All posts by Kenna

Pachinko Season 2

“Pachinko” Season 2 Storyline and Images

Apple TV, drama, episodic, foreign, , ,

The upcoming second season of Pachinko is the award-winning, globally acclaimed sweeping drama series created and executive-produced by Soo Hugh. The eight-episode series plays to the audience in three languages—Korean, Japanese, and English.

Pachinko Season 2

The trailer debuts a new moving cover of Coldplay’s Viva La Vida by global superstar Rosé of the record-breaking K-pop group BlackPink. In addition to debuting as the series’ trailer anthem, Rosé’s cover is also featured in the Pachinko season two finale. 

Based on the New York Times bestselling novel of the same name, Pachinko is a sweeping and deeply moving story of love and survival across four generations, told through the eyes of a remarkable matriarch, Sunja.

In season two, the parallel stories pick up in Osaka in 1945, where Sunja is forced to make dangerous decisions for her family’s survival during World War II, and in Tokyo in 1989, where Solomon explores new, humble beginnings. 

The first season received 11 international awards, including a Peabody Award, an American Film Institute Award, a Critics Choice Award and a Gotham Independent Film Award. Season two stars Lee Minho, Yuh-Jung Youn, Minha Kim, Jin Ha, Anna Sawai, Eunchae Jung, Soji Arai, Junwoo Han, and Sungkyu Kim.

Ralph Fiennes in Conclave

“Conclave” Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini

based on a book, drama, suspense, ,

Edward Berger directed Conclave, written for the screen by Peter Straughan, based on Robert Harris’s bestseller.

The story follows one of the most secretive and ancient events: the selection of a new Pope.

John Lithgow stars as Cardinal Tremblay, a Focus Features release. Credit: Philippe Antonello/Focus Features ©2024 All Rights Reserved.

Cardinal Lawrence, played by Ralph Fiennes, has taken over the secretive process after the unexpected death of the beloved Pope. The Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders gather from around the world and are locked together in the Vatican halls. Here, Lawrence finds himself at the center of a conspiracy and discovers a secret that could shake the very foundation of the Church.

Isabella Rossellini stars as Sister Agnes, a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features. © 2024 All Rights Reserved.

The stellar cast includes Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini, Carlos Diehz and Lucian Msamati.

Berger directed the highly acclaimed film All Quiet on the Western Front.

“Cuckoo” Images and Poster

horror, ,

Reluctantly, 17-year-old Gretchen (Hunter Schafer) leaves her American home to live with her father (Marton Csokas), who has just moved into a resort in the German Alps with his new family.

When they arrive at their future residence, Mr. König, played by Dan Stevens, Gretchen’s father’s boss, greets them and takes an inexplicable interest in Gretchen’s mute half-sister Alma.

Something doesn’t seem right in this tranquil vacation paradise. Strange noises and bloody visions plague Gretchen until she discovers a shocking secret concerning her family.

German director Tilman Singer shot on 35 mm, creating a gritty, edgy film.

Other films directed by Singer:

Luz

El Fin Del Mundo

City of Dreams

“City of Dreams” Music Poster and Images

drama, , , , , ,

Mohit Ramchandani directed the City of Dreams, inspired by actual events. Traffickers transport Jesús, played by Ari Lopez, a young Mexican boy with dreams of becoming a soccer star, across the border and sell him to a sweatshop in downtown Los Angeles. There, it’s a sweatshop forcing him to make fast fashion, shattering his dreams.

Thrust into a world of exploitation and despair, he’s forced to adhere to the grueling work schedule dictated by El Jefe, a boss who promises freedom for those who complete their quotas.

City of Dreams

Despite his hellish existence, Jesus finds solace in Elena, a girl who shares a similar experience of betrayal and slavery. When Elena goes missing and another co-worker, Carlito, suffers severe beatings, Jesus realizes he can only achieve freedom by making a daring escape.

The rest of the cast includes Jason Patric, Alfredo Castro, Samm Levine, Paulina Gaitan, Francisco Denis, and Diego Calva.

“One Fast Move” Poster and Images

drama, sports, , ,

Kelly Blatz directed One Fast Move, an action-adventure thrill ride. The story follows a young man, played by KJ Apa, who is down on his luck and seeks his estranged father, played by Eric Dane.

He asks his father for help pursuing his dream of becoming a professional motorcycle racer.

Maia Reficco (Camila) and Wes Neal (KJ Apa) in ONE FAST MOVE Photo Credit: Courtesy of Prime © AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES LLC

With the help of his small town love interest, played by Maia Reficco, and a motorcycle shop owner, played by Edward James Olmos, who moonlights as his mentor, he breaks down the walls his father’s absence had built up.

“Captain America: Brave New World” Storyline

action, adventure, super heroes,

Julius Onah directed Captain America: Brave New World, based on the Marvel Comics character Sam Wilson/Captain America. The fourth installment of the series is based on the screenplay by Malcolm Spellman, Dalan Musson, and Matthew Orton.

Mackie’s Wilson character stepped into Captain America’s boots at the end of Captain America: Civil War, starring Chris Evans.

The latest production began in 2022 and underwent reshoots in May 2024, following filming in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., in 2023.

The cast includes Harrison Ford, Liv Tyler, Tim Blake Nelson, and Shira Haas.

Other films directed by Onah:

Luce

The Cloverfield Paradox

The Girl Is in Trouble

Cirque Du Soleil

“Cirque Du Soleil: Without A Net” Poster

documentary, on Amazon

Dawn Porter directed Cirque du Soleil: Without a Net, a documentary focusing on the reboot of its renowned production after a year-long global shutdown.

The film follows performers who strive to maintain a positive attitude while waiting in uncertainty if they’ll ever perform again. The day arrives when the crew finds out Cirque du Soleil will perform, once again, in Las Vegas, and they must meet their legendary high standards.

They have eight weeks to prepare themselves because the show must go on!

Tyler Perry Movie

Tyler Perry’s “Divorce in the Black” Poster, and Images

drama, ,

Tyler Perry wrote and directed Divorce in the Black, a harsh, bold movie about Ava, played by Meagan Good, a young bank professional. She’s devastated when her husband, played by Cory Hardrict, leaves their marriage.

Ava is determined to prevail and fight for her destiny until fate intervenes. She meets her true soulmate, played by Joseph Lee Anderson. But her former husband returns and stirs up wicked deeds that once sabotaged her destiny.

Ava (Meagan Good) and Gene (Debbi Morgan) Photo Credit: Quantrell Colbert/Prime Video © AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES LLC
Ava (Meagan Good) and Dallas (Cory Hardrict) Credit: Quantrell Colbert/Prime Video © AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES LLC
Gladiator II

“Gladiator II” Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Paul Mescal

adventure, drama, sequels, , ,
Gladiator
Sequel to Gladiator

From experienced director Ridley Scott, Gladiator II is set in Ancient Rome and tells a story of power, intrigue and vengeance.

Screenplay by David Scarpa and based on a story by Peter Craig and Scarpa, years after witnessing the death of a revered hero, Maximus, at the hands of his uncle, Lucius, played by Paul Mescal, forcibly enters the Colosseum.

Tyrannical Emperors oppressed Rome with an iron fist and took Lucius from his home. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius looks to his past to draw strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.

The supporting cast includes Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal and Connie Nelsen.

Other films directed by Scott:

The Last Duel

Gladiator

All the Money in the World

Napoleon

House of Gucci

Alien: Covenant

Alien

The Martian

Blade Runner

“Agatha All Along” Storyline

based on a book, Disney+, horror, ,

Disney will stream Agatha All Along, a streaming miniseries created by Jac Schaeffer, based on the Marvel character Agatha Harkness.

Kathryn Hahn plays Agatha, and the supporting cast includes Aubrey Plaza, Joe Locke, and Patti LuPone.