Author: The DHK

When “Squid Game: The Challenge” was announced as an inevitable “real life” version of the global phenomenon “Squid Game,” we were concerned. But after watching the competition series, consider us converts! While the series doesn’t quite have the character driven emotional complexity of its fictional counterpart, it does scratch that primal competitive itch. Fans of “Survivor” and “Big Brother” will find themselves right at home here. Since actual murder of the competitors isn’t on the table, the show found ways to up the social game. As a byproduct fans of other reality competition shows will recognize that the producers have…

Disney’s “Wish” is an easter egg filled tribute to the studio’s 100 year history. Following in the footsteps of many classic Disney musicals, the film features the vocal stylings of Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose (“West Side Story”) as Asha. She finds herself at odds with the ruler of Rosas, the kingdom where she resides. Reigning over Rosas is King Magnifico, voiced by Chris Pine (“Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves”), who has a monopoly on magic. He occasionally puts his powers to good by granting the wishes of the denizens of his domain. Though in order to do so,…

While “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” returns us to Panem, it’s not a trip we’re sure we wanted to take. Set decades before the events of “The Hunger Games” the prequel focuses on the relationship between semi-privileged savant student Coriolanus Snow (played here by Tom Blyth and in the later films by the great Donald Sutherland) and games tribute Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler). Though the general consensus is the film stays relatively faithful to the book of the same name, that doesn’t mean all adaptations are built the same. “The Hunger Games” greatly benefitted from…

Our favorite king of the kaiju roars back into our lives with the new Apple TV+ series, “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.” We had the opportunity to speak to showrunner and co-executive producer Chris Black, executive producer Matt Fraction, director / executive producer Matt Shakman, and VFX supervisor Sean Konrad about bringing the legend to life.  Kurt Russell and his son Wyatt Russell both play versions of Lee Shaw. Through his and his Monarch compatriots’ eyes we see the institution’s discovery of Godzilla and fellow titans. See your expectations when it comes to one of the world’s most famous behemoth. Directionally…

The film may be called “The Marvels,” but the show belongs to Iman Vellani’s Ms. Marvel. In a powerful trio of heroes, she brings a light and buoyancy to the role that is a refreshing tonal dopamine hit. She’s paired with Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers (aka Captain Marvel) who gives us a much more stoic performance in this. Rounding out the trio is Teyonah Parris as the grown up Monica Rambeau, who we last saw powered up in “WandaVision.” Director Nia DaCosta does an admirable (though oft uneven) job of weaving in the trio, whose powers get intertwined. She and…

Call your therapist, your favorite and least favorite animated emotions are back in the new trailer for “Inside Out 2.” The sequel film follows a now teenage Riley navigating a torrent of feelings, including newcomer Anxiety. Maya Hawke joins to voice the new character, and we sense she’ll live up to her namesake.  Picking up the directorial torch from Pete Docter (who directed the first and now serves as Chief Creative Officer for Pixar Animation Studios) is Kelsey Mann. Mann is credited with the story for “The Good Dinosaur” and directed the “Monsters University” related short, “Party Central.” While Amy…

We had the chance to speak to director Jessica Yu about her new Sandra Oh / Awkwafina led comedy, “Quiz Lady.” Television trivia show fanatics will delight in the not so subtle homages to one of the longest running quiz shows in history. In the film, Awkwafina plays a savant level font of factoids. Oh plays her reckless and irresponsible older sister. The duo run into trouble when their mother’s gambling debts come to haunt them. Oh proposes participating in the show Awkwafina is obsessed with as a fast way to earn the cash. The host of said show is…

We had the opportunity to chat with “The Continental: From the World of John Wick” executive producer/director Albert Hughes, and action director/stunt coordinator Larnell Stovall. Hughes is best known for “The Book of Eli,” “Menace II Society,” and “Dead Presidents.” We chat about minority representation, particularly in period pieces, intersectional influences, and having to get creative with weaponry and sound. Stovall has worked on the “John Wick” franchise directing action and stunt coordinating. He goes over the challenges of adapting traditional martial arts (particularly karate) for the screen, translating the movements of Ian McShane’s Winston to Colin Woodell’s younger interpretation…

Everyone’s favorite god(s) of mischief return for “Loki” season two, and things are going to get more complicated than ever. Picking up directly where season one left off, Tom Hiddleston’s Loki returns to a post Kang / He Who Remains Time Variance Authority (TVA). If your memory is feeling a little fuzzy about season one (of note this is the first time a Marvel show has gotten a second season, but likely not the last), thankfully Miss MInutes (voiced by the prolific Tara Strong) is on hand to give you a reminder in the first episode.  The high level arc…

NerdBot is delighted to debut this exclusive clip from “Night 3” of “The Continental: From the World of John Wick.” In this preview of what’s to come we find Yen (Nhung Kate) facing off against Gretal (Marina Mazepa) in a brutal, bone crunching, brawl. As a refresher, Gretal is the twin NOT sporting the Lord Farquad haircut… “Night 3” finds a young Winston Scott (Colin Woodell) in the final throes of preparing to mount his assault on the Cormac (Mel Gibson) controlled Continental. Along with his cohort of criminals (and civilians), Winston must figure out how to outwit his former…