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Latest by Rick Marshall

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Morbius trailer brings Jared Leto into the Spider-verse and maybe the MCU, too

The first trailer for Sony Pictures' Morbius offers an early look at Jared Leto as Marvel Comics' vampire antihero, and it also suggests a link between the upcoming film, the Spider-verse of 2018's Venom, and the much larger Marvel Cinematic Universe, courtesy of one particular character.
Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker in "Joker" (2019).

Netflix dominates 2020 Oscar nominations, but surprises and snubs persist

This year's nominees for Academy Awards heavily favored streaming studio Netflix, as well as the controversial drama Joker, but plenty of surprises and disappointing snubs loomed large over the official announcement of the 92nd Academy Awards ceremony's Oscar nominations.
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5 directors who could make magic with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Scott Derrickson left the director's chair on Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, so who will Marvel Studios choose to fill it? These five filmmakers each offer unique appeal for expanding the Sorcerer Supreme's story and MCU in exciting ways.
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What’s next for the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Phase 4 and beyond

The Marvel Cinematic Universe looks a lot different after Spider-Man: Far From Home and Avengers: Endgame, but we have some clues about where it's headed now. Here's what we know so far about Phase 4 of the MCU, from rumors and speculation to confirmed facts, films, and TV shows.
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How visual effects gave Alita: Battle Angel’s cyborg hero a soul

The visual effects team for Alita: Battle Angel, one of 10 films contending for a VFX Oscar nomination this year, explains how they made the movie's computer-generated cyborg hero feel as human as her live-action peers through filmmaking magic and a memorable performance from star Rosa Salazar.
The Irishman

Golden Globe Awards send a message to Netflix: It’s not your time yet

This was supposed to be the year that Netflix finally crossed the threshold in movie awards season, but the 2020 Golden Globe Awards offered a harsh reminder that streaming services have a long way to go before their films are judged on even ground with theatrical releases.
Two golden globes trophies on the red carpet.

2020 Golden Globes could herald the first Best Picture Oscar win by a streamer

The Golden Globe Awards could offer an early indication of whether this year's Best Picture Academy Award will go to a Netflix movie, sending the Oscar home with a streaming service for the first time ever. The odds are in its favor, but can Netflix bring the top prize home?
The Witcher Netflix Series

Episodic or bingeable? The Mandalorian and The Witcher prove both can be great

Netflix series The Witcher and Disney+ series The Mandalorian are both big hits for their respective streaming services, despite taking dramatically different approaches to releasing new episodes. Here's why there's more than enough room for both binge-watching and weekly releases in streaming land.
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The Mandalorian: Easter eggs and episode 8’s secrets explained

The latest episode of The Mandalorian on Disney+ concludes the first season of Star Wars saga spinoff, and offers plenty of callbacks and surprises for fans of the beloved franchise. Here are some of the highlights from episode 8 and some details about how they connect to the greater Star Wars universe.
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Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker: Everything you need to know

Star Wars: Episode IX -- The Rise of Skywalker will finally hit theaters on December 20, and here's everything we know about the sci-fi sequel so far, including official details on the story and the film's trailers, which confirm the unexpected return of a key character.
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Here’s what Star Wars should do after The Rise of Skywalker

The future of the Star Wars franchise on the big screen after Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker remains unclear at this point, but there are a few directions the studio should consider going to expand the sci-fi saga and break new ground with its galaxy of stories.
The Witcher Netflix Series

The Witcher review: Netflix delivers a slow-burn saga that’s worth the wait

Netflix adapts Andrzej Sapkowski's dark fantasy novels for The Witcher, a series that casts Man of Steel star Henry Cavill as a wandering monster-hunter. The show's careful pacing rewards its audience with a dark, fantastic adventure that's surprisingly layered and entertaining in its first season.
Rey Finn Poe Chewie and C-3PO in the desert in "Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker."

5 questions we want Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker to answer

There are plenty of mysteries surrounding Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker as the film's premiere looms large, but there are some specific questions we're desperate to see the film answer. Here are the five biggest questions we have as Episode IX arrives in theaters.
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The Mandalorian: Easter eggs and episode 7’s secrets explained

The latest episode of The Mandalorian on Disney+ takes the Star Wars saga to some exciting places and offers plenty of callbacks and surprises for fans of the beloved franchise. Here are some of the highlights from episode 7 and some details about how they connect to the greater Star Wars universe.
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The Mandalorian: Easter eggs and episode 6’s secrets explained

The latest episode of The Mandalorian on Disney+ takes the Star Wars saga to some exciting places and offers plenty of callbacks and surprises for fans of the beloved franchise. Here are some of the highlights from episode 6 and some details about how they connect to the greater Star Wars universe.
The Witcher Netflix

The Witcher series gets its final trailer ahead of its Netflix premiere

The final trailer for The Witcher series has arrived, offering fans a more extensive sneak peek at the upcoming Netflix series based on Andrzej Sapkowski's bestselling book series. Henry Cavill stars in the series as the famed monster hunter Geralt of Rivia.
Wonder Woman 1984 on HBO Max

Wonder Woman 1984: Four big questions we have after watching the new trailer

Wonder Woman is headed back to theaters in June 2020 for more adventures in director Patty Jenkins' Wonder Woman 1984, but the first trailer for the film has raised a lot of questions about Gal Gadot's superhero, the film's villains, and the DC Extended Universe as a whole.
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From Gozer to mold: The best Ghostbusters: Afterlife trailer Easter eggs

From the Cult of Gozer to a familiar Class 5 full-roaming vapor, the first trailer for Ghostbusters: Afterlife was packed with references to the Ghostbusters mythology and call-backs to the original films. Here are a few Easter Eggs from the Ghostbusters: Afterlife trailer you might have missed.
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First trailer for Ghostbusters: Afterlife is filled with spirits of the past

Three decades after Ghostbusters II hit theaters, the first trailer for Ghostbusters: Afterlife has arrived, offering fans of the supernatural adventure franchise a look at the sequel to that 1989 film and its new generation of Ghostbusters. Stars of the first two films, including Bill Murray, will also appear.
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The Mandalorian: Easter eggs and episode 5’s secrets explained

The latest episode of The Mandalorian on Disney+ takes the Star Wars saga to some exciting places and offers plenty of callbacks and surprises for fans of the beloved franchise. Here are some of the highlights from episode 5 and some details about how they connect to the greater Star Wars universe.
Daniel Craig as James Bond in No Time to Die.

No Time To Die trailer reveals James Bond’s new villain, gadgets, and 007 rival

The first, full-length trailer for No Time To Die introduces a new Agent 007 to the James Bond franchise, as well as a mysterious new villain played by Academy Award winner Rami Malek. The 25th installment of the James Bond film franchise hits theaters in April 2020.
Scarlett Johansson in Marvel's Black Widow movie.

How can there be a Black Widow movie? Here’s why it makes sense

Black Widow's future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe after Avengers: Endgame might be uncertain, but there's a good reason her upcoming solo movie fits perfectly fine in the MCU timeline. Here's why Scarlett Johansson can return as the character in the May 2020 Marvel movie.
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The Mandalorian: Easter eggs and episode 4’s secrets explained

The latest episode of The Mandalorian on Disney+ takes the Star Wars saga to some exciting new places and offers plenty of callbacks and surprises for fans of the beloved franchise. Here are some of the highlights from episode 4 and some details about how they connect to the greater Star Wars universe.
Could Rey go dark in Star Wars Episode 9?

You’ll believe stormtroopers can fly in new Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker clip

Disney has released a new clip from Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker featuring some of the core cast members fleeing across the desert with First Order stormtroopers in hot pursuit. The film hits theaters December 20, and brings the Star Wars sequel trilogy to a close.
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The Mandalorian: Easter eggs and episode 3’s secrets explained

The latest episode of The Mandalorian on Disney+ took the Star Wars saga to some exciting new places and offered plenty of callbacks and surprises for fans of the sci-fi saga. Here are some of the highlights from episode 3 and some details about how they connect to the greater Star Wars universe.
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The best (and most surprising) shows missing from Disney+

Disney+ has more than 600 films and TV series currently available to subscribers, but there are some conspicuous omissions from Disney's catalog of shows on the streaming service. Here are the most noteworthy (and often surprising) series that should be on Disney+, but aren't right now.
Maleficent on Disney+

The best movies missing from Disney+

With more than 600 films and TV series currently available on Disney+, there's a lot to choose from, but there are some notable omissions from Disney's catalog of movies subscribers can watch on the streaming service, too. Here are the best films that should be on Disney+, but aren't right now.
mandalorian

The Mandalorian: Easter eggs and episode 2’s secrets explained

The latest episode of The Mandalorian on Disney+ took the Star Wars saga to some new places and offered plenty of callbacks, Easter Eggs, and surprises for fans of the sci-fi saga. Here are the highlights from episode 2 and some details about how they connect to the greater Star Wars universe.
Disney+ Shows

Here’s everything currently available on Disney+ in the U.S.

Disney confirmed the very, very long list of shows, movies, and other content that's available on its new streaming service Disney+ which officially arrived in the United States on November 12. From older Disney films to modern Marvel and Star Wars blockbusters, there's something for everybody.
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How visual effects made battles bigger and Hulk smarter in Avengers: Endgame

Avengers: Endgame brought Marvel's Infinity Saga to an end and delivered some of the most spectacular moments in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film's visual effects supervisor, Dan DeLeeuw, explains how VFX brought some of the film's most memorable scenes (and characters) to life.
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The Mandalorian: Easter eggs and episode 1’s wild ending explained

Episode 1 of The Mandalorian on Disney+ took the Star Wars saga to some new places and offered plenty of call-outs, Easter Eggs, and at least one big surprise for fans of the sci-fi saga. Here are the highlights from the episode and some details about how they connect to the greater Star Wars universe.

Stranger Things season 4 premiere title has intriguing Marvel Comics connection

The writers for season 4 of Stranger Things have revealed the title of the first episode of the next season, and there's plenty to speculate about with the hint they've offered. Here's what the episode title might mean — and its connection to Marvel Comics history — while we wait for the fourth season.
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Beautiful creatures: Behind the visual effects of HBO’s His Dark Materials

Visual effects studio Framestore serves as the sole VFX studio on HBO's His Dark Materials, an adaptation of Philip Pullman's book series of the same name. From crafting fantastic creature companions to massive polar bears, they have their work cut out for them. Here's how they bring the saga to life.
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NBC’s Peacock streaming service could be free with ads, like old-school TV

NBCUniversal's upcoming Peacock streaming service might take a lesson from old-school television by offering an entirely free, ad-supported version of its service that doesn't rely on a pay-TV package or other subscriptions in addition to the traditional streaming models.