Author

Julian Cannon

Julian Cannon is a seasoned entertainment editor with a keen eye for capturing the pulse of the industry. With a career spanning over a decade, he has become a trusted voice in the realm of TV, movies, events, conventions, and red carpets. Julian's expertise lies in delivering insightful commentary on the latest trends, exclusive interviews with industry luminaries, and comprehensive coverage of high-profile events. Twitter: @Julianexcalibur Instagram: @Julianexcalibur Contact: Julian.theknockturnal@gmail.com

Joseph Sikora and Michael Rainey Jr. Power Book IV Force
FeaturedTV

Joseph Sikora and Gary Lennon Explain Why the Power Book IV: Force Finale Was Always Building Toward Tommy and Tariq’s Reunion

by Julian Cannon
written by Julian Cannon

Power Book IV: Force concluded this week with its series finale.

While the ending of Force was divisive among the fanbase, there are stories that were left open to explore. Those include the possibility of Vic and Jenard teaming up, Mireya leaving to go to her family so she can raise her and Tommy’s child, and the current political state in Chicago.

The big one is the rumored Power: Legacy spinoff between Tommy Egan and Tariq St. Patrick. Force’s series finale had the return of Tariq as he helped Tommy, and even had a conversation with D-Mac about their fathers. Back at PaleyFest, Joseph Sikora and showrunner Gary Lennon exclusively told The Knockturnal that they filmed multiple endings of the series finale. While the two did not specify the content of what was filmed, the entire story was always going to lead up to Tommy and Tariq reuniting.

“It’s always been the same idea of the story. There were ideas of how to set stuff up just to throw [people for a loop], to make sure stuff didn’t necessarily get leaked,” said Sikora. “But the outcome was always going to be Tariq showing up.”

“We talked about filming a couple of different endings because we didn’t want anyone to know exactly what was going on. And so there were a couple of different endings discussed so that we could throw people off the hint or the smell of what really we were going to do,” said Lennon.

Joseph Sikora acknowledged how difficult it is to land an ending that truly resonates with fans. Sikora added that concluding any chapter of the Power universe is especially challenging because the goal is to satisfy the audience without giving too much away. The finale needed to be unpredictable but not confusing, exciting yet still grounded within the established world of the show. Sikora praised writers and director Robert Townsend for doing an incredible job, calling the finale expertly calibrated.

“I think Robert Townsend did an amazing job directing this, keeping everybody in the same episode, the same show, and challenging everybody to do their absolute best,” said Sikora. “And I think that everybody delivered in terms of performance and the writing and the symbiosis between the two was palpable.”

From a showrunner’s perspective, Gary Lennon said one of the most exciting parts of the process is seeing words on a page transform into a finished scene. What begins as black and white text becomes something alive through collaboration with the cast and crew. Lennon also revealed that some of the finale’s most impactful choices came together late in the process. He explained that the decision to use 50 Cent’s original Power theme at the end of the scene wasn’t planned until they were deep in the editing room. After watching the sequence repeatedly and sensing that something was missing, Lennon suggested trying the song, a choice that ultimately helped the moment fully click.

“To actually see Joseph and Michael Rainey Jr. on the roof looking at each other, they have their own personal history, the characters have their own personal history, and I think all of that reads into their performances,” said Lennon. For me, along with Robert’s direction as well, it was a well-written scene, and then they really elevated and made it magic, because to me, that last moment is magic.”

The next time Tommy Egan will grace the screen will be on Power: Origins. This time, it will be his younger self, who will be portrayed by Charlie Mann. Origins is going to be set some time between the late 1990’s to the early 2000’s as this chapter in the Power Universe will showcase the rise of Ghost and Tommy.

Joseph Sikora told us he has not spoken with Charlie yet, but he is really looking forward to it. He has heard great things and has been told that Charlie is putting in 110% effort. He believes Sascha Penn is going to come up with some fun, exciting material. Sikora is a big fan of Raising Kanan and also directed the third episode of season five. He can’t wait to see what they come up with for Tommy’s journey.

“I know that Sacha will be very detail oriented and that he will honor the history that we’ve already established in the original Power show and Power Book IV: Force,” said Sikora.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
V/H/S Halloween
FilmThe Latest

Movie Review: V/H/S Halloween

by Julian Cannon
written by Julian Cannon

You must be wondering why I am reviewing V/H/S/Halloween in January instead of October, right? It’s because I did not have access to watch it like I did with the previous films in the franchise like V/H/S 85 and V/H/S Beyond.

I am really kind of torn on it. It’s not my favorite entry, but it’s definitely not the worst either. If anything, it’s more consistent than a lot of the franchise, even if the highs never hit as hard as some of the best segments across the series. I still had fun watching it, but with a Halloween-themed V/H/S I was expecting to love it, not just like it.

Diet Phantasma was goofy, over-the-top fun, but it got repetitive pretty fast. The idea itself only has so much mileage. That said, the fake commercial during the credits absolutely worked and might’ve been my favorite part of the segment.

Coochie Coochie Coo really didn’t land for me. I hated the baby theming and I’m completely over gross-out baby horror at this point. After Barbarian and some truly awful Tubi originals, I don’t need any more “look how disgusting breastmilk is” horror, please stop. Still, the lead actresses were entertaining and had great chemistry, which helped more than I expected.

Ut Supra Sic Infra was probably my biggest disappointment. Coming from the director of [REC], I expected something much stronger. The segment itself felt kind of empty and unfulfilling, but I can’t deny how impressive the effects were during the climax. I’m genuinely curious how that was pulled off. Also, it was nice seeing another Spanish segment in the series again.

Fun Size had some great jokes, but it also felt like wasted potential. A lot of the gags kept going way past their expiration date, and the candy factory setting was shockingly bland. I really wish they had gone full nightmare Willy Wonka instead of a generic industrial building. The hardest I laughed was when one of the girls just gave up and tried to climb onto the conveyor belt herself. My dumbest nitpick though is that given the reveal at the end, I have no idea how the pirate didn’t immediately notice the raw, meaty texture when tasting the candy.

Kidprint was a lot. People on Letterboxd talked about how disturbing it was, and honestly yeah, they weren’t wrong. I’m usually pretty desensitized to messed up horror, but this one hit on a different level. I actually had to pause the movie and take a break afterward. Unlike most V/H/S segments, which are gross but still kind of fun, this one just wasn’t fun at all. I thought the killer was too corny and the ending raises some weird logistical questions, but the grounded tone made it way more upsetting than expected.

Home Haunt completely saved the movie for me. It was fun, charming, festive, and easily the best segment of the bunch. I cared about the characters, the concept of a home haunt going wrong is perfect for this franchise, and the bedsheet ghost swarm was such a great “oh shit, it’s all real” moment. That final shot ruled. This is the only segment I’d go out of my way to rewatch.

I wasn’t as down on the wraparound as a lot of people seem to be. The concept felt very Meow Wolf Omega Mart, especially the payoff explaining why they were even trying to use ghosts to flavor soda. Still, it’s kind of a weird choice for a movie that’s supposed to be the Halloween entry.

Overall, I’d put V/H/S/Halloween right in the middle of the franchise, maybe somewhere in between V/H/S/99 and V/H/S/Beyond. I don’t get how anyone ranks it above V/H/S/Beyond, but that’s kind of the beauty of these movies. Everyone’s favorites and least favorites are totally different. I didn’t hate it, I just wanted to love it more, and at least the final segment made the whole watch worth it.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Entertainment

STARZ Locks in The Nowhere Man as Part of Its Action Heavy 2026 Slate

by Julian Cannon
written by Julian Cannon

STARZ has secured the exclusive United States rights to The Nowhere Man, a six part drama series that signals a continued push by the network into globally rooted, action driven storytelling. The series stars Bonko Khoza of The Woman King and Naturi Naughton Lewis, known for her work across the Power franchise and Notorious.

The Nowhere Man will premiere on January 16, 2026, with new episodes streaming weekly on Fridays on the STARZ app and across all STARZ streaming and on demand platforms.

Set in Johannesburg, the series centers on Lukas, portrayed by Khoza, a former Special Forces mercenary haunted by post traumatic stress disorder. Having abandoned his past life of violence, Lukas survives on the margins of the city as a junk collector. His attempt at anonymity is shattered when he witnesses a violent home invasion and steps in to help. That single decision pulls him back into a world he believed he had escaped, forcing him to confront unresolved trauma and the dangerous secrets tied to his former life.

Landing The Nowhere Man is a meaningful move for STARZ as it continues to broaden its slate with stories that feel both global and grounded. The series shows the network leaning into international settings and fresh perspectives while still delivering the kind of intense, character driven action its audience expects. By filming in South Africa and centering a story that blends spectacle with emotional depth, STARZ is signaling that its next wave of originals is about expanding representation without losing mainstream appeal.

The project also marks a notable reunion between the network and Naturi Naughton Lewis, who serves as both a lead actress and an executive producer through her company, Take Two Entertainment. Alison Hoffman, President of STARZ Networks, emphasized the significance of that return in a statement praising Naughton Lewis as a performer audiences already know and trust. Hoffman described The Nowhere Man as a strong addition to the network’s action offerings and positioned it as a timely response to viewer demand for immersive, adrenaline fueled series.

For Naughton Lewis, the series represents a creative milestone. She has described the project as an evolution in her career and highlighted the importance of collaborating once again with the STARZ team to tell a story that is both action packed and globally relevant. Her involvement as a producer underscores a broader industry shift toward performers taking on greater creative control and shaping the narratives they bring to the screen.

The Nowhere Man joins a robust lineup of STARZ originals anchored in action and drama. The network is currently airing the third and final season of Power Book IV Force, with its series finale scheduled for January 16, and is also rolling out Spartacus House of Ashur, a new chapter in the long running Spartacus franchise with weekly Friday releases.

The series was created by Motion Story and produced by Phillip Wolmarans and Nick Keulemans. Direction was handled by Fred Wolmarans and Gareth Crocker, with Crocker also serving as showrunner. Executive producers include Chris Lawrance, Colleen Lawrance, Sean Mikael Butler, Naturi Naughton Lewis and Two Lewis.

With its international production, high profile cast, and timely themes of trauma, redemption, and violence, The Nowhere Man positions STARZ to further strengthen its identity as a home for bold, globally minded storytelling while offering audiences a new perspective within the action drama space.

youtube.com/watch?v=83BSTbkMjgw&source_ve_path=MTc4NDI0

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Carmela Zumbado Power Book IV: Force
FeaturedTV

Exclusive: Power Book IV: Force’s Carmela Zumbado Reflects on Her Journey From Early Roles to Powerhouse TV

by Julian Cannon
written by Julian Cannon

Carmela Zumbado, known for her breakout role in “You”as well as appearances in “The Magicians” and “Chicago PD”, has built a career rooted in a lifelong love of performing. Now featured in “Power Book IV: Force”, she reflects on where it all began.

Continue Reading

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Power Book IV Force
EntertainmentTV

Power Book IV: Force Season 3, Episode 5 Review

by Julian Cannon
written by Julian Cannon

This week’s episode of Power Book IV: Force was one of the strongest installments the series has delivered in a long time.

From the opening scenes, the energy felt reminiscent of the original Power. Tommy’s strategic moves were sharp, calculating, and undeniably Ghost-coded. It was hard not to imagine Ghost watching proudly, because this version of Tommy is exactly the version that would have made their partnership unstoppable in the original series.

Shanti also rose to the moment. Her conversation with Tommy revealed that she has a clear understanding of the chaos surrounding the brothers she has aligned herself with. She is not a clueless villain wandering through danger. She understands exactly what she is standing next to. That is what makes her decision to tie herself to Jenard so fascinating. She knows the risks, yet she is choosing to play the game anyway. Her instincts are sharp, but she will need a contingency plan if she expects to survive what is coming.

Claudia finally received her standout episode and, ironically, the episode that sent her packing. She earned real respect when she decided to face Tommy one on one. In that moment she showed more courage than Jenard and Vic combined. Her determination to walk the walk, only to be taken out soon after, was one of the episode’s most striking arcs. The return of the Yardies, followed by their immediate downfall, added even more intensity. And the way Tommy outmaneuvered Stacy demonstrated the level of control he has reclaimed this season.

The emotional core focus also belonged to Mireya. She has been treating her relationship with Tommy like a rebellious escape from her brother’s shadow. That illusion shattered this week. She finally recognized that this world is not a romantic daydream but a violent reality that could destroy her and anyone near her. Elise, on the other hand, made the smartest move of the episode by taking the money and walking away before the crossfire consumed her too. Especially now since she is pregnant.

Looking ahead, the stage is clearly being set for bigger conflicts. Vic and Diamond remain unpredictable, Jenard continues to put his brother above everyone else, and King Kilo’s looming arrival promises even greater tension. Shanti’s warning to herself may end up being prophetic. Jenard will never choose her over Diamond, and loyalty to blood has always shaped the downfall of many characters in this universe.

The most emotional blow, however, is the foreshadowing of JP’s death. It is a twist that will devastate both Tommy and D-Mac, and it may be the moment that pushes Tommy into an all-out war. The episode’s parallel between JP and Raising Kanan’s Raq accepting their children’s path in the game adds a compelling contrast to Ghost, whose refusal to accept Tariq’s choices ultimately led to his undoing.

This episode of Power Book IV: Force delivered power, emotion, consequences, and momentum. It may very well be the turning point of the entire season.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
EntertainmentFeaturedTV

Exclusive: Starz’ Power Book IV: Force Filmed Multiple Endings to Prevent Finale Leaks

by Julian Cannon
written by Julian Cannon

At PaleyFest NY, Power Book IV: Force showrunner Gary Lennon told The Knockturnal that the team filmed multiple endings for it’s series finale just to keep the story from leaking.

Lennon said the Power universe has dealt with spoilers for years, and with how fast things spread online, they didn’t want the final big moments of Power Book IV: Force spoiled before fans got to see them. Shooting more than one ending kept everyone guessing, even on set, and helped make sure the last episode hits the way it’s supposed to.

“We had a lot of different endings that we could have chosen, and we thought that maybe there’d be a leak or something like that. So we wanted to make sure that we created the right ending when we shot the multiple endings,” said Lennon. “And we had a couple of choices to look at, and we decided on one that would be our final choice to make air.”

Lennon also admitted that filming alternate endings was kind of fun from a creative angle. It gave the writers room to try out different tones and see how each version changed the final vibe of the show. 

Joseph Sikora added his own take when he spoke with The Knockturnal on why the secrecy mattered. Sikora said that not knowing which ending was real actually helped him stay locked into Tommy’s mindset instead of thinking ahead. Playing each moment with that uncertainty made the performance feel more natural and in the moment. Sikora agreed with Lennon that the fans deserve to experience Tommy’s final chapter without leaks getting in the way, and filming multiple endings was the best way to make sure of it.

“I will say this, there were multiple ways that we felt this could end. And there were multiple ways that we filmed the ending,” said Sikora. “I would say that I think that [somebody very important to Tommy] will show up, but I can neither confirm nor deny that it will be Tariq.”

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts