The Commencement ushers in a year of captivating films
Origin sets the stage for an electrifying year of cinema, offering a tantalizing brew of gripping storytelling, captivating discussions, must-hear soundtracks, and highly anticipated on-screen experiences Get ready for an exhilarating ride!
New year, new content.
Welcome to 2024. We embrace this year and are hopeful that good times, they are a-coming.
After a tumultuous year in pop culture and entertainment, with SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, we are hopeful for a calmer and more exciting industry. One movie in particular is generating anticipation and giving us hope for the future.
Something to sip onâ¦
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, left-center, and Jon Bernthal, left, in a scene from "Origin."
ARRAY Filmworks/J4R
Full disclosure: Ive known Ava DuVernay since before she became a famed movie director.
Back then she worked in public relations, and was already great at grasping what makes for a great story.
The upcoming movie "Origin" is already generating a lot of buzz as a must-see film, even before its release. Based on Isabel Wilkerson's book "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents," the adaptation is truly remarkable.
DuVernay wrote and directed this project, tackling various human issues such as prejudice and grief. What sets this achievement apart is DuVernay's ability to make the audience reflect without overwhelming them with the weight of these topics, along with an outstanding performance by star Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor.
The lack of attention for "Origin" so far in this awards season has been surprising to me. I was hoping for Oscar nominations, but hopefully audiences will give it more love and the Academy Awards will recognize its true worth.
One thing to talk aboutâ¦
Cardi B and Offset in March 2023.
Alberto Rodriguez/Variety/Getty Images
Cardi B and Offset have had multiple breakups, so it's no surprise that their relationship seems to be constantly on and off. Most recently, Cardi B shared some TMI by revealing that she hooked up with her estranged husband on New Year's Eve.
While it's understandable that adults engage in adult behavior, Cardi B has a history of strongly responding to negative comments about her personal life on social media. Perhaps oversharing about her marriage doesn't help deter this behavior.
You should listen toâ¦
A scene from 2022's "The Batman."
Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
Podcasts don't have to be limited to real-life topics.
I may be a bit behind, but I'm fully immersed in "Batman Unburied," a Spotify podcast where a serial killer is wreaking havoc in Gotham. However, Bruce Wayne has no recollection of being Batman and, as a result, cannot protect the city.
Its seriously engaging even if you arent a major Batman fan. Which is not to say you wont be by the time you finish the podcast.
Stream it on Spotify.
Cant wait to watchâ¦
Raymond Trapani in "Bitconned. "
Netflix
Netflix excels in producing captivating true crime documentaries, and "Bitconned" is one of its newest releases. This documentary offers a compelling exploration of individuals who exploited the unregulated realm of cryptocurrency to deceive others.
Mind you, plenty of people still dont even understand bitcoin and such, but we all get being conned.
Its currently streaming on Netflix.
