Welcome To The Second Quarter Quell

All images: Lionsgate

The first full trailer for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping has arrived and it looks epic. This story follows Haymitch's journey through the Hunger Games, and I honestly feel it is the saddest of the series.

Here's the official synopsis from Lionsgate: 

"The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" will revisit the world of Panem 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping arrives in theaters on November 20th.

RG Collingwood Quote

"History is for human self-knowledge… The only clue to what man can do is what man has done."

- Robin George Collingwood

Making A Wish

The topiaries at the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival are so fun. You never know which character will be hiding around the next corner. In 2024, this Goofy topiary was making a wish on a dandelion near the World Celebration Bridge. 

I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - Sing 2

Illumination

Illumination's Sing movies have fantastic music. Listening to the soundtracks always brightens my day.

Remarkably Bright Creatures

All images: Netflix

The first trailer and poster for Remarkably Bright Creatures are unexpectedly beautiful. The story follows Tova, a cleaner at the aquarium, Cameron, the young man hired to replace her, and Marcellus, a giant octopus. 

Here's the official synopsis from Netflix: 

Based on the bestselling phenomenon by Shelby Van Pelt comes the story of Tova, a widow who forms an unlikely friendship with the curmudgeonly Marcellus — a giant pacific octopus that lives at the aquarium where she works. Unbeknownst to Tova, Marcellus is on a mission to solve a mystery that will heal the widow’s heart and lead her to a life-changing discovery.

"Remarkably Bright Creatures", stars Sally Field, Lewis Pullman, Joan Chen, Kathy Baker, Beth Grant, Sofia Black-D'Elia, Colm Meaney, and Alfred Molina.

Remarkably Bright Creatures arrives on Netflix on May 8th.

How To Watch The Star Wars Saga In Timeline Order

Lucasfilm

Watching all of the various series and movies in the Star Wars Saga has become increasingly complicated over the years. Seasons of a series end up taking place in and around the movies and other series, and even worse, several seem to run concurrently. This is the best order I've discovered for watching it all... so long as you have 170 hours or so to devote to the tales of a galaxy far, far away.

1. Tales of the Jedi - Episode 2 "Justice" ✨️
2. Tales of the Underworld - Episode 4 "The Good Life" ✨️
3. Tales of the Jedi - Episode 3 "Choices" ✨️
4. Tales of the Underworld - Episodes 5-6 ✨️
5. Tales of the Jedi - Episode 1 "Life and Death" ✨️
6. The Phantom Menace 🎞
7. Tales of the Jedi - Episode 4 "The Sith Lord" ✨️
8. Attack of the Clones 🎞
9. Tales of the Empire - Episode 1 "The Path of Fear" ✨️
10. The Clone Wars ⭐️
11. The Clone Wars - Seasons 1-6 ✨️
12. The Clone Wars - Season 7 Episodes 1-10 ✨️
13. The Revenge of the Sith 🎞
14. The Clone Wars - Season 7 Episode 11 ✨️
15. Tales of the Jedi - Episode 5 "Practice Makes Perfect" ✨️
16. The Clone Wars - Season 7 Episode 12 ✨️
17. Tales of the Empire - Episode 4 "Devoted" ✨️
18. Tales of the Jedi - Episode 6 "Resolve" ✨️
19. Tales of the Empire - Episode 5 "Realization" ✨️
20. Tales of the Underworld - Episodes 1-3 ✨️
21. The Bad Batch - Seasons 1-3 ✨️
22. Maul - Shadow Lord - Season 1 ✨️
23. Solo: A Star Wars Story 🎞
24. Obi-Wan Kenobi 🎬
25. Andor - Season 1 🎬
26. Tales of the Empire - Episode 2 "Path of Anger" ✨️
27. Tales of the Empire - Episode 6 "The Way Out" ✨️
28. Star Wars Rebels - Seasons 1-4 ✨️
29. Andor - Season 2 🎬
30. Rogue One 🎞
31. A New Hope 🎞
32. The Empire Strikes Back 🎞
33. Return of the Jedi 🎞
34. Tales of the Empire - Episode 3 "The Path of Hate" ✨️
35. Skeleton Crew - Season 1 🎬
36. The Mandalorian - Season 1 & 2 🎬
37. The Book of Fett 🎬
38. The Mandalorian - Season 3 🎬
39. Ahsoka - Season 1 & 2 🎬
40. Star Wars Resistance - Season 1 Episodes 1-17 ✨️
41. The Force Awakens 🎞
42. Star Wars Resistance - Season 1 Episodes 18-21 ✨️
43. The Last Jedi 🎞
44. Star Wars Resistance - Season 2 ✨️
45. The Rise of Skywalker 🎞

⭐️ - Animated Movie

✨️ - Animated Series

🎞 - Live-Action Movie

🎬 - Live-Action Series

Dune: Part Three Teaser and Character Posters

All images: Warner Bros

The first teaser trailer for Dune: Part Three shows a universe at war. This will be the darkest movie of the trilogy. Paul Atreides may now be the Emperor, but ruling is not as easy as he'd expected.

Here's the official synopsis from Warner Bros: 

Directed by Denis Villeneuve and written by Villeneuve and Brian K. Vaughan, "Dune: Part Three" is based on the novel "Dune Messiah" by Frank Herbert and delivers the epic conclusion to Villeneuve’s trilogy. The film stars Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Florence Pugh, Rebecca Ferguson, Isaach De Bankolé, with Charlotte Rampling, with Anya Taylor-Joy, and Robert Pattinson, and Javier Bardem, and features newcomers Nakoa-Wolf Momoa and Ida Brooke.

Nine character posters have also been released and they are very dark.

Timothée Chalamet is Paul Atreides

Zendaya is Chani

Rebecca Ferguson is Lady Jessica

Anya Taylor-Joy is Alia Atreides

Jason Momoa is Hayt

Javier Bardem is Stilgar

Isaach De Bankolé is Farok

Florence Pugh is Irulan

Robert Pattinson is Scytale

Dune: Part Three arrives in theaters on December 18th.

He Is A Shadow

Lucasfilm

Today's the day: the first two episodes of Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord have arrived on DisneyPlus. Maul is back (again) and he's back for revenge.

Here's the official synopsis from Lucasfilm: 

"Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord" picks up after the events of "Star Wars: The Clone Wars", for a pulpy adventure that finds Maul plotting to rebuild his criminal syndicate on Janix, a planet untouched by the Empire. There, he crosses paths with a disillusioned young Jedi Padawan who may just be the apprentice he is seeking to aid him in his relentless pursuit for revenge.

The voice cast is led by Sam Witwer, who also lent his voice to Maul in "Clone Wars", "Star Wars Rebels", and beyond, Gideon Adlon as Devon Izara, Wagner Moura as Brander Lawson, Richard Ayoade as Two-Boots, Dennis Haysbert as Master Eeko-Dio Daki, Chris Diamantopoulos as Looti Vario, Charlie Bushnell as Rylee Lawson, Vanessa Marshall as Rook Kast, David W. Collins as Spybot, A.J. LoCascio as Marrok, and Steve Blum as Icarus.

The first two episodes of Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord are available now on DisneyPlus.

Two new episodes will debut each Monday with the final episodes arriving on Star Wars Day, May the 4th.

Happy Easter

Though skies be cloudy

Or skies be blue,

I'm wishing a bright,

Happy Easter for you

Beauty and the Beast Egg

For the last several years, the Grand Floridian at Disney World has hosted an incredible display of Easter eggs made of chocolate and sugar. The eggs, which generally feature Disney characters, are hand crafted by Cast Members and used to be displayed in the lobby. Some eggs returned from year to year, and new eggs were added as well. This year, the display is quite different with fewer eggs spread out around the second floor. 

This Beauty and the Beast egg, created by Cast Member Yadi, was on display in 2024. The inside featured the Enchanted Rose while the Beast and Belle in their finery appeared on the outside. The scene was incredible and the egg rotated so that you could see every element.

Swapped

All images: Netflix

A new animated body swap movie is coming to Netflix and it looks quite cute. Ollie and Ivy have to work together to get back into their own bodies, and possibly, save the creatures of their valley.

Here's the official synopsis from Netflix: 

Swapped is a buddy comedy about a small woodland creature (voiced by Michael B. Jordan) and a majestic bird (Juno Temple). When these two natural sworn enemies of The Valley suddenly swap bodies, they must team up, while walking in each other’s feathers and fur, to survive the wildest adventure of their lives. Swapped also stars Tracy Morgan, Cedric the Entertainer and Justina Machado.

Swapped arrives on Netflix on May 1st.

The Force Serves Me

All images: Lucasfilm

There's less than one week to go until the return of Maul. The unkillable rogue is back to seek revenge on the Empire who betrayed him.

Here's the official synopsis from Lucasfilm: 

Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord presents fans with a pulpy adventure that finds Maul plotting to rebuild his criminal syndicate on a planet untouched by the Empire. There, he crosses paths with a disillusioned young Jedi Padawan who may just be the apprentice he is seeking to aid him in his relentless pursuit for revenge.

The cast includes Sam Witwer as Maul, Gideon Adlon as Devon Izara, Wagner Moura as Brander Lawson, Richard Ayoade as Two-Boots, Dennis Haysbert as Master Eeko-Dio Daki, Chris Diamantopoulos as Looti Vario, Charlie Bushnell as Rylee Lawson, Vanessa Marshall as Rook Kast, David W. Collins as Spybot, A.J. LoCascio as Marrok, and Steve Blum as Icarus.

The first two episodes of Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord will arrive on DisneyPlus on April 6th.

Two new episodes will debut each Monday, leading up to the finale on Star Wars Day, May the 4th.

April Fools Day

"The First of April some do say

Is set apart for all Fool’s Day

But why the people call it so

Nor I nor they themselves do know"

- Poor Robin's Almanac

Grogu Joins The Conversation

Lucasfilm

In this new video from Lucasfilm, Sigourney Weaver, Jon Favreau, Pedro Pascal, and Grogu of course, discuss the making of Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu. It looks like its going to be epic.

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu arrives in theaters on May 22nd.

Figment Cartoon Comes To Life

Disney

The "How Not To Draw" videos from Disney are a lot of fun. In this video, Figment comes to life to share a bit of his imagination. 

Chronicles of Narnia Quote

20th Century Studios

"Harold says one of the most cowardly things ordinary people do is to shut their eyes to Facts."

- Eustace Scrubb, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Flowers and Butterflies

There are flowers everywhere at the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival. In Butterfly Landing, the flowers were chosen because they attract butterflies like this Monarch. These flowers include African Daisies, Egyptian Star Flowers, and Lantana.

Stranger Things: Tales From '85

All images: Netflix

The first trailer for Stranger Things: Tales From '85 has arrived and it looks rather interesting. This animated series takes place between seasons 2 & 3 of the live-action series. 

Here's the official synopsis from Netflix: 

"Stranger Things: Tales From ’85" follows our heroes Eleven (voiced by Brooklyn Davey Norstedt), Mike (Luca Diaz), Will (Benjamin Plessala), Dustin (Braxton Quinney), Lucas (Elisha “EJ” Williams), and Max (Jolie Hoang-Rappaport) in the winter of 1985. Something terrifying has awakened beneath the ice, and it’s up to our crew to solve this mystery and save Hawkins in this new story set in the "Stranger Things" universe.

More familiar friends will be along for the ride, too, including Hopper (Brett Gipson) and Steve (Jeremy Jordan). Plus, a new companion — the pink-haired Nikki Baxter (Odessa A’zion) — is poised to join the party. Janeane Garofalo also lends her voice as Anna Baxter as well as Lou Diamond Phillips as Daniel Fischer, Robert Englund as Cosmo, Alysia Reiner as Karen Wheeler, Alessandra Antonelli as Nancy Wheeler, Valeria Rodriguez as Rosario, and Jack Griffo as Jeff.

Stranger Things: Tales From '85 arrives on Netflix on April 23rd.

Avatar: Fire and Ash on Digital and Blu-ray

All images: 20th Century Studios

Avatar: Fire and Ash is headed to Digital next week. The third movie in the epic story of Pandora finds the Sully family fighting to defend their way of life once again.

Here's the official synopsis from 20th Century Studios: 

Return to the breathtaking world of Pandora in the most powerful chapter of the Avatar saga yet. As Jake and Neytiri guide their family through grief, they journey with the nomadic Wind Traders across Pandora’s skies. But the Sullys’ path is threatened by a new enemy—the Ash People, a warlike clan led by the fierce Varang—who have turned against Eywa and the ancient Na’vi way.

The movie will also be available in various Blu-ray formats in mid May. All versions will include over 3 hours of bonus features and behind-the-scenes footage.

• English Family Audio Track: All objectionable language removed.
• Igniting the Flame: The Making of Avatar: Fire and Ash Featurettes
• Writing the Sequels
• Pandoran Design
• RDA Design
• The Women of Pandora
• Varang and the Mangkwan
• Capturing Performance
• Stunts
• Editing and Virtual Camera
• WĒTĀ FX
• ILM
• Score
• The Art and Impact of 3D
• Home in New Zealand
• Jon Landau Tribute
• RDA Orientation
• Na'vi 101
• Pandora Intelligence Brief
• Marketing Materials & Music Video
• Dream as One Music Video
• Theatrical Trailer 1
• Theatrical Trailer 2

Avatar: Fire and Ash arrives on Digital on March 31st and on Blu-ray on May 19th.

A New Breed of Mystery

All images: Amazon

A new trailer has arrived for The Sheep Detectives and it looks so funny! I've always loved a good mystery, but having a flock of sheep solve the whodunit is definitely unusual. 

Here's the official synopsis from Amazon:

In this witty, new breed of mystery, George (Hugh Jackman) is a shepherd who reads detective novels to his beloved sheep every night, assuming they can’t possibly understand. But when a mysterious incident disrupts life on the farm, the sheep realize they must become the detectives. As they follow the clues and investigate human suspects, they prove that even sheep can be brilliant crime-solvers.

Starring Hugh Jackman, Nicholas Braun, Nicholas Galitzine, Molly Gordon, with Hong Chau and Emma Thompson, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, Chris O’Dowd, Regina Hall, Patrick Stewart, Bella Ramsey, Rhys Darby.

The Sheep Detectives arrives in theaters on May 8th.

Moana Trailer

All images: Disney

A new trailer has arrived for Disney's live-action Moana. The special effects look amazing. (Maui with the shark head is still hilarious.)

Here's the official synopsis from Disney: 

In “Moana,” Disney’s live action reimagining of the beloved Oscar®-nominated animated adventure, Moana (Catherine Lagaʻaia) answers the Ocean’s call and, for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with the infamous demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) on an unforgettable journey to restore prosperity to her people. 

Moana arrives in theaters on July 10th.

Whistle Stop - Robin Hood

Disney

The soundtrack from Disney's Robin Hood is still one of my favorites. There's just something delightful about the music from the animated film.

Charles Dickens Quote

"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade."

- Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

Butterfly Topiary

This delightful butterfly topiary, made entirely of succulents, was outside Butterfly Landing at the 2024 EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival. 

Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom

All images: Aardman Animation

Something mysterious (and very hairy!) has appeared in Mossy Bottom. Can Shaun and his pals stop the creature and save Halloween?

Here's the official synopsis from Aardman Animation: 

"Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom" sees the residents of Mossy Bottom Farm looking forward to Halloween – until the clumsy Farmer trashes the Flock’s beloved pumpkin patch! When Shaun turns mad scientist to fix the problem, things rapidly spiral out of control... With The Farmer missing and a wild beast roaming the woods of Mossingham, all the ingredients are in place for a monstrously fun family adventure.

Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom arrives in theaters on September 18th.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day

All images: Marvel & Sony

It looks like poor Peter Parker is really struggling since he erased himself from the memories of everyone. Without his support group, he's an outsider in his own world.

Here's the official synopsis from Marvel & Sony:

After the record-breaking global success of "Spider-Man: No Way Home", "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" marks an entirely new chapter for Peter Parker and Spider-Man. 

Four years have passed since the events of "No Way Home", and Peter is now an adult living entirely alone, having voluntarily erased himself from the lives and memories of those he loves. Crime-fighting in a New York that no longer knows his name, he's devoted himself entirely to protecting his city — a full-time Spider-Man — but as the demands on him intensify, the pressure sparks a surprising physical evolution that threatens his existence, even as a strange new pattern of crimes gives rise to one of the most powerful threats he has ever faced.

The cast includes: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal, Tramell Tillman, Michael Mando, and Mark Ruffalo.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day arrives in theaters on July 31st.

Maul - Shadow Lord Trailer

Lucasfilm

The first full trailer for Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord has arrived and it looks very dark. The latest animated series in the Star Wars Universe follows that unkillable rogue, Maul, as he seeks revenge on the Empire who betrayed him.

Here's the official synopsis from Lucasfilm: 

Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord presents fans with a pulpy adventure that finds Maul plotting to rebuild his criminal syndicate on a planet untouched by the Empire. There, he crosses paths with a disillusioned young Jedi Padawan who may just be the apprentice he is seeking to aid him in his relentless pursuit for revenge.

The cast includes Sam Witwer as Maul, Gideon Adlon as Devon Izara, Wagner Moura as Brander Lawson, Richard Ayoade as Two-Boots, Dennis Haysbert as Master Eeko-Dio Daki, Chris Diamantopoulos as Looti Vario, Charlie Bushnell as Rylee Lawson, Vanessa Marshall as Rook Kast, David W. Collins as Spybot, A.J. LoCascio as Marrok, and Steve Blum as Icarus.

The first two episodes of Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord will arrive on DisneyPlus on April 6th. Two new episodes will debut each Monday, leading up to the finale on Star Wars Day, May the 4th.

Golden - KPop Demon Hunters

Sony

"Golden", a song from the animated movie KPop Demon Hunters, won the Oscar for Best Original Song last night. It's such a fun, upbeat song. I haven't watched the movie yet, which also won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, but the kiddo is definitely a fan.

KPop Demon Hunters is available on Netflix.