Nerdstalgic

It's no secret that there were several re-castings throughout the Back to the Future franchise. Though the firing of Crispin Glover who played George McFly started a conversation around an actors likeness that was still being fought over during the 2023 SAG Strike. Re-casting George McFly is one thing, but using prosthetics and makeup to make another actor look like Crispin Glover in Back to the Future 2 was a step too far. But why exactly did George McFly get fired from Back to the Future?

When Season 1 first hit the airwaves, True Detective was a force to be reckoned with. With an cast starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, and a story unlike any of seen before, True Detective was truly lightning in a bottle. Though as we move into Seasons 2 and 3, True Detective began a downward spiral. Can Season 4 of True Detective, Night Country, recapture the magic of Season 1?

Shrek and Donkey will forever be one of the best animated duo's in history. When Shrek first hit theaters audiences fell in love with not only the characters but the story and it's parody on fairy tales. Though the villain of this animated film, Lord Farquaad, may have been a parody of Disney's most powerful executive. Shrek will forever be a beloved children's movie, but as you peel back layers of the onion it seems there's a lot more behind the curtain than audiences realize.

Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul's Gustavo "Gus" Fring, is without a doubt one of the best TV Villains ever to grace the small screen. Starting in Breaking Bad, and continuing through the prequel Better Call Saul, we saw a story of a man who would stop at nothing to achieve success. Gus Fring had an incredibly chilling presence in both shows. But what made Gustavo Fring so terrifying to begin with? How does such an unassuming character grow into one of the most chilling villains on TV?

We've all seen movies start with a phrase like "Based on a True Story" or "Inspired by True Events", but what exactly does that mean? Films like Bohemian Rhapsody, Oppenheimer, Elvis, and countless others use this phrase to trick audiences into thinking the story they are seeing is true. But often times these "Based on a True Story" movies are using the truth as a blueprint to tell their story. When is it ok to bend the truth in order to tell an exciting story?

Captain America: Civil War not only changed the course of the entire MCU, but it set a new bar for superhero movies in general. Though, even with it's boundary pushing elements, Captain America: Civil War is not without it's share of problems. Whether you look at the adaptation from the comic book series, or the larger implications within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, its clear Captain America Civil War isn't a perfect movie, but it's dang close.

For many, the worst season of Community is Season 4, also known as The Gas Leak Year. Many Community fans would like to forget that Season 4 exists all together after creator Dan Harmon was not involved, but there is one season of Community that is far worse. When NBC decided not to pick up the hit sitcom, it transitioned to another streaming service, only to fail miserably. Did they green light a final season just to meet the in-joke of "Six Seasons and a Movie", or did they actually think they could reignite the fire?

When Jonah Hill first broke onto the scene, he was instantly a name to watch in the comedy scene. Starring in both cult classics and big studio successes like The 40 Year Old Virgin, Grandma's Boy, and Superbad, Jonah Hill a rising star, but most people saw him as the funny, fat, sidekick most of the time. After his co-lead in Superbad, he decided to make a change, and starring in Moneyball alongside Brad Pitt would be a launching pad to the next level of Hollywood Success.

In the 90's, animated superheroes started taking over the small screen. Superheroes like Batman, Superman, Spider-Man and X-Men were mainstays in households across the country. But as X-Men the Animated Series was coming to an end, Fox was quick to try and keep the Merry Mutants on TV. Though the X-Men project, Generation X was a massive failure, it seems today Disney has tried to erase it from existence all together. But why has Disney attempted to bury this admittedly bizarre attempt at TV Movie in the X-Men Universe?

There might not be an actor in Hollywood that has had a career as insane as Nicolas Cage. Through several massive successes, critical failures, and cult followings, Nicolas Cage has become more than just an actor. Nicolas Cage has become known for wild acting styles, weird personality, and his ability to find diamonds in a sea of independent film scripts. After decades of back and forth success, it seems today Nicolas Cage has ascended traditional Hollywood and has become a genre all his own.

When the original Zombieland first debuted it was an instant classic. Deep in the height of the zombie craze, Zombieland was a smart, witty, and hilarious story of found family surviving during a Zombie Apocalypse. It was so successful that Amazon attempted to remake the movie as a TV Series. Though without the original Zombieland cast, and a subpar script, it didn't make it past the pilot stage. But what made this Zombieland TV Show SO terrible?

Since it's inception, Godzilla has been responsible for binging in literal billions of dollars at the box office. Though, only a select few iterations of Godzilla have truly stood the test of time. But what exactly separates a good Godzilla movie from a bad one? How can different filmmakers lend their voice to bringing the iconic Godzilla to the big screen so many times?

When it was announced that Steve Carell was going to be leaving his character Michael Scott on The Office, fans had no idea how the show was going to continue with out him. When it was announced Will Ferrell would be making a guest appearance on The Office along side Steve Carrell's final episodes, fans suddenly had hope for the future. But when Will Ferrell's episodes finally came, to everyones surprise, it seemed The Office was able to do the impossible. They made Will Ferrell, Not Funny.

X-Men Dark Phoenix was the 12th film in Fox’s long-running mutant-inspired franchise, and it’s the fourth film in the colloquially termed “First Class” era. Though after the success of almost a dozen X-Men films the franchise was starting to lose steam fast. But how exactly did the X-Men franchise fall from grace so hard? Was X-Men Dark Phoenix set up to fail?

When it was first announced that Hellboy 2019 was going to reboot the famous franchise while also being Rated R, most fans were cautiously optimistic about seeing David Harbour as Hellboy. Though most didn't think Hellboy needed a reboot after the successful Guillermo Del Toro movies. When Hellboy 2019 finally hit theaters, most fans worst nightmare was realized. The movie was a mess, and seemed to take all the wrong lessons from the source material. But did Hellboy 2019 even stand a chance at being good?

Ferris Bueller's Day Off is without a doubt one of the best comedies of all time. From renowned director John Hughes, Ferries Bueller's Day Off is a movie that spans generations of fans. Though it was a major surprise when it was announced the Ferris Bueller was getting a TV Pilot adapted from the movie. To no one's surprise, the Ferris Bueller TV show was so bad it was cancelled almost immediately.

Since his inception, Spider-Man has been one of the most popular superheroes to grace a comic book or silver screen. Though because of a tough few years at Marvel, the rights to Spider-Man were sold off and later reclaimed causing the creation of multiple Spier-Man universes. Though some are great, and some are terrible, how exactly is Spider-Man supposed to save so many floundering cinematic universes?

Often times when a film director leaves a scene on the cutting room floor, it's for a good reason. Though when David Yates was finishing Harry Potter and the two part Deathly Hallows installments, one deleted scene could have added world of closure to Harry Potter's life at Number 4 Privet drive. When Harry Potter is leaving his childhood home in the finished film, it all seems very quick and emotionless. But with just a few minutes of deleted dialogue added back in, it could have given audiences the closure Harry needed from the Dursley's and his childhood home.

It seems today there is an influx of pro wrestlers making their way into Hollywood. Whether it's the countless Dwayne Johnson movies, or Dave Bautista attempting to not act like Drax the Destroyer, its seems only one has escaped the type cast of muscle bound action star....AND HIS NAME IS JOHN CENA! Whether it's Peacemaker, his turn in Trainwreck, or his more action packed roles, its obvious now that John Cena is much more than the wrestler he was at WrestleMania. But how exactly did John Cena go from a goofy wrestler in jean shorts, to the Hollywood superstar we know today?

There is one thing that’s consistent about the many adaptations of Dune … some element of the story is always missing. Whether it's the original David Lynch Dune adaptation from 1984, or the current iteration of Dune from Denis Villeneuve, it seems some sacrifices need to be made to bring the novel to theaters. Denis Villeneuve may have gotten the closest, but after all these adaptations of Dune, it seems the book might be unadaptable in it's truest form.

What We Do In The Shadows has been hypnotizing fans since 2019 with its sharp humor, charming characters, and clever use of the mockumentary format. Though when the show was first announced, fans of the original mocumentary film What We Do In The Shadows weren't sure if the format would translate to TV. Turns out, Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement were able to take What We Do In The Shadows to the small screen with ease. Approaching it's final season, lets take a look at the source material that made What We Do In The Shadows the best horror sitcom ever made.

Every year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences comes together at The Oscars to give out awards to the years best films. Most of the time the top prize of Best Picture goes to the film that stands out above the rest. Best Picture is supposed to not only recognize the cast and crew for their achievements, but also tell the general public which movies they should go see. Though, more than a few times, The Academy hasn't always given The Oscar to the most deserving film. Which in turn leads to some of these Oscar Winners for Best Picture being forgotten before they are able to cement their legacy. Sometimes The Oscars completely misses the mark, and lets a golden opportunity pass them by.

By this point, most fans think of the Fast and Furious franchise as more of a circus than it's roots as a street racing franchise. Though after Vin Diesel didn't return after The Fast and the Furious for 2 Fast 2 Furious, it wasn't clear the franchise had much gas left in the tank. 2 Fast 2 Furious is now thought to be a lower tier installment in the Fast Franchise, but looking back, the movie is a lot better than you probably remember. 2 Fast 2 Furious not only introduced Tyrese's Roman Pierce and Ludacris's Tej, but it also started the trend of amplifying what made The Fast and the Furious so much fun. We may have gotten away from racing down the streets of Miami, but without 2 Fast 2 Furious we may not have 10 installments, with an 11th on the way.

Like most young actors that strike gold and catch the break of a life time, when Elijah Wood was wrapping up his time as Frodo Baggins in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy, there were many roads he could have taken. Not wanting to be soley thought of as Frodo Baggins, Elijah Wood set out and crafted one of the more interesting careers in Hollywood. Never forgetting his roots in Lord of the Rings, Elijah Wood wanted to create new, weird, and interesting works that showed he was capable of a wide range of characters and stories. A big project like Lord of the Rings might ave been it for most up and coming actors, but Frodo had other plans.

Now that Curb Your Enthusiasm has been on the air for almost a quarter century, it's a wonder how Larry David was able to create not one, but two shows about nothing. Curb Your Enthusiasm is known today for Larry David's quirky humor, specific tastes, and endless rants about mundane life. But this specific moment in Curb Your Enthusiasm is what took the show from good, to one of the best comedies HBO has ever produced.

The Incredibles is undeniably one of Pixar’s best films. It also holds the distinction of being one of the greatest superhero movies ever produced. In a world where the superhero landscape is now dominated by the MCU and DCEU, it's hard to distinguish what came before the tidal wave of superhero content. In an era where both the Marvel and DC Cinematic Universes are struggling, perhaps it's time to take a look back at what made The Incredibles work so well for Pixar. Can anything be taken from the Incredibles franchise that could help get the DCU and MCU out of this rut?

By now, when modern audiences think of Aquaman, their minds immediately go to Jason Momoa's turn as Arthur Curry in the DCEU's Justice League. Though this wasn't the first attempt at bringing Aquaman to Hollywood. Back when Smallville was dominating the small screen, talks of giving Reacher's Alan Ritchson his own Aquaman show started to pick up steam. Though they got close on several different occasions. Alan Ritchson would never suit up as Aquaman in his own standalone show.

Starting a story at the end and working towards that moment is nothing new, especially in Hollywood. Films like Pulp Fiction, Fight Club, Memento, Forrest Gump, and Saving Private Ryan all opt for starting the story with how it ends. This can be a powerful tool in the right hands. Immersing the audience in the story immediately and having them along for the ride with the main characters. Though Tarantino, Fincher, and Nolan have all used this trick to great success, it doesn't always work out that way. For every Pulp Fiction or Fight Club there are countless rip offs that attempt the same style but to a lesser degree. But why exactly does starting a movie at the end make for such a compelling story?

The graphic novel titled Watchmen might be one of the greatest graphic novels ever written. Creators Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons created a true masterpiece that many have tried to adapt over the years. When Zack Snyder brought Watchmen to the big screen, at first it was seen as the most accurate adaptation of it's source material. Though upon further inspection, Zack Snyder's Watchmen may suffer from almost being too faithful. Coming off the back of his hit adaptation of 300, it seemed Zack Snyder was truly the one that could bring Watchmen to the big screen faithfully, but did his commitment to the direct translation end up hurting the film overall?

Theres no question that both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul are some of the best hour long dramas to ever hit the airwaves. But early in Breaking Bad's production, a prior commitment for Bob Odenkirk meant that Saul Goodman wouldn't be available. So instead Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan created the character of Mike Ehrmantraut to fill the gap. Little did he know, Mike Ehrmantraut would be a seminal part of not only Breaking Bad but the future prequel series Better Call Saul.

During the time of it's premiere, MadTV was set up to be the perfect replacement for a struggling Saturday Night Live. With a fresh cast of talent, and the history of Mad Magazine behind it, MadTV started strong, but quickly lost favor among it's core audience when SNL began it's resurgence. Even though it was brought back for a brief time years after it's cancellation, MadTV never quite found it's footing with a new audience. Should Mad Magazines, MadTV have had a longer legacy? Or was Saturday Night Live just too big to go up against?

At it's peak, HBO's Westworld was one of the most popular shows on TV. After the first season of Westworld though, audience interest quickly started to fall. And after an unfortunate natural disaster at the filming location, Westworld never quite recovered. But was Westoworld always doomed to fall off into obscurity? Or did HBO just not give the creators enough runway to make the show live up to it's full potential?

The Prince of Egypt was supposed to be a giant leap forward in the medium of animation. Pushing away from Disney's family friendly tone and musical numbers, The Prince of Egypt was made with an older audience in mind while also pushing the boundaries of what we thought an animated feature film could look like. Unfortunately for Dreamworks, the movie did not do well at the box office. But in turn it did push the animation industry, Disney included, in new directions with what the Prince of Egypt was able to achieve on screen.

After it's first season, Parks and Recreation wasn't off to the best start. It was panned for it's similarities to The Office, and overall didn't live up to the hype of it's predecessor. But at the end of season two, Ben Wyatt and Chris Traeger were introduced and Parks and Rec would never be the same. It's rare that a sitcom can completely save it's self by adding to the central cast, but shows like The Office and Parks and Recreation took the gamble and it paid off.

The Lord Of The Rings trilogy has a near-perfect ending. Although most Lord of the Rings Fans feel there are closer to 4-5 endings in Return of the King, there is one major event in the books that didn't make it to Peter Jackson's three film epic. When Sam and Frodo's journey comes to an end, and it's time to return to the Shire, things aren't as perfect as the film would depict. But why did Peter Jackson decide to omit this scene from The Lord of the Rings entirely? Could it have made a near-perfect trilogy better? Or was he right to keep the ending of Lord of the Rings as it is?

Matthew McConaughey. You'd be hard pressed to find any movie fan today that doesn't know his name. From the handsome heart throb in Rom Coms, to winning Oscars in heart breaking dramas, Matthew McConaughey has turned his career into one most actors in Hollywood could only dream of. Though when first starting out it seemed Matthew McConaughey was doomed to spend his days churning out nothing but shirtless roles in rom coms. But Matthew McConaughey charted his own path and built a career that no one could have expected.

Theres no question, when it comes to Dune and Dune Part 2, something just feels different. The cinematic experience you feel, especially in 70mm IMAX, is unlike anything else in today's cinema landscape. Denis Villeneuve achieved something special with Dune. A novel once thought to be unadaptable, has become the biggest movie in Hollywood. But what exactly makes Dune and Dune Part 2 stand out above the rest of the sci-fi offerings in Hollywood?

Abbott Elementary has been one of the stand out sitcoms on network TV since it's debut. Since winning Emmy's, Golden Globes, and every other award it's been nominated for, Abbott Elementary has been on a streak very few sitcoms can find in their first few seasons. Some shows like The Office or Parks and Recreation struggled early on, but Abbott has found a way to stay fresh. This particular episode of Abbott Elementary stands out as perfection for not only delivering a compelling story and big laughs, it changed the course of the show after it had to adapt due to the writers strike.

The Planet of the Apes franchise has a long and storied history. From it's original films starring Charlton Heston to the Tim Burton reboot, to the modern trilogy directed by The Batman's Matt Reeves, The Planet of the Apes have seen several different iterations. Though the new trilogy including Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and War for the Planet of the Apes seem to be overlooked in the scope of modern action franchises. Will Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes move the needle at all? Will Hollywood finally recognize this franchise for the masterpiece that it is?

M. Night Shyamalan's Signs was considered one of his biggest successes for a long time. After the groundbreaking releases of The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable, every studio in Hollywood wanted a crack at M. Night Shyamalan's next script. Though after 2 decades of examination, the ending of Signs has not held up as many fans remember. Known for his big twist endings, M. Night Shyamalan seemed to have his first misstep with Signs, but no one noticed at the time.

30 Years after George Miller gave us the original Mad Max movies, Fury Road took audiences by storm. Mad Max Fury Road is now considered one of the best films made in the last decade, and one of the best action movies of all time. So why did it take so long for the next installment in George Millers apocalyptic world? And why is he shifting focus from the titular character, Max, to the now beloved Furiosa? Will Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga live up to Fury Road?

When you think about classic Disney movies you might think of Snow White, The Lion King, Little Mermaid, or any of the other timeless Disney classics. But at one point Disney attempted to expand their reach, and almost bankrupted themselves in the process. When The Black Cauldron was put into production, no one knew how long and expensive a project it was going to be. When The Black Cauldron first came out, it was seen as a major failure, but over time, countless Disney fans have discovered this underrated classic for the brilliance that it is.

Brooklyn Nine Nine is without a doubt one of the most successful sitcoms to debut in the last decade. A stellar cast, impeccable writing, and ravenous fan support made Brooklyn Nine Nine one of Fox's top sitcoms. Though after 5 years, and as ratings started to dwindle, Fox decided to cancel Brooklyn Nine Nine for good. Which strangely came following Brooklyn Nine Nine's best season yet! After massive can outcry, Brooklyn Nine Nine was eventually saved by NBC, and the rest is history.

Wes Anderson is a director with very specific tastes. Starting out his films were unlike anything people had seen before. Movies like Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou put Wes Anderson on the map. But as time went on, his symmetrical framing, limited palate, and quirky characters all started to feel part of a formula. With each passing movie, the tropes got more intense, and it felt he was leaning more into being "Wes Anderson" than making quality films like he used to. It all came to a point during this specific moment when I personally started to get tired of Wes Anderson.

The Crow is a franchise beloved by countless fans across the globe. When the first installation of The Crow came out after the tragic on-set accident involving Brandon Lee, the character took on a cult like status. Adapted from the comic series by Frank Miller, the Crow was not a film fans saw being sequalized to the degree it has been. With each itteration being worse than the last, fans everywhere are wondering if the new 2024 reboot of The Crow will break the streak, or prove once and for all that you can not recast The Crow.

For all the wild and outlandish things we have seen on Amazon's The Boys, one person has made us believe in more than what we see on screen, Hughie. Superheroes are supposed to give us hope, they open our minds to the possibilities of what we could accomplish if we were given superpowers. But what if those heroes started to use those powers for evil? Though its story is told through several superhuman perspectives, The Boys is perhaps most powerful when seen through the eyes of someone just like us. If it weren't for Hughie, The Boys may not have made it very far into their vengeful mission, and the audience wouldn't be along for the ride.

Inside Out was one of Pixar's most accomplished films. Beloved by both fans and critics, Inside Out was just the latest notch on Pixar's already impressive belt. But when Inside Out 2 was announced it was quickly realied two of the main emotions would not be returning with their original Voice Actors. Why exactly did Inside Out 2 recast two main characters after a proven track record of success? Will fans of Inside Out notice the difference?

When introduced in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Darth Maul was quickly the stand out character. With his evil demeanor, black and red makeup, and double sided lightsaber, audiences were obsessed with this new Sith Lord. Though he was cut down too early at the end of Phantom Menace, it would be the Star Wars animated shows Clone Wars and Rebels that would give Darth Maul new life and transform him into one of the best villains in all of Star Wars. Without the dedicated time to developing Darth Maul, he may well have been just a flash in the pan.

Saturday Night Live is one of the longest running, most successful network TV shows in history. Looking at the juggernaut that is SNL today, it's hard to imagine a time that Saturday Night Live was so terrible, it was almost taken off the air completely. It wouldn't be until SNL's creator Lorne Michaels returned to right the sinking ship that it would go on a run not unlike anything people have seen before. Thankfully it wasn't cancelled, and Saturday Night Live is still going strong nearing it's 50th anniversary.

When it first debuted, A Quiet Place shocked audiences not only with it's mostly silent audio, but the world it created felt familiar and unique at the same time. First time director John Krasinski caught lightning in a bottle with the first A Quiet Place movie, so naturally a sequel was fast tracked, and when A Quiet Place 2 dominated the box office, it was only a matter of time before it got the prequel treatment with A Quiet Place Day One. The only question is, are franchises doing them selves a disservice by over saturating their own market with sequels and prequels?

Danny McBride is a powerhouse no one saw coming. Whether it's Eastbound and Down, This Is The End, The Righteous Gemstones, or any of the other insane comedies he's in, Danny McBride brings a unique ability to every project. The ability to play himself over and over to great success. Much of what makes Danny McBrides characters stand out, is how much of his own personality comes through each time. He's truly unique, and no one can replicate what he brings to the table.

Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez were two of the most influential directors during the 90's. With hits like Reservoir Dogs, Pulp FIctuion, Desperado, and Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Tarantino and Rodriguez made a name for themselves with movies that harken back to the days of pulp and Grindhouse theaters. Which is why when the two teamed up for a Grindhouse feature of their own with both Death Proof and Planet Terror, no one knew quite what to expect. But even with the cult following that Death Proof and Planet Terror have garnered, it doesn't seem like we'll ever get another theater experience quite like Grindhouse.

Studio Ghibli is by far one of the most successful animation studios outside the US. With stories that transcend time, language barriers, countries, and cultures, Studio Ghibli at one time made nothing but timeless classics. Though when Hayao Miyazaki first stepped away, Studio Ghibli started to see it's first downturn in it's history. It wasn't until Hayao Miyazaki came back to get the studio back on track and direct The Boy and the Heron that things started running like the old days. But when Miyazaki finally steps away for good, will that be the end of Studio Ghibli as we know it? Is The Boy and the Heron the last timeless classic we'll see from the famed studio?

The Lord of the Rings cinematic achievement will never be overshadowed. The amount of love, care, and detail that Peter Jackson put into the Lord of the Rings trilogy is unmatched. Though many fans who are book purists, or those who have gone down the rabbit hole of lore, might be wondering, Where Was Tom Bombadil? The mysterious character from JRR Tolkiens original books was not in the films, but this was a conscious decisoin by Peter Jackson. But why exactly was Tom Bombadil cut from the Jackson's Lord of the Rings movies?

Tom Green was a comedian ahead of his time. From his wild man on the street antics, to start of Prank TV, Tom Green paved the way for shows like Jackass and Eric Andre. Coming from Canadian Public Access, Tom Green hit the airwaves on MTV and took Gen X by storm. He was everywhere, eventually making his way to the big screen with Road Trip and Freddy Got Fingered. But after some medical issues, Tom Green has seemingly taken a step back from the spotlight.

Disaster movies like Twister have been dominating the box office for the better part of a century. These disaster movies usually depict major natural disasters, incoming asteroids, or man made problems. Usually they are a flash in the pan, but in the case of films like Twister, some have stood the test of time as truly great cinema. With the sequel Twisters starring Glen Powell on the way, it seems we haven't lost our love for disaster movies.

When Cobra Kai was first announced as a YouTube Original, most fans of the original Karate Kid weren't sure how to react. Cobra Kai wasn't something people were expecting, and being on YouTube Red made it all the more confusing. Though after two seasons of shockingly good TV, a cancellation, being picked up by Netflix, and entering it's 6th season, it's easy to say Cobra Kai exceeded all expectations for Karate Kid Fans. But how exactly did a show like Cobra Kai even get to the point of Karate Kid fandom?

Deadpool, The Merc With a Mouth, Ryan Reynolds, all go hand in hand like ice cream and apple pie. At this point in the cinematic Superhero landscape, it's tough to imagine anyone but Ryan Reynolds playing the iconic Deadpool. The quick wit, charming humor, and stunt focused action was all brought to life because Ryan Reynolds was uncompromising in bring the Merc with a Mouth to the big screen. With the upcoming Deadpool and Wolverine movie, it has cemented even further the legacy of both Ryan Reynolds and Deadpool. Hopefully the MCU doesn't mess with success.

It's no doubt that Amazon's The Boys has put Karl Urban in the spotlight once again, but he's been dominating roles for several decades. Starring in storied franchises like Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, and Thor, Karl Urban has the ability to inhabit any character he takes on. Which is to say, even though he's been working steadily for decades, we still think Karl Urban should be bigger. Perhaps his turn as Billy Butcher in The Boys will continue to push him to new heights after it ends with it's next season.

Before 8 Mile, Eminem was already a global superstar. Little did his audience know, he was also a talented actor. From being discovered by Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre, to multiple platinum selling records, to an eventual Oscar win, Eminem was on top of the world. And after 8 Mile was released, audiences were excited to see the rap star in many more Hollywood features. But since his turn as Jimmy B-Rabbit Smith Jr., Eminem has only graced the silver screen a couple times, with no real ambition to go back. With the release of his new album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), it seems Em isn't gonna be slowing down anytime soon.

Video Game Adaptations in Hollywood are nothing new. For decades Hollywood studios have been trying to crack the code on popular video game franchises into blockbuster hits. Though time and time again, Video Game Adaptations have failed at every turn. Luckily recent releases like The Last of Us and Fallout have proven that progress is being made at translating these stories to film. Does the success of The Last of Us and Fallout prove Hollywood is finally figuring things out? Or are these shows going to be outliers in a sea of poor attempts at success?

Upon the release of District 9, it seemed like director Neill Blomkamp was on top of the world. Adapting his short film, with the help of Peter Jackson, into one of the biggest sci-fi movies of the early 2000's gave him the pedigree to do almost anything he wanted. Though his next several outings like Chappie and Elysium made it seem like Blomkamp might be a one hit wonder. After several disappointing short films, and one studio feature in Gran Turismo, it seems Neill Blomkamps downfall isn't stopping anytime soon.

When Marvels Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 was first released, MCU fans were instantly obsessed with the new team of superheroes. Starlord, Gamora, Drax, Groot, and Rocket were all instant fan favorites. But the films villain Ronan the Accuser, although stoic and intimidating, was mostly forgettable. Though Ronan's brief role in Guardians of the Galaxy and the MCU as a whole has a deceptively large impact on Avengers: Infinity War, the Accuser's appearances in Marvel comics paint an entirely different portrait.

Ridley Scott's Alien and James Cameron's Aliens are two of the greatest sci-fi movies ever made. When it was announced that Ridley Scott would be returning to deliver a trilogy of Alien Prequel films, fans were both excited and cautious. After Prometheus and Alien Covenant were box office disappointments, and with the Disney acquisition of Fox, it looked like the final installment in Ridley Scott's Alien Prequels would never see the light of day. Now that Alien Romulus is racing towards opening day, can Disney reclaim the glory once cemented in the Alien franchise?

By now it's no secret that at SDCC 24 during Marvels Hall H Panel it was announced that former Iron Man star, Robert Downy Jr., would be taking over the iconic character Victor Von Doom. Though many MCU fans were excited, a lot were wondering how RDJ was going to lose the Tony Stark facade and become Dr. Doom. Some feel this is a cash grab by Marvel brass and the Russo Brothers, but other think this could be an interesting turn for a floundering MCU. Can Robert Downy Jr. pull off one of the most iconic villains in Marvel Comics history? Only time will tell.

Even though Dave Bautista first made a name for him self in the WWE and WWF, most people today would know him from his roles in Guardians of the Galaxy, Dune, and a wide range of movies from auteur directors. His decision to leave wrestling behind in pursuit of Hollywood was an obvious next step, but no one could have seen Dave Bautistas acting career coming. From Drax the Destroyer to Mr. Hinx and Rabban, Dave Bautista has elevated his craft and achieved what most wrestlers turned actors haven't been able to. Dave Bautista actually became a really good actor.

While currently in production of the 11th installment in the Fast and Furious Franchise, it's hard to imagine any other actors portraying a member of the Fast Family. It's even harder to imagine another actor in the place of Vin Diesel's Dominic Toretto. When Gone in 60 Seconds actor Timothy Olyphant turned down the roll, Vin Diesel was instantly realized as the guy to carry the Fast and Furious franchise. 11 movies, a tv show, and theme park ride later, it seems replacing Timothy Olyphant with Vin Diesel as Dom Toretto was best for all involved.

Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy is full of big moments, interesting characters, and a story that stands the test of time. A big reason for Peter Jackson's success with Lord of the Rings is his ability to bring moments from the book and expand them into some of the most memorable scenes in the trilogy. The Ringwraith Scene in The Fellowship of the Ring might be the most terrifying scene in the entire LOTR franchise. Frodo and the other Hobbits showcase incredible performances, and Peter Jackson's team created a scene of pure terror and anxiety that holds up nearly 25 years later.

When Keanu Reeves first hit screens as John Wick in 2014, audiences were enthralled with the unique style and kinetic fight sequences. Basically inventing a new style of movie combat, John Wick was something completely different than other action movies at the time. Which is why it was no surprise when a slew of John Wick Rip Off movies came tumbling out of Hollywood. Nobody, Violent Night, The Beekeeper, Monkey Man, the list goes on. Which begs the question, have we had enough John Wick rip off movies?

X-men: Evolution is not the most fondly remembered television adaptation to come out of Marvel Comics. In an era where it was a struggle to get anyone to take superhero stories seriously, X-Men Evolution did what no one else was willing to do, it let them evolve. With Deadpool and Wolverine reigniting peoples fandom for Marvels X-Men, do you think X-Men Evolution deserves more credit for the path it paved?

BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE! Without a doubt Beetlejuice is not only one of Tim Burton's most revered films, but has carried a cult following ever since it's release in 1988. One major reason for that is not only Michael Keatons performance, but the world Tim Burton built. With insane characters, wild sets, and a sense for in-camera effects, Beetlejuice still holds up almost 40 years later. Will the sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, continue this tradition?

When Bill Hader's Barry first debuted on HBO it was an immediate success. The story, world, and characters developed by Bill Hader and Alec Berg were gritty and real. Though Anthony Carrigan's NoHo Hank was an instant stand out. NoHo Hank brought a sense of humor to an otherwise dark world of crime. Anthony Carrigan's performance was one of a kind, and the show wouldn't have been the same without him. Which is odd seeing as NoHo Hank was originally not supposed to make it out of the pilot episode. What would Barry have looked like without NoHo Hank? Thanks to Bill Hader and Alec Berg we'll never know.

The Big Bang Theory is one of CBS's biggest shows of all time. Lasting 12 seasons, with a successful spin-off in Young Sheldon, The Big Bang Theory had a reach most sitcoms can only dream of. But going into Big Bang Theory's 3rd season, the show was at a tipping point. They needed something fresh to round out the main characters and Bernadette Rostenkowski rode in to save the day. Without Bernadette our main characters, specifically Howard, could have been doomed to circle the drain with the same tired tropes until it's eventual cancellation. Luckily Bernadette saved The Big Bang Theory.

Superbad is without a doubt one of the seminal high school comedies of our generation. Jonah Hill's Seth, Michael Cera's Evan were perfect as the stand ins for Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, and Christopher Mintz-Plase's McLovin proved to be the perfect comedic sidekick. Comedy sidekick's like Superbad's McLovin aren't anything new. In fact theres a long line of comedic sidekicks that made their movies instant classics. Without McLovin, who knows if Superbad would have landed as well with audiences.

When Marvels Wandavision first kicked off on Disney+ fans across the MCU were enthralled in the world Scarlett Witch had created for herself. It seemed the MCU was expanding and fans everywhere had theories about where Marvel was headed after Wandavision. The biggest push was the appearance of Evan Peters as a cliff hanger late in the season. Fans of Marvel immediately saw this as a potential X-Men crossover event that would bring the Merry Mutants to the MCU. But what Wandavision gave us might have been the biggest slap in the face from any Marvel movie up to that point.

When most actors in Hollywood land their big break, very few risk changing direction. For Bryan Cranston, it was a no brainer. After an iconic turn in Malcolm in the Middle, Bryan Cranston wanted something different. And Breaking Bad gave him that opportunity. But before the highs of Malcolm in the Middle and Breaking Bad, Bryan Cranston had been a character actor appearing in small parts on dozens and dozens of shows. Even post Breaking Bad, Bryan Cranston has proved you can't pin him into one archetype. Walter White will forever be a man of change.

The Joker is not only Batman's arch nemesis, but one of the greatest villains ever created in Pop Culture. Through Comic Books, TV Shows, and Movies, The Joker has evolved time and time again. From Caesar Moreno, to Jack Nicholson, to Mark Hammil, to Heath Ledger, and Unfortunately Jered Leto, The Joker has taken on many faces and personas. But how exactly has The Joker been able to transform so many time, while also maintaining rank as one of the best villains in history?

Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings are considered some of the best adaptations ever put to film. When Peter Jackson returned for The Hobbit, many fans were let down by the rushed production schedule, and hyper-glossy look of Middle Earth. Now, working without source material, Amazon Studios Rings of Power has attempted to expand the mythos of Tolkiens works, but it has mostly fallen flat with audiences. Rings of Power had an uphill battle from the start, but now with Season 2 all but wrapped up, it seems Lord of the Rings fans are still not enjoying the show. Will anyone ever reach the heights of Peter Jacksons original Lord of the Rings trilogy?

A proper live action version of X-Men's Gambit has been in the works for over a decade. The few that we've gotten in the likes of X-Men Origins: Wolverine have been disappointing to say the least. When Channing Tatum's solo outing as Gambit was shelved by Disney, it seemed like we'd never see Remy LeBeau properly adapted. But when Deadpool & Wolverine debuted, fans were surprised to see Channing Tatum donning the iconic Gambit costume. Will this be the last we see of Gambit in the MCU? I don't think so, but only time will tell how the fan favorite X-Men will return.

Studio Ghibli is a studio synonymous with success. Almost as if creator Hayao Miyazaki has some sort of secret formula for creating a masterpiece. Though a big part of that secret is Studio Ghibli's ability to adapt stories and make them their own. Miyazaki has adapted several of his own works, and those of other creators. Films like Spirited Away, Kiki's Delivery Service, Ponyo, and countless others have become modern classics, transformed enough by Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli most casual fans wouldn't know they were adaptations in the first place.

The X-Files was once the premiere sci-fi mystery show in television. Stretching 9 Season, and Multiple Feature Films, The X-Files had a legacy most shows dream of achieving. Until the powers at be decided to bring Mulder and Scully back for a tenth season of The X-Files. With this new season, old X-Files fans had many complaints about how their favorite investigators were handled. The X-Files should never have been rebooted, by doing so they may have tarnished the legacy of Mulder and Scully for new generations of fans.

When the original feature length What We Do In The Shadows first debuted, audiences instantly fell in love with the coven of Vampires in Taika Waititi's film. Though one scene including Werwolves almost stole the show. So much so that Taika Waititi has been teasing a sequel to What We Do In The Shadows since the documentaries debut. Though after over a decade, there still is no news on a potential sequel to What We Do In The Shadows. As the TV Show begins to wrap up on FX, fans everywhere are begging for more stories in the What We Do In The Shadows world more than ever.

Without a doubt Ross and Rachel were the ultimate Will They, Won't They couple on TV. Throughout the entire run of Friends, audiences were enamored with Ross and Rachels journey, waiting to see if they would end up together. Which is why in Season 8 when Joey and Rachel started to get together, fans of Friends were immediately turned off by the notion. Many wonder why Friends creators would follow through with this story line, but thankfully it was very short lived. In the end Ross and Rachel do get together, but what would Friends have been like if Rachel and Joey actually worked out?

Venom should have been a home run. The legendary Spider-Man villain has an extensive history in comic books, has been adapted to animation, and sells millions of toys. Buy why, after 4 feature film appearances, have we not gotten a faithful adaptation of Venom? With Tom Hardy's Venom trilogy coming to a close with less than negative reviews, it begs the question, will we ever get a decent Venom appearance in a movie? Even more, will Venom ever grace the screen with the MCU's version of Spider-Man?

The Coen Brothers are some of the most prolific directors to ever step behind a camera. With timeless classics like The Big Lebowski, Fargo, Raising Arizona, and No Country for Old Men, their library of films are beloved by generations. But when the Coen Brothers decided to take a break for their solo efforts, something felt off. Both of the Coen Brothers films The Tragedy of Macbeth and Drive Away Dolls failed to resonate with audiences like their past works. Which proves that the Coen Brothers each bring something to the table that turns their scripts into masterpieces. Joel and Ethan Coen need each other, and hopefully they will reunite soon.

In the 90's, The Farrelly Brothers were the kings of comedy. Films like Dumb and Dumber, Kingpin, and There's Something About Mary all dominated box offices, and fans everywhere were obsessed. Though after a few missteps it seems the Farrelly Brothers had lost the magic. With follow ups to Dumb and Dumber, and attempts at bringing 90's comedy to the 2000's, each new release would do worse than the last. The Farrelly Brothers would eventually split and focus on their own projects, but like the Coen Brothers are they better together or apart?

Dwayne Johnson, aka The Rock, has become one of the most recognizable stars on the planet. From his introduction in the world of wrestling, to becoming the most bankable star in Hollywood, Dwayne Johnson has flourished mainly playing himself in every single movie. The Rock and Dwayne Johnson have become the same person, and that's what Hollywood wants. But with stars like John Cena and Dave Bautista spreading their wings and evolving as actors, it seems Dwayne Johnson is stuck in first gear. Will The Rock ever surprise us with a groundbreaking performance? Only time will tell.

The Office, whether it's the original UK Version or the US Remake, is known for it's cringe inducing comedy. Though nothing is more cringeworthy than the relationship between Dunder Mifflin Manager Michael Scott and his boss Jan Levinson. Throughout the entire run of The Office, Michael and Jan's will they won't they was a storyline many fans wished would never come to be. As the antithesis of Ross and Rachel on Friends, Michael and Jan gave The Office fans one of the worst couples ever put on television. Michael Scott would eventually move on from Jan, but The Office made that timeline almost unbearable to watch.

Superman Returns should have been a return to form for one of the most beloved superheroes ever created. Though Brandon Routh's turn as Superman didn't quite go as planned. Debuting 2 years before Iron Man would jumpstart the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Superman Returns attempted to bring light back to the world of superhero movies. Audiences however, were not ready to jump on board the coming book movie train just yet. The intentions were there, but Brandon Routh and Superman Returns team just couldn't get the franchise out of first gear. Paving the way for Zack Snyders eventual turn at jumpstarting his own Superman franchise.

Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy is widely known for it's deep characters, epic battles, and moments that transcend Tolkiens original work and bring a larger than life scope to all 3 films. Though there are moments throughout the Lord of the Rings that many fans see as more comedic or rediculous in the grand scheme of the story. But even in these light hearted moments, Peter Jacksons vision across the entire trilogy is magical. Everything lands with audiences because of his specific ideals surrounding The Lord of the Rings. We don't get moments like the Battle of Helms Deep without a little shield surfing on the side. Only Peter Jackson could have pulled this off with The Lord of the Rings.

When Ridley Scott's Gladiator first started production, they were without a major piece of the puzzle, a script. Even though it was light on pages, both Ridley Scott and star Russel Crowe believed this would be something special. As production on Gladiator moved forward, the script shortly came into focus after several writers were brought in. Eventually debuting to glowing reviews, and a massive box office haul, Gladiator would go on to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Starting without a script would be unacceptable in most cases, but Gladiator proved to be the exception to the rule.

Disney has a sequel problem. At this years D23 event, Disney announced their slate of upcoming movies for the 2025 season. And to the shock of almost no one, they were mostly sequels to existing Disney properties. With movies like Toy Story 5, Moana 2, Incredibles 3, Frozen 3, Zootopia 2, and many more, Disney seems to be spiraling in a pool of their own characters with no rescue in sight. But how did Disney get here? What happened to the creative powerhouse that gave us films like The Lion King, Snow White, and Aladdin? All signs point to one man, former disgraced CEO, Bob Chapek.

Theres no question that How I Met Your Mother had it's ups and downs throughout it's run on TV. While the season finale of How I Met Your Mother may have left a bad taste in the mouths of fans, the earlier seasons are sill some of the best sitcom episodes ever produced. Though this specific season of How I Met Your Mother stands above the rest. It's difficult to put season a perfect singular episode of a sitcom, but How I Met Your Mother was able to perfect an entire season.

Ridley Scott's Alien Franchise might be one of the most confusing and convoluted cinematic universes put to film. Having had multiple directors, prequels, sequels, and some retconning, the Alien Franchise timeline can seem confusing to even the most hardcore fan. So after the original Alien trilogy, two prequels, a match up against Predator, and a new installment into the series, what exactly is going on in the world of Alien? We'll walk you through everything from Alien to Alien Romulus so you know what's happening the next time we venture into space.

At this point, Michael Bay's Transformers franchise is the epitome of cinema excess. After a mostly well received first entry, the Transformers movies went off the rails immediately. Though one moment specifically cemented the Michael Bay Transformers as Hollywoods biggest joke, the following installments did nothing to quell that notion. Should Michael Bay have passed the torch after the first Transformers? Or would they have turned out to be a bloated mess anyway?

At this point, Seth Rogen has made such a name for himself in Hollywood that he can practically do anything he wants. With a string of cult classics like Superbad, Pineapple Express, Knocked Up, and countless others, Seth Rogen has proven himself a powerhouse in the entertainment industry. Though one movie, back in 2011, almost destroyed his career so badly, we might have never seen another project from Rogen again. The Green Hornet should have been an easy reboot for superhero hungry audiences. But when Seth Rogen portrayed The Green Hornet, fans universally rejected him and the movie. Luckily it was a small speed bump, and Seth Rogen came out the other side stronger than ever.

Opinions on the DCEU's Justice League film are mixed to say the least. After a troubled production schedule, and a director change near the finish line, The Justice League didn't make the splash DC executives were hoping for. Upon the release of Zack Snyders version, The Snydercut, fans started to come back around. Though the following entries into the DCEU quickly closed the doors on any potential sequels. Luckily plans for the almost sequels to the Justice League have surfaced, and thankfully we'll never see where Zack Snyder was headed next.

Dexter's run on television is often seen as having many up's and downs during it's airing on Showtime. With 8 seasons in the original series, a continuation with Dexter New Blood and an upcoming prequel series Dexter Original Sin, there have been many adversaries Dexter has gone up against. But no other villain in the series quite stacked up like the Trinity Killer. The Trinity Killer was Dexters most complex villain. Not only because of his characters background and motivation, but because the Trinity Killer was basically a mirror being held up to Dexter. But what exactly made him Dexter's greatest villain?

Sitcoms have been around for nearly a century. Shows like I Love Lucy, All in the Family, Friends, The Office, Parks and Rec, It's Always Sunny, Scrubs, 30 Rock and countless others have entertained audiences on TV for nearly a century. Though with recent trends in awards voting, it seems the typical sitcom has fallen off for more subversive shows in the genre. With shows like The Bear, Hacks, Barry and Atlanta sneaking into the Best Comedy category, it begs the question, can sitcoms just be funny anymore?

The Walt Disney Company was considered a pioneer for innovation in the film space. Disney's early animated feature films are considered all time classics and some of the best in the medium. Though in today's world, it seems Disney has fallen away from the creative innovation of yesteryear, in favor of an obsession with live action remakes of their beloved classics. Disney's Aladdin, Mulan, Snow White, Beauty and the Beat, Lion King, and countless others have undergone the live action treatment to very little success. Which begs the question, why was Disney so obesessed with bringing their classic characters into live action?

When Squid Game hit Netflix in 2021, fans everywhere were enamored with the world of greed and competition. Though many were quick to point out Squid Game's resemblance to another classic, Battle Royale. Squid Games creator did not shy away from the comparison, but although the two franchises might share some similarities, they achieve two different things. Squid Game season 1 proved that being a rip off, isn't always a bad thing. We'll see whether Squid Game season 2 lives up to the first season.

At this point, South Park is an institution. By far one of the most successfull animated shows ever put on television, South Park has maintained a level of relevancy far beyond any of it's competitors. Shows like The Simpsons, Family Guy, and Futurama all spend months cracking stories, and animating each episode. South Park stays ahead of the curve with their 6 Days to Air turnaround, allowing creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker to follow up on real world events almost in real time. It's no wonder after almost 3 decades, South Park is still one of the biggest shows on television.

Due to the SAG and Writers Strikes of 2024, there were a lot of questionable releases in theaters across the country. Though none were quite as bad as Eli Roth's Borderlands. Borderlands should have been a home run. It's a beloved video game franchise ripe for adaptation to the big screen. But even a star studded cast couldn't save Borderlands from being one of the worst movies of 2024. Thankfully, it doesn't seem like Eli Roth will get another chance to expand his version of the Borderlands universe.