Month: January 2024

Invincible viewers were not thrilled when the show’s second season suddenly stopped rolling out new episodes a few months ago, but there’s now reason to celebrate (a March 14 return). Also, everything is coming up Robert Kirkman these days, so some wait time between works based upon his comics is to be expected, but it’s understandable that the audience felt like they were left hanging after a half-season finale that ended in a cliffhanger.

This series shows no shortage of inspiration for pushing further into the stratosphere as other comic book realms (i.e., the MCU and the DCEU) crumble under their own weight. Additionally, Amazon has already seen fit to renew Invincible for a third season. So, not only are The Walking Dead shows still (ironically) finding plenty of life, so shall we see with Mark’s ongoing struggle as the son of an apparent villain who only pretends to be a hero.

Let’s get down to business on what’s coming next.

Plot

Mark cannot catch a break. As always, many arcs remain up in the air with this series, but the central conflict (even above the conflict associated with the Viltrumite empire) remains Mark/Invincible and his father, Nolan/Omni-Man. After the show screwed with the audience’s mind a bit by showing evil versions of Invincible/Mark joining forces with Omni-Man/Nolan, we learned that the pair is still at odds after their previous climactic battle above the clouds. However, we later learned that Omni-Man seems to want to fix his relationship with Mark, if that’s possible.

When we last visited with Mark, he had learned that can no longer hide under any cloaks of anonymity from his intergalactic enemies, so he will need to get industrious to stave off further control by the Viltrumite empire, as well as deal with what he learned about his father. Mark had discovered how Dad had been living on (and ruling) Thraxa with a whole new domestic setup (while Debbie continues to sift through the rubble of her realization about being a “pet” to Nolan, rather than a wife). Omni-Man is now married to Andressa, and we might expect to see their baby son eventually shake this show (and Mark) up. As well, Mark received a hint from Omni-Man on where to find knowledge (“my books”) to use against the Viltrumites.

Meanwhile, Mark must still deal with his abandoned college education and attempting to be a semi-normal person at some point. Yeah, he’s got no hope of doing so with several pool balls on the table, and there’s no telling if Mark can dig up those books and if Debbie still kept them around.

On a related note, there has been chatter about a possible live-action movie, and although this appears to only be speculation, Steven Yeun indulged the question in the only way possible — in light of the logistic difficulties in him being able to portray a late-teen superhero — with an open mind. “I love working with Robert. That comic is so great, and it goes so long and so deep,” The Walking Dead star recently told Screenrant. “Right now, we’re having a lot of fun making this show. Live action — who knows?”

Cast

Let’s just say that this cast continues to be vast in every sense of the word, so we shall stick with a dozen or so mentions: Steven Yeun (Invincible/Mark Grayson), Sandra Oh (Debbie Grayson), J.K. Simmons (Nolan Grayson/Omni-Man), Walton Goggins (Cecil Stedman), Seth Rogen (Allen the Alien), Zazie Beetz (Amber Bennett), Zachary Quinto (Rudy Connors/Robot), Gillian Jacobs (Samantha Eve Wilkins/Atom Eve), Jason Mantzoukas (Rex Sloan/Rex Splode), Kevin Michael Richardson (Mauler Twins), Rhea Seehorn (Andressa), Scoot McNairy (King Lizard), Chris Diamantopoulos (Donald Ferguson/Doc Seismic), and more.

Release Date

Amazon has revealed that Invincible‘s second season will resume on March 14. As for a third season release date? We’ll have to wait for official word on that subject. However, you will want to consider whether you’re good with watching Amazon ads or pony up $2.99 per month for their ad-free plan because January 29 is the official date for that tweak. Also, it won’t hurt to test the waters to decide which choice you prefer before The Boys returns for Season 4. Just saying!

Trailer

Amazon is holding tight on a longer trailer, but here’s a glimpse of where Mark begins his next struggle. Damn, get this poor guy a nap sometime soon.

Invincible Season 2 Part 1 is available for the binging on Amazon Prime.

It’s always a great thing to talk to a brand-new Oscar nominee, especially a first-time nominee. It’s maybe the only time filmmakers are excited to talk to someone like me. In reality, it would have been a huge surprise if David Hemingson wasn’t nominated for Best Original Screenplay for Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers. It is the definition of a “writer’s movie,” though Hemingson – this being his first film screenplay after a long career in television – was never going to let himself believe this would actually happen. The Holdovers is just one of those movies where we, the audience, like the characters so much we just want to keep hanging out with them.

As Hemingson explains ahead, he’s over the moon that these characters and events drawn from his life touched so many people that he’s now an Oscar nominee.

How are you? That’s a dumb question. Sorry.

I’m good! I’m kind of dazed. I’m full of caffeine. I’m just sort of staring at the sky, thanking the heavens for this fantastic thing that just happened.

Everyone was predicting this was going to happen for you, but do you let yourself believe that?

Never. Never. Not for a minute. No. Never. I can be a little superstitious, but I’m sort of like, this has been such a ride that … You consider it, obviously. It’s something you dream about your whole life. And when the possibility is there, even kind of looming, I didn’t want to look at it. It’s like I was scared to look at it, afraid I’d turn to stone. So, the fact that it happened is just a wondrous thing, and I am deeply grateful, especially to Alexander for choosing me to write this film, and making such a beautiful movie.

I know this is always the most popular question, but I always like hearing the story. But how do you find out about the nomination?

One of my closest friends in the world, a woman named Dina Whitman, who I’ve been friends with for about 40 years, she’s in Chicago. She’s got this heavy Chicago accent. And literally, I was asleep. I had been trying to sleep all night. Nanoseconds after the whole thing happened I get this call from Chicago, “Oh my God. Oh my God”

Are even you surprised by how much this movie is hitting with people? I watched it again a couple of weeks ago while cleaning my apartment because I just like hanging out with the characters. Of course, I got sucked in and didn’t get any cleaning done.

By the way, thank you for that. I’m glad you like hanging out with them because they were living in my head for a while. And I’m glad that other people enjoyed their company as much as I did. Obviously, that’s because Paul Giamatti, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Dominic Sessa did such an incredible job embodying them. And what spectacular performances. But that is a huge compliment. Thank you. I’ll take it. My feeling is, oftentimes when I’m writing, I’ll just have a movie that I love on in the background. Last night it was The Godfather Part II.

Now, how are you supposed to get any work done with that on?

You know what’s funny? You can’t.

I know about all the television work you’ve done. On a day like today are you thinking, “Maybe I should have written a movie a long time ago.”

Honestly? It’s been 27 years, but I think everything happens right on time. I don’t think I could have told this story before now. And I certainly couldn’t have told this story without Alexander Payne and without the people at Focus Features lavishing the kind of loving kindness they’ve lavished on this movie. Like I said, everything happens on time, and happens for a reason. And I don’t think I would’ve been able to distill my personal experiences down into this and find the right partners… Again, Alexander Payne. I’m sorry. I’m rambling.

First of all, you’re not. And second of all, completely understandable if you do.

Yeah, bless you. But no, man, I’m overwhelmed. I mean, I’m overwhelmed and ecstatic, and it’s a really good morning. It’s a really good morning.

Were you surprised when he called you? I know he read a television pilot you did that had some similar themes, I think?

It was set in a prep school in 1980, but it was very different in terms of the plot. And the characters are completely different. But he knew that I knew that world. And he kind of reached out and tapped me. And I’m forever in his debt.

I’m going through his filmography right now. I guess he didn’t write Nebraska. But he does have a tendency to at least be a co-writer on most of this stuff, so this feels unique.

It was wonderful. I am at a loss for words. It was incredible. It was incredible to be tapped to do this. And he was such an incredible mentor and collaborator and he’s like a walking film encyclopedia. He knows so much about cinema.

Oh yes, very much.

So, it’s like the entire experience was getting a master’s degree at Alexander Payne University. So, I’m deeply honored that he tapped me.

What was the television pilot about?

It was basically a story of this kid who goes to this prep school because his dad’s teaching there. His mom’s a nurse and his uncle is sort of raising him. It’s a story of him arriving at this school, thinking he’s going to Rushmore. It turns out it’s the high school from Dazed and Confused kind of thing. And, so, it was obviously extremely different, a completely different story. But I think what he saw in it was just the themes of love and connection and family, and the world of the prep school, that resonated with him. I think that’s why he wanted me to do it.

He’s famously from Omaha and gets that part of the country really well. I assume he needed to hand this off because an East Coast prep school is going to be foreign to him.

I think that’s exactly why he did it. I mean, I think he kind of got the sense that I really understood the kind of granular reality of these schools. 1970 was not exactly my era. I’m a little bit younger than that. But there are traditions that are kind of passed down that never change. And the tensions, and the inequity, and inequality, and all of that stuff. I saw all that growing up. So, it was wonderful to be able to revisit that in my heart and get that down on the page.

Like I said, I love hanging out with these characters. A lot of people feel that way. Are you surprised at all by that?

Yeah, I am absolutely surprised. But I’m also deeply gratified because I just feel like I’m drawing on the people that I knew and loved and kind of putting them into the world, just trying to create space for Da’Vine to do that incredible job. But the emotional core is for my mom. And I couldn’t tell the full story. Only she could tell the full story of that woman’s journey. And Paul, honestly, is a huge homage to my uncle, who would say things like, “Sex is 99 percent erection, one percent goodwill.” All of that stuff. The cherry jubilee moment actually happened to me, at Anthony’s Pier 4 in Boston. I was denied Cherries Jubilee.

They wouldn’t serve you a cherries jubilee and you had to go outside?

Exactly. Because I was like nine years old. We went outside. We didn’t do it in the parking lot. I think we got ice cream. But it was me, and my mom, and her friend Fran.

Did it almost set the car on fire?

We didn’t actually put it up and set it on fire. We just went and got a Carvel. But in reality, that hooker moment happened on Second Avenue and 30th Street in New York when my uncle and I were walking the dog in about 1972. So, a lot of these things, a lot of these little moments are episodes taken directly from my life. And it’s sort of wonderful that the people have joined me in this sort of memory play, but also have made my friends into their friends. I mean, I love these people, and I’m just ecstatic that people seem to like to hang out with them.

You can contact Mike Ryan directly on Twitter.

Gunna’s name was bound to come up in the racketeering trial against Young Thug eventually. After all, Gunna was signed to Young Thug’s record label, YSL (Young Stoner Life), and was indicted alongside him as a member of YSL (Young Slime Life), the alleged gang Thug is accused of leading to commit or incite dozens of violent crimes in and around the Atlanta area. Gunna has also fielded accusations of “snitching” ever since he accepted a plea deal in which he pled guilty to racketeering in exchange for time served and his eventual release.

While some fans, foes, and former friends might have expected Gunna to eventually take the stand, his name actually came up in an entirely different context during the trial as the testimony of Trontavious “Slug” Stephens — an accused co-founder of the alleged gang — continued. A prosecutor asked Slug whether Gunna is a member of a Crip gang, replying in the affirmative.

Since the prosecution’s case against YSL maintains that it’s a local offshoot of the wider Bloods organization, it seems like this line of questioning undermines the DA’s argument. If YSL were really a gang instead of just a record label, it would be unusual — to say the least — for it to also include an acknowledged member of a rival organization.

Slug’s testimony has offered a number of sound bytes so far, with mentions of LeBron James, Serena Williams, and more.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

LE SSERAFIM announced that their third mini-album, Easy, is on the way. The K-pop girl group revealed the news through a trailer titled “Make It Look Easy.”

In the video, things are kept pretty mysterious, as it just guides viewers through a backdrop of stars to reveal the mini-album’s release date.

As for what to expect from LE SSERAFIM, Easy will be centered around “the anxieties and concerns that exist behind the group’s confident image,” according to Yonhap News Agency.

Here’s more of what to know about Easy.

LE SSERAFIM’s Easy Release Date

Easy is out 2/19 via Hybe.

LE SSERAFIM’s Easy Tracklist

The tracklist is still unknown.

According to NME, the band will put out two more trailers on January 26 and 27, followed by some reveals of the mini-album’s concept photos by February 5. Continuing the release schedule, fans will get to see the complete tracklist for Easy on February 8.

There will be not only additional teasers for Easy as a whole but also some previews for a music video that LE SSERAFIM has planned — which will help build excitement right before the mini-album is slated to drop. This seems that fans will get to see the music video and hear Easy in full at around the same time.

They will also be performing at Coachella in April. Until then, fans can check out LE SSERAFIM’s first “Make It Look Easy” album trailer above.

After years filled with fans’ pleas, André 3000 finally released his solo debut album, New Blue Sun. Although the project was far from what longtime supporters expected, the public has come to love the multi-instrumental-only body of work. Tonight (January 23), the musician will host an IMAX Live Experience for folks to enjoy the tracks. But the live programming doesn’t stop there.

Moments ago, André 3000 revealed that he and his magical flute are set to hit the road as part of his New Blue Sun Live Tour later his month. Across the 23-date run, collaborators featured on the album, Carlos Niño, Nate Mercereau, Surya Botofasina, and Deantoni Parks, have been confirmed as additional tour support.

Unlike André 3000’s thoughts on when rappers should age it up, there isn’t an age restriction on the live shows. Tickets for the New Blue Sun Live Tour go on sale at 10 a.m. local time on Wednesday, January 24. Find more information here.

André 3000’s ‘New Blue Sun Live’ tour dates

01/29 — Brooklyn, NY @ Crown Hill Theatre
01/31 — New York, NY @ Blue Note Jazz Club (8 p.m. show)
01/31 — New York, NY @ Blue Note Jazz Club (10:30 p.m. show)
02/01 — New York, NY @ Blue Note Jazz Club (8 p.m. show)
02/01 — New York, NY @ Blue Note Jazz Club (10:30 p.m. show)
02/02 — New York, NY @ Blue Note Jazz Club (8 p.m. show)
02/02 — New York, NY @ Blue Note Jazz Club (10:30 p.m. show)
02/05 — Brooklyn, NY @ St. Ann & The Holy Trinity Church
02/06 — Brooklyn, NY @ St. Ann & The Holy Trinity Church
02/08 — Detroit, MI @ Cliff Bell’s
02/09 —Detroit, MI @ The Chapel at Masonic Temple (7 p.m. show)
02/09 — Detroit, MI @ The Chapel at Masonic Temple (10 p.m. show)
02/12 — Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall
02/13 — Chicago, IL @ 1357 N Elston
02/15 — Chicago, IL @ Garfield Park Conservatory (7 p.m. show)
02/15 — Chicago, IL @ Garfield Park Conservatory (9 p.m. show)
02/20 — San Francisco, CA @ Bimbo’s 365 Club
02/22 — San Francisco, CA @ Bimbo’s 365 Club
02/24 — San Francisco, CA @ The Independent (7 p.m. show)
02/24 — San Francisco, CA @ The Independent (9 p.m. show)
02/27 — Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
02/28 — Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
02/29 — Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
03/02 — Atlanta, GA @ Center Stage Theater
03/05 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever
03/06 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever
03/07 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever
03/08 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever
03/09 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever

André 3000’s ‘New Blue Sun Live’ tour poster

Marilyn Monroe, one of the most famous actresses of all-time, was never nominated for an Academy Award. Neither have contemporary legends like John Goodman, Kirsten Dunst, or Idris Elba. But you know who got their first Oscar nomination this morning? The big man himself, Godzilla.

OK, technically, it’s not Godzilla that’s nominated. It’s the visual effects team for Godzilla Minus One who are up for Best Visual Effects, but it’s more fun to imagine Godzilla accepting the award. If someone tries to play him off the stage for roaring (with or without accompaniment from Green Day) too long, he could atomic breath them to death.

Godzilla Minus One is actually the first Godzilla movie to be nominated for an Oscar (it’s hard to believe Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla was snubbed), a fitting milestone for the critical and commercial hit. The Takashi Yamazaki film is nearing $100 million at the worldwide box office.

In 2023, Best Visual Effects went to Avatar: The Way of Water. This year’s nominees are The Creator, Godzilla: Minus One, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (sadly only one of two nominations for a very fun movie), and Napoleon. The 2024 Oscars air on March 10th.

Offset recently unveiled that he’s kicking off his first solo tour, fittingly titled the Set It Off Tour. The round of shows will kick off in Philly on March 10, as the rapper will make his way throughout cities in North America.

Presale tickets will open Wednesday, January 24 at 10 a.m. local time. The general sale will then be available on Friday, January 26 at the same time. For more information about buying tickets, visit Live Nation’s website.

“Set It Off is more than a phrase, it’s a vibe we’re creating together,” Offset shared in a statement. “This tour is not just a series of concerts, it’s a journey into my mind. I’m ready to hit the road on my first solo headlining tour, bringing the heat and most importantly, giving the fans a new way to experience my music.”

Continue scrolling for a complete list of Offset’s Set It Off Tour dates.

03/10 — Philadelphia, PA @ The Fillmore Philadelphia
03/12 — Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore Silver Spring
03/14 — New York, NY @ Palladium Times Square
03/15 — Boston, MA @ Citizens House of Blues Boston
03/17 — Toronto, ON @ HISTORY
03/19 — Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore Detroit
03/20 — Grand Rapids, MI @ GLC Live at 20 Monroe
03/22 — Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart’s
03/23 — Chicago, IL @ Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
03/27 — Denver, CO @ Fillmore Auditorium
03/29 — Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium
03/30 — San Francisco, CA @ The Masonic
04/01 — Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues Anaheim
04/03 — Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren
04/05 — Dallas, TX @ South Side Ballroom
04/07 — Houston, TX @ Bayou Music Center
04/10 — Atlanta, GA @ Coca-Cola Roxy

WWE announced on Tuesday that Raw is moving off of linear television for the first time since its inception 31 years ago and will have a new home on Netflix starting in January 2025.

According to the Variety, the deal is valued at $500 million per year, over 10 years, with an option to opt out after the initial five years and extend an additional 10 years. Variety also reports WWE’s current deal with NBCUniversal has Raw airing on USA Network until October 2024, meaning there’s a gap between deals and it is still being determined where the show will air between the end of the current deal and the beginning of the Netflix era.

“This deal is transformative,” said Mark Shapiro, TKO President and COO, as part of the announcement. “It marries the can’t-miss WWE product with Netflix’s extraordinary global reach and locks in significant and predictable economics for many years. Our partnership fundamentally alters and strengthens the media landscape, dramatically expands the reach of WWE, and brings weekly live appointment viewing to Netflix.”

As part of the agreement Netflix will not only become the exclusive new home of Raw, it will also become the international home for all WWE shows and specials, including Raw, SmackDown, NXT, and the company’s Premium Live Events, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble. WWE’s documentaries, original series, and projects will also be available on Netflix internationally beginning in 2025.

In the past year, Netflix has dabbled in live events ranging from a Chris Rock special, the infamous “Love is Blind” reunion, and their F1/golf crossover, the “Netflix Cup.”

Selena Gomez took to her Instagram Story on Monday night (January 22), where she shared some thoughts about her body transformation over the years. The first photo was her in a zebra-print bikini at 21 years old with some sunglasses on, according to Page Six.

“Today I realized I will never look like this again,” Gomez captioned.

She then followed it up with a photo of her current self, at 31, as she was photographed climbing onto a yacht. “I’m not perfect, but I am proud to be who I am,” she added on the second snap. “Sometimes I forget it’s ok to be me.”

Over the past few years, the pop star and Only Murders In The Building actress has been open about her lupus diagnosis, and a kidney transplant in 2017. Because of this, Gomez has also described that a side effect of her medication is that her body fluctuates.

“I just want people to know that you’re beautiful and you’re wonderful,” Gomez said during a TikTok livestream, according to Women’s Health. “Yeah, maybe we have days where we feel like sh*t, but I would much rather be healthy and take care of myself. My medications are important, and I believe they are what helps me.”

Check out Gomez’s Instagram Story posts here.

On Friday, “Big Energy” hitmaker Latto teamed up with a relatively unknown fellow ATLien, Anycia, to release “Back Outside,” a song that already had plenty of buzz even before its official release. Part of that was due to Latto’s general popularity, but the rest could be attributed to some of the context. In addition to a preview of Latto’s verse containing a potential shot at Nicki Minaj, Latto herself fielded (and dismissed) fans’ concerns about collaborating with a newer artist many had never heard of.

“Shawty from the south side & she hard af,” she explained. “I was an ‘unknown artist’ before and mfs acted too big for me. Stream when we drop.” They certainly have been, driving views on the video since then to over 281K on YouTube — a pretty solid debut for an “unknown” artist like Anycia. So, just who is this Atlanta artist who was able to secure a coveted cosign from one of rap’s reigning it-girls?

Last June, local arts pub VoyageATL interviewed Anycia, who said she’d only started taking music seriously as a career the previous summer. Although she didn’t offer much insight into her origins or inspirations, it’s clear that she leans more on the trap side than glam-rap peers and predecessors like City Girls, Latto, or Megan Thee Stallion. Her breakout single, “So What,” released in October, earned her first slate of major press, and she recently joined Detroit standout Veeze on his Ganger tour.

Her flow is reminiscent of her tourmate’s, with a conversational nonchalance bordering on laconic. She’s been described as having the “down-to-earth, rough-around-the-edges appeal of Sexyy Red,” and in the same interview, she notes that she grew up with and around other buzzy Atlanta artists like Playboi Carti, Key!, and Unotheactivist. She’s already begun to receive love from the likes of NBA stars like Kevin Durant, J. Cole, and of course, the always tapped-in Drake.

In December, she cited Latto and Cardi B as the two artists she most wanted to collaborate with; she’s already manifested a Latto feature (as well as an unreleased one with JID), so don’t be surprised if she’s hanging out with Cardi in a music video soon, too. Check out some of her videos below.