Connect with us

Entertainment

10 Most Popular Movies Right Now

Published

on

Most Popular Movies

This week’s top new streaming movies include some of the most popular films today, the newest originals from leading streaming networks, as well as other less hyped-up films that many noticed came out in cinemas. There’s a variety of films spanning many genres up in Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Max, Peacock, and Paramount+, many of which are just off their cinematic run. Some recently featured titles are also getting some recognition in the award season buzz.

This week still showcases some Christmas cheer to those impatient viewers who just cannot wait for the festive season. There are several Netflix productions such as Emilia Pérez that are starting to generate some anticipation due to the awards season. This is however the best week of the year for several people as it’s the release week for some of the most smashing blockbusters of the year: Transformers One, Twisters, and Deadpool & Wolverine.

#10 The Last Breath (2024)

Credits: IMDb

Ever since Jaws showed us how interesting a shark movie can be, there has not really been a ‘good’ shark-related film after it which is universally appreciated and leaves a gap or potential like we saw in Under Paris’s recent effort. The Last Breath is an entertaining movie that makes viewers think thrice before entering the water but includes an interesting twist in how it tells its shark attack story. The Last Breath follows a group of college friends on a scuba diving trip in the Caribbean. All goes well until the group decides to investigate a WWII wrecked ship and unbeknownst to them, they are trapped and being stalked by sharks.

It is interesting to note that in The Last Breath, the ocean becomes as much a villain as the sharks in this narrative. The main characters have to make the horrible decision of either drowning in the sunken maze of the ship or getting eaten by the sharks in the confrontation. However, it does make for a suspenseful underwater thriller though still not able to match the Jaws.

#9 Hot Frosty (2024)

Hot Frosty
Credits: IMDb

When it comes to the Christmas period, Netflix’s catalogue has several good and cozy options that I feel will find their way to people as the familiar annual collection of Christmas rom-coms has already begun in the year 2024. But no other film will probably ever beating the outrageous concept of Hot Frosty. One of the stars Lacey Chabert portrays a widow called Cathy who is not so much of a fan of Christmas and her problems are consistently solved by turning a magic snowman into a hot nice guy. 

The movie goes headfirst in this merry premise with Dustin Milligan portraying Jack Snowman providing both humor and charm in the role. Some other comedic actors who feature in the film are also very notable; for example, Craig Robinson plays the sheriff who is trying to get to the root of Jack’s mysterious activities. This creates a wonderful and amusing approach to the festivities.

#8 Return Of The King: The Fall And Rise Of Elvis Presley (2024)

Return Of The King: The Fall And Rise Of Elvis Presley
Credits: IMDb

There are many amazing music documentaries in the world today, but there is something special about Elvis Presley that has lasted for several decades and therefore any film of him is worth watching. Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley is an account of an interesting and unique phase in Elvis’ career which transformed him into one of the biggest icons of world music. 

The music-focused documentary looks at the era when Elvis’ music stopped resonating with the masses and he was slowly becoming well known as a family entertainer. But Elvis made an unforgettable comeback with an equally memorable television show which earned him the title ‘The King’. The interviews are interspersed with great footage of other legendary artists speaking about their love for Elvis, including Bruce Springsteen, and fans like Conan O’Brien.

#7 Close To You (2024)

Close to you movie
Credits: IMDb

After six years of absence from the big screen, Elliott Page comes back with a film called Close to You. Additionally, he made this film after transitioning into the character that he is today. Page returns home to celebrate his father’s birthday in Close to You. During the celebration, he encounters both his relatives and friends and learns how they feel about his decision to become a trans person.

The style of the film is intimate and very loose as if the viewer simply happens to be around the characters as they engage in highly spontaneous and unscripted chats. The page clearly portrays the private side of the ordeal in the film, answering many questions, criticisms or supportive comments which inevitably come in circumstances such as these.

#6 An Almost Christmas Story (2024)

Chrismas special movie to watch
Credits: IMDb

For those still not prepared to settle down with the hour-and-a-half-long Christmas special can check out the shorter festive Christmas film which comes in the shape of An Almost Christmas Story. The animated movie depicts a young owl called Moon who is accidentally caught up in a tree chosen as the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree for the year. While finding his way around the big city, Moon meets and starts talking to a girl named Luna. 

Although it is only a short film available on Disney+, there are some big names in the cast of An Almost Christmas Story. An and Two have co-written and directed the short film, David Lowery (The Green Knight) directed the film which was written in part by Alfonso Cuarón. It also features an incredible voice cast that includes Natasha Lyonne, John C. Reilly and Jim Gaffigan. It serves as a nice warm family Christmas collectible for viewers of all ages.

#5 Thelma (2024)

Thelma might be the most underappreciated film of the year; however, with it now streaming at home, new audiences should enjoy this delightful surprise. Oscar nominee June Squibb portrays Thelma, a widow who is swindled out of some money because of her goodness. Determined to show that she can function independently, she sets out to reclaim what was lost.

Although the movie may precisely be described as a revenge flick, it’s really about a woman who cherishes her life and aims to do all it takes to prove that she is not a liability. Squibb is wonderful in the lead role, and she manages to be funny, charming, and sweet all at the same time. Another great performance is given by the late Richard Roundtree as Thelma’s friend who is coerced into participating in the mission.

#4 Emilia Pérez (2024)

Every year, Netflix tries its level best to market one of its original films as an award-winning film during the award season. The film which seems to catch attention this time, and chances to sweep many nominations with it is the hyped musical titled Emilia Pérez. The main cast of the film Zoe Saldaña plays an unappreciated attorney bored of being at a dead-end and is approached by a powerful and dangerous drug kingpin named Emilia. The drug lord wants assistance in staging her death so that she can escape and fulfil her dreams.

The Emilia Pérez movie received a lot of positive reactions after its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival where it also took home the Jury Prize award and Best Actress award which was awarded to the four main actors of the film; Saldana, Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomez, and Adriana Paz. Mixing music with crimes has never been done before and Emilia Pérez will undoubtedly not only be one of the most talked-about films of the Fall season but will also grab a lot of attention.

#3 Transformers One (2024)

Credits: IMDb

Transformers has had its fair share of highs and lows over the decades as a franchise, but one thing that stood out about Transformers One was the fact that it catered to older fans and was animated. It is a prequel depicting the events behind Optimus Prime and Megatron in their prime friendship, on a planet named Cybertron, yet again, something goes haywire and the friends get all angry at each other and split up because they have got a ‘calling’. 

Transformers movie fans have waited a long time for the action to be set in Cybertron and for the Transformers characters rather than the humans taking centre stage. Transformers One feels like accomplishing both and, oddly enough, seems like a good tale about two close friends growing apart. The voice cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry and Scarlett Johansson.

#2 Twisters (2024)

Twisters movie
Credits: IMDb

Fresh in the theatres across America, once a blockbuster this summer season is ‘Twisters.’ This movie comes after a long gap of 1996 and this movie was stuck because of the constant change of directors. This movie has a new generation of cast which features Daisy Edgar Jones, and Glen Powell amongst others which definitely excites the audience. 

The film is interesting as it nicely ties in with the previous one but brings new levels of destruction as well. Nevertheless, the cast earns the highest praise – actors Edgar-Jones and Powell are among the brightest rising stars of Hollywood including Meryl Streep. They easily make Twisters exceed the expectations of the audience when it comes to storm disasters, which is the whole point of the franchise.

#1 Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)

Deadpool & Wolverine movie from Marvel
Credits: IMDb

After an explosive performance at the box office which followed up with great audience reception, Deadpool & Wolverine is one of the most desirable streaming releases this year. This is the third movie in the Deadpool trilogy, but the first that puts the Merc with the Mouth voiced by Ryan Reynolds in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As expected, Deadpool did not come to Disney of his own accord, as the film is a multiverse tale with the perfect narrator, Deadpool, and his co-star Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine pursuing their dual motivations to not get wiped out. 

It is amazing to watch Reynolds and Jackman bring their characters to life in such blood-filled and laughter-packed light. There are a lot of great action sequences where Deadpool and Wolverine exchange some truly funny lines. Along with Reynolds and Jackman, the movie features plenty of Wolverine and Deadpool & Wolverine cameos which are always guaranteed to be the best moments in the MCU.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Entertainment

Exploring the Evolution of Quentin Tarantino’s Filmography

Published

on

Quentin Tarantino’s Filmography

It’s the writing that avid fans of Tarantino appreciate the most, making him one of the best modern film directors. He has taken so much effort in crafting his films from the earliest days of low-budget flicks to becoming one of the greatest filmmakers. Most of his films are characterized by dark humour, complex plots and colourful characters which have earned them a place for themselves in the history of cinema.

Holaquiz brings you everything you need to know about Quentin Tarantino’s journey.

Early Life and Influences

Quentin Tarantino
Credits: indiewire and complex, Instagram

Quentin Tarantino was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1963. The film industry was clearly within him since he was raised single-handedly by his mother. One has to consider that he was raised in a single mother household in the 1960s which explains his deep interest in the industry since a young age. Being of various origins (spaghetti westerns, samurai epics, grindhouse), his taste was a unique vision that could alter filmmaking altogether. 

Debut and Breakthrough: Reservoir Dogs

Tarantino made his roaring debut in America in 1992 through Reservoir Dog which focuses on a gang of robbers. One must note that this film significantly differed from its equivalents in the sense that it was character-driven and not plot-driven. During its release, this movie was likened to Edwin S. Porter’s silent film Jack and the Beanstalk due to its artless structure as well as its action-centric approach, dark humour, and dynamic characters. Reservoir Dogs announced that there was a new director in town, and with precision and rising tension, the film foreshadowed the collapse of independent filmmaking.

Pulp Fiction: Reconstruction of Actual Storytelling

Tarantino’s hitherto unfulfilled potential as a filmmaker was seen two years later in Pulp Fiction, a movie that perhaps is best in his portfolio. How its narratives focusing on crime, redemption and simply the silliness of some events are combined and deployed throughout the film’s story’s time frame is simply genius. Many of the conversations, filled with references to popular testimonies, became part of the movie’s culture. Pulp Fiction won awards upon awards and brought dead careers to life, proving that unorthodox storytelling can also be commercially viable.

Genre Experiments: Jackie Brown and Kill Bill

Jackie Brown, one of Tarantino’s movies, was released back in 1997 and virally made waves across the world for several reasons. The most noteworthy reason is the respect he has for vintage genres, evident in this movie as it touched upon the ‘Blaxploitation’ genre of films that were prominent in the 70s. During this film, he introduced new characters, and storylines that progressed him deeper into more complex baddie roles while simultaneously integrating mature writing into his works.

The sequels to Kill Bill, which include Kill Bill Volume 1 and 2 began Tarantino’s saga of revenge films that he envisioned consisting of iconic martial arts films and westerns. The visuals of these films left the audience in awe due to the fights intertwined with Western themes and romances that broadened the audience’s experiences.

Tarantino has romanticized history through his very own lens via the United States team that went on to win World War in the 2009 film ‘Inglourious Basterds’, A deep tragedy with powerful depictions and a significant amount of vengeful concepts integrated into the story. The ending of the movie was the turning point in the history portrayed by Tarantino as it showcased ‘free wishes’ rather than doom and gloom. 

To take down slavery and its horrid involvement with American history, Django Unchained worked as a perfect medium to do so. Filled with suspenseful moments mixed with humour the film flew off shelves and made people rethink mucked-up scenarios and deepen our thinking ability beyond simply looking at things from the surface level.

The Hateful Eight

In 2015, Tarantino decided to return to Westerns with a film that can best be described as a ‘chamber drama’, full of ice, suspense, and doubt – The Hateful Eight. The perspective is impressive. This piece of work belongs to the finest of works. The exceptional build-up in the plot was beautifully displayed through the scenes. The shift in his storytelling style seems to have blossomed here.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Once upon a time in Hollywood
Credits: IMDb

In Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), Tarantino reflected on his own life and created a heartwarming tribute to the bygone era of filmmaking in Hollywood. The storyline was set in 1969 Los Angeles and showcased the beauty of filmmaking while also lamenting the process of growing up and time passing. Tarantino’s rendition of Sharon Tate’s destiny demonstrated Tarantino’s genius in bridging the two worlds of fiction and deep-seated realistic certainty, time and again.

Recurring Themes and Signature Style

During his lifetime, Tarantino has created several masterpieces and in all, he was driven by a constant urge for vengeance, violence and quests for redemption. His movies constantly blur the lines of ethics and amoralism and challenge a viewer’s perceptive ability. He makes full use of music in his films as soundboards often carry the weight of the entire narratives. It is also worth mentioning that Tarantino is unmatched in his use of dialogue and scripts where the focus is on the rhythm of the speech along with the wit behind it.

Conclusion

It is unquestionably true that Tarantino’s impact on the present-day directors is vast. He has motivated a whole generation of film directors with his unique ways of telling stories and revelling in genre films. He is already talking about a ten-minute retirement plan which it seems he is sticking to but his effect on society and culture is still very much apparent. It is quite clear that Tarantino is not someone who will ever be forgotten in the film industry whether that be through the movies he has made or the impact he had on the cinematic world.

Follow Holaquiz for more such blogs!

Continue Reading

Entertainment

A Look Through Kylie Kelce’s Podcast Journey

Published

on

Kylie Kelce's Podcast Journey

Everyone knows who Jason Kelce is – he is an established footballer, especially known for his big personality on and off the field. Jason’s wife Kylie is equally captivating. She has a fantastic podcast of her own which is engaging and inspiring at the same time. 

Jason Kelce, an NFL star, is famous as a centre for the Philadelphia Eagles as well as for being one of the two brothers, Jason and Travis Kelce, who play in the league. Travis, who plays for the Kansas City Chiefs, co-hosts the New Heights podcast with Jason.

Their parents, Ed and Donna, have been constantly commuting to watch their games. Joining the gang as well is Travis’s girlfriend, Taylor Swift, who has been flying to understand the entire entourage.

While Caldwell’s mother and parents have basked in the limelight owing to the attention on their son just because he’s dating Taylor; Jason’s dating life has not remained off the radar either. Kylie McDervitt Kelce is Jason’s wife, and they have been together for six years. The couple has three children and still appears quite healthy.

Whether it’s life with Jason, the family, sports behind the curtains or other societal topics, she can share a story that is relatable across cultures. She does better in capturing listeners’ attention and making them care to learn more about the brand rather than disconnecting the narrative from the context and associating it with a celebrity.

Now together with Holaquiz, let us navigate through her vast story to understand the reason behind the success of her podcast.

But First, Who is Kylie McDevitt Kelce?

Kylie was born in 1992 in the suburb of Narberth, which is located in Philadelphia. The Eagles as well as the neighbourhood ring a bell to her. She later enrolled herself in Cabrini University, which is particularly situated in Wayne, Pennsylvania and she pursued a major in communications. It was in 2017 when she graduated and Jason was present there.

In 2019, around October, Jason shared some insights with the media that was when he had just welcomed a child with Kylie. Subsequently, they had two more children, and Jason obviously found creative ways to assist in raising them.

Another supporter of Jason, who is his wife, is an athlete too. At Lower Marion High School, where she was head coach followed by a college stint, Kylie participated in field hockey. She was able to make it to the All-CSAC First Team and ECAC South All-Stars First Team also as per her Cabrini Athletics page. After graduation, she competed in the sport and mentioned that “joining the Cabri Field Hockey team was one of the best choices I have ever taken”.

How Did Jason And Kylie Kelce Meet?

Travis and Jason are one of the few cases I know who straight admit they met on Tinder back in around 2015. In the latest episode which aired in September 2023 of Jason and Travis Kelce’s New Heights podcast, Travis’s wife, Kylie, talked about her thoughts when she first swiped right on him.

Her thoughts were: “His bio at that moment was similar to ‘I want to hold significant discussions, and also about our future, kids etc,’ but his introduction of her at the bar was a different story as 45 minutes in he asked her to ‘Take a nap’ since he was ‘Too drunk.’”

Jason And Kylie Kelce
Credits: kykelce, Instagram

How Long Jason And Kylie Kelce Have Been Together?

Jason started dating his wife Kylie in 2014 and their love story commenced on Tinder where they met for the first time. Jason still remembers the first time he met his now wife at the Eagles annual holiday party where they understood they had some chemistry.

He was instantly attracted to her as he described in the interview “She is serious yet playful and incredibly beautiful and smart.” Speaking of his wedding day, he recalls being married to his wife at Logan Hotel on 14th April in the year of 2018. 

Jason’s Sweet Retirement Speech

On 4th March 2024 when Jason decided to retire from his football career, he paid tribute to his wife Kylie. “She was beautiful, smart, serious, but also playful,” he recounted Jason recalling the first glimpse of her on the Entertainment Tonight show. “It was evident even then. It is probably no accident that I have enjoyed the best years of my career with Kylie. Almost every award that I have received throughout my life has come because she was in my life.” 

“She has brought the best out of me via affection, loyalty, hard work, being honest, being clever, and sometimes just a boot in my backside,” he asserted. “To add to that she has given me three beautiful daughters and a life that off-field is turning out to be in many ways more satisfying than on-field. All in all, it has been good, Ky.”

Kylie Kelce’s Podcast Ranks No. 1 After Debut Episode

Kylie Kelce’s podcast is set to become the hottest hit! Holaquiz notices that after the release of the first episode on December 5, Kyle’s new podcast Not Gonna Lie has made it to the first position on Spotify and Apple’s video podcast charts. She managed to overtake Joe Rogan, displacing The Joe Rogan Experience in the rankings to the second position.

In the first episode, she along with her husband Jason Kelce opens up on it feels to be in the limelight when she’s someone who prefers to remain out of it. The three-time greatest of all-time mom who recently broke the news of expecting her fourth child said that while she would rather be ‘Behind the scenes’, she does know how to ‘get the attention and turn it into a positive’ to ‘be able to steer the conversation regarding her’ the way she wants to.

Conclusion 

Kylie Kelce has the personality that every person admires as she is easily able to capture everyone’s attention through her podcast. Kudos to her for breaking societal norms and tackling topics which others are too afraid to touch. Kylie’s podcast truly is a badge of honour.

Kylie’s podcasts, as well as her personal experiences, ease and amuse the audience and quite a few the complexities of the modern world as unfulfilling at best. Besides, it shows the love for podcasting and telling stories to those interested which is one of the factors that has helped build her podcast. No doubt, being able to relate and even draw inspiration from such cases has become the norm for many podcasters.

Follow  Holaquiz for more such blogs!

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Jon Favreau’s Leap from Mandalorian Mastermind to Star Wars

Published

on

Jon Favreau's Leap from Mandalorian Mastermind to Star Wars

The name Jon Favreau is now forever attached to Star Wars and in basically any aspect of cinema, his narratives expanded one of the most enchanting universes in existence. Jon Favreau’s involvement in The Mandalorian has been a revolution for the industry as it consolidated modern technology and traditional storytelling.

He easily emerged as one of the creators who truly comprehended the Star Wars culture, primarily because of his ability to strike an equilibrium between nostalgia and boldness. This transfer from the role of the head creator of The Mandalorian to the role of the key contributor in the development of the further Star Wars universe only confirms how important role he plays in the world of movies and television.

Holaquiz takes you on the journey of Jon Favreau. So, buckle up!

Jon Favreau’s Legacy Before ‘Star Wars’

Even before he got into the Star Wars saga, Jon Favreau was already proving himself as a diverse filmmaker and storyteller. His Hammington’s viral popularity put him in the limelight and swinging from there over directing Iron Man proves that he is a man who slays while grabbing chances. 

He created the Marvel Cinematic Universe and on top of that managed it as well, all thanks to the incredible amount of creativity he had. His ability to create and tell stories made him a great candidate to walk into the Star Wars universe that unites thousands of creative geniuses across the world.

The Birth of ‘The Mandalorian’

The Mandalorian expansion to the Star Wars universe is the brainchild of Jon Favreau whose primary goal was to create something unique but at the same time retains the roots of the Star Wars franchise. With the help of Dave Filoni, he weaved a story based on old Westerns and Samurai scenes introducing the new characters Din Djarin and Grogu who rapidly became household names.

Favreau’s imagination to traverse unknown regions of the galaxy permitted him to design a series that attracted potential and old fans alike. The Mandalorian skyrocketed to prominence, indicating that an episodic form of storytelling could be as rich, or even richer than, Star Wars movies in their complexity.

Improvements in Storytelling and Technology

The Mandalorian made the most effective use of virtual production technology which made Jon Favreau the pioneer of that field. He ‘invented’ the Volume or StageCraft and thus advanced the realistic design of the environment within motion pictures.

With the advent of this technology, convincing special effects could be accomplished, which in turn enhanced both the playing and the viewers’ experience. His use of new technologies in combination with traditional storylines was the distinctive quality that he had as a director. The Mandalorian, in his direction, was more than a television series, it was a film that redefined the franchise and the entire entertainment industry.

Revitalizing the ‘Star Wars’ Universe

Holaquiz noticed Jon Favreau had a significant impact on Star Wars. Weaving together hopeful themes during the Mandalorian series enabled fans to forget the discontent that the sequel trilogy left after watching it. Favreau’s practical management of giving the fans what they craved and introducing new features succeeded when we saw Boba Fett and Luke Skywalker again.

At the same time, he brought in fresh new characters and stories that added to the thickness of the galaxy. Such goodwill and creativity in the film industry is what the world is in dire need of as clearly shown when the franchise had been under Favreau as it was indeed resurrected.

Jon Favreau in Start Wars
Credits: IMDb

Filling Out the ‘Star Wars’ Galaxy

It was not only with the Mandalorian show where Jon Favreau could be seen exercising his influence as this was only one of the many ways he used to broaden the Star Wars galaxy. Boba Fett a fictional character from the Universe was featured in farmers’ insurance commercials and is a prime example of his exceptional skills at cross-referencing. This form of storytelling or screenplay has led his viewers and fans more excited to see new characters and the context surrounding the galaxy. 

In every project he worked on, there was always an effort to stay consistent as well as tidy and organized which changed the way storytelling was done in the franchise. Further revisions to his work are what waited for the Star Wars universe not only as it had fans of today but of the future too.

What’s Next for Jon Favreau in Star Wars

Letting Jon Favreau create his narrative within the Star Wars universe, it seems endless future projects are waiting for him. With some anticipating his return as the director in the new movies or innovative different series, many wish to see a movie that dives deeper into the lore of the galaxy as well.

The Drive that Favreau brings to the approach of the Star Wars narrative as well as his vision for the fandom as such is one of the reasons for him being a quintessential character in the Star Wars franchise. With such a visionary who knows how to expand without disrupting the norm, it is safe to say that he will be remembered as one of the key players in the John Wick51 for years which would only add more to the Star Wars canon.

Conclusion

Jon Favreau’s altering effects on Star Wars Can Not Be Stated In Any Other Way Hype For Mandalorian Season 3 Starting From The Image To The Opening Sequence That Captivated Every Star Wars Galore, He Has Revolutionized How Everything Can Be Done Within This Universe.

With his respect for the franchise’s past, technology, and depth of storytelling, he has succeeded in putting Star Wars into perspective. As his next attempt draws anticipation, one thing is clear: The chronicles of the Mandalorian child as Jon Favreau transforms from the guru of the series to one of the protagonists of the Star Wars universe will remain one of the most crucial events in the history of the franchise.

Follow Holaquiz for more such blogs!

Continue Reading

Latest