Latest news with #Popcornmeter
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Jensen Ackles' ‘Countdown' storms global charts despite brutal critic reviews
Jensen Ackles is riding high once again as his new Prime Video series Countdown surges in popularity across the globe. Despite launching to a lukewarm 31% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, the high-octane thriller has soared into the Top 10 streaming charts in more than 25 countries, including the U.S. and U.K. Audience response has been far more enthusiastic, with Countdown currently boasting a 72% rating on Popcornmeter. Initially dismissed as a Terminal List knockoff, Countdown is now proving to be far more than that. Ackles stars as a former black-ops operative pulled back into the field amid a web of government lies and a deadly countdown. His performance has drawn comparisons to Chris Pratt's James Reece, but many fans say Ackles brings more heart, grit, and intensity to the role. The series was created by veteran showrunner Derek Haas, known for launching the One Chicago franchise (Chicago Fire, P.D., and Med) and co-writing action hits like Wanted and 2 Fast 2 Furious. With Haas' fast-paced storytelling and Ackles' undeniable screen presence, Countdown mixes emotional stakes with adrenaline-pumping action. Ackles is joined by a powerhouse cast including Jessica Camacho (Bosch: Legacy), Eric Dane (Euphoria), and Violett Beane (The Flash). Together, they drive a tense narrative filled with conspiracies, betrayals, and nail-biting suspense. The show's structure, layered with twists and constant escalation, makes it perfect binge material. As buzz builds online, Prime Video appears to have a surprise summer hit on its hands. Ackles, who rose to fame with Supernatural, is also set to return as Soldier Boy in The Boys Season 5 next year and lead the newly announced prequel Vought Rising. From underdog to international streaming phenomenon, Countdown is a comeback story both for Ackles and for character-driven action TV.
Tom's Guide
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
5 movies like 'Brick' but better
I'm a big fan of campy movies if the premise is interesting enough, but even I found "Brick" a total snooze fest. I'm honestly shocked to see it still holding strong in the Netflix top 10, but then again, the hook feels made in a lab to entice folks to hit "play." Netflix's latest psychological thriller debuted on July 10, and it has a claustrophobic, escape room-style setup with plenty of potential for mystery. A grieving couple mid-break-up suddenly gets trapped in their apartment building when an ominous brick wall entombs everything overnight — now that's intriguing. Frustratingly, while "Brick" manages to build an ominous atmosphere, the vibes aren't enough to outshine its laundry list of problems. Heavy-handed dialogue, undercooked characters, and plot beats that swing between predictable and nonsensical are pain points impossible to ignore. I'm not alone in my assessment. Over on Rotten Tomatoes, "Brick" has a pitiful 35% critics' score, and audiences enjoyed it even less (it's sitting at a 27% score on the Popcornmeter). If you're looking for a truly gripping or original thriller, "Brick" doesn't offer anything new or compelling. Thankfully, you can find plenty of better mystery thrillers across the best streaming services, the kind that keep you glued to the screen, trying to piece together what the hell is going on from start to finish. So, without further ado, here are some movies like "Brick" but better. What makes this sci-fi thriller so compelling is also what makes it hard to talk about (a common theme you'll find among most of the entries on this list). Giving away too much would risk spoiling some of its most surprising and rewarding reveals. Sophie Thatcher is proving to be a regular scream queen after starring in "Yellowjackets," "Heretic" and "Companion." She plays Iris, a young woman who sets off with her boyfriend Josh (Jack Quaid) and friends to a weekend getaway at a remote cabin owned by eccentric billionaire Sergey (Rupert Friend). However, their trip takes a disturbing turn when Iris appears one morning, drenched in blood. What begins as a relaxing retreat quickly spirals into something far more sinister. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. I'm intentionally keeping things vague because this is one of those films that's best experienced with minimal context. It's a tightly wound mystery that unspools with twist after twist — and trust me, this is one film you'll want to go into with as little prior knowledge as possible. Watch it now on Max If you enjoyed "Brick's" claustrophobic atmosphere, get ready to really get your heart racing with "Buried." This single-location thriller sees Ryan Reynolds play Paul Conroy, a man stuck in a truly desperate situation. Our first introduction to Paul, an American truck driver working in Iraq, is when he wakes up disoriented, trapped in utter darkness. After fumbling for a lighter, he realizes he's been buried alive in a coffin. With no clear way out and only a limited supply of air, time is not on his side. His only lifeline to the outside world is his cellphone. He manages to contact a U.S. department that handles hostage negotiations and learns that those responsible for his situation are demanding a hefty price for his freedom. It becomes a race against time to try to escape his terrifying ordeal without losing his cool. Because the more he panics, the faster he'll burn through what precious little air he has left. Watch it now on Tubi Both "Brick" and "10 Cloverfield Lane" tap into themes of distrust, manipulation, and the uneasy overlap between protection and imprisonment. If you enjoyed "Brick's" slow-burn tension, this makes for an ideal follow-up. And no, you don't have to watch the first "Cloverfield" to follow along. After storming out of her New Orleans apartment over a fight with her fiancé, Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) wakes up injured from a car crash and at the mercy of her rescuer-turned-captor, Howard (John Goodman). He insists that an alien invasion has made the outside world deadly. The only way to survive is to stay holed up in his bunker with her fellow captive Emmett (John Gallagher Jr.). But as cracks appear in Howard's story, Michelle and Emmett start digging for the truth. What they discover pushes them to plan a desperate escape, but the real nightmare doesn't begin until Michelle steps outside to face what's really waiting for her. Watch it now on Prime Video "His House" is one of the most affecting movies I've seen in years. While it definitely leans more toward horror than the other entries on this list, its character-led drama keeps you guessing every step of the way with a poignant twist on the haunted house trope. "His House" follows the plight of a young Sudanese couple, Bol (Sope Dirisu) and Rial (Wunmi Mosaku), who risked everything to flee to the UK. An accident at sea has them arriving on British shores grieving the loss of their daughter, and their troubles only multiply when they're finally granted asylum in a small English town. Facing hostility and racism in their new neighborhood, the couple struggles to settle into their new life. Tensions between them deepen as a supernatural presence in their home begins to surface, which seems tied to the trauma they thought they left behind. While Rial insists they need to leave, Bol fears that making waves could risk deportation. Left with no support, they must confront whatever's haunting their new home alone, unearthing painful secrets they wish would stay buried. Watch it now on Netflix A bit of an older pick, but the mystery at the heart of "Memento" is so fun to unravel, it's hard to resist being drawn to it again and again. Writer-director Christopher Nolan has gone on to win Oscars for "Inception," "Interstellar" and "Oppenheimer," but his breakthrough film kicked off his legacy with plenty of twists that blew audiences' minds. This ingeniously structured thriller stars Guy Pearce as Leonard Shelby, a man suffering from anterograde amnesia. He can't form new short-term memories, and the story unfolds out of order, so audiences share in his disorientation. By extension, nearly every scene functions like a twist, revealing information Leonard once knew but has since forgotten, with misleading clues or outright lies often muddying the waters further. Nolan plays with both style and structure throughout, weaving together black-and-white and color sequences as well as chronological and reverse-chronological order. Piecing together the fragmented narrative is deeply satisfying, but "Memento" remains gripping even when the truth is just out of reach. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Is New 'Superman' Movie Anti-Israel? What to Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Superman, the new blockbuster from DC has made a box office splash. However, political figures from the right and left have quickly taken to social media in a bid to read into the meaning behind the film, namely, whether it is about the war in Gaza. Newsweek has reached out to DC via email for comment. This article includes some spoilers as to the plot of the film. Why It Matters The current conflict between Israel and Hamas began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage. Israel retaliated and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to eradicate Hamas. People cross the street near billboards advertising the new "Superman" film in Times Square in New York City on July 9, 2025. People cross the street near billboards advertising the new "Superman" film in Times Square in New York City on July 9, 2025. CraigThe Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza reports that as of July 16, at least 58,573 people have been killed in Gaza, and a further 139,607 people injured. There is a widespread humanitarian crisis in the territory, with nearly all of the population having been displaced, according to the U.N. What To Know Superman, directed by James Gunn, was released on July 11 and rebooted the Superman franchise. The film marks Gunn's first entry into the DC Universe but he is known for his work on the Marvel film, Guardians of the Galaxy and began work on Superman in 2022. His latest film has exceeded box office and critical expectations, officially hitting $217 million following its first weekend in cinemas Variety reported. As of press time, it has an 83 percent Tomatometer score and a 93 percent Popcornmeter score on Rotten Tomatoes. Viewers of the film have drawn parallels between it's content and the war between Israel and Gaza. This has been applauded and condemned online in equal measure. "I saw the new Superman film last night. Tell me why it is as anti-Israel as people were making it out to be," the TikTok creator @blondebirchtree said in a video that has been viewed over 193,000 times. "All week people on Twitter have been saying it's explicitly anti-Israel... Without a doubt that is the most pro-Palestine I have seen a mainstream film ever be," @blondebirchtree continued in the video. A further video from this creator has the text overlay "they weren't lying about the new superman film being anti Israel," and has been viewed 3.7 million times as of reporting. "It's pretty clearly supposed to be Israel and Palestine," the TikTok creator @Coleleightonfilm said in a video viewed over 20,000 times on the platform. The parallel has also been drawn by popular left-wing Twitch steamer and social media personality, Hasan Piker, who uploaded a video to YouTube titled: "Superman just EXPOSED Israel On The Big Screen." Piker refers to Israel, as well as Netanyahu as the film's major plot point, and says: "If you think this movie pulls punches from criticizing Israel, it does not." One Reddit user, posting to the thread r/Jewish wrote that it is: "Sad to see Superman (2025) being used as anti-Israel propaganda." There have been calls on social media to boycott the film. The film's plot includes Superman stopping an invasion by the fictional country of Boravia, an ally of the U.S. However, the film isn't about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to Gunn. He told "When I wrote this the Middle Eastern conflict wasn't happening. So I tried to do little things to move it away from that, but it doesn't have anything to do with the Middle East." The film has political undertones, and it may be the case that social media users are mapping these undertones onto the conflict. Gunn told The Sunday Times earlier this month that the story is about: "An immigrant that came from other places and populated the country." What People Are Saying James Gunn, the director of Superman speaking to The Sunday Times: "For me it is mostly a story that says basic human kindness is a value and something we have lost…Yes, it plays differently, but it's about human kindness and obviously there will be jerks out there who are just not kind and will take it as offensive just because it is about kindness. But screw them." Hasan Piker, popular left-wing Twitch steamer and social media personality speaking in a video shared to YouTube: "It's very clearly Israel Palestine." One social media user wrote on X in a post viewed 4.5 million times: "yall were not kidding about how anti-israel and pro palestine that superman movie was, and they were not slick with it AT ALL." What's Next The film was released less than a week ago, so reactions may well continue to build on social media over time.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'The Boys' Jack Quaid Recalls ‘Crazy' Tom Holland Meeting: 'Spider-Man Knows Who I Am'
It's not every day you get to meet Spider-Man in real life, or at least the man who portrays him, Tom Holland. That moment is enough to catch some fellow stars off guard, as The Boys actor Jack Quaid proved. During a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Quaid, who plays Hughie in the show, opened up about several topics, and one specific incident he highlighted was the type of moment fans love. While there's certainly no shortage of celebrities around the world who have watched the popular Amazon Prime Video series The Boys, Quaid was left a bit stunned by the fact that the Spider-Man star was among the show's viewers. "I remember meeting Tom Holland very briefly at a party once, and he was like, 'Oh, The Boys.' And I was like, 'There's no way that Spider-Man knows who I am. That's crazy,'" Quaid explained. The Boys has become beloved by fans, and not surprisingly, it seems the show has plenty of fans who also work in Hollywood. While the excitement surrounding the show has remained high throughout its first four seasons, it has now built up to its final season, which has generated immense intrigue. Season 5 of The Boys has now wrapped filming, and it appears on track for its expected 2026 release. The anti-superhero show has received a certified fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes for each of its first four seasons, with the previous three all hitting a critics' score of 92 percent or higher. Seasons 2 and 3 lead the way, with critic ratings of 97 and 98 percent, respectively. Season 1 of The Boys checked in with the highest marks from fans, with an impressive 91 percent score on the fan-focused Popcornmeter, based on more than 5,000 ratings. As for Holland in his beloved role as Spider-Man, which he has played since 2016, he's set to reprise the role in the upcoming film Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which has a release date of July 31, 2026.'The Boys' Jack Quaid Recalls 'Crazy' Tom Holland Meeting: 'Spider-Man Knows Who I Am' first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 3, 2025 Solve the daily Crossword
Metro
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
‘Brilliant' action thriller finally lands on Netflix 5 years after release
Sophie-May Williams Published July 8, 2025 12:15pm Link is copied Comments Calling all action film lovers, Netflix has just added a 'brilliant' thriller to the streaming platform, five years after its release. Yep, we're talking about the Liam Neeson-led Honest Thief, which was first released back in 2020, and grossed a worldwide total of $32.6 million. While it may not have made an impression as huge as the Taken trilogy, many Neeson fans have dubbed Honest Thief as 'brilliant' and a 'satisfying' watch. And, now that Netflix has acquired the movie, it's only a matter of time until a new legion of fans is found. So, what exactly happens in Honest Thief, and what have fans said about the film? (Picture: AP) Neeson stars as Tom Carter, a meticulous thief who is so good at his job (see: being a criminal) that he's referred to as the 'In-and-Out Bandit.' Over the course of his 'career,' he admits to stealing a casual $9 million from small-town banks - all while managing to keep his identity a secret. As a former US Marine and demolition expert, he uses his knowledge and skills to pull off heist after heist (Picture: AP) However, when he falls in love with the happy-go-lucky Annie, played by Kate Walsh, Tom decides that he needs to give up his illegal lifestyle for good. But, when he heads to the police station to divulge his criminal past - and hand in the stolen $9 million - he finds himself being double-crossed by two ruthless FBI agents who intend to steal the money for themselves. Oh, and they also frame him for a murder he didn't commit. What follows is a high-stakes cat-and-mouse chase across town, with Tom and Annie trying to evade the FBI, while also proving that the agents are crooks (Picture: AP) There's no time like the present, as Netflix added Honest Thief to its action thriller catalogue today. This means you can either binge it during your Monday night viewing, or wait until the weekend to have it as your Friday night, Saturday night, or Sunday afternoon watch. Or, watch it multiple times this week, there's no judgment here (Picture: AP) On Rotten Tomatoes, Honest Thief holds an impressive 87% on the Popcornmeter, where regular viewers can share their reviews. However, the Tomatometer, aka the critics' section, only boasts 41%. The former has over 1,000 ratings, many of which praise Neeson's performance and the 'above average' script. One person called the movie 'underrated,' while another said: 'Liam Neeson doing what he does best. Never disappoints' (Picture: AP) Elsewhere, a third fan typed: 'Very entertaining, well written and lots of stars doing a fantastic job. Lots of action with a little bit of humor at just the right time,' as a fourth echoed: 'While certainly nothing we haven't seen Liam Neeson do before, an above average script and solid work from his supporting cast make this version of Taken well worth a watch.' Other notable compliments include: 'A amazing movie but really, when has Liam Neeson ever disappointed us in a film? Good for all ages and just a tasteful film. The storyline is phenomenal so if you haven't watched it then stop what you are doing and go watch it.' Plus, 'What a thriller! Great movie' (Picture: AP) Unfortunately, the critics aren't as easy to please. M. N. Miller at Ready Steady Cut said: 'Honest Thief has insincere characters, a mundane plot, and is a fairly bland thriller by any standard,' while Sarah Ward at Concrete Playground shared: 'Another bland action film with little else going for it beyond its main attraction.' There were some positive reviews from critics, though. Keith Garlington from Keith & The Movies said Neeson 'delivered what his film promised – light, breezy entertainment for fans of these fun getaway thrillers,' as Jeanne Kaplan from Kaplan vs. Kaplan penned: 'HONEST THIEF isn't going to win any awards, but fans of Neeson will appreciate his efforts. I found it a rather good diversion for 99 minutes.' Honest Thief is now streaming on Netflix (Picture: AP)
