Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 225

October 7, 2024

A Second ALIEN: ISOLATION is Coming, Developer Confirms

Alien: Isolation is BACK. So, who else has been waiting all these years? Well, the wait is effectively over….okay, not over, but we are at the end of the beginning.

On the 10-year anniversary of the game, developers Creative Assembly and Sega announced a second installment of the franchise is coming. There is not too much information available on the upcoming game other than the fact that it is actually happening. However, that is more than enough for us.

Alien: Isolation cover with Alison Ripley wearing a space helmet, looking worried.

Sega/Creative Assembly

The creative director of the series, Al Hope, confirmed in a message posted to Alien: Isolation‘s socials that the game is in early development and that they will be sharing more details soon. The game’s title and the platforms it will be available on have not yet been released.

Since they only just announced the game, it will probably take a few more years to reach our consoles, especially with it still in the early stages of development. But with how long Alien: Isolation fans have been waiting, what more is a little longer?

Sega/Creative Assembly

The game, released in 2014, is a first-person survival horror that aims to capture the look and feel of the original Alien film in 1979. You play as the principal character, Amanda Ripley. She is aboard the space station Sevastopol, where a strange alien creature lurks in its halls.

The newest franchise film, Alien: Romulus, sparked more excitement for a second Alien game, earning over $300 million globally. For a full cinematic timeline of the Alien cinematic series, check out the video below.

Whether you’re a nightmare mode veteran or stepping into Amanda Ripley’s shoes for that thrilling first attempt (good luck !), we wanted to express our deep gratitude. It was a dream project brought to life by a brilliant team, and the reception you have given it over the years is extraordinary,” said Hope.

To brush up on the game and keep yourself on edge, Alien: Isolation is the perfect game to tackle. It is currently digitally available for purchase on the PlayStation 4, Xbox, Microsoft, Apple, and Nintendo Switch.

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Published on October 07, 2024 12:21

Jacob Batalon Ignites Cinderace’s Flare Strike in a POKÉMON Showdown

Hey, Trainers! Welcome back to another episode of The Pokémon Trading Card Game: Scarlet & Violet—Stellar Crown Showdown miniseries. Geek & Sundry partnered with The Pokémon Company International on this series that puts decks from Scarlet & Violet to the test. Host Alison Mattingly throws down with celebrity guests, showing them the ropes of the Pokémon TCG and chatting with them about their lives and career. Last time, she played against Terry Crews. This time, it’s Jacob Batalon’s turn.

Now, for the deck lists!

GALVANTULA EX DECK LIST

Pokémon 18

4 Galvantula ex SCR4 Joltik SCR2 Blissey ex TWM3 Chansey MEW2 Bibarel BRS2 Bidoof CRZ1 Squawkabilly ex PAL

Trainer 32

4 Iono3 Professor’s Research2 Arven2 Boss’s Orders1 Crispin 2 Powerglass1 Sparkling Crystal4 Ultra Ball3 Buddy-Buddy Poffin3 Glass Trumpet3 Nest Ball2 Earthen Vessel1 Night Stretcher1 Switch

Energy 10

4 Lightning Energy3 Grass Energy3 Fighting Energy

CINDERACE EX DECK LIST

Pokémon 20

4 Cinderace ex SCR3 Raboot SCR4 Scorbunny SCR2 Infernape TWM1 Monferno TWM2 Chimchar TWM2 Bibarel BRS2 Bidoof CRZ1 Lumineon V BRS

Trainer 28

4 Iono4 Professor’s Research2 Colress’s Tenacity1 Boss’s Orders1 Artazon1 Grand Tree4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin4 Ultra Ball3 Rare Candy2 Earthen Vessel1 Super Rod1 Switch

Energy 12

5 Fire Energy5 Fighting Energy2 Darkness Energy Jacob Batalon holds Pokemon cards in the thumbnail for Stellar Crown Showdown

Geek & Sundry

Catch new episodes of The Pokémon Trading Card Game: Scarlet & Violet—Stellar Crown Showdown on the Geek & Sundry YouTube channel on Tuesdays at 12p.m. PDT!

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Published on October 07, 2024 12:12

Ewan McGregor Says Lucasfilm ‘Exploring’ OBI-WAN KENOBI Season 2 Ideas, Wants to Wear CLONE WARS Armor

Obi-Wan Kenobi brought Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, and Liam Neeson back to the galaxy far, far away. But will Lucasfilm bring the show back for a second season? McGregor says Disney is “exploring” ways to make Obi-Wan Kenobi season two happen. We don’t know what, if any, ideas they will settle on. What we do know now is what the Jedi Master would like to do if he returns. McGregor shared that his Star Wars dream is to strap on his character’s Clone Wars era armor in a potential Obi-Wan Kenobi season two.

During an onstage appearance (which we first heard about at GamesRadar and you can watch above, time stamp 1:30:00) at this year’s Los Angeles Comic-Con, Ewan McGregor answered a question about what else he’d like to do as Obi-Wan Kenobi… aside from just be in Obi-Wan Kenobi season two. McGregor shared, “I’d quite like to wear that armor […] from The Clone Wars,” he said. “I think that would be something I would enjoy.”

Based on the reaction from the crowd (minus one guy), those in attendance would enjoy that too. McGregor acknowledged going back to that time period would pose an obvious challenge. He’d have to look much younger. But whether that would mean trimming his beard or wearing “dots” on his face for three months so Lucasfilm could digitally de-age him for an Obi-Wan Kenobi season two, he said, “I’ll do it, I don’t care.” Especially because it would mean another reunion with his former prequel-era star. “That way Hayden and I can really get back together again,” McGregor said to roars.

Obi-Wan Kenobi shot from the finale for the Obi-Wan Kenobi Easter egg article

Lucasfilm

He also added there must be other stories worth exploring between the end Obi-Wan Kenobi‘s first season and the Alec Guinness era of the character in the Star Wars movies. And he might get the chance to do just that in Obi-Wan Kenobi season two. He also shared an unexpected update about him possibly wearing his Jedi robes once more. While talking about a second Obi-Wan Kenobi season he said, “We’re definitely hoping…well, exploring that, I think, would be the word to say,” he added.

“Exploring” is a far cry from “definitely happening,” yes. But it’s still an important step to making season two a reality. But if he’s willing to wears dots on his face for three months we know Obi-Wan Kenobi himself won’t be what keeps the show from coming back for season two.

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Published on October 07, 2024 12:11

OVER THE GARDEN WALL Returns with New Stop Motion Short for 10th Anniversary

Everyone’s favorite eerie classic animation miniseries is getting a long-awaited follow-up. Over the Garden Wall is celebrating its 10th anniversary, not only with collectibles straight from the Unknown, but also with a new two-minute stop-motion short that brings back the main protagonists, Wirt and Greg.

Cartoon Network

Patrick McHale, the creator of the Emmy-winning series, is collaborating with Aardman, the animation studio behind claymation legends Wallace & Gromit, and my personal idol, Shaun the Sheep, on the project. The post below offers a sneak peek of the Over the Garden Wall characters in stop-motion form. We don’t yet know what this 10th anniversary Over the Garden Wall short will depict or whether it will even have any kind of plot, but we are excited to find out.

Back into the Unknown 🍂 🐸 Our #OvertheGardenWall anniversary gift — a two-minute stop motion animated short in collaboration with @Patrick_McHale and @aardman. Coming Nov 3 to Youtube/social.#cartoonnetwork #autumnvibes #halloween #spookyseason #fallvibes #october… pic.twitter.com/I7dqPD9jtU
— Cartoon Network (@cartoonnetwork) October 7, 2024

McHale has contributed to various other projects in addition to his magnum opus above. He started his career on Cartoon Network, working as a writer and storyboard artist on both Flapjack and Adventure Time. Most recently, he co-wrote Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio. While Cartoon Network has overgone many changes over the years, we’re absolutely excited to see McHale return to his roots for Over the Garden Wall‘s 10th anniversary.

Over the Garden Wall follows brothers Wirt and Greg, voiced by Elijah Wood and Colin Dean, respectively, as they get lost in a forest called the Unknown. The series depicts their adventures as they try to find their way home.

Wirt looks at Greg who is in a hay stack.

Cartoon Network

Cartoon Network released Over the Garden Wall in 2014 as its first-ever miniseries. Which, as we’ve mentioned, makes it the 10th anniversary of the series already. McHale originally created Over the Garden Wall as an animated short, which later became a ten-part miniseries. After the series’ success, the creators also adapted it into an ongoing graphic novel series.

The new stop-motion Over the Garden Wall short will be available to watch on Cartoon Network’s YouTube and social media on November 3. Although the short may arrive a little late for Halloween, it’s still the coziest animation for any night in the Fall. To catch up before November, the Over the Garden Wall miniseries is available to stream on Hulu.

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Published on October 07, 2024 11:08

Mike Flanagan’s HUSH Coming to Blu-ray for First Time Ever, Also Releasing in Theaters and on Digital

Physical media is the only way to actually have ownership over the movies, TV shows, and music you love. FACT. Blu-rays and the like take up room, but they aren’t subject to the whims of a streaming service and its licensing agreements. How many of us have purchased a film or TV episode on Prime or Apple only to later learn it isn’t in your library? With Netflix, as we’ve seen with other services like Max, you never own the media. It can disappear without warning. That’s why we’re so thrilled to hear at least one of our favorite horror filmmakers’ film will get a physical release soon. Mike Flanagan will be releasing Hush on 4K UHD and Blu-ray on November 26. In addition, Hush has also released digitally (for purchase) and will be making its way to movie theaters.

Kate Siegel is unknowingly stalked by a masked killer in Hush.

Netflix

Recently, Mike Flanagan spoke to SlashFilm about his 2016 Netflix-exclusive movie Hush. Starring Flanagan’s frequent collaborator and spouse Kate Siegel, the movie follows a deaf novelist who lives in a house in the woods unaware a home invader lurks. It’s a very straightforward thriller, but offers some great tension. But Netflix took the movie off the platform, and it’s nowhere to be find at the moment.

“We took it back because I really value physical media,” Flanagan said. “Netflix, by policy, it does not work in their business plan. So we took it back. We do have a new home for it. I can’t say where.” He went on to say that they’ve been working on a fancy schmancy physical release for a year. “There will be a lot of really awesome surprises that we’ve been working on for a year to make this release awesome. It’s something that will be really exciting.”

As mentioned, Hush‘s physical release on 4K UHD and Blu-ray will arrive on November 26. And the movie has already released on digital VOD for your viewing pleasure. But if that weren’t enough, Mike Flanagan’s Hush will also finally arrive in US movie theaters on October 16.

A release shares of Hush‘s theatrical release:

Just in time to kickstart Halloween festivities, Shout! Studios, in collaboration with Mike Flanagan, Intrepid Pictures, and Blumhouse, announced today that Flanagan’s horror thriller HUSH is finally coming to U.S. theaters for a special engagement beginning October 16 at 6:30 pm PT (9:30 pm ET). The film has been fully restored and approved by Flanagan. This eagerly anticipated theatrical engagement will showcase a newly restored version of HUSH for the first time on the big screen. Additionally, the event screening will feature a livestream Q&A with filmmaker Mike Flanagan and actor/writer Kate Siegel. The live Q&A, featuring Flanagan and Siegel, is set to be held at Vidiots in Eagle Rock, California, immediately after the screening, and will be livestreamed to select theaters nationwide. Tickets are now on sale for HUSH and can be purchased online by visiting participating cinema box offices.

It’s Hush‘s world, and we’re all just living in it.

Originally published on June 4, 2024.

Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. He hosts the weekly pop culture deep-dive podcast Laser Focus. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Instagram and Letterboxd.

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Published on October 07, 2024 10:26

October 4, 2024

THE RINGS OF POWER’s Charlotte Brändström Talks Galadriel Being in Love with Halbrand and the Final Episode

In celebration of the final episodes of The Rings of Power season two, Nerdist sat down with the director of the season’s final episodes, Charlotte Brändström. Brändström spoke to us about what it’s like to direct epic battles, how to inject character into long fight sequences, and the motivations and fates of some of our favorite Middle-earth figures. She also mentioned that Galadriel was in love with Halbrand. That might make some of you very happy.

Galadriel Sauron The Rings of Power fight

Prime Video

You can read our full interview with Charlotte Brändström about The Rings of Power season two below.

Nerdist: I’d love to go back to season one for a minute and talk about the scene where Adar plants the seeds in the ground before the battle. To me, that was really formative for the character. What were your intentions with that moment when you directed it, and what do you think it revealed about Adar?

Charlotte Brändström: I always start, I mean, first of all, visually, I always like to start with a character moment and not with a geographic moment. I don’t like to find out where I am, but I want to know what it is about. So by starting on a very tight insert of the seeds, I make it mysterious, and I think it’s more gripping because you want to find out more, and it says something right away about the character. And then I cut to wide, and it’s a tendency that I’ve developed more and more, always starting small and going wide, because I feel you sort of grab the audience’s attention and you also, I mean, as I said, you create small character moments, and those are the moments that most important I think in the story.

the rings of power adar planting seeds (1)

Prime Video

Udûn also turned me into a big fan of the relationship between Galadriel and Adar, and I was thrilled that it came back into play this year. Can you talk a little bit more about directing the scenes between them throughout the seasons and their final one and what you wanted to convey about that connection?

Brändström: It was great because I think it’s about the fact that, I mean he gives her the ring back and he, in a way, I mean whoever they are, even the biggest villain, everybody has their reasons in life and they have the good side and bad side. You can’t say somebody is a hundred percent evil, and I feel like Adar has his terrible, very violent, very crazy moments. But his ultimate motivation is he’s the father of all the Orcs and he wants to create a home for them. So when he realizes he’s failed, he goes to Galadriel, and he tries to basically turn around and have her help him to do this. And then, obviously, he loses his life.

Prime Video

The moment where he turns around and he’s unscarred was a very intense moment, even just as a viewer. How did you work with Sam Hazeldine to perfect that scene?

Brändström: It was actually a lot of time because Sam’s prosthetic makeup for Adar takes four hours. I knew I could not shoot the scenes with them with and without makeup on the same day because I would lose four hours in the middle of the day, at least with him. So I had to go and do other things. So it’s really about shooting it one day and then trying to reshoot it again the next day for the transformation piece. And it was very hard for me and the DP, too, because we wanted the lighting to be the same.

So we tried to match the time when we shot it. So let’s say that I had done all the scenes Adar’s scarred face the previous day at 11 o’clock. I was trying to with the non-scarred face the next day at 11, and then I re-shot the whole scene twice with all the dialogue. Then, obviously, for the transformation, I needed some help from VFX, but a lot was done on camera.

And then, of course, Sauron kills Adar—what was built into that sequence?

Brändström: Well, I really wanted to, obviously it is about revenge. I mean, it was Sauron’s revenge on Adar. He basically tricked him, and he really took a lot of pleasure to have all the Orcs turn against him. And it was very important to me to create the same kind of top shot. This circle reminds us that everything is circular, just like the rings; it reminds us of the rings as well. And they were standing around him. So, obviously, we’re in episode eight, and it goes back to what I did in episode one.

Prime Video

When bonded characters reunite after separation, it’s always intense… Doubly, so if it’s Galadriel and Sauron, can you talk a bit about crafting their sword fight reunion and what you wanted them each to bring to that moment?

Brändström: Yeah, these are two very magnificent actors and also two extremely strong and magical characters in Middle Earth. And they were also the most powerful people there. So the fact that the two of them were fighting against each other, I wanted to be very epic. And when Sauron realizes that he’s not going to win, that’s when he starts to change shape to distract her. So he tricks her really. And he becomes Halbrand for a while because he knew the feelings Galadriel had for him. I also think that Sauron was almost disappointed in the end because I think he would have liked to have Galadriel as his queen.

And I think that even however malicious and dark Sauron is, he’s the Dark Lord, he also believes very strongly that he’s there to help Middle-earth. He’s going to heal it all. There’s a French film director from many years ago called Jean Renoir, and he always said in one of his films called The Rules of the Game that everybody has their reasons, always, and that’s what I go by. It’s like you always need to find what their motivation is and then the character becomes credible, too.

Sauron in his dark halbrand form in the rings of power season 2

Prime Video

Seeing Halbrand really affected Galadriel—what were her feelings for him?

Yeah. Galadriel obviously was in love with Halbrand. She was very attracted to him. So when Sauron changes shape… Sauron knows this because he gets into her head, so he knows what she’s thinking, what she’s feeling. So when he immediately takes Halbrand’s shape, he completely destabilizes her because that was her weakness. She had very strong feelings for the King, for Halbrand, obviously in the first season.

Was there a scene or character or actor that really surprised you while you were bringing them to life this season?

Brändström: Charlie Vickers, because Charlie is so normal and so lovely in real life, and when he gets these looks in his eyes, he really, in a very subtle manner, becomes so dangerous and so manipulative and so scary. So I said, wow, he’s a different, and it’s only in small nuances. He doesn’t need to do too much.

Sauron as the blonde-haired Annatar on The Rings of Power

Prime Video

In previous, you’ve said you love to inject story into your battle scenes and give characters time to see one another and antagonize each other in the midst of a fight. What were your favorite battle meets story moments?

Brändström: I think there were several moments. Look, it is when Elrond’s horse dies, and then Elrond becomes a bloodthirsty, almost killer warrior, and he goes in for it 100%. So that moment has a lot of different aspects. And when they all killed the troll together, that was great.

And another character moment is when Elrond realizes that Durin has betrayed him. He realizes Durin is not going to come. And so Elrond sits down and can’t find any more fight. So he looks at all the elves getting slaughtered and he just sits there. He’s given up because that loss is at the heart of what he’s about; he’s about friendship and loyalty. And then obviously the sword fight. The sword fight has a lot of stop-and-go moments, and I think it’s really important in action to have a stop-and-go. Not just keep doing it continuously because you stop caring very quickly.

Elrond in the lord of the rings the rings of power season two trailer

Prime Video

So, the choreography of the battle sequence was very well done. What really went into creating such a long elaborate battle scene?

Brändström: Well, we worked a lot in the beginning. I mean, we had the script, and then I worked a lot. Also, we have the second unit director, Vic Armstrong, who’s just an amazing person, and he was extremely helpful. So we were discussing the battle, and when I was busy on other things, he was really doing the design, helping to design it. But it was really about doing the advance piece by piece; I think it was about creating stakes constantly to understand why and where they were going. And it was working with models. I like to work with miniature models and move around an army and discuss with everybody and say, today, we are all going to be here, next to the wall, and this is what we’re doing.

You need to be like a general yourself, actually. You’re standing there and directing a battle. And directing the movie set with 500 people in it—it’s a bit like directing a battle, too.

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Published on October 04, 2024 15:53

5 Characters We Hope to Spot In the Second SUPER MARIO BROS. Film

After the massive box office success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Nintendo announced that the sequel is arriving in theatres on April 3, 2026. Although there are no new details about its supposed plot, there is intel that we may be seeing some niche characters in the upcoming film.

Mario and Luigi raise their arms in triumph in The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Illumination/Nintendo

In an interview with Keegan-Michael Key, the voice of Toad, he said, “We’re going to meet some new folks that are old favorites and some folks that I think are really deep cuts, but because of the way the story’s laying itself out right now, those characters are going to be very intriguing.”

What characters could he be referring to? Well, “Old favorites” and “deep cuts” definitely cover a lot of Mario characters, but here are five we are hoping to see in the upcoming film!

Lakitu Lakitu throws spiky eggs at Mario.

NintendoBase

Lakitu is a personal favorite of ours, but only through years of being one of our mortal enemies while playing both the main games and Mario Kart. Lakitu is a type of Koopa Troopa with glasses and no beak. He flies around in a cloud that has a smiley face on it. Mario usually encounters Lakitu while he throws spiked eggs that hatch into tiny four-legged Koopa.

Lakitu has been a popular enemy in the Super Mario Bros. games, but you may also remember him from the Mario Kart series, where he is the referee who starts off the game and eventually becomes a playable character option in later iterations of the franchise. Lakitu’s omission in the first film was surprising, considering his status as an OG Mario enemy.

Rosalina Roslina with yellow star sidekick.

Nintendo

Princess Rosalina is definitely a more recent figure compared to the rest on this list, but she has gained a strong fanbase since her debut in Super Mario Galaxy. Rosalina lives in space with her adopted children, the Lumas. In Super Mario Galaxy, Rosalina is a mysterious and powerful figure who uses the Comet Observatory to travel throughout the universe.

Mario also uses the Comet Observatory to go to different planets in Super Mario Galaxy, which could make an interesting plotline for the next film. Funny enough, Lumalee in The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a Luma captured by Bowser, with Rosalina nowhere to be seen. May the stars shine down on us to have her grace the screen in 2026.

Monty Mole Monty Mole on a tricycle next to Yoshi in Super Mario Party.

NintendoUtopia

Monty Moles are so annoying but so cute. As the name suggests, they are moles that live underground, popping onto the surface and suddenly becoming an obstacle for anyone they head towards. Monty Moles has had a lot of different roles throughout the Mario franchise, appearing in the main games and spin-offs.

Most memorably in Mario Party, where you need to knock them on the head, similar to Whac-A-Mole. Famously, Monty Moles appear in the Mario Kart series as well, where they spring out from the ground and knock karts off-course in maps like Moo Moo Meadows, Peach Gardens, and Animal Crossing.

Dr. Mario Figurine of Dr. Mario

Nintendo

This may not seem entirely plausible, but there is some precedent behind it. Dr. Mario is a persona of Mario’s that could either manifest as a different personality of the main protagonist or an entirely different character. In fact, in the Super Mario Manga, Dr. Mario is actually separate from Mario.

Dr. Mario has his own Mario franchise where he lines up Megavitamins to defeat viruses. He could possibly appear on a different planet or universe. Maybe it could even be a 2D Tetris-like animation style. Dr. Mario is also a separate character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, giving way to the possibility that he and Mario could fight side-by-side in the next film.

Excitebiker 8-bit style biker trying to jump over three stacked trucks.

Nintendo

This one is really a deeper cut and it may seem farfetched, but here us out. Key never said his statement was exclusive to Mario characters. Also, he says The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 is “a little broader in scope.” So, a classic Nintendo NES character like the Exciterbiker could make a cameo in the upcoming film.

Of course, many other classic NES characters could fit right in, including the Ice Climbers from their self-titled game and Little Mac from Punch-Out!! However, the rider from Excitebike came to mind because, in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, there is a map based on the original game called Excitebike Arena. There are other properties that fit this bill, including F-Zero, but with no visible characters. The Excitebiker seems like a good fit since its an older Nintendo property with a lot of space for experimentation since that standalone character doesn’t have much of a personality on their own.

There are a whole host of other characters, enemies, and bosses I hope to see, I mean don’t even get me started on the Koopalings! However, I am more intrigued to FINALLY see fan-favorite Yoshi, based on the end credit scene of last film. To find out who will be in the next film we will all have to tune into its release. Or I can tune in and then let you all know if any of these were right.

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Published on October 04, 2024 14:04

California’s “Click-to-Cancel” Law Makes it Easier to Unsubscribe

Are you subscribed to a million different subscription services? I definitely know I am. The list seems neverending, from streaming services to mobile music providers to computer software. With so many subscriptions, it is only natural to want to cancel some of them when you stop using them as much. However, if you’re like me, you find it really hard to find out how to cancel. It’s…almost…like these companies want us not to be able to leave. Well, it turns out many other people noticed this, too.

Television with Netflix, Peacock, and AppleTV icons.

Comcast

Companies constantly renew subscriptions without prior notice and put a canyon between users and a cancellation button. A new California law tries to prevent this and mandates what every platform should already have: a single-click cancel.

On Sep. 24, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill No. 2863, penned by Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo, into law. The bill was part of a much larger group of signings that aimed to increase California’s transparency for consumers. The law, effective July 1, 2025, simplifies leaving subscription contracts and establishes safety measures for consumers.

“Nobody wants to get ripped off, whether it’s a small subscription fee that’s seemingly impossible to cancel or massive medical debts which force families into financial ruin. We’re strengthening protections for Californians across the board and helping save consumers money,” Gov. Newsom said.

The bill targets auto-renewing subscriptions that are particularly easy to sign up for but hard to cancel, continue until terminated, or convert from free to paid automatically unless canceled. I have sadly been a victim of the latter. California has also been increasing digital purchase protections for consumers.

Companies that offer automatic renewals must “provide consumers a means to cancel the subscription using the same medium they used to sign up.” For example, if you are able to click a button to initiate a subscription for something online, then companies must give consumers the option to cancel that subscription online using the process. The simplified process ensures that more people can easily unsubscribe from unwanted services without going on a wild goose chase or hidden fees.

ICYMI: California "Click to Cancel" law could end subscription nightmares

"cancellation methods that are as simple as their sign-up processes…if a subscription can be initiated online, customers must be able to cancel it online with equal ease"https://t.co/LojYPDz883
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) September 27, 2024

“At a time when too many in our community are struggling, unwanted subscription renewals can really add up. AB 2863 is the most comprehensive ‘Click to Cancel’ legislation in the nation, ensuring Californians can cancel unwanted automatic subscription renewals just as easily as they signed up – with just a click or two,” said Assemblymember Schiavo.

Other than being able to click a link to cancel your subscription, the bill also mandates businesses to send subscribers a reminder of the cost of the service and how to cancel it. Consumers must also be informed of changes in subscription prices in advance of charging anything.

California may be setting a precedent for the rest of the country to follow. The Federal Trade Commission has already proposed similar rules. It wouldn’t be good to have another Adobe situation on our hands. The law goes into effect halfway through next year.

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Published on October 04, 2024 10:28

PRINCESS DIARIES 3 In the Works, Sets Director

For many years, fans have clamored for a return to that beloved nation of Genovia. The Princess Diaries movies won the hearts of practically everyone in the early 2000s and brought Mia Thermopolis into our lives. And who can forget the iconic The Princess Diaries 2: A Royal Engagement, where Anne Hathaway and Chris Pine made us swoon as they bucked tradition and found love. Of course, through it all, Julie Andrews’ firm but tender Queen Regent Clarisse Renaldi reigned supreme. And now, it’s time to dust off those tiaras because it sounds like The Princess Diaries 3 may be a go.

The Princess Diaries 3 is in the works, could star Anne Hathaway, Julie Andrews, and Chris Pine

Disney

The Hollywood Reporter shares that Aadrita Mukerji will pen the third installment of The Princess Diaries for Disney. Meanwhile, Joy Ride‘s Adele Lim has been set as the director for the film. Lim shares “As a diehard fan of the original Princess Diaries, I’m beyond excited to be a part of bringing the third iteration of this beloved franchise to life. We look forward to celebrating its core tenants of female power, joy and mentorship with audiences worldwide.” Damn! It looks like it’s really happening!

Unfortunately, franchise star Julie Andrews doesn’t think it is likely she will return to reprise the role of Queen regent, Clarisse Renaldi. Andrews recently noted to Access Hollywood (which we saw via The Hollywood Reporter) that “it’s probably not going to be possible” for her to appear in a Princess Diaries 3. She added, “I think it would be too late to do it now. There was talk of a sequel many, many years ago. But I don’t think it ever came to pass…[For] especially me, it’s too far down the line now to go back to it.”

A Princess Diaries movie without Clarisse? We couldn’t imagine. But other players are more on board. Chris Pine recently said to Entertainment Tonight, concerning the potential third movie, Pine said, “Yeah, I’m here! I’m here for it. Give me give me a phone call or an email.” But so far, it seems he has not received one. He recently shared, “‘Princess Diaries 3, where is it?’ Have you been reading my diary? I don’t know. I haven’t heard anything about it.” But he did have some fascinating ideas about what the movie could look like.

Anne Hathaway, meanwhile, has shared she would feel excited to return for The Princess Diaries 3, should it happen. In April of 2024, she noted about a third move, “We’re in a good place… That’s all I can say. There’s nothing to announce yet. But we’re in a good place.”

She also told Entertainment Tonight in October, “I would more than entertain it, I’m pulling for it.” And we are pulling for it too. No details on the prospective plot of The Princess Diaries 3 have yet been shared. But knowing Disney, we wouldn’t count out Mia having a daughter or some kind of daughter figure in the mix. We would certainly hope that the movie would keep the emotional, but ultimately lighthearted, air of the first two movies.

In any case, it would be delightful to see Mia as a more settled Queen of Genovia. And we wouldn’t complain about seeing Chris Pine again, either. Maybe the pair could even recreate their dip in the palace fountain. Pine is already slated for Star Trek 4, so why no The Princess Diaries 3? We hope to hear more official confirmations for The Princess Diaries 3 very soon.

In the meantime, we will take this time to rewatch the first two movies over and over. They are classics, after all.

Originally published on November 15, 2022.

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Published on October 04, 2024 09:40

How JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX Delivers a Surprise Origin Story

We knew Joker: Folie à Deux would introduce Harley “Lee” Quinzel to Todd Phillips’s Gotham. What we didn’t know was the sequel would also serve as an unexpected origin story. The film’s shocking ending showed audiences a villain Bruce Wayne will fight one day. And while they are a major Batman villain, we least expected who we got.

[image error] Arthur Fleck covered in dust as a man dressed like Joker pulls at his arm in Joker: Folie à Deux

Warner Bros.

Joker: Folie à Deux‘s trial ended with a bang. Literally. Only Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck decided to go out with a whimper. Loyal followers used a car bomb to set him free from the courthouse where he’d just been found guilty. That was inevitable after he had already decided to drop his Joker “act” and take responsibility for his actions. He didn’t turn himself in initially, though. He found Lee and hoped they could run off together. Instead she rejected him again. Arthur also learned she wasn’t pregnant or in love with him. She only cared about his Joker persona. With her gone, he meekly went back to prison.

During the film’s final moments, a guard—whose quick disappearance indicates he was in on the plot—told Arthur he had a visitor. Arthur never got to the meeting room. A young, mentally unstable inmate played by Connor Storrie stopped him in the hallway. Storrie’s character appeared earlier in the film watching Arthur with an unsettling fervor. That ultimately proved to be an intense devotion Arthur destroyed when he admitted Joker wasn’t real during his broadcast trial.

Harley (Lady Gaga) and Joker (Joaquin Phoenix) wear clown makeup in court in Joker: Folie a Deux.

Warner Bros.

The inmate asked Arthur if he wanted to hear a joke and Arthur said sure. The inmate then told one about a “psychopath” who enters a bar. The punchline was about giving a patron who was clearly Arthur what he “deserves.” The inmate then stabbed Arthur again and again in the stomach. And as Arthur died, the inmate laughed maniacally while using his knife to carve a smile into his own face a la Heath Ledger’s iconic Joker. The implication was obvious. While Arthur Fleck was “Joker,” Storrie’s character is the one who will go on to be “The Joker.” In this Gotham he will become the supervillain an adult Bruce Wayne fights years from now.

This surprise origin story wasn’t about Storrie’s character. It was about the film’s namesake. Arthur’s desire for fame, the murders he committed, and the devotion he amassed left his followers feeling betrayed. Everything he thought he wanted was as false as the “love” he earned. Lee left him and his fellow inmate killed him. Worse, that young man will now go on to be The Joker people wanted.

Gary Puddles on the stand in Joker: Folie à Deux

Warner Bros.

They won’t care about who Arthur was. They won’t care about his pain and suffering. His legacy will be more death, chaos, and pain, the very thing he came to regret in that courtroom. Seeing what he’d done to his old friend Gary Puddles, the only one who ever truly understood Arthur and genuinely liked him, broke through Arthur’s anger. Gary’s humanity helped Arthur rediscover his own, but it was too late.

Joker and its sequel told the origin story of Gotham’s greatest villain, it just wasn’t Arthur Fleck. He might have been the first one with the moniker Joker, but he didn’t turn out to be The Joker. His story was much sadder and tragic. He helped create and inspire the monster he didn’t really want to be.

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Published on October 04, 2024 09:34

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