen, a number of the Ken actors have opened up about their experiences. Many of them seemed to have enjoyed take on the humorously over-the-top characters. However, Simu Liu did recently recall having to wax for the film, and it doesn’t sound all that pleasant. Still, Liu and others like Kingsley Ben-Adir and Ncuti Gatwa were able to be a part of a cultural movement — and even took part in the Oscars performance of “I’m Just Ken.”
I’ve not doubts that Matt Bomer would’ve made an awesome Ken as well. At this point, it doesn’t look like a Barbie sequel happening, but maybe there’s hope for a Ken-centric spinoff in which Bomer could play a role. After all, director Greta Gerwig admitted that there was a lot of Ken material that didn’t make the final cut.
Still, an industry that’s always chasing the latest trends, Bomer stands out with his intentional choices, which are becoming pretty rare. He might not be a Ken, but he’s definitely Zen, which might honestly be the coolest role to have.
You can check out Matt Bomer in Maestro, which is streamable with a Netflix subscription. Also, those looking to check out Barbie can do so by streaming it on Max.
