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1. [Trailer] Marvel Entertainment - Avengers: Doomsday

Yesterday’s release of this newest Doomsday trailer is getting a lot of hate.

I kind of get it. In many ways this feels like a reheated version of a fading brand, with a B team of characters from movies people never saw or have already forgotten about. It doesn’t feel like the earned epic culmination that Marvel dreams it will be.

And to drop this the day after The Odyssey crushed it at the box office during its opening weekend, heralded for its practical effects and real-world feel? It just feels like terrible timing.

All that said, I am still excited to see this movie come December 18. Still scratching my head why they did not change the release date to get more IMAX screens given Dune 3 has priority, but Disney has to know what they’re doing, right??

1. [Deal] Nordstrom Anniversary Sale + Amex Platinum Offer

Nordstrom is currently running its famous Anniversary Sale through August 9th. What makes this even better is that Amex recently introduced additional limited-time merchant benefits on the Platinum card, following the removal of the Saks Fifth Avenue credit. Included in these updates is a Nordstrom deal for $50 back on an order $200 and up.

I plan on stacking these offers, ordering wayyy too much online, and taking advantage of Nordstrom’s amazing return policy. 😬

1. [Credit Card Bonus] Chase - Sapphire Preferred 100K Offer Ending Soon

On June 16, I wrote about the updates to the Sapphire Preferred card, including the introduction of a new 100K point sign up offer after you spend $5K in the first 3 months after opening the card.

Chase has updated their website to say that the “offer ends soon,” so if you are interesting in snagging the card, now might be the time.

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1. [YouTube] Letterboxd - Chrisopher Nolan Breaks Down Every Format to Watch The Odyssey

Trying to replicate the success of the aspect ratio video that Ryan Coogler made to promote Sinners, Nolan sits down to describe the different film formats you can see The Odyssey on. Big surprise… Chris Nolan loooovveess IMAX.

So much so that he filmed the entirety of The Odyssey with IMAX cameras, which is not usually possible because of how loud and cumbersome those cameras are. To account for this, Nolan pushed IMAX to create a custom case for their cameras that dulls the noise, which made shooting close-up dialogue scenes possible. It was fascinating to hear about how they set up a mirror system so that, while filming these intimate scenes, the actors could still see each other despite a giant IMAX rig in the way.

As I’m sure all of you know, I am beyond excited to see the movie this week. I’ve never bought a popcorn bucket in my life, but I might be tempted with this unique IMAX camera option. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if these sell out fast and become a cool collector’s item.

2. [Trailer] Warner Bros - DIGGER | Official Trailer

I haven’t seen much about Digger to date. All promotional materials for the upcoming “comedy of catastrophic proportions” by Alejandro Iñárritu has been just a Tom Cruise highlight reel, with nothing really to say about what the movie is actually about.

I have to say, I still don’t really have a good sense of what this movie is going to be after seeing this newly released “official” trailer.

It definitely didn’t get me more excited to see the movie, which I guess is a bummer, but I am still intrigued. I love that Cruise is pushing himself to do something completely different, after nearly a decade of strictly Mission Impossible and Top Gun movies.

3. [Teaser] Searchlight Pictures - BEHEMOTH! | Official Teaser

Similar to Digger, I do not know what to expect with BEHEMOTH!, but I am surely excited. The logline is as follows:

Follows a musician from a family of musicians who returns to Los Angeles. A love letter to the music of the movies and the people who make it.

In Tony Gilroy we trust.

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1. [Podcast] Scriptnotes - Thinking on Your Feet with Ryan Condal

Many are saying that Sunday’s House of the Dragon episode was the best episode to date. I was a huge fan myself, which is why I was excited to see today’s Scriptnotes episode with its showrunner, Ryan Condal.

Condal had an interesting path to HBO, starting off his career in marketing and writing spec scripts at night. Condal and Maizin, both seasoned HBO showrunners, talked some inside baseball on what it is like constructing and operating in a writers room.

2. [YouTube] Variety - Peter Dinklage & Kit Harington | Actors on Actors

Rejuvenated from this season of HOTD, I just recently started rewatching Game of Thrones. It’s perfectly timed with my finding of this Actors on Actors piece, with two of my favorite actors from the show.

I thought this was an interesting conversation, structured more like a couple of friends catching up after a while apart. They touch on topics ranging from getting their starts as actors (Dinklage had a much tougher time), theater, Harington’s rehab, and fatherhood. Harington, now 39, is right about the age of Dinklage when he first started on Game of Thrones, which made for an interesting dynamic.

3. [Post] Brad Stulberg - Norwegian Sports

With Norway’s exciting success in the FIFA World Cup, I found this post to be particularly thought provoking.

Stulberg lays out a number of things the US could learn from Norway’s philosophy on youth athletics. It seems like the Norwegian approach centers on inclusivity and prioritizing fun, rather than the focus on competition and specialization that leads to 70% of American kids dropping out of sports by age 13.

Looking back on my own athletics journey, I regret specializing as early as I did. I wish I played multiple sports throughout high school.

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I’ll be honest with y’all, I don’t really have it in me this week. This will be a quick one. Apologies. I’ll catch you next week. Have a great 4th of July weekend everyone.

1. [Podcast] Scriptnotes - Obsession with Curry Barker

An interesting conversation. You really get a peek behind the curtain on how people handle success.

One cool tidbit: Curry Barker credited the Aaron Sorkin Masterclass as a major help for him as he was learning screenwriting. Might need to fire it up.

2. [YouTube] HeroTech - How I Built a Dueling Retractable Lightsaber

People are awesome, man.

If you like Star Wars and/or engineering, check this guy out.

3. [Trailer] 20th Century Studios - The Dog Stars

Next Ridley Scott film. Looks sick.

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1. [Movie] Pixar - Toy Story 5

I’m a Pixar kid, unapologetically. And I’ll be honest, I thought the Toy Story franchise was cooked after the third film. But to my pleasant surprise, I actually really loved Toy Story 4 and, now, Toy Story 5.

This new one was very clever, very funny, and, at times, very emotional. I am continually surprised by how they are still able to come up with creative original stories using a lot of the same characters and premise. Toy Story 5 centers on the relationship of children and technology, with the main villain being an iPad-type thing, voiced by Greta Lee.

I have to say, Conan really stole the show for me as the potty training toy, Smarty Pants.

2. [YouTube] New Rockstars - HOUSE OF THE DRAGON RECAP: Everything You Need to Know Before Season 3!

House of the Dragon is back, baby.

The first episode of season 3 just came out on Sunday, and it was kind of a banger premier. While the first two seasons are filled with a lot of slow-moving plotting and scheming, this episode was all action.

Not without its flaws, but I’m excited to see where it goes from here. Time will tell if I’m still just riding high off the immaculate vibes of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

Season 2 came out almost 2 years ago, so if you need a refresher, this video should get you up to speed before season 3.

3. [Beer!] Montucky Cold Snacks

This last weekend, I was handed a blue can with a horse on it. “Montucky Cold Snacks” it read, and I thought that was a hilarious brand name. I didn’t expect it to be all that good.

But for a cheap light beer, it more than does the job. It’s actually pretty good!

I was warmed to learn that Montucky donates 8% of its profits to local charities. In California, they have partnered with SheJumps, a nonprofit focused on promoting women and girls participation in outdoor activities.

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1. [Movie] Sony Pictures Entertainment - The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

I know it’s a silly to suggest a Best Picture winner from 69 years ago (nice), but I just saw it for the first time this week and absolutely loved it.

The long runtime and slower pacing might seem completely foreign from a 2026 perspective, but I found the performances and cinematography to be mesmerizing. I guess this makes sense, since the movie also won Oscars for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Director, and Best Cinematography.

I’m planning on seeing Lawrence of Arabia this weekend in 70mm, so I am excited to continue working my way through the David Lean filmography.

2. [YouTube] AskSebby - HUGE Updates to Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: First Impressions

A few changes were made to this popular card:

• New 3x Categories: Gas, EV Charging, and Vacation Rentals (Airbnb, Vrbo, etc)

• Complementary Year of Apple TV

• $100 Chase Travel Hotel Credit (up from $50)

Right now, they are also offering a 100K point sign-up bonus for qualifying new applicants.

3. [Trailer] A24 - Tony

This trailer made waves in Hollywood when it first dropped about a month ago.

Personally, I am just excited to see Matt Johnson break into the A24 scene after the last two movies he directed, Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie and Blackberry, carved out a special place in my heart.

The movie looks really good, depicting the “origin story” of Anthony Bourdain, played by Dominic Sessa. It comes out in theaters on August 7, so something to look forward to.

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1. [YouTube Playlist] Grakniir - Ollie and Archimedes in Order

I am totally new to the Very Important People show. I don’t know how it slipped my radar for this long. After now devouring hours of clips, I think it is one of the funniest things on the internet.

The concept is this: comedian Vic Michaelis hosts a talk show where the guests (usually other comedians) are put in hilarious costumes and have to create a character on the spot and go through an improvised interview.

This particular episode got me. The full episode isn’t available on YouTube yet, but some fella named Grakniir put together a compilation playlist of the clips in order. Brennan Lee Mulligan absolutely steals the show. If you need a good laugh, check Very Important People out.

2. [Podcast] The Rewatchables - ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ With Bill Simmons, Steven Spielberg, and Sean Fennessey

Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day is about to hit theaters this week. Hearing my favorite director speak like a fanboy about one of the most influential movies of all time is an absolute treat.

It is worth the 2.25 hours, if even just to hear the anecdotes about Spielberg’s personal interactions with Stanley Kubrick.

3. [Teaser] 20th Century Studios - Whalefall

I’ve heard a lot of buzz about this movie, and the teaser just dropped today.

Logline: man gets eaten by whale.

Sounds scary, looks scary. I’m intrigued.

See you in October.

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1. [Movie] A24 - Backrooms

I am not a horror movie fan, but Backrooms has been on my radar for a while. The movie has killed at the box office, grossing over $126M worldwide so far. It also set some records—it’s the largest opening weekend for an A24 film and the biggest debut for an original horror movie in history.

The most impressive fact is that it was directed by a 20-year-old YouTube star, Kane Parsons.

Despite all the hooplah, I was still nervous heading into this movie because, well, I’m a scaredy cat. But my friend encouraged me, saying it’s “not super scary, more so creepy.” So I braved the theater, and it was indeed creepy.

But I’m proud that I saw it, because I was rewarded with an amazing film. Now the dialogue is nothing to write home about, but the acting is great and the cinematography has you on edge the entire movie. They give you just enough information to understand what’s going on without over-explaining.

All in all, I found it to be a really effective horror movie, well worth the praise.

2. [YouTube] Harvard University - Conan O’Brien Delivers the Commencement Address | Harvard Commencement 2026

I did not know that Conan went to Harvard (which was kind of the point of a lot of his speech). But man, is he just the best.

This is hands down the funniest commencement speech I’ve ever seen.

While being laugh-out-loud funny throughout, Conan also stressed three principles that have guided him throughout his career:

• Knowing he has done absolutely nothing alone

• Learning to embrace pivoting

• Recognizing the role of luck in his life

On that last point, one thing he said really stuck with me:

If you carry your victories lightly, other qualities—kindness, originality, courage, humor, and humanity—have room to emerge.

3. [YouTube] NFL on ESPN - SEISMIC TRADE | How the Myles Garrett deal impact the Rams and Browns’ futures

Go Rams.

There is also rumor that Aaron Donald might come out of retirement to play alongside Garrett.

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1. [Movie] Amazon MGM Studios - The Sheep Detectives

Okay, hear me out.

I know from the outside this movie might look cheesy, but it surprised me in all the right ways. It was funny, warm, and somehow super emotional?? I was brought to the verge of tears multiple times, from a movie about talking sheep…

I also don’t know how they got so much talent behind this. The script was written by Craig Mazin, possibly most known for Chernobyl and The Last of Us. And the cast is full of big names: Hugh Jackman, Nicholas Braun, Molly Gordon, Emma Thompson, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, Chris O'Dowd, Regina Hall, Patrick Stewart, Bella Ramsey, and Brett Goldstein.

If you want a movie that is going to make you feel something, strangely it might be the sheep movie.

2. [Score] Ludwig Göransson - Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (Original Motion Picture Sountrack)

The much anticipated (at least for me) Mandalorian and Grogu movie just came out last weekend, aaaaanndd it’s not doing too hot.

All estimates I’ve heard say it will perform just about in line with the Solo movie, one of the lowest grossing Star Wars movies of the Disney era. Mandalorian and Grogu cost a lot less than Solo, so it should still be okay from a profitability perspective, but not the result you want from one of the most popular pieces of IP in the world.

Now, while I didn’t think the movie was anything super amazing, I still found it an enjoyable watch and a fun time at the movies. If you like Star Wars and enjoy the opportunity to escape into a galaxy far far away for a couple hours, you will likely feel similarly.

One undoubtable bright spot, which shined for fans and pessimists alike, was Ludwig Göransson’s soundtrack. This dude just can’t miss. Building off of his memorable soundtrack from the show, Göransson continued to revolutionize with a delightful combination of 80’s-era synths and modern-style trap beats.

3. [Deal] McDonald’s App - Any Size Hot or Cold Coffee for 99 Cents

I absolutely abuse this deal. On the McDonald’s app, you can redeem an offer for a 99 cent coffee. I usually get a large iced coffee with no cream or sugar.

You might say that’s a lot of coffee, and I would say: correct.

A large iced coffee at Mickey D’s is damn near a gallon jug of bean juice, but it hits the spot every time.

This would normally run you like 4 bucks, but after this deal, I get it for just $1.08 (after tax in the great state of California).

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1. [YouTube] 60 Minutes - Christopher Nolan: The 60 Minutes Interview

The Odyssey is being released on July 17. Cue the promotions.

Directors are as much of a brand as any other form of IP, and Nolan is one of this generation’s true auteurs. I am very excited about The Odyssey—this summer is shaping up to be a fun one at the movies.

The interview touches on Nolan’s distinct style, his growth as a director, and the anticipation for The Odyssey.

2. [YouTube] 60 Minutes - Why Christopher Nolan shot “The Odyssey” on IMAX film

This movie is the first ever fully shot with IMAX cameras. 2 million feet of IMAX film.

These days, Premium Large Format (PLF) screens like IMAX seems to be the saving grace for movie theaters. It just still is impossible to replicate the scale of the big screen anywhere else.

Nolan has leaned into this, and he has increasingly shot in IMAX throughout this career. But historically, IMAX has been reserved for wide shots or large set pieces because the cameras are far too loud to use during dialogue.

This is no longer the case for The Odyssey. Nolan worked with the IMAX team to build a custom case for the camera so that it was much quieter. Matt Damon explained in the video that it was so heavy (300+ pounds), to the point where the crew had to build special dollies with steel plating just to hold it.

Personally, I think not seeing this movie at least once in IMAX this summer will be a crime.

3. [Blog] Doctor of Credit - Chase Sapphire & Freedom Cards Get 10x with Paze Checkout through 2026

Chase recently rolled out a new spending category on some of their cards: Paze.

Paze is an digital wallet that is only available to use when checking out on particular vendors. You can earn an additional 10 points per dollar spent on purchases, up to $1500 in purchases a month.

Some of the notable vendors include: United Airlines, Newegg, Domino’s Pizza, Dunkin Donuts, and Sephora.

This is perfect for when I spend $1500 on coffee in a month!

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1. [YouTube] MaxaMillion711 - Gen Z Never Saw This Version of LeBron James

My Lakers were knocked out of the NBA Playoffs last night, getting swept by OKC in a brutal series. It concerns me that LeBron is an unrestricted free agent now, and his time with the Lakers could come to an end.

Even though LeBron was still putting up great numbers, especially considering he’s playing with/against dudes half his age, it’s hard not to notice that he has lost a step or two. This video reminds you that he is the GOAT.

MaxaMillion dubs this the “Young Bron” era, from 2003 to 2009. He was a walking highlight reel. Enjoy.

2. [Game] Timeline

Warning: this game is addictive.

It’s a daily game where you guess the year of 6 major historical events. The closer you get to the right year, the more points you earn. Simple.

It’s easy to share your score with friends, so it’s a fun way to check in on a daily basis.

3. [YouTube] JoBlo Movie Clips - THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY Clip - “7 Minute Abs” (1998) Ben Stiller

I just recently rewatched There’s Something About Mary for the first time in years. The movie, though far from perfect, has some absolutely incredible laugh-out-loud moments.

One such moment is this hitchhiker scene. This line in particular had me doubled over:

It’s like you’re dreaming of Gorgonzola cheese when it’s clearly Brie time baby.

I plan on quoting that in random situations and seeing if anyone recognizes the reference.

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1. [TV Show] FX - Gary

Disney+ released a surprise one-off episode, in what I guess can now be called The Bear universe. This hour-ish long special takes place before the events of The Bear, showing the deteriorating mental state of Mikey Berzatto as he travels to Gary, Indiana with Richie.

It’s listed as a comedy, much like how The Bear positions itself as a comedy to win Emmys, but it really is a dark character study. Both Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach are terrific.

I think this sets up Season 5, which is set to premiere in June. I’m so interested why they decided to surprise-drop this now. No advance notice that I knew of. If you like The Bear, you have to check it out.

2. [Podcast] House of R - The ‘Star Wars: Maul—Shadow Lord’ Season 1 Finale With Sam Witwer

Happy belated May the Fourth! Two weeks ago I suggested you check out Maul—Shadow Lord, and that was even before yesterday’s release of the finale.

It got even better.

The GOAT, Sam Witwer, went on House of R to discuss the series, how he got his start in voice acting (playing The Son of Mortis), and how Maul has developed over his decade plus of playing him across multiple shows.

Wonderful stuff.

3. [Article] Frequent Miler - Earn 80K miles on the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card with no first year annual fee

This elevated sign-up offer is up there with the best for the AAdvantage cards. The Platinum Select card has a $99 annual fee, but if you sign up now using an in-flight code (or just any string of numbers), you can get the card for free for the first year and pocket 80K AA miles just for $1K in spend.

I am going to be flying American Airlines a bunch in the coming months, so this is the perfect opportunity to stock up on AA miles for cheap. The card has some additional benefits, but I will probably get it just for the bonus and then cancel after a year when the annual fee hits.

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1. [Treat] Nabisco - Zero Sugar Oreos

Wow. This is big for me.

I’m surprised I didn’t see these until now, but zero sugar Oreos were just introduced in January. Makes me feel a little less guilty when I inevitably eat an entire sleeve of them.

2. [Sign-Up Bonus] Atmos Summit 100K Offer

In an August post, I wrote about how Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines were merging into Atmos and launching a new premium credit card. That card has now brought back its 100K sign-up bonus offer, and has even sweetened the pot further with a 50% off flight discount upon approval.

I love this card, both for its multipliers and its perks. I use it as my go-to dining card, which allows me to rack up Atmos points (and status points) rather quickly. These are among the most valuable and hardest to earn points currencies in the game, so I definitely suggest taking advantage of this elevated 100K offer while it’s still available.

3. [Newsletter] Sean Fennessey - Projections

I guess I just can’t get enough of Sean. The host of one of my favorite podcasts, The Big Picture, announced the launch of a personal newsletter.

From his introductory post:

You can expect weekly missives from me, every Wednesday morning, with expansions from there. Critical deep dives, news analysis, irrefutable rankings. I love movie history more than anything, and I will plumb its depths here. I will dig into breaking news — trailer reactions, casting and greenlight updates, studio machinations, and more.

If you’re like me, and that sounds good to you, then go ahead and check Projections out. He recently just released his first public post, “The 10 New Rules of Movies,” if you want to test drive.

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1. [TV Show] Disney+ - Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord

If you see this and think, “wait, I thought this guy was cut in half?”, then you’re not locked in.

And I need you locked in.

Refer to my post from January 6 (yikes) to get caught up on Clone Wars.

Maul is one of, if not the, best parts of Dave Filoni’s era of Star Wars. Maul is dynamic, scary, and conniving. Sam Witwer, the absolute legend, has made the character his own and brought him to life.

I am stoked that there is a new show centered on Maul after the events of Order 66. It’s great so far, the art is fantastic, and the cast is incredible (including last year’s Best Actor nominee Wagner Moura). New episodes come out on Mondays, and the show has already been renewed for a second season, so I’ll repeat:

I need you locked in.

2. [Podcast] The Town with Matt Belloni - Jon Favreau on the Future of Star Wars, AI, and New Filmmaking Technology

Jon Favreau has directed, written, and/or acted in some of my favorite movies and TV shows of all time. Funny enough, my introduction to him was probably his breakout role in Rudy. But most recently, I credit him with reviving Star Wars for me after the Rise of Skywalker left a “Somehow, Palpatine returned”-sized hole in my heart.

The Mandalorian TV show (at least the first two seasons), stoked the warm sense of adventure from the original movies, while also bringing new fans into the fold. Now, Favreau has the new burden of bringing Star Wars back to the big screen. The Mandalorian & Grogu is hitting theaters Memorial Day Weekend.

Favreau sat down with Matt Belloni at CinemaCon to discuss the challenges of switching gears from TV to film. Honestly, he has his work cut out for him, because most complaints I’ve heard is that it doesn’t look cinematic enough—it just looks like another episode of the show, stretched out over the length of a movie.

I still have high hopes for the movie, and I already booked my tickets (which were nearly sold out, I must add).

What I found most interesting about the interview is how eloquently Favreau talked about the use of technology in film. Sure, AI is the hot topic right now, but he said that the most impactful development in his creative process was the integration of video game workstreams in pre-production.

By using Unreal Engine to do a lot of previz work, Favreau can get more precise with what he wants to see in frame before even stepping on set. This cuts down on shooting days, therefore driving down costs, which allows him to hire the best union crews and film a lot in LA (a rarity these days).

3. [YouTube] SlapShotBricks - LEAKED Lego Star Wars May The 4th Sales List! (20% Off, 2X and 4X Insider Points!!)

May The 4th is like a holiday in my household. A lot of the excitement is due to the release of new Star Wars Lego sets, sales, and promotions.

This year, there is not much on my wishlist, but I will definitely make sure to snag some sets I’ve been holding out for in order to get the promotional gift-with-purchase: The Darksaber. You get this as a bonus for spending $160+ on qualifying sets.

Maybe this video will spark some inspiration, or maybe a set you’ve been waiting on is going on sale or getting extra Insider points.

The other GWPs are forgetful, but I am excited to add The Darksaber to my growing collection of lightsaber hilts that Lego has released over the years. If anyone wants to sell me their Yoda’s Lightsaber set, that’s the last one I am missing.

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1. [YouTube] The Media Insider - How to analyse a film: the complete beginners guide

This was a very straightforward primer on a bunch of film-related terms. He uses the movie Belfast to illustrate each of the five key elements of film:

• Cinematography

• Editing

• Mise en scène

• Performance

• Sound

2. [YouTube] H.I.T Golf - If I Was NEW To Golf, This Would Be My Golf Bag

Like all washed up baseball players, I am taking up golf.

I’ve tried to get into it in the past, but it’s never stuck. I’m very bad. But I’ve been golfing enough to where I think I am ready to upgrade my clubs.

I’m still rocking a set of Ping Zings from the 90’s. 🙈

3. [YouTube] Wine Folly - Getting Into Wine: A Beginner’s Crash Course

I appreciate a good glass of wine, but then again, any glass of wine is a good glass of wine to me.

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1. [Documentary] Focus Features - The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist

AI is not going anywhere. The toothpaste is out of the tube, or as one of the interviewees charmingly put it:

The shit is out of the horse. And the horse is going to keep shitting.

The AI race is scary—our generation’s version of the nuclear arms race. With the wrong incentives (either of the AI designers or the AI itself), AGI could conceivably lead to human extinction. On the flip side, the documentary also shows the potential benefits of AI: healthcare innovations and increased accessibility, climate change improvements, and education revolution.

While overly-sensational at times, I think this is a topic worth discussing, and I was impressed by the number of big names that were interviewed. This documentary will do absolute gangbusters when it eventually goes to streaming, so keep an eye out for it.

2. [YouTube] Lateral Hazard - How the Masters Really Works

It’s Masters Week!

Perfect time for this video. It’s amazing to see the unbelievable level of craftsmanship, civil engineering, and tradition that goes into making this one of the most beloved event in all of sports.

I had no idea how much goes on behind the scenes. It definitely made me appreciate the tournament more, and I can’t wait to watch it this year!

3. [YouTube] ESPN - National Championship: South Carolina Gamecocks vs. UCLA Bruins | Full Game Highlights

UCLA absolutely demolished South Carolina (the other USC) to claim their first championship since 1978. It was super exciting tracking this team over the last few years, and I am sad that so many of the starters are graduating.

Go Bruins!

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1. [Trailer] HBO Max - Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone | Official Teaser

It’s always tough rebooting something… especially when that thing is still so fresh in people’s memory.

I need to approach this show with an open mind, because it feels like I could easily fall into “Not My Harry Potter” territory.

I will say, I am excited for them to explore this series in a TV show format—the extra runtime will allow them to expand on plot lines not covered in the original movies.

2. [YouTube] ESPN - NBA EXPANSION IS HAPPENING

Seattleites, rejoice.

The Sonics are coming back.

All 30 owners voted in favor of expanding to at least two cities: Seattle and Las Vegas. Supposedly, both teams would join the West, which would mean re-zoning a couple teams. This move will likely take place in time for the 2028-2029 season.

Having lived in Seattle for a bit, it’s clear the city still loves the Sonics. You’re bound to run into a couple Shawn Kemp murals if you walk around enough. It’s a wonderful sports city, and it’s great to see their patience rewarded.

3. [YouTube] FRANCE 24 English - Lost remains of French musketeer d’Artagnan may have been found in Dutch church

Pretty cool.

4. [Bonus Deal] Chevron App - 25cents per Gallon Discount

If you’re one of the millions of people hurt by the gas crisis, maybe this can help a little bit. I’m a big fan of the Chevron app, but now seems like the best time to take advantage of the sign up offer: save a quarter per gallon on your next five trips.

I’m not sure if this is available everywhere, but worth a shot. Here’s a picture of a sign with the details and a QR code to join:

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1. [Podcast] The Big Picture - The Steven Spielberg Conversation

Spielberg was recently interviewed at the SXSW Conference/Festival in advance of his newest movie, Disclosure Day, coming out later this year. A few things stuck with me:

• Spielberg said he saw Fantasia too young and was left incredibly scared by the “Night on Bald Mountain” (honestly that’s so fair, what a terrifying sequence)

  • This was funny to me because I was always so scared of Spielberg’s E.T. growing up, because I felt I saw it too young (don’t worry I have since gotten over my fear)

• Spielberg also mentioned that he does a lot of prep work on big-budget movies that have a lot of VFX, but on other movies he might not plan at all beforehand

  • He claims he did not have one storyboard on either Schindler’s List or Saving Private Ryan!!!

• He also has a western movie in development, but he wouldn’t give away any details

2. [Podcast] House of R - ‘Project Hail Mary’ Deep Dive. Plus: Andy Weir!

At the start of the Spielberg podcast, Sean Fennessey called out how Project Hail Mary killed it’s opening weekend, to the tune of $140.9M. I saw PHM on Sunday—I really enjoyed it, but I was expecting a movie that was closer to The Martian than a buddy comedy. Although the stakes are high (the whole world rests on the shoulders of Ryan Gosling), the movie plays more for laughs. Gosling was perfect in this role, and I was really amazed by how they nailed the Rocky character.

After you check out the movie, I’d listen to this fun deep dive and interview with the author of the book, Andy Weir. He reminds me a lot of Vince Gilligan: nerdy in the best way and passionate about his work.

In a particular memorable part of the interview, Weir described why he is convinced our first contact with an alien species would be a positive, peaceful one. Listen to the end to hear his optimistic reasoning.

3. [YouTube] Variety - How ‘The Mandalorian’ Score Found The New ‘Star Wars’ Sound

I didn’t realize until now that Ludwig Göransson also composed the score for The Mandalorian. I would have never guessed that the key instrument in that legendary, Emmy-winning score is… a recorder.

Göransson is the hottest composer in the business right now, coming off his most recent Oscar for Sinners (his third!). It was a treat to peek into his creative process.

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1. [YouTube] Variety - ‘Sinners’ Oscar Winning Cinematographer Breaks Down Center Framing for IMAX

The Oscars was on Sunday night. Overall, I thought it was a pretty good show, but that could be highly colored by the fact that it ended up being a great year for movies. Regardless, it was a great excuse to get a bunch of friends together and drink a few small beers.

As you all know, I was rooting for Sinners to win big, but One Battle After Another took the night. At the end of the day, I was happy. PTA got his Oscar, Coogler was acknowledged for his original screenplay, and MBJ shocked everyone by beating out Timmy and Leo for Best Actor.

Among the biggest winners of the night was Sinners’ cinematographer, Autumn Durald Arkapaw. She became the first woman to win the Oscar for Best Cinematographer. No one was more worthy than Arkapaw—I think Sinners transcended “just a genre movie” in part because it is so beautifully shot.

2. [Trailer] Warner Bros. Pictures International - Dune: Part Three | Official Teaser Trailer

Warner Bros stays winning… besides selling out to Zaddy Ellison.

One day after absolutely dominating at the Oscars with 11 awards (tying the record for a studio), they follow it up with the first trailer for the next Dune movie coming in December. It looks awesome.

3. [YouTube] sarlaccpitpodcast - Rare Star Wars 1977 Alec Guinness Interview on Parkinson Talk Show

I was pleased to stumble upon this fun, quick clip. For starters, I don’t think there are any more calming voices than Sir Alec Guinness. He’s also super charismatic in the interview, telling jokes and anecdotes that showed a different side of him than I am accustomed to.

Two things of note:

• He was initially interested in Star Wars because of George Lucas’ reputation as a promising up-and-comer

• He thought the dialogue was particularly “ropey,” which I just learned is British slang for poor quality

Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone!

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This will be a quick one. Three great movie recs, all of varying lengths.

1. [Movie] Neon - Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie

Laugh out loud funny. Who says comedy movies are dead!

The Canadian film won the People’s Choice Awards at TIFF and has doubled its budget at the box office so far.

If you love the movie like I did, you might want to check out this interesting interview with the director and star:

2. [Movies] Ryan Coogler - Locks

I finally got around to watching Ryan Coogler’s first short film. He’s without a doubt my favorite director today.

Rooting for Sinners to win in a couple weeks.

3. [Movie] George Lucas - Look at Life

Another GOAT.

I’m making my way through the audiobook on Francis Ford Coppola (free with a library card on Libby!), and I heard of the story of Lucas’ first student film that put him on the map at USC.

Turns out, the one-minute assignment is on YouTube!

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