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REVIEW: ‘Love in the Villa’ is Enjoyable

When most people think of quirky romance films, they’d rightfully think of either Lifetime or Hallmark, two networks known for their made-for-television romance titles. However, it looks like both networks will soon face competition from none other than Netflix. Having already staked its claim in cheesy holiday films, Netflix is adding to its list of titles with the addition of charming love stories featuring the enemies-to-lovers trope. Enter Love in the Villa, a cheesy Italian-set romance sure to delight.

Love in the Villa stars The Vampire Diaries actress Kat Graham and The Umbrella Academy‘s Tom Hopper as Julie and Charlie, respectively. Graham’s Julie is finally going on a trip to Verona – a trip she has planned for years – and she’s thrilled to be spending it with someone who means so much to her. She has meticulously planned every moment of the trip, including scheduling lunches and dinners for their entire vacation. Unfortunately, as she soon learns, things don’t always go to plan. And she soon finds herself alone in Verona, or so she thinks. The villa she’d rented for her romantic getaway is occupied by another guy and he has no intention of leaving. What ensues is a surprisingly rich romance story about finding yourself and letting go.

There’s nothing outright special about Love in the Villa. The plot is simple and ultimately predictable… but there’s something charming about this little film. It’s light-hearted and never tries to take itself too seriously. More importantly, though, there’s a chemistry between the leads that is hard to deny. It makes some of the more cheesier moments all the easier to sell. Graham and Hopper are magnetic. The way they play off of one another is key to the film’s success.

That’s also one of the best things about Love in the Villa. The characters are great – even the secondary ones. Uberto is a character with limited screen time, but he’s sure to become a fan-favorite. The little time he does have on screen is memorable despite very few lines. There are a few other characters that would be spoilers to note, but they help to carry the second half of the film and their presence is delightful. For a movie with such a simple concept, the character work is pretty impressive overall. Writer and director Mark Steven Johnson might have some misfires in his credits – Daredevil, Jack Frost, Ghost Rider – but Love in the Villa is proof he’s capable of crafting a strong romantic comedy.

Those eager for an enjoyable romantic comedy? Love in the Villa is definitely worth a watch. It’s easy to get lost in this love story and there are plenty of jokes to keep viewers laughing throughout. More importantly, though, it’s a nice showcase of the cast and their talents, especially when it comes to Graham, who hasn’t gotten the chance to show what she’s truly capable of just yet. Is it something that’ll bring upon numerous re-watches? Doubtful, but for the hour+ viewers will spend with this story, it’s a mini vacation that they won’t regret taking.

Love in the Villa is now streaming on Netflix.

September 1, 2022
REVIEW: ‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’ Episode 3

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law finally gets into its full groove in its third episode, and the result is the series’ best episode by far. By being able to embrace the half-hour story format, the show capitalizes on its concept and various parts to create some memorable and enjoyable television. But at the end of the day, Episode 3 is simple: it is wholeheartedly hilarious and full of constant literal laugh-out-loud moments.

With Wong’s introduction, the show once again proves it has strong connections to the MCU that it uses to enhance She-Hulk. The legal case-by-case structure essentially gives the show—apart from Jen’s overarching personal journey—the substance and story it needs on a weekly basis without the weight or pressure of actually needing a heavy overarching premise. There are clear breadcrumbs to a larger plot on the horizon, notably with the Asgardian construction worker-inspired Wrecking Crew that tried to take a sample of She-Hulk’s blood for “the boss.” But that tease is quite frankly the least interesting part of the episode by far.

The focus on smaller-scale stories also gives She-Hulk the space it needs to be genuinely funny and a pure comedy. Without the mandate of a slowly unraveling “main story”, each episode can just simply be enjoyed for what it is. The series can take elements, like Wong, from the greater universe and frame them in its own comedic lens without having to take on any responsibility for the true development of those characters or elements outside of this specific series. The cast, particularly the supporting cast, proves itself to be a formidable comedic vehicle when the narrative gives them the screen time. Josh Segarra’s Pug and Drew Matthews’ Dennis Bukowski handle the B-story without a problem and put in some of the best performances of the episode.

The pure absurdity contained in some of She-Hulk’s source material and comics generally is often not explored in live-action projects because it is—exactly—absurd. Phase 4 in general has been letting itself delve into that weirdness, but this series probably embraces the weird more than any other project. The simple joy of watching the “everyday life” of a Hulk and the Sorcerer Supreme along with the trivial and silly adventures they get into is virtually never part of the usual MCU experience. By not taking everything so seriously, She-Hulk gets to exist and breathe on its own, unique scale. But its resources make the small-scale stories feel much more exciting than if the revolving door of characters and clients was entirely new or bland. The show, through its connections to cameos and references, has an anchor in the MCU that keeps it from drifting into forgettable waters.

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’s third episode sees the series transform into what it is intended to be. Where the first two episodes jogged, Episode 3 sprints. The show is fully self-aware, and even directly calls out misogynistic patterns that surround female superheroes and woman-led projects, particularly on social media. She-Hulk has nothing to prove to those who cannot handle the concept of a “She”-Hulk getting attention. For the rest of the world, this episode proves that the series is a hell of a good time.

September 1, 2022
‘She-Hulk’ Episode 3 Includes A Potential Captain America Connection

Through three episodes She-Hulk has already made a habit of sneaking in comic book characters and Easter eggs in addition to tying itself into all corners of the MCU. The A plot of Episode 3, “The People vs. Emil Blonsky”, focused on one of the MCU’s oldest villains in Tim Roth’s the Abomination and, in doing so, may have brought a Captain America connection to light.

Episode 3 picks up right where Episode 2 left off with Jen confronting Blonsky about his breakout from prison, which was captured on camera and has become national news. Since Jen was working on Blonsky’s potential parole, the footage is kind of an issue. Jen’s status as a female superhero lawyer and the bad news footage of Blonsky fighting Wong quickly become talking points for all the talking heads of the world (the writers created a WONDERFUL satire of the real world in this episode), including one by the name of Jefferson Coop, played by Mahdi Cocci. As part of his show, The Conversation, Coop interviews the prosecutor who put Blonsky behind bars all those years ago after his rampage in Harlem. And, as it turns out, that prosecutor has some big-time connections!

The prosecutor, played by Jason Turner, goes by the name of Gideon Wilson. In the comics, Gideon Wilson is the name of both Sam Wilson’s brother who has some pretty significant connections to gamma-related characters. While Sam’s sister, Sarah, was introduced in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, no mention was made of another sibling. Like in the comics, the Wilsons were born in Harlem, however, it has also been established that they moved to Louisiana where they were raised. While it’s not made clear in the episode if Gideon is indeed Sam’s brother, it’s possible he moved back to Harlem to pursue his law career where he was born. So for now it’s best to take it as a cool Easter egg and keep an eye on whether or not Gideon pops back up in the future. Either way, Jessica Gao and company certainly have displayed a knack for dropping in some wonderful comic book connections!

September 1, 2022
REVIEW: ‘Stargirl’ Season 3 Premier-“The Murder”

Blue Valleys’ resident superhero is back! The third season of Stargirl is setting up what looks to be a much more character-focused, slow burn compared to previous seasons. The Frenemies theme teased towards the end of the second season makes things feel a whole lot more personal this season and the dynamics that it brings into this chapter could be the most enticing aspect of the season, as it feels like it’s the only thing really going on.

Season 3 brings quite a few familiar faces back into the spotlight, with characters such as Sportsmaster, Tigress, Gambler, and the long-awaited arrival of Joel McHale as Sylvester Pemberton, who returned at the tail end of Season 2 after being teased over the course of the past two seasons. Pemberton’s return brings the dynamic between him and Courtney into focus, bringing up the question as to how the two would be able to co-exist as the only two who’ve ever been able to wield the cosmic staff. Courtney is obviously a bit hesitant but eager to learn more about the cosmic staff from the old hero.

Courtney has gone on to make a life in Blue Valley as Stargirl with the support of both her family and her friends; Sylvester never properly gave up the mantle and of course, his first notion would be to find the staff as its really all he ever knew, he lived and breathed those cosmic rays until he was put six feet under by Icicle. The whole mystery behind his return is still a bit murky, with Sylvester speculating that the staff may have made him almost immortal with the energy it radiates.

Courtney has always been the show’s strongest character, which is a good thing when she is your title character, and the hatchet burying this season really allows room to explore the heights and limits of her heroic nature. We get to see these limits put to the test as she must juggle working alongside Cindy Burman after facing the consequences of releasing Eclipso. Courtney works as the glue, the optimist amongst the few who don’t trust as easily as she does. Cindy’s inclusion in the Justice Society obviously leaves some members feeling a bit uneasy about the situation, as they believe she doesn’t deserve redemption.

The end of the episode provides quite the revelation. The Gambler’s return is quickly shuttered, as the retired Injustice Society member is cut down by a mysterious assailant, just after discovering a system of cameras had been setup around Blue Valley. These cameras are likely monitoring the town for what could only be the experiment teased by Mister Bones at the end of season 2.

August 31, 2022
‘House of the Dragon’ Loses Showrunner, Adds ‘Game of Thrones’ Veteran for Season 2

Here’s a shocking twist but the currently biggest show on television and streaming, House of the Dragon, has just lost one of its showrunners. Director Miguel Sapochnik is stepping down from the project. It seems the reason is mostly due to investing three years into the prequel series but it seems Ryan Condal will remain as the series’ now-sole showrunner moving forward. George R.R. Martin is still actively involved as a consultant.

Sapochnik has shared the following statement on his departure:

Working within the Thrones universe for the past few years has been an honor and a privilege, especially spending the last two with the amazing cast and crew of House of the Dragon. I am so proud of what we accomplished with season 1 and overjoyed by the enthusiastic reaction of our viewers. It was incredibly tough to decide to move on, but I know that it is the right choice for me, personally and professionally. As I do so, though, I am deeply comforted to know that Alan will be joining the series. He’s someone I’ve known and respected for a long time, and I believe this precious series could not be in safer hands. I am so glad to remain a part of the HBO and House of the Dragon family and, of course, I wish Ryan and his team success and all the best with season 2 and beyond.
Miguel Sapochnik

Not all is grey, as Sapochnik has a first-look deal with HBO and will be developing other projects. He also still has an executive producer role on House of the Dragon. It also seems like they have added a new director for the upcoming second season, as Game of Thrones veteran, Alan Taylor, will also join in with an additional executive producer role. He is set to tackle multiple episodes in the second season, but there’s no definite statement.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

August 31, 2022
Regan Aliyah Joins Marvel Studios ‘Ironheart’ Disney+ Series

While Ironheart has been in production for some time, it looks like their casting announcements aren’t taking a break anytime soon. Deadline has just reported that XO‘s Regan Aliyah has joined the upcoming Disney+ series in an unknown role. There’s no word how big her role might be, but she’s joining a stacked cast that includes Dominique Thorne as Riri Wiliams, Alden Ehrenreich, Anthony Ramos, and many more.

The series is shaping up to be one of the MCU’s most interesting, especially with recent reveals adding a few curious questions on how it connects to the wider MCU storyline. Leaks seemingly hint at her iconic armor being showcased in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever while set photos hinted at her still working on one during the Disney+ series as it has a much bulkier design in comparison.

There have been theories that perhaps this show acts as a prequel leading into the event of the upcoming film, which would be a first. WandaVision was released ahead of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness so it would connect to the series. Yet, this would be the first case that a series explores a character’s story before they joined the silver screen. Of course, we don’t know yet and can only theorize but it’ll be interesting to see once we get a first look at the series.

Source: Deadline

August 31, 2022
Marvel Studios Paid a “Heavy Price” for the 90s X-Men Theme Song

The X-Men finally returned home when Disney purchased 20th Century Fox and while their Marvel Cinematic Universe debut is still some time away, we will still get the revival series for the 90s X-Men: The Animated Series titled X-Men ’97. Marvel Studios has used the iconic theme in some places to tease the eventual growing return of the mutants, but it seems getting their hands on it wasn’t so easy.

As revealed during a panel at Pennsylvania’s Steel City Convention, consultant Eric Lewald hinted that they paid a “heavy price” to get the rights back to that iconic theme song. To use it for the upcoming X-Men revival series and in the MCU, they had to negotiate with a second person holding the rights according to Lewald, who stated that:

“[The X-Men: The Animated Series theme song] wasn’t a done deal necessarily when they were producing the new show. The rights were all over the place. I think a secondary person had the rights to the music, so it was a negotiation for them. Obviously, you can’t do the new show without that song. But the guy selling it knew the same thing, so I’m sure it was a heavy price.
Eric Lewald

It’s no wonder that they’ve decided to use it as often as they could. While some made statements that it was for nostalgia bait reasons, it not only offers a memorable cue to connect any mutant joining the franchise but you’d also want to make use of something you paid quite a bit for.

Source: ComicBook.com

August 31, 2022
‘Rick and Morty’ Creators On Track to Release “a Season a Year”, Stating it Could “Run Forever”

Rick and Morty fans have been quite excited to get their hands on the latest season. The next season has been teased with the simple tagline “Wormageddon” as they started promoting what’s to come once the series returns for its sixth season. Back in 2018, the series was ordered for 70 new episodes by Adult Swim but it looks like the creators believe that the series “could run forever” in an interview with The Wrap.

Justin Roiland got a chance to talk about what the future might have in store for Rick and Morty. They seem to be at a point where the series could continue for quite a bit longer than the already established deal.

I think the show could run forever. The show could run as long as we want it to.
Justin Roiland

Dan Harmon, who co-created the show with Justin Roiland, pointed out that they never conceived it with a fixed endpoint, which is why they can imagine it running for as long as it needs to.

As far as the longevity of the show, to me, it just feels infinite. That’s kind of the easy part. And I think that might be the cause of some frustration on the fans’ part, because my original commitment to just, I think a good TV show is one that lasts 1000 episodes. You don’t design a paper airplane to land at a certain spot a certain distance for you. A good paper airplane is the one that stays in the air forever, and that’s impossible but you fold it in a way that that’s the goal.
Dan Harmon

If you’ve wondered what that means for the future. Well, it seems that the team is at a point where they can commit to a season every year, which is a far cry from the long waits in-between releases in the earlier seasons.

This is the strangest thing I’ve ever said about the show and it still feels unreal to say it, but we’ll be doing a season a year now. I still don’t understand how that’s possible. But that’s why it never happened on my watch. [Showrunner] Scott [Marder] is able to keep us on a schedule that mostly involves being so ahead of schedule that we can actually release things in a timely manner.
Dan Harmon

It’s definitely a departure from where the series started and time will tell how it continues going on similar to The Simpsons. In the same interview, they even make a comparison but highlight that it depends on “if the network wanted and if the fans wanted.” So, as long as people continue to return with each new season we’ll likely see a lot more of it moving forward.

Source: The Wrap

August 31, 2022
‘Servant’ Star Joins ‘The Omen’ Prequel

Horror prequels seem to be the new trend right now. Orphan just recently got a prequel and it seems that 20th Century is interested in attempting something similar with The Omen. Deadline has just reported that Apple TV+’s breakout star Nell Tiger Free has joined the upcoming prequel, set to be titled First Omen, in a leading role. The actress has just made her mark with her work on Servant and is joining Arkasha Stevenson‘s feature directing debut. Tim Smith will rewrite the project together with Stevenson.

David S. Goyer and Keith Levine are producing under their production label Phantom Four with Gracie Wheelan overseeing the project. It’ll act as a prequel to the 1976 classic, which made $60M domestically and followed the story of an American ambassador that believed his 5-year-old child is the Antichrist.

There are no details on exactly how they’ll tackle this project but it does seem likely that they’ll follow another family facing a similar challenge. Perhaps they’ll take a different direction and potentially explore how the Antichrist was brought into the world. Some cult exploration could make for a fun storyline and make it stand out from the story it’s leading into, but there’s a chance it may simply take the classic and repeat the storyline with a new family.

Source: Deadline

August 31, 2022
Around The League: AFC North
Last time, we looked at arguably the worst division in football. Today, we look at, arguably, the best division in football. In one corner, you have a Pittsburgh Steelers team who will always be well-coached no matter who plays QB. In another, you have a Baltimore Ravens team who saw half their team snapped away due to injury like the Avengers. In the third corner, a Cleveland Browns team that will rightfully be without the QB they traded the farm for most of the season. And then in the last corner rests the reigning defending conference champion Cincinnati Bengals, coming off their best year in years and aiming to finish the job they started last year.

Let’s boogie.
1. When does Kenny Pickett start? The Steelers will have a first-round QB to start the season, so in that regard, it is no different than when they had Ben Roethlisberger. Which first-round QB it will be? Well, that’s the question. Mitch Trubisky signed in the offseason and has looked solid if unremarkable. Kenny Pickett, to the surprise of many, has actually looked like he belongs, and that’s without the assortment of weapons he should have when the season begins. Najee Harris, Diontae Johnson, and Pat Freirmuth should be all systems go when the season starts, and the Steelers’ defense has added pieces and should return to form this year. While Trubisky should be able to navigate an early season terrain, it might make more sense for the Steelers to see what they have in their young QB sooner rather than later.
2. Can the Bengals repeat? The most significant difference from Joe Burrow’s first season to last year can be summed up in two words: Ja’Maar Chase. Sure, the Bengals spent on the defense, and you saw that come together really well, but Chase was the most game-changing rookie WR since Odell Beckham, Jr. He opened things up for Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, and helped cover up A LOT of OL deficiencies. In year two for him, it will be interesting to see how defenses cover him because the Bengals go as he goes. If defenses have figured him out, there is a good chance the Bengals don’t repeat.
3. Can Jacoby Brissett win enough to have the nasty man’s return matter? Jacoby Brissett is not a good QB, and the Browns would’ve been better off trading for Jimmy Garrapolo to salvage their season. Instead, they chose not to acquire a good QB (or, at least, a QB that could run their offense well enough to where the defense can carry them), and will now try to tread water for 11 games until their franchise QB can make a late-season run. With Nick Chubb, a really good OL, Amari Cooper at WR, and two solid TEs, he won’t have to do much under normal circumstances, but the Browns begin on the road versus Carolina before taking on an improved Jets roster. They then get Pittsburgh, Baltimore, New England, Cincy, and the Chargers over five of the next seven games. The Browns could be 0-9 before Thanksgiving, and then it won’t matter if the QB is coming back because the season will be over.
4. Who catches Lamar’s improved passes? Before getting hurt, Lamar was showing great strides at QB from the pocket. He was, also, beginning to develop chemistry with Rashod Bateman, who led the Ravens WRs in first downs. This off-season saw the Ravens trade Hollywood Brown, and add Coastal Carolina TE Isaiah Likely and Iowa State TE Charlie Kolar. It is a lot to ask rookie TEs to contribute in year one, which means Bateman and TE Mark Andrews will be asked to carry the Ravens’ passing attack. Whoever emerges after them is in line for heavy-duty targets, and will go a long way towards determining if the Ravens return to the top of the division.
August 31, 2022