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Jonathan Majors, once set for Marvel glory, 'heartbroken' over MCU pivot to Robert Downey Jr.

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Jonathan Majors, once set for Marvel glory, 'heartbroken' over MCU pivot to Robert Downey Jr.

Marvel Studios has big plans (and an even bigger star) for the newest phase of its cinematic universe — and embattled actor Jonathan Majors has some thoughts.

Majors, whose Kang the Conqueror was poised to be the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s next big bad, after appearances in “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” and “Loki,” revealed in a recent interview that he is disappointed about the studio’s pivot away from his time-traveling villain. In December 2023, Marvel swiftly cut ties with Majors after a New York jury convicted the “Lovecraft Country” actor of assault and harassment of his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari after a contentious two-week trial.

The actor’s December firing sparked public concern over how Marvel would proceed with its plans for Majors’ Kang and his role in the MCU, including “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty,” which was slated to premiere in 2026. At San Diego’s Comic-Con last week, Marvel unveiled its strategy: Robert Downey Jr. will return to the franchise as Doctor Doom to replace Kang in the new “Avengers” film, now dubbed “Avengers: Doomsday.” The film is still set to premiere in 2026.

The RDJ reveal garnered mixed reactions — including confusion from his onscreen wife, Gwyneth Paltrow (“I don’t get it, are you a baddie now?”) — but in a video interview published Wednesday, Majors told TMZ he is “heartbroken” over the pivot.

“Of course. I love him, I love Kang,” he said, before adding, “Doctor Doom is wicked, though.”

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TMZ also pressed Majors about his falling-out with Marvel, bringing up Hollywood’s treatment of Downey and also “The Flash” star Ezra Miller, who both have criminal histories but went on to star in high-profile movies. Oscar winner Downey served jail time in the late ’90s after he was arrested for drug possession, among other charges, and went on to star in “Iron Man,” the “Avengers” films and, most recently, “Oppenheimer.” Miller remained in Warner Bros.’ 2023 “The Flash,” despite a string of arrests and accusations of abuse leveled against them in recent years.

“I think it’s fair that Mr. Downey is being and has been treated with patience and curiosity and love and that … Miller’s gotten the same treatment and they’re being allowed to work their art and be creative at that level,” Majors said. “I didn’t really get that.”

Adding to the Marvel sting, Majors’ then-upcoming drama “Magazine Dreams” was shelved in the months before the actor’s domestic violence trial. He also parted ways from a starring role in a biopic about NBA star Dennis Rodman. But earlier this month, Deadline reported that the “Creed III” actor is set to star in the revenge thriller “Merciless,” and Majors revealed Wednesday that he is open to revisiting the MCU.

“Hell yeah, I love [Kang]” Majors told TMZ. “If that’s what the fans want, if that’s what Marvel wants, let’s roll. Hell yeah.”

Times staff writer Tracy Brown contributed to this report.

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Movie Reviews

Shivam Bhaje Telugu Movie Review, Ashwin Babu

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Shivam Bhaje Telugu Movie Review, Ashwin Babu

Movie Name : Shivam Bhaje

Release Date : August 01, 2024

123telugu.com Rating : 2/5

Starring : Ashwin Babu, Digangana Suryavanshi, Arbaaz Khan, Hyper Aadi, Brahmaji, Tanikella Bharani

Director : Abdul Apsar Hussain

Producers : Maheswara Reddy Mooli

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Music Director: Vikas Badisa

Cinematographer: Dasaradhi Shivendra

Editor: Chota K. Prasad

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Ashwin Babu starrer Shivam Bhaje is the new age divine suspense thriller directed by Apsar. The film has hit the big screens today. Check out our review to find out how it is.

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Story:

Chandu (Ashwin Babu) is a loan recovery agent who falls in love with Sailaja (Digangana Suryavanshi). An unexpected incident causes Chandu to lose his eyesight. After an operation, he regains his vision, but things aren’t the same. He suspects something is wrong about the murders connected to Binary Chemical Pvt Ltd. What really happened to Chandu? What are the motives behind the murders? Who is responsible for the killings? How is the story linked to China and Pakistan? The answers will be revealed in the movie.

 

Plus Points:

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Following Hidimba’s success, expectations for Ashwin Babu were noticeable, and he delivered a competent performance. Actress Digangana Suryavanshi fulfills her role adequately.

Arbaaz Khan performs fine as a policeman, and Hyper Aadhi provides some humour with his comedic timing. The supporting cast, Murali Sharma and Tanikella Bharani, perform their roles effectively.

 

Minus Points:

Despite being marketed as a new-age divine suspense thriller, the film suffers from a weak script and poor narration. The lack of engaging scenes and a coherent screenplay results in an experience that falls short of its potential, often leading to unintended comedy.

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The director’s intention is clear, but the execution fails to create gripping moments that hold the audience’s attention.

The divine angle is poorly developed, making the title feel disconnected from the storyline. The few scenes hinting at a divine connection lack impact.

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The film does not effectively incorporate the potential threat to India from China and Pakistan, missing an opportunity to build suspense. Additionally, the romantic subplot and some comedic elements come across as contrived.

 

Technical Aspects:

As both writer and director, Apsar disappoints. He lacks a more engaging script and suspenseful narration. Improved execution might have led to a more compelling film.

The background score by Vikas Badisa is adequate, enhancing certain scenes. The cinematography by Dasaradhi Shivendra is satisfactory, and production values are reasonable. While the editing by Chota K Prasad is acceptable, trimming some scenes could have improved the viewing experience.

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Verdict:

On the whole, Shivam Bhaje is a disappointing thriller with a lackluster plot. Although Ashwin Babu and Arbaaz Khan deliver fine performances, the film’s weak storyline and ineffective screenplay fall short. It’s advisable to explore other entertainment options this weekend.

123telugu.com Rating: 2/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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“Twisters” Movie Review – Signals AZ

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“Twisters” Movie Review – Signals AZ
Text to speech audio articles made possible by the Quest Grant at Yavapai College. Tuition free industry recognized certificates for your career.

Twisters marks the return of the classic Hollywood blockbuster, a type of summer movie that hasn’t been seen in a couple decades thanks to the box-office domination of superhero movies and sci-fi action spectacles. This disaster film builds on the legacy of 1996’s Twister (starring the late Bill Paxton) by delivering a straightforward, action-packed story of humans vs. nature.

Release Date: 07/08/2024

Runtime: 122 minutes

Director: Lee Isaac Chung

Rotten Tomatoes: 76%

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iMBD: 7.1/10

Where to Watch: In theaters

twisters, movie review, movie reviews, action movies, summer blockbustertwisters, movie review, movie reviews, action movies, summer blockbuster

There are no giant creatures dueling it out, no existential threats to Earth, no evil villains to overcome… all this movie boasts is a great cast of characters and fun set-pieces. At a time when summer blockbusters are still dominated by bloated epics that have become so commonplace they provide nothing but a sense of mundanity, it’s refreshing to watch a story about a small group of people trying to save a couple of towns from natural disasters.

Twisters is tight, focused, and presents a realistic scenario that’s far easier to immerse yourself in. Its script succeeds where many others fail by clearly explaining character motivations, creating ideological clashes, and presenting challenges that are overcome with ingenuity and incremental improvement.

Unlike many legacy sequels, Twisters doesn’t rely heavily on its 1996 predecessor for references or Easter eggs. The characters are entirely new, and the film avoids mythologizing the original cast; while there is a nod to the tornado tracker from Twister, the story stands independently, with its own fresh narrative. Although it shares a similar structure with the original—following rival storm chasers and featuring familiar set pieces like twin tornadoes and a night-time hit—it carves out its own identity.

In essence, Twisters can be seen as a remake of the 1996 film, sharing the basic premise of weather researchers deploying a prototype in the path of tornadoes, facing increasingly severe storms escalating up the Fujita scale, ending with a climactic F5 tornado in the third act.

However, what distinguishes this film from the original is its new cast and stunning special effects that surpass the quaint CGI of 1996. While the original leaned towards horror, this sequel adopts a more realistic and lighthearted approach to storm chasing, allowing audiences to experience the thrill of destruction without resorting to cheap suspense.

For those craving a classic Hollywood flick offering a thrilling ride not seen since Tony Stark donned his Iron Man armor and changed the blockbuster landscape for decades, Twisters is a must-see at your local theater.

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About our Admit One Author

Isaac Albert FrankelIsaac Albert Frankel

Isaac Frankel is a freelance writer and content creator specializing in reviews and analysis of cinema, interactive media, and mythological storytelling. He was raised in Prescott, AZ, wrote his first non-fiction book in 2013 after graduating from Tribeca Flashpoint College with a degree in Game & Interactive Media Design, and currently produces content for the YouTube channel: Off Screen.

More of his work and current projects can be found at www.isaacafrankel.com.


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Pete Davidson is at a facility for mental health treatment as stand-up shows are canceled

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Pete Davidson is at a facility for mental health treatment as stand-up shows are canceled

Following a string of performances on his Prehab tour, Pete Davidson is taking a break from the stage.

The “Saturday Night Live” alum recently checked into a wellness facility for mental health treatment, People reported Wednesday.

Mental health has “always been a priority” for Davidson, a source told the outlet, adding that for the past year the comedian has been focusing on his sobriety — a subject he has touched on repeatedly in his stand-up.

“I am fresh out of rehab, everyone,” Davidson said in September during a show with comedian John Mulaney and political talk-show host Jon Stewart. “I got that post-rehab glow. Seventh time’s the charm!”

The news of Davidson’s most recent admittance comes as venues in Florida and New Jersey announced the comedian’s upcoming shows there have been canceled due to “scheduling conflicts.”

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Representatives for Davidson did not reply immediately Wednesday to The Times’ request for comment.

Davidson underwent treatment last summer to address issues related to post-traumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder, People reported. At the time, a source told the outlet, “Pete will often check himself into rehab to work on these issues. His friends and family have been supportive during this time.”

In a 2018 interview with Variety, the “Bodies Bodies Bodies” star said he had “been in and out of mental health facilities” since he was 9 years old — but medication helped to stabilize him.

“The last few years have been real rough with me,” he said. “I took all these mental health classes and really spent a lot of time getting me good.”

Last year, Davidson was charged with reckless driving after he crashed a car into a Beverly Hills home. He was subsequently ordered by the Los Angeles Superior Court to complete an 18-month diversion program, which included 50 hours of community service.

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He completed the 50 hours at New York City’s Lenox Hill Neurosurgery, where his sister works as a physician assistant, the Daily Mail reported.

Davidson finished the program early, and on July 18 his misdemeanor charge was dismissed, Rolling Stone reported.

“Hooray? I guess,” he joked at his July 20 show in Atlantic City, N.J., a showgoer told the Daily Mail. “I did something bad. It’s not anything really to be celebrated.”

Later in the show, Davidson told the crowd that despite quitting “coke and ketamine,” he still smokes weed: “I’m holding on for a little bit longer.”

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