In Predator: Badlands, director Dan Trachtenberg once again proves that the Predator franchise works best not as a blockbuster spectacle, but as a stripped-down survival drama. Following the critical success of Prey (2022), which set the alien hunter loose in 18th-century Comanche territory, Trachtenberg returns with a new setting, new characters, and a familiar premise: when Earth’s future technology meets the Predator, the battle is never just for survival — it’s for the soul.
Forty-two years after audiences first plunged into the shimmering neon circuitry of Tron, and over a decade after Tron: Legacy revived the franchise with sleek, high-gloss bravado, Tron: Ares arrives like a signal from another world — one both hauntingly familiar and thrillingly new. Directed by Joachim Rønning, the film achieves what so few franchise revivals dare: it deepens the mythos without drowning in nostalgia. The result is a stunning, ambitious, and surprisingly emotional continuation that cements Tron as one of Disney’s most visionary science-fiction sagas.
Step onto 46th Street’s iconic Restaurant Row, and you’ll find yourself in the middle of New York’s dining kaleidoscope. Yet among the countless eateries vying for attention, Pulperia shines as a destination that feels both intimate and grand, rooted in Latin/Mediterranean tradition yet brimming with modern vibrancy. From the moment you enter, Pulperia exudes a Latin-esque homecoming. Whether you’re sipping sangria or gathering with friends over shared plates, the atmosphere balances sophistication with approachability.
If New York has a brunch personality, it’s a little impatient, a little indulgent, and always looking for something worth posting before the first bite. Socarrat Chelsea, the cozy Spanish spot on West 19th Street, fits that bill without feeling like it’s trying too hard. Known for its authentic paella and tapas at dinner, Socarrat has taken the leisurely weekend meal and dressed it in Iberian flair. The brunch menu blends familiar comforts with Spanish soul, and the result is a table full of vibrant flavors that make you wish siesta were legal in Manhattan.
In the ever-expanding universe of superhero cinema, few franchises have had as tumultuous a journey as the Fantastic Four. After several iterations that struggled to strike the right chord, ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ arrives not only as a much-needed course correction but also as a vibrant, heartfelt reimagining that feels entirely fresh — and refreshingly human.
It’s rare to come across a film that stops you in your tracks—not with bombast or spectacle, but with honesty. The Life of Chuck, directed by Mike Flanagan, is exactly that kind of film: a quietly powerful, emotionally rich journey that defies expectations and lingers long after the credits roll. Going in without any knowledge of the story it’s based on, I was struck not just by the film’s originality, but by how gracefully it explores the beauty and fragility of life itself.
Disney’s 2025 live-action film Lilo & Stitch, directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, is a heartfelt and occasionally chaotic blend of science fiction and family drama set against the vibrant backdrop of Hawai‘i. For those unfamiliar with the original 2002 animated version, this adaptation serves as an engaging introduction to a unique and emotionally resonant story about love, loss, and what it truly means to be a family.
Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts* is the bold, exhilarating, and surprisingly heartfelt team-up movie fans didn’t know they needed. Departing from the more traditional heroism of the Avengers, Thunderbolts* dives deep into the grey areas of morality with a cast of antiheroes and misfits. Under the sharp direction of Jake Schreier, and with a script that balances intensity, humor, and emotional weight, the film redefines what a Marvel ensemble movie can be.