Fans were shocked by Dwayne Johnson's appearance. At recent events, he looked more like The Pebble than The Rock.

The strong giant from Black Adam, however, reassured the media at the Toronto Film Festival. He had already undergone a transformation to faithfully portray an MMA fighter in The Smashing Machine. That film has received positive reviews.

Opportunity For Growth

The action hero from Jumanji and Fast & Furious shared at a press conference, according to The Independent: "I've wanted this for a while. In Hollywood, it's all about box office revenue. You can get pushed into a genre because that's what you do and what Hollywood wants. That was a lot of fun. Some movies did well, some less so."

He continued: "But I have a burning desire and wonder if there's more I can do. I asked myself if I was living my own dreams or those of others. I was initially afraid to go raw and deep and was okay with what I was doing until I got this opportunity. Sometimes you need people like Emily Blunt and Benny Safdie."

Escaping Typecasting

Dwayne Johnson will take it further with the same director for the film project Lizard Music. Leaner and more athletic, it’s the perfect way to escape that typecasting. He said about that: "I still have a long way to go."

Director Simon Curtis, known for works such as My Week with Marilyn and The Art of Racing in the Rain, brings closure to the long-running British saga Downton Abbey with the recently released Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. The big question: do critics see the film as a fitting conclusion?

In this final adventure, the Crawleys and their staff enter the 1930s. When a scandal puts Mary in jeopardy, they fight to maintain their social status. As they navigate financial troubles, the family embraces change and the next generation of Downton Abbey leads a new future. On Rotten Tomatoes, the Tomatometer stands strong at 91%.

In Style

G. Allen Johnson of the San Francisco Chronicle describes it as an entertaining film for long-time fans. He notes the film provides "delightful escapism infused with the dry humor of Noel Coward, creating constant subtle amusement in the familiar atmosphere of Downton Abbey."

James Dyer of Empire Magazine deems it a fitting finale. He writes that "the sentimental swan song may not make it onto year-end lists, but it pays tribute to Downton and closes the book with style, in a way Violet Crawley would appreciate."

Eccentric And Bittersweet

Clarisse Loughrey of The Independent finds the ending worthy. She asserts that "this is likely the most elegant and fitting closing note one could expect." She believes the film stays true to its origins.



Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian calls the film absurd yet still watchable. He mentions that "the film remains oddly entertaining in a strange way, with memorable shots of characters thanking each other for their attentiveness."

A Cynical Note

Kevin Maher of The Times is less positive. He describes the ending as "both overly sweet and deeply cynical," viewing the film primarily as a showcase for everyone who ever had a role in this long-running class fairy tale.

In recent years, we've seen streaming services willing to invest monstrous sums of money in their film productions. Netflix has been a leader in this regard with titles like Red Notice and The Gray Man. One of the most expensive Netflix productions is Zack Snyder’s (Man of Steel) sci-fi duology titled Rebel Moon.

Rebel Moon Part One: A Child of Fire and Rebel Moon Part Two: The Scargiver had a combined price tag of 166 million dollars. However, news site Variety reported that the budget was likely much higher, though that number has never been disclosed.

Story

The films take place in a galaxy ruled by the imperialistic Mother World, whose military, the Empire, threatens a village on the moon Veldt. In Part One, Kora (Sofia Boutella), a former soldier of the Empire, embarks on a mission to recruit warriors from across the galaxy to fight against the Empire.

In Part Two, Kora and the surviving warriors prepare to defend Veldt, their new home, alongside the local populace against the Empire. The warriors confront their past and reveal their motives before the Empire's forces arrive to quash the growing rebellion.

Huge Plans

Rebel Moon was announced as a vast cinematic universe. Snyder aimed to create a total of six films, and there were video games and spin-offs in the works. The risk of planning a cinematic universe is that the first film may not resonate with the audience at all. This was true for the Rebel Moon films, as Part One scored only 22% on Rotten Tomatoes and Part Two just 16%.



The films garnered decent viewership, but ratings were clearly not enough to justify four sequel films. Writer Kurt Johnstad confirmed in May that sequels are unlikely to happen.

Future

Snyder himself says there is potential to return to the world of Rebel Moon, but he does not plan to do so anytime soon. He found directing Part One and Part Two back-to-back to be "very exhausting."



Additionally, Snyder is working on two completely different projects. His next film will be The Fountainhead, a crime film about a former DEA agent who returns to South America to find his missing niece. He enlists the help of a war photographer, the only man who has seen the face of the kidnappers.

In just a few days, Task has topped the charts as the most-watched series on HBO Max in over fifty countries. This crime drama by Brad Ingelsby, known for Mare of Easttown, has immediately struck a chord with viewers, combining thrilling suspense with a powerful family narrative. The story revolves around two men at a breaking point in their lives: an FBI agent and the man he must track down.

The series opens with Robbie (Tom Pelphrey), who fills his nights with risky heists while caring for his children and niece Maeve during the day. Despite his seemingly relaxed demeanor, he struggles with loss and immense responsibilities. On the other side is FBI agent Tom (Mark Ruffalo), who loses control of his life after the death of his wife and due to issues with his son. Their paths cross when Tom is assigned to end Robbie’s criminal activities.

A Story About Fathers And Families

Task sets itself apart by focusing on the emotional burdens both men carry. It’s less about whether the police will catch the perpetrator and more about the consequences of their choices for their families. Ingelsby weaves the classic cat-and-mouse game with themes of grief, responsibility, and guilt, avoiding clichés along the way.

Besides Robbie and Tom, Maeve (Emilia Jones) plays a vital role. As a young adult, she takes on a significant portion of the caregiving and serves as a counterbalance to Robbie’s recklessness. Tom’s team, including Lizzie (Alison Oliver) and Aleah (Thuso Mbedu), is also given space to be more than just supporting characters.

Tension And Empathy

The series alternates between intense confrontations and quiet moments of compassion. The pace is fast, with chases and shootouts, yet always attentive to the personal struggles of the main characters. Thus, Task becomes not just a crime drama but also a story about how individuals strive to stand firm when everything is against them.

Netflix has a new asset that could further strengthen its battle for the top position in the streaming world. The drama series Spartacus is making its comeback after years off the platform. With millions of loyal viewers worldwide, this revival could be a savvy move in a market where the competition among streaming services is intensifying.

The series Spartacus, originally aired from 2010 to 2013, tells the story of the Thracian Spartacus. After being captured and trained as a gladiator, he rebels against his oppressors. Alongside other gladiators, he leads a bloody and courageous fight for freedom. With starring roles from the likes of Andy Whitfield, Lucy Lawless, and Manu Bennett, the series successfully attracted a large audience.

Strategic Move

The return of Spartacus is more than just an addition to Netflix's catalog. As Disney+, Prime Video, and HBO Max expand, Netflix shows that it is still the largest with over 301 million users. Adding a classic like Spartacus could help maintain that lead while attracting a new audience.

According to What’s on Netflix, the series will be available again starting September 22, for the first time in more than five years. Previously, viewers could watch Spartacus between 2015 and 2020, but since then the series has been absent from Netflix. With all four seasons returning at once, viewers will have the opportunity to experience the complete story again or for the first time.

Sequel Series

The timing of this return is particularly significant. In 2025, a sequel series titled Spartacus: House of Ashur will be released, reviving the franchise after more than a decade.

Netflix has hit the jackpot with the drama film Straw, directed by Tyler Perry. The film amassed an impressive 103 million views just in the month of June. Starring Taraji P. Henson in the lead role, it reached the top of the streaming service's Top 10 just one day after its release. The story, which centers on a single mother caught in a conspiracy while caring for her seriously ill daughter, resonates with a wide audience.

This drama film is part of Perry's extensive Netflix universe, which previously included titles such as She the People, Mea Culpa, Beauty in Black, and The Six Triple Eight. Straw was released worldwide on June 6 and is among the top 3 most watched Netflix films of the first half of 2025. Despite its high viewership, reviews are mixed: the film has a modest score of 6.5 on IMDb.

The Story

Straw follows Janiyah, a single mother who will do anything for her severely ill daughter. When she inadvertently becomes involved in a bank robbery, her world comes crashing down. The film addresses societal issues such as poverty, lack of support, and personal sacrifice, showcasing how far a mother will go to protect her child. The dramatic tension and intensity of events give the film an emotional tone that resonates with many viewers.

In addition to Henson, the cast includes Sherri Shepherd, Teyana Taylor, Glynn Turman, Sinbad, and Rockmond Dunbar. Tyler Perry wrote, directed, and produced Straw, which was mostly filmed in Atlanta. Critics praise the film for its strong cast and visual presentation, but also note that the story can sometimes veer into melodrama.

Availability And Trailer

Straw is exclusively available on Netflix and is definitely worth a watch in our opinion!