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Spring TV Roundup, Week 5

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 We’ve made it to May, which means we’re rapidly closing in on the Emmy window, the end of the broadcast season, and the start of summer. That might leave you with some time to check out a new show, but what of these new offerings is worth your time? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new series this Spring. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Wednesdays: Widow’s Bay, Streaming Wednesdays on Apple TV (Premiered April 29) About : Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be the Mayor in Jaws in 2026? Trying to market a small island despite some challenging circumstances? Well, that’s kind of the set up for the new Apple TV series Widow’s Bay, starring Matthew Rhys as Tom Loftis, mayor of a small island that needs to increase revenue to help bring things into the modern era. There’s a twist and a challenge, though, as the island is purported to be haunted, which prevents those born there from ever being able to le...
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Trek at 60: Star Trek: The Motion Picture

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This year Star Trek turns 60. For decades, it has enthralled and entertained audiences. Part of that legacy is 13 feature films. Over the next few weeks, I'll be looking back on each of the feature films in the franchise, including where I place them in my personal rankings! Commander Spock : Each of us... at some time in our lives, turns to someone - a father, a brother, a God... and asks..."Why am I here? What was I meant to be?" Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) Franchise Ranking : 11 Starring : William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig, and Stephen Collins Director : Robert Wise About : The original series kicked off in 1966 and went off the air at the end of season 3 in June of 1969. A decade later, the cast returned on the big screen. By this point, we'd seen other science fiction adventures at the movies, including Star Wars. That made the environment rip for a return of Star Trek. This film ...
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2006 Rewind: Casino Royale

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It's hard to believe, but 2006 was 20 years ago. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be looking at some stand out films from 2006 that are turning 20 in 2026. Today, it's the re-birth of James Bond. James Bond : [to Vesper] Why is it that people who can't take advice always insist on giving it? Casino Royale Starring : Daniel Craig, Mads Mikkelsen, and Eva Green Director : Martin Campbell About : The Bond franchise began in 1962. By the time Craig took over as Bond in 2006, the franchise had been going for 44 years and six other actors had played the role. This was something of a re-boot, coming four years after Brosnan's time ended. It captures Bond as he's just attaining 007 status, and it tells a very tense and engaging story. It dives into Casino Royale , which in the 1960s had been used as a parody with David Niven in the role. This is a different kind of film, setting up a different kind of James Bond universe. Craig kills it and I loved this film. It is ...
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AFI 100 Years, 100 Movies: No. 68

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Back in 1998, the American Film Institute unveiled its list of the 100 greatest films as voted on by members of the cinematic community. The year, I'm looking at the films on that list, re-ranked according to my preference. Check back Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year as we walk through this list of classic films. Bennett Marco : Raymond Shaw is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I've ever known in my life. The Manchurian Candidate (1962) Original List Position : 67 Starring : Frank Sinatra, Janet Leigh, Angela Lansbury, and Laurence Harvey Director: John Frankenheimer About : This is a political thriller with a solid cast and based on the famous book. It's been re-made and referenced a few times since. But it's the original that has most often sat with people. It was No. 67 on the original list, and falls in nearly the same spot for me, here. Ironically it didn't end up on the list when it was re-issued a decade later. It's hard ...
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AFI 100 Years, 100 Movies: No. 69

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Back in 1998, the American Film Institute unveiled its list of the 100 greatest films as voted on by members of the cinematic community. The year, I'm looking at the films on that list, re-ranked according to my preference. Check back Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year as we walk through this list of classic films. Ethan Edwards : Livin' with Comanches ain't bein' alive. The Searchers (1956) Original List Position : 96 Starring : John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, and Natalie Wood Director: John Ford About : This is a fascinating film. It's one of the signature entries from Wayne, and one of his classical Westerns. It also comes from the director Ford, who is revered. And yet, in the original listing, it nearly didn't make it. This is a film that is higher for me than where it landed on this original list. But when it came to re-doing the list a decade later, this film was ranked No. 12. That is an incredible jump up for the film, and probably refle...
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Upcoming Releases: May, 2026

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 We've made it to May, which is the official kickoff to the Summer Movie season. While there are some interesting releases, May is lighter on blockbusters than in year's past. Let's dive in. Friday, May 1: * The Devil Wears Prada 2 (Theaters) : The big film to kickoff summer is this highly anticipated sequel. This should be a fun romantic comedy to begin the season. * Animal Farm (Theaters): This is an animated film based on the George Orwell novel of the same name. Yes, you read that correctly. But, this seems aimed at kids? * Deep Water (Theaters): We have a plane that crashes in shark infested waters. So, a shark movie and a disaster movie. I'm already seated. * Hokum (Theaters): This is a horror release. It's more of a haunted house type set up with Adam Scott in the lead role. It looks creepy. * Swapped (Netflix): This is an original animated feature with a voice cast that includes Michael B. Jordan. This offers some family-friendly entertainment at home. F...
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Now Playing

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 It was a packed weekend at theaters with three big theatrical releases as well as a new action film on Netflix. Below is my take on the new releases I saw this week. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Apex (Netflix) Starring : Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton Synopsis: This new action film from director Baltasar Kormakur focuses on a woman (Theron) who suffered a terrible mountain climbing accident. That accident forms the opening sequence of the film. Now, sometime later, she’s trying to recover and rediscover her love for exploration rafting in Australia. The natives aren’t exactly friendly, but she comes across one man, Ben (Egerton) who seems to be trying to help. When it turns out he might be the biggest threat of them all, it pits the two against each other in a battle for survival. This one has some big action sequences and is mostly a two-hander pitting Theron against Egerton in a battle of wills and a battle for s...
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