Prime Video’s “Reacher” is a blast from the past. The 1980s, to be specific. The Reagan decade featured muscle-bound heroes who defeated the bad guys sans apology. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone led the testosterone brigade. The 1987 classic “Predator” embodied that spirit, courtesy of Ah-nold, Jesse “The Body” Ventura and Carl Weathers. Star Alan Ritchson’s hulking frame captures what author Lee Child envisioned with his popular book series. It helps explain “Reacher’s” popularity on the streaming platform. There’s nothing quite like it in today’s marketplace, and audiences hung ..read more

Mark Dindal’s “The Garfield Movie” finds the title character on a journey of self-realization that includes meeting his deadbeat father and improving his friendships with lifelong pal, Odie and Jon. Yes, someone thought it was a good idea to take one of the most endearingly self-absorbed figures from the Sunday Morning Funnies and stacks of published books and give him a cute saga about becoming a better cat. In this entirely CGI animated comedy, Garfield (Chris Pratt) and Odie are forced by a feline super villain named Jinx (Hannah Waddingham) to perform a dangerous heist. The overly compli ..read more

Susan Sarandon isn’t letting cancellation curb her pro-Palestinian views. The Oscar-winning actress lost her representation late last year after uttering this tone-deaf comparison at a pro-Palestinian rally “There are a lot of people that are afraid, that are afraid of being Jewish at this time, and are getting a taste of what it feels like to be a Muslim in this country.” She also shouted along with the crowd, “Long live the Intifada,” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” according to The New York Post. Both comments are steeped in violent, antisemitic tropes. She quickly ..read more

The film “Jesus Thirsts'” subtitle is, “The Miracle of the Eucharist.” The Eucharist, a sacred mystery that is meant to reinforce unity in Christian faith because the body of Christ is only one, forevermore, became a point of division nevertheless. People argued whether the bread and wine transubstantiates into the body and blood of Jesus or remains a symbol of the body for the renewing of our mind. A fair theological debate as this may be academically, a Western world emaciated from spiritual starvation searches for nourishment. Fathom Events releases “Jesus Thirsts” to select theaters nation ..read more

The blood sport of podcasting has found its new champion, and its name is “Kill Tony.” This live podcast has surged to the top of the charts, grabbing the crown as the most popular live podcast in the world. This isn’t just any podcast, It’s a savage, unforgiving beast, a veritable coliseum where only the strong survive. The weak are fed to the lions. (Mature language in the following video clips…) Hosted by the irreverent Tony Hinchcliffe, “Kill Tony” has become the ultimate proving ground for aspiring comedians looking to make a name for themselves. Each week, a lineup of hopefuls steps in ..read more

“Sometimes dead is bett-ah” – Fred Gwynne, “Pet Sematary” That classic line haunts the most unconventional zombie film in years. “Handling the Undead” ditches the shambling walks and brain-eating tics we expect from the genre. The undead here are vacant and still, harmless shells of their former selves. Or are they? Norwegian director Thea Hvistendahl teases that question without the histrionics we’re used to when the dead come back to life. It’s a meditation on loss that feels like we’re stuck at a stranger’s funeral.  And it never ends. “Handling the Undead” follows three families dea ..read more

Robert De Niro’s embarrassing performance outside the Trump trials this week gave professional satirists comedy gold. Too bad late-night hosts wouldn’t prospect for it. Ryan Long broke out his mining helmet and hammer all the same. The Canadian native is neither Right nor Left. So when an A-list actor embarrasses himself in front of the national media Long can call it like he sees it. That’s something Stephen Colbert and co. can’t do. This week, Long zeroed in on film legend De Niro’s appearance at the Trump trial in New York City. The actor stammered through a speech riddled with fear monge ..read more

This should have been Hollywood’s happiest moment since “Barbenheimer.” A New York City juried found former President Donald Trump guilty on 34 counts Thursday. And, yes, some of the usual suspects flooded X with joyous messages. GUILTY!!!!! — Rob Reiner (@robreiner) May 30, 2024 Look closer. Or, just read the entertainment press. The Wrap: An Exhausted Hollywood Can’t Celebrate Donald Trump You might have expected loud and sustained cheering from Beverly Hills to Calabasas to Malibu. But social media was oddly calm among bold-faced names, and the responses in the power suites of the enterta ..read more

“Roger Waters found his guitar player” – John Ondrasik, Five for Fighting. Eric Clapton, the rock legend who was pilloried for questioning vaccine mandates during the pandemic, just enraged another large group of people. Who? Those who don’t think Israel controls the world. Plus, anyone horrified by the Ivy League presidents who downplayed raging antisemitism on their campuses late last year. Who won’t be outraged? Clapton’s “brother,” former Pink Floyd musician Waters. Clapton, 79, gave an interview to The Real Music Observer YouTube channel last week which will shock legions of fans. In it ..read more

Actors routinely endorse leaders with the letter “D” before their names. Think Clinton. Biden. AOC. Schiff. Fetterman. The opposite rarely happens. Jon Voight, Nick Searcy, Robert Davi and Kevin Sorbo stand as the extreme exceptions, and for good reason. Conservative stars risk losing work for embracing smaller government or strong border policies. It’s undeniable. Endorsing Donald Trump in an election year? That’s the riskiest thing a star can say in 2024. Dennis Quaid did just that. Dennis Quaid told Piers Morgan that people might call Donald Trump “an asshoIe, but he’s my asshoIe.” Quaid w ..read more